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.

¶Another examination of M. Hooper.

THe xxij. of Ianuary followyng, 1555. Babington the Warden of the Fleete was commaunded to bryng M. Hooper before the Bishop of Winchester,* 1.1 with other Bi∣shops and Commissioners at the sayd Winchesters house at S. Mary Oueries, where as in effect thus much was done.

The Bishop of Winchester in the name of hymselfe and the rest, mooued Maister Hooper earnestly to forsake the euill and corrupt doctrine (as he termed it) preached in the dayes of K. Edward the sixt,* 1.2 and to returne to the vnitie of the Catholique Church, and to acknowledge the Popes holynesse to bee head of the same Churche, accor∣dyng to the determination of the whole Parliament, pro∣mising, that as he hymselfe, with other his brethren had receyued the Popes blessyng and the Queenes mercye: euen so mercy was ready to be shewed to him and others, if he would arise with them, and condescend to the Popes holynesse.

M. Hooper aunswered: that for as much as the Pope taught doctrine altogether contrarye to the doctrine of Christ,* 1.3 he was not worthy to be accounted as a member of Christes Church, much lesse to be head thereof: where∣fore he would in no wyse condescend to any such vsurped iurisdiction, neither esteemed he the Church, whereof they call hym head, to be the Catholicke Church of Christ: for the Church onely heareth the voyce of her spouse Christ, & flieth the straungers. Howbeit (saith he) if in any point to me vnknowen, I haue offended the Queenes maiestie, I shall most humbly submit my selfe to her mercy, if mercye may be had with safetie of conscience, and without the dis∣pleasure of God.

Aunswer was made, that the Queene would shew no mercy to the Popes enemies.* 1.4 Whereuppon Babington was commanded to bring him to the Fleete againe: who did so, and shifted him from his former chamber into ano∣ther, nere vnto the Wardens owne chamber, where he re∣mayned sixe days: and in the meane tyme, his former chā∣ber was searched by D. Martin and others, for writyngs and bookes, which M. Hooper was thought to haue made but none was found.

Notes

• * 1.1

  M Hooper a∣gaine conuented before the bi∣shop of Win∣chester.
• * 1.2

  Gardiner ex∣horteth M. Hooper to re∣turne to the Popes church.
• * 1.3

  The Pope not worthy to be a member of Christs church.
• * 1.4

  Queene Mary will shew no mercy but to the Popes friendes.