declare what the Tree is for a good Man or Woman out of the good Treasure of their hearts bringeth forth good Fruits Wherefore dear Sister let our Faith be made manifest to the World by our deeds and in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation as St. Paul saith Let your Light shine as in a dark place O dear hearts now is the Gospel of God overwhelmed with many black and troublesome Clouds of Persecution for the which cause very few go about to have their Eyes made clear by the true light of the Gospel for fear of loosing their Treasures of this World which are but vain and shall Perish Let us not therefore be like unto them which light their Candle and put it under a Bushel but let us set our Candle upon a Candlestick that it may give light unto all them that are in the House that is to say let all the People of the Houshold of God see our good works in suffering all things patiently that shall be laid upon us for the Gospel sake if it be Death it self for Christ died for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps and as he hath given his Life for us so ought we to give our Lives for the Defence of the Gospel to the comfort of our Brethren How is it then that some will say that their Faith is good and yet they do all the deeds of Anti-christ the Devil St. Paul saith To believe with the heart justifieth and to confess with the Mouth maketh a man safe Here may all see that no man or woman can have a true Faith unless they have deeds also and he that doubteth is like the Waves of the Sea Tossed about of the Wind and can look for no good thing at the Lords hands Now is the acceptable time that Christ spoke of yea even now is the Ax put to the Root of the Tree that so every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit must be hewn down and cast into the Fire Now is the Lord come with his Fan in his hand to try the Wheat from the Chaff the Wheat he will gather into his Barn and the Chaff he will burn Now is the time come that we must go meet the Bridegroom with Oyle in our Lamps we are also bidden to the Feast let us make no excuses our Master hath delivered Talents unto us Now is the Lord come to see if there be any Fruit upon his Trees if he find none he will serve us as he did the wild Fig-Tree that is Never Fruit shall grow on him more If we go to meet the Bridegroom without Oyle in our Lamps and should go to buy the doubt is we should be served as the Foolish Virgins were to whom God said Depart I know you not If we use not our Talents well they shall be taken from us and given to others and all such unprofitable Servants shall be cast into Hell where shall be Weeping and Gnashing of teeth May not all People now perceive that this is the time that our Master Christ speaketh of that the Father should be against the Son and the Son against the Father and one Brother against an other that the Brother shall deliver the Brother to death yea and that the Wicked shall say all manner of Wicked sayings against us for his Name sake the which I have found by experience I praise God that gave me strength to bear it I have no mistrust but that the World shall see and know my Blood shall not be dear in my own sight whensoever it please God to give my Adversaries leave to shed it I do earnestly believe that God which hath begun this good work in me will perform it to the end for when I have been in Prison sometimes wearing Blots and Shackles lying on the bear ground and sometimes sitting in the Stocks and bound with Cords that my Body was swelled and I like to be overcome with pain sometimes lying in the Woods and Fields wandring to and fro brought before Justices Sheriffs Lords Doctors and Bishops called Dog Devil Heretick Whoremonger Traytor Thief Deceiver and such like Yea even they that did eat of my Bread that should have been most my Friends by Nature have betrayed me yet for all this I praise God that hath seperated me from my Mothers Womb all this that hath happened unto me hath been easie for I praise God they are not able to prove one tittle of their sayings to be true but that way which they call Heresie I serve my Lord God and at all times before whomsoever I have been brought God hath given me Mouth and Wisdom against which my Adversaries have not been able to resist wherefore dear Sister be of good comfort with all your Brethren and Sisters and take no thought what you shall say for it shall be given you the same hour according to the promises as I have alwayes found and as you and all others of Gods Elect shall well find when the time is full come and whereas I and many others have hoped that this Persecution would have been at an end ere this time now I perceive God will have a further Tryal to Root out all Dissemblers that no man should rejoyce in himself but he that rejoyceth should rejoyce in God wherefore if Prophecy should fail and Tongues should cease yet Love must indure for fear hath painfulness but a perfect Love casteth out all fear which Love I have no mistrust but God hath poured it upon you so abundantly that nothing in the World shall be able to seperate you from God neither High nor Low Rich nor Poor Life nor Death shall be able to put you from Christ but by him I trust you shall enter into New Jerusalem there to live forever After his Examination Sentence was past upon him and upon the 22th day of the Moneth called June he and nine more were burnt at Lewis as mention is made before The next Moneth following Simon Miller and Elizabeth Cooper were burnt at Norwich S. Miller Elizabeth Cooper Martyrs This Simon Miller dwelt in Lyn he was a zealous man for the Lord and his Truth in those dayes detesting and abhoring the forced Religion of the Papists going from Lyn to Norwich and standing in the press of People as they were coming from their Popish service he spake some words to them at which some marvelled to hear and see his boldness but shortly after he was brought before Dunning Chancellor of Norwich when he was before him having his Confession of his Faith written and put in his Shoe part of which appearing was taken out which the Chancellor perusing askt him If he would stand to that Faith to which he said he should whereupon he was committed to Ward and shortly after was by the Bishop of Norwich and his Chancellor condemned and burnt with the â—â—â—esaid Elizabeth Cooper When Elizabeth first felt the Fire the shrunk and cryed out Simon Miller put his
