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 Articles of the Commons of Deuonshire and Cornewall sent to the king, with answer afterward followyng vnto the same.

FIrst,* 1.1 forasmuch as man except he be borne of water and the holy Ghost, cannot enter into the kingdom of God, and forasmuch as the gates of heauen be not opened with∣out this blessed Sacrament of Baptisme, therefore we will that our Curates shall minister this Sacrament at all tymes of neede, as well in the weeke dayes, as on the holy dayes.* 1.2

Item, we will haue our children confirmed of the Bish. whensoeuer we shal within the Dioces resort vnto him.* 1.3

Item, forasmuch as we constantly beleeue that after the Priest hath spoken the wordes of consecration beyng at Masse, there celebrating and consecrating the same, there is very really the body & bloud of our sauiour Iesu Christ God and man,* 1.4 and that no substance of bread and wine re∣maineth after, but the very selfe same body that was borne of the virgin Mary, and was geuen vpon the Crosse for our redemption: therfore we wil haue masse celebrated as it hath bene in tymes past, without any man communica∣tyng with the Priestes, forasmuch as many rudely presu∣ming vnworthily to receiue the same, put no difference be∣twene the Lordes body and other kind of meat, some say∣ing that it is bread before and after, some saying that it is profitable to no man except he receiue it, with many other abused termes.

Item, we will haue in our churches reseruation.

Item, we will haue holy bread and holy water in the remembrance of Christes precious body and bloud.* 1.5

Item, we will that our Priestes shall sing or say with an audible voyce, Gods seruice in the Quier of the parish churches,* 1.6 & not Gods seruice to bee set foorth like a Christ∣masse play.

Item, forasmuch as Priests be men dedicated to God, for ministring and celebrating the blessed sacraments and preachyng of Gods word,* 1.7 we will that they shal liue chast without Mariage, as S. Paule dyd, beyng the elect and chosen vessell of God, saying vnto all honest priests, be ye followers of me.

Item, we will that the vj. Articles, which our soue∣raigne Lord king Henry the 8. set forth in his latter days, shall be vsed and so taken as they were at that tyme.* 1.8

Item, we pray God saue king Edward, for we be his, both body and goods.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Arti∣cles of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ing and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Counsaile▪
• * 1.2

  1. Sacrament of Baptis••••
• * 1.3

  2. Confirmat••••on.
• * 1.4

  3. Consecra••••••on of the Lords bod••
• * 1.5

  4. Reseruati•••• of the Lor•• body cons••••crated.
• * 1.6

  5. Holy bre•••• and holy-water.
• * 1.7

  6. The single 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of ••riestes.
• * 1.8

  7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 6. 〈…〉〈…〉 to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉.