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 history and martyrdome of Laurence Saun∣ders, burned for the defence of the Gospell at Couentry. An. 1555. February 8.

AFter that Queene Mary by publicke proclamation in the first yeare of her raigne, had inhibited the sincere preaching of Gods holy word, as is before declared, dy∣uers godly Ministers of the word which had the cure and charge of soules committed to them, did notwithstanding according to their bounden duty, feede their flocke fayth∣fully, not as Preachers authorized by publicke authoritye (as the godly order of the Realme was in the happy daies of blessed King Edwarde) but as the priuate pastors of particular flockes, among whome, Laurence Saunders was one, a man of worshipfull parentage. His bringing vp was in learning from his youth, in places meete for that purpose, as namely, in the schoole of Eaton. From whence (according to the manner there vsed) he was cho∣sen to go to the Kings Colledge in Cambridge, where he continued scholler of the Colledge three whole yeares, and there profited in knowledge, and learning very much for that time: shortly after that, he did forsake the Uniuersitie, and went to his parents, vpon whose aduise he minded to become a Merchaunt, for that his mother was a Gentle∣woman of good estimation, being left a widdow, and ha∣uing a good portion for him among his other brethren, she thought to set him vp welthely, and so he comming vp to London, was bound prentise with a Marchaunt, named Sir William Chester (who afterward chanced to be She∣riffe of London the same yeare that Saunders was bur∣ned at Couentry.) Thus by the minde of his frends Lau∣rence should needes haue bene a Marchant, but almighty God which hath his secret working in all things, saw bet∣ter for his seruant, as it fell out in the end, for although that Saunders was bound by fast indenture to play the Mar∣chant, yet the Lord so wrought inwardly in his hart, that he could find no liking in that vocation: so that when hys other fellowes were busily occupied about that kinde of trade, he would secretly withdraw himselfe into some pri∣uy corner, and there fall into his solitary lamentations, as

one not liking with that kind and trade of life.

It hapned that his maister, being a good man, and hea∣ring his prentise thus in his secret prayers inwardely to moorne by himselfe, called him vnto him, to knowe what the cause was of that his solitarines and lamentation, who then perceiuing his minde nothing to fantasie that kind of life, (for so Saunders declared vnto him) and per∣ceauing also his whole purpose to be bent to the study of his booke, and spirituall contemplation, like a good man, directed his letters incontinently vnto his frends, and ge∣uing him his Indenture, so set him free, And thus Lau∣rence Saunders being rauished with the loue of learning, and especially with the reading of Gods word, taryed not long time in the trafficke of marchandise, but shortly re∣turned to Cambridge againe to his study, where he began to couple to the knowledge of the Latin, the study of the Greeke tongue, wherein he profited in small time very much: Therewith also he ioyned the study of the Hebrue. Then gaue he himselfe wholy to the study of the holy scrip∣ture, to furnish himselfe to the office of a Preacher.

In study he was diligent and paynefull, in godly life he declared the fruites of a well exercised conscience, he pray∣ed often and with great feruour, and in his praiers as also at other times, hee had hys parte of spirituall exercises, which his harty sighing to God declared. In which when any speciall assaulte did come, by prayer he felt presente re∣liefe: then was his company marueilous comfortable. For as his exercises were speciall teachinges, so in the ende they proued singular consolations: wherein he became so expert, that within short space he was able to comforte o∣ther which were in any affliction, by the cōsolation wher∣with the Lord did comfort him. Thus continued he in the Uniuersitie, till he proceeded Maister of Arte, and a long space after.

In the beginning of K. Edwards raigne, when Gods true religion was begon to be restored, after licence ob∣teined, he began to preach, and was so well liked of them which then had authoritie, that they appointed him to read a Diuinitie lecture in the Colledge at Fothringa, where by doctrine and life he edified the godly, drew many igno∣raunt to Gods true knowledge, and stopped the mouth of the aduersaries. He marryed about that time, and in the marryed estate led a life vnblameable before all men. The Colledge of Fothringa being dissolued, he was placed to be reader in the Minster at Lichefield: where he so beha∣ued himselfe in teaching and liuing, that the very aduersa∣ries did geue him a full report as well of learning, as of much godlines. After a certaine space, he departed from Lichfield to a benefice in Leicester shyre, called Church∣langton, wherupon he keeping residence, taught diligent∣ly, and kept a liberall house. From thence he was orderly called to take a benefice in the Citie of London, named Al∣hallowes in Breadstreete. Then minded he to geue ouer his Cure in the Countrey: and therefore after he had taken possession of his benefice in London, he departed from London into the Countrey, clearely to discharge hymselfe thereof. And euen at that time began the broyle aboute the clayme that Queene Mary made to the Crowne, by rea∣son whereof he could not accomplish his purpose.

In thys trouble, and euen among the begynners of it, (suche I meane as were for the Queene) he preached at Northampton, nothing medling with the estate, but bold∣ly vttered his conscience against Popish doctrine and An∣tichrists damnable errours, which were like to spring vp agayne in England as a iust plague for the little loue which the English nation did beare to the blessed word of God, which had bene so plentifully offred vnto them. The Queenes men which were there and heard him, were highly displeased with him for his Sermon, and for it kept him among them as prisoner. But partly for loue of hys brethren & frends, which were chiefe doers for the Quene among them, partly because there was no lawe broken by his preaching, they dismissed him. He seeing the dreadfull dayes at hand, inflamed with the fire of godly zeale, prea∣ched with diligence at both those benefices, as tyme coulde serue him, seeing he could resigne neither of them now, but into the hand of a Papist.

Thus passed he to and fro in preaching, vntill that pro∣clamation was put forth, of which mention is made in the beginning. At which tyme he was at his benefice in the countrey, where he (notwithstanding the proclamation a∣foresayd) taught diligently Gods truth, confirming y^e peo∣ple therin, and arming them against false doctrine, vntill he was not only commaunded to cease, but also with force resisted, so that he could not proceede there in preaching. Some of his frends perceiuing such fearefull manassings, counseled him to flie out of the realme, which he refused to do. But seing he was with violence kept from doing good in that place, he returned towardes London, to vysite the flocke, of which he had there the charge.

On Saterday, the 14. of October, as he was comming nigh to the Citie of London, Sir Iohn Mordant a Coū∣sellour to Queene Mary, did ouertake him, & asked him whether he went. I haue (sayd Saunders) a cure in Lon∣don, and now I go to instruct my people according to my duety. If you wil follow my councell, quoth M. Mordant let them alone, and come not at them. To this Saunders aunswered: how shall I then be discharged before God, if any be sick and desire consolation, if any want good coun∣sell & neede instruction, or if any should slipp into errour & receaue false doctrine? Did not you, quoth Mordāt preach such a day, and named the day, in Breadstreet in London? Yes verely, sayd Saunders, that same is my cure. I heard you my self, quoth M. Mordant: and will you preach now there agayne? If it please you sayde Saunders, to morow you may heare me agayne in that same place, where I wil confirme by the authoritie of Gods worde, all that I sayd then, and whatsoeuer before that time I taught them.

I would counsell you (quoth the other) not to preache. If you can and will forbid me by lawfull authoritie, then must I obey, sayde Saunders. Nay quoth hee, I will not forbid you, but I doe geue you counsell. And thus entred they both the Cittie, & departed eche from other. M. Mor∣dant of an vncharitable minde, went to geue warning to Boner Bishop of London, y^t Saunders woulde preach in his Cure the next day. Saunders resorted to his lodging, w^t a minde bent to doe his duety. Where because he seemed to be somewhat troubled, one which was there about him asked him how he did. In very deede (sayth hee) I am in prison till I be in prison: meaning that his minde was vnquiet vntill he had preached, and that then hee shoulde haue quietnes of minde, though he were put in prison.

The next day whiche was Sonday, in the forenone he made a sermon in his parish, entreating that place whiche Paule writeth to the Corinthians: I haue coupled you to one man, that ye shoulde make your selues a chast Virgine vnto Christ. But I feare lest it come to passe, that as the Serpent be∣guiled Eue: euen so your wittes should be corrupt from the sin∣glenes which ye had towardes Christ. He recited a summe of that true Christian doctrine, through whiche they were coupled to Christ, to receiue of him free iustification tho∣rough fayth in his bloud. The Papisticall doctrine hee compared to the Serpentes deceiuing, and lest they shuld be deceiued by it, he made a comparison betweene y^e voice of God, and the voice of the Popish Serpent: descending to more particular declaratiō therof, as it were to let them plainely see the difference that is betweene the order of the Church seruice set forth by king Edward in the Englishe tongue: comparing it with the popish seruice then vsed in the Latine tongue.

