A67927:939
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.
This M. Latimer (as you have heard) being baited by the Friars, Doctors, and masters of that University, about the year aforesaid, 1529. notwithstanding the maugre and malice of these malignant adversaries, continued yet in Cambridge, preaching the space of 3. years together▪ with such savour and applause of the godly, also with such admiration of his enemies that heard him, that the Bishop himself coming in, and hearing his gilt, wished himself to have the like, and was compelled to commend him upon the same.
This M. Latimer (as you haue heard) beyng bayted by the Friers, Doctors, and maisters of that Uniuersitie, about the yeare aforesaid, 1529. notwithstandyng the maugre and malice of these malignant aduersaries, continued yet in Cambridge, preaching the space of 3. yeres together▪ with such sauour and applause of the godly, also with such admiration of hys enemies that heard hym, that the Bishop himselfe commyng in, and hearyng his gilt, wyshed hymselfe to haue the lyke, and was compelled to commend hym vpon the same.
So M. Latimer with M. Bilney, after this continued yet in Cambridge a certain space,1 where he with the said Bilney used much to confer and company together, in so much that the place where they most used to walk in the fields, was called long after, the Heretics hill.
So M. Latymer with M. Bilney, after this continued yet in Cambridge a certayne space,1 where he with the sayde Bilney vsed much to conferre and companye together, in so muche that the place where they most vsed to walke in the fieldes, was called long after, the Heretikes hill.
The society of these two, as it was much noted of many in that University: so it was full of many good examples, to all such as would follow their doings, both in visiting the prisoners, in relieving the needy, in feeding the hungry, whereof somewhat is before mentioned in the history of M. Bilney. In a place of his Sermons, M. Latimer maketh mention of a certain history which happened about this time in Cambridge between them two, and a certain woman then prisoner in the Castle or tower of Cambridge, which I thought here not unworthy to be remembered. The history is this: It so chanced that after Master Latimer had been acquainted with the fore said Master Bilney, he went with him to visit the prisoners in the Tower in Cambridge, and being there among other prisoners, there was a woman which was accused that she had killed her own child, which act she plainly and steadfastly denied. Whereby it gave them occasion to search for the matter, and at length they found that her husband loved her not, and therefore sought all means he could to make her away. The matter was thus.
The societie of these two, as it was much noted of many in that Uniuersitie: so it was full of many good examples, to all such as would follow their doyngs, both in visityng the prisoners, in relieuyng the needy, in feeding the hungry, whereof somewhat is before mentioned in the history of M. Bilney. In a place of hys Sermons, M. Latymer maketh mention of a certaine history which happened about this tyme in Cambridge betweene them two, and a certayne woman then prisoner in the Castle or tower of Cambridge, which I thought here not vnworthy to be remembred. The historie is this: It so chaunced that after Maister Latymer had bene acquaynted with the fore sayd Maister Bilney, he went with hym to visite the prisoners in the Tower in Cambridge, and beyng there among other prysoners, there was a woman which was accused that she had killed her owne chylde, which acte she playnly and stedfastly denied. Whereby it gaue them occasion to searche for the matter, and at length they founde that her husbande loued her not, and therefore soughte all meanes he coulde to make her away. The matter was thus.
A child of hers had been sick a whole year, & at length died in harvest time, as it were in a consumption.1 Which when it was gone, she went to have her neighbours to help her to the burial, but all were in Harvest abroad: whereby she was enforced with heaviness of heart, alone to prepare the child to the burial. Her husband coming home, and not loving her, accused her of murdering the child. This was the cause of her trouble, and M. Latimer by earnest inquisition, of conscience thought the woman not guilty. Then immediately after, was he called to preach before king Henry the 8. at Windsor: where after his sermon the kings majesty sent for him,2 and talked with him familiarly. At which time M. Latimer finding opportunity, kneeled down, opened his whole matter to the king, and begged her pardon, which the king most graciously granted, and gave it him at his return homeward. In the mean time the woman was delivered of a child in the prison, whose Godfather was M. Latimer, and mistress Cheek Godmother. But all that while he would not tell her of the pardon, but laboured to have her confess the truth of the matter. At length time came when she looked to suffer,3 and Master Latimer came as he was wont to instruct her: unto whom she made great lamentation and move, to be purified before her suffering, for she thought to be damned if she should suffer without purification. Then M. Bilney being with master Latimer, both told her that that law was made to the Jews, and not to us, and how women be as well in the favour of GOD before they be purified, as after: and rather it was appointed for a civill and politic law, for natural honesty sake, then that they should any thing the more be purified from sin thereby, &c. So thus they travailed with this woman, till they had brought her to a good trade, and then at length showed her the Kings pardon, and let her go.
