Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 11 · Account 19

Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2 · Book 11 · Account 19

p. 1844…*Anno. 1556. ¶The Story of seuen Martyrs suffryng together at London for the lyke testimony of Christes Gospell.

THe Catholike prelates of the Popes band beyng as yet not satisfied with this their one …eres bloudy murderyng of the reuerend, lerned, & principal members of Christes church, (whereof there were now very few, which either were not consumed by most cruel fire, or els for the auoidyng of their pop…sh rage, compelled to flee their natural country) continued still this next yere also, which was an. 1556. in no lesse crueltie towards the more simple & inferior sort of people (I meane in degree, though, God be praysed, not in stedfastnes) hauing yet sometimes amōgst them such as were both learned and of good estimation, as in continuance of this history shall appeare.

Wherfore (as the first fruites thereof) to beginne this yeare withall, about the 27. day of Ianuary were burned in Smithfield at London, these seuen personnes hereafter followyng, to witte:

Thomas Whittle, Priest.

Barthelet Greene, Gentleman.

Iohn Tudson, Artificer.

Iohn Went, Artificer.

Thomas Browne.

Isabel Foster, wyfe.

Ioane Warren, alias Lashford, Mayd.

All whith seuen as they were burned together in one fire, so were they likewyse all vppon one sort and forme of Articles condemned in one day. Howbeit, forasmuch as the gyfts of God in them were diuers (some more abounding in knowledge then others) their dealyngs wythall were also diuers, as shall be more plainly perceiued in the discoursing of their seuerall processes hereafter folowing. And therefore for the better vnderstandyng hereof, I will first (by the leaue of the Lord) passing ouer their priuate articles and examinations had at sundry tymes in the bishops house, set foorth their generall examinations in the publike Consistorie, vponupon the Bishops articles there ministred vntounto them, with their aunswers also vntounto y^e same, accordyng as they all agreed after one maner and sort together, as here by the words both of the articles and theyr aunswers vnderunder written, may appeare.

¶The forme and wordes of Boners Articles ministred to the seuen persons aboue mentioned in his Consistorie.

ANd first to behold the maner of speach in these bishops sittyng in their maiesty to terrifie the eares of the simple withall, let vsus heare the pontificall phrase of this Bishops, beginnyng in this sort.

¶The within written articles, and eueryevery of them, and eueryevery part and parcell of them, we Edmund by the permission of God Bishop of London, do obiect and minister to thee Thomas Whittle, &c of our meere office▪ for thy soule health, & for reformation of thyne offences and misdemeanours, nourishyng thee in the vertue of obedience, and vnderunder the paynes of both censures of the Churche, and also of other paynes of the lawe, to aunswere fully, playnely, and truely to all the same.

1 FIrst, that thou N. hast firmly, stedfastly, and constātly beleeued in tymes past, and so doest now beleue at this present, that there is here in earth a catholike Church, in the which Catholike Church, the fayth and religion of Christ, is truely professed, allowed, receyued, kept and reteined of all faithfull and true christian people.

…2. Item, that thou the sayd N. in tymes past, hast also beleeued, and so doest beleeue at this present, that there are in the Catholique Church seuen Sacramentes, instituted & ordeined by God, and by the consent of the holy churche allowed, approoued, receiued, kept, and reteyned.

3. Item, that thou the sayd N. wast in tymes past baptised in the fayth of the sayd catholike church,… professyng by thy godfather and godmothers, the fayth and Religion of Christ and the obseruation thereof, renouncing there the deuil & all hys pomps and works, and wast by the said sacrament of baptisme incorporate to the catholike church, & made a faythfull member thereof.

4. Item, that thou the sayd N. commyng to the age of 14. yeares, and so to the age of discretion, didst not depart from the sayd profession and fayth, nor diddest mislike any part of the same fayth or doyngs, but diddest like a faythfull Christian person abide and continue in all the same, by the space of certayne yeares, ratifieng and confirmyng all the same.

5. Item, that thou the said N. notwithstanding the premisses, hast of late, that is to say, within these two yeares last past, within the City & dioces of London, swarued at the lest way from some part of the sayd catholike faith and religion: and among other thyngs thou hast misliked and earnestly spoken agaynst the sacrifice of the Masse,Sacrifice of the Masse. the sacrament of the altar, and the vnity of the church, raisyng & malignyng on the authoritie of the See of Rome, and the fayth obserued in the same.

6 Item, that thou the sayd N. hast heretofore refused, & doest refuse at this present to be reconciled againe to the vnitie of the church,Sea of Rome. knowledging and confessing the autoritie of the sayd See of Rome to be lawfull.

7 Item, that thou the sayd N. mislikyng the sacrifice of the Masse, and the sacrament of the aultar, hast refused to come to thy parish Church to heare Masse,Sacrament of the Altar. and to receyue the sayd Sacrament, and hast also expresly sayd, that in the sayd Sacrament of the aultar, there is not the very bodye and bloud of our Sauiour Christ, really, substantially, & truly, but hast affirmed expresly that the Masse is idolatry and abhomination, and that in the Sacrament of the aultar there is none other substance, but only material bread, and materiall wyne, which are tokens of Christes body & bloud onelyonly, and that the substance of Christes bodye and bloud is in no wyse in the sayd Sacrament of the aultar.

8 Item, that thou the sayd N. beyng conuented before certaine Iudges or Commissioners, for thy disorder herein, and beyng found obstinate, wilfull, and heady, wast by their commaundement sent vntounto me and my prison, to be examined by me, & Processe to be made against thee for thy offence herein.

9. Item, that all and singuler the premisses hauehave bene, and be true and manifest, and thy selfe not onelyonly infamed and suspected therof, but also culpable therin: and by reason of the same, thou wast and art, of the iurisdiction of me Edmund B. of London, and before me accordingly, to the order of the Ecclesiasticall lawes, art to be conuented, and also by me to be punished and reformed.

¶Here follow likewyse their aunsweres in a generall, made to the Articles aboue rehearsed.

¶And first concernyng the first Article, in beleeuyng there is a Catholike Church.

TO the first Article they altogether agreeyng,Aunswere to the 1. article. affirmed the same to bee true: Iohn Tudson, and Thomas Browne, further addyng, that the Church of England as it was at that present vsed, was no part of the true catholike Church.

¶Concernyng the second Article, that there be in the Churche seuen Sacraments.

To the second Article they aunswered,To the 2 article. that they acknowledged but onelyonly two Sacraments in Christes catholike Church, that is to say, Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord: Iohn Went and Tudson affirmyng that the sacrament of the aultar as it is vsed, is an Idoll, and no sacrament at all.

¶Concernyng the third Article, that they were first baptised in the fayth of the Catholike Church, professing by their Godfathers the profession of the same. &c.

To the third article they agreed and confessed all to be true,To the 3 article. that they were baptised in the fayth of Christ and of the church then taught: and afterward duryng the time of K. Edward the vj. they hearyng the Gospel preached, and the truth opened, followed the order of religion & doctrine then vsed and set foorth in the raigne of the sayd kyng Edward.

Concernyng the fourth Article that they for the space of certayne yeares did ratifie or allowe, and not departe from any part of the profession of the same Church.

To this fourth Article they graunted also and agreed: Iohn Went addyng moreouer,To the 4. ar…icle. that about seuen yeares past, he then beyng about twenty yeares of age, began to mislyke certayne thyngs vsed in the Church of England, as the ministration of the Sacrament of the aultare: likewyse all the ceremonies of the sayd Church, and dyd lykewyse at that present tyme mislike the same as they were vsed, although hys godfathers and godmothers promised for hym the contrary.

