| my ge cl ! Mn LL Saas Woe ae c ! Hl HE Can fen WO hae Willd Uo hte MMe CONJULS (MAGNE enter 7 Ve ay. ed har DQLMMLAML VMN SRE ert t ; SS ff » ok (¢ Gili MMC CA) bi rol Lo tan ems CLONMEL, fy LN. ye Acts and Monuments MATTERS MOST Spectal and Memozable, Happening in the CHURCH: WITH AN Univerfal HISTORY Of the fame. Wherein is fet forth at Large,the whole Race and Courf of the Cuurce, from the Primitive Ageto thefe later Times of Ours, with the Bloody Times, Horrible Troubles, and Great Perfecutions againft the true MARTYRS of Chrift, Sought and Wrought as well by Heathen Emperors, as now lately practifed by Romifh Prelates, efpecially in this Realm of Exgland and Scotland. Now again, -as it was Recognized, Perufed, and Recommended to the Studious Reader, by the Author, MJOHN FO Xx Whereunto are annexed certain Additions of like PERSECUTIONS which}. have happened in thefe Later Times. To which alfo is added the LIF E of the AUTHOR both in Latine and Englifh. Lhe Ninth Edition, Apoc. 7. Salus fedenti fuper Thronum & Agno. LONDON: Printed for the Company of Srationers, MDCLXXXIV. The Kalendar. January hath 31. days. The Moon XXX. 16 ema Ss 10 It 12 13 14 21 22 25 2. > 25) 26 27 co) 2 2 o 30 Circumcifion. Sohn Wickliff, Preacher,Martyr. John Atan, Confelive, iiliam Satutry, Pxieit, Epiphany. Sir Roger Acton, Knight, Mar- tyre mrartpe. John Weverlpy , Peacher , Bichacn Sitoeck, martyr Jobu Cattellane , Doct, | marty. be de Tbittle, Wint- ffer, marty. Bartlet Green, Gentleman, | marty Johu Tudor, marty. CThamas Tent, marty. Thomas Botwne, martyr Ilabel Fotter, marty. Fon THarne, alias Lathfow, marty, John Lomas, marty. Anne Alheinht, alias Champ: nes, martye, Joan Catmer, martyr. Agnes Snath, martyr Joan Sole, martyr” Till. THaterer, marty. Converfion of Paul. Stephen Kemp, martyr. MWtlitam Day, marty. Thamas Hudlon, marty. | Hillam Lowicke, marty, - CU. Potting, martyr | Richolas Finalt, martye. elas Waabldge, mat: ty. Fobn Philpot, Martyr. marty. Snes a WPetett, mar- Ve { Joh Weaton, Gentleman, | | ‘myeaparaqa go she. 15 15 15 15 5 15 16 31 , Chamas SDtevens, martpe.| 17 “ploy ano jo 39. 1556 1556 1556 1557 1557 1557 1557 Lop 1557 1557 February hath 28. days. The Moon XXIX. 17 = 22 iS i) WMitiliam Thowe, Pret, Gontetion we» Pr Purification of our Lady. Joh Whatvon, martyr Richard Curmine, marty 3tfca, a Contettar. Sir Fohn Oldcaftle,Lord Cobham, Martyr. Richard Dovenen, wtarty2, Thomas Wagley, WPatett, marty, Paul Cratues, martyr. Chomas Rhedor, martye. Ratnola Pecocke, wihop, Confefiaz. Sir Roger Oneley, Prieft, Mar- tyr. Elensr Cobham, Gentie- wan, Conteffo. Mother of the Lavy Pong, marty Thamas Morice, marty. Thamas Cckles, marty, Thomas Bungay, martyr, D. Martin Luther, Confeffor. Pope of Cay, marty. Peake, martyr. opt Carpenter, mar: D2. Fohn Rogers, Preacher,Martyr. Lawrence Sanders, Preacher , Martyr. Fobn Hooper, Bxhop, Martyr. Matthias Apoftle. Rowland Taylor, Doctor, Martyr. Robert Farrar, Bifhop, Martyr. Agnes Potten, marty, Ceunchfielos we marty 2 | “yeep a1217 30 shecy *ploy ano jo 3eax 1407 The Kalendar. Billie a Bl s March hath 31. days. & a April hath 30. days. & a | 2 B| 2 The Moon XXX. z 2 The Moon XXX. z 2 3 (0 | x | Cillian Caplog, martyr. | 2 | 1422 1g x , Robert Hatches, martyz 4 | 1519 Fah ee a Doa- 1479 al denaiancion con, martyr. ‘ | teber, D2. | 2 Doctor Metelits, alias Bali: 1490 It | A | 2 | Dowking, marty, liug, Contefin. | Choamas Bound, marty, | 4 | 519 ir} € | 3 | Henry Sutphen, martyr 1524 ib 3 | WUrigtham, marty, 4 | 1519 B | 4 | Jobu Hougley, martyr 1526 19 ¢ | 4 | Langdale, martpz, 4 | 1519 19/A| 5 | Petrus Flefkedius, marty, 1528 8) D5 ga aaa Mfdolw, | 4 | 519 | marty, 8 | | 6 | Avolphus Clabachius, mar-) | 1528 : ty, 16, ¢ | 6 | James Banham, Gentle: | 30 | 1532 man, marty, C | 7 | Patrike Dameltan,martye. 1528 : 5 | £ | 7 | 30. Aworke, Contertor. 2 11555 16 8 | Chamas Hittan, martyr. 1530 § | 8 | Geowe Marth, Wpeacher, | 24 | 1555 marty. 5 |e | 9 | Thomas Bilney, Martyr. 1531 e BA 13\A | 9 | William Flower, Vinifter, | 24 | 1555 £ | 10 | Daby Fofter, martye. 1531 matty, : 2/0 Rohert Dyakes, Winifker, | 24 | 1556 13 | g [xx | Enward Freele, Confellor | | 1531 se mart, , : 2 12 | Galentine Freele, and his #531 C |x | Thomas Cymes, marty. | 24] 1556 wife, martyrs. | | Richard Spurge, martpe,. | 24] 1556 13 | Father Bate, Contetio. 1555 Rarwling Cabite, marty 5 | 1555 10] D.} yo | Chomas Spurge, marty. Zé John Cavill, marty 24.| 1556 role wil Combing, mat: | 15 | 1555 - eon : | _ ty y e | 13 | Geowe Ainbeate, marty, | 24] 1556 18] | 15 | Chomas Dinbed, Gentle: | 25 | 1555 |"? | Gop Warpole, marty. mall, marty : 18] £ 14 | Joan Bech, martyr. 1 | 1556 g |16|Chomas Cawton, Gentie- | 25) 1555 4 oe man, marty 7 |B hrs | Jobn Wullier,winifter,mar: | 2 | 1556 7) € | 17 | Cilitam Hunter, marty, | 25) 1555 Pola lsé Chattopbee Lifter, winifter, | 28 | 1556 ve Sh a } marty. gy | 78 | CGlilifant Opgat, marty, | 28] 1555 15| h 17 | Jobn Wace, marty 28 | 1556 Seeaheniiiiee main alaess John Spencer, martye, 28 | 1556 15 19! Stephen i ty. | 2 5 ; if ies ; Zz es 4, & 18; Simon Fopne, martyr. 4 20| Fob Laurence, Winifier, | 29] 1555 : : i hes D) 19] Wichard Michal, marty, | 28 | 1556 21 ihre Cranmer, Archbifbop of | 21 | 1556 12| 2 | 20, John Damand, marty. aS! gece ic 72 55 12] y |2 Canterbury, Martyr. 1 | g | 23 | Robert Spicer, martyr, 24) 1556 mip ealan St. George, Martyr. | 24, i 8 | 22|Chomas Loteby, marty, |32| 1556 ole 25'| Annunciation of our Lady. | ‘ 9 | A | 23 |Mark Evangelitt. Aa |2°| Millian Cobertep, war. | 24] 1556 ; B | 24 |enty Ramley, martyr. 12] 1557 17| q | 27 | Paundzell, martyr 24, | 1556 17) © | 25 | Chamas Chprtle, marty. | 12 6 | £ | 28) Richard Crathfield , mar: | 15 | 1557 apt 6 | D| 26 | MBargavet hyve, martyr. | 12 | 1559 D | 29) Cuthburt Simpton, mar-| 28] 1558 Ves | £| 27] annes Stantey, marty | 12 | 1557 14] & |30) ugh Forstartye 28| 1558 4 [FE | 28 i “i ; 29) weil Ri 3 | €]3r| John Devanih, marty,’ | 23 | 1558 B Es Mian sicholl, martyr ioe May hath 31. days. The Moon XXX. It nn Rmewoat PR mewn & Pe > an 26 3r Philip and Jacob, Apoftles. Fokn Hus, Martyr. Hieronymus Savonarola, Martyr. | ‘suptop ajay jo keg 7 Dominick, Party. Spihetter, Martyr, Friet Roy, Partyr Robert Hing, Party. Babert Debnam, party2. Michalas Barth, warty Fohn Cardmaker , alias Tailor’, Preacher, Martyr. John Tarne, Wartyr. Margaret Ellis, Confetlo. Dugh Laverocke, Barty. John Appice, Party. Katharine Hut, Civow , Martyr, Sisahess Thacknel, ar- Ve. Joan Dorney, marty. 24 | Stephen Quatiwike, marty. | Chamas Carman, martye, Vblind oy, and another with him, martys. Thomas Spicer, marty, John Denny, marty. TUHilltam Wooler, marty. John Sieh, Conklin. THilitant Boant, martyr. John Churttone, Conterin. TMHilliam Seaman, martpp, | Thomas Hudlon, martyr Wailliam Darris, marty. Richata Day, marty. Chutttan George, martyr 3r Ss a > a S) a The Kalendar. “pio ano jo a9, June hath 30. days. The Moon XXIX. — (ae, I ~ 3 PR em | ej 7 I 2 12 2 wy 26 2 _ i.) 2 we ° Hierome of Prague, Martyr. Anne Askew, marty, Sohn Lacels, Gent. martir Michalag Welman, marty, Chomags' Dawkes, marcy, Chamas Cats, marty, John Stmpfan, martyr, Sahu avaiep, martyr: Mich. Chamberlain, mart. Chamas Dolnond,martye, TUM. Bramfarn, marty. Thomas warland, marty, John Diward, marty Chomas Bead, marty. Chonias abington, marty. Chamas Cao, pinther, marty. Thaniws Milles, marty, Millian Anherail,winitter, Contettar: . Jobin Clement, Conferla. Dency Adlington, martyr Law, Derman, martyr. Denry ice, martyr, TUilliam Halttwell, marty, Chamas wWotwper, martyr Geowe Serie, marty Comund burit, marty, Lion Catuch. Ralph Jacklon, warty. John Devifall, marty2, John Roth, marty. Clizabeth Pepper,martye, Atnes Geowe, marty. Chomas Parret,Cantetlar. | Dunt and Ambole, Conk. John Wartce, Confetfor. Roger Bernard, marty, Adam Fofter, marty. Robert Lawfon, marty. Walter Apleby,and jpetra- neil bis wife, marty. Comund Alert, and atha- tine Dis wife, martyis, John weavhedge, martyr. John Panning, marty. Cis. a blind Dato, marty. Chamas Dore, martyr. Michol. Mpite, martyr. Michal. Pardue, martyr Toh Fithcocke, martyr. Barbara Finall, martyr abhidges Tuto. martyr. Wenders wife,and Cilfons iife, martpes. Rich. Caopman, marty, Nat, of S. John Baptift, ©. Stephens, TAill. Wat- hard, martyrs, Margery Warce, James wouce Son, Dennys Burges, Atoownes wife, @uaves tnife,martpg. entry Pand,martye. Richard Etland, martyr. Rabert Southam, marty. Satthew Ricarby, marty. Peter and Paul, John Loyd, marty, John Haltday, marty. Royer Vole, marty. 3 a C) Ay [wrap atey jo sheq aye rs | ‘P07 ano yo aeox n 1546 1555 Sep) 1555 1556 1556 1556 1556 1557 1557 1557 1557 1557 1557 1557 1597 The Kalendar. ¥| ¢ ns July hath 32. days. Ee Auguft hath 31. days. The Moom XXX. £ 5 The Moon XXX. 19} , erty Coz, Party. I 8) pia, . i TOD ele Spactye nae. £1) Leonarn Heplar, marty 8 1A | 2 | Fobn Frith, Martyr. 4 11523 16.) | 2 | James Abbes, martyr, 2 5 : t | + | anmew pewet, sare Ral eeles abn Peale, Gentleman, > of ft supa Path 18] 1543 £ | 4 | John Mewman,mactye 16) C | 4 | Iency Filmore, Party, 13/ § | 5 | Watvicke Patingham,mar- A Cattit : . 5 || 5 | Fobs Bradford; Preacher, Mar-) 1 | 1555 z 6 | Cllitam Coker, martyr tyre bs . e | 6 | qopn Leate, party, b | 7 | William bopper, marty. 131 € | 7 | gopn Weller, party. 10|.¢ | 8 | Dentpy Laurence, martpe, D | o | Richard Collier, martye, 20 ee ee | 18| ¢ |10| William Steere, marty. A| 9 | Richard Hook, Marty. 10 | & |so | Jobn lana eeacver, par: | 12 | 1555 7 | € |xx | Richard (right, marty, aie! ohn Frank, warty. my | 12 | Elzabeth Carne, marty, 18| 0 faz ‘dumicey Miunletan, War: | 12 | 1555 15 | A | 23 Oopae Cankevfiel, mar: Du 5 7 | e@ | 13 | ich, Sheterden, Party | 12 | 1555 4 | b | 14 | Richard Smith, marty, 4 | Cilliam Dighel, marty, C | 15 | Stephen Harwood, martp2, 2| BD )16 | Chomas Fulle, marty 15] ¥ | 15 | Divike Carver, marty, | 12 | 1555 ji : ES * a Fahn Launder, martyr 1 | & | 17 | CHilltam Datle, marty. Chomas Joelon, martyr, | 13] 1555 4] A | 16] Wicholas Dall, marty : | John Aleworth, Conietior. £ 18 | Robert Samuel, Preacher, John Caretets, Cantelin | 1 | 1556 | inartp2. b |27| John Gutn, marty. 9\% 19 | Joan Catte, marty, 1a] ¢ | 18] ¥uliug Jalmer, a School: | 1 | 1556 |. shit mints, aid Askine, miav- 1556 A 20 | Tdillian Boanyeo, marty. pS. 1] arp |atharine Cauches, and 17| o| 2 | Robect Wurcas, mareye. JPeratine Ballp,with Her | 17 | 1556 | g | 20 oe i aN elite ta 6 | ¢ | 22 | Chomas ennai, marty, ann Gutlicmmie er { 9 | €\-21| marty f a | 23 be gee alias mith, marty. g | 22 | Thomas Oungate,martyr. | ee oot 14] & | 24 artholomew, A\potile. 17| A | 23 | Jobu Foreman, marty 18| 1556 g 4 ; Ellen Eming, martyr, 6 | h | 24| Sto Piller, martye, 3 | F | 25 eeu Folks, maid, matty. c¢ | 25 | Elisabeth Cooper,marty. | 13 | 1556 a __. Mary Magdalene, | 26 | TGlilliam Aunt, martyr, 14] p | 26 Ricoaah Peoman,inifter, | ro} 1558 marty, ? 3 | ¢ | 27 | Cilliam Jotkes, marty. | 14] 1558 11|.A | 27 | Mice Bunt, martpe, Sames Apoftley 8 | mote aI ofe Allin, Patd. tp. £ | 28| Stephen Cotton, marty, | 14 1558 ae inane | Zohn Siade; marty, 14] 1558 | y | 29| Stephen (ight, marty. | 14] 1558 ¢ | 29 | Jobu Fohnton, martyr. Robert Miiiles, marty. 14] 1558 at ‘< aad ’ 30 | Oeowe Cagles,martye, A |30| Robert Dines, marty, — | 14] 1558 Be wes a y e |31/Mne Frier, and the. fain 19| » |3x/ Chomas Wenbeick, Gen- | x4] 1558 |) Geane Eagles Sine | Hleman, mavtp2. Marts, { TReP PH Ie sktq ~ n iS) iS) w p10] amo JO 39K The Kalendar. v| 3 os September hath 30. days. & & OGober hath 31. days. & & The Moon XXIX. : A The Moon XXX 2 on | eae oi ree & 16| £ j 1.| Father Ababa, martyr, 1428 S{ A } x ) Battholet Dilion, martyr, 1534 William Wright, 1Prtett 28 b | 2 | Yon de Wurge,a rich wer- 1534 ere mat’ iv Bt Pye zi chant, inartp. : ig Fab Chandon, jet, marz 1428 31043 bs ee af aunts, 1534 tp. . A} 3 | Cdtiitam Gardiner , mar: 21D) 4 | Denvy Jofle, marty, 1534 i ile crm ? rhe Citelea Schaal Witteits, 3/ | 4 tiifam alien, marty, 155 De, Thomas Cob, mactyr. ae € | 5 | Stephen ve ia Foarge, a £034 ipsa ae, warty ah 1555 Berchant, martyr, a he el ae nie, Confel- ash £| 6 | Wien Pau akan i 6 | Chomas Wing, Confeltor ; Bails ps sic eipae eect g | 7 | Cittiam Leyton, marty, | | 1536 8 7 | Chomag Lef infetto2, ely [ me mins Letsy Contelion, | 5°) 1955 8/A | 8 | Puttenem, marty. 1537 0: 3 rib 6 ‘ f age Catmer, marty, oe 7 |b) o | Xobu Lambert, alias Mical- 1§37 7 | g | 2 | Robert Streater, martyr. 1555 fon, miactpe, Z | Anthony Burward, m 1, € | 10| Colling, martyr, 1538 | Fe eer yee nD |) 159s Cotbseme, martve. 1538 | b | 1 | Geowe Beanbeige, martyr, 15) B | 11 | Peter, a Germain, marty. | | 153» | James Cutty, marty, o 1s} g | 12 0 F 4| & | 12 | Lancelot, marty, 1539 | Fate apts Tae 8 I ee Jehu a Patter, marty, 1535 Movert lower, meant . | 29) 1555 f | 13 | Giles Germane, marty. 3 1 * |B | 3 | Cometius ssungay, marty | 8 | 155° 12| B | r4| Robert waenes, martyr, 1539 & || eymarn Sharpe, marty, Chamas Garrard, marty. 1539 6 ae A r2| £ | 35 Tires Rent tonte a a bee 1) A 1/75 | Caiitambierome, marty, 1541 Pie ag ma Curet- B | 76 | Ciiilitam Cottey, marty, | 4 | x355 t) gy /'6| Joba Marne anv another | 20 | 1556 9 | © | 17 | Robert Ppgot, marty 4 | 1555 Homan, mactyes. D | 18 | Luke Evangelift. 2 b ib ae tee eetoy ik ae "7| & | 19 | Nicholas Ridley, Biflop, Martyr. | 15 | 1555 ‘ pune ee) marty. ae 1557 I I ( g Alp) Attecton, Tmattye, pau 6| £20 Hugh Latimer, Bifhop, Martyr. 1555 17 20 ich ED? y Richard Rath, mareye ox | Zabtt Ceb, Gent. marty. |.32 | 2555 6 | ¢ | 2x} Matthew Apottle, B | "| Geowre Roper, marty. 14) A | 22 Parbone deacke,tmarty2, Ries James Auto and Margery | x am Cilalies, marty. 12 ate matty | 7 | 1557 3 | a [23] Sark urges, martyr 22 41 i 5 6 i mee € Biies Wangeor martyr, | 17 | 1357 ¢ | 24] @liltiam ooker, marty. 1556 14 2 , Thur! hs . B | 23 | Pat, Churitone, martye x1 | B | 25| Situlon, 4Priett, weverech ee ir oe 3 24, : . avy Straton, Dentie- ey John Tarne, marty 1557 lata mat, Homa eal, 2 ttt : ‘ ica of Dalen, Blac | 8 [% | Chuitian Slower, martyr £|27| Canon, with four Other | ¢ | 26 | Chamas Athath, martyr, | Mattys. | 8 | gy | 28| Simon and Jude. 19/0127 John Athoone, martye, 1557 | ; 23 | : A |29| Chee died in pifon at Ci | 18 | p<<6 £ Chemin Spurvalce snat 1557 teftec, Canteines 18 | 155 3 16) 4 | 30| Bother Seaman, Conte: 1556 £ | 29 | Michael Archangel. fo. 30° Fobhit Fortune, martyr. Mother Bennet, Cantilo The Kalendar. } |Z oe November hath 30. days. & & December hath 31. days. g ES § ch a The Moon XXIX. z| € The Moos XXX f| £ 1 | The Feaft of all Saints. f | 1) William Cracy, Efguire, 1534 Canfetin, 1545 2 | Richard Wekings, marty, 1541 13| g | 2 | Peter Saptence, martyr 2|A | 3 | Geowe Bucker, alias Aoam 3 | Richard Spenfer, martyr. 1541 Darmiip, marty. 4°] Gietv Dewet, marty =|, | 1541 bl] 4 ga! a man oe Bucking: 1531 hambhire, marty, 5 | John Wotter, Contefie, | | 1542 an 5 hte € 5s I5or 6 | Chamas wernard, martp2 1542 Llane secs slab aie ( Se ait 10] y | 6 | Hohn Wiltan Contefiag 1513 a > Hite a 1542 x 8 | Geawe Hifehart, Gentle 6 vd sd iciceacataichchcanel tneks uae, zs I mat, marty. eS 18] ¢ | 8 | Rabert Card, Contefior 1517 9 | John Kerby, marty. 1546 7|\Bl9 aoe of Abbevilesmar- 1522 10| Roger Clarke, marty. 1546 A | 10 gia marty. 1528 b Richard Dunne, martyr j 1515 B | xr] Richard Bayfield, alias So) 20! 1531 4 : u meriham, martye 15| ¢ | x2 | Sohn Cewkeshury, martyr. | 20 | 1531 A | x2| John Clarke, Confelle, | | 1556 4] a | 13 | James Gare, Contelior 7 | 1555 rf lDunttane Chittenden, | 6 e-| 14 | CAfilfam Hileman, Con- 1555 31 Confetto2, cai im Tou poreach ds ns : 12(-f \ 1 ohn Philpot, JPeacher, Wat | 18 | 1557 c | ,, | Millian sorter, mactpe, 1556 3 ‘ aid a Mice Potkins,Confetlor. 6 led obi, Roush i i ida I iu a 1 ane Conte 76 1 | A | 17 | Margaret pering, martyr. 1558 Pela OOKL, MALTYe, 1556 i h | 18 | Chamas Cyler, Confetin. 1558 £ | ,7| Xe watlinavate, mactye, | 18 | 1557 7 ein i ee 7 . 9 | ¢ | ro | Matthem CHithers, Confer 1558 B\ 438 mien Sparrow , mMat-| 18 | 1557 fo. x 17) 4 | 20] Dale Conteflor. Alro|Bichard Giblan, Gertie: | 13 | 1557 : bias mau, marty, 6 | ¢ | 21 | Thomas Apofile. | h | 20 | Datider Gouch, martyr. 4 | 1558 ie a Plaine. pares : gy | 23 | Elizabeth Lawton, Conte 1550 c | 2r| Elisabeth Dether, marty, | 4 | 1558 fo2, T4 11a | 24 Foon Glover, Confeilor i Jpbil. bumtcey, mactye Pas Bicholas Wurton, martye. | 22 | 1562 22 ~ > - eg | 23 | Sop Davy, marty, 5 | 1558 3} fh | 25 Nativity of our Lord. £ | 24 | envy Davy, martyr 5 II Stephen, Martyr. | bn Evangelift. | 25 | Jobn Comntorth, marty, | 5 | 155° Sie re 5 8 Alas Chrittopher Weoton, mar-} x0} 9° 19| ¢ |26| Chomas Bhedonentig, an| | 1336 TR. Earl, marty. 40 me a7 SJobn bectt, martpe, 10 1558 Lae! ans ar a £}2g Mice Snoth, marty, —_—*| To 1558 y\ Gontett. pea fe | an A 8 OVE Martin Sucer, Confewlo. 5 D| 2, Latherine Lnightmarty, | 10 | 15° ck *?\ saul. hanits,Conteton. ie ps Pelanchon, Conte: 1559 ¢ | 30 | Andrew Apoftle, 5 |B | 3° | Peter party, Contefirr, 1462 ‘ 5 | A | 31 |King Edward the Sixth,Confeffor. 1553 AnD DOMINUM Jefum. Chriftum SERVATOREM CLEMENTISSIMUM, Eucharifticon JOHANNIS FOXI. Onfecto nunc opere, quod tuis primiim aufpiciis ac voluntate aggreflus (fumme & ado- rande Jefu,idemque Servator clementiffime) inchoavi,quodq; demum beneficio ac favore exegi atque abfolvi, prater omnem certam opinionem & vires meas : fupereft itaque ; pro officio meo, ut animula hee, ceu pro votiva tabula, gratias, fi non quantas debeat (utinam enim id poffit) at quantas queat maxime, munificentiflime tue perfolvat Majeftati 5: quae tam miferum homuncionem, vel fyphar potius hominis, in laboribus tot tanti(que iftis, qui vel ° afellum quemvis 2x Sup&ov poflent conficere, tumultuantem, benigno fucceflu ac folatio tam cle- menter fuffulferic, Qanquam autem de operis difficultate nihil hic caufari attinet, que vix zfti- maria multis poterit; tua tamen non ignorat ompipotens Majeftas, hujus, qualecunque fit, negotii confectio, quibus quamque non ferendis curis, vigiliis, moleftiis conftitit 5 quibus nullo modo pares futuri effemus, nifi faventis gratie tux numen affulfiffet, ac {ee quodam modo ad- mifcuiffet operi. Quid ni enim fatear ac tefter ingenué, quod re ipfa experti fumus? Perfenfimus F enim, peneque oculis ipfis confpeximus, fingularem excelfz dextra tux évegyctay non modo in fuc- aes ceflu negotii provehendo, fed in vita etiam {pirittique inter labores confervando, Tui peicur yore muneris eft (clementiffime Jefu) quod opus tuis fufceptum aufpiciis huc ufque provedtum fit, Nos viciffim, quod noftri fit officii, gratias clementi tux, cum neftro privatim, tum publico quodammodo Ecclefiz tux nomine, agimus. Vel hincenim cernimus quanti caufam Martyrum tuorum eftimes, quando eorum illuftrando nomini tant faveas propenfione, Quanquam verd fi nulla hic extaret edrum recordatio, non poffent non omnibus modis effe illuftriffimi, quorum fint nomina vite tuz libro infcripta. Et tamen yoluit hoc modo tua declarare Majeftas, nobi(que innotefcere hominibus, quam honorificum fit pro tui nominis gloria fortiter dimicantes occum- bere, quorum tu vitam A cinere ac rogo fic vindicas, fic caufam tueris, fic dignitatem illuftras, ut eandem cum gloriz foenore abs te recipiant clariorem, quam fi ipfi nunquam alioqui perdidiffent. Habet_fiquidem peculiare hoc fibi militiz tuz ratio, longé 4 mundo hoc diverfum, quod in eaftris tuis militantes five vivant, five moriantur, multd clarefcant A funere foelicius, quam fi vixiffent maximé. Sic Cranmerum videmus, Ridlenm, Latimerum , Johannem Hooperum, Bradfordum, ceeterd{que oe IF ejufdem decuria pugiles, quanto majore occubuifle cum gloria in acie tua depugnantes, quam fi, froChrifo relicta {tatione in qua erant collocati,faluti ipfi foz caufam tuam poftpofuiflent.Que enim ZENS, que puree natio, que temporum vetultas, que hominum pofteritas eorum non cantabit laudes, non virtutem agnofcet, non magnitudinem admirabitur? Quis Wicleonm unquam, aut Cobhawum natum fuifle exiftimaflet,nifi tua in caufa tam egiffent ftrenue ? Quanto honori illud Auffio Bohemenfinoftrdque Tindalo fit, quod vitam in Evangelii tui caufa perditam, magis abs te recipere, quam ipfi reti- nere maluenint ? Speétemus € diverfa parte adverfarios tuos, quorum tam multas effe conftat cdes, injurias, crudelitates adverfus tuos, multaq3 item occulté & f{celefté ab iifdem perpetrata, que nunquam {perabant fore palam: & tamen quid unquam in angulis & tenebris ab illis eft defigna- tum tam occulté adverfuis Ecclefiam, quod nen in apricum produxit tua producétque providen- tia? Atq; ita produxit, ut unde ipfi laudis fibi conceperunt animo opinionem, inde fummum fibjipfis dedecus pepererint & contumeliam, quam nec vitaeffugere, nec morte unquam finire poterint. Quis Guz/os, Boneros, Storios, Gardineros, tanquam execranda hominum nomina nunc fon novit? non exhorret ? quis eorum facinora obliterebit dies, aut fepeliet memoria? Etquid hos in tanta multitudine hoftium tuorum recenfeo ? Cui unquam profperé ceffit tuo rebellare numini, aut holtium fe Ecclefie tue profiteri > Papz nomen quam erat aliquando in his terris °?< "7" - E S Be 3 ane mi nunc probro« celebre & gloriofum ? Nunc quid putidius, quid probrofius ? Cardinajitium faftigium coeperunt Jam. Cardi. primo admirari homines, multags profequi reverentia: Sic Monachorum & Nonnarum Collegia nsctorwm, Nonsrim no= faum quoidam habebant plaufum apud plebem fimplicem & credulam. At poftquam fpreta veri- 72% ie tate tua coeperunt graffari contra te, tuortimque homicide fieri, e6 tandem funt prolapfi (exceptis 77mniem nunc relida, paucis an omnr aet eave ER ny en CURE ssl oun Se en a @Ad Ghriftum Encharifticon. Deploratio sefkrorim moorum OF temsporunte Quanta dem generatio ‘oftroruns unc hontie sium ab ex Cea licuiffet. Ideoque multi fuere eorum, qui Marie Regine facultates & poffeflienes omnes adufque viorum ayrums Neceffaria Precatio. paucis quos tua exemit gratia) ut reliqua fex nihil aliud jam effe preter vocabula quedam ad ignominia reliéta videatur. Hecnimirum (fanétiffime Domine ac Deus nofter) juftiffimt judicii tui funt preludia, ex quo haud difficile eftimare fit, quidnam in altero illo expeCtaturi fint, quos in hoc ipfo feculo, hoc eft, in fuo ipforumRegno, tanta accumules infamia &dedecore. Sed omiffis his, ad fanétos tuos redeamus Martyres, quorum nomine merito 4 nobis perenne velut facrificium laudis & gratiarum me debetur, fimul & habetur, bonitati. Primiim, quod in Ecclefiz tua caufa dimicantibus tam fortem & alacrem fpiritum omnibiifque tormentis majorem adverfus parricidas Papiftas fubmini- ftrafti. Deinde quod & nobis in iliorum defudantibus hiftoria propitius aded clementiz tue favor affuerit. Debetur & hoc privatim meo quoque nomine fingulari tuz pietati, quod vitam toties alioqui nutantem, in hac tanta, quantum tu folus novifti, laboris immenfitate confervatam tuo volueris beneficio. Verum illud imprimis omnes debemus pariter effufiffimo tuo in nos amori, quéd beatorum Martyrum tuorum, quos mundi hujus ad flammas & cineres adegerit perverfitas, caufam & innocentiam, velut é cinere recolleétam, in lucem denud notitiamque Ecclefiz tuz re- vocare ac patefacere dignatus fit. Etfi enim dubium non eft,quin in fupremo illo judico tuo,guum virtutes calorum movebuntur, omnis eorum ad amuffim excutietur caufa ante tribunal tuum, eft tamen aliquid hic quoque in Ecclefia tua, caufam ipforum, facta, viteque virtutes czteras non ignorari. Tunc autem ad illos uberior gloria, ad nos interea major redundabit fructus, quando ex ipforum reté faitis,integritate,innocentia, fide ac patientia conftare poterit, non quid ipft folum fecerint, fed quid & nobis eorum fit exemplo faciendum. Sed bic rurfus (dulciffime Jef.) opus eft benigno favoris tui prefidio. Nos enim qui filii Martyrum tuorum fumus, quofque maximé majores noftros imitari conveniebat, nunc nihil feré parentum tenemus, preter vite folam hanc, quam {uo partam fanguine relinquerunt, libertatem : Qua etiam ipfa nimitm abutimur intemperaater, ut jam periculum fit,ne non filii mod Mattyrum, fed ne fratres quidem ipforum haberi mereamur. Quantum enim interfit difcriminis, quamque prorfus difconvenit ordine toto noftra Confietudo ab illorum veltigiis & Difciplina, pudet pro- feétd referre. Scd quid ego tibi referam, cujus pihil nom perfpicit Majeftas ac intuetur ? Quanto jllis ftudio ac cure fuit amore tui cztera queque, adeoque {eipfos ad vite etiam contemptum abdicare, mundum cum omnibus defideriis flocci facere, voluptates tanquam nugas fpernere ? Nec finebant pericula undique imminentia opibus congerendis, multoque minus honoribus cumu- landis vacare. Contra verd, noftra nune vita, ftudium, omnilque adeo contentio, quid nifi mun- dum fpirat, quid aliud quam perpetuum quoddam fluxarum rerum, opum, ac honorum aucu- pium videtur & ambitus?. Ac illi quam preclaré fecum aGum putaifent, fi vel vivere modd extremumaffem obtulerunt, dummedo folam ipfis remitteret confcientiam. Et qua nos tanta hee habendi intemperies exagitat, quibus nec unus néc mediocris victus poffit effe fatis ? Sine modo, fine fine, opibus, Sacerdotis, cenfuique dilatando inhiamus. Quanto ambitu amicos fatigamus & inimicos, non ut vivamus folim, veriim ut fublimes vivamus & honorati? De fide, de manfuetu- dine eorum, tolerantia, fimplicitate, ac patentia incredibili, quid dici fatis poteft’? Quanta con- ftantia, qua animi alacritate perpefli funt quicquid infligebatur,vindiciam, omnem Deo remitten- tes, cui & caufam commendabant ? Nulla vis eos adverfariorum dejicere, nec minz frangere, nor Judibria movere, non pericula, non tormenta ulla confternere, nec delinire blanditia potue- runt. Componamus nunc noftram cum his mollitiem. Sed pudor prohibet. Nam qua tam levis nos tentationis aura afflare poflit, que non illico precipitates ac tranfverfos rapiat inavaritiam, in faftum, voluptates, turpitudinem, vindi@am, & in quid non malorum? Qua tam Jevis objici poterit injuriola, pro qua non coclum terre mifcemus, mariaque turbamus ab imo? ex quo in promptu eft colligere, quantum ab eo abfumus, ut mortem fimus unquam tua caufa fubituri, fi quando res Martyrum flagitet, quum nec affe€tus quidem iftos tuo amputare juffu velimus. Qua- propter ut Martyrum quidem illorum caufa gratias agimus nomini tuo fanéto 3 ita noftra viciffim caufa deprecamur, ut qui largitus fit ipfis vincendi facultatem, nobis itidem pia eorundem exempla imitandi felicitatem afpires5 ficque Ecclefie tux affulgeat tua gratia, nec ubi fedu@i hujus mundi illecebris, focordiores ipfi in retinenda Evangelii tui viGtoria, quam illi in comparanda ftrenui, videamur. Poltremd. quoniam hiftoriam hance tuo nutu ac voluntate aggrefli, in ea re operam ftadivimque pofuimus, quo facta geftaque fan@orum tuorum (fanétiffime Jefu ) ad nominis tui gloriam, & in commodum Ecclefiz publicum emergerent, adde nunc labori fradtum, fimulque hiftorie tutelam in te reciptas magnopere petimus 5 cui & opus ipfum totumque me ipfum, quem tot modis tux mifericordiz debeo, toto corpore & anima totifg; viribus commendo, dedico, con- fecrog; cui omne cadat genu, omnifque vox & lingua confeflionis gloriam per omnes Ecclefias tribuat perfonetque. Amen. TO TO THE RIGHT VERTUOUS. Moft Excellent and Noble Prince, Queen ELIZABETH, OUR Dread Lady, By the Grace of God, Queen of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of Chrifts Faith and Gofpel, and Principal Governor both of the Realm,and alfo over the faid Church of Exgland and Ireland, under Chrift the Supream Head of the fame, &c. JOHN FOX, Her humble Subject, witheth daily increafe of GODS Holy Spiritand Grace, with long Reign, perfect Health, and joyful Peace to Govern His Flock committed to Her Charge 5 To the Example of all good Princes, The Comfort of his Church, And Glory of his bleffed Name. HRIST the Prince of all Princes, who hath placed you ix your Throne of Majefty, unde? Him to Govern the Church and Realm of England, give your Royal Highnefs long to fits and many years to Reign over Us, in all flourifhing Felicity, to his gracious Pleafure, and long lafting joy of all your Subjeds. Amen. When I firft prefented thefe A&s and Monuments unto your Majefty (moft dear Soverei giz; Queen ELLZ ABET H our peaceable Salotne }) which your Majefties rare Clemency received in fuch gentle part 5 Iwell hoped that thefé my Travels in this kind of writing had been well at an end, whereby I might have returned my Studies again to other purpofes after mine own defire, more fit than to write Hiftories, efpectally inthe Englith-Longue, But certain evil difpofed Perfons, of intereperate Tongues, Adverfaries to good proceedings,would uot fuffer me fo to reft, fuming and fretting and raifing up fuch miferable Exclamations at the firft appearing of the Book, as was wonderful to hear. A man mould have thought Christ to have been new-born again, and that Herod,with all the City of Jerufalem had been in an uproar. Such bluftring and ftriving was then againft that poor Book through all Quarters of England,ever to the Gates of Lovain, fo that xo Englifh Papift almoft in all the Realve thought hins« Self a perfect Catholick , unlefs he had cast out fome word or other to give that Book a blow. Whereupon, confidering with my elf what fhould move there thus to rage, firft I began wiih vioré circum|pect diligence to overlook again that Thad done. In fearching whereof I found the fault, both what zt was, and where it lay, which was indeed not fo much in the Book it felf (to fay the truth ) as in another certain privy myftery and working of fomes of whom Joan. Avent. fhallitell us in his own words, and fhew us who they be, Quibus (inquit) audiendi que fecerint pudor eft 5 nullus faciendi, que audire erubefcunt, _Illic, ubi opus, nihil verenturs hic, ubi nihil opus eft, ibi verentur, ec. Who, being afhamed belike to hear their worthy firatagems like to come to light, fought by what means they might the fopping of the fame. And becanfé they could not work it per brachium feculare, by publick Authority (the Lord of Heaven long preferve your Noble Majefty) they renewed again atz old wonted prattife of theirs, doing in like fort herein, as they did fometimes with the holy Bible in the days of your renowned Father of famous Memory, King Henry the Eighth; who when they neither by manifeft reafon could gain-fay the matter contained in the Book, nor yet abide the coming ont thereof, then fonght they by a fubtil devifed train to deprave the Tranflation, Notes, and Prologues thereof, bearing the King ix hand, and all the people, that there were in it a thoufand lyes; and 1 cannot tell how many more. Not that there were in it fuch lyes in very deed but that the coming of that Book fhould not bewray their lying falfhood, therefore they thought bes to begin firft to make Ex~ ceptions themfelves againft its playing in their ftage like as Phorthio did in the old Comedy, who, being in all the fault himfelf, began first to quarrel with Demipho; when Demipho rather had good right to lay Phormio by the heels. With like facing brags thefe Catholick Phormiones think now to dah out all good. Books; and amongft others alfo thefé Monuments of Martyrs. Which godly Martyrs as they could not abide being alive, fo neither can they now fuffer their memories to live after their death, left the AGs of them being Known might bring perhaps their wicked AGs and cruel Murthers to deteStation 5 and therefore fpura they fo vehemently againft this Book, of Hiftories, with all kind of Contumelies and Uproars, railing and wondering upon it 3 much like as I have heard of a Company of Thieves, who in robbing a certain true man by the highways-fide, when they had found a piece of Gold or tro about hin more than he ivould be known of, they cried out of the falfehood of the world, marveling and complaining what little truth was to be found in men. . f Even fo thefe men deal afo with me, for when they themfelves altogether delight in untruths, and have replenifhed the whole Church of Chrift with feigned Fables,lying Miracles, falfe Vifions,and miferable Errors contained in their Miffals, Portufes,Breviars,and Summaries, and almoft no true tale in all theit Saints Lives and Feftivalsyas now alfo no great trnthé in our Lovanian Books,Scc. Yet notwithftandings as The Epiftle Dedicatory to the Queens Majefty. as ibough they were a people of much truth, and that the world did not perceive them, they pretend a face and zeal of great Verity 5 and as though there were no HiStories elf in all the world corrupted, but only this Hi ory of A@s and Monuments, with Tragicat Voices they exclaim and wonder upon it, pparingno cost of hyperbolical phrafes to make it appear as full of lyes as lines, &c. Much after the like fort of impudency as Sophiffers ufe fometiies in their Sophifins to do (and fomctimes is ufed alfo in Rhetorich.) that when an argursent cometh againSt them which they cannot well refolve indeed, they have arsle to foift off the matter with fiouf words and tragical admiration,whereby to dafh the Opponent ont of countenance, bearing the hearers in hand the fame to be the weakeft and flenderest argument that ever was heard, not worthy to be anfwered, but utterly to be hiffed out of the Schools. Vith like fophiffication thefe alfo fare with me, who when they neither can abide to hear their own doings declared, nor yet deny the fame, which they hear, to be true, for three or four efcapes in the Book committed (and yet fome of them in the Book amended ) they neither reading the whole, nor rightly un- derfiending that they read, inveigh and malign fo perverfly the fetting out thereof, as though neither any word in all that flory were true,nor any other ftory falfé ix all the world befides. And yet in accufing thefe my Accufers I do not fo excufe my felf, nor defend my Book, as though nothing in it were to be [ponged or amended. Therefore I have taken thefe pains, and reiterated my Labours in traveling out this ftorg again, doing herein as Penelope did with her web,untwifting that fhe had done before: Or as Builders do fometimes, which build and take down again, either to tranfpofe the fafhion,or to make the foundation larger. So in recognifing this History I have employed a little more labour, partly to enlarge the argument which I tookin hand, partly alfo to affay, whether by any pains taking I might pacifie the ftomachs, or to Jatisfie the judgments of these importune Quarrelers: which neverthele(I fear I (hall not do,when I have done all Ican.For well I know,that all the heads of this hiffing Hydra will never be cut off,though I were as firong as Hercules. And if Apelles the skilful Painter,when he had bestowed all his cunning upon a se favor Piece Of work which xo good Artificer would or could greatly reprove, yet was not without fome controuling Wer oe Sutor,which took upon hi ultra crepidam,wuch more may I look for the like in thefé controuling days. pidam. Newerthele{s committing the fucceS thereof unto the Lord, I have adventured again upon this ftory of the Church, and have [pent not only my pains,but alfo aloft my health therein, to bring it to this. Which vow being finifhed, like as before Idid, fo again I exhibit and prefént the fame unto your Princely Majefiy, blelfing my Lord my God mith all my heart; firft for this liberty of peace and time which through your peaceable Government he hath lent unto ws for the gathering both of this and other like Books, Tractations and Monuments requifite to the behoof of bis Church, which hitherto by iniquity of tinte could not be contrived in any Kings Reign fince the Conqueft, before thefe Halcyon days of yours. Secondly,As we are all bound with publick Voices to magnifie our God for this happy prefervation of your Royal Ejfate 5 fo privately for my own part, I alfo acknowledge my felf bound to my God and to my Saviour, who fo gracioufly in fuch weak health hath let me time, both to finifh this Work , and alfo to offer the fecond Dedication thereof to your Majeftys defiring the fame to accept in good worth the donation thereof, if not for the worthineft of the thing given, yet as a teftification of the bounden fervice and good will of one, which by this he here prefenteth, declareth what he would, if he hact better to give. And thongh the ftory being written in the Popular-Tongue ferveth not fo greatly for your own peculiar reading, nor for fuch as be learned 5 yet I fhall defire both you and them to confider in it the neceffity of the ignorant Flock of Chrift committed to your Government in this Real of England. Who as they have been long led in ignorance, and wrapt in blindnefs for lack efpectally of Gods Word, and partly allo for wanting the light of Hiftory, I thought pity but that fich fhould be helped, their ignorance relieved, and (implicity infirudted. I confidered they were the Flock of Chrift,and your Subjetts,belonging to your account and charge, bought with the fame price, and having as dear Souls to the Lord as other. And though ihey be but fimple and unlearned, yet not unapt to be taught if they were applied. Furthermore, what inconvenience groweth of ignorance where knowledge lacketh, both I confidered and experience daily teacheth. And therefore hearing of the vertuous Inclination of your Majefty,what a provident zeal full of foli- citude you have,minding (fpeedily I truft) to furnifh all Quarters andCountries of this your Realu with the Voice of Chrifts Gofpel,and faithful preaching of his Word,I thought it alfo not unprofitable to adjoyn ona, uato this your godly proceedings, and to the Office of the Miniftry, the knowledge alfo of Ecclefiaftical by Exan- Hiffory, which in my mind ought not to be feparate {rom the fame; that like as by the one the people may pics of learn the Rules and Precepts of Doirine,fo by the other they may have Examples of Gods mighty work Martyrs.. ing i hs Church, to the confirmation of their Faith, and the edification of Christian life. For as we Gols fee what light and profit cometh t0 the Church by Hiftories in old times fet forth of the Judges, Kings, beobier. Macchabees, amd the Aéts of the Apoftles after Chriits time 5 fo likewife may it redound to no fimall i in the Church, to know the AGs of Chrifts Martyrs now fince the time of the Apoftles. * Befides other manifold Examples and Experiments of Gods great Mercies and Judgments in preferving cometh his Church,in overthrowing Tyrants, in confounding Pride, in altering States and Kingdoms, in con= by. reat Jerving Religion against Errors and Diffenftons, in relieving the Godly, in brideling the Wicked, loofing Hillories. ard tying up again of Satan the Difturber of Common-meals, in punifhing Tranferelfions, aswell againft the firft Table as the fecond 3 wherein is to be feen Idolatry punifhed,Blalphemy plagued,Contempt of Gods holy Name and Religion revenged, Murther with Murther rewarded, Adulterers and Wedlock- breakers destroyed, P erjuries,Extortions,covetous Oppreffion, and fraudulent Counfels come to nought, with other excellent Works of the Lord : the obferving and noting whereof in Hiftories minifter to the Readers thereof wholfome admonitions of life,with experience and wifdom both to know God in his Works,and to work the thing that is godly s efpectally to feek unto the Son of God for their Salvation,and in his Faith only to find that they feck for,and inno other means. The continuance and conftancy of which Faith the Lord of his Grace and goodnefs grant to your Noble Majefty, and to his whole beloved Church, and ail the Members of the fame to everlasting life. Amen. Ad Ad Dod&um Le@orem JOHANNES FOXUS \Opitaiiti mihi, vérfantique mecurh in animo, quam periculofé ‘res alex fit, emittere nunc aliquid in pub: + licum, quod in manus ocul6(que multorum fibeat, his prefertim tam exulceratis moribus temporibiifque, ubi tot homninuim diffidiis, tot Rudiis partium, tot morofis capitibus, tam rigidis cenfuris, & Criticorum fanmiis fervent fere omnia, ut difficillimum fit quicquam tam circumfpecte {cribere, quod non in aliquam calutiniandi materiam rapiatur 5 perbeati profectd foelicé{que videntur ii, quibus eum vite curfum teete liceat, ut in otio viventes cum dignitate, fic alienis frui queant Taboribus, velut in Theatro otiofi fedentes {pecta- totes, ut mmullim interim ipfis vel ex adtione tedium, vel ex labore periculum metuendum fit. Me vero nefcio quo Facto, Jonge diverfa quidem hactenus exercuit vite ratios quippe cui hec fortune illam feelicitatem, in cujus com: lexibus tari multos fuaviter foveri video, nec otii amcenitatem experiri, vix etiam per omnem vitam deguftare in éatintio laborum a neégotiorum fervore ac contentione contigerit. Quanquam de fortuna parum queror @aarh Kmper conteripli, quin neque de Jaboribus_ multum dicturus , fi modo labores ii tantum vel prodeffe vel placere ceteris poffent hominibus, quantum me privatim arterunt incommodantque, Nunc ad mea infcelicatis imuluin accedit in fuiper, quod in eo argumenti genere laborandum fuit, quod preter lugubrem rerum ipfrum fMatérlam, preter lingue inamcenitatem, preter traCtandi difficultatem, que vix nitorem tecipiat orationis, ed porro Autorem.ipfum rédigit Anguftie , ut neque falfa narrate fine injuria Hiftori, nec verum dicere fine magna fua fvidia Sdisque multorum liceat. Nam cumin eo Hiftorie argumento mihi verfandum fuit, quod non ad {uperio- ‘ith modd temporum res geftas altéque repetitas pertineat, fed hanc ipfam ¢tatem noftram, nofireque gentis nunc homines etiamnum prefentes, viv6fque fic attingat , fic perfticet, fic defignet, quemadmodum in hoc materie Benere rieceffatio faciendum fait: queto, quid hic mihi aliud expeCtandum fit, nifi poftquam fruftra me defatigando ‘valetiidiném attriveritn, oculos perdiderim, fenium acciverim, corpus exhauferim demum ut poft hc omnia multo- Yam me hominum odiis, fibilis, invidie ac calummie exponam ? In tot iftis a{peritatibus ctm nihil me tutum preftare poterit, ion Ce/ar, non Monarch, non’ Rex, non Regina, non ulla hujus mundi prafidia, preter folam Divini nuiminis potentem dextram 3 principio igitur, atque ante omnia huc ceu ad tatiffimum afylum me recepi, huic me, librdmque commendavi & commendo, Tum vero infaper in eodem Domino tuum illum candorem (dotte piéque Leétor) eamque tuam humanitatem appellate volui, qua ex humanioribus literis ftudiifque te fcio preditum, quo noftris his fadoribus tuz approbationis accedat Calculus; aut fi approbationem rion mereamur, faltem ne favoris defit Benignitas: cui fi approbatum iri hanc Hiftoria: nottre farraginem fenferimus, ca#terorum judicia obtrectatorum, levius ferernus. . - Nam aliogui son defuturos fat (Cio qui vatiis modis nobis faceffent moleftiam, Habebit hic Momus {ios morliss, Sycophanta {uos fibilos, nec deerit Calumniatori fia lingua & aculeus, quem infigat. Hic fidem detrahet Hiftorie 5 ile artificium in trantando, alter diligentiam, vel in excutiendis rebus judicium defiderabit. Illi forfan operis difpli- eebit moles, vel minus difpotita fervataque temporum ratio. “Et fi nihil horum fiuerit, attamen in tanta Religionis pubia, in tanta judicioruin , capitum, fenfuum varietate, ubi fe quifque favet ac blanditur factioni, quid tam affabré, aut citcumfpecte enarrari potelt, quod placeat univerlis ? Quin && jam nunc muffitari etiam audio a nonnullis qui longa fefe teneri dicant expectatione, quoad hac tandem Legenda noffra, ut appellant, Aurea evulganda fi ui fi noftram primtm in ¢o tarditatem reprehenfam velint, ne ego fuaves iftos homines viciffim rogatos velim, ut ipfi prius in edendis fuis prebeant expeditiores, quam alienam inceffant lentitudinem, Deinde, fi tarditis exeat ipforam opinione volumen, meminerit, proverbiali przcepto, Lentam effe feftinationem oportere 5 & bos dicitur laflus fortitis pedem figere. Egimus in hac quidem’re pro virili noftra; Egimus fpero && pro officio, fi non fatis pro temporis modo expedite, at egimus cert® pro valetudine ; addam porto, egimus fupra valetudinem. Quin & illud ipforum venia adjicere liceat, egiffe nos maturitis quam ipfis forfan expediet qui in hunc nugantur modum : certé maturatitis egitnus quam tanti momenti 8 magnitudinis negotio conveniebat, quod accu- ratiorem in digerendis rebus moram curamque poftulabat, cm a nobis vix integros datos efle menfes o&odecim pre- parande materi, comportandis componendifque rebus, conferendis exemplaribus, JeCtitandis codicibus, re(cribendis his que {cripto mandata erant, caftizandis formulis, concinnande Hiftorie, & in ordinem redigende, &c. noverint Hi qui teftes adfuerint, & temporis con{cii, & laboris focii, Quod fi autem Auree fue Aurea titulum huc ed ac- commodant, quod illius exemplo hanc fimiliter fabulofam putent Hiftoriam, hincque odiofo vocabulo ejus prejudicent veritati, quid his refpondeam aliud quam quéd ingenué fuam ipfi prodant calimniam, quam ne editione quidem libri differre queant, prius de rebus dijndicantes quam noverint. Atque interim quidem illud bene habet, quod ipfos tandem aliquando Legenda fuce légenda pudeat tam fabulofe, Et tamen fabulis illis non puduit mundum tam diu ludificare, periculum etiam intentantes his, fi qui Legende illes hoc eft, mendaciffimis illorum nugis auderent detrahere. Quare nihil magis effe pollit impium, quam facrofanétam Ecclefie fideny fabulamentis hujufmodi con- fiGifque preter omnem veri fidem deliriis commaculare; tamen ineptiffimi ifti nugatores, ex fuo ingenio ceteros quofque {criptores metientes, nec ipfi verum adferre fatagunt, nec afferentibusaliis fidem habendam putant, cun@a videlicet fis aureis fomniis fimilia exiftimantes ? Quin apage cum Aurea tua Legenda, nugator impudens ; quem ego librum, cum omnes eum fcimus, nec ipfe ignoras prodigiofis mendaciorum portentis & vaniflimis undique com- mentis fcatere, ne cum Homeri quidem fabulis conferre velim 5 tantum abeft ut cum vert feriis gravibiifque Ecclefie Hiftoriis quicquam commune habeat. Quid? An quia Papiftis illis tuis & impuris Monachis fic libuit in ridiculis miraculorum fuorum portentis ineptire, tu protinus nullam gravem Hiftorie authoritatem putas in Ecclefia admitten- dam? Quin eadem lege & de Eufebii Ecclefialtica, & tripartita Soxomeni & Socratss ceterortimque Hiftoriis judi« cemus. Sunt preter hac & alia quedam de fanétis & Divis confcripta miracula, que propius ad Legendam hanc accedunt, & tamen nequaquam eo loco apud nos habentur, ut Legenda ile Papiftice annumerentur , etiam que fifpeGtiflime funt fidet. Quanquam de {criptoribus ceteris mea nihil intereft cenfuram ferre. Qudd ad hanc verd notiram oe «7 waplvein®, attinet, teftatum id velim univerfis, datam eff 4 nobis operam feduld ne quid ufquam ineffet operi fabulofum, aut ejufmodi quod vel a nobis fitum, vel quod Legenda ille Aureee (magis dicam plumbex) non undique foret diffimillimium. Id quod res ipfa & nativa Hiftorize facies teftari poterit, cujus tota textura ex ipfis Epifcoporum Archivis atque Regiftris, partimque ex propriis Martyrum ipforum literis haufta ac conflata videri poterit. In qua Hiftorja etfi neque id exigam ut fingula hic pro oraculis habeantur 5 at dedimus tamen pro vitili Operam, ut fi non plene affequeremus, accederemur tamen quam _proximé ad veterem illam Hiftorie legem, ut duas tes, pracipuas Hittorie peltes, vitaremur, timorem videlicet & affentationem 3 quarum.altera feepe minus dicit, altera femper plus addit, quam par-eft, narrationi. Sed hujus rei fidem ex ipfo magis opere, quam ex mea commenda- tione aftrui honeltius eft. Habet enim veritas ipf finyplicem fuam & nativam faciem, quam non erit difficile non muccofis naribus ledtori, ex ipfo vel orationis habitu, aut rerum afpedtu, five aliis cixcumftantiarum notis depre- a hendere e@Ad Lettorem. hendere. Sed vereor ne hic quoque, quemadmodum ceteris in rebus, locum habeat veteris proverbii experientia; Faciunt quippe mendaces ut ne veri etiam dicenti fides habeatur. Cum hatenus in Martyrologicis fanétorum legen= dis vitifque defcribendis mendacia, ac nugacifime fomniorum fiGtiones pro veris legantur narrationibus, fit ut ceters ejuldem argumenti materia eandem pariter fafpicionem ffubeant, ut vix jam quicquam legi dicive in Ecclefia cam fide queat. Vertim huic malo clim mederi nequeamus, fatis-erit, quod noftrarum erat virium id nos preftitiffe. Quod fupereft, Divine curandum providentie relinquamus. Atque de certitudine veritatéque Hiftorie hac haGenus : que utinam ne tam vera quidem cert&aque effet, quam ifti videri volunt, at fafa potius, confimilique huic, quam dicunt, Aurea ipforum Legend aut Vitis patrum,aut Feftivaliaut Dormi-fecure,ceterifque Papifticis iftis rots 73v AngSy ahests foret.. Nunc verd Martyrum horum: non 4 nobis fidta, fed infliGta a vobis fupplicia, atroxque cades veriorem hanc comprobant hiftoriam, pluré{que fua veritatis teftes habent quam vellemus ipfi qui hiftoriam fcripfimus. Venio jam ad alteram criminationis partem, que de Calendario foxtaitis objicietur. Audio enim & hic mihi obftrepere non tacitas mod® fententias, fed apertas Papiftarum quorundam voces, quibus inique 4 me factum videbitur, quod anti- quatis atque ex Calendario explotis veteris Ecclelie Diyis, Martyribus, Confefforibus, Virginibtifque, novos corum loco Martyxes ac Confeffores infulciam. Primtim, nulli ego veterum Divorum hoc facto prejudicatum velim. Neque vero ideo inter Divos 4 me referuntur ifti, quéd inferuntur in Calendarium. Hanc ego Apotheofin mihi nunquam fumpfi, quam fibi tam confidenter famplit Gregorixs nonus. Porro, neque 6 fpectat hoc Calendarium, ut novam aliquam feftorum dierum legem praefcribam Ecclefie ; tum multé minus cultum fanétialicujusinftituo. Feftorum dierum jam plus fatis erat in mundo, Utinam Dominicum folum Sabbatum digné, atque ut par eft, tranfigeremus. Habeant per me faum Papifte Calendarium. Habeat & Ecclefia {os fanctos, tum recentes tum veteranos, modo pro- batos, modo interim iidem ne colantur, modo quam fint vetufti tam veré etiam fancti fint. Veriim enimvero cum non dubitavit fia etiam etate Hieronymus multos exiftimare eorum gehenne ignibus cru- ciari, quos multi paffim pro fanétis haberent in Ecclefia 5 quid hic tum diceret Hieronymes, fi medo fuperttes Papifti- cam hanc fanétorum colluviem & Calendaria, tot Papis, tot Epifcopis, & Abbatibus oblita cerneret ? Quanguam 4 me quidem non Calendarium hoc inftitutum eft, nifi ut pro indice duntaxat, {unm cujufque Mar- tyris menfem & annum defignante, ad privatum Lectoris ferviret ufum. Et tamen fiin Templis etiam fas fit fingu- Jorum Menfium dies propriis fanétorum nomenclaturis confignare, qui minus liceat id mihi in veris iftis facere Marty- yibus, quod ipfi in fuis pleudomartyribus, tanta fibi licentia, ne dicam impudentia, permifernnt ?\ Si non poena, fed caufa Martyrem faciat, curnon unum Crammerum fexcentis Becketis Cantuarienfibus non conferam, fed pretulerim 2 Quid in Nicolao Ridleo videtur cum quovis divo Nicolae non conferendum ? Qua in re Latimerss, Hoperus, Mar- foeus, Simpfonus, ceterique Chriftiani Martyrii Candidati, inferiores fummis maximifque illis Papiftici Calendarii Divis, imo multis etiam nominibus non prxponendi videantur ? Interim nullivs ego boni fanétique viri (modé qui vere fanctus fit) caufam ledo, nec memoriam extinguo, nec gloriam minuo, Et fi cui hoc difpliceat Calendarium, meminerit, non in Templis collocari, fed domeftica tantum JeCtioni preparari. Sed miffis hifce adverfaricrum calumniis, ad te, doéte candidéque Lector (quoniam hee ad te inftituta eft Epiftola) tempus eft ut recurrat Oratio, cujus in his rebus judicium ut pluris eftimo, ita egeo magis hic quoque Patrocinio, Scio enim, in vafta hac congerie reperies nonnulla ad qua merito corruges frontem. Neque vero fieri facile potuit, prefertim in tanta operis precipitatione, ut cunéta ad amuffim atque ad unguem perfecté adeo elimarentur, quin alicubi vel ex laffitudine dormitaret {criptor, vel per incuriam excideret Authori aliquid, vel ex feftinatione eveniret, quod cani folet in proverbiis nimium pre fiudio properanti, Cacos nimirum producenti catulos. In quibus quidem excutiendis rebus magis nobis venia tua quam cenfura imploranda eft. Quamobrem paucis hac apud te, docte fimul & humanitfime Lector, ante operis ingreffium libuit aese/aéew, ut fi quid inter evolyendum occurterit, non omnibus perfectum numeris, non ad’ Cleantis lucernam elucubratum, nonad exquifitum Theologorum acumen expreffum, aut minus alioqui acutiffimis tuis dignum naribus, cogites hec non tuis auribus data effe, fed meis s hoc eft, craffioris turbz hominibus, a quibus facilius leguntur libri quam judicantur. Aut fine id quidem graviffima tue fententiz fecetit fatis, liceat illa mihi uti lege, qua femper permiffum eft, opere in magno, {criptori obrepere fommum. Quod-fi vers tuam hac in re facilitatem impetravero, minus laborabo quid cateri obltrepant, Greci memor Proverbii, cujus & ipfos commeminiffe velim, pumicvras Géduarey i puguboerede To To the True and Faithful Congregation of Curists Univerfal Cuurcs, with all and fingular the Members thereof, wherefoever congregated or difperfed through the Realm of England, a Pro- teftation or Petition of the Author, withing to the fame abundance of all Peace and Tranquillity, with the {peedy coming of Curisr the Spoufe, to makean end of all Mortal Mifery. fitifoed the Building of the Lords Temple (which he had feven years in hand) made his Petition to the Lord for all that fhould pray in the faid Temple, or turn their face toward its and his Requeft was granted, the Lord anfivering him, as we read in the faid Book, Chap. 6. Ihave heard (jaith he) thy Prayer, and have fanttified this Place, oc. Albeit the infinite Majefty of God is not to be compaffed in any material Walls, yet it fo pleafed his Goodness to refpelé this Prayer of the King, that not only he promiféd to hear them which there prayed, but alfo replenifhed the fame with his own Glory. For fo we read again in the Book aforefaid; Et non poterant miniftrare propter nebulam, quia replevit Gloria Domini domum Domini, Reg. 7. : Upon the like truft in Gods gracious goodnefs if I finful Wretch, not comparing with the building of that Temple, but following the weal of the Builder, might either be fo bold to asks, or fo happy to feed, after my fever years travel about this Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, I would moft humbly crave of Almighty God to beftow his Sleffing upon the fame; that as the Prayers of them which prayed in the outward Temple were heard, fo all true difpofed minds which fhall refort to the reading of this prefent Hiftory, containing the Ads of Gods holy Martyrs, and Monuments of bis Church, may by example of their Life, Faith, and Dottrine, receive fome fuch fpiritual fruit to their Souls, through the ope» ration of his Grace, that it way be to the advancement of his Glory, and profit of his Church, through Chrift Fefus our Lord. Amen. But as it happened ix that Temple of Solomon, that all which came thither came not to pray, but many to prate, forme to gaze and fee News, other to talk and walk, fome to buy and fell, fome to carp and find fault, and finally fome alfo at the laft to deftroy and pull down, as they did indeed 5 (For what is in this World fo ftrong, but it will be impugned? what fo perfed, but it mill be abufed 2 So true, that wil not be contraried ? or fo circumfpectly done, wherein wrangling Theon will not fet in his tooth? ) Even fo neither do look for any other in this prefent HiStory, but that among(t many well difpofed Readers, fore Wafpes Neft or other will be fired up to buz, about mine ears. So dan- gerous athing it is now adays to write or do any good, but cither by flattering a man wut offend the Godly, or by true fheaking procure hatred of the Wicked. Of fuch flinging Wafpes and buzzing Drones T had fufficient triel in my former Edition before 3 who if they had found in my Book any juft canfe to carp, or upon any true zeal of truth had proceeded againft the untruths of my flory, and had brought juft proofs for the fame, I could right well have abide it. For God forbid but that faults, wherefoever they be, fhould be detetted and accufed.. And therefore Accufers in a Commonwealth, after my mind, doferve to xo fall ftead. But then fuch Accufers nuft beware they play not the dog, of whom Cicero in his Oration fpcaketh, which being fént in Capitolio to fray away Thieves by night, left the Thieves, and fell to bark at true men walking in the day. Where true faults be, there to bay and bark, is not amifs. But to carp where no cafe is 5 to {pie in other ftraws, and leap over their own blocks; to fwallow Camels, and to firain at Guatss to opprefs truth with lyes, and to fet up yes for truths to blafpheme the dear Martyrs of Christ, and to Canonize for Saints, whom Scripture mould fearce allow for good Subjedts that i intolerable. Such barking Currs, if they were well ferved, would be made a while to ftoop. But with thefe brawling fpirits I intend not at this time much to wraftle. Wherefore to leave theme a while,till further leifure ferve me to attend upon them,thys much I thought inthe mean feafon, by way of Protestation or Petition, to write unto you, both in general and parti- cular, the true Members and faithful Congregation of Chrifts Church, wherefoever either congregated together, or difperfed through the whole Realw of England, that forfornch as all the feeking of thefé Adverfavies is to do what they can, by difirediting of this Hiftory with flanders and finifter fermifes, to withdraw ihe Readers from it : this therefore fhall be in few words to premonifh and defire of all and fingular of you (all well minded Lovers avd Partakers of Chrifts Gofpel) not to fuffer your feloes to be deceived with the big Brags, and Hyperbolical Speeches of thofe flandering Tongues, what/oever they have or fhall hereafter exclaim againft the fame but indifferently laying your judgment till truth be tried, you will firft pernfe, and then refules meafuring the untruths of this History, not by the feoring up of their hundreds and thoufands of lyes which they give out, but wifely weighing the purpofe of their doings according as you find, and fo to judge of the matter. To read my Books I allure neither one nor other. Every man as he feeth cane, fo let bin like as he lifteth, If any foall think his labour too much in reading this flory, bis choice is free either to read this, or any other which he more mindeth. But if the fruit thereof shall recompence the Readers : : aa travel, S: LOMON the peaceable Prince of Mfrael, as we read in the third of Kings, after he had A Proteftation to the whole Church of England. travel, then would I wifh no man fo light eared, to be carried away for any finifter clamor of Adverfa- vies, who many times deprave good doings, not for the faults they find, but ea Fed faults becaufe they would deprave. As for me and my Hiftory, as my will was to profit all and difpleafe none 5 fo if shall in any part wanted to will, yet hath may purpofe been fimple, and certes the caufe no lefs urgent alo, which moved me to take this Enterprife in hand. For firft to fee the fimple Flock, of Chrift, efpecially the unlearned fort, fo miferably abuféd, and all for ignorance of Hiftory, not knowing the courfe of Times, and true defcent of the Church, it pitied me that part of diligence fo long to have been unfupplied in this my Country Church of England. Again, Lae confidering the multitude of Chronicles and Story-Writers, both in England, and ont of England, of of aay whou the moft part have been either Monks or Clients to the See of Rome, it grieved me to behold writers. om partially they handled their ftories, Whofé painful travel albeit Icannot but commend, in commit- ting divers things to writing, not unfruitful to be known, nor unpleafant to be read 5 yet it lamented me to fee in their Monuments the principal Points, which chiefly concerned the fate of Chrifts Church, and were moft neceffary of all Christian people to be kzown, either altogether pretermitted, or if any mention thereof were inferted, yet were all things drawn to the honour {pecially of the Church of Rome, or elfe to the favour of their own Seét of Religion. Whereby the vulgar fort, hearing and reading in their Writings no other Charch mentioned or magnified, but only that Church which here flonrifhed in this World in riches and jollity, were drawn alfo to the fame perfwafion, to think no other Church to have ftood in all the Earth but only the Church of Rome. In the number of this fort of Writers, befides our Monks of England (for every Monaftery almoit had his Chronicler) I might alfo alfo recite both Italian and other Country Authors, as Platina, Sabel- Ticus, Nauclerus, Martinus, Antonius, Vincentius, Onuphrius, Laziardus, Georgius Lilius, Polyd. Virgilius, with many more, who taking upon them to entermeddle with matters of the Church, although in part they exprefs fome truth in matters concerning the Bifhops and See of Rome 5 yet in fupprelfing another part they play with us, as Ananias and Saphyra did with their money, or as Apelles did in Pliny, who, painting the one half of Venus coving out of the Sea, left the other half unperfet. So thefe Writers, while they fhew us one half of the Bifhop of Rome, the other half of hia they leave unperfed, and utterly untold, For as they paint him out on the one part gliftering in Wealth and Glory, in foewing what fucceffion the Popes had from the Chair of Saint Peter, when they firft began and how long they fate, what Churches, and what famows Buildings they eretfed, how far their Poffelfi- ons reached, what Laws they made, what Councils they called, what Honour they received of Kings and Emperors, what Princes and Conutries they brought under their Authority, with other like fira- iagems of great Pomp and Royalty 3 fo on the other fide, what Vices thefe Popes brought with them to their Seat, what Abominations they pratlifed, what Superstition they maintained, what Idolatry they procured, what wicked Dottrine they defended contrary to the exprefs Word of God, to what Herefies they fell, into what divifion of Set#s they cut the unity of Chriftian Religion, how fome prattifed by Simony, fome by Necrorzancy and Sorcery, fome by poyfoning, fome indenting with the Devil to come by their Papacy, what Hypocrifie was in their Lives, what Corruption in their Dotrine, what Wars they raifed,what Bloodfhed they canfed, what Treachery they traverfed again{t their Lords and Emperors, iaprifoning fome, betraying fome to the Templaries and Saracens, in bringing other under their Feet, alfo in beheading fome, as they did with Fredericus avd Conradinus, the Heirs and Off-fpring of the Honfe of Fredericus Barbarofla, ix the Year, 1269. Furthermore, bow mightily Alwighty God hath flood againft them, how their Wars never profpered against the Turk, how the judggseeuts of the godly learned from time to time have ever repugned againft their Errors, Gc. Of thefe and a thoufand other wore ot one word hath beer touched, but all kept as under Benedicite, iz auricular Confelfion. This partial dealing and. corrupt handling of Hiftories when I confidered, I thought with my felf nothing more lacking in the Church than a full and a compleat ftory, which, being faithfully colletted out of all our Monaftical Writers, and written Monuments, fhould contain neither every vain written Fable, for that would be too much, nor yet leave out any thing neceffary, for that would be too little but with a moderate difiretion taking the best of every one fhould both eafe the labour of the Reader from turning over fuch a number of Writersy and alfo should open the plaix truth of Times lying long Prinun bid in obfeure darknefs of Antiquity. Whereby all ftudious Readers, beholding as in a Glafs the fay, quod Me , courfe, and alteration of Religion, decay of Doétrine, and the Controverfies of the Church, might ef, Feral. difcerz the better between Antiquity and Novelty. For if the things which be firft (after the Rule of Turtullian) are to be preferred before thofé that be later, then isthe reading of Hiftories much ne- ceffary in the Church, to kzow what went before, and what followed after 5 and therefore not without caufe Hiftoria, in old Authors, is called the Witnefs of Times, the Light of Verity, the Life of Memory, Teacher of Life, azd Shewer of Antiquity, &c. Without the knowledge whereof mans life is blind, and foon may fall into any kind of error, as by manife/t experience we have to fee in thefe defolate later Times of the Church, when as the Bifhops of Rome under colour of Antiquity have turned Truth into Herefte, and brought fuch new-found Devifes of ftrange Dottrine and Religion, as in the former Age of the Church were never heard of before, and all through ignorance of Times, and for lack 7 of true Eiiftory. For to fay the truth, if tinres had been well fearched, or if they which wrote Hiftories had without pertiality gone upright between God and Baal, ‘halting on neither fide, it might well have been found, the woft part of all this Catholick corruption intruded into the Church by the Bifbops of Rome, as Tran fubftantiation, Elevation and Adoration of the Sacrament, Anricular Confiffion, forced Vows of Pricfis not to marry, Veneration of Images, private and fatisfattory Maffés, the Order of Gregories Mefs now uféd, the nfurped Authority and Summa potettas of the See of Rome, with all the rout of A Proteftation to the whole Church of England. of their Ceremonies and Weeds of Superfiition overgrowing now the Church ; all thefe (I fay) io b New-nothings lately coined in the Mint of Rome, without any ftamp of Antiquity, as by reading of this prefent Hiftory fhall fufficiently (I truft) appear. Which Hiftory therefore I ave here taken it ave of hand,that as other Story-Writers heretofore have employed their travel to magnifie the Church of Rome, bath Jo in this History might appear to all Christian Readers the Image of both Churches, as well of the one Churches. as of the other , efpecially of the poor oppreffed and perfecuted Church of Chrift. Which perfecuted Church though it hath been of long feafon troden under foot by Enemies, negleted in the World, not regarded in Hiftories, and aloft fearce vifthle or known to worldly eyes, yet hath it been the true Church only of God, wherein he hath mightily wrought hitherto, in preferving the fame in all extreans Diftreffes, continually ftirring up fiom time to time faithfil Minifters, by who always have been kept Some {parks of bis true DoGrine and Religion. Now forafiauch as the true Church of God gocth not lightly alone, but is accompanied with fome Has CF other Church or Chappel of the Devil to.deface and malign the fume, neceffary it is th erefore the dif: chrits ference between thems to be feen, and the defient of the right Church to be deferibed fiom the Apoftles ai time. Which hitherto in moft part of Hiftories hath been lacking, partly for fear, that men durft Apoftles not, partly for ignorance, that men could not difcern rightly between the one and the other. Who be- fe ae holding the Church of Rome to be fo viffble and glorious in the eyes of all the world, fo fhining in Sees outward beauty, to bear fich a Port, to carry fich a Train and Multitude, and to ftand in fuch high Authority, fuppofed the fame to be the only right Catholich Mother. The other, becanfe it mas not fo How the vifibly keown in the world, they thought therefore it could not be the true Church of Cl rift, Wherein Checch of they were far deceived : for although the right Church of God be not fo inviftble in the world that Cheitt is none can fee it, yet neither is it fo viffble again that every worldly eye may perceive it. For like as is the a nature of Truths fo is the proper condition of the trueChurch, that commonly none feeth it, but fuch only as be the Members and Partakers thereof. And therefore they, which require that Gods holy Church (hould be evident and vifible to the whole World, feem to define the great Synagogue of the World, rather than the true Spiritual Church of God. In Chriits time who would have thought but the Congregations and Councils of the Pharifees had beew the right Church 2 and yet had Christ another Church in Earth befides that; which albeit it was not fo manifeft in the fight of the World, yet was it the only true Church in the fight of God. OF this Church meant Chrift, fpeaking of the Temple which be would raife again the third day. And yet after that the Lord was rifen, he foewed not himJelf to the World, but only to his Eled, which were but few. The fame Church after that encreafed and multiplied mightily among ‘the Jews, get had not the Jews eyes to fee Gods Church, but did perfecute it, tilf at length all their whole Nation was deftrayed. After the Jews, then came the Heathen Emperors of Rome, who, having the whole Power o the World in their hands, did what the World could do, to extinguifh the Name and Church of Chrift. Whofé violence continued the fpace of three hundred years. All which whjle the true Church of Chrift was not greatly in fight of the World, but rather was abborred every where, and ye not- withfanding the fame finall (illy Flock fo defpifed in the World, the Lord highly regarded and mightily preferved. For although many then of the Chriftians did fuffer death, yet was their death neither los to them, nor detriment to the Church; but the more they fuffired, the more of their blood increafed. In the time of thefe Emperors God raifed up then in this Reals of Britain divers worthy Preachers the An-] and Witneffes, as Elnanus, Meduinys, Meltivianus, Amphibolus, Albanus, Aaron, Julius, amd other Haut more. In whofe time the Dottrine of Faith without mens traditions was fincerely preached, After Chute their death and Martyrdora it pleafed the Lord to provide a general quietné/s to bis Church, whereby here in the number of his Flock began more to encreafe. ees Jn this Age then followed herein the faid Land of Britain, Faftidius, Nivianus, Patricius, Bac- defcent of chiarius, Dubricius, Congellus, Kentigernus, Helmotus, David, Daniel, Sampfon, Elnodugus, esac Afaphus, Gildas, Henlanus, Elbodus, Dinothus, Samuel, Nivius, and a great fort more, which Soverned the Church of Britain by Chriftian Doétrine along feafon; albeit the Civil Governors for the time were then diffolute and carelefs, as Gildas very fharply doth lay to their Charge, and fo at length were fubdued by the Saxons. All this while about the fpace of four hundred years Religion remained in Britain uncorrupt, and the Word. of Chrift truly preached, till about the coming of Auguftine and of his Companions from Rome, many of the faid Britain-Preachers were flain by the Saxons. After that began Chriftian Faith to enter and pring among the Saxons , after a certain Romilh fort, yet not withftanding fomewhat more tolerable than were the times which after followed, through the dili- gent induftry of fome godly Teachers which then lived amongft them, as Aidanus, Finianus, Cole- man Archbifhop of York, Beda, John of Beverly, Alcuinus, Noctus, Hucharius, Serlo, Achar- dus, Ealtedus, Alexander, Neckham, Negellus, Fenallus, Alfticus, Sygeferthus, and Such other 5 who though they erred in fome few things, yet neither fo grofly, wor fo greatly to be complained of, eeltae in refpect of the abufes that followed. For as yet all this while the Error of Tranfubftantiation noryetre- and Elevation, with Auricular Confelfion, was not crept in for a publick Doétrine in Chrifts Church, ceived for 2 % < ? a publick as by their own Saxon Sermon made by H\fricus, and fet out in the fecond Volume of this prefent potrine. Hiftory may appear. During the which mean time, although the Bifhops of Rome were had here in re Some reverence with the Clergy, yet had they nothing as yet to doin making Laws touching matters of ane tbe Church of England 5 but that only appertained to the Kings and Governors of the Land, as is began 0 in this ftory to be fen. Gua a3 And A Proteftation to the whole Church of England. “males And thus the Church of Rome, albeit it began then to decline apace from God, yet during all this syluius while it remained hitherto in fome reafonable order, till at length, after that, the faid Bifhops began to Geer foot up in the world, through the liberality of good Princes, and efpecially of Mathilda a noble Dutchefs made the of Italy , who at her death made the Pape Heir of all her Lands, and endued his See with great Re- Pope Bas venues. Then Riches begat Ambition, Ambition defiroyed Religion, fo that all came toruine. Out o; Lands this Corruption fprang forth bere in England (as did in other places more) another Romith kind of peiteiate Monkery, worfe than the other before, being much more drowned in Superftition and Ceremonies, aed ny Which was about the year of our Lord, 980. Of this Swarm was Egbertus, Aigelbert,Egwine,Boniface, of Sait Wilfrede, Agathon, James, Romain, Cedda, Dunftan, Ofwold, Athelwold, Althelwine Duke of Fert. ,, Battangles, Lanfrac, Anfelme, and fuch other. lib. 6. And yet in this time alfo, through Gods Providence, the Church lacked not fome of better knowledge Monkely and judgment,to weigh with the darknefs of thofe days. For although King Edgar mith Edward his bafe began to So, being feduced by Dunftan, Ofwold, and other Monkifh Clerks, was then a great Author and relgnin Faytor of much Superflition, erecting as many Monafteries as were Sundays in the year 5 yet notwith- Easleads franding, this continued not long. For eftfoons after the death of Edgar came King Ethelrede and Queen Elfthred his Mother, with Alferus Duke of Merceland, gad other Peers and Nobles of the Real, who difplaced the Monks again, and reftored the married Priefts to their old Pofffions and Livings. Moreover, ope that followed alfo the Danes, which overthrew thofé Monkifo Foundations as faft as King Edgar had fet them up before. ‘And thus hitherto flood the condition of the true Church of Chriit, albeit not without forme repug- nance and difficulty, yet in forse mean fate of the truth and verity, till the time of Pope Hildebrand called Gregory the Seventh, which was near about the year One thoufand and eighty, and of Pope In- nocentius the Third, in the year One thoufand two hundred and fifteen. By whom all together was turned upfide down, all Order broken, Difcipline diffolued, true Doétrine defaced, Chriftian Faith extinguifhed. In fead whereof was fet up preaching of mens Decrees, Dreams and idle Traditions. And whereas before Truth was free to be difputed amongft learned men, now Liberty was turned into Lam, Argument into Authority. Whatfoever the Bifhop of Rome denounced, that food for an Oracle of all men tobe received without Oppofition or Contradiction ; whatfoever was contrary ipfo fakto it was Herefie, to be punified with Faggot and flaming-fire. Then began the fincere Faith of this Englith Church, ‘which held out fo long, to quail. ‘Then was the clear Sun(bine of Gods Word overfhadowed. with Mifts and Darkuefs, appearing like Sackeloth to the people, which neither could underftand what Thetrue they read, nor yet were permitted toread what they could underftand, In thefe miferable days, as the. are true Vifible Church began now to fhrink and keep in for fear: So up flarta new fort of Players, to began firtt frrnifb the Stage, as School-Dottors, Canonifts, and four Orders of Friers, Befides other Mouaftical to decay. “Seéts and Fraternities of infinite variety, Which ever fince have kept fuch a ftir in the Church, that none for