of eight years after till his dying day he was not able to turn himself in his bed but as two men with a sheet were fain to stir him and withall such an insatiable devouring came upon him that it was monstrous to see And thus continued he the space of eight years together This godly Eradfoord and Heavenly Martyr during the time of his imprisonment wrote sundry comfortable Treatises and many godly Letters of which some he wrote to the City of London Cambridge Walden to Lancashire and Chasshire and diverse to his privat friends and to his mother brethren and sisters Bradfoord was a godly and learned man while he was in prison he teached twise a day continually unlesse sickness hindered him where also he ministred the Sacrament often Preaching Reading and Praying was all his whole life and he was in great credit with his Keeper that he might go out and in when he pleased He counted that hour not well spent wherein he did not some good either with his Pen Study or in exhorting of others c. He was had in great reverence and admiration with all good men that a multitude that never knew him but by fame greatly lamented his death yea and a nâ—mber of the Papists themselves wished heartily his life In his Letter to his mother he disswades her from the Masse and tells her the difference betwixt the Lords Supper and the Masse The Supper was ordained to be received of us in the memoriall of his death for the confirmation of our faith that his body was broken for us and his blood shed for pardon of our sins But in the Masse there is no receiving but the Priest keepeth all to himself alone Christ saith Take eat no saith the Priest Gape peep There is a sacrificing yea killing of Christ again as much as they may there is Idolatry in worshipping the outward sign of Bread and Wine here is all in Latine yea cannnot tell what he saith To conclude there is nothing as God ordained wherefore my good mother come not at it In mortem Johannis Bradfordi constamissimi Martyris Discipulo nulli supra liâ—et esse Magistrum Quique Deo serrit tristia multa ferret Corripit omniporens natum quem diligit omnem Ad Coelum stricta est difficilisque via Has Bradforde tuo dum condis pectore voces Non hominum rigidas terribilesque minas Sed nec blanditias non vim nic vincula curas Tradis accensae membra cremanda pyrae There were at this time also two Ministers Rland and Frankish Sheterden and Midletoun burnt at Cauterbury at two severall Stakes but all in one fire together where they in the sight of God and of his Angels and before men like true Souldiers of Jesus Christ gave a constant testimony of the truth of his Gospel Sheterden wrot sundry Letters from the prison in Westgate and one to his mother before his execution to whom he gives warning to beware of the great idolatry and blasphemous Masse O let not that be your God which Myce and Worms can devour behold I call Heaven and Earth to record that that it is no God yea the fire that consumeth it and that moistnesse that cauâ—eth it to mould and I take Christs Testament to witness that it is none of his Ordinances but a meer invention of men and a snare to catch innocents blood and now that God hes shewed it unto you bewarned in time O give over all customes and become new in the truth what state soever your fathers be in leave that to God and let us follow the counsell of his Word Thomas Jueson Carpentar being earnestly travelled with all to recant said in this wise I would not recant and forsake my opinion and belief for all the goods in London I do appeal to Gods mercy and will be none of your Church nor submit my self to the same and that I have said I will say again and if there came an Angel from heaven to teach me any other doctrine then that which I am in now I would not believe him Which answer thus made he was condemned as an heretick and committed to the secular power and burned at Chicesher persuing him in his constant faith unto the end Among many that travelled in these troublesome days to keep a good conscience there was one James Ables a young man which through compulsion of the tyranny then used was inforced to his part with his brethren in wandring and going from place to place to avoid the peâ—il of apprehending but when time came that the Lord had another work to do for him he was caught by the hands of wicked men and brought before the Bishop of Norwich Doctor Hopton who examining him of his Religion and charging him therewith very sore both with threats and fair speach at the last the said poor James did yeeld and resented to their naughty perswasions although his conscience consent not thereto Now when he was dismissed and should go from the Bishop the Bishop calling him again gave him a piece of money which when the said James had received and was gone from the Bishop his conscience began to throb and inwardly to accuse his fact how he had displeased the Lord by consenting to their beastly illusions In which combat with himself being pitteously vexed he went immediatly to the Bishop again and there threw him his said money which he had received at his hand and said it repented him that ever he gave his consent to the wicked perswasions and that he gave his consent to the taking of his money Now this being done the Bishop with his Chaplaines did labour a fresh to win him again but in vain for the said James Abbes would not yeeld for none of them all although he had played Peter before through infirmity but stood manfully to his Masters quarrel to the end and above the force of the fire to the consuming of his body into ashes which tyrany of burning was done in Berie Mâ—ster John Denly at Uxbridg was burnt for the testimony of the truth being set in the fire with the burning flamme about him he sang in it a Psalm Then cruell Doctor Story being there present commanded one of the toâ—mentors to huâ—le a Faggot at him whereupon being hurt therewith upon the face that he bled again he left his singing and clapt his hands upon his face truly quoth Doctor Story to him that hurled the Faggot thou hast marred a good old song The said John Denly being yet still in the flame of the fire put his hands abroad and sang again yeelding at the last his spirit into the hands of God through his Son Jesus Christ There was six godly Martyrs burnt at one fire at Canterbury for the testimony of the Truth Elizabeth Narne widow that was one of them that was burnt at Stafford bow nigh unto London her husband was burnt before for the profession of the truth in the month of May last by past the
about this time a blind boy named Thomas Drowrie put to death at Glochesâ—er in his examination besides Doctor Williams then Chancellor of Glocester amongst other Articles he urged the Article to Transubstantiation saying dost thou not believe that after the words of Consecration spoken by the Priest there remaineth the very real body of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar the blind Boy answered that I do not Then â—aid he then thou art an Heretick and shall be burned but who hath taught thee this heresie Ye Mâ—ster Chancellor when and where did I teach so when ye preached naming the day a Sermon to all men as well as to me upon the Sacrament Ye said the Sacrament was to be received spiritually by faith not carnally and really as the Papists have therefore taught Then said the Chancellordâ— as I have done and thou shalt live as I do and escape burning Then said the Boy though ye can so easily dispense with your self mock with God the world and your consciâ—nce yet will I not so do then said the Chancellor God have mercy upon thee for I will read the condemnatorie sentence against thee Gods will be done said he The Register being herewiâ—h somewhat moved stood up said to the Chancellor Fye foâ— shâ—me man will ye read the sentence against him and condemn your self away away and substitute some other to give sentence and judgement No said the Chancellor to the Register I ill obey the Law and give sentence my self according to mine office and so he read the sentence condemnatory against the Boy with an unhappy tongue and more an unhappy conscience delievering him over to the Secular power So he was bâ—ought to the fire burnt who constantly suffered for the defence of the truth There were burned at one fire at Stratford the Bow by London eleven men and women whole dwellings were in sundry places in Essex the eleven men were tyed to three Stakes the two women looâ—e in the midst without any Stake and so were all burnt with such love to each others and constancy in our Saviour Christ that it made all the beholders to marvel The Sheriff that attended upon them came to the one part and told them that the other had recanted and their lives theâ—efore should be saved willing and exhorting them to do the like and not to cast away themselves Unto whom they answered that their faith was not builded upon man but on Christ crucified Then the Sheriâ—ff perceiving no good â—o be done with them went to the other part and said like a liar the like to thâ—m that they whom he had been with before had recanted and should therefore not suffer death counselling them to do the like and not wilfully to kill themselves but to play the wise men c. Unto whom they answered as their brethren had done before that their faith was not builded on man but on Christ and his sure word The Martyrdome of a learned and vertuous young man called Julius Palmer some time Fellow of the Magdalen Colâ—edge in Oxford burned at Newberie This young man in all King Edwâ—rds daies when the Gospel was preached professed was a Papist within the University of Oxford and so obstinat that he did utterly abhorre all godly prayer and sincere preaching and almost of all them with whom he lived was therefore likewise abhorred and as I may say pointed at with the finger yet did after in Queen Mariâ—s time when the Gospel was surpressed and the Masse let up suffer most cruel death so the Lord does call when and whom it pleases him according to his good will and pleasure and