continued one and hath Sathan so prevailed but the sence of the Action reflicted so much upon his Conscience that it brake the mans heart so that in a short time after he died after he had endured twelve weeks imprisonment Sometime after his Wife was had in Examination before the Bishop what her Answers were at her Examination are not recorded but she was kept in Prison with her tender Infant till they both died the Child was sent out of the Prison but it was past remedy first being almost starved with cold and want of things necessary and the Mans Mother a woman of eighty years of Age being left in the House after their apprehension for lack of comfort there perished also About this time there were five persons famished in Canterbury Castle by the unmerciful Tyranny of the Papists as by the Coppy of this following Letter which the Prisoners threw out of the Castle Window my appear The Letter Be it known to all men that shall read or hear read these our Letters that we the poor Prisoners of the Castle of Canterbury for Gods Truth are kept and lye in cold Irons and our Keepers will not suffer any meat to be brought to us to comfort us and if any do bring any Bread Butter Cheese or other Food the Keeper will charge them to carry it back or else keep it for himself so that we have nothing thereof insomuch that there are four of us Prisoners for Gods truth famished already and thus is it his mind to famish us all and we think he is appointed thereunto of the Bishops and Priests and Justices so to famish us and not only us of the said Castle but also all other Prisoners in other Prisons for the like Cause to be also famished notwithstanding we write not these our Letters to that intent we might not aford to be famished for the Lord Jesus sake but for this cause and intent that they having no Law so to famish us in Prison should not do it privily but that the Murderers hearts should be openly known to all the World that all men may know of what Church they are and who is their Father Out of the Castle of Canterbury About this time there was a consultation held at Cambridge by the Clergy concerning Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius The digging up and burning Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius's Bones two persons dead three or four year before and after much debating they agreed altogether in this determination that they were Sectaries and famous Hereticks and a supplication should be made to the Lords Commissioners in the Name of the whole University that their dead Carcases might forthwith be digged up for that it was against the rule of of holy Canons that their Bodies should be buried in Christian burial And Cardinal Poole sent a Commission to make inquest upon Heresie now after the aforesaid Condemnation was past and the said Commission was read from the Cardinal Doctor Pern desired process might be sent out for Bucer and Phagius to appear or any other that would take upon them to plead their Cause to which the Commissioners condecended and the next day process went out to cite the Offenders which Citation was fixed up in several publick places in Cambridge and soon after Witnesses were sworn and examined against Martin Bucer and Phagius and a time was set for a Jury to bring in their Verdict and in the mean time a Commandment was given forth by the Commissioners for bringing in all Heretical Books and a day there was appointed for Judgment to be given against these Hereticks but when the day came and that neither Bucer nor Phagius would appear at their call in the Court nor that any put forth himself to defend them yet the curteous Commissioners would not proceed to Judgment which for their contumacy in absenting themselves they might have done considering how that day was peremtory but to shew their mercy and equity had rather shew some favour then to take the extent of the Law Whereupon Vincent published the second Process and stuck it up in publick places as before putting off the day of Judgment from the eighteenth to the twenty sixth day of the same Moneth which day being come the Mayor and Burgesses were warned to be present when the Sentence was published which was done by Doctor Scot Bishop of Chester in which Sentence he condemned Bucer and Phagius of Heresie after the Sentence the Bishop commanded their Bodies to be digged out of their Graves and being degraded from holy Orders delivered them into the hands of the secular Power then the Cardinal was advertised how far they had proceeded and he was desired that the Writ De Heretico Comburendo might be sent to Smith Mayor of Cambridge else the business could not be finished in the mean time while the Writ was coming and order was made that the Books before commanded to be searcht for should be thrown into the Fire with them the Writ being come and the dead Bodies being taken up they were Guarded to the Market place a great train of People following them and there Chained to a Post Fire was set to them the Books were thrown in and burnt with them and thus ends this piece of Popish folly And because one University should not mock the other the like piece of folly was acted upon the dead Body of Peter Martyrs Wife at Oxford and honest grave and sober Woman while she lived and of poor People alway a great helper she died in the year 1552. The Cardinals Visitors coming to Oxford among other things had in Commission to take up this good Woman out of her Grave and to consume her Carcass with Fire Stephen Kemp William Hay William Walterer William Prowting William Lowick and Thomas Hudson were all burnt in Kent in the Month called January 1557. Five Persons burnt in Smithfield The next that suffered were these five persons following viz. Thomas Loseby Henry Ramsey Thomas Thirtet Margaret Hide and Agnes Stanley who were Examined upon the general Articles before Bonner's Chancellor to which they particularly answered being thereunto required before Sentence and to declare whether they would recant and what they had to say why he should not pronounce the Sentence of Condemnation Thomas Loseby first answered saying God give me strength to stand against you and your Sentence and your Law which is a devouring Law for it devoureth the Flock of Christ and I perceive there is no way with me but Death except I would consent to your devouring Law and believe in that Idol the Mass Thomas Thirtel said If you make me an Heretick then you make Christ and his Apostles Hereticks for I am in the true Faith and I will stand in it for I know full well I shall have Eternal life therefore Henry Ramsey said Will you have me to go from the Truth that I am in Margaret Hide said You have no cause to give Sentence against me for I
Christ of necessity Christ must be the true God for that there be many Gods we Children cannot believe The Captain amazed at this said Thou young Villain and Traytor where and of whom learnest thou this Lesson of my mother said he with whose milk I sucked in this Lesson that I must believe in Christ The mother was called and she gladly appeared the Tyrant commanded the Child to be horsed up and scourged the Standers by beholding this merciless act could not refrain from tears the joyful and glad mother alone stood by with dry cheeks yea she rebuked her sweet Babe for desiring a cup of cold water charging him to thirst after the cup that the Babes of Bethlem once drunk of she willing him to remember little Isaac who willingly offered his neck to the dint of his fathers Sword c. Then did the cruel Tormentor pull of the skin hair and all from the crown of the Childs head the mother Crying Suffer my Child anon thou shalt pass to him that will adorn thy head with a Crown of Eternal glory Thus the mother counselleth and encourageth the Child is encouraged and receiveth the strips with a smilling countenance The Captain seeing the Child invincible and himself vanquished commanded him to be cast into the stinking Prison whilest the Torments of Romanus were renewed and encreased then was Romanus brought forth again to receive new strips upon his old sorts the flesh being torn and the bare bones appearing yet the cruel Tyrant raging like a mad man quarrelled with the tormentors for dealing so mildly with him commanding them to cut prick and punch him and