also apprehended for religion into the temple of St. Mary at Rome either to revoke or to be burned There sate on them six Cardinals in high seats beside the Judge before whom preached a dominick-Frier which cruelly inveying against the poor prisoners incensed the Cardinalls with all the vehemency he might to their condemnation the poor man stood holding a burning Taper in their hands of whom some for fear of death revolted But this Doctor Mollius with a weaver of Perusium remained constant Then Mollius began an earnest sermon in the Italian tongue wherein he confirmed the articles of faith by the sacred Scriptures declaring also that the Pope was not the successor of Peter but Antichrist and his sectaries do figure the whore of Babylon Moreover he cited them up to the tribunal seat of Christ and they being replenished with anger condemned him with the weaver to the fire and commanded them to be had away So were they carried incontinent to the camp or field called Florianum where they remained chearfull and constant first the weaver was hanged Mollius then willing the hangman to execute his office likewise upon him began to exhort the people to beware of idolatry and to have no other Saviour but Christ alone for he only is the Mediator between God and man and so also he was hanged commending his soul to God and afterward laid in the fire and burned The people having diverse judgments upon him some said he died an heretick some said he was a good man Furthermore in the same citie of Rome and about the same time in the Monastery of St. Augustine were found two monks in their Celles with their tongues and heads cut off only for rebuking the immoderat and outragious excesse of the Cardinals Such was the cruelty then of the malignant adversaries In Pope Pius the fourth his time was hot persecution in all the territories of the church of Rome against them which were suspected for Lutherans whereupon insued great trouble and persecution in the Kingdom of Naples in such cruel sort that many Noble Men with their wives and others are reported there to bee slain in Calabria beyond Naples in Italy likewise the same time suffered a great number of Christs welbeloved Saints both old and young put together in one house to the number of 88. persons all which one after another were taken out of the house and so being laid upon the Butchers stall like the sheep in the shambless with one bloody knife were all killed in order a spectacle most tragicall for all posterity to remember and almost incredible to believe beside also a great number condemned Now to return again to the Isse of Brittain to England and Scotland and to take a view of the affairs of the Churches there And first to begin with England In the reign of King Henry the eight at Coventree there were seven apprehended and burnt for the gospell of Christ to wit Mistresse Smith widow Robert Hatchers a Shoemaker Wrigsham a glover Lansdale a Hosier Archer a shoemaker Hawkings a shoemaker Thomas band shoemaker The principal cause of the apprehension and burning of these persons was for teaching their children and family the Lords prayer and ten commandments in English the children were sent for to the Gray-friers in Coventree before the Warden of the said Friers called Frier-Stafford who straitly examining them of their beliefe and what Heresie their Fathers had taught them charged them upon pain of suffering such death as their Fathers should in no wayes to medle any more with the Lords prayer the Creed and the ten Commandments in English Thomas Harding dwelling at Cheâ—ham in the County of Euchingham with Alice his Wife was first abjured by Wiâ—â—am Smith Bishop of Lincoln with diverse others moe which the same time were taken and compelled some to beat Faggots some were burned in the check with hotirons some condemned to perpetual prison some threstinto Monasteries and spoyled clean of all their goods some compelled to make pilgrimage to the great Block otherwise called our Lady in Lincoln some to one part some to another Harding for reading upon English booâ—s waa condemned for relâ—pse to be burned to ashes and was burnt being of the age of threescore years Many simple people in the Diosie of Lincoln were vexed afflicted and persecuted for then Religion the Son was compelled to testifie against the Father the Father against the son the wife against the Husband and the husband against the wife the sister against the brother A Brief Discourse concerning the story and Life of Thomas Volsey laâ—e Cardinal of York wherein is to be seen and noted the express Image of the proud vain glorious Church of Rome how fare it differeth from the true Church of Jesus Christ. THis Cardinall Volsey and the Popes Legat of Rome was so puft up in pride that he thought himself equal with the King And when hee had said Masse he made Dukes and Earies to serve him of Wine with a say taken and to hold the basen at the Lavatories Furthermore as he was Ambassadour sent to the Emperor at Eruxels he had over with him the great Seal of England and was served with his Servitours kneeling on their knees and many Noble men of England waiting upon him to the great admiration of all the Germans that beheld it such was his monstruous pomp and pride That glorious Cardinal in his tragicall doings did exceed so far all measure of a good subject that he became more like a Prince then a priest for although the King bare the sword he bare the strok making in a manner the whole Realm to bend at his beck and to dance after his pipe Such practises and fetches he had that when he had well stored his own Coffers first he fetched the greatest part of the Kings Treasure out of the Realm in twelve great barrels full of gold and silver to serve the Popes wars And as his avaritious mind was never satisfied in getting so his restlesse head was so busie rufling in publick matters that he never ceased before he had set both England France Flanders Spain and Italy together by the ears for his pride and avarice he was hated of all men At what time Pope Clement was taken prisoner Cardinal Volsey wrote tot he Emperor to make him Pope but when he returned an answer wherein he was not pleased he waxed furious mad and sought all means to displease the Emperor writeing very sharply unto him many minacing letters that if he would not make him Pope he would make such a ruffling between christian Princes as was not this hundreth years before to make the Emperor repent year though it should cost the whole Realm of England Whereupon the Emperor answering biddeth him look well about him lest through his doings and atempts he might bring the matter in that case that it should cost him the Realm of England indeed The King finding himself deluded by Cardinal Campegius and Cardinal
