Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 9
THE NINTH BOOKE, CONtayning the Acts and things done in the Raigne of King EDVVARD the sixt.
AFter the death of Henrie the eight, succeeded King Edward the sixt, his sonne, being of the age of nine yeares. Touching his commendations, I leaue you to the Booke at large: who, because he was so young and tender, was committed to sixtéene Gouernours, amongst whome, especially the Lord Edward Semer, Duke of Somerset, his vncle, was assigned as Protector of him and the Commonwealth: a man of noble vertues, especially for his fauour to Gods …; thro…gh the industrie of whom, that monstrous Hydra with sixe heads, the … Articles, which deuoured so many, were abolished; whereby the proceedings of Gardner began to decay: who storming thereat, wrote to the Lord Protector in the cause thereof.
He restored the Scriptures to the Mother tongue, and extinguished Masses, and by little and little greater things followed in the reformation of Churches: such as fled for the danger of the Truth, were againe receiued to their Countrey, the most part of Bishops were changed, dumbe Pr…lates were compelled to giuegive place to such as would Preach, and learned men were sent for out of other Countries, as Peter Martyr, Martin Bucer, & Paulus Phagius, the first of whom taught at Oxford, and the other two at Cambridge, with great commendations.
Bonner, Bishop of London, was committed to the Marshalsie, and for his contempt and misdemeanor deposed: Gardener, Bishop of Winchester, with Tunstall Bishop of Durham, were cast into the Tower for their disobedience.
In this time of King Edward, vnderunder this noble Protecto…, this one commendation is proper vntounto them, that amongst all the Popish …ort; of whom, some priuily st…le out of the Realme, manie were craftie dissemblers, some open aduersaries … yet there was not one that lost his life during the whole time of the Raigne of this King, for any matter of Religion, Papist or Protestant, except lone of Kentan English woman, and one George a Dutchman, who died for certaine Articles not necessarie to be rehearsed.
THOMAS DOBBE.
THis man, in the beginning of King Edwards Raigne, comming from S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge to London, as he passed through Paules Church, there was a Priest at Masse at the South side of the Church: being at the eleuation, this yong man, repleate with godly zeale, pittying the ignorance and Idolatry of the people, in honouring that which the Priest lifted vp, he exhorted the people not to honour that visible bread as God, which was neither God nor ordained of God to be honoured;1543. wherefore he was apprehended by the Mayor, and accused to the Bishop of Canterburie, and was committed to the Counter in Bread-stréete, where shortly falling sicke, he died; whose pardon was obtained of the Lord Protector, if he had liued.
IOHN HVNNE.
IN the first yeare of the Kings raig…e one Master Lewnax of Wresell and his wife, sent this Iohn Hunne their seruant, vntounto the Bishop of Canterbury for denying the flesh and bloud of Christ to be really in the Sacrament of the Altar, and saying he would neuer vaile his Hatte to it if he should be burned for it: and that if he should heare masse he should be damned. But because I finde nothing done therein, I leaue it.
When this godly yong Prince was peaceably established in his Kingdome, and had a godly, wise, and zealous Councell about him, especially the Duke of Sommerset, he earnestly desired the aduancement of the true honour of God, and planting of sincere Religion, and the s…ppressing of all Idolatry, Superstition, and hypocrisie throughout his Dominions: Following the good example of the good King Iosias, and being he found most of his Lawes repugnant to his zealous enterprise: He by the aduice of his wise and Honorable Councell, of his own regall authoritie, did prosecute his godly purpose, vntill by consent of the whole estate of Parliament he might establish, a more free and vniforme order, and those certaine wi…e, learned, and discreet personages for Commissioners, generally to visit all the Bishopricks of this Realme, to vnderstand and redresse the abuses of the same: and diuided them into seuerall companies, and assigned them seuerall Diocesses to be visited, appointing to eueryevery company, one or two godly Preachers which should preach to the people at eueryevery Sessions, the true Doctrine of the Gospell of Christ, and exhort them to all louelove and obedience of the same: and earnestly dehort them from their old superstition, and wonted Idolatry: and that they might the more orderly be directed in this their Commission, there were deliuered vntounto them certaine iniunctions, and Ecclestasticall orders drawne out by the Kings learned Councell, the which they should both inquire of, and also command in his Maiesties behalfe, to be thenceforth obserued of eueryevery person to whom they did seuerally appertaine within their seuerall circuits: the which Iniunctions if thou beest disposed for to reade, I leaue thee for breuitie to the Booke at large.
Now during the time the Commissioners were in their circuits,1544. about diligent execution of their godly and zealous orders of the King and Councell, de…iring a further reformation, as well in Ecclesiasticall as in Ciuill gouernment, appointed a Parliament to be summoned on the fourth of Nouember, in the first yeare of his raigne, which continued vntill the twenty foure day of December then next following.
Whereby he caused to be enacted, that all Acts of Parliaments and Statutes, touching, menci…ning, or any wise concerning Religion, or opinions, to wit; the Statute of the first yeare of Richard the second, and the statute made in the second yeare of the raign of Henry the fift, and the statute mad… in the fiftéenth yeare of the raigne of Henry the eight, concerning the punishments and reformation of Hereticks and Lolards: and the sixe Articles made in the thirty one yeare of Henry the eight, and the statute made in the thirty thrée year of Henry the eight, against the bookes of the old and new Testament in English, and the printing and vttering of English or bookes writings, and preaching the Scriptures, an another Statute in the 35. yeare of Henry the eyght touching the qualification of the Stat…te of sixe Articles, and a…l and eueryevery other Act or Acts of Parliament concerning Doctrine or matters of Religion, should from thenceforth bee repealed and of none effect, by occasion whereof all his godly subiects abiding within the Realme had free liber…y to professe the gospell, and those beyond Sea wer not onelyonly licensed to ret…rne home but incouraged bouldly and faithfully to trauell in their calling, so that God was much glorified and the people edified.
