Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2 — John Foxe

Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2 · John Foxe

¶The death and Martyrdome of Iohn Rough Minister, and Margaret Mearing burned at London the 22. of December.

IN this furious time of persecution, were also burned these two constant and faythfull Martyrs of Christ, Iohn Rough a Minister,December. 22. Iohn Rough, Margaret Mearing, Martyrs. and Margaret Mearing.

This Rough was borne in Scotland, who (as himselfe confesseth in his aunsweres to Boners Articles) because some of his kinsfolke woulde hauehave kept hym frō his right of inheritaunce which he had to certaine landes, did at the age of xvij. yeares,A zealous occasion of a Frierly profession. in despite (and the rather to displease his frendes) professe himselfe into the order of the blacke Friers at Sterling in Scotlande: where he remained the space of xvj. yeres, vntill such time as the Lord Hamulton, Earle of Arren, and gouernour of the Realme of Scotland aforesayde (casting a fauour vntounto hym) did sue vntounto the Archbishop of Saynt Andrewes, to hauehave him out of his professed order, that as a Seculare Prieste he might serue hym for his Chapleine. At which request the Archbishoppe caused the Prouincial of that house, hauing thereto authority, to dispence with hym for his habite and order.

This sute beyng thus by the Earle obteined, the sayde Rough remayned in his seruice one whole yeare:Iohn Rough first called to the truth. duryng which time it pleased God to open his eyes, and to geue him some knowledge of his truth, and thereupon was by the sayd gouernour sent to preach in the freedome of Ayre, where he continued foure yeares, and then after the death of the Cardinall of Scotland, he was appoynted to abyde at S. Andrewes, and there had assigned vntounto him a yearely pension of xx. pound from king Henry the eight Kyng of England. Howbeit, at last waying with himselfe hys owne daūger, and also abhorring the Idolatry and superstition of this countrey, and hearing of the freedome of the Gospell within this Realme of England, he determyned with himselfe not to tary any longer there: And therefore soone after the battel of Muscle bourough, he came first vntounto Carliell, and from thence vntounto the Duke of Somerset, then Lord Protectour of England,Iohn Rough first comming to England in K. Edwardes tyme. and by his assignment had appoynted vntounto him out of the Kinges treasurye xx. poundes of yearely stipend, and was sent (as a Preacher) to serue at Carliell, Barwicke, and Newcastell. From whence (after he had there, according to the lawes of God and also of this Realme, taken a countrey woman of hys to wife) he was called by the Archbyshoppe of Yorke that then was, vntounto a benefice nighe in the Towne of Hull: where he continued vntill the death of that blessed & good king Edward the 6.

But in the beginning of the reigne of Queene Marye (perceyuyng the alteration of Religion, and the persecution that woulde thereupon arise, and feeling hys owne weakenes) he fled with his wife into Friseland,Iohn Rough with his wyfe flieth into Friseland. & dwelte there at a place called Norden, labouring truely for his liuing, in knitting of Cappes, hose, and such like thinges, till about the end of the monethmonth of October last before hys death. At which tyme, lacking yearne and other suche necessary prouision for the mainteinaunce of his occupation, he came ouer againe into England, here to prouide for the same, and the x. daye of Nouember arriued at London. Where hearing of the secret society, and holy Congregation of Gods children there assembled, he ioyned himselfe vntounto them,Iohn Rough ioyneth himself to the congregation at London. and afterwardes being elected theyr Minister and Preacher, did continue moste vertuously exercised in that Godly felowshippe, teaching and confirming them in the trueth and Gospell of Christ. But in the ende (suche was the prouidence of God, who disposeth all thinges to the best, the xij. day of December, he with Cutbert Symson and others,Anno 1557. December. through the crafty and trayterous suggestion of a false Hipocrite and dissembling Brother called Roger Sergeaunt, a taylour, were apprehended by the Uicechamberlayne of the Queenes house, at the Saracēs head in Islington:Iohn Rough apprehended & by whom. where the Congregation had thē purposed to assemble themselues to theyr Godly and accustomable exercises of prayer, and hearing the word of God: which pretence, for the safegarde of all the rest, they yet at theyr examinations, couered and excused by hearing of a playe that was then appoynted to be at that place. The Uicechamberlayne after he had apprehended them, caried …ough and Symson vntounto the Counsell, who charged thē to hauehave assembled together to celebrate the Communion or Supper of the Lord, and therefore after sundry examinations and aunsweares, they sent the sayd Rough vntounto Newgate: but his examinations they sēt vntounto the bishop of London, with a Letter signed with they handes, the copy wherof foloweth.