Volsey anent the question of his Marriage the decision whereof was referred to them by the Pope but nothing in it by them done Volsey tell from the Kings favour so that after that time he never came more to the Kings presence for he was mightily offended with him whom he before so highly exalted and promoted to so many great dignities as to the Archbishoprik of York the Bishoprick of Winchester of Durham the Abbee of St. Albons besides the Chancelorship of England and many other high dignities and preferments in the Realm He is deprived of his Chancelorship and it is given to Sr Thomas More There are sundry Articles given in against the Cardinal he is arrested and brought up toward London he fell sick by the way and by immoderat Purgations killed himself This was the end of this vain glorious Cardinal It is recorded of one Humfrey Mummuth Alderman of London much troubled for his Religion a notable example of Christian patience In the Sermons of Master Latimer which the said Latimer heard in Cambridge of Master George Stafford Reader to the Divinity Lecture in that University who expounding the place of St Paul to the Romans that we shall overcome our enemie with well-doing and so heap hot coals upon his head brought in this example saying that he knew in London a great rich Merchand meaning this Humfrey which had a very poor neighbour yet for all his poverty he loved him very well and sent him money at his need and let him come to his Table whensoever he would Now the Rich Man began to be a Scripture-man he began to smell the Gospel the poor man was a Papist still It chanced on a time when the rich man talked of the Gospel at the Table where he reproved Popery and such kind of things This poor man being there present took a great displeasure against the rich man in so much that he would come no more to his house he would borrow no more money of him as he was wont to do before-times yea and conceived such hatted and malice against him that he went and accosed him before the Bishops Now the rich man not knowing of any such displeasure offered many times to talk with him and to set him at quiet It would not be The poor man had such a stomack that he would not vouchsafe to speak with him If he met the rich man in the street he would go out of his way On a time it happened that he met him so in a narrow street that he could not avoid but come near him yet for all that this poor man I say had such a stomack against the rich man that he was minded to go forward and not to speak with him The rich man perceiving that caught him by the hand and asked him saying Neighbour What is come into your heart to take such displeasue with me What have I done against you Tell me and I will be ready at all times to make you amends Finally he spake so gently so charitably so lovingly and friendry that it wrought so in the poor mans heart that by and by he fell down upon his knees and asked him forgivennesse The rich man forgave him and so took him again to his favour and they loved as well as ever they did before Agree with thine enemy while thou art in the way with him Mat. 5. Great was the courage and constancy of Thomas Bilney in his Martyredome The night before his execution one of his friends comming to him finding him at his repast with such a chearfull heart and quiet mind said that he was glad to see him at that time so shortly before his heavy and painful departure so heartily to refresh himself whereunto he answered Oh said he I follow the example of the husband men of the countrey who having a ruinous house to dwell in yet bestow cost so long as they may hold it up And so do I now with this ruinous house of my body and with Gods creatures in thanks to him to refresh the same as ye see Then sitting with his said friends in godly talk to their edification some put him in mind that though the fire which he should suffer the next day should be of great neat to his body yet the comfort of Gods spirit should coole it to his everlasting refreshing At this word the said Thomas Bilney putting his hand toward the flamme of the candle barning before then as also he did diverse times besides and feeling the heat thereof O said he I feel by experience and have known it long by Phâ—losophy that fire by Gods ordinance is naturally hot but yet I am perswaded by Gods holy word and by the experience of some spoken or in the same that in flamme they felt no heat and in the fire they felt no consumption And I constantly believe that howsoever the stuble of this my body shall be wasted by it yet my soul and spirit shall be purged thereby a pain for a time whereon notwithstanding followes joy unspeakeable At the comming forth of the said Thomas Bilney preacher out of the prison doors one of his friends came unto him and with few words as he durst speak to him and prayed him in Gods behalf to be constant and take his death as patiently as he could Whereunto the said Bilney answered with a quiet and milde countenance ye see when the Mariner is entered his ship to sail on the troublous sea how he for a while is tossed in the billows of the same but yet in hope that he shall once come to the quiet haven he beareth in better comfort the perrels which he feeleth So am I now toward this sailing and whatsoever storms I shall feel yet shortly after shal my ship bee in the haven as I doubt not thereof by the grace of God desiring you to help me with your pâ—ayers to the same effect And going forth into the streets he gave much almes by the way by the hands of one of his friends Doctor Warner taking his leave of Thomas Bilney he said pasce gregem tuum pasce gregenituum ut cum venerit Dominus inveniat te sic facientem that is feed your flock feed your flock that when the Lord cometh he may find you so doing When Richard Byfield was degraded kneeling upon the highest step of the Altar the Bishop of London took his crosier staffe and smote him on the breast that hee threw him down backwards and brake his head that he sowuned and when he came to himself again he thanked God he was delivered from the Malignant church of Antichrist and that he was come into the true sincere church of Jesus Christ Militant here on earth and I trust anone said he to be in heaven with Jesus Christ and the Church triumphant for ever and so he was led to the fire in his apparell manfully and joyfully and there for laik of a speedy fire was half an hour alive and when
Prince of Spain and Mary Queen of England were married together by the Bishop of Winchester in the presence of a great number of Noblemen of both the Realms in the year of God 1554. Cardinal Pool is sent legate to the King and Queen to reconcile England to their mother Church Rome the Parliament suâ—mit themselves to the Pope his authority is restored which was matter of great joy to Rome Great was the bloody murthering of Gods Saints in the time of Queen Mary And first to begin with Master John Rogers he is condemned of the Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor for two articles first for that he affirmed the Romish Catholick Church to be the Church of Antichrist and that he denied the reality of their Sacrament he cursed him to be disgraded and condâ—mned and put into the hands of the Lâ—itie and so he gave him over into the Shireffs hand which were much better then his 2. That in the Sacrament of the Altar there is not substantially nor really the natural body and blood of Christ After that this John Rodgers had been long and straitly imprisoned by the space of an year and an half at New-gate amongst Theeves often examined and very uncharitably entreated and at length unjustly and most cruelly by wicked Winchester condemned Such was the Bishop of Winchester and Boner Bishop of London their charity that he could not obtain of them that favour as to talk a little with his wife before his burning for his wife and children being eleven in number ten able to go and on sucking on her breast met him by the way as he went towards Smithfield this sorrowfull sight of his own flesh blood could nothing move him but that he constantly and chearfully took his death with wonderful patience in the defence and quarrel of Christs Gospel As he was going to Smithfield he said the Psalm Miserere by the was all the