And in this Parliament it was enacted, that the Sacrament should be ministred in both kinde, and letters missiue were sent fr…m the Councell to the Bishops of the Realme, concerning the communion to bee ministred in both kinds, and from Bishop to Bishop, as thou maist sée in the booke at large.
Another Parliament was assembled in the second yeare of his Raigne, beginning vppon the foorth day of Nouember 1548. continuing vntill the 14. day of March, wherein a booke in English intituled the Booke of Common prayer and administration of the Sacraments and other Rightes and Ceremonies of the Church, after the vse of the Church of England, was concluded vppon by the Clergy, which his highnesse receauing with great comfort, did exhibi… it vntounto the Lords and Commons of the Parliament, who for the honour of God and great quietnesse which by the grace of God should ensue vppon that one vniforme right and order in such Common prayer, rites and externe Ceremonies to bee vsed throughout England, Wales, Calice and the Marches of the same, authorise… the sayd Booke by Act of Parliament, and set great penalty vponupon them that wo…ld bee disobe…ient thereto, as is to be seene in the booke at large.
A…so the mariage of Priests was authorized by the sayd Parliament by these procéedings, and the Iniunctions, which thou maiest see in the book at large: thou maiest well perceaue the great zeale of the King and the Lord Protector, in reformation of t…ue Religion, and also the lingring slacknesse on the other side of others, especially of the Bishops and old Popish Curats, by whose cloked contempt and wilfull winking, the Booke of Common prayers was long after the publishing thereof very irreuerently vsed throughout many places of this Realme, which when the King by diuers complaintes vnderstood, hee wrote spéedily to all the Bishope of the Realme for the spéedy redresse thereof: and because Bonner was one of the backwardest, hee was peremtor…ly admonished vnderunder paine of depriuation to preach the next Sunday three weekes after the date there of at Paules Crosse, none but such Doctrine as was appoynted him in the said Iniuntion, and should preach the same Doctrines eueryevery quarter of a yeare yearely, …f sicknesse or some reasonable cause did not let.
Secondly, you your selfe in person, shall from henceforth celebrate the Communion at the high Altar in Paules eueryevery such dayes as your Predecessors were wont to sing Masse.
The Popish Priests grudging and mourning to see their old Pop…sh Church of Rome to decay, ceased not by all subtile and sinister meanes; first vnderunder Gods name and the Kings, and vnderunder colour of religion, to perswade the people to rebellion. This first burst out in Cornwell and Deuonshire, of whom the chiefe Gentlemen Captaines were Humfrey Arundell Esquire, Iames Rosogan, Iohn Rosogan, Iohn Walkock, Iohn Payne, Thomas Vnderhill, Iohn Soleman, and William Segar. There were e…ght Priests gouernours of the Campes and principall stirrers, beside… … multitude of other Popish Priests, there was ten thousand stout traytors in this rebellion.
Commotions likewise beganne to broyle in Oxford-shire, Yorke-shire, and especially in Northfolke and Suffolke, these aforesaid hearing thereof, tooke courage, hoping they should well …aue forti…ied the same quarrell: their intent was to inuade the Citty of Exeter, and twise they burned the gates thereof, but gayned thing but shotte, beeing put from Exeter, they fell on spoyling and robbing, where or howsoeuer they might catche, then laying their heads together, they consulted of certaine Articles to be sent vp to the King as followeth.
First they would hauehave that their Curats should minister the Sacrament of baptisme, at all times of néede as well in the weeke dayes as on the holydayes, and their Children confirmed of the Bishop whensoeuer wee resort to him.
Secondly because they did constantly beléeue that in the Sacrament, after consecration there is the very body and blood of Christ, and no substance of bread and wine remaineth: therefore we will hauehave the Masse celebrated as in times past, without any man communicating with the Priests, because many presuming vnworth…y to receiue the same, put no difference betwixt the Lords body and other bread, and wée will hauehave the consecrated body of our Lord reserued in our Churches.
Thirdly wée will hauehave holy bread and holy water, in remembrance of Christs body and blood.
Fourthly we will that our Priests shall sing and say with an audible voyce, Gods seruice in the Quire of the Parish Churches, and not to hauehave it set forth as a Christmas play.
Fiftly because Priests be men dedicated to God to celebrate the blessed sacraments and preaching of Gods word, wee will that they shall li…e chast without marriage.
Sixtly we will the sixe Articles shall stand in force.
To which Articles the King did particularly answer and set forth reasons against them in writing, and shewed that he would spend his life and all that hee had to maintaine the Godly reformation which was begun, yet hee offred them pardon if they would desist from the deceitfull counsell of the séekers of dissention who sought for nothing els but to vnd…e them, their wiues and children: and if they would not be moued to repentance with his fatherly kindnes shewed vntounto them, hee would procéed against them as against the Heathen with force and Armes.
A…d because they would not accept mercy, Sir Iohn Russell Knight, Lord priuy seale, was sent by the King and councell against them, and next to him were ioyned Sir William Harbert, Sir Iohn Paulet, Sir Hugh Paulet Sir Thomas Speck with the Lord Gray and others.
Thus the Lord Priuy seale accompanied with the Lord Gray aduancing his power against the rebells, yet by Gods prouidence they gaue them the repulse, who recouering themselues againe, encountred the second time the Lord priuy seale, but by Gods helpe they with their whole cause of false religion were vtterly vanquished, the popish rebells not onelyonly lost the field, but a great part of them lost their liues lying slaine the compasse of two miles; diuers were taken as Humphry Arundell, Berry, Thomas Vnderhill, Iohn Soleman, William Seger, and two Priests Tempson and Barret, and two Mayors Henry Bray and Henry Lee with diuers mo, all which afterward were executed.
