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.

Winchesters Articles against Barnes.

THe effect of Christes passion hath a condition.* 1.1 The ful∣filling of the condition diminisheth nothing the effecte of Christes passion.

They that wil enioy the effect of Christes passion, must [ 1] fulfill the condition.

The fulfilling of the condition requireth firste know∣ledge of the cōdition, which knowledge we haue by faith. [ 2]

Faith commeth of God, and thys faith is a good gifte. It is good and profitable to me: it is profitable to me to do [ 3] well, and to exercise thys faith: Ergo, by the gifte of God I may do well before I am iustified.

Therfore I may do wel by the gift of God before I am [ 4] iustified, towardes the attainment of iustification.

There is euer as muche Charitie towardes God, as [ 5] faith, And as faith encreaseth, so doth charitie encrease.

To the attainment of iustification is required faith and [ 6] charitie.

Euery thing is to be called freely done, wherof the be∣ginning [ 7] is free and at liberty wythout any cause of prouo∣cation. [ 8]

Faith muste be to me the assuraunce of the promyses of God made in Christ (if I fulfil the condition) & loue must [ 9] accomplish the condition: wherupon foloweth the attain∣ment of the promise according to Gods truth.

A man being in deadly sinne, maye haue grace to do the [ 10] workes of penaunce, whereby he may attaine to hys iusti∣fication.

These Articles for somuch as they be sufficiently aun∣swered and replyed vnto by George Ioy in his Ioynder,* 1.2 & Reioynder agaynst Winchester, I shall not neede to cū∣ber this work with any new adoe therewith, but onely re∣ferre the reader to the bookes aforesayd: where he may see matter enough to answere to these popish articles.

I told you before how the king was contented y^e Bar∣nes shuld resort to the house of the bishop of Winchester, to be traded and directed by the bishop, which Barnes then hearing the talk of y^e people, & hauing also conference with certayne learned men, within two dayes after his com∣ming to y^e bishops house, waxed weary thereof, & so com∣ming to the bish. signified vnto him,* 1.3 that if he would take him as one y^t came to conferre, he would come still, but els he would come no more, & so cleane gaue ouer the bishop.

This beinge knowen vnto the king, thorough sinister complaints of popish Sycophantes, Barnes againe was sent for, and cōuented before the king, who grieuously be∣ing incensed against him, enioyned both him, Hierom and Garret, at the solemne Easter sermons at S. Mary spittle, opēly in wryting to reuoke the doctrine whych they before had taught. At which sermons Ste. Gardiner also himself was present to heare theyr recantation.

First Doctor Barnes, according to hys promise made to the king, solempnely and formally beganne to make his recantation, whych done, he wyth much circumstance and obtestation called vpon the Byshop (as is aboue touched) and asking of hym forgeuenes,* 1.4 required hym in token of a graunt to holde vp hys hand, to the entent that he there o∣penly declaring his charitie before the worlde, the Byshop also would declare his charitie in like maner. Which when the bishoppe refused to doe at the first, as he was required, Barnes againe called for it, desiring him to shew his cha∣ritie, and to holde vp his hande. Which when he had done w^t much a do, wagging his finger a litle: then Barnes en∣tring to his Sermon after his prayer made,* 1.5 beginneth the processe of a matter, preaching contrarye to that, which be∣fore he had recanted. In so much, that the Maior, whē the Sermon was finished, sittinge wyth the Bishop of Win∣chester, asked him whether he should from the pulpit sende hym to warde, to be forth comming for that his bold prea∣ching contrary to hys recantation. The like also did Hie∣rome, and Garret after hym.

The king had appointed before certain to make report of the sermons. Besides them there was one who wryting to a frende of hys in the Court, in the fauour of these prea∣chers,

declared how gayly they had all handled the matter, both to satisfie the recantation, and also in the same Ser∣mons to vtter out the truth, that it might spread without let of the world. Wherfore partly by these reporters, & part∣ly by the negligent looking to this letter,* 1.6 which came to the Lord Cromwels hands (sayeth Gardiner) Barnes wyth his other fellowes were apprehended, and committed to the Tower. Steuen Gardiner in his foresayde booke a∣gainst George Ioye, woulde needes cleare himselfe, that he was in no part nor cause of their casting into the tower, and geueth this reason for him,* 1.7 for that he had then no ac∣cesse, ne had not after, so long as Cromwels time lasted, to the Kings secret Counsayle: yet notwithstanding the sayd Gardiner can not persuade vs to the contrary, but that his priuie complaing to the King, and his secrete whispe∣rings in his frends eares, and his other workings by his factours about the King, was a great sparcle to set theyr fagots a fire.

Thus then Barnes, Hierome, and Garret being com∣mitted to the Tower, after Easter, there remayned till the xxx. day of Iuly, which was two dayes after the deathe of the Lord Cromwell. Then ensued processe againste them by the Kings Counsell in the Parliament,* 1.8 to the whyche processe Gardiner confesseth himselfe that he was priuie amongst the rest. Whereupon all these three good saints of God, the xxx. day of Iuly, not comming to any aunswere, nor yet knowing any cause of their cōdemnation, without any publike hearing, were brought together from the To∣wer to Smithfield, where they preparing themselues to the fire, had there at the stake diuers and sundry exhortati∣ons, amongest whome D. Barnes first began wyth thys protestation following.

I am come hether to be burned as an hereticke, and you shal heare my beliefe,* 1.9 whereby you shall perceiue what er∣roneous opinions I hold. God I take to record, I neuer (to my knowledge) taught any erroneous doctrine, but only those things which scripture leade me vnto, and that in my Sermons I neuer mainteined any errour, neyther moued nor gaue occasion of any insurrection. Although I haue bene sclaundered to preach that our Lady was but a saffron bag, which I vtterly protest before God that I ne∣uer meant it nor preached it: but all my study and diligēce hath bene vtterly to confound and confute all men of that doctrine,* 1.10 as are the Anabaptists, which deny that our Sa∣uiour Christ did take any flesh of the blessed virgin Mary, which sectes I detest and abhorre. And in this place there hath bene burned some of them, whome I neuer fauoured nor mainteyned, but with all diligence euermore did I study to set forth the glory of God, the obedience to our so∣ueraigne Lord the King, and the true and sincere religion of Christ. And now harken to my fayth.

I beleue in the holy and blessed Trinitie, three persons and one God,* 1.11 that created and made al the world, and that this blessed Trinitie sent downe the seconde person Iesu Christ into the wombe of the most blessed & purest virgin Mary. And heere beare me record, that I do vtterly con∣demne that abhominable and detestable opinion of the A∣nabaptistes, which say that Christ tooke no flesh of the vir∣gine. For I beleue that without mans will or power, hee was conceiued by the holy Ghost, and tooke flesh of her, & that he suffered hunger, thirst, cold, & other passions of our body (sinne except) according to the sayeng of S. Peter: He was made in all things like to his brethren, except sinne. And I beleeue that this his death and passion was the sufficiente raunsome for the sinne of all the world. And I beleeue that through his death, he ouercame sinne, death, and hell, and that there is none other satisfaction vnto the Father, but this his death and passion only: and that no worke of man did deserue any thing of God, but only his passion, as tou∣ching our iustification. For I know the best worke that e∣uer I did, is vnpure and vnperfit. And with this he cast a∣broade his handes, and desired God to forgiue hym hys trespasses.* 1.12 For although perchaunce (sayd he) you knowe nothing by me, yet do I confesse that my thoughts and co∣gitations be innumerable: Wherefore I beseeche thee, O Lorde, not to enter into iudgement with me, according to the sayeng of the Prophete Dauid: Non intres in iudicium cum seruo tuo domine .i. Enter not into iudgement with thy ser∣uaunt O Lord.* 1.13 And in an other place: Si iniquitates obserua∣ueris domine quis sustinebit? Lorde, if thou straitely marke our i∣niquities,* 1.14 who is able to abyde thy iudgement? Wherefore I trust in no good worke that euer I did, but onely in the death of Christ. I do not doubt, but through him to inhe∣rite the kingdome of heauen. Take me not heere that I speake against good woorkes,* 1.15 for they are to be done, and verely they that do them not, shall neuer come in the king∣dome of God. We must do them, because they are cōman∣ded vs of God to shew and set foorth our profession, not to deserue or merite, for that is onely the death of Christ.

I beleue that there is a holy Churche, & a company of all them that professe Christ: and that all that haue suffered & confessed his name, be Saintes, & that all they do prayse & laude God in heauen, more then I, or any mans tongue cā expresse, & that alwayes I haue spoken reuerently, and praysed them as much as Scripture willed me to do. And that our Lady (I say) was a Uirgin immaculate and vn∣defiled & that she is the most purest virgine that euer God created & a vessell elect of God of whom Christ should be borne. Then sayd M. Shiriffe,* 1.16 you haue sayd well of her before. And beyng afrayde that Maister Shiriffe had bene or should be agreeued with any thyng that he should say, he sayd: Maister Shiriffe, if I speake any thyng that you will me not, do no more but becken me with your hand, & I will straight way hold my peace, for I will not be diso∣bedient in any thyng, but will obey.

