A67927:6011
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.
Wood. No forsooth: I was never abroad since I was sent hither, but then. For I have nothing to do abroad, unless they send for me.
Wood. No forsooth: I was neuer abroad since I was sent hither, but then. For I haue nothing to do abroad, vnlesse they send for me.
Mar. This is a marvellous matter. I promise you I was not so rebuked these 7. years,1 as I was for you within these 3. days. It is reported that you were abroad in the city at certain Taverns, & spake seditious words both in the Taverns and Streets as you went.
Mar. This is a marueilous matter. I promise you I was not so rebuked these 7. yeares,1 as I was for you within these 3. dayes. It is reported that you were abroad in the citie at certaine Tauernes, & spake seditious wordes both in the Tauernes and Streetes as you went.
Wood. Sir, the trueth is, I was in never a house or Tavern, whiles I was abroad, but in the bishops house, as my keeper can, & will (I am sure) testify: nor I never talked with any man in the streets as I came, but with my keeper, saving with one man in deed, of the Parish of Framfield in Sussex, where M. James Gage dwelleth. His name is Rob. Smith, being one of my most enemies: who stood in a wane as we came by, and was unlading of Cheese (me thought) but a little way from the Marshalsea. In deed I bade him God speed, and asked him how he did: and he said, well, he thanked me: and he asked me how I did, and I said, well, I praise God: & that was all the talk that we had: & these words were spoken as I came by him. I promise you sir, I stood not still while I spake them, as my keeper can tell: and I think these words were no seditious words, but might be spoken well enough (I think) or else it were very strait.
Wood. Syr, the trueth is, I was in neuer a house or Tauerne, whiles I was abroad, but in the bishops house, as my keeper can, & will (I am sure) testify: nor I neuer talked with any man in the streetes as I came, but with my keeper, sauing with one man in deede, of the Parishe of Framfield in Sussex, where M. Iames Gage dwelleth. His name is Rob. Smith, being one of my most enemies: who stood in a waine as we came by, and was vnlading of Cheese (me thought) but a litle way from the Marshalsee. In deede I bade him God speede, and asked him howe he did: and he sayd, well, he thanked me: and he asked me how I did, and I sayd, well, I prayse God: & that was all the talke that we had: & these wordes were spoken as I came by him. I promise you sir, I stoode not still while I spake thē, as my keeper can tell: and I thinke these words were no seditious wordes, but might be spoken well enough (I thinke) or els it were very strayt.
Marshall. 1Then it is to be thought, that that man reported otherwise then it was. I am glad it is as you say. Well make you ready, for you must go forth straight way, where you shall be examined of that and of other things, where you shall answer for your self. Go make hast: for I will •ary till you be ready.
Marshall. 1Then it is to bee thought, that that man reported otherwise then it was. I am gladde it is as you say. Well make you ready, for you must go forth straight way, where you shall be examined of that and of other thinges, where you shal aunswere for your selfe. Go make hast: for I will •ary till you be ready.
Wood. 1So I departed from him, & went to my prison fellows, & took my leave of them desiring them to pray for me, for I thought verily to come no more to them. For I supposed I should have gone before the Council, because the Marshall said he would tarry for me himself: and especially because he said it was reported that I had spoken seditious words, it made me to think it is possible that there may be some false things imagined upon me, to bring me to my end. I remembered that Christ said: The servant is not above his Lord. Seeing the Jews brought false witness against Christ, I thought they would do much more, or at the least do so to me, •• God would suffer them: which made me cast the worst. But I was and am sure (I praise my Lord God) that all the world is not able to accuse me justly of any such thing. Which thing considered, made me merry and joyful: and I was surely certified that they could do no more against me, then God would give them leave: And so I bad my prison fellows farewell, and went into the Porters Lodge to the Marshall, and he delivered me to one of his own men, and to one of my Lord Mountagues men,2 and bade me go with them: and they carried me to my Lord Mountagues place in Southwark not far from S. Mary Overies, and brought me into a chamber in my Lord Mountagues house: and there was one Doc. Langdale, chaplain to my Lord. My keepers said to the Doctor: this is the man that we went for.
