Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of the Kingdom enemy of Gods Word THe next moneth after the burning of Doctor Ridley and Mr. Latimer which was the moneth of November Stephen Gardiner Bishop and Chancellor a man hated of God and all good men ended his wretched life The same day when as Bishop Ridley and Mr. Latimer suffered at Oxford came the servant of the said Winchester posting in all possible speed from Oxford bringing intelligence to the Bishop that Ridley and Latimer were burnt he came out rejoycing and saying to the old Dâ—ke of Norfolk being then in his house Now saith he let us go to dinner Whereupon they being set down meat was immediatly brought and the Bishop began merrily to eat but what followed The bloodyly â—yrant had not eaten a few bits but the sudden stroak of God his terrible hand fell upon him in such sort as immediatly he was taken from the Table and so brought to bed where he continued for the space of fifteen dayes in such intollerable anguish and torments that all that mean while during these fifteen dayes he could not avoid by order of Urine or otherwise any thing that he received whereby his body being miserably inâ—amed within who had inflamed so many good Martyrs before was brought to wretched end And therefore no doubt as most like it is came the thrusting out of his tongue from his mouth so swolen and black with the Inflamation of his body a spectacle worthy to be noted and behold of all such bloody persecuters Moreover it is recorded concerning the said Bishop that when Doctor Daie Bishop of Chicester came to him and began to comfort him with words of Gods promise and with the free justification in the blood of Christ our Saviour repeating the Scriptures to him Winchester hearing that What my Lord quoth he will ye open that gap now then farewell altogether to me and such other in my case ye may speak it but open this window to the people then farewell altogether The Martyrdome of Mr. John Philpot Arch-deacon was burnt for the defence of the Gospels cause against the Antichristian See of Rome After long â—mprisonment oft Examination he is condemned as an Heretick and delivered to the Secular Power to be burnt When he came to the place of suffering to wit in Smithfield he kissed the Stake and said Shall I disdain to sâ—ffer at this Stake seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer most vile death upon the Crosse for me and then with an obedient heart full meekly he said the 106.107 and 108. Psalms and when he had made an end of all his prayers he said to the Officers What have ye done for me and every one of them declared what they had done and he gave to every one of them money then they bound him to the Stake and set fire unto that constant Martyr who in the midst of the firey flames yeelded his soul into the hands of the Almighty God and like a Lamb gave up his breath his body being consumed into ashes The writings and examinations of Mr. Phipòt were by the providence of God preserved from the sight and hands of his enemies who by all manner and means sought not only to stop him from all writing but also to spoil and deptive him of that which he had written for the which cause he was many times stripped and searched within the prison by his Keeper but yet so happily these his Writings were couveyed and hid in places about him or else his Keepers eyes so blinded that notwithstanding all this malicious purpose of the Bishops are yet remaining and come to light There were seven Martyrs that suffered together at one fire in Smithfield at London for the testimony of Christs Gospel in the second year of persecution under Qâ—een Mary five men one wife and one maid all which seven as they were burned together in one fire so were they likewise all upon one sort and form of Aâ—ticles condemned in on day Amongst the rest of the Articles objected against them were that they misliked the Sacrifice of the Masse and the Sacrament of the Altar refusing to come to their Parish Church to hear Masse and that they did expresly say that in the Sacrament of the Altar is not the very body and blood of our Saviour Christ really substantâ—â—ly and truly and hath affirmed expresly that the Masse is idolatry and abomination and that in the Sacrament of the Altar there is none other substance but only materiall bread and materiall wine which are tokens of Christs body and blood and that the substance of Christs body and blood is no wayes in the Sacrament of the Altar c. As for the first of these seven to wit Thomas Whitlie Minister upon perswasion and counâ—â—l râ—canted and subscribed a Bill of submission to renounce all errors and heresies against the Sacrament of the Altar c. And I do protest and declare by these presents that I do both now hold obâ—erve and keep in all points the Ctaholick â—aâ—th and belief of Christs Church according as this Church of England â—eing a member of this Catholick Church doth now profess and keep and in no wayes to swerve decâ—ine or go from the said faith during my naturall life submitting my self fully and wholly to you reverend Father my said ordinary in all things concerning my reformation and amendement at all times Now when he had thus done he was troubled in his mind and conscience for forsaking the crosse of Christ and had no rest till he obtained again the submission he had subscribed which havinâ— gotten he was very glade and returned again and with great constancy and fortitude stood to the defence or Christ Doctrine to the fire against the Papists Five other Martyrs in Canâ—erbury four Women and on Man at two staiks and one fire altogether burned who when the fire was flaming about their ears do sing Pâ—alms Where at the good knight Sir John Norton being there present weeped bitterly at the sight thereof The Martyrdome of Thomas Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury THe Martyrdom of the reverent Pastor and Prelat Thomas Cranmâ—r Aâ—ch-Bishop of Canterbury who was burned at Oxford â—nder Queen Marie for the confession of Christs true Doctrine he was a gentleman born of good parentage he attained to great knowledge and learning and was reader of Divinity lecture in the Colledge of Cambridge and was in such special estimation and reputation with the whole University that being Doctor of Divinity he was commonly appointed one of the heads which are two or three of the chiefest learned men to examine such as yearly professe in comencement either Batchelors or Doctors of Divinity by whose approbation the whole University licenseth them to proceed unto their degree and again by whose dissalowance the University also rejecteth them for a time to proceed untill they be better furnished with more knowledge When the great and weighty cause of Kiâ—g Henry
apprehended and at one time 22. prisoners were sent up together for Gods word to London from Colchester all whom bloody Boner B. of London was minded to have executed by perswasion of the Cardinal he was stayed This Cardinal was a Papist but no bloody papist alwayes for fear of stir among the people to see so many execute at once upon a reasonable submission were sent away again yet the rage of the persecution ceased not so that sometime ten at once sometime seven sometimes five excuted and burnt in Smithfield and some in other parts of the Countrey A certain woman being condemned of the Bishop to be burnt at Canterbury had two children named Patience and Charity who then said to the Bishop that if he would need burn her she trusted that he would take and keep Patience and Charity meaning her two children Nay quoth the Bishop by the faith of my body I will meddle with none of them both for the Bishop will neither keep patience nor charity At Colchester there were three men and three women burned in the forenoon besides four other burned at afternoon There that were put to the fire before noon they clapped their hands for joy in the fire that the standers by which were very many cryed generally all almost the Lord strengthen them the Lord comfort them the Lord pour his mercies upon them with such like words as was wonderfull to hear thus yeelded they up their souls and bodies into the Lords hands for the testimony of his truth Cicely Ormes was burnt at Norwich she was a very simple woman but yet zealous in the Lords cause she did for a twelve month before she was taken recant but never after was she quiet in conscience untill she was utterly driven from all their Popery between the time she recanted and that she was taken she had gotten a letter made to give the Chancellor to let him know that she repented her recantation from the bottome of her heart and would never do the like again whilest she lived but before she exhibited her bill she was taken and sent to prison and going to execution she said unto the people I would ye should not think of me that I believe to be saved in that I offer my self here unto the death for the Lords cause but I believe to be saved by the death of Christs passion and this my death is and shall be a witnesse of my faith unto you all here present Good people as many of you as believe as I believe pray for me Note well this saying of hers Then she came to the Stake and kissed it and said welcome the sweet crosse of Christ and so gave her self to be bound thereto After the Tormenters had kindled the fire to her she said my soul doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour And in so saying she set her hands together right against her breast casting her head and eyes upward and so stood having up her hands by little and little till the very sinews of her arms brast asunder and then they fell but she yeelded her life unto the Lord and quietly as she had been in a slumber or as one feeling no pain So wonderfully did the Lord work with her his name therefore be praised for evermore Amen In this furious time of persecution was burned John Rough Minister he was born in Scotland At the age of 17. years he entred into the order of the black Friers at Sterling he remained the space of 16. years untill such time as the Lord Hamiltoun Earle of Arrane and Governour of the Realm of Scotland casting a favour unto him did sue unto the Archbishop of St. Andrews to have him out of his professed order that as a Secular Priest he might serve him for his Chaplaine At which request the Archbishop caused the Provincial of that house having thereto authority to dispense with him for his habit and order This sute being thus by the Earle obtained the said Rough remained in his her service one whole year during which time it pleased God to open his eyes and to give him some knowledge and thereupon was by the said Governour sent to preach in the freedom of Air where he continued four years and then after the death of the Cardinal he was appointed to abide at St. Andrews and there he had assigned unto him a yearly pension of twenty pound from King Henry the eight King of England howbeit at last weying with himself his own danger and also abhorring with himself the idolatry and superstition of his countâ—ey and hearing of the freedome of the Gospel within the Realm of England he went to England in King Edwarâ—s time and there was preferrâ—d by the Duke of Somerset as a Preacher to serve at Caâ—lill and other placâ—s but in the beginning of the raign of Queen Mary he fled with his wife into Friesland there labouring truly for his living in knitting of Capes Hose and such like things till about the end of the moneth of October last before his death At which time lacking yarn and other necessarie provision for the maintenance of his occupation he came over again into England here to provide for the same he joyneth himself to the Congregation at London and was there Minister and thereafter he was betrayed and apprehended and sent to Newgate he is brought to his examination before Boner After his examination he is condemned as an Heretick and degraded exeeming him from all bene fits and priviledges of their Church and committed his body to the Secular power Touching him two things may be noted first he being in the north Countrey in the dayes of King Edward the sixth was the mean to save Doctor Watsons life who in Queen Maries time was Bishop of Lincoln for a Sermon that he made there The said Watson after that in the said dayes of Queen Mary being with Boner at the examination of the said Mr. Rough to requite the good turn in saving his life detected him there to be a pernicious Heretick who did more hurt in the north parts then an hundred beside of his opinion Unto whom Mr. Rough said again Why Sir Is this the reward that I have for saving your life when ye preached erroneous Doctrine in the dayes of King Edward the sixth 2. Being before Boner among other talk he affirmed that he had been twise at Rome and there had seen plainly with his eyes which he many times heard of before namely that the Pope was the very Antichrist for there he saw him carried on mens shoulders and the false named Sacrament born before him yet was there more reverence given unto him then unto that which they counted to be their God When Boner heard this rising up and making as though he would have torn his garments hast thou said he been at Rome and seen our holy father the Pope and dost thou blaspheme him After this sort and with that flying upon him he plucked