¶A Letter sent from the Queenes Councell vntounto Boner, Bishop of London, touching the examination of Iohn Rough Minister.

A letter sent from the Counsell to B. Boner.AFter our harty commendations to your good Lordship, we send you here inclosed the examination of a Scottish man, named Iohn Rough, who by the Queenes Maiesties commaundement is presentlye sent to Newgate, beyng of the chiefe of them that vponupon Sonday last, vnderunder the colour of comming to see a Play at the Saracens head in Islington, had prepared a communion to be celebrated and receiued there among certayne other seditious and hereticall persons. And forasmuch as by the sayde Roughes examination, conteining the story and progresse of hys former life, it well appereth of what sort he is: the queenes highnes hath willed vsus to remit him vntounto your Lordship, to the ende that being called before you out of prison, as ofte as your Lordship shall think good, ye may proceed, both to his further examination, and otherwise ordering of him, according to the lawes, as the case shall require. And thus we bidde your Lordshippe hartely well to fare. From Saynt Iames the 15. day of December. 1557.

Your Lordships louing frendes. Nicholas Ebor. Persecutours.F. Shrewsbery. Edward Hastinges. Antony Mountague. Iohn Bourne. Henry Iernegam.

Boner nowe minding to make quicke dispatche, dyd wythin three dayes after the receipt of the Letter (the xviij. day of December) send for this Rough out of Newgate, and in his Palace at London ministred vntounto him 12. Articles: Many whereof because they conteine onelyonly questions of the profession and Religion of that age, wherein both he and his Parentes were Christened (which in sū dry places are already mentioned) I doe here for breuity omitte: minding to touche suche onelyonly, as perteyne to matters of fayth now in controuersy, and then chiefely obiected agaynst the Martyrs and Saynts of God, which in effect are these.

1. FIrst, that thou Iohn Rough diddest directly speake agaynst the 7. Sacramentes,Articles agaynst Iohn Rough. Sacrament of the Aultar. Confession. vsed commonlye and reuerently, as thinges of estimation and great worthines in the catholick churche: and also diddest reproue and condemne the substance of the sayd Sacramentes, but especially the Sacrament of the aultar, affirming that in that same is not really and truely the very body & bloud of Christ: and that confession to the priest, and absolution geuen by him (as the minister of Christ) for sinnes, is not necessary or auayleable in any wise.

2. Item, thou hast misliked and reproued the religion and ecclesiasticall seruice, as it is now vsed in this realme, and hast allowed the religion and seruice vsed in the latter yeares of king Edward the 6. and so much as in thee hath leyne,Latin Seruice. hast by word, writing, & deed, set forwardes, taught, and preached the same openly, and in sundry places, affirmed, that the sayde Englishe seruice and doctrine therein conteined, is agreable in all poyntes to Gods word and vntounto the truth, condemning vtterly the Latine seruice nowe vsed in the Queenes reigne, and inducing other by thine example to do the like

3. Item, thou hast in sundrye places within this Realme commended and approued the opinion & doctrine of Thomas Cranmer, late Archbishop of Canterbury. Nicholas Ridley, & Hugh Latimer, concerning the Sacrament of the aultar, affirming that in the Sacrament there remayneth after the wordes of consecration, materiall breade and materiall wine, without any transubstantiation.

4. Item, thou hast in sundrye places of this Realme, since the Queenes reigne, ministred and receiued the Communion as it was vsed in the late daies of king Edward the sixt,Bookes of Communion. and thou knowest, or credibly hast heard of diuers, that yet do keepe bookes of the sayd Communion, and vse the same in priuate houses ou… of the Church, and are of opinion agaynst the Sacrament of the aultar.

5. Item, that thou in sundry places of this realme hast spoken agaynst the Pope of Rome and his Apostolicke sea,Agaynst the Supremacy of the Pope. & hast plainely contemned & despised the authority of the same, misliking & not allowing the faith and doctrine therof, but directly speaking agaynst it, and by thine example hast induced other the subiects of this realme, to speake and do the like.

6. Item, thou doest knowe, and hast bene conuersaunt with all, or a great part of such English men as hauehave fledde out of this Realme for Religion, and hast consented and agreed with them in theyr opinions, and hast succoured, maynteyned, and holpen them, and hast beene a conueyer of theyr seditious Letters and bookes into this realme.