Wood. 1So I departed from him, & went to my prison felowes, & took my leaue of them desiring thē to pray for me, for I thought verely to come no more to them. For I supposed I should haue gone before the Counsell, because the Marshall sayd he would tary for me himselfe: and especially because he sayd it was reported that I had spoken seditious words, it made me to think it is possible that there may be some false things imagined vpon me, to bring me to my end. I remembred that Christ sayd: The seruant is not aboue his Lord. Seyng the Iewes brought false witnes agaynst Christ, I thought they would do much more, or at the least doe so to me, •• God would suffer thē: which made me cast the worste. But I was and am sure (I prayse my Lord God) that all the world is not able to accuse me iustly of any such thing. Which thing considered, made me mery and ioyfull: and I was surely certified that they coulde do no more against me, then God would geue them leaue: And so I bad my prison fellowes farewell, and went into the Porters Lodge to the Marshall, and he deliuered me to one of his owne men, and to one of my Lord Mountagues men,
Lang. Is your name Woodman?
Wood. Yea forsooth, that is my name.
Lang. Then he began with a great Circumstance, and said: I am sorry for you, that you will not be ruled, but stand so much in your own conceit, displeasing your father and other, judging that all the Realm doth evil, save a few that do as you do: with many such words, which be too long to rehearse: but I will declare the substance of them.
Lang. Then hee beganne with a greate Circumstaunce, and sayd: I am sory for you, that you will not be ruled, but stand so much in your owne conceite, displeasing your father and other, iudging that all the Realme doth euil, saue a few that doe as you do: with many such wordes, whiche be too long to rehearse: but I will declare the substaunce of them.
Lang. What think you of them that died long agone, your Grandfather,1 with their fathers before them? You judge them to be damned, & all other that use the same that they did, throughout all Christendom, unless it be in Germany and here in England a few years, and in Denmark: & yet they are returned again. Thus we are sure this is the truth, and I would you should do well. Your father is an honest man and one of my parish, and hath wept to me divers times, because you would not be ruled: and he loveth you well, & so doth all the country, both rich and poor, if it were not for those evil opinions that you hold with many such like tales of Robin Hood.
Lang. What think you of them that died long agone, your Graundfather,1 with theyr fathers before them? You iudge them to be damned, & all other that vse the same that they did, throughout all Christendome, vnlesse it be in Germany and here in England a few yeares, and in Denmark: & yet they are returned againe. Thus we are sure this is the truth, and I would you should do well. Your father is an honest man and one of my parish, and hath wept to me diuers times, because you would not be ruled: and he loueth you well, & so doth all the country, both rich and poore, if it were not for those euill opiniōs that you hold with many such like tales of Robin Hood.
Wood. I pray you give me leave to speak a few words to you.
Wood. I pray you geue me leaue to speake a fewe wordes to you.
Lang. Yes, say your mind.
Wood. You have told a great tale and a long, as it were against me (as you think) saying, I hold this and that: I judge my Father and my Grandfather, and almost all the world, without it be a few that be of our sect. But I judge no man. But the xij. of John declareth, who it is that judgeth, and shall judge in the last day. The father shall not bear the sons offences, nor the son the fathers offences: but that soul that sinneth shall dye, as saith the Prophet. And again,1 we may not follow a multitude to do evil, as saith the Prophet: For the most go the wrong way. And Christ saith in the xij. of Luke, that his flock is a little flock. Here be places enough to discharge me, although I do not as the most do. But can any man say, that I do not as I ought to do? where be my accusers?
Wood. You haue told a great tale and a long, as it were agaynst me (as you thinke) saying, I hold this and that: I iudge my Father and my Graundfather, and almost al the world, without it be a few that be of our sect. But I iudge no manne. But the xij. of Iohn declareth, who it is that iudgeth, and shall iudge in the last day. The father shal not beare the sonnes offences, nor the sonne the fathers offences: but that soule that sinneth shall dye, as sayth the Prophet. And agayne,1 we may not folow a multitude to do euill, as sayth the Prophet: For the most goe the wrong way. And Christ sayth in the xij. of Luke, that his flock is a litle flock. Here be places enough to discharge me, although I do not as the most doe. But can any man say, that I do not as I ought to do? where be my accusers?
Lang. What, you be full of scripture me think, and call for your accusers, as though you were afraid to utter your mind to me. But I would have you not to be afraid to talk with me: For I mean no more hurt to you then I do to my self, I take God to my record.
Lang. What, you be full of scripture me thinke, and call for your accusers, as though you were afrayde to vtter your mind to me. But I woulde haue you not to be afrayde to talk with me: For I meane no more hurt to you then I do to my selfe, I take God to my record.
Wood. I cannot tell. It is hard trusting of fair words, when a man cannot trust his father nor brother,1 nor other that have been his familiar friends, but they deceive him. A man may lawfully follow the example of Christ towards them that he never saw before, saying: Be as wise as Serpents, and as innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they go about to betray you. And it maketh me suspect you much, because you blame me for answering with the scriptures. It maketh me to doubt that you would take vantage of me, if I should speak mine own words. Wherefore I will take as good heed as I can, because I have been deceived already by them I trusted most. Wherefore blame me not though I answer circumspectly. It shall not be said, by Gods help, that I will run wilfully into mine enemies hands, and yet, I praise God, my life is not dear to my self, but it is dear with God: Wherefore I will do the uttermost that I can to keep it.
