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 faythfull woman burned.

BUt amongest all the examples of them,* 1.1 wherof so many haue suffered from tyme to tyme for Christ & his truth, I can not tell if euer were any Martyrdome more notable & admirable, wherein the playne demonstration of Gods mighty power and iudgement hath at any time bene more euident agaynst the persecutours of his flocke, then at the burnyng of a certaine godly woman, put to death in Che∣pingsadbery, about the same tyme, vnder the raigne of K. Henry the seuenth.

The cōstācie of which blessed womā, as it is glorious for all true godly Christians to behold: so agayne the exā∣ple of the Byshops Chaūcellour, which cruelly cōdemned the innocent, may offer a terrible spectable to the eyes of all Papisticall persecutours to consider, and to take example: which the liuing God graunt they may. Amen. The name of the Towne where she was martyred, was as is sayd, Chepyngsadbery. The name of the woman is not as yet come to my knowledge. The name of the Chauncellour, who condēned her,* 1.2 was called D. Whittington. The time of her burnying was in the raigne & tyme of K. Henry 7. orderly therfore in this place & time to be inserted. Where∣in is to be noted moreouer the oportunitie of this present history brought to my hands, & that in such cōuenient sea∣son, as I was drawyng toward the ende of the foresayd kynges raigne: so that it may appeare to them, which be∣hold the oportunitie of things, not to be without Gods ho¦ly wil & prouidence, that this foresayd example should not lye hid & vnremembred, but should come to light & know∣ledge, and that in such order of placing, according as the due course of our story hetherto kept, requireth.

After this godly woman and manly Martyr of Christ was condemned by the wretched Chaūcellour aboue na∣med D. Whittington, for the faithfull profession of y^• truth, which the Papistes then called heresie, and the tyme now come whē she should be brought to the place and paynes of her martyrdome,* 1.3 a great concourse of all the multitude both in the towne and countrey about (as the maner is in such tymes) was gathered to behold her end. Among whō was also the foresayd Doct. Whittington the Chauncel∣lour, there present to see the execution done. Thus this faythfull woman, and true seruaunt of God cōstantly per∣sisting in the testimony of the truth, committing her cause to the Lord, gaue ouer her life to y^e fire, refusing no paynes nor tormentes to keepe her conscience cleare & vnreproue∣able in the day of the Lord. The sacrifice beyng ended, the people began to returne homeward, commyng from the burning of this blessed Martyr. It happened in the meane tyme that as the Catholicke executioners were busie in

slaieng this sely lambe at the townes side, a certayne But∣cher within the towne was as busie in slaieng of a Bull, which Bull he had fast bounde in ropes, ready to knocke him on the head.* 1.4 But the butcher (belike not so skilfull in his arte of killing beastes, as the Papistes be in murthe∣ring Christians) as he was lifting his axe to strike the Bull, failed in hys stroke, and smit a little too low, or else how he smit, I knowe not. This was certayne, that the Bull although somewhat greued at the stroke, but yet not strooken downe, put his strength to the ropes, and brake lose from the butcher into the streete, the very same tyme as the people were comming in great prease from the bur∣ning. Who seeing the Bull comming towardes them, and supposing him to be wilde (as was no other lyke) gaue way for the beast, euery man shifting for himselfe, as well as he might. Thus the people geuing backe, and making a lane for the Bull, he passed through the throng of them, touching neither man nor childe,* 1.5 till he came where as the Chauncelour was. Against whome the Bull, as pricked with a sodeine vehemēcie, ranne full but with his hornes, and taking him vpon the paunch, gored him through and through, and so killed him immediately, carieng his guts, and trailing them with his hornes all the streete ouer,* 1.6 to the great admiration and wonder of all them that sawe it.

