THE. HISTORY OF MR. JOHN PHILPOT.

MR. JOHN PHILPOT was a knight's son, born in Hampshire, and brought up at New college in Oxford, where he studied the civil law six or seven years, besides other liberal arts, and the tongues. He was of a singular courage, fervent in spirit, zealous in religion, and well exercised in the same; of nature plain and open, far from all Battery, farther from all hypocrisy and, dissimulation. Being desirous to see other countries, he went from Oxford over into Italy, where coming from Venice to Padua, he was in danger, through a certain Franciscan friar, accompanying him in his journey; who coming to Padua, sought to accuse him of heresy. At length returning into England, in the days of king Edward, he had divers conflicts with Gardiner, in the city of Winchester. After that he was made archdeacon of Winchester, under Dr. Poinet, who succeeded Gardiner in that bishopric during the time of king Edward. He held his office during this reign, to the no small profit of those parts. When that blessed king was taken away, queen Mary caused a convocation of the prelates and learned men to meet. In this convocation, Philpot being present, with a few others, maintained the cause of the Gospel; for which cause, notwithstanding the liberty of the house promised before, he was called to account before bishop Gardiner: from thence he was removed to Bonner, and other commissioners, with whom he had sundry conflicts.

The first examination of Mr. Philpot before the queen's commissioners, Mr. Chohnley, Mr. Roper, and Dr. Story, and one of the scribes of the Arches, was at Newgate Sessions-hall, October 22, 1555. Dr. Story coming out into the hall where Philpot was, and passing by him, said, " Ha, Mr. Philpot!" and immediately returning again, stood over-against him, beholding him, and said that he was well fed indeed. To which Philpot replied, " If I am fat and in good liking, doctor, it is no wonder, since I have been stalled up in prison this year and half, in a close corner.' I am come to know your pleasure wherefore you have sent for me." Story answered, " We hear that you art a suspected person, and of heretical opinions, and therefore we have sent for thee. "

Then, after much talk, Philpot said, " I desire you, Sir, with the rest here, that I be riot charged further at your hands, than the law chargeth me, for what I have done, since there was no law directly against that, wherewith I am now charged. And you, doctor, (of old acquaintance in Oxford,) I trust will show me some friendship, and not extremity." Story replied, cc I tell thee, if you wouldst be a good catholic man, I would be thy friend, and spend my gown to do thee good; but I will be no friend to an heretic, as you art, but will spend both my gown and my coat, but I will burn thee. And since you wilt not revoke what you have done, you shall be had into the Lollards-tower." At his threatening thus, Philpot said, "You have power to transfer my body from place to place at your pleasure; but you have no power over my soul. And I care not whither you commit me, for I cannot be worse treated than I am." Then said Story, " Marshal, take him home with you again, and see that you bring him again on Thursday, and then we shall rid your fingers of him, and afterward your other heretics." After some other words, Philpot said, " If I do stand in any thing against that, wherein any man can charge me with one jot of the Scripture, I shall be content to be counted an heretic."

At which Story cried, " Scripture! Scripture! This man is like his fellow Woodman, which the other day would have nothing else but Scripture." Saying this he rose up, and they departed for this time.

October 24, 1555, Mr. Philpot was examined again before Mr. Cholmley, Roper, Dr. Story, Dr. Cook, and the scribe, at Newgate Sessions-hall. Here Dr. Story said,." This man is the rankest heretic that has been in -all my lord chancellor's diocese, and has done more hurt than any man else there; and therefore his pleasure is, that he should have the law to proceed against him, and I have spoken with my lord herein, and he willeth him to be committed to the bishop of LONDON, and there to recant or burn." Philpot said, " I know nothing that I have done that I ought to recant; and I deny that I have maintained heresies." " No," says Cooke, " have you not Did you not openly speak against the sacrament of the altar, in the convocation-house Call you that no heresy Wilt you recant that, or not" To this Philpot answered, " It was the queen's pleasure that we should reason thereof, not by my seeking, but by other men's procuring, in the hearing of the council." After much dispute, when they could not make him yield, Dr. Story called in the keeper of the Lollards-tower, saying, GO Take this man with you to the Lollards-tower, or to the bishop's' coal-house." Then said Philpot, LQ Sir, if I were a dog you could not appoint me a worse and more vile place; but I must be content with whatever injury you offer me. GOD forgive you, and give you more merciful hearts, and show you more mercy in time of need."

After this, he and four others were brought to the keeper's house, in Paternoster-row, where they supped; and after supper he was called up to a chamber, by the archdeacon of LONDON's servant, in his master's name, who offered him a bed for that night. To whom he gave thanks, saying, That it would be a grief to him to he well one night, and the next worse; " wherefore 1 will begin, (said he,) as I am like to continue, to take such part as my fellows do." And with that they were brought to my lord of LONDON's coal-house; unto the which is joined a little blind house, with a great pair of stocks, appointed both for hand and foot; there they found Thomas Whittle, a minister of Essex, a married priest, a man of godly zeal, with one other poor man. And this minister, at Mr. Philpot's coming, desired to speak with him, and greatly lamented his infirmity, for that through extremity of imprisonment he was constrained, by writing, to yield to the bishop of LONDON. Whereupon he was once set at liberty, and afterward felt such a hell in his conscience, that he could scarce refrain from destroying himself, and never could be at quiet till he had gone to the bishop's register, desiring to see his bill again, which as soon as he had received, he tore in pieces; and afterward he was as joyful as any man might be; which, when the bishop understood, he sent for Whittle, and fell upon him like a lion, and buffetted him, so that he made his face black and blue, and plucked away a great part of his beard. " I write this, (says he,) because I desire all men to take heed how they do contrary to their consciences; which is to fall into the pains of hell."

After he had been two nights in the coal-house, he was called before the bishop, who pretended that he had no knowledge before of his being there, for which he was sorry. After some discourse, Bonner said, "You were twenty years ago of another faith than you are now." Philpot answered, "Indeed, my lord, to tell you plainly, I was then nullius fidei, of no faith, a neuter, a wicked liver, neither hot nor cold." " Why, (says Bonner,) do you not think that we have now the true faith" To this Philpot replied, " I desire your LORDSHIP to hold me excused for answering at this time. I al.. sure that GOD’s word, thoroughly with the primitive church, and all the ancient writers, do agree with this faith I am of.',' Then said Bonner, " Well, I promise you I mean you no more hurt, than to mine own person. I will riot therefore burden you with your conscience now. But I marvel that you are so merry in prison as you are, singing and rejoicing, as the prophet says, in your naughtiness. Methinks you do not well herein; you should rather lament and be sorry." Philpot answered, " My lord, the mirth that we make, is but singing certain psalms, according as we are commanded by St. Paul, willing us to be I merry in the Lord, singing together in hymns and psalms:' and I trust your LORDSHIP cannot be displeased with that. We are, my lord, in a (lark comfortless place, therefore it behoveth us to be merry, lest, as Solomon says, sorrowfulness eat up our heart." " Well," says Bonner, "I will trouble you no further now. If I can do you any good, I will be glad to do it for you." After that he was carried to my lord's coal-house again; where, says he, " I with my six fellows, do rouse together as cheerfully, (we thank GOD,) as others do in their beds of down."

October 27, he was examined again, before the bishops of LONDON,' has, Worcester, and Gloucester. Bonner opened the scene with a. flattering speech, and then bade him utter his mind freely. But before he could reply, the bishop of Worcester said, "Before he beginneth to speak, it is best, that he call to GOD for grace, and pray GOD to open his heart, that he may conceive the truth." With that, Mr. Philpot fell down upon his knees before them, and prayed in this manner: "Almighty GOD, who art the giv9r of all wisdom and understanding, I beseech thee of thine infinite goodness and mercy in JESUS CHRIST, to give me, a most vile sinner in thy sight, the spirit of wisdom to speak and make answer in thy cause, that it may be to the content of the hearers; and also to my better understanding, if I be deceived in any thing." Then said Bonner, " Nay, my lord of Worcester, you did not well to exhort him to make any prayer. For this is the thing they have a singular pride in. For in this point they are much like to certain arrant heretics, of whom Pliny makes mention, that did daily sing *,’ Praise unto GOD before dawning of the day."' Philpot replied, " l\ly Lord GOD make me, and all you here, such heretics as those were that sung those morning hymns; for they were right Christians, with whom the tyrants of the world were offended for their welldoing." Then said my lord of has, "Proceed: he has prayed, I cannot tell for what."

