Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 11 · Account 20
¶The Story of Mayster Bartlet Greene, Gentlemanne and Lawyer, Martyr.
The story of M. Bartlet Grene gentleman and Martyr. Ianuary. 27.AFter the Martyrdome of Thomas Whittell, nexte followeth in order to speake of Bartlet Greene, who the nexte day after the foresayde Whittell, was likewise condemned. Thys Greene was of a good house, and hauinge such Parentes, as both fauoured learning, and were also willing to bring vp this theyr childe in the same. Who after some enteraunce in other inferiour Schooles, was by them sent vntounto the Uniuersity of Oxforde:Bartlet Grene student at Oxford. where thorow exercise and diligent study, he so profited, that within short time he atteined, aswell to the knowledge of sundery prophane Sciences, and also now in his last yeares, vntounto the godly vnderstanding of Diuinitye. Whereunto through ignorance (in which he was trayned vp from his youth) he was at the first an vtter enemy, vntill such tyme as God of his mercy had opened his eyes, by his often repayring vntounto the commō Lectures of Peter Martyr, reader of the Diuinity Lecture in the same Uniuersity:M· Grene conuerted by the Lecture of Peter Martyr. so that therby (as by Gods instrument) he saw the true lighte of Christes Gospell.
Whereof when he had once tasted, it became vntounto hym as the fountayne of liuely water, that our Sauiour Christ spake of vntounto the woman of Samaria,Iohn. 4. so as he neuer thirsted any more, but had a well springing vntounto euerlastyng life. In so much as when he was called by his frendes frō the vniuersity, and was placed in the Temple at London, there to attayne to the knowledge of the common Lawes of the Realme,M. Grene studēt in the Temple at London. he yet continued still in his former study, & earnest profession of the Gospell: wherein also he did not a litle profite. Howbeit (suche is the fraylety of our corrupte nature, without the speciall assistaunce of Gods holy spirit) through the continuall accompanying, and felowshyp of such worldly (I will not say to much youthfull) young gentlemen, as are commonly in that and the like houses, he became by litle and litle, a compartner of theyr fond follies, and youthfull vanities, aswell in his apparell, as also in banquettinges, and other superfluous excesses, whiche he afterward (being agayne called by Gods mercifull correction) did sore lament and bewayle: as appeareth by his one testimonye, notified and lefte in a booke of a certayne frend of his, a litle before his death, written with his owne hand, in maner as foloweth.
¶This did Mayster Bartlet Greene write in Mayster Bartram Calthrops Booke.
A good note or lesson for young Lawyers to marke and follow.TWo thinges hauehave very muche troubled me whilest I was in the Temple, Pride, and Glottonye, whiche vnderunder the coulour of glorye and good felowshippe, drewe me almoste from GOD. Agaynst both there is one remedye, by prayer earnest, and without ceasing. And for as much as vayne glory is so subtle an Aduersarye, that almoste it woundeth deadly, ere euer a manne can perceiue himselfe to be smitten, therefore we ought so muche the rather by continuall prayer, to labour for humblenesse of minde. Truely Glottony beginneth vnderunder a charitable pretence, of mutuall louelove and society, and hath in it most vncharitablenesse.What leaude company doth. When we seeke to refresh our bodies, that they may be the more apte to serue GOD, and performe our duetyes towardes our Neyghbours, then stealeth it in as a priuye theefe, and murthereth both body and soule, that nowe it is not apte to to pray, or serue GOD, nor apte to studye, or labour for our neighbours. Let vsus therefore watch and be sober: For our aduersary the Deuill walketh about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may deuour. And remember what Salomon sayth: Melior est patiens viro forti, & qui dominatur animo expugnatore vrbium. 1. A pacient man is better then a strong warrior, and he that conquereth his owne stomacke, is better then hee that conquereth Townes and Cityes.
i. Agreement of mindes ioyning in vnitye of fayth, & growing vp in charitye, is true and stedfast amitye. Farewell (my Bartrame) and remember me, that euer we may be like together fare wel, at Newgate. Ianuary. 20. An. 1556.Bartlet Greene. Animorum in fide vnio, per charitatem acta, firma est amicitia. Vale (mi Bartrame) & mei memineris, vt semper simillimi efficiamur. Vale. Apud nouam Portam 20. Ianuarij. 1556.
Set sober louelove agaynst hasty wrath.
Bartlet Greene.
Thus we see the fatherly kindenesse of our moste gracious and mercifull God, who neuer suffereth his electe children so to fall, that they lye still in security of sinne, but oftentymes quickeneth them vp by some such meanes, as perhaps they thinke least of, as he did here this his strayed sheepe. And now therfore to returne to our history:Large … offered … M. … by Doct… Bartlet … returne to the Church of Rome▪ for the better maynteinaunce of himselfe in these his studyes, and other his affayres he had a large exhibition of his grandfather Mayster Doctour Bartlet, who during the tyme of Greenes inprisonment made vntounto him large offers of great liuinges, if he would recant, and (forsake the truth, and Gospell of Christ) come home agayne to the Church and Sinagogue of Rome. But these his perswasions (the Lord be therefore praysed) tooke small effect in this faythfull hart, as the sequell did declare. He was a man beloued of all men except of the Papistes, who louelove none that louelove the truth) and so he well deserued: for he was of a meeke, humble, discreete, and most gentle behauiour to all. Iniurious he was to none, beneficiall to many, especiallye to those that were of the householde of fayth: as appeared (amongest other) by his frendly dealing with maister Christopher Goodman, beeing at that present a poore exile beyond the Seas.Friendship betweene Christopher Goodman and M. Grene. With whom this Bartlet Greene (aswell for his toward learning, as also for his sober and Godly behauiour) had often society in Oxforde, in the dayes of good king Edwarde: which now, notwithstanding hys frendes misery and banishment, he did not lightly forget, and that turned as it chaunced (not without the prouidence of almightye GOD) to the greate griefe of both, the one of heart for the losse of his Frende, and the other of body in suffering the cruell and murthering rage of Papistes.
The cause hereof was a Letter which Grene did write vntounto the sayde Goodman, conteining aswell the reporte of certayne demaundes or questions, which were cast abroad in London (as appeareth hereafter in a letter of hys owne penning, whiche he meant to hauehave sent vntounto M. Philpot, wherein hee declareth his full vsage before the Bishop of London and others) as also an aunswere to a question made by the sayd Christopher Goodman, in a letter writtē vntounto him, in which he required to hauehave the certaynetye of the report, which was spread amongest them on the other side of the Seas, that the Queene was deade. Whereunto mayster Greene aunswered simply, and as the truth then was, that she was not dead.
These letters with manye other, written to diuers of the godly exiles, by theyr frendes here in Englande,Occasion of apprehending of M. Grene came by letters intercepted. beyng deliuered to a messenger to carry ouer, came by the apprehension of the said bearer, vntounto the handes of the king and Queenes Councel. Who at theyr conuenient leasure (whiche in those daies by some of them was quickely found out for suche matters) perused the whole number of the sayde letters, and amongest them espyed this letter of Mayster Greenes, written vntounto his frend Christopher Goodman, in the contentes whereof (amongest other newes and priuate matters) they found these woordes: The Queene is not yet dead. Which wordes were onelyonly written as an answere, to certifye Mayster Goodman of the trueth of hys former demaunde. Howbeit (to some of the Councell) they seemed verye haynous woordes, yea, treason they would hauehave made them, if the Law would hauehave suffered. Whiche when they coulde not doe (and being yet verye lothe to let any such depart freely,M. Grene examined by the counsell of his fayth. whom they suspected to be a fauourer of the Gospell) they then examined him vponupon his fayth in religion, but vponupon what poyntes, it is not certaynely knowne.
Neuerthelesse (as it semeth) his aunsweres were such, as litle pleased them (especially the annoynted sorte) and therefore after they had longe detayned him in prison, as well in the Tower of London, as elsewhere, they sente him at last vntounto Boner Bishop of London, to be ordered according to his Ecclesiasticall law: as appeareth by theyr Letters sent vntounto the Byshop, with the sayd prisoner also: wherein it may appeare that Syr Iohn Bourne (then Secretary to the Queene) was a chiefe stirrer in such cases, yea, and an entiser of others of the counsell:Iohn Bourne a stirrer of persecution. who otherwise (if for feare they durst) woulde hauehave bene content to hauehave let such matters alone. The Lord forgeue them theyr weakenesse (if it be his good pleasure) and geue them true repentaunce. Amen.
