A67927:5257
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.
But after the time that the godly man ceased to be any more in our sight, and in our eyes, that ardent and burning love of religion by little and little waxed cold in our minds, and according to the times that came after (which were both miserable and to our utter undoing) ⟨p. 1965⟩it began not by little and little to be darkened,1 but it altogether vanished away, and turned into nothing. For we tell again into the troublesomeness of the popish doctrine: the old rites & customs of the Romish church, were restored again, not to the garnishment & beautifying of the christian Religion (as they surmised) but to the utter defacing, violating, & defiling of the same. Death was set before the eyes of such as persevered in the christen doctrine that they had learned before. They were banished the realm that could not apply themselves to the time, & do as other men did: such as remained, were enforced either to dissemble, or to hide themselves and creep into corners, or else as it were by drinking of the charmed cup of Circes, to be turned and altered, not only from the nature of man into the nature of brute beasts, but (that far worse and much more monstrous is) from the likeness of God & his Angels, into the likeness of devils. And all England was infected with this malady. But I would to God the corruption of those times which overwhelmed all the whole realm, had not at least wise yet pierced every part & member thereof. Of the which there was not one but that (besides the grief that it felt, with the residue of the body, by reason of the sickness & contagion spread into the whole) had some sorrow & calamity peculiarly by it self. And to omit the rest (of the which to entreat, this place is not appointed, nor the time requireth ought to be spoken) this dwelling place of the Muses (which we call the University) may be a sufficient witness what we may judge of all the rest of the body. For certes my brethren, the thing is not to be dissembled, that cannot be hidden. We applying our selves to those most filthy times, have most shamefully yielded like faint hearted Cowards, which had not the stomachs to sustain the adversities of poverty, banishment, and death. Which in our living and conversation kept neither the constancy taught us by philosophy, nor yet the patience taught us by holy scripture, which have done all things at the commandment of others.
But after the tyme that the godly man ceased to be any more in our sight, and in our eies, that ardent and burnyng loue of religion by little and little waxed cold in our myndes, and according to the times yt came after (which were both miserable and to our vtter vndoyng) ⟨p. 1965⟩it began not by little and little to be darkened,1 but it altogether vanished away, and turned into nothing. For we tell agayne into the troublesomnesse of the popish doctrine: the old rites & customs of the Romish church, were restored againe, not to the garnishment & beautifieng of the christian Religion (as they surmised) but to the vtter defacing, violating, & defiling of the same. Death was set before the eyes of such as perseuered in the christē doctrine that they had learned before. They were banished ye realm that could not apply themselues to the tyme, & do as other mē did: such as remained, were enforced either to dissēble, or to hide themselues and creepe into corners, or els as it were by drinking of the charmed cup of Circes, to bee turned and altered, not only from the nature of man into the nature of brute beasts, but (that far worse and much more monstrous is) from the likenes of God & his Angels, into the likenes of deuils. And all England was infected wt this malady. But I would to God the corruption of those tymes which ouerwhelmed all the whole realme, had not at least wise yet pierced euery part & member thereof. Of the which there was not one but that (besides the griefe yt it felt, with the residue of the body, by reason of the sicknes & contagion spred into the whole) had some sorrow & calamitie peculiarly by it selfe. And to omit the rest (of the which to entreat, this place is not appointed, nor the time requireth ought to be spoken) this dwelling place of the Muses (which we call the Uniuersitie) may be a sufficient witnes what we may iudge of all the rest of the body. For certes my brethren, the thing is not to be dissembled, that cannot be hidden. We applieng our selues to those most filthy tymes, haue most shamefully yelded like faint harted Cowards, which had not the stomackes to sustaine ye aduersities of pouerty, banishment, and death. Which in our liuyng and conuersatiō kept neither the constancy taught vs by philosophy, nor yet the patience taught vs by holye scripture, which haue done all things at the commaundement of others.
And therefore that which the Poet (although in another sense) hath trimly spoken, may well be thought to have been truly prophesied upon us.
And therefore that which the Poete (although in another sence) hath trimly spoken, may well be thought to haue bene truly prophesied vpon vs.
The times and seasons changed be: And changed in the same are we.
The tymes and seasons changed be: And changed in the same are we.
Divers of them that were of a pure and sincere judgement as concerning religion, being driven from hence & distroubled, the rest that remained tasted and felt of the inhumanity of them in whose hands the authority of doing things here consisted: although to say the truth. I have used a gentler term then behooved. For it is not to be accounted inhumanity, but rather immanity & beastly cruelty, the which, when they had spent all kinds of torments and punishments upon the quick, when they had cruelly taken from such as constantly persevered, life, from others riches, honours, and all hope of promotion, yet they could not be so satisfied, but that incensed and stirred with a greater fury, it began to outrage even against the dead. Therefore where as in every singular place was executed a singular kind of cruelty, in so much, that there was no kind of cruelness that could be devised, but it was put in ure in one place or other, this was proper or peculiar to Cambridge, to exercise the cruelty upon the dead, which in other places was extended but to the quick. Oxford burnt up the right reverend fathers, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, the noble witnesses of the clear light of the Gospel. Moreover, at London perished these two lanterns of light, Rogers and Bradford: In whom it is hard to say whether there were more force of eloquence and utterance in preaching, or more holiness of life and conversation. Many other without number both here and in other places were consumed to ashes for bearing record of the truth. For what City is there that hath not flamed, I say not with burning of houses and buildings, but with burning of holy bodies? But Cambridge, after there were no more left alive upon whom they might spue out their bitter poison, played the mad Bedlam against the dead. The dead men, whose living no man was able to find fault with, whose doctrine no man was able to reprove, were by false and slanderous accusers indited, contrary to the laws of God and man sued in the law, condemned, their sepulchres violated and broken up, their carcasses pulled out and burnt with fire. A thing surely incredible if we had not seen it with our eyes, and a thing that hath not lightly been heard of. But the heinousness of this wicked act, was spread abroad as a common talk in every mans mouth, and was blown and dispersed through all Christendom.
Bucer by the excellency of his wit and doctrine known to all men, of our countrymen in manner craved, of many others entreated & sent for, to the intent he might instruct our Cambridge men in the sincere doctrine of the christen religion, being spent with age, and his strength utterly decayed, forsook his own country, refused not the tediousness of the long journey, was not afraid to adventure himself upon the sea, but had more regard of the dilating and amplifying of the Church of Christ, than of all other things. So in conclusion he came, every man received and welcomed him: afterward he lived in such wise, as it might appear he came not hither for his own sake, but for ours. For he sought not to drive away the sickness that he had taken by the troublesome travail of his long journey: and albeit his strength were weakened & appalled, yet he regarded not the recovery of his health, but put himself to immoderate labour and intolerable pain, only to teach and instruct us. And yet toward this so noble and worthy a person while he lived, were showed all the tokens of humanity and gentleness, reverence and courtesy that could be, and when he was dead, the most horrible cruelty and spite that might be imagined. For what can be so commendable, as to grant unto the living house, and a biding place, and to the dead burial? Or what is he that will find in his heart to give entertainment, & to cherish that person in his house with all kind of gentleness that he can devise, upon whom he could not vouchsafe to bestow burial when he is dead? Again, what an inconstancy is it, with great solemnity, and with much advancement and commendation of his virtues, to bury a man honourably, and anon after to break up his tomb, and pull him out spitefully, and wrongfully to slander him being dead, who during his life time alway deserved praise? All these things have happened unto Bucer, who whilst he lived, had free access into the most gorgeous buildings and stately palaces of the greatest Princes, & when he was dead, could not be suffered to enjoy so much as his poor grave. Who being laid in the ground, nobly to his eternal fame, was afterward to his utter defacing spitefully taken up and burned.
Bucer by the excellency of hys wit and doctrine knowen to all men, of our countreymen in maner craued, of many others intreated & sent for, to the intent he might instruct our Cambridge men in the sincere doctrine of the christen religion, beyng spent with age, and hys strength vtterly decayed, forsooke his owne countrey, refused not the tediousnesse of the long iourney, was not afrayd to aduenture hymselfe vpon the sea, but had more regard of the dilatyng and amplifieng of the Church of Christ, than of all other thyngs. So in conclusion he came, euery man receyued and welcommed hym: afterward he liued in such wyse, as it might appeare he came not hither for his owne sake, but for ours. For he sought not to driue away ye sicknesse that he had taken by the troublesome trauaile of his long iourney: and albeit his strength were weakened & appalled, yet he regarded not the recouery of hys health, but put hymselfe to immoderate labour and intollerable payne, onely to teach and instruct vs. And yet toward this so noble and worthy a person while he lyued, were shewed all the tokens of humanitie and gentlenesse, reuerence and curtesy that could be, and when he was dead, the most horrible crueltie and spight that might be imagined. For what can be so commendable, as to grant vnto the liuyng house, and a bidyng place, and to the dead burial? Or what is he that will find in his heart to geue entertainement, & to cherish that person in his house with all kynde of gentlenes that he can deuise, vpon whom he could not vouchsafe to bestow buriall when he is dead? Agayne, what an inconstancy is it, with great solemnity, and with much aduauncement and commendation of his vertues, to bury a man honourably, and anone after to breake vp his tomb, and pull him out spitefully, and wrongfully to slander him beyng deade, who duryng his lyfe tyme alway deserued prayse? All these things haue happened vnto Bucer, who whilest hee lyued, had free accesse into the most gorgeous buildyngs and stately pallaces of the greatest Princes, & when he was dead, could not be suffred to enioy so muche as his poore graue. Who beyng layd in the ground, nobly to his eternall fame, was afterward to hys vtter defacing spightfully taken vp and burned.
The which things albeit they did no harm to the dead (for the dead carcasses feel no pain, neither doth the fame of godly persons depend upon the report of vulgar people, and the light rumours of men, but upon the rightful censure & just judgement of God) yet it reproveth an extreme cruelness and unsatiable desire of revengement, in them which offer such utter wrong to the dead. These persons therefore whom they have pulled out of their graves and burned, I believe (if they had been alive) they would have cast out of house and home, they would have driven out of all mens company, and in the end with most cruel torments have torn them in pieces, being nevertheless Aliens, being Strangers, and being also fetched hither by us out of such a country, where they not only needed not to fear any punishment, but contrary wise were always had in much reputation, as well among the noble and honourable, as also among the vulgar and common people. But yet how much more gentle then these men, was Bishop Gardiner, otherwise an earnest defender of the Popish doctrine. Who against his own countrymen, let pass no cruelty whereby he might extinguish with f•re & sword the light of the Gospel: and yet he spared Foreigners, because the right of them is so holy, that there was never nation so barbarous, that would violate the same. For when he had in his power the renowned Clerk Peter Martyr then teaching at Oxford, he would not keep him to punish him, but (as I have heard reported) when he should go his way, he gave him wherewith to bear his charges. So that the thing which he thought he might of right do to his own countrymen, he judged unlawful to do to strangers. And whom the law of God could not withhold from the wicked murdering of his own countrymen, him did the law of man bridle from killing of strangers, the which hath ever appeased all barbarous beastliness, and mitigated all cruelty. For it is a point of humanity for man and man to meet together, and one to come to an other, though they be never so far separated & set asunder, both by sea & by land, without the which access, there can be no intercourse of merchandise, there can be no conference of wits, which first of all engendered learning nor any commodity of society long to continue.
The which thynges albeit they did no harme to the dead (for the deade carcasses feele no payne, neyther doth the fame of godly persons depend vpon the report of vulgar people, and the lyght rumours of men, but vpon the rightfull censure & iust iudgement of God) yet it reprooueth an extreme cruelnesse and vnsatiable desire of reuengemēt, in them which offer such vtter wrong to the dead. These persons therefore whome they haue pulled out of their graues and burned, I beleue (if they had bene alyue) they would haue cast out of house and home, they would haue driuen out of all mens company, and in the ende with most cruell tormentes haue torne them in peeces, beyng neuerthelesse Alientes, beyng Straungers, and beyng also fetched hether by vs oute of such a countrey, where they not onely needed not to feare any punishment, but contrary wise were alwayes had in much reputation, as well among the noble and honourable, as also among the vulgare and common people. But yet how much more gentle then these men, was Byshop Gardiner, otherwyse an earnest defender of the Popishe doctrine. Who agaynst his owne countreymen, let passe no crueltie wherby he might extinguish with fre & sword the light of the Gospell: and yet he spared Forreiners, because the right of them is so holye, that there was neuer nation so barbarous, that would violate the same. For when he had in his power the renowmed Clearke Peter Martyr then teachyng at Oxford, he would not kepe hym to punish hym, but (as I haue heard reported) when hee should go his way, he gaue hym wherewith to beare hys charges. So that the thyng which he thought he might of right do to his owne countreymen, he iudged vnlawfull to do to strangers. And whom the law of God coulde not withhold from the wicked murthering of his owne countreymen, hym did the lawe of man bridle from killyng of straungers, the whiche hath euer appeased all barbarous beastlynesse, and mitigated all cruelty. For it is a poynt of humanitie for man and man to meete together, and one to come to an other, though they be neuer so far separated & set asunder, both by sea & by land, without the which accesse, there can be no entercourse of merchādise, there cā be no conference of wits, which first of al engendred lerning nor any commoditie of societie long to continue.