people wonderfully rejoycing at his constancy with great praises and thanks to God for the same A littâ—e before his burning at the stake his pardon was brought if he would have recanted but he utterly refused it so he was burned into ashes washing his hands in the flamme as he was in burning he was the first Protomartyr of all that blessed company that suffered in Queen Maries time that got the first adventure upon the fire he was viccar of St. Pulchers and Reader of Pauls in London After that Mâ—ster Rodgers had broken the yce here under Queen Mary there suffered in like sort an Archbishop four Bishops twenty one Divines eight Gentlemen eighty four Artificers one hundred Husband-men Servants and Labourers twenty six Wives twenty Widows nine Virgins two boyes and two Infants with many moe yea it is recorded that in lesse then four years they sacrificed the lives of eight hundred innocents here to their Idols in Queen Maries daies We shall take a view of them that are most memorable Lawrence Sanders Preacher a man of worshipfull Parentage was burned for the defence of the Gospel at Coventree being led to the place of Execution he went in an old Gown and a Shirt bare-footed and oftentimes fell flat on the ground and prayed When he came to the fire he fell to the ground and prayed he rose up again and took the Stake to which he should be chained in his arms and kissed it saying welcome the Crosse of Christ welcome everlasting life and being fastned to the Stake and fire put to him full sweetly he sleeped in the Lord. Mr. John Hooper Bishop of Worchester and Glocester was burnt for the defence of the Gospel at Glocester he was a worthy Bishop endued with these qualities that St. Paul requires in a Bishop he was condemned at London and degraded by Bishop Winchester and others and sent to Glocester to be burnt As he went to the fire he was led between two Sheriffs as it were a Lamb to the place of slaughter in a Gown of his Hosts his Hat upon his head and a staff in his hand to stay himself withall for the grief of the Sciatica which he had taken in prison caused him sometimes to halt All the way he was straitly charged not to speak the people mourned bitterly for him After he was entred into his prayer a Box was brought and laid before him upon a Stool with his pardon or at the least wise it was fained to be his pardon from the Queen if he would he at the sight thereof cryed if ye love my soul away with it if ye love my soul away with it the Box being taken away the Lord Shandois said seeing there is no remedy dispatch him quickly Mr. Hooper said God my Lord I trust your Lady will give me leave to make an end of my prayers Then said the Lord Shandois to Sir Edmund Bridges take heed that he do nothing else but pray if he do tell me and I shall quickly dispatch him so he prayed in these words following Lord said he I am hell but thou art heaven I am swill and a stink of sin but thou art a gracious God and a merciful Redeemer have mercy therefore upon me most miserable and wretched offender after thy great mercie and according to thy inestimable goodnesse Thou that art ascended into heaven receive me hell to be partaker of thy joyes where thou sittest in equall glory with tâ—y Father for well knowest thou Lord whereof I am come hither to sâ—ffer and why the wicked do â—â—â—secute this thy poor servant not for my sins and â—â—â—sgressions committed against thee but because I will not allow their wicked doings to the contaminating of thy blood and to the denyall of the knowledge of thy truth wherewith it did please thee by thy holy Spirit to instruct me the which with as much diligence as a poor wretch might being thereto called I have set forth to thy glory And well seest thou my Lord and God what terrible pains and cruel torments be prepared for thy creature such Lord as without thy strength none is able to bear or patiently to passe but all things that are impossible with man are possible with thee Therefore strengthen me of thy goodnesse that in the fire I break-not the rules of patience or else aswage the terrour of the pains as shall seem most to thy glory After he had done he was put to the fire and he abode three quarters of an hour in the fire for it was slow in burnning and thrise it was kindled before he was consumed In the midst of the fire he prayed with a loud voice Lord Jesus have mercy upon me Lord Jesus have mercy upon me Lord Jesus receive my spirit and these were the last words that he was heard to utter But when he was black in the mouth and his tongue swollen that he could not speak yet his lips went til they were shrunk to the Gams and he knocked his breast with his hands untill one of his arms fell off and then knocked
far returned with him to Glasgow where they went first to the Church and gave thanks to God for the victory they had obtained almost without any effusion of blood This conflict happened upon the 13. of May the eleventh day after her escape from Lochlevin The Queen fleeth to England and writeth to Queen Elizabeth The Bishop of Orkney was reponed to his place and for removing the scandall he was injoyned in his first Sermon to make publick acknowledgement of his fault and crave forgivenesse of God the Church and State whom he had offended The Duke of Chattellerault returned and being made Deputy by the Queen caused publish his Letters prohibiting the subjects to acknowledge any other Soveraign then the Queen hereupon the Regent gave forth Proclamations charging the Lieges in the Kings name to meet him in Armes at Glasgow the 10. of March The Regent and the Duke were agreed by the means of the Superintendents James Hamiltoun of Bothwell-Haugh taketh in hand the Regents murther he is killed by him at Linlithgow as he was riding by the shot of a Bullet the Murtherer escapeth and the death of the Regent was greatly lamented The Earle of Lennox is chosen Regent Governour of the Realm untill the Kings Majority or till he were able by himself to administrate the publick affairs The Regent was shot by Captain Calder at Stirling and with the same bullet Wormestoun who did what he could to save the Regent was stricken dead After him the Earle of Marre was elected Regent After the Earle of Marre was the Earle of Morton elected Regent as the man in that time of greatest courage and counsell The Earle of Morton is challenged for the murther of the Kings father by Captain James Steward and is committed and thereafter brought to his tryall sentence is pronounced and he execute for concealing the Kings murther The Queen is excute and beheaded after 19. years captivity in England The Spanish Navy was in the year of God 1583. In the year of God 1597. there was a great businesse for the tryall of Witches Amongst others one Margaret Aikin being apprehended upon suspitiâ—n and threatned with torture did confesse her self guilty being examined touching her associats in that trade she namâ—d a few and peâ—ceiving her delations find credit made offer to detect all of that sort and to purge the countrey of them so she might have her life granted for the reason of her knowledge she said that they had a secret mark all of that sort in their eyes whereby she could surely tell how soon she looked upon any whether they were Witches or not and in this she was so readily believed that for the space of three or four moneths she was carried from Town to Town to make discoveries in that kind Many were brought in question by her delations especially at Glasgow where diverse innocent women through the credulity of the Minister Mr. John Cowper were condemned and put to death In end she was found to be a meer deceiver for the same persons that the one day she had declared guilty the next day being presented in another habit she cleansed and sent back to Fife where first she was apprehended At her tryall she affirmed all to be false that she had confessed either of her self or others persisted in this to her death which made many for think their to great forwardnesse that way and moved the King to recall the commissions given out against such persons discharging all proceedings against them except in case of voluntary confession till a solid order should be taken by the Estates touching the forme that should be keeped in their tryall In the year of God 16â—0 was Gowries conspiracy against the King discovered both he and his brother Mr. Alexander Ruthven were killed at St. Johnstoun and the King delivered The Ministers of Edinburgh being râ—qâ—ired by the Counsel to give thanks for his Majesties deliverance refused to obey excusing themselves that nothing ought to be deliv red in Pulpit but that whereof the truth was known and that all which is uttered in that place should be spokâ—n in faith When by no perswasion they could be moved to perform that duty it was resolved that the Counsel should go together to the Market Crosse and that the Bishop of Rosse should after a naration of the Kings daughter and deliverance conceive a publick thanksgiving which was done the multitude applauding and expressing a great joy Mr. Patrick Galloway the Mononday thereafter in presence of the King Preached at the Market Crosse who choosed the 124. Psalm for his Theam did take occasion to discourse of all the particulars of the conspiracy and gave the people great satisfaction for many doubted that there had been any such conspiracy the condition of Princes being as the Emperor Domitian said herein miserably that even when conspiracies made against their persons are discovered yet they are not credited unlesse they be slain The King to testifie his thankfulnesse for his deliverence mortified a thousand pound to the poor yearly to be taken of the readiest fruits of the Abbacie of Scoon After this order was taken for a publick and solemn thanksgiving to be made in all the Churches of the Kingdome The Ministers of Edinburgh who gave the refuse were commanded to remove themselves out of the town within 48. hours and inhibited to Preach within his Majesties dominions under the pain of death Three of the number to wit Mr. Walter â—elcanquel Mr. William Watson and Mr. John Hall acknowledging their fault were pardoned Mr. James Balfour likewise remitted But Mr. Robert Truce taking a course by himself and saying he would reverence his Majesties report of that accident but could not say he was perswaded of the truth of it was banished the King dominions and went into France The 15. of November a Parliament was held at Edinburgh wherein sentence of the forfeiture was pronounced against Gowry and Mr. Alexander his brother their posterity disinherited and in detestation of the paracid attempted the whole surname of Ruthven abolished but this last was afterwards dispensed with and such of that name as were knowen to be innocent tollerated by the Kings clemency to enjoy their surnames and titles as in former times The bodies of the two brethren being brought to the Parliament house were after sentence given hanged upon a Gibbet in the publick street and then dismembred their hands cut off and affixed upon the top of the prison house and the 5. of August ordained to be keeped yearly in remembrance of his Majesties delivery Prince Charles was born at Dumfermling The Queen of England continuing constant in her affection when she was asked a little before her death by the Lord Keeper and Secretary who were directed by the Counsel to understand her will touching her Successor answered none but my Cousen the King of Scots After which words she spake not much A Queen incomparable for wisedom and fidelity of Government She
unto him and when he felt the fire he cryed mercy calling belike unto the Lord and so the Prince immedialy commanded to take away the Tun and quench the fire The Prince his commandement being done asked him if he would forsake Heresie to take him to the faith of Holy Church which thing if he would do he should have Goods enough promising also unto him a yearly Stipend out of the Kings Treasury so much as should suffice his contentation but this valiant Champion of Christ neglecting the Princes fair words and promises continued constant in his profession then the Prince commanded him straight to be put again into the Pipe or Tun and that he should not afterward look for any grace or favour and so he was burnt to death Other servants of God good religious men were accused of Heresie and brought before the Archbishop of Canterbury as VVilliam Thorp who gave a large and notable confession of his Faith and answered wisely and godly to all the points whereof he was accused by the Archbishop where he suffered mocking and scorning and threatning what became of this good man and blessed servant of God is not at yet in Story specified by all conjecture it is thought that the Archbishop Thomas Arundell being so hard an adversary against him would not let him go much lesse it is to be supposed that he would ever retract his sentence and opinion which he so valiantly maintained before the Bishop neither doth it seem that he had any such recanting spirit Again neither is it found that he was burned wherefore it remaineth most likely to be true that he being committed to some strait Prison according as the Archbishop in his Examination before did threaten him was so straitly keeped that either he was secretly made away or else there he died by sicknesse The like end also I find happen to John Ashton another good fellower of VVickliff he was condemned by the Bishops and because he would not recant he was committed to perpetuall Prison wherein the good man continued till his death And as great was the constancy of the true professors so many did shrink and did revolt and renounce for danger of the Law In those dayes great was the pride and glory of the Clergie of England that none durst stir or once mute against them having the King so full on their side armed moreover with Laws Statutes Punishments Imprisonments Sword Fire and Fagot reigned and ruled as they listed as Kings and Pâ—inces within themselves So strong were they of power that no humane force was able to stand against them so exalted in pride and puft up in glory that they thought all things to be subject to their reverend Majesties whatsoever they set forth or decreed it must be of all men received and obeyed What greater shew of arrogancy and pride could there be then in this When Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury passed by the high Street of London and because they did not ring their Bells for a triumph of his coming took great snuffe thereat and did suspend all such Churches in London not only with the Steeple and Bells but also with the Organs so many as did not receive his coming with the noise of Bells The like stir for Bell-ringing and for Processions had almost happened between the Archbishop of Canterbury Successor to this Thomas Arundell named Henry Chicâ—ly on the one part and the Abbey of St. Albons on the other part had not the Abbot in time submitting himself to the Archbishop so provided that the ringing of their Bells at his comming might not redound to any derogation of their Liberties whereunto the Archbishop granted by his Lettert direct to them To expresse moreover and describe the glorious pomp of these Princely Prelates in those blind dayes of Popish Religion reigning then in the Church I though to adjoyn hereunto another example not much unlike neither differing much in time concerning certain poor men cited up and enjoyned strait pennance by VVilliam Courtney predecessor of the said Thomas Arundell for bringing Litter to his Horse not in Wains as they should do but in privie Sacks in a secret manner under their Cloaks or Coats for the which so hainous and horrible trespasse the said Archbishop sitting in his Tribunall-seat did call and cite before him the said persons pro litera 1. For Litter after his own Latin and after their submission injoyns them Pennance that is that they going leafurly before the Procession every one of them should carry openly on his shoulder his Bag stuffed with Hay and Straw so that the said Hay or Straw should appear hanging out the mouths of the Sacks being open whereupon it was said This Bag full of Straw I bear on my back Because my Lords Horses his Litter did lack If ye be not good to my Lords Graces horse Ye are like to go bare foot before the Crosse King Henry the fourth had a Prophesie that he thould die in Jerusalem and lying sick in a fair Chamber at VVestminster and lying on his Bed he asked how they called the said Chamber and they answered and said Jerusalem and then he said it was his Prophesie that he should make his end in Jerusalem And so disposing himself toward his end in the foresaid Chamber he died upon that sicknesse whether of Leprosie or of some other sharp disease I have not to affirm The like Prophesie we read of Pope Sylvester 2. to whom being inquisitive for the time and place where he should die it was answered that he should die at Jerusalem who then saying Masse in a Chappel called likewise Jerusalem perceived his end there to be near and died Sir John Oldcastle the Lord Cobham a most worthy and religious Knight was suspect of Heresie and to bee a favourer and maintainer of VVickliffs Doctrine and the professors thereof for the which he was apprehended and accused and falsly condemned for Heresie In his examination before the Archbishop Arundell and his Clergy he answered wisely and Religiously to every point he was posed upon especially anent the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and constantly and zealously maintained the Truth but in end he is falsly and unjustly condemned as an Heretick After that the Archbishop Thomas Arundell had read the bill of his condemnation with most extremity before the whole multitude the Lord Cobham said with a most chearfull countenance though ye judge my body which is but a wretched thing yet am I certain and sure that ye can do no harm unto my Soul no more then could Satan unto the Soul of Job hee that created that will of his infinit mercy and promise save I have therein no manner of doubt And as concerning these Articles of my Belief that I have given in unto you I will stand to them even unto the very death by the grace of my Eternall God And therewith he turned him unto the People casting his hands abroad and saying with a very loud voice
What said he If God was so angry for an Apple that he cast our first parents out or Paradise for the same Why may not I being his Vicar be angry then for a Peacock since a Peacock is a greater matter then an Apple Behold here good Reader by this Pope the holiness of that blasphemous See and yet thou shalt see how what affection was born unto this Pope here in England by the Dirigies Hearses and Fâ—nerals commanded to be had and celebrated in all Churches by the Queen and her Counsel At what time it chanced a woman to come into St. Magnus Church at the Bridge foot in London and there seeing an Hearse and other preparation asked what it meant and others that stood by said it was for the Pope and that she must pray for him nay quoth she that will I not for he needeth not my prayer and seeing he could forgive us all our sins I am sure he is clean himself therefore I need not to pray for him she was heard to speak these words of certain that stood by which by and by carried her to the Cage of London Bridge and bade her cool her self there In the close of the Examination of John Simpson and John Audely two Husband-men is to be noted the sudden fear of Bishop Boner and his Doctors which was thus there was assembled at that time a great multitude of people that because the Consistory was not able to hold them they were fain to stand in the Church near about the said Consistory waiting to see the said prisoners when they should depart and hearing the Bishop say Have him speaking to Simpson being in a rage at his stout answers Have him away Now the people hearing in the Church these words and thinking because the day was far spent that the prisoners had their judgement they being desirous to see the prisoners had to Newgate severed themselves one running one way another another way which caused such a noise in the Church that they in the Consistory were all amazed and marvelled what it should mean wherefore the Bishop also being somewhat afraid of this so sudden fear asked what there was to do The standers by answering said that there was like to be so tumult for they were together by the ears When the Bishop heard this by and by his heart was in his heels and leaving his seat he with the rest of that Court betook them to their legs hastning with all speed possible to recover the door that went into the Bishops house but the rest being somewhat lighter of foot then my Lord did soon recover the door thronging hastily to get in keeped the Bishop still our and cried Save my Lord save my Lord but meaning yet first to save themselves if any danger should come whereby they gave the standers by good matter to laugh at the rediculous fear of Boner and his Doctors and so thereafter thir two godly persons Simpson and Audely were burnt The Counsell of Trent was in this Pope Julius his time betwixt the first and last Session thereof were eighteen years In it all the Articles of the Popish Doctrine were confirmed At this time by the Popish Clergy the bones of Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagins which had lyen almost two years in their graves were taken up and burned at Cambridge besides this they caused Peter Martyrs wife a woman of worthy memory to be digged out of the Church-yard to be burned on the dung-hill A little before Thomas Hawkes Gentleman his death some of his aqâ—â—intance friends which seemed not a little to be confiâ—med by the example of his constancy and by his talk yet notwithstanding the same again being feared with the sharpnesse of the punishment which he was going to privily desired that in the midst of the flamme he would shew them some token if he could whereby they might be more certain whether the pain of such burning were so great that a man might not therein keep his mind qâ—iet and patient Which thing he promised them to do and so secretly between them it was agreed that if the rage of the pain were tollerable and might be suffered then he should lift up his hands above his head towards Heaven before he gave up the Ghost In the fire when he continued long when his speech was taken away by violence of the flamme his skin also drawn together and his fingers consumed with the fire so that now all