A67927:6164
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.
Winch. Nay, M. Sheriff, I pray you tell the matter, seeing you know it.
Winch. Nay, M. Sheriffe, I pray you tell the matter, seeing you know it.
The Sheriff. My Lord it was for speaking to a Curate in the Pulpit, as I remember.
The Sheriffe. My Lord it was for speaking to a Curate in the Pulpit, as I remember.
Winc. Ah, like enough, that he would not stick to reprove a Curate.1 For did you not see how he fashioned himself to speak to me in the Pulpit on Sunday? You played the malapert fellow with me, and therefore it was no great marvel though he played that part with an other.
Winc. Ah, like enough, that he would not sticke to reproue a Curate.1 For did you not see how he fashioned himselfe to speake to me in the Pulpit on Sonday? You played ye maliperte fellowe with me, and therfore it was no great maruell though he played that part with an other.
Woodman. Why, you will not blame me for that, I am sure. For we spake for no other cause, but to purge our selves of those heresies that you laid to our charge. For these were your words: Good people, these men that be brought before us, being here, deny Christ to be God,1 and the holy Ghost to be GOD (pointing to us with your left hand) the which might seem to the whole audience, that you meant us all. Wherefore to clear our selves thereof, we spake, and said we held no such thing. And you said you would cut out our tongues. But I am sure you have no such law.
Woodman. Why, you will not blame me for that, I am sure. For we spake for no other cause, but to purge oure selues of those heresies that you layd to our charge. For these were your wordes: Good people, these men that bee brought before vs, being here, deny Christ to be God,1 and the holy Ghost to be GOD (poynting to vs with youre left hand) the whiche might seeme to the whole audience, that you ment vs all. Wherefore to cleare our selues therof, we spake, and sayd we held no such thing. And you sayd you would cut out our tongues. But I am sure you haue no such law.
Win. Yes, that we have, if you blaspheme, and as it chanced, I found such amongest you.
Win. Yes, that we haue, if you blaspheme, and as it chaunced, I found such amongest you.
Wood. In deed, after we spake, you declared who they were, but not before, for you spake generally. Wherefore we blasphemed not, but purged ourselves.
Wood. In deede, after we spake, you declared who they were, but not before, for you spake generally. Wherefore we blasphemed not, but purged ourselues.
Winch. But I pray you, how can you purge your self for speaking to the Curate that it is not heresy?1
Winch. But I pray you, how can you purge your selfe for speaking to the Curate that it is not heresie?1
Wood. Forsooth these be the words of the Statute: Who soever doth interrupt any preacher or preachers, lawfully authorised by the Queens Majesty, or by any other lawful Ordinary, that all such shall suffer three months imprisonment,1 and furthermore be brought to the quarter Sessions, there (being sorry for the same) to be released upon his good abearing one whole year. But I had not so offended as it was well proved. For he that I spake too, was not lawfully authorised, nor had not put away his wife. Wherefore it was not lawful for him to preach by your own law, and therefore I brake not the Statute, though I spake to him.
Wood. Forsooth these be the wordes of the Statute: Who soeuer doth interrupt anye preacher or preachers, lawfully authorised by the Queenes Maiestie, or by any other lawfull Ordinary, that all such shall suffer three monthes imprisonment,1 and furthermore be brought to the quarter Sessions, there (being sory for the same) to be released vpon his goodabering one whole yeare. But I had not so offended as it was well proued. For hee that I spake too, was not lawfully authorised, nor hadde not put away his wife. Wherefore it was not lawfull for him to preache by your owne lawe, and therefore I brake not the Statute, though I spake to him.
Winch. I am glad. I perceive this man speaketh against Priests Marriages, he is not contented with Priests that have wives. He is honester man,1 then I took him for, M. Sheriff, have him away. I am glad he loveth not Priests Marriages.
Winch. I am glad. I perceaue thys man speaketh against Priestes Maryages, hee is not contented with Pryestes that haue wiues. He is honester man,1 then I tooke hym for, M. Sheriffe, haue him away. I am glad he loueth not Priestes Mariages.
Wood. Then I would have answered to his sayings, but he would in no wise hear me, but bad the Sheriff have me away. So the Sheriff took me by the hand, & plucked me away, and would not let me speak, but going out of the Chancel door, I said: I would show him the whole matter, if he would have given me leave, but seeing he will not, if he will let me go so, they shall see whether I will not go home to my wife and children, and keep them as my bounden duty is, by the help of God. So I was sent to the Marshalsea again, where I now am merry, I praise God therefore, as a sheep appointed to be slain.
Wood. Then I would haue aunswered to hys sayinges, but he would in no wise heare me, but bad ye Sheriffe haue me away. So the Sheriffe took me by the hand, & plucked me away, and would not let me speake, but goyng out of the Chauncell dore, I sayd: I would shew him the whole matter, if he would haue geuen me leaue, but seeing he wil not, if he will let me go so, they shall see whether I wyll not goe home to my wife and children, and keepe them as my bounden duety is, by the helpe of God. So I was sent to the Marshalsea agayne, where I now am mery, I prayse God therefore, as a sheepe appoynted to be slayne.
Moreover, I was credibly informed by one of our brethren that heard our talk, that the Bishop said when I was gone, that they would take me whilst I was somewhat good. Which words seemed to many of the people that were there, that I spake against priests Marriages, but I did not, but did not only answer to such questions as he asked me, as you shall perceive well by the words if you mark them, which words were these.
Moreouer, I was credibly enformed by one of oure brethren that heard our talke, that the Byshop sayd when I was gone, yt they would take me whilest I was somewhat good. Which wordes seemed to many of the people that were there, that I spake agaynst priestes Maryages, but I did not, but did not onely aunswere to suche questyons as he asked me, as you shall perceaue wel by ye words if you marke them, which wordes were these.
How can you purge your self from heresy, for talking to the Curate in the Pulpit, and not offend the Statute, said the Bishops?1 meaning thereby I think to have taken vantage of my words: but it was not Gods will that he should at that time. For I answered him by the words of the Statute, which words be as hereafter followeth (that is): whosoever doth interrupt any preacher, or preachers lawfully authorised by the Queens Majesty, or by any other lawful Ordinary, that all such shall suffer three months imprisonment. But I proved that this man was ⟨p. 1999⟩not lawfully authorised to preach (by their own law) because he had not put away his wife. For their law is, that no Priest may say Mass, nor preach with the Mass, but he must first be separated from his wife. That is because honest Marriages be good and commendable,2 and theirs nought and abominable, therefore they cannot dwell together.
How can you purge your self from heresie, for talking to the Curate in the Pulpit, and not offende the Statute, sayd the Bishops?1 meaning thereby I thinke to haue taken vauntage of my wordes: but it was not Gods will yt he should at that tyme. For I aunswered hym by ye words of the Statute, which wordes bee as hereafter followeth (that is): whosoeuer doth interrupt any preacher, or preachers lawfully authorised by the Queenes Maiestie, or by any other lawfull Ordinary, that all such shall suffer three monthes imprisonment. But I proued that this mā was ⟨p. 1999⟩not lawfully authorised to preach (by their owne law) because he had not put away his wife. For their law is, that no Priest may say Masse, nor preach with the Masse, but he must first be separated from his wife. That is because honest Maryages be good and commendable,2 and theyrs nought and abhominable, therefore they cannot dwell together.
Now, I give you all to understand, that I did not reprove this Priest he cause he had a wife, but because he taught false doctrine, which grieved my soul, because he had been a fervent Preacher against the Mass and all the Idolatry thereof seven years before, and then came & held with it again: for the which cause I reproved him in the Pulpit. And the words that I spake to him are written in divers of my examinations of my first imprisonment for that same.1 But in very deed, I knew not of the Statute when I reproved him. But because I was sent to prison upon the breach of it, I bought a Statute book, & when I had perused it, I perceive I had not offended by their own law: and therefore still when I was called to answer, I answered them with their own law. But yet they kept me in prison a year and almost three quarters or ever I was released. I was at mine answer for that eighteen times. If any think I do not allow Bishops and priests marriages, let them look in my first examination before the Bishop of Chichester that now is, during this my imprisonment, and there they shall find what I have found in the matter. The truth is, I looked to be condemned with my brother that same day. But we may also see that they can do nothing but as God will permit them to do. But when the time is full come, I trust in God, I shall run that joyful race that my brethren have done. Thus I commit you all into the hands of God, who is the preserver, defender, and keeper of all his elect for evermore. Amen.