To repulse them that come to us, and to prohibit them our countries, is a point of inhumanity. Now to entreat them evil that by our sufferance dwell among us, and have increase of household and household stuff, it is a point of wickedness. Wherefore this cruelty hath far surmounted the cruelty of all others, the which to satisfy the unsatiable greediness thereof, drew to execution, not only strangers, brought hither at our entreataunce and sending for, but even the withered and rotten carcasses digged out of their graves: to the intent that the immeasurable ⟨p. 1966⟩thirst which could not be quenched with shedding the blood of them that were alive,1 might at the least be satisfied in burning of dead mens bones. These (my brethren) these I say, are the just causes which have so sore provoked the wrath of God against us, because that in doing extreme injury to the dead, we have been prone and ready: but in putting the same away, we have been slow and slack. For verily I believe (if I may have liberty to say freely what I think) ye shall bear with me (if I chance to cast forth any thing unadvisedly in the heat and hasty discourse of my Oration) that even this place, in the which we have so often times assembled, being defiled with that new kind of wickedness, such as man never heard of before, is a let and hindrance unto us, when we call for the help of God, by means whereof, our prayers are not accepted, which we make to appease the Godhead, & to win him to be savourable unto us again.
To repulse them that come to vs, and to prohibite thē our countries, is a poynt of inhumanitie. Now to entreat them euill that by our sufferaunce dwel among vs, and haue encrease of household and household stuffe, it is a poynte of wickednesse. Wherefore this crueltie hath farre surmounted the cruelty of all others, the which to satisfie the vnsatiable greedinesse thereof, drewe to execution, not onelye straungers, brought hether at our entreataunce and sending for, but euen the withered and rotten carcasses digged out of their graues: to the intent that the immeasurable ⟨p. 1966⟩thurst which coulde not be quenched with shedding the bloud of them that were aliue,1
The blood of Abel shed by Cain, calleth and crieth from the earth that sucked it up: likewise, the undeserved burning of these bodies, calleth upon God almighty to punish us, and crieth, that not only the Authors of so great a wickedness, but also the Ministers thereof are unpure, the places defiled, in which these things were perpetrated, the air infected which we take into our bodies, to the intent that by sundry diseases and sicknesses we may receive punishment for so execrable wickedness. Look well about ye (my dear brethren) and consider with your selves the evils that are past: & ye shall see how they took their beginning at Bucers death, following one in another's neck even unto this day. First and foremost when we were even in the chiefest of our mourning and scarcely yet recomforted of our sorrow for his death, the sweating sickness lighted upon us, the which passed swiftly through all England, and as it were in haste dispatched an innumerable company of men: Secondly, the untimely death of our most noble king Edward the sixth (whose life in virtue surmounted the opinion of all men, and seemed worthy of immortality) happened contrary to mens expectation in that age, in which unless violence be used, few do dye. The conversion of Religion, or rather the eversion and turning thereof into papistry. The incursion and domination of strangers, under whose yoke our necks were almost subdued. The importunate cruelty of the Bishops against the Christians, which executed that wickedness, for making satisfaction whereof, we are gathered together this day. These are the things that ensued after his death: but after his burning ensued yet greevouser things. Namely new kind of plagues, and contagious diseases, unknown to the very Physicians, whereby either every mans health was appayred, or else they were brought to their graves, or else very hardly recovered: bloody battles without victory, whereof the profit redounded to the enemy, and to us the slaughter with great loss. The which things do evidently declare, that God is turned from us, and angry with us, and that he giveth no ear to our prayers, and that he is not moved with our cries and sighs, but that he looketh, that this our meeting and assembly should be to this end, that for as much as we have violated their corpses, we should do them right again:
The bloud of Abell shed by Cain, calleth and crieth frō the earth that sucked it vp: likewise, the vndeserued burning of these bodyes, calleth vpon God almighty to punish vs, and cryeth, that not onely the Authours of so greate a wickednesse, but also the Ministers thereof are vnpure, the places defiled, in which these thinges were perpetrated, the ayre infected which we take into our bodyes, to the intent that by sundry diseases and sickenesses we may receiue punishment for so execrable wickednesse. Looke well about ye (my deare brethrē) and consider with your selues the euils that are past: & ye shall see how they tooke theyr beginning at Bucers death, following one in anothers necke euen vnto this day. First and formost whē we were euen in the chiefest of our mourning and scarcely yet recomforted of our sorrow for his death, the sweating sickenesse lighted vpon vs, the whiche passed swiftly thorow all Englande, and as it were in haste dispatched an innumerable company of men: Secondly, the vntimely death of our most noble king Edward the sixt (whose life in vertue surmounted the opinion of all men, and seemed worthy of immortality) happened contrary to mens expectation in that age, in which vnlesse violence be vsed, fewe do dye. The conuersion of Religion, or rather the euersion and turning therof into papistry. The incursiō and domination of straungers, vnder whose yoke our neckes were almost subdued. The importunate cruelty of the Byshops agaynst the Christians, which executed that wickednesse, for making satisfaction whereof, we are gathered together this daye. These are the thinges that ensued after his death: but after his burning ensued yet greeuouser thinges. Namely newe kinde of plagues, and contagious diseases, vnknowne to the very Phisitians, whereby eyther euerye mans health was appayred, or els they were brought to theyr graues, or elles very hardly recouered: bloudy batteles without victory, whereof the profite redounded to the enemy, and to vs the slaughter with great losse. The which thinges doe euidently declare, that God is turned from vs, and angry with vs, and that he geueth no eare to our prayers, and that he is not moued with our cries and sighes, but that he looketh, that this our meeting and assembly shoulde be to this end, that for as muche as we haue violated theyr coarses, we should doe them right agayne:
so that the memorial of these most holy men, may be commended to posterity unhurted and undefamed. Wherefore amend yet at length (my brethren) which hitherto by reason of the variableness and unconstancy of the times, have been wavering and unsteadfast in your hearts: show your selves cheerful and forward in making satisfaction for the injury you have done to the dead, whom with so great wickedness of late ye endamaged and defiled: not by censing them with the perfumes of those odours and spices now worn out of ure, and put to flight, but with a true and unfeigned repentance of the hart, and with prayer: to the intent that the heavenly Godhead, provoked by our doings to be our enemy may be our hum ble submission be entreated to be favourable and agreeable to all our other requests.
so that the memoriall of these most holy men, may be commended to posteritye vnhurted and vndefamed. Wherefore amende yet at length (my brethren) which hytherto by reason of the variablenesse and vnconstancy of the times, haue beene wauering and vnstedfast in your hartes: shew your selues chearefull and forwarde in making satisfaction for the iniury you haue done to the dead, whome with so greate wickednesse of late ye endomaged and defiled: not by censing them with the perfumes of those odours and spices now worne out of vre, and put to flight, but with a true and vnfained repētance of the hart, and with prayer: to the intent that the heauenly Godhead, prouoked by our doinges to be our enemy may be our hū ble submission be entreated to be fauorable and agreable to all our other requestes.
When Acworth had made an end of his Oration, M. James Pilkinton the Queens reader of the divinity lecture,1 going up into the Pulpit, made a Sermon upon the 111. Psalm, the beginning whereof is. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.
When Acworth had made an ende of his Oration, M. Iames Pilkinton the Queenes reader of the diuinity lecture,1 going vp into the Pulpite, made a Sermon vpon the 111. Psalme, the beginning whereof is. Blessed is the mā that feareth the Lord.
Where intending to prove that the remembrance of the just man shall not perish, and that Bucer is blessed, & that the ungodly shall fret at the sight thereof, but yet that all their attempts shall be to no purpose, to the intent this saying may be verified: I will curse your blessings, and bless your cursings, he took his beginning of his own person, that albeit he were both ready and willing to take that matter in hand, partly for the worthiness of the matter it self, and especially for certain singular virtues, of those persons, for whom that Congregation was called, yet notwithstanding he said he was nothing meet to take that charge upon him.
Where intending to prooue that the remembraunce of the iust man shall not perishe, and that Bucer is blessed, & that the vngodly shall fret at the sight therof, but yet that all theyr attemptes shall bee to no purpose, to the entent this saying may be verifyed: I will cursse your blessinges, and blesse your curssinges, he tooke his beginning of hys owne person, that albeit he were both ready and willyng to take that matter in hande, partly for the worthinesse of the matter it selfe, and inespecially for certayne singuler vertues, of those persons, for whome that Congregation was called, yet notwithstanding he sayde he was nothing meet to take that charge vpon him.
