A67927:695
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.
Whereupon the Sheriffs with their under Officers and servants being sent to seek him, came into his house where he and his wife were. It chanced as he was in his chamber by himself, the Officers bursting into the house, and searching other rooms, came to the Chamber door where this John Glover was. Who being within, and holding the latch softly with his hand, perceived and heard the Officers buskeling about the door, amongest whom one of the said officers having the string in his hand, was ready to draw and pluck at the same.
Whereupon the Sheriffes with theyr vnder Officers and seruauntes being sent to seek him, came into his house where he and his wife were. It chaūced as he was in his chamber by himselfe, the Officers brusting into the house, and searching other roomes, came to the Chamber doore where this Iohn Glouer was. Who being within, and holding the latch softly with his hand, perceiued and heard the Officers buskeling about the doore, amongest whome one of the sayd officers hauing the string in his hand, was ready to draw and plucke at the same.
In the mean time an other coming by (whose voice he heard and knew) bad them come away,1 saying they had been there before. Whereupon they departing thence, went to search other corners of the house, where they found Agnes Glover his wife, who being had to Lichfield, & there examined before the bishop, at length after much ado was constrained to give place to their tyranny, Joh Glover in the mean time, partly for care of his wife, partly through cold taken in the woods where he did lye, took an Ague, whereupon not long after he left this life, which the cruel Papists so long had sought for.
In the meane time an other comming by (whose voice he heard and knew) bad them come away,1 saying they had bene there before. Whereupon they departing thence, wēt to search other corners of the house, where they found Agnes Glouer his wife, who being had to Liechfilde, & there examined before the bishop, at length after much ado was constrayned to geue place to their tyranny, Ioh Glouer in the meane time, partly for care of his wife, partly through cold taken in the woodes where he did lye, tooke an Agew, whereupon not long after he left this life, which the cruell Papistes so long had sought for.
Thus by the mighty protection of the almighty Lord, how John Glover was delivered and defended from the hands of the persecuting enemies during all the time of his life, ye have heard, Now what befell after his death both to him & to William his brother it is not unworthy to be remembered. Who after that he was dead, & buried in the churchyard without Priest or Clerk, D. Dracot then Chancellor,1 six weeks after sent for the parson of the Town & demanded how it chanced that he was there buried. The parson answered that he was then sick, and knew not of it. Then the Chancellor commanded the parson to go home and to cause the body of the said John Glover to be taken up, & to be cast over the wall into the hie way: The Parson again answered that he had been 6. weeks in the earth & so smelled that none was able to abide the savour of him. Well quoth D. Dracot, then take this bill and pronounce him in the pulpit a damned soul, and a twelve month after take up his bones (for then the flesh will be consumed) and cast them over the wall,2 that carts and horses may tread upon them, and then will I come & hallow again that place in the churchyard where he was buried. Recorded by the Parson of the town who told the same to Hugh Burrows dwelling at Fynden in Derbyshire, and to M. Rob. Glovers wife, by whose credible information we received the same.
Thus by the mighty protectiō of ye almighty Lord, how Iohn Glouer was deliuered and defended frō the handes of the persecuting enemies during all the time of hys life, ye haue hearde, Nowe what befell after his death both to him & to William his brother it is not vnworthy to be remēbred. Who after that he was dead, & buried in ye churchyard without Priest or Clerke, D. Dracot then Chauncellour,1 sixe weekes after sent for the parson of the Towne & demaunded howe it chaunced that hee was there buryed. The parson aunswered that he was then sicke, and knewe not of it. Then the Chauncellour commaunded the parson to go home and to cause the body of the said Iohn Glouer to be taken vp, & to be cast ouer the wall into the hie way: The Parson agayne answered that he had bene 6. weekes in the earth & so smelled that none was able to abide the sauor of him. Well quoth D. Dracot, then take this byll and pronounce him in the pulpit a damned soule, and a twelue moneth after take vp his bones (for then the fleshe will be consumed) and cast thē ouer the wall,
Not much unlike usage was practised also by these catholic children of the mother Church upon the body of Will. the third brother. Whom, after it had pleased almighty god about the same season to call out of this vale of misery,1 the good disposed people of the Town of Weme in Shropshire, where he dyed, brought the body unto the Parish Church, intending there to have it buried. But one Bernard, ⟨p. 1715⟩being then Curate of the said Church (and is yet as I hear say to this day) to stop the burial thereof, rode to the bishop named Raufe Bath, to certify him of the matter, and to have his advise therein. In the mean time, the body lying there a whole day,2 in the night time one Rich. Morris a Taylor would have entered him. But then came John Thorlyne of Weme with other moe, & would not suffer the body to be buried: expressing to us the contrary examples of good Toby, for as he was religious in burying the dead so this man putteth religion in not burying the dead: so that after he had lain there two days & one night, cometh the foresaid Bernard the Curate with the Bishops letter, the contents of which letter being copied out word for word here followeth.
Not much vnlike vsage was practised also by these catholicke children of the mother Churche vpon the body of Will. the third brother. Whō, after it had pleased almighty god about ye same seasō to cal out of this vale of misery,1 the good disposed people of the Towne of Weme in Shropshyre, where he dyed, brought the bodye vnto the Parishe Church, entending there to haue it buried. But one Bernerd, ⟨p. 1715⟩
1Understanding that one Glover an heretic is dead in the parish of Weme, which Glover hath for all the time of my being in this country been known for a rebellion against our holy faith and Religion, a Contemner of the holy Sacraments and ceremonies used in holy Church, and hath separate himself from the holy Communion of all good Christian men, nor never required to be reconciled to our mother holy Church, nor in his last days did not call for his ghostly father, but dyed without all rites belonging to a Christian man: I thought it good not only to command the Curate of Weme that he should not be buried in Christian mans burial, but also will and command all the parish of Weme that no man procure, help, nor speak to have him buried in holy ground: but I do charge and command the Church Wardens of Weme in special, and all the parish of the same that they assist the said Curate in defending and letting, and procuring that he be not buried neither in the Church nor within the wanybles of the Churchyard, and likewise I charge those that brought the body to the place, to carry it away again, and that at their charge: as they will answer at their peril. At Ecclesch this 6. of September. an. 1558. By your Ordinary Radulph Coventry and Lichfield.
1VNderstanding that one Glouer an heretick is dead in the parish of Weme, whiche Glouer hath for all the time of my being in this country bene knowne for a rebellion agaynst our holy fath and Religion, a Contemner of the holy Sacramentes and ceremonies vsed in holy Churche, and hath separate himselfe frō the holy Communion of all good Christian men, nor neuer required to be reconciled to our mother holy Church, nor in hys last dayes did not call for his ghostly father, but dyed without all rites belonging to a Christian man: I thought it good not only to commaund the Curate of Weme that he shoulde not be buried in Christian mans buriall, but also will and commaunde all the parish of Weme that no manne procure, helpe, nor speake to haue him buried in holy ground: but I do charge and commaund the Church Wardens of Weme in speciall, and all the parishe of the same that they assist the sayd Curate in defending and letting, and procuring that he bee not buried neither in the Churche nor within the wanybles of the Churchyarde, and likewise I charge those that brought the body to the place, to cary it away agayne, and that at theyr charge: as they will aunswere at theyr perill. At Ecclesch this 6. of September. an. 1558. By your Ordinary Radulph Couentry and Liechfield.
1By the virtue of this foresaid letter so it fell out, that they which brought the corps thither, were fain at their own charges to carry it back again. But for so much as the body was corrupted, and smelt so strongly that uneath any man might come near it, they were forced to draw it with horses unto a broomfield, and there was he buried.
