A.D.

It is a little above declared, in this story of Richard Gibson, how Mary. Bonner ministered unto the said Gibson certain articles, to the number of nine. Now let us see likewise the articles which the said Gibson 1557. ministered again to Bonner, according to the same number of nine, for him to answer unto, as by the same hereunder written may appear.

"When a man is in honour and hath no understanding, he is compared unto the brute beasts, and becometh like unto them." " "Wherefore, O ye judges of the earth, be ye learned, and ye rulers serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before him with reverence:"3"embrace righteousness and judgment, accept not the persons of the ungodly, lest the Lord be angry, and so ye perish from the right way." "40

Articles proponed by Richard Gibson unto Edmund Bonner Bishop of London, by him to be answered, by yea or nay; or else to say he cannot tell.

1. Whether the Scriptures of God, written by Moses and other holy prophets of God, through faith that is in Christ Jesus, be available doctrine, to make all men in all things unto salvation learned, without the help of any other doctrine, or no?

2. What is authority, and from whence it cometh, and to whom it appertaineth, and to what end it tendeth?

3. Whether the holy word of God, as it is written, doth sufficiently teach all men, of what dignity, estate, or calling by office soever he or they be, their full, true, and lawful duty in their office : and whether every man, of what dignity, estate, or calling by office soever he or they be, are bound upon the pain of eternal damnation, in all things to do as they are hereby taught and commanded, and in no wise to leave undone any thing that is to be done, being taught and commanded by the same?

4. Whether any man, the Lord Jesus Christ (God and man) only except, by the holy ordinance of God ever was, is, or shall be, lord over faith? and by what lawful authority of any man, of what dignity, estate, or calling by office soever he or they be, may use lordship or power over any man for faith's sake, or for the service of his conscience?

5. By what lawful authority or power any man, of what dignity, estate, or calling soever he or they be, may be so bold as to alter or change the holy ordinances of God, or any of them, or any part of them?

6. By what evident tokens antichrist in his ministers may be known; seeing it is written, that Satan can change himself into the similitude of an angel of light, and his ministers fashion themselves as though they were the ministers of righteousness? And how it may be known to him that is desirous thereof, when he is one of that number, or in the danger thereof, or when he is otherwise?

7. What the beast is, the which maketh war with the saints of God, and doth not only kill them, but also will suffer none to buy or sell, but such as worship his image, or receive his mark in their right hands, or in their foreheads, his name, or the number of his name, or do worship his image, which, by the just and terrible sentence of God already decreed, shall be punished in fire and brimstone, before the holy angels, and before the Lamb; and they shall have no rest day nor night, but the smoke of their torment shall ascend up for evermore? Also what the gorgeous and glittering whore is, the which sitteth upon the beast, with a cup of gold in her hand full of abominations; with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth; and she herself also is drunken with the blood of the saints, which is the wine of her fornication; whose flesh the horns of the beast shall tear in pieces, and burn her with fire: for God hath put in their hearts to do his will?

8. Whether a king over all those people which are born and inhabit within his own dominions, regions, and countries, or any part of them, of what (1) See Edition 1563, p. 1644.-ED. (2) Psalm xlix. (3) Psalm ii, (4) Psalm lxxxi.

1557.

Mary. dignity, estate, or calling by office soever they be, here upon this earth immediately under Christ, by the holy ordinance of God, is lawful, supreme, and A.D. chief governor, or no? And whether a king over all those people within his dominions, regions, and countries, and every part of them, by holy ordinance of God, lawfully may, and ought not otherwise to do, nor suffer otherwise to be done, than in his own name, power, and authority (the name of God only except), as lawful, supreme, and chief head in all things that belong to rule, without exception, to govern and rule? And whether all those people, of what dignity, estate, or calling soever they be, are bound by the holy ordinance of God, to owe their whole obedience and service in all things without exception (their duty to God only excepted) to their king only, as to the supreme and chief governor upon earth immediately under Christ? And whether a king, without offence against God and his people, may give away, and not himself use that his authority and power given him of God; or lawfully may, without offence to God and his people (after knowledge thereof had), suffer himself by fraud or guile, or by any other unlawful mean, to be beguiled, defrauded, and spoiled thereof? And whether any subject, of what dignity, estate, or calling soever he or they be, without offence to God and to his king, to the minishing or derogation of the supreme prerogative-royal of his king, or of any part thereof, may do ought? or, after knowledge thereof had, without offence to God and to his king, may conceal the same?

