death as fruitfull seede hath taken such fruit in some that it is yet a linely and diligent preaching vnto some against superstition and Idolatry vsed in their Churches The tragicall History of the worthy Duke of Sommerset KIng Edward had three vnckles by his mothers side Edward Thomas Henry Semer Edward was made protector of the Realme and Thomas was made high Admirall of the same so long as they were ioined together in amitie they preserued themselues and the King and the Common-wealth Sir Thomas Semer high Admirall married Queene Katherine late wife of King Henry as you haue heard betwixt the said Queene and the Dutchesse of Somerset there fell great displeasure And therevpon in the behalfe of their wiues grudge began betweene the brethren after it was laid vnto the Lord Admirals charge that hee purposed to destroy the yong Kingâ— and transâ—ate the Crowne vnto himselfe and for the same he was attainted and condemned and did suffer at Tower Hill the twentith of March one thousand fiue hundred forty and nine many reported that the Duchesse of Sommerset had wrought his death whereby it came to passe whether by Gods iust iudgement or no In October after that there was great consultation amongst the Lords in the house of Maister Yorke and at Baynards Castle and in the Lord Mayor of Londons house against the Lord Protector remaining then with the King at Hampton Court The King with his Councell hearing thereof first Secretary Peter with the Kings message was sent vnto them whom the Lords retained still with them making no answer wherevpon the Lord Protector writ vnto them that the King was informed of your assembly wherefore we sent Maister Secretary Peter vnto you His Maiestie and wee of his Councell héere doe not a little maruell that you stay héere â—he said M. Peter and haue not answered his Maiesty and we are sory to sée your doings bent with violence to bring the King and vs to these extremities which if you will take no other way we intend with violence to defend with death and to put it in Gods hand who giueth victory as it pleaseth him as touching priuate matters â—o auoide the effusion of Christian bloud and to preserue the Kings Maiesties person his Realme and Subiects you shall finde vs agréeable to any reasonable conditions that you will require for wee esteemâ— the Kings wealth and tranquilitie of the Realme more then other worldly things yea then our life praying them to send their determinate answere by Maister Peter or some other Notwithstanding this Letter the Lords persisted still in their purpose and took aduice to kéep themselues in the Citie of London as strong as they might and willed the Mayor and Aldermen to prouide a substantiall watch by night and by day for the safegard of the Citie and gates Then they demanded fiue hundred men to ayde them to fetch the Lord Protector out of Windsor from the King and they published a Proclamation against the said Protector to this effect First that the Protector by his euill gouernment was the cause of all the sedition that of late happened within the Realme and of the losses of the Kings ordinance in France and that it appeared by the building of his sumptuous houses in the time of the Kings warre that he sought his owne glory that he esteemed nothing the graue counsell of the Councellors that he had sowed diuisions betwéen the Nobles Gentlemen and Commons That the Nobles assembled themselues only to cause the protector to haue liued within limits to haue put such order for the surety of the King as was fit That the protector slandered the Councell vnto the King and that hee was a great traytor and therefore the Lords defired the Citie Commons to ayde them to take him from the King Then the King sent a Letter vnto the Mayor and Citizens commanding them to ayde him with a thousand men out of their Citie well armed and to send them with all speed vnto the Castle of Windsor These contrary commandements comming both at one instant vnto the Mayor Citizens of London it séemed very doubtfull to them which way to take at the last stepped vp a Citizen George Studlaw and said I remember in the time of Henry the third the Barons as the Lords doe now demanded ayde of the Mayor and Citizens of London and the Citie ayded them against the King and it came to an open battell and the Lords preuailed against the King and took the King and his son prisoners and vpon certaine conditions the King his Son were restored againe and the King openly granted his pardon to the Lords and Citizens it was ratified by Act of Parliament but it was neuer forgotten during the Kings life the Liberties of the Citie were taken away and strangers appointed to be our gouernors and the Citizens giuen away body and goods and from one persecution vnto another were most miserably afflicted such it is to enter into the wrath of a Prince for Salomon saith the wrath of a Prince is death Therefore I would councell the Lords with vs to make sute to the King that he would please to heare the complaints that may be iustly proued against the L. Protector and I doubt not but this matter will be pacified and that the King nor yet the Lords haue cause to seeke for further ayde neither we to offend any of them both Then the Lords sent Sir Philip Hobby with their Letter of credence vnto the King beséeching him to giue credit to that which he should say who so handled the matter that the Lord Protector was commanded from the Kings presence and shortly committed to warde in the Castle of Windsor The same day the Lords of the Councell resorted vnto the King and the next day they brought the Lord Protector vnto the Tower Shortly after the Lords resorted vnto the Tower and there charged the Lord Protector with sundry Articles the effect of them is contained in the proclamation aforesaid and although these purposes of man intended the spilling of his life and the Lord so ordered the matter by the meanes of the Kings so laboring for his vnkle that in short while he was let out of the Tower and continued at liberty two yeares and two daies After he was againe apprehended committed againe to the Tower after hee was brought to Westminister Hall to be arraigned and there was charged with felony treason he put himselfe to be tried by his Péeres who discharged him of treason but they accounted him guilty of Felony for purposing the death of the Duke of Northumberland and others and was returned vnto the Tower againe When he was brought to his execution vpon tower Hill he came with the same gesture which he vsed changing neither voice nor countenance and knéeling down he commended himselfe to God and his prayers ended he turned toward the people as it were with a certaine fatherly loue to children and said Dearely
secret friend to submit her selfe vnto the Quéen which would be to her great commoditie she answered she would not submit her selfe vnto them which she had not offended if I haue offended I craue no mercy but law I would I were as cléere out of the perrill of mine eâ—emies as I know my selfe out of the danger of the law About this time there was great consulting amongst the Bishops and Gentlemen touching a marriage for her Grace which some of the Spaniards wished to be with some stranger that she might goe out of the Realme with her portion then a Lord said that the King should neuer haue quiet Common-wealth in England except her head were striken from her shoulders the Spaniards answered God forbid that their King and Master should consent to such a mischiefe From that day the Spaniards neuer left good perswasions vnto the King that he should neuer obtaine the like honour as he should in deliuering the Lady Elizabeth out of prison whereby at length she was happily released of the same Shortly after she was sent for to Hampton Court Sir Henry Benifield and his souldiers with the Lord of Tame and Sir Ralph Chamberlaine guarding of her the first night she came to Ricot the next to M. Dormers house and so to Colbrook where she lay at the George all night as she came thither thréescore of her Gentlemen and Yeomen met her which had not séene her Grace a long season before but they were commanded in the Quéens name to depart the towne and shée was not suffred to speak with them that night al her men were taken from her but her Gentleman vsher thrée Gentlewomen and two Grooms one of her Wardrop the next day her Grace entred Hampton Court where she lay a fortnightere euer any had recourse vnto her at length came the Lord William Howard to â—er who vsed her Grace maruellous hanourably she requested him to be a meane that shée might speak with some of the Councell Not long after came to her Gardner Bishop of Winchester the Lord Arundel the Lord of Shrewsbury and Secretary Peter who with great humility humbled themselues vnto her Grace My Lords quoth she I am glad to sée you for me thinks I haue bin kept a great while from you desolatly alone wherefore I would desire you to be a meane to the King and Quéens Maiesties that I may be deliuered from prison wherein I haue bin kept a long space Then Gardner knéeled down and requested her to submit her selfe to the Quéen and then he doubted not but her Maiestie would be good vnto her she answerd rather then she would do so she would lie in prison all the dayes of her life adding that she craued no mercy but the law if euer she did offend her Maiesty in thought word or déed and in yeelding I should confesse my selfe to be an offendor which I neuer was towards her Maiesty by occasion wherof the King and Quéen might euer hereafter conceiue an ill opinion therefore it were better for me to lie in prison for the trâ—th then to be abroad and suspected of my Prince So they departed promising to declare her message to the Quéâ—n The next day Gardner came again vnto her Grace and knéeling down declared that the Quéen maruailed that she would so stoutly vse her selfe not confessing â—o haue offended so that it should séeme the Quéens Maiesty wrongfully to haue imprisoned her Grace Nay quoth she the Quéen may punish me as it pleasâ—th her Nay quoth Gardner her Maiesty willed me to certifie you that you must tell her another tale ere that you be at liberty her Grace answered that she had as liue be in prison with honesty and truth as to be abroad suspected of hâ—r Maiesty this I will stand vnto for I will neuer bely my selfe Then he knéeled down and said then your Grace hath aduantage of me and other the Lords for your long imprisonment I take God to record quoth she I séeke no vantage at your hands for your so dealing with me then the other kneeled downe and desired her Gracâ— that all might be forgotten and so they departed A seuen-night after the Queenâ— sent for her at ten of the clocke at night then she desired her Gentlemen and Gentlewomen to pray for her for that she coâ—ld not tell whether she should euer seâ— them againe When she came vnto the Queâ—ne she kneeled downe and desired God to preserue her Maiestie not in any wise doubting but that she should proue her selfe as true and faithfull a subiect towards her Maiestie as euer did any and therefore she desired her Maiestie so to iudge of her and said she should not â—nd other of her whatsoeuer report had gone of her the Queen answered you will not confesse your offence bâ—t stand stoatly in your truth I pray God it may so fall out It it do not quoth she I desire no fauour nor pardon at your Maiesties hands Wel said the Queene you stiffely still perseâ—ere in the truth belike you will not confesse but that you haue bâ—ene wrongfully punished I must not say so if it please your Grace to you why then said the Queene belike you will vnto others no quoth she I haue borne the burden and must beare it I humbly beseech your Maiestie to haue a good opinion of me and to thinke me to be your true subiect not only hitherto but as long as life lasteth and so they parted with a few comfortable words in English but what she said in Spanish God knoweth It is thought that King Philip was there behinde a cloth and not seene and that he shewed himselfâ— a very friend vnto that matter Thus her Grace went vnto her lodging againe aâ—d the seuen-night after she was released of Sir Henry Benifield and was set at libertie from imprisonment she went into the Countrey and had appointed to goe with her Sir Thomas Pope one of the Queens Councellors M. Gage one of her Gentlemen Ushers And thus straightly was she looked vnto all the time of Q. Maries raigne Then there came vnto her house Maister Ierningham and Norris Gentleman Usher Quéene Maries Men who tooke from her Grace Mistris Ashly to the Fléet and thrée other of her Gentlewomen vnto the Tower which was no little trouble vnto her Grace saying That shee thought that they would fetch all away in the end but God be praysed shortly after was fetched away Gardiner whereby the life of this so excellent a Princesse the wealth of all England was preserued for the said wicked Gardner had long laboured his wits and bent all his deuises to bring this our deere Soueraâ—gne out of the way as by his words and doings did well appeare After the death of this Gardner followed the death also and dropping away of other her enemies whereby by little and little her iâ—opardy decreased and more gentle entertainmant did daily grow vnto her vntill in the moneth of Nouember the seauenteenth day
CHRISTS VICTORIE OVER SATHANS TYRANNIE WHERIN JS CONTAINED A CATALOGVE OF ALL CHRISTS FAITHFVLL SOVLDIERS THAT THE DIVELL either by his grand Captaines the EMPEROVRS or by his most deerly beloued sonnes and heyres the POPES haue most cruelly Martyred for the TRVTH WITH ALL THE POYSONED DOCTRINS WHEREWITH THAT GREAT REDDE DRAGON hath made drunken the Kings and Inhabitants of the Earth with the confutations of them TOGETHER WITH ALL HIS TRAYTEROVS PRACTISES AND DESIGNES AGAINST ALL CHRISTIAN Princes to this day especially against our late Queen ELIZABETH of famous memorie and our most religious Soueraigne Lord King IAMES Faithfully abstracted out of the Book of Martyrs and diuers other Books By Thomas Mason Preacher of Gods Word LONDON Printed by George Eld and Ralph Blower 1615. To the most Reuerend Father in GOD the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his GRACE PRIMATE and METROPOLITAN of all England and one of his MAIESTIES most Honourable Priuie Councell And to the Right Honourable SIR EDVVARD COKE Lord Cheefe Iustice of England and one of his Maiesties most Honorable Priuie Councell THOMAS MASON wisheth all Happinesse in this Life and eternall Felicitie in the world to come MOST Reuerend and Right Honorable zealous Lords your daily and faithfull Orator being a professed Soldiour vnder Christs Banner in the behalfe of his spouse against Antichrist I could busie my selfe in no office so profitable for the Church and hurtfull vnto Antichrist as to gather together the bullets which haue been shot at him by Christs Souldiours in times past that now his children may shoote them at him againe with great facilitie And whereas venerable M r Fox of worthy memory hath gathered into one Booke the Acts and Monuments of the Church vnto his time one of the most profitablest Bookes that is for Gods Children except the Bible a Club able to beate downe the Popish Tower of Babell Yet what with the labour of reading so large a volume together with the deareness of the price thereof few that haue the Booke reade it ouer and the most part of men are not able to buy it whereby very little profit ariseth thereof vnto the Church I haue according to my power pared off the barke of this Club and made it tractable for all sorts of people they may buy it with little charge and peruse it with small paines and I dare promise them that they shall reape as much profit by reading this abridgement as by reading of the Booke at large I haue willingly omitted no matter of substance Here the Reader may see the cruelty of the Emperors vnto the Primitiue Church and whom they put to death and the manner of their deathes during the first ten Persecutions and how and when Christianitie began in this Realme And what successe it hath had at all times and when by what occasion and by whom most of the Monasteries and Cathedrall Churches of this Realme were builded and how when and by whom all points of Popery came into the Church and how the Pope hath exalted himself against Emperors Kings what iniuries he hath done to them With the Treasons Conspiracies that Papists haue practised against those that the Lord hath annointed vnto this day The Reader may also heere see the innumerable multitude of the Saints of God that the Papists haue from time to time murdered in all Countries for the testimonie of the Truth With all the points of Religion that the Martyrs did defend vnto death and all the reasons that the Papists vsed against their Arguments and how cruelly they handled them with many other most profitable things After I had done this Booke I was discouraged from putting of it to Print by reason I found another had abridged the Booke of Martyrs before me but when I perceiued it was done but superficially for all the points of Religion that the Martyrs defended or Papists obiected were omitted which disputations I chiefly labour to set forth therevpon I was resolued to goe forward When I had begun to quote all the Authors from whence M r Fox had his proofes for them that the Emperors put to death the Quotations were almost as large as the Story and made it very vnpleasant wherefore in most places for breuitie I haue omitted them leauing them that would see the proofes to the Book at large I haue herein abridged many bookes but especially the Booke of Martyrs as the Papists cannot abide the booke of Martyrs of all bookes so much more will they hate my booke which hath so truely and briefely discouered all their shame not onely out of that booke but out of diuers other bookes Wherefore most Reuerend and Right Honorable Lords your manifest dislike that you beare against the wickednes and falshood of Antichrist hath imboldned me to be an humble sutor vnto your Lordships to bee the Patrons of this my Booke and that you would vouchsafe to defend and further it by your Spirituall and Temporall Powers to the honour of Christ the great dishonour of Antichrist and the vnspeakeable benefit of Gods Children So with my hartie prayers I commit both your Honors your soules bodies and all that you haue vnto the safe preseruation of Christ Iesus and his holy Angels Your Lordships daily Oratour THOMAS MASON Preacher of Gods word in Odiham in the County of Southampton whose Father was Heire vnto S r IOHN MASON sometime a Priuy Councelor vnto Queene ELIZABETH THE EPISTLE VNTO THE RBADER EVen as the Reuelation and other places of Scriptures good Reader doâ— foretell Antichrist to come so this Historie declareth the fulfilling of those prophecies in all points all the Martyrs died in this faith that the Pope is Antichrist I could bethink my selfe of no instruction so profitable for the reading of this Booke as to giue thee a few rules to manifest vnto thee that the Popedome is that Antichrist which I will endeuor to declare vnto thee by these rules following first by his outward place of abode secondly by his inward and spirituall throne thirdly by his doctrine fourthly by his conditions fiftly by the height breadth length and ruine of his Kingdome I will but open the way vnto thee this Booke shall proue by experience my sayings to be true Touching his outward seate Reuel 17. 18. it is the Citie that then did raigne ouer the Kings of the earth which was Rome the place is also described in the ninth verse to be compassed about with seuen mountaines This Booke shall proue that Rome hath seuen mountaines about it In the same verse this Citie hath had fiue kings that were then falne another King did raign which was the Emperour when the Reuelation was made and another was to come afterward This book shall teach thee that the seuen Kings signifie seuen maner of Gouernments in Rome of which fiue was falne the Emperour then raigned and after the Pope should raigne there so the Holy Ghost hath pointed out Rome as plainly as can be the place of Antichrists Kingdome