then he passed sentence upon him together with the Child to be burned to death to whom Romanus said I appeal from this unjust sentence of thine to the righteous Throne of Christ that upright Judge not because I fear thy cruel Torments and merciless handling but that thy Judgments may be known to be cruel and bloody When they came to the place of Execution the Tormentors required the Child of his mother for she had carried it in her Arms from the Prison she kissed it delivered it to them and as the Execution or was striking off his head she said farewel my sweet Child All Laud and praise with heart and Voice O Lord we yeild to thee To whom the death of all thy Saints We know most dear to be The Childs head being cut off the mother wrapt it in her garment laid it to her brest and so departed Then was Romanus cast into a mighty Fire which being quenched with a great storm of Rain the Tyrant commanded his Tongue to be cut out and afterwards caused him to be strangled in the Prison Gordius a Centurion in Cesarea in the heat of this Persecution left his charge living a sollitary Life in a Wilderness for a long time at last when a solemn Feast was celebrated to Mars in that City and multitudes of People were assembled in the Theatre to see the Games he came and got up into a conspicuous place and with a loud Voice said behold I am found of those that sought me not The Multitude hereupon looked about to see who it was that spoke this and Gordius being known he was immediatly brought before the Sheriff and being asked who and what he was and why he came thither he told him the whole Truth professing that he believed in Christ valued not their threatings and chose this as a fit time to manifest his Profession in Then did the Sheriff call for Scourges Gibbets and all manner of Torments to whom Gordius answered That it would be a loss and damage to him if he did not suffer divers Torments and Punishments for Christ and his Cause The Sheriff more incensed hereby commanded all those Torments to be inflicted on him with which Gordius could not be overcome but sang The Lord is my helper I will not fear what man can do unto me and I will fear no evil because thou Lord art with me c. Then did he blame the Tormentors for favouring him provoking them to do their uttermost the Sheriff not prevailing that way sought by flattery to seduce him promising him Preferment Riches Treasures Honour c. if he would deny Christ but Gordius deriding his foolish Madness saying That he lookt for greater preferment in Heaven then he could give him here upon Earth Then was he condemned and had out of the City and burnt Multitudes followed him and some kissing him with Tears intreated him to pity himself to whom he answered Weep not I pray you for me but for the Enemies of God which fight against the Christians weep I say for them which prepare a Fire for us purchasing Hell-fire thereby for themselves in the day of Vengeance and cease I pray you thus to molest my quiet and setled mind for truly For the Name of Christ I am ready to suffer a Thousands deaths c. Others perswaded him to deny Christ with his mouth and to keep his Conscience to himself my Tongue saith he which by Gods goodness I have cannot be brought to deny the author and giver of the same for with the Heart we believe unto righteousness and with the Tongue we confest unto Salvation and thus perswading and encouraging the People to be willing to dye in the like cause with an unappalled countenance he willingly gave himself to be burnt Basil in one of his Orations relates a Story of one Julitta from whom one of the Emperours Officers took all her Goods Lands and Servants contrary to all Equity whereupon she complained to the Judges and a day of hearing was appointed where the spoiled Woman lamentably declared her Case but the wicked Villain that had robbed her said that her Action was of no force for she was an Outlaw for not observing the Emperours Gods and that she was a Christian His Allegation was allowed Incense was prepared for her to offer to the Gods which if she refused she should neither have protection nor benefit of the Emperours Laws nor continue her life she hearing this in the mighty Strength of God said Farwel Riches welcome Poverty Farwel Life welcome Death all that I have were it a Thousand times more would I lose rather then speak one wicked word against God my Creator I yeild thee most hearty thanks O my God for this gift of Grace that I can condemn and dispise this frail and transitory World esteeming the Profession of Christ above all Treasures And thence forth when any Question was proposed to her her answer was I am the Servant of Jesus Christ her Kindred and Friends earnestly solliciting her to change her mind but she constantly refused with detestation of their Idolatry Then did the cruel Judge condemn her to be burnt which Sentence she embraced joyfully as a thing most sweet and delectable and so she addressed her self to the Flames in countenance jesture and words declaring the Joy of her Heart coupled with singular
to Preach is the true Character of the Beast and Antichrist And that the Court of Rome is the Chief Head of Antichrist And that no Reprobate is a Member of the Church His books being examined were condemned as heretical to be burnt in the Fire and Sentence of Condemnation was past upon him by the Arch-Bishop and he was delivered to the secular Power by whom he was carried into Smithfield and there burnt with one Richard Turning a Baker The next year after the burning of these men the Prelates of England seeing the daily increase of the Gospel and fearing the ruin of their papal Kingdom took counsel together with what deligence they could to maintain the same Wherefore to make their State and Kingdom sure by Statutes Laws Constitutions and Terror of Punishment Henry Chichly Arch-Bishop in his Convocation holden at London maketh another Constitution against the poor Lollards which was sent abroad Anno 1416. to be straitly executed in which their Officials or Commissaries were required twice every year at least to make diligent enquiry after such persons as were suspected of Heresie and Parishoners were to be sworn upon the Evangelifts to discover whether they knew any frequenting privy Conventicles or differing in their life and manners from other Common Catholick men or that should have any Books in the English Tongue After the setting out of this Constitution aforesaid great inquisition hereupon followed in England and many good men who began to have a love to the Gospel were much troubled and great Sufferers John Gale of London was summoned before the Arch-Bishop for having a Book in English entituled A Book of the new Law Ralph Mungin for the same Doctrine was condemned to perpetual imprisonment William White a follower of John Wickliff he was of a devout holy life is recorded as a Morning Star in the midst of a Cloud a man well learned an upright man and well spoken for the love of the Truth he gave over his Preisthood but not his preaching for he continually laboured to advance the glory of God by reading writing and preaching The chief matters charged against him were that he held That men should seek for the forgiveness of their sins only at the band of God That the Pope was an Enemy unto Christs Truth That men ought not to Worship Images That the Romish Church was the Figg-Tree which Christ Cursea because it brought forth no Fruit of the true Beleif That such as wear Câ—ules or be Annointed or Shorn are the Souldiers of Lucifer And that all such because their Lamps are not burning shall be shut out when as the Lord shall come He was apprehended for preaching and teaching such like Doctrine in Norfolk and being had before the Bishop of Norwich he was convicted condemned and burnt in Norwich in the 7th Moneth 1424. When he was at the Stake beginning to open his mouth to speak to the People to exhort them and confirm them in the Truth one of the Bishops Servants struck him in the mouth thereby to force him to keep silence And thus this good man received the Crown of Martyrdom and ended this Mortal life to the great grief of all good men in Norfolk his wife Joane following her Husbands steps A Woman Preacher according to her power teaching and sowing abroad the same Doctrine confirmed many in Gods Truth wherefore she suffered much trouble and punishment the same year at the hands of the said Bishop John Goose 1473. being called before the Bishops and accused for Heresie being condemned and delivered to Robert Beâ—â—isdon one of the Sheriffs of London to see him burnt in the afternoon the Sheriff like a charitable man had him home to his house and there exhorted him to deny his Errors he desired the Sheriff to be content for he was satisfied in his Conscience The Sheriff giving him some meat he being very hungry did eat so freely as if the hour of his death had not been known to be so nigh saying to the Standers by leat now a good and competent Dinner for I shall pass a little sharp Shower ere I go to Supper and having dined he required that he might be led to the place where he should yield up his spirit unto God About this time there being a war begun by the Turks against the Christians so called there was great invasions and victories obtained by the Turks against them insomuch that the Turks in the space of Thirty years subdued Arabia got Palestina Phenetia Siria Egypt and Persia raging with their Armies throughout all Asia and Europe Conquering as they passed The causes of which Invasions and Victories as is recorded were the dissention discord falshood idleness unconstancy greedy avarice lack of Truth and fidelity amongst Christian men of all states and degrees both high and low for by the wilful defection and back-sliding of the Christians the Turkish power did exceedingly encrease and them called Christians were by multitudes destroyed and as it is written there was hardly a Town City or Village in all Asia and Grecia also in a great part of Europe and Africa whose streets did not flow with the Blood of the Christians whom these cruel Turks Murthered after an inhuman manner Men and Women being by them cut in Pieces Children stuck upon Poles and Stakes till they gored them to death in the sight of their Parents draging some at their Horse tails till they famished them to death tearing some in Pieces tying their Arms and Legs to four Horses treading the aged and feeble under their Horses feet The Princes of Rasia had both their Eyes put out with Basons red hot set before them cuting some asunder in the midst and with other Torments putting many to death insomuch that the streets and ways of Chalrides did flow with Blood of them that were slain The Pretors Daughter of which City being the only Daughter of her Father and noted to be of singular beauty A remarkable story and worthy noâ—ing was saved out of the slaughter and brought to Mahumet the Turk to be his Concubine but she denying to consent to his Turkish filthiness was commanded therefore to be slain it would be long to recite and incredible to bâ—lieve the cruel and horrible slaughters and miserable tortures inflicted upon the Christians by these Turks in most parts of Asia and Africa but especially in Europe And during all these Wars and Slaughters the Pope ceased not continually calling upon Christian Kings and Princes and Subjects to take the Cross and to War against the Turks lest he should lose all whereupon in that time of Darkness and Popery many took Voyages to the holy Land and many Baâ—tails were fought for the winning the holy Cross and yet no success neither ever came it prosperoufly forward whatsoever the Pope attempted against him what the cause was may be easily judged if the Reader considers the gross Idolatry prophaness and degeneration those called Christians were fallen into having wholy
accused on several Articles by the Bishops and afterwards Condemned by them as an Heretick to be burnt when he came to the fire he said Father of Heaven I commend my Spirit into thy holy Hands and then turned him to the People and said these Words I beseech you Christian Brethren and Sisters that you be not offended in the Word of God for the affliction and Torments which you see already prepared for me but I Exhort you that you Love the Word of God and suffer patiently and with a comfortable heart for the Words sake which is your undoubted Salvation and Everlasting Comfort Moreover I pray you shew my Brethren and Sisters which have heard me oft before that they cease not nor lâ—â—ve off the Word of God which I taught unto them after the Grace given to me for any Persecutions or Troubles in this World which lasts not and shew unto them that my Doctrine was no Old Wives Fable after the Constitution made by men and if I had taught mens Doctrine I had gotten great thanks of men but for the Word and true Gospels sake I suffer this day by men not sorowfully but with a glad Heart and Mind for this cause I was sent that I should Suffer this Fire for Christs Sake this grim Fire I fear not and so I pray you to do if that any Persecution come unto you for the Word's sake and fear not them that Kill the Body and afterwards have no power to Kill the Soul Then he prayed for them which accused him saying I beseech thee Father of Heaven to forgive them that have through Ignorance or an evil Mind forged Lyes against me I forgive them with all my heart and I beseech Christ to forgive them who have Condemned me to death this day ignorantly So being first Hanged he was then burnt many People bewailing his death VVabter Mille amongst the rest of the Martyrs of Scotland his Constancy is not to be past over with silence out of whose Ashes Sprung thousands of his Religion in Scotland many Articles were drawn up against him for which he had sentance pronounced against him that he should be delivered to the Temporal Judge and punisht as an Heretick which was to be burnt Now when all things were ready for his death and he conveyed with Armed men to the Fire Andrew Olifant Judge that past sentence upon him bad him Go to the Stake he said Nay except thou pull me up with thy hand for I am forbidden by the Law of God to lay hands of my self then Olifant put him up with his hand thereupon he went gladly saying I will go to the Altar of God and desired that he might have time to speak to the People which his Executioner denyed saying That he had spoken over-much and that the Bishops were oâ—fended that the matter was so long continued but some young men that stood by desired him to speak what he please so after he had prayed he rose up and standing upon the Coles said on this wise Dear Friends the Cause why I suffer this day is not for any Crime laid to my Charge but only for the defence of the Faith of Christ Jesus for which as the faithful Martyrs have heretofore gladly offered themselves being assured after the Death of their Bodies of Eternal Felicity so this day I praise God that he hath called me of his Mercy among the rest of his Servants to seal his Truth with my Life which as I received it of him so willingly I offer it to his Glory Therefore as you will escape the eternal death be no more seduced by the Lyes of Priests Monks and Bishops and the rest of the Sect of Antichrist but depend only upon Jesus Christ and his Mercy that you may be delivered from Condemnation All that while there was great Mourning and Lamentation of the multitude for they perceiving his Patience Stoutness Boldness and Constancy were not only moved and stirred up but their hearts also were so inflamed that he was the last Martyr that died in Scotland for Religion after his prayer he was hoised up on the Stake and being in the Fire he said Lord have Mercy on me pray People while there is time and so be constantly departed The Persecutions in the Reign of Edward the sixth Henry the Eighth being dead Edward the sixth succeeded him at the Age of nine years he was a Youth of a meek nature and disposition much inclined to Clemency and Mercy yea so much that when one Joan Butcher being condemned to be burnt for Heresie all the Council could not move him to set his hand saying to Cranmer what will you send her quick to the Devil in her Error Doctor Cranmer perswaded him with much ado at last to put his hand to whom he said He would lay all the charge thereof upon Cranmer as before the Lord. But though this King was of so mild a Nature and a Person inclining to love Religion from a Child being very Zealous for a further Reformation in the Church abolishing the Mass c. and a Protector being appointed