Christ refuseth the office of a ciuill iudge the which thing hee would not haue done if it had bene agreeable vnto his office or duety The like thyng also he did in the 8. chapter of Iohn When as he refused to geue iudgement vppon the woman taken in adulterye which was brought before hym Where as they doe alledge that Moyses did supply both offices at once An obiection made by the example of Moyses supplying both the offices aunswered vnto I aunswer that it was done by a rare miracle Furthermore that it continued but for a time vntill things were brought vnto a better state Besides that there was a certayne forme and rule prescribed him of the Lord then tooke he vpon hym the ciuill gouernaunce and the priesthood he was commaunded to resigne vnto hys brother that not w tout good cause for it is agaynst nature that one man should suffise both charges wherefore it was diligently foreseene and prouided for in all ages Neither was there any Bishop so long as any true face or shew of the Church did continue who once thought to vsurpe the right and title of the sword Whereupon in the tyme of Saint Ambrose this Prouerbe tooke his original that Emperours did rather wishe or desire the office of priesthood then Priests any Empire For it was all mens opinions at that tyme that sumptuous pallaces dyd pertayne vnto Emperoures and Churches vnto Priestes Saint Bernard also writeth many thyngs which are agreeable vnto this our opinion Palaces to Princes Churches perteyne to Priestes as is this his saying Peter could not geue that which he had not but he gaue vnto hys successours that which he had that is to say carefulnesse ouer the congregation for when as the Lord Maister sayth that he is not constitute or ordained Iudge betwene two the seruaunt or Disciple ought not to take it scornefully Peter could not geue that he had not Peter had no Lordly dominion Ergo Peter could not giue Lordly dominioÌ„ to his successors if that he may not iudge all men and lest that he might seme in that place to speake of the spiritual iudgement he straight way annexeth Therfore sayth he Your power and autoritie shall be in offence and transgression not in possessions For this purpose and not for the other haue you receyued the keyes of the kingdome of heauen Why then do you inuade other mens bounds or borders The rest I will passe ouer for breuities cause The 7. Article Falsly and against the honour state and reuerence of the sacred maiestie of the kyng of Scottes The vii Article he hath said holden and affirmed that our most noble king of Scottes defender of the Christian fayth would appropriate vnto him selfe all the possessions landes and rentes of the Church geuen and graunted by his predecessors and also by himselfe and conuert them vnto hys owne priuate vse And for this ende and purpose as he hath many tymes written vnto him so hath he with his whole endeuour perswaded our sayd noble Lord and kyng therunto Borthwike It is no maruell though these mad dogges do so barke agaynst me whom they thinke to haue councelled y e kings Maiesty I would to God I had also throughly perswaded hym that he should take away from these vniust sacrilegious possessours the riches wherewithall they are fatted and engreased lyke Swyne For this is the nature of dogs that if any man go about to take away the boane out of their mouth by and by to snatche at hym and teare hym with theyr teeth It is out of all controuersie vnto such which haue any wit at all that such were very childish that is to say ignoraunt of all learnyng and iudgement which did so fat and feede with their possessioÌ„s these belly beastes For who would not iudge it more then childish A coÌ„parison betwene our belly Priestes and the Priestes of Baale to bestow the kyngs vitayles or meate vpon the bellies of the Prophets of Baal and Iesabell But all they which at this present do endue such filthy sinkes I wyll not call them deus of thieues with such reuenues they do follow the steps of Iesabell for what other thing do they when as daily they are bleating and bowyng before theyr Images burnyng of incense and fall flat downe before their altars but y t which in tymes past y e prophets of Baal dyd when as they transported the worship of God vnto an Idoll Wherefore if Daniel and Helias were spotted with heresie when they would haue destroyed the Priests of Baall I graunt that I also must be an hereticke But forsomuch as then he did nothyng but which was coÌ„maunded hym of the Lord that was able to kyll the Prophet which had allured the people to follow strange gods he could not truly and iustly be accused of heresie so neyther can my aduersaries spot me therewithall except peraduenture they will condemne in me that where as Elias delt more rigorously with the Prophetes of Baall for he cast them into the broke Kidron I required or desired no more but that the riches which was wickedly bestowed vpon them and theyr possessions might be taken froÌ„ them The 8. Article He willed and desired and oftentimes with his whole heart prayed that the church of Scotland might come and be brought to the same poynt and state and to lyke ruine as the church of England was already come vnto Borthwike If the church of Israel decayed when as in the tyme of Zorobabell Nâ—emias and other holy men it was released and set at libertie out of Babilon I graunt also that it was a ruine vnto the Englishmen to haue departed and gone away out of Babylon the mother of all whoredome vpon whose rotten and filthy paps and brests they haue a long tyme depended and hanged beyng made drunke with the wyne of her whoredome and vnshamefastnesse They had rather cause to geue me thankes which wyth so sincere and good a heart wished vnto them so happy a fall But these vnthankfull persones thought it not enough w t slaunder and reproch to teare me asunder but that now also as blynd rage and madnesse hath taken away all sinceritie and vprightnesse of mynde and iudgement to lye in wayte and lay snares for my lyfe The 9. Article He hath openly holden sayd and affirmed preached and taught that the lawes of the Church that is to say the sacred Canons approoued and allowed by the holy Catholike and Apostolike church to be of â—o force strength or effect alledging therfore and affirmyng that they are made and inuented contrary to the law of God Borthwike God forbid that I should say that those things which are approoued and allowed by the holy Catholike Church should be of no effect or valew For well I know that the holy Apostolicke church hath neuer allowed ordained or taught any thyng which she hath not learned of the Lord the apostles are witnesses
kindes The sacrament in both kindes excluded is not necessary ad salutem by the law of God to all persons and that it is to be beleued not doubted of but that in the flesh vnder forme of bread is the very bloud with the bloud vnder forme of wine is the very flesh as well aparte as they were both together The 3. Article Thirdly that priestes after the order of priesthoode receiued as afore may not mary by the law of God The 4. Article Fourthly that the vowes of chastity or widowhead Aduisedly that is made aboue the age of 21. yeares priestes onely excepted by maÌ„ or woman made to God aduisedly ought to be obserued by the law of God and that it exempteth them from other libertyes of christen people which without that they might enioy The 5. Article Fiftly that it is meete and necessary that priuate Masses be continued and admitted in this english Church and congregation as whereby good ChristeÌ„ people By these benefites of priuate masses is ment the helping of soules in Purgatory ordering themselues accordingly do receiue both godly goodly consolations and benefites And it is agreable also to Gods law The 6. Article Sixtly that auricular confession is expedient and necessary to be retayned and continued The 6. Article vsed and frequented in the Church of God After thâ—se Articles were thus concluded and coÌ„sented vpon the Prelates of the Realme craftely perceiuing that such a foule violent act could not take place or preuayle vnlesse straight and bloudy penalties were set vpon them they caused through theyr acustomed practise to be ordeyned and enacted by the king and the Lordes spiritual and temporall and the commons in the sayd Parliament as foloweth The penalties vpon the 6 Articles That if any person or persons within this Realme of England or any other the kings dominions The penaltyes vpon the 6. articles after the xij day of Iuly next comming by word writing imprinting ciphring or any otherwise shuld publish preach teach say affirme declare dispute argue or holde any opinion that in the blessed Sacrament of the Altar vnder forme of bread and wine after the consecration therof there is not preseÌ„t really Transubstantiation the naturall body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ conceiued of the virgin Mary or that after the sayd consecration there remayneth any substaunce of bread or wine or any other substance but the substaÌ„ce of Christ god and maÌ„ or after the time abouesayd publish preach teach say affirme declare dispute argue or hold opinion that in y e flesh vnderforme of bread is not the very bloud of christ or that with the bloud of Christ vnder the forme of wine is not the very flesh of Christ aswell aparte as though they were both together or by any of y e meanes abouesayd or otherwise preach teach declare or affirme the said sacrament to be of other substance then is abouesayd or by any meane contemne depraue or despise the sayd blessed sacrament that then euery such person so offeÌ„ding their ayders comforters counsellers consenters and abâ—eters therein being therof conuicted in forme vnder written by the authority abouesayd should be deemed and adiudged heretickes Suffering without any abiuration and euery of such offence should be adiudged manifest heresy that euery such offender and offenders should therfore haue suffer iudgemeÌ„t execution payn paynes of death by way of burning without any abiuratioÌ„ benefite of the cleargy or Sanctuary to be therfore permitted had allowed admitted or suffered Losse of goodes and also should therfore forfeit and loose to the kinges highnesse his ayres and successors all his or theyr honors manors castles landes tenementes rentes reuersions seruices possessions all other his or theyr hereditaments goods and cattell Opinion against the Sacrament of the aultar made treason termes and freeholdes whatsoeuer they were which any such offence or offeÌ„ces committed or done or at any time after as in any cases of high treason The penalty of the last v. Articles And as touching the other v. articles folowing the penalty deuised for them was this The penalties of the last 5. articles That euery such person or persons which do preach teach obstinately affirme vphold mainteine or defend after the 12. day of Iuly the sayd yeare any thing contrary to the same or if any being in orders or after a vow aduisedly made did mary or make mariage or contract matrimony in so doing should be adiudged as felones and lose both life and forfeit goodes as in case of felony without any benefite of the clergye or priuiledge of the Church or of Sanctuary c. Item that euery such person or persons which after y e day aforesayd by word writing printing cyphring or otherwise did publish declare or holde opinion contrary to the 5. articles aboue expressed being for any such offeÌ„ce duely conuict or attainted for the first time besides the forfayt of all his goodes and cattell and possessions what so euer should suffer imprisonment of his body at the kings pleasure for the second time being accused presented therof conuict should suffer as in case aforesayd of felony Item if any within order of pristhood before the time of the sayd Parliament had maryed or contracted Matrimony or vowed widowhead the sayd matrimony should stand vtterly voyd and be dissolued Item that the same daunger that belonged to priestes marying theyr wiues shuld also redound to the womeÌ„ maryed vnto the Priestes Inquisition vpoÌ„ the 6. articles Furthermore for the more effectuall execution of the premises it was enacted by the sayd Parliament that full authority of Inquisition of all such heresyes fellonies and contemptes should be committed and directed down into euery shyre to certayn persons specially therunto appointed of the which persons three at least prouided alwayes the Archbishop or bishop or his Chauncellor or his Commissarie to be one should sitte foure times at least in the yeare A bloudy inquisition hauing full power to take information accusation by the depositions of any two lawfull persons at the least as well as by the othes of xij men to examine and inquire of all and singuler the heresyes fellonyes and contempts aboue remeÌ„bred hauing also as ample power to make proces agaynst euery person or persons indited presented or accused before them also to heare determine the foresayd heresyes fellonyes contempts and other offences as well as if the mater had bene presented before the Iustices of peace in their Sessions And also that the saide Iustices in theyr Sessions euery Steward or vndersteward or his Deputy in theyr law daies should haue power by y e othes of xij lawfull men to enquire likewise of all singular the heresyes fellonyes contemptes and other offences and to heare and determine the same to all effectes of this present Acte c. Prouided withall that no person nor persons therupoÌ„
receiued and made thys answere againe to them as followeth The kings answere to the rebels FIrst we begin and make answere to the fourth and sixt articles The kinges aunswere to the rebels because vpon them dependeth much of the rest Concerning choosing of Counsailours I neuer haue red heard nor knowen that Princes Counsailours and Prelates should be appoynted by rude and ignorant common people nor that they were persons meete or of habilitie to discerne and choose meete and sufficient Counsailours for a Prince How presumptuous then are ye the rude coÌ„mons of one shire and that one the most base of y e whole realme and of the least experience to finde fault with your Prince for the electing of his Counsailours and Prelates and to take vpon you contrary to Gods lawe and mans lawes to rule your Prince whom ye are bouÌ„d by al law to obey and serue with both your liues landes and goodes and for no worldly cause to withstand As to the suppression of religious houses Monasteries we wil that ye and al our subiects should wel know For suppression of religious houses that this is graunted vs by all the nobles spirituall temporall of thys realme and by al the commons in the same by Acte of Parlament and not set foorth by any Counsailour or Counsailours vpon their mere wil and fantasy as ye full falsely would perswade our realme to beleeue And where ye alleage that the seruice of God is muche diminished the trueth thereof is contrary for there bee no houses suppressed where God was well serued but where most vice mischiefe and abomination of liuing was vsed and that doth well appeare by their owne confessions subscribed wyth their owne handes in the time of their visitations and yet we suffred a great many of them more then we needed by the Acte to stand wherin In these visitations of religious houses horrible it is to read what wickednes and abomination was there founde and regystred by the vysitors if they amend not their liuing we feare we haue more to aunswere for then for the suppression of all the rest And as for the hospitalitie for the reliefe of the poore we wonder ye be not ashamed to affirme that they haue bene a great reliefe of poore people when a great many or the most parte hath not past foure or fiue religious persons in them diuers but one which spent the substaunce of the goodes of their houses in nourishing of vice and abhominable liuing Nowe what vnkindnes and vnnaturalitie may we impute to you and all our subiects that be of that minde which hadde leuer suche an vnthriftie sorte of vicious persons shoulde enioye suche possessions profites and emoluments as grow of the sayd houses to the maintenance of their vnthriftie life then we your naturall Prince soueraigne Lorde and King whych doth hath spent more in your defences of our owne then sixe times they be woorth As touching the acte of vses we maruaile what madnes is in your braine The acte of vses or vpon what ground ye wold take authority vpon you to cause vs to breake those lawes and statutes which by all the noble Knightes and Gentlemen of this Realme whom the same chiefly touched hath bene graunted and assented too seeing in no maner of things it toucheth you the base commons of our realme Also the groundes of all those vses were false and neuer admitted by law but vsurped vpon the prince contrary to all equitie and iustice as it hath bene openly both disputed declared by all the well learned meÌ„ in the Realm of Englande in Westminster Hall whereby yee may well perceiue howe madde and vnreasonable your demaundes be both in that and in the rest and howe vnmeete it is for vs dishonorable to graunt or assent vnto and lesse mete and decent for you in such a rebellious sort to demande the same of your Prince As touching the fifteene which yee demaunde of vs to be released thinke yee that we be so faint hearted The acte of fiftene that perforce ye of one shire were ye a great many mo could compell vs with your insurrections such rebellious demeanour to remitte the same or thinke yee that any man will or may take you to be true subiects that first make shewe a louing graunt and then perforce would compel your soueraigne Lord and King to release the same The time of paiment whereof is not yet come yea and seeing the same will not counteruaile the tenth peny of the charges whych we haue and daily do susteine for your tuition safegarde make you sure by your occasioÌ„s of these your ingratitudes vnnaturalnes and vnkindnes to vs now administred ye geue vs cause which hath alwayes bene asmuche dedicate to your wealth as euer was King not so muche to set our study for y e setting forward of the same seing how vnkindly and vntruly ye deale now wyth vs wythout any cause or occasion And doubt yee not though you haue no grace nor naturalnes in you to consider your duetie of