men thought certainly that he had been gone suddenly and contrary to all expectation the blessed servant of God being mindfull of his promise made before reached up his hands burning in a lighâ— fire which was marvellous to behold over his head to the living God and with great rejoycing as seemed did strike or clap them three times together At the sight whereof there followed such applause and out-cry of the people and especially of them which understood the matter that the like hath not commonly been heard And so the blessed Martyr of Christ straight way siâ—king down into the fire gave up his spirit Mr. John â—radfoord Preacher most constantly suffered for the tâ—stimony of Christ and his truth he was long in prison he had many conflicts with his adversaries he was burnt at Smithfield many Doctors and Bishops did talk with him in prison and two Spanish Friers dealt with him to recant and to leave his errors but he abode constant in the truth When he came to the Stake he took a Fagot in his hand and kissed it and so likewise the Stake And when he had so done he desired of the Sheriffs that his servant might have his rayment for said he I have nothing else to give him and besides that he is a poor man and the Sâ—eriff said he should have it And so forthwith Mr. Bradfoord did put off his Rayment and went to the Sâ—â—ke and holding up his hands and casting his countenance to Heaven he said thus O England England â—epent thee of thy sins beware of Idolatry bâ—ware of false Antichrists take heed they do not deceive you but he was commanded by the Sheriff to be quiet At that time with him was burnt a young man named John Lease a Prentise of ninteen or twenty years whom he greatly encouraged said to him be of good comfort brother for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night he spak no moe words that any man did hear but imbracing the reed sâ—id thus strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth to eternal salvation and few there be that find it Here is not to be passed by a notable example of Gods hand upon Wâ—droff one of the Sheriffs that would not suffer him to speak but dealt churlishly with him It happened within half an year after the burning of this blessed Martyr that he was so stricken on the right side with such a Palsie or stroak of Gods hand whatsoever it was that for the space
the either his divorce with the Lady Kathren Dâ—wager of Spain came into qâ—estion which being many wayes by the space of two or three years amongst the Canonists Civilians and other learned men diversly disputed and debated at what time Cardinal Campeius and Cardinal Volsey being in commission from the Pope to hear and determine that great cause in controversity between the King and the Queen his pretended wife dalied and delayed all the Summer time hearing the said cause in controversie debated and the little minding to pâ—oceed to sentence giving took occasion to finish their commission and not further to determine therein So on a night two Doctors of the kings side and Doctor Cranmer being lodged in one house and as they were at supper they conferred with Doctor Cranmer concerning the Kings cause and asking his judgement he answered that in his opinion they made more adoe in prosecuting she law ecclesiasticall then needed It were better I suppose quoth Doctor Cranmer that the question whether a man may many his brothers wife or no were decided and discurssâ—d by the Divines and by the authority of the word of God whereby the conscience of the Prince may be better satisfied and qâ—ieted then thus from year to year by frustretory delayes to prolong the einâ— leaving the very trâ—th of the matter unâ—oulted o it by the wâ—rd of God and this may be done as well in England in the Universities here as at Rome or else where in any foâ—raign nation When Doctor Cranmer had thus endâ—d his Tale the other two well liked of his devise The King hearing of this advise of â—ranmers caused in all haste to send for him I perceive said the King I peâ—ceive that that man hath the Sow by the right ear And if I had known of this devise two years ago it had been in my way a great peece of money and had also red me out of much disquietnesse he comes to the King and after conference between the King and him he layes a charge upon him to search the Scripture in the cause of his divorce and to write his mind therein so he went about the businesse and incontinent wrote his mind concerning the Kings question adding to the same besides the authority of the Scriptures of General Counsels and of ancient writers also his opinion which was this that the Bishop of Rome had no such authority as whereby he might dispense with the word of God and the Scriptue When Doctor Cranmer had made this book and committed it to the King the King said to him will ye abide by this that yee have here written before the B. of Rome that will I do by Gods grace quoth Doctor Cranmer if your Majesty do send me thither Marie quoth the King I will send you even to him in a sure Ambassage And this by means of Doctor Cranmers handling of this matter with the King not only certain learned men were sent abroad to the most part of the Universities in Christendom to dispute the question but also the same being by commission disputed by the Divines in both the Universities in Cambrige and Oxford It was there concluded that no such Matrimony was by the word of God lawfull Whereupon a solemn Ambassage was then prepared and sent to the Bishop of Rome wherein went the Earle of Wiltshire Doctor Cranmer and other Doctors And when the time came that they should come before the Bishop of Rome to declare the cause of their Ambassage the Bishop sitting on high in his cloath of state and in his rich apparâ—el with his Sandals one his feet offering as it were his foot to be kissed of the Ambassadours the Earie of Wiltshire disdaining thereat stood still and made no countenance thereunto so that all the rest keeped them from that idolatry howbeit one thing is not here to be omitted as a Prognosticat of our separation from the seat of Rome which then chanced by a Spaniel of the Earle of Wiltshire for he having there a great Spaniel which came out of England with him stood directly between the Earle and the Bishop of Rome when the said Bishop had advanced forth his foot to be kissed now whether the Spaniel perceived the Bishop foot of another matter than it ought to be and so taking it to be some kind of repast or whether it was the will of God to shew some token by the Dog unto the Bishop of his inoâ—dinate pride that his foot were moâ—e meet to be bitten of dogs then kissed of Christian men the Spaniel I say when the Bishop extended his foot to be kissed no man regarding the fame straight waies as though he had been of purpose appointed thereunto went directly to the Popes foot and not only kissed the same unmannerly but as some plainly reported and affirmed took fast with his mouth the great toe of the Pope so that in hast he pulled in his glorious feet from the Spaniel whereat one man smileing in their sleeves what they thought God knoweth But in fine the Pontificall B. after that sought no more at that present for kissing his feet but without any ceremony gave ear to the Ambassadors what they had to say Who entring there before the Bishop offered on the Kings behalf to be defended that no man Jure Divino could or ought to Marrie his Brothers wife and that the Bishop of Rome by no means ought to dispense to the contrary Diverse promises were