ascended ויי A.D. 1556. But if you say he did eat his body then, and after but Mary bread, it will not agree with the Scriptures, nor with good reason." Then Green answered and said, that this was spoken by an anticipation, as one of their own bishops 2 (which is now dead) did say. Then Dr. Pendleton said, that that was no sufficient discharge, nor no sufficient answer for him in this case; "for," said he, "it is well known that the bishop was of a contrary opinion to you, and that he died a good christian man." To which words Green said, "I do not call him to witness in this case, as though he were a sufficient man, to prove my saying to be true in this matter: but I do allege him against you, as Paul did the scripture, which he found graven in the altar of the Athenians, against themselves, 'ignoto Deo."" These with many other words were between them, which I do In the old overpass, because it were too long to stand recital of upon every commuthing. Last of all the bishop asked him, if he would recant. He nication said nay, he would not. "But my lord," said he, "in old time greatest there were no men put to death for their conscience, until such time penalty as bishops found the means to make it death to believe contrary to of faith them; but excommunication, my lord, was the greatest penalty which science. men had for their conscience; yea, insomuch that St. Augustine wrote and commanded, that no man should be put to death for his opinion."3 "But," Then Bonner said, that when St. Augustine saw what inconveniences followed of that commandment, he wrote again to the temporal rulers, commanding them to punish their bodies also. said Green, "he bade not put them to death." "He bade punish them," quoth Bonner. Yea," said Green, "but not put them to death." "That they should be punished," quoth Bonner again. 66 time ex was the in matters and con against This talk ended, he asked Green if he would recant, and return to Sentence their Romish mother: which when he denied, the bishop pronounced given the sentence definitive against him, and so committed him to the Green. sheriffs of London, who caused him to be carried to Newgate. And as he was going thither, there met with him two gentlemen, being both his special friends, minding belike to comfort this their persecuted brother: but at their meeting, their loving and friendly hearts (not able any longer to hide themselves) were manifested by the abundance of their pitiful tears. To whom, when Green saw them, The he said in these or like words, “Ah, my friends! is this your comfort words of you are come to give me, in this my occasion of heaviness? Must to his I, who needed to have comfort ministered to me, become now a com- by the forter of you?" And thus declaring his most quiet and peaceable way going mind and conscience, he cheerfully spake to them and others, until gate. he came to the prison door, into the which he joyfully entered, and there remained always either in prayer (whereunto he much gave himself), or else in some other godly meditations and exercises, unto the 27th day of January, when he, with his other above-mentioned brethren, went most cheerfully unto the place of their torments, often (1) Note the blind ignorance of Pendleton, as though the kingdom of Christ was not gotten at the death of Christ. (2) This bishop belike was Gardiner, bishop of Winchester. (3) Contra Epist. Parmen. lib. i. cap. 14. Green friends, to New Mary. repeating, as well by the way, as also at the stake, these Latin verses following A. D. 1556. See Appendix The modesty ble nature Christe Deus, sine to spes est mihi nulla salutis : Te duce vera sequor, te duce falsa nego. In English thus, O Christ, my God, sure hope of health besides thee have I none : During the time of his imprisonment in Newgate, divers of his friends had access unto him, to whom he gave sundry godly exhortations, wherewith they were not only well contented, but for better remembrance as well of the same his instructions, as also of his own good and godly person, they desired him to write somewhat in their books, which request he willingly granted, as in manner here ensueth. These verses were written in a book of Master Hussey of the Temple : Behold thyself by me; such one was I, as thou: These verses were also written in a book of master William Fleetwood, of the same house: My resting-road is found, vain hope and hap adieu: Bartlet Green. Amongst other divers and singular good virtues of this good man, singular specially in him was to be noted such a modest nature, so humbly and hum- thinking of himself as in few men is to be found, ever dejecting of Green. himself under that was in him, and ever seeming to be less than he was, so that nothing less he could abide, than to hear of his praise or commendation; as well declareth not only his letter written to master Philpot, wherein he doth earnestly expostulate with him, for slandering him with praise of his wit and learning, and other manifold virtues of great excellency; but also by his own speech and answers in his examination, wherein he casteth from him all knowledge of learning and cunning, when notwithstanding he had more in him, than to any man's eyes did appear. His piti ful na ture. So great and admirable was this gift of modesty grafted in the nature of him, so far abhorring from all pride and arrogancy, that as he could not abide any thing that was spoken to his advancement or praise; so neither did there appear in him any show or brag in those things wherein he might justly glory, which were his punishments and sufferings for the cause and quarrel of Christ. For when he was beaten and scourged with rods by bishop Bonner (which scarce any man would believe, nor I neither, but that I heard it of him, which heard it out of his mouth), and he greatly rejoiced in the same, yet his shamefaced modesty was such, that never he would express any mention thereof, lest he should seem to glory too much in himself, save that only he opened the same to one master Cotton of the Temple, a friend of his, a little before his death. Moreover, to this rare and maidenly modesty in him was also adjoined the like nature of mercy and pitiful compassion; which affection though it seemeth to be little regarded of some, yet in my mind is there no other thing wrought in nature, wherein man resem- Mary. bleth more truly the image of the high majesty of Almighty God, A. D. than this. And as in this respect of merciful tenderness, man only 1556. excelleth all other beasts; so almost no less may this man seem to pass many other men, whose customable property and exercise was to visit the poor prisoners with him in prison both with bodily relief, and also with spiritual comfort and finding many of them (I mean such as were there for theft and other naughty facts) very penitent and sorry for their evil demeanours, in hope of their amendment, did not only by mouth, but also by his letters require, yea as it were of duty in love did charge, his friends to travail for their deliverances; such was the pity and charitable mercy of this godly and most true member of Christ's church, as appeareth by this letter here following. not mea To my very loving Friends and Masters, Master Goring, Master Fernham, Master Fleetwood, Master Russel, Master Bell, Master Hussey, Master Calthorp, Master Bowyer, and others my Masters of the Temple, Bartlet Green wisheth health of body and soul. Very friends are they which are knit together with the knot of charity; cha- True rity doth not decay, but increase in them that die faithfully: whereof it followeth, friend that though we be absent in body, yet are we present in the spirit, coupled ship is together with the unity of faith in the bond of peace, which is love. How is sured by he worthy the name of a friend, that measureth his friendship with the distance distance of a place, or parting of persons? If thy friend be out of sight, is thy friend- of pership ended? if he be gone into the country, wilt thou cease to love him? if he sons. be passed the seas, will you so forsake him? if he be carried into heaven, is charity hindered thereby? On the one side we have the use of the fathers from the primitive church, that gave thanks for their friends that died in the faith, to prove that charity died not with death. On the other side, saith Horace, "Cœlum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt." "For we of place or together. What speak I of Horace? Saith not St. Paul the same thing? are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his blood, yea we are members one of another." Is the hand or arm, foot or leg, a member, when it is dissevered from the body? How can we be members, except we be joined together? Love only What is the line that coupleth us, but love? When all things shall fail, love faileth coupleth never. Hope hath his end, when we get that he hoped for. Faith is finished All other in heaven, love endureth for ever: love (I say) that proceedeth of charity; for things carnal love, when that which he loveth is lost, doth perish with the flesh. fail, love Neither was that ever but fleshly love, which by distance of place, or severing dureth of bodies, is parted asunder. If love be the end or sum of the law, if heaven for ever and earth shall perish, yet one jot of God's word shall not decay, why should we think that love lasteth not for ever? only en I need not to write much to you, my friends, neither can I have leisure now that the keepers are risen; but this I say: If we keep Christ's commandment in loving each other, as he loved us, then should our love be everlasting. This friendship Paul felt when it moved him to say, that neither length nor breadth (meaning no distance of place), neither height nor depth, should