This good act among many other at this time happened in Cambridge, by M. Latimer, and Master Bilney. But this was not alone, for many mo like matters were wrought by them if all were known, whereof partly some are touched before, such especially as concern M. Bilney, mention whereof is above expressed. But as it is commonly seen in the natural course of things, that as the fire beginneth more to kindle, so the more smoke ariseth withal, in much like sort it happened with Master Latimer, whose towardness the more it began to spring, his virtues to be seen, and his doings to be known, the more his adversaries began to spurn and kindle against him. Concerning these adversaries, and such as did molest him, partly their names be above expressed. Among the rest of this number was Doct. Redman, of whom mention is made before in the reign of king Edward, a man savouring at that time somewhat more of superstition, then of true religion, after the zeal of the Pharisees, yet not so malignant or harmful, but of ⟨p. 1736⟩a civill and quiet disposition, and also so liberal in well doing, that few poor Scholars were in that university, which fared not better by his purse. This Doct. Redman being of no little authority in Cambridge, perceiving & understanding the bold enterprise of M. Latimer, in setting abroad the word and doctrine of the Gospel at this time,1 or much about the same, writeth to him, seeking by persuasion to revoke the said Latimer from that kind & manner of teaching: to whom M. Latimer maketh answer again in few words. The sum and effect of both their letters translated out of Latin, here follow to be seen.
This good act among many other at this tyme happened in Cambridge, by M. Latimer, and Maister Bilney. But this was not alone, for many mo lyke matters were wrought by them if all were known, wherof partly some are touched before, such especially as concerne M. Bilney, mention whereof is aboue expressed. But as it is commonly seene in the naturall course of thynges, that as the fire beginneth more to kyndle, so the more smoke aryseth withall, in much lyke sort it happened with Maister Latymer, whose towardnesse the more it beganne to spryng, hys vertues to be seene, and hys doynges to bee knowen, the more hys aduersaries began to spurne and kindle against hym. Concernyng these aduersaries, and such as did molest him, partly their names bee aboue expressed. Among the rest of this number was Doct. Redman, of whome mention is made before in the raigne of king Edward, a man sauouring at that tyme somewhat more of superstition, then of true religion, after the zeale of the Phariseis, yet not so malignant or harmfull, but of
1Grace be unto you, and true peace in Christ Jesus. I beseech you heartily, and require most earnestly, even for charities sake, that you will not stand in your own conceit with a mind so indurate, nor prefer your own singular judgement in matters of religion and controversies before so many learned men, and that more is, before the whole Catholic Church, especially considering that you neither have any thing at all in the word of God to make for you, nor yet the testimony of any authentical writer. Nay, nay: I beseech you rather consider that you are a man, and that lying and vanity may quickly blear your eye, which doth sometime transform it self into an Angel of light.
1GRace be vnto you, and true peace in Christ Iesu. I beseeche you hartily, and require most earnestly, euen for charities sake, that you wyll not stand in your owne conceite with a mind so indurate, nor preferre your owne singular iudgement in matters of religion and controuersies before so many learned men, and that more is, before the whole Catholike Church, especially consideryng that you neither haue any thyng at all in the word of God to make for you, nor yet the testimony of any autenticall wryter. Nay, nay: I beseech you rather consider that you are a man, and that lying and vanitie maye quickely bleare your eye, which doth sometyme transforme it selfe into an Aungell of lyght.
Judge not so rashly of us, as that wicked spirit hath tickled you in the ear. Wit you well that we are careful for you, and that we wish you to be saved, and that we are careful also for our own salvation. Lay down your stomach I pray you, and humble your spirit, and suffer not the Church to take offence with the hardness of your hart, nor that her unity and Christs coat without seam (as much as lieth in you) should be torn a sunder. Consider what the saying of the wise man is, and be obedient thereunto: Trust not in your own wisdom. The Lord Jesus Christ, &c.
Iudge not so rashly of vs, as that wicked spirite hath tickled you in the eare. Witte you well that we are carefull for you, and that we wish you to be saued, and that wee are carefull also for our owne saluation. Lay downe your stomacke I pray you, and humble your spirite, and suffer not the Church to take offence with the hardnes of your hart, nor that her vnitie and Christes coate without seame (as much as lyeth in you) should be torne a sunder. Consider what the sayeng of the wyseman is, and be obedient thereunto: Trust not in your owne wisedom. The Lord Iesus Christ, &c.
