A67927:1345
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.
Broke. Will you not do it upon you?
Brok. Will you not do it vpon you?
Rid. No, that I will not.
Broke. It shall be put upon you by one or other.
Brok. It shalbe put vpon you by one or other.
Rid. Do therein as it shall please you. I am well contented with that, and more then that: the servant is not above his Master. If they dealt so cruelly with our Saviour Christ, as the Scripture maketh mention, and he suffered the same patiently, how much more doth it become us his servants? and in saying of these words they put upon the said Doctor Ridley the surplice, with all the trinkets appertaining to the Mass, and as they were putting on the same,1 Doctor Ridley did vehemently inveigh against the Romish Bishop and all that foolish apparel, calling him Antichrist, and the apparel foolish and abominable, yea to fond for a Vice in a play, in so much that Brooks was exceeding angry with him, and bad him hold his peace. For he did but rail. Doct. Ridley answered again, and said: so long as his tongue and breath would suffer him, he would speak against their abominable doings, what so ever happened unto him for so doing.
Rid. Do therein as it shall please you. I am well contented with that, and more then that: the seruaunt is not aboue his Maister. If they delt so cruelly with our Sauiour Christe, as the Scripture maketh mention, and he suffered the same patienly, howe muche more doth it become vs his seruaunts? and in saying of these wordes they put vppon the sayde Doctor Ridley the surples, with all the trinkettes appertaynyg to the Masse, and as they were puttyng on the same,1 Doctor Ridley did vehemently inuey against the Romysh Byshyp and all that foolysh apparell, callyng hym Antichrist, and the apparell foolysh and abominable, yea to fond for a Uice in a play, in so muche that Brokes was exceeding angry with him, and bad hym holde his peace. For he dyd but rayle. Doct. Ridley aunsweared agayne, and sayde: so long as his tounge and breath woulde suffer hym, he woulde speake agaynst their abominable doynges, what so euer happened vnto hym for so doyng.
Broke. Well, you were best to hold your peace, lest your mouth be stopped. At which words one Edridge, the reader then of the Greek Lecture standing by, said to Doct. Brooks: Sir, the law is he should be gagged, therefore let him be gagged. At which words Doct. Ridley looking earnestly upon him that so said, wagged his head at him, and made no answer again, but with a sigh said: Oh well, well, well. So they proceeded in their doings: yet nevertheless ⟨p. 1768⟩D. Ridley was ever talking things not pleasant to their ears,1 although one or other bad him hold his peace, least he should be caused against his will. 2When as they came to that place where as D. Ridley should hold the chalice and the wafer cake (called •he singing bread) they bade him hold the same in his hand. And Doct. Ridley said: they shall not come in my hands, for if they do,3 they shall fall to the ground for all me. Then there was one appointed to hold them in his hand, while Bishop Brooks red a certain thing in Latin, touching the degradation of spiritual persons, according to the Popes law. Afterward they put a book in his hand, and withal red (as is before said) a certain thing in Latin, the effect thereof was: We do take from you the office of preaching the Gospel,4 &c. At which words, D. Ridley gave a great sigh, looking up toward heaven, saying: Oh Lord God forgive them this their wickedness. And as they put upon him the Mass gear, so they began with the uppermost garment, in taking it away again, reading a thing in Latin, according to the order contained in the said book of the Popes law. Now when all was taken from him saving only the surplice left on his back, as they were reading and taking it away, D. Ridley said unto them: Lord God, what power be you of, that you can take from a man that which he never had? I was never singer in all my life, and yet you will take from me that which I never had. So when all this their abominable and ridiculous degradation was ended very solemnly,5
seeing that you will not suffer me to talk, neither will vouchsafe to hear me, what remedy but patience? I refer my cause to my heavenly Father, who will reform things that be amiss, when it shall please him. At which words they would have been gone, but that M. Ridley said: My L. I would wish that your Lordship would vouchsafe to read over and peruse a little book of Bertram's doings concerning the Sacrament, I promise you, you shall find much good learning therein, if you will read the same with an indifferent judgement.1 D. Brooks made no answer to this, but would have been gone away. Then M. Ridley said: Oh, I perceive that you cannot away with this manner of talk. Well, it boots not, I will say no more, I will speak of worldly affairs. I pray you therefore (my Lord) hear me, and be a mean to the Queens majesty, in the behalf of a great many of poor men, and especially for my poor sister and her husband, which standeth there. They had a poor living gram ted unto them by me,2 whiles I was in the Sea of London, and the same is taken away from them, by him that now occupieth the same room, without all law or conscience. Here I have a Supplication to the Queens majesty in their behalves. You shall hear the same red: so shall you perceive the matter the better. Then he red the same, and when he came to the place in the Supplication, that touched his Sister by name, then he wept, so that for a little space he could not speak for weeping. After that he had left of weeping, he said: This is nature that moveth me. But I have now done, and with that read out the rest, and delivered the same to his Brother, commanding him to put it up to the Queens Majesty,3 and to sue, not only for himself, but also for such as had any Leases or Grants by him, and were put from the same by Doctor Boner then Bishop of London, whereunto Brooks said: In deed Master Ridley your request in this Supplication is very lawful and honest: therefore I must needs in conscience speak to the Queens Majesty for them.
seeyng that you will not suffer me to talke, neyther will vouchsafe to heare me, what remedy but patience? I referre my cause to my heauenly Father, who will reforme thynges that be amisse, when it shall please hym. At which words they would haue bene gone, but that M. Ridley sayd: My L. I would wish that your Lordship would vouchsafe to read ouer and peruse a litle booke of Bertrams doyngs concernyng the Sacrament, I promise you, you shall finde much good learnyng therein, if you will read the same with an indifferent iudgement.
Ridley. I pray you for Gods sake do so.
Brooks. I think your request will be granted, except one thing let it, and that is (I fear) because you do not allow the Queens proceedings, but obstinately withstand the same, that it will hardly be granted.
Brookes. I thinke your request will be granted, except one thyng let it, and that is (I feare) because you do not allow the Queenes proceedyngs, but obstinately withstand the same, that it will hardly be graunted.
Ridley. What remedy, I can do no more but speak and write, I trust I have discharged my conscience therein, and Gods will be done.
Ridley. What remedy, I can doe no more but speake and write, I trust I haue discharged my conscience therein, and Gods will be done.
Brooks. I will do what lieth in me.
Brokes. I will doe what lyeth in me.
The copy of this supplication written to the Queen, here followeth.
The copy of this supplication written to the Queene, here followeth.
IT may please your Majesty for Christ our Saviours sake,1 in a matter of conscience (and now not for my self but for other poor men) to vouchsafe to hear and understand this mine humble supplication. It is so (honourable princess) that in the time whiles I was in the Ministry of the Sea of London divers poor men Tenants thereof, have taken new Leases of their Tenantries and holdings, and some have renewed and changed their old, and therefore have payed fines and sums of money, both to me, and also to the Chapter of Pauls, for the confirmation of the same. Now I hear say that the Bishop which occupieth the same room now, will not allow the foresaid Leases, which must redound to many poor mens utter ruin and decay.2 Wherefore this is mine humble supplication unto your honourable grace, that it may please the same for Christs sake to be unto the foresaid poor men their gracious patroness and defender, either that they may enjoy their foresaid Leases and years renewed, as (I suppose) when their matter shall be heard with conscience, both justice, conscience, and equity shall require, for that their Leases shall be found (I trust) made without fraud or coven, either of their part, or of mine, and always also the old •ents reserved to the Sea without any kind of damage thereof: or if this will not be granted, then that it may please your gracious highness to command that the poor men may be restored to their former Leases and years and to have rendered to them again such sums of money as they paid to me, & to that chapterhouse for their Leases & years, so now taken from them. Which thing concerning the fines payed to me, may be easily done, if it shall please your Majesty to command some portion of those goods which I left in my house when I fled in hope of pardon for my trespass towards your grace, which goods (as I have heard) be yet reserved in the same house. I suppose that half of the value of my plate which I left in mine offices, and specially in an iron chest in my bed chamber,3 will go nigh to restore all such fines received, the true sums and parcels whereof, are not set in their Leases: and therefore if that way shall please your highness, they must be known by such ways and means, as your Majesty by the advise of men of wisdom and conscience shall appoint:
but yet for Christs sake I crave and most humbly beseech your Majesty of your most gracious pity and mercy, that the former way may take place. I have also a poor Sister that came to me out of the North, with three fatherless children, for her relief, whom I married after to a servant of mine own house: she is put out of that I did provide for them. I beseech your honourable grace that her case may be mercifully considered, and that the rather, in contemplation that I never had of him, which suffered endurance at my entrance to the Sea of London, not one penny of his moveable goods, for it was almost half a year after his deposition, afore I did enter into that place: yea, and also if any were left, known to be his, he had licence to carry it away, or there for his use it did lye safe, as his officers do know. I paid for the lead which I found there,1 when I occupied any of it to the behoof of the Church or of the house. And moreover, I had not only no part of his moveable goods, but also (as his old receiver and then mine, called M. Stanton, can testify) I paid for him towards his servants common liveries and wages, after his deposition, 53 or 55. pounds, I cannot tell whether. In all these matters I beseech your honourable Majesty to hear the advise of men of conscience, and in especially the Archbishop of York, which for that he was continually in my house a year and more, before mine imprisonment, I suppose he is not altogether ignorant of some part of these things, and also his grace doth know my Sister, for whose succour and some relief, now unto your highness I make most humble suit. The 16. day of Octob. An. 1555. N. R.
but yet for Christes sake I craue and most humbly beseech your Maiestie of your most gracious pity and mercy, that the former way may take place. I haue also a poore Sister that came to me out of the North, with three fatherlesse children, for her reliefe, whome I maried after to a seruaunt of myne owne house: she is put out of that I did prouide for them. I beseech your honourable grace that her case may be mercifully considered, and that the rather, in contemplation that I neuer had of hym, which suffered indurance at my entrance to the Sea of London, not one peny of his moueable goodes, for it was almost halfe a yeare after hys deposition, afore I did enter into that place: yea, and also if any were lefte, knowen to be hys, hee had lycence to cary it away, or there for his vse it did lye safe, as hys officers do know. I payd for the lead which I found there,
This degradation being past, and all things finished, D. Brooks called the Bailiffs, delivering to them M. Ridley with this charge, to keep him safely from any man speaking with him,1 and that he should be brought to the place of execution when they were commanded. Then M. Ridley in praising God, burst out with these words & said: God I thank thee, and to thy praise be it spoken, there is none of you all able to lay to my charge any open or notorious crime: for if you could, it should surely be laid in my lap, I see very well. Whereunto Brooks said, he played the part of a proud Pharisee, exalting and praising himself.
