The tragical death of Dauid Beato[n] Bishoppe of sainct Andrewes in Scotland Whereunto is ioyned the martyrdom of maister George Wyseharte gentleman, for whose sake the aforesayed bishoppe was not long after slayne. Wherein thou maist learne what a burnynge charitie they shewed not only towards him: but vnto al suche as come to their hades for the blessed Gospels sake.

¶ The accusa∣tion of maister George wysehart gentlemā, who suffered martyrdome for the faith of Christ Jesu, at S. Andrewes in Scotlād the first day of March. In the yere of our Lorde. M D. xlvi. wyth the articles, which he was accused of, and his s••ete answeres to the same, whereunto are ioy∣ned his godly ora∣tiōs & praiers.

WYth most tendre affecti∣on and vnfeyned herte, considre (gentle reader) the vncharitable maner of accu••ation of maister George Wyseharte made by the bloudie enemies of Christes sayeth. Note also the articles wherof he was ac∣cused, by ordre digested, and his meke answeres so farre as he had

leaue and leasure to speake.

Finally ponder wyth no dissem∣bling spirite the tyrānicall fury, & infernall crudelitie of the maling∣nant churche, in aponing the saied * 1.1 articles, and of the contrary the humble, pacient, & moste pleasaunt answeres of maister George, made to them sodenly wythout all feare, not hauyng respecte to their glori∣ous manassinges & bostious threa∣tes: but cheritably and wythout stoppe of tonge answered, not mo∣uyng his countenaūce, nor chaun∣ginge his visage, as in his accusa∣tion hereafter folowinge manifest∣ly shall appeare: to the sayed mai∣ster George beinge in captiuitie in the castle of saincte Andrewes, the Deane of the same towne was sēt by the cōmaundement of the Car∣dinal, & his wicked counsayle. And * 1.2 there summoned the sayed maister George, that he shoulde vpon the

morne folowing appeare before the Iudge, then and there to geue ac∣compte of his seditious & hereticall doctrine. To whō maister George * 1.3 answered, what needeth (sayed he) my lorde Cardinal to sūmon me to answer for my doctrine openly be∣fore hym, vnder whose power and dominion, I am thus strayghlie bounde in Irons? Maye not my lorde cōpell me to answer of his ex∣tort power? Or beleueth he that I am vnprouided to render accompt of my doctrine? To manifest your selues, what men ye are, it is well done that ye keepe your olde cere∣monies and constitutions made by menne. Upon the nexte morne my Lorde Cardinall caused his ser uauntes to adresse them selues in theyr moste warlyke arraye, wyth Iacke, Knapskall. Splente, Speare & Are, more seming for the war, then for the preachyng of the

true worde of God. And whē these armed chāpiōs marchyng in war∣like order had cōueyed the bishops into the abbaye churche: Inconti∣nētly thei sent for Maister George who was conueyed into the sayed churche, by the captayne of the ca∣stle, and the numbre of an hūdreth men adressed in maner aforesayed. Lyke a lambe ledde they hym to * 1.4 sacrifice. As he entred in at the abbaye churche dore, there was a pore man liynge vexed wyth great infirmities, askinge of his almesse, to whom he slange his pursse. And when he came before the Cardi∣nal, by and by the suppriour of the abbaye, called Dane Iohn Wyn∣time stode vp in the pulpet & made * 1.5 a sermon to all the congregation there then assembled, takynge his matter out of the. xiii. Chapter of Mathew. Whose sermon was di∣uided into foure principall partes.

The fyrste parte was a shorte and briefe declaration of the Euangel.

The seconde parte, of the inter∣pretation of the good sede. And be∣cause he called the worde of god the good side, and heresie the euyl sede, he declared what heresie was, and howe it shoulde be knowen, which he defined on thys maner. Heresie is a false opinion defended wyth * 1.6 partinacie, clearely repugning the worde of god. The thirde parte of his sermon was the cause of heresy wythin that realme, and all other realmes. The cause of heresie (quod he) is the ignoraūce of them, which haue the cure of mennes soules, to * 1.7 whom it necessarily belongeth to haue the true vnderstādinge of the worde of god, that they may be a∣ble to wynne agayne the false doc∣tours of heresies with the sword of the spirite, whiche is the worde of god. And not only to winne agayn

but also to ouercome, as sayeth * 1.8 Paule. A bishop must be faultles, as becometh the minister of god, not stubburne, not angrie, no drū∣kard, no fighter, not geuē to filthy lucre, but herberous, one y^t loueth goodnes, sobre minded, rightuous, holy, temperate, & such as cleaueth vnto y^e true word of doctrine, that he may be able to exhorte w^t whol∣some learninge, & to improue that which they saye against hym. The fourth part of his sermō was how heresies should be knowē. Heresies (quod he) be knowē on this maner. As the goldsmith knoweth the fine golde frō the vnperfit, by y^e touch∣stone. So likewise may we knowe * 1.9 heresy by y^e vndoubted touchstone that is the true sincere, & vndefiled word of god. At the last he added, y^t heretickes should be put downe in this presēt life. To whiche proposi∣on the gospell apeared to repugne.

