Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 6
THE SIXT SECTION OF this Ecclesiasticall Historie.
THIS Storie following, and that before confuteth the vaine opinion of some, that this Religion now vsed, hath risen but twentie or thirtie yeares since, and manifesteth that it hath béene spred in England this 220. yeares, and often sparkled before that time, although it flamed not so as it hath done within this 100. yeares and more, w…o although they were not so strongly armed in their cause, as of late yeares, yet were they warriours in Christs Church, and although they gaue back for tyranny, yet Iudge the best, and referre the cause to God, who euealeth all things according to his determinate will and time, there hath bin no realme more fertile for Marters then England. Oxford was as a continuall spr…ng of Christian knowledge whence, as out of the Troiane horse, hath come so many inuincible wit…esses of the truth, amongst whom William Taylor, Master of …, hath not deserued the least praise, being a fauorer of Wickliffe▪ who because he had written cer…ain things against the inuocation of saints, and many other matters, after he had recanted nine articles, returned vntounto th… right way, and with a maruellous constancie, … bu…t in Smithfield the 7 of March.
Iohn Florence, 1422.a Turner of Shelton, in the Di…cesse of Norwich, was attached because he held and taught that the Pope and Cardinals hauehave no power to const…tute Lawes, that nor day is to be kept holiday, but Sunday. That there ought to be no fast, but of the Qua…uor temporum. That Images are not to be worshipped▪ not lights to be set before them. Not … goe on Pilgrimage, nor offe… for the dead, or with women that are purified. That Curates should not claime Tithes by any exaction, and that they should be diuided amongst the poore. That such as sweare by their life, or power, except they repent, shall be dam…d. He was brought before the Chauncellour, and forced to abiure, and was sworne not to hold or teach any thing contrary to the determination of the Church of Rome, nor to helpe or ayde any that should so doe. He was inioyned for penan… thr… Sund…ies Solemne Procession in the Cathedral Church of Norwich, to be whipped before all the people, and three other Sundaies about his Parish Church of Shelton, bare f…ted, & bare necked, his bodie being couered with a canu…s shirt, and canu…s briches, carying in his hand a Taper of a pound waight, & so was dismissed.
Richard Belward of Erisam, in the Diocesse of Norwich, was accused for holding, and teaching, that Ecclesiasticall Minist…re and Ordinaries, hauehave no power to excommunicate; and though the Bishop excommunicate any, God doth absol…e them. And that he held the opinion of Sir Iohn Oldcastle. And that such as goe on Pilgrimage, offering to Images, are excommunicated, because they ought to giuegive to the poore which are aliue, and not to the dead. And that the Curates sell God on Easter day, when they receiue Offerings, before they minister the Sacraments. And that hee councelled … uerse women that they should not offer for the dead, nor with women that were puri… ▪ and for that he called his neighbours fooles for not learning his sect, and that they of … sect were able to confute all others, and that we ought not to pray vntounto the Saints … heauen, but onelyonly to God, and that he kéept schooles of Lolardie in Dichingham, … that a Parchment maker bringeth him bookes from London, containing … Doctrine. The Bishop of Norwich si…ting in Iudgement vponupon him, he denied his articles, and was purged by … of his neighbours, swearing that he would not teach or defend any thin… contrary to the Church of Rome, and the aforesaid parchment-maker was likewise accused vponupon the aforesaid Artic…es who d…nyed them, and was likewise purged by his neighb…urs, and sword in like manner. Also sir Hugh Pie Chaplen of L…dney was likewi…e accused before the said Bishop of Norwich, for holding that the people ought not to goe on pilgrimage, and that people ought not to giuegive almes to Images, but to the poore That the Image of the Crosse, & other Images are not to be worshiped, and that he had cast the Crosse of Brome hold into the fire to be burnt, which he tooke from one of Ludney, which he denied, & purged himselfe by three Laymen, and three Priests & was sworne, as before.
