Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 11 · Account 18 · Examination 11
The eight examination of Iohn Philpot before the B. of London, the B. of S. Dauids, M. Mordant and others, in the Bishops Chappell.
THe next day after, my Keeper came before daye in the morning to cal me downe,The 8. … of …. Philpot. & so was I brought down into his Wardrobe, where with a Keeper I was left, and there continued al the day. But after dinner I was called downe into the Chappell, before the Bishop of London, the B. of saint Dauids, M. Mordant one of the Queenes Counsaile, maister Archedeacon of London, and before a great many moe Balaamites: and the Bishop spake vntounto me in this wise.Articles … & Philpot.
Lond.
Sir, here I obiect and lay vntounto you in the presence of my Lorde of S. Dauids, and of M. Mordant, & of these worshipfull men, these articles here in this libel cōteined, and openly he read them.
To whom when I would particularly hauehave answeared to some of his blasphemies, he would not permit me, but sayde, I shoulde hauehave leasure enough to saye what I would, when he had saide, & to these here I adde an other schedule. Also I require thee to aunsweare to the Cathechisme set foorth in the schismatical time of king Edward. Also I will thee to answere to certaine conclusions, agreed vponupon both in Oxford and Cambridge. And I heere do bring forth these witnesses against thee, in thine own presence, namely my Lord of S. Dauids, maister Mordant, and master Harpsfield, with as many of you as were present in the disputation he made in the conuocation house, willing you to testifie (of your othes taken vponupon a booke) his stubborne and vnreuerend behauiour he did there vse against ye blessed sacrament of the aultar. Geue me a boke, and receiuing one, he opened the same, saying: I wil teach him heere one tricke in our lawe, which he knoweth not: that is, My Lord of S. Dauids, because you are a Bishop you hauehave this priuiledge, that you may sweare, Inspectis Euangelijs & non tactis: By looking on the Gospel booke without touching of the same. … M. Philpot.And so he opened the booke in hys sight, and shut it againe, and caused the other to put theyr hands on the booke, and tooke their othe, and willed them to resort to his Register to make their depositions when they might be best at leisure: and afterwardes he tourned to me, and sayd: Now sir, you shall answeare but 2. wordes, whether you will answeare to these articles which I hauehave laid vntounto you, directly, yea, or nay.
Phil.
…My Lord, you hauehave told a long tale against me, conteining many lying blasphemies, which cā not be answered in two woordes. Besides this, you promised me at the beginning, that I should say what I could for my defence and now will you not geue me leaue to speake? What law is this?
Lond.
Speake, yea, or nay: for you shal say no more at this time. The cause was (as I gesse) that he saw so many there gathered to heare.…
Phil.
Then my two wordes you would hauehave me speake, shall be that I hauehave appealed from you, and take you not for my sufficient iudge.
Lon.
In dede (M. Mordant) he hath appealed to the king and to the Queene: but I wil be so bold with her maiesty, to stay that appeale in mine owne hands.
Phil.
You will doe what you list (my Lorde) you hauehave the lawe in your handes.
Lond.
Wilt thou answere, or no?
Phil.
I will not answere otherwise then I hauehave sayd.
Lon.
Register, note his answer that he maketh.
Phil.
Knocke me in the head with an Hatcher,B. Boner doth without order o… lawe. or set vp a stake, and burne me out of hand without further lawe: as well you may doe so, as doe that you doe, for all is wythout order of lawe. Suche tyrannie was neuer seene, as you vse now adaies. God of his mercy destroy your cruel kingdome. And whilest I spake this, the Bishop went away in haste.
S. Dauids.
M. Philpot, I pray you be quiet, and hauehave pacience with you.
Phil.
My Lorde, I thanke God I hauehave pacience to beare and abide al your cruel intents against me, notwythstanding I speake this earnestly, being mooued thereto iustly, to notifie your vniust and cruell dealing with men in corners, without all due order of lawe.
After this, at nighte I was conducted againe by three or foure into the Colehouse.