A67927:1368
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.
After him came M. Latimer in a poor Bristow freeze frock all worn, with his buttoned cap, and a kerchief on his head, all ready to the fire, a new long shroud hanging over his hose down to the feet, which at the first sight, stirred mens hearts to rue upon them, beholding on the one side, the honour they sometime had, on the other, the calamity whereunto they were fallen.
After hym came M. Latimer in a poore Bristow freeze frocke all worne, with hys buttened cap, and a kerchiefe on his hed, all redy to the fire, a new long shroud hanging ouer his hose downe to the feete, which at the first sight, stirred mens hearts to rue vpon them, beholdyng on the one side, the honour they sometyme had, on the other, the calamitie whereunto they were fallen.
M. Doctor Ridley, as he passed towards Bocardo, looking up where M. Cranmer did lye, hoping belike to have seen him at the glass window, and to have spoken unto him. But then M. Cranmer was busy with Friar Soto & his fellows disputing together, so that he could not see him through that occasion.1 Then M. Ridley looking back, espied M. Latimer coming after. Unto whom he said: Oh be ye there. Yea said M. Latimer, have after as fast as I can follow. So he following a pretty way of, at length they came both to the stake, one after the other, where first D. Ridley entering the place, marvellous earnestly holding up both his hands, looked towards heaven: then shortly after espying M. Latimer, with a wondrous cheerful look, ran to him, embraced, and kissed him, and as they that stood near reported, comforted him,2 saying: be of good heart brother, for GOD will either assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it.
M. Doctor Ridley, as hee passed towards Bocardo, lookyng vp where M. Cranmer did lye, hopyng belike to haue seene hym at the glasse window, and to haue spoken vnto hym. But then M. Cranmer was busie with Frier Soto & his fellowes disputyng together, so that he could not see hym through that occasion.1 Then M. Ridley lookyng backe, espied M. Latymer commyng after. Unto whome he sayd: Oh be ye there. Yea sayd M. Latymer, haue after as fast as I can follow. So he following a prety way of, at lenth they came both to the stake, one after the other, where first D. Ridley entring the place, maruelous earnestly holding vp both his hands, loked towards heauen: then shortly after espying M. Latimer, with a wonderous cheerefull looke, ranne to hym, embraced, and kissed hym, and as they that stoode neare reported, comforted hym,2 saying: be of good heart brother, for GOD will either asswage the fury of the flame, or els strengthen vs to abyde it.
With that went he to the stake, kneeled down by it, kissed it, most effectually prayed, and behind him M. Latimer knelled, as earnestly calling upon God as he. After they arose, the one talked with the other a little while, till they which were appointed to see the execution removed themselves out of the sun. What they said, I can learn of no man.
With that went he to the stake, kneeled downe by it, kissed it, most effectuously prayed, and behynd him M. Latymer kneled, as earnestly callyng vpon God as he. After they arose, the one talked with the other a little whyle, tyll they which were appoynted to see the execution remooued themselues out of the sunne. What they sayd, I can learne of no man.
Then Doctor Smith,1 of whose recantation in K. Edwards time, ye heard before, began his Sermon to them, upon this text of Saint Paul, in the xiij. chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians: Si corpus meum trad•m igni, charitatem autem non habeo, nihil inde utilitatis capio: That is, If I yield my body to the fire to be burnt, & have not Charity, I shall gain nothing thereby. Where in he alleged, that the goodness of the cause, and not the order of death: maketh the holiness of the person: Which he confirmed by the examples of Judas, and of a woman in Oxford that of late hanged her self, for that they and such like as he recited, might them be adjudged righteous, which desperately sundered their lives from their bodies,2 as he feared that those men that stood before him would do. But he cried still to the people to beware of them, for they were heretics, and dyed out of the Church. And on the other side, he declared their diversities in opinions, as Lutherians, Oecolampadians, Zwinglians,3 of which sect they were, (he said) and that was the worst: but the old church of Christ, and the Catholic faith believed far otherwise, At which place they lifted up both their hands and eyes to heaven, as it were calling God to witness of the truth. The which countenance they made in many other places of his Sermon, where as they thought he spake amiss. He ended with a very short exhortation to them, to recant and come home again to the church, and save their lives and souls, which else were condemned. His sermon was scant in all a quarter of an hour.
Then Doctor Smith,1 of whose recantation in K. Edwards tyme, ye heard before, began his Sermon to them, vpon this text of Saint Paule, in the xiij. chapiter of the first Epistle to the Corrinthians: Si corpus meum tradm igni, charitatem autem non habeo, nihil inde vtilitatis capio: That is, If I yeld my body to the fire to be burnt, & haue not Charitie, I shall gayne nothyng thereby. Where in he alledged, that the goodnesse of the cause, and not the order of death: maketh the holynes of the person: Which he confirmed by the examples of Iudas, and of a woman in Oxford that of late hanged her selfe, for that they and suche lyke as he recited, might thē be adiudged righteous, which desperately sundered their lyues from their bodies,
Doctor Ridley said to Master Latimer, will you begin to answer the Sermon, or shall I? Master Latimer said, begin you first I pray you. I will said Master Ridley.
Doctor Ridley sayd to Maister Latymer, will you beginne to aunswer the Sermon, or shall I? Maister Latimer sayd, begin you first I pray you. I will sayd Maister Ridley.
Then the wicked Sermon being ended,1 Doctor Ridley and Master Latimer knelled down upon their knees towards my Lord Williams of Tame, the Uicechancellor of Oxford, and divers other Commissioners appointed for that purpose, which sate upon a form thereby. Unto whom Master Ridley said: I beseech you my Lord even for Christs sake, that I may speak but two or three words: and whilst my Lord bent his head to the Major and Uicechauncellour, to know (as it appeared) whether he might give him leave to speak, the Bailiffs and Doctor Marshall Uicechancellour ran hastily unto him,2 and with their hands stopped his mouth and said: Master Ridley, if you will revoke your erroneous opinions, and recant the same, you shall not only have liberty so to do, but also the benefit of a subject, that is, have your life. Not otherwise said Master Ridley? No quoth Doctor Marshall: therefore if you will not do so, then there is no remedy but you must suffer for your deserts. Well (quoth M. Ridley) so long as the breath is in my body, I will never deny my Lord Christ, and his known truth: Gods will be done in me.3 And with that he rose up, and said with a loud voice: Well, then I commit our cause to almighty God, which shall indifferently judge all.
Then the wicked Sermon beyng ended,1 Doctor Ridley and Maister Latymer kneled down vpon their knees towardes my Lord Williams of Tame, the Uicechancellor of Oxford, and dyuers other Commissioners appointed for that purpose, which sate vpon a forme therby. Unto whome Maister Ridley sayd: I beseech you my Lord euen for Christes sake, that I may speake but two or three wordes: and whylest my Lord bent hys head to the Maior and Uicechauncellour, to know (as it appeared) whether he myght geue hym leaue to speake, the Bailiffes and Doctour Marshall Uicechancellour ranne hastily vnto hym,2 and with theyr handes stopped hys mouthe and sayd: Maister Ridley, if you will reuoke your erroneous opinions, and recant the same, you shall not onely haue libertie so to doe, but also the benefite of a subiect, that is, haue your lyfe. Not otherwyse sayd Maister Ridley? No quoth Doctor Marshall: therefore if you will not doe so, then there is no remedy but you must suffer for your desertes. Well (quoth M. Ridley) so long as the breath is in my body, I will neuer deny my Lord Christ, and hys knowen truth: Gods will be done in me.
To whose saying, Master Latimer added his old Posy. Well,1 there is nothing hid but it shall be opened: and he said he could answer Smith well enough if he might be suffered. Incontinently they were commanded to make them ready, which they with all meekness obeyed. Master Ridley took his gown and his tippet, and gave it to his brother in law M. Shepside, who all his time of imprisonment,* although he might not be suffered to come to him, lay there at his own charges to provide him necessaries, which from time to time, he sent him by the Sergeant that kept him. Some other of his apparel that was little worth, he gave away, other the Bailiffs took.
To whose saying, Maister Latymer added hys olde Posie. Well,1 there is nothyng hidde but it shall bee opened: and he sayd he could aunswere Smith well enough if he myght bee suffered. Incontinently they were commaunded to make them ready, which they with all mekenesse obeyed. Maister Ridley tooke his gown and his tippet, and gaue it to his brother in law M. Shepside, who all his tyme of imprisonment,* although he might not bee suffred to come to hym, laye there at his owne charges to prouide him necessaries, which from tyme to tyme, he sent him by the Sergeant that kept hym. Some other of hys apparell that was little woorth, he gaue away, other the Bailifs tooke.
He gave away besides, divers other small things to Gentlemen standing by,1 and divers of them pitifully weeping, as to sir Henry Lea, he gave a new groat, and to divers of my L. Williams gentlemen, some napkins, some nutmegs, and races of ginger, his Dial, and such other things as he had about him, to every one that stood next him. Some plucked the points of his hose. Happy was he that might get any rag of him.
He gaue away besides, diuers other small thynges to Gentlemen standyng by,1 and diuers of them pitifully wepyng, as to sir Henry Lea, he gaue a new grote, and to diuers of my L. Williams gentlemen, some napkins, some nutmegs, and races of ginger, his Diall, and such other thyngs as he had about hym, to euery one that stoode next hym. Some plucked the pointes of his hose. Happy was he that might get any rag of hym.
M. Latimer gave nothing, but very quietly suffered his keeper to pull of his hose, and his other array,1 which to look unto was very simple: and being stripped into his shroud, he seemed as comely a person to them that were there present, as one should lightly see: and where as in his clothes, he appeared a withered and crooked silk old man, he now stood bolt upright, as comely a father as one might lightly behold.
M. Latymer gaue nothyng, but very quietly suffered his keper to pull of his hose, and his other aray,1 which to looke vnto was very simple: and beyng stripped into hys shroud, he seemed as comely a person to them that were there present, as one should lightly see: and where as in his clothes, he appeared a withered and crooked silke olde man, he now stood bolt vpright, as comely a father as one might lightly behold.
Then M. Ridley standing as yet in his truss, said ⟨p. 1770⟩to his brother: it were best for me to go in my truss still. No (quoth his brother) it will put you to more pain: and the truss will do a poor man good. Whereunto Master Ridley said: be it, in the name of God, and so unlaced himself.1 Then being in his shirt, he stood upon the foresaid stone, and held up his hands and said: Oh heavenly Father, I give unto thee most hearty thanks, for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee, even unto death. I beseech thee Lord GOD take mercy upon this Realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies.
Then M. Ridley standyng as yet in hys trusse, sayde ⟨p. 1770⟩to his brother: it were best for me to goe in my trusse still. No (quoth hys brother) it will put you to more payne: and the trusse will do a poore man good. Whereunto Maister Ridley sayd: be it, in the name of God, and so vnlaced hymselfe.1 Then beyng in his shirt, he stoode vpon the foresayd stone, and held vp hys handes and sayd: Oh heauenly Father, I geue vnto thee most harty thankes, for that thou hast called me to bee a professour of thee, euen vnto death. I beseech thee Lord GOD take mercy vpon this Realme of England, and deliuer the same from all her enemies.
Then the Smith took a chain of iron, and brought the same about both D. Ridley's, and M. Latimers middles: and as he was knocking in a staple, D. Ridley took the chain in his hand, and shaked the same, for it did gird in his belly, and looking aside to the Smith, said: good fellow knock it in hard, for the flesh will have his course. Then his brother did bring him gunpowder in a bag,1 and would have tied the same about his neck. M. Ridley asked what it was. His brother said gunpowder. Then said he, I take it to be sent of God, therefore I will receive it as sent of him. And have you any said he, for my brother, meaning M. Latimer? Yea sir, that I have (quoth his brother.) Then give it unto him said he, betime, least ye come to late. So his brother went, and carried of the same gunpowder unto M. Latimer.
Then the Smith tooke a chaine of iron, and brought the same about both D. Ridleis, and M. Latimers middles: and as he was knockyng in a staple, D. Ridley took the chayne in his hand, and shaked the same, for it did gird in his belly, and lookyng aside to the Smith, sayd: good felow knocke it in hard, for the flesh will haue hys course. Then his brother did bring hym gunpouder in a bag,1 and would haue tied the same about hys necke. M. Ridley asked what it was. His brother said gunpouder. Then sayd he, I take it to be sent of God, therefore I will receyue it as sent of hym. And haue you any sayd he, for my brother, meanyng M. Latymer? Yea sir, that I haue (quoth hys brother.) Then geue it vnto hym sayd he, betyme, least ye come to late. So hys brother went, and caried of the same gunpouder vnto M. Latymer.
1In the mean time D. Ridley spake unto my L. Williams, and said: My L. I must be a suitor unto your lordship, in the behalf of divers poor men, and especially in the cause of my poor Sister: I have made a supplication to the Queens Majesty in their behalves. I beseech your Lordship for Christs sake, to be a mean to her grace for them. My brother here hath the Supplication, and will resort to your lordship to certify you hereof. There is nothing in all the world that troubleth my conscience (I praise God) this only excepted.2 Whiles I was in the Sea of London, divers poor men took Leases of me, and agreed with me for the same. Now I hear say, the B. that now occupieth the same room, will not allow my grants unto them made, but contrary unto all law and conscience, hath taken from them their livings, and will not suffer them to enjoy the same. I beseech you my Lord, be a mean for them: you shall do a good deed, and God will reward you.
1In the meane tyme D. Ridley spake vnto my L. Williams, and sayd: My L. I must be a suter vnto your lordship, in the behalfe of diuers poore men, and especially in the cause of my poore Sister: I haue made a supplication to the Queenes Maiestie in their behalfes. I beseech your Lordship for Christes sake, to bee a meane to her grace for them. My brother here hath the Supplication, and wyll resort to your lordship to certifie you hereof. There is nothing in all the world yt troubleth my conscience (I praise God) this onely excepted.2 Whiles I was in the Sea of London, diuers poore men tooke Leases of me, and agreed with me for the same. Now I heare say, the B. that nowe occupieth the same roume, wil not allow my graunts vnto them made, but contrary vnto all law and conscience, hath taken from them their liuynges, and will not suffer them to enioy the same. I beseech you my Lord, be a mean for them: you shall doe a good deed, and God wil reward you.
1Then brought they a fagot kindled with fire, and laid the same down at D. Ridleys feet. To whom Master Latimer spake in this manner: Be of good comfort master Ridley, and play the man: we shall this day light such a candle by Gods grace in England, as (I trust) shall never be put out.
1Then brought they a fagot kindled with fire, and layd the same downe at D. Ridleys feete. To whome Maister Latymer spake in this maner: Be of good comfort maister Ridley, and play the man: wee shall this day light such a candle by Gods grace in England, as (I trust) shall neuer be put out.
And so the fire being given unto them, when D. Ridley saw the fire flaming up toward him, he cried with a wonderful loud voice:1 In manus tuas Domine, commendo spiritum meum, Domine recipe spiritum meum, and after repeated this latter part often in English: Lord, Lord, receive my spirit: M. Latimer crying as vehemently on the other side: Oh Father of Heaven, receive my soul: who received the flame as it were embracing of it. After, as he had stroked his face with his hands, & (as it were) bathed them a little in the fire, he soon died (as it appeared) with very little pain or none. And thus much concerning the end of this old and blessed servant of God, M. Latimer, for whose laborious travails, fruitful life, & constant death, the whole Realm hath cause to give great thanks to almighty God.
And so the fire beyng geuen vnto them, when D. Ridley saw the fire flamyng vp toward hym, he cryed wyth a wonderfull lowd voyce:1 In manus tuas Domine, commendo spiritum meum, Domine recipe spiritum meum, and after repeated this latter part often in English: Lord, Lord, receyue my spirit: M. Latymer crying as vehemently on the other side: Oh Father of Heauen, receyue my soule: who receyued the flame as it were embrasing of it. After, as he had stroked hys face with hys hands, & (as it were) bathed them a little in the fire, he soone died (as it appered) with very litle payne or none. And thus much concerning the end of this old and blessed seruaunt of God, M. Latymer, for whose laborious trauails, fruitfull lyfe, & constāt death, the whole Realme hath cause to geue great thankes to almighty God.
