N20568:5407
The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being Fox's Book of martyrs, revised and corrected, with additions and great improvements. : Containing an authentic account of the lives, persecutions and sufferings of the holy martyrs; and the many dreadful persecutions against the Church of Christ in all parts of the world, by pagans, Jews, Turks, papists, and others, from earliest ages of the church to the present period. ... The whole forming at once a general Christian martyrology, and a complete history of persecutions. / By the Rev. Mr. John Fox, M.A. late of Magdalen College, Oxford. ; Now revised, corrected and improved, with many additional articles, relating to the acts and monuments of the church. By Paul Wright, D.D. ; Embellished with forty elegant copper plate engravings. ; In two volumes. Vol. I[-II].The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being Fox's Book of marytrs, revised and corrected, with additions and great improvements. : Containing an authentic account of the lives, persecutions and sufferings of the holy martyrs; and the many dreadful persecutions against the Church of Christ in all parts of the world, by pagans, Jews, Turks, papists, and others, from earliest ages of the church to the present period. ... The whole forming at once a general Christian martyrology, and a complete history of persecutions. / By the Rev. Mr. John Fox, M.A. late of Magdalen College, Oxford. ; Now revised, corrected and improved, with many additional articles, relating to the acts and monuments of the church. By Paul Wright, D.D. ; Embellished with forty elegant copper plate engravings. ; In two volumes. Vol. I[-II].
New-York: printed by William Durell, 1794
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
51. ITEM, Having a son, he went before the midwife to the church, presenting the child to the priest, and giving his name Samuel, with a solemn interpretation of the name, appointing also two godfathers and two godmothers, contrary to the ordinances, making his son a monster, and himself a laughing-stock throughout all the country.
52. ITEM, He daily useth whistling to his child, and says that he understood his whistle when he was but three days old. And being advertised by his friends, that men laughed at his folly, he answered; They whistle to their horses and dogs, and I am contented: they might also be contented that I whistle to my child, and so whistleth to him daily, all friendly admonition neglected.
53. ITEM, In his ordinary visitation, among other his surveys, he surveyed Milford Haven, where he espied a seal-fish tumbling. And he crept down to the water side, and continued whistling there the space of an hour, persuading the company that laughed at him, that by his whistling he made the fish to tarry there.
54. ITEM, Speaking of scarcity of herrings, he laid the fault to the covetousness of fishers, who in the time of plenty took so many, that they destroyed the breeders.
55. ITEM, Speaking of the alteration of the coin, he wished that what metal soever it was of, the penny should be in weight worth a penny of the same metal.
56. FOR a conclusion, The said bishop in all his doings, since he came to his diocese, hath behaved himself most unmeet for a man of his vocation, being for a minister of justice, an abuser of the authority to him committed; for a teacher of the truth, and reformer of superstition, a maintainer of superstition without any doctrine of reformation; for a liberal and hospitable, an insatiable covetous man; for a diligent overseer, wilful and negligent; for an example of godly wisdom, given wholly to folly; for merciful, a cruel revenger; and further, for a peace maker, a sower of discord. And so in all his behaviour a discrediter and slanderer of his vocation, and a deceiver of all men, that had hope he should do any reformation. For he yet hath neither brought into his diocese, nor hath belonging unto him, any learned preacher. But such learned preachers as he found in the diocese at his entry, he so vexeth and disquieteth, that they cannot attend to apply their preaching for the defence of their livings, against his quarrelsome inventions, and unjust pretensions.
AFTER these wrangling articles and informations were given up, then the bishop was called for to answer, the hearing whereof was committed unto Dr. Wotton, and sir John Mason, knight, who likewise received the bishop's answers to the aforesaid articles, the copy and effect of which answers hereafter follow.