made and sundry dayes appointed wherein the question should have been disputed and when one part was ready to answer no man there appeared to dispute in that behalf So in the end the B. making to our Ambassadors good countenance and gratifying Doctor Cranmer with the office of the penitentiariship dismissed them undisputed withal the Ambassadors retuâ—ned but Cranmer went forward in his Ambassage to the Emperor and there to answer such learned men of the Emperors Counsell as would or could say any thing to the contrary part c. At this time B. Warhame then Archbishop of Canterbury departed this transitoâ—y life whereby that dignity then being in the gift and diâ—position of the King was given unto Cranmer as worthy for his travel of such a promotion He proved a notable B. being indued with all these qualities that the Apostle requires in a Bishop He had many enemies in King Henries time but the King held him up In Queen Maries time he is put to great trouble for his Religion he is imprisoned and keeped long in prison and brought out to his examination and tryall sundrie times he is degraded from his office and condemned The Doctors and Divines of Oxford busied themselves all that ever they could about Mr. Cranmer to have him recant assaying by all crafty practices and allurements they might devise to bring their purpose to passe he at last overcome with their perswasions whether through their importunity or by his own imbecillity or of what mind I cannot tell the recantation
Town called Patrick Lermond refused to be his temporall Judge to whom it appertained if the cause had been just Also the B. Chamberlane beeing therewith charged would in no wayes take upon him so ungodly an office yea the whole Town were so offended with his unjust condemnation that the B. servants could not get for their money so much as one cord to tye him to the Stake or Tar-barrel to burn him but were constrained to cut the cords of their own masters Pavilion to serve their turn Neverthelesse one servants of the B. more ignorant and cruel then the rest called Allexander Somervel interprysing the office of atemporal judge in that part conveyed him to the fire While he was exhorting the people there was gâ—eat mourning and lamentation of the multitude for they perceiving his patience stournesse and boldnesse constancy and hardinesse were greatly moved and stirred up and their hearts mightily inflammed for him This Walter Mill was the last Martyr that died in Scotland for Religion and his death the every death of Popry in this Realm John Knox returns again from Geneva to Scotland and joynes himself to the congregation for the Reformers of Religon at this time were called the congregation he preached to them at Perth where the Reformation began The people having heard how odious idolatry was in Gods presence what commandment he had given for the destruction of the Monuments thereof and what idolatry and what abomination was in the Masse they were so inflammed that neither could the exhortation of the Preachers nor the commandment of the Magistrat stay them from destroying the place of idolatry So the Monastry at Perth was demolished the Charterhouse a building of exceeding cost and largnesse was not only ruined but the stones and timber so quickly taken away as in lesse then two dayes space a vestige thereof was scarce remaining to be seen the Images were publled down at Cowper in Eyfe which the Curat took so heavily as the night following he put violent hands in himself And so the Images Altars and Monasteries were demolished throughout the Country and by the just judgement of God in the same place where Walter Mill was burnt the Images of the great Church of the Abbey which passed both in number and costlinesse were burnt as the rest were When Q. Regent heard what was done at Perth she was so inraged that she did vow utterly to destroy St. Johnston Man Woman and Child and to consume the same by fire and the reafter to salt it in sign of a perpetuall desolation The congregation labours to pacifie the Q. Regents rage by their Letters directed unto her but her rage and the Priests could not be stayed but forward they move against these who then were in St. Johnston a very few and mean number of Gentlemen who perceiving the extremity to approach did write to all their brethren to repair toward them for their relief to the which they found all men so ready bent that the work of God was evidently to be espied for the Earle of Glencarn and the brethren of the West came with all haste for the relief of St. Johnston by whose presence the tyranny of the enemy was bridled There is an appointment concluded between Q. Regent and them and so the Lords departed out of the Town but before their departure they make a new Covenant to concur and assist one another for the mentinance of Religion The Q. entered into the Town the Duke Monsieur Dosel and the Frenchmen who in discharging their volley of Harquebuts killed a Son of Patrick Murray about ten or twelve years of age who being brought to the Q. presence and understanding whose Son he was said It is pity it chanced on the Son and not on the Father but seeing it is so chanced we cannot be against fortime She erects idolatry against the appointment The Q. began to rage against all godly and honest men their houses were oppressed by the French the lawful Magistrats as well Provest and Bâ—illies were unjustly and without all order deposed from their Authority She left four colours of the Souldiers to abide in the Town to mantain idolatry and to ressist the congregation and so she left the Town in extream bondage but shortly after from this bondage was the Town delivered by the Congregation and the French forced to leave the Town and made parent to all the Kings subjects When the Nobility and Gentry and others of the Congregation saw that their just petitions was rejected of Queen Regent for Reformation of Religion and strangers brought in to suppresse them their commonwealth and posterity Idolatry mantained and Christ Jesus his true Religion despised while idle bellies and bloody tyrants the Bishops maintained and Christs true Messengers persecuted while finally vertue contemned vice extolled and while that a great part of the Nobility and Commonallity are most unjustly persecuted after consultation and good advice they deprive her from all regiment and authority amongst them and this was divulgaâ— by sound of Trumpet at the Mercat crosse of Edinburgh and proclamed by officers of Arms in head Burrows within the Realme of Scotland The day following all the Souldiers in Leith French and Scots are summoned by sound of Trumpet to depart out of Leith within the space of 12. hours defyance is given whereupon there was Skirmishing without great slaughter and preparation of Scalls and Ladders was made for the assault which was concluded by common consent of the Nobility and Barrons The French Souldiers issued many a time out of Leith and did great harm through the Country the Congregation not able to suppresse them Queen Regent her faction they were constrained to implore the Q. of England her aid and support which she most willingly granted upon certain conditions specified in a Treaty past at Barwick betwixt the Duke of Norfolk Lievtenant to her Majesty on the one part and certain of our Commissioners on the other part The Army she sent by Land was esteemed ten thousand men the Town is assaulted The Queen Regent sate all the time of the assault which was both terrible and long upon the fore-wall of the Castle of Edinburgh and when she perceived the overthrow of us and that the Ensignes of the French were again displayed upon the walls she did laugh heartily and said now I will go to the Masse and praise God for that mine eyes have seen The French proud of the victory stripped naked all the slain laid their dead carcasses before the Sun along the wall where they suffered them to ly more dayes then one And here we may see the inhumanity of the mercilesse French The siedge is continued and 2000. fresh men sent for that purpose which the Camp greatly comforted began to forget the former discomfiture and to sustain the daily Skirmishing as they did before In the which the French after the day of the assault did ever receive the hurt and the repulse At this
