Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

¶ A briefe recapitulation of the Byshops answere, wyth certaine notes answering to his Popish reasons vnto the Reader.

THe aunswere of Byshoppe Eduen in the name of the o∣ther Prelates,* 1.1 to the Oration and Articles before obiected by the Lorde Peter consisteth in two partes. Fyrst, in decla∣ring

the seate due to God. Secondly, the honour due to the king. Wherof the first is,* 1.2 the feare of God (he sayeth) consisteth in three things. 1. In geuing to God. 2. In honoring his ministers. 3. In restoring that, which hath bene taken away. &c. The 2. which is, the honouring of the king, he sayeth, consisteth in a double sort, that is. In wordes onely, wherein is flattery: And in deede: which againe he deuideth in 4. members: First, when a man cousaileth a king to that, whereby his dominion is loued. 2. When the king is counsailed to that whereby his honour and excellencie is not di∣minihed. 3. Thirdly, when the king is counsailed to that, where∣by his fame and renowne is maintained. 4. Fourthly, when a king is counsailed to that, wherby his conscience is not wounded. &c. And this is the order of his whole tractation. Nowe remayneth with like breuity to recite the reasons and argumentes in order, whereby he proueth the premisses, with the subdiuision of euery member and part thereof. Wherein the studious reader, may note both the subtile proceedings of these popish prelates, and also the feeble and impotent ground whereupon they build. Whose buil∣ding (as by this discourse and many other may appeare) wholy & finally tendeth to this, to maintaine their liberties, pompe, and e∣stimation aboue all other secular princes and persons.

First, as concerning feare to be geuen to God, which hee de∣uideth in 3. partes, in geuing, in honouring and restoring: for the first, hee proueth that princes ought to geue largely and wythout measure to the Church by these arguments.

By the testimonie of Iustinian: although nothing is good whych is too much,* 1.3 yet. &c. pag. 361. col. 2. I aunswere that in the time of Iustinian, goodes then geuen to the Churche, were the goodes of the poore. Wherein was vsed faithfull distribution, vo∣luntarie geuing, and necessary charitie. But nowe in our Popish Churches, reuenues and landes geuen, neither are distributed to the poore: and yet are men compelled against their will to geue still. And againe, so little necessitie is nowe to geue to such, that the most wealthes of Realmes almost is in their handes and hou∣ses: in so much that they flowing in such wealth, are nowe waxed so proude, that kinges can scarse beare any rule for them, as was prooued before, pag. 3 30. col. 2. that the Popes reuenues heere in England, mounted to more then three times double the stint of the kings crowne. Wherefore by the counsaile of Iustinian, it was so then, and then myght stand, quòd Religio peperit diuitias: But nowe as the time is altered, so that counsaile holdeth not, postquam nunc filia deuor auit matrē.* 1.4 That is, after that the daugh∣ter hath deuoured the mother. Finally concerning mens geuing to the Church in these our popish daies, foure faultes I note.

First, that they geue superfluously more then sufficient is to necessitie of life.

Secondly, that they geue to such as abuse it wickedly.

Thirdly, that in geuing to them that neede not, noble men in meane time defraude their poore neighbors, which nede in dede, and yet doe not complaine.

Fourthly, because of thys title of geuing, men haue vsed, and yet doe vse to put great hope of saluation therein, contrary to the Testament of God in Christes death, whereof examples are before.

* 1.5Pag. 361. col. 2. Abel offered of the best to the Lorde, and was blessed of God. Ergo, euery great man, that woulde be blessed of God, must offer of the best he hath vnto the Church. Aunswere. This argument as it is farre fet: so it is soone answered, wherein 3. notes are to be obserued.

* 1.6First, that he which offereth vnto the church of God, doth not therein offer vnto God immediatly as Abel did.

Secondly, neither is this to be graunted, that hee which offe∣reth to all Churchmen, offereth by and by to the Church of God. For many times the Churchmen are one: and the Church of God is an other. Laurence the Martyr shewing forth the church of god, brought out the poore of the Parishe, and not of the priestes of the Church. Pag. 72. col. 1.