Then spoke Bonner thus, " Say on, Mr. Philpot, my lords will gladly hear you." Philpot answered, " I would willingly show my mind; but I am sure it will be laid against me to my prejudice when I cone to judgment." Then replied Dr. Cole, " Why then you may speak by protestation." " But what shall my protestation avail," says Philpot, "in a cause of heresy, as you call it, if I speak otherwise than you will have me, since that which I spoke in the convocation-house, being a place privileged, cannot now help me" "You will be obstinate," says Bonner, "and will not show any cause why you will not come into the unity of the church with us." Philpot replied, "My lords, in that I do not declare my mind, it is, (as I have said,) because I cannot speak without danger of my life. But rather than you shall report me obstinate, I will open unto you somewhat of my mind, or rather the whole; desiring your LORDSHIPs to satisfy me in the same. I will refer all unto one or two articles; or rather to one, which includeth them both; in which if I can by Scripture be satisfied, I shall willingly agree to you in all other points." Then said Bonner, "These heretics come always with their ifs, as this man does now, saying, if he can be satisfied by the Scriptures. Will you promise to be satisfied, if my lords take some pains about you" Philpot answered, “I say, my lords, I will be satisfied by the Scriptures. And I protest here before GOD, and his eternal Son, JESUS CHRIST, my Savior, and the Holy Ghost, and his angels, and you here present, that be judges of what I speak, that I do not stand in any opinion, of willfulness, or singularity, but only upon my conscience, informed by GOD’s word, from which I dare not go for fear of damnation and this is the cause of mine earnestness in this matter. My lords, it is not unknown to you, that the chief cause why you count me, and such as I am, heretics, is, because we are not at unity with your church. You say you are of the true church; and we say, we are of the true church. You say, that whosoever is out of your church, is damned; and we think, that if we depart from the true church, whereon we are grafted in GOD’s word, we should stand in the state of damnation. Wherefore, if your LORDSHIP can bring any better authority for your church than we do for ours, and prove by the Scriptures, that the church of Rome now is the true catholic church; and that all Christian persons ought to be ruled by the same, under pain of damnation; and that the same church has authority to interpret the Scriptures, as it seems her good, and that all men are bound to follow such interpretations, I shall be as conformable to the same church as you may desire me, which otherwise I dare not be: therefore I require you, for GOD’s sake, to.satisfy me in this. It is the thing that I require, and to this I have said I will stand, and refer all other controversies.

" Dr. Cole," says Bonner, “I pray you, say your mind to him." Then said Dr. Cole, " What will you say, if I can prove that it was decreed by an universal council in Athanasius's time, that all the' Christian church should follow the determination of the church of Rome" Philpot answered, " I think you are not able to show any such thing. Athanasius was president of the Nicene council, and there was no such thing decreed, I am sure." Then said Dr. Cole, " Though it were not then, it might be at another time." " But," says Philpot, " I desire to see proof thereof." Then the bishop of Worcester began, It is to be proved most manifestly, by all ancient writers, that the see of Rome has always followed the truth, and never was deceived, till of late certain heretics have defaced the same." " Let that be proved," says Philpot, " and I have done." Worcester replied, " Nay, you are of such arrogancy and vain-glory, that you will not see it, be it never so well proved." Thep said Philpot, " Ha, my lords, is it now time, (think you,) for me to follow vain-glory, since I am now upon danger of life and death; and I know, if I die not in the true faith, I shall die everlastingly: and again I know, if I do not say and do as you would have me, you will kill me and many thousands more; yet had I rather perish at your hands, than to perish eternally. And at this time I have lost all my commodities of this world, and he in a coal-house, where a man would not lay a dog, with which I am well contented."

Dr. Cole then asked, "Are you able to prove that the church of Rome has erred at any time Certain it is, by Eusebius, that the church was established at Rome by Peter and Paul: and that Peter was bishop 25 years at Rome." Philpot replied, " I know well that Eusebius so writeth; but if we compare what St. Paul writes to the Galatians, chap.1, it will manifestly appear, that he was not half so long there. He lived not past 35 years after he was called to be an apostle: and Paul makes mention of his abiding at Jerusalem, after CHRIST's death, more than 13 years." Here Dr. Cole took him up, saying, "What did Peter write to the Galatians" Philpot answered, "No, I say Paul, writing to the Galatians, maketh mention of Peter, and of his abiding at Jerusalem: and further, I am able to prove, both by Eusebius, and other historiographers, that the church of Rome has manifestly erred, and at this present does err, because she agreeth not with that which they wrote." Then spoke Bonner to this effect, " I may compare this man to a certain man, who went into a wood to hang himself, and when he came thither, he went viewing every tree, and could find none on which he might vouchsafe to hang himself. But I pray you, Mr. Doctor, go on with him." The doctor replied, "My lord, there are persons on every side that are better able to answer him, for I love not disputation."

Then said the bishop of Worcester, " Mr. Philpot, you have the spirit of pride, which will not let you yield to the truth: leave it for shame." Philpot answered, " Sir, I am sure I have the spirit of faith, by which I speak at this present; neither am I ashamed to stand to my faith." Then said my lord of Gloucester, " What! do you think yourself better learned, than so many learned men as are here" Philpot answered, "Elijah alone had the truth, when there were 4OO priests against him." "And yet," said Worcester, “I tell thee he was deceived; for he thought there had been none good but himself, when there were 7OOO beside him." Philpot answered, " Yea, but he was not deceived in doctrine, as the other 4OO were." Then- said Worcester, " By my faith you are greatly to blame, that you cannot be content to be of the church." Philpot replied, " My lord, I know Rome, and have been there, where I saw your lordship." " Indeed," says the bishop, " I fled from hence thither. But am sorry you have been there; for the wickedness which you have seen there, peradventure, causes you to do as you do." Philpot answered, "No, my lord, I do not act as I do for that cause; for I, am taught otherwise by the gospel; not altogether to refuse the minister for his evil living, so that he bring sound doctrine out of God's book." Then said Worcester, LQ I am sorry that you should be against the Christian world." Philpot answered,`" The world commonly, and such as are called Christians, have hated the truth, and been enemies to the same." " Why, Mr. Philpot," says Gloucester, "do you think the universal church has erred, and that you only are in the truth" Philpot replied, "The church that you are of was never universal; for two parts of the world, which is Asia and Africa, never consented to the supremacy of the bishop of Rome, as at this day they do not, neither do follow his decrees." Gloucester said, "Yes, in the Florentine council they (lid agree." `' It was said so by false report," answered Philpot, " after they of Asia and Africa were gone home; but it was not so indeed, as the sequel hitherto does prove."

Then Gloucester asked, " I pray you by whom will you be judged in matters of controversy." Philpot answered, "By the word of God. For CHRIST says in St. John, I The word that he spoke shall be judge in the last day."' Then says Gloucester, "What if you take the word one way, and I another way; who shall be judge then" Philpot answered, "The primitive church." " I know you mean the doctors that wrote thereof," says Gloucester:, "I mean'verily so," says Philpot. But says the other, "What if you take the doctors in one sense, and I in another, who shall be judge then" He replied, "Then let that be taken, which is most agreeable to God's word." Then Dr. Cole spoke, " My lords, why do you trouble yourselves to hear him in this matter It is not the thing which is laid to his charge, but his error of the sacrament, and he, to shift himself of that, brought in another matter." Philpot replied, " This is the matter, Air. Cole, to which I have referred all other questions." Then said the bishop of Worcester, " It is a wonder to see how he standeth with a few against a great multitude. You art the arrogantest fellow that ever I knew." Philpot answered, " I pray your lordship to -bear with my hasty speech; for it is part of my corrupt nature to speak somewhat hastily: but for all that, I mean with humility to do my duty to your lordship." " God send you more grace," says Worcester. Philpot replied, "And may God increase the same in you, and open your eyes, that you may see to maintain his truth, and his true church." Then the bishops rose up, and consulted together, and caused a writing to be made; in which " I think, (says he,) my blood was bought and sold, and thereto they put their hands; and I was carried to my coal-house again."

