Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 6 · Part 34
Anthony Pierson Priest, Robert Testwood singing man, Henrie Finmore Taylor, and Iohn Marbeck singing man, were burned at VVindsor.1543.
THese Articles were obiected against Pierson, that he had said, Euen as Christ once hanged betweene two theeues, so when he is holden vp betwixt the Priests handes, he hangs betwixt two theeues, except the Priest sincerely preach Gods word.
That he preached that Christ should not be eaten as he did hang vponupon the Cross… with his flesh torne, and the bloud running about their mouthes, but he was to be eaten this day, that we might also feed on him to morrow, and next day, and continually, and that he was of more power after his resurrection then he was before.
That Christ sitting amongst his Disciples, commended the Scriptures vntounto them when he said, This is that bread, this is that body of Christ; so when hee brake bread and bade them deuide it amongst them, and eate it, for it was his bodie, and likewise the cup, saying, This is my bloud; hee signified to vsus that wee should receiue the Scriptures, and distribute them vntounto the people.
It was obiected against Finmore, that he had said that the Sacrament of the Altar was but a similitude, and that if it were God he had eaten twenty Gods in his life.
He condemned Testwood for iesting with the Priest when he lifted vp the host, saying, Ho, take héed that he fall not.
That Marbeck with his owne hands had writ notes out of certaine Authors, which were repugnant to the masse and sacrament of the Altar: and that he said, The Masse was impure and defiled with much vngodlinesse, and it spoyleth God of his honour; and that the eleuation of the sacrament represents the Calues of Ieroboam, and is worse Idolatrie then those were, and that therein Christ was counted a mocking-stock.
There was a fift man named Bennet, vntounto whose charge it was laid that hée should say, the daily Masses vsed in the Church were superfluous, and that it were sufficient the seuenth day were kept holy. Bennet and Marbeck were pardoned by the King; the other thrée stoutly suffered martyrdom.
We will passe ouer the Priest which was hanged in the Porters lodge of Gardener Bishop of Winchester, and one Henrie his seruant burnt at Colchester, and one Kerby a Taylor, burnt at London, because we hauehave no certainty of the time.
Doctor London Prebend of Windsor, and one William Simonds, which were the accusers of the foresaid fiue of Windsor: they went about to trouble foure Gentlemen of the Kings priuie Chamber, that they forced thē to plead their cause in open Court: they declared to the King what danger they were in, wherupon they themselues were called in question; being conuicted of manifest periurie, they were adiudged to weare papers, signifying their periuries, in the open market of Windsor: then they were cast in prison at London, where the said Doctor London died.
About this time was one Rogers, a Lay-man of Northfolk, burned by the Duke of Northfolke, for the true affirmation of the Sacrament: halfe a yeare after the Duke lost his eldest sonne, and himselfe was committed to prison, who then acknowledging his errour, became more méeke to such kind of men.
Iohn Athee was indicted for saying, He would not beleeue that which the knaue Priest made and Longs wife sold; meaning the Host. And when it was told him1544. God could make it flesh and bloud, he said, He might put into it a Chicks legge.
This yeare Iohn Heywood was attached for treason, for denying the Kings supremacy, but he recanted, and confessed to the people, that the Pope had no more authority then other Bishops, and that the King was supreame head by the Law of God.