1By ye vertue of this foresaid letter so it fel out, that they which brought the corps thither, were fayne at their owne charges to carye it backe agayne. But for so muche as the body was corrupted, and smelt so strongly that vnneth any man might come nere it, they were forced to draw it wt horses vnto a bromefield, and there was he buried.
Witnesses of the godly end of the said William Glover dying in the true faith and confession of Christ, Master Nowell Dean of Lichfield, George Wilestone and his wife, Tho Constantine, Roger Wydouse, John Prynne, George Torpelley. &c.
Witnesses of the godly end of the sayde William Glouer dying in the true fayth and confession of Christe, Mayster Nowell Deane of Liechfielde, George Wilestone and hys wife, Tho Cōstantine, Roger Wydouse, Iohn Prynne, George Torpelley. &c.
The like example of charitable affection in these catholic churchmen is also to be seen and noted in the burying of one master Edward Bourton Esquire,1 who in the same Diocese of Chester departing out of this world the very day before Queen Elizabeth was crowned, required of his friends, as they would answer for it, that his body should be buried in his Parish Church (which was S. Chad's in Shrewsbury) so that no Massemonger should be present thereat. Which thing being declared to the Curate of that Parish named sir John Marshal, & the body being withal brought to the burial, upon the same day when the Queen was crowned, the Curate being therewith offended, said plainly that he should not be buried in the church there. Whereunto one of his friends, named George Torpelley answering again said, that God would judge him in the last day. &c. Then the priest, Judge God (saith he) or Devil, the body shall not come there. And so they buried him in his own garden. Where he is no doubt as near the kingdom of heaven, as if he had been buried the middest of the Church.
The like example of charitable affection in these catholicke churchmen is also to be sene and noted in the burying of one mayster Edward Bourton Esquire,1 who in ye same Diocesse of Chester departing out of this worlde the verye day before Queene Elizabeth was crowned, required of his frendes, as they would aunswere for it, that his bodye should be buryed in his Parishe Churche (which was S. Chaddes in Shrousbury) so that no Massemonger should be present therat. Which thing being declared to the Curat of that Parish named sir Iohn Marshal, & the body being withall brought to the buriall, vpon the same day whē the Queene was crowned, the Curate being therwith offended, sayd playnely that he should not be buried in ye church there. Whereunto one of his frendes, named George Torpelley answering againe said, that God would iudge him in the last day. &c. Then the priest, Iudge God (saith he) or Deuill, the body shall not come there. And so they buryed him in his owne garden. Where he is no doubt as neare ye kingdome of heauen, as if he had bene buried the middest of the Church.
1Moreover, in the said County of Salop, I find that one Oliver Richardyne of the Parish of Whitchurch was burned in Hartford West, Sir John Ygone being Sheriff the same time. Which seemeth to be about the latter year of king Henry viij. Whose name because it was not mentioned before, I thought here to give some little touch of him, having now in hand to speak of the persecution within the Diocese of Coventry and Lichfield.
1Moreouer, in the sayd County of Salop, I finde that one Olyuer Richardyne of the Parish of Whitchurch was burned in Hartford Weste, Syr Iohn Ygone being Sheriffe the same time. Whiche seemeth to be about the latter yeare of king Henry viij. Whose name because it was not mentioned before, I thought here to geue some litle touch of him, hauing now in hande to speake of the persecution within the Diocesse of Couentry and Liechfield.
1After the suffering of Master Robert Glover & Cornelius Bongey at Coventry, followeth next the condemnation of other two blessed Martyrs which were judged and condemned at Ely by John Fuller the Bishops Chancellor of Ely, Doctor Shax•on his Sus•ragane, Robert Steward Dean of Ely, John Christopherson Dean of Norwich. &c. an. 1555. October 9. the names of which martyrs were William Wolsey and Robert Pygot, dwelling both in the Town of Wisbich, which William Wolsey being a constable, dwelling and inhabiting in the Town of Well, was there brought to death by the means and procurement of one Richard Everard Gentleman a Justice appointed for those days,2 who extremely handled the same William Wolsey, and bound him to the good abearing, causing him to put in sureties upon his good behaviour until the next general Sessions holden within the Isle of Ely: and so the said Wolsey being dispatched of his office, and brought in trouble, removed his house & dwelling place, coming to dwell in the Town of Wisbech. Then being called again at the next Sessions, he was still constrained to put in new sureties, which at the length he refused to do, & so was commanded to the Jail,3 at the Size holden at Ely in lent.
1AFter the sufferyng of Mayster Robert Glouer & Cornelius Bongey at Couentrye, followeth next the condemnation of other two blessed Martyrs which were iudged and condemned at Eley by Iohn Fuller the Bishops Chauncellour of Eley, Doctor Shax•on his Sus•ragane, Robert Steward Deane of Eley, Iohn Christopherson Deane of Norwich. &c. an. 1555. October 9. the names of which martyrs were William Wolsey and Robert Pygot, dwelling both in the Towne of Wisbich, whiche William Wolsey being a constable, dwelling and inhabiting in the Towne of Well, was there brought to death by the meanes and procurement of one Richard Euerard Gentlemā a Iustice appoynted for those dayes,2 who extremely handled the same William Wolsey, and bounde him to the good abearing, causing him to put in sureties vpon his good behauior vntill the next general Sessions holden within the Ile of Eley: and so the sayd Wolsey being dispatched of his office, and brought in trouble, remoued his house & dwelling place, comming to dwell in the Towne of Wisbiche. Then being called agayne at the nexte Sessions, hee was still constrayned to put in new sureties, which at the lēgth he refused to do, & so was commaunded to the Iayle,
In the Easter week following, there repaired to confer with him, D. Fuller the Chancellor, with Christopherson, and one D. Young: who laid earnestly to his charge that he was out of the catholic faith, willing him to meddle no further with the scriptures, than it did become such a lay man as he was, to do. The said William Wolsey standing still a great while, suffering them to say their pleasures, at the last answered in this wise: Good M. Doctor, what did our Saviour Christ mean, when he spake these words written in the 23. Chapter of S. Mathews Gospel: Woe be unto you Scribes and Pharisees, ye hypocrites for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye your selves go not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in.
In the Easter weeke folowing, there repayred to conferre with him, D. Fuller the Chauncellor, with Christopherson, and one D. Young: who layde earnestlye to hys charge that he was out of the catholicke fayth, willing him to meddle no further with the scriptures, thē it did become such a lay man as he was, to do. The said William Wolsey stāding still a great while, suffering them to say their pleasures, at the last answered in this wise: Good M. Doctor, what did our Sauiour Christ meane, when he spake these wordes written in the 23. Chapter of S. Mathewes Gospell: Wo be vnto you Scribes and Phariseis, ye hipocrites for ye shut vp the kingdome of heauen before men: ye your selues goe not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in.
Yea sayeth Doctor Fuller, you must understand, that Christ spake to the Scribes and Pharisees.
Yea sayeth Doctour Fuller, you must vnderstand, that Christ spake to the Scribes and Phariseys.
Nay Master Doctor (saith Wolsey) Christ spake even to you, and your fellows here present, & to all other such like as you be.
Nay Mayster Doctour (sayth Wolsey) Christ spake euē to you, and your felowes here present, & to al other such like as you be.
Away Master Doctor (saith Christopherson) for you can do no good with this man, Yet saith D. Fuller, I will lean thee a book to read. I promise thee, of a learned mans doing, that is to say of Doctor Watsons doing, (who was then Bishop of Lincoln.)
Away Mayster Doctor (saith Christopherson) for you can do no good with this man, Yet sayth D. Fuller, I will leane thee a booke to read. I promise thee, of a learned mās doing, that is to say of Doctor Watsons doing, (who was then Bishop of Lincolne.)
