Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Account 91
Elizabeth Young.
YE heard before in the treatise of the scourging of Thomas Grene, how he was troubled and beaten by doctour Storie, for a certaine booke called Antichriste, which he receiued of a woman, because in no case he woulde detect her.
This woman was one Elizabeth Young, who comming from Emden to England, brought with her diuers bookes, and sparsed them abroad in London, for the which shee being at length espied and laied fast, was broughte to examination 13. times before the Catholicke Inquisitours of heretical prauitie. O. the which her examinations, nine hauehave come to our handes.
Wherein how fiercely she was assaulted, how shamefully shee was reuiled, how miserably handled, and what answeres she made vntounto the aduersaries in her owne defence, and finally after all this, how she escaped and passed through ye pikes (being yet, as I heare say, aliue) I thought to geue the reader here to see and vnderstande.
The first examination of Elizabeth Young, before maister Hussie.
WHo examined her of many thinges: First where she was borne, and who was her father and mother.The first examination of El…za…beth Yoūg.
Elizabeth Young.
Syr, all this is but vaine talke, and very superfluous. It is to fil my head with fantasies, that I shoulde not be able to aunswere vntounto suche thinges as I came for. Ye hauehave not (I thinke) put me in prison to know who is my father and mother. But I pray you goe to the matter that I came hether for.
M. Hussie.
Wherfore wentest thou out of the realme?
Elizabeth.
To keepe my conscience cleane.
Hussie.
When wast thou at Masse?
Eliz.
Not this three yeares.
Hussie.
Then wast thou not there iij. yeares before that.
Eliz.
No Syr, nor yet iij. yeares more before that, for and if I were, I had euill lucke.
Hussie.
How old art thou?
Eliz.
Fourty and vpwardes.
Hussie.
Twentie of those yeares thou wentest to Masse.
Eliz.
Yea, and twentie more I may and yet come home as wise as I went thether first, for I vnderstand it not.
Hussie.
Why wilt not thou go to the Masse?
Elizabeth.
Syr, my conscience will not suffer me: For I had rather that all the world should accuse me, then mine owne conscience.
Hussy.
Elizabeth Young refuseth to go to masse.What and if a louse or a flea sticke vponupon thy skinne, and bite thy flesh? thou must make a conscience in the taking her off: is there not a conscience in it?
Elizabeth.
That is but an easie Argument to displace the Scriptures, and especially in such a part as my saluation dependeth vppon: for it is but an easie conscience yt a man can make.
Hussy.
But why wilte thou not sweare vponupon the Euangelist before a Iudge?
Eliz.
Elizabeth Young denyeth to sweare and ….Because I know not what a booke oth is.
Hussy.
Then he began to teach her the booke oth.
Eliz.
Syr, I do not vnderstand it, and therefore I wil not learne it.
Hussy.
Then sayde hee: thou wilt not vnderstand it: and with that rose vp and went his way.
Her second examination before Doctour Martin.
WHo sayd to her: Woman, thou art come from beyōd the sea,The 2. examination of Elizabe…h Yoūg. and hast brought with thee bookes of heresie and treason, and thou must confesse to vsus, who translated them, Printed them, and who sent them ouer (for once I knowe thee to be but a messenger:) and in so doynge the Queenes highnesse will be good to thee (for shee hath forgeuen greater things then this) & thou shalt find as much fauour as is possible.Elizabeth Young for bringing ouer bookes. But if thou be stubborne, and wilte not confesse, thou wilt be wondrous euill handled: for we know the truth already, but thus we do, only to see whether thou wilt be true of thy woord, or no.
Eliz.
Syr, ye hauehave my confession, and more then that I can not say.
Martin.
Thou must say more, and shalt say more. Doest thou thinke that we wil be full answeared by this examination that thou hast made? Thou rebell whoore and traitorly heretike,D. Martyn …reatneth her with the racke. thou dost refuse to sweare vponupon the Euangelist before a Iudge, I heare say. Thou shalt be racked inch meale, thou traitourly whoore and hereticke, but thou shalt sweare afore a Iudge before thou goe: yea, and thou shalt be made to confesse how many bookes thou hast sold, and to whom.
Eliz.
Syr I vnderstand not what an oth is, and therfore I will take no suche thing vppon me. And no man hathe boughte any bookes of mee as yet, for those bookes that I had, you Commissioners hauehave them all.
Martin.
Thou traitorly whore, we knowe that thou haste sold a number of bookes, yea, and to whom: and how many times thou hast beene here, and where thou layest, and eueryevery place that thou hast bene in. Doest thou thinke that thou hast fooles in hand?
Eliz.
No syr, you be too wise for me: for I can not tel howe manye places I hauehave beene in my selfe: but if I were in Turkey, I should hauehave meate and drinke and lodging for my money.
Mart.
Thou rebel whoore, thou hast spoken euil woordes by the Queene,Elizabeth Young charged for speaking agaynst the Queene. and thou dwellest amongest a sort of traitours and rebelles, that can not geue the Queene a good woorde.
Eliz.
I am not able to accuse any man thereof, nor yet is there any man that can approoue anye such things by me, as ye lay vntounto my charge. For I know by Gods woorde, & Gods booke hath taught me what is my duetie to God, and vntounto my Queene, and therefore (as I sayd) I am assured that no man liuing vponupon the earth, can approoue any such things by me.
Mart.
Thou rebell and traitourly whoore, thou shalt be so racked & handled, that thou shalt be an example to all such traitorly whoores and heretikes: And thou shalt be made to sweare by the holye Euangelist, and confesse to whome thou haste solde al and eueryevery of these heretical bookes that thou haste solde: for wee knowe what number thou haste solde, and to whome: but thou shalt be made to confesse it in spite of thy bloud.