ther aloft. durft rout, neither Cxfar, King, nor Subjed. What they defined, ftoods what they approved, wasCatholichs what they condemned,was Hereftes whomfoever they accufed, none almoft could fave. And thus have thefe hitherto continued or reigned rather in the Church, the fpace nom of 400 years and odd. Dihring which fhace the true Church of Christ, although it durft not openly ap- pear inthe face of the world, oppreffed by Tyranny; get neither was it fo invifible or unknown, but by the Providence of the Lord fome Remnant always remained from time to time, which not only frewed fecret good affection to fincere Doctrine, but alfo ftood in open defence of Truth againft the dif- ordered Church of Rome. thetrue Iz which Catalogue, firft, to pretermit Bertramus and Berengarius, which were before Pope Innocent cute the Third, a learned multitude of fufficient Witneffes here might be produced, whofe Names neither are ethin che ob/eure nor Doéfrine unknown, as Joachim Abbot of Calabria, Almericus 2 learned Bifhop, who was midft of judged an Heretick for holding againft Images in the time of the faid Innocentius. Befides the Mar- their Ene- : , ayes mics. ‘tyr of Alfatia, of whom we read an hundred to be burned by the faid Innocentius 7 one day, as writeth Hermanus Mucius. Add likewifé to ibefe the Waldenfes or Albingenfes, which to a great number fegregated themfelves from the Church of Rome. Lo this number alfo belonged Reymundus * Extra: Earl of Tholoufe, Marfilius Patavius, * Gulielmus de $. Amore, Simon Tornacenfis, Arnoldus Metre” de nova Villa, Johannes Semeca, befides divers other Preachers én Suevia flanding against the Pope, mult. One thoufand four hundred and forty. Ex Crantz, Laurentius Anglicus ¢ Mafter of Paris, Anno, One Be Nth shoufand two bandred and fixty. Petrus Johannes a Mixorite, who was burned after his death Anno, lib. taqui- Onze thoufand two hundred and ninety. Robertus Gallus ¢ Dominick Frier, Anno, One thoufand fiionom- sry hundred ninety ona Robert Grofthead Bifhop of Lincoln, which was called Malleus Romano- ¥ ex jo, rum, Anno, One ihoufand two hundred and fifty. Lord Peter de Cugneriis, Anno, Oze thoufand: ‘auintio, three hundred twenty nine, To thefe we may add moreover, GulielmusOckam, Bongratius Bergo- uo7 i, menfis, Luitpoldus, Andreas Laudenfis, Ulricus Hangenor Treafirer. to the Emperor, Johannes de ‘cap. Lice Ganduno, Anno, Ove thoufand three hundred and thirty mentioned in the Extravagants, Andreas de intia do- Caftro, Buridianus, Euda, Duke of Burgundy, who connfélled the French King not to receive the Exbullis #ew-fornd Conftitutions, and Extravagants of the Pope into his Real, Dantes Alligerius, az Italian, eee who wrote again? the Pope, Monks, and Friers, and saint the Donation of Conftantine, Anno, seal Thirteen hundred and thirty, Taulerus ¢German Preacher, * Conradus Hager, imprifoned for Hotbipe. preathing againft the Ma/s, Anno, Thirteen hundred thirty wine, The Author of the Book called Pos- {efi nitentiarius Alini, corpiled about the year, Thirteen hundred forty three, Michael Cefenas, a Gray. vegant. Frier, Petrusde Corbaria, with Johannes de Poliaco,mentioned in the Extravagants,and condemned Jan.22. by the Pope, Johannes de Caftilione, mith Francifcus de Arcatara, who were burned. about the year Frferd. of our Lord, 1322. + Johannes Rochtaylada, otherwife called Haybalus, with another Frier aH i inartyred about the year, 1346. Francifcus Petrarcha, whe called Rome the Whore of Babylon, &c. aoa : f Anno, A Proteftation to the whole Church of England. Anno, Oxe thoufind three hundred and fifty, * Georgius Ariminentis, Anno, Oxe thoufand thice ies hundred and fifty, Joannes de Rupe Scilla, imprifoned for certain Prophefies againft the Pope, Anno, Ex Bulla One thoufand three hundred and forty, Gethardus Ridder, who alfo wrote againft Monks and Friers, Greorii, 4 Book called Lacrymx Ecclefie, Anno, Oxe thoufand three hundred and fifty, Godfridus de Fonta- EP lyr nis, Gulielmus de Landuno, Joannes Monachus Cardini, Armachanus, Nicolaus Orem, Preacher, co- Anno, Oxe thoufand three hundred fixty four, Militzius 2 Bohemian, who then preached, That Anti- chrif? was come, and ras excommunicate for the fame, Anno, One thoufand three hundred fixty fix, Jacobus Mifnenfis, * Matthias Parifienfis 2 Bohemian biry, and a Writer againft the Pope, Anno, One thoufand three hundred and feventy, Joannes Montziger, Recfor of the Univerfity of Ulm,Anno 1384. Nilus Archbifhop of Theflalonica, Henricus de Jota, Henricus de Haffia, &c. Ido but recite the principal Writers and Preachers in thofe days. How many thoufands there were which never bowed their knees to Baal, that i known to God alone. Of whom we find in the writings v one * Bruthius, that fix and ibirty Citizens of Maguntia were burned, Anno, Oxe thonfand three 2 undred and ninety. Who, following the Dotlrine of the Waldentes, affirmed the Pope to be the Great ix", Antichrift. Alo Maffeus recordeth of one hundred and forty, which in the Province of Narbon Chriftiano were put to the fire, for not receiving the Decretals of Rome, befides there that fiffered at Paris to the M2 ausber of four and twenty at one time, Anno 1210. and the next year after were four hundred burnt uader the name of Hereticks; befides alfo a certain good Heremit, av Englifhman, of whom mention Ex Jiet, 3s made in John Bacon, Dift.2. Queft. 1. who was committed for difputing in Pauls Church againf? Dif, 2. certain Sacraments of the Church of Rome, Anno 1306. Quaft, 1. To defcend now formewhat lower in drawing out the Defcont of the Church. What a multitude here cometh of faithful Witueffes in the time of Jonn Wickliff, as Ocliff, Wickliff, Anno 1379. William Thorp, Whige, Purvey , Fatthal, Pain, Gower, Chaucer, Gafcoin, Will. Swinderby, Walter Brute, Roger Dexter, William Sautry, about the year, 1470. John Badby, Avo 1410. Nicholas Tailer, Richard Wagftaff, Michael Scrivener, William Smith, John Henry, William Parchmenar, Roger Goldf{mith, mith an Anchoreffe called Mathilde in the City of Leicefter, Lord Cobham, Sir Roger Acton Kuight, John Beverley Preacher, John Hufle, Jerome of Prague, 2 Schoolmafter, with a number of faithful Bohemians, and Thaborites xot to be told; with whom I might alfo adjoyn Laurentius Valla, and Joannes Picus, the learned Earl of Mirandula. But what do J ftand upon recital of Names, which almoft are infinite 2 Wherefore, if any be fo far beguiled in his Opinion to think the Doftrine of the Church of Rome (as it now ftandeth ) to be of fuch Antiquity, and that the fame was never impugned before the time of Luther and Zuinglius now of late, let them read thee Histories: or if he think, the faid History not tobe of fiffcient credit to alter his Perfwafion, let him perufé-the Ads and Statutes of Parliaments, palfed in this Realve of ancient time, and therein confider and confer the courfe of times; where he may hae find and read, Anno 5. Regis Richardi 2. in the year of our Lord, 1380. of 4 great number (which a hich there be called evil perfons) going about from Town to Town in Freeze Gowns, preaching unto 2: Anno the people, &c. Which Preachers although the words of the Statute do term there to be diffembling P™ 13% perfons, preaching divers Sermons containing Herefies and notorious Errors, to the eusblemifoment of Chriftian Faith, and of holy Church, Gc. as the words do there pretend 3 yet notwithftanding every érue Chriftian Reader may conceive of thofe Preachers to teach no other DoGirine, than now they heat their own Preachers in Pulpits preach againft the Bifbop of Rome, aud the corrupt Hlerefies of his Church. Furthermore, he fhall find likemife iv Statut. Anno 2Hen. 4. cap. 15. in the year of our Lord, 1402. another like company of good Preachers and faithful Defenders of true Doétrine against blind Hereffe and Error. whor albeit the words of the Statute there, through corruption of that time, do wx star. falfly term to be fale and perverfe Preachers, under diffembled Holine&, teaching in thofe days in Auno openly and privily new Doétrines and heretical Opinions, contrary to the Faith and determina- cane tion of holy Church, &c. yet notmithitanding whofever readeth Fiiftories, and conferreth the order Anno and defcent of times, fhall underftand thefe to be xo falfe Teachers, but faithful Witneffes of the Truth, P2140 not teaching any new Doéttrines contrary to the determination of holy Church 5 but rather fhall find that Church to be unholy which they preached againft, teaching rather it felf heretical Opinions, contrary both to Antiquity, and Verity of Chrifts true Catholick Church. Of the like number alfo, or greater, of like faithful Favourers and Followers of Gods holy Word, ws ticeris we find in the year,1422, fpecified in a Letter fent from Henry Chichelly Archbifbop of Canterbury, archie- to Pope Martin the Fifth, iz the fifth year of kis Popedom, where mention is made of {ome many here PHC Catt in England infected (as he faid) with the Herefies of Wick/iff and Hufe, that without force of $. Anno | an Army they could not be fuppreffed, &c. Whereupon the Pope fent two Cardinals to the Arch. Domt4z2 bifhop, to cause atenth to be gathered-of all fpiritual and religious men, and the money to be laid in she Chamber Apoftoliks and if that were not Sufficient, the refidue to be made up of Chalices, Candles ticks, and other Implements of the Church, &c. "What fhall need then any more Witneffes to prove this matter, when you fee So many years ago whole Armies and Multitudes thus flanding againft the Pope 2 who though they be termed here for Here- ticks and Schifinaticks, yet in that which they call Hereffe ferved they the living Lord within the Ark, of his true fpiritual and vifible Charch. And where is then the frivolous brag of the Papifts, which make fo much of their painted sheath, and would needs bear ws down, that this Government of the Church of Rome, which now is, hath beew of fuch an old flanding, time out of mind, even fromthe Primitive Antiquity,and that never was any other Church demonftrable here in Earth for wen to follow, befides the faid only Catbolick, Mother Church of Rome? when as we have fufficiently proved before, by the continual delcent of the Church ti ‘ A Proteftation to the whole Church of England. ull this prefent time, that the faid Church, after the Dottrine which is now reformed, is no new begun matter, but even the old continued Church, by the providence and promife of Chrift fiill flanding, which albeit it hath been of late years repreffed by the tyranny of Roman Bifkops more than before, yet not~ withstanding it was never fo oppreffed,but God hath ever maintained in it the truth of his Gofpel,againft Herefies and Errors of the Church of Rome, as in this Hiftory more at ‘fall is to be feen. Let ws now proceed further as we began, deducing this defcent of the Church unio the 150% year. Bloody In which year the Lord began to fhew in the parts of Germany woxderful Tokens, and bloody Marks of Marks of his Paffion, as the bloody-Crofs, his Nails, Spear, and Crown of Thornes, which fell from Heaven upon chrifis the Garments and Caps of Men, and Rocks of Women, as you may further readin this Book, By the fen on Which Tokens Almighty God, no doubt, prefignified, what grievous Affictions and bloody Perfecutions mens Fg fhould then begin to enfie upon his Church for his Gofpels-fake,according as in this Hiftory is defcribed 5 Gemany, Wherein is to be feen what Chriftian-blood hath been pilt, what Perfecutions raifed, what Tyranny exer- 4n.150% cifed, what Torments devifed, what Treachery uféd againft the poor Flock and Charch of Christ in Jfuch fort as fince Chrifts time greater hath not been fen. son 'Y _ And now by revolution of years we are come from that time of 1501, to the year now prefent 1570. Captivity Iz which the full foventy years of the Babylonith-Captivity draweth now well to an end, if we connt Sia fron the firft appearing of thefe bloody Marks above mentioned. Or if we reckon from the beginning of Luther aad his Perfécution, then lacketh yet (ixteen years. Now what the Lord will do with this wicked World, or what reft he will give to bis Church after thefe long Sorrows, he is our Father in Heaven, his Will be done in Earth as feemeth bef} to his divine Majefty. Tx the mean time let us for our parts with all patient Obedience wait upon his Graces leifure, and glorifie his holy Name, and edifie one another with all humility. Aud if there cannot be an end of our difputing and contending one againft another, yet let there be a moderation amour affettions, And ferafiauch as it is the good Will of onr God, that Satan thus fhould be let loofe amongst ws for a (hort time 5, yet let us flrive in the mean while what me can to amend the malice of the time with mutual buma- nity, They that be in Error let them not difdain to learn, They which have greater Talents of Know- ledge committed, inftruk in fimmplicity them that be imple. No man liveth in that Commonwealth where nothing is amifs 5 but yet becaufe God hath fo placed ws Englifhmen here in one Commonwealth, alfo in one Church, as in one Ship togethers let us not mangle or divide the Ship, which being divided perifveth 5 but every man ferve with diligence and difcretion in his Order, wherein he is called. They Exhorta- that (it at the Helm: keep well the point of the Needle, to kxow how the Ship goeth, and whither it tHlontethe fhould. Whatfoewer weather betideth, the Needle well touched with the Stone of Gods Word, will England. never fail. Such as labour at the Oars fart & no Tempeft, but do what they can to keep fiom the Rocks. Likewife they which be in inferior Rooms take heed they move xo Sedition nor Difturbance againft the Rowers and Mariners. No Storm fo dangerows to a ship on the Sea, as is difcord and diforder in aWeal publick, What Countries and Nations, what Kingdoms and Empires, what Cities, Towns and Honfes diftord hath diffolued, ix Stories is manifeft; I need not {pend time in rehearfing Examples. The God of Peace, who hath Power both of Land and Sea, reach forth his merciful hand to help them up that ink, to keep up them that ftand, to fill thefeWinds and furging Seas of Difcord and Contention among us 5 that we profelfing one Chrift, may in one Unity of Doérine gather our felves into one Ark of the true Church together, where we continuing fbedfait in Faith, may at the laf luckily be conducted to the joyful Port of our delired landing-place, by bis heavenly Grace. To whons both in Heaven and Earth, be all Power and Glory, with his Father and the Holy Spirit for ever. Amen. Tbe The Utility of this Story. He World being replenifhed with fuch an infinite multitude of Books of all kind of otal matters, I may Cem, perhaps, to take a matterin hand fuperfluous and, needlefs, at famentide * this prefent to fet out fuch Volumes, efpecially of Hiftories, confidering now adays the World is fo greatly peftered, not only with fuperfluous plenty thereof, but of all other Treatifes, fo that Books now feem rather to lack Readers, than Readers to lack Books. : In the which multitude of Books, I doubt not but many do both perceive, and inwardly be- wail this infatiable boldnefs of many now adays both in Writing and Printings which, to fay the truth, for my part I do as much lament as any man elfé befide ; and would therefore no man fhould think that unadvifedly or with rafhnefs I have attempted this Enterprifé, as one being not only doubtful, but alfo both bafhful and fearful within my {elf for fetting the fame abroad. And why ? Firft,1 perceived how learned this Age of ours is in reading of Books, nei- ther could I tell what the fecret judgments of Readers would conceive, to fee fo weak a thing to fet upon fuch a weighty Enterprife,not fufficiently furnithed with fuch Ornaments able to fatisfie the perfection of fo great a ftory, or fufficient to ferve the Utility of the Studious, and the delight of theLearned. Which ability the more I perceived to be wanting in me, the lef I durft be bold to become a Writer. But again on the other fide, when I weighed with my felf what memorable A@s and famous Doings this later Age of the Church hath miniftred to us by the patient Sufferings of the worthy Martyrs, I thought it not to be negleéted, that fo precious Monuments of {o many matters, meet tobe recorded and regiftred in Books, fhould be buried by my default, under darknefs of Oblivion. Me thought fomewhat was to be faid of them for their well deferving, and fomething again of our parts for benefit by them received. But above all other things, nothing did {o ftir me forward hereunto, as the diligent confideration and fpecial regard of the common Utility which every man plentifully may receive by the reading of thofé Monuments or Martyrology; which Hiftory as I have taken in hand chiefly for the ule. of the Englifo-Church , fo have I framed it in that Tongue which the fimple p¥ople could beft’ underftand. ; Now if men commonly delight fo much in other Chronicles which entreat only upon mat+ wers of Policy, and rejoyce to behold therein the variable events of worldly affairs, the Stra= tagems of valiant Captains, the terror of foughten Fields, the facking of Cities, the hurly- burlies of Realms and People ; And if men think it fuch a gay thing ina Commonwealth to commit to Hiftory fuch old Antiquities of things prophane, and beftow all their Ornaments of Wit and Eloquence in garnifhing the fame, how much more then is it meet for Chriftians to conferve in remembrance’ the Lives, A@s, and Doings, not of bloody Warriors, but of mild and conftant Martyrs of Chrift, which ferve not fo much to delight the ear, as to garnifi the life, to frame it with examples of great profit, and to encourage men to all kind of Chriftian godlinefS? As firft, by reading thereof we may learn a lively teftimony of Gods mighty work- : ing in the life of man, contrary to the opinion of Atheiffs, and all the whole Neft of Epicures. For like as one faid of Harpalys in times paft, that his doings gave a lively teftimony againft God, becaufe he being fo wicked a man, efcaped fo long unpunifhed fo contrariwife in thefé men we have a much more affured and plain witnefs of God, both in whofe Lives and Deaths. appeared fuch manifeft Declaratioris of Gods divine working, whiles in fuch fharp- nefs of Torments we behold in them ftrength fo conftant above mans reach, fuch readine to anfwer, fuch patience in imprifonment , fuch godlinefs in forgiving , chearfulnefs , [0 compari- couragious in fuffering, befides the manifold fenfe and feeling of the Holy Ghoft, whichJosbemed they in their Lives (0 plentifully tafted in their Affli@ions, as in reading of their Letters evi- 7/4 dently we may underftand. Over and befides this the mild deaths of the Saints do not a little aud the avail to the ftablifhing of a good Confcience, to learn the contempt of the World, and to cbt come to the fear of God. Moreover, they confirm Faith, encreafe Godlinefs, abate Pride in Profperity, and in Adverfity do open an hope of heavenly Comfort. For what man readin the mifery of thefe godly perfons may not therein, as in a Gla, behold his own cafe, whether he be godly or godle{s? Forif God give Adverfity unto good men, what may either the better fort promife themfelves, or the evil not fear? And as by reading of prophane ftories' we are made perhaps more skilful in Warlike affairs 5 fo, by reading. this we are made better in our_livings , and befides are better prepared unto the like Conflids, (if by Gods per- ie they fhall happen hereafter) more wife by their Doérine, and more ftedfat by their Example. Tobe fhort, they declare to the World what true Chriftian Fortitude is, and what is the right way to conquer, which ftandeth not in the power of man, but in hope of the Re- furrection to come, and isnow, I truft, at hand. In confideration whereof, me thinks I have good caufe to with, that like as other Subjeéts, even fo alfo Kings and Princes, which commonly delight in Heroical Stories, would diligently perufé fuch Monuments of Martyrs, and lay them always in fight, not only to read, but to follow, and would paint them upon their Walls, Cups, Rings, and Gates. For doubtleG fuch as thefe are more worthy of honour than an hundred The Orility of the Story. #140630 ‘comparifon et ween theMartyrs of the Pri- mitive hundred Alexanders, HeGors, Scipio's, and War-like Julies. And though the World judgeth pre- pofteroufly of things, yet with God, the’ true Judge, certes fuch are to be reputed in deed, not that kill one another witha Weapon, but they which being rather killed in Gods Caufe do retain . an invincible conftancy againft the Threats of Tyrants, and Violence of Tormentoys.. Such as thefé are indeed the true Conquerors of the World, by whom we learn true Manhood, fo many as fight under Chrift, and not under the World. With this valiantnef§ did that moft mild Lamb, andinvincible Lion of the Tribe of Juda firlt of ali go before us. Of whofe unfpeakable Fortitude we hear this Prophetical admiration, Whois this (faith he) which walketh fo in the mul titude of his firength 5 Forfooth the high Son of the high God, once conquered of the World, and yet conquering the World after the fame manner he was conquered. The like dance did all.his other Martyrs follow, to whom the ancient Antiquity of the Church did attribute fo much honour, as never King or Emperor could purchafe in this World with all their Images, Pillars, high Spires, Triumphs, Temples, and all their folemn Feafts. In probation whereof we feewith what admiration, and almoft fuperftition, not only the Memory but alfo the Reliques of thofe goods Martyrs were received and kept amongft the ancient Chrifti- ans. We have alfo for witnefs the learned Hymns and Songs of Pradentivs and_Nazianzen, wherewith Pixdarws did never fo much fet out his Triumphs of Ompiaand Nemea, ¥ need not here rehearfe the learned Orations of Eloquent Cyprian, Chryfistome, Ambrofe, and Ferme, who never fhewed their Eloquence more, than when they fell into the Commendations of the godly Martyrs. Whereby it is manifeft, what eftimation in times paft was attributed to Martyrr 5 with what Gratulation, Rejoyce, Mirth, and common Joy the Afflidtions of thofe godly, dying in Chrifts Quarrel, were fometime received and folemnized 5 and that not without good reafonable caufe. For the Church did well confider how much fhe was beholding to their benefits, by whofe death fhe underftood her Treafures to increafe. Now then if Martyrs are to be compared with Martyrs, I {ee no caufe why the Martyrs of our time deferve any lefs Commendation, than the other in the Primitive Church 5 which afluredly are inferior unto them in no point of praife 5 whether we view the number of them that fuffered, or greatnefs of their Torments, or their conftancy in dying, or alfo confider the fruit that they brought to the amendment of Pofterity, and increafe of the Gofpel, They did water with their Blood the Truth that was newly {pring- ing up3 fo thefe by their deaths reftored it again, being fo decayed and faln down. They chwrch,and {tanding in the foreward of the battel, did receive the firft Incounter and Violence of their of the later Church Enemies,and taught us by that means to overcome fuch Tyranny 5 thefe with like courage again, » like old beaten Souldiers, did win the field in the rereward ‘of the battel. They like famous Hut bandmen of the World did fow the Fields of the Church, ‘that firft lay unmanured and watte; thefe with fatnefs of their Blood did caufe it to batten and fruétifie. Would to God the Fruit might be {peedily gathered into the Barn, which only remaineth behind to come. Now, if we afcribe fuch Reputation to godly Preachers (and worthily) which diligently Preach the Gofpel of Chrift, when they live notwithftanding, by the benefit of time, without all fear of Perfecution ; how much more reafonable’caufe have we to praife and extol fuch men as fioutly {pend their Lives for the defence of the fame? All thefe premiffes duly of our parts con- fidered and marked, feeing we have found fo famous Martyrs in this our Age, let us not fail then in publifhing and fetting forth their doings, Jeftin that point we feem more unkind to them, than the Writers of the Primitive Church were unto theirs: And though we repute not their Afhes, Chains, and Swords in ftead of Relicks 5 yet Jet us yield thus much unto their Commemo- ration, to glorifie the Lord in his Saints, and imitate their death (as muchas we may) with like conftancy, ortheir Lives at the leaft with like Innocency. They offered their Bodies willingly to the rough handling of the Tormentorss andis it fo great a matter then for our part to mor- tific our Fleth, with all the members thereof? They neglected not only the Riches and Glory of the World for the love of Chrift, but alfo their Lives 5 and fhall we then keep {0 great a ftir one againft another for the tranfitory trifles of this World?, They continued in patient {uffering, when they had moft wrong done to them, and when their very hearts blood gufhed out of their Bodies 5 and yet will not wé forgive our poor Brother, be the injury never fo fmmall, but are ready for every trifling offence to feck his deftruétion, and cut his throat. They wifhing well to all men, did of their own accord forgive their Perfecutorss and therefore ought we, which are now the Pofterity and Children of Martyrs, not to degenerate from their former fteps, but being admonifhed, by their Examples, if we cannot exprefs their charity toward all men, yet at lea{t to imitate the fame to our power and ftrength. Let us give no caufe of offence to any. And ifany be given tous, letus overcome it with patience, forgiving and not revenging the fame. And Jet us not only keep our Hands from fhedding of Blood, but our Tongues alfo from hurting the fame of others, _ Befides, let us not fhrink, if cafe fo require, by Martyrdom, or lofs of Life, according to their Example, to yield up the fame in the defence of the Lords Flock. Which thing if men woulddo, much lefs contention and bufinefs would be in the World than now is, And thus much touching the Utility and Fruit to be taken of this Hiftory. To all the Profeled Fre 1enps and Fottowers of the POPES Proceedings, Four Queftions Propounded. TT yow all and fingular which profefs the Do&rine and Religion of the Pope your holy Fou de- Father, and of your Mother-Church of Rome, pretending the Name of Catholicks, parte! commonly termed Papifts, wherefoever abiding in the Realm of England, thefe four price Queftions or Problems hereunder following I would move, defiring you all either to mufe upon them, or to anfwer them at your leifure. The firft Queftion. Brit, Forfomuch as Mount Sion (which Goncallerh bp che Prophet Uaich the Hill of his HolinelS) bearethin.,. g.9 the Scripture an undoubten Wppe of che Spiritual Church of Chai, anv fogfomuch ag che faiv Uaiah, quettion. Chapter eleventh, anv fircy fifth, prophecving cf che fain Mount Sion, faith in thefe tong, Non nocebunt, J/a. 11. neque affligent in omni monte fancto meo, dicit Dominus, &c. Spat is, They thall not kill nor hurt in all my holy 5. Hill, faith the Lord, &c. And again in the fame Chapters thug we read, Habitabit Lupus cum Agno, & Pardus eum Hedo accubabiy, Vitulus & Leo & Ovis una commorabuntur, & puellus parvulus ducet eos, &c. Shat is, The Wolf thall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard with the Kid ; the Calf, the Lion,and the Sheep fhall feed together, and a young Child {hall rule them. The Cow alfo and the Bear fhall abide together with their young Ones, and the Lion fhall eat Chaff and Fodder like the Ox, &c. 5 Upon thele premifles now followerh my quettion ; Pow the Church of Rome can be anfwerable to this Will orjeaion. af Sion, Seeing tn the tyne Church of Rome fs and hath been now fo many pears fuch killing and flaping, fuch cruelty ann tyranny thetved,(uch burning and (piling of Chziftan bloop,luch malice anv mifchicf wrought, ag in reaping thele Wittozies map to all che Wozin appear 2 Bo this if thep anfwer,and erpound thele tworns of the Prophet,as pertaining to the Chutch-riumphant ; Returation’ thereunto 4 reply again, chat by the words in the fame place and in the fame fentence erpreflen, that fente cannot and, foralmuch as the Prophet in che verp lame place, where he propbhefieth of this peaceable nimel« ling in Gods holp Mountain without hurting o2 killing, meaneth plainlp of the Carth, and thewweth allo che caufe of that govly peace, Becaufe (faith je) the Earth is replenifhed with Knowledge and Science of the Lord, &c, Ibid. Ano furthermore the Prophet, {peaking of the fame vap when this thall be, anveth, taping, In that day the Root of Feffe fhall ftand for a fign to the people, for the Gentiles to be converted, and to feek unto him, &c. beste Dap in no wile can be applied to the Church in Weaven Driumphant, but only here Milicant in Garth. Douching which place of IGiah further here is tobe noted by the way, chat bp this peaceable Mount Sion C§ubich comprebennerh borh the States, as well Cccleffattical as Dempozal) ts not reftrainen the publick Publick penalty of goon Laws needful to be erecuten upon publick Walefacors, but here is reltrainen the fiercenels, strato Tevenge, cruelty, and violence of mens affections, @£o which affections men being commonly tubfed bp forbidden nature, thaouih grace anv working of the Wotpel they are altered, refoymed, and changed to another ditpor Treen fition, from ftoutnefs to foftneta, from biolence to {ufferance, from fiercenefs to fozbearing, from patve to tions and humility, from cruclep to compatlion, from wplinets to fimplicity, from folemn Gngularity to Humanity anv ortho este meeknels. Thich vertues,if thep hav heen in che Church of Rome (according to the rule of Saint Paul,Which Church of willeth men that be ftronger to bear with the infirmities of the weaker,and that in the {pirit of meeknels,8cc. Rov.15. es i Gal. 6.) ¥ thould not have needed now at this time to write fuch a tong Wittory as chig, of the {uffering of fo Gahé oe Many Partprs. bike The. fecond Queftion. Ms. fecond Nuelion is this, Ho pemand of pou Catholick Profeilors of the Popes Sect, which fo deadly rhe econa malign.anv perfecute the Pzotetants profelling the Gotpel of Chris Chat futt or reafonable caule have ae pot to allenge for this pour ereream hatren pe bear unto them, thac neither pou pour felves can abte to tive hatred of % with them, 102 pet will fuffer them to live among pou 2 JF thep tere Jews, Turks, 03 Infidels, o2 in their ears Woitrine were any ivolacrous Impiety, vp decettable Iniquity in their livess if chep went about anp veadly Procerants Defkrucion, 07 prtop Confpiracies to opprels pour lives, or bp fradulent dealing to circumvent pous then stourded Had you fome caufle to complain, andalfo to revenge. Pow fleeing in their Doctrine ve have neither jue caueor MWlatphemp, Foolatrp, Superttitton, nor misbelief to obfec unto them; feeing thep are baptized in the @rrine- fame Belief, and believe the fame Articles of the Wreed as pe do; having che fame Goo, che lame Chait any Saviour, the fame Wapeitm, and are ready to confer with pou in all kind of Chziftian Doctrine, net ther bo refule to be tried bp aup place of the Scripture ; how then rifech thig mogtal malice of pou againt them? Ff pou think them to be Perecicks, chen being forcb, if pe can, anp one Bentence which chep arz rogantly hold, contrarp tothe mind of holy Scripture, expounded Bp che cenfure of mof ancient Dortors, Da what ts there tn all che Scripeure to be required, but thep acknowlenge and confels the fame? See anv tep the oyver of their lives anv doings ; what great fault find pou 2 Whey ferve Gov, thep walk unver his fear, they obep his Law, as men map do: andthough they be Drantgretlors towards him, as other men ave, pet hsp! pou what have chep done, what haverhey committe 07 deferved, why pou Mhoufd be fo ditrer again them 2 What offended the poor Inhabitants of Merindoll and Cabriers, when the Withop of Aix, the Cardinal of Malice and Turon, and other IWithops of France, wetting from Francis the French ising a Commiffton, fent Minerius ied with bis Captain John de Gray, to veftrop their Countrp, Anno 1530. who datving the poor people here into ein" the a Warn full of frat, fer che Warn on fire, anv burned up Pen, Women, amd Childzen 2 Ano likewile in Somey a Church everctlen che like cruelcy upon chem, where were murdered the fame time to che number of a thous 894 Cabriers {and Voung and Old, Women, Childen, and young Infants, befides even whole Worwng, wich rhe moft pare of the dwellers therein, being murdered and burnt in the fain Country of Provence. Alla Four Queftions propounded to the Papisis. tizesor Che fain ling vied at the Siexe. Thtowfe Dy to peak of Laer pears, what hurt op harm vin the poor Weoteftants inthe Cown of Vally, who, being ia France, paintthe. Apulia, Bohemia, Germany, France, ahd now of Tate in Flanders, ann in other Countries more, Bo teaEt, MBut to tee other Countries pats,let us turn now to the peaceable Government tn this wealm ofEngland,unz The trite. “ Ano as you habe fince that wow of fate difturben the quiet anv peaceatle State of Scotland, in murdering fous mur- ae Wdich ee mercifill Grace of the Aimighty, fo, Chit his Sons fake our doz, torefend and utterip dilaye point, Amen. rhe cher Utherefore thefe prervifies confivered, mp quettion is to ask of pou and know, what juft 02 reafonable caute | caute ofall pe Have of thele pour unreafonable doings, of this your fo mogtal and peantp hatred, farp_and malice pow thefeltet tear againtt thete pour chen-Cbrittencd, of rhete pour Dumults, Conjurations, Oaping anv Poping, Nebel- ont in the Lions, Mutterings, and Purders wherewich pou trouble anvdifquice che whole Corin 2 Deal which mitchiets Chorehs i Gf the true cafe were Well knolwn, the truch would be founn voubelets to fe none other but onlp the pethate privte-caufe of the ithop of Rome, rhat heis not received, and the dignity of bis Church eralten, quartelier Dine which caufe how unceafonable anv tnjut it is, more tall be fatv (rhe Aozd milling) tn reptp, ar Tour the Bith: cod 4 rE i 1 ty efiome acconitig as J fhatl fee thei anfwer, if it Hall to pleate chem, 02 anpof them toantwer this quettion, Fn eth not with Scripture, but contrary to Scvipe the mean time, chis for a betef nove thal fuffice s chat tt far ture, that the Withop of Rome fhoulu fo revenge his own private caule. At this itle and Plantation he The Pine HOOD and of God, whp doth he wor refer it unto @ov2 Gnd no voubt, but {fit belo, God will maintain te tation of though the whole Cota fain Jo. If ic be orhertwile, ft will fall and be rootewout, though all che Walon pala fain Bea. Wea the greatelt argument to prove this Plantation of rhe Popes Duprmacp not to be of Goo, ts, eRe that the Pope, finhcing in his own private caufe, by outward and worblp fore fecketh big own alory, Chatit tobe of ou Epavtar, being hore refuted himlelf, pet neither revenged bis own caule, mdz foughe bis ston Glory, duc onlp the Glorp and Will of bis Father, thus tpeaking of himfelf, Si ego glositico meipfum, gloria mea nihil Fon S elt, pater meus eft qui-glorificat me, &c. ‘Fobn 8. hat iz, If Vgloritie my felf, my glory is nothing 3 my Father is he that glorifieth me, &c. Cyen fo Flap Wich Scripture, tharit We BPopes proceedings were planten of Cov, he would not fo weaftle for his glorp, as be vor); But forfomuch a3 be feeketh bp fuch eruetcp and bloodihen to orale bimfelf, we may well argue bis proceevings tot tobe of Gov, and that Ye thouta be taoughe tow, ec. ‘Luke 18 Lake 18. The third Queftion. rd Mei quettion % take of the thirteenth Chapter of che Mock of Revelation, Wethich Mook as tt cone Apoc.13. taineth a Wropbhetical Wittorp of che Church, fo likewile tc requirerh by Aitories to he opency, Zn The two this Wittorp mention is made, firf ofa certain Weal coming out of the Hea, having Ceven Weave and ter Beatsinthe goons, wiih ten Diavems of Wlalphemyp: nto the which Weak che Dragon the Wevil gave his frengch, Reis and great Power to fight againt his Saints, and to overcome them, and to make fortp two months ; of the deCeribed: | swhich IEeatt one of his Yeavs twas Iwounven at tengeh to death, ee, Se After chis, immediately in the fame Chapter, mention follower) of another Weask rifing out of the Land, eel Having two owns like a Lamb, and Cpake like a Dagan, and div all che Power of the foymer Weak before his face, and cauten all puellers of the Carch to Wlorthip rhe Weatt, whofe Bead was wounded and lived, Who alfo had han Power to give (piric and iife to the fain fogmer Weafk, ro make the Sane of the Weak to fpeak, and fo catifeall men, fromthe higher to the lowes, to take che mark of the Weatk in their Pands and Fores Heads; and wholoever woubipped not che Image of che Weatt, fhouta be killed, ee. , ‘pon this detcripeion of chete tivo Wentts riferh mp quettion s wherein J defire all Pavitts,from the hinhett to the lowelt, either to anltwer, 02 to confines. with themfelves, what rhe {piri of the Propbefte meaneth bp the fait co Meats, either fs the mpferp of this Paophefie fo obleure, but being Witkorical bp Wittozies tt map be explainen and cafilp expotnden, Udtriting rherefore to the Papitts, as men expert in Pittories, mp queftion is this, Qhat teeing Whe Prophelte of chele two Ibeatts mutt needs prefigure fome People 12 Domintor inthe Wiortn, offome high ettare and powers they will now declare unto us, what people 02 Domination chis fhouln be, Wihich if they will no plainly and trufy, accozding to the marks and properties of the fain two ‘Beats here tet foath,thep mutl needs be diver of force inevitable to grant and confets, the fame to agree only to the City and Empire of Rome, and tons ochers which by thele seafons following of neceflity mutt needs be concluded.” Themyhery -Fivtt, The Wealk which came out of che Dea,having the Strength, the Seat ann Power of the great Dragon Beatt rifise (the Devil, called the Prince of this World) committed to him, whe allo hav Potwer given over all Wrives, Saz ae ened, tions, Languages, People ann Countriesin the Garth, muft needs bean Cmypire or Ponarchp of great force, pafling all other Ponarchies in the imogld defines: anv this mutt neens argue the Cmpire of Rome and none The Image Other, of the Beat §=— SDocondip, In chat the Weak hav fepen heads andten horns, tith ton Diadems full of blatphemp upon them 5 refenbled epote feven Heads being expounnen in che fame Mook, Chap. 17. for teven Hills, notorioulytmporcerh the City narchy of ot Rome,whergin were leven ville consainen, Whe lke alle may be thought of the ten bogus, being there exe are pounded Four Queftions propounded to the Papifts. pounded fo2 ton dings (fignifping beltke the ten Provinces and Lingvoms of che world, {ubdued to the Roman Empire) with ten Crowns of Wlalphemp upon cheic heads; all which conveniently agree tothe City ofRome, Ahivvly, Chere che tain Weak ban Power to make 42 months, andeo fight againi che Saints,and to overs OF, thet come them,ec.Dherebp mot manifettly is veclared the Empire of Rome, with the Heathen perfecucinm Emperors, monthsaod which han Power given che {pace of fo many months (that ts, from Tiberius to Licinius, 2 94. pears) to pertez ae expels, tute Chris Church,as inthe Cable of the Primitive Church hereafter following ts vifcourtey more at large. of read ak Fourthly, Where che Prophet tpeaketh of one of the heads of the Weak to he wmounden to death, and the $f. wounds Wound afterward to be cured agains by that pe have to unverftand the decay and fubverfion of the City of Rome, ediead of and of Italy, which, being one of the heads of the Roman Bonarchp, was tubouen bp the Goths, Vandals, ann Seti Lombards, and the City of Rome thzice fackt and taken, between the Keigu of Honorius Emperor nf Rome, tion wat it and she time of Juftinian Cmperoy of Conftantinoples and fo remained this head of Rome wounven a Tong time Ag under the Dominion of the Lombards, till at length this wound wag cured again, as the fequel of this Pr0z Beat rfing phetie neclareth. Foz fo it followerh in che afogetain Chapter of the Revelation ; And after this I {aw (faith he) pot4 ae another Beaft rifing out of the Land, having two horns like the Lamb, and {pake like the Dragon. Who practifed all tending the the Power of the firft Beaft before his face, and caufed all the Inhabitants of the Earth to worlhip the firft Beaft, whofe es at head was wounded and cured again,&¢c. And to him it was given to give life to the Image of the Beatt, and to make tt meantte it {peak : and alfo to make all them that will not worfhip the Image of the Beaft, to be flain, and caufed all from the moft to the leaft, both rich and poor, free-men and bond-men, to take the mark of the Beatt in their right hand and in their foreheads, fo that none thould buy or fell, -unlefs he had the Beafts mark about him, &c. Ihe velcription of this fecond Weak being well viewed, i cannot be avoided, but néeds mutt be applien to Apr. 13. the Withop of Rome, anv to none others as bp Pittoap, and oyder of times is evivent to be proven. For who UO etd elfe repretenteth the Hoos of the Lainb of "God which taketh away the fins of the World, but only He 2 Cha teenhcree: Speakech with che voice of the Dagon fo prounlp as he 2 Whe voice of the Dragon {pake once. to Chik, What baa be all the gloay of che Corin was his, to give co whom he woul, anv that he would ive ét,ec, Gnd doth not expounded: this falle hornevaLamb, tpeaking in the fame voice of the Dragan, fap bp the mouth of P. Greg. 7. That all the Kingdoms of the Earth were his, and that he had Power in Earth to loofe, and take away Empires, Kingdoms, Duke- doms,and what elfe foever mortal men may have,and to give them where he would,&c. Ex Plat. in Vit. Gregor.7. Furchermore, at what time the declining State of Rome Legan to decay, and Italy was Peought unber fhe Ex Protine fection of the Lombards, then che Pope fired up Pipinus anv Carolus Magnus, to take bis part againft the *rigae Lombards, and to reftoze again the old glogp of that Monarchy to bis foymer State. And therefore who cured of the old the wounded hean of this Weak again, but onlp he? Wiho gave life ann {peech tothe Imane of the Weak, bur Mowry bez who, after chat bp the help of the French kings he hav fuboued thofe Lombards with other Aliens, and hav the Bithop gotten the polleffion of Rome nto his own hands, he fo repaired and advanced the fame and name of Rome,that **"* fince that time all perfons from the bighett to the towelt, both rich anv poor, have been giadto fend and feck fo Rome, pea things, Cmperors, Nuans and Dukes have ben gay to kits that Witheps feet, and to tead bis horle by the Widle, So that the Pajettp of Rome, in the oly Heathen Emperors days was never more terrible no? glorious, oz ever han more potwer to perfecure and overcome Gons Saincs, chan thele LambAlike MW ithops af Rome hav, and have exercifen thefe 50e pears in Chriftendom. Gndtherefore who elle in all the Worln hath fo much Power to do the Works of the firit Weak before his face, as her 02 who but be alone 2 which power to forcety both bigh anv low, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive the Seal, and fo become Iopal to the City 2 te and Se of Rome; fo that wholoever hath not the mark whereby to be known to hold of the Church of Rome, Beat before fhall have no place to buy and fell, noz to occupy in all Chriftendom. ee Mow if anp Papitts whatioever, in anlwering to this mp queftion, can apply chis prophetical mpfterp of 2 thele two Weatts otherwife than thus,F woul heartily vefire him to take fo much pains to fatisfie this poube ac bis goon plealure and leifure.Jn the mean Ceafon,tet this and fo2 a Corolarium,that the Mithop of Rome bp this befcription mutt be that fecond Weak prophefien to come in the later time of the Church unver a falle pres tenfer Lamb, to rettoze again the ola Perfecutions of Rome, and to difturh the whole Church of Chait, as this nap to truly itis come to pats, The fourth Queftion. A® touching my fourth queftion, although 4 couly urge pou with another like propbetical place of Scripe ture, no lefs evinent agatnit rhe Withop of Rome, taken out of the fecond Gpiftie of Saint Paul to the Theffalonians, where mention ts mane ofthe Son of Perdition, fitting in the Temple of God,as God,and advancing him(elf above all that is called God, &c. Which place pe can by no reafonable vation avoid; pet notwithtanding to tet chis pafs, J turn mp queftion to ask this of pou; Whether che Religion of Chrifk be mer Cpivitual, og elfe corporal: Jf pe affirm it to be cogpozal, as was the old Weligion of the Jews, confifting in oucward Kites, Sacrifices, and Ceremonies of the Law; then thewif pecan, what anp one outward action o2 oblervation is required in Chrittian Religion by the Scripture, as neceflarp in a Chgiftian man for remiflton of fing anv fale vation, fave only the two Sacramental Ceremonies of outward Waptiim, and of the Inds Suppers Powe heit, neither thefe allo as thep are corporal; that isto fap, neither the outward action of the one, no2 of the other, conferreth remiffion of fins, no falvation, but onlp are vifible thews of invifible and {pivitual Menefits. Aud tucchermove, if our Gov whom we ferbve be Spiritual ; how can bis Ueligion and Service be Copporal, as Wwe are taught bp the mouth of our Saviour, faping, God isa Spirit, and therefore they that worlhip him mutt worthip in Spirit and Verity, &c. Fob 4. Row if pou grant (as pe mull neds) this our Chailtian weligion to be Cpiritual, aud nor a corporal Religion, retigion of then thew, if pe can,anp one potne of all thele things, which ve frive foz fo much with us, to be Epivttual, Chit soici- hut altogether corporal, and extern matters and Ceremonial Dblervations, nothing conducing to any Cptvicual not corpo. purpofe, ag pour outward fucceflion of Withops, Garments, Wettures, Geitures, Colours, choice of eats, dif. ference of days, times and places, hearing, ting, faying, touching, tafting, numbing of Beads, giloing anv worhipping of Images, builoing of Donatteries, rifing at midnighs, filence in Cloptters, abftaing from Heth The Pope aun white meat, fatting in ent, keping Ember-days, hearing Pals and Divine Devdice, feing and adozing twrnerh the the Boop in form of Breav, receiving holyMater ann holpABrean, créeping co the Crofe, cavrping Palms, Prar™ taking Athes, bearing Candles, Pilgrimage going, cenfing, knaling, knocking, Altars, fuper-silrars, Canz ciritto 4 Dieticks, Pardons; Jn Dyers, crofling, anointing, thaving, forlwearing Pareiage s Zu Waptifm, crofling, Raion. falting, fpecling, erogcifing, wathing of hands; at Eafter, eavzconfeflion, Penance-doing, fatisfacion: And in it ales receiving, with Weards new thaven, to imagine a Bony where thep fw no Woops and though ye were there pore ca. prefent to be fen, pet che outwardleing and touching of him, of it elf, without Jfaith conduceth no moze, eens. thar it Did to the Jews. At Rogation-days to carrp Manners, to follow the Crofs, to walk about the fielos. cork in After Pentecoft, to ga about with Corpus Chrifti play, At Hollomas to watchin the Church, calap a Dirge, and paces Commentorations, anv to ring fog All-Souls, to pap Wpthes truly, to give ta che high Pane Aan if a me ys Four (onfiderations propounded to tbe Protestants. “will be a Wriett, to fay Wals and atten, to ferve the Saint of that Day, and to lift well over his bean, ec. Ju ficknefs to be annealed, to take bis Rites; after his neath to have Funerals, and Dbites Catv for him, and to be rung fo2 at his Funeral, month mind,and pear mind, gc. Add mogeodver to thele the ourward Sacrifice of the Dats, with opus operatum fine bono moty utentis, 6c. Aman my All which shings above recited,as thep contain the whole fummary and efiedt of all che Popes Catholick Kes beacate, ligion 5 fo ave they all corporal exercifes, confifting in the extern operatton of man, CUhich if chep can make a Vekeyr pertect right Catholick Chriitian, then tt may be faiv, thar men map be made perfect Chrittians bp fleth anv Vglor,with- blod, without arp inward working of Faith,or of the Holy Ghott. For what is in all thefe,but that which Ret or ng, of AUD Died of his ftrengeh is able to accomplith,though no intoard firength 02 motion of the Polp Ghotk vip works ae oye duc now the ower of our Religion,and way of falyation, contifterh not in fuch copporal 02 outward things as Gare cr. thete, but in orber moze high and move fpiritual gifts, which do far exceed che capacity of fefh andiblov; of the eS which mifts,che chiefes and only main caufe that faveth man,and remitteth fing,is his Faith in Chri. Thich angelision Faith ¥ thus defitte 5 for a man to believe by the blmnihending of Selus the Son of Gon, his fing to be forgiven, Gors wrath to be pacified, anv himlelf to be fultifien perfectlp from all Accufations that can be lain unto him, sae ee. And though the Paptits make alight matter of this, to believe in Chit; anv when they bear us fap, fandethon- Dat Faith onlp fultifiech, chep object to us again, and make ét a fmall matter to be faved, if Faith only juitiz ey, nets fiethuss pet notwithtanning this Faich, if te be well examined, is fuch a ching that fleth and blood is. not incr® able to attain thereto, untels Govs holy Spirit from above do Draw hin. : cone Moreover, hefives this Faith, many other things are incivent alfo to the Dodvine of otic Salvation, Albeit Vermin, as no caules thereof, but either as Sacraments and Seals of Faith, 02 as declarations thereof, o2 elle as frutts See oeuaauw effects following the fame. So Waptifm, and the Supper of the ALoan be as teftimonies and proofs, that by things inci. OttY Ffaich ontp in Chait wwe are fultttien, chat as our bodies are Wathen by water, and our life nourithed by bead Ce tofl- and wine,to by the blod of Chi out eh,and the hunger of our fouls relieved by the death of bis bony. jon be- oe reels . Py P fides Faith; Gpow che fame Faich vitec ion bp mouth, asa declaration thereof, Deher things allo Bat notasiegs fruits ann effects do follow after 3 of Confcience, jop tn the Poly God, Invocation, Patience, fete = Charity, Percy, Judgment, and Dar 1 @od for our Faith in Chait bis Son cherefore giverh inca Workvof ur hearts bis holy Spirit of com 9 1b Sanctification, whereby mang heart is moved to a godly Dim, to truft unto him, to tick to $im in all Goverfittes and they come Perfecutions,to love him, and for pis fake allo to isbe our Wrerhyen, to have mevep andcompailion upon chent, gad follow +5 witit chemt if they be in prifon, to baeal M2ead to the thep be bungrp, and if they be burvenen to cate Efay 58. them, to cloath them if they be nakedand to Harbour chem iEchep be houleleis, Matthew the five and twentieth, Mat 25. with fuch orher tpivitual ereveifes of Piety and Sanctification as chele, TAbtch therefore 3 call {pivitual, Hecate thep proce ofthe Holy Spirit and Law of Gov, which is Cpiritual. And thus have pe a Catholickh Chrittian pefined, firtt after the tiules of Rome, and alfo after the Wule of the Golpel. Pow confer hele Anrichetes tomecher, ann fe whither of thele is the true Chaiftian, the ceremontal man after the Church of Rome, 02 the Cpiritual man with bis Faich anv other {pivitual Fruits of piecp follows ing after the fame, Aun if pe fay that pe mix them both togerher, fpiritual things with pour corporal Cerez monies, to that J antwer again, that as touching the end of remiffton of fing, and falbation, they ought tn no rae to be fopnen together, becaufe the main cauifes of all our Salvation and Remiflion ts only tpivitual, anv confittech in Ffaith and in no other. Gun therefore upon the fame canfe J come to my quettion again, as FZ began, to ask whether the Religion of Chk ve a mer (piricual weligion + anv wherher tn the Religion of Rome, as it is now, ts anp thing but onlp meee comporal chings requited, to makea Catholich man, And chus J leave pou unto pour anfier. Sandihectl- Dityofition to fear Gov, to fee him, to call v3 i Ge turning over the firtt leaf ofthis Wook,chow thalt find, gentle Reaver, the Arguments of Pighius and Hofius, wherein thus thep araue, Bhat forfomuch as Chait mult n&ps have a Catholick Church ever continuing gere in Earth, which all men map fe, and whereunta all men ought to reloges anv fwing no other Church Hath inured continually from the Apotties, vifible here in Carth, but only the Church of Romes thep cons cluve therefore, the Church af Rome only to be the right Catholick Church of Chrttt, ec. Sn anfiwering whereunto, chisisto he fads that foxtomuch as the medius terminus of this Argument, both it the Major ant Minor confittech onlp in the tooz0 (vilible and unknown) tf thep mean bp this wow (vilible) in the Major, that Chritts Church mutt be fin heve to all the wortn, chat all men map vefort to ft, tr is falte, Hikewite, if chep mean by the fanre word ( vilible) in the Minor, that no other Church hath been fen and known toanp, buconty che Church of Rome, thep are Likewt(e deceives, fo; the true Church of Chritt neither is fo Lifible, thar all the worl can fer tt, but only chep which have fyiritual eyes, anv be members thereof s nog pet fo invifile again, but fuch as be Oods Elec, anv members thereof, do fee it, and have fen it, though the swogloly epes of the moft multitude cannot do fo, €o Thereof read moze in the Proteftation abone prefizen to the Church of England. Four Confiderations given out to Chriftian Proteftants, Profeflors of the Gofpel, Witha brief Exhortation inducing to reformation of Life. The firft Confideration. $ in the Page before four Queftions were moved tothe Catholick Papifts, to anfwer them at their leifures fo have I here to the Chriftian Gofpellers four Confiderations for them to mufe upon with fpeed convenient. The firft Confideration is this, That every good man well weigh with him(elf the long Tranquillity,the great Plenty, the peaceable Liberty, which the Lord of his mercy hath beftowed upon thisLand during all the Reign hitherto of this our Sovereign and moft happy Queen Elizabeth, in fach fortas the like example of Gods abundant mercies is not to be feen in any Nation about us 3 fo as we may well fing with the P/alm in the Church,Now fecit taliter omni nationi, & opes gloria fuce n ifefRavit eds + Firtt in having the true Light of Gods Gofpel fo fhining among us, {0 pub- lickly ¥ vith fich liberty of confeience without danger profefled 5 having withall a Prince fo vertuous, a Queen fo gracious given unto us, of our own native Country; bred and born amongftus, fo quietly governing us, fo long lent unto us, in fach Peace defending us againft fuch as would elfe devour us 5 briefly, what could we have more at Gods hand, if we would with ? Or what elfe could we with in this world that we have not, if this one thing lacked not Grace to ufe that well which we have ? The Four (onfiderations propounded to the Protestants. The fecond Confideration, S thefe things firft are to be confidered concerning our felves, {o fecondly let us confider likewife the ftate and times of other our Countrymen and bleffed Martyrs aforepaft ; what ftorms of Perfecutions they fultained, what little reft they had, with what Enemies they werematched, with what croffes preffed, under what Princes, under what Prelates they lived, or rather died, in the days of King Henry the Fourth, King Henry the Fifth, King Henry the Se- venth, King Henry the Eighth, Queen Mary, oc. under Bonner Bithop of Londons Gardiner Bithop of Wancbefter, Cholrley, Story, Bifhop Arundel, Stokefley, Courtney, Warham. At what time Children were cauled to fet fire to their Fathers 5 the Father adjured to accufe the Son, the Wife to accufe the Husband, the Husband the Wife, Brother the Sifter, Sifter the Brother, Examples whereof are plenty in this Book to be feen. The third Confider ation. Hirdly, Let us call to mind, confidering thus with our felves, Thefe good men and worthy Martyrs in thofe dan aL gerous days tafting, as they did the heavy hand of Gods fharp Correction, beginning, commonly with his own Houfe firlt 5 if they were alive now in thefe Halcyon-days, under the Proteétion of fuch a peaceable Prince, O what thanks would they give toGod ! How happy would they count themfelves having but half of that we have,with free- dom only of confcience and fafety of life? Orif in cafe we our {elves had been in thofe times of theirs, {0 troubed and diftreffed as they were, fpoiled of Goods, hated of the World, cited in Confiftories, pinched in Prifons, fequeltred from Houfe, Wife, and Children, looking, for nothing but death 5 what would we fay ? what would we think? what would we do? Much otherwife doubtle(s than we do now 3 God grant we may do better, for worle I think we cannot if we would. Sohn Wickliff, W.Soinderby, Thorpe, Sawtry, witha number of godly men mere, being then glad in Friefe-Gowns, going bare-foot, to preach where they could; if they were now alive, how glad would they be of thefe days, what pains would they take, yea, what pains would they not take in preaching the Gofpel, not for lucre, nor for money, nor paffing for Promotions or Dignities of the Church ? Sir Fobn Oldcaftle, Lord Cobham, Sir Roger Aéton, with divers worlhipful Gentlemen a great number, if they being, in our fate might enjoy with us their Houfes and Lands, with the good favour of their Prince (as then they could not) how gladly would they have contented themfelves, though they never raifed their Rents and Fines to the undoing of their poor Tenants? Likewile in the time of Fobn Hus and Ferome of Prague, theNobility and Gentlemen ot Bohemia, if they might have had half this Tranquillity which we Have, to enjoy the liberty of Gods Word and true ufe of the Sacraments without moleftation of Romi{h Prelates, what would they have cared how fimply they walked in their attixe, without any {uch montftrous pomp in pranking up themfelves, as we Englifhmmen in thefe Reformed-days walk now, more like Players on a Stage, than Gods Children in his Church ? The fourth Confideration, Herefore, welbeloved, thefe things being {0, let uscall our felves to mind, confidering the times that have been, the tires that be, and the times that may ‘come, how we ftand, and by whom we ftand. If it be the favour of God only that doth fupport us in the midit of fo many Enemies, let us beware that in no wife we pro- voke his Indignation. If it be his Txuth and Gofpel that we profefS, let us walk in the light of his Truth, and keep out {elves within the compafs of his Gofpel. What the Gofpel requireth, and what it abhorreth, who knoweth not ? and yet who followeth thathe knoweth ? If St, Pau! willeth every one to depart from iniquity, which nameth the Lord Jefas 5 and if the Lord Jefus himielf teftifieth plainly his Kingdom not tobe of this world, how will then the nature of that Kingdom fo Spiritual, and our conditions fo worldly, match well together? To rip up all our deformi- ties in patticular I mind not here, neither need I, the fame being fo evident to all mens eyes, that who cannot fee our exceffive outrage in pompous Apparel, our carrial defires and unchafte demeanors without fear of God, our carelefS fecurity without con{cience, as though there were no judgment to come, our ftudies fo upon this World, as though there were no other Heaven? What pride and idlenefs of life, double diffembling in word and deed without fimplicity, avarice unfatiable,little regard to hear Gods Word, lefs to tead it, leaft of all to follow it, every manafpiring to worldly Wealth and Promotion, little or no mercy to the poor, racking of Rents and Fines, bribing, and taking unmeafurable ? What fhould I {peak of the contentions and unbrotherly divifions amongft us, moft Jamentable to fee, but more lamen- table, if all were fen which may or is like to follow upon the fame. Such were the times once of the Church before the horrible Perfecution of Dicclefian for fo we read, fuch hatred and difdain through much Peace and Profperity of the Church to creep in amongft the Church-men. ‘Wherefore let us be exhorted, dearly beloved, to reclaim our felves while time doth ferve, If we find the Lord fo gracious in {paring us as he doth, let not that make us worfe but better. It is a lewd Child that will not learn without beating. A well-minding man will be good, not forced by coaction, but of voluntary office induced. As Adverfity if it come, ought, not to difmay us; fo Profperity now prefent ought not to puff us upin fecurity, confidering whae commonly is wont to follow, as Plato well writeth, Summa atque effrenatee libertatas fervitutemn plerumg affeclam eff. Of immodetate liberty and two much fecurity, followeth moft commonly extream fervitude. And as Hypocrates faith, Difpofitions of Bodies when they are come to the bigheft perfection of health, then are they moft fubjeét to danger of ficknefs, @c. Let us therefore, having light given us, wae like the Children of light. Otherwife, if we walk like Children of Difobedience, God hath his Rods to fcourge uss if we will needs be Rebels, he hath his Phargobs and Nabuchodonofirs to plague us. Or if we will be {o inordinate and (with reverence be it fpoken, without offence to God or man) fo doggith and currifh one to another, the Lord lacketh not his Dog-ftrikers to whip us. And would God our lives were fuch, that the deftru@tion and ruine here of late feen among us may portend nothing againft us, as I truft there is no cau for us to fear, but rather to fear the Lord, and walk in his Obedience, and amend that which is amifs amongft us. Amen. The Grace of our Lord Jelis ble thee gentle Reader, that long thou maift read, and much thon maift profit. men. Pan Preedicantibus,Gracia Audientibus, Gloria Fefu Christo. Amen. In Martyrologium Joan. Foxi, Lauren- tius Humfredus. Riftes Iiadas doGti miramur Homeri, Quas {ite Ruduit texere w9A0 erie, Deflentur tragico multorum fata cothurno, Hec madidis fpeCtant moefta theatra genis. Multa dolenda quidem, fed Vatum fomnia multa FiGtis intexunt vera, probata nothis. Sunt quos delectant vane commenta Legende, Quam ftabulum Augee rite vocare queas. Dum vitam & mortem fanétorum narrat, ut errat ? Ut pingit, fingit Plumbeus ille liber ? Aurea nunc tandem prodit, nova, vera Legenda 5 Egregium Chronicon, lugubris hiftoria. Authorem commendat opus, fic rurfus adornat Author opus 3 fimul hc utraque felle carent. Authorem fpecta 3 pius eft, & terfis, & amplus, Judicio clarus, dexteritate, fide. Si rem contideras, cafus, cedefque bonoruam Tradtat, & immerite ftigmata feeva crucis. Wudant alii, carpant, at Zoilus olim Dum periit, quid fit rodere, jam docuit. Hic difcas Lector, quam fit furiofa Tyrannis Romane caule cornigerique gregis 5 Ut Lupus innocuos femper graffetur in Agnos 5 Ut fremat, atque avidis faucibus offa voret. Nonne fatis fuerat Chrifti pia membra cremare ? Et vivos flammis perdere, nonne fatis ? Nonne fatis damnaffe fenes, puerofque, virofque, Foemellas, omni ex ordine, nonne fatis 2 Cur juvat, hen, Manes {criptis lacerare jacentes, Et Divos Foxidicere ftercoreos ? Ah mifer, ah Chrifti teneros compungis ocellos, Pupillam tangis, quifquis es ergo, fape. Hec eft progenies cujus {tola, Jota cruore Agni, per Chiiftum candida tota nitet. Ula fub altari querulatur, Chrifte, quoufque ? Chriffe veni properé, Chrifte quoulque feres ? Extra tela tua eft, & predicat illa Tonantem 3 Mors pretiofa fuit, vita perennis crit. - Quid furis 6 rabiofe Satan ? quid fpicula torques ? Quid reges acuis ? quid lania{que pios ? Frufira camifices, carcer, tormenta, facé{que 5 In ccelo regnant membra caputque fimul. Corpora fanétorum mundus confumpfit, in altum Migrarunt anime, nomina Foxes habet. Nomina Foss habet totum celebranda per orbem, Nomina jam nullo contumulanda die, Nam cum Martyribus Foxrs, cum numine vivent Nomina, cumque fui ftirps generofa Deo. Monftra, Chrifte, tuis portum, compelcito fluxus, JaGate navi fit fua, Chrifte, quies. Sanguine fraterno pofthec ne terra madefeat 5 Ne pergat Foxws {cribere Martyria, Perdita decurtes {celerate tempora vite, Tandem mortiferus tranfeat ifte calix. Sit finis, veniatque tuum, pater eptime, regnum 5 Sit tibi, fit Chrifto, Spirituique decus, In Sanct. Martyrum hiftoriam, Abrab, Hartwelns. Loquio, venerande, tuo non Mé¢]uess ipfi EB Sed nos, non coelum, Foxe, fed orbis eget, Tilorum creviffe malis lethoque putatum eft Quos nunc ipfe vides degenerare greges. Mlosum, crede, hiftoria velut ignibus anté Calfiet quod nune friget Evangelium. Certabitque ztas veniens millelima, quorum Fortia facta leget, fortia fata fequi. Er ealamo fervata tuo tot flagra, tot ignes, Funera tot, lachrymas, damna, pericla, neces, Nulla dies tollit, non qui malus intulit hoftis 5 Non quamvis omni cum Phlegetonte velit. Nonrenuente Deo, quondam, qui feviit hoftis. Non, renuente Deo, bis vielentus erit. Bis fremat 5 innocuo rapietur cum grege Paftor, Grex cadet & paftor, fpefque futura gregis. Nullus reftabit laceris in ovilibus agnus, Nulla, Deus, recta fimplicitate pecus. Omnia vita malis bona cedent omnibus ; alma Simplicitas faco, perfidieeque fides : Injutto, fallo, {celerato, fanguineoque, Virtutum facer Evangelidumque chorus. Quid facient difce ex factis ; ventura probantur Preeteritis 5 Ni tua de ccelo veniat Clementia, cujus Tolluntur digito parva, faperba cadunt. Et venias zterne, potens, invite, triumphans 5 Sic, ut in eZgypto vel Babylone, veni. Non tanti Babylone Draco Belufque fuere, Cultufque infani, & foeda fuperttitio. Et licet e#igypti crudelia facta legentur, eigyptus non tam feva minaxque fuit. Utraque, nec fatis eft, monftrum concrevit in usum, Et {i qua ambabus tetrior hydra fuit. Qaid contra fidus przco, fiylive Magifter ? Doétz quid poterunt veripare-que Scholes: ? Quid mitis toto laniatus corpore Martyr ? Martyre quid plenus fanguifluufque liber ? Qui truculenta liber, qui vives undique teftes, Faétores vivos, & modo gefta canit ? Scilicet ut monfiret fanétorum Ecclefia qualis, Colleéti quales ex Acheronte lupi. Ut doceat, tirmet, foletur corda piorum 5 Dedoceat, vincat, excrucietvé malos. Uc tibi parta, Deus, ftet fenper gloria, nati Ut pofkit tecum gloria flare tui 5 Sanguinis ut {acti non occultanda trophea, Utraque pofteritas, fanGta, maligna, (ciat. Hec, venerande, tibi tanto quaita labore, Tot votis optata, é& tot vigilata modis, Nodtibus exantlata tot, & fudata diebus, Tot placitura bonis, obruitura malos. Chrifti, non hominum, laudes {parfurg per orbem Fadtaque (credo) tas qualia rara feret : Hac, oro, tibi Summipotens nobifque fecundet, Numinis in laudem perpetuumque decus, Invideat Satanas, & Zoilus ilia rumpat, Obtreétet mendax cum grege Roma fuo. In idem Argumentum, Rob. R. N iterumin magnos nova commentaria vatess Auétius & plus eft, quam fuit anté, decus. Sanétorum hiftorias, & noftri perfida fecli Tempora leétor habes, terrificumque {celus. Dignum cert? opus eft, quamvis fit grande volumen, Quod pia turba legat, pofteritafque probet. Surgit opus (fateor) majus 3 numerofa fophorum eft Littera, fed fimilis pondere & arte ftylus. Crede mihi hiftoriam hanc quondam lectura vetuftas Sulpiciet genium (Foxe diferte) tuum. Non tamen infani finit hac dementia vulgi, Hei mihi nec dogtos fert patiturve viros. Hiftrio, (Curra, dicax, parafitus, hypocrita, mimus. Vappa mage arrident, leno, Papifta placent. NefCis adulari, nec verum ( Foxe) filere 5 Scriptaque miraris non placuiffe tua ? Ejnfdem. Ulifque bonus te (Foxe) colit, tua fcripta celebrat, Dant decus hoc ftudii tot Monumenta tui. Te pia vita ornat, doGtorum concio laudat, Undeergo in librosinvidia ifta tuos ? Unde Papizantis fubita hat converfio fedtas Nunc audire pudet, quod facere haud puduit. Unde tot Harpie, nempe Hardyngique, Copique ? Unde hac Lovanii garrula turba Schole ? Caufa patet 5 furiee mufas, nec facra Papifmus, Nec Chrifte athletas rafa larina probat. Nec te aded oderunt puto, fed veruinque fidernque, Heu bene nulla poteft lingua maligna logui, In Te aa Martyrum, Carmen Thom. Drant. Pepe EBegr fic Papa potuit vox inyproba juffa Tam dirum mandare nefas? tot corpora tantis Contumulaffe rogis, cineres fine honore Sepulchri? Quod genus hoc hominum ? Queve hunc tam barbara morem, Permittit gens ulla, pios fine lege necari, Totque fimul ma¢tare viros meretricis ob iram ? Papa refer, que te rapuit rabiefque furorque, Corpora tam diris fanétorum addicere flammis, Funera tot mifcere hominum, tot pleétere cives, Vattare & toto divifos orbe Britannos 2 Dic quid noftrates in te committere tantum ? Illi quid potuere, quibus tot maxima paffis Vix pars ulla manet terre qua panditur orbis ? An tua quod nobis taxata eft fraufque dolufgs Et mauweayuéove & amor {celeratus habendi ? An tua quod nobis vox nor hominem fonat 3 ergo Rite putabamus Papam cacodamone natum ? An quod cum Chritto nos confpirare dolebas ? Quod te cum Chriftonon confpirare videmus ? Quod te Romanam crebris cum cornibus hydrana Prodimus, ut {celeris magni vitiique miniftrum ? Hinc illud quod {e verfat dirifq; minifque, Hinc illud quod & hos facibus tumantibus uffit. Sis mifer & nulli cuiquam miferabilis. Hujus Tu cladis tante pars magna Bonnere fuifti : Mactator pecudum Chrifti, difperfor ovilis, Trifte malum ftabulis, & nil nili peffima clades. Vos quoque, vos omnes Ihove tetigiffe Prophetas, Et calcaffe pios, numen fpreviffe benignum Quéisloculare fuit, crudeles ponite mentes. Jam fatis eft (proh) plus fatis eft, refipifcite fet6, Sera nimis non ulla dies, nunc difcite tandem, Difcite vel tandem moniti non temnere Chriftum. Ofcula libertis gnato, ne feviat ultor, Et male vos {parfos deturbit tramite vite, At vos qui leti quidvis fuperaftis acerbum, Ceelicola, quibus zternum licet effe beatis, Dulce decufque Dei, Chriftum quia morte decora Onnaftis clari fuperi, ccetufque triumphans, Non caro, non mundus, non vos Turce, Papa, Demon, Non Phoebe pernox vexabit, folvé diurnus. Et vos 6 cunéti, fcanfe qui culmine ceeli, Vaditis ad patrem, terrena mole relictas Quid carcer, colaphi, compes, tormenta cachinni, Valtus quid nocuere truces? quid tela, quid ignes ? Scilicet ut fulvum fpeétatur in ignibus aurum 5 Si vos mactarunt fpectata holocaumata Chrifto, Interitas vefter Domini pretiofus ocellis. Horum (Foxe) piis dum tu fic nomina {eriptis, Et mortem & mores longum diffundis in evum. Omnia dum vera repetens ab origine pandis, Es bonus, & merito multum memorabilis ipfo. Ergo tu doctis pergis pallefcere chartis, Nodéturna verfando manu, verfando diurna, Athlas clarorum gnavus gnarufque laborum. Et ftudiis dum magna cohors fa commoda captans (Anfpice non Chrifto) mundi venatur honores, Vel tu Romano, vel tu Sermone Britanno Scribito prateriti vel produe temporis acta, Patre Deo montftrante viam, data fata fecutus 5 Omne feres punctum fi mifces utile dulci, jf dem Magne Deus ccelique {ator, mundique Monarcha, bas belorum Quem nos terrarum tempeftatumque potentem treeliee ~~ Credimus, é& folum {cimus venerabile numen, Afpicis infano vexari cuncta tumultu, Et penitus mundum pacis de cardine volvi ? Parce gregi parvo, pacem te po{cimus omnes. Sis bonus (0) Foelixque tuis, vel parcito Chrifto, Cujus membra nimis jam mundus ledit & odit, Per tibi dileGtam fponfam promiffaque pacta, Per paffum Chriftum, per dulcia pignora paffi, Per te, te petimus, dentes confringe malorum, Bonnerine Ad Marly vers - Contra Papiftas Incendiarios. Ss fas cedendo cceleftia fcandere cuique elt, Papicolis coeli maxima porta patet. 5. Tn idem argumentum Hgidius Fletcher Canta- brigienfis. dis tua ter magnum fpatiis emenfa laborer £quora luftravit puppis, ter littora vidie, Foxe. Dumque fugas, enfe(g; canis, confumptag; flammis Corpora confumptum corpus tibi, pallida languent Membra, {ed utilior nobis tibi noxia foli Indefeffa manet virtus. Quin otia carpas Mollia, jam folare tuos (divine) labores. Non potes, & femper mentem tibi numinis ingens Ardor agit, reparatque novas in peCtore vires. Ergo age, quandoquidem nobis memoranda piorur } Facta canis facro properans indulge labori. Jam veniet magni feriem dum colligit evi Pofteritas, quam longa tenet cuftodia fame, Dumque tui monumenta legit (venerande) laboris, Magnanimé{que duces, mediofque petita per ignes Sydera, te ventura fimul mirabitur ztas, Et veterum facras imitabitur zmula laudes. Scilicet eethereas ardentia peCtora flammas, Non ignes alii non ipfa potentia regum, Nec vis ulla domat ferri, non tela, nec enfes. Qualis ubi Aurora veniens @ montibus Ales Exequiale refert munus, cineréfque 5 paternos, Damg; rogum, flammaf; parat fibi, major ab igne Egreditur, quaque illa novis volitaverit alis, Indigene volucres leto clamore fequuntur ; Foelices anime vobis{uper alta beatis Sydera calcantur, quicquid mortalia tangit Peétora, nec jam nofter honor, nec premia cure 3 Nec.quid agat tantis virtutibus invida tellus, x Ecce tamen, quales poterits perfolvet honores Pofteritas, dum facta legens ingentia, vires Miratur 5 plaufug; fidem fixper aftra fequetur Viétricem (hoc fiquid debent) mortalibus) ip Sanétorum cineres tibi fe debere fatentur, Foxe. Tempus erit, cum tu poft fata, piofg; labores, Aucturus fuperos foelix fuper alta videbis Sydera jam quorum tranfcribis nomina famz, Infignes heroas, & ipfe videberis illis. Jamque patres fuperans mundo labente fequetur Progenies, coelo feclarior exetet alto Religio, humani generis decus, optima cuftos Imperii, quam fancta fides comitatur eurtem, Et circum letis crefcet pax aurea terris + Tum quoque divini paffim monumenta laboris, Et facrum florebit opus, fructuique beabit Et populum, & populi per fecula longa nepotes. In idem Argumentum Thom. Ridley Cantabrigenfis. Coe que quondam jufto caruere Sepulchro Offaque per campos undique fparfa pia, Collegit magna cum fedulitate peritus Foxus, & in unum conglomeravit opus, At cum gens mendax atque importuna, Papifte, Fruftra tam fanétum perfequerentur opus: Auxit, & ex uno idem bina volumina fecit, Obftruxitque fuis hoftibus ora pius, Nec fic contentus, rurfus limavit, 8c auétum ArGtavit, populi commoditate fui + Nequaquam veritus ftolidee convitia linguz, Dum veftra 6 fancti fortia fa@a fonet. O vos foelices anime, qua fanguine veftro Coeleftes nobis teftificaftis opes, Et tu qui tali decorafti funere fanétas Redlliquias, peragens trifte minifterium =) b3 Sed Sed tibi praclarum, nobis nec inutile, ut iftis Exemplis fortes poffumus effe fide, iM. M.S. Exlege, que faftis fignata fidelibus ata P Pandimus Angligentim & fervida fata virtim. Admiranda tibi gemini {peCtacula ccetus, Pugnanté(que fuo difpare marte greges. Hine quibus incumbens {evo ferus impete Satan Tartareas prefert in fua regna faces. - Ilinc rex fupertim, trans flammas, tranfque cruentas Mille neces, Ghriftus fternit ad aftra viama. Illinc arma, preces; lachryme, jejunia Templis, Juffus honos fami juffaque facra patris. Concilium hoc Cyclopum rabies, fera corda fatigant Eumenides, trifti pectora fenta fitu. Miffa volat flammis, & fanguinis ebria rivis Ante, gradum retro Roma maligna premit. Talia dum memorat Foxss certamina longi Temporis, & libro tot monumenta legit : Tnterea veri vis ftat {ata tempore virgo Ardua calcato jam Phlegetonte fuper. Poft alios foetus, alios poft deinde labores Hec extrema fubit vindicis ira manus 5 Tertiaque ifta patri fafpendimus arma Quirino, Parva prius, jam nunc qualia, quanta, vides. Qualia fatalis jam tum miracula faxi Prodidit