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 examination of Iohn Newman Martyr.

IOhn Newman first was apprehended in Kent, dwel∣lyng in the towne of Maidstone, and there was exami∣ned before Doctor Thornton Suffragane, and others, at Tenterden. From thence he was brought to Boner, and there condemned with M. Denley and Pachingham, and burned at Saffron Walden, as is before storied. But be∣cause his examination and aunsweres before the Suffra∣gan came not then to my hands, I thought here in this place to bestow them, rather then they should vtterly bee suppressed. And first what his answer was by writyng to the said Suffragan, after his apprehension, you shal heare by the tenor of hys owne wordes, as follow.

* 1.1IT may please you to vnderstand, that for the space of all the tyme of kyng Edwards raigne, we were diligently instructed with continuall Sermons made by suche men, whose fayth, wisedome, learning & vertuous liuyng, was commended vnto all men, vnder the kyngs hand & seale, and vnder the hands of the whole Counsaile. These men taught diligently a long tyme, perswadyng vs by the al∣legations of Gods worde, that there was no Transub∣stantiation, nor corporall presence in the sacrament. Their doctrine was not beleeued of vs sodainly, but by their cō∣tinuall preachyng, and also by our continuall prayer vn∣to God that we might neuer bee deceiued: but if it were true, that God would encline our heartes vnto it: and if it were not true, that we myght neuer beleeue it. We wai∣ed that they laboured with Gods worde, and wee asked the aduise of our friends: neyther could we finde that they preached false doctrine. We considered also, as wee dyd learne, that the Kyngs grace and hys Counsaile, and the most part of the whole Realme, beleeued as they taught, because no man preached the contrarye. Also wee knowe that the Preachers were commaunded by the Kyng and lawes of the Realme, to preach vnto vs such doctrine, as was to the authority of Gods worde, agreeable and no o∣ther. And by their diligent settyng foorth of it, by the kings commaundement, and the whole consent of the whole Counsaile, and by the authoritie of the Parliament, wee embrased it, and receyued it, as a verye infallible truth taught vnto vs for the space of seuen yeares. Wherefore, vntill such tyme as our consciences are otherwyse taught and instructed by Gods worde, we cannot with safegard of our consciences, take it, as many suppose at this tyme. And we trust in God that the Queenes mercifull hygh∣nesse, neither yet her most honourable Counsaile will in a matter of fayth vse compulsion, nor violence, because fayth is the gift of God, and commeth not of man, neither of mans laws, nei∣ther at suche tyme as men require it, but at such tyme as God geueth it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 The copy of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 New∣••••ns words 〈◊〉〈◊〉 writing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Doctour ••••ornton.