Although the carnall sence of man be blinde in conside∣ring the workes of the Lorde, imputing many tymes to blinde chaunce the thyngs which properly pertayne to Gods only praise and prouidence: yet in this so straunge and so euident example, what man can be so dull or igno∣rant, which seeth not heerein a plaine miracle of Gods mighty power and iudgement both in the punishing of this wretched Chauncelour, and also in admonishing all other like persecutours, by his example, to feare the Lord, and to abstaine from the like crueltie▪

* 1.7Now for the credite of this story, least I be sayde vpon mine owne head to commit to story, things rashly which I can not iustifie, therefore to stop such cauelling mouths, I will discharge my selfe with authority I trust sufficient: that is, with the witnesse of him which both was a Papist, and also present the same time at the burning of the wo∣man, whose name was Rowland Webbe: which Row∣land dwelling then in Chippingsadbery, had a sonne na∣med Richard Webbe, seruant sometime to Maister Laty∣mer, who also enduring with him in time of his trouble sixe yeares together, was himselfe emprisoned and perse∣cuted for the same cause. Vnto the which Richard Webbe being now aged, then yong, the foresaid Rowland his fa∣ther, to the entent to exhort him from this sect of heresie (as he then called it) recited to him many times the burning of this woman, and withall added the story of the Bull a∣foresayd, which he himselfe did see & testifie. This Richard Webbe is yet liuing, a witnes of his owne fathers wordes and testimonie, which I trust may satisfie all indifferent Readers, except onely such as thinke no truth to be belee∣ued, but that only which is in their Portues.

¶ Verses touching the same. Tho. Hatcherus.

MIra legis, quicun{que} legis, portenta nefandi Exitus, vt poenas addita poena luat. Vera legis, Domini cuicun{que} potentia nota est, Vt delinquentes ira seuera premat. Saepè fit vt fusus cumuletur sanguine sanguis, Saepè fit vt poenis obruatira nouis. Omnia sunt Domini dextrae subiecta potenti, Qui ciet arbitrio bruta, homines{que} suo. Carnificis taurus luctando corniger ictus Euitans, sracto fune repent{que} fugit. Fortè viam quâ turba frequens confluxerat antè, Faeminea vt cernat membra perire rogo, Taurus ijt, fertur quâ confertissima turba, Laesus at ex tanta solus & vnus erat: Solus & vnus erat, rapidos qui misit in ignes, Et miserè paruum sparsit ouile Dei. Et quasi consultò ferretur; praeterit omnes, Cornibus hunc tollit, proterit hunc pedibus, Ille iacet, madido foedatur sanguine corpus, Eruta per{que} vias viscera sparsa iacent. Quis non à Domino, nutu qui temperat orbem, Cogitet haec fieri? non repetendo tremat? Vitio terribiles comitatur iusta procellas, Sera licet, certis passibus illa venit.

And thus much concerning the state of the Churche. Wherein is to be vnderstand, what stormes and persecuti∣ons haue bene raised vp in all quarters against the flocke and congregation of Christ, not only by the Turkes, but also at home within our selues, by the Byshop of Rome, and his retinue. Where also is to be noted in the daies and reigne of this king Henry the vij. how mightely the wor∣king of Gods Gospell hath multiplied and increased, and what great numbers of men and women haue suffered for the same, with vs in England, as by these stories a∣bone past, may be apparent.

Now these things declared,* 1.8 which to the Church mat∣ters be apperteining, cōsequently it remaineth something to entreate of the state likewise of the cōmon wealth, which commonly doth follow the state of the Church. Where the Church is quietly and moderately gouerned, and the flock of Christ defended by godly Princes in peace & safety, frō deuouring and violence of bloudy wolues: the successe of ciuile estate, for the most part, there doth florishe, and the Princes long cōtinue through Gods preseruation, in pro∣sperous rest & trāquillitie. Contrariwise where the church of Christ either through the negligence of Princes, or tho∣rough their setting on, the poore members of Christ be persecuted and deuoured: shortly after ensueth some iust recompence of the Lord vpon those Princes, that eyther their liues do not long continue, or else they finde not that quiet in the common wealth,* 1.9 which they looke for. Ex∣amples heereof, as in all other ages be aboundant, so in this present time be not lacking, whether we consider the state and condition of other countreys farre off, or else of our owne countrey neare at home.

And heere not to wander in our story, farther then to Fraunce onely, let vs a little behold the example of Kyng Charles the viij. who liuing in this Kings time, died also not long before him. This Charles is commended of Phi∣lippus Cominaeus, to be a moderate, valiant, and victorious Prince, adorned with many speciall vertues to a Prince apperteining. And yet the same king, because he was flack and remisse in defence of Christes Church, neither did vse his authority, nor tooke his occasion offered to him of God, to amend and refourme the state of the Bishop and Clear∣gy of Rome when he might, he was therefore himselfe pu∣nished and cut off of the Lord, as by his story ensuing may right well appeare. For so it is of him recorded, that being maruelously excited and prouoked, of his owne minde (cō∣trary to the counsaile of most of his Nobles) he tooke hys viage into Italy, neither being furnished with money, nor the season of the yeare being cōuenient therunto. And that this may appeare the better to proceede of y^e Lords doing, to the entent he woulde haue the Church and Cleargy of Rome reformed by the Princes sword,* 1.10 which so vexed all Christendome at that time, we shall heare what is testified in the Commentaries of the foresaid Philip. Cominaeus Lib. 3. De bello Neapolit. writing in this wise.

There was (saith he) in the City of Florence the same time a Dominicke Frier,* 1.11 Dominicke Frier, named Hieronimus Sauonarola (of whom mē∣tion was made before, pag. 731.) a man of a right godly and ap∣prooued life: who in the said City of Florence preached and pro∣phecied long before, that the French King should come with an army into Italy, being stirred vp of God to suppresse the tiraunts of Italy, and none should withstand him. He should also come to the Citie of Pisae, and the state of Florence should be altered: all which hapned true. He affirmed moreouer to be signified to him of the Lord, that the Ecclesiasticall state of the Churche must bee redressed Per vim a••morum••••. by the sword, or force of armes. Many things also he prophesied of the Venetians, & of the French King, saieng that the King with some danger & difficultie, should passe that iourney, yet notwithstanding shoulde ouercome it and escape, albeit his strength were neuer so slender: for God woulde safely conduct him in that iourney, and safely bring him home a∣gaine. But because he had not done his office,* 1.12 in amending the state of the Churche, and in defending his people from iniurie, and from deuouring, therefore it shoulde come to passe (said hee) and that shortly, that some incommoditie or detriment shoulde happen to the King: or if hee shoulde escape that danger of hys sicknesse, and recouer health, then if he did resist the cruelty of the wicked, and procure the safety of the poore and miserable, God would shew merc•• ••nto him, &c.

And this the saide Hierony∣mus declared before to Cominaeus one of the Kings coun∣saylours, whych was the writer of the story, and required him to signifie the same vnto the King, which so did, and he moreouer himselfe comming to the presence of the king, declared no lesse.

All which things, as he had foretold, came directly to ef∣fect. For the King being but easely accompanied wyth a small power, entred into Italy, where first he came to A∣s••a, then to Gemia•• and to Pisae, from thence proceeded to Florence, which also he obteined, displacing there Petrus Medices the Duke, who had vsed great tyrannie vpon the

subiects.* 1.13 From thence he remoued toward Rome, where a great part of the Citie wall at the comming of the french King, fell downe.

Afterward when the King was entred into the Citie, and the Pope (who then tooke part with Alphonsus King of Neaples against the French King) had immured him∣selfe within the mount of Adrian, the wall of the Castell fell downe of it selfe: whereby, when the King was both occasioned, and exhorted also by his Captaines to inuade y^e Pope, and to depose him, & to reforme y^e Church of Rome, (which he might then easely haue done, as it had pleased him) yet all these occasions offered so opportunely of God, moued not y^e king to do his duty, & to help the poore church of Christ: wherefore shortly after, returning home into France from Neapolis, either y^e same yeare or y^e next yeare folowing he was strooken with a sodeine sicknes at Am∣boise, as he was looking on thē that played at tennes, and that in the stinkingest place in all the Castle, where he fell downe & died within twelue houres, according to y^e fore∣warning of Hieronimus, who wrote vnto him a little be∣fore, both of his sonnes death and of his owne, which was about the yeare of our Lord 1498.* 1.14 Ex Philip. Cominaeo. Lib. 5.

Like examples we haue many heere also in this our realme of England. So long as king Iohn kept out of the realme, the Popes authority and power, he continued safe and quiet with his nobles: but so soone as he brought the realme vnder tribute and subiectiō to that foreine Bishop, God stirred vp his Nobles against him, whereby he had much disquiet and trouble and soone thereupon decayed.

Of all the Kings of England, from William Conque∣rour, to this king Henry vij. were none which either lon∣ger continued,* 1.15 or more prosperously flourished, then King Henry the second, King Henry the third, King Edward the first, King Edward the third, of whome the first, how stout he was in withstāding Tho. Becket and Pope Alex∣ander the iij. is sufficiently before comprehended, pag. 206.

