dayes who kepte her maides and suche as were about her so occupyed in sowing and woorking of shirts smockes for the poore The good order of the Court in Queene Annes tyme. that neither was there sene any idlenes then amoÌ„gst them nor any leisure to followe such pastimes as daily are seene now a daies to raigne in princes courtes Thus the king being deuorced from the lady Dowager his brothers wife maried this gracious Lady makyng a prosperous and happy change for vs The king diuorced from Lady Catherine froÌ„ the Pope both at one tyme. being diuorced from the foresaide Princesse and also from the Pope both at one time Notwythstanding as good and godly purposes are neuer without some incommoditie or trouble following so it happened in this diuorcement that the sayde Princesse procuring from Rome the Popes curse caused both the king and the realme to be interdited wherof more is hereafter to be spoken In the meane time Quene Anne shortly after her mariage Anno 1533 being great with childe the next yeare followynge which was 1533. after the first diuorcement publikely proclaimed Queene Anne crowned Queene Elizabeth borne was crowned wyth high solemnitie at Westminster and not long after her Coronation the 7. day of September she was brought a bed and deliuered of a faire Lady for whose good deliueraunce Te Deum was songe in all places and great preparation made for the Christening The Maior and his brethren with 40. of the chiefe Citizens were commaunded to be present withall the nobles and Gentlemen The kings Pallace and all the wals betweene that and the Friers was hanged with Arras and the Friers Churche Also the Fonte was of siluer stoode in the midst of the Churche three steppes high whych was couered with a fine cloth and diuers Gentlemen wyth aprons and towels about their neckes gaue attendance about it Ouer the Fonte hong a faire Canapy of crimosine Satten fringed wyth Golde About it was a raile couered wyth saie Betweene the Quire and the body of the church was a close place with a pan of fire to make the childe ready in These things thus ordered the childe was brought into the Hall and then euery man set forward First the citizens 2. and 2. Then the gentlemen Esquiers and Chapleins Next after folowed the Aldermen and the Maior alone Next the Maior folowed the kings Councell Then the kings Chappel Then Barons Bishops and Earles Then came the Earl of Essex bearing the couered Basons gilte After him the Marques of Exeter wyth the taper of Uirgin waxe Next him the Marques Dorset bearynge the Salte Behinde him the Ladie Marie of Northfolke bearing the Chrisome which was very riche of Perle and stone The olde Duchesse of Northfolke bare the childe in a Mantle of Purple Ueluette with a longe traine Furred with Ermine The Duke of Northfolke with hys Marshal rod went on the right hand of the sayde Duchesse and the Duke of Suffolke on the left hande Before them went the Officers of armes The Countesse of Kente bare the long traine of the childes mantell Betwene the Countesse and the child went the Erle of Wilshire on the right hand and the Erle of Darby on the left hand supporting the said traine In the middest ouer the childe was borne a Canapie by the Lord Rochford the Lord Hussey the Lord William Haward and the Lord Thomas Hawarde the elder In this order they came vnto the Churche dore where the Bishop of London mette it with diuers Abbots and Byshops and began the obseruances of the Sacrament The Archbishop of Caunterbury was Godfather and the olde Duchesse of Northfolke and the old Marchionesse of Dorset widowes were Godmothers and the childe was named Elizabeth After all thinges were done at the Churche doore the child was brought to the Fonte Christened This done Cranmer godfather to Queene Elizabeth Garter the chiefe king of armes cryed aloud God of his infinite goodnes send prosperous lyfe and longe to the high and mighty princesse of England ELIZABETH Then the Trompettes blew and the childe was brought vp to the aultare and immediately confirmed by the Archbishop the Marchionesse of Exceter beyng Godmother Then the Archbishop of Caunterbury gaue to the Princesse a standing cup of Gold The Duchesse of Northfolke gaue to her a standing cup of Golde fretted with Pearle The Marchionesse of Dorset three gilte boles pounced with a couer The Marchionesse of Exceter three standing boles gilt grauen with a couer And so after a solemne bancket ended with Ipocras Wafers and such lyke in great plenty they returned in like order agayne vnto the Courte wyth the Princesse and so departed At the Maryage of this noble Lady as there was no small ioy vnto al good and godly men and no lesse hope of prosperous successe to Gods true Religion so in like maner on the contrarye parte the papistes wanted not theyr malicious and secret attemptes as by the false hipocrisie and fayned holynesse of a false fayned hipocrite this yeare before espyed found out may sufficiently appeare what theyr deuilishe deuises and purposes were For certayne Monks Friers other euill disposed persoÌ„s of a deuilish intent had put into the heades of many of the kinges subiectes that they had reuelation of God and hys sayntes y t he was highly displeased w t king Henry for y e diuorcement of the Lady Katherine and surmised amongst other thyngs that God had reuealed to a Nunne named Elizabeth Barton whome they called the holy maide of Kente that in case the Kinge proceeded in the sayde deuorce The maide of Kent with her false fained hipocrisie appreheÌ„ded hee should not be king of this realme one moneth after and in the reputation of God not one day nor hour This Elizabeth Barton by fals dissimulation practised and shewed to the people marueilous alteration of her visage and other partes of her body as if she had bene rapt or in a traunce in those fained traunces by false hipocrisie as though shee had bene inspired of God she spake many words in rebuking of sinne and reproouing the Gospell whiche shee called heresie and among them vttered diuers thyngs to the great reproch of the king and Quene to the establishing of Idolatrie Pilgrimage and the derogatioÌ„ of Gods glory whych her naughtines being spied out by the great labour and diligence of the Archbishop of Caunterbury the Lord Cromwell and Maister Hugh Latimer shee was condemned and put to death with certeyne of her affinitie and Councell in the moneth of Aprill Elizabeth 〈◊〉 with her 〈◊〉 coÌ„spirâ—tâ—rs an 1533. The names of which conspiratours with her were these Edwarde Bocking Monke of Canterbury Richard Master Person of Aldington Iohn Dering Monke of Canterbury Hugh Riche Frier Warden of the Gray Friers of Canterbury Richard Risby Henry Gold bacheler of Diuinitie and Person of Aldermary Fisher Byshop of Rochester Iohn Adeson Priest his Chapleine Thomas
late mariage of the Ladie Anne of Cleue who in the beginning of the yere of our Lord. 1540. was maried to the king as also greued partly at the dissolution of the Monasteries The mariage of Queene Anne Cleue and fearing the growing of the Gospell sought al occasions how to interrupt these happy beginnings and to traine the king to their owne purpose Now what occasion this wilye Winchester found out to worke vpon ye shall heare in order as followeth It happened the same time that the Lorde Cromwell for the better establishing of sincere religion in this realm deuised a mariage for y e king to be concluded betwene him the Lady Anne of Cleue The occasiâ—â— which Winchester did worke by This Lady Anne of Cleue was maryed to the king 〈◊〉 1540. whose other sister was already maried vnto the duke of Saxony By this mariage it was supposed that a perpetual league amitie and ally shold be nourished between this realm and the princes of Germany so therby godly religion might be made more strong on both parts against the bishop of Rome and his tyrannical religion But the diuel euer enuying the prosperity of the gospell layd a stumbling blocke in that cleare way for the king to stumble at For when the parentes of the noble lady were commoned withall for the furtherance of y e sayd mariage among others of her frends whose good wil was required y e duke of Saxony her brother in law misliked y e mariage partly for that he wold haue had her bestowed vpon some prince of Germany more nigh vnto her sister partly for other causes which he thoght reasonable Wherupon it followeth that the slacknes of the Duke in that behalfe being espyed crafty Winchester taking good holdfast theron so alienated the kinges mind from the amity that semed now to begin and grow betwene the Duke and the king that by the occasion thereof he brought the king at length cleane out of credit with that religioÌ„ and doctrine which the duke had then mayntained many yeares before Thus wily Winchester with his crafty fetches partly vpon this occasion aforesayd partly also by other pestilent perswations creping into the kinges eares ceased not to seeke all meanes how to worke his feat to ouerthrow Religion first bringing him in hatred with the Germane Princes The king brought out of credite with the doctrine of the Germaynâ— Princes then putting him in feare of the Emperor of the French king of the Pope of the king of Scottes and other forraigne powers to rise agaynst him but especially of Ciuil tumultes commotions here within this realme which aboue all thinges he most dreaded by reason of innouation of religioÌ„ and dissoluing of Abbies and for abolishing of rites and other customes of the Church sticking so fast in the mindes of the people that it was to be feared least theyr hartes were or woulde be shortly styrred vp agaynst him The wicked councell of Steph. Gardiner and other about the king vnlesse some spedy remedy were to the contrary prouided declaring moreouer what a dauÌ„gerous matter in a common wealth it is to attempt new alterations of any thing but especially of Religion Which being so he exhorted the king for his owne safegard and publicke quiet and tranquility of his realme to see betime how and by what pollicy these so manifold mischiefes might be preueÌ„ted Agaynst which no other way nor shift could better be deuised then if he would shew himself sharp and seuere agaynst these new Sectaryes Anabaptistes SacrameÌ„taries as they called them would also set forth such Articles confirming the auncient Catholick fayth as wherby he might recouer agayne his credence with Christen Princes and whereby all the world besides might see and iudge him to be a right and perfite Catholicke By these such like crafty suggestions The king abused by wicked couÌ„cell the king being to much seduced and abused began to withdraw his defeÌ„ce from the reformation of true Religion supposing thereby to procure to himselfe more safety both in his owne realme and also to auoide such daungers which otherwise might happen by other Princes especially seing of late he had refused to come to the generall Councell at Uincence being thereto inuited both by the Emperor other forraigne poteÌ„tates as ye haue heard before And therfore although he had reiected the Pope out of this Realme yet because he woulde declare himselfe neuerthelesse to be a good Catholicke sonne of the mother Church and a withstander of new innouations and heresies as the blinde opinion of the world did then esteme them first he stretched out his hand to the condemning and burning of Lambert Anno. 1540. then after he gaue out those Iniunctions aboue prefixed now further to encrease this opinion with all men The Popes crafty factorâ— in England in the yeare next folowing which was of the Lorde 540. through the deuise and practise of certayne of the Popes factors about him he suÌ„moned a solemne ParliameÌ„t to be holden at Westminster the 28. day of Aprill of all the states and Burgeses of the Realme Also a Synode or conuocation of all the Archbishops Bishops and other learned of the Clergy of thys Realme to be in like maner assembled The Acte of the vi Articles In which ParliameÌ„t Synode or conuocation certein Articles maters and questions touching religioÌ„ were decreed by certein prelates The 6. Articles to the nuÌ„ber especially of 6. commonly called the 6. Articles or the whip with 6. stringes to be had receiued among the kings subiects in pretence of vnity But what vnity therof folowed y e groning harts of a great number and also the cruell death of diuers both in the dayes of K. Henry of Queene Mary can so well declare as I pray God neuer the lyke be felt hereafter The doctrine of these wicked articles in the bloudy act conteined although it be worthy of no memory amongest christen men but rather deserueth to be buried in perpetuall obliuion yet for that the office of history compelleth vs therunto for the more light of posterity to come faythfully and truly to comprise thinges done in the church as well one as another this shal be briefely to recapitulate y e suÌ„me effect of the foresayd 6. articles in order as they were geuen out and hereunder do folow The first Article THe first Article in this present Parliament accorded and agreed vpon was this that in the most blessed SacrameÌ„t of the aultar by the strength and efficacy of Christes mighty worde it being spoken by the priest is present really vnder the forme of bread and wine the naturall body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesu Christ conceiued of the virgine Mary and that after the coÌ„secration there remayneth no substaunce of bread or Wyne or any other substance but the substance of Christ God and man The 2. Article Secondly that the communion in both
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
supporte them that they might be able to maintaine their poore families whome they nourished as they were bound to do to the seruice of God and their said Lord and Prince and therfore they desired that it mighte please him that their poore brethren remaining in captiuitie and prisone and such as were sent to the galleis for the profession of their religion might spedely be deliuered and set at libertie As for their assembles and preachings they were contēted that they should be kept only amongst themselues in their accustomed places and in other Ualleys aforesayde where any assemble of the faithfull shoulde be which were desirous to heare the preaching of the Gospell Touching y e Fortresses for as much as by those which were already made they had suffered great molestations and troubles as well concerning their goods as also their religion they were assured that if he should build vp newe Fortes they shoulde neuer be able to abide the troubles miseries and calamities that would folow therupon and therfore they most humbly desired the sayde Duchesse to be so good and gracious vnto them as to obteine of the Duke that he would accept their persons in the steade of Fortes and that seeing those places were by nature and of themselues strong and wel fortified it mighte please theyr sayde lord the duke to receiue them into his protection and sauegarde and by the grace and assistance of God they would serue him them selues for suche Walles and Forts that he should not neede to builde any other And because many of those which dwelt neare about them had robbed spoiled them not onely of their housholde goodes and such other thinges but also driuen away their cattell that it myghte please him to geue them leaue to recouer the sayde goodes by the way of Iustice and to buy againe that whyche the souldiers had sold and that for the same price for the which it was solde Briefly they also besought their said Lorde y t it myght please him to be so gratious vnto them as to graunt them a confirmation of al their franchises immunities and priuileges as well generall as particular geuen vnto them as well by him as by his predecessours and likewise of those which as well they as their anciters had bought of their Lordes and to receiue them as hys most humble and obedient subiects into his protection and safegarde And because in time past in the stede of good and spedie Iustice all iniquitie was committed by those that had the administration of iustice in their Ualleis and for as much as their purses were emptied punished rather then the malefactours that it might please him to geue order that such iustice might be done amongst them wherby the wicked might be punished with all seueritie and the innocent defended and maintained in their right Finally forasmuch as diuers of this poore people being astonished at the comming of the army fearing least they should not onely be spoyled of all theyr goods but also they with their wiues and children be vtterly destroyed made promise against their consciences to liue accordynge to the traditions of the church of Rome Tormēt of conscience in sliding from the truth they were maruelously troubled and tormēted in spirit and did nothing but languish in that distresse Wherfore they humbly besought the sayde Duches to take pity vpon them to obtaine that they might not be compelled to do any thing against their conscience and moreouer that it might please the Duke to permit them to liue in libertie and freedome of conscience also that all theyr poore brethren banished for the cause of Religion might returne home to their houses and that al confiscations and penalties made against them myghte be abolished And for their part they promised to geue all due reuerence and honour to God and his holy worde and to be true and faithfull subiects to theyr Lorde Prince Yea more then any other Underneath the sayde supplication there was wrytten Your faithfull and humble subiects the poore afflicted of the Ualleys of Luserne Angrongne S. Martin and Perouse and generally all the people of the Waldois which inhabite the countrey of Primont After that this supplication was viewed read of the sayd Duchesse she so persuaded with the Duke that aunswer was made with these conditions declared in these articles following Conclusions and Articles lastly agreed vpon betweene the right honourable Lorde of Raconis on the part of the Dukes highnesse and them of the Valleys of Piemont called the Waldoys THat there shal shortly be made letters Patentes by the Dukes highnesse The compositiō and agreement vpon conditiōs betweene the Duke and the Waldoys by the which it may appeare that he hath forgeuen and pardoned them of the Ualleys of Angrongne Boby Uillers Ualquichard Rora Tailleret La Rua de Bonet bordering vppon Tour. S. Martine Perouse Roccapiata S. Bartlemew and al suche as haue aided them of all such faultes as they haue committed as well in bearing armour againste his highnesse as against the Lordes and certaine other gentlemen whom he reteined and kept in his protection and safegard Pardon promysed That it shal be lawful for them of Angrongne Boby Uillard Ualquichard Rora members of the Ualley of Luserne for them of Rodoret Marcele Maneillan and Salsa members of the Ualley of S. Martine to haue their congregations Sermons congregations permitted sermons other ministeries of theyr religion in places accustomed That it shal be lawfull for them of Uillars members of the Ualley of Luserne to haue the same The parishe of Villars but that onely vntill the time that his highnes doth builde a Forte in the same place But whilest the sayd fort is in building it shall not be lawful to haue their preaching and assemblies with in the said precinct of the place but it shal be lawful for them to build a place for that purpose neere at hand where they shall thinke good on that side towardes Boby Neuertheles it shall be permitted to their ministers to come wythin the precinct aforesayd to visite the sicke and exercise other things necessary to theyr Religion so that they preach not nor make any assemble there The parishe of Tailleret La Rua de Bonet It shal be also permitted to them of Tailleret La Rua de Bonet bordering vpon Tour to haue their Sermones and assembles in places accustomed so that they enter not for that purpose into the rest of the confines of Tour. The valleyes of Luserne and S. Martin That it shal not be lawful for the saide members of the Ualleys of Luserne and S. Martine to come to the rest of their borderers nor any other of his highnesse dominion nor to haue their preachinges assembles or disputations out of theyr owne borders hauing libertie to haue them therein And if they be examined of their faith it shall be lawfull for them to answer without danger of punishmēt
willingly discouer to any person The Popedome of Rome the rules of the holy fathers and the regalities of S. Peter I shall helpe and retaine and defende against all men The legate of the sea Apostolicke going comming I shall honourably entreat The rightes honours priuiledges authorities of the Church of Rome and of the Pope and hys successours I shall cause to be conserued defended augmented promoted I shall not be in counsell treatie or any acte in the which any thing shall be imagined against him or the Churche of Rome their rights states honours or power and if I knowe anye such to be mooued or compassed I shall resist it to my power and assoone as I can I shall aduertise him or suche as maye geue hym knowledge The rules of the holy fathers the decrees ordinances sentences dispositions reseruations prouisions and commandements Apostolike to my power I shall keepe and cause to be kept of other Heretikes schismatikes and rebels to our holy father and his successors I shall resist and persecute to my power I shal come to the Synode whē I am called except I be letted by a Canonicall impediment The lights of the Apostles I shall visite personally or by my deputie I shall not aliene nor sell my possessions wythout the Popes councell so God me helpe and the holy Euangelistes ¶ This othe of the Clergie men which they were wont to make to the Bishoppe of Rome nowe Pope quondam was abolished and made voyde by statute and a new othe ministred confirmed for the same wherein they acknowledged the King to be the supreame heade vnder Christe in this Church of England as by tenor thereof may appeare here vnder ensuing The othe of the Clergie to the king I Iohn B. of A. vtterly renoūce and clerely forsake al such clauses words sentences grants which I haue or shal haue hereafter of the Popes holines Pope quondam◠The othe of the Clergye to the king of for the bishoprike of A that in any wise hath bene is or hereafter may be hurtfull or preiudiciall to youre highnes your heirs successors dignity priuiledge or estate royal and also I doe sweare that I shal be faithful and true and faith and truth I shall beare to you my soueraigne Lord and to your heires kings of the same of life and limme and earthly worship aboue all creatures for to liue die with you and yours against al people and diligently I shal be attendant to all your nedes and businesse after my wit and power and your counsel I shall kepee and holde knowledging my selfe to hold my Bishopricke of you onely beseeching you of restitutiō of the temporalties of the same promising as before that I shal be faithfull true and obediēt subiect to your said highnes heires and successours during my life and the seruices and other things due to your highnesse for the restitution of the temporalties of the same Bishoprike I shall truely do and obediently performe so God me helpe and all Saintes These othes thus being recited and opened to the people were the occasion that the Pope lost al his interest and iurisdiction heere in Englande wythin shorte while after Upon the occasion and reason whereof Syr Tho. More the matter falling out more more against the Pope Syr Thomas More of whome mention is made before being a great maintainer of the Pope a heauy troubler of Christes people and nowe not liking well of this othe by Gods good worke was enforced to resigne vp his Chauncelorship and to deliuer vp the great seale of England into the kings hands After whom succeeded syr Thomas Audley Keeper of the great seale Tho. Audeley made Lord Chauncellour a man in eloquence and giftes of tonge no lesse incomparable then also for hys godly disposed minde and fauorable inclination to Christes religiō worthy of much commendation These things being done in the parlament the king w tin short time after proceeded to the mariage of the foresayd lady Anne Bullen mother to our most noble Quene now who w tout all controuersie was a special comforter aider of all the professors of Christes gospell The maryage of Queene Anne as well of the learned as the vnlearned her life being also directed according to the same as her weekely almes did manifestly declare Who besides the ordinarye of a C. crownes and other apparell that she gaue weekely a yeare before she was crowned The great almes of Quene Anne both to men and women gaue also wonderfull much priuie almes to wydowes and other pore housholders cōtinually til shee was apprehended and she euer gaue three or foure pounde at a time to the poore people to buy them kine withall and sent her Subamner to the townes about where shee lay that the parishioners should make a bill of all the poore householders in their parish and some towns receiued 7.8 or 10. pound to buy kine withal according as the number of the poore in the Townes were Shee also maintained many learned mē in Cambridge Likewise did the Erle of Wilshire her father and the Lord Rochford her brother and by them these men were brought in fauour w t the king of whome some are yet aliue and can testifie the same which would to God they were nowe as great professors of the gospell of Christ as then they appeared to be which were D. Heath and D. Thirlby with whome was ioyned the L. Paget who at that present was an earnest protestant Heath Thirlby L. Paget gaue vnto one Rainolde West Luthers bookes and other bokes of the Germaines as Franciscus Lambertus de Sectis and at that time he red Melancthons Rhetorike openly in Trinitie hall in Cambridge and was w t his M. Gardiner a mainetainer of D. Barnes and all the Protestantes that were then in Cambridge Lord Paget a mainteyner of D. Barnes holpe many religious persons out of their cowles It hath bene reported vnto vs by diuers credible persons which were about this Quene and daily acquainted with her doings concerning her liberall and bountiful distribution to the pore how her grace caried euer about her a certaine little purse The praise of Quene Anne out of the which she was wont daily to scatter abroad some almes to the needy thinking no day well spent wherein some man had not fared the better by some benefite at her handes And this I write by the relation of certain noble personages which were chiefe principall of her waiting maides about her especially the Duches of Richmond by name Also concerning the order of her ladies gentlewomen about her one that was her silkwoman a Gentlewoman not nowe aliue but of great credite and also of fame for her worthy doings The name of this gentlewoman was Maistres Wilkinson did credibly report that in all her time she neuer saw better order amongst the ladies gentlewomē of the Courte then was in this good Queenes
seduced by a common errour and abuse crept into the Church thorough the sufferance and auarice of such as felt profite by the same Item if ye do or shall know any within your parish or elsewhere that is a letter of the word of God to be read in english or sincerely preached The worde of God to be preached without stop or interruption or of the executioÌ„ of these iniunctions or a fautor of the Bishop of Romes pretensed power now by the lawes of this Realme iustly reiected and extirped ye shall detect the same to the Kings highnes or his honourable Counsayle or to his vicegerent aforesayd or to the iustice of peace next adioyning Item that you and euery Parson Uicar or Curate within this diocesse shall for euery Church keep one booke of Register Register booke for euery parish wherein ye shall write the day and yeare of euery wedding christening burieng made within your parish for your time so for euery man succeding you likewise also therin set euery persons name that shall be so wedded christined or buried for the safe keeping of the same booke the parish shall be bounde to prouide of theyr common charges one sure coffer with ij lockes and keies whereof the one to remaine with you and the other wyth the Wardens of euery such parish wherein the sayd booke shall be layd vp Which booke ye shall euery Sonday take foorth and in the presence of the saide Wardens or one of them write and record in the same al the weddings christnings and buriengs made the whole weeke before and that done to lay vp the sayd booke in the sayde coffer as afore and for euery time the same shall be omitted the partie that shall be in the fault thereof shall forfaite to the sayd Church three shillings foure pence to be employed on the reparation of the same Church Item that ye shall once euery quarter of a yeare reade these and the other former iniunctions geuen vnto you by authoritie of the Kings highnes openly and deliberately before al your parishners to the entent that both you may be the better admonished of your duetie and your said parishners the more incited to ensue the same for their part Item for as much as by a lawe established euery mâ—n is bound to pay his tithes no man shall by colour of duty omitted by their Curates deteine their tithes Tythes to be payed so redub one wrong with another or be his owne iudge but shall truly pay y e same as hath ben accustomed to their persons curates without any restraint or diminutioÌ„ such lacke and default as they can iustly find in theyr parsons and curates to call for reformation therof at theyr Ordinaryes other superiors handes who vpon complaint due proofe therof shall reforme the same accordingly Item that no Person shall from henceforth alter or chaunge the order and maner of any fasting day that is coÌ„mauÌ„ded indicted by y e church nor of diuine prayer nor of seruice othâ—rwise theÌ„ is specified in y e sayd iniuÌ„ctioÌ„s vntill such time as the same shall be so ordered transposed by y e kings highnes authority 〈◊〉 day abrogate the Euens of such saynts whose holidayes be abrogated only excepted which shal be declared henceforth to be no fasting dayes except also the commemoratioÌ„ of Tho. Becket sometime Archbishop of Canterbury which shal be cleane omitted and in stead thereof the feriall seruice vsed Item that the knoling of the Aues after seruice certayne other times which hath bene brought in begon by the pretence of y e B. of Romes pardon Knoling of Auees forbidden henceforth be left omitted lest the people do hereafter trust to haue pardon for the saying of their Aues betwene the sayd knolyng as they haue done in times past IteÌ„ where in times pâ—st men haue vsed in diuers plates in theyr Processions to sing Ora pro nobis to so manye saintes Suffrages of Saintes relected that they had no time to sing the good Suffrages folowing as Parce nobis Domine and Libera nos Domine it must be taught and preached y e better it were to omit Ora pro nobis and to sing the other suffrages being most necessary and effectuall All which and singuler Iniunctions I minister vnto you and to your parishners by the kings highnes authority to me committed in this part which I charge commaund you by the same authority to obserue and keep vpon paine of depriuation sequestration of your fruits or such other cohercion as to the king or his vicegerent for this time being shal be sene conuenient By these Articles and IniunctioÌ„s thus comming forth one after an other for the necessary instruction of the people The king better deseruing the name of supreme gouernour theÌ„ the Pope it may appeare how well the king deserued then the title of his supreme gouernment geuen vnto him ouer the church of England by the which title and authority he did more good for the redressing and aduauncing of Christes Church and religion here in England in these three yeres then the Pope the great Uicar of Christ w t all his bishops and Prelates had done the space of iij. hundreth yeares before Such a vigilant care was then in the king and in his counsell how by all wayes and meanes to redresse religion to reforme errors to correct corrupt customes to helpe ignoraunce and to reduce the misleadings of christes flock drowned in blinde popery superstition customes idolatry to some better forme of more perfect reformatioÌ„ Wher vnto he prouided not only these articles precepts and iniunctions aboue specified to informe the rude people but also procured the Bishoppes to helpe forward in the same cause of decayed doctrine Read afore pag. 1024. with their diligent preaching teaching of the people according as ye heard before pag. 1024. how that in the yeare 1534. during all the whole time of the parliament there was appoynted euery sonday a Bishop to preach at Paules Crosse agaynst the supremacy of the Bishop of Rome Amongest which bishops Iohn Longland Bishop of Lincolne the kinges confessor and a great persecutor of y e poore flock of Christ as is before sufficiently recorded Read afore pag. 952. pag. 952. made a Sermon before the king vpon good Friday this present yere 1538. at Grenewich seriously and effectuously preaching on the kinges behalfe against the vsurped supremacy of the bishop of Rome the contentes of whose sermoÌ„ wholy to expresse were here to long tedious So much as may suffice for our purpose I thought should remayne to the posterity beginning at his Theame whiche then he tooke in hand to entreat vpon writteÌ„ in the 13. cha to the Hebrues as foloweth ¶ The Sermon of Iohn Longland Bishop of Lincolne on good Friday before the king at Grenewich an 1538. THe wordes of the Apostle are these Habemus altare de
feare or perill But in suche Realmes and Kingdomes as this wher Lawes and Parliamentes be not alwayes one but are subiect to the disposition of the prince neither is it certayne alwayes what Princes maye come y e surest way therfore to send Monkery Popery packing out of the realme is to doe with their houses and possessions as king Henry here did through y t motion of y e counsell of Cromwell For els who seeth not in Queene Maries time if either the houses of monkes had stand or their landes had bene otherwise disposed then into the handes of such as they were how many of them had bene restored replenished agayn w t monkes fryers in as ample wise as euer they were And if Dukes Barons and the Nobilities scarse were able to retayne the landes and possessions of Abbeyes distributed to them by king Henry from the deuotion of Queene Mary seeking to build agayne the walles of Hierico what then shoulde the meaner sorte haue done let other men coniecture Wherfore it is not vnlike but that Gods heauenly prouidence did well foresee and dispose these thinges before by this man The vtter ruine of Monasteryes was Gods worke in workyng the destruction of these Abbeyes whereupon as often as he sent out any men to suppresse any monasterie hee vsed commonly to send them with this charge that they shuld throw downe those houses euen to the foundation Which wordes although may seeme percase to some to be cruelly spoken of hym yet contrariwise doe I suppose the doing thereof not to be without Gods speciall prouidence and secret guiding Or els we might peraduenture haue had suche swarmes of fryers and monkes possessed in theyr nestes agayne before this day in England in so great a number that tenne Cromwels afterward vnneth should haue suffered to haue vnhoused them Wherfore if the plantation which the Lord God neuer planted be pluckt vp by the rootes Math. 15. let God alone wyth his working and let the monasteries goe Now that you haue seene what this Malleus Monachorum hath done in defacing the Sinagogue of the pope Malleus Monachorum Cromwelius let vs see how the sayd Cromwell againe did trauayle in setting vp Christes church and congregation After that the bishop of Romes power and authoritye was banished out of England the bishops of his sect neuer ceased to seeke all occasion how eyther to restore hys head agayne being broken and wounded Cromwell the Forte defence of the Church An assembly of learned men appoynted by the king or at the least to keepe vpright those thinges which yet remayned wherein although theyr labours were not altogether frustrate yet had they brought much more to passe if Cromwell as a mighty wall and defence of the church had not resisted continually theyr enterprises It happened that after the abolishing of the Pope certayne tumultes began to rise about religion Wherupō it seemed good vnto king Henry to appoynt an assemblye of learned men and Bishops Cromwel with Alex. Alesius resort to the assembly which should soberly modestly entreat and determine those thinges which perteyned vnto Religion Briefely at the kinges pleasure all the learned men but specially the Bishops assembled to whō this matter seemed chiefely to belong Cromwell thought also to be present himselfe with the Byshoppes who by chaunce meeting with Alexander Alesius by the way a Scottish man brought him with him to the conuocation house where all the Bishoppes were assembled together Which was in the yeare .1537 The Bishops and Prelates attending vppon the comming of Cromwell as he was come in rose vp and did obeysaunce to him as to their vicar generall and he agayn saluted euery one in theyr degree and sate downe in the highest place at the table according to his degree and office and after him euery bishop in his order and Doctours First ouer agaynst him sate the Archb. of Canterbury then the Archbishop of Yorke the bishops of London Lincolne Salisbury Bath Ely Herford Chychester Norwich Rochester and Worcester c. There Cromwel in y e name of the king whose most deare and secret Counsellour at that present he was and Lorde priuy Seale and vicar generall of the realme spake these wordes in maner folowing RIght reuerend fathers in Christe The kinges maiesty geueth you high thankes that ye haue so diligently without any excuse Cromwells Oration to the byshops assembled hither according to his commaūdement And ye be not ignoraunt that ye be called hither to determine certayne controuersies which at this time be moued concerning the christian Religion and fayth not onely in this Realme but also in all nations through the world For the king studyeth day and nyght to set a quietnesse in the Churche and he can not rest vntill all such controuersies be fully debated and ended through the determination of you of his whole Parliament For although his speciall desire is to set a stay for the vnlearned people whose cōsciences are in doubt what they may beleue and he himselfe by his excellent learning knoweth these controuersies wel enough yet he will suffer no common alteration but by the consent of you and of his whole Parliamēt By the which thing ye may perceiue both his high wisedome and also his great loue towarde you And he desireth you for Christes sake that all malice obstinacy and carnall respecte set apart ye will frendly and louinglye dispute among your selues of the controuersies moued in the Churche The kinges request to the Bishops and that ye will conclude all thinges by the woord of God without all brawling or scolding neither will his maiestye suffer the Scripture to be wrasted and defaced by any Gloses any papisticall Lawes or by any authority of Doctours or Counselles and muche lesse will he admitte any articles or doctrine not conteyned in the Scripture but approued onely by continuaunce of time and olde custome and by vnwritten verities as ye were wont to do Ye know wel enough that ye be bound to shew this seruice to Christ and to his Church and yet notwithstanding his maiestye will geue you high thankes if ye will sette and conclude a godly and a perfect vnity whereunto this is the onelye way and meane if ye wil determine all thinges by the Scripture as God commaundeth you in Deuteronomie whiche thing hys maiesty exhorteth and desireth you to do When Cromwel had ended this his Oration the Byshops rose vp altogether geuing thankes vnto the kings maiesty not for his great zeale toward the church of christ and also for his most godly exhortation worthy so Christian a prince Immediately they rose vp to disputation where as Stokesly Bishop of London first of all being the moste earnest champion maynteyner of the Romish Decrees whō Cromwel a litle before had checked by name for defending vnwritten verities endeuoured himselfe with all his labour and industry out of the olde Schole Gloses to maynteyne the
stand that standeth not with the Lord Which thing as in example of all ages is to be seene so in this late proclamation deuised by the bishops is in like maner exemplified The which proclamation though it was sore terrible for the time yet not long after Mans deuise agaynst the Lord ouerthrowen by reason of the kings death whoÌ„ the Lord shortly therupon took to his mercy it made at length but a castle come downe So that where the prelates thought to make theyr Iubile it turned them to the Threnes of Ieremy Such be the admirable workings of the Lord of hostes whose name be sanctified for euer This I do not inferre for any other purpose but onely for the workes of the Lord to be seene premonishing thee good Reader withall that as touching the king who in this Proclamation had nothing but the name onely here is nothing spoken but to his laude and prayse Who of hys owne nature disposition The praise of K. Henry 8. was so inclinable and forward in all things vertuous and commendable that the like enterprise of redresse of religion hath not lightly bene sene in any other Prince christned As in abolishing the stout and almost inuincible authority of the Pope in suppressing monasteries in repressing custome of Idolatry pilgrimage c. Which enterprises as neuer king of England dyd accomplish though some beganne to attempt them before him so yet to this day we see but few in other Realmes dare folow the same If Princes haue alwayes theyr Counsell about them that is but a common thing If some time they haue euill counsell ministred that I take to be the fault rather of such as are about them Much superstition purged by king Henry then of princes themselues So long as Queene Anne Tho. Cromwell B. Cranmer M. Denny D. Buts with such like were about him could preuaile with him what organe of Christes glorye did more good in the Church then he as is apparant by such monuments instrumentes and actes set forth by him in setting vp the Bible in the church in exploding the pope with his vile pardons in remouing diuers superstitious ceremonies in bringing into order y e inordinate orders of friers sectes in putting chantry priests to theyr pensions in permitting white meate in Lent in destroying Pilgrimage worship in abrogating idle superfluous holydaies both by act publicke and also by priuate letters sent to Boner tending after this effect ¶ By the king The kinges brief to Boner RIght reuerend father in God right trusty and welbeloued we greet you well And whereas considering the manifolde inconueniences which haue ensued and dayly do ensue to our subiectes by the great superfluity of holy dayes we haue by the assentes and consentes of all you the Byshops Abrogation of holy dayes and other notable personages of the Clergy of this our Realme in ful congregation and assembly had for that purpose abrogated and abolished suche as be neither Canonicall ne meete to bee suffered in a common wealth for the manifolde inconueniences which do ensue of the same as is rehearsed and to the intent our determination therein may be duely obserued and accomplished we haue thought coÌ„uenient to commauÌ„d you immediately vpon the receit hereof to addresse your commaundementes in our name to all the curates religious houses and colledges within your dioces with a copye of the act made for the abrogation of the holy dayes aforesayd a transumpt whereof ye shall receiue herewith commaunding theÌ„ and euery of them in no wise eyther in the Church or otherwise to indict or speake of any of the sayd dayes and feastes abolished wherby the people might take occasion either to murmure or to contemne the order taken therin and to continue in theyr accustomed idlenes the same notwithstanding but to passe ouer the same with such secret silence as they may haue like abrogation by disuse as they haue already by our authority in conuocation And forasmuch as the time of haruest now approcheth our pleasure is ye shall with such diligence and dexterity put this matter in execution as it may immediatly take place for the benefite of our subiectes at this time accordingly without fayling as ye wil aunswere vnto vs for the contrary Geuen vnder our Signet at our Monastery of Chertesey the 11. day of August Thus while good Counsell was about him and could be heard K. Henry according as his CouÌ„cell was about hym so was he lead he did much good So agayne when sinister and wicked Counsell vnder subtile and craftye pretences had gotten once the foot in thrusting truth verity out of the Princes eares how much Religion and all good thinges went prosperously forward before so much on the coÌ„trary side all reuolted backward agayn WherupoÌ„ proceded this Proclamation aboue meÌ„tioned concerning the abolishing and burning of English bookes Which proclamation bearing the name of the kinges maiesty but being y e very deed of the bishops no doubt had done much hurt in the church among the godly sort bringing theÌ„ either into great dauÌ„ger or els keping theÌ„ in much blindnes had not the shortnes of the kinges dayes stopped the malignant purposes of the foresayd Prelates The death of K. Henry 8. causing the king to leaue that by death vnto y e people which by his life he would not grauÌ„t For within 4. monethes after Anno 1547. the proclamatioÌ„ coÌ„ming out in August he deceased in the beginning of Ianuary in the 38. yeare of his raigne an· 1547. leauing behinde him three children who succeded him in his kingdome K. Edward Queene Mary and Queene Elizabeth of whom it remaineth now to prosecute by the permission and sufferance of Christ our high Lord and Prince in the proces of this hystory according as the order of theyr succession and Actes done by them in the church shall require after that fyrst I shall haue prosecuted certayne other matters by the way according to my promise here to be inserted ¶ The History touching the persecution in Scotland with the names and causes of such blessed Martyres which in the same country suffered for the truth after the time of Patricke Hamelton THus hauing finished the time and rase of kyng Henry the eight it remayneth nowe according to my promise made before here to place adioyne so much as hath come to our handes touching the persecution of Scotland and of the blessed Martyrs of Christ which in that couÌ„try likewise suffered for the true religion of Christ testimony of theyr fayth To proceede therefore in the historye of these Scotland matters Read 〈◊〉 pag. 956. next after the mention of Dauid Straton and M. Nicholas Gurlay with whom we ended before pag. 956. the order of time woulde requyre nexte to inferre the memory of syr Iohn Borthwike Knight Syr Iohn Borthwiâ—â—â— knight 〈◊〉 condemâ—ned of 〈◊〉 being â—â—â—â—sent 〈◊〉 picture 〈◊〉 in Scoâ—â—land An. 154â— commonly
in Parliamente that none shoulde speake anye thing of the Kings death the Act being made onely for Southsayers and talkers of prophesies moued them that were about the King to put him in remembrance of his mortall state and fatall infirmitie Which when the rest were in dread to do M. Deny who was specially attendant vpon hym boldly comming to the King told him what case he was in to mans iudgement not like to liue and therefore exhorted him to prepare himselfe to death calling himselfe to remembrance of his former life and to call vpon God in Christ betime for grace and mercy as becommeth euery good Christian man to do Although the K. was loth to heare any meÌ„tion of death yet perceiuing the same to rise vpon the iudgement of hys Phisicians and feeling his owne weakenes he disposed himselfe more quietly to harken to the wordes of his exhortation and to consider his life past Which although he much accused yet said he is the mercy of Christ able to pardon me all my sinnes though they were greater then they be M. Deny being glad to heare him thus speake required to know his pleasure whether he would haue any learned man sent for to conferre withall and to open hys mind vnto To whome the King aunswered againe that if he had any he would haue D. Cranmer who was then lying at Croydon And therefore M. Denye asking the King whether he woulde haue him sente for I will first said the King take a little sleepe and then as I feele my selfe I will aduise vpon the matter After an houre or two the King awaking and feeling feeblenes to encrease vpon him commanded D. Cranmer to be sent for but before he could come y e king was speachles and almost senseles Notwithstanding perceiuing D. Cranmer to be come he reaching his hande to D. Cranmer did hold him fast but could vtter no word vnto hym and scarse was able to make any signe Then the Archbyshop exhorting him to put his trust in Christ and to call vpon his mercy desired him though he could not speake yet to geue some token with his eyes or with hand as he trusted in the Lord. Then the King holding him with his hand did wring his hand in his as hard as he could and so shortly after departed after he had reigned in this land the terme of 37. yeares and 9. monethes The kings children leauing behinde him three children Edward Mary and Elizabeth Moreouer for so much as mention is inserted in thys place of the good inclination of King Henry in his latter dayes to the reformation of religion Talke betweene Thom. Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. and the Duke of Suffolk about Ste. Gardiner by the occasion hereof it commeth also to minde somewhat likewise to adde by way of appendix touching the talke betweene the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer and the Duke of Suffolke Charles Branden as coÌ„cerning the Kings purpose and intent conceaued against the Bishop of Winchester Steuen Gardiner in that he could neuer allowe any reformation in religion in this realme and namely beeing offended with this that men should vse in their talke The Lord as well as our Lord. The sayd Duke sayd vnto the sayd Archbyshop We of the Counsell had him once at a good lift and should well haue dispatched him from his authoritie if the Kings Maiestie our Maister had stayed himselfe from admitting him to his presence as then hys highnes was content that we should throughly haue sifted and tried him It was my Lord quoth the Duke to the Archbishop at that time when Gardiner his Secretarie was attached and suffred for defending the Popes authoritie For then I and certaine of the Counsell hauing conference with the Kings Maiestie for that matter his highnesse was fully perswaded that the Bishops Secretarie being in such speciall fauour with his Maister would neuer stande so stiffe in defence of the Bishop of Romes vsurped power and authoritie Stephen Gardiner appoynted by the king to to be had to the Tower without his said maisters both aduise knowledge and perswasion For already quoth the King he played but a homely part with me when he was Ambassadour to the Pope concerning my cause of diuorce And therefore quoth the King to me send for him my Lord incontinently and by assistance of two or three moe of the Counsell whome you thinke good let him be committed to the Tower to aunswere to suche thynges as may bee obiected agaynst hym Thys communicatioÌ„ was in y e euening so that we purposed to haue executed the kinges pleasure and commaundement y e next morning How beit our talke was not so secrete but that some of his friendes of the priuy chamber then suspecting the matter where he had many frends sent him word ther of Who incontinently repayred to the kings presence Ste. Gardiner priuily commeth to the king and finding some matter to minister vnto y e king his highnesse sayd to the bish We doe marueile that your secretary hath thus notoriously offended agaynst vs our lawes It is surely though that you are not all cleare in this offeÌ„ce but that you are of the same opinion with him therefore my Lord be playne with me King Henry layeth to Winchesters charge and let me know if you be y e way infected or no If you will tell me the trueth I will rather pardon the fault but if you halt or dissemble with me looke for no fauour at my hand With this monition Winchester fell downe vppon hys knees besought his maiesty of mercy and pardon Winchester confesseth his popery to the king manifestly confessing y t he of long time had bene of that opinion w t his sayd secretary and there bewayling himselfe promised from that day forward to reform hys opinion become a new man Well quoth y e king this way you haue of me that which otherwise you should neuer haue obtayned I am content to remitte all thinges past and pardon you vpon your amendment The next morning I had worde how the matter was handled whereupon I came to his highnes sayde Your Maiestie hath preuented our commission whiche I and other had from your grace concerning my Lord of Winchesters coÌ„mitting to the tower Wot you what quoth the K. hee hath confessed himselfe as giltie in this matter as hys man K. Henryes nature to pardon them that come to him and confesse their fault and hath with muche sorrowe pensiuenes sued for my pardon And you know what my nature and custome hath bene in such matters euermore to pardon them that will not dissemble but confesse their fault Thus wilâ—ly and politickely he got himselfe out of our hands But if I had suspected this I would haue had him in the tower ouer night and stopped his iourny to y e court Well sayd my Lord of Caunterbury hee was euermore to good for you all Moreouer as touching this foresaid
rehearsed Besides these two there was none els in all king Edwardes raigne Tho. Dobbe inprisoned and in prison dyed that dyed in any maner cause of religion but that one Thom. Dobbe who in the beginning of this kinges raigne was apprehended for speaking agaynst the idolatry of the masse and in the same prison died as in story here ensueth to be sene This Thomas Dobbe being a studeÌ„t and a maister of Arte in Cambridge was brought vp in the colledge called S. Iohns Colledge and felowe of the same where he increased in the studye of good letters among his equals very forward of nature and disposition simple and modest of zeale toward God ferueÌ„t pacient in iniuries Doues as Philosophers naturally do write haue no gall iniurious to no man of much like sort condition as in Doues which without all bitternes of gal are more apt to receiue iniury then to worke wrong to any At length this godly man intending with himselfe and addicting hys mynde to the Christian state of Matrimony resorted to a certayn mayden not farre of where he dwelt For the whiche cause he was greatly molested and wickedly abused by iij. of that Colledge whose names were Hutchinson Pindare and Tailer who with theyr malicious handlyng scornful dealing opprobries rebukes and coÌ„tumelies so much vexed the vertuous simplicity of y e man that they neuer left him till at length they weryed him out of the Colledge Who there hauing no rest nor quietnes by reasoÌ„ of the vnreasonable and viruleÌ„t handling of his aduersaries was compelled to seek some other place wherin to settle himself Up on the occasion wherof comming vp to LoÌ„don it chauÌ„ced him to passe through Paules Church wheras it happned that at the Southside of the Churche at the same tyme there was a Priest at Masse more busy then wel occupied being at the eleuation as he passed by The yong man repleat with godly zeale pitying the ignorance and idolatry of the people in honoring that so deuoutly which the priest lifted vp was not able to forbeare but opening his mouth turning to the people he exhorted them not to honor the visible bread as God which neither was God nor yet ordeined of God to be honored c. with such other wordes mo of christian information For which cause straight way he was apprehended by the Maior and after accused to the Bishop of CauÌ„terbury was committed to the CouÌ„ter theÌ„ in Bredstreete where he not long continued but fallyng into a sicknes how or wherupon I can not tell shortly vp on the same chauÌ„ged this mortall life Whose pardoÌ„ notw tstanding was obteined of the Lord Protector and shoulde haue bene brought him if he had coÌ„tinued And thus much concerning Thomas Dobbe and other Ouer and besides I finde that in the first yeare of the raygne of King Edward which was an 1547. there was one Iohn Hume seruaunt to Maister Lewnax of Wresell apprehended accused and sent vp to the Archbish. of CauÌ„terbury by the sayd M. Lewnax his Mayster Margaret Lewnax his mistres for these Articles 1 First for denying the Sacrament as it was then called of the aultar to be the reall flesh and bloud of Christ. 2 For saying that he would neuer vale his bonet vnto it to be burned therefore 3 For saying that if he shoulde heare Masse he shoulde be damned For this was he sent vp by his maister and mistres aforesayd with speciall letters vnto the Archbishop requiring him seuerally to be punished by the law for the same But because I finde no execution folowing thereupon I therfore passe ouer this story of him These thinges premissed when this vertuous godly yong prince endued as you haue heard with speciall graces from God was now peaceably stablished in his kingdome and had a couÌ„sell about him graue wise and zelous in Gods cause especially his vncle y e duke of Somerset he then most earnestly likewise desired as well the aduauncement of the true honor of almighty God and the planting of his sincere religion as also the vtter suppressioÌ„ and extirpation of all idolatry superstition hipocrisy and other enormities and abuses throughout his realmes and dominions therefore folowing as is afore expressed the good example of king Iosias he determined forthwith to enter into some reformation of Religion in the Church of England And forasmuch as at his first entry notwithstanding his fathers good beginning in abolishing the vsurped power of Antichrist he yet fouÌ„d most of his lawes greatly repugning agaynst this his zealous enterprise he therefore purposed by the aduise of his sayd wise honorable Counsell of his owne regall power and authority somewhat to prosecute his godly purpose vntill such time as by consent of the whole estate of parliameÌ„t he might establish a more free perfect and vniforme order therin Wherupon intending first a generall visitation ouer al the bishopricks within his realm therby as wel to vnderstaÌ„d Order 〈◊〉 by K. 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 â—â—â—ligion as also to redresse the abuses in the same he chose out certayn wise learned discrete and worshipful personages to be his Commissioners in that behalfe and so deuiding them into seuerall companies Learneâ— preacheâ— appoynâ—â—â— by King Edwarâ— assigned vnto them seueral Diocesses to be visited appoynting likewise vnto euery company one or two godly learned preachers which at euery Session shoulde in theyr preaching both instruct the people in the true doctrine of the Gospell of Christ in all loue and obedience to the same and also earnestly dehorâ—e them from theyr olde superstition and wonted Idolatrye And that they might be more orderly directed in this their Commission there were deliuered vnto them certayn Iniunctions ecclesiasticall orders drawne out by the kings learned counsell the which they should both enquyre of also commaund in his maiesties behalfe to be thenceforth obserued of euery person to whoÌ„ they did seuerally appertayne within theyr sondry circuites In the which amongst other things it was first enioined that all Ecclesiasticall persons should themselues obserue and cause to be obserued of other Ecclesiaâ—â—â—â—call 〈◊〉 must 〈◊〉 against 〈◊〉 Popes 〈…〉 all such Statutes as were made for the abolishing of the Bishop of Romes vsurped power and establishing of the kings supreme authority and that they should euery one foure times in the yeare at the least in theyr publick sermons declare vnto y e people that the one being most arrogaÌ„tly vsurped against the word of God was now iustly taken away and the other according to y e very true meaning of the same worde was of most loyall duety onely to be obeyed of all his graces subiectes And agayne that euery the aforesayd ecclesiastical person hauing cure shoulde preach Sermonâ— quarterâ—â— be made or cause to be preached w t in theyr seueral cures one sermon euery quarter of y e yere In the which they should sincerely set forth the woorde of God exhort the people vnto
bishop of Rome should sodainly arriue in some place of England eyther driuen by tempest or of purpose to do hurt ye should see such order kept by firing of their Becons as hath already bene written vnto you by our letters to repulse the same in so good aray as you can as we do not doubt but you will for the safegard of your countrey so that the enemy shall haue little ioy of his comming and for that purpose you shall see diligently that men haue horse harnesse and other furniture of weapon ready according to the Statutes and good orders of the realme and the kings maiesties commandements And so for this tyme ye may depart What zealous care was in this yong kyng and in the L. Protector his vncle Tâ—e singular zeale of king Edward and his Vncle in reforming religion concerning reformatioÌ„ of Christes Church and sincere religion by these Iniunctions letters precepts and exhortations as well to the bishops as to y e Iustices of the realme aboue premised it may right well appeare Wherby we haue to note not so much the careful diligence of the king and his learned counsaile as the lingering slacknes and drawing backe on the other side of diuers the said Iustices and Lawyers but especially of Bishops The slacknes of Popish Curates in furthering the kinges proceedinges and old popish curates by whose cloked contempt wilfull winkyng and stubburne disobedience the booke of common prayer was long after the publishing therof eyther not knowen at all or els very irreuerently vsed thoroughout many places of this realme Which when y e king by complaint of diuers perfectly vnderstood beyng not a little agreued to see the godly agrement of the learned the willyng consent of the Parliament and his graces owne zealous desire to take so small effect among his subiects decreed presently with the aduise of his whole Counsaile agayne to write vnto all the bishops of his realme for spedy and diligent redresse therin willing and commanding them therby that as well they themselues should thenceforth haue a more speciall regard to the due executioÌ„ of the premisses as also that all others within their seuerall precincts and iurisdiction should by their good instructions willing example be the more oftener and with better deuotion mooued to vse and frequent the same As further appeareth by the contents of hys letter here ensuyng ¶ Another letter directed by the King and hys Counsaile to Boner Bish. of London partly rebuking hym of negligence partly chargyng hym to see to the better settyng out of the seruice booke within his Diocesse RIght reuerend father in God right trusty and welbeloued we greete you well An other letter to Boner Byshop of London and where as after great and serious debating and long conference of the bishops and other graue and well learned men in the holy Scriptures one vniforme order for common prayers and administration of the Sacramentes hath bene and is most godly set forth not only by the common agreement and full assent of the nobilitie and Commons of the late Session of our late Parliament but also by the lyke assent of the bishops in the same Parliament and of all others the learned mâ— of this our realme in their Synodes and conuocations prouinciall Like as it was much to our comfort to vnderstand the godly trauaile then diligently willingly taken for the true openyng of things mentioned in the sayd booke whereby the true seruice and honour of almighty God and the right ministration of the Sacraments beyng well and sincerely set forth accordyng to the Scriptures vse of the primatiue church much idolatry vayne superstition great and slanderous abuses be taken away so it is no small occasion of sorow vnto vs to vnderstand by the complaints of many that our sayd booke so much traueled for also sincerely set forth as is aforesaid remayneth in many places of this our realme eyther not knowen at all or not vsed or at the least if it be vsed very seldome The kinges booke neglected and that in such light and irreuerent sort as the people in many places either haue herd nothing or if they heare they neither vnderstand nor haue that spirituall delectation in the same that to good christians appertaineth The fault wherof lyke as we must of reason impute to you and other of your vocation called by God thorough our appointment to haue due respect to this and such lyke matters so consideryng that by these and such like occasions our louyng subiectes remaâ—ne yet still in their old blyndnes and superstitious errors and in some places in an irreligious forgetfulnes of God wherby his wrath may be prouoked vpon vs and them and remembring with all that amongst other cures committed to our princely charge we thinke this the greatest to see the glory and true seruice of hym maintained extolled by whose clemency we knowledge our selues to haue all that we haue we could not but by aduise and consent of our deerest vncle Edward duke of Somerset gouernour of our person and protector of our realme dominions and subiects and the rest of our priuy counsaile Anno 1549. admonish you of the premisses Wherein as it had bene your office to haue vsed an earnest diligence and to haue preferred the same in all places within your Diocesse as the case required so haue we thought good to pray and require you Boners neâ—â—ligence noted and neuerthelesse straightly to charge and commaund you that from henceforth ye haue an earnest and speciall regard to the reduce of these things so as the Curates may do their dueties more often and in more reuerent sort the people be occasioned by the good aduises and examples of your selfe your Chauncellor Archdeacons and other inferior ministers to come with oftener and more deuotioÌ„ to their sayd common prayers to geue thanks to God and to be pertakers of the most holy Communion Wherein shewyng your selfe diligent and geuyng good example in your owne person you shall both discharge your duty to the great pastor to whom we all haue to accompt and also do vs good seruice and on the other side if we shall hereafter these our letters and commaundement notwithstandyng haue eftsoones complaint and finde the lyke faults in your dioces we shall haue iust cause to impute the fault thereof and of all that ensue thereof vnto you and consequently be occasioned therby to see otherwyse to the redresse of these things wherof we would be sory And therfore we do eftsoones charge and commaund you vpon your allegiance to loke well vpon your duety herein as ye tender our pleasure Geuen vnder our signet at our Manor of Richmond the 23. of Iuly the 3. yeare of our raigne 1549. The B. of London among the rest of the bishops receiuyng these letters did as alwayes tofore in outward shew willingly accept the same and therfore immediately with the sayd letters directed this his precept
trustie person with whome I shall be contented to talke and make answere as the case shall require assuring you that if any seruaunte of mine owne eyther man or woman or Chaplaine shoulde moue me to the contrary of my conscience I woulde not geue eare to them nor suffer the lyke to be vsed wythin my house And thus my Lorde wyth my hearty commendations I wishe vnto you and the rest as well to doe as my selfe From my house at Kinning hall the 22. of Iune 1549. Your assured frend to my power Mary A remembrance of certaine matters appoynted by the Counsaile to be declared by Doctor Hopton to the Ladie Maries grace for answer to her former letter which said Hopton was after shee came to her raigne B. of Norwiche Her grace wryteth that the lawe made by Parlament is not woorthy the name of a lawe meaninge the statute for the Communion c. You shall say thereto THe fault is great in any subiect to disallow a law of the king a Lawe of a Realme by long studie free disputation and vniforme determination of the whole Cleargie consulted debated and concluded But the greater fault is in her grace being nexte of any subiect in bloude and estate to the kings Maiestie her brother and good Lorde to geue example of disobedience being a subiecte or of vnnaturalnesse being his Maiesties sister or of neglecting the power of the crowne shee being by limitation of lawe nexte to the same The example of disobedience is most perilous in this time as shee can wel vnderstand her vnkindnesse resteth in the kinges owne acceptation the neglecting of the power before God is answereable and in the worlde toucheth her honour The executours shee sayth were sworne to king Henrie the eight his lawes You shall say It is true they were sworne to him his Lawes hys heires and successours which oth they duely obserue and should offend if they should breake any one iote of y e kings lawes nowe being without a dispensation by a lawe and herein her grace shall vnderstand that it is no lawe which is dissolued by a law Neither may her grace do that iniurie to the kinges Maiestie her brother to diminish his authoritie so farre that he may not by the free coÌ„sent of a â—arlament amend and alter vnprofitable lawes for the number of inconueniences which hereof mighte folowe as her grace with consideration may well perceiue Offence taken by the sending for of her officers You shall say If her grace consider the firste letters of that purpose they will declare our good meaning to her and our gentle vsage requiring the presence of her trusty seruant because shee might geue more trust to our message Her house is her flocke You shall say It is well liked her grace shoulde haue her house or flock but not exempt from the Kings orders neither may there be a flocke of the kings subiects but such as wil hear and folowe the voice of the king their shepheard God disaloweth it law and reason forbiddeth it pollicie abhorreth it and her honour may not require it Her grace deferreth her obedience to the kings lawe till his Maiestie be of sufficient yeares You shall say Shee coulde in no one saying more disallow the authoritie of the king the maiestie of his crowne and the state of the Realme For heerein shee suspendeth hys kingdome and esteemeth his authoritie by his age not by his right and title Her grace must vnderstande he is a King by the ordinaunce of God by descent of Royall bloude not by the numbering of his yeares As a creature subiecte to mortalitie hee hathe youthe and by Gods grace shall haue age but as a Kinge he hath no difference by dayes and yeares The Scripture plainly declareth it not only young children to haue ben kings by Gods speciall ordinaunce but also whiche is to be noted to haue had best successe in their raigne and the fauour of God in theyr proceedinges Yea in their first yeares haue they most purely refourmed the Church and state of ReligioÌ„ Therfore her grace hath no cause thus to diminish his maiesties power and to make him as it were no king vntil she thinke him of sufficient yeares Wherin howe much his maiestie may be iustly offended they be sorie to thinke Shee saith shee is subiecte to none of the Counsaile You shall say If her grace vnderstandeth it of vs in that acceptation as we be priuate men and not counsailours sworne to the kings maiesty we knowledge vs not to be superiors but if shee vnderstande her wryting of vs as Counsailors and magistrates ordained by his maiestie her grace muste be contented to thinke vs of authority sufficient by the reason of our office to chaleÌ„ge a superioritie not to rule by priuate affection but by Gods prouidence not to our estimation but to the kings honour and finally to encrease the kings estate with our counsaile our dignitie and vocation and we think her grace wil not forget the saying of Salomon in the 6. chapter of the booke of Wisedome to mooue a king to rule by counsaile and wisedome and to builde his estate vpon them Wherefore her grace must be remembred the kings Maiesties pollitike body is not made onely of hys owne Royall material body but of a Counsaile by whom his maiestie ruleth directeth and gouerneth hys Realme In the place of which Counsaile her grace is not ignorant that we be set and placed Wherfore the reputation she shal geue vs shee shall geue it to the kings honor that which shee shall take from vs shee shall take from his Maiestie whose maiestie wee thinke if it might take encrease of honour as God geueth a daily abundance it should receiue rather encrease from her beinge his Maiesties sister then thus any abatement Shee receiued maister Arundel and maister Englefelde You shall say All the Counsaile remembreth well her refusall to haue her house charged w t any more number alleaging the smal proportion for her charge and therefore it was thought to come of their earnest suite meaning to be priuiledged subiectes from the lawe then of her desire which refused very often to encrease her number Their cautel the king might not suffer to haue his law disobeied their countreis where they shoulde serue by them to be destitute and hauing bene seruantes to his maiestie the circumstances of their departure might in no wise be liked Shee refused to heare anye man to the contrarye of her opinion You shall say It is an aunswer more of will then of reason and therfore her Grace muste bee admonished neither to truste her owne opinion without ground neither mislike al others hauing grounde If hers be good it is no hurt if shee heare the worse If it be ill shee shall doe well to heare the better Shee shall not alter by hearing but by hearing the better And because shee shall not mislike the offer lette her grace name of learned men whome shee will and further
made this aunswer againe That first touching the Article of submission he woulde in no wise consent affirming as hee had done before that he had neuer offended the kings Maiestye in any such sorte as shoulde geue hym cause thus to submit himselfe praying earnestly to be brought vnto his trial wherin he refused the kings mercy and desired nothing So ye right 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 turned 〈◊〉 altar to 〈◊〉 but iustice And for the rest of the articles he aunswered that after he were past his triall in this firste poynt and were at libertie then it should appeare what he would do in them not being as he said reasonable that he should subscribe them in prisone Of this answer when the king and hys counsel had intelligence by the foresayde Maister of the horse Secretarie Peter the bishop of London and M. Goodricke who had bene wyth him it was agreed that he should be sent for before the whole counsel and peremptorily examined once againe whether he would stand at this poynt or no which if he did then to denouÌ„ce vnto him the sequestration of his benefice and consequently the intimation in case hee were not reformed within 3. monethes as in the daye of his appearance shall appeare The tenor and words of which sequestration with the Intimation followeth The wordes of the Sequestration with the Intimation to the Bishop of Winchester FOr asmuch as the kings maiestie our most gratious soueraigne Lord vnderstandeth The tenour of of the sequestration read to Winchester and it is also manifestly knowne and notorious vnto vs that the clemency long sufferaunce of his maiestie woorketh not in you y e good effect and humblenes and conformitie that is requisite in a good subiect and for that your first disobediences coÌ„teÌ„pts and other misbehauiours for the which you were by hys Maiesties authoritie iustly coÌ„mitted to warde haue â—ithes your said committing dayly more more increased in you in such sort as a great slaunder and offence is therof risen in many parts of the realme whereby also much slander dissention trouble vnquietnes is very like more to ensue if your foresaid offences being as they be openly knowne should passe vnpunished The causes why this sequestratioÌ„ was laid against Winchester we let you wit that hauing speciall and expresse Commission and commaundement from his Maiesty aswell for your contumacies and contempts so long coÌ„tinued and yet daily more increasing as also for the exchange of the slaunder offence of the people which by your sayd ill demeanours is risen and for that also the Church of Winchester may be in the meane time prouided of a good minister that may and will see all things done quietly executed according to lawes and common orders of this Realme Winchester sequestred from his Byshopricke for sondry other great and vrgent causes we do by these presentes sequester all the fruites reuenues landes and possessions of your Bishopricke of Winchester discerne deeme iudge the same to be committed to the seueral receite collection and custody of such person or persons as his Maiesty shall appoynt for that purpose And because your former disobediences and contemptes so loÌ„g coÌ„tinued so many times doubled renued and aggrauated do manifestly declare you to be a person without all hope of recouery plainly incorrigible we eftsoones admonish and require you to obay his maiesties said coÌ„maundement and that you do declare your selfe by subscription of youre hand both willing well conteÌ„ted to accept allow preach and teache to others the sayde articles and all suche other matters as be or shal be set forth by his maiesties authority of supreme head of this church of England on this side within the terme of 3. monthes whereof we appoynt one month for the first monition one month for the second monition and warning and one moneth for the third and peremptorie monition Within which time as you may yet declare your coÌ„formitie and shal haue paper Intimation geuâ— to Winchester pen and inke when you wil cal for them for that purpose so if you wilfully forbeare and refuse to declare your self obedient and conformable as is aforesayd we intimate vnto you that his maiestie who like a good gouernor desireth to keepe both his coÌ„mon wealth quiet and to purge the same of euill men especially ministers entendeth to proceede against you as an incorrigible person and vnmeet minister of this church to depriuation of your sayd bishopprike Neuertheles vpon diuers good considerations and specially in hope he might within his time be yet reconciled it was agreed that the sayd bishops house seruants should be maintained in their present estate vntill y e time that this Iniunction should expire the matter for the meane time to be kept secrete After this sequestration the sayde B. was commensed vnto Lambeth before the Archbishop of Cant. other the kings commissioners by vertue of the kings speciall letter sent vnto the sayde Commissioners to witte to the Archbyshop of Caunterburie Nicholas bishoppe of London The names of the Commissioners delegate in the cause of SteueÌ„ Gardineâ— Thomas bishop of Ely Henry bishop of Lincoln Secretarie Peter Syr Iames Hales knight Doctour Leyson Doctor Olyuer lawyers and Iohn Gosnold Esquire c. before them and by them to be examined by whome were obiected against him 19. special articles in order and forme heere following Articles and positions ministred ioyntly and seuerally obiected to the B. of Winchester IN primis that the kings Maiestie iustly and rightfully is and by the lawes of God ought to be the supreme head in earth of the Church of England and Ireland Articles ministred agaynst Winchester by the Commissioners and so is by the Clergie of this realme in their conuocation and by the Act of Parliament iustly and according to y e lawes of God recognised 2 Item that his maiestie as supreme head of y e saide churches hath full power and authoritie to make and set suche Lawes Iniunctions and ordinances for and concerning Religion anâ— orders in the said churches for the increase of vertue and repressing of all errours heresies and other enormities and abuses 3 Item that all and euery his graces subiectes are bound by the lawes of God to obey all his highnesse saide lawes Iniunctions and proceedings concerning religion orders in the sayd Churches Winchester sworne to the kinges supremacy 4 Item that you Steuen B. of Winchester haue sworne obedience to his Maiestie as supreme head of this Church of England and also of Ireland 5 Item that all and euery his graces subiects that disobey any of his sayde Maiesties lawes Iniunctions ordinances and proceedings already set forth published or hereafter to be set foorth published ought worthely to be punished according to his graces Ecclesiasticall lawes vsed within thys his realme Winchester after his oth fouÌ„d disobedient to the king and his proceedinges 6 Item that you