Afjria regius exul humo. Exiguus lapis hic, fed qui fe attollere in auras Juflus Atlantzos equiparare finus. Nune quoque qui implevit finuofo fragmine mundum Eithereoque ingens occupat ire polo. Hoc pater ipfe tonans flagranti diftulit axe Imperia, & vertit regna fuperba folo. Seva Silex quid nam flammantibus incita fundis Urbium & elatis pemniciofa minis ? Codtilibus muris Romana Semiramis audax, Profpice, jam Babylon jam ruit illa tua. Saxea jam rupes quantas dabit acta ruinas ? Quas firages miferis horrida Romulidis ? Ultimus hic labor eft montis rapientis avari Puppicolafque Papas papicolafque popas. At vos feelices anima, quibus aurea cordi _ Secla, pias puro funditis ore preces 5 ‘Aligeraeque acies, cives ftellantis Olympi, Plaudite: Roma fuit Babela, Papa tuit. In fanguifugas Papiftas, Phil. Stubbes. Uli facrum Chrifti fatagit convellere verbum, Vulnificum contra calcitrat hic ftimulum. Florida que nimio compreffa eft pondere palma, Fortius exurgit viribus aucta fitis. Auricoman{que crocus quo calcatur magis exit Hoc magis, excrelcit, floret e6que magis. Sic’ Evay/éAsoy quantumvis turba Papalis. Confpuat, exurat, crefcit ubique tamen, In Jo. Foxum Theologum Celeberrimum, cum C hrifto exultantem. Pie peace thou fleepeft now at refs O learned Fox, the Phenix of our ages Moft happy thou with Crown of Glory blest, For ever freed from perfecuting rage : With comfort great thou gained hast the hore, And ftormy tempeft now needft fear no mores Thy Life not tain d with fpot of foul defame, Thy Learning great, who dare the fame deny? Thy worthy Works abroad do found thy name, And {hall for ever to Pofterity. So long as Learning, and the Learned live, Thy Works to thee Immortal Praife will give. Thy famous Work of thofe that witne[s bare To Chrift bis Truth, and feal'd it with their Blood, * That with Alcides Labours may compare, Shall witne/s fill thy zeal for Churches good : Shall witne/s eill to Ages yet to come, Thy hatred juft againft that Whore of Rome, Thy hand was alsvays firetched out to give, Thy eye from Poor was never turn d afide : What one of thee might not have learn’'d to live 2 Who in thy life fo many ways waft tride : And yet the Fame did? alsvays (till endure, No change thy Heart to change could once procure. Th afflicted Soul by thee did comfort find, The Confcience weak by thee did ftrength attains Thy Sermons {sweet rais'd up the feeble mind, And many a Sol from Hell to Chrift did cain : Such care thou had? Gods Mercies jill to Preach, Such Grace thou hadft the Truth of Chrift to Teach. Thy Tongue and Pen the Truth did ill defend, Thou banifhment for Chrift didft gladly bide 5 Tn hima thou liv’ jt, in him thou mad ft thy end, Moft happy thou that had? fo good a Guide. Moft happy thou while life thou didft retain, Moft happy now, that doft with Chrilt remain. Jo. Hopkins. THE Pee Mr. John Fox, Tranflated out of the Latine. TO THE READER S| Aving been often and earneftly requefted by many, M} to gratifie Pofterity, with the Hiftory of my Fathers life, which I had written above thirty years fince ; and finding that no new matter had faln out, for which (though I were filent) I fhould diftruft the : 4 judgment of after Ages, coneerning a man fo well known; but that many things to this Purpofe neceflary, were now out of my power, by the death of thofe, upon whofe Teftimony the truth of cach Particular depended; I madeno queftion, but both eafily with all men, to find Pardon for my firft refufal ; and if ftill I {hould continue in the fame mind, as ealily to keep my (elf in the right I have to ufe my liberty herein. But when 1 perceived, that fome, who were meer {trangers to him, and utterly ignorant of his Con- verfation, had taken upon them, to write bis Life; of which they could learn nothing, but by Hear-fays, and flying Reports; whereby it fell out, that many of his a@ions were amplified above the truth ; many things otherwife related than performed; and much paffed over, that came not to their knowledge ; having my felf when I was a young man, been always Converfant with him in his later days,and when ~~ To the Reader. when I was abfent from him, had better Intelligence of any remark- able paffage in his life; I thought it but my duty, to preferve his Memory from wrong; and if I could add nothing to it, at leaft to place it in its true and proper light. Neither feared I, but that I fhould, be able to juftifie this to the Readers, that being his Son I publifhed my Fathers life, though in refpe& of my nearnefs to him, I may befafpected. For firft, that fo memorable a man fhould be un- known to Pofterity, even the injury done him, by thofe who had ill handled his Story, would not fuffer: neither was it fafe, that any but his own Friends fhould undertake to right him ; and what reafon is there, that his Sons credit fhould be more fufpected, than the force of their anger and grief, who defire that no Memory of him might at all remain? Thustong I have forborn, till being in equal danger, of the offence that may be taken, by the adverfe Party, and thofe that defired his Story, I chofe at length to fatisfie their Minds, who not without{ome vehemence requefted it of me. At whofe importunity, T have confented to fet forth this Book, written at firft to no other intent, than to preferve by me the Image of my Fathers life; and now, in fo confirmed a Fame of him, rather thought neceflary by others, than fo judged by my felf. ; THE THE L.7*F EE 8 ea Mr. John Fox. OHN FOX was born in Boffon, an ancient Town in the County of Lincol, Anno 1517. his Father and Mother being of the Commonalty of that Town, well reputed of, and of good ftate. While he was very young, his Father dying, and his Mother being martied again, he came into the Tutelage of his Father in law, with whom he dwelt during his Childhood: which he had {carce pafled over, when his Friends well approving his good inclina- tion and towardnefs to Learning, fent him to ftudy at Oxford. The firft Nurfe of his more ferious Studies, was Brafen-Nofe Colledge, where he was Chamber-Fellow with Doctor Nowell fo famous a man in this City afterward, and Dean of Pau/s, That no great marvail it was, if their manners were {0 like in the courfe of their lives, whofe Education, and Nurture in Youth was the fame. The native excellence, and fharpnefs of his wit, were well feconded by the fitnefs of the place ; where the emulation of Equals was frequent ; and where each Students Proficiency was narrowly fought into: Neither was Induftry wanting, which as it ldom accompanieth the greateft Wits, fo where it is conjoyned is moft available. By which Vertues, when in a fhort {pace he had won the admiration of all, and the love of many, in reward of his Learning, and good behaviow he was chofen Fellow of Magdalen-Colledge; which being accounted a Principal Honour in the Univerfity, and ufually due to the Students of that Houfe, was feldom, and not unlefs in regard of fingular Deferts, beftowed upon any others. It fhould em he de- figned the firft over-branching of any early wit, to the exercifes of Poetry, and wrote divers Latine Comedies yet to be {een, im a copious, and graceful Stile, but fomewhat lofty, which fault of writing, (in all things elfe fo grave and temperate) he left not altogether in his,elder years, though age, and experience did not a little mitigate it. But even then he began to give earneft of what he afterward proved, for that neither thofe firft fourithes of his Youth were fpent, but in holy Hiftories of the Bible: nor . followed he that vein long. He betook himfelf to the ftudy of Divinity with fomewhat more fervency, than circumfpection, and difcovered himfelf in favour of the Reformation then in hand, before he was known to them that main- tained the Caufe, or were of ability to protect the Maintainers of it: whence grew his firft Troubles. This wasthe time when King Heary the Eighth uncertain what courfe to take, be- ingat Variance with the Pope, and unrefolved in himfelf, thinking the affairs of the Church (then grown to an infinite height of Power and Pride) neither in all refpe@s tolerable, nor that it was neceflary wholly to alter them, while he defired to thew moderation in both, prevailed in neither, ob{curing an Aé, than which none was of more Glory fince the World began, by an unprofitable indifferency. Never before were the people in more diftraction, or lef fecurity of their Lives, and Eftates, there being in the Laws fuch contrarieties, as no man could tell what to take to with fafety, or what toavoid. Foralthough the Popes Supremacy had been renounced, yet was Dottrine {till retained. The firft News of the abolifhing the Popes Supre- macy was as profperous as welcome to the Reformers ; and divers joyned themfélvesto them out of loveto the Truth, being further affured of the Kings Intentions, by the punifhment talen on fome of the contrary part, and efpecially when the Abbies were diffolved; nor was their hope a little increafed, when they perceived the Noblemen more or lef to rife in the good Opinion and Favour of the King, as any of them moft oppofed the Popes Dominion. Inthe mean while the AG of the fix Articles was ftill in force, and if any were found guilty of the breach thereof, they were fure of punifliment. So that as long asthe King held the middle way between his own Gehius, and the advice of his Counfellors, feeding them with Favours, upon which they could build no affurance, and pleafing himfelf in-his own feverity , fear and hope, equally revailed, ‘: But when the Protectors themfelves, and Pillars ofthe Reformed Religion, were taken away. The Duke of Suffolk by untimely death, the Lord Crommwel by the Sword, the Archbifhop Cranmer and his Friends born down by thofe of the contrary fide; and that neither in the Laws, nor theProtettion of the Peers, there was any, the leaft help remaining 3 then began all things to haften back again headlong'to their former abufes, and that with fo much the more vio- lence, becanfé the conqueft feemed a kind of revenge. In The Life of Mafter John Fox, In the Univerfities and Schools there was yet no open change, or innovation : I know not whe- ther through fear, or that they would not be Followers. This was the eftate of the Church-affairs, when Mafter Fox began attentively to feek into the fubftance of the Controverfie, then in agitation. He found the Contention to have been of great Antiquity, and no Age to have been free from fome debate in the Church, But thofe firft quarrels were rather for Dominion, and increafe of Territory. The Romans endeavouring by fubtil Praétifes, and pretext of Religion to retain under the JurifdiGion of a High Prieft, the ancient honour of their City, which by open force they could not defend. ‘Then no fooner could any fhew himfelf to differ from them in point of Faith, but the haftening of his punithment prevented any infection that might fpread it felf among others. Thus by their Cruelty, and the patience of Princes, who faffered it, the greateft part of thefe Diffenfions were appeafed : neither hitherto were all tracts of the old Roman vertue quite worn out, at lea{twife fome refemblances of vertue remained among many things that were perverted, and by long time utterly defaced. Afterward the Pope grown bolder by good fuccefs, began to draw to himfelf all Power and Authority, nor contented to have weakned the eftate of the Roman Empire alone, now, longed to be fingring the Scepters of other Princes 5 and to compafs his defign, fpared not to violate any Humane, or Divine Right: Mean while the Clergy little weighed with how great damage to Religion, men of {potted life and converfation were fometimes chofen to the Papacy, by whofe example the ftri&tne& of life, ufed by their Forefathers, was drawn into fcorn, and their poverty into exprobration; The induftry of the Priefthood languifhed, and on the contrary fide Ambi- tion, Riot, and Avarice began to reign among them. Then at length were the Prattifes of the Churchmen brought to light, and their Delufions laid open. It was then known why the Gere- monies and Rites in the Church, had been brought to that exceflive multitude, to wit, that the number of the Clergy might be increafed to perform them: Thefe of neceffity were to be maintained; and to that end were fuch Opinions broached, as feemed moft likely to draw money from all places: Of the dignity of Works 5 Of Purgatory ; Of the power of Abfolution, and the Popes Indulgences : All which being in themfelves falfe, and foon fubject to decay, were thought fit to be cemented together with that new and fubtil invention of the Popes infallibility in matters of Faith, By this handfome connexure, and linking one Opinion to another, the credulity of the Chriftians was eafily infoared 3 all this while thenew forg’d Opinions yielding plentiful increafe, and great fums of money, by a hundred devifes {crewed out of the Clergy, and common people, came daily to the Pope, and Court of Rome. Lhave often heard Mafter Fox affirm, That the firft matter which occafioned his fearch into the Popifh Do@rine, was, that he faw divers things in their own natures, moft repugnant to one another, thruft upon men at one time to be both believed : as that the fame man might io matters of Faith be Superior, and yet in his life and manners inferior to all the World befides. Upon this beginning, his refolution and intended obedience to that Church, were fomewhat fhaken, and by little and little followed fome diflike to the reft. His firft care was to look into both the ancient and modern Hiftory of the Church: to learn what beginning it had; what growth and increafe ; by what Artsit flourifhed, and by what Errors it began to declines to confider the caufés of all thofe Controverfies which in the mean {pace had {prung up,and to weigh diligently of what moment they were, and what on either fide was produced found or infirm. This he performed with fuch heat of ftudy, and in fo fhort a time; that before the thirtieth year of his age, he had read over all that either the Greek or Latine Fathers had left in their writings; the Schoolmen in their Difputations 5 the Councils in their A@s; or the Confiftory in their Decrees; and acquired no mean skill in the Hebrew Language. By report of fome who were Fellow-Students with him, he ufed over and above his days ex- ercife, to beftow whole nights at his Study, or not till it were very lateto betake himfelfto reft. Near to the Colledge was a Grove, wherein for the pleafantnefS of the place, the Students took delight to walk, and fpend_fome idle hours for their recreation. ‘This place, and the dead time of the night, had Matter Fox chofen, with the horror of folitude and darknefs, to confirm his mind; which asa freth-water-Souldier trembled at the guilt ofa new imagination. How many nights he watched in theft folitary Walks; what combats and wraftlings he fuffer- ed within himfelf; how many heavy fighs, and fobs, and tears he poured forthwith his prayers to Almighty Gods I had rather might be {pared from this Difcourfe, than touched with opinion of Oftentation: But therefore of neceffity , was it to be remembred, becaufe from hence fprang the firft fafpition of his alienated affections. Forno fooner was the fame fpread of his nightly retirements, but that the more underftanding fort out of their own wifdom, others according as they {tood inclined towards him, were apt to interpret all to the worft fenfe. At length thofe with whom he was intimate, being drawn into fufpition of him 5 there were fome imployed, who under pretence to admonith him, might obferve his walks, and pry with more curiofity into his words and actions ; and there wanted not others, who comparing his cuftoms formerly uled, with the prefent courfe he now took, did with more bitternefs aggravate the fa&. Why fhould he not come to Church, fo often as in former times he had accuftomed ? Why fhould he fhun the company of his Equals, and refufe to recreate himfelf after his wonted manner, unle( he had felt in his mind fome fuddain alteration ? nor if that alteration were for the better, would he conceal it, Being Tranflated out of Latine into Englifh. Being thus reported of, furrounded with Treacheries, and by every one accufed; when the matter came to more fevere {canning, and that he could neither hide his refolution longer, nor being a man of plain dealing, thought fit to excufe himfelf by forging alyes by the judgment of the Colledge, he was convicted, condemned as an Heretick, and removed the houfe. Never- thele his Adverfaries affirmed he was favourably dealt with by that fentence, and might have been queftioned for his life, if they had not rather ufe clemency towards him than extremity. But this Wound raged worfe than was thought it would 5 his Friends upon the report of this accident being forely difpleafed, and efpecially his Father in law, who was now grown altoge- ther implacable, either through a real hatred conceived againft him for this caufe, or pretending himfelf agrieved, that he might now with more juftice, at leaft with more fecurity withhold from Matter Fox his own Fathers eftate. For he both knew it could not be fafe for one pub- lickly hated, and in danger of the Law, to feek remedy by it 3 and that Matter Fox was by na- ture fo ignorant in requiting injuries, that he would many times with much ado confefs himfelf wronged, even then, when he had in his hands ability of revenge. When he was thus forfaken by his own Friends,and left naked of all humane affiftance, GODS Providence began to fhew it felf, procuring him a fafe Refuge in the houfe of a worfhipful Knight of Warwickjhire, called Sir Thomas Lucy, to whom he was fent for, to ioftrud& bis Chil- dren: In which houfe he afterwards married a Wife, and there continued till the Children coming to riper years, had now no longer need ofa Tutor. But the fear of the Popifh In- quifitions haftned his departure thence ; which now relying onthe favour of the Laws, were not contented to purfue publick offences, but began alfo to break into the fecrets of private Families. Oft would Mafter Fox in the later times of his life, with much vehemence of mind, in difcourfe, with his Friends, deteft the wretched condition of that departing 5 and fay, That all other mifchances he had pretty well indured 5 but in this cafe the mifery was fo much the greater 5 becanfe to have born it patiently, would have feemed unnatural; having brought his-faithful Confort, who entirely loved him, from her Friends and Kindred, whofe grief and tears were with all officious piety to be comforted, It behoved him therefore, either to find fome fpeedy remedy, or in affurance of his love to weep with her. For in vain fhould he thew an example of his conftancy, where fhe might rather fufpect her grief unregarded, than his mind uncon- quered with fo great Calamities. He confulted therefore with himfelf what was be{t to be done, and of two ways only left, whereby he might free himfelf from farther incovenience, long de- bated, whether he might with moft {afety, make choice of 5 cither to go to his Wives Father, or his Father in law by marriage of his Mother. His Wives Father dwelt neareft, being a Citizen of Coventry, nor yet bearing any hatred ~ towards him, and more likely to be entreated for his Daughters fake. His Father in law was better known to him, but more fafpedted. At laft he refolved to go firft to his Wives Father, and in the mean while by Letters to try, whether his Father in law would receive him or not. His Father in laws anfwer was, That it feemed to hima hard condition, to take one into his houfe, whom he knew to be guilty,and condemned for a Capital Offence: neither was he igno- rant, what hazard he fhould undergo in fo doing: neverthelef§ that he would fhew himfelf a Kinfman, and for that caufe negleé& his own danger. If he would alter his mind, he might.come, on condition to {tay as long as himfelf defired : but if he could not be perfwaded to that, he fhould content himfelf with the fhorter tarriance, and not bring him and his Mother into hazard of their Fortunes, who were ready to do any thing for his fake. Matter Fox his eftate was at that pa, that he thought no condition to be refufed : Befides he was underhand advifed by his Mother to come, and not fear his Father in laws feverity; For that (perchance) it was needful to write as he did, but when occafion fhould be offered, be would make recompence for his words with his ations. The truth is,he had better entertainment with both of them, than he any way hoped for: but fo his bufinefs required, that he fhould rely long upon neither 3 and therefore by often going to and fro, from the one to the other, (which carried with it fome thew of bufinefs) he both deceived their diligence, who enquired after him, and effe@ted, that neither grew weary of his company. But howfoever he by this means kept himfelf concealed 5 yet certain it is, that no time of his life paffed more unknown to Pofterity than that; whether that while hedid but little, which is earce credible: or whether it more concerned them who knew what he did, that it fhould be {hut up,in filence, than publifhed abroad, For his own part he always forbare with parti- cular regard, to {peak of that {tory left where he had deferved fo much, he might by extol- ling a fmall courtefie, feem rather to upbraid the flendernefs of the requital, than to fhew him- felf thankful by remembring it. Afterward he took his journey towards London 5 but upon what motives is uncertain 5 unlefs we may imagine the convenience of the place enticed him thi- therswhich being full of all forts of company,both Inhabicants and Strangers from all places might affure him fufficient occafions, whether he fhould choofé to conceal him{clf, or make known his abilities, and get acquaintance with thofe of alike inclination. By computation of times, I fhould think the chief caufe of his going thither to have been, that about that time Religion began at length a little to recover it {elf, and gather ftrength, cfpecially about the City. For he came not to Town till within a few years before King Henry departed this life: Who (as I faid before) though the Kingdom were divided into Fa¢tions, yet as long as his youth and ftrength remained, fo ordered the matter, that fometimes the power of each party being equalled, and fometimes one or other prevailing, by hisauthority both ERS ; retaine The Life of Master John Fox, retained in their Obedience: But when he grew into years, perceiving his health every day impaired, and that his death could not be far off; he then began to confider with himfelf which fide was moft trufty, and which moft to be doubted; and at what age he fhould expofe his Son, to the raging hatred of the Papifts, who was yet by reafon of his youth unfit to govern, and brought up in the Difcipline of a Religion which they oppofed. He therefore at laft refolved upon that, which in reafon feemed moft wholfome, and in the end proved moft fortunate ; and having put the Papift-Officers from their authority, by his Will he appointed his Son fach Tutors,whofe love to himfelf he had always found readieft,and by long trial of their fidelity, thought likely to continue the fame to his Succeffor. This fet Reli- gion again in fafety : But howfoever the Profeflors thereof, were thereby fecured of their lives 5 yet hence no publick benefit or profit was afforded them: So that Mr. Fox was ftill in as much want as before, having already fpent, what either his Friends had beftowed on him, or hisown daily induftry had acquired. I fhould forbear to fpeak of a marvelous accident, and great example of Gods mercy, were not the matter fo well known abroad, that it would be to no purpofe for modefty fake to be filent. As Mafter Fox one day, fate in Pauls Church, fpent with long fafting, his countenance thin, and eyes hollow, after the gaftful manner of dying-men5 every one flunning a Speétacle of fo much horror, There came to him one whom he never remembred to have feen before, who fitting by him, and faluting him with much familiarity, thruft an untold fum of money into his hand 5 bidding him be of good chear 3 adding withall, that he knew not how great the mif- fortunes were which oppreffed him, but might fufpect it was no light Calamity: That he fhould therefore accept in good part that fall gift from his Countryman, which common courtefie had enforced him to offer 5 that he fhould go, andmake much of himfelf, and take all occafi- ons to prolong his life 3 in the mean time let him know, that within a few days, new hopes were at hand, and a more certain condition of Livelihood. Never could Mafter Fox learn who that man fhould be, by whofé fo feafonable bounty, in that extream neceffity, he had been relieved; though he earneftly endeavoured to find him out. Somewho looked farther into the event which followed that Prophefie, believed that this man came not of his own ac- cord, but was fent by fome others, who by all means defired Mafter Foxes fafety ; and that it might (perchance) be through the Servants negligence, that he fuffered the extreameft of all