Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Account 64
The examination and condemnation of seuen godly and faythfull Martyrs of Christe, burnt in Smithfield.
COncerning the examination and condemnation of these abouesayd,Iune. 27. 7. Martyrs burned in Smithfield. whiche were apprehended and taken at Is…ington, 7. first were produced before Boner the 14. of Iune, to make aunswere to suche articles and interrogatoryes, as by the sayd Byshop should be ministred vntounto them. The names of these seuen were:
Henry Ponde.
Raynold Eastland.
Robert Southam.
Mathew Richarby
Iohn Floyd.Martyrs.
Iohn Holydaye.
Roger Holland.
To these 7. constant and godly Martyrs produced before Boner, certayne articles were ministred in this effect as followeth.
Articles.
FIrst that ye being within the Cittye and Dyoces of London▪ hauehave not (according to the commō custome of the catholick churche of this realme of Englande) come to your owne parishe churche,Anno 1558. …. nor yet to the Cathedrall church of this citie and diocesse of London, to heare deuoutly and christianly the Matins, the Masse, the Euensong, song or sayd there in the Latine toung, after the common vsage and maner of the church of this realme.…
2. Second, that ye hauehave not come to any of the said churches, to pray, to goe in procession, or to exercise your selues there in godly and laudable exercises.
3. Thirde, yee hauehave not conformed your selues duely to all the laudable customes, rites, and Ceremonies of anye the sayde churches.
4. Fourth, ye hauehave not bene confessed at due times and places to your owne curate, of your sinnes.
5. Fifth, yee hauehave not receiued at your sayd Curates handes (as of the minister of Christ) absolution of your sinnes.
6. Sixt, ye hauehave not at due times and places, of your Curate receiued reuerently and duely the sacrament of the altar.
7. Seuenth, yee hauehave not faithfully and truely beleeued, that in the said sacrament of the altar there is really and truely the very body and bloud of Christ.
8. Eight, yee hauehave not by your mouthe, nor otherwise by your deede expressed or declared in any wise, that ye without wauering or doubting doe thinke and beleeue that the faith and religion now obserued in the church of England, is a true faith and religion in all poyntes.
9 Ninthe, yee hauehave not made any signification, that yee doe in deede approoue▪ or allowe in any wise, the common seruice in Latine, heere obserued and kepte in the Church of this Realme of Englande.
10. Tenth, ye hauehave not beleeued, nor doe beleeue at this present, that the seruice in Latine, commonly vsed and obserued in the Churche of this realme, is good and lawfull, and not against the woorde of God.
11. Eleuenth, yee hauehave in times past liked, allowed, and approued as good and godly and so do like, alow, and approue at this present, the seruice in English, the bookes of Common prayer, the bookes of Communion, the religion setforth and vsed in the time of king Edward the sixt, especially as it was set forthe and vsed in the latter daies of the said king Edward.
12. Twelfth, ye hauehave in times past bene very desirous, and so are at this present, that the sayde English seruice, the sayde booke of common praier, the sayd booke of communion, and the sayd religion and faith so set foorth and vsed in King Edwardes time, might nowe againe be restored, set foorth, and vsed, and youre selfe freely at your libertie, without anye restraint, or lets to vse it: and also in all poyntes and things to doe therein, as ye did, especially in the latter daies of the said Edward the sixt.
13. Thirtene, yee hauehave of late bene charitably sent to from me the Bishop of London, and also by mouth exhorted, that where of late yee did leaue your Churches, and went in the time of diuine seruice into the fieldes and prophane places, to reade English Psalmes, and certaine English bookes, ye wold leaue of that, and being out of prisone, and at your libertie, come in to youre owne parish churches, there to heare Mattens, Masse, and Euensong, after the common order of the churches of this realme, & to make due confession of your sinnes to your owne curate, and receiue at his handes (as of the minister of Christ, hauing therein sufficient authoritie) absolution of your sinnes, heare Masse, receiue the Sacrament of the altare with a true faith, according to the beliefe of the catholicke church, and obserue all other the rites and customes of the saide catholicke churche vsed in thys realme of England, aswell in going in procession after the crosse, as also otherwise generally.
14. Fourtene, ye being so required, hauehave refused, and do refuse so to do, saying amongst other vaine and light wordes, that forasmuch as yee were imprisoned by the space of sixe weekes, not knowing wherewith you were charged, your petition should be and was, that yee might first aunswere to your former cause, and then ye would be ready to answere me the said bishop to al that by me should be laid to your charge.
Unto the which Articles, all the forenamed 7. (onelyonly Reinold Eastland excepted) made answer in effect as here after followeth.
The aunsweres of the forenamed persons to the Articles aforesayde.…
1. TO the first article they aunsweared affirmatiuely, Roger Holland adding that hee came not to their Latine seruice these two yeares before.
Mathewe Ricarby added that he came not to churche since Latine seruice was renewed, because it is against the woorde of God, and Idolatrie committed in creeping to the crosse.
Henry Pond added, if hee had licence then to goe to church, he woulde.
2. To the 2. Article, they all aunsweared affirmatiuelye, Henrye Ponde adding as in the first Article. Iohn Floyd adde that the Latine seruice then vsed, was set vp by man, and not by God, & this he learned (he sayd) in king Edwardes daies, which he beleued to be true. Robert Southam added, that he refused to come to churche, because it is furnished with idoles, and because the sacrament of the altar he beleeued to be an idoll.
3. To the 3. Article they all aunsweared affirmatiuely. For they sayd, that the customes, rites, and ceremonies of the church then vsed, are not agreeable to Gods woord.
4 5. To the 4 and 5. Articles, they all answeared affirmatiuely, adding that they beleeued no Priest hath power to remit sinne.
6. To the 6. Article Ihon Holiday, Henry Ponde, and Robert… Southam aunsweared, that since the Queenes maiesties raigne, but Robert Southam added, not for 10. yeares before, he had receiued the Sacrament of the altar, either at their Curates hands or any other Priest. Ihon Floyde, Mathewe Ricarby, and Roger Holland answeared affirmatiuely, adding in effecte that the Sacrament of the altare is no Sacrament approoued by the worde of God. &c.
7. To the 7. Article they all confessed the contentes thereof to be true in eueryevery part: Henry Ponde adding that he knoweth not nor beleeueth any such Sacrament, called the Sacrament of the altare, but confesseth the Sacrament of the Lordes Supper, and beleeueth that to be approoued. Iohn Floyde added that those that kneele and worship the Sacrament of the altare, committe idolatrie. &c.
8.9.10. To the 8 9.10. Articles, they all confessed the contentes of those Articles to be true. But Iohn Holiday, Henry Pond and Iohn Floyd added, that they do allow the Latine seruice for thē that vnderstandeth the same, so farre as it agreeth with Gods word. For some parte thereof is not agreeable to Gods woorde (they sayd:) but to such as do not vnderstand the sayd seruice in Latine, they doe not allowe it, for it doeth not profite them▪ Robert Southam added and sayd, that it was a fond question to aske a simple man, whether the Latine seruice be good and lawfull. Mathew Ricarby and Roger Hollande denied the seruice in Latine to be good.
11. To the 11. Article, they all confessed the same to be true in eueryevery part, sauing Henry Pond, and Mathew Ricarby, who aunsweared in effecte that they coulde not iudge thereof, but leaue them to be tried by the woorde of God.
12. To the 12. Article, they graunted and confessed the same to be true, and desired of God that the seruice were in the English againe.
13. To the 13. Article they all graunted and confessed the same to be true.
14. To the 14. Article they all graunted and confessed the same to be true in eueryevery part.
Thus hauehave ye the aunsweres of these men to the foresayde Articles, saue that Reginald Eastlande required to aunswere therunto, refused so to do, alleaging yt he knoweth that to ende a strife an othe is lawfull,An oth to ende a strife lawfull but to begin…e a strife it is vnlawfull. but to beginne a strife an othe is not lawfull, and therefore he nowe refuseth to take his othe in ye beginning of this matter against him. Whereupon being charged by the Bishoppe, he said: for his not aunswearing to the Articles, he was contente to stande vntounto the order of the lawe for his punishment, whatsoeuer it should be.
The 17. day after of the sayd monethmonth of Iune, the sayd Eastland appeared againe before the bishop,The condemnation of … Ea…land. who stāding firme in that he had sayd before, denied to make any aunswere in that case. &c. Wherupon the sayd Eastland wyth the other 6. his felow prisoners, were assigned by the Bishop to repaire againe to ye same place at afternoone, who being there present in the foresaid consistorie as they were commaunded, and standing altogether before the said Bishop, he beginning thus with them, asked them, if hee had committed them to prisone. They sayde no, but Maister Cholmley and the Recorder of London committed them to Newgate.
Then being demaunded further by the Bishop, if hee had done any thing or acte to keepe them in prisone, or to hinder their libertie from prisone, to this they answeared, they could not tel. Then the foresaid articles being againe recited to them, all they answered and knowledged them to be the articles, & that they would stād to their answers made to the same. Wherupon the bish. disseuering them a part one frō an other, proceeded with them seuerally, first beginning with Reginald Eastlande, who there declared yt he had bene vncharitably handled and talked wtal… since his first imprisonment in that behalfe. Then being required to reconcile him selfe againe to the catholike faith,The wordes of Eastland to the Bishop at his … his con…emnation. The … of Iohn Holidaye. The word … Iohn …ol…aye. and go from his opinions, he sayd, that he knew nothing why he should recant, and therefore woulde not conforme hym selfe in that behalf. &c. and so the sentence was red against him, and he geuen to the secular power. &c.
After him was called in Iohn Holiday, who likewise being aduertised to renounce hys heresies (as they called them) & to returne to the vnitie of their church, sayde, that hee was no heretike, nor didde holde any heresie, neither any opinion contrary to the catholike faith, and so would offer him selfe to be iudged therein. Whereuppon hee likewise persisting in the same, the sentence was pronounced against him,The condemnation of Henry Ponde. condemning him to be burnt.
Next to hym was condemned wyth the like sentence, Henry Pond, because he would not submit him self to the Romish church, saying to Boner, that he had done or spoken nothing wherof he was or would be sorie, but that he did holde the truth of God and no heresie. &c.
After whome next followed Iohn Floyde, who likewise denied to be of the popes church,The condemnation of Iohn Floyd. and saide his minde of the Latine seruice, that the prayers made to Saintes is idolatrie, and that the Seruice in Latine is profitable to none, but only to such as vnderstand the Latine. Moreouer, being charged by Boner of heresie, and sayinge, that what soeuer he and such other now a daies do, all is heresie: for this hee was condemned with the same butcherlye sentence, and so by the secular power was sent away.
The condemnation of Robert Southam, Mathew Ricarby, and Roger Holland.Then Robert Southam, after him Mathew Ricarby and last of all Roger Holland were seuerally produced.
Thus Roger Holland with his fellowes (as ye heard) standing to their answeres, and refusing to acknowledge the doctrine of the Romish church, who were alltogether condemned, the sentence being red against them, and so al vij. by secular magistrates being sent awaye to Newgate the 17. of Iune, not long after about the 27. day of the said monethmonth were hadde to Smithfield, and there ended theyr liues in the glorious cause of Christes gospel. Whose particular
The burning of vij. godly Martyrs in Smithfield.
The Martyrdome of Henry Ponde, Raynold Eastland, Robert Southam, Mathew Ricarby, Iohn Floyd, Iohn Holyday, Roger Holland, in Smithfield. Anno. 1558. Iune. 27.examinations came not to our hands: sauing only the examinations of Roger Holland, whych here followe in order and maner as wee receiued them by the information of certaine, who were present at the same.
The examinations and condemnation of Roger Holland.
THis Roger Holland a marchant Taylor of London, was first prentise with one maister Kempton at the blacke boy in Watling streete,The first examination of Roger Holland. where hee serued his prentiship wt much trouble vntounto his maister in breaking hym from his licencious libertie whych he had before ben trained and brought vp in, geuing himselfe to riote, as dauncing, fence, gaming, banketting, and wanton companie: and besides all this, being a stubborne & an obstinate papist, farre vnlike to come to any suche ende as God called him vntounto: the which was as followeth.
His maister, notwithstanding this his leudnesse, putting him in trust wt his accomptes, he had receiued for him certaine money, to the summe of 30. poundes, and falling into ill companie, lost the saide money eueryevery grote at dice, being past all hope which way to answer it, and therefore he purposed to conuey him selfe away beyond the seas, either into Fraunce or into Flaunders.
Now hauing determined with himselfe thus to do, he called betimes in the morning to a seruaunt in the house, an auncient and discrete maide, whose name was Elizabeth, which professed the Gospel, with a life agreeing vntounto the same, and at al times much rebuking the wilful and obstinate Papistrie, as also the licencious liuing of thys Roger Holland. To whome he sayd: Elizabeth I would I hadde followed thy gentle perswasions and frendly rebukes: which if I hadde done, I hadde neuer come to this shame and miserye which I am nowe fallen into: for this night hauehave I lost 30, pound of my masters mony, which to pay him and to make vp mine accomptes, I am not able. But thus muche I pray you desire my mistresse, that shee would intreat my master to take this bil of my hand, that I am thus much indebted vntounto him, and if I be euer able, I wil see him paied, desiring him that ye matter may passe with silēce, and that none of my kinred nor frendes neuer vnderstand this my leud part. For if it should come vntounto my fathers eares, it woulde bring his graye heares ouer soone vntounto his graue: and so was he departing.
