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 Acte of the fourth day.

* 1.1ON the Wednesday the xxv. of Octob. Ioh. Philpot, as it was before appointed, was redy to haue entred the disputation, mynding first to haue made a certaine Orati∣on, and a true declaration in Latine of the matter of Chri∣stes presence, which was then in question. Which thing the Prolocutor perceiuyng, by and by he forbade Philpot to make any Oration or declaration of any matter, comman∣ding him also, that he should make no argument in Latin but to conclude on his arguments in English.

* 1.2Then said Philpot, this is contrary to your order takē at the beginning of this disputatiō. For then you appoin∣ted that all the arguments should be made in Latine, and thereupon I haue drawn and deuised all myne argumēts in Latine. And because you M. Prolocutor haue said here∣tofore openly in this house, that I had no learning, I had thoght to haue shewed such learning as I haue, in a briefe Oration and short declaration of the questions now in cō∣trouersie, thinking it so most conuenient also, that in case I should speake otherwise in my declaration then should stand with learnyng, or then I were able to warrant and iustifie by gods word, it might the better be refourmed by such as were learned of the house, so that the vnlerned sort beyng present, might take the lesse offence therat. But this allegation preuayled nothyng with the Prolocutor, who bade hym still forme an argument in Englishe, or els to hold hys peace.

Then sayd Philpot, You haue sore disappoynted me, thus sodenly to go from your former order: but I will ac∣complish your commandement, leauyng myne oration a∣part: and I wil come to my arguments, the which as wel as so sodaine a warnyng will serue, I will make in Eng∣lish.* 1.3 But before I bring forth any argument, I will in one word declare what maner of presence I disallow in the sa∣crament, to the intent y^e hearers may the better vnderstand to what end & effect myne arguments shal tend: not to de∣ny vtterly the presence of Christ in his Sacrament truely ministred according to his institution, but onely to deny that grosse & carnal presence which you of this house haue alredy subscribed vnto, to be in the sacrament of the aultar contrary to the true & manifest meaning of the scriptures:* 1.4 that by Transubstantiation of the sacramentall bread and wyne, Christes naturall body should by the vertue of the words pronounced by the Priest, be conteyned and inclu∣ded vnder the formes or accidences of bread & wyne. This kind of presence imagined by men, I do deny, quoth Phil∣pot, and agaynst this I wyll reason. But before he could make an end of that he would haue sayd, he was interrup∣ted of the Prolocutor, and commaunded to descend to hys argument. At whose vniust importunitie Philpot beyng offended, and thinkyng to purchase hym a remedy there∣fore,* 1.5 he fell downe vpon hys knees before the Earles and Lordes which were there present, beyng a great number: wherof some were of the Queenes counsaile, beseechyng them that he might haue libertie to prosecute hys argu∣ments without interruption of any man: the which was gently graunted hym of the Lordes. But the Prolocutor puttyng in vre a poynt of the practise of Prelates, would not condescend therunto, but still cryed: hold your peace, or els make a short argument. I am about it, quoth Phil∣pot, if you would let me alone. But first I must needes aske a question of my Respondent (who was D. Chedsey) concerning a word or twaine of your supposition, that is, of the sacrament of the aultar, what he meaneth thereby, and whether he take it as some of the ancient writers doe,* 1.6 termyng the Lordes Supper the Sacrament of the aultar partly because it is a Sacrament of that liuelye sacrifice which Christ offered for our sinnes vpon the aultar of the Crosse, and partly because that Christes body crucified for vs, was that bloudy sacrifice which the bloudsheddyng of all the beastes offered vpon the aultar in the old lawe, dyd prefigurate and signify vnto vs: in signification whereof the old writers sometime do call the Sacrament of the bo∣dy and bloud of Christ, among other names which they ascribe there vnto the sacrament of the aultar, or whether you take it otherwyse, as for the sacrament of the aultare, which is made of lime and stone, ouer the which the sacra∣ment hangeth, and to be all one with the sacrament of the Masse, as it is at this present in many places. This done, I wyll direct mine arguments according as your answer shall geue me occasion.

Then made D. Chedsey this answer,* 1.7 that in their sup∣position they tooke the sacrament of the aultar, and the sa∣crament of the Masse to be all one.

Then quoth Philpot, I wyll speake plaine English, as M. Prolocutor willeth me, and make a short resolutiō therof: that the sacrament of the aultar which ye recken to be all one with the masse, once iustly abolished, & now put in full vse agayne, is no sacrament at all, neither is Christ in any wyse present in it: and this his sayeng he offred to prooue before the whole house, if they listed to cal him ther∣unto: and likewyse offered to vouche the same before the Queenes grace, & her most honourable Counsaile, before the face of vj. of the best learned men of the house of the con∣trary opinion, and refused none. And if I shall not be able (quoth he) to maintayne by Gods word that I haue said, & confound those vj. which shall take vpon them to with∣stand me in this poynt, let me be burned with as many fa∣gots as be in London, before the court gates. This he vt∣tred with great vehemency of spirit.

At this the Prolocutor with diuers other, were very much offended, demanding of hym whether he wist what he sayd, or no? Yea, quoth Philpot, I wote well what I say, desiring no mā to be offended with his saying, for that he spake no more thē by gods word he was able to proue.* 1.8 And praysed be God, quoth he, that the Queenes grace, hath granted vs of this house (as our Prolocutor hath in∣formed vs) that wee may freely vtter our consciences in these matters of controuersie in Religion: and therfore I will speake here my conscience freely grounded vpō gods holy worde for the truth, albeit some of you here present mislike the same.

Then diuers of the house beside the Prolocutor, taun∣ted & reprehended hym for speaking so vnfaringly against the Sacrament of the Masse:* 1.9 and the Prolocutor sayd he was mad, & threatned hym that he would send hym to pri∣son, if he would not cease hys speakyng.

Philpot seeyng hymselfe thus abused,* 1.10 & not permitted with free liberty to declare his mynd, fel into an exclama∣tion, castyng his eyes vp towards the heauen, and said, O Lord what a world is this, that the truth of thy holy word may not be spoken & abidden by? and for very sorrow and heauines, the teares trickled out of hys eyes.

After this, the Prolocutor beyng moued by some that were about hym,* 1.11 was content that he should make an ar∣gument, so that he would be briefe therein. I wyll be as briefe, quoth Philpot, as I may conueniently be in vtte∣ryng all that I haue to say. And first I wil begin to groūd myne arguments vpon the authority of scriptures, wher∣upon all the buildyng of our fayth ought to be grounded: & after I shall confirme the same by ancient doctors of the church. And I take the occasion of my first argument out of the 28. of Mathew,* 1.12 of the sayeng of the angell to the th••e Maries sekyng Christ at the sepulchre, sayeng: He is risen, he is not here: and in S. Luke in the 23. chap. the angell as∣keth thē, why they sought hym that lyueth among y^e dead.* 1.13 Likewyse the scripture testifieth that Christ is risen, ascē∣ded into heauen, and sitteth on the right hand of y^e father: all the which is spoken of hys naturall body: Ergo, it is not on earth included in the sacrament.

I will confirme this yet more effectually by the sayeng of Christ, in the 16. of S. Iohn:* 1.14 I came (sayth Christ) from my father into the world, and now I leaue the world, and goe a∣way to my father. The which commyng and goyng he ment of hys naturall body. Therfore we may affirme thereby, that it is not now in the world.

But I looke here (quoth he) to be aunswered wyth a blynd distinction of visibly and inuisibly,* 1.15 that he is visibly departed in his humanitie, but inuisibly he remaineth, not withstanding in the sacrament. But that answer I preuēt my selfe, that w^t more expedition I may descend to the pith of myne arguments, whereof I haue a dosen to propose, & will proue that no such distinction ought to take away the force of that argument, by the answer which Christes dis∣ciples gaue vnto hym, speakyng these words: Nowe thou speakest plainly, and vttrest forth no Prouerbe.* 1.16 Which wordes S. Cyrill interpretyng, sayth: That Christ spake without any maner of ambiguitie, or obscure speach. And therefore I con∣clude hereby thus, that if Christ spake plainely & without parable, saying: I leaue the world now, and goe away to my father, then that obscure, darke, & inperceptible presence of Christes natural body to remayne in the sacrament vpon earth inuisibly, contrary to the playne wordes of Christ, ought not to be allowed. For nothing can be more vncer∣tain, or more parabolical & vnsensible, then so to say. Here now will I attend what you will answer, & so descend to the confirmation of all that I haue said, by anciēt writers.

Then D. Chedsey reciting his argument in such order as it was made,* 1.17 tooke vpon him to answere seuerally to e∣uery parte therefore on this wise. First to the saying of the Angell,* 1.18 That Christ is not heere: And why seeke yee the liuing a∣mong the dead? He answeared, that these sayings pertained nothing to the presence of Christes naturall body in the sa∣crament, but that they were spoken of Christes body being in the Sepulchree when the three Maries thought hym to haue bene in the graue still. And therfore the Angell sayde: Why doe yee seeke him that liueth, among the deade? And to the authoritie of the 16. of Iohn where Christ saith: Now I leaue the worlde, and goe to my Father. Hee meant that of hys As∣cension. And so likewise did Cyril, interpreating the saying of the disciples that knewe plainly that Christ would visi∣bly ascend into heauen, but that doeth not exclude the inui∣sible presence of his naturall body in the Sacrament. For S. Chrysostome wryting to the people of Antioche, doeth af∣firm the same, comparing Helias and Christ together, and Helias cloake vnto Christes flesh.* 1.19 Helias (quoth he) when he was taken vppe in the fierie chariote, leaft his cloake behinde him vnto his disciple Helisaeus. But Christe ascending into heauen, tooke his flesh with him, and left also his flesh behind him. Wher∣by we may right well gather, that Christes flesh is visibly ascended into heauen, and inuisibly abideth still in the Sa∣crament of the altare.

To this Philpot replied, and said, you haue not direct∣ly answeared to the saying of the angel: Christ is risen, and is not heere, because you haue omitted that which was y^e chie∣fest poynt of all.* 1.20 For (sayd he) I proceeded further, as thus: He is risen, ascended, and sitteth at the right hande of God the father: Ergo, he is not remaining on the earth. Neither is your answere to Cyril, by me alleaged, sufficient. But by and by I will returne to your interpretation of Cyrill, and more plainly declare the same, after that I haue first refel∣led the authority of Chrysostome, which is one of your chief Principles that you alleaged to make for your grosse car∣nall presence in the sacrament. Which being wel weied and vnderstanded, pertaineth nothing thereunto.

At that the Prolocutour startled, that one of the chiefe pillers in this point should be ouerthrowen, & therfore re∣cited the sayd authoritie in Latine first, & afterward Engli∣shed the same, wyllinge all that were present, to note that saying of Chrysostome, which he thought inuincible on their side. But I shall make it appeare, quoth Philpot, by and by to make litle for your purpose. And as he was about to declare his minde in that behalfe, the Prolocutor did inter∣rupt him as he did, almost continually. Wherwith Philpot not being content,* 1.21 said: Master Prolocutour thinketh that he is in a Sophistrie schoole, where he knoweth right well the maner is, that when the Respondent perceiueth that he is like to be inforced with an argument to the which he is not able to answer, then he doth what he can with cauilla∣tion & interruption to driue him from the same. This say∣ing of Philpot was ill taken of the Prolocutor and his ad∣herents: and the Prolocutor said, that Philpot could bring nothing to auoid that authoritie, but his owne vaine ima∣gination. Heare quoth Philpot, and afterward iudge. For I wil do in this as al other authorities wherwith you shal charge me in refelling any of my argumentes that I haue to prosecute, answearing either vnto the same by sufficient authorities of scripture, or els by some other testimonye of like authoritie to yours, & not of mine owne imagination: the which if I doe, I will it to be of no credite. And concer∣ning the saying of Chrysostom, I haue 2. wayes to beat him from your purpose, the one oute of Scripture, the other of Chrysostome him selfe, in the place here by you alleaged.

First, where hee seemeth to say, that Christe ascending, tooke hys flesh with him,* 1.22 and least also hys flesh behinde him, truth it is: for we all do confesse and beleue that Christ tooke on hym oure humane nature in the virgine Maryes wombe, and through his passyon in the same, hath vnyted vs to hys flesh, and thereby are we become one fleshe with him, so that Chrysostome might therfore right well say, that Christ ascending tooke his fleshe which hee receiued of the virgin Mary, away with him: and also left his flesh behind him, which are we that be his electe in this worlde, whych are the mēbers of Christ, and flesh of his flesh: as very apt∣ly S. Paul to the Ephes. in the 5. chap. doth testifie, saying: We are flesh of his flesh, and bones of his bones. And if percase any man will reply, that he entreateth there of the Sacra∣ment, so that this interpretation can not so aptly be appli∣ed vnto him in that place,* 1.23 then will I yet interprete Chry∣sostome an other way by himselfe. For in that place a fewe lines before those woordes, whyche were heere no rather read, are these woordes: that Christe after hee Ascended in∣to heauē, lea••t vnto vs indued w^t his Sacramēts, his flesh in mysteries, that is, Sacramentally. And that mysticall flesh Christ leaueth as well to his Churche in the Sacra∣ment of Baptisme, as in the sacramentall bread and wine. And that S. Paul iustly doth witnes, saying: As many of vs as are baptised in Christ, haue put vpon vs Christ.* 1.24 And thus you maye vnderstande that S. Chrysostome maketh nothyng for your carnall and grosse presence in the Sacrament, as you wrongfully take him.

Nowe in this meane while M. Pye rounded the Pro∣locutor in the eare to put Philpot to silence and to appoint some other, mistrusting lest he would shrodely shake theyr carnal presence in cōclusion, if he held on long, seeing in the beginning he gaue one of their chiefe foundations suche a plucke. Then the Prolocutor sayde to Philpot,* 1.25 that he had reasoned sufficiently enough, & that some other shuld now supply his rowme. Wherwith he was not wel cōtent, say∣ing: Why sir, I haue a dosen Argumentes concerning this matter to be proposed, and I haue not yet scarce ouergone my first Argument: for I haue not brought in any confir∣mation therof out of any auncient wryter (whereof I haue for the same purpose manye) beinge hitherto still letted by your oft interrupting of me.

Wel, quoth y^e Prolocutor, you shal speake no more now, and I commaund you to holde your peace. You perceyue, quoth Philpot, that I haue stuffe enoughe for you, and am able to withstand your false supposition, and therefore you commaund me to silence. If you will not geue place, quoth y^e Prolocutor, I wil send you to prison. This is not,* 1.26 quoth Philpot, accordinge to youre promise made in this house, nor yet according to your brag made at Paules crosse, that men should be answeared in this disputation, to whatsoe∣uer they cā say, since you wil not suffer me of a dosen argu∣ments to prosecute one.

Then M. Pie tooke vpon him to promise that he shuld be answeared an other day. Philpot seeing he myghte not proceede in hys purpose, being therewith iustly offended, ended, saying thus: A sort of you here, which hitherto haue lurked in corners, and dissembled with God & the worlde, are nowe gathered together to suppresse the sincere truthe of Gods holy woorde, and to sette foorth euerye false deuise, which by the Catholike doctrine of the Scripture, yee are not able to maintaine.

Then stepped forth M. Elmar Chapleine to the Duke of Suffolke:* 1.27 whome M. Moreman tooke vpon him to an∣sweare. Against whō M. Elmar obiected diuers and sun∣dry authorities for the confirming of the argument he toke the day before in hand to proue, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the sentence of Theodoret brought in by M. Cheiney,* 1.28 must needes signifie substance, and not accidence. Whose reasons and approba∣tions, because they were all grounded and broughte out of the Greeke I doe passe ouer, for that they want theyr grace in English, and also their proper vnderstanding.* 1.29 But hys allegations so incombred M. Moreman, that hee desired a day to oueruiew them, for at that instant he was wythout a conuenient answeare.

