of thine Amidst these flames their spirits did ascend To glory which shall never have AN END Gloria Deo in Excelsis SECT Vlt. God's Judgements upon the Persecutors of hic Church and children SInce first the Gospel in the Ears did ring Of England under Lucius the King Never did King or Queen the Land so stain With Christian blood as in her four years reign Queen Mary did she burned in her fury An Arch-Bishop and he of Canterbury Four Bishops twenty one Divines or more Eight Gentlemen Artis'cers eighty soure Husbandmen Servants and poor Labouring men Five score Wives twenty six Widdowes twice ten to Nine Maids two Boyes and two young Babes heaven VVere sent in all two hundred seventy seven Sixty four more for Jesus Christ his sake VVere persecuted sore which could not shake Their heaven-built faith seven whereof were strip'd Stark naked and most mercilesly whip'd Sixteen in prison perishing had dung After the Nabathoean custom flung Upon their outcast bodies Some did lie In captivated chains condemn'd to die But were deliv'red from approaching death By th' happy entrance of Elizabeth Our glorious Queen our Pallas and Astraea Of Grace and Virtue the divine Idea Many did spend by reason of exile Their dayes in trouble and their years in toile But as Queen Mary lavished the blood Of her best subjects and the truth withstood Unto the utmost of her power so God Scourged her soundly with his flaming rod Both in her life and death for whilst she liv'd What did she prosper in which she atchiev'd To instance in a few particulars And first her fair'st and greatest man of War Unmatch'd i' th' Christian world cal'd the great Harry Was burnt by heavenly flames Then would she marry Spanish King Philip so expose to dangers Poor England under barb'rous foes and strangers She labour'd much but never could attain To joyn the English to the Spanish Raign Then did she set about the restauration Of Abbey-lands throughout the British nation Her self began according to the Popes Directions yet frustrate were all her hopes God o're her land then such a famine spred That her poor subjects upon Acorns fed Then Calice where the English did remain During eleven Kings reigns from her was ta'in Which loss so griev'd her as she did impart That Calice was engraven in her heart Again in child-birth never woman had S'unfortunate success as she so bad For if she was with child and had e're been In travel why why was it never seen If not why was the Kingdom so beguild Some in the Pulpit for her new-born child Returning thanks thus her desires b'ing crost She then th' affections of her husband lost She could not him enjoy nor might she smother This her first love by marrying another Although she did so many Judgements feel Yet would she not her bloody Laws repeal She had no minde to stop the opened vain Or close the bleeding Orifice again Of dying Saints At last the Lord did please To strike her with a languishing disease VVhereof she dy'd and having held the crown Five years and five months onely laid it down Horrible tempests mortal sicknesses Plagues famines burning fevers did perpess The grieved land the fourth year she did sway And swept a multitude of folks away So that in six weeks space in London there Dy'd seven Aldermen VVheat that same year Yielded four marks the Quarter Mault a Peck Fourty four shillings as much Pease did make Two pound six shillings eight pence to a crown The following year a Peck of VVheat came down Four shillings eight pence Mault of Ry a Strike Take for a groat you may if it you like In her fifth year a thundring tempest came And batt'red down two towns neer Notingham Flung sheets of lead abroad bells from the steeple Tore trees up by the roots slew divers people c. Also a great mortality was known In Autumn then Corn stood unreap'd unmown And rotted in the fields hence did ensue Great scarcity the lab'rours being few So much of her nor must my Muse pass by Her chiefest Instruments of cruelty First to begin with Stephen Gard'ner then Bishop of Winchester whose end my pen Disdains to mention twice I will therefore Add onely this That lying at the door Of merc'less death and being put in minde Of Peter his denying Christ he whin'd This answer out VVith Peter I deny'd The Lord but there is somewhat else beside VVanting in me Alas I never spent A tear nor can as Peter did repent Morgan St. Davids Bishop who high base Condemned Ferrar and usurp'd his place Did vomit up his meat through mouth and nose O horrible until his life did close Then Mr. Leyson high Sheriffe set away This Martyrs Cattel int'his own ground they No meant would eat nor touch a blade of grass But bellowed and roar'd till death Alas One Justice Morgan who condemned had Lady Jane Grey within a while fell mad Nothing but Lady Jane his voice did sound The Lady Jane Oh! how her name did wound The Lady Jane the Lady Jane O take The Lady Jane away no more he spake Dunnings the Norwich Chancellour for 's hate To the truth dy'd as in his chair he sate Berry of Norfolk Commissary one Burn'd harmless Saints fell with an heavy groan Down to the ground and never did recover One Bishop Thornton Suffragan of Dover A cruel man while on a Sabbath-day He looked o're his men to see them play At Bowles on him did the dead palsey fall Carry'd to bed he was defir'd to call The Lord to minde Yea said he so I do Not onely so but my Lord Card'nal too So desperately dy'd Another tool Of Hell at Greenwich went to Card'nal Pool To get his blessing but returning fast He fell down stairs and brake his neck for hast Grimwood a wretch who had himself forsworn Being in Harvest stacking of his corn His bowels suddenly fell out These two Capon and Jeff'ry Doctors undergo At Salsbury sudden deaths Mr. Woodroffe Sheriffe of London dyed soon enough One Clerk who did the Godly Saints devour Hanged himself at last in London-Tower Cox a Promoter going well t' his bed When the next morn arose was found stone dead Dale dy'd of lice One Troling Smith a great Foe to the truth dy'd suddenly â—'th'street Paul London Town-Clerk an accursed wretch Did voluntarily an halter stretch A lightning stroke did Robert Baldwin kill Cardinal Pool of an Italian Pill Dy'd as 't was thought Dr. Foxford Blomefield And Leland too to sudden deaths did yield One Dr. Williams Chanc'llour of Glocester Died the death before he was a ware One Lever said he had at Oxford been And that ill-favour'd knave Latimer seen Tooth'd like an horse but mark we what did follow His son soon hang'd himself One William Swallow Lost all his hair off all his nails did pill And 's wife was taken with the falling ill Brown Lardin Potto en'mies of George Eagles D'yd a dogs shameful death three pretty
thy tongue The crow'd reply'd no living soul here bears Offence his Musick much delights our ears Four hundred folks encourag'd him to run His race and finish what he had begun To whom he thus Breth'ren I undertake This spir'tual Combate meerly for the sake Of my great Lord and Captain Jesus Christ I now am going to be sacrifie'd And when God shall of his abundant grace Call you to suffer follow me apace He 's on the gallowes and the ladder's turn'd And then his body 's into ashes burn'd Some Ci'zens in a firy Chariot sent From Antwerp to the City Heaven went One Scoblant as he to his Tryal past Said thus Would God that I might be the last That thus might suffer death O that my blood Might satisfy their thirst if God see good That so the Church of Christ forlorn distreft Might ever after live at ease and rest I now put off this Mantle transitory In hope to wear a robe of lasting glory A Popish Priest by a religious Dame Converted to the faith spake thus I came To comfort you but I my self indeed Of you to comfort me have greater need Christopher Gaud'rin said Mans life on earth Consists but of two dayes the first his birth The next his dying day and therefore I Must needs die once who would refuse to die To live for ever death and I must kiss 'T is death conducteth to eternal bliss The sentence past he did apart repair And poured out his soul to God in pray'r Then from his hands and face he wash'd the dirt And puting on his back a fine white shirt He thus his fellow-prisoners bespake Breth'ren this is my wedding-wedding-day I make To heav'n-ward being come unto the place He found three other ready to embrace The self same death these four themselves did chear With patient suff'ring and rejoye'd to bear Then came a Fryar under a pretence To win them Christopher said thus Hence hence Thou soul-seduser from our presence flee We have not any thing to do whith thee They must be gag'd May not our tongues have power Said they to praise God at our latest hour Sermons they used to frequent hard ropes Annex'd their necks they finished their hopes In Flanders multitudes of true believers Were sent to be eternal life's receivers In Breda there a Goldsmith dwelt his name Was Petar Coulogue whose renowned fame Had spred all o're the town and ev'ry mouth Proclam'd him faithful if they spake the truth This Pious Deacon quickly was beset With popish catchpoles neither would they let Him once enjoy the company of any Of his own Church he over-pows'd by many Was hurry'd to the Castle while he staid A pris'ner there once every day his maid Brought him his sustenance till they perceiv'd He had much comfort from her lips receiv'd She also was imprison'd where she found Such inward joys as made her heart rebound Now when a little tract of time was spent Peter was called forth who underwent Great pains with admirable patience These cruel villains for to recompence His maids true zeal fetch'd Betkin to the rack Cruelry undeserv'd she nothing slack Went chearfully along ere she did part With life her tongue thus empty'd out her heart Since needs I must sustain afflictions rod First suffer me to pray unto my God This they consented to she scap'd a scouring By this for whilst she out her pray'rs was pouring One of the then Commissioners fell down Into an irrecoverable swown This miracle was hush'd as though in vain 'T was sent now to their cruelty again Examples will not take they 'll not be turn'd They are condemned and they must be burn'd The people wept Peter and Betkin pray'd To God for strength the courage of the maid Did work so kindly on the well-affected That breaking through the danger unrespected The throng'd crowd they the pris'ners did embrace And praised God for his supporting grace Then spake to this effect Fight on fight on The crown prepared you shall wear anon These words spake Betkin with a brow as clear As day My Bretheren and sisters dear See you to Gods word be obedient still And fear not them who can the body kill Not hurt the soul but rather fear him who Hath power to kill the soul and body too And fling them into hell I go to meet My glorious Spouse wrap'd in a fi'ry sheet Then falling on their knees they sent their prayers As welcom ghests to Gods attentive ears Bound to the stake they prais'd the Lord the flame Sent up their souls to heav'n from whence they came William of Nassaw Prince of Orange by A bloody villain shot did thus let fly His latest words O God my God condoul My wounded state take pity on my soul On my departing soul O spare O spare The Spanish people though they sinful are These words no sooner out his soul forscok This earthly and an heavenly Mansion took SECT XXVI The Modern Persecution of the Church in Germany since the year 1630. TH'Imperialists when they by storm had gain'd Paswalick town the Swedish souldiers brain'd At the inhabitants their fury lavish'd And in the open street they females ravish'd Nay child-bed women too they flew the men And fired o're their heads their houses then They massacred Divines and burned down The Christian Churches and at last the town Tilly and Pappenheim became a scourge Unto the famous City Magdenburge Her goodly structures and aspiring Towers Were burn'd down in the space of twice six hours Without the least respect to old and young Were six and twenty thousand slain burnt flung Into the river Elve by sev'ral wayes The torturers abridg'd poor Chrstians dayes Ladies and Gentlewomen yok'd together Forc'd into woods in frosty snowy weather Were ravish'd there strip'd whip'd and with a scoff Dismiss'd while others had their ears crop'd off Hexter is taken and the Popish rage Hew'd all in pieces either sex and age All serv'd alike what the fles-eating sword Had left unspoil'd the greedy flame devour'd At Griphenburge the Senators were starv'd The Heidleburg Divines and Bourgers serv'd With onely bread and water Like dogs not men Were the Frankendales us'd In Pomeren The poor inhabitants were forc'd to eat Up their own excrements unpleasing meat Many suspected to have hidden Gold Or silver suff'red torments manyfold With cords the heads of some they wound about And twisted them until the blood did sprout Out of their eyes ears noses nay unto Tongues Cheeks Breasts Legs and secret parts they do Tie burning matches yea the parts of shame Stuff'd with gun-powder burst with horrid flame With knives and bodkins they do pink the skin And flesh of some draw stiff cords out and in Some rosted were with gentle fires some smok'd Like bacon-hogs others hot Ovens chok'd The hands and feet of some so hard were girted That from their fingers ends and toes there spirted Sanguineous drops They ty'd the arms and legs Of some together backwards and with rags
I will not Urge me no more for do it I will never This I resolve and will herein persever Expose me to the ravenous Lyons paw Yet I 'le not make a rupture in the Law Rip up my Entrails do and when that 's done Fling fling m'into an hate-light Dungeon Pluck out these eyes with Pinsers let the flame Burn me to cinders I 'll be still the same Think not that I 'll recant because I 'm old And feeble no torments shall make me bold I am content to suffer for my God And patiently sustain his chastning rod The zeal I bear is not a zeal that founds It's happiness on such unstable grounds As once to move me or to make me totter No Tyrant were thy fury ten times hotter I 'le laugh death in the face when I lay down This life to take up an immortal Crown Blest I shall be although by thee accurst Tyrant I challenge thee do do thy worst With that the soldiers hale him to the place Of torment strip him whip him and do lace His back with stripes till bloody streams out-gush And in the face of the tormentor blush While he was under the afflicter's hand One stood and cry'd Obey the Kings command But patiently this worthy man endur'd A world of wounds too dang'rous to be cur'd And darting up his venerable eyes He knew for whom he was a sacrifice In whom he did believe then casts a look On his afflicted self and sees a brook A bubbling brook with uncontrouled tides Crimson their passage from his mangled sides And when his sufferance over-flow'd the banks Of torment he admir'd gave God the thanks They loathsome liquor in t ' his nostrils pouring Did then commit him to the flames devouring Yet when his nat'ral life began to fail And his approaching death would take no bail Having his wasting eyes on Heaven laid His dying breath breath'd forth these words said Thou O my God art he who bringest down To th' grave giv'st life and with that life a Crown Behold dear Lord I 'm swallow'd by deaths jaws For the strict keeping of thine own-made Laws Sweet Father hear me O be pleas'd to keep Thy bosome Nation suffer not thy Sheep To be devour'd by Wolves that are too bold To worry them or scare them from their fold O let my death conclude all miserie And grant in dying I may live to thee Now I am found in thee can I be lost He ceas'd and ceasing yeilded up the Ghost The Kings displeasure waxing now more strong Sent for sev'n Hebrew children who being young He thought them weak unable pains to bear He therefore either by entreats or fear Presum'd he should induce them to abjure Their Law and eat what by their Law 's impure The crafty Tyrant ambushing his guile Beholdeth them with a dissembling smile And thus reveal'd himself Admir'd young men I wish your good O do not madly then Shun my Behests prevent the torments due Unto the refractory not to you As for my part I desire nothing more Then to advance you and increase your store Contemn your superstitious vanities And come along our tracts if you be wise T is no such crime if you your Law fulfil not If you neglect ours as I hope you will not With ling'ring deaths I 'll study to torment you You may it may be then too late repent you Am I a King and shall contempt accrue To me a King from such low worms as you Racks Bring forth those Wheels Rods Cauldrons Hooks Grid-irons Cages here 's not all here lacks Let 's see the Engines to torment the hands Gauntlets Auls Bellowes Brass-pots Frying-pans Obey young men if I enforce a fact Not good 't is not your voluntary act You do not sin be prudent then I say Not actively but passively obey The zeal-inflam'd young men do vilify His threats intreats retorting this reply Speak Tyrant say say why art thou so bent To persecute us that are innocent We will observe for all afflictions rod What Moses taught us from the mouth of God Know we detest your sense-deluding shows Nor will we be seduc'd by words or blows No Tyrant no do thou the best you can To do thy worst we will fear God not man Our cause is God's and death is our desire Heaven is our portion yours eternal fire Th' enraged Tyrant after one another Lop'd off these hopeful sprouts the eldest brother Named Macchabons first was stretched out Upon a Rack and beaten round about His naked ribs with a Bulle-pizle till His wearyed tormentors had their fill Of long continued strokes and did desire Rather to leave then he did them require Nor was this all fresh tort'rers have extended Him on a wheel weights at his heels appended While yet his sinews and his entrails brake He call'd on God then to the Tyrant spake Blood-guilty wretch who labor'st to disthrone Gods Majesty it self know I am one Am for the cause of God a sufferer And no witch nor inhuman murtherer When the afflicter with compassion sway'd Bid him submit unto the King he said Accursed ministers of Tyranny Your wheels as yet are not so sharp that I Should thereby be enforced to abjure Heaven wherein is my foundation sure See tyrant see how resolute I am Winde off my flesh with pinsers do and cram Young Vultures with the bits before mine eyes Put put me to the worst of cruelties Rost if you please by a soft fire my flesh And if that will not serve invent a fresh Inflict inflict till there cannot be fonnd A place whereon t' inflict another wound So said thus rack'd into a fire he 's thrown And now his wasting bowels stared on The Tyrants face yet with an unmov'd brest He to his brethren thus himself exprest Beloved brethren learn by my example To scorn the worlds alluring baits and trample All torments under foot obey God rather Then this proud Tyrant God 's a gracious father And when him pleases with a smile or frown Can raise the humble strike the lofty down This torment 's not enough to end his pain For he is snatch'd out of the fire and flame Alive his tongue was plucked out and then His life he ended in a frying pan And now his soul enjoy'd what he desir'd His friends rejoyced and his foes admir'd Then was the second brother Aber call'd Who with the tort'ring Engines unappal'd Refus'd to eat chains did his hands restrain His skin the garment of his flesh was flain From head to knees the tort'rer did devest His intrails peeping from his unglaz'd brest Too grievous to behold and him at last Unto a famine-pined Leopard cast The beast though truculent did onely smell And went her way forgetting to be fell Nor was sh ' injurious to him in the least The Kings displeasure but the more increas'd And Aber grown more constant by his pain Thus thus his dying voice did loudly strain How sweet How pleasant is this death to me Yea
neer and he condemn'd begins To God not you will I confess my sins O Lord make hast to help do not despise Thine-handy work My brethren I advise You that are Scholars to improve your youth In learning of the everlasting truth Labour to know what is Jehovahs will And fear not them that can the body kill Not hurt the soul my flesh too weak withstands My spir't which Lord I give into thine hands With that he strangled was his body burn'd His soul until the day of Doom adjourn'd One Bribard to a Card'nal Secretary And William Hussou an Apothecary Had for their seattering good books about And cleaving to the truth their tongues cut out Then with a pully pulled up and down Into the fire they dy'd but gain'd a crown James Cobard having prov'd the Mass a fable Unto the quick nor dead not profitable Was at St. Michael burnt Stephen Polliot Suffred at Paris Michael Michelet Was put unto his choice either to turn And lose his head or persevere and burn He answer'd God who caus'd him not to tire Would give him patience to abide the fire Blondel a Merchant that profess'd Christs name Condemn'd at Paris yeilded to the flame One Hubert a young man who did rely on Christ Jesus merits suffered at Dyion Anus Audeburt drag'd forth said thus This rope My wedding-girdly is wherewith I hope To be conjon'd to Christ I was first marri'd Upon a Saturday and now have tarri'd Until another Saturday wherein I shall glad day be married agin She in the dung-Cart sang and in the fire Her constancy Spectators did admire One Florent Venote that had four years lain In Paris prison where all kinds of pain He felt and overcome for seven weeks space Was close confin'd to such a narrow place That he could neither stand with ease nor ly At last distongu'd he in the fire did die One Thomas a young man was rack'd so long The hangman grew a weary one among Th'Ir quis'tors wept They bare him to be burn'd And asked him if he would yet be turn'd To whom he said Friends I am in my way To God O do not hinder me I pray One Mathew Dimonel Simon Laloe And Peter Serre did torments undergo Two men at Nivern had their tongues pull'd out Yet God was pleas'd to bring it so about That they spake plain We bid the world flesh sin And devil farewel never to meet agin Of brimstoue and gunpowder bring a fresh Supply salt on salt on this stinking flesh And so persisting constant till the last Their souls to heaven their earth to ashes past One Philbert Hamlin fed the cruel flame One Nicholas of Jenvil did the same At Paris did a Christian congregation Run through much sorrow by the Mediation Of the Palat'nate Prince and Switzers some Of them hardly escaped Martyrdome In Danphin Provence multitudes were kill'd In many other place blood was spill'd And yet the Church the more it was supprest Like to a Palm still more and more encreast SECT XXVIII The Persecution in the time of the Civil Warrs which began Anno 1562. THe Duke de Guise as he upon a day Tow'rds Paris past took Vassy in his way His ears informing him there was a Bell That rang to service in a Barn he fell Thereon with all his troops his widened throat Bawl'd out Kill death of God each Huguenote Some then with bullets some with swords were slain Some hang'd the heads of others cleft in twain Some lost their arms and hands some shred for To feed upon above twelve hundred souls fowles Of all degrees and ranks were kill'd so don The Duke to Paris march'd and seiz'd upon The King himself and filled with abuses The places set apart for pious uses Roan taken by him was for three dayes sack'd The Citizens thereof disliv'd and rack'd Then menacing to ruinate Orleance A young man shot him to deliver France From his great violence Peace was procur'd A happy peace but it not long endur'd The Popish party banishing all pity Kill'd all spar'd none in the Lutetian City At Amiens the slain were thrown in brooks All Bibles burned and Divin'cy books At Meaux Sens Mans they drag'd some on the stones And dash'd against the walls the little ones Some had their houses level'd with the ground Hundreds were massacred starv'd hang'd or drown'd Many were hal'd to Mass and some re-wedded Babes re-baptized others were beheaded At Bar they rip'd up many brests and draw'd Mens hearts thereout with their teeth them gnaw'd VVhen Malicorn Montargis town had got He slew the towns-men and with Cannon-shot Threatned the Lady Rhene to batter down Her Castle if she did the Christians own Not give them up to him the Princess stout Bravely reply'd Look what you go about I charge you for there 's no man in this Realm The King excepted that can overwhelm My pinace with the waves of a command And if your battery go on I 'll stand I' th' breach to try whether or no you dare Thus kill the daughter of a King I fear Your threats not I I want nor means nor power T' avenge me on your boldness and devour Your murtherous heart and utterly deface The infants of your most rebellious race When Malicorn thus heard the Lady say He pulled in his horn and sneak'd away At Anger 's into rivers some were thrown Some executed a gilt Bible shown Upon an halbard was and this they sang Behold how well the Hug'nots truth doth hang Hark what the everlasting God will tell Behold the truth of all the devils in hell They throw 't i' th' river and renew'd their sound Behold the truth of all the devils drown'd At Ablevilly Anger 's Foix Auxerre At Troys Crant Nevers Chastillon and Bar In Bloys Tholouse as also Careasson Many outragious villainies were don At Sens and Tours hundreds were put to slaughter Some hang'd up by one foot and in the water Their heads and breasts the bowels are pluck'd out Their rip'd-up bellies and are thrown about The mi'ry streets they torture ev'ry joynt And stick their hearts upon their daggers point A Counsellor was hang'd at the request Of his own father O unnat'ral brest By the Parisian Senators decree The bells are sounded and the Christians be Destroy'd in ev'ry place all their estates Seiz'd on by Catholicks and runagates In Ligneul some they hang'd The village Aze They set one fire and joy'd to see it blaze Augustine Marlorate was hang'd at Rhone Where streetswith slaughter'd carkasses were strown In Gaillac from a steep precipice Many were flung down headlong in a trice Caught break-neck falls In Souraze some were cram'd VVith lime and down their throats had Urine ram'd One Peter Roch they buried alive VVithin his self-made grave They did deprive Many of all they had others were crown'd VVith thorns and others in a well were drown'd One Captain Durre a godly widdow told Ualess she
And after condemnation he was brought To execution his cap gown and coat He gave t' his servant and exhorted him To venture all for Christ yea life and lim Bound to the stake he cry'd For Christ his merit O Lord be pleased to receive my spirit How long shall clouds of darkness overwhelm Great God! how long shall foes oppress this realm A Fryar then Vnto our Lady pray Salve Regina say c. Away away Satanick Imps God hears me in the flame His soul went up to heav'n to praise Gods Name Straton converted said O Lord I have Bin wicked and deserv'd thy wrath yet save O let not me for fear of corp'ral pain Or death deny thee or thy truth again They his and Mr. Norman's person bring And burn them in the presence of the King Such words the Bishop of Dunkelden us'd To one Dean Porret whom the Fry'rs accus'd My joy Dean Thomas I do love thee well And therefore take the liberty to tell Thee of thy faults I am inform'd you do Preach the Epistle nay the Gospel too Each Sunday to your people and refuse To take from them as a reward your dues Which prejudicial to the Church-men is My joy Dean Thomas I advise you this Take tythes or else it is too much to preach But once a week for if thou gratis teach May not the people think that we likewise Should do the same Tom be not so precise It is enough for you when you have sound A good Epistle and Gospel to expound The liberty of holy Church express'd Therein and 't is no matter for the rest Thomas reply'd My Lord if I abstain From tythes will my parishioners complain I know they will not and whereas you say It is too much to preach each Sabbath-day I think it is too little for my part And from the very bottom of my heart Wish that your Lordship would be pleas'd to take Such pains as that Nay nay Dean Thomas spake The Bishop then no orders do us reach Whereas said Thomas you do bid me preach When a good Chapter I do light upon I 've read them over all and finde not one That 's bad amongst them shew me where they lie And at your shewing I will pass them by I bless God said the Bishop I ne're knew What was the Testament nor old nor new And I will not know any thing at all Saving my Portvise and Pontifical Go go your wayes and cease so much to prate Lest you repent you when it is too late I trust said Thomas that my cause is clear In Gods eyes therefore what need I to fear And so he went his way But when time 's glass Had run a little more he burned was Though bloody clouds were rais'd Religion's raies Shone forth in Scotland in those worst of daies Partly by reading comfort flowing thence And partly by fraternal conference Which so enrag'd the Papists that they came And burnt four noted persons in one flame One Jerom Russet that profest the truth And Alexander Kennedy a youth Were brought to Judgement Kennedy's heart panted For fear at first and would have fain recanted But when no hopes was left God's Spirit reviv'd His drooping soul yea inward comforts striv'd To shew themselves both in his face and tongue Then falling on his knees these words out sprung Great God! What love hast thou to all express'd And unto me vile wretch above the rest O who hath tasted of thy clemency In such a high degree O Lord as I For just now when I would deny thy power And Jesus Christ thy Son my Saviour T' have plung'd my self all over head and ears In everlasting flames unquench'd with tears Thy right hand hath not suffer'd me to dwell With the black subjects of the Prince of hell And I that was of late with fear opprest Enjoy by thee a joy-enamel'd brest I fear not death do with me as you please I praise God I am ready death 's an ease Then railed they on him and Jerom who Said also unto them Miscal us do This is your hour and power to command Yee sit as Judges we as guilty stand But know a day will come shall clear our blame And yee curs'd yee to your eternal shame Shall see your blindness Go on forward still Till you the Ephah of your sins up fill No sooner were they both condemn'd to die But Jerom comforted young Kennedy Brother said he fear not he that indwels Our souls him that is in the world excels The pain we here indure is light and short But we shall have unfading glory for 't O strive we then though many rubs annoy To enter in unto our Masters joy And with our Saviour pass the narrow road Which few shall finde the way to hell is broad We die for Christ and Christ hath death subdu'd Death cannot hurt us hence me may conclude We are the members and if Christ our head Be risen can the members long lie dead Thus death and Satan under-foot they trod And in the flame breath'd up their souls to God At Edenburgh the cruel Card'nal Beton Hang'd some upon suspicion they had eaten Goose on a Friday and above the rest A woman with her suckling at her brest He drown'd for being scrupulous and wary Of making prayers to the Virgin Mary He sent into exile some Christian brothers And at St. Johnstons he imprison'd others Mr. George Wischard a Divine whose worth Wan him much admiration in the North Having drunk deeply of afflictions cup. Cheerfully in the flames surrendred up His soul unto its donour God fulfill'd His prophesy the Cardinal was kill'd One Henry Wallace as an Heretick Condemned to be burnt was burned quick One Henry Forr'st betrayed by a fryar Was burnt and had the end of his desire Said Ol'phant to one Walter Mill who pray'd Rise up Sir Walter Prayers don he said My name is Walter if you call me right I have bin too too long a Popish Knight Ben't there sev'n Sacraments Give me but two Said he and all the rest I leave to you Wilt thou recant he answer'd I am corn Not chaff and will not be i' th' truth out-born Then go to th'stake Said he I may not kill My self but put me in and bear I will This is my resolution Having made His pray'r to God he to the people said Although it be confess'd that I have bin A friend to Satan and a slave to sin Yet 't is not that that doth my suff'rings cause I suffer for observing God's just Laws And now God out of his abundant grace Doth honour me so farr as in this place To make me seal what others not withstood His truth's profession with my dearest blood Dear friends as you 'd escape eternal doom And live still happy in the life to come Let not Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Seduce you any more for they are Lyars Trust God alone O alwayes make his power Your rock your bulwark of
blind That they may please thee give them grace to minde The things that do belong unto their peace In this their day left when they would they cease Let not the fancies vain of sinful men Destain thy truth Amen O Lord Amen She brought to Smithfield in a chair was bound To th'stake and with the flames besieged round So slep'd she in the Lord and in Gods eyes Became an acceptable sacrifice At that time Nicholas Belerrian A Shropshire Min'ster and a Gentleman John Lacels servant to the King with one John Adams Tailour burning undergon The same year Bishop Gardiner did bring Malicious accusations to the King Against Queen Kathrin Parre supposing all The boughs would wither if the stock did fall In that she gave her minde which was unfit To read and meditate on Sacred Writ And Chaplains kept seditions to rear None b'ing deny'd the priviledge to hear As also that her heart was fully bent To spurn against the present government Her life was dangerous nor could he rest That nourish'd such a Viper in his brest The Kings love turn'd to hate and now the Queen Must die the death but Prov'dence stept between The plot 's found out she wisely did behave her The King receiv'd her to his wonted favour Now also Sir George Blake condemned was For casting out some words against the Mass A pardon 's granted him after which thing He being in the presence of the King The King said to him Ah my Pig for so He us'd to call him yea said he I know Had not your Majesty been more enclin'd To save my life such was your Royal minde Then were your Bishops to reak out their teen Your Pig I 'm sure e're this had rosted been Streight after Winchester and his complices Sworn foes to Vertues and fast friends to Vices Set forth in the Kings name a Proclamation That all the English Bibles in the Nation And other Books which yielded any light Unto the truth should be abolish'd quite This done said they So now the Gospels lain So low that it shall never rise again And for the greater terrour strict inquest They made for those that verity profest Of many pricked down the names of whom They some expelled and imprison'd some So that these varlots did in no wise doubt The bringing of their wicked ends about But God who careth for his truth and those That countenanc'd the same dispers'd their foes A midst their vain projects the King was dead And with him all their hopes were buried SECT VI. The Persecution of the Duke of Somerset in the Reign of King Edward the sixth NOW when King Henery the eighth was dead His son Prince Edward reigned in his stead During whose happy reign Religion flourish'd Pop'ry decar'd the Church of God was nourish'd With the full breasts of Peace the Gospel spred And superstition was abolished Onely the Godly Duke of Somerset With Persecutions and great troubles met Some of the Nobles lab'ring most of all To raise themselves upon his suddain fall Edward and Thomas Seymer were ally'd Unto King Edward by his mothers side Edward the eldest fit to guide the Helm Was made Protector of the King and Realm Thomas the second of this British Isle Was chosen Lord high Admiral the while These brethren joyned in fraternal love Nothing fell out amiss but when they strove Spur'd on by make-bates unto one another They prov'd destructive and the younger brother Attainted was condemn'd and lost his head On Tower-hill hence insurrections bred The Lords at London privily conjur'd Against the Lord Protector and immur'd Him once nay twice yea thrice in a short season Then charged him with Felony and Treason He 's to the Tow'r hill brought where he commended His soul to God his prayers being ended He rose from off his knees and like a man Couragiously bold he thus began Dearly beloved friends Lo I am here To suffer death though God knows I am clear From thinking speaking or from acting ought Against the King in word in deed or thought But alwayes to this Realm have born a brest As faithful and as loyal as the best Yet in obedience to the Laws command I here as a condemned person stand And praise my God for his abundant grace In giving unto me both time and space Who might have justly took away my breath Had he so pleased by a sudden death Now as for the Religion which I During the time of my Authority Maintain'd to my power nor do I now Repent of what I did but both to you And me agnize it as a favour great And do you all most heartily entreat To joyfully receiv't and set it forth In your lives as a thing of unknown worth Which studiously to do if you neglect Great misery I fear you may expect These words no sooner out a sudden sound As terrible as thunder did confound The people so that some fell down through fear Some this some that way run but none knew where Anthony Brown Knight came that he did bring The crowd suppos'd a pardon from the King With that a shout arose but the good Duke Did gravely with his beck'ning hand rebuke The clam'rous throng And silence being gain'd He said Dear friends Pardon is not obtain'd As you conceive God otherwise is bent His will be done and we must be content Let 's joyn in prayer that safety may pursue The King t' whom loyal I have bin 'T is true The people cryed out O heaven bless His Highness with all health and happiness I wish his Counc'llours grace to rule and then You all obedient hearts all said Amen I ask forgiveness if I wronged any O Lord remit my sins for they are many As for my foes I freely them forgive For Christ I die in whom I hope to live c. Farewel farewel he lay him down and spoke Christ save me thrice the hangman gave the stroke SECT VII The Persecution of the English Church under the Reign of Queen Mary EDWARD the sixth Englands Josiah dead Lady Jane Grey was crowned in his stead The Lady Mary having heard the news Sent to the Lordly Councel for to chuse Her to be Queen and if they did withstand The execution of her just command By force of arms she threatned to regain Her wronged right and her defrauded reign The Lords return'd this answer There was none Had such just right and title to the Crown As Lady Jane the ancient Laws allow It hers and place it on her Princely brow 'T was hers by Letters patent from the King And made Authentick with his Royal Ring Before his death and since she was invested As an apparent heiress all protested Adherence to her and no Queen beside The Lady Mary to rest satisfiy'd Request they did entreating her to cease By new pretences to molest the peace The quiet Realm enjoy'd promising her They would be nothing wanting to prefer Her next the Queen if possibly they could Serve her in
time forward in the Latin tongue c. John a Lasco Peter Martyr and more Protestant forr'ners were exil'd this shore And many godly-minded English fly To Friez land Cleavâ—land Basil Germany Where through God's mercy they were kept from dangers And all found favor in the eyes of strangers The number of these Peregrines encreas'd Unto eight hundred persons at the least Then to the Tower Lady Elizabeth Was sent and bore afflictions worse then death Latimer Cranmer Ridly Bishops spent Much time at Oxford in imprisonment One Mr. Sanders crying down the Mass Became close pris'ner Doctor Tailour was To London sent for up Henry Lord Gray Of Suffolk Duke condemn'd was brought to pay His sought for life where having open broke His sealed lips he to the people spoke I have displeas'd the Queen contrair'd her Laws Take notice Christians that 's the onely cause I suffer so and seeing they are bent T' a bridge my fleeting dayes I am content And do beseech you all bear me record I die in the true faith of Christ my Lord And for salvation on his merits rely Not on inefficacious trumpery For me and all true penitents beside Who in him stead fastly believe Christ dy'd Repent I do and do desire you all To pray for me that when my body shall Resigne its breath God will be pleas'd to take My soul unto himself for Christ his sake Forgive me yee whom I offended have Saies Dr. Weston then As he doth crave The Queen hath done him thus the throng rebuke God send thee such forgiveness So the Duke Kneel'd down and prai'd concluding I resigne My soul O Lord into those hands of thine Then made he preparation to embrace The bloody blow and having veil'd his face With his own handkerchief he kneeling said The Lords pray'r over down his head he laid Venting these latest words Christ look upon me Have mercy Jesus O have mercy on me And now the stroke was fetch'd he being cast At the black bar of death breath'd out his last Divers of all degrees who bought or sold Some good religious books were kep'd in hold As Bonner past his Visitation He charg'd all Sacred sentences upon The Church-walls painted should be washed out And Visitors he also sent about The Universities to bring therein All Popish trash to turn out they begin The ablest men some of themselves forsook Their fellowships while worth-less persons took Their places up to the great hinderance Of learning and religions advance By this 't was bruited over all the land The Queen went quick with child upon command Thanks were returned to Almighty God In ev'ry Church and after all abroad Prayers were made that she might have e're long A male child fair wise valiant and strong The Godly Min'sters before Winchester In and about the City must appear Who ask'd them If they would recant and so Have pardon from the Queen All answer'd No Yea all of them unan'mously agreed To stand to what they taught the Bishop's speed Made them close prisoners and did divorce Their friends from interchangable discourse Mr. James George one of them there did yield His spir't up whom they bury'd in the field Then Mr. Hooper Rogers Bradford hated And Sanders too were excommunicated And Pious Dr. Tailour Ferrar Crome Did all of them with them receive their doom Commissions and inquisitors were sent Throughout the Realm great multitudes from Kent From Essex Suffolk Norfolk and elsewhere VVere brought to London and encloyftred there Part of them dead in prison out were turn'd To dunghills and the flames a many burn'd Also Hanks Hunter Pigot Laurence brought Before the Bishops were for no just fault When Stephen Gard'ner saw that what h'assail'd By threats hard usage not at all prevail'd To make men shake off truth he did begin As utterly discouraged therein The business in hand for to renounce Meddling no more with condemnations But unto Bishop Bonner them referr'd Who in that trust imposed so bestirr'd Himself that sending for all in great hast Th'above nam'd parties he upon them past Death's final sentence Dr. Ferrar quick He sent down to St. Davids Bishoprick Within the Cambrian country there to be Condemn'd and executed crueltie To th' Queen in Mr. Coverdale's behalf Twice wrote the King of Denmark for his safe Release from prison but with much ado To him the Queen permitted him to go One Thomas Tomkins Weaver by his trade An humble man and one that conscience made Of what he did who would begin his labour With servent prayers and to his needy neighbour So charitable was that he 'd disburse Unto them all the mony in his purse If any came to borrow of him when His creditors would bring it home agen He u'sd to bid them keep it longer yet Till they more able were to pay the deb This man was kept in pris'n a half years space By Benner's means who beat him on the face With livid blows and plucked off a piece Of his fast beard yet this did but increase His patience more the Bishop then affail'd When other tearms nothing at all prevail'd With gentle words to win him but the trial Succesless prov'd Tomkins return'd denial The Bishop having by a flaming Torch Took Tomkins by the fingers and did seorch His hand therewith afterwards Tomkins told A friend of his that whilst Bonner did hold His hand to burn he felt no pain at all Such consolation from God's spirit did fall Nor shrunk he in the least until his veines The fire contracted fire you know constreines And sinewes crack'd again and water spurt On Dr. Harpsfield's face as from a squirt Who was so pityful compassionate As to beseech the Bishop to abate His cruel minde O be not so so rough Said he have you not tryed him enough Into the Bishops consistory brought Examined he was whether he thought Christs real body in the Sacrament Was present yea or no to which he sent This answer that he verily believ'd The Sacrament by a true faith receiv'd Was onely its remembrance with the High'st The very body and the blood of Christ In heaven is and nowhere else being ask'd If he 'd recant God hath said he unmask'd His truth to me in such corruscancy That in it I resolve to live and die The Bishop then death's sentence on him past And to the Sheriffs deliv'red him who cast Him into Newgate prison in Smithfield The truth in fine with his dear blood he seal'd And in the Lord slep'd sweetly Then William Hunter that had scarce out-worn The nineteenth year of Godly Parents born VVho him instructed in Religion's truth And plac'd him out in London this good youth VVas charg'd by special command to go To Mass break bread which he refus'd to do Hunter when threatened that this should come Unto the Bishop's ear leave got went home To Burnt-wood and did with his Parents stay About six weeks And going on a day Into the Chappel there which pleas'd him well He
found a Bible and to reading fell In came a Sommoner who thus did say VVhat dost thou meddling with the Bible Ha Know'st thou well what thou read'st canst thou unfold The Sacred VVrit I dare not be so bold Said Hunter then Nor Scriptures to expound Take I upon me now but having found The Bible here that joy might me betide I read in it The Sommoner reply'd T was never merry world since in our tongue The Bible first came forth would it were hung Said Hunter Oh! for Godsake say not so 'T is Gods Book by it ev'ry soul may know That hath one sparke of grace the way which leads To lasting bliss 't is this true comfort breeds God grant that we may still amongst us have The blessed Bible as a means to save O now I know your minde y' are one of them That slight the Queen and her decrees contemn But you and others must a new leaf turn Or else I fear me you 'l go neer to burn Pray God I build my faith on his word still And his great name confess come what come will Confess his name No no you 'l in a mess All to the Devil go and him confess Then step't the Somm'ner forth and fetch'd a Priest The Vicar of that place a drunken beast VVho finding William Hunter at his Book Rebuk'd him for 't and ask'd if he could brook The Doctrine well of Transubstantiation Hunter made answer it had no relation Unto the truth reveal'd he understood Those words of Christ touching his flesh and blood Carnal Capernait-like who thought to feed On Christ his flesh and drink his blood indeed VVherefore to them he said The words I speak Are spirit and life and not as flesh so weak Ah! quoth the Viear have I found you out Thou art an Her'tick now without all doubt c. VVhereas you of my faith do question make I would we two were fastned to the stake To prove whether of us should closest stick Unto our faith and which was Heretick c. The Vicar to complain of him did threat Flung out of doors departing in a heat Hunter went home and having farewel took Of his dear friends his fathers house forsook Brown call'd old Hunter ask'd if he could tell VVhere his son was who said He knew not well Brown told him Either your miss'd-son produce Or go to prison bring me no excuse The old man strides his horse and rides to look him And after two dayes journey overtook him Telling him all what happ'ned yet said he Go on I 'll say I cannot light on thee No no said William home with you I will And save you harmless me they can but kill At his return a Constable him caught And brought before this Mr. Brown who thought VVith arguments to win him and enrag'd At his judicious answers he engag'd No more to hold on the dispute but streight Sent him to Bonner Bonner to the Grate VVhere he for two dayes lay allowed just A dish of water and a brown-bread crust At two dayes end the Bishop coming found The slender fare he bids he be unbound And break his fast with them but he 's revil'd Call'd Heretick worthy to be exil'd Their company said Hunter I decline Their company as much as they do mine The Bishop sent for him and thus did rant And wilt thou not thou Heretick recant Recant said he the faith I have profest So publikely I will not I protest No no I will not what shall I be whirl'd By errours wheels I would not for a world Then take him Jailor mand him to the stocks Be sure you load him well with bolts and locks Till I shall burn him VVhereupon he said Great God! O let thy all-sufficient aid Corroborate my soul He 's born away The Bishop to a half-penny a day Stinted his lively-hood thus nine months space Imprison'd he before the Bishop's face Was six times brought to th'question still propounded Hunter a pertinacious No rebounded The Bishop read his charge and him return'd To Newgate so to Burnt-wood to be burn'd His parents see him and petitions send To God to make him constant till the end His mother added this that she was blest In bearing such a child as could devest His life for Christ's sweet sake William reply'd For the small pain which I shall here abide But a short time my Christ a joyful crown Hath promis'd me His mother kneeling down Said thus I pray God strengthen thee my son To run the race thou hast so well begun I think thee now as well bestow'd my dear As any child that ever I did bear VVhilst he remain'd at Burnt-wood many friends Came to him to whom he the truth commends Three dayes expir'd all things were ready made The Sheriffs son hugg'd him in his arms and said William don't fear these men with Bills Bowes That bring you to the place death as he showes Is not so grim I 've cast up mine accounts Said he and know t'how much the cost amounts With that the young man while he went about To speak could not his tears so fast burst out So Hunter his way cheerfully went on His father meeting with him said My son God be with thee God be with you likewise Good father answer'd William Let your eyes Smile on your son O be not so so sad For we shall meet and have our hearts made glad Come neer the stake he kneeled down and read The one and fiftieth Psalm The Sheriff said Here is a pardon if thou wilt be turn'd Thou shalt live otherwise thou must be burn'd No I 'll not turn quoth William and did go To th'stake and so was fast'ned thereunto Then spake he to the throng Good people strive By pray'r for me while I remain alive And I 'll for you Not I I 'll make my boon Said surly Brown there standing by assoon For a cur-dog as thee Sir you have got What you desir'd I pray God it be not Laid to your charge but I forgiv'n you have Said Brown That 's more then at your hands I crave If God forgive you not I tell you true This blood of mine shall be requir'd of you O Son of God shine on me from a cloud The Sun brake out till then thick shades did shroud The face of day his eyes he turn'd aside Too weak such radiant glory to abide A Priest brought him a book to look upon To whom he thus False Prophet thou be gon Good folk beware of them for Jesus sake Who of their fins shall of their plagues partake Marke what I say as thou burn'st in this fire So shalt thou burn in hell Hu. Thou art a lyar False Prophet hence from me away be gon Fire made he pray'd and breath'd his last Anon Higbid and Causton Gentlemen as good As great in Essex with their own hearts blood Sealed their faith unto Gods glory then And the rejoycing of all Godly men At
Braintree William Pigot for Christs name Endur'd the fury of the ardent flame At Maulden Stephen Knight before the stake Kneel'd down and pray'd Sweet Jesu for whose sake I freely leave this life and rather choose Thy cross and irrecoverably loose All worldly goods then to give audience To men in breaking thy commandements Thou seest O Lord that whereas I but now VVas proffer'd great preferments if I 'd bow To a false helpless God I was content My body should be burnt and my life spent Counting all things below but dung and dross For thee happy such gain which comes by loss Thousands of silver and as much of gold Then death I do of lesser value hold Just as the wounded Deer desires the soil So longs my soul for thee pour down the Oil Of consolation on a crumbling clod So helpless of it self Thou know'st O God That I who am but sinfull flesh and blood Can of my self act nothing that is good And therefore as of thine abundant love And goodness still deflowing from above On me me that am lesser then the least Of mercies thou hast bid me to this feast And judg'd me worthy to drinke of this cup With thine elect even so O bear me up Great God! against this Element of fire So formidable to the sence so dire Sweeten it by thy spirit so asswage The heat that I may overcome its rage And pass into thy bosome Holy father Forgive thou me as I do all men gather My soul sweet Son of God my Saviour Beneath thy shady wings a Balmy Bower O blessed Holy-Ghost whose strength destroies Fleshly corruptions hasten thou my joyes Eternal joyes Lord I commend take then My parting spirit Amen Amen Amen John Laurence legs with bolts and irons lame His body with hard usage out of frame Was to the stake transported in a chair And suff'red for the saith at Colchester Young children while he burn'd cry'd out O Lord Strengthen thy servant and make good thy word Stand up stand up for thy poor servant's aid As thou art just O do as thou hast said Ferrar set o're St. Davids Bishoprick Was apprehended for an Heretick Him Winchester misus'd call'd him base slave False-hearted fellow and a cross-grain'd knave Morgan a fraudulent supplanter turn'd him Out of his place and at Carmarthen burn'd him Not long before his death one Richard Jones A Knights son comming his sad pains bemones T'whom Ferrar thus Sir if you see me move My hand or foot during the flames do prove What mettle I am of believe not then My Doctrine oft inculcated to men And as he said he did with the fire hot Besieged round he stirred not a jot Held his stumps bolt upright then with a pole Knock'd down i' ch' fire he breathed out his soul One Rawlins White a Fisher-man in Wales Of Cardiffe town when superstitions scales Drop'd from his eyes the Truth he understood And in his country aid a deal of good He dayly now expects to he surpriz'd By truths oppugners his dear friends advis'd Him to retire elsewhere and be excus'd For their good will he thank'd them but resus'd He 's apprehended and in prison laid In Cardiffe Castle where a year he staid His friends resorting to him he would spend The time in pray'r exhorting them to mend At last the Bishop of Landaffe commands That he be brought he threats him now then stands On fairer terms but all this would not stir His unmov'd brest a day 's appointed for His condemnation which being come The Bishop call'd him forth and told him some Heretical opinions he did hold And had seduced others Rawlins bold Reply'd My Lord a Christian man I am I praise God for 't my tenents are the same With Sacred Writ if from God's word I stray I would be gladly brought in the right way The Bishop said Speak if you will be won Else I 'll proceed to condemnation Proceed said Rawlins but you never shall Condemn me for an Heretick Let 's fall To pray'r said Landaffe that the Lord some spark Of grace would send thee to disclose the dark Now said he you deal well and if your pray'r Do with God's will agree he 'll doubtless hear Pray to your God and I to mine will pray I know my God will hear and not say nay The Bishop and his Chaplains pray'd anon Rawlins pray'd by himself alone pray'r don The Bishop said How is it with thee now Thine errours what wilt thou revoke and bow To our true God no surely no said he Rawlins you left and Rawlins you finde me Rawlins I was and am and Rawlins will Through God continue to be Rawlins still God would have heard you had your sute bin just But he hath heard me and on him I trust The Bishop being wroth him soundly shent So went to Mass Rawlins his minde then bent Shot forth these words Good people if there be Amongst you any breth'ren two or three Or if but one bear witness at the day Of judgement that I to no Idols pray Mass don he was condemn'd and after thrown Into a darke and loathsome dungeon There Rawlins pass'd his time in drowning wrongs With spir'tual prayers and religious songs The night before his death t' his wife he sent To send his wedding weed a shirt he meant Which he rejoycingly next morn put on And being led to execution Guarded he was with bills and Pike-staves too Alas said he what need all this ado By God's grace I will nothing start aside VVho is 't that gives me power to abide All this affliction for his own names sake But God his be the glory At the stake He his dear wife and children having found Pickled in briny tears or rather drown'd His eyes let fall a tear but having made A recollection of himself he said Ah flesh saiest thou me so would'st thou obtain The Victor's Palm I tell thee 't is in vain To strive thy pow'r is like the morning mist Then failing on the ground the ground he kist And spake Earth unto earth and dust to dust Thou art my mother and return I must To thee With an exhilarated brow Then going to be bound to th'stake I now Said he t' a friend of his finde great contest Betwixt the flesh and spirit for the best I pray you therefore when you see me shrink Hold up your finger that I may bethink My too oblivious self B'ing bound he rais'd These words up to the height The Lord be Prais'd Unto the Smith then spake he Pray good friend Knock it in fast the flesh may much contend But God support me let thy grace refresh My fainting spirits and my trembling flesh About him pulled he the reeds and straw VVith such a merry look that all that saw Much wondred at it Now a Priest appear'd And preached to the people Rawlins heard Until he spake of Transubstantiation Alledging Scripture for its confirmation This is my Body Come you here good folk Said Rawlins
said the Shrieffe in the Queen's name To fling that Vip'rous book into the flame Then spake he with a cheerful voice and said Dear friends bear witness I am not affraid To seal Christ's Gospel with my dearest blood Knowing 't is true and was of late your food Though now surrepted from you and because I 'll not deny it to obey mans laws Condemn'd I be to dy see that you walk In answer to the truth of which you talk And as for those that do the Pope believe Hell 's theirs without Gods merciful reprieve Except said then the Sheriffe believe thou do The Pope th' art damn'd both soul and body too Pray to thy God that he may set thee free Or strike me down The Lord forgive said he Your temerarious words Dear Lord thou knowst How I left all to come to thee thou dost Draw with Magnetick-love to thee I fly For shelter Ah! but when my serious eye Darts on thy power and on my self looks down I fear the wrath of a condemning frown What shall I shrink no now the flames surround me I 'll trust my God although my God confound me Christ Jesus help Christ Jesus look upon me He cry'd and dy'd with Lord have mercy on me Iveson said All the treasure in the nation Should never draw him to a recantation I to the mercy of my God appeal And would be none of your Church for a deal Yea though an heaven-sent Angel came t' expound Unto me other Doctrine I 'm not bound For to receive it hereupon condemn'd And put into the fire he death contemn'd James Abbes a Godly man did shift about From place to place for safeties sake found out At last they carri'd him to Norwich town VVhere by the Bishop's threats he did disown VVhat he profess'd the Bishop seeing so Gave him some money and dismiss'd him too But conscience bringing him upon the rack The Bishops money he returned back Repenting e're he took it then again The Bishop strove to gain him but in vain Though Peter-like he fail'd now to persever Resolve he did and stood more fast then ever Even to his last-drawn breath the Bishop's fury Condemn'd him to be burn'd he burn'd at Bury John Denly Newman Partrick Packingham Dy'd constant Martyrs for their Saviours name Wright Coker Collier Hooper Stere and more Besides in Canterbury faggots bore Robert Smith Stephen Harwood Thomas Fust And William Hale dy'd for the truth their trust Eliz'beth Warne condemned to be burn'd By Bonner unto Bonner soon return'd These words Do what you will with me for why If Christ was in an errour so am I Otherwise not but Christ spake true I know Therefore then was she burn'd at Stratford-Bow About this very time George Tankerfield Did at St. Albanes to their rancour yield George King John Wade and Tho. Leyes with sore Usage fell sick and dy'd in Lollards tower In Suffolk Mr. Robert Samuel Of Barfold Min'ster who instructed well The flock committed to his charge was tost To Norwich goal there chained to a post And so erect that 's body did command For some small ease induc'd his tip-toes stand Hunger and thirst bad helpers are procur'd VVhat tongue can tell what he poor man endur'd At last brought to be burn'd an easie pain To what he felt before he did detain Some friends in telling them a most strange story Of what fell out while he was us'd so sory VVhen I much want said he had undergon I slept and then me thought appeared one Cloath'd all in white who whisp'red in mine ear Samuel Samuel be of good cheer Take heart to grass man thou hast past the worst Henceforth thou shalt nor hunger feel nor thirst VVhich came to pass such consolation did Sweeten his woes that modesty forbid Him tell the same So as he went along To execution amidst the throng A maid there was who after scap'd did fall About his neck and kissed him withall The while his body burn'd it shin'd as bright As new-try'd Silver or as Cynthia's light Next day Anne Potten and Joan Trunch field come From Ipswich prison unto Martyrdome Thomas Cob William Allen Roger Coo Death for the sake of Christ did undergo In Coventry and Litchfield-Diocess One Mr. Robert Glover did profess The Gospel he surprized had his doom To be confined to a narrow room And dark withall next to the dungeon Scarce having straw enough to lie upon No chair nor stool to fit on none might look To him though sick pen paper ink nor book Was not allow'd him yet a Teftament And Prayer-book by stealth he getting spent Most of his time in pray'r and meditation On Gods great love in working mans salvation Yea said he health began to come my peace Of conscience did more and more encrease God's spir't reviv'd me I had sometimes some Glimm'ring reflections of the life to come All for his own Son's sake to him alwayes Be Glory Honour and Obedience Praise Two dayes before his death he found his heart Less lightsome then it was and fear'd the smart Would too much try his patience for his pray'rs God heard not he unbosomed his fears Unto a Godly Minister his friend Who wish'd him to be constant to the end O play the man your cause is just and true God will appear anon I 'll warrant you The stake in fight he said I see him whom I call'd for Austin Oh he 's come he 's come And look'd so cheerful e'en as though new breath He should receive and not a painful death Cornelius Bongey Capper also came With him and burned in the self-same flame Mr. John Glover now was troubled sore Seeing his brother took for him therefore He would have suff'red in his brother's stead But by his friends importunings he fled Into the neighbouring Woods did there abide Till he with cares and cold sickned and dy'd His body privately was buri'd in The Church-yard they his bones dig'd up agin A twelvemonth after threw them out Opains For to be trampled on by Horses Wains And thus though in his life he scaped from Their rage yet after 's death on him they come William the third brother in Shropshire dead Might not by their consent be buried Wolsey and Pigot suff'red in the Isle Of Ely And within a little while Bishop Ridly and also Latimer Burned at Oxford Stephen Gardiner That day to dine till almost night deferr'd Th' old Norfolk Duke then with him having heard Word of their deaths he with a smiling brow Said to the Duke let us to dinner now The Table fill'd as merry as a Buck The Bishop was but on a sudden struck Two bits scarce eaten carry'd from the table To bed he was his pains intolerable Nature he could not ease for fifteen dayes His tongue was swoln and black his mouth 's assaies Could giv 't no house-room his pin'd body all Sadly enflam'd he gasp'd and gave a sprawl And now John Webbe George Roper Greg'ry Parke At Canterbury burn'd not