very sad) afterward knowing the truth, rejoiced much to hear that all was well Mary. with your lordship, and desired me to have his hearty commendations to your lordship. One of my lord of Pembroke's retinue, a very handsome man, and as far as I can yet learn a catholic, is a suitor to your lordship to have license to erect a school; and the order which he intendeth to use, is contained in this printed paper, which I send herein enclosed to your lordship. I would be glad, for my ford of Pembroke's sake, that he understood, that upon my motion your lordship were content he should teach as he intendeth. Master Johnson and I have travailed with the priest, and he hath subscribed his name to this draft which is herein enclosed, and hath promised he will stand to the same before your lordship. When I had written thus much, suddenly came tidings to me, that Jordanis conversus est retrorsum. Cluney coming to the priest, found him lying prostrate, and groaning as though he should have died forthwith. Then Cluney took him up, and set him upon a stool, and came to me, and told me of this revel. It chanced that master Johnson was with me, and we went to this fond heretic, and found him lying all along, holding his hands up, and looking hypocritically towards heaven. I caused Thomas More and Cluney to set him on the stool, and with much ado at length he told me, that Satan had been with him in the night, and told him that he was damned; and weeping he prayed master Johnson and me, to see the bill whereunto he subscribed; and when he saw it, he tare out his name, è libro scilicet viventium. Me thinketh by him, he will needs burn a faggot, neither is there any other likelihood of the young woman." I have inquired of the two persons which sue to have a license to eat flesh. And the woman of Christ's church is indeed very much diseased, and hath been long diseased, and she and her husband both catholic: of the other, yet, I can learn nothing. Thus Jesus evermore preserve your good lordship, and my mistress your lordship's sister, with all yours.-This present Saturday. Your lordship's most bounden servant, John Harpsfield. Here followeth another letter of Robert Johnson, registrar, touching Thomas Whittle, written to Bonner bishop of London. My bounden duty premised, pleaseth your lordship to understand, that this last Friday in the afternoon, master archdeacon of London did diligently travail with sir Thomas Whittle. I being present, and perceiving his conformity, as outwardly appeared, devised this submission, and he being content therewith did subscribe the same. But now, this Saturday morning, master archdeacon and I, upon Cluney's report, declaring that he feigned himself to be distracted of his senses, went unto him, to whom he declared that Satan in the night time appeared unto him, and said that he was damned, for that he had done against his conscience in subscribing to the said submission; with other like words, etc. And then master archdeacon, at his earnest request, delivered unto him the submission. And thereupon the said Whittle did tear out his subscription, made in the foot of the same, as your lordship shall perceive by the submission sent now unto your lordship by master archdeacon; wherewith the said Whittle was somewhat quieted. A. D. 1556. And as touching Joan Lashford, master archdeacon did likewise travail with Joan her, and showing her sir Thomas's submission, which I read unto her two times, Lashford demanded if she could be content to make the like submission, and she desired respite until this morning. And being now eftsoons demanded, in like wise saith, that she will not make any thing in writing, nor put any sign thereunto. Master archdeacon and I intend this afternoon to examine the said sir Thomas upon articles for as yet there doth appear nothing in writing against him, as knoweth almighty God, who preserve your good lordship in prosperity long with honour to endure! From London this Saturday, By your lordship's daily beads-man, and bounden servant, Robert Johnson. (1) He meaneth of the return again of T. Whittle. [From the Vulgate of Psalm cxiii. (Heb.cxiv.) 3.) (2) This young woman was Joan Warne, otherwise named Joan Lashford, who was burned also with the same Whittle. Mary. A. D. 1556. THE CONDEMNATION, MARTYRDOM, AND DEATH OF THOMAS Concerning the words and answers of the said Thomas Whittle at his last examination before the bishop, upon the 14th day of January,' the year above-expressed, Bonner, with other his fellow Bonnerlings, sitting in his consistory at afternoon, first called forth Thomas Whittle, with whom he began in effect as followeth: "Because ye be a priest," saith he, "as I and other bishops here be, and did receive the order of priesthood after the right and form of the catholic church, ye shall not think but I will minister justice as