Eliz.
Here is my carkas: do with it what ye wil, and more then that ye can not hauehave. Master Martin, ye can hauehave no more but my bloude.
Then fared he as though hee had bene starke mad, and sayd: Martin? Why callest thou me Martin?
Eliz.
Sir, I knowe you well enough, for I hauehave bene before you ere now. Ye deliuered me once at Westminster.
Martin.
Where diddest thou dwell then?
Eliz.
I dwelled in the Minories.
Martin.
I deliuered thee and thy husband bothe: and I thought… then that thou wouldest hauehave done otherwyse then thou dost now. For if thou hadst bene before any Bishop in England, and said the woordes that thou didst before me, thou haddest fried a fagot:Elizabeth Yoūg and her husband deliuered by D. Martyn. and thoughe thou didst not burne then, thou art like to burne or hang now.
Eliz.
Syr, I promised you then, that I woulde neuer be fed with an vnknowen tongue, & no more I will not yet.
Martin.
I shall feede thee well enoughe. Thou shalte be fedde with that (I warrant thee) which shall be finally to thine ease.
Eliz.
Doe what God shall suffer you to doe: for more yee shall not. And then he arose, and so departed, and went to the keepers house, and sayd to the wife: Whom haste thou suffered to come to this vile traitourly whoore and heretike to speake wyth her? Then sayde the keepers wife, as God receiue my soule, here came neither mā, woman, nor childe to aske for her.
Mart.
If any man, woman, or childe come to aske for her,Elyzabeth Yoūg commaunded to close prison, to hauehave one day bread, an other day water. I charge thee in paine of death, that they be layed fast, and geue her one day bread, and an other day water.
Eliz.
If ye take away my meat, I trust that God wil take away my hunger: and so he departed, and sayde, that was too good for her: and then was shee shutte vppe vnderunder two lockes in the Clincke, where shee was before.
The third examination before Doctour Martin againe.
THen was shee broughte before hym in his Chamber,The 3. examination of Elizabeth Young. within my Lorde Chauncellours house. Who asked her, saying: Elizabeth, wilt thou confesse these thynges that thou hast bene examined vppon? For thou knowest that I hauehave bene thy frende: and in so doing.D. Martyn seeketh to know how many gentlemen were fled ouer the Sea. I wil be thy frende againe: geuing her manye faire woordes, and then demaunding of her how many Gentlemen were beyond the Seas.
Eliz.
It is too much for me to tel you how many are on the other side.
Mart.
No, I meane but in Franckford & Emden, where thou hast bene.
Eliz.
Syr, I did neuer take accounte of them: it is a thing that I looke not for.
Martin.
When shall I heare a true woorde come out of thy mouth?
Eliz.
I hauehave tolde you the truth, but because that it soundeth not to your minde, therefore ye will not credite it.Elizabeth Yoūg againe threatned with the racke.
Martin.
Wilt thou yet confesse? and if thou wilt, that that I hauehave promised, I will doe: and if thou wilt not, I promise thee thou must goe euen hence to the racke, and therfore confesse.
Eliz.
I can say no more then I hauehave sayde.
Martin.
Well, for as muche as shee will confesse no more, hauehave her awaye to the Racke, and then shee will be marred. Then aunsweared a Priest that sate there, and sayde: Woman, take an othe and confesse. Wilt thou be hurte for other men?
Eliz.
I can confesse no more then I hauehave. Doe with my carkas what yee will.Shee agayne refuseth to sweare to accuse other.
Martin.
Did yee euer heare the like of thys Heretique? What a stoute heretique is thys? We hauehave the truthe▪ and we knowe the truth, and yet looke whether shee will confesse. There is no remedie, but shee muste needes to the Racke, and therefore away with her, and so commaunded her out of the doore, and called her keeper vntounto hym, and sayde to him: There is no remedie but this heretike must be racked: and talked with him more, but what it was she heard not.
Then he called her in againe, and sayde: Wilte thou not confesse, and keepe thee from the Racke? I aduise thee so to doe: for if thou wilt not, thou knowest not the payne yet, but thou shalt do.
Eliz.
Syr, I canne confesse no more. Do with my carkas what yee will.
Martin.
Keeper, away with her. Thou knowest what I sayde. Let her knowe the paine of the Racke. And so shee departed, thinking no lesse, but that she should hauehave gone to the Racke, till shee sawe the keeper tourne towarde the Clincke againe.Elizabeth Yoūg commaunded agayne to the Clinke. And thus did God alienate their heartes and diminish their tyrānous power, vntounto the time of further examination: for she was brought before the byshop, the Deane, and the Chauncellour, and other Commissioners, first and last thirteene times.
The fourth examination was before the Byshop of London, Syr Roger Cholmley, Doctour Cooke, the Recorder of London, Doctour Roper of Kent, and Doctour Martin, as concerning her faith. &c.
FIrste, shee being presented by Doctour Martin, before the Bishop of London. Doctour Martin beganne to declare against her, saying: The Lord Chauncellour hath sent you heere a woman, which hath brought bookes ouer from Emden, where al these bookes of heresie and treason are printed, and hathe therewith filled all the lande wyth Treason and heresie:The 4 examination of Elizabeth Young. neither yet will shee confesse, who translated them, nor who printed them, nor yet who sent them ouer. Wherfore my Lord Chācellor committeth her vntounto my Lorde of London, he to doe with her as he shall thinke good.D. Martyn presenteth her to the Commissiners. For shee will confesse nothing, but that shee bought these said bookes in Hamsterdame, and so brought them ouer to sell for gaine.
