his owne country and Dioces in taking the cause of right and equitye agaynste oppressiō and wrong As for an other example there was at that time not far from the dioces of Worcester a certayn Iustice of peace whom here I will not name being a good man afterward and now deceased This Iustice in purchasinge of certayne land for his brother or for himselfe wēt about to wrong or damnify a poore man who made his cōplaynt to M. Latimer He first hearing then tendering his rightfull cause wrote his letter to the Gentleman exhorting him to remember himselfe to consider the cause and to absteine from iniury The Iustice of peace not content withall as the fashion of men is when they are tolde of theyr fault sendeth word agayne in greate displeasure that hee would not so take it at his handes with suche threatnyng wordes c. M. Latimer hearing this aunswered agayne by writing to a certain gentleman the copy wherof amōg his letters hereafter foloweth in the sequele of this story to be sene It were a large long processe to story out all the doinges trauels writings of this christian Bishop neither yet haue we expressed all that came to our handes but this I thought sufficient for this present Thus he continued in this laborious function of a Bishop the space of certayne yeares till the comming in of the 6. Articles Then beyng distressed through the straightnesse of time so that either he must lose the quiet of a good conscience or els must forsake his Bishopricke he did of his owne free accord resigne his pastorship At which time Shaxton then bishop of Salisbury resigned likewise with hym his bishopricke And so these two remayned a great space vnbishopped keping silence till the time of king Edwarde of blessed memory At what time he first put of his Rochet in his chamber amōg his frendes sodenly he gaue askip in the floore for ioy feling his shoulders so light and being discharged as he sayd of such an heauy burden Howbeit neither was he so lightened but that troubles labors folowed him wheresoeuer he went For a litle after he had renounced his bishoprick first he was almost slayne but sore brused with the fall off a tree Then comming vp to London for remedye he was molested troubled of the bishops wherby he was again in no little daunger at length was cast into the Tower where he cōtinually remayned Prisoner till the time that blessed K. Edward entred his crown by meanes wherof the goldē mouth of this preacher long shut vp before was now opened agayne And so he beginning a freshe to sette forth his plough agayne continued all the time of the said king labouring in the Lordes haruest most fruitfully discharging his talent as well in diuers other places of this realme as in Stamford and before the Duches of Suffolk whose sermons be extant and set forth in print as also at London in the conuocation house and especially before the king at the Court in the same place of the inward garden which was before applied to lasciuious courtly pastimes there he dispensed the fruitefull word of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ preaching there before the king hys whole Court to the edification of many * A description of M. Latimer preaching before K. Edward the 6. in the preaching place at Westminster IN this his paynefull trauell he occupied himselfe all K. Edwardes dayes preaching for the most part euery sonday twise to no small shame of all other loytering and vnpreaching Prelates which occupy great roomes and do litle good and that so much more to theyr shame because he being a sore brused man by the fall of the Tree mentioned a little before and aboue lxvij yeares of age tooke so little case and care of sparing himselfe to doe the people good Now to speake here of his indefatigable trauell and diligence in his owne priuate studies who notwithstanding both hys yeares and other paynes in preaching euerye mornyng ordinaryly Wynter and Sommer about two of the clocke in the morninge was at his booke most diligently Howe carefull his hart was of the preseruation of the Churche and the good successe of the Gospell hys Letters canne testify wherewith he continuallye admonished such as then were in authority of theyr duty and assisted them with his godly counsell As the diligence of this man of God neuer ceased all the time of king Edward to profite the Church both publickely and priuately so among other doings in him to be noted this is not lightly to be ouerpassed but worthye to be obserued that God not onely gaue vnto him his spirite plenteously and comfortably to preache his word vnto hys Churche but also by the same spirite hee did so euidentlye foreshew and prophecye of all those kindes of plagues before which afterward ensued that if England euer had a Prophet he might seeme to be one And as touching hymselfe he euer affirmed that the preachinge of the Gospell would cost him his life to the which he no lesse chearefully prepared himselfe then certaynely was perswaded that Winchester was kept in the Tower for the same purpose as the euent did to truelye prooue the same For after the death of the sayde blessed King Edwarde not long after Queene Marye was proclaymed a Pursiuant was sente downe by the meanes no doubt of Winchester into the countrey to call him vp of whose comming although M. Latimer lacked no forewarning being premonished about sixe houres before by one Iohn Careles whose story here after foloweth yet so farre of was it that he thought to escape that he prepared himselfe towards his iorney before the sayd Pursiuant came to his house At the which thing when the Pursiuant maruelled seing him so prepared towardes his iourney he sayde vnto him My frend you be a welcome Messenger to me And be it knowne vnto you and to the whole world that I go as willingly to Londō at this present being called by my Prince to render a reckoning of my doctrine as euer I was at any place in the worlde And I doubt not but that God as he hath made me worthy to preache his word before two excellent Princes so he wil able me to witnes the same vnto the thyrd either to her comfort or discomfort eternally c. At the which time the Pursiuant whē he had deliuered his letters departed affirming that he had commaundement not to tary for him By whose sodein departure it was manifest that they would not haue him appere but rather to haue fled out of the realme They knewe that his constancy should deface them in theyr Popery and cōfirme the godly in the truth Thus Mayster Latimer being sent for and comming vp to London through Smithfield where merely he sayd that Smithfielde had long groaned for him was brought before the Counsell where hee pacientlye bearing all the mockes and tauntes
Gods Saintes to death so this Bishoppe for his part bent all his deuises and had spent all his pouder in assayling the roote and in casting such a platforme as he himselfe in wordes at his death is said to confesse to buyld his popery vpoÌ„ as he thought should haue stand for euer and a day But as I sayd before of vncertayne thinges I can speake but vncertaynely Wherefore as touching the maner and order of his death how rich he died what wordes he spake what litle repentaunce he shewed whether he died with his tongue swolne and out of his mouth as did Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Caunterbury or whether he stonke before he dyed as Cardinall Wolsey did or whether he dyed in dispayre as Latomus and others did c. All this I referre either to their reportes of whom I hearde it or leaue it to the knowledge of them whiche know it better Notwithstanding here by the way touching the death of this foresayde B. I thought not to ouerpasse a certaine hearesay which not long since came to me by information of a certaine worthy credible Gentlewoman an other Gentleman of the same name and kinred which Mistres Monday beyng the wyfe of one M. Monday Secretary sometime to the old L. Thomas D. of Northfolke a present witnes of this that is testified thus openly reported in the house of a worshypfull Citisen bearyng yet office in this Citie in wordes effect as foloweth The same day when as B. Ridley and M. Latimer suffered at Oxford being about the .19 day of October there came to the house of Ste. Gardiner the old D. of Norfolke with the foresaid M. Monday his secretary aboue named reporter hereof The old aged Duke there wayting tariyng for his dinner the B. being not yet disposed to dine deferred the time to .3 or .4 of the clocke at after noone At length about .4 of the clocke commeth his seruaunt posting in all possible speede from Oxford bringing intelligence to the B. what he had heard seene of whom the sayd B. diligently enquiring the truth of the matter and hearing by his man that fyre most certainely was set vnto them commeth out reioysing to the Duke Now sayeth he let vs go to dinner Whereupon they beyng set downe meate immediately was brought and the Bishop began merely to eat But what folowed The bloudy Tyraunt had not eaten a few bitteâ— but the soden stroke of God his terible hande fell vpon him in such sort as immediatly he was taken from the table and so brought to his bedde where he continued the space of 15. dayes in such intollerable anguish and tormentes that all that meane while during those .15 dayes he could not auoyde by order of vrine or otherwyse any thing that he receiued whereby his body being miserably inflamed within who had inflamed so many good Martyrs before was brought to a wretched end And thereof no dout as most like it is came the thrustyng out of his tongue from his mouth so swolne and blacke with the inflamation of his body A spectacle worthy to be noted and beholden of all such bloudy burnyng persecutors But to proceede farther in the sequell of our storie I coulde name the man but I abstayne from names who being then present and a great doer about the sayd Winchester reported to vs concerning the sayde Byshop that when Doctor Day B. of Chichester came to him and began to comfort him with woordes of Gods promise and with the free iustification in the bloud of Christe our Sauiour repeating the Scriptures to him Winchester hearyng that what my Lorde quoth he will you open that gappe now then farewell altogether To me and such other in my case you may speake it but open this window vnto the people then farewell altogether Moreouer what D. Boner then saw in him or what he heard of him what wordes passed betweene them about the tyme of his extremitie betwixt him and him be it If Boner did there beholde any thing which might turne to his good example I exhort him to take it and to beware in time as I pray God he may Here I could bring in the friuolous Epitaph which was made of his deth deuised of a Papist for a Popish Bysh. but I pretermit it in steede thereof I haue here â—â—ferred certayne gatheringes out of his Sermons wordes and writinges wherein may appeare first what an earnest and vehement enemie he was to the Pope if he woulde haue bene constant in him selfe then how inconstantly he varied froÌ„ himselfe and thirdly how he standing vpon a singularity of his owne wit wauering also from other Papistes in certaine poyntes In the gathering whereof albeit there be some paines tediousnes also in readyng yet I thought not to pretermit the same vppon certayne considerations namely for that so many yet to this day there be whiche sticke so muche to Gardiners wit learnyng religion taking him for such a doughty piller of the Popes church To the intent therefore that such as hetherto haue bene deceiued by him may no longer be abused therein if they will either credit his owne wordes workes Sermons writinges disputations or els will be iudged by his owne witnesses of his owne party producted we haue here collected such manifest probations which may notoriously declare how effectuously first he withstode the Popes supremacie and likewyse afterward may declare manifest contrariety and repugnaunce of the said Gardiner first with other writers and lastly with him selfe first beginning with his Sermon preached before Kyng Edward The summe and effect of which Sermon briefly collected by M. Udal here vnder foloweth to be seene ¶ The summe and effect of the Sermons which Gardiner B. of Winchester preached before King Edward An. 1550. MOst honorable audience I purpose by the grace of God to declare some part of the Gospell that is accustomably vsed to be read in the Church as this day And for because that without the speciall grace of God neither I can speake any thyng to your edifying nor ye receiue the same accordingly I shal desire you all that we may ioyntly pray altogether for the assistance of his grace In which praier I commend to almighty God your most excellent Maiestie our soueraigne Lord King of Englande France Ireland and of the Church of England Ireland next and immediately vnder God here on earth the supreme heade Queene Katherine Dowager my Lady Maries grace my Lady Elizabethes grace your Maiesties most deare sisters my Lorde Protectours grace with all others of your most honorable CouÌ„saile the spiritualtie and temporaltie and I shall desire you to commend vnto God with your praier the soules departed vnto God in Christes faith and among these most specially our late soueraigne Lorde King Henry the eighte your maiesties most noble father For these and for grace necessary I shall desire you to say a Pater noster and so foorth The Gospell
strikers and my womanish backe to theyr burthens of reproofe and so in the strength of my God I truste to leape ouer the wall for his sweetenesse ouercommeth me dayly maketh al these poticary druggs of the world euen medicinelike in my mouth For the continuance wherof I beseech thee my deare fellow souldior make thy faythful prayer for me that I may with a strong and gladsome conscience finish my course and obtayne the reward though it be no whit due to my worke I am not content that you so often gratifie me with thankes for that which is none worthy but duty on my part small reliefe to you But if you would loue me so much that I might supply your lackes then would I think ye beleued my offers to be such as agreed with my hart And for the short charges ye speake of the meanes are not so pleasant if god who my trust is in will otherwise prepare but Salomō saith Al things haue here their time You to day I to morow so the ende of Adams line is soone ronne out The mightye God geue vs his grace that during this time his glory be not defaced through our weakenes Because you desire to shew your selfe a worthy souldiour if neede so require I will supply your request for the Scarfe yee wrote of that ye may present my handy worke before your Captayne that I be not forgotten in the odours of incense which our beloued Christ offereth for his owne to whom I bequeth both our bodies and soules Your owne in the Lord. F.E. Ouer and besides these letters the Bishops did also bring forth a supplication made by mayster Philpot vnto the high Court of Parliament whereof mention is made in the first of the two letters last mentioned the copy wherof doth here ensue as followeth To the King and Queenes Maiesties highnesse the Lordes spiritual and temporall and the commons of this present Parliament assembled IN most humble wise complayneth vnto this honorable Courte of Parliament Iohn Philpot Clarke that where there was by the Queenes highnesse a parliament called in the first yeare of her gracious raygne and after the olde custome a Couocation of the Clergy your suppliant then being one of the sayd Conuocation house and matters there rising vppon the vsing of the Sacramentes did dispute in the same knowing that there all men had and hath had free speach and ought not to be after troubled for any thinge there spoken and yet that notwithstanding not long after the sayd Parliament your sayd suppliant without any acte or matter was commaunded to prison to the kings Benche by the late Lord Chauncellour where he hath remayned euer sithens vntil now of late that my Lord the B. of London hath sent for your sayd suppliant to examine him being none of his Dioces vpon certayn matters wherein they would haue your Oratour to declare his conscience whiche the sayd bishop sayth hee hath authoritie to do by reason of an Acte of Parliament made in the first and second yeares of the king and queeenes Maiesties raignes for the reuiuing of three Satutes made agaynst thē that hold any opinion agaynst the Catholicke fayth whereby he affirmeth that euery Ordinary may Ex Officio examine euery mans conscience and for that your sayde Oratour hath and doth refuse that the sayd Bish. of London hath any authoritie ouer your sayd Oratour for that he is neyther Diocesane nor hath publyshed preached nor held any opinion against the Catholicke faith notwithstanding the said Bishop of London deteineth him in the Colehouse in the stockes without eyther bed or any other thing to lye vpon but straw and for that your sayde Oratour cannot appeale for his reliefe from the sayd Bishop to anye other Iudge but the same bishop may refuse the same by theyr law and therefore hath no succour and helpe but by this high Courte of Parliament for the explanatiō of the sayd Acte therefore it may please you that it may be enacted by the kinge and Queenes Maiesties the Lordes spirituall and temporall and the Commons of this present Parliament assembled and by the authoritie of the same that no Byshop nor Ordinary shall committe nor detayne in prison any suspect person or persones for the Catholicke fayth except he or they haue spoken written or done some manifest Act against the Catholicke fayth and the same to be lawfully proued agaynst euery such person and persons by the testimony of two lawfull witnesses to be brought afore the sayd person or persons so accused before he or they shal eyther be committed to prison or conuict for any such offence or offences the sayd former statute made in the sayd first second yeare of our said soueraigne Lord and Lady notwithstanding Whereby your sayde Oratour shal not only bee set at libertie diuers other mo remayning in prison but also the bloude of diuers of the Quueenes Maiesties true and faythfull subiectes preserued The condemnation of the worthy Martyr of God Iohn Philpot. THese bookes Letters Supplications and other matters being thus read the bishop demaunded of him if the booke intituled The true report of the disputation c. were of his penning or not Whereunto Philpot aunswered that it was a good and true booke and of hys owne penning and setting forth The bishops waxing now weary and being not able by any sufficient ground either of Gods worde or of the true ancient Catholicke fathers to conuince ouercome him fell by fayre and flattering speach to perswade wyth him promising that if he would reuoke his opinions and come home agayne to their Romishe and Babilonicall Church he should not onely be pardoned that which was past but also they would with al fauour and chearefulnes of hart receiue him agayne as a true member therof Whiche words when Boner saw would take no place hee demandeth of M. Philpot and that with a charitable affection I warrant you whether he had any iust cause to alledge why he shoulde not condemne him as an hereticke Well quoth M. Philpot your idolatrous sacrament which you haue found out ye would fayne defend but ye cannot nor neuer shall In the end the Byshop seeing hys vnmoueable stedfastnes in the trueth did pronounce openly the sentence of condemnation against him In the reading wherof when he came to these words Teque etiam tanquam haereticum obstinatum pertinacem impoenitentem c. M. Philpot said I thanke God that I am an hereticke out of your cursed Church I am no hereticke before God But God blesse you and geue you once grace to repent youre wicked doinges and let all men beware of your bloudy church Moreouer whiles Boner was about the middest of the sentence the bishop of Bath pulled him by the sleeue sayd My Lord my Lord knowe of him first whether hee will recant or no Then Boner sayd full like himselfe oh let me alone and so read forth the sentence And
while her husbande was in prison Where the keepers wife named Agnes Penycote had secretlye heated a key fire hoate and laid it in grasse on the backeside So speaking to Alice Coberley to set her the key in all haste the said Alice went with speed to bring the key and so taking vp the key in hast did pitiously burne her hand Wherupon she crying out at the sodein burning of her hand Ah thou drabbe quoth the other thou that canst not abide the burning of the key howe wiâ—e thou be able to burne the whole body and so she afterward reuoked But to returne agayne to the story of Coberley who being somewhat learned and being at the stake was somewhat long a burning as the wynde stoode After his bodye was skorched with the fire and hys leafte Arme drawne and taken from hym by the violence of the fyre the fleshe beinge burnt to the whyte boare at length he stouped ouer the cheyne and wyth the ryghte hande being somewhat starckned knocked vpon his brest softly the bloud and matter issuing out of his mouth Afterward when all they thought he had bene deade sodenly he rose right vp with his body agayne And thus muche concerning these three Salisbury Martyrs ¶ A discourse of the death and Martyrdome of sixe other Martyrs suffering at London whose names here folow ABout the xxiij day of Aprill Anno Dom. 1556. were burned in Smithfielde at one fire these sixe constaunt Martyrs of Christ suffering for the profession of the Gospell viz. Robert Drakes Minister William Tyms Curate Richard Spurge Shereman Thomas Spurge Fuller Iohn Cauell Weauer George Ambrose Fuller They were al of Essex and so of the dioces of London and were sent vp some by the Lord Rich and some by others at suÌ„dry times vnto Stephen Gardiner B. of Winchester then Lord Chauncellor of England about the 22. day of March an 1555. Who vpon small examination sent them some vnto the kinges Benche and others vnto the Marshalsea where they remained almost all the whole yere vntill the death of the sayd Bishop of Winchester and had during that time nothing said vnto them Wherupon after that Doctor Heath Archbishop of Yorke was choseÌ„ to the office of Lord Chauncellorshippe foure of these persecuted brethren being now wery of this theyr long imprisonmeÌ„t made theyr supplication vnto the said D. Heath requiring his fauour and ayd for their deliueraunce the copy whereof ensueth * To the right reuerend father Tho. Archb. of Yorke Lord Chauncellour of England MAy it please your honorable good Lordship for the loue of God to tender the humble sute of your lordships poore Orators whose names are subscribed which haue lien in great misery in the Marshalsea by the space of x. monethes and more at the commaundement of the late Lord Chauncellour to their vtter vndoing with theyr wiues children In consideration wher of your Lordships sayd Oratours do most humbly pray and beseeche your good Lordship to suffer them to be brought before your honour and there if any man of good conscience can lay any thing vnto our charge we trust either to declare our innocency agaynst theyr accusations or if otherwise theyr accusations can be proued true and we faulty we are ready God helping vs with our condigne punishments to satisfy the law according to your wise Iudgement as we hope ful of fatherly mercy towardes vs and all men according to your Godly office in the which we pray for your Godly successe to the good pleasure of GOD. Amen This Supplication was sent as is sayd and subscribed with the names of these 4. vnder folowing Richard Spurge Thomas Spurge George Ambrose Iohn Cauell * Richard Spurge VPon the receipt and sight hereof it was not long after but Syr Richard Read Knight then one of the Officers of the Court of the Chauncery 16. day of Ianuary was sent vnto the Marshalsea to examine the sayd foure prisoners therefore beginning first with Richard Spurge vpon certaine demaundes receiued his answeres therunto the effect whereof was that he with others were complayned vpon by the Parson of Bocking vnto the Lorde Rich for that they came not vnto theyr Parish Church of Bocking where they inhabited and therupon was by the sayd Lord Rich sent vnto the late Lord Chauncellour about the xxij day of March last past videl an 1555. And farther he sayd that he came not to the Church sithens the first alteration of the English seruice into Latin Christmasse day then a tweluemoneth only except that because he misliked both the same and the Masse also as not consonant and agreing with Gods holy word Moreouer he required that he might not be any more examined vpoÌ„ the matter vnles it pleased the Lord ChauÌ„cellour that then was to know his fayth therein which to him he would willingly vtter * Thomas Spurge THomas Spurge being then next examined made the same aunswere in effect that the other had done confessing that he absented himselfe from the church because the word of God was not there truely taught nor the Sacramentes of Christ duely ministred in such sort as was prescribed by the same word And being farther examined of his beliefe concerning the sacrament of the aultar he said that if any could accuse him thereof he would then make aunswere as God had geuen him knowledge therein ¶ George Ambrose THe like answere made George Ambrose adding moreouer that after he had read the late Byshop of Winchesters booke intituled De vera obedientia with Boners preface thereunto annexed inueying both against the authority of the Bishop of Rome he did much lesse set by theyr doinges then before ¶ Iohn Cauell IOhn Cauell agreyng in other matters with them aunswered that the cause why hee did forbeare the comming to the Churche was that the Parson there had preached two contrary doctrines For firste in a Sermon that hee made at the Queenes first entrye to the crowne he did exhort the people to beleue the Gospell for it was the truth and if they did not beleue it they shoulde be damned But in a second Sermon he preached that the Testament was false in forty places which contrariety in him was a cause amongest other of his absenting from the Church ¶ Robert Drakes ABout the fourth day of Marche next after Robert Drakes also was examined who was ParsoÌ„ of ThuÌ„dersley in Essex and had there remayned the space of three yeares He was first made Deacon by Doctour Taylour of Hadley at the commaundement of Doctour Cranmer late Archbyshop of CauÌ„terbury And within one yeare after which was the thyrd of the reigne of kyng Edward he was by the sayd Archbyshop and Doctour Ridley Bishop of London admitted Minister of Gods holy word Sacramentes not after the order then in force but after such order as was after established was presented vnto the sayd benefice of Thundersley by the Lord Rich at the
came to the ship to see hym many of them Some gaue hym a petycoate and some a shyrt some hosen and some money alwayes noting how he cast away his money and kept his booke And many of the women wept when they heard and sawe hym And Maister Gouernour of the English nation there had hym before hym and talked with hym of all the matter and pitieng hys case commaunded the Officer of the English house to goe with hym to the free oste houses amongst the English merchaunts and I with them and at three houses there was giuen him vj. pound x. shillyngs And so from thence hee went with me to Roane where the people also came to hym to see hym meruailing at the great workes of God And thus much concerning this poore man with hys new Testament preserued in the sea which testament the Popes clergy condemneth on the land ye haue heard as I receiued by the relation of the partie aboue named who was the doer thereof and yet alyue dwellyng in Lee well knowen to all merchants of London In which story this by the way vnderstand good Reader which rightly may be supposed that if this poore man thus found preserued in the sea with a new Testament in his bosome had had in stead of that a pixe with a consecrated hoste about hym no doubt it had bene rong ere this tyme all christendom ouer for a miracle so far as the Pope hath any land But to let the Pope with his false miracles go let vs returne againe to our matter begun adioine another history of much lyke condition testified likewise by the information of the sayd Tho. Morse aboue mētioned to the intent to make known the worthy acts of the almighty that he may be magnified in all hys wonderous works The story is thus declared which happened an 1565. about Michaelmas ¶ Another like story of Gods prouidence vpon three men deliuered vpon the Sea THere was a ship saith the sayd Tho. Morse whereof I had a part goyng toward the Bay for salt with two ships of Bricklesey which were altogether goyng for salt as before is sayd At what tyme they were within x. myle of the North Foreland otherwyse called Tennet the wynd did come so contrary to our ship that they were forced to go cleane out of the way and the other two shippes kept their course still vntill our ship was almost out of sight of them And then they sawe a thing driuyng vpon the sea hoysed out their boat and went vnto it and it was three men sittyng vpon a piece of their ship which had sitten so two dayes and two nights There had bene in their shippe eight men more which were drowned beyng all Frenchmen dwelling in a place in France called Olloronne They had bene at Danswike and lost their ship about Orford Nas as might be learned by their words They were men that feared God the one of them was owner of the ship Their exercise while they wer in our ship was that after the comming in they gaue thankes for their deliueraunce both mornyng and euenyng they exercised praier and also before after meat and when they came into Fraunce our ships went to the same place where these men dwelled and one of them dyd sell vnto our men their ships lading of salt and did vse thē very curteously and friendly and not at that tyme onely but alwayes whensoeuer that ship commeth thether as she hath bene there twise since he alwayes doth for them so that they can lacke nothyng I should haue noted that after our ship had taken vp those iij. men out of the Sea they had the wynd fayre presently and came and ouertooke the other two ships agayne and so they proceeded in their voiage together ¶ For the more credite of this story aboue recited to satisfie eyther the doubtfull or to preuent the quareller I haue not only alledged the name of the partie which was the doer thereof but also expressed the matter in his owne wordes as I of him receiued it the partie reporter hymself beyng yet alyue dwellyng at Lee a man so wel known amongst the Merchants of London that who so heareth the name of Thomas Morse will neuer doubt thereof And agayne the matter it selfe beyng so notoriously knowen to Merchaunts as well here as at Andwerpe that though hys name were not expressed the story can lacke no witnesses ¶ The death of William Slech in the Kinges Bench. THe last day of the sayd moneth of May in the yeare aforesayde Wil. Slech beyng in prison for the sayd doctrine of the Lordes Gospel and the confession of his truth died in the kyngs Bench and was buried on the backside of the sayd prison for that the Romish catholike spiritualtie thought hym not worthy to come within their Pope-holy churchyards neither in any other christian burial as they call it ¶ The story of foure men condemned at Lewys the 6. day of Iune IN Iune next followyng about the sixt day of the same moneth 4. Martyrs suffered together at Lewys whose names were these Thomas Harland of Woodmancote Carpenter Iohn Oswald of Woodmancote Husbandman Thomas Auington of Ardingly Turner Thomas Read To Thomas Harland I finde in the bishop of Londons registers to be obiected for not comming to church Whereunto he answered that after the Masse was restored he neuer had will to heare the same because sayd he it was in Latine whiche hee dyd not vnderstande and therefore as good quoth hee neuer a whit as neuer the better Ioh. Oswalde denyed to aunswere any thyng vntill hys accusers should bee brought face to face before hym and neuerthelesse sayd that fire and Fagottes coulde not make hym afraid but as the good Preachers which were in Kyng Edwardes tyme haue suffered and gone before so was he ready to suffer and come after and woulde bee glad thereof These foure after long imprisonment in the Kynges Bench were burned together at Lewys in Sussex in one fire the day of the moneth aforesayd ¶ The Martyrdome of Thomas Whood and Thomas Milles. IN the same towne of Lewys and in the same moneth likewyse were burned Thomas Whoode Minister and Thomas Milles about the xx day of the same moneth for resisting the erroneous and hereticall doctrine of the pretensed catholike church of Rome ¶ Two dead in the Kyngs Bench. IN the which moneth likewyse William Adherall Minister imprisoned in the Kyngs Bench there dyed the xxiiij day of the same moneth was buried on the backside Also Iohn Clement Wheelewright who dying in the sayd pryson in lyke sort vpon the dunghill was buried in the backeside two dayes after videlicet the xxv day of Iune ¶ A Merchauntes seruaunt burnt at Leycester THe next day followyng of the sayd month of Iune we read of a certaine yong man a merchants seruant who for the lyke godlynes suffred cruell persecution of the Papists and
for that there was a Peuter dishe whereof the name was scraped out theyr bodyes vpon the same were attached put in prison theyr moueable goodes taken by inuētory Within a few daies after these things this done past these 3. sely women abiding thus in durance in the castle made theyr supplication to the Iustices to haue iustice ministred vnto them videlicet If they had offended the law then to let them haue the law if not beseeching to graunt them the benefite of Subiects c. Which supplication put vp thereupon were they appoynted to come to theyr answere the fift day of Iune in the yeare aforesayd Uppon which day after straight examining of the matter and the honest aunswering of the cause by the sayde good woman at the last they submitted them to the report of their neighbours that they were no theeues nor euill disposed persons but liued truely and honestly as became Christian women to do the false and vntrue report of theyr accusers notwithstanding So the cause being thus debated after the inquirye made by the kinges Officers they were founde by theyr said neighbors not guilty of that they were charged wyth but had liued alwayes as honest women among them sauing onely that to the commaundementes of holy church they had not bene obedient c. Upon this triall verdit of the neighbours it was in fine adiudged firste that the sayd Uincent Gosset being atteinted of fellonye and condemned for the same should be whipped and after her eare being nailed to the pillory should so be banished out of the Isle without further punishment And as touching the other three women the Mother with her two daughters for theyr not comming to the Church they were returned prisoners agayn into the Castle the first of Iuly And thus farre concerning the true discourse of this matter with all the circumstaunces and appurtenaunce of the same in euery poynt as the case stoode according to the faythfull tenour and testimony of the Garnesey menne written with theyr owne handes both in Frenche and English tongue Wherein you see what false surmised matter was pretended agaynst these women and nothing proued and howe by the attestation of theyr neighbours they were fully clered of that facte and should by the temporall Courte haue bene dismissed had not the spirituall Clergy men picking matter of religion agaynst them exercised such extremitye in persecuting these miserable prisoners that in no case they could escape theyr bloudye handes till at length they had brought them as you shall heare to theyr finall ende For after the time of this declaration aboue mentioned made by the neighbours whereby they were purged of al other thinges being then known of theyr not comming to the Church the Bailiefes Lieutenaunt and the Iustice thinking the matter not to perteyne to them but to the Clergy forthwith wrote theyr letters or Mandate vnder theyr signes to the deane whose name was Iaques Amy and Curates of the sayd Isle The contentes wherof here foloweth ¶ A Letter sent from the Bailieffes Lieutenaunt and Iurates of Saynt Peters Port to the Deane and Curates of the Isle of Garnesey MAyster Deane and Iustices in your Court and iurisdiction after all amiable recommendations pleaseth you to know that we are informed by the deposition of certayn honest men past before vs in maner of an inquiry in the which inquiry Katherine Cawches and her two daughters haue submitted themselues in a certayne matter criminall Wherein we be informed that they haue bene disobedient to the commaundementes and ordinances of the Church in contēning and forsaking the masse and the ordinances of the same agaynst the will and commaundement of our souereigne Lord the king and the Queene Wherof we send you the sayd matter for as much as the matter is spirituall to the end you may proceed therein after your good discretions and as brieflye as you can possible and also that it perteined to your office recommēding you to God the which geue you grace to do that perteineth to right and iustice Written the first day of the moneth of Iuly the yeare of our Lord. 1556. After these letters and information thus addressed to Iaques Amy Deane and to other of the Clergy the sayde women were agayne commensed before the Iustice aforesaid with his assistances In the presence of whom they being examined of theyr fayth concerning the ordinances of the Romish church made their aunswere that they would obey and keepe the ordinaunces of the king Queene the cōmaundementes of the church notwithstanding that they had sayd and done the contrary in the time of K. Edward the 6. in shewing obedience to his ordinaunces and commaundementes before After which aunswere taken they were returned againe to prison vntill the other had an answere of their letter frō the deane his cōplices During which time the Deane curates gaue their information touching the sayd women and deliuered the same to the Bailiefe and Iurates cōdemning and reputing them for hereticks the women neither hearing of any information neither yet being euer examined at any time before of theyr fayth and religion Wherupon when the said Bailife Iurates vnderstood that the sayd Deane Curates had not examined the women of theyr fayth would not fitte in iudgement on that day but ordeined the women to come first before the Deane and Curates to be examined of their fayth And so the Officers at the commaundement of the Iustices did fetch and present them before the sayd Deane and Curates The which being accomplished and done they were examined a parte seuerally one from an other After which examination they incontinently were returned agayne into prison Then the xiiij day of the sayd moneth of Iuly in the yeare aforesayd after the examination aboue specified before Elyer Gosselin Bailiffe in the presence of Thomas Deuicke Pierres Martine Nicolas Cary Iohn Blondel Nicolas de Lisle Iohn Lauerchaunt Iohn le Feuer Pierres Bonnamy Nicolas Martin Iohn de la March Iurates Syr Iaques Amy Deane and the Curates dyd deliuer before the Iustice vnder the seale of the Deane vnder the signes of the Curates a certayne Act and Sentence the summe whereof was that Katherine Cawches and her two daughters were found heretickes and suche they reputed them and haue deliuered them to Iustice to do execution according to the Sentence of the which the tenour foloweth ¶ The Sentence AN. dom millesimo quingentesimo quinquagesimo sexto die verò .xiij. mensis Iulij apud Ecclesiam diui Petri in portu maris insula promotor per nos Dominum Decanum inquisitio facta fuit de fide Catholica super Sacramenta Ecclesiastica videlicet super Sacramentum Baptismi confirmationis poenitentiae ordinis Matrimonij Eucharistiae extremae vnctionis nec non super ceremonias Ecclesiae ac de veneratione honoratione beatae Mariae sanctorum de Missa eius efficacia
theyr skinnes to be pluckt of for the Gospels sake Notwithstanding the Bishops afrayd belike of the nuÌ„ber to put so many at once to death sought meanes to deliuer them and so they did drawing out a very easy submission for them or rather suffring them to draw it out theÌ„selues notwithstanding diuers of theÌ„ afterward were takeÌ„ againe suffered as hereafter ye shall heare God willing declared Such as met them by the way coÌ„ming vp saw them in the fieldes scattering in such sort as that they might haue easily escaped away And when they entred into the townes their keepers called them againe into aray to go two two together hauing a band or line going betweene them they holding the same in theyr handes hauing another corde euery one about his arme as though they were tied And so were these fourteene men eight women caried vp to London the people by the way praying to God for them to geue them strength At the entring into London they were pinioned so came into the city as the Picture here shortly after folowing with their names also subscribed doth describe But first let vs declare concerning their taking and their attachers conteined in the Commissaryes letter written to Boner then the Indenture made betwene the commissioners and the popish coÌ„missary The letter of the Commissary is this ¶ The Letter of the Commissary called Iohn Kingston written to Bishop Boner AFter my duety done in receiuing and accoÌ„plishing your honorable and most louing letters dated the 7. of August Be it knowne vnto your Lordship that the 28. of August the Lorde of Oxenford Lord Darcy H. Tyril A. Brown W. Bendlowes E. Tyrill Ric. Weston Roger Apleton published their coÌ„missioÌ„ to selfe landes and tenements goodes of the fugitiues so that the owners should haue neither vse nor commodity thereof but by InueÌ„tory remaine in safe keeping vntill the cause were determined And also there was likewise proclaimed the queenes graces warrant for the restitution of the Church goods within Colchester the hundredes thereabout to the vse of Gods seruice And then were called the parishes particularly the hereticks partly coÌ„mitted to my examination And that diuers persons should certify me of theyr ornamentes of theyr Churches betwixt this and the Iustices next appearaunce which shal be on Michaelmas euen nexte And that parish which had presented at two seuerall times to haue all ornamentes with other thinges in good order were exonerated for euer til they were warned againe others to make theyr appearaunce from time to time And those names blotted in the Indenture were indited for treason fugitâ—ues or disobedients and were put foorth by M. Brownes commaundement And before the sealing my Lord Daâ—cy said vnto me apart and M. Bendlowes that I should haue sufficient time to send vnto your Lordship yea if need were the heretickes to remayne indurance till I had an answere from you yea to the Lord Legates graces Commissioners come into the Country And mayster Browne came into my Lord Darcyes house parlour belonging vnto M. Barnaby before my sayd Lord and all the Iustices and laid his hand of my shoulder with a smiling couÌ„tenaunce and desired me to make his harty commeÌ„dations vnto your good Lordship and asked me if I would and I said Yea with a good will Wherefore I was glad and thought that I should not haue bene charged with so sodeine carriage But after dinner the Iustices councelled with the Bayliffes and with the Gaolers and then after tooke me vnto them and made collation of the Indentures and sealed and then Mayster Browne commaunded me this after noone being the 30. of August to go and receyue my prisoners by and by And then I sayd it is an vnreasonable commaundemeÌ„t for that I haue attended of you here these three dayes and this Sonday early I haue sent home my men Wherefore I desire you to haue a conuenient time appoynted wherein I may know whether it will please my Lord my maister to sende his Commissioners hither or that I shall make carriage of them vnto his Lordship Then M. Browne We are certified that the Councell hath written vnto your mayster to make speed and to rid these prisoners out of hand therefore go receiue your prisoners in haste Then I Sir I shall receiue them within these tenne dayes Then M. Browne The limitation lyeth in vs and not in you wherfore get you hence Syr ye haue indited and deliuered me by this Indenture whose fayth or opinions I know not trusting that ye will grauÌ„t me a time to examine them least I should punish the Catholicks Well sayd Maister Browne for that cause ye shall haue time betwixt this and Wednesday And I say vnto you maister Bailiffes if he do not receiue them at your handes on Wednesday set open your doore and let them go Then I My Lord and maisters all I promise to discharge the towne and countrey of these heretickes within ten dayes Then my Lord Darcy sayd CoÌ„missary we do and must all agree in one Wherfore do you receiue them on or before Wednesday Then I My Lord the last I carryed I was goyng betwixte the Castell and Sayncte Katherines Chappell two howres and an halfe and in great preasse and daunger Wherefore thâ—s may be to desire your Lordship to geue in commaundement vnto my Mayster Sayer Bayliffe here present for to ayd me thorough his liberties not onely with men and weapons but that the Towne clarke may bee ready there with his booke to write the names of the most busie persons and this vpon three houres warning all whiche both my Lorde and M. Browne commaunded And the 31. of August William Goodwin of Muchbirch husbandman this brynger and Thomas Alsey of Copforde youre Lordships Apparitour of your Consistory in Colchester couenaÌ„ted with me that they shoulde hyre two other men at the leaste whereof one should be a Bowman to come to me the next day about two of the clocke at after noone so that I might recite this bargayne before M. Archdeacon and pay the money that is 46. shillinges 8. pence Wherefore they should then go foorth wyth me vnto Colchester on Wednesday before three of the clock in the morning receiue there at my hand within the Castell and Motehall fourteen men and eight women ready bound wyth giues and hempe and driue cary or lead and feede with meat drinke as heretickes ought to be found continually vnto suche time that the sayd William and Thomas shall cause the sayde 22. persones for to be deliuered vnto my Lord of Londons Officers and within the safe keeping of my sayd Lorde and then to bring vnto me againe the sayd Giues with a perfect token of or from my sayd Lord and then this couenant is voyde or els c. Maister Bendlowes sayde vnto mee in my Lorde of Oxenfordes Chamber at the kinges head after I had sayd Masse before the Lordes that on
the morow after Holy Roode day when wee shall meete at Chelmesford for the deuision of these landes I thinke Mayster Archdeacon you and Mayster Smith shal be fayn to ride with certaine of the Iury to those porcions and manours in your part of Essex and in like case deuide our selues to tread and view the ground with the Quest or els I thinke the Quest will not labour their matter and so doe you saye vnto Mayster Archdeacon Alice the wyfe of William Walleys of Colchester hath submitted herselfe abiured her erroneous opinions asked absolution promised to do her solemne penance in her Parish Church at Saint Peters on Sonday next and to continue a Catholicke a faythfull woman as long as GOD shall send her lyfe And for these couenauntes her husband standeth bounde in fiue pounde Which Alice is one of the nine women of this your Indenture and that shee is bigge with childe Wherefore she remayneth at home and this done in the presence of the Bayliffes Aldermen towneclarke And for that Maister Browne was certyfied there was no Curate at Lexdon he inquired who was the Farmer The aunswere was made Syr Fraunces Iobson Who is the Parson They of the Questmen aunswered Syr Roger Chostlow When was he with you Not this fourtene yeares How is your Cure serued Now and then Who is the Patron My Lord of Arundell And within shorte tyme after Syr Fraunces Iobson came with great curtesy vnto my Lord Darcies place And of all GentlemeÌ„ about vs I saw no more come in Sir Robert Smith Priest sometime Chanon of Bridlington now Curate of Appledote in the wild of Kent came to Colchester the 28. day of Aug. with his wife bigge with childe of late diuorced taken on suspition examined of the Lordes and M Browne tolde me that they haue receiued letters from the counsell for the attachment of certayn persons and eâ—peciallye of one Priest whose name is Pullen but hys right name is Smith doubting this Priest to be he the sayd Pullen although neither he nor his wife would confesse the same Wherfore he lyeth stil in prison but surely this is not PulleÌ„ If it please your Lordshippe to haue in remembraunce that the housholders might be compelled to bring euerye man his owne wife to her owne seate in the Churche in time of Diuine seruice it would profite much And also there be yet standing Hospitals and other of like foundation about Colchester whiche I haue not knowne to appeare at any visitation as the Maister and Lazars of Mary Magdalene in Colchester the Proctour of saynct Katherines Chappell in Colchester the hospitall or Beadhouse of the foundation of Lord H. Marney in Laremarny the Hospital and Beadman of little Horksley Thus presuming of youre Lordships goodnes I more then bold euer to trouble you with thys worldly busines beseeching almightye God to send your honorable Lordship a condigne reward From Eastthorp this present xxx of August We found a letter touching the Maryage of Priestes in the handes of the foresayd Syr Robert Smith Also I desired Mayster Browne the doer of all thinges to require the audience to bring in theyr vnlawfull writinges and bookes Who asked me if I had proclaymed the Proclamation I sayd yea Then he sayd openly on the Benche that they shoulde be proclaimed euerye quarter once And then take the Constables and Officers and they alone â—ake and punish the offenders accordingly By your poore Beadman Iohn Kingston Priest An Indenture made betweene the Lordes and the Iustices within specified and Boners Commissary concerning the deliuery of the prisoners aboue named THis IndeÌ„ture made the xix day of August in the third and 4. yeres of the raygnes of oure soueraigne Lord and Lady Philip and Mary by the grace of God King Queene of England Spayne Fraunce both Cicils Ierusalem and Ireland defenders of the fayth Archdukes of Austria Dukes of Burgundy Myllayne Brabant Countyes of Hasburgh Flaunders and Tirell betwene the ryght honourable Lord Iohn de Ueere Earle of Oxenford Lord high Chamberlayne of England Thomas Lord Darcy of Chiche Henry Tirel Knight Anthony Browne the King and Queenes Maiestyes Sergeaunt at lawe William Bendelowes Sergeaunt at lawe Edmund Tirel Richard Weston Roger AppletoÌ„ Esquiers Iustices of Ooyer and determiner of the peace within the sayd County of Essex to be kept of the one party and Iohn Kingstone clerke Bacheler at law Commissary to the Bish. of London of the other party witnesseth that Ro. Colman of Walton in the County of Essex labourer Ioan Winseley of Horseley Magna in the said County Spinster Steuen Glouer of Raylye in the County aforesayd Glouer Richard Clerke of much Holland in the sayd County Mariner William Munt of much Bently in the sayde County husbandmaÌ„ Tho. Winseley of much Horseley in the sayd County Sawyer Margaret field of Ramesey in the sayd County Spinster Agnes Whitlocke of Douercourt in the sayd Countie Spinster Alice Munt of much Bentley in the sayd Countye Spinster Rose Alin of the same towne and County Spinster Richard Bongeor of Colchester in the sayd County Corier Richard Atkin of Halstead in the sayd County Weauer Robert Barcocke of Wiston in the sayde Countye of Suffolke Carpenter Rich. George of Westbarhoult in the county of Essex laborer Rich. Iolley of Colchester in the said County Mariner Tho. Feeresanne of the same towne and County Mercer Robert Debnam late of Dedham in the said couÌ„ty Weauer Cicely Warren of Cocksall in the sayd county Spinster Christian Peper widow of the same town and County Allin Simpson Elene Euring Alice the wife of William Walles of Colchester Spinster and William Bongeor of Colchester in the sayd County Glasier being indited of heresie are deliuered to the sayde Iohn Kingstone Clerke Ordinary to the Byshop of London according to the statute in that case prouided In witnesse wherof to the one part of this Indenture remayning with the sayd Erle Lord and other the Iustices the sayd Ordinary hath set to his hand and seale and to the other part remayning with the sayd Ordinary the sayd Earle Lord and other the Iustices haue set to their seueral handes seales the daye yeares aboue written Oxenford Thomas Darcy Henry Tyrell Antony Browne William Bendelowes Edmund Tyrell Richard Weston Roger Appleton These xxii aforesayd prisoners thus seÌ„t from Colchester to London were brought at length to B. Boner As touching the order and maner of their comming brynging the sayd Boner himselfe writeth to Cardinall Poole as you shall heare * A letter of B. Boner to Cardinall Poole MAy it please your good grace with my most humble obedience reuerence and duetie to vnderstand that going to London vpon Thursday last and thinking to be troubled with M. Germaynes matter onely and such other common matters as are accustomed enough to wery a right strong body I had the day following to comfort my stomacke withall letters from Colchester that either
of hys former life it well appereth of what sort he is the queenes highnes hath willed vs to remit him vnto your Lordship to the ende that being called before you out of prison as ofte as your Lordship shall think good ye may proceed both to his further examination and otherwise ordering of him according to the lawes as the case shall require And thus we bidde your Lordshippe hartely well to fare From Saynt Iames the 15. day of December 1557. Your Lordships louing frendes Nicholas Ebor. F. Shrewsbery Edward Hastinges Antony Mountague Iohn Bourne Henry Iernegam Boner nowe minding to make quicke dispatche dyd wythin three dayes after the receipt of the Letter the xviij day of December send for this Rough out of Newgate and in his Palace at London ministred vnto him 12. Articles Many whereof because they conteine onely questions of the profession and Religion of that age wherein both he and his Parentes were Christened which in sūdry places are already mentioned I doe here for breuity omitte minding to touche suche onely as perteyne to matters of fayth now in controuersy and then chiefely obiected agaynst the Martyrs and Saynts of God which in effect are these 1. FIrst that thou Iohn Rough diddest directly speake agaynst the 7. Sacramentes vsed commonlye and reuerently as thinges of estimation and great worthines in the catholick churche and also diddest reproue and condemne the substance of the sayd Sacramentes but especially the Sacrament of the aultar affirming that in that same is not really and truely the very body bloud of Christ and that confession to the priest and absolution geuen by him as the minister of Christ for sinnes is not necessary or auayleable in any wise 2. Item thou hast misliked and reproued the religion and ecclesiasticall seruice as it is now vsed in this realme and hast allowed the religion and seruice vsed in the latter yeares of king Edward the 6. and so much as in thee hath leyne hast by word writing deed set forwardes taught and preached the same openly and in sundry places affirmed that the sayde Englishe seruice and doctrine therein conteined is agreable in all poyntes to Gods word and vnto the truth condemning vtterly the Latine seruice nowe vsed in the Queenes reigne and inducing other by thine example to do the like 3. Item thou hast in sundrye places within this Realme commended and approued the opinion doctrine of Thomas Cranmer late Archbishop of Canterbury Nicholas Ridley Hugh Latimer concerning the Sacrament of the aultar affirming that in the Sacrament there remayneth after the wordes of consecration materiall breade and materiall wine without any transubstantiation 4. Item thou hast in sundrye places of this Realme since the Queenes reigne ministred and receiued the Communion as it was vsed in the late daies of king Edward the sixt and thou knowest or credibly hast heard of diuers that yet do keepe bookes of the sayd Communion and vse the same in priuate houses ou◠of the Church and are of opinion agaynst the Sacrament of the aultar 5. Item that thou in sundry places of this realme hast spoken agaynst the Pope of Rome and his Apostolicke sea hast plainely contemned despised the authority of the same misliking not allowing the faith and doctrine therof but directly speaking agaynst it and by thine example hast induced other the subiects of this realme to speake and do the like 6. Item thou doest knowe and hast bene conuersaunt with all or a great part of such English men as haue fledde out of this Realme for Religion and hast consented and agreed with them in theyr opinions and hast succoured maynteyned and holpen them and hast beene a conueyer of theyr seditious Letters and bookes into this realme 7. Item that thou hast sayd that thou hast bene at Rome and taryed there about 30. dayes or more and that thou hast sene litle good or none there but very much euill Amongest the which thou sawest one great abhomination that is to say a man or the Pope that shoulde goe on the ground to bee carried vppon the shoulders of foure men as though he had bene God and no mā Also a Cardinall to haue his harlot riding openly behinde hym And thirdly a Popes Bull that gaue expresse licence to haue and vse the stewes and to keepe open bawdry by the Popes approbation and authority 8. Item that thou sithens thy last comming into England out of the parties beyond the sea hast perniciously allured and comforted diuers of the subiectes of this Realme both young olde men and women to haue and vse the booke of Communion set forth in this Realme in the latter daies of king Edward the sixt and hast also thy selfe read and sette forth the same causing others to doe the like and to leaue theyr comming to their parish churches to heare the Latine seruice now vsed 9. Item that thou the thirde sondaye of Aduent the xij daye of this December 1557. wast apprehended at the Saracens heade at Islington in the county of Middlesexe and dioces of London by the Queenes Vicechamberlayne with one Cutbert a Taylour Hugh a hosier and diuers other there assembled vnder the colour of hearing a playe to haue read the communion booke and to haue vsed the accustomed fashion as was in the latter dayes of king Edward the sixt The aunsweres of Iohn Rowgh to the foresayd Articles 1. TO the first he said and confessed that he had spoken against the number of the sayde sacramentes being fully perswaded that there be but onely two Sacramentes to wit baptisme and the supper of the Lord and as for the other fiue he denyed them to be sacramentes and therefore hath spoken agaynste them And as concerning the sacrament of the aultar which he then called the supper of the Lord he confessed that he had spoken and taught that in the sayde sacrament there is not really and substantially the very body and bloud of Christ but that the substance of bread and wine doth remayne in the sayde Sacrament withou any transubstantiation at all Farther as touching confession of sinnes to the priest he answered that he thought it necessary if the offence were done vnto the priest but if the offēce were done to another then confession made to the priest is not necessary but reconciliation onely to bee made to the partye so offended 2. To the second he aunswered that he then did and had before misliked the order of latine seruice then vsed and also did allowe the seruice vsed in the latter time of King Edwardes reigne for that the holy scripture doth the same and therefore he graunted that he did teach and set forth the sayd Englishe seruice as in the same article is obiected 3. To the third he graunted that he had approued the doctrine of the parties articulate as agreable to Gods word and that they were godly learned men and such as had perfect
to intreat for thee and they haue informed me that thou hast bene a very honest a quiet neighbor amongest them and I thincke it be Gods will that I should deliuer thee before my Lorde come home For if he come and thou go home againe I will be burned for thee for I knowe his minde already in that matter Lith I geue you hearty thankes for your gentlenesse and my neighbours for their good report Chauncellour Lithall if thy neighbours will be bounde for thy foorth comming wheÌ„soeuer thou shalt be called for and also thou wilt be an obedient subiect I shal be content to deliuer thee Neighbours If it please your woorship we will be bounde for him both in body and goodes Chauncellour I will require no such bond of you but that two of you will be bound in 20. pound a peece that he shal come to aunswere when he shall be called Lithall Where finde you maister Chancelloure in all the Scripture that the Churche of God did binde any manne for the profession of his faithe whiche profession you haue heard of me that all oure iustification righteousnesse and saluation commeth onely and freely by the merites of our Sauiour Iesus Christe and all the inuentions workes of men be they neuer so glorious be all together vaine as the wise man sayeth Chauncellour Loe where he is now I put no such matter to you for in that I beleeue as you doe but yet S. Iames sayth that a man is iustified by woorkes Lithall Sainte Iames spake to those that boasted themselues of faithe and shewed no woorkes of faith But O maister Chauncellour remember I praye you howe all the promises and Prophesies of the holy Scripture euen from the firste promise that God made to Adam and so euen to the latter ende to the Reuelation of Sainte Iohn doe testifie that in the name of Iesus and onely by hys merites all that beleeue shal be saued from all their sinnes and offences Esay sayeth I am founde of them that sought mee not and am manifest to them that asked not after mee but against Israel he sayeth All daye long haue I stretched oute my hande to a people that beleeue not And when the Iayler asked S. Paule what he shoulde doe to be saued the Apostle sayde Beleeue in the Lorde Iesus and thou shalt be saued and all thy housholde Againe S. Iohn sayeth in the Reuelation that there was none neither in heauen nor in earth neither vnder the earth that was able to open the booke nor the seales therof but onely the Lambe Iesus our onely Sauiour And S. Paule sayth With one offering hath he made perfecte for euer them that are sanctified Chaunc With vaine glory you reherse much Scripture as al the sort of you do but you haue no more vnderstanding then a many of sheepe But to the purpose Will you that your neighbors shall enter into boÌ„ds for you or not Lith By my minde they shall not Wherfore I desire you that you would not binde me but let me serue God with my conscience freely For it is wrytten They that leade into captiuitie shall goe into captiuitie and they that strike wyth the sworde shall pearish with the sworde Also it is wrytten in the Gospel of our Sauiour Iesus Christ that who so doeth offend one of these little ones whych beleeue in mee it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his necke and that he were cast into the depth of the sea Of the which I am assured by his holye spirite that I am one Wherefore be you well assured that such mercy as you shew vnto you shall be shewed the like Chaunc You are a mad man I would not binde you but that I must needes haue somewhat to shewe for your deliueraunce Then he called ij of my neighbours Thomas Daniel and Saunders Maybe which offered themselues to be bounde and called me before them and sayd I haue a letter of his own hand wryting with his name and seale at it with a booke also againste the Regiment of women for the which I coulde make him to be hanged drawen quartered but on my faith I will him no more hurt then I meane to mine owne soule Lith I desire you that be my neighbours and frends that you wil not enter into bondes for me for you knowe not the danger therof neither I my selfe It goeth against my conscience that ye should so doe Chaunc Why I wil not binde you to do any thing against your conscience Neighbours Then they made the bonde and sealed to it and willed me that I shoulde seale to it also and I saide that I would not neither could I obserue the bond and therfore I would not set too my hand Chaunc It is pitie that thou hast so much fauour shewed thee yet for these honest mens sake I wil discharge thee Notwithstanding all these dissembling woords of maister Darbishire pretending for fauoure of his sureties to set him at libertye it was no suche thing nor anye zeale of charitie that mooued him so to do but onely feare of the time vnderstanding the daungerous and vnrecouerable sicknesse of Queene Mary which then began somwhat to asswage the cruel proceedings of thesâ— persecutors wherby they durst not do that they would for els Lithall was not like to haue escaped so easily Edward Grew MOreouer there was one Edward Grewe priest and Appline his wife compelled to flie from theyr dwelling at a Towne called Broke and the man being verye aged trauailed abroade to keepe a good conscience At the last he was taken and laid in Colchester Castle where he remained till Quene Elizabeth came to her regal seat and by the alteration of Religion he was deliuered His wife good womaÌ„ was in great care for him and to her power did what she could to succour him William Browne WIlliam Browne Parson of Little Stanham in the Countie of Suffolke made a Sermon in the sayde Towne incontinently after the buriall of our good King Edward and in his sermon he sayde there goeth a report that our good king is buried with a Masse by the Bishop of Winchester he hauing a miter vpon his head But if it were so sayeth hee they are all traitours that so doe because it is bothe againste the truthe and the lawes of thys realme and it is greate Idolatrie and blasphemie and against the glory of God and they are no frends neither to God the king nor yet vnto the realm that so do For this his preaching one Robert Blomefielde an aduersarye to the truth being then constable of the sayd towne and bailâ—â—se vnto sir Iohn Ierningham knight the chiefe lord of the towne immediatly rode foorth brought home with him one Edward Goulding which was then vnder sheriffe Syr Thomas Cornewalis being then high sheriffe So the sayd Golding and Blomfield sent for certaine men of the sayd Towne and examined
Mayster Berty writing his letters to the Lantgraue and to the Erle of Erbagh the next day early in the mornyng the Erle of Erbagh dwellyng within 8. miles came to the towne whether the Duchesse was broughte with her wagon M. Bertie also beyng in the same towne vnder custody The Earle who had some intelligence of the Duches before after hee was come and had shewed suche curtesie as hee thought to her estate was seemely the Townesmen perceyuyng the Earle to behaue hymselfe so humbly vnto her beganne to consider more of the matter and further vnderstandyng the Capitayne to bee alyue both they and especially the authors of the sturre shrunke away and made all the friendes they could to maister Bertie and his wife not to report their doyngs after the worst sorte And thus Mayster Bertie and his wife escaping that daunger proceeded in their iourney toward Polelande where in conclusion they were quietly entertayned of the king and placed honourably in the Earldome of the sayd king of Poles in Sanogelia called Crozā wher M. Berty with the Duchesse hauing the kings absolute power of gouernement ouer the saide Earldome continued both in great quietnesse and honoure till the deathe of Queene Mary ¶ Thomas Horton Minister AS yee haue heard of the daungerous troubles of the Duchesse of Suffolke in time of her exile for religion sake whom notwithstanding the Lordes present protection still deliuered in all distresses as well from her enemies in England as in Dutchland frō the Launceknightes there so haue we no lesse to behold and magnifie the lords mercifull goodnes in preseruing of Thomas Horton frō the like perilles of the same Countrey Whiche Thomas Horton what a profitable instrument hee was to the Church of Christ in Queene Maries time all our Englishmen almost beyond the seas then did both know and feele This good Thomas Horton as he vsed oftentymes to trauayle betweene Germany and England for the behoofe and sustenaunce of the poore English exiles there so he iournying vpon a time betweene Mastricke and Collē chaunced to bee taken there by certayne Rouers and so being led by them away was in no little daunger and yet this daunger of his was not so great but the present helpe of the Lord was greater to ayd and deliuer him out of the same ¶ Thomas Sprat of Kent Tanner VNto these afore rehearsed examples of Gods blessed prouidence towardes his seruauntes may also be added the happy deliueraunce of Thomas Sprat and William Porrege his companion now Minister Whose story briefly to course ouer is this This Thomas Sprat had bene seruaunt sometimes to one M. Brent a Iustice and a heauy persecutour and therefore forsaking his Mayster for religious sake he wēt to Calice from whence he vsed often with the sayd William Porrege for theyr necessary affayres to haue a recourse into England It so happened about the fourthe yeare of Queene Maryes raygne that they landing vppon a tyme of Douer and taking theyr iourny together toward Sandwich sodenly vppon the way within three myles of Douer met with the foresayd M. Brent the two Blachendens and other Gentlemen moe with theyr seruaunts to the number of x. or xii horses Of the which two Blachendens being both haters and enemies of Gods worde and people the one had perfect knowledge of William Porrege the other had not seene him but onely hadde heard of his name before Thus they being in the way where this Iustice wyth his mates shuld meete them directly in the face Thomas Sprat first espying M. Brent was sore dismayde saying to hys companion yonder is M. Brent William Porrege God haue haue mercy vpon vs. Well quoth the other seing now there is no remedy let vs go in our waye And so thinking to passe by them they kept themselues aloufe as it were a score off from them Thomas Sprat also shadowing his face with his cloke Notwithstanding one of M. Brentes seruauntes aduising him better then his mayster did yonder sayd he to his Mayster is Thomas Sprat At whiche wordes they all rayned theyr horses and called for Thomas Sprat to come to them They cal you sayd William Porrege Now here is no remedy but we are takē and so perswaded him to go to them being called for that there was no escaping from so many horsemen in those playnes and downes where was no wood neare them by a myle nor hedge neyther but onely one which was a byrdbolt shot off All this notwithstanding Sprat stayed and woulde not go Then they called agayne sitting still on horseback Ah sirra quoth the Iustice why come ye not hether And still his companion moued him to go seyng there was no other shift to flee away Nay sayd Sprat I will not goe to them and therwithall tooke hys legges running to the hedge that was next him They seeyng that sette spurres to their horse thinking by and by to haue hym and that it was vnpossible for him to escape their hands as it was in deede they beyng on horse backe and he on foote had not the Lorde myraculously deliuered his seely seruant frō the gaping mouth of the Lyon ready to deuour him For as God would so it fell out that hee had got ouer the hedge skrawling through the bushes when as they were euen at his heeles striking at him with theyr swords out of the Blachendens crying cruelly cut off one of hys legges Thus Sprat had scarsely recouered the hedge from hys enemies when one of M. Brentes seruaunts which had bene fellow sometymes in house with him followed him in hys bootes and certayne rode vp at one side of the hedge and certayne at the other to meete him at the vpper end Now while they were following the chase after Thomas Sprat onely one remayned with William Porrege who was one of the Blachendens not he whiche knewe him but the other who began to question with hym not asking what was hys name as God would for then hee had bene knowne and taken but from whence hee came and how he came into Sprats company and whether he went Unto whome he aunswered and sayd from Calyce and that Sprat came ouer with him in the passage boate and they two were goyng to Sandwich and so wythout any more questions he let him depart Anone as he kept along the hedge one of the horsemen which rode after Sprat returning backe and meeting with the sayd W. Porrege demaunded the very same questions as the other had done to whome he made also the like answere as afore and so departed taking an other contrary way from the meeting of the other horsman And thus W. Porrege escaped Now concerning Thomas Sprat he being pursued on the one side by horsemen on the other side by his own fellow who followed after hym in his bootes crying you were as good to tarry for we will haue you we will haue you yet notwithstanding he still kept on
sondrye incident to the same and especiallye touching the great stirres alterations which haue happened in other foreine nations and also partly among our selues here at home for so muche as the tractation heereof requireth an other Uolume by it selfe I shall therefore deferre the reader to the next Booke or Section insuing wherein if the Lorde so please to sustaine me with leaue and life I may haue to discourse of all and singulare suche matters done and atchieued in these our latter daies and memorie more at large Now then after these so great afflictions falling vpon this Realm from the first beginning of Queene Maries reigne wherein so many men women and children were burned many imprisoned and in prisones starued diuers exiled some spoyled of goodes possessions a great number driuen from house to home so many weeping eyes so many sobbing hartes so many children made fatherles so many fathers bereft of theyr wiues and children so many vexed in conscience and diuers against conscience coÌ„strained to recant and in conclusion neuer a good man almost in all the Realme but suffered something during all the time of this bloudy persecution after all this I say now we are come at length the Lord be praysed to the 17. day of Nouember which day as it brought to the persecuted members of Christ rest from theyr carefull mourning so it easeth me somewhat likewise of my laborious writing by the death I meane of Queene Mary Who being long sicke before vpon the sayd xvij day of Nouember in the yeare aboue sayde about 3. or 4. a clocke in the morning yelded her life to nature and her kingdome to Queene Elizabeth her sister As touching the maner of whose death some say that she dyed of a Tympany some by her much sighing before her death supposed she dyed of thought sorow Wherevpon her Counsell seing her sighing desirous to know the cause to the ende they might minister the more readye consolation vnto her feared as they sayd that she took the thought for the kinges Maiesty her husband which was gone from her To whom she answering againe In deed sayd she that may be one cause but that is not the greatest wound that pearseth my oppressed minde but what that was she would not expresse to them Albeit afterward she opened the matter more plainly to M. Rise and Mistres Clarentius if it be true that they tolde me whiche hearde it of M. Rise himselfe who then being most familiar with her most bold about her tolde her that they feared she took thought for king Philips departing from her Not that onely sayde she but when I am dead opened you shall find Calice lying in my hart c. And here an end of Queene Mary and of her persecution Of which Queene this truely may be affirmed left in story for a perpetual memorial or Epitaph for al kings and Queenes that shal succeed her to be noted that before her neuer was readde in story of any King or Queene of England since the time of king Lucius vnder whome in time of peace by hanging heading burning and prisoning so much Christian bloud so many Englishmens liues were spilled within this Realme as vnder the sayd Queene Mary for the space of foure yeres was to be sene and I beseech the Lord neuer may be sene hereafter ⧠A briefe declaration shewing the vnprosperous successe of Queene Mary in persecuting Gods people and how mightily God wrought agaynst her in all her affayres NOw for so much as Queene Mary during all the time of her reigne was suche a vehement Aduersary and Persecutour agaynst the sincere Professours of Christ Iesus and his Gospell for the which there be many which do highly magnify approue her doinges therein reputing her Religion to be founde and Catholicke and her proceedinges to be most acceptable and blessed of almighty God to the inteÌ„t therfore that all men may vnderstande howe the blessing of the Lorde God did not onely not proceed with her proceedings but coÌ„trary rather how his manifest displesure euer wrought agaynst her in plaguing both her and her Realme and in subuerting all her counselles and attemptes whatsoeuer she tooke in hand we will bestow a litle time therein to perpend and suruey the whole course of her doinges and â—heuaunces and coÌ„sider what successe she had in the same Which being well considered we shall finde neuer no reigne of any Prince in this Land or any other whiche had euer to shew in it for the proportion of time so many arguments of Gods great wrath displesure as was to be sene in the reigne of this Queene Mary whether we behold the shortnes of her time or the vnfortunate euent of all her purposes who seemed neuer to purpose any thing that came luckely to passe neither did any thing frame to her purpose what so euer she tooke in hande touching her owne priuate affayres Of good kinges we read in the Scripture in shewing mercy and pity in seeking Gods will in his word subuerting the monumentes of Idolatry howe God blessed theyr wayes encreased theyr honours and mightely prospered all their proceedinges as we see in king Dauid Salomon Iosias Iosaphath Ezechias with such other Manasses made the streetes of Hierusalem to swimme with the bloud of his subiects but what came of it the text doth testify Of Queene Elizabeth whiche nowe raigneth among vs this we must needes say which we see that she in sparing the bloud not onely of Gods seruauntes but also of Gods enemies hath doubled now the raygne of Queene Mary her sister with such aboundance of peace and prosperitie that it is hard to say whether the realme of England felt more of Gods wrath in Queene Maryes tyme or of Gods fauour and mercy in these so blessed peaceable dayes of Queene Elizabeth Gamaliell speaking his minde in the Counsaile of the Phariseis concerning Christes religion gaue this reason that if it were of God it should continue who soeuer sayd nay If it were not it could not stand So may it be sayde of Q. Mary and her romishe Religion that if it were so perfect and Catholicke as they pretend and the contrarye fayth of the Gospellers were so detestable and hereticall as they make it how commeth it then that this so Catholicke a Queene suche a necessarye piller of his spouse hys Church continued no longer till shee had vtterly rooted out of the land this hereticall generation Yea how chanced it rather yâ— almightye God to spare these poore heretickes rooted out Q. Mary so soone from her throne after she had reigned but onely v. yeares and v. monthes Now furthermore howe God blessed her wayes and endeuours in the meane tyme while shee thus persecuted the true seruauntes of God remayneth to bee discussed Where first this is to be noted that when shee first began to stand for the title of the Crowne and yet had wrought
them in any wise Their leauen is not good Their salte is all vnsauery And vnder good ententes They mayntayne all their knauery And murder Innocentes They seeke to sit in Christes seate And put him out of place And make all meanes that may be made His doynges to deface They keepe him downe with bils batâ— That made the blinde to see They make a God for myce and Rattes And say the same is he They shew like sheepe sweate like Wolues Their baytes be all for bloud They kill and slay the simple soules And rob them of ther good The darke illusions of the deuill Haue dimned so their eyes That they cannot abide the truth To sturre in any wise And if ye keepe the perfect path As I haue hope you doe Ye shall be sure to haue suche shame As they may put you to For all that leade a godly life Shall surely suffer losse And eke the world will seeke theyr shame And make them kisse the crosse Ye shal be killed sayth Christ Your sorrowes shall not cease And yet in your afflictions I am your perfect peace For in the worlde ye shall haue woe Because ye are vnknowne And for because ye hate the world The world will loue his owne Be feruent therefore to the death Agaynst all their decrees And God shall surely fight for thee Agaynst thine enemies Commit your cause vnto the Lord Reuenge not any euill And thou shalt see the wicked want When thou shalt haue thy will For all afflictions that may fall That they can say or doe They are not sure of the wealth We shall attayne vnto For I haue seene the sinners spread Theyr braunches like a bay And yet ere one could turne his head Were withered cleane away Beware that mony make ye not In riches to aryse Agaynst the goodnes of the Lord Among the worldly wise For many mischiefes it hath made That may not be exprest And many euils it hath begonne Which may not be redrest For money maketh many one In riches to rebell And he that maketh gold a God He hath a soule to sell. It maketh Kinges to kill and slay And wast their wittes in warre In leauing of the Wolfe at home To hunt the Foxe a farre And where they should see iustice done And set their realme in rest By mony they be made a meane To see the poore opprest It maketh Lordes obey the lawes That they doe ill and nought It maketh Bishops suck the bloud That God hath dearely bought And where they shuld be faythfull friends And father to the flocke By money they do turne about Euen like a weather Cock The Prieste doth make a mony meane To haue agayne his whoores To put away his wedded wife And children out of doores It holdeth backe the husbandman Which may not be forborne And will not suffer him to sow And cast abroad his corne In like case it doth let agayne When that the seede they sowe It choketh vp the corne agayne So that it cannot growe The husband he would haue a wife With nobles new and olde The wife would haue the husband hangd That she might haue his gold It maketh murthers many a one And beareth much with bloud The childe would see the parentes slayne To sease vppon their good And though it be a blessed thing Created in the kinde It is a necessary euill Annexed to the mind For who so playeth with the pitch His fingers are defiled And he that maketh gold a God Shall surely be beguiled Be frendly to the fatherles And all that are opprest Assist them alwayes out of hand And see them set at rest In all your doinges and your deedes Let mercy still remayne For with the measure that ye meate Shall ye be mette agayne Be alwayes lowly in your life Let loue enioy her owne The highest trees are seldome sure And soonest ouerthrowne The Lyons lacke and suffer sore In hunger and in thurst And they that doe oppresse the poore Continue still accurst The Bee is but a little beast In body or in sight And yet she bryngeth more encrease Then other Crow or Kyte Therefore beware in any wise Keepe well your watche alway Be sure of oyle within your lampe Let not your light decay For death despiseth them that lacke And hateth them that haue And treadeth downe the riche and poore Together in the graue Exhort your Children to be chast Rebuke them for their ill And let them not at any wise Be wedded to theyr will Laugh not with them but keep them low Shew them no mery cheare Least thou doe weepe with them also But bryng them vp in feare And let your light and liuing shyne That ye be not suspect To haue the same within your selfe For which they are correct Be meeke and modest in a meane Let all your deedes be done That they which are without the law May see how right ye runne Keepe well the member in your mouth Your tongue see that ye tame For out of little sparkes of fire Proceedeth out a flame And as the poyson doth expresse The natures of the Tode Euen so the tongue doth manifest The hartes that feareth God For therewith blesse we God aboue And therewith curse we men And therby murders doe aryse Through women now and then And seeing God hath geuen a tongue And put it vnder power The surest way is for to set A hatch before the doore For God hath set you in a seate Of double low degree Fyrst vnto God and then to man A subiect for to be I write not that I see in you These thinges to be suspect But onely set before your face How sinne should be correct For flesh and bloud I know ye are As other women be And if ye dwell in flesh and bloud There is infirmitie Receaue a warning willingly That to thy teeth is tolde Accompt the gift of greater price Then if he gaue thee gold A wiseman sayth Salomon A warning will embrace A foole will sooner as sayth he Be smitten on the face And as your members must be dead From all thinges that are vayne Euen so by Baptisme ye are borne To liue with Christ agayne Thus fare well free and faythfull frend The Lorde that is aboue Encrease in thee â— perfect fayth And leade thee in his loue And as I pray with perfite loue And poure out bitter teares For you and all that are at large Abroad among the bryers Euen so I pray thee to preferre My person and my bondes Vnto the euerlasting God That hath me in his handes That I may passe out of this ponde Wherein I am opprest Inclosed in a clod of clay That here can haue no rest That as he hath begon in me His mercies many one I may attayne to ouertake My brethren that be gone That when the death shall do his worst Where he shall point a place I may be able like a man To looke him in the face For though he catch away my cloke
