MarginaliaAnno. 1558. Iuly.haue liued a pleasaunt & a gentlemans life in the wealthy possessions of this world, yet to followe Christ, had rather enter into the straite gate of persecution, to the heauenly possession of life in the lordes kingdome, then here to enioy pleasures present with vnquietnes of cōscience. Wherfore manfully standyng against the Papistes, for the defence of the sincere doctrine of Christs Gospell, he spared not him self to confirme the doctrine of the Gospell. For the which cause he being apprehended for an aduersary of the Romishe religiō, MarginaliaM. Benbrige examined before the B. of Winchester.was forth with had to examination before D. White B. of Winchester, where he susteined sondry conflictes for þ^e truth against the said Bishop and his Colleagues. The articles of the Bishoppe ministred to hym, with his aunsweres to the same annexed, be here following.

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Marginalia1.MarginaliaArticles opposed against M. Benbrige.FIrst, we articulate against you, that the churche of God ministreth rightly accordyng to the rite Apostolicall.

MarginaliaAunswere.To this he aunswereth, that Baptisme is not administred at this present, so as it was in the Apostles tyme, for that it is not ministred in the English tongue.

Marginalia2. The reall presence.Item, we articulate that the church of God doth beleue and hold, that in the sacrament of thankesgeuyng, after the words of consecration pronounced of the priest, the true and naturall body of Christ is present really.

MarginaliaAunswere.He aunswereth, that he beleueth not, that in the sacrament is contained the bodye and bloude of our Sauiour Iesu Christ, saiyng: this is the marke that ye shote at.

Marginalia3. Confirmation.Item, we articulate, that the church holdeth and beleueth that confirmation is a sacrament in the church, and that by imposition of handes of a Bishop, cometh grace.

MarginaliaAunswere.He aunswered, that he knoweth not whether that confirmation be a sacrament or not, and whether the Bishop geueth grace or not: he knoweth not the order and fashion of ministration.

Marginalia4.Item, we articulate, that penaunce is a Sacrament in the churche, and that by auricular confession and absolution pronounced by the priest, sinnes be forgeuen.

MarginaliaAunswere. Penanuce no Sacrament.He aunswered negatiuely, denying sinnes to be forgeuen by absolution pronounced of a priest, and that it is not necessary for a man to recite all his sinnes to a priest.

Marginalia5.Item, we articulate against thee, that the churche doth beleue and holde, the same authority to bee nowe in the church, which Christ gaue to his Apostles.

MarginaliaAunswere.He aunswered negatiuely, for that the church hath not the same power and strength to worke.

Marginalia6.Item, we articulate, that the church beleueth and holdeth that the order of ministers, now being in the church of Christ, is instituted of Christ hym self.

MarginaliaAunswere.He aunswered that he beleueth not the bishops to bee the successors of the Apostles, for that they be not called as they were, nor haue that grace.

Marginalia7. Head of the Church.Item, we articulate, that the church beleueth and holdeth, the Pope to be supreame head in the Churche and the Vicar of Christ in earth.

MarginaliaAunswere.He aunswered, that it is not the Pope, but it is the deuill that is supreame head of the Churche whiche you speake of.

Marginalia8.Item, we articulate, that the church doth hold and beleue that it is necessary to be baptised.

MarginaliaAunswere.He denied not the same.

Marginalia9. Purgatory.Item, we articulate, that the church doth hold and beleue, that there is purgatory, and that the soules of the dead be relieued with the almes and praiers of the liuing.

MarginaliaAunswere.He aunswereth and saieth, as touching purgatory he will not beleue as their church doth beleue.

Marginalia10.Item, we articulate, that the church holdeth, and beleueth, that Matrimony is a Sacrament of the church.

MarginaliaAunswere. Matrimony no Sacrament.He aunswered, that he will not say that Matrimony is a Sacrament, but to bee a sacrate order and signe of an holy thyng. &c.  

MarginaliaM. Luther.Moreouer, happenyng into the mention of Martine Luther, he sayd: that the said Martine Luther died a good christen man, whose doctrine and lyfe he did approue and allowe.

MarginaliaM. Benbrige condemned.Thus haue ye the articles ministred by the Bishop, and also the aunsweres of the sayd Master Benbrige vnto the same, for the which he was then condemned, MarginaliaM. Benbrige brought to the stake.and after brought to the place of Martyrdome, by the sheriffe called Sir Richard Pecksal, where as he standing at the stake began to vnty his pointes, and to prepare hym selfe. Then he gaue his gowne to the keeper, beeyng belike his fee. His Ierkin was layd on with gold lace fayre and braue, whiche he gaue to Syr Ri-

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chard Pecksall, the high sheriffe. His cappe of Veluet he tooke of from his head, and threw it away. Then liftyng his mynd to the Lord, he made his prayers.

That done, beyng now fastened to the stake, Doct. Seaton willed hym to recant and hee shoulde haue his pardon: but when he saw it preuailed not to speake, the sayd dreamyng and doltish Doct.MarginaliaD. Seaton forbiddeth to pray for hym. willed the people not to pray for hym vnlesse he would recant, no more then they would pray for a dog.

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Master Benbrige standyng at the stake with hys handes together, in suche maner as the priest holdeth his handes in his memento, the sayd Doctor Seaton came to hym agayne and exhorted him to recant: vnto whom he sayd: away Babylonian, away.

Then said one that stode by: Sir, cut out his toung: and an other beeyng a temporall man, rayled on hym worse then Doctor Seaton did a great deale, who (as is thought) was set on by some other.

Then, when they saw he would not yelde, they bad the Tormentors to set to fire, and yet he was nothyng like couered with faggotes. First the fire tooke away a peece of his bearde, wherat he nothing shrancke at all. Then it came on the other side and tooke his legs, and the nether stockings of his hose beyng lether, made the fire to pearce the sharper, so that the intolerable heate therof made him to cry: MarginaliaMaster Benbrige recanted at the stake.I recant, and sodenly therwith he thrust the fire from hym. And hauyng ij. or iij. of hys frendes by, that wished his life, they stept to the fire and holpe to take it from hym also: who for their labour were sent to prison. The SherifeMarginaliaSyr Richard Pecksall. also of his owne authority toke him from the stake, and sent hym to prison againe: for the which he was sent vnto the Fleete, and there lay a certaine tyme.  

But before hee was taken from the stake, the sayd Seaton wrote articles to haue him to subscribe vnto them, as touchyng the Pope, the sacrament, and such other trashe. But the sayd Master Benbrige made much ado ere he would subscribe them in so much that Doct. Seaton willed them to set to fire againe. Then with much paine and great grief of hart he subscribed to them vpon a mans backe. That beyng done, he had his gowne geuen hym againe, and so was led to prison. Beyng in prison, hee wrote a letter to D. Seaton, MarginaliaMaster Benbrige repenteth his recantation.and recanted those woordes hee spake at the stake, vnto which he had subscribed: for he was greued that euer he did subscribe vnto them.   Whereupon expressyng his conscience, he was the same day seuenight

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after burnt in deede, where the vile tormentours did rather broyle hym then burne hym. The Lord geue his enemies repentaunce.