The maide considering that it mighte be his vtter vndoing: stay said she, and hauing a peece of money lying by her, geuē vntounto her by the death of a kinsman of hers, who (as it was thought,A godly example of a mayde, setting more by the soule of a Christen brother then by her money. was doctour Redman) shee brought vntounto him 30. pounde, saying: Roger, heere is thus muche money: I will let thee hauehave it, and I will keepe this Bill. But since I do thus much for thee, to helpe thee, & to saue thy honestie, thou shalt promise me to refuse all leude and wilde companie, al swearing and ribaldrie talke, and if euer I know thee to play one 12. pēce, at either dice or cardes, then I will shewe this thy bill vntounto my maister. And furthermore thou shalt promise me to resort eueryevery day to the lecture at Alhallowes, and the sermon at Pauls eueryevery Sondaye, and to cast away all thy bookes of papistrie and vaine ballets, and get thee the Testament and the Booke of seruice, and read the scriptures with reuerēce and fear, calling vntounto God still for his grace to directe thee in hys truth. And pray vntounto God feruētly, desiring hym to pardon thy former offences, and not to remember the sinnes of thy youth: and euer be afraid to breake his lawes or offend his maiestie. Then shall God keepe thee and sende thee thy hearts desire.
After this time, wtin one halfe yeare God had wrought such a change in this man,Roger Holland brought to the louelove of the Gospell that he was become an earnest professor of the truth, and detested al papistrie & euil company: so that he was in admiration to all them that hadde knowen him and seene his former life and wickednesse.
Then he repaired into Lankeshiere vntounto hys Father, and brought diuers good bookes with him,Roger Holland conuerteth his Parents to the Gospell. and bestowed them vppon his frendes, so that his father and others began to taste of the Gospell, and detest the Masse, idolatrie, and superstition: and in the ende his father gaue hym a stocke of money to begin the world withall, to the summe of fiftie pound.
Then he repaired to London againe, and came to the maide that lent him the money to pay his master withall,Roger Holland repayeth the mayde her money agayne, and maryeth her. Hollandes childe Christened in his house▪ and sayd vntounto her: Elizabeth, here is thy money I borrowed of thee, and for the frendship, good will, and the good counsel I hauehave receiued at thy hands, to recompence thee I am not able, otherwise then to make thee my wife: and soone after they were maried, which was in the first yeare of Queene Marie. And hauing a childe by her, hee caused maister Rose to baptise his said childe in his owne house. Notwithstanding he was bewrayed vntounto the ennemies, and hee being gone into the countrey to conuey the childe away, that the papists shoulde not hauehave it in their anoynting handes, Boner caused his goodes to be sea…ed vppon, and most cruelly vsed his wife.
After this he remained closely in the Citie, and in the Countrey in the congregations of the faithfull,Roger Holland brought to Newgate. vntill the last yeare of Queene Marie. Then hee with the vj. other aforesaid, were taken in or not farre from s. Iohns wood, and so brought to Newgate vppon May day in the morning. An. 1558.
Then being called before the bishop, D. Chedsey, both the Harpsfieldes, & certaine other, after many other faire and craftie perswasions of doctor Chedsey, to allure hym to theyr Babylonicall churche: thus the Bishop beganne with him.
Holland.
I for my part do wish well vntounto thee, & the more for thy frendes sake. And as doctour Standish telleth me, you and he were both borne in one parish, & he knoweth your father to be a verye honest Catholicke Gentleman. And maister Doctour tolde me that he talked wyth you a yeare a goe, and founde you very wilfully addicte to your owne conceit. Diuers of the Citie also hauehave shewed me of you, that you hauehave bene a great procurer of mens seruāts to be of your religion, & to come to your congregations: but since you be now in the daunger of the law, I would wish you to playe a wise mannes parte: So shall you not want any fauoure I can doe or procure for you, bothe for your owne sake, and also for your friendes, which be men of worship and credite, and wish you well, & by my trooth Roger so doe I.
Then sayd M. Egleston, a gentleman of Lankeshire, and nere kinsman to Roger, being there present: I thank your good Lordship: your honour meaneth good vntounto my cousin, I beseeche God he hauehave the grace to followe your counsaile.
Holland.
Syr, you craue of God you knowe not what. I beseech God open your eies to see the light of his worde.
Egleston▪
Roger, holde your peace, least you fare the worse at my Lordes handes.