by the copie heereof appeareth A letter sent to Boner Bishop of London from sir Richard Southwel knight PLeaseth it your Lordship to vnderstand that the Lord Rich did about seuen or eight weekes past send vppe vnto the Counsaile one Wil. Andrew of Thorpe within the Countie of Essex an arrogant heretike Their pleasure was to commaund me to commit him vnto Newgate where he remaineth and as I am infourmed hathe infected a noumber in the prisone wyth hys heresie Your Lordshippe shall doe verye well if it please you to conuent him before you and to take order with him as his case doth require I knowe the Counsaile meant to haue wrytte heerein ⧠The picture describing the straight handling of the cloase prisonners in Lollardes Tower vnto your Lordship but by occasion of other businesse the thing hath bene omitted Wherfore knowing their good pleasure I did aduise the keeper of Newgate to waite vpon you with these fewe lines And so referring the rest to your vertuous consideration I remaine your good Lordships to coÌ„maund this 12. of Iune 1555. Richard Southwel Thys William Andrewe being twise broughte before Boner to examination there manfully stode in the defence of hys Religion At length through straite handlynge in the Prison of Newgate there he lost his life which els hys aduersaries woulde haue taken away by fire and so after the popish manner he was cast out into the fielde and by night was priuily buried by the handes of good men and faithfull brethren The Martyrdome of Rob. Samuel Preacher suffering for the true defence of Christes Gospell MAister Foster Iustice dwelling at Cobdock in the Countie of Suffolke and a little from Ipswiche being in continuall hatred against the truthe and the professours of the same did not onely not cease day nor nighte to studie howe to bring those in thrall and captiuity that were honest and godly inclined to religion but also what soeuer they were that once came in hys clawes they easily escaped not without clogge of conscience or els losse of life so greedy was he of bloude Among many whom he had troubled there was one Samuel in king Edwardes dayes a very godly and righte faithfull preacher of Gods woorde who for his valiante and constante behauiour in his sermons seemeth worthy of high admiration He was minister at Barfolde in Suffolke where he taught faithfully fruitfully that flocke which the Lord had committed to hys charge so long as the time woulde suffer hym to doe hys duetie At the laste being remooued from the Ministerie and put from hys Benefice as manye other good Pastoures were beside when hee coulde not auoide the raging violence of the time yet woulde he not geue ouer his care that he had for hys flocke but woulde teache them priuilye and by stealth when he coulde not openly be suffered so to doe At what time order was taken by the Queene to be published by the Commissioners that all Priestes whiche had married in kinge Edwardes dayes putting theyr wiues from them should be compelled to returne againe to theyr chastitie and single life This Decree woulde not Samuel stande vnto for that hee knewe it to be manifestly wicked abhominable but determining with himselfe that Gods lawes were not to be broken for mannes traditions kept hys wife still at Ipswiche and gaue his diligence in the meane time to the instructing of other whyche were about him as occasion serued At laste maister Foster hauing intelligence heereof beinge a greate doer in those quarters foreslacked no time nor diligence but eftsoones sendeth out his espialles abroade laying hard waite for Samuel that if he came home to his wife at anye time they myghte apprehend him and carie him to prison In conclusion when suche as shoulde betraye hym espied him at home with his wife they bringing woorde to the Officer came immediately flocking about hys house and besette it wyth a great companie and so tooke hym in the nyght season because they durste not doe it in the daye time for feare of trouble and tumult althoughe good Samuell did nothing withstand them at all but mekely yeelded himselfe into their clouches of his owne accord When they had thus caughte hym they put hym into Ipswiche Gaile where he passed his time meekely among his godly brethren so long as hee was permitted to continue there Howâ—eit not long after being taken from thence he was carryed through malice of the wicked sorte to Norwiche where the sayde bishop Doctour Hopton whether he or Doctour Dunnings his Chauncelloure full like vnmercifull Prelates exercised greate crueltie againste hym as in deede they were men in that time of persecution as had not their matches for straitnes and cruell tormenting the bodies of the Saintes among all the rest beside and specially through the procuring of Dunnings For althoughe the other were sharpe enough in their generatioÌ„ yet could they be satisfied with imprisonment and death and would goe no further Neyther did I euer yet heare of anye besides these which so farre exceeded all bounds of pitie and compassion in tormenting their pore brethren as this Bishoppe did in suche sorte that many of them hee peruerted and broughte quite from the truthe and some from theyr wittes also The B. therefore or els his Chancellor thinking that he mighte as easily preuaile with Samuel as he had done with other before kept him in a very straite prison at his first comming where he was chained bolte vpright to a greate post in such sort that standing only on tiptoe he was faine to stay vp the whole paise or waight of his bodye thereby And to make amends for the cruelty or paine that he suffered they added a farre more greuous torment keping him without meate and drinke whereby he was vnmercifully vexed through hunger and thirst sauing that he had euery day allowed 2. or 3. mouthfuls of bread and 3. sponefuls of water to the ende rather that he might be reserued to farther torment then that they woulde preserue hys lyfe O worthy constancie of the Martyr O pitilesse hearts of papists worthy to be complained of and to be accused before God and nature O the woÌ„derfull strength of Christ in his members Whose stomacke though it had ben made of Adamant stone would not haue relented at these intollerable vexations and extreme paines aboue nature How oftentimes would he haue druÌ„ken his owne water but hys body was so dried vp wyth this long emptinesse that he was not able to make one drop of water At the laste when he was brought foorth to be burned which was but a trifle in comparison of those paynes that he had passed certaine there were that hearde hym declare what straunge things had happened vnto hym during the time of his imprisonment to wit that after he had bene famished or pined with hunger two or three daies together he then fell into a sleepe as it were one
sayd theyr brother Bishop Ridley but also carrishly without all order of law or honesty by extort power wrasted from them all the liuinges they had And yet being not therewith satisfied he sought all the meanes he could to worke the death of the foresayd Ship-side saying that he would make twelue godfathers to goe vpō him which had bene brought to passe in deed at what tyme he was prisoner at Oxford had not God otherwyse wrought his deliuerance by meanes of D. Heath Byshop then of Worcester Teste Georg. Shipsido Wherby all good indifferent Readers notoriously haue to vnderstand what great diuersity was in the disposition of these two natures Wherof as the one excelled in mercy and pity so the other agayne as muche or more excelled in churlish ingratitude and despitefull disdayne But of this matter enough Now concerning Gods vocation how Doctor Ridly was first called to the sauouring and fauouring of Christe and his Gospell partlye by his disputation before other his Treatises it may appeare that the first occasion of hys conuersion was by reading of Bertrams book of the Sacrament whom also the conferēce with Bishop Cranmer and with Peter Martyr did not a litle confirme in that behalfe Who now by the grace of GOD being throughly won and brought to the true way as he was before blind and zelous in his old ignoraunce so was he as constant faythfull in the right knowledge whiche the Lorde had opened vnto him as well appeared by his preachings and doynges duringe all the time of Kyng Edwarde and so long dyd muche good while authoritye of externe power might defend and hold vp the peace of the church and proceedinges of the Gospell But after that it pleased so the heauēly will of our Lord our God to bereue vs of the stay and to call from vs Kyng Edward that precious Prince as the whole state of the Churche of Englande was leafte desolate and open to the enemies hande so this Byshop Ridley after the comming in of Queene Mary eftsoone and with the first was layd handes vpō and committed to prison as before hath sufficiently bene expressed first in the Tower then after translated from thence with the Archebishop of Canterbury and mayster Latimer to Oxforde was with them inclosed in the common Gayle and prison of Bocardo while at lēgth being disseuered from them he was committed to custody in the house of one Irish wher he remayned till the last day of his death and martyrdome which was from the yeare of our Lord. 1554. till the yeare 1555. and 16. day of October Furthermore as touching his disputations cōflicts had at Oxford and also of his determination had at Cambridge also his trauels in perswading and instructing the Lady Mary before she was Queene his reasons conference likewise had in the tower at the Lieutenants boord enough hath bene sayd already Besides this other conferences hee had in prison both with D. Cranmer and M. Latimer as here foloweth to be read * A conference had betwixt Mayster Ridley and Mayster Latimer in prison vpon the obiection of Antonian meaning by that name some popish persecutour as Winchester alluding thereby to the story of Victor lib. 3. de persecut Aphri IN writing agayne yee haue done me an vnspeakeable pleasure and I pray that the Lord may requite it you in that day For I haue receiued great comfort at your wordes but yet I am not so filled withall but that I thyrste much more nowe then before to drinke more of that cuppe of yours wherein ye mingle vnto me profitable wyth pleasaunt I pray you good father let me haue one draught more to comfort my stomacke For surely except the Lord assist me with his gracious ayde in the time of his seruice I know I shall play but the part of a white liuered knight But truely my trust is in him that in mine infirmitye hee should try himselfe strong and that he can make the Coward in his cause to fight like a man Syr now I looke dayly when Diotrephes wyth hys warriours shall assault me wherefore I pray you good father for that you are an olde Souldiour and an experte warriour and God knoweth I am but a young Souldiour and as yet of small experience in these fittes helpe me I pray you to buckle my harnesse And now I would haue you to thinke that these dartes are cast at my head of some one of Diotrephes or Antonius souldiers The obiection of the Antonian All men maruell greatlye why you after the libertye which you haue graunted vnto you more then the rest do not go to masse which is a thing as you know now much estemed of all men yea of the Queene herselfe The aunswere Because no man that layeth hande on the plough and looketh backe is fitte for the kingdome of God and also for the selfe same cause why Saynt Paule woulde not suffer Titus to be circumcised which is that the truth of the gospell might remayne with vs vncorrupt Gala. the second and agayne If I builde agayne the thinges which I destroyed I make my selfe a trespasser This is also another cause least I should seeme by outwarde facte to allowe the thing which I am perswaded is contrary to sounde doctrine and so should be a stumbling stocke vnto the weake But woe be vnto him by whom offence commeth it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and he cast into the middest of the sea Except the Lord helpe me ye say Truth it is For with out me sayth he ye can do nothing much lesse suffer death of our aduersaryes through the bloudy lawe now prepared agaynst vs. But it foloweth if ye abide in me and my woorde abide in you aske what yee will and it shall bee done for you What canne be more comfortable Syr you make aunswere your selfe so well that I cannot beter it Syr I beginne now to smell what you meane by trauelling thus with me you vse me as Bilney dyd once when he conuerted me pretēding as though he would be taught of me he sought wayes and meanes to teach me and so do you I thanke you therefore most hartely For in deed you minister armour vnto me whereas I was vnarmed before and vnprouided sauing that I geue my selfe to prayer for my refuge What is it then that offendeth you so greatlye in the Masse that ye will not vouchsafe once eyther to heare it or see it And from whence commeth this new religion vp on you haue not you vsed in times past to say masse your selfe I confesse vnto you my fault and ignorance but know you that for these matters I haue done penaunce long agoe both at Paules crosse and also openly in the Pulpit at Cambridge and I truste God hath forgeuen mee thys mine offence for I didde it vpon ignoraunce But if ye be desirous to knowe and will vouchsafe to heare what thinges
God But that can no where be shewed And as for the Church I am not angry with it and I neuer refused to goe to it and to praye with the people to heare the word of God and to do all other things what soeuer may agree with the word of God S. Augustine speaking of the ceremonies of the Iewes I suppose in the Epistle ad Ianuarium although hee graunt they greeuously oppressed that people both for the number and bondage of the same yet he calleth them burdēs of the law which were deliuered vnto thē in the word of God not presumptions of men which notwithstanding if they were not contrary to gods word might alter a sorte be borne withall But now seeing they are contrarye to those thinges whiche are in the word of God written whether they ought to be borne of any Christian or no let hym iudge whiche is spirituall which feareth God more thē man and loueth euerlastinge life more then this short and transitory lyfe To that whiche was sayd that my fact lacketh example of the godly fathers that haue gone before the contrary is most euident in the historye of Toby Of whome it is sayd that when all other went to the golden calues whiche Hieroboam the king of Israel had made he himselfe alone fled al their companions and gotte hym to Ierusalem vnto the temple of the Lorde and there worshipped the Lorde God of Israel Did not the man of God threatē greeuous plages both vnto the Priestes of Bethell and to the aulter which Hieroboam had there made after his own fantasie Which plagues king Iosias the true Minister of God did execute at the time appoynted And where doe wee reade that the Prophetes or the Apostles did agree with the people in their Idolatry whē as the people went a whoring with their hill aulters for what cause I praye you did the Prophetes rebuke the people so muche as for theyr false worshipping of God after theyr owne mindes and not after Gods word For what was so much as that was Wherfore the false prophetes ceased not to maligne the true prophetes of God therefore they bet them they banished thē c. How els I pray you can you vnderstand that Sainct Paule alledgeth when he sayth What concord hath christ with Beliall Either what part hath the beleuer with the Infidel or how agreeth the temple of God with images For ye are the temple of the liuing God as God himselfe hath sayde I will dwell among them and will be theyr God and they shal be my people Wherfore come out from among them and seperate your selues from them saythe the Lorde and touch none vncleane thinge so will I receaue you and wil be a father vnto you and ye shal be my sonnes and daughters sayth the Lord almighty Iudith that holy woman would not suffer herselfe to be defiled with the meates of the wicked All the Sayntes of God which truely feared God when they haue bene prouoked to do any which they knewe to be contrarye to Gods lawes haue chosen to dye rather then to forsake the lawes of their God Wherefore the Machabees put themselues in daunger of death for the defense of the lawe yea and at length died manfully in the defense of the same If we do prayse sayth S. Augustine the Machabees and that with great admiration because they did stoutly stand euen vnto death for the lawes of theyr countrey howe muche more ought wee to suffer all thinges for our Baptisme for the sacramēt of the body and bloud of Christ. c. But the supper of the Lord such a one I meane as Christ commaundeth vs to celebrate the Masse vtterly abolysheth and corrupteth most shamefully Who am I that I shuld adde any thing to this which you haue so well spoken Nay I rather thanke you that you haue vouchsafed to minister so plentifull armour to me being otherwise altogether vnarmed sauing that hee cannot be left destitute of helpe whiche rightly trusteth in the helpe of God I onely learne to dye in reading of the new testament and am euer nowe and then praying vnto my God that hee will bee an helper vnto me in tyme of neede Seeing you are so obstinately set agaynst the Masse that you affirme because it is done in a tongue not vnderstanded of the people and for other causes I cannot tell what therefore it is not the true sacrament ordayned of Christ I beginne to suspecte you that you thinke not catholickely of Baptisme also Is our Baptisme whiche we do vse in a tongue vnknowne to the people the true baptisme of Christ or no If it be then doth not the straunge tongue hurt the Masse If it be not the baptisme of Christ tell me howe were you baptised Or whether will yee as the Anabaptistes do that al which were baptised in latin should be baptised agayne in the English tongue Although I would wish baptisme to be geuen in the vulgar tongue for the peoples sake which are present that they may the better vnderstand their owne profession and also be more able to teache theyr children the same yet notwithstanding there is not like necessity of the vulgar tongue in baptisme and in the Lordes supper Baptisme is geuē to children who by reason of their age are not able to vnderstand what is spoken vnto them what tongue soeuer it be The Lordes supper is and ought to be geuen to thē that are waxen Moreouer in baptisme which is accustomed to be geuen to children in the latine tongue all the substanciall poyntes as a man would say whiche Chryst commaunded to be done are obserued And therefore I iudge that baptisme to be a perfect and true baptisme and that it is not onely not neeedefull but also not lawfull for anye man so christened to be Christened agayne But yet notwithstanding they ought to be taught the Catechisme of the christian fayth when they shall come to yeares of discretion Which Cathechisme whosoeuer despiseth or wyll not desirously embrace and willingly learne in my iudgement he playeth not the parte of a christian man But in the popish mass◠are wanting certayne substancialles that is to say things commaunded by the worde of God to be obserued in ministration of the Lordes supper of that which there is sufficient declaration made before Where you say I would wish surely I would wishe that you had spoken more vehemently and to haue sayd it is of necessitie that all thinges in the congregation should be done in the vulgar tongue for the edifying and comfort of them that are present notwithstanding that the childe it selfe is sufficiently baptised in the latin tongue For asmuche as I perceaue you are so stiffely I wyll not say obstinately bente and so wedded to your opinion that no gentle exhortations no holesome counsailes no other kinde of meanes can call you home to a better mynde there remayneth that
heart as I graunt I haue fealt sometimes before O good brother blessed be God in thee and blessed be the time that euer I knewe thee Farewell farewell Your brother in Christ Nicholas Ridley Brother farewell To the brethren remaining in captiuitie of the flesh and dispearsed abroad in sundry prisones but knit together in vnity of spirit and holy Religion in the bowels of the Lorde Iesu. GRace peace mercye be multiplied among you What worthy thankes can we render vnto the Lorde for you my brethren namely for the great coÌ„solation which through you we haue receiued in the Lorde who notwithstanding the rage of Sathan that goeth about by all maner of subtill meanes to beguile the worlde and also buâ—lâ— laboreth to restore and set vp his kingdome againe that of late began to decay and fall to ruine ye remaine yet stil 〈◊〉 as men surely grounded vpon a strong rocke And nowe albeit that sathan by his souldiors and wicked ministers daily as we heare draweth numbers vnto hym so that it is sayd of him that he plucketh euen the very starres out of heauen whiles hee driueth into some men thâ— feare of death and losse of all their goods and sheweth and offereth to other some the pleasaunt baites of the worlde namelye richesse wealth and all kinde of delightes and pleasures faire houses great reuenues â—at benefices and what not and all to the intent they should fall downe worship not the Lorde but the Dragon the olde Serpent whych is the deuil that great beast and his image and should be inâ—iced to commit fornication with the strompet of Babilon together wyth the kings of the earth wyth the lesser beast and with the false Prophetes and so to reioyce and be pleasant wyth her and to be drunken wyth the wine of her fornication yet blessed be God the Father of oure Lorde Iesus Christe which hath geuen vnto you a manly courage and hath so strengthened you in the inwarde man by the power of his spirite that you can contemne as well all the terrours as also the vaine flatteringe allurementes of the worlde esteeming them as vanities mere trifles things of nought Who hath also wroughte planted and surely stablished in your hearts so stedfast a fayth and loue of the Lorde Iesus Christe ioyned with such constancie that by no engines of Antichriste be they neuer so terrible or plausible yee will suffer any other Iesus or any other Christ to be forced vpon you besides him whom the Prophetâ— haue spoken of before the Apostles haue preached the holy Martyrs of God haue coÌ„fessed and testified with the effusion of their bloud In thys Faith stand ye fast my brethren and suffer not your selues to be brought vnder the yoke of bondage and superstition any more For ye know brethren howe that our sauiour warned his beforehand that such shoulde come as would poynt vnto the world an other Christ and woulde set him out wyth so many fals myracles and with such deceiueable and subtill practises that euen the very electe if it were possible should be therby deceiued such strong delusion to come did our Sauiour geue warning of before But continue ye faithful and constant and be of good comfort remember that our graund captaine hath ouercome the world for he that is in vs is stronger then he that is in the world and the Lorde promiseth vnto vs that for the elects sake the daies of wickednes shall be shortned In the meane season abide ye endure with patience as ye haue begun endure I say and reserue your selues vnto better times as one of the heathen Poetes said cease not to shew yourselues valiant Soldiours of the Lorde and helpe to maintaine the trauelling faith of the Gospell Yee haue neede of patience that after ye haue done the wil of God ye may receiue the promises For yet a very litle while and he that shall come will come and wil not tarie and the iust shall liue by faith but if anye withdrawe him selfe my soule shall haue no pleasure in him sayth the Lorde But we are not they which doe withdrawe oure selues vnto damnation but beleeue vnto the saluation of the soule Let vs not suffer these woordes of Christ to fall out of our hearts by any manner of terrours or threatnings of the worlde Feare not them which kil the body the rest ye know For I wryte not vnto you as to menne which are ignoraunt of the truth but which know the truthe and to this ende onely that we agreeing together in one faith may take comfort one of an other and be the more confirmed and strengthened thereby We neuer had a better or more iust cause either to contemne our life or shed our bloud we can not take in hande the defence of a more certaine cleare and manifest truthe For it is not any ceremonie for the which we contend but it toucheth the very substance of our whole Religion yea euen Christ him selfe Shall we either can we receiue and acknowledge any other Christe in steade of hym who is alone the euerlasting sonne of the euerlasting Father and is the brightnesse of the glory and liuely image of the substaunce of the Father in whome onely dwelleth corporally the fulnesse of the Godhead who is the onely waye the truth and the life Let such wickednesse my brethren lette such horrible wickednesse be farre from vs. For althoughe there be that are called Gods whether in heauen either in earth as there be many Gods and many Lordes yet vnto vs there is but one God which is the Father of whome are al things and we in him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whome are all things and wee by him but euery man hath not knowledge This is life eternal sayth S. Iohn that they know thee to be the onely true God and whome thou haste sent Iesus Christ. If any therfore would force vpon vs any other GOD besides him whom Paule and the Apostles haue taughte let vs not heare him but let vs flee froÌ„ him and hold him accursed Brethren ye are not ignorant of the deepe and profouÌ„d subtleties of Satan for he will not cease to raunge about you seking by all meanes possible whom he may deuour but play ye the men and be of good comfort in the Lorde And albeit your enemies and the aduersaries of the truth armed with all worldly force and power that may be doe set vppon you yet be not ye faynt harted nor shrinke not therfore but trust vnto your Captayne Christ trust vnto the spirit of truth trust to the truth of your cause which as it may by the malice of satan be darckened so can it neuer be cleane put out For we haue high prayse be geuen to God therfore most playnely euidently and clearely on our side all the Prophets all the Apostles and vndoubtedly all the auncient Ecclesiastical writers which haue writtan vntill
he will bestow him I trust to God it shall please him of his goodnes to strengthen me to make vp the trinitie out of Paules Churche to suffer for Christe whom God the father hath annoynted the holy spirite doth beare witnes vnto Paule all the Apostles preached Thus fare you well I had no paper I was constrayned thus to write Besydes these letters of Byshop Ridley diuers other tractations also were written by hym partly out of prison partly in prison as namely amongest certaine other there remayneth in my handes certayne notes answearing to the two notable Sermons of D. Watson Bishop of Lincolne c. ¶ Here beginneth the lyfe actes and doynges of maister Hugh Latimer the famous Preacher and worthy Martyr of Christ and his Gospel NOw consequently after the lyfe of B. Ridley with other his letters whiche partly we haue expressed partly we haue differred to our later appendix followeth lykewyse the lyfe and doynges of the worthy champion and olde practised souldiour of Christe M. Hugh Latimer of whose actes and long trauayles euen from his fyrst yeares and tender age to beginne here to entreate fyrst he was the son of one Hugh Latimer of Thirkesson in the Countie of Leicester a housebandman of right good estimation with whom also he was brought vp vntyll he was of the age of fower yeares or thereabout At which tyme his Parentes hauyng hym as then left for their onely sonne with sixe other daughters seeyng his ready prompte and sharpe witte purposed to trayne him vp in erudition and knowledge of good literature wherein he so profited in his youth at the common Scholes of his owne countrey that at the age of xiiij yeares he was sent to the Uniuersitie of Cambridge Where after some continuaunce of exercises in other thynges he gaue hym selfe to the studie of such schole Diuinitie as the ignoraunce of that age did suffer Zelous he was then in the Popyshe Religion and therewith so scrupulous as hym selfe confessed that beyng a Priest and vsyng to say Masse he was so seruile an obseruer of the Romishe Decrees that he had thought he had neuer sufficiently mingled his Massing wine with water and moreouer that he shoulde neuer be damned if he were once a professed Frier with diuers suche superstitious fantasies And in this blinde zeale he was a very enemie to the professours of Christes Gospell as both his Oration made when he proceeded Bachlour of Diuinitie agaynst Philip Melancthon and also his other workes did playnely declare But especially his Popyshe zeale coulde in no case abyde in those dayes good Maister Stafford reader of the Diuinitie Lectures in Cambridge moste spitefully raylyng agaynst hym and willyng the youth of Cambridge in no wyse to beleeue hym Notwithstandyng suche was the goodnesse and mercifull purpose of God that when he saw his good tyme by the whiche waye hee thought to haue vtterly defaced the professours of the Gospell and true Church of Christ he was at lengthe hym selfe by a member of the same pretily caught in the blessed nette of Gods woorde For M. Thomas Bilney whose storye is before described beyng at that tyme a tryer out of Sathans subtilties and a secrete ouerthrower of Antichristes kyngdome seeyng M. Latimer to haue a zeale in his waies although without knowledge was striken with a brotherly pittie towardes hym bethought by what meanes he might best winne this zelous ignoraunt brother to the true knowledge of Christe Wherefore after a shorte tyme he came to M. Latimers study and desired him to here him make his confession Which thing he willingly graunted by hearyng whereof he was through the good spirte of God so touched that hereuppon he forsooke his former studying of the schole Doctors and other suche fopperies and became a earnest student of true Diuinitie as he hym selfe aswell in his conference with M. Ridley as also in his fyrst sermon made vpon the Pater noster doth confesse So that whereas before he was an enemy and almost a persecutor of Christe he was now a zelous seeker after hâ—m chaunging his old maner of cauilling and rayling into a diligent kind of conferring both with M. Bilney and others came also to M. Stafford before he dyed and desired him to forgeue him After this his winning to Christ he was not satisfied with his owne conuersion onely but like a true Disciple of the blessed Samaritane pitied the misery of others and therefore became both a publike Preacher and also a priuate Instructer to the rest of his brethren within the Uniuersitie by the space of 3. yeres spending his tyme partly in the Latin tongue among the learned partly amongst the simple people in his naturall and vulgar language Howbeit as Satan neuer slepeth when he seeth his kingdome to begin to decay so likewyse now seeyng that this worthy member of Christ would be a shreud shaker therof he raued vp his impious impes to molest trouble him Amongest these there was an Augustine Frier who tooke occasion vpon certaine Sermons that M. Latimer made about Christenmas 152â— aswell in the church of S. Edward as also in S. Augustins within the Uniuersitie in Cambridge to inuey against him for that M. Latimer in the sayde Sermons alludyng to the common vsage of the season gaue the people certaine cardes out of the 5.6.7 Chapiters of S. Matthewe whereupon they might not onely then but alwayes els occupy their tyme. For the chiefe triumph in the cardes he limitted the Hart as the principall thing that they shoulde serue God with all wherby he quite ouerthrew all hypocriticall and externall ceremonies not tending to the necessarie furtheraunce of Gods holy word and Sacramentes For the better atteyneng hereof he wished the Scriptures to be in Englysh wherby the common people might the better learne their dueties aswell to God as their neighbours The handling of this matter was so apt for the tyme and so pleasantly applyed of him that not only it declared a singuler towardnesse of witte in the Preacher but also wrought in the hearers much fruite to the ouerthrowe of Popish superstition and setting vp of perfect Religion This was vpon the Sundaye before Christenmas day on which day commyng to the Church and causyng the Bell to be tolled to a Sermon he entered into the Pulpit takyng for his text the wordes of the Gospell aforesayd red in the Church that day Tu quis es c. In deliueryng the whiche cardes as is abouesayd he made the Harte to be triumph exhortyng and inuityng all men thereby to serue the Lord with inwarde hart and true affection and not with outward ceremonies adding moreouer to the prayse of that triumph that though it were neuer so small yet it woulde make vp the best cote carde beside in the bunch yea though it were the kyng of Clubs c. meanyng thereby how the Lorde would be worshipped and serued in simplicitie
be many that fitte farre of I maruelled at this that I was biddē speak out and began to misdeme and gaue an eare to the chimney and syr there I heard a penne walking in the chimney behinde the cloth They had appoynted one there to write all mine answeres for they made sure that I should not starte from them there was no startinge from them God was my good Lord and gaue me aunswere I could neuer elles haue scaped it The question to him there and then obiected was this whether he thoughte in his conscience that he hath bene suspected of heresye This was a captious question There was no holding of peace would serue for that was to graunt himselfe faulty To answere it was euery way full of daunger But GOD which alwaye geueth in neede what to aunswere helped him or elles as he confesseth himselfe he had neuer escaped theyr bloudy handes Albeit what was his answere he doth not there expresse And thus hitherto you haue heard declared the manifolde troubles of this godly preacher in the time not onely of his being in the Uniuersitye but especially at his benefice as partly by his owne wordes aboue mentioned and partly by his owne letters hereafter folowing may better appeare In these so harde and daungerous straites and suche snares of the bishops hard it had bene for him and unpossible to haue escaped and continued so long had not the almighty helping hand of the highest as he styrred him vp so haue preserued him through the fauoure and power of his Prince who with muche fauour embraced him and with his mere power sometime rescued and deliuered him out of the crooked clawes of his enemies Moreouer at length also through the procurement partly of Doctour Buttes partly of good Cromwell whose story ye had before he aduaunced him to the degree and dignity of a Bishop making him the bishop of Worcester which so cōtinued a fewe yeares instructing his Dioces according to the duty of a diligent and vigilant Pastor with wholesome doctrine and example of perfecte conuersation duly agreeing to the same It were a long matter to stand particularly vpon such things as might here be brought to the commendation of his paynes as study readines and continuall carefulnes in teaching preaching exhorting visiting correcting and reforming either as his ability could serue or els the time woulde beare But the dayes then were so daungerous and variable that he could not in all thinges do that he would yet what he might doe that he perfourmed to the vttermost of his strength so that althoughe hee could not vtterly extinguish al the sparkling relicks of old superstition yet he so wrought that though they could not be taken away yet they should be vsed with as little hurt with as much profite as might be As for exāple in this thing as in diuers other it did appeare that whē it coulde not be auoyded but holy water holy bread must nedes be receiued yet he so prepared and instructed them of hys Dioces with such informations and lessons that in receiuing therof superstition shoulde be excluded and some remembrance taken thereby teaching and charging the Ministers of his Dioces in deliuering the holy bread and holy water to say these wordes folowing ¶ Wordes spoken to the people in geuing them holy water Remember your promise in Baptisme Christ his mercy and bloudshedding By whose most holy sprinkeling Of all your sinnes you haue free pardoning ¶ What to say in geuing holy bread Of Christes body this is a token Which on the crosse for our sinnes was broken Wherefore of your sinnes you must be forsakers If of Christes death ye will be partakers By this it may be considered what the diligent care of this Bishop was in doyng the duety of a faythfull Pastor among his flocke And moreouer it is to be thoughte that he would haue brought more thinges elles to passe if the time then had aunswered to his desire for he was not ignorant how the institution of holy water and holy bread not onely had no ground in scripture but also how full of prophane exorcismes and coniurations they were contrary to the rule and learning of the Gospell Thus this good man behaued hymselfe in his Dioces but as before both in the Uniuersity and at his benefice he was tost and turmoyled by wicked and euill disposed persons so in hys Bishopricke also he was not all cleare and voyde of some that sought his trouble As among many other euill willers one especially there was and that no small person which accused him then to the king for his sermons The story because he sheweth himselfe in a Sermon of his before K. Edward I thought therfore to vse his owne wordes which be these In the kinges dayes that dead is a great many of vs were called together before him to say our mindes in tertayne matters In the end one kneeleth downe and accuseth me of sedition and that I had preached sedititious doctrine A heauy salutatiō and a hard poynt of such a mans doing as if I should name ye would not thinke it The king turned to me and sayd What say you to that syr Then I kneled downe and turned me first to my accuser and required him Sir what forme of preaching would you appoynt me in preaching before a king woulde you haue mee preache nothing as concerning a Kinge in the kinges Sermon haue you any commission to appoint me what I shal preach besides this I asked him diuers other questions and he would make me none aunswere to any of them all he had nothing to say Then I turned me to the king and submitted my selfe to his grace and sayd I neuer thought my selfe worthye nor I neuer sued to be a Preacher before your grace but I was called to it and would be willing if you mislike me to geue place to my betters for I graunt there be a greate many more worthye of the roome then I am And if it be your graces pleasure so to allowe them for Preachers I coulde be content to beare theyr bookes after them But if your grace alow me for a Preacher I woulde desire your grace to geue me leaue to discharge my conscience geue me leaue to frame my doctrine according to my audience I had bene a very dolte to haue preached so at the borders of your realme as I preach before your grace And I thanke almighty GOD which hath alwayes bene my remedy that my sayinges were well accepted of the king for like a gracious Lord he turned into an other communication It is euen as the Scripture sayth Cor Regis in manu Domini i. The Lord directed the kinges hart Certayne of my frendes came to me with teares in theyr eyes and told me they looked I shoulde haue bene in the Tower the same night Besides this diuers other conflictes and combats this godly Bishop susteined in
of Christ and promotion of Christes doctrine to the edificatioÌ„ of christeÌ„ soules then the mayntenaunce of hys own authoritie reputation and dignitie considering right well as he sayd that what authoritie so euer he had it was to edification and not to destruction Now I thinke it were no reproch to my lord but very commendable rather to ioy with saynt Paule be glad that Christ be preached quouismodo yea thoughe it were for emâ—y that is to say in disdayne despite and contempt of his Lordship Which thing no man well aduised will enterprise or attempte then when the preachyng can not be reprooued iustly to demaunde of the preacher austerely as the Phariseis did of Christ qua authoritate haec facis aut quis dedit tibi istam autoritatem as my authoritie is good enough and as good as my Lorde can geue me any yet I would be glad to haue hys also if it wold please his Lordship to be so good Lorde vnto me For the vniuersitie of Cambridge hath authoritie Apostolicke to admitte 12. yearely of the which I am one and the kynges highnes God saue his grace did decree that all admitted of Uniuersities should preache throughout all hys realm as loÌ„g as they preached well without distreine of any maÌ„ my Lorde of Caunterbury my Lorde of Duresme wyth such other not a fewe standing by and hearyng the decree nothing again saying it but consenting to the same Now to contemne my Lord of Londons authoritie were no litle fault in me so no lesse fault might appeare in my Lorde of London to contemne the kinges authoritie and decree yea so Godlye so fruitefull so commendable a decree pertayning both to the edification of christen soules and also to the regard and defence of the popish grace and authoritie Apostolique To haue a booke of the kinges not inhibited is to obey the kyng and to inhibite a preacher of the king admitted is it not to disobey the kinge is it not one king that doth inhibite and admitte and hath hee not as great authorititie to admitte as to inhibite He that resisteth the power whether admitting or inhibiting doth he not resist the ordinaunce of God we low subiectes are bound to obey powers and their ordinaunces and are not the highest subiectes also who ought to geue vs ensample of such obedience As for my preaching it selfe I trust in God my Lorde of London cannot rightfully belacke it nor iustly reproue it if it be taken with the circumstance thereof and as I spake it or els it is not my preaching but hys that falsely reporteth it as the Poet Martiall sayd to one that depraued hys booke quem recitas meus est o Fidentiue libellus sed male cum recitas incipitesse tuus But now I heare say that my Lorde of London is informed and vpon the sayd information hath informed the king that I go about to defend Bilney and his cause agaynst his ordinaryes and iudges whiche I ensure you is not so for I had nothing to do with Bilney nor yet with hys Iudges except his Iudges did him wrong for I did nothing els but monishe all Iudges indifferently to doe right nor I am not altogether so foolish as to defende the thing which I knewe not It might haue become a preacher to say as I sayd though Bilney had neuer bene born I haue known Bilney a great while I thinke much better then euer did my Lord of London for I haue bene his ghostly father many a time and to tell you the truth what I haue thought alwayes in him I haue knowne hetherto few such so prompt and ready to doe euery man good after hys power both frends and foe noysome wittingly to no man and toward hys enemy so charitable so seking to reconcile them as he did I haue knowne yet not many and to be shorte in a summe a very simple good soule nothing fitte nor meete for thys wretched worlde whose blinde fashion and miserable state yea farre from Christes doctrine he could as euill beare and would sorow lameÌ„t and bewayle it as much as any man that euer I knew as for his singular learning as well in holy scripture as in all other good letters I will not speake of it Notwythstanding if he eyther now of late or at any tyme attempted any thing contrary to the obedience whiche a christian man doth owe eyther to hys prince or to hys byshoppe I neyther do nor will allowe and approue that neyther in hym nor yet in any other man we be all men and readye to fall wherfore he that standeth let hym beware hee fall not Now he ordered or misordered hymself in iudgemeeÌ„t I cannot tell nor I will not meddle wythall God knoweth whose iudgementes I will not iudge But I cannot but wonder if a man liuyng so mercifully so charitablye so paciently so continently so studiously and vertuously and killyng hys old Adam that is to say mortifie his euill affections blynde motions of hys hart so dilligently should dye an euill death there is no more but let hym yâ— standeth beware that he fall not for if such as he shall dye euill what shall become of me such a wretch as I am but let this goe a little to the purpose and come to the poynt we must rest vpon Eyther my Lord of London wil iudge my outward man onely as it is sayde Omnes vident quae foris sunt or els he will be my God iudge mine inwarde manne as it sayd Deus autem intuetur cor if he will haue to do onely with mine outward man and meddle with mine outward conuersation how that I haue ordered my selfe towarde my christen brethren the kynges liege people I trust I shall please and content both my Lorde God and also my Lorde of London for I haue preached and teached but accordyng to holy scripture holy fathers and ancient interpretours of the same with the whiche I thinke my Lord of London will be pacified for I haue done nothing els in my preaching but with all diligence moued my auditours to fayth and charitie to do theyr duety and that that is necessary to be done As for thinges of priuate deuotion meane thynges and voluntary thinges I haue reproued the abuse the superstition of them without condemnation of the thinges themselues as it becommeth Preachers to do which thyng if my Lord of London will do himselfe as I would to God he would doe he shoulde be reported no doubt to condempne the vse of such thynges of couetous men which chaue dammage and finde lesse in theyr boxes by condemnation of the abuse whiche abuse they sayd rather should continue stil then your profite should not continue so thorny be theyr hartes if my Lord wyll needes coste and inuade my inward man will I nill I anâ— breake violently into my hart I feare me I shall either displease my Lord of London which I would be very lothe or els my Lord GOD which I
it in very deed but to knowe whether non linguam sed facta attendamus viuendi genus nuÌ„ studeamus officia vocationis praestare an non studeamus immo persuasi forte sumus non necesse esse vt praestemus sed omnia in primitiuam ecclesiam tempora praeterita c. quasi nobis sat sit dominari seculaâ—ibus negotijs nos totos voluere ac voluptatibus pompae inhiare and yet we will appeare vel soli ex Deo esse sed longe aliter Christum confitentur qui confiteÌ„do ex Deo esse comprobantur And yet as long as they minister the word of God or his Sacramentes or any thing that God hath ordeined to the saluation of mankinde wherewith GOD hath promised to be present to worke with the ministration of the same to the end of the world they be to be heard to be obeyed to bee honoured for Gods ordinaunce sake which is effectuall and fruitefull whatsoeuer the minister be though he bee a Deuill and neyther Churche nor member of the same as Origene saith and Chrisostome so that it is not all one to honour them and trust in them Saynt Hierome sayth but there is required a iudgement to discerne when they minister Gods woorde and ordinaunce of the same and theyr owne least peraduenture we take chalke for cheese whiche wyll edge our teethe and hinder digestion For as it is commonlye sayd the blinde eateth many a flye as they did which were perswaded à principibus sacerdotum vt peterent Barrabam Iesum autem crucifigeâ—ent i. Of the high Priestes to aske Barrabas and to crucify Iesus and ye know that to followe blinde guides is to come into the pit with the same And will you know sayth Saynt Augustine how apertly they resist Christ when men beginne to blame them for theyâ— misliuing and intollerable secularity negligence they dare not for shame blaspheme Christ himselfe but they will blaspheme the ministers and preachers of whome they be blamed Therefore whereas yee will pray for agreement both in the truth and in vttering of the trueth when shall that be as longe as we will not heare the trueth but disquiet with crafty conueiance the Preachers of the trueth because they reprooue our euilnesse with the truth And to say trueth better it were to haue a deformity in preaching so that some would preach the truth of God and that which is to be preached without cauponation and adulteration of the word as Lyranus sayth in his time few did what they do now a dayes I report me to them that can iudge then to haue such an vniformity that the sely people should be thereby occasioned to continue still in theyr lamentably ignorance corrupt iudgement superstition and Idolatry and esteeme thinges as they doe all preposterously doyng that that they neede not for to doe leauing vndone that they ought to doe for lacke or want of knowing what is to be done and so shewe theyr loue to God not as God biddeth which sayth Si diligitis me praecepta mea seruate And agayne Qui habet praecepta mea facit ea hic est qui diligit me but as they bid qui quaerunt quae sua sunt non quae Iesu Christi i. Which seeke theyr owne thinges not Christes as though to tythe mynt were more then iudgement fayth and mercy And what is to liue in state of Curates but that hee taughte which sayd Petre amas me pasce pasce pasce Peter louest thou feede feede feede which is now set aside as though to loue were to doe nothing els but to weare ringes miters and rochets c. And when they erre in right liuing how can the people but erre in louing and all of the new fashion to his dishonor that suffered his passion and taught the true kinde of louing whiche is nowe turned into piping playing and curious singing which will not be reformed I trow nisi per manuÌ„ Dei validam And I haue both S. Austen and S. Thomas with diuers other that lex is taken not alonely for Ceremonies but also for Moâ—als where it is sayd Nâ— estis sub lege though your frendes reproue the same But they can make no diuision in a christian congregation And whereas both you and they would haue a sobernes in our preaching I pray god send it vnto vs whatsoeuer ye meane by it For I see well whosoeuer will be happy and busye with vae vobis he shall shortly after come coram nobis And where your frendes thinke that I made a lye when I said that I haue thought in times past that the Pope had bene Lord of the world though your frendes bee much better learned then I yet am I sure that they knowe not what eyther I thinke or haue thought better then I iuxta illud nemo nouit quae sunt hominis c. as though better men then I haue not thought so as Bonifacius as I remember Octauus the great learned manne Iohn of the burnt Tower presbiter Cardinalis in his book where he proueth the Pope to be aboue the counsell Generall and Speciall where he sayth that the Pope is Rex â—egum Dominus dominantium i. The King of Kinges and Lord of Lordes and that he is verus Dominus totius orbis iure licet non facto i. the true Lord of the whole worlde by good right albeit in fact he be not so and that Constantinus didde but restore his owne vnto him when he gaue vnto him Rome so that in propria venit as S. Iohn sayth Christ did sui eum non receperunt and yet I heare not that any of our Christian congregation hath reclamed agaynste him vntill now of late dissention began Who be your frendes I cannot tell but I would you woulde desire them to be my good maysters and if they will doe me no good at the least way do me no harme and though they can do you no more good then I yet I am sure I would be as loth to hurt you as they either with mine opinions maner of preaching or writing And as for the Popes high dominion ouer al there is one Raphaell Maruphus in London an Italian and in times past a Marchaunt of dispensations which I suppose woulde dye in the quarell as Gods true Knight and true Martyr As touching Purgatory and worshipping of Sayntes I shewed to you my minde before my Ordinary and yet I maruelled something that after priuate communication had with him ye would as it were adiure mee to open my minde before him not geuing mee warning before sauing I cannot interpret euill your doinges towardes me yet neither mine Ordinary nor you disalowed the thing that I sayd and I looked not to escape better then Doctor Crome â—ut wheÌ„ I haue opened my mind neuer so much yet I shall be reported to denye my preaching of them that haue belyed my preaching as he was Sed
opus est magna patientia ad sustinendas calumnias malignantis Ecclesiae Syr I haue had more busines in my little cure since I spake with you what with sicke folkes and what with matrimonies theÌ„ I haue had since I came to it or then I would haue thought a man should haue in a great cure I wonder how men can go quietly to bed which haue great cures and many and yet peraduenture are in none of them all But I pray you tell none of your frendes that I sayd so foolishly least I make a dissention in a Christian Congregation and deuide a sweete and a restfull vnion or tot quot with haec requies mea in seculum seculi Syr I had made an end of this scribling and was beginning â—o write it agayne more truely and more distinctly and to correcte it but there came a man of my Lorde of Farleys with a Citation to appeare before my Lord of London in haste to be punished for suche excesses as I committed at my last being there so that I coulde not perfourme my purpose I doubt whether ye can read it as it is If ye can well be it if not I pray you sende it me agayne and that you so doe whether you can reade it or not Iesu mercy what Worlde is this that I shall be put to so greate laboure and paynes besides great costes aboue my power for preachinge of a poore simple Sermon But I trow our Sauiour Christ sayd true Oportet pati sic intrare tam periculosum est in Christo pie viuere velle yea in a christian Congregation God make vs all Christian after the right fashion Amen Here foloweth an other letter of M. Latimer writtten to K. Henry the 8. vpon this occasion Ye heard before of two sondry Proclamations set out by the Byshops in the time of K. Henry the one in the yeare 1531. and the other set out an 1546. In the which proclamatioÌ„s bâ—ing authorised by the kinges name were inhibited all english books either conteining or tending to any matter of the scripture Where also wee haue expreâ—ed at large the whole Catalogue of all theyr errors heresies which the sayd Bishops falsely haue excerpted and maliciously imputed to Godlye writers with theyr places and quotations aboue assigned in the page aforesayd Now M. Latimer growing in some fauor with the king and seing the great decay of Christes religion by reason of these Proclamations and touched therfore with the zeale of coÌ„science directeth vnto K. HeÌ„ry this letter hereunder ensuing therby enteÌ„ding by all meanes possible to perswade the kinges mind to set opeÌ„ again the freedome of Gods holy word amongest his subiectes The copy and tenor of his letter here foloweth ¶ The Letter of Mayster Latimer written to King Henry for the restoring agayne the free liberty of reading the holy Scriptures ⧠To the most mighty Prince King of England Henrye the eight Grace mercy and peace from God the Father by our Lord Iesus Christ. THe holy Doctour Saynt Austine in an Epistle whiche he wrote to Casulanus sayth that he whiche for feare of any power hideth the trueth prouoketh the wrath of God to come vpon him for he feareth men more then God And according to the same the holy man Saynt Iohn Chrisostome sayth that he is not alonely a traytour to the truth which opeÌ„ly for truth teacheth a lie but he also which doth not freely pronounce and shewe the trueth that he knoweth These sentences moste redoubted Kyng when I read nowe of late and marked them earnestlye in the inward partes of mine hart they made me sore afrayd troubled and vexed me grieuously in my conscience and at the last droue me to this strayt that either I must shewe forth such thinges as I haue read and learned in Scripture or elles to be of the sort that prouoke the wrath of GOD vpon them and be traitors vnto the trueth the which thing rather then it shoulde happen I had rather suffer extreme punishment For what other thing is it to bee a Traytour vnto the trueth then to be a Traytour and a Iudas vnto Christe which is the very truth and cause of all trueth the whiche sayth that whosoeuer denyeth him here before men he wil deny him before his father in heauen The which denying ought more to be feared and dread then the losse of al temporall goodes honour promotion fame prison sclaunder hurtes banishmentes and all manner of tormentes and crueltyes yea and death it selfe bee it neuer so shamefull and paynefull But alas how litle do meÌ„ regard those sharpe sayinges of these two holy men and how litle doe they feare the terrible iudgemente of almightye God and specially they which boast themselues to be guides and capitaynes vnto other and chalenging vnto themselues the knowledge of holy Scripture yet will neither shewe the trueth themselues as they be bounde neither suffer them that would So that vnto theÌ„ may be sayd that which our sauior Christ said to the Phariseis Math. 23. Wo be vnto you Scribes and Phariseis which shut vp the kingdome of heauen before men and neither will you enter in your selues neither suffer them that would to enter in And they will as much as in them lyeth debarre not onely the word of God whyche Dauid calleth a light to direct and shew euery man how to order his affections and lustes according to the Commaundementes of God but also by theyr subtle wylinesse they instruct moue and prouoke in a maner all Kinges in christendome to ayde succour and helpe them in thys theyr mischiefe and especially in this your Realme they haue sore blynded your Liege people and Subiectes wyth their Lawes Customes Ceremonyes and Banbery Glofes and punished them wyth Cursynges Excommunications and other corruptions corrections I woulde say and now at the last when they see that they cannot preuayle agaynst the open trueth which the more is persecuted the more it increaseth by their tiranny they haue made it Treason to your noble Grace to haue the Scripture in English Here I beseech your Grace to pardon me a while and paciently to heare me a worde or two yea and thoughe it be so that as concerning your high Maiesty and regall power whereunto almightye God hath called your Grace there is as great difference betweene you and mee as betwene God and man For you be here to me and to al your subiectes in Gods sted to defend ayde and succour vs in our right and so I should tremble and quake to speake to your grace But agayne as concerning that you be a mortall man in daunger of sinne hauing in you the corrupte nature of Adam in the which al we be both conceiued and borne so haue you no lesse need of the merites of Christes passion for your saluation then I and other of your subiectes haue whiche be all members of the misticall bodye of christ And though you be an
it remayned in the sea of Rome This if you shall confesse with vs acknowledge with all the realme your errours and false assertions then shall you doe that whiche we most desire then shall we rest vppon the first part of our Commission then shall we receiue you acknowledge you one of the Churche and according to the authoritie geuen vnto vs minister vnto you vpon due repentaunce the benefite of absolution to the whiche the Kyng and Queene their Maiesties were not ashamed to submit them selues although they of them selues were vnspotted and therefore needed no reconciliation yet lest the putrification and rottennesse of all the body myght be noysome and do damage to the head also they as I sayd most humbly submitted them selues to my Lorde Cardinall his grace by hym as Legate to the Popes holynes to bee partakers of the reconciliation but if you shall stubburnely perseuer in your blindnes if you wyll not acknowledge your errours if you as you stande nowe alone wyll be singular in your opinions if by schisme and heresie you wyll styll diuide your selfe from our Churche then must wee proceede to the seconde part of the Commission which we would be loth to do that is not to condemne you for that wee can not doe that the temporall sworde of the Realme and not wee will do but to separate you from vs acknowledge you to be none of vs to renounce you as no member of the Churche to declare that you are filius perditionis a lost chylde and as you are a rotten member of the Churche so to cut you of from the Church and so to commit you to the temporall Iudges permittyng them to proceede agaynst you accordyng to the tenor of their lawes Therefore M. Latimer for Gods loue consider your estate remember you are a learned man you haue taken degrees in the Schole borne the office of a Byshop remember you are an olde man spare your body accelerate not your death especially remember your soules health quiet of your conscience consyder that if you shoulde dye in this state you shall be a stinkyng sacrifice to God for it is the cause that maketh the Martyr and not the death consyder that if you dye in this state you dye without grace for without the Churche can be no saluation Let not vayne glory haue the vpper hande humiliate your selfe captiuate your vnderstandyng subdue your reason submit your selfe to the determination of the Churche doe not force vs to doe all that we may doe let vs rest in that parte whiche wee most hartely desyre and I for my part then the Byshop put of his cap agayne with all my hart exhort you After the Byshop had somewhat paused then M. Latimer lift vp his head for before he leaned on his elbowe and asked whether his Lordshyp had sayd and the Byshop answered yea Lati. Then will your Lordship geue me leaue to speake a worde oâ— two Linc Yea M. Latimer so that you vse a modest kynd of talke without raysing or tauntes Lati. I beseech your Lordshyp licence me to sit downe Linc. At your pleasure M. Latimer take as much ease as you wyll Lati. Your Lordshyppe gentlye exhorted mee in manye woordes to come to the vnitie of the Churche I confesse my Lorde a Catholicke Churche spread throughout all the worlde in the whiche no man may erre without the whiche vnitie of the Churche no man can be saued but I knowe perfectly by Gods woorde that this Churche is in all the worlde and hath not his foundation in Rome only as you say and me thought your Lordshyp brought a place out of the Scriptures to confirme the same that there was a iurisdiction geuen to Peter in that Christe bad hym regere gouerne his people In deede my Lord sainct Peter did well and truely his office in that he was byd regere but since the Byshoppes of Rome haue taken a new kynd of regere In deede they ought to regere but how my Lord not as they will them selues but this regere must be hedged in and digged in They must regere but secundum verbum dei they must rule but accordyng to the worde of God But the Byshops of Rome haue turned regere secundum verbum dei into regere secundum voluntatem suam they haue turned the rule accordyng to the woorde of GOD into the rule accordyng to their owne pleasures and as it pleaseth them best as there is a booke set foorth whiche hath diuers poyntes in it and amongest other this poynt is one whiche your Lordshyppe went about to proue by this woorde regere and the argument whiche he bryngeth foorth for the proofe of that matter is taken out of Deuteronomie where it is sayde if there ryseth anye controuersie amonge the people the Priestes Leuitici generis of the order of Leuiticus shall decide the matter secundum legem dei accordyng to the lawe of GOD so it muste be taken This booke perceyuing this authoritie to be geuen to the Priestes of the olde lawe taketh occasion to proue the same to be geuen to the Byshops and other the Cleargy of the new law but in prouyng this matter where as it was sayde there as the Priestes of the order of Leuiticus shoulde determine the matter accordyng to Gods law that accordyng to Gods law is left out and onely is recited as the Priestes of the order of Leuiticus shall decide the matter so it ought to be taken of the people a large authoritie I ensure you What gelding of Scripture is this what clippyng of Gods coyne With the which termes the audience smiled This is muche like the regere whiche your Lordshyp talked of Nay nay my Lordes we may not geue such authoritie to the Clergie to rule all thynges as they wyll Let them keepe them selues within their commission Now I trust my Lord I do not rayle yet Linc. No M. Latimer your talke is more like tauntes then rayling but in that I haue not red the booke which you blame so much nor knowe not of any suche I can say nothyng therein Lati. Yes my Lorde the booke is open to be red and is intituled to one whiche is Bishop of Glocester whom I neuer knew neither did at any tyme see him to my knowledge With that the people laughed because the Byshop of Glocester sat there in commission Then the Byshop of Glocester stoode vp and sayd it was his booke Lati. Was it yours my Lorde In deede I knewe not your Lordshyp neither euer did see you before neither yet see you now through the brightnes of the Sunne shining betwixt you and me Then the audience laughed agayne and Maister Latimer spake vnto them saying Why my maisters this is no laughyng matter I aunsweare vppon lyfe and death Vae vobis qui redetis nunc quoniam flebitis The Byshoppe of Lincolne commaunded silence and then sayde Linc. M. Latimer if you had kept
haue robbed and spoyled all this heauenly treasure away I may well complayne on these thyngs and cry out vpon them with the Prophet saying Deus venerunt gentes in haereditatem tuam c. Psal. 72. O Lord God the Gentiles Heathen nations are come into thy heritage They haue defiled thy holy Temple and made Ierusalem an heape of stones that is They haue broken beaten down to the ground thy holy Citie This Heathenish generatiō these thieues of Samaria these Sabei and Chaldei these robbers haue rushed out of their dennes and haue robbed the Church of England of all the foresayd holy treasure of God they haue caried it away and ouerthrown it and in stead of Gods holy worde the true and right administration of Christes holy Sacramentes as of Baptisme and others they mixte theyr ministerie with mens foolish fantasies and many wicked and vngodly traditions withall In stead of the Lordes holy Table they geue the people with much solemne disguising a thyng which they cal their Masse but in deed and in truth it is a very masking and mockerie of the true Supper of the Lord or rather I may call it a crafty iuglyng whereby these false theeues iuglers haue bewitched the myndes of the simple people that they haue broght them from the true worship of god vnto pernicious idolatry and make them to beleeue that to be Christ our Lord and Sauiour which in deed is neither God nor man nor hath any lyfe in it selfe but in substance is the creature of bread and wyne and in vse of the Lordes Table is the Sacrament of Christes bodye and bloud and for this holy vse for the whiche the Lord hath ordained them in hys table to represent vnto vs his blessed body torne vpon the crosse for vs and his bloude there shed it pleased him to call them his body bloud whiche vnderstanding Christ declareth to be his true meanyng when he sayth Do this in the remembraunce of me And agayne Saint Paule likewyse doth set out the same more plainly speaking of the same Sacrament after the words of the consecration saieng As often as ye shall eat of this bread and drinke of this cup ye shall set forth he meaneth with the same the Lordes death vntill his commyng agayne And here agayne these thieues haue robbed also the people of the Lordes cup contrary to the plaine words of Christ written in his Gospell Nowe for the common publike prayers whiche were in the vulgare tongue these theeues haue brought in agayne a strange tongue whereof the people vnderstande not one worde Wherein what doe they els but robbe the people of their Diuine seruice wherein they ought to pray together with the minister and to pray in a strange tong what is it but as Saint Paule calleth it barbarousnesse childishnes vnprofitable folly yea and plaine madnesse For the godly Articles of vnitie in religion for the wholesome Homelies what doe these Thieues place in the stead of them but the Popes Lawes and Decrees lying Legends fayned fables and miracles to delude and abuse the simplicitie of the rude people Thus this robbery and theft is not onely committed nay sacriledge and wicked spoyle of heauenly thyngs but also in the stead of the same is brought in and placed the abhominable desolation of the tyrant Antiochus of proud Senacherib of the shamelesse faced kyng and of the Babilonicall beast Unto this robbery this theft and sacrilege for that I cannot cōsent nor God willyng neuer shall so long as the breath is in my body because it is blasphemy agaynst God hygh treason vnto Christ our heauenly kyng Lord Maister our onely Sauiour and redeemer it is playne contrary to Gods word and to Christes Gospell it is the subuersion of all true godlinesse and agaynst the euerlastyng saluation of myne owne soule and of all my brethren and sisters whom Christ my Sauiour hath so dearely bought wyth no lesse price then with the effusion and shedyng foorth of hys most precious bloud Therfore all ye my true louers in God my kinsfolke and countreymen for this cause I say knowe ye that I am put to death which by Gods grace I shall willingly take with hearty thankes to God therefore in certayne hope without any doubtyng to receyue at Gods hande agayne of his free mercy and grace euerlastyng lyfe Although the cause of the true man slayne of the thiefe helpyng hys neighbour to recouer hys goods agayne and the cause wherfore I am to be put to death in a generality is both one as I sayd before yet know ye that there is no small difference These thieues agaynst whom I do stand are much worse then the robbers and thieues of the borders The goodes which they steale are much more precious and their kynds of fight are far diuers These thieues are worse I say for they are more cruell more wycked more false more deceitfull and crafty for those wyll but kill the body but these will not sticke to kill both body and soule Those for the generall theft and robbery be called are in deed theeues and robbers but these for their spirituall kynd of robbery are called Sacrilegi as ye would say Church robbers They are more wicked for those goe about to spoyle men of worldly thynges worldly riches gold and siluer worldly substance these go about in the wayes of the deuill their ghostly father to steale from the vniuersall Church and perticularly from euery man all heauenly treasure true faith true charity hope of saluation in the bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ yea to spoil vs of our sauior Iesus Christ of his gospel of his heauēly spirit of the heauenly heritage of the kingdom of heauē so derely purchased vnto vs with the death of our maister and Sauiour Christ. These be the goodes and godly substance whereupon the christian before God must liue and without the which he cannot lyue These goods I saye these theeues these Church robbers go about to spoile vs of The which goods as to the man of God they excell and farre passe all worldly treasure so to withstand euen vnto the death such theeues as go about to spoyle both vs the whole Church of such goods is most high and honourable seruice done vnto God These church robbers be also much more false crafty and deceitfull then the theeues vpon the borders for these haue not the craft so to commend their theft that they dare auouch it and therefore as acknowledging themselues to be euill they steale commonly vpon the nyght they dare not appeare at iudgements and Sessions where Iustice is executed and when they are taken and brought thether they neuer hang any man but they bee oft tymes hanged for theyr faults But these Church robbers can so cloke colour their spiritual robbery that they can make the people to beleeue falshood to be truth and truth falshood good
cannot although thou art not ashamed to call him thy maker make thee to escape the reuenging hand of the high and almighty God But be thou assured that the liuing Lord our Sauiour and redemâ—â— which sitteth on the right hand of his father in glorye he seeth all thy wicked wayes and crueltye done to his deare members and he will not forget his holy ones and his handes O thou Whorish Drabbe shalte thou neuer escape In stead of my farewell to thee now I say lye vpon thee lye vpon thee filthy Drabbe and all thy false Prophets Yet then O London I may not leaue thee thus Although thy Episcopall Sea now being ioyned in League with the seate of Sathan thus hath now both handled me and the Sayntes of God yet I doe not doubte but in that great City there be many priuy mourners which do daily mourne for that mischieâ—e the which neuer did nor shal coÌ„sent to that wickednes but do detest and abhorre it as the wayes of Sathan But these priuy mourners here I wyll passe by and bid them farewell with theyr felowes hereafter when the place and occasion shall more conuenientlye require Among the worshipfull of the citty and speacially which were in office the Maioralty yea in other Cittyes also whome to name nowe it shall not be necessary in the time of my ministery which was from the latter part of sir Rowland Dules yere vnto sir George Barnes yeare and a great part thereof I doe acknowledge that I founde no small humanity and gentlenes as me thought but to saye the truth that I do esteme aboue al other for true christian kindnes which is shewed in Gods cause and done for hys sake Wherfore O Dobbes Dobbes Alderman knight thou in thy yeare diddest winne my hart for euermore for that honorable acre that most blessed worke of God of the erection and setting vp of Christes holy Hospitalles and truely religious houses whiche by thee and through thee were begonne For thou like a man of God when the matter was mooued for the relief of Christes poore seely members to be holpen froÌ„ extreme misery hunger and famine thy hart I say was moued with pity as Christes high honourable officer in that cause thou calledst together thy brethren the Aldermen of the City before whom thou brakest the matter for the poore thou diddest plead theyr cause yea and not onely in thine owne person thou diddest sette fâ—rth Christes cause but to further the matter thou broughtest me into the Councell Chamber of the Citty before the Aldermen alone whome thou haddest assembled there together to heare me speake what I coulde say as an aduocate by office and duety in the poore mennes cause The Lorde wrought with thee and gaue thee the consent of thy Brethren whereby the matter was broughte to the common Counsell and so to the whole body of the City by whome with an vniforme consent it was committed to be drawn ordered and deuised by a certayne nuÌ„ber of the most witty CitizeÌ„s and politique endued also with godlynes with ready hartes to set forward such a noble acte as coulde bee chosen in all the whole City and they like true and faythfull Ministers both to theyr City theyr Mayster Christ so ordered deuised and brought forth the matter that thousands of sely poore meÌ„bers of Christ which els for extreme hunger and miserye shoulde haue famished and perished shal be relieued holpeÌ„ and brought vp and shal haue cause to blesse the Aldermen of that time the coÌ„mon Councell the whole body of the City but specially thee O Dobbes and those chosen men by whome this honorable worke of God was begon and wroughte and that so long throughout all ages as the godly worke shall endure which I pray almighty God may or euer vnto the worldes end Amen And thou O Syr George Barnes the trueth is to be confessed to Gods glory and to the good example of other thou wast in thy yeare not onely a furtherer and conâ—iâ—ner of that which before thee by thy predecessour was well begunne but also diddest labor so to haue perfited the work that it shoulde haue bene an absolute thing and a perfecte spectacle of true charity and Godlinesse vnto all Christendome Thyne endeuoure was to haue set vppe an house of occupations both that all kinde of pouerty being able to worke shoulde not haue lacked whereupon profitably they might haue bene occupied to their owne reliefe to the profite and commoditye of the common wealthe of the City and also to haue retired thither the poore Babes brought vp in the Hospitals when they had come to a certayne age and strength and also all those which in the hospitalles aforesayd had bene cured of theyr diseases And to haue brought this to passe thou obteynedst not withoute great diligence and labor both of thee of thy brethren of that Godly King Edwarde that Christian and pierlesse Princes hand his Princely place of Bridewell and what other thinges to the performaunce of the same and vnder what condition it is not vnknowne That this thine endeuor hath not had like successe the fault is not in thee but in the condition and state of the time which the Lorde of hys infinite mercy vouchsafe to ameÌ„d when it shall be his gracious will and pleasure Farewell now all ye Citizens that be of God of what state and condition so euer ye be Undoubtedly in London ye haue heard Gods word truely preached My hartes desire and dayly prayer shal be for you as for whome for my time I know to my Lord God I am countable that yee neuer swarue neyther for losse of life nor worldly goodes from Gods holy word and yelde vnto Antichrist wherevpon must needes folow the extreame displeasure of God and the losse both of your bodies and soules into perpetuall damnation for euermore Nowe that I haue gone through the places where I haue dwelt anye space in the time of my pilgrimage here vpon earth remeÌ„bring that for the space of king Edwardes raygne whiche was for the time of mine office in the Seas of London and Rochester I was a member of the higher house of the Parliament therefore seing my God hath geuen me leisure and the remembrance therof I will bid my Lords of the temporalty farewell They shall haue no iust cause by Gods grace to take it that I entende to say in ill part As for the spirituall Prelacy that now is I haue nothing to say to them excepte I shoulde repeate agayne a great part of that I haue sayd before now already to the Sea of London To you therefore my Lordes of the temporalty wil I speake and this would I haue you first to vnderstande that when I wrote this I looked daylye when I shoulde bee called to the chaunge of this life and thoughte that this my writinge shoulde not come to your knowledge before the time of the
and the Apostles doctrine wherof in particularity I haue touched something before in my talke had with the Sea of London and in other treatises more at large wherein if it shall please God to bring the same to light it shal appeare I trust by Gods grace plainly to the man of God and to him whose rule in iudgement of Religion is Gods word that that Religion that rule order that doctrine and fayth which this whore of Babylon and the Beast whereupon she doth sit mainteineth at this day with all violence of fire and sword with spoyle banishment according to Daniels Prophecy and finally with all falshood deceit hypocrisy and all kinde of vngodlines are as cleane contrary to Gods word as darkenesse is vnto light or light vnto darckenes white to blacke or blacke to white or as Beliall vnto Christ or Christ vnto Antichrist himselfe I know my Lordes and foresaw when I wrote this that so many of you as should see this my writing not beyng before endued with the spirite of grace and the light of gods word so many I say would at these my words lordlike stampe and spurne and spitte thereat But sober your selues with pacience and be still and knowe ye that in my writing of this my minde was none other but in God as the liuing God doth beare me witnes both to do you profite and pleasure And otherwise as for your displeasure by that time this shal come to your knowledge I trust by gods grace to be in the hands and protection of y◠almighty my heauenly father and the liuing Lord which is as S. Iohn sayeth the greatest of all and then I shall not need I trow to feare what any Lord no nor what kyng or prince can do vnto me My Lordes if in times past ye haue bene contented to heare me sometimes in matters of religion before the prince in the Pulpit and in the Parliament house and haue not seemed to haue despised what I haue sayd when as els if ye had perceiued iust occasion yee might then haue suspected me in my talk though it had bene reasonable eyther desire of worldly gayne or feare of displeasure how hath thē your Lordshyppes more cause to harken to my word and to heare me paciently seing now ye can not iustly think of me being in this case appoynted to dye and lookyng dayly when I shall be called to come before the eternall iudge otherwise but that I onely study to serue my Lord God and to say that thyng which I am perswaded assuredly by Gods woorde shall and doth please him and profite all them to whome God shall geue grace to heare and beleue what I do say And I do say euen that I haue sayd heretofore both of the Sea of Rome and of the Byshop thereof I meane after this theyr present state at this day Wherin if ye will not beleue the Ministers of GOD and true preachers of his word verely I denounce vnto you in verbo domini except ye do repent betime it shall turne to your confusion and to your smart on the latter day Forget not what I say my Lordes for Gods sake forget not but remember it vpon your bed For I tell you moreouer as I knowe I muste bee countable of this my talke and of my speaking thus to the eternall Iudge who will iudge nothing amisse so shall you be countable of your duety in hearyng and you shall bee charged if ye will harken to Gods word for not obeying to the truth Alas my Lords how chaunceth this that this matter is now a new again to be perswaded vnto you Who would haue thought of late but your Lordships had bene persuaded in deed sufficiently or that ye coulde euer haue agreed so vniformelye with one consent to the abolishment of the vsurpation of the bishop of Rome If that matter were then but a matter of policy wherin the prince must be obeyed howe is it now made a matter wherin as your Clergy sayth now so sayth the Popes lawes in deed standeth the vnity of the Catholicke church and a matter of necessity of our saluation Hath the time being so short since the death of the two last kinges Henry the 8. Edward his sonne altered the nature of the matter If it haue not but was of the same nature and daunger before God then as it is now be now as it is sayd by the Popes lawes and the instructions set forth in Englishe to the curates of the dioces of Yorke in deed a matter of necessity to saluation how then chaunced it that ye were all O my Lordes so light and so litle passed vpon the catholicke faith and the vnity therof without the which no man can be saued as for your Princes pleasures which were but mortall men to forsake the vnity of your catholick fayth that is to forsake Christ and his gospell And furthermore if it were both then and nowe is so necessary to saluation how chaunced it also that ye all the whole body of the Parliament agreeing with you did not onely abolish and expell the Bishop of Rome but also did abiure him in your owne persons and did decree in your actes great othes to bee taken of both the spiritualtye and temporalty whosoeuer shoulde enter into any weighty chargeable office in the common wealth But on the other side if the law decree which maketh the supremacy of the sea bishop of Rome ouer the vniuersall church of Christ be a thing of necessity required vnto saluation by an Antichristian law as it is in deed such instructiōs as are geuen to the Dioces of Yorke be in deed a setting forth of the power of that beast of babilon by the craft falshood of his false Prophetes as of truth compared vnto Gods word and truely iudged by the same it shall playnely appere that they be then my Lordes neuer thinke other but the daye shall come when ye shal be charged with this your vndoing of that that once ye had well done and with this your periury and breache of your othe which othe was done in iudgement iustice and truth agreable to Gods lawe The whore of Babilon may wel for a time dally with you and make you so dronken with the wine of her filthy stewes whooredome as with her dispensations and promises of pardon à poena culpa that for dronkennesse and blindenesse ye may think your selues safe But be ye assured whē the liuing Lord shall trye the matter by the fire and iudge it according to his word when al her abhominations shal appeare what they bee then ye my Lordes I geue your Lordships warning in time repent if ye be happy loue your owne soules health repent I say or els wythout all doubt ye shall neuer escape the handes of the liuing Lord for the guilt of your periury and breach of your oth As ye haue banquetted and layne by the
