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
could not be found To fit their instruments to till the ground The land was so enslav'd they rather chose Then starve to be behoiding to their foes VVith his keen javelin spirit-haunted Saul Assay'd to stick up David ' gainst the wall Prophetick David with a patient ear Did Shimei's railing accusations bear Egyptian Shishak prov'd Jerus'lems rod And took the treasures from the house of God And which is strange good Asa's spirit risen Against Gods Prophet casts him into prison Ahab hates Micah In Jehosaphat His reign the Church of God was stormed at Elijah was despis'd by Jezabel By whom so many holy Prophets fell Elisha suffers in Jehor ams reign Judak's oppress'd Good Zechariah's slain By Joash for 's reproof Israel's King Thousands of Judah slew did thousands bring Into captivity Poor Judah pines By th' Edomites Assyrians Philistines The Prophet Esay by Manasses Law Was sawn in sunder with a wooden saw And Jeremiah after slandrous mocks VVas beaten sore and put into the stocks Then was he liberty deny'd him flung Into the myry dungeon where he clung At last drag'd thence into th' Egyptian land He needs must go the Captains him command And his Thren-odes those pious Elegies Lament the falling Churches miseries Nebuchanezzar in a rage doth throw Shadrach and Meshech and Abednego Into the furnace hot By wicked men Daniel is cast into the Lyons Den. Proud Haman persecutes poor Mordecay And a decree procures that in one day Gods people should be killed murth ' rously The Jews returning from captivity Judah's disturb'd and opposition's found When they would raise Gods Temple from the ground Build it they do though men and devils conjoyne They 'r Powers they cannot frustrate Gods designe SECT II. The Persecution of the Church from Nehemiah to Antiochus his time and also under Antiochus Epiphanes before the nativity of Christ about 168 years ELiashib the High-Priest being dead Judas his son succeeded in his stead And John the next who in the Temple slew Jesus which sought to wrong him of his due No sooner had Bagoses heard the News But with a potent force he kept the Jews The Jews inclos'd within Jerus ' lems walls Till sev'n years ended under slavish thralls Compelling them to lay down fifty Drachmes For ev'ry Lamb that fed their dayly flames Jaddus John dead succeeded who b'ing told Of Alexander's acts and how he would Come shortly he in 's Priestly robes aray'd For Gods direction and protection pray'd The King fell down the Jews did in a ring Encircle him and said God save the King He check'd reply'd I do not that were odd Adore the High-Priest but the High-Priests God Then leave to live after their Ancient orders He grants the Hebrews and deserts their borders Antiochus Epiphanes did go Unto Jerusalem nor friend nor foe Escap'd his fury he the Temple spoil'd Of all her Ornaments and it defil'd Yea he inhibited the godly Jews Those daily sacrifices they did use And having made their goodly structures void He led some captive many he destroy'd Forc'd others to forsake God and adore Those Idols he himself fell down before But they that minded not his menacings VVere whip'd and maim'd had cruel torturings Some crucifi'd they hang'd the female sex And hung young Children at their parents necks VVhat books of Sacred VVrit they found the same VVere cast into the all-devouring flame Upon a Sabbath day these merc'less slaves Did stifle thousands hid in unclos'd caves And now Mathias pious and devout Led forth the Christians ' gainst this impious rout Destroy'd their Altars Providence did bless All his endeavours with desir'd success His sons Mathias Judas and the rest Did scowre their country and their foes supprest SECT III. The Martyrdom of the Maccabees under the same Antiochus ONias acts with a religious care His High-priests office and may therefore fear Degrading nay Antiochus is bent To turn him out the moving Argument Drawn from the Justness of Onias cause Subjects Onias to th' Imperious Laws Of wilfull Tyranny by whose compunction This good man leaves his Sacerdotal function For one that least deserved it no other Might take it up but his false-hearted brother VVho now but Jason Jason is the man Must drive on the design Jason began To force the people to renounce the true And old Religion to embrace a new T' abjure their Temples to extruct them baths To quit their beaten and accustom'd pathes For prosecution of more choice delights And abrogate their ceremonial Rites To drink in Greekish customes and betimes Train up their striplings to unlawful cimes But mark th' event a sin-provoked God Doth flame in fury making them a rod Whose Laws were studiously observ'd to scourge Those Mimick emulators who would urge So good a God their friends become their foes T' inflict on them innumerable woes For an edict is forthwith by the King Set forth and sealed with his Royal Ring The sence is this Whoever of the Jews Or Hierosolymitanes refuse To offer up a Sacrifice unto The gods he without any more ado Besides those beatings he was like to feel Should have his members Racked on a wheel Antiochus perceiving this Edict VVas little prevalent although so strict So rigorous but that a many chose Rather to die then their Religion lose He took th' advantage of an em'nent place And summoning the Jews his graceless Grace Caus'd sacrific'd swines flesh be given about To ev'ry man Amongst the mixed rout Stood Eleazar honor'd for his age Reverend Pious Vertuous and sage In whom the graces all in one combin'd Indeed he had an heaven-enamel'd mind To whom Antiochus doth break the chains Of silence thus Old man avoid those pains VVait on the obstinate for once b'advis'd By me and eat what here is sacrific'd Cherish thy rev'rend age and do not scorne The benefit of life what though th' art born A Jew yet eat no wise man will refuse That meat which nature hath ordain'd for use VVhy should this beast be more abominable Then other beasts canst tell sure th' art not able VVhy was it made if not to be injoy'd And gifts unus'd what are those gifts but voy'd Admit your Laws are just yet may coaction Excuse thee 't is no voluntary action To whom this Nestor whose undaunted brest VVas flam'd with zeal an answer thus exprest We O Antiochus love not vain shows But true Religion nor Racks nor blows chains Nor brest all gor'd with darts hands worn with Nor ease exchanged for a thousand pains Famine nor sword nor all should make us smother Our lov'd Religion to embrace another Know then Proud King I nothing weigh thy threats As to profane my lips with profane meats I le joy to suffer for a righteous cause Rather then violate those Heav'n-made Laws 'T is but a death at most if I fulfil not Thy will and disobey my God
neer and he condemn'd begins To God not you will I confess my sins O Lord make hast to help do not despise Thine-handy work My brethren I advise You that are Scholars to improve your youth In learning of the everlasting truth Labour to know what is Jehovahs will And fear not them that can the body kill Not hurt the soul my flesh too weak withstands My spir't which Lord I give into thine hands With that he strangled was his body burn'd His soul until the day of Doom adjourn'd One Bribard to a Card'nal Secretary And William Hussou an Apothecary Had for their seattering good books about And cleaving to the truth their tongues cut out Then with a pully pulled up and down Into the fire they dy'd but gain'd a crown James Cobard having prov'd the Mass a fable Unto the quick nor dead not profitable Was at St. Michael burnt Stephen Polliot Suffred at Paris Michael Michelet Was put unto his choice either to turn And lose his head or persevere and burn He answer'd God who caus'd him not to tire Would give him patience to abide the fire Blondel a Merchant that profess'd Christs name Condemn'd at Paris yeilded to the flame One Hubert a young man who did rely on Christ Jesus merits suffered at Dyion Anus Audeburt drag'd forth said thus This rope My wedding-girdly is wherewith I hope To be conjon'd to Christ I was first marri'd Upon a Saturday and now have tarri'd Until another Saturday wherein I shall glad day be married agin She in the dung-Cart sang and in the fire Her constancy Spectators did admire One Florent Venote that had four years lain In Paris prison where all kinds of pain He felt and overcome for seven weeks space Was close confin'd to such a narrow place That he could neither stand with ease nor ly At last distongu'd he in the fire did die One Thomas a young man was rack'd so long The hangman grew a weary one among Th'Ir quis'tors wept They bare him to be burn'd And asked him if he would yet be turn'd To whom he said Friends I am in my way To God O do not hinder me I pray One Mathew Dimonel Simon Laloe And Peter Serre did torments undergo Two men at Nivern had their tongues pull'd out Yet God was pleas'd to bring it so about That they spake plain We bid the world flesh sin And devil farewel never to meet agin Of brimstoue and gunpowder bring a fresh Supply salt on salt on this stinking flesh And so persisting constant till the last Their souls to heaven their earth to ashes past One Philbert Hamlin fed the cruel flame One Nicholas of Jenvil did the same At Paris did a Christian congregation Run through much sorrow by the Mediation Of the Palat'nate Prince and Switzers some Of them hardly escaped Martyrdome In Danphin Provence multitudes were kill'd In many other place blood was spill'd And yet the Church the more it was supprest Like to a Palm still more and more encreast SECT XXVIII The Persecution in the time of the Civil Warrs which began Anno 1562. THe Duke de Guise as he upon a day Tow'rds Paris past took Vassy in his way His ears informing him there was a Bell That rang to service in a Barn he fell Thereon with all his troops his widened throat Bawl'd out Kill death of God each Huguenote Some then with bullets some with swords were slain Some hang'd the heads of others cleft in twain Some lost their arms and hands some shred for To feed upon above twelve hundred souls fowles Of all degrees and ranks were kill'd so don The Duke to Paris march'd and seiz'd upon The King himself and filled with abuses The places set apart for pious uses Roan taken by him was for three dayes sack'd The Citizens thereof disliv'd and rack'd Then menacing to ruinate Orleance A young man shot him to deliver France From his great violence Peace was procur'd A happy peace but it not long endur'd The Popish party banishing all pity Kill'd all spar'd none in the Lutetian City At Amiens the slain were thrown in brooks All Bibles burned and Divin'cy books At Meaux Sens Mans they drag'd some on the stones And dash'd against the walls the little ones Some had their houses level'd with the ground Hundreds were massacred starv'd hang'd or drown'd Many were hal'd to Mass and some re-wedded Babes re-baptized others were beheaded At Bar they rip'd up many brests and draw'd Mens hearts thereout with their teeth them gnaw'd VVhen Malicorn Montargis town had got He slew the towns-men and with Cannon-shot Threatned the Lady Rhene to batter down Her Castle if she did the Christians own Not give them up to him the Princess stout Bravely reply'd Look what you go about I charge you for there 's no man in this Realm The King excepted that can overwhelm My pinace with the waves of a command And if your battery go on I 'll stand I' th' breach to try whether or no you dare Thus kill the daughter of a King I fear Your threats not I I want nor means nor power T' avenge me on your boldness and devour Your murtherous heart and utterly deface The infants of your most rebellious race When Malicorn thus heard the Lady say He pulled in his horn and sneak'd away At Anger 's into rivers some were thrown Some executed a gilt Bible shown Upon an halbard was and this they sang Behold how well the Hug'nots truth doth hang Hark what the everlasting God will tell Behold the truth of all the devils in hell They throw 't i' th' river and renew'd their sound Behold the truth of all the devils drown'd At Ablevilly Anger 's Foix Auxerre At Troys Crant Nevers Chastillon and Bar In Bloys Tholouse as also Careasson Many outragious villainies were don At Sens and Tours hundreds were put to slaughter Some hang'd up by one foot and in the water Their heads and breasts the bowels are pluck'd out Their rip'd-up bellies and are thrown about The mi'ry streets they torture ev'ry joynt And stick their hearts upon their daggers point A Counsellor was hang'd at the request Of his own father O unnat'ral brest By the Parisian Senators decree The bells are sounded and the Christians be Destroy'd in ev'ry place all their estates Seiz'd on by Catholicks and runagates In Ligneul some they hang'd The village Aze They set one fire and joy'd to see it blaze Augustine Marlorate was hang'd at Rhone Where streetswith slaughter'd carkasses were strown In Gaillac from a steep precipice Many were flung down headlong in a trice Caught break-neck falls In Souraze some were cram'd VVith lime and down their throats had Urine ram'd One Peter Roch they buried alive VVithin his self-made grave They did deprive Many of all they had others were crown'd VVith thorns and others in a well were drown'd One Captain Durre a godly widdow told Ualess she
in said Ha! And after that soon vanished away This much rejoyc'd his soul upon the morrow He Hugh Fox and one Devnish fire went thorough One Thomas Hudson Thomas Carman too And William Seaman Norfolk-men did go Through tribulation to heavenly bliss To have the crown their own the cross they kiss There was one mother Bennet of the town Wetherset who was driven up and down For Jesus sake returning home she dy'd Her corps b'ing buri'd by the high-wayes side She was exceeding lib'ral to the poor Her mate once told her merrily their store If she had bin but sparing had bin much To what it was said she I cannot grutch The poor Alas good husband be content Let us be thankful God enough hath sent Wee still sweet heart have good competent fare Content's a fear although the feast be bare I cannot see the needie's wants and hoard Least in so doing I displease the Lord But husband let 's be rich in good works still So pleasing God we shall have all at will One Cicely Orms b'ing ask'd over his head What 't was the Priest held up she answ'red Bread Bread at the best and if you do endeavour To make it better 't will be worse then ever Brought to the stake she kiss'd it and respir'd Welcome Christs cross his sweet cross so desir'd My soul doth magnify the Lord my spirit In God rejoyceth and my Saviours merit So casting up her head on heaven she fix'd Her eyes and in the flames her hands commix'd She yielded up the ghost Thomas Spurdance Of Norwich suff'red for the truths advance George Eagles Tailour travell'd up and down In sev'ral countries went from town to town Confirming weaker Saints in a short season At Chelmsford he condemned was for treason And hang'd up with two theevs the one where of With tears sought Christ the orher with this scoffe Put off George Eagle's exhortation Our Captain leads we shall to heaven anon The Pen'tent thiese did call upon the Lord. The mockers fhtt'ring tongue spake not one word Upon the ladder Eagles was cut down Half dead his heart pull'd out his members strown George Eagles sister and a man call'd Fryer At Rochester did in the fire expire A Proclamation was sent about That all good books within this Realm set out Or from beyond seas brought should all be turn'd To ashes if not so their owners burn'd Soon after this dire Proclamation Twice twenty persons met neer I slington Were caught some scap'd some burn'd with faggot-sticks In Smithfield thirteen and in Brainford six Amongst these Godly persons there was one Nam'd Roger Holland who had boldly done His duty in reproving bloody Bonner Spake thus at last God will redeem his honour With your destruction and will soon asswage His spir't so tells me your unbridled rage Against his Church he heareth the complaints His servants make for the afflicted Saints Whom you so dayly persecuted have As us you do now Christ will shortly save His spotless Spouse in God I dare be bold To tell you that you are too fierce to hold And my dear breth'ren know that in this place After this day not any shall embrace The fire and faggot by this means procur'd Mark what I say and be thereof assur'd Which came to pass for for the Lord Christ's sake None after them suff'red at Smithfield stake Said Bonner then What Roger I perceive here Thou art as bad an Heretick as ever And in thine anger thou wouldst now become A railing Proph't but th'hadst as good be dumbe Though thou and all like thee would see me turn'd Over the ladder yet to see thee burn'd I shall live yea and before God I vow I 'll make you rue it ev'ry one of you That comes within my clutches so he went Roger call'd on the people to repent And to think well of all the Saints that past The fiery tryal which not long should last For God intended to abridge straightwayes For his elect's sake those sanguineous dayes Roger embrac'd the stake and said O Lord I praise thee for affording me thy word And fellowship with Saints which in heavens coasts Sing Holy Holy Holy Lord of Hosts O God receive my soul preserve thy flock Save them from Idols O be thou their Rock So with his fellowes praising God above They all reposed in the arms of love There was one William Pikes amongst the six VVhich dy'd at Brainford false-nam'd Hereticks VVho while that he his liberty enjoy'd I' th' Summer at noon-day of cares devoyd His Bible with him in t' his garden took Sate down to read upon it on his book Four drops of blood fell suddenly he knows Not whence it came t' his call'd-wife it he showes Saying I well perceive God will have blood It cannot no it must not be withstood His will be done God help me to abide The trial for without him I shall slide And so they went to pray'r and in short space Burned he was in the aforenam'd place One Thomas Hinshaw like a dog was us'd By Harpsfield first by Bonner next abus'd Who in an arbour pulled down his breeches VVhip'd him with willow-rods and with sharp speeches Returned him to prison there was one John Willis the like usage undergone T' whom Bonner thus Me bloody Bonner call Ye do a plague of God upon you all I 'd fain be rid of you but you delight In burning sure I think but if I might Have my desires O then I'faith I 'd stitch Your mouths up sack you throw you in a ditch Or down the stream this would I do with speed My fingers itch to do this pious deed Upon a time Bonner came to the stocks VVhere this John Willis lay and spake with mocks How like you John your lodging and your fare Willis said VVell had I a straw-pad here VVhile thus they commun'd in the good man's wife Came great with child to beg her husbands life Told Bonner she within his house would stay And there her count neer out her belly lay Unless her loving husband might be sreed And pack along with her Indeed indeed Said Bonner then that were a handsom trick How say'st thou John thou damned Heretick Suppose thy wife should with her brat mscarry And perish man art thou not accessary To both their deaths what thinkst thou To be short The woman would not go ' cwas pretty sport To hear these parly Bonner lest in 's house She should cry out did let her husband loose On easie tearms A Godly Minister Nam'd Mr. Richard Yeomans much did bear At last he finding how his foes were bent To take away his life went down to Kent Selling pins needles points thred white and black And some odd trifiles to supply the lack Of himself his poor wife and childeren He was imprison'd but releas'd agen He went to Hadly to his wife and there Hiring a chamber they abode a year Carding of Wool he sets himself about She spins thus pick they a poor living
out At length the Parson having understood How this good old man liv'd he took a brood Of Officers with him at night rebound He made the doors search'd diligently found Old father Yeomans and his family laid In bed together whereupon he said Ne're trust me if I did not think a knave I with a whore should finde and so I have And would have pull'd the bed-cloaths off withall But father Yeomans held them fast Call call Us what you please here 's neither knave nor whore But a cojugal pair in God though poor I bless God for it you in darkness grope And I defie with all his trash the Pope Then in the cage they carri'd him away There to the stocks with one John Dale he lay VVho shortly after dy'd he told's faith for which Degraded and condemn'd he burnt at Norwich John Alcock a young man by trade a Shear-man In Hadly-Parish said I do not fear man But God if for my God I suffer may 'T will be a happy and a joyful day As for the Pope I will not be forgiven By him forgive me thou great God of heaven He was a Newgate pris'ner hereupon And thrust into the lower dungeon Where he with cruel handling and beside Ill keeping suddenly fell sick and dy'd One Mr. Thomas Benbridge though estate Enough he had yet through the narrow gate Of persecution did he chuse to enter Into heaven's Kingdom manfully adventure His life and limb for Christ Truth he defended Against the Pope till he was apprehended Condemn'd therefore at the place unappal'd His rich apparel he put off and call'd Upon his God then fastned to the stake Said Dr. Seaton to him Do but make A recantation and thou shalt be freed Said Mr. Benbridge Shall I so indeed I thank you but I will not Christ's my Guerdon I don't regard you man no nor your pardon The Doctor said In troth it is a sin Good folk to pray for such a dog begin Benbridge begin a new leaf wilt thou say Away thou Babylonian away Benbridge reply'd they kindled then the wood VVhich burnt his beard yet he unmoved stood Fire seiz'd on 's legs unable to abide So grievous pains I do Recant he cry'd The fire 's removed and his life is granted But he his recantation recanted it pleasing God his conscience to awake And six dayes after