9. Whether the holy written law of God be given of God unto all men, of what dignity, estate, or calling by office soever they be, as well thereby to govern all their dominions, regions, and countries, and their people there inhabiting, as themselves and whether any law or laws1 (the holy law of God only excepted) not being made within any dominion, region, or country where it or they be used, may be lawfully used before it or they be, as the lawful law or laws of the same dominion, region, or country, by public and common order of the same dominion, region, or country, lawfully allowed: and whether any subject, without offence against God and his king, within the dominion of his king, may lawfully use any such law or laws not so allowed?

Emanuel.

"Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye mighty, ascribe unto the Lord, worship and strength give unto the honour of his name, and bow yourselves to the majesty of the Lord." 2

* What3 manner of Man a Bishop ought to be, and the Duty of him in his Office; as the Holy Scriptures of God most truly do teach.

A bishop, as the steward of God, "must be blameless, the husband of one wife, and one that ruleth well his own house, and that hath faithful children in subjection with all reverence; and one that is diligent, prudent, sober, discreet, righteous, godly, temperate, a keeper of hospitality, not stubborn, not angry, not given to overmuch wine, no fighter, not greedy of filthy lucre; but one that loveth goodness, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness."4 He may not be a young scholar, but such a one as "is apt to teach," and that cleaveth to the true word of doctrine, that he may be able to exhort by wholesome learning, and to "improve them that say against it. He must have a good report of them that are without." He may not be a "lord over the faithful" of them that are committed unto his charge, neither may he use any "lordship over them" for the same, but must become as one of them, that, through his humbleness, he may win the more to well doing. Neither may he be so bold as to speak any other thing, to "make any man obedient to the same," than he himself hath learned of Christ. Neither may he do or teach any thing" to tangle or to snare any man withal." He may not "walk in craftiness, neither use the cloak of unhonesty, neither handle the word of God deceitfully," neither chop nor change with the same; but, in the singleness thereof, so open the

(1) He meaneth the canon law.

(3) See Edition 1563, p. 1645.-ED.
(7) 2 Cor. i. 1 Pet. v.

(S) Rom. xv.

(2) Psalm xxix.
(4) 1 Tim. iii.
(9) 2 Cor. vii.

(5) Ibid.
(10) 2 Cor. iv.

(6) Ibid.

A.D.

truth, to the advancement of the truth thereby, as that he may "report himself Mary. to every man's conscience in the sight of God." He may not reject the weak in faith, in disputing and troubling their conscience, but must bear their frailty, and, in the spirit of meekness, must be ready to help him that is overtaken with any fault; and not to stand in his own conceit, lest he himself also be tempted.9

3

He not only lawfully may, but also ought, by the virtue of his office to preach the word; sincerely to minister, so as no man may be able to reprove him; and to expel, put out, or excommunicate from among the remnants of his charge, all open wilful malefactors, who will not by any other means be reformed; and yet to fare fair with all men, and not to be rigorous: because his office is given him to edify, not to destroy. And he not only lawfully may, but also ought, by the virtue of his office, of virtuous able men, well known, and of "honest report,' ," within his charge, to appoint sufficient number to help him in the discharge thereof. And he, in no case, by violence, may compel any man to be of his church and fellowship, or to be partaker of any thing that is done therein. And for his due administration, as one worthy of double honour, he may not only receive of his charge what is necessary, but also ought of them, as of duty, without requests (if need require), to be provided of the same."

