THE MARROW OF Ecclesiastical History CONTAINED IN The LIVES of one hundred forty eight FATHERS SCHOOLMEN first REFORMERS and MODERN DIVINES which have flourished in the Church since Christ's time to this present Age Faithfully collected and orderly disposed according to the CENTURIES wherein they lived Together With the Lively Effigies of most of the eminentest of them cut in COPPER The second Edition enlarged in most of the Lives with the addition of nine Lives which were not in the Former By SAMUEL CLARK Pastor of Bennet Fink London Vt qui praeceptis non accendimur saltem exemplis incitemur atque in appetitu Rectitudinis nil sibi mens nostra difficile astimet quod perfectè peragi ab aliis videt Greg. Mag. l. 9. c 43. Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race which is set before us Heb. 12. 1. London Printed for T. V. and are to be sold by William Roybould at the Vnicorn in Pauls-Church-yard 1654. To the Christian Reader CHRISTIAN READER THe nature of man is more apt to be guided by Examples then by Precepts especially by the the examples of men eminently learned and of great repute for Pietie and Godliness Such men are as Looking-glasses to the places where they live by which most people dress themselves and when they fall into sin they fall like men in a croud many falling with them The bodies of men are not so subject to be infected by the illness of the ayr as the souls of men by the ill examples of godly learned Ministers When Peter at Antioch dissembled many of the Jews dissembled likewise with him and Barnâ—ibas was brought into their dissimulation also It is very remarkable that this example of Peter is said to be a constraining of the Gentiles to Judaize Why constrainest thou the Gentiles to do as the Jews Gal. 2 14. There is a compulsive power in the ill examples of godly men to constrain others to do the evil that they do and therefore let godly Ministers especially in these days take heed least by any wicked compliance they build men up in sin and bring destruction upon themselves as the two sons of old Ely did who by their wicked examples made the people of Israel to transgress and thereby brought ruine upon their old Father and themselves 1 Sam. 2. 24. And so on the contrary there is a heavenly power and efficacy in the good examples of men eminent in place and godliness to draw others to Pietie and Holiness As long as Joshua lived and the Elders that had seen all the great works of the Lord that he did for Israel the children of Israel served the Lord. The religious cariage of Theodosius the Emperour in his family made not only his family but his whole Court to be a nourcery of Religion Pezel Mel Hist. in vita Theodo 2. But this is most especially seen in the godly Lives of godly and learned Ministers Herod the King reverenced John Baptist observed him and when he heard him did many things and heard him gladly not so much for the love of his doctrine as because he was a just and holy man and as Jesus Christ saith of him a burning and shining light burning in holy zeal for God as well as shining in Orthodox Doctrine He is called by the Prophet The voyce of him that cryeth in the wilderness And as Nazianzen saith of him he cryed louder by the holiness of his life then the sincerity of his doctrine He was Tota vox All voyce his apparel his diet and his conversation did Preach holiness as well as his doctrine Mar. 6 20. John 5. 35. Isay 40. 3. And therefore is cannot but be a work very profitable to the Church of Christ for any man to write a History of the Lives of the eminently learned and godly Ministers of former times as a fair Copy for Posterity to write after and a Patten for them to imitate This Reverend religious and learned Author hath undertaken this work in this ensuing Treatise and effected it so well as that I thought it not sufficient to give a naked Imprimatur unto it without this additional commendation both of the Author and of his work The Apostle having in the eleventh Chapter to the Hebrews given us a littleâ—Book of Martyrs in the beginning of the twelfth Chapter he calls them A cloud of witnesses Such a cloud of witnesses is contained in this Book And as the childreu of Israel were directed in their journeys by the Pillar of a Cloud that went before them as long as they were in the Wilderness so let us make this cloud of Witnesses so far as it followeth Christ a Pillar of Cloud to guide us while we are in the Wilderness of this World till we come to enjoy that unexpressible happiness of which they are now made partakers So prayeth your servant in Christ Jesus EDMUND CALAMY TO THE Christian Reader Christian Reader THE right improvement of good Examples doth reach the highest ends of man viz. Gods honor and the souls welfare It was an honor unto King David to have so many men of valor under his command And doubtless the wisdom faith love Zeal courage and humility which Gods faithful servants in the several ages of the Church have expressed in their attendance upon him do publish the high praises of his blessed Majesty For if there appear so much worth in small drops what is there in the Seas of Divine Al-sufficiencie He that seeth the Sun-beams bright will see cause to admire the brightness of the Sun it self The luster left upon Moses his face by the reflection of the glory of Gods back parts was a full demonstration of the incomparable infinite glory of his face When we read of me raised above the World despising promises and scorning threatnings whereby they have been assaulted to desert the Truth of the Gospel and to make shipwrack of a good conscience how can we do less then glorifie God in them For can any power on this side Omnipotencie enable sinful men to deny themselves their dearest relations and the greatest earthly advantages for Jesus Christ How much of Deity shines in their Lives who could trample upon preferments laugh at imprisonment and banishment yea with smiles and joys embrace stakes and endure flames in love unto the Lord Jesus Oh what abundant occasion is administred of adoring the most High God in his rich perfections faithfulness and unchangeableness when we consider how even to admiration he hath furnished many of his Ambassadors with raised parts and graces to defend his cause and edifie his Church in the several corners of the World from generation to generation Histories hold forth the acknowledgements extorted from Heathens to the honor of the true God upon the notice taken of Christians gracious carriage both