much vnlike so in matters of religion and in discerning truth from falshood their zeale seemed not much discrepant Although the light of the Gospell did not so fully then shine out as in the time of this latter Duke the Lord be praysed therfore yet the wisedome and towardnes of y e other Duke also touching the same was not vtterly vnworthy of his commendation A false miracle detected by Duke Humfrey of Glocester For the more manifest declaration whereof amongest many other his godly doinges we may take for example the prudent and famous acte of that noble Duke in descerning and trying out the false lying miracle and popish hipocrisie of the blinde begger at S. Albons mentioned in his story before pag. 679. For the whiche cause and for his dilligent studye in reforming that and such other blinde abuses of fayned Religion he was the more hated of the spiritualtie and suche as Winchester then was Finally as thys Lorde Protector Duke of Somerset the kinges vncle by certayne of the Counsayle was then accused arraigned cōdemned for the trespasse as it was geuen forth of felonie although I neuer heard he murdered or robbed any so the other vncle of king Henry the 6. was made away The testimonye of M. William Tindall of good Duke Humfrey The happy successe of the Duke of Somerset in his victoryes Of whose decease thus writeth Mayster W. Tindall in his practise of Prelaets At y e last they found the meanes to contriue a drift to bring their matters to passe made a Parliamēt far from the Citizens of Londō where was slayne the sayd good Duke the onely wealth of the Realme and y e mighty shield which so long had kept it from sorowe which shortly after his death fell vpon thē by heapes But the Chronicles sayth he cannot tel wherfore he dyed nor by what meanes Neuertheles this they testifie that he was a vertuous man godly and good to the common wealth But to leaue Duke Humfrey and to return to the maners and vertues of the Duke of Somerset whiche before we were about to describe as he was a gentle and courteous Duke at home so was he no lesse fortunate a Captain in warfare abroad Gods chastisement vpon the Duke of Somerset Under whose gouernment guidyng not onely diuers rebellious commotions were happily suppressed here at home but also abroad in the expedition of Scotland such a victory was geuen him of God that w t the losse scarse of sixe hundred of his own men there were of the enemies as good or little lesse then x. thousand slayn and put to flight and euen the very same day and tyme in the which all the Idolatrous Images were here burnt at London And yet al these warres notwithstanding wherunto he was agaynst his will compelled he was a man of nature singularly geuen to peace as may be seene by the sweete and peaceable exhortation by him set forth in print before and sent to the realme of Scotland But as there is nothing in this worlde so perfect in all respectes which is not blotted or darckned with some spot of vice adioyned withal so amongst the manifold commēdations of this Duke one thinge there was too whiche both desteyned his honour and estimation much and also more empayred and hindered his owne life safety which was that he in condescending to the death of his brother followed too rashly the perswasion of certayne whosoeuer they were for that matter lacked not perchaunce some singular fetche and pollicie of some more craftely then godly disposed persons as many good men haue supposed But what soeuer of that matter is to be deemed credible it is that the said Duke in suffering or procuring this death of his brother not only endamaged himselfe weakened his own power but also prouoked the chastisement of Gods scourge and rod which did so light vpon him Furthermore as touching the death and decay of the Lord Henry Earle of Surrey who suffered also at the Tower next before the Lord Admirall the Lorde Protectours brother because the casting of him was so neare to the death of King Henry The beheading of the Earle of Surrey as I know not vpon whome or what cause the same did proceede so I passe it ouer and leaue it to the Lord. Notwithstanding as for the Duke of Somerset whatsoeuer his other vices and vertues were this is certayne that his ende the Lord so working wyth him was constant in Christes truth as his life was before a great maintenance of the same Moreouer on the xxvj day of February in the same yeare was sir Rafe Uane Syr Rafe Vane Syr Myles Partrige Syr Michael Stanhop and Syr Thomas Arundell suffered at Tower hyll sir Miles Partrige both hāged at the Tower hill And sir Michaell Stanhop sir Thomas Arundell beheaded vppon the scaffold all which four were condemned by the saide Acte of vnlawfull assemblie and as accessaries vnto the Duke of Somerset Not long after the death of the Duke of Somerset in the next yeare folowing deceassed the King himselfe about the moneth of Iune whereof more shall be said the Lord graunting in his due order and course heereafter In the meane season before we come to close vp the latter end and story of this good King the place heere present seemeth not vnfitte to intermixt by the way a few other things before Religion hindered by discorde hapning within the time of his reigne namely concerning matters incident of the Church of Religiō Which state of Religion begā wel to grow to come happely forward during this Kings daies had not the vnhappy troubles of the outward state amongst the Lords not agreeing within themselues disquieted the good towardnes of things begon But the malice of the diuell how subtilly worketh it if men could see it So long as the Lordes agreed in concord among themselues Winchester and Boner with all that faction was cut short and began to condescend to good cōformitie But afterward perceauing the states and nobles of the Realme to be amōg themselues diuided and y e Lord Protectour the Kings vncle displaced and his brother the Admirall before beheaded and the yong King now left in that case they begā vpon some hope to take more hart vnto them Discorde what decay it worketh in a common wealth till at last it came to passe as they themselues desired And thus though nothing else will leade vs yet experience may teach vs what discorde worketh in publicke weales and contrary what a necessary thing concord is to the aduancemēt especially of Gods matters apperteining to his Church Examples whereof in this Kings daies be not farre to seeke For as touching the successe of the Gospell of peace D. Smyth Chadsey Standish Younge Oglethorpe reclaymed from their errours while publicke peace and the Gospel did ioine together marueilous it was how errour Popery were in themselues confounded and ashamed
of England and B. of Winchester Doct. Poynet beyng put out but also that Boner was restored to his bishoprike agayne The tâ—â—e preaching â—â—shop â—â—splaâ—ed and D. Ridley displaced IteÌ„ D. Day to the bishoprike of Chichester Iohn Scory beyng put out Item D. Tonstall to the bishoprike of Duresme Item D. Heath to the bishoprike of Worcester and Iohn Hooper committed to the Fleete Item D. Uesiâ— to Exceter and Miles Couerdale put out These things beyng marked and perceiued great heauinesse and discomfort grew more and more to all good mens hartes but contrary to the wicked great reioysing In which discord of minds and diuersitie of affections was now to be seene a miserable face of things in the whole commoÌ„ welth of England They that could dissemble tooke no great care how the matter went But such whose consciences were ioyned to truth perceiued already coales to bee kindled which after should be the destruction of many a true Christian man as in deed it came to passe In the meane while Queene Mary after these beginnings A Parliament Summoned remoouyng from y e Tower to Hampton Court caused a Parliament to bee suÌ„moned against the x. day of Octob. next ensuing wherof more is to be sayd hereafter Ye heard before how diuers Bishops were remooued and other placed in their roumes amongest whome was D. Ridley B. of London a worthy man both of fame and learnyng This D. Ridley in tyme of Queene Iane had made a Sermon at Paules crosse so commaunded by the Counsaile Bishop Ridley preacheth 〈◊〉 Queene Maryes 〈◊〉 declaryng there hys mynde to the people as touching the Lady Mary and disswading them alledging there the incommodities and inconuenieÌ„ces which might ryse by receiuyng her to be their Queene prophesieng as it were before that which after came to passe y t she would bryng in forraine power to raigne ouer them besides the subuertyng also of Christian Religion then already established shewyng moreouer that the same Mary beyng in hys Diocesse he accordyng to his duetie beyng then her Ordinary had trauailed much with her to reduce her to this Religion and notwithstandyng in all other poyntes of ciuilitie she shewed her selfe gentle and tractable yet in matters that concerned true fayth and doctrine she shewed her selfe so stiffe and obstinate that there was no other hope of her to be conceyued but to disturbe and ouerturne all that which with so great labours had bene confirmed and planted by her brother afore Shortly after this Sermon Queene Mary was proclaymed whereuppon hee speedily repairyng to Fremingham to salute the Queene had such colde welcome there that beyng dispoyled of all his dignities he was sent backe vpon a lame halting horse to the Tower After hym preached also Maister Rogers the next sonday M. Rogers preacheth entreatyng very learnedly vppon the Gospell of the same day This so done Queene Mary seyng all things yet not goyng so after her mynd as she desired deuiseth wyth her Counsaile to bring to passe that thyng by other meanes which as yet by open lawe she could not well accomplish directing forth an Inhibition by Proclamation that no man should preach or read openly in churches the word of God besides other thynges also in the same Proclamation Inhibited the copye whereof here followeth ¶ An inhibition of the Queene for preaching Printyng c. THe Queenes highnes well remembryng what great inconuenience and daungers haue growen to this her highnes Realme in tymes past August 18. thorough the diuersitie of opinions in questions of religion An inhibition of the Queene for preaching and printing and hearyng also that now of late sithence the beginnyng of her most gracious Raigne the same contentions be agayne much reuiued thorough certayne false and vntrue reportes and rumors spreade by some lyght and euyll disposed personnes hath thought good to doe to vnderstand to all her highnes most louyng subiectes her most gracious pleasure in manner followyng First Q. Mary beginneth to set forth her popish religion Religion here grounded vppon the Queenes will her Maiestie beyng presented by the onely goodnesse of God setled in her iust possession of the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme and other Dominions thereunto belongyng cannot now hide that religion which God and the world knoweth she hath euer professed from her infancie hitherto Which as her Maiestie is mynded to obserue and maintaine for her selfe by gods grace during her tyme so doth her highnesse much desire and would be glad the same were of all her subiectes quietly and charitably embraced And yet she doth signifie vnto all her maiesties louyng subiects that of her most gracious disposition clemency her highnesse myndeth not to compell any her sayde subiects thereunto vnto such tyme as further order by common assent may be taken therein forbiddyng neuertheles all her subiects of all degrees at their peryls to mooue seditions or stirre vnquietnes in her people by interpreting the Lawes of this Realme after their braynes and fantasies but quietly to continue for the tyme tyll as before is sayd further order may be taken and therfore willeth and straitly chargeth and commaundeth all her sayd good louyng subiects to lyue togethers in quiet sort and Christian charitie leauyng those new found diuelish termes of Papist or heretike and such lyke and applying their hole care study and trauaile to lyue in the feare of God exercising their conuersations in such charitable godly doyng as their lyues may in deed expresse that great hunger and thirst of Gods glory and holy worde Termeâ— of Papist and Hereticke forbidden which by rash talke wordes many haue pretended and in so doing they shal best please God and lyue without daungers of the lawes and maintaine the tranquillitie of the Realme Wherof as her highnes shall be most glad so if any man shall rashlye presume to make any assemblies of people or at any publike assemblies or otherwyse shall go about to stir the people to disorder or disquiet shee myndeth according to her dutie to see the same most surely reformed punished accordyng to her highnes lawes And furthermore forasmuch also as it is well knowen False surmise against true preachers Printers and players that sedition and false rumours haue bene nourished and maintayned in this Realme by the subtletie and malice of some euill disposed persons which take vpon them without sufficient authoritie to preach to interprete the word of God after their owne brayne in churches and other places both publike and priuate Here was the head of Winchester also by playing of Enterludes and printyng of false fond bookes ballades rymes and other lewd treatises in the English tongue concernyng doctrine in matters now in question and controuersie touchyng the high poyntes and mysteries of christen religion which bookes ballades rymes and treatises Preachyng Printyng Readyng and playing of Enterludes restrayned are chiefly by the Printers and Stationers set out to sale to her graces
the Christian Preachers Vnorderly proceeding of the aduersaryes aâ—gainst Goâ—â— people their goodes and bookes taken from them and they slandered to be most hainous heretikes their enemies themselues being both witnesses accusers and Iudges belying slandering and misreportyng your said subiectes at their pleasure whereas your sayd subiectes beyng straightly kept in prison cannot yet be suffred to come forth and make aunswer accordingly In consideration whereof it may please your most excellent Maiesties and this your high court of Parliament graciously to tender the present calamitie of your sayd poore subiects and to call them before your presence graunting them liberty either by mouth or writing in the playne English tong to aunswer before you or before indifferent Arbiters to be appointed by your Maiesties vnto such articles of controuersie in religion as their sayd aduersaries haue already condemned them of Request of the Preachers to stand to thâ— triall of their doctrine befoâ—â— indifferenâ— Iudges as of hainous heresies Prouided that all things may be done with such moderation quiet behauior as becommeth subiectes and children of peace that your said subiects may haue the free vse of all their owne bookes and conference together among themselues Which thing beyng granted your said subiects doubt not but it shall plainly appeare that your sayd subiects are true and faithful christians neither heretikes neither teachers of heresie nor cut of from the true catholike vniuersal church of Christ Yea that rather their aduersaries themselues be vnto your Maiesties as were the charmers of Egypt vnto Pharao Sedechias his adherents vnto the king of Israel Actes 1â— and Bariesu to the Proconsul Sergius Paulus And if your said subiects be not able by the testimonie of Christ his prophets Apostles godly fathers of his church to prooue that the doctrine of the church homilies and seruice taught and set forth in the tyme of our late most godly prince and king Edward the 6. is the true doctrine of Christes Catholicke church and most agreeable to the articles of the christian fayth your sayd subiects offer themselues then to the most heauy punishment that it shall please your maiesties to appoynt Wherfore for the tender mercy of God in Christ which you looke for at the day of iudgement your sayd poore subiectes in bonds most humbly beseech your most excellent maiesties and this your high court of Parliament beningly and graciously to heare and graunt this their petition tendyng so greatly to the glory of God to the edifiyng of his church to the honor of your maiesties to the commendation and maintenaÌ„ce of iustice right and equitie both before God and man And your sayd subiectes according to their bounden duety shall not cease to pray vnto almighty God for the gracious preseruation of your most excellent maiesties long to endure ⧠The ende of the tenth Booke Anâ—â— 1554. â—â—bruaâ—◠¶ Here beginneth the eleuenth Booke wherein is discoursed the bloudy murthering of Gods Saintes with the particular Processes and Names of such good Martyrs both Men and Women as in this tyme of Queene Mary were put to death ⧠The Story Life and Martyrdome of Maister IOHN ROGERS THE fourth daye of February suffered the constant Martyr of God M. Iohn Rogers concernynge whose life examinations and suffring here followeth in order set forth And first touching his lyfe and bringing vp Iohn Rogers brought vp in the Uniuersitie of Cambridge where hee profitably trauelled in good learning â— Rogers â—haplayne 〈◊〉 the â—archaunt 〈…〉 Rogers brought to the03 Goâ—pell 〈◊〉 M. W. 〈◊〉 〈…〉 at the length was chosen and called by the Merchants Aduenturers to be their Chaplaine at Antwerpe in Brabant whome he serued to their good contentation many yeares It chaunced him there to fal in company with that worthy seruant and Martyr of God William Tindall and with Miles Couerdale which both for the hatred they bare to popish superstition and idolatry and loue to true religion had forsaken their natiue country In conferring with them the scriptures he came to great knowledge in the Gospell of God in so much that he cast of the heauy yoke of Popery perceiuyng it to be impure and filthy Idolatry and ioyned himselfe with them two in that paynefull most profitable labour of translating the Bible into the Englishe tongue which is intituled The Translation of Thomas Mathew He knowing by the scriptures that vnlawful vows may lawfully be broken and that Matrimony is both honest and honourable amongest all men ioyned hymselfe in lawfull matrimonye and so went to Wittemberge in Saxony where he with much sobernes of liuyng did not onely greatly encrease in all good and godly learnyng but also so much profited in the knowledge of the Dutch tong that the charge of a congregation was orderly committed to his cure In which ministery he diligently and faithfully serued many yeares vntil such tyme as it pleased God by y e faithfull trauell of his chosen and deare seruant king Edward the sixt vtterly to banish all Popery forth of England to receiue in true Religion settyng Gods Gospell at liberty He then beyng orderly called hauyng both a conscience and a ready good will to helpe forward the worke of the Lord in his natiue country left such honest and certaine conditions as he had in Saxony and came into England to preach the Gospel without certaintie of any condition In which office after he had a space diligently and faithfully trauailed Nicholas Ridley then bishop of London gaue him a Prebende in the Cathedrall Churche of Paules and the Deane and the Chapter chose hym to be the Reader of the Diuinitie lesson there wherein he diligently trauailed vntill such tyme as Queene Mary obtaining the crowne banished the Gospell and true religion and brought in the Antichrist of Rome with his Idolatry and superstition After the Queene was come to the Tower of LondoÌ„ he beyng orderly called thereunto made a godly and vehement Sermon at Paules Crosse confirmyng such true doctrine as he and other had there taught in K. Edwards dayes exhortyng the people constantly to remayne in the same and to beware of all pestilent Popery Idolatry and superstition The Councel beyng then ouermatched with popish and bloudy bishops M. Rogers called to accompt for his Sermon at Paules Crosse. called hym to accompt for his Sermon To whom he made a stout wittie godly answer and yet in such sort handled himself that at that time he was clearely dismissed But after that Proclamation was set foorth by the Queene to prohibite true preachyng he was called agayne before the Counsel for the bishops thirsted after his bloud The Counsell quarelled wyth hym concerning his doctrine and in conclusion commanded hym as prisoner to keepe his owne house and so hee did although by flying he might easily haue escaped their cruell hands and many thyngs there were M. Rogers agaâ—ne called before the Counsell and commaunded
Bartlemew day then next folowing which payment he made accordingly notwithstanding that hys aduersaries wrought meanes to haue made hym breake hys day namely one Edward Harbard Gentleman who hath a personage of his to Farme kept backe his rent to the very last day because that money should not helpe to serue his turne and so by crafty cauillation deteyneth it still in his hand with a yeres rent and a halfe more for the sayd Edward Harbert is an adherent of the sayd Bishops aduersaries Fiftly the booke of their depositions is so great that it asketh a long tyme to peruse And also the greatest part of their witnesses were vtterly vnknowen of the bishop and all his And also dwellyng in so many sondry places of the Dioces among the mountaines and els where scarcely within the circuit of two hundred miles Item another great Sessions holden at Carmarthen in the moneth of October last during which tyme he was attendant there as is aforesayd All which causes considered beyng also in the tyme of his ordinary visitatioÌ„ which he did execute himselfe he could not make redy his exceptions in shorter tyme. The sayd Bishop dispatched his man towards London the 23. day of October who euer sithens hath bene and is attendaunt in the same sute for the obtainyng of the Commission for proofe of his matter agaynst hys aduersaries ¶ A copy of a certaine letter written by the Bish. of S. Dauids MOst humbly sheweth vnto your honour your poore Orator Robert Bishop of Saint Dauies that where as one Thomas Lee by the procurement of T. Y. and R. M. beyng both Canons of Saint Dauies George Constantine Register to the sayd Bishop hath exhibited vnto your honour agaynst him certayne articles in the which are mentioned many triflyng things vnworthy to be declared in your honourable audience and also theyr pretensed weighty articles as they haue alledged there are vtterly vntrue for proofe whereof the â—ayd Thomas Lee hath had Commissions into the countrey Therefore it may please your honour of your fauourable goodnes to graunt vnto your sayd Oratour a lyke Commission for the examination of witnesse in defence of his truth and honesty against the sayd Thomas Lee George Constantine and the aforenamed Rowland Merike and all other persons with theyr iniust articles attestations and sayings which hath deposed against hym And in tender consideration that your sayd Orator standeth bounâ—en and sureties with hym in the summe of a thousand markes to appeare before the Kings Iustice in the Sessions at Carmarthen in Iuly next commyng to aunswer to a forged matter of premunire by the procurement and counsaile of his forenamed aduersaries maliciously surmised agaynst hym to his vtter vndoyng And furthermore your Orator beyng in debt to the Kings Maiesty by reason of the malicious vexation of his foresayd aduersaries cannot if hee remayne here satisfie the same for where as there be rerages to a great summe as well of the Kings money as of his owne rentes he can receiue none thereof hys aduersaries hath made such ill report to his discredite bearyng the people in hand that he shall come no more thether By reason of which brute neither his owne tenants will pay theyr rentes and rerages nor the priests their rerages due to the Kyngs Maiesty as well for anno secundo and tertio as for quarto and quinto In consideration of all which thyngs it may ylease your honourable goodnes to licence your sayd Orator to depart into the Diocesse for these affayres and other And hee is ready at all tymes at your honourable commaundement and pleasure to repayre agayne and euer to pray to the Lorde Iesu for the perpetuall conseruation of your honour to his glory ¶ Another letter written by the Bishop of S. Dauies RIght honourable and my very especiall good Lorde with humble seruice and harty thanks to God and to you for your godly fauour towardes me at all tymes as right playnly appeareth by your fatherly letters most louingly admonishing me to enclyne vnto that which is very necessary as charitable concorde and vnitie This is furtherly to besiche your Lordship for the Lordes sake not to be grieued but benignly to heare and grauely to ponder that weighty matter which appearing to other but a light griefe to me is in very deede a right grieuous offence to God with no little hinderaunce of his holy word and disturbance of the Kings godly proceedyngs may be a great occasion of much inobedience and disorder of good lyfe Wherefore I am straightly bounden for the true zeale that I ought to beare vnto Gods worde of lyfe Christian religion the Kings Maiesties honour and the godly quiet state of hys people not faintly to let fall the burthen of diligent redresse to bee sought at his Maiesties handes by the godly wisedome of hys most honourable and vpright Counsaile but with harty affection to beare it vp against those high mynded arrogant stubburne ambitious couetous canons trusting in their biting tonges with crafty preuention and vtterly vntrue surmises to stoppe the light that their vngodly misdoings in darknes shal either not be seene or at the lest may seeme to appeare in colourable appearance of right In so much that I doe not a little maruell at these qualities in M. Chaunter the Canon and the Deane of Worcester whose vngentle and vntrue behauiour I haue not only knowen but expertly prooued and sensibly feeled in two of the first to my great losses whereof I make no complaynt But I woonder in my mynd and lament in my heart the straunge alteration and wilfull goyng backeward of myne old faithfull brother George Constantine the whiche knowing them all three to haue bene in tymes past eyther obstinate enemies to the true bearers of the Crosse of Christ or at the least priuye lurkers vnder pretence of fauour towardes the Gospell to sting the poore followers thereof seekyng but their owne lucre and pleasure in all their doinges would so earnestly cleaue vnto them in their wroÌ„g deeds as to betray me with his tong become vntrue of his promise and a bearer of filthy sinne for lucres sake euen yet stifly persisting in the same namely in thyngs manifestly known vnto many although he would deny it and that I might not be credited And as for their premunire both George and they at my first commyng vngeÌ„tly deteining from M. Ferlee hys commission for the Chauncellorship would haue faced mee downe with premunire because it was written in my owne name accordyng to the statute yet was I fayne for the zeale of vnitie not to see their vncurteous deedes departing with M. Farlee for the auoydyng of their malice and enuy and gaue that office for the aâ—â—tie of George vnto M. Chaunter his sonne in lawe and to D. Merike the office of Cardigan But seyng afterward their couetous respect to their own glory and lucre not regarding the reformation of sinne and specially of shameles whoredome I was compelled to remooue theÌ„
sore agaynst their wyls and where as I desired many and sondry tymes charitable redresse of their wrong doyngs in the vacation time I obtained many faire words and nothyng in deede Also desiring to haue sight of the booke of Statutes of the church for the knowledge of my duety and theirs I could not obtayne Desiring to haue a key of y e Chapter seale as my L. of Bathe had they would not deliuer it but vpon conditions yet was I content to be brideled receiuyng it as pleased them to geue it And further requiring the sight of necessary euidences for the declaration of diuers thyngs in trauers of my right they would in no wyse graunt it And thereupon consideryng their vngentlenes I mooued the quo warranto knowyng right well that if they should shew any substantiall grant vnder the kings seale for their corporation it must therein appeare the Bish. to be the hed and euer hath bene vnder the kyng for other they neuer haue nor had except they would returne to Rome againe as I trust they will not And yet perceiuyng afterward that they had no speciall graunt to shew or els such as they would not shew I my selfe for the respect of vnitie wrote my letters to the kings Attorney by reason whereof the quo warranto was stayed and so yet remaineth But touching the certificate y e kings subsidie beyng due at Michaelmas last and forborne tyll after Christmas and lawfully demaunded afore they dyd vtterly refuse to pay both to my Uice collector and to my selfe except I would take it of theÌ„ in portions not knowing where to aske the rest and it is committed vnto me in the Kings roll a whole summe in grosse to be receyued of the Canons Residentiaries for their diuideÌ„t who because they cannot agree in deuiding would haue the kings maiestie to tary for hys money till they can agree to make diuision And I cannot demaund it of any perticular person nor at any perticular place Wherfore I most humbly beseech your fatherly goodnes for the Lordes sake to persist and continue my good Lord and friend vnto such tyme as ye fynd me eyther desiring to be defended in my wrong or not willyng to put the iudgement of my right cause into your hands And because that the residue of matters touchyng them and their vngentle vntrue and vngodly doyngs is too long and I haue molested you too much with this my tedious letter I shall now surcease humbly beseeching your good Lordship to accept in good part this my boldnesse proceedyng of necessitie and to pardon it for the loue of our Lorde Iesu who saue and keepe you in health comfort and honor long to endure for th aduancement of his glory Written at Aburguily this ix of March Your Lordships to command during lyfe R. F. And thus you haue heard the first trouble of this blessed Martyr of the Lord in King Edwards dayes wyth the whole discourse thereof Which we thought the rather here to expresse to geue other good bishops warning to be more circumspect whom they should trust and haue about them Briefly in few wordes to conclude this processe B. Farrer partly vpon the importunate sute of his aduersaries partly vppon the sinister and infortunate fall of the good Duke of Somerset by whom he had bene before promooted and maynteined hauyng but small fauour shewed was deteined in prison till the death of king Edward and the commyng in of Queene Mary and popish religion whereby a new trouble rose vpon hym being now accused and examined for his fayth and doctrine The processe of which his trouble here likewyse followeth After that the foresayd M. Farrer Bishop of S. Dauids had bene long deteined in custody vnder sureties in the raigne of king Edward not for any iust cause of hys part deserued but by reason that he had bene promoted by the D. of Somerset and now after his fall he found fewer friends to support him agaynst such as hunted after his Bishoprike at length after the decease of king Edward by the commyng in of Queene Mary the state of religion began to be chaunged and altered The secoâ—â— trouble oâ— B. Farrâ—â— the tyme 〈◊〉 Q. Mary Whereby a new trouble rose vpon hym beyng now accused and examined not for any matter of Premunire but for his fayth and doctrine Whereupon he was called before the Bish. of Winchester with M. Hooper M. Rogers M. Bradford M. Saunders and others aforesayde the 4. of February On the which day hee should also with them haue bene condemned but because laisure or list did not so well then serue the Bish. his condemnation was deferred and he sent to prison agayne where he continued tyll the 14. day of the sayd moneth of February What his examinations aunswers were before the said B. of Winchester so much as remayned and came to our handes I haue here annexed in maner as followeth ¶ The answer of Rob. Farrer B. of S. Dauids before Winchester and others AT his first commyng and kneelyng before my Lorde Chauncellour the Bishop of Duresme The talle 〈◊〉 â—R Farâ—â—â—â—efore thâ—â— of 〈…〉 and the Bish. of Worcester who sate at the table and Maister Rochester Maister Southwell Maister Bourne and other standing at the tables end the Lord Chauncellor said vnto hym on this sort Winchester Now sir you haue heard how the world goeth here Farrer If it like your honor I know not Winch. What say you Doe not you know things abroad notwithstanding you are a prisoner Farrer No my L. I know not Winchest Lo what a froward fellow is this Farrer If it please your Lordship how should I know any thyng abroad beyng a prisoner Winch. Haue ye not heard of the commyng in of the Lord Cardinal Farrer I know not my L. Cardinall but I heard that a Cardinall was come in but I did not beleue it and I beleue it not yet Worcest I pray your Lordship said the B. of Worcester tell hym your selfe that he may know what is done Winch. The Queenes Maiesty and the Parliament B. Farrar 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 hath restored religion into the same state it was in at the beginnyng of the raigne of K. Henry the 8. Ye are in y e Queens debt and her maiesty will be good vnto you if you will returne to the catholike church Farrer In what state I am concernyng my debtes to the Queenes Maiestie in the Court of Excheker my Lorde Treasurer knoweth and the last tyme that I was before your honor the first tyme also I shewed you that I had made an othe neuer to consent nor agree B. 〈…〉 Pope that the Bish. of Rome should haue any power or iurisdiction within this Realme and further I need not to reherse to your Lordship you know it well enough Bourne You wer once abiured for heresie said M. Bourn in Oxford Farrer That was I not Bourne You were Farrer I was neuer it is not true Bourne You went
hym once to stirre in the paynes of his burnyng he should then geue no credite to his doctrine And as hee sayd so he right well performed the same for so paciently he stoode that he neuer mooued but euen as he stoode holdyng vp his stumpes so still he continued till one Rich. Grauell with a staffe dashed hym vppon the head and so stroke hym downe ¶ Letters As touching the letters of M. Farrer we do not finde many that he did write And peradueÌ„ture in Queene Maries tyme his imprisonment was so strait that at no time it was permitted to hym to write Albeit in his other troubles in kyng Edwards tyme certayne letters he wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer and to the Erle of Warwike which letters although they might be well referred to the first edition of this story yet because in the sayd letters is conteyned briefly and in few lynes the whole discourse of hys vniust vexation at that tyme wrought by his aduersaries I thought good not to passe them ouer but to communicate them vnto the Reader for the better vnderstanding both of the innocencie of y â— blessed B. and of the crafty iniquitie of his conspired enemies as in the sayd letters here folowing to the indifferent reader may easily appeare ¶ The copy of a certaine letter of the Bishop of S. Dauids written belike to the L. Chancellor Doct. Goodrike Bishop of Ely MOst humbly sheweth vnto your honor your poore orator Rob. Bish. of S. Dauids that where as one Tho. Lee by the procurement of Tho. Yong Rowland Mericke beyng both Canons of S. Dauids and George Constantine Register to the sayd bishop hath exhibited vnto your honor agaynst him certaine articles in the which are mentioned many triflyng thyngs vnworthy to be declared in your honourable audience and also theyr pretensed weighty articles as they haue alledged there are vtterly vntrue for proofe whereof the sayd Thomas Lee hath had Commissions into the countrey therfore it may please your honour of your fauourable goodnesse to graunt vnto your said Oratour a like Commission for the examination of witnesses in defence of his truth and honesty against the aforenamed Thomas Lee George Constantine Tho. Yong Rowland Mericke and all other persons with their vniust articles attestations and sayings deposed agaynst hym And in tender consideration that your said Orator standeth bounden and sureties with hym in the summe of a thousand markes â— Farrar 〈◊〉 with 〈…〉 to appeare in a â—atter of â—â—emunire to appeare before the kyngs Iustice in the Sessions at Carmarthen in Iuly next commyng to aunswer to a forged matter of Premunire by the procurement and counsaile of his forenamed aduersaries malitiously surmised agaynst hym to his vtter vndoyng and furthermore that your Orator beyng in debt to the kings maiesty by reason of the malitious vexation of his foresayd aduersaries cannot if he remaine here satisfie the same for where as there be rerages to a great summe as well of the kyngs money as of hys owne rentes he can receyue none thereof his aduersaries haue made such ill report to his discredite bearyng the people in hand that he shall come no more thither by reason of which bruite neyther hys owne tenaunts will pay their rentes and rerages nor the priests their rerages due to the Kings Maiestie as well for anno secundo and tertio as for quarto and quinto In consideration of all these thyngs it may please your honourable goodnes to licence your sayd Oratour to depart into the Dioces for these affaires and other he shall be ready at all tymes at your honourable commaundement and pleasure to repaire againe and euer to pray to the Lord Iesu for the perpetuall conseruation of your honor to his glory Besides this letter he wrote another likewise to y e said Lord who was as seemeth D. Goodricke L. Chancellor afore mentioned wherein he declareth the whole cause of his trouble how it rose against him by his aduersaries as here followeth ¶ Another letter written by the B. of S. Dauids to the L. Chancellor aforesayd RIght honourable and my very especiall good Lorde with humble seruice and hearty thankes to God An other letter of B. Farrar to the Lord Chauncellour and to you for your godly fauour towardes me at all times as right plainly appeareth by your fatherly letters most louingly admonishing me to incline vnto that which is very necessary as charitable concord and vnity This is further to beseeche your Lordship for the Lordes sake not to be grieued but benignly to heare and grauely to ponder that weighty matter which appearing to other but a light griefe to me is in very deede a right grieuous offence to Godward with no little hinderaunce of his holy worde and disturbaunce of the Kings godly proceedyngs and may be great occasion of much inobedience and disorder of good lyfe Wherfore I am straitly bounden for the true zeale that I ought to beare vnto the word of lyfe Christian religion the kings maiesties honor and the godly quiet state of his people not faintly to let fall the burthen of diligent redres to be sought at his maiesties hands by the godly wisdome of his most honourable and vpright Counsayle but with hearty affection to beare it vp agaynst those high mynded arrogant stubborne ambitious couetous Canons trusting in their biting tongues with crafty preuention and vtterly vntrue surmises to stop the lyght that theyr vngodly misdoyngs in darkenesse shal eyther not be seene or at the least may haue a coulourable appearaunce of right In so much that I do not a little meruayle at these qualities in Maister Chaunter the Canon and the Deane of Worcester whose vngentle and vntrue behauiour I haue not onely knowen but expertly prooued and sensibly felte in two of the first to my great losses whereof I make no complaint The vnkind dealing of George Constanâ—â—ne against â— Farrar But I wonder in my mynde and lament in my heart the strange alteration wilfull goyng backward of myne old faithful brother George ConstaÌ„tine the which knowyng them all three to haue bene in tymes past either obstinate enemies to the true bearers of the crosse of Christ or at the least priuy lurkers vnder pretence of fauour towards the Gospell to sting the poore followers therof seking but their own lucre and pleasure in all their doings would so earnestly cleaue vnto them in their wrong deeds as to betray me with his tong become vntrue of his promise and a bearer of filthy sinne for lucres sake euen yet stifly persisting in the same namely in thyngs manifestly knowen vnto many although he would deny it and that I might not be credited And as for their Premunire both George they at my first commyng 〈◊〉 Ferlee 〈…〉 to â— Farrar vngently deteinyng from M. Ferlee hys commission of the Chauncellorship would haue faced me down with the Premunire because it was written in myne owne name
in the supper of Christ which the Sacramente of the aultar as the Papists call it and vse it doth vtterly ouerthrow is a true and very presēce of whole Christ God and man to the fayth of the receiuer but not to the stander by looker vpon as it is a true very presence of bread wine to the sences of men to beleue this I saye will not serue and therfore as an herericke I am condemned and shal be burned whereof I aske God hartily mercy that I do no more reioyce then I do hauing so great cause as to be an instrument wherein it may please my deare Lorde God and Sauiour to suffer For albeit mo manifold sinnes euen sithen I came into prison haue deserued at the handes of God not onely this tēporal but also eternall fire in hell much more then my former sinful life which y e Lord pardō for his Christes sake as I knowe he of his mercy hath done neuer will lay mine iniquities to my charge to condēnation so great is his goodnes praised therfore be his holy name althogh I say my manifold and greeuous late sinnes haue deserued most iustly all the tyranny that mā or deuill can do vnto me and therfore I confesse that the Lorde is iust that his iudgements be true and deserued on my behalfe yet y e Bishoppes and Prelates do not persecute them in me but Christ himselfe his worde his trueth and Religion And therfore I haue great cause yea most great cause to reioice that euer I was borne and hetherto kept of the Lord that by my death which is deserued for my sinnes it pleaseth y e heauenly father to glorifie his name to testifie hys truth to confirme his veritie to repugne his aduersaries Oh good God and mercifull father forgeue my great vnthākfulnes especially herein And you my dearely beloued for the Lord Iesu Christes sake I humbly and hartily in his bowels bloude do now for my last Vale and farewell in this present lyfe beseeche you and euerye of you that you will consider this worke of the Lord accordingly First by me to be admonished to beware of hipocrisie and carnall securitie professe not the Gospell with tongue and lippes onely but in hart veritie frame and fashion your liues accordingly beware Gods name be not euill spoken of and the Gospell lesse regarded by your conuersation God forgeue me that I haue not so hartily professed it as I shoulde haue done but haue sought much my selfe therein The Gospell is a new doctrine to the old man it is new wyne and therfore cannot be put in old bottels without more great hurt thē good wine to the bottels If we will talke with y e Lorde we must put of our shoes and carnall affections if wee will heare the voyce of the Lorde we must wash our garmentes and be holy if we will be Christes disciples wee must deny our selues take vp our crosse and follow Christ we cannot serue two maysters If we seeke Christs kingdome we must also seeke for the righteousnes thereof Christian profession requireth Christian conuersation To this petition Let thy kingdome come we must ioyne Thy will be done done on earth as it is in heauen If wee will not be doers of the worde but hearers of it onely we sore deceiue our selues If wee heare the gospell and loue it not we declare our selues to be but fooles and builders vpon the sand The Lordes spirite hateth fayning deceitfulnes the Lord abhorreth if we come to him wee must beware that we come not with a double hart for then may chance that God will aunswere vs according to the blocke which is in our heart and so we shall deceiue our selues and others To fayth see y t we couple a good conscience least wee make a shipwracke Fayth would be coupled euer with a good conscience To the Lord we must come with fear and reuerence If we will be gospellers we must be Christes if we be Christes we must crucifie our flesh with the lustes and concupiscences therof if we wil be vnder grace sinne must not beare rule in vs. We may not come to the Lord and draw nigh to him with our lips and leaue our hartes els where least the Lordes wrath waxe hot He exhorteth to repentance and he take from vs the good remayning In no case can y e kingdome of Christ approch to them that repent not Therfore my dearely beloued let vs repent and be hartily sory y t we haue so carnally so hipocritically so couetously so vaynegloriously professed the gospell For all these I confesse my selfe to the glory of God that he may couer mine offences in the day of iudgement Let the anger plagues of God most iustly fallen vpon vs be applyed to euery one of our desertes that from the bottome of our hartes euery of vs may say It is I Lord that haue sinned agaynst thee it is my hipocrisie my vaynglory my couetousnes vncleanes carnalitie securitie idlenes vnthankfulnes selfeloue Our sinnes prouoke persecutiō and such like which haue deserued the taking away of our good king of thy word and true religion of thy good ministers by exile prisonmēt and death it is my wickednes that causeth successe and increase of authoritie and peace to thine enemies Oh be mercifull be mercifull vnto vs. He exhorteth to pray how to pray with repentance Turne to vs agayne O Lorde of hostes turne vs vnto thee correct vs but not in thy furie least we be consumed in thyne anger chastice vs not in thy wrathful displeasure reproue vs not but in the middest of thine anger remember thy mercy For if thou marke what is done amisse who shall be able to abide it But with thee is mercifulnes that thou mightest be worshipped Oh then be mercifull vnto vs y t we might truely worship thee Helpe vs for the glorye of thy name be mercifull vnto our sinnes for they are great O heale vs and help vs for thine honor Let not the wicked people say where is their God c. On this sort my right dearely beloued let vs hartilye bewayle our sinnes repent vs of our former euil life hartily and earnestly purpose to amēd our lyues in all things continually watch in prayer diligently and reuerently attend heare and reade the holy scriptures labour after our vocation to amend our brethren Praying hearing reading the holy scriptures Let vs reproue the workes of darckenes Let vs flee frō al Idolatrye Let vs abhorre the Antichristiā and romish rotten seruice detest the popishe Masse abrenounce their Romishe God prepare our selues to the crosse be obedient to all that be in authoritie in all thinges that be not agaynst God and his word for then aunswere with the Apostles It is more meete to obey God then man Howbeit neuer for any thinge resiste Obedience to magistrates in all that is not agaynst Gods word
in their owne sapience which is playne foolishnes amongest the wise indeede that is amongest such as haue heard Gods worde and doe followe it for they onely are counted wise of the wisedome of God our Sauiour In deede if I should simply consider my life with that whiche it ought to haue bene He confesseth his sinnes before God and as God in his lawe requireth then could I not but cry as I do Iustus es domine omnia iudicia tua vera i. Righteous art thou O Lord and all thy iudgemēts are true For I haue much greeued thee and transgressed thy holy preceptes not onely before my professing the Gospell but sithen also yea euen sithen my comming into prison I do not excuse but accuse my selfe before God and al his Church that I haue greeuously offended my Lord God I haue not loued his Gospell as I should haue done I haue sought my selfe and not simply and onely his glory and my brethrens commoditie I haue bene to vnthankefull secure carnall hipocriticall vayneglorious c. All which my euils the Lord of mercy pardon me for his Christes sake as I hope and certaynly beleeue he hath done for his great mercy in Christ oure redeemer But when I consider the cause of my condemnation I cannot but lament that I doe no more reioyce then I doe For it is Gods veritie and trueth The Papistes condemne not Bradford but Christ. So that the condemnation is not a condemnation of Bradford simply but rather a condemnation of Christ and his trueth Bradford is nothing els but an instrument in whome Christe and his doctrine is condemned And therefore my dearely beloued reioyce reioyce and geue thankes with me and for me that euer God did vouchsafe so great a benefite to our countrey as to choose the most vnworthye I meane my selfe to be one in whome it would please him to suffer any kinde of affliction muche more this violent kinde of death whiche I perceiue is prepared for me with you for his sake All glory and prayse be geuen vnto God our father for his great exceeding mercy towardes me through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen But perchaunce you will saye vnto me what is the cause for the whiche you are condemned we heare say that ye denye all presence of Christ in his holy Supper and so make it a bare signe and common bread and nothyng els My dearly beloued what is sayde of me and what will be I cannot tell It is tolde me that Pendleton is gone doune to Preach with you not as he once recanted for you all knowe hee hath preached contrary to that hee was wont to preach afore I came amongest you but to recant that which he hath recanted D. Pendleton recanted first in K. Edwardes tyme and now agayne in Q. Maryes tyme. Howe hee will speake of me and report before I come when I am come and when I am burned I muche passe not for he that is so vncertayne and wil speake so often agaynst him selfe I can not thinke hee will speake well of me except it make for hys purpose and profite but of this inough The causes why M. Bradford was cōdemned In deede the chiefe thing which I am condemned for as an hereticke is because I deny in the sacrament of the aultar whiche is not Christes supper but a playne peruerting of it being vsed as the papistes now vse it to be a reall naturall and corporall presence of Christes bodye and bloud vnder the formes and accidences of bread and wine Transubstantiation the deuills darling and daughter of Antichrist that is because I deny transubstantiation whiche is the dearling of the Deuill and daughter and heyre to Antichristes religion whereby the Masse is mayntayned Christes supper peruerted his sacrifice and Crosse imperfited hys Priesthood destroyed the ministery taken away repentaunce repelled and all true godlynes abandoned In the supper of our Lord or sacrament of Christes body and bloud I confesse and beleeue that there is a true and very presence of whole Christ God and man to the fayth of the receiuer but not of the stander by and looker on as there is a verye true presence of bread and wine to the sences of him that is partaker thereof This fayth this doctrine whiche consenteth with the worde of God and with the true testimony of Christes Church whiche the Popishe Churche doth persecute will I not forsake and therefore am I condemned as an hereticke and shall be burned But my dearely beloued this trueth whiche I haue taught and you haue receiued I beleued and do beleue and therein geue my life I hope in God shall neuer be burned bound nor ouercome but shall triumphe haue victorye and be at libertye maugre the head of all Gods aduersaries For there is no counsayle agaynst the Lord nor no deuise of man can be able to defeate the veritie in anye other then suche as be children of vnbeliefe whiche haue no loue to the truth and therefore are geuen vp to beleue lyes Frō which plague the Lord of mercies deliuer you and all the realme my deare harts in the Lord I humblie beseeche his mercy Amen M. Bradfordes farewell to the countrey of Lankeshire And to the ende you might be deliuered from thys plague right deare to me in the Lorde I shall for my fare well with you for euer in this present lyfe hartely desire you all in the bowels and bloud of our most mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ to attend vnto these things which I now shall shortly write vnto you out of the holy scriptures of the Lord. You knowe an heauy plague or rather plagues of God is fallen vpon vs Gods manifold plagues vpon England in Q. Maryes dayes in takyng away our good Kyng Gods true Religion Gods true Prophetes and Ministers c. And setting ouer vs such as seeke not the Lorde after knowledge whose endeuours GOD prospereth wonderfully to the tryall of many that his people may bothe better knowe themselues The cause of Gods plagues is our iniquities and not knowing the tyme of Gods visitation and be knowen Nowe the cause hereof is our iniquities and greeuous sinnes We did not know the tyme of our visitation we were vnthankefull vnto God we contemned the Gospell carnally abused it to serue our hipocrisie our vaynglory our viciousnes auarice idlenes securitie c. Long did y e Lord linger and tary to haue shewed mercy vppon vs but we were euer longer the worse Therefore most iustly hath God dealt with vs and dealeth with vs yea yet we may see that his iustice is tempered with much mercy whereto let vs attribute that we are not vtterly consumed For if the Lord should deale with vs after our desertes alas howe coulde we abide it In his anger therfore seeyng hee doeth remember his mercye vndeserued yea vndesired on our behalfe let vs take occasion the more speedily to goe out to meete him not with force
Christ of the strength of the law of the horrour of sinne of difference betwene the lawe and the Gospel of the true liberty of conscience c. no mētion or very litle was heard Wherefore in this so blinde time of darknes it was muche needefull and requisite that the Lord of his mercy shoulde looke vpon his churche send downe hys gratious reformation which also he did For shortly vpon the same thorowe the gratious excitation of God came Martine Luther of whome the order of story nowe requireth that we should and will intreat Christ willingly after the storie of Richard Hunne and a fewe other things premised for the better opening of the storie to folowe Mention was made sufficiently before of the doings of Pope Iulius Anno. 1510. and of hys warlike affaires for the whych he was condemned and not vniustly in the coūcell of Turone in Fraunce Pope Iulius plaieth the warrior Anno 1510. and yet all thys coulde not asswage the furious affection of this pope but the same yere he inuaded the Citie of Mutina and Mirandula in Italie Anno. 1512. and tooke them by force of warre Which Pope Iulius not long after The Pope ouercome in Battaile in the yeare of our Lorde 1512. refusing peace offered by Maximilian the Emperour was encountered by Lewes the French king about Rauenna vpon Easter day where he was vanquished and had of his army slaine to the number of xvj thousande Ex Chron. Carion And the yere next folowing Anno 1513. this Apostolical warriour Anno. 1513. which had resigned his keyes vnto the riuer of Tybris before made an end together both of fighting and liuing The death of Pope Iulius after he had raigned and fought x. yeeres Atter whome succeded next in the sea of Rome Pope Leo the 10. About the compasse of which time Pope Leo x great mutatiōs and stirres began to worke as well in states temporall as especially in the state of the Church Pope Leo 10. in Rome An. 1513. reigned 9. The state succession of Princes Charles 5. Emperour in Germanie An. 1519. reigned 39. Fraunces K. of France An. 1515. reigned 32. Henry 8. K. of England An. 1509. reigned 38. Iames 5. K. of Scotland An. 1514. reigned  In the time of which Pope Emperour and kinges of England and of France great alterations troubles and turnes of religion were wrought into the Churche by the mighty operation of Gods hand in Italy Fraunce Germanie Englande and all Europe suche as haue not bene seene although muche groned for many hundreth yeares before as in further discourse of this historie Christe willing more manifestly shall appeare But before wee come to these alterations taking the time as it lieth before vs wee will first speake of Richarde Hunne and certaine other godly minded persons heere in Englande afflicted for the woorde of Christes Gospell in great multitude as they be found and taken out of the Registers of Fitziames Bishop of London by the faithfull helpe and industry of R. Carket citizen of London The historie of diuers good men and women persecuted for religion in the Citie and Dioces of the Bishop of London briefly extracted out of the Registers of Richard Fitziames AMongest and besides the great number of the faithful martyrs and professours of Christe that constantly in the strength of the holy Ghost gaue their liues for the testimonie of his truthe Ex Registro Fitziames I finde recorded in the Register of London betwene the yeares of our Lorde 1509. and 1527. the names of diuers other persons both men and women who in the fulnes of that darke and mystie times of ignoraunce had also some portion of Gods good spirite whiche induced them to the knowledge of his trueth and Gospel and were diuersly troubled persecuted and imprisoned for the same notwithstanding by the proud cruell and bloudy rage of the Catholique seat and through the weaknes and frailtie of their owne nature not then fully strengthned in God it was againe in them for the time The professiō of the Protestantes no new doctrine suppressed and kept vnder as appeareth by their seueral abiuratiōs made before Richard Fitziames then bishop of London in hys time a most cruell persecutor of Christes church or els before his vicar general deputed for y e same And for asmuch as many of the aduersaries of Gods trueth haue of late dayes disdainefully and braggingly cried out and made demaunds in their publique assemblies and yet do asking where this our church and religion was wythin these 50. or 60. yeares I haue thought it not altogether vaine somewhat to stop such lying crakers both by mentioning theyr names and likewyse opening some of the chiefe and principal matters for which they wer so vnmercifully afflicted and molested thereby to geue to vnderstand as wel the continuaunce and consent of the true church of Christe in that age touching the chiefe poynts of our faith though not in like perfection of knowledge and cōstancie in all as also by the way something to touch what fond and friuolous matters the ignoraunt Prelates shamed not in that time of blindnesse to obiect against the poore simple people accounting them as heynous and great offences yea such as deserued death both of body and soule But least I shauld seeme too prolixe and tedious heerein I will nowe briefly proceede wyth the storie and first begin wyth theyr names whych are these Anno. 1510. Ioanne Baker William Pottyer Iohn Forge Thomas Goodred Thomas Walker alias Talbot Thomas Forge Alyce Forge Iohn Forge theyr son William Couper Lewes Iohn Ioanne Iohn Ihon Webbe alias Baker Anno. 1512. Iohn Houshold Robert Rascal Anno. 1517. Elizabeth Stanford George Browne Anno. 1518. Iohn Wykes Richard Butler Anno. 1511. Iohn Caluerton Anno. 1521 Iohn Woodrofe Richard Woolman Roger Hyllyar Anno. 1521. Alyce Couper Anno. 1523. Thomas Austye Ioanne Austye Thomas Graunt Iohn Garter Anno. 1526. Christofer Rauins Dionise Rauins Anno. 1527. Thomas Vincent Richard Butler Iohn Samme William Kyng Robert Durdant Henry Woolman Edmond Spilman Iohn Higges aliâs Noke aliâs Iohnsonne Henry Chambers Iohn Hynggyns Thomas Egleston Here foloweth the particular examination of all these heere aboue named To these were diuers and sundry particular Articles besides the common and generall sort accustomably vsed in such cases priuately obiected euen such as they were then accused of either by their curate or other their neighbours And because I thinke it somewhat superfluous to make any large recitall of all and euery part of their seuerall processe I minde therefore briefly only to touch so many of their articles as may be sufficient to induce the Christian Reader to iudge the sooner of the rest being I assure you of no greater importance then these that folow Except that sometime they were charged most slanderously with horrible and blasphemous lies against the maiestie and truth of God which as they vtterly
MariaÌ„ Morden was forced vpon eer othe to vtter Iames Morden her owne brother which taught her y e Pater noster Aue and Creede in English and that shee shuld not go on pilgrimage nor shuld worship saincts or images whych she had not done by the space of 6. yeares past folowing beleuing her brother Iames Morden was forced vpon his othe to vtter Iohn Littlepage Henry Littlepage William Littlepage Ione Littlepage Ric. Morden his brother of Chesham Emme his wife Alice Browne of Chesham Rad. Morden his brother of Chesham His wife Iohn Phips Elizabeth Hamon Tho. Coupland forced by his othe detected A Chanon of Missenden Tho. Groue of London Isabel Morwyn The wife of Norman of Amersham Th. Couper of Wodrow Rog. Harding W. Grinder Because these two could not saye their Creede in Latin  The wife of Rob. Stampe of Woodrowe Th. RoulaÌ„d T. CouplaÌ„d Ric. SteueÌ„s Rog. Beneâ— forced by their othe to accuse Thom. Harding of Amersham Alice Harding his wife Because after theyr abiuration in Byshop Smithes tyme diuers known men as they theÌ„ termed them which wer abiured before had much resort to their house  Agnes Squiâ—e For speaking these wordes Men do say I was abiured for heresy it may well be a napkin for my nose but I wil neuer be ashamed of it  The vicar of little Missenden Tho. Groue his wife He was detected for y t hee did geue to D. Wilcocks 20. li. to excuse him y t he might not be brought to open penance Iohn Sawcote vpon his othe did appech Thomas Holmes For that he was heard to say these wordes after the greate abiuration when hee had abiured that the greatest cobbes were yet behinde  Rich Saunders of Amersham Because he euer defended them whyche were suspected to bee knowen meÌ„ Also because he bought out his penance and caryed hys badge in hys purse ¶ Bishop Longland seeking howe to conuicte Iohn Phip of periuâ—te who being charged with an oth did not answer affirmatiuely to such suspitions as were laide vnto him by Thom Holmes and other seueral accusers did examine Sibill Affrike his owne sister vpon her oth to detect I. Phip her brother of relapse Iohn Fyppe but she so answered that the bishop could take by her no great hold of relapse against him Wherin is to be noted the singular iniquitie and abuse in the Church of Rome which by vertue of othe setteth the sister to procure the brothers blud The like also was sought by Thomas Affrik his sisters husband but they had by him no vauntage  Iohn Butler hys owne brother For reading to hym in a certayne Booke of the Scripture and perswading him to harken to the same Ienkin Butler did appeach Robert Carder Richard Butler his brother Henry Vulman of Vxbridge Rich. Ashforde of Walton otherwise called Rich. Nash or R Tredway W. King of Vxbridge  Isabel Tracher wife of Ioh. Tracher Thom. Clement of Chersham Because she came not to the Churche ofter on the woorke dayes being admonished bothe by the church wardens by the graduates of the church and by Doctour Cockes commissary but folowed her busines at home Also because shee purposed to set her daughter to Alice Harding saying that shee coulde better instruct her then many other Also because she cursed y e priest after he was gone which had geuen to her the Eucharist saying that he had geuen to her bitter gall W. Ameryden did detect Alice Holting For y t she being great w t childe did dine before she weÌ„t to church to take her rites saying that Isabel Tracher did so tell her y t she might dine before she receiued the sacrament  W. Trecher of Amersham For keping Thomas Broue in hys house on Easter and Christmasse day because hee woulde not come to the Church Ioane Norman did appeach Rob. Cosin Tho. Man Alice Harding For disswading from pilgrimage from worshipping of Images from bowing her mony to Saintes for health of her childe Also for saying that shee needed not to confesse to a priest but to be enoughe to lifte vp her handes to Heauen Also for saying that shee myghte as well drincke vpon the Sonday before masse as any other day c.  Henry Miller Wyer-drawer whych from Amersham fledde to CheÌ„psford That hee abiured and did penance in Kent before and afterwarde coÌ„ming to Amersham taught them as hee sayde many heresies  Iohn Barret goldsmith of London Ioan Barret his wife Iode his seruaunt Because he was heard in his own house before his wife and mayd there present to recite the Epistle of s. Iames which epistle wyth many other things hee had perfectly wythout booke  Iohn Merywether his wife his sonne Also because Ioanne his wife had lent to thys Ih. Scriuener the Gosspell of Mathewe and Marke which booke hee gaue to bishop Smith Ioh. Scriuener forced by his othe to accuse Durdant by Stanes Olde Durdant Isabel wife of Thomas Harding Hartop of Wyndsore Ione Barret wife of Iohn Barret of London H. Miller Stilman Tailour All these were accused because at the marriage of Durdantes daughter they assembled together in a Barne and heard a certain Epistle of Saint Paule read which reading they well liked but especially Durdant and commended the same  Tho. Rowland of Amersham It was obiected to Thomas Roulande for speaking these woordes Ah good Lorde where is all oure good communication which was wont to bee among vs when your maister was aliue  Tho. Groue of London butcher W. Glasbroke of Harowe on the hill Christopher Glasbroke of London These were appeached because they vsed to resorte and conferre together of matters of Religion in the house of Thomas Man of Amersham before the greate abiuration  William Tilsworth of London goldsmith prentise sometimes to Iohn Barret  Iohn Newman He was appeached because hee was present in the house of I. Barret at the reading of Scripture  Iohn Wood of Henley Wil. Wood. Lewys of Henley seruing man  Wylie and his sonne This wily was appreached because he taught the gospell of Math. to I. Wood and William Wood after the great abiuration father Rob. did teach them s. Paules Epistle Father Robert martir whiche olde father was after that burned at Buckingham  Turstan Litlepage Emme his wife This Thurstan had taught him the saying of Salomon that wrathe raiseth chiding had taught him also the Pater noster and Aue in English His Crede in english he learned of his graÌ„dmother The said Thurstan also taught him Christe not to bee corporallye in the sacrament  Iohn Litlepage his brother Alice wife of Thurstan Littlepage Because he was sayde to haue learned the ten commaundementes in English of Alice Thurstans wife in his fathers house  Iohn Frier Because this I. Frier had taught the said W. y e x. commaundements in English Wil. Litlepage forced by his othe did accuse Thomas Groue Hernes wife The wife of Iohn Morwyn
doubtfull By grace sayth the scripture through promise to all and vpon all y t beleue and not by the law vpon them that do deserue For if it come by deseruing theÌ„ is it not of grace If it be not of grace Rom. 3. theÌ„ is it not of promise And contrariwise if it be of grace and promise then is it not of works sayth S. Paul Upon this foundatioÌ„ of Gods free promise and grace first builded the Patriarckes Rom. 11. kinges and prophets Upon the same foundation also Christ the Lord builded his church Upon the which foundation the Apostles likewise builded the Church Apostolicall or Catholicall This Apostolicall and Catholicke foundation so long as the Church did retayn so long it continued sincere and sound which endured a long seasoÌ„ after the apostles time But after in proces of yeares through wealth and negligence crept into the Church so soone as this foundation began to be lost came in newe builders which would build vpon a new foundation a new Churche more glorious which we call now the Church of Rome Who beyng not contented with the olde foundation and the head corner stone whiche the Lord by his word had layd in place therof they layde the ground worke vppon the condition and strength or the lawe and workes Although it is not to be denyed but that the doctrine of gods holy law and of good workes according to the same is a thing most necessary to be learned and followed of all men yet is not that y e foundation wherupon our saluation consisteth neither is that foundation able to beare vp the weight of the kingdome of heauen but is rather the thing which is builded vppon the foundatioÌ„ which foundatioÌ„ is Iesus Christ according as we are taught of Saint Paul saying 1. Cor. 3. No man can lay any other foundation beside that whiche is layde Christ Iesus c. But this auncient foundation with the olde auncient Church of Christ as I sayd hath bene now of long tyme forsaken in stead therof a new Church The doctrine of the church corrupted with a new foundation hath bene erected and framed not vpon gods promise his free grace in Christ Iesus nor vpon free iustification by fayth but vpon merits desertes of mens working And hereof haue they planted al these their new deuises so infinite that they cannot wel be numbred as masses trecenares diriges obsequies mattens and houres singing seruice vigiles midnightrising barefootgoing fishtasting lentfast imberfast stations rogations iubiles aduocatioÌ„ of saints praying to images pilgrimage walking workes of supererogation application of merites orders rules sectes of religion vowes of chastitie wilful pouerty pardons relations indulgences penaunce and satisfaction with auricular confession sounding of Abbaies building of Chappels geuing to Churches And who is able to recite all their laborious buildinges falsly framed vpon a wrong ground and all for ignoraunce of the true foundation whiche is the free iustification by fayth in Christ Iesus the sonne of God Moreouer to note The life and maners of the church corrupted that as this new founde Church of Rome was thus deformed in doctrine so no lesse was it corrupted in order of life deepe hipocrisie doing al thinges onely vnder pretenses and dissembled titles So vnder y e pretence of Peters chayre they exercised a maiestie aboue Emperours and kinges Under the visour of their vowed chastitie reigned adultery vnder the cloke of professed pouerty they possessed the goodes of the temporalty Habentes speciem pietatis sed vim eius abnâ—gantes 2. Tim. 3· Under the tytle of being dead vnto the world they not only reigned in y e world but also ruled the world vnder the colour of y e keyes of heaueÌ„ to hang vnder theyr girdle they brought all the states of the worldes vnder theyr girdle crept not onely into the purses of men but also into theyr consciences they heard theyr confessions they knew their secrets they dispensed as they were disposed loosed what them listed And finally when they had brought the whole world vnder theyr subiection yet dyd theyr pryde neyther cease to ascend neyther could their auarice be euer satisfied And if the example of Cardinall Wolsey and other Cardinalles and popes cannot satisfie thee I beseech the gentle Reader turne ouer the foresayd booke of the ploughmans tale in Chaucer aboue mencioned wher thou shalt vnderderstaÌ„d much more of theyr demeanour then I haue here described In these so blynd and miserable corrupt dayes of darcknes and ignoraunce The reformation of the Church necessary thou seest good Reader I doubt not howe necessary it was and high time that reformation of the Church should come which now most happily graciously began to worke through the mercifull and no lesse needfull prouidence of almightye God Who although he suffered hys Church to wander and start aside through the seduction of pride and prosperitie a long time yet at length it pleased his goodnes to respect hys people and to reduce hys church into the prestine foundation and frame againe from whence it was pitiously before decayed Whereof I haue now consequently to intreat intending by the grace of Christ to declare how and by what meanes first this reformation of the church began and howe it proceeded increasing by little and little into this perfection which now we see and more I trust shall see And herein we haue first to behold the admirable work of Gods wisedome The first beginning of reformatioÌ„ how and by what means For as the first decay and ruine of the church before began of rude ignoraunce lacke of knowledge in teachers so to restore y e church agayne by doctrine and learning it pleased God to open to man y e arte of printing the time wherof was shortly after y e burning of Hus and Hierome Printing being opened incontinent ministred to the Churche the instrumentes and tooles of learning knowledge which were good bookes and authors which before lay hid and vnknowne Printing the fountain of reformation The science of Printing being found immediately followed the grace of God whiche styrred vp good wittes aptly to conceiue the light of knowledge and of iudgement by which light darcknes began to be espied and ignoraunce to be detected trueth from errour religion from superstition to be discerned as is aboue more largely discoursed where was touched the inuenting of printing pag. 707. Vid. supra pag. 707. Furthermore after these wittes styrred vp of God folowed other more increasing dayly more and more in science in tongues and perfection of knowledge who now were able not onely to discerne in matters of iudgement but also were so armed and furnished with y e helpe of good letters that they did encounter also with the aduersary sustayning the cause defence of learning against barbaritie of veritie against errour of true religion against superstition In number of whom amongest many other here vnnamed
the hie tippe of the Apostolicall dignitie and yeelde to God most hartie thankes for the same praying also from the bottome of their hearts for his excellent clemencie and perpetuall glory of his name and for healthe of soules and incolumitie of the vniuersall Churche that GOD wil geue his holines long continuance of felicity Hauing no misdout but that by such a ful consenting election of such a pastor of the vniuersall catholike church great profite and commoditie will ensue Which thing to hope and looke for his holinesse openeth to them an euident declaration in his owne letters testifying and protesting what a care it is to him both day night how to discharge his pastorall function in studying for the health of the flocke to him committed and especially in conuertinge the minds of Christian princes from warre to peace declaring moreouer what subsidie and reliefe his holinesse hath sent to the souldiers of Rhodes c. All which things they perpeÌ„ding with them selues conceiue exceeding hope and comfort in their mindes thus reputing and trusting that this coÌ„cord of Christian princes wil be a gâ—eat helpe and stay to the better quieting of things now out of frame without which neither the state of the coÌ„mon welth nor of Christian religion can be rightly redressed and much lesse the tyrannie of the barbarous Turke repressed Wherfore the excellent prince Lord Lieutenant to the Emperors maiestie with the other princes Electors and orders of this present assemble most hartily doe pray that his holines wil persist in this his purpose diligence as he hath vertuously begun leauing no stone vnremoued how the disagreeing hearts of ChristeÌ„ princes may be reduced to quiet and peace Can any good thing come out of Rome or if that will not be yet at least some truce and intermission of domestical dissentions may be obtained for the necessity of the time now present wherby all Christians may ioyne their power together with the helpe of God to go against the Turke to deliuer the people of Christ from his barbarous tyrannie and bondage Whereunto both the noble prince Lord Lieutenant and other princes of Germany wil put to their helping hands to the best of their abilitie And wheras by the letters of his holines with his instruction also exhibited vnto them by his Legate they vnderstand that hys holines is aflicted with great sorow for the prospering of Luthers sect The Pope much greeued for the prospering of Luther wherby innumerable soules committed to his charge are in danger of perdition therefore his holines vehemently desireth some speedy remedy against the same to be prouided with an explication of certaine necessary reasons causes wherby to moue the Germane princes therunto and that they will tender the execution of the Apostolique sentence and also of the Emperours edict set forth touching the suppression of Luther to these the L. Lieutenant and other princes and states doe answere that it is to them no lesse griefe and sorow then to his holines and also do lament as much for these impieties and perils of soules and inconueniences which grow in the religion of Christ either by the sect of Luther or any otherwise Further what help or counsel shall lie in them for the extirping of errors decay of soules health what their moderation can do they are willing and ready to performe considering how they stand bound subiect as wel to the Popes holines as also to the Emperours maiestie But why the sentence of the Apostolike see the Emperours edict against Luther hath not ben put in execution hetherto ther haue bene said they causes great and vrgent which haue led theÌ„ therto Causes why the princes haue not proceded by the Popes sentence against Luther as first in weying and considering with them selues that great euils inconuenience wold therupon ensue For the greatest part of the people of Germany haue alwaies had thys persuasion now by reading of Luthers bokes are more therin coÌ„firmed that great greeuances and inconueniences haue come to this nation of Germanie by the courte of Rome and therefore if they shuld haue proceded with any rigor in executing the Popes sentence Greeuances receaued by the court of Rome the emperors edict the multitude would conceiue suspect in their minds this to be done for subuerting the verity of the gospell for supporting confirming the former abuses greuances wherupon great warres tumults no doubt would haue ensued which thing vnto the princes states ther hath ben wel perceiued by many arguments For the auoiding wherof they thought to vse more gentle remedies seruing more oportunely for the time Againe wheras the reuerend L. Legate said they in the name of the Popes holines hath ben instructed to declare vnto theÌ„ that God suffreth this persecution to rise in the Church for the sins of men The Pope aunswered with his owne wordes that his holines doth promise therefore to begin the reformation with his owne court that as the corruption first spraÌ„g from thence to the inferior parts so the redres of al againe should first begin with the same Also wheras his holines of a good fatherly heart doth testify in his letters that he himselfe did alwaies mislike that the Court of Rome should intermeddle so muche and derogate from the coÌ„cordates of the princes and that his holines doeth fully purpose in that behalfe during his papacie neuer to practise the like but so to endeuor that euery one and especially the nation of the Germanes may haue their proper due and right graunting especially to the sayde nation his peculiar fauour who setteth not by these premisses but that this moste holy B. omitteth nothing which a good father or a deuout pastor may or ought to do to his sheepe Or who wil not be moued hereby to a louing reuerence and to amendement of his defaultes namely seeing hys holinesse so intendeth to accomplish the same in deede which in word he promiseth according as he hath begon And thus vndoubtedly both the noble L. Lieutenant all other princes states of the empire wel hope that he wil and pray most hartily that he may doe to the glory of our eternall God to the health of soules to the tranquilitie of the publike state For vnles such abuses and greuances with certain other articles also which the seculare princes assigned purposely for the same shall draw out in wryting shall be faithfully reformed Greuanceâ— of the Germaynes coÌ„plained of to the pope Vide infra there is no true peace coÌ„cord betwene the ecclesiasticall seculer estates nor any true extirpation of this tumult errors in Germanie that caÌ„ be hoped For partly by loÌ„g warres partly by reason of other greuances hinderances this nation of Germanie hath bene so wasted and consumed in money that vnneth it is able to sustaine it selfe in priuate affaires and necessary
