Mary. A.D. as he seeth it. Howbeit, he saith that since the queen's coronation, by chance he hath been present where the mass hath been said, whereof he is sorry. Isabel Foster also, answering to the said articles, with the other before, con1556. fessed moreover, that since queen Mary's reign she hath not heard mass, nor received the sacrament, but hath refused to come in place where it was ministered: for she knoweth no such sacrament to be. And being demanded of her belief in the same, she saith, that there is but only material bread, and material wine, and not the real substance of the body of Christ in the same sacrament: for so she hath been taught to believe by the preachers in the time of king Edward, whom she believeth to have preached the truth in that behalf. Eighth article. Ninth article. Concerning the eighth article, that they were sent by the commissioners to the bishop to be examined and imprisoned-they grant the same and the contents thereof to be so: Thomas Whittle adding and affirming, that the lord chancellor that then was, sent him up to the bishop there present. Bartlet Green added, that he was sent up to the said bishop, but for no offence herein articulate. John Went said, that Dr. Story, queen Mary's commissioner, examined him upon the sacrament; and because he denied the real presence, he [Dr. Story] presented this examinate to the bishop. John Tudson likewise examined by master Cholmley and Dr. Story, upon the same matters, and for not coming to the church, and accused by the same, because he would not agree to them, was sent to the bishop. Thomas Brown also said, that he, for not coming to the church of St. Bride's, was brought by the constable to the bishop, etc. Joan Warne1 confessed that she was sent by Dr. Story to the bishop of London, about twelve weeks ago; since which time she hath continued with the said bishop. Concerning the ninth article-they confess and say, that as they believe the premises before by them confessed to be true, so they deny not the same to be manifest, and that they be of the jurisdiction of London.2 And thus having expressed their articles, with their answers jointly made unto the same, it remaineth further more fully to discourse the stories and handling of all the seven aforesaid martyrs severally and particularly by themselves, first beginning with Thomas Whittle. The Story of all these seven Martyrs, particularly described, in AND FIRST OF THOMAS WHITTLE, WHO, FIRST RECANTING, THEN AGAINST THE PAPISTS, TO THE FIRE. In the story of master Philpot, mention was made before, of a married priest, whom he found in the coal-house at his first coming thither, in heaviness of mind and great sorrow, for recanting the doctrine which he had taught in king Edward's days, whose name was Thomas Thomas Whittle of Essex; and thus lieth his story. This Thomas Whittle, Alablas Whittle, after he had been expulsed from the place in Essex where he served, went abroad where he might, now here and there, as occasion was ministered, preaching and sowing the gospel of Christ. At Edmund length being apprehended by one Edmund Alablaster, in hope of ter, after a reward and promotion, which he miserably gaped after, he was and per brought first as prisoner before the bishop of Winchester, who then was fallen lately sick of his disease, whereof not long after he died most strangely. But the apprehender for his proffered service was highly checked and rated of the bishop, asking if there were no man promoter secutor. (1) of this Joan Warne read before. (2) See Appendix, 66 unto whom he might bring such rascals, but to him: "Hence," Mary. quoth he, out of my sight, thou varlet! what dost thou trouble me A.D. with such matters ?" The greedy cormorant being thus defeated of 1556. his desired prey, yet thinking to seek and to hunt further, carried his prisoner to the bishop of London, with whom what an evil mess of handling this Whittle had, and how he was by the bishop all to beaten and buffeted about the face, by this his own narration in a letter sent unto his friend, manifestly may appear: of the manner "Upon Thursday, which was the 10th of January, the bishop of London sent Whittle for me, Thomas Whittle, minister, out of the porter's lodge, where I had been all reporteth night, lying upon the earth, upon a pallet, where I had as painful a night of sickness as ever I had, God be thanked. And when I came before him, he of his handling talked with me many things of the sacrament so grossly, as is not worthy to be with rehearsed. And amongst other things he asked me if I would have come to bishop mass that morning, if he had sent for me. Whereunto I answered, that I would Bonner. have come to him at his commandment, but to your mass,' said I. 'I have small affection.' At which answer he was displeased sore, and said, I should be fed with bread and water. And as I followed him through the great hall, he turned back and beat me with his fist, first on the one cheek, and then on Beaten on the other, as the sign of my beating did many days appear. And then he led the face me into a little salt-house, where I had no straw nor bed, but lay two nights on ner. a table, and slept soundly, I thank God. by Bon Dr. "Then, upon the Friday next after, I was brought to my lord, and he then Conventgave me many fair words, and said he would be good to me. And so he, going to ed before Fulham, committed me to Dr. Harpsfield, that he and I in that afternoon should Harpscommune together, and drew out certain articles, whereunto if I would sub- field. scribe, I should be dismissed. But Dr. Harpsfield sent not for me till night, and then persuaded me very sore to forsake my opinions. I answered, I held nothing but the truth, and therefore I could not so lightly turn therefrom. So I thought I should at that time have had no more ado: but he had made a certain bill, which the registrar pulled out of his bosom, and read it. The bill indeed was very easily made, and therefore more dangerous: for the effect thereof was, to detest all errors and heresies against the sacrament of the altar, and other sacraments, and to believe the faith of the catholic church, and live accordingly." The copy of this bill here mentioned, if it please the gentle reader to peruse, so as it came to our hands we have hereunto adjoined; written and conceived in their own words, as followeth to be seen. The Bill of Submission, offered to Thomas Whittle to subscribe unto. I, Thomas Whittle, priest, of the diocese of London, knowledge and confess with my mouth, agreeing with my heart before you, reverend father in God, Edmund bishop of London, my ordinary, that I do detest and abhor all manner of heresies and errors against the sacrament of the altar, or any of the sacraments of the church, which heresies and errors have heretofore been condemned in any wise by the catholic church: and I do protest and declare by these presents, that I do both now hold, and also intend by God's grace always hereafter to hold, observe, and keep, in all points the catholic faith and belief of Christ's church, according as this church of England, being a member of the said catholic church, doth now profess and keep; and in no wise to swerve, Through decline, or go from the said faith, during my natural life, submitting myself infirmity, fully and wholly to you, reverend father, my said ordinary, in all things con- eth to the cerning my reformation and amendment at all times.-In witness whereof I the bill. said Thomas Whittle, priest, have hereunto subscribed my name, written, etc. "To this bill I did indeed set my hand, being much desired and counselled puncted so to do; and the flesh being always desirous to have liberty, I considered not science, thoroughly the inconvenience that might come thereupon; and respite I desired for forsaking of to have had, but earnestly they desired me to subscribe. Now when I had so the cross done, I had little joy thereof: for by and by my mind and conscience told me of Christ. (1) "Episcopum non percussorem esse oportet." Tit. i. (2) A good warning for all faithful Christians not to fall into the crafty hands of the papists. subscrib Com in con A.D. 1556. Mary. by God's word that I had done evil, by such a sleighty means to shake off the sweet cross of Christ: and yet it was not my seeking, as God he knoweth, but altogether came of them. Oh the crafty subtlety of Satan in his members! Let every man that God shall deliver into their hands, take good heed, and cleave fast to Christ; for they will leave no corner of his conscience unsought, Comfort but will attempt all guileful and subtle means to corrupt him, to fall both from God and his truth. But yet let no man despair of God's help, for Peter did fall and rise again. And David saith, ‘A righteous man though he fall, he shall penteth not be cast away: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.' For I, for my part, have felt my infirmities, and yet have I found God's present help and comfort in time of need, I thank him there-for. against despair. He re his re cantation. "The night after I had subscribed, I was sore grieved, and for sorrow of conscience could not sleep. For in the deliverance of my body out of bonds, which I might have had, I could find no joy nor comfort, but still was in my conscience tormented more and more; being assured by God's Spirit and his word, that I, through evil counsel and advisement, had done amiss. And both with disquietness of mind, and with my other cruel handling, I was sickly, lying upon the ground when the keeper came; and so I desired him to pray Dr. Harpsfield to come to me, and so he did. "And when he came, and the registrar with him, I told him that I was not well at ease; but especially I told him I was grieved very much in my conscience and mind, because I had subscribed. And I said that my conscience had so accused me, through the just judgment of God and his word, that I had felt hell in my conscience, and Satan ready to devour me: and therefore I Experi- pray you, master Harpsfield,' said I, 'let me have the bill again, for I will not stand to it.' So he gently commanded it to be fetched, and gave it me, and God's pro- suffered me to pul out my name, whereof I was right glad when I had so done, Suffering although death should follow. And hereby I had experience of God's provihis people dence and mercy towards me, who trieth his people, and suffereth them to fall, to fall, but not to be lost: for in the midst of this temptation and trouble, he gave me to be lost. Warning of my deed, and also delivered me, his name be praised for evermore, Amen. ence of vidence, but not Peace of conscience a great "Neither devil nor cruel tyrant can pluck any of Christ's sheep out of his hand; of the which flock of Christ's sheep I trust undoubtedly I am one, by means of his death and blood-shedding, which shall at the last day stand at his treasure. right hand, and receive with others his blessed benediction. And now, being condemned to die, my conscience and mind, I praise God, is quiet in Christ; and I, by his grace, am very well willing and content to give over this body to the death, for the testimony of his truth and pure religion, against antichrist and all his false religion and doctrine. They that report otherwise of me, speak not truly. And as for Fountain, I saw him not all this while. "By me, Thomas Whittle, minister.' Concerning the troubled mind of this godly man, and the tearing of his name out of the bill, here followeth the report of the same, written in the letters both of the said Harpsfield, and also of Johnson the registrar, being then present thereat, and reporters of the same unto the bishop, as in their letters hereto annexed is to be seen. The Copy of John Harpsfield's Letter, written to Bonner, Bishop of London, declaring how Thomas Whittle rent his Subscription out of the Bishop's Register. Pleaseth your good lordship to understand, that yesterday I dined with my lord of Exeter, who soon after my first coming to him, asked me what news? I answered, none but good, that I had heard. "No!" saith he: "why, it is a rumour in the city, that to-morrow the queen's grace will take her journey towards the king.' I answered, that I thought it not to be any whit true, but an invention of heretics. "Yea, and further," saith he, "there is a report made abroad of my lord your master, that he is in discomfort, and therefore will suffer no man to come unto him." When I heard thus much, I began to laugh, and to declare how untrue this report was: so that my lord (who before was very sad) afterward knowing the truth, rejoiced much to hear that all was well with your lordship, and desired me to have his hearty commendations to your lordship. One of my lord of Pembroke's retinue, a very handsome man, and as far as I can yet learn a catholic, is a suitor to your lordship to have license to erect a school; and the order which he intendeth to use, is contained in this printed paper, which I send herein enclosed to your lordship. I would be glad, for my ford of Pembroke's sake, that he understood, that upon my motion your lord ship were content he should teach as he intendeth. Master Johnson and I have travailed with the priest, and he hath subscribed his name to this draft which is herein enclosed, and hath promised he will stand to the same before your lordship. When I had written thus much, suddenly came tidings to me, that Jordanis conversus est retrorsum. Cluney coming to the priest, found him lying prostrate, and groaning as though he should have died forthwith. Then Cluney took him up, and set him upon a stool, and came to me, and told me of this revel. It chanced that master Johnson was with me, and we went to this fond heretic, and found him lying all along, holding his hands up, and looking hypocritically towards heaven. I caused Thomas More and Cluney to set him on the stool, and with much ado at length he told me, that Satan had been with him in the night, and told him that he was damned; and weeping he prayed master Johnson and me, to see the bill whereunto he subscribed; and when he saw it, he tare out his name, è libro scilicet viventium. Me thinketh by him, he will needs burn a faggot, neither is there any other likelihood of the young woman." I have inquired of the two persons which sue to have a license to eat flesh. And the woman of Christ's church is indeed very much diseased, and hath been long diseased, and she and her husband both catholic: of the other, yet, I can learn nothing. Thus Jesus evermore preserve your good lordship, and my mistress your lordship's sister, with all yours.