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 confession of Iohn Launder, before Boner bishop of London.

IOhn Launder husbandman, of the Parish of Godstone, in the Countie of Surrey, of the age of xxv. yeres,* 1.1 borne at Godstone aforesayde, being examined, doth confesse and say, that about two dayes next before Allhollon••ide nowe last past, this Examinate and one Diricke Caruer, Tho∣mas Iueson, William Ueisie, with diuers other persons, to the number of twelue, (being all together in their pray∣ers, and saying the seruice in English, set foorth in the time of King Edwarde the sixte, in the house of the sayde Di∣ricke, situate at Brighthamsted in Sussex) were apprehen∣ded by one maister Edwarde Gage, and by him sent vppe hether to London, to the Kinge and Queenes Counsaile, and by them (vpon his examination) committed to New∣gate, where he with his said other felowes hath euer since remained in prison.

And further being examined, he doeth confesse and say, that the occasion of his comming to the sayde Brightham∣sted,* 1.2 was vpon certaine busines there to be sped for his fa∣ther: and so being there, and hearing that the saide Diricke was a man that did much fauour the Gospel, this Exami∣nate did resorte to his house and companye, whome before that time hee did neuer see or know and by reason of that hys resorte, hee was apprehended as before: And further doth confesse and beleeue, that there is heere in earth, one whole and vniuersall Catholicke Churche, whereof the members he dispersed through the world, and doth beleue also, that the same Church doeth set foorth and teache onely two Sacraments: videlicet, the Sacrament of Baptisme,* 1.3 and the Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord. And who

soeuer doth teach or vse any more Sacraments, or yet any ceremonies, he doth not beleeue that they be of the Catho∣licke Churche, but doth abhorre them from the bottome of his heart: And doth further say and beleue, that all the ser∣uice,* 1.4 sacrifices and ceremonies, now vsed in thys Realme of England (yea, & in all other partes of the world, whych ben vsed after the same maner) be erroneous and naught, & contrary to Christes institution, and the determination of Christes Catholicke church, whereof he beleeueth, that he him selfe is a member.

Also hee doeth confesse and beleeue, that in the Sacra∣ment,* 1.5 nowe called the sacrament of the aultar, there is not really, and truly, contained vnder the formes of bread and wine, the very naturall body and bloude of Christe in sub∣staunce: but his beliefe and faith therein is as followeth, Videlicet, that when he doth receiue the material bread and wine, he doeth receiue the same in a remembrance of Chri∣stes death and passion, and so receiuing it, he doth eate and drinke Christes body and bloude by faith, and none other wayes, as he beleeueth.

And moreouer he doth confesse, say, and beleue, that the Masse now vsed in the Realme of Englande,* 1.6 or els where in all Christendome, is nought and abhominable, and di∣rectly against Gods worde, and his Catholicke Churche: and that there is nothing sayd or vsed in it good or profita∣ble. For he saith, that albeit the gloria in excelsis, the Creede, Sanctus, Pater noster, Agnus, and other partes of the Masse, bene of themselues good and profitable, yet the same being vsed amongest other things that be naught and superflu∣ous in the Masse, the same good things do become nought also, as he beleeueth.

* 1.7Also he doth beleeue and confesse that Auriculare con∣fession is not necessary to be made to any Priest, or to anye other creature, but euery persone oughte to acknowledge & confesse hys sinnes onely to God: and also that no per∣son hath any authority to absolue any man frō his sinnes: and also beleeueth that the right and true way (according to the Scripture) after a man hathe fallen from grace to sinne, to arise to Christe againe, is to be sorie for his offen∣ces, & to doe the same, or the like no more: and not to make any auricular confession of them to the priest, either to take absolution for them at the Priests handes. All whyche hys sayde opinions, hee hathe beleeued by the space of these se∣uen or eight yeares past, and in that time, hath diuers and many times openly argued and defendeth the same, as hee sayeth. &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iohn Launder his confession.
• * 1.2

  The cause of the apprehensiō of Iohn Laun∣der.
• * 1.3

  Two Sacra∣mentes onely.
• * 1.4

  Ceremonyes abhorred.
• * 1.5

  The reall pre∣sence of Christs body vnder the formes of bread and wine deny∣ed.
• * 1.6

  The Masse ab∣hominable.
• * 1.7

  Auricular con∣fession not ne∣cessary.