The first he sayd was good, because it was accordyng to the worde of God. Corinth. 14. and the order of the pri∣matiue Church. The other he sayd was euill, and though in that euill hee intermingled some good Latine wordes: yet was it but as a little hony or milke mingled with a great deale of poyson, to make them to drinke vp al. This was the summe of hys sermon.

In the after noone hee was ready in his Churche to haue geuen an other exhortation to his people. But the B. of London interrupted him by sending an officer for hym. This officer charged him vpon the payne of disobedience and contumacie, forthwith to come to the Bishop his mai∣ster. Thus, as the Apostles were brought out of the Tem∣ple where they were teaching, vnto the rulers of y^e priests so was Laurence Saunders brought before this Byshop in his Pallace of London, who had in his company the a∣forenamed Sir Iohn Mordant & some of his Chapleins. The bishop layd no more to Laurence Saunders charge but treason for breaking the Queenes proclamation, he∣resie and sedition for his Sermon.

The treason, and sedition, his charitie was content to let slip, vntill an other time. But an hereticke hee woulde now proue him and all those, he sayd, which did teach and beleue that the administration of the Sacramentes and al orders of the Church are most pure, which doe come most nigh to the order of the primitiue Church. For the Church was then but in her infancie, and could not abide that per∣fection whiche was afterward to be furnished with cere∣monies. And for this cause Christ himselfe, & after hym the Apostles did in many thinges beare with the rudenes of y^e Church. To this Laurence Saūders answered w^t the au∣thoritie of S. Augustine, that ceremonies were euen from the beginning inuented and ordayned for the rude infancy & weake infirmitie of man, and therefore it was a token of the more perfection of the primitiue Church, y^t it had fewe ceremonies, and of the rudenes of the Church Papisticall▪

because it had so many ceremonies, partly blasphemous, partly vnsauery and vnprofitable.

After much talke had concerning this matter, the By∣shop willed him to write what he beleeued of transubstan∣tiation. Laurence Saunders did so, saying: My Lorde, ye do seeke my bloud, and ye shall haue it: I pray God that ye may be so baptised in it, that ye may therafter loath bloud-sucking, and become a better man. This writing the By∣shop kept for his purpose, euen to cut the writers throate, as shall appeare heereafter. The Byshop when he had his will, sent Laurence Saunders to the Lord Chauncellour, as Annas sent Christ to Cayphas: and lyke fauour found Saunders as Christ his Mayster did before him. But the Chauncellour beeing not at home, Saunders was con∣strayned to tary for him by the space of foure houres, in the vtter chamber, where he found a Chaplein of the Bishops very merily disposed with certeine Gentlemen playing at the Tables, with diuers other of the same family or house, occupied there in the same exercise.

All this time Saunders stood very modestly and soberly at the screene or Cupbord, bareheaded, Syr Iohn Mor∣dant his guide or leader walking vp and downe by hym: who (as I sayd before) was then one of the Counsell. At the last, the Byshop returned from the Court, whome, as soone as he was entred, a great many suters met and recei∣ued: so that, before he could get out of one house into ano∣ther, halfe an hour was passed. At the last, he came into the chamber where Saunders was, and went through into another chamber: where in the meane way Saunders lea∣der gaue him a writing containing the cause, or rather the accusation of the sayd Saunders, which when he had per∣vsed, where is the man, sayd the Byshop? Then Saun∣ders being brought forth to the place of examination, first, most lowly and meekely kneeled downe, and made curte∣sie before the table where the Byshop did sit: Unto whom the Byshop spake on this wise.

How hapneth it (sayd he) that notwithstandyng the Queenes Proclamation to the contrary, you haue enter∣prised to preach?

Saunders denyed that he dyd preache: Saying, that for so much as he saw the perilious tymes now at hande, he did but (according as he was admonished, and warned by Ezechiel the Prophet,) exhort his flocke and Parishio∣ners to perseuer and stand stedfastly, in the doctrine which they had learned, saying also, that he was moued and pric∣ked forward thereunto by that place of the Apostle where∣in he was commaunded rather to obey God then man: and moreouer, that nothing more moued or stirred hym thereunto, then his owne conscience.

A goodly conscience surely sayd the Byshop. This your conscience could make our Queene a Bastard or misbe∣gotten: Would it not I pray you?

Then sayd Saunders, we (sayd he) do not declare or say that the Queene is base or misbegotten, neither go aboute any such matter. But for that let them care whose writings are yet in the hands of men, witnessing the same, not with∣out the great reproch and shame of the Authour: priuely taunting the Byshop hymselfe, which had before (to get the fauour of Henry 8.) written and set foorth in print a booke of true obedience, wherein he had openly declared Queene Mary to be a Bastard. Now M. Saunders go∣ing forwards in his purpose, sayd: We do only professe and teach the sinceritie and puritie of the word, the which albeit it be now forbidden vs to preache with our mouthes, yet notwithstanding I do not doubt, but that our bloud here∣after shall manifest the same. The Byshop being in thys sort pretily nipped and touched, said: Cary away this fren∣sie foole to prison. Unto whome M. Saunders aunswe∣red, that he did geue God thankes which had geuen hym at the last, a place of rest and quietnesse, where as he might pray for the Byshops conuersion.

Furthermore, he that did lye with him afterwardes in prison in the same bed, reported that he heard him say that euen in the time of his examination, he was wonderfully comforted, in so much as not only in spirite, but also in bo∣dy, he receaued a certayne taste of that holy communion of Saincts, whilest a most pleasant refreshing did issue from euery part and member of the body vnto the seate & place of the hart, and from thence did ebbe and flow to and fro, vnto all the partes againe.

This Saunders continued in prison a whole yeare and 3. moneths. In all which space he sent diuers letters to di∣uers men: as one to Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer: and other to his wife and also to others, certifying them both of the publike calamitie of the time, and also of his priuate afflictions, and of sondry his conflictes with his aduersa∣ries: As in writing to his friend, he speaketh of Weston conferring with him in prison, whereof you shall heare a∣none (by the leaue of the Lorde) as followeth in the story. In the meane time the Chauncellor, after this little talke with M. Saunders (as is aforesaid) sent him to the prison of the Marshalsey, &c. For the Caiphas (Winchester I meane) did nothing but bayte him with some of his cur∣rish eloquence, and so committed him to the prison of the Marshalsey, where he was kept prisoner one whole yeare and a quarter. But of his cause and estate, thou shalt nowe see, what Laurence Saunders himselfe did write.

Notes

• February. 8.
• The story of Laurence Saū∣ders, Martyr.
• Scholers are ta∣ken out of Eton Colledge into the kinges Col∣ledge at Cam∣bridge.
• M. Saun∣ders first bound prē∣tise with M. Chester.
• 〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• M. Saun∣ders reader in the Col∣ledge of Fothringa.
• Saunders after reader at Lichfield.
• The constāt 〈…〉〈…〉 Sa••ders.
• ••. Saunders 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ••eal••e.
• M. Mordant disswadeth Lau∣rence Saunders from preaching.
• M. Saunders 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prison, till he was in prison.
• M. Saunders sermon at Al∣hallowes. 2. Cor. 11.
• M. Saunders ap∣prehended by B. Boner at his sermon. Sir Iohn Mor∣dant accuser of L. Saunders. Preaching of Gods word, made treason with Bishop Boner.
• Ceremonies in∣uented onely for weake infir∣mitie.
• B. Boner sek••th the bloud of M. Saunders.
• M. Saunders sen•• from An∣nas to Cayphas.
• Wichesters talk with M. Saun∣ders.
• M. Saunders an∣swere to M. Winchester.
• Winchester.
• M. Saunders.
• A priuy nippe to Winchester.
• Winchesters booke de vera obedientia.
• Note how Win¦chester confu∣teth M. Saun∣ders.
• A notable ex∣ample of the Lord comfor∣ting his ser∣uauntes in their troubles.
• M. Saunders in prison a yeare and 3. monthes.