suff'red at the stake John Cook James Ashly Alexander Lane And Robert Miles because they did abstain From going to the Church did pass the Fury Of corm'rant Vulcan at St. Edmunds Bury One Philip Humphry John and Henry David Two brothers were destroy'd and yet were saved Green Wilmot Williams Cotton Collingborow And Harris whip'd run through a deal of sorrow One Alexander Gouge Alice Driver By Mr. Noon a Suffolk-Justice were So hunted after that a while they lay For safety sake hid in a mow of hay The Justice with his men searching about Thrust Pitch-forks in the mow and found them out Sent them to Melton goal where being prov'd A certain time they were to Bury mov'd At the Assizes they Christ crucifi'd Boldly confessed and the Pope defi'd Alce Driver did compare exceeding well Queen Mary in her rage to Jesabel Her ears to be cut off the Judge procur'd Hereat which she rejoycingly endur'd Both are to Ipswieh sent examin'd there By Dr. Spencer Norwich Chanceller And others the main matter was intent About Christs presence in the Sacrament Alce Driver did so baffle them herein That they had nothing to reply agin Thus she concluded then the Lord be blest You are though learn'd not able in the least T' oppose God's spirit in me a silly woman Of low degree and tutoured by no man I am no Academick nor was I E're brought up in the University As ye have been yet in the truths defence And in the cause of Christ my Master whence I power derive I will set foot to foot To any of you if you put me to 't For to maintain the same and if I had A thousand lives to lose I should be glad To let all go for it The Chancellour Condemn'd and sent her to the Sec'lar power Gouge also was condemn'd for Christ his name And so both sweetly dy'd in Ipswich flame Alce Driver's neck being chain'd O said she heed Here is a goodly handkerchief indeed VVell God be praised for it As they stand At stake some came to take them by the hand The Sheriffe bids they be caught the crowd forbid The Sheriffe bids let alone and so they did There liv'd in Cornwall a religious Dame Her husband a recusant often came To hear Mass read nor would he ever lin Till his forc'd-wife did joyn with him therein Which was no little trouble to her soul She thereupon did seek the Lord and roul Her self upon him and by earnest prayer Crav'd his direction God was pleas'd to hear And one night fill'd her with such spir'tual mirth That she enjoy'd a little heaven on earth From husband children and from all she run For conscience sake and for her living spun Yet to her husband she return'd at last Where but a very little time being past Her neighbours apprehending carry'd her To th'Bishop of the town of Exeter She was condemned and the reason why VVas that she spake against Idolatry The Bishop said to her VVoman do y'hear Minde your good husband and your children dear She answered Remembred and forgot They 're soon I have them and I have them not While I enjoy'd my ease I them enjoy'd But now all such relations are voyd Standing here as I do in Christ his cause Where I must either frangifie the Laws Of Grace or Nature either Christ forsake Or else my Husband I 'm content to take Christ as my heavenly Spouse and to renounce The other with my children all at once The Bishop after much Argumentation Gave her a months time for consideration Seeing a Dutch-man who new Noses made For images defac'd when Edward swaid She said Mad-man what meanst thou to compose New Noses for such images as those Which will so shortly loose their heads For this She was close pris'ner kep'd nor did she miss Threatnings taunts scoffes call'd Anabaptist whore Mad-woman drunkard vagabond and more Then many specious promises were us'd Of liberty of wealth which she refus'd With husband goods and children they affail To win her but yet nothing would prevail Her heart was fixed trusting in the Lord She had cast anchor and renounc'd abhor'd The sin-involved world with all the wiles Which Satan uses when he souls beguiles She was devoyd of learning yet so vers'd I' th' Scriptures that not onely she rehers'd Apposite proofs Quotations but could tell The Book and Chapter also very well Condemn'd and given to the sec'lar power The country Gentlemen came flocking to her Bidding her yet to call on God for grace And cease her fond opinions to embrace So got'her husband and her children dear Thou art a woman ignorant we fear And