The thirde note is this: that if noble persons should offer vn∣to God (by the example of Abel) that which is the best and fattest of the flocke: then should they offer vnto the Lord, of their flocke onely, and not of their landes. Yea, and to note the very truth, they are taught thereby to offer to God, neither cattel nor landes, but that which is the very best, that is, their owne bodies for a liuely sacrifice to God.* 1.7 Hee that offerd vp to God a proude heart, and killed it with the axe of humilitie, geueth vnto him the best and fattest bullocke he hath in all his flocke. With like reason I aun∣swere also the place of Numeri. 18. and of Paral. cap. vlt. that to of∣fer vp,* 1.8 or to seperate vnto the Lordes treasurie, is not nowe to geue to Priestes and Chaplaines of the Churche, whyche perad∣uenture haue more then they doe well occupie: but to giue libe∣rally to the communion of Sainctes, which are needy, and are the true treasurie of the Church in deede, as Laurence the true trea∣surer sayd, supra, pag. 72,

* 1.9Pag. 362 col. 1. By Gods commaundement we are bound of duetie to honour our temporall fathers. Ergo, by the same duety we are bounde much rather to honour our spirituall fathers, that is Priestes and Prelates. Aunswere. A father in common speche is diuersly taken, as by age, by nature, by office. And to al these we of duety, are bound to yeeld honour, reuerence, obedience sub∣mission, all be it not all after one sort, nor in like degree. For as we are bound to honour our father and mothers: so aged men & elders haue also their honour and name of fathers So Magistrates and spirituall teachers in their kinde, haue their honour and re∣uerence. And S. Paule sayeth,* 1.10 that such are worthy of double ho∣nour, qui benè praesunt, & qui laborant in sermone. But in thys two thyngs are to be noted, wherein this honour consisteth, and howe farre it extendeth. These spirituall fathers of the Churche, thinke they be not honoured inough, vnlesse Kings and Emperors geue and surrender vnto them all the temporall rule & gouerne∣ment, to doe what they list, and none to controll them. And vn∣lesse noble men and subiects indue them wyth temporall landes and possessions, so much as they woulde haue. And this they call honour, which they define onely by geuing temporally: where in deede it rather consisteth in geuing spiritually, as to haue a re∣uerent opinion of their ministration, to yeld a prompt obedience to their doctrine, to reuerence them as the ministers of God, and not to despise,* 1.11 defame, or molest their persones, whereof S. Paule also about the same place speaketh, wryting to Timothe. Let no man despise thy youth. &c. Also to Titus 2. Let no man despise thee. &c. And this is to honour our spirituall fathers.

Secondly,* 1.12 to consider howe farre this honour extendeth: as no man doeth denie, but these pastours are worthy their double honour, which rule wel: so if they administer not their office wel, they are vnder the ouersighte of the king,* 1.13 bearing the Temporall sworde, worthy of double punishment. And yet to consider thys double honour in them that rule well, howe farre it doth extend: if it be compared to the honour due to our parentes, case of ne∣cessitie will soone decide it. For be it, that our parentes, on the one side, and pastour of the other, stande in extreeme neede of the sonnes supportation, wherein he can helpe but the one: nature, I suppose, will and ought sooner runne, and the word of Christ will sooner driue vs to our father,* 1.14 then to the Priests Corban. Marc. 7. So that this distinction here may haue place: that as the one stan∣deth vpon merite of vertue, so the other standeth vpon mere due∣ty of necessitie.

Pag. 362. col. 1.* 1.15 These iurisdictions temporall and spiritual are compatible in one persone. Aunswere. I graunt pro ratione sub∣iects. That is, in the subiect it selfe there is no cause to the contra∣ry, but these vocations may be exercised both of one persone, as they haue beene of the Pope, one after the other (and so may contrary formes also) and yet the Popes persone hath bene able to sustaine them both. But now here is to be considered, not what the nature of the subiecte is able to beare by Logicke, but what order is taken heerein by the will of God, whose order is thys: That they, which with Peter, are called to the feeding of the flock, shoulde leaue their fishing nettes, and fishe for men: and that they which labour in the warfare of the Lord, should not intangle thē∣selues with the busines of this life, wherby they may be more free to please him,* 1.16 whose souldiours they are. Tit. 2, &c.