well unto you as unto others." And then the said Bonner in further communication did charge him, that whereas in times past he had said mass according to the order then used, the same Whittle now of late had spoken and railed against the same, saying that it was idolatry and abomination. Whereunto Thomas Whittle answering again said, Elevation that at such time as he so said mass, he was then ignorant, etc.: addcrament ing moreover, that the elevation of the sacrament at the mass, giveth idolatry. occasion of idolatry to them that be ignorant and unlearned. of the sa cause of After this the bishop, making haste to the articles (which in all his examinations ever he harped upon, came to this article, "That thou wast in times past baptized in the faith of the catholic church."2 66 To this the said Whittle inferred again, "I was baptized in the faith of the catholic church, although I did forsake the church of Rome. And ye, my lord, do call these heresies, that be no heresies, and do charge me therewith as heresies; and ye ground yourself upon that religion, which is not agreeable to God's word," etc. Then the said victorious soldier and servant of our Saviour, constant in the verity received and professed, was again admonished, and with persuasions entreated by the bishop; who because he would not agree unto the same, the bishop forthwith proceeded, first to his actual degradation, that is, to unpriest him of all his priestly trinkets Whittle and clerkly habit. The order and manner of which their popish and degraded. most vain degradation, before, in the story of bishop Hooper, is to be seen. Then Whittle, in the midst of the ceremonies, when he saw them so busy in degrading him after their father the pope's Whittle's pontifical fashion, said unto them, "Paul and Titus had not so much words to ado with their priests and bishops." And further, speaking to the bishop, he said unto him, "My lord, your religion standeth most with the church of Rome, and not with the catholic church of Christ." Bonner. The bishop after this, according to his accustomed and formal ceedings, assayed him yet again with words, rather than with substantial arguments, to conform him to his religion: who then denying so to do, said, "As for your religion, I cannot be persuaded that it is according to God's word." The bishop then asked, what fault he found in the administration of the sacrament of the altar. Whittle answered and said, "It is not used according to Christ's (1) The "Letters of the Martyrs," edit. 1837, p. 376, state that he "stood to the defence of the truth unto the fire, the 12th of January."-ED. (2) Bonner's argument: He was baptized in the faith of the catholic church: ergo, he was bap tized in the faith of Rome! institution, in that it is privately and not openly done: and also for Mary. that it is ministered but in one kind to the lay people, which is A.D. against Christ's ordinance. Further, Christ commanded it not to 1556. be elevated nor adored: for the adoration and elevation cannot be approved by Scripture." "Well," quoth Bonner, "my lords here and other learned men have showed great learning for thy conversion, wherefore if thou wilt yet return to the faith and religion of the catholic church, I will receive thee thereunto, and not commit thee to the secular power,' etc. To make short, Whittle, strengthened with the grace of the Lord, stood strong and unmovable in that he had affirmed. Wherefore the sentence being read, the next day following he was committed to the secular power, and so, in few days after, brought to the Jan. 27. fire with the other six aforenamed, sealing up the testimony of his doctrine with his blood, which he willingly and cheerfully gave for the witness of the truth. LETTERS OF THOMAS WHITTLE. A Letter to John Careless, Prisoner in the King's Bench. The peace of God in Christ be with you continually, dearly beloved brother in Christ, with the assistance of God's grace and Holy Spirit, to the working and performing of those things which may comfort and edify his church (as ye daily do) to the glory of his name, and the increase of your joy and solace of soul in this life, and also your reward in heaven with Christ our captain, whose faithful soldier ye are, in the life to come, Amen. ence of I have greatly rejoiced, my dear heart, with thanks to God for you, since I have heard of your faith and love which you bear towards God and his saints, with a most godly ardent zeal to the virtue of Christ's doctrine and religion, which I have heard by the report of many, but specially by the declaring of that valiant captain in Christ's church, that stout champion in God's cause, that spectacle to the world, I mean our good brother Philpot, who now lieth under the altar, and sweetly enjoyeth the promised reward. And specially I and my His judg. condemned fellows give