In this yeare, Henry the fift sent a most cruell Commission vntounto Iohn Exeter, 1428.and Iacolet Germaine, kéeper of the Castle of Colchester, for the apprehending of sir William White Priest, and Thomas Chaplin of Setling in Northfolke; and William Northamton Priest, and all other suspected of Lolardy, and to commit them to prison, by vertue of which Commi…ion, sixe persons were attached in Bu…gay of Norwich, whose names were so defaced through antiquitie, that there remained but three names in the worne booke to be red, to wit, Iohn Teaderton in Kent, Bartholomew Monke of Ensham in Norfolke, Corneleader▪ a ma…ie… man; these three were in the custodie of the Duke of Norfolke, in the Castle of Fremingham. We finde also in the Diocesse of Norfolke, and Suffolke, specially in the townes of Bechels, Ersham, and Ludney within the space of three or foure yeares, 120. men and women, which sustained great vexation for the profession of Christs Faith, whose names are recited in the booke at large; the Articles that were generally obiected against them, were; That auriculer confession is not to bee made vntounto a Priest, but vntounto God, because no Priest hath no power to absolue a sinner. That no Priest can make the body of Christ in the Sacrament, and that material bread remaineth after consecation. That eueryevery true Christian man is a Priest to God. That none is bound, vnderunder paine of damnation, to Lent, or other dayes prohibited. That the Pope is Antichrist, and his Prelates Antichrists disciples; and that the Pope hath no power to binde and lose on earth; and that it is lawfull to doe any worke, except sinne, vponupon the holy daies. That Priests may hauehave wiues lawfully. That the Communications of the Prelates are not to be regarded. That it is not lawfull to sweare in priuate causes. That men ought no goe on Pilgrimage, nor giuegive honour vntounto Images of the Crosse, of our Lady, or other Saints. That holy water hath no more vertue then other water. That the death of Thomas Becket was neither holy nor meritorious. That relickes, as dead mens bones, ought not to be worshipped, or digged out of graues, or set vp in Shrines▪ That prayers made in all places are acceptable to God. That men ought not to pray to any Saints, but onelyonly to God. That bels, and ringing in the Church were ordained to fill the Priests purses. That it is no sinne to withstand the Ecclesiasticall precepts. That the Catholicke Church is only the Congregation of the elect; they did so agree in vniforme faith, that whatsoeuer one did hold, all did maintaine.
William White, being a follower of Iohn Wickliffe, yet laboured continually, vntounto the glory of his spoute Christ, by reading, writing, and preaching. The principall points of his Doctrine were these which he was forced to recant at Canterbury.
That men should seeke for forgiuenesse of sins only at Gods hands, that the wicked liuing of the Pope, and his holinesse, is nothing else but a diuelish estate, and heauie yoke of Antichrist: therfore an enemy to Christs truth, that men ought not to worship Images or other Idolatrous paintings, nor the holy men which are deade. That the Romish Church is the figtree that Christ cursed, because it brought forth no fruit of the true belief. That such as weare Coules, or are annointed, and shorne, are the Lance-knights, and soldiers of Lucifer, and that all of them, because their lamps are not burning, shal be shut out when the Lord Christ shall come: after his said recantation he was much more stronger in Christ, and confessed his errour and offence, and busying himselfe in preaching and conuerting the people to the doctrine of Christ in Norfolke, he was apprehended by vertue of the Kings letters aforesaid, and brought before the Bishop of Norwich, by whom hee was contemned of 30. Articles and burned the said yeare in Norwich, who was of so deuout and holy life that all the people had him in great reuerence. One Margery wright confessed, if any Saints were to be prayd vntounto, she would rather pray vntounto him then any other, when he was come to the stake, thinking to open his mouth to exhort the people, one of the Bishops seruants strooke him in the mouth. Thus he receiued the Crowne of Marterdome, to the grife of all good men in Norfolke; his wife following his steps, by …er teaching, confirmed many in the trueth. Wherefore shee suffered much trouble and punishment that yeare. By the saide Bishoppe the same yeare also was burned father Abraham of …olchester, and Iohn Waddon Priest, for the like Article.
