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 last examination with the condemnation of Mayster Bland, Iohn Frankesh,* 1.1 Nicholas Shet∣terden Vmfrey Middleton.

ANd thus much touching the particular, & seuerall ex∣aminations of Nicholas Shetterden, & of M. Bland. Now to touch somthing also of the other Martyrs, which the same time were examined,* 1.2 and suffered with thē toge∣ther, to witte, Umfrey Middleton of Ashford, and Iohn Frankesh Uirare of Roluynden in the Dyoces of Kent a∣boue

mentioned, here first would be declared the Articles whiche publickely in their last examinations were iointly and seuerally ministred vnto them by the foresaid Thorn∣ton Byshop of Douer. But forasmuche as these articles being ordinary & of course, are already expressed in the sto∣ry of M. Bland: as may appeare before. It shall not ther∣fore be needefull, to make any new rehearsall thereof.

To these seuen articles then being propounded to the fiue persons aboue named, to wit, Iohn Frankesh, Iohn Bland, Nicholas Shetterden, Umfrey Middleton, and one Thacker, first aunswered Iohn Frankesh somewhat doubtfully, desiring further respite to be geuen him of 14. dayes to deliberate with himselfe. Whiche was graunted Maister Bland answered flattely and roundly, as before ye heard. Nicholas Sheterden, and Umfrey Middleton answered to the first, and second articles affirmatiuely. To the third concerning the Catholicke Churche after a sorte they graunted. To the fourth and fift and sixt touching the reall presence, and the sacramēt to be ministred in the La∣tin tongue, and in one kind, they refused vtterly to sweare Sheterden sayd he would not aunswere thereto before the cause were determined why he was imprisoned, and so stil remayned prisoners, before the lawes of Parliament re∣ceiued. &c. Middleton added moreouer and confessed, that he beleued in hys owne God, saying, my liuyng God, & no dead God. &c. Thacker onely relented and was con∣tent to take penaunce.* 1.3 Thus the foresayd foure vpon these aunsweres were condemned by the Byshop of Douer, the 25. day of Iune. an. 1555.

[illustration]

The burning of foure Martyrs.

* 1.4

And so being geuen to the seculer power, they were burned at Cant. the 12. of Iuly at two seuerall stakes,* 1.5 but all in one fire together, where they in the sight of God and of his Aungels, and before men, like true souldiours of Iesus Christ, gaue a constant testimony to the truth of his holy Gospell.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.2

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.3

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.4

  ••x Martir∣•••••••• of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bland, 〈…〉〈…〉 of N••∣••••olas She∣••••••den and ••••frey ••••••d••leton 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at 2. 〈…〉〈…〉 A••no ••••55. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ch••i••tian ••••ayer of ••icholas ••heterden ••••fore his ••eath.