Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] 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.

Not angrie.

* 1.1Then foloweth: Not angrie. Surely if ouermuch paci∣ence may be a vice, this man maye seeme peraduenture to offend rather on this part then on the contrary. Albeit for all his doings I cannot say: for the most parte, suche was his mortification y^t way, that few we shal finde in whom the saying of our Sauiour Christ so much preuailed as w^t him, who would not onely haue a man to forgiue his en∣nemies, but also to pray for them: that lesson neuer went out of his memory. For it was knowen that he had many cruel ennemies, not for his owne deserts, but only for his religion sake: and yet what soeuer he was y^t either sought his hinderance, either in goods, estimation, or life, and vp∣on conference woulde seeme neuer so slenderly any thing to relent or excuse himself, he would both forget the offence committed, and also euermore afterwards frendly enter∣taine him, & shew such pleasure to him, as by any meanes possible he might performe or declare: In so muche that it came into a common prouerb: Do vnto my Lord of Can∣terb. displeasure or a shrewed turne, and then you may be sure to haue him your frende whiles he liueth. Of which his gentle disposition in abstaining from reuengement, amongst many examples thereof, I wil repeat heere one.

* 1.2It chaunced an ignoraunte Priest and parsone in the North parties, the Towne is not now in remembrance, but he was a kinsman of one Chersey a grocer, dwelling within London (being one of those priestes that vse more to studie at the alehouse, then in his chamber or in his stu∣die) to sit on a time with his honest neighbours at the ale∣house within his owne Parish, where was communica∣tion ministred in commendation of my Lorde Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. This said parson enuying his name only for Religion sake, sayd to his neighbors: what make you of him (quod he) he was but an Hostler,* 1.3 and hathe no more learning then the Goslings that goeth yonder on the greene, with suche like sclaunderous and vncomelye woordes. These honest neighbours of his, not well bea∣ring those his vnseemely woordes, articled against hym, and sent their complaint vnto the Lorde Cromwell, then Uicegerent in causes Ecclesiasticall, who sent for y^e priest, and cōmitted hym to the Fleete, minding to haue had him recant those his sclaunderous woordes at Paules Crosse. Howbeit, the Lord Cromwell hauing great affairs of the Prince then in hand, forgate his prisoner in the Flete: So that this Chersey y^e Grocer, vnderstanding that his kins∣manne was in duraunce in the Fleete, onely for speaking woordes against my Lord of Canterb. consulted wyth the Priest, and betwene them deuised to make sute rather vn∣to the Archbishoppe for his deliuerance, then to the Lord Cromwel, before whome he was accused: vnderstanding right well that there was greate diuersitie of natures be∣tweene those two estates, the one gentle and full of cle∣mencie, and the other seuere and somewhat intractable, namely against a Papist: So that Chersey tooke vppon him firste to trie my Lorde of Caunterburies benignitie, namely,* 1.4 for that his cousins accusation touched onely the offence against him and none other. Whereupon the sayde Chersey came to one of the Archbish. Gentlemen (whose father bought yearely all his spices and fruite of the sayde Chersey, and so thereby of familiar acquaintance with the Gentleman) who openinge to him the trouble wherein his kinsman was, requested that hee woulde be a meanes to my Lorde his maister, to heare his sute in the behalfe of his kinsman.

The matter was mooued. The Archbishop, like as he was of nature gentle, and of much clemencie, so woulde he neuer shewe him selfe straunge vnto suters, but incon∣tinently sent for the saide Chersey. When hee came before him, Chersey declared, that there was a kinsman of his in the Fleete, a Priest of the North countrey, and as I maye tell your grace the truth (quod Chersey) a man of small ci∣uilitie and of lesse learning. And yet he hath a personnage there, which now (by reason that my lord Cromwel hath laid him in prisone being in his cure) is vnserued, and hee hath continued in durance aboue 2. monethes, and is cal∣led to no answer, and knoweth not when he shall come to any ende, so that this his imprisonment cōsumeth his sub∣staunce, and will vtterly vndoe him, vnlesse your grace be his good Lord. I know not the mā (sayd the Archbishop) nor what he hath done, why he should be thus in trouble.

Said Chersey againe, hee onely hath offended against your grace, and against no man els, as maye well be per∣ceiued by y^e Articles obiected against him, the copie wher∣of the sayd Chersey then exhibited vnto the sayd Archb. of Canterbury. Who well perusing the sayd Articles, sayde: This is the common talke of all the ignorant Papisticall Priests in England against me. Surely, sayde he, I was neuer made priuie vnto this accusation, nor of his indu∣rance I neuer heard before this time. Notwithstanding,* 1.5 if there be nothing els to charge him withall against the Prince or any of the Counsail, I will at your request take order with him, and send him home againe to his cure to doe his duetie: and so therupon sent his ring to the War∣den of the Fleete, willing him to sende the prisonner vnto him, with his keeper at after noone.

When the keeper had brought the prisoner at the hour appoynted, and Chersey had well instructed his cousin in any wise to submit himselfe vnto the Archbishop, confes∣sing his fault, where by that way hee shoulde moste easely haue an ende and winne his fauour: thus the persone be∣ing brought into the garden at Lambeth, and there sitting vnder the vine, the Archbishop demaunded of the parsone what was the cause of his induraunce, and who commit∣ted him to the Fleete? The parsone answeared and sayde: that the Lord Cromwel sent him thether, for that certaine malicious parishioners of his parish, had wrongfully ac∣cused him of woordes which hee neuer spake nor meante. Chersey hearing his foolish cousin so farre out of the way from his former instruction, sayde: Thou dasterdly dolte and varlet, is this thy promise that thou madest to me? Is there not a great number of thy honest neighbors handes against thee, to prooue thee a lier? Surely my Lorde (quod Chersey) it is pitie to do him good. I am sorie that I haue troubled your grace thus farre with him.

Well, said the Archb. vnto the parsone,* 1.6 if you haue not offended me, I can doe you no good, for I am intreated to helpe one out of trouble that hath offended against me. If my Lord Cromwel hath committed you ••o prison wrōg∣fully, that lieth in himselfe to amende, and not in mee. If your offence onely toucheth me, I will be bold to do some what for your friendes sake heere. If you haue not offen∣ded against me, then haue I nothing to doe with you, but that you maye goe and remaine from whence you came. Lorde what adoe his kinsman Chersey made wyth him, calling him all kinde of opprobrious names. In the end my Lorde of Caunterburie seeming to rise and goe hys waies, the fond priest fell downe on his knees, and sayde: I beseeche your grace to forgeue me this offence: assuring your grace that I spake those woordes being druncke and not well aduised. Ah, said my Lord, this is somewhat,* 1.7 and yet it is no good excuse, for drunkennes euermore vttereth that which lieth hid in the heart of man when he is sober, alleadging a text or twaine out of the Scriptures concer∣ning the vice of drunckennesse, which commeth not nowe to remembraunce.

Now therfore (said the Archbishop) that you acknow∣ledge somewhat your fault, I am cōtent to common with you, hoping that you are at this present of an indifferent sobrietie. Tell me then, quod hee, did you euer see me, or were you euer acquainted with me before this day?* 1.8 The Priest answered and sayd, that neuer in his life he saw his grace. Why than (saide the Archbishop) what occasion had you to call me an Hostler: and y^t I had not so muche lear∣ning as the Goslings which then went on the greene be∣fore your face? If I haue no learning, you may nowe trye it, and be out of doubt thereof: therfore I pray you appose me, either in Grammer or in other liberall sciences, for I haue at one time or other tasted partly of them. Or els if you are a Diuine, say somewhat that way.

The priest being amased at my Lords familiar talke,* 1.9 made answere and sayd: I beseeche your grace to pardon me. I am altogether vnlearned, and vnderstand not the Latin toung but very simply. My onely studie hath bene to say my seruice and Masse, faire and deliberate, which I can do aswel as any priest in the countrey where I dwel, I thanke God. Well, said the other, if you will not appose me, I wil be so bolde to appose you, and yet as easely as I can deuise, and that only in the storie of the Bible nowe in English, in which I suppose y^t you are daily exercised. Tel me therfore who was king Dauids father, sayd my Lord?

The Priest stoode still pausing a while and sayd: In good fayth my Lord, I haue forgotten his name. Then said the other agayne to him: if you cannot tel that, I pray you tel me then who was Salomons father? The fonde foolishe priest without all consideration what was demaunded of hym before,* 1.10 made answer. Good my L. beare with me, I am not further seene in the Bible, then is daily read in our seruice in the Church.

* 1.11The Archb. then aunswering, sayd: this my question may be found well answered in your seruice. But I now well perceiue, howsoeuer ye haue iudged heretofore of my learnyng, sure I am that you haue none at all. But this is the common practise of all you which are ignorant and su∣perstitious Priestes, to slaunder, backbite, and hate all suche as are learned and well affected towardes Gods word and sincere religion. Common reason myght haue taught you what an vnlikely thyng it was, and contrary to all maner of reason, that a Prince hauyng two Uniuer∣sities within his realme of well learned men, & desirous to be resolued of as doubtfull a question as in these many yeares was not mooued the lyke within Christendome, should bee driuen to that necessitie for the defence of hys cause, to send out of his Realme an Hostler, beyng a man of no better knowledge then is a gosling, in an ambassade to answer all learned men, both in the court of Rome, and in the Emperours court, in so difficult a question as tou∣cheth the kings matrimony, and the diuorce thereof. I say if you were men of any reasonable consideration,* 1.12 you might thinke it both vnseemly and vncomely for a Prince so to doe. But looke where malice raigneth in man, there reason can take no place: and therefore I see by it, that you all are at a poynt with me, that no reason or authori∣tie can perswade you co fauor my name, who neuer ment euill to you, but your both commoditie and profite. How be it, God amend you all, forgeue you, and send you better myndes.

With these words the Priest seemed to weepe, and de∣sired his grace to pardon his fault and frailetie, so that by hys meanes he myght returne to hys cure agayne, and he would sure recant those hys foolish wordes before hys pa∣rishioners so soone as he came home,* 1.13 and would become a new man. Well, sayd the Archbishoppe, so had you need. And geuyng hym a godly admonition to refuse the haun∣tyng of the Alehouse, and to bestowe his tyme better in the continuall reading of the scriptures, he dimissed hym from the Fleete.

The L. Cromwell perceiuyng within a fortnight af∣te,* 1.14 that his prisoner was sent home without any open pu∣nishment, came to Lambheth vnto the Archb. & in a great heate sayd to hym: My Lord I vnderstand that you haue dispatched the Northren Priest that I of late sente to the Fleete, home agayne, who vnhonestly railed of you, and called you an hostler.

In deed I haue so done (said he againe) for that in his absence the people of his cure wanted their diuine seruice. It is very deuout diuine seruice that he sayeth, quoth the L. Cromwell: It were more meete for hym to be an host∣ler then a Curate, who sticked not to call you an Hostler. But I thought so much what you would do, and therfore I would not tell you of his knauery when I sent hym to prison. Howbeit henceforth they shall cut your throte be∣fore that I say any thyng more to them on your behalfe.* 1.15 Why? what would you haue done with hym, quoth the Archbishop? there was nothing layd to hys charge, other then words spoken agaynst me, and now the man is re∣pentant and well reconciled, and hath bene at great char∣ges in prison: it is tyme therefore that he were rid of hys trouble. Well, sayd my L. Cromwel, I ment that he shold haue preached at Paules crosse a recantation before he had gone home. That had bene well done, quoth the other, for then you would haue had all the world as well to wonder at me as at hym. Well, well, sayd the L. Cromwell: wee shall so long beare with these popish knaues, y^t at length they will bring vs in deed to be wondered at of the whole world.

This example among other, serueth to declare y^t there remayned small desire of reuengyng in the sayd Archbish. But what should I say more?* 1.16 His quietnes and mortifi∣cation this way, was such, that it is reported of all y^t knew hym, that he neuer raged so far with any of his household seruauntes, as once to call the meanest of them, varlet, or knaue in anger, much lesse to reprooue a stranger with a∣ny reprochfull words. Much vnlike in this part to y^e pro∣pertie (as it seemeth) to some other inferiour Bishops of this realme, which haue not spared to flie in the faces, to plucke of the beards, to burne the hands, to beat & scourge with rods the bodies both of Gentlemen, maried mē and other, hauyng almost nothyng elles in theyr mouthe, but fooles and knaues, &c. and yet after all this, thinke them∣selues good perfect bishops, after the rule which followeth and sayth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The singular patience of this Archbishop.
• * 1.2

  A story betwene the Archbishop of Canterbury, & a popish priest his enemy.
• * 1.3

  The rayling of a Popish Priest agayn••t Doctor Cranmer.
• * 1.4

  Chersey suing for his kinsman to the Archbish.
• * 1.5

  The Priest sent for to the Arch∣bishop.
• * 1.6

  The Arch••bishop•• wordes to the Parson.
• * 1.7

  The Priest confesseth his fault to the Archbi∣shop.
• * 1.8

  The rashe tongues of men sclaū∣derously speaking e∣uill by men, whom they neuer knew nor saw be∣fore.
• * 1.9

  The Priests aunswere.
• * 1.10

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.11

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.12

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.13

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.14

  The Lord C••omwell offended w••en the Archbi••hop 〈…〉〈…〉 Priest.
• * 1.15

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• * 1.16

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