Amongst them that were arrested, and caused to abiure; in this yeare▪ as aforesaid▪ was Thomas Pie, and Iohn Mendham of Aldbor…ough, who being conuicted vponupon diuerse Articles before mentioned, were ioyned penance sixe whippings about the … Church of Alborrough, before a solemne Procession, sixe seuerall Sundaies; and three whippings three seueral Market daies about the Market Place of … heads, necks, legs, and feete bare▪ their bodies onelyonly couered with their … and breeches, either of them carying a taper in his hand, of a pound waigh…, which t…pe, the last Sunday after the Penance …, they should deuoutly offe… vntounto the high Altar of the Church of Alborrough, at the time of the …ffe…tory of the high Masse; and that going about the Market pl…ce aforesaid, they shal make foure stays▪ eueryevery one to receiue deuoutly thrée whips, and if they would not obey this monition, they were to be cited to appeare before the Bishop, to shew cause why they should not bee excommunicated, and to receiue such punishment as Iustice shall prouide in that behalfe, this was their … of penance, howbeit some were often more cruelly handled, and after banished out of the Dioces: and others were more stra…ly vsed by l…ng imprisonment, whereof we will briefly rehearse one or two for example.
Iohn Beuerley, alias Bat…ile, a labourer, hauing lye… long in Irons, and hauing nothing proued against him, the Commissary made him sweare, that eueryevery yeare after he would confesse is slune, once a yeare vntounto his Curate, and receiue the Sacrament at Easter, and for his penance, the Friday, and Saturday next following, hee should fast br…ad and water, and vponupon the Saturday be whipped from the Bishops Palace … Norwich, about all the streets, and the Market place, hauing in his hand a waxe candle of two pence, to offer to the Image of the Trinitie, after he had done his penance; and because he had eaten flesh on Easter day and was not shriuen in Lent, nor receiued on Easter day, the Iudge inioyned him he should fast Tuesday. Wednesday, and Friday, in Whitsun weeke, hauing but one meale a day of Fish and other white meates, and depart out of the Dioces, and neuer come there againe.
Iohn Skilley of Flixton Miller, was forced to abiure, for holding the Articles aforesaid, and for receiuing certaine godly men into his house, had a most sharpe penance▪ seauen yeares imprisonment in the Monastery of Langly. and to fast with bread & water, eueryevery Friday, and to appeare eueryevery Wednesday in the beginning of Lent, and eueryevery Munday, and Thursday for two yeares after the seauen yeares, before the Bishop, his successor, and Commissary in the Cathedrall Church of Norwich, together with other penit…ntiaries, to doe open penance for his offence, diuerse others the same yeare were forced to abiuration and penance.
In this next yeare,1429. in the same Register, were sixteene, or seauenteene, that were examined, and did penance likewise, amongst whom was Iohn Baker, otherwise called Vsher Tunstall, who for hauing a booke with the Pater noster, Aue, and Creede in English, and for other Articles of Fasting, Confession, and inuocation, was constrained to abiure, and doe such penance as others did before him.
