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.

Armachanus.

* 1.1IN the Catalogue of these learned and zelous defenders of Christ against Antichrist aboue rehearsed, whome the Lord about this time began to rayse vp for reformation of his Churche, being then farre out of frame, I cannot for∣get nor omit something to write of the reuerend Prelate, and famous Clerke Richard Armachanus, primate and Archb. of Ireland: A man for his life and learning so me∣morable, as the condition of those dayes then serued, that the same daies then as they had but sewe good, so had none almost his better. His name was Richard Fizraf, made primate and Archb, as is sayd, of Ireland. First brought vp in the vniuersitie of Oxford, in the study of all liberall knowledge, wherin he did exceedingly profire vnder Iohn Bakenthorpe his tutor and instructor. In this time the begging Friers began greatly to multiply and spread, vn∣to whome this Bakenthorpe, was euer a great enemye. Whose steppes the scholler also following, began to do the like. Such was the capacitie and dexteritie of this Fizraf, that he being commended to king Edward the 3. was pro∣moted to him, first to be Archdeacon of Lichfield, then to be the commissary of the vniuersitie of Oxford. At length to be Archbishop of Armach in Ireland. He being Archbi∣shop, vppon a time had cause to come vp to London:* 1.2 At what time here in the said citty of London was contention betweene the Friers and the clergie about preaching, and hearing confessions &c. Whereupon, this Armachanus being requested to preach, made 7. or 8. sermons. Wherein he propounded 9.* 1.3 conclusions agaynst the Friers, for the which he was cited vp by the Friers before this pope In∣nocent the 6. to appeare, And so he did, who before the face of the pope valiantly defended, both in preaching & in wri∣ting the same conclusions, & therein stood constantly vnto the death, as the wordes of Iohn Wickliffe in his Trialo∣go do well testifie in this wise:

Ab Anglorum Episcopis con∣ductus Armachanus, nouem in Auinione conclusiones coram Innocentio 6. & suorum Cerdinalium coetu, contra fratrum men∣dicitatem, audacter publicauit, verbóque ac scriptis ad mortem vsque defendit

. The like also testifieth of him Waldenus in fa∣sciso zizianniorum. Also Volateranus reporteth the same. Gu∣lielmus Botonerus testifying of him in like maner, saith: that Armachanus first reproued begging Friers for hearing the confessions of professed nonnes, without licence of their superiours, and also of maryed women without know∣ledge of their husbandes. What daungers and troubles he susteyned by his persecutors, and howe miraculously the Lord deliuered him from their handes: In so muche, that they meeting him in the open streetes and in cleare day light,* 1.4 yet had no power to see him, nor to apprehend hym. In what perill of theeues and searchers he was in, and yet the Lord deliuered him, yea and caused his mony being take from him, to be restored againe to him by portions, in time of his necessitie and famine. Also from what dangers of the kinges officers, which comming with the kings let∣ters layd all the hauens for him: yet howe the Lord Iesus deliuered him,* 1.5 shewing him by what wayes how to escape them. Moreouer, what appeales were layd agaynst hym, to the number of 16. and yet how the Lord gaue him to tri∣umph ouer al his enemies. How the Lord also taught him & brought him out of the profound vanities of Aristotles subtlety, to the study of the Scriptures of God. All this w^t muche more, he himselfe expresseth in a certaine prayer or confession made to Christ Iesus our Lord, in which he de∣scribeth almost the whole history of his owne life. Whiche prayer I haue to shewe in old written hand, and hereafter (Christ willing) intēd as time serueth to publish the same. The beginning of the prayer in latin is this.

Tibi laus,* 1.6 tibi gloria, tibi gratiarum actio, Iesu pijssime, Iesu potentissime, Iesu dulcissime: qui dixisti, Ego sum via, veritas & vita. Via sine deuio: veritas sine nubilo: & vita sine termino. Quod tute viam mihi oftendisti. Tute veritatem me docuiste Et tute vi∣tā mihi promisisti: Via eras mihi in exilio. Veritas eras in consilio. Et vita eris mihi in premio

. With the rest that followeth in the foresayd prayer.