TO the 1st article he says, That after lawful admonition in the king's majesty's name and authority, from the said bishop (being then at London) given to the chanter and chapter of St. David's, for visitation at a certain day there to be entered; the said bishop himself for such purpose coming into the diocese, knowing also that the chanter, and one of the canons of that church, and late before commissaries in that diocese, had not only by their own evil examples and winking at the faults of others, or neglecting to correct the same, left there among priests and others much detestable whoredom; but had also spoiled the cathedral church of crosses, chalices, and censers, with other plate, jewels, and ornaments of the ⟨p. 517⟩church, to the value of four or five hundred marks or more, for their own private lucre, (the church remaining even yet very vile, and in great decay) and had also made further under their chapter seal many blanks, to the number of twelve or more, vacant seats, without the king's majesty's licence or knowledge; therefore he brought with him one Edmund Farlee, bachelor of law, commended by Dr. Young and Dr. Nevison to him, as a man sufficient in faithful truth, and learning, to be his chancellor. To whom he granted and sealed a commission for that purpose, giving credit to him in his faculty, conce•••ng the draught and form thereof. But the king's majesty's stile of supremacy was fully set forth in the same commission. Whether there were any default of formal words in setting forth of the king's authority therein, he is not certain; for he committed the doing thereof to his chancellor, who was commended to him for a learned man. And the bishop says, that he never did ground the commission upon any foreign usurped laws or authority: neither did his said chancellor by force of such authority visit any deanery of the said diocese, nor gave any admonition to the chanter and chapter there, by force of that commission, for any like intent or purpose, but only offered in the king's majesty's name and authority (to the said bishop committed) to enter visitation of the chanter and chapter of the cathedral church, at another day to be executed by the bishop himself, for the reformation of the chapter church, and ministers there, according to the king's gracious ordinances and injunctions in that behalf.
TO the 1st article he says, That after lawful admonition in the king's majesty's name and authority, from the said bishop (being then at London) given to the chaunter and chapter of St. David's, for visitation at a certain day there to be entered; the said bishop himself for such purpose coming into the diocese, knowing also that the chaunter, and one of the canons of that church, and late before commissaries in that diocese, had not only by their own evil examples and winking at the faults of others, or neglecting to correct the same, left there among priests and others much detestable whoredom; but had also spoiled the cathedral church of crosses, chalices, and censers, with other plate, jewels, and ornaments of the
But the aforesaid chanter and canon of the church, before the fight of any commission, stubbornly answered the said chancellor, that they would not receive him, nor any other to visit them, except he were of their chapter. And further, desiring to see his commission, he delivered the same into their hands, who would not deliver it him again. And so it may appear that he did nothing by force of that commission.
But the aforesaid chaunter and canon of the church, before the fight of any commission, stubbornly answered the said chancellor, that they would not receive him, nor any other to visit them, except he were of their chapter. And further, desiring to see his commission, he delivered the same into their hands, who would not deliver it him again. And so it may appear that he did nothing by force of that commission.
2. TO the 2d articles he says, That they opened not unto him the danger of any statute, to his knowledge and remembrance. Nevertheless, he not knowing any default in the said commission, and certainly minding with all diligence the faithful execution of his office of preaching, and visiting the whole diocese in his own person, by the king's majesty's authority, for the conservation of God's peace and the king's, in that dangerous time of rebellion, then beginning to arise in other places, did neglect and laid aside the stubborn behaviour and wicked doings of the said chanter and canon, and agreed with them, omitting all contempts and reproaches towards him and his said chancellor, and all manner of contention by them done, fearing else that through their unquietness some tu••lt might have risen among the people there; and did also make the said chanter his chancellor, and canon his commissary, according to their ambitious desires, to appease their malice in that dangerous time. And further he says, that he made collation to sir John Evans of the vicarage of Penbrin, what day or time he remembereth not, by any old foreign usurped authority, but by the king's authority only, making full mention of the king's stile and authority in the same collation.
2. TO the 2d articles he says, That they opened not unto him the danger of any statute, to his knowledge and remembrance. Nevertheless, he not knowing any default in the said commission, and certainly minding with all diligence the faithful execution of his office of preaching, and visiting the whole diocese in his own person, by the king's majesty's authority, for the conservation of God's peace and the king's, in that dangerous time of rebellion, then beginning to arise in other places, did neglect and laid aside the stubborn behaviour and wicked doings of the said chaunter and canon, and agreed with them, omitting all contempts and reproaches towards him and his said chancellor, and all manner of contention by them done, fearing else that through their unquietness some tu••lt might have risen among the people there; and did also make the said chaunter his chancellor, and canon his commissary, according to their ambitious desires, to appease their malice in that dangerous time. And further he says, that he made collation to sir John Evans of the vicarage of Penbrin, what day or time he remembereth not, by any old foreign usurped authority, but by the king's authority only, making full mention of the king's stile and authority in the same collation.