D. Cooke.
Let her heade be trussed in a small line, & make her to confesse.
Martin.
The booke called Antichrist.The booke is called Antichrist, and so may it be wel called, for it speaketh against Iesus Christ & the Queene. And besides that, shee hathe a certaine sparke of the Anabaptists, for she refuseth to sweare vponupon the iiij. Euangelistes before a Iudge: For I my selfe and M. Hussy hauehave had her before vsus foure times, but we can not bring her to sweare. Wherfore my Lord Chauncellor would that shee should absteine & fast,Elizabeth Young a great while in the Clinke. for she hath not fasted a great while: For she hathe laine in the Clincke a good while, where she hath had too much her libertie.
Then said the bishop: why wilt thou not sweare before a Iudge? that is the right trade of the Anabaptists.
Eliz.
My Lord, I wil not sweare that this hand is mine.
No, sayd the bishop? and why?
Eliz.
Elizabeth Young refuseth to sweare and why.My Lorde, Christ sayeth, that what soeuer is more then yea, yea, or nay, nay, it commeth of euill. And moreouer, I know not what an oth is: and therefore I wil take no such thing vponupon me.
Then saide Cholmley: xx. pounde, it is a man in a woman clothes: xx. pound it is a man.
Boner.
Elizabeth Young thought to be no womā.Thinke you so my Lord?
Cholm.
Yea, my Lord. &c.
Eliz.
My Lord, I am a woman.
Bish.
Sweare her vponupon a booke, seeing it is but a question asked.
Then said Cholmley: I will lay twentie pounde it is a man.
Then D. Cooke brought her a booke, commanding her to lay thereon her hande.
Eliz.
No, my Lorde, I will not sweare: for I knowe not what an oth is. But I say that I am a woman, and hauehave children.
Bish.
That know not we: wherefore sweare.
Cholmley.
Thou yll fauoured whore, lay thy hande vponupon the booke: I will lay on myne, and so he laied his hande vponupon the booke.
Eliz
So will not I mine.
Then the Bishop spake a woorde in Latine, out of S. Paule, as concerning swearing.
Elizab.
My Lorde, if you speake to mee of S. Paule, then speake English, for I vnderstand you not.
The bish.
I dare sweare that thou doest not.
Eliz.
My Lord: S. Paul saith, that fiue wordes spoken in a language that may be vnderstand, is better then manye in a foreine or strange tongue which is vnknowen.
Doctor Cooke.
Sweare before vsus whether thou be a man or a woman.
Eliz.
If ye wil not beleue me, then send for women into a secrete place, and I will be tried.
Cholm.
Thou art an ill fauored whore.
Then said the Bishop: How beleeuest thou in the Sacrament of the altar?Sacrament of the Aultar.
Eliza.
My Lorde: if it will please you that I shall declare mine owne faith, I will.
The bish.
Tell me how thou beleeuest in the sacrament of the altar.
Eliza.
Will it please you that I shall declare my Faithe? And if it be not good, then teach me a better, and I wil beleeue it.
D. Cooke
That is well sayd, declare thy faith.
Eliz.
I beleeue in God the Father almighty, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost,The confession and fayth of Elizabeth Young. three persons and one God. I beleue all the Articles of my Crede. I beleeue al things wrytten in the holy Scripture, and all thinges agreeable wyth the Scripture, geuen by the holy Ghoste into the Churche of Christ, set forth and taught by ye church of Christ. I beleue that Iesus Christ the only sonne of God, that immaculate Lamb, came into the world to saue sinners, & that in him, by him,The Sacrament to be receaued in spirite and fayth. & throughe him I am made cleane frō my sinnes, and without him I coulde not. I beleeue that in the holy sacrament of Christes body and bloud, which he did institute and ordaine, and left among his Disciples the nyght before he was betraied, whē I do receiue his Sacrament in faith and spirite, I do receiue Christ.
Bish.
No more, I warrant you, but the sacramēt of Christes body and bloud, receiued but in spirit and faith, wyth those heretiques.
Cholm.
Ah whoore, spirite and faith, whoore?
Eliz.
This sacrament neuer man coulde or did make, but only he that did, which no man could do.Cholmley cannot abyde spirite and fayth. Institution of the Sacrament by Christ onelyonly once for all.
Mart.
Then thou must allowe that grasse is a sacrament: for who could make grasse but he only?
Eliz.
Syr, he hathe suffered, and made a sufficient Sacrifice once for all, and so hath he made hys Sacrament sufficient once for all, for there was neuer man that could say: Take, eate, this is my body that is broken for you, but only Iesus Christ, who had his body broken for the sinnes of the world: which Sacrament he hath left here amongst vsus for a testimonial of his death, euen to the worldes ende.
Mart.
Who taught thee this doctrine? did Scorie?
Eliz.
Yea, Bishop Scorie and other that I hauehave heard.
Bish.
Why, is Scory Bishop now?
Eliz.
If that doe offende you, call him Docteur Scorie, if yee will.
Roper.
I knew when he was but a poore Doctour.
Mart.
What doe ye call Scorie?
Eliz.
Our Superintendent.
Bish.
Loe, their Superindent.
Mart.
And what are ye called?
Eliz.
Christes congregation.
Bish.
Lo, Christes congregation, I warrant you.
Doctor Cooke.
What liuing hath Scorie?
Eliz.
Sir, as farre as I do know, he liueth by his owne, for I know no man that geueth him ought.
Recorder.
Yes, I warrant you, he hath enough sent hym out of England.
Eliz.
Syr, I know no such thing.
Cholm.
Harke whore, harke: harke how I do beleeue.
Eliz.
My Lord, I hauehave tolde you my beliefe.
Cholmley.
