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.

Mayster George his aunswere.

MAny and horrible sayinges vnto me, a Christian man,* 1.1 many wordes abhominable for to heare, ye haue spo∣ken here this day. Which not onely to receaue, but also once to thinke, I thought euer great abhomination. Wherfore I pray your discretions quietly to heare me, that ye may know what were my sayings, & the maner of my doctrine. This my petition (my Lord) I desire to be heard for three causes.* 1.2

The first is, because thorough preaching of the worde of God, his glory is made manifest. It is reasonable ther∣fore, for the aduauncing of the glory of God, that ye heare

me teaching truely the pure word of God without any dis∣simulation.

* 1.3The second reason is, because that your health springeth of the word of God: or he worketh all thing by his worde. It were therefore an vnrighteous thing, if ye shoulde stop your eares from me, teaching truely the word of God.

* 1.4The third reason is, because your doctrine vttereth ma∣ny blasphemous and abominable words, not comming of the inspiration of God, but of the deuil, with no lesse perill then of my life. It is iust therfore and reasonable your dis∣cretions to knowe what my wordes and doctrine are, and what I haue euer taught in my time in thys realme, that I pearish not vniustly, to the great pearill of your soules. Wherfore both for the glory and honor of God, your owne health, and safegarde of my life, I beseeche your discretions to heare mee, and in the meane time I shall recite my doc∣trine without any colour.

* 1.5First & chiefly, since the time I came into thys realme, I taught nothing but the 10. commandements of God, the 12. Articles of the faithe, and the prayer of the Lorde in the mother tongue. Moreouer, in Dundie I taught the Epi∣stle of S. Paul to the Romanes. And I shal shew your di∣scretions faithfully what fashion and maner I vsed when I taught, without any humane dread, so that your discre∣tions geue me your eares beneuolent and attent.

Sodenly then with all high voice cried the accuser, the fedde sowe: thou heretike, runnagate, traytor, and thiefe, it was not lawfull for thee to preache. Thou haste taken the power at thine owne hande, wythout any authoritie of the church.* 1.6 We forethinke y^t thou hast bene a preacher so long. Then all the whole congregation of y^e prelates with theyr complices, sayde these wordes: If wee geue hym licence to preach, he is so crafty, and in the holy scripture so exercised, that he will perswade the people is hys opinion, and raise them against vs.

* 1.7Maister George seeing their malicious and wicked en∣tent, appealed from the Lord Cardinal to the Lord gouer∣nour, as to an indifferent and equal Iudge. To whom the accuser Iohn Lauder aforesayde, with hoggish voyce an∣swered,* 1.8 Is not my Lorde Cardinal the second person w^tin this realme, Chauncelour of Scotlande, Archb. of S. An∣drewes, bishop of Meropois, Commendator of Aberbro∣thoke, Legatus natus, Legatus à Latere. And so retiring as ma∣ny titles of his vnworthy honours, as woulde haue loden a ship, much sooner an asse, is not hee, quoth Iohn Lauder, an equall Iudge apparantly vnto thee? Whom other desi∣rest thou to be thy Iudge?

To whom this humble man answeared, saying, I re∣fuse not my Lord Cardinall, but I desire the word of God to be my iudge, and the temporall estate, with some of your lordships mine auditors, because I am here my Lord Go∣uernors prisoner.* 1.9 Whereupon the pridefull & scornful peo∣ple that stoode by, mocked him, saying: Suche man suche iudge, speaking seditious & reprochful wordes against the gouernor and other the Nobles, meaning them also to be heretikes. And incontinent without all delay they woulde haue geuen sentence vppon M. George, and that wythout farther processe, had not certaine men there counsailed the Cardinall to reade againe the articles, and to heare his an∣swers thereuppon, that the people might not complaine of his wrongfull condemnation.

And shortly to declare, these were the articles follow∣ing, with his answeares, as farre as they would geue hym leaue to speake. For when he entēded to mitigate their ••ea∣••ings, and shew the maner of hys doctrine▪ by and by they stopped hys mouth with an other article.

* 1.101 THou false heretike, runnagate, traytour and thiefe, deceiuer of the people, thou despisest the holy Churche, and in lyke case contemnest my Lorde gouernours authoritie. And this wee know for suretie, that when thou preachedst in Du••dy, and wast charged by my Lord Gouernours authority to desist: neuertheles thou wouldest not obey, but perseueredst in the same: and therfore the Bishop of Brothen cursed thee, and deliuered thee into the de∣uils handes, and gaue thee in commaundemente that thou shoul∣dest preach no more. That notwithstanding thou diddest continue obstinately.

My Lordes, I haue reade in the Actes of the apostles, that it is not lawfull to desist from the preaching of the go∣spell,* 1.11 for the threates and manases of men. Therefore it is wrytten:* 1.12 We shal rather obey God then men. I haue also read in the Prophet Malachi••: I shall curse your blessings, & blesse your cursings,* 1.13 beleeuing firmely, that the Lorde will turne your cursings into blessings.

2 Thou fals heretike diddest say, that the priest standing at the altar saying Masse,* 1.14 was like a Foxe wagging his taile in Iulie.

My Lordes, I sayde not so. These were my sayinges: The moouing of the body outwarde,* 1.15 without the inwarde moouing of the heart, is nought else, but the playinge of an Ape, and not the true seruing of God: For God is a secrete searcher of mennes heartes. Therefore who will truely a∣dore and honour God, he must in spirite and veritie honor hym. Then the accuser stopped his mouth wyth an other article.

3 Thou false heretike preachedst against the sacraments,* 1.16 say∣ing, that there were not 7. sacraments.

My Lordes, and if it be your pleasures,* 1.17 I neuer taught of the number of the sacraments,* 1.18 whether they were seuen or eleuen. So manye as are instituted by Christe, and are shewed to vs by the Euangel, I professe openly. Except it be the word of God I dare affirme nothing.

4 Thou false heretike hast openly taught,* 1.19 that auriculare con∣fession is not a blessed sacrament. And thou sayest that we should only confesse vs to God, and to no priest.

My Lords, I say, that auricular confession,* 1.20 seeing that it hath no promise of the Euangel, therefore it can not be a Sacramente. Of the confession to be made to God,* 1.21 there are many testimonies in scripture, as when Dauid sayth: I thoughte I woulde knowledge mine iniquitie againste my selfe vnto the Lorde, and hee forgaue the punishment of my sinne. Psal. 32 Heere confession signifieth the secreate knowledging of our sinnes before God. Whē I exhorted the people in this manner, I reprooued no manner of confession. And farther S. Iames sayeth: Knowledge your faultes one to an other, and pray one for an other, that you may be healed.* 1.22 When that hee had sayde these woordes, the Bishops and their complices cried and grinned with their teeth, saying: Se ye not what colours hee hath in hys speaking, that hee may beguile vs and seduce vs to hys opinion▪

5 Thou heretike didst say openly,* 1.23 that it was necessary to eue∣ry man, to knowe and vnderstande his Baptisme, and what it was, contrary to generall Councels, and the states of holy Church.* 1.24

My Lordes, I beleeue there be none so vnwise heere, that will make marchandise with a French man,* 1.25 or any o∣ther vnknown straunger, except he know and vnderstand first the condition or promise made by the Frenche man or straunger. So likewyse I woulde that wee vnderstoode what thing we promise in the name of y^e infant vnto God in Baptisme. For this cause I beleeue ye haue confirmati∣on. Then said master Bleiter chapleine, that he had the de∣uill within hym, and the spirite of error. Then answeared him a child, saying: The deuill cannot speake suche wordes as yonder man doth speake.

6 Thou heretike, traitour, and thiefe, thou saidest that the Sa∣crament of the altar was but a peece of bread baken vppon the a∣shes and no other thing els, and all that is there done,* 1.26 is but a su∣perstitious rite against the commaundement of God.