allegiaÌ„ce to your king soueraigne Lord the rest of our Realm we doubt not hath we and they shall so looke on thys cause y t we trust it shal be to your confusion if according to your former letters you submit not your selues As touching the first frutes we let you to witte it is a thing graunted vs by Acte of Parlament also The acte of first fruites for the supportation of part of the great and excessiue charges which we support beare for the maintenaunce of your wealthes and other our subiects and we haue knowen also that yee our commons haue much complained in times passed that the most part of our goodes landes and possessions of the Realme were in the spirituall mens handes and yet bearing vs in hande that yee be as louing subiectes to vs as may be yee can not finde in your hearts that your Prince and soueraigne Lord should haue any part therof and yet it is nothing preiudiciall vnto you our commons but doe rebel and vnlawfully rise against your Prince contrary to the dueâ—y of allegiaunce Gods commaundement Syrs remember your follies and traiterous demeanours and shame not your natiue country of England nor offend no more so greuously your vndoubted king natural prince which alwayes hathe shewed him selfe most louinge vnto you and remember your duetie of allegiance and that yee are bound to obey vs your king both by Gods commandement and lawe of nature Wherfore we charge you eftsoones vppon the foresayde bondes and paines that yee wythdrawe your selues to your owne houses euery manne and no more to assemble contrary to our lawes and your allegiaunces and to cause the prouokers of you to thys mischiefe to â—e deliuered to our Lieutenaunts handes or ours and you your selues to submitte you to suche condigne punishment as wee and our nobles shal thinke you worthy for doubt you not els
ghost came in fyry lykenes to the Apostles in diuers tonges The Israelites should eate the lambs head and the feete and the purtenaunce and nothing therof must be leâ—te ouer night If any thing thereof were left they did burne that in the fire and they breake not the bones After Ghostly vnderstanding we doe eate the lambes head when wee take holde of Christes diuinitie in our beliefe Agayne when we take holde of his humanitie with loue then eate we the lambs feete because that Christe is the beginning and end God before all worlde and man in the end of this worlde What bee the lambes purtenaunce but Christes secrete precepts and these we eate when we receiue with the greedines the word of life There must nothing of the lambe be left vnto the mornig because that all Gods sayings are to bee searched with great carefulnesse so that all his precepts may be knowen in vnderstanding and deede in the nyght of this present life before that the last day of the vniuersall resurrection doe appeare If wee cannot searche out throughly all the mysterie of Christes incarnation then ought we to betake the rest vnto y e might of the holy ghost with true humilitie and not to search rashly of that deepe secretenes aboue the measure of our vnderstanding They did eate the Lambes flesh wyth theyr loynes girte In the loynes is the lust of the bodye and he whiche will receyue that housell shall couer or wrap in that concupiscence and take with chastitie that holy receite They were also shod What be shoes but of the hides of dead beasts We be truely shod if we match in our steppes and dedes the life of meÌ„ departed this life which please God with keeping of hys commandements They had staues in their handes when they did eate This staffe signifieth a carefulnes diligent ouerseeing And all they that best knowe and can shoulde take care of other men and stay them vp with theyr helpe It was inioyned to the eaters y t they should eat the lambe in haste for God abhoreth slouthfulnesse in his seruaunts and those hee loueth that seeke the ioye of euerlasting lyfe with quickenes and hast of minde It is written Prolong not to turne vnto God least the time passe away throughe thy slow tarrying The eaters mought not breake the laÌ„bs bones No more mought y e souldiers that did hang Christ breake his holy legges as they did of the two theeues that hanged on either side of him And the Lord rose from death sounde without all corruption and at the last iudgement they shall see him whom they did most cruelly wounde on the crosse This time is called in the Ebrue tongue Pasca in Latine Transitus and in English a Passeouer because that on this day the people of Israel passed from the land of Egypt ouer the red sea from bondage to the laÌ„d of promise So also did our Lorde at this time departe as sayeth Iohn the Euangeliste from thys world to hys heauenly father Euen so we ought to folow our head and to goe from the deuill to Christe from thys vnstable worlde to hys stable kingdome Howbeit we shoulde firste in this presente lyfe departe from vice to holy vertue from euill manners to good manners if we wil after this our lente life goe to that eternall life and after our resurrection to Christ. He bring vs to hys euerlastinge father who gaue hym to deathe for our sinnes To hym be honour and praise of well doynge world wythout ende Amen And thus I suppose it standeth cleare euidently prooued by course of al these ages afore recited from the time of Tertullian and Austen vnto the daies of this Elfricus aboue mencioned and after him that this newcome miracle of transubstantiation was not yet crept into the heades of men nor almost came in any question amongst learned meÌ„ nor was admitted for any doctrine in the Churche at least for any general doctrine of all men to be receiued til a M. yeare compleate after Christe that is till that Sathan began to be let at large Apoca. 20. For who euer heard in all the primitiue Churche or euer reade in the woorkes of the old ancient Doctors this question once to be asked or disputed whether any substance of bread and wine remained in the Lordes Supper Or what manne was euer so doltish to beleeue any suche thyng or euer called hereticke for not beleuing the same before the time of seduction that is before the 1000. yeares aforesayd were expired They that thinke 〈…〉 be otherwise then a new doctrine are ignorant of histâ—â—ieâ— and antiquity Wherefore they that stand so much vppon the antiquity of this Article as a doctrine which hath euer since Christes time bene receaued in the Church taught by the Apostles beleued of all Catholickes and confirmed by consent of all ages of Councels of natioÌ„s and people vnto this present day these I say either shewe them selues very ignoraunt in hystories and in all state of antiquitie or els most impudently they doe abuse the simple credulitie of the people To procede now farther in this discussion of antiquitie it followed that after the time of Elfricus aforesayde this matter of transubstantiation began firste to be talked off to come in question among a few superstitious monkes so that as blindnes and superstition began more and more to encrease Transubstantiation when it first came in question so the sayd grosse opinion still more and more both in number and authoritie preuailed in so muche that about the yeare of our Lord. 1060. the denying of transubstantiation began to be counted heresie And in thys number firste was one Berengarius a Frenche man Berengarius the first that euer was counted hereticke for denying traÌ„substantiation Vide Bulling De origine erroris Chronic Bibliandri Acta Concilij Romae habiti contra Berengarium and Archdeacon of Angeowe whyche of all Christen men which we read of was first called and counted an hereticke for denying of transubstantiation troubled for the same as ye shall heare This Berengarius liued in the time of Pope Leo 9. Uictor and Nicholas 2. which was about the yeare of our Lorde 1060. Albeit I doe finde our wryters heere in some discrepaunce For the most of them doe holde that he firste recanted vnder Pope Leo 9. in the Councel of Uercellense and afterwarde againe vnder Pope Nicholas 2. about the yeare 1062. as is to be gathered of Gratian De consecrat dist 2. Ego Berengarius where he sayth that Pope Nicholas did send about to Bishops and Archbyshops the Copie of his recantation Againe by the Actes of the Councell of Rome it there appeareth that the sayd Berengarius made this hys sayde last recantation vnder Pope Hildebrande called Gregory 7. But this difference of times is no great matter to stand vpon The truth of the story is this that when Berengarius had professed the truth of the
