A67927:5854
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 then he alleged that no bishop nor Priest might take a wife, after he had taken upon him that office, but if he had a wife before he took the office tried meet for the purpose, for his life and for his learning, he might keep his wife, and bring up his children according to s. Pauls meaning to Timothy, or else might they have no wives. Then said I, I think Pauls meaning in that place was, that a man that hath had two wives, might not be made a bishop nor a Deacon, if he had never so much learning. But that place maketh not that a bishop or a Deacon may not marry after they be made bishops and Deacons. For I am sure that Paul was in the state of a bishop, when he said: He had power to lead about a sister to wife, as well as the other Apostles had. Here Paul declareth,1 that it was in his power to have a wife, after he had the office of a Bishop, which was not in his power, if he had been forbidden of God. ⟨p. 1989⟩Thus have I showed you my mind in this behalf, both of Paul, and also for the marriages of bishops and priests, as I understand the scriptures. Howbeit, it is a thing the which I have little to do withal: but as you required me to say my mind in that matter, so I have done.
But then he alleaged that no bishop nor Priest might take a wife, after he had taken vpon him that office, but if he had a wife before he tooke the office tryed meet for the purpose, for his lyfe and for his learnyng, hee mighte keepe his wyfe, and bryng vp his children according to s. Paules meadyng to Timothie, or els might they haue no wyues. Then sayd I, I thinke Paules meanyng in that place was, that a man that hath had two wiues, might not bee made a bishop nor a Deacon, if he had neuer so much learnyng. But that place maketh not that a bishop or a Deacō may not marry after they be made bishops and Deacons. For I am sure that Paul was in the state of a bishop, whē he sayd: He had power to lead about a sister to wyfe, as well as the other Apostles had. Here Paul declareth,1 that it was in his power to haue a wyfe, after he had the office of a Bishop, which was not in his power, if he had bene forbidden of God. ⟨p. 1989⟩Thus haue I shewed you my mind in this behalf, both of Paul, and also for the mariages of bishops and priests, as I vnderstand the scriptures. Howbeit, it is a thing the which I haue litle to doe withall: but as you required me to say my minde in that matter, so I haue done.
Chich. Marry I am glad that you have said as you have done. Many do affirm boldly that Paul had a wife, and yet can not prove whether he had or had not, by the scriptures: but you have said very well. I am glad that ye are contented to be ruled by Gods word. And if you will be contented likewise in other matters, no doubt you shall do well: therefore gentle goodman Woodman be ruled. God hath given you a good wit.1 I protest before God, I would you should do as well as mine own soul and body, and so would (I dare say) all the worshipful men in the country, as they have reported to me.
Chich. Marye I am glad that you haue sayd as you haue done. Many doe affirme boldly that Paul had a wife, and yet can not prooue whether he had or had not, by ye scriptures: but you haue said very wel. I am glad that yee are contented to be ruled by Gods woord. And if you will be contented likewise in other matters, no dout you shall do well: therefore gentle goodman Woodman be ruled. God hath geuē you a good wit.1 I protest before God, I would you should do as well as mine owne soule and body, and so would (I dare say) all the worshipfull men in the coū trey, as they haue reported to me.
Wood. Why, my Lord, I take God to record (whom I trust to serve) that I would be as glad to live in rest and peace, as any man in all the world, if I might. And I stand to learn, & am contented to be reformed of any thing that I hold, if it can be proved that it be not agreeable to gods word. And the truth is so, I have talked with a dozen Priests at the least, since I was delivered out of prison, of certain matters, and they have not ben able to certify me in any thing that I have asked them:1 and therefore have they complained on me to the Sheriff and Justices, making tales and lies on me, to turn me to displeasure, as much as in them lieth. I promise you, there be as many unlearned Priests in your diocese, as in any one diocese in England I think: the more it is to be lamented.
Wood. Why, my Lord, I take God to recorde (whome I trust to serue) that I woulde be as glad to liue in rest and peace, as any man in all ye world, if I might. And I stand to learne, & am contented to be reformed of any thing that I hold, if it can be prooued that it be not agreable to gods woorde. And the truthe is so, I haue talked with a dosen Priests at the least, since I was deliuered out of prison, of certaine matters, and they haue not ben able to certify me in any thing that I haue asked them:1 and therefore haue they complained on me to the Sheriffe and Iustices, making tales and lies on me, to tourne me to displeasure, as muche as in them lieth. I promise you, there be as manye vnlearned Priests in your dioces, as in any one dioces in England I thinke: the more it is to be lamented.
Chich. I promise you, I do much lament it my self: for I hear say no less: but it is true that you say. I would I could remedy it, but I can not: but I will do the best that I can, when I come into the country, and I will be glad to talk with you some other time, when I am somewhat better at ease. You see I am very tender now, as I have been this half year and more. Come to dinner: our dinner is ready. I caused not you to tarry for any great cheer that you shall have, nor I would you should not think that I go about to win you with my meat. But you be welcome with all my heart. Come, sit down.