animats and strengthens them to give their life for his cause When Palmer came to the fire and two other with him they fell all three to the ground and Palmer with an audible voice pronounced the 31. Psalm but the other two made their Prayers secretly to Almighty God And as Palmer began to arise there came behind him two popish Priests exhorting him yet to recant and save his soul Palmer answered and said away away tempt me no longer away I say from mee all ye that work iniquity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my tears and so forthwith they put off their rayment and went to the Stake and kissed it and when they were bound to the Post Palmer said good people Pray for us that we may persevere unto the end and for Christs sake beware of Popish teachers for they deceive you As he spake this a servant of one of the Bailiffs threw a Fâ—ggot at his face that the blood gushed out in diverse places for the which fact the Sheriff reviled him calling him cruel tormenter and with his walking staffe brake his head that the blood ran about his ears And when the fire was kindled and began to take hold upon their bodies they lift their hands towards Heaven and quietly and chearfully as though they had felt no smart they cryed Lord Jesus strengthen us Lord Jesus asist us Lord Jesus receive our souls And â—o they continued without any strugling holding up their hands and knocking their hearts and called upon Jesus untill they had ended their mortal lives Among other things this is also to be noted that after their three heads by force of the raging and devouring flames of fire were fallen together in a plump or cluster which was marvelous to behold and that they all were judged already to have given up the ghost suddenly Palmer as a man awaked out of sleep moved his tongue and jaws and was heard to pronounce this word Jesu So being resolved into ashes he yeelded to God as joyfull a soul confirmed with the sweet promises of Christ as any one that ever was called beside to fuffer for his blessed Name The Martyrdome of three women with a young infant burned to wit the mother her two daughters and the child in the Isle of Garnsey for Christs true Religion the year of our Lord 1556. Among all the Martyrdomes of this Book rehearsed there is none almost either in cruelty to be compared or so far off from all compassion and sense of humanity as this mercilesse fact of the Papists done upon these women their challenge was for not coming to the Church Upon rash information given before their cause was tried was condemned and ordained â—o be burnt foâ— Hereticks and notwithstanding that these three women were willing to be conformed to the Queens ordinances were condemned they made their appeal to the Queen but could not be heard One of the women being great with child by the vehemency of the flame the infant being a fair man child fell into the fire and eftsoones being taken out of the fire by one standing by and was laid upon the grasse then was the child had to the Provest and from him to the Bayliff who gave censure that it should be carried back again and cast into the fire and so was the child
spread in further Realms and Countries the one part called of Luther Lutherians the other having the name of Sacramentaries Notwithstanding in this one unity of opinion both the Lutherians and Sacramentaries do accord and agree that the Bread and Wine there present is not transubstantiat unto the Body and Blood of Christ as said but is a true Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ Many conflicts he had with the Pope his Cardinals and Clergy and notwithstanding their furie and rage and plots against him and the great power of his adversaries the Emperor and the King of Spain and other Potentats yet they could not prevail against him God keeping and defending him that they could not bereave him of his life but died peaceably in his own country where he was born teaching and preaching Christ the space of 29 years Many dangers he escaped especially these two which are not to be passed by wherein appears the great providence of God toward him First when a certain Jew by his enemies was appointed to come to destroy him by poyson yet was it so the will of God that Luther had warning thereof before and the face of the Jew sent to him by picture whereby he knew him and avoided the perill Another time as he was sitting in a certain place upon his stool a great stone there was in the Voult over his head where he did sit which being stayed miraculously so long as he was sitting assoon as hee was up immediatly fell upon the place where hee sate able to have crushed him all in pieces if it had light upon him And what should I speak of his prayers which were so ardent unto Christ that as Melancton writes they which stood under his window where he stood praying might see his tears falling and dropping down Again with such power he prayed that he as himself confesseth had obtained of the Lord that so long as he lived the Pope should not prevail in his country After his death said he let them pray who could Again it is reported of him that a young man about Wittemberge who being kept bare and needy by his Father was tempted by way of Sorcery to bargain with the Devill or a familiar as they call him to yeeld himself body and soul into the Devils power upon condition to have his wish satisfied with money so that upon the same an Obligation was made by the young man written with his own blood and given to the Devill Upon the sudain wealth and alteration of this young man the matter first being noted began afterward more and more to be suspsuspected and at length after long and great admiration was brought unto Martin Luther to be examined the young man whether for shame or fear long denyed to confesse and would bee known of nothing yet God so wrought being stronger then the Devil that he uttered unto Luther the whole substance of the case as well touching the money as the Obligation Luther understanding the matter and pittying the lamentable estate of the man willed the whole congregation to pray and he himself ceased not with his prayer to labour so that the Devill was compelled at the last to throw in his Obligation at the window and bade him take it again unto him And as he was mighty in his prayers so in his â—â—â—mons God gave him such a grace that when like preached they which heard him thought every one his own temptations severally to bee noted and touched Whereof when signification was given unto him by his friends and he demanded how that could bee my own manifold temptation said he and experiences are the causes thereof For Luther from his tender years was much broken and exercised with severall conflicts for he confessed that he was afflicted and vexed with all kind of temptations saving only one which was with covetousnesse With this vice he was never said he in all his life to be troubled nor once tempted Pope Leo the tenth of that name bare an irreconciliable heatred unto the Gospel of the Kingdom of God which he persecuted in the person of Luther and many others for as one day the Cardinal Bembo uttered before him a certain thing drawn from the Gospel he answered him mocking It hath ever sufficiently been known what profit that sable of Jesus hath brought us and our company O execrable blasphemy Luther died in the year of our Lord 1546. being 63. years of age The Prayer of Luther at his death was this My Heavenly Father eternall and merciful God thou bath manif sted unto me thy dâ—ar Son our Lord â—esus Christ I have taught him I have known him I love him as my life my health and my redemption whom the wicked have persecuted maligned and with injury afflicted draw my soul to thee After this he said as ensueth thrise I commend my spirit into thy hands thou hast redeemed me O God of truth God so loved the World that he gave his only Son that all these that believe in him should have life everlasting Joh. 3. The Martyres of GERMANY MAny after the death of Luther were troubled for their Religion some tost from place to place same exiled out of the Land for fear some cauâ—ed to abjure some driven to Caves in Woods some racked with torment and some pursued to death with fagot and fire And because we cannot name all that were persecuted and put to death for their Religion we shall name some few of the choisest And first there were two young men burnt at Bruxlies the one named Henry Voes being of the age of twenty four years and the other Iohn Esh which before had been of the order of the Augustine Friers for that they would not retreat and deny their Doctrine of the Gospel which the Papists call Lutheranisme As they were led to the place of Execution they went joyfully and merrily making continually protestations that they died for the glory of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel believing and following the holy Church of the Son of God saying also that it was the day which they had long desired After they were come to the place where they should be burned and were dispoyled of their garments they tarried a great space in their shirts and joyfully embraced the Stake that they should be bound to patiently and joyfully enduring whatsoever was done unto them praising God with Te Deum laudamus and singing Psalms and rehearsing the Creed in testimony of their death One of them seeing that fire was kindled at his feet said me thinks ye do straw Rose under my feet finally the smoak and the flame mounting up to their face choaked them The next year after the burning of these two young men before rehearsed was Henry Sutphen put to death by the conspiracy of the Monks and Friers without all order of judgement or just condemnation about the City of Diethmar in the borders of Germany in the year 1524. they resolved to take him by
Prince of Navar. To this pretended Marriage it was divised that all the chiesest Protestants or France should be invited and meet in Paris being met and conveened that same night of the Marriage Souldiours were appointed in diverse places of the City to be ready at a watch-word to break in into the Protestants houses at which watch-word given they brust out to the slaughter of the Protestants first beginning with the Admirall who was slain in his bed and thrown out at a window into the street where his head being first striken off and embalmed with Spices to be sent to the Pope At this time there was slain in three dayes above ten thousand Men and Women old and young of all sorts and conditions yea and slew all the Protestants they knew or could find within the city Gates inclosed So great was the rage of the Heathenish persecution that not only the Protestants but also certain whom they thought indifferent Papists they put to the sword in steed of Protestants In the number of them that were slâ—â—n of the more learned sort was Petrus Ramus Lumbinus and others And not only within the Walls of Paris was this uproar contained but extended further into other Cities and quarters of the Realm especially Lyons Orleance Tholous and Roan In which Cities it is almost incredible nor scarlely ever heard of in any Nation what cruelty was shewed what numbers of good Mâ—n were destroyed in so much that within the space of one month thretty thousand at least of Religious Protestants are numbred to be slain Furthermore here is to bee noted that when the Pope first heard of this bloody stir he with his Caâ—dinals made such joy at Rome with their procession with their Gun-shot and singing Te Deum that in honour of that lawful festival Act a Iubile was commanded by the Pope with great indulgence and much Solemnity whereby thou hast here to discern and judge with what spirit and charity these Catholicks are moved to maintain their Religion withall which otherwise would fall to the ground without all hope of recovery Likewise in France no lesse rejoycing there was the King commanding publick processions through the whole City to be made with Bone-fires Ringing and singing where the King himself with the Queen his Mother and his whole Court resorting together to the Caurch gave thanks and laud to God for that so worthy victory archieved upon St. Bartholomews Day against the Protestants whom they thought to be utterly overthrown and vanqâ—ished in all the Realm for ever And in very deed to mans thinking might appear no lesse after such a destruction of the Protestants having lost so many worthy and noble Captains-as then were cut off whereupon many for fear revoking their Religion returned to the Pope diverse fled out of the Realm such as would not turn kept themselves secret durst not be known or seen so that it was past all hope of man that the Gospel should ever have any more place in France but such is the admirable working of the Lord where mans help and hope most faileth there he sheweth his strength and helpeth as here is to be seen and noted by stirring up Rochel to stand to the defence or their Religion against the Kings power by whose example certain Cities hearing thereof took no little courage to do the like as Mountaban and others who being confederat together exhorted one another to be circumspect and take good heed of the false dissembling practises not to be trusted of the mercilesse Papists intending nothing but blood and destruction Rochel standing to the defence of their lives and consciences and to adventure the worst whereupon began great siege and battery to be laid against Rochell both by sea and land which was Anno 1572. The whole power of France is set against Rochel Thus the whole power of France being gathered against one power town had not the mighty hand of the Lord stood on their side it had been impossible for them to escape Daring the time of this siege which lasted about seven months what skirmishes and conflicts were on both sides it would require a long tractation In all which assaults ever the Popes Catholicks had the worst Concerning the first assault thus I find written that within the space of 26. dayes were charged against the walls and houses of Rochel to the number or thretty thousand shot of iron Bullets and globes where by a great breach was made for the adversary to invade the city but such was the courage of them within not men only but also of Women Matrons and maids with spites fire and such other weapons that came to hand that the adversary was driven back with no smal slaughter of their Souldiours Likewise in the second assault 2000. great field pieces were laid against the Town whereupon the adversary attempted the next day to invade the Town but through the industry of the Souldiers and citizens and also of women and maids the invaders were forced at length to flee away faster then they came No better successe had all the assaults that followed Mâ—ny were the tokens of Gods gracious dealings with them during the time of the siege and amongst the rest this was very memorable at Rochel whereas the poorer sort began to lack corn and victual there was sent to them every day in the River by the hand of the Lord no doubt a great multitude of fish called Surdones which the poor people did use in stead of bread Which fish the same day as the siege brake up departed and came no more testified by them which were present there in Rochel all the time The King in end being weary of those chargeable wars there was a peace agreed and concluded between the King and the Protestants of Rochel in which were included other Cities of the Protestants granting to them benefite of peace and liberty of Religion The next year following died Charels the 9. the French King and the Cardinal of Lorain brother to Guise The King died of the age of 25. years and the manner of his death is to be noted The constant report To goeth that his blood guishing out by diverse parts of his body he tossing in his bed and casting out many horrible blaâ—phemies laid upon pillows with his heals upward and head downward voyded so much blood at his mouth that in few hours he dyed Which story if it be true as is recorded and restified may be an spectale and example to all persecuting Kings and Princes polluted with the blood of Christian Martyrs The cruel Persecution and Bloody Boutchery of the MERINDOLIANS FOllows the Tragicall Persecution and horrible murther of the faithfull flock of Christ inhabiting in Merindol in the Countrey of Province in France this people of a long continuance and custome had refused the Bishop of Rome his Authority and observed ever a more perfect kind of Doctrine then others delivered them from the Father to the Son ever since the year of
Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of the Kingdom enemy of Gods Word THe next moneth after the burning of Doctor Ridley and Mr. Latimer which was the moneth of November Stephen Gardiner Bishop and Chancellor a man hated of God and all good men ended his wretched life The same day when as Bishop Ridley and Mr. Latimer suffered at Oxford came the servant of the said Winchester posting in all possible speed from Oxford bringing intelligence to the Bishop that Ridley and Latimer were burnt he came out rejoycing and saying to the old Dâ—ke of Norfolk being then in his house Now saith he let us go to dinner Whereupon they being set down meat was immediatly brought and the Bishop began merrily to eat but what followed The bloodyly â—yrant had not eaten a few bits but the sudden stroak of God his terrible hand fell upon him in such sort as immediatly he was taken from the Table and so brought to bed where he continued for the space of fifteen dayes in such intollerable anguish and torments that all that mean while during these fifteen dayes he could not avoid by order of Urine or otherwise any thing that he received whereby his body being miserably inâ—amed within who had inflamed so many good Martyrs before was brought to wretched end And therefore no doubt as most like it is came the thrusting out of his tongue from his mouth so swolen and black with the Inflamation of his body a spectacle worthy to be noted and behold of all such bloody persecuters Moreover it is recorded concerning the said Bishop that when Doctor Daie Bishop of Chicester came to him and began to comfort him with words of Gods promise and with the free justification in the blood of Christ our Saviour repeating the Scriptures to him Winchester hearing that What my Lord quoth he will ye open that gap now then farewell altogether to me and such other in my case ye may speak it but open this window to the people then farewell altogether The Martyrdome of Mr. John Philpot Arch-deacon was burnt for the defence of the Gospels cause against the Antichristian See of Rome After long â—mprisonment oft Examination he is condemned as an Heretick and delivered to the Secular Power to be burnt When he came to the place of suffering to wit in Smithfield he kissed the Stake and said Shall I disdain to sâ—ffer at this Stake seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer most vile death upon the Crosse for me and then with an obedient heart full meekly he said the 106.107 and 108. Psalms and when he had made an end of all his prayers he said to the Officers What have ye done for me and every one of them declared what they had done and he gave to every one of them money then they bound him to the Stake and set fire unto that constant Martyr who in the midst of the firey flames yeelded his soul into the hands of the Almighty God and like a Lamb gave up his breath his body being consumed into ashes The writings and examinations of Mr. Phipòt were by the providence of God preserved from the sight and hands of his enemies who by all manner and means sought not only to stop him from all writing but also to spoil and deptive him of that which he had written for the which cause he was many times stripped and searched within the prison by his Keeper but yet so happily these his Writings were couveyed and hid in places about him or else his Keepers eyes so blinded that notwithstanding all this malicious purpose of the Bishops are yet