the Moone were no Idoles for suche thinges there be as the Sunne and the Moone and they were in the Image then so represented as painting caruing doth represent them And the Image of Ninus and Cesar The 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 is false therforâ— Winchesters 〈◊〉 to be abâ—â—lished and as some writeth the Images of al the 12. chosen Gods as they called theÌ„ were the Images of once liuing men And it might be sayde that the Image of God the father hath no such eies nose lippes and a long gray beard with a furred robe nor neuer had as they kerue paint him to haue But if that be a false Image and an Idoll which is otherwise worshipped accepted then it ought to be as the brasen Serpent being a true Image and representation of Christ by abuse was made an Idoll it may be thought in times past and peraduenture howe at this time in some places the Images not onely of S. Iohn or S. Anne but of our Lady Christ be false Images and Idols representing to foolish blind ignorant mens harts and thoughtes that which was not in them and they ought not to be made forâ— The whiche were by you my Lord to haue bene remoued sooner and before that y e captayn there should haue need to haue done 〈◊〉 But if your Lordship be slacke in such matters he that remoueth false images and Idols abused doth not a thing worthy blame Christ called not the mony hauing Cesars Image in it an Idoll when it was vsed to lawfull vses and to pay the due tâ—ibute with all But when a man doth not vse those Images grauen in mony to do his neighbor good and the common wealth seruice S. Paule Christes disciple called that couetousnes and the seruing and bondage to Idols So that eueÌ„ in mony may be idolatry if we make to much of those Images whiche Christ here doth not reprehend There be some so ticklish and so feareful one wayes and so tender stomacked that they can abide no old abuses to be reformed but thinke euery reformatioÌ„ to be a capitall enterprise agaynst al Religion and good order as there be on the contrary side some to rash who hauing no consideration what is to be done headlong wil set vpoÌ„ euery thing The Magistrates duety is betwixte these so in a meane to sit and prouide that olde doting should not take further or deeper ruâ—t in the common wealth neyther auncient error ouercome the seene and tryed trueth nor long abuse for the age and space of time onely still be suffered and yet all these with quietnesse and gentlenesse and without all contention if it were possible to be reformed To the whyche your Lordship as a man to whom God hath geuen greate qualities of witte learning and persuasion coulde bring great helpe and furtherance if it were your pleasure with great thankes of men reward of God The which thing is our full desire and purpose and our harty dayly prayer to God that in the kinges Maiesties time whose Maiesties reigne God preserue al abuses with wisedom reformed Christes Religion with good and polliticke order of the commom wealth without any contention and strife among the kinges Subiectes might florish and daylye encrease And thys to youre Lordships letter sent to maister Uaughan of Portesmouth Winchester to the Lord Protector MAy it please your Grace to vnderstande that I haue noted some poyntes in my Lord of S. Dauids Sermon which I sende vnto you here with whereby to declare vnto you some part what I thinke for the whole I cannot expresse somewhat I shall encomber you with my â—abling but he hath encombred some freÌ„des more with his taâ—ling And alas my Lord this is a piteous case that hauing so muche businesse as ye haue these inward disorders should be added vnto theÌ„ to the courage of such as would this Realme any wayes euill For this is the thinge they would desire with hope therby to disorder this realme being now a time rather to repayre that needeth reparation theÌ„ to make any new buildings which they preteÌ„d Quiet tranquility vnity coÌ„cord shall mainteine estimatioÌ„ The conÌ„trary may animate the enemy to atteÌ„pt that was neuer thought on which God forbid There was neuer attemptate or alteration made in England but vpon coÌ„fort of discorde at home and woe be to them that mindeth it If my Lord of S. Dauides or such others haue theyr head coÌ„bred with any new platforme I would wish they were coÌ„mauÌ„ded betwene this and the kings maiesties full age to draw the plat diligently to hewe the stones dig the sand chop the chalke in the vnseasonable time of building and when the kings maiesty commeth to full age to present theyr labors to him and in the meane time not to disturbe the state of the realme whereof your Grace is Protectior but that you may in euery part of religion lawes landes and decrees which foure contein the state deliuer the same to our soueraygn Lord according to the trust you be put in whiche shall be much to your honor as all honest men wish and desire To which desired effect there can be nothyng so noysome coÌ„trarious as trouble disquiet Wherin your Grace shal be specially troubled as on whose shoulders al the weight lieth and what so euer shall happen amisse by the faultes of other shal be imputed to your Grace as doer therof or wanting foresight in time to withstand the same And albeit that you minde not to be faulty in either yet if the effecte be not to the Realme as were to be wished the prince and though he were of age should be excused and y e gouernors here the blame And this is y e infelicity of preheminence and authority and specially in this Realme as storyes make mention which should not discourage you for you neede feare nothing without if quiet be reserued at home and at home if the beginning be resisted the inteÌ„ded folly may easily bee interrupted But if my brother of S. Dauids may like a champion with his sword in his hand make enter for the rest the doore of licence opened there shal moâ— by folly thrust in with him theÌ„ your grace would wish Thus as I thinke I write homely to your grace Wyly Winchester vnder pretense of geuing sage councell craâ—tely goeth about to incense set the Lorde Protectour agaynst all good men and all Godly proceedinges because you were content I should write wherin I consider onely to haue all thinges well And because your grace is the Protector and the chiefe dirâ—etor of the realme to preseÌ„t vnto your wisedome what my folly is I haue bene oftentimes blamed for fearing ouermuch and yet I haue had an incling that they that so blamed me feared eueÌ„ as much as I. Being in the state that you be iâ— it shal be euer coÌ„meÌ„dable to foresee the worst In quiet ye be strong in trouble ye
father that speaketh within you Euen the very heaâ—es of your head are all numbred Lay vp treasure for your selues sayth he where no theefe commeth nor moth corrupteth Feare not them that kill the body but are not able to kill the soule but feare hym that hath power to destroy both soule and body If ye were of the world the world would loue his owne Iohn 15. but because ye are not of the world but I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Let these and suche like consolations taken out of the Scriptures strengthen you to godward Let not the examples of holy men and women go out of your minde as Daniel and the rest of the prophets of the three children of Eleazarus that constaÌ„t father of the vij of the Machabies children of Peter Paule Steuen and other Apostles and holy Martyrs in the beginning of the Church As of good Symeon Archbishop of Seloma and Zetrophone with infinite other vnder Sapores the King of the Persians and Indians who contemned all torments deuised by the tyraunts for their sauiours sake Returne returne agayne into Christes warre Ephes. 6. and as becommeth a faithfull warriour put on that armour that S. Paule teacheth to be most necessary for a Christian man And aboue all things take to you the shield of fayth and be you prouoked by Christes own example to withstand the diuell to forsake the world and to become a true and faythfull member of his mysticall body who spared not his owne body for our sinnes Throw downe your selfe with the feare of his threatned vengeaunce for this so great and haynous an offence of Apostasie and comfort your selfe on the other part wyth the mercy bloud and promise of him that is ready to turne vnto you whensoeuer you turne vnto him Disdayne not to come agayne with the lost sonne seing you haue so waÌ„dred with him Be not ashamed to turne againe with hym from the swill of straungers to the delicates of your most benigne and louing father acknowledging that you haue sinned against heauen and earth Against heauen by stayning the glorious name of God and causing his most sincere and pure word to be euill spoken of through you Against earth by offending so many of your weake brethren to whom you haue bene a stumbling blocke through your sodaine sliding Be not abashed to come home againe with Mary and weepe bitterly with Peter not only with sheding the teares of your bodily eyes but also powring out the streames of your hart to wash away out of the sight of God the filth and mire of your offensiue fall Be not abashed to say with the Publicane Luke 1â— Lord be mercifull vnto me a sinner Remember the horrible hystory of Iulian of olde and the lamentable case of Spyra of late whose case me thinke should be yet so greene in your remembrance that being a thing of our time you should feare the like inconuenience seeing you are falne into the like offence Last of all let the liuely remembrance of the last day be alwayes afore your eyes remembring the terrour that suche shall bee in at that time with the runnagates and fugitiues from Christ which setting more by the worlde then by heauen more by theyr lyfe then by him that gaue them lyfe dyd shrinke yea did cleane fall away from him that forsooke not them