For it were more reason that he which before had done Bucer wrong, should now make him amends for the displeasure. As for his own part, he was so far from working any evil against Bucer, either in word or deed that for their singular knowledge almost in all kind of learning, he embraced both him and Phagius with all his heart. But yet he somewhat more favoured Bucer, as with whom he had more familiarity and acquaintance. In consideration whereof, although that it was scarce convenient, that he at that time should speak, yet notwt standing he was contented for friendship and courtesy sake, not to fail them in this their business. Having made this Preface, he entered into the pith of the matter, wherein he blamed greatly the barbarous cruelty of the Court of Rome, so fiercely extended against the dead. He said it was a more heinous matter then was to be borne with, to have showed such extreme cruelness to them that were alive: but for any man to misbehave himself in such wise toward the dead, was such a thing as had not lightly been heard of. Saving that he affirmed this custom of excommunicating and cursing of dead folk, to have come first from Rome. For Evagrius reporteth in his writings, that Eutichius was of the same opinion, induced by the example of Josiah, who slew the Priests of Baal, and burnt up the bones of them that were dead, even upon the Altars. Whereas, before the time of Eutichius this kind of punishment was wellnigh unknown, neither afterward usurped of any man (that ever he heard of) until a nine hundred years after Christ. In the latter times (the which how much the further they were from that golden age of the Apostles, so much the more they were corrupted) this kind of cruelness began to creep further. For it is manifestly known, that Stephen the sixth Pope of Rome, digged up Formosus, his last Predecessor in that Sea, and spoiling him of his Popes apparel, buried him again in lay mans apparel (as the call it) having first cut off and thrown into Tiber his two fingers, with which, according to their accustomed manner, he was wont to bless and consecrate. The which his unspeakably tyranny used against Formosus, within six years after, Sergius the third increased also against the same Formosus.
For it were more reason that he which before had done Bucer wrong, should now make him amendes for the displeasure. As for his owne part, he was so farre from working any euill agaynst Bucer, eyther in worde or deede that for theyr singular knowledge almost in al kind of learning, he embraced both him and Phagius with all hys harte. But yet hee somewhat more fauoured Bucer, as with whom he had more familiarity and acquayntaunce. In consideration whereof, although that it was scarce conuenient, that he at that time should speake, yet notwt standing he was contented for frendshippe and curtesye sake, not to fayle them in this theyr businesse. Hauyng made this Preface, he entered into the pith of the matter, wherein he blamed greatly the barbarous crueltye of the Court of Rome, so fiercely extended agaynst the dead. He sayd it was a more heynous matter then was to be borne with, to haue shewed such extreme cruelnesse to them that were aliue: but for any manne to misbehaue himselfe in such wise towarde the deade, was such a thing as hadde not lightly bene heard of. Sauing that he affirmed this custome of excommunicating and curssing of deade folke, to haue come first from Rome. For Euagrius reporteth in his wrytinges, that Eutichius was of the same opinion, induced by the example of Iosias, who slew the Priestes of Baall, and burnt vppe the boanes of them that were deade, euen vppon the Aultars. Whereas, before the time of Eutichius this kinde of punishment was welneare vnknowne, neither afterwarde vsurped of any manne (that euer he heard of) vntill a nine hundreth yeares after Christ. In the latter times (the whiche howe muche the further they were from that golden age of the Apostles, so much the more they were corrupted) this kinde of cruelnesse beganne to creepe further. For it is manifestlye knowne, that Stephen the sixt Pope of Rome, digged vp Formosus, his last Predecssour in that Sea, and spoyling him of hys Popes apparell, buryed him agayne in lay mans apparell (as the call it) hauing first cut off and throwne into Tyber his two fingers, with which, according to theyr accustomed maner, he was woont to blesse and consecrate. The whiche his vnspeakeably tyrannye vsed against Formosus, within sixe yeares after, Sergius the third encreased also agaynst the same Formosus.
For taking up his dead body and setting it in a Popes chair, he caused his head to be smitten of, and his other three fingers to be cut from his hand, and his body to be cast into the river of Tiber, abrogating and disannulling all his decrees, which thing was never done by any man before that day. The cause why so great cruelty was exercised (by the report of Nauclerus) was this: because that Formosus had been an adversary to Stephen and Sergius when they sued to be made Bishops.
For taking vp his dead body and setting it in a Popes chayre, hee caused his heade to be smitten of, and his other three fingers to be cut from his hand, and his body to be cast into the ryuer of Tyber, abrogating and disanulling all his decrees, which thinge was neuer done by any man before that daye. The cause why so great crueltye was exercised (by the reporte of Nauclerus) was this: because that Formosus had beene an aduersarye to Stephen and Sergius when they sued to be made Bishops.
This kind of cruelty unheard of before, the Popes a while exercised one against an other. But now, or ever they had sufficiently felt the smart thereof themselves, they had turned the same upon our necks. Wherefore it was to be wished, that seeing it began among them it might have remained still with the Authors thereof, & not have been spread over thence unto us. But such was the nature of all evil, that it quickly passeth into example, for others to do the like. For about the year of our Lord 1400. John Wycliffe was in like manner digged up, and burnt into ashes, & thrown into a brook that runneth by the town where he was buried. Of the which self same sauce tasted also William Tracy of Gloucester, a man of a worshipful house, because he had written in his last will that he should be saved only by faith in Jesus Christ, and that there needed not the help of any man thereto, whether he were in heaven or in earth, and therefore bequeathed no legacy to that purpose as all other men were accustomed to do. This deed was done sithens we may remember, about the 22. year of the reign of Henry the 8. in the year of our Lord. 1530.