thanks to God for your loving and comfortable letter ment and in the deepness of our trouble (after the flesh) sent unto us to the consolation experiof us all, but most specially to me, most sinful miser, on mine own behalf, but popish happy, I hope, through God's loving kindness in Christ showed unto me; who prelates. suffered me to faint and fail through human infirmity, by the working of the arch-enemy in his sworn soldiers the bishops and priests. In whom so lively appeareth the very visage and shape of Satan, that a man (if it were not prejudice to God's word) might well affirm them to be devils incarnate, as Í by experience do speak. Wherefore, whoso shall for conscience-matters come in their hands, had need of the wiliness of the serpent to save his head, though it be with the wounding of his body, and to take diligent heed how he consenteth to their wicked writings, or setteth his hand to their conveyances. Sore did they assault me and craftily tempt me to their wicked ways, or at least to a denegation of my faith and true opinions, though it were but by colour and dissimulation. And, alas, something they did prevail. Not that I did any thing at all like their opinions and false papistical religion, or else doubted of the truth wherein I stand, but only the infirmity of the flesh beguiled me, desiring liberty by an unlawful means: God lay it not to my charge at that day! and so I heartily desire you to pray. Howbeit, uncertain I am whether more profit came thereby: profit to me, in that God suffered Satan to buffet me by his foresaid minister of mischief, showing me mine infirmity, that I should not boast nor rejoice in myself, but only in the Lord; who when he had led me to hell in my conscience, through the respect of his fearful judgments against me for my fearfulness, mistrust, and crafty cloaking in such spiritual and weighty matters (in the which agony and distress I found this old verse true, "Non patitur ludum fama, fides, oculus "), yet he brought me from The bur den of a troubled consci ence. Mary. thence again to the magnifying of his name, suspecting of flesh and blood, and consolation of mine own soul; or else that I might feel disprofit in offending A.D. the congregation of God, which peradventure will rather adjudge my fall to 1556. come of doubtfulness in my doctrine and religion, than of human imbecility. Well, of the importune burden of a troubled conscience for denying or dissembling the known verity, I by experience could say very much more, which perhaps I will declare by writing, to the warning of others, if God grant time: for now am I and my fellows ready to go hence even for Christ's cause: God's name be praised, who hath hereto called us. Pray, I pray you, that we may end our course with joy, and at your appointed time you shall come after. But as the Lord hath kept you, so will he preserve your life still, to the intent you should labour (as you do) to appease and convince these ungodly contentions and controversies, which now do too much reign, brawling about terms to no edification. God is dishonoured, the church disquieted, and occasion to speak evil of the gospel ministered to our adversaries. But such is the subtlety of Satan, that whom he cannot win with gross idolatry in open religion, them he seeketh to corrupt and deceive in opinions, in a private profession. But here I will abruptly leave, lest with my rude and simple vein I should be tedious unto you, desiring you, my loving brother, if it shall not seem grievous unto you, to write unto me and my fellows yet once again, if you have leisure, and we time to the same. He writeth for the examina tions of Provide me master Philpot's nine examinations for a friend of mine, and I shall pay you there-for, by the leave of Almighty God our heavenly Father, who correcteth all his dear children in this world, that they should not be damned with the world, and trieth the faith of his saints through many tribulations, Philpot. that being found constant to the end, he may crown his own gifts in them, and in heaven highly reward them; whither I trust to go before, looking for yea to follow, my faithful friend, that we may sing perpetual praise to our loving Lord God for victory over Satan and sin, won for us by Jesus Christ, God and Man, our only and sufficient Saviour and Advocate, Amen. Farewell, and pray in faith. To Yours, Thomas Whittle, minister, and now condemned to die for the gospel's sake, 1556, Jan. 21. All my fellows salute you. Salute all our faithful brethren with you. my dear Friend and Brother John Went,' and other his Prisonfellows in Lollards' Tower. He that preserved Joseph prisoner in Egypt, fed Daniel in the lions' den, and delivered Paul, Peter, and the apostles out of prison, vouchsafe of his goodness to keep, feed, and deliver you, my good brother Went, with the other our