as at this daye they do not, neyther do follow his decrees.
Gloc. Yes, in Florentines counsel
The purpose of the council of Florence (1438 - 1445) was to affect a re-union between the Greek and Latin churches. This re-union was theoretically achieved but the settlement was rejected by both the laity and clergy of the Greek church.
Phil. It was sayd so by false reporte, after they of Asia and Africa were gone home. But it was not so in deede, as the sequele of them al hitherto doth proue the contrary.
Gloc. I praye you, by whom wyll you bee iudged in matters of controuersie, which happen dayly?
Phil. By the word of God. For Christ saith in saynt Iohn, the word that he spake shal be iudge in the later daye.
Gloc. What if you take the worde one waye and I another waye: who shal be iudge then?
Phil. The primatiue Church.
Gloc. I knowe you meane the Doctors that wrote therof.
Phil. I meane verely so.
Gloc. What if you take the doctours in one sense, and I in an other? who shalbe iudged then?
Phil. Then let that be taken, which is most agreable to Gods word.
Cole. My Lordes, why do you trouble your selues, to answer him in this matter? it is not the thing which is layd to his charge, but his errour of the sacrament: and hee to shyfte him selfe of that, brought in an other matter.
phil. This is the matter, maister Cole, to the which I haue referred all other questions, and desire to be satisifed.
VVorc. It is wonder to see how he standeth with a fewe, agaynst a great multitude.
Phil. We haue almost as many as you. For we haue Asia, Africa, Germany, Denmarke, and a great parte of Fraunce,
Philpot is counting all non-Roman catholic Christians, not only protestants, as followers of the Gospel.
VVorc. They were well occupied to bring you such newes, and you haue ben well kepte to haue such resorte vnto you: thou art the arrogantest and stoutest fonde felow, that euer I knew.
Phil. I pray your Lordship to beare with my hasty speach: for it is parte of my corrupt nature to speake somwhat hastely. But for all that, I meane with humilyty to do my duty to your lordship.
Boner. Maister Philpot, my Lordes wyll trouble you no further at this tyme, but you shall go from whence you cam, and haue such fauour as in the meane whyle I can shewe
you, and vpon wensday next you shall be called agayne, to be heard what you can saye for the maintenaunce of your error.
phil. My Lord, my desire is to be satisifed of you in that I haue required: & your Lordshyp shall find me as I haue sayd.
VVorc. We wish you as wel as our selues.
Phil. I think the same (my lords) but I feare you are deceaued, and haue a zeale of your selues, not according to knowledge.
VVorcest. God send you more grace.
phil. And also God increase the same in you, and open your eyes, that you maye se to maintain his truth, and his true church.
Than the bishops rose vp, and consulted to gether, and caused a wryting to be made, in the which, I thinke, my bloud by them was bought and sold, and therto they put to theyr handes, and after this I was caryed to my Colehowse agayne.
Thus endeth the fourth parte of this tragedy.
God hasten the ende therof to his glory. Amen.
The notes are at the end of the examinations were written Philpot, not by Foxe.
This note reveals two things: that Philpot wrote his examinations at the request of another protestant (or protestants) and that he wrote them in sections which were then smuggled out of prison.
I believe.
BOner. Maister Philpot, com you hether. I haue desired my Lordes here, and other learned men to take some paynes once agayne, and to do you good: and because I do minde to sit in iudgement on you to morowe (as I am commaunded) yet I would you should haue as muche fauoure as I can shewe you, if you wilbe anye thing conformable. Therefore playe the wyse man, and be not singular in your opinion, but be ruled by these learned men.
[Back to Top]phil. My Lord, in that you say you will sit on me in iudgement to morow, I am glad therof. For I was promised by them which sente