Cardinall signifying that he would drowne himselfe and to leaue his clothes there and another Letter to the Mayor of the Towne to search for him in the water because he had a Letter written in parchment wrapt in wax about his neck for the Cardinal which would teach all men to beware of him vpon this they were seuen daies a searching for him but he went to London in a poore mans apparell and thence to Anwerpe to Luther and there answered all the Bishops of the Realme and made a Booke called acta Romanorum pontificum and another Booke with a supplication to King Henry When it was told the Cardinall he was drowned he said perit memoria eius cum sonitu but this lighted vpon himselfe for shortly after he poyso-himselfe In the beginning of the Raigne of Quéene Anne he and others came againe into England and continued a faithfull Preacher in the Citie of London and in her Graces time well entertained and promoted and after sent by King Henry the eight Ambassador to the Duke of Cleaue for the marriage of the Lady Anne of Cleaue betwéene the King and her and was well accepted vntill Gardiner came out of France but then neither Religion nor the Queene prospered nor Cromwell nor the preachers Then followed alteration in marriage vntill hee had grafted the marriage into another stocke by the â—ccasion whereof hee began his bloudy worke Soone after Doctor Barnes and his Brethren were carried to the King to Hampton Court to be examined But the King seeking meanes of his safety bad him goe home with Gardiner and confer with him they not agréeing Gardiner sought opportunitie to dispatch Barnes and the rest as he had done by the Queâ—ne the Lady Anne of Cleue and the Lord Cromwell and he appointed them three to preach thrée Sermons at the Spittle which were baites to minister iust occasion of their condemnations A hen they were sent for to Hampton Court and from thence carried vnto the Tower and came not thence but to their deathes Then the Protestants went beyond Sea Priests were diuorced from there Wiues certaine Bishops deposed and other good men denied Christ and bore Faggots then they were put to dâ—ath without iudgement a Papist and a Protestant were laid vpon one hurdle and drawn to Smithfield This was Winchesters deuise to colour his tyrany Then Barnes hid the Sheriffe beare him witnes he died Christianly and Charitably and prayed them all to pray for him and if the dead may pray for the quick we will pray for you so they forgaue their enemies and kissed one another and stood hand in hand at the stake vntill the â—â—re came and so rested in Christ. The same day one Powell Fetherstone and Abel were hanged drawne and quartered in the same place for denying the Kings Supremacie and maintaining the Kings marriage with the Lady Katherine Dowager The reason was because as one halfe of the Councell being Papists called vpon Barnes Garet and Hierome to be executed so the other part of the Councell called vpon these thrée Papists to be executed In this yéers a Boy one Richard Mekins but fiftéene yeares old was burned in Smithfield for speaking somewhat against the Sacrament of the Altar In like manner Richard Spencer Priest leauing his papistry married a Wife and got his liuing by day-labour Hee was burnt in Salisbury because hee was thought to hold opinion against the Sacrament and one Andrew Hewet was burned with him About this time Cardinall Poole Brother to the Lord Mountegew was attainted of high treason and fled to Rome where he was made Cardinall of Saint Mary Cosmoden where he remained vntill Quéene Maries time Stokely Bishâ—p of London and Tunstone Bishop of Duresme writ to him to perswade him to abandon the Supremacy of the Pope and to conforme himselfe to the Religion of his King which Letter thou maist reade in the Booke at large which sufficiently proueth the Pope not to be supreme head of the Church but because this Doctrine is as sufficiently proued in other places I omit to abridge it In this yeere the King by the aduice of his Councell sent forth a Decree for the setting vp the Bible in the great volume in euery parish Church in England This yeare Iohn Porter a Taylor a lusty yong man was by Bonner Bishop of London cast into Newgate for reading in the Bible in Paules Church where he was miserably famished to death About this time Iohn Longland Bishop of Lincolne burned two vpon one day one Thomas Barnard and the other Iames Morton the one for teaching the Lords Prayer in Englâ—sh and the other for kéeping the Epistle of Saint Iames in English In this yeare the Kings Maiestie vnderstanding that all Idolatry and vainâ— pilgrimages were not vtterly abolished within these Dominions directed his Letters vnto the Archbishop of Canterbury for the spéedy amendment of the same Anthony Pierson Priest Robert Testwood singing man Henrie Finmore Taylor and Iohn Marbeck singing man were burned at VVindsor THese Articles were obiected against Pierson that he had said Euen as Christ once hanged betweene two theeues so when he is holden vp betwixt the Priests handes he hangs betwixt two theeues except the Priest sincerely preach Gods word That he preached that Christ should not be eaten as he did hang vpon the Crossâ— with his flesh torne and the bloud running about their mouthes but he was to be eaten this day that we might also feed on him to morrow and next day and continually and that he was of more power after his resurrection then he was before That Christ sitting amongst his Disciples commended the Scriptures vnto them when he said This is that bread this is that body of Christ so when hee brake bread and bade them deuide it amongst them and eate it for it was his bodie and likewise the cup saying This is my bloud hee signified to vs that wee should receiue the Scriptures and distribute them vnto the people It was obiected against Finmore that he had said that the Sacrament of the Altar was but a similitude and that if it were God he had eaten twenty Gods in his life He condemned Testwood for iesting with the Priest when he lifted vp the host saying Ho take héed that he fall not That Marbeck with his owne hands had writ notes out of certaine Authors which were repugnant to the masse and sacrament of the Altar and that he said The Masse was impure and defiled with much vngodlinesse and it spoyleth God of his honour and that the eleuation of the sacrament represents the Calues of Ieroboam and is worse Idolatrie then those were and that therein Christ was counted a mocking-stock There was a fift man named Bennet vnto whose charge it was laid that hée should say the daily Masses vsed in the Church were superfluous and that it were sufficient the seuenth day were kept holy Bennet and Marbeck were pardoned by the King the other thrée stoutly suffered
send an armie to restore the Roman Religion in England he would pray that the Roman armie might preuaile in that case and in that faith he would spend ten thousand millions of liues if hee had them whereupon hee was likewise condemned to bee hanged drawne and quartered Robert Sutton Priest was indited for the same treasons he said the Quéen was supreme gouernour within her Highnesse Dominions ouer all persons but not ouer all causes he was found guiltie and had his iudgement as the rest It was proued that Welden was sent ouer into the Low-countries to kill the Earle of Leicester who apprehended him and sent him ouer into England to which he answered he had done nothing but as a Catholike Priest ought to doe by the direction of our most holy Father the Pope being the head of the Church who onely hath authority ouer all persons and in all causes Ecclesiasticall and in this Roman Religion I will die Then he prayed all Catholikes to pray for him and so mumbling certaine Latin prayers he died The other likewise died as obstinate traytors as himselfe Doctor Lopez Stephano de Ferrera de Gama Manuell Lewis Tyuaco Portugalls DOctor Lopez was fauourably receiued into the Quéens house a long time as one of her physitians the other two were Portugalls lately receiued to the seruice of the King of Spain yet colourably resorting into this Realme Lopez confessed that hee was of late yeares allured secretly to doe seruice vnto the King of Spaine and from one of his Priuie Councell he receiued a Iewell of gold of good value garnished with a large Diamond and a large Rubie and afterward he assented to take away the Quâ—â—ns life by poysoning vpon reward promised him of fifty thousand crownes for which purpose hee sent a messenger ouer to Callice to confer with the Count â—uents for this practise and that after he sent an other messenger vnto Ibarra the King of Spaines Secretary and to the said Count Fuentes promising to poison the Queene if â—hee might haue the fifty thousand crownes that were offered deliuered vnto him and he confessed the other two were his messengers in the aforesaid messages and conspired with him to execute the same and they all confessed that the stay that it was not done proceeded much against their mindes for want of the deliuerie of the said fifty thousand crownes which was promised by a day But the King of Spaine finding fault that the messenger which should carry the money was too base a fellow to be trusted wâ—â—h so much deferred the sending thereof but after billes of Exchange were deliuered by the Count Fuentes for the money by the direction of the King of Spaine at the very instant when it should haue been done it pleased God of his goodnesse towards her Maiestie to suffer this conspiracie to be very happily diâ—couered by the diligence of one of the Lords of her Maiesties Priuy Councell so all the thrée offenders were taken with their Letters and writings expressing their owne actions and Councels and the directions of the King of Spaines Councellors and the other two confessed the like in effect as Lopez had done wherevpon they were all three condemned for treason and executed accordingly Manuel Lewis repented at his death and prayed God that all those things that are atchieued by the King of Spaâ—ne against the Quéenes Maiestie might take none effect and that all the treasons which are wrought may bee discouered that God would prolong the life of the Quéenes Maiestie as shee deserueth and her faithfull subiects desire Edmund Yorke and Richard Williams NOt long after Lopez his treason another like conspiracie was concluded at Bruxells to murder the Queene whereof Stephano Ibarra the King of Spaines Secretary procuring the sâ—me to bee done by the said Yorke and Williams and others and Hugh Owen an English Rebell a Spanish Pentioner deliuered vnto the said Yorke an assignation in writing subscribed by the said Secretarie Ibarra his hand for assurance of payment of forty thousand crownes to bee giuen vnto him from the King of Spaine if hee would kill the Queene or if hee would assist Richard Williams or any other that should haue performed the same and the assignation was deliuered vnto Holt a Iesuit an old English Rebell who produced the Sacrament and kissed iâ— and sware in the presence of Yorke and other Rebels that he would surely pay the same Money vnto him as soone as the fact should be committed and vpon this matter were three seuerall consultations of Englishmen being Rebels and Fugitiues and Pentioners of the King of Spaine The names of the principall parties of the consultations are William Stanley the said Holt a Iesuit Thomas Throgmorton the said Hugh Owen Doctor Gifford Doctor Worthington Charls Paget one Tipping Edward Garret and Michaell Moody but bâ— Gods good prouidence the said Yorke and Williams were taken comming into England and confessed the whole matter as aforesaid Holt said to Yorke many Englishmen haue failed to perform this enterprise but if it should not be performed by you he would after imploy strangers in it Patricke Cullen an Irishman HE was likewise a Pentioner of the King of Spaine and a Fencer he was perswaded by William Stanley and one Iaques who was his Lieutenant and one Shirwood and the said Holt to come secretly into England and to kill her Maiestie and he assented thereunto and had thirty pound of Stanley Iaques towards his iourney with offer of great reward and comming into England he was taken and by good proofes charged there with he confessed the same in the manner as is before here expressed Richard Hesketh HEe was a Gentleman of Lancashire well acquainted with the Lord Strange he was sent into England by Cardinall Allen William Stanley and Thomas Worthington to intice Ferdinand the Lord Strange sonne and heire to the Earle of Darby to take vpon himselfe the title to be heire vnto the crowne of England and to shew him the opinion of the Cardinall and many others that he should take vppon him the title of King with assurance of treasure and forreine forces to maintaine the same which the said Hesketh did very diligently performe with many reasons as he was instructed but the Lord Strange being at Heskeths comming newly Earle of Darbie by the death of his father was so wise and dutifull that he stayed Hesketh who vpon the Earles report was apprehended and confessed the whole matter wheupon he was condemned and shewed great repentance and cursed his instructors and was executed SQVIRE THis Uiper Squire was likewise sent by the inticement of the aforesaid Serpentine generation beyond Sea to kill her Maiestie his plot was to so poyson the pummell of her Saddle that if she did lay her hand vpon it her whole bodie should be therewith poysoned but by the sure prouidence of God which euer did preserue her and â—oreshew vnto her all her dangers to the preuention of them this practise came
fittest to be done omitting neither time diligence or industry all which noâ—withstanding they could not as yet finde out the depth of this mysterie and were therefore much troubled in minde bâ—cause the appointed day of parliament drew neare which was Tuesday the 5. of Nouember vpon the Saturday before the King being returned from hunting the said Lords acquainted his Highnesse with what had past and when his Maiesty had well noted the strange contents of the Letter which purported the sodaine ruine of the State the King said notwithstanding the small respect and slight regard which might bee giuen to Libels scattered abroad yet thâ—s was more quicke and pithy then was vsuall in Libels and willed them to search in all places as well not dayly frequented as of vsuall repayre and concerning any forraine disturbance or inuasion hee well knâ—w the present force and preparation of all Christian Princes and that whatsoeuer practise of treaâ—on was now in hand it must be perâ—ormed in some vnsuspected place and by some homâ—-bred traytors therevpon new search was made in all places about the Court and the Parliament house but could not as yet finde any thing worthy their labours all which â—earchâ—s were performed with such silence and discretion as there rose no manner of suspition eyther in Court or City the Lord Chamberlaine whose office it most concerned neuer rested day nor night and the night before the Parliament as Sir Thomas Kneuet with others scowted about the parliament house espied a fellow standing in a corner very suspitiouâ—ly and asked him his name what hee was and what he did there so late who answered very bluntly hiâ— name was Iohn Iohnson Master Pearcies man and keeper of his lodgâ—ings Sir â—homas Kneuet continued still his search in all places thereabouts and returning thither againe found him lingring there still searched him and found vnder his cloke a close Lanthorne and a burning Candle in it and about him other signes of suspition that hee stood not there for any good then the Knight entered the Uaâ—â— where they found the powder couered with Billets and Fagots as afore-said and then the Lord Chamberlaine caused the Traytor to be bound and being now about three a clocke in the morning â—ee went vnto the King and with exceeding gladnesse told his Maiestie the Treason was discouered and preuented and the Traytor in hold the King desired to see Fawkes who when hee came before the King vsâ—d like trayterous and audacious speeches as hee did at his first apprehension affirming himselfe was the onely man to performe the Treason saying it sore vexed him that the deed was not done and for that time would not confesse any thing touching the rest of the Conspirators but that himselfe onely and alone was the contriuer and practiser of this Treason Betweene fiue and six a clocke in the morning the Councell gaue order to the Lord Mayor of London to looke to the City and in very calme manner to set ciuill watch at the Citie gates signifying therewithall that there was a plot of Treason discouered and that the King would not goe to Parliament that day and the same day in thâ— afternoone the manner of the Treason was by Proclamation made known vnto the people for ioy wherof there was that night as many bonsires in and about London as the stréetes could permit and the people gaue humble and hearty thankes vnto almighty God for their King Countries right blessed escape Within thrée dayes after two other proclamations were made signifying vnto the people who were the chiefe conspirators with commandement to apprehend Pearcy and Catesby to take them aliue if it were possible which said Pearcy and Catsby were gone to Holbach in Warwickshire to méet Winter Gaunt and others where vnder pretence of a great hunting they meant to raise the country and surprise the Lady Elizabeth from the L. Harington whom they meant to proclaime Queens and in whose name they meant to enter into Armes being perswaded that the King the Prince and Duke of Yorke were by that time blowne vp in the Parliament house but when they knew their treason was known and preuented and saw the Kings forces round about the house so as they could not escape Pearcy and Catesby very desperately issued forth and fighting back to back were both slain with one Musket shot Saturday the ninth of Nouember the King went to Parliament where in the presence of the Queene the Prince the Duke of Yorke the Ambassadors of the King of Spaine and the Arch-duke and all the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and Commons of the same hee made a very solemne oration manifesting the whole complot of this Treason The 27. of Ianuary at Westminster were arraigned Thomas Winter Guydo Fawkes Robert Keyes and Thomas Bates for plotting to blow vp the Parliament house digging in the mine taking oath and Sacrament for secresie c. and Robert Winter Iohn Graunt Ambrose Rookewood for being acquainted with the treason afterward giuing their full consent thereunto and taking oath and Sacrament for secresie and sir Euerâ—â—d Digby for being made acquainted with the said Treason yeelding assent and taking his corporall oath for secresie all which inditements were prooued against them and by themselues confessed and therevpon had iudgement giuen them to bee drawne hanged and quartered their limbes to bee set vpon the Citie gates and their heads vpon the Bridge according to which sentence the thirtieth of Ianuary Sir Euerard Digby Robert Winter Iohn Graunt and Bates were executed at the West end of Paules Church and the next day after the other foure were executed in the Parliament yard six of the eight acknowledged their guiltinesse in this horrible treason and dyed very penitently but Graunt and Keyes did not so Out of these and many other destructions the Lord of his aboundant mercie hath deliuered his most faithfull Seruant and our dread Soueraigne King Iames and still will preserue him according to his promise so long as he putteth his trust in him and it is not to be doubted but God hauing giuen him the Spirit of confidence in him and also fortified and builded vp this his hope and trust by the experience of ennumerable preseruations of his person and Statâ—e and such ones as could be attributed to no meanes but onely to Gods handy workes Nay I will conclude by the warrant of Gods word that it is impossible for the Diuell by any temptation in the world to steale this heauenly treasure out of his Royall heart no more then he could steale it out of Iob his heart for although from them that haue not the true grace of God that which they haue shall be taken from them yet according to Christs promise which is truth it self he that hath truly Gods Spirit be it in neuer so little manner more shall be giuen him and that which he hath shall neuer be taken from him And touching these blessed Realmes of Great Brittaine and Ireland ouer
you suffer it not to be transported out of the Realme but kéepe it vntill the returne of the Ambassadours and that you make this our inhibition common to your Arch-Deacons and Officials At length the Ambassadors came home bringing word that the Pope was greatly displeased with the Realme saying Rex Anglorum qui iam recalcitrat frederiscat suum habet consilium ego vero meum habeo quod sequar c. And that they were halfe counted Schismatickes for speaking in the Kinges behalfe and could no more be heard the King being insenfed heere-with sent out Proclamations through all the Realme that none should consent to any taxe of Money for the Pope he hearing of it in cruell rage sent to the Prelats vppon paine of interdiction to prouide the saide summes of Money by the Feast of Assumption the King for feare of the Pope durst not stand to the liberties of the Church Moreouer the gulfe of the Romish Auarice waxt so immeasurable that he shamed not vpon his curse to aske the third part of Church goods and the yearely fruit of all vacant Benefices Otho comming to Oxford lying in the house of Osney was receiued with great honour the Schollers presenting him honourable Dishes and rewards Dinner being done they came to welcome him comming to the Gate the Porter an Italian asked what they would haue and holding the doore halfe open with contumelious tearmes thrust them out they with force thrust open the gate and came in the Romaines within fell to alarum by the eares together some of the Schollers going â—or Weapons the Maister Cooke cast scalding liquor wherein meat was sodden in the face of a poore Scholler an Irish-man which waighted for Almes another Scholler a Welsh-man séeing it shot the Cooke thorough with an Arrow and killed him Whereupon was a great clamour the Cardinall hearing the tumult like a valiant Romaine ranne vp into the stéeple and locked himselfe 〈◊〉 vntill midnight The Schollers sought all corners for the Legate crying out Where is that Usurer that Symâ—niacks that Proylar and Extortioner of our Liuings and Monies Who peruerteth the King and subuerteth the Kingdome enriching himselfe with our spoyles The Cardinall heard all this and held his peace and conuayed himselfe by night vnto the King and the King sent to Oxford a garison of armed men to deliuer the Romaines which were hid for feare of the Schollers One Odo a Lawyer and thirty of the Schollers were apprehended and carried to Wallingford Castle and thence in Charts to London and by much intreaty of the Bishops were brought bare-footed to the Legats doore where they pardoned and the Uniuersity released of interdiction The State of Germany and of the Emperour Friderick the second was then as much or more pittifull then that of England who were so persecuted by Pope Innocentius Honorius Gregorius Celestinus Innocentius the fourth infamed with excommunications and did commonly warre against them in open fielde and all with English mens Money first they made him Emperour against Otho whom they depriued then for clayming his right in Apulia and Sicilia they accursed him when they had warred against him they sent him to fight against the Turkes who recouered Ierusalem Nazareth and Ioppe from the Souldane Whilst hee was occupied in these Warres these vnholy Fathers inuaded his Lands and possessions at home subduing Apulia vnder his owne possession and inhibiting his Souldiours to goe ouer to him and when the Emperour sent to the Pope and other Christian Princes his Letters gratulatory declaring what God wrought by him against the Turkes the Pope stayd the Messengers kept the Letters close and caused it to be noysed abroad that the Emperour was dead and the said Pope Gregorie the ninth wrote to the Souldane that he should not render the holy Land into the Emperours handes The Emperour hearing this stirre of the Pope tooke truce with the Souldane for tenne yeares and repayreth home and driueth the Popes Army out of Apulia and recouered all the Pope had gotten from him before The Pope laid his cursse vpon the Emperour for making truce with the Souldane and conspired with the Tuscanes and Lombards against him the Emperor at the instigations of the Princes glad to compose with the Tyrant was faine to ransome the absolution of the Pope for ten hundred thousand ounces of gold and yet hee sent to the Princes of Germany charging them to admit none of the Emperors stocke to be King of the Romaines and stirred vp the Citties of Italy against him The Emperor vnderstanding his politick and subtile traynes marched into Italy where he put downe the Rebels and recouered againe the Citties belonging to the Empire Wherefore a new excommunication was laid vpon him and all his Subiects released of obedience and loyalty and much indulgences and eternall life promised to them that would fight against him After Gregorie succéeded Celestinus the fourth who raigned not long After him succéeded Innocentius the fourth who following the steps of his predecessors called a generall Councell at Lyons as is before mentioned where standing vp he cited the Emperour his Legate required lawfull time for him to come which hee would not graunt but in his fury denounced him accursed and depriued him of his Imperiall Dignity charging him with periury and sacriledge writing Libels of defamation to all Kings The Emperour made purgation of these â—landers charging the Pope not with fained but true and most hainous crimes of slander falshood perdition periury rebellion hypocrisie and prooueth him by his Letters to be very Antichrist Hee wrote to the French King that hee much marueiled that the prudence and wisedome of the French-men did not more quicke then others sée the Popes subtilty and couetousnesse purposing to subdue all Realmes as he hath done England and doth presumptuously achieue to subdue the Maiesty of the Imperiall Crowne This Emperor departed to Apulia and there dyed being poysoned as some thinke by meanes of the Pope In the time of this Innocent dyed one Robert Grosted Byshop of Lincolne a famous learned man as that time serued whose Sermons to this day are extant in the Quéenes Library at Westminster There is one speciall Sermon written to Innocent Cestrensis writeth that he was greeued for the exactions of the Pope in England and would not admit of the Popes Nephew to be Canon of his Church Writing to the Pope that hee could not admit such into his Church which did neither know themselues nor their charges hee was therefore called to Rome and excommunicated who appealing from the Pope to Iesus Christ shortly after departed Two yeares after the said Pope being asleepe one apparelled Bishoplike appeared vnto him and striking him with his Staffe saide Surge miser veni in iudicium the next day after the Popes Bed was found bloody and he dead After Henry the third succeeded his Sonne Edward the first who raigned thirty fiue yeares Edward the second his Sonne succeeded him who raigned
flée from him as Cain and that wée are damned by Nature as a Toade and a Serpent are so by Nature Item Loue in Christ putteth no difference betwixt one man and another Item The sects of Saints Francis Saint Dominick others be damnable Then the Bishop asked him whether he would renounce these heresies and he prayed the Bishop to reforme himselfe Then the Bishop gaue him respite and when hee came before him againe First he affirmed that Christ all his merits were his and that he was knit to him so inseperably that he could not be damned except Christ were damned He that séeketh by his almes more then to be mercifull and to succor his brotherâ— and neighbours need he is blind and seeth not Christs bloud so God is honoured on all sides in that we count him righteous in all his lawes and to worship him otherwise is Idolatry he concluded to them all he found no fault throughout all the booke but it is all good and hath giuen him great light of conscience The next Sessions he was intised to recant but shortly after he was moued by the example of one that was burned in Smithfield and after did constantly abide in the testimonie of the truth and suffered in Smithfield Lastly for these Articles he was condemned 1 THat Faith onely iustifieth which lacketh not Charitie 2 That Christ is a sufficient Mediator for vs therefore no prayer to beâ— made to Saints 3 That Christ is our sufficient purgatory and that there is no purgatory after this life 4 That the soules of the faithfull departing this life rest with Christ. 5 That a Priest receiuing orders receiueth more grace if his Faith be increased or else not Lastly hee beléeueth that the bloud and flesh of Christ is not in the Sacrament wherevpon he was condemned and burnt as aforesaid IOHN RANDALL THis IOHN RANDALL was of Christs Colledge in Cambridge and for the loue that he had to the Scriptures and sincere Religion hee was suspected and hated the yong man being studious and about one twenty yéeres old was long lacking of his companions and through the stench of his corps his study doorâ— being broken vp he was found hanged with his owne girdle within the study in such maner that he had his face looking vpon the Bible and his finger pointing to a place of Scripture whereas predestination was intreated of surely this matter lacked no singular policie of some old naughty man that it should seeme for feare of predâ—stination he was driuen to despaire that it might keep their yong men from the study of the Scriptures as a thing most perilous In this yeare an old man in the County of Buckingham for eating of Bacon in Lent was condemned to the fire and burned EDWARD FRESE EDward Frese a Painter was hired to paint certaine cloaths for the new Inne in Colchester and in the vpper boarder of the cloaths he wrote certaine sentences of the Scripture then some of the Towne which had seene his worke apprehended him and brought him to London to the Bishop where he was cruelly imprisoned with others of Essex One Iohnson and his wife and one Willy his wife and his son and one Father Bate of Rowshedge they were fed with fine Manchet made of saw-dust or the most part therof the said Frese being at the Bishops at Fullam his wife being desirous to see him came to the gate being big with Childe the Porter kicked her on the belly that on the same she died and the childe died immediatly after for writing against the wall his hands were manacled that the flesh of his armes were higher then the Irons and they kept him thrée daies without meat when he should come to his answer he could say nothing but looked on the people like a wilde man and if they asked him any question he could say nothing but my Lord is a good man anâ— when they had spent his body and wits they sent him to Bearsie-Abby but hee would not tarry there but he neuer came to his wits againe vntill his death And his brother Valentine Frese was burned for the testimony of Christ in Yorke Also the wife of the aforesaid Father Bate made a Supplication to the King and deliuered it vnto him who appointed her to go to one M. Seliard of him she gat a letter to the Bishop she hoped some good should come to her Husband but some of her friends would néeds sée the contents of her letter which was to this effect look what you can gather against Father Bate send me word that I may certifie the Kinges Maiesty but shortly after he gat out of prison in a darke night and was caught no more In this yeare Fryer Roy was burned in Portugale what his doctrine was may easily be gathered by his testimony that he left here in England The History of Maister IAMES BAYNHAM a Lawyer THis Maister Baynham was accused to Sir Thomas Moore Chancelor arested with a Sergeant at Armes and carried out of the middle Temple to his house at Chelsey when he saw he could not preuaile with him he whipped him at a trée in his garden then racked him at the tower before himselfe vntill they had almost lamed him because he would not accuse Gentlemen of the Temple nor tel where his bookes lay and because his wife denied they were at his house she was sent to the fléet and his goods confiscate When they had often vsed him vpon the tortures then he sent him to the Bishop of London who cast him into Lolards tower vntill he had bin diuers times before him examined and they were not able to resist him He was both mighty in Scriptures and Arguments that he was able to confound them with their owne Arguments so he condemned him and the Bishop sent one Doctor Symons to peruert him and waite vpon him to the stake after much communication betweene the Doctor him he prayed the Sheriffes to deliuer him from Satan for he was content to confirme his faith with his blood At the stake he lay down flat and prayed then rising vp he imbraced the stake then he said Good people I am come hither accused and condemned for an hereticke these be the Articles I dye for I say it is lawfull for euery man or woman to haue Gods booke in their Mother tongue That the Pope is Antichrist that he knoweth no other Keyes of heauâ—n gate but the preaching of the word and that theâ—e is no other purgatory then the purgatory of Christs blood and that the soules of the faithfull imediatly go to heauen râ—st with Christ for euermore That Thomas Becket was no Saint but a Traytor and a shedder of innocent blood thâ—n one M. Pauey answered Thou liest thou heretick thou deniest the blessed Sacrament of the altar He answered I do not deny the Sacrament as it was instituted of Christ and vsed of his Apostles but I deny transubstantiation and your