Oh Lorde God, so manifest lies and blasphemies the Scripture doeth not teache you.* 1.27 As concerning the sacra∣ment of the aultare (my Lordes) I neuer taught any thing against the Scripture,* 1.28 the whych I shall (by Gods grace) make manifest thys daye, I being ready therefore to suffer death.

The lawfull vse of this Sacrament is most acceptable vnto God: but the great abuse of it is very detestable vnto hym. But what occasion they haue to say such wordes of me, I shall shortly shew your Lordships. I once chaunced to meete wyth a Iewe, when I was sailing vpon the wa∣ter of Rhene. I did enquire of him what was the cause of his pertinacie,* 1.29 that he did not beleue that the true Messias was come, considering that they had seene all the Prophe∣cies whych were spoken of him, to be fulfilled. Moreouer, the Prophecies taken away, and the Scepter of Iuda, by many other testimonies of the scripture, I vāquished him, that Messias was come,* 1.30 y^t which they called Iesus of Na∣zareth. Thys Iewe aunsweared againe vnto mee, when Messias commeth, he shall restore all things, and hee shall not abrogate the law, which was geuen to our forfathers, as ye do. For why▪ we see the poore almost perish through hunger amongst you: yet you are not mooued with pity to∣wards them: but among vs Iewes (though we be poore) there are no beggers found.

Secondarily, it is forbidden by the lawe, to faine anye kind of imagery of things in heauen aboue,* 1.31 or in the earth beneath, or in the sea vnder the earthe: but one God onely to honour: but your Sanctuaries and Churches are ful of Idolles.

Thirdly, a pece of bread baken vpon the ashes,* 1.32 ye adore and worship, and say, that it is your God. I haue rehersed heere but the sayings of the Iewe, which I neuer affirmed to be true. Then the bishops shooke their heads, and spitted on the earth, and what they meant in this matter further they would not heare.

7 Thou false heretike diddest say,* 1.33 that extreeme vnction was not a sacrament.

My Lordes, forsooth I neuer taught any thynge of ex∣treme

vnction in my doctrine, whether it were a Sacra∣ment or no.

* 1.348 Thou false heretike saidest, that holye water is not so good as washe, and suche like. Thou condemnest coniuring, and sayest that holy Churches cursings auaile not.

My Lordes, as for holy water, what strengthe it is of, I taught neuer in my doctrine. Coniuringes and Exor∣cismes,* 1.35 if they were conformable to the woorde of God, I would commend them: but in so much as they are not con∣formable to the commaundement and woord of God, I re∣prooue them.

* 1.369 Thou false heretike and runnagate hast sayde, that euery lay man is a priest, and suche like. Thou sayest, that the Pope hathe no more power, then any other man.

My Lordes, I taught nothyng but the worde of God, I remember that I haue read in some places in S. Iohn and S. Peter,* 1.37 of the which one sayth: He hath made vs kings and priests. The other sayeth: Hee hath made vs a kingly priest∣hood.* 1.38 Wherefore I haue affirmed that any man being cun∣ning in the woorde of God, & the true faith of Iesu Christ, hath his power geuen him from God, and not by the po∣wer or violence of men, but by the vertue of the woorde of God, the which woord is called the power of God, as wit∣nesseth S. Paule euidently enough. And againe, I say that any vnlearned man,* 1.39 not exercised in the worde of God, nor yet constant in his faith, what so euer estate or order hee be of, I say, he hath no power to binde or loose, seeing he wan∣teth the instrument, by the which he bindeth or looseth, that is to say, the woorde of God.

After that he had sayd these wordes, all the Byshoppes laughed,* 1.40 & mocked him. When that he behelde their laugh∣ing, Laugh yee (sayeth he) my Lordes? Though that these sayings appeare scornefull and worthy of derision to your Lordships, neuertheles they are very waighty to me, and of a great value, because they stand not only vpon my life, but also the honour and glory of God. In the meane time many godly men beholding the woodnes and great crude∣litie of the Bishops, and the inuincible patience of maister George, did greatly mourne and lament.