If the bishop of London be such a manner of man as yet doth teach, and hath done, and daily doth, his duty therein as he is taught by the same (as of duty he ought to do), then doubtless as he is a meet and worthy man for his office so am I worthy of the punishment I have-yea, if it were more. But, if it be otherwise (as wherein, for the tender mercy of Christ Jesu, I most humbly require righteous judgment), then, as I have unworthily sustained long punishment, so is he not only most unworthy of his office, but also hath most worthily deserved to be recompensed blood for blood, as equity requireth.*

"I will hearken what the Lord God will say: for he shall speak peace unto his people, that they turn not themselves unto foolishness.”7

This 6th of April, 1557.

By me, Richard Gibson.

The Death and Martyrdom of John Kough, Minister, and

Margaret Mearing,

BURNT AT LONDON THE 22D OF DECEMBER.

1557.

In this furious time of persecution, were also burned these two Dec. 22. constant and faithful martyrs of Christ, John Rough a minister, and Margaret Mearing.

This Rough was born in Scotland, who (as himself confesseth in his answers to Bonner's articles), because some of his kinsfolk would have kept him from his right of inheritance which he had to certain lands, did at the age of seventeen years, in despite (and the rather to displease his friends), profess himself into the order of the Black Friars at Stirling in Scotland; where he remained the space of sixteen A zealous years, until such time as the lord Hamilton, earl of Arran, and occasion governor of the realm of Scotland aforesaid (casting a favour unto profeshim), did use unto the archbishop of St. Andrews, to have him out of his professed order, that as a secular priest he might serve him for his chaplain. At which request the archbishop caused the provincial of that house, having thereto authority, to dispense with him for his

habit and order.

sion.

Rough

This suit being thus by the earl obtained, the said Rough re- John mained in his service one whole year, during which time it pleased first callGod to open his and to give him some knowledge of his truth; ed to the and thereupon was by the said governor sent to preach in the freedom

eyes,

(1) 2 Cor. iv.
(2) Rom. xiv. xv. Gal. vi.
(3) 1 Cor. ix. 1 Tim. iii. 1 Cor. v. 2 Thess. iii. 2 Cor. v. x. and xiii.
(5) John iv. Gal. i. 2 Tim. iv. (6) 2 Thess. iii. 1 Tim. v. Rom. xv.

(4) Acts vi.
(7) Psalm lxxxv.

truth.

Mary of Ayr, where he continued four years; and then, after the death of A. D. the cardinal of Scotland, he was appointed to abide at St. Andrews, 1557. and there had assigned unto him a yearly pension of twenty pounds

coming to

from king Henry the eighth, king of England. Howbeit, at last, weighing with himself his own danger, and also abhorring the idolatry and superstition of his country, and hearing of the freedom of the gospel within this realm of England, he determined with himself not to tarry any longer there; and therefore, soon after the battle of Musselborough, he came first unto Carlisle, and from thence unto His first the duke of Somerset, then lord protector of England; and by his England. assignment had appointed unto him out of the king's treasury twenty pounds of yearly stipend, and was sent as a preacher, to serve at Carlisle, Berwick, and Newcastle; from whence (after he had there, according to the laws of God and also of this realm, taken a countrywoman of his to wife), he was called by the archbishop of York that then was, unto a benefice nigh, in the town of Hull, where he continued until the death of that blessed and good king Edward the sixth.

Rough,

with his

land.

But in the beginning of the reign of queen Mary (perceiving the wife, flieth alteration of religion, and the persecution that would thereupon arise, into Fries- and feeling his own weakness), he fled with his wife into Friesland, and dwelt there at a place called Norden, labouring truly for his living, knitting of caps, hose, and such like things, till about the end. of the month of October last before his death. At which time, lacking yarn, and other such necessary provision for the maintenance of his occupation, he came over again into England, here to provide for the same, and the 10th day of November arrived at London; where, hearing of the secret society, and holy congregation of God's Joineth children there assembled, he joined himself unto them; and afterhimself to wards, being elected their minister and preacher, did continue most. gregation virtuously exercised in that godly fellowship, teaching and confirming don. them in the truth of the gospel of Christ. But in the end (such was the providence of God, who disposeth all things to the best), the He is ap- 12th day of December, he, with Cutbert Symson and others, through ed, and the crafty and traitorous suggestion of a false hypocrite and dissemby whom. bling brother, called Roger Sergeant a tailor, was apprehended by the