whiche he entreated of. Let them not growe vnto the harueste, the harueste is the ende of the worlde. * 1.10 Neuertheles he affirmed that thei should be put downe by the ciuile and maiestrate lawe. And when he ended his sermon: incontinentlie they caused maister George to as∣cend into the pulpet, there to heare his accusation and articles. For ryghte againste hym stode vp one * 1.11 of the fedde flocke a monster, Iohn Lander, laden full of curssynges wrytten in paper. Of the whiche he toke out a rolle, voeth longe and also full of curssynges, threates, maledictions, and wordes of dy∣uylyshe spytte and malice: saiynge to the Innocēt maister George, so * 1.12 many cruel & abhominable wordes and hit hym so spitefully wyth the Popes thunder, that the ignorant people dreaded, leste the earth then woulde haue swallowed hym vp

quicke. Notwythstanding he stode styll wyth great patience, hearyng their saiynges, not once mouynge or chaungyng his countenaunce. When that thys fed sowe, had red thorowout al his liyng manassyn∣ges, his face runnyng downe with swette, and frothing at his mouth * 1.13 like a beare, spit at maister George his face, saiynge: what answereste thou to these saiynges, thou run∣na gate traytoute, thiefe, whithe we haue duely proued by suffici∣ent wytnesse against the? Maister George hearynge thys, sate downe vpon his knees in the pulpet, ma∣kynge his prayer to God. Whē he had ended his prayer, swetely and christianlike he answered to them all in thys maner.

¶ Maister George his oration.

MAnie & horrible saiynges vnto me, one christian mā, manie wordes ahhomina∣ble for to heare, ye haue spokē here this day. Which not only to teach, but also once to thinke, I thought * 1.14 euer great abhomination. Wher∣fore I pray your discretions quiet∣ly to heare me, that ye may knowe what were my saiynges, & the ma∣ner of my doctrine. Thys my peti∣tiō (my lordes) I desire to be heard for three causes. The fyrste is, be∣cause thorowe preachynge of the worde of god, his glory is made ma∣nifest. It is reasonable therfore, for the auauncynge of the glorie of god, that ye heare me teachynge truly the pure worde of god with∣out any dissimulation. The secōd reason is, because that your health springeth of the word of god (for he worketh all thing by his worde) It were therefore an vnryghtuous

thinge, if ye should stoppe your ea∣res frō me, teaching truly the word of god. The third reason is, because your doctrine speaketh furth ma∣ny pestilētious, blasphemous & ab∣hominable wordes, not comyng by the inspiration of God, but of the deuyll, on no lesse peril thē my life. It is Iust therfore and reasonable your discretiōs to know, what my wordes & doctrine are, and what I haue euer taughte in my tyme in this realme, y^t I perish not vniust∣ly to the great peril of your soules. Wherfore both for the glory & ho∣nor of god, your owne health, and sauegard of my life, I beseche your discretions, to heare me, and in the meane tyme I shall recite my doc∣trine wythout any colour. First & chiefly, sence the tyme I came into this reame, I taught nothing, but * 1.15 their cōmaundementes of god, the xii. articles of the fayeth, and the

prayer of the Lorde in the mother tonge. Moreouer in Dundie, I taughte the Epistles of Saincte Paule to the Romaynes. And I shal shewe your discretions faith∣fully what fashion and maner I vsed when I taughte, wythout a∣ny humane dreade. So that your discretions, giue me your eares be∣neuolente and attente. Sodenlie then wyth an high voice cryed, the accusar the fedde sowe) thou here∣ticke, runnagate, traytoure and thiefe. It was not lawefull for the to preache. Thou haste taken the power at thyne owne hande, with∣out any authoritie of the churche, we forthynke that thou haste bene a preacher so longe. Then all the whole cōgregation of the prelates wyth their complices, sayed these * 1.16 wordes. And if we giue him licence to preache, he is so craftie, and in the holy scripture so exercised, that

he wyll persuade the people to his opinion, and rayse them agaynste vs. Maister George seinge their malicious and wycked intent, ap∣pealed to an indifferent and equal Iudge. To whō the accusar Iohn * 1.17 Lander aforesayed with hoggishe voice answered. Is not my Lorde Cardinal the second person wyth∣in thys Realme? Chaunceler of Scotland? Archbishoppe of sainct * 1.18 Andrewes? byshop of Meropois: Commendator of Aberbrothoke? Legatus natus? Legatus a late∣re? And so recitynge, as many ti∣tles of his vnworthy honours, as would haue loden a shippe, muche soner an asse. Is not he (quod Iohn Lander) an equall Iudge apparantly vnto the? Whō other desirest thou to be thy Iudge? To whome thys humble man answe∣red, saying. I refuse not my Lorde Cardinall, but I desire the worde

of god to be my iudge, and the tem∣poral estate w^t some of pour Lorde∣shippes * 1.19 myne auditours, because I am here my Lorde Gouernours prisoner. Wherupon the prydefull & skornful people y^t stode bi, mocked hym, saiynge. Suche man, suche Iudge. Speakinge seditious & re∣prochefull wordes agaynst the Go∣uernour & other the nobles, mea∣nynge them also to be heretickes.