Iohn Tudson added also in much like sort, and sayde, that when he came to the yeres of discretion, that is, about nine yeares past, beyng about eighteene yeares of age, he p. 1845did mislike the doctrine and religion then taught and set forth in the church of England, sauyng in king Edwards tyme, in whose tyme the Gospell was truly set forth: and further sayde, that the doctrine set forth in the Queenes raigne,The fayth which they were baptised in, was in the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, beleeuing the articles of the Creede, with promise made to abrenounce the Deuill, the flesh, and the wo…ld of the which sayth their godfath…rs and godmothers were suretyes for them, and in this fayth they continue still. As for other ceremonyes & abuses of the Church, they neuer made any promise in their baptisme. was not agreeable to Gods word, nor yet to the true catholike church that Christ speaketh of, &c.

Isabell Foster with other graunted, adding likewyse, and saying to the sayde foure Articles, that she continued in the same faith and Religion which she was baptised in, after she came to the yeres of discretion as other common people did: howbeit, blindly and without knowledge, till the raigne of King Edward the sixt: at which tyme shee hearing the Gospel truly preached and opened to the people, receyued thereupon the fayth and religion then taught and set forth. &c.

¶Concernyng the fift Article, that they of late yeares hauehave swarued and gone away, misliked, and spokē agaynst the profession of the same Church, at least some part thereof, especially, the sacrifice of the Masse, the Sacrament of the aultar, and the authoritie of the Church of Rome.

To the fift article, they aunswered the same to be true, accordyng to the contents thereof: Tho. Whittle addyng moreouer, that he had swarued & gone away, not in whole but in part, not from the whole Catholike Church, but frō the church of Rome, in speakyng agaynst the masse the sacrifice thereof, and the Sea of Rome.

To swarue from the corruptions of the Sea of Rome, and Sacrifice of the Masse is not to goe from the Catholicke Church of Christ.Ioane Lashford (aliâs Ioane Warne) grauntyng with the other the sayd Article, addeth moreouer, that she neuer hitherto swarued or went awaye, nor yet doth, from any part of Christs catholike faith and religion: but saith, that from the tyme she was xj. yeres of age, shee hath misliked the sacrifice of the masse, the sacrament of the altar, and the authoritie of the See of Rome, with the doctrine thereof, because they be agaynst Christes catholike church, and the right fayth of the same.

Bartlet Greene answering with the other to this Article, addeth, & saith, that he swarued not from the Catholike fayth, but only from the church of Rome, &c.

To the 6. article.¶Concernyng the sixt article, that they refuse to be reconciled to the vnitie of the sayd Church of Rome.

To the 6. article they aunswer and confesse the same to be true, rendering the cause thereof, because (say they) the same church and doctrine therein set forth and taught, disagreeth from the vnitie of Christes word, and the true catholike fayth, &c.

Whereunto Bartlet Greene answered▪ that he is contented to be reconciled to the vnitie of Christes Catholike church, but not of the church of Rome.

In lyke maner added also Iohn Went.

The Catholicke Church and the church of Rome are 2. thinges. To the 7. article. The Masse dissonant from the word of the Gospell.¶Concernyng the seuenth Article, that they refuse to come to heare Masse, and to receyue the sayde Sacrament, callyng it an Idol, &c.

To the seuenth Article, they aunswer and confesse the contents thereof to be true, geuyng withall the reason and cause of this their so doyng, for that the masse with the sacrament thereof, as it was then vsed and set foorth in the Church of England, is dissonant to the word & teachyng of the Gospell. &c.

Iohn Went furthermore said, as concerning the masse, that he beleueth no lesse, but the masse which he calleth the supper of the Lord,The Masse full of Idolatry. Iohn Went repenteth his going to Masse. as it is now vsed in the realm of England, is naught, full of Idolatry, and against gods worde so farre as he seeth it: howbeit, he sayd y^t since the Queens coronation, by chance he hath bene present where y^e Masse hath bene sayd, whereof he is sory.

Isabel Foster also answering to the sayd articles with the other before, confessed moreouer, that since Queene Maries raigne she hath not heard Masse, nor receiued the sacrament, but hath refused to come in place where it was ministred: for she knoweth no such sacrament to bee. And beyng demanded of her beliefe in the same, she sayth, that there is but onelyonly materiall bread, and material wine, and not the substance reall of the body of Christ in the same sacrament: for so she hath bene taught to beleue by the preachers in the tyme of K. Edward, whom she beleeueth to hauehave preached the truth in that behalfe.

¶Concerning the 8. Article, that they were sent by the Commissioners to the B. to be examined and imprisoned.To the 8. article.

To the 8. Article they grant the same, and the contents thereof to be so.

Thom. Whittle, addyng and affirmyng that the Lord Chancellor that then was, sent hym vp to the Bish. there present.

Bartlet Greene added, that he was sent vp to the sayd B. but for no offence herein articulate.

Iohn Went sayd that D. Story, Quene Maries commissioner examined hym vponupon the Sacrament, & because he denied the reall presence, he presented this Examinate to the bishop.

Iohn Tudson likewise examined by M. Cholmly and D. Story, vponupon the same matters, and for not commyng to the Church, and accused by the same, because he would not agree to them, was sent to the B.

Tho. Browne also sayde, that he, for not commyng to the church of S. Brides, was brought by the Constable to the B. &c.

Ioane Warne confessed that she was sent by Doctour Story to the Bishoppe of London,Of this Ioane Warne read before, pag. 1878. To the 9. article ▪ about twelue weekes agoe, since which tyme shee hath continued with the sayd Bishop.

¶Concernyng the 9. Article.

To the 9. Article they confesse and say, that as they beleeue the premisses before by them confessed to be true: so they deny not the same to be manifest, and that they bee of the iurisdiction of London.

And thus hauyng expressed their Articles, with their answers iointly made vntounto the same, yet remayneth further more fully now to discourse the stories & handlyng of all the 7. aforesayd Martyrs seuerally and particularly by themselues, first beginning with Tho. Whittle.

❧ The history of all these 7. Martyrs, particularly described in order here followeth, & first of Tho. Whittle, who first recanting, then returning agayne with great constancy and fortitude, stoode to the defence of Christes doctrine agaynst the Papists, to the fire.

IN the story of M. Philpot, mention was made before, of a maried Priest,Thomas Whittell, Martyr. whom he found in the Colehouse at hys first commyng thither, in heauines of mynd and great sorow, for recantyng the doctrine which hee had taught in K. Edwards dayes, whose name was Thom. Whittle of Essex: and thus lyeth his story. This Tho. Whittle after he had bene expulsed from the place in Essex where he serued, went abroad where he might, now here and there as occasion was ministred, preachyng and sowyng the Gospel of Christ. At length beyng apprehended by one Edmund Alabaster, in hope of reward & promotion,Edmond Alabaster, after a promoter and persecuter. whiche he miserably gaped after, he was brought first as prisoner before the B. of Winchester, who then was fallen lately sicke of his disease, whereof not long after hee dyed most straungely. But the apprehender for his profered seruice, was highly checked & rated of the B. askyng if there were no man vntounto whome he might bring such Rascals, but to him? Hence (quoth he) out of my sight thou varlet, what doest thou trouble me with such matters? The gredy cormorant beyng thus defeated of his desired pray, yet thinking to seek and to hunt further, caried his prisoner to the B. of London, with whom what an euill messe of hādling this Whittle had, and how he was by the B. all to beaten & buffeted about the face, by this his owne narration in a letter sent vntounto his friend, manifestly may appeare.

Upon Thursday which was the x. of Ianuary, the B. of London sent for me Thom. Whittle minister out of the porters lodge,Tho. Whittell reporteth of the maner of his handling with B. Boner. where I had bene all night lying vponupon the earth, vpō a pallet where I had as painful a night of sicknes as euer I had, God be thanked. And when I came before hym, he talked with me many thyngs of the sacrament so grossely, as is not worthy to be rehearsed. And amongst other thynges he asked me if I would hauehave come to masse that mornyng if he had sent for me. Whereunto I answered, that I would hauehave come to hym at hys cōmandement, but to your Masse (sayd I) I hauehave small affectiō. At which aunswer he was displeased sore,Tho. Whittell beaten on the face by Boner. & sayd I should be fedde with bread and water. And as I followed hym through the great hall, he turned backe and beat me with his fist, first on the one cheeke, and then on the other, as the signe of my beatyng did many dayes appeare. And then he led me into a little salthouse, where I had no straw nor bed, but lay two nightes on a table, and slept soundly, I thanke God.

