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.

¶The troubles and examination of G. Marshe vnder Doct. Cotes Bishop of Chester.

* 1.1YE heard before how G. Marsh being first imprysoned at Lathum, and afterward translated vnto Lancaster, was troubled by the Earle. Agayne, within few dayes af∣ter, the said Marsh was remoued from Lancaster, & com∣ming to Chester, was sent for Doct. Cotes then B. to ap∣peare before him in his Hal, no body being presēt but they twayne: and then he asked hym certayn questions concer∣ning y^e sacrament: who made such aunsweres as the Bish. seemed therwith to be content, sauing y^t he vtterly denyed transubstantiation, and allowed not the abuse of y^e Masse nor that the lay people shuld receiue vnder one kind onely contrary to Christes institution: in which poynt the bysh. went about to perswade him: howbeit (God be thanked) all in vayne. Much other talke he had with hym, to moue him to submit himselfe to the vniuersall church of Rome: and when he saw he could not preuayle, he sent him to pri∣son again: and after being there, came to him diuers times one Massy, a fatherly old man, one Wrench the Schoole∣maister, one Hensham the Byshops Chaplayne,* 1.2 and the Archdeacon, with many moe: who with all probabilitie of words, and Philosophy or worldly wisedom, and deceit∣full vanity after the tradition of men and the beggarly or∣dinaunces and lawes of the world, but not after Christ (as it were all singing one song) went about to perswade him to submit himselfe to the church of Rome, and to acknow∣ledge the pope to be head thereof, and to interprete y^e scrip∣tures none otherwise then that churche did: with manye such like argumentes & perswasions of fleshly wisedome.

To whom the sayd George Marsh answered, that he did acknowledge and beleue (though much euill be with∣all annexed) one holy catholicke and apostolicke Churche,* 1.3 without which there is no saluation, and that this church is but one, because it euer hath, doth, and shall confesse and beleeue, one onely god, and him onely worship, and one onely Messiah, and in him onely trust for saluation: which church also is ruled and led by one spirite, one worde,* 1.4 and one fayth and that this church is vniuersal and catholicke, because it euer hath bene since y^e worlds beginning, is, and shall endure to the worldes end,* 1.5 and comprehending with in it all natiōs, kinreds, and languages, degrees, states, & conditions of men: and that this church is builded onelye vpon the foundation of the Prophetes and Apostles, Ie∣sus Christ himselfe being the head corner stone, & not vp∣on the Romishe lawes and decrees, the Bishop of Rome being the supreme head.

And where they sayd, the Church did stand in ordina∣ry succession of bishops,* 1.6 being ruled by generall Councels holy fathers, and the lawes of holy Churche, and so had continued by the space of fiftene hundreth yeares & more: he made aunswere that the holy church, which is the body of Christ, and therfore most worthy to be called holy, was before any succession of Bishoppes, generall Councels, or Romish decrees, neither yet was bound to anye time, or place, ordinary succession, generall councels, or traditions of Fathers,* 1.7 eyther had any supremacy ouer Empyres and kingdomes: but y^t it was a little poore sely flock, dispersed and scattered abroad, as sheep without a shepheard in the middest of wolues, or as a flocke of Orphanes or fatherles children: and that this Churche was led and ruled by the onely lawes, councels, and word of christ, he being the su∣preme head of this church, and assisting, succoring, and de∣fending her from all assaultes, errours, troubles, and per∣secutions wherewith she is euer compassed about,

He shewed and prooued vnto them also, by the floud of Noah, the destruction of Sodome, the Israelites depar∣ting out of Egypt, by the parables of the sower,* 1.8 of y^e kings sonnes mariage, of the great supper, and by other playne sentences of scripture, that this Church was of none esti∣mation, & little in comparison of the church of hipocrites and wicked worldlinges.

He was thrust at withall violence of craft and subtilty but yet the Lord vpheld him and deliuered him.* 1.9 Euerla∣sting thanks be to that mercifull and faythful Lord, which suffereth vs not to be tempted aboue our might, but in the middest of our troubles strengthneth vs with hys holye spirit of comfort and pacience, geueth vs a mouth & wise∣dome how and what to speake: where agaynst all his ad∣uersaryes were not able to resist.

Notes

• * 1.1

  G. Marsh ap∣peareth before the Bishop.
• * 1.2

  Great la∣bour to make G. Marsh to recant.
• * 1.3

  The church Apostolick.
• * 1.4

  The church how it is one.
• * 1.5

  The nature, condition, and notes of the true Church.
• * 1.6

  The nature, condition, and notes of the false Church.
• * 1.7

  Confutatiō of the false church fal∣sly defined.
• * 1.8

  Examples declaring the true Church.
• * 1.9

  The false Church e∣••er greater 〈◊〉〈◊〉 number.