Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 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.

Henry Voes and Iohn Esch, Friers Augustines.

IN the yeare of our Lorde. 1523. two young menne were burnt at Bruxelles, the one named Henry Uoes,* 1.1 being of the age of 24. yeares, and the other Iohn Esch, whych before had bene of the order of the Augustine Friers. They were disgraded the first day of Iulie, and spoiled of theyr friers weede, at the suite of Egmondanus the Popes In∣quisitour, and the diuines of Louaine,* 1.2 for that they would not retracte and deny their doctrine of the Gospell, which the Papistes call Lutheranisme. Theyr examiners were Hochestratus and other, who demaunded of them, what they did beleeue? They sayde, the bookes of the olde Testa∣ment, and the newe, wherein were contained the Articles of the Creede. Then were they asked whether they beleued the decrees of the Councels and of the Fathers? They sayde, such as were agreeing to the Scripture,* 1.3 they belee∣ued. After thys they proceeded further, asking whether they thought it any deadly sinne, to transgresse the decrees of the fathers, and of the bishop of Rome? That (said they) is to be attributed onely to the precepts of God, to binde the conscience of man, or to loose it. Wherein when they cō∣stantly persisted, and would not turne, they were condem∣ned and iudged to be burned. Then they beganne to geue thanks to God their heauenly father, which had deliuered them through his great goodnes, from the false and abho∣minable priesthoode, & had made of them priests of his holy order, receiuing thē vnto him as a sacrifice of sweete odor. Then there was a bill written, which was deliuered vnto them to read opēly before the people, to declare what faith and doctrine they helde.* 1.4 The greatest error that they were accused of, was that men ought to trust only in God, for so much as men are liers and deceitful in all their words and deedes, and therefore there ought no trust or affiance to be put in them.

As they were ledde vnto the place of execution, which was the first day of Iulie, they went ioyfully and merily, making continual protestation that they died for the glory of God, and the doctrine of the gospell, as true Christians, beleuing & following the holy church of the sonne of God, saying also that it was y^e day which they had long desired. After they were come to the place where they shoulde bee burned, and were dispoyled of their garments, they taried a great space in their shirtes, & ioyfully embraced the stake that they should be bound to, paciently and ioyfully endu∣ring what so euer was done vnto thē, praising God wyth Te Deum laudamus, and singing Psalmes, and rehearsing

[illustration]

The burning of Henry Voes and Iohn Esch, Friers Augustines.

the Creede, in testimonie of their faith. A certaine Doctour beholding their iolitie & mirth, said vnto Henry, y^t he shuld take heede so foolishly to glorifie himselfe. To whome he answered, God forbid that I shoulde glory in any thyng, but onely in the crosse of my Lord Iesus Christ. Another coūselled him to haue God before his eies: vnto whom he answered, I trust that I cary him truly in my hart. One of them seeing that fire was kindled at his feete, said: Me thinkes ye do straw roses vnder my feet.* 1.5 Finally, y^e smoke and the flame mounting vp to their face, choked them.

Henry being demaunded amongst other things, whe∣ther Luther had seduced him or no: yea (said he) euen as Christ seduced his Apostles. He said also, that it was con∣trary to Gods law, that y^e Clergy should be exempted frō the power & iurisdictiō of the magistrate ordeined of God, for such as were ordeined in office by the bishops, haue no power but onely to preach the worde of God, and to feede their flocke therewithall. After their death, their monaste∣rie was dissolued at Antwarpe. The President wherof, by the Papistes called Iacobus Lutherianus, after diuers and many troubles & afflictions, was forced to recant at Brux∣els, but afterward his mind being renued by y^e holy ghost, embracing that againe which before he had renounced, he fled vnto Luther. Ex 6. tomo M. Lutheri. fol. 397.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Two Fryers burned at Bruxelles.
• * 1.2

  Egmonda∣nus, and Hochestra∣tus, doctors of Louain, persecuters.
• * 1.3

  Their exa∣mination.
• * 1.4

  The cause of their ac∣cusation & Martirdōe.
• * 1.5

  Beholde how con∣stantly and ioyfully, these Mar∣tirs take their death. Against all reason that the Clergie should be exempted from the ci∣uill Magi∣strate. Iacobus Lu∣therianus.