Thē there was one that asked him his opiniō of pray∣ing to Saintes. Then sayd he:* 1.17 Now of Saintes you shall here my opinion. I haue sayd before somewhat I thinke of them, how that I beleue they are in heauen with God, and that they are worthy of all the honour that Scripture willeth thē to haue. But I say throughout all Scripture we are not commaūded to pray to any Saintes. Therfore I can not nor will not preach to you that Saintes ought to be prayed vnto: for then should I preache vnto you a doctrine of myne owne head. Notwithstandyng whether they pray for vs or no, that I referre to GOD. And if Saintes do pray for vs, then I trust to pray for you with∣in this halfe houre Maister Shiriffe, and for euery Chri∣stian man liuyng in the fayth of Christ & dying in the same as a Saint. Wherfore if the dead may pray for the quicke, I will surely pray for you.

Wel, haue you any thing more to say? Thē spake he to Maister Shiriffe & sayd, haue ye any Articles agaynst me for the which I am condemned?* 1.18 And the Shriffe aunswe∣red, no. Then sayd he, is there here any mā els that know∣eth wherfore I dye, or that by my preachyng hath takē a∣ny errour? Let them now speake & I will make thē aun∣swere. And no man aunswered. Then sayd he, well I am condēned by the law to dye, & as I vnderstand, by an Acte of Parliamēt, but wherfore, I cānot tell,* 1.19 but belike for he∣resie, for we are lyke to burne. But they that haue bene the occasiō of it. I pray God forgeue them, as I would be for∣geuen my selfe. And Doct. Stephē Byshop of Winchester that now is, if he haue sought or wrought this my death either by word or deede, I pray God forgiue him as hart∣ly, as freely, as charitably, and without faynyng, as euer Christ forgaue them that put him to death.

And if any of the Counsell, or any other haue sought or wrought it through malice or ignoraūce, I pray God for∣giue their ignoraunce and illuminate their eyes that they may see and aske mercy for it. I beseeche you all to pray for the kynges grace, as I haue done euer since I was in pri∣son, and do now, that God may geue him prosperitie, and that he may long raigne amōg you,* 1.20 & after him that godly Prince Edward may so raigne, that he may finishe those thynges that his father hath begon. I haue bene reported a preacher of sedition & disobedience vnto the kyngs Ma∣iestie, but heare I say to you, that you al are bound by the commaūdement of God to obey your Prince with all hu∣militie, & with all your hart, yea not so much as in a looke to shew your selues disobedient vnto him, & that not one∣ly for feare of the sword, but also for conscience sake before God. Yea and I say further, if the kyng should cōmaunde you any thyng agaynst Gods law, if it be in your power to resist him, yet may you not do it.

Then spake he to the Shiriffe and sayd, M. Shiriffe I require you on Gods behalfe,* 1.21 to haue me cōmēded vn∣to the kynges grace, & to shewe him that I require of his grace these fiue requestes: First that where his grace hath receaued into his handes, all the goodes and substaunce of the Abbeyes. Then the Shiriffe desired him to stop there.* 1.22 He aunswered, Maister Shiriffe I warrant you I will speake no harme, for I know it is well done y^t all such su∣perstition be cleane taken away, and the kyngs grace hath well done in takyng it awaye. But his grace is made a whole kyng,* 1.23 and obeyed in his Realme as a kyng (which neither his father nor graūdfather, neither his aunceters that raigned before him euer had) & that through the prea∣chyng of vs and such other wretches as we are, which al∣wayes haue applied our whole studies, and giuen our sel∣ues for the settyng forth of the same, and this is now our reward. Well it maketh no matter. Now he raigneth a∣mong you: I pray God long may he liue and raigne a∣mong you. Would to God it might please his grace to be∣stow the sayd goodes or some of them, to the comfort of his poore subiectes, which surely haue great neede of them.

The second that I desire his grace, is, that he will see that matrimonie be had in more reuerence then it is, and that men for euery light cause inuented,* 1.24 cast not off theyr wiues, and liue in adultery and fornication, and that those that be not maried, should not abhominably liue in whore∣dome, folowing the filthy lustes of the fleshe.

The third, that the abhominable swearers may be pu∣nished and straightly looked vpon:* 1.25 for the vengeance of God wil come on them for their mischieuous othes. Then desired he maister Pope to haue him commended to Mai∣ster Edgar,* 1.26 and to desire him for the deare bloud of Iesu Christ, that he woulde leaue that abhominable swearing which he vsed, for surely except he did forsake it, he woulde come to some mischieuous ende.

The fourth, that his grace would set forth Christs true Religion,* 1.27 and seeing he hath begon, that he would go for∣ward and make an end, for many things haue bene done, but much more is to do: and that it would please his grace to looke on Gods word himselfe, for that it hath ben obscu∣red with many traditions inuented of our owne braynes. Now said he, how many petitions haue I spoken of? And the people said foure. Well said he: euen these foure be suffi∣ciente, whiche I desire you: that the Kinges grace may be certified of, and say that I most humbly desire him to looke earnestly vpon them: and that his grace take heede that he be not deceiued with false preachers and teachers and e∣uill councell, for Christ sayth, that such false Prophets shal come in Lambes skinnes.

Then desired he all men to forgeue him, and if hee had sayd any euill at any time vnaduisedly, whereby he had of∣fended any man, or geuen anye occasion of euill, that they would forgiue it him, and amende that euill they tooke of him,* 1.28 and to beare him witnes, that he detested and abhor∣red all euill opinions and doctrines against the worde of God, and that he died in the faith of Iesu Christ, by whom he doubted not, but to be saued. And with those words he desired them all to pray for him, and then he turned him a∣bout, and put off his clothes, making him ready to the fire, paciently there to take his death.

The like confession made also Hierome and Garret, professing in like maner their beliefe, reciting all the ar∣ticles of the Christian faith, briefly declaring their myndes vpon euery article,* 1.29 as the time would suffer: whereby the people might vnderstand that there was no cause nor er∣rour in their fayth, wherefore iustly they ought to be con∣demned: Protesting moreouer that they denied nothyng that was eyther in the old or new Testament, set foorth by their soueraigne Lorde the King: whome they prayed the Lord long to continue amongst them, with his most deare sonne Prince Edward. Which done. Hierome addeth this exhortation in few words folowing.

I say vnto you good breethren, that God hath bought vs all with no small price, neyther with golde nor siluer,* 1.30 or other such things of small value, but with his most pre∣cious bloud. Be not vnthankefull therefore to him againe, but do as much as to Christian men belongeth, to fulfill his commaundementes, that is, loue your brethren. Loue hurteth no man, loue fulfilleth all things. If God haue sent thee plentie, helpe thy neighbour that hathe neede. Giue him good councell. If ye lacke, consider if thou were in necessitie, thou wouldst gladly be refreshed. And againe, beare your crosse with Christ. Consider what reproofe, sclaunder, and reproch he suffered of his enemies, and how paciently he suffered all thinges. Consider that all that Christ did, was of his meere goodnesse, and not of our de∣seruing. For if we could merite our owne saluation, Christ woulde not haue dyed for vs. But for Adams breaking of Gods precept, we had bene all lost, if Christ had not redee¦med vs againe. And like as Adam broke the precepts, and was driuen out of Paradise: so wee, if we breake Gods commaundements, shall haue damnation, if we do not re∣pent and aske mercy. Now therefore let all Christians put no trust nor confidence in their workes, but in the bloud of Christ, to whome I commit my soule to guide, besee∣ching you all to pray to God for me, and for my breethren here present with me, that our soules leauing these wret∣ched carcases, may constantly depart in the true fayth of Christ.

In much like sort Garret also protesting and exhorting the people after his confession made, ended his protestati∣on in maner as foloweth.

I also detest, abhorre, and refuse all heresies and er∣rours,* 1.31 and if eyther by negligence or ignoraunce I haue taught or maynteyned any, I am sory for it, and aske God mercie. Or if I haue bene so vehement or rash in prea∣ching, whereby any person hath taken anye offence, er∣rour, or euill opinion, I desire him, and all other per∣sons which I haue any way offended, of forgeuenes. Not∣withstanding to my remembraunce, I neuer preached wittinglye or willingly anye thing agaynste Gods holye worde, or contrary to the true fayth, to the maintenaunce of errours, heresies, or vitious liuing, but haue alwaye for my little learning and witte, set foorth the honour of God, and the right obedience to his lawes, and also the Kinges accordingly. And if I coulde haue done better, I woulde. Wherefore Lorde if I haue taken in hande to

[illustration]

¶The death and burning of the most constant Martyrs in Christ, D. Robert Barnes, Tho. Garret, and W. Hierome in Smithfield, an. 1541.

do that thing which I could not perfectly perfourme, I desire thee pardon for my bolde presumption. And I pray God send the kings grace good and godly counsayle, to his glory, to the Kings honour, and the encrease of vertue in this his Realme. And thus now I yeelde vp my soule vn∣to almighty God,* 1.32 trusting and beleuing that he of his in∣finite mercy for his promise made in the bloud of hys sonne our most mercifull Saueour Iesu Christ, will take it, and pardon me of all my sinnes, whereby I haue most greeuously from my youth offended hys Maiestie: where∣fore I aske hym mercy, desiring you all to pray with me and for mee,* 1.33 that I may pacientlye suffer thys payne, and dye stedfastly in true fayth, perfect hope and cha∣ritie.

