Mary

The Story of Master Bartlet Green, Gentleman and Lawper, A.D. Martyr.

1556.

Green

ed by the

of Peter

Temple at

After the martyrdom of Thomas Whittle, next followeth in order Jan. 27. to speak of Bartlet Green, who, the next day after the foresaid Whittle, was likewise condemned. This Green was of a good house, and had such parents as both favoured learning, and were also willing to bring up this their child in the same; who, after some entrance in other inferior schools, was by them sent unto the university of Ox- Bartlet ford, where through exercise and diligent study he so profited, that student at within short time he attained, as well to the knowledge of sundry Oxford. profane sciences, as also now, in his last years, unto the godly understanding of divinity; whereunto (through ignorance in which he was trained up from his youth) he was at the first an utter enemy, until such time as God of his mercy had opened his eyes, by his Convertoften repairing unto the common lectures of Peter Martyr, reader of lectures the divinity lecture in the same university, so that thereby (as by Martyr. God's instrument) he saw the true light of Christ's gospel. Whereof when he had once tasted, it became unto him as the fountain of Student lively water, that our Saviour Christ spake of to the woman of in the | Samaria, so as he never thirsted any more, but had a well springing London. unto everlasting life; insomuch as when he was called by his friends from the university, and was placed in the Temple at London, there to attain to the knowledge of the common laws of the realm, he yet continued still in his former study and earnest profession of the gospel; wherein also he did not a little profit. Howbeit (such is the frailty of our corrupt nature, without the special assistance of God's Holy Spirit), through the continual accompanying, and fellowship of such worldly (I will not say too much youthful) young gentlemen, as are commonly in that and the like houses, he became by little and little a compartner of their fond follies, and youthful vanities, as well in his apparel, as also in banquetings, and other superfluous excesses: which he afterward (being again called by God's merciful correction) did sore lament and bewail, as appeareth by his own testimony, notified and left in a book of a certain friend of his, a little before his death, written with his own hand, in manner as followeth.

The Writing of Master Bartlet Green, in Master Bartram Calthorp's Book.

note or

lesson, for

follow.

"Two things have very much troubled me whilst I was in the Temple, pride A good and gluttony; which, under the colour of glory and good fellowship, drew me almost from God. Against both there is one remedy, by prayer, earnest and young without ceasing. And forsomuch as vain-glory is so subtle an adversary, lawyers to that almost it woundeth deadly, ere ever a man can perceive himself to be mark and smitten, therefore we ought so much the rather by continual prayer, to labour for humbleness of mind. Truly gluttony beginneth under a charitable pretence What of mutual love and society, and hath in it most uncharitableness. When we lewd comseek to refresh our bodies, that they may be the more apt to serve God, and ot perform our duties towards our neighbours, then stealeth it in as a privy thief, and murdereth both body and soul, that now it is not apt to pray, or serve God, apt to study, or labour for our neighbour. Let us therefore watch and be (1) John iv.

doth.

A. D. 1556.

Mary. sober; 'For our adversary the devil walketh about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.' And remember what Solomon saith, 'A patient man is better than a strong warrior, and he that conquereth his own stomach, is better than he that conquereth towns and cities.'1 "Bartlet Green." "Agreement of minds joining in unity of faith, and growing up in charity, is true and steadfast amity. Farewell, my Bartram, and remember me, that ever we may be like together. Farewell. At Newgate, Jan. 20, anno 1556,1 "Set sober love against hasty wrath. "Bartlet Green."

gifts offer

Green

to the

Rome.

ship between Goodman

and Green.