Almighty and from thence he shal come to judge the quick and the dead Lo this is the heresie that I hold and for it must suffer the death But as touching the holy and blessed Supper of the Lord I believe it to be a most necessary remembrance of his glorious suffering and death Moreover I believe as much therein as my eternall and only Redeemer Jesus Christ would I should believe She is brought into Smithfield to her execution in a Chair because she could not go on her feet by means of her great torments there she patiently endured death with sundry moe that at that time was burnt with her Then Urisley Lord Chancellor sent to Anna Askew Letters offering to her the Kings pardon if she would recant who refusing once to look upon them made this answer again that she came not thither to deny her Lord and Master Then were the Letters offered unto the other who in like manner following the constancy of the woman denyed not only to receive them but also to look upon them whereupon the Lord Major commanding fire to be put to them cryed with a loud voice fiat Justitia Queen Catherine Parre late Queen and wife to King Henry the eight was in great danger for the Gospel the Chancellor Bishop of Winchester and others of their conspiracy but she was graciously preserved by her kind and loving Husband the King King Henry died in the thirty eight year of his Reign King Henry of his own nature and disposition was so inclinable and forward in all things vertuous and commendable that the like interprise of redresse of Religion hath not lightly been seen in any other Christned Prince as in abolishing the stout and almost invincible authority of the Pope in suppressing Monâ—steries in repressing custome of Idolatry and Pilgrimages c. which interprises as never King of England did accomplish though some began to attempt them before him so yet to this day we see but few in other Realmes dar follow the same So long as Queen Bullâ—n Thomas Cromwell Bishop of Cranmer and such like good counsellours were about him he did much good So again when sinister and evil counsell under subtill and crafty pretences had gotten once the foot in thrusting truth and verity out of the Princes ears how much Religion and all good things went prosperously forward before so much on the contrary side all revolted backward again Prince Edward succeeded his father being of the age of nine years and Reigned six years and eight months and eight dayes and deceased Anno 1553. He was a vertuous and religious Prince of admirable gifts and graces far beyond his years Religion flourished in his time for by the advise of his Governours especially by his Uncle Lord John Simer Duke of Somerset Protector of the Realm that monstrous Hydra with six heads the six Articles I mean who devoured up so many men before was abolished and taken away the holy Scriptures were restored to the Mother Tongue Mastes extinguished and abolished these that were before in banishment for the danger of the truth were again received to their Countrey for the most part of the Bishops of Churches and Diocesses were changed Such as had been dumb Prelats before were compelled to give place to others then that would preach take pains Besides other also out of foraign Countreys men of learning and notable knowledge were sent for and received among whom was Peter Martyr Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius which were set into the Universities Of the old Bishops some were committed to one Ward some to another but these meek and gentle times of King Edward under the Government of this noble Protector hath this one commendation proper unto them for that amongst the whole number of the popish sort of whom some privily did steal out of the Realm many were crafty dissemblers some were open and manifest adversaries yet of all that multitude there was not one man that lost his life for during all the time of King Edwards Reign which was about six years neither in Smithfield nor any other quarter of this Realm any was heard to suffer for any matter of Religion either Papist or Protestant either for one opinion or other except only two one an English-woman called Joan of Kent and the other a Dutch-man named George who died for certain Articles not much necessary here to be rehearsed Besides these two there was none else in all King Edwards Reign that died in any manner or cause of Religion but that one Thomas Dobbie who in the beginning of this Kings Reign was apprehended for speaking against the Idolatry of the Masse and in the same Prison died whose pardon notwithstanding was obtained of the Lord Protector and should have been brought him if he had continued The horrible and bloody Time of Queen MARY QUeen Mary succeeded her brother King Edward to the Crown ingyring her self by force and violence notwithstanding that Lady Jane was proclaimed Queen before her by King Edwards testament and the consent of the Nobility She altered Religion that was in King Henries time and King Edwards she made an Inhibition by proclamation that no man should preach or read openly in the Churches the word of God the Masse is set up and a proclamation that no man should interrupt any of these that would say masse the Popes Authority is restored In a word she banished the Gospel and true Religion and brought in the Antichrist of Rome with his Idolatry supperstition turned the English service into Latine again c. About this time a priest of Canterbury said masse the one day and the next day after he came into the Pulpit and desired all the people to forgive him for he said he had betrayed Christ but not as Judas did and there made a long Sermon against the Masse Marriage is concluded between Queen Mary and the King of Spain Strange sights were seen before the comming in of King Philip and subversion of Religion for in the month of February 1553. there was seen within the City of London about the 9. of the clock in the forenoon two Suns Shining at once the one a good pretty way distant from the other At the same time was also seen a rain bow turned contrary and a great deal higher then hath been accustomed it stood with the head downward and the feet as it were upward In the second year of Queen Mary there was a Cat hanged upon a Gallows at the crosse in Cheap apparelled like a priest ready to say masse with a shaven crown her two fore feet tyed over her head with a round paper like a wafer cake put between them whereon arose a great ill-will against the city of London for the Queen and the Bishops were very angry withall and therefore the same afternoon there was a proclamation that whosoever could bring forth the party that did hang up the Cat should have twenty Nobles but none could or would earn it Philip