And incontinente wythout all de∣laye they woulde haue geuen sen∣tence vpon maister George, & that wythout farther processe, had not certerne men there councelled my lorde Cardinal to read againe the articles, and to heare his answeres therupon, y^t the people myght not cōplaine of his wrongfull cōdemp∣nation. And shortly for to declare, these were the articles folowinge wyth his answeres, as far as they woulde geue hym leaue, to speake.

For whē he entended to mittigate their leasynges, & shewe the maner of his doctrine, by & by thei stopped his mouth with an other article.

¶ The fyrst article.

☞ Thou false hereticke, rūnagate * 1.20 traitoure, & thiefe, disceiuer of the people, despiseste the holy churche curssinges, & in like case cōtēpneste my lorde Gouernours authoritie. And this we know for suertie that when thou preached est in Dūdy, & wast charged by my lord gouerner his authoritie to desist: neuerthe∣les y^u wouldest not obei, but perseus redst in the same. And therfore the bishop of Brothē curssed the, & dell uered the into the deuils hādes, & gaue the in cōmaundemet y^t thou shouldest preache no more. That not w^t stāding y^u diddest cōtinue ob∣stinately.

¶ The answer.

❧ My Lordes I haue red in the actes of the apostles, that it is not

lawefull for the threates and ma∣nassinges of men to desist from the preachynge of the Gospell. Ther∣fore it is wrytten, we shall rather obey God then men. I haue also redde in the prophete Malachie. I shall cursse your blessynges, and * 1.21 blesse your curssynges. If my con∣sciēce had iudged me to haue done euyll, I shoulde haue desisted for your curssynges, or elles for your brotherlyke warnynges, but be∣cause I vsed no vngodly deede, I suffered paciently your curssinges beleuynge firmely, that the Lorde woulde turne your curssynges in∣to blessynges.

¶ The seconde article.

☞ Thou false hereticke didest say that a priest standynge at the aul∣tare * 1.22 saiyng Masse, was lyke a foxe waggyng his tayle in Iuly.

¶ The answer.

❧ * 1.23 My Lordes I said not so, these

were my saiynges. The mouynge of the bodie outwarde, wythout the inward mouing of the hert, is noughte els, but the plaiyng of an ape, & not the true seruyng of god. For God is a secrete sercher of mēs hertes. Therefore who wyll trulie adorne and honoure god, he muste in spirite and veritie honour him. * 1.24

Then the accusar stopped his mouth wyth another article.

¶ The thirde article.

☞ Thou false hereticke preachedst * 1.25 agaynst the sacramentes, saiynge: that there were not seuen Sacra∣mentes.

The answer.

❧ My lordes and it be your plea∣sures, * 1.26 I taughte neuer of the nū∣ber of the Sacramentes, whether they were seuen or an eleuen. So many as are instituted by Christe, and are showen to vs by the Euā∣gell,

I professe openly. Excepte it be the worde of god I dare affirme nothynge.

¶ The iiii. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke hast open∣ly taught, that auricular confessi∣on * 1.27 is not a sacramente. And thou sayest, that we shoulde onely con∣fesse vs to god and to no priest.

¶ The answer.

❧ My Lordes, I say that auricu¦lar cōfession, seinge that it hath no promesse of the Euangell, therfore it cannot be a sacramēt Of the cō∣fession * 1.28 to be made to god, there are many testimonies in scripture, as when Dauid sayeth. I thoughte that I woulde knoweledge myne iniquitie against my selfe vnto the Lorde, and he forgaue the trespase of my synnes. Here confession sig∣nifieth the secrete knoweledge of oure synnes before God. When I exhorted the people in thys maner,

I reproued no maner of confessi∣on And farther sainct Iames say∣eth. Knowledge your sinnes one to * 1.29 an other, and so let you haue peace amonge your selues. When that he had sayed these wordes, the bi∣shoppes and their complices cryed and girned wyth their teeth, sai∣ynge: Se ye not what colours he hath in his speakyng, that he may begile vs and seduce vs to his opi∣nion.

¶ The fifte article.

☞ Thou hereticke dyddest say o∣pēly, that it was necessary to eue∣ry * 1.30 man, to knowe and vnderstand his baptisme, and what it was. Cōtrary or generall councels and the states of holy churche.

¶ The answer.

❧ My Lordes, I beleue there be none so vnwyse here, y^t wyll make * 1.31 marchaūdice w^t a frēch mā, or any other vnknowen straūger, excepte

he knewe and vnderstode fyrst the * 1.32 condition or promesse made by the frenche man or straunger. So like I would that we vnderstode what thynge we promesse in the name of the Infant vnto god in baptisme. For thys cause I beleue ye haue confirmation.

Then saied maister Bleiter chap¦laine, that he had the Deuyl with∣in hym and the spirite of erroure.

