Mary. knoweth, that we bear a faithful and true heart unto her grace, and unto all her proceedings, that are not against God and his holy word. And we daily pray A. D. unto the heavenly Father, to lighten her grace's royal heart with the glorious 1556. light of the gospel, that she may establish and confirm that religion, that her grace's brother, our most dear king, did set out amongst us; and so governing subjects and ruling this her realm in the fear and true way of God, she may long live, ly slan- and with prosperity, peace, and honour reign over us. True wrongful dered. Let But we cannot think that those men do seek either God's honour, or her grace's prosperity, or wealth of the realm, that take from her grace's faithful subjects God's word, which only is the root of all love and faithful obedience under her grace, and of all honesty, good life, and virtuous concord among her commons. And this we fear, lest the root being taken away, the branches will soon wither and be fruitless: and when the Philistines have stopped up the well-spring, the fair streams that should flow shall soon be dried up. All our watchmen, our true preachers, have taught us, that as long as we retained God's word, we should have God our gracious merciful Father; but, if we refused and cast off the Lord's yoke of his doctrine, then shall we look for the Lord's wrath and severe visitation to plague us, as he did the Jews for the like offences. And Paul saith, "God gave to them the spirit of unquietness and uproar, eyes wherewith they should not see, and ears wherewith they should not hear, until this day." And as David said; "Let their table be made a snare to take themselves withal, a trap to catch them, and a stumbling block to fall at. their eyes be blinded that they see not, and bow thou down their backs always." 2 O merciful God, all this is now come upon us, and daily more and more inquietness creased, and we fear at last it will so bow down our backs, that we shall utterly the lack be destroyed. The troublesome spirits of uproar and unquietness daily troubleth of God's men's hearts, and worketh such unquietness in all places, that no man that loveth quietness, can tell where to place himself. Men have eyes, and see not how grievous an offence it is to cast off the yoke of God's doctrine, and to bear the heavy burden that unfaithful hypocrites lay upon us. We have ears, and hear not the warning of God's word, calling us to true repentance, nor his threats against our impiety. Our most sweet table of Christ's word and most holy communion is taken away, and turned to a most perilous snare, through the brawling disputations of men. And as the idol of abomination betokened final subversion unto the Jewish nation; so we fear, this setting aside of the gospel and holy communion of Christ, and the placing in of a Romish religion, betokeneth desolation of this noble realm of England to be at hand. What un followeth word. For the plagues of hunger, pestilence and sword, cannot long tarry; but except we repent, and turn again to the Lord, our backs shall be so bowed, that the like horrible plagues were never seen. And no marvel; for the like offence was never committed, as to reject and cast off Christ and his word, and in plain English to say, "We will not have him to reign over us.' O Lord, how terrible is it that followeth in the gospel! "Those mine enemies that would not have me to reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me." 3 Warning God be merciful unto us, and move the queen's majesty's heart, and the hearts to queen of her honourable council, and your hearts, right honourable commissioners, to Mary, to her coun- weigh these dangers in due time; and to call God's word into your council, cil, and and then you shall see how it agreeth with this bishoplike commandment; and to be as wary to avoid the contempt of the eternal God, and dangers of the same, as you are prudent and wise in matters of the world; lest, if the Almighty The duty be contemned, he stretch forth his arm which no man can turn, and kindle his wrath, that no man can quench. commissioners. of true subjects declared, first to Christ, then to the queen. How far a prince We have humbly opened unto you our consciences, doubtless sore wounded and grieved by this commandment; and we meekly pray and beseech the queen's majesty, for the precious death and bloodshedding of Jesus Christ our Saviour, to have mercy and pity upon us her grace's poor commons, faithful and true subjects, members of the same body politic, whereof her grace is supreme head. All our bodies, goods, lands, and lives are ready to do her grace faithful obedience and true service of all commandments that are not against God and his word: but in things that import a denial of Christ, and refusal of his word and holy communion, we cannot consent nor agree unto it. For we have subjects. bound ourselves in baptism to be Christ's disciples, and to keep his holy word ought to require obedience of his (1) Rom. ii. (2) Psalm 1xix. (3) Luke xix. and ordinances. And if we deny him before men, he will deny us before his heavenly Father and his holy angels in the day of judgment: which we trust her benign grace will not require of us. And we humbly beseech her majesty, that we be not enforced unto it; but as we serve her grace with body and goods, and due obedience, according to God's commandment; so we may be permitted freely to serve God and Christ our Saviour, and keep unto him our souls, which he hath with his precious blood redeemed, that so (as Christ teacheth) we may render to Cæsar that which is due to Cæsar, and to God that which is due to God. Mary. A. D. 1556. how far it For we think it no true obedience unto the queen's highness, or to any other True magistrate ordained of God under her, to obey in the things contrary to God's obedience, word, although the same be never so straitly charged in her grace's name. stretchThe bishop of Winchester hath truly taught in that point, in his book of True eth. Obedience, that true obedience is in the Lord, and not against the Lord; as the apostles answered before the council at Jerusalem, commanding them no more to preach in the name of the Lord Jesus: "Judge you," said they, "whether it be right in the sight of God, to hear you rather than God." And again they said, "We must obey God rather than man.' Wherefore we learn, that true obedience is to obey God, King of all kings, and Lord of all lords; and for him, in him, and not against him and his word, to obey the princes and magistrates of this world, who are not truly obeyed when God is disobeyed, nor yet disobeyed when God is faithfully obeyed. dience. obedi ence. Tobias disobeyed not his king, although contrary to his commandment, and True obecontrary to the usage of all other, when they went to Dan and Bethel, he went unto Jerusalem, and worshipped in the temple of the Lord. The three young men Example in Babylon, refusing king Nebuchadnezzar's commandment, pleased God more of true than the whole multitude that obeyed. And Daniel, that prayed to the God of heaven, contrary to king Darius's commandment, bare a more true and faithful heart to the king, than those wicked counsellors, that procured that wicked law, or those that for fear or flattery obeyed it: which two pestilences, fear and flat- Fear and flattery, tery, have ever destroyed true obedience to God and man; when wicked god- enemies less men (that care not if the devil were worshipped, so they might get and to true obtain riches, promotions, and dignity, and worldly glory) turn to and fro, as every wind bloweth; and weak and frail men, fearing loss of goods, punishment, God and or death, do outwardly in body that thing, that their hearts and consciences man. inwardly abhor, and so outwardly disobey God, and in heart dissemble with man, which dissimulation we think worthy hate of all men, and most uncomely for christian men. obedi ence, to worthy to men. Wherefore, we humbly beseech the queen's majesty with pity and mercy to False distender the lamentable suit of us her poor subjects, which be by this command- semblers ment sore hurt and wounded in our consciences, and driven to many miseries; be hated and by the malicious attempts of wicked men suffer great wrongs and injuries, of all slanders, loss of goods, and bodily vexations. We think not good, by any unlawful stir or commotion to seek remedy; but intend, by God's grace, to obey her majesty in all things-not against God and his holy word: but unto such ungodly bishoplike commandments, as are against God, we answer with the apostles, "God must be obeyed rather than man." If persecution shall ensue (which some threaten us with), we desire the heavenly Father, according to his promise, to look from heaven; to hear our cry; to judge between us and our adversaries; and to give us faith, strength and patience to continue faithful unto the end, and to shorten these evil days, for his chosen's sake; and so we faithfully believe he will. authority, men's con Notwithstanding, we trust the queen's gracious and merciful heart will not Queen suffer such tyranny to be done against her poor, innocent, faithful, and obedient Mary's subjects, that daily pray unto God for her; which have no remedy in this world, striving but to sue unto her highness, our most gracious and benign sovereign; whom we against pray and beseech, for the dear blood of Christ, to pity our lamentable case and hurt of conscience, and to call back all such commandments as are against sciences. God's honour, as the good king Darius, Ahasuerus, Trajan, and Theodosius, and divers other have done, and permit the holy word of God and true religion (set forth by our most holy and innocent king Edward, a very saint of God) to be restored again unto our churches, to be frequented amongst us. So shall we A.D. Mary. grow and increase in the knowledge of God and of Christ, in true repentance and amendment of life: so shall we exhibit true obedience to our lawful magistrates and all superiors ordained of God: so shall love and charity (of late through this commandment so decayed) be again restored, the honour of her regal estate the more confirmed and established, and godliness and virtuous life among her loving subjects increased and maintained. 1556. Articles laid to Joan Beach. Answers of Joan Beach to the articles. The catholic church no mother. And we most heartily pray you, right honourable commissioners, to be means unto the queen's highness, and to her honourable council, that this our humble suit may be favourably tendered, and graciously heard and granted. And we shall not cease day and night to pray unto the heavenly Father long to preserve her grace and all other magistrates in his fear and love, and in prosperous peace and wealth, with long life and honour. Amen. Your poor suppliants, the lovers of Christ's true religion in Norfolk and The Story of John Harpole, of the Parish of St. Nicholas in WITH THEIR EXAMINATIONS, ANSWERS, CONDEMNATION, AND MARTYRDOM. Touching the examination of Joan Beach, widow, and of John Harpole, within the diocese of Rochester, by Maurice, bishop of the said diocese, remembrance was made before in the story of Nicholas Hall, wherein were declared the four articles consistorial of the bishop, objected and laid, as unto the said Nicholas Hall and his company, so also to this Joan Beach, widow: whereof the first was this: 1. That she was of the parish of Tunbridge, in the diocese of Rochester. 2. Item, That all persons which preach, teach, believe or say otherwise or contrary to that their mother holy catholic church of Christ, are excommunicate persons and heretics. 3. Item, That the said Joan Beach hath, and yet doth affirm, maintain, and believe contrary to the said mother church of Christ, videlicet, that in the blessed sacrament of the altar, under form of bread and wine, there is not the very body and blood of our Saviour in substance, but only a token and memorial thereof; that the very body and blood of Christ is in heaven, and not in the sacrament. 4. Item, That she hath been, and yet is, amongst the parishioners of Tunbridge, openly noted, and vehemently suspected, to be a sacramentary and heretic.1 To the which foresaid articles, her answers were these: 1. That she was and is of the said parish of Tunbridge, in the diocese of Rochester. 2. That all persons which do preach and hold otherwise and contrary to that which the holy catholic church of Christ doth, are to be reputed for excommunicate and heretics; adding withal, that nevertheless she believeth not the holy catholic church to be her mother, but believeth only the Father of Heaven to be her Father. 3. That she hath, and yet doth verily believe, hold, and affirm, in the sacrament of the altar under forms of bread and wine, not to be the very body and blood of our Saviour in substance, but only a token and remembrance of his death to the faithful receiver; and this his body and substance is only in heaven, and not in the sacrament. Lastly, as touching how she hath been or is noted and reputed among the parishioners of Tunbridge, she said, she could not tell howbeit she believed, she was not so taken and reputed. : The like matter and the same four articles, were also the same present time and place ministered to John Harpole, by the foresaid bishop (1) Ex Regist. Maurice; who after the like answers received of him, as of the other Mary. before, adjudged and condemned them both together to death, by A.D. one form of sentence, according to the tenor and course of their 1556. several sentence; which ye may read before in master Rogers' story. The mar And thus these two christian martyrs, coupled in one confession, tyrdom of being condemned by the bishop, suffered together at one fire, in the Harpole, town of Rochester, where they together ended their lives about the Beach. 1st day of this present month of April. John Hullier, Minister and Martyr, at Cambridge. Next after these ensueth the martyrdom of John Hullier, minister, who, being first brought up in the school of Eton, was afterward scholar, and then conduct in the King's College, at Cambridge; who suffered under Dr. Thirleby, bishop of Ely, and his chancellor, for the sincere setting out of the light of God's gracious gospel revealed in these our days; in whose behalf this is to be lamented, that among so many fresh wits and stirring pens in that university, so little matter is left unto us touching the process of his judgment, and order of his suffering, who so innocently gave his life in such a cause among the midst of them. By certain letters which he himself left behind, it appeareth that he was zealous and earnest in that doctrine of truth, which every true christian man ought to embrace. His martyrdom was about the 2d day of this present month of April. LETTERS OF MASTER JOHN HULLIER, MINISTER. A Letter of John Hullier to the Christian Congregation, exhorting them faithfully to abide in the Doctrine of the Lord. It standeth now most in hand, O dear Christians, all them that look to be accounted of Christ's flock at the great and terrible day, when a separation shall be made of the sort that shall be received, from the others which shall be refused, faithfully in this time of great afflictions to hear our Master Christ's voice, the only true shepherd of our souls, which saith, "Whosoever shall endure to the end shall be safe." For even now is that great trouble in hand (as here in England we may well see) that our Saviour Christ spake of so long before, which should follow the true and sincere preaching of his gospel. Therefore in this time we must needs either show that we be his faithful soldiers, and continue in his battle unto the end, putting on the armour of God, the buckler of faith, the breast-plate of love, the helmet of hope and salvation, and the sword of his holy word (which we have heard plentifully), with all instance of supplication and prayer:* or else, if we do not work and labour with these, we are apostates and false soldiers, shrinking most unthankfully from our gracious and sovereign Lord and Captain Christ, and leaning to Belial. For as he saith, plainly, "Whosoever beareth not my cross and followeth me, he cannot be my disciple." And "No man can serve two masters: for either he must hate the one and love the other, or else he shall lean to the one, and despise the other."5 The which thing the faithful prophet Elias