Henry his life was ended. For this the Lord God be praised, and send us VIII. his grace and blessing, that at the latter day we may with him enjoy A.D. the bliss and joy provided and prepared for the elect children of 1528 God. to 1533. This Benet was burned in a jerkin of neat's leather; at whose burning, such was the devilish rage of the blind people, that well was he or she that could catch a stick or furze to cast into the fire. Hitherto we have run over, good reader, the names, and the acts and doings of those, who have sustained death, and the torment of burning, for Christ's cause, through the rigorous proclamation above proclama- specified, 'set out, as is said, in the name of king Henry, but indeed The king's tion. Vide procured by the bishops. That proclamation was so straitly looked supra upon, and executed so to the uttermost in every point, by the said popish prelates, that no good man, "habens spiramentum," whereof Esdras speaketh, could peep out with his head ever so little, but he was caught by the back, and brought either to the fire, as were these above mentioned; or else compelled to abjure. Whereof there was a great multitude, as well men as women; whose names, if they were sought out through all registers in England, no doubt it would make too long a discourse. Nevertheless, omitting the rest, it shall content us at this present, briefly, as in a short table, to insinuate the names, with the special articles, of such as, in the diocese of London, under Bishop Stokesley, were molested and vexed, and, at last, compelled to abjure, as here may appear. See Appendis, A TABLE OF CERTAIN PERSONS, ABJURED WITHIN THE DIOCESE Articles objected against Jeffery Lome, sometime usher of St. An- Imprimis, for having and dispersing abroad sundry books of Martin Luther's, and others; as also for translating into the English tongue certain chapters of the work of Luther, 'De Bonis Operibus:' as also, certain chapters of a certain book called 'Piæ Predicationes,' wherein divers works of Luther be comprehended. Item, For affirming and believing that faith only, without good works, will bring a man to heaven. Item, That men be not bound to observe the constitutions made by the Church. Item, That we should pray only to God, and to no saints. Item, That christian men ought to worship God only, and no saints. Item, That pilgrimages be not profitable for man's soul, and should not be used. Item, That we should not offer to images in the church, nor set no lights before them. Item, That no man is bound to keep any manner of fasting-days, instituted by the church. Item, That pardons granted by the pope or the bishop do not profit a man. For these articles Jeffery Lome was abjured before the bishops of London, Bath, and Lincoln; no mention being made of any penance enjoined him. (1) See Vol. iv. pp. 666, 667. (2) 4 Esd. vii. 29. (3) The articles in the text are from the first edition (1563), p. 478. They are less fully given in later editions. See the Articles of Abjuration complete from the Register, at the end of the Appendix to this Volume. No. I.-ED. Henry Sigar Nicholson, Stationer, of Cambridge, A.D. 1528. His articles were like; and moreover for having in his house certain books of Luther, and others prohibited, and not presenting them to the ordinary. The handling of this man was too, too cruel, if the report be true, that he should be hanged up in such a manner as well suffereth not to be named. John Raimund, a Dutchman, A.D. 1528. VIII. A. D. 1528 to 1533. See For causing fifteen hundred of Tyndale's New Testaments to be printed at Appendis. Antwerp, and for bringing five hundred into England. Paul Luther, Grey Friar, and Warden of the House at Ware, His articles were for preaching and saying that it is pity that there be so many images suffered in so many places, where indiscreet and unlearned people be; for they make their prayers and oblations so entirely and heartily before the image, that they believe it to be the very self saint in heaven. Item, That if he knew his father and mother were in heaven, he would count them as good as St. Peter and Paul, but for the pain they suffered for Christ's sake. Item, That there is no need to go on pilgrimage. Item, That if a man were at the point of drowning, or any other danger, he should call only upon God, and no saint; for saints in heaven cannot help us, neither know any more what men do here in this world, than a man in the north country knoweth what is done in the south country. Roger Whaplod, Merchant Tailor,' sent, by one Thomas Norfolk, unto Dr. Goderidge, this bill following, to be read at his sermon in the Spital. A.D. 1529. A Bill read by the Preacher at the Spital. If there be any well-disposed person willing to do any cost upon the reparation of the conduit in Fleet-street, let him or them resort unto the administrators of the goods and cattle of one Richard Hun, late merchant tailor of London, which died intestate, or else to me, and they shall have toward the same six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence, and a better penny, of the goods of the said Richard Hun; upon whose soul, and all christian souls, Jesus have mercy!' For this bill, both Whaplod and Norfolk were brought and troubled before the bishop; and also Dr. Goderidge, who took a groat for reading the said bill, was suspended for a time from saying mass, and also was forced to revoke the same at Paul's cross; reading this bill as followeth. The Revocation' of Dr. William Goderidge, read at Paul's Cross. Masters! so it is, that where in my late sermon at St. Mary Spital, the Tuesday in Easter-week last past, I did pray specially for the soul of Richard Hun, late of London, merchant-tailor, a heretic, by the laws of holy church Dr. Godejustly condemned by reason whereof I greatly offended God and his