* 1.33 Then answered hym a chylde sai∣yng the Deuil cannot speake such wordes, as yonder mā doth speake.

¶ The. vi. article.

☞ Thou hereticke traytoure, and thiefe, thou saydest that the sacra∣mēt * 1.34 of the aultare was but a piece of breade bakē vpon the ashes, and no other thynge elles, and all that is there done is but a superstiti∣ous rite agaynst the commaunde∣ment of God.

¶ The answer.

❧ Oh Lorde God so manifest lies & blasphemies the scripture doeth not teache you. As concerning the sacrament of the aultare (my Lor∣des) I neuer taught any thinge a∣gaynst the scripture, the whiche I shall (by Goddes grace) make ma∣nifeste thys daye, I beinge readye therfore to suffre death.

The lawefull vse of thys sacra∣ment * 1.35 is most acceptable vnto god, but the greate abuse of it, is verie detestable vnto him. But what oc∣casion they haue to saye such wor∣des of me, I shall shortly shewe your Lordshippes. I once chaūced to mete with a Iewe when I was saylyng vpon the water of Rene.

I dyd enquire of hym what was * 1.36 the cause of his pertinacie, that he dyd not beleue that the true Me∣slias was come, considerynge that they had seene all the Prophesies (whiche were spoken of hym) to be

fulfilled. Moreouer the prophesies taken away and the ceptre of ••u∣da, by many other testimonies of the scripture, I vanquest him that Messias was come the whiche thei called Iesus of Nazareth. Thys Iewe answered agayne vnto me. When Messias cometh, he shal re∣store all thynges. And he shall not abrogate the lawe, whiche was ge∣uen to oure forefathers as ye do.

For why? we see the pore almoste perishe thorowe hungar amonge * 1.37 you: yet ye are not moued wyth pi∣etie towardes them. But amonge vs Iues (though we be pore) there are no beggers founde.

Secōdarely, it is forbyddē by the lawe, to fame any kinde of Image∣ry, of thynges in heauen aboue, or in the earth beneth, or in the sea vnder the earth: but one God one∣ly to honoure. But your sanctua∣ries and churches are ful of Idols. * 1.38

Thyrdly a piece of breade baken * 1.39 vpō the ashes, ye adorne & worship & say, that it is your God. I haue rehearsed here: but the saiynges of the Iewe, which I neuer affirmed to be true. Thē the bishops shoke their heades and spitted into the erth. And what he mēt in this mat ter farther, thei would not heare.

¶ The. vii. article.

Thou false heretike diddest say y^t ex∣treme * 1.40 vnctiō was not a sacramēt.

The answer.

❧ My Lordes, forsoth I neuer taught any thyng of extreme vnc∣tion in my doctrine, whether it were a sacrament or no.

The. viii. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke, saydest that holy water is not so good as * 1.41 washe, & suche lyke. Thou contem∣nest coniuryng and sayest that ho∣ly churches curssynges auaile not

The answer.

¶ My Lordes as for holy water, what strength it is of, I taughte neuer in my doctrine. Cōiuringes & exorzismies, if ther were cōforma ble to the worde of god, I woulde commende them, but in so farre as they are not conformable to the cō maundement and worde of God, I reproue them.

¶ The. ix. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke and run∣nagate, haste sayed that euery ley * 1.42 mā is a priest, and suche like. Thou sayest that the Pope hath no more power, then any other man.

¶ The answer.

¶ My Lordes, I taught nothing but the worde of god. I remembre that I haue reade in some places * 1.43 in saincte Iohn and sainct Peter, of the whiche one sayeth, he hath made vs kynges and priestes. The other sayeth, he hath made vs the kingli priesthod. Wherfore I haue

affirmed any man beinge cunning in the worde of God and the true fayth of Iesu Christe, to haue his power geuen hym frō god, & not by the power or violence of men but by the vertue of the worde of god, the whiche worde is called the po wer of god, as witnesseth S. Paul * 1.44 euidently inough. And agayne I saye any vnlearned man, and not exercised in the worde of god, nor yet constant in his fayth, what soe∣uer estate or ordre he be of, I say he hath no power to bynde or lose, se∣inge he wanteth the instrumente, * 1.45 by the whiche he bindeth or loseth, that is to saye, the worde of God.

After that he had sayed these wor∣des, all the bishoppes laughed and mocked hym. Whē that he behelde their laughinge. Laugh ye (sayeth he) my lordes. Though that these saiynges appeare scorneful & wor∣thy of derision to your Lordships.

Neuerthels they are very weigh∣tie to me, & of a greate valewe, be∣cause that they stande not onely vpon my lyfe, but also the honour and glorie of God. In the meane tyme many godly men beholdynge the wodnes, and greate crudelitie of the bishoppes and the inuinci∣ble paciencie of maister George did greatly morne and lament.

The. x. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke saydest that a man hath no free wyll. But * 1.46 is like to the Stoykes, whiche say, that it is not in mans wyl to do a∣ny thynge, but that all concupis∣cence and desire cometh of God of what soeuer kynde it be of.