10 Thou false heretike saidest, that a man hath no free wil. But is like to the Stoikes,* 1.41 which say, that it is not in mans will to doe any thing, but that all concupiscence & desire commeth of God, what soeuer kinde it be of.

My Lordes, I saide not so, truely, I say, that as many as beleeue in Christe firmely, vnto them is geuen libertie, conformable to the saying of S. Iohn:* 1.42 If the sonne make you free, then shall ye verely be free. Of the contrary, as many as beleue not in Christ Iesu,* 1.43 they are bond seruants of sinne: He that sinneth, is bond to sinne.

* 1.4411 Thou false heretike sayest, it is as lawfull to eate flesh vpon the friday, as on sonday.

Pleaseth it your Lordshippes, I haue read in the Epi∣stles of S. Paule,* 1.45 that who is cleane, vnto him all thyngs are cleane. Of the contrary, to the filthy men all things are vncleane.* 1.46 A faithful man cleane and holy, sanctifieth by the woorde, the creature of God. But the creature maketh no manne acceptable vnto God.* 1.47 So that a creature may not sanctifie any impure and vnfaithful man. But to the faith∣full man, all things are sanctified by the praier of the word of God.* 1.48 After these sayings of master George, then said all the Bishops wyth theyr complices: what needeth vs any witnesse against him? hath he not openly here spoken bla∣sphemie?

12 Thou false heretike doest say, that wee shoulde not praye to Saintes,* 1.49 but to God onely. Say whether thou hast sayd this, or no: say shortly.

For the weakenes and the infirmitie of the hearers, he said without doubt plainly,* 1.50 that Saints should not be ho∣noured. My Lordes (sayde hee) there are two things wor∣thy of note.* 1.51 The one is certaine, the other vncertayne. It is found plainly and certaine in Scripture, that we should worship and honor one God, according to the saying of the first Commaundement: Thou shalt only worship and ho∣nour thy Lord God, with all thy heart. But as for praying to, and honouring of Saintes, there is great doubt among many, whether they hear or no, inuocation made vnto thē. Therefore I exhorted all men equally in my doctrine, that they shoulde leaue the vnsure waye, and folowe that way, which was taught vs by our master Christ. He is our on∣ly mediatour, and maketh intercession for vs to God hys father.* 1.52 He is the doore by the which we must enter in. Hee that entreth not in by this doore, but climeth an other way, is a theefe and murtherer. Hee is the veritie and lyfe. Hee that goeth out of this way, there is no doubte but hee shall fall into the mire: yea verely, is fallen into it already. This is the fashion of my doctrine, the whych I haue euer follo∣wed. Uerely that whyche I haue hearde and reade in the woorde of God; I taught openly, and in no corners. And now ye shal witnes the same, if your Lordships will heare me. Except it stande by the worde of God, I dare not be so bold to affirme any thinge. These sayings he rehearsed di∣uers times.

13 Thou false heretike haste preached plainly,* 1.53 saying that there is no Purgatorie, and that it is a fained thinge, any man after thys life to be punished in Purgatorie.

My Lordes, as I haue oftentimes sayde heeretofore,* 1.54 without expresse witnesse and testimonie of the Scripture, I dare affirme nothyng.* 1.55 I haue ofte and diuers times read ouer the Bible, and yet suche a terme founde I neuer, nor yet any place of Scripture applicable therunto. Ther∣fore I was ashamed euer to teache of that thyng, whych I coulde not finde in the Scripture. Then sayd he to master Iohn Lauder hys accuser: If you haue any testimonie of the Scripture, by the which ye may prooue any such place, shewe it nowe before this auditorie. But this dolt had not a worde to say for him selfe, but was as dumbe as a beetle in that matter.

14 Thou false heretike hast taught plainly against the vowes of Monkes, Friers, Nunnes, and Priestes, saying:* 1.56 that whosoeuer was bounde to such like vowes, they vowed themselues to the estate of damnation: Moreouer, that it was lawful for priestes to marry wiues, and not to liue sole.

