A67927:1322
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] 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 2] 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.
Linc. I am sorry M. Latimer for your hurt. At your departure we will see to better order. With that M. Latimer thanked his Lordship, making a very low courtesy. After this the Bishop of Lincoln began on this manner.
Linc. I am sory M. Latimer for your hurt. At your departure we will see to better order. With that M. Latimer thanked his Lordshyp, making a very low curtesie. After this the Bishop of Lincolne began on this manner.
Linc. M. Latimer, although yesterday after we had taken your answers to those Articles which we proposed, might have justly proceeded to judgement against you,1 especially in that you required the same, yet we having a good hope of your returning, desiring not your destruction, but rather that you would recant, revoke your errors, and turn to the Catholic Church, differed farther process till this day, and now according to the appointment, we have called you here before us, to hear whether you are content to revoke your heretical assertions, and submit your self to the determination of the Church, as we most heartily desire, and I for my part, as I did yesterday, most earnestly do exhort you, either to know whether you persevere still the man that you were, for the which we would be sorry. It seemed that the Bishop would have farther proceeded, saving that M. Latimer interrupted him, saying:
Linc. M. Latimer, although yesterday after we had taken your aunsweres to those Articles whiche we proposed, might haue iustly proceeded to iudgement against you,1 especially in that you required the same, yet we hauyng a good hope of your returning, desiring not your destruction, but rather that you woulde recant, reuoke your errours, and turne to the Catholicke Church, differred farther processe tyll this day, and now accordyng to the appoyntment, we haue called you here before vs, to heare whether you are content to reuoke your hereticall assertions, and submitte your selfe to the determination of the Church, as we most hartely desire, and I for my part, as I did yesterday, most earnestly doe exhort you, eyther to know whether you perseuer still the man that you were, for the which we would be sory. It seemed that the Bishop woulde haue farther proceeded, sauyng that M. Latimer interrupted hym, saying:
Lati. Your Lordship often doth repeat the Catholic Church, as though I should deny the same. No my Lord,1 I confess there is a Catholic Church, to the determination of the which I will stand, but not the Church which you call Catholic, which sooner might be termed diabolic. And where as you join together the Romish and Catholic Church, stay there I pray you. For it is an •ther thing to say Romish Church, and an other thing to say Catholic Church:2 I must use here in this mine answer the counsel of Cyprianus, who at what time he was ascited before certain Bishops that gave him leave to take deliberation and counsel to try and examine his opinion, he answered them thus: in sticking and persevering in the truth, there must no counsel, nor delibera, tion be taken. And again being demanded of them sitting in judgement, which was most like to be of y• Church of Christ, either he which was persecuted, either they which did persecute: Christ, said he, hath foreshowed, that he that doth follow him, must take up his cross and follow him. Christ gave knowledge that the disciples should have persecution and trouble. Howe think you then my Lords, is it like that the sea of Rome,3 which hath been a continual persecutor, is rather the Church, or that swal flock which hath continually ben persecuted of it even to death? Also the flock of Christ hath ben but few in comparison to the residue, and ever in subjection: which he proved, beginning at No•s time even to the Apostles.
Lati. Your Lordship often doth repeate the Catholike Church, as though I should deny the same. No my Lord,1 I confesse there is a Cotholicke Church, to the determination of the which I will stande, but not the Churche which you call Catholicke, which soner might be termed diabolike. And where as you ioyne together the Romish and Catholicke Church, stay there I pray you. For it is an •ther thing to say Romish Church, and an other thing to say Catholicke Church:
Linc. Your cause and S. Cyprian's is not one, but clean contrary, for he suffered persecution for Christs sake and the Gospel: but you are in trouble for your errors and false assertions, contrary to the word of God, and the received trueth of the Church.
Linc. Your cause and S. Cyprians is not one, but cleane contrary, for he suffered persecution for Christes sake and the Gospell: but you are in trouble for your errours and false assertions, contrary to the worde of God, and the receiued trueth of the Church.
Lati. M. Latimer interrupting him, said: yes verily,1 my cause is as good as S. Cyprian's: for his was for the word of God and so is mine. But Lincoln goeth forth in his talk. Also at the beginning and foundation of the Church, it could not be but that the Apostles should suffer great persecution. Further, before Christs coming, continually there were very few which truly served God: but after his coming began the time of grace, then began the Church to increase, and was continually augmented until that it came unto this perfection,2 and now hath justly that jurisdiction which the unchristian Princes before by tyranny did resist: there is a diverse consideration of the estate of the Church now in the time of grace, and before Christs coming. But Master Latimer, although we had instructions given us determinately to take your answer to such Articles as we should propose, without any reasoning or disputations, yet we hoping by talk somewhat to prevail with you, appointed you to appear before us yesterday in the Divinity School, a place for disputations. And whereas then notwithstanding you had licence to say ⟨p. 1767⟩your mind, and were answered to every matter, yet you could not be brought from your errors. We thinking that from that time ye would with good advisement consider your state, gave you respite from that time yesterday when we dismissed you,3 until this time, and now have called you again here in this place, by your answers to learn whether you are the same man you were then or no? Therefore we will propose unto you the same articles which we did then, and require of you a determinate answer, without farther reasoning, and eftsoons recited the first article.
Lati. M. Latimer interruptyng hym, sayd: yes verely,1 my cause is as good as S. Cyprians: for his was for the worde of God and so is myne. But Lincolne goeth forth in his talke. Also at the beginnyng and foundation of the Churche, it coulde not be but that the Apostles shoulde suffer great persecution. Further, before Christes commyng, continually there were very fewe whiche truely serued God: but after his commyng beganne the tyme of grace, then beganne the Churche to encrease, and was continually augmented vntyll that it came vnto this perfection,
Lati. Always my protestation saved, that by these mine answers it should not be thought that I did condescend and agree to your Lordships authority in that you are legated by authority of the Pope, so that thereby I might seem to consent to his jurisdiction, to the first article I answer now as I did yesterday, that in the Sacrament the worthy receiver receiveth the very body of Christ, and drinketh his blood by spirit and grace. But after that corporal being which the Romish Church prescribeth, Christs body & blood is not in the Sacrament under the forms of bread and wine. The Notaries toke his answer to be affirmatively. For the second article,1 he referred himself to his answers made before.
Lati. Alwayes my protestation saued, that by these mine answeres it should not be thought that I did condescend and agree to your Lordshippes authority in that you are legased by authoritie of the Pope, so that thereby I might seeme to consent to his iurisdiction, to the fyrst article I aunswere now as I did yesterday, that in the Sacrament the worthy receyuer receiueth the very body of Christ, and drinketh his bloud by spirite and grace. But after that corporall being which the Romish Church prescribeth, Christes body & bloud is not in the Sacrament vnder the formes of bread and wine. The Notaries toke his aunswere to be affirmatiuely. For the seconde article,1 he referred hymselfe to his aunsweres made before.
Linc. After this the Bishop of Lincoln recited the third article, and required a determinate answer.
Linc. After this the Bishop of Lincolne recited the third article, and required a determinate aunswere.
Lat. Christ made one oblation and sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and that a perfect sacrifice, neither needeth there to be any other, neither can there be any other propitiatory sacrifice. The Notaries took his answer to be affirmatively. In like manner did he answer to the other articles, not varying from his answers made the day before. After his answers were penned of the Notaries, and the Bishop of Lincoln had exhorted him in like sort to recant as he did M. Ridley, and revoke his errors and false assertions, and M. Latimer had answered that he ne could,1 ne would deny his master Christ and his verity, the Bishop of Lincoln desired M. Latimer to hearken to him, and then master Latimer hearkening for some new matter and other talk, the Bishop of Lincoln red his condemnation, after the publication of the which, the said three Bishops brake up their Sessions, and dismissed the audience. But M. Latimer required the Bishop to perform his promise,2 in saying the day before, that he should have licence briefly to declare the causes why he refused the Popes authority.
Lat. Christ made one oblation and sacrifice for the sinnes of the whole worlde, and that a perfecte sacrifice, neyther needeth there to be any other, neyther can there be any other propitiatory sacrifice. The Notaries tooke his aunsweare to bee affirmatiuely. In like maner did he aunswere to the other articles, not varying from his aunsweres made the day before. After his aunsweres were penned of the Notaries, and the Bishop of Lincolne had exhorted him in like sort to recant as he dyd M. Ridley, and reuoke his errours and false assertions, and M. Latimer had aunswered that he ne could,1 ne would deny his maister Christ and his veritie, the Bishop of Lincolne desired M. Latimer to harken to him, and then maister Latimer harkening for some new matter and other talke, the Byshop of Lincolne red his condemnation, after the publication of the which, the sayd three Bishops brake vp their Sessions, and dimissed the audience. But M. Latimer required the Bishop to performe his promyse,2 in saying the daye before, that he shoulde haue licence briefly to declare the causes why he refused the Popes authoritie.
Lincol. But the Bishop said, that now he could not hear him, neither ought to talk with him.
Lincol. But the Byshop sayde, that now he coulde not heare hym, neither ought to talke with hym.
Then M. Latimer asked him whether it were not lawful for him to appeal from this his judgement. And the Bishop asked him again, to whom he would appeal. To the next general Council, quoth M. Latimer, which shall be truly called is Gods name.1 With that appellation the Bishop was content: but he said it would be a long season before such a convocation as he meant would be called.
Then M. Latimer asked hym whether it were not lawfull for him to appeale from this his iudgement. And the Byshop asked hym againe, to whom he would appeale. To the next generall Counsell, quoth M. Latimer, whiche shalbe truely called is Gods name.1 With that appellation the Byshop was content: but he sayd it woulde be a long season before suche a conuocation as he ment would be called.
Then the Bishop committed M. Latimer to the Major, saying: now he is your prisoner master Major. Because the press of people was not yet diminished, each man looking for farther process, the Bishop of Lincoln commanded avoidance, and willed M. Latimer to tarry till the press were diminished lest he should take hurt at his egression, as he did at his entrance. And so continued Bishop Ridley, and M. Latimer in durance till the .16. day of the said month of October.
Then the Byshop committed M. Latimer to the Maior, saying: now he is your prisoner maister Maior. Because the presse of people was not yet diminished, ech man lookyng for farther processe, the Byshop of Lincolne commaunded auoydance, and willed M. Latimer to tary tyl the presse were diminished lest he shoulde take hurt at his egression, as he did at his entraunce. And so continued Byshop Ridley, and M. Latimer in durance till the .16. day of the sayd moneth of October.
IN the mean season upon the 15. day in the morning, and the same year above said,1 the Bishop of Gloucester Doct. Brooks, and the Uicechauncelour of Oxford Doct. Marshall,2 with diverse other of the chief and heads of the same University, and many other moe accompanying with them, came unto M. Irish his house then Major of Oxford, where D. Ridley, late Bishop of London was close prisoner. And when the Bishop of Gloucester came into the chamber where the said D, Ridley did lye, he told him for what purpose their coming was unto him, saying:3 that yet once again the Queens Majesty did offer unto him by them, her gracious mercy, if that he would receive the same, and come home again to the faith which he was Baptised in, & revoke his erroneous doctrine that he of late had taught abroad to the destruction of many. And further said, that if he would not recant, and become one of the Catholic Church with them, then they must needs (against their wills) proceed according to the law, which they would be very loth to do, if they might otherwise. But (saith he) we have been often times with you, and have requested that you would recant this your fantastical & devilish opinion, where hitherto you have not, although you might in so doing win many, and do much good. Therefore good M. Ridley, consider with your self the danger that shall ensue both of body and soul, if that you shall so wilfully cast your self away in refusing mercy offered unto you at this time.
IN the meane season vpon the 15. day in the mornyng, and the same yeare aboue sayd,1 the Byshop of Glocester Doct. Brokes, and the Uicechauncelour of Oxford Doct. Marshall,2 with diuerse other of the chiefe and heades of the same Uniuersitie, and many other moe accompanying with them, came vnto M. Irish his house then Maior of Oxforde, where D. Ridley, late Byshop of London was close prisoner. And when the Byshop of Glocester came into the chamber where the sayde D, Ridley did lye, he told him for what purpose their comming was vnto him, saying:3
My Lord, quoth D. Ridley, you know my mind fully herein: and as for the doctrine which I have taught,1 my conscience assureth me that it was sound, & according to Gods word (to his glory be it spoken) the which doctrine the Lord God being my helper, I will maintain so long as my tongue shall wag,2 and breath is within my body, and in confirmation thereof, seal the same with my blood.
My Lord, quoth D. Ridley, you know my mynd fully herein: and as for the doctrine which I haue taught,1 my conscience assureth me that it was sounde, & accordyng to Gods word (to his glory be it spoken) the which doctrine the Lord God beyng my helper, I wyll mayntaine so long as my tongue shall wagge,2 and breath is within my body, and in confirmation thereof, seale the same with my bloud.
Broke. Well, you were best, M. Ridley, not to do so, but to become one of the Church with us. For you know this well enough, that whosoever is out of the Catholic church, can not be saved: therefore I say once again, that whiles you have time and mercy offered you, receive it, and confess with us the Popes holiness to be be the chief head of the same Church.1
Brok. Well, you were best, M. Ridley, not to do so, but to become one of the Church with vs. For you know this well enough, that whosoeuer is out of the Catholike church, can not be saued: therefore I say once agayne, that whiles you haue time and mercy offered you, receiue it, and confesse with vs the Popes holynes to be be the chiefe head of the same Church.1
Rid. I marvel that you will trouble me with any such vain and foolish talk. You know my mind concerning the usurped authority of the Romish Antichrist. As I confessed openly in the Schools, so do I now, that both by my behaviour and talk I do no obedience at all unto the Bishop of Rome, nor to his usurped authority, and that for divers good and godly considerations. And here Doct. Ridley would have reasoned with the said Brooks Bishop of Gloucester,1 of the Bishop of Romes authorities, but could not be suffered, and yet he spake so earnestly against the Pope therein, that the Bishop told him, if he would not hold his peace, he should be compelled against his will. And seeing saith he, that you will not receive the Queens mercy now offered unto you, but stubbornly refuse the same, we must, against our wills, proceed according to our Commission to disgrading, taking from you the dignity of Priesthood. For we take you for no Bishop, and therefore we will the sooner have done with you: so, committing you to the secular power, you know what doth follow.
Rid. I marueyle that you wyll trouble me with any suche vayne and foolysh talke. You know my mynd concerning the vsurped authoritie of the Romishe Antichrist. As I confessed openly in the Scholes, so do I nowe, that both by my behauiour and talke I do no obedience at all vnto the Byshop of Rome, nor to his vsurped authoritie, and that for diuers good and godly considerations. And here Doct. Ridley would haue reasoned with the sayde Brokes Byshop of Glocester,1 of the Byshop of Romes authorities, but could not be suffered, and yet he spake so earnestly agaynst the Pope therein, that the Byshop told hym, if he would not hold his peace, he should be compelled agaynst his wyll. And seeyng sayth he, that you wyll not receiue the Queenes mercy now offered vnto you, but stubburnly refuse the same, we must, against our wils, proceede according to our Commission to disgradyng, takyng from you the dignitie of Priesthode. For we take you for no Byshop, and therefore we will the sooner haue done with you: so, committing you to the secular power, you know what doth follow.