The second, which was sonne of King Iohn, albeit through the wretchednes of that time his power was not sufficient to repulse the Popes usurped iurisdiction out of the Realme: yet his will was good: at least he so defended & prouided for his subiects, that they tooke no great wrong at the Popes handes: who reigned one yeare longer then Augustus Caesar, which hath not commonly bene seene in a∣ny Prince.

The third, which was King Edward the first, so vigi∣lantly behaued himselfe for the publique cōmoditie & safe∣tie of his people, that he defended thē frō all foraine power and hostilitie both of the Scottes (then our enemies, now our frendes) and also from the Bishop of Rome, takyng part with them against vs, as may appeare aboue, page 340.* 1.16 Furthermore of the same King, and of his woorthy Nobles and house of Parliament, how valiantly they stoode in deniall of the Popes subsidies, and also how the sayd King secluded out of his protection the Bishops, and especially the Archbishop Peecham for standing wyth the Pope,* 1.17 reade pag. 352.

Now as touching King Edward the third, how little he regarded, how princely he with his Nobles likewise resisted the Popes reseruations and prouisions, how hee brideled the Archbishop Iohn S••ratford,* 1.18 and reiected the ••a••••e authority of the Bishop of Rome, both in ••efe••ise of his subiects, and also in defence of claiming his right title in the Realme of France, reade pag. 383.

Not that I do heere affirme or define, as in a generall rule, that worldly successe and prosperitie of life alwayes followeth the godly, which we see rather to be geuen more often to the wicked sort: but speaking of the duty of Prin∣ces, I note and obserue by examples of histories,* 1.19 that such Princes as haue most defended the Church of Christ com∣mitted to their gouernance, from iniurie and violence of the Bishop of Rome, haue not lacked at Gods hand great blessing and felicitie: whereas contrarywise, they whiche either themselues haue bene persecutours of Christes mē∣bers, or haue not shielded thē by their protection from fo∣reine tiranny and iniuries, haue lacked at Gods hand that protection, which the other had, as may appeare by King Edward the second, Richard the third, King Henry the fourth, King Henry the v. king Henry the vj. &c. who be∣cause either negligētly they haue suffered, or cruelly caused such persecuting lawes to be made, & so much Christē blood iniuriously to be deuoured: therefore haue they bene y^e lesse prospered of the Lord, so that either they were deposed, or if they florished for a while, yet they did not long continue, almost not halfe the time of the other kings before named.

And therefore, as the state of the common wealth doth commonly folow the state of y^e Church, as ye hard before: so it had bene to be wished, that this King Henry the vij. beyng otherwise a prudent & temperaunt Prince, had not permitted the vntemperaūt rage of the Popes Clergy so much to haue their willes ouer the poore flocke of Christ, as then they had: accordyng as by these persecutiōs aboue mētioned may appeare. The which king Henry vij. albeit he had a sufficiēt continuaunce, who had now raigned 24. yeares, yet notwithstāding here commeth the same thyng to be noted, wherof I speake before: that whē the Church of Christ begynneth to be iniuried with violēce, & to go to wracke through misorder & negligēce, the state of the com∣mon wealth can not there long endure without some alte∣ration, & stroke of Gods correction. But howsoeuer this marke is to be takē, thus lyeth the story: that after the bur∣nyng & vexyng of these poore seruauntes of Christ aboue recited,* 1.20 when the persecution begā now in the Church to be hoate, God called away the kyng, the same yeare aboue mentioned, which was. 1509. after he had raigned y^e terme of yeares. 24. Who if he had adioyned a litle more pitifull respect, in protectyng Christes poore mēbers, from the fire of the Popes tyrāny, to his other great vertues of singu∣lar wisedome, excellent tēperaunce, & moderate frugalitic: somuch had he bene cōparable with the best of those Prin∣ces aboue comprehended, as hee had bene interiour but to a few: but this defect which lacked in him, was supplyed most luckely (blessed be y^e Lord) by his posteritie succeding after him.* 1.21 Of whom in the next volume folowing (Christ thereunto assisting vs) we haue to specifie more at large.

Among many other thynges incident in the raigne of this kyng Henry vij. I haue ouerpassed the history of cer∣taine godly persons persecuted in the Diocesse of Couen∣try and Lichfield, as we finde them in the Registers of the Diocesse recorded, here folowyng.

The yeare of our Lord. 1485. March 9. amongest di∣uers and sundry other good men in Couētry, these ix. here vnder named were examined before Iohn Bishop of Co∣uentry and Lichfield, in S. Michaels Church, vpon these Articles, folowyng in order.

FIrst,* 1.22 Iohn Blomston was openly and publikely, infa∣med, accused reported & appeached that he was a very hereticke, because he had preached, taught, holden & affir∣med, that the power attributed to S. Peter in the Church of God,* 1.23 by our Sauiour Iesus Christ: immediatly did not flit, or passe frō him, to remaine with his successours.

Item, that there was as much vertue in an herbe as in the Image of the Uirgine Mary.

Item;* 1.24 that prayer and almes auayle not the dead, for incontinent after death, he goeth either to heauen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 held, whereupon he concludeth there is no Purgatory.

Item, that it was foolishnesse to go on Pilgrimage to the Image of our Lady of Dancaster, Walsingham or of the Tower of the Citie of Couentry: for a man might as well worship the blessed Uirgin by the fire 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the ••it∣chin, as in the foresayd places,* 1.25 and as well might a man worship the blessed Uirgin, when he seeth his mother or sister, as in visityng the Images, because they be no more but dead stockes and stones.

Item, that he sayd in English with a frowning coun∣tenaunce, as it appeared: a vengeaūce on all such horson Priestes, for they haue great enuy that a poore man should get his liuyng among them.

RIchard Hegham of the same Citie was accused. &c. to be a very hereticke,* 1.26 because he did hold that a Christen man beyng at the point of death, should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all his owne workes good and ••••l, and submitte him to the mercy of God.* 1.27

Item, that it was fondnesse to worship the Images of our Lady of Tower in the foresayd Citie, or of other Saintes,* 1.28 for they are but stockes and stones.

Item, that if the Image of our Lady of Tower were put into the fire it would make a good fire.

Item, that it were better to deale money vnto poore folkes then to offer to the Images of Christ and other Saintes, which are but dead stockes and stones.

RObert Crowther of the same Citie was accused,* 1.29 that he was an hereticke, because he did hold, that who so receiueth the Sacramēt of the altar in deadly sinne, or out of charitie, receiueth nothyng but bread and wine.

Item, that neither Byshop, nor Priestes or Curates of Churches, haue power in the market of penaunce to bynde and loose.

Item,* 1.30 that Pilgrimage to the Image of our Lady of Tower is foolishnesse, for it is but a stocke or a stone.

IOhn Smith was accused to be a very hereticke,* 1.31 because he did hold that euery man is bonnde to know y^e Lordes

Prayer,* 1.32 and the Creede in English, if he might for these false Priestes.

Item, that who so beleeued as the Church then did be∣leeue, beleeued ill: and that a man had neede to frequent the schooles a good while, ece that he can attaine to the knowledge of the true and right faith.

Item, that no Priest hath power to assoile a man in the market of penance, from his sinnes.

* 1.33ROger Browne of the same Citie, was also accused to be an hereticke, bicause he did hold that no man ought to worship the Image of our Lady of Walsingham,* 1.34 nor the bloud of Christ at Hailes, but rather God almighty, who would geue him whatsoeuer he would aske.

Item, that he held not vp his hands, nor looked vp, at the eleuation of the Eucharist.

Item, that he promised one to shew him certaine bookes of heresie, if he woulde sweare that he woulde not vtter them, and if he would credite them.

* 1.35Item, that he did eate flesh in Lent, and was taken with the maner.

Item, if any man were not shriuen his whole life long, and in the point of death would be confessed, and could not, if he had no more but cōtrition only, he should passe to ioy without Purgatory:* 1.36 And if he were confessed of any sinne, & were enioined only to say for penance one Pater noster, if he thought he should haue any punishmēt in Purgatory for that sinne, he would neuer be confessed for any sinne.

* 1.37Item, because he said all is lost that is geuen to Priests.

Item, that there was no Purgatory, that God woulde pardon all sinnes without confession and satisfaction.

* 1.38THomas Butler of y^e same Citie, was likewise opēly ac∣cused to be a very hereticke, because he did hold y^t there were but two wayes, that is to say, to heauen, and to hell.

* 1.39Item, that no faithfull man should abide any paine af∣ter the death of Christ, for any sinne, because Christ died for our sinnes.

Item, that there was no Purgatory, for euery man im∣mediatly after death passeth either to heauen, or hell.

* 1.40Item, that whosoeuer departeth in the faith of Christ and the Church, howsoeuer he hath liued, shall be saued.

Item, that praiers & pilgrimages are nothing worth, and aua•••••• not to pur¦chase heauen.

* 1.41IOhn Falkes was accused to be a very hereticke, because he did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that it was a foolish thing to offer to the I∣mage of our Lady;* 1.42 sayeng, her dead shall be hoare or I of∣fer to her, what is it but a blocke? If it could speake to me, I would noue it an halsepeny worth of ale.

Item, that when the Priest carieth to the sicke the body of Christ, who carieth he not also the bloud of Christ?

Item, that he did eate cowe milke vpon the first Son∣day of Lent.

Item, that as concerning the Sacrament of penaunce & absolution, no Priest hath power to assoile any man frō his sinnes,* 1.43 whē as he can not make one heare of his head.

Item, that the Image of our Lady was but a stone or a blocke.

* 1.44RIchard Hilmin was accused that he was a very here∣ticke, because he did say and mainteine that it was bet∣ter to depart with money to the poore, then to giue tithes to Priests, or to offer to the Images of our Lady, and that it were better to offer to Images made by God, then to the Images of God painted.

Item, that he had the Lords Prayer and the Saluta∣tion of the Angell and the Creede in English,* 1.45 and another booke did he see and had, which conteined the Epistles and Gospels in English, and according to them woulde hee liue, and thereby beleeued to be saued.

Item, that no Priest speaketh better in the Pulpit then that booke.

Item, that the Sacrament of the aultare is but bread, and that the Priests make it to blinde the people.

Item, that a Priest whiles he is at Masse, is a Priest, and after one Masse done, till the beginning of another Masse, he is no more then a lay man, and hath no more po∣wer then a meere lay man.

¶After they were enforced to recant, they were assoy∣led and put to penaunce.

IN the yeare of our Lord 1488.* 1.46 the iij. of Aprill, Marge∣ry Goyt, wife of Iames Goyt of Asburne, was brought before the foresayde Iohn Bishop of Couentry and Lich∣field, who was there accused that she said, that that which y^e Priests lift ouer their heads at Masse, was not the true and very body of Christ:* 1.47 For if it were so, the Priestes could not breake it so lightly into four parts, and swalow it as they do: for the Lordes body hath flesh and bones, so hath not that which the Priests receiue.

Item, that Priests buieng xl. cakes for a halfepeny, and shewing them to the people and saieng, that of euery of them they make the body of Christ, do nothing but deceiue the people and enrich themselues.

Item, seeing God in the beginning did create and make man, how can it be that man should be able to make God?

¶This woman also, was constreined to recant, and so was she assoyled and did penance.

Thus much I thought heere good to inserte, touchyng these foresaid men of Couentry, especially for this purpose, because our cauilling aduersaries be wont to obiect a∣gainst vs the newnes of Christes old and auntient Reli∣gion. To the intent therefore they may see this doctrine not to be so new as they report, I wish they woulde con∣sider both the time and Articles heere obiected agaynste these foresayd persons, as is aboue premised.

I should also in the same reigne of King Hēry vij. haue induced that history of Ioannes Picus Earle of Miran∣dula,* 1.48 the mention of whose naine partly is touched before, page. 704. This Picus Earle of Mirandula being but a yong man, was so excellently witted, & so singularly lear∣ned in all sciences, and in all toungs, both Latine, Greeke, Hebrew, Chaldey, and Araby, that cōming to Rome boo∣ted and spurred, he set vp 90. conclusions, to dispute in the same with any in al Christēdome, whosoeuer would come against him. Of which conclusions diuers were touching the matter of y^e Sacramēt, &c. And when none was found in all Rome, nor in Europe, that openly would dispute w^t him, priuely and in corners certaine of the Popes Clergy, Prelates, Lawyers, & Friers, by the Pope appointed, cō∣sulted together to inquire vpon his cōclusions, wherupon they did articulate against him for suspicion of heresie. And thus the vnlearned Clergy of Rome priuely circumuēted and intangled this learned Earle in their snares of heresy, against whome they neuer durst openly dispute. He dyed being of the age of 32. of such witte and towardnes, as is hard to say whether euer Italy bredde vp a better. In his sickenes Charles viij. the French King, moued with the fame of his learning, came to visite him. The furniture of his bookes cost him 7000. florens. A little before his death his mind was to giue all away, and to take a coule, to go about & preach, but the Lord would not permit him. His story requireth a long tractatiō, which if place do serue, we will not peraduēture forget. With ij. Popes, that is, with Pope Innocent, & Alexander vj. he had much vexation.

¶ The names of the Archbyshops of Canter∣bury in this sixt booke conteyned.

62	Iohn Stratford.	viij.
63	Iohn Kempe.	iij.
64	Thomas Burchier.	xxxiij.
65	Iohn Morton.	xiiij.
66	Thomas Langhton.* 1.49
67	Henry Dene.	ij.
	Guliel. Warham.	xxviij.

¶ Heere endeth the sixt Booke, and the first Tome.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A notable storke of a faithfull woman burned in Chipping∣sadbery.
• * 1.2

  D. Whittington Chauncellour a persecutour.
• * 1.3

  A faithfull Christian womā and Martir, bur∣ned at Chip∣pingsadbery.
• * 1.4

  A comparison betweene but∣chers, and the popes murthe∣ring ministers.
• * 1.5

  A rare & speciall example of the iust punishment of God vpon a persecutour.
• * 1.6

  D. Whittington slaine of a Bull.
• * 1.7

  Witnes to the story.
• * 1.8

  The state of the commō wealth, co∣monly folo∣weth the state of the church.
• * 1.9

  The duetie of princes to defend their subiectes frō the slaugh∣ter of the Church of Rome.
• * 1.10

  Ex comenta riis Phil Co minaei De bello Nea∣politano. lib 3.
• * 1.11

  Vid supra pag. 731. The prophe¦sie of Hie∣rome Sauo∣narola.
• * 1.12

  Note.
• * 1.13

  Vide Phil. Cominaeū de bello Ne¦opol. lib. 5.
• * 1.14

  De bello Neopolit. lib. 5.
• * 1.15

  Examples of kinges of England, which were blessed of God with long prospe∣ritie, being enemies to the byshops of Rome. Augustus reigned 55 yeares.
• * 1.16

  Vide supra pag. 340.
• * 1.17

  Vide supra pag. 352.
• * 1.18

  Vide supra pag. 383.
• * 1.19

  What diffe∣rence be∣tweene mo∣derat prin∣ces, and thē that were persecutors.
• * 1.20

  The death of K. Henry. 7.
• * 1.21

  Couentry men persecuted.
• * 1.22

  I. Blomstone.
• * 1.23

  The power of Peter flitteth not to his suc∣cessours.
• * 1.24

  Purgatory deni∣ed.
• * 1.25

  Images not to be worshipped.
• * 1.26

  Richard Heghā.
• * 1.27

  Merites condem¦ned.
• * 1.28

  Images serue rather to be bur∣ned, then to be worshipped.
• * 1.29

  Robert Crow∣ther.
• * 1.30

  Against Pilgri∣mage.
• * 1.31

  Iohn Smith.
• * 1.32

  The Lordes prayer to be in Englishe.
• * 1.33

  Roger Browne.
• * 1.34

  Against Pilgri∣mage.
• * 1.35

  Fleshe eating in Lent.
• * 1.36

  Against Purga∣tory and confes∣sion auricular.
• * 1.37

  Against confes∣siō & satisfactiō.
• * 1.38

  Thomas Butler.
• * 1.39

  Against Purga∣tory.
• * 1.40

  Against merites.
• * 1.41

  Iohn Falkes.
• * 1.42

  Against Images.
• * 1.43

  It is heresie to say a stone is a stone, & a blocke is a blocke.
• * 1.44

  Richar. Hilmin.
• * 1.45

  Scripture in En∣glishe.
• * 1.46

  Margery Goyt.
• * 1.47

  Against the Sacrament of the Aul∣tar.
• * 1.48

  Picus Mirā∣dula Earle.
• * 1.49

  This Tho∣mas Lāgh∣ton was e∣lected Archbysh. but died be∣fore he was confirmed.