and contrarywise the inestimable ioyes prepared for them that fearing no perill nor dreading death haue manfully fought and victoriously triumphed ouer all power of darkenesse ouer hell deathe and damnation thorough theyr most redoubted Captaine Christ who nowe stretcheth out his armes to receaue you ready to fall vppon your necke and kysse you and last of all to feast you with the deynties and delicates of his owne precious bloud which vndoubtedly if it might stand with his determinate purpose he woulde not set to shed againe rather then you should be lost To whome with the Father and the holy Ghost be all honour prayse and glory euerlasting Amen Be constant be constant feare not for no payne Christ hath redeemed thee and heauen is thy gayne ¶ A Letter written by the Lady Iane in the ende of the new Testament in Greeke the which she sent vnto her sister Lady Katherine the night before she suffered I Haue heere sent you good Sister Katherine a booke which although it be not outwardly trimmed with gold 〈…〉 of the â—â—dy Iane the â—ady 〈…〉 yet inwardly it is more worth then precious stones It is the booke deare Sister of the law of the Lord. It is his Testament and last will which he bequeathed vnto vs wretches which shall leade you to the path of eternall ioy and if you with a good minde reade it and with an earnest mind do purpose to follow it it shall bring you to an immortall and euerlasting life It shall teache you to liue and learne you to die It shall winne you more then you should haue gained by the possession of your wofull fathers landes For as if God had prospered him you should haue inherited his landes so if you apply diligently this booke seeking to direct your lyfe after it you shall be an inheritour of such riches as neither the couetous shall withdrawe from you neither theefe shall steale neyther yet the mothes corrupt Desire with Dauid good Sister to vnderstande the lawe of the Lorde your God Liue still to dye that you by death may purchase eternall life 〈◊〉 liue to 〈◊〉 that by 〈◊〉 you 〈◊〉 liue And trust not that the tendernesse of your age shall lengthen your life For as soone if God call goeth the yong as the olde and labour alwayes to learne to dye Defye the world denie the deuill and despise the fleshe and delite your selfe onely in the Lorde Be penitent for your sinnes and yet despayre not be strong in fayth and yet presume not and desire with S. Paule to be dissolued and to be wyth Christ with whome euen in death there is lyfe Be like the good seruaunt and euen at midnight be waking least when death commeth and stealeth vpon you like a theefe in the night you be wyth the euill seruaunt found sleeping and least for lacke of oyle you be found like the fyue foolish women and lyke hym that had not on the wedding garment and then yee be cast out from the marriage Reioyce in Christ as I do Follow the steps of your mayster Christ and take vp your Crosse lay your sinnes on hys backe and alwayes embrace hym And as touching my death reioyce as I do good Sister that I shall be deliuered of this corruption and put on incorruption For I am assured that I shall for losing of a mortall life winne an immortall life the which I pray God graunt you and send you of his grace to liue in hys feare and to dye in the true Christian fayth from the which in Gods name I exhort you that you neuer swarue
tyme of weaknes Likewise when the king first came if it had bene done they might haue sayd it had bene by force violence But now euen now * Imo poâ—â—stas tenebrarum hora est the houre is come when no thing can be obiected but that it is the mere mercy and prouidence of God Nowe hath the Popes holynesse Pope Iulius the 3. sent vnto vs this most reuerend father Ste. Garâ—â—â—ner clawâ—eth the Cardinalâ— Cardinall Poole an Ambassadour from his side What to doe not to reueÌ„ge the iniuries done by vs agaynst his holines sed benedicere malediceÌ„tibus to geue his benedictioÌ„ to those which defamed and persecuted him And that we may be the more meete to receiue the sayd benedictioÌ„ I shall desire you that we may alway acknowledge our selues offeÌ„ders agaynst his holines Note hoâ— the meaning of Sâ— Paules wordes is here applâ—â—ed I do not exclude my selfe forth of the number I will flere cum flentibus gaudere cum gaudentibus that is weep with them that weep and reioyce with them which reioyce And I shall desire you that we may deferre the matter no longer for now hora est the houre is come The King and the Queenes Maiesties haue already restored our holy Father the Pope to his supremacy and the three estates assembled in the Parliament representing the whole body of the Realme haue also submitted themselues to his holines and his successors * For eueâ— Winchestâ—â— a false Pâ—â—â—phet S. Paule though 〈◊〉 was the fâ—â—ther of mâ—â—ny Churâ—ches in Christ Ieâ—â—â— yet was hâ— neuer so arragant 〈◊〉 take vpon him to be supreme head of 〈◊〉 church 〈◊〉 left that 〈◊〉 to Chriâ—â— laboure to bring 〈◊〉 vnder him for euer Wherefore let not vs any longer stay And euen as S. Paule sayd to the Corinthians that he was theyr father so may the Pope saye that he is our Father for we receiued our doctrine first from Rome therefore he may challenge vs as his owne We haue all cause to reioyce for hys holynesse hath sent hither and preueÌ„ted vs before we sought him such care hath he for vs. Therefore let vs say Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus exultemus laetemur in ea Reioyce in this day which is of the Lordes working that suche a noble man of byrth is come yea suche a holye Father I meane my Lord Cardinall Poole which can speake vnto vs as vnto brethren and not as vnto straungers who hath a long time bene absent And let vs now awake whiche so long haue slept and in our sleepe haue done so much naughtines agaynst the Sacramentes of Christ denying the blessed Sacrament of the Aultar and pulled downe the * So Ezechâ—â—as pulled downe thâ— hill Altâ—â— which Mâ—â—nasses afteâ—â—ward did vp and 〈◊〉 we commend thâ— doings oâ— Ezechias disproue the facte 〈◊〉 the other aultars which thing Luther himselfe would not doe but rather reproued them that did examining them of theyr beliefe in Christ. This was the summe of this Sermon before his prayers wherein he prayed first for the Pope Pope Iulius the 3. withall his Colledge of Cardinals the B. of LondoÌ„ with the rest of that order then for the king and Queene the nobility of this Realme and last for the commons of the same with the soules departed lying in the paynes of Purgatory This ended the time being late they beganne in Paules to ring to theyr Euening song wherby the precher could not be well heard whiche caused him to make a short end of this clerkly Sermon About this very time a Poste or Messenger was sent froÌ„ the whole Parliament to the Pope to desire him to coÌ„firme and establish the sale of Abbey landes and Chauntry landes For the Lordes and the Parliament would grauÌ„t nothing in the Popes behalfe before theyr purchases were fully confirmed Upon the Thursday folowing being the 6. day of december and S. Nicholas day Decemb. all the whole Conuocation both Bishops and other were sent for to Lambeth to the Cardinall The Châ—â—â—ter of Paules â—â—â—solued by the Carâ—â—â—nall Decembâ—â— 12. who the same day forgaue them all theyr perâ—urations schismes and heresies and they all there kneeled downe and receiued his absolution and after an exhortation and gratulation for theyr conuersion to the catholicke church made by the Cardinall they departed Upon the Wednesday being the 12. of December fiue of the 8. menne which lay in the Fleete that were of M. Throgmortons quest were discharged and set at libertye vpon their fine payed which was ccxx li a piece and the other â—oure put vp a Supplication therein declaring that their goods did not amount to the summe that they were appointed to pay and so vpon that declaration paying lx.li. a piece they were deliuered out of prison vpon S. Thomas day before Christmas beyng the xxi of December Upon the Saterday followyng beyng the xxij of December all the whole Parliament had strait commaundement that none of them should depart into their countrey this Christmas nor before the Parliament were ended Which commandement was wonderful contrary to their expectations For as well many of the Lords as also many of the inferior sort had sent for their horse and had them brought hither December â—8 Upon the Friday following being the 28. of December and Childermas day the Prince of Piedmont came to the court at Westminster Anno. 1555. Upon Newyeares day at night folowing certain honest men and women of the Citie to the number of xxx a minister with them named M. Rose were taken as they were in a house in Bow Churchyard at the Communion and the same night they were al committed to prison And on the Thursday following being the 3. day of Ianuary M. Rose was before the B. of Winchester beyng L. Chancellor and from thence the same day he was committed to the Tower after certaine communication had betweene the Bishop and him The acte of supremacy passed in the Parlament The same day the Act of the supremacie past in the parlament Also the same day at night was a great tumult betwene Spaniards English men at Westminster wherof was like to haue ensued great mischief through a Spanish Frier which got into the Church and rong Alarum The occasion was about two whores which were in the cloister of Westminster with a sort of Spaniards A styrre betweene the Spanyardes and English men at Westminster whereof whilest some playd the knaues with them other some dyd keepe the entry of the Cloister with Dags in harneis In the meane tyme certaine of the Deanes men came into the cloister and the Spaniards discharged their dags at them and hurt some of them By and by the noyse of this doyng came into the streetes so that the whole towne was vp almost but neuer a stroke was striken Notwithstandyng the noise of this doyng with the Deanes men and also the ringing of the Alarum made
much ado and a great number also to be sore afrayd Ye heard a little before the Councels letter sent to B. Boner signifiyng the good newes of Queene Mary to be not onely conceyued but also quicke with childe which was in the moneth of Nouember the xxviij day Of this child great talke began at this tyme to ryse in euery mans mouth with busy preparation and much ado especially amongst such as semed in England to cary Spanish hartes in English bodies In number of whom here is not to be forgotten nor defrauded of his condigne commendatioÌ„ for his woorthy affection toward his Prince and her issue one sir Rich. Southwel who being the same tyme in the parlament house when as the Lordes were occupied in other affaires matters of importance sodainly starting vp for fulnes of ioy brast out in these words folowing Tush my Maisters quoth he what talke ye of these matters I would haue you take some order for our yong maister that is now comming into the world apace The wordes of Sir Rich. Southwell â—n the Parliament house for his yong master lest he find vs vnprouided c. By the which words both of him and also by the foresaid letters of the counsaile and the common talke abroad it may appeare what an assured opinion was theÌ„ conceiued in mens heds of Queene Mary to be conceiued and quicke with child In so much that at the same tyme and in the same Parliament there was eftsoones a bill exhibited and an Act made vpon the same the words wherof for the more euidence I thought here to exemplificate as vnder followeth ¶ The wordes of the Acte ALbeit we the Lordes spirituall and temporal the commons in this present parliament assembled Ex sâ—at â—n 1. 2. Phil. Mar. cap. 10. haue firme hope confidence in the goodnes of almighty God that like as he hath hitherto miraculously preserued the Queenes maiesty from many great imminent perils and daungers euen so he will of his infinite goodnes geue her highnes strength the rather by our continuall prayers to passe well the danger of deliuerance of chylde The iudgement of the 〈…〉 in God 〈…〉 wherwith it hath pleased him to al our great comforts to blesse her Yet forasmuch as all things of this world be vncertaine and hauing before our eyes the dolorous experience of this inconstant gouernment during the tyme of the raigne of the late king Edward the 6. do plainly see the manifold inconueniences great dangers and perils that may ensue to this whole realme if foresight be not vsed to preuent all euill chances if they should happen For the eschewyng hereof we the Lordes spirituall temporall and the commons in this present Parliament assembled for and in consideration of a most speciall trust and confidence thot we haue and repose in the kings maiesty Order taken by Parliament for Q. Maries child for and coÌ„cerning the politike gouernment order and administration of this realm in the tyme of the yong yeres of the issue or issues of her maiesties body to bee borne if it should please God to call the Queenes highnes out of this present lyfe during the tender yeares of such issue or issues which God forbid according to such order and maner as hereafter in this present Acte his highnes most gracious pleasure is should be declared and set forth haue made our humble sute by the assent of the Queenes highnes that his maiestie would vouchsafe to accept and take vppon hym the rule order education and gouernment of the sayd issue or issues to bee borne as is aforesayd vpon which our sute beyng of his said maiestie most graciously accepted it hath pleased his highnesse not onely to declare that like as for the most part his maiesty verely trusteth that almighty God who hath hitherto preserued the Queenes maiesty to geue this realme so good an hope of certayne succession in the bloud royall of the same realme will assist her highnes with his graces and benedictions to see the fruite of her body well brought forrh Trust disapoynted lyue and able to gouerne whereof neither all this realme ne all the world besides should or coulde receiue more comfort then his maiesty should and would yet if such chaunce should happen hys maiesty at our humble desires is pleased and contented not onely to accept and take vpoÌ„ him the cure and charge of the education rule order and gouernmeÌ„t of such issues as of this most happy Mariage shall be borne betweene the Queenes highnes and him but also during the time of such gouernment would by all wayes and meanes study trauaile and employ hymselfe to aduance the weale both publike priuate of this realme and dominions thereunto belonging according to the sayd trust in his maiestye reposed with no lesse good will and affection then if his highnesse had bene naturally borne amongst vs. In consideration whereof be it enacted by the King and the Quenes most excellent maiesties by the assent of the Lordes spirituall and temporall and the commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the authoritie of the same c. as it is to be seene in the Acte more at large ratified and confirmed at the same Parliament to the same entent and purpose ¶ Thus much out of the Acte and statute I thought to rehearse to the entent the Reader may vnderstand not so much how Parliaments may sometimes be deceiued as by this childe of Queene Mary may appeare as rather what cause we Englishmen haue to render most earnest thanks vnto almighty god who so mercifully against the opinion expectatioÌ„ and working of our aduersaries hath helped deliuered vs in this case which otherwise might haue opened such a window to the Spaniardes to haue entred and replenished this land that peradueÌ„ture by this tyme Englishmen should haue enioyed no great quiet in their owne countrey the Lord therefore make vs perpetually myndfull of his benefits Amen Thus we see then how man doth purpose but God disposeth as pleaseth him For all this great labour prouision and order taken in the Parliament house for their yoÌ„g maister long looked for commyng so surely into the world in the end appeared neither yong maister nor young maistresse that any man yet to this day can heare of Furthermore as the labour of the lay sort was herein deluded The Prayers of the Papistes of what litle effect they are with God so no lesse ridiculous it was to behold what litle effect the prayers of the Popes Churchmen had wyth almighty God who trauailed no lesse with their processions Masses and Collects for the happy deliueraunce of thys yong maister to come as here followeth to be seene ¶ A prayer made by D. Weston Deane of Westminster daily to be sayd for the Queenes deliueraunce O Most righteous Lord God which for the offence of the first woman hast threatened vnto all women a common sharpe A prayer for
litle memorandum of the wordes or consultation of Queene Mary vsed to certayne of the Counsel the eight and twenty day of the sayd month of March touching the restoring agayne of the Abbey landes Who after she had called vnto her presence foure of her priuye Counsell the day and Moneth aforesayd the names of whiche Counsellers were these 1 William Lord Marques of Winchester high treasurer of England The naâ—â— of the Câ—â—â—â—sellers 〈◊〉 before Q. Maâ—â— 2 Syr Robert Rochester knight the queenes Controller 3 Syr William Peter knight Secretary 4 Syr Fraunces Inglefielde knighte Mayster of Wardes The sayde Queene Mary inferred these wordes the principall effecte and summe whereof here foloweth The effect of Q. Maryes 〈◊〉 touching Abbay landes 〈◊〉 restored You are here of our Counsell and we haue willed you to be called vnto vs to the entent ye might heare of me my conscience and the resolution of my mind coÌ„cerning the lands possessions as well of Monasteries as other Churches whatsoeuer being now presently in my possession Firste I doe consider that the sayd landes were taken awaye from the Churches aforesayde in time of schisme and that by vnlawfull meanes suche as are contrary both to the law of God and of the Church The Q. â—â—â—keth a coâ—â—science iâ— keeping Abbay landes For the which cause my conscience doeth not suffer mee to deteyne them and therefore I here expressely refuse eyther to clayme or to retayne the sayde landes for mine but with all my hart freely and willingly without all paction or condition here and before God I doe surrender and relinquishe the sayde landes and possessions or inheritaunces what so euer The Q. 