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.

The death and Martyrdome of sixe constant professours of Christ, burned at Colchester, for the testimonie of the Gospell, the 28. day of Aprill.

NOt long after the death of Robert Drakes, William Tymmes,* 1.1 and the other Essex Martyrs, executed in Smithfielde, as is aboue specified, followed in the same order likewise of martyrdome, at one like fire in the town of Colchester (where the most parte of them did inhabite) sixe other blessed Martyrs, whose names be these:

• ...Christopher Lyster, of Dagneham, Husbandman.
• ...Iohn Mace, of Colchester, Apothecarie.
• ...Iohn Spenser of Colchester, Weauer.
• ...Symon Ioyne, Sawyer.
• ...Richard Nichols, of Colchester, Weauer.
• ...Iohn Hamond, of Colchester, Tanner.

* 1.2With these sixe was also ioyned an other, whose name was Roger Grasbroke, but he afterwarde submitted him selfe. These aboue named, the Byshoppe, because he (as it semeth by the short processe recorded by his register) wax∣ed now weary,* 1.3 made a very quicke dispatche. For soone af∣ter that, they were deliuered vnto one Iohn Kingstone, Bacheler of Ciuil law, and then Commissarye to the Bi∣shop,* 1.4 by the Earle of Oxford & other Commissioners (as appeareth by a bil endented, made betwene the Commis∣sioners and the said Commissary, for the receit of the sayd prisoners, dated the 28. day of Marche, Anno regni regis & Reginae Philippi & Mariae secundo & tertio: which is the yere of our Lord 1556.) and by him sent vp vnto hys Lord and Maister, the Bishop caused them to be broughte vnto hys house at Fulham: Where in the open Churche, iudicially were ministred vnto them y^e same Articles that were pro∣pounded vnto Bartlet Grene and others, mentioned be∣fore. To the whych they made their seuerall answeres, a∣greeing altogether in one truthe, as by the summe and ef∣fect thereof heere ensuing, more plainly appeareth.

* 1.51 To the first article they al consented and agreed: Iohn Spenser adding further thereto, that the churche malig∣nant, which is the Church of Rome) is no parte of Chri∣stes Catholike church: and that he neither hath, nor dothe beleeue the doctrine and religion, taughte and set foorth in the sayd Romish and malignant church.* 1.6

2 To the second they aunswered: that they beleeued that in the true Catholike church of Christe, there be but two sacraments: that is to say, the sacrament of Baptisme, and the sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ.* 1.7

3 To the third article they al agreed, confessing that they were Baptised in the Faith and beliefe of the Catholicke church, and that their Godfathers and Godmothers had professed and promised for them, as is contained in y^e same Article.

* 1.84 To the fourth they answered: that they alwaies were and yet then did cōtinue in the faith and profession, wher∣in they were baptised: Richarde Nicols adding also: that he had more plainely learned the truth of his profession by the doctrine set forth in king Edward the 6. his daies, and thereupon he had builded his faithe, and would cōtinue in the same to hys liues ende, God assisting him.

* 1.95 To the fifth they answeared, that they neither swar••ed nor went away from the Catholicke faith of Christ. How¦beit they confessed, that within the time articulate (and be∣fore they hadde misliked, and earnestly spoken against the sacrifice of the Masse, and against the sacrament of the al∣tare, affirming that they woulde not come to heare or bee partakers therof, because they hadde and then did beleeue, that they were set foorth and vsed contrary to Gods woord and glory. And moreouer they did graunt that they hadde spoken against the vsurped authoritye of the B. of Rome,* 1.10 as an oppressor of Christes Church and Gospell, and that he ought not to haue any authoritye in Englande. For all which sayings they were no whit sorie, but rather reioy∣ced and were glad.

6 To the sixt they answered, that they neuer refused, nor yet then presently did refuse to be reconciled to the vnitye of Christes Catholicke church,* 1.11 but they said they had, and then did, and so euer woulde heereafter vtterlye refuse to come to the churche of Rome, or to acknowledge the au∣thority of the seat hereof, but did vtterly abhorre the same, for putting downe the booke of God the Bible, and setting vp the Babylonicall Masse, wyth all other of Antichristes marchaundise.

7 To the seuenth article, the effect therof they all graun∣ted. And Symonde Ioyne declared further,* 1.12 that the cause of hys refusing to be partaker of theyr trumperie, was for that the commandements of God were there broken, and Christes ordinaunces chaunged and put oute, and the B. of Romes ordinances in steade thereof put in. Moreouer,* 1.13 as touching the sacrament of Christes body, Christopher Lister affirmed that in the sayde Sacrament there is the substance of breade and wine, as well after the woordes of consecration as before, and that there is not in the same the very body and bloud of Christ really, substātially, and truely,* 1.14 but onely Sacramentally and spiritually by Faith in the faithfull receiuers, and that the Masse is not propi∣ciatorie, for the quicke or for the dead, but meere Idolatrie and abhomination.

8 To the eight they sayde, that they were sent to Colche∣ster prison by the king and Queenes Commissioners, be∣cause they would not come to theyr parish Churches, and by them sent vnto the bishop of London, to be therof fur∣ther examined.

9 To the ninth they al generally agreed, that that which they had saide in the premisses was true, & that they were of the Diocesse of London.

These aunsweres thus made, the Bishop did dismisse them for that present vntill the after noone. At which time hauing firste their articles and aunsweres red vnto them againe, and they standing most firmly vnto theyr Christi∣an profession, they were by diuers waies and meanes as∣saied and tried if they would reuoke the same their profes∣sed faith, and returne to the vnitie of Antichristes church.

[illustration]

The burning of the foresayde sixe men at Colchester.

* 1.15

Which thing when they refused,* 1.16 the bishop stoutly pro∣nounced the sentence of cōdemnation against them, com∣mitting them vnto the temporall power. Who vppon the receit of the king and Quenes wryt, sent them vnto Col∣chester, where the 28. day of Aprill, moste chearefully they ended theyr liues to the glory of Gods holy name, and the great incouragement of others.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Aprill 28. The Martyr∣dome of 6. men at Colchester.
• * 1.2

  Roger Gras∣broke.
• * 1.3

  Iohn Kingston B. Boners Cō∣missary in Essex.
• * 1.4

  These Martyrs were deliuered by the Earle of Oxford to the Commissary, & by the Com∣missary sent to the Bishop.
• * 1.5

  Their answeres to the Bishops articles.
• * 1.6

  The Church of Rome no part of Christes Ca∣tholicke church.
• * 1.7

  2. Sacramentes.
• * 1.8

  Profession of Baptisme.
• * 1.9

  To deny the beggerly vsages of the Popes Church is not to deny the Ca∣tholicke fayth of Christ.
• * 1.10

  The pope ought to haue no au∣thoritye in Eng∣land.
• * 1.11

  The Church of Rome to be ab∣horred.
• * 1.12

  Again•••• Popes trumper••••
• * 1.13

  Agayn•••• transubstā∣tiation.
• * 1.14

  Against the Masse.
• * 1.15

  The Mar∣tyrdome of Christo∣pher Lister, Iohn Mace, Iohn Spen∣cer, Symon Ioyne, Richard Nicol••, Iohn Ha∣mond, at Colchester. Anno. 1556. Aprill. 28.
• * 1.16

  Sentence geuen a∣gaynst them by B. Bo••er.