as for the vowe and coaction of their single life it came sayd he of the diuell and a diuelish thing it is And therefore Priestes mariage whereas the said Heluetians had such a rite and custome in their townes and pages that when they receiued anie new Priest into their Churches An olde vse of the Heluetians to forewarne their priests to take concubines they vsed to premonish him before to take his concubine least he should attempt any misuse with their wiues and daughters he exhorted them that they would no lesse graunt vnto them to take their wiues in honest matrimonie then to take concubines and harlots against the precept of God Thus as Zuinglius continued certaine yeares Zuinglius resisted by aduersaries labouring in the word of the Lord offence began to rise at thys new doctrine and diuers stept vp namely the Dominicke Friers on the contrary side to preach inuey against him But he keping himselfe euer within the Scriptures protested that he would make good by the word of God that which he had taught Upon this the Magistrates and Senate of Zuricke sent forth their cōmandemēt to all priests and ministers within their dominion to repaire to the citie of Zuricke Disputatiōs at Zuricke about religion against the xxix day of Ianuary next ensuing this was anno 1523. there euery one to speake freely and to be heard quietly touching these controuersies of religion what could be said directing also their letters to the Bishop of Cōstance that he would either make his repaire thether himselfe or else to send his deputie When the day appointed came and the Bishops vicegerent which was Ioannes Faber was also present Ioan. Faber Stapulensis against Zuinglius Ex Sled lib 3. the Consull first declaring the cause of this their frequencie and assemble which was for the dissention newly risen about matters of Religion required that if any there had to obiect or inferre against the doctrine of Zuinglius he should freely and quietly vtter and declare his minde Zuinglius had disposed his matter before Lxvij. articles of Zuinglius and cōtriued al his doctrine in a certaine order of places to y e number of lxvij Articles which articles he had published also abroad before to the ende that they which were disposed might resort thether better prepared to the disputation Whē the Consull had finished that which he would say and had exhorted other to begin then Faber first entring the matter begā to declare the cause of his sending thether and afterward wold perswade that this was no place conuenient nor time fit for discussing of such matter by disputation Iohn Faber refuseth disputation but rather that the cognition and tractation thereof belonged to a generall Councell which he saide was already appointed and now neere at hand Notwithstāding Zuinglius still continued vrging and requiring him that if he had there any thing to say or to dispute he would openly and freely vtter his minde To this he aunswered againe that he would cōfute his doctrine by writing This done with a few other words on both sides had to and fro whē no man would appeare The assēble of Zuricke brake vp without disputation The Gospel publickly receaued in Zuricke Traditions of men abolyshed there to offer any disputation the assemble brake and was discharged Whereupon the Senate of Zuricke incōtinēt caused to be proclaimed through all their dominion and territorie that the traditions of men should be displaced and abandoned and the Gospell of Christ purely taught out of the old and new Testament an 1523. Ex Ioan. Sled lib. 3. When the Gospell thus began to take place and to florish in Zuricke and certaine other places of Heluetia the yeare next following ann 1524. another assemble of the Heluetians was conuented at Lucerna where this decree was made on the contrary part That no man should deride or contemne the word of God which had bene taught now aboue a thousand four hūdreth yeares heretofore nor the Masse to be scorned wherein the body of Christ is consecrated to the honour of God and to the cōfort both of the quicke the dead That they which are able to receiue the Lords body at Easter shall confesse their sinnes in Lent to the Priest and do all other things as the vse and maner of the Church requireth That the rites and customes of holy Church be kept That euery one obey his owne proper pastor and curate and to receaue the Sacramēts of him after the maner of holy Church and to pay him his yearely duties That honour be geuen to Priests Constitutions made in the councell of Lucerne Item to absteine from flesheating on fasting dayes and in Lent to absteine from egges and cheese That no opinion of Luther be taught priuely or apertly contrary to the receaued determination of holy Church and that in tauernes and at table no mention be made of Luther or any new doctrine That Images and pictures of Sainctes in euery place be kepte inuiolate That Priests and Ministers of the Church be not compelled to render accompt of their doctrine but only to the Magistrate That due ayde and supportation be prouided for them if anie commotion do happen That no person deride the reliques of the holy spirit or of our Lady or of Saint Anthony Finally that all the lawes and decrees set foorth by the Byshop of Constance be obserued These constitutions whosoeuer shall transgresse let them be presented to the Magistrate and ouerseers be set ouer them that shall so transgresse After these things concluded thus at Lucerna the Cantons of Heluetia together direct their publicke letter to the Tygurines or men of Zuricke The letter of the Heluetians to the Tygurines wherein they do much lament and complaine of this new broched doctrine whych hath set all men together by the eares through the occasion of certaine rash and newfangled heads which haue greatly disturbed both the state of the Church and of the common wealth and haue scattered the seedes of discorde whereas before time all things were well in quiet And although this sore sayd they ought to haue bene looked to by time so that they should not haue suffered the glory of Almighty God and of the blessed Uirgine and other Saints so be dishonored but rather should haue bestowed their goodes and liues to mainteine the same yet notwithstanding they required them now to looke vpon the matter which otherwise would bring to them destruction both of body and soule as for example they might see the doctrine of Luther what fruit it brought The rude and vulgare people now sayde they coulde not be holden in but woulde burst foorth to all licence and rebellion as hath appeared by sufficient proofes alate and like is to be feared also among themselues and all by the occasion of Zuinglius and of Leo Iuda which so take vpon them to expound the word of God Zuinglius
can not be receaued really and corporally by the testimony of the Scripture 6. That the vse of the masse wherein Christ is presented and offered vp to hys heauenly Father for the quicke and the dead is against the Scripture and coÌ„tumelious to the sacrifice which Christ made for vs. 7. That Christ onely is to be inuocated as the mediator and aduocate of mankinde to God the father 8. That there is no place to be found by the holy Scripture wherin soules are purged after thys life and therfore all those praiers ceremonies Yerely Diriges Obites which are bestowed vpon the dead also Lampes Tapers and such other things profite nothing at all 9. That to sette vp any picture or Image to be worshipped is repugnant to the holy scripture and therfore if any such be erected in Churches for that entent the same ought to be taken downe 10. That Matrimonies prohibited to no state or order of men but for eschewing of fornication generally is coÌ„manded and permitted to all men by the word of God And for as much as all fornicatours are excluded by the testimonie of Scripture from the Communion of the Church therefore this vnchaste and filthye single life of Priests is most of all vnconuenient for the order of priesthode When the Senate and people of Bern had sent abrode their letters with these theames and conclusions to al the Heluetians exhorting theÌ„ both to send their learned men and to suffer al other to passe safely through their couÌ„tries the Lucernates Uranites Suitzians Unternaldians Tugians The lettters and aunswere of the Suitzers to the Senate people of Berne Glareans Soloturnians and they of Friburg aunswered againe by contrary letters exhorting and requiring them in any case to desist from their purposed enterprise putting them in remembrance of theyr league and composition made and also of the disputation of Baden aboue mencioned of the which disputation they were them selues they sayd the first beginners and authors saying moreouer y t it was not lawfull for any nation or prouince to alter the state of religion but the same to belong to a general Councel wherfore they desired them that they wold not attempt any such wicked acte but continue in the Religion which theyr parents and elders had obserued and in fine Ex Comment Ioan. Sled lib. 6. thus in the end of their letters they concluded that they wold neither send nor suffer any of their learned men to come nor yet graunt safeconducte to any others to passe through their countrey To this and such like effect tended the letters of these Suitzers aboue named All which notwithstanding the Lordes of Berne proceding in their intended purpose vppon the day prescribed which was the 7. of Ianuarie began their disputation Of all the bishops before signified which were assigned to come there was not one present Neuertheles the Citie of Basil Zurike and Schafuse and Abbecelle Sangallium Mullusia w t the neighbors of Rhetia also they of Strausburgh Ulmes Ausburge Lindaue Constance and Isne sent thether theyr Ambassadors The Doctours aboue meÌ„tioned of the City of Berne began the disputation The disputation beginneth Where at the same time were present Zuinglius Oecolampadius Bucerus Capito Blaurerus with other moe all which defended the affirmatiue of the conclusions propouÌ„ded The part defendent The part opponent The Popes doctrine cannot abide the triall of the Scripture On the contrary side of them whych were the opponentes the Chieftayne was Conradus Tregerus a frier Augustin who to prooue hys assertion when he was driuen to shift out of the scripture to seeke helpe of other Doctors and the moderatours of the disputation would not permit the same being contrary to the order before appoynted hee departed out of the place and would dispute no more The disputation endured 19. daies in the ende whereof it was agreed Reformation of religioÌ„ in Berne by the assent of the most parte that the conclusions there disputed were consonant to y e truth of gods word should be ratified not onely in the Citie of Berne but also proclaimed by the Magistrates in sundrie other Cities nere adioyning Masses Images put downe at Berne furthermore that masses aultares and Images in all places should be abolished At the Citie of Constance certaine things began to be altered a little before Where also among other things The Popes clergy caÌ„not abyde to be restrayned from fornication and adulterye Ambrose Blaurerus preacher at Constance lawes were made against fornication and adultery and all suspect or vnhonest company wherat the canons as they are called of the Church taking great griefe and displeasure departed the Citie In the sayde Citie was then teacher Ambrosius Blaurerus a learned man and borne of a noble stocke who had bene a Monke a litle before professed in the monastery of Alperspacke in the Duchie of Wittenberge belonging to the dominion of Ferdinandus Which Blaurerus by reading of Luthers workes hauing a good wit had chaunged a little before his Religion and also his coat returning againe home vnto his frends and when his Abbot would haue had him againe wrote earnestly to the Senate of Constance for him he declared the whole case of the matter in wryting propounding w tall certaine conditions wherupon he was content as he sayde to returne But the conditions were suche that the Abbot was rather willing and contented that hee shoulde remaine still at Constance and so he did After this disputation thus concluded at Berne as hath bene sayde the Images and aultares ReformatyoÌ„ of religion at CoÌ„staÌ„ce Reformatiâ— of relion at Geneua wyth ceremonies and Masses were abolished at Constance They of Geneua also for their parts were not behind folowing likewise the example of the Citie of Berne in extirping Images and ceremonies By reason whereof the Bishop and Clergie there left and departed the Citie in no small anger The Bernates after they had redressed wyth them the state of Religion The Lance-knightes of Berne and Zuricke forsake their league with the Erench king they renounced the league made before with the French king refusing and forsaking hys warlye stipend whereby they were bounde at his call to feede hys warres following therin the example of the Tygurines which before had done the like and were contented onely with theyr yearely pension that the King payeth to euery page of the Heluetians to keepe peace * Victory of the Gospell an 1528. The day and yere when thys reformation with them began from Poperie to true Christianitie they caused in a pillar to be engrauen wyth golden letters for a perpetual memorie to all posteritie to come This was An. 1528. After that the rumour of this disputation ReformatioÌ„ of religion in Strauâ—burgh and alteration of Berne was noised in other cities places abroad firste the Ministers of Strausburgh encouraged by thys occasion began likewise to affirm and teach that the masse
was wicked and a great blasphemie againste Gods holy name and therfore was to be abrogated and in stead therof the right vse of the Lords supper to be restored agayne Which vnlesse they could prooue by y e manifest testimonies of the Scripture to be true they would refuse no maner of punishment On the contrary part the Bishop of Romes clergie did holde and maintaine that the Masse was good and holy whereuppon kindled a great contention on both sides which when the Senate and Magistrates of the city woulde haue brought to a disputation and coulde not because the Priests would not condescend to any reasoning therfore seeing they so accused the other yet would come to no triall of their cause the sayde Magistrates coÌ„manded them to silence The Bishop of Strausburgh to the Senate The byshop in the meane while ceased not with his letters messengers daily to call vpoÌ„ the senate desiring the senate to perseuere in the auncient religion of their elders to geue no care to those newe teachers declaring what daunger pearil it would bring vpon them The Senate againe desired him The Senate of Strausburgh replieth to the byshop as they had done oftentimes before that such things which appertained to the true honor and worship of God might be set forward and all other things which tended to the coÌ„trary might be remoued and taken away for that properly belonged to hys office to see to But the Bishop still driuing them off with delaies pretended to call an assemble for the same appoynting also day and place for the hearing discussing of those controuersies where in deede nothing was performed at all The Bishop of Strausburgh coÌ„playneth to the CouÌ„cell of Spires but with his letters he did often sollicitate them to surcease their enterprise sometimes by waye of entreating sometimes with manacing words terrifying them and at last seeing he could nothing by that way preuaile he turned his sute to the assemble of the Empire which was theÌ„ at Spires collected entreating them to set in a foote and to helpe what they could with their authoritie The message from the CouÌ„cell of Spires to the Citie of Strausburgh They ready to satisfie the Byshops request sent a solemne Ambassie to the Senate and Citizens of Strausburgh about Decemb. the yere about said requiring them not to put downe the Masse for neither it was sayd they in y e power of the Emperor nor of any other estate to alter the auncient Religion receiued from their forefathers but eyther by a generall or by a prouinciall Councell whyche Councell if they supposed to be farre of at leaste that they would take a pause till the next sitting of y e Empire whych should be with speede where their requests being propouÌ„ded and heard they should haue such reasonable aunswer as should not miscontent them for it was sayde they against all lawe and reason for a priuate Magistrate to infringe and dissolue those thyngs which by general consent of the whole world haue bene agreed vpon and therefore good reason required that they shoulde obteine so much at theyr handes For els if they should obstinately procede in this theyr attempt so with force and violence to worke as they began it might fortune the Emperour their supreme Magistrate vnder God and also Ferdinandus his deputie would not take it well and so shoulde be compelled to seeke suche remedie therein as they would be sorie to vse Wherfore their request was aduise also that they shuld wey the matter diligently with themselues folowe good counsaile who in so doing should not only glad the Emperor but also worke that which should redound chiefly to theyr owne commendation and safetie The bishops of Hildesseme and of Strausburgh trauaile to keepe the Citye of Strausburgh in their olde religion Besides the messengers thus sent from the Councell of Spires the Byshop also of Hildesseme had bene wyth them a little before exhorting them in the Emperours name after like maner Neither did the bishop of Strausburgh also cease wyth his messengers and letters daily to labour his frendes there and especially such of the Senatours as he had to him bound by any feaulty or otherwise by any gifts or friendship that so much as in them did lye they should vphold the Masse and gainstand the contrary proceedings of the other The Senate of Strausburgh in the meane time seing the matter did so long hang in controuersie the space now of 2. yeares and the preachers daily and instantly calling vpon them for a reformation and sute also being made to them or the Citizens assembled their great ful councel to the number of 300 as in great matters of importance they are accustomed to doe and there with themselues debated the case declaring on the one side if they abolished y e masse what danger they should incurre by the Emperor ReformatioÌ„ of religioÌ„ at Strausburgh On the other side if they did not how much they shuld offend god and therefore geuing them respite to consulte at the nexte meting required them to declare their aduise and sentence in the matter When the day came that euery man shoulde say his mind so it fell out that the voices and iudgements of them which went against the Masse preuailed Whereupon immediatly a decree was made the 20. of Februarie Anno. 1529. that the Masse should be suspended and layde downe til the time that the aduersary part could prooue by good Scripture The Masse ouerthrown at Strausburgh the Masse to be a seruice auailable acceptable before God This decree being established by the coÌ„sent of y e whole Citie the Senate eftsoones commaunded the same to be proclaimed and to take full place and effect as well within the Citie as also without so farre as their limites and dominion did extend and afterward by letters certified their Byshop touching the doing thereof Who hearing these newes as heauy to his heart as leade did signifie to them again how he receiued their letters how he vnderstode by them The bishops patience perforce the effect and summe of their doings all which he was enforced to digest with suche patience as hee coulde thoughe they wente sore againste his stomacke seeing for the present time he could no otherwise chuâ—e heereafter would serue he sayde he would see therunto according as his charge and office should require ReformatioÌ„ beginneth at Basill Thus howe the Masse was ouerthrowne in Zurike in Berne in Geneua in Strausburgh you haue hearde Now what folowed in Basil remaineth likewise to vnderstand In this citye of Basill was Oecolampadius preacher as is aboue signified by whose diligent labor trauaile Ioannes Oecolampadius the Gospel began there to take such fruit that great dissention there also arose among the citizeÌ„s about religion and especially about the Masse Wherupon the Senate of Basill appoynted that after an open disputation it shoulde be determined by
comming into his house saluted him frendly pretending as though their comming had bene to make good cheare for he was a good housekeeper and the Gentlemen of the Countrey thereaboutes vsed oftentimes to resort vnto his house familiarly This priest made ready for them in short space a very sumptuous banket whereof they did eate and drinke very cheerefully After dinner was ended and that the Priest was yet at the table thinking no hurt Vngentlenes in a gentleman the Gentleman said to his seruants take ye this priest our host and hang him and that without delay for he hath wel deserued to be hanged for the great offence he hath committed agaynste hys Prince the seruaunts were marueylously astonied wyth his words and abhorring to do the deede sayd vnto theyr maister God forbid that we should cōmit any such crime to hang a man that hath intreated vs so gently for y e meate which he hath geuen vs is yet in our stomackes vndisgested It wer◠a wicked acte for a noble man to render so great an euill for a good turne but especially to murder an innocent Briefly the seruaunts sought no other occasion but only to geue him way to flee that they might also auoide the execution of that wicked purpose As the Gentleman and his seruants were thus contending the priest said vnto them I beseech you shewe no such crueltie vpon me rather leade me away captiue vnto my prince where I may purge my selfe I am falsely accused and I trust to pacifie his anger which he hath conceiued against me At least remember the hospitalitie which I haue euer shewed to you and all Noble mē at al times resorting to my house But principally speaking to the Gentleman he aduertised him of y e perpetuall sting which would follow vpon an euill conscience protesting that he had faithfully and truely taught them the doctrine of the Gospell and that it was the principall cause why he had such euill will whiche long time before he had foreseene would come to passe for so much as he had oftentimes in the pulpit reproued sharply and openly the horrible vices of the Gentlemen Many thinges ma◠be pretēded but religion is euer the cause why good men goe to wracke which mainteined their people in their vicious liuing and they themselues were geuen vnto blasphemie and drunkennes whereas they should shewe example of faith true religion and sobernes but they had oftentimes resisted him sayeng that it was not his part to reprooue them for so much as they were his Lordes and might put him to death if they woulde that all things which they did was allowable and that no man ought to gaynesay it also that he went about some things in hys Sermons that would come to an ill ende This good man whatsoeuer he coulde saye coulde not make his matter seeme good for the Gentleman continued in his wicked enterprise and pricked forth his seruants still to accomplish their purpose for it was resolued by the Prince that he shoulde be put to death and turning hymselfe vnto the Priest he said that he could gaine nothing by preaching in such sorte Kindnes vnkindly rewarded with vnkindnes but that he shoulde fully determine himselfe to die for the prince had geuen expresse commaundement to hang him whose fauour he woulde not loose for to saue his life At the last the seruants after great sorrow and lamentation bound their hoste hanged him vpon a beame in his owne house the Gentleman standing by looking vpon This good man seeing no remedy spake none other wordes but onely Iesus haue mercy vpon me Iesus saue me This is the truth of this most cruell acte which a Turke would scarsely haue committed against his mortall enemie Now let euery man iudge with himselfe which of them haue the greatest aduantage either they which commit the crueltie against the good or the good men which do suffer the same vniustly The first sorte haue a continuall gnawing in their conscience and the other obtaine an immortall crowne ¶ The like historie of the death of a certaine Minister named M. Peter Spengler which was drowned in the yeare of our Lord 1525. collected by Oecolampadius IN a certaine village named Schlat in the countrey of Brisgois there was a vigilant minister a man very wel learned in the Scriptures of a good name for that he liued a godly a blamelesse life hauing lōg time faithfully done his office and dutie being also courteous and gentle A descriptiō of a good minister or curate and wel beloued of mē but specially of the Bysh. of Constāce with whom he was in great authority peaceable and quiete with all men that he had to doo withall He quieted discordes and contentions with a marueilous prudencie exhorting all men to mutuall charity loue In al assembles wheresoeuer he came he greatly commended honest lyfe amendment of maners When the purity of the gospell began to shine abroad he began to read with great affection the holy Scriptures which long tyme before he had read but without any vnderstanding When he had recouered a litle iudgement and came to more vnderstanding by cōtinuall reading being also further grown in age he begā to consider with himselfe in how great darckenes and errors the whole order of priests had bene a long time drowned O good God sayd he who would haue thought it that so many learned and holy men haue wandred out of the right way and could haue so lōg time bene wrapped in so greate errors or that the holy Scripture coulde haue bene so deformed with such horrible abuses for he neuer wel vnderstood before he sayde that the Gospell was the verity of God in that order wherein it is written seeing it conteyned so much touching the Crosse persecution and ignominious death The crosse discerneth betweene true Christians and counterfeit and yet the Priestes liued in great prosperity and no man durste mayntayne any quarrell agaynst them without great daunger He also saw that the howre was come that the Gospell should be displayd that persecution was at hand that the enemies of the truth beganne now to rage that the wicked and proud lyfted vppe theyr heades on high He that seeketh to lyue godly in Christ shall suffer persecution and feared not to enterprise and take in hand all kynde of mischiefe and wickednesse agaynst the faythfull that the Byshops which ought by theyr vertue and power to defend the word were more barbarous and cruell then any tyrauntes had bene before He thus considering the present estate of the world ◠Tim. 4. put all doubte from his hart and sawe presently before hys eyes that Iesus Christ had taught the trueth seeing so many bodyes of the faythful were dayly so tormented beaten exiled and banished drowned and burned For who can report the great tormentes which the innocent haue endured these yeares passed euen by those which cal themselues Christians and for no
other cause but onely for the true confession of Iesus Christ This good Pastour considering with him selfe the lawes and doctrine of the church of Rome to swarue from the truth of Christ especially in restraining mariage to the end that he would not defile himselfe wyth fornication he maryed a mayd of his such a one as feared God by whom afterward he had many fayre children About this time the people of the countrey had raysed a great commotion A commotion of the Boures who in theyr rage went vnto monasteries and priestes houses as if they had taken in hand some pilgrimage and spared nothing that they could find to eat That which they could not eat they eyther cast vnderfeet or caryed it away with them One company of this rustical sort lodged themselues in the house of this good Priest for they made no difference betwene the good the bad These roysters tooke from him all that they could finde leauyng nothing behinde them in so much as they tooke away the very hose from his legges for all that he could doe albeit that he gently entreated them shewing that it was theft a hanging matter that they did yet they continued styll in theyr madnes like beastes As they were departing out of the house the good priest could not refrain himselfe from weeping saying vnto thē I tell you before these your vnordinate dooynges will redound to some great mischiefe to your selfe For what madnes is this what meaneth this rage and tumult wherein you keepe no order or equity neither haue any respect betwene frend and foe Who thus styrreth you vp what coūsell do you folow or to what end do you this Like theues you spoyle what so euer you can lay handes vpon And thinke you not but these thinges which you now rob rauen and steale you shal be compelled hereafter to restore agayn to your great detrimēt What sedition did euer come to good end Crueltie sedition neuer commeth to good ende You pretend the Gospell and haue no peace of the Gospell either in your mouthes or in your hartes These excesses sayd he ye neuer learned of me which euer haue taught you the true word of God This your Gospel sayth he is rather the Gospell of the deuill then of God which vexeth al the world with violence and wrong spoyling and robbing without regard The Gospel teacheth no rebellion The true Gospel of Iesus Christ teacheth you to do good vnto all men to auoyde dissentiōs and periury This I say vnto you that in these your doinges you offend God and prouoke his iust vengeance to plague you which will neuer suffer these euilles to escape vnpunished You finde written in the Gospell That which thou wouldest not shoulde be done to thee do not to other You offend also all the nobilitye and your lawfull magistrates whom you are sworne and bound vnto It is no small matter I tel you to rayse vp sedition to styrre vp other and to disturbe the state of the common wealth and when this tumult shall be ceased what then shall your noble men do shal they not rifle you as fast of your goodes make themselues rich and then shall one of you betray an other These with such other words he stood preaching vnto them almost naked but al this would not preuayle with those men who after all these gentle admonitions and fayre wordes departed out of his house geuing him foule language and calling him olde Dotarde Amongest all other one more wicked then the residue sayde vnto hym in this maner O mayster Curate we haue bene long deceyued by your selling of masses by fearing vs with Purgatory by your Diriges and Trentals and so haue we bene spoyled wherfore we do nothing now but requyre agayn the mony which you robbed vs of and so mocking scorning him they departed After that this sedition of the Pesantes was partly appeased theyr armour being layd away and they taken vnto grace after that also diuers of the principals of that conspiracy were taken here and there in the villagyes and executed this good pastor fearing no such thing for the true and sincere preaching of the Gospell whereat many tooke great indignation was taken in the night by certayn souldiers which bound him hand and foote with a great rope before his wife and children and so set him vpon a horse Religion the cause onely why good men be troubled of the wicked and ledde him away to Friburge What grieuous sighes teares sorrowe and lamentation was there It would haue mooued any hart were it as hard as a Flynt to a dolefull compassion especially to see the barbarous and despightfull rebukes tauntes and extreme cruelty shewed by these proude Popishe Souldiours agaynst the innocent Priest Such beastly Tyrauntes the world is neuer without Such Godly ministers we haue had but a few The people hearing this pitifull noyse and lamentatiō in the night came runing out not the men but onely the women whom the souldiers willed to go home again and that theyr men should come forth and keepe the towne but theyr men durst not appear Then from Friburge shortly after they conueyed him to Ensissheim After they had long kept this man in prison and that he had endured most terrible tormēts as well by the priuy members as in other partes they iudged him to death If you will know y e cause what they had to lay to his charge it was onely this y t he had maryed a wife secretely in hys owne house with a few witnesses Crueltie without cause Other crimes they had none to obiect agaynst him neither that he was a seditious and wicked man or that he had cōmitted any other offence albeit they had gathered diuers wicked persons out of sūdry places to picke out of hys Sermons the order and maner of his behauiour When he was led vnto the place of execution he aunswered gentlye and quietly vnto all them that came to comfort hym But there were diuers Monkes and Priestes which troubled hym very sore with theyr foolish babling as he was striuing in hys spirite agaynst the horrour of death and making hys prayer vnto almightye GOD seeking nothing els but to turne him away from his harty and earnest contemplation But he desired them that they woulde holde theyr peace saying that he had already confessed his sinnes vnto the Lord Iesus nothing at all doubting but that he had receiued absolution and forgeuenesse of them all And I sayd he shall this day be an acceptable sacrifice vnto my Sauiour Iesus Christ for I haue done no suche thing wherefore I am now condemned whiche might displease my Lorde God who in this behalfe hath geuen me a good and quiet conscience Nowe therefore let them which thyrst for innocent bloud and shed the same diligently aduise themselues what they do and that they offend euen hym vnto whom it perteineth truely to iudge the hartes of men for it is
Martyre buryed quicke which death they receiued lykewise very chearfully Certain of the other prisoners which were not codemned to death were depriued of theyr goodes commaunded in a white sheete to come to the church An aged woman Martyr buryed quicke and there kneling with a Taper in their hand to aske forgeuenes and they which refused so to doe and to abiure the doctrine of Luther were put to the fire Ex Francis Encenate The name of the persecutor appeareth not in the story M. Perseuall Martyr M. Perseuall At Louane An. 1544. Not long after this was one M. Perseual in the same Uniuersitie of Louane singularly well learned Who for reprehending certayne popishe superstitions and some thing speaking in commendation of the Gospell was throwne into prison Then beyng accused of Lutheranisme because he stood to y e same and woulde not condesende to the popes erroneous faction he was adiudged to perpetuall pryson there to be fedde onely with bread and water which punishment he tooke pacyentlye for Christes sake Neuerthelesse certayne Cittizens taking compassiō of him sent him wyne and beare But hys keepers beeing charged vnder a great penaltie durst let nothing come vnto hym At last what became of him no man coulde learne nor vnderstand Some iudge that hee was eyther famished for hunger or els that he was secretly drowned Et Franc. Encenate Dorsardus◠a Potestate in that coūtrey Franciscus Encenas prisoner and a great persecutor Iustice Imbsberger At Brusels An. 1544. Iustus of Louane Martyr Iustus a skinner of Louane being suspected of Lutheranisme was foūd in his house to haue the new testament and certayne sermons of Luther For the which he was committed and hys Iaylour commanded that he should speake wyth none There were the same tyme in the lower prison vnder them Egidius and Franciscus Encenas a Spanyard who secretly hauing the doores left open came to him and confirmed hym in the cause of righteousnes Thus is the prouidēce of the Lord neuer lacking to hys Saintes in time of necessity Shortly after came the Doctours and maysters of Louane to examine hym of certayne Articles touching religion as of y e popes supremacy Sacrifice of y e masse Purgatory and of the sacrament Iustus 〈◊〉 de terra Whereunto when hee had aunswered playnely and boldly after the Scriptures and woulde in no wise be remooued he was condemned to the fire but through y e intercessiō made to the Queene his burnyng was pardoned and he onely beheaded Ex Franc. Encenate The person of Brusels Giles of Brusels An. 1544. This Gyles was borne in Brusels Gyles Martyr of honest parentes By hys occupatiō he was brought vpp from hys youth to be a Cutler In the which occupation he was so expert and cunning that hee waxed thereby riche wealthy Comming to the yeares of 30. he beganne to receaue the light of the Gospell thorough the readyng of the holy Scripture and encreased therein exceedingly And as in zeale he was feruent so was he of nature humane milde and pittyfull passing al other in those partes Whatsoeuer he had that necessitie coulde spare he gaue it awaye to the poore and onely liued by hys science Some he refreshed with hys meate Good works going with a lyuelye fayth some with clothing to some he gaue hys shoes some he helped wyth housholde stuffe to other some he ministred holesome exhortatiō of good doctrine One poore woman there was brought to bed and had no bed to lye in to whom he brought hys owne bed hymselfe contented to lye in the straw The sayd Egidius being detected by a Priest or person of Brusels was taken at Louane for that religion whiche the Pope doth call heresie Where hys aduersaryes extended great care and dilligence to reduce hym to theyr doctrine and to make hym abiure But as he was a man well reasoned and singularly witted they went away many tymes wyth shame Thus beyng deteyned 8. monthes in prison he was sent to Brusels to be iudged The humble heart of Gyles where he comforted dyuers whych were there in prison amōg whom was also Fraunciscus Encenas exhorting them to constancie of the truth vnto the crowne which was prepared for them At the table he ministred to them al beyng contented hymselfe wyth the fewe scrappes which they left Feruency of prayer In thys hys prayers he was so ardent kneelyng by hymselfe in some secret place that he seemed to forget hym selfe Beyng called many tymes to meate he neyther heard nor sawe them that stood by hym till he was lift vp by the armes then gently he woulde speake vnto them as one waked out of a sweet sleep Certayne of the Gray Friers sometymes were sent vnto hym by two and two to reduce hym but he would alwaies desire them to depart frō him Blasphemy of Papistes for he was at a poynt when the Fryers at anye tyme did miscall hym he euer helde his peace at such pryuate iniuries in somuche that those blasphemers would say abroad that he had a dum deuill in hym But when they talked of any religion there he spared not but answered them fully by euidences of the Scripture in such sort that diuers times they would depart maruelyng At sundry times he might haue escaped the doores being let open but he woulde not for bringing his keeper in perill At length about the moneth of Ianuary he was brought to an other prison to be constrayned with tormentes to confesse Purgatory and to vtter mo of hys fellowes But no forcement would serue Wherfore vppon the 22. of Ianuary he was condemned to the fire but priuily contrary to the vse of y e Country for openly they durst not condemne hym for feare of the people so wel was he beloued When tidinges of the sentence came vnto him he gaue harty thankes to GOD that the houre was come when he might glorifie the Lord. As he was brought to the place of burning where he saw a great heape of wood pyled hee required the greater part therof to be taken awaye and geuen to y e poore a litle sayd he wold suffice him Also seyng a poore man comming by as he wēt that lacked shoes he gaue hys shoes vnto him Better sayd he so to do then to haue his shoes burnt and the poore to perish for cold Standing at the stake the hangman was ready to strangle hym before but he woulde not saying that there was no such need that hys payn shuld be mittigated for I feare not sayd he the fire doe therfore as thou art commanded And thus the blessed Martyr lifting vp his eyes to heauen in the middle of the flame was extincted to the great lamentation of all that stood by The zeale of people against the bloudy Fryers After that tyme when the friers of that Cittie would goe about for theyr almes the people would say it was not meet for them to receaue almes with bloudy handes This history
might also haue one of the precious cheynes about his necke in honor of his Lord. The which being graūted so were these three blessed martirs committed to the fire where they with meek pacience yelded vp theyr liues to the hands of the lord in testimony of his Gospell Ex Crisp. Pantal. Matth. Dimoner martyr The Lieutenant of Lyons Primacius Officiall Buatherius Officiall Orus Inquisitor Matthaeus Dymonetus marchaunt At Lyons An. 1553. This Marchaunt first liued a vicious detestable life full of muche corruption and fylthynesse He was also a secret enemy and a Searcher out of good men when and where they conuented togeather Who being called notwithstanding by y e grace of God to the knowledge and sauor of his word shortly after was taken by the Lieutenant and Buatherius the Official in his owne house at Lions and so after a litle examination was sent to prison Being examined by the Inquisitor and the Officials he refused to yeelde any aunswere to them knowing no authority they had vpon him but onely to the Lieutenant His aunsweres were that he beleued all that the holy vniuersall Church of Christ did truely beleue all the articles of the Creed To the article of the holy Catholicke Churche being bid to adde also Romanam that is the Church of Rome that he refused Aduocates he knew none but Christ alone Purgatory he knew none but the crosse and passion of the lamb which purgeth the sinnes of all the world The true confession he sayd ought to be made not to the priest once a yeare but euery day to God and to such whō we haue offended The eating of the flesh bloud of Christ he tooke to be spirituall and the Sacrament of the flesh and bloud of Christ to be eaten with the mouth and that sacrament to be bread and wine vnder the name and signification of the body and bloud of Christ the masse not to be instituted of Christ being a thing contrary to his word and will For the head of the Church he knew none but onely Christ. Being in prison he had great conflictes with the infirmity of his owne flesh but especially with the tēptation of his parentes brethren and kinsfolkes and the sorow of his mother neuerthelesse the Lord so assisted him that he endured to the end At his burning he spake much to the people was heard with great attention He suffered the 15. of Iuly an 1553. Ex Cris. Legoux the Deane Ilierensis M. Simon Vigor the Penetentiary of Eureux William Neel an Austen Fryer At Eureaux in Fraunce An. 1553. Hen. Pantal. lib. 9. Crisp. Adrian maketh mention also of one William Neel a Fryer Augustine who suffered in muche like sorte the same yeare was burned at Eureux in Fraunce The occasion of his trouble rose first William Neel martyr for the rebuking of the vitious demeanour of the Priestes there and of the Deane named Legoux for the which the Deane caused hym to be sent to Eureux to the prison of the Byshoppe The storye of thys William Neel with his aunsweres to theyr Articles obiected is to be read more at large in the 9. booke of Pantalion and others The Bailiffe or steward of the Citye Dyion Symon Laloe At Dyion An. 1553. Symon Laloe a spectacle maker comming from Geneua in to Fraunce for certayn busines was laid hand of by the Bayliffe of Dyion Three thinges were demaunded of him 1 Where he dwelt 2. What was his faith 3. What fellowes hee knew of his Religion His dwelling he sayd was at Geneua Hys Religion was such as was then vsed at Geneua As for his fellowes he sayd he knew none but onely them of the same City of Geneua where his dwelling was When they could gette of him no other aunsweare but thys with all theyr racking and tormēts they proceeded to hys sentence and pursued the execution of the same which was the 21. of Nouember an 1553. The executioner who was named Iames Siluester Simon Laloe martyr seeing the great fayth and constancye of that heuenlye Martyr was so compuncted with repentaunce fell in such despayre of himselfe that they had much adoe with all the promises of the Gospell to recouer any cōfort in him The executioner conuerted At last through the mercy of christ he was comforted and conuerted and so he with all his family remoued to the Church of Geneua Ex Ioan Crisp.  Nicholas Nayle Torments At Paris An. 1553. This Nicolas shoomaker commynge to Paris with certayne ferdles of bookes Nicholas Naile martyr was there apprehēded Who stoutly in persisting in confessing the trueth was tried with sundry tormentes to vtter what fellowes he had besides of his profession so cruelly that his body was dissolued almost one ioint from an other but so constant he was in his silence that he would expresse none As they brought him to the stake fyrste they put a gag or peece of wood in his mouth which they boūd with cords to the hinder part of his head so hard y t his mouth on both sides gushed out wyth bloud and disfigured his face monstrously By the way they passed by an Hospitall where they willed him to worship the picture of S. Mary standing at the gate But he turned his back as well as he could and would not For the which the blind people were so grieued that they would haue fallē vpon him After he was brought to the fire they so smered his body with fatte and brimstone that at the first taking of the fire all his skin was parched the inward parts not touched With that the cords brast which were about his mouth wherby his voyce was heard in the middest of the flame praysing the Lord and so y e blessed Martyr departed Ex Ioan Chrisp A woman of Tolouse The Officiall of the Bishop of Tolouse The Inquisitour and Chauncelour of the Bishop of Cozeran Peter Serre About Tolouse An. 1553. Peter Serre martyr Peter Serre fyrst was a Prieste then chaunging his religiō he went to Geneua learned the shomakers craft and so liued Afterward vpon a singuler loue he came to hys brother at Tolouse to the intent to doe hym good His brother had a wife which was not well pleased with hys religiō and comming She in secret Counsell tolde an other woman one of her neighbors of this What doth she but goeth to the Officiall and maketh hym priuy of all The Officiall thinking to fore-slacke no time taking counsell with his fellowes laid hands vppon this Peter and brought him before the Inquisitor To whom he made such declaration of his fayth that he seemed to reduce the Inquisitor to some feling of conscience and began to instruct him in y e principals of true religion Notwithstāding all this helped not but that he was condemned by the said Chauncellor to be degraded cōmitted to the seculer iudge The Iudge inquiringe of what occupation hee was he sayde that
them how to aunswere to euery poynt of christian doctrine so well as if he had done no other thing in all his life but onely studyed diuinity and yet was he but very simply learned Then was he sent from them apart vnto an other Prison full of filthy stinche and vermine where notwithstāding he ceased not to sing Psalmes that the other might well heare him He had a young nephew in an other prison by being but a childe of whom he asked what he had sayd to the Iudges He sayde that he was constrayned to do reuerence to a crucifixe painted O thou noughty boy said he haue not I taught thee y e commandements of God Images forbidden Knowest thou not how it is written Thou shalt not make to thy selfe no grauen Image c. and so beganne to expound to hym the Commaundementes whereunto hee gaue good attention In their examinations many questiōs were propounded by the Doctors and Friers touching matters both of religion and also to know of them what Gentlemen and Gentlewomen were there present at the ministration of the Sacrament Whereunto they aunswered in such sort as was both sufficient for defence of theyr owne cause and also to saue theyr other brethren from blame saying that they woulde liue and dye in that they had sayd and maynteyned When the time of theyr execution was come they perceiued that the Iudges had intended that if they would relent they shoulde be strangled if not they should burne aliue and theyr tongues be cutte from them Which tormentes they being content to suffer for our Sauiour Iesus Christ offered their tongues willingly to the hangman to be cut Gabart began a little to sigh Their tounges cut for that he might no more prayse the Lord with his tongue Whome then Cene did comfort Then were they drawne out of prison in the dōg cart to the suburbes of S. Germane Whom the people in rage and madnes folowed with cruell iniuries and blasphemies as though they would haue done the execution themselues vpon them Maugre the hangman The cruelty of theyr death was suche as hath not lightly bene sene Crueltie for they were holden long in the ayre ouer a small fire and theyr lower partes burnt of before that the higher partes were much harmed with the fire Neuerthelesse these blessed sayntes ceased not in all these tormentes to turne vp theyr eyes to heauen and to shewe forth infinite testimonyes of theyr fayth constancy In the same fire many Testamentes and Bibles the same time also were burnt Upon the sight of this cruelty See heere howe the whole power of the world was confederate together against the poore saints of God according to the prophecie of the 2. Psalme Astiterunt Reges terrae principes conuenerunt in vnum aduersus Dominum c. the frendes of the other prisoners which remayned behinde fearyng the tyranny of these iudges presented certaine causes of refusall agaynst the sayd iudges requiring other Commissioners to be placed But the king beyng hereof aduertised by his Sollicitour sent out hys letters patentes commaunding the sayd causes of refusall to be frustrate and willed the former iudges to proceed all other letters and obstacles to the contrary notwithstanding and that the Presidentes should haue power to chuse to them other counsellers according to theyr owne arbitrement to supply the place of such as were absent amongest whome also the sayd Sollicitour was receyued in stead of the kinges Procurator to pursue the proces By the which letters patents it was decreed that these stubberne Sacramentaries as they were called should be iudged accordingly saue only that they should not proceed to the executiō before the king were aduertised These letters aforesaid stirred vp the fire of this persecution not a litle for that the Iudges at this refusall tooke great indignation and were mightily offended for that reproch Notwithstanding so it pleased God Albert Hartung deliuered that a yong man a Germane called Albert Hartung borne in the country of Brandeburge and godsonne to Albert Marques of Brandeburge by the kinges commaundement was deliuered through the importune sute of the sayde Marques Ex Ioan. Crisp lib. 6. 2. Presidentes 25. Counsellers The Lieuetenant ciuil Doctors Friers Sorbonistes Benedictus Iacobin Demochares Maillard Fridericke Danuile Frances Rebezies At Paris An. 1558. Mentiō was made aboue of certaine yong scholers and studentes which were in the litle castle with Peter Gabart Of the which nūber of Scholers were these two Fridericke Danuile and Frances Rebezies neyther of them being past twēty yeres of age Fridericke Danuile Fraunces Rebezies martyrs How valiauntly they behaued thēselues in those tender yeares susteining the quarel of our Lord Iesus Christ what cōfession they made what conflictes they had disputing with the Doctors of Sorbone theyr own letters left in writing do make record y e effect wherof briefly to touch is this And first touchinge Fridericke Danuile The Lieuetenant criminall who before was halfe suspected but nowe thinking to proue himselfe a right catholick and to recouer his estimation agayne came to him beginninge with these wordes of Scripture Who so euer denyeth me before men him will I denye before my father c Math. 10. That done hee asked him what he thought of the Sacrament To whom Friderick aunswered that if he should thinke Christ Iesus to be betweene the Priestes handes after the Sacramentall wordes as they call them then should he beleue a thing contrary to the holy Scripture and to the Creed which saith Act. 2. that he sitteth on the right hād of the Father Also to the testimonye of the Aungelles whiche speake both of the ascending of Christ and of his commyng downe agayn Act. 1. After these questions with him touching Inuocation of Sayntes Purgatorye c. Wherunto he aunswered so that he rather did astonish the enemies then satisfy them Furthermore the 12. of September the sayd Fridericke agayne was brought before Benedictus Iacobin and his companion a Sorbonist called Noster Magister who thus began to argue with him The Doctor Which thinke you to bee the true Churche the Churche of the Protestantes or the Churche of Paris The Martyr I recognise that to be the true Church where the Gospell is truely preached and the Sacramentes rightly administred so as they bee lefte by Iesus Christ and his Apostles The Doctor And is the Church thinke you of Geneua such a one as you speake of The Martyr I so iudge it to be The Doctor And what if I doe prooue the contrary will you beleue me The Martyr Yea it you shall proue it by the Scripture The Doctor Or will you beleue S. Austen and other holy doctors innumerable The Martyr Yea so they dissent not from the scripture and the word of God The Doctor By the authority of S. Austen The Church the Church is there where is the succession of Byshops whereupon I frame this argument There is the Church
many graue and discreet persons came to visit him exhorting him that he would chaunge his opinion to speake more modestly FrauÌ„ces answered againe that he mainteined no opinion erroneous or hereticall if he semed to be somewhat vehement with the Friers that was to be ascribed not to him so muche as to theyr owne importunity hereafter he woulde â—rame himself more temporaâ—â—y Wherupon the spaniards thinking him better come to himself San Romane deliuered out of prison discharged him out of prison Which was about y e time wheÌ„ y e Emperor was in his couÌ„sel at Ratisbone an 1541. San Romane thus beyng freede out of Prison came to Antwerpe where he remayned aboue tweÌ„ty dayes From thence he went to Louane vnto a certaine frend of his named FraÌ„ciscus Driander Frances Dryander who also afterward dyed a Martyr with whom he had much conference about diuers matters of Religion who gaue him counsell not to alter the state or hys vocation being called to be a marchauÌ„t which state he might exercise with a good conscience doe much good And as touching Religion his counsell was that he should say or do nothing for fauour of men wherby the glory of God should be diminished but so that he required notwithstanding in the same a sound and right iudgement conformed to the rule of Gods word lest it might chauÌ„ce to him as it doth to many who being caried with an inconfederate zeale leaue their vocations while they think to do good and to edifye they destroy do harm and cast themselues needles into dauÌ„ger It is God sayd he that hath the care of his Church and will stirre vp faythfull Ministers for the same neither doth hee care for such which rashly intrude themselues into that function without any calling This aduertisement of Dryander Fraunces did willinglye accept promising hereafter to moderate himselfe more considerately But this promise was shortly broken as you shall heare For passing from Dryander he went to Ratisbone and there hauyng tyme and oportunity conuenient to speake to y e Emperor he stepped boldely vnto him The boldnes of San Romane to the Emperour beseeching hym to deliuer his country and subiectes of Spayne froÌ„ false religion and to restore agayne the sinceritye of Christes doctrine declaring and protesting that the Princes and Protestantes of Germany were in the truer part and that the Religion of Spayne beynge drowned in ignoraunce and blindenes was greatly dissonant from the true perfect word of God with many other words perteyning to y e same effect The Emperor all this while gaue him gentle hearing signifying that he would consider vpon the matter so do therin as he trusted should be for the best The Emperours gentle answere This quiet answere of the Emperour ministred to him no litle incouragement of better hope albeit he mighte perceiue there in the City many examples to the coÌ„trary yet all that discouraged not him but he weÌ„t the second also the third time vnto the Emperor Who quietly agayne so aunswered him as before And yet this our Fraunces not satisfied in his minde sought with a greater ardency the fourth time to speake to the Emperour but he was repulsed by certayne of the Spanyardes about the Emperor who incontinent with out al further hearing or aduising y e cause would haue throwne him headlong into the riuer of Danubius had not the Emperor stayd them wylled him to be iudged by the lawes of the Empyre By which commaundement of the Emperor he was reserued deteined with other malefactors in bandes till the Emperor tooke his voiage into Aphrike Frances San Romane brought into Spayne TheÌ„ Fraunces with other captiues folowing the Court after that the Emperor was come into Spayn was there deliuered to the Inquisitours by whoÌ„ he was layd in a darcke prison vnder the ground Oft many times he was called for to examination where he suffered great iniuries and contumelies but euer remayned in his conscience firme and vnmooueable The Articles wherupon he stoode and for which hee was condemned were these The articles of San Romane That life and saluation in the sight of God câ—â—meth to no maÌ„ by his own strength workes or â—â—rites but only by the free mercy of God in the bloud and Sacrifice of his sonne our mediator That the Sacrifice of the Masse which 〈◊〉 Papistes do recount auayleable Ex opere operato for remission of sinne both to the quick and dead is horrible blasphemy That auricular confession with the numbring vp of sinnes that SatisfactioÌ„ Purgatory Pardons inuocation of Sayntes worshipping of Images bee mere blasphemy agaynst the liuing God Item that the bloud of Christ is prophaned and iniuried in the same aforesayd After the Inquisitours perceaued that by no meanes he could be reclamed from his assertioÌ„s they proceded at last to the sentence condemning him to be burned for an hereticke Many other malefactors were brought also with him to the place of executioÌ„ but all they were pardoned dismissed Barrabas deliuered Christ taken he onely for the Gospell being odious to the whole world was taken burned As he was led to the place of suffering they put vpon him a Miter of paper paynted full of deuils after the spanish guise Furthermore as he was brought out of the Citty gate to be burned there stood a woodden crosse by the way wherunto Frances was required to do homage Which he refused aunswering that the maner of Christians is not to worship wood The maner of Christians is not to worshyp wood and he was sayd he a Christian. Hereupon arose great clamor among the vulgare people for that he denied to worship the wooden crosse But this was turned incoÌ„tinent into a miracle Such was the blind rudenesse of that people that they did impute this to the diuine vertue as geuen that Crosse from heauen for that it would not suffer it selfe to be worshipped of an hereticke A great Spanish myracle and immediatly for the opinion of that great miracle the multitude with theyr swordes did hew it in pieces euery man thinking himselfe happy that might cary away some chip or fragment of the sayde Crosse. When he was come to the place where he should suffer Frances constant to the death the Friers were busye about him to haue him recant but he continued euer firme As he was layd vpon the heape of woode and the fire kindled aboute him he began a litle at the feeling of the fire to lyfte vp his head toward heaueÌ„ Which when the Inquisitours perceiued The death and martyrdome of Frances San Romaine hoping that he would recant hys doctrine they caused him to be taken from the fyre But when they perceiued nothing lesse in hym the aduersaryes being frustrate of theyr expectation wil led him to be throwne in agayne and so was he immediatly dispatched After that the Martyrdome of this blessed man was thus consummate the
perceiuing that I would not be wel contented if he should not tel me The Popes clergy caÌ„not abiâ—e honest mariage to dye for it declared vnto me some part of the cause that is to say that there was certaine heretickes whyche spake against our holy mother the churche and amonge other errours they maintained yea to death that all Bishoppes Priests pastors ought to be maried or els to be gelded and hearing this I was maruellously offended and euer since I did hate them to the death And also it was enioyned vnto me by penaunce that I should endeuour with al my power to putte these heretickes to death After these friuolous talkes there was great trouble and debate amongst them and many threatnings which were too long here to describe Querebant Principes sacerdotum â—t scribae que modo interficerent Iesum Luke 22. Then the President Chassance and the CouÌ„cellers parted aside and the Gentlemen went on the other part The Archbishop of Arles the Bishop Aix and diuers Abbots Priors and others assembled them selues together to coÌ„sult how this Arrest might be executed with all speede entending to raise a newe persecution greater then that of Iohn the Iacobine Monke of Rome For otherwise sayd they our state and honour is like to decay We shall be reprooued contemned and derided of all menne And if none should thus vaunt and set themselues against vs but these pesantes and such lyke it were but a smal matter but many Doctours of Diuinitie and men of the religious order diuers Senatours and Aduocates many wise and well learned men also a great parte of the nobilitie if we may so say and that of great renoume Note how-the Popes church is led not with any conscieÌ„ce of truth but onely with loue of liuinges yea euen of the cheefest Peeres in all Europe begyn to contemne and despise vs counting vs to be no true pastours of the church so that except we see to this mischiefe and prouide for remedie betime it is greatly to be feared least not onely wee shall be compelled to forsake our dignities possessioÌ„s and liuings which we now wealthely enioy but also the church being spoiled of her pastors and guides shall hereafter come to a miserable ruine and vtter desolation Thys matter therefore now requireth great diligeÌ„ce and circumspection and that withall celeritie Then the Archbishop of Arles not forgetting his Spanish subtilties and pollicies gaue his aduise as foloweth Against the nobilitie we must sayde he take heede that we attempt nothing rashly but rather we must seeke all the meanes we caÌ„ how to please them for they are our shield our fortresse and defence And albeit we knowe that many of them doe both speake thinke euill of vs and that they are of these new gospellers yet may we not reprooue them to exasperate them in any case but seeing they are too much bent against vs already we must rather seeke how to win them and to make them our frendes againe by giftes and presents and by this pollicie we shall liue in safetie vnder their protection But if wee enterprise any thing againste them sure we are to gaine nothing thereby as we are by experience already sufficiently taught It is well sayd sayth the Byshop of Aix but I canne shew you a good remedy for this disease A butcherly religion which worketh all by bloud We must go about withall our endeuor power and policie and al the frends we canne make sparing no charges but spending goodes wealth and treasure to make suche a slaughter of the Merindolians and rusticall pesantes that none shal be so bold hereafter what soeuer they be yea although they be of the bloud royal once to open their mouthes against vs or the Ecclesiasticall state And to bring this matter to passe wee haue no better way then to withdrawe our selues to Auinion in the which Citie we shal finde many Bishops Abbots and other famous men which will with vs Cathedra Pestilentie employ their whole endeuor to maintaine and vphold the maiestie of our holy mother the Church This counsaile was well liked of them all Wherupon the sayd Archbishop of Arles and the Bishop of Aix went withall speede to Auinion there to assemble out of hand the Bishops and other men of authoritie and credite to entreate this matter In thys pestilent conspiracie the Bishop of Aix a stoute champion and a great defender of the traditions of men taking vppon hym to be the chiefe Oratour beganne in manner as followeth O Yee fathers and brethren An oration of Cateline that is the oration of the Bishop of Aix seditious bloudy Your oblations be against the Scripture Your pilgrimage is Idolatry Your charity is gone in deed wheÌ„ ye seeke so the bloud of your bretheren Your estimation is Pharisaicall Your iurisdictioÌ„ is tyrannicall Your ordinaÌ„ces serue not to Christes glory but your owne yee are not ignoraunt that a great tempest is raised vp against the little barke of Christe Iesus nowe in great danger and ready to pearish The storme commeth from the North whereof all these troubles proceede The seas rage the waters rushe in on euery side the windes blowe beate vpon our house and wee without speedy remedy are like to sustaine shippewracke and losse of alltogether For oblations cease pilgrimage and deuotion waxeth colde charitie is cleane gone our estimation and authoritie is abased our iurisdiction decaied and the ordinaunces of the churche despised And wherefore are we sette and ordained ouer nations and kingdomes but to roote out and destroy to subuert and ouerthrow whatsoeuer is against our holy mother the Churche Wherefore let vs now awake lette vs stande stoutly in the right of our owne possession that we may roote out from the memorie of men for euer the whole route of the wicked Lutheranes those Foxes I say whiche destroye the vineyard of the Lorde those great Whales which goe aboute to drowne the little barke of the sonne of God We haue already wel begonne and haue procured a terrible Arrest against these cursed heretickes of Merindoll nowe then resteth no more but onelye the same to be put in execution Let vs therefore employe oure whole endeuour that nothyng happen whych may lette or hinder that we haue so happely begon and lette vs take good heede that our gold and siluer do not witnesse agaynst vs at the day of iudgement if we refuse to bestowe the same The day shall come when men shal thinke they do a good sacryfice to God in putting you to death Iohn 16. that we may make so good a sacrifice vnto God And for my parte I offer to wage furnishe of mine owne costes and charges a 100. men well horsed with al other furniture to them belonging and that so long vntill the vtter destruction and subuersion of these wretched and curssed caitiffes be fully performed and finished This Oration pleased the whole multitude sauing one doctor of
sweare or name the diuell or easly be brought to take an othe except it were in iudgemente or makyng some solemne couenant They were also knowne by thys that they could neuer be moued nor prouoked to talke of any dishonest matters but in what company soeuer they came where they heard any wanton talke swearing of blasphemy to the dishonour of God they straight way departed out of that company Also they sayd that they neuer sawe them go vnto their busines but first they made theyr prayers The sayd people of Prouince furthermore affirmed that wheÌ„ they came to any fayres or markets or came to their cities by any occasion they neuer in a maner were seene in their Churches and if they were wheÌ„ they praied they turned away their faces froÌ„ the images and neyther offred candels to theÌ„ nor kissed their feete Neither would they worship the reliques of Saints nor once looke vpon them And moreouer Crimes laid against the Merindolians if they passed by any crosse or Image of the crucifixe or any other Sainct by the way as they went they would do no reuerence vnto them Also the Priestes did testifie that they neuer caused them to say any Masses neyther diriges neither yet De profundis neyther woulde they take any holy water and if it were carryed home vnto their houses they woulde not saye once God a mercy yea they semed vtterly to abhorre it To go on pilgrimage to make any vowes to Saints to buy pardons or remission of sinnes with money yea though it might be gotten for a halfepeny they thought it not lawfull Likewise wheÌ„ it thundered or lightened they would not crosse themselues but casting vp their eies to heauen fetch deepe sighes Some of theÌ„ would kneele downe pray without blessing themselues with y e signe of the crosse or taking of holy water Also they were neuer seene to offer Mans lawe preferred before Gods lawe or cast into the bason any thing for y e maintenance of lightes brotherhoods churches or to geue any offering either for y e quicke or the dead But if any were in affliction or pouertie those they releeued gladly and thought nothing too much This was y e whole tenor of the report made vnto MouÌ„sieur de Langeay touching the life and behauiour of y e inhabitants of Merindoll and the other which were persecuted also as touching the Arrest and that which ensued therupon Of all those things the sayd Monsieur de Langeay according to the charge that was geuen him aduertised the king who vnderstanding these things as a good prince moued with mercy and pity sent letters of grace pardon The kinges pardon procured sent downe for the Merindolians not only for those which were coÌ„demned for lacke of appearance but also for all the rest of y e countrey of Prouince which were accused and suspected in like case expresly charging and commanding the said parliameÌ„t that they shoulde not heereafter proceede so rigorously as they had done before against this people but if there were anye that could be found or proued by sufficient information to haue swarned from y e christian religion that then he should haue good demonstration made vnto him by the word of God both out of the old and of the new Testament and so as well by the gentlenes as by the rigour of the same he should be reduced againe vnto the Church of Christ declaring also y t the kings pleasure was that all such as should be conuict of heresie in maner aforesaid should abiure forbidding also all maner of persons of what estate or condition soeuer they were to attempt any thing against them of Merindoll or other that were persecuted by any other maner of meanes or to molest or trouble them in person or goodes reuoking and disanulling all maner of sentences and condemnations of what iudges soeuer they were and commaunding to set at libertie all prisoners which either were accused or suspected of Lutheranisme By vertue of these letters they were now permitted to declare their cause and to say what they coulde in defence thereof Whereupon they made a confession of their fayth the effect whereof you shall see in the end of the story This * This most godly and Christian confession you shall finde more largely set out in HeÌ„ Pantaleon and also in the French story entreating of the destruction of Merindoll and Cabriers also touching theâ—â— faith and confession you shall partly see hereafter pag. 917. confession was presented first to the Court of Parliament and afterward being declared more at large wyth Articles also annexed thereunto it was deliuered to the Bishop of Cauaillon who required y e same Also to Cardinall Sadolet Bishop of Carpentras with the lyke Articles and also a supplication to this effect That the inhabitants of Cabriers in the Countie of Uenice most humbly desired him that he would vouchsafe to receiue reade the confession and declaration of their fayth and doctrine in the which they and also their fathers before them had bene of a loÌ„g time instructed and taught which they were persuaded to be agreable to the doctrine conteined in y e old and new Testament And because he was learned in the holy Scriptures they desired hym that he woulde marke such articles as he thought to be against the Scriptures and if he should make it to appeare vnto them y t ther was any thing coÌ„trary to the same they would not only submit themselues vnto abiuration but also to suffer such punishment as should be adiudged vnto them euen to the losse not only of all that they had but also their liues And more ouer if there were any Iudge in all the countie of Uenice which by good and sufficieÌ„t information should be able to charge them that they had holden any erroneous doctrine 〈◊〉 Merindolians require the iudgement of Cardinall Sadolet touching their articles or mainteined any other religion then was coÌ„teined in the articles of their confession they desired him that he would coÌ„municate the same vnto them and with all obedience they offered themselues to whatsoeuer should be thought iust and reasonable Upon this request Cardinal Sadolet answered by his letters writteÌ„ by his Secretary and signed with his owne hand the tenor whereof heere ensueth I haue seene your request and haue red the Articles of youre confession The answer of Cardinal Sadolet to the Merindolians wherein there is much matter conteined and do not vnderstand that you are accused for any other doctrine but for the very same which you haue confessed It is most true that many haue reported diuers things of you worthy of reproofe which after diligent enquiry made we haue found to be nothing else but false reports and slaunders As touching the rest of youre Articles it seemeth vnto me that there are many wordes therein which might well be chaunged without preiudice vnto your confession And likewise it seemeth to me that it is
to make it appeare by the word of God and so being conuict to make them abiure and renounce the sayd heresies Whereupon the said Counceller Durandus certified the day that he would be present at Merindoll to the end purpose that none of the inhabitaunts should be absent At the day appointed the said Counseller Durandus the Byshop of Cauaillon Durandus the commissioner commeth to Merindoll a Doctour of Diuinitie a Secretary came vnto Merindoll where as was also present diuers Gentlemen and men of vnderstanding of all sorts to see this commission executed Then they of Merindoll were aduertised that they should not appeare all at once but y t they should keepe themselues apart and appeare as they should be called in such order number as should be appointed vnto them After that Durandus the Byshop of Cauaillon the Doctour of Diuinitie and the Secretary were set in place where iustice was accustomed to be kept there was called forth Andrew Maynard the baylife of Merindoll Ienon Romane and Michelin Maynard * Syndiâ—â— is a Greeke word and signifieth as much as an aduocate oâ— patrone oâ— deputy sent to plead our cause The wordes of DuraÌ„duâ— to the Merindolianâ— Syndiques Iohn Cabrie and Iohn Palene auncients of Merindoll and Iohn Bruneroll vnderbaylife After they had presented themselues with all due reuerence the Counseller Durandus spake thus vnto them You are not ignoraunt that by the Arrest geuen out by the high Court of Prouince you were all condemned to be burned both men women and children your houses also to be beaten downe and your towne to be rased and made desolate c. as is more largely conteined in the said arrest Notwithstanding it hath pleased the King our most gracious Prince to send his letters vnto the said Court commanding that the sayd arrest should not so rigorously proceede against you but if it could by sufficient information be proued that you or any of you had swarued froÌ„ the true Religion demonstratioÌ„ should be made thereof vnto you by the word of God wherby you might be reduced againe to the flocke of Christ. Wherefore it was determined in the saide Court of Parlament that the Bishop of Cauaillon with a Doctour of Diuinitie should in my presence declare vnto you the errours and heresies wherewith they say you are infected and after good demonstration made by the word of God you should publikely and solemnely renounce and abiure the sayde heresies and in so doyng shoulde obteine the grace and pardon conteined in the Kings letters Wherefore shew your selues this day that you be obedient vnto God the King and y e Magistrates When he had thus spoken what aunswere you sayd he to that which I haue propounded Then Andrew Maynard the Baylife desired that they would graunt them an Aduocate to answere according to the instructioÌ„s which they would giue him The Merindolians denied to geue answere by counsaile or writing for so much as they were men vnlearned and knew not how to answere as in such a case was requisite The Counseller aunswered that he would heare their aunswere neither by Aduocate nor by writing but woulde heare them aunswere in their owne persons Notwithstanding he woulde giue them leaue to go apart and talke together but not to aske any counsell but onely amongst themselues and then to aunswere one after another Upon this determination the Bayliffe and the two Syndiques with other two ancient men talked together a while and determined that the two Syndiques should speake first and after them the Baylife then the two auncient men euery man accordyng as God should geue them grace and by and by presented themselues Whereat the Counseller Durandus was greatly abashed The answer of the MerindoliaÌ„s to Durandus to see that they had agreed and determined so speedely Then Michelin Maynard began to aunswere desiring the Counseller and the Byshop with the other assistance to pardon him if that he aunswered ouerrudely hauing regard that they were poore rude and ignoraunt men His aunswere heere followeth We are greatly bound sayth he to geue God thankes that besides other his benefites bestowed vpoÌ„ vs The Baylife of 〈◊〉 answereth he hath now deliuered vs froÌ„ these great assaultes and that it hath pleased him to touch the hart of our noble King that our cause might be intreated with iustice and not by violence In like maner are we also bounde to pray for our noble King which following y e example of Samuell Daniell hath not disdeined to looke vpon the cause of his poore subiects Also we render thankes vnto the Lords of the Parlament in that it hath pleased them to minister iustice according to the Kings commandemeÌ„t Finally we thanke you my Lord Durandus Commissioner in this present cause that it hath pleased you in so few wordes to declare vnto vs the maner and order how we ought to proceede And for my part I greatly desire to vnderstand and know the heresies and errours wherof I am accused and where as they shall make it appeare vnto me that I haue holden any errours or heresies I am contented to amende the same as it shall be ordeined and prouided by you After him aunswered Ienon Romane the other Syndique a very auncient father approuing all that which his fellow before had sayde geuing God thankes that in hys time euen in his latter daies he had seene and heard so good newes that the cause of Religion shoulde be decided and debated by the holy Scriptures and that he had often heard auncient men say that they could neuer obteine of the Iudges in all their persecution to haue their cause debated in such sort Then Andrew Maynard the Baylife aunswered sayeng that God had geueÌ„ to those two Syndiques the grace to answere so well that it was not necessary for him to say or adde any more thereunto Notwithstanding it seemed good that their answeres were put in writing which was not done by the Secretary that had done nothing else but mocke and gyre at all that had bin sayd wherfore he required the Commissioner to looke vnto the matter Then the Commissioner was very angry and sharpely rebuked his Secretary commaunding him to sit nearer and to write their answeres word for word and he himselfe with a singular memory repeated their answeres and ofteÌ„times asked if it were not so The sayd aunsweres being thus put in writing the CoÌ„missioner asked the baylife if he had any more to answere sayeng that he had done him great pleasure to shewe him his Secretaries faulte willing him to speake boldly what he thought good for the defence of their cause Then the Baylife said for somuch as it hath pleased you to geue me audience liberty to speake my mind freely I say moreouer that it semeth vnto me that there is no due forme of processe in this iudgemeÌ„t for there is no partie heere that doth accuse vs. The proceeding with the MerindoliaÌ„s