Harke, thou yll fauoured whoore, howe I doe beleeue.Confession of Cholmleys fayth. When the Priest hath spoken the wordes of Consecration, I do beleue that there remaineth the very body that was borne of the virgine Marie, was hanged on the crosse, was deade and buried, and descended into hell, and rose againe on the thirde day, and ascended to heauen, and sitteth at the right hand of God. The same body when the priest hath spoken the woords, commeth down, and when the priest lifteth vp his body on this wise (he lifting vp his handes) sayd there it is.
Eliz.
I hauehave tolde you also how I do beleeue.
Mart.
Away with her.
Cholmley.
Ah euill fauoured whore, nothing but spirit and faith whore?
Mart.
Away with her, we hauehave more to talke withall.
Then was shee caried into the Colehouse,Elizabeth Young caryed into the stockhouse. and searched for bookes, and then put into the stockhouse, and her knife girdle, and aporne taken from her.
The fifth examination before the Bishop of Londons Chancellour. &c.
THen was she brought out of the stockhouse & brought before the bishops Chauncellour,The 5 examination of Elizabeth Young. who required of her what age shee was of.
Eliz.
Sir, fortie yeares and vpwardes.
The Chauncellour.
Why, thou art a woman of a faire yeares: what shouldest thou meddle with the Scriptures? it is necessary for thee to beleeue, and that is inoughe. It is more sitte for thee to meddle with thy distaff, then to meddle with the Scriptures. What is thy beliefe? I woulde heare it: for it can not be good, in that thou art brought into prison.
Eliz.
Syr, if it will please you to heare it,Elizabeth Young offereth agayne to declare her beliefe. I will declare it vntounto you. But I praye you that you will take your pen and wryte it, and then examine it: and if ye find any thing therein that is not fit for a Christian woman, then teache me better, and I will learne it.
Chaunc.
Wel said. But who shalbe Iudge betwene thee and me?
Elizab.
The Scripture.
Chaunc.
Wilt thou stand by that?
Eliz.
Yea sir.
Chaunc.
Wel, go thy way out at the doore a litle while, for I am busie, and I will call for thee anon againe.
Then he called me againe, and said: Nowe woman, the time is too long to wryte. Say thy minde, and I wil bear it in my head.
Then Elizabeth began, and declared her faith to him, as shee had done before the Bishop.
Chaunc.
Woman, spirit and faith I do allow,Really, Corporally, Substantially. but dost not thou beleeue that thou doest receiue the body of Christ really, corporally, and substantially?
Eliz.
These wordes really and corporally, I vnderstond not: as for substantially, I take it, ye meane I should beleue that I should receiue his humane body (which is vponupon the right hand of God, and can occupy no moe places at once) and that beleeue not I.Fayth commeth of God: Ergo, no vntruth ought to be beleued. Christ is fleshe of our fleshe, but not in our fleshe. Iohn. 6.
Chanc.
Thou must beleeue this, or els thou art damned.
Eliz.
Sir, can ye geue me beliefe or fayth?
Chanc.
No, God must geue it thee.
Eliz.
God hath geuen me no such fayth or beliefe.
The Chauncellor then declared a text of S. Paule in Latine, and then in English, saying: I could make thee beleeue, but that thou hast a cankered heart, and wilt not beleeue. Who then can make thee to beleeue?
Eliz.
You sayd euen now, that fayth or beliefe commeth of God, and so beleeue I, and then may not I beleue an vntruth to be a truth.
Chanc.
Doest thou not beleeue that Christes flesh is flesh in thy flesh?
Eliz.
No sir, I beleeue not that, for my flesh shall putrifie and rot.
Chanc.
Christ sayd, my flesh is flesh in flesh.
Eliz.
Who so receiueth him fleshly, shall hauehave a fleshly resurrection.
Chanc.
Christ sayeth in the 6. of Iohn: My fleshe is meate in deed, and my bloud is drinke in deed.
Eliz.
This man dare not expound… the Scripture, yet he dare …dge vponupon heresie. The Papists dare not assure them selues to hauehave the holy Ghost. The Capernaites faith. The place of Iohn. cap. 6. expounded how Christes fleshe is meate.Christ preached to the Capernaits, saying: Except ye eate the flesh of the sonne of man, and drinke his bloud, ye shall not hauehave lyfe in you: and the Capernaites murmured at it. And his Disciples also murmured, saying among themselues: This is an hard saying, and who can abide it? Christe vnderstoode their meanyng, and sayde: Are ye also offended? Will ye also goe away? What and if ye shall see the sonne of man ascende vp to heauen from whence hee came? will that offende you? It is the spirite that quickeneth, the fleshe profiteth nothyng. I praye you Sir, what meaneth Christ by that?
Chanc.
O God forbid. Would ye hauehave me to interprete the Scriptures? We must leaue that for our olde auncient fathers, which hauehave studied scriptures a long tyme, & hauehave the holy ghost geuen vntounto them.
Eliz.
Why sir, hauehave ye not the holy ghost geuen and reuealed vntounto you?
Chanc.
No, God forbid that I should so beleeue: but I hope, I hope: But ye say, ye are of the spirit. Will you say that ye hauehave no profit in Christes flesh?
Eliz.
Sir, we hauehave our profite in Christes flesh, but not as the Capernaites did vnderstand it: For they vnderstoode that they must eate his fleshe as they did eate Oxe fleshe and other, and drinke his bloud, as we drinke Wyne or Beere out of a Bole. But so we must not receyue it. But our profite that we hauehave by Christ, is to beleeue that hys body was broken vponupon the Crosse, and his bloude shedde for our sinnes: That is the very meanyng of Christ, that so we should eate his fleshe, and drinke hys bloude, when he sayde: My fleshe is meate in deede, and my bloud is drinke in deede.
