A67926:4445
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This Marbecke had begun a great work in English, called The Concordance of the Bible. Which book being not half finished, was among his other books taken in the search, and had up to the Counsel.1 And when he came before them to be examined, the whole work lay before the bishop of Winchester Steven Gardiner, at the upper end of the board. Who beholding the poor man a while▪ said: Marbecke, doest thou know wherefore thou art sent for? No, my Lord quoth he. No, quoth the Bishop,2 That is a marvellous thing. Forsooth my Lord quoth he, unless it be for a certain search made of late in Windsor. I cannot tell wherefore it should be. Then thou knowest the matter well enough quoth the Bishop, and taking up a quire of the Concordance in his hand, said: Understandest thou the Latin tongue? No, my Lord, quoth he, but simply. No, quoth the Bishop? And with that spake M. Wrisley (then secretary to the king) he saith but simply, I cannot tell quoth the B. but the book is translated word for word out of the Latin Concordance, and so began to declare to the rest of the Counsel,3 the nature of a Concordance, and how it was first compiled in Latin by the great diligence of the learned men for the ease of preachers, concluding with this reason, that if such a book should go forth in English, it would destroy the Latin tongue. And so casting down the quire again, he reached another book, which was the book of Isaiah the prophet,4 and turning to the last chap. gave the book to Marbecke, and asked him who had written the note in the margin. The other looking upon it, said: forsooth my Lord, I wrote it. Read it quoth the B. Then he read it thus, Heaven is my seat, and the earth is my footstool. Nay, quoth the B. read it as thou hadst written it. Then shall I read it wrong quoth he, for I had written it false. How hadst thou written it, quoth the bishop? I had written it quoth he, thus: Heaven is my seat and the earth is not my footstool. Yea marry quoth the Bishop, that was thy meaning. No, my Lord quoth he, it was but an oversight in writing, for as your Lordship seeth, this word (Not) is blotted out. At this time came other matters into the Counsel, so that Marbecke was had out to the next chamber.
THis Marbecke had begun a great woorke in English, called The Concordaunce of the Bible. Which booke being not halfe finished, was among his other bookes taken in the search, and had vp to the Counsail.1 And when he came before them to be examined, the whole worke laye before the bishop of Winchester Steuen Gardiner, at the vpper end of the boord. Who beholding the poore man a whyle▪ sayd: Marbecke, doest thou knowe wherefore thou art sent for? No, my Lord quoth he. No, quoth the Byshop,2 That is a meruailous thing. Forsooth my Lord quoth he, vnles it be for a certaine search made of late in Windsore. I cannot tell wherfore it should be. Then thou knowest the matter well enough quoth the Bishop, and takyng vp a quire of the Concordance in his hand, sayd: Understandest thou the Latine tongue? No, my Lord, quoth he, but simply. No, quoth the Bishop? And with that spake M. Wrisley (then secretary to the king) he saith but simply, I cannot tell quoth the B. but the booke is translated worde for word out of the Latin Concordaunce, and so began to declare to the rest of the Counsaile,3 the nature of a Concordance, and how it was first compiled in Latin by the great diligence of the learned men for the ease of preachers, concluding with this reason, that if such a booke should goe foorth in English, it would destroy the Latin tongue. And so casting down the quire again, he reached another booke, which was the booke of Esay the prophet,4 and turnyng to the last chap. gaue the booke to Marbecke, and asked hym who had written the note in the margent. The other looking vpon it, said: forsooth my Lord, I wrote it. Read it quoth the B. Then he read it thus, Heauen is my seate, and the earth is my footestoole. Nay, quoth the B. read it as thou hadst written it. Then shall I read it wrong quoth he, for I had written it false. How hadst thou written it, quoth ye bishop? I had written it quoth he, thus: Heauen is my seat and the earth is not my footestoole. Yea mary quoth the Bishop, that was thy meanyng. No, my Lord quoth he, it was but an ouersight in writyng, for as your Lordshippe seeth, this worde (Not) is blotted out. At this tyme came other matters into the Counsaile, so that Marbecke was had out to the next chamber.
And when he had stood there a while, one of the Counsel (named sir Anthony Wingfield Captain of the Guard) came forth, and calling for Marbecke, committed him to one Belson of the guard, saying unto him on this wise: Take this man and have him to the Marshalsea,1 and tell the keeper that it is the Counsels pleasure that he shall entreat him gently. And if he have any money in his purse (as I think he hath not much) take you it from him, left the prisoners do take it, and minister it unto him as he shall have need. And so the messenger departed with Marbecke to the Marshalsea, and did his commission most faithfully and truly, both to the keeper and to the prisoner, as he was commanded.
And when he had stood there a while, one of the Counsaile (named sir Anthony Wingfield Captaine of the Garde) came foorth, and callyng for Marbecke, committed him to one Belson of the gard, saying vnto him on this wise: Take this man and haue him to the Marshalsey,1 and tell the keeper that it is the Counsailes pleasure that he shall entreat him gently. And if hee haue any mony in his purse (as I think he hath not much) take you it from him, left the prisoners do take it, and minister it vnto him as he shall haue need. And so the messenger departed with Marbecke to the Marshalsey, and dyd his commission most faithfully and truly, both to the keper and to the prisoner, as he was commanded.
ON the next day (which was Tuesday) by 8. of the clock in the morning,1 there came one of the B. of Winchesters Gentlemen into the Marshalsea, whose man brought after him two great books under his arm, & finding Marbecke walking up and down in the Chapel, demanded of the keeper why he was not in irons. I had no such commandment quoth he: for the messenger, which brought him yesternight from the Counsel, said: It was their pleasure he should he gently used. My Lord quoth the gentleman will not be content with you, and so taking the books of his man, called for a chamber,2 up to the which he carried the prisoner, and casting the books from him upon a bed, sate him down and said: Marbecke, my Lord doth favour thee well for certain good qualities thou hast, and hath sent me hither to admonish thee to beware and take heed least thou cast away thy self wilfully. If thou wilt be plain, thou shalt do thy self much good: if not, thou shalt do thy self much harm. I assure thee, my Lord lamenteth thy case, for as much as he hath always heard good report of thee: wherefore now see to thy self, and play the wise man.3 Thou art acquainted with a great sort of heretics (as Hobby and Heynes, with other more) & knowest much of their secrets: if thou wilt now open them at my Lords request, he will procure thy deliverance out of hand, and prefer thee to better living.
ON the next day (which was Tuesday) by 8. of the clock in the morning,1 there came one of the B. of Winchesters Gentlemen into the Marshalsey, whose mā brought after him two great books vnder his arme, & finding Marbecke walking vp and downe in the Chappell, demanded of the keeper why he was not in irons. I had no such cō maundement quoth he: for the messenger, which brought hym yesternight from the Counsaile, sayd: It was theyr pleasure he should he gētly vsed. My Lord quoth the gentleman will not be content with you, and so takyng the bookes of his man, called for a chamber,2 vp to the which he caried the prisoner, and casting the bookes from him vpon a bed, sate him downe and said: Marbecke, my Lord doth fauour thee well for certaine good qualities thou hast, and hath sent me hither to admonish thee to beware and take heed least thou cast away thy selfe wilfully. If thou wylt be plaine, thou shalt doe thy selfe much good: if not, thou shalt do thy selfe much harme. I assure thee, my Lord lamenteth thy case, for as much as he hath alwayes hearde good report of thee: wherfore now see to thy selfe, and play the wise man.
Alas sir, quoth he, what secretes do I know? I am but a poor man, and was never worthy to be so conversant either with M. Hobby, or M. Heynes, to know any part of their minds. Well, quoth the Gentleman, make it not so strange, for my lord doth know well enough in what estimation they had both thee and Anth. Person, for your religion. Of Anth. Person, quoth he, I can say nothing, for I never saw him with them in all my life. And as for my self, I can not deny, but that they have always (I ⟨p. 1215⟩thank them) taken me for an honest poor man, and showed me much kindness: but as for their secrets, they were to wise to commit them to any such as I am.
Alas sir, quoth he, what secretes doe I knowe? I am but a poore man, and was neuer worthy to be so conuersant eyther with M. Hobby, or M. Heynes, to know any part of their myndes. Wel, quoth the Gentleman, make it not so strange, for my lord doth know wel inough in what estimation they had both thee and Anth. Person, for your religion. Of Anth. Person, quoth he, I can say nothyng, for I neuer saw him with them in all my lyfe. And as for my selfe, I can not denye, but that they haue alwayes (I ⟨p. 1215⟩thanke them) taken me for an honest poore man, and shewed me much kindnes: but as for their secrets, they were to wise to commit them to any such as I am.
Peradventure quoth the Gentleman, thou fearest to utter any thing of them,1 because they were thy friends, lest they hearing thereof, might hereafter withdraw their friendship from thee, which thou needest not to fear, I warrant thee, for they are sure enough, and never like to pleasure thee more, nor no man else.
Peraduenture quoth the Gentleman, thou fearest to vtter any thing of them,1 because they were thy frends, lest they hearing therof, might hereafter withdraw their frendship from thee, which thou nedest not to feare, I warrant thee, for they are sure enough, and neuer like to pleasure thee more, ner no man els.
With that the water stood in Marbeckes eyes. Why weepest thou quoth the Gentleman? Oh sir, quoth he, I pray you pardon me, these men have done me good, wherefore I beseech the living God to comfort them as I would be comforted my self.
With that the water stoode in Marbeckes eyes. Why weepest thou quoth the Gentleman? Oh sir, quoth he, I pray you pardon me, these men haue done me good, wherfore I beseech the liuing God to comfort them as I would be comforted my selfe.
Well quoth the Gentleman, I perceive thou wilt play the fool: and then he opened one of the books, and asked him if he understood any Latin. But a little sir, quoth he. How is it then, quoth the gentleman, that thou hast translated thy book out of the latin Concordance, & yet understandest not the tongue? I will tell you quoth he. In my youth I learned the principles of my Grammar, whereby I have some understanding therein, though it be very small. Then the gentleman began to try him in the latin Concordance & English Bible which he had brought: and when he had so done, & was satisfied, he called up his man to fetch away the books, & so departed, leaving Marbecke alone in the chamber, the door fast shut unto him.
Well quoth the Gentleman, I perceiue thou wilt play the foole: and then he opened one of the bookes, and asked him if he vnderstood any Latine. But a little sir, quoth he. How is it then, quoth the gentleman, that thou hast translated thy booke out of the latin Concordance, & yet vnderstandest not the tongue? I will tell you quoth he. In my youth I learned the principles of my Grammar, wherby I haue some vnderstāding therin, though it be very smal. Then the gentleman began to try him in the latin Concordance & English Bible which he had brought: and when he had so done, & was satisfied, he called vp his man to fet away the bookes, & so departed, leauing Marbecke alone in the chamber, the dore fast shut vnto him.
About two hours after, the Gentleman came again, with a sheet of paper folded in his hand,1 & sate him down upon the beds side (as before) & said: by my troth Marbecke, my lord seeth so much wilfulness in thee, that he saith it is pity to do thee good. When wast thou last with Haynes? Forsooth, quoth he, about a three weeks ago, I was at dinner with him. And what talk, quoth the Gentleman, had he at his board? I can not tell now, quoth he. No, quoth the gentleman, thou art not so dull witted, to forget a thing in so short space. Yes sir, quoth he, such familiar talk as men do use at their boards, is most commonly by the next day forgotten,2 and so it was with me. Didst thou never, quoth the Gentleman talk with him, nor with none of thy fellows, of the Mass, or of the blessed Sacrament? No, forsooth, quoth he. Now forsooth, quoth the Gentleman, thou liest, for thou hast been seen to talk with Testwood, and other of thy fellows, an hour together in the church, when honest men have walked up and down beside you, & as ever they have drawn near you, ye have stayed your talk till they have been past you, because they should not hear whereof you talked. I deny not, quoth he, but I have talked with Testwood and other of my fellows, I cannot tell how oft, which maketh not that we talked either of the Mass, or of the sacrament: for men may common & talk of many matters, that they would not that every man should hear, and yet far from any such thing: therefore it is good to judge the best. Well quoth the Gentleman, thou must be plainer with my Lord then this, or else it will be wrong with thee, and that sooner then thou weenest. How plain will his Lordship have me to be Sir, quoth he? There is nothing that I can do and say with a safe conscience, but I am ready to do it at his Lordships pleasure. What tellest thou me quoth the gentleman of thy conscience? Thou mayest with a sate conscience utter those that be heretics, and so doing thou canst do God and the king no greater service. If I knew sir, quoth he, who were an heretic in deed, it were a thing:3 but if I should accuse him to be an heretic that is none, what a worm would that be in my conscience so long as I lived: yea it were a great deal better for me to be out of this life, then to live in such torment.
About two houres after, the Gentleman came againe, with a sheet of paper folded in his hand,
In faith quoth the Gentleman, thou knowest as well who be heretics of thy fellows at home, and who be none, as I do know this paper to be in my hand: but it maketh no matter, for they shall all be sent for and examined: and thinkest thou that they will not utter and tell of thee all that they can? yes I warrant thee. And what a foolish dolt art thou, that wilt not utter aforehand what they be, seeing it standeth upon thy deliverance to tell the truth? Whatsoever quoth he, they shall say of me, let them do it in the name of God,1 for I will say no more of them, nor of no man else, then I know. Mary quoth the Gentleman if thou wilt do so, my L. requireth no more. And for as much as now peradventure, thy wits are troubled, so that thou canst not call things even by & by to remembrance, I have brought thee ink & paper, that thou mayest excogitate with thy self, & write such things as shall come to thy mind.2 O lord, quoth Marbecke, what will my L. do? Will his lordship compel me to accuse men, and wot not whereof? No, quoth the Gentleman, my L. compelleth thee not, but gently entreated thee to say the truth. Therefore make no more ado, but write, for my Lord will have it so, and so laid down the ink and paper and went his way.
In faith quoth the Gentleman, thou knowst as well who be heretikes of thy fellowes at home, and who be none, as I doo know this paper to be in my hand: but it maketh no matter, for they shall al be sent for and examined: and thinkest thou that they will not vtter and tell of thee all that they can? yes I warrant thee. And what a folish dolt art thou, that wilt not vtter aforehand what they be, seeyng it standeth vpon thy deliueraunce to tell the truth? Whatsoeuer quoth he, they shall say of me, let thē doe it in the name of God,1 for I will say no more of thē, nor of no man els, then I know. Mary quoth the Gentleman if thou wilt doe so, my L. requireth no more. And for as much as now peraduenture, thy wits are troubled, so that thou canst not call things euen by & by to remembrance, I haue brought thee inke & paper, that thou mayest excogitate with thy selfe, & write such things as shal come to thy mynd.2 O lord, quoth Marbecke, what will my L. do? Will his lordship compell me to accuse men, and wot not whereof? No, quoth the Gentleman, my L. compelleth thee not, but gently entreated thee to say the truth. Therfore make no more adoe, but write, for my Lord will haue it so, and so layd downe the ynke and paper and went his way.
Now was Marbecke so full of heaviness and woe, that he wist not what to do, nor how to set the pen to the book to satisfy the Bishops mind,1 unless he did accuse men to the wounding of his own soul. And thus being compassed about with nothing but sorrow and care, he cried out to God in his hart, falling down with weeping tears and said:
Now was Marbecke so full of heauines and wo, that he wyst not what to do, nor how to set the pen to the booke to satisfie the Byshops mynd,1 vnlesse he did accuse men to the woundyng of his owne soule. And thus beyng compassed about with nothing but sorrow and care, he cryed out to God in his hart, fallyng downe with weping tears and sayd:
O most merciful father of heaven, thou that knowest the secret doings of all men, 1have mercy upon thy poor prisoner which is destitute of all help and comfort. Assist me (O Lord) with thy special grace, that to save this frail and vile body, which shall turn to corruption at his time, I have no power to say or to write any thing, that may be to the casting away of my christen brother: but rather (O Lord) let this vile flesh suffer at thy will and pleasure. Grant this, O most merciful father, for thy dear son Jesus Christs sake.
O most mercifull father of heauen, thou that knowest the secret doyngs of all men, 1haue mercy vppon thy poore prisoner which is destitute of all helpe and comfort. Assist me (O Lorde) with thy speciall grace, that to saue this frayle and vile bodye, which shall turne to corruption at his tyme, I haue no power to say or to write any thing, that may be to the casting awaye of my christen brother: but rather (O Lord) let this vile flesh suffer at thy will and pleasure. Grant this, O most mercifull father, for thy deare sonne Iesus Christes sake.
Then he rose up and began to search his conscience what he might write, and at last framed out these words: Where as your Lordship will have me write such things as I know of my fellows at home:1 pleaseth it your lordship to understand, that I cannot call to remembrance any manner of thing whereby I might justly accuse any one of them, unless it be that the reading of the new testament (which is common to all men) be an offence: more than this I know not.
Then he rose vp and beganne to search his conscience what he might write, and at last framed out these wordes: Where as your Lordship will haue me write such thyngs as I knowe of my fellowes at home:1 pleaseth it your lordship to vnderstand, that I cannot call to remembraunce any maner of thing whereby I might iustly accuse any one of them, vnlesse it be that the readyng of the new testament (which is common to all men) be an offence: more thē this I know not.