Now, I geue you al to vnderstand, that I did not reproue this Priest he cause he had a wife, but because hee taught false doctrine, which greeued my soule, because hee had bene a feruent Preacher agaynst the Masse and all the Idolatry therof seuen yeares before, and then came & held with it agayne: for the which cause I reproued him in the Pulpit. And the words that I spake to him are written in diuers of my examinations of my first imprisonment for that same.1 But in very deede, I knew not of the Statute when I reproued him. But because I was sent to prison vpon the breache of it, I bought a Statute booke, & when I had perused it, I perceiue I had not offended by theyr owne lawe: and therefore still when I was called to aunswere, I aunswered them with their owne lawe. But yet they kept me in prison a yeare and almost three quarters or euer I was released. I was at mine aunswere for that eighten times. If any thinke I doe not allow Bishoppes and priestes mariages, let them looke in my first examination before the Bishop of Chichester that nowe is, duryng this my imprisonment, and there they shall finde what I haue found in the matter. The truth is, I looked to be cō demned with my brother that same day. But we may also see that they can do nothing but as God will permit them to do. But when the time is full come, I trust in God, I shall runne that ioyfull race that my brethren haue done. Thus I commit you all into the handes of God, who is ye preseruer, defender, and keeper of all his electe for euermore. Amen.
Winchester. 1Woodman, you were before us the last day and would not be acknowne in any wise that you were sent to prison for heresy, and called for your accusers and stood stoutly in defending of your self, and in your departing I had thought you had spoken against priests Marriages, thinking by your words we should have found you an honest man, and conformable when we had called you before us again. You told such a fair tale for your self, as though you had been free from all that was laid to your charge. For you said it was all lies that I told against you: but since I have proved the contrary, as here is your own hand to show. By the which I have proved that you reproved not the priest for lacking of authority, and because he had not put away his wife, but because you liked not his preaching. For in deed I took it that you reproved him for because he was not lawfully authorised, but I have proved the contrary since.
WInchester. 1Woodman, you were before vs the last day and would not be acknowne in anye wise that you were sent to prison for heresie, and called for your accusers and stoode stoutly in defending of your selfe, and in youre departing I had thought you had spoken agaynst priestes Mariages, thinking by youre wordes wee shoulde haue found you an honest man, and conformable when we had called you before vs agayne. You tolde such a fayre tale for your selfe, as though you had bene free from all that was layd to your charge. For you sayde it was all lyes that I tolde agaynst you: but since I haue proued the contrarye, as here is your owne hand to shew. By the which I haue proued that you reproued not the priest for lacking of authoritie, and because he had not put away his wife, but because you liked not hys preaching. For in deede I tooke it that you reproued him for because hee was not lawfully authorised, but I haue proued the contrary since.
Wood. I told you not that I did either reprove him for lack of authority, or because I liked not his preaching, but I told you wherefore I was first sent to prison. For you said I was sent to prison for heresy, & made a long tale against me. And in deed I told you that there was never a word of your sayings true, but was all lies, as it was in deed. For I never was sent to prison for heresy, neither held I any then, nor do now. I take heaven and earth to witness, but I told you I was sent to prison upon the breach of a Statute, which was for speaking to a Priest in the Pulpit, and for that cause the Justices of that country had thought I had offended the Statute, and called me before them, and would have had me to have been bound to my good abearing, and because I refused it, they sent me to prison. And these be the words of the Statute, as I told you the last day. If any man do interrupt any preacher or preachers, lawfully authorised by the Queens Majesty, or by any other lawful Ordinary, 1that then every party that so offendeth, shall suffer three months imprisonment, and furthermore be brought to the quarter Sessions, and there being sorry for the the same, and also bound for his good abearing, one whole year, to be released, or else to remain to prison again. And when I was in prison, I bought a Statute book which when I had perused over,2 I found by the words thereof that I had not offended, because he was not lawfully authorised, as the Bishop of London was certified by the hands almost of xxx. men: both Esquires, Gentlemen and Yeomen, the chiefest in all that Country. For he had not put away his wife, and therefore the Statute took no place on me, as I told you the other day. Wherefore my Lord of London seeing me having so much wrong, did like a good man to me in that matter, & released me. Now when I had told you this matter, you bad the Sheriff have me away: You said you were glad I h•lde against Priests Marriages, because I answered to the question you asked me.
Wood. I told you not that I did either reproue hym for lacke of authoritie, or because I liked not his preachynge, but I told you wherefore I was first sent to prison. For you sayd I was sēt to prison for heresie, & made a long tale agaynst me. And in deede I told you that there was neuer a word of your sayinges true, but was all lyes, as it was in deed. For I neuer was sent to prison for heresie, neither held I any then, nor do now. I take heauen and earthe to witnesse, but I tolde you I was sent to prison vppon the breach of a Statute, which was for speaking to a Priest in the Pulpit, and for that cause the Iustices of that country had thought I had offended the Statute, and called me before them, and would haue had me to haue bene bound to my good abearing, and because I refused it, they sent me to prisō. And these be ye wordes of the Statute, as I told you ye last day. If any man do interrupt any preacher or preachers, lawfully authorised by the Queenes Maiestie, or by any other lawfull Ordinary,