Holland.
No, I shall fare as pleaseth God: for man can do no more then God doth permit him.
Then the bishop and the Doctors, with Iohnson the Register, casting their heades together, in the ende sayeth Iohnson:Roger Holland w…lled to s…mit him…e to the Bi…hop. Roger, how sayest thou? wilt thou submitte thy selfe vntounto my Lorde, before thou be entred into the booke of contempt?
Holland.
I neuer meant but to submit my selfe vntounto the Magistrate, as I learne of S. Paul to the Romaines, the 13. chap. and so he recited the text.
Chedsey
Then I see you are no Anabaptist.
Holland.
I meane not yet to be no Papist: for they and the Anabaptists agree in this poynt, not to submit thēselues to any other prince or magistrate, then those that must first …e sworne to maintaine them and their doings.
Chedsey.
Roger, remember what I hauehave said, & also what my Lorde hath promised, he will perfourme wyth further frendship. Take heede Roger, for your ripenesse of witte hath brought you into these errours.
Holland.
M. Doctor, I hauehave yet your words in memorie, though they are of no such force to preuail with me. Then they whispered together againe, and at the last saide Boner: Roger I perceiue yu wilt be ruled by no good counsell for any thing yt either I or your friēds or any other cā say.
Holland.
I may say to you my lorde, as Paul said to Felix & vntounto the Iewes, as doth appeare in the 22. of the Actes, and in the 15. of the 1. Epistle to the Corinth.Roger Holland first a great Papist. It is not vnknowen vntounto my master whom I was prentise withall, yt I was of this your blind religion that nowe is taught, and therein did obstinately & wilfully remaine, vntill the later end of K. Edward in maner, hauing ye liberty vnderunder your auriculare Confession, that I made no conscience of sinne, but trusted in the Priests absolution, hee for money doing some penance also for me: which after I had geuen, I cared no further what offences I did, no more then hee passed after he had my mony, whether he fasted bread and water for me or no: so yt lecherie, swearing & all other vices I accompted no offence of danger, so long as I could for money hauehave them absolued. So straitly did I obserue your rules of religion, that I woulde hauehave ashes vppon Ashwensday,The wickednes of Roger Holland before he was called to the Gospell. though I had vsed neuer so muche wickednes at night. And albeit I could not of conscience eat flesh vponupon the friday, yet in swearing, drinking, or dising al the night long, I made no conscience at all. And thus was I brought vp, and herein hauehave I continued til now of late, that God hath opened the light of his word, and called me by his grace to repentaunce of my former idolatrie & wicked life: for in Lankeshire their blindnes and whoredom is ouermuch more, then may with chaste eares be hearde. Yet these my friends which are not cleare in these notable crimes,At these examinations diuers … Roger Hollandes frendes & …insfolke being men of worship, were present both of Lankeshire a…d Ches…ire. thinke the Priest with his Masse can saue them, though they blaspheme God, & keepe concubines besides their wiues, as long as they liue. Yea I know some priestes, very deuout, my Lorde, yet suche as hauehave 6. or 7. children by 4. or 5. sundry women.
M. Doctor, now to your antiquitie, vnitie, & vniuersalitie (for these D. Chedsey alledged as notes and tokēs of theyr religion) I am vnlearned. I hauehave no sophistrie to shifte my reasons withall: but the truthe I trust I hauehave, which nedeth no painted colours to set her forth. The antiquitie of our church is not from pope Nicolas or Pope Ioane, but our church is from the beginning, euen from the time that God saide vntounto Adam yt the seede of the woman should breake the Serpents head: and so to faithfull Noe: to Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, to whō it was promised that their seede should multiply as the starres in the skie: and so to Moses, Dauid & all the holy fathers yt were frō the beginning, vntounto the birth of our sauior Christ. All they yt beleeued these promises, were of the church, though ye number were oftentimes but few & small, as in Helias daies whē he thought there was none but he that had not bowed their knees to Baal, whē God had reserued 7000. that neuer had bowed their knees to that idoll: as I trust ther be vij.C.M. more then I know of, that hauehave not bowed their knees to y• idol your masse, and your god Ma… zim: the vpholding wherof is your blody cruelty, whiles you daily persecute Helias & the seruants of God, forcing them (as Daniell was in his chamber) closely to serue the Lord their God: and euen as we by this your cruelty are forced in the fields to pray vntounto God that his holy worde may be once againe truely