miferies, before any relief came. Certain it is, that within three days fpace, the iffue feemed .to make good the Prefage, there being fome fent from the Dutchefs of Richmond, who upon fair terms did invite him into her Service. It had fo faln out not long before, that the Duke of Norfolk, the famous Warrior, and moft renowned General of his time, together with his Son, the Earl of Surrey, a man as far as may be imagined of fincere meaning, and {harp underftand- ing, was committed to Cuftody in the Tower of Londons for what Crimes is uncertain: While they were in prifon, the Earls Children were fent to the forefaid Dutchefs their Aunt, to be brought up, and educated: Thomas who fucceeded in the Dukedom, Heary who was after Earl of Northampton, and Fane afterwards Countefs of Weftmerland. To thefe young Lords was Mafter Fox appointed Tutor, to inftrué them both in Manners and Learning: In which charge he deceived not the expetation which the Dutchefs, a Woman of great Wifdom, had of him. For the two Sons grew'to that height of Proficiency in their Behaviour and Scholarfhip 5 that building in their riper years, upon this foundation, The elder Thomas feemed to deferve more than the Kingdom could beftow upon him; and the younger Henry came to that happinefs, that he’ was able to meafure his Fortunes, not by the opinion of others, but by his own faciety. The young Lady Fame, profited fo wonderoufly in the Greek and Lative Tongues; that fhe might well ftand in competition with the moft learned men of that time, for the praife of Ele- gancy in both kinds. There he dwelt during thofe golden days of Felicity (not feen long time before) in the laft years of King Henries Reign, and through the five years Reign of King Edward the Sixth (a young Prince incomparably hopeful, and hope by perfecting the Work begun by his Father, paffed all the Aéts of his Predeceffors) tillthe beginning of Queen Maries Sovereignty ; who coming to the Crown, and turning the ftream of Religion, all things again yielded to the Papifts Authority 5 whence net long after, that cruel Tempeft proceeded, the noife whereof hath come alfo to the ears of our Ages many who fuffered in that common Shipwrack, {wimming out to thefe peaceful times, as to fafeHarbours of papain hatin ra Among thefe Mafter Fox made one, at that time theltred by the Protection of the Duke his Sholar 5 yet not without the eyes ef many, who for hatred, or envy looked askew on him, and fecretly laid wait for, by Dottor Gardiner, Bifhop of Wincheiter, who both faw fomething in him, which he greatly feared, and alfo difdained much, that the Heir of one of the chiefeft J eae the Kingdom, and neareft joyned to himfelf in Friendthip, fhould by his company be depraved. OF this man becanfe he was Mafter Foxes greateft enemy, it will not be from our purpofe to fpeak fomething further 5 that both their natures may the better be known. The Bihop of Winchefter was a man famous in his Youth (for. of his Birth or Parentage, [have no certainty: ) one that ftood in the midway, between good and bad 5 and always ashe grew Tranflated out of \.atine into Englith. grew elder, growing worfe. Induftry, Wit, and Eloquence, Nature had beftowed on him : his Pride, Craftine&, and defire of bearing Sway,: he learned of the Cardinal. ; Hence were his abilities fit for any Imployments, which he managed with exceeding diligence, to gain.new Honours 5 and having obtained them, he then put on Boldnefs inftead of Induftry; Flattery for Obedience 3 and inftead of Fidelity, Deceit and Complements, and fuch like frivo- lous fathions of the Court. He was in bearing thofe Honours which his Vertue won to him cruel and proud: in regaining any that heloft, able to weary any man with fubmiffion and humility. For in his Fortunes alfo appeared as great diverfity, as in his conditions. Some while he he was pleafing to King Henry, and high in his favour; having by his Pen maintained the Kings Authority againft the Pope : Afterwards, when his prevaricating therein was underftood, he was by the.King flighted, and that he might bethe lef able to do hurt, ftript out of his Dignity. Under Edward the Sixth he was not only negleéted, but imprifoned, and abid the reproach of a mean eftate, At length in Queen Maries Reign he was fet at liberty, and being again reftored to his former Honors, he exercifed not fo much command as tyranny : till even fick with envy, that Cardinal Pool in Dignity out-fhined him,and with height of Honors overfhadow- ed his glory, having often, but {till in vain tried to cure his Malady with a Gardinalfhip, anger at length exafperating his Difeafe, he pined away. After this manner began, and ended that man, commended for many excellencies of mind, while he lead a private life ; but in his Honors unbrideled, and of no moderation: Well might one fay, Nature had made hima worthy man, and Fortune corrupted him. Now Matter Fox although he was cherifhed in the bofome of a moft loving Dukes yet after he faw all forts of men troubled for their Religions fake, fome imprifoned, and others burnt 5 in brief nothing on all fides, but Flight, Slaughter, and Gibbets; and that the Bilhop of Win- chefter was the principle Incendiary of all this, who for private refpects was already his enemy 5 he then began to fear what might become of him, and to think of fome {peedy way for his de- parture thence. As foonas the Duke knew his intent, gently chiding his fearfulne(, he ufed many words to perfwade him to leave all thought of going away 5 affirming it neither agreeable tohonour or modefty, for him to fuffer his Tutor, fo well deferving at his hands, at any time of his life, to be taken from him: but that it fhould then be done, was not befeeming for him that defired it. Let him but think with himfelf how great a burthen of hatred his Scholar mutt needs bear, among thofe who were ignorant, whether he forfook him of his own accord, or were forfaken by him: yet that he intreated not to be excu‘ed from any hatred, which might light upon him , ifat leaft he might do it with Mafter Foxes commodity : But in flying, what mifery would be wanting? Banilhment, Poverty, Contempt, and among thofe which, knew him not, the reproach of a Runagate. That he acknowledged all this lefs eyil than deaths but that it was not yet come to fuch extremity $ neither would he fuffer it fhould: That he had yet Wealth, and Favour, and Friends, and the Fortune of his houfe: if the mifchance prevailed further, himfelf would partake of thedanger, and make the deftru@tion common : That he re- membred, with what Precepts he had fortified his younger years neither had he with more attention hearkened to his Inftruétions, than he would with conftancy put them in prattice 5 only let him be of good courage, and fo avoid the violence of his enemies, as not to be weary of his Friends company : That this he {pake, as hoping by his authority to prevail with him: but if that might not be obtained, he would then further him in the courfe he intended. There was in the Dukes Speech the more credit, becaufe it was known to proceed from the inbred fincerity of his heart, and a moft tender good will towards him: and he grew now afhamed, not fo much of that he had done in asking leave, as that he had believed lis requeft might have been granted: But his modefty excuféd him: His anfwer being, That the fame care befitted not the Lord, and his Servant : That it was indeed for the Dukes Honor, to defend his Tutor from any injury ; but his own part, to havea care, left for his fafety, the Duke might incur apparent danger, or perpetual trouble: neither that his fear wanted all excufe. For though he well knew the Duke could not be drawn from his promife and good intentions towards him ; yet was he not ignorant, that by fome wile or other, he might be circumvented and deceived. For even at that time wasthe Bifhop of Winchefter very intimate with the Duke, relying upon the ancient Obfervance he had always ufed to that Family,by whof credit he had increafed his Dignity. Thither he often reforted, to prefent his Service to the Duke 5 and at feveral times defired of him, that he might fee his old Tutor. At firft the Duke denied his requelt, one while alledging his abfence, another while that he was ill at eafe 5 {till after faining feverat delays; to put him off. At length it chanced, that Mafter Fox (not knowing the Bifhop was within the houfe) entred the room where the Duke and he were in difcourfe 5 and feeing the Bithop, witha fhew of bathfulneS withdrew himfelf The Bifhop asking who that was 5 the Duke anfwered, His Phyfitian, who was fomewhat uncourtly, as being new come from the Univerfity: like hiscounteance and afpeét very well replied the Bifhop, and when occafion fhall be, will make ufé of him. The Duke ftraight underftood that {peech, as the Meffenger of fome approaching danger 5 and now he himfelf thought it high time for Mafter Fox no longer to remain within the fame City, or within the fame See, againft the force of a crafty, and then open deceiver 5 but by all means, the Bifhops being fick, muft be prevented. From that time he caufed all things neceflary for his flight, with the leaft noife that might be, to be pro- vided ; fending one of his Servants before to Ipfwich-Haven, to hire a Bark, and make ready all things needful forthe Voyage: and becaufe it {eemed {carce fafe for Mafter Fox to ftay in G any Pa te i The Life of Master John Fox, any City, or place of refort, he chofe out the houfe of one of his Servants a Farmer, where he might with convenience expect the warning of a fair Wind to put toSea. Thither Mafter Fox went as fecretly as he could, taking his Wife as companion in his Travels, then great with child, but refolved to go with him, nor yielding to the intreaty of thofe, who pet{waded her to the contrary 5 and as foon as it was told him, hiscompany expected him, he made haft to the Port, and went abroad. : Scarce had they weighed Anchor, when fuddenly a rough Wind rifing from the contrary fhore, troubled the Sea with fo great violence of Waves , that the ftouteft Mariners began to tremble: Then followed a dark night, with continual fhowres, and a great multitude of €louds gathered together into a thick {torm of rain and hail, both hindred the Sea-mens work, and took away all poffibility by the Compaf any longer to dire&t their courfe. That night with much ado, they lay at Anchor, and as foon as the day appeared when the Tempeft feemed not like to ceafe, they began to caft about, and make back again to the fhore: fo that the Tide a little favouring them, at length with much difficulty they arrived in the evening at the fame Haven again, from whence they had loofed the day before. In the mean while that Mafter Fox had been at Sea, a Purfevant from the Bifhop of Wixchefter had broke open the Farmers houfe with Warrant to apprehend him, wherefoever he might be found, and bring him back Prifoner tothe City; but underftanding he was gone already, after he had purfued him even to the Port, and there found that the Ship he was embarqued in, was yet fcarce out of fight, had returned back without his arrant. Mafter Fox, as {oon as he came afhore, hear- ing by report of the people what bad pafled, although the News fomewhat amazed him, yet récollecting himfelf, prefently took horfe, and made as if he would have left the Town 5 but the fame night returning, he bargained with the Mafter of the Ship to fet fail again with the firft convenience of the Winds 5 telling him that fo his bufinefs requireds nor did he much care what fhore he landed at 3 only defiring him to go forward, and not doubt but that God would profper fo piousa Work. Whether for reward or picties fake, the Pilate took upon him this venturous task, and performed it accordingly. For loofing thence inthe nights filence, as foon as the Tide turned, though the Sea were rough, and the weather bluftring, within two days {pace he landed Malter Fox and his company in fafety at Nemport-Haven on the other fide the Sea. Whofoever fhall read this ftory, needeth not a more evident argument, to force him to ac- knowledge, either the certain courfe of Providence, or the uncertainty of all humane forecafts when he may fee the fubtileft deliberations of the wifeft heads, oftentimes by errorscome to no effect ; often overthrown by fuddain accidents 5 and now and then thwarted by contrary Counfels: and that all this is done to teach men fo to ufe their authority, asthat the more power Fortune hath conferr’d upon them, fo much the les they fhould know they are able to do of themfelves, and not defpife thofe that are of meaner condition. Forthat God regardeth all men alike, having made them in nature equal, and differenced them by degrees, not to fwell the one fort, or fhame the other, but to exercife both their modefties, or his own Jultice, if they neglect their duty. } Mafter Fox when he had fpent fome few days at Newport, in refrefhing himfelf and his com-, pany, went to Avtwerp, and from thence by {mall Journeys to Ba/i/. This City was at that time much fpoken of for the great friend{hip and courtefie fhewed to thofe of the Englifh Nation: for which caufé many famous men withdrawing themfelves from the cruelty of the Times, had efcaped out of Evgland thither. Of thefe were many, but of flender eftate, who fome one way, and fome another, but the moft part maintained their Livelihood, by reviewing and coreCting the efcapes of the Pref this place for careful Printing, and plenty of diligent and wealthy men in that Profeffion, then furpaffing all the Cities of Ger- many 5 and preferring the induftry of our men, in that Employment, before any of their own Countrymen. To thefe men Mafter Fox joyned himfelf, fo much the better liked of, becaufe having been always inured to hardinefs, and in his Youth put to the trial of ‘his patience, he had learned how to indure labour; and that which {cemed the greateft mifery to others, to faffer want, to fitup late, and keep hard dict ; were to him but the fports of Fortune. This (perhaps) may feem ftrange to many, who remember Mafter Fox to have been all his life long but a flender bodied man, and in his elder years fomewhat fickly : But let no man compare his old age, worn out, and eaten up with cares, and even by the courfé of Nature ruinous, with the flourifhing prime of his Youth; which by fo many his works appeareth to have been moft healthful: whe- ther it be, that in thofe of indifferent fize, an upright fhape of the Limbs aad Members may fufficiently ferve for health: or that the mind enflamed with defire of vertuous actions, being Ft with its own abilities to purfue thofe things it affeGteth, needeth the lef help from the ody. His Induftry may be from hence abundantly teftified, That being fo full of employment at Bafil, there neverthelefs he began to write his Hiftory of the acts and Monuments of the Church: a Work by the Title alone feeming beyond mansbelief. At firft it fufficed only to mark it out, and to draw the firft lines or rudiments, or as it were to faften the Warp to the Loom : the whole body of the Hiftory he added and interwove it, after he returned into his own Country. Firft, he wrote it in Laténe, and fent'the Copy to Bafil to be printed ; where the Work is ftill in great eftimation, as alfo in divers other foreign Nations, among our own men hardly known, whilft we feck after, and admixe ftrangers only 5 ‘cither through carelefinefs, or envy neglecting our Tranjlated out of Latine into Englith. our Country-men. Shortly after to gratifie the Unlearned, he wrote it in his Mother Tongue. Tak mean while the Reformed Religion began again to flourith in England, and the Papift Faétion much to decline, by the death of Queen Mary ; 2 Woman, while the followed her own in- clination,every way excellent,and well worthy fo Royal Parentage 5 but while {he denied not any thing to fome wicked Counfellors, getting this,that fhe both wanted that praife the had otherwife deferved ; andif fhe be not ill fpoken of, it may be accounted the modefty of the fucceeding Age, whofe cuftom it is either to commend, or at leaft to tolerate all the actions of Princes, I dare neither affirm, that Mr. Fox forefaw this fuddain change of the Publick Affairs; nor yet (which by no other [ would do) will I take from him the teftimony of the Reverend and famous Divine, Doctor Elmare, fometimes Bifhop of London; who in prefence of many yet living, was wont tofay, That he was himfelf at a Sermon, wherein Mafter Fox, among many things which he preached, to comfort the banithed Engl, did with confidence tell them, That now was the time come for their return into Exgland, and that he brought them that News by Com- mandment from God. For which words he was then tharply reproved by the graver Divines there prefent 5 but excufed afterwards by the event; when by comparing of times it was found, that Queen Mary died but the day before Mafter Fox had thus prefaged. The whole Chriftian World ftraight felt fome benefit by this Change of the Eyglifh Govern- ment. The neighbouring-Nations, now disburdened of the exil’d Exgli/hmen, rejoyced for the good Fortune of their Guefts, asfor their own. But at home what could be devifedto affure their Safety, or relieve their Diftreffes, which they did not fooner enjoy than prefime to hope for? They who had forfaken their Houfes, were now called home: They whe had faffered Imprifon- ment, were now releafed: They who by lof§ of Goods were decayed, were now by Gifts re- paired: They who had been thrutt from Places of Honour, were now reftored to their former Dignities: The unjuft Laws were in the mean while abrogated, and the wholfome Laws eftablithed in their places: Their Minds were at quiet: Their Confcience at liberty: All de- grees at peace among themfelves, and every mans Goods without danger. Forin fuch fort did Queen Elizabeth, even in the Infancy of Her Reign, difpofe the Affairs of the Commonwealth, that whatfoever the long and profperous Government of other Princes, doth hardly produce in many years, at her very firft Entrance, all at once brake forth, beyond the peoples with, as if fome Deity had diffuled it (elf, and poured forth Felicity upon the World. Of which incom- parable, and fince Mans creation, moft glorious Queen, to have made mention upon any occa- fion, and not from thence taken caufe of fome further digreffion, let it be counted fora Capital Crime among al] Writers of Hiftory. She was born of the Lady Azwa Bolen, whom King Hexry the Eighth, after his Divorce from his firft Marriage, took to Wife. From her fhe received, as a Princely Dowry, a true Zeal to Religion. As fhe grew elder in years, fo fhe increafed in Manners, Wit and Beauty, which as well make, as befeem a PrincefS. So that both Nature {eemed to have boafted in her, the Mafter- piece, of her moft abfolute Workmanfhip 5 and Fortune to have raifed her, to as high a degree, as Hope could ever afpire to. It made her the more capable of fo greata Fortune, that {he had firft learned to obey 3 then to command, and to ufe that Honour firft to others, which was fhortly after to be ufed by others to her: having in a private life had experience of the hatred, fatal to the Succefiors of great Empires, yet of a more noble fpirit, than to return the like upon thofe who were to fuc- ceed her. As foonas fhe came to the Kingdom, her feveral Vertues appeared at once in their brighteft luftre; efteeming all Vices, as well as all Men beneath her. Her mind therefore de- {cended. not to an overnice care of her Body. The Principles of her new Sovereignty were, to acquaint her felf with the publick Reafons of State; To feck fit men to bear part of her Carés ; To ftrengthen all parts of the Kingdom, with faithful Minifters 5 To know the Natures and Abilities of thofe about her; and to fearch intotheStrength, Councils and Attempts of foreign Princes: But all thefe Qualities, if not well tempered, might have had (perhaps) no long continuance. Such therefore was her Gravity, as nothing more pleafing : Such her Seve- rity, as nothing more gentle and fuch her Frugality,as nothing more bountiful. Only {he knew no meafure, in thofe Excellencies, whofe glory is founded, not in the even ballancing of dif fering Vertues; but as it were in the throng of illuftrious A@tions. So was the Nobility of her Birth, heaped with defire of Glory: Her Religion (though moft fincere) feconded with Zeal to aholy Life ; and her Beauty (though of it (elf unparalleld) enriched by a Refolution of per- petual Ghaftity. But when all thefe Vertues brake forth into Actions : (good God) what days of Happinefs we then enjoyed > What ever more chearful, more fecure or wealthy did Exgland fee, than that four and forty years of Peace? For never voluntarily did fhe provoke any with War, and always preferred the juftice of the Quarrel before the Vitory: To the Irifh-War, Honour, and fhame to have loft a Province, enforced her: To the French, Piety, and pity of her Neighbours danger: To the Spanifh, her own Safety, and neceflity comprehending in it felf the force of all other Caufés, compelled her. In the Progrefs of this War we heard. of, and faw that which (perchance) never happened in any before. For other Nations, though they fought with never fo mortal hatred each to other, yet were their Battels reftrained to, fome certain Fields and Places; but this War was {o fcattered over all places, and managed with fuch haughtinefs of Courage on both fides, that Cie) through The Life of Master John Fox, through all Seas and Havens from Eaft to Weft, the Sun might ftill behold the Hagh/h and Spanifh Navies fighting for their Lives, Honours or Eftates. Never till then had that Sea, which was accuftomed to no other command but ours, frothed with ftrokes of foreign Oars. Nor would a large Volume contain the difcourfé, if { fhould relate the number and ftatelinefs of Ships, the ftrength of Sea and Land Forces, the multitude of Munition, Engins, Weapons, Guns, and provifion of Viduals belonging to that Navy, which Péilip the Second, King of Spain, with intention to raze out the Exglifh name, fent hither in the yeat of our Redemption, 1588. Let this faffice, That never was any preparation by Sea comparable to this Fleet, made by any the moft powerful Princes or States to be fhewed in all the Records of Antiquity : Yet that fo huge and threatning Armada, fwelling with felfconfidence, anda prefumed hope of Victory, was by the Fortune of this invincible Princefs, even ina moment utterly defeated. The Navies met together, for number and ftrength unequal : But the manner of the fight was tothe Spaniards difadvantage, becaufe the Englifh Veflels being for bulk much lefs, and lower built afore, could with more eafé caft about for the Wind, and immediately having difcharged, retire to open Sea 3 thereby deluding the fluggith and unweildy Ships of their Enemies, and by . levelling at the broad-fides of the Spar/h Gallions, beftowing their fhot with a more certain and fuccefsful aim. To this, our Captains in the skill of Sea-fight, and knowledge of the Tides, far excelled the Spanifh Commanders, who now taught by the former days experience, that they could no way, but in a fet fight bear the Evglifh Encounters, cafting their Anchors near Cal/ice, there expected new Forces out of Flanders, and by the goodnef$ of their Ordnance defended themfélves. This laid them open to the Hyglifh for the ViGtory. For having filled fome Ships with Tow, Pitch, Brimftone, and all forts of materials fuddenly combuftible, and fetting them on fire, witha favourable Tide, they drove them direétly upon the Enemies; who were by this ation fo exceedingly terrified, that the whole Fleet, cutting their Cables as faft as they could, betook themfelves headlong to flight. Inwhich flight fome of their Ships were burnt, fome fank, fome forced to run themfelves on fhore, fome fplit upon the Rocks, and fome for haft falling foul on their Fellows, and fo torn and bruifed, were taken by our Souldiers. Thofe that fcaped beft, not daring to go back the fame way they came thither, with long travail both by Sea and Land, returned at length into Spaiz, by the Coafts of Scotland, and the Ilands of the Orcades, through thofe Seas, which in no age had been failed on, but by fuch as were very good at flying. Where fo great Vertues and Victories met together in one perfon, of neceflity Envy would be an Attendant, followed by hatred and treacheries 3 which could not, by this moft innocent Queen, be fo avoided, but that her fafety (upon whom the fafety of almoft all Nations in Ewrope , depended) was through all her life daily indangered. Which maketh me the rather wonder, what rare Doétrine of our Adverfaries this may be, for pieties fake which they pretend, per- fecuting even'vertue it felf} whereas (not only in no Heathen, but in none the moft barbarous Nation, which dothat all acknowledge any Deity) it was never thought juft to take revenge upon Vertue (which certainly cometh neareft to the Nature of God) even in their Enemies : unlef§ it be fo that the indulgence of the Chriftian Religion may be fo far extended, that