Chanc.
How doth thy body lyue, if Christes flesh bee not flesh in thy flesh?
Eliz.
Sir, I was a body before I had a soule: which body God had created, & yet it could not lyue, til God had breathed lyfe into me, and by that lyfe doth my body lyue. And when it shall please God to dissolue my lyfe, my flesh will offer it selfe vntounto the place from whence it came, & through the merites of Christ, my soule wil offer it selfe to the place from whence it came.
Chanc.
Yea, but if thou doe not beleeue that Christes flesh is flesh in thy flesh, thou canst not be saued.
Eliz.
Christes flesh is flesh in our flesh, say the Papistes.Sir, I do not beleeue that.
Chauncel.
Why, doth not Christ saye: My fleshe is meate in deede, and my bloude is drinke in deede? Canst thou denye that?
Eliz.
I denye not that: for Christes fleshe and bloude is meate and drinke for my soule,Christes fleshe is meate for our soule, by the Christians. the foode of my soule. For who so euer beleeueth that Iesus Christ the sonne of God hath dyed and shed his bloud for his sinnes, his soule feedeth thereon for euer.
Chauncel.
When thou receiuest the Sacrament of the aultar, doest thou not beleeue that thou doest receiue Christes body?
Eliz.
Sir, when I do receiue the Sacrament which Christ did institute and ordaine the night before he was betraied, and left among hys Disciples, as often (I say) as I receiue it, I beleeue that spiritually, and by fayth I receyue Christ. And of this Sacrament, I knowe Christ himselfe to be the author, and none but hee. And this same Sacrament is an establishment to my conscience,In the Sacrament ministred & receaued according to Christes institution, we receaue Christ. & an augmenting to my fayth.
Chaunc.
Why did not Christ take bread and gaue thankes, and brake it, and gaue it to his Disciples, and sayde: Take, eate, this is my body that is geuen for you? Did he geue them his body, or no?
Elizabeth.
He also tooke the cuppe and gaue thankes to his Father, and gaue it vntounto his Disciples, saying: Drynke ye all hereof: for this is the Cuppe of the newe Testament in my bloude which shall bee shedde for many. Nowe I praye you Sir, let me aske you one question:One question solued by an other. Dyd he geue the cuppe the name of hys bloud, or els the wyne that was in the cuppe?
Then was he very angry and sayd: Doest thou think that thou hast an hedge priest in hand?
Eliz.
No sir, I take you not to bee an hedge priest. I take you for a Doctor.
Chauncel.
So me thinketh: Thou wilt take vponupon thee to teach me.
Eliz.
No sir: But I let you know what I know: and by argument one shall know more.
Christ sayd: As oft as ye do this, The Sacrament a witnes both of Christes death and of his comming agayne.do it in the remembrance of me: but a remembrance is not of a thing present, but absent. Also S. Paule saith: So oft as ye shall eate of this bread, and drinke of this cup, ye shall shew forth the Lordes death till he come. Then we may not looke for hym here, vntill his cō myng agayne at the latter day. Agayne, is not this article of our beliefe true: He sitteth at the right hand of God the father almighty: from thence he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead? But if hee shall not come,Christes body occupyeth but one place at once. before hee come to iudgement, then how is he here present in your sacrament of the aultar? Wherefore I beleeue that the humaine bodye of Christ occupieth no more but one place at once, for when he was here, he was not there.
¶The sixt examination before the sayd Chauncellor.
WHo sayd vntounto her: Woman, the last tyme that thou wast before me,The 6 examination of Elizabeth Young. our talke was concernyng the Sacrament.
Eliz.
Sir, true it is, and I trust that I sayd nothyng that ye can deny by the scriptures.
Chanc.
Yes thou wilt not beleeue that Christes fleshe is flesh in thy flesh.The fleshly reason of the Papistes.
Eliz.
No sir, God hath geuen me no such beliefe, for it can not be found by the scriptures.
Chanc.
Wilt thou beleue nothing but what is in the scripture? Why, how many Sacraments doest thou find in the Scripture?
Eliz.
The church of Christ doth set forth twaine.
Chanc.
I will as well finde seuen by the scripture, as thou shalt finde twaine.
Eliz.
Sir, I talke not to you thereof, but I saye that the church of Christ setteth out twaine,Name of Sacramentes geuen by the Church. & I hauehave bene taught no more.
Chanc.
What are those twaine?
Eliz.
The Sacrament of Christes body and bloud, and the sacrament of Baptise.
Chauncellour.
What sayest thou by the Sacramente of Wedlocke?Two Sacramentes. Wedlocke.
Eliz.
I hauehave not heard it called a Sacrament, but the holy estate of matrimony, which ought to be kept of all mē that take it vponupon them.
Chanc.
How sayest thou by Priestes?Priestes mariage. Is it good that they should marrie? is it to be kept of them?
Eliz.
I come not hither to reason any such matters, for I am no Diuine, and also it is no part of my faith.
Chanc.
Can ye not tell? ye shall tell or euer you go.
Eliz.
Sir, then must ye keepe me a good while, for I hauehave not studied the scriptures for it.
Chaunc.
No? why, ye will not be ashamed to flee vntounto the highest mysterie, euen to the Sacrament at the first dashe, and ye are not afrayd to argue with the best doctour in the lande.
Eliz.
Gods mysteries I will not meddle wt, but all things that are written, are written for our edification.Praying for the dead.
Chanc.
What say ye by prayer for the dead? is it not meete that if a mans friend be dead, his friend cōmend his soule vntounto God?
Eliz.