Thus we see the fatherly kindness of our most gracious and merciful God, who never suffereth his elect children so to fall, that they lie still in security of sin, but oftentimes quickeneth them up by some such means as perhaps they think least of, as he did here this his strayed sheep. And now therefore to return to our history: for the better maintenance of himself in these his studies, and other his affairs, he had a large exhibition of his grandfather, master doctor Bartlet, who, during the time of Green's imprisonment, made unto Large him large offers of great livings, if he would recant, and (forsaking ed Master the truth, and gospel of Christ) come home again to the church and by Bartlet Synagogue of Rome. But those his persuasions (the Lord be thereto return fore praised) took small effect in his faithful heart, as the sequel did church of declare. He was a man beloved of all men (except of the papists, who love none that love the truth); and so he well deserved, for he was of a meek, humble, discreet, and most gentle behaviour to all. Friend- Injurious he was to none, beneficial to many, especially to those that were of the household of faith; as appeared amongst other, by his friendly dealing with master Christopher Goodman, being at that present a poor exile beyond the seas; with whom this Bartlet Green (as well for his toward learning, as also for his sober and godly behaviour) had often society in Oxford, in the days of good king Edward; whom now, notwithstanding his friend's misery and banishment, he did not lightly forget: and that turned as it chanced (not without the providence of Almighty God) to the great grief of both; the one of heart, for the loss of his friend, and the other of body, in Occasion suffering the cruel and murdering rage of papists. The cause hereof hending was a letter which Green did write unto the said Goodman, containing came by as well the report of certain demands or questions, which were cast letters in- abroad in London (as appeareth hereafter in a letter of his own penning, which he meant to have sent unto master Philpot, wherein he declareth his full usage before the bishop of London and others), as also an answer to a question made by the said Christopher Goodman, in a letter written unto him, in which he required to have the certainty of the report which was spread amongst them on the other side of the seas, that the queen was dead. Whereunto master Green answered simply, and as the truth then was, that she was not dead.

of appre

of Green

tercepted.

These letters, with many others, written to divers of the godly exiles, by their friends here in England, being delivered to a messenger to carry over, came by the apprehension of the said bearer, unto the hands of the king and queen's council; who, at their conve

(1) "Melior est patiens viro forti, et qui dominatur animo expugnatore urbium.' (2) "Animorum in fide unio per charitatem aucta, firma est amicitia. Vale, mi Bertrame, et mei memineris, ut semper simillimi efficiamur. Vale, apud Novam Portam, 20 Januarii, 1556."

nient leisure (which in those days by some of them was quickly found Mary. out for such matters), perused the whole number of the said letters, A.D. and amongst them espied this letter of master Green's, written unto 1556. "his friend Christopher Goodman; in the contents whereof (amongst

other news and private matters) they found these words: "The * queen is not yet dead." Which words were only written as an answer, to certify master Goodman of the truth of his former demand; howbeit (to some of the council) they seemed very heinous words, yea, treason they would have made them, if the law would have suffered. Which when they could not do (and being yet very loth to let any amined such depart freely, whom they suspected to be a favourer of the by the gospel), they then examined him upon his faith in religion; but his faith. upon what points it is not certainly known.

Green ex

council of

Nevertheless (as it seemeth) his answers were such as little pleased them (especially the anointed sort); and therefore, after they had long detained him in prison, as well in the Tower of London as elsewhere, they sent him at last unto Bonner bishop of London, to be ordered according to his ecclesiastical law; as appeareth by their letters sent unto the bishop, with the said prisoner also, wherein it may appear, that sir John Bourne (then secretary to the queen) was a chief stirrer Sir John in such cases, yea and an enticer of others of the council; who stirrer of otherwise (if for fear they durst) would have been content to have tion. let such matters alone. The Lord forgive them their weakness (if it be his good pleasure) and give them true repentance. Amen.

A Letter sent unto Bonner, Bishop of London, by the Queen's Council, dated the 11th Day of November, 1555; but not delivered until the 17th of the same Month.

After our right hearty commendations to your good lordship, we send to the same herewith the body of one Bartlet Green, who hath of good time remained in the Tower for his obstinate standing in matters against the catholic religion, whom the king's and queen's majesties' pleasures are (because he is of your lordship's diocese), ye shall cause to be ordered according to the laws in such cases provided. And thus we bid your lordship heartily farewell.

From St. James's, the 11th of November, 1555.

Your good lordship's loving friends,
Winchester, Pembroke,

William Haward, John Bourne,

Thomas Ely,
Thomas Wharton.

Postscript.-I, sir John Bourne, will wait upon your lordship, and signify further the king's and queen's majesties' pleasure herein.

Now that ye may the better understand the certainty of his handling, after this his coming unto Bonner's custody, I have thought it good to put forth his own letter, containing at large the discourse of the same; which letter he wrote, and did mean to have sent unto master Philpot, but was prevented belike either by Philpot's death, or else (and rather) by the wily watching of his keeper: for it came (by what means I know not certainly) unto the bishop's hands, and being delivered unto his registrar, was found in one of his books of record, the copy whereof here followeth.