These rebells to make their part more sure by the presence of their consecrated God, brought with them vntounto the Battaile the pixe vnderunder his Canopy riding and in a Cart, neither was there lacking Masses, Crosses, Banners, Candlestickes, with Holy-bread and Holy-water plenty to defend them from Diuells, and all enemies which could not saue them from their enemies: but both the consecrated God and all the trumpery about him was taken in the Cart, lea…ing a Lesson of better experience how to put their confidence in such vaine Idolls.
Like vntounto this was the field of Musclebrough fought in Scotland the yeare before this when the Scots incamping thēselues against the Lord Protector & the Kings power sent into Scotland, they likwise brought into the field the Gods of their Altars, with Masses, Crosses, Banners, and all their popish stuffe, hauing great affiance therein, to hauehave a great day against the English army, as to mans indgement might seeme not vnlike. The number of the Scots armie farre excéeded ours: but the arme of the Lord so turned the vi…tory, that the Scots in the end with all their Masses and Trinkets were put to the wors…, of whom were slaine betweene thirtéene and fourtéene thousands, and not passing a hundred English men: The cause of this warre was because the Scots had promised King Henry the eight, that the yong Scottish Quee…e should marry with King Edward, which promise they afterward brake and payed therefore: and this victory was the same day and houre, when the Images were burned openly in London.
There was the like commotion in Oxford, and Buckingham, but that was soon appeased by the Lord Gray, of whom two hundred were taken, and twelue of them ringleaders deliuered to him; where of certaine were executed.
In Norfolk & the parts thereabouts the Marquesse of Northampton, was sent to represse the rebellion, who was appointed to kéep the field and passages, to stop them from victuals, whereby they might the sooner be brought to acknowledge their fault, and séeke pardon, who pined himselfe within the Citie of Norwich, but the Rebels pressed vponupon the Citie, and at length obtained it, yet there was but a hundred on both sides slaine, and the Lord Shefield, then the Earle of Warwick was sent against them, by whom the confused rabble was ouerthrown, to the number of foure thousand, and both the Kets, chiefe stirrers of that Commotion▪ were put to death, and one of them hanged in chains.
In this yeare likewise the like commotion began at Semer in the North-riding of Yorke shire,1549. and continued in the East-riding of the same, and there ended. The principall doers thereof were William Ombler, Thomas Dale, with one Steuenson.
They intended to stirre in two places at one instant, seuen miles from the other, and at the first rush to destroy such Gentlemen and men of substance as fauoured the Kings proceedings, and to set the Beacons on fire to bring the people together: and hauing the ignorant people assembled, then to poure out their poyson, beginning with such as they thought were pinched with pouerty, and vnwilling to labour, therefore the more readie to follow the spoyle of rich mens goods, blowing in their eares that Gods seruice was now quite laide aside, and new inuentions, neither good nor godly, put in their stead, feeding them with faire promises, to reduce into the Church againe their olde ignorance and abominable Idolatrie.
Putting this practise in execution, they took one M. White, and one Clopton, and one Sauage a Marchant of Yorke, and one Bery, and cruelly murdred them, and took… away all that was about them: then they ranged from Towne to Town and inlarged their …and, leauing in no towne any men aboue the age of 16. yeares, vntill they had gathered about 3000.
Then came the King… pardon to them, which Ombler con…umelio…sly refused, and perswaded others so to d…e, and some excepted thereof; but shortly after, Ombler as he was riding from towne to towne, to charge all the Constables and Inhabitants in the Kings Namo, to resort to Humumby, hee was taken and imprisoned at …orke. After him, Thomas Dale and Henry Barton, Iohn Dale, Robert Wright, William Peacocke, Wetherell, and Edmund Buttry, busie stirrers in this sedition, as they trauelled from place to place to draw people vntounto their faction, were likewise apprehended and committed to Ward, and after executed at Yorke.
The King of France bearing of the Insurrections of the Kings Subiects in diuers places, supposing to take the time, he made inuasion against the Iles of Iersey and Gernesey, and thought to hauehave surprised the Kings Ships in the said Iles, with his shipp…s and Gallies, but he was so hotly saluted with the Kings Ships in the Iland, that the French-men lost at least a thousand men, and their Shippes and Gallies were so spoyled, as they were forced to returne home, and not able to come out againe: and they brought into one Towne in one vessell, at least sixty Gentlemen to be burned, and the King gaue out a speciall inhibition, that none should speake of the successe of that iourney, so the arme of God mercifully fought for King Edward his Seruant, to defend and deliuer him from so many hard dangers, all in one yeare, which is worthy of all posterity to be noted.
The examination of Bonner.
THE King sent forth his Commission vnderunder his broad Seale, to the Byshop of Canterbury, and the Bishoppe of Rochester, and other trusty personages and Councelors, appointing and authorising them, to examinine the Bishoppe of London, and to procéed against him according to law and Iustice, either to suspention, excommunication, committing to prison, or depriuation, if the qualitie of the offence so required.
At Bonners first entring into the place, within the Arch-bishops house at Lambeth (where the Arch-bishop and the other Commissioners sat) to be examined: hée kept his hat on his head, making as though he saw them not, vntill one bad him reuerence the Commissioners, then laughingly he said; What my Lords are you there, by my troth I saw you not: No said the Archbishop you would not sée; well (quoth he) you sent for me, hauehave you any thing to say to me; Yea, said the Commissioners, we hauehave authority to call you to account for your Sermon you made lately at Pauls Crosse, because you did not preach to the people the Articles you were commanded to preach vponupon.
Then said Bonner; In good Faith my Lord, I would one thing were had in me…ereuerence then it is, What is that said the Archbishop, The blessed Masse (quoth he) you hauehave written well of the Sacrament, I maruell you doe no more honour it: The Arch-bishoppe said; If you thinke I hauehave wrote well of it, it is because you vnderstand it not. Bonner said, I thinke I vnderstand it better then you that wrote it: The Archbishop replyed, he would easily make a Childe of ten yeares old vnderstand therein as much as you.
And when they had called forth Maister Latimer, and Iohn Hooper, Preachers, to propound such matter as they had to say against him, he hearing them speake, fell to scorning and taunting them, calling one Goose, and the other Woodcocke, and denying their accusation to be true. Whereupon the Arch-Byshop asked him whether hee would credit the people there present, and because many of them that were there, were at his Sermon. The Arch-Bishoppe stood vp and read the Article of the Kinges authority during his young age, saying vntounto them; How say you my Maisters, did my Lord of London preach this Article, they answered, No, no: Then Bonner deridingly said; Will you beléeue this fond people.
Then was shewed forth a …ill of Complaint, exhibited vntounto the King by the said Maister Latimer and Iohn Hooper, which was read; Then Bonner prayed that the Bill of Complaint should be deliuered vntounto him, which when he had pervsed, he said; it was so generall, as hee could not directly answere vntounto it: The Arch-bishop said, the speciall cause was, because he had transgressed the Kinges commaundement, in not setting forth in his last Sermon at Paules Crosse, the Kinges Hignesse Royall power in his minority: and for the proofe thereof, hee called Maister LATIMER and IOHN HOOPER, to whom BONNER saide; As for this Merchant Latimer, I hauehave wincked at his euill doings a great while, but I hauehave …ore to say to him héereafter: But as touching this Merchant Hooper, I hauehave not séene him before, howbeit I hauehave heard much of his naughtie preaching; Then he said, Ah my Lord, now I sée the cause of my trouble is not for the matter you pretend, but because I did preach in my late Sermon the true presence of the most blessed body and blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, to bée in the Sacrament of the Altar: And as for these my accusers, they are notorious euill persons, and notable Hereticks and Seducers, especially touching the Sacrament of the Altar, and most of all this Hooper: for whereas I preached, that after consecration of the Sacrament, there is the selfe same body and blood of Christ in substance, that was hanged vponupon the Crosse: hee in the afternoone hauing a great rabblement with him of his damnable Sect, did preach to the people erroniouslie against it, and vntruely expounded my wordes: for whereas I said the same substance that was hanged vponupon the Crosse, hee like an Asse, (as he is an Asse indéede) turned the word That, into As, saying; That I said, as it hanged vponupon the Crosse: Then the Arch-Bishoppe demaunded of him, whether Christ were in the Sacrament, Face, Nose, Mouth, Eyes, Armes, and Lips, with other lineaments of the bodie; whereat Bonner shooke his head, and said; I am right sorry to heare your Grace to speake those words which you hauehave done.
Hee appeared seauen times before the said Commissioners, and euer vsed verie vnreuerent, vncomely, and frowar… words and behauiours towards the Commissioners and others, and hee still shifted off the matter by subtile dilatories, and friuolous cauiling about the Law, and with facing and rayling vponupon the Denouncers, that hee thought to countenance out the matter before the people. But to conclude, for all his subtile, craftie, cautels, and tergiuersations, hée was iustlie imprisoned, and in the end most lawfullie depriued.
The first trouble of the Lord Protector,1549 was presentlie after the depriuation of Bishop Bonner, but shortly after hee was deliuered out of the same by the mighty working of GOD, the tractation whereof shall bee delayed, vntill the time of his second trouble, which was two yeares after. The vulgar people hearing of the apprehension of the Lord Protector, they began to brute abroad, that now they should hauehave their Latine Seruice, the holy Bread and holy Water, and their other Ceremonies againe: Wherefore straite commaundement was sent to the Bishops of the Dioces, to warne the Parsons, Uicars, Curats, and Church-wardens of euerie Parish, to deliuer vp all Antiphoners, Missalls, Grayles, Processionals, Manualls, Legends, Pyes, Portuasies, Iournals, and Ordinals, and all other Bookes of Seruice: the hauing whereof, might be any let vntounto the Seruice that now is set forth in English, commaunding all such persons as should be found disobedient in this matter, to be committed to ward.
And because many refused to pay towardes the finding of Bread and Wine for the Communion, whereby the Communion in many places was omitted: the Byshops had charge for the redresse héereof, and to punish such as refused so to doe.
In this yeare Letters were sent for the taking downe of Altars in Churches,1550. and setting vp a Table in the steed thereof, vntounto Nicholas Ridley, who being Byshop of Rochester before, was made Bishop of London in Bonners place.
The Storie of STEPHEN GARDNER, Bishop of Winchester.
