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.

¶Argument.

* 1.1Fe- Nothing is agaynst charity, whiche is with Goddes word, and not agaynst it.

sti- The othe agaynst the Bishop of Romes authoritye in England, is with Gods word, and not agaynst it:

no. Ergo, the othe against the Bishop of Romes authority in England is not agaynst charity.

L. Chanc.

Is it not agaynst Goddes worde that a manne should take a king to be supreme head of the church in his Realme?

Brad.

* 1.2No sauing still myne othe, it is not agaynst Gods word, but with it, being taken in suche sense, as it may bee well takē: that is, attributing to the kinges power the so∣ueraignty in all his dominion.

L. Chanc.

I pray you, where finde you that?

Brad.

I finde it in manye places, but specially in the 13. to the Romanes, where S. Paule writeth: Euery soule to bee subiect to the superior power▪ but what power? Quae gladium gestat: The power verily which beareth the sword, which is not the spirituall, but the the temporall power. As Chrysost. full well noteth vpon the same place, which your honour knoweth better then I. He (Chrysostome I meane) there playnely sheweth that Bishops, Prophets, and Apostles are obedient to the temporall Magistrates.

L. Chaunc.

Here yet more the Lorde Chauncelloure was styrred, and sayd, how that Bradforde went about to deny all obedience to the Queene for his othe: and so (quoth he) this man would make Gods word a warrant of disobedi∣ence, for he will answere the queene on this sort, that whē she sayth, now sweare to the Bishop of Rome, or obey his authority: No (will he say) for I am forsworne, & to make the Queene no Queene.

Brad.

No, I goe not about to denye all obedience to the Queenes highnesse, but denying obedience in this part, if she should demaunde it. For I was sworne to Kyng Ed∣ward, not simply, that is,* 1.3 not onely concerning his owne person, but also concerning his successors, & therfore in de∣nying to do the quenes request herein, I deny not her au∣thority, nor become disobedient.

L. Chanc.

Yes that thou doest: and so he began to tel a long tale, how if a man should make an oth to pay to me an hū∣dred poundes by such a day, and the man to whom it was due would forgeue the debt, the debter would say. No, you can not do it, for I am forsworne then.

Brad.

Here Bradford desired my Lord Chancellour not to trifle it, saying, that he wondred his honour would make solemne othes made to God, trifles in that sort: and make so great a matter concerning vowes (as they call it) made to the Bishop for Mariage of Priestes.

L. Chaunc.

At these wordes the Lorde Chauncellour was much offended, and sayd, he dyd not trifle: but (quoth hee) thou goest about to deny obedience to the Queene, which now requireth obedience to the Bishop of Rome.

Brad.

No, my Lorde, I doe not denye obedience to the queene, if you would discerne betwene Genus and Species.* 1.4 Because I may not obey in this: Ergo, I may not obey in the other, is no good reason. As if a man let or sell a piece of his inheritance, yet this notwithstāding, all his inheritāce is not let or sold: & so in this case all obedience I deny not, because I deny obedience in this branch.

L. Chaunc.

I will none of these similitudes.

Brad.

I would not vse them, if that you went not about to perswade the people, that I meane that whiche I neuer meant: for I my selfe not onely meane obedience, but wyll geue ensample of all most humble obedience, to y^e queenes highnesse, so long as she requireth not obedience agaynst God.

L. Chaunc.

No, no, all men may see your meaning well e∣nough. There is no man though he be sworne to the king that doth therefore breake his othe, if he afterwardes bee sworne to the French king and to the Emperor.

Brad.

It is true my lord: but the cases be not like. For here is an exception: thou shalt not sweare to y^e bishop of Rome at any time. If in like maner we were sworne: thou shalt not serue the Emperor. &c. you see there were some altera∣tiō and more doubt. But I beseech your honor remember what ye your selfe haue written, answering the obiections here agaynst in your booke De vera obedientia: Vincat modo diuini verbi veritas. i. Let Gods word and the reason therof beare the bell away.