doctrine is hys fathers doctrine fol. 33. 5. He that sayth that the law of the Gospell ought onely to be holden in Christes church and is sufficient alone for it speaketh so far out of reason that he is not worthy to be reasoned withall fol. 37. 6. They that hold that the crosse of siluer or golde ought not to be worshipped with kissing of it bowyng kneeling to it are enemies to Christes true crosse take away the meanes that might set out the glory of Christes crosse fol. 49. 7. Neither Paule nor the crosse can be worshipped with godly honour fol. 61. 8. As Christ vsed clay for an instrument to heale the blind mans eyes withall hath saued diuers by fayth made it an instrument of saluation and as God hath ordained Timothy to be an instrument of saluation both to himselfe and for other so may the Pope ordaine holy water to bee an instrument of saluation both of body and soule to all them that are sprinkled with it fol. 64. 9. No man can commit Idolatry with his body alone in onely kissyng of an Image or Idol in only kneelyng to it can no Idolatry be committed fol. 52. 10. For as much as God vnderstandeth them that sing in Latin though they vnderstand not themselues their praier is acceptable before God fol. 76. 11. As a father may forbid certain of his children to marry so may a king in hys kingdom forbid certayne of hys subiects to marry that is to lay all the priests of his realme fol. 83. 12. He that would take away the Popes ceremonies out of the church should driue away all godlinesse and seemelines all religious and deuout behauiour out of the church fol. 94. Here hast thou good Reder this stout prelate of Winchest with all his properties doyngs qualities as in a certaine Anatomie proportioned out vnto thee whereby thou maiest boldly iudge and nothing erre in thy iudgement what is to be estemed of hym by his fruits as who neither was tene Protestant nor right papist neither cōstant in hys error nor yet stedfast in the truth neither frēd to the Pope yet a perfect enemy to Christ false in king Henries tyme a dissembler in K. Edwards tyme double periured and a murderer in Queene Maries tyme mutable and inconstāt in all tymes And finally where in his letters to the L. Protector and others vsually he vanteth so much of his late soueraign lord K. Henry the 8. of the great reputation that he was in with him read I beseech thee behold in the depositions of the L. Paget in the old booke pag. 806. col 1. also in the depositions of the Erle of Bedford pag. 824. and there ye shall see the king before his death both excepting hym out of his pardons quite strikyng hym out of his last wyll testament so detested abhorred hym as he did no english man more And where as the L. Paget beyng sent in message from the K. to the bishoppe by other words then the kings mynde and will was of his owne dexteritie gaue to hym good gracious words which in deed the kyng neither knew nor yet wer sent by hym the B. perswading himselfe otherwise of the kings fauor towards hym then it was in deed was therin far deceiued and brought into a fooles paradise wherof read both in the old booke before and also in this present volume To describe paint out the vnstable mutabilitie of this B. aforesaid albeit here need no more to be added besides that which is alredy declared yet notwithstanding seyng the matter is not long it shal not be out of the way to annexe withall vnto the premisses a piece of Drianders letter written to one Crispine phisition in Oxford sent from Antwerpe concerning the doyngs and behauiour of this B. of Winchester whose story we haue now in hand The copy of which Drianders letter written to the sayd Crispine hys friend beginneth thus ¶ Doctissimo viro Edmundo Crispino amico integerrimo Oxoniae ANte meam ex Lutetia profectionē dedi literas ad te per Anglum illum communem amicum nostrum c. ¶ The English wherof as much as to the present purpose appertaineth here followeth translated BEfore my departure from the Citie of Paris I wrote vnto you by our friend the Englishman c. Now you shal be contented onely with the narration of your B. of Winchester who as appertained to the embassadour of so noble a Prince came to Louane with a great brauerie and was there receiued at one Ieremies house and most honourably entertained where the facultie of Diuines for honor sake presented him wyne in the name of the whole Uniuersitie But our famous doctors and learned Maisters for that they would more deepely search and vnderstand the learnyng and excellency of the Prelate perused and scanned a certaine Oration made by hym and now extant intituled De vera obedientia in the which hys Oration he did impugne the supremacy of the B. of Rome and preferred his Lords and kyngs authoritie before the holy Apostolike sea as they terme it whiche beyng read and considered by them they did not onely repent them for geuyng hym such honour but also recanted that which they had done and did not so much honor him afore but now they were as earnest as spitefull agaynst hym Richard Lathomus interpreter of termes with the fauourers of that fraternitie and other champions of the fallyng church disputed with hym concernyng the Popes supremacy This B. stoutely defended his sayd Oration The Diuines contrary stifly maintained their opinion diuers tymes openly with exclamations called the sayde B. an excommunicate person and a schismatike to no litle reproch and infamy of the English nation The Byshop not long after mindyng to say masse in S. Peters church they did deny vnto hym as to an excommunicate person the Ornamentes and Uestimentes meete for the same wherewyth he beyng hyghly offended sodaynely hastned hys iourney from thence The Deane the next day after made an eloquent Oration wherein hee openly disgraced and defamed hym You haue heard now a true storye for oure Doctour was a beholder of the whole Tragedie c. And this now beyng sufficient for Gardiners story to leaue hym to his iudge to let him go we shall returne proceed by the grace leaue of the Lord as the course of these dolefull dayes shall lead vs to prosecute the residue of Christes Martyrs as now in order followeth ¶ The burnyng of Iohn Webbe gentleman George Roper and Gregory Parke at Caunterbury as followeth NExt after the death constant Martyrdom of the two most worthy champions standerdbearers of Christes army D. Nich. Ridley and M. Hugh Latymer of whom ye haue heard at large followed three other stoute and bold souldiours that is to say Iohn Web gentlemā George Roper and Gregory Parke This Iohn Web
proue that which I haue sayd by good authoritie I will be content to be counted an hereticke and an ignoraunt person and further what you please Story Let vs heare what wise authoritie thou canst bring in Phil. It is the saying of Christe in S. Iohn Verbum quod locutus sum iudicabit in nouissimo die The word which I haue spoken sayth Christ shall iudge in the last day If the worde shal iudge in the last day much more it ought to iudge our doings now And I am sure I haue my iudge on my side who shall absolue and iustifie me in an other world How soeuer now it shall please you by authoritie vnrighteously to iudge of me and others sure I am in an other world to iudge you Story What you purpose to be a stincking Martyr to sit in iudgement with Christ at the last day to iudge the 12. tribes of Israell Phil. Yea sir I doubte not thereof hauing the promise of Christ If I dye for righteousnes sake which you haue begon to persecute in me Story I told you it is but vayne to argue with this hereticke he is drowned in his heresies without all learning Phil. Syr I haue brought you for that I haue sayd good authoritie out of Gods booke to the whiche you answere nothing but go about still to geue rayling iudgement aagaynst me without any cause Story I will come to you by and by When as the Iudge in Westminster hall geueth sentence doth the worde geue sentence or the Iudge tell me Phil. Ciuill matters be subiect to Ciuell men they haue authoritie by the worde to bee iudge of them But the word of God is not subiect to mans iudgemeÌ„t but ought to iudge all the wisedome thoughtes and doynges of men and therefore your comparison disproueth nothing that I haue sayd neither answereth any whit therto Story Wilt thou not allow the interpretation of the church vpon the scriptures Phil. Yes if it be according to the word of the true church and this I say to you as I haue sayd heretofore that if yee can proue the church of Rome wherof ye are to be the true Catholicke Church which I ought to follow I wil be as ready to yeld therto as long as it can be so proued as you may desire me Story What a fellow is this He will beleeue nothing but what he list himselfe Are we not in possessioÌ„ of the church Haue not our forefathers these many hundred yeares takeÌ„ this church for the catholicke church wherof we are now And if we had none other proofe but this it were sufficieÌ„t for prescription of time maketh a good title in the law Philpot. You doe well mayster Doctour to alledge prescription of many yeares for it is all that you haue to shew for your selues But you must vnderstand Ex diuinis nulla occurrit praescriptio that prescription hath no place in matters belonging to God as I am abâ—e to shewe by the testimony of many Doctours Story Well sir you are like to go after your fathers Latimer the Sophister and Ridley who had nothing to alledge for hymselfe but that hee had learned his heresie of Cranmer Where I came to him with a poore Bacheler of Arte he trembleÌ„d as though hee had had the palsey as these heretickes haue alwayes some token of feare whereby a man may know them as you may see this mans eies do tremble in his head But I dispatched them and I tell thee that there hath bene yet neuer a one burnte but I haue spoken with him haue bene a cause of his dispatch Phil. You haue the more to aunswere for Mayster Doctor as you shall feele in an other world how much soeuer you do now triumph of your proceedinges Story I tell thee I will neuer be confessed therof And because I cannot now tary to speake with my Lord I pray one of you tell my Lord that my comming was to signifie to his Lordship that he must out of hand rid this hereticke away And going away he sayd vnto me I certifie thee that thou mayst thanke none other man but me Phil. I thanke you therfore with all mine hart and God forgeue it you Story What doest thou thanke me if I had thee in my study halfe an houre I thinke I should make you sing an other song Phil. No maister Doctour I stand vpon to sure a ground to be ouerthrowne by you now And thus they departed al away from me one after an other vntil I was left al alone And afterwards with my keeper going to my Cole-house as I went I met with my Lord of London who spake vnto me geÌ„tly as he hath hetherto in words saying London Philpot if there be any pleasure I may shewe you in my house I pray you require it and you shall haue it Philpot. My Lord the pleasure that I will require of your Lordship is to hasten my iudgement which is committed vnto you so dispatche me forth of this miserable world vnto my eternall rest And for all this fayre speache I can not attain hetherto this fortnight space neither fire nor caÌ„dle neither yet good lodging But it is good for a man to be brought low in this world to be counted amongst the vilest that hee may in time of rewarde receiue exaltation glory Therfore praised be God that hath humbled me geuen me grace with gladnes to be content there withall Let all that loue the truth say Amen Thus endeth the fift Tragedy * The sixt examination of Iohn Philpot had before the right honourable Lordes Lorde Chamberlayne to the kinges Maiesty the Vicount Herford commonly called Lord Ferrers the Lord Rich the Lord S. Iohns the Lord Winsor the Lord Shandoys Sir Ioh. Bridges Lieutenant of the Tower and two other moe whose names I know not with the B. of London and Doctour Chadsey the sixt day of Nouember An. 1555. PHilpot Before that I was called afore the Lordes and whiles they were in sitting downe the Byshop of LoÌ„don came aside to me and whispered in myne eare willing me to vse my selfe before the Lordes of the queenes maiesties Councell prudently and to take heede what I sayd thus he pretendeth to geue me counsaile because he wished me to do well as I might now do if I list And after the Lordes other worshipfull gentlemen of the queenes Maiesties seruauntes were set my Lorde of London placed himselfe at the end of the table called me to hym by the Lords I was placed at the vpper end agaynst him where I kneeling downe the Lordes commaunded me to stande vp and after in this manner the Byshop began to speake London M. Philpot I haue heretofore both priuately my selfe and openly before the Lordes of the Clergy mo times then once caused you to bee talked withall to reforme you of your errours but I haue not found you yet so
priuy dore that goeth into the church and commaunded two of his men to accompany the Keper and to see me placed And afterwardes I passed through Paules vp to Lollardes tower and after that turned a long al the West side of Paules throughe the wall and passing through 6. or 7. dores came to my lodging thorough many straits where I called to remembrance that strait is the way to heauen And it is in a Tower right on the other side of Lollardes tower as high almost as the battlements of Paules viij foote of bredth and xiij of length and almost ouer the prison where I was before hauing a windowe opening towards the East by the which I may looke ouer the tops of a greate many of houses but see no manne passing into them and who so walketh in the Bishoppes vtter gallery going to his Chappell may see my windowe me standing in the same And as I was come to my place the Keeper pluckt of my gowne searched me very narowly and tooke away penner inkhorne girdle and knife but as God would I had an inckeling a little before I was called of my remouing and therupon made an errant to the stole where ful sore against my will I cast away many a sweete letter and friendly but that I had wrytten of my last examination before I thruste into my hose thinking the next day to haue made an ende therof and with going it was falne downe to my legge the which he by feeling did soone espie and asked what that was I sayd they were certaine letters and with that he was very busie to haue them out Let me aloue sayde I I will plucke them out with that I put in my hande hauing two other letters therein and brought vp the same wryting to my codpeece and there lefte it geuing him the other two letters that were not of any great importance The which for to make a shewe that they had bene weightie I began to teare aswel as I could til they snatched them from me so deluded him I thanke God of his purpose After this hee went his way and as he was goynge one of them that came with him sayd that I did not deliuer the wrytings I had in my hose but two other letters I had in my hād before No did quoth he I wil go search him better the which I hearing conueied mine examination I had writtē into an other place besides my bed and tooke all the letters I had in my purse and was tearinge of them when he came again and as he came I threw the same out of my window saying that I hard what he said wherefore I did preuent his searching againe whereof I was right glad God be praised that gaue me that present shift to blinde their eyes from the knowledge of my wrytings the which if they had knowen it would haue bene a great occasion of more straiter keeping and looking vnto although they looke as narowly as they may The eight examination of Iohn Philpot before the B. of London the B. of S. Dauids M. Mordant and others in the Bishops Chappell THe next day after my Keeper came before daye in the morning to cal me downe so was I brought down into his Wardrobe where with a Keeper I was left and there continued al the day But after dinner I was called downe into the Chappell before the Bishop of London the B. of saint Dauids M. Mordant one of the Queenes Counsaile maister Archedeacon of London and before a great many moe Balaamites and the Bishop spake vnto me in this wise Lond. Sir here I obiect and lay vnto you in the presence of my Lorde of S. Dauids and of M. Mordant of these worshipfull men these articles here in this libel cōteined and openly he read them To whom when I would particularly haue answeared to some of his blasphemies he would not permit me but sayde I shoulde haue leasure enough to saye what I would when he had saide to these here I adde an other schedule Also I require thee to aunsweare to the Cathechisme set foorth in the schismatical time of king Edward Also I will thee to answere to certaine conclusions agreed vpon both in Oxford and Cambridge And I heere do bring forth these witnesses against thee in thine own presence namely my Lord of S. Dauids maister Mordant and master Harpsfield with as many of you as were present in the disputation he made in the conuocation house willing you to testifie of your othes taken vpon a booke his stubborne and vnreuerend behauiour he did there vse against the blessed sacrament of the aultar Geue me a boke and receiuing one he opened the same saying I wil teach him heere one tricke in our lawe which he knoweth not that is My Lord of S. Dauids because you are a Bishop you haue this priuiledge that you may sweare Inspectis Euangelijs non tactis By looking on the Gospel booke without touching of the same And so he opened the booke in hys sight and shut it againe and caused the other to put theyr hands on the booke and tooke their othe and willed them to resort to his Register to make their depositions when they might be best at leisure and afterwardes he tourned to me and sayd Now sir you shall answeare but 2. wordes whether you will answeare to these articles which I haue laid vnto you directly yea or nay Phil. My Lord you haue told a long tale against me conteining many lying blasphemies which cā not be answered in two woordes Besides this you promised me at the beginning that I should say what I could for my defence and now will you not geue me leaue to speake What law is this Lond. Speake yea or nay for you shal say no more at this time The cause was as I gesse that he saw so many there gathered to heare Phil. Then my two wordes you would haue me speake shall be that I haue appealed from you and take you not for my sufficient iudge Lon. In dede M. Mordant he hath appealed to the king and to the Queene but I wil be so bold with her maiesty to stay that appeale in mine owne hands Phil. You will doe what you list my Lorde you haue the lawe in your handes Lond. Wilt thou answere or no Phil. I will not answere otherwise then I haue sayd Lon. Register note his answer that he maketh Phil. Knocke me in the head with an Hatcher or set vp a stake and burne me out of hand without further lawe as well you may doe so as doe that you doe for all is wythout order of lawe Suche tyrannie was neuer seene as you vse now adaies God of his mercy destroy your cruel kingdome And whilest I spake this the Bishop went away in haste S. Dauids M. Philpot I pray you be quiet and haue pacience with you Phil. My Lorde I thanke God I
there sayd is not yet sufficiently knowne either because M. Philpot was not himselfe suffered to write or els for that his writings are by some kept close and not brought forth otherwise thē as the bishops Register hath noted whose handling of such matters because it is either for feare or for fauor of his Lord and maister very slender litle light of any true right meaning can be gathered especially in the behalfe of the answerer Howbeit such as it is such thought I good to put forth requiring the reader to iudge hereof according to his aunsweres in his former examinations ¶ The last examinations of M. Philpot in open iudgement with his finall condemnation by Byshop Boner in the Consistory at Paules THe Bishop hauing sufficiently taken his pleasure with M. Philpot in his priuate talkes and seeing his zealous learned and immutable Constancy thought it now high time to rid his handes of him and therefore on the 13. and 14. dayes of December sitting iudicially in the Consistory at Paules he caused him to be brought thither before him and others as it seemeth more for orders sake thē for any good affection to iustice and right iudgement The effect aswell of which two sundry their procedinges as also of one other had the 11. day of the same month in his chappell appeare in a maner to be all one The Bishop therefore first speaking to Mayster Philpot sayd Lond. M. Philpot amongest other thinges that were laid and obiected vnto you these three thinges ye were especially charged and burdened withall The first is that you beyng fallen from the vnitye of Christes Catholicke Church do refuse and will not come and be reconciled thereunto The second is that you haue blasphemously spoken agaynst the sacrifice of the Masse calling it idolatry And the third is that you haue spoken agaynst the sacrament of the aultar denying the reall presence of Christes body and bloud to be in the same And according to the will and pleasure of the Synode legatiue ye haue bene oft many times by me inuited and required to go from your sayd errors and heresies and to returne to the vnity of the catholicke Church which if you wil now willingly do ye shal be mercifully gladly receiued charitably vsed and haue al the fauor I can shew you And now to tell you true it is assigned and appoynted to geue sentence agaynst you if you stande herein will not return Wherfore if ye so refuse I doe aske of you whether you haue any cause that you can shew why I shoulde not now geue sentence agaynst you Phil. Under protestatiō not to go from my appeale that I haue made and also not to consent to you as my cōpetent iudge I say touching your first obiection concerning the Catholick Church I neither was nor am out of the same And as touching the sacrifice of the Masse and the Sacrament of the aultar I neuer spake agaynst the same And as concerning the pleasure of the Sinode I say that these xx yeares I haue bene brought vp in the fayth of the true catholick church which is contrary to your church whervnto ye woulde haue me to come and in that time I haue bene many times sworne as wel in the reign of K. Henry the 8. as in the reigne of good King Edward his Sonne agaynst the vsurped power of the Bishop of Rome which othe I thinke that I am bounde in my conscience to keepe quia teneor reddere Domino iuramentum But if you or any of the Synode can by Gods worde perswade me that my sayd othe was vnlawfull and that I am bound by Gods law to come to your church faith and religion wherof you be now I will gladly yeld agree and be conformable vnto you otherwise not Boner then not able with all his learned Doctours to accomplish this his offered condition fel to perswading of him as well by his accustomed vayne promises as also by blondye threatninges to returne to theyr Churche to the which he answered Phil. You and all other of your sorte are hypocrites and I would al the world did know your hypocrisy your tyranny ignoraunce and Idolatry Upon these wordes the Bishop did for that tyme dismisse him cōmaunding that on Monday the 16. day of the same moneth betwene the hours of one three in the after noone he shoulde agayne be brought thither there to haue the definitiue sentence of condēnation pronounced against him if he remayned then in his former constancy ¶ The last examination of Mayster Iohn Philpot. AT which day and time Mayster Philpot being there presented before the bishops of London Bath Worcester and Liechfield Boner Bishop of London began hys talke in this maner London My Lorde Stokesley my predecessour when he went about to geue sentence agaynst an hereticke vsed to make this prayer Deus qui errantibus vt in viam possint redire iustitiae veritatis tuae lumen ostendis da cunctis qui Christiana professione cēsentur illa respuere quae huic inimica sint nomini ea quae sint apta sectari per Christum dominum nostrum Amen Which I will folow And so he read it with a loud voice in Latin To the which Mayster Philpot sayd Philpot. I would ye would speak in English that all men might heare and vnderstand you for Paul willeth that all things spoken in the congregation to edify should be spoken in a toung that all men might vnderstand Wherupon the Bishop did read it in English when he came to these wordes to refuse those thinges which are foes to this name Philpot said Phil. Then they all must turne away from you for you are enemies to that name meaning Christes name and God saue vs from such hypocrites as would haue thinges in a toung that men cannot vnderstand London Whom do you meane Phil. You and al other that be of your generation and sect And I am sory to see you sit in the place that you now sitte in pretending to execute iustice doe nothing lesse but deceiue all men in this Realme And then turning himselfe vnto the people he farther sayd oh all you Gentlemē beware of these men meaning the Bishops and al theyr doinges which be contrary vnto the primatiue Church And I would knowe of you my Lord by what authority you do proceed agaynst me Lond. Because I am Bishop of London Philpot. Well then ye are not my Bishop nor I haue not offended in your Diocesse and moreouer I haue appealed from you and therefore by your owne law you ought not to proceed agaynst me especially being brought hither frō an other place by violence Lond. Why who sent you hither to me Philpot. That did Doctor Story and Doctor Cooke with other the king and Queenes Commissioners my Lord is it not enough for you to werry your owne sheep but ye must also meddle with other mens sheepe Then
Gods spirite in vs accordyng to the rule of the Gospell he that coÌ„formeth not him selfe to the same in godly conuersation may iustly treÌ„ble doubt that he is none of the elect children of God but of the viperous generation and a child of darkenesse For the children of light will walke in the workes of light and not of darkenes though they fall they do not lye still Let all vayne excusations be set a part and whiles ye haue light as Christ commaundeth beleue the light and abide in the same lest eternall darkenesse ouertake you vnwares The light is come into the world but alas men loue darkenesse more theÌ„ the light God geue vs his pure eyesalue to heale our blindnes in this behalfe O that men and women would be healed and not seeke to be wilfully blinded The Lord open their eyes that they may see how dauÌ„gerous a thyng it is to decline from the knowledge of truth contrary to their conscience But what sayd I conscience many affirme their conscience will beare them well enough to do all that they do and to go to the Idolatrous Church to seruice whose coÌ„scieÌ„ce is very large to satisfie man more then God And although their conscience can beare them so to do yet I am sure that a good conscience will not permit them so to doe which caÌ„ not be good vnlesse it be directed after the knowledge of Gods word and therfore in Latin this feelyng of mynde is called Conscientia which souÌ„deth by interpretation as much as with knowledge And therfore if our conscience be led of her selfe not after true knowledge yet we are not so to be excused as S. Paul beareth witnes saying Although my coÌ„science acseth me not yet in this I am not iustified And he ioineth a good coÌ„science with these 3. sisters charitie a pure heart vnfayned fayth Charitie keepeth Gods commaundements a pure hart loueth and feareth God aboue all vnfayned fayth is neuer ashamed of the profession of the Gospell whatsoeuer damage he shal suffer in body therby the lord which hath reuealed hys holy will vnto vs by hys word graunt vs neuer to be ashamed of it and geue vs grace so earnestly to cleaue to hys holy word and true church that for no maner of worldly respecte we become partakers of the workes of hipocrisie which God doth abhorre so that we may be found faythfull in the Lords Testament to the end both in hart word and deede to the glory of God and our euerlasting saluation Amen Ioh. Philpot prisoner in the Kinges Benche for the testimony of the truth 1555. * To hys deare frend in the Lord Iohn Careles prisoner in the kinges Benche MY dearely beloued brother Careles I haue receaued youre louing letters full of loue and compassion in somuch that they made my hard hart to weepe to see you so carefull for one that hath bene so vnprofitable a member as I haue bene and am in Christes church God make me worthy of that I am called vnto and I pray you cease not to pray for me but cease to weep for him who hath not deserued such gentle teares and prayse God with me for that I now approch to the company of them whose want you may worthily lament God geue your pittiful hart his inward consolation In deede my deare Careles I am in thys world in hell and in the shadow of death but he that hath brought me for my desertes downe vnto hell shall shortly lift me vpp to heauen where I shall looke continually for your commyng others my faythfull brethren in the kinges Benche And though I tell you that I am in hell in the iudgement of this world yet assuredly I feele in the same the consolation of heauen I prayse God and thys lothsome and horrible prison is as pleasaunt to me as the walke in the garden of the kinges Bench. You know brother Careles that the way to heauen out of this life is very narrow and wee must striue to enter in at a narrowe gate If God do mitigate the ouglenes of myne imprisonment what will he do in the rage of the fire whereunto I am appoynted And this hath happened vnto me that I might be hereafter an ensample of comfort if the like happen vnto you or to any other of my deare brethren with you in these cruell dayes in the which the deuill so rageth at the faythfull flock of Chryst but in vayne I trust against any of vs who be perswaded that neither lyfe neither death is able to seperate vs from the loue of Christs Gospell which is Gods high treasure committed to your brittle vessels to glorifie vs by the same God of hys mercye make vs faythfull stewardes to the end and geue vs grace to feare nothing what soeuer in hys good pleasure we shal suffer for the same That I haue not written vnto you eâ—st the cause is our strayt keepyng and the want of light by night for the day serueth vs but a while in our darke closet This is the first letter that I haue writteÌ„ since I came to prison besides the report of mine examinations and I am fayne to scribble it out in hast Commend me to al our faythfull brethren and bid theÌ„ with a good courage looke for theyr redemption frame themselues to be harty souldiours in Christ. They haue taken his prest money a great while and now let them shew themselues readye to serue hym faythfully and not to fly out of the Lordes campe into the world as many do Let them remeÌ„ber that in the Apocalips the fearfull be excluded the kingdome Let vs be of good cheare for our Lord ouercame the world that wee shoulde doe the like Blessed is the seruaunt whome when the Lord commeth he findeth watching O let vs watch and pray earnestly one for an other that we be not led into teÌ„ptation Be ioyful vnder the crosse prayse the Lord coÌ„tinually for this is the whole burnt sacrifice which the Lord delighteth in CoÌ„meÌ„d me to my father Hunt and desire him to loue and continue in the vnitie of Christs true Church which he hath begon and then shal he make me more more to ioy vnder my crosse with him Tel my brother Clements that he hath coÌ„forted me much by his louing token in significatioÌ„ of an vnfayned vnitie with vs let him encrease my ioy vnto the end perfectly The Lord of peace be with you al. Salute al my louyng frends M. Mering M. Crooche with the rest and specially M. Marshal his wife with great thaÌ„ks for his kindnes shewed vnto me Farewel my deare Careles I haue dalied with the deuil a while but now I am ouer the shoes God sende me well out Out of the Colehouse by your brother Iohn Philpot. An other letter to Iohn Careles profitable to be read of all them which mourne in repentaunce for theyr sinnes THe God
to put you in remembraunce therof to wil you with the wise man to prepare your selues to temptatioÌ„s to beware that ye which yet do stand by the goodnes of God may not fall from your liuely knowledge and hope It is an easie thing to begin to do wel but to coÌ„tinue out in well doing is the onely property of the children of God and such as assuredly shal be saued For so sayth our Sauiour in his Gospel Blessed are they that perseuere to the ende Let not therefore this certaintye of your saluation which is coÌ„tinuance in the sincerity of faith slide froÌ„ you Esteme it more then al the riches pleasures of this world for it is the most acceptable treasure of eternall life This is that precious stone for the which the wise marchant man after the Gospell doeth sell all that he hath bieth the same God in the 3. of the Apocal. doth signifye to the church that there shall come a time of temptation vpon the whole world to trye the dwellers on the earth FroÌ„ the danger of which temptation al such shal be deliuered as obserue his worde which worde there is called the worde of patience to geue vs to vnderstande that we must be ready to suffer all kinde of iniuries and sclaunders for the profession thereof Therfore God coÌ„mandeth vs there to hold it fast that no man might berefte vs of our crowne of glorye and S Peter telleth vs now we are afflicted with diuers assaies as it is need it should so be That the triall of our faith being much more precious then gold that perisheth and yet is tried by fire might redound to the laud glory and honour of Iesus Christ. S. Paule to the Hebrues sheweth vs that Christe our Sauiour was in his humanitie made perfect by afflictions that we being called to perfection in him might more willingly susteine the troubles of the worlde by the which God geueth all them that be exercised in the same for his sake his holinesse And in the 12. chap. of the said Epistle is wrytten My sonne refuse not the correction of the Lord nor shrinke not when thou art rebuked of him for the Lord doth chastice euery sonne whome he receiueth c. Christ in the Gospell of S. Iohn biddeth his disciples to looke after afflictions saying in the worlde yee shall haue trouble but in me yee shall haue ioy And therefore in the middest of their trouble in the 21. of S. Luke hee biddeth them looke vp and lift vp their heads for your redemption sayeth he is at hand And in the 22 he sayth to all suche as be afflicted for him You are those that haue abidden with me in my temptations and therefore I appoynt vnto you a kingdom as my father hath appoynted for me to eate and drinke vpon my table in my kingdome O howe glorious be the crosses of Christe which bring the bearers of them vnto so blessed an ende Shall we not be glad to be partakers of such shame as may bring vs to so high a dignitie God open their eyes to see al things as they be and to iudge vprightly Then doubtlesse we would thinke with Moises that it is better to be afflicted with the people of God then to be counted the king of Egypts sonne Then should we ioyfully say with Dauid in all our aduersities and troubles It is good O Lord thou hast brought me lowe to the ende I might learne thy righteousnesse Therefore S. Paule woulde not glory in any other thyng of the worlde but in the crosse of Christ in other his infirmities We haue the commaundement of Christe daily to take vppe his crosse and follow him We haue the godly ensamples of all his apostles and holy martyrs which with great ioy and exultation haue suffered the losse of landes goods and life for the hope of a better reward which is laide vp for all those in heauen that vnfainedly cleaue to the gospel and neuer be ashamed therof Great is the felicitye of the world to the outwarde man and very pleasant are the transitory delights therof but the rewarde of the rightuous after the word of God doth incomparably excell them all in so much that S. Paul to the Rom. doth plainly affirme that all the tribulations of this world can not deserue that glory which shall be shewed vpon vs. Let vs therfore good brethren and sisterne be mery glad in these troublesome daies the which be sent of God to declare our faith and to bring vs to the ende and fruition of that which we hope for If we woulde enter into the Lordes Sanctuarie and behold what is prepared for vs we could not but desire the Lord to hast the day of our death in the which we might set forth by true confession his glory Neither should we be afraide to meete our aduersaries which so earnestly seeke our spoile and death as Christ did Iudas and that wicked route which came to appreheÌ„d him saying I am he whom ye seeke It is commaunded vs by the Gospel not to feare them that canne kill the bodye but to feare God who can cast both body and soule into hel fire So muche wee are bounde to obserue this commaundement as anye other which God hath geuen vs. The Lorde encrease our faith that we feare God more then man The Lord geue vs such loue towards him his truth that we may be content to forsake all followe him Nowe wil it appeare what we loue best for to that we loue we will sticke There is none to be counted woorthy a Christian except he can finde in his heart for Christes sake if the confession of his truth doth require it to renounce al which he hath and followe him and in so doing he gaineth an hundreth folde more in this life as our Sauiour sayde to Peter and heere after is assured of eternal life Beholde I pray you what he loseth whâ—ch in this life receiueth a 100. for one with assuraÌ„ce of eternall 〈◊〉 O hapy exchaunge Perchaunce your outward man will say if I were sure of this great recompence here I could be glad to forsake all But where is this 100. folde in this life to be founde Yes truely for in stead of worldly richesse which thou doest forsake which be but temporall thou hast found the euerlasting richesse of heauen which be glory honour and praise both before God aungels and men and for an earthly habitation hast an eternall mansion with Christ in heauen for euen now thou art of the citie and housholde of the Saints with God as it is verified in the 4 to the Philippians For worldly peace which canne last but a while thou doest possesse the peace of God which passeth al vnderstanding and for the losse of a few frends thou art made a felowe of the innumerable companye of heauen and a perpetuall frend of all those
triall of our faith that we might bring foorth that excelleÌ„t vertue pacience by the which we are made like to our redeemer Christ with whome we heere being like in suffering assuredly shall heereafter be pertakers of his eternall glory Therefore s. Paul saith God forbid that I should glory in any thing but in the crosse of our lord Iesus Christ. I that am vnder the crosse with you thankes be geuen to God therefore haue felt in the same more true ioye and consolation then euer I did by any benefite that God hath geuen mee in my life before For the more the world doth hate vs the nigher God is vnto vs and there is no perfect ioy but in God Wherefore Christ sayd In me you shall haue ioy but in the worlde affliction Blessed be God which sendeth vs this affliction that we mighte perfectly ioy in hym For this cause in the ripest time of iniquitie and in the moste feruent season of persecution of the true church which Christ in the 21. of Luke prophesied to come he willeth vs to be of good chere and to lift vp our heads for our redemption is at hand O that the Lorde would come and deliuer vs from this worlde which is a vale of miserie vnto his owne kingdome where floweth perpetuall ioy and consolation And verily that is the true and onely ioy which is conceiued not of the creature but of the Creator the which when we doe possesse no body canne take it away from vs. To the which ioy all other ioyes being compared are but mournings all delights sorrow al sweetenes sower all beauty filth and finally al other things that be counted pleasant are tediousnes Your owne selfe is better witnes of thys then I aske your selfe with whom you are best acquainted Doeth not the holy Ghost speake the same in your heart Haue you not perswaded your selfe this to be true before I wrote thereof For howe should you being a woman and a yong Gentlewoman beautifull and at your owne liberty haue ouercome this your fraile kinde and age and despised your excellent beautie and estate vnlesse all those things which be subiect to the senses had bene counted of you vile lâ—tle to be estemed in coÌ„parison of those things which inwardly do comfort you to ouercome the flesh the world and the deuil c. God encrease your ioy in all spirituall things and establish your hope to the day of eternal rest You haue forsaken darkenes and are entred into light God graunt the same may shine stil in you vntil the perfect day come of the Lord in the which is all our consolation Here we must be darkened that there we may appeare as brighte as the sunne in the face of the whole world of all them that now condemne vs for our wel doing whose iudges then we shall be to their horrible griefe though nowe wrongfully they iudge vs. Pray hartily that often that God once again for his Christes sake woulde be mercifull to his afflicted church in England Faithfull prayer is the onely remedy that we haue against the fierie dartes of the Deuil that be kindled against vs. By prayer the Amalechites shall be ouercome and the roarings of the Lion which seeketh still to deuoure vs shal be stopped put to silence The Lorde stoppe Leuiathans mouth that he swalow not vp Gods seely people according to his expectation Praise the Lord for the faithfull testimonie and sacrifice which 2. of our brethren of late haue through fire rendred to the truth of the gospell which nowe triumpheth by the death of godly Martyrs The Lorde is at hande therefore watche and pray The last of May. 1555. Captiue in the kings Bench. Yours with heart in Christ Iohn Philpot. An other letter of maister Philpot to the godly Ladie Vane GOd the Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ encrease in your godly heart the faith of the gospell which is your eternall inheritance the holy ghost comfort your spirite with all spirituall consolation to the day of the Lord. Amen I can not but praise God moste highly earnestly my deare faithful lady for the great vnfained loue whych you beare vnto me in Christ declared oftentimes as wel now as of late by manifest and liberal tokens Blessed be God that hath made you so worthy a meÌ„ber in his kingdome For it can not be but such shal reape with abuÌ„dance in time of reward that here do sowe so plenteously in well doing Albeit I am moste vnwoorthy to receiue any suche benefit at your hands as in respect of a piller of Christes church which am scarse a shadow thereof But the zeale of Christes church in you wisheth me to be such a one as the time doth require God fulfill your desire of me that I may be fouÌ„d constant no wandring starre I am not worthy of the name of a prophet or of a minister of Gods woorde for that I haue being letted by the iniquitie of time little or nothing labored therein I am a friend of our common spouse Iesus and do reioyce of the veritie of his woorde for the which praised be hys name hee hath counted mee worthy to suffer and in deede who that geueth a draughte of water in the name of a disciple as Christ hath promised shall not lose his reward Therefore that your gentlenes doth in the name of him which I am not the Lorde recompence vnto you in all hys blessings which he is accustomed to powre on them which loue his flocke vnfainedly Good Lady you haue to ioy that the kingdome of God is thus continually before your eies and that you are not ashamed of the bands of Christ which you with his people in part do suffer They may be assured of the glory euerlasting which heere are not ashamed to take vp the crosse of Christ to folowe him Heere we must weepe and lament whiles the worlde laugheth triumpheth ouer vs but our teares shall shortly be turned into vnspeakeable ioy and we shall eternallye be merrye together when the world shall lament their infidelitie without ende c. I woulde I were able to doe any thing that myght shewe condigne thaÌ„ks for that sincere loue you beare vnto me in Christ. You adiure me as it were by your gentle letters to be bolde on you in all my needes I thanke God whych ceaseth not to prouide for his I lacke nothing at this present but only hability to thank your faithful hart for your goodnesse towards me I loue you and not yours as it is meete christians to loue one an other in God your faith which I beholde in you is more woorth vnto me then al your possessioÌ„s And I thinke I shal not neede long to be chargeable vnto you for that this weeke I looke for commissioners to sit on me my fellow prisoners in prison least the spirit of our breath might blowe further abroade The
wil of God be don We are not so good as Iohn the Baptist which was beheaded in prison Darknes cannot abide the light Therefore their doings must declare what they are We are as shepe appoynted for a sacrifice to the Lord. We must not feare the fire for our Lord is a cōsuming fire which will put out the fiercenes of raging torments from vs. Be not afraid of them that can kil the body but feare him that can cast both body and soul into hel fire God forbid that we should reioyce otherwise then in the crosse of Christ pray that he would make vs worthy to suffer for his sake God wil haue our faith tried knowen and therefore let vs willingly humble our selues vnder the mighty hād of God that he may gloriously lifte vs vp in his good time There is none perfectly faithfull in deede till he can say with S. Paule I am perswaded that neither death neither life neyther aungels neither princes or powers neither things present neither things to come neither highnes neither lownes neither any other creature is able to separate me from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. This faith God plant both in you and me vnmooueably In this faith we haue to reioyce and in none other All the tribulations of the worlde are not worthy of the eternall weighte of glory which is prepared for them that here do with pacience abide the crosse Wherefore let vs be stronge with the strengthe in him that is able to make vs strong lament the weakenes I might say the infidelitie of our faint gospellers Christ whome we woulde pretend to haue put vpon vs is the strēgth of God and how then may they be weake where Christe is We haue more to be glad touching our selues of this time then we haue had of any time before in the which we haue so ready a way to goe vnto God and so good occasion to shew our duety in glorifying his holy name For if we be imprisonned in this cause we are blessed If we loose all that we haue we are blessed a 100. fold If we die we are blessed eternally so that in suffering of persecutions all is full of blessings Be blessed therefore O elect Lady of God with the blessed of God and flee as you do the concupiscence of the worlde Embrace that which is perfect and ioyfully looke for the comming and crosse of our Lorde Iesus Christ. c. Thus desiring God to preserue you to his true peace to geue you victorie of that temptation which now is come to try our faith Christe be with you and blesse you both in body and soule and my praier shal folow you wheresoeuer you goe as I desire that you may be with me The last weeke I sent your beneficence to Oxforde I coulde not before haue a conuenient messenger As soone as I haue worde you shall be satisfied of your request Loue me as you doe and the God of loue be with you The 20. day of August By yours with all his power in the Lord Iohn Philpot. An other Letter full of spiritual consolation to the sayd Ladie THe mercye of God the father the consolation of the holy ghost thorow Iesus Christ be with you strengthē you my deare mother and sister in the Lord in these daungerous dayes to the crowne of eternall glorye whiche is nowe offered to all faithfull souldiours in the Gospell Amen As your good Ladiship doeth desire to heare from me so am I desirous to wryte as your gentlenesse and daily goodnes binedeth me But Sathan of late hath letted me who enuying al good exercises which I haue had and receiued by mine easie imprisonment in times past hath brought me out of the kings Bench into the bishop of Londons Colehouse a darke and a vgly prison as any is about London but my darke body of sinne hathe well deserued the same and the Lord now hath brought me into outward darkenes that I might the more be lightened by him as he is moste present with his children in the middest of darkenesse where I can not be suffred to haue any candle light neither inke nor paper but by stealth Wherefore I can not wryte to you as I would neither as my duety is As Christ my maister was sent frō Annas to Caiphas so am I sent from Winchester Dioces to London I trust to make a speedye ende of my course God geue mee grace and patience to be a faithfull follower of my master I haue beene already this seuennight in his Colehouse and haue of late bene foure times called to mine answere but hitherto not called to iudgement which I do daily looke for but I feare they wil prolong me and trie me by straight imprisonmēt a whyle in the which Gods will be done Pray deare Lady that my faith faint not which I praise God is presently more liuely wyth mee then it hathe beene in tymes past I taste and feele the faithfulnesse of God in his promise who hathe promised to be wyth hys in their trouble and to delyuer them I thanke the Lorde I am not alone but haue sixe other faithfull companions who in our darknesse doe chearfully sing Hymnes and praises vnto God for his great goodnesse Wee are so ioyful that I wish you part of my ioy For you that are so carefull of my bodely reliefe howe can I but wish you spirituall consolation and that aboundantly Let not deare heart my straite imprisonment any thing molest you for it hath added and daily doth vnto my ioy but rather be glad and thankfull vnto GOD with me that it hath pleased him to make me most wretched sinner woorthy to suffer any thing for his sake Hitherto we haue not resisted vnto bloud God make vs neuer to count our bloud more precious in our eyes then his truth Ah my deare sister I thanke you againe for your last letter you sent me it is a singular comfort vnto me as oft as I reade the same I haue it in my bosome and wil carie the same euen to the stake with me in witnesse that Christ hath so constant and faithfull a Ladie in Englande God succoure and keepe that spirite in you for it is the verye spirite of adoption of the childe of God Suche chearefull and holy spirites vnder the crosse bee acceptable sacrifices in the sight of God for Christ came to cast fire into the earth and looketh that it shoulde be kindled Be you feruent in spirite in our Christes cause as you haue begonne for that is the principall spirite wherewithall Dauid desired to be confirmed O howe I doe reioyce your Ladiship to goe arme in arme with me vnto Christe or rather before me I can not but ioye of suche a worshipfull fellowe Me thinketh I see you to mourne and desire to be loosed out of the earthly and fraile habitacle of this body O how amiable and pleasant is it
of London PLeaseth your good Lordship to vnderstand that yesterday I dined with my Lord of Exceter who soon after my first coÌ„ming vnto him asked me what newes I answered none but good that I had heard No sayth he Why it is a rumour in the City that tomorowe the Queenes Grace will take her iourney towardes the king I aunswered that I thought it not to bee any whit true but an inuention of Heretickes yea and further sayeth he there is report made abroad of my Lorde our Mayster that he is in discomfort and therefore will suffer no man to come vnto him When I heard thus much I began to laugh and declare how vntrue this report was so that my Lord who before was very sad afterward knowing the truth reioyced much to heare that all was wel with your lordship and desired me to do his harty commendations to your Lordship One of my Lord of Penbrokes retinue a very handsome maÌ„ and as farre as I can yet learne Catholicke is a suter to your lordship to haue licence to erect a schoole and the order which he inteÌ„deth to vse is coÌ„teined in this printed paper which I send here in inclosed to your Lordship I would be gladde for my Lorde of Penbrokes sake that he vnderstood that vppon my motion your Lordship were content he should teach as he intendeth Mayster Iohnson and I haue trauelled with the Prieste and he hath subscribed his name to this draughte whiche is herein inclosed and hath promised he will stand to the same before your Lordship When I had written thus much sodenly came tydinges to me that Iordanis conuersus est retrorsum Cluney comming to the Priest found him lying prostrate groning as though he should haue dyed forthwith Then Cluney tooke him vppe and set hym vpon a stoole and came to me and told me of this reuell It chauÌ„ced that M. Iohnson was with me and we went to this fond hereticke fouÌ„d him lying all a long holding his hands vp looking hypocritically towardes heauen I caused Thomas More Cluney to set him on the stoole and with much adoe at length he tolde me that Sathan had bene with him in the night and tolde him that he was damned and weeping he prayed M. Iohnson and me to see the bill whereunto he subscribed and when he sawe it he tare out his name è libro scilicet viuentium Me thinketh by him he will needes burne a Fagot neither is there any other likelihood of the young woman I haue enquired of the two persons which sue to haue a licence to eat flesh And the woman of Christ Church is in deed very much diseased and hath bene long diseased and she and her husband both Catholicke Of the other yet I canne learne nothing Thus Iesus euermore preserue your good Lordship and my Mistres your Lordshippes sister with all yours This present Saterday Your Lordships most bounden seruaunt Iohn Harpsfield ¶ Here foloweth an other letter of Robert Iohnson Register touching Thomas Whittell written to Boner Bishop of London MY bounden duety premised pleaseth your Lordshyp to vnderstande that this laste Fridaye in the after noone Mayster Archdeacon of London did diligently trauell with Syr Thomas Whittell I being present and perceiuing his conformity as outwardlye appeared deuised a submission and hee being content therewith did subscribe the same But now this saterday morning Mayster Archdeacon and I vpon Cluneys report declaring that he fayned himselfe to be extracted of his senses went vnto hym to whom he declared that Sathan in the night time appeared vnto him and said that he was damned for that he had done against his conscience in subscribing the said submission with other like wordes c. And theÌ„ Mayster Archdeacon at his earnest request deliuered vnto him the submissioÌ„ And thereupon the sayd Whittell did teare out his subscription made in the foot of the same as your Lordshippe shall perceiue by the submission sent now vnto your Lordship by Mayster ArchdeacoÌ„ wherewith the sayd Whittell was somewhat quieted And as touching Ioane Lashford Mayster Archdeacon didde likewise trauell with her and shewing her Syr Thomas submission which I readde vnto her two times demaunded if she could bee content to make the like submission and she desired respite vntill this morning And beyng nowe eftsoones demaunded in likewise sayth that she will not make any thing in writing nor put any signe thereunto Mayster Archdeacon and I entend thyâ— after noone to examine the sayd Syr Thomas vpon Articles for as yet there doeth appeare nothing in writing agaynste hym as knoweth almighty GOD who preserue your good Lordshyp in prosperity long with honour to endure From London thys Saterday By your Lordships dayly bedesman and bounden seruaunt Robert Iohnson ¶ The Condemnation Death and Martyrdome of Thomas Whittell COncerning the woordes and aunsweres of the sayde Thomas Whittell at his laste examination before the Bishop vpon the xiiij day of Ianuary the yere aboue expressed Boner with his other felow Bonerlingeâ— sittyng in his Consistory at after noone first called forth Thomas Whittell with who he began in effect as foloweth because ye be a Priest sayth he as I and other Bishops here bee and did receiue the order of Priesthoode after the riâ—e and fourme of the Catholicke Churche ye shall not thinke but I will minister iustice as well vnto you as to other And then the sayd Boner in further communication did charge hym that when in tymes past he had sayde Masâ—e according to the order then vsed the same Whittell nowe of late had rayled and spoken agaynste the same saying that it was Idolatry and abhomination Whereunto Thomas Whittell aunswering agayne sayd that at such times as he so sayde Masse he was then ignoraunt c. adding moreouer that the eleuation of the Sacramente at the Masse geueth occasion of Idolatry to them that be ignoraunt vnlearned After this the bishop making hast to the Articles whiche in all his examinations euer he harped vpon came to this Article That thou wast in times past baptised in the fayth of the catholicke church To this the sayd Whittell inferred agayne I was baptised in the fayth of the catholicke church although I did forsake the Church of Rome And ye my Lord do call these heresies that be no heresies and do charge me therwith as heresies and ye ground your selfe vpon that religion whiche is not agreable to Gods word c. Then the sayd victorious souldiour and seruant of our Sauior constant in the verity receiued and professed was agayne admonished and with perswasions entreated by the bishop who because he would not agree vnto the same the bishop forthwith proceeded first to his actuall degradation that is to vnpriest him of all his priestly trinkets and clarkly habite The order and maner of whiche theyr popish and most vayne degradation before in the storye of Bishop Hooper pag. 1435. is to be sene
he styrred vp his seruauntes the Bishops and Pharises to kill his body wherby notwithstanding the Deuill loste his title and interest whiche hee had to mans soule and man by his precious passion and death was raunsomed from the Deuil death and Hell to immortality life euerlasting and so when Sathan thought to haue wonne all in killing of Christ he lost all and so shall he doe in vs if wee abide constaunt◠and strong in the fayth of our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe vnto the ende God graunte it for his mercyes sake in Christ. Blessed are all they that put theyr trust in him Amen Wherefore my hartely beloued brethren and sisters be of good comfort through Iesus Christ for he that is in vs is stronger then he that is in the world Therfore draw ye neare to God and he will drawe neare to you Resist the Deuill and he will as Iames sayth flee frō you Beware of the leuen of the Phariseis Touch not pitch least ye be defiled therewith Eate no Swines flesh for it is agaynst the law I meane defile not your selues neither inwardly nor outwardly with this false and wicked religion of Antichrist for it is nothing els but pitche and Swines fleshe Beware of the beastes marke least ye drinke of the cup of Gods wrath If God haue geuen you knowledge faith dissemble not therewith Denye not the knowne veritye before men least Christ deny you before his Father Come away from Babilon as Iohn biddeth you and touche no vncleane thinge but separate your selues from the company of the vngodly as Paule commaundeth you Whatsoeuer ye haue done amisse heretofore now repent amend for with the Lorde there is mercy and plenteous redemption The thirde thing and note which I gather out of the forsayd wordes of Peter is this that he sayth Reioyce because ye are pertakers of Christes Passion Our sufferinges my welbeloued are Christes sufferinges and that iniury that is done to vs for his sake he reckoneth it to be done to himselfe as he sayd to Paule Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Therefore we ought to reioyce in our sufferinges as Paule writeth whiche we suffer with Christ and one with another as Peter sayeth and so to fulfill that whiche is behinde of the Passions of Christ in our flesh whiche Christ hath by his Passion fully redeemed and saued vs in his owne person how be it hys electe must suffer with hym and for him vnto the worldes ende that he may be glorified in them and they thereby corrected and cleansed from sinne in this worlde and bee made more meete Temples for the holy Ghoste and also obteyne a greate rewarde in heauen for theyr suffering for righteousnesse sake according to his promise And therfore I saye my Brethren reioyce in the Lorde alwayes and agayne I say reioyce Let vs reioyce in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified to vs and we to it And why shoulde wee so greatly reioyce in the Crosse of Christ which we now suffer Because sayth Peter when his glory appeareth we may be mery and glad And this is the fourth note that I gather out of his wordes aboue written Wherein is set out the reward of suffering not to be had in this worlde but at his comming to iudgement when we shal be raysed agayne and then shal they that haue sowne in teares reape in ioy as Christ sayth Blessed are they that weepe here for they shall laughe Blessed are ye when men hate you and thrust you out of theyr companye raylinge on you and abhorring your name as an euill thing for the sonne of mans sake reioyce ye in that day and be gladde for your reward is greate in Heauen Wherefore my dearely beloued through the hope of this heauenly ioy and rewarde which he that can not lye hath promised whiche ioye is so greate that no eare hath heard no eye hath sene nor the hart can thinke where we shall dwell for euer in the heauenly City the celestiall Ierusalem in the presence of God the Father Iesus Christ our Mediatour as Paul sayth and in the company of innumerable Angels and with the spirites and soules of all faythfull and iust men reioyce and be glad and seing ye be called to so great glory see that ye make your election and vocation sure by good workes and specially by sufferinge aduersitye for the Gospelles sake for it is geuen vs of GOD sayth Paule not onely to beleue in Christ but also to suffer for his sake Continue in prayer and praye for me that I may ende my course with ioy Haue Brotherly loue amongest your selues whiche is a token that ye be Christes Disciples Edify and comfort one an other in the word of the Lord and the God of peace and loue be with you alwayes Amen For your liberality and kindnesse shewed vppon the Prisoners and afflicted people of GOD in thys time of persecution the Lorde wyll reward you when he commeth to reward euery man according to theyr deedes and will not leaue a cuppe of colde water bestowed vpon his faythfull people vnrewarded God make you riche in all grace that ye alwayes hauyng sufficient maye be riche vnto all manner of good woorkes The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of GOD and the felowship of the holy ghost be with you alwayes Amen Your brother now in bondes for the Gospell Thomas Whittell * To my louing and faythfull brother Iohn Careles Prisoner in the kinges bench THe same fayth for the which Abraham was accounted iust Mary blessed whereby also all iust men liue the Lord GOD our louing father encrease and stablish in you and me to the obteining of eternal life in our alone and sweet Sauior Iesus Christ. Amen I can not worthely and sufficiently prayse GOD my hartely beloued brother for the consolation and ioy that I receiued by reason of your louing letters repenting me much that I being so long so neare you did not enterprise to styrre vppe familiarity and communication betweene vs by writing to mutuall consolation in Christe For what is there vpon earth wherein to reioyce where all thinges are transitory and vayne yea manne himselfe respecting this life but as Dauid sayeth the Saynctes that dwell vpon the earth and such as excell in vertue But here now I consider that if the felowshippe loue and ioye of faythfull men and children of God being as wee nowe be in double bondage the body within clay walles and the soule within these frail earthly bodies be so greate and comfortable how vnspeakeable will these ioyes be when we shall be deliuered from all corruption into the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God Where we shal be present together continuallye in our glorified bodies beholding the face of our father presently whō now we see but in the glasse of fayth with his deare sonne
your part doe handle the matter for the discharging of both our consciences Doctour Cranmer much disabling himselfe to meddle in so weighty a matter besoughte the kings highnesse to commit the trial and examining of this matter by the word of God vnto the best learned men of bothe his Uniuersities Cambridge and Oxforde You say wel said the king and I am content therewith But yet neuerthelesse I wil haue you specially to wryte your minde therein And so calling the Earle of Wiltshiere to him sayde I praye you my Lorde let Doctour Cranmer haue intertainement in your house at Durham place for a time to the intent hee may be there quiet to accomplish my request and let him lacke neither bookes ne any thing requisite for his studie And thus after the kinges departure Doctour Cranmer went with my Lorde of Wiltshiere vnto his house where hee incontinent wrote hys minde concerning the kinges question adding to the same besides the authorities of the Scriptures of generall Councels and of auncient wryters also his opinion which was this that the Bishop of Rome had no suche authoritie as whereby hee myghte dispence wyth the woorde of God and the Scripture When Doctour Cranmer had made this Booke and committed it to the king the king sayd to him wil you abide by this that you haue heere wrytten before the Bishop of Rome That will I do by Gods grace quoth Doctor Cranmer if your Maiestie doe sende me thether Marye quoth the king I will send you euen to him in a sure Ambassage And thus by meanes of doctour Cranmers handling of this matter with the King not onely certaine learned men were sent abroad to the most part of the vniuersities in Christendome to dispute the question but also the same being by Commission disputed by the diuines in both the Uniuersities of Cambridge and Oxforde it was there concluded that no suche matrimonie was by the woorde of God lawfull Whereuppon a solemne ambassage was then prepared and sent to the Bishop of Rome then being at Bononie wherein went the Earle of Wiltshire D. Cranmer D. Stokesley D. Carne D. Benet and diuers other learned men and Gentlemen And when the time came that they shoulde come before the Byshoppe of Rome to declare the cause of their ambassage the Bishop sitting on high in his cloth of estate and in his rich apparell with his sandales on his feete offring as it were hys foote to be kissed of the Ambassadours the Earle of Wiltshiere disdaining thereat stoode still and made no countenaunce thereunto so that al the rest kept themselues from that Idolatrie How be it one thing is not heere to be omitted as a prognosticate of our separation from the Sea of Rome which then chaunced by a Spaniell of the Earle of Wiltshiere For he hauing there a great Spaniel whiche came out of Englande with him stoode directly betweene the Earle and the Bishoppe of Rome When the sayd bishop had aduaunced foorth his foote to be kissed nowe whether the Spaniell perceiued the Bishops foote of an other nature then it ought to be and so taking it to be some kinde of repast or whether it was the will of God to shew some token by the dogge vnto the Bishoppe of hys inordinate pride that his feete were more meete to be bitten of dogs then kissed of Christian men the Spaniell I say when the Bishoppe extended his foote to be kist no man regarding the same straight way as thoughe hee had beene of purpose appoynted thereunto went directly to the popes feet not onely kissed the same vnmanerlye but as some plainly reported affirmed tooke fast with his mouth the great Toe of the Pope so that in haste hee pulled in hys glorious feete from the Spaniell Whereat our men smiling in their sleeues what they thought God knoweth But in fine the Pontificall bishoppe after that sought no more at that present for kissing his feete but without any further ceremonie gaue eare to the Ambassadoures what they had to say Who entring there before the Byshoppe offred on the kings behalfe to bee defended that no manne Iure diuino coulde or ought to marrie his brothers wife and that the Bishoppe of Rome by no meanes oughte to dispence to the contrary Diuers promises were made and sundrye dayes appoynted wherein the question should haue bene disputed and when our parte was readye to aunsweare no manne there appeared to dispute in that behalfe So in the ende the Bishoppe making to our Ambassadoures good countenaunce and gratifying D. Cranmer with the office of the Penitenciarshippe dismissed them vndisputed withall Whereuppon the Earle of Wiltshire and other Commissioners sauing Doctour Cranmer retourned home againe into England And foorthwith Doctour Cranmer went to the Emperour being in hys iourney towardes Uienna in expedition againste the Turke there to aunswere suche learned men of the Emperours counsaile as woulde or coulde say anye thinge to the contrarye parte Where amongest the rest at the same time was Cornelius Agrippa an highe Officer in the Emperours Courte who hauing priuate conference with Doctoure Cranmer in the question was so fully resolued and satisfied in the matter that afterwardes there was neuer disputation openly offered to Doctoure Cranmer in that behalfe For thorowe the perswasion of Agrippa al other learned men there were muche discouraged In so much that after D. Cranmer was retourned into Englande Agrippa fel into suche displeasure wyth the Emperour as some men thoughte that because of the hindering and discouraging so muche the contrary part he was committed to prisone where hee for sorrowe ended his life as it was reported In the meane space while the Emperour returned home from Uienna throughe Germanie Doctour Cranmer in that voyage had conference with diuers learned menne of Germanie concerning the sayde question who very ambiguously heeretofore conceiuing the cause were fully resolued and satisfied by him This matter thus prospering on Doctor Cranmers behalfe aswell touchinge the kinges question as concerning the inualiditie of the Bishop of Romes authoritye Bishop Warrham then Archbishop of Canterburie departed this transitory life wherby that dignity then bring in the kings gift and disposition was immediately geuen to D. Cranmer as worthy for his trauail of such a promotion Thus much touching the preferment of D. Cranmer vnto his dignity and by what meanes he atchieued vnto the same not by flattery not by bribes nor by none other vnlawfull meanes which thing I haue more at large discoursed to stoppe the railing mouthes of such who being themselues obscure vnlearned shame not so to detracte a learned man moste ignominiously with the surname of an Hosâ—ler whome for his godly zeale vnto sincere religion they ought with muche humilitye to haue had in regarde and reputation Nowe as concerning his behauiour and trade of life towardes God and the world being now entred into his sayd dignity and for so much as the
Apostle s. Paul wryting to two Bishops Timothie and Titus setteth oute vnto vs a perfecte description of a true Bishop wyth all the properties and conditions belonging to the same vnto the which exemplare it shall be harde in these straunge daies to finde the image of any Bishop correspondent yet for example sake let vs take thys Archbishop of Canterburie and trie him by the rule thereof to see either howe neere hee commeth to the description of S. Paule or els howe farre off he swarueth from the common course of other in his time of his calling The rule of S. Paule is to be found first 1. Timothie 3. also in his Epistle to Titus chap. 1. in these woordes A Bishoppe must be faultlesse as becommeth the Minister of God Not stubburne nor angrie no drunkard no fighter not geuen to filthy luker but harberous one that loueth goodnesse sober minded righteous holy temperate and such as cleaueth vnto the true word and doctrine that he may be able to exhort c. Unto this rule and touchstone to lay now the life and conuersation of this Archb. we will first begin wyth that which is thus wrytten A Bishop must be faultlesse as becommeth the Minister of God Like as no man is without sinne and euery man carieth with him his especiall vice fault so yet neuerthelesse the Apostle meaneth that the Bishop and minister must be fautlesse in comparison of the common conuersation of men of the world which seeme more licentiously to liue at their owne liberties and pleasures then the bishop or minister ought to doe hauing small regard vnto good example geuing which a bishop and minister most carefully ought to consider least by hys dissolute life the woord of God be sclandered euill spoken of Which thing to auoide and the better to accomplish thys precept of the Apostle this woorthy man euermore gaue him selfe to continuall studie not breaking that order that he in the Uniuersitie commonly vsed that is by 5. of the clocke in the morning at his booke and so consuming that time in studie and praier vntill 9. of the clocke he then applied himselfe if the Princes affaires did not call hym away vntill dinner time to heare suters and to dispatche suche matters as appertained vnto his speciall cure and charge coÌ„mitting his temporall affaires both of his housholde and other forraine businesse vnto his officers So that such things were neuer impediments neither to hys studie nor to his pastoral charge which principally consisted in reformation of corrupt religion in setting foorth of true and sincere doctrine For the most parte alwaies being in Commission he associated himselfe with learned men for sifting and boulting out of one matter or other for the commoditie and profite of the Church of Englande By meanes wherof what for his priuate studie he was neuer idle besides that he accounted it no idle poynte to bestow one houre or twaine of the day in ouer reading such woorkes and bookes as daily came from beyond the seas After dinner if any suters were attendant he woulde very diligently heare them and dispatch them in such sort as euery man commended hys lenitie and gentlenesse althoughe the case required that some whiles diuers of them were committed by him to prisone And hauing no suters after dinner for an houre or thereabout he would play at the Chests or behold such as could play That done then againe to his ordinarye study at the which commonly he for the most part stoode and seldome sate and there continuing vntill 5. of the clocke bestowed that houre in hearing the common prayer and walking or vsing some honest pastime vntill supper time At supper if he had appetite as many times he would not suppe yet would he sit downe at the table hauing his ordinarie prouision of hys mâ—sse furnished with expedient companye he wearing on his haÌ„ds his gloues because he would as it were therby weane himself froÌ„ eating of meat but yet keping the company with such fruitful talke as did repast much delight the hearers so that by this meanes hospitalitie was well furnished and the almes chest well maintained for reliefe of the poore After supper he would consume one houre at the least in walking or some other honest pastime and then againe vntill 9. of the clocke at one kinde of study or other So that no houre of the day was spent in vaine but the same was so bestowed as tended to the glory of God the seruice of the Prince or to the commoditie of the Church Which his well bestowing of his time procured to him most happely a good report of all men to be in respecte of other mennes conuersation fautlesse as it became the Minister of God That a Bishop ought not to be stubberne Secondly it is required That a Bishop ought not to bee stubberne With which kinde of vice without great wrong thys Archbyshop in no wise oughte to be charged whose nature was such as none more gentle or sooner wonne to any honest sute or purpose specially in such things wherin by hys woord wryting counsell or deede he might gratifie either any gentle or noble manne or doe good to anye meane person or els relieue the needy and poore Onely in causes pertaining to God or his Prince no man more stoute more constant or more harde to be wonne as in that part hys earnest defence in the Parliament house aboue three dayes together in disputing against the six articles of Gardiners deuice can testifie And thoughe the King would needes haue them vpon some politicke consideration to goe forwarde yet hee so handled himselfe aswell in the Parliament house as afterwardes by wryting so obediently and with suche humble behauioure in woordes towardes hys Prince protesting the cause not to be his but almighty Gods who was the authoure of all truthe that the King did not onely well like hys defence willing hym to departe out of the Parliament house into the Counsaile chamber whilest the Acte should passe and be graunted for safegard of hys conscience which he wyth humble protestation refused hoping that his Maiestie in processe of time woulde reuoke them againe but also after the Parliament was finished the King perceiuing the zealous affection that the Archbishop bare towardes the defence of hys cause whiche many wayes by Scriptures and manifolde authorities and reasons he had substantially confirmed and defended sent the Lorde Cromwell then Uicegerent with the two dukes of Northfolke and Suffolke and all the Lordes of the Parliament to dine wyth hym at Lambeth Where it was declared by the Uicegerent and the two Dukes that it was the Kinges pleasure that they all shoulde in hys highnesse behalfe chearish comfort and animate him as one that for his trauaile in that Parliament had shewed hymself both greatly learned and also discrete and wise and therefore they willed hym not to be discouraged for any thyng that
his good Lord. I know not the maÌ„ sayd the Archbishop nor what he hath done why he should be thus in trouble Said Chersey againe hee onely hath offended against your grace and against no man els as maye well be perceiued by the Articles obiected against him the copie wherof the sayd Chersey then exhibited vnto the sayd Archb. of Canterbury Who well perusing the sayd Articles sayde This is the common talke of all the ignorant Papisticall Priests in England against me Surely sayde he I was neuer made priuie vnto this accusation nor of his indurance I neuer heard before this time Notwithstanding if there be nothing els to charge him withall against the Prince or any of the Counsail I will at your request take order with him and send him home againe to his cure to doe his duetie and so therupon sent his ring to the Warden of the Fleete willing him to sende the prisonner vnto him with his keeper at after noone When the keeper had brought the prisoner at the hour appoynted and Chersey had well instructed his cousin in any wise to submit himselfe vnto the Archbishop confessing his fault where by that way hee shoulde moste easely haue an ende and winne his fauour thus the persone being brought into the garden at Lambeth and there sitting vnder the vine the Archbishop demaunded of the parsone what was the cause of his induraunce and who committed him to the Fleete The parsone answeared and sayde that the Lord Cromwel sent him thether for that certaine malicious parishioners of his parish had wrongfully accused him of woordes which hee neuer spake nor meante Chersey hearing his foolish cousin so farre out of the way from his former instruction sayde Thou dasterdly dolte and varlet is this thy promise that thou madest to me Is there not a great number of thy honest neighbors handes against thee to prooue thee a lier Surely my Lorde quod Chersey it is pitie to do him good I am sorie that I haue troubled your grace thus farre with him Well said the Archb. vnto the parsone if you haue not offended me I can doe you no good for I am intreated to helpe one out of trouble that hath offended against me If my Lord Cromwel hath committed you â—o prison wroÌ„gfully that lieth in himselfe to amende and not in mee If your offence onely toucheth me I will be bold to do some what for your friendes sake heere If you haue not offended against me then haue I nothing to doe with you but that you maye goe and remaine from whence you came Lorde what adoe his kinsman Chersey made wyth him calling him all kinde of opprobrious names In the end my Lorde of Caunterburie seeming to rise and goe hys waies the fond priest fell downe on his knees and sayde I beseeche your grace to forgeue me this offence assuring your grace that I spake those woordes being druncke and not well aduised Ah said my Lord this is somewhat and yet it is no good excuse for drunkennes euermore vttereth that which lieth hid in the heart of man when he is sober alleadging a text or twaine out of the Scriptures concerning the vice of drunckennesse which commeth not nowe to remembraunce Now therfore said the Archbishop that you acknowledge somewhat your fault I am coÌ„tent to common with you hoping that you are at this present of an indifferent sobrietie Tell me then quod hee did you euer see me or were you euer acquainted with me before this day The Priest answered and sayd that neuer in his life he saw his grace Why than saide the Archbishop what occasion had you to call me an Hostler and that I had not so muche learning as the Goslings which then went on the greene before your face If I haue no learning you may nowe trye it and be out of doubt thereof therfore I pray you appose me either in Grammer or in other liberall sciences for I haue at one time or other tasted partly of them Or els if you are a Diuine say somewhat that way The priest being amased at my Lords familiar talke made answere and sayd I beseeche your grace to pardon me I am altogether vnlearned and vnderstand not the Latin toung but very simply My onely studie hath bene to say my seruice and Masse faire and deliberate which I can do aswel as any priest in the countrey where I dwel I thanke God Well said the other if you will not appose me I wil be so bolde to appose you and yet as easely as I can deuise and that only in the storie of the Bible nowe in English in which I suppose that you are daily exercised Tel me therfore who was king Dauids father sayd my Lord The Priest stoode still pausing a while and sayd In good fayth my Lord I haue forgotten his name Then said the other agayne to him if you cannot tel that I pray you tel me then who was Salomons father The fonde foolishe priest without all consideration what was demaunded of hym before made answer Good my L. beare with me I am not further seene in the Bible then is daily read in our seruice in the Church The Archb. then aunswering sayd this my question may be found well answered in your seruice But I now well perceiue howsoeuer ye haue iudged heretofore of my learnyng sure I am that you haue none at all But this is the common practise of all you which are ignorant and superstitious Priestes to slaunder backbite and hate all suche as are learned and well affected towardes Gods word and sincere religion Common reason myght haue taught you what an vnlikely thyng it was and contrary to all maner of reason that a Prince hauyng two Uniuersities within his realme of well learned men desirous to be resolued of as doubtfull a question as in these many yeares was not mooued the lyke within Christendome should bee driuen to that necessitie for the defence of hys cause to send out of his Realme an Hostler beyng a man of no better knowledge then is a gosling in an ambassade to answer all learned men both in the court of Rome and in the Emperours court in so difficult a question as toucheth the kings matrimony and the diuorce thereof I say if you were men of any reasonable consideration you might thinke it both vnseemly and vncomely for a Prince so to doe But looke where malice raigneth in man there reason can take no place and therefore I see by it that you all are at a poynt with me that no reason or authoritie can perswade you co fauor my name who neuer ment euill to you but your both commoditie and profite How be it God amend you all forgeue you and send you better myndes With these words the Priest seemed to weepe and desired his grace to pardon his fault and frailetie so that by hys meanes he myght returne to hys cure agayne and he would
but that within a fewe yeares they began to waxe hungry agayne for so much as no more could be scraped now out of the Abbeys they began to seeke how by some other pray to satisfie their appetites which was to tickle the kings eares with the rich reuenue of the bishops lands And to bring this deuise to passe they procured sir Thomas Seimour knight of the priuy chaÌ„ber to be a promooter of the matter who not in all pointes much fauouryng the Archbishop hauing time and a conuenient occasion declared to the king that my Lord of Caunterbury did nothyng els but sell his woods and let hys Leases by great and many fines makyng hauocke of all the Roialties of the Archbishoprike and that not onely to the intent to gather vp treasure for his wyfe and hys children keepyng no maner of hospitalitie in respect of so great a reuenew aduertising the Kyng further that it was the opinion of many wyse men that it were more meete for the bishops to haue a sufficient yerely stipend in money out of the Exchequer then to be comhered with those temporall affaires of their Roialties beyng impedimentes vnto their studie and pastoral charge and hys hyghnesse to haue their Landes and Royalties conuerted to hys proper vse whiche besides their honest stipends would be vnto his maiestie no small commoditie and profite When the kyng had heard hys faire tale he sayd little thereunto other then this Well quoth he we wil talke more of this matter an other tyme. Nowe within a fortnight after or thereabout whether by chance or of set purpose it is not knowen it came to passe that one day hys highnes going to diner had washed sir Thomas Seimor then holdyng the Ewer he sayd to the sayd sir Tho. Goe you out of hand to Lambeth vnto my L. of Caunterbury bid hym to be with me at two of the clocke at after noone and faile not Sir Tho. straightwayes went to Lambeth and as he came to the gate the Porter beyng in the lodge came out and conueighed hym to the Hall whiche was throughly furnished and set both with the housholde seruants straÌ„gers with 4. principal hed messes of officers as daily it was accustomed to be When sir Thomas Seimor sawe that stately large Hall so well set and furnished beyng therewith abashed and somewhat guiltie of an vntruth told to the Kyng before he retired backe and would needes haue gone to the Archbishop of Caunterbury by the Chappell and not through the Hall Richard Neuell Gentleman then Steward of the household perceiuyng hys retire came by and by vnto hym and after gentle intertaynment demanded of hym whether he would speake with my Lord or no. Sir Tho. sayd that he must needes do so from the Kyngs highnesse saying to hym and this way I am goyng to my Lords grace Sir said the Steward you cannot go that way for the dore is fast shut in the diner tyme and so by gentle meanes brought hym vp to my Lordes chamber through the Hall who then was at diner with whom he dined after he had done his message whose ordinarie fare might alwayes well beseeme a right honorable personage When dinner was scarce done Sir Thomas tooke hys leaue of my Lorde and went againe to the Court. So soone as the Kyngs highnesse sawe hym he sayde to hym Haue you bene with my Lord of Caunterbury Sir Thomas aunswered That I haue if it please your Maiestie and he wyll be with your Highnesse strayghtwayes Dined you not with hym sayd the Kyng Yes sir sayd he that haue I done And wyth that worde whether hee espied by the Kinges countenaunce or by hys wordes any thing tendyng to displeasure he straightway without delay kneeled downe vppon hys knee and sayd I beseech your Maiestie to pardon me I doe now well remember and vnderstand that of late I tolde your highnesse a great vntruth concernyng my Lord of Canterburies house keepyng but from hencefoorth I entend neuer to beleeue that person which dyd put that vayne tale into my head For I assure your hyghnesse that I neuer sawe so honourable a Halle set in this Realme besides your Maiesties Hall in all my lyfe with better order and so well furnished in eche degree If I had not seene it my selfe I could neuer haue beleeued it and hymselfe also so honourably serued Ah sir quoth the Kyngs highnesse Haue you now espied the truth I thought you would tell me another tale when you had bene there Hee was a very varlet quoth the kyng that told you that tale for he spendeth ah good man sayd the kyng all that he hath in housekepyng But now I perceyue which way the wynde bloweth There are a sorte of you to whome I haue liberally geuen of the possessions and reuenewes of the suppressed monasteries which lyke as you haue lightly gotten so haue you more vnthriftily spent some at dice other some in gay apparell other ways worse I feare me now as al is gone you would fain haue me make another cheuance with the Bishops lands to accomplish your gredy appetites But let no other bishops bestow their reuenewes worse then my L. of Cant. doth then shall you haue no cause to complain of their kepyng of house And thus the tale beyng shutte vp and ended by the kings highnes neither sir Tho. Seimor nor none els on hys behalfe euer after durst renue or reuine that sute any more in K. Henries dayes so that it may be euident to all indiffereÌ„t men the liberality of the Archb. in housekeping what it was which beyng defended and commended by the prince himselfe rather may geue a good example to his posterity to follow then was then to be depraued of any priuate subiect such as knew hym not In which Archb. this moreouer is to be noted with a memorandum touchyng the reliefe of the poore impotent sicke and such as then came from the warres at Bullen other partes beyond the seas lame wounded destitute for whom he prouided besides hys mansion house at Beckjsborne in Kent the Personage barne well furnished with certayne lodgyngs for the sicke and maymed souldiours To whom were also appoynted the Almosiner a phisitioÌ„ and a surgeon to attend vppon them and to dresse cure such as were not able to resort to their countries hauyng dayly from the bishops kitchin whoâ—e broth and meate for otherwyse the common almes of the housholde was bestowed vpon the poore neighbours of the shiere And wheÌ„ any of the impotent dyd recouer and were able to trauail they had conuenient money deliuered to beare their charges accordyng to the number of myles from that place distant And this good example of mercy and liberal benignity I thought here good not in silence to be suppressed wherby other may be mooued accordyng to their vocatioÌ„ to walke in the steps of no lesse liberality then in hym in this behalfe appeared ¶ One
that loueth goodnesse sober mynded righteous holy and temperate Now followeth together these vertues One that loueth goodnesse sober mynded righteous holye and temperate As concernyng these qualities the trade of hys lyfe before ioyned with hys benigne and gentle disposition do testify that he could not be voyde of these good vertues raignyng in hym which was so aboundantly adorned wyth the other which aboue we haue declared ¶ To cleaue fast vnto the true worde of doctrine that he may be able to exhort with wholesome learnyng and to improoue that say agaynst it Then concludeth S. Paule with the most excellent vertue of all other to be wished in a Prelate of the church For if this constancy be not in hym to this ende that is To cleaue fast vnto the true worde of doctrine that he may bee able to exhort with wholesome learning and to improoue that say agaynst it If he be voyde I say of these gyfts graces he is worthy of no commendation but shall seeme an Idoll and a deceyuer of the world Neyther shall he deserue the name of a Byshop if eyther for dread or meed affection or fauor he do at any tyme or in any point swarue from the truth As in this behalfe the worthy constancy of this sayd Archbishop neuer for the most part shronke for no maner of storme but was so many wayes tried that neyther fauour of hys Prince nor feare of the indignation of the same nor any other worldly respect coulde alienate or change hys purpose grounded vpon that infallible doctrine of the Gospell Notwithstandyng hys constant defence of Gods truth was euer ioyned with such meekenes toward the kyng that he neuer tooke occasion of offence agaynst hym At the tyme of settyng forth the sixe Articles mention was made before in the story of kyng Henry the viij how aduenturously this Archbishop Tho. Cranmer did oppose hymselfe standyng as it were post alone agaynst the whole Parliament disputyng and replying three dayes together agaynst the sayd Articles In so much that the kyng when neyther he could mislike his reasons and yet would needes haue these Articles to passe required hym to absent hymselfe for the tyme out of the chamber whyle the Acte should passe so he did how the K. afterward sent all the Lordes of the Parliament vnto the Archb. to Lambeth to cheare his mynd agayne that he might not be discouraged all whiche appeareth aboue expressed And this was done during yet the state time of the L. Cromwels authority And now that it may appeare likewise that after the decay of the L. Cromwel yet his constācy in Christes cause did not decay you shal hear what folowed after For after the apprehension of the L. Cromwell when the aduersaries of the Gospell thought all thynges sure now on their side it was so appointed amongest thē that x. or xij bishops and other learned men ioyned together in commission came to the said Archb. of Cant. for the establishing of certaine Articles of our Religion which the Papists then thought to win to their purpose agaynst the sayd Archb. For hauyng now the L. Cromwell fast and sure they thought all had bene safe and sure for euer as in deed to all mens reasonable consideration that tyme appeared so dangerous that there was no maner hope that religion reformed should any one weeke longer stande such account was then made of the kyngs vntowardnesse thereunto In so much that of all those Commissioners there was not one lefte to stay on the Archbishops part but he alone agaynst them all stood in defence of the truth and those that he most trusted to namely B. Heath and B. Skip left hym in the playne field who then so turned against hym that they tooke vpon them to perswade hym to their purpose and hauyng hym downe from the rest of the Commissioners into his garden at Lambheth there by all maner of effectuall perswasions entreated hym to leaue of his ouermuch constancie and to encline vnto the kings entent who was fully set to haue it otherwise then he then had penned or ment to haue set abroad Whē those two his familiars with one or two others his friendes had vsed all their eloquence and pollicie he little regardyng their inconstancy and remisnesse in Gods cause or quarell sayd vnto them right notably You make much adoe to haue me come to your purpose alledgyng that it is the Kinges pleasure to haue the Articles in that sort you haue deuised them to proceed and now that you do perceiue his highnes by sinister information to be bent that way you thinke it a conuenient thing to apply vnto his highnes mynd You be my friends both especially the one of you I did put to his Maiestie as of trust Beware I say what you do There is but one truth in our Articles to be concluded vpon which if you do hide from his highnes by consenting vnto a contrary doctrine and then after in processe of tyme when the truth cannot be hidden from hym his highnes shall perceiue how that you haue delt colourably with hym I know hys graces nature so well quoth the Archbishop that he will neuer after trust and credite you or put any good confidence in you And as you are both my friends so therefore I wyll you to beware thereof in time and discharge your consciences in maintenaunce of the truth But all this woulde not serue for they still swarued and in the end by dischargyng of his conscience and declaryng the truth vnto the king God so wrought with the king that his highnesse ioyned with hym agaynst the rest so that the booke of articles passing on his side he wan the Gole from them all contrary to all their expectations when many wagers would haue bene laid in London that he should haue ben layd vp with Cromwell at that tyme in the tower for his stiffe standyng to his tackle After that day there could neither Counsellor bishop or papist win hym out of the kings fauour Notwithstanding not long after that certayne of the Counsaile whose names neede not to be repeated by the entisement and prouocation of his auncient enemye the Byshoppe of Winchester and other of the same secte attempted the Kyng agaynst him declaring plainely that the Realme was so enfected with heresies and heretickes that it was daungerous for his highnesse farther to permit it vnreformed least peraduenture by long suffering such contention should arise ensue in the realme among his subiectes that thereby might spring horrible commotions and vprores like as in some partes of Germanie it did not long agoe The enormitie whereof they coulde not impute to any so much as to the Archbishop of Canterbury who by his owne preaching and his Chapleins had defiled the whole realme full of diuers pernicious heresies The Kyng woulde needes knowe his accusers They aunswered that forasmuch as he was a Counceller no man durst take vpon him
to accuse him but if it would please his highnesse to committe him to the Tower for a tyme there would be accusations and proofes enough against him for otherwise iust testimonie and witnesse against him would not appeare and therefore your highnesse sayde they must needes giue vs the Counsell libertie and leaue to commit him to duraunce The King perceiuing their importunate sute against the Archbishop but yet meaning not to haue him wronged and vtterly geuen ouer vnto their handes graunted vnto them that they should the next day committe him to the Tower for his triall When night came the King sent Sir Anthonie Denie about midnight to Lambeth to the Archbishop willing him forthwith to resorte vnto him at the Court The message done the Archbishop spedely addressed himselfe to the Court and comming into the Galerie where the king walked and taried for him his highnesse sayd Ah my Lord of Caunterburie I can tell you newes For diuers waightie considerations it is determined by me and the Counsaile that you to morrowe at nine of the clocke shal be committed to the Tower for that you and your Chaplains as information is geuen vs haue taught and preached and thereby sowen within the realme such a number of execrable heresies that it is feared the whole realme being infected with them no smale contention and commotions will rise thereby amongest my subiectes as of late dayes the like was in diuers partes of Germanie and therefore the Counsaile haue requested me for the triall of the matter to suffer them to commit you to the Tower or els no man dare come forth as witnesse in these matters you being a Counsellour When the king had sayde his minde the Archbishop kneeled downe and sayd I am content if it please your grace with all my heart to goe thither at your highnesse commandement and I most humbly thanke your Maiesty that I may come to my trial for there be that haue many wayes slandered me and now this way I hope to try my selfe not worthy of such report The king perceiuyng the mans vprightnesse ioyned with such simplicitie sayd Oh Lorde what maner a man be you What simplicitie is in you I had thought that you would rather haue sued to vs to haue taken the paynes to haue heard you and your accusers together for your trial without any such induraÌ„ce Do not you know what state you be in with the whole world and how many great enemies you haue Do you not consider what an easy thing it is to procure three or foure false knaues to witnesse agaynst you Thinke you to haue better lucke that way theÌ„ your maister Christ had I see by it you will run hedlong to your vndoyng if I would suffer you Your enemies shall not so preuayle against you for I haue otherwyse deuised with my selfe to keepe you out of their handes Yet notwithstandyng to morrow when the Counsaile shal sit and send for you resort vnto them and if in chargyng you with this matter they do commit you to the Tower require of them because you are one of them a Counsailor that you may haue your accusers brought before theÌ„ without any further indurance and vse for your selfe as good perswasions that way as you may deuise and if no intretie or reasonable request wil serue then deliuer vnto them this my ring which when the king deliuered vnto the Archbishop and say vnto them if there be no remedy my Lordes but that I must needes go to the Tower then I reuoke my cause from you and appeale to the kings own person by this his token vnto you all for sayd the Kyng then vnto the Archbishop so soone as they shall see this my ryng they know it so well that they shall vnderstande that I haue resumed the whole cause into myne owne handes and determination and that I haue discharged them thereof The Archbishop perceiuyng the Kinges benignitie so muche to hym wardes had much adoe to forbeare teares Well sayde the Kyng goe your wayes my Lorde and doe as I haue bidden you My Lord humblyng himselfe with thankes tooke hys leaue of the Kynges highnesse for that nyght On the morrow about 9. of the clocke before noone the Counsaile sent a gentleman Usher for the Archbish. who when he came to the Counsaile chamber dore could not be let in but of purpose as it seemed was compelled there to waite amonge the Pages Lackies and seruyng men all alone D. Buts the Kings phisition resortyng that way espying how my Lord of Cant. was handled went to the Kings highnesse and sayd My Lord of Cant. if it please your grace is well promooted for nowe hee is become a Lackey or a seruyng man for yonder he standeth this halfe hower at the Counsaile chamber dore amongest them It is not so quoth the Kyng I trowe nor the counsail hath not so little discretion as to vse the Metropolitane of the Realme in that sort specially beyng one of their own nuÌ„ber But let them alone said the King and we shal heare more soone Anone the Arcchbishop was called into the Counsaile chamber to whome was alledged as before is rehearsed The Archb. aunswered in lyke sort as the kyng had aduised hym and in the ende when he perceiued that no manner of perswasion or intreatie could serue he deliuered theÌ„ the Kings ring reuoking his cause into the kings hands The whole Counsaile beyng thereat somewhat amased the Erle of Bedford with a loude voyce confirmyng hys wordes with a solemne othe sayde when you first began the matter my Lordes I told you what would come of it Do you thinke that the king will suffer this mans finger to ake Much more I warrant you will hee defend hys lyâ—e agaynst brabling varlets You doe but comber your selues to heare tales fables agaynst hym And so incontinently vpon the receipt of the kyngs token they all rose and caried to the king his ryng surrenderyng that matter as the order and vse was into hys owne hands When they were all come to the kynges presence hys highnes with a seuere countenaunce sayd vnto them Ah my Lordes I thought I had had wiser men of my counsaile then now I finde you What discretion was this in you thus to make the Primate of the realme one of you in office to waite at the counsaile chamber dore amongest seruyng men You might haue considered that hee was a counsellor as well as you and you had no such commission of me so to handle hym I was content that you should try hym as a Counseller and not as a meane subiect But now I well perceiue that thynges bee done agaynst him maliciously if some of you might haue had your minds you would haue tried him to the vttermost But I do you all to wit and protest that if a Prince may bee beholdyng vnto hys subiect and so solemnly laying his hand vppon his brest
sayde by the fayth I owe to God I take this man here my L. of Canterbury to bee of all other a most faythfull subiect vnto vs and one to whom we are much beholding geuyng him great commendations otherwise And with that one or two of the chiefest of the Counsaile makyng their excuse declared that in requesting his induraunce it was rather ment for hys triall and his purgation agaynst the common fame and slaunder of the world then for any malice conceyued agaynst hym Well well my Lordes quoth the kyng take hym and well vse hym as he is worthy to be and make no more adoe And with that euery man caught hym by the hand and made fayre weather of altogethers which might easily bee done with that man And it was much to be meruailed that they would go so far with hym thus to seeke his vndoyng this well vnderstandyng before that the kyng most entirely loued him and always would stand in hys defence whosoeuer spake against hym as many other tymes the Kynges pacience was by sinister informations agaynst hym tried In so much that the Lorde Cromwell was euermore woont to say vnto hym My Lord of Caunterbury you are most happy of all men for you may doe and speake what you list and say what all men can agaynst you the kyng wyll neuer beleeue one worde to your detriment or hinderance I am sure I take more paynes then all the counsaile doth and spend more largely in the Kings affayres as well beyond the seas as on this side yea I assure you euen very spies in other forreine Realmes and at Rome else where costeth me aboue one 1000. markes a yeare and doe what I can to bryng matters to knowledge for the commoditie of the King and the Realme I am euery day chidden and many false tales now and then beleeued agaynst me and therefore you are most happy for in no poynt can you be discredited with the kyng To this the Archbishop agayne aunsweryng If the kyngs Maiestie were not good to me that way I were not able to stande and endure one whole weeke but your wisedome and pollicy is such that you are able to shift well enough for your selfe Now when the kyngs highnes had thus benignly mercifully dispatched the sayd Archbishop from this sore accusation by the Counsaile layd agaynst hym all wise mē would haue thought that it had bene meere follye afterwards to haue attēpted any matter agaynst hym but yet looke where malice raigneth there neither reason nor honesty can take place Such therfore as had conceiued deep rancor and displeasure agaynst hym ceased not to persecute hym by all possible meanes Then brought they against him a new kynde of accusation and caused sir Iohn Gostwike knight a man of a contrary religion to accuse the Archb. openly in the Parliament house laying to hys charge his sermons preched at Sandwich his Lectures red at Canterbury wherein should be conteined manifest heresies agaynst the Sacrament of the aultar c. Whiche accusation came to the kyngs eare Why quoth the kyng where dwelleth Gostwike As I take it eyther in Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire and hath he so opē an eare that he can heare my L. of Cant. preachyng out of Kent This is very like sayde the kyng If hee had bene a Kentishman there had bene some thyng worthy of consideration but as for Gostwike I know him well enough and what good religion he is of Go to hym and tell hym sayd the king to one of his priuy chamber if he go not to my L. of Cant. and so reconcile hymselfe to hym that he may become hys good Lord I will pull the Goslings fethers so that hereafter he shall haue little lust to slaunder the Metropolitane or any other learned man When sir I. Gostwike heard these words it was no neede to bid hym hast hymselfe to Lambheth vnto the Metropolitane makyng to hym as many friends as possible he myght When hee came to the Archb. he was fayne to disclose vnto hym by what meanes he was procured to doe that he did requestyng hys clemency to be his good lord or els he tooke him selfe vtterly vndone beyng so in the kyngs indignation as he vnderstood he was by that afore declared which sute was soone wonne at hys hand and so the Archb. castyng into the satchell behynd him all those sir Iohn Gostwikes ingratitudes went to the king and wan to sir Iohn hys princes fauour agayne And thus the kyng made a short end of this accusation Well here you may perceyue that malicious inuention went not the wisest way to worke to procure a stranger dwellyng a farre of to accuse the Archbishoppe of hys doctrine preached in his Diocesse and therfore hath blind malice learned some more wisedome nowe to accuse the Archbishop in such sort as he shall neuer be able to auoyd it And therfore it was procured by hys ancient enemies that not onely the Prebendaries of his Cathedral Church in Caunterbury but also the moste famous Iustices of Peace in the Shire should accuse hym and Article against hym which in very deed was most substantially brought to passe and the Articles both well written and subscribed were deliuered to the kyngs highnesse as a thyng of such effect that there must needes follow to the said Archbishop both indignation of the prince and condigne punishment for hys grieuous offence committed by him and his chaplaines in preachyng such erroneous doctrine as they did within his Diocesse of Cant. whereof they beyng such witnesse of credite no man had cause to doubt of their circumspect doyngs This accusation articularly sent out was deliuered to the Kyng by some of the Counsailes meanes When the kyng had perused the booke he wrapt it vp and put it into hys sleeue and findyng occasion to solace hymselfe vpon the Thames came with hys Barge furnished with hys Musitions a long by Lambeth bridge towards Chelsey The noyse of the Musitions prouoked the Archb. to resort to the bridge to do his duety and to salute hys prince Whome when the kyng had perceyued to stand at the bridge eftsoones he commaunded the Watermen to draw towards the shore and so came straite to the Bridge Ah my Chaplaine sayd the kyng to the Archb. Come into the barge to me The Archb. declared to his highnes that he would take his owne barge and waite vppon hys maiestie No sayd the kyng you must come into my barge for I haue to talke with you When the kyng the Archbishop all alone in the barge were set together sayde the kyng to the Archb. I haue newes out of Kent for you my Lord. The Archb. answered Good I hope if it please your highnes Marry sayd the king they be so good that I now know the greatest heretike in Kent and with that pulled out of hys sleeue the booke of Articles agaynst both the said Archb. and his preachers and gaue
the booke to hym willyng hym to peruse the same When the Archb. had red the Articles and saw hymselfe so vncurteously handled of his owne church whereof he was head I meane of the Prebendaries of his Cathedral Church and of such his neighbours as he had many wayes gratified I meane the Iustices of the Peace it much grieued hym Notwithstāding he kneeled downe to the kyng and besought hys Maiesty to graunt out a Commission to whomsoeuer it plesed his highnesse for them to try out the truth of this accusation In very deede sayde the kyng I doe so meane and you yourselfe shall be chiefe Commissioner to adioyne to you such two or three more as you shall thinke good your self Then it will bee thought quoth the Archb. to the kyng that it is not indifferent if it please your grace that I should be myne owne iudge and my Chaplains also Well sayde the kyng I will haue none other but your selfe suche as you will appoynt For I am sure that you will not halt with me in any thyng although you bee driuen to accuse your selfe and I know partly how this geare proceedeth and if you handle the matter wisely you shall find a prety conspiracy deuised agaynst you Whome will you haue wyth you sayde the kyng Whome it shall please your grace to name quoth the Archb. I will appoynt Doc. Belhouse for one name you the other said the kyng meete for that purpose My Chancellor D. Coxe and Hussey my Register sayd the Archb. are men expert to examine such troublesome matters Well sayd the kyng let there be a Commission made forth and out of hand get you into Kent aduertise me of your doyngs They came into Kent and there they sate aboue three weekes to bult out who was the first occasion of this accusation for thereof the kyng would chiefly be aduertised Now the Inquisition beyng begunne by the Commissioners euery man shronke in his hornes and no mā would confesse any thyng to the purpose For D. Coxe and Hussey being friendly vnto the Papistes handled the matter so that they would permit nothyng materiall to come to sight This thyng beyng well perceyued by one of the Archbishops seruants his Secretary he wrote incontinently vnto Doct. Buttes and Master Deny declaring that if the Kynges Maiestie did not send some other to assist my Lord then those that then were there with him it were not possible that any thing should come to light and therefore wished that Doct. Lee or some other stoute man that had beene exercised in the Kings Ecclesiasticall affaires in his visitations might be sent to the Archbishop Upon these letters Doct. Lee was sent for to yorke by the King and hauing the kings farther mind declared vnto him when he came to the Court he resorted incontinently into Kent so that on Alhallow euen he deliuered to the Archbishop the kings Ring with a declaration of his highnes farther pleasure and by and by vpon his message done he appointed the Archbishop aforesaid to name him a dosen or xvi of his Officers and gentlemen such as had both discretion wit and audacitie to whom he gaue in Commission from the King to search both the purses Chestes and chambers of all those that were deemed or suspected to be of this confederacie both within the Cathedrall church and without and such letters or writinges as they could find about them to bring them to the Archbishop and him These men thus appointed went in one houre and instant to the persons houses and places that they were appointed vnto and within foure houres afterwardes the whole conspiracie was disclosed by finding of letters some from the Bishop of Winchester some from D. London at Oxford and from Iustices of the Shiere with other so that the first beginning the proceeding and what should haue beene the ende of their conspiracie was now made manifest Certaine chambers and Chests of Gentlemen of the shiere were also searched where also were found letters seruing to this purpose Amongst all other came to my Lords hands two letters one of the Suffragan of Douer and an other of Doct. Barbar a Ciuilian whom continually the Archbishop reteined with him in housholde for expedition of matters in sute before him as a counsellour in the Law when need required These two men being well promoted by the Archbishop he vsed euer in such familiarity that when the Suffragan being a prebend of Caunterbury came to him he alwaies set him at his owne messe and the other neuer from his table as men in whom he had much delight and comfort when time of care and pensiuenes chaunced But that which they did was altogither counterfait and the Deuill was turned into the Aungell of light for they both were of this confederacy When my Lord had gotten these their letters into his hands he on a day when it chanced the Suffragan to come to him to his house at Bekisburne called to him into his studie the said Suffragan of Douer and D. Barbar saieng come your waies with me for I must haue your aduise in a matter When they were with him in his study all togethers he said to them you twaine be men in whom I haue had much confidence and trust you must now giue me some good counsaile for I am shamfully abused with one or twaine to whom I haue shewed all my secretes from time to time and did trust them as my selfe The matter is so nowe fallen out that they not onelie haue disclosed my secretes but also haue taken vpon them to accuse me of heresie and are become witnes against me I require you therfore of your good aduice how I shall behaue my selfe towards them You are both my frends and such as I alwaies haue vsed when I needed counsell What say you to the matter quoth the Archbishop Mary quoth Doct. Barbar such vilens and knaues sauing your honour were worthy to be hanged out of hand without any other law Hanging were to good quoth the Suffragan and if there lacked one to do execution I would be hangman my selfe At these words the Archbishop cast vp hys handes to heauen and sayd Oh Lord most mercifull God whome may a man trust now adayes It is most true whiche is sayde Maledictus qui confidit in homine ponit carnem brachium suum There was neuer man handled as I am but oh Lord thou hast euermore defended me and lent me one great friend and maister meanyng the kyng wythout whose protection I wer not able to stand vpright one day vnouerthrowen I prayse thy holy name therfore and with that he pulled out of his bosome their two letters sayd Know ye these letters my maisters With that they fell downe vpon their knees and desired forgiuenesse declaring how they a yeare before were attempted to do the same and so verye lamentably weeping and bewailyng their doynges besought hys grace to pardon
and forgeue them Well sayde the gentle Archbishop God make you both good men I neuer deserued this at your hands but aske God forgeuenesse agaynst whom you haue highly offended If suche men as you are not to be trusted what should I doe alyue I perceyue now that there is no fidelitie or truth amongest men I am brought to this point now that I feare my left hand will accuse my right hand I neede not much meruaile hereat for our Sauior Christ truly prophesied of such a world to come in the latter dais I beseech him of his great mercy to finish that time shortly and so departyng he dismissed them both with gentle and comfortable wordes in such sort that neuer after appeared in hys countenaunce or wordes any remembrance thereof Nowe when all those letters and accusations were found they were put into a chest the kings Maiesty minding to haue perused some of them and to haue partly punished the principals of it The chest and writynges were brought to Lambeth At what tyme began the Parliamēt Lord what ado there was to procure the kyng a subsidie to the intent that thereupon might ensue a pardon which in deed followed and so nothyng was done other then their falsshood known This was the last push of the pike that was inferred agaynst the sayd Archb. in king Henry the 8. his dayes for neuer after durst any man moue matter agaynst hym in hys tyme. And thus haue ye both the working and disclosing of this popish conspiracy against this worthy Archbishop Martyr of Christ Thomas Cranmer In the which conspiracie for so much as complaint was also made vnto the kyng of his chaplaines and good preachers in Kent it shal not be out of the story somethyng likewyse to touch thereof especially of Richard Turner then preacher the same time in this Archbishops Diocesse and Curate to maister Morice the Archbishops Secretary in the towne of Chartham by whose diligent preaching a great part of this hartburning of the Papists toke his first kindling against the Archbishop Touching the description of which storie because by me nothing shal be said either more or lesse then is the truth ye shall heare the very certeinty thereof truely compiled in a letter sent the same time to Doct. Buttes and Sir Anth. Deny to be shewed vnto the kyng and so it was written by the foresaid M. Moryce Secretary then to the Archbishop farmour of the same benefice of Chartham and patrone to M. Turner there minister and Preacher aforesaid ¶ A Letter or Apologie of M. Morice sent to Sir Will. Buttes and Sir Anthony Denny defending the cause of M. Richard Turner preacher agaynst the Papistes THe letter first beginnyng in these wordes I am certain right worshipfull that it is not vnknown to your discrete wisdoms c. And after a few lynes commyng to the matter thus the said letter proceedeth As your worships wel know It was my chance to be broght vp vnder my L. of Caunterbury my maister in writyng of the ecclesiasticall affaires of this Realme as well touchyng reformation of corrupt religion as concernyng the aduauncement of that pure and sincere religion receyued by the doctrine of the Gospel which I take to be so substantially handled and builded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles that hell gates shal neuer preuaile agaynst it The consideration whereof compelled me being a Farmer of the personage of Chartham in Kent to retaine with me one named M Richard Turner a man not onely learned in the scriptures of God but also in conuersation of lyfe towards the world irreprehensible whome for discharging of my conscience I placed at Chartham aforesayd to be Curate there This mā because he was a stranger in the countrey there and so thereby voyd of grudge or displeasure of any old rancor in the country I thought it had bene a meane to haue gotten hym the better credite in his doctrine but where malice once taketh fire agaynst truth no pollicie I see is able to quench it Well this man as hee knew what appertained vnto his office so he spared not weekely both Sundayes and holydayes to open the Gospell and Epistle vnto his audience after such a sort when occasion serued that as well by his vehement inueying against the bishop of Romes vsurped power and authoritie as in the earnest settyng forth and aduauncing of the kyngs Maiesties supremacie innumerable of the people of the countrey resortyng vnto his sermons changed their opinions and fauoured effectually the religion receyued The confluence of the people so daily encreased that the church beyng a faire ample and large church was not now and then able to receyue the number The fame of this new instruction of the people was so blasted abroade that the popishe priestes were wonderfully amased and displeased to see their Pope so to bee defaced their prince so highly aduanced Now thought they it is high tyme for vs to worke or els all will here be vtterly lost by this mans preaching Some thē went with capons some with hennes some with chickens some with one thyng some with another vnto the Iustices such as then fauoured their cause and faction and such as are no small fooles as sir Iohn Baker sir Christofer Hales sir Tho. Moyle Knightes with other Iustices The Prebendaries of Christes Church in Cāterbury were made priuy hereof geuyng their succour and ayd thereunto So that in conclusion poore Turner and other preachers were grieuously complained of vnto the Kynges maiestie Whereupon my Lord of Caunterbury and certaine other commissioners were appoynted at Lambheth to sit vppon the examination of these seditious preachers Howbeit before Turner went vp to hys examination I obtayned of sir Thomas Moyle that he in Easter weeke was content to heare Turner preache a rehearsall Sermon in hys parish Church at Westwell of all the doctrine of hys Sermons preached at hys Cure in Charteham whiche hee moste gently grauntyng heard Turner both before noone and after noone on the Wednesday in Easter weeke laste past and as it seemed tooke all thynges in good part remittyng Turner home to his sayd Cure with gentle and fauourable wordes I supposed by this meanes to haue stayed Maister Turner at home from further examination hopyng that sir Thomas Moyle would haue aunswered for hym at Lambheth before the Commissioners Notwithstandyng after Maister Moyles commyng to London suche information was layed in agaynst Turner that he was sent for to make aunswere hymselfe before the sayd Commissioners and there appearyng before them he made such an honest perfect and learned aunswere vnto the Articles obiected that he was with a good exhortation discharged home agayne without anye manner of recantation or other Iniunction Now when the Pope catholicke Clergy of Kent vnderstoode of his commyng home without controllement so that hee preached as freely as he did before agaynst their blynde and dumme ceremonies straightway by
king standeth accursed in mainteining his owne lawes Therfore in consideration that the king and Queene take theyr power of him as though god should geue it to them there is no true subiect vnlesse he be abrogate seing the crowne is holden of him being out of the Realme The Bishop of Rome is contrary to God and iniurious to his lawes for God commaunded all men to be diligent in the knowledge of his law and therefore hath appoynted one holiday in the weeke at the least for the people to come to the Church and heare the word of God expounded vnto them and that they might the better vnderstād it to heare it in their mother toung which they know The Pope doth contrary for he willeth the seruice to bee had in the latine tongue which they doe not vnderstande God woulde haue it to bee perceiued the Pope will not When the Priest geueth thanks God would that the people should do so to and God will them to confesse altogether the Pope will not Now as concerning the Sacrament I haue taught no false doctrine of the sacramēt of the aultar For if it can be proued by any doctor aboue 1000. yeares after Christ that Christes body is there really I will geue ouer My booke was made 7. yeares agoe and no man hath brought anye authors agaynst it I beleue that who so eateth and drinketh that sacrament Christ is within them whole Christ his Natiuity Passion Resurrection and Ascention but not that corporally that sitteth in heauen Now Christ commaunded all to drinke of the Cuppe The Pope taketh it away from the laye men and yet one sayth that if Christ had dyed for the Deuill that he shoulde drinke thereof Christ biddeth vs to obey the king etiam discolo The Bishop of Rome biddeth vs to obey him therfore vnlesse he be Antichrist I cannot tell what to make of him Wherfore if I should obey him I can not obey Christ. He is like the Deuill in his doinges for the Deuil said to Christ if thou wilt fall downe and worship me I wyll geue thee all the kingdomes of the world Thus hee tooke vpon him to geue that which was not his owne Euen so the Bishop of Rome geueth Princes theyr crownes being none of his owne for where Princes either by election either by succession either by inheritage obtein their crown he sayth that they should haue it from him Christ sayth that Antichrist shall be And who shall he be Forsoothe he that aduaunceth himselfe aboue all other creatures Now if there be none already that hath aduaūced himselfe after suche sorte besides the Pope then in the meane time let him be Antichrist Story Pleaseth it you to make an end Cranmer For he wil be the Uicar of Christ he will dispēse with the olde and newe Testament also yea and with Apostacy Now I haue declared why I cannot with my conscience obey the Pope I speake not this for hatred I beare to him that now supplieth the roome for I know him not I pray God geue him grace not to folowe his auncestors Neyther say I this for my defence but to declare my conscience for the zeale that I beare to Gods word troden vnder foote by the Byshop of Rome I cast feare aparte for Christ sayde to his Apostles that in the latter dayes they should suffer much sorow and be put to death for his names sake feare them not sayth he but feare him whyche when he hath killed the body hath power to cast the soule into the fire euerlasting Also Christ sayth that he that wyll liue shall die and he that loseth his life for my names sake he shall finde it agayne Moreouer he sayd confesse mee before men and be not afrayd if you do so I wyll stand with you if you shrincke from me I will shrincke from you This is a comfortable and a terryble saying thys maketh me to set all feare aparte I say therefore the Byshop of Rome treadeth vnder foote Gods lawes and the kinges The Pope would geue Bishoprickes so woulde the king But at the last the king gat the vpper hande and so are all Bishops periured first to the Pope and then to the king The Crowne hath nothing to doe with the Cleargy For if a Clarke come before a Iudge the Iudge shal make processe agaynste him but not to execute any Lawes For if the Iudge should put him to execution then is the king accursed in mayneteyning his owne Lawes And therfore saye I that he is neyther true to GOD neyther to the king that first receiued the Pope But I shall hartely pray for such Councellours as may informe her the truth for the King and Queene if they be well infourmed wyll do well Mart. As you vnderstand then if they maynteyne the Supremacy of Rome they cannot mainteine England too Cranmer I require you to declare to the king and queene what I haue sayde and how theyr othes doe stand with the Realme and the Pope S. Gregory sayth he that taketh vppon him to be head of the Uniuersall Churche is worse then the Antichrist If any man can shew me that it is not agaynst Gods word to holde his styrrop when hee taketh his horse and kisse his feet as kinges do then will I kisse his feete also And you for your part my Lord are periured for now ye sit Iudge for the Pope and yet ye did receiue your Byshopricke of the king You haue taken an othe to be aduersary to this Realme for the Popes lawes are contrary to the lawes of the Realme Glocester You were the cause that I did forsake the Pope and did sweare that he ought not to be supreame head and gaue it to king Henry the eight that he ought to be it and this you made me to do Cranmer To this I aunswere sayd he You report me il and say not the trueth and I will proue it here before you all The trueth is that my Predecessour Byshop Warrham gaue the Supremacy to King Henry the eight and sayde that he ought to haue it before the Bishop of Rome and that Gods word would beare him And vpō the same was there sent to both the vniuersityes Oxford and Cambridge to know what the word of GOD would do touching the Supremacy and it was reasoned vpon and argued at length So at the laste both the Uniuersityes agreed and set to theyr Seales and sent it to king Henry the eight to the Courte that he ought to be supreme head and not the Pope Whereupon you were then Doctour of Diuinitye at that time and your consent was thereunto as your hand doth appeare Therefore you misreport me that I was the cause of your falling away from the Pope but it was your selfe All this was in Byshop Warrhams time and whilest he was aliue so that it was three quarters of a yeare after ere euer I hadde the Byshopricke of Caunterbury
the king so Yes that I durst quoth ye and did in the publication of hys Stile wherin he was named supreme head of the Churche ther was neuer other thing meant A number of other fond and foolish obiectiōs were made with repetition wherof I thought not to trouble the reader Thus after they had receaued his aunswere to al their obiections they cited him as is aforesayd to appeare at Rome within foure score dayes to make there hys personall aunsweres whiche he sayde if the kinge and Queene would send hym he would be content to do and so thence was caryed to prison agayne where he continually remayned notwithstanding that hee was commaunded to appeare at Rome Wherein al men that haue eyes to see may easily perceaue the crafty practise of these prelates the visured face of their Iustice as though the Court of Rome would cōdemne no man before he aunswered for hymself as al law and equitie required But the very same instaunt time the holines of that vnholy father contrarye to all reason iustice sent his letter executory vnto the kinge and Queene to degrade and depriue him of his dignitie whiche thynge he did not onely before the lxxx dayes were ended but before there were xx dayes spent Furthermore whereas the sayd archbishop was fast deteined in strayt prison so that he could not appeare as was notorious both in Englād and also in the Romishe Court and therefore had a lawfull and most iust excuse of his absence by all lawes both popish other yet in the end of the sayd lxxx daies was y◠worthy Martyr decreed Contumax that is sturdilye frowardly and wilfully absent and in payne of the same hys absence condemned and put to death As touching the foresayd executory Letters of the Pope sent to the king and Queene beginning thus Paulus Episcopus seruus seruorum Dei charissimo in Christo filio Philippo Regi charissimae in Christo filiae Mariae Reginae c. because the full tenour therof is expressed in our first impression of Actes Pag. 1490. it shal not be needfull to comber this volume in repeating the same agayne Doctor Thurlby and Doctor Boner comming with a new Commission to sit vpon the archbishop the 14. day of February THis letter or sentence difinitiue of the Pope was dated about the first day of Ianuary and was deliuered here in Eng. about the middest of February Upon the receit of which letters an other session was appoynted for the Archbishop to appeare the 14. day of February before certayne Commissions directed downe by the Queene the chiefe wherof was the Bishop of Ely Doctour Thurlby Concerning which Doctour Thurlby by the way here is to be noted that albeit he was not the sayde Archbishops housholde Chapleyne yet he was so familiarly acquaynted with him so dearely beloued so inwardly accepted and aduaunced of hym not like a Chapleyne but rather lyke a naturall brother that there was neuer anye thinge in the Archbishops house so deare were it plate Iewell Horse Mappes books or any thing els but if Thurlby dyd neuer so little commend it a subtle kinde of begging the Archbishop by and by either gaue it to him or shortly sent it after him to hys house So greatly was the Archbishop inamored with him that whosoeuer would obtayne any thing of hym most commonly would make theyr way before by D. Thurlby Which by matter of the sayd Doctour Thurlby I thought here to recite not so much to rebrayd the man with the voyce of vnthankefulnes as chiefly and onely for this to admonishe him of old benefites receiued whereby he may the better remember hys old benefactor and so to fauour the cause and quarrell of hym whome he was so singularly bounden vnto With the sayd Doctor Thurlby bishop of Ely was also assigned in the same Commission Doctour Boner Byshop of London which two comming to Oxford vpō S. Ualentines daye as the Popes delegates with a newe commission from Rome by the vertue thereof commaunded the Archb. aforesayd to come before them in the quier of Christes Church before the high aultar where they sitting according to theyr manner in their pontificalibus first began as the fashion is to reade theyr Commission wherein was conteined how that in the Court of Rome all thinges being indifferently examined both the articles layd to hys charge with the aunsweres made vnto them and witnesses examined on both partes and counsel heard as well on the king and Queenes behalfe his accusers as on the behalfe of T. Cranmer the party giltye so that hee wāted nothing appertayning to his necessary defense c. Which foresayd Commission as it was in reading O lord sayd the Archbishop what lyes be these that I being continually in prison and neuer could be suffered to haue coūsell or aduocate at home should product witnesse and appoynt my councell at Rome God muste needes punishe this open and shamelesse lying They read on the Commission which came from the Pope Plenitudine potestatis supplying all manner of defectes in lawe or processe committed in dealing with the Archbishop and geuing them full authoritie to proceede to the depriuation and degradation of him and so vpon excommunication to deliuer him vp to the secular power Omni appellatione remota When the commission was read thus they proceeding thereupon to his degradation first clothed and disguised him putting on hym a surplis and then an Aulbe after that the vestiment of a Subdeacon and euery other furniture as a Priest ready to Masse When they had apparelled him so farre What said he I thinke I shall say Masse Yea sayd Cosins one of Boners Chapleynes my Lord I trust to see you say Masse for all this Do you so quoth he that shall you neuer see nor I will neuer do it Then they inuested him in all manner of Robes of a Bishop and Archbishop as he is at his installing sauyng that as euery thing then is most riche and costly so euerye thing in this was of Cāuas and olde cloutes with a Miter and a Pall of the same sute downe vppon hym in mockery and then the crosier staffe was put in hys hand This done after the Popes pontificall forme and maner Boner who by the space of many yeres had borne as it seemed no great good will towardes him and nowe reioyced to see this day wherein he might triūph ouer him and take hys pleasure at full began to stretch out hys eloquence making hys Oration to the assemble after thys maner of sort Thys is the man who hath euer despised the Popes holines and nowe is to be iudged by him Thys is the man who hath pulled down so many churches now is come to be iudged in a church This is the man that contemned the blessed sacrament of the altar and nowe is come to be condemned afore that blessed sacrament hanging ouer the aultar This is the man that
and forgiuen your sinnes nowe cleaue vnto him and be at defiance with his enemyes the Papistes as they doe beare witnesse with their Father the Deuill by goinge to the Church and shedding of the innocent bloud of all those that will not goe with them euen so do you beare witnes with Christ by not comming there for all those that do go thither shal be partakers of their brethrens bloud that is shed for the testimonye of Christ except they repent amend which grace that they may so doe I beseech the eternall God for his Christes sake if it be his good will to geue them in his good tyme. And the same good God that hath bene so mercifull vnto you to call you to repentance him I beseech to keepe you in his feare loue that you may haue alwayes affiance in him and euermore seeke his honour glory to your euerlasting comfort in Christ Amen Thus fare you well from the kinges bench this 28. of August By me William Tyms ¶ An other letter of W. Tyms to certayne godly women of his parish folowers of the Gospell GRace mercy and peace from GOD the Father through our Lord Iesus Christ be with you both now and euermore Amen Deare sisters I haue me most hartely commended vnto you thanking you for the great kindnes shewed vnto me in this tyme of my imprisonment and not onely vnto me but also vnto my poore wife and children and also for the great kindnesse that you shew vnto all the liuing saints that be dispersed abroad and are fayne to hide their heades for feare of this cruell persecution Deare sisters when I do remember your constancy in christ I call to remembraunce the constancy of diuers godly women as Susanna Iudith Hester and the good wife of Nabal that thorow her godly conditions saued both her husbandes life and all her housholde when Dauid had thoughte to haue slayne him for his churlish aunswere that he sent him Also I do remember Rahab that lodged the Lordes Spyes howe God preserued her and her whole housholde for her faythfulnesse that she bare to Gods people So I doe beleue that when the Lord shall send his Aungell to destroy these Idolatrous Egyptians here in England and shall finde the bloud of the Lambe sprinkled on the dore postes of your harts he wil go by not hurt you but spare your whole housholdes for your sakes Also I do remember Mary Magdalen how faythfull she was for she was the first that preached the resurrection of Christ. Remember the blessed Martir Anne Askew in our time folow her example of constancy And for the loue of God take heede that in no case you doe consent to Idolatrye but stande fast to the Lorde as the good woman did that had her seuen sonnes put to death before her face and she alwayes comforting them yea and last of all suffered death her selfe for the testimony of her God which is the liuing God Thus I beseech God to send you grace and strength to stand fast to the Lorde as shee did and then you shall be sure of the same kingdome that she is sure of to the which kingdome I pray God bring both you and me Amen By me William Tyms prisoner in the Kinges Bench. ¶ An other Letter of William Tyms to his frend in Hockley THe grace of God the Father through the merites of his deare sonne Iesus our Lord and onely Sauiour with the continuall ayde of his holy and mighty spirit to the performance of his wil to our euerlasting comfort be with you my deare brethren both now and euermore Amen My dearely beloued I beseeche God to rewarde the greate goodnesse that you haue shewed vnto me seuen folde into your bosomes and as you haue alwayes had a moste godly loue vnto his word euen so I beseech him to geue you grace to loue your owne soule and then I trust that you will flee from al those thinges that shoulde displease our good and mercifull God and hate and abhorre all the companye of those that woulde haue you to worship God any otherwise then is conteined in his holy worde And beware of those maysters of Idolatrye that is these papisticall Priestes My deare brethren for the tender mercy of God remember well what I haue sayd vnto you and also written the which I am now ready to seale with my bloud I prayse God that euer I liue to see the daye and blessed bee my good and mercifull God that euer he gaue me a body to glorify his name And deare hartes I do now write vnto you for none other cause but to put you in remembraunce that I haue not forgotten you to the end that I woulde not haue you forgette me but to remember well what I haue simply by worde of mouth and writing taught you The which although it were moste simplye done yet truely as your owne conscience beareth me record and therefore in any case take good heed that you do not that thing which your own conscience doth condemne Therefore come out of Sodome and goe to heauen ward with the seruauntes and martyrs of God least you be pertakers of the vengeance of God that is comming vpō this wicked natiō from the which the Lord our God defend you and send vs a ioyfull meeting in the kingdome of heauen vnto the which God bring you all Amen Thus now I take my leaue of you for euer in this world except I be burned amongst you whiche thing is vncertayne vnto me as yet By me your poorest and most vnworthy brother in Christ W. Tyms in Newgate the 12. day of April condemned to dye for Christes verity ¶ An other Letter of William Tyms geuing thankes to his parishioners for theyr charity shewed to his wife being brought to bed of a childe in his captiuity THe euerlasting peace of our deare Lord and only sauiour Iesus Christ with the sweete comfort of his holy mighty spirite to the encrease of your fayth to the perfourmance of his will and to your eternall cōfort in the euerlasting kingdome of heauen be with you my deare brethren and sisterne both now and euer Amen My most deare brethren sisterne in our Lord and sauior Iesus Christ I haue me most hartely cōmended vnto you with harty thankes for all the great liberality that you haue shewed vnto me specially now in this time of my necessity whē that God hath sēt my poore wife a childe in my captiuity which is no litle care to me so to prouide that I might keepe both the child my wife from the Antichristian church the which thing I thanke my good god through his most gracious prouidence I haue yet done though it be as you know great charge not to me but to the congregation of God it greueth me that I haue bene so chargeable to thē as I haue bene specially you my deare brethrē I being so vnworthy a
Iesus Yet I thinke there be some that will say that I needed not to haue ben takeÌ„ if I would haue kepte me out of the way But I say vnto that the shrinking away of so many of our shepheardes as be gone maketh so many of the flock to scatter which will be required at theyr handes of the maister of the sheepe What shall he saye to them at the daye of accompt when they shall come to receaue their wages He shall say to them Departe from me ye wicked hyrâ—linges for when ye saw the Wolfe come ye ran away and left my sheep in the wildernes If you had bene good shepheards ye would rather haue lost your liues then haue loste one sheepe committed to your charge through your fault And I pray you what case bee the sheepe in when their shepheard runneth awaye from them I neede not to tell you you know the daunger that followeth so well Therefore let vs pray to God to send vs faithful shepheardes also obedient sheep that will not heare a strangers voyce I would all men woulde marke well the saying of s. Paule in the 8. to the Rom. wher he sayth in these wordes Who shall separate vs from the loue of God Shall tribulation or anguish or persecution either nakednes eyther perill eyther sword As it is written For thy sake are wee killed all day long and are counted as sheepe appoynted to bee slayne neuerthelesse wee ouercome strongly through his helpe that loued vs. Yea I am sure that neither death neither lyfe neither Angels neyther rule neyther power neyther thinges present neyther thinges to come neither heigth neither depth neyther anye other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God and so forth Also he sayth in an other plac All that wil liue godly in Christe Iesus must suffer persecution Thus I proue it to be our heauenly fathers rod therefore let vs thankefully receaue it like obedient Children and then our father will loue vs. Yet heare what S. Peter saith in his first Epistle and the fourth Chapiter Dearely beloued sayth he be not troubled in this heate whiche is now come among you to try you as though some strange thinge had happened vnto you but reioyce in asmuch as ye are partakers of Christes passions that when his glory appeareth you may bee mery and glad If ye be rayled on for the name of Christ happy are ye for the spirite of glorye and the spirite of God resteth vppon you On their parte hee is euill spoken of but on your parte hee is glorified Here S. Peter sayth it is no straunge thing and that I haue partly prooued before because wee haue nothinge els promised vs in this world Therefore let vs call on God for grace Be ye sure that they can do nothing to vs till God permittt it As for ensample looke in the first booke of kinges the xix chapiter you shall see how Saule persecuted Dauid purposing to kill hym but hys labour was in vayne Also in the 3. booke of kings the 19. cha Iesabel threatned sware to slea Elias but the Lord preferred him Also in the 2. chap. of Iob you see that Satan could doe nothinge to Iob till God suffered him neither exercise hys cruelnesse any further then God had appoynted him The godly woman Susanna in the 8. of Daniell thorough the false accusation of the wicked iudges was euen at a poynt to dye yet God wonderfully deliuered her These haue I written to put you in remembrance that man can doe no more then is the will of God therefore let vs not resist his will but referre all to him and let vs bee doing that thing that God hath commaunded vs in his holy word Deare brethren for the bloud of Christ refuse not the Crosse of Christ but remember the saying of the godly maÌ„ Dauid in his .119 Psalme where he sayth It is good for me that I haue bene in trouble that I may learne thy statutes In the same place he sayth Before I was in trouble I went wrong but now I haue kept thy word Euen so it is in trouble wyth vs for the word of God was neuer so sweete and comfortable as it is now that we be in trouble Also S. Paule sayth in the fift chapter to the Rom. We reioyce in tribulation For wee knowe that tribulation bringeth patience pacience bringeth experience experience bringeth hope and hope maketh not ashamed Also I pray you remember the saying of S. Paule in the second to Timothe and the first chapter where he saith Be not ashamed to testifie the Lorde neither be ashamed of me Euen so say I vnto you deare brethren Be not ashamed of my imprisonment neither sorye but reioyce with me that it hath pleased God of his goodnes to call me to suche a dignitie as this shal be vnto me if I may haue his grace to loose my life which I regard as most vile for his names sake for then I shal be sure to find it agayne with aduantage Therefore I desire you all that you will praye with me vnto almighty god that he of his mercifull goodnes wil send me his grace strength that I may continue vnto the end as I will pray for you that God will preserue you froÌ„ all the wicked wayes of Antichrist strengthen comfort you if it be his good pleasure that you shall suffer any thyng for his names sake as he hath faythfully promised to doe And I certify you that if all meÌ„ knew the comfort they should receiue at the hande of God being in prison I thinke there would come mo to prison theÌ„ there do For surely we find such comfort at the hand of God since we haue bene in prisoÌ„ that we had rather dye then to be abroad to see theyr idolatry that is committed amoÌ„g them that be abroad beside the seeking one of an others bloud with other wickednes to much God send me more grace But I trust amongst you there be none such if there be repent and amend least it be verified on you that is spokeÌ„ by the Prophet Ierem. 2. cha where hee sayth My people hathe committed two great euils They haue forsaken me the fountayne of the liuing waters and digged them pittes pittes I say that are broken and canne hold no water Also in the vii he sayth Take heede ye truste in counsels that beguile you and do you no good In the 23. he sayth Heare not the wordes of the Prophetes that preach theyr owne dreames Good brethren beware of those false Prophetes that I haue geuen you warning of Dearely beloued heare I make an end of this tyme desiring the same health both of body and soule vnto you al that I would haue my selfe and I end with the same that S. Pter sayth in his first Epistle and the 5. chap. Submitte your selues therefore vnder the mighty hand of God
that he may exalt you when the time is come Cast all youre care on him for he careth for you Be sober and watche for your aduersarye the Deuil like a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whō hee may deuour whom resist steadfast in fayth remembring that ye do but fulfill the same afflictions that are appoynted to youre brethren that are in the worlde The God of all grace that called you vnto his eternall glory by Christe Iesus shall his owne selfe after you haue suffered a little affliction make you perfect shall settle strengthen and stablish you To him be glory and dominiō for euer and while the world endureth Amen Greete one an other with an holy kisse of loue Peace be with you all which are in Christ Iesus I pray you all say Amen These be in the same prison where I am the Bishop of S. Dauids Doctor Taylor of Hadley maister Philpot and my singular good father M. Bradford with fiue other of Sussex lay men I desire some good brother to write this newe for I wrote it as I do many times with feare For if the kepers had found me they would haue taken it from me my pen and inke also Good brethren I am kept alone and yet I thank God he comforteth me past all the comfort of anye man for I thanke him I was neuer meryer in Christ. By me William Tyms prisoner in the Kinges Benche About this time or somewhat before came down certayne Commissioners assigned by the Queene and Counsayle to Northfolke and Suffolke as to other countryes els besides to enquire of matters of Religion vnto the which Commissioners there was a Supplicatiō then exhibited by some good and well disposed men as by the same may appeare dwelling about those parties Which Supplication as I thought it not vnworthy to bee read bearing the date of thys presēt yeare to be printed so I thought it was not to be omittted nor vnworthy here to bee placed in consideration of the fruite which thereof might ensue to the reader ¶ A certayne godly Supplication exhibited by certayne inhabitauntes of the Country of Northfolke to the Commissioners comming downe to Northfolke and Suffolke fruitfull to be read and marked of all men IN most hūble and lowly wise we beseeche your honors right honorable Commissioners to tender and pitty the humble sute of vs poore men and true faythfull and obedient subiectes who as we haue euer heretofore so intend we with Gods grace to continue in Christian obedience vnto the end and according to the word of God with all reuerend feare of God to do our boundē duety to all those superiour powers whom God hath appoynted ouer vs doing as S. Paule sayth Let euery soule be subiect to the superiour powers For there is no power but of God but those powers that are are ordayned of God Wherefore whosoeuer resisteth the powers the same resisteth God they that resist get themselues iudgement These lessons right honorable Cōmissioners we haue learned of the holy word of God in our mother tongue First that the authoritie of a king Queene Lord and other theyr officers vnder them is no tyrannicall vsurpation but a iust holy lawfull and necessary estate for man to be gouerned by and that the same is of God the fountayne and authour of righteousnes Secondly that to obey the same in all thinges not against God is to obey God and to resist them as to resist God Therefore as to obey God in his Ministers Magistrates bringeth life so to resist God in them bryngeth punishment and death The same lesson haue we learned of S. Peter saying Be ye subiect to all humayne ordinaunces for the Lordes sake whether it be to the king as to the moste highest or to the Lieutenaunts sent from him to the punishment of euill doers but to the prayse of suche as do well For so is the will of GOD that with well doyng ye should stop the mouthes of foolishe and ignoraunt men as free and not as hauing the lybertie to be a cloke to malice but as the seruauntes of God Wherfore considering with our selues both that the Magistrates power is of God and that for the Lordes sake wee be bound to Christian obedience vnto them hauing now presently a commaundement as though it were from the Queenes maiestie with all humble obedience due to the regall power and authoritie ordayned of God which we acknowledge to stād whole perfectly in her grace and with due reuerence vnto you her graces commissioners we humbly beseeche you with pacience and pittye to receaue this our answere vnto this cōmandement guen vnto vs. First right honourable Commissioners we haue considered our selues to be not onely English men but also Christians and therefore bound by the holy vow made to God in our Baptisme to preferre Gods honoure in all thinges and that all obedience not onely of vs mortall men but euen of the very Aungels and heauenly spirites is due vnto Gods word in so much that no obediēce can be true and perfect either before God or man that wholy and fully agreeth not with Gods word Then haue we weighed the commandemēt concerning the restitution of the late abolished latine seruice geuē vnto vs to discent and disagree frō gods word to cōmand manifest impietie and the ouerthrowe of godlines true religion to import a subuersion of the regall power of this our natiue country realme of Englande wyth the bringing in of the Romish Bishops supremacie with all errours superstitions and idolatry wasting of our goods bodyes destroying of our soules bringing with it nothing but the seuere wrath of God which we already feele feare least the same shall be more fiercely kindled vppon vs. Wherfore we humbly protest that wee cannot be perswaded that the same wicked commaundement shoulde come from the Queenes maiestie but rather from some other abusing the Queenes goodnes and fauour and studying to worke some feate against the Queene her crown the Realme to please with it the Romane Bishoppe at whose handes the same thinketh hereafter to be aduaunced As the Agagite Aman wrought maliciously agaynst the noble king Assuerus and as the Princes of Babell wrought agaynst the good king Darius so thinke we the queenes most gentle hart to be abused of some who seking thēselues their own vayn glory procure such cōmandements as are against the glory of God For we cannot haue so euill an opinion in her maiestie that she should subuert the most godly holy religiō so accordingly to gods worde set forth by the most noble vertuous and innocent king a very saynct of God our late moste deare king Edw. her graces brother except she were wonderfully abused who as hating reformation will rather the destruction of al others then acknowledge theyr errors to be accordynge to gods word reformed For truly the religiō lately set forth by K. Edw. is
such in our consciences as euery Christian man is bound to confesse to be the truth of God and euery member of Christes church here in England must needes embrace the same in heart and confesse it with mouth if need require loose and forsake not onely house land possessions riches wife children and friends but also if God will so call them gladly to suffer all manner of persecution and to loose their liues in the defence of GODS worde and trueth set out amongest vs. For our Sauiour Christ requireth the same of vs saying Who soeuer shal be ashamed of me and my worde before this adulterous and sinfull generation the sonne of man will also be ashamed of hym when he shall come in the glorye of his father with the holye Aungels And agayne sayth he Who soeuer will confesse me before men I will confesse him before my father that is in heauen And who soeuer will deny me before men I will also deny hym before my father that is in heauen And whosoeuer shall speake a worde agaynst the sonne of man it shall be forgeuen him but who soeuer shall rayle against the holy ghost it shall not be forgeuē him We humbly beseeche the Queenes Maiestie and you her honorable Commissioners bee not offended with vs for confessing this truth of God so straightly geuen vs in charge of Christ neither bring vppon vs that great sinne that neuer shall be forgeuen and shall cause our Sauiour Iesu Christ in the great day of iudgement before his heauenly Father all his Aungels to deny vs to take frō vs the blessed price and raunsome of his bloudshed wherwith we are redeemed For in that day neither the Queenes highnes neither you nor any man shal be able to excuse vs nor to purchase a pardon of Christ for this horrible sinne and blasphemye of casting aside and condemning his word We can not agree nor consent vnto this so horrible a sinne but we beseeche God for his mercy to geue vs and all menne grace moste earnestly to flee from it and rather if the will of God be so to suffer all extremitie and punishment in thys world then to incurre such damnation before God Manasses who restored agayn the wickednes of idolatrous religiō before put down by Ezechias his father brought the wrath of God vpon the people so that the scriptures sayth Notwithstanding the reformation made by Iosias the Lord turned not from the fiercenes of his great wrath wherwith hee was angrye agaynst Iuda because of the prouocation with the which Manasses prouoked him And the Lord said euen Iuda will I take away from my presence as I cast away Israell I will cast away this Citty of Ierusalem and the house whereof I sayd my name shall be there Ieroboam who at Bethel and Dan erected vp a new found seruice of God and not onely sinned himselfe but also made all Israel to sinne with him so that not onely he was damned for commaunding but the wrath of God came vppon all Israell for obeing that his vngodly commandement Yet was it not so heynous offence to bring man Idolatry neither yet heard of as after reformation made by the godly kinges and princes by the vertuous and holy Bishoppes by the Prophets and seruaunts of God to reiecte and cast of the word and true Religion of GOD and to receaue againe a damned impietie This moste heynous offence is now offered vnto vs although the same be paynted and coloured with the name of reformation restoring of religion auncient fayth wyth the name of the catholicke Churche of vnitie Catholicke truth with the cloke of fayned holines These are sheepe skinnes vnder the which as Christ saith rauening Wolues couer themselues But Christ willeth vs to looke vpon their fruites whereby we may know them and truely this is no good fruite to cast aside Gods word and to bānish the English seruice out of the Churches and in the place of it to bring in a latine tongue vnknowne vnto the people Which as it edifieth no man so hath it bene occasion of all blindnes and errour amonge the people For afore the blessed reformation begun by the most noble Prince of godlye memory the queenes good father and by our late holy and innocent king her good brother finished it is not vnknowne what blindnes errour wee were all in when not one man in all this realme vnlearned in the latine could say in English the Lordes prayer or knew any one article of his beliefe or rehearse any one of the x. cōmandementes And that ignoraunce mother of mischiefe was the very roote and well spring of all Idolatry Sodomiticall Monkery and whorish chastitie of vnmaryed priests of all whoredome dronkennes couetousnes swearing blasphemie with al other wicked sinfull liuing These brought in the seuere wrathe and vengeance of GOD plaging sinne with famine and pestilence and at last the sword consumed and auenged all theyr impietie and wicked liuing As it is greatly to be feared the same or more greuous plagues shall now agayne follow We cannot therefore consent nor agree that the worde of God and praiers in our English tongue which we vnderstand should be taken away from vs and for it a latin seruice we wote not what for none of vs vnderstande it to be agayne brought in amongest vs specially seeing that Christ hath sayd My sheepe heare my voyce and follow me I geue to them euerlasting life The seruice in Englishe teacheth vs that wee are the Lords people and the sheep of his pasture and commandeth that we harden not our hartes as when they prouoked the Lordes wrathe in the wildernes least hee sweare vnto vs as he did sweare vnto them that they should not enter into his rest The seruice in Latine is a confused noyse which if it be good as the say it is yet vnto vs that lack vnderstāding what goodnes can it bring S. Paule commaundeth that in the Churches all thinges shoulde bee done to edifying which we are sure is Gods commaundement But in the Latine seruice nothing is done to edifying but contrarily al to destroy those that are already edified and to driue vs from Gods word and truth and from beleuing of the same and so to bring vs to beleue lyes and fables that tempting and prouoking God we shoulde be brought into the iudgement that blessed Paule speaketh of saying Antichrist shall come according to the working of Satan with all manner of power and signes and lying wonders in all deceiuablenes of vnrighteousnes in those that pearish because they haue not receyued the loue of the truth that they might be saued And therfore God wil send them strong delusion that they should beleue lyes be damned as many as haue not beleued the truth but haue approued vntighteousnesse Thus altogether drawne from God we shall fal into his wrath through vnbeliefe till
Commons faythfull and true subiectes members of the same body politicke wherof her Grace is supreme head All our bodyes goodes landes and lyues are ready to do her Grace faythfull obedience and true seruice of all commaundements that are not agaynst God his worde but in these thinges that importe a denyall of Christ and refusall of his word and holy Communion we cannot consent nor agree vnto it For we haue bound our selues in Baptisne to be Christes Disciples and to keepe his holy word and ordinances And if we deny him before men he will deny vs before his heauenly Father and hys holy Aungels in the day of iudgement which we trust her benigne Grace will not require of vs. And we humbly beseeche her Maiestie that we be not enforced vnto it but as we serue her grace with body and goodes due obedience accordyng to Gods commauÌ„dement so we may bee permitted freely to serue God and Christ our Sauiour keepe vnto him our soules which hee hath with his precious bloud redeemed that so as Christ teacheth we may reÌ„der to Caesar that is due to Caesar and to God that is due to God For we thinke it no true obedience vnto the Queenes highnes or to any other Magistrate ordeined of God vnder her to obey in things coÌ„trary to gods word although the same be neuer so straitly charged in her Graces name The Bish. of Winchester hath truely taught in that point in his booke of true obedience that true obedieÌ„ce is in the Lord not agaynst the Lord as the Apostles aunswered before the Counsaile at Ierusalem coÌ„maundyng them no more to preache in the name of the Lord Iesus Iudge you sayd they whether it be right in the sight of God to heare you rather theÌ„ God And agayne they sayd We must obey God rather then man Wherefore wee learne that true obedience is to obey God kyng of all kynges Lord of all Lordes and for him in him and not agaynst him and his word to obey the Princes and Magistrates of this world who are not truely obeyed when God is disobeyed nor yet disobeyed when God is faythfully obeyed Tobias disobeyed not his king although contrary to his commaundement contrary to the vsage of all other when they went to Dan Bethel he went vnto Ierusalem worshipped in the teÌ„ple of the Lord. The three youÌ„g men in Babylon refusing king Nabuchodonosors commaundemeÌ„t pleased God more then the whole multitude that obeyed And Daniel that prayed to the God of heaueÌ„ contrary to kyng Darius coÌ„maundementes bare a more true faythfull hart to the king theÌ„ those wicked CouÌ„sellers that procured that wicked law or those that for feare of flattery obeyed it Which two pestilences feare flattery haue euer destroyed true obedience to God and man when wicked godlesse men that care not if the deuill were worshipped so they may get obteine riches promotioÌ„s and dignities and worldly glory turne to and fro as euery winde bloweth and weake and frayle meÌ„ fearing losse of goodes punishment or death doe outwardly in body that thyng that their hartes conscieÌ„ces inwardly abhorreth and so outwardly disobey God and in hart dissemble with man which dissimulation we thinke worthy hate of all men and most vncomely for Christian men Wherfore we humbly beseeche the Queenes Maiestie with pitie and mercy to tender the lamentable suite of vs her poore subiectes which be by this coÌ„maundement sore hurt wounded in our consciences and driuen to many miseries by the malicious attemptes of wicked meÌ„ suffer great wronges iniuries sclaunders losse of goods bodyly vexations We thinke not good by any vnlawful sâ—urre or coÌ„motion to seeke remedy 〈◊〉 intend by Gods grace to obey her maiesty in al things not against God his holy woorde But vnto such vngodly bishoplike commandements as are against God we answer with the apostles God must be obeied rather then man If persecution shall ensue whiche some threaten vs with we desire the heauenly Father according to his promise to looke from heauen to heare our crye to iudge betweene vs our aduersaries to geue vs faith strength and patience to coÌ„tinue faithfully vnto the end to shorten these euil daies for his chosens sake and so we faithfully beleeue he will Notwithstanding we trust the Quenes gracious and mercifull heart will not suffer such tyranny to be done against her poore innocent faithful and obedient subiects that daily pray vnto God for her which haue no remedie in this world but to sue vnto her highnesse our most gracious and benigne soueraigne whom we pray beseech for the deare bloud of Christ to pitie our lamentable case and hurt of conscience and to call backe all such commandements as are against Gods honour as the good Kyng Darius Assuerus Traianus Theodosius diuers other haue done and to permit the holy woord of God and true religion set foorth by our moste holy and innocent king Edward a very Sainte of God to be restored agayne vnto our Churches to be frequented amongst vs. So shal we grow and increase in the knowledge of God of Christ in true repentance and amendement of life so shal we exhibite true obedience to our lawfull Magistrates and all superiors ordained of God so shall loue charitye of late thorowe this commandement so decaied be againe restored the honor of her regall estate the more confirmed and established and godlinesse and vertuous life among her louing subiects increased and maintained And we most hartily pray you right honorable commissioners to be meanes vnto the Queenes highnesse and to her honourable Counsaile that thys oure humble sute may be fauourably tendered and graciously hearde and graunted And we shall not cease daye and nyghte to pray vnto the heaueÌ„ly Father long to preserue her grace all other magistrates in his feare and loue and in prosperous peace and wealth with long life honor Amen Your poore suppliants the louers of Christes true Religion in Northfolke and Suffolke The story of Iohn Harpole of the parish of S. Nicholas in Rochester Ioane Beach wydowe of Tunbridge Martyrs TOuching the examination of Ioane Beach widowe and of Iohn Harpole within the dioces of Rochester by Maurice B. of the sayde Diocesse remembraunce was made before in the story of Nicholas Hal pag. 1591. wherin was declared the foure articles Consistorial of the byshop obiected and laide as vnto the sayd Nicholas Hall and his company so also to this Ioane Beach wydowe whereof the first was this 1 That shee was of the parish of Tunbridge in the Dioces of Rochester 2 Item that all persons which preache teach beleeue or say otherwise or contrary to that their mother holye Catholike church of Christ are excommunicate persons and heretickes 3 Item that the sayde Ioane Beach hath and yet dothe affirme maintaine and beleue contrary to the sayde mother holye Churche of
pouring the oile of his gracious spirit into your sweet hart Ah good Ieremy hath Phasure put thee in the stockes why now thou hast the right reward of a prophet Thy glory neuer began to appeare vntill now I doubt not but shortly in sted of Ahikam the sonne of Shaphan Iesus the sonne of the liuing God wil come and deliuer thee foorth of the handes of all thine enemyes and will also make good agaynste them and theyr Antichristian Sinagogue all the wordes that thou hast spoken in his name The Lord hath made thee this day a strong defended Tower an yron piller and a brasen wall agaynst the whole rable of Antichrist though they fight against thee neuer so fiercely yet shall they not ouercome thee for the Lorde himselfe is with thee to helpe and deliuer thee and he will ridde thee out of the handes of the wicked and will deliuer thee out of the handes of the Tyrantes And in that you are not busy in casting pearles before swine nor in geuing the holy thinges vnto dogges you are much to be coÌ„mended in my simple iudgement And sure I am that your circuÌ„spect and modest behauiour hitherto hath bene as much to Gods glory to the shame confusion of your enemies as any mans doinges that are gone before you Wherefore mine aduise and most earnest desire is with all other of your louing frendes that you still keepe that order wyth those bloudthirsty bitesheepes bishops I should say that you haue begonne For though in conclusion they will surely haue your bloud yet shall they come by it with shame enough and to theyr perpetuall infamy whiles the world doth endure They would in deed condemne you in hugger mugger to darken Gods glory if it might be But Sathans thoughtes are not vnknowne to you the depth of his subtlety is by you well foreseene Therefore let them do whatsoeuer God shall suffer them to doe for I know all things shall turne to your best Though you lye in the darck sâ—orried with the Bishops blacke coale dust yet shall you be shortlye restored vnto the heauenly light and made as white as snowe in Salmon and as the winges of a Doue that is couered with siluer winges and her fethers like gold You know the vessell before it be made bright is soyled with oile and other thinges that it may scoure the better Oh happy be you that you be nowe in the scouring house for shortly you shal be set vppon the celestiall shelfe as bright as aungels Therfore my deare hart I will now according to your louing request cast away all care and reioyce with you and prayse God for you and pray for you day and night yea I wil now with Gods grace sing Psalmes of prayse and thankesgeuing with you For now my soule is turned to her old rest agayne and hath takeÌ„ a sweet nap in Christes lap I haue cast my care vpon the Lorde which careth for me and will be Careles according to my name in that respect which you would haue me I wil leaue out my vnseemely addition as long as I liue for it can take no place where true fayth and hope is resident So soone as I had read your most godly and coÌ„fortable letter my sorowes vanished away as smoke in the winde my spirit reuiued and comfort came agayne wherby I am sure the spirit of God was author of it Oh my good M. Philpot which art a principall pot in deede filled with most precious liquor as it appeareth by the pleÌ„teous pouring forth of the same Oh pot most happy of the high Potter ordeined to honour whiche doest conteine suche heauenly treasure in the earthen vessell Oh pot thrise happy in whome Christ hath wrought a greate miracle altering thy nature and turning water into wine and that of the best whereout the mayster of the feast hath filled my cuppe so ful that I am become drunken in the ioy of the spirit through the same When Martyrdome shall break thee O vessell of honour I know the fragrant sauour of thy precious Narde will much reioyce the heauy hartes of Christes true members although the Iudasses will grudge and murmure at the same Yea and burst out into words of sclaunder saying it is but lost and waste Be not offended deare hart at my Metaphoricall speach For I am disposed to be mery and with Dauid to daunce before the Arke of the Lord and though you play vpon a payre of Organes not very comely or easy to the flesh yet the sweet souÌ„d that came from the same causeth me thus to do O that I were with you in body as presently I am in spirit that I might sing all care away in Christ for nowe the time of comforte is come I hope to be wyth you shortly if all thinges happen aright For my olde frendes of Couentry haue put the Counsell in remembraunce of me not 6. dayes agoe saying that I am more worthy to be burned then any that was burned yet Gods blessing on theyr harts for their good report God make me worthy of that dignity and hasten the time that I might set forth his glory Pray for me deare hart I beseech you and will all your company to do the same and I will pray God for you all so long as I liue And nowe farewell in Christe thou blessed of Gods owne mouth I will for a time take my leaue but not my last farewell Blessed be the time that euer I came into the kinges bench to be ioyned in loue and felowship with such deare children of the Lord. My good brother Bradford shal not be dead whiles you be aliue for verely the spirit of him doth rest on you in most ample wise Your letters of comfort vnto me in ech poynt do agree as though the one were a copy of the other He hath planted in me and you do water the Lorde geue good increase My deare Brethren and felow prisoners here haue them humbly and hartelye commended vnto you and your company mourning for your misery but yet reioysing for your plenteous consolation and comfort in Christ. We are all chearefull and merry vnder our crosse and do lacke no necessaryes praysed bee GOD for his prouidence and great mercy towardes vs for euermore Amen ¶ To his wife AS by the greate mercy of God at the tyme of his good will and prouidence appoynted my dearelye beloued wife you and I were ioyned together in the holye and Christian state of godly Matrimony as well to our great ioy and comfor in Christ as also to the encrease of his blessed church and faythfull congregation by hauing lawfull children by in the same with the which God of his mercy hath blessed vs praised be his name therfore eueÌ„ so now by his mercifull will and diuine ordinaunce the time is come so farre as I can perceiue wherein he will for his glory