Thus what were the troubles of this good man, and how he was cited vp by the Friers to the P. you haue part¦ly heard: Nowe what were his reasons and argumentes wherwith he defendeth his cause in the popes presence, fol∣loweth to be declared. For the tractation whereof firste I must put the reader in remēbrauce of the controuersie mē∣tioned before in the story of Guliel de sancto de Amore. Pag. 322. Also in the story of the vniuersitie of Paris conten∣ding against the Friers pag. 392. For so long did this con∣trouersie continue in the Churche, from the yeare. 1240. whē y^e Oxford men began fies•• to stand against the Fryers to the time of this Armachanus, that is, to the yeare 1360. and after this time yet more encreased. So it pleased the se∣cret prouidence of God (for what cause he best knoweth) to suffer his Churche to be entangled and exercised some∣times with matters and controuersies of no great impor∣tance. Eyther to keepe the vanitie of mens wits thus oc∣cupyed frō idlenes, or els to prepare their mindes by these smaller matters, to the consideration and searching out of other thinges more graue and weighty. Like as nowe in these our Queenes dayes, we see what tragidies be raysed vp in Englād about formes &, fashions of ministers wea∣ringes, what troubles grow, what placing and displacing there is about the same: Euen so at this time happened the like stirre about the liberties and priuilegies of the Friers, which not a little troubled, and occupied al the churches & Diuines almost through Christendome. The whiche con∣trouersie, to the intent it may better be vnderstanded (all y^e circumstances therof being explayned) we will first begyn from the originall and foundation of the matter, to declare by order and course of yeres, vpon what occasion this va∣riance first rising, in continuance of time increased & mul∣tiplide in gathering more matter, and brast out at length to this tumultuous contention among learned men.

Concerning therfore this present matter, first it is to be vnderstand, that in the yeare of our Lord. 1215. vnder pope Innocent the 3. was called a generall coūcell at Laterane, mentioned before. Pag. 253. in the dayes of king Iohn. Iu the which councell among many other thinges, was con∣stituted a certaine law or Canon, beginning Omnis vtrius{que} sexus. &c. the tenour of which canon in English is thus.* 1.7

Be it decreed, that euery faythfull Christian, both man and woman comming to the yeares of discretion, shall confesse hym∣selfe alone of all his sinnes, to the priest of hys own proper parish, once in the yeare at least: and that he shall endeuour by hys owne self to fulfil the penance, whēsoeuer he receiueth the sacrament of Eucharistie, at least at the time of Easter. Vnlesse by the assent of his Minister, vpon some reasonable cause to abstayne for the time. Otherwise dooing, let him both lacke the communion of the Churche being aliue, and Christian buriall when he is dead. Wherefore be it decreed, that this wholesome constitution shalbe published accustomably in Churches, to the end that no man of ignorance or of blindnes make to himselfe a cloke of excuse. And if any shall confesse himselfe to any other priest then of his owne parishe vpon any iust cause, let him aske and obtayne first licence of his owne priest: Other els, the Priest to haue no power to hinde him or to loose him. &c.

In the time of this Innocentius,* 1.8 and of this Laterane councell, was Dominicke, the first author and founder of the preaching Fryers: who laboured to the said Pope In∣nocent, for the confirmation of his order, but did not ob∣teyne, in his life tune.

The next yeare after this Laterane councell, dyed pope Innocent. an. 1216. after whome came Honorius 3. who in the first yeare of his Popedome confirmed the order of the frier Dominicke, and gaue to him and his fryers authori∣ty to preach and to beare confessions, with diuers other priuilegies more. And vnder this Pope whiche gouerned 10. yeares, liued Dominick fiue yeares after y^• confirmatiō of his order and dyed an. 1221. About which yeare, the order

of the Franciscane Friers began also to bread,* 1.9 & to spread in the world, through preaching and hearing confessions.

After this Honorius next followed Pope Gregory the 9. about the yeare of our Lord 1228. who for the promoting of the forsayd order of Dominickes, gaue out this Bull, in tenour as followeth.

* 1.10Gregorius bishop seruaunt of Gods seruauntes, to his re∣uerende brethren, Archbishops Bishoppes, and to his welbelo∣ued Children, Abbots, Priors, and to All Prelates of churches, to whom soeuer these presentes shall come, greting, and Apostolical blessing. Because* 1.11 iniquitie hath abounded, & the charity of man hath waxt cold: Behold, the Lord hath raysed vp the order of our weibeloued children the preaching Friers, who not seking things of their owne, but pertayning to Iesus Christ, to the extirping as wel of heresies as to the roting out also of other pernitious pesti∣lenciés: haue dedicate themselues to the preaching of the* 1.12 word of God We therfore minding to aduaunce their sacred purpose. &c. and followeth, commaunding you to see the sayd persons, gently to be receaued among you: And that your flockes committed to your charge do receaue deuoutly the seede of Gods word out of their mouth, and doe confesse their sinnes vnto them, all suche as list, whome wee haue authorised to the same, to heare confessi∣ons, and to enioyne penaunce. &c. Dat. Perusij. an. Pont. nostri. 8.

* 1.13This pope Honorius dyed about the yeare of our Lord 1241. after whom came Celestinus the fourth and sat but 18. daies, then came Innocentius the fourth and sat 11. yeares and 6. monethes. who although he began first to fauour the friers: yet afterward being altered by certayn Diuines of Uniuersities, Prelates of Churches, and Curates: and debarred them of their liberties and priueledges, & gaue out agayne preceptes and excommunications, as well a∣gaynst the Friers, as all other religious persons. And not long after the same he was dispatched.

* 1.14Innocentius being thus remoued out of the way, a∣bout the yeare of our Lord, 1353. Then succeeded Pope A∣lexander the fourth a great mayntainer of the Friers, and sat 7. yeares. He reuoked and repeated the Actes and wri∣tinges of Pope Innocent his predecessour, geuen forth a∣gaynst the Friers: wherwith the Diuines and Students of Paris benig not wel contented, stirred vp foure princi∣pall Doctours: The first and chiefe captayne was Guliel. de sancto Amore,* 1.15 mentioned before. pag. 322. against whom wrote Albertus Magnus, and Thomas Aquine. And at last he was condemned by this foresayd Pope Alexander the 4. in the Extrau. Non sine multa. The second was Simon Ior∣nalensis, the third, Godfridus de Fontibus, the iiii. Henricus de Gandauo. These foure with other their complices, compiled a certaiene booke against the begging order of Friers, both Dominicans, and Franciscās intituled, Depericulis Eccle∣siae, cōreiningxim chapters. wherof the 14. which is the last, with 39. articles agaynst the Friers we haue already trā∣slated and expressed, pag. 317. Beside these. 39. articles, be other vii. articles moreouer to the said booke annexed, vn∣der the name of the students of Paris against the Friers, prouing why the sayd Friers ought not to be admitted in∣to their societie. which vii. articles because they are but short, I thought here better to place, then to omit them.

Certaine articles geuen out by the Studentes of Paris, agaynst the Fryers, why they should not be admitted to theyr societie.

* 2.1FIrst we say, they are not to be admitted to the societie of our schole, but vpon our will and licence. For our com∣pany or fellowship ought not to be coactiue, but volunta∣ry and free.

Secondly, we say they are not to be admitted, for so∣much as we oft proued their community, manifold wayes to be hurtfull and incommodious.

Thirdly, seeing they be of a diuers prosession from vs (for they are called regular, and not schollasticall) we ther∣fore ought not to bee ioyned and associate together in one scholasticall office. For asmuch as the Councell of Spayne doth say,* 2.2 thou shalt not plough with the Oxe, and with the Asse together. which is to say: Men of diuers professions ought not together to be matched in one kinde of calling, or standing, for theyr studies and conditions be disagreeing and disseuered from ours, and cannot frame or couple to∣gether in one communion.

Fourthly we affirme, by the Apostle that they are not to be admitted because they worke dissensions and offēces: For so sayth the Apostle Rom vlt. we desire you brethren, that ye obserue.* 2.3 and take heede of such as make dissentions and offēdicles about the doctrine which you haue learned by the Apostles, and auoyd them. For such serue, not the Lord, but their own belly. Glose Some they flatter some they backbyte, whereby they might feede their belly. That through their sweete and pleasaunt wordes,* 2.4 and by their benedicti∣ons, they may deceaue the hartes of the simple. Glose. That is, with their fine sugered, and trimme couched wordes, they set forth their own traditions, wherewith they beguile the hartes of the simple innocentes.

Fiftly, we say they are not to be admitted. For that we feare least they be in the number of them, which goe about and deuoure mens houses. For they thrust in themselues into euery mans house, searching and sacking the consci∣ences and states of all persons.* 2.5 And whom they finde easie to be seduced, as women: such they doe circumuent, & lead them away from the counsailes of their Prelates, bynding them either in acte or oth: from such we are warned by the Apostle to auoyd.

Sixtly, wee say they are to bee auoyded: because wee feare they are false Prophetes. Whiche being neither By∣shops, ner parish priests,* 2.6 nor yet their Uicares, nor sent by them, yet they preach (not sent) against the minde of the A∣postle, Rom. 10. saying: How shall they preach except they be sent? For els there appeareth in them no such great ver∣tue, for the whiche they ought to be admitted to preach vn∣called. Seing therefore that such are so daungerous to the Church, they ought to be auoyded.

Seuenthly, we say they are not to be admitted, because they be a people so curious in searching & inquiring of o∣other mens doings and spirituall demaynour. And yet be they neyther Apostles,* 2.7 nor yet successours of y^e Apostles, as bishops: nor of the number of the 72. Diciples of the Lord: nor their successors, y^t is parish Priestes: nor their helpers, nor yet Uicares, wherefore, seing they liue so in no order, by the sentence of the Apostle we are commaunded to a∣uoyd them. 2. Thess. vlt. where he saith: we admonish and denounce vnto you (O brethren) in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ: that is, as the Glose, sayth (we commaund you by the authoritie of Christ) that you withdrawe your selues from euery brother, that walketh inordinately, and not after the tradi∣tion, which you haue receaued of vs. &c. Looke vpon the com∣mon glose of this place, and you shall finde, that such are to be auoyded till time they amend from so doing. &c.

Besides these articles aboue rehearsed,* 2.8 certaine propo∣sitions or conclusions were also propounded in the scholes of Paris the same time, solemnly to be disputed and defen∣ded agaynst the Fryers: which in a briefe some of wordes to collect, were these.

First, that the begging Friers were not in the state of saluation.

Secondly, that they were bound to labour with theyr handes that could, and not to begge.

Thirdly, that they ought not to exercise the office of preaching, or to heare the confessiōs of them that wil come to them, although being licensed thereunto by the Byshop of Rome, or by the Diocesane: for somuch as the same is preiudiciall to the ministers and Priestes of the Parishes.

All these foresayd articles & conclusions,* 2.9 w^t the booke set forth by these Paris men: This Pope Alexander the 4. condemned to be abolished and burned, writing his pre∣ceptes to the French K. and also the Vniuersitie of Paris, in the fauour of the Friers: willing and commaunding the sayd Fryers to be restored to all their priueledges and li∣bertyes, in as ample maner as in Pope Gregories tyme before.

Not long after Pope Alexander the 4.* 2.10 followed Cle∣ment the 4. an. 1263. and sate 3. yeares. Who also gaue the priuiledge to the Friers, beginning: Quidam temerè &c. In which priueledge he condemneth them that say, that no mā without licence of his Curate or minister, ought to confesse him to the Friers, or that a subiect ought to aske licence of theyr ministers so to doe, whiche was agaynst the Canon Omnis vtriusque sexus &c. made by the Pope Innocent the 3. before recited.

After this Clement, agayn came Pope Martine the 4. an. 1281. who renued again the Canon. Omnis vtriusque sex∣us; in the behalfe of the Curates against the Friers.

Then Pope Boniface the 8. began to sit, an. 1294, viii. yeares. ix. monethes. Who taking side with the Fryers, gaue to them an other priuiledge, beginning,* 2.11 Super Cathe∣dram. &c. In the whiche priuiledge he licensed the Fryers, that without licence of Uicares of Churches, they shal first present themselues to the Prelates to be admitted: by whō if they be refused the second time, then they vppon speciall authoritie of this Pope, shall be priueledged: without ey∣ther Byshop or Curate, to preach, to bury, and to heare cō∣fessions who soeuer will come to them, reuoking all that was decreed by his predecessours before to the contrary notwithstanding.

By this Pope Boniface, a certayne Dominick Frier was made Cardinall named Nicholaus de Teruisio, and af∣ter the death of Boniface, was made also Pope. an. 1303. surnamed Pope Benedictus 11. Who seing the constituciō of Boniface his predecessor to gender dissension betweene the Prists and Friers,* 2.12 made an other constitution, begin∣ning: Inter cunctas &c. reuoking the constitution of Boni∣face his predecessour. Upon which constitution of Pope Benedict, Ioannes Monachus, make a Glose, reuoked also his other Glose made vpon the constitution of Boniface before.

Again, after this Benedictus the 11. folowed pope Cle∣ment the 5. an. 1335. and sat 9. yeeres, who in his generall Councell holden at Uienna, reuoked the constitution of Benedictus his predecessor, and renewed agayne the for∣mer decree of Boniface, by a new constitution of his, be∣ginning: Dudum a Bonifacio. 8. &c. whiche constitution moreouer was confirmed afterwarde by Pope Iohn the 22. an. 1316. which Pope also caused Ioannes de Poliaco to recant.

Upon this variable diuersity of the Popes (one dissē∣ting and repugning from an other) rose among the Di∣uines & scholemen in Uniuersities great matter of cōten∣tion, as well in the Uniuersity of Paris, as the Uniuersi∣ty of Oxford about the begging Friers, some holding one way, some an other way. But especially 5. principal opini∣ons to be noted of learned men, who thē disputing against the friers, were condemned for heretickes, and their asser∣tions reproued.

* 2.13The first, was the opinion of thē which defended, that the friers might not by the licence of the Byshop of Rome and of the Prelats, preach in Parishes, and heare confessi∣ons. And of this opinion was Guliel. de Sācto Amore, with his felowes, who as is sayd, were condemned.

The second opiniō was this, that friers, although not by theyr own authority, yet by priuiledge of the Pope and of the Bishop, might preach and heare confessions in Pa∣rishes, but yet not without licence of the Parish Priestes. Of this opinion was Bernardus glosing vpon the canō. Omnis vtriusque sexus, afore mentioned,

The third opinion was, that friers might preach and heare confessions, without licence of the Parish Priestes: but yet the sayd parishners notwithstanding were boūd, by the Canon: Omnis vtriusque sexus: to repeate the same sinnes again, if they had no other, to theyr own proper cu∣rate: and of this opinion were many, as Godfridus de Fon∣tibus: Henricus de Gandauo:* 2.14 Ioannes Monachus Cardin: Ioan∣nes de Poliaco. Which Ioannes de Poliaco, Pope Iohn the 22 caused openly in Paris, to recant and retract.