VVHereas the Kinges Maiestie made a generall visitation, as before is said, and appointed certaine iniunctions to be generally obserued, they were obediently receiued, and reuerently executed of all men of all sorts, sauing onelyonly of the Bishop of Winchester, who by conference with others, by open protestations and Letters also, shewed such a wilfull disobedience therein as might hauehave bred much trouble: Wherefore he was sent for before the Councell, before whom he denied to receiue the said Articles, and so misused himselfe before them▪ that he was sent to the Fléete: but vponupon promise of conformity, hee was set at liberty againe, then he set forth such matters as bred more contention in that Shire, then in all the Realme againe, and he caused all his Seruants to bée secretly armed and harnised, to withstand such as he thought to hauehave béene sent by the Councell into those parts, and when Preachers were sent into that Countrey by the Councell to preach the Word of GOD, the Bishop to disappoint and disgrace them, and to hinder his Maiesties procéedings, did occupy the Pulpit himselfe, and in his Sermons would warne the people of such new Preachers, and to imbrace no other Doctrine then that which he had taught them. Wherefore being sent for againe before the Councell, yet in the end vponupon his second promise of conformity, they left him at libertie, willing him to remaine at his house at London, yet he began afresh to ruffle and meddle in matters that touched the Kings Maiesty.
Whereupon being once againe admonished, be promised againe conformity, and that he would declare his conscience to be well satisfied with the Kings procéedings, to the satisfaction and good quiet of others; but at the day appointed he did speake of certaine matters contrary to expresse commaundement of the King: and in the Articles whereu…to he had agreed before, hee vsed such a manner of vtterance, as was v…ry like there presently to hauehave stirred a great tumult, and in great matters touching the pollicy of the Realme, hee so handled them, that he shewed himselfe a very seditious man, and that in the presence of his Maiestie, the Lords of the Councel…, and of such an audience, as the like thereof hath not béene séene: whereupon he was committed to the Tower, and after iustly depriued for his obstinaey therein.
Hee wrote a Letter vntounto Maister Vaghan, in defence and prayse of Images, which the Lord Protector answered very learnedly, as thou mayst sée in the Booke at large.
He wrote another Epistle, wherein hee first rayled and findeth fault with the Paraphrase of Erasmus, which he calleth a Booke of abhomination: secondlie, hée sheweth, that he can in no case away with the Homily of saluation▪ set out by the Archbishop of Canterbury, which Article marue…lously vexeth his Spirit.
His third purpose whereunto his Letters cheefely draw, is to insinuate the Lord Protector, that no alteration should bee made of Religion, during the time of the Kings minority, but to let all thinges stand as King Henrie had left them.
The iudgement of Doctor REDMAN on his death-bed, touching certaine points of Religion.
1 THE Sea of Rome in this last daies,1551 is a sinke of all euill.
2 Purgatory, as the Schoolemen vsed it, was vngodly, and there was no such kind kind of Purgatory as they phantasied.
3 That the offering vp of the Sacrament in Masses and treutals for the sins of the dead, is vngodly.
4 That the wicked are not partakers of the body of Christ, but receiue the outward sacrament only.
5 That the sacrament ought not to be carried about in procession, for it is taught what is the vse of it by these words, Take, eate and drink, doe this in remembrance of mee.
6 That nothing which is séen in the sacrament, or perceiued with any outward sense, is to be worshipped.
7 That we receiue not Christs body corporally, that is to say, grossely like other meats, and like as the Capernayts did vnderstand it.
8 That we receiue Christs body so spiritually, that neuerthelesse truly.
9 Touching transubstantiation, there is not in any of the olde Doctors any good ground and sure proofe thereof, or any mention of it, as farre as euer he could perceiue; neither that he doth sée what could be answered to the obiections made against it.
10 Being asked of Master Wilkes what that was which was lifted vp betwixt the Priests hands, he answered, that he thought that Christ could be neither lifted vp nor downe.
11 That Priests may by the law of God marrie wiues.
12 That as only faith doth iustifie, so that doth signifie a true, a liuely, and a faith resting in Christ, and imbracing Christ: and this is true, godly, sweet and comfortable doctrine, so that it be so taught that the people take non… occasion of carnall libertie.
13 That workes had their reward and crown, but they did not deserue eternall life and the kingdome of God, no not the workes of grace; for euerlasting life is the gift of God.
The historie of VVILLIAM GARDNER an Englishman, who constantly suffered in Portingall for the Truth.
HEe was borne at Bristow,1552. and gaue himselfe vntounto the trade of Merchandise, he was sent into Spaine by Master Paget, being sixe and twenty yeares old, the ship arriued by chance at Lishborne the chiefe Citie of Portugall, he tarrying there about merchandise, became a profitable seruant to his Master and others, yet he reserued his religion in that popish countrey: there were also besides him diuers good men in the same Citie, neither lacked he good books nor the conference of good and honest men, to whom he would often bewaile his weakenesse, that he was not sufficiently touched with the hatred of his sinnes, nor inflamed with the louelove of godlinesse.
There was a solemne marriage celebrated betwéen two Princes, the sonne of the King of …, and the daughter of the King of Spain, to which marriage there was great resort of nobles, and there lacked no Bishops with Miters, nor Cardinals with Hats, to set out this royall wedding. William Gardner was there when they went forward to the celebrating of the Masse, for that alone did serue for all purposes: the Cardinall did execute it with much singing and Organ-playing: the people stood with great deu…tion and silence, praying, looking, knéeling, and knocking, their minds fully bent vponupon the external sacrament, which did grieuously prick and mo…e this young man, to sée so many noble personages and others so seduced with this Idolatri…, that if the prease of people had not hindered him he would that day hauehave done some notable thing in the Kings presence: he came home and made vp all his accounts of that was due to him, and that which was owing to others, that no man could aske any thing of him, he fell to prayer and meditation of the Scriptures: The Sunday came againe to be celebrated with like pompe and solemnitie: The said William was early present, and stoode as neere the Altar as he could: When the King with all his Nobles were come the Masse began, which was solemnized by a Cardinall, when hee began to …osse the Host too and fro round about the Chalice, making certaine circles, The said William Gardiner not able to suffer any longer, hee ran to the Cardinall in the presence of the King, Nobles, and Citizens, with the one hand hee snatched away the Cake and tr…de it vnderunder his féet, and with the other hand ouerthrew the Chalice: Wherevpon rose great tumult, and one wounded him with a Dagger in the soulder: The King commanded to saue him, whereby they abstained from murdering him.