Another was Margerie Ba…kster, wife of Willam Backster, against whom, one Ioane Cliffe and was compelled by the Bishop to depose. First, that she bad her take héede of swearing, else a Bee would sting her tongue, and venime her soule: and that she rebuked her for saying Pater nosters to the Cruci…ixe, and Aue Maries to our Lady; saying, you will doe ill in …, or praying to such Images, and that God will giuegive no more reward for such prayers, then a …endle, put vnderunder the foote, will giuegive light in the night, saying, that lewde wrights of stockes hewe such Crosses and Images, and lewde Painters gleere them with coloures, and opened her armes, and tolde her, this is the true Crosse of Christ: And that she said, if eueryevery Sacrament were God and the very bodie of Christ, then 1000. Priests and more, doe eueryevery day make a 1000. such Gods, and eate them, and voide them out of their hinder parts, filthily stinking vnderunder eueryevery hedge, where you may finde many such Gods. It shall neuer be my God, it was falsly and deceitfully ordained by the Priests, to induce simple people to Idolatry. for it is onelyonly materiall bread. And that Thomas of Canterbury, whom the people cal… Saint Thomas, was a false Traytor, and damned in Hell. And that the Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and especially the Bishop of Norwich, and others that support Heresies, and Idolatries, shall shortly hauehave the same, or worse mischiefe so fall vponupon them, then that cursed man Thomas of Canterbury had, for they cursedly dec…iae the people with false m…mmetries, to extort money to maintaine their pride, riot, and idlenesse, and hauehave slaine the true Preachers or Go… Lawe. And that she said, that none was bound to fast in Lent, or other daies appointed. and that it was lawfull to eate flesh, and other meates vponupon the said dayes that Pope S…luester made the Lent. And that William White was a good man, and falsly condemned, and at his execution, when he would hauehave exhorted the people, a Deuill, one of Bishop Caiphas his seruants, stroc…e him on the lips, that he could not declare the will of God. And that shee taught her not to goe to Pilgrimage, to the Lady of Walsingham, or any other Saint or place. And that she desired this deponent, and her maid, to come in the night to her chamber, to heare her husband reade the Lawe of Christ vntounto them. And that she saide, that the people did worship Deuils which fell from Heauen with Lucifer, and entred into the Image which stand in the Churches, so that the people which worship Images …ommit Idolatry. And that holy bread and water are but trifles. And they are excommunicated that first ordained bels, And that the Saturday after Aswednesday, shee had a pot séething ouer the fire, with a piece of Baken and Otmeale seething in it. Others also were sworne, which confirmed the former depositions, but wee finds no mention in Regester what became of her.
Diuerse good men, this yeare were accused by the deposition of one William Wright, their names appeare in the booke at large. And the said William Wright deposed that it is read in the Prophecies amongst the Lollards, that their sect shall bee, in manner, destroyed, yet at the length it shall preuaile, and hauehave the victory against all her enemies.
Iohn Burrell, seruant to Thomas Moone of Ludney,1430. in the Dioces of Norwich, was apprehended, and it was obiected against him, besides the Articles before mentioned, that hee held that the Catholicke Church, is the Seules of eueryevery good Christian. That Lent, and other Fasting-dayes, were ordained of the Priests, and not of God: and that men may eate flesh, or fish indifferently vponupon those dayes: That Pilgrimage ought not to be made, but to the poore. That it is not lawfull to sweare, but in c…se of of life and death. That Masses, and prayers for the Soules of the dead are vaine, and that the deade are either in Heauen, or Hell, for there is no Purg…tory, but this world. He was forced to … and suffer like punishment as before.
Thomas Moone of Lud…ey was apprehended, and the Articles aforesaid laid against him, especially that he had receiued, comforted, and supported diuerse, vponupon which hee being con…ct, was forced to abiure, and receiue like penance. Robert Grigges, of Martham was brought before the Bishop for the Articles aforesaid, especial…y for affirming that the Sacrament of confirmation by the Bishop did auaile nothing to saluation, that it was no sinne to withstand the ordinances of the Church of Rome, that holy bread and water were but trifles, and that they were the worse for the con…urations and characters made ouer them, he was forced to abiure and suffer penance as aforesaid.
Iohn Finch of Colchester, was taken in Ipswich, and brought before the Bishop, and being conuicted of the aforesaid Articles, was inioyned penance three whippings three seuerall Sundaies in solemne Procession about the Cathedrall Church of Norwich, and thrée whippings about the Market place, thrée principall market daies; his head, necke, and …eete bare, his bodie couered onelyonly with a short shirt, with a taper of waxe of a pound waight in his hands, which the next Sunday after his penance, he… should offer vntounto the Triuitie, and eueryevery Ashwednesday, and Munday, and Thursday three yeare after, hée should appeare before the Ordinary, in the Cathedral Church, to doe open penance amongst other penitontiar…es.
About the same time, shortly after the Coronation of King Henry the sixt, one Richard Houeden a wool winder, and Citizen of London, was crowned with Martyrdome, whenby no perswasions he could be drawne from the opinions of Wickliffe, as Fabian writeth, he burned hard by the Tower of London.