Of soothe (my Lordes) I haue read in the Euangell,* 1.57 that there are three kindes of chaste men. Some are gelded from their mothers wombe: some are gelded by men:* 1.58 and some haue gelded themselues, for the kingdome of heauen sake. Uerelye I say,* 1.59 these men are blessed by the Scripture of God. But as many as haue not the gift of chastitie, nor yet for the Euangell, haue not ouercome the concupiscence of the flesh, and haue vowed chastitie: yee haue experience, although I should holde my peace, to what inconuenience they haue vowed them selues.

When he had sayde these wordes, they were all dumbe, thinking better to haue tenne Concubines, then one mar∣ried wife.

15 Thou false heretike and runnagate sayest,* 1.60 thou wylte not obey our Generall, nor Prouinciall Councels.

My Lords, what your general Councels are, I knowe not, I was neuer exercised in them:* 1.61 but to the pure worde of God I gaue my labors. Read here your general Coun∣cels, or els geue me a booke wherin they are contained, that I may reade them. If they agree with the word of God,* 1.62 I will not disagree. Then the rauening wolues turned into woodnes, & said. Wherefore let we him speake any further? Reade forth the rest of the articles, & stay not vpō them. A∣mong these cruell tygers, there was one false hypocrite,* 1.63 a seducer of the people, called Ioh. Graifind Scot, standing behind Ioh. Lauders backe, hasting him to read the rest of y^e articles, & not to tary vpō his witty and godly answers: For we may not abide them, quoth he, no more then the di∣uill may abide the signe of the Crosse, when it is named.

16 Thou heretike sayest, that it is vaine to builde to the honor of God, costly Churches,* 1.64 seeinge that God remaineth not in the Churches made with mens handes, nor yet God can be in so litle space, as betwixt the priests handes.

My Lordes, Salomon sayeth: If that the heauen of heauens can not comprehende thee,* 1.65 howe muche lesse thys house, that I haue builded? And Iob consenteth to y^e same sentence: Seeing that he is higher then the heauens, there∣fore what canst thou build vnto him? He is deper then hel,* 1.66 then how shalt thou know him? He is longer then y^e earth, and broader then the sea. So that God cannot be compre∣hēded into one place, because that he is infinite. These say∣ings notwithstanding, I said neuer that Churches should be destroyed. But of the contrarye I affirmed euer,* 1.67 that Churches should be sustained and vpholden, that the peo∣ple should be congregated into them, there to hear of God. And moreouer, wheresoeuer is true preaching of the word of God, and the lawfull vse of the Sacraments, vndoub∣tedly there is God himselfe. So that both these sayings are true together: God cannot be cōprehended into any place, and where soeuer are two or three gathered in hys name, there is he present in the middest of them. Then sayde he to hys accuser, If you thinke any otherwise then I say, shew foorth your reasons before this auditorie. Then he without al reason being dumbe, and not answering one word, pro∣ceeded foorth in hys articles.

17 Thou false heretike contemnest fastinge, and sayest,* 1.68 thou shouldest not fast.

My Lordes, I finde that fasting is commended in the Scrypture: therefore I were a sclaunderer of the Go∣spell, if I contemned fastynge. And not so onely,* 1.69 but I haue learned by experience, that fastinge is good for the health of the bodye: but God knoweth who fasteth the true fast.

18 Thou false heretike haste preached openlye,* 1.70 sayinge that

the soule of man shall sleepe to the latter daye of iudgement, and shall not obtaine life immortall vntill that day.

* 1.71God full of mercy and goodnesse forgeue them that saye such things of me. I wote and knowe surely by the worde of God, that he which hathe begun to haue the faith of Ie∣su Christ, and beleueth firmely in him, I know surely that the soule of that man shall neuer sleepe, but euer shall liue an immortall life. The which life from day to day is renu∣ed in grace and augmēted:* 1.72 nor yet shal euer perish, or haue an ende, but euer immortall shall liue with Christ. To the which life all that beleue in him shal come, and rest in eter∣nall glory. Amen.