that they should in no wise pray for them no more then they would for a Dog whereat Frith smiling desired the Lord to forgiue him and so departed About this time High Latimer was inhiâ—ited by the Bishop of London to preach in his Dioces and yet after he preached in the Precinâ—t of the Fryers Augustines of London The Lady Anne of Bullen although she was not yet married to King Henry yet she was in great fauour and daily she inclined the Kings mind more more against the Papists so that the same yeare the King and certaine of his Lords came into the Parliament house and he complained of the Cleargy that they were but halfe his Subiects yea and scarse our Subiects for their oath to the Pope at their consecration is cleane contrary to that which they make to vs and he deliuâ—râ—d to the Parliament the coppies of both their oaths These Oaths being thus receiued and â—pened to the people were the occasion that the Pope lost al his iurisdiction in England shortly after The matter falling out more and more against the Pope Sir Thomas Moore a great maintainer of the Pope was driuen to resigne his Chancelorship â— deliuer vp the great seale into the Kings hands After whom succéeded Sir Thomas Audley kéeper of the great seale a great fauorer of Christs Religion Lady ANNE of Bullen WIthin short time after the King married the Lady Anne Bullen Mother to Quéene Elizabeth who was the secret ayder and comforter of al the Professors of the Gospell and her almes shewed her life was accordingly which was a hundred gownes wéekly and other apparell yearely before she was married both to men women she also gaue much priuate almes to the widdowes and poore hoâ—sholders continually vntill she was apprehended And she euer gaue thrée or foure pounds at a time to them to buy them Kine and sent her Sub-almner about to the Townes where she lay that the Parisheners should make a bâ—ll of all the poore housholders in thâ—ir parish and some parishes receiued 7. 8. or 10. pounds to buy Kine withall Also she maintained many lâ—arned men in Cambridge so did the Earle of Wiltshirâ— her Father and the Lord Roch her Brothâ—r and she brought them in fauour with â—ing Henry She caried alwaies about her a little purse out of which she was wont daily to scatter abroad some almes to the needy thinking no day well spent wherein none had fared the better for her She kept her Maids and such as were about her imployed in making shirts and smocks for the poore but the Lady Dowager beeing deuorced made the Pope to curse the King and interdict the realme In the meane time Queene Anne beinâ— great with child in the next yeare following was crowned with high solemnity at Westminster and not long after brought to â—ed at Greenewich of the faire Lady Elizabeth The Lord Maior of London and his Brethren with forty cheefe Cittizens were commanded to be present with all the Nobles and Gentlemen The Kings Palace and all the wals to the Fryers were hanged with Arras â—â—d the Friers Church The Font war of Siluer and stood in the midst of the Church thrée steps high which was couered with fine linnen and diuers Gentlemen with aprones and towels about their necks gaue attendance about it Ouer the Font hung a faire Canopy of Crimson Sattin fringed with Gold The holy Maid of Kent CErtaine Monkes put into the heads of many of the Kings Subiects that they had Râ—uelation of God and his Saints that he was highly displeased with king Henry for the diuorcement of the Lady Katherine and surmised that God had reuealed vnto a Nun called Elizabeth Barton whom they called the Holy Maid of Kent that if the King did diuorce her he should not be King of this Realme one month after and not one day nor houre in Gods fauour She would shew marueilous alteration of her visage and body as if she had béene wrapt in a trance and inspired of God She spoke against sinne and reprooued the Gospell which she called heresies and spoke diuers things to the reproach of the King and Quéene and to the establishing of Idolatry Pilgrimage and derogation of Gods glory The Archbishop the Lord Cromwell and Maister Hugh Latimer with great labour found out her naughtinesse and condemned her and put her to death with certaine of her councell VVILLIAM TRACY Esquire A Little before this time William Tracy of Todington in Gloster-shire made his Will that he would haue no funerall pomp at his burying nor Masse and said that he trusted in God only and hoped by him to be saued and not by any Saint His Executor brought the Will to the Bishop of Canterbury that then was to proue it which he shewed to the Conuocation and they iudged him to be taken vp and burned as an heretick and sent a commisson to Doctor Parker Chancelor of Worcester to execute their sentence who accomplished the same The King hearing thereof sent for the Chancelor who laid the fault on the Bishop yet it cost him three hundred pount erâ— he could haue a pardon The storie of twenty foure burned at Paris IN this yearâ— were diuers writings set vp in Paris vpon the Porches and gates against the Masse and other papisticall superstitions whereupon many were apprehended and cast into prison but twenty foure were executed in seuerall places of the Citie of Paris The bearer of the Popes curse and interdictment against King Henrie and the Realme durst not come into the Realme with it but set it vp in Dunkerk in Flanders the king hearing thereof took great displeasure against the said Princesse Dowager and so stomacked the matter that the next yeare he called a Parliament and caused it to be prouided by sufficient Acts that the Pope should be vtterly abolâ—sht and himselfe to be establisht supreme head of the Church at which thing Sir Thomas Moore the Bishop of Rochester grudged and would not consent vnto it but openly resisted the same wherefore they were condemned of treason and headed at Tower-hill Likewise three Charter-Monks were hanged drawne and quartred at Tyburne for speaking trayterous words against the Kings Maiestie This yere the King set forth a Proclamation for the abolishing of the vsurped power and iurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome wherein is declared that not onely the secular men granted him this iurisdiction but all the spiritualty in the Conuocation house vnder their seales wherin also he signified that he had addressed Letters vn-the Bishops of the Diocesse straitly commanding them that forthwith the sincere word of God should be preached euery Sonday and Holy-day vnto the people and Our stile and iurisdiction of supreme head appertayning onely to our Crowne and Dignity royall to be publisht and that the Popes vsurped name should be put out of all prayers masses or other books except it be to his reproach The life and storie of M. William Tindall FIrst he
was Schoolemaster to one Master Welch and for translating certain religious books into English and for arguing with a certain Priest that often vsed to his Masters house and confounding diuers points of their religion by the word of God he was pursued glad to go out of the Realme into Germany and there translated the Bible into English compiled diuers other books sâ—nt them into England wherby the dore and light vnto the Scriptures was daily more and more opened which before was many years closed in darknesse from thence he went to Aâ—twarp and had his abiding there and was lodged about a yeare in the house of one Thomas Poynets an English man which kept a house of English Merchants then came thither one Henry Philips hauing a seruant waiting on him M. Tindall became acquainted with him and had great confidence in him and had him often to dinner and supper with him and got him a lodging in M. Poynets house At length Philips wâ—nt to the high Court of Bruxelles to betray M. Tindall and procured to bring from thence with him the Procurator generall with othâ—r Officers which was not done with small charges from whom soeuer it came After Philips returning would haue M. Tindall to dine with him then hee desired M. Tindall to lend him fortie shillings which he did he told Philips he could not diâ—e with him for he was bid forth to dinner and he should goe with him And going forth to dâ—nner Philips hauing appointed the officers in the way he gaue them a signe that this was he they should apprehend then they took him and brought him to the Procurator generall who sent him to the Casâ—le of Filford and the Procurator generall went to Poynets house and sent away all that was there of M. Tindals The said Poynets and certain Merchants went ouer into England and got letters from the Coâ—ncell for M. Tindals deliuery vpon the deliuery wherof to the Councel of Bruxelles M. Tindall should haue bin deliuered vnto him which when Philips vnderstood he accused Poynets â—o be an heretick and a receiuer of such caused him to be apprehended kept 13. or 14. wéeks in prison but he escaped by night and got into England but M. Tindall was condemned and the same morning as he was had to the fire he deliuered a letter to the chiefe Kéeper of the Castle which the Kéeper himselfe brought to Poynets house who compared him to be fellow to the Apostles being in prison both for his conuersation and conuerting and preaching to the peoâ—le M. Tindall hearing by certaine Merchants what wonderfull feats a Iugler did he desired thâ—m that he might be present also at supper to see him play his parts accordingly the supper was appointed and the Merchants with Tindall were there present The Iugler being desired to vttâ—r his cunning shâ—wed all that he could do but all was in vaine at last with his labour sweating and toyle he saw nothing would go forward he confessed there was some man present at supper which disâ—urbed his doings For his letters that he wrote I refer thée to the book at large if thou dispose to sée them The Lord Cromwell keeper of the Kings priuie Seale Uicegerent of all the Kings iurisdiction ecclâ—siasticall sent out certaâ—n iniuncâ—ions by the Kâ—ngs authoritâ— for the preaching thâ— word of God for the bâ—tter publishing of the kings supremaâ—â—â— against idols 〈◊〉 on pilgrimage trusâ—ing in saints and to abrogate diuers holy-daies and for reformation to be had in diuers othâ—r ecclesiastical matters In the begiâ—â—g of this year the most noble and worthy Lady Queen Anne of Bullen after she had liued Qâ—â—â—ne three â—ears was cast into the Tower together with her brother the Lord Rochford and diuers others which shortly after were executed The words of the Queene at the time of her death Good Christian people I ame come hither to die I am iudged therto by the law therefore I will not speake against it I pray God preserue the King for there was neuer a gentler Prince and to me he was euer a good soueraigne and I râ—quire euery one to iudge the best of my cause so â— take my leaue of the world and of you all desiring you to praâ—â—or me Then she kneeled down and said Into thy hands I commend my soule Iesus receiue my soule diuers times vntill her head was striken off Fiue burned in Scotland SEauen years after Patrick Hamelton aforesaid there were fiue burned in Edenborough the chief Citie in Scotland two were Dominican Friers one Priest one Cannon and one Gentleman adiudged by the Archbishop of S. Andrewes Petrus Chappeâ—anus and the Franciscan Friers whose labour is neuer wanting in such matters The murther of ROBERT PACKINGTON HEe was a rich Mercer dwelling in Cheap side and was one of the â—urgesses of the Parliament for the Citie of London and had spoken against the couetousnesse and cruelty of the Clergie wherefore he was had in contempt with them therfore one Doctor Vincent Deane of Paules hired a stranger for sixtie crownes to kill him which he did in this manner this Packington vsed by foure of the clocke euery morning to go to a Church neare Cheap-side and in a mistie morning tâ—e hyred stranger shot him and killed him with a gunne as he crossed the street This could not be knowne vntill the death of the Deane then he repented the fact at his death and confessed it to his ghostly father In this yeare the Kings Maiestie by his Uicegerent the L. Cromwell sent out againe certaine Iniunctions vnto the Spiritualty for the reformation of religion for the maintenance of reading the Bible in English and for taking downe of Images with such other like The history of Iohn Lambert alias Nicolson BEing beyond Sea by reason of the persecution here he returned hoping the time had bin amended by the means of Quéen Anne and Cromwell and the abolishing of the Pope he became a Schoolemaster and being present at a Sermon preached by Doctor Taylor one that was a Bishop in K. Edwards time and died in the Tower in Queen Maries time after the Sermon hee vttered diuers arguments to the Preachers and desired to be resolued Taylor alledged businesse and desired him to write his minde which he did The first was vpon The cup is the new Testament and if these words doe not change neither the cup nor the wine into the new Testament by like reason the words spoken of the bread should not turn it corporally into the body of Christ. The second it is not agreeable to a naturall body to be in â—wo or more places ot one time therfore Christ hauing a naturall bodie cannot be in heauen on the right hand of his father and in the Sacrament Thirdly a naturall body cannot be without his forme and conditions as he cannot be without substance iâ— the Sacrament there is no forme and condition of the body of Christ no not
any appearance of flesh therefore there is no transubstantiated body of his in the Saâ—rament and on the contrary the forme and condition that you see in the Sacrament pertaineth to bread which cannot be there without the subiect therefore of necessity we must confesse bread to be there Taylor put vp the writing to Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury so hee was forced to defend his cause openly in the Court the Archbishop had not yet sanored the doctrine of the Sacrament which he afterward was an earnest teacher of Lambert was faine to appeale from the Bishop to the King Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester as he was most cruell so hee was most subtile gaping to get occasion to hinder the Gospell Hee priuily admonished the King what great hatred he had gotten of al men for abolishing the Bishop of Romes authoritie and for subuerting the Monasteries and for the diâ—orcement of Queene Katharine and now the time serued if he would take it to remedie all these matters and pacifie their minds that be offended if on this man Lambert he would manifest how stâ—utly he would resist hereticks whereby he shall discharge himselfe of all suspicion of being a fauourer of new Sects whereupon the King appointed a day for argument before him when the time was come the Bishop argued the foresaid points against Lambert which he answered most effectually but the King and the Bishops would not suffer him to conclude his arguments When the King minded to breake vp his counterfeit disputation he said to Lambert What sayest thou now to the reasons and instructions of these learned men Art thou satisfied Wilt thou liue or die thou hast yet free choyse Lambert answered I submit my selfe to the will of your Maiestie the King said submit thy selfe to the handes of GOD not to mine then said Lambert I commit my soule to the handes of GOD but my body I submit to your clemencie Then said the King if you commit your selfe to my clemencie you must die for I will not be a patrâ—n vnâ—o hereticks Then he bade Cromwell reade the sentence of condemnation against hâ—m which he did though he was the chiefe friend of the Gospellers this was by the poâ—icie of Cranmer that if Cromwell should haue refused to do it he might incurre the like danger And in the sentence was contained a decrée that the same should be set vpon the Church porches and be read foure times euery yeare in euery Church throughout the Realmâ— whereby the worshipping of the bread should be the more fixed in the hearts of the people The Answers of IOHN LAMBERT to diuers Articles administred to him VVHere you aske me of frée-will whether a man haue frée-will that he may deserue ioy or paine we deserue nothing by doing the commandements of God as it appeareth by the Parable of the Master which when his seruant is come from worke will make him waite on him vntill he hath eaten and after giue him leaue to eate and yet thanketh him not because he hath done but his duetie so should you say you are vnprofitable seruants when you haue done that which you were bound to doe therefore when we haue done well we should not magnifie our owne free-will but his grace by which we did it And though â—race be promised in many places to the kéepers of Gods precepts yet such reward shall neuâ—r be attained of vs but by the grace and benefit of him which worketh all things in all creatures We should not doe works for loue of reward nor for dread of paine but because they doe please God and if we only ayme at the contenting of his pleasure reward vndoubtedly would insue good déeds as heat inseparably followeth fire Thus wee should serue God for loue as children and not for reward and dread as seruants We haue no frée-will nor abilitie of our selues to doe the will of God but as Esay saith We are subiect and thrald vnto sinne and Paule saith By the grace of God we are set at libertie Touching eareâ— coâ—â—ession it was not ordained of God bâ—t of man in the booke called Historia tripaâ—tita you shall find how it was first instituted and after vndone againe because of a huge vilâ—anie committed by a Minister vpon a woman through conâ—ession And touching their power to forgiue sinnes I say onely Christ looseth a sinner which is contrite by his promise and the Priest can but declare the promise neither doth the declaring of the promise by the Priest benefit any one vnâ—esse he be loosed from his sinne by credence in the promise ministred And Chrysostome in his booke in opere imperfecto affirmeth that the keyes of heauen are the doctrine of the word of God Ministers doe binde and loose after a sort as Christ told Paule Thou shalt open their eyes that they may be conuerted from darknes vnto light Here Paule is said to open the eyes of mens hearâ—s yet to speake properly it is God that doth it therefore Dauid prayeth Reuela oculos meos and it is said of Iohn Baptist That he should turn the harts of the fathers vnto the children and the vnbeleeuers vnto the wisdom of the wise although to turne mens hearts only belongeth to God but so we vse to speake Metonomiâ—â— Touching inioyning of penance I know none that men need to admit neither ought you to iniâ—yne any except casting away the old vice and taking the new vertue which euery â—rue penitent intendeth or ought to intend Touching the question whether grace be giuen only by the Sacraments God sendeth his grace where it pleaseth him either with them or without them and when he pleaseth and many lewd persons receiue the Sacraments that are destitute of grace to their confusion yet in due receit of the Sacraments God giueth grace Where you aske whether all things necessary to saluation are in Scripture S. Chrysostome saith he would haue a true preacher of Gods law not to swerue therefrom neither on the right hand nor the left for hee that should thereunto adde or withdraw should enterprise to be wiser then God And Saint Cyprian in his Epistle ad Cicilium fratrem teacheth how we ought to heare Christ only not regarding traditions of men like as he doth in diuers other places And this agreeth well with Scripture which is called the word of saluation the administration of righteousnesse the word of truth the rodde of direction our spirituall food the spirituall sword that we ought to fight withall against all temptations and assaults of our glostly enemies the seed of God the kingdome of heauen the keyes of the same the power of God the light of the world the law of God his wisedome and Testament euery one of which wordes will giue sufficient matter of argument that following the same doctrine only shal haue sufficient safe-conduct to come vnto the inheritance promised though no other way or meaâ—s were annâ—xed vnto the same In the hundred and eightéene
should be any publike change in this Realme of Religion except by the consent of you and the whole Parliament wherein you may easily perceiue his profound wisedom great leue towards you Wherfore he desireth you in Christs name that leauing blindnes contentions you would discusse those things amongst you which pertaine to religion and the Church hauing onely respect vnto the Scriptures neither will he any longer suffer the Scriptures to be wrested by any one of you neither to be oppressed with the Popes Decrées or authoritie of the Doctors or Councels neither will he allow any Doctrine grounded onely vpon Antiquitie and Custome hauing no other foundation in Scriptures such as you call vnwritten verities you owe this duety chiefely to Christ and next of necessitie vnto the Church and yet you shall not be vnrewarded at the Kings hands if he perceÃue you do your duty as you ought in establishing concord in the Church The which to bring to passe the onely methode is to discusse all things according to the Canons of Gods word wherevnto the Kings Maiestie doth exhort you and hartily desire you the Bishops gaue thankes vnto the King for his zeale vnto the Church and his exhortation worthy so Christian a Prince Then Bonner Bishop of London the most earnest Champion for the Pope defended the vnwritten verities and maintained the seuen Sacraments of the Church and others resisted him Touching whose Arguments because there is no great matter in them I refer thee to the Booke at large where also thou maist sée the number of Idols in England to which in great deuotion they vse to goe on pilgrimage vnto At length he was apprehended and committed to the Tower and then hee was attainted by Parliament for heresie for supporting Barnes and Clarke hereticks and many others And by his authoritie and Letters rescued them and deliuered them out of prison and for evulgating a great number of Bookes containing heresie and caused Bookes to be translated into English comprising matter against the Sacrament of the Altar for commending the Bookes after and that he should speake words against the King which they would neuer suffer him to answere vnto which were not likely to be true in that the King so shortly after his death wished to haue his Cromwell aliue againe by reason of which Act of Parliament the Noble Lord Cromwell was oppressed with his enemies and condemned in the Tower He was beheaded vpon Tower Hill where he patiently suffered the stroke of the Axe by a Butcherly miser which very vngodlily performed the office The History of Thomas Barnes Thomas Garard and William Hierome Diuines WHen as Cromwell was dead Gardiner Bishop of Winchester being at liberty to exercise his cruelty it is to be wondred what troubles hee raised and least he should loose his occupation by delayes Hee first assaults Robert Barnes Thomas Gerrard and William Hierome whom hee caused to be put to execution two daies after Cromwell and first of Barnes Doctor of Diuinitie There was sent downe a Sergeant at Armes to Cambridge who arresâ—â—d Doctor Barnes in the Conuocation house and they determined to make priuy search for Luthers Bookes and all the Germaines workes but they that were suspected had word therof and the Bookes were conuayed away before they came and he was brought to Cardinall Wolsey in Westminster At last he spake with the Cardinall in his Chaire of State knéeling on his knees Then said the Cardinall What Maister Doctor had you not scope sufficient in the Scriptures to teach the people but my golden showes my pollaxes my pillars my golden Cushions my crossee did so much offend you that you made vs Ridiculum caput amongst the people we were iollily that day laughed to scorne Uerily it was a Sermon more fitter to be preached on a Stage then in a Pulpit At last you said I wore a paire of red Gloues I should say bloudy Gloues that I should not bee cold in the middest of my Ceremonies Hee answered hee spake nothing but the truth according to the Scriptures and the old Doctors Then hee deliuered the Cardinall six shéetes of Paper to coroborate his saying He receiuing them said we perceiue you intend to stand to your Articles and shew your learning Yea said Barnes by Gods Grace and your Lordships fauour He answered such as you beare vs and the Catholick Church little fauour whether doe you thinke it more necessary that I should haue this royalty because I represent the Kings person in all High Courts of this Realme to the terror of all rebellions Treasons all the wicked members of this Common-wealth or to be as simple as you would haue vs to sell these things and giuâ— them to the poore which shortly would pisse it against the walles and pull his Maiestie from his dignitie He answered I think it necessarie to be sold and giuen to the poore for it is not comely for your calling and the King is not maintained by your pompe and pollaxes but by God which saith per me Reges regnant Then the Cardinall said to Doctor Gardiner and Maister Fox Loe Maister Doctors heere is the learned and wise man that you told me of Then they knéeled and desired his Grace to be good vnto them for hee would be reformable Then said he for your sakes and the Uniuersitie wee will be good vnto him Maister Doctorâ—dost thou not know that I am legatus de latere and that I am able to dispence with all matter in this Realme as much as the pope may Hee answered I know it Then hee bad him be ruled by him and I will doe all things for thy honesty and the honesty of the vniuersitie hee thanked him and said he would stick to the Scriptures according to his little Talent Then the Cardinall told him he should haue his learning tried and haue the Law and commanded him to the Tower But Gardiner and Fox became his sureties After he was twice brought before the Bishops and the Abbot of Westminster in the Chapter-house at Westminster Then he was put to haue the Councell of Gardiner and Fox and they perswaded him rather to abiure theâ— burne that he might doe more in time to come and with other perswasions mighty in the sight of reason and foolish flesh wherevpon he abiured and bore a faggot the Bishop of Rochester preaching at the abiuration of him and others stood vp and declared vnto the people how many daies of forgiuenes of sinnes they had for beeing at that Sermon yet he continued halfe a yéere after in prison and then he was committed to be frée prisoner in the Augustine Friers in London when these Caterpillers and bloudy beasts had vndermined him they complained on him again to my Lord Cardinall Then he was deliuered to the Friers of Northampton to bee burned Then Maister Horne heard that a writ should come shortly to burne him then hée councelled him to faine himselfe desperate and writ a Letter to the
her touching the said Articles deuised against her and gaue her warning of that mischiefe which hanged ouer her head beséeching her to be secret and to conforme her selfe to the Kings minde and no doubt she should finde him gracious After the King came to her himselfe vnto whom after she had vttered her griefe how it was for feare his Maiestie had forsaken her hee so refreshed her with comfortable words that she began to recouer Then shee commanded her Ladies to conuay away her Bookes which were against the Law and then she went to the King he courteously welcomed her and entred into talke of Religion séeming desirous to be resolued of the Queene of certaine doubts The Queene perceiuing to what purpose this his talke tended your Maiestie doth well know quoth shee and I am not ignorant of what great weaknesse by our first Creation is allotted to vs women to bee subiect vnto man as our head from which head all our direction must proceed and as God made man after his own Image that being indued with more speciall gifts of perfection might bee stirred to meditate heauenly things and obay his commandements so he made woman of man of whom and by whom she is to bee commanded and gouerned whose womanly weaknesse ought to bee tolerated and ayded that by his wisedome such things as be lacking in her might be supplied Therefore your Maiestie being so excellent in ornaments of wisedome and I so much inferiour in all respects of Nature Why doth your Maiestie in such defuse causes of Religion require my Iudgement which when I haue vttered said what I can yet I must and will referre my Iudgement in this and all causes to your Maiesties wisedome as my onely Anker supreme head and the gouernor heere in earth next vnto God Not so by Saint Mary said the King you are become a Doctor late to instruct vs. Shee answered your Maiestie hath much mistaken mee who haue euer thought it preposterous for the woman to instruct her husband but rather to learn of him and where I haue beene bold to hold talke with your Maiestie wherein there hath seemed some difference in opinion I haue not done it to maintaine opinion but to minister talke that your Maiestie might with lesse griefe passe the paine of your infirmitie being attentiue to your talke and that I might receiue some profit by your Maiesties learned Discourse wherein I haue not missed any part of my desire alwaies referring my selfe in such matters to your Maiestie â—hen said the King tendeth your Argument to no worse end then wee are now as perfect friends as euere we were and he imbraced her and kissed her saying it did him more good to heare these words then if he had heard newes of a hundred thousand pound fallen to him On the day that was appointed for the aforesaid Tragedy the King went into his Garden whether the Queene being sent for came onely the three Ladies aboue named waiting on her with whom the King was as pleasant as euer hee was in his life In the middest of his mirth the houre appointed being come the Lord Chancelor commeth into the Garden with forty of the Kings guard at his heâ—les with purpose to take the Queene with the three Ladies to the the Tower whom the King sternely beholding called him to him who on his knees whispered to the King the King cal'd him knaue arrant knaue and beastly foole and commanded him to auant out of his presence which words the Quéene heard though they were low spoken then he departed with his traine the whole mould of his deuice broken The Queene seeing the King so chaâ—ed spoke for the Lord Chancellor Ah poore soule quoth hee thou little knowest how euill hee deserueth this grace at thy hands he hath been towards thee sweet heart an arrant knaue and so let him goe If King Henry had liued hee and the French King had been at this point within halfe a yeere after to haue changed the Masse in both their Realmes into a Communion as wee now vse it and also vtterly to haue extirped the Popes vsurped power out of both their Realmes and they ment to exhort the Emperour to doe the like in Flanders and his other countreyes or else to breake off from him and herein quoth the Archbishop Cranmer the King willed mee to pen a forme thereof to be sent to the French King but that it was letten by the death of King Henry When the Bishops had brought ANNE ASKEVV and her fellow Martyrs to death being now in their triumph as the Pharisies were when they had killed Christ they deuised how to euer read the truth for euer wherevpon they made a strait Procâ—amation authorised by the Kings 〈◊〉 for abolishing of the Scripture and all other English Bookes which miâ—ht gâ—â—e light to the setting forth of Gods Word and the grace of the Gospell which thou maist see in the Booke at large which no doubt had done much hurt in the Church amongst the godly in bringing them to danger or keeping 〈◊〉 in blindnes had not the shortnes of the Kings daies stopped the malignant purposes of the Prâ—latâ—s causing the King to leaue that to the people by his death which by his life he would not grant for within foure monethes after the proclamation he deceased the eight and thirty yeare of his raigne The History touching the Persecutions in Scotland Deane Thomas Forret THis Deane Thomas Forret preached euery Sunday in his parish vpon the Epistle and Gospell which was nouelâ—y in Scotland to see any preach but the Black Friâ—r or the Gray Wherefore the Friers enuied him and accused him to the Bishop of Donkelden as an heretick which shewed the mysteries of the Scripture vnto the vulgar people to make the Clergy detestable The Bishop sending for him said my Ioy Deane Thomas I leue you well â— am informed you preach the Epistle and Gospel euery Sunday and that you take not the Cow for mortuarie nor the vpper Cloth for Crisome of your parishioners which is very preiudiciall to the Church men My ioy Deane Thomas take your Cow and your vpper Cloth and preach not euery Sunday for in so doing you will make the people thinke we should preach likewise But when you finde a good Epistle or a good Gospell that setteth forth the lâ—bertie of the Church preach that and let the rest be Thomas answered my parishioners pay me my duetiâ—s willingly and wâ—e agree well and where your Lordship saith it is too much â—o preach euery Sonday I thinke it too little and also would wish that your Lordship would doe the like nay nay we are not ordained to preach M. Forret and where your Lordship speaketh of a good and an euill Epistle I could neuer finde none but good Then spake my Lord I thanke God I neuer knew what the Old New Testament ment Wherevpon grew a prouerb you are like the Bishop of Dunkelden that knâ—w neither new
and for his contempt and misdemeanor deposed Gardener Bishop of Winchester with Tunstall Bishop of Durham were cast into the Tower for their disobedience In this time of King Edward vnder this noble Protectoâ— this one commendation is proper vnto them that amongst all the Popish â—ort of whom some priuily stâ—le out of the Realme manie were craftie dissemblers some open aduersaries â— yet there was not one that lost his life during the whole time of the Raigne of this King for any matter of Religion Papist or Protestant except lone of Kentan English woman and one George a Dutchman who died for certaine Articles not necessarie to be rehearsed THOMAS DOBBE THis man in the beginning of King Edwards Raigne comming from S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge to London as he passed through Paules Church there was a Priest at Masse at the South side of the Church being at the eleuation this yong man repleate with godly zeale pittying the ignorance and Idolatry of the people in honouring that which the Priest lifted vp he exhorted the people not to honour that visible bread as God which was neither God nor ordained of God to be honoured wherefore he was apprehended by the Mayor and accused to the Bishop of Canterburie and was committed to the Counter in Bread-stréete where shortly falling sicke he died whose pardon was obtained of the Lord Protector if he had liued IOHN HVNNE IN the first yeare of the Kings raigâ—e one Master Lewnax of Wresell and his wife sent this Iohn Hunne their seruant vnto the Bishop of Canterbury for denying the flesh and bloud of Christ to be really in the Sacrament of the Altar and saying he would neuer vaile his Hatte to it if he should be burned for it and that if he should heare masse he should be damned But because I finde nothing done therein I leaue it When this godly yong Prince was peaceably established in his Kingdome and had a godly wise and zealous Councell about him especially the Duke of Sommerset he earnestly desired the aduancement of the true honour of God and planting of sincere Religion and the sâ—ppressing of all Idolatry Superstition and hypocrisie throughout his Dominions Following the good example of the good King Iosias and being he found most of his Lawes repugnant to his zealous enterprise He by the aduice of his wise and Honorable Councell of his own regall authoritie did prosecute his godly purpose vntill by consent of the whole estate of Parliament he might establish a more free and vniforme order and those certaine wiâ—e learned and discreet personages for Commissioners generally to visit all the Bishopricks of this Realme to vnderstand and redresse the abuses of the same and diuided them into seuerall companies and assigned them seuerall Diocesses to be visited appointing to euery company one or two godly Preachers which should preach to the people at euery Sessions the true Doctrine of the Gospell of Christ and exhort them to all loue and obedience of the same and earnestly dehort them from their old superstition and wonted Idolatry and that they might the more orderly be directed in this their Commission there were deliuered vnto them certaine iniunctions and Ecclestasticall orders drawne out by the Kings learned Councell the which they should both inquire of and also command in his Maiesties behalfe to be thenceforth obserued of euery person to whom they did seuerally appertaine within their seuerall circuits the which Iniunctions if thou beest disposed for to reade I leaue thee for breuitie to the Booke at large Now during the time the Commissioners were in their circuits about diligent execution of their godly and zealous orders of the King and Councell deâ—iring a further reformation as well in Ecclesiasticall as in Ciuill gouernment appointed a Parliament to be summoned on the fourth of Nouember in the first yeare of his raigne which continued vntill the twenty foure day of December then next following Whereby he caused to be enacted that all Acts of Parliaments and Statutes touching menciâ—ning or any wise concerning Religion or opinions to wit the Statute of the first yeare of Richard the second and the statute made in the second yeare of the raign of Henry the fift and the statute madâ— in the fiftéenth yeare of the raigne of Henry the eight concerning the punishments and reformation of Hereticks and Lolards and the sixe Articles made in the thirty one yeare of Henry the eight and the statute made in the thirty thrée year of Henry the eight against the bookes of the old and new Testament in English and the printing and vttering of English or bookes writings and preaching the Scriptures an another Statute in the 35. yeare of Henry the eyght touching the qualification of the Statâ—te of sixe Articles and aâ—l and euery other Act or Acts of Parliament concerning Doctrine or matters of Religion should from thenceforth bee repealed and of none effect by occasion whereof all his godly subiects abiding within the Realme had free liberâ—y to professe the gospell and those beyond Sea wer not onely licensed to retâ—rne home but incouraged bouldly and faithfully to trauell in their calling so that God was much glorified and the people edified And in this Parliament it was enacted that the Sacrament should be ministred in both kinde and letters missiue were sent frâ—m the Councell to the Bishops of the Realme concerning the communion to bee ministred in both kinds and from Bishop to Bishop as thou maist sée in the booke at large Another Parliament was assembled in the second yeare of his Raigne beginning vppon the foorth day of Nouember 1548. continuing vntill the 14. day of March wherein a booke in English intituled the Booke of Common prayer and administration of the Sacraments and other Rightes and Ceremonies of the Church after the vse of the Church of England was concluded vppon by the Clergy which his highnesse receauing with great comfort did exhibiâ—â— it vnto the Lords and Commons of the Parliament who for the honour of God and great quietnesse which by the grace of God should ensue vppon that one vniforme right and order in such Common prayer rites and externe Ceremonies to bee vsed throughout England Wales Calice and the Marches of the same authoriseâ— the sayd Booke by Act of Parliament and set great penalty vpon them that woâ—ld bee disobeâ—ient thereto as is to be seene in the booke at large Aâ—so the mariage of Priests was authorized by the sayd Parliament by these procéedings and the Iniunctions which thou maiest see in the book at large thou maiest well perceaue the great zeale of the King and the Lord Protector in reformation of tâ—ue Religion and also the lingring slacknesse on the other side of others especially of the Bishops and old Popish Curats by whose cloked contempt and wilfull winking the Booke of Common prayers was long after the publishing thereof very irreuerently vsed throughout many places of this Realme which when the King by diuers
his head and said I am right sorry to heare your Grace to speake those words which you haue done Hee appeared seauen times before the said Commissioners and euer vsed verie vnreuerent vncomely and frowarâ— words and behauiours towards the Commissioners and others and hee still shifted off the matter by subtile dilatories and friuolous cauiling about the Law and with facing and rayling vpon the Denouncers that hee thought to countenance out the matter before the people But to conclude for all his subtile craftie cautels and tergiuersations hée was iustlie imprisoned and in the end most lawfullie depriued The first trouble of the Lord Protector was presentlie after the depriuation of Bishop Bonner but shortly after hee was deliuered out of the same by the mighty working of GOD the tractation whereof shall bee delayed vntill the time of his second trouble which was two yeares after The vulgar people hearing of the apprehension of the Lord Protector they began to brute abroad that now they should haue their Latine Seruice the holy Bread and holy Water and their other Ceremonies againe Wherefore straite commaundement was sent to the Bishops of the Dioces to warne the Parsons Uicars Curats and Church-wardens of euerie Parish to deliuer vp all Antiphoners Missalls Grayles Processionals Manualls Legends Pyes Portuasies Iournals and Ordinals and all other Bookes of Seruice the hauing whereof might be any let vnto the Seruice that now is set forth in English commaunding all such persons as should be found disobedient in this matter to be committed to ward And because many refused to pay towardes the finding of Bread and Wine for the Communion whereby the Communion in many places was omitted the Byshops had charge for the redresse héereof and to punish such as refused so to doe In this yeare Letters were sent for the taking downe of Altars in Churches and setting vp a Table in the steed thereof vnto Nicholas Ridley who being Byshop of Rochester before was made Bishop of London in Bonners place The Storie of STEPHEN GARDNER Bishop of Winchester VVHereas the Kinges Maiestie made a generall visitation as before is said and appointed certaine iniunctions to be generally obserued they were obediently receiued and reuerently executed of all men of all sorts sauing onely of the Bishop of Winchester who by conference with others by open protestations and Letters also shewed such a wilfull disobedience therein as might haue bred much trouble Wherefore he was sent for before the Councell before whom he denied to receiue the said Articles and so misused himselfe before them that he was sent to the Fléete but vpon promise of conformity hee was set at liberty againe then he set forth such matters as bred more contention in that Shire then in all the Realme againe and he caused all his Seruants to bée secretly armed and harnised to withstand such as he thought to haue béene sent by the Councell into those parts and when Preachers were sent into that Countrey by the Councell to preach the Word of GOD the Bishop to disappoint and disgrace them and to hinder his Maiesties procéedings did occupy the Pulpit himselfe and in his Sermons would warne the people of such new Preachers and to imbrace no other Doctrine then that which he had taught them Wherefore being sent for againe before the Councell yet in the end vpon his second promise of conformity they left him at libertie willing him to remaine at his house at London yet he began afresh to ruffle and meddle in matters that touched the Kings Maiesty Whereupon being once againe admonished be promised againe conformity and that he would declare his conscience to be well satisfied with the Kings procéedings to the satisfaction and good quiet of others but at the day appointed he did speake of certaine matters contrary to expresse commaundement of the King and in the Articles whereuâ—to he had agreed before hee vsed such a manner of vtterance as was vâ—ry like there presently to haue stirred a great tumult and in great matters touching the pollicy of the Realme hee so handled them that he shewed himselfe a very seditious man and that in the presence of his Maiestie the Lords of the Councelâ— and of such an audience as the like thereof hath not béene séene whereupon he was committed to the Tower and after iustly depriued for his obstinaey therein Hee wrote a Letter vnto Maister Vaghan in defence and prayse of Images which the Lord Protector answered very learnedly as thou mayst sée in the Booke at large He wrote another Epistle wherein hee first rayled and findeth fault with the Paraphrase of Erasmus which he calleth a Booke of abhomination secondlie hée sheweth that he can in no case away with the Homily of saluation set out by the Archbishop of Canterbury which Article marueâ—lously vexeth his Spirit His third purpose whereunto his Letters cheefely draw is to insinuate the Lord Protector that no alteration should bee made of Religion during the time of the Kings minority but to let all thinges stand as King Henrie had left them The iudgement of Doctor REDMAN on his death-bed touching certaine points of Religion 1 THE Sea of Rome in this last daies is a sinke of all euill 2 Purgatory as the Schoolemen vsed it was vngodly and there was no such kind kind of Purgatory as they phantasied 3 That the offering vp of the Sacrament in Masses and treutals for the sins of the dead is vngodly 4 That the wicked are not partakers of the body of Christ but receiue the outward sacrament only 5 That the sacrament ought not to be carried about in procession for it is taught what is the vse of it by these words Take eate and drink doe this in remembrance of mee 6 That nothing which is séen in the sacrament or perceiued with any outward sense is to be worshipped 7 That we receiue not Christs body corporally that is to say grossely like other meats and like as the Capernayts did vnderstand it 8 That we receiue Christs body so spiritually that neuerthelesse truly 9 Touching transubstantiation there is not in any of the olde Doctors any good ground and sure proofe thereof or any mention of it as farre as euer he could perceiue neither that he doth sée what could be answered to the obiections made against it 10 Being asked of Master Wilkes what that was which was lifted vp betwixt the Priests hands he answered that he thought that Christ could be neither lifted vp nor downe 11 That Priests may by the law of God marrie wiues 12 That as only faith doth iustifie so that doth signifie a true a liuely and a faith resting in Christ and imbracing Christ and this is true godly sweet and comfortable doctrine so that it be so taught that the people take nonâ— occasion of carnall libertie 13 That workes had their reward and crown but they did not deserue eternall life and the kingdome of God no not the workes of grace for euerlasting
life is the gift of God The historie of VVILLIAM GARDNER an Englishman who constantly suffered in Portingall for the Truth HEe was borne at Bristow and gaue himselfe vnto the trade of Merchandise he was sent into Spaine by Master Paget being sixe and twenty yeares old the ship arriued by chance at Lishborne the chiefe Citie of Portugall he tarrying there about merchandise became a profitable seruant to his Master and others yet he reserued his religion in that popish countrey there were also besides him diuers good men in the same Citie neither lacked he good books nor the conference of good and honest men to whom he would often bewaile his weakenesse that he was not sufficiently touched with the hatred of his sinnes nor inflamed with the loue of godlinesse There was a solemne marriage celebrated betwéen two Princes the sonne of the King of 〈◊〉 and the daughter of the King of Spain to which marriage there was great resort of nobles and there lacked no Bishops with Miters nor Cardinals with Hats to set out this royall wedding William Gardner was there when they went forward to the celebrating of the Masse for that alone did serue for all purposes the Cardinall did execute it with much singing and Organ-playing the people stood with great deuâ—tion and silence praying looking knéeling and knocking their minds fully bent vpon the external sacrament which did grieuously prick and moâ—e this young man to sée so many noble personages and others so seduced with this Idolatriâ— that if the prease of people had not hindered him he would that day haue done some notable thing in the Kings presence he came home and made vp all his accounts of that was due to him and that which was owing to others that no man could aske any thing of him he fell to prayer and meditation of the Scriptures The Sunday came againe to be celebrated with like pompe and solemnitie The said William was early present and stoode as neere the Altar as he could When the King with all his Nobles were come the Masse began which was solemnized by a Cardinall when hee began to â—osse the Host too and fro round about the Chalice making certaine circles The said William Gardiner not able to suffer any longer hee ran to the Cardinall in the presence of the King Nobles and Citizens with the one hand hee snatched away the Cake and trâ—de it vnder his féet and with the other hand ouerthrew the Chalice Wherevpon rose great tumult and one wounded him with a Dagger in the soulder The King commanded to saue him whereby they abstained from murdering him When he was brought before the King he demanded what country man he was and how hee durst worke such a contumacie against his Maiestie and the Sacraments of the Church Hee answered hee was an English man by birth and Religion and am come hither for traffick of Marchandize and when I saw in this famous assembly so great Idolatry committed my conscience neither ought nor could any longer suffer but must needs doe that you haue séene me doe which was not done for any contumacy of your Maiestie but of purpose as before God I do confesse to séek the saluation of this people then vnderstanding that king Edward had restored Religion in England and thinking he had beene set on by some others they would know who set him on He answered he was not mooued thereto by any man but by his owne conscience but that hee owed this seruice first vnto God and secondly vnto their saluation and they ought to impute the act onely to themselues which so vnreuerently vsed the holy Supper of the Lord vnto so great Idolatry to the perill of their owne soules except they repented He was like to faint with the aboundance of blood that ranne out of his wound and Surgeons were sent to cure it then all English-men were committed vnto Prison and one Pendigrace because that he was his Bed-fellow was greeâ—ously tormented and examined and scarse deliuered after two yeares imprisonment Then they caused a Linnen Cloath to bee sowed round like a Ball which they violently put downe his throat to the bottome of his belly tyed with a small string which they held in their handes and when it was downe they pulled it vp againe with violence so plucking it too and fro through the meat pipe When all torments and tormentors were wearied they asked him if he did not repent his wicked deed he answered if it were to doe againe he thought he should doe it but he was sorie it was in the presence of the King the fault ought to be ascribed to the King and not to him in that he hauing power would not prohibit so great Idolatrie vsed amongst his people Three dayes after they brought him to execution when they had vsed all kind of torments against him then they cut off his right hand which he tooke vp with his left and kissed it then they cut off his other hand which he kneeling downe kissed and so he was carried to the place of execution where was an Engine from the which a great rope comming downe by a pullie was fastened about this Christian which first pulled him vp then there was a great pile of wood set on fire beneath him into the which he was by little and little let downe not with the whole body but so that his feet only felt the fire then he was hoysed vp and so let downe againe in the which torment he continued with a constant spirit and the more terribly he burned the more vehemently he prayed When his feet were burned the tormentors asked him whether he did not yet repent and exhorted him to call vpon our Ladie and other Saints he answered he had done nothing whereof he did repent and needed not our Ladies nor Saints help and what torments soeuer they vsed hee remained alwaies one desiring them to leaue off such vanities and follies for when Christ ceased to bee our Aduocate then he would pray our Lady to be his Aduocate and when they sought to stop his prayers he said Iudge mee O Lord and reuenge my cause against the vnmercifull people before he had ended the Psalme pulling him vp downe in the fire for the more torment the rope was burned hee fell into the middest of the fire where he changed his Temporall paines for eternall quietnes Thus GOD by this message did prouoke the Portugales to the sincere knowledge But this cruelty was not vnreuenged for with a sparke from the fire of his burning one of the Kings Shippes was burned and the Kings Sonne that was married died halfe a yeere after and the next yeare the King himselfe dyed The Clergy appointed a solemne Fast certaine daies for penance to purge that fact there be some yet as I haue heard diuers report out of whose remembrance this constant Martyr can neuer be pulled and is so fresh yet amongst them as if it were but lately done his
in this waightie cause The next day the three estates sitting in the Parlament-house all on their knees exhibited a Supplication to their Highnesses the King and Queene that their humble sute by their Graces intercession and meane might be exhibited vnto the Cardinall declaring themselues sorie and repentant for the Schisme committed in this Realme against the Apostolike Sea promising in token of their repentance to be readie vnto the vttermost of their power to doe their endeauour for the repealing of the said lawes and we desire that your Maiesties will so set forth this our humble sute that we may obtayne from the Sea Apostolike by the sayd most Reuerend Father as well particular as vniuersall absolution and that we may be receiued into the bosome of Christs Church so that this whole Realme may in perfect obedience vnto the Sea Apostolike serue God and your Maiesties to the furtherance of his honour and glorie The king and Queene deliuered it vnto the Cardinall who perceauing the effect thereof to answere his expectation hee receiued it most gladly and after he had thanked Almighty God for the prosperous successe of his comming from Rome by the Popes authoritie he gaue them full absolution Then they went to the Chappell sung te Deum with great ioy of the reconciliation the report of this was sent to Rome with great speed as well by the King and Cardinals Letters which thou maist see in the Booke of Martyrs Wherevpon the Pope caused Processions to bee made with great ioy for the conuersion of England and praising the Cardinals deligence and the deuotion of the King and Queene on Christmas Euen by his Bulles hee set forth a generall pardon to all such as did truely reioyce for the same The Sonday following the second of December Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor preached at Paules Crosse Upon the third to the Romans It is time that we should awake out of sleepe for our saluation is neerer then when we beleeued First he shewed how the saying of Saint Paul was verified vpon the Gentils which had long time slept in ignorance therefore to stir vp their dulnes he desired them to wake out of sleepe then hee compared our time to theirs As the sacraments of Christ did declare Christ to come our Sacraments declare that he is come now that hee is come the Iewes sacrifices bee done away aâ—d ours only remaine they had him as a signe but we haue his very body in our Sacrament wherefore it is time that we now also awake who haue slept rather dreamed this twenty yeares as shall bee declared by the properties of sléepe or dreame As we going to sléepe separate our selues from company so we haue separated our selues from the Sea of Rome no Realme in Christendome like vs and as Shepheards dreame sometimes of killing mayning or drowning and sometimes of beastlinesse so we haue not onely dreamed of beastlinesse but also done it and as in sléepe all ones senses is stopped that hee cannot see not smell nor heare so the Ceremonies of the Church being to mooue our senses are taken away whereby our senses are stopped and further when a man would sleepe he wil