Then vponupon the Friday next after,Episcopum non per… sorem esse oporte…. Tit. 1.Titus 1 I was brought to my L. and he then gaue me many fayre words, and said he would be good to me. And so he goyng to Fulham, committed me to Doct. Harpsfield, that he and I in that after noone should common together, and drewe out certayne Articles, whereunto if I would subscribe, I shoulde bee dismissed. But D. Harpsfield sent not for me til night, and then perswaded me very sore to forsake my opinions. I answered I held nothing but the truth,Tho. Whittell conuented before D. Harpsfield. & therfore I could not so lightly turne therefrom. So I thought I should at y^• time hauehave had no more ado: but he had made a certaine bill, whiche the Register pulled out of his bosom, & red it. p. 1846The bill in deed was very easily made, and therefore more daungerous: for the effect therof was to detest all errours and heresies against the sacrament of the aultar, and other sacramentes, & to beleue the fayth of the catholicke church, and liue accordingly.

¶The copy of this bill here mentioned, if it please the gētle reader to peruse, so as it came to our hands we hauehave hereunto adioyned, written and conteined in theyr owne wordes, as foloweth to be sene.

¶The Bill of submission offered to Thomas Whittell to subscribe.

I Thomas Whittell Prieste, of the Dioces of London, knowledge and confesse with my mouth agreeing wyth my hart before you reuerend father in God Edm. bishop of London my Ordinary,… that I do detest and abhorre all maner of heresies and errours agaynst the Sacrament of the aulter, or any of the Sacramentes of the Church, whiche heresies and errours hauehave heretofore bene condemned in any wise by the catholicke church: and I do protest and declare by these presents that I do both now hold, and also entēd by gods grace alwayes hereafter to hold, obserue and keepe in all poyntes the Catholicke fayth and beliefe of Christes Church, according as this church of England being a member of the sayd Catholicke Church doth now professe and keepe, and in no wise to swerue, decline or go from the sayd faith during my naturall life, submitting my selfe fully and wholly to you reuerend father my sayd Ordinarye in all thinges concerninge my reformation and amendement at all times. In witnesse whereof I the sayde Thomas Whittell Prieste hauehave hereunto subscribed my name, written. &c.

…To this Bill I did in deed set to my hand, being much desired and counselled so to do, and the flesh being alwaies desirous to hauehave libertye. I considered not throughly the inconuenience that might come thereupon: and respite I desired to hauehave had, but earnestlye they desired me to subscribe. Now when I had so done, I had litle ioy thereof. For by and by my mind and conscience tolde me by Gods worde that I had done euill by such a sleighty meanes to shake of the sweete Crosse of Christ, and yet it was not my seking, as God he knoweth, but altogether came of them. O the crafty subtlety of Sathan in his members. Let eueryevery man that God shall deliuer into theyr hands, take good heede, and cleaue fast to Christ: for they will leaue no corner of his conscience vnsought, but will attempt all guilefull and subtle meanes to corrupt him, to fall both frō God and his trueth. But yet let no man dispayre of Gods help: for Peter did fall and rise agayne. And Dauid sayeth: A righteous man though he fall, he shall not bee cast away: for the Lorde vpholdeth him with his hande. For I for my part hauehave felt my infirmities, and yet hauehave I found Gods present helpe and comfort in time of neede, I thanke hym therfore.

The night after I had subscribed, I was sore greeued, and for sorrowe of conscience coulde not sleepe. For in the deliueraunce of my body out of bondes, whiche I mighte hauehave had, I could finde no ioy nor comfort, but still was in my conscience tormented more and more, being assured by Gods spirit and his word, that I through euill councell & aduisement had done amisse. And both with disquietnesse of minde and with my other cruell handeling, I was sickly, lying vponupon the ground when the keeper came: and so I desired him to pray Doctour Harpsfield to come to me, and so he did.

…And when he came, and the Register with him, I told him that I was not well at ease, but especially I told him I was greued very much in my conscience and minde because I had subscribed. And I sayd that my conscience had so accused me, through the iust iudgement of God and hys word, that I had felt hell in my conscience, and Sathan ready to deuoure me: and therefore I pray you M. Harpsfield (sayd I) let me hauehave the bill agayne, for I wyll not stande to it. So he gentlye commaunded it to be fetched, and gaue it mee, and suffered mee to pull out my name, whereof I was right glad when I had so done, although death should folow,… And hereby I had experience of gods prouidence and mercy towardes me, who trieth his people, and suffereth them to fall, but not to be lost: for in the middest of this temptation and trouble he gaue me warning of my deed, and also deliuered me, his name be praysed for euermore Amen.

Neither deuill nor cruell tyrant can plucke any of Christes sheepe out of his hand. Of the which flock of Christes sheepe I trust vndoubtedly I am one by meanes of hys death and bloudshedding,… which shall at the last day stand at his right hand, and receiue with other his blessed benediction. And now being condemned to dye, my conscience and minde, I prayse God is, quiet in Christ, and I by hys grace am very well willing and content to geue ouer this body to the death for the testimony of his truth & pure religion, agaynst Antichrist and all his false Religion & doctrine. They that report otherwise of me, speake not truely. And as for Fountayne, I saw not him all that while.

By me Thomas Whittell Minister.

¶Concerning the troubled mind of this Godly man, and tearing of his name out of the bill, here followeth the report of the same, written in the letters both of the sayde Harpsfield, and also of Iohnson the Register, beyng then present thereat, and reporters of the same vntounto the bishop, as in theyr letters hereto annexed is to be sene.

*The Copy of Nich. Harpsfieldes Letter, touching Mayster Whittell, written to Boner Byshop of London.

PLeaseth your good Lordship to vnderstand, that yesterday I dined with my Lord of Exceter,A letter of M. Harpsfield declaring how Tho. Whittell rent his subscription out of the Bishops Register. who soon after my first cōming vntounto him, asked me what newes. I answered none but good, that I had heard. No sayth he? Why, it is a rumour in the City, that tomorowe the Queenes Grace will take her iourney towardes the king. I aunswered, that I thought it not to bee any whit true, but an inuention of Heretickes: yea and further sayeth he, there is report made abroad of my Lorde our Mayster, that he is in discomfort, and therefore will suffer no man to come vntounto him. When I heard thus much, I began to laugh, and declare how vntrue this report was, so that my Lord (who before was very sad) afterward knowing the truth, reioyced much to heare that all was wel with your lordship, and desired me to do his harty commendations to your Lordship.

One of my Lord of Penbrokes retinue a very handsome mā, and as farre as I can yet learne Catholicke, is a suter to your lordship to hauehave licence to erect a schoole: and the order which he intēdeth to vse, is cōteined in this printed paper, which I send here in inclosed to your Lordship. I would be gladde for my Lorde of Penbrokes sake that he vnderstood, that vppon my motion your Lordship were content he should teach as he intendeth. Mayster Iohnson and I hauehave trauelled with the Prieste, and he hath subscribed his name to this draughte whiche is herein inclosed, and hath promised he will stand to the same before your Lordship.