all other his benefites Ah my deare heart in the Lord well is me that euer I was borne that God of his great mercy and infinite goodnes hath vsed me most miserable wretche at any tyme as his instrument to minister any thing vnto you eyther by wordes or writing that might bee an occasion of your ioy and comfort in the Lorde and a prouoking of you to prayse and thankesgeuing vnto GOD for the same as your moste louing and godly letter seemeth to importe Oh happy am I that the Lorde hath appoynted me vnto so good a ground to sowe his seede vppon but muche more happie are you whose heart the Lorde hath prepared made so meete to receiue the same so effectuously geuing therto the sweete showers and heauenly dewes of his grace and holy spirit that it may bring forth fruite in due season accordingly the increase whereof we shall shortly reape together with perfect ioye and gladnes and that continually Therefore my deare brother I say vnto you as good Elizabeth did to her deare cosin Mary Happy are you and happy shall you be for euermore because you haue beleued The most sweet and faythfull promises of your redeemer Iesus Christ you haue surely layd vp in the treasury of your hart His comfortable callinges you haue faythfully heard his faythfull admonitions you haue humbly obeyed and therefore you shall neuer come into iudgement your sinnes shall neuer be remembred for your sauiour hath cast them all into the bottome of the sea he hath remoued them from you as farre as is the East from the West and hath geuen you for an euerlasting possession his iustification holynesse so that now no creature neyther in heauen nor in earth shal be able to accuse you before the throne of the heauenly king Sathan is nowe iudged he is nowe cast out from you hee hath no part in you you are wholy geuen vnto Christ whyche wil not loose you your stedfast fayth in him hathe ouercome that sturdy and braggyng Prince of the worlde Christ hath geuen you the finall victory ouer hym and al hys army that they shall neuer hurt you What woulde you haue more Oh my deare heart howe great treasures are layde vp in store for you and how gloryous a Crowne is alreadye made and prepared for you And albeit the holy Ghost doth beare wytnesse of all these thinges in your heart and maketh you more sure and certain thereof then if you had all the outward oracles in the worlde yet I being certaynly perswaded and fully assured by the testimony of Gods spirite in my conscience of youre eternall and sure saluation in our sweete Sauioure Iesus Christe haue thought it good yea and my bounden duety not onely at thys tyme to wryte vnto you and to shew my ioyfull hart in that behalfe but also by the word and commaundement of Christ to pronounce and affirme in the name and worde of the heauenly king Iehouah and in the behalfe of his sweete sonne Iesus chryst oure Lorde to whom all knees shall bow whom all creatures shall worshippe and also by the impulsion of the holy Ghost by whose power and strength all the faythfull bee regenerate I doe I say pronounce to thee my deare brother T. V. that thou art already a Citizen of heauen The Lord thy God in whom thou doest put all thy trust for his deare sonnes sake in whom thou doest also vndoubtedly beleue hath freely forgeuen thee all thy sinnes clearely released all thyne iniquities and full pardoned all thine offences bee they neuer so many so grieuous or so great and will neuer remember them any more to condemnation As truely as he liueth he will not haue thee dye the death but hath vtterly determined purposed and eternally decreed that thou shalte lyue with him for euer Thy sore shall bee healed and thy woundes bounde vpp euen of himselfe for his owne names sake He doth not nor will not looke vpon thy sinnes in thee but he respecteth and beholdeth thee in Christ in whome thou art lyuely graffed by faith in his bloud and in whome thou art most assuredly elected and chosen to be a sweete vessell of his mercy and saluation and wast thereto predestinate in him before the foundation of the world was laid In testimony and earnest whereof he hath geuen thee his good and holye spirite which woorketh in thee faith loue and vnfained repentance with other godly vertues contrary to the corruption of thy nature Also he hath commanded me this day although a most vnwoorthy wretch to be a witnesse hereof by the ministery of hys holy woord grounded vpon the truth of his most faithfull promisses the which thou beleeuing shalt liue for euer Beleeuest thou this my deare heart I knowe well thou doest beleeue The Lorde increase thy faith and geue thee a liuely feeling of all hys mercies wherof thou art warranted and assured by the testimony of the holy Ghost who confirme in thy conscience to the vtter ouerthrowing of Sathan and those his most hurtfull dubitations wherby he is accustomed to molest and vexe the true children of God all that I haue sayde and by Gods grace I will as a witnesse thereof confirme and seale the same with my bloud for a most certaine truthe Wherefore my good brother praise the Lord with a ioyful heart and geue him thankes for this his exceeding great mercy casting away all dubitation and wauering yea all sorow of heart and pensiuenesse of minde for this the Lord your God and most deare and louing father commandeth you to doe by me nay rather by his owne mouth woord pronounced by me But now my deare brother after that I haue done my message or rather the Lordes message in deede I coulde finde in my heart to wryte 2. or 3. sheetes of paper declaring the ioy I beare in my heart for you mine owne bowels in the Lord yet the time being so short as you do well know I am heere constrained to make an ende desiring you to pardone my slacknesse and to forgeue my great negligence towardes you promising you still that so long as my poore life doth last my prayer shal supply that my pen doth wāt as knoweth the almighty God to whose most merciful defence I doe heartely commit you and all other his deare children as wel as though I had rehearsed them by name desiring them most heartely to remember me in their hearty and dailye prayers as I know right well they doe for I feele the daily comfort and commodity therof therfore I neither wil nor can forget them nor you or any such like The blessing of God be with you al. Amē Yours for euer vnfainedly Iohn Careles A letter of thankes to a faithfull frend of his by whom he had receiued much comfort in his inward troubles BLessed be God the father of all mercye for the great comfort and Christian consolation which he hath so mercifully ministred vnto
and scholemaster sometimes to king Edwarde The worthinesse of which man deserueth much to be sayd but his fall woulde rather be couered in silence and obliuion Onely to note a woorde or two of a few things to the present storye moste principally appertaining it shall suffice First M. Cheeke being in the countrey of Germanie out of all danger of persecution with many moe of his owne countreymen and acquaintance was not onely in safetie but also with reputation accordingly esteemed among the Germaines and also well placed in the Citie of Strausbourgh Where if he had contented himself to haue remained rather geuing place to time then to presume vppon aduentures peraduenture it had bene better wyth hym But what fatall instigatiō wrought in his mynd I know not In the ende so it fell that he woulde needes take hys iourney with Sir Peter Carew from hie Germanie vnto Bruxels and that as I haue credibly hearde of them which knew somwhat not without the forecasting of his aduentured iourney by the constellation of starres disposition of the heauens aboue For as he was a man famously expert and trauailed in the knowledge of sundrye artes and sciences so was he a little too much addicted to the curious practising of this Starre diuinitie which we call Astrologie But how soeuer it was or what soeuer it was that the starres did promise him truth was that mē heere in earth kept litle promise with him For hauing as it is sayde king Phillips safeconduct to passe and repasse and that by the meanes as I find of the Lord Paget and Sir Iohn Mas. pledging for his safegarde king Phillips fidelitie he came to Bruxels to see the Quenes Ambassadors and hauing brought the lord Paget on his way toward England in the retourne betweene Bruxels Anwarpe was taken with sir Peter Carewe by the Prouest Marshal spoiled of their horses and clapped into a carte theyr legges armes and bodies tied wyth halters to the body of the carte and so shipped being blindfielde vnder the hatches and so brought to the tower of London Thus the good man being intrapped in the handes now of his enemies had but one of these 2. wayes to take either to chaunge his religion or to chaunge his life Other remedy with those holy catholikes there was none Neither could his conscience excuse him nor truth defend him nor learning helpe him Albeit M. Fecknam whether by the Queene suborned or vppon his owne deuotion and frendship towarde his olde acquaintance tooke vpon him the defence commendation of M. Cheeke speaking in his behalfe yet no mercy coulde be had with the Queene but he must needes recant and so did he The copie of whose recantation prescribed vnto him because it is knowen and in the handes of diuers it needeth not heere to be expressed Then after his recantation he was throughe the craftie handling of the Catholickes allured firste to dine and companie with them at lengthe drawen vnwares to sitte in place where the poore Martyrs were broughte before Boner and other Bishops to be condempned the remorse whereof so mightely wroughte in hys heart that not long after he left thys mortall life Whose fall although it was full of infirmitie yet his rising againe by repentaunce was great and hys ende comfortable the Lorde bee praysed ⧠The ende of the XI Booke ⧠Heere beginneth the XII Booke containing the bloudye doings and persecutions of the aduersaries against the Faithfull and true seruantes of Christ with the particular processes and names of such as were put to slaughter from the beginning of Ian. An. 1557. and the fifte of Queene Marie The order and maner of the Cardinals visitation in Cambridge with the condemning taking vp and burning the bones and Bookes of Bucer and Paulus Phagius An. 1557. Ian. 9. CArdinall Poole three yeares after his retourne into Englande hauinge somwhat withdrawn his mind from other affaires of the realme and hauing in all poyntes established the Romish religion began to haue an eye to the vniuersity of Cambridge whiche place amōg other speciallye seemed to haue neede of reformation out of hand To perform this charge were chosen Cuthbert Scot not long before consecrated Bishop of Chester Nicholas Ormanet an Italian Archpriest of the people of Bodolon in the dioces of Ueron professed in bothe the lawes and bearing the name of the popes Datary Tho. Watson elected Bish. of Lincolne Iohn Chrystopherson elected bish of Chichester and Henry Cole Prouost of the colledge of Eaton There was good cause why the matter was especially cōmitted to these persons For as touching Ormanet it is wel knowen that he was a man of much estimation with Iulius the 3. at that time B. of Rome and was appoynted to come into Englande with Cardinall Poole because without his knowledge as in whome hee put his chief trust and confidence the B. would haue nothing done that was of any importance or weight These persones thus appoynted in the meane while as the visitors were addressing themselues to their iourney sent their letters with the Cardinals Citation before doctor Andrew Perne Uicechācellor then of Cambridge with the other Commissioners associate commāding him to warne all the Graduates of the Uniuersitie in theyr name to be in a readinesse against the 11. day of Ianuarie betwixt 8. and 10. of the clocke in the churche of S. Marye the virgin willing him especially to be there hym selfe in presence and also to sette forward all the residue to whose charge it belonged that they should search out all Statutes Bookes Priuiledges and Monuments appertaining to the Uniuersitie or to any of the Colledges or finally to any of thēselues and these to present the same before them at the day appoynted and euery mā to appeare there personally for they woulde not faile but be there at the same time to lay before them such things as should seme necessary to this charge of reforming the vniuersitye and further to geue charge of all such things as should seeme most for the profit behoue of the same together with such thyngs as were to be done on theyr parte accordinge as shoulde seeme most agreeable to the Decrees of the Canon lawe This citation of the Cardinal being brought to Cambridge by master bullocke was first exhibited in the Conuocation house of Regents and there openly redde by the Orator of the Uniuersitie the 11. of December After thys vppon the 24. of December whyche was Christenmasse euen the Uicechancellor wyth the heads of houses meeting together in the Schooles it was there cōcluded that the visitors charges should be borne by the vniuersitie and Colledges which then cost the Uniuersitie an 100. pound thicke and also that no master of any Colledge should suffer any of the fellowes scholers or ministers to goe foorth of the towne but to retourne before the Uisitation On friday the 8. of Ianuarie the Queenes Commissioners
contented for frendshippe and curtesye sake not to fayle them in this theyr businesse Hauyng made this Preface he entered into the pith of the matter wherein he blamed greatly the barbarous crueltye of the Court of Rome so fiercely extended agaynst the dead He sayd it was a more heynous matter then was to be borne with to haue shewed such extreme cruelnesse to them that were aliue but for any manne to misbehaue himselfe in such wise towarde the deade was such a thing as hadde not lightly bene heard of Sauing that he affirmed this custome of excommunicating and curssing of deade folke to haue come first from Rome For Euagrius reporteth in his wrytinges that Eutichius was of the same opinion induced by the example of Iosias who slew the Priestes of Baall and burnt vppe the boanes of them that were deade euen vppon the Aultars Whereas before the time of Eutichius this kinde of punishment was welneare vnknowne neither afterwarde vsurped of any manne that euer he heard of vntill a nine hundreth yeares after Christ. In the latter times the whiche howe muche the further they were from that golden age of the Apostles so much the more they were corrupted this kinde of cruelnesse beganne to creepe further For it is manifestlye knowne that Stephen the sixt Pope of Rome digged vp Formosus his last Predecssour in that Sea and spoyling him of hys Popes apparell buryed him agayne in lay mans apparell as the call it hauing first cut off and throwne into Tyber his two fingers with which according to theyr accustomed maner he was woont to blesse and consecrate The whiche his vnspeakeably tyrannye vsed against Formosus within sixe yeares after Sergius the third encreased also agaynst the same Formosus For taking vp his dead body and setting it in a Popes chayre hee caused his heade to be smitten of and his other three fingers to be cut from his hand and his body to be cast into the ryuer of Tyber abrogating and disanulling all his decrees which thinge was neuer done by any man before that daye The cause why so great crueltye was exercised by the reporte of Nauclerus was this because that Formosus had beene an aduersarye to Stephen and Sergius when they sued to be made Bishops This kinde of crueltye vnharde of before the Popes a while exercised one agaynst an other But nowe or euer they had sufficiently felte the smarte thereof themselues they had turned the same vpon our neckes Wherefore it was to be wished that seeing it began among thē it might haue remayned still with the Authors thereof not haue bene spread ouer thence vnto vs. But such was the nature of all euill that it quickely passeth into example for others to do the like For about the yeare of our Lord 1400. Iohn Wicklyfe was in lyke maner digged vp and burnte into ashes throwen into a brooke that runneth by the towne where he was buryed Of the which selfe same sauce tasted also William Tracye of Gloucester a man of a worshipfull house because he had written in his laste will that he shoulde be saued onely by fayth in Iesus Christe and that there needed not the helpe of any manne thereto whether he were in heauen or in earth and therefore bequethed no legacye to that purpose as all other men were accustomed to doe This deede was done sithens we may remember aboute the 22. yeare of the raigne of Henry the 8. in the yeare of our Lord. 1530. Now seeing they extended suche crueltye to the dead he sayde it was an easye matter to coniecture what they would doe to the liuing Whereof we had sufficient tryall by the examples of our owne men these fewe yeares past And if we woulde take the paynes to peruse thinges done somewhat lenger ago we might find notable matters out of our owne Chronicles Howbeit it was sufficient for the manifest demonstration of that matter to declare the beastly butchery of the Frenche King executed vppon the Waldenses at Cabryer and the places nere thereabout by his captayne Miner aboute the yeare of our Lorde 1545. then the which there was neuer thing read of more cruelty done no not euen of the barbarous Paganes And yet for all that when diuers had shewed theyr vttermost cruelty both agaynste these and many others they were so farre from theyr purpose in extinguishing the light of the Gospell which they endeuoured to suppresse that it increased dayly more and more The which thing Charles the 5. then whom all christendome had not a more prudēt Prince nor the Church of Christ almost a sorer enemy easily perceiued and therefore when he had in his hand Luther dead and Melancthon and Pomeran with certayne other Preachers of the Gospell aliue he not onely determined not any thing extreamely agaynst them nor violated theyr graues but also entreating them gently sent thē away not so much as once forbidding them to publish openly the doctrine that they professed For it is the nature of Christes Church that the more that Tyrauntes spurne agaynst it the more it encreaseth and florisheth A notable proofe assuredly of the prouidence and pleasure of God in sowing the Gospell was that comming of the Bohemians vnto vs to the intent to heare Wickliffe of whom we spake before who at that time read openly at Oxford and also the goyng of our men to the sayde Bohemians when persecution was raysed agaynste vs. But muche more notable was it that we had seene come to passe in these our dayes that the Spanyardes sent for into thys Realme of purpose to suppresse the Gospell as soone as they were returned home replenished many partes of theyr Countrey with the same trueth of Religion to the which before they were vtter enemyes By the which examples it might euidently be perceiued that the Princes of this world labour in vayne to ouerthrowe it considering how the mercy of GOD hath sowne it abroad not onely in those Countryes that wee spake of but also in Fraunce Poole Scotland and almoste all the rest of Europe For it is sayd that some partes of Italy although it be vnder the Popes nose yet do they of late encline to the knowledge of the heauenly trueth Wherefore sufficient argument and proofe mighte be taken by the successe and encreasement therof to make vs beleue that this doctrine is sent vs from heauen vnlesse we will wilfully be blinded And if there were any that desired to be perswaded more at large in the matter hee might aduisedlye consider the voyage that the Emperor and the Pope with both theyr powers together made ioyntly agaynste the Bohemians In the which the Emperour tooke suche an vnworthy repulse of so small a handfull of his enemyes that he neuer almost in all his life tooke the like dishonour in any place Hereof also might bee an especiall example that death of Henry Kyng of Fraunce who the same day that he had purposed to persecute the Churche of Christe and to
her first comming into this place she did greuously bewaile with great sorrowe lamentation and reasoned with her selfe why her Lorde God did with his so heauy iustice suffer her to be sequestred from her louing fellowes into so extreeme miserie In these dolorous mournings did shee continue til on a night as shee was in her sorrowful supplications in rehearsing thys verse of the Psalme Why arte thou so heauie O my soule And againe The right hande of the most highest can chaunge all shee receiued comforte in the middest of her miseries And after that continued very ioyfull vntill her deliuerie from the same About the 25. day of March in the yeare of our Lorde 1557. shee was called before the Bishop who demaunded of her whether shee would nowe goe home and go to the church or no promising her great fauour if she woulde be reformed and doe as they did To whom she answered I am throughly perswaded by the great extremitie that you haue already shewed me that you are not of God neither can your doings be godly and I see sayeth she that you seeke my vtter destruction shewing how lame she then was of cold taken for lacke of foode while she lay in that painful prison whereby shee was not able to mooue her selfe without great paine Then did the bish deliuer her frō that filthy hole and sent her to Westgate whereas after she had bene changed and for a while ben cleane kept her skin did wholy so pill scale off as if she had bene with some mortal venome poysoned Heere she continued till the latter end of Aprill At which time they called her before them and with others condemned her committing her then to the prisone called the Castle Where shee continued till the slaughter daye which was the 19. day of Iune when by terrible fire they tooke away her life When she was at the stake she cast her handkerchiefe vnto one Iohn Bankes requiring him to kepe the same in the memorie of her and from about her middle she tooke a white lace which she gaue to the keeper desiring him to geue the same to her brother Roger Hall and to tell hym that it was the last band that she was bound with except the chaine A shilling also of Phillip and Mary shee tooke foorth which her father had bowed and sent her when shee was first sent to prison desiring that her said brother should with obedient salutations render the same to her father againe shew him that it was the first peece of mony that he sent her after her troubles begon which as shee protested she had kept now sent him to do him to vnderstand that shee neuer lacked money while shee was in prison With this Alice Benden were burned also the residue of the other blessed Martyrs aboue named being seuen in number Who being brought to the place where they shuld suffer for the Lordes cause at Canterbury vndressed them selues ioyfully to the fire and being ready thereto they all like the communion of Saints kneled downe and made their humble praiers vnto the Lorde with such zeale and affection as euen the enemies of the Crosse of Christ coulde not but like it When they had made inuocation together they roase and went to the stake where being compassed with horrible flames of fire they yeelded their soules and liues gloriously into the handes of the Lord. The burning of seuen Martyrs at Caunterburie The troubles and examinations of Mathew Plase VNto these holy martyrs of Kent aboue specified wher of seuen suffered at Maidstone and seuen at Canterb. I thought not vnmeete heere also to be adioyned the examination of Mathew Plase a Weauer of the same Countie of Kent and a faithful christian Who being apprehended and imprisoned likewise for the testimonie of a good conscience in the Castell of Canterbury was brought to examination before the Bishop of Douer and Harpsfield the Archdeacon as here is to be red and seene The examination and answeres of Mathewe Plase Weauer of the Parish of Stone in the Countie of Kent before Thornton Bishop of Douer Harpesfield Archdeacon Collins Commissarie other Inquisitours An. 1557. FIrst when I came before the bishop he asked me whether I were not of that Dioces and where I dwelt for that was my first Article Ans. I aunsweared I was of the Parishe of Stone in Kent and subiect vnto the King Queene of England Bish. Then he sayd I was indicted by xij men at Ashford at the Sessions for heresie Auns I sayd that was sooner sayd then prooued Bish. Then he sayde it was the truthe that he had spoken to me for he had whereby to prooue it Auns Then I desired him to let me heare it and I would answere to it Bish. But he sayd he would not so do but I should aunswere to my Article yea or nay Auns I said he could not for I was not at Ashforde and therfore he had nothing to lay to my charge But nowe I perceiue you goe about to lay a net to haue my bloud Arch. After many woordes betwixt the bishop and me the Archdeacon said peace peace we do not desire thy bloud but we are glad to heare that thou art no hereticke wyth many flattering woordes and said yet I was suspected of heresie and if I woulde be content to confesse howe I did beleeue as concerning those Articles they woulde gladly teache me Auns But I sayd I did not so thinke for I talked wyth one of your doctors and after long talke he would nedes know how I did beleeue in the Sacrament and I recited vnto him the text and because I would not make him an exposition he would teach me nothing yet I praied hym for my learning to wryte his minde if it were the truth I would beleeue him and this I did desire him for the loue of God but it would not be Arch. Then sayd he it was not so he durst sweare vpon a booke Auns I sayd it would be so prooued Arch. Then he stoode vp with a long processe and sayd he would tell me the truth and was sure that the same Doctour did beleeue as he did Auns I asked him how he knew that seing S. Paul doth say that no man knoweth what is in man but the spirite which dwelleth in him but if you wist what Christ meant by these woords I require mercy and not sacrifice you wold not kill innocents Bishop The Bishop began with me againe and charged me in the king and Queenes name and the Lord Cardinals to answere yea or nay to the Articles that followed Auns Then I commanded him in his name that should come in flaming fire with his mighty Aungels to render vengeance to the disobedient and to all those that beleued not the gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ which should be punished with euerlasting damnation that he should speake nothing but the truth grounded vpon Christ and
hys Apostles and then I would answer him or els not Bish. Then he was very angry and sayd if I would not answer he would condemne me in dede vnlesse I would answer euery Article Auns Wel said I if you do you shal be giltie of my bloud and prooue your selfe a murtherer Arch. Then the archdeacon tooke the articles in his hand red the seconde Article which was that I was a Christian man and did beleeue in theyr mother the Catholicke church and the determination thereof Auns I sayd I was a Christian man in deede and therefore they had nothing against me Arch. Thē said he what saiest thou to the catholicke church which hath so long cōtinued except it were 9. or 10. yeres that this heresie hath sprong vp here in this realme Auns I sayde no man can accuse me of any thing spoken against the catholicke church of Christ. Bish. Then saide the bish doest thou not beleue the Creede Ans. Yes verely I beleue my Creede all that is written in the Testamēt of Christ with the rest of the Scriptures Bish. Then sayth he thou doest confesse that there is a Catholicke church I am glad of that but tell me is the King and Queene of that Church or not Ans. Wel said I now I perceiue you go about to be both mine accuser also my iudge contrary to all right I confesse Christ hath a Church vpon earth which is built vpon the Apostles Prophets Christ being the head therof and as touching the King and Quene I answere I haue nothing to do with no mās faith but with my owne neither came I hether to iudge for I iudge not my selfe but the Lord must iudge me Bishop Then sayd he Is there no part of that church here in England Auns Well I perceiue you would faine haue some thing to lay to my charge I will tell you where Christ sayeth whereas two or three be gathered together in his name there is he in the middest among them Then the archdeacon stoode vp with his mockes to put me out of comfort said to the people that I had no wit but that I thought all they were deceiued so long time and that halfe a dosen of vs should haue the truth in a corner that al they should be deceiued with such like taunts and mockes but would not suffer me to speake one woord Arch. Then he red the Article of the Sacrament and said I did denie the reall presence to be in the Sacrament after it was once consecrated and that I sayde Christes body was in heauen no where els and that the bread was nothing but a signe token or remembrance Ans. Then I said you haue to shew where and what my woordes were and heereof we talked a great while Bish. At the last the bishop was so angrie that he charged me in the Kinges Queenes and Cardinals name before the Maior and his brethren taking them to witnesse if I did not say yea or nay he would condemne me Ans. Then I saide seeing you haue nothing to accuse me of wherefore should I so answer Arch. Then the archd said I was gilty and sayd I was like a thefe at the barre which would not cōfesse his fault because his accusers were not present with a great many wordes would not let me open my mouth against him Ans. Then I sawe where about they went graunting to answere them by the woorde or els I thinke they woulde haue cōdemned me for holding of my peace and this was my beginning I beleue that Christ tooke bread and when he had geuen thankes he brake it and gaue it to his disciples and sayde Take eate this is my body which is geuen for you this doe in remembrance of me Arch. Doest thou beleeue that Christ meant euen as he sayd Ans. I said Christ was no dissembler but he spake the very truthe Arch. Thou hast very well sayd we will make the best of thy words Then he praised me with many words going about to prooue it his body reall and substantiall and said Christ called himself bread and this to proue when Christ saide This is my body the breade was his body saide he in dede real substantial not so long so big as it hong on the Crosse as the Capernaites did thinke but we eate it as mās weake nature can eate Christ. Therfore when he had sayd This is my body the bread was his body in very dede Ans. Then I asked him what Christ meant by these wordes Which is geuen for you Arch. He saide Christ spake that by the bread also but it was not written in Mathew but Luke had those words Ans. Then I asked him if Christes bodye were made of bread that was geuē for our redemption or whether the bread was crucified for vs or not Arch. Then he sayd no by saint Mary I say not so Ans. You haue said the truth in dede euen as I beleue Arch. Then he stoode vp with a great many of words and sayd that I did think it but bare bread stil as other bread is but he was sure Christe called it his body and then it was his body in deede for he would beleeue Christ. Ans. When he had spoken his pleasure by me thinking to haue condēned me by their law I said he had not iudged right of mee for I hadde not so spoken but did beleue the wordes of Christ as well as he and as much as he coulde prooue by the woorde Arch. Then he would heare what I did say it was Ans. I said I did beleeue it was that he gaue them Arch. Then he asked me what it was that he gaue them Auns I sayd that which he brake Arch. Then he asked me what was that he brake Auns I sayd that he tooke Arch What was it that he did take Auns I sayd the text sayth he tooke bread Arch. Wel then thou sayest it was but bread that his Disciples did eate by thy reason Auns Thus much I say looke what hee gaue them they did eate in deede Arch Why then was not that his body that they did eate Auns It was that which he brake Arch. Well sayd he I perceiue thy meaning well inough for thou doest thinke it is but breade still and that hee was not able to make it his body Auns That is your exposition vpon my minde Arch. Then saide he what diddest thou receiue when thou diddest receiue last Auns I sayde I doe beleue that I did eate Christes flesh and drinke his bloud For he saith My flesh is meat in deede and my bloud is drinke in deede Arch Then he sayd I had well aunsweared thinking to haue had some aduauntage at my hand and praied me to tell him how I did eate his flesh and drinke his bloud Auns Then I sayde I must aunswer you by the woorde Christ sayeth He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloude dwelleth
deede these be the wordes of S. Paule Who so eateth of this bread and drinketh of this cuppe vnworthely eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because hee maketh no difference of the Lordes body that is because hee presumeth to eat the sacrament of the Lordes body without sayth making no difference betwixt the sacrament and other bread and drynke And that is S. Paules meaning and not that any man doth or can eate the body of Christ vnworthely For who soeuer eateth the body of christ hath euerlasting life as is aforesayd in the 6. of Iohn With which wordes one came from them to come to dinner in all the hast Gage I am sory I woulde fayne heare more of this talke but we shall haue an other day wel inough Lang. Nay M. Gage I will neuer talke with him more for he is the vnreasonablest man that euer I talked wyth in all my life Wood. Then M. Gage put of hys capp and desired hym that he would not refuse to talk with me and that it might not bee greeuous to hym For he sayde wee wyll seeke al the meanes possible to make him an honest man and to keepe him from burning if we coulde For if my brother and I had not bene he had bene burned ere this tyme. Thē there was great curtisie betwixt them Lang. Sir for your sake for my mayster your brothers sakes and for his fathers sake and other of his fryendes sakes that haue spoken to me many tymes with weeping teares I will doe the best to hym that I can but for no loue nor fauour that I beare to him I tell you truth Gage Woodman you heare what M.D. sayth When wyl you come agayne Wood. Euen when you will send for me For I am a prysoner and cannot come when I woulde Or if I shoulde desire to come it will cost me money and I haue none to geue but if you send for me it shall cost me none Gage Well I will send for you on Friday or Saterdaye at the farthest for to morow I must ride forth of towne I would fayne heare your talke Wood. Sir I would be very glad you should heare oure talke alway and I trust in God you shall heare me say no thing but the word of God shall be my warrant So M. Gage tooke his leaue and went his way to his lodgyng which was right in my way as I went vnto prisonward agayne and when hee came without my Lorde Mountagues gates there we met with one Hode of Buxted a Smith Then sayd M. Gage Gage Woodman I had forgot one thing that Hode hath brought me in remembraunce of as soone as I saw hym for hee heard when the tale was tolde me Gage Hode did not you heare when Smith of Framfield tolde me that hee sawe Woodman abroad in the Cittie at libertie Hoode Yea forsooth that I did Gage Yea surely and I was very glad for I had wel hoped you had bene conformable But I heard otherwise afterward agayne that you had leaue of the keeper to go abroad and speake openly in the streetes as you went vpp and downe Wood. In deede so the Marshall told me to day But in deed I was neuer abroad since I came to prison but whē I was sent for and in deede the same time I was abroad with my keeper comming from the Bysh. and as I was comming euen not farre from the Marshalsey I saw goodman Smith stād in a Wayne vnlading of Cheese I asked him how he did euen as I went by and neuer stayed for the matter and therupon it did rise So I departed frō them with my keeper to the Marshalsea agayne where I now am mery I prayse God therefore as a sheepe appoynted to be slayne * The fourthe examination of Richard Woodman had before the Byshop of Winchester the Byshop of Rochester and a certayn Doctour with diuers other Priests and Gentlemen the xxv day of May. Anno. 1557. Woodman I Was fet from the Marshalsea to the sayd Byshops and Priestes sitting in S. Georges Churche in Southwark by one of the Marshals men and one of the Sheriffes mē When I came before them and had done my duty to them as nigh as I could then sayd the Bishop of Winchester Winchester What is your name Wood. My name is Richard Woodman forsooth Winchester Ah Woodman you were taken and apprehended for heresie about a three yeares agone and were sente to prison in the kinges Bench and there remayned a long time Mine olde Lorde of Chichester being a learned famous man well knowne in this realme of England and almost throughout all Christendome I think came to prison to you and there and at other places called you before him diuers times trauayling and perswading with you many wayes because hee was your Ordinary to plucke you from your heresies that you held but he coulde by no meanes aduertise you Wherupon you were deliuered to the Commissioners and they could do no good with you neyther Then they sent you vnto my Lord of Lond. My Lorde of Lond. calling you before him diuers times labour was made vnto him of your frendes that you might be released My Lord hauing a good hope in you that you woulde become an honest man because he had heard so of you in tymes past yea you your selfe promising him that you would go home and recant your heresies that you held deliuered you sending also a letter of your recantation to the Commissary that he should see it done But as soone as you were out of his hands you were as bad as euer you were would neuer fulfill your promise but haue hid your selfe in the woodes Bushes Dennes Caues and thus haue continued euer since til it was now of late Thē the Sheriffe of that Shyre being a worshipfull man hearing thereof sent certayn of his mē took you in a wood so caried you to his house I cannot tell his name What is your Sheriffes name Wood. Forsooth his name is sir Edward Gage Winc. Well you were apprehended for heresie and beyng at M. Gages three weekes or more yee were gentlye entreated there he and other Gentlemen perswading wyth you diuers tymes little preuayled Then you appealed to the Bishop of Chichester that now is The Sheriffe like a worshipfull man sent you to him and he hath trauelled with you and other also can do no good with you whereupon we haue sent for you Wood. Then I spake to him For I thought he would be long before hee woulde make an end I thought hee was a yeare in telling of those lyes that he had told there agaynst me already Yea I kept silence from good wordes but it was great payne and griefe vnto me as Dauid sayd At length the fire was so kindled within my hart that I could not chuse but speake with my tongue for I feared least any of the company shoulde haue departed or
euer I had answered to his lyes and so the Gospell to haue bene sclaundered by my long silence keeping So I spake I prayse God therefore and sayd my Lorde I pray you let me now answere for my selfe for it is time Winchest I permit you to answere to these things that I haue sayd Wood. I thanke God therfore And I thinke my self happy as Paule sayd when hee was brought before king Agrippa that I may this day aunswere for my selfe My Lord I promise you there is neuer a worde of youre sayinges true that you haue alledged agaynst me Winch. I can not tell but thus it is reported of you As for me I neuer did see you before this day but I am sure it is not all lyes that I haue sayd as you report Wood. Yes my Lord there is neuer a true worde of that you sayd And â—urther where you sayd you neuer sawe me before this day you haue both heard me and seene me I dare say before this day Winchester I thinke I heard you in deede on Sondaye where you playd the malapart â—ellow but I cannot tell that I sawe you But I pray you were you not taken in the woodes by the Sheriffes men Wood. No sure I was taken besides my house I beyng in my house when they came wherefore that is not true Winchester Were not you at the Sheriffes 3. weekes Wood. Yes that I was a moneth iust and was gently entreated of him I can say no otherwise for I had meat and drinke inough and fayre wordes Winch. Ah. I am well appayd it is not all lyes then as it chaunced For I spake but of three weekes and you confesse a moneth your selfe Woodman Yet your tale is neuer the truer for that For you sayd I was there three weekes for heresie the whiche is not so For I was not apprehended for heresie at the first neither did mine olde Lorde of Chichester trauayle wyth me to pull me from heresie as you sayde for I helde none then neyther do I now as God knoweth neither was I sent to the Commissioners nor to the Bishop of London for heresie neyther was I deliuered to him for anye suche thing nor promised him to recant as you sayd I dyd Wherefore I maruaile you be not ashamed to tel so many lyes beyng a Byshoppe that should be an ensample to other Winch. Lo what an arrogant hereticke this same is He will deny God for he that denyeth his owne hand denieth God Wood. My Lord iudge not least you be iudged yourselfe For as you haue iudged me you shal be iudged if you repent not And if I haue set my hand to anye recantation let it be seene to my shame before this audience For I wil neuer deny myne owne hand by Gods helpe Win. It is not here now but I thinke it will be had wel enough but if it cannot be found by whom will you bee tryed Wood. Euen by my Lord of London for he delt like a good man with me in that matter that I was sente to pryson for For it was vppon the breache of a Statute as Mayster Sheriffe here can tell For he was Sheriffe then as hee is now can tell you how I was tossed vp and downe froÌ„ Sessions to Sessions and because I would not consent that I had offended therein they sent me to prison agayn Then my Lorde of Chichester being myne Ordinary and I being his tenaunt came to me to perswade wyth me that I should haue consented to them and to finde my selfe in fault where I was in none To the which I would not agree but I desired him that he would see me released of my wrong but he said he could not but willed me or my frendes to speake to the Commissioners for me because it was a temporall matter and when I came before them they sent me to my Lord of London and my Lord of London was certified by the handes of almost thirty meÌ„ both Esquiers Gentlemen and Yeomen the chiefest in all the country where I dwelt that I had not offended in that matter that I was sent to prison for Whereupon he deliuered me not willing me to recant heresies for I helde none as God knoweth neither do I nowe nor I knowe not wherefore I was sent to prison no more then anye man here knoweth for I was taken away from my worke Winch. No wherefore appealed you then to my Lorde of Chichester if it were not for heresie Wood. Because there was layde to my charge that I had Baptised children and maried folkes the whiche I neuer did for I was no where Minister Wherfore I appealed to mine Ordinarye to purge my selfe thereof as I haue Wherfore if any man haue any thing agaynst me let them speake for I came not hither to accuse my selfe neyther will I. Winch. Mayster Sheriffe can you tell vpon what breache of Statute he was sent to prison first The Sheriffe Yea forsooth my Lord that I can Wood. My Lord if you will geue me leaue I will shewe you the whole matter Winch. Nay M. Sheriffe I pray you tell the matter seeing you know it The Sheriffe My Lord it was for speaking to a Curate in the Pulpit as I remember Winc. Ah like enough that he would not sticke to reproue a Curate For did you not see how he fashioned himselfe to speake to me in the Pulpit on Sonday You played the maliperte fellowe with me and therfore it was no great maruell though he played that part with an other Woodman Why you will not blame me for that I am sure For we spake for no other cause but to purge oure selues of those heresies that you layd to our charge For these were your wordes Good people these men that bee brought before vs being here deny Christ to be God and the holy Ghost to be GOD poynting to vs with youre left hand the whiche might seeme to the whole audience that you ment vs all Wherefore to cleare our selues therof we spake and sayd we held no such thing And you sayd you would cut out our tongues But I am sure you haue no such law Win. Yes that we haue if you blaspheme and as it chaunced I found such amongest you Wood. In deede after we spake you declared who they were but not before for you spake generally Wherefore we blasphemed not but purged ourselues Winch. But I pray you how can you purge your selfe for speaking to the Curate that it is not heresie Wood. Forsooth these be the wordes of the Statute Who soeuer doth interrupt anye preacher or preachers lawfully authorised by the Queenes Maiestie or by any other lawfull Ordinary that all such shall suffer three monthes imprisonment and furthermore be brought to the quarter Sessions there being sory for the same to be released vpon his goodabering one whole yeare But I had not so offended as it was well proued For hee that I spake
ouer I founde by the wordes therof that I had not offeÌ„ded because he was not lawfully authorised as the Bishop of London was certified by the handes almost of xxx men both Esquiers Gentlemen and Yeomen the chiefest in all that Countrey For he had not put away his wife and therefore the Statute took no place on me as I told you the other daye Wherefore my Lord of London seeing me hauing so muche wrong dyd like a good man to me in that matter released me Now when I had tolde you this matter you bad the Sheriffe haue me away You sayd you were glad I hâ—lde agaynst Priestes Mariages because I aunswered to the question you asked me The fat Priest My Lord do you not heare what he sayth by my Lord of London He sayth he is a good man in that he released him but he meaneth that hee is good in nothyng els Wood. What can you tell what I meane let euerye man say as he findeth he did iustly to me in that matter I saye if he be not good in any thing els as you say he shal aunswere for it and not I for I haue nothing to doe wyth others mens matters Winc. Well how say you howe liked you his preaching I pray you tell vs. Wood. That is no matter how I liked it How soeuer I liked it I offended not the Statute Wherefore you haue nothing to say to me for that I am sure Winc. Well how like you this then Here is youre owne hand writing I am sure you will not denye it Will you looke on it Wood. It is mine owne handy worke in deede the which by Gods helpe I will neuer denye nor neuer did yet I prayse God therefore Winchester And heare is good geare I tell you I praye you harken wel to it these be the wordes before the Commissioners How say you Doe you not beleeue as soone as the wordes be spoken by the Priest that there remayneth neyther bread nor wyne but onely the verye bodye of Christ both flesh and bloud as he was borne of the virgine Mary these were the wordes of the Commissioners And then thou saydest thou durst not saye otherwise then the scripture sayth I cannot finde sayde you that it is the body of Christ before it is receaued by fayth bringing in the xxii of Luke saying Christ sayde take eate this is my body so I cannot proue that it is his bodye before it is eaten Then sayd the Commissioners did not Iudas eate Christes body And if you can proue that Iudâ—s is saued sayd you I must graunt that he eate his body For christ sayth in the sixt of Iohn Who so eateth my fleshe and drynketh my bloud hath eternall lyfe and I will rayse hym vp at the last day which words prooue said you that if Iudas eate the body of Christ he must needes be saued How say you now did Iudas eate the body of Christ or no Wood. Then I perceiued they went about nothyng but to catch words of me in his Dioces to condemn me with Though I should confound him neuer so much I perceiued that he was fully bent thereto To whom I answered and sayd I will answer you to no such thing for I am none of your Dioces Wherfore I will not answer to you Winchester Thou art within my Diocesse and thou hast offended within my Dioces and therefore I will haue to do with thee Wood. Haue to do with me and you will but I wil haue nothing to do with you I tell you plainly For though I be now in your Dioces I haue not offended in your dioces if I haue shew me wherein Winc. Mary here is thine owne hand writyng the which thou affirmedst in my Dioces Wood. I do not deny but it is myne owne hand writing but that prooueth neuer the more that I haue offended in your Diocesse for that doth but declare what talke there was betwixt the Commissioners and me the which you haue nothing to do withall Winchest No hold hym a booke and thou shalt sweare whether thou holdest it now or not whether thou wrotest it not in my Dioces as I thinke thou didst Lay thy hand on the booke Wood. I wil not be sworne for you for I am not of your Dioces and therfore you haue nothyng to doe with mee And as for the writing of that same I neuer wrote worde of it in your Dioces Lang. No did you not my Lord let me see I wyll finde where you wrote it Wood. Then he tooke it looked on it and anone he found that I was sent for out of the Kings bench to come before the Commissioners Lang. My Lord here you may see it was in the Kinges Bench the which is in your Dioces Wood. Although I were fet out of the Kings Bench that prooueth not that I wrote it there nor I did not I promise you truly The fat Priest Where wrote you it then Wood. Nay I owe you not so much seruice to tell you find it out as well as you can For I perceiue you go about to shed my bloud Winchester It is no great matter where it was written it is here and he denyeth not but he wrote it You shall heare more of it Here the Commissioners asked you whether Iudas did eate any more theÌ„ bare bread and you answered that he eate more then bare bread Whereupon they sent you away backe to the Kynges Bench agayne and asked you not what more for the whiche cause as you haue written here you had a hell burnyng in your conscience For you had thought they would haue sent a discharge to the Kinges Benche and so let me goe sayd you and Register my name in their bookes that I had graunted that Iudas did eate the body of Christe and so the Gospell should haue bene slaundered by me For the which cause I was in such case I could scantly eat drink or sleepe for that space as all my prison fellowes can testifie If al you I say that go to the Church of Sathan and there heare the detestable doctrine that they spit and spue out in their Churches and Pulpits to the great dishonor of God if all you I say that come there hadde such a hell burning in your conscience for the time as I hadde till I came before theÌ„ agayne had vttered my conscience more playnely I dare saye you woulde come there no more All this is your writing is it not how say you Woodman I do not deny but it was mine owne deed Winch. And I pray you where is there such spitting and spuing out of false doctrine as you speake of Wood. In the sinagogue of Sathan where God is dishonoured with false doctrine Winc. And I pray you where is one of them Wood. Nay that iudge your selfe I came not hether to be a iudge Winc. Wel here you haue affirmed that Iudas your M. eate more then bread
of the same towne which sayd Iohn Thurston afterwarde about the moneth of Maye in the yeare aforesayde dyed in Colchester Castle a constaunt confessour of Iesus Christ. ¶ The story and death of George Eagles otherwise termed Trudgeouer a most paynefull trauayler in Christes Gospell who for the same Gospell most cruelly was martyred by the cruell papistes AMong other Martirs of singular vertue and constancie one George Eagles deserueth not the least admyration but is so much the more to be commended for that he hauing little learning or none most manfully serued fought vnder the banner of Christes Churche For oftentimes the will and pleasure of God is to beautifie adorn his kingdome with the weake simple instruments of this world such as in the old Testament Amos was who with many other of obscure and vnknowne names were called from the heardes and soldes to the honour of Prophetes as likewise we read of the Apostles that were called from fishermens craft and put into churches Wherefore thys George Eagles is not to be neglected for his base occupation whome Christ called thence to set foorth and declare abroad his Gospell Rather we ought to glorifie GOD the more thereby in his holinesse whiche in so blinde a time inspired him with the gift of preaching and constancie of suffering who after a certayne time hee had vsed the occupation of a Taylor being eloquent and of good vtteraunce gaue and applyed himselfe to the profite of christes Church Which man as before in those moste bright and cleare dayes of king Edw. the 6. he had not vnfruitfully shewed and preached the power force of the Lorde so afterward in the tempestious time and fall of the churche at what tyme the confessours of Christ and hys Gospell were turmoyled diuers of thē murthered parte banished other some constrained for feare not to shew their heades he expressed and vttered his manly stomacke For he wandring abroad into diuers and farre Countryes where he could finde any of his brethren he did there moste earnestly encourage comfort them not tarying in this town and sometyme abidyng in that certayn mōthes together as occasion serued lodgyng sometyme in the Countrey sometime for feare liuing in fieldes woods who for his immoderate vnreasonable goyng abroad was called Trudgeouer Oftentimes he did lye abroad in the night without couert spending the most part thereof in deuout and earnest prayer His dyet was so aboue measure spare and sclender that for the space of three yeares he vsed for the moste parte to drinke nothing but very water whereunto he was compelled through necessitie of the time of persecution after whē he perceaued that his body by Gods prouidence proued well enough with this dyet he thought best to inure himselfe therwithall agaynst all necessities Now when he had profited Christes Churche in thys sort by going about and preaching the Gospell a yeare or two and especially in Colchester and the quarters therabout that priuie enemy which enuieth alwayes the saluation and blessed estate of the good lurketh layeth wait by all meanes possible for hym so that there were diuers espies sent out who had in commaundement where soeuer they found him to bring him eyther quicke or dead But when this their attempt could not preuayle but al was in vayne the sayd Eagles with his brethren keping in close and hiding themselues in out and darke places as in barnes thickets holes and priuy closets hys aduersaries wēt about an other way to compasse this theyr enterprise of taking him For in the Queenes name a greeuous Edicte was proclaymed throughout foure Shyres Essex Suffolke Kent and Northfolke promising the party that tooke him twenty pound for his paynes doubtles a worthy hyre to entice any Iew to treachery For being inflamed with greedy desire of the mony deuised and inuēted al waies and reasons they could possible to be enriched with the hurt and destruction of this sely man At length it came to passe that this George being seene by chaunce at Colchester vpō Mary Magdalens day at which tyme they kept a Fayre in the Towne should haue foorthw t ben deliuered to hys aduersaries if he perceiuing the same as God would haue it had not conueyed hymselfe away as fast as he could a great multitude pursuing after and seeking dilligently for him Who first hid hymselfe in a Groue and then from thence he stole into a corne field there by and so laye secretly couched from the vyolence of his enemies in so muche as they were all sauyng one past hope of taking him and therefore readye to depart their way This one hauing more subtilly and wicked craft in his head then the rest woulde not depart thence with his fellowes but climed vp into a high tree there to view espy if he might see Eagles any where stir or moue The poore man thinking al sure enough by reason that hee heard no noyse abroad rose vp vpon his knees and lifting vpp his hands prayed vnto God And whether it were for that hys head was aboue the corne or because his voice was heard the lurker perceiuing hys desired pray that hee hunted after forthwith came downe and sodaynly laying hands on him brought him as prisoner to Colchester Notwithstanding the gredy and Iudas knaue which had so much promised him was faine to be contented with a very smal reward and glad to take that too least he shoulde haue had nothing at all This George not without great lamentation of dyuers good men and great lacke vnto the Church of God of whiche to his power hee was a worthye instrument was committed to prison there and from thence wythin 4. dayes after conueyed to Chelmsford where he abode all that night in deuout prayer and would not sleepe neither would eat or drinke but bread and water The next day he was caryed to London to the Bishop or the Counsayle and there remayned a certayne time then was brought downe to Chelmsford to the Sessions and there was indited and accused of treason because hee had assembled cōpanyes together contrary to the lawes and statutes of the Realme in that case prouided For so it was ordayned a litle before to auoyd sedition that if men shoulde flocke secretly together aboue the number of six they shoulde be attached of treason which strayte lawe was the casting away of the good Duke of Somerset before mentioned And albeit it was well known that poore Eagles did neuer any thing seditiously against the Queene yet to cloke an honest matter withall and to cause hym to be the more hated of the people they turned religion into a ciuill offence and crime and though he defended his cause stoutly and boldly making a full declaration of his religion or fayth before the Iudges yet could he not bryng to passe by any meanes but that hee must neeedes be indicted as is sayd of treason whose inditement did runne muche after this fashion
geue away and not himselfe vse that his authoritye and power geuen him of God or lawfully may without offence to God and his people after knowledge thereof hadde suffer himselfe by fraud or guile or by any other vnlawfull meane to be beguiled defrauded and spoyled thereof and whether any subiect of what dignity estate or calling soeuer he or they be without offence to God and to his kinge to the minishing or derogating of the supreme prerogatiue roial of his king or of any part therof may do ought or after knowledge therof had without offence to God to his king may conceale the same 9. Whether the holy written law of God be geuen of God vnto all men of what dignity estate or calling by office soeuer they be aswell thereby to gouerne all theyr Dominions Regions and Countryes and theyr people therin inhabiting as themselues and whether any law or lawes the holy law of God onely excepted not being made within any Dominion Region or Country whereas it or they be vsed may be lawfully vsed before it or they be as the lawfull law or lawes of the same Dominion Region oâ— Countrey by publicke and common order of the same Dominion Region or Countrey lawfully allowed and whether any subiect without offence agaynst God and his king within the Dominion of his king may lawfully vse any such lawe or lawes not so allowed Emanuell ¶ Ascribe vnto the Lord O ye mighty ascribe vnto the Lord worship and strength geue the Lord the honor of his name and bow your selues to the holy maiesty of the Lord. I will harken what the Lord God will say for he shall speake peace vnto his people that they turne not themselues vnto foolishnes This 6. of Aprill 1557. By me Richard Gibson ¶ The death and Martyrdome of Iohn Rough Minister and Margaret Mearing burned at London the 22. of December IN this furious time of persecution were also burned these two constant and faythfull Martyrs of Christ Iohn Rough a Minister and Margaret Mearing This Rough was borne in Scotland who as himselfe confesseth in his aunsweres to Boners Articles because some of his kinsfolke woulde haue kept hym froÌ„ his right of inheritaunce which he had to certaine landes did at the age of xvij yeares in despite and the rather to displease his frendes professe himselfe into the order of the blacke Friers at Sterling in Scotlande where he remained the space of xvj yeres vntill such time as the Lord Hamulton Earle of Arren and gouernour of the Realme of Scotland aforesayde casting a fauour vnto hym did sue vnto the Archbishop of Saynt Andrewes to haue him out of his professed order that as a Seculare Prieste he might serue hym for his Chapleine At which request the Archbishoppe caused the Prouincial of that house hauing thereto authority to dispence with hym for his habite and order This sute beyng thus by the Earle obteined the sayde Rough remayned in his seruice one whole yeare duryng which time it pleased God to open his eyes and to geue him some knowledge of his truth and thereupon was by the sayd gouernour sent to preach in the freedome of Ayre where he continued foure yeares and then after the death of the Cardinall of Scotland he was appoynted to abyde at S. Andrewes and there had assigned vnto him a yearely pension of xx pound from king Henry the eight Kyng of England Howbeit at last waying with himselfe hys owne dauÌ„ger and also abhorring the Idolatry and superstition of this countrey and hearing of the freedome of the Gospell within this Realme of England he determyned with himselfe not to tary any longer there And therefore soone after the battel of Muscle bourough he came first vnto Carliell and from thence vnto the Duke of Somerset then Lord Protectour of England and by his assignment had appoynted vnto him out of the Kinges treasurye xx poundes of yearely stipend and was sent as a Preacher to serue at Carliell Barwicke and Newcastell From whence after he had there according to the lawes of God and also of this Realme taken a countrey woman of hys to wife he was called by the Archbyshoppe of Yorke that then was vnto a benefice nighe in the Towne of Hull where he continued vntill the death of that blessed good king Edward the 6. But in the beginning of the reigne of Queene Marye perceyuyng the alteration of Religion and the persecution that woulde thereupon arise and feeling hys owne weakenes he fled with his wife into Friseland dwelte there at a place called Norden labouring truely for his liuing in knitting of Cappes hose and such like thinges till about the end of the moneth of October last before hys death At which tyme lacking yearne and other suche necessary prouision for the mainteinaunce of his occupation he came ouer againe into England here to prouide for the same and the x. daye of Nouember arriued at London Where hearing of the secret society and holy Congregation of Gods children there assembled he ioyned himselfe vnto them and afterwardes being elected theyr Minister and Preacher did continue moste vertuously exercised in that Godly felowshippe teaching and confirming them in the trueth and Gospell of Christ. But in the ende suche was the prouidence of God who disposeth all thinges to the best the xij day of December he with Cutbert Symson and others through the crafty and trayterous suggestion of a false Hipocrite and dissembling Brother called Roger Sergeaunt a taylour were apprehended by the Uicechamberlayne of the Queenes house at the SaraceÌ„s head in Islington where the Congregation had theÌ„ purposed to assemble themselues to theyr Godly and accustomable exercises of prayer and hearing the word of God which pretence for the safegarde of all the rest they yet at theyr examinations couered and excused by hearing of a playe that was then appoynted to be at that place The Uicechamberlayne after he had apprehended them caried â—ough and Symson vnto the Counsell who charged theÌ„ to haue assembled together to celebrate the Communion or Supper of the Lord and therefore after sundry examinations and aunsweares they sent the sayd Rough vnto Newgate but his examinations they seÌ„t vnto the bishop of London with a Letter signed with they handes the copy wherof foloweth ¶ A Letter sent from the Queenes Councell vnto Boner Bishop of London touching the examination of Iohn Rough Minister AFter our harty commendations to your good Lordship we send you here inclosed the examination of a Scottish man named Iohn Rough who by the Queenes Maiesties commaundement is presentlye sent to Newgate beyng of the chiefe of them that vpon Sonday last vnder the colour of comming to see a Play at the Saracens head in Islington had prepared a communion to be celebrated and receiued there among certayne other seditious and hereticall persons And forasmuch as by the sayde Roughes examination conteining the story and progresse
haue done But within two or three dayes after he was brought forth into the Court where he beganne to demaunde hys goodes and because it was a deuise that well serued their turne without any more circumstance they bad him saye his Aue Maria. The party began said it after this maner Aue Maria gratia plena Dominus te cum benedicta tu in mulieribus benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus Amen The same was written word by word as hee spake it and without anye more talke of clayming his goodes because it was booteles they commaunde him to prison agayne and enter an action agaynst him as an hereticke for asmuch as he did not say his Aue Maria after the romish fashion but ended it very suspiciously for he should haue added moreouer Sancta Maria mater Dei ora pro nobis pecca toribus by abbreuiating whereof it was euident enough sayd they that he did not allow the mediation of saintes Thus they picked a quarrell to deteine him in prison a longer season and afterwardes brought him forth into their stage disguised after theyr manner where sentence was geuen that he should loose all the goodes whiche he sued for though they were not his own and besides this suffer a yeares imprisonment ¶ The Martyrdome of an other Englishman in Spayne AT what tyme this blessed Martyr of Christe suffered which was the yeare of our Lord .1560 December 22. there suffered also an other Englishman with other xiii one of them being a Nunne an other a Fryer both constant in the Lord. Of which xiii read before pag. 934. * Iohn Baker and Willam Burgate Martyrs IOhn Baker and William Burgate bothe Englishmen in Cales in the countrey of Spayne were apprehended and in the Citty of Siuill burned the second day of Nouember ¶ Marke Burges and William Hoker Martyrs MArke Burges an Englishman Mayster of an English ship called the Minion was burned in Lushborn a citty in Portingale an 1560. William Hoker a young manne about the age of xvi yeares being an Englishman was stoned to death of certayne young men there in the Citty of Siuill for the confession of his fayth an 1560. But of these and such other actes and matters paste in Spayne because they fell not within the compasse of Q. Maryes raygne but since her tyme an other place shall serue hereafter the Lord willing to entreat more at large of the same when we come to the yeares and raygne of the Queene that now is where we haue more conueniently to inferre not onely of these matters of the Martyrs wherof somewhat also hath bene touched before pag. 907. but also of the whole Inquisition of Spayne and Plackarde of Flanders with the tragical tumults troubles happening wtin the last memory of these our latter dayes according as it shall please the mercy of the Lord to enable our endeuor with grace and space to the accomplishment therof ¶ A chapter or treatise concerning such as were scourged and whipped by the Papistes in the true cause of Christes Gospel ANd thus through the mercifull assistaunce and fauourable ayd of Christ our Sauiour thou hast as in a generall Register good Reader the story collected if not of all yet of the most part or at least not many I trust omitted of such good Sayntes and Martyrs as haue lost theyr lyues and geuen theyr bloud or dyed in prison for the testimony of Christes true doctrine and sacramentes from the time of the cruell Statute first geuen out by king HeÌ„ry the 4. Ex officio pag. 523. vnto this present tyme especially vnder the raygne of Queene Mary Now after this bloudy slaughter of GODS good sayntes and seruauâ—tes thus ended and discoursed let vs proceede by the good pleasure of the Lord somewhat like wise to entreate of such as for the same cause of Religyon haue bene although not put to death yet whipped and scourged by the aduersaryes of Gods worde first begynning with Richard Wilmot and Thomas Farefaxe who about the tyme of Anne Aschue wer pittifully rent tormented with scourges and stripes for theyr faythfull standing to christ and to hys truth as by the story and examination both of the sayde Rich. Wilmot and of Thomas Farefaxe nowe following may appeare The scourging of Richard Wilmot and Thomas Fayrefaxe AFter the first recantation of Doct. Crome for his Sermon which he made the fift Sonday in Lent at Saint Thomas Acons being the mercers Chappell his Sermon was on the Epistle of the same day written in the x. chap. to the Hebrues wherein he proued very learnedly by the same place of Scripture and others that Christ was the onely and sufficient Sacrifice vnto God the Father for the sinnes of the whole world and that there was no more sacrifice to be offered for sinne by the Priestes for as muche as Christ had offered his body on the Crosse and shed his bloud for the sinnes of the people that once for all For the which Sermon he was apprehended of Boner brought before Stephen Gardyner other of the Counsell where he promised to recant his Doctrine at Paules Crosse the second Sonday after Easter And accordingly he was there Preached Boner with all his Doctours sitting before him but he so Preached and handled his matter that he rather verified his former saying then denyed any parte of that which he before had Preached For the whiche the Protestantes praysed God and hartely reioysed But Byshop Boner with his Champions were not therewith pleased but yet notwithstanding they had hym home with them so handled him amongest the woluish generation that they made him come to the Crosse agayne the next Sonday And because the Magistrates shoulde now heare him be witnesses of this recantation which was moste blasphemous to deny Christes sacrifice to be sufficient for penitent sinners to say that the sacrifice of the Masse was good godly and a holy sacrifice propitiatorye and auayleable both for the quicke and the deade Because I saye that they would haue the nobles to heare this blasphemous doctrine the viperous generation procured all the chiefe of the Counsell to be there present Nowe to come to our matter at this tyme the same weeke betweene his first Sermon and the last and while Doct. Crome was in duraunce one Rich. Wilmot being Prentise in Bow lane being of the age of eighteene yeares and sytting at his worke in his Maysters shop the Tuesday in the moneth of Iuly One Lewes a WelchmaÌ„ being one of the Garde came into the shoppe hauing things to doe for himselfe One asked him what newes at the Court and he answered that the old hereticke D. Crome had recanted now in deede before the Counsell and that he should on Sonday nexte bee at Paules Crosse agayne and there declare it Then Wilmot sitting at his Maysters worke hearing hym speake these
euermore be praysed Amen ¶ Lady Kneuet in Northfolke AMong the number of the godly that were kept vnder the prouidence of the Lord in those perillous dayes I may not forget an auncient good Lady of much worship called Lady Anne Kneuet who till her death dwelte in Norfolke in a towne named Wimonâ—ham vj. miles from Norwich Which sayd good Lady in Queen Maries days beyng iudged by the common people more then an hundreth yeare of age and by her owne estimation well towards a C. kept her selfe from their popish church or hauyng any papisticall trash ministred in her house but only the seruice that was vsed in the latter dayes of K. Edward the 6. which daily she had sayd before her either by one M. Tollin who was then by Gods prouidence preserued in her house or els by one of her Gentlewomen or houshold seruant that could serue the place in the sayd M. Tollins absence Now this worshipfull Lady continuing in this maner of true seruyng of God she and her familie were many tymes threatened by messengers that the Bish. would visite her therfore Unto which messengrs she would always answer that if his Lordship sent word before what day he would come he should thereafter be entertained at her hand But God whose prouidence ruleth the ragyng seas neuer suffred them al that toyling tyme to molest her Although oftentimes wheÌ„ she had seruice before her there were very great enemies to the truth and of much authoritie that came in and kneled to prayer among them and yet had no power to trouble her therfore This good Lady gentle Reader kept good hospitalitie as any in that countrey of her liuyng She also succored many persecuted that came to her house in the said M. Maries dayes Were they neuer so simple they were esteined of her as the frends of the gospel and departed not froÌ„ her without money and meat Borne she was long before K. Edward the 4. dyed and ended her life in the Lord Iesus peace about the beginning of the 2. yeare of our most soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeths raigne as one fallyng into a most sweete sleepe Unto whom not vnworthely may bee compared the Lady Elizabeth Uane who likewyse beyng a great harborer and supporter of the afflicted Martyrs and Confessors of Christ was in great â—assards daungers of the enemies and yet notwithstandyng thorough the mercifull prouidence of the Lord remained still vntouched Of this Lady Uane thou shalt read before ¶ Iohn Dauis of the age of twelue yeares and vnder AN Dom. 1546. and the last yeare of King Henry the 8. Iohn Dauis a child of xij yeares vnder who dwellyng in the house of M. Iohnson Apothecarie in the toune of Worcester his vncle vsing sometymes to read of the testament and other good English bookes was complained of by Alice Iohnson his maistresse which Alice beyng an obstinate person consulted with one Tho. Parton one Alice wyfe to Nich. Brooke Organemaker with certaine of the Canons and M. Iohnson Chancellor to D. Heath their Bish. The meanes wherby he was entrapped was wrought by the foresayd Alice Brooke who procured Olyuer her sonne schoolefellow with the sayd Iohn Dauis to faine friendship with hym and vnder pretence to be instructed to see his English bookes and especially to gette some thyng of his writyng against the vj. Articles Which beyng had was soone brought to the Canons of the church and the Chauncellor Wherupon Tho. Parton whether beyng sent or of his owne mynd came to apprehend him and his Uncle was forced agaynst his will to bynde the poore boyes armes behynd him and so hee was brought to the Officers of the towne where he lay from the 14. of August till the last of September Then was he commaÌ„ded to the Free mans prison where one Rich. Howborough commyng to perswade him from burnyng willed hym to prooue first with a candle who then holdyng hys finger and the other the candle vnder it a good space yet as the partie hymselfe to me assureth felte no burnyng therof neither would the other that held the candle beleue hym a great while til he had looked and saw no skorching of the candle at all appeared Then was the child remooued from thence to an inner prison called Peepehole where the lowe Bailiffe called Rob. Youl l layd vpon hym a paire of bolts so that he could not lift vp his small legs but leanyng on a staffe slipt theÌ„ forward vpon the ground the coldnesse of which irons he feeleth yet in his anckles and shall so long as he lyueth with these bolts his lying was vpon the cold ground hauyng not one locke of strawe nor cloth to couer him saue onely two sheepe skins neither durst father nor mother or any of his friends come at hym Besides this and many great threates of the papists there was a mad man put to hym in the prison with a knife about hym wherewyth he oft tymes in his frantike rage profered to thrust hym in After this came to him one Iolyfe and N. Yewer two Canons which had his writings against the sixe Articles and his Ballet called Come downe for all your shauen crowne to see whether he would staÌ„d to that he had writen Which done with many great raging wordes not long after sate M. Iohnson the Chancellour in the Guild hall vpon the poore lad Where first were brought in hys accusers and sworne then were sworn also 24. men which went on his Quest and found hym guiltie but hee neuer came before the Chancellor Upon this he was sent to the common Gaole among thieues and murtherers there to tary the commyng of the iudges and so to be had straight to execution But the mighty mercy of the Lord who helpeth the desolate miserable when all other helpe is past so prouided for this silly condemned lad that the purpose of all his hard harted enemies was disappointed For before the Iudges came God tooke away Henry the 8. out of this lyfe By reason whereof the force of the lawe was then staied howbeit he was neuerthelesse arraigned beyng holden vp in a mans armes at the Barre before the Iudges who were Portman and Maruen Which when they perceiued that they could not burne him would haue hym presently whipped But M. Iohn Bourne Esquire declared to the Iudges how hee had whipping enough After that hee had lyen a weeke more in prison had hym home to hys house his wyfe annoynted his legs her selfe with ointment which then were stiffe and nummed with irons till at length when M. Bourne and his wyfe sawe they could not winne hym to the beliefe of their Sacrament they put him away least he should infect their sonne Anthony as they thought with heresie Thus Iohn Dauis of the age aforesayde in what damage he was for the Gospell ye see and howe the Lorde preserued hym ye vnderstand He endured in prisone from the 14. day of August till within seuen dayes
immediatly and I am sure you receiued them for I committed the truste of them to no worsse man but to Mayster Solicitour and I shall make you an example to all Lyncolnshyre for your obstinacy M. Berty denying the receipt of any humbly prayed his Lordship to suspend his displeasure the punishment till he had good trial therof then if it pleased him to double the payne for the fault if any were Well quoth the Byshoppe I haue appoynted my selfe this day according to the holines of the same for deuotion and I will not further trouble me with you but I enioyn you in a thousand pouÌ„d not to depart without leaue and to be here againe to morow at 7. of the clocke M. Berty well obserued the houre and no â—ote â—ayled At whiche time the B. had with him M. Seriant Stampford to whoÌ„ he moued certayn questions of the sayd M. Berty because M. Serieaunt was towardes the Lorde Wriothesley late Earle of Southhampton and Chauncellour of England with whom the said M. Berty was brought vp M. Seriant made very frendly report of M. Berty of hys owne knowledge for the time of theyr conuersation together Wherupon the Bishop caused M. Berty to be brought in and first making a false trayne as God would without fire before he woulde descend to the quarrell of Religion he assaulted him in this maner Winch. The Queenes pleasure is quoth the Byshoppe that you shall make present payment of 4000. pound due to her father by Duke Charles late husband to the Duchesse your wife whose executor she was Bert. Pleaseth it your Lordshippe quoth M. Berty that debt is estalled and is according to that estallement truly aunswered Winch. Tush quoth the Byshop the Queene will not be bounde to estallementes in the time of Kettes gouernement for so I esteme the late gouernement Bert. The estallement quoth M. Berty was appoynted by king Henry the 8. besides the same was by speciall coÌ„missioners confirmed in king Edwardes tyme and the Lord treasurer being an executor also to the Duke Charles soly and wholly tooke vpon him before the sayd Commissioners to discharge the same Winch. If it be true that you saye quoth the Byshoppe I will shew you fauor But of an other thing M. Berty I will admonish you as meaning you well I heare euill of your Religion yet I hardly can thinke euil of you whose mother I know to be as Godlye and Catholicke as any within this Lande your selfe brought vp with a mayster whose education if I should disallow I might be charged as author of his errour Besides partly I know you my selfe and vnderstande of my frendes enough to make me your frend wherefore I will not doubt of you but I pray you if I may aske the question of my Ladye your wife is she now as ready to set vp the Masse as she was lately to pull it downe when she caused in her progresse a dog in a Rochet to be caried called by name or doth she think her lambes now safe enough which sayd to me wheÌ„ I vailed my bonnet to her out of my chamber window in the tower that it was mery with the lambes now the Wolfe was shut vp Another time my Lord her husband hauing inuited me and diuers Ladies to dinner desired euery Lady to choose him whom she loued best and so place themselues My Ladye your wife taking me by the hande for that my Lord would not haue her to take himselfe sayd that for so much as she could not sit downe with my Lord whom she loued best she had chosen me whom she loued worst Of the deuise of the Dogge quoth M. Berty she was neither the author nor the allower The wordes though in that season they sounded bitter to your Lordship yet if it should please you without offence to know the cause I am sure the one will purge the other As touching setting vp of Masse which she learned not onely by strong perswasions of diuers excellent learned men but by vniuersall consent and order whole vj. yeares past inwardly to abhorre if she should outwardly allowe she should both to Christ shew her selfe a false Christian and to her prince a masquing subiect You know my Lord one by iudgemeÌ„t reformed is more worth then a thousand transformed teÌ„porizers To force a confession of Religion by mouth coÌ„trary to that in the hart worketh damnation where saluation is pretended Yea mary quoth the Bishop that deliberation would do well iâ— she neuer required to come from an old Religion to a new But now she is to returne from a newe to an auncient Religion Wherin when she made me her gossip she was as earnest as any For that my Lord sayd M. Berty not long sithen she aunswered a frend of hers vâ—ing your Lordships speach that Religion went not by age but by truth and therefore she was to be turned by persuasion and not by commaundement I pray you quoth the Bishop thinke you it possible to persuade her Yea verely sayd M. Berty with the truth for she is reasonable enough The bishop thereunto replying sayd it will be a maruellous griefe to the Prince of Spayne and to all the nobility that shall come with him when they shall finde but two noble personages of the spanish race within this laÌ„d the Queene and my Lady your wife and one of theÌ„ gone from the fayth M. Berty aunswered that he trusted they should find no fruites of infidelity in her So the Bishop perswading M. Berty to trauell earnestly for the reformation of her opinion and offring large frendship released him of his bande from further appearaunce The Duchesse and her husband dayly more and more by their frendes vnderstanding that the Bishop meant to call her to an accouÌ„t of her fayth whereby extremity might followe deuised wayes how by the Queenes licence they might passe the Seas M. Berty had a ready meane for there rested great summes of mony due to the old Duke of Suffolke one of whose executers the Duches was beyond the Seas the Emperour himselfe being one of those debters M. Berty communicated this his purposed sute for licence to passe the Seas and the cause to the Bishop-adding that he tooke this time most meet to deale with the Emperour by reason of likelyhoode of Mariage betwene the Queene and his sonne I like your deuise well quoth the bishop but I think it better that you tary the Princes comming and I will procure you his letters also to his father Nay quoth M. Berty vnder your Lordships correction and pardon of so liberall speache I suppose the tyme will then be lesse conuenient for when the Mariage is coÌ„suÌ„mate the Emperour hath his desire but till then he will refuse nothing to win credit with vs. By S. Mary quoth the Bishoppe smiling you gesse shrewdly Well proceed in your sute to the Queene and it shall not lacke my helping hand M.
with him that night but committed him to the Clinke tyl Tuesday after * The first examination of Thomas Rose before Winchester at saint Mary Oueryes ON Thursday being brought before the B. of Winchester at S. Mary Oueries the said Tho. Rose spake as followeth Rose It maketh me to maruayle my Lord quoth he that I should be thus troubled for that which by the worde of God hath bene established by the lawes of this Realme allowed by your own writing so notably in your booke De vera obedientia confirmed Bysh. Ah sirha hast thou gotten that Rose Yea my Lord I thanke God and do confesse my self much thereby confirmed For as touching the doctrine of the supremacie agaynst the B. of Romes vsurped authoritie no man hath sayde further And as I remember you confesse in it that when this truth was reuealed vnto you you thought the scales to fall from your eyes Bishop Thou lyest like a varlet there is no such thinge in my booke but I shall handle thee and suche as thou art well enough I haue lōg looked for thee at length haue caught thee I will knowe who be thy maynteiners or els I will make thee a foote longer Rose My Lord you shall doe as much as pleaseth God no more yet the lawe is in our hand but I haue God for my maynteiner none other At these wordes one of his seruāts stepped forth and said my lord I heard this man preach by Norwich in sir Iohn Robsters house in hys praier he desired God to turne Q. Maries hart or elles to take her out of the world and this was in K. Edw. time Rose My Lord I made no such prayer but next after the king I prayed for her after this sort saying Ye shall pray for my Lady Maries grace that God wil vouchsafe to indue her with his spirite that she graciously may perceiue the misteries conteined within his holy lawes and so render vnto him her hart purified with true fayth true loyall obedience to her soueraigne lord and king to the good ensample of the inferiour subiects And this my Lord is already aunswered in mine own hand writing to the counsel Unto this he sayd little but turning his face to certayne that were by him This is he quoth the Bishop that my Lord of Norwich told me had begotten his mayd with chylde Rose This is no heresie my Lord although it be a lye In deed certayn wicked persons raysed this report of me for the hatred they bare to the doctrine whiche I preached but for purgatiō of my self herein I had no lesse then 6. of the counsails hands that there might be due dilligent examination for this matter in the country by men of worship appointed for that purpose who can al testifie I thank god that I am most cleare frō such wickednes in deede they haue cleared me frō it therfore I doubt not but all good mē will espye the mischieuous deuise of mine aduersaryes whych when other wayes fayled by such sinister means went about to draw me into discredite hatred but God which is the helper of the innocēt searcher of mens harts hath doth defend me hath layd open thinges that wer hid to their shame One of the chief reporters of this that I should so abuse my self was one M. Clarke seruaunt in some estimation with the old Lord Treasurer of England reputed taken for a coniurer who afterwards for his good demerites hanged himself in the Tower Then the bishop commanded that I shoulde be caryed to the tower be kept safely where I did lye til it was the weeke before Whitsōtide Before which time I was twise called when as the bish came to the tower about other prisoners Notwythstanding the B. had no great talk with me but spake frēdly Howbeit one sir Rich. Southwell knight still accused me for my prayer sayde I did put a difference betwixte Lady Mary Lady Elizabeth for that I prayed in king Edwardes fayth prayed that he would confirme Lady Elizabeth in that which was well begō in her Unto this the bish sayde little but in the weeke before Pentecost I was conueyed from the tower to Norwich there to be examined by the bish and his clergy as concerning my faith the maner wherof here followeth ¶ The second examination of Tho. Rose before the bishop of Norwiche Hopkins by name in his owne Palace in the presence of sir William Woodhouse knight M. Stewarde the Chauncellor Doct. Barret with diuers others the Wednesday in Whitson weeke an Domini 1553. AFter I was presented by my keeper the bishop immediately asked me what I was I told him I had bene a Minister Bishop What is this to the purpose were yee a Fryer or a Priest Rose Fryer was I neuer but a Prieste haue I bene and beneficed by the kinges Maiesty Byshop Where were ye made Priest Rose In Exceter in the county where I was borne Thē the bishop required of me my letters of orders I told hym I knew not where they were become for they wer things of me not greatly regarded Byshop Well you are sent to me to be examined what say you will you submit your selfe to the order of the Churche of England Rose My Lord I trust I am not out of the order of chrystes Church in England neither do I knowe my selfe an offender there agaynst Bysh. What ye◠ye haue here preached moste damnable deuilish doctrine Rose Not so my lord The doctrine by me here preached was both true sincere holy But in deede the doctrine that is now set forth is most wicked and damnable yea that both agaynst Gods lawes mans But as for the doctrin by me preached it is grounded vpon the word of God set out also by the authoritie of two most mighty kings with the consent of all the Nobilitie and clergy of the same so that I preached nothing but their lawfull proceedinges hauing their lawfull authoritie vnder their broad Seales for confirmation of the same for which my doyng ye cannot iustly charge me For why sithens the lawe ceased I haue kept silence so that the Counsaile which sent me vnto you haue not charged me therwith Wherefore ye doe me open wrong to burden me with that wherein I am free Chanc. What sir ye are very captious answerest thou my Lord after such a sort Rose Syr sayd I I aunswere for my selfe and accordyng to the truth wherwith ye ought not to be offended if ye be of God Chaunc Thou art an euill man Wast thou not abiured before now Rose No ye vntruely report me and are in no wise able to proue that whiche ye haue spoken so that your wordes appeare to proceede altogether of malice whiche I haue not deserued at your handes But in this I well perceiue ye are made an instrument to vtter other mennes malice conceiued of olde Chaunc
Mathew Butler sworne for the purpose ¶ The names of such as fled out of the Towne and lurked in secret places S. Mary Tower Robert Partriche Rose Nottingham daughter of William Nottingham the elder S. Laurence Anne Fenne seruaunt to Robert Nottingham Andrewe Yngforbye his wife and daughter Thomas Thompson shomaker supposed to haue receiued but twise these 17. yeares Marten Algate lockesmith his wife S. Margarets William Pickesse Tanner Iohn Whoodles Couerlet weauer and his wife William Harset Bricklaier Thomas Fowler Shomaker W. Wright his wife at the Wind mill Laurence Waterwarde late Curate borne in a towne called Chorley in Lankeshire S. Nicholas Widowe Swaine Mathew Birde and his wife Stephen Greenwich and his wife Wil. Colman seruant to the sayde Stephen Robert Colman and his wife Roger Laurence alià s Sparow Iohn Carelton Sadler William Colman Iames Hearst his wife S. Peters Richard Houer apprentise with Nicholas Nottingham Rich. Hedley a seller of hereticall bookes S. Stephens Iames Bockyng Shoomaker his wyfe Iohn Rawe late seruant to Iames Ashley William Palmer seruants to Steuen Grene Shomaker Rich. Richman seruants to Steuen Grene Shomaker Iohn Deersley seruants to Steuen Grene Shomaker Rich. Richman Shoomaker his wife daughter to mother Fenkell Midwyfe S Cleâ—â—â—tes Mistresse Tooley who departed to Darsham in Suff. Agnes Wardal the elder widowe Robert Wardal her sonne Iohn Shoomaker and his wife The names of such as haue not receiued the Sacrament S. Clementes Robert Bray Iohn Nottingham Agnes Wardal wife of Robert Wardal Nicholas Nottingham Richard Mitchel William Iordane his wife Richard Butteral Robert Browne S. Peters Iohn Reade Thomas Spurdance Iohn seruaunt to Stephen Grinleffe S. Stephens Robert Scolding S Margarets Iohn Greenewich and his wife S. Nicholas Thomas Sturgeon Mariner Iohn Finne his wife S. Mary 〈◊〉 Robert Branstone brother and seruaunte to William Branstone S. Mary Tower Marten Iohnson who lieth bedrede Agnes his keeper seruaunts to Rob. Nottingham Bent Alceede seruaunts to Rob. Nottingham S Laurence Robert Sylke his sonne S. Mary at Elmes Iohn Ramsey and his wife now in prisone Names of such as obserue not Ceremonies S. Clementes Robert Cambridge refused the Paxe Robert Brage his wife refused to suffer anye childe to be dipped in the Font. Ioane Barber widowe refused to beholde the eleuation of the sacrament Thomasine her Daughter refused to beholde the eleuation of the sacrament Mistresse Ponder mother to Ioane Barber in the same fault Tie a Mariner his wife S. Mary at Elmes Richarde Hawarde refused the Paxe at Masse in S. Laurence M. Lyons at Masse at Saint Mary Stoke refused the Paxe S. Peters Mother Fenkel refuse to haue Childrenne dipped in Fontes Ioan Warde alias Bentleys wife refuse to haue Childrenne dipped in Fontes S. Stephens Mother Beriffe Midwife refuseth to haue childreÌ„ dipped in Fontes S. Nicholas George Bushe his wife reiected the Hoaste after receit of it Names of priestes wiues that haue accesse to their husbandes Rafe Carleton his wife Curate of S. Mathewes and S. Mary at Elmes Elizabeth Cantrel wife to Rafe Cantrel Iane Barker wife to Roberte Barker Prieste late of Burie Latimer his wife curate of S. Laurence and S. Stephens William Clearke his wife late Curate of Barkeham and S. Mary at Elmes Names of mainteiners against this complaint Robert Sterop Customer to Queene Marie Gilbert Sterop deputie to Edwarde Grimstone Esquier for his Butlerage Maister Butler the elder Searcher Maistresse Tooly swellynge by muche ritchesse into wealth Margaret Bray who also presumeth vppon the office of a Midwife not called S. Clementes Ioane Barber widowe practisinge muche wholesome counsell S. Mary keye Mistresse Birde practisinge muche wholesome counsell Bastian Mannes wife and him selfe more riche then wise Their requests to punish and conuent certaine whose ensample might reuerse other from their opinions as To conuent Richard Birde gailer who by euill counsel doth animate his prisoners of his secte Also for that he with his wife did checke vs openly with vnseemely woordes tending almost to a tumult To conuente Thomas Sadler for certaine woordes spoken to Iohn Bate the Crier of the towne the sixte of Maye That it might please the Bishop to wish his Commissarie and Officiall to be vpright and diligente in theyr office and to appoynt a Curate of more abilitie to feede his cure wyth Gods woorde That none may be suffred to be midwiues but such as are Catholicke because of euill counsell at suche times as the necessitie of womennes trauaile shall require a number of women assembled That Rafe Carleton Curate may be conuented whether by corruption of mony he hath ingrossed his boke of any that are there named and hathe not receyued in deede as it is reported The myraculous preseruation of Lady Elizabeth nowe Queene of England from extreme calamitie and danger of life in the time of Q. Marie her sister BUt when all hath beene sayde and tolde what soeuer canne be recited touching the admyrable woorking of Gods present hande in defending and deliuering any one person oute of thraldome neuer was there since the memorie of oure fathers any example to be shewed wherein the Lordes mightye power hathe more admirably blessedly shewed it selfe to the glory of his owne name to the comforte of all good heartes and to the publicke felicitie of thys whole Realme then in the myraculous custodie and outscape of this our soueraigne Lady now Queene then Ladye Elizabeth in the straighte time of Queene Marye her sister In which Storie first we haue to consider in what extreme miserie sicknes feare and pearil her highnes was into what care what trouble of minde and what danger of death shee was brought Firste with great routes and bands of armed men and happie was he that might haue the carying of her being fetched vp as the greatest traytour in the world clapped in the Tower and againe tossed from thence from house to house from prison to prison from post to piller at length also prisoner in her own house and garded with a sort of cutte throtes whych euer gaped for the spoyle whereby they might be fingering of somewhat Secondly to consider againe we haue all thys notwtstanding howe straungely or rather myraculously from daunger shee was deliuered what fauour and grace shee founde with the almightye who when all helpe of man and hope of recouerie was past stretched out his mighty protection and preserued her highnesse and placed her in this Princely seate of rest and quietnesse wherein nowe shee sitteth and long may shee sit the Lorde of his glorious mercy graunt we beseeche him In which storie if I should sette foorth at large and at full all the particulars and circumstances thereunto belonging and as iust occasion of the historie requireth besides the importunate length of the storie discoursed peraduenture it might mooue offence to some being yet aliue and truth might gette me hatred Yet notwithstanding I intend by the grace of Christ therein to vse suche breuitie and moderation
as both may be to the glorye of God the discharge of the storie the profite of the Reader and hurte to none suppressing the names of some whome heere although I could recite yet I thought not to be more cruell in hurting their name then the Queene hath bene mercifull in pardoning their liues Therefore now to enter into the discourse of thys tragical matter first here is to be noted that Queene Marye when shee was first Queene before shee was crowned would goe no whither but would haue her by the hande and send for her to dinner and supper but after shee was crowned shee neuer dined nor supped wyth her but kept her aloofe from her c. After this it happened immediatly vpon the rising of sir Thomas Wiat as before was mentioned pag. 1418.1419 that the Ladye Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney were charged with false suspition of Syr Thomas Wyates rising Whereuppon Queene Marye whether for that surmise or for what other cause I know not being offended with the sayde Elizabeth her sister at that time lying in her house at Ashridge the next day after the rising of Wyat sent to her three of her Counsailours to wit Sir Richard Sowthwel syr Edwarde Hastings then maister of the horse and Syr Thomas Cornwalles with their retinue and troupe of horsemen to the number of 200. and 50. Who at their sodaine and vnprouided comming founde her at the same time sore sicke in her bedde and very feeble weake of body Whither wheÌ„ they came ascending vp to her graces priuie Chamber they willed one of her Ladies whome they mette to declare vnto her grace that there were certaine come from the court which had a message from the Queene Her grace hauing knowledge therof was right glad of their comming howbeit being then very sicke and the night farre spent which was at 10. of the clock she requested them by the messenger that they would resort thither in the morning To this they answeared and by the sayde messenger sent woorde againe that they must needes see her and would so do in what case soeuer she were Wherat the Lady being against went to shewe her grace theyr woordes but they hastely folowing her came rushing as soone as shee into her graces chamber vnbidden At whose so sodaine comming into her bed chamber her grace being not a litle amased sayd vnto them 〈◊〉 the hast suche that it myghte not haue pleased you to 〈…〉 morrow in the morning They made answere that they were righte sorye 〈◊〉 her in that case And I quoth shee am not glad to see 〈◊〉 here at this time of the night Whereunto they answered that they came from the Queene to doe their message and duetie which was to this effecte that the Queenes pleasure was that she shoulde be at London the 7. day of that present moneth Whereunto shee sayde Certesse no creature more glad then I to come to her maiestie being right sorie that I am not in case at this time to waite on her as you your selues doe see and can well testifie In deede we see it true quoth they that you doe say for which we are very sorie Albeit we â—ette you to vnderstande that our Commission is such and so straineth vs that we must needes bring you with vs eyther quicke or dead Wherat she being amased sorowfully said that their Commission was very sore but yet notwithstanding she hoped it to be otherwise and not so strait Yes verely said they Whereupon they called for two Phisitions Doctor Owen and Doctor Wendy demaunded of them whether she might be remoued from thence with lyfe or no. Whos 's aunswere and iudgement was that there was no impediment to theyr iudgement to the contrary but that shee might trauayle without daunger of lyfe In conclusion they willed her to prepare agaynst the morning at nine of the clocke to goe with them declaring that they had brought with them the Queenes Lytter for her After much talk the messengers declaring how there was no prolonging of times daies so departed to theyr chamber being entertained and cheared as appertained to their worships On the next morow at the time prescribed they hadde her forth as shee was very faynt and feeble and in suche case that shee was ready to swound three or foure tymes betweene them What shoulde I speake here that cannot well bee expressed what an heauy house there was to behold the vnreuerend and doulefull dealyng of these men but espcially the carefull feare and captiuitie of their innocent Lady and Mistresse Now to proceed in her iourney from Ashrydge al sick in the Litter she came to Redborne where she was garded all night From thence to S. Albones to Syr Rafe Rowlets house where she taryed that night both feble in body and comfortles in minde From that place they passed to Maister Doddes house at Mymmes where also they remayned that night and so from thence she came to Highgate where she being very sicke taryed that night and the next day During whiche time of her abode there came many Purseuantes and messengers from the court but for what purpose I cannot tell From the place she was conueied to the Court whereby the way came to meete her many Gentlemen to accoÌ„pany her highnesse which were very sory to see her in that case But especially a great multitude of people ther were standing by the way who then flocking about her Luter lameÌ„ted and bewailed greatly her estate Now when she came to the Court her grace was there straight wais sâ—â—t vp and kept as close prisonner a fortnight which was till Palme sonday seeing neither King nor Queene nor lead nor frend all that time but only then the Lord Chamberlaine Syr Iohn Gage and the Uicechamberlaine which were attendant vnto the dores About whiche time Syr William Sentlowe was called before the Counsaile To whose charge was laid that he knew of Wyats rebellion Which he stoutly denied protesting that hee was a true man both to God his Prince defying al traytors and rebels but being straitly examined he was in coÌ„clusion committed to the Tower The Friday before Palme sonday the B. of Winchester with xix other of the Counsaile who shall bee here namelesse came vnto her grace from the Queenes Maiestie and burdened her with Wiates conspiracie which she vtterly denied affirmyng that she was altogether gilt lesse therin They beyng not contented with this charged her grace with busines made by sir Peter Carew and the râ—st of the Gentlemen of the West country which also she vtterly denying cleared her innocencie therein In conclusion after long debating of matters they declared vnto her that it was the Queenes will pleasure that she should go vnto the tower while the matter were further â—ried and examined Whereat shee beyng agaste said that shee trusted the Queenes Maiestie would bee more gracious Lady vnto her and that her highnesse would not
watch euery man declaring his opinion in that behalfe agreeing straightly and circumspectly to keepe her Then one of them whiche was the Lorde of Sussex swearing sayd my Lordes let vs take heede and doe no more then our commission will beare vs what soeuer shal happeÌ„ hereafter And further let vs consider that she was the king our Maistres daughter and therfore let vs vse such dealing that we may aunswere vnto it hereafter if it shall so happen for iust dealing quoth he is alwayes answerable Whereunto the other Lords agreed that it was well sayde of him and thereupon departed Being in the Tower within two daies commaundement was that she should haue Masse within her house One M. Yong was then her Chapleyne and because there was none of her men so well learned to helpe the priest to say masse the masse stayed for that day The next day two of her Yeomen who had gone long to schoole before and were learned had two Abcies prouided and deliuered them so that vppon the Abcies they should helpe the Priest One of the sayd Yeomen holdyng the Abcie in his hand pretending ignoraunce at Kirie â—leyson set the priest making as though he could aunswere that no farther It would make a pittiful and and a strange story here by the way to touche and recite what examinations and rackinges of poore men there were to finde out that knife that should cut her throat what gaping among my Lords of the clergy to see the day wherein they might wash their goodly white rochetes in her innocent bloud but especially the Bysh. of Winchester Steuen Gardiner then L. Chauncellour ruler of the rost who then within fiue days after came vnto her with diuers other of the counsell and examined her of the talke that was at Ashridge betwixt her and sir Iames Acroft concerning her remouing from thence to Dunnington Castle requiring her to declare what she ment thereby At the first she being so sodainly asked did not wel remember any such house but within a while well aduising her selfe she sayde In deede quoth she I doe now remember that I haue such a place but I neuer laye in it in all my lyfe And as for any that hath mooued me thereunto I do not remember Then to enforce the matter they broght forth sir Iames Acroft The B. of Winchester demaunded of her what she said to that man She answered that shee had little to say to hym or to the rest that were then prisoners in the tower But my Lordes quoth she you do examine euery mean prisoner of me wherein me thinkes you doe me great iniury If they haue done euill and offended the Queenes Maiesty let them answer to it accordingly I beseech you my Lords ioyne not me in this sort with any of these offenders And as concerning my goyng vnto Dunnington Castle I do remember that M. Hobby and mine officers and you sir Iames Acroft had such talk but what is that to the purpose my Lordes but that I may goe to myne owne houses at all tymes The L. of Arundell kneeling downe said your grace sayth true and certainly we are very sory that we haue so troubled you about so vayne matters She then sayd my Lordes you do sift me very narowly But well I am assured you shall not do more to me then God hath appointed and so God forgeue you all At their departure sir Iames Acroft kneeled downe declaring that he was sory to see the day in which he shuld be brought as a witnesse against her grace But I assure your grace sayd he I haue bene maruelously tossed and examined touching your highnesse which the Lord knoweth is very strange to me For I take God to record before all your honours I do not know any thing of that crime that you haue layd to my charge and will thereupon take my death if I should be driuen to so strait a triall That day or thereabouts diuers of her owne officers who had made prouision for her diet brought the same to the vtter gate of the Tower the common rascall souldiors receiuing it which was no small griefe vnto the Gentlemâ—n the bringers therof Wherfore they required to speak with the Lord Chamberlaine being then Constable of the Tower Who commyng before his presence declared vnto his Lordship that they were much afrayd to bryng her graces diete and to deliuer it vnto such common and desperate persons as they were which did receiue it beseeching his honor to consider her grace and to geue such order that her viands might at all tymes bee brought in by them which were appointed thereunto Yea Sirs said he who appointed you this office They answered her graces counsaile Counsaile quoth he There is none of them which hath to do either in that case or any thing els within this place and I assure you for that she is a prisoner she shall be serued with the Lieuetenaunts men as other the prisoners are Whereat the Gentlemen sayd that they trusted for more fauour at his hands considering her personage saying that they mistrusted not but that the Queene and her Counsaile would be better to her grace then so therewith shewed themselues to be offended at the vngratefull words of the L. Chamberlaine towards their Ladye and maistresse At this he sware by God strikyng hymselfe vpon the brest that if they did either fronne or shrug at him he wold set them where they should see neither sunne nor Moone Thus takyng their leaue they desired God to bryng hym into a better mynde toward her grace and departed from hym Upon the occasion wherof her graces Officers made great sute vnto the Queenes Counsaile that some might be appointed to bring her dyet vnto her and that it might no more be deliuered into the common Souldiours of the Tower Which beyng reasonably considered was by theÌ„ granted And thereupon were appointed one of her Gentlemen her clarke of her kitchin her two Purueiers to bring in her prouision once a day All which was done the Warders euer waiting vpon the bringers thereof The Lord Chamberlaine himselfe being always with them circumspectly and narowly watched and searched what they brought and gaue heede that they should haue no talke with any of her graces waiting seruauntes and so warded them both in and out At the said sute of her officers were sent by the commandement of the Counsaile to waite vppon her grace two Yeomen of her chamber one of her Robes two of her Pantry Ewry one of her Buttry another of her Seller two of her Kitchin one of her Larder all which continued with her the tyme of her trouble Here the Constable beyng at the first not very well pleased with the commyng in of such a company agaynst his will would haue had his men still to haue serued with her Graces men Which her seruaunts at no hand would suffer desiring his Lordship to be
least or euer any hadde recourse vnto her At length came the L. William Haward who maruellous honorably vsed her grace Whereat shee tooke much comfort and requested him to be a meane that shee might speake with some of the Counsell To whome not long after came the Bishop of Winchester the Lord of Arundel the Lord of Shrewsbury and Secretary Peter who with great humilitie humbled them selues to her grace Shee againe likewise saluting them sayde My Lordes quoth shee I am glad to see you for me thinke I haue ben kept a great while from you desolately alone Wherefore I would desire you to be a meane to the Kyng and Queenes Maiesties that I maye be deliuered from prison wherein I haue bene kept a long space as to you my Lordes it is not vnknowen When she had spoken Steuen Gardiner the bishop of Winchester kneeled downe and requested that she would submit her selfe to the Queenes grace and in so doing hee had no doubt but that her Maiestie woulde be good vnto her shee making answere that rather then she woulde so doe shee wold lie in prison all the dayes of her life adding that she craued no mercy at her maiesties hand but rather desired the Lawe if euer shee did offende her Maiestie in thought woorde or deede And besides this in yealdinge quoth shee I should speake against my selfe and confesse my selfe to be an offender which neuer was towards her Maiestie by occasion whereof the King and the Queene might euer heereafter conceiue of mee an ill opinion And therefore I say my Lordes it were better for me to lye in prison for the truth then to be abroad and suspected of my Prince And so they departed promising to declare her message to the Queene On the next day the bish of Winchester came againe vnto her grace and kneelinge downe declared that the Queene marueiled that she would so stoutly vse her selfe not confessing to haue offended so that it should seme the Queenes Maiestie wrongfully to haue imprisonned her grace Nay quoth the Lady Elizabeth it please her to punish me as shee thinketh good Well quoth Gardiner her Maiestie willeth me to tell you that you must tell an other tale ere that you be sette at libertie Her grace answered that she had as liefe be in prison with honesty truth as to be abroad suspected of her maiestie and this that I haue said I wil said she stand vnto for I wil neuer bely my selfe Winchester againe kneled down and said Then your grace hath the vantage of me other the Lordes for your long and wrong imprisonment What vantage I haue quoth she you knowe takyng God to record I seeke no vantage at your hands for your so dealing with me but God forgeue you me also With that the rest kneeled desiring her grace that all myght bee forgotten and so departed shee beyng fast locked vppe agayne A seuen night after the Queene sent for her grace at x. of the clocke in the nyght to speake with her for shee had not seene her in two yeares before Yet for all that shee was amased at the sodayne sendyng for thinkyng it had bene worse then afterwardes it prooued and desired her Gentlemen and Gentlewomen to pray for her for that shee could not tell whether euer shee should see them aagayne or no. At which tyme Sir Henry Benifield with Maistresse Clarencius comming in her grace was brought into the garden vnto a staires foote that went into the Queenes lodgyng her graces Gentlewomen waiting vppon her her Gentleman Usher her Groomes going before with torches where her Gentlemen and Gentlewomen being commanded to stay all sauing one woman maistres Clarencius conducted her to the Queens bed chamber where her maiestie was At the sight of whome her grace kneeled downe and desired God to preserue her Maiestie not mistrusting but that she should try her selfe as true a subiect towards her Maiestie as euer did any and desired her Maiestie euen so to Iudge of her and sayde that shee should not finde her to the contrary what so euer reporte otherwyse had gone of her To whom the Queene aunswered you will not confesse your offence but stand stoutly to your truth I pray God it may so fall out If it doth not quoth the Ladye Elizabeth I request neyther fauour nor pardon at your Maiesties hands Wel sayd the Queene you stifly still perseuere in your truth Belike you wil not confesse but that you haue ben wrongfully punished I must not say so if it please your Maiesty to you Why then sayd the Queene belyke you wyll to other No if it please your Maiesty quoth she I haue borne the burden and must beare it I humbly beseeche your Maiestie to haue a good opinion of me and to thynke me to be your true subiect not onely from the beginnyng hitherto but for euer as long as lyfe lasteth and so they departed with very few comfortable words of the Queene in English but what she sayd in Spanish God knoweth It is thought that king Phillip was there behynde a cloth and not seene and that he shewed himselfe a verye friend in that matter c. Thus her grace departyng went to her lodgyng agayne and the seuen night after was released of Sir Henry Benifield her Gaoler as she termed hym and his soldiours and so her grace beyng set at libertie from imprisonment went into the countrey and had appoynted to go with her Sir Thomas Pope one of Queene Maries Counsailors and one of her Gentlemen Ushers Maister Bage and thus straitly was she looked to all Queene Maries tyme. And this is the discourse of her highnesse imprisonment Then there came to Lamheyre M. Ierningham and M. Norris Gentleman Usher Queene Maries men who tooke away from her grace Maistresse Ashley to the Fleete and three other of her Gentlewomen to the Tower which thing was no little trouble to her grace saying that she thought they would fetche all away at the ende But god be praysed shortly after was fetched away Gardiner through the mercifull prouidence of the Lords goodnes by occasion of whose opportune decease as is partly touched in this story before pag. 1705. the lyfe of this excellent Princesse the wealth of all England was preserued For this is credible to be supposed that the said wicked Gardiner of Winchester had long laboured his wits and to this onely most principall marke bent all hys deuises to bring this our happy and deare soueraigne out of the way as both by his words and doyngs before notified may sufficiently appeare But such was the gracious and fauourable prouidēce of the Lord to the preseruation not onely of her royal maiestie but also the miserable and woful state of this whole Iland and poore subiectes of the same whereby the proud platformes and peeuish practises of this wretched Achitophel preuayled not but contrarywise both he and all the snares and trappes of his
no resistance agaynst Christ and his Gospell but had promised her fayth to the Suffolke men to mayntayn the religion left by king Edward her brother so long GOD went with her aduaunced her and by the meanes of the Gospellers brought her to the possession of the Realme But after that she breaking her promise with God man began to take part with Steuen Gardiner and had geueÌ„ ouer her supremacie vnto the pope by and by Gods blessing left her neyther did any thing wel thriue with her afterward during the whole time of her Regiment For first incontinently the fayrest and greatest ship she had called great Harry was burned suche a vessell as in all these partes of Europe was not to be matched Then would she needes bring in king Philip and by her straunge maryage with him make the whole realme of England subiect vnto a straunger And all that notwtstanding either that she did or was able to doe she coulde not bring to passe to set the crowne of England vpon hys head With king Phillip also came in the Pope and his popishe Masse with whom also her purpose was to restore agayn the Monkes and Nunnes vnto theyr places neyther lacked there all kind of attemptes to the vttermost of her ability yet therin also God stopt her of her wil that it came not forward After this what a dearth happened in her tyme here in her land the like whereof hath not lightly in England bene seene in so much that in sundry places her poore subiects were fayne to feed of accornes for want of Corne. Furthermore where other kinges are wont to bee renowmed by some worthy victory and prowes by them achieued let vs now see what valiaunt victory was goâ—â—en in this Queene Maryes dayes King Edward the vi her blessed brother how many rebellions did hee suppresse in Deuonshyre in Northfolke in Oxfordshyre els where what a famous victorye in hys time was gotten in ScotlaÌ„d by the singular working no doubt of Gods blessed had rather then by any expectation of man K. Edw. the thyrd which was the xi K. froÌ„ the conquest by princely puissance purchased Calice vnto EnglaÌ„d which hath bene kept english euer since til at length came Quene Mary the xi likewise from the sayd K. Edward which lost Calice froÌ„ England agayne so that the winninges of this Queene wer very small what the losses were let other men iudge Hetherto the affayres of Queene Mary haue had no great good successe as you haue heard But neuer worse successe had any woman theÌ„ had she in her childbyrth For seing one of these two must needes be granted that either she was with child or not with child if she were with child did trauaile why was it not seene if shee were not howe was al the realm deluded And in the meane while where were all the praiers the solemne processions the deuout masses of the Catholicke Clergy why did they not preuayle with God if theyr Religion were so godly as they preteÌ„d If theyr Masses Ex opere operato be able to fetche Christe from heauen and to reach down to Purgatory how chaÌ„ced then they could not reach to the Queenes chamber to helpe her in her trauayle if she had ben with child in deed if not howe then came it to passe that all the Catholicke Church of England did so erre was so deeply deceiued Queene Mary after these manifold plagues and correctioÌ„s which might sufficieÌ„tly admonish her of Gods disfauour prouoked agaynst her would not yet cease her persecution but stil continued more and more to reuenge her Catholicke zeale vpon the Lordes faithfull people setting fâ—â—e to theyr poore bodyes by dosens and halfedosens together Wherevpon Gods wrathfull indignation increasing more and more agaynst her ceased not to touche her more neare with priuate misfortunes and calamities For after that he had taken from her the fruit of children whiche chiefly and aboue all thinges she desired then he bereft her of that which of all earthly thinges should haue bene her chiefe stay of honor and staffe of comfort that is withdrew from her the affectioÌ„ and company euen of her owne husband by whose mariage she had promised before to her selfe whole heapes of such ioy felicity but now the omnipotent gouernour of all thinges so turned the wheele of her owne spinning agaynst her that her high buildinges of such ioyes felicities came all to a Castle come downe her hopes being confounded her purposes disappointed and she now brought to desolation who semed neither to haue the sauour of God nor the harts of her subiectes nor yet the loue of her husband who neither had fruite by him while she had him neither could now enioy him whoÌ„ she had maryed neither yet was in liberty to mary any other whom she might enioy Marke here Christian Reader the wofull aduersity of this Queene and learne withall what the Lord can do when mans wilfulnes will needes resist him and will not be ruled At last when all these fayre admonitions would take no place with the Queene nor moue her to reuoke her bloudy lawes nor to stay the tyranny of her Priestes nor yet to spare her owne Subiectes but that the poore seruauntes of God were drawne dayly by heapes most pitifully as sheepe to the slaughter it so pleased the heauenly Maiesty of almighty God when no other remedy would serue by death to cut her of which in her life so litle regarded the life of others geuing her throne which she abused to the destruction of Christes Church and people to an other who more teÌ„peratly and quietly could guid the same after she had reigned here the space of fiue yeares and fiue monethes The shortnes of which yeares and reigne vnneth we finde in any other story of King or Queene since the Conquest or before being come to theyr own gouernment saue onely in king Richard the thyrd And thus much here as in the closing vp of this story I thought to insinuate touching the vnlucky and ruefull râ—ign of queene Mary not for any detraction to her place and state royall wherunto she was called of the Lord but to this onely inteÌ„t and effect that forsomuch as she would needes set her selfe so confidently to woorke and striue agaynst the Lord and his proceedings all readers rulers not only may see how the Lord did work agaynst her therfore but also by her may be aduertised learn what a perillous thing it is for men and women in authority vpon blind zeale opinion to styrre vp persecution in Christes Church to the effusion of Christian bloud least it proue in the end with them as it did here that while they think to persecuâ—e hereticks they stumble at the same stone as dyd the Iewes in persecuting Christ and his true members to death to theyr owne confusion and destruction * The seuere punishment of
not to alleadge for themselues any reason they assay to make odious to your maiesty the Lutherans as they call vs and say if their sayinges take place ye shall be faine to remaine a priuate person that there is neuer change of religion but there is also chaunge of princedome A thyng as false as when they accuse vs to be Sacramentaries and that we deny the authoritie of Magistrates vnder the shadow of certaine furious Anabaptists which Satan hath raysed in our tyme to darken the light of the Gospell For the histories of the Emperours which haue begun to receiue the Christian religion and that which is come to passe in our tyme shew the contrary Was there euer Prince more feared and obeyed then Constantine in receiuing the Christian Religion was hee therefore put from the Empire No he was thereby the more confirmed established in the same and also his posterity which ruled themselues by his prouidence But such as haue fallen away and folowed mens traditions God hath destroyed and theyr race is no more knowne in earth So much doth God detest them that forsake him And in our time the late kinges of England and Germanye were they coÌ„strayned in reprouing superstitions which the wickednes of the time had brought in to forsake their kingdomes princedomes Al men see the contrary and what honor fidelity and obedience the people in our time that haue receiued the reformation of the Gospell do vnder theyr princes and superiors Yea I may say that the princes knew not before what it was to be obeyed at that time when the rude and ignoraunt people receiued so readily the dispeÌ„sations of the Pope to dâ—iue out their owne kinges and naturall Lordes The true and onely remedy sir is that ye cause to be holden a holy and free Counsell where ye shouâ—d be chiefe and not the Pope his who ought but onely to defende their causes by the holy scriptures that in the meane while ye may seeke out meÌ„ not corrupted suspected nor partial whoÌ„ ye may charge to geue report faythfully vnto you of the true sence of the holy scriptures And this done after the example of the good kinges Iosaphath Ezechias Iosias ye shall take out of the Churche all Idolatry superstition abuse which is found directly contrary to the holy scriptures of the old and new testament by that meanes ye shall guid youâ— people in the true pure seruiâ—e of God not regarding in the meane time the cauilling pretenses of the papists which say that such questioÌ„s haue bene already answered at generall Counsels for it is knowne well enougâ— thaâ— no Counsell hath bene lawfull since the Popes haue 〈◊〉 the principality tyranny vpon mens soules but they haue made them serue to their couetousnes ambition and cruelâ—y 〈◊〉 the contrariety which is amoÌ„g those couÌ„sels maketh enough for their disproofe beside a hundred thousand other absurdities agâ—inâ—â— the word of God which be in them The true proofe for such matters is in the true holy Scriptures to the which no time nor age hath any prescription to be alledged agaynst theÌ„ foâ— by them we receiue the Counsels founded vpon the worde of God and also by the same we reiect that doctrine which is repugnant And if ye do thus Syr God will blesse your enterprise he will encrease confirme your raigne and Empyre and your posterity If otherwise destruction is at your gate and vnhappy are the people which shall dwell vnder your obedieÌ„ce There is no doubt but God will hardeÌ„ your hart as he did Phaâ—aos and take of the crowne from your head as he did to Ieroboam Nâ—dab Baza Achab and to many other kinges which haue folowed mâ—ns traditions agaynst the commaundemeÌ„t of God and geue it to your enemies to triumph ouer you and your children And if the Emperour Antonine the meek although he were a Pagan Idolater seing himselfe bewrapt with so many wars ceased the persecutioÌ„s which were in his time agaynst the christians and determined in the ende to heare their causes and reasons how muche more ought you that beare the name of moste Christian king to be carefull and diligent to cease 〈◊〉 persecutions agaynst the poore Christians seing they hâ—ue not tâ—oubled nor doe trouble in any wise the state of your kingdome your affayres considering also that the Iewes be suffeâ—ed through all Christendome although they be mortall enemies oâ— our Lorde Iesus Christ which we holde by common accorde and consent for our God Redeemer and Sauiour and that vntill you haue heard lawfully debated and vnderstand our reasons takeÌ„ of the holy Scriptures and that your Maiestye haue iudged if we bee worthy of such punishmentes For if we be not ouercome by the worde of God the fires the sworde nor the câ—â—â—â—lest tormentes shall make vs afrayd These be the exercises that God hath promised to his of the which he foretolde shoulde come in the laste times that they should not be troubled when such persecutions shall come vpon them Translated out of the French booke intituled Commentaries of the state of the Church and publicke weale c. pag. 7. ¶ The story and end of the french king WHosoeuer was the authour or authours of this letter aboue prefixed herein thou seest good Reader good counsell geuen to the king if he had the grace to receiue it and had folowed the same no doubt but Gods blessing working with him he had not onely set that Realme in a blessed staye from much disturbaunce but also had continued himselfe in all florishing felicity of princely honour and dignity For so doth the lord commonly blesse and aduaunce such kinges Princes as seeke hys honor and submit their wils to his obedience But coÌ„monly the fault of kinges and Potentates of this world is that being set about with Parasites either they seldom heare the truth told theÌ„ or if they do yet will they not lightly be put from theyr owne willes disdayning to be admonished by their inferiors be theyr counsell neuer so holsom godly Which thing many times turneth them to great plages calamitie as by plentiful exaÌ„ples of kings destroyed wouÌ„ded imprisoned deposed drowned poysoned c. may wel to theÌ„ that read histories appeare but especially in this preseÌ„t example of Henry French king the seconde of that name is in this our age notoriously to be considered Who bâ—ing well warned before as may seeme would not yet surcease his cruell persecution agaynst the Lordes people but rather was the more hardened in hart and inflamed against them in so muche that he sayd to Anne du Bourg one of the high Court of Parliament in Paris threatning hym that he would see him burne with his own eyes Further how his purpose was to extende his power and force likewise agaynst other places moe in persecutyng the Gospell of Christe and professours thereof to the vttermost of his abilitie I
leaue it to the reporte of them which in this matter know more then I here will vtter But notwithstanding al these cracks and threatnings of the king to see what the Lord can doe in making hygh kinges to stoupe euen the same day when the king was in his most rage agaynst these good men almightye God taking the cause in hand to fight for his Church so turned the matter that he made the great enemy of hys both with his mouth and with his hand to worke his own destruction with his mouth in commaunding with his hanâ— in geuing him the Lance into hys hand which the same day gaue him his deathes wound as by the sequele hereof in reading ye may vnderstand ¶ The stroke of Gods hand vpon Henry .2 French king KIng Henry being in the ParliameÌ„t house which was kept at the Fryer Augustines at Paris because the Pallace was in preparing agaynst the mariage of hys daughter and his sister and hauing heard the opinion in religioÌ„ of Anne du Bourg Counsaylour in the lawe a man eloquent and learned he caused the sayd Anne du Bourg and Loys du Faur Counsaylours to be taken prisoners by the Constable of Fraunce who apprehended them and delyuered them into the handes of the Countye of Mongommery the which caryed them to prison Agaynst whom the king being wrathfull and angry among other talke sayd to the sayd Anne du Bourg These eyes of mine shall see thee burnt And so on the 19. of Iune Commission was geuen to the Iudges to make his Proces During this meane while great feastes and banquets were preparing in the Courte for ioy and gladnes of the mariage that should be of the kinges daughter and sister agaynst the last day of Iune saue one So when the day tyme aboue prefixed was come the king employed all the morning in examining as wel the Presidentes as Counsaylours of the sayde Parliament agaynst these prisoners and other theyr companions that were charged with the same doctrine which being done they went to dinner The king after he had dyned for that he was one of the defendauntes at the Tourney which was solemnly made in S. Anthonies Streate neare to the prison where the foresayde Prisoners were committed hee entred into the Lystes and there in iusting as the manner is had broken many Staues right valiauntly as could be runnyng as well agaynste the Countye of Montgommery as other moe Whereupon he was highly commended of the lookers on And because he had done so valiauntly and was thought nowe to haue done enough hee was desired to cease with praise But he being the more inflamed with hearing of hys prayse woulde needes runne an other course wyth Montgommery who then refusing to runne agaynst the king and kneling vpon his knees for pardon not to run the king being egerly set commanded him vpon his allegeance to runne and as some affirme did also him selfe put the staffe in his hand vnto whose handes he had committed the foresayd prisoners a little before Montgommery thus being enforced whether he would or no to run agaynst the king addressed hymselfe after the best wyse to obey the kinges commaundement Whereupon he and the king met together so stoutly that in breaking theyr Speares the king was striken with the counter blowe so right in one of hys eyes by reasonne that the visour of his Helmet so sodenly fell downe at the same instaunt that the shiuers entred into hys head so that the braynes was peryshed thereupon so festred that no remedy could bee founde although Phisitions and Surgeons were sent for from all places in the Realme as also froÌ„ Brabant by king Philip but nothing auayled so that the xj day after that is the x. of Iuly 1559. he ended his life in great dolour hauing raigned xij yeares three monethes and ten dayes Some report that among other wordes he said that he feared he was strickeÌ„ for casting the poore christians wrongfully in prisoÌ„ but the Cardinal of Loraine standing by as he was alwayes at haÌ„d sayd vnto him that it was the enemy that tempted him that he should be stedfast in the fayth By this meanes the Hall which was prepared for a place of ioy and gladnes did now serue for a Chappel to keep the corps being dressed with blacke mourning cloth night and day tâ—ere was nothing heard but mournyng and lamenting for the space of xl dayes About two yeares after this which was the yeare of our Lord .1561 there were certayne Gentlemen put to death at Amboise for taking armes agaynst the house of Guise Touching which Gentlemen this is to be noted that as one of theÌ„ should be brought to the place of executioÌ„ where the other lay dead before him he thrust his handes into the bloud of two of his companions which were there beheaded and then lifting them vp to heauen cryed with a loud voyce Lord behold the bloud of thy childreÌ„ thou wilt in time and place reuenge it Not long after the same the Chancellor Oliuier who was condemner of theÌ„ at the instigatioÌ„ and pursuit of the Cardinall of Loraine through great remorse of coÌ„science fell sicke and in a frensy casting out sighes vncessauntly afflicting himselfe after a fearefull and strauÌ„ge fashion for his vnrighteous sentence and more then barbarous cruelty shriked vpon a sodeyne with an horrible cry sayd O Cardinall thou wilt make vs all to be damned And within a very few dayes after he dyed Fraunces the second of that name king of Fraunce at the perswasion of the Cardinall of Loraine of certeyne others caused an asseÌ„bly of the Estates of the realm in the towne of Orleans among other things to mainteine the Papall See to the ouerthrow of those which would lyue after the sincerity of the gospel but being fallen sick shortly after in the foresayd place of a feuer through an Impostume in his left eare he dyed the fourth of Decemb. 1561. hauing raigned but one yeare and about fiue monethes It was sayd of this king Fraunces as the authour aboue mentioned reporteth that when he was drawyng toward his end the Cardinal of Loraine made him to say and pronounce these words which folow Lord forgeue me my trespasses and impute not vnto me the faultes which my ministers haue done vnder my name and authority Neither is it vnworthy of obseruation that after the father happened in much like sort by gods mighty iudgement vpon Carol. 9. his second sonne brother to Frances aboue mentioned in these our latter dayes who after the horrible and bloudy murder of the Admyrall other true professors of Christes Gospell both men womeÌ„ and children to the nuÌ„ber of many thousandes of diuers Cityes in so much that the prisoÌ„s streetes are said to be coloured with bloud smoking after such a cruell sort as in our time or country the like hath not hitherto bene sene by the terrible
and burning them hee denyed not but that he was once at the burning of an herewygge fo◠so he termed it at Uxbridge where he tost a faggot at his face as hee was singing Psalmes and set a wynbushe of thornes vnder his feete a little to pricke him wyth many other words of like effect In the whiche words he named moreouer syr Phillip Hobby an other knight of Kent with such other of the richer and higher degree whom his Counsell was to plucke at to bring them vnder coram wherein sayd he if they had followed my aduise then had they done well and wisely This or much like was the effect of the shameles and tyrannicall excuse of hym selfe more meete to speake with the voyce of a beast then of a man Although in this Parliament some diuersitie there was of iudgement opinion betweene parties yet notwithstanding through the mercifull goodnes of the Lord the true cause of the Gospell had the vpper hand the Papistes hope was frustrate and theyr rage abated the order and proceedinges of king Edwardes time concerning religion was reuiued agayne the supremacie of the Pope abolished the articles and bloudy statutes of Queene Mary repealed briefly the furious firebrandes of cruell persecution which had consumed so many poore mens bodyes were now extinct and quenched Finally the olde Byshops deposed for that they refused the othe in renouncing the pope and not subscribing to the Queenes iust and lawfull title In whose rowmes and places first for Cardinall Poole succeeded D. Mathew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury In the place of Heth succeeded D. Young In steede of Boner Edmund Grindall was Bishop of London For Hopton Thurlby Tonstall Pates Christoferson Peto Coates Morgan Feasy White Oglethorpe c. were placed Doctor Iohn Parkust in Norwich D. Coxe in Ely Iuell in Salisbury Pilkenton in Duresme Doctor Sandes in Worcester Mayster Downam in Westchester Bentam in Couentry and Lichfield Dauid in S. Dauies Ally in Exceter Horn in Winchester Scory in Hereford Best in Carlile Bullingham in Lincoln Scamler in Peterbury Bart let in Bath Gest in Rochester Barlo in Chi. c. ¶ And here to make an end of this Story Now it remayneth to proceed further to the Appendix in supplying such thinges as haue either bene omitted or newly inserted as foloweth ⧠The Appendix of such Notes and Matters as either haue bene in this History omitted or newly inserted IN this Story of Sir Roger Acton aboue mentioned pag. 587. I finde that with him were taken many other persōs that all the prisons in about London were replenished with people The chiefe of thē which were 29. were condemned of heresy atteynted of high treason as mouers of war agaynst theyr king by the temporall law in the Guild hall the 12. day of December and adiudged to be drawne and hanged for treasō and for heresy to be consumed with fire Gallowes and all which iudgement was executed in Ianuary following on the sayde Syr Roger Acton and 28. other Some say that the occasion of theyr death was the cōueyance of the Lord Cobham out of Prison Other write that it was both for treason as the aduersaries termed it and heresy Certayne affirme that it was for feyned causes surmised by the spiritualty more of displeasure thē truth as seemeth more neare to the truth * Concerning Iohn Frith of his life and story this foloweth more to be added and to be referred to the page 103◠FIrst this Iohn Frith was borne in the Towne of Westrame in Kent who after by diligent especialles was takē in Essex flying beyond the seas brought before the Counsaile Syr Thomas More thē being Chauncellor and so from them committed vnto the Tower where he remayned prisoner the space of a quarter of a yeare or there about It chaunced that Doctour Curreyne ordinary Chapleyne vnto King Henry the eighte preached a Sermō in Lent before his Maiesty And there verye sore enueying agaynste the Sacramentaryes as they thē termed and named which fauored not the grosse opinion that Christes body was carnally reall in the Sacrament he so farre discoursed in that matter that at the length he brake out thus far and sayd It is no maruayle though this abhominable heresye doe muche preuayle among vs for there is one nowe in the Tower of London so bolde as to write in the defence of that heresye and yet no man goeth about his reformation meaning Iohn Fryth who then had aunsweared Syr Thomas More in writing agaynste a confutation of that erroneous opinion which of late before the sayd Maister More had writen agaynst Iohn Frythes assertion in that behalfe This Sermon of purpose was deuised and appoynted by the Byshop of Winchester and other to seeke the destruction of Fryth by putting the king in remembraunce that the sayd Fryth was in the Tower there stayd rather for hys sauegarde then for his punishment by suche as fauoured hym as the Lorde Cromwell who being Uicegerent in causes Ecclesiasticall came then into suspition therefore For in suche sorte was the matter handeled before the Kyng that all men mighte well vnderstande what they meant The Kynge then being in no poynte resolued of the true and sincere vnderstanding of the doctrine of that Article but rather a peruerse stout Aduersary to the contrary called to hym my Lorde of Caunterburye and my Lord Cromwell and willed them forthwith to call Fryth vnto examination so that he might eyther be compelled to recant or elles by the Lawe to suffer condigne punishment Frythes long protract in the Tower withouten examination was so heynously taken of the King that nowe my Lorde of Caunterburye with other Byshoppes as Stokesly thē bishop of London other learned mē were vndelayedly appoynted to examine Fryth And for that there shuld be no concourse of Citizens at the sayd examination my L. of Canterbury remoued to Croydon vnto whome resorted the rest of the Commissioners Nowe before the day of execution appointed my Lord of Cant. sent one of his gentlemen and one of his porters whose name was Perlebene a Welchman borne to fetche Iohn Frith from the Tower vnto Croydon This gentleman hadde both my Lords letters and the kings ring vnto my Lord Fitzwilliams Constable of the Tower then lying in Canon row at Westminster in extreme anguish and payne of the strangulion for the deliuery of the prisoner Mayster Fytzwilliams more passionate then patient vnderstanding for what purpose my Lordes gentleman was come banned and cursed Frith and all other heretickes saying take this my King vnto the Lieuetenaunt of the Tower and receiue your man your hereticke with you and I am glad that I am ridde of him When Frith was deliuered vnto my Lord of Canterburyes Gentleman they twaine with Parlebeane sitting in a Wherry and rowing towardes Lambeth The sayd Gentleman much lamenting in his mind the infelicitie of the sayd Frith began in this wise to exhort him to consider in what estate
the violater is mortal and deadly sinne After all maner of wayes and meanes attempted to drawe this poore man from Christ and his truth the bishop seeyng that hee could not preuayle determined to send hym to the bishop of Rochester and so did who assayed by all meanes possible to remooue him from his former professed truth But seyng all his endeuors frustrate and that he profited nothyng he signified the same to the Archbishop and withal both went himselfe vnto hym and caried the poore prisoner with him thether also In the afternoone of the same day the said Archbish. of Cant. the bish of Rochester and diuers others assistantes called the sayd poore man before them agayne and caused all the former Articles Interrogatories and demaundes to be red vnto hym in English to the end he should either haue reuoked the same or els recanted them altogether vsing both threates and faire promises to the performaunce thereof but all in vayne for his fayth was built vpon the rocke Christ Iesus and therefore vnable to be remooued with any stormes of persecution whatsoeuer In fine the Archbishop with mature iudgement you must beleeue consulting with the B. of Rochester and other proceeded to his condemnation reading the bloudy sentence of death agaynst him and so was he beyng condemned deliuered to the secular power who caried hym to the prison and soone after hee was burned for the testimonie of Iesus Christ as you may see more at large pag. 997.998 for whose constancie in the truth the euerlasting God be praysed Amen ¶ A note of a certayne good man troubled in Bulloyne the first yeare of king Edward the sixt for the Gospell THe examination of me William Hastlen Gunner in the Castle of high Bulloyne in the yeare of our Lorde 1547. and the first yeare of the reigne of king Edward the sixt As I was in the church at Bulloyne called the stals vpon the 10. of Aprill being Easter Tuesday reading of a godly booke called the lamentation of a Christian against the citizens of London betweene the houres of three and foure at after noone there came certaine men to me as I stoode at an alter in the Churche reading to my selfe and asked me what good booke I had and I sayd they should heare if they pleased theÌ„ they desired me to read out that they might heare and so did I very gladly but I had not read long but the Priestes and Clearkes were at theyr Latine Euensong and I reading mine English book there came a tipstaffe for me taking my two bookes from me and commaunded me to go with him for he sayde I must goe before the counsayle of the towne then went I forthwith with him and a little without the Church doore sir Iohn a Briges met vs and bad the tipstaffe cary me to sir Leanard Beckwith Knight to be examined and comming before his presence hee asked me what bookes they were that I had at the church and was reading of one of them openly in the Church to the people and I sayd so farre as I hadde read them they were good godlye bookes and he said they were heresie and with that he asked me how I did beleeue of the Sacrament of the aultar whether I did not beleue that to be the very body of Christ flesh bloud and bones and I asked him whether hee ment that that was in the pixe or no and he sayde yea euen that in the pixe and I said that since I had sure knowledge of scriptures I did not beleeue it to bee the body of Christ but a bare peece of bread nor by Gods helpe I will neuer beleue it otherwise to be then he sayd I was an hereticke asked me what I made of the sacrament and I sayd if it were duely ministred according to Christes institution that then I did beleue that the faythfull Communicantes in receiuing that blessed Sacrament did receaue into their inward man or soule the very body and bloud of our sauiour Iesus Christ. Then sayd he doest thou not beleeue â—t to remaine the very body of Christ after the wordes of consecration pronounced by the priest and I sayd no. TheÌ„ said he what doest thou make of the Churche I said as it is now vsed it is a den of theeues and the sinagogue of Sathan thou hereticke sayd he there remaineth the very body of Christ. But I saide that Christ being God and man dwelleth not in temples made with mens handes much other communication had we at that time but thys was the effecte that daye Then hee asked me whether I would be forth comming till to morrow and I saide Sir if you think that I will not you may lay me where as I shall so be then he let me goe for that night and sayde we shall talke farther with thee to morrow so I departed home And about the space of two houres after Mayster Hountington the preacher which did muche good wyth his preaching in Bulloyne at that time came to me and sayde that hee heard me spoken of at my Lorde Grayes which was then Lord Debitie of the towne and Country of Bulloyne and I perceaue sayd he that you are in great daunger of trouble if you scape with your lyfe for there are some of the counsayle merueilously bent agaynst you I sayd the Lordes will be done well said he without you feele in your selfe a full purpose by Gods helpe to stand earnestly to the thing that yee haue spoken you shall doe more hurt then good wherefore said he if you will goe to Callis I will send you where you shall be well vsed and be out of this daunger Then I thanked M. Hountington saying I purpose by Gods assistance to abide the vttermost that they can do vnto me well then sayd he I can tell you you wil be sent for to morrow betimes before the whole Counsaile that is sayd I the thing that I look for Then rose I betimes in the morning and went into the market place that I might spye whiche way the Officer should come for me I had not taryed there longe but I spyed a tipstaffe and went toward him and asked hym whome he sought and he sayde a Gunner of the great ordinaunce in the Castle of Bulloyne and I sayd that I am he theÌ„ said he you must go with me to my Lords I said therefore I looked When I came there I saw my Lorde and the whole Counsaile were assembled together in a close parlour doing my duetie to them my Lord saide to me it is informed me that thou hast seditiously congregate a companye together in the Churche and there in the time of seruice thou didest read vnto them an heretical booke and hast not reuerently vsed silence in the time of the diuine seruice what sayest thou to this I sayd it please your honour I was in the church a good while before any seruice began and no body with me reading to my self alone vpon a booke
greene The loue of God within her hart Shall beutifie her grace The feare of God on the other part Shall stablish her in place This Loue and Feare her colours are Whereby if she be known She may compare both nie and farre Unable to be ouerthrown The loue of God it will her cause Unfained if it bee To haue respect vnto his lawes And hate idolatrie If that she haue the feare of God And be thereto right bent She will do that he her bode And not her owne intent O noble Queene take heed take heed Beware of your owne intent Looke or you leape then shall you speed Haste maketh many shent Remember Saule that noble king What shame did him befall Because that vnto the Lords â—idding He had no lust at all The Lord hath bid you shall loue him And other Gods defye Alas take heéde do not beginne To place Idolatry What greater disobedience Agaynst God may be wrought Then this to moue mens conscience To worship thinges of nought What greater folly can you inuent Then such men to obey How can you serue your owne intent Not foreseing your owne decay And where as first ye should mainteine Your Realme in perfect vnity To rent the peoples hartes in twayne Thorow false Idolatry Is this the way to get you fame Is this to get you loue Is this to purchase you a name To fight with God aboue Is this your care to set vp Masse Your Subiectes soules to stroy Is this your study no more to passe Gods people to anoy Is this to reigne to serue your will Good men in bondes to keépe And to exalt such as be euill And for your grace vnmeét Such as made that fond diuorce Your mother to deface Are nighest you in power and force And most bounden vnto your Grace Well yet take heéd of had I wist Let Gods word beare the bell If you will reigne learne to know Christ As Dauid doth you tell What great presumption doth appeare Thus in a weéke or twayne To worke more shame then in vij yeare Can be redrest agayne All is done without a law For will doth worke in place And this all men may seé and know The weakenes of your case That miserable masking Masse Which all good men doth hate Is now by you brought vp agayne The roote of all debate Your Ministers that loue Gods worde They feéle this bitter rodde Who are robbed from house and goodes As though there were no God And yet you would seeme mercifull In the midds of Tyranny And holy whereas you mayntayne Most vile Idolatry For feare that you should heare the truthe True preachers may not speake But on good Prophetes you make ruthe And vnkindely them intreate Him haue you made Lord Chauncellor Who did your bloud most stayne That he may sucke the righteous bloud As he was wont agayne Those whome our late king did loue You doe them most disdayne These thinges doth manifestly proue Your colours to be but vayne Gods word you cannot abide But as your Prophetes tell In this you may be well compared To wicked Iesabell Who had 400. Prophettes false And fiftie on a rought Through whose false preaching Poore Ely was chased in and out Gods Prophetes you do euill entreate Balles Priestes defend your grace Thus did the Iewes put Christ to death And let go Barrabas Hath God thus high exalted you And set you on a trone That you should prison and deface His flocke that maketh mone The Lord which doth his flock defend As the Aple of an eye Of this full quickly will make an end And banish crueltie Therfore my Counsell I you take And thinke thereof no scorne You shall finde it the best counsell Ye had since you were borne Put away blinde affection Let Gods word be vnpere To try out true religion From this euill fauoured geere Finis ê™ W.M. as it is supposed * The instruction of king Edward the sixt geuen to Sir Anthony Seyntleger Knight of his priuie chamber being of a corrupt iudgement of the Eucharist Vpon this saying of an ancient D. of the Catholicke Church Dicimus Eucharistiam Panem vocari in scripturis Panis in quo gratiae actae sunt c. IN Euchariste then there is bread Wherto I do consent Then with bread is our bodyes fed But farther what is ment I say that Christ in flesh and bloud Is there continually Unto our soule a speciall food Taking it spiritually And this transubstantiation I Beleue as I haue read That Christ sacramentally Is there in forme of bread S. Austen sayth the word doth come Unto the element And there is made he sayth in somme A perfect sacrament The Element then doth remayne Or els must needes ensue S. Austens wordes be nothing playne Nor cannot be found tâ—ue For if the words as he doth say Come to the element Then is not the element away But bides there verament Yet who so eateth that liuely foode And hath a perfect fayth Receiueth Christes flesh and bloud For Christ himselfe so sayth Not with our teeth hys flesh to teare Nor take bloud for our drinke To great an absurditie it were So grossely for to thinke For we must eate hym spiritually If we be spirituall And who so eates hym carnally Thereby shall haue a fall For he is now a spirituall meate And spiritually we must That spirituall meate spiritually eate And leaue our carnall lust Thus by the spirite I spiritually Beleeue say what men list None other Transubstantiation I Beleeue of the Eucharist But that there is both bread and wyne Which we see with our eye Yet Christ is there by power diuine To those that spiritually Do eate that bread and drinke that cup Esteemyng it but lyght As Iudas did which eate that soppe Not iudgyng it aryght For I was taught not long agone I should leane to the sprite And let the carnall flesh alone For dyd it not profite God saue hym that teachyng me taught For I thereby did winne To put me from that carnall thought That I before was in For I beleeue Christ corporally In heauen doth keepe his place And yet Christ sacramentally Is here with vs by grace So that in this high mysterie We must eate spirituall meate To keepe hys death in memory Least we should it forget This do I say this haue I sayd This saying say wyll I This saying though I once denaid I will no more to dye FINIS ¶ This yong Prince became a perfect schoolemaister vnto old erroneous men so as no Diuine could amende hym and therfore this piece is worthy of perpetuall memory to his immortall fame and glory ¶ When Queene Mary came to her raigne a friend of maister Sentlegers charged him with this his Pamphlet Well ê™ he content your selfe I perceiue that a man may haue too much of Gods blessing And euen here Peter began to deny Christ such is mens frailtie ¶ A note of a Letter of one Iohn Meluyn Prisoner in Newgate * Christi
my father contÃnueth here to the intent to heare some godly and ioyfull tidynges both for soule and body whiche I trust it shal be to your singular comfort and consolation and to the great reioysing of all other of my frendes Therefore I desire you gentle mother to admonish my brother vnto a godly life with dilligent attendance and to pray for me considering his bound duety that God may by your faythfull prayer ayd and strengthen me in this my prosperous iourney and course whiche I run trusting to obtayne a crowne of euerlasting life whiche doth euer endure No more vnto you at this time but God preserue you vnto euerlasting life So be it ¶ The Oration in effecte of Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England spoken in the Starre Chamber the 29. of December in the 10. yeare of the reigne of our Souereigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England Fraunce and Ireland Queene Defender of the fayth c. And in the yeare of our Lord God .1567 Then being present Mathew Archbishop of Caunterbury William Marques of Northhampton Fraunces Earle of Bedford Lord Clinton Admirall of England William Howard Lord Chamberleyne Byshop of London Lord Gray of Wilton Sir Edward Rogers Knight Controler Sir Ambrose Caue Knight Chanc. of the duchy Sir William Cicill Knight principall Secretary Sir Fraunces Knolles Knight Vicechamberleyne Sir Walter Mildemay Knight Chauncelor of the Eschequer Lord Cattelene chiefe Iustice of the kings bench Lord Dyer chiefe Iustice of the common place Sir William Cordale Knight M. of the Rolles Iustice Weston Iustice Welch Iustice Southcotes Iustice Carowes IT is geuen to the Queenes Maiestye to vnderstand that certayne of her Subiectes by theyr euill dispositions do sow and spread abroad diuers sedicions to the derogation and dishonor first of almighty God in the state of Religion stablished by the lawes of this Realme and also to the dishonor of her highnesse in disprouing her lawfull right of supremacy amongest her subiectes And this that they doe is not done as in secrecy or by stealth but openly auouched in all companyes disputed on And thus by theyr bold attemptes seme not to obey or regard the authority of lawes nor the quiet of her subiectes As for example by bringing in and spreading abroad diuers leud libels and sedicious bookes from beyonde the seas and in suche boldnes that they do commend those writers in their sedicious bookes conteining manifest matter agaynste the estate established Which boldnesse of men so Vniuersally and euery where seene and heard cannot be thought to be done but by the comfort and ayd or at the least way winckt at by theÌ„ whoÌ„ the Queenes highnes hath placed in authority to repres these insolencyes And the Queenes highnes can not more iustlye charge any for this disorder then such who be in commissioÌ„s chosen to represse these disorders If it be aunswered me that they cannot see such opeÌ„ boldnes factious disorders I must say that they haue no eyes to see if they heare not of suche contemptuous talke and speeche I may say that they haue no eares I would haue those men iudge what will come of these vnbridled speeches in the end if reformatioÌ„s be not had therof What coÌ„meth of factions seditions we haue bene taught of late yeares what the fruites be which I beseech God long to defend vs from If such disorders be hot redressed by law then must force violence reforme Which when they take place may fortune fall assoone on theÌ„ that seeme to haue least consideration in this matter If force and violence preuayle then ye know that law is put to silence and cannot be executed which should onely maynteine good order If it be replyed agaynst me that to the suppressing of these open talkes there is no law which by speciall letter can charge any man offender I must say that whatsoeuer the letter of the law be the meaning of the law was and is cleane contrary to the liberty of these doinges If it be sayd that no man can be charged by the law except it can be proued agaynst him that his speeche and deedes be done maliciously what ye call malice I can not tel But if the bringing in of these sedicious bookes make meÌ„s mindes to be at variance one with one another destruction of mindes maketh sedicions seditions bring in tumults tumults worke insurrections and rebellion Insurrections make depopulations and desolations and bringeth in vtter ruine destruction of mens bodies goodes landes And if any sow the roote wherof these men come yet can be sayd that he hath no mallice or that he doth not maliciously labour to destroye both publicke priuate wealth I can not tell what act may be thought to be done maliciously And further if it be sayd to me that the man which should be charged with offeÌ„ce must be proued to haue done his acte aduisedly To that I answere If any bring in those hookes distribute them to others commend defend them yet can not be charged to haue done aduisedly I haue no skill of their aduisednesse If it be sayde that the law intreateth of such actes as be directly derogatory and of none other what is direct ouerthwarting the Law when the contrary thereof is playnely treated holden and defended and the truth by argumentes condemned It maye be sayd agayne that the worlde doth not now like extremitye in lawes penal and calleth them bloudy lawes As for extreme and bloudy lawes I haue neuer liked of them But where the execution of such lawes touching halfe a dosen offenders and the not execution may bring in daunger halfe a hundred I thinke this law nor the execution therof may iustly be called extreme and bloudy In such like comparison I may vtter my meaning as to make a difference betwene whipping hanging In deed though whipping may be thought extreme yet if by whipping a man may escape hanging in this respect not whipping bringeth in this bloudinesse and extremity and not the execution of the law And better it were a man to bee twise whipped then once hanged The paynes do differre but wise men will soone consider the diuersity The truth is to suffer disobedient subiectes to take boldnes agaynst the lawes of God their prince to wincke at the obstinate minds of such as be vnbridled in theyr affections to mainteine a forraigne power of the Byshop of Rome directly agaynst the Princes prerogatiue stablished by lawes is not this to hatch dissentioÌ„ to chearish sedition To extoll the writinges of such who by all their wittes deuise to supplant the princes lawfull authority If these doinges be not meanes to the disturbance vtter ruine of the Realme I know not what is good gouernance If these be not the sparkes of Rebellion What be they Thus much hauing spoken to your wisedomes I doubt not of your assenting with me the rather also because I vtter them vnto
noble captaynes as theÌ„ were cutte of whereupon many for feare reuoking their religion returned to the pope diuers fled out of the realme such as would not turn keeping themselues secret durst not be knowne nor seene so that it was past all hope of man that the Gospell shoulde euer haue any more place in Fraunce but suche is the admirable working of the Lord where mans helpe and hope most fayleth there hee most sheweth his strength and helpeth as here is to bee seene and noted For where as the litle small remnant of the Gospell side being now brought to vtter desperation were now ready to geue ouer vnto the king and many were gone already agaynst coÌ„science yelding to time yet the Lord of his goodnes so wrought that many were stayed and reclaymed agayne through the occasion first of them in Rochell Who hearing of the cruell massaker in Paris and slaughter at Tholous most constantly with valiaunt hartes the Lord so working thought to stand to theyr defence agaynst the kinges power by whose example certayne other Cities hearing therof tooke no litle courage to do the like as namely Montalbane the Citty called Nemansium Sansere in Occitamia Milialdum Mirebellum Fuduzia with other townes and Citties moe who being confederate together exhorted one an other to be circumspect and take good heede of the false dissembling practises not to be trusted of the mercilesse papistes entending nothing but bloud and destruction These thinges thus passing at Rochell the king hearing thereof geueth in commaundement to Capteyne Strozzius Guardius to see to Rochell After thys he sendeth a noble man one Biromus requiring of the Rochell men to receiue him for theyr Gouernour vnder the king Of this great consultation being had at length the Rochell men began to condescend vpon certayne conditions which being not easily graunted vnto and especially they hearing in the mean time what was done to others of theyr felowes which had submitted themselues thought it so better to stand to the defence of theyr liues consciences and to aduenture the worst Whereupon began great siege and battery to be layde agaynste Rochell both by land and sea which was an 1572. about the 4. day of December it woulde require an other volume to describe all thinges during the time of this siege that passed on either side betwene the kinges part and the towne of Rochell briefly to runne ouer some parts of the matter In the beginning of the next yeare folowing which was an 1573. in the moneth of Ianuary coÌ„maundement was geuen out by the king to all and sondry nobles and piers of Fraunce vpon great punishment to addresse themselues in moste forceable wise to the assaulting of Rochell Wherupon a great concourse of all the nobility with the whole power of Fraunce was there assembled amongst whom was also the Prince of Aniow the kinges Brother who there not long after was proclaymed kyng of Polonie accompanied with his other Brother Duke Alanson Nauare Condie other a great nuÌ„ber of states besides Thus the whole power of FrauÌ„ce being gathered agaynst one poore Towne had not the mighty hande of the Lord stood on theyr side it had bene vnpossible for theÌ„ to escape Duryng the time of this siege which lasted about 7. monethes what skirmishes and conflicts were on both sides it would requyre a loÌ„g tractatioÌ„ To make short 7. principal assaults were geuen to the poore town of Rochell with all the power that Fraunce could make In all which assaultes euer the Popes catholick side had the worst Concerning the first assault thus I finde written that within the space of xxvj dayes were charged agaynst the walles and houses of Rochell to the number of xxx thousand shot of yron bullets and globes wherby a great breach was made for the aduersary to inuade the City but such was the courage of them within not men onely but also of women matrons and maydens with spits fire such other weapon as came to hande that the aduersary was driuen backe with no small slaughter of theyr souldiours onely of the townesmen were slayne wounded to the number of lx persons Likewise in the secoÌ„d assault 2000. great fielde peaces were layde against the towne whereupon the aduersary attempted the next day to inuade the towne but through the industry of the souldiors and citizens and also of women and maydes the inuaders were forced at length to flye away faster theÌ„ they came No better successe had all the assaults that folowed Wherby consider gentle reader with thy selfe in what great distresse these good men were in not of Rochell onely but of other Cityes also during these 7. Monethes aboue mentioned had not the mighty hand of the Lord almighty susteined them Concerning whose wondrous operation for his seruants in these hard distresses three memorable thinges I finde in History to be noted The one concerning the siege of Sanser which City being terribly battered and raysed with gunshot of great Cannons field pieces hauing at one siege no lesse then iij. thousand bullets and gunstones flying vppon them wherwith the cristes of their helmets were pierced their sleeues their hose their haâ—tes pierced theyr weapons in their handes broken their walles shaken theyr houses rent downe yet not one person slayne nor wounded with all this saue onely at the first a certeine mayden with the blast of the shot flying by her was stroken downe died The 2. thing to be noted is this that in the same City during all the time of the siege which lasted 7. Monethes and halfe for all the ordinaunce and battering pieces discharged agaynst them which are numbred to 6. thousand not so much as xxv persons in all were slayne The third example no lesse memorable was at Rochell Whereas the poorer sort began to lacke corne victuall there was sent to them euery day in the Riuer by the hand of the Lord no doubt a great multitude of fishe called surdones which the poorer people did vse in stead of bread Which fish the same day as the siege brake vppe departed and came no more Testifyed by them whiche were present there in Rochell all the time What number was lost on both sides during all this 7. monethes warre it is not certeinely knowne Of the kinges Campe what number was slayne by this it may be coniectured that 132. of theyr Captaynes were killed slayne of whom the chiefest was Duke damoule To close vp this tragicall story concerning the breaking vp of this 7. Monethes siege thus it fell out that shortly after the seuenth assaulte geuen agaynst Rochell which was an 1573. about the moneth of Iune worde came to the Campe that Duke Andius the kinges brother was proclaymed king of Polonie Wherat great ioy was in the Campe. By occasion whereof the new king more willing to haue peace entred talke with theÌ„ of Rochell who as he shewed