¶A Letter sent vntounto Boner Bishop of London, by the Queenes Counsell, dated the 11. daye of Nouember. 1555. but not deliuered vntill the 17. of the same monethmonth.
AFter our right harty commendations to your good Lordship, we send to the same herewith, the body of one Bartlet Grene,A letter from th… Counse…l to Boner. who hath of good time remayned in the Tower for his obstinate standing in matters agaynst the Catholicke Religion, whome the king and Queenes Maiesties pleasures are (because he is of your Lordshippes Dioces) ye shall cause to bee ordered accordinge to the Lawes in suche cases prouided. And thus wee bydde your Lordship hartily farewell. From Sainct Iames the xi. of Nouember. 1555.
Your good Lordships louing friendes, Winchester. Penbroke. Thomas Ely. William Haward. Iohn Bourne. Thomas Wharton.
*I Sir Iohn Bourne will wayt vppon your Lordship, and signifie further of the king and Queenes Maiesties pleasures herein.Post script.
Now that ye may the better vnderstand, the certaynty of his handling, after this hys comming vntounto Boners custody, I hauehave thought it good to put forth hys own letter, contayning at large the discourse of the same. Whiche letter he wrote, and did meane to hauehave sent vntounto mayster Philpot, but was preuented, belike eyther by Phil. death, or els (& rather) by the wily watching of hys keeper: for it came (by what means I know not certaynly) vntounto ye byshops hands, and being deliuered vntounto his register, was found in one of his bookes of recorde. The copye where of here followeth.
A letter of Barthelet Greene, written vntounto Iohn Philpot, contayning besides other particular matter betwixt him and M. Philpot, a briefe rehearsall of his handling, and certain his conferences with Boner and others, at his first comming to the Bishops.
THat whiche was lacking in talke (through my defaulte) at your being here, I hauehave supplyed by writing in your absence now at the length getting some opportunitie and leysure.M Grene presented before B. Boner. The 17. day of Nouember, beyng brought hither by two of the clocke at after noone, I was presented before my Lord of London and other two byshops, Mayster Deane, M. Roper, M. Welche, Doct. Harpsfield Archdeacon of London, and other two or three, all sitting at one table. There were also present Doct. Dale. Maister George Mordant, M. Dee. Then, after the byshop of London had read vntounto himselfe the letter that came from the Counsell, hee spake with mo wordes, but (as I remember) to this effect: that the cause of theyr assembly was,M. Dee was …et vnderunder band of recognisance for the good … …earing & sorth comming till Christmas next after. to heare mine examination, wherevnto hee had authoritie by the Counsell, and had prouided Mayster Welch and an other, whose name I knowe not (but wel I remember, though he obtayned it not, yet desired hee my Lorde, that I might heare the Councels letters) to be there if anye matters of the common lawe shoulde arise, to discusse them, he intreated my Lorde to determine all controuersies of Scriptures: and as for the Ciuill law, he and Doctor Dale should take it on them.
Wherfore he demaunded of me the cause of mine imprisonment I sayd that the occasion of myne apprehension was a letter which I wrote to one Christofer Gooodman, wherein (certifiyng hym of such newes as happened here) amonge the reste,M. Grene committed … to the Fleete, and vponupon what occasion. I wrote that there were certayne printed papers of questions scattered abroad. Whereupon, beyng suspected to be priuye vntounto the deuising or publishing of the same, I was committed to the Fleete: but sithens heard I nothing therof, after the Commissioners had receaued my submission. The summe wherof was: that as I was sure there neyther coulde be true witnesses, nor probable coniecture agaynst me in that behalfe: so refused I no punishment, if they of theyr consciences would iudge me priuy to the deuising, printing, or publishing of those questions. But my Lord affirming that there was an other cause of mine imprisonment sithens, demaunded if I had not after, sith I was committed vntounto the Fleete spoken or written somewhat agaynst the naturall presence of Christ in the sacrament of the aultar.
Then desired I his Lordship to bee good vntounto me, trusting that he would put me to aunswere to no new matters, excepte I were first discharged of the old. And when I stoode long in that, M. Welch aunswered that it was procured that I shoulde so doe, right well. For albeit I were imprisoned for treason, if during the tyme of enduraunce, I had mayntayned heresie, that were no sufficient allegation agaynst the Ordinarye: neyther, whether I were before him acquitted or condemned, shoulde it take awaye the former fault. Then my Lord affirming that I was not brought before him but for heresie, and the other Gentleman saying that doubtles I was discharged of my former matter, my desire was, that I might bee charged according to the order of the lawe, to heare my accusers.
Then Doctour Chadsey was sent for, who reported that in the presence of Mayster Mosley & the Lieuetenant of the Tower,D. Chadsey witnesseth agaynst M. Grene. I spake agaynst the reall presence and the sacrifice of the Masse, and that I affirmed that theyr Church was the Churche of Antichrist.
Is not this true, quoth my Lord▪ I sayde yea. Will you continue therein, quoth he? Yea sayde I. Wilt thou then mayntayne it by learning, sayd he? Therein quoth I, I should shewe my selfe to hauehave little witte, knowing myne owne youth and ignoraunce,Talke betweene M. Grene and the Commissioners. if I would take on me to mayntayne any controuersie agaynste so many graue and learned men. But my conscience was satisfied in the truth which was sufficient to my saluation.
Roper.
Conscience? (quoth M. Roper) so shall euerye Iewe and Turke be saued.
We had hereafter much talke to no purpose, and especiallye on my part, who felt in my selfe, through colde and open ayre muche dullnesse of witte and memorye. At the length I was asked what conscience was: and I sayde, the certifying of the trueth.
M. Welch.
With that M Welch rose vp, desiring leaue to talke with me alone. So he taking me aside into an other chamber,Perswasion of M. Welch to M. Grene. said that he was sory for my trouble, and woulde gladly see me at libertie, he maruayled, that I being a young man, would stande agaynst all the learned men of the realme, yea, and contrary to the whole determination of the Catholicke Churche from Chrystes time, in a matter wherin I could hauehave no great learning▪ I ought not to thinke mine owne wit better then all mennes, but shoulde beleue them that were learned. I promise you (quoth hee) I hauehave read all Peter Martyrs booke, and Cranmers, and all the rest of them, and hauehave conferred them with the contrary, as Roffensis, and the Byshop of Winchester. &c. and could not perceiue but that there was one continuall truth, whiche from the begynning had bene mayntayned: and those that at anye time seuered from this vnitie, were aunswered and aunswered agayn. This was the summe of hys tale, whiche lacked neyther witte nor eloquence.
M. Greene.
Then spake I. For asmuche as it pleaseth youre Maystership to vse me so familiarly (for hee so behaued hymselfe towardes me,Aunswere of M. Grene to M. Welche. as though I had bene hys equall) I shall open my mind freely vntounto you desiring you for to take it in good worth. I consider my youth, lack of wit and learning, which would god it were but a little vnderunder the opinion that some men hauehave of me.Modestye of M. Grene. But God is not bounde to time, witte, or knowledge, but rather choseth infirma mundi. vt confunderet fortia. Neyther can men appoynt bondes to Gods mercy: For, I will hauehave compassion (sayth he) on whome I will shew mercy. There is no respecte of persons with God, whether it be olde or young, riche, or poore, wise, or foolish, Fisher, or Basket maker. God geueth knowledge of hys truth, through hys free grace, to whome he liste. Iames. i. Neither doe I thinke my selfe onelyonly to hauehave the trueth,Rom. 9. The spirite of God addicted neyther to person, nor place. but steadfastly beleue that Christ hath hys spouse the Catholicke and vniuersall Church, dispersed in many realmes where it pleaseth him spiritus vbi vult spirat: no more is hee addicted to any one place then to the person and qualitie of one man. Of this Church I nothing doubt my selfe to be a member, trusting to be saued by the fayth that is taught in the same.The end of all controuersies is to know the true Church. But how this Church is knowne is in a maner the end of all controuersie. And the true markes of Christes Church is the true preaching of his worde and ministering of his sacramentes. These markes were sealed by the Apostles, and confirmed by the auncient fathers, till at the length they were through the wickednes of men and the deuill,Markes of the true Church. sore worne, and almost vtterly taken away. But God bee praysed that he hath renewed the print, that hys truth may be knowne in many places. For my selfe, I call God to witnesse, I hauehave no hope in mine owne wit and learning, whiche is very small: but I was perswaded thereto by hym, as by an *By this instrument he meaneth Peter Martyr.instrument, that is excellent in al good learning and liuing. And God is my record, that chiefly I sought it of hym, by continuall prayer with teares.
Furthermore, what I hauehave done herein, it is not needefull for me to speake: but one thing (I say) I wish of God with all my hart that all men which are of contrary iudgement,M. Grene seeking his knowledge of God with teares. woulde seeke the truth in like maner. Now I am …rought hether before a great many of Byshops, and learned men, to be made a foole and laughing stocke: but I waygh it not a rushe: For God knoweth that my whole study is to please hym: Besides that, care I not for mannes pleasure, or displeasure.
M. Welch.
No M. Greene (quoth he) thinke not so vncharitably of any man, but iudge rather that men labour for your soules health, as for theyr owne. And alas,M. Welche replyeth to M. Grene. how will you condemne all our forefathers? Or how can you thinke your selfe to bee of the catholicke Church, without anye continuaunce, and contrary to the iudgement of all learned men?
Greene.
Then sayde I, Syr, I hauehave no authoritie to iudge anye manne: neuerthelesse, I doubte not but that I am of the true catholicke Church, howe soeuer our learned men here iudge of me.
Welche▪
Why, then (sayd he) do you suppose your own wyt and learning, better then all theirs? if you doe not geue credite onelyonly to them, other learned men shall resort vntounto you, that shal perswade you by the Scriptures and Doctours.
Greene.
Sir (ꝙ I) God knoweth that I refuse not to learn of any childe, but I would embrace the trueth from the mouth of a naturall foole, in any thing wherein I am ignoraūt, and that in all thinges, sauing my faith: But concerning the truth, wherein I am throughly perswaded, I cannot submit my selfe to learne, vnlesse it be, as youre maistership sayd, that I perused the bookes on both sides: For so might I make my selfe an indifferent iudge: otherwise I may be seduced.
And here we fell out agayne in a long talke of the Churche, wherein his learning and wit, was much aboue myne: but in the ende I told hym I was perswaded, and that hee did but lose his labour.
Welch.
Why then (ꝙ he) what shall I report to my Lord?
Greene.
Euen as pleaseth you (ꝙ I) or els you may say that I would be glad to learne, if I had bookes on both sides. So he going in, the Bishoppes (euen then risen, and ready to depart) asked how he liked me? He aunswered: in fayth my Lord, he will be glad to learne, whiche wordes when they were taken least they should mistake his meaning and mine, I sayde yea my Lorde, so that I maye hauehave bookes on both sides, as Caluin, and my Lord of Caunterburies bookes, and such other. Well (ꝙ my lordt I will satisfie thy minde therein also: and they all were in grea hope, that shortly I shoulde become a good Catholicke as they call it.
Then was I brought into my Lordes inner chamber (*Where Philpot was, he meaneth, to whom he wrote this letter. where you were) and there was put in a chamber with mayster Dee, who entreated me very frendly. That night I supped at my Lords table, and lay with mayster Dee in the chamber you did see On the morrow I was serued at dinner from my Lordes table, and at night did eate in the hall with his gentlemē: where I hauehave bene placed euer sithence, and fared wonderfull well. Yea, to say the truth,Friendly entertaynment of M. Grene, in Bishop Boners house for a time. for my liberty within the bondes of his Lordships house: for my lodging and fare, scarce hauehave I bene at any time abroade, in better case so long together, and hauehave found so much gentlenesse of my Lorde, and his Chaplaynes, and other seruauntes that I should easily hauehave forgotten that I was in prison, were it not that this great cheare was often pouthered with vnsauery sauses of examinations, exhortations, posinges, and disputations.M. Grene had in priuate examination before the Bishop.
For shortly after supper the first monday at night, I was hadde into my Lordes bedde chamber, and there he woulde know of me howe I came first into these heresies I sayde I was perswaded thereto by the scriptures, and authorities of the Doctours, alledged by Peter Martyr in hys Lectures vppon the xi. Chapiter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, whiles hee intreated there on that place De coena domini, by the space of a monethmonth together.M. Grene vrged with the literall sense of the wordes [this is my body.] But then my Lord enforced the playnnesse of Chrystes woordes, and his almightye power demaundinge of mee, what reason shuld moue me from the litterall sense of the words: but I hauing no lust to those matters, woulde hauehave alledged that there were bookes sufficient of that matter, as Peter Martyr, Cranmer, and Oecolampadius: neuerthelesse when this shifte would not serue,Causes mouing M. Grene from the literall sense of the woedes aforesayd. but I was constrayned to say somewhat, I sayd I was moued from the litterall sense, by the manner of speakyng by the circumstaunce, and by conference of other places of the scriptures. It is euident that Christ tooke breade, and that hee shewed them (they seeing it) bread, whiche hee affirmed to be his body.
Argument.Christ affirmed that bread was his body.
But that affirmation taken literally, can by no meanes be true.
Why the words of Christ of his body, must be taken Spiritually.Ergo, the wordes, if they bee taken according to the letter, cannot be true.
For this predication, Panis est corpus Christi, or corpus Christi est panis, is neither identica nor accidentalis, nor aessentialis praedicatio, Wherfore of necessitie, I must say it was spoken in the like sense, as Christ was a dore, a vyne, and a waye. Neyther can it serue to say: that it was not of bread that he affirmed to bee his body,Argument. and that for two causes.
For what soeuer he shewed, that was bread: for nought els was seene.
But that which he shewed, he affirmed to be hys body:
Ergo he affirmed of bread, that it was his body.
The second reason is: for that it was not chaunged before, seeyng benedixit, is gratias egit, or ells Christe affirmed no true proposition, and you are without authoritie.
In the end of this letter, there were noted these sentences following, collected for confirmation of his former assertions, videlicet.
Eadem locutio poculi. i. The same phrase is vsed and spoken vponupon the cup.
Dicitur postea panis. It is called bread in the same place afterward.
Eadem ratione reiecero corpus, qua tu panem. i. By the reason,Reasons mouing M. Grene to take the wordes Spiritually, not literally. as it may be denyed to be bread, it may be denyed to be the body.
Ascendit in coelum. i. His body ascended into heauen.
Corpore nobis factus est similis in omnibus post natiuitatem. At nostrum corpus non potest esse in duobus locis: Ergo &c.
In body hee was lyke to vsus in all thinges after his natiuitie (sinne excepted.) Seeyng then our body cannot be in two places at once: Ergo, neyther his.
Discipuli non stupebant. &c. His Disciples tooke it as no miracle nor wonder.
The last examination and condemnation of Mayster Greene.
THus (as it seemeth) for this tyme they lefte off.The last ex…aminatiō of M. Grene. But not long after the Byshop perceauyng Greenes learning, and constancy to be suche, as neyther hee, nor any of his Doctours and Chaplaynes, coulde by the scriptures refell, beganne then to obiecte and put in practise hys chiefe, and strongest argument agaynst him: whiche was the rigour of the Lawe, and crueltye of execution: an argument I ensure you, which without the speciall grace of our God, to flesh is importable. And therefore vsynge lawe as a cloke of hys tyrannye, the xxviii. daye of Nouember, the sayde Byshoppe examined him vppon certayne poyntes of Christian Religion. Whereunto when hee had aunswered the, Byshop appointed the register (as their most common manner is) to draw there out an order of confession. Whiche beyng afterwardes redd vntounto Greene, was also subscribed by him, as a confirmation of hys former assertions: The tenour whereof here ensueth.
¶The confession and saying of Bartlet Greene.A draught of Mayster Grenes confession, gathered by the Bishops Register.
BArtlet Greene borne in the Cittye of London, in the Parish of Bassingshall of the Dioces of London, and of the age of xxv. yeares, being examined in the Byshops palace, the xxvii, daye of Nouember, anno. 1555. vppon certayne articles aunswered as followeth. Videlicet, that neither in ye tyme of K. Edw., after yt the Masse by hym was put down, neither in ye time of Q. Mary after yt the masse was restored agayn, he hath heard any masse at al: but he sayth yt in the raygne of the sayd Queenes Maiesty he the sayde Bartlet two tymes, to witte, at two Easter tides or dayes, in the chamber of Iohn Polline, one of the Preachers in king Edwardes tyme, within the paryshe of Saincte Michaels in Cornhill, of the Dioces of London, did receiue the Communion wyth the sayde Pulline and Christopher Goodman, sometyme reader of the Dyuinitie Lecture in Oxford, now gone beyond the sea, and the second tyme with the sayd Pulline with one Runneger,Ex Regist. Mayster of Arte of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and this Examinate also sayth, that at both the sayd Communions he, and the other before named did take, and receiue bread and wyne, whiche Bread and wyne hee called Sacramentall bread, and sacramentall wyne, whiche he sayth were vsed there by them,Transubstantiatio… denyed. Pulline onelyonly readyng the wordes of the institution, expressed in the boooke of Communion.