1Reverend M. Redman, it is even enough for me, that Christs sheep hear no mans voice but Christ: and as for you, you have no voice of Christ against me, whereas for my part, I have a heart that is ready to hearken to any voice of Christ that you can bring me. Thus fare you well, and trouble me no more from the talking with the Lord my God.
1REuerend M. Redman, it is euen enough for me, that Christes sheepe heare no mans voyce but Christ: and as for you, you haue no voyce of Christ agaynst me, whereas for my part, I haue a heart that is ready to harken to any voyce of Christ that you can bring me. Thus fare you well, and trouble me no more from the talkyng with the Lord my God.
1After Master Latimer had thus travailed in preaching and teaching in the University of Cambridge, about the space of three years, at length he was called up to the Cardinal for heresy, by the procurement of certain of the said University, where he was content to subscribe and grant to such Articles, as then they propounded unto him, &c.
1After Maister Latymer had thus trauailed in preachyng and teachyng in the Uniuersitie of Cambridge, about the space of three yeares, at length he was called vp to the Cardinall for heresie, by the procurement of certain of the sayd Uniuersitie, where he was content to subscribe and graunt to such Articles, as then they propounded vnto hym, &c.
1After that, he returned to the University again, where shortly after, by the means of D. Buttes the kings Physician, a singular good man, and a special favourer of good proceedings, he was in the number of them which laboured in the cause of the kings supremacy. Then went he to the Court, where he remained a certain time in the said D. Buttes chamber, preaching then in London very often. At last being weary of the Court, having a benefice offered by the king, at the suit of the L. Cromwell and D. Buttes, was glad thereof, seeking by that means to be rid out of the Court, wherewith in no case he could agree, and so having a grant of the benefice, contrary to the mind of D. Buttes, he would needs depart, and be resident at the same.
1After that, he returned to the Uniuersitie again, where shortly after, by the meanes of D. Buttes the kyngs Phisition, a singuler good man, and a special fauourer of good procedyngs, he was in the number of them which laboured in the cause of the kyngs supremacie. Then went he to the Court, where he remayned a certaine tyme in the sayd D. Buttes chamber, preachyng then in London very often. At last beyng weary of the Court, hauyng a benefice offred by the kyng, at the sute of the L. Crumwell and D. Buttes, was glad thereof, seekyng by that meanes to bee rid out of the Court, wherewith in no case he could agree, and so hauyng a grant of the benefice, cōtrary to the mind of D. Buttes, he would needes depart, and be resident at the same.
This benefice was in Wiltshire, under the Diocese of Sarum, 1the name of which town was called West Kington, where this good preacher did exercise himself with much diligence of teaching to instruct his flock: and not only to them his diligence extended, but also to all the country about. In fine, his diligence was so great, his preaching so mighty, the manner of his teaching so zealous, that there in like sort he could not escape without enemies. So true it is that Saint Paul foretelleth us: Who so ever will live godly in Christ, shall suffer persecution. It so chanced,2 that where as he preaching upon the blessed virgin Christs mother (whom we call our Lady) had thereupon declared his mind, referring and reducing all honour only to Christ our only Saviour, certain popish priests being therewith offended, sought & wrought much trouble against him, drawing out Articles and impositions which they untruly, unjustly, falsely, and uncharitably imputed unto him: first that he should preach against our Lady, for that he reproved in a sermon the superstitious rudeness of certain blind Priests,3 which so held altogether upon that blessed Virgin, as though she never had any sin, nor were saved by Christ the only Saviour of the whole world.
This benefice was in Wilshire, vnder the Diocesse of Sarum, 1the name of which towne was called West Kington, where this good preacher did exercise hymselfe wyth much diligence of teaching to instruct hys flocke: and not onely to them his diligence extended, but also to all the countrey about. In fine, his diligence was so great, hys preachyng so mighty, the maner of his teaching so zelous, that there in lyke sort hee could not escape without enemies. So true it is that Saint Paul foretelleth vs: Who so euer will lyue godly in Christ, shall suffer persecution. It so chanced,2 that where as he preachyng vpon the blessed virgine Christes mother (whome we call our Lady) had thereupon declared his mynd, referring and reducing all honour onely to Christ our onely Sauior, certaine popish priests beyng therewith offended, sought & wrought much trouble against hym, drawyng out Articles and impositions which they vntruly, vniustly, falsly, and vncharitably imputed vnto hym: first that hee should preach against our Lady, for that he reprooued in a sermon the superstitious rudenesse of certaine blynd Priestes,
Item, that he should say, that Saints were not to be worshipped.
Item, that he should say, that Saintes were not to be worshipped.
Item, that there was no material fire in hell.
Item, that there was no materiall fire in hell.