remaining and come to light There were seven Martyrs that suffered together at one fire in Smithfield at London for the testimony of Christs Gospel in the second year of persecution under Qâ—een Mary five men one wife and one maid all which seven as they were burned together in one fire so were they likewise all upon one sort and form of Aâ—ticles condemned in on day Amongst the rest of the Articles objected against them were that they misliked the Sacrifice of the Masse and the Sacrament of the Altar refusing to come to their Parish Church to hear Masse and that they did expresly say that in the Sacrament of the Altar is not the very body and blood of our Saviour Christ really substantâ—â—ly and truly and hath affirmed expresly that the Masse is idolatry and abomination and that in the Sacrament of the Altar there is none other substance but only materiall bread and materiall wine which are tokens of Christs body and blood and that the substance of Christs body and blood is no wayes in the Sacrament of the Altar c. As for the first of these seven to wit Thomas Whitlie Minister upon perswasion and counâ—â—l râ—canted and subscribed a Bill of submission to renounce all errors and heresies against the Sacrament of the Altar c. And I do protest and declare by these presents that I do both now hold obâ—erve and keep in all points the Ctaholick â—aâ—th and belief of Christs Church according as this Church of England â—eing a member of this Catholick Church doth now profess and keep and in no wayes to swerve decâ—ine or go from the said faith during my naturall life submitting my self fully and wholly to you reverend Father my said ordinary in all things concerning my reformation and amendement at all times Now when he had thus done he was troubled in his mind and conscience for forsaking the crosse of Christ and had no rest till he obtained again the submission he had subscribed which havinâ— gotten he was very glade and returned again and with great constancy and fortitude stood to the defence or Christ Doctrine to the fire against the Papists Five other Martyrs in Canâ—erbury four Women and on Man at two staiks and one fire altogether burned who when the fire was flaming about their ears do sing Pâ—alms Where at the good knight Sir John Norton being there present weeped bitterly at the sight thereof The Martyrdome of Thomas Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury THe Martyrdom of the reverent Pastor and Prelat Thomas Cranmâ—r Aâ—ch-Bishop of Canterbury who was burned at Oxford â—nder Queen Marie for the confession of Christs true Doctrine he was a gentleman born of good parentage he attained to great knowledge and learning and was reader of Divinity lecture in the Colledge of Cambridge and was in such special estimation and reputation with the whole University that being Doctor of Divinity he was commonly appointed one of the heads which are two or three of the chiefest learned men to examine such as yearly professe in comencement either Batchelors or Doctors of Divinity by whose approbation the whole University licenseth them to proceed unto their degree and again by whose dissalowance the University also rejecteth them for a time to proceed untill they be better furnished with more knowledge When the great and weighty cause of Kiâ—g Henry
burnt a mercilesse and barbarous fact Such was the bloody rage of persecution at this time that â—pared nâ—ither man nor woman child wife nor maid lame blind nor creeple The Martyrdome of Joan Wast a blind woman from her birth in the Town of Derbie about the age of 22. years burnt In her examination before the B. and Doctor Draicot and being asked sundry questions of them and if she believed there things answered she believed as the holy Scriptures taught her and according to that she had heard preached unto her by diverse learned men whereof some suffered imprisonment and other some suffered death for the same Doctrine among whom she named beside others Doctor Taylor whom she said took on his conscience that that Doctrine was true and asked of them if they would do so in like case for their Doctrine which if they did not she desired them for Gods sake not to trouble her being a blind poor and unlearned woman with any further talk saying by Gods assistance that she was ready to yeeld up her life in that faith in such sort as they should appoint for all this she is condemned and given over to the secular power tobe burnt Doctor Draicot being appointed to preach at her execution the blind woman being brought to the Church and set before the Pulpit where the Doctor entering the Sermon he railed mightily against this poor blind woman saying to the people that she was condemned for denying the blessed Sacrament of the Altar to be the very body and blood of Christ really and substantially and was thereby cut off from the body of the Catholick Church and said that she was not only blind of the bodily eyes but also blind in the eyes of her soul And he said that as her body