trary to law, you charge me with the same, yet will I in no wise deny it, though Mary. justly I might do it, but stand thereunto, even to seal it with my blood, desiring all that be here present, to testify the same, and believe it as the only truth." Bishop:-"I charge you all to believe it not." "Yea, but my lord," said I, "if ye will needs have credence given you, you must bring God's word to maintain your sayings.' Bishop:-"Why, doth not Christ say, 'This is my body?' and can there be any plainer words spoken?" Rose" It is true, my lord, the words be as plain as can be, and even so be these, where it is said, I am a door, a vine. And Christ is called a stone, a lion, and yet is he naturally none of these: for they be all figurative speeches, as both the Scriptures and fathers do sufficiently prove." At which my saying, the bishop would have had me stay, saying, I should have another day, wherein I might take better advisement. A. D. 1558. tion and cient tive "Not so, my lord," said I, "for I am at a full point with myself in that Transubmatter, and am right well able to prove both your transubstantiation, with the stantiareal presence, to be against the Scriptures and the ancient fathers of the primi- real pretive church. For Justin, which is one of the ancientest writers that ever wrote sence against upon the sacraments, writeth in his second Apology, that the bread, water, and the Scripwine in the sacrament, are not to be taken as other meats and drinks, but be tures and meats purposely ordained to give thanks unto God, and therefore be called the aneucharistia, and also have the names of the body and blood of Christ; and that fathers of it is not lawful for any man to eat and drink of them, but such as profess the the primireligion of Christ, and live also according to their profession. And yet (saith he) church. the same bread and drink is changed into our flesh and blood, and nourisheth our bodies. By which saying it is evident that Justin meant, that the bread and wine remain still, or else they could not have been turned into our flesh and blood, and nourish our bodies." At which my saying they were not a little troubled, but enforced themselves to have denied the doctor, and would suffer me to speak no more, but straightway was I carried away unto my lodging. And so ended the second day of mine appearance, which was the Friday in Whitsun-week; and then was I appointed to appear again on the Monday following. Howbeit, upon what occasion I know not, it was deferred unto the Wednesday, which was Corpus-Christi-even. His Talk with the Earl of Sussex, Sir William Woodhouse, and the aflirm the to be in In the mean time the bishop sent two of his chaplains to me, with whom I The had communication about the real presence: and after long reasoning to and papists fro, concerning this point, at length I drave them to this issue whether they real body did confess that Christ, in the selfsame body which was conceived of the Virgin of Christ Mary, and wherein he suffered and rose again, doth, in the selfsame body, natu- the sacrarally, substantially, and really, sit at the right hand of God the Father, without ment, but return from thence, until the day of the general judgment, or not? Whereunto they know they answered, "Yes, truly," said they, "we confess it, hold it, and believe it." Then I again demanded of them, whether they did affirm, after the words pronounced by the minister, there to remain flesh, blood, bones, hair, nails, as is wont most grossly to be preached, or not? And they with great deliberation answered, that they did not only abhor the teaching of such gross doctrine, but also would detest themselves, if they should so think. At which two principal points, wherein they fully confirmed my doctrine which I ever taught, I was not a little comforted and rejoiced, but marvellously encouraged. Whereupon I demanded again of them, what manner of body they then affirmed to be in the sacrament? "Forsooth," said they, "not a visible, palpable, or circumscriptable body, for that is always at the Father's right hand: but in the sacrament it is invisible, and can neither be felt, seen, nor occupy any place, but is there by the omnipotency of God's word they know not how. And for this they brought in St. Augustine, although of them not truly understood, yet would they admit none other sense than their own, but would take them to confirm it with Martin Luther, Melancthon, Bucer, and Calvin : so that I, perceiving their obstinacy in that behalf, gave them over for that time, and afterward talked with Dr. Barret, whom I also found of the same judgment upon not how. A. D. 1558. Mary. in that behalf: "for," said he, "if ye should dissent from the fathers of the primitive church in this behalf, of which St. Augustine is one, ye shall be counted to die out of the favour of God." Well, all this their obstinacy and blasphemous errors imprinted and deeply weighed in my mind, I gave them all over. And the more quietly to bring them to confess that openly, which they unto me had granted privately, I granted them according to the Scriptures, and my former protestation, a presence, although not as they supposed. After all this, came there unto me the honourable earl of Sussex, and that gentle knight, sir William Woodhouse, with great persuasions: unto whom I said, after long talk, that I would do all that I might, saving my conscience, which I would in no wise pollute; and no more I have, as knoweth God by whom all men must be judged. His Last Appearance before the Bishop. Now, to come to my last appearance, after I was before the bishop presented, he forthwith demanded of me, whether I were resolved, as he had heard say. To whom I answered, that even as always I had said before, even so I was now. Unto whom, by low bowing my knee, I gave my due reverence, and the rather for that the honourable earl of Sussex was there; wherewith some which would be counted great gospellers, were (contrary to all Christianity) sore offended. Then I said, that whatsoever laws were set forth for the establishment of Christ's true religion, and that according to the doctrine of Christ's holy apostles, and the faithful fathers of the primitive church, I did not only obey them, but must earnestly embrace and believe them. Yea, and yet to the further blinding of their eyes, I said, that if any thing could justly be proved by God's holy word, by me heretofore preached, or taught untruly, either for lack of learning, slide of tongue, or of ignorance; yet by better knowledge when it shall justly be tried and examined by the same, I shall not refuse (the thing perfectly approved) to revoke the same: provided always, the word of God herein to be judge. All this spake I (as God knoweth) to keep them from suspecting that which I went about, and that they should have none occasion to judge me of obstinacy. Then said I moreover, "All you must of force confess, that the doctrine by me heretofore preached, had, besides the authority of God's eternal verity, the authority of two most noble and mighty princes, with the advice and counsel of all the nobility and clergy of the same, and that with great deliberation from time to time, with open disputations in both the universities, enacted also by parliament with the consent of the whole body and commons of the same, and that without any resistance or gainsaying established, as a religion most pure and perfect, most earnestly and sincerely preached by the principal bishops and doctors, and that before the king's majesty's person. And I, as one being called to that office, did the like with all the rest, and, in the zeal of God and with a pure conscience, did set forth the same, as the only and absolute truth of God, and the just and most true proceedings of my sovereign lord and king. And I had then my head, at that present, even where it now standeth, betwixt mine ears, altogether applying the same, to apprehend with all diligence that which then was established and taught, as the only and absolute truth, and a thing unto me most desirable, and well liking, without any desire to hear the contrary, till now, through this my captivity, I am compelled to hear the contrary part speak, who are even here present, and which my lord sent unto me. "Of whom, after long disputations privately to and fro before this time had betwixt us, at length I have heard of them a contrary doctrine, which I never before had heard; and therefore must confess mine own ignorance in the same. For," quoth I," after I had enforced these men here present" (meaning the bishop's two chaplains) "to confess Jesus Christ's natural body with his full complete members in due order and proportion of a perfect man's body to be present at the right hand of God the Father, and that without return from thence, until the last judgment, and also that after the words pronounced by the priest, there remaineth no such gross presence of flesh, blood, bones, hair, and nails, as was wont to be preached; but that after I had demanded of them what manner of body they affirmed to be present, they said, 'A body invisible by the omnipotency of God's word, which neither can be felt nor seen, nor that hath any distinction of members, but such a body as occupieth no place, but is there they know not how.' Necessity compelled me to confess mine ignorance Mary. in that behalf, although in very deed they perceived not my meaning therein, neither was it in my thought they should so do. For by this their confession, and my silence, afterward I perceived their horrible blasphemies. A.D. 1558. "And methought in this I had well discharged at that time my conscience, in causing them in open audience to confess the same; and so I granted a presence, but not as they supposed. For only I said, that Christ, after the words pronounced, is present in the lawful use and right distribution of his holy supper; which thing I never denied, or any godly man that ever I heard of. For, said I, Eusebius Emissenus, a man of singular fame and learning, about three hundred years after Christ's ascension, saith, that the conversion of the visible creatures of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, is like unto our conversion in baptisin, where nothing is outwardly changed, but all the change is inwardly, by the mighty working of the Holy Ghost, which fashioneth and frameth Christ in the heart and mind of man, as by the example of Peter preaching to the people, by which he so pierced their consciences, that they openly, with most earnest repentance, confessed their sins, saying, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do? Repent, and be baptized every one of you,' said Peter, 'in the name of Jesus Christ.' So that at this sermon there were turned unto Christ three thousand persons; in whom Christ was so fashioned and framed, as that he did dwell in every one of them, and they in him. And after the like manner (said I) is Christ present in the lawful use and right distribution of his holy supper, and not otherwise. For although I said, according to the truth, that Christ dwelt in every one of these persons rehearsed, yet meant I nothing less, than that he in them should have a gross, carnal, or How fleshly dwelling. And no more meant I (as God knoweth) him carnally or Christ is naturally to be in the sacrament, but according to the Scriptures, and my the sacra former protestation, that is, to the spiritual nourishment of all such as worthily ment. come unto that holy supper, receiving it according to his holy institution." And thus I ended; which the papists most maliciously and slanderously named a recantation; which I never meant, nor thought (as God knoweth). Now, after I had thus concluded my speech, the bishop taking me by the hand, said, "Father Rose, you may be a worthy instrument in God's church, and we will see to you at our coming home:" for he was about to take his journey in visitation of his diocese; and they feared much at this very time, lest queen Mary should have miscarried in child-travail, which was looked for, being then accounted very great with child, so that they were not so fierce as they had been, and doubted very much of some stir, if I should have suffered; and therefore were glad to be rid of me, so that by any colourable means for their own discharge it might be so, the night following, was I only committed to mine own lodging. 66 present in love to On the morrow, when the bishop was ready to ride forth in visitation, he called me before him, and perceiving that sir William Woodhouse did bear me great favour, said, he was sorry for me and my expenses; and therefore wished that I were somewhere, where I might spend no more money, till his return. Why, my lord," quoth sir William Woodhouse, "he shall have meat, and drink, and lodging, with me, till you return again, seeing you now break up house." And hereupon I went home with sir William, that good knight, who most gently entertained me, and I had great liberty. Upon this, the papistical Popish priests of the college of Christ's-church in Norwich, for that they saw me at priests liberty in sir William's absence (who also was then from home a fortnight), blaze blazed it abroad that sir William was bounden for me in body and lands. At abroad his coming home, therefore, I asked sir William if he were so bounden for me; and he denied it. Then said 1, "Sir, but for the reverence I bear to you, I might have been a hundred miles from you ere this. But I trust now, sir, seeing you be not bound for me, I may go visit my friends.". "Go where you will," said sir William; "for," quoth he, “I told the bishop I would not be his jailer, but promised only meat, drink, and lodging for you." Shortly after, upon the device of some friends, I was closely conveyed to a friend's house, where almost a month I was secretly kept, till rumours were over for at the bishop's return, searching was for me; insomuch as all houses, where it was known I had been acquainted, were searched, and the ships at Yarmouth. (1) Acts ii. lies. Mary. A. D. At length the bishop sent to a conjuror, to know of him which way I was gone, and he answered, that I was gone over a water, and in the keeping of a woman. And in very deed I was passed over a small water, and was hid by a 1558. blessed woman and godly woman, which lived in a poor cottage, the space of three weeks, till all the great heat was over. Then was I conveyed to London, and from thence passed over the seas, where I lived till the death of queen Mary, and till that it pleased God, for the comfort of his church, and restoring of all poor exiles and prisoners for his name's sake, to bless this realm with the government of our noble queen, whom God, to the glory of his own name, and the defence of his church, according to his good will and pleasure, long preserve and continue over us. A BRIEF DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE TROUBLES AND HAPPY 1 DR. SANDS, FIRST, BISHOP OF WORCESTER, NEXT OF LONDON, AND NOW ARCHBISHOP OF YORK. King Edward dead, the world being unworthy of him, the duke of Northumberland came down to Cambridge with an army of men, having commission to proclaim lady Jane queen, and by power to suppress lady Mary, who took upon her that dignity, and was proclaimed queen in Norfolk. The duke sent for Dr. Sands, being vice-chancellor, for Dr. Parker, for Dr. Bill, and master Leaver, to sup with him. Amongst other speeches, he said, "Masters, pray for us, that we speed well: if not, you shall be made bishops, and we deacons." And