The answer.

❧ My Lordes I sayed not so tru∣ly. I saye that as many as beleue in Christe firmly vnto them is ge∣uen libertie, cōformable to the say∣inge * 1.47 of saincte Iohn. If the sonne

make you free, then shall ye verily be free. Of the contrary as many as beleue not in Christe Iesu, they are bonde seruauntes of synne. He that syndeth is bonde to synne.

¶ The. xi. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke saiest, it is as lawefull to eate fleshe vpon the * 1.48 friday as on sundaye.

The answer.

❧ Pleaseth it your Lordships, I haue reade in the epistles of sainct * 1.49 Paule, y^t who is cleane, vnto thē al thinges are cleane, of the contrary to the filthy mē all thinges are vn∣cleane. A faithful mā, cleane, & holy sāctifieth by the word the creature of God. But the creature maketh no man acceptable vnto God. So that a creature may not sāctify a∣ny impure & vnfaithful man. But * 1.50 to the faithful man, all thinges are sanctified, by the praier of the word of God. After these saiynges of

maister George, then sayed all the bishoppes wyth their complices: what needeth vs any wytnesse a∣gainst hym: hath he not opēly here spoken blasphemie?

The. xi. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke doste saye that we shoulde not praye to sanc∣tes, * 1.51 but to God onely. Saye whe∣ther thou haste sayed this or no, say shortly.

¶ The answer.

❧ For the weaknes and the infir∣mitie * 1.52 of the hearers, he sayd wyth∣out doubte playnely that sainctes shoulde not be honoured. My lor∣des (sayed he) there are two thyn∣ges worthy of note. The one is cer∣teyne, the other vncerteyne. It is founde playnly & certeyne in scrip∣ture, that we shoulde worship and honour one God, accordyng to the saiyng of the fyrst cōmaundement. Thou shalte onely worshippe and * 1.53

honoure thy Lorde God, wyth all thy herte. But as for prayinge to and honourynge of sainctes, there * 1.54 is great doubt among many whe∣ther they heare, or no, inuocation made vnto thē. Therefore I exhor∣ted al men equally in my doctrine, that they should leaue the vnsure waye, and folowe that waye, which was taughte vs by oure maister Christ. He is our only Mediatour and maketh intercession for vs to God his father. He is the dore by the whiche we muste entre in. He that entreth not in by thys dors, * 1.55 but clymeth an other waye, is a thiefe & murtherar. He is the veri∣tie & life. He that goeth out of this way, there is no doubt but he shal fall into the myre: yea verily he is fallen into it already. Thys is the fashion of my doctrine, the whiche I haue euer folowed. Uerily that which I haue hearde and reade in

the worde of god I taughte open∣ly, and in no corners. And nowe ye shall witnes the same, if your lord∣ships wil heare me, but it be by the worde of god I dare not be so bold to affirme any thynge. These sai∣ynges he rehearsed diuerse tymes.

The xiii. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke haste prea∣ched * 1.56 plainly, satynge that there is no purgatorie. And that it is a fat∣ned thynge, any man after thys lyfe, to be punished in purgatorie.

The answer.

My lordes as I haue often tymes sayed heretofore, wythout expresse witnes and testimonie of the scrip∣ture * 1.57 I dare affirme nothynge. I haue ofte, and diuerse tymes reade ouer the Bible, & yet suche a terme founde I neuer, nor yet any place of scripture applicable thereunto. Therfore I was ashamed euer to teach of that thing, which I could

not fynde in the scripture. Then sayed he to maister Iohn Lauder his accusar. If you haue any testi∣mony of the scripture, by the which ye may proue any such place, shewe it nowe before this auditorie. But thys dolte had not a worde to saye for hym selfe, but was as domme as a bitle in that matter.

The. xiiii. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke haste taught plainely against the vowes * 1.58 of monkes, friers, nones & priestes, saiyng: that who soeuer was boūde to suche lyke vowes, they vowed them selues to the estate of damp∣nation. Moreouer that it was lawful for priestes to mary wyues and not to lyue sole.

¶ The answer.

¶ Of soth (my Lordes) I haue reade in the Euangell, that there are three kyndes of chaste menne.

Some are gelded from their mo∣thers wombe. Some are gelded by * 1.59 men. And some haue gelded them selues, for the kyngdome of heauen sake. Uerily, I saye, these men are blessed by y^e scripture of God. But as many as haue not the gyfte of chastitie, nor yet for the Euangell, * 1.60 haue not ouercome the concupis∣cence of the sleshe, and haue vowed chastitie, ye haue experience, al∣though I shoulde holde my peace, to what inconuenience they haue vowed them selues.

Whē he had sayed these wordes, they were al domme, thinking bet∣ter to haue tenne concubines, them one maryed wyfe.

¶ The. xv. article.

☞ Thou false hereticke and run∣nagate, sayest that thou wylte not obey oure generall nor prouinciall * 1.61 councelles.

¶ The answer.