Nicholas, Canon of Eye, was brought before the Bishop of Norwich,1431. and many witnesses being sworne against him, they appointed one to speake for them all. First, that on Easter day, all the Parish going of Procession, he went the contrary way, deciding them, and méeting them. Hée confessed it, and …houg…t he did well therein. And that he should say; If the Sacrament of the Alter be very God, and very man, then God may be put in a small roome, as when it is in the Pri…sts mouth. And why may not wee … as well vponupon F…daies and other prohibited dayes, as the Priests eate the flesh and bloud of our Lord eueryevery day. To which he answered, hee thought hee had spoken well therein.
Item, that on Corpus Christi day, at the eleuation of high Masse, when all kneeled downe, and held vp their hands, and did reuerence to the Sacrament, he went behind a piller, turned his face from the Altar, and mocked them. He affirmed, he thought he did well in so doing.
Item, when his moth…r would lift vp his right hand to crosse himselfe from the … and assaults of the Deuill, hee mocked her. This, hee thought, it was well done.
Item vponupon All-ballend day, at the eleuation of the Masse, when many lighted torches, … them vp to the Altar, and knéeled downe there, in honour of the Sacrament, hee standing behinde the Priest with a fozeh, turned his backe to the Priest, and would … no …euerence. He said, he did well therein.
Item, that he said, he doubted whether in the Sacrament of the Altar were the very body of Christ or no. This Article he confessed to be true.
Item, that he beleeued that a man ought not to confesse his sinnes to a Priest. This Article he also confessed. After, he was conuicted, and enioyned for penance three whippings about the Cloyster of the Cathedrall Church of Norwich, before a solemne Procession, barefooted and bare headed, as the aforesaid ponitentiaries, and to be kept in prison vntill the Bishop came into the Dioces, least he should enuenoms the flocke. Thus you hauehave the troubles, which in the aforesaid foure yeares, hapned in Norfolke and Suffolke, hauing shewed certaine notable examples, sufficient to declare the rest, for their opinions, neither their penance did differ, otherwise then by these examples may bee seene.
Thomas Bagley Priest, Uicar of Malden, being a valiant Disciple, and adherent of Wickliffe, was condemned by the Bishops of Heresie, at London, about the middest of Lent, and was disgeaded, and burned in Smithf…eld.
The same years was Paul Craws a Bohemian, taken at Saint Andrewes, by the Bishop, and deliuered to the Seculer power, to be burned, for holding contrary opinions touching the Sacrament of the Altar, the worshipping of Saints, auriculer confession, with other of Wickliffes opinions.
Thomas Rhedon a Frenchman,1436. a Carmelits Frier, which take their name of Mount Carmelus, came with the Uenitian Embassadors into Italy, trusting that hee should finde there some, by whose good life hee might bée edified, but the successe of the matter did frustrate his hope, for hee found nothing but hypocritie, and golde and siluer in stead of heauenly gifts; pompe and pride raigned in place of godlinesse, in stéed of learning and studie, flo…h…ulnesse and superstition, and for Apostlolike simplicity tyranny and hautinesse; they did so passe all measure and patiencs, that hee could by no meanes refraine his tongue, in so great corruption of the Church, and by continual preaching, got great enuie and hatred. The Rulers began to consult together, by what meanes they might circumuent this mans life, for it is a continuall custome amongst the Prelates, that if any man displease them, and speake any thing which is hurtfull so their lucre, by and by they frame Articles of some heresie against him, ouerwhelme him with suspition, seeke to intangle him with questions, and so condemne him, and destroy him. This is their godl…nesse and peaceable order: they gathered these Articles against him. That the Church lacketh reformation: That it shall be punished, and reformed: That …, Iewes, Turkes, and Moores shall be conuerted vntounto Christ in the latter daies: And that abhominations are vsed at Rome: That the vniust excommunication of the Pope is not to be feared, and those which doe not obserue the same, doe not sinne: Eugenius was Pope, then this good man Thomas Rheden was taken and brought before him, and from thence to prison, and after sundry greeuous torments was brought before the Iudges, and was condemned to be burned foure yeares after he came to Rome.
In this yeare the maruellous inuention of Printing was first found out, by one Iohn Guttenbergh in Strawsborrow, and afterwards by him made perfect in Ments, our dayes declare how profitable this hath beene vntounto all the world: if wee consider that thereby ignorance is vtterly banished, the truth declared, and the Pope and Antichrist vtterly subuerted, which could neuer hauehave been, if this most worthy Science had not been found out, for before Bookes were so scarce, and at such excesse price, that few could thereby attaine to knowledge: heerein the prophesie of the Sybils is fulfilled, that Flaxe and Lime should ouerthrow Antichrist.
Reynold Peacock, 1457Bishop of Chichester, was for his godlinesse and profession of the Gospell afflicted and tormented, and made to recant, and after put to death in prison: he was brought before Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth, in which Conuocation the Duke of Buckingham was present: whereas besides many other Articles, the presence of bread in the Sacrament was laid vntounto Pecock; insomuch that the Sacrament, the knot of amitie, ordained by Christ, to the great comfort of the Church, through the enuy of Sathan, it turned into a matter of most greeuous discord, that no matter hath continued so many yeares more pernitious to mans saluation: Hee declared many things worthy of a good Diuine: they laboured for their dignitie and gaine, and so much the more earnestly, because they had gotten an Aduersarie, whose authoritie the higher it was in the Church, i… would bring the greater ruine of their tyranny and estimation among the people. First, the matter was attempted by priuate Coloquies; after by a terrible Iudgement, threatning present death, with threatning exhortations, mingled with flattering promises, granting him further time to consult, that the delay of death might make his life the sweeter: They gaue him hope of his life and Dignitie if hee would recant, till at length his minde began to quaile: by and by a recantation was made by the Bishoppes, the effect whereof followeth. Which when he declared vntounto the people, hee did so pronounce that hee was carried againe to prison, from whence hee could not bee deliuered but by death: The Articles that were mentioned in the Recantation to bee recanted were, that first it is not necessarie to beleeue that CHRIST after his death descended into Hell, that it is not necessarie to Saluation to beleeue in the Catholicke Church, nor to beleeue the Communion of Saints, neither the body materiall in the Sacrament: and that the vniuersall Church may e…re in matters pertaining vntounto Faith; and that it is not necessarie to saluation to beleeue the generall Councell.
Wee shewed before in the latter end of the Councell of Basil, how Eugenius was deposed, and Foelix Duke of Sauoy elected Pope. Wherevpon arose great discords. Eugenius sent his Orators into Germany, to perswade them to infringe the Councell of Basil, and the Dolphin of France, set on by the said Eugenius, led an armie of fiue and twenty thousand men into Alsatia, and laide siege vntounto Basil to disturbe the Councell, hauing there a great conflict with the Germaines with great slaughter, whereby the Councell could not bee kept any longer in Germany, but in France through the pragmaticall sanction of the French King After Eugenius brought to passe by the Emperour, and his Orators of which Aeneas Siluius was one, that they were content to giuegive ouer the Councell of Basil. Frederick of Austridge not beeing yet Emperour, but labouring for the Empire, brought to passe that Foelix, which was chosen Pope in the Councell of Basil, was content to resigne his papacie vntounto Nicholas the eight, successor to Eugenius, of the which Nicholas, the said Frederick was confirmed Emperour at Rome, and there crowned in the yeere one thousand foure hundred fifty and one.
This Pope, to gather great summes of Mony, appointed a Iubile in the yeare of our Lord 1450. there resorted great number of people to Rome, more then at any time before were seene there. At which time, as there were a great sort of people going to Mount Uaticane, to behold the Image of our Sauiour, which they had there to shew to Pilgrims, a Mule of the Cardinals of Saint Marke comming that way, the people for multitude being not able to voyde the way, one or two falling vponupon the Mule, there was such a throng, that two hundred men and thrée horses were strangled vponupon the bridge, and many fell ouer into the water and were drowued: wherefore the Pope caused the small houses to bee plucked downe, to make the Bridge broader. In the yeare 1453. Constantinople was taken by the Turkes.