When he was brought before the King: he demanded what country man he was, and how hee durst worke such a contumacie against his Maiestie, and the Sacraments of the Church: Hee answered hee was an English man, by birth and Religion, and am come hither for traffick of Marchandize, and when I saw in this famous assembly so great Idolatry committed, my conscience neither ought nor could any longer suffer, but must needs doe that you hauehave séene me doe, which was not done for any contumacy of your Maiestie, but of purpose, as before God I do confesse to séek the saluation of this people: then vnderstanding that king Edward had restored Religion in England, and thinking he had beene set on by some others: they would know who set him on; He answered he was not mooued thereto by any man, but by his owne conscience, but that hee owed this seruice first vntounto God, and secondly vntounto their saluation, and they ought to impute the act onelyonly to themselues, which so vnreuerently vsed the holy Supper of the Lord vntounto so great Idolatry, to the perill of their owne soules, except they repented. He was like to faint with the aboundance of blood that ranne out of his wound, and Surgeons were sent to cure it, then all English-men were committed vntounto Prison, and one Pendigrace, because that he was his Bed-fellow, was gree…ously tormented and examined, and scarse deliuered after two yeares imprisonment.
Then they caused a Linnen Cloath to bee sowed round like a Ball, which they violently put downe his throat to the bottome of his belly, tyed with a small string which they held in their handes; and when it was downe they pulled it vp againe with violence, so plucking it too and fro through the meat pipe. When all torments and tormentors were wearied, they asked him if he did not repent his wicked deed, he answered, if it were to doe againe he thought he should doe it, but he was sorie it was in the presence of the King: the fault ought to be ascribed to the King and not to him, in that he hauing power would not prohibit so great Idolatrie vsed amongst his people.
Three dayes after they brought him to execution: when they had vsed all kind of torments against him, then they cut off his right hand, which he tooke vp with his left and kissed it; then they cut off his other hand, which he, kneeling downe, kissed, and so he was carried to the place of execution, where was an Engine, from the which a great rope comming downe by a pullie, was fastened about this Christian, which first pulled him vp: then there was a great pile of wood set on fire beneath him into the which he was by little and little let downe, not with the whole body, but so that his feet only felt the fire: then he was hoysed vp and so let downe againe; in the which torment he continued with a constant spirit, and the more terribly he burned the more vehemently he prayed.
When his feet were burned the tormentors asked him whether he did not yet repent, and exhorted him to call vponupon our Ladie and other Saints; he answered he had done nothing whereof he did repent, and needed not our Ladies nor Saints help, and what torments soeuer they vsed: hee remained alwaies one, desiring them to leaue off such vanities and follies, for when Christ ceased to bee our Aduocate, then he would pray our Lady to be his Aduocate: and when they sought to stop his prayers, he said Iudge mee O Lord, and reuenge my cause against the vnmercifull people, before he had ended the Psalme, pulling him vp & downe in the fire for the more torment, the rope was burned, hee fell into the middest of the fire, where he changed his Temporall paines, for eternall quietnes: Thus GOD by this message did prouoke the Portugales to the sincere knowledge.
But this cruelty was not vnreuenged, for with a sparke from the fire of his burning, one of the Kings Shippes was burned, and the Kings Sonne that was married died halfe a yeere after, and the next yeare the King himselfe dyed.
The Clergy appointed a solemne Fast certaine daies for penance to purge that fact: there be some yet as I hauehave heard diuers report, out of whose remembrance this constant Martyr can neuer be pulled, and is so fresh yet amongst them as if it were but lately done, his death as fruitfull seede hath taken such fruit in some that it is yet a linely, and diligent preaching vntounto some against superstition and Idolatry vsed in their Churches.
The tragicall History of the worthy Duke of Sommerset.
KIng Edward had three vnckles by his mothers side: Edward, Thomas & Henry Semer: Edward was made protector of the Realme, and Thomas was made high Admirall of the same, so long as they were ioined together in amitie, they preserued themselues, and the King, and the Common-wealth: Sir Thomas Semer high Admirall, married Queene Katherine, late wife of King Henry, as you hauehave heard; betwixt the said Queene, and the Dutchesse of Somerset, there fell great displeasure: And therevpon in the behalfe of their wiues grudge began betweene the brethren, after it was laid vntounto the Lord Admirals charge, that hee purposed to destroy the yong King… and trans…ate the Crowne vntounto himselfe, and for the same he was attainted and condemned, and did suffer at Tower Hill the twentith of March, one thousand fiue hundred forty and nine, many reported that the Duchesse of Sommerset had wrought his death: whereby it came to passe, whether by Gods iust iudgement or no, In October after, that there was great consultation amongst the Lords, in the house of Maister Yorke, and at Baynards Castle, and in the Lord Mayor of Londons house, against the Lord Protector, remaining then with the King at Hampton Court: The King with his Councell hearing thereof, first Secretary Peter with the Kings message was sent vntounto them, whom the Lords retained still with them, making no answer: wherevpon the Lord Protector writ vntounto them, that the King was informed of your assembly: wherefore we sent Maister Secretary Peter vntounto you: His Maiestie, and wee of his Councell héere doe not a little maruell, that you stay héere …he said M. Peter, and hauehave not answered his Maiesty, and we are sory to sée your doings bent with violence to bring the King and vsus to these extremities: which if you will take no other way, we intend with violence to defend with death, and to put it in Gods hand, who giueth victory as it pleaseth him: as touching priuate matters …o auoide the effusion of Christian bloud, and to preserue the Kings Maiesties person, his Realme and Subiects, you shall finde vsus agréeable to any reasonable conditions that you will require, for wee esteem… the Kings wealth, and tranquilitie of the Realme, more then other worldly things, yea then our life; praying them to send their determinate answere by Maister Peter, or some other.
Notwithstanding this Letter, the Lords persisted still in their purpose, and took aduice to kéep themselues in the Citie of London, as strong as they might, and willed the Mayor and Aldermen to prouide a substantiall watch by night, and by day, for the safegard of the Citie and gates.
Then they demanded fiue hundred men to ayde them to fetch the Lord Protector out of Windsor from the King: and they published a Proclamation against the said Protector to this effect.
First that the Protector by his euill gouernment was the cause of all the sedition, that of late happened within the Realme: and of the losses of the Kings ordinance in France: and that it appeared by the building of his sumptuous houses in the time of the Kings warre, that he sought his owne glory: that he esteemed nothing the graue counsell, of the Councellors, that he had sowed diuisions betwéen the Nobles, Gentlemen, and Commons.
That the Nobles assembled themselues only to cause the protector to hauehave liued within limits, & to hauehave put such order for the surety of the King as was fit.
That the protector slandered the Councell vntounto the King: and that hee was a great traytor, and therefore the Lords defired the Citie & Commons to ayde them to take him from the King.
Then the King sent a Letter vntounto the Mayor and Citizens, commanding them to ayde him with a thousand men out of their Citie, well armed, and to send them with all speed vntounto the Castle of Windsor.
These contrary commandements comming both at one instant vntounto the Mayor & Citizens of London: it séemed very doubtfull to them which way to take: at the last stepped vp a Citizen George Studlaw, and said. I remember in the time of Henry the third; the Barons as the Lords doe now, demanded ayde of the Mayor and Citizens of London, and the Citie ayded them against the King, and it came to an open battell, and the Lords preuailed against the King, and took the King and his son prisoners, and vponupon certaine conditions, the King & his Son were restored againe, and the King openly granted his pardon to the Lords and Citizens, & it was ratified by Act of Parliament, but it was neuer forgotten during the Kings life: the Liberties of the Citie were taken away, and strangers appointed to be our gouernors, and the Citizens giuen away body and goods, and from one persecution vntounto another were most miserably afflicted, such it is to enter into the wrath of a Prince: for Salomon saith, the wrath of a Prince is death: Therefore I would councell the Lords with vsus, to make sute to the King, that he would please to heare the complaints that may be iustly proued against the L. Protector, and I doubt not but this matter will be pacified, and that the King, nor yet the Lords hauehave cause to seeke for further ayde, neither we to offend any of them both.
Then the Lords sent Sir Philip Hobby, with their Letter of credence vntounto the King, beséeching him to giuegive credit to that which he should say: who so handled the matter, that the Lord Protector was commanded from the Kings presence: and shortly committed to warde in the Castle of Windsor: The same day the Lords of the Councell resorted vntounto the King, and the next day they brought the Lord Protector vntounto the Tower.
Shortly after the Lords resorted vntounto the Tower, and there charged the Lord Protector with sundry Articles; the effect of them is contained in the proclamation aforesaid: and although these purposes of man intended the spilling of his life; and the Lord so ordered the matter by the meanes of the Kings so laboring for his vnkle, that in short while he was let out of the Tower, and continued at liberty two yeares and two daies.
After he was againe apprehended & committed againe to the Tower, after hee was brought to Westminister Hall to be arraigned, and there was charged with felony & treason: he put himselfe to be tried by his Péeres, who discharged him of treason, but they accounted him guilty of Felony, for purposing the death of the Duke of Northumberland and others, and was returned vntounto the Tower againe.
When he was brought to his execution vponupon tower Hill, he came with the same gesture which he vsed, changing neither voice nor countenance, and knéeling down he commended himselfe to God, and his prayers ended, he turned toward the people, as it were with a certaine fatherly louelove to children, and said:
Dearely beloued friends, I am brought hether to suffer death, albeit I neuer offended against the King in word nor deed: and hauehave alwaies béene as faithfull as any man vntounto this Realme: but because I am by Law condemned to die, to testifie my obedience which I owe vntounto the Lawes, I am come hither to suffer death: Wherefore I thanke God that he hath giuen me this time of repentance, who might so suddenly hauehave béen taken with death that I could not hauehave acknowledged God, nor my selfe.
I would something put you in minde of the Christian Religion, which so long as I was in authoritie I did alwaies diligently set forth, and I reioice therein, sith now the state of Christian Religion commeth most neere to the order of the Primatiue Church, which I esteeme as a great benefit of God to me, and vntounto you: most heartily exhorting you all, that you will most thankefully imbrace it, & set out the same in your liuing, which if you do not, no doubt great calamitie will follow.
Upon these words there was heard a terrible noise, as it had beene of some great tempest from aboue, as if a great deale of Gun-powder, being inclosed in an armory, hauing caught fire, had violently broke out: or as if a great company of horsemen had been running together vponupon them, whereby the people were so amazed, that they ranne away; s…me into Ditches and Puddles, and some into the houses; others with their Halberts fell vntounto the ground: Crying out, Iesus saue vsus, Iesus saue vsus: and those which tarried in their places knew not where they were: It happened heere euen as when the officers of the High Priests came to take Christ: They runne back and fell to the ground, in so great slaughter of Dukes within this few yeares, there were neuer so many weeping eyes at one time, and the people seeing Sir Anthony Browne ride to the Scaffold: they coniectured that the King had sent his Unkle pardon, therefore with great reioycing they cast vp their caps, and cryed out pardon, pardon, is come, God saue the king. Thus the good Duke, although he was destitute of mans help, yet hee saw before his departure in what great louelove and fauour he was with all men.