Pag. 362. col. 1. The iurisdictions temporall and spirituall, are so distincted that they are not contrary.* 1.17 &c. Aunswer. And what let is there then, but our Queene nowe, and other kings heereaf∣ter may haue the gouernement of both states, as well Ecclesiasti∣call as temporall? Seeing both the formes being compatible, may concurre both in one subiect: why not as well in the persone of the King, within the Realme, as in the person of the Pope without the Realme?

Pag. 363 col. 1. God after the creation of the world,* 1.18 &c. vnto Noes time: &c. Aunswere. If God vnto Noes time gouerning the worlde as king, gaue sentence himselfe against Caine (as yee say) howe then did he that by the ministerie of aungels? If he did it by the aungels his ministers:* 1.19 Whether is more like then that to make for the Pope, or rather for kings and princes, whom the Scripture thrise in one chapter, calleth the ministers of God to execute pu∣nishment to him, that doth euill. Rom. 13.

Pag. 363. Noe also which offered. &c. Aunswere. If offering of burnt sacrifices to God doe make a priest,* 1.20 then was Caine also, Abell, Abraham, Isaac, and all Patriarches priests. If hee had both temporall and spirituall iurisdiction vppon them, which were in his Arke: I maruell why hee did not curse ••hen the disobedyent crowe that returned not to him againe.

Pag. 363. col. 1, Melchisedech likewise. &c. Answere. Melchi∣sedech properly did beare a figure of Christ, both king and priest, and of none other.

Pag. 363. col. 2. A. I haue geuen to me.* 1.21 &c. Aunswere. That Christ hath all power geuen him, no man doubteth: but yet the same Christ sayth, that his kingdome is not of this world. Neither would he be made a king in this worlde. &c. Non eripit mortalia, qui regna dat caelestia, hym.

Pag. 363. col. 1. B. Whom Christ made his vicar. &c. Answere. Here in one line bee two lies.* 1.22 For neither had Peter the very same power in heauen and earth as Christ had, neyther was hee the vi∣car of Christ.

Pag. 363. col. 1. C.* 1.23 As the offence of Ananias and Saphira

was not temporall but spirituall: so did Peter kill them not iudi∣cially, that is, as a temporall iudge, but spiritually, that is, by the power of the spirite, which spirite wrought by him, not as by a iudge, but as a minister. And although this acte of Peter was ex∣traordinarie for a singular example: yet notwithstanding let any prelate with the like power of spirit, so do, & none wil blame him.

* 1.24Pag 363 col. 1. D. And so likewise the condemnation of Paule against the Corinthian, was onely spirituall and not temporall.

Pag. 363. 1. E. must be referred to the order. &c. Aunswere. Christ woulde these causes to be referred to the hearing of the Churche,* 1.25 for spirituall admonition, but not for temporall iurisdi∣ction of the prelates.

Pag 363. col. 1. F. All things that the true Church doth truely binde are bound. I graunt: but first let the Pope proue his Church to be the true Church, and himselfe to be the vniuersal head ther∣of, and then let him claime the keies.

Ibid. The two swords do as much signifie the two regiments: as doe the two fishes wherewith Christ did feede foure thousande persones.* 1.26

Ibid. Christ bad Peter put vp his sword and not to cast it away. Ergo, the Church may haue the temporall sworde. Answere. God geue you good morowe, I haue brought you a capon.

Pag. 364. col. 1. I. Know ye not the Saintes. &c. Aunswere. S. Paule heere willing the Corinthians to pleade their matters not before the heathen, but before the Saints: meaneth the faithfull of the congregation, not onely prelates.

* 1.27K. In them was not the like reason. &c. Aunswere. I graunt, for Christ and true Christians is one thing: Antechrist and hys Church is an other thing.

Ibid. As ye say, the Apostles had no laisure to take lands and possessions, for preaching: but nowe, for Lordly loytering you haue laisure inough.

* 1.28Pag. 364. col. 1. M. They are most fittest to beare temporal rule, which followe neerest to God. Prelates of the cleargie followe nearest to God. Ergo, Prelates of the Clergie are more meetest to beare temporall rule.