during his Nonage which was his uncle the Duke of Somerset a man also very Zealous for Reformation and an Encourager of such as profest the Gospel but in the midst of these meek and gentle times on the other hand the Pâ—pish party having a great power in the Kingdom used all the Means and Endeavours to stir up Persecution and to hinder that good they found the King and his Uncle inclinable to yet the most of this Kings Reign which was but short the Sword was taken out of their hands so that they had not power to shed much Blood all his Reign yet some there were that suffered for Religion viz. Joan of Kent an English woman and one George a Dutchman and one Thomâ—s Dobb who was apprehended for speaking against the Idolatry of the Mass and committed to Prison where he died The cause of the Imprisonment of Thomas Dobb was as followeth The said Thomas Dobb being a Man fervent and zealous for Religion and as it is recorded of him a man so Innocent that he was like a Dove without any Gall or Bitterness and more apt to receive Injury then do wrong to any one It happened that as he was passing by Pauls in London seeing the Priest at Mass being at the Elevation as he passed by the young man filled with godly Zeal pitying the Ignorance and Idolatry of the People in honouring that so devoutly which the Priest lifted up was not able to forbear but opened his Mouth and turning to the People exhorted them testifying against their Idolatry for which cause he was presently apprehended by the Mayor and being accused by the Bishop of Canterbury was Committed to the Counter in Bredstreet where falling sick he soon after died In this Kings time there was also one John Hume a servant to one Lewnax accused by his Master of denying the Sacrament of the Altar to be the real
hand This John Fortune was a man of a Zealous Spirit and ready in the Scriptures in Christs Cause Stout and Valiant and no less patience in his wrongful Suffering then constant in his Doctrine The Examination is as followeth First Doctor Parker asked How I believed in the Catholick Faith Fortune I asked him which Faith he meant whether the Faith that Stephen had or the Faith of them that put Stephen to death Parker being moved said What a naughty Fellow is this you shall see anon he will deny the blessed Sacrament of the Altar and said How sayest thou by the blessed Mass Fortune And I stood still and made no answer Then said one Foster Why speakest thou not and make the Gentleman an answer Fortune I said Silence is a good answer to a foolish Question Parker I am sure be will deny the blessed Sacrament of the Altar Fortune I said I knew none such Parker You deny the order of the seven Sacraments and why dost thou not believe in the Sacrament of the Altar Fortune Because it is not written in Gods Book Foster You shall be Whipped and Burnt for this Fortune If you knew how these words do rejoyce my heart you would not have spoken them Away with him said he for he is ten times worse then Samuel and so he was carried away to Prison again At the second Examination Bishop asked me If I did not believe in the Catholick Church Fortune I believe that Church whereof Christ is the head Bishop Dost thou not believe that the Pope is Supream head of the Church Fortune No Christ is Head of the true Church Fortune Then I asked him whether the Pope were a Spirtual Man To which he said Yea. Fortune I said They are spightfull men for in seventeen Months there were three Popes one Poisoned another for that presumptous seat of Anti-chhist Bishop It is Malishiously spoken for thou must obey the power and not the man well said he What say you to the Ceremonies of the Church Fortune All things that are not planted by my heavenly Father shall be blucked up by the roots saith Christ Bishop They are good and godly and necessary to be used Fortune Paul called them weak and beggerly At the third Examination Bishop How believest thou in the Sacrament of the Altar Dost thou not believe that after the Consecration there is the real substance of the Body of Christ Fortune That is the greatest Plague that ever came into England Bishop Why so Fortune If I were a Bishop and you a poor man as I am I would be ashamed to ask such a Question for a Bishop should be apt to teach and not to learn Bishop Is it Idolatry to Worship the blessed Sacrament or no Fortune God is a Spirit and will be Worshipped in Spirit and Truth At another Examination Bishop asked me If I would stand to my Answers that I had made him before Fortune Yea for I have spoken nothing but the Truth And after that he made a great Circumstance upon the Sacrament Then I desired him to keep to the Text and he read the Scripture which said I am the Bread which came down from Heaven believest thou not this Fortune Yea truly Bishop Why dost thou deny the Sacrament Fortune Because your Doctrine is false Bishop How can that be false which is spoken in the Scripture Fortune Christ said I am the Bread and you say the Bread is he therefore your Doctrine is false Bishop Dost not thou believe the Bread is he Fortune No. Bishop I will bring thee to it by the Scriptures Fortune Hold that fast for that is the best Argument you have yet Bishop Thou shalt be burnt like an Heretick Fortune Who shall give Judgment upon me Bishop I will judge a hundred such as thou art and never be shreven for it Fortune Is not there a Law for the Spirituality as well as for the Temporality Clement Higham said Yes what meanest thou by that Fortune When a man is perjured by the Law he is cast over the Bar and sitteth no more in judgment and the Bishop is a perjured man and ought to sit in Judgment of no man Bishop How provest thou that Fortune Because you took an Oath in King Henry's dayes to resist the Pope so both Spiritual and Temperal are perjured that here can be no true Judgment Bishop Thinkest thou to escape Judgment by that no for my Chancellor shall judge thee he took no Oath for he was then out of the Realm Clement Higham It is time to Weed out such Fellows as you be indeed The Bishop commanded the Bailiff to take him away thus much touching the Examination of this man but whether he died by Fire or were otherwise prevented by Death is not recorded only his Sentence of Condemnation was drawn up and registred by the Register of Norwich but most certain it is he never recanted John Careless Examined before Doctor Martin Martin askt him Where he was born Careless said John Careleses Examination At Coventry Martin said How camest thou hither Careless By a Writ Martin Thou art a hansom man and its pity but thou shouldest do well and play the Wise mans part Careless I put you out of doubt that I am most sure and certain of my Salvation by Christ Jesus so that my Soul is safe already whatsoever pains my Body suffer here for a little time After much more discourse between them about predestination Martin said The Lord knows that I would gladly make some means to preserve thy life but thou speakest so much of the Lord the Lord How sayest thou wilt thou be content to go into Ireland and serve the Queen there Careless I am ready to do service to the Queen or her Officers but if they require me to do any thing contrary to Christs Religion I am ready also to do my service in Smithfield for not observing it as other my Brethren have done He endured Imprisonment two whole years in Coventry and the Kings-Bench where at last he died and was buried in a Dunghill in the Fields Sentences taken out of a Letter written by John Careless in the time of his Suffering and Imprisonment To my most dear and faithful Brethren in Newgate condemned to die for the Testimony of Gods Everlasting Truth The Everlasting Peace of God in Christ Jesus the continual Joy Strength and Comfort of his most pure Holy and Mighty Spirit with the increase of Faith and lively feeling of his Eternal Mercy be with you my most dear and faithful loving Brother Tyms with all the rest of my dear hearts in the Lord you faithful fellow Souldiers and most constant Companions in bonds yea of men Condemned most cruelly for the sincere Testimony of Gods Everlasting Truth to the full finishing of that good work which he hath so gratiously begun in you all that the same may be to his glory the commodity of his poor afflicted Church and to your Everlasting comfort in him
