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 second examination of Roger Holland.

THe day that Henrye Ponde and the rest were brought foorth to be againe examined, D. Chedsey said: Roger,* 1.1 I trust you haue nowe better considered of the Churche then you did before.

Holland.

I cōsider this much: That out of the church there is no saluation, as diuers ancient Doctors say.

Boner.

That is wel sayd. M. Egleston I trust your kins∣man wil be a good catholicke mā. But Roger, you meane, I trust, the church of Rome.

Holland.

I meane that church which hath Christ for her head: which also hath his word, and his Sacraments ac∣cording to his woord and institution.

Chedsey.

Then Chedsey interrupted him, and said, is that a Testament you haue in your hand?

Holland.

Yea M. doctor, it is the new Testament. You wil finde no fault with the trāslation (I thinke.) It is of your owne translation: it is according to the great Bible.

Boner.

Howe saye you? Howe doe you knowe it is the Testament of Christ, but onely by the Churche? For the Churche of Rome hathe and doeth preserue it, and oute of the same hathe made Decrees, Ordinaunces, and true ex∣positions.

No (saith Roger) the church of Rome hath and doeth suppresse the reading of the Testament. And what a true exposition (I pray you) did the Pope make thereof, when he set his foote on the Emperours necke, and sayde:* 1.2 Thou shalt walke vpon the Lion and the Aspe: the yong Lyon and the Dragon shalt thou tread vnder thy foote.

Then said the bishop: Such vnlearned wilde heads as thou and other, woulde be expositours of the Scripture. Woulde you then the auncient learned (as there be some heere aswell as I) should be taught of you?

Holland.

Youth delighteth in vanitie. My wildnesse hathe

bene somewhat the more by your Doctrine, then euer I learned ou•• of this booke of God. But my Lorde, I sup∣pose, some of the old doctors say: If a poore lay man bring his reason and argument out of the woorde of God, he is to be credited afore the learned, thoughe they be neuer so great doctors. For the gift of knowledge was taken from the learned doctors, and giuen to pore fishermen. Notw^t∣stand••ng I am ready to be instructed by the church.

Boner.

That is very well said Roger. But you must vn∣derstand y^t the church of Rome is the catholicke Churche. Roger, for thy friendes sake (I promise thee) I wish thee well, and I meane to doe thee good. Keeper, see he wante nothing. Roger, if thou lacke any money to pleasure thee, I will see thou shalt not want. This hee spake vnto hym alone, his fellowes being aparte, with manye other faire promises, and so he was sent to prison againe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The 2. exami∣nation of Roger Holland.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 91.