about their affaires Ex Ioan. Sledano â—ib 16. c Thus hard was the king against them notwithstanding sayeth Sleydan that he the yere before had receaued from the sayde his subiectes of Merindoll a confession of their faith and doctrine The Articles whereof were that they according to Christian faith confessed first God the father creator of all things The sonne the onely Mediatour and Aduocate of mankinde The holy spirite the comfortour and instructour of all truth They confessed also the Church which they acknowledged to be the felowship of Gods elect wherof Iesus Christ is the head The ministers also of the Churche they did allowe wishing that such which did not their duety should be remoued And as touching Magistrates they grauÌ„ted likewise the same to be ordeined of God to defend the good The confession faith of the Waldenses in Merindoll to punish the transgressours And how they owe to him not loue onely but also tribute and custome and no man herein to be excepted euen by the example of Christ who paied tribute himselfe c. Likewise of Baptisme they confessed the same to be a visible and an outwarde signe that representeth to vs the renuing of the spirite and mortification of the members Furthermore as touching the Lordes Supper they sayde and confessed the same to be a thankesgeuing and a memoriall of the benefite receaued through Christ. Matrimonie they affirmed to be holy and instituted of God and to be inhibited to no man That good workes are to be obserued exercised of all men as holy Scripture teacheth That false doctrine which leadeth men away from the true worship of God ought to be eschewed Briefly and finally the order and rule of their faith they confessed to be the olde and newe Testament protesting that they beleeued all such things as are contained in the Apostolike Crede Desiring moreouer the King to geue credite to this their declaratioÌ„ of their faith so that whatsoeuer was informed to him to the contrary was not true and that they would well prooue if they might be heard And thus much concerning the doctrine and confession of the Merindolians out of Sleidan and also concerning their descent and ofspring from the Waldenses * The Historie of the persecutions and warres against the people called Waldenses or Waldois in the valleis of Angrongne Luserne S. Martin Perouse and others in the countrey of Piemont from the yere 1555. to the yere of our Lord. 1561. Persecutours Martyrs The Causes The Parliament of Thurin The President of S Iulian. Iacomell Monke an Inquisitour Monsieur de la Trinitie The Gentlemen of the Valleyes Charles Truchet Boniface Truchet The Collaterall of Corbis The Collateral de Ecclesia The Duke of Sauoy Monkes of Pigneroll and many other moe enemies of God and ministers of Sathan The Martirs of the valley of Angrogne The Martyrs of the valley of Luserne The Martyrs of S. Martin The Martyrs of Perouse and others In the couÌ„trey of Piemont From the yeare 1555. vnto 1561. TO procede now further in the persecution of these Waldois Persecution in the valley of Angrongne Luserne S. Martin Perouse in Piedmont or Waldenses you haue herd hitherto first how they deuiding themselues into diuers Countreis some fled to Prouince and to Tolouse of whom sufficient hath bene sayd Some went to Piedmont and the valley of Angrogne of whom it foloweth now to entreat God willing Thus these good men by long persecution being driuen from place to place were grieuouslye in all places afflicted but yet could neuer be vtterly destroied nor yet compelled to yeelde to the superstitious and false religion of y e church of Rome but euer absteined from theyr corruption and Idolatrie as much as was possible gaue themselues to the worde of God as a rule both truely to serue him and to directe their liues accordingly They had many bookes of the old and new Testament translated into their language Theyr Minysters instructed them secretely to auoyd the furye of theyr ennemies whyche could not abide the light all be it they did not instruct theÌ„ wyth suche puritie as was requisite They liued in great simplicity and with the sweate of theyr browes They were quiete and peaceable among theyr neighbors absteining from blasphemy and prophaning of y e name of God by othes and such other impietie from lewde games dauncing filthy songes and other vices and dissolute life and coÌ„formed their life wholy to the rule of Gods word Their principal care was alwaies that God might be rightly serued and his woorde truely preached In so muche that in our time when it pleased God to set forth the light of his gospel more clearely they neuer spared any thing to establish the true and pure ministery of the worde of God and his Sacraments Which was the cause that Sathan with his ministers did so persecute them of late more cruelly then euer he did before as manifestly appeareth by the bloudy horrible persecutions which haue bene not onely in Prouince against those of Merindol Cabriers also against them of Prage and Calabria as the histories afore written doe sufficiently declare but also against them in the Countrey of Piedmont remaining in the Ualley of Angrongne and of Lucerne and also in the Ualley of S. Martine and Perouse in the sayd countrey of Piedmont Whych people of a long time were persecuted by the Papists and especially within these fewe yeares they haue bene vexed in such sort and so diuersly that it seemeth almost incredible and yet hathe God alwayes miraculously deliuered them as heereafter shall ensue Albeit the people of Angrongne had before this time certaine to preach the word of God and minister the sacramentes vnto them priuately yet in the yeare of our Lorde 1555. in the beginning of the moneth of August the Gospel was openly preached in Angrongne The ministers and the people entended at the first to kepe themselues still as secrete as they mighte but there was suche concourse of people from al parties that they were compelled to preach openly abroad For this cause they built them a Church in the mids of Angrongne where assembles were made and Sermons preached It happened about that time that one Iohn Martin of Briqueras a mile froÌ„ Angrongne which vaunted euery where The iust haÌ„d of God vpon Iohn Martin a persecutor that he wold slit the ministers nose of Angrogne was assaulted by a Wolfe which bitte of hys nose so that he died thereof madde Thys was commonly knowen to all the townes thereabout At this season the French king helde these foresaid valleis they were vnder the iurisdiction of the Parliament of Thurin In the ende of DeceÌ„ber folowing newes was brought that it was ordeined by the sayd Parlament that certaine horsemen and footemen should be sent to spoil and destroy Angrongne Whereuppon some whych pretended great freÌ„dship to this people counselled theÌ„ not to goe forward with their enterprise but
mountaines valleis hauing their whole religion â—ounded vpon the holy Gospel and worshipping the Lord Iesus and therefore they most humbly besought them to haue pitie and compassion vpon them and to suffer them to liue quietly in their deserts protesting that they and theirs would liue in al feare reuerence of God with all due subiection and obedience to their Lord and prince and to his Lieutenants and officers The President and the rest of the Commissioners perceiuing that they laboured in vaine returned to Thurin with the notes of their proceedings the which immediatly were sent vnto the kings court there the matter remained one yeare A breathing time geuen of God to the Angâ—onians before there was any answeare made thereunto during which time the Waldoys liued in great quietnes as God of his infinit goodnes is wont to geue some comfort refreshing to his poore seruants after long troubles and afflictions The number of the faithfull so augmented that throughout the valleis Gods woorde was purely preached his sacraments duely administred and no masâ—e was song in AngroÌ„gne nor in diuers other places The yere after the President of S. Iulian with his associates returned to Pigneroll sent for thither the chiefe Rulers of Angrongne of the valley of Luserne that is for sixe of Angrongne and for two of euery parish besides and shewed vnto them how that the last yere they had presented their confession the which by a decree made by the parliament of Thurin was sent to the kings court Persecution againe beginneth against the AngroniaÌ„s ther diligently examined by learned men condemned as hereticall Therfore the king willed and commaunded them to returne to the obedience of the Church of Rome vppon paine of losse both of goods and life enioyning them moreouer to geue him a direct aunswere within 3. daies From thence he went to Luserne caused the housholders with great threatnings to assemble them selues before certaine by him appoynted The AngroniaÌ„s require triall by Gods word but they with one assent persisted in their former confession And least they should seeme stubbern in the defence of any erroneous doctrine they desired that their confession might be sent to all the Uniuersities of Christendom and if the same in any part by the word of God were disproued it should be immediately amended but contrariwise if that were not done then they to be no more disquieted The President not conteÌ„ted with this the next morning sent for sixe of Angrongne by him named for two out of euery other parish the which he and the Gentlemenne of the country threatned very sore The Angronians required to bring in their ministers and Schoolemasters and warned twelue of the chiefe of Angrongne and certaine of the other parishes to appeare personally at the Parliament of Thurine and to bring before the Iudges of the said Parliament their ministers and scholemaisters thinking if they were once banished the countrey that then their enterprise might soone be brought to an ende To the which it was aunsweared that they could not nor ought not to obey such a commandement A litle while after Proclamation was made in euery place Proclamation made at AngroÌ„gne that no man shoulde receiue any preacher comming from Geneua but onely suche as were appoynted by the Archbishop of Thurin and other his officers vpon paine of confiscation of their goodes and losse of their liues and that euery one should obserue the ceremonies rites religion vsed in the Church of Rome Furthermore if any of the foresaid preachers of Geneua came into those quarters that they should immediately be apprehended and by no meanes their aboade there by any one to be concealed vpon the paine aforesayde And furthermore the names of those which should disclose any one of them should be kept secrete and also for their accusation they shoulde haue the third part of the goodes confiscated with a full pardone if that the saide accusers were any of those which priuily did keepe or maintaine the said ministers and that they and al other which would returne to their mother the Churche mighte freely and safely come and recante before the sayde Commissioners At the same season the Princes of Germanie and certaine of the Suitzers sent vnto the French king The Germans make supplication for the Angronians desiring him to haue pitie on the foresaide Churches and from that time vntil thre yeeres after the people of the foresaide valleyes were not molested by any of the kings officers but yet they were sore vexed by the monkes of Pigneroll and the Gentlemen of the valley of S. Martin About that time a minister of Angrongne named Geffrey Uarialla borne in Piemont a vertuous and learned man Geffray Varialla Martyr and fearing God went to visite certaine churches in those quarters where he was borne and comming homeward was taken at Berge and from thence led to Thurin where he after he had made a good confession of his faith to the confirmation of many and the terrour of the aduersaries most constantly suffred A fewe daies after a minister of the valley of Luserne returning to Geneua was taken prisoner at Suse soone after sent to Thurin and with an inuincible constancie made his confession before those of the Parliament and in the end was condemned to be burnt The hangman at the time of execution fained himselfe to be sicke A notable example of a good hangman and so conueied hym selfe away And so likewise an other serued them being appointed by the foresaid Court to execute the poore minister It is credibly reported that the hangman which executed certain Germanes a litle afore would by no meanes do this execution Wherupon the minister was sent to prison againe where after long painful endurance seing the prison doore open he escaped and returned to his cure Nowe foure yeares being past in such manner as we haue hitherto touched in this storie in the yeare folowing which was 1559. there was a peace concluded betweene the French king and the king of Spaine Whereupon the countrey of Piemont certaine townes excepted was restored to the Duke of Sauoy vnder whose regiment the foresaide Churches and all other faithfull people in Piemont continued in great quietnes and wer not molested and the Duke him selfe was content to suffer them to liue in their religion knowing that he had no subiectes more faithfull and obedient then they were But Sathan hating al quietnesse by his ministers stirred the Duke against the sayde Churches of Piemont The Pope stirreth vp the Duke of Sauoy against the AngroniaÌ„s his owne naturall subiects For the Pope and the Cardinalles seeing the good inclination of the Duke towardes this people incensed him to doe that which otherwise he would not The Popes Legate also which then followed the Court and other that fauoured the Churche of Rome laboured by all meanes to perswade the Duke that hee
ought to vanishe the sayde Waldoys which mainteined not the Popes religion alleging that he could not suffer such a people to dwell within his dominion without preiudice and dishonour to the Apostolique Sec. Also that they were a rebellious people against the holy ordinaunces and decrees of their holy mother the Churche And briefly that he might no longer suffer the said people being so disobedient stubbern against the holy father if he would in dede shew him selfe a louing and obedient sonne Such deuilishe instigations were the cause of these horrible and furious persecutions wherewith this poore people of the valleys and the Countrey of Piemont was so long vexed And because they foresawe the great calamities which they were like to suffer to find some remedy for the same if it were possible al the saide Churches of Piemont with one common consent wrote to the duke declaring in effect that the onely cause why they were so hated and for the which he was by their enemies so sore incensed against them was their religion which was no newe or light opinion but that wherein they and their auncitours had long cōtinued being wholy grounded vpon the infallible worde of God conteined in the olde and new Testament Notwithstanding if it might be prooued by the same worde that they held any false or erroneous doctrine they would submit them selues to be reformed with all obedience But it is not certaine whether thys aduertisemente was deliuered vnto the Duke or no for it was sayde that he woulde not heare of that Religion But howe so euer it was in the moneth of March following there was great persecution raised against the poore Christians which wer at Carignan Amongest whom there were certaine godly persones taken burnt within foure daies after that is to saye one named Mathurine and his wife Mathurin his wife Iohn de Carquignan Martyrs and Iohn de Carquignan dwelling in the valley of Luserne taken prisoner as he went to the market at Pignerol The woman died with great constancie The good man Iohn de Carquignan had ben in prison diuers times before for religion and was alwaies deliuered by Gods singulare grace and prouidence But seeing him selfe taken this last time incōtinēt he said he knew that God had now called him Both by the way as he went and in prison and also at his death he shewed an inuincible cōstancie and maruelous vertue aswel by the pure confession which hee made touching the doctrine of saluation as also in suffering with patience the horrible torments which he endured both in prison also at his death Many at that time fled away others being afraid of that great crueltie and fearing man also more then God looking rather to the earth then vnto heauē consented to returne to the obedience of the Church of Rome Within fewe daies after Persecution beginnerh in the Valleys these Churches of the sayde Waldoys that is to say Le Larch Meronne Meane and Suse were woonderfully assaulted To recite all the outrage crueltie and villany that was there cōmitted it were too long for breuities sake we will recite onely certaine of the principal and best knowen The Churches of Meane Suse suffered great afflictions Their minister was taken amongst other Many fled away and their houses and goodes were ransackt and spoiled The Minister of Meane Martyr The Minister was a good a faithfull seruaunt of God and endued with excellent giftes and graces who in the ende was put to moste shamefull and cruell death The great pacience which hee shewed in the middes of the fire greatly astonished the aduersaries Likewise the Churches of Larche and Meronne were marueilouslye tormented and afflicted For some were taken and sent to the galleis other some consented yelded to the aduersaries and a great number of them fled away It is certainly knowen Gods secret iudgements vpō them that shrinke from his truthe that those which yeelded to the aduersaries were more cruelly hādled then the others which cōtinued constant in the truth Wherby God declareth howe greatly he detesteth all such as play the Apostataes and shrinke from the truth But for the better vnderstanding of the beginning of this horrible persecution against the Waldoys heere note that first of all proclamations were made in euery place that none should resort to the Sermons of the Lutherans but should liue after the custome of the Churche of Rome vpon paine of forfaiture of their goods and to be condemned to the Galleyes for euer or loose their liues Three of the most cruel persons that could be founde Cruell persecutors Thomas Iacomell a cruell Apostata were appoynted to execute this cōmission The first was one Thomas Iacomel a Monke and Inquisitour of the Romish faith a man worthy for suche an office for hee was an Apostata and had renounced the knowen truth and persecuted mortally and malitiouslye the poore Christians againste his owne conscience and of set purpose as his bookes do sufficiently witnesse He was also a whoremonger and geuen ouer to al other villanies and filthy liuing and in the horrible sinne of Sodomitrie which he cōmonly vsed he passed all his fellowes Briefly The rigorous handling of the Waldoys he was nothing els but a mis-shapen monster both against God and nature Moreouer he so afflicted and tormented the poore captiues of the sayd Waldoys by spoiling robbery and extortion that he deserued not only to be hanged but to be broken vpon y e whele a hundred times and to suffer so many cruell deathes if it were possible so great so many and so horrible were the crimes that he had committed The seconde was the Collaterall Corbis who in the examination of the prisoners was very rigorous cruell for he only demaunded of them whether they would go to the masse or be burnt within three dayes and in very dede executed his sayings But it is certainly reported Martyrs that hee seeing the constancie and hearing the confession of the pore Martyrs feeling a remorse and tormented in conscience protested that he would neuer meddle any more The thirde was the Prouost de la Iustice a cruell and crafty wretch accustomed to apprehende the poore Christians either by night or early in the morning or in the high way going to the market and was commonly lodged in the valley of Luserne or there aboutes Thus the poore people were alwayes as the seely sheepe in the Woolues iawes or as the shepe which are ledde vnto the slaughter house At that season one named Charles de Comptes of the valley of Luserne and one of the Lordes of Angrongne wrote to the sayde Commissioners to vse some leuitie towardes them of the valley of Lusern By reason whereof they were a while more gently entreated then the rest At that season the monks of Pignerol theyr associates tormented greeuously the churches neare about them The cruell Monkes of Pigneroll They tooke the poore Christians as
take aduise what in such an extremitie Deliberation among the Waldois how to defend and how not to defend themselues were best to do In the ende they determined that for certeine daies folowing there should be kept a generall fast and y e Sonday after a coÌ„munion Also that they should not defend themselues by force of armes but that euery one should withdraw himselfe into the high mountaines and euery one to cary away such goods as he was able to beare and if their enemies pursued them thether then to take such aduise and counsel as it pleased God to geue them This Article of not defendyng themselues seemed very strange to the people being driuen to such an extremity and y e cause being so iust But yet euery one begaÌ„ to cary their goods and vitailes into the mountaynes and for the space of eight dayes all the wayes were filled wyth commers and goers to the mountaines like vnto Ants in Sommer which prouide for winter All this did they in this great perplexitie danger with a wonderful courage and cherefulnes praising of God and singing of Psalmes and euery one coÌ„forting an other Briefly they went with such ioy and alacritie that you should not haue seene any which grudged to leaue their houses and faire possessions but were wholy determined patiently to abide the good pleasure of God and also to dye if he had so appoynted Whether subiects for religioÌ„ may stand to their owne defence A few dayes after certeyne other Ministers hearyng what they of Angrongne Luserne had concluded wrote vnto them that this resolution seemed very straunge to some that they ought not to defend themselues against the violence of their enemies alleadging many reasons that in such an extremitie and necessitie it was lawful for them so to do especially the quarell being so iust that is for the defence of true Religion and for the preseruation of theyr owne liues and the liues of theyr wiues and children knowing that it was the Pope and hys Ministers which were the cause of all these troubles and cruell warres and not the Duke The AngronyaÌ„s refuse to heare masse Who was stirred vp thereunto onely by their instigations Wherefore they might well and wyth good conscience withstand such furious and outragious violence For the proofe heereof they also alleadged certeine examples During this season the Lorde of Angrongne named Charles de Comptes of Luserne laboured earnestly by al meanes possible to cause them of Angrongne to coÌ„descend to the Dukes pleasure sollicited them to send away their Ministers promising that he woulde cause a Masse to be song at Angrongne and that the people should not be coÌ„pelled to be present thereat hoping that by that means the Dukes wrath would be appeased The chief of AngroÌ„gne thereupon were assembled and made this answere that if the Duke would permit them to choose other Ministers they were content to send away their forreine ministers straungers But as touching the Masse hys hyghnes might well cause it to be song in their parishes but they for their part could not with safe consciences be present at the same nor yet geue their consent vnto it The xxij of October the sayde Lord of Angrongne went from Luserne to Mondeuis where he was then gouernour for the Duke and sent for the chiefe Rulers of Angrongne at seuerall times declaryng vnto them the great perils and daungers wherewith they were enuironed the army beyng alreadie at hande yet promising them if they woulde submitte themselues vnto hym he would send immediately to stay the armye They of Angrongne aunswered that they all determined to stande to that which they two dayes before in theyr assemble had put in writing With thys aunswer he seemed at that present to be content The next day the rumor was that they of Angrongne had submitted themselues to the Duke On the morrow whiche was Sonday you should haue seene nothing but weeping and mourning in Angrongne The Sermon being ended the Rulers were called before the ministers and the people The determination answere of the Angronians was falsified the whiche affirmed that they wholy cleaued vnto their former writing and they sent secretly to the Notary for the copie of that which was passed in the counsaile house at their last assemble before the Lord de Comptes in the whiche was comprised that Angrongne had wholy submitted hirselfe to the good pleasure of the Duke The people hearing that were sore astonished and protested rather to dye then obey the same and therevpon it was agreed that at that very instant albeit it were very late certayne should be sent to the Lorde of Angrongne to signifie vnto him that the determination of the Councell was falsified and that it might please him the next morning to come to Angrongne to heare the voyces of the people not onely of the men but also of the women and children But he himselfe went not thyther hauing intelligence of the vprore but sente thyther the Iudge of that place Then that which had bene falsified was duly corrected the Iudge laying all the blame vpon the Notary During this time the aduersaries cryed out through all the Countrey of Piemont To the fire wyth them Open procclamatioÌ„ against Angrongne to the fire with them The Thursday after Angrongne by proclamations and writings set vp in euery place was exposed to the fire and sworde On Friday after being the seconde of Nouember the army approched to the borders of the valley of Luserne and certayne horsemen came to a place called S. Iohn a little beneath Angrongne Then the people retired into y e mountaines Certaine of S. Iohn perceiuing that the horsemen not only spoiled their goods but also tooke their felowes prisoners set vpon them It is not certayne what number of the enemies were there slayne but sodenly they retired to Bubiane where theyr campe then was and not one of them of S. Iohn was slayne or hurt It happened at the same tyme that two of the foresaide horsemen beeing sore amased galoped before the rest towards the army being ready to march towards Angrongne crying they come they come At whose cry the whole armye was so astonished Senacharâ—b flyeth from the face of Israell that euery man fled his way and they were all so scattered that the Captaines that day were not able to bring them in order againe and yet no creature folowed them On the Saterday in the morning the army mustered in the medowe grounde of S. Iohn neare to Angrongne They of Angrongne had sent certaine to keepe y e passages and stoppe the armye that they shoulde not enter if it were possible In the meane season the people retyred into the medowe of Tower and little thought of the comming of the army so soone or that they would haue made such a sodeine assault for they were yet carying of victuals and other stuffe so that few of them kept the passages Now
towardes Tailleret And although they of that place were but few in number and that parte of the army the greater yet making theyr prayers vnto God and coÌ„mending their cause vnto him they defended themselues likewise valiantly In the meane season they of Uillars being emboldened by their late victorie came to assist their neighbours and beyng assembled together they couragiously pursued their enemies and put them to â—light In this pursute it chaunced which here is not to be forgotten that this poore people God geueth victory to his seruants by an ambush of their enemies which came an other way were sodeÌ„ly enclosed on euery side and like to be destroyed but yet they all escaped and not one of them was slayne onely iij. were hurt which were soone cured agayn On the enemies side there were so many slayne that they were layd together by whole cart loades This was the reward of those which were so desirous to shed innocent bloud The iust reward vpon the Lords enemies The same day the inhabitauntes of Sanson neare to Roccapiata assembled in great number together and went to a riche mans house of Roccapiata and spoyled all that hee had Certaine of Roccapiata in number not past xvij vnderstanding this set vpon them soone put them to flight tooke away their drumme forced them to leaue their bootie behynde them After that the Lord of Trinitâ—e had receiued the letters of the Angrongnians he sent vnto them his Secretary Gastaut a false brother named Christopher Gastaut which said him selfe that he fauoured the veritie of the Gospell accompanyed with a Gentleman of the sayd valley Whose charge was to cause the chief rulers to send certaine to common with the sayd Lord of Trinitie Deepe dissimulation in a crafty Papist saying that he had good tydinges to declare vnto them moreouer that he would deliuer them a safe conduct to come and go Wherupon they sent foure vnto him whom he entreated very courteously rehearsed vnto them how the Duke at his departure from the Court told him that although the Pope the Princes and Cities of Italie yea his own counsell were fully resolued that of necessitie they of the sayd Religion should bee destroyed yet notw tstaÌ„dyng God otherwise put in his mind and that he had taken counsell of God what he should do in this matter that is that he would vse them geÌ„tly Furthermore he declared vnto them that the Duches bare them good affection and fauoured them very much The Dutches a fauourer of the Angronians that she had commended their cause vnto the Duke perswadyng with him to haue regard to that poore people that their Religion was auncient old with many such other thynges Moreouer they had sayd he great frendes in the Dukes Court not doubtyng but if they would send certaine to the Court with a Supplication they should obteine more then they themselues would require and he for his part would employ himselfe in their affaires to the vttermost of his power and so hee promised that he would retire him selfe with his army This hee seemed to speake vnfaynedly The people desiring but to liue peaceably in their Religion and vnder the obedience of their Prince were content to folow his counsell About this season they of Angrongne perceiued that a part of the army ascended the hill of Tailleret which is the halfe way betwene Angrongne and those of the valley of Luserne the other part had already gotten a way whiche led to the Medow of Tour by the whiche they of AngroÌ„gne might easily haue bene enclosed Therfore they sent certaine immediately to keepe the way who soone after encountered with their enemies and obteined the victorie pursuyng and chasing them to their camp not without great losse of their men The number of their enemies slayne was not knowen for their custome was A combate betweene the Angronians the persecutors immediately to carry away those which were slayne Not one of Angrongne perished that day nor yet was hurt It was feared that this combate would haue hyndred the agreement But the Lord of Trinitie could well dissemble this matter and excused that dayes iourney The crafty dissimulation of the Lord of Trinity puttyng the fault vpon them of Tailleret whom he charged to haue slayne certaine of his men in the hygh way but amongest other his Barber On Saterday folowyng beyng the ix of Nouember the said Lord of Trinitie sent agayne for them of Angrongne to consult with him touchyng the agreement vsing the like communication as before and added thereunto that in token of true obedience they should cary their armour into two of the houses of the chief Rulers not fearyng but it should be safe for it should remayne in their owne keeping and if neede were they should receyue it agayne Also that he vppon Sonday which was the next day would cause a Masse to be song within the temple of S. Laurence in Angrongne accoÌ„panyed with a very few and thereby the Dukes wrath would be asswaged The next mornyng he went in the temple whereat they were sore agreeued albeit they could not withstaÌ„d him his army marchyng afore him and hauyng caused a Masse to be song he desired to see the Medow of Tour so much spokeÌ„ of that therof he might make a true report vnto the Duke and thether the Rulers with a great troupe of his owne men went the residue of his company remayne behynde the which spoyled certaine houses and seased the armour which they had deliuered vp before but they fouÌ„d no great store for the people had taken away the greatest part therof The sayd Lord being entred into the Medow of Tour the people began to make a commotion Whereof he hauing intelligence returned immediately All that daye he shewed himselfe very courteous to all whome he met The people in this meane time perceiued themselues to be in great daunger and were sore moued at the sight of the army the spoyle of the souldiours the taking away of their armour but especially because the sayd Lord of Trinitie had viewed the Medow of Tour foreseeing his trayterous meaning and purpose A few dayes after the sayde Lord of Trinitie sent his Secretary Gastaut to Angrongne Beholde the double dealing and dissimulatioÌ„ of the Papistes to bring their wiâ—kâ—d purpose to passe to talke with them concerning the agreement and to make a full resolution thereof which was read in the assemble by the Secretarie the summe whereof was this That the people of Angrongne submitted themselues to render all honour and reuerence to God according to his holy word and all due obedience to the Duke their soueraigne Prince to whome they shoulde send certaine men to demaund pardon of him concerning theyr bearing of armour in their extreme necessitie and humbly to beseech him that he would suffer them to liue peaceably in their religion whiche was according to the worde of God not compelling them
to do any thyng agaynste their conscience as it appeareth more amply in the supplication which after this the Angrongnians made and caused to be read before the Secretary in the open assemble the which heere ensueth ¶ To the most excellent and worthy prince The Duke of Sauoy c. our soueraigne Lord and naturall Prince The supplicatioÌ„ of the Angronians to their Duke MOst noble and renowmed prince we haue sente certayne of our men vnto your highnes to geue testimonie of our humble hartie and vnfayned obedience vnto the same and with all submission desire pardon touching the bearing of armour by certayne of our people in their extreme necessitie and for all other our trespasses for the which your soueraigne grace might conceiue any offence against vs. Secondly to desire in most humble wise your sayd hyghnes in the name of our Lord Iesus A lawfull request of the Angronians to lyue after Gods word that it would please the same to suffer vs to liue with freedome of conscience in our religion which also is the religion of our auncitours obserued for certayne hundreth yeares past And we are perswaded that it is the pure Gospell of our Lord Iesus the only veritie the word of life and saluation which we professe Also that it may please your most gratious clemencie not to take in yll part if we fearing to offende and displease God can not consent vnto certaine traditions and ordinances of the Church of Rome and heerein to haue pitie vpon our poore soules and the soules of our children to the end that your highnes be not in any wise charged in the iust iudgement of God for the same where all men must appeare to answere for their doyngs On our part we protest that we will seeke nothing but to be the true seruants of God to serue hym according to hys holy word and also to be true and loyall subiectes to your highnes and more obedient then any other being alwayes ready to geue our goodes our bodies our lyues and the liues of our children for your noble grace as also our religion teacheth vs to do only we desire that our soules may be left at libertie to serue God accordyng to hys holy word And we your poore humble subiectes shall most hartily pray our God and father for the good and long prosperitie of youre hyghnes for the most vertuous Lady your wife and for the noble house of Sauoy To this supplication they of S. Iohn of Roccapiata of S. Bartholomewe and of Perouse with those of the valley of Luserne did agree For it was concluded that the agreement made The wretched dealing of the Lord of Trinity against them of Tailleret should extend to all the confederates of the same religion Whiles they were treating of this agreement the Lorde of Trinitie vexed cruelly them of Tailleret vnder this pretence because they had not presented themselues to treate of this agreemeÌ„t He tormented them after this sort First he commanded that all theyr armour shoulde be brought before hym and then they on their knees should aske him pardon because they came not to treate of the agreement with the rest whiche notwithstandyng the most parte of them did Then he commaunded them to attend vpon hym to enrolle all the names of those which woulde be of the foresayde agreement Wherupon the next morning the chiefe of the housholders went to the village named Bouuets the place apointed thereunto and when they had heard the Sermon and called vpon God they beganne to write their names The enrolling of their names not being fully ended word was brought that the souldiers had gotten the top of the mountayne and taken all the passages whereat they of Tailleret were sore amazed and ranne with all speede to defende their wiues and children Some they saued the most part with their goodes were in their enemies hands already At this time wich sacking spoiling and burning they did much mischiefe After this the Lord of Trinitie sent word to them which were fledde that if they would returne The Papisâ—â— false breakers of promise made he woulde receiue them to mercy The poore people for the most parte trusting on his promise returned to Bouuets and yet the next morning the souldiers came thyther to apprehende them and their ministers and beset y e place one euery side Suche as were swift of foote and could shift best escaped but very hardly The rest were all hurte or taken and yet they all escaped by a marueilous meanes For it hapned that there was an old man which could not runne fast to whome one of the souldiers came with a naked sword in hys hand to haue slayne him Example of Gods maruelous protection for hys seruantâ— in tyme of neede The olde man seeing the imminent daunger caught the souldier by the legs ouerthrewe hym and drew hym by the heeles downe the hyll The souldier cryed out helpe helpe this villaine wyll kill me His felowes hearing him cry made hast to rescue him but in the meane time the old man escaped The rest seing what the olde man had done tooke hart of grace and albeit their armour and weapons were taken from them yet with stones and slings they so beat and discomfited their enemies that at that time they caryed no prisoners awaye The day folowing y e souldiers returning to the sayd Tailleret robbed spoyled and caried away all that they coulde finde and so continued three dayes together which was very easie for them to do because the poore men fearyng least they shoulde be charged with violating the agreement made no resistance but retyred toward Uillars The fourth day the sayde Lord of Trinitie to torment the poore Taillerets yet more cruelly sente his armye againe before day to y e mountaine and into the same place And because the people of the sayde village were retyred towards Uillars and scattered about the borders therof in the hygh mountaynes the souldyers not yet satisfied with spoyling and sacking the rest that they founde in the sayd Tailleret raunging about the confines thereof rauened and made hauocke on euery side The Village of Taâ—â—leret sacked and spoyled of what soeuer they could laye handes on taking prisoners both men and women which were loden with carriage The poore prisoners were cruelly handled Amongest other there was one whose care a souldier of Montdeuis in a raging fury The crueltie of Papisteâ— bit cleaue off with these wordes I wyll carry sayde he y e flesh of these wretched heretikes with me into my countrey They of Uillars also complayned of the great cruelty that was shewed vnto them during the time of the agreement The which when the Lord of Trinitie vnderstoode to make a shewe that he was offended therewith he came to his souldiers whiche were so weary that they coulde scantly goe not with fighting but because they were so heauily loden with the spoyle that they were not able to cary it and preteÌ„ding to
in body or goodes The like shall be lawfull for them of the parishe of Perouse The Parishe of Perouse which at this present are fled because of the said religion were wont to haue their assembles and preachings other ministeries according to their religion at the place called le Puis so that they come not to other places borders of the said parish It shal be permitted to them of y e parish of Pinachia of the Ualley of Perouse The parishe of Pinachia which at this present be fled because of the said religion and were wont to go to Sermons and assemblies and other ministeries of that religion to haue the like onely at the place called le Grandoubiou The parishe of S. Germain It shall be permitted to them of the parishe of S. Germain of the Ualley of Perouse and to them of Roccapiata which at this present are fled because of the said religion and cōtinue in the same to haue one onely minister which may the one day preache at S. Germaine at the place called l'Adormilleux and the other day at Roccapiata at the place called Uandini only It shal be permitted to al them of the townes and Uillages of the said Ualleis Order for Villages being farre from the parish Church which at this present are fled and continue in the said religion notwithstāding any promise or abiuration made before this warre against the said religion to repaire returne to their houses with their housholdes and to liue according to the same going and comming to the Sermons and assembles which shall be made by their ministers in the places aboue specified so that they obey that which is abouesayd And because that many of the sayde townes and villages dwel out of the precinct of the preaching hauing neede to be visited and of other things according to their said religion their ministers which dwel within the precinct shal be suffred without preiudice to visite and duely aide them of such ministeries as shall be necessary for thē so that they make no sermons or assembles By especial grace it shall be permitted to al them of the Ualley of Meane The parishe of Meane S. Barthelmew and them of S. Bartlemew neyghbors to Roccapiata and are fled and continue in the sayd religion peaceably to enioy the grace and liberties graunted in the next article before so that they obserue all which they before promise to obserue The goods of the waldoys restored The goodes alredy seased as forfait shal be restored to all the inhabitants of the saide Ualleis and to all that are fled and continue in the said religion as wel of them of the said Ualleis as of Roccapiata S. Bartlemew and of Meane so y t they be not seased for any other cause then for the sayde religion and for the warre present and lately past It shal be lawfull for them aforesayd to recouer by way of Iustice of their neighbours their moueable goodes and cattell so it be not of Souldiours and that whyche hathe bene sold they shall also recouer by way of Iustice so that they restore the price for which it hath beene solde Theyr neighbours shall haue the like against them All their franchises fredomes and priuiledges The liberties restored as wel generall as particular graunted as well by his highnesse predecessours as by him selfe and obtained of other inferiour Lordes whereof they shall make proofe by publicke wrytings shal be confirmed vnto them The said Ualleis shal be prouided for to haue good Iustice ministred vnto them whereby they may knowe they are kept in sauegard by his highnesse as wel as all hys other subiects The inhabitants of the sayd Ualleis shall make a rolle of all the names surnames of al them of the said valleys which are fled for religion as wel such as haue abiured as other to the ende they may be restored and maintained in their goodes and housholdes and enioy such grace and benefites as their Prince and Lord hath bestowed on them And in so much as it is knowen to euery man that the Prince may builde fortresses in his country where it shall please hym without contradiction neuerthelesse to take all suspition out of the mindes of the aforesaide Waldoys it is declared that if at any time hereafter his highnesse will make a Forte at Uillars the inhabitants of the sayde place shall not be constrained to beare the charges but onely as they shal thinke good louingly to aide their Prince Which Forte beinge builded by Gods aide A Gouernoure and Captaine shall therein be appoynted which shall attempt nothing but the seruice of his highnesse wythout offence of the inhabitants either in their goods or consciences It shal be lawful for them before y e discharging of theyr Ministers such as it shall please his highnesse to haue discharged to chuse and cal other in their steades M. Martin de Pragela Minister of the Waldoys so that they chuse not M. Martin de Pragela nor chaunge not from one place to another of the said valleis any of them which be discharged The Masse and other seruice after the vsage of Rome shal be kept in all the parishes of the sayde Ualleis where the Sermons assembles Masse set vp but none compelled to come to it and other ministers of their religion are made but none shall be compelled to be presente thereat nor to minister aide or fauour to suche as shall vse that seruice All the expenses and charges borne by his highnesse in this warre shal be forgeuen and released to them for euer Also the eight thousand crownes wherin the inhabitants of the saide Ualleys were behinde as parte of sixteene M. crowns which they had promised in the warre passed and his highnesse will commaunde that the wrytings for that cause made shal be adnulled and cancelled All the prisoners shal be rendred restored which shall be found to be in the hands of the souldiours Their prisoners restored by raunsome reasonable paying ransome reasonable according to theyr goodes as they shal be seased and those which shall be adiudged to be wrongfully taken shal be released without raunsome Likewise all they of the sayd Ualleis whych for religion not for other causes are deteined in the Galleis The captiues in Galleys restored shall be released without raunsome Finally it shal be lawfull for all them of the said valleis them of Meane Roccapiata and s. Bartlemewe of what degree estate or cōdition so euer they be except ministers to accompany and dwel and to be in daily conuersation w t the rest of his highnes subiects and to tary goe come in all places of his highnes country to sel and buy and vse al trades of marchandise in all places in his highnes country as before is said so that they preach not nor make any assembles or disputatiōs as we haue before sayd and that they whiche be of the
the saide Sea the excellency of his wisedome learning and experience The Thrasonicall prayse of the Cardinall the magnanimitie in his actions and doings the dignitie wherin he is already constitute the promotions whych he hath attained the substance that he is of his reputation his conduite his diligence hys dexteritie his discretion his pollicie and finally the notable and high fauor that the kings highnes and the sayde French king beare vnto him is onely that he called to the sayd dignity Papall may can and will meete with the inordinate ambition of the sayd Emperour and consequently with establishment of tranquilitie amongst Christen Princesâ— Note this cause The Cardinall is most meete to be Pope because he can best brydle the Emperour is by the assistance of his frendes meete conuenient and able to succour relieue and clerely to repaire the piteous iacture and decay that the Church Sea Apostolicke hath so long suffered to defend the same from the imminent danger now apparant to ensue if the sayde Emperour who as the kings highnes is assertained determined in the beginning of Ianuary now passed to take his iourny towardes Rome should vpon this vacation of the said Sea chaunced as it vpon many euident presumptioÌ„s to be thought by some detestable acte committed for the sayde late Popes destruction now by force violence cautele blandishing promises or otherwise haue the election to proceede at hys wil fauor deuotion wherby hauing a Pope at his * * That is after his owne desire arbitre either he should not faile to vsurpe take from him the rights prouents patrimony of the Churche vsing him as hys chaplaine and vassal or els by litle and litle vtterly to exclude and extinct him and hie authoritie For this cause if euer it were expedient that good Christen Princes looke to the tuition maintenance defence and continuance of Christes Churche faith and religion nowe is it the time aboue all other to prouide and beware by all wayes possible least the same neglected forgotten and not in time relieued be broght vnto extreme * * If his vsurped authoritie were cleane extinct the fayth religion of Christ should stand florishe much better ruine And therefore the kings highnesse hauing singular special trust and confidence in the wisedomes discretions fidelities diligences and circumspections of his sayd Orators to whom no part of the premisses is vnknowen ne how necessary in any wise expedieÌ„t it shal be for perfectioÌ„ of the kings sayd great and * * By this weighty matter here is ment the cause of the kings deuorce weighty matter to them committed to haue the sayde Lord Legate of Yorke none other aduanced to the sayd dignitie Papall willeth desireth ordaineth expresly chargeth and commaundeth hys sayd Oratours and euery of them no lesse to employ endeuour and determine themselues to sollicite set forth further promote labour and conduce the aduancement of the sayd Lord Legate of Yorke to that dignitie then they woulde that thing which the kings highnes most highly next God hys soule with all earnestnes and feruent minde doth aboue all other things couete and desire and also no lesse then they woulde the speedy obtaining and perfection of all such thinges touching the kings sayde weighty matter committed to their charges the making or marring wherof being now the sayde late Pope deceased consisteth onely in the aduauncement of the sayde Lord Legate of Yorke to the dignitie Papall For as the kings sayd Ambassadours may by their wisedomes well thinke and consider the same must of necessitie come fortune either to one that is an assured frende to his grace and the French king or to one that is a manifest ennemye to them fauouring the Emperours part or to one indifferent meane betwene both And if it should chaunce vpon a manifest ennemy it is euident that the kings desire at hys hand were merely impossible to be had and neuer were to be accepted that way If it should come to one being indifferent meane betweene both it is more then notorious that his grace at the least shoulde be contained wyth faire wordes and promises and yet such respect should be had to the Emperour that finally vnder hope of obtaining some thynge there shoulde be no more but tracte delay and finally no manner fruite nor effecte whereof experience hath already bene seene in one that had cause to be more frendly to the king then indiffereÌ„t or meane betwene both yet how long the matter hath depended is to the kings said Ambassadors wel knoweÌ„ So that of necessity this thing must be conduced to one that is an assured frende Then noting substantially the things necessary to concur in suche a frend both for the weale of christendoÌ„ the reliefe of the Church the firm adhering to the kings highnes the French K. with other their confederates the perfit coÌ„ducing of the kings great mater which suffreth no tract delay or negatiue it shal be fouÌ„d that ther is none other for thys purpose but only the said L. legate of York The kyngs sayd Ambassadours shal therefore plant the foundation of all their studie labour solicitation onely to that purpose And for the better introduction of the wayes and meanes howe this thing shall be sollicited they shall receiue heerewyth a scedule wherein is mentioned and noted by name how many what Cardinalles of likelihoode shall be present at the election and how many and which of the other shal be absent Semblably howe many of them that be like to he present may be thought to be frends to the kings highnes and the French king whose names in the sayd scedule be noted with A. and howe many are thought to be Imperiall A. Signifieth the Cardinalls oâ— the kinges the French kings siâ—e B. Signifieth the Cardinalls of the Emperors side But here is neuer a C. to signifie any Cardinalls of Christes side whose names be noted with B. In the same scedule be also set out the number and names of those that be thought to be neutrall or indifferent marked with N. And furthermore they be first mentioned therein which be thought most like to aspire vnto that dignity Herein be many things well to be regarded First the number of the Cardinals that are like to be present whiche as is thought here shall not exceede 39. Secondly that to haue election to the kings purpose shall be requisite to haue 2. partes of the 3. of the sayd number which 2. partes must be 26. Then is it to be noted that they which be thought to be frendes to the kings highnesse and the FreÌ„ch king be in number 20. So that if they may be made sure to the kings deuotion there shall lacke but 6. of the number which shall suffice to make the election which number the kings sayd Ambassadours shall moue winne and attaine either of them that be thought to be indifferent
pleasure I must disburse money to pay for thē or els I cannot haue them so I will assure you to haue euery booke of them that is printed vnsolde The Bishop thinking he had God by the toe sayd do your diligence gētle Maister Packington get thē for me I wil pay whatsoeuer they cost Augustine Packington the Byshop of Londons marchaunt for I entend to burne destroy them all at Paules Crosse. This Augustine Packington went vnto William Tyndall and declared the whole matter and so vppon compact made betweene them the Bishop of London had the bookes Packington had the thankes Tindall had the money After this Tindall corrected the same new Testaments agayn and caused them to be newly imprinted so that they came thicke and threefolde ouer into England When the Bishop perceaued that hee sent for Packington and sayde to him how commeth this y t there are so many new Testamentes abroad you promised me that you would buy them all Then aunswered Packington surely I bought all that was to be had but I perceiue the haue printed more since I see it will neuer be better so long as they haue letters and stamps wherfore you were best to buy the stamps too so you shal be sure At whiche aunswere the Bishop smiled and so the matter ended In short space after it fortuned y t George Constantine was apprehended by syr Thomas More George Constantine which was then Chauncellour of England suspected of certayne heresies during the time that hee was in the custodye of M. More After diuers communications amongest other thinges M. More asked of hym saying Cōstantine I would haue thee playne with me in one thing that I will aske and I promise thee I will shew thee fauour in all other thyngs wherof thou art accused There is beyond the Sea Tyndall Ioye and a great meany of you I knowe they can not liue w tout helpe There are some that help and succour them with money and thou beyng one of them haddest thy part therof and therfore knowest from whence it came I pray thee tell me who be they that helpe them thus My Lord quoth Constantine I will tell you truely it is the Bishop of London that hath holpen vs for he hath bestowed among vs a great deale of mony vppon new Testamentes to burne them and that hath bene and yet is our only succour and comfort Now by my truth quoth More I thinke euen the same for so much I told the Bishop before he went about it Of this Georg Constantine moreouer it is reported by Syr Tho. More that he being taken and in holde Out of Mores preface agaynst Tyndall seemed wel content to renounce hys former doctrine not onely to disclose certayne other of hys fellowes but also studyed deuised how those books which he himselfe and other of his fellowes had brought and shipped might come to the Bishops hands to be burned and shewed to the foresayd Syr Tho. More Chauncellour the shipmans name that had them and the markes of the fardels George Constantine a discloser of his fellowes by the whiche the bookes afterward were taken burned Besides this hee is reported also to haue disclosed diuers of his companiōs of whome some were abiured after some had abiured before as Rich. Necton who was committed to Newgate vpon the same and is thought there to haue dyed in prison or els had not escaped theyr handes but should haue suffered burning if the reporte of M. More be to be credited More in hys preface agaynst Tindall Notwithstanding the same Constantine afterward by the helpe of some of hys frendes George Constantine a troubler of Ferrat Bishop of S. Dauids escaped out of prison ouer the seas and after that in the time of king Edward was one of them that troubled the good Bishop of S. Dauids which after in Queene Maryes tyme was Burned But of Constantine enough Mention was made in the leafe before pag. 1040. how the Byshops had procured of the king a proclamation to be set forth in the yeare of our Lorde 990. for the abolishing of diuers bookes aforenamed and also for y e withstanding of al such as taught or preached any thing agaynst the dignitie and ordinaunces of the Church of Rome Upon this proclamation insued great persecution and trouble against y e poore innocēt flock of Christ as here following you may see with the sayd proclamation also prefixed before y e same the tenour whereof is this * A proclamation for resisting and withstanding of most damnable heresies sowen within this realme by the disciples of Luther and other heretikes peruerters of Christes religion THe king our soueraigne Lord of his most vertuous and gratious disposition This proclamation was made throughout all England the yeare of our Lorde 1519. and the 21. yeare of K. Henry 8. considering that this noble realme of England hath of long tyme continued in the true Catholicke fayth of Christes religion and that his noble progenitours kinges of thys hys sayd realme haue before thys tyme made and enacted many deuout lawes statutes and ordinaunces for the mayntenaunce and defence of the sayde fayth agaynst the malicious and wicked sectes of heretickes and Lollardes who by peruersion of holye Scripture do induce the erroneous opinions sow sedition amōg Christen people and finally disturbe the peace and tranquillitie of Christē realmes as late happened in some parties of Germany where by the procurement and sedition of Martin Luther and other heretickes wer slayn an infinite number of Christen people cōsidering also that as well by the corruption malice of indiscrete preachers sautors of the sayd erroneous sects as by certayn hereticall and blasphemous bookes lately made and priuily sent into this realme by the disciples fautors adherents of the sayd Martin Luther other heretickes the kings subiects are like to be corrupted vnlesse his highnes as the defēsor of the faith do put to his most gracious helpe authoritie royal to the due speedy reformation thereof his highnes therfore lyke a most gracious Prince of his blessed vertuous disposition for the incomparable zeale which he hath to Christes religion faith for the singular loue affection that he beareth to all his good subiects of this his realme specially to the saluation of their soules according to his office duetye in that behalfe willeth and intendeth to prouide with all cōuenient expedition that this his noble realme may be preserued frō the said pestiferous cursed seditious errours And for as much as his highnes is credibly informed that some of the said errours be already sowen spread within this his realme partly by the corruption of indiscreete preachers partlye by erroneous bookes compiled printed written as well in the English tongue as in latine other languages repleat with most venemous heresies blasphemies slaunders intollerable to the cleane eares of any good
in such sort that how much better the man is so much y e lesse he should liue vnto himselfe but vnto other seruing for the common vtilitie that we should think a greate parte of our byrth to be due vnto our parentes a greater part vnto our country the greatest part of all to be bestowed vpon the Churche if we will be counted good men First of all he begaÌ„ hys study at Cambridge Iohn Fryth first studient in CaÌ„bridge In whoÌ„ nature had planted being but a child maruelous instructions loue vnto learning whereunto he was addict He had also a wonderful promptnes of wit a ready capacitie to receaue and vnderstand any thing in so much that he seemed not to be sent vnto learning but also borne for the same purpose neyther was there any diligence wanting in him equall vnto that towardnes or worthy of his disposition Commendation of Frytheâ— learning Whereby it came to passe that he was not onely a louer of learning but also became an exquisite learned man In the which exercise wheÌ„ he had diligently laboured certayn yeres not without great profite both of Latine and Greeke at the last he fell into knowledge and acquayntaunce with William Tindall through whose instructions he first receaued into his hart the seede of the Gospell and sincere godlines At that time Tho. Wolsey Cardinall of Yorke prepared to build a Colledge in Oxford The College in Oxford of Frydeswide now called Christes Colledge maruelous sumptuous which had the name title of Frideswide but now named Christes Church not so much as it is thought for y e loue zeale that he bare vnto learning as for an ambitious desire of glory renoume to leaue a perpetual name vnto the posteritie But that building he being cut of by y e stroke of death for he was sent for vnto y e king accused vpon certaine crimes and in the waye by immoderate purgations killed him self least partly begun partly halfe ended vnperfect and nothing els saue only the kitchin was fully finished Wherupon Rodulphus Gualterus a learned maÌ„ being then in Oxford beholding the Colledge sayd these wordes in Latine The saying of Rodolphus Cualterus touching the Cardinals Colledg Egregium opus Cardinalis iste instituit collegium et absoluit popinam Howe large ample those buildings should haue ben what sumptuous cost should haue bene bestowed vpon the same may easily be perceiued by y t that which is already buylded as the kitchin the hall and certain chambers where as there is such curious grauing and workemanship of stone cutters that all things on euery side did glitter for the excellency of the workmaÌ„ship for the finesse of y t matter with the gilt antikes embossings in so muche that if all the rest had bene finyshed to that determinate end as it was begun it might well haue excelled not onelye all Colledges of studentes but also palaces of Princes This ambitious Cardinal gathered together into that Colledge what soeuer excellent thing there was in the whole realme eyther vestments vessels or other ornaments beside prouision of all kind of precious things Besides that he also appointed vnto that coÌ„pany all such men as were found to excell in anye kinde of learning knowledge Whose names to recite all in order would be to loÌ„g The chiefe of them whiche were called from Cambridge were these M Clarke Maister of art of xxxiiij yeares of age M. Fryer afterward Doctour of Phisicke after that a strong papist M. Sumner maister of Art M. Harman maister of Art and after felow of Eaton Colledge after that a papist M. Bettes maister of Art a good man and zelous and so remayned M. Coxe maister of Art who conueyed him selfe away toward the North and aftrr was Schoolemaister of Eaton and then Chaplayne to Doctor Goodrich Bishop of Ely and by him preferred to king Henry and late Byshop of Ely Iohn Frith Bacheler of Art Bayly Bacheler of Art Goodman who being sicke in the prison with the other was had out and dyed in the towne Drumme who afterwardes fell away and forsooke the truth Thomas Lawney Chapleine of the house prisoner with Iohn Frith To these ioyne also Tauerner of Boston the good Musitian This Tauerner repented him very muche that he had made songes to Popishe dâ—tties in the tyme of hys blindenes besides manye other called also out of other places moste pyked young men of graue iudgement and sharpe wittes who conferring together vpon the abuses of relygion being at y t time crept into y e Church were therfore accused of heresie vnto the Cardinall and cast into a prison within a deepe caue vnder the grouÌ„d of the same Colledge where their salt fyshe was layde so that through the fylthie stinche thereof they were all infected and certaine of them taking their death in the same prison shortly vpon y e same being taken out of the prison into their chambers there deceased The troublers and examiners of these good men were these Persecuters Doct. London Doctor Higdon Deane of the same Colledge and Doct. Cottesford Commissary M Clarke M. Sumner Syr Baily killed through imprisonment Maister Clarke maister Sumner and Syr Bayly eating nothing but saltfishe from Februarie to the middest of August dyed all three together within the compasse of one weeke Maister Bettes a wittie man hauyng no bookes fouÌ„d in hys chamber through entreatie and suertie gote out of prison and so remayning a space in y e Colledge at last slipt away to Cambridge and after was Chapleine to Queene Anne and in great fauour with her Tauerner although he was accused and suspected for hidinge of Clarkes bookes vnder the bordes in his schoole yet the Cardinal for his musicke excused him saying that he was but a Musitian and so he escaped After the death of these men Iohn Frith with other by the Cardinalles letter which sent word that he would not haue them so straightly handled were dismissed out of prison vpon condition Of this Dalaber reade more in the story of Tho. Garret not to passe aboue ten myles out of Oxford Which Frith after hearing of the examination of Dalaber and Garret which bare then fagottes went ouer the sea and after two yeares he came ouer for exhibition of the Prior of Reading as is thought and had y â— Prior â—uer with him Bâ—yng at Reading Iohn 〈◊〉 set in the stockes a Reading it happened that he was there taken for a vacabond brought to examination where the simple man whiche coulde not craftily enough colour him selfe was set in the stockes Where after he had sitten a loÌ„g time and was almost pined with hunger and woulde not for all that declare what he was Leonard Coxe Schoolemaister of Reading at the last hee desired that the Scholemaister of the towne might be brought to hym which at that time was one Leonard Coxe a maÌ„ very wel learned As
that he seeth no cause in this title why any maÌ„ should be offended that the King is called head of y e Church of EnglaÌ„d rather then of y e Realme of England and addeth his reason therunto saieng If the Prince King of England be the head of hys kingdome that is of all English men that be his subiects is there any cause why the same English subiects shoulde not be subiect to the same head likewise in this respect because they are Christians that is to say for the title of godlynes as though that God which is the cause of all obedience should now be the cause of Rebellion At length thus he concludeth with an exclamation sayeng To say sayth he that a King is the head of the kingdome and not of the Church what an absurde and a foolish sayeng is this And farther adding for example the subiection of the seruaunt and wife The king is as well the head of the Church as of his kingdome If the seruaunt saith he be subiect to his maister or wife to her husbaÌ„d being infidels doth their conuersion afterwarde or name of Christians make them lesse subiects then they were before As Religion therefore doth not alter the authoritie of the Maister ouer the seruaunt nor the husband ouer the wife no more sayeth he doth it betweene the Prince and subiects Paule making no exception nor distinction of subiection saue only of that which belongeth to God willeth all men to obey their Princes and what Princes Those Princes which beare the sworde And although wee bee bound by the Scripture to obey our Byshops and spirituall Pastours of the Church yet that obedience diminisheth nothing the chiefe and head authoritie that ought to be giuen to the Prince no more then the obedience of the seruant to his Maister or of the wife to her husband exempteth them from subiection due to their superiour powers And heerewithall he inferreth a principle of the Lawe Diuers Iurisdictions saith he proceeding from one person do not marre nor hinder themselues A rule of the lawe but rather do confirme and fortifie one another Wynchesters wyshe that â—he Pope â—ere Peters succesâ—or Argument The pâ—erogatiue was geueÌ„ to him which confessed Flesh bloud in Peter did not confesse Christ. Ergo the prerogatiue was not geuen to the flesh and bloud of Peter Againe where as the Bishop of Rome vnder the name of Peter doth appropriate to himselfe the highest place in the Church for that he is the successour of Peter thereunto he aunswereth in one word but in that one word he answereth enough and to the ful I would saith he he were for so in very deede he might well exceede passe all kings and princes if not in prehemineÌ„ce of dignitie yet in admiration excellency of vertue In which kinde of superioritie the Lord Christ would his Apostles and Ministers to go before all Kings and Emperours in the whole world After this in prosecuting the argument of Peters confession he argueth thus and sayth That as flesh and bloud did not reuele to Peter that confession so neither was that prerogatiue giuen to the fleshe and bloud of Peter but to the better part that is to the spirit of Peter whiche is to meane in respect of the spirituall confession of Peter and not in respect of any carnall place or person c. Item if the scholer ought not to be aboue the mayster how then could either Peter take that vppon him which Christ his maister so constantly did refuse or how can the Byshop of Rome now clayme that by succession whereof no example is to be founde either in the head or his predecessor before him For so we read in Eusebius both of Peter Iames Iohn that they did arrogate no such primacie vnto them but were conteÌ„t that Iames surnamed Iustus should be the Byshop of the Apostles And as for the name and signification of the word Primatus i. primacie if it be taken for the first nomination Primatus or Primacie what it signifieth or the first place giuen so he grauÌ„teth that Peter had the preferment of the first name and place in the order of the Apostles But it foloweth not that with this primacie he had also a kyngdome giuen He sayeth confirme thy bretheren but not thy subiectes And though hee were byd of the Lord to confirme his brethren yet was he not byd to exercise an imperie vpon his brethren for so were they not his brethren but his subiectes Then Peter was Primus that is first or chief in the number of them which confessed Christ Primus Primatus 1. Primacie meaneth as much as the first standing in vocation and is the name of vertue not of power it is not to be denyed For first he confessed first he taught the Iewes first he stoode in defeÌ„ce of the veritie and was the first and chief Prolocutor amongest them but yet that maketh not that he should therfore vendicate a generall primacie and rule ouer all other states and potestates of the world no more then Apelles because hee is noted the first and chief of all Paynters therfore he ought to beare rule ouer all Painters or because the Uniuersitie of Paris is nominate for the first and chief of other Uniuersities shall therefore the French kyng and all other Princes in their publicke administratioÌ„ wherein they are set of God become subiectes and vnderlynges to that Uniuersitie Thus after many other reasons and persuasions conteined in the sayd booke De obedientia for I do but superficially skimme ouer the toppe only of his probations and argumentes finally in the end of his peroration he coÌ„cludeth the whole summe of his mynde in this effect first denying that the Bishop of Rome had euer any such externe iurisdictioÌ„ assigned to him absolutely from God to reigne ouer Kynges and Princes For the probation wherof he hath alledged sufficiently as hee sayth the examples and doynges of Christ him selfe whiche ought to be to vs all a sufficient document And as concernyng the terme of Primacie albeit it be vsed sometyme of the Fathers yet the matter beyng well considered and rightly expounded maketh nothing for the large dominion of the Byshop of Rome whiche now he doth vsurpe Also as for the prerogatiues graunted vnto Peter by the whiche prerogatiues our Sauiour would crowne his owne giftes giuen vnto him crownyng not the flesh and bloud of Peter but the marueilous testimony of his confession all this maketh nothyng for the Popes purpose Likewise as concernyng the locall succession of Peter y e Pope hath nothyng thereby to clayme SuccessioÌ„ of Peter If he will be successour of Peter he must succeede him in fayth doctrine conditions in so doyng he neither will neither yet shall neede to seeke for honour but shall be honored of all good men accordyng as a good man should be and that much more then he beyng a good man would require And
cyuill and also the lawes of God be on our side For a free man borne doth not lose his liberty no nor hurt the plee of his libertie though he write himselfe a bond man Againe if they leane to custome we send them to sainct Ciprian which saith that custome Custome if trouth be not ioyned with it is nothing but erroris vetustas that is an old error Christ sayd Ego sum via veritas vita I am y e way trouth and life He neuer sayd Ego sum consuetudo I am the custome Wherfore seeing custome serueth you on y e one side and Scripture vs vppon the other are ye able to matche vs In how many places doth Christ monish you to seek no primacie to preferre your selues before no body no The Popes 〈◊〉 and his digniâ—â— agree not to geather to be obedient vnto all creatures Your old title Seruus seruorum euill agreeth with your new forged dignitie But we will not tary in matters playne We onely desire God y t Cesar other Christian Princes would agree vpoÌ„ some holy Councell where trouth may be tried and ReligioÌ„ set vp which hath bene hurt by nothing so sore as by general not generall Councels Errours and abuses grow to fast Best that euery Prince reforme his owne realme and tary not for generall Councells Erudimini erudimini qui iudicatis terram Get you learning you y t iudge the earth excogitate some remedy for these so many diseases of y e sick Church They that be wisest do dispayre of a generall Councel Wherfore we think it now best that euery Prince call a Councell prouincial and euery Prince to redresse his owne Realme We make all men priuy what we thinke best to be done for the redresse of religion If they like it we doubt not but they wil follow it or some other better Our trust is that all Princes will so handle themselues in this behalfe that Princes may enioy their own and Priests of Rome content themselues with that they ought to haue Princes as we trust will no longer nourish Wolues whelpes they wil subscribe no more to popish pride to the Papacie c. Fauour our doinges O Christen Princes Your honor ancient Maiestie is restored RemeÌ„ber there is nothing pertaining so muche to a Princes honour as to set forth truth and to helpe religion Take you heed that their deceite worke not more mischief then your vertue can doe good euerlasting warre we would all Princes had with this Papacie As for their Decrees so harken to them that if in this Mantua assemble thynges be well done ye take them but not as authorised by them but that trouth and thyngs that mainteyne ReligioÌ„ are to be taken at all meÌ„s haÌ„des And eueÌ„ as we will admit thynges well made so if there be any thyng determined in preiudice of trouth for mainteinauÌ„ce of their euill grounded primacy or that may hurt y e authoritie of kings we protest vnto y e whole world that we neither allow it nor will at any tyme allow it Ye haue Christen Readers our mynde coÌ„cernyng the generall Councell We thinke you all see that Paule his Cardinals Byshops Abbots Monkes Friers with the rest of the rablemeÌ„t do nothing lesse inteÌ„d then the knowledge or search of trouth Ye see this is no tyme meete MaÌ„tua no place meete for a generall CouÌ„cell And though they were both meete yet except some other cal this CouÌ„cell you see that we neither neede to come nor to seÌ„d You haue heard how euery Prince in his owne Realme may quiet thynges amisse If there be any of you that can shew vs a better way we promise w t all harty desire to do that that shal be thought best for the setlyng of Religion that we wil leaue our owne aduises if any maÌ„ shew vs better Which mynde of ours we most hartly pray GOD that gaue it vs not onely to encrease in vs but also to send it vnto all Christen Princes all Christen Prelates and all Christen people A little before the death of Queene Anne there was a ParliameÌ„t at Westminster wherin was geueÌ„ to the kyng by coÌ„sent of the Abbots all such houses of religioÌ„ as were vnder 300. markes Which was a shrewde prognosticate of the ruine of greater houses which in deede folowed shortly after as was might easely be perceaued before of many who theÌ„ sayd that the low bushes and brambles were cut downe before but great okes would folow after Although the proceedyng of these thyngs did not well like the myndes of the Popes frendes in EnglaÌ„d The Papistes purpose disapointed Queene Iane maryed to the king yet notwithstandyng they began agayne to take some breath of comfort when they sawe the foresayd Queene Anne dispatched Neuerthelesse they were frustrate of their purpose as is aforeshewed and that doblewise For first after they had their willes of Queene Anne the Lord raysed vp an other Queene not greatly for their purpose with her sonne kyng Edward L. Cromwell groweth in authoritye And also for that the Lord CroÌ„well the same tyme began to growe in authoritie Who like a mighty piller set vp in the Churche of Christ was enough alone to confounde and ouerthrow all the malignant deuises of the aduersaries so long as God gaue him in lyfe here to continue whose story hereafter followeth more at large Shortly after this foresayd Mariage of the kyng with this Queene Iane Semer aboue mentioned in y e moneth of Iune duryng the continuation of the Parliament by the consent of the Clergy holdyng theÌ„ a solemne conuocation in the Church of S. Paule Alteration of religion a little beginneth a booke was set forth conteyning certaine Articles of religon necessary to be taught to the people wherein they intreated specially but of three Sacramentes Baptisme Penaunce the Lordes Supper Where also diuers other thyngs were published concernyng the alteration of certaine pointes of Religion as that certaine holy dayes were forbiddeÌ„ and many Abbayes began to bee suppressed For the whiche cause the rude multitude of Lincolneshyre fearing the vtter subuersion of their old Religion Commotion in Lincolnshire wherein they had bene so long nousled did rise vp in a great coÌ„motion to the nuÌ„ber welneare of 20. thousaÌ„d hauyng for their Captaine a Monke named D. Makerell calling himselfe then Captaine Cobbler but these rebels being repressed by the kyngs power and desiryng pardon A moÌ„ke stirrer of the coÌ„motioÌ„ soone brake vp their assembly For they hearing of the royal army of the king coÌ„ming against them wyth his owne persone there present fearing what would follow of this first the noble men and Gentlemen which before fauoured them began to w tdraw themselues so that they were destitute of Captaines and at the laste they in writing made certaine petitions to the king protesting that they neuer intended hurt toward his royal person These petitions the king
beyng fast bound to a stake and Furse set on fire round about him was so scorâ—hed that he was as blacke as soote one Doctour Redyng there staÌ„ding before him with Doctour Heyre and Doct. Springwell hauyng a long white wande in his hand did knocke him vpon the right shoulder and sayd Peke recant and beleue that the Sacrament of the aultar is the very body of Christ fleshe bloud and bone after that the Priest hath spoken the words of Consecration ouer it and heere haue I in my hande to absolue thee for thy misbeliefe that hath ben in thee hauing a scrole of paper in his hande When he had spoken these wordes Peke answeared and sayde I defie it and thee also with a great violence he spit from him very bloud whiche came by reason y t his vaynes brake in his body for extreame anguishe And when the sayde Peke had so spoken then D. Reding sayd To as many as shall cast a sticke to the burning of this heretique Forty dayes of parâ—on proclaymed for casting sticks into Pekes fyer is graunted fortye dayes of pardon by my Lord Byshop of Norwich Then Barne Curson Sir Iohn Audley Knight with many others of estimation being there present did rise from their seates and wyth their swords did cut downe boughes and throw them into the fire and so did all the multitude of the people Witnes Iohn Ramsey and others who did see this acte In the yeare last before this whiche was of the Lorde 1537. it was declared how Pope Paul the third indicted a general Councel to be holden at Mantua Of this CouÌ„cell of Mantua reade before 1084. Whereunto the king of England among other Princes being called refused either to come or to sende at the Popes call and for defence of himselfe directed out a publique Apologie or Protestation rendring iust and sufficient matter why neyther he would nor was bound to obey the Popes commandement Which Protestation is before to be read page 1084. This Councell appointed to begin the 23. daye of Maye the yeare aforesayde was then stopped by the Duke of Mantua pretending that hee woulde suffer no Councell there vnlesse the Pope would fortifie the Citie with a sufficient armye c. For whiche cause the Pope proroged the sayd Councell to be celebrate in the moneth of Nouember folowing appointing at y e first no certaine place At length named and determined the citie of Uincence lyeng within the dominion of the Uenetians to be the place for the Councell Whereunto when the King the yeare next folowing which is this present yeare of the Lorde 1538. was requested by the Emperour and other states to resort eyther hymselfe or to sende he agayne refusing as hee dyd before sendeth this Protestation in waye of defence and aunsweare for hymselfe to the Emperour and other Christen princes the copie and effect whereof heere vnder foloweth and is this Henry the eight by the grace of God King of Englande and Fraunce c. saluteth the Emperour Christian princes and all true Christen men desiring peace and concord amongst them WHereas not long sithens a booke came forth in our and al our Counsailes names Anno. 1538. which coÌ„teined many causes why we refused the Councell then by the Byshop of Romes vsurped power first indicted at Mantua The kings letter to the Emperor to be kept the xxiij day of May after proroged to Nouember no place appoynted where it should be kept and whereas the same booke doth sufficiently proue that our cause could take no hurt Of thiâ— book 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉 neither with any thing done or decreed in such a company of addict men to one sect nor in any other Councell called by his vsurped power we thinke it nothing necessarie so oft to make newe protestations The Poâ—â— doth but mocke the world with his 〈◊〉 Councelâ—â— as the Bishop of Rome and his Courts by suttletie and craft do inuent wayes to mocke the world by newe pretensed generall Councels Yet notwithstanding because that some things haue now occurred either vpon occasion geuen vs by change of the place or else through other consideratioÌ„s which now being knowne to the worlde may do muche good we thought we should do but euen as that loue enforceth vs which we owe vnto Christes fayth and religion to adde this Epistle And yet we protest Generall Councells are to be wished so they might be free vniuersally 〈◊〉 all partes that we neyther put forthe that booke neither yet wee woulde this Epistle to be set afore it that thereby we should seeme lesse to desire a generall Councell then any other Prince or Potentate but rather to be more desirous of it so it were free for all partes and vniuersall And further wee desire all good Princes Potentates and people to esteeme and thinke that no Prince would more willingly be presente at such a Councell then we suche a one we meane as we speake of in our protestation made concerning the Councell of Mantua Truely as our forefathers inuented nothyng more holyer then generall Councels vsed as they ought to be so there is almost nothing that may do more hurt to y e Christian coÌ„mon wealth to y e faith to our religion Nothing more petrâ—cious to the Church then general Councels if they be abused then general CouÌ„cels if they be abused to lucre to gaines to y e establishment of errours They be called general and euen by their name do admonish vs that all Christen meÌ„ which do dissent in any opinion may in theÌ„ openly frankly without feare of punishment or displeasure say their mind For seeing suche thyngs as are decreed in generall Councels touche equally all men that geue assent thereunto it is meete that euery man may boldly say there that hee thinketh And verily we suppose that it ought not to be called a generall Councell where alonely those men are heard which are determined for euer in all pointes to defend the Popish parte and to arme themselues to fight in the Byshop of Romes quarrell though it were against God and his Scriptures It is no generall Councell neyther it ought to be called generall where the same men be onely Aduocates and aduersaries the same accused and iudges Thâ— Popes Councels are no generall Councells The Pope in his CouÌ„cels is the party accused and also the iudge No it is against the lawe of nature either that we shoulde condescend to so vnreasonable a law against our selues eyther that we should suffer our selues to be lefte without all defence and beeing oppressed with greatest iniuries to haue no refuge to succour our selues at The Byshop of Rome and his be our great enemies as wee and all the world may well perceyue by his doings He desireth nothing more then our hurt and the destruction of our Realme Do not we then violate the iudgement of nature if we geue him power and authoritie to be our Iudge Agaynst all reason that