Resp. If God heere be taken for that God, which is called the belly. I graunt they seeme to followe nearer. But if it be taken for the true God, not I, but their owne fruites, life, and doctrine, and Esay also would denie their minor, and say, that this people draw∣eth neare to me with their lips, but their heart is farre from me.

* 1.29Pag. 364. col. 1. You are a chosen generation, a royal Priest∣hode. &c. Aunswere. This place of Peter was written not onely to persones Ecclesiasticall, but to the whole congregation of the Saintes disparsed, as the wordes following may declare. Qui era∣tis quondam non populus. &c.

And thus much concerning French matters, which because they be Ecclesiasticall, and beare wyth them some vtilitie to the diligēt reader (such as list to search, note and obserue the actes of men, and course of religion) I thought therfore here to place and adioyne next after, the other con∣tention before proceding betwene Philip the French king and Pope Boniface. Albeit as touching the perfect kee∣ping of yeres and time, I am not ignorant that thys fore∣said Parliament thus summoned and commenced against the French prelates falling in the yeare of our Lorde. 1329. was to be referred rather to y^• raigne of king Edward the i••. Of whom now remaineth (by the grace of Christ) in or∣der of historie to prosecute, declaring first the instructions and informations of his father geuen to him in the time of his departing.* 1.30 The yeare of our Lorde 1307. and the last yeare of the king, the foresayde king Edwarde in his iour∣ney marching towarde Scotland: in the North fel sicke of the flixe, which increased so feruētly vpon hym, that he dis∣paired of life. Wherfore, calling before him his Earles and Barons, caused them to be sworne, y^t they should crowne his sonne Edward in such conuenient time after his death as they might, & kepe the land to his vse, til he were crow∣ned. That done,* 1.31 he called before him his sonne Edwarde, informing and lessoning him wyth wholesome preceptes, & charged him also with diuers poynts vpon his blessing: first that he should be cou••teous, gentle, vpright in iudge∣ment, faire spoken to all men, constant in deede and word, familiar with the good: and especially to the miserable to be merciful. After this, he gaue him also in charge, not to be to hastie in taking his crowne, before he had reuenged his fa∣thers iniuries stoutly against the Scots: but that he shuld remaine in those parties to take w^t him hys fathers bones,* 1.32 being well boiled from the flesh, and so inclosed in some fit vessel, shoulde carie them with him til he conquered all the Scots: saying, that so long as he had his fathers bones w^t him, none should ouercome him. Moreouer, he willed and required him, to loue his brother Thomas, and Edmund: also to cherish & tender his mother Margaret the Quene. Ouer & besides, he straitly charged him vpon his blessing (as he would auoide his curse) that he should in no case cal to him againe,* 1.33 or sende for Peter Gaueston: whych Peter Gaueston the king before had banished the realme, for his naughty and wicked familiarity with hys sonne Edward, and for his seducing of him with sinister counsaile. For the which cause, he banished both Peter Gaueston vtterly out of the realme, and also put the sayd Edwarde hys sonne in prison. And therefore so straitly charged hys sonne, in no wise to sende for this Gaueston, or to haue him in any case about him.* 1.34 And finally, because he had cōceined in himselfe a vow to haue returned hys owne person to the holy land (which for his manifold warres wyth the Scots, he could not performe) therefore he had prepared 32000. poundes of siluer, for the sending of certaine souldiours with hys hart vnto the holy lād. Which thing he required of hys sonne to see accomplished. So that the foresayde money, vnder hys curse & malediction, be not employed to other vses. But these iniunctions and preceptes, the disobedient sonne did nothing obserue or keepe after y^e decease of his father. Who forsaking and leauing of the warre with the Scots, wyth all speede hasted him to his coronation. Also, contrary to the minde of his nobles, & against the precept of hys father he sent for the foresayde Peter Gaueston, & prodigally be∣stowed vpon him al that treasure which his father had be∣quested to the holy land. He was moreouer a proud despi∣ser of his peeres & nobles. And therefore raigned infortu∣nately, as by the sequele of the story heere folowing, by the grace of Christ shalbe declared. Thus king Edwarde first of that name, leauing behinde him 3. sonnes, Thomas and Edmund by his third wife, and Edward by his first wife, whome he had sufficiently thus with precepts instructed, departed this mortall life. An. 1307. after hee had raigned neare 39. yeres. Of whom this Epitaph was wrytten.

