A67926:672
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.
Furthermore, where it so happeneth (as it doeth oftentimes) that either the good man or the good wife, by means of war or some other vow, hath taken in hand some long journey, and so tarrieth longer then serveth the appetite of the other, the Official taking a reward of the other, giveth licence to the party to dwell with any other person, not having first regard or making inquisition whether the husband or wife being absent, be in health or dead: and because these their doings should not be evil spoken of, they name it a toleration or sufferance, not without great offence unto all men, and to the great contempt of holy matrimony.
FUurthermore, where it so happeneth (as it doeth oftentymes) that either the good manne or the good wife, by meanes of warre or some other vowe, hath taken in hande some long iourney, and so tarieth longer then serueth the appetite of the other, the Officiall taking a rewarde of the other, geueth licence to the party to dwell wyth any other person, not hauing first regard or making inquisitiō whether the husbād or wife being absent, be in health or dead: and because these their doings shoulde not be euill spoken of, they name it a tolleration or sufferaunce, not without greate offence vnto all men, and to the great contempte of holy matrimonie.
1This is also unlawful and plainly wicked, that tho Canons of Cathedral Churches, in whose hand the principal part of Ecclesiastical judgements, Synods, and censures do consist, and the Canons of other collegiate churches, which have power and authority to choose their Superior and Bishop, will choose none to their Bishop, except he bind himself first with an oath, and plainly swear, yet and oftentimes is bound by bond and instruments sealed with their seals to them and their Ecclesiastical judges, that in no matter, be it never so grievous, intolerable, or dishonest, he shall not be against them: and if it happen at any time that they do offend, they may do it also without punishment for him.
1THis is also vnlawfull and plainly wicked, that tho Canons of Cathedrall Churches, in whose hand the principal part of Ecclesiastical iudgements, Sinodes, and censures do consist, and the Canons of other collegiate churches, which haue power and authoritie to chuse theyr Superiour and Bishop, will chuse none to their Bishop, except he binde himself first with an oth, and plainly sweare, yet and oftentimes is bound by bond and instrumēts sealed wyth their seales to them and their Ecclesiasticall iudges, yt in no matter, be it neuer so greuous, intollerable, or dishonest, he shall not be against them: and if it happen at any time that they doe offend, they may do it also wythout punishment for him.
Many parish churches are subject unto monasteries, & to the persons of other churches, by means of incorporations (as they call them) or otherwise,1 which they are bound also, according to the canon laws, to foresee & look unto, by themselves, when as they do put them forth unto others to be governed, reserving for the most part unto themselves, the whole stipend of the benefices and tithes: and moreover, aggravate & charge the same with so great pensions, that the hireling priests and other ministers of the Church, can not have thereupon a decent or competent living: whereby it cometh to pass, that these hireling priests (for that they must needs have whereupon to live) do with unlawful exactions, miserably spoil and devour the poor sheep committed unto them, & consume all their substance. For when as the Sacraments of the altar and of Baptism are to be administered, or when the first, the seventh, the thirty, and year day must be kept, when auricular confession cometh to be heard,2 the dead to be buried, or any other ceremony whatsoever, about the funeral is to be done: they will not do it freely, but extort and exact so much money, as the miserable commonalty is scarce able to disburse, and daily they do increase and augment these their exactions, driving the simple poverty to the payment thereof, by threatening them with excommunication, or by other ways, compelling them to be at charge: which otherwise through poverty, are not able to maintain obsequies, year minds, and such other like ceremonies, as to the funerals of the dead be appertaining.
MAny parish churches are subiect vnto monasteries, & to the persons of other churches, by meanes of incorporations (as they call them) or otherwise,1 whych they are bound also, according to the canon lawes, to foresee & looke vnto, by themselues, when as they do put them foorth vnto others to be gouerned, reseruing for the moste parte vnto themselues, the whole stipende of the benefices and tithes: and moreouer, aggrauate & charge the same wyth so great pensions, that the hireling priestes and other ministers of the Church, can not haue thereupon a decent or competent liuing: whereby it commeth to passe, that these hirelynge priestes (for that they must needes haue wherupon to liue) doe with vnlawfull exactions, miserably spoil and deuour the poore sheepe committed vnto them, & consume all theyr substaunce. For when as the Sacramentes of the aultare and of Baptisme are to be administred, or when the firste, the seuenth, the thirtie, and yeare day must be kept, when auricular confession cōmeth to be heard,
IT is ordained by the Popes Canons, that burial in the Church should be denied only unto them,1 which being known to be manifest & notorious offenders, have departed this life without receiving of the sacrament. But the clergy not regarding those decrees, will not suffer such as by chance are drowned, killed, slain with falls, or fire, or otherwise by chance have ended their lives, (albeit it be not evident, that they were in deadly sin) to be buried in the churches, until such time, as the wives, children or friends of those men so dead, do with great sums of money purchase and buy the burial of them in the Churchyard.
IT is ordained by the Popes Canons, that buriall in the Church should be denied onely vnto them,1 whych being known to be manifest & notorious offenders, haue departed this life wtout receiuing of the sacrament. But the clergie not regarding those decrees, will not suffer suche as by chaunce are drowned, killed, slaine with falles, or fire, or otherwise by chance haue ended their liues, (albeit it be not euident, that they were in deadly sinne) to be buryed in the churches, vntill such time, as the wiues, children or frends of those men so dead, do with great summes of money purchase and buy the burial of them in the Churchyard.
Also in many places, the bishops & their Officials do not only suffer Priests to have concubines, 1so that they pay certain sums of money, but also compel continent and chaste Priests, which live without concubines, to pay tribute for concubines, affirming that the B. hath need of money, which being paid, it shall be lawful for them, either to live chaste or keep concubines. Howe wicked a thing this is, every man doeth well understand and know.
ALso in many places, the bishops & their Officials do not only suffer Priestes to haue concubines, 1so that they paye certayne summes of money, but also compell continent and chast Priestes, which liue without concubines, to paye tribute for concubines, affirming that the B. hath neede of money, which being payde, it shalbe lawfull for them, either to liue chast or keepe concubines. Howe wicked a thing this is, euery man doeth well vnderstande and knowe.
These with many other burdens and grievances moe to the number of an hundred, the secular states of Germany delivered to the Popes legate, having (as they said) many moe, and more grievous grievances besides these, which had likewise much need of redress: but because they would not exceed the limits of reasonable brevity, they would content themselves (said they) with these aforesaid hundred, reserving the rest to a more apt and more convenient opportunity, steadfastly trusting & hoping, that when those hundred grievances, already by them declared, should be abolished, the other would also decay, & fall with them. Of the which foresaid grievances and complaints here is moreover to be noted, that a great part was offered up before, to the Emperor, at the council of worms: but because no redress thereof did follow, therefore the secular states of Germany thought good to exhibit the same now again, with divers moe annexed thereunto, to Cheregatus the Popes Legate, in this present assemble of Norenberge,1 desiring him to present the same to Pope Adrian. This was about the year of our Lord 1523. Which being done, the assemble of Norenberge brake up for a time, and was prorogued to the next year following.
These with many other burthens and greuances mo to the number of an hundreth, the secular states of Germanie deliuered to the Popes legate, hauing (as they sayd) many mo, and more greuous greuances besides these, which had likewise much nede of redresse: but because they would not exceede the limites of reasonable breuity, they wold cōtent themselues (said they) with these aforesaid hundreth, reseruing the rest to a more apt and more conuenient oportunitye, stedfastly trusting & hoping, that when those hundreth greuances, already by them declared, should be abolished, the other would also decay, & fall with them. Of the which foresaid greuances and complaints here is moreouer to be noted, that a great part was offered vp before, to ye Emperor, at the coūcel of wormes: but because no redresse therof did folowe, therefore the seculare states of Germanie thought good to exhibiie the same now againe, with diuers moe annexed therunto, to Cheregatus the Popes Legate, in this present assēble of Norenberge,1 desiring him to present the same to Pope Adrian. This was about the yere of our Lord 1523. Which being done, the assemble of Norenberge brake vp for a time, and was proroged to the nexte yeare following.