¶ My lordes, what your generall councelles are, I know not, I was neuer exercised in them: but to the pure worde of God I gaue my la∣bours. Reade here your generall councelles, or elles geue me a boke wherein they are conteyned, that I maye reade them. If that they agree wyth the worde of God, I wyll not disagree.

Then the rauenyng wolues tur∣ned into woodnes & sayed, wherun * 1.62 to let we hym speake any farther? Reade furth the rest of the articles and staye not vpon them. Amonge these cruell tygres, there was one false hypocrite, a seducer of the peo∣ple called Iohn Grayfynde Scot, standyng behinde Iohn Lauders * 1.63 backe, hasting him to reade the rest of the articles, and not to tary v∣pon his wittie & godly answeres. For we may not abyde them, quod be, no more then the Deuyl maye

abide the signe of the crosse, when it is named.

The. xvi. article.

☞ Thou hereticke sayest, that it is vayne to buylde to the honoure * 1.64 of god costly churches. Seing that God remayneth not in the chur∣ches made by mennes handes, nor yet, god cā be in so litle space as be∣twixt the priestes handes.

¶ The answer.

¶ My Lordes, Salomon sayeth. If that the heauē of heauēs cā not * 1.65 comprehende the, howe muche lesse thys house, that I haue buylded? And Iob consenteth to the same sentence. Seing that he is higher then the heauens, therefore what * 1.66 can thou buylde vnto hym. He is deepar then hell, then howe shalte thou knowe him? He is lōgar then the earth, & broder thē the sea. So that god can not be comprehended into one place, because that he is

infinite. These saiynges notwith∣stādyng, I sayed neuer that chur∣ches * 1.67 shoulde be destroyed. But of the contrary I affirmed euer, that churches should be susteyned and vpholden, that the people should be cōgregated into thē, there to heare of god And moreouer, wher soeuer is the true preachynge of the word of God, and the lawefull vse of the sacramētes, vndoubtedly there is God presente hym selfe. So that boeth these saiynges are true to∣gether. * 1.68 God cā not be comprehen∣ded into anie place. And where so euer there are two or three gathe∣red in his name, there is he present in the middest of them. Then saied he to his accusar. If thou thynkest any other wise, then I saye, shewe forth thi reasōs before this audito∣ry. Then he without al reasō was dom, & could not answer one word.

The. xvii article.

☞ Thou false hereticke, contem∣nest * 1.69 fasting, and sayest thou shoul∣dest not fast.

The answer.

¶ My Lordes, I fynde that fa∣sting is cōmended in the scripture: * 1.70 therefore I were a sclaunderer of the gospell, if I cōtemned fastyng. And not so onely, but I haue lear∣ned by experience, that fastynge is good for the health of the bodie. But god knoweth who fasteth the true fast.

The. xviii. article.

☞ Thou false heresicke hast prea∣ched openly, saiynge that the soule * 1.71 of man shall sleepe to the later daye of iudgement, and shal not obteine lyfe immortall vntyl that daye.

The answer.

❧ God ful of mercie and goodnes: forgeue them that sayth such thin∣ges of me: I wotte and know sure∣ly by the word of god: that he which

hath begonne to haue the fayth of Iesu Christ and beleueth firm∣ly in hym. I knowe suerly that the soule of that man shall neuer * 1.72 sleepe but euer shall lyue an im∣mortal lyfe. The whiche lyfe from daye to daye is renewed in grace and augmēted: Nor yet shall euer perishe, or haue ane nde: but euer immortall shall lyue with Christ. To the whiche lyfe all that beleue in hym shall come and rest in eter∣nall glorie. Amen.

¶ When that the Bishoppes * 1.73 wyth theyr complices had accu∣sed thys innocente man in maner and forme afore said, incontinent∣ly they condempned hym to be burnte as an hereticke, not ha∣uynge respecte to his Godly an∣sweres and trewe reasons whiche he alledged: nor yet to theyr owne cōsciences. Thynkyng verily that

they shoulde do to God good sa∣crifice, cōformable to the sayinges of sainct Iohn. They shall excom∣municate you: yea, and the tyme shall come that he whiche kylleth * 1.74 you shal thinke that he hath done to God good seruice.

¶ The prayer of maister George.

O Immortal god howe long shalt thou suffre the wod∣nesse * 1.75 and greate crudelitie of the vngodlie, to exercise their fury vpon thy seruauntes whiche do farther thy word in this world seeynge they desyre to be contra∣rie, that is to choke and destroye thy trewe doctrine and veritie, by the whiche thou haste shewed the vnto the worlde whiche was all drowned in blyndnesse and mis∣knowledge

of thy name. O Lorde we knowe suerly that thy trewe seruauntes must needes suffre for thy names sake persecution, aflic∣tion and troubles in thys present lyfe whiche is but a shadowe, as thou haste shewed to vs by thy Prophetes and Apostles. But yet we desyre the hertely, that thou conserue, defende, and healpe thy congregation, whiche thou haste chosen before the beginning of the worlde. And geue them thy grace to heare thy worde, and to be thy trewe seruauntes in thys present lyfe.