3. and 4. To the 3d and 4th he says, That whereas he had granted to George Constantine the office of a register, who brought unto him a commission for the chancellorship, to be sealed and delivered to the aforesaid chanter of St. David's, desiring the said bishop to seal it, he utterly refused so to do, because the said George had put therein a clause of admitting clerks into benefices: which authority the said bishop would not in any wise grant, reserving the examination and admission of clerks only to himself, for the avoiding of wicked bribery and partiality. Whereupon the said George and the chanter promised the said bishop by their faith and truth, before three or four honest witnesses, not to execute that clause of institution into benefices, but only to those clerks whom the bishop did first examine and admit, and send unto them to be instituted and inducted; upon which promise the bishop sealed the said commission, and after that time the parsonage of Haskard being void, and by reason of lapse devolved to the bishop's gift for that time, he conferred it on one Henry Goddard, with a collation of institution by the king's authority, not extolling any foreign usurped authority. In which collation or institution is fully mentioned the renunciation of the bishop of Rome, and all foreign power and authority, with the full stile ⟨p. 518⟩of his majesty's supremacy. And this collation of the church of Huskard he gave, before he understood or knew that his chancellor had given out the like, and he surely thinketh his collation was the first. That notwithstanding, the said George Constantine, and the said chanter having a vowson determined by reason of lapse, admitted and instituted one John Gough, to the said parsonage of Haskard, by virtue of their expired vowson, and sealed his institution with a wrong seal, (because they had not the right seal of office to that purpose) contrary to their former earnest promise, and the bishop's right, and without any manner of warning or fore-knowledge thereof to him given;
3. and 4. To the 3d and 4th he says, That whereas he had granted to George Constantine the office of a register, who brought unto him a commission for the chancellorship, to be sealed and delivered to the aforesaid chaunter of St. David's, desiring the said bishop to seal it, he utterly refused so to do, because the said George had put therein a clause of admitting clerks into benefices: which authority the said bishop would not in any wise grant, reserving the examination and admission of clerks only to himself, for the avoiding of wicked bribery and partiality. Whereupon the said George and the chaunter promised the said bishop by their faith and truth, before three or four honest witnesses, not to execute that clause of institution into benefices, but only to those clerks whom the bishop did first examine and admit, and send unto them to be instituted and inducted; upon which promise the bishop sealed the said commission, and after that time the parsonage of Haskard being void, and by reason of lapse devolved to the bishop's gift for that time, he conferred it on one Henry Goddard, with a collation of institution by the king's authority, not extolling any foreign usurped authority. In which collation or institution is fully mentioned the renunciation of the bishop of Rome, and all foreign power and authority, with the full stile
which thing by them untruly done, the said George Constantine nevertheless came to the bishop's house and there did write with his own hand the letters of induction for the said Henry Goddard, priest, comprising in the same the whole sum of the institution or collation which the said bishop had made, and the same George did seal the said letters of induction with his own hand, finding no manner of fault therein, nor making any word or mention of his and the chanter's former wrong doing, but so departed for that time. And afterwards he came again, and showed the bishop what they had done before concerning the parsonage aforesaid. And further, the said defendant saith, that he did not molest the said John Gough, but lawfully did call him in the king's majesty's name, not for any title of patronage, but to know whether he was parson of Haskard, and how he was thereto admitted, instituted, and inducted, and by what authority he presumed to preach there, without the king's majesty's licence, with other like lawful demands; whereunto he sturdily refused to give answer, and saith, that the article contained in his accusation, namely, "Item, He is interrogated under what title he holds the rectory of Haskard," was not ministered unto the party in that sort, so far as he knoweth, but in these words or like, "How did he get admission into the rectory," &c.
which thing by them untruly done, the said George Constantine nevertheless came to the bishop's house and there did write with his own hand the letters of induction for the said Henry Goddard, priest, comprising in the same the whole sum of the institution or collation which the said bishop had made, and the same George did seal the said letters of induction with his own hand, finding no manner of fault therein, nor making any word or mention of his and the chaunter's former wrong doing, but so departed for that time. And afterwards he came again, and shewed the bishop what they had done before concerning the parsonage aforesaid. And further, the said defendant saith, that he did not molest the said John Gough, but lawfully did call him in the king's majesty's name, not for any title of patronage, but to know whether he was parson of Haskard, and how he was thereto admitted, instituted, and inducted, and by what authority he presumed to preach there, without the king's majesty's licence, with other like lawful demands; whereunto he sturdily refused to give answer, and saith, that the article contained in his accusation, namely, "Item, He is interrogated under what title he holds the rectory of Haskard," was not ministered unto the party in that sort, so far as he knoweth, but in these words or like, "How did he get admission into the rectory," &c.