After this he was examined the fifth time, before the bishops of London, Rochester, Coventry, and St. Asaph; Dr. Curtop, Dr. Saverson, Dr. Pendleton, and divers others, in the gallery of my lord of London's palace; concerning the universality of the church of Rome, the pope's supremacy, and the like; all which he confuted. In the close of this examination, after some dispute about the foresaid points, Dr. Saverson said, " I wonder you will stand so steadfast in your error, to your own destruction." Philpot replied, " I am sure we are in no error, by' the promise CHRIST once made; that he would give his true church such a spirit of wisdom, that the adversaries should not be able to resist. Who of your synagogue of Rome could ever answer any of the godly ministers of Germany, who have disclosed your counterfeit religion"

After this Dr. Story came in. To whom Philpot said, ~~ Doctor, you have done me great injury, imprisoning me more like a dog than a man." Story answered, " Was there ever such a fantastical man as this is Nay, he is no man, he is a beast; these heretics are worse than brute beasts; they take upon them to be wiser than all men, being indeed very fools and ass-heads, unable to maintain that, which of an arrogant obstinacy they stand in." "Doctor," said Philpot, "I am content to abide your railing) God forgive it you. Yet I am no heretic. Neither you, -nor any other can prove, that I hold any jot against the word of God." " The Word of God.! (said Story, with a sneer.) Forsooth, the Word of God! Who shall judge of the word whereto you stand" “The word itself," says Philpot. " See the ignorance of this heretic," says Story, "he willeth the word to be judged of the word. Can the word speak Let us hear what wise authority you can bring in" Philpot answered, " It is the saying of CHRIST, I The word which I have spoken, shall judge in the last day.' If the word shall judge in the last day, much more it ought to judge our doings now. I am sure I have my judge on my side, who shall absolve and justify me in another world. And howsoever you unrighteously judge me now, sure I am in another world to judge you." " What," says Story, " you purpose to be a stinking martyr, and to sit in judgment with CHRIST at the last day, to judge the twelve tribes of Israel" Philpot answered, " Yea, sir, I doubt not thereof, having the promise of CHRIST, if I die for righteousness sake, which you have begun to persecute in me." Story answered, " I told you it was but vain to argue with this heretic." " If ye can prove the church of Rome to be the true church," says Philpot, " I will yield." Story replied, " What a fellow is this He will believe nothing but what he himself lists. Are not we in possession of the church Have not our forefathers, these many hundred years taken this church for the catholic church, whereof we are now And if we had none other proof but this, it were sufficient; for the prescription of time maketh a good title in the law." Philpot said; " You do well, Mr. Doctor, to allege prescription of many years; for it is all that you have to show for yourselves. But you must understand, In divinis nulla oc,ncrrit prcescriptio, that prescription has no place in matters belonging to GOD, as I am able to show by the testimony of many doctors." Then said Story, "Fell, sir, you are like to go after your father, Hugh Latimer, the sophister, and Ridley, who had nothing to allege for himself, but that he had learned his heresy of Cranmer. I despatched them; and I tell thee that there:hath been yet never a one burnt, but I have been acause of his despatch." Philpot replied, " You have the more to answer for, doctor, as you shall feel in another world, how much soever you do now triumph in your proceedings." Story answered, " I tell thee, I will never be 'confessed thereof. And because I cannot tarry to speak with my lord, I pray one of you tell him, that my coming was to signify to his lordship, that he must out of hand rid this heretic out of the way." And going away, lie said to him, " I certify thee, that you may thank none other man but me." Philpot replied, " I thank you therefore, and God forgive it you." " What! dost thou thank me" said Story. "If I had thee in my study half an hour, I think I should make thee sing another song." "No, Mr. Doctor," says Philpot, "1 stand upon too sure a ground to be overthrown by you now." Then they all departed away from him, one after another. Afterwards going with his keeper to the coal house, as he went he met with my lord of London, who spoke to him gently, as he had hitherto done, saying, " If there be any pleasure I may spew you in my house, I pray you require it, and you shall have it." " My lord," says he, " the pleasure that I will require of your lordship, is to hasten my judgment which is committed to you, and to despatch me forth of this miserable world, unto my eternal rest. And for all this fair speech, I cannot attain hitherto, either fire or candle, or yet good lodging. But it is good for a man to be brought low in this world, and to be counted amongst the vilest, that he may in time of reward receive exaltation and glory. Therefore praised be GOD, that has humbled me, and given me grace with gladness to be content there with. Let all that love the truth say, Amen!"

His sixth examination was Nov. 6, upon the articles of transubstantiation, and the universality of the church of Rome, to which he would by no means consent. And the seventh, before the bishops of London and Rochester; the chancellor of Litchfield, and Dr. Chedsey, Nov. 19. The bishop of London began thus: " Sirrah, come hither. How chance you came no sooner Is it well done of you to make Mr. Chancellor and me to tarry for you this hour By the faith of my body, half an hour before mass, and half an hour even at mass, looking for your coming." Philpot answered, " My lord, it is not unknown to you that I am a prisoner, and that the doors are shut upon me, and I cannot come when I list; but as soon as the doors of my prison were open, I came immediately." Then said Bonner, " We sent for thee to the intent you should have come to mass. How say you, would you have come to mass or not, if the doors had been opened sooner Answer directly." Philpot said, " Aline answer shall be thus: if your lordship can prove your mass, whereunto you would have me to come, to be the true service of GOD, whereunto a Christian ought to come, I will afterward come with a good will." " Look, I pray you," says Bonner, " the king, the queen, and all the nobility of the realm come to mass, and yet you will not. By my faith, you art too well handled you shall be worse handled hereafter, I warrant thee. You think, because my lord chancellor is gone, (meaning Stephen Gardiner, who in this month died a little before,) that we will burn no more: yes, I warrant thee, I will despatch you shortly, unless you recant." Then said the chancellor, " Cast not yourself wilfully away, Mr. Philpot. Be content to be ruled by my lord here, and by other learned men of this realm, and you may do well enough." Philpot replied, " My conscience beareth me record- that I seek to please GOD, and that the love and fear of God causes me to do as I do: and I were of all other creatures most miserable, if, for mine own will only, I should lose all the commodities I might have in this life, and afterward be cast to damnation.. But I am sure, it is not my will whereon I stand, but God's will; which will not suffer me to be cast away, I am sure." " Nay," says the chancellor, "you are not so sure, but you may be deceived." After this, they had a long disputation upon the old articles, but they could gain no ground of him; wherefore they went their ways, and his keeper took him again to the coal-house.

Nov. 2O, early in the morning, he was brought before the bishop of London, who said to him, "Philpot, I charge you to answer to such articles as my chaplain and my register have from me to object against you; go and answer them." Philpot replied, "My lord, all judgments ought to he public. Therefore if your lordship have any thing to charge me with, let me be in judgment law fully and openly called, and I will answer according to my duty; otherwise in corners I will not." Then said Bonner, "You art a foolish knave, I see well enough. You shall answer whether you wilt or not; go thy ways with them, I say." Philpot answered, I will go with them at your lordship's pleasure; but I will make them no further answers than I have said already." " No," says Bonner, " wilt you not, knave Have him away, and set him in the stocks: what, foolish knave" " Indeed, my lord," says Philpot, "you handle me, with others, like fools: and we must be content to be made fools at your hands. Stocks and violence are your bishop-like arms. You go about by force in corners to oppress, and are ashamed that your doings should come to light. God shorten your cruel kingdom for his mercy's sake." Then he was put into the stocks, in an house alone, separate from his fellows. " God be praised," said he, " that he has thought me worthy to suffer any thing for his name's sake. Better it is to sit in the stocks of this world, than to sit in the stocks of a condemning conscience."

The day after, an hour before day, the bishop of London sent for him again by the keeper, who bade him arise, and come to him. " I wonder what my lord means," said Philpot, " that he sends for me thus early, I fear be will use some violence towards me, wherefore I pray you make him this answer, that if he sends for me by an order of law, I will come and answer; otherwise, since I am not of his diocese, neither is he mine ordinary, I will not, without I be constrained, come unto him." With /this answer the keeper went to the bishop, and immediately returned with two of the bishop's men, saying, that he must come whether he would or not; and therewith one of them took him with force by the arm, and led him up into the bishop's gallery. As soon as the bishop saw him, he said, " What, you art a foolish knave indeed! you wilt not come without you be fetched." Then said Philpot, " I am brought indeed, my lord, by violence unto you, and your cruelty is such, that I am afraid to come before you. I would your lordship would gently proceed against me by law. The bishop replied, " I am blamed of the lords, the bishops, for that I have not despatched thee ere this. And in faith I made suit to my lord cardinal, and to all the convocation-house, that they would hear thee. - And my lord of Lincoln stood up and said, that you wert a frantic fellow, and a man that will have the last word and they say it is meat and drink to you to speak in an open audience. Wherefore I am commanded to take a further order with thee; and, in good faith, if you will not relent, I will make no farther delay. Marry, if you wilt be conformable, I will yet forgive thee all that is past, and you shall have no hurt for any thing that is already spoken." Philpot replied, " My lord, I have answered you already in this behalf. And as for the report of Mr. White, bishop of Lincoln, I care not; who is known to be mine enemy, for that I being archdeacon did excommunicate him for preaching naughty doctrine.

If CHRIST, my master, was called a madman, it is no wonder you count me frantic." Then the bishop asked, " Hadst you not a pig brought to thee the other day with a knife in it Wherefore was it, I pray thee, but to kill thyself Or, as it is told me, (marry I am counselled to take heed of thee,) to kill me But I fear thee not. I trove I am able to tread thee under my feet; do the best you can." Philpot replied, "My lord, I cannot deny but that there was a knife in the pig's belly that was brought me; but who put it in, or for what purpose, I know not, unless it were because he that sent the meat thought I was without a knife. But your lordship need not fear, for I was never without a knife since I came to prison. And touching your own person, you would live long if you should live until I go about to kill you. And I confess by violence your lordship is able to overcome me." Then said the bishop, " I charge thee to answer to mine articles.' Then a book was held to him, and the bishop proceeded, "You shall swear to answer truly to all such articles as I shall demand of thee." Philpot answered, " I will first know your lordship to be my ordinary, before I swear." " What," says the bishop, "we shall have an anabaptist of you, which thinketh it not lawful to swear before a judge." "My lord," says Philpot, " I think it lawful to swear before a competent judge, being lawfully required. But I refuse to swear in these causes before your lordship, because you are not mine ordinary." The bishop replied, " I am thine ordinary, and here do pronounce by sentence peremptory, that I am thine ordinary. (Here he called in more -to bear witness.) And I make thee, (taking one of his servants by the arm,) -to be my notary. And now hearken to my articles:- to which (when he had read them,) he admonished him to make answer, and said to the keeper, " Fetch me his fellows, and I shall make them to be witnesses against him."

In the mean time came in one of the sheriffs of London, whom the bishop (calling for two chairs,) placed by him, saying, " Mr. Sheriff, I would you should understand how I proceed against this man. Mr. Sheriff, you shall hear what articles this man does maintain." He then read a rabblement of feigned articles: That he should deny baptism; that he denied fasting and prayer, and all other good deeds; and maintained bare faith to be sufficient to salvation. At this Philpot said, " Ha, my lord, have you nothing of truth to charge me with, but you must feign these blasphemous lies against me You might as well have said, I had killed your father. The Scriptures say, `That God will destroy all men that speak lies.' And is not your lordship ashamed to say before this worshipful gentleman, that I maintain these abominable blasphemies Which if I did maintain, I were well worthy to be counted an heretic." The bishop then replied, " I do object them unto thee, to hear what you wilt say, and how you can purge tl*aelf of them." Then said Philpot, " It was not justly said of your lordship, that I did maintain them, since I hold none of these articles you have read." Then the bishop demanded, " How sayest thou Wilt you answer to them or not" Philpot answered, "I will first know you to be mine ordinary, and that you may lawfully charge me with such things, and then being lawfully called in judgment, I will skew my mind, and not otherwise."

Well then," says the bishop, " I will make thy fellows to be witnesses herein against thee. Where arc they " says he to the keeper. " They are here, my lord," replied the keeper. " Come hither, sirs," says he, "you shall swear that you will say the truth of all such articles as you shall be demanded of concerning this man here present, who is a very naughty man; and take you heed of him that he does not deceive you, as I am afraid he does you much hurt, and strengtheneth you in your errors." The prisoners answered, " My lord, we will not swear, except we know whereto: we can accuse him of no evil; we have been but a small while acquainted with him." Then said Philpot, “I wonder your lordship, knowing the law, will go about, contrary to the same, to have infamous persons to be witnesses; for your lordship takes them to be heretics, and by the law an heretic cannot be a witness." "Yes," says he, "one heretic may be against another. And, Mr. Sheriff, I will make one of them witness against another." The prisoners replied, "No, my lord." "No!" says he. " I will make you swear, whether you will or not. I ween they are anabaptists, Mr. Sheriff, they think it not lawful to swear." " Yes," says Philpot, " we think it lawful for a man to swear, judicially called thereto, but not in a blind corner." " Why then," says the bishop, " seeing you will not swear against your fellow, you shall swear for yourselves; and I do here, in the presence of Mr. Sheriff, object the same articles unto you, as I have done unto him, and do require you to answer particularly unto every one of them before my register and some of my chaplains." The prisoners replied, " My lord, we will not accuse ourselves; if any man can lay any thing against us, we are ready to answer; otherwise we pray your lordship not to burden us; for some of us are here, we know no just cause why." Then said lie, " Mr. Sheriff, I will trouble you no longer with these froward men." And so he rose up, and was going away.. And as he went, Philpot said, " Mr. Sheriff, I pray you. record how ray'lord-proccedeth against us in corners, without all order of law, having no just cause to lay against us." After this they were all commanded to be put in the stocks, where they sat from morning till night, and the keeper at night, upon favor, let Philpot out.

The Sunday after this the bishop and Philpot had another private conference. Coming into the coal-house by night with the keeper, he viewed the place, and said he was never there before. After supper, between eight and nine o'clock, he sent for Philpot, saying, "Sir, I have a great displeasure of the queen and the council for keeping you so long, and letting you have so much liberty; and besides that, you strengthen the other prisoners in their errors; I will therefore sequester you from them, and you shall do no more hurt, and I will despatch you out of hand, as I am commanded, unless you will conform." Philpot replied, "My lord, you have my body in your custody; you may transport it whither you please; I am content. And I wish you would make quick expedition in my. judgment. I long for it. And as for conformity, I am ready to yield to all truth, if any can bring better than I know. But my belief must not hang upon men's sayings, without sure authority of God's word, which if any can skew me, I will be pliant to the same; otherwise I cannot go from my certain faith, to that which is uncertain." The bishop then asked, " Have you then the truth only 2" Philpot answered, " My lord, I will speak my mind freely unto you,. and upon no malice I bear you before God. You have not the truth, neither are you of the church of God; but you persecute both the truth and the true church of God; for which cause you cannot prosper long. You see God does not prosper your doings according to your expectations. He has of late showed his just judgment against one of your greatest actors; bishop Gardiner, who died miserably. I envy not your authority. You that have learning, should know best how to rule. And seeing God has restored you to your dignity again, use the same to God's glory, and to the setting forth of his true religion; otherwise it will not continue, do what you can." At this the bishop was confounded; at length; recovering himself,' he replied, " That good man was punished for such as you art." Then calling the keeper, he commanded that all men should be kept from Philpot, and that he should be narrowly searched.

Afterwards he was led through St. Paul's up to the Lollard's-Tower, and after that turned along all the west side of St. Paul's, through the wall, and passing through six or seven doors, came to his lodgings through many straits; where, he called to remembrance, that I strait is the way to heaven.' It was in a tower right on the other side of Lollard's-'bower, almost as high as the battlements, eight foot broad, and thirteen long, and almost over the prison where he was before, having a window opening towards the east, by which one may look over the tops of a great many houses, but see no man passing into them. When he was come to his place, the keeper plucked off his gown, and searched him very narrowly, and took away his pens, inkhorn, girdle and knife: but he had warning a little before of his removing, and thereupon made an errand to the stool, where, sore against his will, he cast away many a sweet and friendly letter; but what he had written of his last examination before, he thrust into his hose.

After this he was examined the eighth time, before the bishop of London, the bishop of St. David's, Mr. Mordant, and others, in the bishop's chapel. Here the bishop of London objected divers articles against him; which done, he said, "Now, sir, you shall answer but two words, whether you will answer to these articles which I have laid unto you, directly, yea, or nay.." Philpot replied, "My lord, you have told a long tale against me, containing many lying blasphemies, which cannot be answered in two words. Besides this; you promised me at the beginning, that I should say what I could for my defense;, and now you will not give me leave to speak. I thank GOD, I have patience to hear and abide all your cruel intents against me.- Notwithstanding, I speak this earnestly, being moved thereto justly, to notify your unjust and cruel dealing with men in corners, without all due- order of law." After this, at night, he was conducted again by three or four into the coal-house.

The next day he was called down betimes by his keeper, and brought again into the wardrobe, where he was examined the ninth time before bishop Bonner and his chaplains, upon the sacrifice of the mass. To which his final answer was, "Are you not ashamed to make so many alterations of the Lord's holy institution, as you do, and to take away the substantial parts of the sacrament; as; I Take ye, eat ye, drink ye all of this: Do ye this in remembrance of me.' And to place in their room, Hear ye, gaze ye, worship ye, offer ye, sacrifice ye for the quick and the dead If this be not blasphemy to God and his sacraments, to add and pluck away in this sort, and that contrary to the mind of all ancient writers, and contrary to the example of CHRIST and all his apostles; tell me To which Mr. Harpsfield replied, "I know you have gathered the sayings of the doctors together, which make for your purpose: I will talk no longer with you." Then said Philpot,."I pray God open our hearts to do more his will than we have done in times past." Then the keeper was called to take him away. The next day, after dinner, he was brought before the bishop and his register, Dr. Chedsey and others, to be examined the tenth time; still harping upon the same vile string, the mass. But all their noise could neither charm nor affright him from his steadfastness.

Philpot was again examined on St.Andrew's-day, before the bishops of Durham, Chichester, has, and London, the prolocutor, Mr. Christopherson , and Dr. Chedsey, Mr. Morgan of Oxford, Mr. Hussey, scribe of the Arches; Dr. Weston, Dr. Harpsfield, archdeacon; Mr. Cosins, and Mr. Johnson, register to the bishop of London, in his palace. The bishop of London began thus, "My lords, I shall desire you to take some pains with this man, he is a gentleman, and I would he should do well." The bishop of Durham said, "Mr. Philpot, will you be of the same Catholic faith and church with us you were baptized in It is a pity but you should do well." Philpot replied, "I am of the same Catholic faith and Catholic church I was baptized unto; and in that I will live and die." Then said the bishop, "That is well said; if you hold there, you cannot but do well." Then spike Chichester, "Yea, my lord, but he meaneth otherwise than you do. Are you of the same faith your godfathers and godmothers were, or not" Philpot answered,'" 1, cannot tell what faith they were of certainly; but I:am of the faith I was baptized unto, which is the faith of CHRIST.; for I was not baptized in the faith of my godfathers, but in the faith of CHRIST." Then said my lord of Durham,, "How say you; will you believe as we do, and all the learned of the realm, or not; and be of one church with us" Philpot answered, "My lords, it is not unknown to you, that, there have been always two churches." Then said Chichester, "Nay, that is not so.: there is but one Catholic church." “I shall desire your lordships," says Philpot, "to take my meaning; for I know there is but one true church: but always from the beginning there has been joined to the same true church a false church, adversary to the true; and that was declared at the first in Abel and Cain, who persecuted and slew his brother." "I will grant you," says Chichester, "before the coming of CHRIST, there were two churches in the old law; but in the new law, since CHRIST's coming, you cannot show it to be so." "Yes, my lord," says Philpot, "that I can, if you will give me leave. After CHRIST had chosen his twelve apostles, was there not a Judas in the new law, and a Simon Magus and were not they of the false church" To which my lord of Durham replied, "The church in the Scripture is likened to a great fisher's net, which contained in it both good fishes and bad fishes. I trust you will be of the better sort, and lean to the truth." "My lord," says Philpot, "it is my whole desire now to follow that which is good, whatsoever I have done- in times past, and to cleave to God's truth." Then said my lord of Durham, "Do you so, and then you shall do well."

He was then for going, but the bishop of London said, "Nay, my lord of Durham, I must desire your lordship, and my lord. of Chichester, to tarry a little while. I have earnest matters to charge this man withal. First, I lay to him here, that he has written in a Bible, which I took from him, this erroneous saying, I The Holy Ghost is CHRIST's vicar on earth."' Then, turning to Mr. Philpot, he said, " Wilt you abide by this saying of thine" He replied, "My lord, it is not my saying; it is the saying of St. Bernard; and a saying that I need not to be ashamed of, neither you to be offended at." Then said Bonner, "To help this, I' find moreover written with his own hand," in another book, I In me, John Philpot, where sin did abound, grace has superabounded." Philpot replied, " My lord, you need not be offended with that saying more than with the other, for it is the saying of St. Paul himself, and I did apply it to myself for my comfort, knowing, that though my sins be huge and great in the sight of GOD, yet is his mercy and grace above them all." Bonner went on, "Also I lay to thy charge, that you killedst thy father, and was accursed of thy mother at her death."' To which Mr. Philpot answered, " If any of there can be proved, I will promise here to recant at Paul's-Cross, what you will have me." The bishop of London -then proceeded, "My lord, here is a letter which I shall desire your lordship to hear before you go. This man (being in my keeping) has taken upon him to write letters out of prison, and to pervert a young gentleman, called Mr. Green, in my house, (call him hither,) and has made a false report of his examination. Art not you ashamed to write such shameful letters" Then calling Mr. Green, he said, "Come hither, Mr. Green; did not I show you this letter" "Yes, forsooth, my lord, you showed it me." Then said Bonner, "How think you, my lords, is not this an honest man, to belie me" - Philpot replied, " Your lordship does mistake all things. This letter (as your lordship may perceive, and all others that have heard the same,) was not written by me, but by a friend of mine, certifying me how Mr. Green sped at the bishop of London's hands." Then said Bonner, "Tell me who wrote it, if you dare." "No, my lord," says Philpot, " it is not my duty to accuse my friend; and especially seeing you will take all things at the worst. Neither shall you know of me who wrote it. Your lordship may see in the end of the letter, that my friend wrote unto me upon the occasion of my appeal, which I have made to the whole parliament-house, about such matters as I am wrongfully troubled for." Then Bonner, turning to the other bishops, said, "My lords, I have used him with much gentleness since he came to me. How sayest You, (says he to Philpot,) have I not" Philpot answered, " If to he in the vilest prison in this town, (being a gentleman, and an archdeacon,) and in a coal-house for five or six weeks, without fire or candle, is to be counted gentleness, I must needs says, I have found gentleness. Never were men so cruelly handled as we are." Then said Bonner, "Lo, what a varlet is this Besides this, my lords, even yesterday he procured his man to bring a bladder of black powder; I cannot tell for what purpose." Philpot replied, "Your lordship needeth not to mistrust the matter: it is nothing but to make ink with, as I had it before in the king's-bench, when my keeper took away my inkhorn."

Then Bonner proceeded to accuse him thus: "More than this, my lords, he caused a pig to be roasted, and made a knife to be put between the skin and the flesh, for what purpose judge you. How sagest You, didst you not so" Philpot answered, "There was a pig sent me, and under the same a knife, but for no ill purpose, that I know. It was not to kill myself, nor any other, as you would make men believe. All these are but false surmises, and not worth rehearsal." The bishop went on: " I have here to lay to his charge (chiefest of all,) his book of the Report of the Disputation had in the Convocation-house, which is the rankest heresy that may be against the blessed sacrament of the altar. How say you, Dr. Weston P Did he maintain the same there stubbornly, or not" Weston answered, "Yes, my lord, that he did, and would never be answered." Again (says Bonner,) " I pray you, my lords, hearken what he writes of himself; I read it over this morning, and made a note of it. He says, that Dr. Weston called him frantic, and madman, and said, he should go to Bedlam." Philpot answered, " Indeed, my lord, so it pleased Dr. Weston to say; but yet I was no whit the more so, for all his sayings, than CHRIST was when the scribes and Pharisees said he was mad, and that he was possessed of a devil." At this the bishop of Durham, Dr. Weston, Mr. Hussey, and the bishop of Chichester, departed.

Then Mr. Christopherson disputed against him, and after some dispute, he said, "It is but folly to dispute with you, you will believe no man but yourself." Philpot said, "I will believe you, or any other learned man, if you can bring any thing worthy to be believed. You cannot win me with vain words. Before GOD, there is no truth in you; except the article of the Trinity, you are corrupt in all other things." Then Mr. Morgan took him up: "What say you, do we not believe well on the sacrament" Philpot answered, "It is the thing which (amongst all other) you do most abuse." "Wherein, I pray you tell us," says Morgan. Philpot answered, "To touch but one of the least abuses, you minister it not in both kinds, but keep the one half from the people, contrary to CHRIST's institution." Then said Christopherson , " Why, is not there as much contained in one kind as in both And what need is it then to minister in both kinds" "I believe not so," says Philpot; "for if it had, CHRIST would have given but one kind only; for he instituted nothing superfluous; and therefore you cannot say that the whole effect of the sacrament is as well in one kind as in both, since the Scripture teacheth otherwise." To this replied Christopherson , "What if I can prove it by Scripture, that we may minister it in one kind The apostles did so; as it is written that they continued ` in prayers and in breaking of bread;' which is meant of the sacrament." Philpot answered, "Mr. Doctor, do you know that St. Luke, by making mention of breaking of bread, mcaneth the whole use of the sacrament, according to the whole institution, by a figure, which you have learned in grammar, synecdoche, where part is mentioned, and the whole understood" Then answered Christopherson again, " Nay, that is not so; for I can she'v it you out of Eusebius, that there was a man that sent the sacrament in one kind by a boy, to one that was sick." "If it were so," says Philpot, "does it follow that all men may do the like St. Cyprian noteth many abuses of the sacrament in his time, which arose upon singular men's examples, as using of water instead of wine: wherefore he says, I Non respiciendum quid aliquis ante nos fecerit, sed quid CHRISTus qui omnium primus ante nos fecerit et mandavit;' that is,’ We must not look what any man has done before us, but what CHRIST first of all did and commanded.' "

Then said Morgan, " How say you to the presence of the sacrament Will you stand to the judgment of your book, or will you recant" Philpot said, " I know you go about to catch me in words. If you can prove that book to be of my setting forth, lay it to my charge when I come to judgment. But this I will say to you by the way, that if you can prove the sacrament of the mass (as you now use it,) to be a sacrament, I will then grant you a presence." Morgan cried out, " Ho! do you doubt that it is a sacrament" "Yea," says Philpot, " I am past doubting, for I believe you can never be able to prove it a sacrament." Then said Christopherson , "Good Lord, does not St. Augustine call it the sacrament of the altar How say you to that" Philpot replied, "That maketh nothing for the probation of your sacrament. For be, with other ancient writers, calls the holy communion so, in respect that it is the sacrament of the sacrifice, which CHRIST offered upon the altar of the cross, which sacrifice all the altars and sacrifices in the old law did prefigure, which pertaineth nothing to your sacrament flanging upon your altars of lime and stone. "After these things, the bishop gave Mr. Green the book of his disputation in the Convocation-house, and afterwards went aside, communing with Christopherson , leaving Morgan, Harpsfield, and Cosins, to reason with Philpot, in’ the hearing of Green. Then said Morgan,

" Mr. Philpot, I would ask you how old your religion is" Philpot replied, "It is older than yours by a thousand years, and more." - Morgan then asked, "I pray

where was, it fifty years ago" Philpot answered, " It was in Germany, apparent by the testimony of Hus, Jerome of Prague, and Wickliffe, whom your generation,

an hundred years ago and more, burnt for preaching the truth to you; and before their time, and since has been, although under persecution." Then said Morgan, "That is a wonder that so many learned men should be deceived." Philpot replied, "It was no wonder with St. Paul; for he says, `That not many wise, neither many learned after the world, be called to the knowledge of the gospel."' Then demanded Morgan, "Have you then alone the Spirit of GOD, and not we" Philpot answered, "I say not that I alone have the Spirit of God; but as many as abide in the true faith of CHRIST, have the Spirit of God as well as 1:" "How know you," said Morgan, "that you have the Spirit of God" Philpot answered, "By the faith of CHRIST which is in me." "Why then I tell thee, Philpot," says Morgan, "you art an heretic, and shall be burned for thine heresy; and afterwards go to hell-fire." “I tell thee," says he, " that I care not this for thy fire and faggots; neither, I thank God my Lord, stand I in fear of the same: my faith in CHRIST shall overcome them. But the hell-fire with which you threatenest me, is thy portion, and prepared for thee, (unless you speedily repent,) and for such hypocrites as you art." Then Harpsfield began, " I have heard you both a good while reason together, and I never heard so stout an heretic as you are, Mr. Philpot." " Nor I," says Cosins, "in all my life." Philpot replied, "You are not able to prove me an heretic, by one jot of God's Word." Then said Harpsfield, "You have the spirit of arrogancy, I will reason with you no more." And so he was departing, and Cosins also.

Then the bishop and Christopherson came in again, and said, "Mr. Doctor, how does this man and you agree" Christopherson replied, " My lord, it is but folly to reason with him any further; your lordship will but lose time, for he is incurable." Then the bishop called him aside, and said, "I pray thee, in good sadness, What meanest You, by writing in the beginning of thy Bible, `The Spirit is the Vicar of CHRIST on the card- O" I wist you have some special meaning thereof." Philpot answered, "My lord, I have no other meaning than as I have told you already, that CHRIST, since his ascension, worketh all things in us by his Spirit, and his Spirit does dwell in us.

I pray you, my lord, let me have my Bible, with other lawful books and writings which you have of mine; many of them are none of mine, but lent me by my friends." "Your Bible," says Bonner, "you shall not have; but I will perhaps let you have another; and after I have perused the rest, you shall have such as I think good."

Then said Philpot, "1 pray your lordship, that you would let me have candle-light, for the nights are long, and I would fain employ myself about something, and not spend my time so idly." "Can you not say your Paternoster," says Bonner, "without a candle I tell you, Sir, you shall have some meat and drink of me, but candles you get none." Philpot replied, "I had rather have a candle than your meat and drink: but seeing you will riot grant my request, the Lord shall be my light"'

Then said Chedsey, " I am sorry you will so willfully "gist away yourself, whereas you might live worshipfully, do you not think others have souls to be saved, as well as you have" Philpot replied, "Every man shall receive according to his works. I am sure you are deceived, and maintain a false religion: and as for my casting away

myself, I would my burning-day were to-morrow, for this delay is every day to die, and yet not to be dead."

Then said Chedsey, "You are not like to die yet, I can tell you." Philpot replied, “I am the more sorry for it: but the will of God be done, to his glory. Amen."

On Wednesday, the 4th of December, he was examined again, before the bishops of London, Worcester, and Bangor, on nearly the same points; but neither could

they bring him to grant them any thing. Wherefore his opponents swore and raged shamefully. On Thursday, November 5, he was called in the morning before the archbishop of York, the bishops of Chichester, has, and London. The bishop of Chichester; being first come, began to talk with him thus: " I am come, of good will, to talk with you, to instruct you what I can to come to the Catholic church, and to will you to instruct your judgment, and to learn of others that are better learned than you." He was answered thus by Philpot, "We must all be taught of God; and I will inform me by God's Word. I confess I have but little learning, in respect of you, that both of your years and great exercise do excel therein; but faith consisteth not only in learning, but in simplicity of believing that which God's Word teacheth. Therefore I will be glad to hear, both of your lordship and of any other, the true doctrine thereof." Then said Chichester, "You take the first alleged amiss, as though all men should be taught by inspirations, and not learning. How do we believe the Gospel, but by the authority of the church" Philpot answered, "St. Paul says, I He learned not the gospel by men, neither of men, but by the revelation of JESUS CHRIST.' Which is a plain proof that the gospel taketh not its authority of man, but of God only." " St. Paul speaketh but of his own knowledge, how he came thereto," says Chichester. "Nay," says Philpot, "he spcaketh of the gospel generally;’which cometh not from man, but from God; and the church must only teach that which cometh from GOD, and not man's precepts." Chichester replied, "both not St. Augustine say, ` I would not believe the gospel, if the authority of the church did not move me thereto.' " “I grant," said Philpot, " the authority of the church does move unbelievers to believe r but yet the church giveth not the word its authority; for the word has its authority only from GOD, and not of men. For, first, the word has its being before the church; and the word is the foundation of the church; and the foundation is first sure, before the building thereon can be steadfast." Then said Chichester, " I perceive you mistake me, I speak of the knowledge of the gospel, and not of the authority; by the church we have all knowledge of the gospel." Philpot replied, “I confess that; for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word: And I acknowledge that God appointeth an ordi

nary means for men to come unto this knowledge."

Here came in the archbishops of York and the bishop of has, and after they had saluted one another, and communed a while together, the archbishop of York called him unto them, saying, " Sir, we hearing that you are out of the way, are come of charity to inform you, and to bring you into the true faith, and Catholic church, willing you first to be humble and willing to learn of your betters, or else we can do no good with you. And God says, by his prophet, `On whom shall I rest, but on the humble and meek, and such as tremble at my word"' Philpot answered, "I know that humility is the door whereby we enter unto CHRIST, and I thank his goodness I have entered in at the same unto him, and with all humility will hear whatsoever truth you shall speak unto me." Then the archbishop of York demanded, "Is the church visible, or invisible" He replied, "It is both visible and invisible. The invisible church is of the elect of God only; the visible consists both of good and bad." "The church," said the archbishop, "is an universal congregation of faithful people in CHRIST through the world; which this word Catholic does express; for what is catholic Does it not signify universal" Philpot answered, "St. Austin says, `The church is therefore called catholic, because it is throughly perfect, and halteth in nothing.' "Nay," said York, "it is called Catholic, because it is universally received of all nations." Philpot replied, "The church was catholic in the apostles' time, yet was it not universally received; but because their doctrine, which they had received of CHRIST, was perfect, and appointed to be received of the whole world. " St, Austin, writing against the Donatists, (says York,) proves the Catholic church by two points, universality and succession of bishops. Now thus I will make mine argument: The church of Rome is universal, and has her succession of bishops from time to time: Therefore it is the Catholic church. How answer you to this argument" He replied, " My lord, I have weighed that argument before now, and I perceive it maketh nothing against me; for I will stand to the trial of St. Austin, for the approbation of the Catholic church, whereof 1:, am. For St. Austin speaketh of universality joined with verity, and of faithful successors of Peter, before corruption calve into the church."

Then Chichester spoke, "If you will not have the church to be certain, I pray you, by whom will you he judged in swatters of controversies" Philpot said, " I

do not deny the church to be certain; but I deny that it is necessarily tied to any place, longer than it abideth in the Word; and for all controversies, the Word ought to be judge." " But what if I take it one way," says the bishop, "and you another, how then" Philpot replied, " St. Austin showqh a remedy for that, and willeth, `Quod unus locus per plura intelligi debat;' That one place of the Scripture ought to be understood by the more." Then York said again, " How answer you to this argument Rome has known succession of bishops, which your church has not; therefore that is the Catholic church, and your's is not, because no succession can be proved in your church." Philpot answered, " I deny, my lord, that succession of bishops is an infallible point to know the church by: for there may be a succession of bishops known in a place, and yet there be no church; as at Antioch and Jerusalem, and in other places, where the apostles abode, as well as at Rome. But if you put to the succession of bishops succession of doctrine withal, (as St. Austin doth,).I will grant it to be a good proof for the Catholic church; but a local succession only, is nothing,- available." Then York said, " You will have no church" "Yes, my lord," says he," I acknowledge the catholic church, as I am bound by my creed; but I cannot acknowledge a false church for the true." " Why, is there two catholic churches, then" says Chichester. "No," says he, "there is but one catholic church; but there have been, and are at this present, that take upon them the name of CHRIST, and of his church, which are not so indeed; as it is written, `There be they that call themselves apostles, and are not so indeed, but the synagogue of SATAN and liars.'

Then said Chichester, "I see, my lords, we do but lose our labors to reason with him; he accounts himself better learned than we." Philpot replied, " I take upon me the name of no learning. I boast of no knowledge, but of faith in CHRIST, and that I am bound undoubtedly to know, as I am sure l do." Chichester said,

heretics take upon them to be sure of all things they stand in. You should say rather, with humility, I trust I know CHRIST, than that you be sure thereof." Philpot answered, "Let him doubt of his faith that listeth; God gives me always grace to be sure of true faith and favor in CHRIST." In the mean time, my lord of York was turning his book for places to help forth his cause. " I have found at length," says he, "a very notable place, which I have looked for all this while, of St. Augustine, De simplicitate credendi. I will read it, and so make an end." After he had read the sentence, he said, “that by four special points here, St. Augustine proves the Catholic church. The first is, By the consent of all nations; the second, By the apostolic see; the third, By universality; and the fourth, By this word, Catholic." Philpot

said, "I pray you, my lord, of what church does St. Augustine write the same, of Rome, or not" York replied, "Does he not make mention hereof the apostolic see P whereby he meaneth Rome."

Philpot, "is very straitly interpreted, my lord, as though the apostolic see had been no where else but at Rome. But let it be Rome, and yet you shall never verify the same, unless all other conditions do go therewith; whereof none, except the apostolic see, can now be verified of the church of Rome. For the faith which that see now maintaineth has not the consent of all nations, neither hath had. Besides, it cannot have the name of catholic, because it differeth from the catholic churches which the apostles planted, almost in all things."

Then said the archbishop, "I perceive you are an obstinate man in your opinion, and will not be taught; wherefore it is but lost labor to talk with you any longer; you are a member to be cut off." To which Chichester subjoined, "You art as impudent a fellow as I have communed withal." Philpot replied, "That is spoken uncharitably, my lord, to blaspheme him whom: you cannot justly reprove." "Why," says Chichester, "you art not God: blasphemy is counted a rebuke to

God-ward, and not to man." "Yes," says Philpot, "it may be as well spoken of an infamy to man, speaking in God's cause, as you now lay unto me, for speaking freely the truth before GOD, to maintain your vain religion. You are void of all good ground. I perceive you are blind guides, and leaders of the blind; and therefore (as I am bound to tell you,) very hypocrites, tyrannically persecuting the truth, which otherwise by just order you are by no means able to convince. Your own doctors, and testimonies which you bring, are evidently against you, and yet you will not see the truth. Then Chichester said, "Have we these thanks for our good-will, coming to instruct thee" Philpot answered, "My lords, you must bear with me, since I speak in CHRIST's cause, and because his glory is defaced, and his people cruelly and wrongfully slain by you, because they will not con-sent to the dishonor of God with you; if I told you not your fault, it would be required at my hands in the day of judgment. Therefore know you, ye hypocrites indeed, that it is the Spirit of God that tells you your sin, and not I: I care not, I thank GOD, for all your cruelty. God forgive you, and give you grace to repent." Thus they departed.

He was divers other times examined, both openly at St. Paul's, and also secretly in the bishop's house; yet what was there said is not sufficiently known, either because Philpot was not himself suffered to write, or else for that his writings are not brought forth otherwise than as the-bishop's register has noted, from whose handling of such matters little light can be gathered, especially in the behalf of the answerer. Bishop Bonner having sufficiently taken his pleasure with Mr. Philpot in private talk, and seeing his zealous, learned, and immutable constancy, thought it now high time to rid his hands of him; and therefore on the 14th day of December, sitting judicially in the consistory at St. Paul's,. he caused him to be brought thither before him, as it seems more for order's sake, than for any good affection to justice and right judgment. The bishop then labored to persuade him to recant; but in vain. So on Monday, December 16, Philpot being there presented before the bishops of London, has, Worcester, and Litchfield, spoke thus: " I am sorry to see you sit in the place that you now sit in, pretending to execute justice, and to do nothing less but deceive all men in this realm." Then, turning himself to the people, he said, "Oh, all you gentlemen, beware of these men, (meaning the bishops,) and all their doings, which are contrary unto the primitive church. And I would know of you, my lord, by what authority you proceed against me." "Because I am bishop of London," says he. Philpot replied, "Well, then you are not my bishop, nor have I offended in your diocese. And, moreover, I have appealed from you, and therefore, by your own law, you ought not to proceed against me; especially being brought hither from another place by violence. My lord, is it not enough for you to worry your own sheep, but you must also meddle with other men's" Then the bishop delivered two books to Philpot, one of the civil, and the other of the canon law; out of which he would have proved that he had authority to proceed against him in such sort as he did. Philpot then perusing the same, said, "I perceive your law and divinity is all one; for you have knowledge in neither of them; and I would you did know your own ignorance; but ye dance in a net, and think no man seeth you." All the bishops then asked him, " With what can you charge us" Philpot replied, "You are enemies to all truth, and a14 your doings be nought, full of idolatry, saving the article of the Trinity."

