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.

Iohn Florence a Turner.

IDon Florence a Turner,* 1.1 dwelling in Shelton, in the Diocesse of Norwich, was attached for that he helde and taught these heresies heere vnder wrytten (as they called them) cōtrary to y^e determination of the Church of Rome.

In primis, that the pope and Cardinals haue no power to make or constitute any lawes.

Item, that there is no day to be kept holy, but onely the Sonday which God hath halowed.

Item, that men ought to fast no other time, but of the Quatuor temporum.

Item, that Images are not to be worshipped, neyther that the people ought to set vp any lightes before them in the Churches, neither to go on pilgrimage, neither to offer for the dead, or with women that are purified.

Item,* 1.2 that Curates should not take the tithes of theyr parishioners, but that such tithes shuld be deuided amōgst the poore parishioners.

Item, that al such as sweare by their life or power, shal be damned, except they repent.

[illustration]

The displing of Iohn Florence.

Upon wensday, being the second day of August in the yeare of our Lorde 1424. the sayde Iohn Florence perso∣nally appeared before William Bernam,* 1.3 Chauncellour to William byshoppe of Norwich, whereas he proceding a∣gainst him, obiected the first article touching the power of the Pope and Cardinals: to which Article the sayde Iohn Florence answered in thys manner. If the pope liued vp∣rightly as Peter liued, he hath power to make lawes: o∣therwise, I beleeue hee hathe no power. But being after∣ward threatned by the iudge, he acknowledged thathe had erred, and submitted himselfe to the correction of y^e church, and was abiured, taking an othe that from that time for∣ward he should not hold, teach, preach, or willingly defend

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any errour or heresie contrary to the determination of the church of Rome, neither maintaine, helpe, or aide any that shal teach or hold any such errors or heresies, either priue∣ly or apertly, and for his offence in thys behalfe done, hee was enioyned thys penance following.

Three Sondaies in a solemne procession in the cathe∣dral Church of Norwich,* 1.4 he should be displed before al the people. The like also shuld be don about his parish church of Shelton, three other seuerall Sondaies, hee being bare headed, bare footed & bare n••cked, after the maner of a pub∣licke penitentiarie, his body being couered wyth a canues shirt, and canues breches, carying in his hande a taper of a pounde waight, and that done he was dismissed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iohn Florence•• a Turner.
• * 1.2

  He meanet••∣they should claime such ••••∣thes by any ex∣action.
• * 1.3

  Anno. 1424.
• * 1.4

  The maner of this displing was withawhite rodde, thrise laid vpon the head of the peni¦tenciary.