he which is our accuser should also be our iudge The Popes honor first gotten by superstytion borne by ignorance nourished by ambition increased by violence defended by false vnderstanding wrasting of scriptures His pretended honor first gotten by superstition after encreased by violence other waies as euill as that his power set vp by pretence of religion in deed both against religion and also contrary to the word of God his primacie borne by the ignorancie of the world nourished by the ambition of Bishops of Rome defended by places of Scripture falsely vnderstande these three things wee say which are fallen with vs and are like to fall in other Realmes shortly shall they not be established agayne if he may decide our cause as him lusteth if he may at his pleasure oppresse a cause most righteous and set vp his most against truth Certainely he is very blinde that seeth not what ende we may looke for of our controuersies if suche our enemie may geue the sentence We desire if it were in any wise possible a Councell where some hope may be that those things shall be restored which now being deprauate are like if they be not amended to be the vtter ruine of Christian Religion And as we do desire suche a Councell and thinke it meete that all men in all their praiers should desire craue it of God euen so we thinke it perteineth vnto our office to prouide both that these Popishe subtilties hurte none of oure subiects and also to admonishe other Christian Princes Prouision to be made agaynst popishe â—â—â—tyltieâ— that the Bishop of Rome may not by their consente abuse the authoritie of kings either by the extinguishing of the true preaching of Scripture that nowe beginneth to spryng to growe and spreade abroade eyther to the troubling of Princes liberties to the diminishing of Kings authorities and to the great blemish of their princely maiestie We doubt nothing but a Reader not parciall wyll soone approue such things as we heere write not so muche for our excuse as that the worlde may perceiue both the sundrye deceites craftes and subtleties of the papistes also how much we desire that controuersies in religion may once be taken away All that we sayde there of Mantua may here well be spoken of Uincence This Councell of Manâ—us which the pope 〈◊〉 he afterward transferred to Vincence This was the yeare 1537. They do almost agree in al poyntes Neither is it like that there will be any more at this couÌ„cell at Uincence then were the last yere at Mantua Truely he is worthy to be deceiued y t being twise mocked wyll not beware the third time If any this last yeare made forth toward Mantua and being halfe on theyr way then perceiued that they had taken vpon them that iourney in vayne we do not think them so foolish that they will here after ride farre out of towne to be mocked The time also and the state of thinges is such that matters of Religion may rather now be brought further in trouble as other things are theÌ„ be commodiously intreated of and decided For whereas in maner the whole world is after such sorte troubled with warres This time 〈◊〉 for a generall Councell and why so incombred with the great preparations that the Turke maketh can there be any man so against the setling of religion that he will thinke this time meet for a generall Councell Undoubtedly it is meer that such controuersies as we haue with the Bishop of Rome be taken as they are that is much greater then that they may either be discussed in this so troublesome a time or els be committed vnto proctors without our great ieopardy albeit the time were neuer so quiet What other princes will doe we can not tell but we will neither leaue our realme at this time Neyther the iudge nor the place conuenient for a general Councell neither wil we trust any Proctor with our cause wherein the whole stay and wealth of our Realme standeth but rather we will be at the handling thereof our selfe For except both an other Iudge be agreed vpon for those matters and also a place more commodious be prouided for the debating of our causes albeit all other thinges were as we would haue them yet may we lawfully refuse to come or send any to this pretended Councel We will in no case make him our arbeter which not many yeres past our cause not heard gaue sentence agaynst vs. We will that such doctrine as we folowing y e Scripture do professe be rightly examined discussed and brought to the Scripture as to the onely touchstone of true learning We will not suffer them to be abolished ere euer they be dicussed Spoken like a king ne to be oppressed before they be known much lesse we will suffer them to be troden down being so clearly true No as there is no iote in Scripture but we will defend it though it were with ieopardy of our life and peril of this our Realme so is there nothing that doth oppresse this doctrine or obscure it but we will be at continuall warre therew t. As we haue abrogated al old popish traditions in this our Realme which eyther did help his tyranny or encrease his pride so if the grace of God forsake vs not Would God the king here had kept promise when he made the 6. articles we will well foresee that no new naughty traditions be made with our consent to blinde vs or our Realme If meÌ„ will not be willingly blind they shall easily see euen by a due and euident proofe in reason though grace doth not yet by the word of Christ enter into them how small the authority of the Bishop of Rome is by the lawfull deniall of the Duke of Mantua for the place For if the Bishop of Rome did earnestly intend to keepe a CouÌ„cell at Mantua and hath power by the law of God to call Princes to what place him liketh why hath he not also authority to chuse what him listeth The Bishop chose Mantua the Duke kept him out of it If Paule the Bishop of Romes authority be so great as he pretendeth The Duke of Mantua deniethe the Pope his Citie fâ—r his Councell why could he not compell Fridericus the Duke of Mantua that the Councell might be kept there The Duke would not suffer it No he forbad him his towne How chaunceth it that here excommunications flee not abroade Why doth he not punish this Duke Why is his power that was woont to be more then full here empty wont to be more then all here nothing Doth he not call men in vayn to a Councell if they that come at his calling be excluded the place to the which he calleth them May not kinges iustly refuse to come at his call when the Duke of Mantua may deny him the place that he chooseth If other Princes order him as the Duke of Mantua hath done If
the Popes authority may be stopped by a Duke what authority then hath he ouer kinges and Emperours what place shal be left him where he may keepe hys generall Councell Agayne if Princes haue geuen him this authoritye to call a councell is it not necessary that they geue him also al those thinges without the which he can not exercise that his power Shall he call men and will ye let him to finde no place to call them vnto Truely he is not woont to appoynt one of his owne cityes a place to keep the Councell in No the good man is so faythfull and frendly toward other that seldome he desireth Princes to be his gestes And admitte he shoulde call vs to one of his Cittyes shoulde we safely walke within the walles of such our enemies towne Were it meete for vs there to discusse controuersies of Religion or to keepe vs out of our enemies trappes meete to study for the defence of such doctrine as we professe Example that the Pope hath no power vpon places in other mens dominioÌ„s or rather how we might in such a throng of perilles be in safegard of our life Well in this one arte the Bishop of Rome hath declared that he hath none authority vpon places in other mens dominions and therefore if he promise a CouÌ„sel in any of those he promiseth that that is in an other man to performe and so may he deceiue vs agayne Now if he cal vs to one of his owne townes DileÌ„ma against the Pope we be afrayd to be at such an hostes table We say better to ryse an hungred then to go thence with our bellye 's full But they say the place is found we need no more to seek where the CouÌ„cell shal be kept As who sayth Vincence a citye vnder the dominion of the Venetians that that chaunced at Mantua may not also chaunce at Uincence and as though it were very like that the Uenecians men of suche wisedome should not both foresee and feare also that the wise Duke of Mantua semed to feare Certes when we thinke vppon the state that the Uenecians be in now it seemeth no very likely thing that they will eyther leaue Uincence theyr Cittye to so many Nations wythout some great garrison of souldiours or els that they beyng els where so sore charged already wil now nourish an army there And if they would doâ—h not Paule himselfe grauÌ„t that it should be an euill President an euill example to haue an armed Councell Howe so euer it shall be we most hartily desire you that ye will vouchsafe to read those thinges that we wrote this last yeare touching the Mantuan Councell For we nothing doubt but you of your equity will stand on our side agaynst theyr subtlety and fraudes and iudge except we be deceiued that we in this busines neither gaue so much to our affectioÌ„s neither without great and most iust causes refused theyr Councelles theyr Censures and Decrees Whether these our writinges please all men or no we thinke we ought not to passe much No if that which indifferently is written of vs may please indiffereÌ„t readers our desire is accomplished The false and mistaking of thinges by men parciall shall moue vs nothing or els very litle If we haue sayd ought agaynst the deceites of the Byshop of Rome that may seeme spoken too sharpely we pray you impute it to the hatred we beare vnto vices and not to any euill will that we beare him No that he and all his may perceiue that we are rather at strife with his vices then with him and his our prayer is that it may please God at the last to open theyr eies to make soft their hard hartes and that they once may with vs theyr owne glory set apart study to set forth the euerlasting glory of the euerlasting God Thus mighty Emperour fare you most hartily well and ye Christen Princes the pillers and stay of Christendome fare ye hartily well Also all ye what people so euer ye are which do desire that the gospell and glory of Christ may florish fare ye hartily well As the Lorde of his goodnes hath raised vp Thomas Cromwel to be a frend and patrone to the Gospell so on the contrary side Sathan which is aduersary and enemy to all good thinges had his organe also which was Steuen Gardiner by all wyles and subtile means to impeach and to put backe the same Who after he had brought his purpose to passe in burning good Iohn Lambert as ye haue hearde proceeding still in his craftes and wyles and thinking vnder the name of heresies sectes Anabaptistes sacramentaris to exterminate al good bookes and faithful professours of Gods word out of England so wrought with the king that the next yeare following which was of our Lord. 1539. he gaue out these Iniunctions y e copy and contentes wherof I though here also not to be pretermitted and are these * Certayne other Iniunctions set forth by the authority of the King agaynst English bookes sectes and Sacramentaries also with putting downe the day of Thomas Becket FIrst that none without special licence of y e king transporte or bring from outward parties into England Anno. 1539. any manner of Englishe bookes neither yet sell geue vtter or publishe any suche vpon payne to forfeyte all their goode and cattelles and their bodies to be imprisoned so long as it shal please the kinges maiestie Item that none shal print or bring ouer any English bookes with annotations or Prologues vnles such books before he examined by the kings priuy Counsell or others appoynted by his highnesse and yet not to put therto these wordes Cum priuilegio Regali w tout adding Ad imprimendum solum neither yet to print it without the kinges priuiledge be printed therewith in the English tongue No bookes to be translated without the name of the translator that all men may read it Neyther shall they print any translated booke without the playne name of the translator be in it or els the printer to be made the translatour and to suffer the fine and punishment therof at the kinges pleasure Item that none of the occupation of Printing shall within the Realme print vtter sell or cause to be published any Englishe bookes of Scripture Englishe bokes of scripture forbidden to be printed vnlesse the same be first viewed examined and admitted by the kings highnesse or one of his priuy Counsell or one Byshop withâ—â— the Realme whose name shall therin be expressed vpon payne of the kinges most high displeasure the losse of their goods and cattels and prisonment so loÌ„g as it shall please the king Item those that be in any errours as Sacramentaries Agaynst Sacramentaryes Anabaptistes or any other or any that sell books hauing such opinions in them being once knowne both the bookes and such persons shal be detected and disclosed immediately vnto the kinges Maiesty or one of hys priuye
Masses What man in all the primitiue Churche more then 4. hundreth yeares after the Apostles time did euer so say or thinke at what tyme there were no suche priuate Masses vsed Priuate Masses But afterwarde in the processe of the Article folowe other blinde sophistications to make the people beleeue that they should receiue by them diuine consolations and benefites And why doe they not plainely declare what consolations and benefites those be By application of masses is ment when the passiâ— and merites of Christ is applied to any by the vertue of the Masse The Bishops here do name no application and merite for they knowe that they can not be defended Yet they dally wyth glosing wordes whereby they may winde out and escape if any should improue their application And yet notwithstanding they would haue this their application to be vnderstanded and beleeued of the people They woulde haue this Idolatrous perswasion confirmed to witte that thys sacrifice doth merite vnto others remission A poena culpa release of all calamities and also gaine luker in common trafficke and to conclude whatsoeuer els the carefull heart of man doth desire The lyke Sophistication they vse also where they say that Priests mariage is against the law of God They are not ignoraunt what S. Paule sayth Priestes mariage 1. Tim. 3. A Bishop oughte to be the husband of one wife and therefore they know right well that Mariage is permitted to Priestes by the law of God But because nowe they say they haue made a vowe they goe craftely to worke and doe not say that priests for their vowes sake can not marrie but plainely geue out the Article after this sorte that Mariage of Priestes is vtterly against the lawe of God Againe what impudencie and tyranny do they shew moreouer when they compell mariages to be dissolued and command those to be put to death whych will not put away their wiues and renounce theyr matrimony Wher as the vow of Priests if it had any force at all should extend no further but onely to put them from the ministerie if they would mary And this no doubt is the true meaning of the Councels and Canons O cursed Byshops Winchester cuâ—â—â—ning in the arte of iugling called deceptio visus O impudent and wicked Winchester who vnder these colourable fetches thincketh to deceiue the eyes of Christ and the iudgements of all the godly in the whole worlde These things haue I wrytten that you may vnderstand the crafty sleights and so iudge of the purpose and pollicie of these Byshops The worde of God ought simply to be handled without all sophistryâ— For if they woulde simply and hartely search for the truth they would not vse these craftie collusions and deceitfull iugglings This Sophistication as it is in all other affaires pernitious and odious so aboue al things most specially it is to be auoyded in matters of Religion wherein it is a heynous impiety to corrupt or peruert the pure word of God And heereof the Deuill whiche is called Diabolus specially taketh his name because he wrasteth the word of God out of mennes hearts by such false iuggling and sophistical cauillations And why do not these Bishops as well plainely vtter and confesse that they will abide no reformation of doctrine and Religion in the Church for that it shall make against their dignitie pompe pleasure Why do not their adherents also and such as take their part plainly say that they will retaine still thys present state of the Churche for their owne profite tranquilitie and maintenaunce Thus to confesse The cloked hipocrisie of false Papistes were true and plaine dealing Now whiles they pretende hypocritically a false zeale and loue to the truth and sincere Religion they come in w t their blinde sophistications wherwith they couer their errours for their Articles set forth in thys act be erroneous false impious how glorious soeuer they seme outwardly Wherfore it were to be wished that these bishops would remember Gods terrible threatning in the prophet Esay Wo to you sayeth he which make wicked lawes Esa 10. Esa. 5. What wil you doe in the day of visitation and calamitie to come c. Woe vnto you that call euill good c. Now to come more nere to the matter which we haue in hande this cannot be denied but that long and horrible darkenes hath bene in the church of Christ. Mans traditions counted for Gods seruice Mens traditions not onely haue bene a yoke to good mens consciences but also which is much worse they haue bene reputed for Gods holy seruice to the great disworship of God There were vowes thyngs bequeathed to churches diuersitie of garments choice of meats long babling prayers pardoÌ„s image worship manifest idolatry committed to saints the true worship of God and true good workes not knowen Briefly little difference there was betwixte the Christian and heathen religion as stil is yet at Rome to this present day to be sene The true doctrine of repentance of * remission of sinnes whych commeth by the faith of Christ of iustification of faith of the difference betweene the lawe and the gospell of the right vse of the SacrameÌ„ts was hid and vnknowen The keyes were abused to the maintenance of the Popes vsurped tyrannie Ceremonies of mens inuention were much preferred before ciuile obedience and dueties done in the common wealth Unto these errours moreouer was ioyned a corrupte life The filthy life of the Clergy for lackee of mariage full of all lecherous and filthy lustes by reason of the law forbidding Priestes to marrie Out of thys miserable darknes God something hath begon to deliuer his church through the restoring againe of true doctrine For so wee must needes acknowledge that these so great and long festred errors haue not ben disclosed and brought to light by the industry of man This restoring of the Gospell is onely of God and not of man but thys light of the Gospel is onely the gift of God who nowe againe hath appeared vnto the Church For so doth the holy Ghost prophecie before how in the later times the godly should sustaine sore perillous conflicts with antichrist foreshewing that he should come enuironed with a mighty and strong army of Bishoppes hypocrites and Princes that he should fighte agaynste the truth and slay the godly And that now all these things are so come to passe it is most euident and caÌ„ not be denied The tirannie of the byshop of Rome hath partly brought in errors into y e church partly hath confirmed them nowe maintaineth the same with force and violence as Daniel well foreshewed And muche we reioyced to see you deuided froÌ„ him By the 6. Articles all errours and traditions are maintayned hoping and trusting well that the Church of England would now florish But your Byshops be not deuided from the Romish Antichrist his Idolatrie errours and vices they
with them the Lord Cromwell to dyne with him at Lambeth as is afore declared and within few dayes also vpon the same required that he would geue a note of all his doings and reasonynges in the sayd Parlament whiche the sayd Cranmer eftsoones accomplished accordyngly Cranmers reasons and allegations against the 6. articles writteÌ„ to the king drawyng out his reasoÌ„s allegations the copy wherof beyng fayre written out by his Secretary was sent and deliuered vnto the kyng and there remayned Now after these thynges thus discussed as touchyng the vi wicked Articles it foloweth next in returnyng to the order of our story agayne to declare those thynges which after the settyng out of these Articles ensued commyng now to the tyme and story of the Lord Cromwell a man whose worthy fame and deedes are worthy to lyue renowmed in perpetuall memory ¶ The history concernyng the lyfe actes and death of the famous and worthy Counsailour Lord Thomas Cromwell Earle of Essex THomas Cromwell although borne of a simple parentage and house obscure The story of the Lord Thomas Cromwell through the singular excellencie of wisedome and dexteritie of witte wrought in him by God coupled with like industrie of mynde and desertes of lyfe rose to hygh preferrement and authoritie in somuch that by steppes and stayres of office and honour The base degree of the L. Cromwell recompensed with noble Ornamentes he ascended at length to that that not onely he was made Earle of Essex but also most secret and deare Counsellour to kyng Henry and Uicegerent vnto his person which office hath not commonly bene supplied at least not so fruitfully discharged with in this Realme First as touchyng his byrth he was borne at Putney or thereabout being a Smithes sonne whose mother maried after vnto a shyreman In the simple estate rude begynnyngs of this man as of diuers other before him we may see and learne that the excellencie of noble vertues heroicall prowesses which aduaunce to fame and honour staÌ„d not onely vpon byrth bloud as priuileges onely intayled appropriat to noble houses but are disposed indifferently proceede of the gift of God who rayseth vp the poore obiect many tymes out of the donghill matcheth him in throne with Peeres and Princes Psal. 113. As touching the order and maner of his comming vp Commendation of the L. Cromwell it would be superfluous to discourse what may be sayd at large onely by way of story it may suffice to giue a touch of certaine particulars and so to proceede Although the humble condition and pouertie of this maÌ„ was at the begynnyng as it is to many other a great let hinderauÌ„ce for vertue to shew her selfe yet such was the actiuitie and forward rypenes of nature in him so pregnauÌ„t in witte so ready he was in iudgemeÌ„t discret in toung eloquent in seruice faythfull in stomacke couragious in his penne actiue that beyng conuersauÌ„t in the sight of meÌ„ he could not long be vnespied not yet vnprouided of fauour helpe of freÌ„des to set him forward in place and office Neither was any place or office put vnto him whereunto he was not apt fit Nothyng was so hard which with witte and industrie he could not coÌ„passe Neither was his capacitie so good but his memorie was as great in reteining whatsoeuer he had atteined Which well appeared in cannyng the text of the whole new Testament of Erasmus translation without booke in his iourney going and comming from Rome Tho. Cromwell learned the new Testament in â—atin without booke whereof ye shall heare anone Thus in hys growing yeares as he shot vp in age and ripenes a great delite came in his mynde to stray into foreine countreys to see the world abroade and to learne experience whereby he learned such toungs and languages as might better serue for his vse hereafter And thus passing ouer his youth being at Antwerpe he was there reteined of the Englishe Marchauntes to be their Clerke or Secretary or in some suche lyke condition placed perteining to their affaires It happened the same time that the Towne of Boston thought good to send vp to Rome The towne of Bosten for renuing of their two Pardons one called the great Pardon the other the lesser Pardon Which thing although it should stand them in great expenses of money for the Popes Marchaundise is alwayes deare ware yet notwithstanding such sweetenesse they had felt thereof The popes marchaundise deare ware and such gayne to come to theyr Towne by that Romish Marchandise as all superstition is commonly gaynefull that they like good Catholicke Marchauntes Superstition commonly is gaynfull The popes leaâ—es of pardons and the Popes good customers thought to spare for no coste to haue their leases agayne of theyr Pardon 's renewed whatsoeuer they payde for the fine And yet was all this good Religion then suche was the lamentable blindnes of that time This then being so determined decreed amongest my couÌ„treymen of Boston to haue their pardoÌ„s needes repaired renewed from Rome one Geffray ChaÌ„bers with an other coÌ„panion was sent for y e messengers with writings money no small quaÌ„tity well furnished with all other things appointed necessary for so chargeable costly exployt who coÌ„ming in his iorney to Antwarpe misdoubting himselfe to be too weake for the compassing of suche a weightie peece of worke coÌ„ferred perswaded with Tho. Cromwell to associate him in that legacie and to assist him in the contriuing thereof Cromwell although perceauing the enterprise to be of no small difficultie to trauerse the Popes Court for the vnreasonable expenses amoÌ„gst those greedy cormorantes yet hauing some skill of the Italian toung and as yet not grounded in iudgement of religion in those his youthfull daies was at length obteined and content to giue the aduenture and so tooke his iourney toward Rome Cromwell goeth to Rome Cromwell loth to spend much time more loth to spend his money and againe perceiuing that the Popes greedy humor must needes be serued wyth some present or other for without rewards there is no doing at Rome began to cast with himselfe what thing best to deuise wherein he might best serue the Popes deuotion At length hauing knowledge how that the Popes holy tooth greatly delited in new fangled straunge delicates and dayntie dishes it came in his minde to prepare certeine fine dishes of gelly after the best fashion made after our countrey maner heere in Englande which to them of Rome was not knowne nor seene before This done Cromwell obseruing his time accordyngly as the Pope was newly come froÌ„ hunting into his pauillion he with his companions approched with his english presents brought in with a three mans song as we call it in the English tongue and all after y e English fashion The Pope sodenly marueiling at the straungenes of the song and vnderstanding that they were Englishmen and that
outward ceremony And so Paule by that saying confuteth this opinion Ex opere operato that the Sacramentes should make men righteous iust before God for y e very outward work without faith of them that receiue them And after this manner doth Paule speake vnto the Ephesians Eph. 5. that Christ doth sanctify his church through the bath of water in the word of life And for as much as he ioyneth the word vnto the ceremony and declareth the vertue and power of the word of God Sacramentes onely to be gathered out of the word of God that it bringeth with it life he doth manifestly teach that the word of God is the principall thing and euen as it were the very substaunce body of the Sacrament and the outward ceremony to be nothing els then a token of that liuely inflamation whych we receiue through fayth in the word and promise Saint Paule also in ministring the sacrament of the Lordes supper doth manifestly adde the woordes of Christ He tooke bread sayth he and when he had geuen thankes he brake it and sayd take ye this and eate ye this for it is my body Item Do ye this in my remembrance The institution of Christ ought not to be altered 1. Cor. 11. Beside this he teacheth euidently y e onely Christ and none but he had power to institute a sacrament that neither the Apostles nor the Church hath any authority to alter or to adde any thing vnto his ordynaunce whereas he saith For I haue receiued of the Lord that which I deliuered vnto you c. To what purpose shoulde he go about to mooue the people to beleue him and to winne theyr hartes with this protestation if it had bene lawefull for him to haue made any sacramentes or to haue altered the forme and maner of ministring this sacrameÌ„t as some men both wickedly and shamelesly do affirme that the Apostles did alter the forme of Baptisme When he had spoken thus much The aunswere of the Bishop of London agaynst Alesius the B. of LondoÌ„ dyd interrupt him and sayd Let vs grauÌ„t that the sacraments may be gathered out of the word of God yet are you farre deceiued if ye think that there is none other word of God but that which euery sowter and cobler doe reade in theyr mother tongue And if ye thinke that nothing pertayneth vnto the Christian fayth but that onely that is written in the Bible then erre ye playnely with the Lutherans Iohn 21. 2. Thess. 2. For S. Iohn sayth that Iesus did many thinges which be not written And S. Paul commaundeth the Thess. to obserue and keep certeine vnwritten traditions ceremonies Actes 16. Vnwritten verities and traditions of fathers in equall force with Gods written word 2. Thes. 2. Moreouer he himselfe did preach not the scripture onely but euen also the traditions of the Elders Act. xvj Finally we haue receiued many things of the Doctors Councels by times which although they be not written in the Bible yet for as much as the olde Doctors of the Churche do make mention of them we ought to graunt that we receiued them of the Apostles and that they be of like authority with the Scripture and finally that they may worthily be called the word of God vnwritten Now when the right noble Lord Cromwell The vnwritten word of God Stokesly laughed to scorne the Archbishop with the other Bishops which did defend the pure doctrine of the gospel heard this they smiled a litle one vpoÌ„ another forasmuch as they saw him flee euen in y e very beginning of the disputation vnto his old rusty sophistry and vnwritten verities Then Alesius would haue proceded further with the Bishop to haue confuted this blasphemous lye but the Lord Cromwell bade him be coÌ„tent for the time began to go away and it was xij of the clock and thus he made an end w t his protestation Right reuerend mayster Bishop you deny that our christen fayth and religion doth leane only vpoÌ„ the word of God which is written in the Bible which thing if I can proue and declare then you will graunt me that there be no sacramentes but those that haue the manifest word of God to confirme theÌ„ Unto this he did consent and then immediatly that assemble was dissolued for that day The next day when the Bishops were set agayne the Archbishop of Canterbury sending his Archdeacon commaunded Alesius to abstayne from disputation wherupon he wrote his minde and deliuered it vnto Cromwell who afterward shewed the same vnto the Bishops Thus through the industry of Cromwell the colloquies were brought to this end that albeit religioÌ„ could not wholy be reformed yet at that time there was some reformation had throughout all England How desirous and studious this good Cromwel was in y e cause of Christs religioÌ„ The publicke care of Cromwell for the commoÌ„ wealth exaÌ„ples need not to be broght His whole life was nothing els but a continuall care and trauell how to aduaunce and further the right knowledge of the Gospell and reforme the house of God As by so many Proclamations aboue specified by his meanes set forth may well appeare wherein first he caused the people to be instructed in the Lordes Prayer and Creede in English then procured the Scripture also to be read and set forth in the same language for euery English man to vnderstand after that to rescue the vulgar people from damnable Idolatry caused certaine of the most grossest pilgrimages to be destroyed And further for the more commodity of the poore sort which get their liuing with their dayly labor worke of their handes he prouided that diuers idle holidayes were diminished Item he procured for theÌ„ liberty to eate egges and whitmeat in Lent Furthermore by him it was also prouided for y e better instruction of the people that beneficedâ—meÌ„ should be resident in their Cures and parishes there to teach and to keepe Hospitality with many other thinges els most fruitfully redressed for the reformation of Religion and behoofe of Christes Church as by the ProclamatioÌ„s Read afore pag. 1069.1070.1071.1072 c. Iniunctions and necessary articles of Christian doctrine aboue specified set forth in the kings name by his meanes may more aboundauntly appeare pag. 1069.1070 c. Now to adioyne withall his priuate benefites in helping diuers good men and women at sundry times out of troubles and great distresses it would require a long discourse Briefly his whole life was ful of such examples being a man to that intent ordeined of God as his deedes well proued to do many men good and especially such as were in daunger of persecutioÌ„ for religions sake Amongst other infinite stories one or two examples shall suffice for a testimony of his worthy doinges ¶ How Cromwell holpe a poore woman with childe out of great trouble longing for a piece of meat in time of Lent Persecuters Persecuted The
there be whom nothing doth please which is dailie seene and receiued vsed to go with his haire hangyng about his eares downe vnto his shoulders after a strange monstrous maner counterfeiting belyke the wyld Irish men or els Crinitus Ioppas which Uirgil speaketh of as one wearie of his owne English fashion or else as one ashamed to be seene lyke a man would rather go like a woman or lyke to one of the Gorgon sisters but most of all lyke to hymselfe that is lyke to a Ruffin that could not tell how to go As this Ruffin ruffling thus with his locks was walkyng in the streetes as chance was who should meet him but the Lord Cromwell The Ruffin with the long heare who beholding the deforme and vnseemly maner of his disguised goyng full of much vanitie and hurtfull example called the man to question with him whose seruaunt he was which being declared then was demanded whether his maister or any of his felows vsed so to go with such haire about their shoulders as he did or no Which when he denied and was not able to yeld any reason for refuge of that his monstruous disguising at leÌ„gth he fell to this excuse that he had made a vow To this the Lord Cromwell answered agayne that for so much as he had made himself a votarie he would not force him to breake his vowe but vntill his vow should be expired he should lye the meane tyme in prison and so seâ—te him immediately to the Marshalsey where he endured till at length this intonsus Cato beyng perswaded by hys maister to cut his haire by sute and petition of frends hee was brought agayne to the Lord Cromwell with his hed polled according to the accustomed sort of his other fellowes and so was dismissed Hereunto also pertaineth the example of frier Bartley Frier Bartley casteâ—â— away 〈…〉 who wearing still his friers coule after the suppression of religious houses Cromwell commyng thorough Paules churchyard and espieng him in Rheines his shop yea said he will not that coule of yours be left of yet And if I heare by one a clocke that this apparel be not changed thou shalt be hanged immediatly for example to al other And so putting his coule away he neuer durst weare it after If the same Lorde Cromwell which could not abyde this seruyng man so disfigured in his haire were now in these our dayes aliue with the same authoritie which then he had and saw these new fangled fashions of attire vsed here amongst vs both of men and women I suppose verily that neither these monstruous ruffes nor these prodigious hose and prodigall or rather hyperbolicall barbarous breeches which seeme rather lyke barels then breeches would haue any place in England In which vnmeasurable excesse of vesture this I haue to maruell first how these seruing men which commonly haue nothyng els but their wages and that so slender and bare caÌ„ maintaine such slops so huge and so sumptuous 〈…〉 of England 〈◊〉 a Cromwell which coÌ„monly stand them in more then their three yeares wages doe come vnto Secondly I maruell that their maisters and Lordes who shall yeld to God account of their seruaunts doings do not search and trie out their seruants walkes how they come by these expenses wherewith to vpholde this brauerie seing their stipendary wages and all reuenues els they haue will not extend thereunto Thirdlye this most of all is to be marueiled that magistrates which haue in their hands the ordring and guiding of good laws do not prouide more seuerely for the needfull reformation of these enormities But here we may well see truly this may say that England once had a Cromwell Long it were to recite what innumerable benefits this worthy Counsellour by his prudent pollicie his graue authoritie and perfect zeale wrought and brought to passe in the publicke Realme and especially in the Church of England what good orders he established what wickednes and vices he suppressed what corruptions he reformed what abuses he broght to light what crafty iuglings what idolatrous deceptions and superstitious illusioÌ„s he detected and abolished out of the Church What posteritie will euer thinke the Church of the Pope pretendyng such religion to haue bene so wicked 〈…〉 in the Church 〈◊〉 and reformed by Cromwell The Rooâ—e of Grace 〈…〉 his eyes so long to abuse the peoples eyes with an old rotten stocke called the Roode of grace wherein a man should stand inclosed with an hundreth wyers within the roode to make the Image goggle with the eyes to nod with his head to hang the lippe to mooue and shake his iawes according as the valew was of the gift which was offred If it were a small piece of siluer he would hang a frowning lippe if it were a piece of gold then should his iawes go merily Thus miserablye was the people of Christ abused their soules seduced their senses beguiled and their purses spoiled till this Idolatrous forgerie at last by Cromwels meanes was disclosed The bloud of Hales and the image with all his engines shewed openly at Paules crosse and there torne in pieces by the people The like was done by the bloud of Hales which in like maner by Cromwell was brought to Paules crosse there prooued to be the bloud of a ducke Who would haue iudged but that the mayd of Kent had bene an holy woman and a prophetesse inspired had not Cromwell and Cranmer tried her at Paules crosse to bee a strong whore What should I speake of Daruel Gartheren of the rood of Chester of Thom. Becket our Lady of Walsingham The â—oly 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 with an infinite multitude more of the like affinitie All which stockes and blockes of cursed idolatrie Cromwell stirred vp by the prouidence of God remooued out of the peoples way that they might walke more safely in the sincere seruice of almighty God While the Lord Cromwell was thus blessedly occupied in profiting the common wealth 〈…〉 out of the way and purging y e church of Christ it happened to him as commonly it doth to all good men that where any excellency of vertue appeareth there enuy creepeth in and where true pietie seeketh most after Christ there some persecution followeth withall Thus I say as he was labouring in the commoÌ„ welth and doyng good to the poore afflicted saintes helping them out of trouble the malice of his enimies so wrought continually hunting for matter against him that they neuer ceased till in the end thâ—y by false traines and crafty surmises brought him out of the kings fauour The chiefe and principall enimie against him was Steuen Gardiner bishop of Winchester who euer disdayning and enuieng the state and felicitie of the Lord Cromwell Steph. Gardiner chiefe enemy to the L. CroÌ„well and now taking his occasion by the mariage of lady Anne of Cleue beyng a stranger and forreiner put in the Kings eares what a perfect thing it were for the quiet of
which had the doing therof to chaunge the name of William Tyndall because that name then was odious and to farther it by a straÌ„ge name of Thomas Mathew Iohn Rogers the same time beyng corrector to the print who had then translated the residue of the Apocripha and added also certaine notes thereto in the margent The Byble presented to the king by the Lord Cromwell The Byble put forth with the kinges priuiledge and therof came it to be called Thomas Mathewes Bible Which Bible of Thomas Mathew after it was imprinted and presented to the Lord Cromwell the Lord Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who liked very well of it the sayd Cromwell presented it to y e kyng and obteined that the same might freely passe to be read of hys subiectes with hys graces licence So that there was Printed vpon the same booke one lyue in red letters with these wordes Set forth with the Kings most gracious licence The setting forth of this booke did not a little offend the Clergy namely the Bishop aforesayd both for the Prologues specially because in the same booke was one special table collected of the common places in the Bible and the scriptures for the approbation of the same chiefly about the supper of the lord and mariage of priests and the masse which there was said not to be found in Scripture Furthermore after the restraint of this foresayde Bible of Mathew An other Byble of the great volume printed at Paris another Bible began to be printed at Paris an 1540. Which was called the Bible of the large Uolume The Printers whereof were the foresayde Richard Grafton and Whitchurche which bare the charges A great helper thereto was the lord Cromwell The chiefest ouerseer was Myles Couerdale who taking the translation of Tyndall conferred the same with the Hebrue and amended many things In this Bible although the former notes of Thomas Mathew was omitted The Byshops offended at the Byble translated into Englishe yet sondry markes handes were annexed in the sides which ment that in those places shuld be made certeine notes wherwith also the clergy was offended though the notes were not made After this the bishops bringing their purpose to passe brought the Lord Cromwell out of fauour and shortly to his death and not long after great complaint was made to the king of the translation of the Bible and of y e preface of the same The sale of the Byble stayd by the king throug the Byshops meanes· and then was the sale of the Bible commaunded to be stayed the B. promising to amend correct it but neuer performing the same Then Grafton was called first charged with the printing of Mathewes Bible but he being feareful of trouble made excuses for himselfe in all things Then was he examined of the great Bible and what notes he was purposed to make To the which he aunswered that he knewe none For his purpose was to haue retayned learned men to haue made the notes Rich. Grafton imprisoned for printing the Bible but when he perceyued the kynges maiestie and his Clergye not willing to haue any he proceded no further But for al these excuses Grafton was sent to the Fleet and there remayned vi wekes and before he came out was bound in CCC.li that he should neither sell nor imprint or cause to be imprinted any moe Bibles vntill the king the clergy should agree vpon a translation And thus was the Bible from that tyme stayed during the raigne of Kyng Henry the viij But yet one thing more is to be noted that after the imprinters had lost their Bibles they continued suiters to Boner as is aforesaid to be a meane for to obteyne of the French king their bookes againe but so long they continued suters and Boner euer fed them with faire wordes promising them much but did nothing for them till at the last Boner was discharged of his ambassade and returned home where he was right ioyfully welcomed home by the lord Cromwell who loued him dearely and had a maruelous good opinion of him Edm. Boner a great frend to L. Cromwell al the tyme of his prosperitye And so long as Cromwell remained in autoritie so long was Boner at his beck and friend to his friends and enimy to his enimies as namely at that tyme to Gardmer B. of Winchester who neuer fauoured Cromwell therefore Boner could not fauour him but that he and Winchester were the greatest enemies that might be Steph. Gardiner and Boner of enemyes made frendes But so soone as Cromwell fel immediatly Boner and Winchester pretended to be the greatest men that liued and no good word could Boner speake of Cromwell but the lewdest vilest and bitterest that he could speake calling him the rankest heretike that euer liued and then such as the sayd Boner knew to be in good fauour with Cromwell Doct. Boner altereth his frendship religion he could neuer abide their sight Insomuch as the next day after that Cromwell was appreheÌ„ded the abouenamed Grafton who before had bene very famâ—liarâ— with Boner met with the sayd Boner sodenly and sayd vnto hym that he was sory to heare of the newes that then was abroad What are they sayd he Of the apprehension of the L. Cromwell sayd Grafton Are ye sory for that sayd he It had bene good that he had bene dispatched long ago With that Grafton looked vpon hym and knew not what to say but came no more to Boner Howbeit afterward the sayd Grafton beyng charged for the imprinting of a ballet made in the fauour of Cromwel was called before the Councel Doctor Boner agaynst the L. Cromwell where Boner was present and there Boner charged hym with the wordes that hee spake to hym of Cromwell and told out a great long tale But the lord Awdeley who then was Lord Chauncellor right discretly and honourably cut of the matter and entered into other talke The history of Robert Barnes Thomas Garret and William Hierome diuines LIke as in forreine battails the chiefe poynt of victorie consisteth in the safetie of the Generall or captayne Rob. Barnes T. Garret W. Hierome Martyrs euen so when the valiaunt standerd bearer and stay of the church of England Tho. Cromwell I meane was made away pitie it is to behold what miserable slaghter of good men and good women ensued thereupon wherof we haue now Christ willing to entreat For Winchester hauyng now gotten his full purpose free swinge to exercise his cruelty wonder it was to see that Aper Calydonius or as the scripture speaketh that Ferus singularis Psal. 40. what troubles he raised in the Lordes vineyard And least by delayes he might loose the occasion presently offered he straight wais made his first assaultes vpon Robert Barnes Thomas Garret and William Hierome whom in y e very same moneth within ij dayes after Cromwels death he caused to be put to execution Whose
sayde Barnes that I doe intend by Gods grace with your Lordships fauour He answered such as you are do beare vs litle fauour the catholicke church I will aske you a question Whether do you thinke it more necessary that I should haue al this royaltie because I represent the kings maiesties person in all the hie courtes of this realme to the terrour keeping downe of all rebellions treasons traytors all the wicked and corrupt members of this common wealth or to be as simple as you would haue vs The pretenâ—â—d reasons 〈◊〉 the Carâ—â—nal wherâ—â— he mainâ—â—yned his 〈◊〉 to sell al these foresayd thinges and to geue it to the poore whiche shortly will pisse it agaynst the walles and to pull awaye this maiestie of a princely dignitie which is a terrour to all the wicked and to follow your counsell in this behalfe He answered I thinke it necessary to be sold and geuen to the poore For this is not comely for your calling nor y e kinges maiestie is not mayntayned by your pompe pollaxes but by God who sayth Per me reges regnant Kinges and theyr maiesties raigne and stand by me Then answered he Lo M. Doctors here is the learned the wise man that you told me of Then they kneeled down and said we desire your grace to be good vnto him for hee will be reformable D. Gardiner a suter for Barnes Then sayd he stand you vp for your sakes the Uniuersitie we wil be good vnto him How say you M. doctor do you not knowe that I am Legatus de latere and that I am able to dispense in all matters concerning religion w tin this realme as much as the pope may He sayd I knowe it to be so Will you then be ruled by vs we will do al thinges for your honesty and for the honesty of the Uniuersitie He answered I thanke your grace for your good wil I will sticke to the holy scripture and to Gods booke according to the simple talent that God hath lent me Aunswere well sayd he thou shalt haue thy learnyng tryed to the vttermost and thou shalt haue the law Then he required him that he might haue iustice wyth equitye and forthwyth he shoulde haue gone to the tower but that Gardiner Foxe became his sureties that nyght and so he came home to M. Parnels house again and that night fell to wryting againe and slepte not M. Couerdale M. Goodwin M. Feld being his wryters and in y e morning he came to Yorke place to Gardiner and Fox and by by he was committed to the Sergeant of armes to bring hym into the chapter house at Westminster before the Byshops and the Abbot of Westminster called Islip The same time when D. Barnes should appeare before the cardinall Stilliard meÌ„ examined for Lollardy there were 5. Stilliard meÌ„ to be examined for Luthers bookes and Lollardy but after they spied Barns they set the other aside and asked the Sergeaunt of armes what was his errand He sayd he had brought one Doctor Barnes to be examined of heresie and presented both hys Articles and hys accusers Then immediatly after a little talke they sware him laid his articles to him Who lyke as he answered the cardinal before so sayd he vnto them then he offred the booke of his probations vnto them Who asked hym whether he had another for himself and he said yea shewing it vnto them Who then tooke it from him said they should haue no laisure to dispute with him at that present for other affaires of the kings maiestie which they had to do and therfore had him stand aside Then they called the Stilliarde men againe one by one and when they were examined The Stilliard men coÌ„mitted to the Fleete they called forth the M. of the Fleete and they were committed al to the Fleete Then they called D. Barnes again and asked him whether he would subscribe to his Articles or no and he subscribed willingly and then they committed him and yong M. Parnel to the Flete also wyth the other D. Barnes with yonge Parnell coÌ„mitted to the Fleete There they remayned till Saterdaye in the morning and the Warden of the Fleete was commanded that no man should speake with hym On the saterday he came againe afore them into y e chapter house D. Barnes â—he Stilliard 〈◊〉 brought agaynt before the Cardinall and there with the stilliard men remained till 5. a clocke at night And after long disputations threatnings scornings about 5. a clocke at nyghte they called hym to know whether he would abiure or burne He was then in a great agony thought rather to burn theÌ„ to abiure But theÌ„ was he sent again to haue y e counsel of Gard. and Fox they persuaded him rather to abiure theÌ„ to burn because they said he shuld do more in time to come with diuers other perswasions that were mighty in the sight of reason foolish flesh Upon that kneeling vpon his knees he coÌ„sented to abiure and the abiuration put in hys hande hee abiured as it was there wrytten and then hee subscribed wyth hys owne hand D. 〈◊〉 perswaded 〈◊〉 Gardiner and 〈◊〉 to abiure and yet they would scarcely receyue hym into the bosome of the Churche as they termed it Then they put hym to an oth and charged him to execute doe and fulfill all that they commaunded him and he promised so to doe Then they commaunded the Warden of the Fleete to carye hym with his fellowes to the place from whence he came and to be kept in close pryson and in the morning to prouide 5. fagots for D. Barnes and the 4. Stilliard men The 5. Stilliard man was commanded to haue a taper of 5. pouÌ„d waight to be prouided for him to offer to the roode of Northen in Paules and all these things to be ready by 8. of the clocke in the morning and that hee with all that he could make with bils and gleaues and y e knight marshall withal his tipstaues that he could make shuld bring them to Paules and conduct them home again In the morning they were all readye by theyr houre appoynted in Paules church the church being so full that no man coulde get in The Cardinal had a scaffold made on the top of the staires for himselfe with 36. Abbots mitred Priors and byshops and he in his whole pompe mitred whiche Barnes spake against sate there inthronized his Chapleins and spirituall doctors in gownes of damaske and satine and he hymselfe in purple euen like a bloudye Antichriste And there was a new pulpit erected on the top of the staires also for the B. of Rochester to preache against Luther and Doctor Barnes D. Barnes the Stilliard men beare fagottes and great baskets full of bookes standing before them within the railes which was commaunded after the great fire was made afore the roode of Northen there to be
hurteth no man loue fulfilleth all things If God haue sent thee plentie helpe thy neighbour that hathe neede Giue him good councell If ye lacke consider if thou were in necessitie thou wouldst gladly be refreshed And againe beare your crosse with Christ. Consider what reproofe sclaunder and reproch he suffered of his enemies and how paciently he suffered all thinges Consider that all that Christ did was of his meere goodnesse and not of our deseruing For if we could merite our owne saluation Christ woulde not haue dyed for vs. But for Adams breaking of Gods precept we had bene all lost if Christ had not redeemed vs againe And like as Adam broke the precepts and was driuen out of Paradise so wee if we breake Gods commaundements shall haue damnation if we do not repent and aske mercy Now therefore let all Christians put no trust nor confidence in their workes but in the bloud of Christ to whome I commit my soule to guide beseeching you all to pray to God for me and for my breethren here present with me that our soules leauing these wretched carcases may constantly depart in the true fayth of Christ. In much like sort Garret also protesting and exhorting the people after his confession made ended his protestation in maner as foloweth ¶ The death and burning of the most constant Martyrs in Christ D. Robert Barnes Tho. Garret and W. Hierome in Smithfield an 1541. And so after theyr prayer made wherin most effectually they desired the Lord Iesus to be their comfort and consolation in this their affliction and to stablishe them with perfect faith The pacient suffering of these three Martyrs constancy and pacience thorough the holy Ghost they taking themselues by the hands and kissing one another quietly and humbly offred themselues to the handes of the tormentors and so tooke theyr deathe both Christianly and constantly with suche patience as mighte well testifie the goodnes of theyr cause and quiet of theyr conscience Wherein is to be noted how mightely the Lord worketh with his grace and fortitude in the harts of his seruants especially in such which causelesse suffer with a giltles conscience for his religions sake aboue other whiche suffer otherwise for their deserts Difference betweene them that suffer for Gods truth and other that dye for their owne desertes For whereas they which suffer as malefactors commonly are wont to goe heauie and pensiue to their death so the other with heauenly alacritie and chearefulnes doe abide whatsoeuer it pleaseth the Lord to lay vpon them Example whereof we haue right well to note not only in these three godly Martirs aboue mentioned but also in the Lord Cromwell who suffered but two dayes before the same no lesse may appeare Who although he was brought to his death atteinted and condemned by the parliament The chearfull patience in the L. Cromwel at his death yet what a giltles conscience he bare to his death his Christian patience well declared Who first calling for his breakefast and cheerefully eating the same and after that passing out of his prison downe the hill within the Tower and meeting there by the waie the Lord Hungerford going likewise to his executioÌ„ who for other matter heere not to be spoken of was there also imprisoned and perceiuing him to be all heauie and dolefull The comfortable wordes of the L. CroÌ„well to the L. Hungerforde they both going to their death with cheerefull countenance and comfortable words asking why he was so heauie he willed him to plucke vp his heart and to be of good comfort For sayd he there is no cause for you to feare For if you repent and be hartely sory for that you haue done there is for you mercy enough with the Lord who for Christes sake wil forgeue you and therfore be not dismayde And though the breakefast which we are going to be sharpe yet trusting to the mercy of the Lord we shall haue a ioyfull dinner And so went they together to the place of execution and tooke their death patiently ¶ A note of three Papistes executed the same tyme with Barnes Hierome and Garret THe same tyme and day and in the same place where when these three aboue mentioned did suffer Three Papistes executed Powell Fetherstone and Abell three other also were executed though not for the same cause but rather the contrary for denying the kynges supremacie whose names were Powell Fetherstone and Abell The which spectacle so happenyng vpon one day in two so coÌ„trary partes or factioÌ„s brought the people into a marueilous admiration doubt of their Religion Anno 1541. which part to follow and take as might so well happen amongest ignoraunt and simple people seeing two contrarye parts so to suffer the one for Popery the other against Popery both at one time In so muche that a certaine straunger beeyng there present the same time and seing three on the one side and three on the other side to suffer said in these wordes Deus bone quomodo his viuunt gentes hic suspenduntur Papistae illic comburuntur Antipapistae But to remoue and take away all doubt hereafter from the posterity The wordes of a straunger seeing both Papists protestaÌ„ts to suffer whereby they shall the lesse maruel how this so hapned here is to be vnderstande howe the cause thereof did rise and proceede Which happened by reason of a certeine diuision and discord amongst the Kings Councell which were so diuided amongst themselues in equall parts that the one halfe seemed to hold with the one Religion the other halfe with the contrary The names of whome although it were not necessary to expresse yet being compelled for the setting foorth of the truth of the story we haue thought good heere to annexe as the certeintie thereof came to our hands Protestants Papistes Canterbury Wynchester The counsaile dâ—uided in religion Suffolke Duresme Vicount Beawcham Norfolke Southhampton Vicount Lisle Anthony Browne Russell Treasurer William Paulet Pagyt Iohn Baker Sadler Rich. Chaunc of the augmentation Audeley Wingfield Vic. Chaunc This diuision and separation of the CouÌ„sell amongest themselues caused both these partes aboue mentioned the one for one religion the other for an other to suffer together Two togeather laide vppon the hirdle the one a Papist the other a Protestant For as the one part of the Counsell called vpoÌ„ the execution of Barnes Garret Hierome so the other part likewise called vpoÌ„ the execution of the law vpoÌ„ Powell Fetherstone and Abell Which sixe beyng condemned and drawen to the place of execution two vpon an hyrdle one being a Papist the other a Protestant thus after a strauÌ„ge maner were brought into Smithfield where all the sayd sixe together for contrary doctrine suffered death three by the fire for the Gospell the other three by hangyng drawyng and quarteryng for Popery Allen Cope in his worshypfull Dialogues makyng mention of these three aforesaid Powell Fetherstone
name that the Musitions in Windsore colledge thought hym a woorthye man to haue a roume among them Whereupon they informed D. Sampson beeyng then their Deane of him But for so much as some of the Canons at that tyme hadde heard of Testwood howe that he smelled of the newe learning as they called it it would not be consented vnto at the first Notwithstanding with often sute of the foresayd Musitions made to one Doctor Tare who beyng halfe a Musition himselfe bare a great stroke in such matters a roume beyng voyd Testwoode was sent for to bee heard And beyng there foure or fiue dayes among the quier men he was so well lyked both for hys voyce and cunnyng that he was admitted and after setled in Windsore wyth hys houshold and had in good estimation wyth the Deane and canons a great while But when they had perceyued him by hys often talke at theyr tables for he could not well dissemble his religion that he leaned to Luthers sect they began to mislike him And so passing forth amoÌ„g them it was his chaunce one day to bee at dinner with one of the Canons named D. Rawson At the which dinner amongst all other was one of Kyng Edwardes 4. Chauntrie priests named M. Ely an old Bacheler of Diuinitie Which Ely in his talke at the boord began to raile against lay men which took vpon them to mell with the Scriptures and to be better learned knowing no more but the English tongue then they which had bene students in the Uniuersities of Oxford and Cambridge all the dayes of their lyues M. Ely persecuter Then Testwood perceiuing he ment that by him could forbeare his railyng no longer but said M. Ely by your pacience I thinke it be no hurt for lay men as I am to read and to know the scriptures Which of you quoth Ely that be vnlearned knoweth them or vnderstandeth them S. Paul saith If thine enemy hunger feed him if he thirst geue hym drinke and in so doyng thou shalt heape coales of fire vppon hys head Now sir quoth Elye what meaneth Sainte Paule by these coales of fire Marry sir quoth Testwoode hee meaneth nothing els by them as I haue learned but burning charitie that with doyng good to our enemies wee shoulde therby win them A sirah quoth he you are an old scholer in deed After this they fell into further communication of the Pope whose supremacy was much spokeÌ„ of at that tyme but not knowen to be so farre in question in the parliameÌ„t house as it was And in their talk Ely demanded of Testwood whether the Pope ought to be head of the church or no. Agaynst the which Euery king in his owne realme and Church is head vnder Christ. Testwoode durst not saye hys full mynd but reasoned within his bouÌ„ds a great while But when they were both well striken in an heate Testwoode forgetting himselfe chaunced to say that euery king in his own realme dominion ought to be the hed of the church vnder Christ At the which words Ely was so chafed that he rose vp from the table in a great fume calling him heretike and all that nought was and so went brawling chiding away to the great disquieting of al the company that weee there Then was Testwood very sory to see the olde man take it so greuously Wherupon after dinner he went and sought M. Ely and found him walking in the bodye of the church thinking to haue talked with him charitably so to haue bene at one againe but euer as Testwood preased towardes him the other shunned him and would not come niâ— him but spit at him saieng to other that walked by beware of this fellow for he is the greatest heretike and schismatike that euer came in Windsore Now began the matter to brew For after that Elye had made his complaint to the Deanes deputie and other of the canons they were all against Testwood purposing surely at the Deanes comming home if all thynges had chaunced euen to haue put hym to hys trumpe But see the fortune It was not twelue dayes after â—re that the kings supremacie passed in the Parliament house Whereupon the Deane D. Sampson came home sodainly in the night late The first newes of the kinges supremacye brought to Windsore and forthwithall sent his Uerger about to all the Canons and ministers of the colledge from the highest to the lowest commaunding them to be in the Chapter house by eight of the clocke in the mornyng Then Ely coÌ„sulted with the Canons ouer night as late as it was and thought on the next day to haue put Testwood to a great plunge But he that layeth a snare for another man sayth Salomon shall be taken in it himselfe And so was Elye For when the Deane and euery man were come and placed in the Chapter house and that the Deane had commended the ministers of the Church for their diligence in tendyng the Quire exhortyng them also to continue in the same he began contrary to euery mans expectation to inuey agaynst the Bishop of Romes supremacie and vsurped authoritie confoundyng the same by manifest Scriptures and probable reasons so earnestly that it was a woonder to heare and at length declared openly that by the whole consent of the Parliament house the Popes supremacie was vtterly abolished out of this Realme of England for euer and so commanded euery man there vpon his allegiance to call hym Pope no more but bishop of Rome whatsoeuer he were that would not so do or did from that day forth maintaine or fauour his cause by any manner of meanes he should not only loose the benefit of that house but be reputed as an vtter enemy to God and to the king The Canons hearing this were all striken in a dumpe Yet notwithstanding Elies hart was so great y t he would faine haue vttred his cankerd stomack agaynst Testwood M. Ely thinking to complayne of other was called foole for his labour but the Deane breaking his tale called him old foole and tooke him vp so sharply that he was fain to hold his peace Then the Deane commanded all the popes pardoÌ„s which hanged about the Church to be brought into the Chapter-house and cast into the chimney and burnt before all their faces and so departed Another cause of Testwoods trouble AS it chanced Testwood one day to walke in the church at after noone An other trouble of Testwood beheld the pilgrimes specially of Deuonshire Cornwal how they came in by plumpes with candles images of waxe in their hands to offer to good king Henry of Windsore as they called hym it pitied hys hart to see so great idolatry committed Idolatry to king Henry of Windsore how vainly the people had spent their goods in comming so farre to kisse a spur to haue an old hat set vpon their heds In so much that he could not refraine but seing a certaine company which had
Winchester aforenamed to be present The Bishop of Winchester taketh his occasiâ— to worke his mischiefe as also at the Queenes takynge her leaue who verye well had printed in his memorie the kings sodaine interrupting of the Queene in her tale and falling into other matter and thoughte y t if the yron were beaten whilest it was hotte and that the kynges humoure were holpen suche misliking might followe towardes the Queene as might both ouerthrow her all her endeuors and only awaited some accasion to renewe into the kings memory the former misliked argument Hys expectatioÌ„ in that behalfe did nothing faile him For the king at y t time shewed himselfe no lesse prompt and ready to receiue any information then the bishop was maliciously bent to stir vp the kings indignation against her The king immediately vpon her departure from him vsed these or like wordes A good hearing quoth he it is when women become suâ—h Clerkes and a thing much to my comfort to come in mine olde dayes to be taught by my wife The Bishop hearing this The Bishop oâ— Winchesterâ— wordes to thâ— king seemed to mislike that the Queene shoulde so much forget her selfe as to take vppon her to stand in any argument wyth his maiestie whom he to his face extold for his rare vertues and especially for his learned iudgement in matters of religion aboue not only Princes of that and other ages but also aboue Doctours professed in Diuinitie and sayde that it was an vnseemely thing for any of his maiesties subiects to reason and argue with him so malapartly and greuous to him for hys parte and other of his Maiesties Councellours and seruauntes to heare y e same and that they all by proofe knew his wisedome to be such that it was not nedeful for any to put him in mind of any such matters inferring moreouer how daÌ„gerous and perillous a matter it is and euer hath bene for a Prince to suffer suche insolent woordes at hys subiectes hands who as they take boldnesse to contrary their soueraigne in wordes so want they no will but onely power and strength to ouerthwart them in deedes Besides thys Winchesters accusation against the Queene that the Religion by the Queene so stifly maintained did not onely disallow and dissolue the pollicie and politicke gouernment of Princes but also taught the people that all thynges oughte to be in coÌ„mon so that what colour so euer they pretended theyr opinions were in deede so odious and for the Princes estate so perillous that sauing the reuerence they bare vnto her for hys Maiesties sake they durst be bolde to affirme that the greatest subiect in this lande speaking those woordes that shee dyd speake and defending those argumeÌ„ts that she did defend had with indifferent iustice by law deserued death Howbeit for his part he would not nor durst not without good warrante from his Maiestie speake hys knowledge in the Queenes case althoughe very apparaunt reasons made for hym and suche as his duetifull affection towardes his Maiestie and the zeale and preseruatioÌ„ of hys estate would scarcely geue hym leaue to conceyue though the vttering thereof might thorowe her and her faction be the vtter destruction of hym and of suche as in deede dyd chiefly tender the Princes safetie wythout hys Maiestie would take vpon him to be their Protector and as it were theyr Buckler Whych if he would doe as in respect of hys owne safetye hee ought not to refuse he with others of hys faithfull Counsailours coulde wythin shorte time disclose such treasoÌ„s cloked with this cloke of heresy that his maiestie should easily perceiue how perillous a matter it is to cherish a Serpent within hys owne bosome Howbeit he would not for his parte willingly deale in the matter both for reuerent respect aforesaid and also for feare lest the faction was growen already too great there with the princes safetie to discouer the same And therewithall with heauie countenance and whispering together with them of y e secte there present he helde his peace Winchester abuseth the king with his flattering These and such other kindes of Winchesters flattering phrases marueilously whetted the king both to anger and displeasure towards the Queene and also to be ielous and mistrustfull of his own estate For the assuraunce whereof Princes vse not to be scrupulous to doe any thyng Thus then Winchester wyth his flattering woordes seeking to frame the kynges disposition after hys owne pleasure so farre crept into the king at that time and wyth doubtfull feares he with other his fellowes so filled the kyngs mistrustfull minde that before they departed the place the king to see belike what they would doe had geuen commandement with warrant to certaine of them made for y t purpose to consult together about the drawing of certaine articles against the Queene wherin her life might be touched which the king by their perswasions pretended to be fully resolued not to spare hauing any rigour or coloure of law to countenance the matter With this commission they departed for that time from the king resolued to put theyr pernicious practise to as mischieuous an execution Duringe the time of deliberation about thys matter they failed not to vse al kinds of policies How Winchester and his fellowes deuise against the Gospellers and mischieuous practises aswell to suborne accusers as otherwise to betray her in seeking to vnderstand what bokes by law forbidden shee had in her closet And the better to bring theyr purpose to passe because they would not vpon the sodaine but by meanes deale wyth her they thought it best at the first to begin with some of those Ladies whom they knew to be great with her and of her bloud The chiefest whereof as most of estimation and priuie to all her doings were these Lady Harbert the Lady Harbert afterwarde Countesse of Pembroke and sister to the Queene chiefe of her priuie chamber the Lady Lane being of her priuie chamber and also her cosine germane Lady Lane the Lady Tyrwit of her priuye chamber and for her vertuous disposition in very great fauour and credite with her Lady Tyrwitte It was deuised that these three aboue named shoulde first of all haue bene accused and brought to aunswer vnto the 6. articles and vpon their apprehension in the Courte their closet and coffers shoulde haue bene searched y t somewhat might haue bene found wherby the Queene myght be charged Winchesters plateforme which being found y e Queene her selfe presently should haue bene taken and likewise caried by barge by night vnto the Tower This platforme thus deuised but yet in the ende comming to no effecte the king by those aforesayde was foorthwith made priuie vnto the deuise by Winchester and Wrisley and his consent therunto demanded Who belike to prooue the byshops malice how farre it would presume like a wise politike Prince was contented dissemblingly to geue his consent and to alow of euery
and Articles these men gather out of their bookes for errours and heresies Secondly how wittingly and willingly they wrast peruert and miscōstrue their sayings and writings in such sense as the wryters neuer spake nor ment and all to bryng them into hatred of the worlde after they haue burned their bookes So did they before wyth Iohn Wickliffe Iohn Hus Hierome So did they with M. Luther Tindal Frithe Lambert Barnes Ioy Roy Seron Articles of Wickliffe and others falsified by the Papistes and briefly yet do stil wyth all the Protestants either peruerting their sayings otherwise then they meante or noting for heresies suche as are manifest principles grounds of our religion Or els falsly belying them or vntruely mistaking them eyther in mangling y e places or adding to their words as may serue for their most aduauntage to bring them out of credite w t Princes and all the people For the more euident probation and experience wherof thou shalt see here Christen reader as in a table laid before thine eyes the booke or cataloge of such errours blasphemies and heresies whiche the Catholicke Papistes in their own registers haue extracted out of their bokes whō in this other proclamatiōs they haue condemned Wher vnto moreouer we haue annexed y t very places also of the Authors out of which euery Article is gathered keepyng the same signature of verse and page whyche they in theyr registers doe send vs vnto So that with a little diligence thou maist now louing reader easely perceiue conferring the Articles and places together what trueth and fidelitie these bloudye Catholickes haue vsed towarde the children of God First in burning vp theyr bodies then in consuming and abolishing theyr bokes and afterward drawing out Articles such as they list thēselues out of their workes to make the people beleue what damnable heretickes they were as by these articles here vnder ensuing collected and contained in their owne registers may wel appeare In al which articles there is not one speaking of these wryters which here they haue condemned but either it is a perfect truth and a principle of Christen doctrine or els it is falsly gathered or peruersly recited or craftely handled maliciously mangled hauing either something cut frō it or some more added or els rackt out of his right place or wrasted to a wrōg meaning which the place geueth not or els whych some other place folowing doth better expound declare This false malitious dealing hath alwayes bene a common practise amongst Gods enemies from the beginning to falsifie wrast and depraue all thinges what soeuer maketh not to their faction affection be it neuer so true and iust So began they w t Steuen y e 1. martyr of Iesus Christ The wordes of S. Steuen falsely depraued Act. 6.7 and so haue they continued stil yet do to this present day Long it were to recite but more greuous to behold what spite and falshoode was vsed in the articles of y e Albingenses Waldenses Wickliffe Swinderby Brute Thorpe Armachanus syr Iohn Oldcastle Iohn Hus the Bohemians and such other Which thing if the bookes and places when these Articles were gathered againste them had bene suffered to remayne we might more playnely vnderstand In the meane season as touching these Articles here present for so much as the Bishops owne Registers haue offered them vnto vs and doe yet remaine with the selfe same bookes from whence they be excerpted I shall therefore desire thee frendly reader first to cōsider the Articles and laye them with the places which the Registers themselues doe assigne and then iudge thy selfe what is to bee thought thereof The Articles gathered out of the foresayd bookes wyth the Bishops decree prefixed before the same is as here vnder followeth A publike Instrument by the Byshops for the abolishing of the Scripture and other bookes to be 〈◊〉 English IN the name of God Amen Be it knowen to all and singulare true A writing of the Bishops agaynst Englishe books and faithfull people to whome these present letters testimoniall or this present publicke and authenticke instrument shall come to be seene reade hearde or vnderstande and whome this vnder wrytten shall or may teache or appertaine vnto in any maner of wise in time to come William by the sufferaunce of almightye God Archbishop of Caunterburie Primate of all the Realme of Englande sendeth greeting in our Lorde God euerlasting We signifie vnto you all and let you well wit and know by these presents that the king our soueraigne Lorde hearing of many bookes in the English tongue containing many detestable errours and damnable opinions printed in the parties beyond the Seas to be brought into diuers townes and sondrye parties of this his Realme of Englande and sowen abroade in the same to the great decay of our faith Catholicke and perillous corruption of hys people vnlesse speedy remedy were briefely prouided hys highnesse willinge euermore to employ all his studie and mynde in the high degree which almighty God hath called hym vnto to the wealth of his subiectes that they might liue not only in tranquillitie and peace but also be kept pure and cleane of all contagion and wrong opinions in Christes Religion considering also that he being defendour of the faith woulde be full loth to suffer such euill seede sowne amongst his people and so take roote that it might ouergrowe the corne of the Catholicke doctrine before spronge in the soules of hys subiectes for the repellinge of suche booke calling vnto him of his great goodnesse gratious dispositiō not onely certein of the chief prelates clerks of his realm but also of eache Vniuersitie a certaine number of the chiefe learned men proposed such of those bookes as his grace had readye to be read vnto them requiring to heare in that behalfe their aduise and iudgement of them Who both by great diligence and mature deliberation perusing ouer the sayde bookes founde in them manye errours and heresies both detestable and damnable being of such a sort that they were like briefly to corrupt a greate parte of his people if they mighte be suffered to remaine in theyr handes any space gathering also out of them many great errors and pestilent heresies and noting them in wryting to the intente to shewe for what cause they reputed the sayd bookes damnable of which hereafter out of eache booke gathered many do ensue albeit many more there be in the said bookes which bookes totally do swarue full of heresies and detestable opinions Heresies and errours collected by the Byshops out of the booke of Tyndall named the wicked Mammon with the places of the booke annexed to the same Heresies falsly gathered by the Papistes out of wicked Māmon oute of which euery Article is collected 1. FAith onely iustifieth Fol. 59. 1. Article This Article being a principle of the Scripture and the ground of our saluation is playne enoughe by S. Paule and the