Bourne a

persecu

A. D. 1556.

Mary. A Letter of Bartlet Green, written unto John Philpot, containing, besides other particular Matter betwixt him and Master Philpot, a brief Rehearsal of his Handling, and certain his Conferences with Bonner and others, at his first coming to the Bishops.

Green presented before

I marvel' much that you will raise such slanders of me: for, what else is a slander than an untrue report of a man, to the hurt of a man? And though you will not seem to hurt me herein, nor did it there-for, yet, being a false report of me to the hurt of other men, methinketh I may count myself slandered therein. Is not the heart offended when the foot is slandered? is not the body troubled when the tongue is belied? is not the hand ready to revenge the dishonour of the head, or hurt of the least part of the body? are we not members all of one body? are we not members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones? If you think them not of one body with us, yet should you not have spoken evil of any man, yet should you not have slandered the rulers. But you have sought my hurt ignorantly: remember you not what happened to Moses and Aaron at the waters of strife, because of the over-great estimation that the people had in them? Were not the people plagued by David, in whom they over-much gloried? quippe per quæ peccat quis, per eadem punietur. None had such praise as had Josiah; and what was the end? The people had Josiah in reverence, and he spake, and it came not to pass! Peter's boldness deserved a fall; Paul had the messenger of Satan sent him; to Peter, after the preferment was given him, was a foul fall and sharp rebuke; to the same, after the feeding of sheep, Paul withstood him in the face. Let him that standeth take heed he fall not; for "if any man seem unto himself to be somewhat when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." Would God you saw my heart, and the sorrows that I sustained thereby; God knoweth whether it were with the desire to be revenged of such lies, or to be delivered from the occasion of vainglory thereby (for I must say with David, "Delicta quis intelligit? ab occultis," etc.), that I had almost fallen on the other side, to have swerved from the truth thereby. And this say I in truth, coram Domino; for I am not ashamed to confess my own weakness, to the praise of the glory of God. Would God you were not carnal, to prefer your friend with lies, to esteem friendship above truth, yea, above God, the author of all truth.. Qui gloriatur, in Domino glorietur: absit mihi gloriari nisi in cruce Domini Christi, etc. Is this your friendship, O my friend?*

4

That which was wanting in talk (through my default) at your being here, I have supplied by writing in your absence, now at the length getting some oppor Bonner. tunity and leisure. The 17th day of November, being brought hither by two of the clock at afternoon, I was presented before my lord of London and other two bishops, master Deane, master Roper, master Welch, Dr. Harpsfield archdeacon of London, and other two or three, all sitting at one table. There were also present Dr. Dale, master George Mordant, master Dee. Then after the bishop of London had read unto himself the letter that came from the council, he spake with more words, but (as I remember) to this effect; that the cause of their assembly was: to hear mine examination, whereunto he had authority by the council; and had provided master Welch, and another whose name I know not (but well I remember, though he obtained it not, yet desired he my lord, that I might hear the council's letters), to be there if any matters of the common law should arise, to discuss them: he entreated my lord to determine all controversies of Scriptures; and as for the civil law, he and Dr. Dale should take it on them. Wherefore he demanded of me the cause of mine imprisonment. I said, that the occasion of mine apprehension was a letter which I wrote to one the Fleet. Christopher Goodman, wherein (certifying him of such news as happened here) among the rest, I wrote that there were certain printed papers of questions scattered abroad. Whereupon, being suspected to be privy unto the devising or publishing of the same, I was committed to the Fleet: but since heard I

Green commit

ted first to

(1) This portion of the letter, distinguished by asterisks, is thus placed in the First Edition of the Acts and Monuments: it is omitted in later Editions, and seems, in fact, unconnected and unfinished; referring briefly to the "particular matter" mentioned in the title attached to the letter.-ED. (2) Tit. iii. 2 Pet. ii. (3) 2 Chron. xxxv. (4) John xi (5) Master Dee was yet under bond of recognizance for his good abearing and forthcoming till Christmas next after.

The Mary.