-This present Saturday. Your lordship's most bounden servant, John Harpsfield. Here followeth another letter of Robert Johnson, registrar, touching Thomas Whittle, written to Bonner bishop of London. My bounden duty premised, pleaseth your lordship to understand, that this last Friday in the afternoon, master archdeacon of London did diligently travail with sir Thomas Whittle. I being present, and perceiving his conformity, as outwardly appeared, devised this submission, and he being content therewith did subscribe the same. But now, this Saturday morning, master archdeacon and I, upon Cluney's report, declaring that he feigned himself to be distracted of his senses, went unto him, to whom he declared that Satan in the night time appeared unto him, and said that he was damned, for that he had done against his conscience in subscribing to the said submission; with other like words, etc. And then master archdeacon, at his earnest request, delivered unto him the submission. And thereupon the said Whittle did tear out his subscription, made in the foot of the same, as your lordship shall perceive by the submission sent now unto your lordship by master archdeacon; wherewith the said Whittle was somewhat quieted. Mary. A. D. 1556. And as touching Joan Lashford, master archdeacon did likewise travail with Joan her, and showing her sir Thomas's submission, which I read unto her two times, Lashford demanded if she could be content to make the like submission, and she desired respite until this morning. And being now eftsoons demanded, in like wise saith, that she will not make any thing in writing, nor put any sign thereunto. Master archdeacon and I intend this afternoon to examine the said sir Thomas upon articles for as yet there doth appear nothing in writing against him, as knoweth almighty God, who preserve your good lordship in prosperity long with honour to endure! From London this Saturday, By your lordship's daily beads-man, and bounden servant, Robert Johnson. (1) He meaneth of the return again of T. Whittle. [From the Vulgate of Psalm cxiii. (Heb.cxiv.) 3.] (2) This young woman was Joan Warne, otherwise named Joan Lashford, who was burned also with the same Whittle. Mary. A. D. 1556. THE CONDEMNATION, MARTYRDOM, AND DEATH OF THOMAS Concerning the words and answers of the said Thomas Whittle at his last examination before the bishop, upon the 14th day of January,' the year above-expressed, Bonner, with other his fellow Bonnerlings, sitting in his consistory at afternoon, first called forth Thomas Whittle, with whom he began in effect as followeth: "Because ye be a priest," saith he, "as I and other bishops here be, and did receive the order of priesthood after the right and form of the catholic church, ye shall not think but I will minister justice as well unto you as unto others." And then the said Bonner in further communication did charge him, that whereas in times past he had said mass according to the order then used, the same Whittle now of late had spoken and railed against the same, saying that it was idolatry and abomination. Whereunto Thomas Whittle answering again said, Elevation that at such time as he so said mass, he was then ignorant, etc.: addcrament ing moreover, that the elevation of the sacrament at the mass, giveth idolatry. Occasion of idolatry to them that be ignorant and unlearned. of the sa cause of After this the bishop, making haste to the articles (which in all his examinations ever he harped upon, came to this article, "That thou wast in times past baptized in the faith of the catholic church.”2 To this the said Whittle inferred again, " I was baptized in the faith of the catholic church, although I did forsake the church of Rome. And ye, my lord, do call these heresies, that be no heresies, and do charge me therewith as heresies; and ye ground yourself upon that religion, which is not agreeable to God's word," etc. Then the said victorious soldier and servant of our Saviour, constant in the verity received and professed, was again admonished, and with persuasions entreated by the bishop; who because he would not agree unto the same, the bishop forthwith proceeded, first to his actual degradation, that is, to unpriest him of all his priestly trinkets Whittle and clerkly habit. The order and manner of which their popish and most vain degradation, before, in the story of bishop Hooper, is to be seen. Then Whittle, in the midst of the ceremonies, when he saw them so busy in degrading him after their father the pope's Whittle's pontifical fashion, said unto them, "Paul and Titus had not so much words to ado with their priests and bishops." And further, speaking to the degraded. Bonner. bishop, he said unto him, "My lord, your religion standeth most with the church of Rome, and not with the catholic church of Christ." The bishop after this, according to his accustomed and formal proceedings, assayed him yet again with words, rather than with substantial arguments, to conform him to his religion: who then denying so to do, said, "As for your religion, I cannot be persuaded that it is according to God's word." The bishop then asked, what fault he found in the administration of the sacrament of the altar. Whittle answered and said, "It is not used according to Christ's (1) The "Letters of the Martyrs," edit. 1837, p. 376, state that he "stood to the defence of the truth unto the fire, the 12th of January."-ED. (2) Bonner's argument: He was baptized in the faith of the catholic church: ergo, he was baptized in the faith of Rome! |