preached amongst vsus, and that he would mitigate and shorten these idolatrous & bloudy daies, wherin all cruelty raigneth. Moreouer, our church hauehave ben the Apostles and Euangelists, the Martyrs and Confessors of Christ that hauehave at all times and in all ages bene persecuted for the testimonye of the woorde of God.The Masse how olde it is. But for the vpholding of your church and religion, what antiquitie can you shew? Yea the Masse, that idol & chiefe piller of your religion, is not yet iiij.C. yeres olde, & some of your masses are younger, as that masse of S. Thomas Becket the traitor,Latine Seruice. wherein you pray that you may be saued by the bloude of S. Thomas. And as for your Latine seruice, what are we of the laitie the better for it? I thinke he that should hear your priests mumble vp their seruice, although he did well vnderstand latine, yet should he vnderstand few words therof: the priests do so champ them and chaw them, & posteth so fast, that neither they vnderstande what they say, nor they that heare them: and in the meane time the people when they should praye wyth the priest, are set to their beads to pray our ladies Psalter. So craf…ie is Sathan to deuise these his dreames (which you defend with fagot and fire) to quench the light of the word of God: which (as Dauid saieth) shoulde be a lanterne to our seete. And againe, wherin shall a yong man direct his waies, but by the woorde of God? and yet you will hide it from vsus in a toung vnknowen. S. Paul had rather in the church to hauehave 5. wordes spoken with vnderstāding, then x.M. in an vnknowen toung: and yet wil you hauehave your Latin seruice and praying in a strange toung, wherof the people are vtterly ignorant, to be of such antiquitie? The Greke church & a good part of Christendom besides, neuer receiued your seruice in an vnknowen tounge,The Greeke Church differing from the latine. but in theyr owne natural language which al the people vnderstand, neither yet your transubstantiation, your receiuing all alone, your purgatorie, your images. &c.
As for the vnitie which is in your churche, what is it els but treason, murther, poysoning one an other, idolatrie, superstition, wickednesse? What vnitie was in youre church, when there was iij. Popes at once? Where was your head of vnitie when you had a woman Pope? Here he was interrupted and could not be suffered to proceede, but sayth the Bishop: Roger, these thy woordes are very blasphemie, and by the meanes of thy friendes thou haste bene suffered to speake, and art ouer malepert to reache any heere: Therefore keeper take him away.
The second examination of Roger Holland.
THe day that Henrye Ponde and the rest were brought foorth to be againe examined, D. Chedsey said: Roger,The 2. examination of Roger Holland. I trust you hauehave nowe better considered of the Churche then you did before.
Holland.
I cōsider this much: That out of the church there is no saluation, as diuers ancient Doctors say.
Boner.
That is wel sayd. M. Egleston I trust your kinsman wil be a good catholicke mā. But Roger, you meane, I trust, the church of Rome.
Holland.
I meane that church which hath Christ for her head: which also hath his word, and his Sacraments according to his woord and institution.
Chedsey.
Then Chedsey interrupted him, and said, is that a Testament you hauehave in your hand?
Holland.
Yea M. doctor, it is the new Testament. You wil finde no fault with the trāslation (I thinke.) It is of your owne translation: it is according to the great Bible.
Boner.
Howe saye you? Howe doe you knowe it is the Testament of Christ, but onelyonly by the Churche? For the Churche of Rome hathe and doeth preserue it, and oute of the same hathe made Decrees, Ordinaunces, and true expositions.
No (saith Roger) the church of Rome hath and doeth suppresse the reading of the Testament. And what a true exposition (I pray you) did the Pope make thereof, when he set his foote on the Emperours necke, and sayde:Psal. 91. Thou shalt walke vponupon the Lion and the Aspe: the yong Lyon and the Dragon shalt thou tread vnderunder thy foote.
Then said the bishop: Such vnlearned wilde heads as thou and other, woulde be expositours of the Scripture. Woulde you then the auncient learned (as there be some heere aswell as I) should be taught of you?
Holland.
Youth delighteth in vanitie. My wildnesse hathe bene somewhat the more by your Doctrine, then euer I learned ou… of this booke of God. But my Lorde, I suppose, some of the old doctors say: If a poore lay man bring his reason and argument out of the woorde of God, he is to be credited afore the learned, thoughe they be neuer so great doctors. For the gift of knowledge was taken from the learned doctors, and giuen to pore fishermen. Notwt stand…ng I am ready to be instructed by the church.
Boner.