Then did the Prolocutor cal M. Haddon deane of Exe∣ter, & Chaplaine to the Duke of Suffolke,* 1.30 who prosecuted Theodoretes authoritie in confirminge M. Elmars argu∣ment. To whom D. Watson tooke vpon hym to geue aun∣swer, who after long talk was so confounded, that he was not able to answer to the word Mysterium. But for as much as he seemed to doubt therein, M. Haddon tooke out of his bosome a Latine author to confirme his saying, & shewed the same to M. Watson, asking him whether he thought y^t translation to be true, or y^t the Printer were in any faulte.* 1.31 There may be a fault in the Printer, quoth Watson, for I am not remembred of this worde. Then did M. Haddon take out of his bosome a Greeke booke, wherin he shewed forth with his finger the same wordes, whiche M. Watson could not deny. His arguments further I omit to declare at large, because they were for the moste parte in Greeke, about the boulting out of the true signification of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Thē stept forth M. Perne,* 1.32 & in argument made decla∣ration of his minde against transubstātiation, & confirmed the sayings and authorities alleaged by M. Elmar & M. Haddon. To whome the Prolocutor answered, saying: I much maruel, M. Perne, that you wil say thus, for somuch as on friday last you subscribed to the contrary. Which hys saying master Elmar did mislike, saying to the Prolocutor that he was to blame so to reprehend any man,* 1.33 partlye for that this house (quoth he) is an house of free libertye for e∣uery man to speake his conscience, and partly for that you promised yester day, that notw^tstanding any man had sub∣scribed, yet he should haue free libertie to speake his mind. And for that the night did approche, and y^e time was spent, the Prolocutor geuing them praises for their learning, did yet notwythstanding conclude, that al reasoning set apart, the order of the holy churche must be receiued, & all thyngs must be ordered thereby.

Notes

• * 1.1

  M. Philpot not s••ffered by the Prolocutor to make his decla∣ration.
• * 1.2

  D. Weston con∣trary to his owne wordes.
• * 1.3

  The presence of Christ in the Sacrament dis∣tincted.

  The true presēce of Christ in the Sacrament not denyed.
• * 1.4

  The grosse pre∣sence of the Pa∣pistes denyed.
• * 1.5

  Philpot craueth of the Lordes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prosecute his ar∣gumentes with∣out interruptiō. Philpot agayne interrupted by the Prolocutor.
• * 1.6

  Altar diuersly taken.
• * 1.7

  Chadsey.
• * 1.8

  Philpots offer in the Conuocati•••• house.
• * 1.9

  The Prolo∣cutor thre••∣neth Phil••pot.
• * 1.10

  Argument a loco tro∣pico carce∣ris.
• * 1.11

  Philpot permitted to make •• briefe arg••••ment.
• * 1.12

  Math. 28▪ Luke. 13.
• * 1.13

  Argument of M. Philpot.
• * 1.14

  Iohn. 16.
• * 1.15

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 distinctio•• of the P••••pistes. Visibly. Inuisibly
• * 1.16

  Cyrill••••
• * 1.17

  Anno 1554.
• * 1.18

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.19

  Chrisost. ••d populum Antioch.
• * 1.20

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.21

  Philpot a∣••aine inter∣••upted by the Prolo∣cutor.
• * 1.22

  The Place ••f Chri∣••ostome of Christ ta∣••ing vp his ••••esh and leauing hys 〈◊〉〈◊〉, aun∣swered to by Philpot. How christ left his flesh ••••••inde him. Ephes. 5.
• * 1.23

  Chriso∣stome ex∣pounded by Chriso∣stome.
• * 1.24

  Gal. 3.
• * 1.25

  Weston.
• * 1.26

  A good soluti∣on for all his ar∣gumentes.
• * 1.27

  M. Elmar againe steppeth forth.
• * 1.28

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.29

  Moreman desi∣reth a day to i∣magine some crafty shift.
• * 1.30

  Watson confoū∣ded by M. Had∣don.
• * 1.31

  M. Watson for a bare shift put∣teth the fault in the Printer.
• * 1.32

  M. Pearne a∣gaynst transub∣stantiation.
• * 1.33

  D. Weston prai∣seth their lear∣ning to flatter them, but he an∣swereth not their argu∣mentes.