am in the true Faith and will never forsake it and I do wish I were more stronger in it and the second time being called before the Bishop she said I will not depart from my sayings till I be burned Agnes Stanley said I had rather every hair of my head were burned if it were never so much worth then that I should forsake my faith which is the true Faith After they had been twice called and Examined they were condemned and about the 12th day of the Moneth called April were all burnt in one Fire in Smithfield After these in the Moneth called May three others suffered in Georges-fields in Southwark viz. William Morrant Stephen Gratwick and one King This St. Gratwick in his Examination was very hardly and illegally deal with for first he was condemned by the Bishops of Winchester and Rocester to whose Diocess he did not belong Secondly when he made his appeal from these incompetent Judges to the Bishop of the Diocess he lived in his appeal would not be allowed when they had no other shift to colour their inordinate proceedings withall they procured a Priest to counterfeit himself to be Bishop of Chester and brought him to sit as Judge over him When he was before the Bishop of Winchester in Mary-Overs Steeple-house because the People cryed out God strengthen thee the Bishop threatned saying Now let me see him here that dare open his Mouth to bid God strengthen thee he shall die the death that thou shalt die Gratwick answered I know your cruelty doth extend more largly then your pity They further shewed their injustice against him in that they brought in Articles against him which were not grounded upon his own Examinations and Confessions and because he refused to answer to them though they had no other just matters against him but only for saying these words viz. That which I have said I have said they proceeded to read the Sentence of Death against him When he was asked whether he would recant he said My Faith is grounded more stedfastly then to change in a moment it s no process of time can alter me unless my faith were as the Waves of the Sea When the Sentence was read the Bishop delivered him into the hands of the Sheriff to be carried Prisoner to the Marshalsea whereupon the Prisoner with a loud voice desired God that he would not lay his blood to their charge if it were his will and as he was passing away because he spake to the People his Persecutors cryed out Cut his Tongue out Stop his Mouth and so he was had to to the Marshalsea and put in Irons and shortly after was burnt in Georges-Fields with one Morrant and one King about the later end of the Moneth called May. Seven persons burnt at Maidstone in Kent By reason of a Proclamation published in the Moneth called February the Storm of Persecution grew rather greater in many places then before but especally in the Diocess of Canterbury whereupon the 18th day of the Moneth called June seven Persons were burnt at Maidstone the Relation of whose Apprehension Examination and Execution is not registed excepting something concerning Edmund Allen of Frytenden in Kent Miller who for reading the Scriptures and expounding upon them was complained of by John Taylor Parson of the Parish to the Justice who sending for him committed both him and his Wife to Prison but not long after they were set at liberty and went over to Callice where his Conscience being troubled after some time the Lord discovered to him that he had work for him to do in England and thereupon he and his Wife shortly after returned home to Kent Parson Taylor hearing of their return although he was in the midst of his Mass when the News was brought him he turned to the people and commanded some with all speed to go and apprehend them when his Mass was over he went and apprehended the said Allen and had him before one called Sr. John Baker a Justice who sent him to Prison and caused an Inventory to be made of his Goods and they took thirteen pounds in Money away from him when he was brought before Baker the Justice The Justice said Who gave thee Authority to Preach Allen Give me leave to answer I am perswaded that God hath given me this Authority as he hath given to all other Christians Why are we called Christians if we do not follow Christ nor read his Laws Is not Christ our Father shall not the Son follow the Fathers steps Is not Christ our Master and shall the Scholler be hindered from Learning and Preaching his Precepts Is not Christ our Redeemer and shall we not praise his Name and serve him that hath Redeemed us from Sin and Damnation did not Christ being but of twelve years of Age dispute with the Doctors and interpret the Prophet Isaiah although he was not of the Tribe of Levi which were Priests but of the Royal Tribe of Judah neither had taken any outward Priesthood wherefore if we be Christians we must do the same One Collins standing by said to the Justice What a Knave is this that compareth himself with Christ Justice Baker Let him alone he will pump out an infinite heap of Heresies hast thee any more to say for thy self Allen Yea that I have Adam was Licensed of God and Abraham was commanded to teach his Children and Posterity and David teacheth in divers Psalms and Soloman also preached to the People as the Book of the Preacher proveth where he teacheth that there is no immortal felicity in this Life and Noah taught them that were disobedient in his days and therefore is called the eighth Preacher of Righteousness Moses chose seventy Elders to help him to teach and Rule the People Eldad and Medad preached in their Tents wherefore Josuah being Offended complained to Moses that Eldad and Medad did preach without License to whom Moses answered I would all the People could do the like Justice Baker Thou saidst thou didst feed the People both Bodily and Spiritually Allen We are all Kings to rule our Affections Priests to Preach out the virtues of God and lively Stones to give light to others for as out of Flint-Stones cometh forth that that is able to set all the World on fire so out of Christians should spring the Beams of the Gospel which should inflame all the World what availeth it a man that hath Meat and will eat none and Apparel and will ware none Is not every Christian a Follower of Christ And doth not Paul forbid quenching the Spirit Doth he prohibit any man that hath gifts that they shall not exercise the same The Justice askt him Why he refused to Worship the Sacrament of the Altar Allen Because it is an Idol Baker Away with him and then was he carried to Prison and shortly after burnt at Maidstone The 30th day of the Moneth called June there were four men and three Women more burnt at Canterbury Alice
I am content to be a Witness of Christ's death And I pray you make no longer delay with me for my heart is fixed and I will never turn to your superstitious doings Then the Bishop said The Devil did lead her No said she it is the Spirit of God which leadeth me and which called me in my Bed at Midnight and opened his Truth to me Then the Priests and others Shouted and laughed at her When the Sentence was read against her and she was condemned to be burnt to death she lifted up her Voice and said I thank thee my Lord my God this day have I found that which I have long sought for At which words They mockt her and so being brought to the Stake she was as lively and cheerful in her Countenance as if she had been prepared for that day of her Marriage to meet the Lamb and so she ended this Mortal Life She was a Woman very patient in her Words and Answers in her Apparel Meat and Drink moderate and sober and would never be Idle and was a great comfort to such as talked with her and in her trouble she refused to take Money saying whilst I am here God has Promised to feed me and I am going to a City where there is no need of Money And in the time of her suffering she forsook Husband Children who Persecuted her because she would not stoop to Idolatry and when after Sentence and Judgment was given against her they offered her that if she would recant and turn her life should be spared Nay said she God forbid that I should lose life Eternal for this life I will never turn from my heavenly Husband to my earthly Husband from the fellowship of Angels to Mortal Children If my Husband and Children were faithful then am I theirs God is my Father my Sister my Brother and my Friend most faithful Five persons burnt at Canterbury We are now come to a stop of the Issue of Blood and the rage of Persecution for the Testimony of Truth in Queen Maryes time and the last that suffered in her time were five that were burnt at Canterbury about six dayes before her Death viz. John Cornford of wortham Christopher Browne of Maidstone Jo. Hurst of Ashford Alice Sloth Katherine Tynley which five persons being in the custody of the Arch-Deacon of Canterbury who being at London and understanding the danger of the Queens dying Posted home to dispatch them out of the way in the which fact the Tyranny of this Arch-Deacon seemeth to exceed Bonner's cruelty for several that were under his custody were delivered by the Death of the Queen after they had suffered many great Exercises and Tryals Here followeth an Account of such who suffered Tryals and Imprisonments for their Profession of the Truth and who in all likelihood had also been burnt for the same had not God through his Mercy and Providence preserved them by the Death of the Queen At this time divers there were in many places of the Realm Imprisoned whereof some were but newly taken and not Examined some begun to be Examined but were not condemned several were Examined and condemned but no Writ being sent down escaped others were condemned and the Writ sent down for there burning but the Bishop Chancellor and Queen happning to die together about one time they were Marvelously preserved amongst whom was one John Hunt and Richard white both Imprisoned at Salisbury and other places This Examnation was on the 26th of April 1557. where they lay above two years and were often troubled by Priests and Bishops Richard White being brought before Capon Bishop of Salisbury and Brookes Bishop of Gloucester and a great number of other Priests Bishop Brookes said Is this the Prisoner and said Friend wherefore comest thou hither VVhite I trust to know the cause for the Law saith in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses things must stand Dr. Capon Did not I Examine thee of thy faith VVhite No you did not Examine me but commanded me to the Lollards Tower and that no man shoeld speak with me and now I do require mine Accuser say what I have said and I will answer you Then the Chancellor said Thou shalt corfess thy Faith ere then depart and my Lord of Gloucester shall Examine thee VVhite I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because it is the power of God to Salvation to all that believe and St. Peter saith If any man do ask thee a reason of the hope that is in thee make him a direct answer and that with meekness And being referred to the Bishop to Examine him he said Will you take the pains to wet your Coat in my blood Be not Guilty thereof I warn you and that before hand Brookes I will do nothing contrary to our Law declare thy faith said he concerning the Sacrament of the Altar VVhite What is a Sacrament I find not that word Sacrament in the Scriptures Much discourse they had concerning the Sacrament of the Altar which for brevities sake is omitted and at last the Bishop cryed Away with him to the Lollards Tower and dispatch him as soon as you can this was the Substance of his Examination The occasion of his and his Companions long detainment in Prison and not Executed was the moderation of the Under-Sheriff who when he had received the Writ to burn them said I will not be guilty of these mens blood and immediately burnt the Writing within few dayes after the said John Hunt and Richard White being in a low and dark Dungeon in an Evening fell upon their knees to prayer but could not utter words for weeping and tenderness of Heart and so continued a great while in tears the next morning news was brought them that the Chancellor their great Enemy was dead who died about the same time that they were in such a weeping frame however they there continued in Prison till the coming in of Queen Elizabeth and then were set at Liberty At this time also was delivered by the Providence of God one John Fetty a poor Taylor of Clarkenwel whom his Wife complained of to the Priest of the Parish for that he would not go to Mass and be partaker of their Idolatry notwithstanding this unkind fact of his Wife yet did he cherish her and provide well for her but notwithstanding his gentle dealing with her and that she had recovered her health having been ill did again accuse him whereupon he was apprehended and by one of the Queens Commissioners sent to the Lollards Tower where he was put into the painful Stocks and had a dish of Water set by him with a Stone put in it after he had layn there about two weeks hanging in the Stocks sometimes by one Leg and one Arm and sometimes by the other and sometimes by both it happened that one of his Children a Boy of the Age of about eight or nine Years came to the Bishops House to see if he could
sixteen Provinces also subjecting themselves under this new Government lost their antient Liberties and Priviledges which evidently appeared by the exploits done from the year 1567. hitherto by a new Council of twelve elected and setled there by the Duke the principal of which were Vergas and Elrio Fathers of the Inquisition which Council was commonly called the Council of BLOOD In the year 1568. the Duke of Alva began to declare to the World his feigned meekness An. 1568. puting to death two Brethren Barons of Battembourg The names of three Martyrs Imprisoned at Antwerp were Schoblant Son of Barthel Jo. de Hues and Joris Comans and several others he Executed at the same time at Brussel These two Brethren from the flower of their youth had constantly professed the pure Doctrine of the Gospel and in the end were put to death for their Testimony to the same Shortly after there were taken and imprisoned at Antwerp several persons whose constancy to Death will appear by what they writ to certain of their Brethren Dated the 17th of March as followeth Seeing it is the will of God that we should suffer for his holy Name and in the Quarrel of his Gospel we certifie you Brethren that we are hitherto of good courage howsoever the flesh continually rebels against the Spirit counselling it ever and anon according to the advice of the Old Serpent but we are well assured that Christ who hath bruised will also still bruise the Serpents Head and not leave us comfortless true it is we are now and then pricked in the heel but that is all the Serpent can do nor are we discouraged but keep our faith close to the Promises of God who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth having created all things of nothing He forsook not Joseph in Eygpt nor left the three Young Men in the fiery Furnace no nor Daniel in the Lyons Den this is the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob and of their Righteous Posterity so that we can without fear say with the Prophet David The Lord is my Help Tower Strength and Refuge By such and the like Scriptures dear Brethren we comfort our selves in our Bonds rejecting all confidence in man whatsoever be not dismayed then good Brethren and Sisters for our Bonds and Imprisonment for so is the good will of God now towards us and therefore pray rather that he would give us grace to persevere constantly unto the End so be it One of these three imprisoned in Antwerp wrot a few Lines to the Church of God in Antwerp as followeth Brethren I write unto you being left alone whereas we were three in number John Hues is now dead in the Lord I did my best to comfort him whilest he breathed so as now I am alone and yet not altogether alone seeing the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob is with me he is my exceeding great Reward and will not fail to reward me as soon as I have laid down this earthly Tabernable Pray unto God that he would strengthen me to the end for from hour to hour I expect the dissolution of this house of Clay When Joris one of the three was examined before the Magistrates the Marquess said unto him I have hitherto spared you hoping to see you recant but you grow worse and worse Joris replyed during the time of my Imprisonment I have shed many tears and further said he was now become resolute and could not fashon himself according to their desire although they burnt him as they had done his Brother Schoblant Marquess I can tell you it will cost you but little better cheap Joris I am ready if it be to morrow Then said one of the Standers by he has neither Wife Child nor Goods to lose and that makes him so willing to dye Joris You shall answer these your doings at the last day where you must all appear and then there will be no respect of persons Marquess We have heard you preach too long take him Goaler and cast him into the Hole then was he put among Thieves as a Lamb among so many Wolves Thus this constant Witness remained firm till death The Spectacles of dead Bodies slain by the Bloody Inquisition was a Dreadful sight being gazed on in a manner in every place especially in the City of Tournay and of the Valentians in regard of the multitudes of Believers both of men and women who had long Languished in sundry Prisons in great miseries and necessities Now that we may not forget what fell out in the beginning of this Year 1569. Thus it happened in the City of Valence seven and fifty persons were executed for no other cause but for cleaving to the true Faith of Christ Jesus not without much astonishment of the poor people of that City Among these sad Relations a little to quicken and refresh the Spirit of the Reader I will here insert a Letter full of Consolations written out of Prison to the Faithful by one William Tovart Merchant who had his dwelling in the City of Lile in Flanders This honourable person being come to the Age of Eighty Years or thereabouts used his House for the space of Fourteen or Fifteen Years for the Assembly in the City of Lile to meet in Being chased and Banished thence in the Year 1561. he withdrew himself for a while to Tournay whence he was constrained to flie and to go to Amiens and Moundediea Cities of Prickardy afterwards returning into his own Country he came to reside in the City of Antwerp where after he had continued many Years he was at length condemned to be burnt with two others who suffered for the same cause but they put him to another kind of Death for they drowned him by plunging him in a Cistern of Water in Prison Amongst many Letters which he wrote during the time of his Imprisonment my Author hath selected out this one which here followeth Dear Brethren and Sisters in Jesus Christ I most humbly thank my God that he hath so fortified and comforted me by his Grace that I feel my self more cheered by lying in this dark Prison then if I were walking in the open Streets or Fields I say this I feel according to the Spirit for as touching the Flesh what doth it apprehend here but stinking Vapours and Smoke Wherefore my beloved if it so fall out that you be apprehended for the Name of Jesus Christ fear not the prison nor those that have power to Kill the Body for having done that they can go no further be not afraid then seeing it is the reward which our good Captain Jesus Christ hath Promised to all his Faithful Souldiers and Servants he who turns his back in this conflict goes by the loss but whosoever fights manfully obtains in the end the Crown not a Crown of Gold but of Glory Immortal we here lay down a fading life filled with griefs and troubles to change the same for a Life Everlasting we put off the Rags
Servants of Christ falsly called Brownists unto the High-Court of Parliament The most high God Possessor of Heaven and Earth bringeth at this present before your Lordships and Wisdoms right honourable his own Cause his own People his own Sworn and most treacherous Enemies together with the most shameful Usage of his Truth and Servants that ever hath been heard of in the dayes of Sions professed Peace and Tranquility His Cause and People he offereth unto your Consideration and Defence in our Profession and Persons His Enemies and their Out-rage against his Truth and Servants in the Persons and Bloody Proceedings of the Prelates of this Land and their Complices We profess the same Faith and Truth of the Gospel with her Majesty which your honours this whole Land and all the reformed Churches under Heaven this day do hold and Maintain We go beyond them being our only fault even in the Judgment of our tyrannical and most savage Enemies in the detestation of all Popery that most fearful Anti-christian Religion and draw nearer in some Points by our practice unto Christs holy Order and Institution this is our Faith this is our cause Right Honourable yea the Lords Cause in our sinful hands For the Profession and Maintenance of which Faith the fore-named Enemies of God detain in their hands within the Prisons about London not to speak of other Goals throughout the Land about threescore and twelve persons Men Women Young and Old lying in Cold in Hunger in Dungeons and in Irons of which Number they have taken the Lords day last being the third day of the fourth Moneth 1592. about some sixteen persons hearing the Word of God truly taught praying and praising God for his favours shewed unto us unto her Majesty your Honours and this whole Land and desiring our God to be Merciful to us unto our Gracious Prince and Country being employed in these holy Actions and no other as the Parties who disturbed them can testifie they were taken in the very place where the Persecuted Church and Martyrs were enforced to use the like Exercise in Queen Maryes dayes The former Number are now unbailable committed by the Prelatel or Bishop of London unto whose close for the most part several Prisons as Bridewel the Limboe or Dungeon in Newgate the Fleet the Marshalsea the Counters the Clynk the Gatehouse the Whitelyon c. wherein we willingly acknowledge the Lot and Inheritance in this Life of our Fore-Fathers and Brethren the holy Martyrs of the former Age and the entailed Aceldama or Bloody Succession of the See of London and that whole Linage Well here our Brethren lie How long Lord holy and true thou knowest in Dungeons in Hunger in Cold in Nakedness and all outward distress for these Bloody men will allow them neither Meat Drink Fire Lodging nor suffer any whose Hearts the Lord would stir up for their relief to have any access unto them purposing belike to imprison them unto death as they have done Seventeen or Eighteen others in the same noisome Goals within these Six Years The Husband and Wife being now taken by them they permit not to be in the same but have sent them to be close kept in other Prisons VVhat the poor Family doth at home in the mean time your Lordships may consider and justly pity Som of this Company had not one Penny about them when they were sent into close Prison nor any thing being abroad which is the case of most of them if not all to procure themselves and their poor Families any Maintenance save only their handy Labours and Trades whereby it is come to pass that these Enemies of God do not only starve and undo a number of men in the Prisons but even a lamentable Company of poor Orphans and Servants abroad their unbrid led slanders their Lawless privy searches their Violent breaking open and rifling of our Houses their lamentable and barbarous Usage of VVomen and Young Children in these hostile assaults their Uncontrouled Thievery Robbing and taking away of whatsoever they think meet from us in this case their unappeased and merciless pursuit of us from our Houses Trades Wives Children especially from the holy Society of the Saints and Church of God We are inforced to omit lest we should be over tedious to your Lordships but their dealing this way towards us is so woful right honourable as we may truly demand with grief of heart whether the forreign Enemy or our native Country men do possess and bear rule over us in our dear and native Country Their whole dealing herein is most Barbarous most Inhumane but especially most Unchristian and such as exceeds the cruelty of the Heathen and Popish Professed Tyrants and Persecutors the Records of the Heathen Persecution under Nero Trajan Decius Galienus Maximinian c. can scant afford us any Examples of the like cruelty and havock for the Heathen Romans would Murder Openly and Professedly These godless men have put the Blood of War about them in the day of the Peace and Truth which this whole Land professeth to hold with Jesus Christ and his Servants Bishop Bonner Story Wesâ—â—n dealt not after