In which receiuyng and vsing, this Examinate sayth, that the other aforenamed, dyd receaue the Sacramente of the Lordes Supper, and that they receyued materyall bread, and materiall wyne,M. Grene refusing to heare mass… Sacrifice of the Masse not maintaynable by Gods word. M. Grene agaynst the Sacrament of the Altar. no substaunce therof changed and so no reall presence of the body and bloude of Chryste there beyng, but onelyonly grace added thereto. And further this Examinate sayth, that he had heretofore, duryng the raygne of the Queenes Maiestie aforesayd, refused, and so now doth refuse to come and heare Masse, and to receiue the sacramente of the Aultar, as they are now vsed and ministred in thys Churche, of Englande, because he saith that concerning the Masse, he cannot bee perswaded, in hys conscience, that the sacrifice pretended to bee in the same, is agreeable to Gods word, or mayntaynable by ye same: or that wythout deadly offence, he cannot worshyp the body and bloud of Chryst, that is pretēded to be there. And as concerning the sacrament of the Aultar, this Examinate sayth, that he heretofore duryng the sayd raygne hath refused, and nowe doth refuse to receiue the same, as is nowe vsed in thys Churche of Englande, because it is not vsed,Auricular confession refused. accordynge to the institution of Chryste but bothe in a straunge tongue, and also not ministred in bothe kyndes, and besides that, contrary to Gods worde it is there taughte, that the thynge there minystred is to bee adored, as the reall and true bodye of Chryste. And furthermore this Examinate saythe, that duryng the sayd raygne, he hath not bene confessed to the Prieste, nor receaued absolution at hys handes, because hee is not bound by Gods word, to make auricular confession.
Bartlet Greene.
Many other sondrye conferences, and publicke examinations they brought hym vntounto. But in the end (seeyng hys steadfastnesse of faythe to bee suche, as agaynst the whiche, neither the threatninges, nor yet their flattering promises could preuayle, the xv. day of Ianuary, the Bishop caused him wt the rest aboue named,M. Grene … the … …rought … the Cō sistory. to be brought into the Consistory in Paules: where, being set in hys Iudgement seate, accompanied with Fecknā, then Deane of the same church, and other his Chaplaines, after he had condemned ye other sixe he then called for Bartlet Grene began with these or the like wordes.
Honourable audience, I thinke it best to open vntounto you, the conuersation of this man, called Bartlet Greene. And because you shall not charge me, that I go aboute to seeke any mans bloud,… here you shal heare the Councelles letters, which they sēt with him vntounto me. The effect wherof is: that where hee had bene of long time in the Tower of London for heresie, they hauehave now sent him vntounto me to be ordered, according to the lawes therefore prouided. And now to thee Bartlet Greene I propose these ix. articles.… Articles … M. Grene. Then he read the Articles aboue mentioned, whiche were generally obiected to all these seuen prisoners, to wit Thomas Whittell, Iohn Tudson, Iohn Went, Thomas Browne, Isabell Foster, Ioane Lashforde, Bartlet Greene.
But when M. Greene woulde hauehave aunswered them particularly,M. Grene …. Doctors … with …ifferent …gement, … more agaynst the Papistes, … with them. he was putte to silence, with promise that he should hauehave time to aunswere sufficiently, and therfore the Byshoppe proceeding, sayd that when Greene came first to his house, he desired to hauehave thee bookes of the ancient Doctors of the Churche to read, whiche hee sayd hee graunted him.
Whereunto Greene aunswered and sayde, that if the Doctours were with indifferēt iudgement weighed, they made more a greate deale wyth hym, then they did with them.
Feck.
Upon which wordes Fecknam Deane of Paules stoode vp, and marueiling why hee sayd so, asked hym if he would be content, to stand to the iudgemente of the Doctours.
Greene.
Greene then sayd, that he was content, to stād to theyr Doctours iudgement.
Feck.
Chrisost. Ad popul. A…tioch.I will then propound vntounto you (quoth Feck.) the Doctours, and interprete them your selfe. So hee alledged a place of Chrisostome, ad popul. Antioch. whiche was this *… vp … his … behind him but Christ a…cending … …ooke …, and also … him. Chrisost. in 1. Cor. 10. … not the … which we … the … of the Lordes body. M. Grene … a ranke Papist. … report of Peter Martyr.Elias ascendens melotem suum post se reliquit: Christus verò ascendens carnem suam assumpsit, & eandem post se reliquit: and he demaunded Greene, how he vnderstoode the place.
Greene.
Then Greene prayed him that he would confer the Doctours saying together, and therefore alledged ye same Doctour agayne, writing vponupon the 1. Cor. 10. An non est panis, quem nos benedicimus, communicatio corporis Domini? Non ne est Calix &c. Whereby hee prooued that this Doctour called this sacrament but a signe of the Lordes body. Many other wordes of brobation and denyal were betwixe them.
Feck.
At last Fecknam demaunded of hym, how longe he had bene of his opinion? For M. Greene (said hee) you confessed once to me, that when you were at Oxforde at schoole, you were called the rankest papist in that house, & being compelled to go to the lecture of Peter Martyr, you were conuerted from your old doctrine.
Greene.
And Greene confessed the same.
Feck.
Then agayne he sayd, that Greene told him that the sayd Peter Martyr was a Papist in his first comming to Oxford. Whereupon he made an exclamation, and praied the people to consider, howe vayne his doctrine that he professed was, whiche was grounded vppon one man and that vponupon so vnconstāt a man is Peter Martyr, whiche perceiuing the wicked intent of the Counsel, was content to please them, and forsake the true and Catholicke fayth.
Greene.
Greene sayd that hee grounded not his fayth vpō Martir,Peter Martyr first … frō Popery to the truth, i… prayer and reading … Doctors. nor any other, nor did beleue so because martyr beleued the same, but because that he hadde heard the Scriptures, and the Doctours of the Church truely and wholesomely expounded by him: neyther had he anye regard of the man, but of the word which he spake. And further he sayd, that he heard the sayde. M. Peter saye often, that he had not as yet, while he was a papiste, read Chrysostome vponupon the x. to the Corinthes, nor many other places of the Doctours: but when he had read them, and wel considered them, he was content to yelde to the Doctours hauing first humbled himselfe in prayer, desiring God to illuminate hym, and bring him to the true vnderstandyng of the scripture. Whiche thinge (sayde Greene) if you my Lorde would doe, I doe not doubt, but God woulde open your eyes, and shewe you his truthe, no more then I doe doubt hys wordes be true: that sayth: Aske, and it shall be geuen to you, knocke, and it shall be opened vntounto you &c.
Feck.
Then Fecknam asked him, what he thoughte of this article: Sanctam ecclesiam catholicam.One holy Catholicke church.
Greene.
And Greene aunswered that hee dyd beleeue one holye and vniuersall Churche throughoute all the worlde.
Feck.
Then Fecknam sayd, that he woulde sayne hauehave a sure marke and token, whereby hee might knowe thys Churche, and therefore he prayed Greene, to define vntounto him this church.
Greene.
Greene answered,True markes of the Church. that his Church dyd agree in veritie of the true doctrine of Christ, and was knowne by the true administration of hys sacramentes.
Feck.
Whereupon Fecknam sayd that he would proue the Church wherof he was,Disagreement noted amongest piofessors of the Gospell, by Fecknam. to be neuer agreeyng in doctrine, but alwayes to hauehave bene in controuersie in theyr religion. For (sayd he) Luther and Zwinglius, coulde neuer agree in theyr writinges or sayinges, nor Oecolampadius with Carolostadius, nor Caralostadius wyth eyther Zwinglius or Luther. &c. for Luther writing vppon the sacrament of the aultar, said: that in hoc pane vel sub hoc pane corpus domini accipimus: Zwinglius controlling hym sayd: sub signo panis corpus domini accipimus: and the other controlled him in like case.
Greene.
Then M. Greene proued theyr opinions of the sacrament to be one in effect, being rightly weighed:The Gospellers in words seeme to discent, but in effect do agree… with the wor…. and though theyr words dyd not sound al one, yet they meant one thing: and theyr opinions were all one, as he proued by diuers other examples.
Feck.
Then Fecknam desired hym that he woulde not so wilfully caste himselfe away, but to be rather conformable to reason, and that my Lord Byshoppe there present, would be good vntounto hym, and would graunt him respite (if hee woulde demaund it) for a fortnight, or three weeks and that hee shoulde choose anye learned man whome he would, and shoulde goe with hym home to his house and that hee whome he would choose, woulde willingly take the paynes to reade and conferre the Doctoures wyth him, and open the Doctours myndes & meaninges vntounto hym.
Boner.
Then Boner sayd, that hee was proud and an obstinate boy,Boner forbiddeth M. Grene to be called Maister. and therfore hee bad Fecknam to holde hys peace, and to call him no more M. Greene: for (sayd hee) you ought not to call an hereticke maister.
Pendle.
After this, Doctor Pendleton alledged to hym this text out of the xxii. of Luke: Ex hoc non manducabo illud▪ donec impleatur in regno Dei. Note the blind ignorance of Pendleton, as though the kingdome of Christ was not gotten at the death of Christ.Here (sayd he) you muste confesse your opinion to be false, ells you must saye that Christ was a lyer: for Christ sayde: I will eate no more of this, while it bee fulfilled in my fathers kingdome. If Christ did eate no more the bread whē he spake these wordes, then must you say that he was a lyer, for hee dyd eate bread after with hys Disciples before he ascended. But if you say he dyd eate hys body then, and after but breade, it will not agree with the Scriptures, nor with go…d reason.
Greene.
Then Greene aunswered and sayd, that thys was spoken by anticipation, as one of theyr owne Byshops (which is now dead) did say.
Pendle.
Then Doctour Pendleton sayd, that that was no sufficient discharge,This Bishop belyke was the Bishop of Winchester. nor no sufficient aunswere for him in this case: for (sayd he) it is well knowne that that bishop was of a contrary opinion to you, and that he dyed a good christian man.
Greene.
To whiche wordes Greene sayd: I do not cal hym to witnesse in this case, as though he were a sufficient man, to proue my saying to bee true in this matter: but I doe alledge hym agaynst you, as Paule did the scripture, whiche he found grauen in the aultar of the Atheniens agaynst themselues, ignoto Deo.
These with many other wordes, were betweene them which I doe ouerpasse, because it were to longe to stande vponupon recitall of eueryevery thing. Last of all the Byshop asked him if he would recant. He sayd nay, he would not. But my Lord (sayd he) in old tyme there were no men put to death for theyr conscience,In the old time excommunicatiō was the greatest penalty in matters of fayth and conscience. vntill such time as Byshoppes found the meanes to make it death, to beleue contrarye to them: but excommunication (my Lorde) was the greatest penaltie, which men hadde for theyr conscience: yea, in so muche that S. Augustine wrote, and commaunded that no man should be put to death for his opinion.
Boner.
Then Boner sayd that when saincte Augustine sawe, what inconueniences followed of that commaundement, he wrote agayne to the Temporall rulers, commaundyng them to punishe their bodyes also.
Greene.
But, sayde Greene, hee bad not put them to death.
Boner.
He bad punish them quoth Boner.
Greene.
Yea, sayd Greene, but not put them to death.
Bo.
That they should be punished, quoth Boner again.
This talke ended, he asked Greene if he woulde recant and returne to theyr Romishe mother.Sentence geuen agaynst M. Grene. Whiche when hee denyed, the Bishoppe pronounced the sentence difinitiue agaynst hym, and so committed him to the Sheriffes of London, who caused him to be carried to Newgate.
And as he was goyng thether, ther met with him two gentlemen, being both his speciall frendes, minding belike to comfort this theyr persecuted brother? but at theyr meeting, theyr louing and friendly hartes (not able anye longer to hide themselues) were manifested by the aboundaunce of theyr pittifull teares. To whom, when Greene sawe them, he sayd in these or like wordes: Ah my friends is this your comfort you are come to geue me, in this my occasion of heauinesse?The wordes of M. Grene to his friendes by the way going to Newgate. Must I, who needed to hauehave comfort ministred to me, become now a comforter of you? And thus declaring his moste quiet and peaceable minde and conscience, he chearefully spake to them and others, vntil he came to the prison doore, into the which he ioyfully entred, and there remayned alwayes either in praier (whervnto he much gaue himselfe) or els in some other godlye meditations and exercises, vntounto the xxviii. day of Ianuary, when hee with hys other aboue mentioned brethren went most chearefully vntounto the place of their tormentes often repeating, as well by the waye, as also at the stake these Latine verses following.
Christe Deus, sine te spes est mihi nulla salutis.
Te duce vera sequor, te duce falsa nego.
In English thus.
Verses of M. Grene written in his friendes booke.O Christ my God, sure hope of health,
besides thee hauehave I none:
The truth I louelove, and falsehoode hate,
by thee my guyde alone.
During the tyme of hys imprisonment in Newgate, diuers of hys frendes had accesse vntounto him, to whome he gaue sundry godly exhortations: wherewith they were not only well contented, but for better remēbrance, aswel of the same his instructions, as also of hys own good and godly person, they desired him to write somewhat in their bookes, which request he willingly graunted, as in maner here ensueth.
These verses were written in a booke of mayster
Hussey of the Temple.
Behold thy selfe by me, such one was I, as thou:
And thou in tyme shalt be, euen dust as I am now.
Bartlet Greene.
¶These verses were also written in a booke of mayster William Fleetwood, of the same house.
My resting roode is founde, vayne hope & hap a dew.
LoueLove whome you list wt chāge, death shall me rid frō you.
Bartlet Greene.
Amonges others diuers and singular good vertues of this good manne, especially in him was to bee noted such a modest nature, so humbly thinking of himselfe, as in few men is to be found, euer de…ecting hymselfe vnderunder that was in him, and euer seeming to be lesse then he was so that nothing lesse hee coulde abide▪ then to heare of hys prayse or commendation: as well declareth not onelyonly his letter written to M. Philpot,The singular modesty, and humble nature of M. Grene. wherin he doth earnestly expostulate with hym, for slaundring hym with prayse of his witte and learning, and other manifold vertues of great excellency, but also by his owne speache and aunsweres in his examination wherein he casteth from hym all knowledge of learning and cunning, when notwithstanding he had more in hym, then to anye mennes eyes dyd appeare.
So great and admirable was this gift of modesty grafted in the nature of him, so farre abhorring from a… pryde and arrogancie, that as he could not abide any thinge that was spoken to his aduauncement or prayse: so neither did there appeare in hym any shewe or bragge in those things wherein he might iustly glorye, whiche were his punishmentes and sufferinges for the cause and quarrel of christ. For when hee was beaten and scourged with roddes by Byshoppe Boner (which scarse any man would beleue, nor I neither, but that I heard it of him, whiche hearde it of his mouth) and he greatly reioyced in the same, yet his shamefast modestie was suche, that neuer hee woulde expresse any mention therof, least he shoulde seeme to glorye to muche in hymselfe, saue that onelyonly he opened the same to one M. Cotten of the Temple a friend of hys, a little before his death.
Moreouer,The … nature of M. Grene. to this rare and maydenly modestie in him was also adioyned the like nature of mercye and pittifull compassion: whiche affection though it seemed to be little regarded of some, yet in my minde is there no other thing wrought in nature, wherein man resembleth more truely the image of the high maiestie of almightye GOD then thys. And as in thys respecte of mercifull tendernesse, manne onelyonly excelleth all other beastes: so almost no lesse may thys manne seeme to passe many other men, whose customable propertie and exercise was to visite the poore prysoners wyth hym in prison, both with bodily reliefe, and also wyth spirituall comforte: and finding manye of them (I meane suche as were there for thefte, and other naughty factes) verye penitent and sorye for theyr euill demeanours, in hope of theyr amendment, dyd not onelyonly by mouthe, but also by hys letters require, yea, as it were of duetye in louelove, dyd charge his friendes, to trauayle for theyr deliueraunces: such was the pittye and charritable mercye of thys godlye and most true member of Christes Churche: as appeareth by this letter here following.
To my very louing frendes and maysters. M Goringe, M. Ferneham, M. Fleetwood, M. Rusewll. M. Bel, M Hussey, M. Calthrop, M. Boyer, and other my maisters of the Temple, Bartlet Greene wisheth health of bodye and soule.