When I had written thus much, sodenly came tydinges to me that Iordanis conuersus est retrorsum.He meaneth of the returne agayne of Tho. Whittell. Cluney comming to the Priest, found him lying prostrate, & groning as though he should hauehave dyed forthwith. Then Cluney tooke him vppe, and set hym vponupon a stoole, and came to me and told me of this reuell. It chaū ced that M. Iohnson was with me, and we went to this fond hereticke & foūd him lying all a long, holding his hands vp, & looking hypocritically towardes heauen. I caused Thomas More & Cluney to set him on the stoole, and with much adoe at length he tolde me that Sathan had bene with him in the night, and tolde him that he was damned, and weeping he prayed M. Iohnson and me to see the bill whereunto he subscribed, and when he sawe it, he tare out his name è libro scilicet viuentium. Me thinketh by him he will needes burne a Fagot, neither is there any other likelihood of the young woman. I hauehave enquired of the two persons which sue to hauehave a licence to eat flesh.This young woman was Ioane Warren▪ otherwise named Ioane Lashford, who was burned also with the same Whittell. And the woman of Christ Church is in deed very much diseased, and hath bene long diseased, and she and her husband both Catholicke. Of the other yet I canne learne nothing. Thus Iesus euermore preserue your good Lordship, and my Mistres your Lordshippes sister, with all yours. This present Saterday.

Your Lordships most bounden seruaunt Iohn Harpsfield.

¶Here foloweth an other letter of Robert Iohnson Register, touching Thomas Whittell, written to Boner Bishop of London.

MY bounden duety premised, pleaseth your Lordshyp to vnderstande that this laste Fridaye in the after noone,An other letter of Iohnson touching the sayd Tho. Whittell. Mayster Archdeacon of London did diligently trauell with Syr Thomas Whittell I being present, and perceiuing his conformity, as outwardlye appeared, deuised a submission, and hee being content therewith did subscribe the same. But now this saterday morning Mayster Archdeacon and I, vponupon Cluneys report, declaring that he fayned himselfe to be extracted of his senses, went vntounto hym, to whom he declared that Sathan in the night time appeared vntounto him, and said that he was damned, for that he had done against his conscience in subscribing the said submission, with other like wordes. &c. And thē Mayster Archdeacon at his earnest request, deliuered vntounto him the submissiō. And thereupon the sayd Whittell did teare out his subscription, made in the foot of the same, as p. 1847your Lordshippe shall perceiue by the submission sent now vntounto your Lordship by Mayster Archdeacō: wherewith the sayd Whittell was somewhat quieted.

And as touching Ioane Lashford, Mayster Archdeacon didde likewise trauell with her, and shewing her Syr Thomas submission,Touching Ioane Lashford. which I readde vntounto her two times, demaunded if she could bee content to make the like submission, and she desired respite vntill this morning. And beyng nowe eftsoones demaunded, in likewise, sayth, that she will not make any thing in writing, nor put any signe thereunto. Mayster Archdeacon and I entend thy… after noone to examine the sayd Syr Thomas vponupon Articles: for as yet there doeth appeare nothing in writing agaynste hym, as knoweth almighty GOD, who preserue your good Lordshyp in prosperity long with honour to endure. From London thys Saterday.

By your Lordships dayly bedesman, and bounden seruaunt, Robert Iohnson.

¶The Condemnation, Death, and Martyrdome of Thomas Whittell.

COncerning the woordes and aunsweres of the sayde Thomas Whittell at his laste examination before the Bishop,The last examination of Tho. Whittell. vponupon the xiiij. day of Ianuary, the yere aboue expressed, Boner with his other felow Bonerlinge… sittyng in his Consistory at after noone, first called forth Thomas Whittell, with who he began in effect as foloweth: because ye be a Priest (sayth he) as I and other Bishops here bee, and did receiue the order of Priesthoode after the ri…e and fourme of the Catholicke Churche, ye shall not thinke but I will minister iustice as well vntounto you, as to other. And then the sayd Boner in further communication did charge hym: that when in tymes past he had sayde Mas…e according to the order then vsed, the same Whittell nowe of late had rayled and spoken agaynste the same, saying that it was Idolatry and abhomination. Whereunto Thomas Whittell aunswering agayne sayd,Eleuatiō of the Sacramēt cause of Idolatry. that at such times as he so sayde Masse, he was then ignoraunt. &c. adding moreouer that the eleuation of the Sacramente at the Masse geueth occasion of Idolatry to them that be ignoraunt & vnlearned.

After this the bishop making hast to the Articles (whiche in all his examinations euer he harped vponupon) came to this Article:B. Boners argument. He was baptised in the fayth of the Catholicke Church: Ergo, he was baptised in the fayth of Rome. That thou wast in times past baptised in the fayth of the catholicke church.

To this the sayd Whittell inferred agayne: I was baptised in the fayth of the catholicke church, although I did forsake the Church of Rome. And ye my Lord do call these heresies that be no heresies, and do charge me therwith as heresies, and ye ground your selfe vponupon that religion whiche is not agreable to Gods word. &c.

Then the sayd victorious souldiour and seruant of our Sauior, constant in the verity receiued and professed, was agayne admonished, and with perswasions entreated by the bishop: who because he would not agree vntounto y^e same, the bishop forthwith proceeded, first to his actuall degradation, that is, to vnpriest him of all his priestly trinkets, and clarkly habite. The order and maner of whiche theyr popish and most vayne degradation, before in the storye of Bishop Hooper pag. 1435. is to be sene. Then Whittell in the middest of the ceremonies,Tho. Whitell degraded. whē he saw them so busy in disgrading him after theyr father the Popes Pontifical fashion, sayd vntounto them: Paule and Titus had not so much ado with theyr priestes and bishops. And farther speaking to the bishop,Whittel… words to B. Boner. he sayd vntounto him: My Lord, your Religion standeth most with the church of Rome, and not with the catholicke church of Christ.

The Bishop after this, according to his accustomed & formall procedinges, assayed him yet agayne with words, rather then with substantiall arguments, to conforme him to his Religion. Who then denying so to doe, sayd: As for your religion. I cannot be perswaded that it is accordyng to Gods worde.

The Bishop then asked what fault he found in the administration of the Sacrament of the Aultar.

Causes why the administration of the Popish Sacrament is to be reproued.Whittell aunswered and sayde, it is not vsed according to Christes institution, in that it is priuately and not openlye done: And also for that it is ministred but in one kinde to the lay people, which is agaynst Christes ordinaunce. Farther, Christ commaunded it not to be eleuated nor adored: For the adoration and eleuation cannot be approued by Scripture.

Well, quoth Boner, my Lords here and other learned men hauehave shewed great learning for thy cōuersion, wherfore if thou wilt yet returne to the fayth and religion of the catholicke Church, I will receiue thee thereunto, and not cōmit thee to the secular power. &c. To make short, Whittell strengthened with the grace of the Lord, stood strong & vnmoueable in that he had affirmed. Wherfore the sentēce being readde, the next day folowing he was committed to the secular power, and so in few dayes after brought to the fire with the other sixe aforenamed, sealing vp the testimony of his doctrine with his bloud, which he willingly and chearefully gaue for witnes of the truth.

¶Letters of Thomas Whittell.

¶A letter of Thomas Whittell to Iohn Careles prisoner in the kinges bench.

THe peace of God in Christ bee with you continuallye dearely beloued bother in Christ,A letter of Tho. Whittell written to Iohn Careles. with the assistaunce of Gods grace and holy spirit, to the working and perfourming of those thinges which may comfort and edefye hys Churche (as ye dayly doe) to the glory of his name, and the encrease of your ioye and solace of Soule in this lyfe, and also your reward in heauen with Christ our Captain, whose faythfull Souldiours ye are in the life to come. Amen.

I hauehave greatly reioyced (my deare hart) with thankes to God for you, since I hauehave hearde of your fayth and louelove which you bare towardes God and his Sayntes, wyth a most godly ardent zeale to the verity of Christs doctrine and religion which I hauehave heard by the report of manye, but specially by the declaring of that valiaunt captayne in Christes church, that stout Champion in Gods cause, that Spectacle to the worlde, I meane our good brother Philpot, who now lyeth vnderunder the Aultar and sweetly enioyeth the promised reward. And specially I and my cōdemned fellowes gene thankes to God for your louyng and comfortable Letter in the deepenesse of our trouble (after the flesh) sent vntounto vsus to the consolation of vsus al but most specially to me most sinnefull miser on mine own behalfe, but happye, I hope, through Gods louing kindnesse in Christ shewed vntounto me: who suffered me to faynt & fayle through humaine infirmity, by the working of the Archenemy in his sworne Souldiours the Bishops and Priestes:His iudgement and experience of Popish Prelates. In whom so liuely appereth the very visage & shape of Sathan, that a man (if it were not preiudice to Gods word) might well affirme them to be Deuils incarnate, as I by experience do speake. Wherefore, who so shall for cō science matters come in theyr handes, had need of the wylynesse of the Serpent to saue his head, though it be wyth the wounding of his body, and to take diligent heede how he consenteth to theyr wicked writings, or setteth his hād to theyr conueyances.