Chich. I promise you, I do much lament it my selfe: for I heare say no lesse: but it is true that you say. I woulde I could remedy it, but I can not: but I wil doe the best that I can, when I come into the countrey, and I wil be glad to talke with you some other time, when I am somewhat better at ease. You see I am very tender nowe, as I haue bene this halfe yeare and more. Come to dinner: our dinner is ready. I caused not you to tarie for any great chere that you shall haue, nor I would you should not thincke that I goe about to winne you with my meate. But you be welcome with all my heart. Come, sit downe.
Wood. I thanked him, and went to dinner: and there dined with him a Merchant man, one of the sheriffs men, and I,1 and no mo, & we had good cheer, God be praised therefore. We had no talk of the scriptures all the dinner while: but when dinner was done, the bishop said.
Wood. I thanked him, and wēt to dinner: and there dined with him a Marchant man, one of the sheriffes men, and I,1 and no mo, & we had good chere, God be praised therefore. We had no talke of the scriptures all ye dinner while: but when dinner was done, the bishop saide.
Chich. Now call M. Stories man. For the commissioners have committed you to prison: but I will send for you or ever it be long, and I pray God I may do you good. I would be very glad of it.
Chich. Now cal M. Stories man. For the commissioners haue committed you to prison: but I wil sende for you or euer it be long, and I pray God I may doe you good. I would be very glad of it.
Wood. If it please you to send for me, I would be very glad to talk with you, for I like your talk well. And then if it please your Lordship to examine me upon any particular matter, I will show you my mind therein, by gods grace,1 without dissimulation. But I pray you let me have nothing to do with M. Story, for he is a man without reason, me think.
Wood. If it please you to send for me, I woulde be verye glad to talk with you, for I like your talke wel. And then if it please your Lordship to examine me vpon any particular matter, I will shew you my minde therein, by gods grace,1 without dissimulation. But I pray you let me haue nothing to doe wyth M. Storie, for he is a man wythout reason, me thinke.
Chich. Well, or ever you go, how say you to the vij. Sacraments? Let me hear what you say to them, that I may be the willinger to send for you again.
Chich. Wel, or euer you goe, how say you to the vij. Sacraments? Let me heare what you say to them, yt I maye be the willinger to send for you againe.
Wood. 1I know not vij. Sacraments.
Chich. Then what shall I talk with you? Howe many do you know?
Chich. Then what shall I talke with you? Howe many doe you know?
Wood. I know but two: one the sacrament of baptism, and the other the supper of the Lord.1 But if you can justly prove by Gods word, that there be more then two, I stand to be reformed.
Wood. I knowe but two: one the sacrament of baptisme, and the other the supper of the Lorde.1 But if you can iustly prooue by Gods woord, that there be more then two, I stand to be reformed.
Chich. If I prove not vij. by Gods word, then believe me not: and so he bade me farewell.
Chich. If I prooue not vij. by Gods woord, then beleue me not: and so he bade me farewell.
Then the Sheriffs two men, and one of doc. Stories men, carried me to doc. Cooks house, which doctor Cooke commanded them to carry me to the Sheriffs prison in Southwark: saying, he shall be called before us again shortly and all his fellows, and we shall dispatch them for troubling the country any more.
Then the Sheriffes two men, and one of doc. Stories men, caried me to doc. Cookes house, which doctor Cooke commaunded them to carie me to the Sheriffes prisone in Southwarke: saying, he shall be called before vs agayne shortly and all his fellowes, and we shal dispatch them for troubling the countrey any more.
1And so I was brought to the Marshalsea: where I now am merry (God be praised therefore) looking for judgement of my flesh: for they intend to dispatch me shortly, if God will give them leave: but God hath their hearts in his hands, and they can do nothing to me, but as God will give them leave. Wherefore I commit my cause to God only,2 and I am sure there shall not one hair of my head perish without my heavenly fathers will, although I bide never so much trouble. Job perished not for all his trouble, although God gave the devil leave to trouble and try him divers & many ways, as God hath suffered his members to trouble and try me divers and many ways, I praise God. They shall as little prevail against my faith) I have no mistrust) as the devil prevailed not against Job,3 whatsoever they do with my goods, life or body. For he that kept Job in all his trouble, neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, but keepeth me & all his elect, that whether we live or die, it shall be to the praise and glory of God. For if we live, we live at the Lords will, and if we die, we die to the Lords will: so, whether we live or die, we are the Lords, blessed be his name therefore.
