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 scourging of Richard Wilmot, and Thomas Fayrefaxe.

AFter the first recantation of Doct. Crome for his Ser∣mon which he made the fift Sonday in Lent at Saint Thomas Acons, being the mercers Chappell,* 1.1 his Ser∣mon was on the Epistle of the same day, written in the x. chap. to y^e Hebrues, wherein he proued very learnedly by the same place of Scripture and others, that Christ was y^e onely and sufficient Sacrifice vnto God the Father,* 1.2 for the sinnes of the whole world, and that there was no more sa∣crifice to be offered for sinne by the Priestes, for as muche as Christ had offered his body on the Crosse, and shed his bloud for the sinnes of the people, & that once for all. For y^e which Sermon he was apprehended of Boner & brought before Stephen Gardyner & other of the Counsell, where he promised to recant his Doctrine at Paules Crosse, y^e se∣cond Sonday after Easter. And accordingly, he was there & Preached, Boner w^t all his Doctours sitting before him but he so Preached and handled his matter,* 1.3 that he rather verified his former saying, then denyed any parte of that which he before had Preached. For the whiche the Prote∣stantes praysed God, and hartely reioysed.

But Byshop Boner with his Champions, were not therewith pleased, but yet notwithstanding they had hym home w^t them, & so handled him amongest the woluish ge∣neration. that they made him come to the Crosse agayne y^e next Sonday.

And because the Magistrates shoulde now heare him, & be witnesses of this recantation which was moste blas∣phemous,* 1.4 to deny Christes sacrifice to be sufficient for pe∣nitent sinners, & to say that the sacrifice of the Masse was good godly, and a holy sacrifice, propitiatorye and auay∣leable both for the quicke and the deade: Because (I saye) that they would haue y^e nobles to heare this blasphemous doctrine, the viperous generation procured all the chiefe of the Counsell to be there present.

Nowe to come to our matter at this tyme, the same weeke, betweene his first Sermon and the last,* 1.5 and while Doct. Crome was in duraunce, one Rich. Wilmot being Prentise in Bow lane, being of y^e age of eighteene yeares, and sytting at his worke in his Maysters shop the Tues∣day, in y^e moneth of Iuly, One Lewes a Welchmā, being one of the Garde, came into the shoppe, hauing things to doe for himselfe.

One asked him what newes at the Court, and he an∣swered that the old hereticke D. Crome had recanted now in deede, before the Counsell,* 1.6 and that he should on Son∣day nexte bee at Paules Crosse agayne and there declare it.

Then Wilmot sitting at his Maysters worke, & hea∣ring hym speake these wordes and reioysing in the same began to speake vnto hym,* 1.7 saying y^t he was sory to heare these newes. For (sayd he) if Crome should say otherwise then he hath sayd, then is it contrary to the truth of Gods worde, and contrary to his owne conscience, which shall before God accuse hym.

Lewes

aunswered and sayd that he had Preached & taught heresy, and therefore it was meete that he should in such a place reuoke it.

Wilmot

tolde him that he would not so say, neyther did he heare hym Preach any doctrine contrary to Gods worde written, but that he proued his doctrine, and that suffici∣ently by the Scriptures.

Lewes

then asked him how he knew that.

Wilmot

Aunswered by the Scripture of God, wherein he shall find GODS will and pleasure, what he willeth all men to do and what not to do: and also by them he should prooue and trye all doctrines, and the false doctrine from the true.

Lewes

sayde: it was neuer mery since the Bible was in Englishe: and that he was doth an hereticke and a trai∣tour that caused it to be translated into Englishe (mea∣ning Cromwell) and therefore was rewarded according to his desertes.* 1.8

Wilmot

aunswered agayne: what his desertes and offen∣ces were to his Prince, a great many do not knowe, ney∣neyther doth it force whether they do or no: once he was sure that he lost his lyfe for offending his Prince, and the law did put it in execution: Adding moreouer concerning that man, that he thought it pleased GOD to rayse hym vp from a low estate, and to place him in hyghe authority, partly vnto this, that he should do that as all the Bishops in the Realme yet neuer dyd, in restoring agayne Gods holy worde, which being hyd long before from the people in a straunge tongue, & now comming abroad amongest vs, will bring our Byshops & Priestes, sayde he,* 1.9 in lesse

estimation among the people.

Lewes

asked why so?

Wilmot

sayde: because their doctrine and liuing was not according to his word.

* 1.10Then sayde Lewes: I neuer heard but that all men shoulde learne of the Byshops and Priests, because they are learned men, and haue bene brought vp in learning all the dayes of their liues. Wherefore they must needes know the truth, and our fathers did beleue their doctrine and learning, and I thinke they did well: for the worlde was farre better then, then it is now.

Wilmot aunswered: I will not say so: For wee muste not beleue them beause they are Bishops, neyther because they are learned, neither because our forefathers did fol∣low theyr doctrine. For I haue read in Gods booke how that Byshoqpes and learned men haue taught the people false doctrine, and likewise the Priestes from time to time and in deede those people our forefathers beleued as they taught: and as they did thinke, so did the people thinke. But for al this,* 1.11 Christ calleth thē false Prophetes, theeues and murtherers, blinde leaders of the blinde, willing the people to take heede of them, least they should both fal in∣to the ditche.

Moreouer, we read that the Byshoppes, Priests, and learned men haue bene commonly resisters of the trueth, from time to time, and haue alwayes persecuted the Pro∣phetes in the old lawe, as theyr successours did persecute our Sauiour Christ and hys Disciples in the newe lawe.* 1.12 We must take heed therefore, that we credite them no fur∣ther then God will haue vs, neyther to followe them nor our forefathers, otherwise then he commaundeth vs. For almighty God hath geuen to all people, as well to kings and Princes, as Byshoppes, Priests, learned and vnlear∣ned men, a commaundement and law, vnto the which he willeth all men to be obedient. Therfore if any Bishop or Prieste, preache or teache, or Prince or Magistrate com∣maunde any thing contrary to his commaundement, we must take heede how we obey them. For it is better for vs to obey God then man.

Mary sir, quoth Lewes, you are a holy Doctoure in deede. By Gods bloud if you were my man, I woulde set you about your busines a little better, and not to look vp∣on bookes: and so woulde your Mayster if hee were wise. And with that in came his mayster and young man wyth hym, which was seruaunt with M. Daubny in Watling streete.

His mayster asked what the matter was.

Lewes sayd that he had a knauish boy here to his ser∣uaunt,* 1.13 and how that if he were his, he would rather hang him, then keepe him in his house.

Then his Mayster, being somewhat moued, asked his fellowes what the matter was.

They sayde: they began to talke about Doct. Crome.

Then hys Mayster asked hym what hee hadde sayde, swearyng a great othe, that he would make hym to tell hym.

He sayd that he trusted he had sayd nothing, whereby either he or M. Lewes may iustly be offended. I pray you (quoth Wilmot) aske him what I sayd.

Mary sir (sayd Lewes) thys he sayd, that Doct. Crome did preach and teach nothing but the truth, and howe that if he recant on Sonday next, he would be sory to heare it, & that if he do, he is made to doe it agaynst his conscience. And more he sayth, that we must not follow our Bishops doctrine and preaching: For sayth he, they be hinderers of Gods word, and persecutors of that: and how Cromwell dyd more good (that traytour) in setting foorth the Bible, then all our Byshops haue done these hundreth yeares: thus reporting the matter worse then he had sayd.

Then sayde Wilmot, that in many thinges hee made his tale worse then it was. His Maister hearyng of thys was in a great fury, and rated him, saying: that eyther he would be hanged or burned, swearing that he would take away all his bookes and burne them.

* 1.14The younge man (Mayster Dawbnies seruant) stan∣ding by, hearing this, beganne to speake on his part vnto Lewes: and his talke confirmed all the sayinges of other to be true.

This young man was learned: his name was Tho. Fayrefaxe. Lewes hearing this young mans talk, as wel as the others, went his way in a rage vnto the Court.

On the morowe they heard newes, so that the sayde Wilmot and Tho. Fayrefaxe were sent for, to come to the Lord Maior. The messenger was M. Smart, Sword∣bearer of London. They came before dinner to y^e Mayors house, and were commaunded to sit downe at dinner in y^e Hall, and when the dinner was done they were both cal∣led into a Parlour, where the Mayor and Syr Roger Cholmley was, who examined them seuerally,* 1.15 y^t one not hearing the other.

The effect of their talke with them was this, Syr Ro∣ger Cholmley sayd vnto the foresayd Wilmot, y^t my Lorde Mayor and hee had receiued a commaundement from the Counsell, to send for hym and his companion, and to ex∣amine them of certayne thinges, which were layde vnto theyr charge.

Then sayd Mayster Cholmley to hym: Syrra, what Countreyman art thou? He aunswered that he was born in Cambridgeshyre, and in such a towne. Then he asked him how long he had bene in the City. He told him.

Then he asked what learning he had. He sayde: little learning, and small knowledge. Then (deridingly) he as¦ked how long he had knowne Doct. Crome, he sayd: but a while about two yeares. He sayd that he was a lying boy, and said that he the sayd Wilmot was his sonne.

The other sayd vnto hym, that was vnlike, for that he neuer see his mother nor she him, Cholmley sayd he lyed, Wilmot sayd hee coulde prooue it to be true. Then hee as∣ked him how he liked his sermon that he made at S. Tho∣mas of Acres Chappel in Lent. He sayde that in deede hee heard him not. He sayd yes, and the other nay. Then says he, what say you to his sermon made at the Crosse the ••ast day, heard you not that?

Wilmot.

Yes, and in that sermon he deceaued a great nū∣ber of people.

Cholmley.

How so?

Wilmot.

For that they looked that he shoulde haue recan∣ted his doctrine that he taught before, and did not, but ra∣ther confirmed it.

Cholmley.

Yea Syr, but how say you now to him? for hee hath recanted before the counsell: and hathe promised on Sonday next to be at the crosse agayne, how thinke ye in that?

Wilmot.

If hee so did, I am the more sory for to heare it: and sayd he thought he did it for feare and safegard of hys lyfe.

Cholmley.

But what say you? was hys first sermon here∣sie or not?

Wilmot.

No, I suppose it was no heresie. For if it were S. Paules Epistle to the Hebrewes was heresie,* 1.16 & Paule an hereticke that preached such doctrine, but God forbyd that any Christian man should so thinke of the holy Apo∣stle: neyther do I so thinke.

Cholmley.

Why how knowest thou that saynct Paul wrot those thinges that are in English now, to be true, wheras Paule neuer wrot english nor latine?

Wilmot.

I am certified that learned men of God, that dyd seeke to aduaunce hys word, did translate the same out of the Grecke and Hebrue, into Latine and english, and that they durst not to presume to altar the sense of the scripture of God, and last will and testament of Christ Iesus.

Then the Lorde Mayor being in a great furye, asked hym what he had to do to read such bookes, and sayd that it was pitty that his mayster did suffer him so to doe, and that he was not set better to worke: and in fyne sayd vnto him: that he had spoken euill of my Lord of Winchester & Boner, those reuerend & learned fathers & coūcellours of this Realme, for the which his fact he saw no other but he must suffer, as due to the same. And M. Cholmley sayd: yea my Lord, there are such a sort of heretickes & trayterly knaues taken now in Essex by my Lord Rich, that it is to wonderfull to heare. They shall be sent to the Byshoppe shortly, and shall be hanged and burned all.

Wilmot.

I am sory to heare that of my Lord Rich, for that he was my godfather, and gaue me my name at my Bap∣tisme.

Cholmley

asked him when he spake with him.

He sayd not these xii. yeares.

Cholmley.

If he knew that he were such a one, he woulde do y^e like by him, and in so doyng he should do God great seruice.

Wilmot.

I haue read the same saying in the Gospell, that Christ sayd to his Disciples: The tyme shal come (sayth he) that whosoeuer killeth you, shall think that he shal do God hygh seruice.

Well sir, sayd Cholmley, because yee are so full of youre Scripture, and so well learned, wee consider you lacke a quyet place to study in. Therefore you shall go to a place where you shall be most quiet, and I would wish you to study how you will answere to the Counsell of those thin∣ges which they haue to charge you w^t, for els it is like to cost you your best ioynt. I know my lord of Win. wil hā∣dle you wel enough whē he heareth thus much. Thē was the Officer called in, to haue him to the Counter in the Poultrye, and the other to the other Counter,* 1.17 not one of them to see an other: and thus remayned they viii. dayes

In the which time their Maisters made a great labor vn∣to the Lord Mayor, and to sir Roger Cholmley, to know their offences, and that they might be deliuered.

* 1.18At length they procured the Wardens of the company of Drapers to labour with them in theyr sute to the May∣or. The Mayor went with them to the Counsell: but at that time they could finde no grace at Winchesters hand & Sir Anthonie Brownes, but that they had deserued death and that they should haue the law.

At length through entreataunce, he graunted thē thus much fauour, that they should not dye as they had deser∣ued, but should be tyed to a cartes tayle, and be whipped three market dayes through the Cittye. Thus they came home that day, and went an other day, and the Mayor & the Wardens of the company kneeled before them to haue this open punishment released, for asmuche as they were seruauntes of so worshipfull a companye, and that they might be punished in theyr own hall before the Wardens and certayne of the companye. At length it was graunted with condition, as some said as shalbe hereafter declared.