signified, when he came to the people, and said, " Why halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him, or if Baal be he, then follow him." 116 Now let us not think, but that the same was recorded in writing for our instruction, whom the ends of the world are come upon, as the apostle St. Paul saith, "Whatsoever things are written aforehand, they are written for our learning."7 If Christ be that only good and true shepherd that gave his life for us, then let us that bear his mark, and have our consciences sprinkled with his John and Joan (1) Matt. xxiv. (5) Matt. vi. (2) Eph. vi. (3) 1 Thess. v. (4) Luke xiv. Mary. blood, follow altogether, for our salvation, his heavenly voice and calling, according to our profession and first promise. But if we shall not so do, cerA.D. tainly (say what we can) although we bear the name of Christ, yet we be none 1556. of his sheep indeed. For he saith very manifestly, My sheep hear my voice, and follow me: a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of a stranger." ness of the subtle serpent. Therefore let every man take good heed in these perilous days (whereof we have had so much warning aforehand), that he be not beguiled by the goodly The wili- outward show and appearance, as Eve was of our old subtle enemy, whose craft and wiliness is so manifold and diverse, and so full of close windings, that if he cannot bring him directly and the plain straight way to consent to his suggestions, then he will allure him and wind him in by some other false ways (as it were by a train) that he shall not perceive it; to deceive him withal, and to steal from him that goodly victory of the incorruptible and eternal crown of glory, which no man else can have, but he that fighteth lawfully: as at this present day, if he cannot induce him thoroughly, as others do, to favour his devilish religion, and of good will and free heart to help to uphold the same, yet he will inveigle him to resort to his wicked and whorish school-house; and at the leastwise to be conversant and keep company with his congregation there, and to hold his peace and say nothing, whatsoever he think, so that he be not a diligent soldier and a good labourer on Christ's side, to further his kingdom: by that subtle means flattering him that he shall both save his life, and also his goods, and live in quiet. But if we look well on Christ's holy will and testament, we shall perceive that he came not to make any such peace upon earth, nor yet that he gave any such peace to his disciples: I leave peace with you, saith he, "my peace I give you, not as the world giveth it, give I unto you.' "Let not your heart be troubled, nor fearful. These things have I spoken unto Christ to you, that in me ye should have peace. In the world ye shall have affliction; them that but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. The servant is not greater than his Lord and Master. If they have persecuted me, they shall also persecute you. If any man come to me, and hateth not his own father and mother, wife, children, sisters, yea, and moreover his own life, it is not possible for him to be my disciple. Blessed be ye that now weep, for ye shall laugh and woe be unto you that now laugh, for ye shall mourn and weep. He that will find his life shall lose it." 3 The peace of sustain the troubles of this world. The strait way of Christ better of this world. 66 Therefore the God of that true peace and comfort, preserve and keep us, that we never obey such a false flattering, which at length will pay us home once for all, bringing for temporal peace and quietness, everlasting trouble, vexation, and disquietness; for these vain and transitory goods, extreme loss and utter damage of the eternal treasure and inheritance; for this mortal life, deprivation of the most joyful life immortal; finally, the entrance into endless death most miserable, unmeasurable pain and torment both of body and soul. Now conferring these two schoolmasters together, let us consider the thing well, and determine with ourselves which way we ought to take, and not to take the common broad way which seemeth here most pleasant, and that the most than the part of the people take. Surely I judge it to be better, to go to school with our broad way Master Christ, and to be under his ferula and rod (although it seemeth sharp and grievous for a time), that at the length we may be inheritors with him of everlasting joy, rather than to keep company with the devil's scholars, the adulterous generation, in his school that is all full of pleasure for a while; and at the end to be paid with the wages of continual burning in the most horrible lake, which burneth evermore with fire and brimstone without any end. What shall then these vain goods and temporal pleasures avail? Who shall then help when we cry incessantly, Woe, woe, alas, and weal away, for unmeasurable pain, grief, and sorrow? O let us therefore take heed betimes, and rather be content to take pains in this world for a time, that we may please God. Our Saviour Christ the true teacher saith, "Every branch that bringeth not forth fruit in me, my Father will take away.' "4 Ungodly. It is also not written in vain, "The children of the ungodly are abominable company children," and so are they that keep company with the ungodly. What doth avoided. he else, I pray you, that resorteth to the ministration and service that is most to be (1) John x. (2) 2 Tim. ii. (3) Matt. x. John xiv.-xvi. Luke vi. and xiv. |