VEry friendes are they, whiche are knitte together wyth the knotte of Charitie. Charitie doth not decaye,A letter of M. Bartlet Grene to certayne of his louing friendes in the Temple What true frendship is. True frendship is not measured by distance of place or of person… but increase in them that dye faythfully: whereof it followeth, that thoughe we be absent in body, yet are we present in the spirite, coupled together with the vnity of fayth in the bonde of peace, whyche is louelove. How hee is worthy the name of a friend, that measureth hys frendship with the distaunce of place, or parting of persons? If thy frend be out of sight, is thy friendshyp ended? If he be gone into the Countrey, wilt thou cease to louelove hym? If hee be passed the seas, will you so for sake hym? If hee be caryed into heauen, is Charitie hindred thereby? On the one side we hauehave the vse of the fathers from the primatiue Church, that gaue thankes for theyr frendes that dyed in the fayth, to proue that Charitie dyed not with death. On the other side (sayth Horace) Coelum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt.
What speake I of Horrace?LoueLove onelyonly coupleth together. Sayth not saincte Paule the same thynge: For we are members of hys bodye, of his flesh, and of his bloud, yea, we are members one of an other. Is the hand or arme foote or legge a member, when it is disseuered from the bodye? How can we be members, excepte we be ioyned together? What is the line that coupleth vsus, but louelove? When all thinges shal fayle louelove fayleth neuer. Hope hath hys ende,All other thinges fayle, louelove onelyonly indureth for euer. when wee get that wee hoped for. Fayth is finished in heauen, louelove endureth for euer: LoueLove (I say) that proceedeth of charitie, for carnall louelove, when that which he loued is lost, doth pearish wyth the fleshe. Neyther was that euer but fleshly louelove, which by distaunce of place, or seuering of bodyes, is parted asunder. If louelove be the ende or sūme of the lawe, if heauen and yearth shall pearishe, it one iote of Gods wordes shall not decaye, why shouldee we thinke that louelove lasteth not euer.
I neede not to write much to you my frendes, neyther can I hauehave laysure nowe that the keepers are risen: but thys I saye: if we keepe Chrystes commaundemente in louynge eache other, as he loued vsus, then should our louelove be euerlasting. This frendship Paule felt when it moued him to saye,LoueLove vnfained neuer endeth. that neyther lengthe nor bredth (meanyng no distaunce of place) neyther height nor depth shoulde seuere hym from the louelove of Christe. Waighe well thys place, and meate it wyth Paules measures: so shall we find that if our louelove be vnfayned, it can neuer bee ended. Nowe may you saye, why wrytest thou this? Certes to the ende that if oure frendshippe bee stable, you may accomplishe thys the laste request of your friende, and performe after my death the friendshippe wee beganne in oure lyfe, that amitie maye encrease vntill GOD make it perfecte at oure next meetynge together.The sute of M. Grene for the sauing of certayne poor… prisoners in Newgate.
Mayster Feetewood, I beseeche you remember Wittrance and Cooke, two singular men amongest common prisoners, M Fernham and mayster Bell, with M. Hussey (as I hope) wyll dispatch Palmer and Richardson with his companions. I praye you M. Calthrop thinke on Iohn Groue, an honest poore man, Traiford, and Rice Aprice his accomplices. My cosin Thomas Witton (a Scriuener in Lombardstreete) hath promised to further their deliuerie: at the least hee can instruct you whiche waye to worke. I doubt not but that Maister Boyer will labour for the good wife Cooper (for she is worthy to bee holpen) and Berard the Frenchman. There bee also diuers other well disposed men, whose deliueraunce if ye will not labour for: yet I humbly beseeche you to seeke their reliefe, as you shall see cause, namely of Henry Aprice, Lancelot, Hobbes, Lother, Homes, C…rre, and Bockyngham, a young man of goodly giftes in witte and learnyng, and (sauyng that he is somewhat wilde) likely to doe well hereafter. There bee also two women, Conyngham and Alice Alexander that may proue honest. For these and all other poore prisoners, here I make this my humble sute, and prayer to you all my Maisters, and especiall good frendes, beseechyng you of all bondes of amitie, for the precious bloud of Iesus Christ, in the bowelles of merciemercy: to tender the causes of miserable captiues: helpe to clothe Christ, visite the afflicted, comfort the sorrowfull, and releue the needy. The very God of peace guide your hartes to hauehave mercy on the poore, and louelove faythfully together, Amen. This present Monday, when I looke to dye, and liue for euer.
Yours as euer Bartlet Greene.
*An other letter of M. Greene to Mistres Elizabeth Clarke.
An other letter of … to Mi…tres Elizabeth Clarke.WOuld GOD (if it were his pleasure) that with this Letter I might send you may harte and mynde, and whatsoeuer there is in me elles, that pertayneth vntounto GOD: So should I thinke it the beste message, and happyest Letter that euer I could write. But though I obtaine not my desire, yet shall I not cease with continuall prayer to labour for you, desiryng almighty GOD to encrease that, which he hath long sith begonne in you, of sober lyfe, and earnest zeale towardes his Religion. In fayth (as sayth Sainct Paule) she that is a true widowe and frendlesse,1. Tim. 5. putteth her trust in GOD, continuyng day and night in Supplication and prayer: but she that liueth in pleasure is dead, euen yet aliue. And verely a true widowe is she that hath maryed Christ, forsakyng the vanities of the worlde, and luste of the fleshe. For as the maryed woman careth howe to louelove,…. Cor. 5. please, and serue her husband: so ought the widowe to geue all her hart and soule, thoughtes and wordes, studies and labours: faythfully to louelove GOD, vertuously to bryng vp her children and houshold, and diligently to prouide for the poore and oppressed.
1. Tim. 5.Therefore Sainct Paule first instructeth a widow how to behaue her selfe, that is: Not to liue in pleasure, then to watche vntounto prayer,Psalm 3…. …. 2. as the onelyonly meanes to obtayne all our desires, stedfastly laying vppe all our trust in GOD, as Dauid right well sayeth: First eschew euill, then doe good. Of Anna the prayse was written, that shee neuer went out of the Temple, but serued GOD with fastyng and prayer night and day:Iudith. 8. so well had she espoused Christ. Iudith ware a smocke of heare, continuyng in fastyng,Ephesian. 6. and had good report of all men.
The next care that belongeth to a widowe, is that she bryng vppe her children and houshold godly,1. Tim. 5. in the nourture and information of the Lorde. Whereof Saincte Paule sayeth: If any hauehave Children or Nephewes,1. Reg. 2. lette them learne firste to rule their owne house Godly, and to recompence their elders. The incontinencie and coueteousnesse of Phinees and Ophny,1. Reg. 15. not corrected by Ely their Father, prouoked GODS vengeaunce vppon him, and all his kynred. The ouer tender louelove of Absolon, expelled Dauid from his kyngdome. The vnrebuked sinnes of Ammon encouraged Absolon to flea his brother:1. Reg 8. most manifest examples agaynste the parentes, for the offences of their Children.
Contrarywise, how greatly might Hannah reioyce ouer Samuell her Sonne,… ▪ Reg. 13. whome she had brought vppe in the house of the Lorde: What thankes might Tobias wife giuegive for her Sonne Toby? How happy was Salomō to be taught by the prophet Nathan? But aboue all widowes, thrise blessed was the happy mother of the vij. Sonnes,…. Reg. 1. that so had instructed them by the feare of GOD, that by no tormentes they would shrincke from the louelove of his truth?…. Ma…h. 7.
Of the last parte Saincte Paule sheweth that a widowe shoulde bee chosen,1. Tim. 5. If shee hauehave nourished her Children, if shee hauehave been liberall to straungers, if shee hauehave washed the Sainctes feete, and if shee hauehave ministred to them in aduersitie. Herein it is euident howe earnestly Saincte Paule would hauehave widowes bent towardes the poore,The office … exercise of christen widowes … the prim…tiue Church. for that (as though they onelyonly had been therefore meete) hee appointed onelyonly widowes to minister to the Sainctes, and to gather for the poore. Whiche vse also continued, almost throughout the primitiue Churche, that widowes had the charge, and gatheryng for the poore men and straungers.