blessed Spirit of God makes the Soul like a Fountain whose water is pure wholesom and clear For Grace beautifies cleanseth and so saveth the whole man He wrote divers Epistles To St. John To the Ephesians To the Magnesians To the Trallians To the Romanes To the Philadelphians To Polycarp c. Concerning which the learned Scultetus saith Inter dubia incerta numero Epistolas Ignatii Polycarpi Nondum enim inter Orthodoxos convenit sintne Epistolae istae celeberrimorum Martyrum Ignatii Polycarpi an aliorum For which he gives his reasons POLYCARPVS The Life of Polycarp who dyed Anno Chr. 170 POlycarpus was Disciple to S John and Bishop of Smyrna he going with S. John to a Bath at Ephosus and espying Cerinthus the Heretick in it said Fugiamus ocyùs c. Let us depart speedily for fear least the Bath wherein the Lord's adversary is do fall upon us as one of the Fathers made haste out of the house of a wicked man which soon after fell to the ground The History of his Martyrdom is excellently set forth in an Epistle written by his own Church at Smyrna to the Brethren of Pontus out of which so much as concerns this matter I shall transcribe The Congregation which is at Smyrna to the Congregation which is at Philomilium and to all the Congregations throughout Pontus mercy to you peace and the love of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplyed Amen We have written unto you Brethren of those men which have suffered Martyrdom and particularly of blessed Polycarp who by sheding his blood hath through Gods mercy put an end to this persecution the manner whereof we shall now relate to you This holy man hearing of the cruel persecution abroad was therewith nothing terrified but retained the inmovable tranquility of his minde and continued still in the City till at length he was perswaded through the importunity of his friends to betake himself to a certain Farm-place not far from the City where he remained with a few exercising himself night and day in prayer making humble supplications as his usual manner was for the peace and tranquility of all the Churches in the world Having been in prayer three days before his apprehension and now faln asleep he saw in a Vision by night the pillow under his head set on fire and suddenly consumed to ashes which when he awaked he interpreted to them that were present to fore-signifie that his life was neer an end and that his body should be Burned for the testimony of Christ. When the Searchers were now at hand and all the people cryed out Quaeratur Polycarpus Let us search out Polycarp at the earnest entreaty of his friends he removed to another Village unto which the Searchers coming caught two boys and scourged them till one of them confessed and led them to Polycarps lodging Yet might he easily have escaped but he would not saying the will of the Lord be fulfilled and so coming to them he communed with them very cheerfully so that it was wonderful to see those which a little before knew not the man now beholding and viewing his comey age and his grave and constant countenance lamented that they had so imployed themselves for the apprehension of so worthy a person But he on the contrary commanded that the table should be presently spred for them intreating them to eat and dine well requesting but one hours space to make his prayers unto God in which they assenting to he arose and went to prayer and being replenished with the grace of God he so poured out his soul that all that heard him praying were astonished at it yea many of his enemies were sorry that so holy honest and aged a man should be put to death The hour being now come wherein he was to set forwards they set him upon an Ass and brought him to the City of Smyrna upon a solemn Feast day and there met him Herod the Justice of Peace and his Father Nicetes who receiving him into their Chariot said unto him What harm is it to say Lord Caesar to sacrifice and so to be saved At first he answered nothing but when again they urged him he said I will not do according to your counsel They perceiving that he would not be perswaded gave him very rough language and at last tumbled him out of their Chariot whereby he brake his shins But he as though he had received no injury nor hurt at all went bolt upright cheerfully and apace towards the Theater And being come thither a voice came down from Heaven though by reason of the great tumult few heard it Be of good cheer O Polycarp and play the man The speaker no man saw but the voice was heard by many of us The multitude was in a rage and the Proconsul demanded of him whether he were that Polycarp yet withal beckoning to him to deny it said Have respect unto thine age tender thy self swear by the Fortune of Caesar Repent of what is past and say Remove the wicked But Polycarp looking about upon the multitude with a stedfast countenance and casting up his eyes towards Heaven said Remove O Lord these wicked Yet the Proconsul urged him again saying Swear and I will let thee go Blaspheme and defie Christ and thou shalt be safe To whom Polycarp answered Octoginta sex annos illijam inservivi c. Fourscore and six years have I served Christ neither hath he ever offended me in any thing and how then can I revile my King that hath thus kept me The Proconsul still urged and said Swear by the Fortune of Caesar Polycarp replyed If thou requirest of me this vain glory that I should protest the Fortune of Caesar pretending that thou knowest not what I am Know then that I am a Christian And if thou desirest to know the Doctrine of Christianity appoint a day and thou shalt hear it Perswade the people unto this said the Proconsul Truly said Polycarp I thought it my part to make this tender unto you Because we are commanded of God to give unto Governours and Powers whom he hath ordained the honour and obedience which is due unto them and not hurtful unto us but as for these people I deem them not competent judges and therefore will not purge my self before them Then said the Proconsul I have wild Beasts to devour thee unless thou repent Polycarp answered Bring them forth for we have determined with our selves not to repent nor to turn from the better to the worse It s more convenient for you to turn from evill to that which is good and just I will said the Proconsul tame thee with fire if thou set naught by the wild Beasts and wilt not repent To which Polycarp answered you threaten me with sire which shall last but an hour and is quickly quenched but thou art ignorant