5. TO the 5th he saith, That albeit George Constantine, register, did wilfully withdraw his bounden service due to the king's highness, and to the said defendant in the king's name, refusing to attend either by himself, or his sufficient deputy for writing of records and other instruments, yet the said defendant made his collations and institutions in his own name, not by his own authority, nor by another, save only the king's authority, according as he hath declared in his answer to the first article, expressing in them the king's supremacy with the bishop's own name and seal of office, as he ought to do, according to the provision of the king's statute in such a case.
6. TO the 6th he saith, That the vicarage of Penbrin being void he, as right patron thereof to his knowledge, conferred it to John Evans, clerk, with letters of institution and induction; and after, when the king's presentation came to him for one David Jenkin, clerk, he desired fourteen days respite at that time, either to show ancient record for his right, and then the matter to stand to the determination of the law, or else if he showed not, both he and his clerk to give place to the king's clerk, which condition was by sir Thomas Jones, knight, Dr. Meyrick, and the said David Jenkin, received; and an institution with an induction was made conditionally to be put in the hands of sir Thomas Jones, knight, for safe custody of the king's clerks' behalf, after the fourteen days to be executed at the hands of the said defendant, if he failed to show. Within which time the said defendant did show an old ancient record, declaring the full right of patronage on the said defendant's behalf, and so that institution and induction was never by the said defendant put in execution. Nevertheless, the said David Jenkin (contrary to his promise and oath, giving thereupon his right hand to the said sir Thomas Jones, knight) took advantage by the said writing, without knowledge of the said defendant. After which time the lord chancellor, by his letters written to the said defendant, advertised him, to admit one John ap Powell, clerk, presented by virtue of the vowson which the lord chancellor judged to be good▪ and so to be admitted notwithstanding his former presentation, whereby he would not bar the other man's right. And so this defendant made one collation, two institutions, and three mandates, doing no wrong thereby to his knowledge. And further (he saith) that there was no business nor unquietness about the possession of the said vicarage, but this defendant giving place, was content to lose his right for that time.
6. TO the 6th he saith, That the vicarage of Penbrin being void he, as right patron thereof to his knowledge, conferred it to John Evans, clerk, with letters of institution and induction; and after, when the king's presentation came to him for one David Jenkin, clerk, he desired fourteen days respite at that time, either to shew ancient record for his right, and then the matter to stand to the determination of the law, or else if he shewed not, both he and his clerk to give place to the king's clerk, which condition was by sir Thomas Jones, knight, Dr. Meyrick, and the said David Jenkin, received; and an institution with an induction was made conditionally to be put in the hands of sir Thomas Jones, knight, for safe custody of the king's clerks' behalf, after the fourteen days to be executed at the hands of the said defendant, if he failed to shew. Within which time the said defendant did shew an old ancient record, declaring the full right of patronage on the said defendant's behalf, and so that institution and induction was never by the said defendant put in execution. Nevertheless, the said David Jenkin (contrary to his promise and oath, giving thereupon his right hand to the said sir Thomas Jones, knight) took advantage by the said writing, without knowledge of the said defendant. After which time the lord chancellor, by his letters written to the said defendant, advertised him, to admit one John ap Powell, clerk, presented by virtue of the vowson which the lord chancellor judged to be good and so to be admitted notwithstanding his former presentation, whereby he would not bar the other man's right. And so this defendant made one collation, two institutions, and three mandates, doing no wrong thereby to his knowledge. And further (he saith) that there was no business nor unquietness about the possession of the said vicarage, but this defendant giving place, was content to lose his right for that time.
7. TO the 7th he saith, That as he now remembereth, he never decreed any caveats to be made in benefices, neither did institute nor cause to be inducted any into benefices, being known to him litigious.