☞ Then by and by, they caused the commune people to remoue, whose desire was alwaies to heare that innocente speake. And the sonnes of darckenesse pronounced theyr sentence definitiue, not ha∣uynge respecte to the iudgemente

of God. When all thys was done and sayed, my Lorde Cardinall caused his tormentours to passe a∣gayne wyth the meeke lambe into the Castle, vntyll suche tyme the fyer was made readye. When he was come into the Castle, then there came two gray findes, Fry∣ar Scotte and his mate, saiynge: Sir ye muste make your confessi∣on vnto vs. He answered and say∣ed. I wyll make no confession vn∣to you. Go fetch me younder man * 1.76 that preached thys daye, and I wil make my confession vnto him. Then they sente for the Suppri∣or of the Abbaye, who came to him with all diligence. But what he sayed in his confession I can not shewe. When the fyre was made readye, and the gallouse at the weste parte of the Castle nere the Priorie, my Lorde Cardinall

dreadynge that maister George shoulde haue bene taken awaye by his friendes, therefore he com∣maunded to bende all the ordi∣naunce of the Castle forryghte a∣gaynste that parte. And com∣maūded all his gūners to be ready and stande besyde theyr gunnes vnto suche tyme he were burned. All thys beinge done, they bounde maister Georges handes behynde his backe, and ledde hym furth wyth theyr souldiars from the Ca∣stle to the place of theyr wycked execution. As he came furth of the Castle gate, there mette hym cer∣teyne beggars askynge of his al∣messe for God his sake. To whom * 1.77 he answered, I wante my handes▪ wherewyth I shoulde geue you almesse. But the mercifull Lorde of his benignitie and aboundaūce of grace, that feedeth all menne,

vouchsafe to geue you necessaries boeth vnto your bodies and sou∣les. Then afterwarde mette hym two false findes, I shoulde saye fryars, saiynge. Maister George * 1.78 praye to our Ladie, that she may be mediatrix for you to hir sonne. To whom he answered meekelie. Cease tempt me not my brethren. After thys he was ledde to the fyre wyth a Rope about his necke and a cheyne of Iron aboute his middle. When that he came to the fyre he sate downe thryse v∣pon * 1.79 his kneees, and rose agayne, And thryse he sayed these wordes. O thou Sauiour of the worlde haue mercie on me. Father of hea∣uen I commende my spirite in∣to thy holie handes. When he had made thys prayer, he turned hym to the people and sayed these wordes.

❧ I beseche you christian bre∣thren and sisters, that ye be not offended in the worde of God, * 1.80 for the aflictions and tormentes, whiche ye see alreadye prepared for me. But I exhorte you that ye loue the worde of God and su∣ffre patientlie and wyth a com∣fortable herte for the wordes sake, whiche is youre vndoubted sal∣uation and euerlastynge comfort.

❧ Moreouer I praye you shewe my brethren and sisters, whyche haue hearde me ofte before, that they cease not, nor leaue of the worde of God, whyche I taughte vnto them after the grace gyuen vnto me, for no persecutions, or troubles in thys worlde, whyche lasteth not. And shewe vnto them that my doctrine was no wyues favies after the cōstitutiōs made by men. And if I had taughte

mennes doctrine, I had gotten greate thankes by menne. But for the wordes sake and trewe E∣uangell, whiche was geuen to me, by the grace of God, I suffre * 1.81 thys daye by menne, not sorow∣fullie, but wyth a gladde herte and mynde. For thys cause I was sente, that I shoulde suffre thys fyer for Christes sake. Con∣sider and beholde my visage, ys shall not see me chaunge my co∣loure. Thys grimme fyer I feare not. And so I praye you for to doe, if that anie persecution come vnto you: for the wordes sake. And not to feare them that slaye the bodye, and afterwarde haue no power to slaye the soule.

Some haue sayed of me that I taughte, that the soule of man shoulde sleepe vntyl the laste day. But I knowe suerlye and my

fayeth is suche, that my soule shal suppe wyth my Sauioure Christ thys nyghte or it be sixte houres, for whome I suffre thys. Then he prayed for them whyche accu∣sed * 1.82 hym, saiynge: I beseche the (father of heauē) to forgeue them, that haue of anie ignoraunce, or elles of anye euyll mynde, for∣ged anie lyes vpon me. I forgeue them wyth all my herte, I beseche Christ to forgeue them that haue cōdempned me to death thys daye ignorauntly.

❧ And laste of all, he sayed to the people on thys maner. I be∣seche you brethren and sisters to exhorte youre Prelates to the learnynge of the worde of God, * 1.83 that they at the laste maye be a∣shamed to do euyll and learne to do good. And if they wyll not con¦uerte them selues from theyr wyc∣ked

erroure, there shall hastelye come vpon them, the wrath of god whyche they shall not eschewe.

Many faythfull wordes sayed he in the meane tyme, takynge no hede or care of the cruell tormen∣tes whyche were then prepared for hym.