sever him from the love of Christ. Weigh well this place, and mete it with Paul's measures; Love un so shall we find that if our love be unfeigned, it can never be ended. Now may feigned you say, "Why writest thou this?" Certes to the end that if our friendship be endeth. stable, you may accomplish this the last request of your friend, and perform after my death the friendship we began in our life, that amity may increase until God make it perfect at our next meeting together. Dever for the Master Fleetwood, I beseech you remember Wittrance and Cook, two singular The suit men amongst common prisoners; master Fernham and master Bell, with master of Green Hussey, (as I hope) will dispatch Palmer and Richardson with his companions. saving of I pray you, master Calthorp, think on John Grove, an honest poor man, Traiford certain and Rice Apprice his accomplices: my cousin Thomas Witton, a scrivener in Lom- poor pribard-street, hath promised to further their delivery: at the least he can instruct Newgate. soners in Appendix. Mary. you which way to work. I doubt not but that master Bowyer will labour for the good wife Cooper (for she is worthy to be holpen), and Berard the Frenchman. A.D. There be also divers other well disposed men, whose deliverance if ye will not 1556. labour for, yet I humbly beseech you to seek their relief, as you shall see cause: See namely, of Henry Apprice, Launcelot, Hobbes, Lother, Homes, Carre, and Bockingham, a young man of goodly gifts in wit and learning, and (saving that he is somewhat wild) likely to do well hereafter. There be also two women, Coningham and Alice Alexander, that may prove honest. For these and all other poor prisoners here I make this my humble suit and prayer to you all, my masters, and especial good friends, beseeching you of all bonds of amity, for the precious blood of Jesus Christ, in the bowels of mercy, to tender the causes of miserable captives; help to clothe Christ, visit the afflicted, comfort the sorrowful, and relieve the needy. The very God of peace guide your hearts to have mercy on the poor, and love faithfully together. Amen.—This present Monday when I look to die, and live for ever. Yours as ever, The office cise of Bartlet Green. Another Letter of Master Green to Mistress Elizabeth Clark. Would God (if it were his pleasure) that with this letter I might send you my heart and mind, and whatsoever there is in me else, that pertaineth to God: so should I think it the best message, and happiest letter, that ever I could write. But though I obtain not my desire, yet shall I not cease with continual prayer to labour for you, desiring Almighty God to "increase that which he hath long since begun in you," of sober life and earnest zeal towards his religion. "In faith," as saith St. Paul, "she that is a true widow and friendless, putteth her trust in God, continuing day and night in supplication and prayer; but she that liveth in pleasure is dead, even yet alive." And verily a true widow is she that hath married Christ, forsaking the vanities of the world, and lust of the flesh. For as the married woman careth how to love, please, and serve her husband; so ought the widow to give all her heart and soul, thoughts and words, studies and labours, faithfully to love God, virtuously to bring up her children and household, and diligently to provide for the poor and oppressed.3 Therefore St. Paul first instructeth a widow how to behave herself, that is, "not to live in pleasure." Then to watch unto prayer, is the only means to obtain all our desires, steadfastly laying up all our trust in God, as David right well saith, "First eschew evil; then do good." Of Anna the praise was written, that she never went out of the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day: so well had she espoused Christ. Judith wore a smock of hair continuing in fasting, and had good report of all men. The next care that belongeth to a widow, is, that she bring up her children and household godly, in the nurture and information of the Lord; whereof St. Paul saith," If any have children or nephews, let them learn first to rule their own house godly, and to recompense their elders."7 The incontinency and covetousness of Phinehas and Hophni, corrected by Eli their father, provoked God's vengeance upon him and all his kindred; the over-tender love of Absalom expelled David from his kingdom; the unrebuked sins of Ammon encouraged Absalom to slay his brother: most manifest examples against the parents, for the offences of their children.9 Contrariwise, how greatly might Hannah rejoice over Samuel her son, whom she had brought up in the house of the Lord! 10 What thanks might Tobias's wife give for her son Toby! How happy was Solomon to be taught by the prophet Nathan!" But above all widows, thrice blessed was the happy mother of the seven sons, that so had instructed them by the fear of God, that by no torments they would shrink from the love of his truth." 