Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 11 · Account 26
The death and Martyrdome of sixe constant professours of Christ, burned at Colchester, for the testimonie of the Gospell, the 28. day of Aprill.
NOt long after the death of Robert Drakes, William Tymmes,Aprill 28. The Martyrdome of 6. men at Colchester. and the other Essex Martyrs, executed in Smithfielde, as is aboue specified, followed in the same order likewise of martyrdome, at one like fire in the town of Colchester (where the most parte of them did inhabite) sixe other blessed Martyrs, whose names be these:
Christopher Lyster, of Dagneham, Husbandman.
Iohn Mace, of Colchester, Apothecarie.
Iohn Spenser of Colchester, Weauer.
Symon Ioyne, Sawyer.
Richard Nichols, of Colchester, Weauer.
Iohn Hamond, of Colchester, Tanner.
Roger Grasbroke.With these sixe was also ioyned an other, whose name was Roger Grasbroke, but he afterwarde submitted him selfe. These aboue named, the Byshoppe, because he (as it semeth by the short processe recorded by his register) waxed now weary,Iohn Kingston B. Boners Cō missary in Essex. made a very quicke dispatche. For soone after that, they were deliuered vntounto one Iohn Kingstone, Bacheler of Ciuil law, and then Commissarye to the Bishop,These Martyrs were deliuered by the Earle of Oxford to the Commissary, & by the Commissary sent to the Bishop. by the Earle of Oxford & other Commissioners (as appeareth by a bil endented, made betwene the Commissioners and the said Commissary, for the receit of the sayd prisoners, dated the 28. day of Marche, Anno regni regis & Reginae Philippi & Mariae secundo & tertio: which is the yere of our Lord 1556.) and by him sent vp vntounto hys Lord and Maister, the Bishop caused them to be broughte vntounto hys house at Fulham: Where in the open Churche, iudicially were ministred vntounto them ye same Articles that were propounded vntounto Bartlet Grene and others, mentioned before. To the whych they made their seuerall answeres, agreeing altogether in one truthe, as by the summe and effect thereof heere ensuing, more plainly appeareth.
Their answeres to the Bishops articles.1 To the first article they al consented and agreed: Iohn Spenser adding further thereto, that the churche malignant, which is the Church of Rome) is no parte of Christes Catholike church: and that he neither hath, nor dothe beleeue the doctrine and religion, taughte and set foorth in the sayd Romish and malignant church.The Church of Rome no part of Christes Catholicke church.
2 To the second they aunswered: that they beleeued that in the true Catholike church of Christe, there be but two sacraments: that is to say, the sacrament of Baptisme, and the sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ.2. Sacramentes.
3 To the third article they al agreed, confessing that they were Baptised in the Faith and beliefe of the Catholicke church, and that their Godfathers and Godmothers had professed and promised for them, as is contained in ye same Article.
Profession of Baptisme.4 To the fourth they answered: that they alwaies were and yet then did cōtinue in the faith and profession, wherin they were baptised: Richarde Nicols adding also: that he had more plainely learned the truth of his profession by the doctrine set forth in king Edward the 6. his daies, and thereupon he had builded his faithe, and would cōtinue in the same to hys liues ende, God assisting him.
To deny the beggerly vsages of the Popes Church is not to deny the Catholicke fayth of Christ.5 To the fifth they answeared, that they neither swar…ed nor went away from the Catholicke faith of Christ. Howbeit they confessed, that within the time articulate (and before they hadde misliked, and earnestly spoken against the sacrifice of the Masse, and against the sacrament of the altare, affirming that they woulde not come to heare or bee partakers therof, because they hadde and then did beleeue, that they were set foorth and vsed contrary to Gods woord and glory. And moreouer they did graunt that they hadde spoken against the vsurped authoritye of the B. of Rome,The pope ought to hauehave no authoritye in England. as an oppressor of Christes Church and Gospell, and that he ought not to hauehave any authoritye in Englande. For all which sayings they were no whit sorie, but rather reioyced and were glad.
6 To the sixt they answered, that they neuer refused, nor yet then presently did refuse to be reconciled to the vnitye of Christes Catholicke church,The Church of Rome to be abhorred. but they said they had, and then did, and so euer woulde heereafter vtterlye refuse to come to the churche of Rome, or to acknowledge the authority of the seat hereof, but did vtterly abhorre the same, for putting downe the booke of God the Bible, and setting vp the Babylonicall Masse, wyth all other of Antichristes marchaundise.
7 To the seuenth article, the effect therof they all graunted. And Symonde Ioyne declared further,Again… Popes trumper… that the cause of hys refusing to be partaker of theyr trumperie, was for that the commandements of God were there broken, and Christes ordinaunces chaunged and put oute, and the B. of Romes ordinances in steade thereof put in. Moreouer,Agayn… transubstā tiation. as touching the sacrament of Christes body, Christopher Lister affirmed that in the sayde Sacrament there is the substance of breade and wine, as well after the woordes of consecration as before, and that there is not in the same the very body and bloud of Christ really, substātially, and truely,Against the Masse. but onelyonly Sacramentally and spiritually by Faith in the faithfull receiuers, and that the Masse is not propiciatorie, for the quicke or for the dead, but meere Idolatrie and abhomination.
8 To the eight they sayde, that they were sent to Colchester prison by the king and Queenes Commissioners, because they would not come to theyr parish Churches, and by them sent vntounto the bishop of London, to be therof further examined.
9 To the ninth they al generally agreed, that that which they had saide in the premisses was true, & that they were of the Diocesse of London.
These aunsweres thus made, the Bishop did dismisse them for that present vntill the after noone. At which time hauing firste their articles and aunsweres red vntounto them againe, and they standing most firmly vntounto theyr Christian profession, they were by diuers waies and meanes assaied and tried if they would reuoke the same their professed faith, and returne to the vnitie of Antichristes church.
The burning of the foresayde sixe men at Colchester.
The Martyrdome of Christopher Lister, Iohn Mace, Iohn Spencer, Symon Ioyne, Richard Nicol…, Iohn Hamond, at Colchester. Anno. 1556. Aprill. 28.Which thing when they refused,Sentence geuen agaynst them by B. Bo…er. the bishop stoutly pronounced the sentence of cōdemnation against them, committing them vntounto the temporall power. Who vppon the receit of the king and Quenes wryt, sent them vntounto Colchester, where the 28. day of Aprill, moste chearefully they ended theyr liues to the glory of Gods holy name, and the great incouragement of others.