it was here stablished under K. Edward exhorting the People to remain constant to the same For which sermon he was immediatly called to account and tho he was at that time acquitted by the Council yet the Bishops thirsting after his blood as soon as the Queen had put forth her Proclamation to prohibit preaching he was â—gain called before the Council and his Doctriâ—â— found fault with and he confined to his House But it was not long ere he was taken thence and sent to Newgate by the procurement of Bishop Benner And on the 21 of Jan. 1555. he was examined upon certain Articles before the chancellor which was Gardner Bishop of Winchester Where he maintained that the Church of Rome was not the Catholick Church and that Christ not the Pope was the Head of the Church On the 28th and 29 day following of the same month he was again examined concerning the real presence in the Sacrament which he would nor own Then they asked him if he would come over to the Church of Rome and submit himself and receive the Queens mercy as others had done but he refused to deny his opinions or to embrace that which he knew was antichristian After they had thus baited this holy man for two daies they condemned him upon these Articles That he had said that the Catholick Church of Rome was the Church of Antichrist and that in the Sacrament of the Altar there was no Substantial Real or Natural body of Christ After his condemnation was read they caused him to be degraded and then delivered him to the Sheriffs to be punished Mr. Hooper being at the same time condemned with him they were both led by the Sheriff from St. Mary Overies in Southwark where they were condemned to Newgate Here he â—ay till the 4th of February being Monday early in the Morning the Keepers wife of Nâ—wgate came to him and finding him fast asleep could hardly wake him with Jogging to tell him he must prepare himself that day to be burnt Which Messâ—ge he received cheerfulâ—y and going to put on his cloaths I need not stâ—nd said he to fastâ—n my points He sent to Bish p Bonner that he might see and speak with his wifâ— which was denyed h m Then they searched his chamber for his writings but he had hid them in such an abscure place under the stairs that they could not find them but was after found â—y his wife and one of his children by Gods providence where was his tryal confession and answer to all his Articles as they are set down at large by Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments one of the Sheriffs named Woodroof coming to have him out of Newgate to his execution in Smithfield asked him â—f he would recant his abominable Doctrine and â—â—il opinion of the Sacrament of the Altar But Mr. Rogers answered him and say'd That which I hâ—ve preached I will seal with my Blood Then the Sâ—eriff called him Heretick That will be known says Mr. Rogers at the day of Judgment But says the Sheriff I will never pray for you Then I will pray for you said the holy Martyr Then he was led away on foot by the said sheriffs men towards Smithfield he saying the Psalm Miserere by the way all the people wonderfully rejoycing at his constancy with great praise and thanks to God for the same As he was going his Wife met him in the way with 10 Children that could go and one sucking at her Breast but this sorrowful sight of his own flesh and blood could nothing move him but he constantly and chearful proceeded to his death A little before he came to the stake a pardon was brought him if he would recant but he utterly refused it When he came to the stake he found there the Queens Controller and Sr. Richard Southwell both the Sheriffs and an infinite number of People to see him burnt He used not many words for indeed they would not permit him only he exhorted the People to remain in that faith and true Doctrine which he before had taught and they had learned and for the confirmation whereof he was not only content patiently to suffer and bear all such bitterness and cruelty as had been shewed him but also most gladly to resign up his Life and to give his flesh to the consuming fire for the Testimony of the same Thus he took his death with great meekness and wonderful patience in the defence and quarrel of Christ's Gospel When fire was put to him as it were washing and rubbing his hands in the midst of the flame he cry'd out Lord receive my Spirit till he was consumed to Ashes He was the first Protomartyr in Queen Maries daies of all that blessed company of sufferers and gave the first adventure upon the fire The Martyrdom of Mr Saunders at Coventry The next that we shall mention who much about the same time suffered by fire for the Gospel was Mr. Lawrence Saunders who was burnt at Coventry on the 8th of february 1555. This man was born of good parents his mother being a Gentlewoman of good Quality he was first educated at Eaton Colledg from thence sent to Kings Colledg in Cambridge where he continued for some time and profited very much in his Studies but his mother intending him for a Merchant took him from thence and bound him Prentise to Sr William Chester who was afterwards Sheriff of London the same year that Mr. Saunders was burnt But God so wrought on the spirit of this young man that he still continued his Studies finding an aversion in himself to the way he was in which made him pensive and melanchollick which being perceived by his Master he desired to know what might be the reason of it upon which he freely declared his mind and how he was bent on his Studies and did not at all relish that kind of Life upon which his Master wrote to his friends and freely gave him up his Indentures and set him at liberty to his no smalâ— rejoycing He was then once more sent to the University where he increased his knowledg and became a great proficient in the Greek and Laune tongues and also of the Hebrew giving himself wholâ—y to the study of the Scripture that he might be a Minister of Gods word which he ardently desired He lived a very strict and Godly life much exercised in prayer and thus continued till he was Master of Arts and a long time after In the beginning of King Edwards Reign when the Gospel was restored he beg in to preach and was so well lâ—ked of that he was appoynted to read the Divinity Lecture at the Colledg of Fothringha He married a wife about that time and after the Colledg was dissolved he was placed to be Reader in the Minster of Litchfeâ—â—d from thence he was beneficed in Leicester shire at a place called Church Laungâ—on where he resided kept a liberal House and taught Gods word diligently From thence he was
he had been bred a Papist and then liv'd in all manner of sin being absolved by the Priests so that he made no Conscience of committing any crime whilst in their Church for he knew that for a little mony he could be absolved from all his wickedness and begin again anew he could eat flesh on Frydays whore swear drink game and all was well enough so long as he went to Mass but now the he lived a strict and sober life leaving their Idolatry he must be persecuted to death being called by the light of God's Word to Repentance and that by Priests who blaspheme God and lead Scandalous lives without punishment some of them having 6 or 7 Children apiece to his knowledge by four or five sundry women He told them many other crimes and Enormities of their Church to the Bishops face too long to rehearse which so enraged the Bishop that he read the sentence against him nor permitting him to speak any more saying he was one of the mâ—st blasphemous hereticks that ever he heard of He heard his sentence of Condemnation very patiently and when they would have had him away he desired to speak two or three words but the Bishop Cry'd away with him way with him at last some of his friends prevailed not knowing but he might recant and being permitted to speak he thus prophesied I tell you said he that God has now heard the prayers of his servants which have been poured forth with tears for his Afflicted Saints which you dayly persecute as you do us But this I sâ—â—o you moved thereto by his holy Spirit that God will shorten your hand of Câ—uâ—â—â—â—â—d tâ—â—â— nor Bâ—â—threâ— tâ—â—a shâ—rt time will be able to 〈◊〉 â—â—â—e so to â—t you shall not be able to persecute them 〈◊〉 more For mark me after this daâ—â—n this place 〈◊〉 â—â—â—h I 〈◊〉 Bâ—â—thren and fellow Marty â—s are to suffâ—r no more shall undergo the tryâ—â—â— of Fâ—â—e and faggot Upon this Bonner said I â—ow perceive Roger that thou art as mad in thy â—â—â—â—sie as ever was Joan Bâ—â—cher Thou wouldst fâ—â—â— be accounted a railing prophet and tho thou and all the rest of you desire to see me hang'd 〈◊〉 shâ—ll live to burn you yeâ— I will burn all of you 〈◊〉 coâ—â— under my hâ—nds that will not woâ—s◠〈◊〉 blâ—ssâ—d Sacrament of the Altar for alâ—◠〈◊〉 prating And to they haled him away but thâ—â— Hâ—lâ— man was no false prophet for he and his 6 Companions above named wâ—o were burnt with him were the last who suffered in that place for the testimony of the Gospel That day these holy Martyâ—s suffered a proclamation was made that none should dare to speak or talk a word to them or receive any thing from them or touch them on pain of Imprisonment without bad or mainprise Notwithstanding the people cryed out dâ—siteing God to strengthen them When they all came to the Stake Roger Holland embracing it said aloud Lord I most humbly thank thy Majesty that hast called me from the State of Death unto the Light of thy heavenly Word and now unto the fellowship of the Saints that I may sing and say Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts And Lord into thy hands I Commit my Spirit Lord bless these thy people and save them from Idolatry so being fastned to the Stake with the rest looking up towards Heaven praying and praising God with the rest of his fellow Martyrs he ended his Life and exchanged for a better with great Courage holy resolution and manlike Constancy Six Martyred at Brainford Not long after the Martyrdom of these 7 last mentioned in Smathfield viz. on the 14th of July following Six more suffered in one fire at Brainford Their names were Robert Wills Stephen Coltâ—n Robert Dynes Stephen White John Slade and William Pikes a Tanner All these were condemned By Bonner and ordered to be burnt at the place aforesaid When they came to the stake they made their prayers with great humility like so many Lambs prepared for the slaughter thâ—n and resâ—ing themselves they went joyfully to the stake to which they were bound and the fire being put to them and flaming about them they yield 〈◊〉 their Bodies Lives and Souls into the hand of Jesus for whose cause they suffer'd The last mentioned William Pikes being a very godly holy and religious man not long before he was taken as he was reading the Bâ—ble of Mr. Rogers his translation in his Garden 4 drops of blood fell down upon the Bible from whence he could not tell except it came out of the Element upon which he called his wife and shewed her the prodigy blotting out one of the drops with his finger At last he said I perceive the Lord will have blood his will be cone and give me grace to abide the tryal And it was not long after that be was apprehended The same man being in Newgate fell extreamly sick so that none looked he could have lived 6 hours being given over for a dead man upon which he prayed and desired of God that he might glorifie his name at the stake which came to pass accordingly God hearing his prayers The Cruel Whipping of Thomas Hinshaw by Bonner This Bloody Bonner who in a matter of 3 years space had destroyed one way or other about 200 Martyrs for the Gospel haveing one Thomas Hinshaw an Apprentice in London before him in Examination at Fulham and not receiving satisfactory Answers to his mind he set him in the stocks all night with bread and water only the next day he sent his Archdeacon Harpsfield such another persecutor as himself who calling this young man who was about 19 or 20 years of Age Prevish boy asking him whether he thought he went about to dams his Soul or no unto which the said Thomas answered that he was perswaded they laboured to maintain their dark and devilish Kingdom and not for any Love to Truth This put the Archdeacon into a Rage and away he goes to Bonner who furned and fretted not being able to have his will of a young man presently he sends for him into an Arbour in his Garden untrussing him he caused the young man to Kneel down and to lye over a bench where with his own Episcopal hands he wore out a willow Rod upon him who bore it all patiently till this sâ—â—uâ— whipping Bishop who had none of St. Pauls Characters in him could lay on no longer for want of Bâ—eath With this and other ill â—suâ—ge this poor young is an fell sick and so continued in a â—â—ngring Stâ—knâ—ss till he was treed by the Death of this Popish Persecuting Queen Mary The Whipping of John Wills by Bonner Besides this young man there was another named John Wills a Capper and was brother to the above mentioned Robert Wills Martyr'd at Brainford he was kept for some time in Bonners cole hole at Fulham and put into the Stocks being taken at a meeting in the fields at Islington Bonner
ENGLAND'S Remembrancer Setting forth The beginning of Papal Tyrannies bloody Persecutions Plots and inhuman Butcheries exercised on the Professors of the Gospel in England dissenting from the Church of Rome WITH An account of all or most of the Martyrs that were put to death by the cruel Papists in this Kingdom until the Reformation in the Reign of King Edw. 6. and Queen Elizabeth ALSO The first rise of the Writ de Heretico comburendo For Burning of Hereticks Well worth all Protestants perusal that they may unite as one Man against the Hierarchy of the bloodthirsty See of ROME Religio timor Dei solus est qui custodit hominum inter se societatem Lactant. LONDON Printed for E. Smith at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhill 1682. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Protestant Reader FOR such I suppose thee to be who will take the pains to read over these Collections or take a view of this little Tract called Englands Remembrancer wherein we have set forth without any partiality the bloody Persecutions of that Antichristian Church of Rome so we may well call her since Persecution is a certain Mark of the Beast and whatever particular Church takes up that Weapon so far deviates from the true Catholick Church of Christ as it makes use of it being absolutely contradictory to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles The Protestants of the Church of England laid the Foundation of their Reformation with the blood of many Martyrs suffering Death and torments for their Opinions They were all Dissenters from the Church of Rome and they have sufficiently blamed as they justly ought their horrid Persecution for Conscience sake seeking by compulsion to put their heavy yoaks on the necks of others and yet they had Law on their side and their Religion was then established by the Laws of the Land however I think there is no Protestant but doth justly call the putting to death tormenting imprisoning and ruining so many Men and Women for their Opinions Persecution and tho the Church of England hath not law to put any to Death yet no question there may be many so blindly Zealous as would do as much as the Papists have done before them and therefore let them not be angry if that Spirit which some have of late shewed against Dissenters be called Persecution tho they have Laws of their side But this is nothing our dread and fear proceed from a farther prospect of the great hopes the Papists have of once more Establishing their Idolatrous Religion and truly though we believe that God in his mercy may deliver this poor Nation from so great a Scourge yet we cannot say that the Hopes of the Papists are in vain since we our selves do not slackly endeavour to bring ruine on our selves and to be helpful in promoting their designs being ready to set Protestants together by the Ears reviling persecuting and troubling one another insomuch that many have shewn that they had rather join with the Papists than admit of any other Protestant Dissenter to live unmolested and to enjoy their peace opinions and Conscience This Spirit of late blown up by secret boutsers raging as it does makes the subtle Popish Clergy laugh in their Sleeves and begin to believe they need not the help of any damnable and murthering Plot since they perceive we are framing Plots and Designs against our selves and if they let us alone shall readily by our animosities make way for the setting up their Church in this Kingdom which they with all their hellish Artifices could never do Divide impera divide reign is a known Maxim and we are doing that our selves as fast as we can for them At this time therefore I thought there could be nothing more necessary to all sorts of Protestants of what denomination soever than the beholding as in a little mirror the horrid and bloody Persecutions of those of the Romish Church in England when they had power in this Nation and by this Pocket Remembrancer you may be able to perceive to what horrid Tyranny all Professors of the true Gospel of Christ must submit themselves giving their Bodies to be burnt imprisoned tormented and abused or else against their Consciences become Idolaters and damn their Souls Alas there are no Arguments to be used against these men when armed with the Sword of Power what they have done they still do where they reign and will most certainly do the same again if not in a greater and more bloody manner as soon as they should have established their Dominion by the help of a Popish King You therefore who are negligent and careless and act as if you were asleep or are indifferent what Religion is uppermost and you also who are so hot and zealous for persecuting all those who dissent from you and you likewise for such there be who are ready to shake hands with the Papists pleading for them and account them harmless and loyal or at least better than Protestant Dissenters all of you I say read this little Book of their Tyrannies and as sure as Truth you shall feel the Scourge and Scorpionian sting of these men and must draw in their iron Yoak unless you will act against your Consciences the very same Tragedies that were acted before under Popish and bigotted Kings upon others shall be then acted over again upon you your Wives and Children upon your Goods Lives Friends Kindred and Estates Fires will again be inkindled in all quarters of this Land the Tyranny and Cruelty of the Inquisition shall sit upon you the Priest shall Lord it over you and of Freemen you shall become slaves ignorance and superstition shall put down knowledge and Religion by Authority On the other side you who are true professors of the Gospel of Christ may make use of this Remembrancer in which you will behold the great patience meekness of such whom God honoured with Martyrdom and suffering in his Cause that if ever the like persecution be permitted by the Judgment of Heaven in this Nation for our manifold sins and debaucheries which flow thorow the Land and for the Spirit of Rage and Persecution of one another that hath lately gone forth in some measure I say you may be prepared by these examples of holy dying men how to behave your selves and to believe that God will give to such as rely upon him extraordinary Comforts and supports in their Afflictions It may also serve to stir up those lukewarm Protestants who run with the stream or have not heard of or else soon forget the Persecutions and Tyrannies of the Romish Church to have an aversion and horrour to such men and such a Religion as will cut their throats if ever established by Law among us You have here an Epitomy of all Mr. Fox's 3 great Volumes which few can purchase and fewer have time to read therefore I have collected for the Protestant Reader briefly the most material stories of the whole which are
two Thieves even so when the Priest is at mass and hath lifted the Host over his Head he there hangeth between two Thieves except he be one that preaches the Word of God truly That he had said to the people that they should not eat and tear the flesh of Christ with their teeth c. For Christ said This is my Body which was the Word of God which was to be broken to the people with such like to which he gave his particular Answers But a Commission was sent down for the tryal of these persons according to the Act of the six Articles and the aforesaid persons clapt into the Jayle Testwood being sick and in bed was haled thence and forced into prison going upon Crutches The chief Judges who sat on these men were Doctor Capon Bishop of Salisbury Sr. William Essex Knight Sr. Tho Bridges Sr. Humphry Foster Mr. Franklin Dean of Windsor and Mr. Fachell of Reading After very unjust doings packing of the Jury being strangers and not of the neighbourhood and all of them farmers belonging to the Colledg of Windsor and some of them Contrary to the Statute had but one witness appearing against them yet they were all of them found guilty by the Jurie and condemned to dye the next day by the Court Fatchell giving the Sentence There came a pardon for Marbeck the rest seeing their hard lot comforted one another knowing that they dyed in a good Cause All night they spent in fervent prayer to God to strengthen them that they might be stedfast in their torments praying also for their persecutors that God would forgive them since they did what they did through blind Ignorance and zeal The next day being Fryday their execution was respired but on the Saturday when they were to dye desiring to receive the Sacrament it was denyed them for they said it was not to be granted to Hereticks but they might be Confessed if they would As they passed thorow the Streets they prayed all good people to pray for them and Filmer who was Condemned from the testimony of his own Brother only as he past by his door called several times on him that he mought see him but he would not appear however Filmer most Christian like desired God to forgive him for he had restified wrongfully against Him When they were come to the Stake Mr. Persons with a chearful Countenance embracing the Stake in his Arms and Kissing it said Now welcom my own sweet Wife for this day shall thou and I be married together in the Love and peace of God Being all bound to the post a certain young man of Filmers acquaintance brought him a pot of drink which he drâ—nk of to his Companions who pledged him at when drinking their Adversaries made a jesting reporting afterwards that they were all drunk and knew not what they said After they had drank Mr. Filmer said my Brethren let us be merry in the Lord for I trust in God that after this sharp Breaâ—fast we shall have a good dinner in the Kingdom of Christ our Lord and Redeemer At which words the Fire being set to the straw Testwood lifting up his Hands and eyes to Heaven desired God to receive his spirit And Mr. Persons pulling the straw to him put a good handful on his Head saying This is Gods Hat now am I dressed like a true Souldâ—ers of Christ by whâ—se merits onâ—y I trust this day to enter into his Joy And so they yeilded up their souls to God like meek Lambs with so much patience and tranquillity and so great stedfastness that amazed the people many wished that they had been so happy as to have dyed with them The Persecutors disgraced Not long after the whole Conspiracy of the Bishop of Winchester Dr. London Simone and Okeham came to be revealed by Gods Providence and how unjustly they had dealt with these poor men haveing also lay'd a design against several of the Kings Privie Council and many Knights and Gentlemen as favourers of Heresie which being made known to the King he withdrew his Favour from Gardner and London Simmons and Okeham Perjurie being proved against them rode thorow Windsor with their faces to the Horses tails and papers of their Crimes pinned on their breasts and Okeham the like at Newberry where he stood in the pillory Thus God by his secret Judgment brought the wickedness of these malicious Papists to light and their persons to disgrace being ever hated of all men About the same time great persecution was made at Calice where one Adam Damlip Dod and several others were Martyred And likewise in Scotland suffered many Martyrs in the latter end of the reign of King Henry the 8th of England as Mr. Wisehart Walace Sr. John Borthwick and divers others so that many there as well as in England sealed to the truth of the Gospel with their Blood But we shall omit forreigners and speak only of those of our own nation as we have at first proposed having enough and too many executed and tormented by the bloody Papists Kerby and Clark Martyr'd in Suffolk In the year 1546 Mr. Kerby and Clark were burned for their religion in Suffolk passing over one Henrie and his servant burnt at Colchester and also one Sary a Priest who was hang'd privatly in the Bishop of Winchesters Porters lodg and that not without the privity of the Bishop himself as it was thought for indeed it would be too long to enumerate all the publick and private Murthers of these bloody Papists But as to the Story of Kerby and Clark in brief it was this Kerby and Clark of Mendelsham in the County of Suffolk were apprehended for Gospellers and thrown into the Goal and a Commission was sent down to try them the chief of the Commissioners was the Lord Wentworth Being brought before them having in Secret prayed to themselves a while with hands eyes lifted up they hearkned to their charge which were certain Articles put in against them concerning the Sacrament and being there publickly demanded if that after the words of Consecration spoken by the Priests the breed did not then become the very flesh blood and bones of Jesus Christ as he was born of the Virginâ— they answered No That they did not believe it but that it was a sign to put us in mind of Christs Death for the remission of our sins Upon his after they had used 〈◊〉 â—â—gâ—mentâ— perswasions and threats to thes poor men to make them alter thâ—ir minds in vain sentence was given against them Kerby to be burnt in Ipswich the next Saturday following and Roger Clark at Bury before Gang Munday ensuing Kirby having received his sentence holding up his hands with humble reverence bowing himself he said Praysed be Almightie God and then stoâ—d still saying no more And Clark at pâ—rting from the Judgment seat said with some Vehemency Fight for your God for he hath not long to coâ—tinue which was a Prophesie of the Reformation
and Robert Smith Martyrs On the 26th of August one George Tankerfeild a Cook suffered at St. Albans in a Green called Romeland neer to the Abby there All the days of King Edward he had been a strict Papist but when he perceived their bloody Cruelties in the days of Queen Mary it made him begin to doubt of their Religion as not agreeing with the Doctrin of Christ upon this he began to read the Testament and prayed earnestly to God to open to him the Truth that he might be thorowly perswaded whether it was of God or no and if it was not that he might utterly abhor it in his Heart God heard his prayer and he found dayâ—y a working in him more and more which made him to detest and abhor the Religion he had so long â—mbraced and the Lord inlightning his mind he went no more to mass after which being siâ—k and lâ—me he could not but openly profess his Religion and declare his mind for which he was had before the bloody Bishop Bonner and several times examined and as usual when before Condemnation he was urged to Recant he boldly told the Bishop that he would never forsake his opinions unless he could refell them by Scripture for said he you Condemn all men and prove nothing against them Upon which sentence was read against him and he was delivered over to the secular power When he was brought to the Town of St. Aloans from London being kept at an Inn there he caused a fire to be made in his Chamber and putting his bare foot to it he was forced to withdraw it thorow the Smart upon which he said The flesh would perswade him one way and the Spirit another The flesh said O fool wilt thou burn when thou needest not But the Spirit said be not afraid for it was nothing in respect of fire Eternal The flesh said leave not thy Friends who love thee But the Spirit said The company of Jesus Christ exceeds all fleshly Friends with the like discourse more at large on this subject but at last the Spirit got the Victory and he went joyfully and with great Resolution to his Death and when he was at the stake and the Faggots placed about him a Priest would have perswaded him to believe in the Sacrament of the Altar upon whiah he vehemently cryed out I defie the Whore of Babylon that most abominable Idol Then the Mayor bid them to set fire to him saying if he had but one load of Faggots in the World he would give it to burn the Heretick Fire being put to him he desired the people to pray for him and so embracing the fire he bathed his Arms in it calling on the name of Jesus till he was out of his pain In the same Month at Vxbridge suffered Mr. Robert Smith who had been a servant belonging to Sr. Thomas Smith and a Clerk at Windsor but was in the second year of the Queen imprisoned for his Opinions and with several other kept long in durance At last he was several times had before Bonner who finding he could not prevert him condemned him to the Fire When he came to the stake he spake to the People endeavouring to comfort the People who bewailed him willing them to think well of his cause and not to doubt but that his body dying in that quarrel should rise again to Life And said He I doubt not but God will shew you some sign thereof And it hapned to the great Confirmation of the people that after he was almost half burnt and that his Body was as black as a Coal and drawn together in a lump all men thinking that he had been dead suddenly he rose upright before the people and lifting up the burning Stumps of his Arms and Clapping them together did as it were declare to them the rejoycing of his Heart then bending down again and hanging over the flames he slept in the Lord and so ended his Mortal Life Much about the same time two more were Martyrd being Condemned with the above mentioned Martyr by the bloody Butcher of Gods people Bonner the one was named Stephen Harwood who suffer'd at Stratford the other Thomas Fust who was burnt at Ware In the same month also suffered another of their Companions named William Hale who was burnt at Barnet where he Constantly sealed his Faith with his Blood There were at the same time 3 more Condemned to be burnt viz George King Thomas Leys and Joon Wade but these were so Cruelly handled in the prison of the Lollards Tower belonging to the Bâ—shop that they dyed before they could be executed and were buried by night in the field The like was done to one William Andrew a Carpenter who dying in Newgate was cast out in the fields like a dog till some Charitable People buried him Mr. Samuel a Minister Martyr The next whom we shall mention in this brief Martyrology is one Mr. Robert Samuel a godly and zealous Preacher and Minister of Gods word at Barfold in suffolk where he faithfully taught his flock all the days of King Edward but upon the setting up of Popery he was put out of his Benefice as many more godly Ministers were and that because he would not put away his wife and conform to the Romish Superstition however not giving over his care of his flock he preach'd to them and taught them privately and by stealth till he was laid hold on and clapt into Ipswich Jail but he did not long Continue there before he was removed to Norwich under the power of the most cruel and persecuting Bishop of that See who had no mercy Thinking by Cruelty to prevail upon this good man they used him when in their Clurches most inhumanely and Barbarously for they chained him bolt upright against a post so that he could not lye down and so that his toes could but just touch the ground and in this manner they kept him a long time allowing him but one bit of Bread and 3 Spoonfulls of water to maintain his Life for further torment so that his Stomach was clung together for lack of food and he could have eat his own flesh Being thus tormented and still continuing constant to the admiration of his Tormentors he endured with great patience extream pains and almost intollerable torments O worthy Constancy of the Martyr and O pittiless hearts of the Papists whose hearts were made of Adamant and would not be moved to relen When he had been thus tormented several days he fell into a slumber and he beheld one standing by him clad all in white who said to him Samuel Samâ—el be of good cheer take heart for after this day thou shalt never be either hung 〈◊〉 thirsty Which proved true for from that time as he declared himself he never felt the least hunger or thirst which continued till he was Martyr'd which was not long after and it was said by divers that beheld him burnt that his Body when in the flames did
Paul answering in all respects that of the 1 Tim. 3. and that to Titus Chap. 1. A Bâ—shop must be faultless as becometh a Minister of God Nâ—r Stubborn nor â—â—gry no drunkard sighter nor given to filthy lucre but Charitable a lover of Goodness sober minded righteous temperate cleaving to the truth and able teach or instruct All this he was and that in an high degree He studied much riseing at 5 of the Clock in the Morning Continuing private till 9. from which time â—o Dâ—nner he spent in hearing suitors or minding the King Affairs I shall not goe about to give you the history of this good man's life which was exâ—mplaâ—â— not of â—ll the troubles and persecutions he inâ—â—â—ed from his Enemies the chief being Gardner the Bishop of â—enchesieâ— in this Kings days who alway stood by him and well perceived the Integrity of the Archbishop and the implacable hatred of his Enemies so that in his dayes he was preserved in the Kingâ— Favour and afterwards he was dear to 〈◊〉 Eâ—â—â—rd and one who assisted in the Reformantioâ— of Religion writing his Faith in 5 books concerning the Sacrament But assoon as Queen Mary câ—me to the Crown yoâ— mâ—y be sure she would â—emember what he hâ—d done as to â—eâ— Mothers divorce and was indeed his bitter Enemy tho he was very â—â—rdly brought to subscâ—ibe against her for the Lady Jaâ—â— We have â—lready told you how he was had from the Tower with Bishop Râ—â—ley and Lâ—â—mer to dispute at Oâ—ford and the issue thereupon that he wâ—s condemned and where be continuâ—d a prisonâ—r about 3 years they using all ways an mâ—nner of means to cause him to recant and sinâ—ing thâ—t force and threatning would not do they tryed flattery and fair means but he had resisted all things till aâ— lâ—st resolved they were he should be burnt upon which they degraded him and tho he told them they being but Bishops and â—e their superior they could not rightfully degrade â—im their Archbishop however saying as they were the Popes Delegates and Commissionated by the Queen they had power to do it and so they useâ— all their toâ—pish Ceremonies Bishop Bonner using him roughly and uâ—mâ—nnerly All this needed not said the Archbishop for I had flâ—ng off all this gear long agoe Then being stript to his Jacot they put on him a Beâ—dles old gown and a Townsmans Cap and so delivered â—â—m over to the sâ—cular power Yet for all this being extream desirous to have him recant they afresh set upon him trying all ways to allure him with promise of Life and hopes of Reward and so importunate they were night and day never ceasing to solicitâ— him that at last humanâ— frailty appeared and he was overcome and they got him to sign a Recantation against his Conscience The Queen received it very gladly but bearing Revenge and malice in her heart she nevertheless resolved he should dye and for that End dispatched away Dr. Cole to preach at St. Maries at Oxford and to declare his Recantation Cranmer was now Miserable being tormented in his Conscience for what he had done and too late began to perceive the Malice of his Enemies who thirsted for his Blood Subtilly and treacherously they dealt with him not giving him any notice of his death but still put him in hopes of his Life urging him publickly to make his Recantation in St. Marys for which end they had prepared a stage in the midst of the Church to which place they led him whilst Dr. Cole mounted the Pulpit to make his Oration The Lord Williams and several other Commissioners were there with a multitude of people thinking to hear the Recantation of the Archbishop But things could not be so closely carried tho they kept all people from the Archbishop that might inform him but he began to surmise they intended to put him to Death and at last plainly perceived it when they gave him mony to distribute to the poor as he passed thorow the streets to the Church It was a lamentable spectable to the people to behold the Metropolitan and Primate of England standing with his bald head and reverend gray beard in an old tattered gown on the stage exposed to the Contempt of all men which sight made many weep especially seeing the Tears running down his Cheeks and beard As he thus stood by a pillar he lifted up his eyes and hands toward heaven and prayed privatly to himself till Dr. Cole began his sermon the first part being passed over he turned his whole discourse upon the Archbishop exhorting him to take his Death pariently and to glorifie God with his Conversion from his heresie since it had pleased God to reclaim him saying that before in his prosperity he was not worthy of Life but now since he could not Live he seemed unworthy of Death But he promised that Masses and Dirges should be said in all the Churches in Oxford for the succor of his soul if he continued to dye a good Catholick Cranmer with extream grief of mind heard out his Sermon showing by his Countenance the agitation of his spirit and when he had done and that all men expected he should have read his recantation he pulled out of his Bosom a writing which he had prepared and began to read Good people I beseech you all to pray to God for me that he may forgive me my sins and especially one which I â—ominate to you by and by then Kneeling down â—e made a most excellent prayer which being not long I shall here recite O Father of Heaven O Son of God Redeemer of the World O holy Ghost three Persons and one God have mercy upon me most wretched Catif and miserable sinner I have offended both against Heaven and Earth more than my tongue can express Whither then may I go or whither shall I fly To Heaven I may be ashamed to lift up mine eyes and in Earth I find no place of refuge or Scucor To thee therefore O Lord do I run to thee do I humble my self saying O Lord my God my sins are great yet have mercy upon me for thy great mercy The great mystery that God became Man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not give thy Son O Heavenly Father unto death for small sins only but for all the greatest sins in the world so that the sinner return to thee with his whole heart as I do here at this present Wherefore have mercy on me O God whose property is always to have Mercy Have mercy upon me O Lord for thy great mercy I crave nothing for mine own merits bâ—t for thy names sake that it may be hallowed thereby and for thy dear Son Jesus Christ's sake And now therefore our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy name c. Then riseing up he desired he might exhort the people before his death that God might be glorified and they edified He then began an excellent Exhortation pressing them
burning it till the very sinews crackt and burst in two And seeing the Maid did not cry out why thou whore said he wilt not thou cry She reply'd he had more reason to cry than she for she thanked God she had no cause but to rejoyce Thou young strong beastly whore said he get thee gone When she came to her Mother and shewed her her Martyr'd hand her Mother asked her how she could indure it to whom she replyed that at first it was some little pain to her but the more it burnt the less she felt or well near none at all The like cruelty you heard of Bonner who also served a blind harper after the same manner with a burning coal Likewise one George Eayles a Taylor by profession but privately preached the Gospel to the great Comfort of many good people taking great pains therein drinking only water and earing little lying in the woods and Fields which secured him for some years but at last he was taken and had to London and there condemned for a traytor for meeting in traytorous companies or Conventicles and stirring them up against the Q. though nothing of that nature could be prov'd against him yet he was condemned and executed after a barbarous manner at Chelmsford in Essex On the 5th of August suffered Rich Crashsield at Norwich About the same time a converted Fryer a Woman who was Sister to the late mentioned George Eagles were burnt at Rochester Martyr'd at Lichfield Mrs. Joyce Lewis About the same time suffered Mrs. Joyce Lewis she was a Gentleman's daughter tenderly bred up all her Life and Marryed to Mr. Tho. Lewis of Manchester who was her 2d Husband She had been all her Life time a Papist and so continued till the begining of Queen Maries reign and that she saw such Cruelties exercised against the Gospellers and especially upon the burning of that learned Martyr Mr. Lawrence Saunders whom we have mentioned she began to enquire more narrowly into the matter and more especially conversed often with Mr. John Glover living near him in Coventry who taught her and instructed her in the Truth so that she being throughly convinced of the Popish errors and their damnable Doctrins she refrained from going to Mass but her Husband one day forcing her to go to Church against her will when the Priest went to sprinkle her with holy Water she turn'd her back to him upon which she was next day cited to come before the Bishop but her Husband being enraged at the fellow who brought it set his dagger to his throat and made him eat the citation and drink an health to it afterwards but upon this they were both had before the Bishop the Husband submitted himself was bound in a recognisance of 100 l. to bring his Wife after a months time given her to Considers which the unatural husband did rather than to undergo any farther trouble and the poor Gentlewoman being Constant and rather resolving to suffer than to deny the Truth was committed to so nasty and stinking a prison that her maid who went with her not being able to endure it swounded but God gave her strength and tho she had many Temptations yet by the power and assistance of God's holy Spirit she overcame them all she was several times had before the Bishop who reasoned with her endeavouring to make her come to Mass but she still answered him it was against her Conscience and not Commanded in the Word of God for if he could shew them there she would with all her heart receive esteem and believe them To which this Popish Bishop replyed If thou wilt believe no more than is in the Scripture concerning matters of Religion thou art in a damnable case Upon which she being somewhat amazed told him his words savoured of ungodliness She was then condemned but after her condemnation she was kept a whole year ere she was burnt but at last seeing they could not pervert her they procured the burning writ and she having notice of it received the news very chearfully spending the night before her Martyrdom in prayers receiving great Consolation and Joy in her Spirit in that God had accounted her worthy to suffer for his sake The next morning refusing the Priest they had sent to take her confession she went to the stake prepared for her aâ— Leichfield being accompanied with several of her friends several of her Neighbours acquaintance she being beloved and many of them drank with her at the stake all which were noted by the Fryers and made for so doing to undergo publick pennance When she was tyed with the chain she shewed such chearfulness and patience that all were amazed and most of them could not abstain from weeping who beheld her When the fire was set to her she neither struggl'd or stir'd only lifting up her hands towards heaven she was quickly dead the under Sheriff being her Friend had prepared such stuff as soon dispatch'd her And this was the end of this good and blessed Gentle woman and Martyr Four burnt at London 2 Women at Colchester c. On the 17th of September 1557 Ralf Allerton James Austoe Margery Austoe his wife and Richard Roth suffered all in one fire at Islington on the same day and year were burnt at Colchester in one fire two godly women Agnes Bongeer and Margaret Thurston About the same time one John Noys a Shoe maker of Laxfield in the County of Suffolk was burnt On the 23d of September the same year Cicilly Ormes a poor simple woman was burnt at Norwich for professing the Gospel At her Death she utterly renounced Popery and admonished people to beware of its Idolatry When she came to the stake she Kissed it and embracing it she said welcome thou Cross of Christ being bound to it and fire being set 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 eyes and head upward she stood without moving till her Arms being burnt in two fell into the fire and so yeilded up the Ghost as if she felt no pain On the 18th of November following John Hollingdale W. Sparrow and Richard Gibson being all condemned by Bonner suffered together in Smithfield On the 22th of December were also burnt in Smithfield John Rough a Minister and one Margaret Mearing in one fire On the 28th day of March following being the year 1558. Cutbert Symson who had been a Deacon in the Congregation of the last mentioned Minister Mr. Rough was burnt in London He was like another Stephen most Zealous for Religion and never ceased labouring earnestly how to help and preserve others from the Popish Tyranny This man keeping the Books of the Register of the names and accounts of the Congregation Mr. Rough before Martvr'd had a vision of his trouble that came suddenly upon him and lest they should find this Book and thereby