to deathe and that by an Assise for violatinge as was alleaged the Acte of Parliament in reasoning and conferrynge vppon Scriptures for eating flesh vppon dayes forbidden for interrupting the holy frier in the pulpitte for dishonouryng of Images and blaspheming of the virgine Mary as they alleaged After sentence geuen theyr handes were bounde and the men cruelly entreated Which thing the woman beholding desired likewise to be bounde by the sergeantes with her husband for Christes sake There was great intercession made by the Towne in the meane season for the lifâ— of these persones aforenamed to the Gouernour who of him self was willing so to haue done that they myght haue bene deliuered But the Gouernour was so subiect to the appetite of the cruel priestes that he could not do that which he would Yea they manaced to assist his ennemies and to depose him except he assisted their crueltie There were certaine priestes in the Citie who did eate and drinke before in these honest mens houses to whoÌ„ the priestes were much bounden These priestes were earnestly desired to entreate for their hostesse at the Cardinalles handes but they altogether refused desiring rather theyr death then preseruation So cruell are these beastes from the lowest to the highest Then after they were caried by a great band of armed men for they feared rebellion in the towne except they had theyr men of warre to the place of execution whych was common to all theeues that to make their cause appeare more odious to the people Robert Lambe at the gallowes foote made his exhortation to the people desiring them to feare God and leaue the leauen of Papisticall abominations The Marâ—tyrdome 〈◊〉 these 〈◊〉 manifestly there prophesyed of the ruine and plague whych came vpon the Cardinall thereafter So euerye one comforting an other and assuring them selues to sup together in the kingdome of heauen that night commended themselues to God and died constantly in the Lord. The woman desired earnestly to die with her husband but shee was not suffered yet folowing him to the place of execution shee gaue him comfort exhorting hym to perseueraunce and pacience for Christes sake and parting from him with a kisse sayd on this maner Husband reioyce for we haue liued together many ioyful dayes but this day in which we must die ought to be most ioyfull to vs both because we must haue ioy for euer Therefore I will not bid you good night for we shall sodainely meete with ioy in the kingdome of heauen The woman after was taken to a place to be drowned and albeit she had a child sucking on her brest yet this moued nothing the vnmercifull hearts of the enemies So after she had commended her children to the neighbors of the towne for Gods sake and the sucking barne was geuen to the nurse she sealed vp the truth by her death Ex Registris instrumentis à Scotia missis * The condemnation of M. George Wiseheart Gentleman who suffered Martyrdome for the faith of Christ Iesus at saint Andrewes in Scotland An. 1546. Marche 1. wyth the Articles obiected againste him and his answeares to the same WIth most tender affection and vnfained heart consider gentle Reader the vncharitable manner of y e accusation of M. George Wiseheart Anno 1546 made by y e bloudy enemies of Christs faith Note also the articles whereof he was accused by order digested and hys meeke answeares The exaâ—â—ation of George 〈◊〉 so farre as he had leaue and leisure to speake Finally ponder with no dissembling spirite the furious rage and tragicall cruelnes of the malignant Church in persecuting of thys blessed man of God and of the contrary hys humble pacient and most godly answeres made to them sodainly without all feare not hauing respect to their glorious manasings and boysterous threats but charitably and wythout stop answearing not moouing his countenaunce nor changing his visage as in his accusation hereafter folowing manifestly shall appeare But before I enter into his Articles I thoughte it not impertinent somewhat to touche concerning the life and conuersation of this godlye man according as of late came to my handes certified in wryting by a certaine scholler of hys sometime named Emerey Tylney whose wordes of testimoniall as he wrote them to me here folow Aboute the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande fiue hundreth fortie and thre there was in the vniuersitie of Cambridge one maister George Wiseheart commonlye called maister George of Bennettes Colledge who was a man of talle stature polled headed and on the same a rounde Frenche cappe of the best Iudged of Melancholye complexion by his Phisiognomie blacke heared long â—earded comelye of personnage well spoken after his countrey of ScotlaÌ„d courteous lowly louely glad to teach desirous to learn was wel traueled hauing on him for his habit or clothing neuer but a mantell friese gowne to the showes a blacke Millian fustian dowblet and plaine blacke hosen course newe canuesse for his Shirtes and whyte fallinge Bandes and Cuffes at the handes All the whych Apparell hee gaue to the poore some weekelye some monethly some quarterlye as hee liked sauing hys Frenche cappe whyche hee kepte the whole yeare of my being with hym Hee was a manne modest temperate fearinge God hatinge Couetousnesse For his Charitie had neuer ende nyghte noone nor daye hee forbare one meale in three one daye in foure for the moste parte except somethyng to comforte nature Hee lay harde vppon a pouffe of straw course newe canuesse Sheetes whyche when hee chaunged hee gaue awaye hee hadde commonly by his beddes side a tubbe of water In the whyche hys people being in hedde the candell puâ—te out and all quiet he vsed to bathe hymselfe as I being very yong being assured often heard him and in one light nighte descerned hym hee loued mee tenderly and I him for my age as effectually He taught wyth great modestie and grauitie so that some of his people thought hym seuere and woulde haue slaine hym but the Lorde was hys defence And hee after due correction for their malice by good exhortation amended them and he went hys way O that the Lord hadde left hym to me his poore boye that hee might haue finished that he hadde begonne For in his Religion he was as you see heere in the rest of hys life when he went into Scotland with diuers of the Nobilitie that came for a treatie to kinge Henry the eighte Hys learning no lesse sufficient then his desire alwayes prest and readye to doe good in that hee was able bothe in the house priuately and in the Schoole publikely professing and reading diners authours If I shoulde declare hys loue to mee and all menne hys Charitie to the poore in geuinge relieuinge caringe helpinge prouidinge yea infinitelye studyinge howe to doe good vnto all and hurte to none I shoulde sooner wante woordes then iuste cause to commende All thys I testifie wyth my whole heart and trueth of thys Godly manne
their mother helde taught and communed of the sayd errours within their house diuers times by the space of those three yeares past as well on holy dayes as working dayes affirming and teaching that the saide opinions were good and lawfull and to be holden and maintained and agreemente was made amongst them that none of them should discouer or bewray eyther of these beliefes in any wise Finally that they neuer heard their sayd father and mother holding nor reaching any other opinions then be the said errours against the Sacrament of the altar and pilgrimages offerings worshipping of Saints and Images as farre as they could remember c. Ex verbis Regist. Heere hast thou Christian reader before thine eyes an horrible spectacle of a singular yea of a double impietie first of an vnnaturall husband Example of an vnnaturall husband and of vnnaturall children witnessing against his own wife and of as vnnaturall children accusing and witnessing against their owne naturall mother Which although they had so done the cause being of it selfe iust and true as it was not yet had they done more then nature woulde haue led them to do Now the case being such as which by Gods word standeth firme sound and perfect what impietie were it for men to accuse a poore innocent in case of heresie which is no heresie Now besides all this the husband to come in against his owne wife and the children to bring in the knife wherewith to cut the throate of theyr owne naturall mother that bare them that nourished theÌ„ that brought them vp what is this but impietie vpon impietie Great impiety of the husband toward the wife prodigious and horrible for all Christian eares to heare And yet the greatest impietie of all resteth in these pretensed Catholickes and Clergiemen which weare the authors and causers of all this mischiefe The cause why this good woman so stood as she dyd in the deniall of these foresaid articles obiected Greater impiety in the children against the mother was thys for that she neuer thought that her husband and her owne children who onely were priuie of her Religion would testifie agaynst her Whom notwithstanding after she perceaued to come in and to depose this agaynst her denying stil as she did before that she did euer hold such maner of errours Greatest impiety of all in the Clergy men the authors hereof and being now destitute of all frends and comfort brast out in these woordes openly as the register reporteth that she repented the time that euer she bare those children of her body And thus the Archb. with his Doctours hauing now the thing that they sought for albeit she was ready to deny all errours Ex Regist. W. Warrham Fol. 177. and to conforme her selfe to theyr religion yet notwithstanding they refusing her readines and conformitie proceeded to theyr sentence and so condemned her to death Agnes Grebell condemned by the sentence of the Archb. Robert Harrison examined W. Carder Agnes Grebyll Robert Harison Martyrs After whose condemnation next was brought to examination Rob. Harrison whom in like maner because he stoode in his deniall contrary witnesses agaynst him were produced to wit Christofer Grebyll W. Rich W. Olberd Agnes Iue who a litle before had bene abiured and therfore were so much the more apt and appliable to serue the Bishops humour for daunger of relapse After the deposition conuiction of which witnesses although he submitted himselfe to repentaunce and conformitie yet notwythstanding it would not be receaued but sentence was read he condemned with the other two aforesayd vnto y e fire And thus these three were condemned and burned certificate geuen vp of them together to the king froÌ„ Warrham the Archbishop vpon the same An. 1511. Maij. 2. Ex Regist. Cant. Ouer and besides these three godly martyrs aboue recited I finde in the foresayd Registers of W. Warrham Io. Browâ—â— Edward Walker Martyrs ij other godly like martirs also in the same yeare and for the same xij articles aboue specified to be condemned vpon y e depositions of certayne witnesses brought in agaynst theÌ„ to wyt Tho. Harwod Phillip Harwod Witnesses agaynst these two Martyrs Stephen Castelyn W. Baker Rob. Reynold Ioh. BaÌ„pton Rob. Bright W. Rich. c. whereupon they were adiudged likewise for heretickes to be burned the yeare aforesayd 1511. y e names of which two martyrs were Iohn Brown and Edward Walker Ex Regist. W. Warrh fol. 179. Nowe as you haue heard the names of these blessed Martyrs with their articles recited let vs also heare the tenor of the Bishops sentence by the which they were condemned one after an other Their sentence contayneth one vniforme maner of wordes in forme as followeth * The tenour of the sentence IN nomine Dei Amen Nos Willielmus permissione diuina Cantuariensis Archiepis totius Angliae primas Apostolicae sedis Legatus The 〈◊〉 nation of these 〈◊〉 aforesayd martyrs in quodam negotio hereticae prauitatis contra te Willielmum Carder de Tenterden nostrae Cant. Dioceseos laicum ac nostro imperio notoriè subditum subiectum coram nobis in iudicio personaliter comparentem nobis super heretica prauitate huiusmodi detectum delatum ac per nostram Diocesim Cantuariae antedictae notoriè publicè in ea parte apud bonos graues diffamatum ex officio mero ritè canonicè precedentes auditis intellectis visis cognitis rimatisque ac matura deliberatione discussis ponderatis dicti negotij meritis seruatisque in omnibus per omnia in eodem negotio de iure seruandis ac quomodo libet requisitis pro tribunali sedentes Christi nomine inuocato solum Deum prae oculis habentes Quia per acta actitata deducta probata exhibita coram nobis in eodem negocio inuenimus te per probationes legitimas coram nobis in hac parte iudicialiter factas nonnullos varios errores haereses damnatas opiniones iuri diuino ecclesiastico obuiantes contrarios repugnantes contra fidem orthodoxam determinatam obseruatam tenuisse credidisse affirmasse predicasse dogmatizasse presertim contra Sacramenta altaris seu eucharistiae poenitentiae ordinis alia Sacramenta sanctae matris Ecclesiae dogmata Et quamuis nos Christi vestigijs inhaerendo qui non vult mortem peccatoris sed magis vt conuertatur viuat sepenumero conati fuimus te corrigere ac vijs modis licitis canonicis quibus potuimus aut sciuimus ad fidem orthodoxam per vniuersalem Catholicam Apostolicam Ecclesiam determinatam obseruatam ac ad vnitatem eiusdem sanctae matris Ecclesiae reducere tamen inuenimus te adeo durae ceruicis quòd tuos errores haereses huiusmodi nolueris sponte incontinenti confiteri nec ad fidem Catholicam vnitatem sanctae matris Ecclesiae antedictas debitè reuerti
vnity concord in al things and especially in the true fayth and religion of God and therewithal also duely wayed the great daunger that his louing Subiects were in for confessing the gospell of Christ through many and diuers cruell statuts made by sondry his predecessors against the same which being stil left in force mought both cause the obstinate to conteÌ„n his graces godly procedings and also the weak to be fearefull of theyr christianlike profession he therfore caused it among other things by the authority of the same parliament to be enacted Statut. an 1. Reg. Edwardi 6. Cap. 12. that all Actes of Parliament Statutes touching mentioning or in any wise concerning religion or opinions that is to say as well y e statute made in the first yeare of the reigne of king Rich. the second The statute made An· 1. Reg. Rich. 2. An. Reg Hen 5. An. 25. Reg. HeÌ„ 8. Item An. 31. Henr. â— An. 34. Henr. 8. An. 35. Henr. 8. repealed Item note for the statute An. 2. Reg. HeÌ„ 4. cp 15. because that statute was repealed by an estatute made 25. an Henr. 8. therefore the same is here omitted The bloudy statute of the 6. articles repealed and the statute made in the second yeare of the reigne of King Henry the fift and the statute made in the 25. yeare of the raigne of K. Henry .8 coÌ„cerning punishment and reformation of hereticks and Lollards and euery prouision therein conteined and the Statutes made for the abolishment of diuersity of opinions in certain Articles concerning Christian religion commoÌ„ly called the 6. Articles made in the 31. yeare of the raigne of K. Henry 8. also the statute made in the ParliameÌ„t begon the 16. day of Ianuary in the 33. yeare of the reigne of the sayd K. HeÌ„ry the 8. and after proroged vnto the 21. day of Ianuary in the 24. yeare of his sayd raigne touching mentioning or in any wise concerning bookes of the olde and new Testament in English the printing vttering selling geuing or deliuering of bookes or writings and reteining of english bookes or writinges and reading preaching teaching or expounding the scriptures or in any wise touching meÌ„tioning or coÌ„cerning any of the sayd matters And also one other statute made in the 35 yeare of the Raigne of the sayd K. Henry 8. concerning the qualification of the Statute of the sixe Articles and all and euery other act or acts of parliament concerning doctrine or matters of religion and al and euery braunch article sentence matter paines or forfaytures conteined meÌ„tioned or in any wise declared many of the same Actes or Statutes should from thenceforth be vtterly repealed made voyd and of none effect By occasion wherof as wel al such his godly subiects as were then still abiding within this Realme had free liberty publickely to professe the Gospel as also many learned zealous preachers before banished were now both licensed freely to returne home agayne also encouraged boldly and faythfully to trauel in theyr fuÌ„ction and calling so that God was much glorified and the people in many places greatly edified Moreouer in the same Session his Maiestye with the Lords spirituall and temporall and the Commons in the same Parliament assembled throughly vnderstanding by the iudgement of the best learned that it was more agreable vnto y â— first institution of the sacrament of the most precious body and bloud of our Sauior Christ and also more conformable to the common vse and practise both of the Apostles and of the primatiue Churche by the space of fyue hundreth yeares and more after Christes Ascension that the sayde holye Sacrament shoulde bee ministred vnto all Christen people vnder both the kindes of bread and wine then vnder the forme of bread onely and also that it was more agreable vnto the sayd first institution of Christ and the vsage of the Apostles and primatiue Churche that the people being preseÌ„t should receiue the same with the priest then that the priest should receiue it alone dyd by theyr authority moreouer enacte that the sayde holy Sacrament should be from theÌ„ceforth commonly deliuered and ministred vnto the people throughout the churches of Englâ—d and Ireland and other the kinges dominioÌ„s vnder both y e kindes of bread and of wine The asseâ—â—bly oâ— Byâ—shop◠〈◊〉 others at Windsore except necessity otherwise required and also that the Priest that should minister the same should at the least one day before exhort all persons which should be present likewise to resort prepare themselues to receiue the same And at y e day prefixed after some godly exhortation made by the minister wherin should be further expressed the benefit and comfort promised to them which worthely receiue this holy Sacrament the daunger and indignation of God threatned to them which presume to receiue the same vnworthely to the end that euery man might try and examine his owne conscience before he should come thereunto the sayd Minister shoulde not without a lawfull cause denye the same to any person that would deuoutly and humbly desire it any Law Statute The assemâ—bly of Byshops and others 〈◊〉 Windsore ordinaunce or custome contrary therunto in any wise notwithstanding After which most godly consent of the parliament the king being no lesse desirous to haue the forme of administration of the Sacrament truely reduced to the ryght rule of the scriptures and first vse of the primatiue church then he was to establish the same by the authority of his owne regall lawes appoynted certain of the most graue and best learned Bishops and others of his Realme to assemble together at his Castle of Windsor there to argue and entreat vpon this matter and conclude vpon and set forth one perfect and vniforme order according to the rule and vse aforesayd And in the meane while that the learned were thus occupyed about theyr conferences the Lord Protectour and the rest of the kinges Councell farther remembring that that time of the yere did then approch wherin were practised many superstitious abuses and blasphemous ceremonies agaynst the glory of God and trueth of his word determining the vtter abolishing thereof directed theyr letters vnto the godly and reuerend father Thomas Cranmer then Archbishop of Caunterbury Metropolitane of England requiring him that vpon the receit thereof he should will euery Bishop within his Prouince forthwith to geue in charge vnto all the Curates of theyr Diocesses that neither candles should be any more borne vpoÌ„ Candlemas day neither yet ashes vsed in Lent Candleâ—â—â— to be 〈◊〉 on Candâ—â—â—mas day nor Palmes vpon palme Sonday Whereupon the Archbishop zealously fauouring thee good and Christianlike purpose of the king and his CouÌ„sell Ashes for bidden on Ashwednesday 〈◊〉 Edm. Boâ—â—â— did immediately in that behalfe write bnto all the rest of the Bishops of that prouince and amongest them vnto Edmund Boner then Bishop of London Of whose rebellious and obstinate contumacy for that we
they intended at one place to be the meane how to compasse this their trayterous deuilish deuise And therefore laying their studyes together how they mighte finde out more companye to ioyne with them in that detestable purpose and so set forward to sturre The deuise of the rebels how to compasse their purpose thys deuise they framed to sturre in two places the one distant seuen myles from the other and at the first rush to kill and destroy such gentlemen and men of substaunce about them as were fauourers of the kinges proceedinges or which would resist them But first of all for the more speedy raysing of men they deuised to burne Beacons and therby to bring the people together as though it were to defend the Sea coastes and hauing the ignoraunt people assembled Anno 1549. then to poure out theyr poyson first beginning with y e rudest and poorest sorte suche as they thought were pricked w t pouertie and were vnwilling to labour and therefore the more ready to followe the spoyle of rich mens goodes blowing into their heades that Gods seruice was layd aside and newe inuentions neither good nor godly put in place and so feeding them with fayre promises False lyes forged of Gods true religion to reduce into the Church agayne their olde ignoraunce and Idolatry thought by that meanes soonest to allure them to rage ruÌ„ne with them in this commotion And furthermore to the entent they would geue the more terrour to the gentlemen at their first rising least they shoulde be resisted they deuised that some should be murdered in Churches some in theyr houses some in seruing the king in commission other as they might be caught and to pick quarrels to theÌ„ by alteration of seruice on the holy dayes And thus was the platforme cast of their deuice according as afterward by their confession at their examinations was testified and remayneth in true recorde Thus they being together agreed Ombler and Dale and other by their secret appoyntment so laboured the matter in y e parish of Semer Wintringeham y e townes about that they wer enfected with the poyson of this confederacy in such sorte that it was easie to vnderstaÌ„d wherunto they would encline if a commotion were begun The accomplishmeÌ„t wherof did shortly folow For although by the words of one drunken felow of that conspiracie named Caluered The conspiracye of the rebels vâ—tered in dronkennes at the alehouse in Wintringham some suspition of that rebellion beganne to be smelled before by the Lord President and Gentlemen of those parties and so preuented in that place where y e rebels thought to begin yet they gaue not ouer so but drewe to another place at Semer by the Sea coaste and there by nighte roade to the Beacon at Staxton and sette it on fire and so gathering together a rude route of rascals out of the townes neare about beyng on a sturre Ombler Thomas Dale Barton and Robert Dale hasted foorthwith with the rebels to maister Whytes house to take him who notwithstandinge being on horsebacke minding to haue escaped theyr handes Dale Ombler and the rest of the rebelles tooke him and Clopton hys wiues brother Foure men cruelly murthered by the rebels in the North one Sauage a marchant of Yorke and one Bery seruaunt to sir Walter Mildmay which foure without cause or quarel sauing to fulfil their seditious Prophecie in some part and to geue a terror to other gentlemen they cruelly murdered after they had caried them one mile from Semer towardes the Wolde and there after they had stripped them of their clothes and purses leaft them naked behind them in the plain fields for crowes to feede on vntill Whites wife and Sauages wife then at Semer caused them to be buried Longe it were and tedious to recite what reuell these Rebelles kept in their raging madnesse who raunging about the countrey from towne to towne to enlarge theyr vngratious and rebellious bande taking those with force whyche were not willing to goe and leauing in no towne where they came The rebels in Yorkeshire gathered to three thousand persons any man aboue the age of 16. yeres so encreased this number that in shorte time they had gathered three thousande to fauour theyr wicked attempts and had like to haue gathered moe had not the Lordes goodnesse through prudent circumspection haue interrupted y e course of theyr furious beginning For firste came the kinges gratious and free pardone discharging and pardonyng them and the rest of the Rebels of all treasons The kinges free pardon sent to the rebels murders felonies and other offences done to his Maiestie before the 21. of August Anno 1549. Whyche pardone although Ombler contemptuously refused Ombler refused the kinges pardon persisting still in hys wilfull obstinacie disswadynge also the rest from the humble accepting the kinges so louing and liberall pardon yet notwithstanding wyth some it did good Ombler captaine of the rebels taken To make shorte it was not long after thys but Ombler as he was riding from towne to towne twelue miles from HuÌ„manby to charge all the Constables and inhabitantes where he came in the kings name to resort to Hunmanby by the way he was espied and by the circumspecte diligence of Ihon Word the yonger The names of the rebels taken and executed at Yorke Iames Aslaby Rafe Twinge and Thomas Constable Gentlemen hee was had in chase and at last by them apprehended and brought in the night in sure custodie vnto the Citie of Yorke to answere to his demerites After whome within short time Thomas Dale Henrye Barton the first chiefetaines and ringleaders of the former commotion with Iohn Dale Robert Wright W. Pecocke Wetherell Edin Buttry busie sturrers in thys seditioÌ„ as they trauailed from place to place to draw people to theyr faction were likewise apprehended committed to warde Ex actis iudiciarijs registro exceptis notatis lawfully conuicted and lastly executed at Yorke the 21. of Septemb. An. 1549. Ex actis Iudicij publici registro receptis notatis To these pestiferous commotions raised vppe against kyng Edwarde by his owne subiectes in this yeare aforesaide wythin the Realme The stirring and rising of the French King against King Edward I might also adioyne the busie sturring and raging of the French king against our yong and innocent Prince without the Realme Who hearing of these tumultes and violent insurrections of the kinges subiectes in diuers and sundrye quarters of the Realme supposing to take the time for his most aduantage thought likewise for hys parte not to be vnoccupied Who after hee had by his ambassadour made open breche with the kinge immediately after the reuocation of the sayde ambassadour from hence entending to anoy the king and make his first inuasion against the Iles of Iersey and Gernsey thought to haue surprised our shippes and the said Iles with a certaine number of his ships and Galleys
was had in estimation For the destruction of Images contayneth an enterprise to subuert religion and the state of the worlde with it and especially the nobilitie who by images set forth spread abroad to be read of al people their linage parentage with remembraunce of their state and actes and the Pursiuaunt carieth not on his brest the kinges names written in such letters as a few can spell but such as all can read be they neuer so rude being great knowne letters in Images of three Lyons and three floures deluce and other beastes holding those armes And he that caÌ„not read the Scripture written about the kings great Seale Winchesters reason The pursiuant caryeth about Saint George on horsebacke and the kinges picture Ergo Images must stand in Churches yet he can read S. George on horsebacke on the one side and the king sitting in his maiestie on the other side and readeth so much written in those images as if he be an honest man he will put of his cap and although if the Seale were broken by chaunce he woulde and might make a candell of it yet he woulde not be noted to haue broken the seale for that purpose or to call it a piece of waxe onely whilest it continueth whole And if by reuiling of stockes and stones in whiche matter Images be grauen the setting of the trueth to be read in them of all men shall be contemned how shall suche wryting continue in honour as is comprised in cloutes and pitch whereof and whereupon our bookes be made Bookes serue onely to be read and not to be kneeled vnto worshipped for so are they no bookes but are made Idols and are to be brokeÌ„ such as few can skill of and not the hundreth parte of the realme And if we a few that can read because we read in one sort of letters so priuiledged as they haue many reliefes shal pull away the books of the rest and would haue our letters onely in estimation and blinde all theÌ„ shall not they haue iust cause to mistrust what is ment And if the crosse be a trueth and if it be true that Christ suffered why may we not haue a writing thereof suche as all can read that is to say an Image If this opinion shoulde proceede when the kings maiestie hereafter should shew his person his liuely image the honour due by Gods law among such might continue but as for the kinges Standardes his banners his armes shoulde hardly continue in their due reuerence for feare of Lollardes Idolatry whiche they gather vpon scripture beastly not onely vntruely The scripture reprooueth false Images made of stockes and stones and so it doth false men made of flesh and bones When the Emperours mony was shewed to Christ wherin was the image of the Emperour Christ contemned not that Image calling it an Idoll nor noted not that mony to be against gods law because it had an image in it as thogh it were against the precept of God Thou shalt haue no grauen image but taught theÌ„ good ciuilitie in calling it the Emperors image bad theÌ„ vse the mony as it was ordered to be vsed in his right vse There is no scripture that reprooueth trueth and all Scripture reproueth falshoode False writinges false bookes false Images and false men all be nought to be contemned and despised as for paper inke parchment stones wood bones A.B. of the Chauncery hand and a. b. of the Secretary hand a letter of Germany fashion or of any other forme be all of one estimation and may be of man enclining to the Deuill vsed for falsehoode or applying to Gods gratious calling vsed to set foorth truth It is a terrible matter to thinke If euery Image representing a thing of truth may stand in place of worship then let Winchesters face stand in the Church also that this false opinion coâ—ceaued against Images should trouble any mans head and suche as I haue knowne vexed with that deuill as I haue knowne some be neuerthelesse wondrously obstinate in it and if they can finde one that can spell Latin to helpe foorth their madnes they be more obdurate then euer were the Iewes and slaunder whatsoeuer is sayd to them for their reliefe Of this sort I know them to be and therefore if I wist there were many of that sort with you I would not irritate them by preaching without fruite but labour for reformation to my Lorde Protectour But if you thought there might be other wayes vsed first to a good effect I would followe your aduise and proceeding with you and the Mayor wyth both your helpes to do that may lye in me to the redresse of the matter which I take to be such an enterprise against Christes Religion as there can not be a greater by man excogitate wyth the deuils instigation and at this time much hurtfull to the common estate as ye can of your wisedome consider Whome I hartily desire and pray to send me aunswere by thys bearer to these my letters to the intent I may vse my selfe in sending of a preacher thither or writing to my Lorde Protectour as the case shall require accordingly And thus fare you hartely well From my house at Woluesay the third of May. 1547. Steph. Wint. ¶ A Letter of the Lord Protector aunswering to the letter aboue AFter harty commendations receauing of late two letters from your Lordship the one inclosed in a letter of Maister Uaughans to vs and directed to him the other directed straight vnto vs very wittely learnedly writteÌ„ whereby we do perceiue how earnest you are that no innouations should be had The whiche minde of yours as we do highly esteeme and allow proceeding from one that would quietnes so we woulde likewise wishe that you should take good heede that too much feare of innouation or disturbance do not cause both to be Many times in an hoste he that crieth enemies enemies when there be none causeth not only disturbance but sometimes a mutinie or rebellion to be made and hee that for feare of sickenes to come taketh vnaduisedly a purgation sometime maketh himselfe sicke in deede We perceaue by the sayde your letters that haynouser factes and words haue bene brought to your eares then there was cause why and those â—actes which were punishable be already by him redrest For the matter of Images an order was taken in y e late king of famous memory our soueraigne lords daies WheÌ„ the abused Images yet lurking in some places by negligence of them who should ere this time haue looked vnto y e same be now abolished For Images let not that be a matter of y e abolishing of all Images Though felons adulterers be punished all men be not slayne Though the Images which did adulterate gods glory be takeÌ„ away Distinction of Images we may not think by by all maner of Images to be destroyed Yet after our aduise better it were for a time to
can not forget your grace tolde me you woulde suffer no innouation and indeed if you deliuer this realme to the king at 8. yeares of age as the king his father whose soule God assoyle left it as I trust you shall the acte is so honourable and good as it were pity to trouble it with any innouation whyche were a charge to your grace more then needed beynge already burthened heauely And albeit in the commoÌ„ wealth euery man hath his part yet as God hath placed you the matter is vnder the kinges Maiestye chiefely yours and as it were yours alone ¶ If the 6. articles might haue continued stil al were quiet with Winchester how so euer it were els with the true church of Christ. ¶ Printers Players and Preachers trouble Winchester Euery man hath his eye directed vnto you both here abroad you shall shadow mens doinges if they be done which is one in commodity of high rule And for my part besides my duty to the kinges maiesty and the realme I would that your grace in whom since your gouernement I haue found much gentlenes and humanity had muche honor w t good successe as euer any had and pray to God that men would let your grace alone and suffer the realme in the time of your gouernement in quyet among our selues wherby to be the more able to resist forreigne trouble which your grace doth prudeÌ„tly forsee Certayne printers * Euery incerteinty is noysome I graunt But reformatioÌ„ of religion is not by by the cause of incerteinty in a common wealth nor maketh euery man to be a maister players preachers make a wondermeÌ„t as though we knew not yet how to be iustified nor what sacramentes we should haue And if the agreement in religion made in the time of our late soueraigne Lord be of no force in theyr iudgement what establishment coulde anye new agrement haue And euery incertenty is noysome to any realme And where euery man will be mayster there must nedes be vncertaynty And one thing is maruelous that at the same time is taught that all men be lyers at the selfe same time almost euery man woulde be beleued And amongst theÌ„ Bale when his vntruth appeareth euidently in setting forth the examination of Anne Askew whiche is vtterly misreported I beseeche your Grace to pardon my babling with you But I see my late soueraigne Lord and maister slaundred by such simple persons ¶ The realme is troubled by theÌ„ much lyke as the Prophet Hely was he that troubled the kingdome of Acheb ¶ Salt layd on a sore if it do vexe it the fault is not in the salt but in the fleshe which cannot abide it religioÌ„ assaulted the realme troubled and peaceable men disquieted with occasion geuen to enemies to poynt and say that after Wickliefes straunge teaching in the sacrameÌ„ts of Christes churche hath vexed other it is finally turned vnto vs to molest scourge vs for other fruite cannot Bales teaching haue ne the teaching of such other as goe about to trouble the agrement established here In which matter I dare not desire your grace specially to looke earnestlye vnto it leaste I should seme to note in you that becommeth me not And I know that your grace being otherwise occupied these thinges may creepe in as it hath bene heretofore sometime it may be heard for your grace to finde out or pull out y e root of this naughtines but yet I am so bolde to write of these of mine owne stomacke who haue euer vsed for discharge of my selfe to say and write in time and place as I thought might do good for reliefe of the matter remitting the rest to the disposition of GOD who hath wrought wonders in these matters since they were first moued and geuen me such knowledge and experieÌ„ce in them ¶ Wincâ—â—â—ster what he saith 〈◊〉 long as 〈◊〉 proueth 〈◊〉 it mattereâ— not whâ—â— he sayth as I ought to take them as they be for corruption and vntrueth I meane knowledge and experience of them that be chiefe styrrers so infect with vntruth as they cannot speak or report truly in common matters The pretence is of the spirit and al is for the flesh Women and meat with liberty of hand and tongue a dissolution and dissipation of all estates cleane contrarious to the place GOD hath called your Grace thereunto * A 〈◊〉 sight in 〈◊〉 sonne 〈…〉 Duke of Saxonâ—â—â— king ¶ True reâ—ligion of the opinâ—â—â— of these Germaâ—â—â— wil be 〈◊〉 not to disaâ—gree whâ—â— the Bysâ—â—â— of Wincheâ—ster shal 〈◊〉 be able to proue the contrary as yet he hath not done it hitherto For it tendeth all to confusion disorder which is the effect of vntrueth Bale hath set forth a prayer for the Duke I. of Saxe wherein the Duke remitteth to Gods iudgement to be shewed here in this world the iustnesse of his cause concerning religion and desireth GOD if hys cause be not good to order him to be taken and to be spoiled of his honor and possessions with many such gay wordes whereby to tempt God since which prayer the Duke is indeed taken as all the world sayth at the time of his taking as the account is made such straungenesse in the sonne as we saw it here as hath not bene sene They happened both together this we know and be both maruelous but whether the one were a token ordered to concurre with other God knoweth and manne cannot define Many common wealthes haue continued without the B. of Romes iurisdiction but without true religion and with such opinions as Germany maynteyned no estate hath coâ—â—â—â—ned in the circuit of the world to vs knowne since Christ câ—me For the Turkes and Tartarres gouernement is as it were a continuall warre and they vphold theyr rule with subduing of nobility by fyre and sworde * Germaâ—â— with 〈◊〉 religion 〈◊〉 doth starâ— notwithstanding Wynchestâ—â— and the Emperour did withstand theâ— what that they both could His argument Goâ— lawe hath rule of all Men wâ—â—meÌ„ say the vnderstanâ— Gods law Ergo men and wemâ—â— haue rule all Nego argument quia const 4. terminâ—â—â— His argument shouâ—â— thus procead Goâ— lawe hath rule of all Men and wemen 〈◊〉 they are Gods law Ergo such men wâ—â—men haue rule of alâ— thus is thâ— forme of the 〈◊〉 good 〈◊〉 matter 〈◊〉 Wyncheâ—â— a friend 〈◊〉 lent thou he loued fishe The actiâ—â— of Christ haue 〈◊〉 and â—ooâ— endes 〈◊〉 were 〈◊〉 to fâ—â—â—fill the 〈◊〉 Some peâ—â—â—liar to 〈◊〉 owne peâ—â—sone Some peâ—â—tayning 〈◊〉 publike ample Germanye with theyr new religion could neuer haue stand though the Emperor had let them alone for if it be perswaded the vnderstanding of Gods lawe to be at large in women and children wherby they may haue the rule of that and theÌ„ Gods law must be the rule of all is not hereby the rule of all brought into theyr handes These of some will be called witty reasons but they
fauored doinges of that man be thou sure such as was theÌ„ secret about him and yet his well willers theyr names I leaue vntouched hauing his writinges or beyng able to shew them as I am priuy they are would not so conceale them in couert as they doe being thereto both prouoked and occasioned by vs if they had seene any thing in them meete to relieue the person or to remedy his matter Wherfore thinke not for any such effect these his vayne glorious Letters to be brought in here of vs. But onelye that thou might hereby collect and vnderstand by those his foresayd epistles and articles folowing not only the whole course and story almost of all his procedinges from time to time but also might see the nature and inward condition of the man how vayneglorious full stuft and puft vp with arrogancy and drowned in his owne conceite he was much like to the parson or rather he himselfe described in the latine Comedy Miles Thraso Gloriosus haue nothing in his mouth but Emperors Kinges counsellors protectors aduisementes direction as though all directioÌ„ of realmes and princes did flowe out of his brayne like as it is in the Poets fables that Minerua did spring out of the head of Iupiter And yet if this vaynglorious conceit had bene alone in him lesse matter had bene agaynst him Now hys subtle practises and pretensed purposes and dissimulynge conueyance did not onely augment but also exceded al his other euils As in the letters aboue specified is notorious and euident to see wherein though he durst not apertly gainsay that which he inwardly misliked yet how couertly doth he insinuate himselfe to the Lord Protector vnder preteÌ„ce of geuing couÌ„sell to bring that to passe which was for his purpose that is no innouation or alteration to bee made of religion during all the kinges minority but to let all thinges stand as king Henry left them And that is the chiefest But in all his letters wherto he driueth vsing commonly this argument which as it is easy to recite so neither is it hard to answere to Although in the notes before we haue answered already sufficiently ¶ The Summe and Conclusion of all Winchesters drift in his Epistles before THat is chiefely to bee feared and auoyded of the Lorde Protector and now specially in the Kinges minority that may bring both daunger to hym Argumâ—â—â— and trouble to the Realme Innouation of religion from that state which K. Henry left it may be and is like to be daungerous to himselfe and cause trouble to the Realme Ergo innouation of Religion from the state that the king left it is in no wise to be attempted ¶ The aunswer Anno 1549. TO aunswer first to the vocable innouation which he stumbleth so greatly vpon this I say that innouation is properly vsed â—â—swere where a thing is brought in a new which was not before Forasmuch therefore as in this alteration there is no new religion brought in but only the old religion of the primitiue church reuiued therfore here is to be thought not so much an innouation as a renouation or reformation rather of religion which reformation is oft tymes so necessary in common weales that without the same all runneth to confusion Secondly I aunswer to the argument which I doe deny as a fallax for there is fallacia accidentis Where it is sayd that reformation of religion gendreth daunger to the Protector and trouble to the realme first what wil come that is vncertaine And God be hallowed yet no danger hath come to England for the reformation of religioÌ„ And though there did yet the cause thereof is not to be imputed to religion reformed For sincere and true doctrine of hys owne nature worketh quiet peace and tranquillitie with all good order And if the contrary happen that is incident by other causes as by the malice of Sathan and wycked aduersaries not by reason of the doctrine and true religion So after the preaching of Christ and his Apostles dissention followed in common weales betwixt father and sonne brother and brother c. but that is not to be ascribed to them but to other As concerning the faults found in the Paraphrase of Erasmus The Paraphrase of Erasmus this I aunswer and say that this bishop belike had ouerwatched himselfe in this matter For if it be true which he himselfe affirmeth fol. 744. that he neuer read that booke before and now he neuer slept till he himselfe red it It happened peraduenture that in the ouermuch watching of himselfe and swift readyng of the booke hys iudgement was a sleepe whiles his eyes were open in readyng the same Likewyse touching the booke of Homelies especially the Homilie of saluation The booke of Homelâ—â— wherewith he findeth hymselfe so much grieued with the Archbishop seeyng he bringeth foorth no prooues I haue nothing to answer In y e meane season this I haue to thinke that if he had bene so cunning in the knowledge of his owne saluation as he was in the destruction and vexation of Christes members he would neuer so rage agaynst that Homily Touching the examination of Anne Askew if it bee misreported by M. Bale The examiâ—â—tion of Anne Askew sette forth by M. Bale why doth not he note the places which they be and wherein And if he had or were able so to do yet seeyng the examination was of her own penning which M. Bale did follow let euery Christian Reader iudge whether is more to be credited of these two she that was persecuted or he that was the persecuter And where he speaketh so much of quiet and tranquilitie This I aunswere Quiet and tranquilitye of realmes â—â—ght not 〈◊〉 stoppe reformation of religion that quiet and tranquillitie in weales publike so long as they are ioined with right reformed religion be much to be embraced But when it is otherwise that is where true religion lacketh his right there let the second table geue place to the first He thwarteth also and wrangleth much against plaiers Preachers â—â—inters â—â—â—ayers Printers Preachers And no maruell why For he seeth these three things to be set vp of God as a triple bulwarke against the triple crowne of the Pope to bring him down as God be praysed they haue done meetely well alreadie As touching the Article of Free iustification by fayth which he cannot abide The Article 〈◊〉 â—ustifiâ—â—â—ion forasmuch as we haue sufficiently declared in the notes before we shalt referre the Reader now also vnto the same The letter 〈◊〉 Wincheâ—â—â—â— sent to â— Ridley And moreouer because in one of his letters mention is made of a certaine letter sent vnto M. Ridley because we will defraud thee gentle reader of nothing that commeth to our handes here hast thou the copy thereof in effect as followeth Here followeth the copy of the letter of Stâ— Gardiner sent to M. Ridley in the letters aboue mentioned conteining matter and obiections against
constantly kepte as they did willingly preserue her with theyr bodyes and weapons she had done a deed both worthy her bloud had also made her raygne more stable to her selfe through former tranquility For though a man be neuer so puissant of power yet brech of promise is an euill vpholder of quietnes feare is worser but cruelty is y e worst of all Thus Mary being garded with the power of y e Gospellers did vanquish the Duke and all those that came agaynst her In consideration wherof it was me thinksâ— an heauy word that she aunswered to the suffolke men afterwardes which did make supplication vnto her grace to performe her promise Q Marieâ— aunswere the Surfolâ— men and one M. Dobbeâ—â—â—nished For so muche sayth she as you being but meÌ„bers desire to rule your head you shall one day well perceiue that members must obey theyr head and not looke to beare rule ouer the same And not onely that but also to cause the more terror vnto other a certaine Gentleman named M. Dobbe dwelling about Wyndam side for the same cause that is for aduertising her by humble request of her promise was punished beyng three sundrye times set on the pillory to be a gasing stocke vnto all men Diuers other deliuered her books and supplications made out of the Scripture to exhorte her to continue in the true doctrine then stablished and for theyr good wils were sent to prison But such is the coÌ„ditioÌ„ of mans nature as here you see that we are for the most part more ready alway to seeke frendship wheÌ„ we stand in need of helpe Perfite fâ—dâ—â—litie shut out of the dores yet 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 in heauen theÌ„ ready to requite a benefit once past receiued Howbeit against all this one shoote anker we haue which may be a sure coÌ„fort to all miserable creatures y e equity fidelity are euer perfect and certeinely found with the Lord aboue though the same being shut out of the doores in this world be not to be founde here among menne But seeing our intent is to write a story not to treat of office let vs lay Suffolke men aside for a while whose desertes for theyr redines and diligence with the Queene I will not here stand vpon What she performed on her part the thing it selfe and the whole storye of this persecution doth testifye as hereafter more playnely will appeare On the contrary side the Duke of Northumberlande hauing his warrant vnder the broade Seale with all furniture in readines as he tooke his voyage and was nowe forward in his way what ado ther was what stirring on euery side what sending what riding and posting what letters messages and instructions went to and fro what talking among the souldiers what hartburning among y e people what fayre preteÌ„ses outwardly inwardly what priuy practises there were what speeding of Ordinance dayly and hourely out of the Tower what rumors and comming downe of soulders from all quarters there was a world it was to see a processe to declare enough to make a whole Ilias The greatest helpe that made for the Ladye Mary was the short iourneis of the Duke which by commission were assigned to him before as is aboue mentioned For the longer the Duke lingered in his voyage the Lady Marye the more encreased in puissaunce the hartes of the people being mightily bent vnto her Which after the Counsell at London perceiued and vnderstoode howe the common multitude did withdraw theyr hartes from them to stand with her Queene Mary proclaymed at London and that certaine Noble men begaÌ„ to go the other way they turned theyr song and proclaymed for Queene the Lady Mary eldest daughter to kyng Henrye the eight and appoynted by Parliament to succeed K. Edward dying without issue The Duke of Northuâ—â—berland ouerthrown And so the Duke of Northumberland being by counsell and aduise sent forth agaynst her was left destitute and forsaken alone at Cambridge with some of his sonnes a few other among whome the Earle of Huntington was one The Duke of NorthuÌ„â—berland brought to the Tower as a Traytour who there were arrested and broughte to the Tower of London as traytors to the Crowne notwithstandinge that he had there proclaymed her Queene before Thus haue you Mary nowe made a Queene and the sword of authority put into her haÌ„d which how she afterward did vse we may see in sequele of this booke Therefore as I say when she had bene thus aduauÌ„ced by y e gospellers Queene Mary commeth vp to London saw all in quiet by meanes y t her enemies were conquered sending the Duke captiue to the Tower before which was the xxv of Iuly she folowed not long after being brought vp the third day of August to LondoÌ„ with the great reioysing of many men but with a greater feare of moe and yet with flatterye peraduenture most great of fayned hartes Thus comming vp to London her first lodgyng shee took at the Tower The Lady Iane and thâ— Lord Gilford priâ—oners in the Tower where as the foresaid Lady Iane with her husband the Lord Gilford a litle before her commyng were imprisoned where they remained waiting her pleasure almost fiue monethes But the Duke within a moneth after his comming to the Tower being adiudged to death was brought forth to the scaffolde and there beheaded Albeit he hauing a promise The Duke of Northuâ—â—berlaÌ„d condemned to dye and being put in hope of pardon yea though his head were vpon the blocke if he would recant and heare masse consented therto and denied in wordes that true religion which before time as well in K. Henry the 8. dayes as in K. Edwards he had oft euidently declared hymselfe both to fauour and further exhortyng also the people to returne to the Catholike fayth as he termed it Whose recantation the papistes foorthwith did publish and set abroad reioysing not a litle at his conuersion or rather subuersion as then appeared Thus the Duke of Northumberland with Sir Iohn Gates and sir Thomas Palmer which Palmer on the other side confessed his fayth that he had learned in the gospel and lamented that he had not lyued more Gospellike beyng put to death In the meane tyme Queene Marye entring thus her raigne with the bloud of these men besides hearyng Masse her selfe in the Tower gaue a heauy shewe and signification hereby but especially by the sodaine deliuering of Steuen Gardiner out of the Tower that she was not mynded to stand to that which she so deeply had promised to the Suffolke men before concernyng the not subuertyng or alteryng the state of religion as in very deede the surmise of the people was therein nothyng deceyued Besides the premisses other things also folowed which euery day more and more discomforted the people declaring the Queene to beare no good will to the present state of religion as not onely the releasing of Gardiner beyng then made Lord Chauncellor
Cardinal Poole being sent for by Q. Mary Cardinall Poole seâ—t 〈◊〉 was by the Emperour requested to staye wyth hym to the intente as some thinke that hys presence in England should not be a let to the mariage which hee intended betweene Philip his sonne and Q. Marye For the making wherof he sent a most ample Ambassade with full power to make vp the mariage betwixt them which tooke such successe that after they had communed of the matter a few daies they knit vp the knot Anno. 1554. The 13. of Ianuarie 1554. Doctor Crome for his preaching vpon Christmas day without licence was committed to the Fleete The 21. of Ianuarie M. Thomas Wootten Esquire was for matters of religion committed to the Fleete close prisonner â—â—riage beâ—â—eene 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 This mention of mariage was about the beginning of Ianuary and was very euill takeÌ„ of the people of many of the nobility who for his and for religion conspiring among themselues made a rebellion whereof sir Thomas Wyate knight was one of the chief beginners who beyng in Kent Ann. 1454. said as many els perceiued that the Queene and the Counsel would by forraine mariage bring vppon thys Realme moste miserable seruitude establish popish religion About the 25. of Ianuary newes came to London of this stur in Kent â—â—nuary 25. and shortlye after of the D. of Suffolke who was fled into Warwikeshier Lecestershire there to gather a power The Queene therefore caused them bothe wyth the two Carewes of Deuonshire to bee proclaimed Traitors and sent into Kent against Wyate The Duke of Noâ—folke seâ—â— agaynst M. Wyat. Thomas D. of Norfolke who being aboute Rochester bridge forsaken of them that went with him returned sâ—â—e to London with out any more harme done vnto him and wythoute bloudshed on either partie Furthermore to apprehende the Duke of Suffolke being fled into Warwikeshiere was sent the Earle of Huntington in post The Duke of Suffolke apprehended who entring the Citie of Couentrie before the Duke disappoynted him of his purpose Wherefore the Duke in great distresse committed himselfe to the keeping of a seruaunt of his named Underwoode in Astley Parke who like a false traitor bewraied him And so was brought vp to the Tower of London In the meane while Sir Peter Carewe hearynge of that was done fledde into Fraunce but the other were taken Queene Mary commeth into the Guildhall and Wyat came towards London in the beginning of February The Queene hearing of Wyates comminge came into the Citie to the Guilde Hall where shee made a vehement Oration against Wyate the contentes at least the effect wherof here foloweth as nere as out of her owne mouth could be penned The Oration of Queene Marie in the Guild Hall I Am come vnto you in mine own person to tel you that Queene Maryes Oration to the Londoners which already you see and know that is how traiterously and rebelliously a number of Kentish meÌ„ haue assembled them selues against both vs and you Their pretence as they sayde at the first was for a mariage determined for vs to the which and to all the Articles therof ye haue bene made priuie But sithens we haue caused certaine of our priuie Counsaile to goe againe vnto them and to demaunde the cause of this their rebellion and it appeared then vnto our sayde Counsel Demaundes pretended to be sent from M. Wyat and hys company to Queene Mary that the matter of the mariage seemed to be but as a Spanish cloake to couer their pretenced purpose against our religion so that they arrogantly and traiterously demaunded to haue the gouernance of our person the keeping of the Tower and the placing of our Counsailers Nowe louing subiectes what I am ye right well knowe I am your Queene to whome at my Coronation when I was wedded to the Realme and lawes of the same the spousall Ring wherof I haue on my finger which neuer hetherto was nor heereafter shall be left off you promised your allegeaunce and obedience vnto me And that I am the right and true inheritour of the crowne of this Realme of England I take all Christendome to witnesse My Father as ye all know possessed the same regall state which nowe rightly is descended vnto me and to him alwaies ye shewed your selues most faithfull and louing subiectes and therefore I doubte not but ye will shew your selues likewise to me and that yee will not suffer a vile Traitour to haue the order gouernance of our person and to occupie our estate especially being so vile a Traytor as Wyat is Who most certainly as he hath abused mine ignorant subiects which be on his side How he pretended the spoyle of theyr goodes it appeareth in that he comming to Southwaâ—ke did hurt neither man woman nor childe neyther in body noâ— in a penny of their goodes so doth he entend and purpose the destruction of you and spoile of your goodes And this I say to you in the woorde of a Prince I can not tel how naturally the mother loueth the childe for I was neuer the mother of anye but certainely if a Prince and gouernour maye as naturally and earnestly loue her subiectes as the Mother doeth the Childe then assure your selues that I being your Ladie and Maistres doe as earnestly and as tenderly loue fauour you And I thus louing you cannot but thinke that yee as heartely and faithfully loue me and then I doubt not but we shall geue these rebelles a short speedy ouerthrow As concerning the Mariage ye shall vnderstand that I enterprised not the doing thereof without aduise and that by the aduice of all our priuie Counsell who so considered and wayed the great commodities that might ensue thereof that they not onely thought it very honorable but also expedieÌ„t both for the wealth of the Realme and also of you our Subiects And as touching my selfe I assure you I am not so bente to my will neither so precise nor affectionate that either for mine own pleasure Q. Mary excuseth her maryage I wold chuse where I lust or that I am so desirous as needes I would haue one For God I thanke him to whome bee the praise therefore I haue hetherto liued a Virgin and doubt nothing but with Gods grace am able so to liue stil. But if as my progenitors haue done before it might please God that I might leaue some fruit of my body behinde me to be your Gouernour I trust you would not onely reioyce therat but also I know it would be to your great comforte And certainely if I either did thinke or knowe that this Mariage were to the hurt of any of you my Commons or to the empeachment of any part or parcel of the royall state of this realme of England I would neuer consent therunto neither wold I euer mary while I liued And in the word of a Queene I promise you that if it shall
discretion of the said Bishop or his Officer as he shall thinke may be spared of the said Benefice Item that euery Byshop and all other persons aforesaid Maried Priestes â—â—uorced â—â—th from â—ife and â—enefice do foresee that they suffer not any religious man hauing solemnely professed chastitie to continue with hys woman or wife but that all such persons after depriuation of their benefice or Ecclesiasticall promotion be also diuorced euery one from his saide woman and due punishment otherwise taken for the offence therein Item that euery Bishop and all other persons aforesaid do take order and direction with the Parishioners of euery Benefice where Priests do want Prouision 〈◊〉 want of Priestes to repayre to the next Parish for diuine seruice or to appoint for a conuenient time till other better prouision may be made one Curate to serue Alienis vicibus in diuers Parishes and to allot to the saide Curate for his labour some portion of the Benefice that he so serueth Item that all and all maner of processions of y e Church be vsed 〈…〉 Latin â—olydayes 〈◊〉 fasting â—â—yes frequented and continued after the old order of the Church in the latine tongue Item that all such holydaies and fasting daies be obserued and kept as were obserued and kept in the latter time of king Henry the eight Item that the laudable honest ceremonies which wer wont to be vsed frequented and obserued in the Churche Ceremonies restored be also hereafter frequented vsed and obserued Item that children be christened by the Priest and confirmed by the Bishop as heretofore hath bene accustomed and vsed Item touching such persons as were heretofore promoted to anye orders after the new sorte and fashion of orders considering they were not ordered in very deede Orders the bishop of the Dioces finding otherwise sufficiency and habilitie in those men may supply that thing which wanted in them before and then according to his discretion admit them to minister Item Comming to diuine seruice that by the bishop of the Dioces an vniforme doctrine be set foorth by Homelies or otherwise for the good instruction teaching of al people And that the sayd bish and other persons aforesaid doe compell the parishioners to come to their seuerall Churches and there deuoutly to heare deuine seruice as of reason they ought Item that they examine all Scholemaisters teachers of children finding them suspect Prouision for Catholickâ— scholemaisters in any wise to remoue them and place Catholicke men in theyr rowmes with a speciall commaundement to instructe their children so as they may be able to aunswere the priest at the masse and so helpe the priest to masse as hath bene accustomed Item that the sayd Bishop and all other the persons aforesaid haue such regard respect and consideration of and for the setting forth of the premisses with all kind of vertue godly liuing and good example with repressing also and keping vnder of vice and vnthriftines as they and euerich of them may be seene to fauour the restitution of true Religion and also to make an honest accompt and reckening of their office and cure to the honor of God our good contentation and the profite of this our Realme and the dominions of the same A like prescript also with Articles was sent from the said Queene Mary to the Lord Mayor of London March 4. the 4. day of March in the yeare abouesayd which Lord Mayor vpon the same directed his commandement to the Aldermen euerye one seuerally in his warde conteing as followeth * By the Lord Mayor ON the Queene our most gracious most benigne soueraigne Ladies behalfe A prescript of the Lord Mayor to the Aldermen we most straightly charge commaund you that ye the said Aldermen faile not personally to call before your owne person in such place within your sayde warde as to you shall seeme most conuenient meete vpon Wednesday nexte comming which shal be the 7. daye of this present moneth at 7. of the clocke in the morning of the same daye all and euery the householders both poore and rich of your sayd warde then there openly and plainely for your owne discharge and for the eschewing of the perils that to you might otherwise be iustly imputed layd do not onely straitly admonish charge commaund in the Queene our sayd soueraigne Ladyes name and behalfe al and euery the sayd householders that both in theyr own persons and also their wiues children and seruantes being of the age of xij yeares and vpwards and euery of them do at al and euery time and times from henceforth and namely at the holy time of Easter now approching honestly quietly obediently and Catholickely vse and behaue themselues like good and faithful christian people in all and euery thing and thinges touching concerning the true fayth profession and Religion of his Catholicke Church both according to the lawes and precepts of almighty God and also theyr bounden duetie of obedyence towards our soueraigne Lady y e Queene her lawes and Statutes and her highnes most good example gracious proceeding according to the same and according also to y e right wholsome charitable godly admonitioÌ„ charge and exhortation late set forth and geuen by y e right reuereÌ„d father in God the bishop of London our Diocesan and ordinary to all the Persons Uicares and Curates wythin this Dioces but also that they and euery of them do truely without delaye aduertise you of the names surnames of all and euery person and persons that they or any of them can or may at any time hereafter know perceiue or vnderstand to transgresse or offend in anye poynt or Article concerning the premisses at their vttermost perilles That ye immediately after such notice therof to you geuen do forthwith aduertise vs thereof fayle ye not thus to do with all circumspection and dilligence as ye will aunswere to our sayd most dread soueraigne Lady the Queene for the contrary at your like perill Geuen at the Guildhall of the Citie of London the v. day of March in the first of the raigne of our said saueraigne Lady the Queene Blackwell And likewise do you geue to euery of the sayd housholders straightly in commaundemente that they or theyr wiues depart not out of the said Citie vntill this holy time of Easter be past ABout the same yeare and time when Doct. Boner set foorth this prescript or monitory there came from the Quene another proclamation against straungers and forreiners within this realme The purpose intent of which proclamation because it chiefly and most specially concerned religion and doctrine and the true professors thereof I thought here to annexe the tenor and maner of the same * A copy of the Queenes Proclamation for the driuing out of the Realme Straungers and Forreiners Q. Maryes proclamation for driuing out of straungers THE Queene our soueraigne Lady vnderstanding that a multitude of
Tower hill where hee vttered these woordes M. Wiats words touching the Lady Elizabeth touching the Lady Elizabeth and the Earle of Deuonshyre Concerning sayd he what I haue sayd of other in my examination to charge any other as partakers of my doings I accuse neyther my Lady Elizabeths grace nor my Lord of Deuonshyre I can not accuse them neyther am I able to say that to my knowledge they knew any thing of my rising And when Doctour Weston tolde him that his confession was otherwise before the Counsell he aunswered that which I said then I sayd but that which I say now is true Uppon the Tuesday beeing the xvij of Aprill Syr Iames Croft and Maister Winter Aprill 17. Sir Iames Croft M. Winter Sir Nichoâ—las Throgmorton were brought to the Guild hall with whom also the same time and to the same place was brought sir Nicholas Throgmorton and there arraigned of treason for that he was suspected to be of the conspiracie with the Duke of Suffolke the rest agaynst y e Queene where he so learnedly and wisely behaued him selfe as well in clearing his owne case as also in opening such lawes of the Realme as were then alledged agaynst him that the Quest which was charged with his matter could not in conscience but finde him not gilty The Queâ—â—â— troubled 〈◊〉 Sir Nichoâ—las Throgmorton for y t which the said xij persons of the Quest being also substantiall meÌ„ of the Citie were bounde in the summe of 500. poundes a peece to appeare before y e Queenes Counsell at a day appointed there to answere such things as should be laid against theÌ„ for his acquiting Which Quest appeared accordingly before the Counsell in the Starre chamber vppon Wednesday being the xxv of Aprill and S. Markes daye Aprill 25. From wheÌ„ce after certaine questioning they were coÌ„mitted to prison Emanuell Lucar maister Whetstone were committed to the Tower and the other ten to the Fleete As concerning the condemnation of Thomas Archbyshop of Cant. of Doctour Ridley and M. Latymer which was the xx of this moneth of Aprill also of their disputations because we haue sayd enough before it shall not neede now to bestow any further rehearsall thereof The Friday next following after the condemnation of them the xxvij of Aprill Lord Thomas Gray L. Thomas Gray beheâ—â—ded Aprill 27. Aprill 28. the late Duke of Suffolkes brother was beheaded at Tower hil Upon the Saterday beeing the xxviij of Aprill Syr Iames Croft and Maister Winter were agayne brought to the Guild hall where Sir Iames Croft was arraigned and condemned and because the day was farre spent Maister Winter was not arraigned Upon the Thursday being the xvij of May William Thomas was arraigned at the Guild Hall W. Thomas condemneâ— May. 17. and there the same day condemned who the next day after was hanged drawne and quartered His accusation was for coÌ„spiring the Queenes death which how true it was I haue not to say This is certaine that he made a right godly ende and wrote many fruitefull exhortations Letters and Sonets in the prison before his death In the moneth of May it was so giuen out and bruitted abroad A certaine disputation intended to be had at Cambridge that a solemne disputation should be holden at Cambridge as ye heard before in Maister Ridleys letter page 1396 betwene M. Bradford M. Saunders mayster Rogers and other of that side and the Doctours of both the Uniuersities on the other side like as had bene in Oxford before as you haue heard Whereupon y e godly Preachers which were in prison hauing word therof albeit they were destitute of their bookes neither were ignorant of the purpose of the aduersaries and how y e cause was preiudicate before also how the disputations were coÌ„fusedly haÌ„dled at Oxford neuerthelesse they thought not to refuse the offer of disputatioÌ„ so that they might be quietly and indifferently heard and therefore wisely pondering the matter with themselues by a publicke consent directed out of prison a declaration of their minde by writing the vij day of May. Wherein first as touching the disputation although they knew that they should do no good wheras all things were so predetermined before yet neuertheles they would not deny to dispute The preachers in prâ—â—son refuse not to dispute before indifferent Iudges so that the disputation might be either before the Queene or before the Counsaile or before the ParlameÌ„t houses or else if they might dispute by writing for else if the matter were brought to the Doctours handling in their owne scholes they haue sufficient proofe they sayd by the experience of Oxford what little good will be done at Cambridge and so coÌ„sequently declaring the faith and doctrine of their Religion and exhorting the people withall to submit themselues with all patience and humilitie either to the will or punishmeÌ„t of the higher powers they appealed in the end from them to be theyr Iudges in this behalfe and so ende their protestation the copie and contents whereof I thought not vnfit here to be inserted * A copie of a certayne declaration drawne and sent out of prison by Mayster Bradford Mayster Saunders and dyuers other godly Preachers concerning theyr disputation A declaratiâ—on of the godly preachers written and senâ— abroad out of prison and doctrine of their Religion as followeth BEcause we heare that it is determined of the magistrats and such as be in authoritie especially of the Clergye to send vs speedely out of the prisons of the kings Bench the Fleet the Marshalsey and Newgate where presently we are and of long time some of vs hath ben not as rebelles traytors seditious persons theeues or transgressours of any lawes of this realme inhibitions Proclamations or commaundements of the Queenes highnes or of any of y e Councels Gods name be praysed therfore but alonely for the conscience we haue to God and his most holy word truth vpon most certayne knowledge because we say we heare that it is determined we shal be sent to one of the vniuersities of Cambridge or Oxford there to dispute with such as are appointed in that behalfe A 〈◊〉 of a preâ—enâ—ed 〈…〉 at Cambridge in that wee purpose not to dispute otherwise then by writing except it may be before the Queenes highnes and her Counsell or before y e Parlament houses and therfore perchaunce it will be bruted abroad that we are not able to mayntaine by the truth of Gods word and the consent of the true and Catholicke Church of Christ the doctrine we haue generally and seuerally taught and some of vs hath writteÌ„ set forth wherthrough the godly and simple may be offended somwhat weakened we haue thought it our bounden dutie now whilest we may by writing to publish and notifie the causes why we will not dispute otherwise then is abouesayd to preuent the offences which might come thereby First because it is euidently knowne vnto the whole
grew froÌ„ coler to plaine melancholy so as no man willingly would deale with him to qualify the raging humor so farre incorporated in his brest At last the Church-doore being opened the Byshop entred and finding no sacrament hanged vp nor roode lost decked after the Popysh precept which hade commaunded about the same tyme a well fauoured Roode and of able stature vniuersally in all Churches to be set vp curtalled his small deuotions and fell from al coler and melancholy to flat madnes in the vppermost degree swearing and raging with an huntynge â—the or two and by no beggers that in his owne Churche where he hoped to haue sene best order he fouÌ„d most disorder to his honors most heauy discomfort as he sayde calling the ParsoÌ„ whose name was Doctor Bricket knaue and hereticke Who there humbled himselfe and yelded as it were to his fault saying he was sory his Lordship was come before that he and his parish looked for him and therfore could not do theyr dueties to receiue him accordingly as for those thinges lacking he trusted a short time hereafter should coÌ„passe that which hitherto he could not bring about Therefore if it pleased his Lordship to come to hys poore house where his dynner was prepared he woulde satisfy him in those thinges which his Lordship thought amisse Yet thys so reasonable an aunsweare nothyng could satisfy nor asswage his passion vnreasonable For the Catholicke Prelate vtterly defied him and his chere commaunding him out of his sighte saying as hys by worde was before God thou art a knaue auant hereticke and therwithal whether thrusting or striking at him so it was that with his hand he gaue syr Thomas Iosselin Knight who was then amongest the rest stood next the bishop a good fleweâ— vpon the vpper part of the neck euen vnder his eare as some say which stood by but as he himself said he hit him full vpon the eare Syr Thomas Iosselyn stroken of Boner wherat he was somewhat astonied at the sodennes of the quarrell for that time At last he spake and said what meaneth your Lordship haue you bene trayned in Will Somers scole to strike him who staÌ„deth next you The Bishop still in rage either heard not or would not heare Then M. Fecknam Deane of Paules seing the bishop stil in this bitter rage said O M. Iosselin you must beare with my lord Fecknam excuseth B. Boner by the Marshalsey for truly his long imprisonment in the marshalsey and the misusing of him there hath altered hym y t in these passions he is not ruler of himselfe nor it booteth any man to geue him counsell vntill his heat be past then assure your selfe M. Iosselin my lord will be sory for those abuses that now he caÌ„not see in himselfe Wherunto he merily replied and sayd so it seemeth Maister Fecknam Syr Tho. Iosselyns Apothegma touching B. Boner for now that he is come forth of the marshalsey he is ready to go to Bedlem At which mery conciepte some laughed and moe smiled because the nayle was so truely hitte vpon the head The Bishop nothing abashed at his own folly gaue a deafe eare as no maruell it was that hee shamed little to strike a straunger which spared not the burning of so many good men After this worthy combate thus finished and atchiued this marshiall Prelate presently taketh him to his horse agayne notwithstanding he was minded to tary at HadhaÌ„ 3. or 4. daies and so had made prouisioÌ„ in his owne house and leauing his dinner rode that night with a small company of his householde to Ware where he was not looked for 3. dayes after to the great wonder of all the countrey why he so preuented his day afore stalled At this hasty posting away of this Bishop his whole trayne of attendants there left him Also his Doctors and chaplaines a few excepted taryed behind and dined at D. Brickets as merily as he rode towards Ware all chasingly which diner was prepared for the bishop himself Now whether the Bishoppe were offended at those solemnities which he wanted and was accustomed to be saluted withall in other places where he iornied ioyning to y t his great God was not exalted aboue ground ouer y e aultar nor his blocke almighty set seemely in the roode lost to entertayne straungers B. Boner driuâ— from a good dinner and therupoÌ„ took occasion to quarrell with D. Bricket whose religion percase he somewhat suspected I haue not perfectly to say but so it was supposed of diuers the cause therof to rise which draue the bishop so hastily froÌ„ such a dinner Testified by such as there and theÌ„ were present Rich. K. c. ¶ A story of a Roode set vp in Lankashyre In this Uisitation of Bishop Boner aboue mentioned ye see how the bishop tooke on for not setting vp the Roode and ringing the bels at Hadham A story of a Roode set vp in Lankeishire Ye heard also of the precept which commauÌ„ded in euery parish a Rood to be erected both well fauoured and of an habâ—e stature By the occasion whereof it commeth in mind and not out of place to storye likewise what happened in a certayne Towne in Lankashyre nere to Lancaster called Cockram where the Parishioners Churchwardens hauing the same time a like charge for the erecting of a rood in theyr parish church had made theyr bargayn and were at a price with one that could cunningly karue paynt such idols for the framyng of theyr Roode who according to his promise The men of Cockram not pleased with theyr Roode made them one set it vp in theyr Church This done he demaunded his mony But they misliking his workemanship refused to pay him whereupon he arrested them and the matter was brought before the Maior of Dancaster who was a very meet man for such a purpose and an olde fauourer of the Gospell which is rare in that country Then the karuer began to declare how they had couenaunted with him for the making of a Rood with the appurtenaunces ready karued and set vp in theyr Churche which he according to his promise had done and nowe demaunding his money they refused to pay him Is this true quoth the Maior to the Wardens Yea Syr sayd they And why do ye not pay the poore man his due quoth he And it please you Mayster Maior quoth they because the Roode wee had before was a welfauored man and he promised to make vs such an other but this that he hath set vs vp now is y e worst fauored thing that euer you set your eies on gaping grinning in such sort that none of our Children dare once looke him in the face or come nere him The Roode of Cockram driuing the childreÌ„ out of the Church The maior thinking that it was good enough for y e purpose if it had bene worsse my maisters quoth he howsoeuer the rood like you the poore mans labor
benefite and grace offred from the apostolick sea vntill the abrogation of such lawes wherby you haue disioined and disseuered your selues from the vnity of Christes Church It remayneth therefore that you like true christians prouident men for the weale of your soules bodyes ponder what is to be done in this so weighty a cause and so to frame your actes and procedings as they may tend first to the glory of God and next to the conseruation of your coÌ„mon wealth surety and quietnes The next day after the 3. Estates assembled agayne in the great chamber of the Court at Westminster where the king and queenes maiesties and the Cardinall being present they did exhibite sitting all on theyr knees a supplication to theyr highnesses the tenor wherof ensueth * The Copy of the supplication and submission exhibited to the king and Queenes maiesties by the Lordes and Commons of the Parliament WE the Lordes spirituall and temporall and the commoÌ„s of this present parliament assembled The suppâ—â—â—catioÌ„ â—â—â—â—mission oâ— the Loâ—â— and Comâ—mons to the king 〈◊〉 Queenes maiesties representing the whole body of the realme of England and dominions of the same in our own names particularly and also of the sayd body vniuersally in this supplicatioÌ„ directed to your maiestyes with most huÌ„ble sute that it may by your gracious intercession and meane be exhibited to the most reuerend father in God the Lord Cardinall Poole Legate sent specially hither from our most holy father Pope Iulius the third and the Sea Apostolick of Rome do declare our selues very sorye and repentaunt for the schisme and disobedience committed in this realme and the dominions of the same against the sayd sea Apostolicke either by making agreing or executing any lawes ordinaunces O great sâ—â—row and deepe repentauncâ— or commaundementes agaynst the supremacye of the sayde sea or otherwise doing or speaking that might impugne the same Offring our selues promising by this our supplication that for a token and knowledge of our sayd repentance we be and shal be alway ready vnder and with the authorities of your Maiesties to the vttermost of our power to doe that shal be in vs for the abrogation and repealing of the sayd lawes and ordinaunces in this present parliament as well for our selues as for the whole body whom we represent Whereupon we most humbly beseech your maiesties as persons vndefiled in the offence of his body towardes the sayde Sea which neuerthelesse God by his prouidence hath made subiecte to your maiesties so to set forth this our moste humble sute The Popâ— absolutioâ— caÌ„not 〈◊〉 but by inâ—tercessioâ— of kinge Queene The suppâ—â—â—cation 〈◊〉 vp by the king and Queene 〈◊〉 the Caâ—â—â—â—nall that we may obteine from the sea Apostolicke by the sayd most reuerent father as wel particularly as vniuersally Absolution release and discharge from all daunger of such Censures and sentences as by the lawes of the church we be fallen in and that we may as children repentant be receiued into the bosome vnity of Christes church so as this noble Realme with all the members therof may in vnity and perfect obedience to the Sea Apostolicke and Popes for the time being serue GOD and your Maiesties to the furtheraunce and aduancement of his Honour and Glorye Amen The Supplication being read the king and Queene deliuered the same vnto the Cardinall who perceiuing y e effect thereof to aunswere his expectation did receiue the same most gladly from theyr Maiesties and after he had in fewe wordes geuen thankes to God and declared what great cause he had to reioyce aboue all others that his coÌ„ming from Rome into England had takeÌ„ most happy successe He by the Popes authority did geue them this absolution folowing ¶ An absolution pronounced by Cardinall Poole to the whole Parliament of England in the presence of the King and Queene OUr Lord Iesus Christ which with his most precious bloud hath redemed and washed vs froÌ„ all our sinnes and iniquities that he might purchase vnto himselfe a glorious spouse without spot or wrinckle whoÌ„ the Father hath appoynted head ouer all his church he by his mercy absolue you And we by apostolick authority geuen vnto vs by the most holy lord Pope Iulius the 3. his Uicegerent in earth do absolue deliuer you and euery of you with the whole Realme and the Dominions therof from all Heresy and Schisme and from all and euerye iudgement Censures and paynes for that cause incurred also we do restore you agayn vnto the vnity of our Mother the holy Church as in our Letters more playnely it shall appeare In the name of the father of the sonne and of the holy Ghost When all this was done they went into the Chappell and there singing Te Deum with great solemnity declared the ioy and gladnesse that for this reconciliation was pretended The reporte of thys was with great speede sent vnto Rome as well by the king and Cardinals Letters which hereafter folow as also otherwise WherupoÌ„ the pope caused there at Rome processions to be made and thankes to be geueÌ„ to God with great ioy for the conuersion of England to his Churche and therefore praysing the Cardinals diligence and the deuotion of the king and queen on Christmas euen by his Buls he set forth a generall pardoÌ„ to all such as did truely reioyce for the same ¶ A copy of king Philips Letter written with his owne hand to Pope Iulius touching the restoring of the Realme of England MOst holy Father I wrote yesterday vnto Don Iohn Maurique Nouember 30. K. Phillips letter to the Pope tranâ—uted out of Spanish into English that he shoulde declare by worde of mouth or els write to your holynes in what good state the matter of religion stoode in this Realme and of the submission to your holinesse as to the chiefe As this day which is the feast of S. Andrew late in the euening we haue done God that seruice to whose onely goodnesse we must impute it and to your holynes who haue taken so great payne to gayne these soules that this realme with full generall consent of all them that represent the state being very peniteÌ„t for that was past and well bent to that they come to doe submitted themselues to youe holynes to that holy Sea whom at the request of the Queene and me your Legate did absolue And forasmuch as the sayd Don Iohn shall signify vnto your holinesse all that passed in this matter I will write no more therof but onely that the Queene I as most faythful deuout children of your holynes haue receiued the greatest ioy and comfort hereof that may be expressed with tong Considering that besides the seruice done to God hereby it hath chaunced in the time of your holynes to place as it were in the lappe of the holy Catholicke churche such a kingdome as this is And therfore I thinke I cannot be thankefull enough
people of God and theyr aduersaries into whose handes they were putte and deliuered and that of GOD and by hys good will and pleasure were Idolatrers and the people of the Deuill but they woulde be called the chiefe members of God and reioyced that they hadde the true God and that it was nowe declared by myracle that the Israelites hadde but a false God and a false religion seeing they were deliuered into the Babylonians handes And all the other the Herodes and Pharao I meane plainely determined that if the menne whiche they killed and handled euil hadde bene Goddes people God would neuer haue suffered them to come into their hands but rather haue done the contrarye and haue lette Iohn Baptist kill Herode and the Israelites Pharao and Nabuchodonosor Euen the like is nowe to be seene in vs and in our most cruell aduersaries They are not therfore the catholike Church because our merciful God hath at this present geueÌ„ our liues into their handes neyther are wee therefore heretickes because wee suffer punishment at theyr handes as the Lord Chauncellour by hys reioycing seemeth to gather the contrarye is hereby to be gathered that we be the members of the true Catholike church because wee suffer for the same Doctrine which Iohn Baptiste Iames the Israelites yea Christe the Apostles did teache of which none taught any thing of oure aduersaries doctrine namely that the rotten Antichristian heade of Rome shoulde be the heade of Christes church But they haue manifestly taught the contrary specially Paule 2. to the Thessalonians the 2. chapter Iohn in the Apocalipse Dan. 11. which thing if I might haue life and Bookes I would so by Gods grace set foorth that all the world should see it and that our aduersaries with their Antichristian head are the members of the Deuils church as they vndoubtedly are And in like case as the aboue meÌ„tioned holy men though they in their dayes were counted to be heretickes seditious and disturbers of the whole worlde for vnto Iohn Baptiste it was sayde Iohn 1. Wherefore baptisest thou if thou be not Helias nor that Prophet c. As who saye thou haste no such authoritie to beginne a newe Ceremonie in the Churche For we be in ordinarie possession of the churche and of vs thou haste receiued no such power We abide by our circumcision and the like coulde I declare of Iames and of all the Apostles and Prophetes and of our Sauiour Christe him selfe that were all condemned as heretickes blasphemers of God and disturbers of the whole world Paule and Silas Act. 16. heard like woordes of the Philippians these men trouble our Citie seeing they are Iewes and preache institutions whych are not lawful for vs to receiue seeing we be Romaines And in 17. In Athens the wise menne of this world suche as gaue their endeuour to wisedom said by S. Paule Quid vult spermologus hic dicere That is What will this prater as my Lord Chancelour sayd to me shall we suffer this felow to prate wheÌ„ I would faine haue sayd that thyng that I haue heere wrytten trifler newes caryer or â—ringer that telleth what so euer men will haue him for gaine and aduauntage that will for a piece of bread say what yee will haue hym c. And an other sayd in the same place hee seemeth to be a preacher of newe Deuelles c. And Actes 21. The Iewes say by Paule laying handes on hym helpe O yee Israelites saye they this is the manne that teacheth all men euery where against the people meaning the Iewes and the law and this place meaning Ierusalem and yet was neuer a woorde of these true And Actes 22. the same Iewes sayde of Paule out of the earthe wyth that man or away wyth him For it is not lawfull for him to liue or he is not woorthy to liue And howe many moe of these examples are to be found in the Bible Although I say these men were in their dayes taken for heretickes of them that were then in authoritye and of the great multitude of the worlde yet it is nowe wel knowen yea and very shortly after their deathes this was known yea and euen in theyr liues also vnto the true Catholicke Churche that they were not onely the chiefe and speciall members of the true Catholicke Churche but also the founders and builders thereof notwithstanding the sinister iudgement that the wise and mighty menne and the great multitude of the worlde hadde of them and in theyr consciences they were alwayes assuredlye certified of the same Euen the same shall the world find true in vs shortlye after oure deathes as also there be at thys houre the Lorde be thanked therefore not a fewe that already know it as we our selues also are by Gods grace assuredly certified in our consciences that we are no heretikes but members of the true catholike church and that our aduersaries the bishops and popish cleargie which wil haue that title are the members of Sathans churche and theyr Antichristian head of Rome wyth them But here they wil crie out loe these men wil be stil like Iohn Baptist the Apostles and the Prophets c. I answere we make not our selues like vnto them in the singular vertues and giftes of God geuen vnto them as of miracles doing and of many other things The similitude and likenesse of them and vs consisteth not in all things but only in this that is that we be like them in doctrine and in the sufferinge of persecution and infamie for the same We haue preached theyr very doctrine and none other thing that we are able sufficiently to declare by theyr wrytings by wryting for my part I haue profered to prooue the same as is now often sayd And for this cause we suffer the like reproche shame and rebuke of the worlde the like persecution leesing of our liues and goodes forsaking as our maister Christ commandeth father mother sister brethren wiues children and all that there is being assured of a ioyfull resurrection and to be crowned in glorye wyth them according to the vnfallible promises made vnto vs in Christ our onely and sufficient mediatour reconciler priest and sacrifice which hath pleased the father and quieted and pacified his wrath against our sinnes made vs wythout spot or wrinkle in his sight by imputation although wee off and in our selues are bespotted be blotted w t many filthy sinnes which if the great mercy graunted in Christ did not put away by not imputing them vnto vs of his measurelesse vnspeakeable mercye and loue to saue vs they woulde haue brought vs to euerlasting damnation and death perpetuall Heerein and in no other doe we affirme our selues to be like vnto our head Christe and all his Apostles Prophetes Martyrs and Saintes And heerein oughte all Christian menne to be like them and heerein are all true Christen men and women lyke them euery one according to the measure of y e faith that
was retayned of M. Sentlow till the tyme that he was agayne molested and laid for whereby he was coÌ„pelled vnder the pretence of being Captayne of a ship going to Ireland to take the Seas and so escaped he although not without extreme perill of drowning through Fraunce Great frendship betweene M. Bullinger and M. Hooper to the higher partes of Germany Where he entring acquaintance with the learned men was of theÌ„ freÌ„dly and louingly enterteined both at Basil and especially at Zuricke of Mayster Bullinger being his singuler frend Where also he maryed his wife which was a Burgonian and applied very studiously the Hebrue toung At length when God saw it good to stay the bloudy time of the 6. Articles and to geue vs king Edward to raygne ouer this Realme with some peace and rest vnto the gospel amongest many other English exiles which theÌ„ repared homeward M. Hooper also moued in coÌ„scieÌ„ce thought not to absent himselfe seing such a time and occasion offered to helpe forward the Lords worke M. Bullingers wordes to M. Hooper at his departing from Zurick to the vttermost of his ability And so comming to M. Bullinger and other of his acquayntance in Zuricke as duty required to geue them thankes for their singuler kindnes and humanity toward him manifolde wayes declared with like humanity agayne purposed to take his leaue of theÌ„ at his departing so did Unto whom M. Bullinger agayne who had alwayes a speciall fauor to M. Hooper spake on thys wyse M. Hooper sayde he although we are sory to parte wyth your company for our own cause yet much greater causes we haue to reioice both for your sake and especially for the cause of Christes true religion that you shall now returne out of long banishment vnto your natiue country agayn where not onely you may enioy your own priuate liberty but also the cause and state of Christes Church by you may fare the better as we doubt not but it shall An other cause moreouer why we reioyce with you for you is this that you shal remoue not only out of exile into liberty The aunswere of M Hooper to M. Bullinger but you shall leaue here a baren a sower an vnpleasant country rude sauage and shal go into a land flowing with milke and hony replenished w t al pleasure fertility Notwithstanding w t this our reioycing one feare and care we haue least you being absent and so far distant from vs or els comming to such aboundance of wealth felicity in your new welfare and plenty of al thinges and in your florishing honors where ye shall come peraduenture to be a Bishop and where ye shall finde so many new frends you wil forget vs your old acquaintance welwillers Neuertheles howsoeuer you shall forget shake vs of yet this perswade your selfe y t we will not forgette our old frend felow M. Hooper And if you shal please not to forget vs agayne then I pray you let vs heare from you Whereunto M. Hooper aunswering agayne first gaue to M. Bullinger and the rest right harty thankes for that their singuler good will and vndeserued affection appearing not onely now but at all times towardes him declaring moreouer that as the principal cause of his remouing to his countrey was the matter of Religion so touching the vnpleasantnes and barrennes of that couÌ„try of theirs there was no cause therein why he could not finde in his hart to continue his life there as soone as in any place in the world and rather then in his owne natiue country if there were nothing els in his coÌ„science that moued hym so to do And as touching the forgetting of his olde frendes although sayd he the remembraunce of a mans countrey naturally doth delight him neither could he deny but god had blessed his country of England with many great commodities yet neither the nature of country nor pleasure of commodities nor newnesse of frendes should ouer induce him to the obliuion of such frendes and benefactors whoÌ„ he was so intirely bound vnto therfore you shall be sure sayde he from time to time to heare from me and I wyll write vnto you as it goeth with me But the last newes of al I shal not be able to write for there sayd he taking M. Bullinger by the hand where I shall take most paynes there shall you heare of me to be burned to ashes M. Hooper prophesyeth of himselfe and that shal be the last newes which I shal not be able to write vnto you but you shall heare it of me c. To this also may be added an other like prophetical demonstration forshewing before the maner of his Martyrdome wherewith he should glorify God which was this When M. Hooper being made Bishop of Worcester and Glocester should haue his armes giueÌ„ him by the Herold A note 〈◊〉 M. Hooâ—â—â— armes 〈◊〉 signify 〈◊〉 his Marâ—â—â—â—dome as the maner is here in EnglaÌ„d euery Bishop to haue his armes assigned vnto him whether by the appoyntment of M. Hoper or by y e Herold I haue not certainly to say but the armes which were to him allotted was this a Lambe in a fiery bush and the sunne beames from heauen descending downe vpon the Lambe rightly deuoting as it seemed the order of his suffering which afterward folowed But now to the purpose of our story againe M. Hooâ—â—â— returnâ—â— agayne 〈◊〉 Englanâ— Thus wheÌ„ M. Hooper had taken his farewell of M. Bullinger and his frends in Zurick he made his repayre agayn into Enland in the raigne of K. Edward 6. where he comming to London vsed continually to preach most tymes twyse at least once euery day and neuer fayled In his Sermons according to his accustomed maner he corrected sinne The notâ—â—ble diligâ—â—â— of M. 〈◊〉 in prâ—â—â—ching and sharply inueyed agaynst the iniquity of the world and corrupt abuses of the Churche The people in great flocks and companies daily came to heare his voyce as the most melodious sounde and tune of Orpheus harpe as the Prouerbe sayth Insomuch that often times when he was preaching the Church shoulde be so ful that none could enter further then the dores therof In his doctrine he was earnest in tong eloquent in the scriptures perfect in paynes indefatigable Moreouer besides other his giftes and qualities this is in him to be maruelled that euen as he began so he coÌ„tinued still vnto his liues end The singâ—â—ler vertuâ—â— of M. Hâ—â—â—per descrâ—â—bed For neither could his labour and payne taking breake him neither promotion chaunge him neither daynty fare corrupt him His life was so pure and good that no kinde of sclauÌ„der although diuers went about to reproue it could fasteÌ„ any fault vpoÌ„ him He was of body strong his health whole souÌ„d his wit very pregnant his inuincible pacience able to sustein whatsoeuer sinister fortune and aduersity could doe He was constant of iudgement a good
Iusticer spare of dyet sparer of words sparest of time In housekeping very liberall and sometime more free then his liuing would extend vnto Briefly of all those vertues and qualities required of S. Paul in a good B. in his epistle to Timothe I know not one in this good B. lacking He bare in countenauÌ„ce talke alwayes a certayn seuere graue grace which might peraduenture be wished sometimes to haue bene a little more populare and vulgarlike in him but he knewe what he had to doe best himselfe This by the way I thought to note for that there was once an honest Citizen to me not vnknowne which hauing in himselfe a certaine coÌ„flict of conscience came to his doore for couÌ„sell but being abashed at his austere behauior durst not come in but departed seking remedy of his trobled minde at other mens hands which he afterward by y e help of almighty God did finde obtayn Therefore in my iudgement such as are appointed made gouernours ouer y e flock of Christ to teach and instruct them ought so to frame their life maners Discretioâ— how minâ—â—sters and preacherâ— ought to behaue themseluâ—â— countenaunce and externall behauiour as neither they shew themselues to familiar light whereby to be brought in contempt nor in the other side agayn that they appeare more lofty and rigorous then appertayneth to the edifiyng of the simple flocke of Christ. Neuertheles as euery maÌ„ hath his peculiar gift wrought in him by nature so this disposition of fatherly grauitie in this man neither was excessiue neither did hee beare that personage which was in him without great consideratioÌ„ For it seemed to him peraduenture that this licencious and vnbrideled life of the common sorte ought to be chastened not onely with wordes and discipline but also with the graue and seuere countenaunce of good men After he had thus practised himself in this popular and common kinde of preaching at length and that not wythout the great profite of many he was called to preache before the kinges maiestie and soone after made Bishop of Gloucester by the kinges commaundement M. Hooâ—â—â— made Biâ—shop of Glocesteâ— and Worâ—cester In that office he continued two yeares and behaued himself so wel that his very enemies except it were for his good doings and sharpe correcting of sinne could finde no fault with hym and after that he was made Bishop of Worcester But I cannot tell what sinister vnlucky contention concerning the ordering and consecration of Bishops and of their apparell with suche other like trifles began to disturbe y e good lucky beginning of this godly byshop For notwithstanding that godly reformation of religion then begon in the church of England besides other ceremonies more ambitious then profitable or tending to edification they vsed to weare suche garmentes and apparrell as the popish Bishops were wont to doe first a Chymere Popish aâ—â—tyre vnder that a white Rochet then a Mathematicall cap wyth iiij angles deuiding the whole world into foure partes These trifles tending more to superstition theÌ„ otherwyse as he could neuer abide so in no wise could he be perswaded to weare them For this cause he made supplication to the kings maiestie most humbly desiring his highnes eyther to discharge him of the bishopricke or els to dispense with him for such ceremoniall orders Whose petition the kyng graunted immediately writyng his letter to the Archb. after this tenour ¶ The Kings letters or grant for the dispensation of Iohn Hooper elected B. of Gloucester written to the Archbishop of Caunterbury and other Bishops RIght reuerend father and right trusty and welbeloued wee greete you well Whereas we by the aduise of our Counsail haue called and chosen our right welbeloued and well worthy M Iohn Hooper professor of Diuinitie to be our B. of Glocester as well for his great knowledge deepe iudgement and long study both in the scriptures and other prophane learnyng as also for his good discretion ready vtteraunce and honest life for that kynd of vocation to the intent all our louing subiects which are in his sayd charge and elsewhere might by his sound and true doctrine learne the better their duety towards God theyr obedience towards vs and loue towards their neighbors from consecrating of whom we vnderstand you do stay because he would haue you omit and let passe certayne rites and ceremonies offensiue to his conscience wherby ye thynke you should fall in Premunire of lawes we haue thought good by the aduise aforesaid to dispense and discharge you of all maner of dangers penalties and forfaitures you should run and be in any maner of way by omitting any of the same And these our letters shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge therfore Yeuen vnder our signet at our Castell of Wyndsore the 5. of August the 4. yeare of our raigne Ed. Somerset W. Wiltshire W. North. W. Paget An. Wingfield N. Wootton Besides this letter of the kyng also the Earle of Warwicke which was afterward D. of Northumberland adioined his letter to the foresayd Archb. of Cant. to this purpose and effect that M. Hooper might not be burdened with the oth vsed then commonly in the consecratioÌ„ of bishops which was against his conscience as by the purport of the letter here is to be seene as followeth A letter of the Earle of Wâ—â—wicke to 〈◊〉 Archb. in the behalfe of M. Hooper AFter my most harty commendatioÌ„s to your grace these may be to desire the same that in such reasonable things wherein this bearer my L. elect of Glocester craueth to be borne withall at your hands you would with safe to shew him your graces fauour the rather at this my instaunce which thyng partly I haue taken in hand by the kyngs Maiesties owne motion The matter is wayed by his highnes none other but that your grace may facily condescend vnto The principal cause is that you would not charge this said bearer wiâ—h an oth burdenous to his conscience And so for lacke of tyme I commit your grace to the tuition of almighty God From Westm. the 23. of Iuly 1550. Your graces most assured louing friend I. Warwike ¶ Both this graunt of the King and also the Earles letters aforesayd notwithstandyng the bishops still stoode earnestly in the defence of the foresayd ceremonies sayeng it was but a small matter and that the fault was in the abuse of the thyngs and not in the thyngs themselues adding moreouer that he ought not to be so stubburne in so light a matter The kinges 〈◊〉 noâ— the Earles â—ould take 〈◊〉 Dâ—scorde 〈◊〉 rituall gâ—â—ments of 〈◊〉 M. Hooper 〈…〉 to the â—iâ—hops M Hooper â—â—â—pelled to preach before the 〈…〉 and that his wilfulnesse therein was not to be suffered To be short whilest both parties thus contended about this matter more then reason would in the meane tyme occasion was geuen as to the true Christians to lament so to the
otherwise perswaded I see me thinks so many peryls whereby I am earnestly mooued to counsell you not to hasten the publishing of your works especially vnder the title of your owne name For I feare greatly left by this occasion both your mouth should be stopped hereafter and al thyngs takeÌ„ away froÌ„ the rest of the prisoners wherby otherwise if it so please God they may bee able to do good to many Farewell in the Lord my most deare brother and if there be any mo in prison with you for Christes cause I beseech you as you may salute them in my name To whose prayers I doe most humbly and hartily commend my selfe and my fellow prisoners and concaptiues in the Lorde and yet once agayne and for euer in Christ my most deare brother farewell N. Ridley B Ridley reioyseth to heare of B. Hoopers coÌ„stancye M. Hooper after all these tumults and vexations susteined about his inuesting and priestly vestures at length entring into his Dioces did there employ his tyme which the Lord lent hym vnder King Edwardes raigne wyth such diligence as may be a spectacle to all bishops which shall euer hereafter succeed him not only in that place but in whatsoeuer Dioces through the whole realme of England so carefull was he in his Cure that he left neyther paynes vntaken nor wayes vnsought how to trayne vp the flocke of Christ in the true word of saluation continually labouring in the same Other men commonly are woont for lucre or promotions sake to aspire to Bishoprickes some huntyng for them and some purchasing or buying them as men vse to purchase Lordships when they haue them are loth to leaue them and thereupon also loth to commit that thing by worldly lawes whereby to loose them The diligent care of B. Hooper in his Dioces To this sort of men M. Hooper was cleane contrary who abhorred nothing more then gain labouring alwais to saue and preserue the soules of his flocke Who beeyng B. of two Diocesses so ruled and guided eyther of them and both together as though he had in charge but one familie No father in his household no gardiner in his garden nor husbandman in his vineyard was more or better occupied then he in his Dioces amongst his flocke goyng about his townes and villages in teaching and preaching to the people there That tyme that he had to spare from preaching he bestowed either in hearing publike causes or els in priuate study prayer and visiting of schooles with hys continuall doctrine he adioyned due discrete correction not so much seuere to any as to them which for abundance of riches welthy state M. Hooper B. of two Dioces M Hooper a light to all â—â—urchmen thought they might do what they listed And doubtlesse he spared no kind of people but was indifferent to all men as well rich as poore to the great shame of no small number of men now adayes Whereof many we do see so addicted to the pleasing of great and rich men that in the meane tyme they haue no regard to the meaner sort of poore people whome Christ hath bought as dearely as the other But now agayne we will returne our talke to maister Hooper all whose lyfe in fine was such that to the church and all churchmen it might be a light and example to the rest a perpetuall lesson and sermon Finally how vertuous and good a bishop he was ye may conceiue and know euidently by this that euen as he was hated of none but of them which were euill so yet the worst of them all could not reprooue his lyfe in any one iote The order and gouernance of M. Hoopers house I haue now declared hiâ— vsage and behauiour abroad in the publike affaires of the Church and certainly there appeared in him at home no lesse example of a worthy prelates life For although he bestowed conuerted the most part of his care vpon the publike flocke and congregation of Christ for the which also he spent his bloud yet neuertheles there lacked no prouisioÌ„ in him and to bring vp his owne children in learning and good maners euen so much that ye could not discerne whether he deserued more praise for his fatherly vsage at home The 〈◊〉 M. Hooâ—â—â— in instruâ—â—ting 〈◊〉 or for his bishoply doyngs abroad For euery where he kept one religion in one vniforme doctrine and integritie So that if you entered into the Bishops pallace you would suppose to haue entred in to some Church or temple In euery corner thereof there was some smel of vertue good example honest conuersation and reading of holy scriptures There was not to be seene in hys house any courtly roystyng or idlenesse no pompe at all no dishonest word no swearing could there be heard As for the reuenues of both his bishoprikes The hospâ—â—tality of â— Hooper although they did not greatly exceede as the matter was handled yet if any thing surmounted therof he pursed nothing but bestowed it in hospitalitie Twise I was as I remember in his house in Worcester where in hys common hall I saw a table spread with good store of meate and beset ful of beggers and poore folke and I asking hys seruauntes what this ment they told me that euery day their Lorde maisters maner was to haue customably to dinner a certayne number of poore folke of the sayd citie by course who were serued by foure at a messe with whote wholesome meats and when they were serued being afore examined by him or his deputies of the Lordes praier the articles of their fayth and x. commaundements then he himselfe sate downe to dinner and not before After this sort and maner M. Hooper executed y e office of a most carefull and vigilant pastor by the space of two yeres and more so long as the state of religion in K. Edwards tyme did safely florish and take place M. Hoopâ—â— called vp 〈◊〉 London 〈◊〉 Queene Maryes coÌ„ming in and would God that all other bishops would vse the like diligence care and obseruance in their function After this K. Edward beyng dead and Mary beyng crowned Queene of England religion beyng subuerted chaunged this good B. was one of the first that was sent for by a pursiuant to be at London and that for two causes First to answer to D. Heath then appointed Bish. of that Dioces Two causeâ— why M. Hooper was called vp who was before in K. Edwards days depriued thereof for papistry Secondarily to render account to D. Boner Bishop of London for that he in King Edwardes tyme was one of his accusers in that he shewed hymselfe not conformable to such ordinaunces as were prescribed to hym by the king and his Counsayle openly at Paules Crosse. And although the said M. Hooper was not ignoraunt of the euils that should happen towards him for he was admonished by certaine of his frends to get him away and shift for hymselfe yet
he hath endued thy soule with the eie of knowledge and fayth God geue thee grace continually to pray vnto him that thou loose not that sight for then shouldest thou bee blynd both in body and soule After that another came to him whom he knew to be a very papist and a wicked man which appeared to be sory for M. Hoopers trouble saying Sir I am sory to see you thus To see me Why said he art thou sory To see you sayth the other in this case For I heare say ye are come hither to dye for the which I am sory Be sory for thy selfe man sayd M. Hooper and lament thine owne wickednes for I am well I thanke God and death to mee for Christes sake is welcome The same night he was committed by the Gard their Commission beyng then expired vnto the custodie of the Sheriffes of Gloucester The name of the one was Ienkins M. Hooper coÌ„mitted to the Shiriffes of Glocester the other Bond who with the Mayor Aldermen repaired to M. Hoopers lodgyng and at the first meetyng saluted hym and took hym by the hand Unto whom Hooper spake on this maner M. Mayor I geue most heartie thankes to you and to the rest of your brethren that you haue vouchsafed to take mee a prysoner and a condemned man by the hand wherby to my reioysing it is some deale apparant that your olde loue and friendshippe towardes me is not altogether extinguished and I trust also that all the thynges I haue taught you in tymes past The wordes of M. Hooper to the Mayor and the Shiriffes of Glocester are not vtterly forgotten when I was here by the godly K. that dead is appoynted to be your bishop and Pastor For the which most true and sincere doctrine because I wyll not now account it falsehood and heresie as many other men doe I am sent hither as I am sure you knowe by the Queenes commaundement to dye and am come where I taught it to confirme it with my bloude And now M. Shiriffes I vnderstand by these good men and my verye friends meanyng the Gard at whose handes I haue found so much fauour and gentlenesse by the way hitherward as a prisoner could resonably require for the which also I most hartily thanke them that I am committed to your custodie as vnto them that must see me brought to morrow to the place of execution My request therefore to you shall be onely that there may be a quicke fire shoâ—tlâ— to make an end and in the meane tyme I will be as obedient vnto you as your selues would wish If you thinke I do amisse in any thyng hold vp your finger and I haue done For I come not hether as one enforced or compelled to dye for it is well knowen I might haue had my lyfe w t worldly gayne but as one willing to offer and geue my lyfe for the truth rather then to consent to the wicked papisticall religion of the Bishop of Rome receiued and set forth by the maiestrates in England to Gods high displeasure and dishonor and I trust by Gods grace to morow to dye a faithfull seruaunt of God and a true obedient subiect to the Queene These and such lyke wordes in effect vsed M. Hooper to the Mayor Shiriffes and Aldermen whereat manye of them mourned and lamented Notwithstandyng the two Shiriffs went aside to consult and were determined to haue lodged him in the common gaole of the towne called Northgate if the Gard had not made earnest intercession for hym who declared at large how quietly mildlye and paciently he had behaued himselfe in the way addyng therto that any child might keepe him well enough that they themselues would rather take paines to watch with him then that he should be sent to the common prison So it was determined at the length he should still remaine in Rob. Ingrams house M. Hooâ—â—â— spendetâ— the nigâ—â— prayer and the shiriffes and the sergeants and other officers did appoynt to watch with him y t nyght themselues His desire was that he might goe to bed that night betimes saying that he had many things to remember and so did at fiue of the clocke and slepte one sleepe soundly and bestowed the rest of the night in prayer After he gate vp in the morning he desired that no man should be suffred to come into the chamber that he might be solitarie till the houre of execution About 8. of the clocke came sir Iohn Bridges L. ShaÌ„doys with a great band of men sir Anthony Kingston Syr Iohâ— Bridgeâ— Shandoâ— Syr 〈◊〉 Bridges Ant. Kiâ—â—â—ston Coâ—mission sir Edmund Bridges other Commissioners appoynted to see execution done At nine of the clocke M. Hooper was willed to prepare hymselfe to be in a readines for the time was at hand Immediately he was brought downe from his chamber by the shiriffes who were accompanied with bils glaues and weapons When he saw the multitude of weapons he spake to the Shiriffes on this wyse Maister Shiriffes sayd he I am no traytor neyther needed you to haue made such a businesse to bryng me to the place where I must suffer for if ye had wylled me I woulde haue gone alone to y e stake haue troubled none of you al. And afterward lookyng vppon the multitude of people which were assembled beyng by estimation to the number of seuen thousand for it was market day and manye also come to see his behauiour towards death hee spake vnto those that were about hym saying Alas why bee these people assembled and come together M. Hooâ—â—â— for Preaâ—ching 〈◊〉 doctrinâ—â— put to death Peraduenture they thinke to heare some thyng of me now as they haue in tymes past but alas speach is prohibited me Notwithstanding the cause of my death is well known vnto them When I was appointed here to bee their Pastor I preached vnto them true and sincere doctrine and that out of the worde of God Because I will not now accompt the same to be heresie and vntruth this kinde of death is prepared for me So he went forward led betwene the two Shiriffes as it were a Lambe to the place of slaughter in a gowne of his Hosts his hat vpon his hed a stasse in his hand to stay himself withall For the griefe of the Sciatica which he had taken in prison caused him something to halt M. Hooâ—â—â— forbiddâ—â— to speakâ— the peoâ—â—â— All the way being straitly charged not to speake he could not bee perceiued once to open his mouth but beholding the people all the way which mourned bitterly for him he would sometimes lift vp his eyes towards heauen His 〈…〉 to death looke very cherefully vpon such as he knew he was neuer known during the tyme of his beyng amongst them to looke with so chearefull and ruddish a countenaunce as he did at that present When he came to the place appoynted where hee should dye
though nowe they were good doctrine vertuous and true Religion In the beginning of this rage of Antichrist a certayne Petigentleman after the sort of a Lawyer called Foster being Steward and keeper of Courtes Foster a lawyer and Ioh. Clerke of Hadley two notorious Papistes a man of no great skil but a bitter persecutour in those daies with one Iohn Clerke of Hadley which Foster had euer bene a secrete fauourer of all Romish Idolatry coÌ„spired w t the said Clerke to bring in the Pope his maumentry againe into Hadley Church For as yet Doct. Taylour as a good shepheard had retained and kept in his Church the godly Churchseruice and reformation made by king Edward most faithfully and earnestly preached against the popish corruptions which had infected the whole countrey round about Therefore the foresayde Foster and Clerke hyred one Iohn Auerth Iohn Auerth a right popishe Priest Person of Aldam a very money Mammonist a blinde leader of the blinde a Popish Idolatour and an open Aduouterer and whoremonger a very fit Minister for their purpose to come to Hadley and there to geue the onset to begin againe the Popish Masse To this purpose they builded vp with all haste possible the aultar entending to bring in their Masse agayn about the Palme Monday Marke how vnwillingly the people were to receiue the papacy agayne But this their deuise tooke none effect for in the night the aultar was beaten down Wherefore they built it vp againe the second time and layde diligent watch least any should againe breake it downe On the day following came Foster and Iohn Clerke bringing with them their Popish Sacrificer who brought with him all his implements and garmentes to play his Popish Pageant whome they and their men garded with swords and buklers least any man should disturbe him in his Missall Sacrfice When Doctour Taylour who according to hys custome sate at his booke studying y e word of God D. Taylours custome â—o study heard the bels ring he arose and went into the Churche supposing some thing had bene there to be done according to his Pastorall office and comming to the Churche he founde the Church dores shut and fast barred sauing the Chauncell dore which was onely latched Where he entring in and comming into the Chauncell Masse brought inâ—to Hadley with swoâ—â— and bucklers D. Taylor rebuked thâ— deuill The Papiâ—â— call al thâ— trumpery 〈◊〉 the Quenâ— proceedinâ— For you must remâ—â—â—ber that Antichrist rayneth by an others arme and not by hyâ— owne poâ—â—er Read Daniell 〈◊〉 the king 〈◊〉 faces the 〈◊〉 chapter D. Tayloâ— here playeth a righâ— Elias 3. Râ—â— 18. saw a Popishe Sacrificer in his robes with a broad new shauen crown ready to begin his Popish sacrifice beset rouÌ„d about with drawne swords and bucklers lest any maÌ„ should approch to disturbe him Then said Doctour Taylour Thou Deuill who made thee so bold to enter into this church of Christ to prophane and defile it with this abhominable Idolatry Wyth that start vp Foster and with an irefull and furious countenaunce sayd to Doctour Taylour thou Traytour what doest thou heere to let and disturbe the Queenes proceedings Doctour Taylour aunswered I am no traytour but I am the shepheard that God my Lord Christ hath appointed to feed this his flocke wherfore I haue good authoritie to be here I command thee thou popish Wolfe in the name of God to auoyd heÌ„ce and not to presume here with such a Popish Idolatry to poyson Christes flocke Then said Foster wilt thou traytourly hereticke make a commotion resist violently the Queenes proceedings Doctour Taylour answered I make no coÌ„motion but it is you Papistes that maketh commotions and tumults I resist onely with Gods word agaynst your Popish Idolatries which are against Gods word y e Queenes honor tend to y e vtter subuersioÌ„ of this realme of England And further thou doest against the Canon law which coÌ„mandeth that no Masse be said but at a consecrate aultar When the Parson of Aldam heard that hee began to shrinke backe would haue left his saying of Masse TheÌ„ start vp Iohn Clerke and said M. Auerth be not afrayd ye haue a * Super alâ—tare is a stone conâ—â—â—crated by the bishoâ— commonlâ— of a footâ—â— long 〈◊〉 the Papiâ—â— cary in 〈◊〉 of an 〈◊〉 when thâ— masse for money in gentlemâ—â— houses The Papâ—â—â— argumenâ— wherewiâ—â— they mainâ—tayne the doctrine Sap. 2. Superaltare Go forth with your busines man Then Foster with his armed meÌ„ tooke Doctour Taylour and led him with strong hand out of the Church and the Popish Prelate proceeded in his Romishe Idolatry Doct. Taylours wife who folowed her husband into the Church when she saw her husband thus violently thrust out of his Church she kneeled downe held vp her haÌ„ds and with loude voyce sayd I beseeche God the righteous Iudge to auenge this iniury that this Popish Idolatour this day doth to the bloud of Christ. Then they thrust her out of the Church also and shut to the dores for they feared that the people woulde haue rent their Sacrificer in peeces NotwithstaÌ„ding one or two threw in great stones at the windowes and missed very little the popish masser Thus you see how without consente of the people the Popishe Masse was agayne set vp wyth battayle aray with swordes and buckelers with violence and tyranny which practise the Papistes haue euer yet vsed As for reason lawe or Scripture they haue none on their parte Therefore they are the same that saith The law of vnrighteousnes is our strength Come let vs oppresse the righteous without any feare c. Within a day or two after with all haste possible this Foster and Clerke made a complaint of Doctour Taylour by a letter written to Steuen Gardiner Byshop of Winchester and Lord Chauncellour When the Byshop heard this he sent a letter missiue to Doct. Taylour commaunding him within certaine daies to come and to appeare before him vpon his allegiance D. Tayloâ— cited by a letter misâ—siue to aunswere such complayntes as were made against him When Doctour Taylours frends heard of thys they were exceeding sory and agreeued in minde which then foreseing to what end the same matter would come seeing also all truth and iustice were troden vnder foote and falsehode with cruell tyranny were set aloft and ruled all the whole route his frendes I say came to him and earnestly counselled him to departe and flye alledging and declaring vnto him D. Tayloâ— frendes would 〈◊〉 him to fly that he could neyther be indifferently heard to speake his conscience and mind nor yet looke for iustice or fauour at the sayd Chauncellours handes who as it was well knowne was most fierce and cruell but must needes if he went vp to him wayte for imprisonment and cruell death at his hands Then sayd D. Taylour to his frends Deare frendes The valiaâ—â— courage of D. Tayloâ— in Christes cause
Doctor Taylour for Hadley hearyng of the wicked prophanation of my late pulpit by such a wily Wolfe Gods loue mercy goodnes and fauour hath bene vnspeakable in teachyng vs the right way of saluation and iustification Let vs all haue some zeale some care how to serue him accordyng to his good will written The God of loue and peace be euer in Hadley through Christ our onely aduocate Amen Rowland Taylor After that Steuen Gardiner Bish. of Winchester had got the lawes The proceedings of the Popes catholickes in maintayning their religion and the secular arme on his side as ye haue heard with full power and authoritie to raigne and rule as he listed and had brought these godly bishops and reuerend preachers aforesayd vnder foote namely the Archbishop of Cant. D. Ridley B. of London M. Latimer M. Hooper B. of Worcester and Gloucester M. Rogers M. Saunders D. Taylor and M. Bradford all which he had now presently condemned and some also burned he supposed now all had bene cocke sure and that Christ had bene conquered for euer so that the people beyng terrified with example of these great learned men condemned neuer would ne durst once route against their violent religion not much vnlike in this behalfe to the manner of the Turkes who when they cannot maintaine their sect by good learnyng and truth of Gods word thinke by violeÌ„ce of sword to force whome they can to their beliefe and that done afterward make lawes no man vnder payne of heresie to dispute or once to call in question any â—f their proceedyngs The maner of proceeding like in the Catholickes in the Turkes Euen so St. Gardiner and his fellowes when they see they cannot preuaile by triall of Gods word and discourse of learnyng neither are disposed simply to seeke for truth where it is to be found they take exceptions agaynst Gods word to bee intricate obscure and insufficient to bee his owne iudge and therefore that of necessitie must bee iudged by the Popes Church and so hauyng Kyngs and Queenes of theyr side they seeke not to perswade by the worde of God nor to winne by charitie but in stead of the law of God they vse as the Prouerb saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prouerb compelling men by death fire and sworde as the Turkes do to beleue that in very deed they think not And in deed after flesh and bloud this seemeth to bee a sure way Neither peraduenture are they ignoraunt how gaily this way thriueth with the Turkes and therefore thinke they to practise the same at least wise so they do vpon what example so euer they doe it And thus condemned they these godly learned preachers and bishops aforesayd supposing as I said that all the rest would soone be quailed by their example But they were deceiued for w tin 8. or 9. dayes after that Ste. Gardiner had geuen sentence against M. Hooper M. Rogers M. Saunders D. Taylor February 8. and M. Bradford being the 8. of Febru sixe other good men wer brought likewyse before the bishops for the same cause of religion to be examined whose names were W. Pigot butcher 6. Men conuented before B. Boner for heresie St. Knight Barber Th. Tomkins Weauer Th. Hawkes gentleman Ioh. Laurence priest Will. Hunter prentise St. Gardiner seyng thus his deuise disappointed and that cruelty in this case would not serue to his expectation gaue ouer the matter as vtterly discouraged Ste. Gardiner geueth ouer his muâ—thering office to B. Boner from that day medled no more in such kinde of condemnations but referred the whole doyng therof to Boner B. of London who supplied that part right doughtily as in the further processe of this hystory hereafter euidently and too muche may appeare Thus B. Boner taking the matter in hand called before him in his Consistory at Paules the L. Maior and certaine Aldermen sitting with him the 6. persons aforenamed February 9. Ex Regist. Boneri Lond. vpon the 8. day of Febr. in the yere aforesaid and in the next day beyng the 9. of Febr. red the sentence of condemnation vpon them as appeareth in Boners own registers Such quicke speed these men could make in dispatching their busines at once Notwithstandyng because the death of these condemned martyrs did not folow incontinently before the next month of March 6. Men condeÌ„ned by B. Boner I wyll deferre the prosecuting of their matter til I come by y e grace of the Lord to the tyme and day of their suffering In the meane tyme what was the cause that their execution was so long deferred after their condemnation I haue not precisely to say vnlesse peraduenture the sermon of Alphonsus the Spanish Frier and the kings Confessor did some good For so I find that when these sixe persons aforesaid were cast vpon saterday the 9. of Febr. vpoÌ„ sonday following which was the x. of February the sayd Alphonsus a Gray Frier preached before the king in which sermon he did earnestly inuey against the bishops for burning of men February Alphonsus K. 〈◊〉 confessor preaching agaynâ—◠〈…〉 saying plainly that they learned it not in scripture to burne any for his conscience but the coÌ„trary that they should lyue be conuerted with many other things more to the same purport But touchyng the lingeryng of these mens death as I haue not certainly to affirme so I let it passe Upon the 14. of February M. Rob. Ferrar B. of S. Dauids was sent toward S. Dauids February 14. there to be coÌ„demned and executed Touching whose martyrdome for so much as it fell not before the month of March we wil deferre the history thereof till we come to the day and tyme of his suffering Furthermore this foresaid 14. day of February Tho. Becâ—kets Imagâ— set vp at Mercers chappell February 17. M. Iohn Barnes troubled for Beckeâ— Image the L. Chauncellor other his felow Bishops caused the image of Thomas Becket that olde Romish traitor to be set vp ouer the Mercers Chappell dore in Chepeside in LondoÌ„ in the forme and shape of a bishop with Miter and Croâ—â—er Howbeit within two dayes after his erection his two blessing fingers were first broken away and on the nexte day beyng the 17. of February his head also was striken of wherupon arose great trouble and many were suspected among whom one M. Ioh. Barnes Mercer dwellyng ouer agaynst the same Chappel was vehemently by the Lord Chancellour charged withall as the doer therof the rather for that he was a professour of truth Wherefore he and three of his seruauntes were committed to pryson and at his deliuery although it coulde not be prooued vpon him he was bound in a great summe of money as well to build it vp agayne as often as it should be broken downe as also to watch and keepe the same And therfore at this his compelled charges Beckets Image Beckets Image agayne broken downâ—
betweene Iudge Hales and the B. of Winchester so now through your owne late desertes against certaine her highnes doings ye stand not well in her graces fauor and therfore before ye take any othe it shall be necessary for you to make your purgation Hales I pray you my L. what is the cause Chaune Information is geuen that he haue indited certaine priests in Kent for saying masse Hales My L. it is not so I indited none but in deed certaine inditements of like matter were brought before me at y e last assises there holden I gaue order therin as the law required For I haue protested y e law against which in cases of iustice I wil neuer God willing proceede nor in any wise dissemble but w t the same shew forth my coÌ„science if it wer to do again I would do no lesse theÌ„ I did Chanc. Yea M. Hales your conscience is knowen well enough I know ye lacke no conscience Hales My L. ye may do well to search your owne conscience for myne is better known to my selfe then to you to be plaine I did as wel vse iustice in your said masse case by my conscience as by lawe wherein I am fully bent to stand in trial to the vttermost that can be obiected And if I haue therin done any iniury or wrong let me be iudged by the law for I will seeke no better defence consideryng chiefly that it is my profession Chaunc Why M. Hales although you had the rigor of the lawe on your side Iustice Hales for Iustice Lake troubled yet ye might haue had regarde to the Queenes highnes present doyngs in that case And further although ye seeme to be more then precise in the law yet I thinke ye would be very loth to yeld to the extremitie of such aduantage as might be gathered agaynst your proceedings in the law as ye haue sometyme taken vpon you in place of iustice and if it were well tried I beleue ye should not be well able to stand honestly therto Hales My L. I am not so perfect but I may erre for lacke of knowledge But both in conscience and such knowlege of the law as God hath geuen me I will doe nothing but I will maintaine it abide in it and if my goods and all that I haue be not able to counterpeise the case my bodye shal be redy to serue the turne for they be all at y e Queenes highnes pleasure Chanc. Ah sir ye be very quicke stout in your aunswers Winchester quarelleth with M. Hales religion But as it should seeme that which you did was more of a will fauouring the opinion of your religion agaynst the seruice now vsed then for any occasion or zeale of Iustice seyng the Queens highnes doth set it foorth as yet wishing all her faithfull subiects to embrace it accordingly where you offer both body goods in your triall there is no such matter required at your hands and yet ye shal not haue your owne will neither Hales My L. I seeke not wilfull wil but to shew my selfe as I am bound in loue to God obedience to y e Queenes maiestie in whose cause willingly for iustice sake all other respects set apart I did of late as your Lordship knoweth aduenture as much as I had And as for my religion I trust it be such as pleaseth God wherein I am ready to aduenture as well my life as my substance if I be called therunto And so in lacke of myne owne power and wyll the Lords will be fulfilled Chanc. Seeyng ye be at this point M. Hales I wyll presently make an ende with you The Queenes hyghnesse shall be informed of your opinion and declaration And as her grace shall thereupon determine ye shall haue knowledge Until which time ye may depart as ye came without your oth for as it appeareth ye are scarse worthy the place appoynted Hales I thanke your Lordship and as for my vocation beyng doth a burthen and a charge more then euer I desired to take vppon me when so euer it shall please the Queenes highnes to ease me thereof I shall most humbly with due contentation obey the same and so hee departed from the barre Not many dayes after this communication or colloquie in Westminster hall M. Hales committed to the Kings Bench. which was October 6. An. 1553. Maister Hales at the commaundement of the Bish. was committed to the Kynges Benche where hee remayned constant vntill Lent then was remooued to the Counter in Breadstreete and afterward from thence was caried to the Fleete Beyng in the Fleete what it was that he had granted vnto the Byshops by their fraudulent assaults and perswasions namely of D. Day bishop of Chichester and of Iudge Portman as it is thought ouercome at last I haue not to say This is certaine that shortly after callyng hymselfe better to remembraunce M. Hales about to kill himselfe in prison he was brought to great repentaunce and terror of conscience In so much that for very anguish of hart he was redy with his penknife to kil him selfe there in the prison and had no doubt so done had not the mercifull prouidence of the Lord rescued hym miraculously as ye shall heare It hapned when supper tyme came that he should be called downe M. Hales hauing little mynd either to eate or drink gate him straight way to bed where he lay al the night sobbing groning tooke God knoweth litle rest or sleepe At length when morning came about sixe of the clock he sent his seruant for a cup of beere vnder pretence as though he were thirsty and desirous to drink whether the cause were true or fained it is vnknowen but this folowed y t his man was yet scarse out of the chamber when he with his penknife had wouÌ„ded himself in diuers places of his body and was purposed no doubt to haue destroyed himselfe had not the goodnesse of the Lord geuen present helpe in tyme of oportunitie Wherby it is euident for all men to vnderstand how gods fauour was not absent from the man although he thought hymselfe vtterly forsaken for his deniall as by the sequele may wel apeare For as soone as he had sent his man out of his chamber see what God would haue done euen afore the chamber dore eftsoones the Butler met him Gods mercifull prouidence in rescuing M. Hales who being desired to fil the drinke taking the cup the other returned agayne vnto his M. at the same very tyme when he was working his owne destructioÌ„ wherby M. Hales at that time was stopt of his purpose preserued not without gods manifest good will prouidence When Winchester had knowledge of it Winchester might rather hauâ— sayd how their cruell dealing worketh deâ—peration straightway he taketh occasion thereby to blaspheme the doctrine of the Gospell which he openly in the starre chaÌ„ber called the doctrine of desperation M. Hales
being within a while after recouered of those woundes deliuered out of prison getteth hymselfe home vnto hys house where he either for the greatnes of his sorrow or for lacke of good counsell or for that he would auoyde the necessitie of hearing masse hauing all things set in an order a good while before that pertaining to his testament casting himself into a shalow riuer Iudge Hales drowned himselfe was drouned therein which was about the beginning of the month of February or in the month of Ianuary before an 1555. The vnhappy chance of this so worthy a Iudge was surely the cause of great sorrowe and griefe vnto all good men it gaue occasion besides vnto certayne Diuines to stand some thyng in doubt with themselues whether hee were reprobate or saued or no about which matter it is not for me to determine either this way or that The cause of Iudge Hales drowning considered for he that is our Iudge the same shal be his Iudge and he it is that will lay all things open when the time commeth This in the meane time is certaine sure that the deed of the man in my mind ought in no wise to be allowed which if he did wittingly then do I discommend the mans reason But if he did it in phrenesie as beyng out of his wit theÌ„ do I greatly pity his case Yet notwithstanding seeing gods iudgements bee secret and we likewise in doubt vpon what entent hee dyd thus punish himselfe neither againe is any man certaine whether he did repent or no before the last breth went out of his body me seemeth their opinion is more indifferent herein which do rather disallow the example of the dead then dispayre of his saluation Otherwyse if we wyll adiudge all those to hell that haue departed the world after this sort how many examples haue wee in the first persecutions of the Churche of those men and women who beyng registred in the works of worthy writers haue notwithstanding their praise and commendation For what shall I thinke of those yong men who being sought for to do sacrifice to heathen Idols Examples in the tyme of the first persecution did cast downe themselues headlong and brake their owne neckes to auoyd such horrible pollution of themselues What shall I say of those virgins of Antioch who to the end they might not defile themselues with vncleannes and with idolatry through the perswasioÌ„ of their mother casting themselues headlong into a riuer together with their mother did fordo themselues Euseb. Hist. Eccle. lib. 8. although not in the same water yet after the same maner of drouning as this M. Hales did What shall I say of other two sisters which for the self same quarell did violently throw themselues headlong into the sea as Eusebius doth record In whome though perchaunce there was no lesse confidence to beare out the pains which should be ministred of the wicked vnto them yet that their good desire to kepe their faith and religion vnspotted was commended and praised Another like example of death is mentioned by Nicephorus Nicephor lib. 7. cap. 13. Brassila Dyrrachina that in an other virgin likewise whose name is expressed in Hierome to be Brassila Dyrachina who to keepe her virginitie fayned her selfe to be a witch and so conuentyng with the yong man which went about to defloure her pretended that she would geue hym an Hearbe which should preserue hym from all kynd of weapons so to prooue it in her selfe layd the herbe vppon her owne throte bidding him smite wherby she was slayne and so with the losse of her lyfe her virginitie was saued Hreunto may be ioyned the like death of Sophronia a Matrone of Rome who wheÌ„ she was required of Maxentius the tyrant to be defiled and saw her husband more slacke then hee ought to haue bene in sauyng her honesty biddyng them that were sent for her to tary a whyle tyll she made her ready went into her chamber and wyth a weapon thrust her selfe through the brest and dyed Now who is he that would reprehend the worthy acte of Achetes which biting of his owne tong did spit it out into the harlots face These examples I do not here inferre as going about either to excuse or to mainteyne the hainous facte of M. Hales which I would wish rather by silence might bee drouned in obliuion but yet notwithstaÌ„ding as touching the person of the man whatsoeuer his fact was because we are not sure whether he at the last breath repented Againe because we do not know nor are able to compreheÌ„d the bottomles depth of the graces and mercies which are in Christ Iesu our sauiour we will leaue therfore the final iudgement of him to the determination of him who is only appointed iudge both of the quicke and the dead ¶ De Iacobo Halisio carmen Si tua quanta fuit grauitas prudentia norma Iunctaque syncera cum pitate fides Tam caro firma tibi fortisque Halise fuisset Sanctorum prima classe ferendus eras Instituit sedenim sua quis sic tempora vitae Sanctorum vt nullis sint maculata malis Quum nihil ergo vides propria quin labe laboret Tu tua fac cures caetera mitte Deo ¶ The history of Thomas Tomkins hauyng first his hand burned after was burned hymselfe by B. Boner for the constant testimonie of Christes true profession MEntion was made before of sixe prisoners March 16. The history of Thomas Tomkins Martyr brought examined before B. Boner the 8. of February whole names were Tomkins Pigot Knight Hankes Laurence and Hunter All which though they receiued theyr condemnation together the next day after yet because the tyme of their execution was then driuen of from February til the next month of March I did therefore referre the story of them to this present moneth of March aforesayde wherin now remayneth seuerally to entreat of the Martyrdome of these 6. persons as the order and time of their suffrings seuerally do require Of the which 6. aforenamed martyrs the first was Tho. Tomkins burned in Smithfield the 16. day of March an 1555. This Thomas Tomkins a Weauer by his occupation dwellyng in Shordich and of the Dioces of London The godly lyfe disâ—position of Thomas Tomkins was of such conuersation and disposition so godly that if any woman had come vnto him with her web as sometyme they did three or foure in a day hee would alwayes begin with praier Or if any other had come to talk of any matter he would likewyse first begin with prayer And if any had sought vnto hym to borrowe money he would shew him such money as he had in his purse and bid hym take it And when they came to repay it agayne so far of was he from seeking any vsury at their hand or from straight exaction of his due that he would bid them keepe it longer while they
according to the statute yet was I faine for the zeale of vnitie not to see their vncurteous deedes departing with M. Ferlee for the auoyding of theyr malice and enuy and gaue that office for the amitie of George vnto M. Chaunter his sonne in lawe This Chaunter was D. Yong. and to D. Mericke the office of Cardigan But seeyng afterward theyr couetous respect to their owne glory and lucre not regardyng the reformatioÌ„ of sinne and especially of shameles whoredome I was compelled to remooue them D. Yong and D. Mericke remoued by B. Farrar froÌ„ their offices sore agaynst their wylles and whereas I desired many and sundry tymes charitable redresse of their wrong doings in the vacation tyme I obteyned many fayre wordes and nothing in deede And desiring to haue sight of the booke of Statutes of the Church for the knowledge of my duetie and theyrs The wronges which B. Farrar receâ—ued by Thomas Yong and D. Mericke I could not obteine Desiring to haue a key of the Chapter house seale as my L. of Bath had they would not deliuer it but vpon conditions yet was I contented to be brideled receiuyng it as it pleased them to geue it And further requiring the sight of necessary euidences for the declaration of diuers thyngs in trauers of my right they would in no wyse graunt it And thereupon consideryng theyr vngentlenesse I mooued the Quo warranto knowyng right well that if they should shew any substantiall graunt vnder the kings seale for their corporation it must therin appeare the B. to be the head and euer hath bene vnder the king for other they neyther haue nor had except they would returne to Rome againe as I trust they will not And yet perceiuyng afterward that they had no speciall graunt to shew or els such as they would not shew I my self for the respect of vnitie wrote my letters to the Kyngs Attorney by reason wherof the Quo warranto was stayed and so yet remayneth But as touching the certificate the kings subsidie beyng due at Michaelmas last and forborne til after Christmas and lawfully demanded afore they did vtterly refuse to pay both to my Uice collector and to my selfe except I would take it of them in portions not knowyng where to aske the rest and it is committed vnto me in the kings roll a whole summe in grosse to be receyued of the Canons residentaries for their Diuident who because they cannot agree in diuiding would haue the kings maiesty to tary for his money till they can agree to make diuision and I connot demand it of any perticular person nor at any perticular place Wherfore I most humbly beseech your fatherly goodnes for the Lordes sake to persist and continue my good Lord and friend vnto such time as ye finde me either desiring to be defended in my wroÌ„g or not willyng to put the iudgemeÌ„t of my right cause into your hands And because that the residue of matters touching them and their vngeÌ„tle vntrue and vngodly doyngs is too long and I haue molested you too much with this my tedious letter I shal now surcease humbly beseeching your good Lordship to accept in good part this my boldnes proceding of necessity and to pardon it for the loue of our Lord Iesu who saue and keep you in helth comfort and honor long to endure for the aduauncement of his glory Written at Agurguily this ix of March Your Lordships to command during lyfe R. F. ¶ The history of one Rawlins White burned at Cardiffe in Wales about the moneth of March for the testimony of Christes Gospell reported by Iohn Dane beyng yet alyue who was almost continually with hym duryng his trouble vnto hys death FOr so much as we haue here passed the history of Maister Farrer Rawlins White Martyr burned at Cardiffe in Wales burned at the town of CarmardeÌ„ in Wales I thought to adioyne and accompany with the same the history also of one Rawlins White a Fisherman whiche both in the like cause and in the same countrey of Wales also about the same moneth of March and yere aforesayd gaue his life like a valiaÌ„t souldior of Iesus Christ to martyrdom and was burned at Cardiffe the proces of whose story here followeth expressed more at large This Rawlins was by his calling or occupation a Fisherman liuing continuing in the said trade by the space of xx yeres at the least in the town of Cardiffe beyng as a man of his vocation might be one of a very good name well accompted amongst hys neighbours As touchyng his religion at the first it can not otherwyse be knowen but that he was a great partaker of the superstitioÌ„ and Idolatry that then was vsed I meane in the raigne of K. Henry the 8. But after that God of his mercy had raysed vp the light of his Gospell thorough the blessed gouernment of K. Edward the vj. here in this Realme of England this Rawlins began partly to mislike that which before hee had embraced and to haue some good opinion of that which before by the iniquitie of the tyme had ben concealed from him and the rather to bring this good purpose and intent of his to passe he began to be a diligeÌ„t hearer and a great searcher out of the truth The desirous minde of Rawlins to search for truth But because the good man was altogether vnlearned and withall very simple he knew no ready way how hee might satisfie his great desire At length it came in hys mynde to take a speciall remedy to supply hys necessite which was this He had a little boy which was his own sonne The godly inteÌ„t of Rawlins in setting his soÌ„ne to schoole which childe he set to schoole to learne to read English Now after the little boy could read indifferently wel his father euery night after supper sommer and winter would haue the boy to read a piece of the holy scripture now and then of some other good booke In which kind of vertuous exercise the olde man had such a delight pleasure that as it semed he rather practised himself in the study of Scripture then in the trade or science which before tyme he had vsed so that Rawlins within few yeares in the said tyme of K. Edward The meanes whereby Rawlins first came to knowledge through the help of his little sonne as a special minister appointed by god no dout for that purpose through much conscience besides profited went forward in such sort that he was able not onely to resolue himselfe touching his owne former blindnes ignoraÌ„ce but was also able to admonish and instruct other and therfore when occasion serued he would go from one place to an other Rawlins by the meanes of his yong soÌ„ne came to the knowledge of the Scripture visiting such as he had best hope in By which his doyng he became in that countrey both a notable and open professor of
others because they fauored not the true religion and agayn the good hap and prosperitie of the Queenes highnes because shee fauored the true religion thereby gathering the one to be good and of God and the other to be wicked and of the deuill said that the Duke of Northumberland confessed so playnely ¶ George Marsh to the Reader FOr asmuch as not onely when I was at Latham but also since I departed thence I heare that there be diuers and sondry reportes and opinions of the cause of mine imprisonment as wel at Latham as at Lācaster as by credible persons I am informed some saying it was onely because I would not do open penance and some because I could not agree with my Lord and his councell concerning the sacrament of Christes body and bloud and the maner of Christes presence there some because I woulde not graunt it sufficient and according to Christes institution the lay people to receaue the sayd sacrament vnder the one kinde onely I thought it good dearely beloued in Christe and my bounden duetie to certifie you by mine owne hand writing of mine examination and handling at Latham and to tell you the trueth as neare as I could to quyet your minde in this behalfe and therfore I haue here written with myne owne hand the certaynty of those thinges as neare as I could here aboue expressed not omitting any thing at al concerning Religion wherof they did examine me howbeit I perceiue in some thinges I keepe not the same order in writing that thing which was asked by them and answered by me afore or after as it was in very deed in al points sauing this telling the truth as neare as I can desiring you to accept in good worth this my good will and to pray for me and all them that be in bondes that God would assist vs with hys holy spirite that wee may with boldnes confesse his holye name and that Christ may be magnified in our bodyes that wee may stand full and perfect in all the will of God to whome be all honor and glory world without end Amen And thus you haue heard all the whole trouble which George Marsh susteyned both at Lathum also at Lancaster testified and written with hys owne hand wherto he addeth moreouer and sayth While I was sayth he in Ward at Lathum diuers at sundry times came vnto me Some sayd vnto me that all my fellowes had recanted and were gone home where as in deede that was not so for I saw diuers of them dyuers times after Other sayd that it was reported amongest my Lordes houshold that I had consented and agreed in all things with my Lord and his counsell Furthermore while I was at Lancaster at this Sessiō time many came to me to talke with me some of good will towardes me but without knowledge gaue mee such like counsel as Peter gaue Christ as he went vp to Ierusalem when he tooke hym aside and began to rebuke him Peters counsell to Christ to saue himselfe saying maister fauour thy selfe this thing shall not be vnto thee But I answered with Christes sharpe answere vnto Peter agayne who turned about and sayd vnto Peter come after me Sathan and perceiuing that they were an hinderaunce vnto mee and that they fauoured not the thinges which are of God but the thinges that are of men I made them playne answere that I neither could ne would follow their counsell but that by Gods grace I woulde both liue and dye with a pure conscience and according as hetherto I had beleeued and professed For wee ought in no wise to flatter and beare with them G. Marsh followeth Christe◠aunswere to Peter though they loue vs neuer so well which go about to pluck vs away from the obedience that wee owe vnto God and to hys worde but after Christes example sharpely to rebuke them for theyr counsell Some others yea euen straungers also came to mee far vnlike to these who after sober communication hadde consented with mee in all thinges lamenting muche my troublous estate geuing me comfortable wordes some money to and resorted to me often tymes for the space of two three or foure dayes There came also many Priestes to me by 2.3.4.5 or 6. at once Priestes not alwayes the greatest Clarkes whose mouthes it was a thing easy enough to stopp for the Priests which is much to be lamēted be not alwayes greatest clarkes best learned in y e lawe of God At theyr departing they eyther consented w t me or els had nothing to say agaynst me saying they could finde no fault with my wordes My communication with them was about the Sacrament There came also into y e prison to me mayster Westby Mayster Ashton of Hyll M. Ashton of Chatertō many moe both gentlemen and others to my great comfort Unto whom I had good occasion to vtter a great parte of my conscience for God so strengthen me with his spirite of boldnes according to my humble request and prayer before euerlastyng thankes be geuen him therfore that I was nothing afraid to speake to any that came to me no not euen to Iudges G. Marsh strengthened in prison with the boldnes of Gods spirite themselues before whome I was thrise arraygned at the barre amongest the theeues wyth yrons on my feete and put vp my hād as other did but yet with boldnes I spake vnto them so long as they would suffer me They also sent for me the fourth tyme into their chamber where amongest other thinges they layd it straitly to my charge y t I had reported that I knewe an whole messe of good gentlemen in Lancashyre of myne opinion and straightly charged me vppon payne of allegiaunce to the Queenes grace to shew who they were But I denyed that I had spoken any suche thinge as it was in deede a false forged lye of some wicked wretches After that they threatned and rebuked me for my preaching to the people out of the prison as they called it and for my praying and reading so loud that the people in the streets might heare Warbarton fellow prisoner with Marsh. The truth is I and my prison fellow Warbarton euerye day kneeling on our knees did read morning and euening prayer with the english Letany euery day twise both before noone and after with other praiers moe also read euery day certain chapters of the Bible cōmonly towards night and we read all these thinges with so high loude a voyce G. Marsh reproued for his loud praying reading in prisō y t the people without in the streetes might heare vs and would often times namely in y e eueninges come and sit down in our sightes vnder the windowes heare vs read wherwith others being offended complayned All this while George Marshe was not yet brought before the bishop whose name was Doctour Cotes placed the same time in the Bishopricke of Chester Of whose comming then vnto
helpe towardes his children vseth an other way He ceaseth to be beneficiall vnto them to minister vnto theÌ„ fatherly correction he geueth them ouer vnto them selues sufferyng them to lyue as they lust them selues But we trust to see better of you my dearely beloued and that ye lyke very Gadarenites Heb. 6. Math. 8. for feare to lose your wordly substance or other delites of this lif wil not banish away Christ his gospell from amongest you Actes 1â— 2. Tim. â— 2. Tim. â— but that ye with al diligence of mind wil receiue y e word of god taught you by such ministers as now when persecution ariseth because of y e word are not ashamed of the testimony of our Lorde Iesus but are content to suffer aduersitie with the Gospel therein to suffer trouble as euil doers euen vnto bondes And if ye refuse thus to do Actes 1â— The moâ—â— preachiâ—â— with 〈◊〉 followiâ—â— draweth greater 〈…〉 God 's 〈◊〉 your owne bloud wil be vpon your owne heades And as ye haue had plenteous preaching of the Gospel more then other haue had so shall ye be sure if ye repent not and bring forth fruites worthy of repentaÌ„ce to be sorer plagued to receiue greater vengeaunce at Gods hand then others and the kyngdome of God shal be taken from you and be geuen to an other nation which will bring forth the fruites thereof Wherfore my dearely beloued in Christ take good heede to your selues ponder well in your mindes how fearefull and horrible a thing it is to fal into the haÌ„des of the liuing God And see that ye receiue not the worde of God in vaine but continually labour in fayth and declare your fayth by your good workes which are infallible witnesses of y e true iustifying fayth which is neuer idle but worketh by charitie And see that ye continually geue yourselues vnto all maner of good workes amongest the which the chiefest are to be obedient to the Magistrates sith they are the ordinaunce of God whether they be good or euil Iames â—â— Gala. 5. Tit. 2. Rom. 13 Actes 5â— vnles they commaunde Idolatry and vngodlines that is to say thinges contrary vnto true Religion For then ought we to say with Peter We ought more to obey God then man But in any wyse we must beware of tumult insurrection rebellion or resistaunce The weapon of a Christian in this matter Ephe. 6 ought to be the sword of the spirite which is Gods word and prayer coupled with humilitie and due submission Iohn 1â— Iob. 35. Rom. 1â— and with readynes of hart rather to dye then to do any vngodlynesse Christ also doth teach vs that al power is of God yea eueÌ„ the power of the wicked which God causeth often tymes to raigne for our sinnes disobedience towards him and his word Whosoeuer then doth resist any power doth resist the ordinaunce of God and so purchase to him selfe vtter destruction and vndoyng We must also by al meanes be promoters of vnity peace and concorde We must honour and reuerence Princes 1. Pet â—â— Ephe. â—â— 1. Tim. â— and all that be in authoritie and pray for them and be diligent to set forth their profite and commoditie Secondly we must obey our parents or them that be in their rowmes be careful for our housholds that they be prouided for fed not onely w t bodely foode but muche rather with spirituall foode which is the word of God Thirdly we must serue our neighbors by all meanes we can remembring well the saying of Christ Whatsoeuer ye woulde that men shoulde doe vnto you doe ye likewise vnto them for this is the lawe and the Prophets Fourthly we must diligently exercise the necessarye worke of prayer for all estates 〈◊〉 for Sspanâ— Math. 5. â—â—â—beaâ—ing 〈◊〉 aduersaries â—â—tience in 〈…〉 〈…〉 Pet. 1. Actes 20. knowing that God therefore hath so much commaunded it and hath made so great promises vnto it and doeth so well accept it After these workes we must learne to know the Crosse what affection and minde we must beare towardes our aduersaries and enemies what so euer they be to suffer all aduersities and euils paciently to pray for them that hurt persecute and trouble vs and by thus vsing our selues we shal obtaine an hope certaintie of our vocation that we be the elect children of God And thus I commende you brethren vnto God and to the word of his grace This letter 〈◊〉 written 〈◊〉 yeare 〈◊〉 the moneth 〈…〉 which is able to builde further geue you an inheritaunce among al theÌ„ which are sanctified beseechyng you to helpe M. SauÌ„ders me your late Pastours and all them that be in bondes for the Gospels sake with your praiers to God for vs that we may be deliuered from all them that beleue not and froÌ„ vnreasonable and froward meÌ„ and that this our imprisonment afflictioÌ„ may be to the glory and profit of our Christian brethren in the world that Christ may be magnified in our bodies whether it be by death or by lyfe Amen Salute from me all the faythfull brethren because I write not seuerall Letters to them let them either 〈◊〉 or heare these my letters The grace of our Lord be with you all AmeÌ„ The xxviij of Iune by the vnprofitable seruauÌ„t of Iesus Christ and now also his prisoner George Marsh. Saue your selues from this vntoward generation Actes 2. Pray pray pray Neuer more neede An other Letter of the sayd George Marsh to certaine of his dearely beloued frendes at Manchester in Lancashire GRace be with you and peace from God ouâ— Father and from our Lord Iesus Christ. Amen An other godly letter of G. Marsh to them of Manchester After salutations in Christe to you with thankes for youre frendly remembraunces of mee desiring and wishing vnto you not onely in my letters but also in my daily praiers such consolation in spirite and taste of heauenly treasures that ye may therby continually worke in faith labour in loue perseueer in hope and be pacient in all your tribulations and persecutions euen vnto the ende and glorious comming of Christ these shal be eaâ—nestly to exhort and beseeche you in Christ as ye haue receyued the Lord Iesus Coloss. 2. Phil. 2. 1. Pet. 3. Math. 10. Luke 11. Aduersaries not to be feared Gods helpe alwayes ready with his Sâ—rsâ—antes euen so to walke rooted in him and not to be afraid of any terrour of your aduersaries be they neuer so manye and mighty and you on the other side neuer so fewe and weake for the battell is the Lordes And as in times past God was with Abraham Moses Isaac Dauid the Machabees and other fought for them and deliuered all their ennemies into their handes euen so hath he promised to be with vs also vnto the worlds end and so to assist strengthen and helpe vs that no man shal be able to
