A67926:677
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.
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,2 the dead to be buried, or any other ceremony whatsoeuer, about the funerall is to be done: they will not do it freely, but extort and exact so much mony, as the miserable communalty is scarse able to disbourse, and daily they do encrease and augment these their exactions, driuing the simple pouerty to the payment therof, by threatning them with excommunication, or by other waies, cōpelling them to be at charge: which otherwise through pouerty, are not able to maintein obsequies, yere mindes, and suche other like ceremonies, as to the funerals of the dead be appertaining.
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.
Furthermore, Luther writing of Carolostadius,1 affirmeth that he also joined with the sentence of them, which began then to spread about certain parts of Saxony, saying that they were taught of God, that all wickedness being utterly suppressed, and all the wicked doers slain, a new full perfection of all things must be set up, and the innocent only to enjoy all things. &c.
Furthermore, Luther wryting of Carolostadius,1 affirmeth that he also ioyned with the sentēce of them, which began then to spread about certaine parts of Saxony, saying that they were taught of God, that al wickednes being vtterlye suppressed, and all the wicked doers slaine, a newe full perfection of all thyngs must be sette vp, and the innocent onely to enioy all things. &c.
The cause why Luther so stood against that violent throwing down of Images, and against Carolostadius, seemeth partly to rise of this, by reason that Pope Adrian in his letters sent to the Princes and states of Germany, doth grievously complain, and charge the sect of Luther, for sedition and tumults, and rebellion against Magistrates, as subverters and destroyers of all order and obedience, as appeareth by the words of the Popes letter before expressed, pag. 854. therefore M. Luther, to stop the mouth of such slanderers, and to prevent such sinister suspicions, was enforced to take this way, as he did: that is, to proceed, as much as he might, by order and authority.
The cause why Luther so stoode against that violente throwing downe of Images, and against Carolostadius, seemeth partly to rise of this, by reason that Pope Adrian in his letters sent to the Princes and states of Germany, doth greeuously complaine, and charge the sect of Luther, for sedition and tumultes, and rebellion against Magistrates, as subuerters and destroyers of all order and obedience, as appeareth by the words of the Popes letter before expressed, pag. 854. therefore M. Luther, to stoppe the mouth of such slanderers, and to preuent such sinister suspitions, was enforced to take this way, as he did: that is, to proceede, as much as he might, by order and authoritie.
¶Wherein are to be noted by the way two special points, touching the doctrine and doings of M. Luther especially for all such who in these our days, now abusing the name & authority of Luther, think themselves to be good Lutherians,1 if they suffer Images still to remain in temples, and admit such things in the Church▪ which themselves do wish to be away. The first is the manner how and after what sort Luther did suffer such Images to stand. For although he assented not that the vulgar and private multitude tumultuously by violence should rap them down: yet that is no argument now for the Magistrate, to let them stand. And though he allowed not the Ministers to stir up the people, by forcible means to promote Religion: yet that argueth not, those magistrates to be good Lutherians, which may and should remove them, and will not.
¶Wherein are to be noted by ye way two speciall points, touching the doctrine and doings of M. Luther especially for all such who in these our dayes, now abusing the name & authoritie of Luther, thinke themselues to be good Lutherians,1 if they suffer Images stil to remaine in temples, and admit such things in the Church▪ which themselues do wish to be away. The first is the maner how and after what sort Luther did suffer such Images to stand. For although he assented not that the vulgare and priuate multitude tumultuously by violēce should rap them downe: yet that is no argument now for the Magistrate, to let them stand. And though he allowed not the Ministers to stirre vp the people, by forceable meanes to promote Religion: yet that argueth not, those magistrates to be good Lutherians, which may and should remoue them, and will not.
The second point to be noted is, to consider the cause why that Luther did so stand with standing of Images, which cause was time, and not his own judgement. For albeit in judgement he wished them away, yet time so served not thereunto then, as it serveth now. For then the doctrine of Luther first beginning to spring, and being but in the blade, was not yet known whereto it tended, nor to what it would grow: but rather was suspected to tend to disobedience & sedition: and therefore the Pope hearing of the doings of Carolostadius in Wittenberg, and of other like, took his ground thereby to charge the sect of Luther with sedition, uproars, and dissolute liberty of life. And this was the cause, why Luther compelled then by necessity of time, to save his doctrine from slander of sedition and tumult, being laid to him by the Pope (as ye have heard) was so much offended with Carolostadius and other, for their violence used against Images. For otherwise, had it not been for the Popes accusations, there is no doubt, but Luther would have bin as well contented with abolishing of Images and other monuments of Popery, as he was at the same time,1 contented to write to the Friars Augustines for abrogating of private Masses. And therefore as Luther in this doing is to be excused,2 the circumstances considered: so the like excuse perhaps will not serve the overmuch curious imitation of certain Lutherians in this present age now: which considering only the fact of Luther, do not mark the purpose of Luther, neither do expend the circumstances and time of his doings: being not much unlike to the ridiculous imitators of King Alexander the great, which thought it not sufficient to follow him in his virtues, but they would also counterfeit him in his stooping and all other gestures besides:3 but to these living now in the Church, in another age then Luther did, it may seem (after my mind) sufficient to follow the same way after Luther, or to walk with Luther, to the kingdom of Christ, though they jump not also in every foot steppe of his, and keep even the same pace, and turnings in all points, as he did.
The second point to be noted is, to consider the cause why that Luther did so stand with standing of Images, which cause was time, and not his owne iudgement. For albeit in iudgement he wished them away, yet time so serued not therunto then, as it serueth now. For then the doctrine of Luther first beginning to spring, and being but in the blade, was not yet knowne whereto it tended, nor to what it would grow: but rather was suspected to tend to disobedience & sedition: and therefore the Pope hearing of the doings of Carolostadius in Wittenberge, and of other like, tooke his ground thereby to charge the sect of Luther with sedition, vprores, and dissolute libertie of life. And this was the cause, why Luther cōpelled then by necessitie of time, to saue hys doctrine from sclaunder of sedition and tumulte, beyng layd to hym by the Pope (as ye haue heard) was so much offended with Carolostadius and other, for their violence vsed against Images. For otherwise, had it not bene for the Popes accusations, there is no doubt, but Luther would haue bin as well cōtented with abolishing of Images and other monuments of Popery, as he was at the same time,
And contrariwise of the other sort, much less are they to be commended,1 which running as much on the contrary string, are so precise, that because of one small blemish, or for a little stooping of Luther in the Sacrament, therefore they give clean over the reading of Luther, and fall almost in utter contempt of his books. Whereby is declared not so much the niceness and curiousness of these our days,2 as the hinderance that cometh thereby to the Church, is greatly to be lamented. For albeit the Church of Christ (praised be the Lord) is not unprovided of sufficient plenty of worthy and learned writers, able to instruct in matters of doctrine: yet in the chief points of our consolation, where the glory of Christ, and the power of his passion & strength of faith is to be opened to our conscience, & where the soul wrestling for death and life, standeth in need of serious consolation, the same may be said of Martin Luther, amongst all this other variety of writers, that S. Cyprian was wont to say of Tertullian Da magistrum, give me my master. And albeit that Luther went a little awry, and dissented from Zuinglius in this one matter of the Sacrament: yet in all other states of doctrine they did accord, as appeared in the Synod holden at Marpurge, by prince Philip Landgrave of Hesse, which was in the year of our Lord. 1529. where both Luther, and Zuinglius were present, and conferring together, agreed in these Articles:
And contrarywise of the other sorte, much lesse are they to be commended,1 which running as much on the contrary string, are so precise, that because of one small blemish, or for a little stouping of Luther in the Sacrament, therefore they giue cleane ouer the reading of Luther, and fall almost in vtter contempt of his bookes. Whereby is declared not so much the nicenes and curiousnes of these our daies,2 as ye hinderance that cōmeth thereby to the Church, is greatly to be lamented. For albeit the Church of Christ (praised be the Lord) is not vnprouided of sufficient plenty of worthy and learned writers, able to instruct in matters of doctrine: yet in the chiefe points of our cōsolation, where the glory of Christ, and the power of his passion & strength of faith is to be opened to our conscience, & where the soule wrasteling for death and life, standeth in neede of serious consolation, the same may be sayd of Martin Luther, amongst all this other varietie of writers, that S. Cyprian was wont to say of Tertulian Da magistrum, geue me my maister. And albeit that Luther went a little awry, and dissented frō Zuinglius in this one matter of the Sacrament: yet in all other states of doctrine they did accord, as appeared in the Synode holdē at Marpurge, by prince Philip Lautgraue of Hesse, which was in the yeare of our Lord. 1529. where both Luther, and Zuinglius were present, and conferryng together, agreed in these Articles:
