Marginalia1557. Decemb.Communion vsed in King Edwardes dayes, but sayd that he had not ministred or receaued the same here in England since the Queenes reygne, neyther yet knew any that had the bookes thereof. But on the other side, he knew many that had those bookes, and that there also he had receiued the Communion in sundry places.
[Back to Top]Marginalia5.The contententes of the fift he graunted to be true.
Marginalia6.To the sixt, he confessed that he had bene familiar with diuers english men and womē being in Friseland, and agreed with them in opinion, as Master Scory, Thomas Young, George Roo, and others, to the number of one hundreth persons, which fled thither for religion, vsing there the order set foorth in the reigne of Kyng Edward, and otherwise he denieth the contentes of this article.
[Back to Top]Marginalia7.The contentes of the seuenth he graunted in euery poynt to be true.
Marginalia8.To the eight, he answered and confessed that sithens his last comming into England (which was about the x. day of Nouēber) he had in sundry places in þe subburbs of London prayed and red such prayers and seruice, as is appoynted in the booke of the communion, and had willed others to do the like, both men and wemen, which he did know by sight, but not by name. Howbeit he did neither cause any to withdraw themselues from the lattine seruice, but he sayd that it were better to pray in a toung that they did vnderstand, then in an vnknowen tounge.
[Back to Top]Marginalia9.To the ninth he confessed that at the time and place articulate he was present to heare and see a play, and there was apprehended by the Queenes maiesties Vicechamberlayne, with one Cutbert a Taylor, and one Hugh a hosyer, and diuers other both men and wemen, whose names he knew not, and by him was brought before the Counsell, who sent him vnto Newgate, and from thence he was brought to the Bishop. And otherwise he denieth the contentes of this article.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaAn other appearance of Iohn Rough before the Byshop.Vpon these answers he was dismissed, and the next day (being the xix. day of December) he was agayne brought before the sayd Bishop and others. Who, whē they perceaued his constantnes, determined the next day after to bryng hym openly into the Consistory, there to adiudge and condemne him as an hereticke. Which purpose they accomplished. For the xx. day at afternoone, in the presence of the Bishops of London and saint Dauids, with Fecknam Abbot of Westminster, and others, he was thether produced. Where, after much and many fayre perswasions, Boner red vnto him the articles and answers before mencioned, in the which they charged him to haue receaued the orders of the Church, and therfore might not mary, and that he had refused to cōsent vnto þe latine seruice then vsed in the Church. Wherunto he then answered and sayd, that theyr orders were nothing at all, and that he being a priest might lawfully mary, and that hys children which he had by his wife, were lawfull. And as touching the seruice then vsed, he vtterly detested it, saying þt if he should liue as long as did Methushelach, yet he would neuer come to the church to heare the abominable masse and other seruice, being as it was then. MarginaliaIohn Rough condemned and degraded by Boner.Vpon which wordes the Bishop proceded to the actuall degradation of the said Rowgh, exempting him from all the benefites and priuileges of theyr Church: and after condemning him as an hereticke, cōmitted his body vnto the secular power, who taking him into theyr charge and custody, caried him vnto Newgate.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaA note of Master Rough.Moreouer,
This anecdote was added to the 1570 edition.
he had liued 30. yeares, and yet had neuer bowed hys knee to Baal: and beyng before Boner, among other talke, he affirmed that he had ben twise at Rome, and there had seene playnely wyth his eyes, which he had many tymes heard of before, namely that the Pope was the very Antichrist, for there he saw him caryed on mens shoulders, and the false named sacrament borne before hym. Yet was there more reuerence geuen to hym, then to that which they counted to be their God. When Boner heard this, rising vp, and making as though he would haue torne his garmentes: hast thou, sayd he, bene at Rome and seene our holy father the Pope, and doest thou blaspheme him after this sort? MarginaliaB Boner plucketh of halfe the beard of Ioh. Rough.and with that fliyng vpon hym he plucked of a peece of hys beard: and after making speedy hast to his death, he burnt hym halfe an houre before vj. of the clocke in the morning, because the day (belike) should not be farre spent, before he had done a mischieuous deede.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaAn other note concerning Iohn Rough.¶ Further note that this Maister Rough being at the burning of Austoo in Smithfield,
Actually James and Margaret Austoo were burned at Islington, not Smithfield.
This letter was printed in every edition of the Acts and Monuments and also in Letters of the Martyrs, pp. 658-59.
MarginaliaA letter of Iohn Rough.THe comfort of the holyGhost make you able to geue consolation to others in these daungerous dayes, when Sathan is let loose, but to the triall onely of the chosen, when it pleaseth our God to sift his wheate from the chaffe. I haue not leasure and tyme to write the great temptations I haue bene vnder. I speake to Gods glory: my care was to haue the senses of my soule open to perceaue the voyce of God, saying: Who soeuer denieth me before men, him will I deny before my father and his Angels. And to saue the life corporall is to lose the life eternall. And he that will not suffer with Christ, shall not raigne with him. Therfore most tender ones, I haue by Gods spirite geuen ouer the flesh, with the fight of my soule, and the spirit hath the victory. The flesh shall now ere it be long, leaue of to sinne: the spirite shall raigne eternally. I haue chosen þe death to confirme the truth by me taught. What can I do more? Consider with your selues, that I haue done it for confirmation of Gods truth. Pray that I may cōtinue vnto the end. The greatest part of þe assault is past, I praise my God. I haue in all my assaultes felt the present ayde of my God, I geue him most harty thankes therfore. Looke not backe, nor be ye ashamed of Christes Gospel, nor of the bondes I haue suffered for the same: therby ye may be assured it is the true word of God. The holy ones haue bene sealed with the same marke. It is no tyme for the losse of one man in the battell, for the campe to turne backe. Vp with mens hartes, blow downe the dawbed walles of heresies: let one take the Banner, an other the trumpet, I meane not to make corporall resistaunce, but pray and ye shal haue Elias defence, and Helizeus company to fight for you. The cause is the Lordes. Now my brethren I can write no more, tyme wil not suffer, and my hart with panges of death is assaulted: but I am at home with my God yet aliue. Pray for me, and salute one an other with the holy kisse. The peace of God rest with you all, Amen. From Newgate prison in hast, the day of my condemnation.
[Back to Top]Iohn Rough.
MarginaliaThe story & examination of Margaret Mearing, Martyr.IT is before declared, that in the company of Iohn Rough was burned one Margaret Mearyng, who, as the Register maketh mention, was at one tyme and day brought with the sayd Rough forth to examinatiō: where þe Byshop hauyng no priuate matters to charge her with al, did the 18. day of December obiect agaynst
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