fellow-soldiers your prison-fellows, as may be most to his glory, to your consolation, and the edification of his church. I cannot but praise God most earnestly, when I hear of your constancy in the faith, and joy in the cross of Christ, which you now bear and suffer together, with many other good members of Christ, which is a token that by Christ you are counted worthy the kingdom of God, as Paul saith. And though the world counteth the yoke and cross of Christ as a most pernicious and hurtful thing, yet we which have tasted how friendly the Lord is, cannot but rejoice in this persecution as touching ourselves; inasmuch as the cause for the which we suffer is the Lord's cause and not ours, at whose hand if we endure to the end, we shall receive, through his liberal promise in Christ, not only a great reward in heaven, but also the kingdom of heaven itself, and also in the mean season be sure to be defended and cared for, so that we shall lack no necessary things, neither a hair of our heads shall perish without his knowledge. O what is he that would mistrust, or not gladly serve so loving a Father? O how unhappy are they that forsake him and put their trust in man! But how blessed are they that for his love and for his holy word's sake, in these troublesome days, do commit their souls and bodies into his hands with well doing, counting it greater happiness and riches to suffer rebuke with Christ and his church, than to enjoy the pleasures of this life for a little short season! 7 This cross that we (1) He is called also Thomas Went in the Letters of the Martyrs.-ED. (6) 1 Pet. iv. (2) Acts xvi. (7), Heb. xi A. D. abide only Sa now bear, hath been common to all the faithful from Abel hitherto, and shall be Mary. From the Coal-house,' this 4th of December; by your poor brother To all the true professors and lovers of God's holy Gospel within The same faith for the which Abraham was counted righteous, and Mary blessed, the Lord God increase and make stable in your hearts, my dear and faithful brethren and sisters of London, for ever and ever; Amen." thereof tion. Dearly beloved, be not troubled in this heat which is now come amongst you to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's passion; that when his glory appeareth, ye may be merry and glad, etc. Out of these words of St. Peter, I Four gather most specially these four notes. First, that persecution happeneth to notes. Christ's church for their trial, that is, for the probation and proof of their faith. Which faith, like as it is known with God in the depth of our hearts, so will he have it made manifest to the whole world through persecution; that so it may evidently appear that he hath such a church and people upon earth, which so trusteth in him and feareth his holy name, that no kind of persecution, pains, nor death, shall be able to separate them from the love of him. And thus was Abraham tried and Job tempted, that their faith, which before lay hid almost in their hearts, might be made known to the whole world to be so steadfast and strong, that neither the devil, natural love, nor any other enemy, could be able to bereave them thereof. Whereby also God was to be, magnified, who hath tried his people by many tribulations, and also standeth by them in the midst of their troubles, to deliver them by life or death as he seeth best like as he assisted Lot, and delivered him out of his enemies' hands; Joseph out of the hands of his brethren and out of prison: Paul from his enemies in Damascus ; and the apostles out of the stocks and prison." These with many more he delivered to life; and also he delivered Abel, Eleazar, Stephen, and John Baptist, with many others by death, and hath also by the trial of their faith made them good presidents, and examples to us and (2) Rev. ii. (3) Psalm cxv. (1) Rev. xii. (4) Heb. xiii. (5) In reference to this Coal-house," it may be remarked, that this abode of so much misery, and the scene of so many prayers, formed part of the palace of the bishop of London, which stood at the north-west corner of the church-yard, the present site of London-House Yard, and extended itself to the walls of the old cathedral. Along the north side of the church-yard were a cloister, a burying-ground, a library, a charnel-house, and several clinpels which had been partly destroyed in king Edward's days. Between Cannon-alley and Cheapside stood Paul's Cross; the Convocation House stood on the south side, and Lollards' Tower was over St. Gregory's church, which was attached to the cathedral on the south-west corner, about the place where the clock tower now stands. The "Coal-house" was at the back of the palace in Paternoster Row, near the alley which passes from thence to St. Paul's Churchyard.-ED. (6) Rom. iv. Luke i. (7) Rom. viii. (8) Gen. xxii. Job i. Gen. iv. 2 Macc. vi. Acts vi. Matt. xvii. |