That is very well said Roger. But you must vnderstand yt the church of Rome is the catholicke Churche. Roger, for thy friendes sake (I promise thee) I wish thee well, and I meane to doe thee good. Keeper, see he wante nothing. Roger, if thou lacke any money to pleasure thee, I will see thou shalt not want. This hee spake vntounto hym alone, his fellowes being aparte, with manye other faire promises, and so he was sent to prison againe.
The last examination of Roger Holland.
The last examination of Roger Holland.THe last examination of Roger Holland, was when he with his fellow prisoners were brought into the consistorie, & there excommunicated all sauing Roger, & redy to hauehave their sentēce of iudgement, geuen wt many threatning words to feare them withall: the Lord Strange, syr Tho. Iarret, M. Eagleston Esquier, and diuers other of worship, both of Cheshire & Lankeshire, that were Rog. Hollands kinsmē and friends, being there present: which had beene earnest suters to the Bishop in hys fauour, hoping of his safetie of life. Nowe the Bishop hoping yet to winne him with his faire and flattering woordes, began after this maner.
Boner
Rog. I hauehave diuers times called thee before, home to my house, and hauehave conferred with thee, and being not learned in the latine toung, it doth appeare vntounto me thou art of a good memorie & of a very sensible talke, but something ouerhastie: which is a naturall disease to some men. And surely they are not the worst natured men. For I my selfe shall now and then be hastie, but mine anger is soone past. So Roger, surely I hauehave a good opinion of you, that you wil not with these lewd fellowes cast your selfe headlong from the church of your parents & your frendes that are here, very good catholikes (as it is reported vntounto me.) And as I meane thee good,The Rhetoricall perswasions of B. Boner. so Roger play the wisemans part, and come home with the lost sonne and say: I hauehave runne into the church of schismatikes and heretikes, from the catholicke church of Rome, and you shall, I warrante you, not only finde fauor at Gods hands, but the Church that hath authoritie, shall absolue you and put newe garments vppon you, and kill the fatling to make thee good cheare withall: That is, in so doing, as meate doth refresh and chearish the minde, so shalt thou finde as much quietnesse of conscience in comming home to the church, as dyd the hungry sonne that had ben fed afore with the hogs, as you hauehave done with these heretikes that seuer them selues from the church. I giuegive them a homely name, but they be worse (putting his hand to his cap for reuerēce sake) then hogs: For they know the church and will not followe it. If I shoulde saye thus muche to a Turke, hee woulde (I thinke) beleue me. But Roger, if I did not beare thee and thy friendes good will, I woulde not hauehave sayde so muche as I hauehave done, but I would hauehave let mine Ordinarie alone with you.
At these wordes his frendes that were there, gaue the Bishop thankes for his good will and paines that he had taken in his and theyr behalfe.
Boner.
Wel Roger, how say you nowe? Do you not beleeue that after the Priest hath spoken the words of consecration, there remaineth the body of Christ really & corporally vnderunder the formes of bread and wine: I meane yt selfe same body that was borne of the virgine Mary, that was crucified vponupon the crosse, that rose againe the third day.
Holland.
Your Lordship sayth, the same body which was borne of the virgin Marie, which was crucified vponupon the Crosse, which rose againe the third day: but you leaue out which ascended into heauen:The Papistes how they take … of Scripture, and leaue out an other. and the Scripture sayeth, he shall there remaine vntil he come to iudge the quicke and the deade. Then he is not contained vnderunder the formes of bread and wine, by Hoc est corpus meum. &c.
Boner.
Roger, I perceiue my paines and good will, will not preuaile, and if I shoulde argue with thee, thou art so wil…ul (as all thy fellowes be, standing in thine owne singularitie & foolish conceit) that thou wouldest still talke to no purpose this 7. yere, if thou mightest be suffered. Aunswer whether thou wilt confesse the reall & corporall presence of Christes body in the Sacrament, or wilt not.
Holland.
My Lord, although that God by his sufferaunce hath nere placed you to set forth his truth and glory in vsus his faithful seruantes: notwithstanding your meaning is farre from the zeale of Christ, and for all your words, you hauehave the same zeal that Annas and Caiphas had, trusting to their authoritie, traditions and ceremonies, more then to the woorde of God.
Boner.
If I should suffer hym, he would fall from reasoning to railing, as a franticke heretike.
Lord Straunge.
Roger (sayth the Lord Straunge) I perceiue my Lorde woulde hauehave you to tell him whether you will submit your selfe vntounto him or no.
Boner
Yea, sayeth Boner, and confesse this presence that I hauehave spoken of.