David have mercie upon me and receive my soul and wipeing his eies with his hands he said For God's love let me have more fire A third fire being kindled it burn'd more violently yet was he alive a great while in it the last words which he uttered being Lord Jesus have mercy on me Lord Jesus receive my spirit And so he slept in the Lord. In one of his letters he wrote Imprisonment is painfull but libertie upon evill conditions is worse The Prison stink's yet not so much as sweet houses where the fear of God is wanting I must be alone and solitarie it 's better so to be and have God with me then to be in company with the wicked Losse of goods is great but losse of grace and God's favor is greater I cannot tell how to answer before great and learned men Yet it is better to do that then stand naked before God's Tribunal I shall die by the hands of cruâ—ll men he is blessed that loseth his life and fiâ—de's life eteâ—nal There is neither felâ— city nor adversity of this World that is great if it be weighed with the joyes and pâ—ines of the world to come And in the conclusion of the Letter he writes thus I am a precious Jewell now and daintily kept never so daintily before For neither mine owne man nor any of the servants of the house may come to me but my Keeper onely who is a simple rude fellow But I am not troubled thereat In the time of King Edward when he was made Bishop much controversie was betweene him and Doctor Cranmer and Doctor Ridley about the Cappe Rochet c. But when in Queene Maries daies they were all in Prison for the cause of Religion Doctor Ridley wrote thus to him My dear brother forasmuch as I understand by your works which I have but superficially seene that we throughly agree in those things which are the grounds and substantial points of our Religion against which the World so furiously rageth in these daies however formerly in certain by matters and circumstances of Religion your wisdome and my simplicity hath a little jarred each of us following the abundance of his owne sence and judgement Now I say be you assured that even with my whole heart God is my witness in the bowels of Christ I love you in the truth and for the truths sake which abideth in us and shall by the grace of God abide for ever He was above three-quarters of an hour in the fire before he dyed yet even as a Lambe he patiently abode the extremity thereof neither moving forwards backwards or to any side But having his nether parts burned and his bowels faln out he dyed as quietly as a Child in his bed an Christi 1555. The life of Rowland Tailor who died A no. Christi 1555. ROwland Taylor was Doctor of both Laws and Rector of Hadley in Suffolk where Master Thomas Bilney had formerly been a Preacher of the Word and in which place there were few either men or women that were not well learned in the holy Scriptures many having read over the whole Bible and could say a great part of Paul's Epistles by heart Here this D. Taylor preached constantly on Sabbaths Holy-days and at other times when he could get the people together So soon as he was called to this place he left the family of Doct. Cranmer A. B. of Canterbury with whom he had formerly lived like a good shepherd constantly abode with his flock and gave himself wholly to the study of the Sacred Scriptures most faithfully endeavouring to fulfill the precept of Christ to Peter Lovest thou me feed my sheep His life also and conversation was very exemplary and full of holiness He was meek and humble yet would stoutly rebuke sinne in the greatest He was very mild void of all rancor and malice ready to do good to all mer forgiving his enemies and far from doing the least wrong To the poor blinde lame sick bed-rid or that had many children he was a father causing the Parishioners to make good provision for them besides what of his own bounty he gave them He brought up his own children in the fear of God good learning And thus he continued as a good Sheepherd amongst his flock feeding governing and leading them through the wilderness of this wicked world all the days of holy King Edward the sixth But in the beginning of Queen Marie's Reigne two Popish persons suborned a Priest to come and say Mass in his Church Hee being at his study and hearing the Bell to toll went to Church and finding this Priest guarded with drawn swords in his Popish Robes ready to begin the Mass he said unto him Thou Divel who made thee so bold to enter into this Church to profane and defile it with this abominable Idolatry I command thee thou Popish-Wolfe in the name of God to avoid hence and not to presume thus to poyson Christ's flock Then said one Foster the ringleader in this business to Doctor Tailor Thou Traitor what dost thou here to let and disturbe the Queens proceedings Doctor Tailor answered I am no Traitor but the Shepherd which God and my Lord Christ hath appointed to feed this his flock and therefore I have good authority to be here Then said Foster Wilt thou Traiterous Heretick make a commotion and resist violently the Queens proceedings Doctor Tailor answered I make no commotion it s you Papists that make commotions and tumults I resist onely with Gods word against your Popish Idolatries which are contrary to the same and tend to the dishonour of the Queen and the utter subversion of this Realme Then did Foster with his armed men carry Doctor Tailor out of the Church and so the Priest went on with his Mass. Doctor Tailors wife who had followed her Husband to the Church when she saw their violent proceedings kneeled down and holding up her hands with a loud voice said I beseech God the righteous Judge to avenge this injury which this Popish Idolater doth this day to the blood of Christ Then did they thrust her out of the Church also and presently after Foster wrote a complaint against Doct. Tailor to Steven Gardiner who sent his Letters Missive for Doctor Tailor whereupon his friends earnestly entreated him to fly telling him that he could neither expect justice nor favor but imprisonment and cruel death To whom he answered I know my cause to be so good and righteous and the truth so strong upon my side that I will by Gods grace appear before them and to their beards resist their false doings for I beleeve that I shal never be able to doe God so good service as now and that I shal never have so glorious a calling nor so great mercy of God profferd me as I have now wherefore pray for mee and I doubt not but God will
