found the Saxons had the Land possest And turn'd out all the Christian Divines So done they did in the usurp'd confines The Heptarchy erect These Kings did smother All peace fell out and warr'd with one another Till disempowr'd they could not well defend Themselves much less with enemies contend King Lncius was the first that did receive The Gospel and in Jesus Christ believe From which time as 't in Chronicles appears It staid in Britain full four hundred years One hundred fourty and three years Gods word Grew cold but Austins comming it restor'd Some English children being brought to Rome There to be sold Gregory chanc'd to come Into the market-place when his fix'd sight Saw in their lovely cheeks pure red and white Contend for Mastership he much admir'd At their so sweet complexions and enquir'd What country they were of then being told That they were English heathens to be sold For slaves here 's choice enough if any wat 's Said he 't is pity such inhabitants So fair and so Angelical should dwell As subjects to the story Prince of hell Inform'd their Province Deira was said he Could wish them Manu-miss'd De ira Dei And further being given to understand That one nam'd Alle rul'd the British land There there saith he ought Praises to be given And Allelujab's to the King of heaven He also had a great desire to go To England and there preach but Rome said no. Pelagius dy'd he in his room assign'd Romes Bishop calling his intent to minde Austin and forty more Divines he sent To undertake this work they land in Kent At Thanets fertile Isle King Ethelbert In Canterbury City they convert And did baptize by whose example many Dayly came in the King enforc'd not any But much respected and affected those Who willingly with Christ would make a close Austin sends Greg'ry word how God did bless And crown their labours with desir'd success The joyful Bishop sendeth more Divines Over for to effect those great designs Were now on foot a letter of advise He writes to Austin not to be too wise In his own eyes not be puft up at all By those great miracles which did befall The English Church For why for this intent God onely us'd him as an instrument Ascribe all Austin to God's pow'r Divine His be the glory and the praise not thine And when thy heart t'ebulluate begins O think upon thy God-offending sins And that will humble thee all Gods elect Have of themselves no power to effect A miracle like this and yet heav'ns book Contains their names O do not do not look So much on thine own works be this thy strife To have thy name writ in the book of life What ever miracle the Lord hath brought To pass by thee know this it was not wrought For thy sake no 't was wrought for the salvation Of the seduc'd misguided English nation If I might be so worthy to advise The Temples built for heath'nish sacrifice I would not have demolish'd but th' abuse Remov'd converted to another use God go along with you and lest you stumble Through pride and glory keep you alwayes humble c. He an Epistle also did direct Unto the King which was to this effect He first prais'd God then did the King commend Wishing he might prove constant to the end In his professed faith and to his power Convert his Subjects to a Saviour Who holds forth life to those that will receive It freely and in 's promises believe And lastly he intreats his gifts may finde Acceptance coming from a willing minde Miletus by his preaching did convert Th' east Angles and the then-King Sigebert Who with his Unckle Ethelbert did found St. Paul his Church and built it from the ground Austin a Synod gath'red in this nation Of Bishops to consult of Reformation But nothing's done therein King Ethelbert Having a mighty force went to evert The Chestrian City where the Monks of Bangor Assembling pray'd God to divert his anger From their friends heads and turn it on their foes To shield the English from approaching woes When the King saw them so intent in pray'r Demand he did what sort of men they were And being credibly inform'd they pray'd For those that were his enemies he said Although unarm'd they fight against us do And with their prayers persecute us too My hearts fall bluntly on them upon pain Of our displeasure let them all be slain Eleven hundred Monks had their blood spill'd Which God reveng'd the bloody Tyrant's kill'd In fight by Christian Edwin who obtain'd The crown and the Christ-builded faith maintain'd The Idols and the Altars he destroy'd Making all ancient ceremonies voyd He caused brazen dishes to be tide By ev'ry fountain in the High-wayes side That so each passenger without controul Might be refreshed with a liberal boul He alwayes carried himself propitious Unto the good but rig'rous to the vitious So that a woman charg'd with gold might pass From Sea to Sea unquestion'd who she was At last by Penda and Cadwalla's might Subdu'd Josiah like he dy'd in fight His Christian Subjects felt the worst of woes Nay eruelst deaths by those insulting foes The Queen her daughter and Paulinus went To save their lives by water into Kent Oswald was crowned next whose pray'rs did gain A glorious Victory Cadwalla slain His love to piety his fervent zeal To spread the Gospel in his common-weal Was known to all From Scotland he procur'd Aidanus Bishop and the King inur'd To Scoth himself interpreted the words Aidanus preach'd unto his noble Lords And Subjects in their mother tongue more known To them then the exotique Scotish tone He to the poor was so compassionate That when on Easter-day at meat they sate And serv'd in silver he was told the poor Stood flocking thick and threefold at the door He caused them for to be serv'd in state With his own food taking a silver place And straight-way breaking it in pieces small Distribute it he did amongst them all Aidanus seeing this admir'd and got Him by the hand O may this never rot That to the poor so beneficial was Said he as Authors say it came to pass This Oswald also was a means to bring Kinigilsus of the West-Saxons King And Quicelinus King of Dorsetshire With many of their Subjects to the clear Knowledge of Christ under the Minist'ry Of Berinus famous for piety Thus Oswald having reigned nine years space Mercian Penda did his life uncase Oswic succeeded him Oswic as glorious A Prince as pious and no less Victorious He rais'd an army fought and overthrew A greater force and impious Penda slew And now the Bishops and the Ministers Sequester'd from the World and its affairs Preach'd freely to the people until they About the celebrating Easter-day Which bone amongst them Satan cast contended A Synod's call'd nor was the diff'rence ended Wolferus now a license having gain'd Converted the south-Saxons then there
blind That they may please thee give them grace to minde The things that do belong unto their peace In this their day left when they would they cease Let not the fancies vain of sinful men Destain thy truth Amen O Lord Amen She brought to Smithfield in a chair was bound To th'stake and with the flames besieged round So slep'd she in the Lord and in Gods eyes Became an acceptable sacrifice At that time Nicholas Belerrian A Shropshire Min'ster and a Gentleman John Lacels servant to the King with one John Adams Tailour burning undergon The same year Bishop Gardiner did bring Malicious accusations to the King Against Queen Kathrin Parre supposing all The boughs would wither if the stock did fall In that she gave her minde which was unfit To read and meditate on Sacred Writ And Chaplains kept seditions to rear None b'ing deny'd the priviledge to hear As also that her heart was fully bent To spurn against the present government Her life was dangerous nor could he rest That nourish'd such a Viper in his brest The Kings love turn'd to hate and now the Queen Must die the death but Prov'dence stept between The plot 's found out she wisely did behave her The King receiv'd her to his wonted favour Now also Sir George Blake condemned was For casting out some words against the Mass A pardon 's granted him after which thing He being in the presence of the King The King said to him Ah my Pig for so He us'd to call him yea said he I know Had not your Majesty been more enclin'd To save my life such was your Royal minde Then were your Bishops to reak out their teen Your Pig I 'm sure e're this had rosted been Streight after Winchester and his complices Sworn foes to Vertues and fast friends to Vices Set forth in the Kings name a Proclamation That all the English Bibles in the Nation And other Books which yielded any light Unto the truth should be abolish'd quite This done said they So now the Gospels lain So low that it shall never rise again And for the greater terrour strict inquest They made for those that verity profest Of many pricked down the names of whom They some expelled and imprison'd some So that these varlots did in no wise doubt The bringing of their wicked ends about But God who careth for his truth and those That countenanc'd the same dispers'd their foes A midst their vain projects the King was dead And with him all their hopes were buried SECT VI. The Persecution of the Duke of Somerset in the Reign of King Edward the sixth NOW when King Henery the eighth was dead His son Prince Edward reigned in his stead During whose happy reign Religion flourish'd Pop'ry decar'd the Church of God was nourish'd With the full breasts of Peace the Gospel spred And superstition was abolished Onely the Godly Duke of Somerset With Persecutions and great troubles met Some of the Nobles lab'ring most of all To raise themselves upon his suddain fall Edward and Thomas Seymer were ally'd Unto King Edward by his mothers side Edward the eldest fit to guide the Helm Was made Protector of the King and Realm Thomas the second of this British Isle Was chosen Lord high Admiral the while These brethren joyned in fraternal love Nothing fell out amiss but when they strove Spur'd on by make-bates unto one another They prov'd destructive and the younger brother Attainted was condemn'd and lost his head On Tower-hill hence insurrections bred The Lords at London privily conjur'd Against the Lord Protector and immur'd Him once nay twice yea thrice in a short season Then charged him with Felony and Treason He 's to the Tow'r hill brought where he commended His soul to God his prayers being ended He rose from off his knees and like a man Couragiously bold he thus began Dearly beloved friends Lo I am here To suffer death though God knows I am clear From thinking speaking or from acting ought Against the King in word in deed or thought But alwayes to this Realm have born a brest As faithful and as loyal as the best Yet in obedience to the Laws command I here as a condemned person stand And praise my God for his abundant grace In giving unto me both time and space Who might have justly took away my breath Had he so pleased by a sudden death Now as for the Religion which I During the time of my Authority Maintain'd to my power nor do I now Repent of what I did but both to you And me agnize it as a favour great And do you all most heartily entreat To joyfully receiv't and set it forth In your lives as a thing of unknown worth Which studiously to do if you neglect Great misery I fear you may expect These words no sooner out a sudden sound As terrible as thunder did confound The people so that some fell down through fear Some this some that way run but none knew where Anthony Brown Knight came that he did bring The crowd suppos'd a pardon from the King With that a shout arose but the good Duke Did gravely with his beck'ning hand rebuke The clam'rous throng And silence being gain'd He said Dear friends Pardon is not obtain'd As you conceive God otherwise is bent His will be done and we must be content Let 's joyn in prayer that safety may pursue The King t' whom loyal I have bin 'T is true The people cryed out O heaven bless His Highness with all health and happiness I wish his Counc'llours grace to rule and then You all obedient hearts all said Amen I ask forgiveness if I wronged any O Lord remit my sins for they are many As for my foes I freely them forgive For Christ I die in whom I hope to live c. Farewel farewel he lay him down and spoke Christ save me thrice the hangman gave the stroke SECT VII The Persecution of the English Church under the Reign of Queen Mary EDWARD the sixth Englands Josiah dead Lady Jane Grey was crowned in his stead The Lady Mary having heard the news Sent to the Lordly Councel for to chuse Her to be Queen and if they did withstand The execution of her just command By force of arms she threatned to regain Her wronged right and her defrauded reign The Lords return'd this answer There was none Had such just right and title to the Crown As Lady Jane the ancient Laws allow It hers and place it on her Princely brow 'T was hers by Letters patent from the King And made Authentick with his Royal Ring Before his death and since she was invested As an apparent heiress all protested Adherence to her and no Queen beside The Lady Mary to rest satisfiy'd Request they did entreating her to cease By new pretences to molest the peace The quiet Realm enjoy'd promising her They would be nothing wanting to prefer Her next the Queen if possibly they could Serve her in
don 't hear that false Prophet's talk Ah! naughty Hypocrite dar'st thou produce A Scripture-proof for so profane a use I have heard your already-quoted text But look immediately what follows next Do this for my Remembrance then streight-way The Priest stood still not knowing what to say The fire was kindled Rawlins in the flame Bathed his aged hands till in the same The sinews shrunk the fat drop'd out and all That while he cried out Lord let my fall Mount me to thee Receive this soul of mine O Lord receiv't his spirit he did resign It was observ'd of him that whereas through Infirmity of age he round did go And with dejected countenance he now Went bolt upright t' his death his smoother brow As clear as day his speeches and behaviour Of courage vigour very well did favour And now the Queen restor'd the Abbey-lands She late possess'd A Pope-sent Bull commands All do the like but none therein was seen T' obey the Pope or imitate the Queen A Popish Priest at Crondale impious fool Boasted that he had bin with Card'nal Pool Who cleans'd him from his sins the Bull sent o're He prais'd fell down and never spake word more Some burn'd because they on their necks did tie This Motto Fear God fly Idolatry George Marsh one William Flower John Cardmaker John Simpson and John Warne were each partaker Of life by suff'ring death climb'd heavens story Death is the ladder to immortal glory Bonner for many things John Ardly accus'd To whom John Ardly such expressions us'd My Lord not you nor any of your breed Are of the true Catholick Church indeed Your faith is false and when you most depend Upon it it will fail you in the end You have shed much too much innocuous blood And are not weary yet Can this be good Were ev'ry hair upon my head a man So many lives I 'd part with rather than Lose the opinion I am in so said In Essex burnt a joyful end he made One Thomas Hauks a Courtier comly tall VVas greatly admired and belov'd of all For his rare qualities in Edward's dayes But in Queen Maries Reign Religion's rayes Waxing more dull he left the Court home went And practis'd Godliness t' his great content While thus he staid at home a son he got But in the Popish way baptiz'd it not By using oil cream spittle salt absurd Nowhere enjoyned in the holy Word Told Bonner so the Bishop left him than A while and Mr. Darbisher began You are too curious and on none will look Unless your little pretty God's good book Sir is not that sufficient to save Yes but not to instruct that I may have Salvation to my God I humbly sue As for instruction that I leave to you Shall your child be baptiz'd you not look o're I had such councel given me before Why we can have it done if we be bent True but you never shall with my consent I 'd Gladly do thee good save thee from hell I am thy pasture and would teach thee well I 'll stand to what I said you shall not finde My resolutions waver like the winde I am the bread of life the Scripture saith And this bread is my flesh is this thy faith 'T is so I will believe what Scriptures say Well let 's to Evensong H. There I 'll not pray I 'm best when furthest off from such resort And so he walked forth into the Court What thinke you of the Altar's Sacrament Excuse me for I nere knew what it meant But we will make you know 't when we begin Faggots shall make you do'â— H. Faggots a pin For all your faggots you no more can do Then God permits you and no further go Much more was said in prison he at last Was for his bold judicious answers cast Nor could that move him in the least to doubt What 's bred in the bone will not eas'ly out Being his sentence read to Coxshal sent In Essex he exhorted as he went His friends and at the stake as he had spoken That he would do he gave to them a token By lifting up his hands all in a flame Above his head and clapping of the same To let them understand that he was able To ' bide the pain not too intolerable Then gave the people an unusual shout And so this blessed Lamp all burnt went out One Thomas Watts in Essex who defended The truth so much oppos'd was apprehended Condemn'd and after sent to Chilm'ford where The little time he had he spent in pray'r Come to his wife and his six child'ren small He said Wife and my hopeful branches all I now must leave you all henceforth therefore Alas I cannot know you any more As unto me at first the Lord did send you So I unto the Lord do recommend you Him I command you to obey and fear As long as life shall last see you beware Of this loath'd papistry which I withstood And shall against it give my dearest blood By God's grace by and by Let not the number Of bleeding Saints discourage or incumber Your active faith and move you to relent But thereby take occasion to be bent For greater service in Jehovah's fight 'T is happy dying for a cause that 's right I do not doubt nor have you cause to fear But he which strikes will give you strength to bear He 'll be unto the widdow in distress Husband and father to the fatherless Farewel said he farewel gave each a kiss So past he through the fi'ry blaze to bliss One Bainford Osmund Osborne overturn'd Unto the Sec'lar power in Essex burn'd Mr. John Bradford and John Leafe did climbe Up fiety stairs to heaven about this time The next day after at Maidstone in Kent One Mr. Minge dy'd in imsprisonment Mr. John Bland God's faithful Minister Was for the truth a constant sufferer John Frankish Humphry Middleton two men Of admirable worth were martyr'd then John Fettie's child such cruel whippings feels That the gore blood ran down about its heels The father put in the tormenting stocks Must see his Lamb misus'd O hearts of rocks One Nicholas Sheterden being brought Him Doctor Harpsfield asked what he thought That passage This my Body is should mean Said Sheterden This cannot well be seen By carnal eyes thus much I gather thence It must be taken in a spirituall sence Else when This Cup 's my blood's so understood The substance of the Cup must needs be blood Nicholas Hall Christopher Waide Joan Beach John Harpool Marg'ry Boley who did reach At the despised truth and Popery spun'd Condemn'd at Rochester in Kent were burn'd Dirick Carver a Surrey Gentleman Call'd to the stake unto his God began His servent pray'r which having done he strip'd Himself and so into the barrel skip'd They threw his book in also but in vain For to the throng he flung it out again I charge you
said the Shrieffe in the Queen's name To fling that Vip'rous book into the flame Then spake he with a cheerful voice and said Dear friends bear witness I am not affraid To seal Christ's Gospel with my dearest blood Knowing 't is true and was of late your food Though now surrepted from you and because I 'll not deny it to obey mans laws Condemn'd I be to dy see that you walk In answer to the truth of which you talk And as for those that do the Pope believe Hell 's theirs without Gods merciful reprieve Except said then the Sheriffe believe thou do The Pope th' art damn'd both soul and body too Pray to thy God that he may set thee free Or strike me down The Lord forgive said he Your temerarious words Dear Lord thou knowst How I left all to come to thee thou dost Draw with Magnetick-love to thee I fly For shelter Ah! but when my serious eye Darts on thy power and on my self looks down I fear the wrath of a condemning frown What shall I shrink no now the flames surround me I 'll trust my God although my God confound me Christ Jesus help Christ Jesus look upon me He cry'd and dy'd with Lord have mercy on me Iveson said All the treasure in the nation Should never draw him to a recantation I to the mercy of my God appeal And would be none of your Church for a deal Yea though an heaven-sent Angel