This kinde of crueltye vnharde of before, the Popes a while exercised one agaynst an other. But nowe, or euer they had sufficiently felte the smarte thereof themselues, they had turned the same vpon our neckes. Wherefore it was to be wished, that seeing it began among thē it might haue remayned still with the Authors thereof, & not haue bene spread ouer thence vnto vs. But such was the nature of all euill, that it quickely passeth into example, for others to do the like. For about the yeare of our Lord 1400. Iohn Wicklyfe was in lyke maner digged vp, and burnte into ashes, & throwen into a brooke that runneth by the towne where he was buryed. Of the which selfe same sauce tasted also William Tracye of Gloucester, a man of a worshipfull house, because he had written in his laste will that he shoulde be saued onely by fayth in Iesus Christe, and that there needed not the helpe of any manne thereto, whether he were in heauen or in earth, and therefore bequethed no legacye to that purpose as all other men were accustomed to doe. This deede was done sithens we may remember, aboute the 22. yeare of the raigne of Henry the 8. in the yeare of our Lord. 1530.
Now seeing they extended such cruelty to the dead, he said it was an easy matter to conjecture what they would do to the living. Whereof we had sufficient trial by the examples of our own men, these few years past. And if we would take the pains to peruse things done somewhat longer ago, we might find notable matters out of our own Chronicles. Howbeit, it was sufficient for the manifest demonstration of that matter, to declare the beastly butchery of the French King executed upon the Waldenses, at Cabryer, and the places near thereabout, by his captain Miner, about the year of our Lord. 1545. ⟨p. 1967⟩then the which there was never thing read of more cruelty done,1 no not even of the barbarous Pagans. And yet for all that when divers had showed their uttermost cruelty both against these and many others, they were so far from their purpose in extinguishing the light of the Gospel, which they endeavoured to suppress, that it increased daily more and more. The which thing Charles the 5. (then whom all christendom had not a more prudent Prince, nor the Church of Christ almost a sorer enemy) easily perceived, and therefore when he had in his hand Luther dead, and Melanchthon and Pomeran, with certain other Preachers of the Gospel alive, he not only determined not any thing extremely against them nor violated their graves, but also entreating them gently sent them away, not so much as once forbidding them to publish openly the doctrine that they professed. For it is the nature of Christs Church, that the more that Tyrants spurn against it, the more it increaseth and florisheth. A notable proof assuredly of the providence and pleasure of God in sowing the Gospel, was that coming of the Bohemians unto us, to the intent to hear Wycliffe, of whom we spake before, who at that time read openly at Oxford: and also the going of our men to the said Bohemians, when persecution was raised against us. But much more notable was it, that we had seen come to pass in these our days: that the Spaniards sent for into this Realm of purpose to suppress the Gospel, as soon as they were returned home, replenished many parts of their Country with the same trueth of Religion, to the which before they were utter enemies.
Now seeing they extended suche crueltye to the dead, he sayde it was an easye matter to coniecture what they would doe to the liuing. Whereof we had sufficient tryall by the examples of our owne men, these fewe yeares past. And if we woulde take the paynes to peruse thinges done somewhat lenger ago, we might find notable matters out of our owne Chronicles. Howbeit, it was sufficient for ye manifest demonstration of that matter, to declare the beastly butchery of the Frenche King executed vppon the Waldenses, at Cabryer, and the places nere thereabout, by his captayne Miner, aboute the yeare of our Lorde. 1545.
By the which examples it might evidently be perceived, that the Princes of this world labour in vain to overthrow it, considering how the mercy of GOD hath sown it abroad, not only in those Countries that we spake of, but also in France, Poole, Scotland, and almost all the rest of Europe. For it is said, that some parts of Italy, (although it be under the Popes nose) yet do they of late incline to the knowledge of the heavenly trueth: Wherefore sufficient argument and proof might be taken by the success and encreasement thereof, to make us believe that this doctrine is sent us from heaven, unless we will wilfully be blinded. And if there were any that desired to be persuaded more at large in the matter, he might advisedly consider the voyage that the Emperor and the Pope with both their powers together, made jointly against the Bohemians. In the which the Emperor took such an unworthy repulse of so small a handful of his enemies, that he never almost in all his life took the like dishonour in any place. Hereof also might be an especial example that death of Henry King of France, who the same day that he had purposed to persecute the Church of Christ, and to have burned certain of his Guard, whom he had in prison for Religion, at whose execution he had promised to have been himself in proper person, in the midst of his triumph at a tourney, was wounded so sore in the head with a Spear by one of his own Subjects, that ere it was long after he dyed. In the which behalf, the dreadful judgements of GOD were no less approved in our own Countrymen▪ For one that was a notable slaughterman of Christs Saints rotted alive,1 and ere ever he dyed, such a rank savour stemmed from all his body, that none of his friends were able to come at him, but that they were ready to vomit. Another being in utter despair well nigh of all health, howled out miserably. The third ran out of his wits. And divers other that were enemies to the Church perished miserably in the end. All the which things were most certain tokens of the favour and defence of the divine Majesty towards his Church, and of his wrath and vengeance towards the Tyrants. And for as much as he had made mention of the Bohemians, he said it was a most apt example that was reported of their Captain Zisca:
By the which examples it might euidently be perceiued, that the Princes of this world labour in vayne to ouerthrowe it, considering how the mercy of GOD hath sowne it abroad, not onely in those Countryes that wee spake of, but also in Fraunce, Poole, Scotland, and almoste all the rest of Europe. For it is sayd, that some partes of Italy, (although it be vnder the Popes nose) yet do they of late encline to the knowledge of the heauenly trueth: Wherefore sufficient argument and proofe mighte be taken by the successe and encreasement therof, to make vs beleue that this doctrine is sent vs from heauen, vnlesse we will wilfully be blinded. And if there were any that desired to be perswaded more at large in the matter, hee might aduisedlye consider the voyage that the Emperor and the Pope with both theyr powers together, made ioyntly agaynste the Bohemians. In the which the Emperour tooke suche an vnworthy repulse of so small a handfull of his enemyes, that he neuer almost in all his life tooke the like dishonour in any place. Hereof also might bee an especiall example that death of Henry Kyng of Fraunce, who the same day that he had purposed to persecute the Churche of Christe, and to haue burned certayne of his Garde, whome he had in prison for Religion, at whose execution he had promised to haue bene himselfe in proper person, in the middes of his tryumph at a tourney, was wounded so sore in the head with a Speare by one of his owne Subiectes, that ere it was long after he dyed. In the which behalfe, the dreadfull iudgementes of GOD were no lesse approued in our owne Countreymen For one that was a notable slaughterman of Christes Sayntes rotted aliue,
Diuers of them that were of a pure and sincere iudgement as conceruyng religion, beyng driuen from hence & distroubled, the rest that remained tasted and felt of the inhumanity of them in whose hands the authoritie of doing things here consisted: although to say the truth. I haue vsed a gentler terme then behooued. For it is not to bee accompted inhumanitie, but rather immanitie & beastly cruelty, the which, when they had spent all kynds of tormēts and punishments vpon the quicke, when they had cruelly taken from such as constantly perseuered, life, from others riches, honors, and all hope of promotion, yet they coulde not be so satisfied, but that incensed and stirred with a greter fury, it began to outrage euen agaynst the dead. Therfore where as in euery singuler place was executed a singular kynd of cruelty, in so much, that there was no kynd of cruelnes that could be deuised, but it was put in vre in one place or other, this was proper or peculiar to Cambridge, to exercise the cruelty vppon the dead, which in other places was extended but to the quicke. Oxford burnt vp the right reuerend fathers, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latymer, the noble witnesses of the cleare light of the Gospell. Moreouer, at London perished these two lanternes of light, Rogers and Bradford: In whome it is hard to say whether there were more force of eloquence and vtterance in preaching, or more holynes of lyfe and conuersation. Many other without number both here and in other places were consumed to ashes for bearyng record of the truth. For what City is there that hath not flamed, I saye not with burning of houses and buildings, but with burnyng of holy bodies? But Cambridge, after there were no more left alyue vpon whom they might spue out their bitter poyson, played the mad Bedlem against the dead. The dead men, whose liuyng no man was able to finde faulte with, whose doctrine no man was able to reprooue, were by false and slanderous accusers indited, contrary to the lawes of God and man sued in the law, condemned, their sepulchres violated and broken vp, their carcasses pulled out and burnt with fire. A thyng surely incredible if wee had not seene it with our eyes, and a thing that hath not lightly bene heard of. But the haynousnes of this wicked act, was spred abroad as a common talke in euery mans mouth, and was blowen and dispersed through all Christendome.