should be presently consumed with materiall fire so her soul should be burned in hell with everlasting fire assone as it should be separated from the body and there to remain world without end And said that it was noâ— lawfull for the people to pray for her And thereafter she was taken to the fire which she constantly endured praying to the Lord to have mercy upon her Follows a pitifull Story concerning the unmercifull handling of William Dangerfield and Joan his wife being in child-bed taken out of her house with her sucking infant of fourteen dayes old and laid in the common Jayle amongst theeves and robbers There was in Gloccester in the Parish of Wotton not far from Bristow one Dangerfield a right honest and godly poor man who by his wife had nine children and she now lying in child bed of the tenth This William after he had been abroad from his house a certain space for fear of persecution hearing that his wife was brought to bed repaired home to visite her as natural duty required and to see his children she being now delivered four dayes before The return of this man was not so soon known to some of his unkind and uncharitable neighbours but they incensed with the spirit of Papistry eftsoones beset the house about and there took the said William and carried him to prison and so at length was brought to the Bishop being then Doctor Brooks in whose cruell handling he remained a certain space so long till his legs were almost fretted off with irons After the apprehension of the husband the wife likewise was taken with her young born child being but fourteen dayes of her childbed and carried into the common Jayle and there placed among theeves and murtherers where both she and her poor innocent found so small charity among the Catholick men that she could never come to any fire but was driven to warm the cloaths that she should put about the child in her bosome In the mean season while they lay thus inclosed in severall prisons the husband and the wife the B. practises with the man and made him believe falsly that his wife had recanted and so perswaded him likewise to recant and so subtilly drew out a form of recantation and so likewise promised to recant he being permitted to go to his wife he shewed this to her whereat she was wonderfully grieved and lamented the fall of her husband and he lamented his promise made to the B. and to make his prayer to the Almighty God and so departed he home to his house whereby the way he took his death and shortly after departed After this Joan his wife continued still in prison with her little Infant till at length also the child being staâ—ved for cold and famine was sent away when it was past all remedy and so shortly after died and not long after the mother also followed besides the old woman which was Mother of the husband of the age of â—o years and upward who being left in the house after their apprehension for lack of comfort there perished also what became of their nine children it as uncertain There were five famished at Canterbury Castle by the unmercifull tyranny of the Papists There were at this time fifteen Martyres and confessors together prisoned in the Castle of Canterbury of which number not one escaped with their lite but either were burned oâ— else famished in prison In the fifth year of Queen Marie there is an visitation commanded to bee holden by the Cardinall at the University of Cambridge and Oxford for reformation of Religion and any abuses and disorders that were there many Bishops and Doctors with great pomp and solemnity were conveened there among other things done there they enter into processe against Martin Eucer and Paulus Phagius for heresie who were now dead and buried long ago they are condemned for heresâ—â— they are taken up and their bones and books burned When the country people saw this Mâ—â—â—ed to execution that were dead before partly deteâ—â—ed and abhorred the extream cruelty of the Commissioner toward the rotten Carcasses and partly laughed at their folly in making such preparation for their burning for what needeth any weapon said they as though they were afraid that the dead bodies which felt them not would do them some harm or to what purpose serveth that chain wherewith they are tyed since they might be burnt loose without any perill for it was not to be feared that they would run away And not only digged they up Peter Martyes bones and burnt them but such was the despitefull handling and madnesse of the Papists towards his wife at Oxford that they took her out of her grave at the comandement of Cardinal Pool and after buried her in a dunghill for they could not prove her to be an Heretick to burn her but in the time of Queen Elizabeth she was taken out of that unclean and dishonest place where she lay and solemnly in the face of the whole Town to bury her again in amore decent and honest monument After this there is abloody commission given forth by King Philip and Queen Mary to persecute the poor members of Christ There were many