When the Bishoppes wyth their complices had accu∣sed this innocent man in manner and fourme aforesayde, incōtinently they condēned him to be burnt as an heretik, not hauing respect to hys godly answers and true reasons which he alleaged, nor yet to their owne consciences, thin∣king verelye that they shoulde doe to God good sacrifice, conformable to the sayings of S. Iohn:* 1.73 They shal excommu∣nicate you: yea, and the time shal come, that he which killeth you, shall thinke that he hath done to God good seruice.

Notes

• * 1.1

  M. Wyseharte•• aunswere.
• * 1.2

  Three causes why M. Wyse∣hart deserued to be heard.
• * 1.3

  The 2. cause.
• * 1.4

  The 3. cause.
• * 1.5

  M. Wysehartes doctrine.
• * 1.6

  The cry of the Scribes & Pha∣riseis.
• * 1.7

  M. Wyseharte appealeth to the Gouernour.
• * 1.8

  The style and titles of the Archb. of Saint Andrewes.
• * 1.9

  The wordes of the people a∣gaynst the L. Gouernour.
• * 1.10

  1. Article.
• * 1.11

  Aunswere.
• * 1.12

  Act. 5.
• * 1.13

  Malach. 2.
• * 1.14

  2. Article.
• * 1.15

  Aunswere.
• * 1.16

  3. Articl••▪
• * 1.17

  Aunswe••••▪
• * 1.18

  Of the 7▪ Sacrame••••▪
• * 1.19

  4. Articl••▪
• * 1.20

  Aunswe••••▪
• * 1.21

  Confess•••••• what it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it ought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be mad••▪
• * 1.22

  Iames. 3.
• * 1.23

  5. Articl••▪
• * 1.24

  Aunsw••••••▪
• * 1.25

  Baptis•••• how nec••••sary it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be know•• of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Confir••••••tion 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Ex 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.26

  6. Artic••••▪
• * 1.27

  Aunsw••••••▪
• * 1.28

  The Pa••pistes re••proued lyers a•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vse of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sacram•••••• of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• * 1.29

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a Iew••▪
• * 1.30

  The pri••••••••pall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from C••••••••stianity▪
• * 1.31

  Images▪
• * 1.32

  The Sa••••••••ment of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 altar.
• * 1.33

  7. Articl••▪
• * 1.34

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.35

  Aunswere.
• * 1.36

  ••. Article.
• * 1.37

  Aunswere.
• * 1.38

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.39

  Rom. 1.
• * 1.40

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.41

  ••••. Article
• * 1.42

  Aunswere.
• * 1.43

  Iohn. 8.
• * 1.44

  11. Article.
• * 1.45

  Aunswere.
• * 1.46

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1.
• * 1.47

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.48

  The crea∣••••re doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sanctify without the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.49

  12. Article
• * 1.50

  ••••nswere.
• * 1.51

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 honour 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God is 〈…〉〈…〉. 4.
• * 1.52

  〈…〉〈…〉 to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.53

  13. Article.
• * 1.54

  Aunswere.
• * 1.55

  Purgatory not once named in Scripture.
• * 1.56

  14. Article.
• * 1.57

  Aunswere.
• * 1.58

  Math. 13.
• * 1.59

  Three kindes of chast men. The daūger of vnchastitye.
• * 1.60

  15. Article.
• * 1.61

  Aunswere.
• * 1.62

  They runne a••pase to shedde bloud.
• * 1.63

  Iohn Grayfinde Scot, an hastye butcher to his slaughter.
• * 1.64

  16. Article.
• * 1.65

  Aunswere.
• * 1.66

  3. Reg. 8. Iob. 11.
• * 1.67

  Whereunto Churches should serue.
• * 1.68

  17. Article.
• * 1.69

  Answeare. True fasting he alloweth.
• * 1.70

  18. Article.
• * 1.71

  Aunswere.
• * 1.72

  The faithfull soule shall ne∣uer sleepe.
• * 1.73

  Iohn. 16.