And so after theyr prayer made, wherin most effectually they desired the Lord Iesus to be their comfort and conso∣lation in this their affliction, and to stablishe them with perfect faith,* 1.34 constancy and pacience thorough the holy Ghost, they taking themselues by the hands, and kissing one another, quietly and humbly offred themselues to the handes of the tormentors, and so tooke theyr deathe both Christianly and constantly with suche patience as mighte well testifie the goodnes of theyr cause, and quiet of theyr conscience.

Wherein is to be noted how mightely the Lord worketh with his grace and fortitude in the harts of his seruants, especially in such, which causelesse suffer with a giltles con∣science for his religions sake, aboue other whiche suffer o∣therwise for their deserts.* 1.35 For whereas they which suffer as malefactors, commonly are wont to goe heauie and pensiue to their death, so the other with heauenly alacri∣tie and chearefulnes doe abide whatsoeuer it pleaseth the Lord to lay vpon them? Example whereof we haue right well to note, not only in these three godly Martirs, aboue mentioned, but also in the Lord Cromwell, who suffered but two dayes before, the same no lesse may appeare. Who although he was brought to his death, atteinted and con∣demned by the parliament,* 1.36 yet what a giltles conscience he bare to his death, his Christian patience well declared. Who first calling for his breakefast: and cheerefully eating the same, and after that passing out of his prison downe the hill within the Tower, and meeting there by the waie the Lord Hungerford going likewise to his executiō (who for other matter heere not to be spoken of, was there also imprisoned) and perceiuing him to be all heauie and dole∣full,* 1.37 with cheerefull countenance, and comfortable words, asking why he was so heauie, he willed him to plucke vp his heart, and to be of good comfort: For, sayd he, there is no cause for you to feare. For if you repent, and be hartely sory for that you haue done, there is for you mercy enough with the Lord, who for Christes sake wil forgeue you, and therfore be not dismayde. And though the breakefast which we are going to, be sharpe, yet trusting to the mercy of the Lord, we shall haue a ioyfull dinner. And so went they to∣gether to the place of execution, and tooke their death pa∣tiently.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.2

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.3

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.4

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.5

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.6

  Barnes Garret and Hierome commaunded to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  Steph Gar∣diner had no acces•••• to the kinges coun∣cell a yeare and more before the L. Crom∣wels fall.
• * 1.8

  Processe a∣gaynst Barnes, Hierome & Garret.
• * 1.9

  The prote∣station of Doct. Barnes at the stake.
• * 1.10

  D. Barnes falsly slaun∣dered.
• * 1.11

  D. Barnes confession.
• * 1.12

  All mens workes vn∣perfite.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 143.
• * 1.14

  Psal. 130.
• * 1.15

  Good wor∣ke•• are to be done.
• * 1.16

  D. Barnes obe∣dient to Ma∣gistrates.
• * 1.17

  Pray nō to Saintes.
• * 1.18

  No cause shew∣ed why Doct. Barnes dyed.
• * 1.19

  D. Barnes pray∣ing for his ene∣myes.
• * 1.20

  D. Barnes pray∣eth for the king.
• * 1.21

  5. requestes of Doct. Barnes to the king.
• * 1.22

  The 1. request.
• * 1.23

  The king of England made a whole king by poore preachers▪
• * 1.24

  The second re∣quest of Doctor Barnes to the king.
• * 1.25

  The 3. request.
• * 1.26

  Doct. Barnes request to M. Edgar to leaue swearing.
• * 1.27

  The 4. request.
• * 1.28

  Doct. Barnes cleareth him∣selfe of al heresi.
• * 1.29

  The protestatiō and confession of Hierome and Garret.
• * 1.30

  The exhor∣tation of Hierome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the people.
• * 1.31

  Tho Garret cleareth himselfe.
• * 1.32

  Garret pray¦eth for the king.
• * 1.33

  Anno 1541.
• * 1.34

  The pacient suffering of these three Martyrs.
• * 1.35

  Difference betweene them that suffer for Gods truth, and other that dye for their owne desertes.
• * 1.36

  The chear∣full patience in the L. Cromwel at his death.
• * 1.37

  The com∣fortable wordes of the L. Crō∣well to the L. Hunger∣forde, they both going to their death.