even so it came to pass, Dr. Parker and Dr. Sands were made bishops, and he and sir John Gates, who was then at the table, were made deacons, ere it was long after, on the Tower-hill. Dr. Sands, being vice-chancellor, was required to preach on the morrow. The warning was short for such an auditory, and to speak of such a matter; yet he refused not the thing, but went into his chamber, and so to bed. He rose at three of the clock in the morning, took his Bible in his hand, and, after that he had prayed a good space, he shut his eyes, and holding his Bible before him, earnestly prayed to God, that it might fall open where a most fit text should be, for him to entreat of. The Bible, as God would have it, fell open upon the first chapter of Joshua, where he found so convenient a piece of Scripture for that time, that the like he could not have chosen in all the Bible. His text was this: "Responderuntque Josuæ atque dixerunt, Omnia quæ præcepisti nobis faciemus, et quocunque miseris ibimus: sicut obedivimus in cunctis Mosi, ita obediemus et tibi, tantum sit Dominus Deus tuus tecum sicut fuit cum Mose qui contradixerit ori tuo, et non obedierit cunctis sermonibus quos præceperis ei, moriatur; tu tantum confortare et viriliter age. 52 Who shall consider what was concluded by such as named themselves the state, and withal, the auditory, the time, and other circumstances, he shall easily see that this text most fitly served for the purpose. And as God gave the text, so gave he him such order and utterance, as pulled many tears out of the eye of the biggest of them. (1) More properly spelt "Sandys."-ED. (2) "And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage."-ED. A. D. 1558. In the time of his sermon one of the guard lifted up to him into Mary. the pulpit a mass-book and a grail, which sir George Haward, with certain of the guard, had taken that night in master Hurlestone's house, where lady Mary had been a little before, and there had mass. The duke, with the rest of the nobility, required Dr. Sands to put his sermon in writing, and appointed master Leaver to go to London with it, and to put it in print. Dr. Sands required one day and a half for writing of it. At the time appointed he had made it ready, and master Leaver was ready booted to receive it at his hands, and carry it to London. As he was delivering of it, one of the beadles, named master Adams, came weeping to him, and prayed him to shift for himself, for the duke was retired, and queen Mary proclaimed. Dr. Sands was not troubled herewithal, but gave the sermon written to master Layfield. Master Leaver departed home, and he went to dinner to one master More's, a beadle, his great friend. At the dinner mistress More, seeing him merry and pleasant (for he had ever a man's courage, and could not be terrified), drank unto him, saying: "Master vice-chancellor, I drink unto you, for this is the last time that ever I shall see you." And so it was; for she was dead before Dr. Sands returned out of Germany. The duke that night retired to Cambridge, and sent for Dr. Sands to go with him to the market-place, to proclaim queen Mary. The duke cast up his cap with others, and so laughed, that the tears ran down his cheeks for grief. He told Dr. Sands, that queen Mary was a merciful woman, and that he doubted not thereof; declaring that he had sent unto her to know her pleasure, and looked for a general pardon. Dr. Sands answered, "My life is not dear unto me, neither have I done or said any thing that urgeth my conscience. For that which I spake of the state, hath instructions warranted by the subscription of sixteen counsellors; neither can speech be treason, neither yet have I spoken further than the word of God and the laws of the realm do warrant me, come of me what God will. But be you assured, you shall never escape death; for if she would save you, those that now shall rule, will kill you.' That night the guard apprehended the duke, and certain grooms of the stable were as busy with Dr. Sands, as if they would take a prisoner. But sir John Gates, who lay then in Dr. Sands' house, sharply rebuked them, and drave them away. Dr. Sands, by the advice of sir John Gates, walked in the fields. In the mean time the university, contrary to all order, had met together in consultation, and ordered that Dr. Mouse and Dr. Hatcher should repair to Dr. Sands' lodging, and fetch away the statute-book of the university, the keys, and such other things that were in his keeping, and so they did: for Dr. Mouse, being an earnest protestant the day before, and one whom Dr. Sands had done much for, was now become a papist, and his great enemy. Certain of the university had appointed a congregation at afternoon. As the bell rang to it, Dr. Sands cometh out of the fields, and sending for the beadles, asketh what the matter meaneth, and requireth them to wait upon him to the schools, according to their duty. So they did. And so soon as Dr. Sands, the beadles going before him, came into the regent-house, and took his chair, one master Mitch, with a rabble of unlearned papists, went into a bye-school, and conspired together to pull him out of his chair, and to use violence |