Then said the Duke, dearely beloued friends, there is no such matter as you vainely beleeue: Therefore I pray you be contented with my death which I most willingly suffer; let vsus ioine in prayer for the King, vntounto whom I hauehave alwaies shewed my selfe a faithfull Subiect, and hauehave béen most diligent to seeke the commoditie of the whole Realme; at which words all the people cryed out and said, it was most true: And praying for the King and Councell, and exhorting the people to obedience, forgiuing all his enemies, and desiring forgiuenes of them which he… had offended, and praying them to beare witnes, he died in the faith of Christ.
Then he knéeled downe and prayed, and rising againe without any trouble of minde, he tooke them all on the Scaffold by the hand, and bid them all farewell: when he lay vponupon the block he called thrice on the name of Iesus, saying, Lord Iesus saue me: And as the name of Iesu was repeating the third time, in a moment, he was bereft both of head and life.
The Lady MARY.
THe King & his Councell had much trauell by Letters and messengers, to reduce the Lady Mary to obedient con…ormitie of Religion: yet she would not be reclaimed from her owne singuler opinion, fixed vponupon custome, to giuegive any indifferent hearing vntounto the word and voice of verity, the which set will of the said Lady Mary, the yong King, and also his Father King Henry, right well perceiuing they were both much displeased against her, insomuch that not only her brother did sequester her in his Will, but also her owne father considering her inclination, did conceiue such a hate against her, that for a great space he did seclude her from the title of Princesse, yea, and seemed so greatly incensed against her, that he was fully purposed to hauehave procéeded further with her, as it is reported, had not the intercession of Thomas Cranmer the Archbishop reconciled the King againe to fauour and pardon his owne daughter.
And about the eighth of September 1552. Doctor Ridley Bishop of London, went to visit the Lady Mary, and was gently entertained of Sir Thomas Wharton, and other her officers. About eleuen of the clocke the Lady Mary came forth of her chamber of presence: then the Bishop saluted her Grace, and said he was come to doe his dutie vntounto her Grace; she thanked him, and for a quarter of an houre talked with him pleasantly, and said, she knew him when he was Chaplain to her father, and remembred a Sermon that he made before her father, at the Lady Clintons marriage, and so dismissed him to dine with her officers.
After dinner the Bishop being called, resorted againe vntounto her Grace: then said the Bishop, Madam, I come not only to doe my duety to sée your Grace, but also to offer my selfe to preach before you on Sonday next, if it please you to heare me: she said, I pray make the answere your selfe, for you know the answere well enough: but if I must make answere, this shall be your answere, The doore of the Church shall be open for you if you come, but neither I nor none of mine shall heare you. The Bishop said, Madam, I trust you will not refuse GODS word. She answered, I cannot tell what you call GODS word; that is not GODS word now that was GODS word in my fathers dayes. The Bishop said, GODS word is one in all times, but it hath beene better vnderstood and practised in some ages then in others. She said, you durst not for your eares hauehave auouched that for GODS word in my fathers dayes that now you doe: as for your new books, I thanke GOD for it, I neuer read none of them, nor neuer will doe.
After many bitter words against the forme of Religion then established, and against the gouernment of the Realme, and the lawes made in the young yeares of her brother, which she said she was not bound to obey vntill her brother came to perfect age, and then affirmed she would obey them. Then she asked him whether he were one of the Priuie Councell; he answered no: you might well enough, quoth she, as the Councell goeth now-a-dayes: so she concluded, that she thanked him for his gentlenesse to come and see her, but for your offering to preach before me, I thank you neuer a whit.
Then was the Bishop brought by Sir Thomas Wharton vntounto the place where he dined, who desired him to drinke: after he had drunke he looked very sadly, and brake out in these words, Surely I hauehave done amisse, in that I hauehave drunke in that place where GODS word hath beene offered and refused, whereas indeed if I had beene mindfull of my duety, I ought not to hauehave stayed, but to hauehave departed immediatly, and to hauehave shaken off the dust of my feete for a testimony against this house.
Touching the disputations of Peter Martyr, Martin Bucer, and Paulus Phagius, because they are only touching the Sacrament, which is so often handled in this book, for breuitie I referre thee to the book at large.
The decease of King EDWARD.
ABout a yeare and a halfe after the death of the Duke of Sommerset,1553. King Edward died, entring into the seuenteenth yeare of his age, and in the seuenth yeare of his raigne. As the time approached that it pleased Almighty God to call this yong King from vsus, which was on the sixth day of Iuly, about thrée houres before his death his eyes being closed, speaking to himselfe, and thinking none had heard him, he made this prayer as …olloweth.
LOrd God deliuer me from this miserable and wretched life, and take me amongst thy chosen, howbeit not my will but thy will be done, for I commit my spirit vntounto thee. O Lord thou knowest how happie it were for me to be with thée, yet for thy chosens sake send me life and health, that I may truly serue thes. O my Lord GOD, blesse thy people and saue thine inheritance: O Lord saue thy chosen people of England: O my GOD defend this realme from Papistrie, and maintain thy true religion, that I and my people may prayse thy holy name, for thy Sonne Iesu Christs sake.
Then he turned his face, and séeing who was by him, he said vntounto them, are you so nigh? I thought you had been… further off: then smilingly he said; I was praying to God. The last words he spake were these: I am faint, Lord hauehave merciemercy vponupon me, and take my spirit. And thus he yeelded vp the Gh…st, leauing a wofull kingdome behinde vntounto his sister.