* 2.15This Ioannes de Poliaco Doctor of diuinity in Paris, being complayned of by y^e friers for certaine articles or as∣sertions, was sent for to the Pope: where time and place being to him assigned, he in the audience of the Pope and of Frierly Cardinals & other doctors: was straitly exami∣ned of his articles. To make the story short, he at length submitting himselfe to the authority of the terrible see of Rome: was caused to recant his assertions openly at Pa∣ris. His assertions which he did hold, were these.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The life and story of Ar∣machanus Archb. and primate of Ireland.
• * 1.2

  The cōmen∣dation of Armacha∣nus.
• * 1.3

  Armacha∣nus cited by the Friers, to appeare be∣••ee the P.
• * 1.4

  The tro••∣bles & per∣secutions of Armacha∣nus.
• * 1.5

  Armacha∣nus prefer∣red mani∣••old wayes •••• the Lord.
• * 1.6

  The prayer of Armachanus.
• * 1.7

  Caen. omnis vtri usque sexus. Sex. ex. de •••• & re.
• * 1.8

  Note here he calleth not the sacrament of the altar.

  Frier Dominike in the time of Pope Innocent the 2. ob••ained not the confir∣mation of his order.

  The order of Frier Dominike first confirmed by pope Inno∣cent 3.
• * 1.9

  The order of the Franciscans, cōfirmed short∣ly after the Do∣minikes.
• * 1.10

  The bul of pope Gregory in the behalfē of the Dominike Fri∣ers.
• * 1.11

  Iniquitie hath abounded at Rome.
• * 1.12

  Nay to the preaching ra∣ther of mēs tra∣ditions against the word of God. The Friers auto∣rised to heare confessions & to to enioyne pe∣nau••ce.
• * 1.13

  Pope Innocent the 4. against the Friers.
• * 1.14

  Pope Alexan∣der the 4. vndo∣eth the actes of Pope Innocent the 4. his prede∣cessour.
• * 1.15

  Extrau. non sine multa. Gul. de S. Amo∣re, Simon Ior∣nalensis. Godfridus de sontibus, Hen. de Gandano, foure champi∣ons against the Friers.
• * 2.1

  Articles of the students of Pa∣ris against the Friers.
• * 2.2

  Concilium His∣pun.
• * 2.3

  The friers make dissentions.
• * 2.4

  Friers ••••∣uou•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hou••e••.
• * 2.5

  Penetra•••••• dom••s.
• * 2.6

  Friers pre•••••• vncalled.
• * 2.7

  Friers haue no order of any calling in the church
• * 2.8

  Certain cō∣clusiōs in the vniuersitie of Paris to be disputed of against the Friers.
• * 2.9

  Pope Alex∣ander the 4 a great sauo∣rer of the Friers.
• * 2.10

  Another pilgrimage giuen to the Friers by Pope Cle∣ment 4. Ex Clem•••••• Quidam ••∣merè. Pope Mar∣tin the 4. holdeth with cu•••••• against the Friers.
• * 2.11

  Pope B••••••∣face holder with the fri∣ers agai••e. Ex Cleme•••• consist Be∣nif. Super cathedra••.
• * 2.12

  Ex Clemēt. inter cunc∣tas. Ioan, Mo∣nach. reuo∣keth his glose. Pope Cle∣ment the 5. holdeth with the Fryers and repealeth the cōstitu∣tion of Be∣nedictus. Ex Clement cap. dudum.
• * 2.13

  Fine diuers opinions of learned mē in this age holdyng a∣gainst the Fryers. The 2. opi∣nion. Bernardus super cap. ••mnis v∣triusque. The 3. opi∣nion.
• * 2.14

  Isan. de Po∣liaco.
• * 2.15

  Ex libro fratris E∣gelbertis.