〈◊〉 rendreth from herâ—self the pâ—â—session of Abbay landes and doe renounce the same with this minde and purpose that order and disposition thereof may be taken as shall seeme best liking to our most holy Lord the Pope or els his Legate the Lord Cardinall to the honour of God and wealth of this our Realme And albeit you may obiect to me agayne that considering the state of my kingdome the dignity thereof and my Crowne Imperiall can not be honorably mainteined and furnished without the possessions aforsayde yet notwythstanding I set more by the saluation of my soule then by x. kingdomes and therfore the sayd possessions I vtterly refuse here to hold after that sort and title and geue most harty thankes to almighty God which hath geuen me an husband likewise minded with no lesse good affection in thys behalfe then I am my selfe Wherefore I charge and commaund that my Chauncellour with whom I haue conferred my minde in thys matter before and you foure Promise restitutioâ— of Abbay â—andes to morow together do resort to the most reuerend Lord Legate and doe signify to him the premises in my name and geue your attendaunce vpon him for the more full declaration of the state of my kingdome and of the foresayd possessions accordinglye as you your selues do vnderstand the matter and can inform him in the same This Intimation being geuen by the Queene firste vnto the Counsellours and then comming to the Cardinals hand he drawing out a copy therof in Latine seÌ„t the same to the Pope which copy drawne into Latine comming afterwarde to my hand I haue thus translated into English as ye haue heard Furthermore here by the way is to be vnderstand that in the moneth before which was February and in the xix day of the sayd moneth the Bishop of Ely Ambassadours sent from England to Rome February 1â— with the Lorde Mountacute and seuen score horse were sent as ambassadours from the king and Queene vnto Rome For what cause in story it is not expressed but by coniecture it maye be wel supposed to be for the same cause of Abbey lands as by the sequele therof may probably appeare For it was not long after but the Pope did sette foorth in Print a Bull of Excommunication for all maner suche persons without exception as kept any of the Churche or Abbey landes by vertue of which Bull The Popes Bull for 〈◊〉 Abbay landes the Pope excommunicated as well all such as had any of the Churche or Abbey lands as also all such Princes Bishops noble men Iustices of peace and other in office who had not or did not forthwith put the same Bull in execution Albeit this execution God be thanked yet to this day was neuer put in practise Wherein agayne is to be obserued an other Catholick fetch not vnwoorthy perchaunce of marking For where this kinde of Catholickes by rigour and force may ouermayster they spare for no coste but laye on loade enough This well appeared Note the nature of the Papistes where they can ouercâ—me they are Lions where theâ— are ouermatched they play the Foxes still doeth appeare in burnyng the poore pacient christiaÌ„s whoÌ„ because they see to be destitute of power and strength to resiste them and contente wyth pacience to receiue what so euer is put vnto them there they play the Lions and make no end of burning and persecutinge But where they spye themselues to bee ouermatched or feare to receiue a foyle in presuming too farre there they keepe in and can stay the executioÌ„ of their lawes and Bulles be they neuer so Apostolicall tyll they spye their time coÌ„uenient for theyr purpose as in this case is euident for all the world to see Anno 1555. Aprill For notwithstanding that the Popes Bull commyng downe with full authority for restitution of Abbey landes did so thunder out most terrible excoÌ„munication not only agaynst them which deteined any such landes Here lacked good will in the Bishops but 〈◊〉 as yet did not 〈◊〉 them but also agaynste all other that did not see the Popes commaundement to be executed yet neyther Winchester nor any of all the Popes Clergye woulde greatlye styrre in that matter perceiuing the Nobility to be too strong for them to match withall and therefore were contented to let the case fall or at least to staye for a time while time might better serue them Yea and moreouer vnder a crafty pretense that the nobility and men of landes at the first commyng out of the Bull should not be exasperate too much against them they subtlely abused the Pulpites and dissembled with the people affirming that the sayde Popes late Bull sette forth in Print for restitution of Abbey landes was not meant for England but for other forreigne countries where in very deed the meaning of that Bull was onely for England no country els as both by this intimatioÌ„ of Queene Mary here mentioned and by many other coniectures and also by Maister Fecknams Ballet of Caueat emptor may appeare M. Fecknams ballet of Caueat Emptor Whereby it is easye for all men to vnderstand what the purpose of those men was to doe if tyme which they obserued might haue serued theyr deuotioÌ„ But to let this matter
sauing the Gloria in excelsis the Epistle and Gospell the Creed and the Pater noster for this cause they say they haue not nor will not come and heare Masse To the seuenth Iohn Ardeley aunswereth and sayth that he beleueth the contentes of the same to bee true but Iohn Symson doth answere that he is not as yet fully resolued with himselfe what aunswere to make therunto further sayth that as touching the common and dayly seruice sayd vsed in the church he sayth that he neuer sayd that seruice in the Churche ought to be sayd but in the Englishe tongue nor yet he neuer sayd that if it be otherwise sayd and vsed then in English it is vnlawful and nought Iohn Ardeley and Iohn Symson An other appearance of Simson and Iohn Ardeley before the Byshop Thus these articles being to them obiected and theyr aunsweres made vnto the same as before the Bishop according to the old trade of his Consistorie Court respited them to the after noone biddyng them to make their appearaunce the sayd day and place betweene the houres of two and three At what tyme the sayd Byshop repeatyng agayne the sayd articles vnto them and beginnyng with Iohn Ardeley did vrge and solicitate according to his maner of wordes to recant To whom Iohn Ardely againe constantly standyng to his professed Religion The wordes of Iohn Ardeley to Boner gaue answere in wordes as foloweth My Lord quoth he neyther you nor any other of your Religion is of the Catholique Church for you be of a false fayth and I doubt not but you shall be deceyued at length beare as good a face as ye can You will shedde the innocent bloud and you haue killed many and yet goe abot to kyll more c. And added further saying If euery heare of my head were a man I would suffer death in the opinion and fayth that I am now in These with many other woordes he spake Iohn Ardeley â— Iohn Simson condemned Then the Byshop yet demaunding if he woulde relinquish his erroneous opinions as he called them and be reduced againe to the vnitie of y e Church he answeared as foloweth No God foreshield that I should so do for then I should loose my soule After this the sayd Byshop asking Iohn Ardeley after his formall manner if he knewe any cause why hee shoulde not haue sentence condemnatorie agaynst hym so read the condemnation as he also did against Iohn Simson standyng lykewyse in the same cause and constancie with Iohn Ardeley which was done the xxv day of May and so were they both committed to the secular power that is to the handes of the Sheriffes to be conueyed to the place where they should be executed But before I come to their execution here is not to be passed a thing not vnworthy the looking vpon which happened in the closing vp of the examination of these two innocent martyrs of God which is this A Note At the tyme of the examination of this Symson and Iohn Ardeley aforesaid A note of the sodaine feare of Boner there was assembled such a great multitude of people that because the Consistorie was not able to hold them they were fayne to stand in the Church neare about the sayd Consistorie wayting to see the prisoners when they should depart It happened in the meane time that the Bishop being set in heate with the stoute and bolde aunsweares of the sayd two prisoners especially of Iohn Symson burst out in his loud and angry voice and sayd Haue him away haue him away Now the people in the Church hearing these wordes and thinking because the daye was farre spent that the prisoners had their iudgement they beyng desirous to see the prisoners had to Newgate seuered them selues one runnyng one way an other an other way whiche caused such a noyse in the Church that they in y e Consistorie were all amased and marueiled what it should meane wherfore the Byshop also being somewhat afrayde of this sodayne styrre The ridiculous feare of Boner and his Doctourâ— asked what there was to do The standers by answeryng sayd that there was like to be some tumult for they were together by the eares When the Bishop heard this by by his hart was