in life and death When you be informed of their unwearyed industrie in services and their undaunted magnanimitie in sufferings for Christ their Lord then conceive that you hear themselves thus speaking unto you with a loud voice Why look you thus upon us Not unto us not unto us but unto the Name of God give glory And as our gracious God is advanced so may our selves be very much advantaged by a due consideration of those things which have been exemplary in the Lives and deaths of choise men Champions for Scripture truths and Patriots for the power of godliness For as Gods Laws are the good mans rules so good Examples are his motives and encouragements The holy Scriptures do hint the prevalency hereof for saving conversion And it is reported that Justin Martyr by observing the pious Lives and patient deaths of the Martyrs was brought to Christ. Men likewise may be fast riveted and more strongly rooted in the Truth received by reflecting upon the sound judgements and spotless Lives of them who have published and maintained it In which respect Pauls speech unto young Timothy is very remarkable But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them Such are witnesses with a witness there are none such The common people are more apt to enquire what Ministers do then what they say And the eye is more operative and affecting then the ear Neither is this only true in regard of Gods Worthies who live with us but also in reference unto them who have lived long before us The Apostle writing to the Hebrews concerning Abels faith he tels them that by it though he be dead he yet speaketh Upon which phrase famous Master Perkins hath this note Abels faith is a never dying Preacher It is the pleasure of Almighty God that we should walk in the way of good men and keep the path of the righteous Walk so as you have us for an example The Apostle Paul draws their observation and imitation upon those who were really and eminently good And the Apostle James inculcates the same thing Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an example In Examples there should be excellencie and conspicuitie As the stamps upon coyns which make them current It is most true that wise Solomon sends sluggish man unto School to learn of the Pismire And therefore grant that Christians should imitate Heathens in their virtues how much rather then ought we to make practical improvement of the Epitomized Lives of these many eminent servants of Christ who are presented to our view in this book These fair copies we should spread before our eyes and write after them till our writing our living be like them Frequent meditation upon the wise savorie speeches and holy gratious practices of these renowned Worthies will be a special means to mould us even us into the same similitude Peter Martyr perswading the improvement of good Examples tell 's a storie of a deformed man marryed unto an uncomely woman who being desirous of comely children bought many beautiful pictures and desired his wife daily to look upon them by means whereof their children were handsome and lovely And doubtless brave Christian qualifications might be begotten in our bosoms by filling our heads and hearts frequently with the commendable conversation of these holy men of God who have been burning and shining lights in the Churches of Christ in their respective Ages But whilst we are moving imitation we must not forget to give in some few cautions to prevent miscarrying 1. Do not so Idolize any man in respect of his place parts or graces as to make him your pattern in every particular The Apostle gives in a good Item to the Corinthians which concerns all Christians Be followers of me as I am of Christ. Christians are not bound as Master Latimer expresseth himself to be the Saints Apes laboring to be like them in every thing It 's Christs peculiar honor to be imitated in all morals absolutely This caveat is necessary in these Man-admiring times wherein many pin their faith and consciences upon some mens sleeves Here it might seasonably be remembred that the opinion and practice of the Apostle Peter did once lead many out of the right way When mens parts are high their graces shining or their power great we are in danger either to be dazzelled with their brightness or biassed by their greatness Therefore before you adventure to follow men weigh the chiefest of them in the ballance of the Sanctuary and try their most specious notions and actions by the touchstone of the Temple 2. Beware on the other hand lest you so pry into and peer upon the weaknesses of Gods Worthies as not to value and imitate those virtues which did break forth brightly in their conversations You must give good gold all its allowance and not throw it aside because it wants some grains and hath a crack The Snow-like Swan hath black legs and in many things we offend all And though some of these pretious servants of Jesus Christ who are justly commended in this book had their blemishes in judgement or in some actions yet how much did they in many particulars exceed the most famous Professors of our times 3. When you meet with that in their lives which was not onely truly but eminently good sit not down satisfied till you have attained their measure Be followers of me c. saith the Apostle for our conversation is in Heaven Follow the forwardest Christians with a desire to overtake them His speech savored more of wit then grace who counselled his friend not to come too nigh unto truth lest his teeth should be beaten out with its heels Dwell upon the Exemplarie Lives of these transcendent Saints till you be changed into the same image Their love to Christ his truth and people should enlarge your hearts Their zeal should enflame you Their magnanimity should encourage you Their humility should abase you Their patience should calm you Their labors should quicken your diligence Their temperance should moderate you in the use of all sensual contentments Their confidence should confirm your fiducial dependance upon Gospel-promises Their contempt of the World should call you off yet farther from all empty sublunaries Their high estimation of the holy Scriptures should heighten your reverent respect of them Their many assaults from Satan and sufferings from men in estate liberty credit and body should embolden and arm you in evil times Their experiences of support under grievances of supplies in necessaries of comfort in crosses of deliverance in streights of success in services and of triumphing perseverance notwithstanding all oppositions from within and from without should hold up your faint hopes unweariedly to wait for the full accomplishment of all the pretious promises of Covenant-grace in Jesus
