Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 11 · Part 6 – Part 7
ROBERT FARRAR Bishop of Saint Dauids in Wales.
THis Bishop, by the fauour of the Lord Protector, was first promoted vntounto that Dignity:1555 he may well bee said twice mar…ired; first, for diuers iniuries and mollestations which he suffered most vnworthily of his enemies, in King Edwards time, after the fall of the Duke of Somerset, and of his martydome in Queene Maries time. His Aduersaries in King Edwards time, were …ames Constantine, his Register, to whom he gaue the Office by Patent, and a Doctor of the Law, and Canon of the Cathedrall Church of S. Dauids, and a Chanter of the same.
They did exhibit to the Kings Councell certain Articles, to the insent to blemish the Bishops credit, and vtterly as they thought, and made their boasts to pull him from his Bishopricke, and bring him in a premunire.
The cheefe effect of their Articles, which were fifty sixe, was, that he did not in his Proce… that he made write the King supreame head of the Church, and that he tollerated other superstitions and Idolatries.
After these wrangling Articles were giuen vp, then the Bishop was called to answere, the hearing whereof was committed vntounto Sir Iohn Mason, Knight, and Doctor Wo…ton.
Then they had a Commission into the Country, where they examined sixscore and seauen witnesses, and during the time of the examination of these witnesses, the said Bishop was stayed at London, because his aduersaries said, if the Bishop should go into his Dioces, he would let them of their proues.
During which trouble King Edward died, and in Quéene Maries time another named Henry, was made Bishop of S. Dauids, who sent for the said Robert Farrar, and committed him to prison, and afterward declared vntounto the saide Robert the great clemency, that the King and Quéenes Highnesse pleasure was to bee offered vntounto him, if he would submit himselfe vntounto the Lawes of this Realme, and conforme himselfe vntounto the vnity of the Catholike Church, and séeing the said Robert made him no answere, he ministred vntounto him these Articles.
First, whether he beleeue the marriage of Priests to be lawfull by the lawe of God and holy Church.
Secondly, whether hee beleeued the very body and blood of Christ is really and substantially in the Sacrament, without the substance of bread and wine. Bishop Farrar would not answer, vntill he saw a lawfull Commission, so he was committed againe: then he was called againe after, and would answer no otherwise then as before; whereupon he was pronounced Contu…nax, and for punishment thereof, to be counted Pro confesso, and committed him againe. The next day of appearance, the said Bishop Farrar craued time to answere, and at the time did answer.
Then the foresaid pretensed Bishop, gaue him a writing of certaine Articles to subscribe vntounto: adding to the Articles before, that the Masse was a propitiatorie Sacrifice for the quicke and the dead, and that the generall Councels neuer erred, neither … erre: that a man is not iustified by Faith only, but by Charity also; and that the Catholike Church onelyonly hath authoritie of interpreting of the Scriptures, and to compound Controuersies, and also to appoint such things as appertaine to publike discipline, and that the Church is visible, as a citty vponupon a hill knowne vntounto all men, and not obscure and vnknowne, as the hereticks of our age doe teach.
To these Articles he refused to subscribe: affirming that they were inuented by man, and pertaine nothing to the Catholick Faith: Then he assigned him a day to assigne them affirmatiuely, or negatiuely, which he would not do…, but appea…ed vntounto the Cardinall: notwithstanding they gaue sentence against him.
When they had put the priestly vestures on him to disgrade him; hee called them ragges and relicks of Rome: When he was brought to ex…cution in the Ci…ie of Carmarden, he was burned with Turffes and Soddes, which was to him a more greeuous torment, but praised be God he suffered it patiently.
The next monethmonth a godly man named Rawlins White, was burned in Cardiffe in Wales.
THOMAS TOMKINS.
THomas Tomkins of Shordich in London Weauer, was brought before Boner, for all hitherto were condemned by Steuen Gardiner Lord Chancelor; but hee being weary, put off the rest vntounto Boner, of whom this Tomkins was the first; who when by no meanes hee could bee driuen from the …ruth, Boner caused a burning Candle to be brought to him: Then said he, come on naughty knane, if thou likest the torments of the fire so well; I will make thee feele in this flame what it is to be burned: then if thou be wise thou wilt change thy minde: Then he commanded his right hand to be put into the fire, but he indured the burning; yet was not Bonet therewith contented, but neuer rested vntill he had consumed the whole body to ashes in Smithfield.
He was condemned vponupon these points: First, that his beleefe …, that the body of Christ is not truely and verily in the Sacrament of the Altar, but onelyonly in heauen, and so in heauen that it cannot be really in the Sacrament: and although the Church a… low the Masse a wholesome and profitable sacrifice; yet my beliefe is that the Masse is full of Superstition and Idolatry, and vnprofitable for my soule: and the Sacrament of Baptisme ought to …ee onelyonly in the vulgar tongue, and without such ceremonies as are vsed in the Latine Church: and being exhorted to leaue his opinions: Hee answered hee was brought vp in ignorance vntill now of late yeares, and now I know the truth, wherein I will continue vntounto death: and he said my Lord you would hauehave me forsake the truth, and fall into error and heresie: Then hee was condemned and deliuered vntounto the Sheriffe; who carried him to Newgate, where hee remained most ioifull and constant, vntill hee was conuayed to Smithfield, and there sealed vp his Faith in the flaming fire.