in his heeles leauing his seat he with the rest of that court be tooke them to theyr legges hastening with all speed possible to recouer the doore that went into the bishops house but the rest being somewhat lighter of foot then my Lorde did sooner recouer the dore and thronging hastily to gette in kept the bishop still out and cryed Saue my Lord saue my Lord but meaning yet first to saue themsâ—lues if any daunger should come whereby they gaue the standers by good matter to laugh at reseÌ„bling in some part a spectacle not much vnlike to the old stagers at Oxford worse feared then hurt when as the Church there was noysed to be on fire wherof ye may read before pag. 1180. But of this matter enough Now Iohn Symson and Iohn Ardeley being deliuered as is aforesayd to the Shiriffes Iohn Simâ—son Ioâ—â— Ardeley 〈◊〉 into Essex be executed The Martyrdome oâ— Simsonâ— Ardeley Iune 10. were shortly after sent downe from LondoÌ„ to Essex where both they on one day which was about the 10. daye of Iune were put to death albeit in seuerall places for Iohn SympsoÌ„ suffered at Rochford Iohn Ardeley the same day was had to Railey where he finished his martyrdome most quietly in the quarrell of Christes Gospell * A note of Iohn Ardeley FOr the better consideration of the rigorous crueltye of these Catholick dayes this is furthermore not vnworthy of all men to be noted and knowen to all posteritie concerning the examinations of this Ardeley and his company how that they being brought before the Commissioners were by them greatly charged of stubbornes and vayne glory Vnto whom they aunswered in defence of their owne simplicitie that they were content willingly to yeelde to the Queene all their goodes and landes so that they might be suffered to liue vnder her in keepyng their conscience free from all Idolatie and papisticall Religion Yet this would not be graunted although they had offered all to their hart bloud so greedy and so thirsty be tbese persecutors of Christian bloud The Lord geue them repentaunce if it be his wil and kepe from them the iust reward of such cruel dealing Amen The ridiculous handling and proceedyng of Byshop Boner and his mates against Iohn Tooly first suspected and condemned after his death and then digged out of his graue and geuen to the secular power and so burned for an heretike ABout the same time of the burning of these two aforesayd in the beginning of the sayd moneth of Iune The story of Iohn Tooly fell out a soleme processe much ado was made by the Popes spiritualty agaynst Iohn Tooly in a case of heresy The story is this There
people two wayes and two mansion places The maysters by Christe and Satan the people be seruitures to eyther of these the wayes be strayte and wyde the mansions be Heauen and Hell Agayne consider that thys worlde is the place of tryall of Gods people and the deuils seruauntes for as the one will follow hys mayster what soeuer commeth of it so will the other For a tyme it is hard to discerne who pertayneth to God and who to the Deuill as in the calme and peace â—ffliction â—â—eth who 〈◊〉 with God and who goe with the Deuill who is a good shipman and warriour and who is not But as when the storme aryseth the expert mariner is knowne and as in warre the good souldiour is seene so in affliction and the Crosse easily Gods children are knowne from Sathans seruauntes for then as the good seruaunt will followe his mayster so will the godly followe theyr captayne come what come will where as the wicked and hipocrites will bid adewe and desire lesse of Chrystes acquayntaunce For whiche cause the Crosse is called a probation and tryall because it tryeth who will goe wyth God and who will forsake hym â—hristes 〈◊〉 the â—â—aller and 〈◊〉 And nowe in Englande wee see howe small a companye Christe hath in comparison of Sathans Souldioures Let no manne deceiue hymselfe for hee that gathereth not wyâ—h Chryste scattereth abroade No man canne serue two maysters the Lorde abhorreth double heartes the luke warme that is such as are both hote and colde hee spitteth out of hys mouthe None that halte on bothe knees doth GOD take for hys seruauntes The way of Chryste is the strayte waye and so straite that as a few finde it and few walke in it so no man can halte in it but must needs goe vpright for as the straytnes will suffer no reeling to this side or that side so if anye man halte he is lyke to fall of the bridge into the pit of eternall perdition Striue therefore good mayster Doctour nowe you haue founde it to enter into it and if you shoulde be called or pulled backe looke not on this side or that side or behynde you as Lots wyfe did but strait forwardes on the end which is set before you though it bee to come as euen nowe present lyke as you doe and will your pacientes to doe in purgations and other your ministrations A wise man will euer consider the ende to consider the effecte that will ensue where through the bitternesse and lothsomnesse of the purgation is so ouercome and the paynefulnes in abiding the woorkyng of that is minystred is so eased that it maketh the pacient willyngly and ioyfullye to receaue that is to be receiued althoughe it be neuer so vnpleasaunt so I saye sette before you the ende of thys strayte waye and then doubtlesse as Paule sayth aeternum pondus gloriae pariet i. It shall bryng with it an eternall weight of glory whilest we looke not on the thinge whiche is seene for that is temporall but on the thynge whiche is not seene whiche is eternall So dothe the husbandman in plowing and tillyng set before hym the haruest tyme so doth the fisher consider the draught of hys nette rather then the castyng in so dothe the Marchaunt the returne of hys marchaundise and so shoulde we in these stormye dayes set before vs not the losse of our goodes libertye and verye lyfe but the reapyng tyme the commyng of oure Sauioure Christ to iudgement the fire that shall burne the wicked and disobedient to GODS Gospell the blaste of the Trumpe the exceeding glory prepared for vs in heauen eternally such as the eye hath not seene the eare hath not heard not the hart of man can conceaue The more we lose here The glorious recompence of such as suffer for the Lord. the greater ioye shall we haue there The more we suffer the greater triumphe For corruptible drosse wee shall finde incorruptible treasures for golde glorye for siluer solace without ende for riches robes royall for earthly houses eternall pallaces myrthe without measure pleasure without payne felicitie endles Summa we shall haue God the father the sonne and the holye Ghost Oh happye place oh that thys daye woulde come Then shall the ende of the wicked be lamentable then shall they receaue the iust rewarde of Gods vengeaunce then shall they crye woe woe that euer they dyd as they haue done Reade Sapien. 2.3.4.5 Read Mathew 25. Read 1 Corinthians 15. 2. Corrinthians 5. and by faythe which GOD increase in vs consider the thing there sette foorthe And for youre comforte reade Hebrewes 11. to see what fayth hath done alwayes consideryng the way to heauen to be by many trybulations and that all they which wyll lyue godlye in Christ Iesu must suffer persecution You knowe thys is oure Alphabet He that will be my Disciple The way to heauen is by tribulations sayth Chryst must denye himselfe and take vp hys Crosse and followe me not thys Byshop nor that Doctour not this Emperoure nor that Kynge but me sayth Christ For he that loueth father mother wyfe children or very life bettter then me is not worthye of me Remember that the same Lorde saythe Hee that will saue hys lyfe shall lose it Comforte your selfe with thys Math. 8. that as the Deuils had no power ouer the Porkets or ouer Iobs goodes without Gods leaue so shall they haue man ouer you Remember also that all the heares of your head are numbred with God The Deuill may make one beleeue he will drowne hym as the Sea in hys surges threatneth to the land but as the Lorde hath appoynted boundes for the one ouer the whiche hee can not passe so hath he done for the other On God therefore cast your care loue hym serue hym after hys worde feare hym trust in hym hope at hys hand for all helpe and alwayes praye lookyng for the Crosse and whensoeuer it commeth be assured the Lorde as he is faythfull so he will neuer tempte you further then hee will make you able to beare but in the middest of the temptation will make suche an euasion as shall be most to his glorye and your eternall comforte GOD for hys mercye in Christe with hys holye spirite endue you comfort you vnder the winges of hys mercye shadowe you and as hys deare childe guyde you for euermore To whose mercfull tuition as I doe with my harty prayer commit you so I doubt not but you pray for me also so I beseech you to doe still My brother P. telleth me you woulde haue the last part of S. Hieromes woorkes to haue the vse thereof for a fortenight I cannot for these three dayes well forbeare it but yet on Thursday next I will send it you if God let me not and vse me and that I haue as your owne The LORD for hys mercye in Chryste directe our wayes to hys glorye Out of prison by yours to commaund Iohn Bradford