church, ridge reand the laws of the same, for which I have submitted me to my ordinary, and his praydone penance there-for: forasmuch as, peradventure, the audience that was ing for there offended by my said words, might take any occasion thereby to think the soul of that I did favour the said heretic, or any other, I desire you, at the instance of Hun. (1) See Document iv. at the end of this Vol.; and Vol. iv. Appendix, note on p. 197. voketh Richard Henry Almighty God, to forgive me, and not so to think of me, for I did it unadVIII. visedly. Therefore, here before God and you, I declare myself that I have not favoured him or any other heretic, nor hereafter intend to do, but at all times shall defend the Catholic faith of holy church, according to my profession, to the best of my power. A. D. 1529 to 1533. Robert West, Priest, A. D. 1529. Abjured for books and opinions contrary to the proclamation. Nicholas White of Rye, A.D. 1529. His articles:-For speaking against the priests' saying of matins; against praying for them that be dead: against praying to God for small trifles, as for the cow calving, the hen hatching, &c.: for speaking against the relic of St. Peter's finger: against oblations to images: against vowing of pilgrimage: against priesthood: against holy bread and holy water, &c. Richard Kitchen, Priest, A.D. 1529. His articles:-That pardons granted by the pope are naught, and that men should put no trust in them, but only in the passion of Christ: that he, being led by the words of the gospel, Mat. vii. De via lata, et angusta,' and also by the epistle of the mass, beginning, Vir fortissimus Judas, had erred in the way of the pope, and thought, that there were but two ways, and no purgatory: that men ought to worship no images, nor set up lights before them: that pilgrimage doth nothing avail: that the gospel was not truly preached for the space of three hundred years past, &c. William Wegen, Priest at St. Mary Hill, A.D. 1529. His articles :-That he was not bound to say his Matins nor other service, but to sing with the choir till they came to 'prime;' and then, saying no more service, thought he might well go to mass: that he had said mass oftentimes, and had not said his matins and his divine service before: that he had gone to mass without confession made to a priest: that it was sufficient for a man, being in deadly sin, to ask only God mercy for his sin, without further confession made to a priest: that he held against pilgrimages, and called images, stocks, stones, and witches. Item, That he being sick, went to the Rood of St. Margaret Patens; and said before him twenty Paternosters; and when he saw himself never the better, then he said, 'A foul ill take him, and all other images.' Item, That if a man keep a good tongue in his head, he fasteth well Item, For commending Luther to be a good man, for preaching twice a day, &c. Item, For saying that the mass was but a ceremony, and made to the intent that men should pray only. Item, For saying, that if a man had a pair of beads or a book in his hand at the church, and were not disposed to pray, it was naught, &c. William Hale, Holy Water Clerk of Tolenham, a.d. 1529. His articles :-That offering of money and candles to images did not avail, since we are justified by the blood of Christ. Item, For speaking against worshipping of saints, and against the pope's pardons. For saying, that since the sacraments that the priest doth minister, be as good as those which the pope doth minister, he did not see but the priest hath as good authority as the pope. Item, That a man should confess himself to God only, and not to a priest, &c. William Blomfield, Monk of Bury. Abjured for the like causes. John Tyndale, A. D. 1530. For sending five marks to his brother William Tyndale beyond the sea, for receiving and keeping with him certain letters from his brother. William Worsley, Priest and Hermit, a. D. 1530. and His articles :-For preaching at Halestede, having the curate's license, but not the bishop's. Item, For preaching these words, 'No man riding on pilgrimage, having ander him a soft saddle, and an easy horse, should have any merit thereby, but the horse and the saddle,' &c. Item, For saying that hearing of matins and mass, is not the thing that shall save a man's soul, but only to hear the word of God. John Stacy, Tyler, A.D. 1530. His articles were against purgatory, which he said to be but a device of the priests to get money: against fasting days by man's prescription, and choice of meats: against superfluous holy days: Item, against pilgrimage, &c. Lawrence Maxwell, Tyler, A.D. 1530. His articles-That the sacrament of the altar was not the very body of Christ in flesh and blood; but that he received him by the word of God, and in remembrance of Christ's passion. Item, That the order of priesthood is no sacrament: that there is no purgatory, &c. Thomas Curson, Monk of Eastacre, in Norfolk, A.D. 1530. His articles were these:-For going out of the monastery, and changing his weed, and letting his crown to grow; working abroad for his living, making copes and vestments. Also for having the New Testament of Tyndale's translation, and another book containing certain books of the Old Testament, translated into English, by certain whom the Papists call Lutherans. Thomas Cornewell or Austy, A.D. 1530. His articles :-It was objected, that he, being enjoined afore, by Richard Fitzjames, bishop of London, for his penance to wear a faggot embroidered upon his sleeve under pain of relapse, he kept not the same; and therefore he was condemned to perpetual custody in the house of St. Bartholomew, from whence afterwards he escaped and fled away. Thomas Philip, A.D. 1530. Thomas Philip was delivered by sir Thomas More, to bishop Stokesley by indenture. Besides other articles of purgatory, images, the sacrament