A Relation of the Examination of John Fortune of Hintlesham Suffolk Black-Smith, about in the 20th day of the Moneth called April, before' Doctor Parker and the Bishop, written with his own hand.
This John Fortune was a man of a Zealous Spirit, and ready in the Scriptures, in Christs Cause Stout and Valiant, and no less patience in his wrongful Suffering, then constant in his Doctrine.
The Examination is as followeth.
First, Doctor Parker asked, How I believed in the Catholick Faith?
I asked him which Faith he meant, whether the Faith that Stephen had, or the Faith of them that put Stephen to death?
Parker being moved, said, What a naughty Fellow is this, you shall see anon he will deny the blessed Sacrament of the Altar, and said, How sayest thou by the blessed Mass?
And I stood still, and made no answer.
Then said one Foster, Why speakest thou not, and make the Gentleman an answer?
I said, Silence is a good answer to a foolish Question.
I am sure be will deny the blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
I said, I knew none such.
You deny the order of the seven Sacraments; and why dost thou not believe in the Sacrament of the Altar?
Because it is not written in Gods Book.
You shall be Whipped and Burnt for this.
If you knew how these words do rejoyce my heart, you would not have spoken them.
Away with him, said he, for he is ten times worse then Samuel, and so he was carried away to Prison again.
At the second Examination.
Bishop asked me, If I did not believe in the Catholick Church?
I believe that Church whereof Christ is the head.
Dost thou not believe that the Pope is Supream head of the Church?
No, Christ is Head of the true Church.
Then I asked him, whether the Pope were a Spirtual Man?
To which he said, Yea.
I said, They are spightfull men, for in seventeen Months