time the Duke of Lancaster sent for Wicklief from Oxford who had now proceeded so far as to teach that in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the accidents of Bread and Wine remained not without the substance proving his Assertion by the Authority of Scriptures and the Ancient Fathers and withall rejecting such as had written upon that Argument since Anno 1000 saying that after that time Satan was loosed and men were led into many Errors These things the Bishops hated him for exceedingly yet by the favor of the Duke of Lancaster and of Henry Lord Percy he was preserved from their rage and sury till Anno Christi 1376. at which time they had prevailed with their Archibishop Simon Sudbury who had before deprived him and prohibited him to meddle any more in those matters to send forth his Citation to have him brought before them The Duke having notice hereof and fearing that he being but one should be too weak for such a multitude sent for four Batchelors of Divinity to joyn with him and for more surety when the day of his appearance was come himself with the Lord Percy Marshal of England went along with him As they went along they enconraged him not to fear the faces of the Bishops who say they are all unlearned in comparison of you neither be you troubled at the concourse of the people for we will defend you from them Being thus encouraged Wicklief approached Pauls Church where multitudes of persons were assembled to hear what should be spoken and done insomuch as the Lord Marshal could searce make way in the crowd whereupon Courtney the Bishop of London seeing what stir he made amongst the people said to him if I had known what masteries you would have plaid amongst the people I would have kept you out of this place at which speech the Duke being offended said that he would keep such mastery there though he said nay When they came to the place where the Archbishop and Bishops sate Wicklief presented himself before them to know what should be laid to his charge Then the Lord Percie speaking to him bade him sit down for that having many things to answer to he had need have a soft seat whereupon the Bishop of London growing into a great fume said he should not sit there neither said he is it according to Law or Reason that he that is cited to appear before his Ordinary should sit down during the time of his Answer but should stand This kindled such a fire betwixt them the one rating and reviling the other that the people began all to be on a hurry Then the Duke taking the Lord Percies part gave some hasty words to the Bishop but neither did the Bishop spare him one jot returning rebukes for rebukes so that the Duke was ashamed that the Bishop should out-rail him telling him that he would take a course to bring down his pride and of all the Prelates in England Hereupon the Londoners cryed out that they would rather lose their lives then suffer their Bishop to be abused So that all things being in a confusion the Assembly was dissolved for that time and the Duke with the Lord Pertie returning to the Parliament that day a Bill was put up in the name of the King by the Lord Thomas of Woodstock another of the Kings sons and the Lord Percie that London should be no more governed by a Major but by a Captain a formerly it had been and that the Marshal of England should have all the power in taking the arrests in the City as he had in other Cities This Bill one John Philpot a Burgess for London stoutly opposed and the next day the Londoners assembled themselves together in Council to consider what to do about it and whilst they were in consultation came in two Lords the Lord Fitz-Walter and the Lord Guy Brian whom the Vulgar sort taking to be Spies were ready to flye upon them till they were enforced to swear that they came for no harm towards them and that if it proved otherwise they would be content to forfeit all their Goods and Possessions in the City Then did the Lord Fitz-Walter tell them of his love to them and of his care to preserve their Liberties which said he If you do not speedily look to and prevent you will lose the same for at this time the Lord Marshal hath one of your Citizens in prison in his house c. This was no sooner spoken but the rash Citizens ran to their houses armed themselves and going to the Lord Percies house brake open his gates rescued the Prisoner took the Stocks and burned them in the midst of the City searched and ransaked his house for the Lord himself whom if they had found they would certainly have slain and when they found him not they tore and cut his rich Beds and Hangings in pieces and then supposing him to be with the Duke they ran to the Savoy where though they were disappointed of their cruel purpose yet they took the Dukes Arms and hung them up in a reproachful manner in the midst of the City as if he had been a Traitor They also so wounded a Priest that spake in his defence that he dyed within a few days after and meeting one of the Dukes men with his Arms hanging in a Plate on his Breast they pulled him off his Horse pulled the Arms from him and had slain the man but that he was speedily rescued by the Maior But these out rages created much trouble to the Londoners which being beside my purpose I shall leave the Reader to search them out in the Chronicles of those times Shortly after the old King Edward dyed and his Grand-son Richard the second succeeded him upon which change the Bishops taking notice that the Duke and the Lord Percie had given over their Offices living privately at their own houses without medling with State affairs they thought it a fit time to revenge themselves upon John Wicklief whereupon they caused these Articles to be gathered and drawn up out of his Sermons against him 1. That the holy Eucharist after the Consecration is not the very body and blood of Christ but figuratively 2. That the Church of Rome is not the head of all other Churches in the World nor that Peter had any more power given him by Christ then any other of the Apostles 3. That the Pope of Rome hath no more power of the Keys then any 〈…〉 4. That the Lords Tomporal may lawfully take away the Temporalties of the Church men offending habitualiter 5. That the Gospel is of it self a sufficient rule both of Faith and Manners without any other rule 6. That neither the Pope nor any other Prelate ought to have Prisons of their own wherein to punish offenders c. These with some others the Bishops gathered out of his Sermons and Writings which they sent to Pope Gregory who
Letter advised with Master Calvin and other Ministers who upon mature deliberation told him that he could not refuse this call unlesse he would shew himselfe rebellious against God and unmercifull to his Country Whereupon he returned answer that he would come to them so soon as he could settle the affairs of that dear flock that was committed to his charge Shortly after he began his journy and arrived in Scotland that very day whereon the Bishops ended their Provinciall Councill and hearing that the brethren were met at Dundee he went to them and earnestly requested that he and his brethren might joyne together to make a confession of their faith which being assented to he went to St. Johnstons to them where also he preached to the people But presently came a summons that the Preachers should appear before the Queen Regent at Striveling which being known abroad the Protestants repaired in a peaceable manner to St. Johnstons to accompany their Preachers to the Queen and least such a multitude should affright her the Laird of Dun a zealous godly and prudent man went before to Striveling to acquaint the Queen that the cause of their meeting was onely with their Preachers to give in a confession of their faith and to assist them in their just defence The Queen very craftily solicited him to stay the multitude and the preachers also promising to take some good order about their affairs Yet when the Preachers appeared not upon the day appointed she put them to the Horne prohibiting all men upon pain of Rebellion to assist comfort relieve or receive any of them which treacherous dealing of hers so inflamed the multitude that neither the exhortation of the Preachers nor the command of the Magistrates could restraine them but that they pulled down the Images and all other monuments of Idolatry in St. Johnstons This being told to the Queen she was so much enraged at it that she vowed to destroy man woman and child in that place then utterly to burn the Towne and to sow it with salt for a perpetuall desolation The Protestant Congregation hearing hereof presently wrote a Letter to the Queen and caused it to be laid on her Cushion where she sat at Mass wherein they declared that except she moderated her wrath and stayed her intended cruelty they should be compelled to take the Sword in their just defence against all that should pursue them for matters of Religion and for their Conscience sake which ought not to be subject to any mortal creature farther then Gods Word doth command c. They further requested that she would permit them to live in that peace and liberty which Christ had purchased for them by his blood that they might have his Word truly preached and the holy Sacraments rightly administred to them for that they had rather expose their bodies to a thousand deaths then to hazard their soules to perpetuall damnation by denying Christ and his manifest Truth c. They wrote also another Letter to the Nobility of Scotland which coming abroad the brethren in Cunningam and Kile met together at the Church of Craggy where Alexander Earl of Glencarne said to them Let every man doe as his conscience shall direct him I will by Gods grace see my bâ—ethren at St. Johnstons yea though never a man will goe along with me though I have but a pike on my shoulder for I had rather die with that company then live after them This speech so encouraged the rest that they all resolved to go forward In the meane time the Queen sent her French Forces and the Bishops and Priests their bands against Saint Johnstones whereupon the brethren repaired thither from all quarters for their relief which the Queen hearing of sent the Earle of Argile and the Prior of Saint Andrews to them to know the cause of that great meeting They answered that it was onely to resist the cruell Tyranny decreed against them and to protect the Town from ruin The Lords answered that they were farre otherwise informed Then Master Knox spake thus unto them The present troubles honourable Lords ought to move the hearts of all the true servants of God and of such as bear any true love to their country and country men deeply to consider what will be the end of this intended Tyranny The rage of Sathan seeks the destruction of all those in this Realm that professe the Name of Christ. Therefore I most humbly require you my Lords in my name to tell the Queen that we whom she in her blind rage doth thus persecute are faithfull servants to God and obedient subjects to the authority of the Realm whereas that Religion which she maintains by fire sword is not the religion of Jesus Christ but expresly contrary to the same a superstition devised by mans brain which I offer my self to prove against all men in Scotland which will maintain the contrary Gods word being admitted for Judge Tell her also from me that this her enterprise shall not prosperously succeed in the end and that herein she fights against God The Lords promised to deliver his message yet did the Queen straitway send her Herauld to them to command them presently to depart the Towne upon pain of Treason But when she perceived their number to increase and their resolutions fearing the event of a Battel she upon a parley and large promises prevailed with them to depart home But before their departure Master Knox preached a Sermon wherin he exhorted them to constancy adding I am perswaded that this promise shall be no longer kept then till the Queen and her Frenchmen can get the upper hand Which shortly after sell out accordingly for when she was entred St. Johnstons she contrary to promise garrisoned it saying That she was not bound to keep promise with Hereticks This was so distastefull to the Earl of Argile and the Prior of St. Andrews that they forsook the Queen and went toward St. Andrews sending to the Laird of Dun and some others to meet him there which accordingly they performed taking Master Knox along with them who in the way preached in Carrel one day in Anstruddor the second intending the third day to preach at St. â—ndrews The Bishop of St. â—ndrews hearing hereof presently raised a 100 spearmen and went thither on the Saturday whereas the Lords had none but their houshold servants about them and at the same time the Queen and her Frenchmen lay at Faikland 12 miles from St. Andrews The Bishop sent word to the Lords that if John Knox offered to preach the next day he should be saluted with a dozen of Calivers whereof the most part should light on his nose The Lords after long deliberation sent for M. Knox to hear his opinion herein 〈◊〉 withâ—ll advised him to forbear for his owne safety and not to 〈◊〉 that day in contempt of the Bishop To which 〈◊〉 Knox