Of your neighboures I neede not to put you in remembraunce, seeynge you dayly feede them with good Hospitalitie, by whiche meanes also many foreners are of you relieued: but of the poore Almes houses, and miserable prisoners here in London many lacking their libertie wythout cause, some vnderunder the colour of Religion, some onelyonly kept for fees, and some on priuate mennes displeasure. Alas that Christe so hungereth, and no man will feede hym: is so sore opprest with thyrst, and no man will geue him to drinke: destitute of all lodgyng, and not relieued: naked, and not cloathed: sicke, and not visited: imprisoned, and not seene. In tyme past menne could bestowe large summes of money on copes, vestimentes, and ornamentes of the Churche. Why rather follow we not *S. Ambrose tooke from the church, & gaue to the poore: we take from the poore their tithes and improperations, & giuegive them to Churches and ministers where is nothing but singing, and idlenes.S. Ambroses example, whiche solde the same to the reliefe of the poore, or Chrysostomes commaundement, which willeth first to decke and garnish the liuing temple of God? But alas, suche is the wickednesse of these our last dayes, that nothing moueth vsus: neyther the pure doctrine, the godlines of life, nor good examples of the auncient Fathers. If in any thing they erred, if they hauehave written anye thynge that serueth for sectes and dissension, that will their charitable children embrace, publishe and mayntayne with sworde, Fagot and fire. But all in vayne: they stryue agaynst the streame. For though in despite of the truth, by force of the oers of crafty perswasion, they maye bringe themselues into the hauen of hell: yet can they not make all menne bebeleue, that the bankes moue whilest the shippe sayleth, nor euer shall be able to turne the directe course of the streame of Gods truth. Our Lord Iesus Christ strengthen you in al pure doctrine and vpright liuing, and geue you grace, vertuously to bring vp your children and family, and carefully to prouide for the poore and oppressed, Amen. At Newgate the 20. of Ianuary, Ann. 1556.
Your assured, Bartlet Greene.
An other certayne writing of M. Bartlet Greene.
BEtter is the day of death (sayth Salomon) then the daye of birth. Man that is borne of woman, liueth but a shorte tyme,An other certayne writing of M. Bartlet Grene. and is replenished with many miseries: but happye are the dead that dye in the Lord. Man of woman is borne in trauell, to liue in misery: manne thorough Christe dothe dye in ioye, and lyue in felicitie. He is borne to dye, and dyeth to liue. Straight as he cō meth into the world, with cryes he vttereth his miserable estate: straight as he departeth, with songes hee prayseth God for euer. Scarse yet in his cradle 3. deadly enemies assault him: after death no aduersary may annoy him. Whilest hee is here, he displeaseth God: when he is dead he fulfilleth his will. In this lyfe here he dyeth through sinne: in the life to come he liueth in righteousnesse. Through many tribulations in earth he is still purged: with ioye vnspeakeable in heauen is he made pure for euer. Here he dyeth eueryevery houre: there hee liueth continuallye: Here is sinne: there is righteousnes Here is tyme: there is eternitie. Here is hatred: there is louelove. Here is payne: there is pleasure. Here is miserye: there is felicity. Here is corruption: there is immortalitie. Here we see vanitie: there shall we behold the maiestie of god, with triumphant and vnspeakeable ioy in glory euerlasting. Seeke therefore the thinges that are aboue, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God the father: vntounto whom with the sonne and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
Yours in Christ, Bartlet Grene.
Diuers other letters and matters there were beside which this seruaunt of God did write, as namely certayn notes & extractes in Latine out of the Doct. & other authours for his memory, wherby is declared how studious he was in ye searching and knowledge of the law of God, although his profession was the temporall lawe. Where I would … God, he were not among the lawyers such a phenix that he had very few or no fellowes to f…ye wt hym or to follow… hys steppes. But God is to be praysed, that although we read of few or none among that sort that dyed as he did,A commendatiō of Lawyers. yet good witnesse doe spring vpp dayly of the same profession, to such towardnes and Godly zeale, that some hope already appeareth, shortly to come to passe, that this godly Phenix shall not flye alone. These foresayde notes and gatheringes of his out of the Doctoures, were taken from him by Boner, being found about hym, which was to him no little griefe. Hee among the rest was first apprehended, but last of them condemned, which was the xv. day of Ianuary, and afterward burned with the other Martyrs, the 27. of the same monethmonth.
3. Thomas Browne, Martyr.
THomas Browne, borne in the Paryshe of Hyston, wythin the Dyoces of Elye,Ex Regist. Tho. Browne, Martyr. Ianuary. 27. came afterwarde to London, where hee dwelled in the Parysh of Sainct Brides in Fleetestreete, a maryed manne, of the age of 37. yeares: who because he came not to hys parish church was presented by the Constable of the Parishe to Boner. As touching whose articles, wherupon he was examined by the sayd Boner, with his aunsweres also annexed to ye same, mention goeth before, as in the generall processe of him and of the rest,Tho. Browne presented by the Constable of S. Brides. may appeare. This Tomas Browne being had to Fulhā, wt the other thereto be examined, was required vponupon Thursday, being ye xxvi. day of September, to come into the Chappell to heare Masse, whiche he refusing to doe, went into the warren, and there kneled among the trees.Browne kneeleth among the trees at the Masse tyme. For this hee was greatly charged of the Bishop, as for an haynous matter, because he sayd it was done in despite and contempt of theyr masse: which seemed to the Byshop and his Chaplaynes no small offence. At length being producted to his last examination before the sayd Bishop, xv. day of Ianuarye, there to heare the sentence diffinitiue agaynst him, first hee was required wyth many fayre wordes and glosing promises to reuoke hys doctrine, to whome the foresayd Byshoppe speaking these woordes,B. Boners words to Tho. Browne. sayde: Browne, ye hauehave bene before me many tymes and ofte, and I hauehave trauailed with thee, to wynne thee from thyne erroures: yet thou and suche like hauehave and doe reporte that I goe about to seeke thy bloud. &c.
B. Boner charged to be a bloudsucker.To whome the sayd Thomas Browne aunswered agayne: yea my Lord (sayd he) in deede ye be a bloudsucker & I would I had as much bloud, as is water in the Sea, for you to sucke.
Boner then proceeding to the articles, when he hadde red them vntounto him agayne, as he had done diuers tymes before, asked him whether he was content and willing to relinquishe those hys heresies and erroneous opinions (as he called them) and returne agayne vntounto the vnitie of the catholicke fayth.The aunswere of Thomas Browne to Bishop Boner. Whereunto he made aunswere again saying, if they were heresies, he would forsake them. They be heresies (quoth the Byshoppe.) Howe will ye proue it, sayd Browne? for I will not goe frō mine aunsweres, except you cā proue them to be heresies, which ye shal neuer do. For that whiche you call heresie, is no heresie. Wyth that Boner not able, or els not disposed to supply the part of a sufficient teacher, in prouing that which the other had denyed by good authoritie and doctrine of the scripture went about with wordes and promise of pardon, to allure him to renounce those his heresies, as he called them and to returne vntounto the vnitie of his mother the Catholicke Churche. &c.
To whom the sayd Thomas inferred agayne, as followeth: Proue it (sayd he) to be heresie, that I do hold and mayntayne, and I will turne to you. But you condemne me, because I wil not confesse and beleue the bread and in the sacrament of the aultar (as you call it to be the body of Christ, and therfore ye spill myne and such like innocents bloud,Sentence read against Thomas Browne. being the Queenes true subiectes, for whiche you shall aunswere, and that shortly.
After this being spoken, Boner as hee had done to the other before, read in writing the sentence diffinitiue agaynst him. The copie and forme of which sentence wherwith the Papistes were wont to condemne all the innocent saynts of Christes, is aboue expressed, pag. 1417. And so this done he was committed to the Sheriffes to be had away, and burned the xxvii. day of the sayd monethmonth of Ianuary, constantly abiding with the other, the Popes tormentes for the true confession of his Christian fayth.
4. Iohn Tudson Martyr.
THe same daye and tyme, when the foresayde Iohn Browne, with his fellowes was condemned (as is aboue rehearsed) being the xv. day of Ianuarye was also producted Iohn Tudson with the rest of the sayde company,Iohn Tudson, Martyr. vntounto the like condemnation. This Iohn Tudson was borne in Ipswich in the Countye of Suffolke,Ianuary. 27. after that apprentise in London, dwelling with one George Goodyeare of the parishe of saynct Mary Botulphe, within the dioces of London, who being complayned of to Sir Richard Cholmley and Doct. Story, was by them sent vntounto Boner bishop of London, and was diuers tymes before him in examination.