7. Item, that thou hast sayd, that thou hast bene at Rome, and taryed there about 30. dayes or more, and that thou hast sene litle good or none there, but very much euill.Abominable sightes at Rome. Amongest the which thou sawest one great abhomination, that is to say, a man (or the Pope) that shoulde goe on the ground, to bee carried vppon the shoulders of foure men, as though he had bene God and no mā: Also, a Cardinall to hauehave his harlot riding openly behinde hym: And thirdly a Popes Bull that gaue expresse licence to hauehave and vse the stewes, and to keepe open bawdry by the Popes approbation and authority.

8. Item, that thou sithens thy last comming into England out of the parties beyond the sea, hast perniciously allured and comforted diuers of the subiectes of this Realme, both young, olde men, and women, to hauehave and vse the booke of Communion, set forth in this Realme in the latter daies of king Edward the sixt, and hast also thy selfe read and sette forth the same, causing others to doe the like, and to leaue theyr comming to their parish churches to heare the Latine seruice now vsed.

9. Item, that thou the thirde sondaye of Aduent the xij. daye of this December. 1557. wast apprehended at the Saracens heade at Islington, in the county of Middlesexe and dioces of London, by the Queenes Vicechamberlayne, with one Cutbert a Taylour,Cutbert Simson. Hugh Foxe. Hugh a hosier, and diuers other there assembled, vnderunder the colour of hearing a playe, to hauehave read the communion booke, and to hauehave vsed the accustomed fashion, as was in the latter dayes of king Edward the sixt.

The aunsweres of Iohn Rowgh to the foresayd Articles.

1. TO the first he said and confessed that he had spoken against the number of the sayde sacramentes, His aunsweres to the articles▪being fully perswaded that there be but onelyonly two Sacramentes: to wit, baptisme, and the supper of the Lord: and as for the other fiue, he denyed them to be sacramentes, and therefore hath spoken agaynste them. And as concerning the sacrament of the aultar (which he then called the supper of the Lord) he confessed that he had spoken and taught that in the sayde sacrament there is not really and substantially the very body and bloud of Christ, but that the substance of bread and wine doth remayne in the sayde Sacrament, withou any transubstantiation at all. Farther as touching confession of sinnes to the priest, he answered that he thought it necessary, if the offence were done vntounto the priest: but if the offēce were done to another, then confession made to the priest is not necessary, but reconciliation onelyonly to bee made to the partye so offended.

2. To the second, he aunswered that he then did and had before misliked the order of latine seruice then vsed: and also did allowe the seruice vsed in the latter time of King Edwardes reigne, for that the holy scripture doth the same, and therefore he graunted that he did teach and set forth the sayd Englishe seruice, as in the same article is obiected.

3. To the third, he graunted that he had approued the doctrine of the parties articulate as agreable to Gods word, and that they were godly learned men, and such as had perfect vnderstandyng in the contentes of the same article.

4. To the fourth, he aunswered that hee did well like the Communion vsed in Kyng Edwardes dayes, but sayde that he had not ministred or receyued the same here in England since the Queenes reygne, neyther yet knewe any that had the bookes thereof. But on the other side, he knew many that had those bookes, and that there also hee hadde receiued the Communion in sundrye places.

5. The contentes of the fift he graunted to be true.

6. To the sixt, he confessed that he had bene familiar with diuers Englishe menne and women being in Friseland, and agreed with them in opinion, as Maister Scory, Thomas Young, George Roo, and others, to the number of one hundreth persons, whiche fled thither for Religion, vsing there the order set forth in the reigne of king Edward, and otherwise he denyeth the contentes of thys Article.

7. The contentes of the seuenth hee graunted in eueryevery poynt to be true.

Anno 1558. March.8. To the eight he aunswered and confessed that sithens his last comming into England (which was aboue the x. day of Nouember) he had in sundry places in the suburbes of London prayed and read such prayers and seruice, as is appoynted in the booke of the communion, and hadde willed others to doe the like, both men and women, which he did know by sight, but not by name. Howbeit he didde neyther cause any to withdrawe themselues from the Latine seruice, but he sayed that it were better to pray in a tongue that they didde vnderstande, then in an vnknowne tongue.

9. To the ninth, he confessed that the time and place articulate he was present to heare and see a playe, and there was apprehended by the Queenes Maiesties Vicechamberleyne, with one Cutbert a taylour, and one Hugh a hosier, and diuers other both men and women, whose names he knewe not, and by him was brought before the Counsell, who sent him vntounto Newgate, and from thence he was brought to the bishop. And othewise he denieth the contentes of this Article.