And laste of all the hange man, that was his tormētor sate downe vpon his knees, and sayed. Sir I praye you forgeue me, for I am not giltie of your death. To whō he answered. Come hither to me. When that he was come to hym, he kissed his cheke, and sayed. Lo here is a token that I forgeue the, and I beseche Christe to forgeue the. My herte do thine office. And then by and by, he was put vpon * 1.84 the gibbet and hanged, and there burnt to pouder. When that the people behelde the greate tormen∣tynge,

they myghte not wyth∣holde from pitiouse mour∣nynge, and cōplayning of thys innocente lābes slaugh∣ter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The loue of God ta∣keth a way al humane dreade.
• * 1.2

  The deane of saincte Andrewes was sum¦monet
• * 1.3

  A pritie taunt
• * 1.4

  Maister George his aliues.
• * 1.5

  Iohn Win∣tyme prea∣ched.
• * 1.6

  Heresie.
• * 1.7

  The cause of heresie
• * 1.8

  l. ad Titū
• * 1.9

  The maner to know 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hereticks
• * 1.10

  Mat. xiii.
• * 1.11

  Iohn Lan∣der accusar
• * 1.12

  The way to feare the igno∣rant.
• * 1.13

  The frui∣tes of that charitie.
• * 1.14

  The causes why mas∣ter George deserued to be hearde
• * 1.15

  Maister George his doc∣trine.
• * 1.16

  The crye of the scri∣bes and phariseis
• * 1.17

  Master George ap∣prateth to the Gouer∣ner.
• * 1.18

  The style of an un∣worthye prelate.
• * 1.19

  Beholde their trai∣terous hertes?
• * 1.20

  These be their accu∣stomed ter∣mes Curssin¦ges
• * 1.21

  Mala. ii.
• * 1.22

  The pri••st at masse
• * 1.23

  True wor∣shippynge of God.
• * 1.24

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.25

  Sacra∣mentes.
• * 1.26

  Howe ma∣ny sacramē∣tes be allo∣wed.
• * 1.27

  Auricular confession
• * 1.28

  Ps. xxxii
• * 1.29

  Iac. v
• * 1.30

  Baptisme
• * 1.31

  Baptisme necessarily to be kno∣wen of all men.
• * 1.32

  Confir∣mation
• * 1.33

  Maister Bleiter An∣swerth by a chylde.
• * 1.34

  The sacra∣mente of the aultare
• * 1.35

  The lawe∣ful vse of the sacra∣ment of the aultare
• * 1.36

  The tale of a Iewe
• * 1.37

  The pore
• * 1.38

  Images.
• * 1.39

  The sacra¦ment of t•••• aultare.
• * 1.40

  Extreme vnction
• * 1.41

  Holy water
• * 1.42

  ley man a priest The Po∣pes autho∣ritie
• * 1.43

  ••po. ••. ••. v ••. Pet. ii
• * 1.44

  Ro. i.
• * 1.45

  The instru∣mente to bynde and lose
• * 1.46

  Free wil
• * 1.47

  Iohn. viii
• * 1.48

  Eating of meates
• * 1.49

  Titū. i.
• * 1.50

  The crea∣ture doeth not ••ancti∣fie w^tout the word.
• * 1.51

  Praying to sāctes
• * 1.52

  To honor one God is certeyne
• * 1.53

  Mat. iiii.
• * 1.54

  To pray to sainc∣tes
• * 1.55

  The surest way is to be folowed
• * 1.56

  Purga∣torie
• * 1.57

  Purgato∣ri•• ••ot once named in scripture
• * 1.58

  Uowes
• * 1.59

  Three kyn∣des of chast men Mat. xix.
• * 1.60

  The d••un∣ger of vn∣chastitie
• * 1.61

  General councels
• * 1.62

  Thei rūne a pase to shed bloud
• * 1.63

  Iohn Grayfynd Scotte an hastie buccher to his slaugh∣ter
• * 1.64

  Building of chur∣ches
• * 1.65

  ii. Re. viii
• * 1.66

  Iob. xi
• * 1.67

  Whereun∣to chur∣ches shuld serue
• * 1.68

  Mat. xviii
• * 1.69

  Fastyng
• * 1.70

  The true fastyng he alloweth
• * 1.71

  Of the re∣seruing of the soule.
• * 1.72

  The faith∣ful soule shall neuer sleepe.
• * 1.73

  Maister George condem∣ned
• * 1.74

  Iohn. xvi.
• * 1.75

  Maister George his prayer for the tō∣gregation of. God.
• * 1.76

  Maister George confessed.
• * 1.77

  Maister George prayeth for the reliefe of the pore
• * 1.78

  Maister George answereth the fryers temptynge hym.
• * 1.79

  His praier
• * 1.80

  His sermō to the peo∣ple.
• * 1.81

  His vp∣ryght con∣science felt no death
• * 1.82

  His prayer for his ac∣cusars
• * 1.83

  His exhor∣tation for the clergie to learne Goddes worde
• * 1.84

  His wor∣des to the hangman.