The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, John Frith
The Life of John Frith, who dyed Anno Christi 1531.
IOhn Frith was born at Westram in Kent, His birth.and had from his childehood a marvellous love to Learning; a wonderful promptness of Wit, and was of a ready Capacity to receive and understand any thing: neither was there any diligence wanting in him, equal to that worthy disposition that God had given him. He was first a Student in Cambridge, where he profited exceedingly in the knowledge both of the Arts and Tongues,His learning. where it pleased God he fell into acquaintance with William Tindal, His Conversion.through whose Instructions, he first received into his heart the seed of the Gospel, and sincere godliness. About the same time Cardinal Wolsie undertaking to build a stately College in Oxford, sought out the most learned men to be Fellows in the same, and amongst others John Frith (though but Batchelor of Arts) was appointed for one: But when divers of them were persecuted for Religion, and accused of Heresie: he, together with some others, who were chosen with him out of Cambridge, His imprisonment.was committed to Prison, in a dark Cave where salt fish was then kept, the savor whereof infected them all, so that some of them dyed: but Mr. Frith, by Gods Providence, escaped the danger, in the same year wherein Queen Elizabeth was born, having been dismissed out of his former Prison by means of Cardinal Wolsies Letter, whereupon he went beyond Sea to avoid the storm:His release. But after two years, he came back,Manifold afflictious. and having some business in Reading, he was there taken for a Vagabond, and set in the stocks: where they suffered him to sit till he was almost pined with hunger;He is set in the stocks. At last he desired to speak with the Schoolmaster of the Town, who when he came to him, Frith in Latine bewailed his captivity: The Schoolmaster being overcome with his Eloquence, began exceedingly to affect and pity him, the rather when he spake in Greek to him also, and repeated divers verses out of Hom…r: upon this the Schoolmaster repaired speedily to the Magistrates,His inlargement. and procured his enlargement: yet neither then was he in safety;Popish malice. for Sir Thomas Moor (the then Lord Chancellor) persecuted him both by Land and Sea, promising great rewards to those that could bring any news of him: Frith, to avoid this storm, changed place and apparrel often; yet at last he was betrayed by one William Holt ▪ a Taylor, who Judas-like pretended great friendship to him, aud so was sent to the Tower, where he had many conflicts with the Bishops,His imprisonment. but especially in writing with Sir Thomas Moor: and in his Disputations he used such strength of Reason, and evidence of Scripture, that Doctor Canner Archbishop of Canterbury, never gave more credit to any Author then to John Frith, and at Friths candle he lighted his lamp;Rastal converted by him. also he converted Rastal to his part, who was Moors son in law.
During his Imprisonment in the Tower it happened that Doctor Curreine, Chaplain in Ordinary to King Henry the Eight, preached a Sermon in Kent before his Majesty, wherein he inveighed bitterly against the Sacramentaries,Popish malice. as they then were called, which denyed the Real Presence: And he proceeded so far herein, as that he said, It's no marvel though this abominable Heresie doth so much prevail amongst us, seeing there is now one in the Tower which is so bold as to write in the defence of it, and yet no man goeth about his reformation, &c. This Doctor was set on work by Gardiner Bishop of Winchester, on purpose to procure the destruction of Mr. Frith: They also suggested to the King that he was kept in the Tower rather for his safeguard then for his punishment by súch as favoured him, as by the Lord Cromwel and others:The King commands Frith to be tryed. Hereupon the King called to him the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Lord Cromwel, willing them forthwith to call Frith to Examination, that so he might either be compelled to recant, or to suffer condign punishment: But when as they delayed time, the King took it so hainously, that he sent a Commission to the Archbishop, to Stokesly Bishop of London, and some others, without further delay to proceed to Examination of him: and that there should be no concourse of Citizens at the said Examination; the Archbishop removed to Croydon, whither Stokesly and the rest of the Commissioners resorted.
But before the day for his Examination came,He is sent for to Croydon. the Archbishop send one of his Gentlemen and one of his Porters to fetch Frith from the Tower to Croydon. This Gentleman had the Archbishops Letter, and the Kings Ring to the Lord Fitz-Williams Constable of the Tower for the delivery of the Prisoner; The Lord Fitz-Williams lodging then at Westminster, understanding for what end they were come, fel a cursing and banning Frith, and all other Hereticks, saying, Take your Heretick with you, I am glad that I am rid of him.