With this, Roger turning him to the Lorde Strange and the rest of his kinsmen and frendes, very chearefully kneled downe vponupon his knees and said: God by ye mouth of his seruant S. Paul hath said: Let eueryevery soule submit him selfe vntounto the higher powers, and he that resisteth receiueth hys owne damnation: and as you are … Magistrate appoynted by the will of God, so do I submit my selfe vntounto you, and to all such as are appoynted for Magistrates.
Boner.
That is well sayde: I see you are no Anabaptist. Howe saye you then to the presence of Chr…stes bodye and bloud in the Sacrament of the altare?
Holland.
I say, and I beseeche you all to marke and beare witnes with me (for so you shal doe before the iudgement seate of God) what I speake: for heere is the Conclusion:The presence in the Sacrament. And ye my deare frendes (turning him to his kinsmen) I pray you shew my father what I doe say, that he may vnderstand I am a christian man: I say and beleeue, and am therein fully persuaded by the scriptures, that the Sacrament of the Supper of oure Lorde ministred in the holye Communion according to Christes institution, I beinge penitent & sorie for my sinnes, and minding to amend and lead a new life, and so cōming worthely vntounto Gods bord in perfect louelove & charity, do there receiue by faith, the body & bloud of Christ. And though Christ in his humane person sitte at the right hand of his father, yet (by saith I say) his death, his passion, his merites are mine, and by faithe I dwell in him and he in me. And as for the Masse, transubstantiation, & the worshipping of the Sacrament, they are meere impietie and horrible idolatrie.
Boner.
I thought so much, sayth Boner (suffering him to speake no more) how he wold proue a very blasphemous hereticke as euer I heard. Howe vnreuerently doeth hee speake of the blessed Masse?Sentence read against Roger Holland. and so read his bloudy sentēce of condemnation, adiudging him to be burned.
All this while Roger was verye patient & quiet, and when he should depart. he sayd: my lord, I besech you suffer me to speake 2. words. The B. wold not hear him, but bad him away. Notwtstanding, being requested by one of his frendes, he sayd: speake, what hast thou to say.
Holland
Euen now I told you that your authority was from God, and by his sufferance, and now I tel you, God hath heard the praier of his seruāts which hath ben powred forth with feares for his afflicted sainctes,Roger Holland prophesieth of shortening the tyme of B. Boners cruelty. which daily you persecute, as now you do vsus. But this I dare be bold in God to speake (which by his spirit I am moued to say) that God will shorten your hand of cruelty, that for a time you shal not molest his church: And this shal you in short time well perceiue, my deare brethrē, to be most true. For after this day, in this place shall there not be anye by hym put to the triall of fire and fagot: And after this daye there was neuer none that suffered in Smithfielde for the testimonie of the gospell, God be thanked.
After these woordes spoken, saith Boner: Roger,The last that su…tred in Smithfielde. thou art I perceiue as madde in these thy heresies as euer was Ioan Butcher. In anger and fume thou woldest become a railing Prophet. Thoughe thou and all the sorte of you would see me hanged, yet I shall liue to burne, yea I wil burne all the sort of you that come in my handes, that wil not worship the blessed sacrament of the altare, for all thy pratling, and so he went his way.
Then Roger Holland began to exhort his frendes to repentance, and to thinke wel of them that suffered for the testimonie of the Gospel, and with that the B. came back, charging the keeper that no man shoulde speake to them without his licence, and if they did, they should be cōmitted to prison. In the meane season H. Pond and Roger spake stil vntounto the people,The cruell dayes shortened for the elect sake. exhorting them to stande in the truthe: adding moreouer, that God woulde shorten those cruel and euil daies for his elect sake.
The day they suffred, a proclamation was made, yt none should be so bold to speake or talke any word vntounto them, or receiue any thing of them,The Martyrdome of Roger Holland with sixe other in Smithfielde. or to touche them vpō payne of imprisonment, without either bale or mainprise: wyth diuers other cruell threatninge woordes, contained in the same Proclamation. Notwithstanding the people cryed out, desiring God to strengthen them: and they likewyse still praied for the people, and the restoring of his woorde. At length Roger embracing the stake,Anno 1557. Iuly. and the reedes, said these woordes.
Lord, I most humbly thanke thy Maiestie, that thou hast called mee from the state of death, vntounto the lighte of thy heauenlye worde, and nowe vntounto the fellowship of thy Sainctes, that I may sing and say, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hoastes. And Lord into thy handes I commit my spirite. Lord blesse these thy people, and saue them from Idolatrie, and so ended his life, looking vp into heauen, praying and praising God, with the rest of his fellowe Sainctes. For whose ioyfull constancie the Lord be praised.