12 Of the last part, St. Paul showeth that a widow should be chosen: "If she and exer- have nourished her children, if she have been liberal to strangers, if she have christian washed the saints' feet, and if she have ministered to them in adversity." widows in Herein it is evident how earnestly St. Paul would have widows bent towards the primi- the poor; for that (as though they only had been therefore meet) he appointed church. only widows to minister to the saints, and to gather for the poor: which use also tive (1) 1 Cor. vii. (5) Luke ii. (9) 2 Sam. xv. (2) 1 Tim. v. (3) 1 Tim. v. (4) Psal. xxxiv. (8) 1 Sam. ii. 2 Sam xV (12) 2 Mac. vii. continued almost throughout the primitive church, that widows had the charge Mary. and gathering for the poor men and strangers. you 1556. Of your neighbours I need not to put you in remembrance, seeing you daily A.D. feed them with good hospitality, by which means also many foreigners are of relieved; but of the poor alms-houses, and miserable prisoners here in London, many lacking their liberty without cause, some under the colour of religion, some only kept for fees, and some on private men's displeasure. Alas, that Christ so hungereth, and no man will feed him; is sore oppressed with thirst, and no man will give him drink; destitute of all lodging, and not relieved; naked, and not clothed; sick, and not visited; imprisoned, and not seen. In times past men could bestow large sums of money on copes, vestments, and ornaments of the church. Why rather follow we not St. Ambrose's example,' which sold the same for the relief of the poor, or Chrysostome's commandment, which willed first to deck and garnish the living temple of God? But alas, such is the wickedness of these our last days, that nothing moveth us; neither the pure doctrine, the godliness of life, nor good examples of the ancient fathers. If in any thing they erred, if they have written anything that serveth for sects and dissension, that will their charitable children embrace, publish, and maintain with sword, faggot, and fire. But all in vain; they strive against the stream. For though in despite of the truth, by force of the cares of crafty persuasion, they may bring themselves into the haven of hell; yet can they not make all men believe that the banks move whilst the ship saileth, nor ever shall be able to turn the direct course of the stream of God's truth. Our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you in all pure doctrine and upright living, and give you grace virtuously to bring up your children and family, and carefully to provide for the poor and oppressed. Amen. At Newgate the 20th of January, Anno 1556. Your assured, Bartlet Green. Another certain Writing of Master Bartlet Green. "Better is the day of death,” saith Solomon, “than the day of birth." "Man that is born of a woman, liveth but a short time, and is replenished with many miseries;" but happy are the dead that die in the Lord. Man of woman is born in travail, to live in misery: man through Christ doth die in joy, and live in felicity. He is born to die, and dieth to live. Strait as he cometh into the world, with cries he uttereth his miserable estate; strait as he departeth, with songs he praiseth God for ever. Scarce yet in his cradle, three deadly enemies assault him after death no adversary may annoy him. Whilst he is here, he displeaseth God: when he is dead, he fulfilleth his will. In this life here he dieth through sin in the life to come he liveth in righteousness. Through many tribulations in earth he is still purged: with joy unspeakable in heaven is he made pure for ever. Here he dieth every hour: there he liveth continually. Here is sin there is righteousness. Here is time: there is eternity. hatred there is love. Here is pain: there is pleasure. Here is misery: there is felicity. Here is corruption: there is immortality. Here we see vanity: there shall we behold the majesty of God with triumphant and unspeakable joy in glory everlasting. Seek therefore the things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God the Father; unto whom, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end, Amen. Yours in Christ, Here is Bartlet Green. Divers other letters and matters there were besides, which this servant of God did write, as namely certain notes and extracts in Latin out of the doctors and other authors for his memory, whereby is declared how studious he was in the searching and knowledge of the law of God, although his profession was the temporal law; where I would to God he were not among the lawyers such a phoenix, that (1) St. Ambrose took from the church, and gave to the poor: we take from the poor their tithes and impropriations, and give them to churches and ministers; where is nothing but singing and idleness. |