Sore did they assault me and craftely tempt me to their wicked wayes, or at least to a denegation of my fayth and true opinions, though it were but by colour and dissimulation. And (alas) something they did preuaile. Not that I did any thing at all like theyr opinions and false papisticall religion, or els doubted of the truth wherein I stand, but onelyonly the infirmity of the fleshe beguiled me, desiring liberty by an vnlawfull meanes: GOD lay it not to my charge at that daye, and so I hartely desire you to praye. Howbeit vncertayne I am whether more profite came therby: profite to me, in that God suffered Sathan to buffet me by his foresayd minister of mischiefe, shewinge me myne infirmity, that I should not boast nor reioyce in my selfe but onelyonly in the Lord, who whē he had led me to hell in my conscience through the respect of his feareful iudgementes agaynst me for my fearefulnes, mistrust and crafty cloking in such spirituall and weighty matters (in the which mine agonye and distresse, I founde this olde verse true, Non patitur ludum fama, fides oculus) yet he brought me from thence agayne to the magnifiyng of his name, suspecting of flesh and bloude, and consolation of mine owne soule, or els that I might feele disprofite in offending the congregation of God, which peraduenture wil rather adiudge my fall to come of doubtfulnesse in my doctrine and religion, then of humaine imbecility.

Well, of the importune burden of a troubled conscience for denying or dissembling the knowne verity,The burden of a troubled conscience. I by experiēce could say very much more, which perhaps I will declare by writing, to the warding of other, if God graunte time: For now am I and my felowes ready to go hence euen for Christs cause: Gods name be praysed who hath hitherto called vsus. Pray, I pray you that we maye ende our course with ioy, & at your appoynted time you shall come after. But as the Lorde hath kept you, so will he preserue your life still, to the intent you should labour (as you do) to appease and conuince these vngodlye contentions and controuersies which now do too much raygn, brawling about termes to no edificatiō. God is dishonored, y^e church disquieted, & occasiō to speake euill of the gospel ministred p. 1848to our aduersaries. But such is the subtlety of sathan that whom he cannot winne with grosse Idolatry in open religion, thē he seeketh to corrupt and deceiue in opinions, in a priuate profession. But here I will abruptly leaue, lest with my rude & simple veyne I should be tedious to you, desiring you (my louing brother) if it shall not seeme grieuous vntounto you, to write vntounto me & my fellowes yet once agayne, if you hauehave leysure, and we tune to the same.

He writeth … the examinations of M. Phil….Prouide me M. Philpots 9. examinations for a friend of mine, and I shall pay you therefore, by the leaue of almighty God our heauenly Father, who correcteth all hys deare children in this world, that they should not be damned with the world, and tryeth the fayth of his Saynctes through many tribulations, that being founde constant to the end, he may crowne his owne giftes in them, & in heauen highly reward thē: Whether I trust to goe before, looking for you to followe (my faythfull frend) that we maye sing perpetuall praise to our louing Lord God for victory ouer Sathan and sinne, won for vsus by Iesus Christ God and man, our onelyonly and sufficient Sauiour and Aduocate, Amen. Farewell and pray in fayth.

Yours Thomas Whittell Minister, and nowe condemned to dye for the Gospels sake. 1556. Ianuary. 21.

¶All my felowes salute you. Salute all our faythful brethren with you.

¶To my deare frend and brother Iohn Went, and other his prison felowes in Lollardes Tower.

HE that preserued Ioseph prisoner in Egypt, fed Daniel in the Lions denne,…. 16. and deliuered Paul, Peter and the Apostles out of prison, vouchsafe of his goodnes to keep, feed, and deliuer you my good brother Went, with the other our felow souldiors your prison felowes, as may be most to his glory, to your consolatiō, and the edification of his Church.

I cannot but praise God most earnestly, when I heare of your constancy in the fayth and ioye in the crosse of Christ which you now beare and suffer together,1. … 1. with many other good members of Christ: which is a token that by Christ you are counted worthy the kingdome of God, as Paule sayth. And though the world counteth the yoake and crosse of Christ as a most pernicious and hurtfull thing, yet we which hauehave tasted how frendly the Lord is, cannot but reioice in this persecution as touching our selues, in as much as the cause for the which we suffer is the Lordes cause, and not ours:1. Peter. 2.1 Pet 2 at whose hand if we endure to the end, we shall receiue through his liberall promise in Christ, not onelyonly a greate reward in heauen but also the kingdome of heauen it selfe, & also in the meane season be sure to bee defended and cared for, so that we shall lacke no necessarye thinges, neither a heare of our heades shall perishe without his knowledge. Oh what is he that would mistrust, or not gladly serue so louing a father? O how vnhappy are they that forsake him and put theyr trust in man?Math. 10.Matt 10 But how blessed are they that for his louelove and for his holy woordes sake, in these troublesome dayes doe committe theyr soules and bodyes into his handes with wel doing, counting it greater happines and riches to suffer rebuke with Christ and his Church,1 Peter. 4.1 Pet 4 thē to enioy the pleasures of this life for a litle short seasō? This crosse that we nowe beare hath bene common to all the faythfull from Abell hitherto,…. 11. and shalbe to the end, because the Deuill hauyng great wrath agaynst God and his Christ,Apoc 12.Rev 12 can not abide that hee should for his manifolde mercies bee lauded and magnified, and Christ to be taken and beleued vponupon for our onelyonly and sufficient redemer,… can … to … persecuted … onelyonly … & … this … Apo…. 2. … 115. Sauiour, and aduocate: and therefore, because we will not deny Christ, nor dissemble with out fayth, but openly protest and professe the same before the world, he seeketh by all meanes to styrre vp his wicked members, to persecute and kill the bodies of the true Christians: as S. Iohn sayth, the Deuill shall cast some of you into prison, And Dauid sayth, I beleued, and therfore hauehave I spoken, but I was sore troubled. This notwithstanding, goe forward deare brethren, as ye hauehave begon, to fight the Lords battel, considering Christe the Captayne of your warre, who will both fight for you, geue you victorye, and also highlye rewarde your paynes. Consider to your comfort, the notable and chiefe shepheardes and souldiours of Christe, whiche are gone before vsus in these dayes, I meane those learned and godly Bishops, Doctours, & other ministers of Gods word: whose fayth and examples we that be inferiours ought to folowe, as S. Paule sayth: Remember them that hauehave declared vntounto you the worde of God,…. 13. the ende of whose conuersation see that ye look vponupon, and folow theyr faith. The grace & blessing of God, with the ministery of his holy Angels, be with you for euer, Amen. All my prison felowes greete you.

From the Colehouse this 4. of December, By your poore brother Thomas Whittell, an vnworthy Minister of Christ, nowe his prisoner for the Gospels sake. Amen.

¶To all the true professors and louers of Gods holy Gospell within the City of London.

THe same faith for the whiche Abraham was counted righteous, and Mary blessed,A letter of …. Whittell to the true professor… of the Citye of London. Rom. 4. Luke. 1.Rom 4Luke 1 the Lorde GOD encrease and make stable in your hartes, my deare and faithfull brethren & sisters of London, for euer and euer, Amen.