This degradation beyng past, and all thynges finished, D. Brookes called the Bailiffes, deliueryng to them M. Ridley with this charge, to keepe him safely from any man speaking with hym,1 and that he should be brought to the place of execution when they were commanded. Then M. Ridley in praysing God, brast out with these words & sayd: God I thanke thee, and to thy prayse be it spoken, there is none of you all able to lay to my charge any open or notorious crime: for if you could, it should surely bee layd in my lappe, I see very well. Whereunto Brookes sayd, he played the part of a proud Pharisey, exalting and praysing hymselfe.
But M. Ridley said: No, no, no, as I have said before, to Gods glory be it spoken. I confess my self to be a miserable wretched sinner, and have great need of Gods help and mercy, and do daily call and cry for the same: therefore I pray you have no such opinion in me. Then they departed, and in going away, a certain Warden of a College, of whose name I am not very sure, bad Doct. ⟨p. 1769⟩Ridley repent him, and forsake that erroneous opinion. Whereunto M. Ridley said: Sir, repent you, for you are out of the truth: and I pray God (if it be his blessed will) have mercy upon you, and grant you the understanding of his word.1 Then the Warden being in a chafe thereat, said: I trust that I shall never be of your erroneous and devilish opinion, neither yet to be in that place whether you shall go. He is (saith he) the most obstinatest and wilfullest man that ever I heard talk since I was borne.
But M. Ridley sayd: No, no, no, as I haue sayd before, to Gods glory be it spoken. I confesse my selfe to bee a miserable wretched sinner, and haue great need of Gods helpe and mercy, and doe daily call and cry for the same: therefore I pray you haue no such opinion in me. Then they departed, and in goyng away, a certaine Warden of a Colledge, of whose name I am not very sure, bad Doct. ⟨p. 1769⟩Ridley repent hym, and forsake that erroneous opinion. Whereunto M. R•dley sayd: Sir, repent you, for you are out of the truth: and I pray God (if it be his blessed will) haue mercy vpon you, and graunt you the vnderstanding of his worde.1 Then the Warden beyng in a chafe thereat, sayd: I trust that I shall neuer be of your erroneous and diuelish opinion, neyther yet to bee in that place whether you shal go. He is (saith he) the most obstinatest and wilfullest man that euer I heard talke since I was borne.
Brok. Well, you were best to holde your peace, lest your mouth be stopped. At which wordes one Edridge, the reader then of the Greeke Lecture standing by, sayd to Doct. Brokes: Syr, the lawe is he should be gagged, therefore let hym be gagged. At which wordes Doct. Ridley lookyng earnestly vpon him that so sayd, wagged his head at hym, and made no aunswere againe, but with a sigh sayd: Oh well, well, well. So they proceeded in their doinges: yet neuerthelesse ⟨p. 1768⟩D. Ridley was euer talkyng things not pleasant to their eares,1 although one or other bad hym hold his peace, least he should be caused against his wyll. 2When as they came to that place where as D. Ridley should hold the chalice and the wafer cake (called •he singyng bread) they bade hym holde the same in hys hande. And Doct. Ridley sayd: they shal not come in my hands, for if they do,3 they shall fall to the ground for all me. Then there was one appoynted to hold them in his hand, while Bishop Brookes red a certaine thyng in Latine, touching the degradation of spirituall persones, accordyng to the Popes law. Afterward they put a booke in hys hand, and withall red (as is before sayd) a certayne thing in Latin, the effect therof was: We do take from you the office of preachyng the Gospel,4 &c. At which wordes, D. Ridley gaue a great s•gh, lookyng vp toward heauen, saying: Oh Lorde God forgeue them this their wickednes. And as they put vppon hym the Masse geare, so they began with the vppermost garment, in taking it away agayne, reading a thyng in Latine, accordyng to the order contayned in the sayd booke of the Popes law. Now whē all was taken from him sauing onely the surples left on his backe, as they were readyng and takyng it away, D. Ridley sayd vnto them: Lord God, what power be you of, that you can take from a man that which he neuer had? I was neuer singer in all my lyfe, and yet you will take from me that which I neuer had. So when all this their abhominable and ridiculous degradation was ended very solemnely,5 D. Ridley sayde vnto D. Brookes, haue you done? If you haue done, then geue me leaue to talke with you a little, concernyng these matters. Brookes answered and said: M. Ridley, we may not talke with you, you be out of the Church, and our law is that we may not talke with any that be out of ye church. Then M. Ridley sayd:
