to scorn.' Then was I commanded to stand aside." Then came to me Dr. Cox, Henry and Dr. Robinson. In conclusion, we could not agree. Then they made me a bill of the sacrament, willing me to set my hand thereunto; but I would not. Then, on the Sunday, I was sore sick, thinking no less than to die therefore I desired to speak with Master Latimer, but it would not be. Then was I sent to Newgate in my extremity of sickness; for in all my life afore I was never in such pain. Thus the Lord strengthen us in the truth. Pray, pray, pray! The Confession of me Anne Askew, for the time I was in Newgate, concerning my belief. VIII. A. D. 1546. the Scrip I find in the Scripture, that Christ took the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take, eat, this is my body which shall be broken for you;' meaning in substance, his own very body, the bread being thereof an only sign or sacrament. For, after like manner of speaking, he said he would break down As the temple, and in three days build it up again, signifying his own body by the Christ's body is temple, as St. John declareth it, and not the stony temple itself. So that the called the bread is but a remembrance of his death, or a sacrament of thanksgiving for it, temple in whereby we are knit unto him by a communion of christian love; although the there be many that cannot perceive the true meaning thereof: for the veil that is the Moses put over his face before the children of Israel, that they should not see bread the clearness thereof, I perceive the same veil remaineth to this day. But Christ's when God shall take it away, then shall these blind men see. For it is plainly body. expressed in the history of Bel in the Bible, that, God dwelleth in nothing material. O king,' saith Daniel, 'be not deceived;5 for God will be in nothing that is made with hands of men. 'Oh! what stiff-necked people are these, that will always resist the Holy Ghost. But, as their fathers have done, so do they, because they have stony hearts." Written by me, Anne Askew, that neither wish death, nor yet fear 'Truth is laid in prison." The law is turned to wormwood.'s can no right judgment go forth." And there 'Oh! forgive us all our sins, and receive us graciously.' 'As for the works of our hands, we will no more call upon them; for it is thou, Lord, that art our God. Thou showest ever mercy unto the fatherless.' Oh! if they would do this,' saith the Lord, I should heal their sores, yea with all my heart would I love them.' 'O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols any more?' Whoso is wise, shall understand this; and he that is rightly instructed will regard it, for the ways of the Lord are righteous. Such as are godly, will walk in them; and as for the wicked, they will stumble at them.'10 'Solomon,' saith St. Stephen, builded a house for the God of Jacob. Howbeit, the Highest of all dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as saith the prophet, Heaven is my seat, and earth is my footstool. What house will ye build for me, saith the Lord? or what place is it that I shall rest in? Hath not my hand made all things?'11 Woman, believe me,' saith Christ to the Samaritan, 'the time is at hand, that ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye wot not what; but we know what we worship: for salvation cometh of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and is now, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and verity.'12 (1) Psalm ii. 7. 2) The following passage is omitted by Foxe, but is given by John Bale:-"Then came Master Paget to me with many glorious words, and desired me to speak my mind unto him: I might, he said, deny it again if need were. I said that I would not deny the truth. He asked me, how I could avoid the very words of Christ, Take, eat, this is my body which shall be broken for you?' I answered that Christ's meaning was there as in these other places of the Scripture. I am the door;' 'Behold the Lamb of God;' The rock-stone was Christ;' as well as others. Ye may not here, said I, take Christ for the material thing that he is signified by; for these ye will make him a very door, a vine, a lamb, a stone; clean contrary to the Holy Ghost's meaning. All these do signify Christ, like as the bread doth signify his body in that place. And though he did say there, 'Take, eat this in remembrance of me; yet did he not bid them hang up that bread in a box and make it a god, or bow to it." The song which Anne Askew sang at her death, is given by Bale, and will be found in the appendix.-ED. (3) John ii. 21. (6) Acts vii. 51. (10) Hosea xiv. 9. (4) Exod. xxxiv. 35; 2 Cor. iii. 13. (7) Luke xxi. 7. (8) Amos v. 7. (11) Isa. lxvi. 1; Acts vii. 48. (5) Bel and the Dragon, 7. (12) John iv. 21. called Henry 'Labour not,' saith Christ, for the meat that perisheth, but for that that VIII. endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of man shall give you: for him hath God the Father sealed."1 A. D. 1546. the sacra- The sum of the Condemnation of me Anne Askew at the Guildhall. They said to me there, that I was a heretic, and condemned by the law, if I would stand in my opinion. I answered, that I was no heretic, neither yet The sub- deserved I any death by the law of God. But, as concerning the faith which stance of I uttered and wrote to the council, I would not, I said, deny it, because I knew it true. Then would they needs know, if I would deny the sacrament to be Christ's body and blood. I said, 'Yea: for the same Son of God that was born of the Virgin Mary, is now glorious in heaven, and will come again from thence at the latter day like as he went up. And as for that ye call your God, it is a piece of bread. For a more proof thereof (mark it when you list,) let it but lie in the box three months, and it will be mouldy, and so turn to nothing that is good. Whereupon I am persuaded that it cannot be God.' Her belief After that, they willed me to have a priest; and then I smiled. Then they asked me, if it were not good; I said, I would confess my faults unto God, for I was sure that he would hear me with favour. And so we were condemned by a quest.3 My belief which I wrote to the council was this: That the sacramental concern- bread was left us to be received with thanksgiving, in remembrance of Christ's ing the death, the only remedy of our soul's recovery; and that thereby we also receive the whole benefits and fruits of his most glorious passion. sacrament. Her belief Then would they needs know, whether the bread in the box were God or no: I said, 'God is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in spirit and truth.' Then they demanded, Will you plainly deny Christ to be in the sacrament?' I answered, that I believe faithfully the eternal Son of God not to dwell there; in witness whereof I recited again the history of Bel, Dan. xix., Acts vii. and xvii., and Matt. xxiv., concluding thus: 'I neither wish death, nor yet fear his might; God have the praise thereof with thanks.' My Letter sent to the Lord Chancellor. The Lord God, by whom all creatures have their being, bless you with the light of his knowledge. Amen. My duty to your lordship remembered, &c.: It might please you to accept this my bold suit, as the suit of one who, upon due consideration, is moved to the same, and hopeth to obtain. My request to your lordship, is only that it may please the same to be a mean for me to the king's majesty, that his grace may be certified of these few lines which I have written concerning my belief, which when it shall be truly conferred with the hard judgment given me for the same, I think his grace shall well perceive me to be weighed in an uneven pair of balances. But I remit my matter and cause to Almighty God, who rightly judgeth all secrets. And thus I commend your lordship to the ance of him, and fellowship of all saints, Amen. govern By your handmaid, Anne Askew. My Faith briefly written to the King's Grace. I, Anne Askew, of good memory, although God hath given me the bread of touching adversity, and the water of trouble, yet not so much as my sins have deserved, ment. desire this to be known unto your grace, that, forasmuch as I am by the law the sacra condemned for an evil doer, here I take heaven and earth to record, that I (1) John vi. 27. (2) Acts i. 11. (3) Without a jury.-ED. (5) Bel and the Dragon, 7. (4) John iv. 24. THE CRUEL HANDLING AND RACKING OF ANNE ASKEW AFTER The Effect of my Examination and Handling since my Departure On Tuesday I was sent from Newgate to the sign of the Crown, where Master Rich, and the bishop of London, with all their power and flattering words went about to persuade me from God: but I did not esteem their glosing pretences. Then came there to me Nicholas Shaxton, and counselled me to recant as he had done. I said to him, that it had been good for him never to have been born; with many other like words. Henry A. D. 1546. Askew Then Master Rich sent me to the Tower, where I remained till three o'clock. Then came Rich and one of the council,1 charging me upon my obedi- Anne ence, to show unto them, if I knew any man or woman of my sect. My answer urged to was, that I knew none. Then they asked me of my lady of Suffolk, my lady of accuse Sussex, my lady of Hertford, my lady Denny, and my lady Fitzwilliam. To others. whom I answered, if I should pronounce any thing against them, that I were not able to prove it. Then said they unto me, that the king was informed that I could name, if I would, a great number of my sect. I answered, that the king was as well deceived in that behalf, as dissembled with in other matters. Then commanded they me to show how I was maintained in the compter, and who willed me to stick to my opinion. I said, that there was no creature that therein did strengthen me: and as for the help that I had in the compter, it was by means of my maid. For as she went abroad in the streets, she made moan to the prentices, and they, by her, did send me money; but who they were I never knew. any. Then they said that there were divers gentlewomen that gave me money: Refuseth but I knew not their names. Then they said that there were divers to accuse ladies that had sent me money. I answered, that there was a man in a blue coat who delivered me ten shillings, and said that my lady of Hertford sent it me; and another in a violet coat gave me eight shillings, and said my lady Denny sent it me: whether it were true or no, I cannot tell; for I am not sure who sent it me, but as the maid did say. Then they said, there were of the council that did maintain me: and I said, No. Then they did put me on the rack, because I confessed no ladies or gentle- Put on women to be of my opinion, and thereon they kept me a long time; and the rack. because I lay still, and did not cry, my lord chancellor and Master Rich took pains to rack me with their own hands, till I was nigh dead. Then the lieutenant caused me to be loosed from the rack. Incontinently I swooned, and then they recovered me again. After that I sat two long hours reasoning with my lord chancellor upon the bare floor; where he, with many Anne Asflattering words, persuaded me to leave my opinion. But my Lord God (I thank kew conhis everlasting goodness), gave me grace to persevere, and will do, I hope, to her faith. the very end. stant in kew Then was I brought to a house, and laid in a bed, with as weary and painful Anne Asbones as ever had patient Job; I thank my Lord God there-for. Then my lord threatenchancellor sent me word, if I would leave my opinion, I should want nothing: ed to be if I would not, I should forthwith to Newgate, and so be burned. I sent him burned. again word, that I would rather die, than break my faith. Thus the Lord open the eyes of their blind hearts, that the truth may take place. Farewell, dear friend, and pray, pray, pray! of her Touching the order of her racking in the Tower thus it was; first The order she was let down into a dungeon, where sir Anthony Knevet, the racking. lieutenant, commanded his jailor to pinch her with the rack. Which being done as much as he thought sufficient, he went about to take her down, supposing that he had done enough. But Wriothesley, the VIII. Henry chancellor, not contented that she was loosed so soon, confessing nothing, commanded the lieutenant to strain her on the rack again : A. D. which because he denied to do, tendering the weakness of the woman, 1546. he was threatened therefore grievously of the said Wriothesley, saying, ley and Rich tormen tors. Wriothesley prevented by that he would signify his disobedience unto the king. And so conWriothes- sequently upon the same, he and Master Rich, throwing off their gowns, would needs play the tormentors themselves; first asking her, play the if she were with child. To whom she answering again, said, “Ye shall not need to spare for that, but do your wills And upon me." so, quietly and patiently praying unto the Lord, she abode their tyranny, till her bones and joints were almost plucked asunder, in such sort as she was carried away in a chair. When the racking was past, Wriothesley and his fellow took their horse towards the court. In the mean time, while they were making their way by land, the good lieutenant, eftsoons taking boat, sped him to the court in the lieu- all haste to speak with the king before the others, and so did; who there making his humble suit to the king, desired his pardon, and showed him the whole matter as it stood, and of the racking of Mistress Askew, and how he was threatened by the lord chancellor, because, at his commandment, not knowing his highness's pleasure, he refused to rack her; which he, for compassion, could not find in his heart to do, and therefore humbly craved his highness's pardon. The lieu- Which when the king had understood, he seemed not very well to pardoned like of their so extreme handling of the woman, and also granted to the lieutenant his pardon, willing him to return and see to his charge. tenant. tenant by the king. Great expectation was in the mean season among the warders and other officers of the Tower, waiting for his return; whom when they saw come so cheerfully, declaring unto them how he had sped with the king, they were not a little joyous, and gave thanks to God there-for. Anne Askew's Answer unto John Lacel's Letter. O friend, most dearly beloved in God! I marvel not a little what should move you to judge in me so slender a faith as to fear death, which is the end of all misery. In the Lord I desire you not to believe of me such wickedness: for I doubt it not, but God will perform his work in me, like as he hath begun. I understand the council is not a little displeased, that it should be reported abroad that I was racked in the Tower. They say now, that what they did there was but to fear me; whereby I perceive they are ashamed of their uncomely doings, and fear much lest the king's majesty should have information thereof; wherefore they would no man to noise it. Well! their cruelty God forgive them. Your heart in Christ Jesu. Farewell and pray. The Purgation or Answer of Anne Askew, against the false Surmises of her Recantation. Anne I have read the process which is reported of them that know not the truth, Askew to be my recantation. But, as the Lord liveth, I never meant a thing less than falsely suspected to recant. Notwithstanding this I confess, that in my first troubles I was exto recant. amined of the bishop of London about the sacrament. Yet had they no grant of my mouth but this: that I believed therein as the word of God did bind me to believe. More had they never of me. Then he made a copy, which is now in print, and required me to set thereunto my hand; but I refused it. Then my two sureties did will me in no wise to stick thereat, for it was no great matter, they said. Then with much ado, at the last I wrote thus: 'I, Anne Askew, do believe this, if God's word do agree to the same, and the true catholic church.' Then VIII. the bishop, being in great displeasure with me because I made doubts in my Henry writing, commanded me to prison, where I was awhile; but afterwards, by means of friends, I came out again. Here is the truth of that matter. And as concerning the thing that ye covet most to know, resort to Jolm vi., and be ruled always thereby. Thus fare ye well quoth Anne Askew. The Confession of the Faith which Anne Askew made in Newgate, before she suffered. I, Anne Askew, of good memory, although my merciful Father hath given me the bread of adversity, and the water of trouble, yet not so much as my sins have deserved, do confess myself here a sinner before the throne of his heavenly Majesty, desiring his forgiveness and mercy. And forasmuch as I am by the law unrighteously condemned for an evil doer concerning opinions, I take the same most merciful God of mine, who hath made both heaven and earth, to record, that I hold no opinions contrary to his most holy word. And I trust in my merciful Lord, who is the giver of all grace, that he will graciously assist me against all evil opinions which are contrary to his blessed verity. For I take him to witness, that I have done, and will, unto my life's end, utterly abhor them to the uttermost of my power. A. D. 1546. cause why she But this is the heresy which they report me to hold: that after the priest The mat hath spoken the words of consecration, there remaineth bread still. They both ter and say, and also teach it for a necessary article of faith, that after those words be once spoken, there remaineth no bread, but even the self-same body that hung suffered upon the cross on Good Friday, both flesh, blood, and bone. To this belief of death. theirs say I, nay. For then were our common creed false, which saith, that he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from thence shall come to judge the quick and the dead. Lo, this is the heresy that I hold, and for it must suffer the death. But as touching the holy and blessed supper of the Lord, I believe it to be a most necessary remembrance of his glorious sufferings and death. Moreover, I believe as much therein as my eternal and only Redeemer Jesus Christ would, I should believe. suflicient Finally, I believe all those Scriptures to be true, which he hath confirmed Scripture with his most precious blood. Yea, and as St. Paul saith, those Scriptures are to our salsufficient for our learning and salvation, that Christ hath left here with us; vation. so that I believe we need no unwritten verities to rule his church with. Therefore look, what he hath said unto me with his own mouth in his holy gospel, that have I, with God's grace, closed up in my heart, and my full trust is, as David saith, that it shall be a lantern to my footsteps.1 falsely re There be some do say, that I deny the eucharist or sacrament of thanks- Anne giving; but those people do untruly report of me. For I both say and believe Askew it, that if it were ordered like as Christ instituted it and left it, a most singular ported to comfort it were unto us all. But as concerning your mass, as it is now used in deny the our days, I do say and believe it to be the most abominable idol that is in the holy euworld for my God will not be eaten with teeth, neither yet dieth he again. And upon these words that I have now spoken, will I suffer death. A Prayer of Anne Askew. O Lord! I have more enemies now, than there be hairs on my head: yet Lord, let them never overcome me with vain words, but fight thou, Lord, in my stead; for on thee cast I my care. With all the spite they can imagine, they fall upon me, who am thy poor creature. Yet, sweet Lord, let me not set by them that are against me; for in thee is my whole delight. And, Lord, I heartily desire of thee, that thou wilt of thy most merciful goodness forgive them that violence which they do, and have done, unto me. Open also thou their blind hearts, that they may hereafter do that thing in thy sight, which is only acceptable before thee, and to set forth thy verity aright, without all vain fantasies of sinful men. So be it, O Lord, so be it! (1) Psalm cxix. 105. By me, Anne Askew. 'charist. |