of the altar, holy-days, keeping of books, and such like, it was objected unto him, that he, being searched in the Tower, had found about him Tracy's Testament; and in his chamber in the Tower was found cheese and butter in Lent-time. Also, that he had a letter delivered unto him going to the Tower. This letter, with the Testament also of Tracy, because they are both worthy to be seen, we mind (God willing) to annex also unto the story of this Thomas Philip. As he was oftentimes examined before Master More and the bishop, he always stood to his denial, neither could there any thing be proved clearly against him, but only Tracy's Testament, and his butter in Lent. One Stacy first bare witness against him, but after, in the court, openly he protested that he did it for fear. The bishop then willing him to submit himself, and to swear never to hold any opinion contrary to the determination of holy church, he said he would:' and when the form of his abjuration was given him to read, he read it: but the bishop, not content with that, would have him to read it openly. But that he would not; and said, He would appeal to the king as supreme head of the Henry VIII. A. D. 1530 to 1533. See Appendiz, Henry church, and so did. Still the bishop called upon him to abjure. He answered, VIII. That he would be obedient as a christian man should, and that he would swear never to hold any heresy during his life, nor to favour any heretics. A. D. 1530 to 1533. Sea Appendix, A letter sent by But the bishop, not yet content, would have him to read the abjuration after the form of the church conceived, as it was given him. He answered again, that he would forswear all heresies, and that he would maintain no heresies, nor favour any heretics. The bishop with this would not be answered, but needs would drive him to the abjuration formed after the pope's church: to whom he said, If it were the same abjuration that he read, he would not read it, but stand to his appeal made to the king, the supreme head of the church under God. Again the bishop asked him, if he would abjure or not. Except,' said he,' you will show me the cause why I should abjure, I will not say yea nor nay to it, but will stand to my appeal;' and he required the bishop to obey the same. Then the bishop, reading openly the bill of excommunication against him, denounced him for contumax,' and an excommunicated person, charging all men to have no company, and nothing to do with him. After this excommunication, what became of him, whether he was holpen by his appeal, or whether he was burned, or whether he died in the Tower, or whether he abjured, I find no mention made in the registers. A Letter directed to Thomas Philip in the name of the Brethren, and given him by the way going to the Tower. The favour of him that is able to keep you that you fall not, and to confess the con- your name in the kingdom of glory, and to give you strength by his Spirit to confess him before all his adversaries, be with you ever. gregation. Amen. Sir, the brethren think that there be divers false brethren craftily crept in among them, to seek out their freedom in the Lord, that they may accuse them to the Lord's adversaries, as they suppose they have done you. Wherefore, if so it be, that the Spirit of God move you thereunto, they, as counsellors, desire you above all things to be stedfast in the Lord's verity, without fear; for he shall and will be your help, according to his promise, so that they shall not minish the least hair of your head without his will; unto which will, submit yourself and rejoice: for the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment, to be punished:1 and therefore cast all your care on him, for he careth for you. And in that you suffer as a christian man, be not ashamed, but rather glorify God on that behalf, 'Looking upon Christ the author and finisher of our faith, which, for the joy that was set before him, abode the cross and despised the shame.'s Notwithstanding, though we suffer the wrong after the example of our Master Christ, yet we be not bound to suffer the wrong cause, for Christ himself suffered it not, but reproved him that smote him wrongfully. And so likewise saith St. Paul also. So that we must not suffer the wrong, but boldly reprove them that sit as righteous judges, and do contrary to righteousness. Therefore, according both to God's law and man's, ye be not bound to make answer in any cause, till your accusers come before you; which if you require, and thereon do stick, the false brethren shall be known, to the great comfort of those that now stand in doubt whom they may trust; and also it shall be a mean that they shall not craftily, by questions, take you in snares. And that you may this do lawfully, in Acts xx. it is written, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man that he should perish, before that he which is accused have his accusers before him, and have license to answer for himself, as pertaining to the crime whereof he is accused.' And also Christ willeth that in the mouth of two or three witnesses all things shall stand. And in 1 Tim. v., it is written, Against What is a a senior, receive none accusation, but under two or three witnesses.' A senior, senior by in this place, is any man that hath a house to govern. And also their own law is agreeable to this. Wherefore, seeing it is agreeable to the word of God, that in accusations such witnesses should be, you may with good conscience require it. And thus the God of grace, which hath called you unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, shall his own self, after a little affliction, make you perfect; shall settle, strengthen, and stablish you, that to him may be glory and praise for ever. Amen. St. Paul. (1) 2 Pet. ii. (2) 1 Pet. v. (3) Heb. xii. (4) Acts xxiii. (5) Matt. xviii. |