Upon these answeres he was dismissed, and the nexte day (being the xix. of December) he was agayne brought before the sayd Byshop and others.An other appearance of Iohn Rough before the Bishop. Who, when they perceiued his constantnesse, determined the nexte day after to bring him openly into the Consistory, there to adiudge, & condemne him as an hereticke. Whiche purpose they accomplished. For the xx. day at afternoone, in the presence of the Byshops of London, and S. Dauides, with Fecknam Abbot of Westminster, and others he was there produced. Where, after muche and many fayre perswasions, Boner read vntounto him the articles, and aunsweres before mentioned, in the which they charged him to hauehave receyued the orders of the church, and therefore might not mary, and that he had refused to consent vntounto the Latine seruice then vsed in the Church. Whereunto he then aunswered and sayde, that theyr orders were no thing at all, and that he being a Prieste might lawfully mary, and that hys children whiche he had by his wife, were lawfull. And as touching the seruice then vsed, he vtterly detested it, saying, that if he should liue as long as did Methusalach yet he would neuer come to the Church to heare the abhominable Masse and other seruice, being as it was then. Upō which wordes the Bishop proceeded to the actuall degradation of the sayde Rough,Ioh. Rough condemned and degraded by Boner. exempting him from all the benefites and priuiledges of theyr Church, and after condemning him as an hereticke, committed his body to the secular power, who taking him into their charge and custody, caried him vntounto Newgate.

Moreouer, as touching the sayde M. Rough, this is further to be noted,A note of Maister Rough. that he being in the North country in the dayes of king Edward the sixt, was the meane to saue Doctor Watsons life (who in queene Maryes tyme was Byshop of Lincolne) for a Sermon that hee made there. The sayd Watson after that, in the sayde dayes of Queene Marye, being with Boner at the examination of the sayde M. Rough, to requite the good turne in sauing his life, de, tected him there to be a pernicious hereticke who did more hurt in the North partes, then an hundreth besides of hys opinions. Unto whom M. Rough sayd agayne. Why sir, is this the rewarde I hauehave for sauing your life, when you preached erroneous doctrine in the dayes of king Edward the sixt? This M. Rough sayd, he had liued thirty yeares, and yet had neuer bowed his knee to Baall: and being before Boner, among other talke, he affirmed that he hadde bene twise at Rome, and there had sene playnely with his eyes, whiche he had manye times heard of before, namelye that the pope was the very Antichrist, for there he saw him caried on mens shoulders, and the false named sacrament borne before him. Yet was there more reuerence geuen to him, then to that which they counted to be theyr GOD. Whē Boner heard this, rising vp, and making as though he would hauehave torne his garmentes: hast thou (sayd hee) bene at Rome, and sene our holy father the Pope, & doest thou blaspheme him after this sort, and with that flying vponupon him he plucked of a piece of his beard:…. Boner plucked of halfe the …eard of Ioh. Rough and after making speedy haste to his death, he burnt him half an houre before sixe of the clocke in the morning, because the day (belike) shoulde not be farre spent, before he had done a mischieuous deed.

Furthermore note that this Mayster Rough being at the burning of Austoo in Smithfield, and returning home ward agayne,An other note concerning Iohn Rough. met with one Mayster Farrar, a Marchant of Hallifaxe, who asked him where hee had beene. Unto whō he aunswered: I hauehave bene (saith he) where I would not for one of mine eyes, but I had bene. Where hauehave you bene, sayd M. Farrar? Forsoothe sayth hee to learne the way. And so he tolde hym hee had bene at the burning of Austoo, where shortly after he was burned hymselfe.

¶A letter written by Iohn Rough, vntounto certeine of his godly frendes, confirming and strengthning them in the truth, which he had before taught.

THe comfort of the holy Ghost make you able to geue consolation to others, in these daungerous dayes,A letter of Iohn Rough. when Sathan is let lose, but to the triall onelyonly of the chosen, when it pleaseth our God to sift his wheat from the Chaffe. I hauehave not leysure & tyme to write the great tēptations I hauehave bene vnderunder. I speak to Gods glory: my care was to hauehave the senses of my soule open, to perceiue the voyce of God, saying: Who so euer denyeth me before men, him will I deny before my father and his aungels. And to saue the life corporall, is to lose the life eternall. And he that will not suffer with Christ, shall not reigne with him. Therefore most tender ones, I hauehave by Gods spirite geuen ouer the flesh, with the fight of my soule, and the spirite hath the victory. The fleshe shall now ere it be long, leaue of to sinne: the spirite shall reigne eternally. I hauehave chosē the death to confirme the truth by me taught. What can I do more? Consider with your selues, that I hauehave done it for the confirmation of Gods trueth. Pray that I may continue vntounto the end. The greatest part of the assault is paste, I prayse my God. I hauehave in all my assaultes felt the present ayde of my God, I geue him most harty thankes therefore. Looke not backe, nor be ye ashamed of Christes Gospell, nor of the bonds I hauehave suffered for the same: thereby ye may be assured it is the true word of God. The holy ones hauehave bene sealed with the same marke. It is no time for the losse of one man in the battell, for the campe to turne backe. Vp with mennes hartes, blowe downe the dawbed walles of heresies: Let one take the Banner, and the other the Trumpette, I meane not to make corporall resistaunce, but pray, and ye shall hauehave Elias defence, and Elizeus company to fight for you. The cause is the Lordes. Nowe my brethren I can write no more, time will not suffer, and my harte with panges of death is assaulted: but I am at home with my God yet aliue. Pray for me, & salute one another with the holy kisse. The peace of god rest with you all. Amen. From Newgate prison in haste, the day of my condemnation.

Iohn Rough.

An other letter of Iohn Rough written vntounto the Congregation two dayes before he suffered.

THe spirite of all consolation be with you, ayde you and make you strong to runne to the fight that is layde before you: wherewithall God in all ages hath tryed hys elect, and hath found them worthy of himselfe, by copling to theyr head Iesus Christ: in whome, who so desireth to liue Godly, the same must needes suffer persecution. For it is geuen vntounto them not onelyonly to beleeue, but also to suffer. And the Seruaunt or Scholer can not be greater then his Lord or Mayster: but by the same way the head is entered, the members must folow: no life is in the members which are cutte from the body, likewise we hauehave no life, but in Christ: for by him we liue, moue, and hauehave our being. My deare sonne, now departing this life to my great aduauntage, I make chaūge of mortality with immortality, of corruption, to put on incorruption, to make my body like to the corne cast into the ground, which except it die first, it can bring forth no good fruite. Wherefore death is to my great vauntage, for therby the body ceaseth from sinne, and after turneth into the first originall: but after shall be chaunged, and made brighter, then the Sonne or Moone. What shall I write of this corporall death, seeing it is decreed of God, that all men shall once die: happy are they that die in the Lord, which is to dye in the fayth of Christ, professing and confessing the same before many witnesses. I prayse my God I hauehave passed the same iourney by manye temptations, the deuill is very busye to perswade, the world to entise with promises and fayre wordes, which I omitte to write, least some might thinke I did hunt after vayne glorye, whiche is farthest from my hart. Lastly the daunger of some false brethren who before the Byshop of London purposed to confesse an vntrueth to my face: yet the God that ruled Balaam, moued theyr hartes, where they thought to speake to my accusation, hee made them speake to my purgation. What a iourney (by Gods power) I hauehave made, these eight dayes before this date, it is aboue flesh and bloud to beare: but as Paule sayth, I may do all thinges in hym which worketh in me, Iesus Christ. My course brethrē hauehave I run, I hauehave fought a good fight, the crowne of righteousnes is layd vp for me, my daye to receiue it is not long too. Praye Brethren, for the enemye doth yet assaulte. Stande constaunt vntounto the ende, then shall you possesse your Soules. Walke worthely in that vocation, wherein you are called. Comfort the Bretheren. Salute one another in my name. Be not ashamed of the Gospell of the Crosse,Anno 1557. March. by me preached, nor yet of my suffering: for with my bloud I affirme the same. I go before, I suffer first the bayting of the Butchers Dogges: yet I hauehave not done, what I should hauehave done: but my weaknes, I doubt not, is supplied in the strēgth of Iesus christ: and your wisedomes & learning will accept that small talent, which I hauehave distributed vntounto you (as I trust) as a faythfull stewarde, and if what was vndone, impute that to my frayltye and ignoraunce, and with your louelove couer that which is and was naked in me. God knoweth ye all are tender vntounto me, my hart bursteth for the louelove of you. Ye are not without your great pastor of your soule: who, so loueth you, that if men were not to bee sought out (as God be praysed, there is no want of men) he would cause stones to minister vntounto you. Cast your care on that Rock, the wind of temptation shall not preuayle, fast and praye for the dayes are euill. Looke vp with your eyes of hope, for the redemption is not farre off, (but my wickednesse hath deserued that I shall not see it.) And also that which is behind of the bloud of our brethren, which shall also be layd vnderunder the aulter, shall crye for your reliefe. Time wil not now suffer me to write longer Letters. The spirite of God guid you in and out, rising & sitting, couer you with the shadow of his winges, defend you agaynst the tyrannye of the wicked, and bring you happely vntounto the Porte of eternall felicitye, where all teares shall be wyped from your eyes, and you shall alwayes abyde wyth the Lambe.