1556.

nothing thereof, after the commissioners had received my submission. sum whereof was, that as I was sure there neither could be any true witness, nor probable conjecture against me in that behalf; so refused I no punishment, if A. D. they of their consciences would judge me privy to the devising, printing, or publishing of those questions. But my lord, affirming that there was another cause of mine imprisonment since, demanded if I had not after, since I was committed to the Fleet, spoken or written somewhat against the natural presence of Christ in the sacrament of the altar.

Then desired I his lordship to be good unto me, trusting that he would put me to answer to no new matters, except I were first discharged of the old. And when I stood long on that, master Welch answered, that it was procured that I should so do, right well. For albeit I were imprisoned for treason, if during the time of endurance I had maintained heresy, that were no sufficient allegation against the ordinary; neither, whether I were before him acquitted or condemned, should it take away the former fault. Then, my lord affirming that I was not brought before him but for heresy, and the other gentleman saying that doubtless I was discharged of my former matter; my desire was, that I might be charged according to the order of the law, to hear my accusers.

nesseth

Then Dr. Chedsey was sent for, who reported that in the presence of master Dr. ChedMosley and the lieutenant of the Tower, I spake against the real presence and sey witthe sacrifice of the mass; and that I affirmed that their church was the church against of antichrist.

him.

Green

"Is not this true?" quoth my lord. I said, "Yea." "Will you continue Talk therein?" quoth he. "Yea," said I. "Wilt thou then maintain it by learn- between ing?" said he. "Therein," quoth I, " I should show myself to have little wit, and the knowing mine own youth and ignorance, if I would take on me to maintain commisany sioners controversy against so many grave and learned men. But my conscience was satisfied in the truth, which was sufficient to my salvation." "Conscience!" quoth master Roper; "so shall every Jew and Turk be saved."

We had hereafter much talk to no purpose, and especially on my part, who felt in myself, through cold and open air, much dulness of wit and memory. At the length I was asked what conscience was: and I said, “ The certifying of the truth."

sion of

With that master Welch rose up, desiring leave to talk with me alone. So Persuahe taking me aside into another chamber, said, that he was sorry for my trouble, master and would gladly see me at liberty: he marvelled that I, being a young man, Welch to would stand against all the learned men of the realm, yea and contrary to the him. whole determination of the catholic church from Christ's time, in a matter wherein I could have no great learning: I ought not to think mine own wit better than all men's, but should believe them that were learned. "I promise you," quoth he, " I have read all Peter Martyr's book,' and Cranmer's, and all the rest of them, and have conferred them with the contrary, as Roffensis, and the bishop of Winchester, etc., and could not perceive but that there was one continual truth, which from the beginning had been maintained; and those that at any time severed from this unity, were answered, and answered again." This was the sum of his tale, which lacked neither wit nor eloquence.

Welch.

Then spake I: "Forasmuch as it pleaseth your mastership to use me so His anfamiliarly (for so he behaved himself towards me, as though I had been his swer to equal), I shall open my mind freely unto you, desiring you to take it in good worth. I consider my youth, lack of wit and learning, which would God it Modesty were but a little under the opinion that some men have of me! But God is not of Green. bound to time, wit, or knowledge, but rather chooseth Infirma mundi, ut confunderet fortia,' neither can men appoint bounds to God's mercy: for, 'I will have compassion,' saith he, on whom I will show mercy.' '2 There is no respect of persons with God, whether it be old or young, rich or poor, wise or foolish, fisher or basket-maker. God giveth knowledge of his truth, through his free

(1) Perhaps " Martyr. Tractatio de Sacrament. Eucharistiæ," Londini, 1549; or "Defensio Doctrinæ Vet. et Apost. de Eucharistiæ Sacrament.; Tiguri," 1562. The former was dedicated to archbp. Cranmer. The reason whereof that he gave, was, "Since he could not find a defender, both of evangelical truth and also of this eucharistical sacrament, sanctior, doctior, et firmior; i. e. more holy, more learned, and more steady, than he; and that his grace had so great knowledge concerning this controversy, as he (P. Martyr) well knew, that it was hard to find the like beside." See more in Strype's "Memorials of Edward VI.," book i. chap. 24. The "Tractatio" was translated into English by Nic. Udall. Dibdin. vol. iv. p. 314. See Jenkyns's Note, p. 102, in Cranmer's Works, vol. iv.-ED. (2) Rom. ix.