But M. Ridley by reason of the evil making of the fire unto him,1 because the wooden fagots were laid about the gorse, and over high built, the fire burned first beneath, being kept down by the wood. Which when he felt, he desired them for Christs sake to let the fire come unto him. Which when his brother in law heard, but not well understood, intending to rid him out of his pain (for the which cause he gave attendance) as one in such sorrow, not well advised what he did, heaped fagots upon him, so that he clean covered him, which made the fire more vehement beneath, that it burned clean all his nether parts before it once touched the upper, and that made him leap up and down under the fagots, and often desire them to let the fire come unto him, saying: I cannot burn. Which in deed appeared well: for after his legs were consumed by reason of his struggling through the pain (whereof he had no release,2 but only his contentation in God) he showed that side toward us clean, shirt and all untouched with flame. Yet in all this torment he forgot not to call unto God still, having in his mouth: Lord have mercy upon me, intermeddling this cry, let the fire come unto me, I can not burn. In which pains he laboured, till one of the standers by with his bill, pulled of the fagots above, and where he saw the fire flame up,3 he wrested himself unto that side. And when the flame touched the gunpowder, he was seen stir no more, but burned on the other side, falling down at M. Latimers feet. Which some said happened, by reason that the chain loosed: other said that he fell over the chain by reason of the poise of his body, and the weakness of the nether limbs.
But M. Ridley by reason of the euill makyng of the fire vnto hym,1 because the wooden fagots were laid about the gosse, and ouer high built, the fire burned first beneath, beyng kept downe by the woode. Which when he felt, hee desired them for Christs sake to let the fire come vnto him. Which when hys brother in law heard, but not well vnderstood, entendyng to ridde hym out of his payne (for the which cause he gaue attendance) as one in such sorow, not well aduised what he did, heaped fagots vpon hym, so that he cleane couered hym, which made the fire more vehement beneath, that it burned cleane all hys neather parts before it once touched the vpper, and that made him leape vp and downe vnder the fagots, and often desire them to let the fire come vnto him, saying: I cannot burne. Which in deed appeared well: for after hys legs were consumed by reason of his struglyng through the payne (whereof he had no release,
Some say that before he was like to fall from the stake he desired them to hold him to it with their bills. Howsoever it was, surely it moved hundreds to tears, in beholding the horrible sight. For I think there was none that had not clean exiled all humanity and mercy,1 which would not have lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage upon their bodies. Signs there were of sorrow on every side. Some took it grievously to see their deaths, whose lives they held full dear. Some pitied their persons that thought their souls had no need thereof. His brother moved many men, seeing his miserable case: seeing (I say) him compelled to such infelicity, that he thought then to do him best service, when he hastened his end. Some cried out of the luck, to see his endeavour, who most dearly loved him, and sought his release, turn to his greater vexation, and increase of pain. But who so considered their preferments in time past, the places of honour that they sometime occupied in this common wealth, the favour they were in with their princes, and the opinion of learning they had, could not choose but sorrow with tears, to see so great dignity, honour, and estimation, so necessary members sometime accounted, so many godly virtues, the study of so many years, such excellent learning, to be put into the fire, and consumed in one moment. Well, dead they are, and the reward of this world they have already. What reward remaineth for them in heaven, the day of the Lords glory when he cometh with his saints, shall shortly I trust declare.
Some say that before he was like to fall from the stake he desired them to holde him to it with their billes. Howsoeuer it was, surely it moued hundredes to teares, in beholding the horrible sight. For I thinke there was none that had not cleane exiled all humanitie and mercy,1 which would not haue lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage vpon their bodies. Signes there were of sorrowe on euery side. Some tooke it greuously to see their deaths, whose lyues they held full deare. Some pitied their persons that thought theyr soules had no neede thereof. His brother mooued many men, seyng his miserable case: seeyng (I say) hym compelled to such infelicitie, yt he thought then to doe hym best seruice, when he hastened hys ende. Some cryed out of the lucke, to see his endeuor, who most dearely loued hym, and sought his release, turne to hys greater vexation, and encrease of payne. But who so considered their preferments in tyme past, the places of honor that they sometyme occupied in this common wealth, the fauour they were in with their princes, and the opinion of learnyng they had, could not chuse but sorow with teares, to see so great dignitie, honour, and estimation, so necessary members sometime accounted, so many godly vertues, the study of so many yeares, such excellent learnyng, to be put into the fire, and consumed in one moment. Wel, dead they are, and the reward of this world they haue already. What reward remayneth for them in heauen, the day of the Lordes glory when he commeth with his saints, shall shortly I trust declare.