the con

at Lon

prehend

vice-chamberlain of the queen's house, at the Saracen's Head in Islington; where the congregation had then purposed to assemble themselves to their godly and accustomable exercises of prayer, and hearing the word of God: which pretence, for the safeguard of all the rest, they yet at their examinations covered and excused by hearing of a play, that was then appointed to be at that place. The vice-chamberlain, after he had apprehended them, carried Rough and Symson unto the council, who charged them to have assembled together to celebrate the communion or supper of the Lord: and therefore, after sundry examinations and answers, they sent the said Rough unto Newgate; but his examinations they sent unto the bishop of London, with a letter signed with their hands, the copy whereof followeth.

A Letter sent from the Queen's Council unto Bonner Bishop of
London, touching the Examination of John Rough, Minister.

After our hearty commendations to your good lordship, we send you here enclosed, the examination of a Scottish man named John Rough, who, by the queen's majesty's commandment, is presently sent to Newgate; being of the chief of them that upon Sunday last, under the colour of coming to see a play at the Saracen's Head in Islington, had prepared a communion to be celebrated and received there, among certain other seditious and heretical persons. And forasmuch as by the said Rough's examination, containing the story and progress of his former life, it well appeareth of what sort he is; the queen's highness hath willed us to remit him unto your lordship, to the end that being called before you out of prison, as oft as your lordship shall think good, ye may proceed, both to his further examination, and otherwise ordering of him according to the laws, as the case shall require. And thus we bid your lordship heartily well to fare.-From St. James, the 15th day of December, 1557.

Your lordship's loving friends,

Nicholas Ebor,
F. Shrewsbury,
Edward Hastings,

Anthony Montague,
John Bourne,
Henry Jernegam.

Bonner, now minding to make quick despatch, did within three days after the receipt of the letter (the 18th day of December), send for this Rough out of Newgate, and in his palace at London ministered unto him twelve articles: many whereof, because they contain only questions of the profession and religion of that age, wherein both he and his parents were christened (which in sundry places are already mentioned), I do here for brevity omit; minding to touch. such only, as pertain to matters of faith now in controversy, and then chiefly objected against the martyrs and saints of God, which in effect are these:

Articles against John Rough.

Mary.

A. D.

1557.

the altar. Confes

First, That thou, John Rough, didst directly speak against the seven sacra- Sacraments, used commonly and reverently, as things of estimation and great wor- ment of thiness, in the catholic church: and also didst reprove and condemn the substance of the said sacraments, but especially the sacrament of the altar, sion. affirming that in that same is not really and truly the very body and blood of Christ: and that confession to the priest, and absolution given by him (as the minister of Christ) for sins, is not necessary or available in any wise.

2. Item, Thou hast misliked and reproved the religion and ecclesiastical ser- Latin vice, as it is now used in this realm, and hast allowed the religion and service service. used in the latter years of king Edward the sixth; and, so much as in thee hath lain, hast by word, writing, and deed, set forwards, taught, and preached the same openly; and in sundry places affirmed, that the said English service and doctrine therein contained, is agreeable in all points to God's word, and unto the truth; condemning utterly the Latin service now used in the queen's reign, and inducing others by thine example to do the like.

3. Item, Thou hast, in sundry places within this realm, commended and approved the opinion and doctrine of Thomas Cranmer, late archbishop of Canterbury, Nicholas Ridley, and Hugh Latimer, concerning the sacrament of the altar; affirming that in the sacrament there remaineth, after the words of consecration, material bread and material wine, without any transubstantiation.

munion.

4. Item, Thou hast in sundry places of this realm, since the queen's reign, Books of ministered and received the communion as it was used in the late days of king comEdward the sixth; and thou knowest, or credibly hast heard of divers, that yet do keep books of the said communion, and use the same in private houses out of the church, and are of opinion against the sacrament of the altar. 5. Item, That thou, in sundry places of this realm, hast spoken against the