Frith being delivered to these two men, as they went in a Wherry towards Lambeth, the Gentleman being very sorry for his condition,His conference with the Bishops men. said to him: Consider the state wherein you are, a man altogether cast away in this World if you do not the more wisely behave your self: But though your case be very dangerous, yet may you help your self by giving way for a time, and somewhat relenting of your opinion, which hereafter when occasion and opportunity shall serve, you may promote again. You have many friends which will stand for you, so far as they are able and dare do. It's great pitty that one which hath such singul…r knowledge in Greek and Latine, and is so ready and ripe in all …inde of Learning, as well in the Scriptures as in the Antient Fathers, should now suddenly suffer all those excellent gifts to perish, with little profit to the World, and less comfort to your Wife, Children, and Kindred. And as for your opinion about the Sacrament, it's so unseasonably vented at this time in England, that it's like to do more hurt then good: therefore be ruled by good counsel till a …itter opportunity may serve. This I am sure of, that my Lord Cromwel, and my Lord of Canterbury much favour you, knowing you to be an eloquent and learned youngman, young in years, but old in knowledge, and likely to be a profitable Instrument of much good in this Realm: and therefore they will never suffer you to sustain any open shame if you will be advised by their counsel: But if you stand stiffe in your opinion, it's not possible for them to save your life; for as you have good friends, so you have mortal foes.
I most heartily thank you Sir (said Mr. Frith) for your good will and counsel, whereby I see your love to me: yet my Cause and Conscience is such, that in no wise I either may, or can for any worldly respect without danger of damnation start aside, and fly from the Truth whereof I am convinced, and which I have published concerning the Lords Supper: so that if I be asked what my judgement is about it,His courage and constancy▪ I mu…t needs declare my knowledge and conscience therein, as I have formerly written, though I were sure to lose twenty lives if I had so many▪ And further, you shall understand▪ that I am furnished with Scriptures, Fathers, Schoolmen, and others, for the proving of it, so that if I may be i… differently heard, I am sure my Adversaries can neither justly condemn me no… mine assertion, but that with me they must condemn Saint Augustine, and most of the Ancient Writers; yea the very Bishops of Rome of ancient time speak for me, and defend my cause. Yea marry (quoth the Gentleman) you say well, if you might be indifferently heard: but I much doubt thereof, for that our Master Christ was not indifferently heard, nor should I think, if he were now present in the World, especially in this your opinion, the same being now so odious in the World, and we so far from the true knowledge thereof. Well (said Mr. Frith) I know assuredly that this Doctrine of the Sacrament is very hard meat to be digested both of the Clergy and L…ity: But this I will say to you, that if you live but twenty years more, whatsoever shall become of me, you shall see this whole Realm of mine opinion, though happily some particular persons shall not be fully perswaded therein;A Prophesie. And if this come not to pass, then count me the vainest man that ever you heard speak with a tongue. And whereas you say my death would be very grievous to my friends, I grant that for a small time it would be so: but if I should so moderate my cause that I should only be kept in Prison, that would not only be a longer grief unto me, but would breed no small disquietness to my friends both in body and minde: therefore all things well considered, my death in this cause shall be b…tter to me and all my relations, then life in continual bondage and penury: And Almighty God knoweth what he hath to do with his poor servant, whose cause I now defend, and not mine own: from the which (through Gods grace) I never intend to start, nor otherwise to give place so long as God will give me life.
When they were landed at Lambeth, after they had refreshed themselves with Victuals, they all three went on foot towards Croydon: The Gentleman still with himself lamenting the per…l that Frith was in, and therefore he devised with himself by what means he might deliver him out of the Bishops hands; and having in minde contrived the way,His escape contrived. he walked with the Porter, and privately imparted his thoughts to him, and finding him forward to join with him therein, he went again to Mr. Frith, and told him that the business which he had undertaken, to lead him as a sheep to the slaughter, so grieved him, that he was overwhelmed with cares and sorrows, whereupon he was resolved, what danger soever he incurred, to find out a way to deliver him out of the Lyons mouth: And yet said he, yonder good fellow and I have contrived a means whereby you may easily escape from this immine… danger, and we also be cleared from any vehement suspition: for when we come to yonders Hill, called Bristow-Causway, where are Woods on each hand, you shall turn into that on the left hand which leads into Kent, and so by the help of your friends convay your self away, and we will so order the matter that they shall never seek that way for you, &c. Mr. Frith having diligently hearkened to his speech, said with a smiling countenance, And is this the effect of your secret consultation all this while? Surely, surely you have lost more labor formerly, and so you are like to do this also: for if you should both leave me here, and go to Croydon, He refuseth to fly, and why.declaring to the Bishops that you had lost Frith, I would surely follow after as fast as I could, & bring them news that I had found and brought Frith again: Do you think that I am afraid to declare mine Opinion before the Bishops in so manifest a Truth? You are a fond man (quoth the Gentleman) thus to talk; do you think▪ that your reasoning with the Bishops will do any good? But I much marvel you were so willing to fly the Realm before you were taken, and now so unwilling to save your self when you may. Marry (quoth Frith) there is a great difference between escaping then and now: For then I desired to escape because I was at liberty, and not yet attached, which liberty I would fain have enjoyed for the improvement of my Studies beyond-Sea, where I was Reader of the Greek tongue: but now being taken by the Higher Powers, and that by Almighty Gods Permission and Providence I am faln into the Bishops hands only for Religions-sake, and for such Doctrine as I am bound in con…cience under pain of damnation to maintain, if I should now start aside and run away, I should run from my God, and from the Testimony of his Word, whereby I should deserve a thousand Hels. And therefore I most heartily thank you both for your good wills towards me, beseeching you to bring me where I was appointed to be brought, or else I will go thither all alone. And so with a cheerful and merry countenance he went with them, spending the time with pleasant and godly communication till they came to Croydon, where for that …ight he was well entertained in the Porters Lodge. On the morrow he was called before the Bishops to be examined,His examination▪ and learning. at which time he shewed himself exceeding ripe and ready to answer all Objections, even beyond all mens expectations: And his Allegations out of S. Augustine and other Ancient Fathers were such, as some of them much doubted of S. Augustines authority in that case: a…d when they had done, Doctor Heath in private confessed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, that no man could avoid his Allegations out of S. Augustine; Yet after this, without any regard to his Piety, Learning, or Merit, he was turned over to Stokesley Bishop of London, who would not hear what S. Augustine or any other said for his opinion: But calling him into his Con…istory,His unjust condemnation. after he had witnessed there a good Confession, he condemned him, and so delivered him over to the Major and Sheriffs of London to be burned.
When he came into Smithfield where he was to suffer, he shewed much constancy and courage: and being tyed to the stake,His patience. and the fire kindled, he willingly embraced the same: But the winde blowing away the flame, made his death somewhat the longer:Gods mercy. yet (through Gods grace) he bore it with such patience even as though he felt no pain in that long torment,His death. and so at last quietly re…igned up his spirit unto God, Anno Christi 1531. Wh…lst Mr. Frith was beyond the Seas, he much holp Mr. Tindal in the Translation of the New Testament.
At the time of his burning,Popish malice. one Doctor Cook (a Parson in London) admonished the people that they should no more pray for him then they would pray for a Dog; whereupon John Frith smiling, prayed God to forgive him: This speech of the Doctor much moved the people to anger, and this milde answer of the Martyr sunk deeply into their mindes.
The books that were written by this blessed Martyr were many,His works. and much sought after in King Henry the Eighth, and in Queen Maries Reign, to be burned: and in the times of King Edward the Sixth, and Queen Elizabeth, for the instruction and comfort of the godly. But it pleased God by a marvellous occasion to cause three or four of his most useful Treatises to be reprinted of late, which was this.
On Midsummer Eve Anno Christi 1626▪ A strange Providence.a Codfish being brought into the Market in Cambridge, and there cut up for sale, in the Maw of the Fish was found wrapt up in Canvas a Book in Decimo sexto containing three Treatises of Mr. Friths: The Fish was caught about the Coast of Lin, called Lin-deeps, by one William Skinner: when the Fish was cut open, the garbish was thrown by, which a woman looking upon, espied the Canvas, and taking it up, found the Book wrapped up in it, being much soiled and covered over with a kinde of slime and congealed matter. This was beheld with great admiration, and by Benjamin Prime, the Batchelors Beadle (who was present at the opening of the Fish) was carryed to the Vicechancellor, who took speciall notice of it, examining the particulars before mentioned. By Daniel Boys (a Book-binder) the leaves were carefully opened and cleansed: The Treatises contained in it were,
A Preparation to the Cross.
A Preparation to Death.
The Treasure of Knowledge.
A Mirrour, or Glass to know thy self.
A brief instruction to teach one willingly to dye, and not to fear death.
How useful the reviving of these Treatises by such a special Providence hath been, may easily be discerned by such as have lived since those times.