Wood. I cannot tell. It is hard trusting of fayre wordes, when a man cannot trust his father nor brother,1 nor other that haue bene his familiar frendes, but they deceiue him. A man may lawfully follow the example of Christ towardes them that he neuer saw before, saying: Be as wise as Serpentes, and as innocent as doues. Beware of men, for they goe about to betray you. And it maketh me suspect you much, because you blame me for answering with the scriptures. It maketh me to doubt that you would take vauntage of me, if I should speake mine owne wordes. Wherefore I will take as good heede as I can, because I haue bene deceiued already by them I trusted most. Wherefore blame me not though I aunswere circumspectly. It shall not be sayd, by Gods helpe, that I will run wilfully into mine enemyes handes, and yet, I prayse God, my life is not deare to my selfe, but it is deare with God: Wherfore I will do the vttermost that I can to keepe it.
Lang. You be afraid where no fear is,1 for I was desired of Master Sheriff and his brother, and of other of your friends, to talk with you, and they told me that you were desirous to talk with me, and now ye make the matter as though you had nothing to do with me, & as though you were sent to prison for nothing: for you call for your accusers, as though there were no man to accuse you. But if there were no man to accuse you, your own hand writing did accuse you enough, that you set upon the Church door (if you be remembered) and other letters that you let fall abroad, some at one place, and some at an other. Wherefore you need not to call for your accusers. Your own hand will accuse you enough, I warrant you: it is kept safe enough. I would not for two hundred pound there were so much against me.
Lang. You be afrayd where no feare is,1 for I was desired of Mayster Sheriffe and his brother, and of other of your frendes, to talke with you, and they told me thot you were desirous to talke with me, and now ye make the matter as though you had nothing to doe with me, & as though you were sent to prison for nothing: for you call for your accusers, as though there were no man to accuse you. But if there were no man to accuse you, your own hand writing did accuse you enough, that you set vpon the Church doore (if you be remembred) and other letters that you let fall abroad, some at one place, and some at an other. Wherefore you need not to cal for your accusers. Your own hand wil accuse you enough, I warrant you: it is kept safe enough. I would not for two hundred pounde there were so much agaynst me.
Wood. I will not deny mine own hand, by Gods help. For it cannot be lightly counterfeited. I do not deny but I wrote a letter to the priest and other of the parish, declaring to them their folly and presumption, to come into my house without my love or leave and fet out my child, and use it at their pleasure.1 Which moved me to write my mind to them: and because I could not tell how to convey it to them, I set it on the Church door. Which letter my Lord of Chichester hath: for he showed it me when I was before him: wherein is contained nothing but the very scriptures, to their reproach. Let it be laid before me when you or he will: I will answer to it by the help of God, to all their shames that I wrote it to. And as for any other letters, I wrote none, as you say I did, neither had I wrote that, if they had done like honest neighbours. Wherefore if they be offended with me, for that I will answer them with Christs words, in the 18. of Math. woe unto themselves, because they gave me the occasion. And whereas you said, I was desirous to speak with you, and that Master Sheriff and his brother, and other of my friends willed me to talk with you, and that I fare now as though I had nothing to do with you, and as though I were sent to prison for nothing: the truth is, I know no more wherefore I am sent to prison, than the least child in this town knoweth. And as for me, I desired not M. Sheriff to speak with you: but in deed he desired me that I would speak with you, & to utter my faith to you.2 For he supposed that I did not believe well: & he reported you to be learned. But I refused to talk with you at the first. For I remembered not that you were the parson of Buxted: wherefore I said to him, I would not utter my faith to any but to the bishop. I said, he is mine Ordinary: wherefore I appeal unto him. I am commanded by S. Peter in the first Epistle the third chap. to render account of my hope that I have in god, to him that hath authority: wherefore I will talk with none in that matter, but with him. Wherefore send me to him, if you will, or else there shall no man know my faith, I tell you plainly. These words then made the Sheriff angry, and he went his way:
Wood. I will not deny mine owne hand, by Gods helpe. For it cannot be lightly counterfayted. I doe not deny but I wrote a letter to the priest and other of the parish, declaring to them theyr folly and presumption, to come into my house without my loue or leaue and fet out my childe, and vse it at their pleasure.