The Articles and interrogatories ministred vntounto hym, as vntounto the rest, before are specified, with hys aunsweres also to the same annexed. &c. After this hee was brought vntounto the open Consistory: where the sayd blessed and true seruaunt of the Lord Iohn Tudson, appearyng before the sayde byshoppe and his complices,Of these articles read before pag. 215. The constant persisting of Iohn Tudson. was moued with sundry perswasions (as theyr maner is) to goe from his opinion (which they named heresie) and to persiste in the vnitie of the Churche which they were of, but hee constātly persisting in that which he had receiued by the preachers in king Edwardes tyme, refused so to doe, saying there was no heresie in his answeres. For I (sayd he) defy all heresie. The Byshop yet still vsed his olde accustomed perswasions to remoue him, promising moreouer all hys offences and erroures (as he called them) to bee forgeuen hym, if he would returne. &c. Then sayde Tudson: Tell me wherein I hauehave offended, and I will returne. Then sayd the Byshop: In your aunsweres. No, sayd Tudson agayne, I hauehave not therein offended: and ye, my Lord pretend Charitie, but nothing therof appeareth in your workes. Thus after a few wordes ye bishop did likewise promulgate agaynst hym sentence of condemnation,Sentence read against Iohn Tudson. whiche being red, the godly and constant martyr was committed to the secular power, and so wyth much pacience finished this life with the other aboue named, the xxvii. daye of Ianuary.
5. Iohn Went Martyr.
IOhn Went borne in Langham in Essex, within the Dyoces of London,Iohn· Went Martyr. Ianuary. 27. of the age of 27. & a Shereman by occupation, first was examined (as partly is touched before) by Doctor Story vponupon the sacrament of his popishe Aultar and because the poore man did not accord wt him throughly in the reall presence of the body and bloud of Chryst, the sayd Story did send hym vp to Boner Byshop of London. Who likewise after diuers examinations vppon the articles aforesayde in the Consistory, attempted the lyke maner of perswasions with hym, as he did to the other to recant and returne. To whome in fewe wordes the sayde Went aunswered agayne, he woulde not, but that by the leaue of God, he would stand firme and constant in that he had sayd. And when the Bishop yet notwithstanding did still vrge and call vponupon him with words and fayre gloses,Iohn Went withstandeth the Bishops perswasiōs. Iohn Went cōdemned. to geue ouer himselfe to theyr opinion, he could hauehave no other answer of hym but this: No, I say as I hauehave sayd &c. Whereuupon being condemned by the Bishops sentence, he was committed vntounto the Sheriffes (whom that shameles shaueling at y• time abused for hys seruile Butchers) and so brought to hys martyrdome, which he with no lesse constancie suffered to the ende with the rest of that blessed societie of Martyrs aboue named.
6. Isabell Foster Martyr.
WIth these fiue persons aboue recited and condemned, were also two women in the foresayd company condemned the same tyme,Isabel Foster, Martyr. Ianuary. 27. and likewise burned for the same cause, the one a wife called Isabell Foster, the other a mayde named Ioane Warne, or otherwise Lashford.
This foresayd Isabell was borne in Grafestocke in the Dioces of Carlill, and afterward maried to one Iohn Foster Cutler, of the Parish of S. Brides in Fleetstreete, beyng of the age of Lv. yeares.Isabell Foster constāt in confessing Christes Gospell. She likewise for not commyng vntounto the Churche, beyng sent vntounto Boner, and so imprisoned, was sundry tymes examined by the sayd Byshop, but neuer ouercome, nor remoued from the constant confession of Christes Gospell.
At length commyng vntounto her finall examination before the Byshop in the Consistory the xv. day of the sayd monethmonth of Ianuary, she was moued agayne, whether she would yet goe from her former aunsweres. Whereunto she gaue a resolute aunswere in few wordes: I will not (sayth she) goe from them by Gods grace: and thereunto did adhere, neither beyng cast downe by the manacyng threates of the Byshop, nor yet yeldyng thorough his alluryng enticementes,The wordes of Isabell Foster of her last examination▪ promising both lyfe and libertie if she would associate her selfe in the vnitie of the Catholicke Churche. Whereunto she sayd agayne in this wise, that she trusted she was neuer out of the Catholicke Church. &c. and so persisting in the same, continued constaunt, till the sentence diffinitiue was pronounced, and thē she was committed by commaundemēt of the Byshop to the secular power, and so brought a fewe dayes after to the stake, the 27. day of the foresayd monethmonth:Isabell Foster condemned. where she like a faythfull witnesse of the Lordes truth (with the other fiue aforesayd) ended her troubles here, to finde a better rest in the kyngdome of Christ our Sauiour.
7. Ioane Lashford, alias Ioane Warne, Martyr.
IN a certaine place of these Actes and Monumentes heretofore, mētion was made of one Elizabeth Warne,Ioane Lashford alias, Ioane Warne, Martyr. Ianuary. 27. pag. 1608. col. 2. who with her husband Iohn Warne (as is aforesayd) in the begynnyng of Queene Maries Reigne was apprehended in Bowe Churchyard for beyng there at a Cōmunion: and both suffered for the same, first the man in the monethmonth of May, then the wife in Iuly after: and now the daughter in the monethmonth of Ianuary followed her parents in the same martyrdome. Furthermore in the same place and page mention was made also of D. Storie: who there (we sayde) was somewhat neare vntounto the sayd parties, eyther in kindred or alliance, albeit as I vnderstande since of some, there was no kindred betweene them, but only that she was his seruant. Yet notwythstanding the said D. Storie (as it is aboue specified) before he was Commissioner,… made intercession for ye parties to D. Martine then Commissioner: but afterwarde being placed in Commission hymselfe, so farre forgat him sel…e and hys olde seruaunt, that hee became no small procurer of theyr deathes. I will not heere expostulate wyth the hard heart of that man, nor with hys incōstancie: Who …et notwythstanding, after he had brought them to death, was rested him selfe for lx. pounde, charged wyth dette in theyr behalfe: which if it be true, it may thereby appeare that he was in some peece of kindred ioyned or allied vntounto them. But leauing that persone vntounto the good pleasure of the Lord, let vsus returne vntounto that we hauehave in hand.
…Thys Ioane Lashforde, borne in the parishe of little Hallowes in Thames streete, was the daughter of one Robert Lashford Cutler, and of the foresayde Elizabeth, who afterward was married to Iohn Warne vpholster, who (as is sayde) was persecuted for the Gospell of God, to the burning fire: and after him his wife, and after her thys Ioane Lashford theyr daughter. Who about the age of xx. yeares, ministring to her father and mother in prisone,… suspected and knowen to bee of the same doctrine and religion, was sent vp to Boner bishop of London by D. Storie (as is aboue in her answeres to the articles declared) and so committed to the Counter in the Poultrie, where shee remained the space of 5. wekes, and frō thence had to Newgate, where shee continued the space of certaine moneths.
After that, remaining prisonner in the custodie of the sayd Boner, her confession was, being examined, that the whole xij. monethmonth before and more,The confession of Ioane Lashford before the Bishop. she came vntounto no popish masse seruice in the church, neither would doe, eyther to receiue the Sacrament of the aultare, or to be confessed, because her conscience would not suffer her so to doe, confessing and protesting, that in the sacrament of the aultar, there is not the reall presence of Christes body and bloud, nor that auricular cōfession or absolution after the popish sort, was necessary, nor the Masse to be good, or according vntounto the scripture, but sayd that both the sayd sacrament,Superfluous and Popish Ceremonyes. confession, absolution, and the Masse, with all other theyr superfluous sacramēts, ceremonies and diuine seruice as then vsed in thys Realme of Englande, were moste vile, and contrary to Christes woordes and institution, so that neyther they were at the beginning, nor shal be at the latter ende. Thys godly damosell, feeble and tender of age,The worthy constancye of a mayde. yet strong by grace in this her Confession and faith, stoode so firme, that neyther the flattering promises, nor the violent threates of the Byshops could …ourne her, but being mooued and exhorted by the Byshoppe to retourne to the catholicke vnitie of the church, sayth boldly to him againe:The wordes of Ioane Lashford at her last examination. If yee wil leaue off your abhomination, so I wil returne, and otherwyse I will not.
Whereupon the Bishop yet againe promised her pardon of all her errours (as he called them) if shee would be conformed. To thys shee answeared againe, saying vntounto the Bishop: Doe as it pleaseth you, and I pray God that you may doe that whych may please God.
And thus shee constantly perseueryng in the Lordes holy truthe, was by the sentence definitiue cōdemned and committed vntounto the Sheriffes,The Sentence and condemnation of Ioane Lashford. Ianuary. 27. by whom the foresayd 27. day of Ianuarie shee with the rest being brought vntounto the stake, there washed her clothes in the bloud of the lambe, dying most constantly for hys woord and truth, to whom most louingly shee espoused her selfe.
And thus muche concerning the life, storie, & condemnation of these vij. Martyrs afore specified.