There is no Christian man that will commend hys friend nor his foe, vntounto the Deuill. And whether it be good for him, when he is dead or no, sure I am, that it is good when he is alyue.
Chaunc.
Then thou allowest not prayer to bee good for thē when they be dead, & lying in Purgatory.Purgatory. Is it not meete that prayer be made vntounto God for them?
Eliz.
Sir, I neuer heard in the Scriptures of Purgatory, but in the scripture I hauehave heard of heauen and hell.
Chaunc.
Why,Oblation for the dead. ye hauehave nothyng but the skimmyng of the Scriptures, Our auncient fathers could finde out in the bottome of the scriptures that there is a Purgatory. Yea, they could finde it in the new testament, that a Priest shall take the Sacrament and go to the aultar and make an oblation and offer it vp eueryevery day.
Eliz
Sir, that could neuer be found in the Bible nor Testament, as farre as euer I could heare.
Chanc.
Whome doest thou heare read either the Bible or Testament, but a sorte of chismatikes, bawdie Byshops, and hedge Priests (which hauehave brought into the Churche a stinkyng Communion,The holy Communion blasphemed. which was neuer heard of in any place in the world, but here in England) whiche hauehave deceyued the king and all the Nobilitie, and all the whole Realme.
Eliz.
Sir, it is a vile name that ye geue them all.
Chanc.
Where are all the hedge knaues become now, that they come not to their answer?
Eliz.
So many Martyrs hauehave beene sl…y…e, and yet the Papistes bragge, as though none will come forth to aunswere them.Aunswer Sir? why, they hauehave aunswered both with the Scriptures and also with their bloud, and then where were you that ye came not forth to answer in their times? I neuer knew none of you that were troubled, but twain and that was not for Gods worde, it was for their disobedience?
Chaunc.
No I pray you? did ye not knowe that we were killed, hanged, burned, and headed.
Eliz.
Sir, I neuer knew that any of you euer was eyther hanged, killed, burned or headed.
Chanc.
Fysher B. of Rochester.No? did ye neuer heare that the Byshop of Rochester lost hys head for the supremacie of the Bishoppes of Rome.
Eliz
Then he died not for Gods word.
Chaunc.
Nothing to be receaued to salua…ion but onelyonly that which is found or founded in Scripture.Well, thou wilt beleeue nothyng but that which is written in Gods worde. Where canst thou finde the Saboth written in the Scripture, by the name of the Saboth? For the right Saboth day I will prooue to be Saterday. Or where canst thou finde the Articles of ye Creede in the Scripture by the name of the Articles? Or where canst thou find in the Scripture that Christ went downe into hell.
Eliz.
What place or part in the scripture can ye finde for to disprooue any of these things?
Chaunc.
What priest hast thou lyen withall, that thou hast so much Scripture? Thou art some Priestes woman, I thinke, for thou wilt take vppon thee to reason and teach, the best Doctor in all the land, thou.
Eliz.
I was neuer yet Prieests wyfe, nor yet Priests woman.
Chanc.
HaueHave I touched your conscience?
Eliz.
No Sir, ye hauehave not touched my conscience, but beware ye hurt not your owne.
Chanc.
Thou hast red a little in the Bible or Testament, & thou thinkest that thou art able to reason with a Doctor that hath gone to schoole thirtie yeares:But we read not that Christ did draw them into pri…ons and condemned them to be burnt that would not c…me. Eliz…beth Yoūg deemed … heretick because shee beleeueth all thinges written and agreeable to the Scripture & nothing els. and before God, I thinke if I had talked thus much with a Iewe, as I hauehave done with thee, he would hauehave turned ere this time. But I may say by you as Christ sayd by Ierusalem, saying: O Ierusalem, Ierusalem, how ofte would I hauehave gathered thee together: euen as a henne gathereth her chickens, but thou wouldst not. And so would we gather you together in one fayth, but ye will not: and therfore your owne bloude bee vponupon your own heds, for I can do no more but teach you. Thou art one of the rankest heretikes that euer I heard, for thou beleeuest nothyng but what is in the Scripture, and therfore thou art damned.
Eliz.
I do beleeue all thinges written in the scripture, and all things agreeable with the scripture, geuen by the holy Ghost into the church of Christ, set forth and taught by the church of Christ,Elizabeth Young had to the Stockhouse, and then to the Lollardes Tower. and shall I be damned because I beleue the truth, and will not beleeue an vntruth?
Then the Chancellor called the keper, saying: Clunie take her away, thou knowest what thou hast to doe with her. And so she departed and was brought agayne to the stockhouse, and there she lay certaine dayes and both her hands ma…acled in one iron: and afterward was remooued into the Lollards Tower, and there she remained wt both her feete in the stockes and irons till the next tyme of examination.
¶The 7. examination before the Chancellor and the Bishops Scribe.
WHen she was brought before the sayd Chancellour and the Scribe,The 7. examination of Elizabeth Young. the Chancellor sayd vntounto her: Woman, thou hast bene twise before me, but thou & I coulde not agree: and here be certaine articles that my Lorde the B. of London would that thou shouldst make answer vntounto, which are these. First, how many Sacramentes thou doest allow.
Eliz.
Sir, as many as Christes Church doth allowe, and that is twaine.
Then sayd the Scribe.Two Sacramente…. Thou wast taught 7. before K. Edwards dayes.
Chanc.
Which two Sacraments bee those that thou doest allow?
Eliz.
The sacrament of the body & bloud of Iesus Christ, and the sacrament of Baptisme.
Chaunc.
Doest thou not beleeue that the Pope of Rome is the supreme head of the Church, immediately vnderunder God in earth?
Eliz.