Then were they sent before the Maysters the next day to the hall, both theyr maysters being also present, & there were layd to theyr charges, the heynous offences by them committed,* 1.19 how they were both heretickes and traytors, and haue deserued death for the same, and this was decla∣red w^t a long processe by the Mayster of y^e company, whose name was M. Brooke, declaring what great labour and sute y^e Mayor & the Wardens had made for thē, to saue thē frō death, which they (as he said) had deserued, & from opē shame, which they shoulde haue had, being iudged by the Counsell to haue bene whipped iii. dayes through the city at a cartes tayle, and from these two daungers had they laboured to deliuer them, but not without great sute and also charge. For, saith he, the company hath promised vnto the Counsaile for this their mercy and fauour shewed to∣wardes them, being of such a worshipfull company, a C. poundes, notwithstanding we must see them punished in our Hall within our selues for those theyr offences. After these and many other wordes, hee commaunded them to addresse themselues to receiue their punishment.

Then were they put asunder, and stripped from the wast vpward one after an other,* 1.20 and had into the hal, and in the middest of the hall, where they vse to make theyr fire there was a great ring of Iron, to the whiche there was a rope tyed fast, and one of theyr feete thereto fast tyed.

Then came two men down, disguised in Mommers apparell, with visors on theyr faces, and they beate them with great rods vntill y^e bloud did follow in their bodies. As concerning this Wilmot, he could not lye in his bead 6. nightes after, for Brooke played the tyraunt with them. So it was, that with the beating and the flight, and feare they were neuer in health since,* 1.21 as the sayd Wilmot with hys owne mouth hath credibly ascertayned vs, and we cā no lesse but testifie the same.

Thus haue we briefly rehearsed this little tragedye, wherein ye may note the malice of the enemies at al times to those which professe Christ, and take hys parte, of what estate or degree so euer they bee, according to the Apostles saying, It is geuen vnto you not onely to beleue, but also to suffer with him. To whome be honor and glory. Amen.

Next after these two aboue specified, followeth y^e bea∣ting of one Thomas Greene, who in the time of Queene Mary, was caused likewise to be scourged and beaten by Doctor Story. What the cause was, here followeth in sto∣ry and examination to be seene, whiche hee penned wyth his owne hand, as the thing it selfe will declare to the rea∣der. The copy and wordes of the same as he wrote them, here follow. Wherein as thou mayst note (gentle reader) the simplicitie of the one, so I pray thee, marke the cruel∣ty of the other part.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The scourging of Richard Wil∣mot and Tho. Fayrefaxe.
• * 1.2

  D. Crome•• Sermon.
• * 1.3

  D Cromes re∣cantation.
• * 1.4

  D. Crome cau∣sed to recant the second tyme.
• * 1.5

  Richard Wil∣mot Prentise in Bow lane.
• * 1.6

  Lewes one of the Garde, a Welchman a Popishe perse∣cutour.
• * 1.7

  Wilmot defen∣deth D. Crome•• Sermon.
• * 1.8

  The Lord Cromwell wrongfully ac∣cused.
• * 1.9

  The doinges of the Lord Crom∣well defended.
• * 1.10

  The common reason of the Papistes, why the Scriptures s••ould not be in Englishe.
• * 1.11

  Gods truth go∣eth not alwayes by tytle & fame of great lear∣ning.
• * 1.12

  Learned men how farre they are to be credi∣ted.
• * 1.13

  Wilmot com∣playned of to his Mayster.
• * 1.14

  M. Daubnies seruaunt, called Thomas Fayre∣faxe, taketh Wilmots part. Wilmot and Thomas Fayre∣faxe sent for to the Lord Mayor.
• * 1.15

  Rich. Wil∣mot and Thomas Fayrefaxe examined before the Lord May∣or and M. Cholmley.
• * 1.16

  S. Paules doctrine made here∣sie with the Papistes.
• * 1.17

  Wilmot & Fayrefaxe committed to prison
• * 1.18

  Sute made b•• the com¦pany of Drapers for Richard Wilmot and Thomas Fayrefaxe.
• * 1.19

  M. Brooke Ma••ster of t••e compa∣•••• of Dra∣pers.
• * 1.20

  ••••ch. Wil∣••••t and ••••••mas ••••••refaxe ••••••urged in Drapers 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.21

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