In the yeare one thousand foure hundred fifty fiue, when the death of Pope Nicholas was published, the Germaines bewayling their miserable estate, perswaded the Emperour that he should be no longer vnderunder the Popes obedience, except they first obtained certaine thinges touching the Charter of Apeales, shewing that they were in worse case then eyther the French-men or Italians, and as it were their Seruants, and especially of the Italians: that they alone had not the vse of their Lawes, and that the French Nation had not made their sute in vaine vntounto their King, against the exactions of the Popes, by whom they were defended, which also prouided decrées for the liberty of his people: The Emperour promised, hee would prouide for them, no lesse then the King of Fraunce had done for the French-men. But Aeneas Siluius brake off the matter, saying; Though there bee variance amongst Princes in waighty matters, yet peace may be made againe: but betweene the Prince and the Common people, there is alwaies mortall hatred, and because he should be Successour vntounto the Pope; hee concluded, he thought it better to accord to the Pope, then to follow their desires, whose minds are led with couetousnesse, rather then by reason: and the Emperour chose him Ambassadour to Pope Calixtus, to sweare vntounto him in his Name, and to promise the absolute obedience of all Germany. Thus twice Fridericke of Austrich contemned and derided the Germaines, frustrating them of their natiue ordinances, and brought them into subiection vnderunder the Pope, which was the cause that seauen yeares before his death, he caused his Sonne Maximillian to bee crowned King of the Romaines, least after his death the Empire should be transported vntounto another Familie, as it afterwards came to passe. Whereupon Germany being in this miserable pouerty, and greeuous subiection of the Popes tyranny and polling, with teares and sighes lamenting their estate, continued so almost vntounto Luthers time, as those Histories hereafter doe testifie.
The Ambassadour of the Arch-bishop of Maydenburge, Henry Token, writeth, that in the Councell of Basill, the Arch-bishop of Lyons did declare, that in Pope Martines time, there came out of Fraunce to the Court of Rome, nine millions of Gold, which was gathered by the Byshops and Prelats, besides the poore Clergy, which daily without number runne vntounto the Court of Rome, carrying with them all their whole substance.
The Arch-byshoppe of Turonne said, also at Basill, that three Millions of Gold in his time came to Rome in foureteene yeares of the Prelates, besides the poore Cleargy, which daily runne to that Court. Let the man which feareth God, iudge what a deuouring Gulfe this is, a million containeth ten hundred thousand.
Sir Roger Ounley followed the Lord Cobham, and Sir Roger Acton being a Knight of like Nobility and Order, and pertaker of the like cause: a man endewed with like valiantnesse and godlinesse, whom we reade in certaine Annals to be hanged for the truth, 1441.
Although there hauehave beene many Women which hauehave followed their spouse Christ by torments, banishment, and death; yet the first that commeth to our handes, is Elinor Cobham, a Woman, nothing degenerating from her stocke, kindred and name, albeit wee can finde no other thing of her but for suspition of heresie, that is to say, for the louelove and desire of the truth, she was by the papists banished into the I…e of Man, whom a fewe yeares after there followed a woman, who for her constancy and vertue was greatly to be praised, being mother of the Lady Yong, 1490.she perseuered vntounto the fire with a stout and manly courage, for the profession of the Gospel, and was burned.
Hieronimus Sauonarola, being singularly well learned, and a Monke in Italy preached sore against the euill life of the spiritualtie, especially of his owne order, saying they were the springs of all mischiefes, and by the help of certaine learned men, began to seeke reformation in his owne order.
The Pope fearing him, being in great reputation amongst all men, least hee should diminish his authoritie, hee ordained his Uicar to reforme this matter. But the said Hierome withstood him alwaies: wherefore hee was accursed, yet he left not off preaching, but threatned Italy, with the indignation of GOD, and prophesied that the Land should bee ouerthrowne, for the pride and wickednesse of the people, and for the vntruth and hypocrisie of the Clergy, which came to passe when King Charles came to Rome, and besieged Pope Alexander that hee was forced to make composition with him.