L. Chaunc.

Here the Lorde Chauncelloure was throughly moued, and sayd still, how that Bradford had written sedi∣tious letters, and peruerted the people therby,* 1.5 & did stout∣ly stand, as though he would defēd the erronious doctrine in king Edwardes tyme, against all men: and now (quoth he) he sayth, he dare not aunswere.

Brad.

I haue written no seditious letters. I haue not per∣uerted the people, but that which I haue writtē & spoken, that will I neuer deny, by Gods grace. And where your Lordshippe sayth, that I dare not aunswere you: that all men may know I am not afrayd, sauing myne othe, aske me what you will, and I will playnely make you answere by Gods grace, although I now see my life lyeth thereon. But Oh Lord, into thy handes I committe it: come what come wyll, onely sanctify thy name in me, as in an instru∣ment of thy grace. Amen. Nowe aske what you will, and you shall see I am not afrayd,* 1.6 by Gods grace flatly to an∣swere.

L. Chaunc.

Well then, how say you to the blessed sacramēt? Doe you not beleue there Christ to be present concernyng his naturall body?

Brad.

My Lord, I do beleue that Christ is corporally pre∣sent at and in the due administration of the sacrament. By this word (corporally) I meane that Christ is there presēt corporally vnto fayth.* 1.7

L. Chaunc.

Unto fayth? we must haue many mo wordes to make it more playne.

Brad.

You shall so: but first geue me leaue to speake two wordes.

L. Chaunc.

Speake on.

Brad.

I haue bene now a yeare and almost three quarters in Prison, and of all this tyme you neuer questioned with me hereabout,* 1.8 when I might haue spoken my conscience franckly without perill: but now haue you a law to hang vp and put to death, if a man answere freely, & not to your

appetite: and so now you come to demaund this question. Ah my Lorde, Christ vsed not this way to bring men to fayth. No more did the Prophetes or Apostles. Remem∣ber what Bernard writeth to Eugenius the pope: Aposto∣los lego stetisse iudicandos,* 1.9 sedisse iudicantes non lego. Hoc erit, illud fuit. &c. that is, I read, that the Apostles stoode to be iudged, but I read not, that they sate to iudge. This shall be: that was. &c.

L. Chaunc.

Here the Lord Chauncellour was appalled, as it seemed, and sayde most gently, that hee vsed not thys meanes. It was not my doyng (quoth he) although some there be, that thinke this to be the best way. For I for my part haue bene chalenged for being too gentle oftentimes.* 1.10 Which thing the Bishop of London confirmed, and so did almost all the audience, that he had bene euer to milde and too gentle.

Brad.

At which wordes Bradford spake thus. My Lorde, I pray you stretch out your gentlenes, that I may feele it, for hitherto I neuer felt it.

L. Chaunc.

As soone as euer he had spoken thus, the Lorde chancelor, belike, thinking that Bradford would haue had mercy and pardon, said, that with all his hart, not only he, but the Queenes highnes would stretch out mercy, if with them he would returne.

Brad.

* 1.11Returne my Lord? God saue me from that goyng backe: I meane it not so, but I meane, that I was three quarters of a yeare in the Tower: you forbad▪ me paper, pen, and ynke, and neuer in all that time, nor sithens did I feele any gentlenesse from you. I haue rather hytherto found, as I looked for extremitye. And I thanke God that I perceiue nowe ye haue kept me in prison thus long, not for any matter you had, but for matter you woulde haue. Gods good will be done.

Here was now diuers telling my Lord it was dinner tyme. And so he rose vp, leauing Bradford speaking, and saying that in the after noone they would speak more with hym.* 1.12 And so was he had into the Uestry, and was there al that day till darcke night, and so was conueyed agayne to prison.

In the meane tyme, about iiij. of the clocke the same after noone, a gentleman called Mayster Thomas Hussey of Lincolneshyre, which was once an Officer in the Duke of Northfolkes house, did come into the Reuestrye to en∣quire for one Stoning: and when it was aunswered hym by the vndermarshals officers of the Kinges Benche, that there was none such, hee entred into the house, and tooke acquayntance of Iohn Bradford saying,* 1.13 that he would cō∣mon and speake with him the nexte morning for olde ac∣quayntance.

The next morning about 7. of the clocke, this gentle∣man came into the chamber wherein Iohn Bradford dyd lye, and being with him, hee began a long Oration, how that of loue & olde acquayntāce he came vnto him to speak that whiche he woulde further vtter.* 1.14 You did (sayd he) so wonderfully behaue your selfe before the Lord Chauncel∣lour and other Bishops yesterday, that euen the veriest e∣nemyes you haue, did see that they haue no matter agaynst you: & therefore I aduise you speaking (as though it came of his owne good will without making any other man pri∣uy, or any other procuring hym, as he sayd) this day (for a∣none you shall be called before them again) to desire a time and men to conferre withal, so shall all men thinke a won∣derfull wisedom, grauity and godlines in you: and by this meanes you shall escape present daūger, which els is nea∣rer then you beware of. To this Iohn Bradford aunswe∣red:* 1.15 I neither can nor will make any such request. For thē shall I geue occasion to the people & to all other to thinke that I doubt of the Doctrine which I confesse: the whiche thing I do not for therof I am most assured, and therefore I will geue no such offence.

As they were thus talking, the chamber doore was vn∣locked and Doctour Seton came in, who when hee sawe Mayster Hussey:* 1.16 what Syr (quoth he) are you come be∣fore me? O Lord sayd Bradforde in his hart to God, goeth the matter thus? This man tolde me, no man knew of his comming: Lorde geue me grace to remember thy Lesson, Cauete ab hominibus illis.* 1.17 Beware of those men. &c. Caste not your pearles before dogges: for I see these menne be come to hunt for matter, that the one may beare witnes with the other.

Seton.

* 1.18Doctour Seton after some by talke of Bradfordes age, of his country & such like, began a gay and long sermō of my Lord of Canterbury, M. Latimer, and M. Ridley, and howe they at Oxforde were not able to aunswere any thing at all: and that therefore my Lord of Canterbury de∣sired to confer with the Bishop of Duresme and others: al which talke tended to this end that Iohn Bradford should make the like sute, being in nothing to be cōpared in lear∣ning to my Lord of Canterbury.

Brad.

To this, Iohn Bradford briefly answered as he did before to Mayster Hussey.

Seton.

With this aunswere neither the Doctour nor Gen∣tleman being cōtented, after many perswasions: M. Doc∣tour sayd: I haue heard much good talke of you,* 1.19 and euen yesternight a Gentleman made report of you at the Lorde Chaūcellors table, that ye were able to perswade as much as any that he knewe. And I (though I neuer hearde you preach, & to my knowledge neuer did I see you before ye∣sterday) yet me thought your modesty was such, your be∣hauior and talke so without malice and impacience, that I would be sory ye should do worse then my selfe. And I tell you further, I do perceiue my Lorde Chauncellour hath a fantasy towardes you: wherfore be not so obstinate but de∣sire respite, and some learned man to conferre withall. &c.

Brad.

But Iohn Bradforde kept still one aunswere: I can not, nor I will not so offende the people. I doubt not,* 1.20 but am most certayne of the doctrine I haue taught.

Seton.

Here Mayster Doctoure waxed hoate, and called Bradford arrogant, proud, vayneglorious, and spake like a Prelate.

Brad.

But Bradforde aunsweared, beware of iudgyng, least ye condemne your selfe. But styll Mayster Doctour Seton vrged him, shewing hym how mercifull my Lorde Chauncellour was, and how charitably they enterteyned hym.

Brad.

I neuer sawe any iustice, muche lesse loue,* 1.21 I speake for my part (quoth Bradford) in my Lorde Chauncellor. Long haue I bene vniustly imprisoned, and handled in the same vncharitably, & now my Lord hath no iust matter a∣gaynst me.

This talke serued not the Doctors purpose: wherefore he went frō matter to matter, frō this point to that poynt. Bradford still gaue him the hearing, and aunswered not: for he perceiued that they both did come but to fish for som such thinges as might make a shew that my Lord Chaū∣cellor had iustly kept him in prison.

When all theyr talke took no such effect as they would or looked for. Mayster Hussey asked Bradford:* 1.22 will ye not admit conference, if my Lord Chauncellour should offer it publickely?

Brad.

Conference, if it had bene offered before the law had bene made, or if it were offered, so that I might be at liber∣ty to conferre, and as sure, as he with whom I should con∣ferre, then it were something: but els I see not to what o∣ther purpose conference should be offered, but to defer that which will come at the length, and the lingering may geue more offēce, then do good. Howbeit, if my Lord shall make such an offer of his owne motion, I will not refuse to con∣ferre with whom so euer he shall appoynt.

Mayster Doctour hearing this, called Bradford arro∣gant, proud, and whatsoeuer pleased him.* 1.23

Then Bradford perceiuing by them, that he shoulde shortly be called for, besought them both to geue him leaue to talke with God, and to beg wisedome and grace of him: for (quoth he) otherwise I am helpelesse: and so they with much add departed. Then Bradford went to God & made his prayers, whiche the Lorde of his goodnesse dyd graci∣ously accept in his need, praised therfore be his holy name. Shortly after they were gone, Bradforde was lead to the foresayd church, and there taryed vncalled for, till eleuen of the clocke, that is, till Mayster Saunders was excommu∣nicated.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The oth a∣gaynst the B. of Rome. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a∣gaynst cha∣ritye.
• * 1.2

  A king how 〈…〉〈…〉, Prophets, & Apostles subiect to temporall Magistrates.
• * 1.3

  Refusing of the Popes obediēce being sworne a∣gaynst him, is no denying of obe∣••ience to the Queene.

  The preposte∣rous iudgement of Winchester, to care so little for an othe to God, and so much for his vowe to the Pope.
• * 1.4

  Argument. A specie ad ge∣nus negatiue non vale••.
• * 1.5

  Winchester pre∣tendeth as though Brad∣ford for feare durst not aun∣swere.
• * 1.6

  Bradford ready to render a rea∣son of his fayth.
• * 1.7

  Christ present corporally in the Sacrament to fayth.
• * 1.8

  Note well the Popes way to bring men to fayth.
• * 1.9

  The Popes iudging & con∣demning men for their fayth reproued by Bernard.
• * 1.10

  Winchester bla∣med without a cause as he saith.
• * 1.11

  Bradford three quarters of a yeare in the To∣wer kept from pen and inke. M. Bradford imprisoned not for matter they had, but for matt••r they would haue agaynst him.
• * 1.12

  Bradford kept in the Vestrey till darke night.
• * 1.13

  Thomas Hussey commeth to Bradford.
• * 1.14

  Counsell of M. Hussey geuen to Bradford.
• * 1.15

  Bradford refu∣seth to require respite.
• * 1.16

  D. Seton com∣meth to Mayster Bradford.
• * 1.17

  Hussey taken with a lye.
• * 1.18

  Counsell of D. Seton geuen to M. Bradford.
• * 1.19

  The flatte••ring com∣mendatio•• of D. Seto•• to Mayste•• Bradford.
• * 1.20

  M. Brad∣ford refu∣seth to ask•• respite to conferre vpon his doctrine.
• * 1.21

  Litle iusti•••••• lesse loue appeareth in the Bi∣shop of winchester.
• * 1.22

  M. Brad∣ford refu∣seth to ad∣mit confe∣rence but vpon con∣ditions.
• * 1.23

  D. Seton ••ayleth a∣gaynst M. Bradford.