In this mean time Pope Adrian died. After him succeeded pope Clement 7. Who the next year following, which was An. 1524. sent down his Legate Cardinal Campeius, unto the Council of the Germane Princes assembled again at Norenberge, about the month of March, with letters also to duke Frederick, full of many fair petitions, and sharp complaints. &c.1 But as touching the grievances above mentioned, no word nor message at all was sent, neither by Campeius, nor by any other. Thus, where any thing was to be complained of against Luther, either for suppression of the liberty of the Gospel, or for upholding of the Popes dignity, the Pope was ever ready with all diligence, to call upon the Princes: but where any redress was to be required, for the public wealth of Christen people, or touching the necessary reformation of the church, herein the Pope neither giveth ear, nor answer.
In this meane time Pope Adrian died. After him succeded pope Clemēt 7. Who the next yere folowing, whych was An. 1524. sent downe his Legate Cardinall Campeius, vnto the Councel of the Germane Princes assembled againe at Norenberge, about the moneth of March, with letters also to duke Friderick, full of many faire petitions, and sharp complaints. &c.1 But as touching the greuances aboue mentioned, no word nor message at al was sent, neither by Campeius, nor by any other. Thus, where anye thing was to be complained of againste Luther, eyther for suppression of the liberty of the Gospel, or for vpholding of the Popes dignity, the Pope was euer ready with al diligence, to cal vpō the Princes: but where any redresse was to be required, for the publicke wealth of Christen people, or touching the necessary reformation of the church, herein the Pope neither geueth eare, nor answere.
And thus having discoursed such matters occurrent between the Pope & Princes of Germany, at the Synod of Norenberge, let us now proceed, returning again to the story of Luther: of whom ye heard before, how he was kept secret & solitary for a time, by the advise and conveyance of certain nobles in Saxony, because of the Emperors Edict, above mentioned. In the mean time, while Luther had thus absented himself out of Wittenberg,1 Andraeas Carolostadius proceeding more roughly and eagerly in causes of Religion, had stirred up the people, to throw down Images in the temples, beside other things moe. For the which cause, Luther returning again into the city, greatly misliked the order of their doings, and reproved the rashness of Carolostadius, declaring,2 that their proceedings herein were not orderly: but that pictures & images ought first to be thrown out of the harts and consciences of men & that the people ought first to be taught: that we are saved before God, and please him only by faith, and that Images serve to no purpose: this done, and the people well instructed, there was no danger in Images, but they would fall of their own accord. Not that he repugned to the contrary (he said) as though he would maintain Images to stand or to be suffered: but that this ought to be done by the magistrate, and not by force, upon every private mans head, without order and authority. Ex Joan. Sled. lib. 3.
And thus hauing discoursed such matters occurrēt betwene the Pope & Princes of Germany, at the Synode of Norenberge, let vs now proceede, returning againe to the story of Luther: of whō ye heard before, howe he was kept secret & solitarie for a time, by the aduise and conueiance of certain nobles in Saxonie, because of the Emperours Edict, aboue mentioned. In the meane time, while Luther had thus absented hymselfe out of Wyttenberge,1 Andraeas Carolostadius proceding more roughly and egerly in causes of Religion, had stirred vp the people, to throw downe Images in the temples, beside other thinges moe. For the which cause, Luther returning again into the city, greatly misliked the order of their doings, and reprooued the rashnesse of Carolostadius, declaring,2 that theyr proceedynges herein were not orderly: but that pictures & images ought first to be throwen out of the harts and consciences of men & that the people ought first to be taught: that we are saued before God, and please him onely by faith, and that Images serue to no purpose: this done, and the people well instructed, there was no danger in Images, but they would fall of their owne accord. Not that he repugned to the contrary (he saide) as though he would mainteine Images to stand or to be suffered: but that this ought to be done by the magistrate, and not by force, vppon euery priuate mannes head, without order and authority. Ex Ioan. Sled. lib. 3.