No sir, no man can be the head of Christes Churche: for Christ himselfe is the head,Head of the Church▪ and hys word is the gouernour of all that be of that Church, where so euer they bee scattred abroad.
Chanc.
Doest thou not beleeue that the Byshop of Rome can forgeue thee all thy sinnes, hereticall, detestable, and damnable, that thou hast done from thine infancie vntounto this day?
Eliz.
Sir, the Bishop of Rome is a sinner as I am, and no man can forgeue me my sinnes,Byshop of Rome. but hee onelyonly that is without sinne, and that is Iesus Christ whiche dyed for my sinnes.
Chanc▪
Doest thou not know that the Pope sent ouer hys Iubilies, that all that euer would fast and pray, and go to the church, should hauehave their sinnes forgeuen them.
The Scribe.
Sir, I thinke that she was not in the Realme then.
Chanc.
Hast thou not desired God to defend thee from the tiranny of the Bishop of Rome,From the Byshop of Rome and all his detestable enormities. and all his detestable enormities?
Eliz
Yes that I hauehave.
Chanc.
And art thou not sory for it?
Eliz.
No sir, not a whit.
Chanc.
Hast thou not sayd, that the Masse was wicked, & the sacrament of the aultar most abhominable?
Eliz
Yes that I hauehave.
Chanc.
And art thou not sory for it?
Eliz.
No sir, not a whit.
Chanc.
Art thou content for to go to the Church and heare Masse?
Eliz.
I will not goe to the church, either to Masse or Mattins, till I may heare it in a tong, that I can vnderstand: for I will be fed no longer in a strange language. And alwaies the Scribe did write eueryevery of these articles, as they were demanded, and answered vntounto.
Then the Scribe asked her from whence she came.
The Chauncellor sayd: this is she that brought ouer all these bookes of heresie and treason.
Then sayd the Scribe to her: Woman, where haddest thou all these bookes?
Eliz.
I bought them in Amsterdam, and brought them ouer to sell, thinking to gayne thereby.
Then sayd the Scribe, what is the name of the booke?
Eliz
I cannot tell.
The Scribe.
Why, wouldst thou buy bookes and knowe not their names?
Then sayd Cluny the keeper: Sir, my L. Bishop did sende for her by name that she should come to Masse, but she would not.
Chanc.
Yea, did my Lord send for her by name, and would she not go to masse?
Eliz.
No sir, I will neuer go to masse, till I do vnderstand it, by the leaue of God.Elizabeth Young refuseth to go to Masse.
Chanc.
Understand it? why, who the deuill can make thee to vnderstand Latine, thou beyng so old?
Then the Scribe commaunded her to set to her hande to all these sayd thyngs.
Elizabeth sayd: sir, then let me heare it read first.
Then sayd the Scribe, M. Chauncellor, shal she heare it read?
Chanc.
Yea, let the heretike heare it read.Elizabeth Young setteth her hand to her examination.
Then she heard it read, and so she set to her hand.
¶The eight examination before the Bishop.
WHen she was brought before the B. he asked the keper: is this the woman that hath the three children?The 8. examination of Elizabeth Young.
And the keeper sayd: yea my Lord.
Bish.
Woman, here is a supplication put vntounto my handes for thee. In lyke case there was another supplication put vp to me for thee afore this, in the which thou madest as though that I should keepe thy children.
Eliz.
My L. I did not know of this supplication, nor yet of the other.
Then said the Bish. M. Deane,The Deane made sute for El…zabeth Yoūg. is this the womā that ye hauehave sued so earnestly for?
The Deane.
Yea, my Lord.
The Deane.
Woman, what remaineth in the sacrament of the aultar, when and after that the Priest hath spoken the words of consecration?
Eliz.
A piece of bread. But the Sacrament of Christes body and bloud, which he did institute and leaue amongest his disciples the night before he was betrayed, ministred according to his word, that sacrament I do beleeue.
The Deane.
How doest thou beleeue concernyng the bodye of Christ? where is his body, and how many bodies hath hee?
Eliz.
Sir, in heauen, he sitteth on the right hand of God.
The Deane.
From whence came his humane body?
Eliz.
He tooke it of the Uirgin Mary.
The Deane.
That is flesh, bloud, & bones, as mine is. But what shape hath his spirituall body? hath it face, handes, and feete?
Eliz.
I knowe no other body that he hath, but that bodye whereof he ment when he sayd: This is my body whiche is geuen for you: and this is my bloud which shall be shed for you. Whereby he plainly meaneth that body & no other, which he tooke of the virgin Mary, hauyng the perfect shape and proportion of a humane body.
Story.
Story.Then said Story: Ye hauehave a wise body, for ye must go to the stake.
The Deane.
Art thou content to beleeue in the faith of Christes Church? But to aske of thee what Christes church is, or where it is, I let it passe.
Eliz.
Sir, to that church I hauehave ioyned my faith, and from it I purpose neuer to turne by Gods helpe.
The Deane.
Wouldst thou not be at home with thy children with a good will?
Eliz.
Sir, if it please God to geue me leaue.
The Deane
Art thou content to confesse thy selfe to bee an ignorant and a foolsh woman, and to beleeue as our holy Father the Pope of Rome doth, and as the Lorde Cardinals grace doth, and as my Lord the Bishop of London thine Ordinary doth, and as the Kinges grace and the Queenes grace,The beliefe … the Pap…es followeth the multitude. True belief dependeth not vponupon men, but vponupon the … of Gods word. and all the Nobilitie of England do: yea, and the Emperors grace, and all the noble princes in christendome.
Eliz
Sir, I was neuer wise, but in fewe wordes I shall make you a briefe answer how I do beleeue. I do beleeue all thynges that are written in the Scriptures geuen by the holy Ghost vntounto the Church of Christ, set foorth and taught by the church of Christ. Hereon I ground my faith and on no man.
Then said Story: and who shall be Iudge?
Eliz.
Sir, the scripture.
Story.
And who shall read it?
Elizabeth.
He vntounto whom God hath geuen the vnderstandyng.
Bish.
Womā, be reformable, for I would thou were gone, and M. Deane heare hath earnestly sued for thee.
Deane.
Woman, I hauehave sued for thee in deede, and I promise thee if thou wilt be reformable, my Lord will be good vntounto thee.
Elizabeth.
I hauehave bene before my Lord Bishop, and before Maister Chauncellour three times, and hauehave declared my fayth.
Deane.
And yet I know that M. Chancellor will say, that thou art a ranke heretike.
Story.
Away with her.
Bish.
Elizabeth Young committed to the Deane.M. Deane, ye knowe that I may not tary, nor you neither. Let her keeper bryng her home to your own chā ber soone at foure a clocke at after noone, and if that ye find her reasonable, then let her goe, for I would that she were gone.
Then sayd the Deane, with a good will, my Lord: and so she was sent vntounto the place from whence she came, vntill it was 4. of the clocke at afternoone.
¶The ix. examination before the Deane, before whom it pleased God to deliuer her.
The 9▪ exami…ation of …lizabeth Young.WHen it was 4. of the clock at afternoone, as ye houre was appointed, & the Deane was set, he asked her: Art thou a foole now as thou wast to day?
Eliz.
Sir, I hauehave learned but small wisedome since.
Deane.
Doest thou thynke that I am better learned then thou?Talke betweene the Deane and Elizabeth Young a…ut receauing the Sacrament▪
Eliz.
Yes sir, that I do.
Deane.
Thinkest thou that I can do thee good?
Eliz.
Yea sir, and if it please God that ye will.
Deane.
Then I wyll doe thee good in deede. What doest thou receyue when thou receyuest the Sacrament which Christ left among his Disciples the night before hee was betrayed?
Eliz.
Sir, that that his Disciples did receiue.
Deane.
What did they receyue?
Eliz.
Sir, that that Christ gaue them, they receyued.
Deane.
What aunswere is this? Was Christ there present?
Eliz.
Sir, he was there present, for he instituted his owne sacrament.
Deane.
He tooke bread, and he brake it, and gaue it to hys disciples, and sayd: Take, eate, this is my body which shall bee broken for you. When thou receiuest it, doest thou beleeue that thou receiuest his body?
Eliz
Sir, when I receiue, I beleeue that through faith I do receiue Christ.
Deane.
Doest thou beleeue that Christ is there?
Eliz.
Sir, I beleeue that he is there to me,Christ … …bsent from his Sacramentes. and by fayth I do receyue hym.
Deane.
He also tooke the cup and gaue thanks, and gaue it to his Disciples, and sayd: Drinke ye all hereof. This is the cup of the new Testament in my bloude, which is shed for many for the remission of sinnes. When thou doest receiue it after the institution that Christ ordained among his Disciples, the night before he was betraied, doest thou beleeue that Christ is there?
Eliz.
Sir, by faith I beleeue that he is there, and by fayth I do beleeue that I do receiue hym.
Deane.
Now thou hast answered me. Remēber that thou sayest, that when thou doest receiue according to the institution of Christ, thou doest receiue Christ.
Eliz.
Sir, I beleeue Christ not to be absent from his owne sacrament.
Deane.
How long wilt thou continue in that beliefe?
Eliz.
Sir, as long as I do lyue by the help of God: for it is and hath bene my beliefe.
Deane.
Wilt thou say this, before my Lord?
Eliz.
Yea sir.
Deane.
Then I dare deliuer thee. Why, thou Calfe, why wouldst thou not say so to day?
Eliz.
Sir, ye asked me no such question.
Deane.
Then ye would stande in disputation how manye bodies Christ had.
Eliz.
Sir, in deed that question ye did aske me.
Deane.
Who shall bee thy Sureties that thou wylte appeare before my Lorde of London and me, vponupon Friday nexte?
Eliz.
Sir, I hauehave no Sureties, nor knowe not where to hauehave.
Then spake the Deane vntounto two women that stoode there, who had earnestly sued for her, saying: women,Two women suretyes for Elizabeth Young. wil ye be her sureties that she shall appeare before my Lord of London and me, vponupon Friday next.
The Women.
Yea sir, and it please you.
Deane.
Take heede that I finde you no more a brabler in the Scripture.
Eliz.
Sir, I am no brabler in the Scripture, nor yet any man can burthen me therewith.
Deane.
Yes, I hauehave hearde of you well enough what ye are.
Then sayde hee to the two Women: what if a man should touch your conscience, do ye not smell a little of heresie also?
The women.
No sir.
Deane.
Yes, a litle of the frying pan, or els wherefore hauehave ye twaine so earnestly sued for her?
The one woman aunswered, because that her children were lyke to perish, and therefore God put me in mynd to sue for her.
Then sayd the other woman: And I gate her chyld a Nurse, and I am threatened to stande to the keepyng of her chylde, and therfore it standeth me in hand for to sue to hauehave her out.
Deane.
Woman, geue thankes vntounto these honest women who hauehave so earnestly sued for thee,Elizabeth Yoūg vponupon suretyes deliuered. and I promise thee so hauehave I. These great heretikes will receiue nothyng but in spirit and fayth, and so he rose and departed.
Eliz.
Sir, God be praysed, & I thanke you for your goodnes and theirs also, and so he went away: & vponupon the friday next because she was acrased, her two sureties wente thither and were discharged.