Haec omnia vir magnae doctrinae pietatis laboris in ipso quasi aetatis vigore hinc discedens nobis reliquit The Life of John Frith who dyed Anno Christi 1531. IOhn Frith was born at Westram in Kent and had from his childehood a marvellous love to Learning a wonderful promptness of Wit and was of a ready Capacity to receive and understand any thing neither was there any diligence wanting in him equal to that worthy disposition that God had given him He was first a Student in Cambridge where he profited exceedingly in the knowledge both of the Arts and Tongues where it pleased God he fell into acquaintance with William Tindal through whose Instructions he first received into his heart the seed of the Gospel and sincere godliness About the same time Cardinal Wolsie undertaking to build a stately College in Oxford sought out the most learned men to be Fellows in the same and amongst others John Frith though but Batchelor of Arts was appointed for one But when divers of them were persecuted for Religion and accused of Heresie he together with some others who were chosen with him out of Cambridge was committed to Prison in a dark Cave where salt fish was then kept the savor whereof infected them all so that some of them dyed but Mr. Frith by Gods Providence escaped the danger in the same year wherein Queen Elizabeth was born having been dismissed out of his former Prison by means of Cardinal Wolsies Letter whereupon he went beyond Sea to avoid the storm But after two years he came back and having some business in Reading he was there taken for a Vagabond and set in the stocks where they suffered him to sit till he was almost pined with hunger At last he desired to speak with the Schoolmaster of the Town who when he came to him Frith in Latine bewailed his captivity The Schoolmaster being overcome with his Eloquence began exceedingly to affect and pity him the rather when he spake in Greek to him also and repeated divers verses out of Homâ—r upon this the Schoolmaster repaired speedily to the Magistrates and procured his enlargement yet neither then was he in safety for Sir Thomas Moor the then Lord Chancellor persecuted him both by Land and Sea promising great rewards to those that could bring any news of him Frith to avoid this storm changed place and apparrel often yet at last he was betrayed by one William Holt a Taylor who Judas-like pretended great friendship to him aud so was sent to the Tower where he had many conflicts with the Bishops but especially in writing with Sir Thomas Moor and in his Disputations he used such strength of Reason and evidence of Scripture that Doctor Canner Archbishop of Canterbury never gave more credit to any Author then to John Frith and at Friths candle he lighted his lamp also he converted Rastal to his part who was Moors son in law During his Imprisonment in the Tower it happened that Doctor Curreine Chaplain in Ordinary to King Henry the Eight preached a Sermon in Kent before his Majesty wherein he inveighed bitterly against the Sacramentaries as they then were called which denyed the Real Presence And he proceeded so far herein as that he said It 's no marvel though this abominable Heresie doth so much prevail amongst us seeing there is now one in the Tower which is so bold as to write in the defence of it and yet no man goeth about his reformation c. This Doctor was set on work by Gardiner Bishop of Winchester on purpose to procure the destruction of Mr. Frith They also suggested to the King that he was kept in the Tower rather for his safeguard then for his punishment by súch as favoured him as by the Lord Cromwel and others Hereupon the King called to him the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Cromwel willing them forthwith to call Frith to Examination that so he might either be compelled to recant or to suffer condign punishment But when as they delayed time the King took it so hainously that he sent a Commission to the Archbishop to Stokesly Bishop of London and some others without further delay to proceed to Examination of him and that there should be no concourse of Citizens at the said Examination the Archbishop removed to Croydon whither Stokesly and the rest of the Commissioners resorted But before the day for his Examination came the Archbishop send one of his Gentlemen and one of his Porters to fetch Frith from the Tower to Croydon This Gentleman had the Archbishops Letter and the Kings Ring to the Lord Fitz-Williams Constable of the Tower for the delivery of the Prisoner The Lord Fitz-Williams lodging then at Westminster understanding for what end they were come fel a cursing and banning Frith and all other Hereticks saying Take your Heretick with you I am glad that I am rid of him Frith being delivered to these two men as they went in a Wherry towards Lambeth the Gentleman being very sorry for his condition said to him Consider the state wherein you are a man altogether cast away in this World if you do not the more wisely behave your self But though your case be very dangerous yet may you help your self by giving way for a time and somewhat relenting of your opinion which hereafter when occasion and opportunity shall serve you may promote again You have many friends which will stand for you so far as they are able and dare do It 's great pitty that one which hath such singulâ—r knowledge in Greek and Latine and is so ready and ripe in all â—inde of Learning as well in the Scriptures as in the Antient Fathers should now suddenly suffer all those excellent gifts to perish with little profit to the World and less comfort to your Wife Children and Kindred And as for your opinion about the Sacrament it 's so unseasonably vented at this time in England that it 's like to do more hurt then good therefore be ruled by good counsel till a â—itter opportunity may serve This I am sure of that my Lord Cromwel and my Lord of Canterbury much favour you knowing you to be an eloquent and learned youngman young in years but old in knowledge and likely to be a profitable Instrument of much good in this Realm and therefore they will never suffer you to sustain any open shame if you will be advised by their counsel But if you stand stiffe in your opinion it 's not possible for them to save your life for as you have good friends so you have mortal foes I most heartily thank you Sir said Mr. Frith for your good will and counsel whereby I see your love to me yet my Cause and Conscience is such that in no wise I either may or can for any worldly respect without danger of damnation start aside and fly from the Truth
whereof I am convinced and which I have published concerning the Lords Supper so that if I be asked what my judgement is about it I muâ—t needs declare my knowledge and conscience therein as I have formerly written though I were sure to lose twenty lives if I had so many And further you shall understand that I am furnished with Scriptures Fathers Schoolmen and others for the proving of it so that if I may be iâ— differently heard I am sure my Adversaries can neither justly condemn me noâ— mine assertion but that with me they must condemn Saint Augustine and most of the Ancient Writers yea the very Bishops of Rome of ancient time speak for me and defend my cause Yea marry quoth the Gentleman you say well if you might be indifferently heard but I much doubt thereof for that our Master Christ was not indifferently heard nor should I think if he were now present in the World especially in this your opinion the same being now so odious in the World and we so far from the true knowledge thereof Well said Mr. Frith I know assuredly that this Doctrine of the Sacrament is very hard meat to be digested both of the Clergy and Lâ—ity But this I will say to you that if you live but twenty years more whatsoever shall become of me you shall see this whole Realm of mine opinion though happily some particular persons shall not be fully perswaded therein And if this come not to pass then count me the vainest man that ever you heard speak with a tongue And whereas you say my death would be very grievous to my friends I grant that for a small time it would be so but if I should so moderate my cause that I should only be kept in Prison that would not only be a longer grief unto me but would breed no small disquietness to my friends both in body and minde therefore all things well considered my death in this cause shall be bâ—tter to me and all my relations then life in continual bondage and penury And Almighty God knoweth what he hath to do with his poor servant whose cause I now defend and not mine own from the which through Gods grace I never intend to start nor otherwise to give place so long as God will give me life When they were landed at Lambeth after they had refreshed themselves with Victuals they all three went on foot towards Croydon The Gentleman still with himself lamenting the perâ—l that Frith was in and therefore he devised with himself by what means he might deliver him out of the Bishops hands and having in minde contrived the way he walked with the Porter and privately imparted his thoughts to him and finding him forward to join with him therein he went again to Mr. Frith and told him that the business which he had undertaken to lead him as a sheep to the slaughter so grieved him that he was overwhelmed with cares and sorrows whereupon he was resolved what danger soever he incurred to find out a way to deliver him out of the Lyons mouth And yet said he yonder good fellow and I have contrived a means whereby you may easily escape from this immineâ—â— danger and we also be cleared from any vehement suspition for when we come to yonder 's Hill called Bristow-Causway where are Woods on each hand you shall turn into that on the left hand which leads into Kent and so by the help of your friends convay your self away and we will so order the matter that they shall never seek that way for you c. Mr. Frith having diligently hearkened to his speech said with a smiling countenance And is this the effect of your secret consultation all this while Surely surely you have lost more labor formerly and so you are like to do this also for if you should both leave me here and go to Croydon declaring to the Bishops that you had lost Frith I would surely follow after as fast as I could bring them news that I had found and brought Frith again Do you think that I am afraid to declare mine Opinion before the Bishops in so manifest a Truth You are a fond man quoth the Gentleman thus to talk do you think that your reasoning with the Bishops will do any good But I much marvel you were so willing to fly the Realm before you were taken and now so unwilling to save your self when you may Marry quoth Frith there is a great difference between escaping then and now For then I desired to escape because I was at liberty and not yet attached which liberty I would fain have enjoyed for the improvement of my Studies beyond-Sea where I was Reader of the Greek tongue but now being taken by the Higher Powers and that by Almighty Gods Permission and Providence I am faln into the Bishops hands only for Religions-sake and for such Doctrine as I am bound in conâ—cience under pain of damnation to maintain if I should now start aside and run away I should run from my God and from the Testimony of his Word whereby I should deserve a thousand Hels And therefore I most heartily thank you both for your good wills towards me beseeching you to bring me where I was appointed to be brought or else I will go thither all alone And so with a cheerful and merry countenance he went with them spending the time with pleasant and godly communication till they came to Croydon where for that â—ight he was well entertained in the Porters Lodge On the morrow he was called before the Bishops to be examined at which time he shewed himself exceeding ripe and ready to answer all Objections even beyond all mens expectations And his Allegations out of S. Augustine and other Ancient Fathers were such as some of them much doubted of S. Augustines authority in that case aâ—d when they had done Doctor Heath in private confessed to the Archbishop of Canterbury that no man could avoid his Allegations out of S. Augustine Yet after this without any regard to his Piety Learning or Merit he was turned over to Stokesley Bishop of London who would not hear what S. Augustine or any other said for his opinion But calling him into his Conâ—istory after he had witnessed there a good Confession he condemned him and so delivered him over to the Major and Sheriffs of London to be burned When he came into Smithfield where he was to suffer he shewed much constancy and courage and being tyed to the stake and the fire kindled he willingly embraced the same But the winde blowing away the flame made his death somewhat the longer yet through Gods grace he bore it with such patience even as though he felt no pain in that long torment and so at last quietly reâ—igned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1531. Whâ—lst Mr. Frith was beyond the Seas he much holp Mr. Tindal in the Translation of the