put out the Candle least it wake him So lately all such Writers as did hold with the Apostolike Sea are forbidden to be read and Images which were Lay mens Books were cast downe and burned Wee haue beene this twenty yeares without a head for when King Henry first tooke vpon him the head of the Church it was then no Church at all After whom King Edward could not be head but was onely a shaddow of a head and in our Queenes time we had no head for she alone could not be head and her two Arch-bishoppes were both conuicted of one crime and deposed in Henry the eights time when the tumult was in the North the King would haue giuen the supremasie againe to the Pope but the houre was not then come least it had beene said he did it for feare After Master Kneuet and I were sent Ambassadors to the Emperor to be a means to reconcile the King to the Pope but the time was not come for it might be said it was done for policy the matter was likewise moued in the beginning of King Edwards raigne hut the time was not yet come for it might haue been said the King was bought sold in his infancy neither was the houre come in the beginning of the Queens raign for it would haue bin said it was done in weaknes and if it had been done when the King first came it might haue been said it had beene done by violence but now hora est when nothing can be obiected but that it is the prouidence of God Now Pope Iulius the hath sent vnto vs this most reuerend Father the Cardinall not to reuenge iniuries done but to giue his benediction to those which defamed and perscâ—uted him And that they may be the meeter to receiue it let vs acknowledge our selues ofâ—enders against his Holinesse I doe not exclude my selfe of the number I will wéepe with them that wéepe and reioyce with them that reioyce The King and Quéenes Maiesties haue restored the Pope to his supremacy and the thrée Estates of Parliament haue also submitted themselues to his Holinesse and his successors for euer therefore let vs no longer stay And as S. Paul saith to the Corinthians He was their Father so may the Pope say he is â—ur Father for we receiued our doctrine first from Rome therefore he may challenge vs as his owne he hath preuented vs before we sought him he hath sent one of our Brethren to speake vnto vs not as vnto strangers and now let vs awake which so long haue slept and in our sléep don so much naughtinesse against the Sacraments and pulling downe the Altars which thing Luther would not do but reproued them which did In his prayer he prayed for the Pope and Cardinals and for the soules departed liuing in paines of Purgatory Upon Newyeares day at night thirty Men and Women and one Maister Rose a Minister were taken in a house in Bow Church-yard at the Communion and committed to prison and Maister Rose was examined before Cranmer and committed vnto the Tower Néere Lancaster in Lankishire at Cockram the Church-wardens and Parishoners made bargaine with one for the framing of their Roode who made them one and set it vp in their Church but they misliked his workemanship and refused to pay him the matter was brought before the Mayor of Doucaster thâ—y shewed the Mayor that the Rood they had before was a welfauoured man and he promised to make vs such another but this is the worst fauored thing that euer was séene gaping and grinning that none of our Children dare looke on him and come néere him the Mayor concluded the poore man must bee paid for if it will not serue for a God put a paire of Hornes on his head and it will
to light before it was executed and the said Squire had the same most iust reward of his foresaid treason as his predecessors in like plots had The Earle of Essex Conspiracie LAstly I will conclude with the conspiracie of the late Earle of Essex for although it is not to be doubted but that his heart with many of his followers was vpright vnto the Quéene yet notwithstanding hee had many Papists in the plot with him whose hearts he knew not and by whom if his practise had tooke effect the Queene should haue beene in as great trouble and danger as euer she was in her life but the Lord of his accustomable wonderfull mercie deliuered her Maiestie from this danger likewise who both by his holy spirit of comfort preserued her mind still ioyfull without feare of her enemies and also her royall person and her realme by the safe custodie of his holy Angels from all wicked practises and treasons whatsoeuer vntill her olde age and vntill he at his time appointed called her Maiestie vnto himselfe out of her bedde in peace from a blessed Kingdome wherin she had long raigned in great glory in this world to raigne with his Sonne Iesus Christ in the Kingdome of vnspeakeable and eternall ioy and glorie in the world to come By this storie of Queen Elizabeth the Papists that haue any eie-sight of true vnderstanding may see by what wicked meanes the Pope and their Catholik Church hath alwaies gotten and maintained their most vnlawfull supremacie ouer kings And although they haue wonderfully preuailed against all superstitious Emperours and Kings by such like excommunications warres murthers and treasons as he vsed against Queene Elizabeth yet as God preserued her heart purely to sâ—icke to his sincere word and to despise all the Popes errors superstitions and trash so God mercifully preserued her and her Kingdome from all the Popes treacherous practises foure and fortie yeares fiue moneths and odde dayes with such glorie and peace as neuer Christian King had more her manifest protections of God were as apparant and as manifest as Dauids and as he and Salomon builded a most glorious materiall Temple in despite of their enemies most gloriously did she build vp the spirituall Temple and Spouse of Christ in despite of the Papists and the Pope and all kings that tooke their part her outward glorie and honour was â—quall wâ—th Salomons and she oâ—â—matched him in that neither her glorie in this world nor any other means could withdraw her from her true zeale in setting forâ—h the pure word of God wherefore all honour and glorie be giuen vnto God by this Realme of England and all his Church world without end Amen OVR MOST GRATIOVS King IAMEâ— WHen the Papists triumphing that their long â—xpected houre was come by Gods taking away thâ— most blessed Quéenâ— Elizabeth yet the Lord of his great mercie brought their ioy to nought by pâ—anting our deare Soueraigne Iames by his especiall grace to succeede Queene Elizabeth in these Realmes one that is as zealous of the word of God as she and one whom the Lord hath beene as prouident ouer in all his wayes as ouer her and indued with the like ioy in the Holy-Ghost in the assurance of Gods prouidence in time of danger wherefore no doubt but as the Lord hath so he will couer him and his Realmes with the shâ—dow of his wings from all papisticall treacheries euen as he did Queene Elizabeth This is worthie to be recorded vnto the perpetuall honour of his Maiestie that hee being hâ—ire apparant vnto Quâ—ene Elizabeth could neuer be inticed by any Prince or Papist to oppose himselfe against her When the rising was in the North and the rebels were â—led into Scotland he tooke the Quéens part though it were to the great ruine of much of his Kingdome he made a Proclamation in Anno 1588. that none of the â—panâ—sh Fléet should land vpon his coasts but that the English should be relieued of any thing they néeded and in the yeare 1592. hee executed as traytors in Scotland diuers for conspiring with the King of Spaine against England and before the comming out of the Spanish Fléet Don Barnardin Mendoza in an open Assembly did say in a 〈◊〉 that the young King of Scots whom hee called a boy had deceiued the King of Spaine but if the Kings Nauie might prosper against England the King of Scots should lose his crowne whereby it manifestly appeareth how true and faithfull his Maiestie was â—uâ—r vnto the late Quéene of famous memorie Touching GODS wonderfull preseruations ouer his royall person who hath safely preserued him a King almost this eight and fortie yeares in despite of all his enemies forreigne and domesticall and no doubt but heâ— had many yeâ— it doth most manifestly appeare in some great and vnheard of dangers out of which the Lord hath most miraculously deliuered him as from Gowries Treason and the Gun-powder Treason and others GOWRIES conspiracie against his Maiestie the fift of August being Tuesday Anno Dom. 1600. MAâ—â— Alexander Ruthwen second brother vnto the late Earle Gowrie came to his Maiestie as he was a hunting and told him that it chaunced the night before as he walked about the Towne of S. Iohnstone hee met a base fellow vnknowne vnto him and hauing suspition of him he narrowly looked to him and examined him and he said he found a great wide pot to be vnder his arme full of coined gold in great quantity whereupon he took him no body knowing thereof and bound him in a priuie darke house and locked many doores vpon him and said that he came in haste to aduertise his Maiesty thereof according to his bounden duety earnestly requesting his Maiestie with all diligence and â—ecrecie to take order therwith before any know thereof swearing that he had concealed it from all men yea from the Earle his brother whereupon the King suspected that it had béene some forreigne golde brought thither by some Iesuits for practising Papists to stirre vp some new sedition as they had often 〈◊〉 before and that the fellow that carried it was some Seminary so disguised for the more sure transporting thereof and with many earnest perswasions he got the Kings Maiesty as soone as he had done hunting to ride with him to the Earle Gowrâ—es house to dinner with a very small number with him and after dinner his Maiesty being ready to rise from the table and all his seruants in the hall at their dinner M. Alexander standing behinde his Maiesties backe pulled him softly rounding in his Maiesties eare that it was time to goe but that he would fainâ— haue been quit of the Earle his brother wishing the K. to send him out into the hall to entertain his guests whereupon the K. called for drink and in a mâ—rrie and homely manner sayd to the â—arle That although the Earle had séene the fashion of entertainment in other countreyes yet he would teach him the Scottish fashion séeing he was a
Scottish man and therefore since he had forgotten to drink to his Maiesty or sit with his guests and entertayne them his maiesty would drink to him his own welcom desiring him to take it forth and drink to the rest of the company and in his Maiesties name to make them welcome Whereupon as he went forth his Maiesty rose from the table and desired M. Alexander to bring Sir Thomas Erskine with him who desiring the K. to goe forward with him and promising that he should make any one or two follow him that he pleased to call for desiring his Maiesty to commaund publikely that none should follow him Thus the K. accompanied only with the said M. Alexander comes forth of the chamber passeâ—h through the end of the hall where the Noblemen and his Maiesties seruants were sitting at their dinner vp a Turnepeck and through three or foure Chambers the sayd Master Alexander euer locking behinde him euery doore as he passed and then with a more smiling countenance than hee had all the day before euer saying he had him sure and safe enâ—ugh kept vntill at the last his Maiesty passiâ—g thorow three or foure sundry houses and all the doores locked behinde him his Maiesty entred into a little studie where he saw standing with a very abased countenance not a bond-man but a free man with a dagger at his girdle but his Maiesty had no sooner entred into that little study and Master Alexander with him but Master Alexander locked to the study doore behinde him and at that instant changing his countenance putting his hat on his head and drawing the Dagger from that other mans girdâ—e held the point of it to the Kings breast auowing now that the King be hoouâ—d to be in his will and vsed as hee list swearing many bloody oths that if the king cryed one word or opened a window to look out that the dagger should presently go to his heart affirming that he was sure that now the kings conscience was burthened for murthering his father His Maieâ—â—y wondring at so sodaine an alteration standing naked without any kinde of armour but his hunting horne which he had not gâ—â—ten leysure to lay from him betwixt these two traytors which had conspired his life the said maister Alexander standing as is said with a dagger in his hand and his sword at his side but the other trembling and quaking rather like â—ne condemned than an executioner of sâ—ch an enterprise His Maiesty begun then to â—ilate to the said M. Alexander how horrible a thing it was for him to meddle with his Maiesties innocent blood assuring him it would not be left vnreuenged since God had giuen him children and good subiects and if they neither yet God would raise vp stocks and stâ—nes to punish so vile a deed Protesting before God that he had no burthen in his conscience for the execution of his father both in respect that at â—he tiâ—e of his fathers execution his Maiesty was but a minor of age and guided at that time by a faction which ouer-ruled both his Maiesty and the rest of the countrey as also that whatsoeuer was done to his fathâ—r it was done by the ordinary course of Law and iustice Appealing the saide Master Alexander vpon his conscience how wâ—ll hee all times since had deserued at the hands of all his race not onely hauing restored them to their lands and dignities but also in now ishiâ—g and bringing vp of two or three of his sisters as it were in his own bosâ—me by a continuall attendance vpon his Maiesties dearest bed-fellow in hâ—r â—riuie chamber Laying also before him the terrors of his conscience especially that he made profession according to his education of the same religion which his Maiesty had euer professed and namely his Maiesty râ—membred him of that holy man Mast. Robert Rollocke whose scholler he was assuring him that one day the said Master Roberts soule would accuse him that he had neuer learned of him to practise such vnnatural cruelty his Maiesty promising to him on the word of a Prince that if hee would spare his life anâ— suffer him to go out againe he would neuer reueale to any one liuing what was betwixt them at that tâ—me nor neuer suffer him to inâ—ur any harm or punishment for the same But his Maiesties feare was that he could hope â—or no sparing at his hands hauing such cruelty in his looks and standing so irreuerently couered with his â—at on which forme of rigorous behauiour could prognosticate nothing to his Maiesty but present extremity But at his Maiesties perswasiue language he appeared to be somewhat amazed and vncouering his head againe swore and protested that his Maiesties life should be safe if he would behaue himselfe quietly without making any noyse and that he would only bring in the Earl his Brother to speak with his Maiesty whereupon his Maiesty enquiring what the Earle would doe with him since if his Maiesties life were safe according to promise they could gaine little in kéeping such a prisoner His answere onely was that he could tell his Maiesty no more but that his life should be safe in case he behaued himselfe quietly the rest the Earle his brother whom he was going for would tell his Maiesty at his comming With that as he was going forth for hiâ— brother as he affirmed he turned him about to the other man saying these words vnto him I make you here the Kinges kéeper tul I come backe againe and see that you keepe him vpon your owne perill and therewithall said to his Maiesty you must content your selfe to haue this man now your keeper vntill my comming backe With these words he passeth forth locking the doore after him leauing his Maiesty with that man he found there before Of whom his Maiesty then enquired if he were appointed to be the murtherer of him at that time and how farre he was vpon the â—oâ—nsel of that conspiracy whose answer with a trembling and astonished voice and behauiour was that as the Lord should â—â—dge him he was neuer made acquainted with that purpose but that he was put in there perforce the doore lockt vpon him a little space before his Maiesties comming as indeed all the time of the said M. Alexanders menacing his maiestie he was euer trembling requesting him for Gods sake and with many other attestations not to meddle with his maiesty nor to doe him any harme But because M. Alexander had before his going forth made the King sweare he should not cry nor open any window his maiesty commanded the said fellow to open the window on his right hand which he readily did so that although he was put in there to vse violence on the King yet God so turned his hart as he became a slaue to his prisoner While his maiesty was in this dangerous estate none of his owne seruants nor â—raine knowing where he was as his Maiesties train was arising in the Hal from