together After that by reason of a visitation and certaine Iniunctions geuen in the same time by the authoritie of king Henry the eight he forsooke the same house and casting froÌ„ him the sayd Monkes habite and religion aforesayde tooke vpon him and vsed the habite of a secular priest and returned to Snowhill where hee was borne and there hee did celebrate and sing Masse and taught childreÌ„ their Primer and Accidence about halfe a yeare together Then he went from thence to Ludgate in Suffolke there serued as a seculare priest about a quarter of a yeare and from thence he then went to Stonyland where he taried and serued as a secular priest also vntill the comming out of the sixe Articles and then hee departed from thence and went into Gloucester shiere where after he had made his aboade in the countrey a while at lengthe in Tewkesbury according to Gods holy ordinance he maried a wife with whom he euer after faithfully and honestly coÌ„tinued and after his marriage he taried in Tewkesbury about 2. yeares together W. Flower â—aryeth a â—yfe and then from thence he went vnto Brosâ—ey where he taried three quarters of a yere and practised Phisicke and Surgerie and from thence hee remooued to Northampton shier where vnder a Gentleman he taught children their primers and to wryte and read a good space And so departing from those parties hee came to London and there remained for a certain space After that being desirous to see his countrey he returned to Snowhil where hee was borne W. Flower â—ommeth â—o Lambeth from thence to Branckstrey in Essex then to Coxal where he taught children a space and so came to Lambeth beside London where he hired a house and placed his wife where he and his wife did euer since dwell together till this time howbeit for the most part he was alwayes abroade and very seldome at home except once or twise in a moneth to visite and see his wife where hee being at home vpon Easter day about 10. and a 11. a clocke in the fore noone of the same daye came ouer the water from Lambeth into Sainte Margaretes Churche at Westminster W. Flower â—â—riketh a Popish Priest at the aultar in Westminster where he finding seeing a Prieste called Iohn Cheltam ministring and geuing the sacrament of the aultare to the people and therewith being greatly offended in his coÌ„science with the Prieste for the same his doing for that hee iudged hym not to be a Catholike Minister neyther hys act to be catholike and laudable according to Gods word did strike and wounde him vpon the head and also vppon the arme and hande with his woodknife the Priest hauing the same time in his hande a Chalice with certaine consetrated hostes therin which were sprinkeled with the bloud of the sayde priest W. Flower repenteth his acte in striking W. Flower constant in his fayth In the whych so doing as in deede he did not well or Euangelically so afterward being examined before bishop Boner did no lesse confesse his not well doing in the same submitting therefore hym selfe wellingly to punishmente when it should come Howbeit touching his beliefe in the sacrament and the popish ministration he neither woulde nor did submit him selfe W. Flower layd in the Gate house 〈◊〉 Westminster Wherupon the foresaid Wil. Flower being first apprehended laid in the Gate house at Westminster where hee had geuen two groates y e same day a litle before to the prisoners saying he would shortly after come to them wyth as many yrons as he could beare afterward was conuented before Boner his Ordinarie April 19. anno 1555. where the B. after he had sworne hym vpon a booke according to his ordinarye maner ministred articles interrogatories to him W. Flower brought before B. â—oner But before I speake of the articles firste we haue here to set forth what coÌ„munication passed betwixt him Rob. Smith being then also there prisoner w t hym in newgate concerning his facte done at Westminster the tenor effect of which communication here foloweth A communication or debating betweene Robert Smith prisoner in Newgate and W. Flower concerning his striking of the priest at Westminster Robert Smith The talke betweene Robert â—myth and W. Flower FRend for as much as I do vnderstand that you do professe the Gospell and also haue so done a long season I am bolde to come vnto you and in the way of communication to demaunde and learne a truth at your owne mouth of certaine thyngs by you committed to the astonishynge not onely of mee but of diuers other that also professe the veritie Flower I praise God for hys great goodnesse in shewing me the light of hys holy woorde and I geue you heartie thankes for your visitation intending by Gods grace to declare all the truth that ye shal demaunde lawfully of me in all things Smith Then I desire you to shewe me the truthe of your deede committed on Iohn Cheltam priest in the Church as nere as you can that I may heare of your owne mouth howe it was Flo. I came from my house at Lambeth ouer the water and entring into saint Margaretes Church so called and there seeing the people falling down before a most shamefull and detestable Idoll The zeale of W. Flower in seeing the Lordes honour defaced being moued with extreeme zeale for my God whome I saw before my face dishonoured I drewe foorth my Hanger and strake the priest which ministred the same vnto them whereupon I was immediately apprehended and this is most true as the acte is manifest Smith Did ye not know the person that ye strake or were ye not zelous vpon him for any euil wil or hatred betwene you at any time Flo. No verily I neuer to my knowledge sawe the person before that present neither ought him or any man aliue euil wil or malice for if he had not had it an other shoulde if I hadde any time come where the like occasion had bene ministred if God had permitted me to doe it Smith Doe ye thinke that thing to be well done and after the rule of the Gospell Flo I do confesse all flesh to be subiect to the power of almighty God Extraordinary zeales are no generall rules to be followed whom he maketh his ministers to do his wil and pleasure as in example Moses Aaron Phinees Iosua Zimrie Ihehie Iudith Mathathiah wyth many other not only chaunging degrees but also planting zeales to hys honour against all order and respect of flesh and bloude For as sayeth S. Paule Hys workes are past fineding out by whose spirite I haue also geuen my fleshe at thys present vnto suche order as it shall please the good will of God to appoynt in death which before the act committed I looked for Smith Thinke you it conuenient for me or any other to do the like by your example Flo. No verily neither do I know
Newgate one Beard a Promooter came to him two or thre dais before he was burned and said vnto him Sir A 〈…〉 take â—â—â—tweenâ— Cardâ—â—â—â—â— and 〈…〉 I am sent vnto you by the Counsaile to knowe whether ye will recant or no Cardmaker From which Counsaile are ye come I thinke ye are not come nor yet sent from the Queenes counsaile but rather from the commissioners vnto whoÌ„ as I suppose ye belong And where as ye would know whether I wil recant or no thus I pray you report of me to those whom ye said sent you I know you are a Tailor by your occupation and haue endeuoured your selfe to be a cunning workeman and therby to get your liuing so I haue bene a preacher these xx yeres and euer since that God by his great mercy hath opened myne eyes to see hys eternal truth I haue by his grace endeuoured my selfe to call vpoÌ„ him to geue me the true vnderstanding of his holy word and I thanke hym for his great mercy I hope I haue discharged my conscience in the settyng forth of the same to that little talent that I haue receiued Beard Yea sir but what say you to the blessed Sacrament of the aultar Card. I say and marke it well that Christ the nyght before hys bitter passion ordeyned the holy and blessed Communion hath geuen commandement that his death should be preached before the receiuyng therof in the remeÌ„brance of his body broken and his precious bloud shed for the forgeuenes of our sinnes to as many as faithfully beleeue and trust in hym And furthermore The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of M. 〈…〉 sacramâ—â—â— to conclude the matter briefly wyth hym he asked of him whether the Sacrament he spake of had a beginnyng or no Whereunto when he had graunted and affirmed the same to be then maister Cardmaker againe thus inferred thereupon If the Sacrament said he as you confesse haue a beginning and an ending then it cannot bee God for God hath no beginnyng nor endyng and so willyng hym well to note the same he departed from hym Iune An. 1555. The 5. day M. Secretary Bourne the M. of the Roles Sir Frances Englefield Sir Richard Read and Doctor Hughes anchorising them or two or three of them at the least to proceed to further examination of Benger Cary D. and Field vppon such poynts as they shall gather out of their former confessions touchyng their lewd vayne practises of calculing or coniuryng presently sent vnto theÌ„ with the sayd letters The 7. day there was another letter to sir Iohn Tregonwel willing hym to ioyne in commission with the said L. North and others abouenamed about the examination of the said parties others for coniuring witchcraft And the 29. of August Cary and D. were set at liberty vpon bands for their good abearyng vntil Christmas after The 12. day a letter was sent to the L. Treasurer to cause Writs to be made to the Shirife of Sussex for y e burnyng and executing of Dirike a Brewer at Lewes and other two the one at Stainings the other at Chichester The 23. of Iune a letter was sent to Boner to examine a report geuen to the counsail of 4. parishes within y e Soken of Essex that should still vse the English seruice and to punish the offenders if any such be ¶ The story of Iohn Ardeley and Iohn Symson of the Parish of Wigborow the great in Essex The story of â—â—hn Simâ—â—â— Iohn â—rdeley 〈◊〉 WIth Mayster Cardmaker and Iohn Warne vpon the same day in the same company for the same cause was also coÌ„demned Iohn Ardeley and Iohn Symson which was the 25. day of Maye But before we come to the story of them first here is to be noted the copy of the King and Queenes letter directed froÌ„ the Court the same day and sent by a Poste early in the morning to the bishop in tenor and forme as foloweth ¶ To the right reuerend Father in God our right trusty and welbeloued the Bishop of London The king Queenes 〈◊〉 to B. 〈◊〉 RIght reuerend father in God right trusty and welbeloued we greet you well And where of late we addressed our letters to the Iustices of peace within euerye of the Countyes of this our Realme wherby amongest other instructions geuen them for the good order and quiet gouernement of the Country about them they are willed to haue a speciall regard vnto such disordred persons as forgetting theyr duetyes towardes God and vs do leane to any erroneous and hereticall opinions refusing to shew them selues conformable to the Catholick ReligioÌ„ of Christes church wherein if they cannot by good admonitions and fayre meanes reforme them they are willed to deliuer them to the Ordinarye to be by him charitably trauelled withall and remoued if it may be from their noughty opinions or els if they coÌ„tinue obstinate to be ordered according to the lawes prouided in that behalfe vnderstanding nowe to our no little maruell that diuers of the sayd disordered persons being by the Iustices of peace for theyr contempt and obstinacy brought to the Ordinaryes to be vsed as is aforesayd are either refused to be receiued at theyr hands or if they be receiued are neither so trauelled with as christian charity requireth nor yet proceeded withall according to the order of Iustice but are suffered to continue in theyr errors to the dishonor of almighty God and daungerous exemple of others like as we finde this matter very straunge so haue thought conuenieÌ„t both to signify our knowledge therwith also to admonish you to haue in this behalfe such regard hencefoorth to the office of a good pastor and Bishop as wheÌ„ any such offenders shal be by the sayd Officers or Iustices of peace brought vnto you Q. Mary stirreth Boner to â—hedde innocent bloud you to vse your good wisedom discretioÌ„ in procuring to remoue theÌ„ froÌ„ theyr errours if it may be or els in proceeding agaynst them if they shall coÌ„tinue obstinate according to the order of the lawes so as through your good furtherance both Gods glory may bee better aduaunced and the common wealth more quietly gouerned Yeuen vnder our signet at our honour of Hampton Courte the 24. of May the 1. and 2. yeares of our reignes This letter thus comming from the Court to the Bishop made him the more earnest and hasty to the condemnation as well of others as of these men of whom now we haue presently to entreat of Iohn Symson I meane and Iohn Ardeley Whyche both beyng of one countrey and of one Towne together and of one trade that is being both husbandmen in the town of Wigborow in Essex Iohn Ardeley Iohn Simson both husbandmen 〈◊〉 the towne of Wigboâ—ough and also almost both of one age sane that Symson was of the age of 34. the other of 30. were brought vp both together by the vnder Shyriffe of Essex to Boner Bishop of London vpoÌ„ the
the behalfe of the dead manne But when the poore dead man could neyther speake for himselfe nor did as they sayd sufficiently aunswere them by the other to auoyde the name of an hereticke first witnesses were producted agaynst him whose names were HeÌ„ry Clarke Esquire Witnes agaynst Iohn Tooly Thom. Way keeper of the Marshalsey Philip Andrew Undermarshal William Holingworth FishmoÌ„ger William Gellard William Walton Chaundler Richarde Longman Marchaunt Taylour Philip Britten Iohn Burton Brewer Thomas Smyth Sergeant Then hee was for an hereticke condemned aand so committed to the secular power Tooly geuen to the secular power namely to the Shiriffes of London which with like diligence went aboute to execute their charge Therfore receiuing the man being suspeÌ„ded excommunicated condemned as an hereticke and besides that beyng dead they laid him on the fire to be burned namely ad perpetuam rei memoriam for a continuall remembrance therof This was done the fourth day of Iune * Here foloweth the history and Martyrdome of the worthy seruaunt of Christ Thomas Haukes Gentleman with his examinations and aunsweres had with B. Boner recorded and penned with his owne hand IMmediatly after the story of D. Taylor pag. 1456. mention before was made of sixe men brought conueÌ„ted before Bishop Boner vpon the eight day of February The story of M. Tho. Haukes Martyr The names of which martyrs were Steuen Knight William Pigot Tho. Tomkins Ioh Laurence Wil. Hunter In which number was also Tho. Haukes coÌ„demned likewise with theÌ„ the 9. day of the foresaid month of February But because his execution did not so shortly followe wyth theirs but was prolonged to this present x. day of the moneth of Iune wherwith we are nowe in hand it foloweth therfore now consequeÌ„tly to enter tractation thereof first beginning briefly with his godly coÌ„uersation institution of life then shewing of his troubles also of his examinations and conflictes with the bishop and other aduersaries according as the order of his story both require As touching therefore his education and order of life first hee was of the countrey of Essex The lyfe and conuersation of Tho. Haukes borne of an honest stocke in calling and profession a Courtier brought vppe daintely from his childhoode and like a Gentleman Besides that he was of such comlines and stature so well endued with excelleÌ„t qualities that he might seme on euery side a man as it were made for the purpose But hys gentle behauiour toward other and especially his feruent study and singuler loue vnto true Religion and godlines did surmount all the rest Wherein as God did singularly adorne him euen so he being suche a valiaunt Martyr of God may seeme to nobilitate the whole company of other holy martyrs and as a bright starre to make the Churche of God and his trueth of theÌ„selues bright and cleare more gloriously to shine by his example For if the conquestes of martyrs are the triumphes of Christ as Saynt Ambrose doth notably and truely write vndoubtedly Christ in few meÌ„ hath either conquered more notably The victory of Martyrs is the triumph of Christ. Ambrose or triumphed more gloriously then in this young man he stood so wisely in his cause so godly in his life and so constantly in his death But to the declaration of the matter first this Haukes folowing the guise of the Court as he grew in yeares entred seruice with the Lord of Oxford where he remained a good space Thomas Haukes first in seruice with the Earle Oxford being there right well estemed loued of all the houshold so long as Edward the sixt liued But he dying all things begaÌ„ to go backward religioÌ„ to decay godlines not only to waxe cold but also to be in dauÌ„ger euery where and chiefly in the houses of great men Haukes mislikyng the state of thinges and especially in such mens houses rather theÌ„ he would chaunge the profession of true godlines which he had tasted thought to chaunge the place Haukes compelled to leaue the Earle of Oxfordes house and so forsaking y e Noble mans house departed home to his own home where more freely he might geue himselfe to God vse his owne conscience But what place in this worlde shall a man finde so secret for himselfe whether that old wicked Serpent can not creep wherby he may haue some matter to ouerthrow the quietnesse of the Godly Nowe in the meane season as it happened Haukes keeping his house at home Haukes childe 〈◊〉 weekes vnâ—christened had borne vnto him a young sonne whose baptisme was deferred to the third weeke for that he would not suffer him to be baptised after the papistical maner Which thing the aduersaries not able to suffer laying handes vpon him Haukes brought before the Earle did bryng him to the Earle of Oxforde there to be reasoned with as not sound in religion in that he semed to contemne the sacramentes of the Church The Earle eyther intending not to trouble hymselfe in such matters Haukes seâ— vp by the Earle to B. Boner or else seeyng hymselfe not able to weigh with him in suche cases of Religion sent him vp to London with a messenger and letters and so willing to cleare his owne handes put him in the handes of Boner bishop of London the conteÌ„tes of which his letter sent to Boner be these ¶ A Letter of the Earle of Oxford to Boner MOst reuerend father in God be it knowne vnto you that I haue sent you one Thomas Haukes The Earlâ— letter to Boner dwelling in the County of Essex who hath a child that hath remayned vnchristened more then three weekes who being vpon the same examined hath denied to haue it baptised as it is now vsed in the Church wherevpo n I haue sent him to your good Lordship to vse as ye thinke best by your good discretion WheÌ„ the bishop had perused this letter and afterward read it to M. Haukes he hearing the same thought with himselfe that he should not be very wel vsed seing he was put to his discretion Then wrote the bishop a letter again to him that sent the prisoner with many great thankes for his diligence in setting forth the Queenes proceedynges Then began the bishop to enter communication with M. Haukes first asking what should moue him to leaue hys child vnchristened so long To whom M. Haukes answered thus agayne as foloweth Haukes Because we be bound to do nothing contrarye to the word of God Priuate talke or conference betweene M. Haukes and B. Boner Boner Why Baptisme is â—ommaunded by the worde of God Haukes His institution therin I do not deny Boner What deny ye then Haukes I deny all things inuented and deuised by man Boner What thinges be those that be deuised by man that ye be so offended withall Haukes Your Oyle Creame Salt Spettle Candle Mans inâ—â—â—â—tions addeâ— to Baptisâ—â— The 〈…〉 and coniuring of water c. Boner Will
talke they departed ¶ The talke of Doctor Heth Archbishop of Yorke and day Byshop of Chichester with Maister Bradford THe xxiii of the same moneth the Archbishop of Yorke and the Bishop of Chichester came to the Counter to speake with Bradford When hee was come before them Talke bâ—â—tweene Byshopâ— Bradford they both and especially the Bishop of York vsed him very gently they would haue him to sit downe and because he would not they also would not sit So they all stode whether he woulde or not they would needes he shoulde put on not only his night cap but his vpper cap also saying vnto him that obedience was better then sacrifice Now thus standing together my Lord of Yorke began to tell Bradford howe that they were not sent to him but of loue charitie they came to him and he for that acquayntance also whiche he had with Bradford more then the Bishoppe of Chichester had then after commending Bradfordes godly life he concluded w t this question how he was certaine of saluation and of his Religion Brad After thankes for theyr good will Bradford aunswered by the word of God euen by the Scriptures I am certayne of saluation and Religion Yorke Uery well sayd but how do ye know the worde of God and the scriptures but by the Church Bradford In deede my Lorde the Churche was and is a meane to bring a man more speedely to knowe the Scriptures and the worde of God as was the woman of Samaria a meane that the Samaritans knewe Christ but ⧠Certayne Bishops talking with Maister Bradford in prison as when they had heard him speake they sayde nowe we know that he is Christ not because of thy wordes but because wee our selues haue heard him so after we came to the hearing and reading of the Scriptures shewed vnto vs and discerned by the Church we doe beleue them and knowe them as Christes sheepe not because y e Church saith they are the Scriptures but because they be so being thereof assured by the same spirite whiche wrote and spake them Yorke You knowe in the Apostles time at the first the word was not written Bradford True if you meane it for some books of the new Testament but els for the old Testament Peter telleth vs Firmâ—orem sermonem propheticum habemus We haue a more sure worde of prophecie not that it is simply so but in respect of the Apostles which being aliue and compassed w t infirmitiâ— attributed to the worde written mâ—re firmitie as wherewith no fault coulde be found where as for the infirmitie of their persons men perchaunce might haue found some faulte at their preaching albeit in very deede no lesse obedience and fayth ought to haue bene geuen to the one then to the other for all proceedeth foorth of one spirite of truth Yorke That place of Peter is not so to be vnderstand of the word written Brad. Yea syr that it is and of none other Chic Yea in deede Maister Bradford doth tell you truely in that poynt Yorke Well you know that Irenaeus and others doe magnifie much and alleage the Church agaynst the heretickes and not the scripture Bradford True for they had to do with such heretickes as did deny the scriptures and yet did magnifie the Apostles so that they were inforced to vse the authoritie of those Churches wherein the Apostles had taught and whiche had still retayned the same doctrine Chic You speake the very truth for the heretickes dyd refuse all scriptures except it were a peece of Lukes Gospel Brad. Then the alledgyng of the Church cannot be princially vsed agaynst me whiche am so farre from denying of the Scriptures that I appeale vnto them vtterly as to the onely iudge Yorke A pretty matter that you will take vppon you to iudge the Churche I pray you where hath your Churche bene hetherto For the church of Christ is Catholicke and visible hetherto Brad. My Lord I doe not iudge the Church when I discerne it from that congregation those whiche be not the Church I neuer denyed the Church to be Catholicke visible althought at some times it is more visible then at some Chic I pray you tell me where the Church which allowed your doctrine was these foure hundreth yeares Brad. I will tell you my Lord or rather you shal tell your selfe if you will tell me this one thing where the Churche was in Helias his time when Helias sayde that hee was left alone Chic That is no aunswere Bradford I am sory that you say so but this will I tell your Lordship that if you had the same eyes wherwith a man might haue espied the Churche then you woulde not say it were no answere The true 〈…〉 euery man hath not eyes to see it The fault why the Church is not seene of you is not because the Churche is not visible but because your eyes are not cleare inough to see it Chic You are much deceaued in making this collation betwixt the Church then and now Yorke Uery well spoken my Lord for Christ sayde aedificabo Ecclesiam I will build my Church and not I doe or haue built it but I will build it Bradford The â—ishops 〈◊〉 to an 〈…〉 My Lordes Peter teacheth me to make thys collation saying as in y e people there were false Prophetes which were most in estimation afore Christes comming so shall there be false teachers amongest the people after Christes comming and very many shall follow them And as for your future tense I hope your grace will not therby conclude christes Church not to haue bene before but rather that there is no building in the Church but by Christes worke onely for Paule and Apollo be but watterers Chichester In good fayth I am sory to see you so light in iudging the Church Yorke He taketh vpon him as they all doe to iudge the Church A man shall neuer come to certaintie that doth as they do Brad. My Lordes I speake simply what I thinke desire reason to aunswere my obiections Your affections sorrowes can not be my rules If that you consider y e order and case of my condemnation I can not thinke but y t it should somethyng moâ—e your honours You knowe it well enough for you heard it no matter was layd against me but what was gathered vpon mine owne confession Because I did denye Transubstantiation and the wicked to receaue Christes body in the Sacrament therefore I was condemned and excoÌ„municate but not of the churche although the pillers of the church as they be taken did it Chichester No. I heard say the cause of your imprisonmeÌ„t was for that you exhorted the people to take the sword in the one hand and the mattocke in the other Brad. My Lord I neuer ment any such thing nor spake any thing in that sort False surmâ—â—e agaynst Bradford Yorke Yea and you behaued your selfe before the Counsel so stoutly at the
called down to speak with mayster Weston which was then come in Mayster Bradford then being called downe so soone as he was entred into the Hall D. Westoâ— commeth 〈◊〉 M. Bradford M. Weston very gentlye tooke him by the hand asked how he did with such other talke At length he willed auoydaunce of the chamber So they all went out saue Mayster Weston himselfe M. Colliar the Earle of Darbyes seruant the Subdeane of Westminster the Keeper Mayster Clayden and the Parson of the Church where the Counter is Now theÌ„ he began with M. Bradford to tell how that he was often minded to haue come vnto him beyng therto desired of the Earle of Darby and quoth he after that I perceiued by his man that you could be conteÌ„ted rather to speake with me then any others I coulde not come but to do you good if I can for hurt you be sure I will not Bradford Syr quoth Mayster Bradford when I perceyued by the report of my Lords seruant that you did beare me good will more as he sayd then any other of your sort I tolde him then that therfore I could be better content more willing to talke with you if you shoulde come vnto me This did I say quoth he otherwise I desired not your comming West Wel quoth he now I am come to talk with you but before we shall enter into any talke certayn principles we must agree vpon which shall be this dayes worke First quoth he I shall desire you to put away all vain glory and not hold any thing for the prayse of the world D. Westoâ— lessâ—ns 〈◊〉 as he did 〈◊〉 follow himselfe Vain glorâ— Brad. Syr S. Augustine maketh that in deed a piece of the definitioÌ„ of an heretick which if I cannot put away cleane for I thinke there will a spice of it remaine in vs as long as this flesh liueth yet I promise you by the grace of God that I purpose not to yeld to it God I hope wil neuer suffer it to beare rule in them that striue there against desire all the dregges of it vtterly to be driuen out of vs. Weston I am glad to heare you say so although in deed I thinke you do not so much esteme it as others do Secondly I would desire you that you wil put away singularity in your iudgement and opinions Singulâ—â—â— Brad. Syr God forbid that I should sticke to any singularity or priuate iudgement in Gods Religion Hytherto I haue not desired it neyther doe nor mynde at any tyme to hold any other doctrine then is publick and catholick vnderstanding catholicke as good men do according to Gods word West Uery well this is a good dayes worke I hope to do you good therfore now thirdly I shall pray you to write me Capita of those thinges wherupon you stand in the sacrament and to send them to me betwixt this and Wednesday next vntill which time yea vntil I come to you again be assured that you are without all perill of death Of my infidelity Weston wil 〈◊〉 M. Bradford to â—ut downe 〈◊〉 writing 〈◊〉 chiefe â—round of 〈◊〉 â—ayth warrant you I therfore away with all dubitations c. Brad. Syr I will write to you the groundes I leane to in this matter As for death if it come welcome bee it this which you require of me shall be no great let to me therin West You know that S. Augustine was a Manichean yet was he coÌ„uerted at the length so haue I good hope of you Brad. Syr because I will not flatter you I woulde you should flatly know that I am euen setled in the Religion wherfore I am condemned West Yea but if it be not the truth you see euident matter to the contrary will you not then geue place Brad. God forbid but that I should alwayes geue place to the truth West I would haue you to pray so Brad. So I do and that he will more and more confirme me in it as I thanke God he hath done and doth West Yea but pray with a condition if you be in it Brad. No Syr I cannot pray so because I am setled and assured of his truth Well quoth Weston as the learned Bishop aunswered S. Augustines mother that though she was obstinate yet the teares of such a mother could not but winne her sonne so quoth he I hope your prayers for then Bradfordes eyes dyd shewe that hee hadde wept in prayer canne not but be heard of God though not as you would yet as best shall please God Do you not quoth he remember the hystory thereof Brad. Yea Syr quoth Bradford I thinke it be of Saynt Ambrose West No that it is not And here WestoÌ„ would haue laid a wager and begaÌ„ to triumph saying to Bradford as you are ouersene herein so are you in the other thinges Brad. Well Syr I will not conteÌ„d with you for the name This I remember Saynt Augustine writeth in his confessions After this talke Weston begunne to tell M. Bradforde howe the people were by him procured to withstande the Queene M. Bradâ—ord wrongâ—â—lly charâ—ed with â—â—dition Whereunto Bradforde aunswering agayne bade him hang him vp as a traytour and a thefe if euer he encouraged any to rebellion whiche thing his Keeper and others that were there of the Priests affirmed on his behalfe So much talke there was to litle purpose at that time Doctor Weston declared moreouer howe he had saued men going in the cart to be hanged and such like The end was this that Bradford should send vnto him capita doctrinae of the supper after wednesday he woulde come vnto him agayne and thus departed he after that he had dronken to him in beare and wine I omit here talk of Oxford of books of Germane writers of the feare of death and such other talke which are to no purpose * An other disputation or talke betwene Mayster Bradford and Doctour Pendleton â—n other â—â—â—eptatioÌ„ 〈◊〉 taâ—â—e beâ—weene M. â—radford D. Pendleâ—on IN the meane time wheÌ„ Mayster Bradford had written his reasons and argumentes had sent them to Doctor Weston in short space after about the 28. of Marche there came to the Counter Doctour Pendleton and with hym the foresayd M. Collier sometime Warden of Manchester and Steuen Bech After salutations Mayster Pendleton began to speak to Bradford that he was sory for his trouble And further quoth he after that I didde knowe you could be content to talke with me I made the more speed being as ready to doe thee good and pleasure thee that I can as ye would wish Brad. Syr the maner how I was content to speake wyth you was on this sorte Mayster Bech was often in hande with me whom he shoulde bring vnto me and named you amongest other and I sayd that I had rather speake with you then with any of all the other Nowe the cause why I so would I will briefly tell you I
if ye loue not Gods Gospell yea if ye loue it not Therefore to conclude repent loue Gods Gospell liue in it all your conuersation so shall Gods name be praysed his plagues be mitigated his people comforted and his enemies ashamed GrauÌ„t all this thou gracious lord god to euery one of vs for thy deare sonnes sake our Sauiour Iesus Christ To whome with thee and the holy Ghost be eternal glory for euer and euer Amen The 12. of February 1555. By the bondman of the Lord and your afflicted poore brother Iohn Bradford * To my louing brethren B. C. c. their Wiues and whole families I. Bradford I Beseech the euerliuing God to graunt you all my good brethren and sisters An other letter of M. Bradford to certayne frendes of his whom for danger of that time he would not name the comfort of the holy spirit and the continuall sense of his mercy in Christ our Lord now and for euer amen The world my brethren semeth to haue the vpper hand iniquity ouerfloweth the trueth and verity seemeth to bee suppressed and they which take parte therewith are vniustly entreated as they which loue the trueth lament to see and heare as they doe The cause of all this is Gods anger and mercy his anger because we haue greuously sinned agaynst him his mercy because he here punisheth vs and as a Father nourtereth vs. Wee haue beene vnthankefull for his word We haue contemned his kyndenesse Gods anger and mercy both together vpon his Church The contempt of God and his Gospell punished Wee haue bene negligent in prayer We haue bene so carnall couetous licencious c. We haue not hastened to heauen warde but rather to hellwarde We were fallen almost into an open contempt of God and all his good ordinaunces so that of his iustice he coulde no longer forbeare but make vs feele his anger as now he hath done in taking his worde and true seruice from vs and permitted Sathan to serue vs with Antichristian religion and that in such sort that if we will not yelde to it and seeme to allow in deede an outwarde facte our bodyes are like to be layed in prison and our goodes geuen we can not tell to whom This should we looke vpon as a signe of Gods anger procured by our sinnes which my good brethren euery of vs should now call to our memories oftentymes so particularly as we can that wee might hartely lament them Exhortâ—â— to repâ—â—â—tance 〈…〉 repent them hate them aske earnestly mercy for them and submit our selues to beare in this liâ—e any kinde of punishment which God will lay vpon vs for them This should we do in consideration of Gods anger in this time Now his mercy in this time of wrath is seene and should be sene in vs my dearely beloued in this that God doth vouchsafe to punish vs in this present life If he should not haue punished vs Gods 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 why we punished here do not you thinke that we would haue continued in the euilles we were in Yes verely we woulde haue bene worse and haue gone forwardes in hardenyng our hartes by impenitency and negligence of God true godlines And then if death had come should not we haue perished both soule and body into eternall fire and perdition Alas what misery shoulde we haue fallen into if God shoulde haue suffered vs to haue gone on forwarde in our euils No greater signe of damnatioÌ„ there is then to lie in euill and sinne vnpunished of God as now the Papistes my dearely beloued are cast into Iezabels bed of security which of all plagues is the grieuousest plague that can be They are bastards and not sonnes for they are not vnder Gods rod of correction A great mercy it is therefore that GOD doth punish vs For if he loued vs not he would not punish vs. Iesabeâ— bed of 〈◊〉 Apoc. â— Heb. 1â— 1. Cor. â— 1. Pet. â— The 〈…〉 God 's 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 in thâ—â— world Phillip â— Now doth he chastice vs that we shoulde not be damned with the worlde Nowe doeth he nourtour vs because he fauoureth vs. Now may we thinke our selues Gods house and children because he beginneth his chastising at vs Now calleth he vs to remember our sinnes past Wherefore that we might repent and aske mercy And why That he might forgeue vs pardon vs iustifye vs and make vs his children and so begin to make vs here lyke vnto Christ that we might be lyke vnto hym elswhere euen in heauen where already wee are sette by fayth with Christ and at his comming in very deede we shall then most ioyfully enioy when our sinnefull and vile bodyes shall be made like to Christes glorious body accordynge to the power whereby he is able to make all thinges subiect to himselfe Therefore my brethren let vs in respect hereof not lament but land God not to be sory but be mery not weep but reioyce and be gladde that God doth vochsafe to offer vs his Crosse Rom. â— thereby to come to him to endlesse ioyes and comfortes For if we suffer we shall raigne 2. Tim. â— if we confesse him before men he will confesse vs before his father in heauen if we be not ashamed of his Gospell now Math. â—â— he wyll not be ashamed of vs in the last day but will be glorifyed in vs crowning vs with crownes of glorye and endlesse felicitye Math. â— For blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake for theyrs is the kingdome of heauen Be glad sayâ—h Peter for the spirite of God resteth vpon you After that you are a litle afflicted God will comforte 1. 〈…〉 strengthen and confirme you 1. 〈…〉 And therefore my good brethren be not discouraged for Crosse for prison or losse of goodes for confession of Christes Gospell and truth He 〈…〉 to takâ— comforâ— the 〈◊〉 Math. â— whiche ye haue beleued and liuely was taught amongest you in the dayes of our late good Kyng and most holy Prince Kyng Edward This is most certayne if you loose any thing for Christes fake and for contemning the Antichristian seruice set vppe agayne amongst vs as you for your partes euen in prison shall finde Gods great and riche mercy farre passing all worldly wealth so shall your wiues and children in this present life finde and feele Gods prouidence more plentifully then tongue can tell For he will shew mercifull kindenesse on thowsands of them that loue hym Psalm â— The good mannes seed shall not goe a begging his bread You are good men so many as suffer for Christes sake I truste you all my dearelye beloued Gods 〈◊〉 seene 〈◊〉 Crosse. wyll consyder this geare with your selues in the crosse see Gods mercy which is more sweete and to be set by then life it selfe muche more then anye Mucke or Pelfe of this worlde This mercy of God shoulde make you merye and chearefull for the afflictions of
pray for me my dearely beloued pray for me that I neuer shrinke I shall neuer shrinke I hope I trust in the Lord I shall neuer shrinke for he that alwayes hath taken my part I am assured will not leaue me when I haue most neede for his truth and mercies sake Oh Lord help me Into thy handes I commend me wholy In the Lord is my trust I care not what maÌ„ can do vnto me Amen My dearely beloued say you Amen also and come after if so God call you Bee not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ but keepe company with him still He wyll neuer leaue you but in the midst of temptation will geue you an outscape to make you able to beare the brunt Vse hearty prayer reuerently read and heare Gods word put it in practise looke for the crosse lift vp your heads for your redemption draweth nye know that the death of Gods saints is precious in his sight Bee mery in the Lord pray for the mitigation of Gods heauy displeasure vppon our countrey God keepe vs for euer God blesse vs with his spirituall blessings in Christ. And thus I bid you farewel for euer in this present lyfe Pray for me pray for me for Gods sake pray for me God make perfect his good worke begun in me Amen Out of prison this vij of February Yours in the Lord. Iohn Bradford In the story of M. Bradford it was aboue rehearsed how a certaine Gentlewoman beyng in trouble by her father and mother for not comming to Masse sent her seruant to visite M. Bradford in prison Who tenderyng the wofull case of the Gentlewoman to the entent partly to confirme her with counsaile partly to relieue her oppressed mynd with some comfort directed this letter vnto her the contents whereof are these ¶ To a certaine godly Gentlewoman troubled and afflicted by her friends for not comming to the Masse I Wish vnto you right worshipfull and my dearely beloued sister in the Lord as to my selfe An other letter of M. Bradford a godly â—â—â—â—tlewoman Rom. 1. the continual grace and comfort of Christ and of his holy word through the operation of the holy spirit who strengthen your inward man with the strength of God that you may continue to the end in the faithful obedience of Gods gospel whereto you are called Amen I perceiued by your selfe the last day when you were with me how that you are in the Scholehouse and triall parlour of the Lord 1. Cor. 1. which to me is as the least it should be a great comfort to see the number of gods elect by you encreased which is in that state wherof God hath not called many as Paule saith And as it is a comfort to mee 1. Cor. 1. and 10. so should it be a confirmation vnto me that the Lord for his faithfulnes sake will make perfect and finish the good hee hath begun in you to the end If then your crosse be to me a comfort or token of your election and a confirmation of Gods continuall fauour my â—earely beloued how much more ought it to bee so vnto you Unto whom he hath not onely geuen to beleue but also to come into the trace of suffering for his sake and that not commonly of common enemies but euen of your owne father mother and all your frâ—ends I meane kinsfolks as you told me By which I see Christes wordes to be true How that he came to geue his childreÌ„ such a peace with him as the Deuill might not nor may abide therfore stirreth vp father and mother sister and brother rather then it should continue But my deare sister if you cry with Dauid to the Lord and complaine to him how that for conscience to him your father and mother haue forsaken you you shal heare him speake in your heart that he hath receiued you and by this would haue you to see how that he maketh you here lyke to Christ that elswhere in heauen you might be like vnto him whereof you ought to be most assured knowing that in time euen wheÌ„ Christ shall appeare you shal be lyke vnto hym For he wil make your body which now you defile not with Idolatrical seruice in goyng to Masse Iohn 3. 〈◊〉 3. 〈◊〉 10. 〈…〉 â— Tim. 2 lyke vnto his owne glorious and immortall body accordyng to the power whereby he is able to do all thyngs He wil confesse you before his father which doe not deny his veritie in worde nor deede before your father he wil make you to raign with him that now suffer for him and with him he wil not leaue you comfortles that seeke no comfort but at his hand though for a little tyme you be afflicted yet therein will hee comfort and strength you and at the length make you to be mery with hym in such ioy as is infinite and endlesse He wil wipe al the teares from your eyes he will embrace you as your deare husband he will after he hath prooued you crowne you with a crowne of glory and immortalitie such as the hart of man shall neuer be able to conceiue in such sorte as the thyng is He now beholdeth your stedfastnes and stâ—iuyng to doe his good will and shortly will hee shew you how stedfast he is and will be ready to do your will after that you haue fully resigned it to his will Pledge him in his cup of the crosse you shall pledge him in the cuppe of his glory Desire to drinke it before it come to the dregs whereof the wicked shall drinke and all those that for feare of the crosse and pledging the Lord doe walke with the wicked in betraying in fact and deed that which their hart embraceth for veritie The which thyng if you should do which God forbid then my deare Mistres and Sister in the Lord you should not onely loose all that I haue before spoken and much more infinitely of eternall ioy and glory but also be a cast away and partaker of gods most heauy displeasure in hell fire eternally and so for a little ease â—â—ke 11. which you cannot tell how long it wyll last to lâ—ose for euer and euer all ease and comfort For hee that gathereth not with me sayth Christ Cor ◠〈◊〉 12. Cor 10. as no Masse Gospelâ—er doth scattereâ—h abroad Accordyng to that we do in this body we shall receyue be it good or badde If of our words we shall be iudged to condemnation or saluation 〈…〉 Cor. 6. much more then of our factes and deedes You cannot be partaker of Gods religion and Antichrists seruice wherof the Masse is most principall You cannot be a member of Christes Church and a member of the Popes Church You must glorifie God not onely in soule and hart but also in body and deede You may not thinke that God requireth lesse of you his wyfe now then your husband dyd of you Iâ— both hart and body your husband would haue shall
word being proper to y e new man The part pâ—operly pertaining to the old man is the lawe the part properly pertaining to the new man is the Gospell The lawe is a doctrine whych commaundeth and forbiddeth requiring doing and auoiding Under it therefore are contained all preceptes threatnings promises vppon conditions of our doing and auoiding c. The Gospell is a doctrine which alwayes offereâ—h and geueth requiryng on our behalfe not as of worthinesse or as a cause What 〈◊〉 law 〈◊〉 but as a certificate vnto vs and therefore vnder it are contained al the free and sweete promises of God as I am the Lorde thy God c. In those that bee of yeares of discretion it requyreth faith not as a cause but as an instrument wherby we our selues may be certaine of our good husbande Christ and of hys glory and therefore when the conscience feeleth it selâ—e disquieted for feare of Gods iudgement against sinne What 〈◊〉 Gospelâ— The 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 down 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Godâ— iudgemeâ—â— agaynst sinne 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 vpon the law 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 comfoâ—â— Iohn â— To the 〈…〉 and peace 〈◊〉 God the law 〈◊〉 onely to keepe 〈◊〉 the olde man Num. 25. she may in no wise looke vpon the doctrine pertaining to the olde man but on the doctrine onely that pertaineth to the new man in it not looking for that which it requireth that is faith because we neuer beleeue as we shoulde but onely on it which it offereth and whych it geueth that is on Gods grace and eternall mercye and peace in Christe So shall she be in quiet when she looketh for it altogether oute of her selfe in Gods mercy in Christ Iesu in whose lappe if shee lay her head wyth S. Iohn then is she happy and shall finde quietnesse in deede When shee feeleth her selfe quiet then in Gods name let her looke on the lawe and vppon suche things as it requireth thereby to bridle and keepe downe the olde Adam to slaye that Goliath from whom she must needes keepe the sweete promises beyng the bed wherein her spouse and she meete and lie together For as the wife will keepe her bed onely for her husbande although in other things she is contented to haue fellowshippe wyth others as to speake sitte eate drinke goe c. so our consciences which are Christes wiues must needes keepe the bed that is Gods sweete promises alonely for our selues and oure husbande there to meete together to embrace and laugh together and to be ioyfull together If sinne the lawe the Deuill or any thing would creepe into the bedde and lye there then complaine to thy husbande Christe and foorthwyth thou shalt see him play Phinees part Thus my dearely beloued I haue geuen you in few woordes a summe of all the Diuinitie whyche a Christian conscience can not want A letter wrytten to his Mother as a farewell when he thought he should haue suffered shortly after THe Lord of life and sauiour of the world Iesus Christe An other letter oâ— leaue 〈◊〉 to his moâ—ther supâ—posing 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 haue 〈…〉 blesse you and comfort you my good and deare mother with his heauenly comforte consolation grace and spirite nowe and for euer Amen If I thought that daily yea almost hourly you did not cry vpon God the father thorough Iesus Christ that he would geue me his blessing euen the blessing of his children then wold I wryte more hereabouts But for as much as herein I am certain you are diligent and so I beseech you good Mother to continue I thinke it good to wryte something whereby this your crying mighte be furthered Furthered it will be He meaneâ—â— the 〈◊〉 of more straight 〈◊〉 prisonmeâ—â— that mighâ— hereby 〈◊〉 low if those things which hinder it be taken away Among the which in that I thinke my imprisonment is the greatest and chiefest I will there about spende thys Letter and that briefly lest it might encrease the let as my good brother this bringer can tel you You shall know therefore good mother that for my body though it be in an house out of the whych I caÌ„ not come when I will yet in that I haue coÌ„formed my wil to gods will I finde herein liberty enough I thanke God And for my lodging bedding meate drinke godly and learned company bookes and all other necessaries for mine ease comfort and commoditie I am in much better case then I could wish Gods merciful prouidence heere is farre aboue my worthines Worthines quoth Alas I am worthy of nothing but damnation But besides all this for my soule I finde muche more commoditie For God is my Father I now perceaue thorough Christ therefore in prisonning me for his Gospell he maketh mee like to the Image of his sonne Iesus Christ here that when he commeth to iudgement I might then be like vnto him as my truste hope is I shal be Nowe maketh he me like to his frendes the Prophetes Apostles the holy Martyrs and Confessours Which of them did not suffer at the least imprisonment or banishment for hys Gospell and worde Nowe Mother howe farre am I vnmeete to bee compared to them I I saye whiche alwayes haue bene and am so vile an hypocrite and greeuous a sinner God myghte haue caused mee long before this time to haue bene cast into prisone as a theefe a blasphemer an vncleane liuer and an hainous offender of the lawes of the Realme but deare Mother his mercy is so great vpon both you and all that loue me that I should be cast into prison as none of these or for anye suche vices but onely for his Christes sake for hys Gospelles sake for his Churches sake that heereby as I might learne to lament and bewail my ingratitude sinnes so I might reioyce in his mercye be thankefull looke for eternall ioy with Christ for whose sake praised be his name for it I now suffer and therefore should be mery and glad And in deede good mother so I am as euer I was yea neuer so mery and glad was I as now I shoulde be if I coulde gette you to be mery wyth me to thanke God for me to pray on this sort Ah good father which dost vouchsafe that my sonne being a greuous sinner in thy sight shoulde finde this fauour with thee 〈…〉 in behalfe to be one of thy sonnes captaines and men of warre to fight and suffer for his Gospels sake I thanke thee and pray thee in Christes name that thou wouldest forgeue him his sinnes and vnthankefulnesse and make perfecte in him that good which thou hast begon yea Lorde I praye thee make him worthy to suffer not onely imprisonement but euen very death for thy truth religion and Gospels sake As Anna did applye and geue her first childe Samuel vnto thee so doe I deare father beseeching thee for Christes sake to accept this my gifte and geue my sonne Iohn Bradforde grace alwaies truely to serue
thee and thy people as Samuel did Amen Amen If on this sort good Mother from your heart you wold pray as I shoulde be the moste meriest man that euer was so am I certaine the lettes of your praier for my imprisonmeÌ„t would be taken away Good Mother therefore marke what I haue wrytten and learne this Prayer by heart to say it daily and then I shall be merye and you shall reioyce if that you continue as I truste you doe in Gods true Religion euen the same I haue taught you and my father Traues I trust wil putte you in remembraunce of 〈◊〉 letter 〈◊〉 not to 〈◊〉 handes my brother Roger also I trust doeth so daily Goe to therefore and learne apace Although the deuill cast diuers lettes in the waye God in whome you truste will cast them awaye for hys Christes sake if you will call vppon him and neuer will he suffer you to be tempted aboue that he will make you able to beare But howe you shoulde doe heerein the other Letter which I haue wrytten herewith shall teache you which I woulde none should reade till my father Traues haue read it he wil geue you by Gods grace some instructions Nowe therefore will I make an ende praying you good Mother to looke for no mo Letters for if it were knowen that I haue penne and inke and did wryte then should I want all the foresayd commodities I haue spoken of concerning my body and be cast into some dungeon in fetters of yron which thing I know would greeue you and therefore for Gods sake see that these be burned when this little prayer in it is copied out by my brother Roger for perchaunce your house may be searched for such geare when you thinke little of it and looke for no moe sweete Mother till eyther God shall deliuer mee and sende mee oute eyther you and I shall meete together in heauen where we shall neuer part asunder Amen I require you Elizabeth and Margarete my sisters that you will feare God vse Prayer loue your husbandes be obedient vnto them as God willeth you bring vppe youre children in Gods feare and be good housewiues God blesse you both wyth both your husbandes my good brethren whome to doe good because I nowe can not I will pray for them and you Commende me to my sister Anne mother Pike T. Sorrocolde and his wife R. Shalcrosse his wife R Bolton I. Wild M. Vicare the Parson of Mottrom Syr Laurence Hall with all that loue I trust liue in the Gospel and God turne Syr Thomas his heart Amen I will daily pray for him I nede not to set my name you know it wel inough Because you shoulde geue my Letters to my father Traues to bee burned I haue wrytten heere a Prayer for you to learne to pray for me good mother and an other for all your house in your euening Prayer to pray with my brother These Praiers are written wyth mine owne hande keepe them still but the letters geue to father Traues to burne and geue father Traues a copie of the latter Prayer An other Letter to his Mother as hys last farewell vnto her in this world a litle before he was burned GOds mercy and peace in Christ be more and more perceiued of vs Amen My moste deare Mother in the bowelles of Christe I heartely pray and beseeche you to be thankefull for me vnto God which thus nowe taketh me vnto hymselfe I dye not my good mother as a theefe a murderer an adulterer c. but I die as a witnesse of Christe hys Gospell and veritie which hetherto I haue confessed I thanke God as well by preaching as by prisonement and now euen presently I shall moste willingly confirme the same by fire I knowledge that God moste iustly mighte take mee hence simply for my sinnes which are many great grieuous but the Lorde for his mercy in Christ hath pardoned them all I hope but nowe deare Mother he taketh mee hence by this death as a Confessour and witnesse that the Religion taughte by Christe Iesu the Prophetes Bradford perecuted of the prelates not for his sinnes but for the truth of Christ. and the Apostles is Gods truth The Prelates doe persecute in me Christ whome they hate and hys trueth which they maye not abide because theyr woorkes are euill and maye not abide the truth and light least men shoulde see theyr darkenesse Therefore my good and moste deare Mother geue thankes for me to God that hee hathe made the fruite of your wombe to be a witnesse of hys glory attend to the truthe which I thanke God for it I haue truely taughte out of the Pulpit of Manchester Use often and continuall Prayer to God the Father through Christe Hearken as you may to the scriptures serue God after his word and not after custome beware of the Romish religion in England defile not your selfe with it carye Christes Crosse as he shall lay it vppon your backe forgeue them that kil me pray for them for they knowe not what they doe commit my cause to God our father be mindefull of bothe youre daughters to helpe them as you can I send all my wrytings to you by my brother Roger do with them as you will because I cannot as I woulde he can tell you more of my minde I haue nothing to geue you or to leaue behinde me for you onely I pray God my father for his Christes sake to blesse you and keepe you froÌ„ euil He geue you pacience he make you thankefull as for me so for your selfe that wil take the fruit of your wombe to witnesse hys veritie wherein I confesse to the whole world I die and depart thys life in hope of a much better which I looke for at the hands of God my father thorough the merites of hys deare sonne Iesus Christ. Thus my deare Mother I take my last farewell of you in this life beseeching the almighty and eternal father by Christ to graunt vs to meete in the life to come where we shall geue him continuall thankes and praise for euer and euer Amen Out of prison the 24. of Iune 1555. Your sonne in the Lord Iohn Bradford A letter sent wyth a supplication to Queene Mary her Counsell and the whole Parlament IN moste humble wise complaineth vnto your Maiestie and honours a poore subiecte persecuted for the confession of Christes veritie A letter of M. Bradford ioyned with a supplication sent to Q. Maâ—y her Counsayle and the Parlament the which veritie deserueth at your hands to be maintained and defended as the thing by the whiche you raigne and haue your honour and authorities Althoughe we that be professours and thorough the grace of God the constante confessours of the same are as it were the outsweepings of the worlde yet I say the veritie it selfe is a thing not vnwoorthy for your eares to heare for your eyes to see and for youre handes to handle
them selues to liue in the feare of God and according to his holy will Moreouer they acknowledged the superior powers as princes and magistrates to be ordeined of God that who so euer resisteth the same resisteth the ordinaunce of God and therefore humbly submitted themselues to theyr superiours with all obedience so that they cōmanded nothing against God Finally they protested that they woulde in no poynte be stubborne but if that their forefathers or they had erred many one iote concerning true religion the same beynge proued by the woord of God they would willingly yeelde and be reformed Their Interrogatories The interrogatories were concerning the Masse auricular confession baptisme mariage and burials according to the institution of the Church of Rome Their aunswers to the Interrogatories Masse To the first they aunsweared that they receyued the Lordes supper as it was by him instituted and celebrated by his Apostles but as touching the masse except the same might be prooued by the word of God they would not receiue it To the second touching auricular confession they said that for their parte they confessed them selues daily vnto God acknowledging them selues before him to be miserable sinners desiring him of pardone and forgeuenesse of their sinnes as Christe instructed his in the prayer which he taught them 1. Iohn 1. Lord forgeue vs our sinnes And as S. Iohn sayeth If we confesse our sinnes to God hee is faithfull and iust to forgeue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse And according to that which God him selfe sayeth by his Prophet O Israel if thou returne returne vnto me And againe O Israel it is I it is I which forgeeueth thee thy sinnes So that Iere. 4. Esa. 43. seeing they ought to returne to God alone and it is he only that forgeueth sinnes therfore they were bound to confesse them selues to God onely Auricular confession and to no other Also it appeareth that Dauid in his Psalmes and y e Prophets and other faithfull seruaunts of God haue confessed themselues both generally and particularly vnto God alone Yet if the contrary might be prooued by the woord of God they woulde say they wyth all humblenesse receiue the same Baptisme Thirdly as touching Baptisme they acknowledged and receiued that holy Institution of Christe and administred the same with all simplicitie as hee ordeined it in his holy Gospell without any chaunging adding or diminishing in any poynt that all this they did in their mother tongue 1. Cor. 14. according to the rule of S. Paul who willeth that in the church euery thing to be done in the mother tongue for the edification of our neighbor But as for their coniurations oyling and salting except the same might be proued by the sacred Scripture they would not receiue them Fourthly as touching burialles they aunswered that they knewe there is a difference betwene the bodies of the true Christians The manner of burials and the Infidels for asmuch as the firste are the mēbers of Iesus Christ temples of the holy ghost and partakers of the glorious resurrectiō of the dead and therefore they accustomed to folow their dead to the graue reuerently with a sufficient company and exhortation out of the woorde of God as well to comfort the parentes and frendes of the dead as also to admonish all men diligently to prepare them selues to die But as for the vsing of candles or lightes praiers for the dead ringing of belles except y e same might be proued to be necessary by the word of God and that God is not offended therwith they wold not receiue them Fifthly as touching obedience to mennes traditions they receiued and allowed all those ordinances Obedience to mens traditions which as S. Paule sayth serue for order decencie reuerence of the Ministerie But as for other Ceremonies which haue bin brought into the Churche of God either as a parte of his diuine seruice either to merite remission of sinnes or els to binde mens consciences because they are mere repugnant to the word of God they could by no means receiue them And whereas the Commissioners affirmed the sayde traditions to haue ben ordeined by councels Councells not to be preferred before Gods word first they answeared that the greatest part of them were not ordeined by councels Secondly that Councels were not to be preferred aboue the woorde of God which saith If any man yea or Angell from heauen shoulde preache vnto you otherwise then that which hath bene receiued of the Lorde Iesus Galat. 1. let him be accursed And therefore said they if Councels haue ordained any thing dissenting from the woorde of God they woulde not receiue it Finally they said that the Councels had made diuers notable decrees concerning the election of Bishoppes and Ministers of the Church concerning Ecclesiasticall discipline as wel of the Cleargie as of the people also concerning the distribution of the goodes and possessions of the Church Councells not kept of the Papistes in many poyntes And further that all pastours which were eyther whoremongers drunkardes or offensiue in any case shuld be put from their office Moreouer that whosoeuer should be present at the masse of a priest which was a whoremonger should be excōmunicate And many such other things which wer not in any point obserued And that they omitted to speake of many other thinges whith were ordained by diuers Councels very superstitious and cōtrary to the holy Commaundements of God as they would be ready to prooue said they if they should haue occasion and oportunitie thereunto Wherefore they required the Commissioners Disputatiō required that a disputation might be had as by the sayde President was pretended publiquely and in their presence and then if it might be prooued by the woorde of God that they erred either in doctrine or conuersation and maner of liuing they were content with all humblenesse to be corrected and refourmed as they had before sayde beseeching them to consider also that their religion had ben obserued kept from their auncitours vntill their time For the antiquity of these Waldoys see before pag. many hundred yeares together and yet for their partes being conuicted by the infallible woord of God they would not obstinately stande to the defence therof Saying moreouer that they togither with the said Lordes Deputies confessed all one God one Sauiour one Holy Ghost one Lawe one Baptisme one hope in Heauen and in Summe they affirmed that their faith and religion was firmly founded and groūded vpon the pure woord of God wherefore it is sayd That blessed are they which heare the same and keepe it To be short seeing it is permitted to the Turkes Turkes and Iewes finde more fauor with the Papistes then the true Christians Sarazens Iewes which are mortall ennemies to our Sauiour Christe to dwell peaceablye in the fairest Cities of Christendome by good reason they should be suffred to liue in the desolate
subiects of an euil zeale for lucre and couetousnes of vile gayne Her highnes therefore straitly chargeth and commaundeth all and euery of her sayde subiectes of whatsoeuer state condition or degree they be that none of them presume from hencefoorth to preach or by way of readyng in Churches or other publike or priuate places except in schooles of the Uniuersitie to interprete or teach any scriptures or any maner poynts of doctrine concerning religion neither also to print any bookes matter ballade ryme Enterlude processe or treatise nor to play any Enterlude except they haue her graces speciall licence in writyng for the same vpon payne to incurre her highnesse indignation and displeasure And her highnes also further chargeth and commaundeth all and euery her sayd subiectes that none of them of their owne authoritie do presume to punish or to ryse against any offender in the causes abouesayde or any other offender in words or deeds in the late rebellion committed or done by the Duke of Northumberland or his complices or to cease any of their goods or violently to vse anye such offender by strikyng or imprisonyng or threatenyng the same but wholy to referre the punishment of all suche offenders vnto her highnes and publike authority wherof her maiestie myndeth to see due punishment accordyng to the order of her highnes lawes Anno 1553. Neuertheles as her highnesse myndeth not hereby to restraine and discourage any of her louyng subiectes to geue from tyme to time true information against any such offenders in the causes abouesayd vnto her grace or her Counsaile for the punishment of euery such offender according to the effect of her highnes lawes prouided in that part so her sayde highnes exhorteth and straitly chargeth her sayd subiects to obserue her commaundement pleasure in euery part aforesayd as they will auoyd her highnes sayd indignation and most grieuous displeasure The seueritie and rigor whereof as her highnes shall bee most sory to haue cause to put the same in execution so doth she vtterly determine not to permit such vnlawfull and rebellious doyngs of her subiects wherof may ensue the daunger of her royall estate to remayne vnpunished but to see her sayd lawes touching these points to be throughly executed which extremities she trusteth all her sayd louyng subiects will foresee dread and auoyde accordingly her sayd highnes straightly charging and commaundyng all Mayors Shiriffes Iustices of Peace Bailiffes Constables and all other publike Officers and Ministers diligently to see to the obseruyng and executyng of her sayde commaundementes and pleasure and to apprehende all such as shall wilfully offend in this part committyng the same to the next Gaole there to remayne without bayle or maineprise till vpon certificate made to her highnes or her priuy Counsaile of their names and doyngs and vpoÌ„ examination had of their offences some further order shall be taken for their punishment to the example of others according to the effect and tenour of the lawes aforesayd Yeuen at our Manor of Richmond the 18. day of August in the 1. yeare of our most prosperous raigne M. Bourne preaching at Paules Crosse. M. Bournes Sermon at Paules crosse August 13. ABout this tyme or not long before Boner B. of London beyng restored appoynted M. Bourne a Canon of Paules to preach at the Crosse who afterward was B. of Bathe he takyng occasion of the Gospell of the day to speake somewhat largely in iustifieng of Boner beyng theÌ„ present No maruell if Boner were so foule fallen away in such a vyle dungeon in the Marshalsey which Boner sayd he vpon the same text in that place that day foure yeares had preached before and was vppon the same most cruelly and vniustly cast into y e most vile Dungeon of the Marshalsey and there kept duryng the tyme of King Edward Hys wordes sounded so euill in the eares of the hearers that they could not keep silence but began to murmure and to stirre in such sort that the Mayor and Aldermen with other estates theÌ„ present feared much an vprore But the truth is that one hurled a dagger at the preacher but who it was it could not then be prooued albeit afterward it was knowen In fine the sturre was such that the Preacher pluckt in hys head and durst no more appeare in that place The matter of hys Sermon tended muche to the derogation and disprayse of King Edward M. Iohn Bradford appeaseth the people which thyng the people in no case could abyde Then M. Bradford at the request of the Preachers brother and other then beyng in the pul pit stoode foorth and spake so myâ—â—ely Christianly and effectuously that with fewe woordes he appeased all and afterward he and M. Rogers conducted the Preacher betwixt them from the Pulpit to the Grammar schole doore where they left him safe as further in the story of Maister Bradford is declared But shortly after they were both rewarded with long imprisonment and last of all with fire in Smithfield By reason of this tumult at Paules Crosse an order was taken by the Lordes of the Counsaile with the Mayor and Aldermen of London Bradford and Rogers garded the preacher that they calling the next day followyng a common counsaile of the Citie should therby charge euery housholder to cause their children apprentises and other seruaunts to keep their owne parish Churches vpon the holydays and not to suffer them to attempt any thyng to the violatyng of the common peace Willyng them also to signify the sayd assembly the Queenes determination vttered vnto them by her highnes the 12. of August in the Tower Which was that albeit her graces coÌ„science is stayed in matters of religion yet she graciously ment not to compell or strayne other mens conscience otherwyse then God shal as she trusted put in their harts a perswasion of the truth that she is in thorough the openyng of hys word vnto them by godly vertuous learned preachers c. Also it was then ordered that euery Alderman in hys Ward should foorthwith send for the Curates of euery parish within their liberties and to warne them not only to forbeare to preach themselues but also not to suffer any other to preach or make any open or solemne readyng of scripture in their churches vnles the sayd preachers were seuerally licensed by the Queene After this Sermon at Paules Crosse aforenamed the next day after it followed that the Queenes Gard was at the crosse with their weapons to gard the Preacher And when men withdrew themselues from the Sermon order was taken by the Mayor that the Ancients of all companies should be present least the preacher should be discouraged by hys small Auditorie August 1553. The 5. of August 5. of Auâ— an 1553. an 1553. was one William Rutler committed by the Counsaile to the Marshalsey for vtteryng certayne wordes agaynst Maister Bourne Preacher for hys Sermon at Paules Crosse on Sonday last before The 16. of August
furtherance of the gospel and that you will be none of those forgetfull and hypocritish hearers Wayside hereâ—â— of the worde whereof some being but wayside hearers the deuil commeth and taketh away the woord out of their heartes least they shoulde beleeue and be saued but lette praier be made without ceassing by the congregation vnto God for them and no doubt God will to your consolation gloriously deliuer by one meanâ—s or other his oppressed Onely tary ye the Lords leisure be strong let your heart be of good comfort and waite yee still for the Lorde He tarieth not that will come looke for hym therefore and faint not and he will neuer faile you Yours George Marsh. A letter of a godly brother one Iames Bradshaw sent to George Marsh in prisone GRace and peace from God the father and the Lord Iesu Christ be with you alway A letter of Iames Bradshaw to George Marsh. Amen We had a letter from you which is a great coÌ„fort vnto vs to see you take the crosse so thankefully Trouble affliction doth prooue try instructe confirme strengthen the faith prouoke and stirre vp prayer driue and force vs to amendement of life What good affliction worketh in the godly to the feare of God to mekenes to patience to constancie to gentlenesse to sobernesse temperancie and to all maner of vertues and are the occasion of exceeding much good as wel transitorie as eternal in this world as in the world to come There is neither good nor bad godly nor vngodly but hee hathe one crosse or other And although some there be that can shift for a while and make prouision for theÌ„selues for a time by craft or subtilty and dissimulatioÌ„ or by some fashion in fellowship as they call it yet they bring them selues at length into the highest danger confusion and shame both in this world in the world to come And seing that all the troubles and aduersity in this world are a thousand times more light easy yea nothing in coÌ„parison of the eternal fire which is prepared and already kindled for the vnfaithfull and wicked enemies of God all faithfull and godly persons ought to beare and suffer their transitorye affliction and aduersitie the more patiently willingly and thankfully considering and remembring all the dearely beloued frendes of God which were wonderfully vexed plaged of their enemies Abraham of the Caldeis Lot of the Sodomites Isaac of Ismael Iacob of Esau Moses of his people Dauid of Saule and of his owne sonnes As for Iob Examplâ— of holy suffering â—â—â—fliction he had not a drop of bloud in hys body Iohn Baptist the holyest that euer was borne of a woman was without any law right or reason beheaded in prison as thoughe God had knowen nothing at all of hym We haue many thousand fellow martyrs and companions of our miserie and aduersitie in respecte of whose imprisonment racking chaines fire wilde beastes and other meanes wherwith they were tormented al that we suffer is but a blast of winde Therefore nowe who soeuer is ashamed of the crosse of Christ and agreued therewith the same is ashamed to haue Christ for his fellow companion and therefore shal the Lord Iesus Christ be ashamed of him againe at the latter day Thus I leaue for this time beseeching you to lette me haue your aduise because I do not outwardly speake that with my tong that I do thinke w t my heart Pray for me as I for you I beseeche the holy Ghost haue you in hys keeping alway Amen By your frend Iames Bradshaw A prayer of George Marsh which he vsed daily to say OH Lord Iesu Christ which art the onely phisition of wouÌ„ded consciences wee miserable sinners trusting in thy gratious goodnes doe briefly open to thee the euil tree of our heart with all the rootes boughes leaues and fruits withal the crookes A prayer oâ— G. Marsh Martyr knots and knoures all which thou knowest for thou throughly perceiuest as wel the inwarde lustes doubtings and denying thy prouideÌ„ce as these grosse outward sinnes which we commit inwardly and deadly Wherfore we beseeche thee according to the litle measure of our infirmitie althoughe we be farre vnable and vnapt to pray that thou wouldest mercifully circumcise our stonie hearts and for these old hearts create new within vs and replenish vs with a new spirite and water vs and moysten vs wyth the iuyce of heauenly grace and welles of spiritual waters wher by the inwarde venome and noysome iuyce of the flesh may be dried vp and custome of the olde man changed and our heart alwaies bringing forth thornes and briers to be burned with fire from hence foorth may beare spiritual fruites in righteousnes holinesse vnto life euerlasting Amen Beloued amonge other exercises I doe daily on my knees vse this confession of sinnes willing and exhorting you to do the same daily to acknowledge vnfainedly to God your vnbelief vnthaÌ„kfulnes disobedience against him This shal ye do if ye wil diligently consider and loke your selues first in the pure glasse of Gods commaundements and there see our outward filthines and vncleannes and so learne to vanquish the same that is to wit to fall in hearty displeasure against sinne therby be prouoked to long after Christ. For we truely are sinners but he is iust and the iustifier of all them that beleue on him We are poore 1. Cor. 1â— Math. 2â— but he is rich in mercy towarde all them that cal vpon him If we hunger and thirst for righteousnesse let vs resort vnto his table for he is a most liberall feast maker He wil set before vs his owne holy body which was geueÌ„ for vs to be our meat and hys precious bloud which was shed for vs and for many for the remission of sinnes to be our drinke He biddeth willeth calleth for geasts which hunger and thirst Come sayeth he all ye that labour and are laden and I will refresh you coole and ease you Math. 1â—â— and you shall finde rest vnto your soules The life and historie of W. Flower who for striking of a priest was apprehended first hauing hys hande cut off and after martyred for his constant standing to the truth WIlliam Flower otherwise named Branch first coÌ„cerning his trade of life bringing vp he was born at Snowhil in the County of Cambridge W. Flower Martyr where he went to schoole certaine yeares and then came to the Abbey of Ely where after hee hadde remained a while hee was a professed Monke according to the order and rule of the same house wherein hee remained vsing and bearing the habite of a Monke and obseruing the rules and orders of the same house vntill he came to 21. yeres of age or thereabout and before hee came to that age and being a professed Monke hee was made a priest also in the same house and there did celebrate and singe Masse a good space