himselfe to them not vngentle so found he theÌ„ again to him not vnconformable Whervpon a certeine agreemeÌ„t pacificatory was concluded betwene them vpon conditions Which agrement the new Polone king eftsoones preferred to the Frenche King hys Brother not without some sute and intercession to haue it ratified The king also himselfe partly being weary of these chargeable warres was the more willing to assent therunto And thus at length through the Lordes great worke the kinges royal consent vnder forme of an Edict was sette downe in writing and confirmed by the king conteining 25. Articles In which also wer included certeine other Cittyes of the Protestantes graunting to them benefit of peace and liberty of religion This edicte or mandate sent downe from the king by his Heralde at armes Bironius in the kinges name caused to be solemnely proclaymed at Rochell an 1573. the x. day of Iune The yeare next folowing 1574. for two thinges seemeth fatall and famous for the death first of Charles the 9. the french king also most of all for the death of Charles Cardinall of Lorayne brother to Guise Of the maner of the Cardinals death I finde litle mentioÌ„ in stories Touching the kinges death although Ric. Dinothus sayth nothing for feare belike because he being a french man hys name is expressed and known but an other story whom the sayd Dinothus doth followe bearing no name sayeth thus that he dyed the xxv day of May vpon Whitson euen being of the age of 25. yeares and addeth more profluuio sanguinis illum laborasse certuÌ„ est Certayne it is that his sickenes came of bleeding And sayth further CoÌ„stans fert fama illum dum evarijs corporis partibus sanguis emanaret in lecto saepe volutatum inter horribilium blasphemiaruÌ„ diras tantaÌ„ sanguinis vim proiecisse vt paucas post horas mortuus â—uerit That is The constant report so goeth that his bloud gushing out by diuers partes of his body he tossing in his bedde and casting out many horrible blasphemies layed vpon pillowes with his heeles vpward and head downeward voyded so much bloud at his mouth that in few houres he dyed Which story if it be true as is recorded and testified may be a spectable and example to all persecuting kinges and Princes polluted with the bloud of Christian Martyrs And thus muche briefely touching the late terrible persecution in Fraunce ¶ The Conclusion of the worke ANd thus to conclude good Christian Reader this present tractation not for lacke of matter but to shorten rather the matter for largenes of the volume I here stay for this present time with further addition of more discourse either to ouerweary thee with longer tediousnes or ouercharge the booke with longer prolixity hauing hitherto set forth the Actes and Proceedinges of the whole Church of Christ namely of the Church of England although not in such particular perfectioÌ„ that nothing hath ouerpassed vs. Yet in such generall sufficiency that I trust not very much hath escaped vs necessary to be knowne touching the principall affayres doinges and proceedinges of the Church and Churchmen Wherein may be seene the whole state order discent course and continuaunce of the same the encrease and decrease of true religion the creeping in of superstition the horrible troubles of persecution the wonderfull assistaunce of the almighty in mainteining his truth the glorious constancy of Christes Martyrs the rage of the enemyes the alteration of times the trauelles and troubles of the Church from the first primatiue age of Christes Gospel to the end of Queen Mary and the beginning of this our gracious Queene Elizabeth During the time of her happy reigne which hath hetherto continued through the gracious protection of the Lord the space now of 24. yeres as my wish is so I would be glad the good wil of the Lord were so that no more matter of such lameÌ„table stories may euer bee offered hereafter to write vpon But so it is I cannot tel how the elder the world waxeth the longer it continueth the nerer it hasteneth to his end the more Sathan â—ageth geuing still new matter of writing bookes and volumes In so much that if all were recorded and committed to history that within the sayd compasse of this Queenes reigne hitherto hath happened in Scotland Flanders France Spayne Germany besides this our owne Countrey of England and Ireland with other Countryes moe I verely suppose one Eusebius or Polyhistor whiche Plinnye writeth of woulde not suffice thereunto But of these incidentes and occurrentes hereafter more as it shall please the Lord to geue grace and space In the meane time the grace of the Lord Iesus worke with thee gentle Reader in all thy studious readinges And while thou hast space so employ thy selfe to read that by reading thou mayst learne dayly to knowe that may profite thy soule may teach thee experience may arme thee with pacience and instruct thee in all spirituall knowledge more and more to thy perpetuall comfort and saluation in Christ Iesu our Lord to whome be glory in Secula Seculorum Amen FINIS ⧠A diligent Table or Index of the most notable and memorable thyngs contained in the whole volume of this Booke wherein if thou wilt finde any thing good Reader reuolue in thy mynde the letter wherewith the word beginneth and the number of the Page shall direct thee vnto it A ante B. A B. C. agaynst the Popes Clergie 841.843 Abuses in the Church require reformatioÌ„ not defection 1873 Abbey of Peterborow 133. Abbeis suppressed in England 1101. Abbey of Exceter 141. Abbey of Stowe built 184. Abbey of S. Edmundsbury 161. Abbeis and Nunries founded and vpon what causes 149.454 Abbey of S. Albons built and by whom 133. Abbey of Gisburne and Readyng buâ—lt 199. Abbey of Glastenbury 150. Abbeis dissolued in Englande by K Henry the 8. 1070. Abbeis burned ibid. Abbey lands restored by Q. Mary 1559.1560 Abbey of Bangor 119. Abbeis and Monasteries in England infinite built by Saxone Kings 133. Abbeis dissolued by Cromwell 1179.1180 Abbey of Couentry built 165. Abbey of Ely 133. Abbey of Gloucester built ibid. Abbey of Knouesburgh others built ibid. Abbeis and religious houses built for what causes 1180. Abbot of Carilocus his sodain and dreadfull death 2106. Abbot of Glastenbury 150. Abbots not instituted by Christ. 680. Abbot Capellensis cruelly handled for the Gospell 873. Abbot of Peterborow thrust out of the Court of Rome for denying the Popes kinsman a benefice 287. Abbot of Abbingdon amerced by the Pope in 50. markes for denying a benefice to an Italian 291. Abbot of S. Albones sueth to the Pope ibid. Abbot of Westminster more conformable to yeld and submit him selfe to the doctrine of the Protestants then the rest of the Papists in the disputation at Westminster 2125 Abdias authoritie suspected 35. Abiurers names in a table 1040.1041.1042.1277.1401 Abiuration of good men of Leicester .506 their penance ibid. Abiuration in the diocesse of
1424 Articles decreed vpon in the CouÌ„sell of Constance 644 Articles of peace betwene EnglaÌ„d and Scotland 368.379 Articles of Iohn Hus to be inquired of 650 Articles agaynst Winchester with his aunsweres to the same 1350 1351.1352 Articles ministred to 7. Godly martyrs taken at Islington by Bishop Boner 2037.2038 Articles set vp vpon church dores agaynst king Henry the 4. 518.519 Articles of the studentes of Paris agaynst the Friers 408.409 Articles gathered out of Ioh. Hus his bookes and falsly wrested by the Papistes 613.614.615 Articles of Cardinall Poole to bee inquired of in his visitation 1969 Articles of Winchester agaynst D. Barnes with his reply 1198 Articles agaynst Iohn Hus obiected in the Counsel of ConstaÌ„ce 600 Articles of the Parliamente of Fraunce agaynst the Pope 353 354 Articles of Iohn Wickeliffe condemned in the Counsell of Constance 449.450 Articles deuised by king Henry 8. for reformation of Religion 1094.1095.1096 Arthur his trouble and persecucioÌ„ 998.999 Arundell Archbyshop of Caunt and the Byshop of London persecutors of the Gospel .507 proued a traytor by parliament .512 banished the land ibid. Arundell Bishop of Caunterbury his death 2103 A S. Asclepiades bishop of Antioch coÌ„fessor .55 Martyred 61 Ashes prohibited to be vsed in time of Lent 1299 Ashdons wife martyr her story 1983.1984 Ashwednesdaye at Basill of Gods owne making 872 Assembly of the Nobles at Chesterfield where they were ouerthrowne 335 Assembly of the Nobles at Salisbury 198 Assirius a riche senatour Martyr 75 A T. Athalas martyr plucked in sonder 98 Atkins Martyr his story Martyrdome for the trueth of Christes Gospell at Rome 2151.2152 Athens razed to the ground by the Turkes 742 Athelwolphe sonne of king Egbert 136 A. V. Aucocke his trouble for the Gospel dyed in prison and buryed in the fieldes 1561. Audley Lord his pittie vppon the persecuted with his iudgement of the popish priestes 1228. Aue Maria a salutation no praier 1741. Augustine Packington the Byshop of Londons marchaunt 1019. Auies 10. for one Pater noster 1601. Auinion taken by the Pope and French king 271. Auington martyr his story 1914. Aultar where it is howe to be taken and who is the true aultar 1991.1992 Auies tolling by whome inuented 710. Aultars taken downe and why .1331 with reasons prouing the same ibid. Aurelius Ambrosius hys comming into England 113. Aurelius Martyr 65. Aurelianus his merueilous abstinence and death 75. Aurelianus mouer of the ix persecution agaynst the Christians 75.76.77 Auricular confession not grounded vpon the word of God 27.493.75.1105 Auricular confession why instituted why to be detested 1653. Auricular confession with the abuses thereof 1172. when it began and by whom .1172.1404 Reproued .493 the minister of Lust .508 Not necessary 540. Austen Barnher seruaunt to M. Latimer and a good minister 1654. Austen sent into England by Gregory .116 his questions to the Pope wherein he desireth to be resolued .116 Aunsweres to the same questions 117. Austen made Archbishop hys letany miracles and story .116 hys great and excessiue pride 119. Authority of the Church 1824 Authority of the Church alledged agaynst Heretickes and why 1616 Authority of Councelles aboue the Pope 593 Authors writing of the myâ—acles of certayne Martyrs suspected 4 5 Authors of the Turkes story 757 Authors of the Canon law reproued .493 found contrary to theÌ„selues 495 Authors disagreement aboute the liues and times of certayne martyrs 38 A Z. Azades an Euenuche and a courtier Martyred for the truth 98 B ante A. BAbilas bishop of Antioch Martyr his godly story life and constant Martyrdome for the truth 61. Backster her noble story 664. Bagley priest and Martyr his story and martyrdome 666. Bakers and Millers punishment first inuented 339. Baiazetes the 2. the x. Emperour of the Turkes 744. Baiazetes the 4. Turkish Emperour his story .738 ouercome of Tamerlanes 739. Baifield Martyr his story .1021 articles ministred agaynst hym with his aunswers to the same .1021.1022 his condemnation degradation and martyrdome 1203.1204 Baker Martyr his story Martyrdome 2058. Baldwine elect Archb. of Canterbury his strife with the monks 239. Bane doctor a cruell persecutor of Gods saints 1954. Bangor Abbey built 119. Baulding a persecuter strikeÌ„ with lightning 2101. Baptisme abuses .28 how abused by the papists .1693 water therof geueth not the holy ghost ibi Baptising in riuers not in fontes vsed 119. Baptisme without bishoppyng is sufficient and saueth .1306 how to be ministred to Infidels .1842 how to the children of the Christians ibid. Baptisme in the mother tongue to be administred 1104.1105 Baptisme of water no cause of fayth 1994. Baptisme may be ministred to any singular person .1816 not in the fayth of the promisers .1810.1818 of great antiquitie in the church .1840 is of God and not of men ibid. ought to be ministred to the English people in english 1904 Baptisme in the faith of the true church of Christ and not in the tottering faith of the promisers 1813.1818 Baptisme vsed amongest the olde Romains without so many foolish ceremonies as it is now pestered withall 119. Baptising of bels and of dead men 6.159.861 Barnes doctor his story trouble for the Gospell .1192 he beareth a fagot and flieth into Germany .1193 sent as Embassador .1194.1203 his death and martyrdome 1199.1200 Barbara finall widow her story martyrdom with 6. others 1980 1981. Barnes of the Popes destroyed 275. Barons of England their warre with K. Henry the 3. 331.332.333.334 Barons their supplication in the behalfe of Iohn Hus. 605. Barriers and Turney sport turned into bloudshed 338. Barton Chancellor of Oxford 434 Bartholomew the apostle crucified and beheaded 32. Barber his recantation at Oxford 1207. Bartholomew Cornemonger hys persecution and trouble 642. Bamford Martyr his story 1602. Bartholomews built 191. Barton persecuted 641. Bartholomeus Cassaneus plaged of God 2107. Bartholomew a Bookebinder Martyr 955. Barthelet Greene GentlemaÌ„ martyr his story .1844.1851 His apprehension ibid. his letter to M. Philpot .1852 his examination condemnation and confession .1853.1854.1855 his letters 1855.1856 his martirdom 1858 Barwike recouered from out of the handes of the Scots 340.341 Barwike yelded vp to K. Edward the 3. who appointed captaines ouer it 376. Barwike geuen to the Scottes by K. Henry .6 712. Basill reformeth religion 871. Basill graunteth safeconduct to the Christian Bohemians for their commyng to the Councell 657.675 Basill Citizens wise behauiour at the Councell 682. Basilides of a persecutor made a most constant Martyr 54. Bassianus Emperour surnamed Carocalla 57 Bassinet doctor his orations 946. Basset his story and persecution 1039. Baineham Martyr his tragicall story 1027. his condemnation constant martyrdome 1028.1029.1030 Badby his persecution examination and martyrdome 521.522 Battaile betwene Edmund Ironside and king Canutus stayed by an Oration 162. Battaile bloudy betwene 2. Popes for S. Peters chaire 169. Battaile at Barnet 715. Battaile at Tewkesbury 716. Battaile of Prince Edward with Erle Simon at Eusham 333. Battaile betweene the K. of England
subdued to the Turke 744. Citizens of Basill their woorthye commendations 682. Citizens of LondoÌ„ toll free through all England 272 Cistercian or white monkes order 185. Ciuile dissention betweene Kyng Henry the 3. and his nobles 330 Cyrillus Martyr 76 C L. Clarke Martyr 878 Clarke with his fellowes famished in Cant. for the Gospell 1954 Clarke a papist enemy to the Gospell hangeth himselfe 2101 Clarke a great learned man died in the cardinals pryson at Oxford 997 Clarkes subiect to the lawe temporall 223 Claimundus President of Corpus Christi colledge 1209 Claydon Currier his story .639 his condemnation martyrdom 640 Claudius punished by God 74 Claudius a quiet Emperour 75 Claudius Nero Emperour a tyrant 31 Claude de Asses persecutour hys death 2109 Clarke Martyr his story and martyrdome 1231.1232 Clergy of England deny contribution to the Pope 288 Clergy of England deny tribute to the kyng 349. Clergy of England deny to contribute to the Pope 266.267.370 Clergy ought not to sit of lyfe and death by the scriptures 562. Clergy subiect to the ciuile law and may be punished by the same 459. Clergy of England set free fro all ciuile impositions tributes taxes or els whatsoeuer by the Pope 849 Clergy geueth 18840. poundes to be relesed of the premunire 1052 Clergy of Fraunce their obiections in denying the Popes exactions 270. Clergy of Fraunce their letter to the Pope agaynst the Pope him selfe 347 Clement 5. his coronation with the great slaughter of noble men at the same 351. Clement the 7. his sentence definitiue agaynst the diuorce of king Henry 8. 1279.1280 Clement Byshop of Rome Martyr 38. Clemens Alexandrinus 53. Clement the 2. Pope 168. Clementines 351. Clony the Byshoppe of Londons Somner 1293. and keeper of the Colehouse ibid. Clodoueus first christened king of France 7 C O. Cobbe Martyr his story and martyrdome 1708 Cobham Lord his lamentable history his persecution and trouble 557.558.559 his examination answers .560.561.562 his condemnation .564 his beliefe 566 Coberley her trouble for the Gospell 694 Coberley Martyr his story 1894. Cobham her defence against Alanus Copus 702. Cockram men dislike their Rode and goe about to haue a new one made 1474. Coker Martyr his story and martyrdome 1688. Codrinus king of Denmarke 340. Collet Deane of Paules hys notable story 838.839 Cole of Magdalene college in Oxford 1194.1203 Collier Wright and 4. other Martyrs at Cant. 1688. Collins with his dog burned 1131 Colledge of Eaton and Kinges colledge in Cambridge built 712 Colchester persecuted prisoners 22. apprehended there and caried vp to London 1971.1972.1973 1974 Collectors for the Popes money 287. Cole his sermon at Bishop Cranmers death in Oxford 1885.1886 Communion to be ministred in both kyndes 1300 Communion celebrate wyth the Lordes prayer onely by S. Peter 52 Communion with the vse therof in the primitiue church 16 Communion in one kynde defended by the Papists 1760 Communion of the church wherein it consisteth 1617 Commotion against king Henry 3. and the causes therof 329 Communion table why rather to be after the forme of a boord or vsuall table then of an altar with reasons and arguments vpoÌ„ the same 1331. Commission bloudy of king Philip and Queene Mary agaynst the professors of the gospel of Christ. 1970.1971 Commission sent from the Pope with sentence diffinitiue against Tho. Cranmer Archb. of Canterbury 2132.2133 Commission to burne true Preachers 1483. Comparison betwene the Syrians and the Turkes 763. Comparison betweene the kyngdom of this world and the kyngdom of the Pope 19. Comparison betweene the Pope a bird fethered with straunge fethers 408. Complaint of the nobles of England of the oppressions of Rome 265 Complaintes of the abuses of the clergy in the parliament of FraÌ„ce 354.355 Complaint of the Ploughman 398 399. Computation of yeares 115. Complaint of such as fauoured the Gospell in Ipswich in Queene Maries dayes 2089.2090 Commendator of S. Anthony plagued 2106. Commaundementes of the Pope more regarded then Christes coÌ„mandements be 500 Commotion betweene the Towne and Abbey of Bury 374 Common women in the Councell of Constance 596. CoÌ„modus the Emperor hys pride his skil in throwing a dart 52. Communion in both kindes denied by the councell of Constance 596 Constantine a spectacle to all princes to follow 103. Constantinus and Licinius theyr constitutions imperiall for the establishing of christiaÌ„ religion 86 Constantinus pope a lay man deposed his eyes put out 130. Constancie of Martyrs at theyr death 80. Constancie of Christians in the truth 42. Constance murthered by the procurement of vortiger 108. Constantinople won by the Turks made theyr imperiall seate 708. Countryes wonne by the Turkes from the Christians 760.761 Conrade archbishop cleareth Iohn Hus. 598. Constable of Fraunce hys cruell vow disapoynted 2109. Confession of Patricke Patchingam sent out of Newgate to certayne of hys friendes 2141.2142 Countrey man put to death for the Gospell 882.883 Conclusions exhibited to the parliament in London for reformation 507. Coniurers and sorcerers warned and admonished 167. Congregation at Stoke in Suffolke with the description discourse therof 2073.2074.2075 Congregation in London 2074. Conscience must not be dissembled in matters of religion 1782. Conception of our Lady brought into the Churche 696. Conception of Mary in great contention amongest the Friers 800.801.802 Conclaue wherein the Popes be chosen 595. Confession what it is and to whom it ought to be made 1269. Confession of three kindes 1171. Confession auriculare with the abuses therein committed 1172. Confession of a childe agaynst Idolatry with his cruell death and martyrdome for the same 90. ConfessioÌ„ auricular detestable 16â—â— why instituted why not lawful ibid. Confessor to our Lady who was after the Papistes 48. Conference betweene M. Latimer and M. Ridley in prison 1718.1720.1722.1723.1724 Confessours 3. dyed in Chichester Prison 1954 Confession of Iohn Warnes belief 1580.1581 Confiteor in the Masse abhominable 1587 Confiteor brought in by pope Damasus 1401 Confirmation of childreÌ„ instituted 58 Concordus Martyr spitteth in the Idols face 45 Cornet his trouble and deliuery by Gods prouidence 2081 Conduit in fleete streete built 712. Conduit in Cheepe 339 Coniectures prouing the Lady Eleanor and Roger Onley not to be guilty of treason 703 Consecration what it meaneth 1363 Contention betwene Courtney bishop of London the Lord Marshal and the Duke of Lancaster 247 Courte remoued from London to Yorke 513 Contention about the diuorcing of Priestes wiues 192 Contention betwene Pope Gregory the 9. and the Citizens of Rome 281 Contention betwene Cyprian and Stephanus bishop of Rome 71 Contention betwene the Archbyshop of Yorke and the Deane 235.236 Contention betwene the Archbyshop of Canterbury the Prior of the same 227 Contention amongest friers about the conception of Mary the mother of Christ. 242.251 Contention betwene the 2. Archbyshops of Canterbury and Yorke for the supremacy 172.173 Contention betweene the Archbyshops of Caunterbury Yorke about bearing of the Crosse. 227 Contention betwene the
of the x. persecution 77 Dioclesian Maximiliā tired with persecuting of Christians gaue vp their kingdoms 81 Dioclesian his death 86 Dirige for the dead 137 Dirike Caruer Martyr hys apprehension examination and condemnatiō .1680 his martirdome 1682 Dissention amongst the Monks of Canterbury for the electiō of the Archb. 258. Discord what hurt it worketh in the church and common wealth 330.258.241.172.173.236.1367 Discorde alwayes in the Popes church 241 Dissention betweene the Archb. of Canterb. and the church of Lincolne 327 Dissention betweene Kyng Henry 3. and his nobles 330. Dissention betweene the Couent Prior of Durham and the king 272 Dissention amonijst Friers about the conception of Mary 800 Discord betweene the L. Protector the Admirall and the Earle of Warwike 1367 Discent of the B. of Rome 1758 Dispensations what mischiefs they do and what euils spring thereout 285 Dissolution of Abbeys by the lorde Cromwell 1179.1180 Dissolution of Abbeis and religious houses in England 1101.1102 Dissention between the Friers and the students of Paris 328 Dissention betweene Pope Eugenius and the councell of Basill 668 Disputation betweene the Papistes and Protestantes in the beginning of Q. Elizabeths raigne at Westminster 2119.2120.2121.2122 Disputation of religion in Paules in London in the Conuocation house aboute the reall presence .1410 dissolued by Queene Mary 1417 Disputation in the Uniuersitie of Prage 456.457 Disputation at Cambridge aboute transubstantiation and the reall presence 1376.1377.1378 Disputation in Oxford by Peter Martyr and others against trāsubstantiation 1373. Disputation in the councell of Basill 678.679 Disputation betweene Austen and the Waldenses 231 Disputation betweene the Romish bishops and the Scottish bish about Easter day 123 Disputation at Lypsia 847 Disputation at Baden in Heluetia .869 at Berne ibid. Disputation by M. Latimer Crāmer and Ridley at Oxford 1428 1429 Disputation betweene D. Barnes and Stephen Gardiner 1198 Dispensations for mony 285 Diuorce of K. Henry the 8. decided by D. Cranmer 1860 1861 1862 D O. Dobbe persecuted for the Gospell dyeth in prison 1297 Doctrine of the apostle S. Paule in a summe 20 Doctrine erroneous of the Church of Rome concernyng sinne 26 Doctrine of the Pope of Christ compared 485 Doctrine of the Pope what it is .2 more gaineful then holy scripture ibid. Doctrine of the Popes church corrupt examined 19 Doctrine of the Pope the summe finall scope 20 Doctrine of S. Paule reduced to v. points 16 Doctrine of the law and of the Gospell 976 Doctrine of the Pope what good stuffe it containeth 1772 Doctrine of Rome concerning faith and iustification erroneous 26. Doctrine erroneous of the papistes concernyng penance 26 Doctrine erroneous of the papistes in the sacraments 28 Doctrine of the papists corrupt cōcernyng ciuile maiestrates 29 Doctors read with indifferēt iudgement make more against the papists then with them 1854 Doctor Weston Prolocutor in the disputation in London 1410 Doctor Redman his confession at his death 1360 Doctor London a bloudy persecuter 1213 Doctor Coxe schoolemaister to K. Edward the 6. 1295 Doctor Sandes his trouble for the Gospell and happy deliueraunce by the singuler prouidence of god 2086.2087.2088.2089 Doctor Whittington Chauncellor a cruel persecuter slayne of a bul 775.776 Doct. Collet Deane of Paules his story 838 Doctor Story his impudent words in the parliamēt house .2125 his bloudy cruelty to Christes Martyrs by his owne confession ibidem Doctor Story a cruell and bloudie persecutor his bloudy ende and death at Tyborne 2152 Dog clothed in a Rochet vnder the name of B. Gardiner 2078 Dog of the English Embassadors bite the Pope by the great toe 1861. Doly her trouble and persecutiō for the Gospell 984 Dolphin with the French discomfited at Cassels 387 Domicianus Cesar his extreme tiranny 35.36 Domicianus maketh inquirie for Dauids stocke and murthereth them 48 Dominion of the Turkes parted into foure families 737. Dominion temporall and spirituall of Rome 499. Domicius Nero a tyrant his cruell end and ouerthrow 31 Dominion of the Turke large and ample 760.761.762.764.766.768 Donation of Constantine to the Romish papall sea prooued to be falsifyed by many inuincible reasons and argumentes 105 Donations of Carolus magnus Otho to Rome 159 Donation of Pipinus falsely taken for the donation of Constantine 130 Donation of Constantine forged 105.390 Donations geuen to religious men by king Ethelbald 133 Donation of king Athelwolfus to the Clergy 136 Dorobernia and Caunterbury taken for one 174 Doues their nature 1297 Douer court Martyrs theyr story trouble and Martyrdome for pulling downe of Idols 1031 1032 Douer head City of Kent 172 D R. Draycot Chauncellour of Liechfield a bloudy Persecutour of the poore Sayntes of God 1954 Draycots Sermon against Ioane Wast a blinde woman and martyr 1952 Drakes martyr his story .1895 his examination and death 1896 1897.1898 Dreames of Dustone 157 Dreames not to be regarded 152 Dronkennesse well auoyded by the pollicy of king Edgar 155 Drowry Martyr 1911.1912 Drayner called Iustice nine holes a bloudy and cruell persecutour his story 2112 D V. Dunning Chauncellour his sodeine and fearefull death 2099 Duchesse of Suffolke her tragicall and lamentable story .2078 her trouble extremity for the Gospell 2079.2080 Duke of Clarence drowned in a Butte of Malmessie 717 Duke of Northumberland committed to the Tower and condemned to dye .1407 beheaded 1423 Duke of Buckingham speaketh for the Protector in the Guilde hall 728 Duke Ethelwold slayne 141 Duke of Suffolke beheaded 1467.706 Duke Elfread his punishment for periury 148 Duke Edrike a bloudy persecutor a cruell murtherer and put himselfe to death 162 Duke Robert prisoner 191 Duke of Glocester made Protector .727 accuseth his Mother his bloudy tyranny 727.728 Duke of Northumberlād Duke of Herford both banished 514 Duke of Glocester beheaded by K. Richard 2. 513 Duke of Lancaster and Lord Hēry Persie great frends to Wickliefe 425 Duke Alpherus restorer of Priestes and their Wiues 158 Duke of Austrige punished of god 248 Duke Albert his bloudy slaughter in Boheme 656 Duke of Northfolke slayne 729 Duke of Mantua denieth the pope his City for his counsell 1133 Duke of Guise slayne before Orleance 2112 Duke of Guise his bloudy purpose disapoynted 2109 Duke of Northumberlande sente forth agaynst Queene Marye committed to the Tower 1465 Duke of Sommerset his History .1367 committed to the Tower with articles layd agaynst hym .1370 his death and rare commendation 1371.1372 Dunstanes roodes miracle 158 Dunstane Chittendene with the rest of his fellowes famished for the gospell in the Castle of Canterbury 1954.1955 Dunstane Abbot of Glastenbury his false and lying myracles 150 made Bishop of Worcester .152 seduceth king Edgar 156. hys his dreames 157 Dunstane a post setter a sorcerer .156 his death 160 Durandus 950 Dunkirke where writinges were set vppe agaynst King Henry .8 1055 Duty of husbandes and wiues one towardes an other 1933 Dutch Martyrs 928 Dungate martyr his story martyrdome 1949.1950 Dunninges the bloudye Chauncellour his
cruelty .1703 his sodeine and fearefull kind of death 2036 E. A. EAster day in strife for the obseruation therof .54 disputed of 123.124 Eating of Christe what it is 494. Eating of whitemeate in lent set at libertie 1210 Eastland martyr his story .2037 his articles obiected against him 2038. his condemnation and coÌ„stant martyrdome 2039. Eares of Christians slayne for the Gospell ix sackes full 339. Earle of Kent put guiltlesly to death 376. Earle of Notingham made Duke of Northfolke 514. Earle of Warwicke flyeth into France and hys returne agayne into England 713. Earle Henry of Richmond hys ariuance in Wales .728 his huge warres with king Richard 729 Earle Simon his pride after victory gott 333. Earle Symon with other slayne in the battayle at Eusham 334. Earle of Warwicke with the Lord Mountacute slayne 715. Earthquake morayne and pestilence in England 198. Earthquake at Wickliffes examination 436. E. C. Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction abused in the romishe churche 5.6 Ecclesiasticall persons subiecte to the temporall power 6. Ecclesiasticall persons exempt by the Pope from all subiection to kinges and princes 192. Ecclesiasticall promotions in the handes of straungers valued 429. Eckius the popes stout champion hys end 2107. Eckius hys reasons for the supremacie 847. agaynst M. Luther 850.851.845.849 agaynst Carolostadius .847 his reasons for the authoritie of the Romyshe Churche 2. E. D. Edwardes three that were kinges before the conquest 159 Edward .1 king of England hys lyfe and story .339 he and hys Barons at strife .349 peace coÌ„cluded betwixt them with theyr petitions to the king .350 hee denyeth first fruites to the pope .352 hys death and epitaphe 366. Edward .2 his bloudy murther of his nobles .371 taken and imprisoned 373. Edward 2. his raygne his lyfe and story 366. Edward 3. crowned 374. marieth the Earle of Henault his daughter called Philip. 375. Edward 3. his letter to the Deane and chapter of Paules agaynst Iohn Stafford Archbishop of Caunterbury 383. Edward 3. his letters to the King and nobles of Fraunce .377.38.367 taketh the king of France prisoner 388. contendeth wyth the Pope and restrayneth hys bulles from comming into England 389. Edward 3 denyeth the popes prouisions and reseruations .383 his voyage into Fraunce defieth the French king .384 his acts there .385 he claymeth the crowne of France .383 bewitched of a woman by the helpe of a frier .425 his death 428. Edward 4. crowned 713. maryed to Elizabeth Gray ibid. taken prisoner by the Earle of of Warwicke ibid. had victory in 9. battayles hym selfe being presente 717. hys sonne borne at Westminster in Sanctuary 714. Edward 4 his warres and contention with the Erle of Warwike .713 hys death 727. Edward called the martyr his story 157. proued a bastard ibid. Edward called the Martyr murthered of his stepmother her seruant 159 Edward the confessor hys story 164. Edward proued a bastard wroÌ„gfully made king 158.157 Edward borne in bastardy of Elfled king Edgars concubine 156 Edward 5. and his lamentable history 727. Edward 6. his raigne his rare coÌ„mendations and vertues .1295.1296 deliuereth the bible to the bishops .1294 reformeth religion 1297.1298 sendeth for learned men into the realme .1296 setteth forth Gods word .1298 calleth a parliament .1299 setteth forth the booke of common praier .1301 represseth superstitioÌ„ .1302.1303 aunswereth the rebels in Deuonshire and Cornewall .1305 hys death 1395. Edward 6. his instruction geuen to Sir Anth. Seintleger knight of his priuy chamber beyng of a corrupt iudgement in the Sacrament of the Eucharist 2139.2140 Edward Seymor erle of Hereford made duke of Somerset protector of the realme and gouernour of the kings person 1296 Edward Plantagenet beheaded 731. Edward prince slayne 716 Edward sonne of K. Hen. 3. wounded with a poisoned knife 337 Edward the elder his story 146 Edward the confessor his Shrine 336. Edward duke of Somerset Lord Protector his trouble 1367 Edward Burton not suffred to be buried in christian buriall 1715 Edward Benet preserued by gods prouidence 2075 Edward Freese Martyr his story 1027 Edward Grew his trouble and deliuery 2065 Edward Sharp martyred at Bristow 1953 Edgore his terrible death 2104 Edwine hindered from being christened by custome .121 his miraculous conuersion baptised in Yorke ibid. Edwine king of Britain his trouble and miraculous calling to the fayth 120 Edwine king an enemy to monks suspended and dieth 152 Edwine king of Northumberland enemy to Monkes 114 Edelburge poysoned her husband 132 Edenborough won from the Englishmen by the Scottes 368.379 Edina taken of the Turkes their barbarous cruelty shewed vpon the poore christians there 752 Edrike a traitor executed 162 Edgar his story .152 his actes and noble exploites .154.155.156 A great builder and repairer of monasteries ibid. his blemishes .155 his lawes .779 his death 156 Edgar his oration to the Clergy 169. Edmund king of Eastangles called S. Edmund his story 114.115.140 Edmund king murthered on hys priuy 162 Edmund Ironside 162 Edmund Archbishop of Caunterbury canonized a Saynte .280 condemned in Rome in a thowsand markes 285 Edmund Peerson his accusation agaynst Bayfield 1048 Edward Prince born of Q. Iane 1087 Edmund Poole Martyr his story and martyrdome 1912 Edmund Hurst Martyr his story 1914.1915 Edmundus king of England 150 Edmund Allin Martyr his story persecution examination and martyrdome 1979.1980 EdmuÌ„d Stafford bringer in of the Popes bulles 430 EdmuÌ„d Boner a furtherer of printing the Bibles at Paris .1191 made Bishoppe of London ibid. became a notable Papist 1192.1194.1296.1397.1349.1487 E G Egbert king of Kent taken Prisoner 130 Egbertus crowned king his victory agaynst the Danes 135 Egbert of a king made a Monke 131 Egesippus an ecclesiasticall writer 53 Egelred king his coronation life described 160 Egfride made king of Northumberland 124. Egges eating made heresye of the Papistes 1043 E. L. Eleanor Cobham her defence agaynst Alanus Copus .702 proued no traytor ibid. Election of the Byshop of Rome geuen to the Emperoure .159 resteth only in the emperor .298 confirmed ratified to be in the Emperours iurisdiction 299. Election of Bishops in the power of euery king in hys own country till Hildebrandes time 300. Election of ministers in the olde tyme not without the consent of the people 1105. Electors of the Emperour 7. and who be they 160. Election of the Bishop of Rome in whome it consisteth 5. Election or predestination wyth notes vpoÌ„ the same 1657.1658 Election standeth vpon grace not merites .1994 vpon the fewest number not the most 1996. Eldadus Byshop of Glocester 113. Elfricus archbishop of Caunterbury his bookes proued antentique .1139 his bookes agaynst transubstantiaâ—ion 1140. Eleuation of the sacrament by Honorius brought in 1403. Eleuation and odoration by whom inuented 1149.1152 Elfleda proued a Nunne and her childe a bastard 156. Elizabeth Barton called the holye mayd of Kent with her conspirators executed 1054. Elizabeth a blind mayd martyr her story and martyrdome 1914 Elizabeth Cooper Martyr burned at Norwiche her story and martyrdome
2005. Elizabeth called S. Elizabeth her lyfe and story 268.273 Elizabeth Q. of England her happy byrth 1054. Elizabeth nowe Q. of Englande committed to the tower by Q. Mary her great trouble .1425 committed to sir Iohn Williams Sir Henry Benefilde 1471. Ely Bishoppricke planted 198. Ely persecutor 1211. Elizabeth Lawson her trouble deliueraunce 2070.2072 Elizabeth Pepper martyr her story and glorious Martyrdome 1914.1915 Elizabeth Folkes martyr her story and martyrdome 2007.2008 Elizabeth Stamford 814. Ellis martyr her story 1910.1911 Elizabeth Thackuell Martyr her story and death 1910.1911 Elizabeth Young 2065. her troubles and deliuerance 2065.2066.2067.2068.2068.2070 Elizabeth Lady nowe Queene of England her miraculous preseruation and great trouble in Queene Maryes dayes .2091.2092.2094.2095.2096.2098 sent for being sicke to London .2091 charged with Wiats conconspiracie cleareth her innocencie thereof is committed to the tower .2092 restrayned of her owne seruauntes .2093 in great feare and doubt of life .2904 cōmitted to the custody of sir Henry Benefield and sent prisoner to Woodstocke ibid. is sore sicke and writeth to the Queene her sister .2095 wisheth her selfe a milke mayd .2096 brought into Queene Maryes bedchamber .2096 set at libertie .2097 proclaymed Queene of Englande 2097.2098 Ellerker a bloudy peresecutor hys bloudy end 2101. Elphegus archbishop of Caunterbury stoned to death 161. Elutherius wyth hys mother Anthia Martyrs 41. Elutherius the Pope called Lucius king of Englande Chrystes vicare 107. Elutherius Bishop of Rome 107. Elsinus archbishop of Canterbury hys death 151. E M. Emperours plagued for refusing persecuting of Christ. 31 Emilianus slew Gallus and Uolusianus Emperours 67 Emperours of Rome but kings of the Romaynes till they be confirmed by the Pope 351.710 Emperour Sigismund who burned Iohn Hus fayne to entreat for peace 656 Emperour the French King and King of Scottes sette agaynst Henry 8. K. of England 1087 Emperour 5. yeares without buriall 197 Empyre of Germany decayed and the causes thereof 374 Emperors kissing the Popes feet 783 Emperour excommunicate 197 Empyre translated from Greece to Fraunce from Fraunce to the Almaynes 131 E N. Englande whether it receiued the Gospell from Rome or not 106 1061 England noted of cruelty 701 English men martyred in Spayne for the Gospell 2058 Englande plagued by the Popes Legates 199 England conuerted to the fayth of Christ. 53 Englande deuided by a wall from Scotland 57 England had 7. kinges in the Saxons time 109 England 5. tymes conquered 136.171 England whether it receyued the Gospell before K. Lucius dayes or not 53. England why plagued of the Danes 139 England described 109 England interdicted by the Pope 251.242 Englishmen scourged for their vniust oppressing of the Britaines 171 Englishmen saued at the takyng of Calice 2075 Englishmē winne the city of Messana .243 and set vp the armes of England ibid. Englishmen good asses 423 Engist his voyage into England his death 113 E P. Epistle of Constantine to hys subiects inhabiting the East 102 Epistle of Elutherius Bishop of Rome to king Lucius 107. Epistles of Becket to Pope Alexander 214.115.116 Epistle of Iohn Hus of his goyng vp to the councell of Constance 597 Epistle of Elfricus agaynst transubstantiation 1140.1141 Epistle of Uolusianus concernyng priests mariage 1154 Epistle of Phillip Melancthon agaynst the 6. articles 1172 Epistle and gospell in the Masse 1402 Epistles decretall confuted 96 Epistle of Sergius the Pope to haue Bede sent to Rome 127 Epistle of Dionisius B. of Alexandria to Fabius 61 Epistle of B. Hooper in Latin sent to the conuocation house concernyng matters of religion 2135 2136 Epistle of Marcellinus 96 Epistles decretall of Marcellus 96. Epistle of Gregory B. of Rome to them that came to preach in England 115 Epistle of Gregory to Austen in England 116 Epistle of the Archbish. of Canterbury to the B. of London conteinyng the effect of the history of the L. Cobham 565 Epistle of Marcellus to Maxentius blanched 96 Epistle of Constantine to Sapores in fauour of the christians 99 Epistles of Benno cōcernyng pope Hildebrand 176.177.178 Epistle of Waltramus to Ludouicus 190. Epistles of Alcocke 2146.2147 2148 Epistles decretall of the bishops of Rome examined 96.97 Epistle of Antoninus Pius Emperour to the commons of Asia 41. Epistle to the Hebrews 35 Epistles of S. Paule to the seuen churches 35 Epistle of Plinie to Traiane 39 Epistle of Traiane to Plinie 40 Epimachus with many other martyrs 62 Epitaphe of M. Iohn Bradford preacher and Martyr his death 1624 Epitaph vpon the death of Doctor Cranmer Archb. of Canterb. 1893 Epitaph or funerall verse of doctor Redman vpon the death of M. Bucer 1968 Epitaph of the Lady Iane. 1423 Epitaph of Carolus the 9. French king .2112 Henry 2. Fraunces his sonne ibid. E R. Errors of the Papists in the Sacrament of the Lordes supper 1891 Errors noted in the Doctors 70 Errors in Baptisme 28 Errors of the Papists in teachyng Freewill 28 Errors in the Popes church concernyng matrimony 28 Errours in all writers except the scriptures 477 Eremites order when they first began 204 Erpwaldus king of the Estangles conuerted to Christ. 121 E. S. Esche Martyr his story and martyrdome 874. E T. Ethelbert builder of Paules 114 Ethelbald his donation to religious men 133 Ethelbert first christened Kyng of Kent .114 murthered by Offa .129 withholden from Austens doctrine vpon old custome 116 Ethelbert and Sigebert builders of Paules 120. Ethelbald king 140 Ethelwoldus bishop of Winchester and setter vp of Monkery 152 Ethelwold his excellent profounde learnyng 147 Ethelburge Queene made Nunne of Barkyng 127 Ethelstone of Britaine hys story 147. Eaton colledge founded by Kyng Henry .6 262.712 Ethelbright 140 E V. Eucharist in time of necessity committed to a boy 64 Eud◠Duke of Burgundy against the Popes decrees 200. yeares since 390 Euangelium eternum of the Fryers abhominable and detestable 322 Eusebius Deacon of Alexandria martired for the truth of the gospell .52 his worthy commendation 72 Euaristus Bishop of Rome and Martyr .38 his ordinances 39 Eustachius with his wife children martyred for Christ. 40 Euphrosina martyr 4 Eugenia Martyr her excellent hystory 73 Eugenius 4. Pope celebrate firste the counsell of Basill 668 Eunuche a Courtier whose name was Azades Martyred for the Gospell 98 Euring Martyr her story 2007 Eulalia a godly virgine her notable story her wisedome constancy martyrdome 93.94 Euill men eate not spiritually nor corporally the body and bloud of Christ for then they could not be condemned 1996.1997 Euidences declaring the antiquity of Priestes mariage 1167.1168 1169 Euidences proouing ecclesiasticall persons to haue bene subiecte to the temporall power euer since the beginning 6 Eusham field 334 Eusham Abbey founded burnte 1180 E X. Exaction and extortion of the pope in Englande described in a table 284.285 Exactions of the pope intollerable denyed of the clergy of England and Fraunce 266.267.268 Examples of the rare chastitye of Christians 63 Examples notable of Christian corage in confessing of
suche like needles in a common welth and to be banished forth 1110. Gonnes when first inuented 708. Gouche martyr hys story Martyrdome 2048. Gospell brought into Boheme by meanes of Wickliffes bookes 464. Gospellers their godly endes 2114 Gospell of S. Iohn translated into english by Bede 127.1115 Gospell ought to bee in Englishe tongue 1000. Gospell the doctrine thereof 976. Gospell wherein it consisteth 539. Gospell and the lawe whereto they appertayne 1655. Gospell of Mathewe in Hebrewe 53. Gossips inhibited by the Popes lawes to mary 29. Gossopry no cause to dissolue matrimony 545. Goose Martyr 717. G L. Glasse windowes who first inuented and brought in 122.127 Glasing when it first began 122 Gloria in excelsis ordeyned by the Pope to be song in the blasphemous Masse 130.141 Gloria Patri appoynted 1404 Glouers theyr story trouble and persecution 1709.1710.1711.1712.1713 G R. Grantham Churche burned wyth lightning 269 Gracianus 201 Gray Friers first in Englande began 199 Gracianus Compiler of the popes decrees reproued 299 Gratian his blinde distinction disproued 71 Graduall with Alleluia in the masse 1402 Gratwicke Martyr his examination and aunsweres .1977.1978 his martyrdome ibid. Granter his story and recantation 642 Gray a Smith accused of heresy 1185 Gregorius 1. Bishop of Rome refused the name of vniuersall Byshop .12.13 his Epistle to Austen in England 115. he writeth to Eulogius Patriarch of Alexandria about the supremacy .13 his letter to king Ethelbert 118. Gregory 9. brought horrible impiety into Christes Churche .300 his death 311 Gregory 9. at variaunce with the Romaynes .281 his treasons against Fredericke the Emperor 302.303 Gregory 12. periured 553 Gregory calleth the Emperor hys Lord. 118 Gregory Parke Martyr 1794 Gregory caried through Rome vppon a Camell with hys face towards the Camels tayle 197 Gregory a place of his agaynst the supremacy examined 13 Gregory .9 first restrained lay men from readyng and instructing others in scriptures 1979 Gregorius Ariminensis 390 Gregory Basset his persecution 1039 Gregory Crowe meruailously preserued vppon the seas with hys new testament 1913 Greeke Church and Latin wherein they differ 186 Greeke church denieth subiectioÌ„ to the church of Rome 282.351 Grecians excused in departyng froÌ„ the church of Rome 282.292 Grecia all gone from the Church of Rome 282 Greâ—ill martyr her lyfe and story 1277 GreuaÌ„ces of the Germains against the court of Rome 859.733 Greuances agaynst the Clergy of England 995 Greene scourged 2060.2061.2062 Greene hys trouble and deliuery 2065 Grimwood witnesse agaynst Iohn Cooper hys terrible death 2100 Grineus hys storye deliuered by gods prouidence 2077.2078 Groues wyfe Martyr her story 1983.1984 G V. Guin Askin and Palmer their story and constant martyrdome for the truth 1939.1940 Guelphes and Gibellines are factions in Rome 2.342 Guilermus OckaÌ„ writeth against the Pope 389 Gunilda Empresse saued froÌ„ death by a dwarfe 163 Guarlacus Reader in the Uniuersitie of Louaine hys death 2106 Gualterus the Popes Legate coÌ„meth into England 185 Gulielmus de sancto amore writeth agaynst the Pope and is coÌ„demned for an heretike of the Pope 317.318 Guillemine Gilbert her trouble and persecutioÌ„ .1943.1944 her martyrdome for the gospell 1944. Guido and Sybilla their notable history 234 Guines taken 387 Gunterus Emperour poysoned 374 Gunners of the Turkes Christians 748 Gutrum prince of the Danes christened 142 Gurmundus 115 H A. HAdrian Emperor 40. writeth to the proconsull of Asia in fauour of the Christians 41. his death ibid. Hadrian his proud letter to the byshops of Germany 203 Hadrian an english man Pope .202 his letter to Fridericke with answere to the same 203 Hadley the firste that receiued the Gospell in England 1518 Hallowing of Churches abused by the Papistes 860 Hallowing of Aultars 1404 Hallowing of flowers and braunches 1405 Hartes hall in Oxford built 372 Hall noted of vntruth 578 Haull Martyr his story and martyrdome 1678.1679 Halingdale Martyr 2025.2026.2027 Hampton court geuen to the king 987 Hamelton his story burned in scotland his articles condemnation martirdome 972.973 974 Hamond Martyr his story martyrdome 1909 Hayle Martyr his story and martyrdome 1689.1701 Haliwell Martyr his story Martyrdome 1914.1915 Hatte of Cardinall Woolsey wyth the royalty thereof 989 Harpoole Martyr his story 1906 Harding his Story and Martyrdome 983 Harold last king of the Saxons 166 Harland Martyr his story 1914 Harpsfield his Disputation to bee made Doctor 1459 Harris scourged 2062 Harold Harefoot king of England 162 Harlots rule all at Rome 146 Harold takeÌ„ of the Normans 1065 Haruy persecutor his terrible end 2103 Hart Martyr his story 1953 Hay Martyr his story and Martyrdome 1970 Harrison Martyr 1277 Hare his trouble and persecution in Calice 1224 Harwood Martyr his story and martyrdome 1689.1702 Hardeknoute the laste Kyng of the Danes that ruled in Englande 163 Haukes Martyr his excellent story .1585 his examination .1586 1588. his wonderfull constant Martyrdome 1591.1592 Harries Martyr his story 2037 Hayles Iustice his trouble persecution .1410 committed to the Tower .1467 his tragicall story .1532 would haue killed himselfe at last drowned himselfe in a Riuer 1533 Hale Martyr his story 2052 Hayward Martyr 1708 Hauington of new colledge in Oxford Papist drowned himselfe 2104 Hastlen Gunner of Bulloyne hys trouble for the Gospell and deliueraunce by the prouidence of God 2137.2138 H E. Head supreame of the Uniuersall church Christ Iesus onely not the Pope and euery kyng in his prouince 1894 Heades of children 6000. found in the Popes motes thorough the restraint of Priests lawfull mariage 139.1155 Head of the church kyng of England prooued by records 340 Heluetians their history 865 Heliogabalus his monstrous lyfe 57. slayne by hys souldiours ibid. Helene Euryng Martyr her story and martyrdome 2007.2008 Helena maried to Constantius 77 Henry the 2. French kyng a bloudy persecuter of Gods people slayne in Iustyng by Montgomery 2110 Henry Benifield a cruell keeper of the good Lady Elizabeth in Q. Maries dayes 2094.2095.2096.2097.2098 Henry Smith Lawyer his terrible end 2105 Henry 3. his warres with hys nobles .279 sore wounded summoned a Parliament is restored to his dignity 334 Henry .4 crowned .514 his bloudy murthers his statute ex officio first that euer tormented christians with fire of English kyngs .518 articles agaynst hym hee prooued periured .519 hys death 557 Henricus de Hassia agaynste the Pope 420 Henry Cesar condemned of treason 304 Henry duke entreth into England .201.202 peace concluded betweene hym and king Stephen ibid. Henry the 4. Emperour excommunicate by 4 Popes 119. Henry Forest martyr 982 Henry Crompe 443. Henricus 6. Emperour poysoned in the hoste 351. Henry Dauy Martyr 2049. Henry Earle of Richmond obtayneth the crowne and raygneth by the name of Henry the seuenth 729. hys death 776.777 Henricus 4. wayteth 3. days 3. nightes at the popes gates barefoote and barelegged for absolution .792.785 surrendereth hys crowne to the Pope 786. Henry the fift called Princeps Sacerdotum .585 crowned 558. hys death 657.
Heraclas Bishoppe of Alexandria .60 called Pope yet no bishoppe of Rome ibid. Heresie none comparable to the heresie of the papistes 610. Heresie what is after the Papists 610 Heresies falsly gathered by the papistes out of Tindals bookes and wrested otherwise then hee meant them .1247.1248.1249.1250 heretickes in the primatiue Church condemned onely to exile 1806. Hereticke what it is 1426. Herford his trouble and persecutioÌ„ for the gospell 444. Hermes his reuelation concerning Easter day 53. Henry .8 his mariage with hys brothers wife .800.1049 wryteth agaynst Luther and therefore is called defender of the fayth .854 called at Rome by proxie .1071 abolisheth the Pope out of Eng. 1056. hys Oration to Cardinall Campeius 1050. hys protestation and actes agaynst the Pope .1056.1083 his defeÌ„ce of the suppression of the Pope to the K. of France 1071. maryed to lady Iane .1083 hys protestatioÌ„ to the emperor and other peeres why hee refused to come or send to the popes councel .1132 maryed to Lady Katherine Haward reformeth religion .1210.1259 dys death and the maner therof 1289.1259 Henry Chichesley Archbishoppe of Caunterbury a cruell persecuter .588 his death 704 Henry Earle Duke of Lancaster sent ouer to Gascoigne his liberality to his souldiours 384 Henry Crompe 443 Henry 6. crowned .658 his maryage with queene Margaret .705 he is committed to the Tower .713 restored againe to the crown 714. committed the second time to the Tower where he dyed 715.716 Henry 3. reconciled to Hubert and other his Nobles expelleth the Pictauians and forreiners from his Court 280 Henry king of Almayne vpon certayne conditions made emperor by the Pope 244 Henry Uoes a Fryer Martir in Germany 474 Henry AdlingtoÌ„ Henry Wye their story and martyrdome 1914.1915 Henry 1. his reigne .191 his death 200 Henry 2. king of Englande kisseth the knee of the Popes Legate 788 Henry Laurence Martyr with 5. other moe in Caunterburye for the Gospell 1688 Henry Ramsey Martyr his articles 1974. his aunsweres 1975. his condemnation and constaunt Martyrdome 1976 Henry Sutphen Martyr his story .875 his death conspired by Monkes and Fryers .877 his cruel Martyrdome for the truth 878 Herode his miserable ende dyed in exile 31 Herbert his much adoe to diuorce Priests from their wyues 192 Herst Martyr his story and Martyrdome 2053 Heron with other Martyrs 62 Hewet Martyr his story and martyrdome 1036.1037 H. I. Hierome of Prage his tragicall history appeareth before the councell at Constance .632 his abiuration .633 accused agayne and brought before the councell .634 his Oration to the Councel .635 his eloquence prophesie condemnation and cruell martyrdome 636 Hierome his story 1192 Hierome Sauonarola hys articles obiected agaynst him his answer and martyrdome 732 Hierusalem besieged 737 Higinus bishop of Rome Martyr 53 Hierusalem enlarged .41 called by a new name Aâ—liopolis ibid conquered by the christians .185 taken by the Saracens 233 Higbed and Causton their pitifull history .1539 articles obiected against them .1539 their answers to the articles .1540 their confession 1541. their constant Martyrdome for the truth 1542 Hide Martyr her story examination and answers .1974 her condemnation and martyrdome 1975.1976 Hildegardis a Prophetisse .201 Hildegardis her prophesies of Rome 461 Hildebrand alias Gregory 7. cause of much trouble in the churche of God .174 his monstrous life and tragical history .174 knockt pope Alexander about the pate 169 Hildebrand and Calixtus extortors of priests mariage 1153 Hildebrand an enemy to Priestes mariage his letter agaynst the same .175 hee was a notorious sorcerer he excommunicate Hermannus the Emperor is cast into prison and deposed by the councell of Wormes .178 cause of all the mischiefe that hath raigned amongest the Popes euer since .182 compared to Ieroboam .185 he extorteth election of Bishops out of the handes of the Emperour 299 Hildegardis prophesies agaynste Monkes and Fryers 460.461 Hitten his trouble persecution and apprehension for the truth .2136 his examination aunsweres condemnation and martyrdom 2137 Histories councels and fathers agaynst the worshippyng of Images 2130.2131 Hitten Martyr his story .997 his martirdome 998 Hinshaw his scourging at FulhaÌ„ by Boner 2043.2044 Hippolitus Bishop and Martyr 59 Hypocrisy a double wickednesse 1780 H O Hoc est corpus meum what it meaneth .495 expounded 1388 1389.1128.1129.1130 Hofmayster his fearefull death 2105 Hooke martyred at Chester for the Gospell and the trueth thereof 1954 Hooper his excellent story .1502 his complaynt agaynst Boner .1311 his letters ful of most godly comforte .1482 his going foorth of England and his returne againe 1503. made Bishop of Glocester his diligence in preaching depriued of his Bishopricke .1505 defendeth Priestes mariage .1506 Imprisoned in the fleet ibid. hys 1.2.3 and last examinatioÌ„s .1507 his degradatioÌ„ .1508 his purgation of his false bruted recantation ibid. his going to Glocester to be burned .1508 his constaunt martyrdome .1509.1510 his letters 1511.1512.1514.1516 Hooper his Epistle to the conuocation house concerning matters of religion 2135 Holland martyr 2037.2038.2039 Holy dayes complained of .200 they are the cause of muche euill ibid. they are infinite in the Popes Church .860 they are suppressed and put downe 1094 Horsey Chauncellor to the Bishop of London conspired Richarde Huns death 809 Hosius Pighius and Eckius their argumentes for the authority of the church of Rome 2 Host in the Pix deuided into three partes 137. Host with the maner of breaking of the same 1404 Honorius Prior of Caunterburye dyed at Rome 241 Honorius the Pope his story 258 Honorius author of worshipping the Sacrament 1390 Hospitals of Rome for English pilgrimes 163 Hooke martyred at Chichester for the gospell 1688 Hornby his story deliuerie 2082 Horne Martyr his story 1910.1911.1953 Holmes his story 838 Holyday Martyr his story 2037 2038.2039 Holy water coniured 497 Holy bread and holy water as the Papists call them not prooueable by scripture 1588 Holy water found out first 39 Holy bread by whom first of all inuented 1404 Homes of the Gard a cruell mercilesse knaue 1526 Honeden Martyr his story martyrdome 665.666 Hospitall of Bartholomew built in London 191 Holland the bish of Londons Somner 1184 Houses of almes how many sufficient for England 508 Holy dayes abrogate put downe 1259 Holcot gentleman hys trouble for bringing a booke to Cranmer Archb. of Cant. remayning prisoner for the truth of the Gospel in Bocardo in Oxford 2135. Holy ghost Christes vicar on earth and how 1822 Homage done to kyng Edgar 155 Horton Minister his deliuery by Gods prouidence 2081 Hope what it is 978 Hormisda his history 99 Horsus slayne 113 H. V. Hubba capitayne of the Danes inuadeth England 114 Hubert Lord chiefe iustice of England a great worker against the popes extortioÌ„s .269.275 broght into hatred with the king by the Romish prelates .276 flyeth to sanctuary .276 bereft of all hys goods .277 cast into prison and at last reconciled to the king againe 278 Hubberdine a rayling preacher agaynst M. Latimer his daunsing sermon
1231 Iohn Hunt Confessor his story 2054 Iohn Iohnson Martyr his storye burned at Colchester 2007.2008.2009 Iohn Iackson his story 1950.1949 Iohn Iourdelay Teler Dwarfe abiured 641 Iohn King of England his story 249 Iohn Kurd martyr his story 2021 Iohn Lacels Martyr 1240 Iohn Longlande his Sermon on good Fridaye before the king at Greenewich 1097 Iohn LawreÌ„ce his story .1542 his Martyrdome and death 1543 Iohn Longland Bishoppe of Lincolne a Persecutour of good men .820 his articles ministred to the poore members of Christ. ibid. Iohn Lomas Martyr his story 1859 Iohn Leafe Martyr his story .1623 his examinations martyrdome 1623.1624 Iohn Launder Martyr his storye his confession examination and aunsweares .1680 his articles obiected agaynste him with his aunsweres to the same 1681 Ioyce Lewes Martyr her story and martyrdome at Liechfielde 2012 Iohn Lambert his story and persecution .1101 articles obiected agaynst him with his seuerall answeres to the same articles .1102 1103.1104.1105.1106 his new trouble .1121 his learned godly disputation before the king and Nobles .1122 his condemnation .1123 his constaunt suffering of Martyrdome for the truth .1124 his treatise of the Sacrament to the king 1125 Iohn Meluyn his trouble for the Gospell his letter out of Newgate concerning the Eucharist of the Lordes supper 2140.2141 Iohn Martin plagued 2108 Iohn Morin Lieutenant criminall of the Prouost of Paris a persecutor plagued of God 2109 Ioane Manninges Martyr her story 1979 Iohn Milles scourged by Boner 2044 Iohn Martin a cruell persecutour his death 955 Iohn Maunsell a riche Priest 330 Iohannes Mountziger a Protestant agaynst the Pope 419 Iohn Maundrell William Coberley and Iohn Spicer Martyrs theyr story 1894 Iohn Marbecke his trouble persecution sondry examinations 1214. his wiues sute to the Bishop for him .1216 his Inditement .1219 saued from the fire why 1220 Iohn Mace his story and death 1909 Iohn a Neatheard Martyr 724 Iohn Norris 1917 Iohn Newman his story and examinations 1850.1951 Iohn Noyes martyr his story and apprehension .2021 his martyrdome 2022 Iohn Fortune his story his examinations and aunsweres 1918 1919 Ioane Norman 838 Iohn Oswald Martyr his story 1914. Iohn Oxlinus preacher his persecution for the Gospell 869 Iohn Puruey his recantation and imprisonment .543 hys articles collected out of his bookes 544. Iohn Patriarche of Constantinople began first to vsurpe the name of vniuersall Byshop 12. Iohn Patriarche of Alexandria his life and conuersation 119. Iohn Porter his story and Martyrdome 1206. Iohn Philpot of Tenderden martyr hys story and martyrdome 1970. Iohn Philpot martyr his excelleÌ„t story his actes and doynges .1795 his examinations and aunsweres .1796.1797.1798 hys condemnation .1826.1829 hys martyrdome and deathe .1830 his letters 1831.1832.1834.1838.1840.1842.1844 Iohannes de Poliaco 391. Iohn deâ—Poliaco recanteth at Paris 309. Iohn 10. Pope 146. Iohn 13. Pope wounded almost slayne in adultery 159. Iohn 14. Pope cast into prison 159. Iohn 15. Pope murthered 159 Iohn Roughe minister and Martyr his story and martyrdome .2028.2029.2034.2030.2031 his letters 2030.2031 Iohn de Rupe Scissa a protestant his trouble and persecution for the truth 390 Iohannes Rochtailada martyr hys story 391. Iohn Ruse persecutor plagued by the hand of God 2109. Iohn Russell Lorde priuy seale Lieuetenaunt ouer the kynges armie in the West 1307.1308 Iohn Slade Martyr 804. Iohn Segouâ—â—s in the Counsell of Basill 670. Iohannes Seneca excoÌ„municate 317 Iohn Simson martyr hys storye and Martyrdome 1582.1583 Iohn Spicer martyr hys constancie at the stake 2144. Iohn Streete hys trouble 1473. Iohn Stilman Martyr .814 hys constant martyrdome 815. Ioane Sole Ioane Catmer martyrs theyr storyes 1850. Iohn Scriuener martyr 838. Iohn Stafford Archbish. of Canterbury .383 hys letter to kyng Edward .3 382. Iohn Tewkesbury a godly martyr his story .1024 hys abiuraration .1026 his martyrdome ibid. Iohn Tudson Martyr hys story .1844 his condemnation martirdome 1857.1858 Iohn Thurstane confessor 2000. Ioane Trunchfield her trouble for the Gospell .1704 her story and marâ—yrdome 1893. Iohn Tooly hys story and deathe digged out of hys graue processe agaynst him after hys deathe .1583.1584 burned 1585. Ioane Waste a blinde woman in Darby Martyr .1951 articles ministred to her .1952 her martyrdome 1952. Ioh. Webbe martyr hys story 1794 Iohn Went artificer his story ibid. coÌ„demned .1857 martyred 1858 Ioane Warren alias Lashforde mayd her story .1844 her condeÌ„nation and constant martyrdom 1857.1858 Ioh. Wade Ioane Laishfield martirs 1689.1702 Iohn Warne hys story and martirdome 1578.1579.1580 Iohn de Wesalis persecuted .724 his Articles .726 hys opinions 726. Iohn Waldon Priest hys trouble martyrdome 661. Iohn Wickliffe his story sent ambassadour by the king .423 hys blemishes .424 his conclusions to the Bishops .432 his expositions vppon the same .433 his epistle to Pope Urbanus 6.445 hys bookes and friendes .447 his bookes condeÌ„ned in the councell of constance .449.450 his defence by Iohn Hus .451 hys bones burnt after his death .463 his bookes burnt in Prage by Swinco 607. Iohn Whiteman shoomaker martyr hys lamentable story .2112.2113.2114 hys martyrdoÌ„ ibid. I P. Ipswich persecuted 2089.2090 I R. Ireland when and by whom conuerted to England 226.227 Ironsyde king of Englande .162 his intended battell with King Canutus Stayed by an Oration ibid. Ireneus made Minister and commended to Elutherius 50 Ireneus Bishop of Lyons martir 55 Irene the Empresse burned the deade bodye of Constantine her husbande and set vp Images at Constantinople 132 I S. Isakius enemy to english men 244 Isakius king of Cyprus yeldeth to king Richard 245 Ischirion Martyr his story 62 Isabell Queene Wife to king Edward .2 goeth into Fraunce returneth agayne with a great power taketh the king and setteth vp her sonne .370.371.372 she is found with child by Syr Roger Mortimer 376 Isabell Foster Martyr her story .1844 her condemnation .1857 her martyrdome 1858 Islington persecuted and 22. godly persons taken there in prayer 2037.2038 I T. Italian Martyrs 934 Ita missa est in the Masse 1404 Italy in the number of bishopricks surmounteth all other nations 680 Italian Priests of England spoiled of theyr corne 275 ItaliaÌ„s receiued greater reuenews out of England then the crowne it selfe 389.289 I V. Iustinus his history 37. Iustine proueth all kinde of Philosophy is miraculously conuerted by an old man is baptised with all his household writeth an Apology in defence of the christians 48.49.50 Iulianus Martyr his story 62 Iudgement how vsed in the primitiue church and the maner therof 1807 Iueson Martyr his story martirdome 1682.1683 Iulius Palmer a vertuous learned young man his story .1934 his education ibid. was once an enemy to the truth .1934 his coÌ„uersion .1935 persecuted .1936 reiected of his Mother ibid. betrayed and apprehended .1937 his first examination with articles obiected agaynst him .1937.1938 his 2. examination ibid. his condemnation and martirdome .1939.1940 his Epitaph ibid. Iulins Palmer thinketh it no hard matter to burne to a spirituall man that is able to
Cranmer archbishop of Cant. 1889.1890.1891.1892 Letter of Carolus Magnus to Offa for intreaty of peace 131. Letter of Fredericke the Emperor to all the world agaynst the Pope 306.307 Letters of Germanus Patriarche of Constantinople to the Pope and Cardinals 282.283 Letter of Hadrian to Minutius Fundanus for the staying of persecution 41. Letter of Hildebrand Pope against Priestes mariage 175. Letters of M. Hooper full of godly comfort and consolation 1482. Letters moe of M. Hooper Martyr 1512.1514.1515.1516 Letter of Hulderike to Pope Nicholas in defence of Priests mariage 137.138 Letters of Iohn Hus. 626.627.628.629.630 Letters of king Richard 2. agaynst Walter Brute 504. Letter vnder the kinges authoritie to represse the Romayne benefices in England 275. Letters of the king of Denmarke in the behalfe of M. Couerdale with Queene Maryes aunsweres 1529.1530 Letter of king Henry 3. hys Confessor declaring his acts and exploytes in Fraunce 385. Letter of the Pope for an Italian boy to be Prebende or Chanon with aunswere thereto by Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne 323.324 Letter of the Prisoners of Caunterbury throwne out of Prison declaring how the Papistes had and entended to famishe them to death 1954 Letter of the Lord Protector aunswering to Winchester 1344 1345 Letters of M. Saunders martyr 1500.1501.1052 Letter of the suffraganes of CauÌ„terbury to Becket with his answere to the same 218.219 Letter of Tonstall and Stokesley to Cardinall Poole 1065 Letter of the Ladye Uane to M. Philpot. 1828 Letters agaynst Wickliffe 435 Letter of Winchester in defence of Images with aunswere thereto 1340.1341 Letters of Winchester to the Lord Protector 1342.1343 Letter of Wolsy to Gardiner lieger at Rome to be made pope 990 Leuiticall Priestes deuided froÌ„ the people and wherein 496 Lewlinus king of Wales warreth agaynst the king of England 328 Lewes the french king warreth in Englande and is expelled out of the same .257 dieth at the siege of Auinion 271 Lewes the french king his feruent sickenesse .292 his vow to visite the holy lande his preparation to the voyage ibid. Leâ—â—r of Abingdon a Blasphemer of Gods Martyrs punished 2103 Lewes the french king refuseth to warre in England .289.389 his vnfortunate voyage to the holye Land .292 ouerthrowne by the Turkes and Saracens .276.296 295 taken prisoner and rouÌ„sommed ibid. Leison Doctor his dyrefull end 2136 L I. Liberality of ConstaÌ„tine in geuing to Churches 104 Liberty of the Citizens of London in going to warre 372 Libâ—rty christiaÌ„ in outward vsages 56 Licinius Emperour a tyrant an enemy to all learning an Apostata his horrible vices .87 his death 88 Licenses to preach 532 Lie substantiall and reall 2007 Liyng miracles reproued 156.125 Lies innumerable in the Popes Church 584 Life of the Monkes and religious men abhominable 1180 Life to come the blessed state therof 681 Life of Tho. Becket Archbishop of Caunterbury and Traytour 205.206 Limits of England how farre they extend 166 Lincolne persecuted 982.983.984 Lincolne Minster buâ—â—te 184 Lincolne Dioces persecuted described in a Table 821.822 Lineall discent of the B. of Rome 1758 Lion Cawche Martyr his story constaunt Martyrdome for the truth of Gods word 1914.1915 Listâ—r his story and martyrdome 1909 Lithall his story and deliueraunâ—â— 2064. Liuingus priest a maryed manne 1176. L O. Lollards as the papists call the true professors of the worde of God burned in the cheek for theyr coÌ„stancie in the truth 774. Lollardes Tower described 1703. Lollardes as the papistes called theÌ„ or rather good Christians burned and hanged 587. Lollardes what they are and from whence deriued 465. London consumed with fire .160 besieged by the Danes ibid. London bridge built with stone 233. Londoners defend theyr bishop and fall into a great fury 427. London persecuted 802.799 Lowicke martyr his godly story and martyrdome 1970. London persecuted for the 6. articles 1202. London and Westminster at varyaunce about game 279. Londoners theyr assaulte agaynst the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Percie 427. Londoners take part with Wickliffe and are great fauoures of hys doctrine .513 complayned of to the king by the Bishoppes ibid. Longland hys sermon on good friday before the king at Greenewiche .1097 hys filthy falshood and dissimulation ibid. Lomas Martyr hys story 1859. Lord Admirall beheaded on the tower hill 1367 Lord of Alenc a good man 944 Lordes of Bohemia writ in defeÌ„ce of Iohn Hus .602 his appreheÌ„sion and cruell martyrdome 643 Lord of Reuest plagued 2108 Lord Cobham his lamentable story and persecution .557 cited .558 excommunicate ibid. his christian beliefe .559 his 1· and 2. examinations His godly answeres 560.561.562 his condemnation .564 his counterfeit abiuration by the Papistes .565 his beliefe and coÌ„fession of his fayth .566 his defence agaynste Alanus Copus .568 proued no Traytour but a Godly Martyr .568.569 his slaunders .572 his inditement with notes vpon the same 575. Lord Courtney made earle of Deuonshyre 1417 Lord Dane or Lordane 161 Lord Peter his Oration agaynst the pope in the parliament in france 353.354 Lord Gilford Dudley maryed to the vertuous Lady Iane. 1406 Lord Gray beheaded 1469 Lord Hastings beheaded 727 Lord Lifley Deputy of Calice coÌ„mitted to the Tower 1227 Lord Powes betrayer of the good L. Cobham 643 Lordes prayer in English forbidde by the Papistes 973 Lord Shandois his report agaynst the good Lady Elizabeth 1425 Lord Stanley wounded 727. Lord Shefield slayne at Norwich 1308. Lord keeper hys Oration 2150.2151 Lord of Trinitie a wicked persecucutor 962. Loosing of Sathan examined 397. Loseby martyr his story and persecution .1974 hys martyrdome 1975.1976 Lothbroke father to Inguar and Hubba hys story 140. Loue commaunded in the Gospell 483. Loue of God goeth not by our deseruings but by fayth in Iesus Christ. 1927. L V. Lucius king hys death 107. Lucius Bishop of Rome banished hys Epistles decretall 67. Lurdayne 161 Lucius a worthy martyr 45. Lucius first christened king of Enland 107. Lucius sonne of Coilus king of Britayne bringeth the christian fayth into England 107.108 Lucius king hys death 118. Lucius 1. king of Britayne christined 172. Lucifers Epistle to the Popes Clergy 502. Ludouicus king of Hungary and Boheme 723. Ludouicus Emperour crowned agaynst the good will of the Pope and therefore deposed by Benedicte the 12. and afterwarde by him poisoned 373. Ludouicus Pius and hys sonne Lotharius Emperors their godly sanctions and lawes .8 deposed and poisoned by Pope Boniface .12 373 Ludouike the yong French kyng his story 255 Ludouicus Pius Emperour and kyng of Fraunce 136 Ludouicus Pius his decre against the profession of monkery 7. Luther his story and actes .841.843 why he wrote agaynst pardons .844 his appearance before the Cardinall Caieâ—anus .845.849 hys aunswers to the Cardinall .846 hys appeale and disputation with Eckius .847 his bookes burned .848.849 he burneth the Popes buls decrees ibid. hys actes before the Emperor at Wormes .849 hee is outlawed .853 why he permitted Images to stand and wherein he dissented
and martyrdome 667.668 Reall presence with the absurdities and inconueniences therof 1443 Reasons why matters of controsy are not to be caried out of the Countries where they fel to the Pope to be decided 10 Reasons prouing that no Christian may resort to the popish masse Mattens and Euensong with a good conscience 1647 Reasons proouing the Religion in Q. Maryes tune to be nought 1727 Rebellion in Cornewall and Deuonshyre with theyr Articles .1303 discomfited 1304·1305 1307 Rebellion in Northfolke Yorkeshyre and diuers other places in the realme agaynst K. Edward 6 1308 Rebellion in Lincolneshyre repressed .1086 in Yorkeshyre .1087 in Deuonshire and Cornwall 1305 Recantation of Cranmer with his repentaunce for the same 1884 Redman Doctor his iudgement in cases of Religion 1360 Reseruation of the Church how it began and when 840 Reseruation of the Sacrament by whom introduced 1404 Regiment of the Popes Churche how far it differeth from the regiment of the primitiue church 19 Register booke in euery Parish 1096 Reimundus the good king of Tholouse disinherited by the Pope .269 excommunicate 271 Religion of the Protestantes elder then the Religion of the sedicious Papistes by 1000. yeares 1821 Religion reformed at Zuricke .867 at Berne Constance Geneua Strausburgh 870 Religion set forth in the daies of K. Edwarde the sixte commended 1902 Religion Christian when it began .50 esteemed by Auncestors and Graundfathers by time place 1993 Religion of the Papistes more hurt full to the state of the Churche then the doctrine of the Lutherans 2110 Religion reformed in king Edward 6. his dayes 1298.1299 Religion going backeward in England and the causes why .1134 hindered by discord 1373 Religion of Christ and of the pope 2. cleane contrary thinges 29 Reliques adored 28 Reliques offering and Sacrifice brought into the masse by whom 129 Remission of sinnes foure thinges therein to be considered necessarily concurring 27 Remission of sinnes sold for mony 860 Remedies agaynst the temptations of the Deuill and the worlde 1830. Replye of the Prelates of Fraunce agaynst the Lord Peter 354 Renold Pecocke his story 709 Remerius Inquisitour agaynst the Waldenses 236 Repington Canon of Leicester after Bishop of Lincolne a cruell persecutour 442 Repington of a zelous Professour become a most cruel and a bloudy persecutor of Christes poore meÌ„bers 437.444.530.539 Reuet his fearefull and straunge death 1917.1918 Reuenewes goynge yearlye oute of Englande to the Pope muche more then the Crowne it selfe 326 Reynold Eastland Martir his story and Martirdome 2037.2038 2039. Resistance agaynste the Pope no new thing 317 Restitution of Abbey landes by Q. Mary 1559.1560 R I. Richard 1. crowned king of England 235 Richard king of England Phillippe King of Fraunce theyr coÌ„clusion to go to the holy land 235 Richarde Kyng of Englande hys voyage to the holy land .241.251 his Actes and Exploytes by the way and there achieued .243.244 chargeth the french kyng with falshood 244. taken prisoner â—ould to the Emperour and is raunsomed 248. Richard the 2. hys commission and letters against the Gospellers 505. his letter to the Pope 506. Rich .2 his letters to Pope Boniface 9.509 his vertues and vices deposed with articles against him .513 hee beheaded his vncle innocently .513 is committed to the Tower and dyed in prison 514. Richard 3. vsurper crowned kyng of England .728 hys death 729. Richard king of Almayne hys death 339. Richard Archbishop of Caunterbury stayed froÌ„ goyng to Rome by the king 233. Richard Atkins Martyr his cruell death and Martyrdome at Rome for the Gospell and the constaunt profession thereof 2151. Richard Belward hys trouble and persecution 660. Richard Belward hys testimony for the Lord Cobham 577. Richard Bayfield Marty his story .1021 articles obiected against him ibid. hys aunsweres to the same .1022 hys condemnation and degradatian .1023 his constant martyrdome for the trueth of Christes Gospell 1024. Richard Dobbes Alderman of London and knight his commeÌ„dations 1774. Richard Earle Marshall hys admonition to the king .278 hys death 280. Richard Chauncellour of Lincoln made archbishop of Caunterbury complayneth of his king of Hubert Earle of Kent and others to the Pope and dyeth in comming from Rome 274 Richard Day martyr hys story 2037. Richard Feurus Martyr 914 Richard Grafton printer of the great Bibles 1191. Richard Houeden Martyr 665.666 Richard Lush Martyr hys story and condemnation and martyrdome 2004. Richard Denton burnt in hys own house who before woulde not burne in the Lordes cause 1717 Richarby Martyr his story 2037.2038.2039 Richard Spencer Martyr his story 1202. Richard Spurge his story 1895. Richard Sharpe Martyr his story and martyrdome 2052. Richard Turner a faithfull preacher of Christes veritie in Kent hys trouble for the same 1868.1869 Richard Turming his story and martyrdome 639.640 Richard Monke recanted 642. Richard Gibson Martyr his story and Martyrdome .2025.2026.2027 his Articles propounded to Boner to be aunswered vnto 2034. Richard Nichols Martyr hys story and martyrdome 1909. Richard Lee notary 477. Richard Webbe his trouble for the Gospell 1601 Richard Wich Priest and Martyr taken for a Sainct 701. Richard Wilmot scourged for the Gospell 2058. Richard Wright Richard Colliare and 4. others martyrs at Canterbury 1688. Richard White confessor hys story â—054 Richard Woodman Martyr hys tragicall story .1983.1984 hys apprehension 1985. his first examination .1986 his second examination and aunsweres .1989.1990 his 3. examination .1992 his fourth examination .1997.1998 his fift examination .1999.2000 his last examination and aunsweres .2001.2002 his condemnation martyrdome 2003. Ridleyes talke with Bourne 1426. Richard Rothe Martyr his story and Martyrdome 2013.2014.2015.2016.2017 Richard Yeoman Martyr burned at Norwiche for the Gospell and the true profession thereof 2045. Richard Hook Martyred at Chichester for the trueth of the Gospell 1688 Richard Hunne his story .805 articles obiected agaynst him wyth his aunsweres .806 murthered in Prison .806.807 his Corpes burned after his death sentence definitiue agaynste him beinge deade .808 his Defence agaynste Syr Thomas More and Alanus Copus 811 Richard Mekins his story martyrdome 1202 Richarde Pottâ— Persecutour hys death 2103 Richard Pacie his story 989 Ringing of Curphew by Thomas Arundell 554 Ringing in the Archbishoppe at S. Albons 555 Rigges UicechauÌ„cellor of Oxford 502 Rictionarus a cruell Helhounde to the poore Christians he made riuers of theyr bloud 79 Ridley his treatise against the worshipping of Images and setting of them vp in churches and temples 2128.2129.2130.2131 Ridley refused of Queene Mary to preach before her .1396 sent to Oxford to dispute 1428 Ridley his excellent story .1717 his conference with Mayster Latimer in prison .1718.1719 articles ministred agaynst him .1760 hys Examinations and Aunsweres .1761 his supplication to Quene Mary .1768 his death and constant martyrdome for Gods truth 1769.1770 his letters and farewelles to England 1770.1774.1777.1779.1784.1786 Riches and pride of the Cleargy the fountayne of mischiefe 210â— Riches of the Popes Clergy how they ought to be employed 2109 Riding of the Pope the
Succession of Peter 1120 Succession of Bishops no certayne or essentiall poynte to knowe the true Church by 1613.1614 Suffolcke persecuted 660 Suffolke men assist Queene Mary to the Crowne 1407 Suffolke persecuted 1912 Sulpitius Martyr 4 Sultanes first so called 737 Summe of S. Paules doctrine 20 Summary Collection of the errors heresies and absurdities of the Popes doctrine 25.26.27.28.29 Summus Orbis Pontifex a proude title of the Pope neuer vsed till the time of Boniface 3. Phocas the wicked Emperor 12 Supper of the Lord how ministred by our sauiour Christ is a representation of hys body and bloud 1973. Supper of our Lorde the true vse thereof .1174 why ordayned 1431. Supper of the Lorde requireth a communion 1816. Superalter what it is 1519. Supplication of all the nobles and Commons of England to Pope Innocent 4. in the Councell of Lyons 288. Supplication of the persecuted preachers dyrected to king Phillip Queene Mary 1483. Supplication of beggars by fishe 1014.1015 Supplication of M. Philpot to the king and Queenes Maiesties 1829. Supplication of the inhabitants of Suffolk and Northfolke to Q. Maryes Commissioners 1902 1903.1904.1905.1906 Supplication of the Nobles in the Parliament house to the pope 1477. Supplication of the persecution in Muchbently to the Lord Darcy 2005. Supplication of the Nobles of Boheme in the behalfe of Ioh. Hus. 602. Superstition crept into the churche with Monkery 153. Suppression of Abbies by K. HeÌ„ry the 8. 1101.1070 Supremacy of the Pope resisted by diuers Churches 13. Supremacy of the church of Rome reproued .1065.1066 neuer knowne to the auncient fathers 1066.1067 Supremacy of the Pope set vpp and established in the ParliameÌ„t of Queene Mary 1481. Supremacie of the Pope driuen out of England 1094. Supremacie of the Pope ouerthrowne how it came vp 1647.1648 Superioritie in the Churche what and how lawfull 21. Superioritie none amongst the Apostles proued by great and forcible reasons 14. Sueues his story 99. Suffragane of Douer brake hys necke after he had receaued the Cardinals blessing 2099 S. W. Swallowe persecutor of George Egles plagued of God for hys bloudy crueltie 2009.2010 Swallow a cruell tormentor of Gods sayntes his end 2103. Swearing when where and how lawfull 529.538 Swearer hys terrible and fearfull end 2104.2105 Swearing by a booke whether lawfull and howe where and when it is lawfull to sweare and take an othe 529. William Sweeting Martyr .804 his articles and Martyrdome 818. Swinderby hys story .464 cited 470. processe agaynst hym .471 his aunswere .472 condemned hys appeale .473 hys forced abiuration .465 hys protestation letters .467 articles articulate agaynst him falsely wrested by the maligne Papistes 466.468 Swincherd made Bishop of Winchester 142. Swingfield bewrayer of one Angels wife hys death 2100. Swithinus Byshop of Winchester hys fained monkish myracles 137. Swordes neuer geuen to the pope 473. Swordes blunt and hangmen wery with murthering of Christians 80 Sworde of the Pope double 499. S Y. Symphorissa with her .7 children martyrs 41. Symon a Deacon martyred 32. Symon zelotes crucified 32. Synode of Cloneshoe 128. T A. TAble of the Martirs that suffered in Fraunce 897.898 Table of the Nobles of Boheme 638 Table of the Martyrs that suffered in Germany 886 Table of the Spanish Martyrs 928 Table of certaine Countryes won froÌ„ Christendome by the turks 760 Table of the successioÌ„ of the Archbishops of Caunterbury 394.395.396 Table of the yeares of the Turkes and Saracens 771 Table of the persecution in the dioces of Lincolne 821.822.824 Table of the Popes extortions exactions and oppressions in England 284.282 Table of suche as abiured vnder Warrham Archbishop of CanÌ„terbury 1286.1278 Table of certayne persons abiuring with theyr articles 1040 Table of the Saxon kinges such as made themselues Monkes 134 Table of the Saxon kinges which raigned from Egbert to WilliaÌ„ Conqueror 135 Table of the kinges of Englande that reigned with the Saxons after theyr comming in 112.113 Table of all orders of religion 260 Table of the 7. Kingdomes of the Saxons ruling in England 110 Table of the ItaliaÌ„ Martyrs 934 Tacitus Florianus Emperors 75 Tacianus commended 45 Tamerlanes his victoryes againste the Turkes 739 Tame deuill his story 2108 Tamerlanes king of Persia a cruell Tyraunt 739 Tancrede king of Cypres his maner of interteining of King Richard the first 244 Tankerfield Martyr his story examination condemnation and coÌ„staunt martyrdome for the Gospell 1689.1690.1681 Tartarians theyr spoyle in Christendome 338 Tathe besieged of the cruell merciles Turkes 754 Tayler Doctor Parson of Hadley his life and story .1518 his examinations .1521 his degradation .1524 his godly death and coÌ„stant Martyrdome .1526.1527 his letters 1528 Taylour his appreheÌ„sion trouble with Articles obiected agaynste him .658 his martyrdome 659 T E. Te Deum song for Queen Maries child 1476 Telesphorus Byshop of Rome Martyr 52 Templaries their order began 200 Templaries burned at Paris 368 Templaries of Ierusalem ouerthrowne 294 Templaries put downe 351.368 Temples destroyed 77 Tempest horrible in England 269 Tempting tooles of SathaÌ„ wherwith hee assaulteth the Godly 1925. Tenne Martyrs sent at once to Boner Bishop of London to be examined 1689. Tenne blessed martyrs burned in Câ—lchester for the profession of Christes veritie 2005.2006.2007 Tenthes graunted to the Pope for for 7. yeares by the king of England 335. Tenthe parte of all moueables in England and Ireland geuen to the Pope for the election of Richard the Archbishop of Caunterbury 273. Tertullian a great learned manne his Apology in the behalfe of the Christians his blemishes 55. Testimonie of the vniuersitie of Oxford and of Iohn Hus of Iohn Wickliffe 448. Testimonies for the principalitie of the Pope 17 Tewkesbery battaile wheÌ„ where and how atchieued and ended 716. Tewkesbery a godly Martyr hys story .1024 his martyrdome 1026. Testwood his trouble and persecution with the cause thereof .1211 hys death 1220. Tewlerus an auncient preacher agaynst the Pope 390. T H. Theodora Martyr 4. Theodoretus archbishop of Caunterbury beginner of misrule in the Englishe churche 124. Theodora a virgin martyr her story 63. Theonus first archbishop of London 172. Theeues amongest the Romaines burnt in old time 62. Thirtene persons burned at stratford the bowe in one fire .1915 theyr agreement in theyr fayth 1915.1916 Thaddeus Martyr 32. Thackuell martyr her storye and martyrdome 1910.1911 Theodorus martyr his story 99. Theodorus 2. pope 146 Theophilus ecclesiasticall writer 53. Theodulus Deacon of Alexander hys martyrdome 38. Theotechnus Byshop of Cesarea 35. Thirlby hys story 1090. Thomas Audly speaker of the Parliament house .1053 made Lord Chauncellour of England 1054. Tho. Arundell archbishop of Canterbury hys constitutioÌ„s against the gospellers hys horrible death 587.588 Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Caunterbury a bloudy persecutor 507. Thomas Arthur hys trouble persecution .998 articles ministred agaynst him 999. Thomas Benbridge Martyr hys story .2046 articles obiected agaynst him ibid. his death and glorious martyrdome 2047. Thomas Barnard martyr his story 774.