this sort for those whom they committed close they would also either feed or permit to be fed by others and they brought them in short space openly into Smithfield to end their misery and to begin their never ending joy Whereas Bishop Elinar Q. Eliz. An. 1592. Dr. Stanhope and Mr. Justice Young with the rest of that Persecuting and Blood thirsty faculty will do neither of these No Fellows no Murderers no Traytors in this Land are so dealt with There are many of us by the Mercies of God still out of their hands The former holy Exercise and Profession we purpose not to leave by the Assistance of God We have as good Warrant to reject the Ordinances of Anti-christ and labour for the recovery of Christs holy Institutions as our Fathers and Brethren in Queen Maryes dayes had to do the like and we doubt not if our cause were truly known unto her Majesty and your Wisdoms but we should find greater favour then they did whereas our Estate now is far more lamentable And therefore we humbly and earnestly crave of her Majesty and your Lordships both for our selves abroad and for our Brethren now in miserable Captivity but just and equal Tryal according unto her Majesty's Laws if we prove not our Adversaries to be in a most Pestilent and godless course both in regard of their Offices and their Proceedings in them and our selves to be in the right Way we desire not to have the benefit of her Majestyes true and faithful Subjects which of all earthly favours we account to be one of the greatest Are we Malefactors Are we any wise undutiful unto our Prince Maintain we any Errours Let us then be judicially convicted thereof and delivered to the Civil Authority but let not these bloody men both Accuse Condemn and closly Murther after this sort
lost the true Faith once delivered to the Saints and instead of being Sufferers which was once the portion of the true Christians were now became Persecutors and Destroyers of such as would not stoop to their Idolatry and to every foolish invention that the Popes from time to time did set up and commanded to be observed It is recorded that in the time of Pope Julius partly with his Wars and partly with his Cursings in the space of seven years about 200000. Christians were destroyed so addicted to Bloodshed was this Pope and as is written surpassed many other Popes in Iniquity that Wicelius wrot thus of him Marti illum quam Christo deditiorem fuisse that is that he was more given to War and Batail then to Christ which made Philip Melancton write an Epigram in Latine upon him the sence of which in English is as followeth When Julius Pope against the French determin'd to make War As fame reports he gathered up great Troops of men from far And to the Bridge of Tyber then marching as he were Wood His holy Keys he took and cast them down into the Flood And afterward into his hand he took a naked Sword And shaking it braks forth into this fierce and warlike word This Sword of Paul quoth he shall now defend us from our Foe Since that this Key of Peter doth nothing avail thereto In the year 1512. there was a fight between Lewis the French King and this Pope Julius at Ravenna upon Easter day where the Pope was vanquished and had of his Army slain to the number of Sixteen thousand and the next year this Apostolical Warriour which had resigned his Keys to the River of Tybris before made an end both of his fighting and living About this time began the reign of Henry the eighth King of England in whose reign great alterations and turns of Religion were wrought by the mighty operation of Gods Hand not only in England but in Germany and other parts of Europe such as had not been seen although much groaned for many hundred years before nevertheless many suffered great Persecutions and Martyrdom in this Kings reign both in England and elsewhere and many good men were raised up to bear witness to the Truth yet some were of opinion that it was not wholy the Kings fault that so much Blood was spilt in his time for the Bishops were the Draco to make the bloody Laws and it was the Bishops that were earnest to see the Laws put in Execution the King oftentimes scarce knowing what was done and but hearing of a Woman that was the second time put upon the Rack exceedingly condemned the party that was the cause of it for using such extreme Cruelty John Brown passing from London in a Gravesend-Barge in which Barge there was a Priest and Brown sate hard by him whereupon the Priest said dost thou know who I am Thou sittest too neer me Brown said no sir I know not who you are I tell thee said he I am a Priest What sir said Brown are you a Parson or a Viccar or a Ladies Chaplain I am said he a Soul Priest and sing for a Soul I pray you sir said Brown where find you the Soul when you go to Mass I know not said the Priest and where do you leave it when you have done Mass I cannot tell said the Priest Brown replyed if you neither know where the Soul is when you begin nor where you leave it when you have done how then do you save a soul Go thy ways said the Priest thou art an Heretick and I will be even with thee And accordingly when they came to Land the Priest taking two others with him that were present in the Boat went and complained to Arch-Bishop Warham who sent a Warrant presently to apprehend Brown and being apprehended the Messenger bound his feet under his horse belly and carried him away to the Arch-Bishop neither his wife nor friends knowing whether he went nor what they would do with him The Bishop cast him into Prison where he lay about six weeks then was carried to Ashford where he dwelt and there set in the flocks all night his wife hearing of it came and set by him all night to whom he shewed how cruelly he had been handled by the Arch-bishop telling her he could not set his feet to the ground for they had burnt them to the bones to make him deny Christ which said he I durst not do lest my Lord Christ should deny me hereafter Therefore good wife continue as thou hast begun and bring up my Children Virtuously and in the Fear of God And so the next day this Godly Martyr was burnt calling upon God and saying into thy hands I commend my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth At the fire the n = ‖ Chilton by name Bailiff bid cast in his Children also for said he they will spring out of his Ashes And in Queen Maries time his son Richard Brown was sentenced to be burnt being a Prisoner at Canterbury but that the Queen dying he escaped suffering About this time many suffered very greatly for spaking against Worshipping of Saints against Pilgrimage for having Scripture books in English and a book called Wickliss wicket One of which Sufferers by name Elizabeth Stamford who being brought and examined before Fitz James Bishop of London Anno 1517. confessed that she was taught by one Thomas Beale of Henly these words Eleaven years before viz. That Christ faâ—deth and nourisheth his Church with his own pretious Body that is the Bread of Life coming down from Heaven This is said she the Worthy Word that is Worthily received and joyned unto man to be in one body with him so it is that they be both one they may not be parted This is not received by chewing of Teeth but by hearing with Ears and understanding with the Soul and wisely working thereafter and as Paul saith I fear me amongst us Brethren that many of us be feeble and sick therefore my Counsel is Brethren to rise and watch that the great day of Doom come not suddenly upon us as the Thief doth upon the Merchant And she said further that the said Thomas Beale taught her that she should confess her sins to God and that the Popes Pardons and Indulgences were nothing worth John Stillman in the year 1518. was apprehended and brought before the Bishop of London and examined for speaking against Worshipping Praying and Offering unto Images and for saying Wicklifs Wicket was a good book and that when he was apprehended he hid the same in an old oak and did not bring it out to the Bishop he was sent to the Lollards Tower and being afterwards brought openly to the Consistory at Pauls it was further objected against him that he should say the Pope was Antichrist and not the true Successor of Peter or Christs Viccar on Earth and that his Pardons and Indulgences which he granted in the Sacrament