came t' expound Unto me other Doctrine I 'm not bound For to receive it hereupon condemn'd And put into the fire he death contemn'd James Abbes a Godly man did shift about From place to place for safeties sake found out At last they carri'd him to Norwich town VVhere by the Bishop's threats he did disown VVhat he profess'd the Bishop seeing so Gave him some money and dismiss'd him too But conscience bringing him upon the rack The Bishops money he returned back Repenting e're he took it then again The Bishop strove to gain him but in vain Though Peter-like he fail'd now to persever Resolve he did and stood more fast then ever Even to his last-drawn breath the Bishop's fury Condemn'd him to be burn'd he burn'd at Bury John Denly Newman Partrick Packingham Dy'd constant Martyrs for their Saviours name Wright Coker Collier Hooper Stere and more Besides in Canterbury faggots bore Robert Smith Stephen Harwood Thomas Fust And William Hale dy'd for the truth their trust Eliz'beth Warne condemned to be burn'd By Bonner unto Bonner soon return'd These words Do what you will with me for why If Christ was in an errour so am I Otherwise not but Christ spake true I know Therefore then was she burn'd at Stratford-Bow About this very time George Tankerfield Did at St. Albanes to their rancour yield George King John Wade and Tho. Leyes with sore Usage fell sick and dy'd in Lollards tower In Suffolk Mr. Robert Samuel Of Barfold Min'ster who instructed well The flock committed to his charge was tost To Norwich goal there chained to a post And so erect that 's body did command For some small ease induc'd his tip-toes stand Hunger and thirst bad helpers are procur'd VVhat tongue can tell what he poor man endur'd At last brought to be burn'd an easie pain To what he felt before he did detain Some friends in telling them a most strange story Of what fell out while he was us'd so sory VVhen I much want said he had undergon I slept and then me thought appeared one Cloath'd all in white who whisp'red in mine ear Samuel Samuel be of good cheer Take heart to grass man thou hast past the worst Henceforth thou shalt nor hunger feel nor thirst VVhich came to pass such consolation did Sweeten his woes that modesty forbid Him tell the same So as he went along To execution amidst the throng A maid there was who after scap'd did fall About his neck and kissed him withall The while his body burn'd it shin'd as bright As new-try'd Silver or as Cynthia's light Next day Anne Potten and Joan Trunch field come From Ipswich prison unto Martyrdome Thomas Cob William Allen Roger Coo Death for the sake of Christ did undergo In Coventry and Litchfield-Diocess One Mr. Robert Glover did profess The Gospel he surprized had his doom To be confined to a narrow room And dark withall next to the dungeon Scarce having straw enough to lie upon No chair nor stool to fit on none might look To him though sick pen paper ink nor book Was not allow'd him yet a Teftament And Prayer-book by stealth he getting spent Most of his time in pray'r and meditation On Gods great love in working mans salvation Yea said he health began to come my peace Of conscience did more and more encrease God's spir't reviv'd me I had sometimes some Glimm'ring reflections of the life to come All for his own Son's sake to him alwayes Be Glory Honour and Obedience Praise Two dayes before his death he found his heart Less lightsome then it was and fear'd the smart Would too much try his patience for his pray'rs God heard not he unbosomed his fears Unto a Godly Minister his friend Who wish'd him to be constant to the end O play the man your cause is just and true God will appear anon I 'll warrant you The stake in fight he said I see him whom I call'd for Austin Oh he 's come he 's come And look'd so cheerful e'en as though new breath He should receive and not a painful death Cornelius Bongey Capper also came With him and burned in the self-same flame Mr. John Glover now was troubled sore Seeing his brother took for him therefore He would have suff'red in his brother's stead But by his friends importunings he fled Into the neighbouring Woods did there abide Till he with cares and cold sickned and dy'd His body privately was buri'd in The Church-yard they his bones dig'd up agin A twelvemonth after threw them out Opains For to be trampled on by Horses Wains And thus though in his life he scaped from Their rage yet after 's death on him they come William the third brother in Shropshire dead Might not by their consent be buried Wolsey and Pigot suff'red in the Isle Of Ely And within a little while Bishop Ridly and also Latimer Burned at Oxford Stephen Gardiner That day to dine till almost night deferr'd Th' old Norfolk Duke then with him having heard Word of their deaths he with a smiling brow Said to the Duke let us to dinner now The Table fill'd as merry as a Buck The Bishop was but on a sudden struck Two bits scarce eaten carry'd from the table To bed he was his pains intolerable Nature he could not ease for fifteen dayes His tongue was swoln and black his mouth 's assaies Could giv 't no house-room his pin'd body all Sadly enflam'd he gasp'd and gave a sprawl And now John Webbe George Roper Greg'ry Parke At Canterbury burn'd not