Dum viguit rex,* 1.35 & valuit tua magna potestas: Fraus latuit, pax magna fuit, regnauit honestas.

In y^e time and raigne of thys king, many other things happened, which here I omit to speake of: as the long dis∣corde and strife betweene the Prior of Cant. and the Prior of Douer, which continued aboue 4. yeres together: with much wrangling & vnquietnes betweene them. Likewyse an other lyke cōtention growing betwene Iohn Romain Archb. of York, and the Archb. of Cant. vpon the occasion, that when Iohn Archb. of York after his consecration re∣turned from the Pope, and comming to Douer, contrary to the inhibition of Cant. passed through y^e middle of Kent, with his crosse borne vp: although the story reporteth, that he had the kings consent therunto. An. 1286.

Item, betwene Thomas Bishop of Hereford, & Iohn Pecham Archb. of Cant. fell an other wrangling matter, in the time of thys king. Which Byshop of Hereforde ap∣pealing from the Archb. to the Pope, went vp to Rome, and in his iourney died. Who with lesse cost might haue taryed at home. 1282.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Notes vpon the bishops answer•• Pag. 36••. col. 2.
• * 1.2

  Feare of God consisting in three thinges.

  • 1. In geuing.
  • 2. In honoring.
  • 3. In restoring.

  Honour to the kyng, double. In word flatte∣ring, in deede effectuall.

  Honour effectu∣all standeth in foure pointes.

  • 1. in maintay∣ning the kings loue.
  • 2. in maintay∣ning his digni∣tie.
  • 3. in maintay∣ning his good name.
  • 4. in maintay∣ning his consci∣ence.

  Pag. 361. col. 2.
• * 1.3

  Pag. 361. col. 2.
• * 1.4

  Religio peperit diuitias, nunc filia deuorauit matrem. 4. incommodi∣ties that come in geuing to the church.
• * 1.5

  Pag. 361. col. 2.
• * 1.6

  3. Things to be noted, in offe∣ring to God and to the church.
• * 1.7

  Rom. 12.
• * 1.8

  Pag. 361. col. 1.
• * 1.9

  Pag. 362. col. 1.
• * 1.10

  1. Tim. 5. 2. Things •••• be noted •• geuing ho∣nour, wh••••∣in consi•••••• honour ge∣uing to Priestes.
• * 1.11

  1. Tim. 5. Titus. 2.
• * 1.12

  Qui benè praesunt.
• * 1.13

  How far ho∣nour giuen to priestes extendeth.
• * 1.14

  Marke. 7.
• * 1.15

  Pag. 362. col. 1.
• * 1.16

  Tit. 2.
• * 1.17

  Pag. 362. col. 1. 2. formes not contrary maybe com∣patible in one subiect.
• * 1.18

  Pag. 363. col. 1.
• * 1.19

  Rom. 13.
• * 1.20

  Pag. 363. col. 1. Noe was a priest, and had both iu∣risdiction in the Arke.
• * 1.21

  Pag. 363. col. 1. A.
• * 1.22

  Pag. 363. col. B.
• * 1.23

  Page. 363. col. 1. C.
• * 1.24

  Pag. 363. col. 1. D.
• * 1.25

  E.
• * 1.26

  Pag. 363. col. 1.
• * 1.27

  Pag. 364. col. 1.
• * 1.28

  Pag. 364. col. 1.
• * 1.29

  Pag. 364. col. 1.
• * 1.30

  Anno. 1307. The sicknes and death of K Edward,
• * 1.31

  Godly lessōs and precepts geuen to the yong prince.
• * 1.32

  The kyng cōmaundeth his bones to be caryed in the field a∣gainst the Scottes.
• * 1.33

  The fatherly care of kyng Ed∣ward in exclu∣ding wicked cōpany frō his sonne.
• * 1.34

  A rashe vow of kyng Edward. The kyngs heart to be car••ed to the holy land.
• * 1.35

  The Epitaph of kyng Edward