1And so I was brought to the Marshalsea: where I now am mery (God be praised therfore) loking for iudgement of my flesh: for they intende to dispatch me shortly, if God will geue them leaue: but God hath theyr hearts in his hāds, and they can do nothing to me, but as God wil geue them leaue. Wherefore I commit my cause to God onely,2 and I am sure there shall not one haire of my head pearish without my heauenly fathers wil, althogh I bide neuer so much trouble. Iob pearished not for all his trouble, although God gaue the deuil leaue to trouble and try him diuers & many waies, as God hath suffered his members to trouble and trie mee diuers and many waies, I praise God. They shall as little preuaile against my faith) I haue no mistrust) as ye deuil preuailed not against Iob,3 whatsoeuer they doe with my goodes, life or body. For he that kept Iob in al his trouble, neither slombreth nor slepeth, but keepeth me & all his electe, that whether we liue or die, it shall be to the praise and glory of God. For if we liue, we liue at the Lordes wil, and if we die, we die to the Lordes will: so, whether we liue or die, we are ye Lordes, blessed be his name therefore.
Wherefore, dear brethren and sisters, to whom this my writing shall come, be of good cheer and fear not what man can do unto you. For they can but kill the body:1 but fear him that hath power to kill both body and soul. And yet once again I bid you be of good cheer. For the Sheriff with divers other Gentlemen and Priests, whilst I was at the Sheriffs house, said to me that all the heretics in the country hung on me, as the people did in times past upon S. Augustine, or S. Ambrose, or such like. Wherefore said they, look well on it, you have a great thing to answer for. To the which I answered: I pray God lay nothing more to my charge, then he will do for heresy, as I am sure he will not. For he hath set my sins as far from me, as it is from the East to the West:2 So that I am sure they shall never come near to me any more. Yea, & that they call heresy, we serve God withal.3 And I am sure there is no man nor woman that hangeth on me, but on God. But yet that is their imaginations and thoughts, that if they might win me to them, they should win a great many likewise: and thinking to kill me, if they can not win me, as I trust in God, and am sure they shall never by Gods grace, if it were possible to kill me x. times: for I am so linked to Christ in a chain by Faith,4 that it is unpossible for men to loose us a sunder, neither for life nor death. I praise my Lord God therefore. And no doubt their full intent and purpose is to kill me, thinking thereby to make other afraid. Which death of my body were best of all for me, if God were so pleased. But if I may live for the comfort of other, his name be praised therefore. I know what he can do: but what he will do, I know not. But if death be offered me, so that I can not refuse it, without displeasing of God, I trust in God I shall not offend my brethren in receiving of death, but shall be rather an occasion of the strengthening of their faith, by choosing & receiving of it, and that with joy. For as Christ hath given his life for us,5 so ought we to give our lives for the defence of the gospel, and comfort of our brethren. And whereas the bishop sayeth, he will prove vij. sacraments, be you out of doubt he shall never be able to do it, no more then he hath proved other arguments with me already.
Thus fare ye well from the Marshalsea, where I now am, as a sheep appointed to be slain, God be praised therefore.
Thus fare ye well frō the Marshalsey, where I now am, as a sheepe appoynted to be slaine, God be praised therefore.
Wherfore, dere brethren and sisters, to whom this my wryting shall come, be of good cheare and feare not what man can do vnto you. For they can but kill the body:1 but feare him that hath power to kill both body and soul. And yet once againe I bid you be of good cheare. For the Sheriffe with diuers other Gentlemen and Priests, whilest I was at the Sheriffes house, said to me that all ye heretikes in the coūtrey hong on me, as the people did in times past vpon S. Augustine, or S. Ambrose, or such like. Wherfore said they, looke well on it, you haue a great thing to aunswer for. To the which I answered: I pray God lay nothing more to my charge, then he will doe for heresie, as I am sure he will not. For he hath set my sinnes as far from me, as it is from the East to the West:2 So that I am sure they shall neuer come neare to mee anye more. Yea, & that they call heresie, wee serue God withall.3 And I am sure there is no man nor woman that hangeth on me, but on God. But yet that is their imaginations and thoughtes, that if they might winne me to them, they should winne a great many likewise: and thinking to kill mee, if they can not win me, as I trust in God, and am sure they shall neuer by Gods grace, if it were possible to kill me x. times: for I am so linked to Christ in a chaine by Faith,4 that it is vnpossible for men to loose vs a sunder, neither for life nor death. I praise my Lord God therfore. And no dout their full intent and purpose is to kill me, thinking thereby to make other afraide. Which death of my body were best of al for me, if God were so pleased. But if I may liue for the comfort of other, his name be praised therefore. I knowe what he can doe: but what he will do, I know not. But if death be offred me, so that I can not refuse it, without displeasing of God, I trust in God I shal not offēd my brethren in receiuing of death, but shall be rather an occasion of the strengthening of their faith, by chusing & receiuing of it, and that with ioy. For as Christ hath geuen hys life for vs,5 so ought we to geue our liues for the defence of the gospel, and comfort of our brethren. And whereas the byshop sayeth, he will prooue vij. sacraments, be you oute of doubt he shal neuer be able to doe it, no more then he hath prooued other arguments with me already.