night and burn him before the people should know it as he came to his defence to answer They with a confused multitude of people came unto him in the night and drew him naked out of his bed bound his hands hard behind him and carried him away then he being marvellous weary and faint required to be set on horse-back for his feet were all cut and hurt with the yce because he was led all night barefoot when they heard him say so they mocked and laughed at him saying must we hire an horse for an Heretick he shall go on foot whither he will or not and after a world of indignities mockings striking and bustetting him he was burnt without any judgement his cause not being heard In the mean time a certain Woman as he passed by offered her self to suffer a thousand stripes and to give much money so that they would pacifie the matter and keep him in the prison untill that he might plead his matter before the whole convocation of the countrey people When they heard these words they waxed more mad and threw the Woman down under feet and trod upon her and beat the said Henry unmercifully the fire as often as it was kindled would not burn notwithstanding they satisfied their minds upon him striking and pricking him with all kind of Weapons the said Henry standing in the mean time in his shirt before all the rude people at the last they having gotten a great Ladder bound him hard thereunto and cast him into the fire And when he began to pray and to repeat his Creed one strake him upon the face with his fist saying thou shall first be burnt and afterward pray and prat as much as thou wilt Then another treading upon his breast bound his neck so hard to a step of the Ladder that the blood gushed out of his mouth and nose This was done to strangle him withall for they saw that for all his sore wounds he would not die After that with their weapons they had killed him they rosted him upon the coals for the Wood as often as it was set on fire would not burn out And thus this godly Preacher finished his Martyrdome and many moe godly Preachers were burnt About the same time many other godly Persons and such as feared God for the testimony of the Gospell were thrown into the River of Rhene and into toher Rivers were their Bodies afterward were found and taken up In the same year of God 1524. the Town of Mihtemherge in Germany was taken and ransacted and diverse of the inhabitants there slain and many impriâ—oned for mantaining and keeping with them Carolastadius to be their preacher The lamentable Martyrdom of John Clerk of Melden in France Melden is a Citie of France ten miles distant from Paris where John Clark was first apprehended and taken for setting up upon the Church door against the Popes pardon lately sent thither from Rome in which Bill hee named the Pope to be Antichrist for the which his punishment was this that three severall dayes hee should bee whipped and afterwards have a mark imprinted in his forehead as a note of infamy his mother being a Christian Woman although her Husband were an adversary when she beheld her son thus pitionsly scourged and ignominously deformed in the face constantly and boldly did encourage her son crying with a loud voice blessed be Christ and welcome be these prints and marks thereafter leaving the Town he came to Merz in Lotharing where he remained a certain space applying his Vocation being a Wool-carder in his Occupation whereas he the day before that the people of that City should go out to the Saburbs to worship certain blind Idols thereby after an old use and custome amongst them received being inflamed with the zeal of God went out of the City to the place where the Images were and brake them all down in pieces tryall being taken who should be the doer thereof this man was suspected and examined upon the same at first confesseth the fact rendering also the cause which moved him so to do he was condemned and led to the place of Execution where he sustained extream torments for first his hand was cut off from his right arm then his nose with sharp Pinsons was violently plucked from his face after that both his armes and his papes were likewise pluckt and drawn out with the same Instrument To all them that stood looking upon it was an horrour to behold and dolefull sighs of his pains Again to behold his patience or rather the grace of God giving him the gift to suffer it was a wonder Thus quietly and constantly he endured in his torments pronouncing or in a manner singing the Verses of the 115. Psa Simulachra corum sunt argentum aurm c Their Images be silver and gold the work only of mans hands c. The residue of his life that remained in his rent body was committed to the fire and therewith consumed A certain godly Priest in Suevia being commanded to come and give good counsell to sixteen Countreymen that should be beheaded afterward was bid himself to kneel down to have his head cut off no cause nor condemnation further being laid against him but only of meer hatred against the Gospel After that George Sherter had instructed the people in knowledge or the Gospel in Rastar ten miles distant from Saltzburg was accused of his adversaries and put in prison where he wrot a Confession of his Faith he was condemned to be burned alive but means was made that first his head should be cut off and his body afterward be cast into the fire going toward his death he said crying aloud that ye may know said he that I die a true Christian I will give you a manifest sign and so he did by the power of the Lord for when his head was taken off from his shoulders the body falling upon his belly so continued the space while one might well eat an Egge after that it softly turned it self upon the back and crossed the right foot over the left and the right hand over the left at the sight whereof they which saw it were in a great marvell The Magistraces which before had appointed to have burned the body after the beholding seeing this miraâ—â— would not burn it but buried it with other Christian mens bodies and many by the same example were moved to believe the Gospel Thus God is able to manifest the truth of his Gospel in the midst of persecution who is to be blessed for ever Amen Giles of â—rasels as he was brought to the place of burning where he saw agreat heap or Wood pyled he required the greater part to be taken away and be given to the poor a little said he would suffice him Also seeing a poor man coming by as he went that lacked shooes he gave his shooes unto him better said he so to do then to have his shooes burnt and the poor to
our Lord 1200. for this cause they were often accused and complained of to the King as contemners and despisers of the Magistrats and Rebels they were oftentimes persecuted and many put to death for their Profession in end the Court or Parliament at Province gave out a cruell sentence against Merindol and condemned all the Inhabitants to be burned both Men and Women sparing none no not the little Children and Infants the Town to be razed and their Houses to be beaten down to the ground also their trees to be cut down as well Olive-trees as all other and nothing to be left to the intent it should never be inhabited again but remain as a Desert or Wildernesse The violence and execution of this cruell and bloody sentence was for a time restrained and the rage of the adversaries repressed till Minerius a bloody persecuter and the Kings Lievtenant of Province forged a most impudent lye against these innocent Christians giving the King to understand that they of Merindol and all the Countrey near about to the number of twelve or fifteen thousand were in the field in Armour with their Ensigne displayed intending to take the Town of Mansfield and make it one of the Cantons of the Switzers and to stay this enterprise he said it was necessary to execute the Arrest manumilitari and by this means he obtained the Kings Letters Patents though the help of the Cardinall of Tournon commanding the sentence to be executed against the Meridolians notwithstanding the King had before revoked the said sentence and given strait commandement that it should no wayes be executed After this he gathered all the Kings Army which was then in Province ready to go against the Englishmen and took up all besides that were able to bear Armour in the Chief Towns of Province and joyned them with the Army which the Popes Lâ—gat had Levied for that purpose in Avinion and all Countries of Venice and imployed the same to the destruction of Merindol Cabriers and other Towns and Villages to the number of 22. giving Commission to his Souldiers to spoyl ransack burn and destroy all together and to kill Man Woman and child without all mercy sparing none no otherwise then the Infidels and cruel Turks have dealt with the Christians So Merindol without any resistance was taken ransacked burnt razed and laid even with the ground and killed all both young and old whom they found in the Town When he had destroyed Merindol he laid siege to Catriers and battered it with his Ordinance but when he could not win it by force he with the Lord of the Town and Powling his chief Captain perswaded with the Inhabitants to open their Gates solemnly promising that if they would so do they would lay down their Armour and also that their cause should be heard in Judgement with all equity and justice and no violence or injury should be shewed against them Upon this they opened their Gates and let in Minerius with his Captains and all his Armie but the Tyrant when he was once entred falsified his promise and raged like a Beast for first of all he picked out about thirty men causing them be bound and carried into a Meadow near to the Town and there to be miserably cut and hewn in pieces by his Souldiers then because he would not leave no kind of cruelty unattempted he also exerciâ—ed outrage and fury upon the poor silly women and caused fourty of them to be taken of whom diverse were great with child and put them into a Barn full of Straw and Hay and caused it to be set on fire at four corners And when the silly women running to the great Window where the Hay is wont to be cast into the Barn would have leaped out they were keeped in with Pikes and Halberds then there was a Souldier which moved with pity at the crying out and lamentation of the Women opened a door to let them out but as they were comming out the Tyrant caused them to be slain and cut in pieces opening their bellies that the children fell out whom they trod under their feet with many other cruel and barbarous acts against the poor innocents This done this Tyrant more cruel then ever was Herod commanded one of his Captains with a Band of Ruffians to go into the Church where was a great number of Women Children and young Infants to kill all whom he found there which the Captaine at the first refused to do saying that were a cruelty unused among men of War Whereat Minerius being displeased charged him upon pain of Rebellion and disobedience to the King to do as he had commanded him The Captain fearing what might ensue entreth with his men and destroyed them all sparing neither young nor old We are not here to passe by the fearfull Jugement of God that fell upon Minerius the cruel Persecuter of thir innocents being stricken with a strange kind of bleeding at the lower parts in manner of a bloody Flux and not being able to avoid any Vrine thus by little and little his Guts within him rotred and when no Remedy could be found for this terrible disease and his Intrals now began to be eaten of Worms a certain famous Chirurgeon named La Motte which dwelt at Arles a man no lesse Godly then expert in his Science was called for who after he had cured him of this difficulty of making Water and therefore was in great estimation with him before he would proceed further to search the other parts of his putrified body and to search out the inward cause of his Maladie he desired that they which were present in the Chamber with Minerius would depart a little aside Which being done he began to exhort Minerius with earnest words saying how the time now required that he should ask forgivenesse of God by Christ for his enormous crimes and cruelty in shedding so much innocent blood and declared the same to be the cause of this so strange profusion of blood comming from him These words being heard so pierced the impure conscience of this miserable wretch that he was therewith more troubled then with the agony of his disease in so much that he cryed out to lay hands upon the Chirurgeon as an Heretick La Motte hearing this eftsoones convyed himself out of sight and returned again to Arles notwithstanding it was not long but he was sent for again being intreated by his friends and promised most firmly that his comming should be without any perill or danger and so with much adoe he returned again to Minerius raging and cast out most horrible and blasphemous words and feeling a fire which burnt him from the Navel upward with extream stinck of the lower parts finished his wretched life whereby we have notoriously to understand that God through his mighty arm at length confoundeth such persecuters of his innocent and faithfull servants and bringeth them to nought to whom be praise and glory for ever The Persecutions of the
spiritual consolation felt in himself no apâ—nesse nor willingness but rather a heaviness and dulnesse of spirit finding much discomfort to bear the bitter crosse of martyrdome ready now to be laid upon him and here we see that Gods Saints may be destitute for a time of the Lords comfort Unto whom the said Austen answering again willed and desired him patiently to wait the Lords pleasure and how soever his present feeling was yet seeing his cause was just and true he exhorted him constantly to stick to the same and to play the man nothing misdoubting but the Lord in his good time could visite him and satisfie his desire with plenty of consolation whereof he faid he was right certain and sure and therefore desired him whenâ—oever any such feeling of Gods heavenly mercies should begin to touch his heart that then he would shew some signification thereof whereby he might witnesse with him the same and so departed from him The next day when the time came of his martyrdome as he was going to the place and was now come to the sight of the Stake although all the night before praying for strength and courage hee could feel none suddenly he was so mightily replenished with Gods holy comfort and heavenly joyes that he cried out clapping his hands to Austen and saying in these words Austen he is come he is come and that with such joy and alacrity as one seeming rather to be risen from some deadly danger to liberty of life then as one passing out of the world by any pains of death And so he was put to the fire and burnt for the testimony of the truth Denton being afrayed of burning said to Wolsey that he cannot burn but he that could not burn in the cause of Christ was afterward burned against his will when Christ had given peace to his Church for his house was set on fire and while he went in to save his goods he lost his life with two other that were in the same house Not much unlike to this was also the example of Mr. West Chaplain to B. Ridley who refusing to die in Christs cause with his masters said masse against his conscience and soon afterward died The Death and Martyrdome of Bishop Ridley and Bishop Latimer MAster Ridley Bishop of London and Latimer Bishop sometimes of Worcester men of memorable leaning and incomparable ornaments and gifts of grace joyned with no lesse commendable sincerity of life as all the Realm can witnesse sufficiently were burnt at Oxford for the testimony of the truth This B. Ridley was descended of a stock right worshipfull he was born in Northumberland-shire After he past his course at Cambrige made Doctor of Divinity he went to Paris and after his return was made Chaplain to King Henry the eight and promoted afterward by him to the Bishoprick of Worcester and so from thence translated to the Seâ— and Bishoprick of London in King Edwards days now in Queen Maries time they were laid hands upon and committed to prison and accused as Hereticks Great was the conference and godly talk that was between them while they were in prison Mr. Ridley wrote many letters from the prison as a letter from him and his prison-fellows unto Mr. Braidford and his prison-fellows in the Kings bench at Southwark and to many others And besides these letters of his diverse other tracttations were written by him partly out of prison and partly in prison As for Mr. Latimer that famous Preacher and worthy Martyr of Christ and his Gospel he was a long time a zealous and superstitious Papist and in this blind zeal he was a very enemy to the professors of Christs Gospel as both his Oration made when he proceeded Batchelor of Divinity against Philip Melancton and also his other works did plainly declare but he through the goodness of God was converted by Mr. Bilney unto the truth so that whereas before he was an enemy and almost a persecuter of Christ he was now a zealous seeker after him howbeit as Satan never sleepeth when he seeth his kingdom begin to decay so likewise now seing that this worthy member of Christ would be a shrowd shaker thereof he raised up his impious Impes to molest and trouble him He wrote also many letters from the prison Touching the memorable acts and doings of this worthy man amongst many other this is not to be neglected what a bold enterprise he attempted in sending to King Henry a present the manner whereof was this There was then and yet remaineth still an old custome received from the old Romans that upon new years day being the first day of January every Bishop with some handsome new years gift should gratifie the King and so they did some with gold some with silver some with a purse full of money some with one thing and some with another but Mr. Latimer being Bishop of Worcester then amongst the rest presented a new Testament for his new years gift with a napkin having this poesie about it Fornicatores adulteros judicabit Dominus Now in Queen Mariâ—s time after their long imprisonment they are brought forth to their finall examination and execution are degraded and condemned as Hereticks and delivered to the Secular power to be put to death When they came to the fire they brought a Eagot kindled with fire and laid the same down at Doctor Ridleys feet to whom Mr. Latimer spake in this manner be of good comfort Mr. Ridley and play the man we shall this day light such a Candle by Gods grace in England as I trust shall never be put out And here we see the Church to be lightened by the Martyrdome of Saints And so the fire being given to them when Doctor Ridley saw the fire flaming up toward him he cried with a wondeâ—ful loud voice In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum Domine sujcipe spiritum meum and after repeated this latter part often in English Lord Lord receive my spiâ—it Mr. Latimer crying as vehemently on the other side Oh Father of Heaven receive my soul who receiving the flame as it were embracing of it After as he had stroaled his face with his hands as it were bathed them a little in the fire he soon died as it appeared with very little pain or none Bâ—t Mr. Ridley by reason of the evill making of the fire unto him he was long in burning he câ—ied to let the fire come to him for his nether paâ—ts were burnt before the fire touched his upper parts yet for all this to ment he forgot not to call upon God still it moved hundreds to tears in beholding this horrible sight for I think there was none that had not clean exiled all humanity and mercy which would not have lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage upon their bodies Thus thir two godly and learned men ended their lives for the cause of Christ and testimony of his truth The death and end of
office or to do in any Church of God unto the Civill Judgement and power Then the Emperor commanded Lodovieus Duke of Bavaria which stood before him in his Robes holding the Golden Apple with the Crosses in his hands that he should receive John Hus off the Bishops and deliver him unto them which should do the Execution by whom as he was led to the place of Execution before the Church doors he saw his Books burning whereat he smiled and laughed And all men that passed by he exhorted not to think that he should die for any error or heresie but only for the hatred and ill-will of his adversaries which had charged him with most false unjust crimes all the whole City in manner being in Armour followed him When as he was brought to the place of Execution he kneeled down upon his knees and lifting up his eyes to heaven he prayed and said certain Psalms and especially the 50. and 31. Psalms and they which stood hard by heard him often times in his prayer with a merry and chearfull countenance repâ—â—t this verse In thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit c. Which thing when the Lay-people beheld which stood next unto him they said what he hath done before we know not but now we see and hear that he doth speak and pray very devourly and godly In the mean time while he prayed as he bowed his neck backward to look upward unto heaven the Crown of Paper fell off from his head upon the ground Then one of the Souldiers taking it up again said let us put it again upon his head that he may be burned with his Masters the Devils whom he hath served When as by the commandement of the Torments he was risen up from the place of his prayer with a loud voice he said Lord Jesus Christ assist me and help me that with a constant and patient mind by thy most gracious help I may bear and suffer this cruell and ignominious death whereunto I am condemned for the preaching of thy most holy Gospel and Word Then as before he declared the cause of his death unto the people in the mean time the Hangman stripped him of his garments and turning his hand behind his back tyed him fast unto the Stake with Ropes that was made wet And whereas by chance he was turned towards the East certain cryed out that he should not look toward the East for he was an Heretick so he was turned toward the West Then was his neck tyed with a Chain unto the Stake the which Chain when he beheld smiling he said that he would willingly receive the same Chain for Jesus sake who he knew was bound with a far worse Chain Under his feet they set two Fagots admixing Straw withall and so likewise from the feet up to the chin he was inclosed in round about with Wood. But before the Wood was set on fire Lodovicus Duke of Bavaria with another Gentleman with him which was the son of Clement came and exhorted John Hus that he would be yet mindfull of his safeguard and renounce his errours To whom he said what errour should I renounce when as I know my self guilty of none for as for these things which are falsly alledged against me I know that I never did so much as once to think them much lesse to preach them for this was the principall end purpose of my Doctrine that I might teach all men pennance and remission of sins according to the verity of the Gospel of Christ Jesus and the exposition of the holy Doctors wherefore with a chearfull mind and courage I am here ready to suffer death When he had spoken these words they left him and shaking hands together they departed Then was the fire kindled and John Hus began to sing with a loud voice Jesus Christ the Son of the living God have mercy upon me And when hee began to say the same the third time the wind drave the flamme so upon his face that it choaked him yet notwithstanding he moved a while after by the space that a man might almost say three times the Lords Prayer When all the Wood was burned and consumed the upper part of the body was left hanging in the Chain the which they threw down stake and all and making a new sire burned it the head being first cut in Gobbets that it might the sooner be consumed into ashes The heart which is found amongst the bowels being well beaten with staves and clubs was at last pricked upon a sharp stick and roasted at a fire a part untill it was consumed Then with a great diligence gathering the ashes together they cast them into the River of Rhine that the least remnant of the ashes of that man should not be left upon the earth whose memory notwithstanding cannot bee abolished out of the minds of the people neither by water neither by any kind of torment And here is to bee considered that notwithstanding the Emperor had promised unto Master John Hus safe conduct that he might come freely unto Constance but also that he should return again unto Bohem without fraud or interruption yet the Emperor is forced by the importunity of the Cardinals and Bishops to breake promise for said they that no defence could or might be given either by safe conduct of or by any other mean unto him which was suspected or judged to be an heretick Not long after followed the burning of that famous and learned man and godly Martyr of Christ Master Jerome of Prage burned at Constance for like cause and quarrel as Master John Hus was This Jerome grievously sorrowing for the slanderous reproach and defamation of his countrey of Boheme And also hearing tell of the manifest injuries done unto that man of worthy memory Master John Hus freely and of his own accord came unto Constance to declare openly before the Counsel the purity and sincerity of his faith and his innocency and how to purge himself of Heresie whereof he was slandered and defamed and gave intimation set up in diverse places of the town of Constance charging his slanderers of what Nation or Estate soever they be which will object against him any crime of error or heresie to come forth openly before him in the presence of the whole Counsell to object against him and he shall be ready to answer openly and publickly before the whole Counsel of his innocency and to declare the purity and sincerity of his true Faith And finding no safe conduct to compare before the Counsel the Nobles Lords and Knights specially of the Bohemian Nation present in Constance gave unto Master Jerome their Letters parents confirmed with their Seals for a testimony and witnesse of the premisses with the which Letters the said Master Jerome returned again into Bohemia but by the treason and conspiracy of his enemies he was taken and brought back again bound with fetters and chains and was cited to compear before the Counsel and
perish for cold Standing at the Stake the Hang-man was ready to strangle him before but he would not saying that there was no such need that his pain should be mitigated for I fear not said he the fire do therefore as thou art commanded And thus the blessed Martyr lifting up his eyes to Heaven in the middle of the flame was extincted to the great lamentation of all that stood by After that time when the Friers of that City would go about for their Almes the people would say it was not meet for them to receive Almes with bloody hands At this time also was great Persecution in Gaunt and other parts of Flanders as Charles ths Emperor did lye in Gaunt the Friers and Doctors there obtained that the Edict made against the Lutherians might be red openly twise a year which being obtained great persecution followed so that there was no City nor Town in all Flanders wherein some either were not expulsed or headed or condemned to perpetuall prison or had not their goods confiscat neither was there any respect of Age or Sexe At Gaunt especially many there were of Head men which for Religion sake were burned Afterward the Emperor comming to Brusels there was terrible slaughter and persecution of Gods people namely in Brabant Hennegow and Artoys the horrour and cruelty whereof is almost incredible in so much that at one time as good as two hundreth men and women together were brought out of the Countrie about into the City of whom some were drowned some burnt quick some prively made away others sent to perpetuall prison whereby all prisons and towers were replenished thereabout with prisoners and captives and the hands of the Hang-man tyred with slaying and killing to the great sorrow of all them which knew the Gospel being now compelled either to deny the same or confirm it with their Blood Ursula and Maria virgins of noble stock were burned for the Goâ—pel in Delden a Town in lower Germany First Mary being the younger was put to the fire where she prayed ardently for her enemies commending her soul to God At whose constancy the Judges did greatly marvell Then they exhorted Ursula to turn or if she would not at least that she should request to be beheaded To whom she said that she was guilty of no error nor defended any thing but which was consonant to the Scripture in which she trusted to preserve unto the end And feared not the fire but rather would follow the example of her dear Sister that went before This was marvelous that the executions could in no wise consume their dead bodies with fire but left them whole lying upon the ground white which certain good Christians privily took up in the night and burned thus God many times sheweth his power in the midst of Tâ—ibulations At Dornick in Fanders Marion wife of Adrian Tailyour for the Goâ—pell of Christ was burned quick she was inclosed in an iron grate formed in shape of a paslie was laid in the earth and burned quick A certain Prince in Germany about Hungary or the parts of Pannonia his name is not expressed put out the eyes of a certain Priest in Germany for no other cause but for that he had said the Masse to be no Sacrifice in that sense as many Priests do take it Neither did the cruâ—l Prince immediatly put him to death but first keeped him in prison a long time afflicting him with diverse torments then he was brought forth to be degraded after a barbarouâ— and tyrannous manner first they shaved the crowr of his Head then rubbed it with Salt that the blood came running down his shoulders After that they razed and paired the tops of his Fingers with cruel pain that no savour of the holy oyl might remain At last the patient and godly Martyr four dayes after yeelded up his life and spirit Joannes Diazius a Spainyard Martyr was killed of his own brother at Neoberge in Germany In Hungary a certain godly Priest preached that the eating of flesh is not prohibited in the Scripture for the which the cruel Bishop after he had imprisoned him certain weeks caused him to be brought out and his body to be tyed over with Haires Geese and Hens hanging round about him and so the beastly Bishop made Dogs to be set upon him which cruelly rent and tore whatsoever they could catch And thus the good Minister of Christ beeing driven about the City with the barking of Dogs died and was Martyred The sight whereof as it was lamentable to the godly so it seemed ridiculous to the wicked but within few dayes after the impious Bishop by the stroak of Gods just hand fell sick and became horn mad and so raving without sense or wit misarably died Great likewise was the persecution in Bohemia for two hundreth Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell were banished out of Bohemia for preaching against the Superstition of the Bishop of Rome and extolling the glory of Christ Besides these Germanus above specified and others a great number there was both in the Higher and Lower Countries of Germany which were secretly drowned or buried or otherwise in prison made away whose names although they be not known to us yet they are Registrated in the books of life But leaving to speak any further of the Martyrs which suffered in Germany which were many we come to speak of the French Martyrs And because it is impossible to name all that suffered for the cause of Christ we shall make choise to some select ones The French MARTYRS ANd first John Cornon a husband man of Mascon uncleetered but to whom God gave such wisdome that his judges were amazed when hee was condemned by their sentence and burned Stephen Brune a husband man at the place of his burning the wind â—oâ—e and blew the fire so from him as he stood exhorting the people that he there continued about the space of an hour in manner not harmed or scarce touched with any flamme so that all te Wood being wasted away they were compelled to begin the fire again with new faggots and vessels of oyl and such other matter and yet neither could he with all this be burned but stood safe Then the hangman took a staffe and let drive at his head to whom the holy Martyr being yet alive said when I am Judged to the fire do yee beat me with staffes like a Dog with that the hangman with his Pike thrust him through the belly and the guts and so threw him down into the fire and burned his body to ashes throwing away his ashes afterward with the wind Constantinus a Citizen of Rhone with three other for the defence of the gospel being condemned to be burned were put in a dung Cart who the reat rejoycing said that they were reputed here as excrements of this world but yet their death was a sweet odour unto God Aymoâ—d Dâ—lavoy a Preacher of the Gospel being accused to have teached false Doctrine and
time at the fact and men yet alive the story whereof was this There was at Antwerp on a time amongst a company of Merchants as they were at supper a certain Juglar which through his Diabolicall inchantments or Art magicall would fetch all kind of Viandes and Wine from any place they would and set it upon the table incontinent before them with many other such like things The fame of this Jugler being much talked of It chanced that as Master Tindal heard of it he desired certain of the Merchants that he might also bee present at Supper to see him play his parts To be brief the supper was appointed and the Merchants with Tindall were there present Then the Juglar being required to play his feats and to shew his cunning after his wonted boldnesse began to utter all that he could do but all was in vain At the last with his labour sweating and toyling when he saw that nothing would go forward but that all his enchantment were void he was compelled openly to confesse that there was some man present at Supper which disturbed and setted all his doings So that a man even in the Martyrs of these dayes cannot lack the miracles of true faith if miracles were now to be desired After King Henry his Marriage was declared to be unlawfull and being divorced from Lady Cathren he married Lady Anna â—ullen who three years after she was married was had to the Tower with the Lord Rochford her brother and the nineteen day thereafter was beheaded The words of this worthy and christian Lady at her death were these Good Christian people I am come hither to die for according to the Law by the Law I am judged to death and therefore I will speak nothing against it I am to accuse no man nor to speak any thing of that whereof I am accused and condemned to die but I pray God to save the King and send him long to raign over you for a Gentler or more mercifull Prince was there never to me he was ever a Good a Gentle and a Soveraigne Lord. And if any person will medle of my cause I require them to judge the best And thus I take my leave of the World and of you all I heartily desire you all to pray for me so she was beheaded Whatsoever the cause was or quartell objected against her life this was a great commendation she left behind her that during her life the Religion of Christ most happily flourished and had a right prosperous course for she was an enemy to Popery she was a great giver of alms beyond all other Queens and the Revenues almost of her estate in so much that the almes which she gave in three quarters of a year in distribution is summed to the number of fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds beside the great peece of money which Her grace intended to impart unto four sundry quarters of the Realm as for a stock there to be imployed to the behoove of poor Artificers and occupyers Again what a zealous Defender she was of Christs Gospel all the world doth know and her acts do and will declare to the worlds end After the suffering of Queen Anna the King marrid Lady Jane Seimer of whom came King Edward as great an enemy to Gods enemies the Pope as ever his father was and greater too Shorâ—ly after his birth Queen Jane his Mother the second day after died in Child bed and left the King again a Widower which so continued the space of two years together After this Religion bâ—gan to go backward as appears in the condemnation burning and martyrdom of John Lambert and others For as the King was ruled and gave over some time to one some time to another so one while Reliâ—ion went forâ—wâ—rd and at another time as much backward again and sometimes clean altered and changed foâ— a season according as they could prevail which were about the King so variable was the change and mutation of Religion in King Henries days for the state of R ligion decayed all the residâ—e of King Henry A Parliament is summoned at Westmi ster in the ear 15 〈◊〉 through the devise and practiâ—â— of certain of the Popes factors about him Alâ—o a Synod or convocation of all the Archbishops Bishops and other leaâ—nâ—d of the clergy of this realm to be in like manner assembled In which Parliament Syâ—od or convocation certain articles matters and qâ—estions touching religion were decreed to the numbâ—r especially of six comonly called the six Articles or the whip â—ith six strings to be had and receivâ—d among the Kings Sâ—bjects in pretence of Unity The first Article in the present Parliament accorded and agreed upon was this that in the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar by the strength and efficacy of Christs mighty word it being spoken by the Priest is present really under the form of Bread and Wine the naturall body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ conceived of the Virgin Mary and that after the consecration there remaineth no substance of Bread or Wine or any other substance but the substance of Christ God and man Secondly that the Communion in both kinds is not necessary ad salutem by the Law of God to all persons and that it is to be believed and not doubted of but that in the flesh under the form of Bread is the very Blood and with the Blood under the form of Wine is the very flesh as well in parts as they were both together Thirdly that the Priests after the order of Priesthood received may not marry by the Law Fourthly that the vows of chastity of Widowhood by man or woman made to God advisedly ought to be observed by the Law of God and that it exeemeth them from other liberties of Christian people which without that they might enjoy Fifthly that it is meet and necessary that privat Masses be continued and admitted in this English Church and Congregation as whereby good Christian people ordering themselves accordinâ—ly do receive both godly and goodly consolations and benefites and it is agreeable also to Gods Law Sixthly that Auricular Confession is expedient and necessary to be retained and contained used and frequented in the Church of God All agreed to these six Articles except Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who stood openly in the Parliament against them bringing forth such Allegations as might easily have helped the cause nisi paucos major vicisset ut saepe solet meliorem Great was the trouble and persecution at London for these six Articles and else-where through the land Doctor Barnes Garret and Hicrome were burnt for the Gospel at Smithfield At this time when Lambert was burnt there was one Colins at London sometime a Lawyer and a Gentleman being distracted of his wits coming into a Church where a Priest was saying Masse and was come to the place where they use to hold and shew the Sacrament he seeing the Priest holding the host over his head and
shewing it to the people he in like manner counterfeiting the priest took up a little dog by the legs and held him over his head shewing him unto the people for this he was by and by apprehended and condemned to the fire and burned and the dog with him About the same time John Longland Bishop of Lincoln burned two upon one day the one named Thomas Bernard and the other James Morton the one for teaching the Lords Prayer in English and the other for keeping the Epistle of St. James translated into English Richard Mekins a boy not past the age of fifteen years was condemned to be burnt by Boner for speaking against the Sacrament of the Altar In Oxford also the same time or not much there-about recanted one Master Barker master of Art of that University a man excellently learned who being called up to Lambeth before the Archbiâ—hop Thomas Granmer was in his examination so stout in the cause of the Sacrament and so learnedly defended himself therein neither Cranmer himself nor all they could well answer to his allegations brought out of Auâ—eu wherein he was so promp ripe of himself that the Archbiâ—hop with the residue of his company were brought in a great admiration of him notwithstanding by compulsion of the time and danger of the six articles at last he relented and returning again to Oxford was there caused to recant After which the good man prospered not but wore away The year 1541. The King was divorced from the Lady Anna of Cleve which was his fourth wife and married to the fifth which was to Lady Cathren Howard Nice to the Duke of Norfolk and Daughter to my Lord Edmund Howard the Dukes brother but this Marriage likewise continued not long At this time were six Popish Monks executed for denying the Kings Supremacy Now as touching the late Marriage between the King and the Lady Howard this Matrimony endured not long for in the year next following 1542. the said Lady Cathren was accused of the King of incontinâ— nâ— living not only before her marriage with Frances Durham but also of spouse breach since her marriage with Thomas Culpeper for the which both the men aforesaid by act of Parliament were attained and executed for high Treason and also the said Lady Cathren late Queen with the Lady Jane Rochford Widow late Wise to Georg Bullen Lord Rochfords Brother to Queen Anna Eullen were beheaded for their deserts within the Tower The King missing Cromwell his old Counsellour Earle of Essex and smelling somewhat the wayes of Winchester began a little to set his foot again in the cause of religion And therefore in the same year after the execution of this Queen the King understanding some abuses yet to remain unreformed namely about pilgrimages and Idolatâ—y and other things moe besides to be corrected within his dominions directed his letters unto the Archbishop of Canterbury for the speedy redress and reformation of the samâ— A proclamation concerning white meats as milk egges butter cheese and such like during the time of lent without any scruple or grudg of conscience any law constitution use or custom to the contrary notwithstanding All this time great was the persecution in Caleice for Religion Amongst the rest one Adam Damlip was falsly accused for Treason and innocently put to death At his death Sir Ralph Elleker Knight then knight marshall there would not suffer the innocent and godly man to declare either his faith or the cause he died for but said to the executioner dispatch the knave have done Sir Ralph Elleker saying that he would not away before he saw the traitors heart out But shoâ—tly after Sir Ralph Elleker in a skirmish or road between the French-men and us at Eullen was amongst others slain whose only death sufficed not his enemies but after they had stripped him stark naked they cut off his privy members and cut the heart out of his bodie and so left him a terrible example to all bloody and mercilesse men for no cause was known why they shewed such indignation against the said Sir Ralph Elleker more then against the rest but that it is â—ritten faciens justitias Dominus judicia omnibus injuria pressis It is reported of a certain poor labouring man of Caleice who being in a certain company said that he would never believe that a priest could make the Lords body at his pleasure whereupon he was then accused and condemned by one Harvie Commissary there which Harvie in time of his judgement inveying against him with approbrious words said that he was an Heretick and should die a vile death The poor man answering for himself again said that he was no Heret ck but was in the faith of Christ and whereas thou sayest said hee that I shal die a vile death thou thy self shal die a viler death and that shortly and so it came to passe for within half an year after the said Harvie was hanged drawn and quarterd for Treason in the said town of Caleice Here is a notable example of Gods judgement upon a bloody Persecutor The rigour of the six Articles were a little aswaged in a Parliament Anno 1544. Mistrisse Anna Askew was brought before the Inquisitors and examined and after that sundry times examined and put to great trouble and put to the rack because she would not confesse what Ladies or Gentlewomen were of her opinion and therein sayes she they keeped me along time and because I lay still and did not cry my Lord Chancellor and M. Rich took pains to rack me with their own hands till I was nigh dead then the Leivtenant caused me to be loosed from the Rack incontinently I sowned and then they recovered me again After that I sat two long hours reasoning with my Lord Chancellor upon the bare floor whereas he with many flattering words perswaded me to leave my opinion but my Lord God I thank his everlasting goodnesse gave me grace to persevere and will do I hope to the very end then was I brought to an house and laid in a bed with as weary and painfull bones as ever had patient Job I thank the Lord my God therefore Then my Lord Chancellor sent me word if I would leave my opinion I should want nothing if I would not I should forth to Newgate and so be burned I sent him again word that I would rather die then to break my faith heareafter she is condemned to be burnt for her opinion touching the Sacrament for holding that after the Priest hath spoken the words of Consectation there remaineth bread still they both say and also teach it for a necessary Article of faith that after these words be once spoken there remaineth no bread but even the self same body that hang upon the Crosse on goodfryday both flesh blood and bones to this belief of theirs said I nay for then were ouâ— common Creed false which saith that he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father
chief thing objected against her as against all the rest was touching the real and corporall presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar many other matters was objected against them as for not comming to the church for speaking against the masse for dispising their Ceremonies and new found Sacraments with diverse other fond and trifling toyes not worthy any mentioning This woman being exhorted to recant she said do what ye will for if Christ was in an errour then am I in an errour upon which answer shee was adjudged and condemned as an Heretick and so delivered unto the secular power to be by them put to death and so she was burnt George Tankerfield a little before his execution prayed his Host to let him have a good fire in his Chamber he had so and then he sitting on a Form before the fire put off his shoos and hose and stretched out his leg to the flame and when it had touched his foot he quickly withdrew his leg shewing how the flesh did perswade him one way and the Spirit another way The Spirit said be not afraid for this is nothing in respect of fire eternall The flesh said leave not the company of thy friends acquaintance which love and will not let thee lack nothing The Spirit said the company of Jesus Christ and his glorious presence doth exceed all fleshly friends The flesh said do not shorten thy time for thou mayest live if thou wilt much longer The Spirit said this life is nothing unto the life in Heaven which lasteth for ever c. And when he came to the place of execution after he ended his prayer he arose and with a joyfull faith he said that although he had a sharp dinner yet he hoped to have a joyfull supper in Heaven While the Fagots were set about him there came a Priest unto him and perswaded him to believe â—n the Sacrament of the Altar and he should be saved But George Tankerfield cryed out vehemently and said I defy the Whore of Babylon I I defy the Whore of Babylon fy on that abominable Idol good people do not believe him Then the Major of the Town commanded to set fire to the Heretick and said if he had but one load of Fagots in the whole world he would give them to burn him There was an certain Knight by and went unto Tankerfield and took him by the hand and said good brother be strong in Christ this he spoke softly and Tankerfield said O Sir I thank you I am so I thank God so he was put to the fire and burnt Robâ—rt Samuel a very godly and right faithfull Pâ—eacher of Gods Word in King Edward his dayes was now apprehended and cast into prison and miserably handled under the Bishop of Norwich Doctor Hopâ—on an unmercifull Prelat he so far exceeded the bounds of piety and compassion in tormenting their poor brethren as this Bishop did in such sort that many of them he perverted and brought quite from the truth and some from their wits also he is keeped in strict prison where he was chained bolt upright to a great poast in such sort that standing only on the tiptoe he was fain to stay up the whole poise or weight of his body thereby and to this they added a far more grievous to ment keeping him without meat and drink whereby he was unmercifully vexed through hunger and thrist saving that he had every day allowed two or three mouthfuls of bread and three spoonfuls of water to the end rather that he might be reserved to further torment then that they would preserve his life O worthy constancy of the Martyr O pitilesse hearts of Papists worthy to be complained of and to be accursed before God and nature O the wonderfull strength of Christ in his members whose stomack though it had been made of Adament stone would not have relented and these intollerable vexations and extream pains above nature how often times would he have drunken his own water but his body was so dried up with his long emptinesse that he was not able to make one drop of water At the last when he was brought forth to be burned which was but a trifle in comparison of these pains that he had passed certain there were that heard hâ—m what strange things had hapened unto him during the time of his imprisonment to wit that after he had been famished or pined with hunger two or three dayes together he then fell into a sleep as it were one half in a slumber at which time one cloathed all in white seemed to stand before him which ministred comfort unto him by these words Samuel Samuel be of good cheer and take a good heart unto thee for after this day shalt thou never either be hungry or thirsty which thing came even to passe accordingly for sppedily after he was burned and from that time that he should suffer he feit neither hunger nor thrist And thus declared he to the ends as he said that all men might behold the wonderfull works of God Many more like matters concerning the great comfort he had of Christ in his afflictions he could utter he said besides this but shamefastnesse and modesty would not suffer him to utter it The report goeth among some that were there present and saw him burnt that his body in burning did shine as light and white as new tryed silver in the eyes of them that stood by After the suffering of Robert Samuel was burned William Allen in Walfinghame a labouring man he being brought before the Bishop and asked the cause why he was imprisoned answered that he was put in prison because he would not follow the Crosse saying that he would never go in procession Then being willed by the Bishop to return again to the Catholick Church he answered that he would turn to the Catholick Church but not to the Romish Church and said that if he saw the King and Queen and all other follow the Crosse or kneel down to the Cross he would not for the which sentence of condemnation was given against him and he burned who declared such constancy at his martyrdom and had such credit with the justices by reason of his upright and well tryed conversation amongst them that be was suffered to go untved to his suffering and there being fastned with a Chain stood quietly without shrinking untill he died There were five worthy Martyrs burned at Canterbury in one fire because they denied that Christ was corporally and bodily in the Sacrament Master Robert Glover at Coventree being apprehended for suspiâ—ion of Heresie and imprisoned was burnt for the testimony of the truth There was one Austen Bernher a Minister and a familiar friend of his testified this of him After he was condemned by the Bishop and was now at the point to be delivered out of this world It so happened that two or three dayes before his heart being lumpish and desolate of all
the either his divorce with the Lady Kathren Dâ—wager of Spain came into qâ—estion which being many wayes by the space of two or three years amongst the Canonists Civilians and other learned men diversly disputed and debated at what time Cardinal Campeius and Cardinal Volsey being in commission from the Pope to hear and determine that great cause in controversity between the King and the Queen his pretended wife dalied and delayed all the Summer time hearing the said cause in controversie debated and the little minding to pâ—oceed to sentence giving took occasion to finish their commission and not further to determine therein So on a night two Doctors of the kings side and Doctor Cranmer being lodged in one house and as they were at supper they conferred with Doctor Cranmer concerning the Kings cause and asking his judgement he answered that in his opinion they made more adoe in prosecuting she law ecclesiasticall then needed It were better I suppose quoth Doctor Cranmer that the question whether a man may many his brothers wife or no were decided and discurssâ—d by the Divines and by the authority of the word of God whereby the conscience of the Prince may be better satisfied and qâ—ieted then thus from year to year by frustretory delayes to prolong the einâ— leaving the very trâ—th of the matter unâ—oulted o it by the wâ—rd of God and this may be done as well in England in the Universities here as at Rome or else where in any foâ—raign nation When Doctor Cranmer had thus endâ—d his Tale the other two well liked of his devise The King hearing of this advise of â—ranmers caused in all haste to send for him I perceive said the King I peâ—ceive that that man hath the Sow by the right ear And if I had known of this devise two years ago it had been in my way a great peece of money and had also red me out of much disquietnesse he comes to the King and after conference between the King and him he layes a charge upon him to search the Scripture in the cause of his divorce and to write his mind therein so he went about the businesse and incontinent wrote his mind concerning the Kings question adding to the same besides the authority of the Scriptures of General Counsels and of ancient writers also his opinion which was this that the Bishop of Rome had no such authority as whereby he might dispense with the word of God and the Scriptue When Doctor Cranmer had made this book and committed it to the King the King said to him will ye abide by this that yee have here written before the B. of Rome that will I do by Gods grace quoth Doctor Cranmer if your Majesty do send me thither Marie quoth the King I will send you even to him in a sure Ambassage And this by means of Doctor Cranmers handling of this matter with the King not only certain learned men were sent abroad to the most part of the Universities in Christendom to dispute the question but also the same being by commission disputed by the Divines in both the Universities in Cambrige and Oxford It was there concluded that no such Matrimony was by the word of God lawfull Whereupon a solemn Ambassage was then prepared and sent to the Bishop of Rome wherein went the Earle of Wiltshire Doctor Cranmer and other Doctors And when the time came that they should come before the Bishop of Rome to declare the cause of their Ambassage the Bishop sitting on high in his cloath of state and in his rich apparâ—el with his Sandals one his feet offering as it were his foot to be kissed of the Ambassadours the Earie of Wiltshire disdaining thereat stood still and made no countenance thereunto so that all the rest keeped them from that idolatry howbeit one thing is not here to be omitted as a Prognosticat of our separation from the seat of Rome which then chanced by a Spaniel of the Earle of Wiltshire for he having there a great Spaniel which came out of England with him stood directly between the Earle and the Bishop of Rome when the said Bishop had advanced forth his foot to be kissed now whether the Spaniel perceived the Bishop foot of another matter than it ought to be and so taking it to be some kind of repast or whether it was the will of God to shew some token by the Dog unto the Bishop of his inoâ—dinate pride that his foot were moâ—e meet to be bitten of dogs then kissed of Christian men the Spaniel I say when the Bishop extended his foot to be kissed no man regarding the fame straight waies as though he had been of purpose appointed thereunto went directly to the Popes foot and not only kissed the same unmannerly but as some plainly reported and affirmed took fast with his mouth the great toe of the Pope so that in hast he pulled in his glorious feet from the Spaniel whereat one man smileing in their sleeves what they thought God knoweth But in fine the Pontificall B. after that sought no more at that present for kissing his feet but without any ceremony gave ear to the Ambassadors what they had to say Who entring there before the Bishop offered on the Kings behalf to be defended that no man Jure Divino could or ought to Marrie his Brothers wife and that the Bishop of Rome by no means ought to dispense to the contrary Diverse promises were made and sundry dayes appointed wherein the question should have been disputed and when one part was ready to answer no man there appeared to dispute in that behalf So in the end the B. making to our Ambassadors good countenance and gratifying Doctor Cranmer with the office of the penitentiariship dismissed them undisputed withal the Ambassadors retuâ—ned but Cranmer went forward in his Ambassage to the Emperor and there to answer such learned men of the Emperors Counsell as would or could say any thing to the contrary part c. At this time B. Warhame then Archbishop of Canterbury departed this transitoâ—y life whereby that dignity then being in the gift and diâ—position of the King was given unto Cranmer as worthy for his travel of such a promotion He proved a notable B. being indued with all these qualities that the Apostle requires in a Bishop He had many enemies in King Henries time but the King held him up In Queen Maries time he is put to great trouble for his Religion he is imprisoned and keeped long in prison and brought out to his examination and tryall sundrie times he is degraded from his office and condemned The Doctors and Divines of Oxford busied themselves all that ever they could about Mr. Cranmer to have him recant assaying by all crafty practices and allurements they might devise to bring their purpose to passe he at last overcome with their perswasions whether through their importunity or by his own imbecillity or of what mind I cannot tell the recantation
is drawn up and subscribed by him the Doctors and Prelats without delay caused the same to be imprinted and set abroad in all mens hands this made the Papists greatly to rejoice all this while Cranmer was in no certain assurance of his life although the same was faithfully promised to him by the Doctors The Queen having now gotten a time to revenge her old grief received his recantation very gladly but of her purpose to put him to death she would nothing relent The Queen appoints Doctor Cole to make his Funerall Sermon before his death At the day of his execution he makes his Sermon at S. Maries Church in Oxford there was a Stage set up over againâ—t the Pulpit of a mean height from the ground where Cranmer had his standing waiting untill Cole made him ready to his Sermon The lamentable case and sight of that man gave a forrowfâ—ll spectacle to all christian eyes that beheld him he that late was Archbishop Metropolitane and Primat of England and the Kings privie Counsellour being now in a bare and ragged Gown and ill favouredly cloathed with an old square Cap exposed to the contempt of all men did admonish men not only of his own calamity but also of our state and fortune wherein he declared against him that being a traitor he had dissolved the lawfull Matrimony between the King her Father and Mother besides the driving out of the Popes authority while he was Metropolitane that he had been an heretick c. Besideâ— these there were other just and weighty causes which seemed to the Queen and Counsell which was not meet at that time to be opened to the common people c. He encâ—urageth him to take his death patiently by many places of Scripture Doctor Cole rejoyced in his conversion but that lasted not long After the Sermon Cranmer was required to declare his faith he declared the true confession of his faith without all collour or dissembling for now is no time to dissemble whatsoever I have said or written in time past I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Farth c. And now I come to the great thing that so much troubleth my conscience more then any thing that ever I did or said in my whole life that is the setting abroad of a writting contrary to the truth which here now I renounce and refuse as things written wiâ—h my hand contrary to the truth which I thought in my heart and written for fear of death and to save my life if it might be c. And for asmuch as my hand offended writing contrary to my heart my hand shall first be punished therefore for may I come to the fire it shall be first burned And as for the Pope I refuse him as Christs enemy and Antichrist with all his false Doctrine And as for the Sacrament I believe as I have taught in my Book against the Bishop of Winchester the which my Book teacheth so true a Doctrine of the Sacrament that it shall stand at the last day before the Judgement of God where the Papisticall Doctrine contrary thereto shall be ashamed to shew her face Here the standers by were all ashamed marvelled were amazed did look one upon another whose expectation he had so notably deceived Some began to admonish him of his recantation and to accuse him of falshood briefly it was a world the Doctor beguiled of so great an hope I think there was never cruelty more notably or better in them deluded and deceived for it is not to be doubted but they looked for a glorious victory and a perpetual triumph by this mans recantation so the Papists were in a great chafe against him he is plucked down from the Stage by Friers and Papists for the true confession of his faith he is led to the fire when he is brought to the fire he putteth his right hand which subscribed first in the fire which he held so stedfast and immoveable saving that once with the same hand he wiped his face that all men might see his hand burned before his body was touched his body did so abide the burning of the flame with such constancy and stedfastness that standing alwayes in one place without moving of his body hee seemed to move no more then the Stake to which he was bound his eyes were lifted up unto heaven and oftentimes he repeated his unworthy right hand so long as his voice would suffer him and using oft the words of Stephen Lord Jesus receive my spirit in the greatnâ—sse of the flamme he gave up the Ghost At this time in Suffolk at Ipswich Agnes Potten and Joan Trunchfield were burnt for affirming that in the Sacrament was the memoriall only of Christs death and passion for said they Jesus Christ is ascended up into heaven and is on the right hand of God the Father according to the Scriptures and not in the Sacrament as he was born of the Virgin Mary for this they were burned which they constantly suffered which was to be wondered at who being so simple women so manfully stood to the confession and testimony of Gods word and verity The burning of Agnes Potten was revealed to her before in her sleep for being asleep in her bed saw a bright burning fire right up as a Pole and on the side of the fire she thought there stood a number of Queen Maries friends looking on Then being asleep she seemed to muse with her self whether her fire should burn so bright or no and indeed her suffering was not far unlike to her dream Hugh Laverock Painter an old lame man of sixty eight years John Apprice a blind man Martyrs were burned at Stratford the Bow In this discourse of this parcel or part or History I know not whether more to marvell at the great and unsearchable mercies of God with whom there is no respect in degrees of persons but he chooseth as well the poor lame and blind as the rich mighty and healthfull to set forth his glory or else to note the unreasonable or rather the unnaturall doings of these unmercifull Catholicks I mean Bishop Boner and his complices in whom was so little favour or mercy to all sorts and kinds of men that also they spared neither impotent age neither lame nor blind as may well appear by these poor creatures They after their tryall and examination by B. Boner were condemned and delivered unâ—o the civill power to be burnt At their death the old lame man casting away his Couch and comforting the blind men his fellow Martyr said unto him be of good comfoâ—t my brother for my Lord of London is our good Physitian he will heal us both shortly thee oâ— thy blindnesse and me of my lamenesse so patiently these two good Saints of God together suffered After the burning of this lame and blind man were brought to the fire aâ— Smithfield a widow and three maids they constantly suffered for the cause of Christ There was also
I may root or die with many moe who felt the stroak of his hand To adde to these also the stinking death of Edmond Boner commonly named the bloody Bishop of London who not many years ago in the time and raign of Queen Elizabeth after he had long feasted and banquetted in Durance at the Marshal-sea as he wretchedly died in his blind Popery so as stinkingly and as blindly at midnight was he brought out and buried in the out-side of all the City amongst theevs and murtherers a place right convenient for such a murtherer with confusion and derision both of men and children who trampling upon his grave well declared how he was hated both of God and man I might bring in here many moe and forrain examples of Kings Princes and great men of the wrath of God that hes pursued them for persecuting of the Professors of the Gospel but I content me with these already rehearsed After the death of Queen Mary succeeded Lady Elizabeth her sister to the Crown a godly and religious Princess that brought much joy and happinesse to the Realm by her gracious and peaceable government The Queen immediatly at her entry haying heard of the diversitie of opinions in certain matters of Religion amongst sundry of her loving subjects and being very desirous to have the same reduced to some godly and christian concord by the advise of the Lords and others of the privy Counsell as well for the satisfaction of persons doubtfull as also for the knowledge of the very truth in certain matters of difference to have a convenient chosen number of the best learned of either part and to confer together their opinions and reasons and thereby to come to some good and charitable agreement And so there was named on the one side nine and on the other nine On the Papists side were named the B. of Winchester the B. of Lich the B. of Chester the B. of Carlill the B. of Lincolne Doctor Cole Doctor Harpsfield Doctor Langdale Doctor Chedsey On the Pretestants side oâ— lâ—tâ— bâ—n shed Pâ—eachers Doctor Scorie B of Chicester Doctor Cox Mr. Whythead Mr Grindal Mr Horner Doctor Sands Mr. Gest Mr. Aimer Mr Juel who were to confer and reason at Westminster upon certain questions or Articles of Rellgion to be proposed in presence of the Nobility and Lords of his Majesties secret Counsel the matter they should talk upon was comprehended in these three propositions under-specified 1. It is against the Word of God and the custome of the ancient Church to use a Tongue unknown to the people in common prayer and administration of the Sacrament 2. Every Church hath authority to appoint take away and change Ceremonies and Ecclesisticall Râ—tes so the same be to edification 3. It cannot be pâ—oved by the Word of God that there is in the Masse offered up a Sacrifice propitiatory for the quiâ—k and the dead It was hereupon fully resolved by the Queens Majesty with the advise aforesâ—id that it should be in writting on both parts for avoiding of much alteration in words and in English and each of them should deliever their Writings to the other what were to be improved therein c. And their writings were to be put in the English Tongue Now after they had sitten one day in this conference the second day it was broken up by the Papists default for they would have the order inverted and altered that was appointed and agreed upon Afterward for this contempt so notoriously made and dissolving of the Assembly and the godly and most christian purposes of the Queens Majesty made frustrate the B. of Winchester and Lincolne who shewed more folly then the other were condinly committed to the Tower of London Boner about this time B. of London was committed to the Marshal-sea whereas he both in his blind bloody Heresie as also in his deserved captivity long remained abiding the Queens pleasure About this time at the beginning of the flourishing Raign of Queen Elizabeth was a Parliament summoned and holden at Westminster wherein was much debating about matters touching Religion and great study on both parts imployed the one to retain still the other to impugne the Doctrine faction which before in Queen Maries time had been established But especially here is to be noted that though their lacked no industry on the papists side to hold fast that which they most cruelly from time to time had studied and by all means practised to come by yet notwithstanding was the providence of God at that time that for lack of the other Bishops whom the Lord had taken away by death a little before the residue that there were left could do the lesse And in very deed God be praised therefore did nothing at all in effect although yet not withstanding their laicked in them neither will nor labour to do what they could if their cruell ability there might have served Although in this Parliament then some diversitie there was of judgement and opinion between parties yet notwithstanding through the mercifull goodnesse of the Lord the true cause of the Gospel had the upper hand the Papists hope was frustrate and their rage abated the order and proceedings of King Edwards time concerning Religion was revived again the Supremacy of the Pope abolished the Articles of bloody statutes of Queen Mary repealed briefly the furious fire-brands of cruell persecution which had consumed so many poor mens bodies were now extict quenched Finally the old Bishops deposed for that they refused the Oath in renouncing the Pope and not subscribing to the Queens just and lawfull Titles in whose roomes and places were others put The SCOTISH Martyrs HAving spoken of the Martyrs of England let us now speak of the Martyrs of Scotland And first to begin with M. Patrick Hammilton Abbot of Ferm he was a man nobly descended for he was Nephew to the Earle of Aran by his Father to the Duke of Albany by the Mother and not much past twenty three years of age this young Gentleman had travelled in Germany and falling in familiarity with Martin Luther Phi. Melanchton Frances Lamberr other learned men was by them instructed in the knowledge of true religion In the profession whereof he was so zealous as he was resolved to come back into his country communicate the light he had received unto others c. under colour of conference he is brought to S. Andrews accused before the B. for maintaining erronious points of doctrine as that the corruption of sin remains in children after their Baptisme 2. That no man by the power of his free will can do any good 3. That no man is without sin so long as he liveth c. After answer and censure of the Theologs of thee Articles he maintained is declared to be an heretick and given over into the hands of the secular power to suffer punishment due to heresie He was condemned by the secular Judge and burnt alive when he came to the
absent by the sentence of David Betown Archbishop of St. Andrews and other Prelats of Scotland and all his goods confiscat and his Picture at last burned in the open Market-place the Articles whereupon he was accused and condemned came to his hands whereunto he answered very wisely and religiously confuting them all At this time also was Thomas Forret Priest Frier John Kello Frier Beverage Duncan Simpson Priest Robert Foster a Gentleman with three or four other men of Striviling persecuted for the Gospel and testimony of Christ This Dean Thomas Forret preached every Sunday to his Parishoners the Epistle or Gospel as it fell for the time which then was a great novelty in Scotland to see any man preach except a black Frier or a gray Frier and therefore the Friers envyed him and accused him to be the B. of Dunkel in whose Diocesse he remained as an heretick and one that shewed the mysteries of the Scriptures to the vulgar people in English to make the Clergy detestable in the sight of the people The B. of Dunkel named George Crighton moved by the Friers instigation called the said Dean Thomas and said unto him my Joy Dean Thomas I love you well and therefore I must give you my counsel how ye shall rule and guide your self To whom Thomas said I thank your Lordship heartily Then the B. began this counsel on this manner my Joy Dean Thomas I am informed that ye preach the Epistle or Gospel every Sunday to your parishoners and that ye take not the Cow nor the upermost cloath from your parishoners which thing is very prejudicial to the Church-men and therefore my Joy Dean Thomas I would ye took your Cow and your upmost cloath or Mortuary as other Church-men do or else it is too much to preach every Sunday for in so doing ye make the people think that we should preach likewise but it is enough for you when ye find any good Epistle or any good Gospel that setteth forth the liberty of the holy Church to preach that and let the rest be Thomas answered My Lord I think that none of my parishoners will complain that I take not the Cow nor the uppermost cloath but will gladly give me the same together with any other thing that they have and I will give and communicate with them any thing that I have and so my Lord we agree right well and their is no discord amongst us And where your Lordship saith it is too much to preach every Sunday indeed I think it too little and also would with that you L. did the like Nay nay Dean Thomas saith my Lord let that be for we are not ordained to preach Then said Thomas when your L. biddeth me preach when I find any good Epistle or a good Gospel truely I have read the New Testament and the Old and all the Epistles and the Gospels amongst them all I could never find any evil Gospel or any evil Epistle but if your L. will shew me the good Epistle and the good Gospel and the evil Epistle and the evil Gospel then I shall preach the good and ommit the evil Then spake my Lord stoutly and said I thank God that I never knew what the Old and New Testament was and of these words arose a proverb which is common in Scotland ye are like the B. of Dunkelden that knew neither new nor old Law therefore Dean Thomas I will know nothing but my Portuise and my Pontificall Go your way and let be all these fantasies for if ye persevere in these erroneous opinions ye will repent it when ye may not mend it Thomas said I trust my cause is just in the presence of God and therefore I pesse not much what do follow thereupon and so my Lord and he departed at that time And soon after a summonds was directed from the Cardinal of St. Andrews and the said B. of Dunkelden upon the same Dean Thomas Forret and upon two black Friers called Frier John Kello and another called Reverage and upon one Priest of Striviling called Duncan Simpson and one Gentleman called Robert Forrester in Stirling with other three or four with them of the Town of Stirling who at this day of their appearance after their summonding were condemned to the death without any place of recantation because as was alledged they were Heresiarchs or chief Hereticks and teachers of Heresies and especially because many of them were at the Brydell and Marriage of a Priest who was Vicar of Tillâ—bodie beside Stirling and did eat flesh in Lent at the said Brydell and so they were altogether burnt upon the Castle-hill of Edinburgh where they that were first bound to the Stake godly and marvellously did comfort them that came behind At this time likewise were apprehended two of the Diocesse of Glasgow the one named Jeremiah Russel a gray Frier a young man of a meek nature quick spirit and good learning and one Alexander Kennedy who passed not eighteen years of age one of excellent wit in vulgar poesie To assist the B. of Glasgow in that cruell judgement or at lest to dip his hands in the blood of the Saints of God were sent Mr. John Lawder Mr. Andrew Oliphant and Frier Mortman servants to Satan apt for that purpose The day appointed to the cruelty approaching the two poor Saints of God were persecuted before these bloody Boutchers Grievous were the crimes that were laid to their charge Kennedy at the first was faint and gladly would have recanted but while the place of repentance was denyed unto him the Spirit of God which is the Spirit of all comfort began to work in him yea the inward comfort began to brust forth as well in visage as in tongue and word for his countenance began to be cheerfull and with a perfect joy upon his knees he said O eternal God how wonderfull is that love and mercy that thou bearest unto mankind and unto me the most catiff and miserable wretch above all others for even now when I would have denyed thee and thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ my only Saviour and so have cast my self into everlasting damnation thou by thine own hand hast pulled me from the very bottom of hell and made me to feel that heavenly comfort which takes from me that ungodly fear wherewith before I was oppressed Now I defy death do what ye please I praise God I am ready This godly and learned Jerremie railed upon by these godlesse Tyrants answered this is your hour and power of darknesse Now sit ye as Judges and we stand wrongfully accused and more wrongfully to be condemned but the day shall come when our innocency shal appear and that ye shall see your own blindnesse to your everlasting conconfusion Go forward and fulfill the measure of your iniquity While that these servants of God thus behaved themselves variance ariseth betwixt the B. and the beasts that came from the Cardinal for the B. said I think it better
about this time a blind boy named Thomas Drowrie put to death at Glochesâ—er in his examination besides Doctor Williams then Chancellor of Glocester amongst other Articles he urged the Article to Transubstantiation saying dost thou not believe that after the words of Consecration spoken by the Priest there remaineth the very real body of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar the blind Boy answered that I do not Then â—aid he then thou art an Heretick and shall be burned but who hath taught thee this heresie Ye Mâ—ster Chancellor when and where did I teach so when ye preached naming the day a Sermon to all men as well as to me upon the Sacrament Ye said the Sacrament was to be received spiritually by faith not carnally and really as the Papists have therefore taught Then said the Chancellordâ— as I have done and thou shalt live as I do and escape burning Then said the Boy though ye can so easily dispense with your self mock with God the world and your consciâ—nce yet will I not so do then said the Chancellor God have mercy upon thee for I will read the condemnatorie sentence against thee Gods will be done said he The Register being herewiâ—h somewhat moved stood up said to the Chancellor Fye foâ— shâ—me man will ye read the sentence against him and condemn your self away away and substitute some other to give sentence and judgement No said the Chancellor to the Register I ill obey the Law and give sentence my self according to mine office and so he read the sentence condemnatory against the Boy with an unhappy tongue and more an unhappy conscience delievering him over to the Secular power So he was bâ—ought to the fire burnt who constantly suffered for the defence of the truth There were burned at one fire at Stratford the Bow by London eleven men and women whole dwellings were in sundry places in Essex the eleven men were tyed to three Stakes the two women looâ—e in the midst without any Stake and so were all burnt with such love to each others and constancy in our Saviour Christ that it made all the beholders to marvel The Sheriff that attended upon them came to the one part and told them that the other had recanted and their lives theâ—efore should be saved willing and exhorting them to do the like and not to cast away themselves Unto whom they answered that their faith was not builded upon man but on Christ crucified Then the Sheriâ—ff perceiving no good â—o be done with them went to the other part and said like a liar the like to thâ—m that they whom he had been with before had recanted and should therefore not suffer death counselling them to do the like and not wilfully to kill themselves but to play the wise men c. Unto whom they answered as their brethren had done before that their faith was not builded on man but on Christ and his sure word The Martyrdome of a learned and vertuous young man called Julius Palmer some time Fellow of the Magdalen Colâ—edge in Oxford burned at Newberie This young man in all King Edwâ—rds daies when the Gospel was preached professed was a Papist within the University of Oxford and so obstinat that he did utterly abhorre all godly prayer and sincere preaching and almost of all them with whom he lived was therefore likewise abhorred and as I may say pointed at with the finger yet did after in Queen Mariâ—s time when the Gospel was surpressed and the Masse let up suffer most cruel death so the Lord does call when and whom it pleases him according to his good will and pleasure and animats and strengthens them to give their life for his cause When Palmer came to the fire and two other with him they fell all three to the ground and Palmer with an audible voice pronounced the 31. Psalm but the other two made their Prayers secretly to Almighty God And as Palmer began to arise there came behind him two popish Priests exhorting him yet to recant and save his soul Palmer answered and said away away tempt me no longer away I say from mee all ye that work iniquity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my tears and so forthwith they put off their rayment and went to the Stake and kissed it and when they were bound to the Post Palmer said good people Pray for us that we may persevere unto the end and for Christs sake beware of Popish teachers for they deceive you As he spake this a servant of one of the Bailiffs threw a Fâ—ggot at his face that the blood gushed out in diverse places for the which fact the Sheriff reviled him calling him cruel tormenter and with his walking staffe brake his head that the blood ran about his ears And when the fire was kindled and began to take hold upon their bodies they lift their hands towards Heaven and quietly and chearfully as though they had felt no smart they cryed Lord Jesus strengthen us Lord Jesus asist us Lord Jesus receive our souls And â—o they continued without any strugling holding up their hands and knocking their hearts and called upon Jesus untill they had ended their mortal lives Among other things this is also to be noted that after their three heads by force of the raging and devouring flames of fire were fallen together in a plump or cluster which was marvelous to behold and that they all were judged already to have given up the ghost suddenly Palmer as a man awaked out of sleep moved his tongue and jaws and was heard to pronounce this word Jesu So being resolved into ashes he yeelded to God as joyfull a soul confirmed with the sweet promises of Christ as any one that ever was called beside to fuffer for his blessed Name The Martyrdome of three women with a young infant burned to wit the mother her two daughters and the child in the Isle of Garnsey for Christs true Religion the year of our Lord 1556. Among all the Martyrdomes of this Book rehearsed there is none almost either in cruelty to be compared or so far off from all compassion and sense of humanity as this mercilesse fact of the Papists done upon these women their challenge was for not coming to the Church Upon rash information given before their cause was tried was condemned and ordained â—o be burnt foâ— Hereticks and notwithstanding that these three women were willing to be conformed to the Queens ordinances were condemned they made their appeal to the Queen but could not be heard One of the women being great with child by the vehemency of the flame the infant being a fair man child fell into the fire and eftsoones being taken out of the fire by one standing by and was laid upon the grasse then was the child had to the Provest and from him to the Bayliff who gave censure that it should be carried back again and cast into the fire and so was the child