Whilst they were thus debating the matter, there came thither sir William Garret, knight, mayor of London, Sir Martin Bowes, knight, and Thomas Leigh, sheriff of the city, and sat down with the bishops in the said consistory; at which time Bonner spoke as followetli, " Philpot, among others, I have to charge you specially with three things. First, you have fallen from the unity of CHRIST's catholic church. The second is, That you have blasphemously spoken against the sacrifice of the mass, calling it idolatry, and abomination. And thirdly, That you have spoken against the sacrament of the altar, denying the real presence of CHRIST's body and blood in the same." This being spoken, the bishop recited unto him a certain exhortation in English, promising him mercy, if he would recant. Which being ended, Philpot turned himself to the lord mayor, and said, " I am glad to stand before that authority that has defended the gospel and truth of God's Word; but I am sorry to see that that authority which representeth the king and queen's persons, should now be at the commandment of antiCHRIST. Ye (speaking to the bishops,) pretend to be the followers of CHRIST, and yet be the very antiCHRISTs and deceivers of the people; and I am glad that God has given me power to stand here this day, and to declare and defend my faith, which is founded on CHRIST.

"Therefore, as touching your first objection, I say, that I am of the catholic church; and that your church, the church of Rome, is the Babylonical, and not the catholic church; of that church I am not.-As touching your second objection, which is, that I speak against the mass,-I have not spoken against the true sacrifice; but your sacrifice, daily reiterated, is a blasphemy against CHRIST's death, and is a he of your own invention. And that abominable sacrifice which ye set upon the altar, and use in your private masses, instead of the living sacrifice, is idolatry, and ye shall never prove it by God's Word. Thirdly, where you lay to my charge that I deny the body and blood of CHRIST to be in the sacrament of the altar,-I cannot tell what altar ye mean; whether it be the altar of the cross, or the altar of stone: if ye call it the sacrament of the altar in respect of the altar of stone, then I defy your CHRIST, for it is a rotten CHRIST. And as touching your transubstantiation, I utterly deny it, for it was brought up first by a pope. Now, as concerning your offer made from the synod, which is gathered together in antichrist ’s name, prove me that to be of th* catholic churchy and I will follow you, and do as you would have me to do. But ye are idolaters, and daily commit idolatry. Ye be also traitors; for in your pulpits you rail against good king Henry, and king Edward, which hare stood against the usurped power of the bishop of Rome; against whom also I have taken an oath, which if ye can show me by God's law that I have taken unjustly, I will then yield unto you. But I pray God turn the king,and queen's hearts from your synagogue, for. you do abuse that good queen."

After this they had a great conference together, as well out of the Scriptures as out of the doctors. But when Bnner saw that they were not able to confute Philpot, turning himself to the lord mayor,, he said> " My lord, this man had a roasted pig brought to him, and this knife Was sent him therewith; and also this powder was sent to him; which when I saw^ I thought it had been gunpowder, and put fire to it, bat it would not burn; then I took it for poison, and so gave it to a dog, but it was not so: then I took a little water, and it made as fair ink as ever I did write withal. Therefore, my lord,- you may see what a naughty fellow this is." "Ah, my ford," says Philpot, "have you nothing to charge me with but these trifles, seeing I stand upon life and death Does the knife in the pig prove the church of Rome to be the catholic church" .

In the end, Bonner, seeing his unmorable steadfastness in the truth, did pronounce openly the sentence of condemnation against him. And as be was about the midst of the sentence, the bishop of has pulled him by the sleeve, and said, " My lord, my lord, know of him first whether he will recant, or not," Then Bonner said, "O, let him alone." And so read out the sentence. When he had done> he delivered him to the sheriffs, and two officers brought him through the bishop's house into-Paternoster-Row, and there his servant met him, and when he saw him, he said, " Ah, dear master!" Then Philpot said to him, "Content thyself, I shall do well enough; for you shall see me again." The officers then thrust him away, and had his master to Newgate; and as he went, he said to the people, "Ah, good people, blessed be God for this day." The officers having delivered him to the keeper, his man thrust to go in after his master, whereupon one of the officers said to him, " Hence fellow, what wouldst you have" He said, "I would speak with my master." Then Mr. Philpot turned about, and said, to him, " To-morrow you shall speak with me."

Then the under-keeper suffered his servant to go in with him, and they were together turned into a little chamber. When Alexander the chief keeper came, he greeted him with these words,," Ah! have you done well to bring thyself hither" " Well," said Philpot, " I shall desire you to let me have your favor, for you and I have been of old acquaintance." He said, "If you will recant, 1 -will show you any pleasure I can." "Nay," says Philpot, "I will never recant, whilst I haw my life, that which I have spoken, for it is most certain truth; and in witness hereof, I will seal it with my blood." Then Alexander said, " This is the saying of the whole pack of you heretics." Whereupon he commanded him to be set upon the blocV, and as many irons put upon his legs as he would bear. Then the clerk told Alexander that Philpot had given his servant money, The servant answered, " He has given me none; only a token or two to send to his brother and sisters." "Ah," said Alexander to Philpot, "you art a maintainer of heretics." "Nay," said he, "I send it to my friends. But, good Mr. Alexander, be so much my friend that these irons may be taken off." "Well," said Alexander, "give me my fees, and I will take them off." Then said Philpot, " Sir, what is your fee" He said, " Four pounds." " Ah," said Philpot, " I have not so much; I am but a poor man, and I have been long in prison." " What wilt you give me, then, said Alexander" "Sir," said he, "I will give you twenty shillings, and that I will send my man for; or else I will send my gown to gage; for the time is not long (I am sure) that I shall be with you; for. the bishop said unto me, that I should soon be despatched." Then said Alexander, "What is that to me" And with that he departed, commanding him to be removed, which was done; but before he could be taken from the block, the clerk would have his fee too.

Then one Witterence, steward of the house, took him on his back and carried him down, his man knew not whither. Wherefore he said to his man, "Go to the sheriff, and tell him how I am used." So his servant went straightway and took an honest man with him. When they came to sheriff Macham, and told him how Philpot was handled in Newgate, he took his ring from his finger, and delivered it to the man that came with Philpot's servant, and bade him go to Alexander the keeper, and command him to take off his irons, and to use him more gently, and to give his man again that which he had taken from him. And when they came again to Alexander, and told their message from the sheriff, Alexander took the ring, and said, "Ah, I perceive that the sheriff is a bearer with him, and all such heretics as he is; therefore to-morrow I will show it to his betters." Yet at ten o'clock he went into the room where Philpot lay, took off his irons, and returned the things he had taken from his servant.

On Tuesday, the 17th of December, 1555, as they were at supper, there came a messenger from the sheriffs, and bade Philpot make himself ready, for the next day he . was to suffer. He answered, "I am ready; God grant me strength and a joyful resurrection." And so he went into his chamber, and poured out his spirit unto the Lord GOD, giving him most heai ty thanks that he had made him worthy to suffer for his truth. About eight o'clock next morning the sheriffs came, and called for him, and he came joyfully down to them. And there his servant met him, and said, "Ah, dear master, farewell." His master said unto him, " Serve GOD, and he will help thee." And so he went with the sheriffs to the place of execution; and when he was entering into Smithfield, the way was foul, and two officers took him up to bear him to the stake. Then he said, merrily, "What, will ye make me a pope I am content to go to my journey's end on foot." But first coming into Smithfield, he kneeled down there, saying these words, "I will pay my vows in thee, O Smithfield!" And when he was come to the place of suffering, he kissed the stake, and said, " Shall I disdain to suffer at this stake, seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer a most vile death upon the cross for me" And then he said the 1O6th, 1O7th, and 1O8th psalms: and when he had made an end of all his prayers, he said to the officers, " What have you dbne for me" And every one of them declared what they had done, and he gave them money. Then they bound him to the stake, where, in the midst of the flames, he yielded his soul into the hands of God; and, like a lamb, gave up his breath, his’ body being consumed to ashes.