protestation agaynst the Pope 344.345 William Flower martyr his story and persecution 1574. his communication with Robert Smith 1574. articles obiected agaynst him .1575 hys sentence of condemnation with depositions agaynst him .1576 his constant martyrdome 1577. William Foster famished in Caunterbury for the Gospell 1954. William Gie troubled for the Gospell and whipped in Bridewâ—ll 2144 William Hastlen gunner in the Castle of high Bulloyne his trouble for hys zeale to Gods truth with his examinations answers and happy deliueraunce 2137.2138 William Harries martyr hys story 2037. William Henry of Tenterden examined 644. William Hierome his story 1192. William Hoker martyr 2058. William Halcot gentleman a fauourer of the Gospel his trouble for bringing Doctour Cranmer a booke into Bocardo 2135. William Holte a Iudas 1032. William Hierome his story 1192.1197 his martirdome 1199.1200 William Halliwell martyr 1914.1915 William Hayle martyr .1689 burned at Barnet 1702. William Hunter hys notable godly history 1536. William Hunter hys letter to hys mother 2150. William Liuing persecuted and dedeliuered by Gods prouidence 2063. William Longspathe an Englishe Captayne goeth with the french armie into holy lande .293.265 his ventrous actes and attemptes there atchieued .295.296 slayne in battayle 295. William Leiton Martyr 1131. William Mainard martyr his story and martyrdome 1983.1984 William Maulden his story and deliuery 2082 William Crossebowmaker his story 1229. William Mauldon prentice scourged for the Gospell and rebuketh a lewd fellow for mockyng the word of God 2102.2013 William MouÌ„t with Alice Mount his wife theyr story trouble persecution condemnation and martyrdome 2005.2007.2008 William Minge imprisoned for the Gospell dyed in prison 1665. William Morant Martyr his story 1976. William Nicholl Martyr hys story and Martyrdome 2034.2035 William Northburgh Confessor to king Edward 3. hys letters describing the actes of king Edward in Fraunce 385. William Plane hys story 1467 William Plane committed to the Tower and racked for hys fauour borne to the Gospell .2128 deliuered and set at libertie hys death ibid. William Pigot his story 1542. William Pikes or Pikers his story and martyrdome 2042. William Purcas martyr his story and martyrdome 2007.2008 William Rufus 184. his hardines .189 his death ibid. William Seaman martyr hys story 1035. his martyrdome 2036. William Sparow martyr his story and Martyrdome 2025.2026.2027 William Sarton burned at Bristow 2149. William Sautre his story .516 hys articles agaynst him his aunsweres and processe agaynst hym ibid. his degradation and martirdome 518. William Sleach his death 1914. William Adherall hys deathe and buriall 1914. William Smith a zelous preacher at Calice .1224 his story 1226. William Smith Bishoppe of Lincolne a persecutor 820. William Steuens hys trouble for the Gospell 1227. William Sweeting martyr .804 hys articles and martyrdome 818. William Swinderby his story 464 Williams a Smith scourged 2062 William Taylour his trouble and apprehension with his articles obiected agaynst him .658 hys godly martyrdome 659. William Tell. 866. William Tilsworth martyr 774. William Tindall his lyfe story and martirdome .1075.1078 his supplication to the king and nobles with his letters 1079.1080 William Tyms Martyr his godly letter to a certayne friend 2142. William Thorpe his godly history his preface to his examinations .527 cast into prison and is comforted of the Lord .542 his Testament conteining a complaynt of vicious priestes ibid. his ende vncertayne 543. William Tyms Deacon and martyr 1895. his examination answeres .1896 his letters 1898.1899.1900.1901 William Waterer William Lowick William Hay William Prowting martyrs 1970. William Wattes his trouble and deliueraunce 2071. William Warlwast the kinges ambassadour to the Pope his Oration 193. William White confessor his story .2054 his examination and happy deliueraunce 2055. William Wiseman dyed in prison burned in the field 1794.1795 William De weauer martyr burnt at Gaunt 2108. William Wickam Byshop of Winchester depriued 426. William White Priest his persecusecution 661. his articles martyrdome 662. William Wood of Kent his deliuery from Persecution 1077. William Woode hys trouble for the gospell and sondry deliueraunces by the singular prouideÌ„ce of God 2146.2077 William Wolsey Martyr his story examination and godly Martyrdome 1715.1716 William Byshop of Ely Chancellour of England made Legate of England and Scotland 236. William Bishop of Ely and Hugh Bishop of Duresme made ouerseers of the Realme in absence of the king .236 his story 246. deposed resigneth his castles and clotheth himselfe in womans apparrell .247 taken for an harlot cast into a darke seller in stead of a prison released receiued into Paris with procession for mony writeth to the Pope and king 247.248 William Wolsey Martyr hys story and Martyrdome 1715.1716 Williams Doctor and Chauncellour of Gloucester his terrible end 2015. Williams a lawier striken mad for his mocking of the truthe 2105. Wight martir his story and martirdome 2042. Wiche martyr hys story and martyrdome taken for a Saincte 701. Wilfrida archbishop of Yorke 124 Wife of Peter Martyr her cruell handling at Oxford of the Papistes 1968.1969 Wilfride king Edgar his Leaman 155. Wilsons wife martyr her story and martyrdome 1980.1981 Wilmot scourged for the Gospell 2058. William Gardiner martyr hys tragicall history .1364 he plucketh the Cardinalles idoll out of hys handes at masse .1365 is wounded and brought before the kyng ibid. his cruell and pacient martyrdome 1366 Wife of one Prest burned at Exeter for the Gospell of Christ. 2149. Wife of one Michaels troubled for the Gospell 2144. Winchesters reasons agaynst the supremacy of the pope that Romish Antichrist 1058. Winchester his story .1339 an enemy to Christes Gospell .1245.283 depriued .1359.1360 hys contrarietie both to hymself and others .1792.1791.1792 alloweth the sacrament in both kindes 1789. dissaloweth masses for satisfaction supremacie of the pope 1789. is agaynst images chauntres ceremonies .1790.1791 his death 1785. Winchester and Wrisley complayned of the gospellers to the king 1214 Winchester Church built 133. Windsor castle recouered out of the handes of straungers 331 Windsor castle inlarged 384. Windsore persecuted 1211.1212 Winson in Suffolke persecuted 1912. Wimbletons sermons at Paulus Crosse. 547. Wimshurst his trouble and deliuery 207. Winchcombe church built by whoÌ„ 130. Wilfull pouertie abhorred 414. Wischart gentlemaÌ„ hys story trouble and martyrdome .1267 hys examinations and aunsweres .1268 his prayer and martyrdome 1271. Wittenberge writeth to the Pope in the behalfe of Martine Luther 845.149 W O. Woodman martyr his story .1983.1984 his apprehension .1985 his examinations .1986.1988.1989.2002 hys condemnation and Martyrdome 2003. Woode hys trouble for the Gospell wyth hys sondry deliueraunces 2146.2147 Wood Martyr hys story and martyrdome 1914. Woodroffe a cruell Sheriffe hys bloudy tyranny to Gods seely Martyrs is punished of God 1624.2100 Women burned at Exceter in Q. Marâ—es dayes for the Gospell 2049.2050.2051 Woman Pope 137. Workes excluded from the glory of iustifâ—yng 23. Workes of supererogation 26.264 Workes iustifie not 23.978.979.1117 Workes and the law with the errors of the Papistes touchyng the same 25.26 Workes
stake D. Ridley ready to aunswere D Smithes Sermon but â—â—uld not â—e suffered D Marshall Vicechaâ—â—â—cellour of Oxford stoppeth D. Ridleys mouth B. Ridley committâ—â—â— his cause to Gâ—d M. Latimerâ— wordes when he could not be suffered to answere D Smith * This was no Popish Tippet 〈◊〉 made 〈◊〉 to keepe 〈◊〉 necke warme D. Ridley geueth away his apparrell other 〈◊〉 to the peâ—ple 〈…〉 him M. Latimer standing at the staâ—e in his shirte D Ridley 〈…〉 The death and Martyrdome of D. Ridley The lamenting hartes of the people at the Martyrdome of these two Saintes The first farewell of B. Ridley to his friendes Commendation of George Shipside his brother in lawe To his brother Iohn Ridley To his sister in lawe of vnthanke wife to Hugh his brother To his Cosin M. Nicholas Ridley To his Cosin Rafe Ridley To all his kindred B. Ridley appoynâ—ed to be B. of Durham Martyrdome Gods singular and rare promotion 1. Peter 4. A blessed thing to suffer death for Christ. If 〈…〉 dye wâ—â—h his 〈◊〉 vpoÌ„ theeâ—es for worâ—â—ly gooâ—â—s how mâ—ch more then to dye in Chriâ—â—es â—uarell vpoâ— the enemye of his Church Deut. 7. Iohn 15. To dye in any right whatsoeuer it be is to dye in Gods cause To dye in the truth against theeues and to dye for the truth agaynst Christes enemyes compared Truth taught in the Church of England True ministration of the Lordes Supper Seruice in thâ— vulgare toâ—gue Luke 22. 〈…〉 Chriâ—â— is contrary to Gods word is a subuersion of 〈◊〉 godlines and destruction to mans soule Comparison betweene Popishe persecutors and strong theeues Popish persecutors when they are false theeues yet will they be called true Catholickes The fight with spirituall theues is worse then with temporall theeues Ephesians 6. Ephesians 6. The weapons of a christian warriour D. Ridley 〈◊〉 to the Sea of Durham The cause of Martyrs is the common cause of Christ and of 〈◊〉 his elect Saintes Let no man foâ—â—acke to dye 〈◊〉 a blessed 〈◊〉 common quarell To his friendes in Cambridge Benefites sheweâ— to D. Ridley in Cambridge Pembroke hall in CaÌ„bridge Commendation of Pembroke hall to be a letter forth euer of the Gospell D. Ridley learned the Epistles of S. Paule Peter without booke in Pembroke hall D. Ridley called into Kent by Archbishop Cranmer To the parishe of Herne in Kent The godly Lady Phines in Herne parish To the metrapoliticke sea of Canterbury To the sea of Rochester To Westminster To the sea of London B. Ridley deposed 〈◊〉 the sea of London without right or iudgement The Sea of London worthely 〈◊〉 â— Ridleys 〈…〉 the Episcopall 〈◊〉 of London To the city of London Commendation of 〈◊〉 Richard 〈◊〉 Alderman Knight The creating of the hospitall by B. Ridley 〈◊〉 Richard Dobbes 〈◊〉 of London Commendation of Syr George Barnes Maior of London Bridewell obtayned of King Edward by Syr George Barnes to set poore people a worke To the Citizens of London To the higher house and temporall Lordes of the Parlament Gal. 3. A good warning or lesson to the temporall Lordes Ezech. 3. Luke 6. Ignorance will not excuse the temporalty being seduced in religion The Lordes of the Parliament be fallen from Christ to Christes enemy Act. 2â— Many good meÌ„ in the sea of Rome So long as the Sea of Rome folowed the rules of the Apostles it might be called Peter or Paules chayre The Church receaued of the Apostles of Christ Christ of God Tertull. The sea of Rome hath degenerated from the Apostles rules and hath set vp an other religion That is hath excercised an other power Hath ordeyned strange lawes If true doctrine maketh sea Apostolicke then coÌ„trary doctrine maketh the sea to be Antichrist Apocalip 17. Apocalip 11. Kinges coÌ„mitting adultery with the whore of Babilon what it meaneth Apoc. 17. Daniel â— He speaketh to the Lordes teÌ„porall Psalme 4. If the vnity of the Popes Church standeth vpon necessity of saluation why did the Lordes of this realme abiure this vnitye in K. Henry K. Edwardes dayes If it be otherwise why then doe they periure themselues turning to it agayne 〈◊〉 6. An other farewell of 〈…〉 c. 〈◊〉 5. 〈◊〉 1 〈…〉 2. Matâ— 5. Luke 21. Luke 6. Math. 10. Math. 10· Math. 10. To confesse Christ and not to feare danger 2. Cor. 4. 1. Peter 3. The causes why the Apostles so reioysed in their affliction 1. Corin. 2. 2. Cor. 12. 2. Tim. 1. The glory of Paule wherein it consisted 2. Tim. 2. â— Tim. 3. Gal. 4. The waye to heauen is by afflictions Heb. 11. Heb. 12. Reasons to moue vs to pacience vnder the Crosse. Prouerb â— Heb. 1â— 2. Cor. 5. 2. Cor. 5. 1. Cor 1. Phil. 1. Luke 25. Rom 9. 1. Iohn 3. Apoc. 14. To couet to be with Christ and not to fearâ— death Iohn 11. Iohn 5. 2. Peter â— 2. Cor. 5. Act. 14. Luke 16. Luke 12. The state of the Church of England described 〈◊〉 The lamentable chaÌ„ge of religion in the Church Ieremy 4. 1. Cor. 14. Ignorance a prayer Abuse â—n the Lordes Sâ—pper The Sacrament turned out of his right vse kind Idolatry in worshipping the creature for the creator The cuppe debarred from the ministration of the Lordes supper Blasphemous sacrifice for sinne Deuter. 5. Idolatry is stockes and stones The whore of Babilon with her cup of abominations expounded Apoc. 17. 2. Peter 2. The misticall marchaundise of the Babilonicall strumpet All thinges at Rome for money Verses agaynst Pope AlexaÌ„der Abominations and wicked abuses of the Sea of Rome declared The true word of God the office of the same declared Note here that these Scriptures were written by M. 〈◊〉 in the Marâ—eâ—t but were not in the copy which we â—llowed Act. â—0 Cranmer and Ridley 〈◊〉 in the Duke oâ— Sâ—mersets câ—use Cranmer repugning agaynst the spoyle of the Church goodes Latimer Bradford Leuer Knoxe The corrupt 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 K. Edwardes tyme. Hipocrisie a double euill The slackenes that was in that tyme to good workes Gods plaâ—â—â— vpon England iustly deserueâ— He exhortet◠〈◊〉 constant confeâ—sion of Christ Punishment of heretiques 〈◊〉 gentle in the olde tyme and how it was vsed Counsell geuen in these dayes of persecution what to doe Such as remayned out of captiuitye counsayled to voyde the realme The abominatioÌ„ of desolation set vp in England Christ coÌ„maundeth to flye to the mountaynes Apoc. 18. 2. Cor. 6. Counsell to depart the realme Doubtes whether to flye or to tarry debated Presumptuous prouocation rash running into daunger forbidden Euseb. Eccle. lib. 4. cap. 15. 〈…〉 dwelling in â—ngland 〈◊〉 a good 〈◊〉 eyther with out daunger of conscieÌ„ce oâ— perill of lyfe Iâ—â—ent no excuses to câ—oâ—e sinne Confession of 〈◊〉 must goe with belief of 〈◊〉 To trust in God what it is 1. Corin 3 2. Cor. 6. Rom. â— To beare the beastes markeâ— what it is Apoc. 13.14.10 The literall taking of the Scripture 〈◊〉 the Iewes 〈…〉 The Popes
make his aunswereâ— Succession of Bishopâ— alone is â—o sufficient poynt to proue the Catholicke Church Leaue your reuiling termes 〈◊〉 Lord 〈◊〉 goe to the matter Note how these men grouÌ„d their fayth not vpon Gods word but vpon the determination of their owne knowne Church My Lord of 〈◊〉 driâ—eâ— to seeke 〈◊〉 bookes August de implicitate â—â—edendi â— Philpot 〈◊〉 repâ—â—ted to 〈…〉 â— Poyntes 〈◊〉 proue 〈◊〉 Cathoâ—â—cke church 〈◊〉 of S. Austen 1. Consent of al natioÌ„s 2. Sea Apoâ—â—â—licall 3. Vniuersalitye 4. Catholicke Aunswere to the Archbishops 4. poyntes Christes church ceaseth not 〈◊〉 his Church albeit 〈◊〉 tyme of persecution iâ— be hid sometime in corners First aunswere to his reason and 〈◊〉 him obâ—tinate â—â—terward * Because 〈◊〉 Lord 〈◊〉 be not 〈◊〉 to aunswere him Anotâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of M. Philâ—â—â— before â—he â—ishop Concerning these 4. poynt aunswered sufâ—ficiently befoâ—â— It is best for you to lay so when you haue no other way to shift of his Argumentes The last examinations of M. Philpot in open iudgement with his finall condemnation by B. Boner in the consistory at Paules December 14. M. Philpot called into open iudgement 3. Speciall Articles layd to M. Philpot. * Here eyther the Register belyeth M. Philpot or els he ment as not offeÌ„ding the law thereby to be accused for otherwise â—all his former examinations doe declare that he spake against the Sacrament of the Altar B. Boner with all his Doctors not able to satisfie M. Philpots offer December 16. The last examination of Iohn Philpot. B. Stokesleys prayer when he gaue sentence vpon any B. Boner prayeth against himselfe B. Boner hath no authoritye by right to proceed agaynst M. Philpot. B. Boner noted to 〈◊〉 ignorant 〈◊〉 the lawe This law seemeth eyther blindly câ—pared of the Bishop or els not rightly collected of his Register The Lord Maioâ— with the Shâ—â—efâ—e assistanâ— to B. Boner against M. Philpot. The 3. arâ—â—â—cles agaynst Iohn Philpot agaynst repeated An exhortation of â— Boneâ— to Iohn Philpot December 16. 〈◊〉 Philpot answeâ—eth to the Bâ—â—hops exhortation before the Lord Maior To the first aâ—ticle Iohn Philpot is of the Catholicke Church but not of the â—aâ—ilonical Church To the 2. Article Iohn Philpot speaketh not agaynst the 〈◊〉 sacrifice 〈◊〉 agaynst 〈◊〉 sacrifice 〈◊〉 â—pon the 〈◊〉 vsed 〈◊〉 prâ—uate masâ—es To the 3. article Pâ—â—â—pot denyeth not 〈◊〉 Sacrament of the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 but the Sacrament of the Altar of 〈◊〉 he deâ—â—eth Philpot chargeth the clergy of Q Mar· time to be idolaters to 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 church where their 〈…〉 church 〈◊〉 England 〈◊〉 K. Edwardeâ—â—â—me B. Boner chargeth him with false surmises for want of true matter Philpot had a knife brought him vnder a pig Ergo the Church of Rome is a Catholicke church Articles concluded in Cambridge and Oxford The catechisms set forth in K. Edwards dayes The booke of report of the disputation in in the Conuocation house A letter written to M. Philpot touching the handling of M. Grene. exhibited by B. Boner Boner breaketh promise M. Grene strong in sriptures Doctors Fecknams report of Bart. Grene. This bill was a supplication to be offred vp in the Parlament A letter written to M. Philpot by the faythfull Christen Lady the Lady Vane A supplication of Iohn Philpot to the King and Queene The strayte handling of Iohn Philpot in the Bishops Colehouse Of this booke of disputation 〈◊〉 the Conuocation reaâ—â— before pag. 1410. Ah my Lord what needed this question when no reasonable aunswere could be allowed Sentence of condemnation read agaynst M. Philpot. M. Philpots words in reading the senteÌ„ce M. Philpot deliuered to the Sheriffes M. Philpot to his seruaunt M. Philpot brought into Newgate his man permitted to enter with him Talke betweene M. Philpot Alexander the keeper Good Philpot lâ—den with yrons because he would not recant at Alexanders bidding Alexander taketh Philpots tokens from his man Alexander the cruell keeper requireth 4. poundes of M. Philpot for his yrons M. Philpot 〈…〉 Note the 〈…〉 Phâ—lpot with much 〈…〉 M. Philpot warned by the Sheriffes â—o prepare him agaynâ—t the next day to 〈…〉 Decemb. â—â— M. Philpot brought to the place of Martyrdome M. Philpotâ— words going to the stake M. Philpotâ— prayers Iohn Philpot geueth the Officers money The writinges examinations of M. Iohn Philpot by the prouideÌ„ce of almighty God preserued A godly prayer to be sayd at the tyme of Martyrdome He prayeth for restoring of the Gospell and peace in England A letter of M. Philpot to the Congregation Heb. 6· Math. 25. Math. 5. Rom. 10. Math. 11. Luke 12. Math. 7. Luke 9. Math. 7. Aggeus â— Wisedome of the flesh not to be harkened vnto Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 6. Math. 16. Heb. 11. Psal. 116. Death for righteousnes bringeth felicity Godly counsell Luke 18. 3. Reg. 18. Apoc. â— 3. Reg. 31. God will not be serued after mans imagination but as himselfe prescribeth Ephe. 2. Psal. 21. Psal. 26. 〈…〉 5. 1 Cor. 3. Not lawfull 〈◊〉 true 〈…〉 Popish 〈◊〉 Not 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 God in 〈◊〉 but in 〈…〉 A lesson for large consciences Persons 〈…〉 true Christians ought in no 〈◊〉 to parâ—â—cipate with 〈◊〉 Heb. 10. Apoc. 13. 〈◊〉 5. 〈◊〉 2. 1 Cor. 6. Apoc. 18. 〈◊〉 3. The place 〈…〉 5. 〈◊〉 Math. 24. A cursed thing to sinne vpon hope of forgeuenes Psal. 102.146 Luke 20. 1. Pet. 2. Obedience to Magistrates what and how farre Actes 4. Daniell 6. Math. 15. Agaynst such â— sinne wilfully vpon hope of Election Rom. 3. Ephe. 1. 2. Heter 1. Prouerb 24. Iohn 12. Iohn 3. Heb. 6.10 Large conscieÌ„ce 1. Cor. 4. 1. Tim. 1. Charitye Pure hart Fayth vnfayned Good conscieÌ„ce An other letter of M. Philpot to Iohn Careles Experience of the Lordes comfort in trouble Example of Christes comfort to be taken by M. Philpot. Apoc. 21. An other letter of M. Philpot to the same partye To this letter Careles maketh a very godly aunswere which you shall see after in his story Math. 15. Psal. 125. Psal. 51. Luke 7. Sorow in a Christian man ought to be moderate 1. Thess. 4. 2. Cor. 7. Rom. 5. Sathans practise to bring the godly repeÌ„tance of a sinner to desperatioÌ„ Gods children fall The deuills children lye still Luke 11. Strife agaynst sinne iâ— a token of Gods child Iames. 4. Wholsome and godly preceptes of lyfe An other letter of M. Philpot to his owne Sister full of fruitfull exhortation Spirituall consanguinitye and naturall compared The Sieue of afflictions Luke 22. Eccle. 2. Christ our first borne brother A Christen mans backe should alwayes be ready to beare Christes crosse Vngodly fellowship to be eschewed Psal. 15. 2. Tim. 2. Apoc 4. This was for the first fruites of his Aâ—chdeaconry whereof all the tyme of his imprisonmeÌ„t he had no commoditye and yet his suretieâ— were compelled to pay the same An other letter of Iohn Philpot contayning godly exhortations He commeÌ„deth their faythfull zeale to Gods word He exhorteth them
to the king Note the glorious head of D. Stephens D. Cranmer sent for to the Kâ—ng D. Cranmer seeketh excuses both to come vnto the kinges presence D. Cranmer brought to the king Talke betweene the king and D. Cranmer The king troubled in conscience Marke this you Papistes which so rashly iudge the kinges diuorce and the Popes ouerthrowe to haue sprong of light causes D. Cranmer excusing and disabling himself to the king D. Cranmer assigned by the king to search the Scriptures in the cause of his diuorce The king first geuen to vnderstand that the Pope hath no authority to dispence with the word of God The kinges 〈…〉 the Popeâ— CanoÌ„â—â—â— to the 〈◊〉 of the â—â—â—â—â—tures The kinges mariage found by Gods word vnlawfull Doctor Cranmer with other sent to Rome Ambassadour to the Pope The English Ambassadours not hasty to kisse the Popes foote The vnmanerly nature of a Dogge presuming to kisse the Popes foote Arguing to the Popes face that contrary to the word of God he had no power to dispense Doctor Cranmer made the Popes Penitenciary Doctor Cranmer Ambassadour to the Emperour Conference betwene B. Cranmer Cornelius Agrippa tâ—e order 〈◊〉 Cranâ—â—â— study The gentle nature of Doctour Cranmer Cranmer stout and constant in Gods cause D. Cranmer a stout enemy agaynst the 6. articles Of this coÌ„ming of the L. Cromwell and the two Dukes to the Archbishop read before Example for Ecclesiasticall pastors Archbishop Cranmer in displeasure about the imploying of Chauntrey landes The singular patience of this Archbishop A story betwene the Archbishop of Canterbury a popish priest his enemy The rayling of a Popish Priest agaynâ—t Doctor Cranmer Chersey suing for his kinsman to the Archbish. The Priest sent for to the Archbishop The Archâ—bishopâ— wordes to the Parson The Priest confesseth his fault to the Archbishop The rashe tongues of men sclauÌ„derously speaking euill by men whom they neuer knew nor saw before The Priests aunswere The Lord Câ—omwell offended wâ—en the Archbiâ—hop 〈…〉 Priest Not geuen to filthy luker but harberous The liberall doinges of this Archbishop The Archbishop clearing all his debtes before his attainder The large expenses of Doct. Cranmer The Bishops landes sought Vnâ—roth told to the king of the Archbiâ—hop of Canterburyes housekeeping The kinges answere to the coÌ„playner of the Archbishop The Archbishop of Canterburyes house keeping The comylayneâ— asketh pardon of the king for his vntrue report The King speaketh in defence of 〈◊〉 Archbishop of Canterbury The almes of the Archbishop towardes the poore To cleaue fast to the worde of doctrine able to exhorte in holsome learning to reproue the gayn-sayer Titus 1. Archbishop Cranmer euer constaÌ„t in defence of Christes truth and Gospell 〈◊〉 Papists 〈…〉 the Arcâ—bishop out of 〈◊〉 wâ—th 〈◊〉 The Archb. agayne 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 The kingeâ— wordes and aduise for the supportation of the Archbishop The Archbishops aunswere to the king The kinges fauorable care and consideration toward the Archbishop of Canterbury The king sendeth his signet in the behalfe of the Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop being one of the Counsel made to stand at the Counsell chamber dore wayting D. Buttes the kings Phisition a friend of the Archbishops The Archb called before the Counsayle The Counsaile being set against the Archb he sheweth the kinges ring and appealeth from them The kinges wordes to the Counsaile in defence oâ— the Archbishop The Lordes of the Counsaile glad to be friendes agayne with the Arrhbishop The king a great supporter of Cranmer The L Cromwells wordes to the Archbishop An other accusation brought into the Parlament house by Sir Iohn Gostwicke agaynst the Archb. Gostwicke checkâ—e of the king for accusing the Archbishop Gostwâ—â—â—â— glad to 〈◊〉 in agayâ—â—â— with th◠〈…〉 New 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 Iustice◠〈◊〉 Kent agaynst the Archb. Articles put to the King agaynst D. Cranmer The king maketh the Archbishop priuy of the articles CommissioÌ„ appointed to be sent into Kent for tryall of the articles Commissioners appointed to Cranmer Doct. Bellowes D. Coxe Chime M. Husley Register The false Suffragan and Barbar the Ciuilian aske the Archbishop forgiuenes The Archbishop forgiueth his enemyes Practise to get pardon for malefactors Richard Turner a faithfull preacher in Kent Papistes set against the Archbishop by occasion of Turners Preaching The troubleâ— of Richard Turner minister at Cartham M. Raphe Morice patrone of Richard Turner Preacher The great concourse of people to M. Turnerâ— Preaching Syr Iohn Baker Syr Christopher Hales Syr Tho. Moile Iustices with the Prebendaryes of Canterbury persecuters of Gods people Syr Thomas Moile hearing Turner could finde no fault with his doctrine M. Turner appearing before the Commissioners at Lambeth was discharged and sent home New matter made agaynst Richard Turner The practise of of Papistes to hold vp their kingdome with lyes The king deceiuâ—d by sinister information New matter made agaynst Richard Turner Conspiracye against the Archbâ—â—â—op Cranmer by the Iustices of Kent Sander and Browne 2. perâ—ecuting Papistes This Archbiâ—hop maryed his second wyfe at Noremberge The true 〈…〉 of the â—acrament 〈◊〉 bookes 〈◊〉 forth by 〈◊〉 Archb. 〈◊〉 Cant. The aunswere of D. Cranmer Archb. of Câ—nterbury agaynst Stephen Gardiner Marcus Anthonius written by Stephen Gardiner Archbshop of Cant. about an aunswere to Marcus Anthonius Notes of D. Ridley agaynst Marcus Anthonius Peter Martyrs booke of defeÌ„ce agaynst Marcus Anthonius Lady Iane. Cranmer refuseth to sweare to Lady Iane. Cranmer thorough the perswasion of the Counsell the king and lawyers subscribed to K. Edwardes Testament Manet alta mente repostuÌ„ Iudicium paridis â—pretaeque iniuria matris Virgil. Aeneid 1. This Doctour Thornton was after the Bishop of Douer a cruell and wicked persecuter This Bishoppe was D. Heath Bishop after of Yorke Cranmer condemâ—â— of treasoâ— Cranmer released treason 〈◊〉 accused 〈◊〉 heresie Cranmer had to Oxford D. Brookes D. Martyn D. Storye Commissioners agaynst the Archb. D. Martyn not so bitter in this persecution as other CoÌ„missioners were The order of 〈◊〉 placing 〈◊〉 Commiâ—â—â—â—oners The appeâ—â—â—ng of the Archb. of Canterbury before the Commissioners The Archb. goeth reuerence to the Quenes Câ—mmâ—â—â—â—â—ners D. Cranmer 〈…〉 reuereâ—ce to 〈…〉 The Oration of Bish. brookes Apoc. â— Heresâ—e 〈◊〉 treason 〈◊〉 to Doct. Cranmer That is without the Church there is no saluation That is for in hell there is no redemption That is remember from wheÌ„ce thou hast fallen That is for in hell there is no redemption That is remember from wheÌ„ce thou hast fallen Cyprian lib. â— Epist. 6. Prouoking to the Scripture Breaking of vowes That is repent and do thy first workes Ezech. 33. Orig. in Epist. Paul ad Rom. Berengarius * That is according to the hardnes of your hart ye treasure vp to your selfe anger in the day of wrath A good conscience Marke of an euill conscience Abuses in the Church require a reformation and not a defection Cogite intrare Clarkely expounded Math. 5· Melle lita pernicâ—es
Antipas Iason Act 7. Apoc. 2.3 1. Thess. 2. Rom. 19. Act. 17. Iohn 16. Act. 9. Phil. 2. Luke 21. Iohn 1.3 1. Cor. 6. Math. 10. Christ may as well be called an hereticke as these men Math. 16. Luke 12. Deut. â— Apoc. 22. Psal. 6â— Gala. 4. Gala. 5. â— Pet 3. 〈◊〉 â—4 Aâ— other 〈◊〉 of W. Tyms to Gods faithâ—â—l seruaÌ„ts â— Boner 〈◊〉 away from 〈◊〉 Tyms 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 good Heb. 9. 〈…〉 mouth 〈◊〉 to his 〈◊〉 Warning to come away froÌ„ the wicked 2. Cor. â— Sirach 13. What it is to 〈◊〉 associate in ill company A vyle seruaunâ— of B. Boners Actes 1. Anno 1556. Aprill Rom. 15. Rom. 16. Math. 24. B. Boner not able to answere to this place of Dauid * How can corruption be referred to accidences when by all Philosophy generation and corruption belong onely to the predicameÌ„t of substance Math. 10. â— Cor. 4. Actes 21. A note 〈◊〉 theÌ„ 〈◊〉 shronke 〈◊〉 way 〈…〉 Roâ— â— 8 2. Tim. 3. 1. Peter 4. 1. Reg. 19. 3. Reg. 19. Iob. 21 Dan. â— ExhortatioÌ„ not to refuse Christs Crosse. Psal. 119. Gods word neuer so sweete aâ— in trouble Rom. 5. 2. Tim. 1. Ierem. â— Ierem. 7. Ierem. 23. Experiment oâ— Gods câ—nâ—ert in 〈…〉 of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 13. The authoâ—â—tye of 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 â—â—proued 1. Pet. 5. Christes men bound to obey God in his Magistrates The honour of God to be preferred before all regall honour power Q Maryes Iniunctions disagreeing from Gods worde how wherin Hest. 3. 1. Esd 4. Queene Mary euill incensed Religion set forth in K. Edwardes tyme commendeâ— Luke 9. Math. 10. Math. 12. An honest petition to Queâ—â— Mary Examples of king Manasses 4. Reg. 23. Examples of Ieroboam Foule Idolatry set out with fayre shewes pretenses Ignorance wilfully mayntayned Seruice in Latin not to be admitted Iohn 11. Agaynst Latin Mattins In the Popes seruice there is no edifying what fables be in it the Lord knoweth 2. Thess. 2. The true vse of the Lordâ— Supper extincted Causes why the Commissioners commaundement ought not to be receaued Receauing in both kyndes The Masse hath nothing in it but an heape of ceremonyes The people robbed of Goâ—s worde Phil 2. All thinges doâ—e in the Church ought to be in a knowen tongue 〈◊〉 Prieâ—tes be not 〈…〉 it is 〈◊〉 owne 〈◊〉 Gods word 〈◊〉 true 〈◊〉 cast 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 in Q. Maryes 〈◊〉 The Popish 〈…〉 Chriâ—tes 〈◊〉 in Procession â—â—â—tisme in Englishe Catechisme in English The effectes of Gods word described Suffolke and Northfolke men moued by Gods word do â—et vp the Queene Inconuenienceâ— that follow by taking away Gods word Esay 6. Mich. 6. Luke 19. Apoc. 6. Louing of Gods word made heresie All that the Papistes striue for are but mans mere inuentions beside Gods worde The Queene her Commissioners and Iustices abused by â—he Bishops True subiectes wrongfully sclaundered Rom. 1. Psalm 69. What vnquietnes followeth the lacke of Gods worde Luke 13. Warning to Q. Mary to her Counsayle and Commissioners The duety of true subiectes declared first to Christ then to the Queene How farre a Prince ought to require obedience of his subiectes True obedience how farre it stretcheth Actes 4. True obedience Example of true obedience Feare and flattery enemyes to true obedience to God and man False dissemblers worthy to all men be hated 〈◊〉 The Martyrdome of Iohn Harpoâ—e and Ioane Beâ—ch at Rochester An. 1556. Aprill 1. Iohn Hullier Martyr The Martyrdome of Iohn Hullier minister who suffred at Cambridge Anno 1556. Aprill 2. A letter exhortatory of Iohn Huller to the flocke of the faythfull Christians Mach. 24 Ephe. 6. 1. Thess â—5 Luke 14. Math. 6. 3. Reg. 18. Rom. 15. Anno 1556. Maye Iohn 10. The wilines of the subtile Serpent 2. Tim. 2. Math. 10. Iohn 14.15.16 The peace of Christ to them that sustayne the troubles of this worlde Luke 14. The strayte way of Christ better then the broad way of this world â—ohn 15. Eccle. 41. Vngodly compâ—ny tâ— be auoyded Leuit. 18. Gods stipend commeth not but to such as play his souldiours 2. Tim. 1. Fearefulnes in Christes cause disproued Math. 10. Num. 13.14 Example by the fearefull Israelites 1. Pet. 3. Phil. 1. Apoc. 21. Apoc. 3. Esay 8. Prouer. 3. Heb. 12. 1. Cor 11. 2. Reg. 7. Math. 7. 〈…〉 Apoc. 14. 1 Pet 2. 〈◊〉 3. 〈…〉 16. 〈◊〉 10. 〈…〉 16. 〈◊〉 9. Ephe 4. 1. Cor. 3. Psal. 3. Heb. 3. 2. Cor. 4. Gods mercy to whom it belongeth Obiection aunswered 1. Cor 1â— Rom. 18. Apoc. 18. Eccle. 3. Psal. 36. 2. Cor. 6. The body must adioyne with the spirite in seruing God Fythfull admonitions Aprill 28. The Martyrdome of 6. men at Colchester Roger Grasbroke Iohn Kingston B. Boners CoÌ„missary in Essex These Martyrs were deliuered by the Earle of Oxford to the Commissary by the Commissary sent to the Bishop Their answeres to the Bishops articles The Church of Rome no part of Christes Catholicke church 2. Sacramentes Profession of Baptisme To deny the beggerly vsages of the Popes Church is not to deny the Catholicke fayth of Christ. The pope ought to haue no authoritye in England The Church of Rome to be abhorred Againâ—â— Popes trumperâ—â— Agaynâ—â— transubstaÌ„tiation Against the Masse Sentence geuen agaynst them by B. Boâ—er May. 15. Two burned together at one stake Hugh Lauerrocke an olde lame man and Iohn Apprice a blynd man May. 16. Katherin Hutte Elizâ—beth Thackuell Ioane Hornes Martirs A letter of certayne persecuting Iustices to Boner The simple ignorance of these women had more neede to be instructed then they to be burned Agaynst the Masse and Sacrament of the Aultar Syr Iohn Mordant Promoter Katherin Hutte The wordes of Katherin Hutte of the SacrameÌ„t Ioane Hornes mayde The wordes and profession of Ioane Hornes touching the Sacrament The Butcherly axe of Boner Maâ—garet Ellys dyâ—â— in Newgate Elizabeth Thackuell Mayde and Martyr * i. A persecutor May 5. T. Drowry a blind boy and Tho. Croker Martyrs Persecution at Glocester Of this blynd boy read before pag. 1509. Iâ—mes 〈◊〉 Iohn 〈◊〉 W Dâ—uies persecutors Dunâ—ing 〈◊〉 persecutors The articles 〈◊〉 upon they were 〈…〉 Ceremoâ—â—â— Sacrament of the Altar Execution of burning in Northfolke done without a writte Syr Iohn Silliardes wordes Edmund Pole refuseth the Popes Church Robert Bacon an enemy Syr Iohn Tyrrell persecutor Persecution at Winson and Mendlesam in Suffolke The names of good men persecuted in Suffolke Mendlesam Gods people persecuted The fayth and doctrine of these Confessours Witnessed by the faythfull report of Suffolke men Psalm 106. A story of Gregory Crow maruelously preserued vpon the Sea with his new Testament Crowes boat broken vpon the sand Crow taketh his Testament and casteth his money away The boy beaten with Sea and drowned Crowes â—an deaâ— vpon the â—aste Gregory Crow 〈◊〉 vpon the Seas sitting 〈◊〉 a Maste Gods prouidence to be noted God a maruelâ—us 〈…〉 tyme of neede Crow with the Testament preserued on
rayling agaynst Iames Abbes. Example how Popery bringeth to desperation Clarke hanged himselfe The sodaine death of Troling Smith Dale the Promotor eaten with lyee Coxe the Promotor sodainely dyed Alexander the cruell keeper of Newgate dyed a rotten death The sodaine death of Iames Alexanders sonne Iohn Peter Alexanders sonne in lawe rotted away Iustice Lelond perâ—ecutour pâ—agued Robert Baulding persecutor Beard the Promotor Robert Blomfield persecutor The iudgement of God vpon Iohn Rocâ—â—wood Lady Honor and George Bradway persecutors in Calice Richard Long drowned himselfe The iust punishmeÌ„t of God vpoÌ„ Syr Rafe Ellerker persecutor The sodaine death of D. Foxford Pauâ—er a persecutor hanged himselfe The stinking end of Stephen Gardiner proueth Popery and not the Gospell to be the doctrine of desperaration Gods iust stroke vpon Iohn Fisher B. of Rochester and Syr Thomas More 2. Mach. 3. Of Valerianus read before pag. 74. Bishops that dyed before Q. Mary Byshops tâ—â—t dyed 〈◊〉 Q. Mary * Note that B. Tonstall iâ— Q Maryes tyme was no great bloudy persecutour For Maister Russell a Preacher was before him and D. 〈◊〉 his Chauncellour would haue had him examimined more particularly The Bishop stayed him saying hetherto we haue had a good report among our neighbours I pray you bring not this mans bloud vpon my head A note of D. Weston D. Weston out of fauour with the Papists D. Weston taken in adultry D. Weston appeâ—led to Rome The death of Doctour Weston Catholicke Bishops after Q. Marâ—es death depriued imprisoned Note that some of these Bishops afterward through the goodnes of Q. Elizabeth were dispersed and suffered to be kept in their friendes houses A note of Doct. Chadsey 34. Articles of D. Chadsey D. Chadsey subscribed to the reformed religion in King Edwardes time D. Chadsey mutable and inconstant in his religion The egernes of D. Chadsey in punishing the poore Martyrs Wil. Mauldon Prentise with M. Hugh Apparry at Grenewich A terrible example of Gods iudgement to be noted of all such as be contemners and mockers of God and his worde Gods punishmâ—nâ— vpon a young 〈◊〉 of 12 yeares 〈◊〉 blaspheming the Maiesty of God Blâ—sphemy punished A lâ—sson to children and young gyrles A leâ—â—â—n to all Athenites Epicures and Infideâ—â—â— A lesson to all blasphemers swearers Leuar of Abingdon a blasphemer of Gods Martyrs plagued Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury Fryer Champbell plagued Gods iudgment vpon Haruy a persecuting CoÌ„missary Gods iust plague vpon William Swallow Gods iust plague vpoÌ„ Richard Potto Richard Denton burned in his owne house Fettyes wyfe stricken with madnes Two Papistes of 〈◊〉 Colâ—â—â—ge in Oâ—ford 〈…〉 A story of a Courtyer oâ—e of the Garde which happened An. 1563. Admonitioâ— to Courtiers An example of Christopher Landeâ—dale one of the Garde for all Courâ—â—ers to looke vpon Landesdale a feaster of the rich and vnmercifull to the pore Poore Lazaruâ— lying by the rich mans doore Yet the â—icâ—e glutton was better for he suffered Lazarus to lye at his gates The death of poore Lazarus in the ditch The end of this vnmercifull 〈◊〉 in the ditch The image of the rich glutton and poore Lazarus Math. 5. 1. Iohn 3. A warning to gentlemen A fearefull example of 〈…〉 Gentle exhortatioÌ„ neglected The terrible ende of a swearer The miserable ende of Henry Smith a Lawier of the midle Temple after he was peruerted from the Gospell Note what leude company doth in corrupting good natures M. Smithes Images and Agnus dei Henry Smith a Lawyer hanged himselfe in his chamber after what maner One Williams a Lawyer and a rayler agaynst the Gospell fell madde Of the miserable end of this Twyford read before pag. 1258. DeclaratioÌ„ of foreine examples Hofmeister sodainely stricken with death going to Ratisbone What inconuenience commeth by thâ— Popes desperate doctrine The miserable ende of Guarlacus reader in Louane The story of Arnoldus Bomelius student aâ— Louane Note what euill instruction company doth An horrible example of Arnoldus Bomelius which killed himselfe with his owne dagger AdmonitioÌ„ to our Louanians Iacobus Latomus of Louane Iacobus Latomus an â—nemy to the Gospell brought to madnes and desperation The terrible wordes of Latomus in his desperation Gods will in his word to accept our fayth onely for iustification Obedience to Gods will rewarded Disobedience to Godâ— will punished The chiefe fountayne of all mischiefe in the world A Fryer of Munster stricke with lightning A Taylours seruaunt in Lipsia Gods punishment vpon a certaine Popish gentleman vnnamed Sadoletus Cardinall The Commendator of S. Antony plagued Abbot of Carilocus sodainely dead Dauid Beaton Archbyshop of Scotland persecutour slayne in hiâ— owne Castle Ex Ioan Sleidano lib. 23. The terrible iudgement of God vpon Cardinall Crescentius President of the Counsell of Trident. An. 1552. The wretched end of Cardinall Crescentius President of the Counsell of Trent Two aduouterous Byshops of Trident Counsell iustly slaine in adultery D. Eckius the Pâ—pes stout Champion· The end of Martyn Luther compared to the end of Eckius The maner of Iohn Eckius death Eckius last wordes Eckius dyeth dreaming of his Guildenâ— Ex appendice Hist. Ioan. Carionis Gods iudgment vpon one Iohn Vander Warfe Shoulted of Antwarpe a persecutour Shilpad a kinde of Shelfishe fashioned like a Tode with a hard and a broad shell vpon his backe Our Ladies druncken feast Fraunces Fraet the Printer and witnes hereof a good man Martyr Bartholomeus Cassaneus plagued Minerius plagued of God A Iudge with 3. persecutours plagued by Gods iudgment The terrible vengeaunce of God vpon Iohn de Roma a terrible persecutor Read before pag. 216. The Lord of Reuest plagued Iohn Martin plagued Erasm in Epistola Apologetica De vtili Coloquioâ— Gods punishment vpon a noble gentleman in going a pilgrimage Admonition False deuotion a perylous thing Agaynst Idolatrous pilgrimage A wonderfull example of Gods â—udgment at Gaunt Anno. 1565. Three causeâ— why Saintes are not to be prayed vnto Purgatory denyed The iudgement of God vpon Giles Brakelman the borough Maister William de Weuer Martyr burnt at Gaunt Anno. 1565. An other terrible example of Gods iudgment agaynst Syr Garret Trieste gentleman and then Alderman of Gaunt a persecutour Anno. 1566. An other example of Gods iudgement vpoÌ„ Marten de Pester one of the principall Secretaryes of Gaunt Anno. 1566. These men of Gaunt are witnesses hereof A story of a tame deuil conâ—â—â—ed in an Abbey in Sueuia A subâ—ill deuise of the Monkes to fray away their gestes The punishmeÌ„t of God vpon a Monke that would counterfeite the deuill Ex Gaspare Bruschio in Chronologia Monasteriorum Germaniae Read afore pag. 890. The doinges of Henry 2. French king agaynst the Lutherans neuer prospered with him This truce was betweene the French king the Emperour which the Pope caused to be broken The cruell purpose of the Duke of Guise disappointed The wicked vowe of the Constable of Fraunce defeated Lord Ponchet Archbishop of Tours The maruelous
iudgement of God vpon a burning persecutour Gods fearefull hand vpon Castellanus persecutour Legate Du Prat the first beginner of persecution agaynst the faythfull horribly plagued Iohn Ruse comming from accusing the faythfull was terribly stricken with Gods hand The wicked end of Claude de Asses a wicked persecutour Peter Lyset author of the burning chamber plagued The mighty hand of God vpon Iohn Morin a greeuous persecutor Iohn Andrew Booke bynder plagued The terrible vengeance of God vpoÌ„ Iohn de Roma a terrible persecutor Iohn Minerius a cruell persecutour plagued of God The French king by sundry sortes of troubles warned of God Riches and Pride of the Clergy the fountayne of all euills The purenes of the primatiue church how long it continued and whereby The false Donation of Constantine Exhortation to the king to seise vpon the temporalityeâ— of the Clergye The ryches of the Popes Clergye how they ought to bâ— employed The malicious and lying slaunders of the Papists to bring the true Gospellers in hatred with Princes Constantine confirmed in his kingdome the more by receauing the Gospel Examples of England and Germany how Princes lose no honour by the gospell The Popes religion more noysome to the state of Princes then the doctrine of the Lutherans Wholesome remedy shewed agaynst the Popes pryde A blynde shift of the Papistes to stop Princes from calling generall Councels The contrarietyes in the Popes Councells enough for their disproofe Prophesie agaynst the French king The story and end of Henry 2. the French king that would not be warned What commeth to kinges that refuâ—e good counsell Henry â— French king wholy set to persecute the Church oâ— Christ. Gods mighty power agaynst his enemyes Henry 2. the French king forâ— set agaynst the poore Protestantes Henry 2. the French king in his triumph iusteth agaynst Montgommery Montgommery agaynst his will commaunded to iuste agaynst the king Henry 2. the French king stricken and killed in his owne iusting The deuelishe perswasion of the Cardinall of Loraine at the death of the French king Certayne gentlemen executed at Amboyse for standing against the house of Guyse The Lordes punishment vpon the Chauncellour Oliuier for his sentence geuen agaynst certayne gentlemen Protestantes The death of Fraunces 2. french king after he began to withstande the course of the Gospell How the Lord worketh for his Gospell The wordes of king Fraunces at his death The terrible stroke of Gods reuenge vpon Carol. 9. the French king The death of Charles the Emperour An Epitaphe vpon Charles Emperour Henry .2 French king and Fraunces his sonne The sodaine death of President Minard The punishment of God vpon the king of Nauarre after he had reuolted from the Gospell to Popery The Duke of Guyse slâ—ine before Orleance The Constable before Paris The Marshall of S. Andrew before Dreux The story of one Drayner otherwise called Iustice nine holes A malitious practise to intrappe a good man Drayner conuict of falsehood A lamentable history of Iohn Whiteman snowmaker Iohn Whitman coulde not suffer the abhominable Idolatry of the Papists Iohn Whitman apprehended Iohn WhitmaÌ„ brought â—efore the â—udges Sentence geuen agaynst Iohn Whitman The Martyrdome and death of Iohn Whitman Iohn 16. 3. Argumentes agaynst the Papistes Gods worde Bloud of Martyrs Gods punishment The plagues of God set against pretensed antiquitye Henry .2 the French king and king FrauÌ„ces his sonne stricken the one in the eyes the other with an impostume in the eare Stephen Gardiner Queene Mary Constable of Fraunce King of Nauar. Henry Smith D. Shaxton The end of Gardiner Iohn de Roma Twyford Bayliffe of Crowland Suffragan of Douer D. Dunning D. Geffray Berrye Poacher Archbishop Crescentius Cardinall Rockwood Latomus Guarlacus Eckius Thornton Pattyer Longe Bomelius all professours of Popery Esay 50. Page 199. A secrete note of Papisteâ— which haue beene great cryers out of Priestes maryage and themselues after taken in open adultery Comparison betweene the ende of Popishe persecutours the Gospellers The godly ende of the Gospellers to be noted The blessed end of King Edward .6 The patient end of the Duke of Somerset the kings vncle The quiet and ioyfull end of the Martyrs Two speciall notes of the â—iue Church of Christ. Outward affliction peace of conscience 2. Tim. 3. 1. Cor. 1. The wretched end of Papistes geue testimony agaynst their owne doctrine Admonition to persecutours which yet remayne aliue The end and death of Edmund Boner God maketh the persecutors of his people commonly to be their owne persecutours Saul murderer of himselfe Achitophel murderer of himselfe Iudas murderer of himselfe Senacherib murdered of his owne sonnes Herode and Antiochus murdered by lyce Pilate murderer of himselfe Nero murderer of himselfe Dioclesianus and Maximinianus Emperours deposed them selues Maximinus eaten vp with lyce Maxentius and king Pharao both drowned in their owne harnesse Achaz Achab. Iesabell Manasses Ioachim Sedechias punished of God for theâ—r persecutions The murdering mother church with her bloudy children admonished Esay 1. Esay 1. What the lawes of this Realme could say agaynst the persecutours in Queene Maâ—les tyme. The nature of the Church is not to persecute with bloud In that the persecutours of the Church be suffered of the Church to liue it is to their confusion Syr Henry Bonifield forgiuen Nouember 18. Doctor Weston Great benefites and treasures do nothing profit where the vse of them cannot be inioyed Felicitye not in hauing but in vsing Wicked practises of most cruell Tyrantes Cruelty of late dayes farre exceeding al crueltyes committed by the auncyent and famous tyrauntes in tyme past Tyrantes euill gouernours be the plague of God God worketh all thinges to his owne glory Affliction tryeth men whether they be good or euill God plenteously poureth his benefites vpon vs not for our sakes but of his infinite mercy and for his gloryes sake Wonderfull is the mercy of God in deliuering this Realme from the tyranny of the Papistes The Papistes buildings stand so long onely as they be propt vp with rope sword fagot Burgesses vnlawfully disorderly and violently thrust out of the Parliament house in Queene Maryes dayes The third Parliament in Quueene Maryes dayes not orderly and formally called and therefore of none effecte A ioyfull day God preserueth the innocent maketh frustrate the malicious purposes of the wicked An apt similitude Three thinges which preserue the good estate of a Realme or câ—mmon wealth Charges not to be weyed where Gods glory is to be furthered The 1. proposition Two partes of the proposition The first part of the proposition The Argument or probation The Maior proued An other argument oâ— probation An other argument The fourth argument or probation Ambros. Per hos enim impletur confirmatio precis qui respondent Amen The fyfte argument The sixte argument Obiection dissolued The 7. reason The 8. reason The 9. reason The 10. reason The 11. reason or probation The 12. reasâ—n or probation The second part of the
sute of Maister Caustâ—n and Maister Treheron and now notwithstanding was sent vp by the sayde Lord Riche with the others before mentioned and at his comming to the Bishop of Winchester was by him demaunded whether he would conforme him self like a subiect to the lawes of this realme then in force To the which he sayd he would abyde all lawes that stode with the lawes of GOD and thereupon was committed to prison where he and the rest aboue named did remaine euer sithens ¶ William Tyms NOW remaineth likewise to declare the examinatioÌ„ of William Tyms DeacoÌ„ Curate of Hocley in Essex But before I come to his examination first here is to be opened and set forth the order maner of his trouble how and by whom he was first apprehended in Essex and froÌ„ thence sent vp to London the story whereof followeth in this maner * The Story of William Tyms Deacon and Curate of Hockeley with the maner of his taking THere was at Hocley in Queene Maries dayes two Sermons preached in the Woodes the which woodes weare appertayning to Maister Tyrrell and the name of the one wood was called Plumbrow wood and the other Becheswood and there was at the same Sermons an honest man and his wife with him whose name was Iohn Gye the which Gye was Maister Tyrrels seruaunt and did dwell vnder him being his Herd at a farm of his called Plomborow Shortly after it was knoweÌ„ to Maister Tyrrell how that his woods were poluted with Sermons the which he did take very euill and much matter did rise about it as an vnlawfull assembly the which was layd to Iohn Gyes charge because he did not disclose that vnlawfull acte to his Maister being then in the coÌ„mission of the peace appointed at that tyme to keep down the Gospell that which he did to the vttermost as it may appeare in many of his actes Good God geue him repeÌ„tance if it be thy will Shortlye after it pleased Mayster Tyrrell to come to Hockley to sift out this matter and to know who was at these preachings Well there were found many faultes for it is supposed there were a hundred persons at the least So it pleased Mayster Tyrrell to begin first with Iohn Gye and asked him where that noughty felow was that serued theyr parish one Tyms for it is tolde me sayde he that he is the causer to bring these noughty felowes into the couÌ„try Therfore I charge thee Gye to fet me this noughty felow Tyms for thou knowest where he is No said Gye I doe not knowe So in no wise he could not make him fette him Then stepped forth an other of M. Tyrrels men willing to shew his Mayster pleasure whose name was Richard Shereffe sayd to his mayster Syr I know where he is Well said mayster Tyrrell go to the Constables and charge them to bring him to me So this Shereffe being diligent made sure work and had him brought before his Maister with the Constables whose names be these Edward Hedge and Ioh. Iames. So when he came before Maister Tyrrell then Mayster Tyrrell commauÌ„ded all men to depart it was wisely done for hee was not able to open his mouth agaynste Tyms without reproch and there he kept him about three houres But there were some that listened at the walles and heard M. Tyrrell say thus to Tyms Me thinketh sayd he that wheÌ„ I see the blessed Rood it maketh me thinke of God Why Syr sayde Tyms if an Idoll that is made with mans handes doth make you remember God how much more ought the creatures of God as man being his workmaÌ„ship or the grasse or the trees that bringeth forth fruit make you remember God So Mayster Tyrrell ended his talke with Tyms it should seme in an heat for he brast out and called him traytorly knaue Why Syr sayd Tyms in king Edwardes dayes you did affirme the truth that I do now Affirme quoth Tyrrell nay by Gods body I neuer thought it with my hart Well sayd Tyms then I pray you M. Tyrrell beare with me for I haue bene a Traytor but a while but you haue bene a Traytor 6. yeares After this Tyms was sent to LondoÌ„ to the byshop from him to the Bishop of Winchester and so from him to the Kynges Bench then was Mayster Tyrrels rage seased with theÌ„ that were in the woods at the sermons So M. Tyrrel took away Gyes coate gaue it to Ioh. Traiford and sent him to S. Tosies to see good rule kept there WheÌ„ Tyms came before the Bishop of London there was at that time the Bishop of Bathe there was William Tyms examined of his fayth before them bothe So mightely god wrought with this true harted man that he had wherwith to aunswere them both for the Constables did say that brought him before the byshop that they neuer heard the like Then the bishop as though he would haue had Tyms to turne froÌ„ the truth sayd to the Constables I pray you sayd he geue him good counsell that he may turne from his errour My Lord sayd the Constables he is at a poynt for he will not turne TheÌ„ both the Byshops waxed wery of him for he had troubled them about a sixe or seuen houres Then the Byshops began to pity Tyms case to flatter him saying Ah good felow sayd they thou art bold thou hast a good fresh spirit we would thou hadest learning to thy spirit I thanke you my Lordes sayd Tyms and both you be learned I would you had a good spirit to your learning So thus they broke vp sent Tyms to the Bishop of Winchester and there were Edward Hedge and Iohn Iames the CoÌ„stables aforenamed discharged Tyms was commaunded to the Kinges Bench whereas he was mightely strengthened with the good men that he found there And thus hitherto ye haue heard first vpon what occasion this William Tyms was apprehended how he was entreated of M. Tyrrell the Iustice by him seÌ„t vp to the Ordinary of the Dioces which was Rishop Boner who after certein talke debating he had with the sayd Tyms at length directed him to the Bishop of Winchester beyng then Lord Chauncellour and yet liuing and so was commaunded by him vpon the same to the Kinges Bench. Here by the way is to be vnderstanded that Tyms as he was but a Deacon so was he but simply or at least not priestly apparelled forasmuch as he went not in a gown but in a coat and his hosen were of two colours the vpper part white the neather stockes of sheepes russet WhervpoÌ„ the proud prelate sending for him to come before him and seeing his simple attyre began to mocke him saying Ah syra are you a Deacon Yea my Lord that I am quoth Tyms So me thinketh said the Bishop ye are decked like a Deacon My Lord sayde Tyms my vesture doth not so much vary from a Deacon but
there is the reall substance of the body of Christ Fort. And I aunswered him that it is the greatest plague that euer came into England Bish. Why so Fort. I sayd if I were a Bishop and you a poore man as I am I would be ashamed to aske such a question For a Bishop should be apt to teach and not to learne Bish. I am appoynted by the law to teach so are not you Fort. And I sayd Your lawe breaketh out very well for you haue burned vp the true Bishops and preachers and mainteined lyers to be in theyr steed Bish. Now you may vnderstand that he is a traytour for he denyeth the higher powers Fort. I am no traytour for S. Paule sayth All soules must obey the higher powers and I resist not the higher powers concerning my body but I must resist your euill doctrine wherwith you would infect my soule A Doct. Then sayd a Doctor my Lord you doe not well let him aunswere shortly to his articles Bish. How sayst thou make aunswere quickly to these articles Fort. S. Paule sayth Christ did one sacrifice once for all and set him downe on the right hand of his father triumphing ouer hell and death making intercession for sinnes Bish. I aske thee no suche question but make aunswere to this article Fort. If it be not GOD before the consecration it is not God after for God is without beginning and without ending Bish. Then sayd he lo what a stiffe hereticke is this He hath denyed altogether how sayest thou Is it idolatry to worship the blessed sacrament or no. Fort. God is a spirit and will be worshipped in spirit and trueth Bish. I aske thee no such question answere me directly Fort. I answere that this is the God Mauzzim that robbeth God of his honor Bish. It is pity that the grounde beareth thee or that thou hast a toung to speak Thē sayd the scribe here are a great many more articles Bish. Then sayde the Bishop Away with him for he hath spoken to much ¶ An other examination of I. Fortune ANd when I came to mine examination agayne the bishoppe asked me if I would stand vnto mine answere that I had made before and I sayd yea for I had spoken nothing but the truth And after that he made a great circumstance vpon the Sacrament Then I desired him to stand to the text he read the Gospell on Corpus Christi day whiche sayd I am the breade which came downe from heauen beleuest thou not this And I sayd yea truely And he sayd why doest thou deny the Sacrament Because your doctrine is false sayd I. Then sayd he how can that be false which is spoken in the Scripture And I sayd Christ sayd I am the bread and you say the breade is he Therefore your doctrine is false sayd I. And he sayd doest thou not beleue that the bread is he And I sayd no. Bish. I will bring thee to it by the Scriptures Fort. Hold that fast my Lord for that is the best Argumēt that you haue yet Bish. Thou shalt be burned like an hereticke Fort. Who shall geue iudgement vpon me Bish. I will iudge an hundred such as thou art and neuer be shriuen vpon it Fort. Is there not a lawe for the spiritualty as well as for the temporaltye and Syr Clement Higham sayde yes what meanest thou by that Fort. When a man is periured by the law he is cast ouer the barre and sitteth no more in iudgement And the Byshop is a periured man and ought to sit in iudgement of no mā Bish. How prouest thou that Fort. Because you tooke an oth by king Henries dayes to resist the Pope So both spirituall and temporall are periured that here can be no true iudgement Bish. Thinkest thou to escape iudgement by that no for my Chaūcellor shall iudge thee He took no oth for he was out then of the Realme M. Hygham It is time to weede out such felowes as you be in deed Bysh. Good fellowe why beleuest not thou in the Sacrament of the aultar Fort. Because I finde it not in Gods booke nor yet in the Doctors If it were there I would beleue it with al my hart Bysh. How knowest thou it is not there Fort. Because it is contrary to the second cōmaundement and seing it is not written in Gods booke why do you thē robbe me of my life Then the Bishop hauing no more to saye commaunded the Bailiffe to take him away And thus much touching the examinations of this man Now whether he died in fire or otherwise preuented with death as I sayd before I am vncertayne In the Registers of Norwich this I do finde that his sentence of condemnation was drawne and Registred but whether it was pronounced in the said Register it is not expressed according as the vsuall maner of the Notary is so to declare in the end of the sētēce Neuertheles this is most certayne that he neuer abiured nor recanted howsoeuer it pleased the Lord by death to call him out of this world ¶ The death of Iohn Careles in the Kynges Benche ABout this time the first day of Iuly amongest diuers other prisoners which dyed the same yeare in the Kinges Bench was also one Iohn Careles of Couentry a weauer Who though he were by the secret iudgemēt of almighty God preuented by death so that he came not to the full Martyrdome of his body yet is he no lesse worthy to be counted in honor place of Christes martyrs then other that suffered most cruell torments aswell for that he was for the same truthes sake a long time imprisoned as also for his willing mind zelous affection he had thereunto if the Lord had so determined it as well may appeare by his examinatiō had before Doct. Martin Which examination because it conteineth nothing almost but wrangling interrogations and matters of contentiō wherin Doctour Martin would enter into no communication about the articles of his accusation but onely vrged him to detect his felowes it shall not be greatly materiall therfore to expresse the whole but onely to excerpt so much as perteining to the question of predestination may bring some fruit to the Reader ¶ The effect of Iohn Careles examination before Doctour Martin briefly declared FIrst Doctour Martin calling Iohn Careles to hym in his Chamber demaunded what was his name To whom when the other had answered that his name was Iohn Careles then began Doctour Martin to descant at his pleasure vpon that name saying that it would appere by his conditions by that time he had done with him that he would be a true careles man in deed And so after other by talke there spent about much needelesse matter then he asked him where he was borne Careles Forsooth sayth he at Couentry Mart. At Couentry what so farre man How camest thou hither Who sent thee to the kinges Bench to prison Carel. I was
brought thither by a writ I trowe what he was I cannot tell I thinke M. Marshall can tell you Marshall In good fayth I cannot tell what the matter is but in deed my Lord chiefe Iustice seÌ„t him from the barre Mart. Well Careles I would wishe thou shouldest play the wise mans part Thou art a handsome man And it is pity but thou shouldest doe well and saue that which God hath bought Careles I thanke your good Maystershippe most hartely And I put you out of doubt that I am most sure and certayne of my saluation by Iesus Christ so that my soule is safe already what so euer paynes my body suffer here for a litle time Mart. Yea Mary you say trueth For thou art so predestinate to life that thou canst not perish in whatsoeuer opinion thou doest dye Careles That GOD hath predestinate me to eternall life in Iesus Christ I am most certayne and euen so am I sure that his holy spirite wherewith I am sealed will so preserue me from all heresies euill opinions that I shall dye in none at all Mart. Go to let me heare your fayth in predestination For that shal be written also Careles Your Maystership shall pardon me herein For you sayd your selfe erewhile that you had no Commission to examine my conscience I will trouble my selfe wyth aunswering of no moe matters then I needes must vntil I come before them that shall haue more authority farther to examine me Mart. I tell thee then I haue Commission yea and commaundement from the Counsell to examine thee for they deliuered me thy articles Careles Yea I thinke in deede that your Mastershippe is appointed to examine me of my articles whiche you haue there in writing and I haue told you the truth I do confesse them to be mine owne fact and deede but you do now examâ—ne me of predestination whereof my articles speaketh nothing at all Martin I tell thee yet agayne that I muste also examine thee of such thinges as be in controuersye betweene thee thy fellowes in the Kings Bench whereof predestination is a part as thy fellow N. hath confessed and thy selfe doest not deny it Carel. I do not deny it But he that first told you that matter might haue found himselfe much better occupyed Martyn Why what if he had not told me thinkest thou I would not haue knoweÌ„ it yes or els thou shouldest haue withstand my Commission For I tell thee truthe I may now examine thee of the blessed Sacrament or any other thing that I list but that I would shew thee fauour and not be to hasty with thee at the first Marshall Yea in deede Careles Maister Doctor hath CoÌ„mission to examine you or any other of your fellowes Mart. Yea mary haue I I tell the truth of it Carel. Then let your Scribe set his pen to the paper and you shall haue it roundly euen as the truth is I beleeue that almightye God our moste deare louing father of his great mercy and infinite goodnes did elect in Christ. Mart. Tush what neede all that long circumstance write I beleeue that God elected and make no more adoe Carel. No not so M. Doctour It is an high mistery and ought reuerently to be spoken of And if my wordes may not be written as I do vtter them I wil not speake at all Mart Go to go to write what he will Here is more busines then needeth Careles I beleeue that Almighty GOD our moste deare louing Father of his greate mercy and infinite goodnesse thorough Iesus Christ did elect and appoynt in him before the fouÌ„dation of the earth was layd a Church or congregation which he doth continually guide and gouerne by his grace and holy spirite so that not one of them shall euer finally perishe When this was written M. Doctor tooke it in his hand and read it saying Mart. Why who will deny this Carel. Iâ— your Maistership doe allow it and other learned men when they shall see it I haue my hartes desyer Mart. And do you hold none otherwise theÌ„ is there writteÌ„ Carel. No verily nor neuer did Mart. Write that he sayth otherwise he holdeth not So that was written It was told me also that thou doest affirme that Christ did not dye effectually for all men Carel Whatsoeuer hath bene told you it is not much materiall vnto me Let the tellers of such tales come before my face and I trust to make them aunswere For in deede I do beleeue that Christe did effectually dye for all those that do effectually repent and beleeue and for none other so that was written also Mert. Now Syr what is Trewes fayth of predestinatioÌ„ he beleeueth that all men be predestinate that none shall be damned Doth he not Carel. No forsooth that doth he not Mart How then Carel Truely I thinke he doth beleeue as your Maistershyp and the rest of the Clergy do beleeue of predestinatioÌ„ that we bee elected in respecte of our good workes and so long elected as we do them and no longer Martyn Write that he sayth his fellow Trew beleeueth of predestination as the Papistes do beleeue Carel. Ah Maister Doctour did I so terme you Seing that this my confession shall come before the Counsell I pray you place my termes as reuerently as I spake them Mart Well well write that Trew is of the same fayth as the Catholickes be Carel. I did not so call you neyther I wonder what you meane Marshal You sayd the Clergy did you not Careles Carel. Yes forsooth did I. So then it was written of the Clergy Mart. Now Syr what say you more Carel. Forsooth I haue no farther to say in this matter Mart. Well Careles I pray thee proue thy selfe a wise man and do not cast away thy lyfe wilfully Carel. Now the Lord he knoweth good Maister Doctor I would full gladly liue so that I might do the same with a safe conscience And your Maistershippe shall right well perceiue that I will be no wilfull man but in all thinges that I stand vpon I will haue a sure grounde Martin Now the Lorde knoweth good Careles that I would gladly make some meanes to preserue thy lyfe but thou speakest so much of the Lord the Lord. Wilt thou be content to go with my Lord Fitzwater into Ireland me thinkes thou art a goodly tall fellow to do the Queene seruice there How sayest thou Carel. Uerely Maister Doctour whether I be in Ireland Fraunce or Spayne or any place els I am ready to do her grace the best seruice that I can with body goodes and lyfe so long as it doth last Mart. That is honestly sayde I promise thee euery man will not say so How say you Maister Marshall this man is meete for all manner of seruice In deede thou arte worthye Careles to haue the more fauour Carel. In deede Syr I hope to be meete and ready vnto all things that pertayneth vnto
authoritie of Gregory weighing like christian bishops the perill of the Church alwayes in their assemblies allowed Images Not long after the Bishop of Rome practising wyth Tharasins Patriarch of Constantinople obteyned of Irene the Empresse her sonne Constantine being thē yong that a Councell was called at Nice in the which the Popes Legates were Presidents which appeared well by their fruits for in that Councell it was decreed that Images should not onely be permitted in churches but also worshipped which councell was confuted by a booke written by Carolus Magnus the Emperour callyng it a foolish and an arrogant councell Soone after this Councell arose a sharpe contention betwene Irene the Empresse and her sonne Constantine the 6. the Emperour who destroyed Images And in the end as she had before wickedly burned the bones of her father in lawe Constantine the v. so afterward vnnaturally she put out the eyes of her owne sonne Constantine the sixt About which tyme as Eutropius writeth the Sunne was darkened most terribly for the space of 17. days God shewyng by that dreadfull signe how much hee misliked those kynds of proceedyngs To bee short there was neuer thing that made more diuision or brought more mischiefe into the church then the controuersie of Images by reason whereof not onely the East church was deuided from the West and neuer since perfectly reconciled but also the Emperour was cut asunder and deuided and the gate opened to the Saracens and Turkes to enter and ouercome a great piece of Christendome The fault whereof most iustly is to bee ascribed to the patrons of Images who could not be contented with the ensample of the Primitiue Church beyng most simple and sincere and most agreeable to the Scripture For as Tertullian sayth Quod primum verum quod posterius adulterinū That is to say What as is first that is true that that is latter is counterfeit But with all extremitie mainteined the vse of images in churches whereof no profite nor commoditie did euer grow to the church of God For it is euident that infinite millions of soules haue bene cast into eternall damnation by the occasion of Images vsed in place of religion and no history can recorde that euer any one soule was wonne vnto Christ by hauing of Images But least it might appeare that the West church had alwayes generally retained and commended Images It is to be noted that in a Councell holden in Spaine called Concilium Eliberinum the vse of Images in churches was clerely prohibited in these forme of wordes Placuit in ecclesijs picturas esse non debere ne quod colitur aut adoratur in parietibus depingatur That is to say Wee decree that pictures ought not to be in churches least that be painted vpon the walles which is worshipped or adored But this notwithstandyng experience hath declared that neither assembling in Councels neither writinges preachings decrees makyng of lawes prescribing of punishments hath holpen against Images to the which Idolatry hath bene committed nor against Idolatry whilest Images stoode For these blynde bookes and dumme schoolemaisters which they call lay mens bookes haue more preuailed by their carued and painted preachyng of Idolatry then all other written bookes and preachynges in teaching the truth and that horror of that vice Hauing thus declared vnto your highnes a few causes of many which do mooue our consciences in this matter we beseech your highnes most humbly not to strayne vs any further but to consider that Gods worde doth threaten a terrible iudgement vnto vs if we being pastors and ministers in his Church should assent vnto the thing which in our learnyng and conscience wee are perswaded doth tend to the confirmation of errour superstition and Idolatry and finally to the ruine of the soules committed to our charge for the which we must geue an account to the prince of pastors at the last day Heb. 13. 1. Pet. 5. Wee pray your maiestie also not to bee offended with this our plainnesse and libertie which all good and christian princes haue euer taken in good parte at the handes of godly Bishops S. Ambrose writing to Theodosius the Emperour vseth these wordes Sed neque imperiale est libertatem dicendi negare neque sacerdotale quod sentiat non dicere Item in causa verò Dei quem audies si sacerdotem non audies cuius maiore peccatur periculo quis tibi verum audebit dicere si sacerdos non audeat Epist. lib. 5. Epist. 29. That is to say But neither is it the part of an Emperour to deny free libertie of speaking nor yet the duety of a priest not to speake what hee thinketh And agayne In gods cause whome wilte thou heare if thou wilt not heare the priest to whose great peril the fault should be committed Who dare say the truth vnto thee if the priest dare not These and such like speaches of S. Ambrose Theodosius and Ualentinianus the Emperours did alwayes take in good part and we doubt not but your grace will do the lyke of whose not onely clemēcie but also beneficense we haue largely tasted We beseech your Maiestie also in these and such lyke controuersies of religion to referre the discussement and deciding of them to a Synode of your bishops and other godly learned men accordyng to the example of Constantinus Maximus and other christian Emperours that the reasons of both parts beyng examined by them the iudgement may be geuen vprightly in all doubtfull matters And to returne to this present matter we most humbly beseech your maiestie to consider that besides waightie causes in pollicie which wee leaue to the wisedome of your honourable counsailors the stablishment of Images by your authoritie shall not onely vtterly disceredite our ministers as builders vp of the thinges which wee haue destroyed but also blemishe the fame of your most godly father and such notable fathers as haue geuen their lyfe for the testimony of Gods truth who by publike lawe remooued all Images The almighty and euerliuyng God plentifully endue your maiestie with his spirite and heauenly wisedom and long preserue your most gracious raigne and prosperous gouernment ouer vs to the aduauncement of his glory to the ouerthrow of superstition and to the benefit comfort all your highnes louyng subiects ¶ A note of M. Ridley MAister D. Ridley sometyme B. of London of whom mention is made pag. 1717. was a man so reuerenced for his learning and knowledge in the scriptures that euen his very enemies hath reported him to haue bene an excellent clarke whose lyfe if it might haue bene redeemed with the summe of 10000. markes yea 10000. pounds the Lorde Dacres of the North beyng his kinsman woulde haue geuen to Queene Mary rather then he should haue burned And yet was she so vnmercifull for all hys gentlenes in king Edwards dayes that it would not be grāted for no suite that could be made Oh that she had remēbred his labour for her to king Edward
the 6. with Cranmer before mentioned 1205. in such sort that euen shee had yelded but the reward of a Publicane Math. 5. then had the earth not so bene berefted of him as it was but the Lord forgeue vs our sinnes which was the cause thereof and graunt that we neuer so prouoke his anger agayne if it be his blessed will Amen ¶ Another note of M. Ridley MAister Ridley late B. of London beyng prisoner in the tower had there geuen the libertie of the same to prooue belike whether he would go to Masse or no which once he dyd And M. Bradford beyng there prisoner also the same tyme and hearing thereof taketh his penne and inke and writeth to hym an effectuall letter to perswade hym from the same and sheweth the occasion that thereby should ensue which God bee honoured did M. Ridley no little good for he repented his fact therein as he hymselfe maketh mention writyng agayne in the latter end of the booke of Marcus Antonius which he sent to M. Bradford and neuer after that polluted himselfe with that filthy dregs of Antichristian seruice ⧠A Commission sent from the Pope with the sentence diffinitiue to proceed against the reuerend Archb. of Cant. Thomas Cranmer PAulus Episcopus seruus seruorum Dei charissimo in Christo filio Philippo Regi charissimae in Christo filiae Mariae Reginae Angliae Franciae illustribus ac venerabilibus fratribus Londonensi Eliensi episcopis salutem apostolicam benedictionem Dudum per literas vestras charissime fili Philippe Rex christiana filia Maria Regina nobis significatur quod iniquitatis filius Thomas Cranmerus olim Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis in haereses aliáque tam grandÃa enormia crimina erat prolapsus quod non solum regimini ecclesiae Cantuariensis se reddi derat indignum verum etiam maiori poena se fecerat obnoxium Nos de praemissis certam notitiam non habentes tanta crimina si vera essent impunita ecclesiámque ipsam sine pastore idoneo deâ—elinquere nolentes dilecto filio nostro Iacobo tituli Sanctae Mariae in via tunc sancti Simeonis praesbytero Cardinali puteo nuncupato vel de praemissis etiam summariè simpliciter de plano sine strepitu figura iudicij ac sine vlla terminorum substaÌ„tialium vel telae iudiciariae obseruatione citato dicto Thoma se informaret quicquid inuenisset nobis referret per specialem commissionem manu nostra signatam dedimus in mandatis sibi attribuentes potestatem in curia extra citandi inhibendi ac literas compulsoriales generales speciales ac remissorales in forma consueta ad partes decernendi personas quascunque si opus esse arbitraret ad exhibendum iura siue ad perhibendum testimonium etiam per censuras ecclesiasticas cogendi compellendi seu si pro celeriori expeditione sibi videretur ad recipiendum informationem huiusmodi aliquem probum virum in dignitate ecclesiastica constitutum in partibus istis commorantem cum simili citandi inhibendi cogendi facultate deputandi ac subdelegandi ac sicut exhibiti nobis nuper pro parte vestra fili Rex filia Regina petitio continebat dictus Iacobus Cardinalis commissionis huiusmodi vigore citatione ad partes contra eundem Thomam ad vestram fili Rex filia Regina instantiam decreta venerabilem fratrum nostrum Episcopum Gloucestrensem vna cum certis alijs eius in ea parte collegis eorum quemlibet in solidum ad informationem super praemissis recipiendum subdelegauit eÃsque vices suas in praemissis commisit Et postquam dictus episcopus Gloucestrensis in causa huiusmodi ad certos actus processerat ipsum Thomam super praemissis examinauerat citatione praedicta vna cum eius legitima executione in partibus facta coram eodem Iacobo Cardinali iudicialiter producta processu per audientiam literarum nostrarum contradictarum contra eundem ThomaÌ„ citatum noÌ„ comparentem decreto cum processu coram dicto Episcopo Gloucestrensi contra ipsum Thomam in patribus habito coram praefato Iacobo Cardinali productus fuisset idem Thomas ad id citatus contra eum nihil diceret imo comparere non curaret praefato Thoma ad videndum per ipsum Iacobum Cardinalem referri causam referri iuramentum in supplementum plenae probationis quantum opus esset ad concludendum audiendum sententiam diffinitiuam ad certam tunc expressam diem horam per audientiam literarum contradictarum huiusmodi citato omnibus actis actitatis causis huiusmodi diligenter visis consideratis causam ipsam ac omnia in praemissis actitata nobis in consistorio nostro secreto fideliter retulit Qua relatione nobis vt praefertur facta causa ipsa cum venerabilibus fratribus nostris sanctae Romanae ecclesiae Cardinalibus tunc in eodeÌ„ consistorio existentibus plenè discussa maturè examinata cum dilecti filij Petrus Rouilius clericus Ippotegiensis ac Antonius Massa de Gallesio in dicta curia causarum vestrum fili Rex filia Regina procuratores de quorum procurationis mandato in actis causae huiusmodi lâ—gitimis constare dignoscitur documentis Alexander Paleotarius fisci nostri procurator pro eius iure interesse in ipsius Thomae citati non comparentis contumaciam in causa huiusmodi concludi diffinitiuè pronunciari petijssent nos pro tribunali in Throno iustitie more Romanorum pontificum praedecessorum nostrorum sedentes in causa huiusmodi conclusimus nostram desuper in scripâ—is quaÌ„ per secretarium nostrum legi publicari mandauimus quam ipse de verbo ad verbum legit publicauit diffinitiuam tulimus promulgauimus sententiam sub huiusmodi tenore Nos Paulus diuina prouidentia Papa quartus saluatoris domini nostri Iesu Christi cuius vices licet immerito in terris gerimus nomine inuocato in throno iustitiae pro tribunali sedentes solum Deum qui iustus est dominus in iustitia iudicat orbem terrae prae oculis habentes per hanc nostram diffinitiuam quam de venerabilium fratrum nostrorum sanctae Romanae ecclesiae Cardinalium consilio ferimus in his scriptis in causa causis quae coram dilecto filio nostro Iacobo tituli sanctae Mariae in via praesbytero Cardinali de puteo nuncupato nobis in consistorio nostro secreto vt moris est referenda inter charissimos in Christo filios nostros Philippum Regem Mariam Reginam Angliae illustres denunciatores ex vna quendaÌ„ Thomam Cranmerum olim Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem reum denunciatum de super crimine haeresis alijs excessibus censurÃsque poenis propter crimen excessus huiusmodi per dictum Thomam reum denunciatum ac confessum conuictum