their dinner the Earl of Gowry being present with them one of the E. of Gowries seruants comes hastily in assuring the Earle his maister that his maiesty was horsed away through the Insh which the Earle reporting to the Noble men and the rest of his Maiesties traine that was there present they all rushed out together at the gate in great hast and some of his maiesties seruants enquiring of the Porter when his maiesty went forth The porter affirmed that the king was not yet gone forth Wherevpon â—he Earle looked very angerly vpon him and said he was but a lyar yet turning him to the Duke to the Earle of Mar said he should presently get them sure word where his Maiesty was and with that ran through the close and vp the staires But his purpose indéed was to speake with his brother as appeared very well by the circumstance of time his brother hauing at that same instant left the king in the little study ran downe the staires in great haste Immediatly after the Earle commeth back â—unning againe to the gate where the Noblemâ—n and the rest were standing in a maze assuring them that the king was gone long since out at the back gate and if they hasted them not the sooner they would not ouertake him and with that called for his horse whereat they rusht all together out at the gate and made toward the Inshe crying all for their horses passing all as it was the prouidence of God vnder one of the windows of that study wherein his maiesty was To whom M. Alexander very speedily returned and at his in comming to his Maiesty casting his hands abroad in a desperate manner said he could not mend it his Maiestie behooued to die and with that offered a garter to bind his Maiesties hands with swearing hee behooued to bee bound His maiesty at that word of binding said he was borne a frée King and should die a frée King Wherevpon he griping his Maiesty by the wrest of the hand to haue bound him his Maiesty releeued himself sodainly of his gripes wherevpon as he put his right hand to his sword his maiesty with his right hand seazed vpon both his hand and his sword and with his left hand clasped him by the throat like as he with the left hand claspt the King by the throat with two or three of his fingers in his Maiesties moâ—th to haue stayed him from crying In this manner of wrestling his Maiestie perforce drew him to the window which he had caused the other man before to open vnto him and vnder the which was passing by at the same time the Kings traine and the Earle of Gowry with them as is said and holding out the right side of his head and right elbow cryed that they were murthering him there in that treasonable forme whose voice being instantly heard and knowne by the Duke of Lennox the Earl of Mar and the rest of his maiesties traine there the said Earle at Gowry euer asking what it meant and neuer seeming any wayes to haue seene his Maiesty or heard his voice they all rushed in at the gate together the Duke and the Earl of Marre running about to come to that passage his Maiesty came in at But the Earle of Gowry and his seruants made them for another way vp a quiet Turnepeck which was â—uer condemned before and was onely then left open as appeared for that purpose And in this meane time his Maiesty withstrugling and wrastling with the said M. Alexander had brought him perforce out of that study the doore wherof for hast he had left open at his last in-comming and his Maiesty hauing gotten with long strugling the said M. Alexanders head vnder his arme and himselfe on his knees his master droâ—e him back perforce hard to the doore of the some Turne-pike as his maiesty was throwing his sword out of his hand thinking to haue striken him therewith and then to haue shot him ouer the stairs the other fellow standing behind the kings back doing nothing but trembling all the time Sir Io Ramsey not knowing what way first to enter after he had heard the Kings cry by chance findes that Turn-peck doore open following it vp to the head enters in into the chamber finds his maiesty and M. Alexander strugling in that forme as is before said and after he had twise or thrise stricken M. Alexander with his dagger the other man withdrew himselfe his Maiesty still kéeping his gripes holding him close to him immediatly thereafter he tooke the said M. Alexander by the sholders and shut him down the staire who was no sooner shut out at the doore but hee was met by Sir Thomas Erskine and Sir Hew Hereis who there vpon the staire ended him the said Sir â—ho Erskine being cast behind the Duke the Earl of Mar that ran about the other way by the occasion of his medling with the said late Earle in the stréet after the hearing of his maiesties cry For vpon the hearing therof he had clasped y â— Earle of Gowry by the gorget casting him vnder his féet and wanting a dagger to haue striken him with the said Earles men rid the Earle their maister out of hâ—s hands wherby he was cast behind the rest as is said and missing the company hearing the said Sir Iohn Ramseys voice vpon the Turn-peck head ran vp to the said chamber cryed vpon the said Sir Hew Hereis another seruant to follow him where méeting with the said M. Alexander in the Turn-peck he ended him there as is said the said M. Alexander crying for his last words Alas I had not the weight of it But no sooner could the said Sir Thomas Sir Hew and another seruant win into the Chamber where his maiestie was but that the said Earl of Gowry before they could get the doore shut followed them in at the back hauing cast him directly to come vp that priuy passage as is before said who at his first entry hauing a drawn sword in eueâ—y hand and a stéele bonet on his head accomâ—anied with seuen of his seruants euery one of them hauing in like manner a drawne sword cryed out with a great oath that they should al die as traitors All the which time his maiesty was still in his chamber who séeing the Earle of Gowry come in with his swords in his hands sought for M. Alexanders sword which had fallen from him at his out shutting at the doore hauing no sort of weapons of his own as it is said â— but then was â—hut back by his own seruants that were there into 〈◊〉 little study and the doore shut vpon him who hauing put his maiesty in safeâ—y re-encountred the said Earle and his seruants his maiesties seruants being only in number â—â—ure to wit Sir Hugh Hereis and Sir Iohn Ramsey one Wilson a seruant of Iames Erskins a brother of the said sir Thomas the said E. hauing 7. of
his own seruants with him Yet it pleased God after many strokes on all hands to giue his maiesties seruants the victory the said E. of Gowry being striken dead with a stroke through y â— hart which the said sir Io Ramsey gaue him without once crying vpoÌ„ God the rest of his seruants dung ouer the staires with many hurts as â—n like maner y â— said sir Tho Erskin 〈◊〉 Hugh Hereis sir Iohn Ramsey were all thrâ—â— very sore hurt and wouâ—ded But al the time of this â—ight the D. of Lâ—nnox the Earl of Mar the rest of his Maieâ—ties traine â—ere striking with great hammerâ— at the vtter doore whâ—rby his maiesty paâ—â—t vp to the chamber with the said M. Alexander which also he had lockt in his by-comming with his maiesty to the chamber but by reason of the strength of the said double doore â—he whole wall being likewise of boords and yéelding with the strokesâ— it did bide the◠〈◊〉 space of half an houre more before they could break it â— hauâ— entreâ—â—e who 〈…〉 with his maiesty found beyond their expectation his Maiesty deliuered from so imminent a perill the said late Earle the principall conspirator lying dead at his Maiesties â—éet Immediatly thereafter his maiesty knéeling down on his knées in the middest of his own seruants they all kneeling round about him his maiesty out of his own mouth thanked God of that miraculous deliuerance and victory assuring himselfe that God hath preserued him from so dispaiâ—ed a peril for the perfecting of some greater work behind to his glory and for procuring by him the weale of his people y â— God had committed to his charge In the first beginning of the Kings Maiesties raign ouer England William Watson William Clarke Seminary Priests and George Brooke brother vnto the Lo Cobham had most traiterously deuised a plot whereby the Kings person should haue bâ—en surprised and the whole kingdome ouerthrowne and they had entised to the imbracing their trayterous Machinations Anthony Copley Gentleman Sir Griffin Markam Knight the Lord Cobham the Lord Gray Sir Walter Rawleigh and others But before they had brought their Conspiracies vnto â—ffect the Lord of his accustâ—med goodnes and carefulnes ouer his Maiestie made all their Conspiracies apparant vnto the King and his Councell and about the middest of Iuly in the first yeare of his Highnes raigne proclamations were made out for the apprehension of them whereby they were taken and in Nouâ—mber after they were all condemned of High Treason and the nine and twenty day of Nouember the two Priests were executed and sir dayes after George Brooke was â—eheaded and the ninth of December Sir Griffin Markam and the Lord Cobham and the Lord Gray after they had been seuerally brought vpon the scaffold in the Castle of Winchester and had made their Confessions and prepared themselues likewise seuerally to die vpon the sudden the Kings warrant written with his own hand was there deliuered vnto Sir Beniamin Tichborne high Sheriffe of Hampshire commanding him to stay execution these three and Sir Water Rawleigh were returned priâ—oners vnto the Tower the fifteenth of December The Gunpowder Treason THomas Pearcy Robert Catesby Thomas Winter others in the last yeare of the raigne of Q. Elizabeth by the inâ—â—igation of certaine Iesuites practised with thâ— King of Spain to send a well â—urnished Army vpon England promising him great ayde to entertaine them at their arriuall at Milford Hauen and to that purpose the King promised to 〈◊〉 them fifâ—y thousand pound for leuying of horse and foote and preparation of Munition in England to second them but whilst this was in a manner concluded Q. Elizabeth dyed the King of Spaine vpon certaine knowledge that K. Iames was established dispatchâ—d his Ambassadors and Commissioners for England â—or coâ—firmation of a lasting Peace between them yet neuerthelesse the said Rob. Catesby sent Tho Winter againe to the King of Spaine to resolicite their former proiect but the King answered him your old Quéens is dead with whom I had wars and you haue a new King with whom I haue euer bin in good peace and amity and for continuance thereof I haue sent my speciall Commissioners and vntill I sée what will become thereof I will not hearken vnto any other course whatsoeuer When Winter returned and made this knowne vnto Catesby Pearcy and the rest then they began to cast about what they might doe of themselues to aduance the Romance Catholick Religion but first they would see the euent of the first Parliament if that would mittigate any former Lawes and try what good the Conclusion of Peace with Spaine would doe vnto them before they attempted any further but when they perceiued that neither Parliament nor publike Peace sorted in any part to their desire and that the Peace concluded was rather a more ready meanes for the Law to procéed against them then otherwise because the Peace concerned onely the Amitie of Christian Princes for the generall good of Christendome without any particular or priuat respect then Catesby told the rest he had a deuice in his head that should free them and the rest of the English Catholiques from their oppressions and when he had found out â—it Ministers for execution of his deuice after they had taken oath and Sacrament for secresie hee told them hee had deuised the meane to vndermine and blow vp the Parliament house at the instant when the King Queene Prince Peeres and Commons were all assembled which proiect they presently embraced and forthwith Pearcy hired certaine lodgings close to the Parliament house and then they appointed Miners who with great difficultie digged and vndermined a part of the wall but after a while they vnderstood that the Uaâ—t right vnder the Parliament house was to bee let to hyre then Guydo Fawkes went and hyred it this Fawkes was late a Souldiour in Flanders and for this purpose was sent for who by consent of the rest changed his namâ— and was called Iohn Iohnson Maister Pearcies man after they had hyred the Uaut theâ— secretly conuayed into it thirty and sir barrels of powder and couered them all ouer with Billets and Faggots â—bout ten daies before the Parliamâ—nt should begin an vnknowne party in the Euening met a seruant of the Lord Mounteagles in the streâ—t and deliuered him a Letter charging him speedily to giue it vnto his Lord which he did when his Lord had read it and obserued the dangerous câ—ntents with a speciall caueat not to appeare the first day of Parliament he was amazed and forthwith deliuered it to the Earle of Salisbury the Kings Principall Secretary a chiefe Counselor of Estate when the Earle had iudiciously obserued the strange Phrase and Tenor thereof with the terrible threats therein against the whole State he acquainted the Lord Chamberlain therewith and then they câ—nioined vnto them the Lord Admirall the Earles of Worcester and Northampton who instantly consulted what was
clatter out the like at the same time and in the same termes The first of August the Monke goes out of Paris towards Saint Cloud vpon his departure they take aboue two hundred of the cheefe Cittizens and others Prisoners whom they knew to haue goods friends and credite with the Kinges partie as a precaution to redeeme that cursed murderer in case he were taken before or after the deed In his way hee was taken by the Regiment of Coublan which was then in gard telling them that hee went then vnto his Maiestie to let him vnderstand something which concerned his seruice Coublan caused him to be conducted by two Souldionrs vnto the Kinges quarter which was at Saint Cloud commaunding him that if happely the King were not there they should bâ—ing him to some one of the Counsell Whom the Monke giues to vnderstand that the first President and other of the Kinges Seruants had sent him to aduertise him that there is a good number of Partisans at Paris who if it please his Maiestie to giue them a day and houre will keepe him a Port open And to purchase the more credit vnto his wordes he shewes a certaine Paper written in Italian Characters the which hee said was a Letter of credit from the first President accompanied with a Pasport from the Garle of Brienne signed Charles Leuxemburge and faines that he had obtained it to goe out of Paris vndâ—r colour of going to Orleance and that he had many priuate instructions which he might not deliuer but to his Maiesty alone The King beeing aduertised by La Guesle the Proctour Generall commaunds he should bee brought the next day but hee is examined first by Portaile The next day being come to the Kings lodging they were called by Du Iotall the first Grâ—ome of his Chamber At the first La Guesâ—e caused the Iacobin to stay neere the doore and taking his Papers hee presents them vnto his Maiestie who hauing read them commaunds the Iacobin should approach whom he asked what hee would say to whom hee answered That it was a secret thing Some distrust made La Guesle to speake beeing betwixt the King and him Speake aloud said hee twice or thrice there is not any one héere but the King trusts His Maiestie seeing him make diffâ—cultie to speake commands him againe to approach The Baron of Bellegard Maister of the Kinges Horse and La Guesle who were alone in the Chamber retired two or three paces The King bends his eare but instead of hearing what hee expected this wretch drawes a Knife out of his sleeue made of purpose thrusts his Maiestie into the bottome of the bellie and there leaues the Knife in the wound The King drawes it forth and with some striuing and strugling of the Monke strikes him aboue the eye many ranne in at this noyse and in the heat of choller killing this vile and cruell Monster of men preuented the true discouery and finding out of this enterprise and the authors and actors thereof worthy to be noted with a perpetuall blot of disloyalty and treason The Phisitions held that the wound was curable and the same day the King did write of this attempt and of his hope of recouery to the Gouernours of Prouinces to forraigne Princes and to his Friends and confederats But feeling that the King of Kings had otherwise determined of his life he did first comfort himselfe in foreséeing that the last houres of his crosses should bee the first of his felicities Then lamenting his good and faithfull Seruants who suruiuing should finde no respect with those whose mindes had beene so abandoned to mischiefe as neither the feare of God nor the dignity of his person could disswade them from this horrible sacriledge One thing said he doth comfort me that I read in your faces with the gréefe of your hearts and the sorrow of your soules a godly and commendable resolution to contiuâ—e vnited for the preseruation of that which remaines whole of my estate and the reuenge which you owe vnto the memory of him who hath loued you so déerely I séeke not the last curiously leauing the punishment of mine enemies vnto God I haue learned in this schoole to forgiue them as I doe with all my heart But as I am cheefely bound to procure peace and rest vnto this realm I coniure you all by that inuiolable Faith which you owe vnto your Country that you continue firme and constant defenders of the Common liberty and that you neuer lay downe Armes vntill you haue purged the Realme of the troubles of the publike quiet Thus and other such things hee spake as the last pangs of death carried him within few houres vnto another world By his death he extinguished the second parcel of the third Race of Capets in the branch of Valois leauing the Crown to the third Royall branch of Burbons whervnto the order of the Fundamentall Law did lawfully call him And thus you may see the damnable proiects and dissignes of these Iesuiticall Popish Spirits against the Lord and his annointed The death of Henry the fourth HENRY the fourth King of France of the Royall Race of the Burbons who for his famous rescues and victories and martiall exploits had purchased vnto himself amongst his owne Subiects the sur-name of Great whose life and actions future ages may reade with admiration was likewise trayterously murdered by the disloyall and vngodly practises of the Papists A Parliament being holden at Paris haning disanulled the Buls of Cardinall Caietans Legation and other Bulls come from Rome the first of March together with their procéedings excommunications and fulminations made by Marcellin Landriano tearming himselfe the Popes Nuntio The said Bulls and all their procéedings an edicts being burnt in the Market place which contained a pardon of that most cruell paracide on Henry the third lately murthered the King was first therefore excommunicated by Pope Gregory the 4. of that name Afterward the Iesuits vnderstanding that the King did purpose something against them for the cruell murder committed on the person of the late King and for other their exorbitant and deuillish practises daily intended and contriued the Deuill stirres vp another of his deerely beloued Sonnes to murder his Maiestie on this manner following On Friday the day after the Quéenes Coronation the King being aduertised of some omninous prediction he went into his Chamber and fell on his knees and prayed and thus he did thrée times in the end he went and walked in the Gallery vntill dinner time After dinner many Noble-men came into his Chamber and began to tell some tales to put him out of his melancholly humor and to make him laugh hauing â—miled a little with the rest being by nature of a pleasant disposition in the end he said We haue laughed enough for Fryday we may well weep on Sunday Héereupon he sent to the Arcenall at foure of the clocke whereupon they say that the Duke of Uendosme told him that he