Dearely beloued, be not troubled in this heat which is now come amongest you to try you, as though some straunge thing had happened vntounto you, but reioyce in as much as ye are partakers of Christes passions, that when his glory appeareth, ye may be mery and glad. &c. Out of these wordes of S. Peter I gather most specially these 4. notes. First,4, Notes. y^e persecution happeneth to Christes Church for their triall, that is, for the probation and proofe of their fayth. Which fayth, like as it is knowne with God in the depth of our hartes, so will he hauehave it made manifest to y^e whole worlde through persecution, that so it may euidently appeare that hee hath such a Churche and people vponupon earth, which so trusteth in hym and feareth his holy name that no kinde of persecution, paynes, nor death,Rom. 8. Gene. 22. Iob. 1.Rom 8Gen 22Job 1 shalbe able to seperate them from the louelove of hym. And thus was Abraham tried, and Iob tempted, that their fayth whiche before laye hid almost in their hartes, might bee made knowne to the whole world to be so stedfast and stronge, that the deuill, naturall louelove, nor no other enemie, coulde bee able to bereaue them thereof. Whereby also GOD was to be magnefied, who both tryeth his people by many tribulations, and also standeth by them in the middest of their troubles to deliuer them by lyfe or death, as he seeth best: like as he assisted Loth, and deliuered hym out of his enemies handes, Ioseph out of the handes of his Brethren and out of Prison,Rom. 9. 2. Corin. 11. Actes. 16. Genesis. 4. 2. Machab. 6. Actes. 7. Math. 17. Iames. 5.4.Rom 92 Cor 11Acts 16Gen 4:2Acts 7Matt 17Jas 5:4 Paule from his enemies in Damasco, and the Apostles out of the Stockes and Prison. These with many mo he deliuered to lyfe: And also he deliuered Abell, Eleazar, Steuen, and Iohn Baptist, with other manye by deathe, and hathe also by the tryall of their fayth made them good presidentes and examples to vsus and all that come after, to suffer affliction in the like cause as Saynt Iames sayeth: Take, my brethren (sayth he) the prophets for an ensample of suffering aduersity and of long pacience, which spake vntounto you in the name of the Lord: beholde we count them happy which endure. Y… hauehave heard of the pacience of Iob, and hauehave knowne what end the Lord made with him, for the Lord is very pitifull and mercifull. Also the Lorde tryeth vsus, to let vsus see our owne hartes and thoughtes, that no Hypocrisy or Ambitiō deceiue vsus, & that the strong in Christ may pray that he fall not but endure to the ende, and that those that fall through fearefull infirmity, might speedely repent and rise agayne with Peter, and also that the weake ones mighte bewayle theyr weakenes, and crye with Dauid: hauehave mercy vponupon me O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord heale me for all my bones are vexed.Psalm. 6.Ps 6

Of this opening of the heart by persecution, spake holy Simion to Mary Christes mother when he sayde:Luke. …. the Sworde, that is, the Crosse of persecution shall pearse thy Soule, that the thoughtes of many hartes may be opened. For like as a king that should go to battell, is cō pelled to looke in his cofers what treasure he hath, and also what number and puisaunce of menne and weapons hee hath, so that if he himselfe be vnready and vnarmed to bicker with hys enemye, he surceaseth and taketh truice for a time: euen so wee by persecutions hauehave our heartes opened that wee maye looke therein to see what fayth in Christ we hauehave, and what strength to withstand the enemies, and to beare the Crosse, that if we be riche in these treasures, we might reioyce and valiauntly go to Battell: or if we want these thinges, with all speede to call and crye vppon him which geueth all good giftes to those that aske them. Item, the crosse trieth the good people from the bad, the faythfull from the worldlinges and hipocrites,The crosse trieth the good people from the bad. and also cleanseth and scoureth the faythfull hartes from all corruption and filthinesse both of the flesh and the spirit. And euen as yron, except it be often scoured, will soone waxe rusty: so except our sinnefull hartes and flesh be often scoured with the whetstone of the Crosse, they will soone corrupt & ouergrowe with the ruste of all filthinesse and sinne. And therefore it is meete and good for vsus (as the wise man sayeth) that as gold & siluer are tryed in the fire, so should the hartes of acceptable men be tried in the fornace of aduersity. Abide the triall (deare frendes) that yee may obteyne the Crowne of life. Fighte manfully in this the Lordes cause, that ye may obteyne a glorious victorye here,Lirach. 2. and receiue a greate rewarde in heauen hereafter. As yee are called Christians, and woulde be angry to be called Iewes or Turkes, so declare your Christianity by folowing the steps of Christ, whose name ye beare: suffer with hym p. 1849and for his Gospelles sake, rather then to denye him or to defile your fayth and conscience with false worshipping of Romish religion.

Take vp your Crosse (my deare hartes) now when it is offered you, and go vp with Christ to Ierusalem amō gest the Bishoppes, Priestes, and Rulers if God call you thereto, and they will anone sende you to Caluery: from whence (dying in the cause of the Gospell, wherein our good Preachers and Brethren hauehave geuen theyr liues) your soules (I warrant you) through Christ Iesu, shall ascend to God that gaue them,Preach. 12. and the body shall come after at the last day, and so shal ye dwell with the Lord for euer in vnspeakeable ioy and blisse. O blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake, as Christes people in this Iewish Englande nowe doth, for theyrs is the kingdome of heauen. O my beloued, set your mindes on this kingdome where Christ our head and king is, considering that as the brute beast tooketh downewardes with the face towardes the earth, so man is made contrariwise with his face looking vpward towardes, the heauens, because his conuersation should be in heauen and heauenlye thinges, and not vponupon the earth and earthly thinges, and S. Paule sayth: set your mindes on thinges whiche are aboue,Coloss. 3.Col 3 where Christ is. And agayne he sayth: our conuersation is in heauen, from whence we looke for our Sauiour, who will chaunge our vile bodyes, and make them like to his glorious body. Oh y^e glorious estate that we be called vntounto.Philip. 3.Phil 3 The Lord preserue vsus harmeles to his eternal kingdome through Christ Iesus our Lord. Amen.

The second thing that I note in the foresayde wordes of Peter,The 2. note. Persecetion no strange thing in the Church. is that he calleth persecution no straunge thinge. And trueth it is: for which of the Prophetes were not persecuted with Christ and his Apostles, and some of them in the end cruelly killed for the truthes sake? Cain killed Abell,3. Regum. 4. Regum. 2. Mac. 6.7. Act. 14.1 Kgs 42 Macc 6:7Acts 14 Isaac was persecuted of Ismaell, Iacob was hated of Esau, Ioseph was prisoned and set in the Stockes, the Prophet Esay was cut in two with a Saw, Ieremy was stoned, Micheas was buffeted and fed with bread and water, Helias was sore persecuted, Eleazar, and the woman with her 7. sonnes were cruelly killed. What Christ and the Apostles suffered it is well knowne. So that by many tribulations as (Paul sayth) we must enter into the kingdome of Heauen. All the holy Prophetes, Christ and hys Apostles suffered such afflictions not for euill doing, but for preaching Gods word, for rebuking the world of sinne, and for theyr fayth in Iesus Christ. This is the ordinance of GOD (my Frendes) this is the high way to heauen, by corporall death to eternall life: as Christ sayth, he that heareth my woordes and beleeueth in him that sent mee,Iohn. …. hath eternall life, and shall not come into iudgement, but is escaped from death to life. Let vsus neuer feare death, which is killed by Christ, but beleue in him and liue for euer, as Paule sayth: There is no damnation to them that are in Christ Iesu, which walke not after the fleshe, but after the Spirit. And agayne Paule sayth: Death where is thy styng?Romans 8. 1. Cor. 15. Example of Gods Martyrs going beforeRom 81 Cor 15 Hell where is thy victory? Thankes be to God which hath geuen vsus victory through Iesu Christe. Besides this, ye hauehave seene and dayly doe see the bloud of your good Preachers and Brethren which hath bene shed in the Gospelles cause in this sinnefull Sodome, this bloudy Ierusalem, this vnhappy City of London. Lette not theyr bloud be forgotten,Iohn. 10. Heb. 13.John 10Heb 13 nor the bloud of your good Bishop Ridley, who like a Shepheard, to your comforte & exāple, hath geuen his life for his sheepe, good S. Paule sath: remember them that hauehave spoken to you the word of God, and looke vponupon the end of theyr conuersation, and folow theyr fayth.2. Peter. 2. 1. Tim. 4. 2. Tim. 3. Iude. 1.2 Pet 21 Tim 42 Tim 3Jude 1

The Deuill euer stirreth vp false teachers, as he hath done now ouer all Englande, as Peter, Paule and Iude prophesied it should be, to poyson and kill our soules with the false doctrine. And where he fayleth of his purpose that way, then mooueth he his members to persecute the seely carcases of the Saynctes, because they will not denye nor dissemble theyr pure fayth in our liuing Christ, and confesse a dead breadye Christ, and honour the same as Christ God and man, contrary to Gods commaūdement. This is the working of Sathan,Exod. 10. 1. Iohn. 5.Exod 101 John 5 who knowing hys owne iust damnation, woulde all mankinde to be partakers wyth him of the same:2. Cor. 10.2 Cor 10 such a mortall hatred beareth he agaynst GOD and his people. And therefore when this wicked Tempter coulde not kill Christe with subtle tentation to fall downe and worship him,Math. 4. Where Sathan could not bring Christ to fall downe and worship him, he … the Phariseys … kill him.Matt 4 then he styrred vp his seruauntes the Bishops and Pharises to kill his body, wherby notwithstanding the Deuill loste his title and interest whiche hee had to mans soule, and man by his precious passion and death was raunsomed from the Deuil, death and Hell, to immortality & life euerlasting: and so when Sathan thought to hauehave wonne all in killing of Christ, he lost all: and so shall he doe in vsus if wee abide constaunt… and strong in the fayth of our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe vntounto the ende. God graunte it for his mercyes sake in Christ. Blessed are all they that put theyr trust in him, Amen.

Wherefore my hartely beloued brethren and sisters (be of good comfort through Iesus Christ: for he that is in vsus, is stronger then he that is in the world. Therfore draw ye neare to God, and he will drawe neare to you. Resist the Deuill and he will (as Iames sayth) flee frō you. Beware of the leuen of the Phariseis. Touch not pitch,Iames. …. Math. 1…Matt 1 least ye be defiled therewith. Eate no Swines flesh, for it is agaynst the law: I meane, defile not your selues neither inwardly nor outwardly with this false and wicked religion of Antichrist: for it is nothing els but pitche and Swines fleshe. Beware of the beastes marke least ye drinke of the cup of Gods wrath. If God hauehave geuen you knowledge & faith,Apo. 13 14. dissemble not therewith. Denye not the knowne veritye before men, least Christ deny you before his Father.Apo…. 18. Come away from Babilon, as Iohn biddeth you,…. Cor. …. and touche no vncleane thinge, but separate your selues from the company of the vngodly, as Paule commaundeth you.Psal. 126.Ps 126 Whatsoeuer ye hauehave done amisse heretofore, now repent & amend, for with the Lorde there is mercy and plenteous redemption.

The thirde thing and note which I gather out of the forsayd wordes of Peter, is this, that he sayth:The 3. … Reioyce because ye are pertakers of Christes Passion. Our sufferinges (my welbeloued) are Christes sufferinges: and that iniury that is done to vsus for his sake, he reckoneth it to be done to himselfe, as he sayd to Paule: Saul, Saul,Act. … ▪why persecutest thou me? Therefore we ought to reioyce in our sufferinges, as Paule writeth: whiche we suffer with Christ and one with another, as Peter sayeth, and so to fulfill that whiche is behinde of the Passions of Christ in our flesh: whiche Christ hath by his Passion,Col. 1.Col 1 fully redeemed and saued vsus in his owne person: how be it hys electe must suffer with hym and for him vntounto the worldes ende, that he may be glorified in them, and they thereby corrected and cleansed from sinne in this worlde, and bee made more meete Temples for the holy Ghoste,Math 6,Matt 6 and also obteyne a greate rewarde in heauen for theyr suffering for righteousnesse sake, according to his promise. And therfore I saye (my Brethren) reioyce in the Lorde alwayes, and agayne I say reioyce.Phil. 3. Gal. 6.Phil 3Gal 6 Let vsus reioyce in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified to vsus, and we to it.

And why shoulde wee so greatly reioyce in the Crosse of Christ, which we now suffer?The 4. none. Because (sayth Peter) when his glory appeareth, we may be mery and glad. And this is the fourth note that I gather out of his wordes aboue written: Wherein is set out the reward of suffering, not to be had in this worlde: but at his comming to iudgement when we shalbe raysed agayne: and then shal they that hauehave sowne in teares, reape in ioy, as Christ sayth: Blessed are they that weepe here, for they shall laughe.Luke. …. Blessed are ye when men hate you, and thrust you out of theyr companye, raylinge on you, and abhorring your name as an euill thing for the sonne of mans sake, reioyce ye in that day and be gladde, for your reward is greate in Heauen.

Wherefore (my dearely beloued) through the hope of this heauenly ioy and rewarde, which he that can not lye hath promised (whiche ioye is so greate that no eare hath heard, no eye hath sene, nor the hart can thinke, where we shall dwell for euer in the heauenly City, the celestiall Ierusalem, in the presence of God the Father, & Iesus Christ our Mediatour, as Paul sayth, and in the company of innumerable Angels, and with the spirites and soules of all faythfull and iust men) reioyce and be glad: and seing ye be called to so great glory,**1. Cor. …. see that ye make your election and vocation sure by good workes,**Heb. 2.Heb 2 and specially by sufferinge aduersitye for the Gospelles sake: for it is geuen vsus of GOD (sayth Paule) not onelyonly to beleue in Christ, but also to suffer for his sake. Continue in prayer, and praye for me that I may ende my course with ioy. HaueHave Brotherly louelove amongest your selues, whiche is a token that ye be Christes Disciples.1. Peter. 1. Phi…. 1. Iohn. 14.1 Pet 1 Edify and comfort one an other in the word of the Lord, and the God of peace and louelove be with you alwayes. Amen. For your liberality and kindnesse shewed vppon the Prisoners and afflicted people of GOD in thys time of persecution, the Lorde wyll reward you when he commeth to reward eueryevery man according to theyr deedes, and will not leaue a cuppe of colde water bestowed vponupon his faythfull people, vnrewarded.Math. 1… 2. Cor. …Matt 1 God make you riche in all grace, that ye alwayes hauyng sufficient maye be riche vntounto all manner of good woorkes. The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, the louelove of GOD, p. 1850and the felowship of the holy ghost be with you alwayes. Amen.

Your brother now in bondes for the Gospell, Thomas Whittell.

*To my louing and faythfull brother, Iohn Careles Prisoner in the kinges bench.

An other … of ….THe same fayth for the which Abraham was accounted iust & Mary blessed, whereby also all iust men liue the Lord GOD our louing father encrease and stablish in you and me, to the obteining of eternal life in our alone and sweet Sauior Iesus Christ. Amen.

I can not worthely and sufficiently prayse GOD (my hartely beloued brother) for the consolation and ioy that I receiued by reason of your louing letters, repenting me much that I being so long so neare you, did not enterprise to styrre vppe familiarity and communication betweene vsus by writing, to mutuall consolation in Christe. For what is there vponupon earth wherein to reioyce (where all thinges are transitory and vayne, yea manne himselfe, respecting this life) but, as Dauid sayeth, the Saynctes that dwell vponupon the earth,…· 16. and such as excell in vertue? But here now I consider, that if the felowshippe, louelove, and ioye of faythfull men and children of God being as wee nowe be in double bondage, the body within clay walles, and the soule within these frail earthly bodies, be so greate and comfortable: how vnspeakeable will these ioyes be, when we shall be deliuered from all corruption into the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God? Where we shalbe present together continuallye in our glorified bodies,… beholding the face of our father presently (whō now we see but in the glasse of fayth) with his deare sonne Christ our redemer & brother, and the blessed company of Aungels and all faithfull saued soules.

