1570 Edition | Book 11 | Page 1775 
MarginaliaAn. 1555. Aprill.fortles in their aduersities. If we may know the tree by the frutes (as Christ sayth) MarginaliaPopishe Byshops declare themselues by their fruites to be very enemies to Gods word.no man can iudge such for any other, but for very enemyes to Christ & his true Religion. God lay it neuer to theyr charges, but forgiue them and turne their hard hartes, if it be his will.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaNo new thyng for Bishops to be persecutors.But it is no new thyng for Bishops to persecute the truth and the Prophetes of the Lord, for their constancie in preaching of the true faith, for so did their Pharisaicall forefathers, if ye marke wel the histories of the holy Bible. MarginaliaExamples of persecuting Bishops in the olde tyme.Phasher was the head Byshops of the Tēple, the ryngleader of false Prophets, þe chief hereticke-taker, that is as much to say, as the outthruster of true godlines. After that þe dignitie of Priesthode was geuē vnto him, he abused it. For he taught not neither reproued by the word, but feared the godly with cruelty. He not onely strocke, but also imprisoned the holy Prophet Ieremy, though he withstode him not, but presently looked for the helpe of God, stedfastly preachyng the truth of God.
[Back to Top]What mischief the vngracious MarginaliaBishop Iason.B. Iason wrought among the Iewes, destroying all godlynes and settyng vp abominable Idolatrous lawes, ye may read in þe 4. chap. of the second of Machabees. How the excecrable and blynd MarginaliaByshop Annas and Caiphas.Byshops Annas and Caiphas, which neuer spake the truth of God them selues, vnlesse it were agaynst their willes, vnwyttingly to their vtter distruction, how (I say) they pressed þe truth in Christ & his Apostles, is so well knowē that I nede not to rehearse it.
[Back to Top]And thus much hetherto concerning the prisonment of G. Marsh and hys examinations before the Earle of Darby and his deputies aboue named. Now proceeding further in the troublesome persecution of thys blessed man, let vs likewyse consider the latter part of hys troubles and examinations which followed vnder the bishop of that same Dioces, which was D. Cotes: the effect whereof being drawen out of hys own wryting, here briefly is to be seene as followeth.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaG. Marsh appeareth before the Bish.YE heard before how G. Marsh beyng first imprisoned at Lathum, and afterward trāslated vnto Lancaster, was troubled by the Earle. Agayne, within few dayes after, þe sayd Marsh was remoued frō Lancaster, and
CloseBecause Marsh's account of his imprisonment by the earl of Derby was inserted in the 1570 edition, it is not clear in later editions that what follows continues an originally seamless narrative, begun on p. 1122 of the 1563 edition, of Marsh's martyrdom, which came from a single informant who was sympathetic to Marsh and almost certainly a resident of Chester.
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CloseThe wording of this passage is obscure; what Foxe is saying is that Hensham, the bishop's chaplain, visited Marsh along with [John Hanson], the archdeacon [of Richmond].
To whom the sayd George Marsh aunswered, that he did acknowledge and beleue (though much euill bee withall annexed) one holy Catholicke and MarginaliaThe church Apostolicke.Apostolicke church, without which there is no saluation, and that
this Church is but one, MarginaliaThe church how it is one.because it euer hath, doth, and shall confesse and beleue, one onely God, and him onely worship, and one onely Messiah, and in him onely trust for saluation: which Church also is ruled and led by one spirite, one worde, and one faith: and that this Church is vniuersall and Catholike, because it euer hath bene since the worldes beginning, is, and shall endure to the worldes ende, comprehending within it all nations, kinreds, and languages, degrees, states, and conditions of men: and that MarginaliaThe nature, condition, and notes of the true church.this Church is buylded onely vppon the foundation of the Prophets, and Apostels, Iesus Christ him selfe being the head corner stone, and not vpon the Romish lawes and decrees, the Byshop of Rome being the supreme head.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe nature, condition, and notes of the false church.And where they sayd, the Church did stand in an ordinary succession of Bishops, being ruled by generall Councels, holy fathers, and the lawes of holy Church, and so had continued by the space of fiftene hundreth yeares & more:MarginaliaConfutation of the false church falsely defined. he made answer that the holy Church, which is the body of Christ, and therfore most worthy to be called holy, was before any successiō of Bishops, general Councels, or Romish decrees, neyther yet was bound to any tyme, or place, ordinary succession, generall Councels, or traditions of Fathers, eyther had any supremacy ouer Empyres and kyngdomes: but that it was a little poore sely flocke, dispersed and scattered abroad, as shepe without a shepeherd in the middest of wolues, or as a flocke of Orphanes or fatherles children: and that this Church was led and ruled by the only lawes, Councels, and word of Christ, he being the supreme head of this Church, and assisting, succoring, and defending her from all assaultes, errours, troubles, and persecutions wherwith she is euer compassed about.
[Back to Top]He shewed and proued vnto them also, MarginaliaExamples declaring the true Church.by the floud of Noah, the destruction of Sodome, the Israelites departing out of ægypt, by the parables of the sower, of the kyngs sonnes marriage, of the great supper, and by other playn sentences of Scripture, that this Church was of none estimation, MarginaliaThe false church euer greater in number.and little in comparison of the Church of hipocrites and wicked worldlinges.
[Back to Top]He was thrust at with all violence of craft and subtilty, but yet the Lord vpheld him and deliuered hym. Euerlasting thankes be to that mercifull and faithfull Lord, which suffreth vs not to be tempted aboue our might, but in the middest of our troubles strengthneth vs with his holy spirit of comfort and patience, and geueth vs a mouth and wisdome, how & what to speake: wheragainst all his aduersaries were not able to resist.
[Back to Top]NOw, after that the said Byshop had taken his pleasure in punishing this his prisoner and often reuiling him, geuing tauntes, and odious names of hereticke. &c. MarginaliaG. Marsh againe brought before the Byshop and hys Colleagues.hee caused him to bee brought foorth into a Chappell in the Cathedrall Church of Chester, called our Lady Chappell
CloseIt is worth noting that the 1563 account of Marsh's ordeals at Chester describe what happened at public events. They do not describe examinations or interrogations taking place behind closed doors or in prison. This suggests that this account was the work of a sympathetic spectator.