Because the said Hierome would not leaue preaching, hee was commanded to appeare before the Pope to giuegive account of his new learning, but hee went not. Then was hee againe forbidden to preach, and his learning condemned as false and seditions, whereby he left off preaching: But when the people …ore hungred for Gods Word, and were instant vponupon him that hee would preach againe,1496 hee beganne againe to preach in Florence; many exhorted him to the contrarie, but he regarded it not but went forward freely.
When the Pope and his Shauellings heard thereof they were greatly inflamed against him, and cursed him as an obstinate heretick: yet hee proceeded in teaching the people, saying men ought not to regard such curses which is against the true doctrine and the common Prophets; for by preaching wée should be learned and amended, Christs Kingdome inlarged and the Kingdome of the Diuell ouerthrowne. He desired to teach no other thing then the pure word of God,1498. often protesting, that all men should certifie him if they heard him teach any thing contrary therunto: for in his conscience he knew nothing which he had taught but the pure word of God. What his doctrine was, may easily be iudged by his books he wrote. After that he was taken, with two Friers with him which fauoured his learning, named Dominick and Siluester, and carried to prison, where he wrote a godly meditation vponupon the most comfortable one and fiftieth Psalme; wherein hée excellently described the strife betwixt the flesh and spirit. The Popes Legats came to Florence, and called forth these thrée good men, threatning them maruellously, but they continued still constant. Then they gathered Articles against them, whereuppon they were condemned, and were first hanged vp openly in the market-place, after burned to ashes, and the ashes cast into the riuer of Ar…e.
This man foreshewed of the destruction of Florence,1499. Rome, and the reuenues of the Church, and that the Turks and Moores in the latter day should be conuerted to Christ, and that one like vntounto Cyrus should passe the Alpes into Italy, and vtterly destroy it.
Philip Norice an Irishman, professor at Oxford, though he was not burned, yet he was long time troubled with the religious rout.
Thomas Norice for the profession of the Gospell was by the Bishop condemned and burned in Norwich.1507.
Elizabeth Sampson was conuented in the Consistorie of London for saying our Lady of Wildesdon was a burnt arst else and stock;1508. and if she could helpe men and women which goe to her on pilgrimage, she would not hauehave suffered her tayle to be burnt: and why would she or the Lady Crome that puppet, be worshipped? It were better to giuegive almes to the poore then to goe on pilgrimage, and that she called the Image of S. Sauiour, Sin Sauiour with Kite lips, and that she said she could make as good bread as that which the Priest occupied, and that it was not the body of Christ, for that Christ could not be both in heauen and earth at one time: wherefore she was compelled to abiure.
One Thomas, a Priest of Norwich, was burned in the village of Eckels. When he was in prison,1510 by perswasions, he was led away from his former opinions, wherfore for pennance he went to be burned vponupon sharp hurdles made of Thornes.
Ioane Baker of S. Margets in new Fish-stréete in London,1511 for saying to the Parish Priest of Bow, that the Crucifixe was not to be worshipped, and that she was sorry she had gone so many times on pilgrimage to S. Sauiour and others, being they were but Mammots and false Gods, and that she could heare a better Sermon at home then at Pauls Crosse; and that she said, the Lady Yong died a Martire, and that Sampsons Wife was punished for saying the truth, and that the Pope hath no power to forgiue sinnes, she was constrained to abiure.
One Thomas Bingy, an old reuerend man, was burned at Norwich, because hee had not receiued the Sacrament in 14. yeares, and abhorred the Popish kind of administration thereof.
One Pope, 1512.a Weauer in Eye, an old man, about the quarrell of the Sacrament, was martired.
About the same time, one Peake was burned at Ipswich, because he gaue one of the Sacrament Cakes vntounto a Dog, the Dog was burned in the fire with him, wherat he laughed, saying; they did the Dog great wrong, because he was not abiured: for it was the manner, that those which they called Heretickes, might bee saued if they would recant.