Of the incomparable good thinges and heauenlye treasures layd vp for vsus in heauen by Christ Iesu. For the obteining wherof, we ought to set light by all temporall griefes and transitorye afflictions so much the more, in that our good God is faythfull & will not suffer vsus to be tempted aboue our strength, & that namely in the end of our life, when the tree where it falleth, lieth styll, as the preacher sayth: when eueryevery one, causa sua dormit, & causa sua resurget: for els before the ende he suffereth his sometime to fall,… but not finally to peryshe: as Peter sinked vponupon the Sea, but yet was not drowned, and sinned grieuouslye vponupon the land thorow infirmity denying his Mayster, but yet found mercy: for the righteous falleth oftentimes. And Christes holye Apostles are taught to …ay, remitte nobis debita nostra. Yea though the righteous fall, sayth Dauid, he shall not be cast away, for the Lord vpholdeth him with his hand. Oh the bottomlesse mercy of God towardes vsus miserable sinners. He vouchsafe to plant in my heart, true repentaunce and fayth, to the obteining of remission of all my sinnes in the mercies of God and merites of Christ his sonne, and therto I pray you say, Amen.

Oh my hartely beloued, it grieueth me to see the spoyle & hauocke that Saule maketh with the congregation of Christe: but what remedy? This is Gods will and ordinaunce, that his people shall here both be punished in the fleshe, and tryed in theyr fayth, as it is written: Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord deliuereth them out of all: for by a strayt path and narrowe doore must we enter. Whether? Into the ioyfull kyngdome of heauen: therefore blessed are you, and other that suffer persecution for Christes sake, for the professing of the same. Pray for me & my felowes (good brother) that we may fight a good fight, that we may keepe the fayth, and ende our course with ioyfull gladnesse, for now the time of our deliueraunce is at hand. The Lord guide, defend and keep vsus and you, and al his people in our iourney, that we may safely through a shorte death passe, to that long lasting life.

Farewell my deare and louing brother and felowe souldiour in Christ: farewell (I say) in him: who receiue our soules in peace when they shall depart from these tabernacles, and he graunte vsus a ioyfull resurrection, and a mery meeting at the last day, & continuall dwelling together in his eternall heauenlye kingdome, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Yours with my poore prayer, other pleasure can I do you none, Thomas Whittell, Minister.

*To my deare brethren M. Filles and Cutbert.

MY deare and welbeloued brethren in Christ, Mayster Filles and Cutbert,… I wish you all welfare of soule & body. Welfare to the soule, is repentance of sinne, faythfull affiaunce in Christ Iesus, & a godly life. Welfare to the body, is the health of the same, with all necessary thinges for this bodely life. The soule of man is immortall, and therefore ought to be well kept, least immortality to ioy, should turne to immortality of sorow. As for the body, be it neuer so well kept and much made of, yet shortly by nature will it perish and decay: But those that are engraffed & incorporated into Christe by true fayth, feeling the motion of Gods holy spirite, as a pledge of theyr election and inheritaunce, exciting and styrring them, not onelyonly to seek heauenly thinges, but also to hate vice, and embrace vertue, will not onelyonly doe these thinges, but also if need requyre, will gladly take vp theyr Crosse and folow their capteine, their king,Math. 26. Marke. 24.Matt 26 & theyr Sauior Iesus Christ (as his poore afflicted church of England now doth) agaynst that false and Antichristian doctrine and religion now vsed, & specially that blasphemous Masse,Luke. 22.Luke 22 wherin Christs supper and holy ordinaunce is altogether peruerted & abused contrarye to his institutiō, & to Paules procedinges: so that, that which they hauehave in theyr Masse, is neither Sacrament of Christ,2. Cor. 11.2 Cor 11 nor yet sacrifice for sinne, as the Priestes falsely pretend. It is a sacrament, that is, as S. Augustine saith,No sacrifice of the Masse is to be made for sinne. Heb. 9.10.Heb 9:10 a visible sign of inuisible grace, when it is ministred to y^e communicants according to Christes example, and as it was of late yeres in this realm. And as for sacrifice, there is none to be made now for sinne: for Christ with one sacrifice hath perfited for euer those that are sanctified.

Beware of false Religion, and mens vayne traditiōs, and serue God with reuerence and godlye feare according to the doctrine of his Gospell, whereto cleaue ye that yee may be blessed,Luke 11. Apocalip. 18.Luke 11 though of wicked men ye bee hated and accursed. Rather drink of the cup of Christ with his church, then of the cuppe of that rosecoloured whore of Babilon, which is full of abhominations. Rather striue ye to go to heauen by the path which is strait to flesh and bloud, with the litle flock, then to goe in the wide waye, folowing the enticementes of the world and the flesh, which leadeth to damnation. Like as Christ suffered in the flesh, sayeth S. Peter, so arme ye your selues with the same minde:Peter. 4.3. for Christ suffred for vsus, leauing vsus example to folow his footsteps. Blessed are they that suffer for his sake, great is their reward in heauen.Apocalip. 23. He that ouercommeth (sayth S. Iohn) shall eat of the tree of life: he shall hauehave a crowne of life, & not be hurt of the second death: he shall be clothed w^t white araye, & not be put out of the booke of life: Yea I will confesse his name sayth Christ, before my father, and before his Aungels, & he shalbe a piller in the house of God, and sitte with me on my seat. And thus I bidde you farewell, myne owne Brethren and deare felowes in Christ. Whose grace and peace be alway with you. Amen.

This world I do forsake:

To Christ I me betake,

And for his Gospell sake.

Paciently death I take.

My body to the dust,

Now to returne it must:

My soule I know full well,

With my God it shal dwel.

Thomas Whittell.

¶An other Letter of M. Thomas Whittell written to a certayne Godly woman.

OH my deare and louing sister in Christe, be not dismayde in this storme of persecution,An other letter of Thomas Whittell to a godly woma…. for Paule calleth the Gospell the word of the Crosse, because it is neuer truely taught, but the crosse and cruell persecution immediately and necessarily doeth folow the same, and therfore it is a manifest token of Gods truth, and hath bene here and is still abroade, and that is a cause of the rage and crueltye of Sathan agaynste Christe and his members, which must bee corrected for theyr sinnes in this worlde: theyr fayth must be tried, that after triall and pacient suffering the faythfull may receiue the crowne of glorye. Feare not therefore my welbeloued, but proceede in the knowledge and feare of God,To be strong agaynst Sathan, and not to feare persecution. and he will keepe you from all euill. Call vponupon his holy name, & he will strengthen you and assiste you in all your wayes: and if it please him to lay his crosse vponupon you for his Gospelles sake, refuse it not, neither shake it off by vnlawefull meanes, leaste you should (as God forbidde) finde a more grieuous crosse, and torment of conscience, if you shoulde dissemble and denye the knowen verity, then is any persecution or death of body.Good counsell not to forsake the Lord for persecution. Oh howe happye are they that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake? their rewarde is great in heauen. The momentanie afflictions of this life are not worthy of the glory that shal be shewed vponupon vsus. Oh remember the Godly weman of the old testament and new, which liued in Gods seruice and feare, and therefore are now in blisse and commended for euer: as namely Iudith, Hester, Abigael, the mother of the 7. sonnes, Mary, Elizabeth, Susanna, Lidia, and Phebe, and others. Set theyr examples before your eyes, and feare nothing: for Sathan is conquered by our Sauiour Christe: sinne is put to flight, and the gate of immortality and eternall life is set wide open: God graunt we may enter therein through the doore Iesus Christ, Amen.

Thomas Whittell.