he did afore-time opened his windows towards Jerusalem and kneeled down and prayed and gave thanks before his God of which these Persecutors acquainted the King then the King commanded and they cast Daniel into the Den of Lions but the Lord preserved him that the Lions hurt him not because he believed in his God which the King hearing of caused Daniel to be taken up out of the Den A judgment of God upon Persecutors and commanded them that were his Persecutors to be cast into it which was done and they were soon destroyed The Constancy and faithful Suffering of some of the ancient people of the Jews rather then they would be forced to depart from the Laws of their Fathers and not to live after the Laws of God Eleazer one of the principal Scribes an aged man and of a well-favoured countenance was constrained to open his Mouth Eleazer persecuted and to eat Swines Flesh But he choosing rather to dye gloriously then to live stained with such an Abomination spit it forth and came of his own accord to the torment as it behoved them to come that are resolved to stand out against such things as are not lawful for love of life to be tasted But they that had the charge of that wicked Feast for the old acquaintance they had with the man taking him aside besought him to bring flesh of his own provision such as was lawful for him to use and make as if he did eat of the flesh taken from the Sacrifice commanded by the King That in so doing he might be delivered from death and for the old friendship with them find favour But he began to consider discreetly and as became his Age and the excellency of his ancient years and the honour of his gray Head whereunto he was come and his most honest Education from a Child or rather the holy Law made and given by God therefore he answered accordingly and willed them strait-wayes to send him to the Grave For it becometh not our Age said he in any wise to dissemble whereby many young persons might think that Eleazer being fourscore years old and ten were now gone to a strange Religion and so they through mine hypocrisie and desire to live a little time and a moment longer should be deceived by me and I get a stain to mine old Age and make it Abominable For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty neither alive nor dead wherefore now manfully changing this life I will shew my self such an one as mine Age requireth and leave a notable example to such as be young to die willingly and couragiously for the honourable and holy Laws and when he had said these words immediatly he went to the Torment they that led him changing the good will they bare him a little before into hatred because the foresaid speeches proceeded as they thought from a desperate mind But when he was ready to dye with stripes he groaned and said It is manifest unto the Lord that hath the holy knowledge that whereas I might have been delivered from death I now endure sore pains in body by being beaten but in soul am well content to suffer these things because I fear him And thus this man dyed leaving his death for an example of a noble Courage and a memorial of vertue not only unto young men but unto all his Nation The Constancy and Cruel Death of seven Brethren and their Mother in one day because they would not eat Swines Flesh at the Kings Commandment Seven Brethren with their Mother were taken and compelled by the King against the Law The Mother and her seven Children persecuted to taste Swines Flesh and were tormented with Scourges and Whips but one of them that spake first said thus What wouldst thou ask or learn of us we are ready to dye ' rather then to transgress the Laws of our Fathers Then the King being in a rage commanded Pans and Caldrons to be made hot which forthwith being heated he commanded to cut out the Tongue of him that spake first and to cut off the utmost parts of his Body the rest of his Brethren and his Mother looking on Now when he was thus maimed in all his Members he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the Fire and to be fryed in the Pan and as the vapour of the Pan was for a good space disperced they exhorted one another with the Mother to dye manfully saying thus The Lord God looketh upon us and in Truth hath comfort in us as Moses in his Song which witnessed to their Faces declared saying and he shall be comforted in his Servants so when the first was dead after this manner they brought the second to make a mocking stock and when they had pulled off the skin of his Head with the hair they asked him ' Wilt thou eat before thou be punished ' throughout every member of thy Body but he answered in his own Language and said No wherefore he also received the next Torment in order as the former did and when he was at the last gasp he said Thou like a fury takest us out of this present life but the King of the world shall raise us up who have dyed for his Laws unto everlasting life After him was the third made a mocking stock and when he was required he put out his tongue and that right soon holding forth his hands manfully and said couragously ' These I had from Heaven and for his Laws I dâ—spise them and ' from him I hope to receive them again insomuch that the King and they that were with him marvailed at the young mans courage for that he nothing regarded the pains Now when this man was dead also they tormented and mingled the fourth in like manner so when he was ready to dye he said thus It is good being put to death by men to look for hope from God to be raised up again by him as for thee thou shalt have no resurrection to life Afterward they brought the fifth also and mangled him then looked he unto the King and said Thou hast power over men thou art corruptible thou dost what thou wilt yet think not that our Nation is forsaken of God but abide a while and behold his great power how he will torment thee and thy seed After him also they brought the sixth who being ready to dye said Be not deceived without cause for we Suffer these things for our selves having sinned against our God therefore marvelous things are done unto us but think not thou that takest in hand to strive against God that thou shalt escape unpunished But the mother was marvelous above all and worthy of honorable memory for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day she bare it with a good courage because of the hope that she had in the Lord yea she
heard a Master of Divinity say That in such case it is all one to touch a Book as to swear by a Book Bishop There is no Master of Divinity in England but if he hold this opinion before me I shall punish him as I shall do thee except thou sware as I shall charge thee Thorp Is not Chrysostom and ententive Doctor Bishop Yea. Thorp If Chrysostom proveth him worthy of great blame that bringeth forth a Book to sware upon it must needs follow that he is more to blame that sweareth on that Book The Clark said lay thine Hand upon the Book touching the holy Gospel of God and take thy charge Thorp I understand that the holy Gospel of God may not be touched with mans Hand It was mentioned before that he was imprisoned by Thomas Arondell Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and it is recorded that he was by the said Bishop at last secretly put to death in the year 1407. John Purvey was imprisoned by Henry Chicheley Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the year 1421. John Purvey Mâ—rty he writ a Book against the Pope wherein he calls him Antichrist and that his censures was like the blast of Lucifer He the said Purvey complained that many before him who had impugned the Romish errorrs had been imprisoned killed and their Books burnt and that none were suffered to preach but such as would swear obedience to the Pope For which he was imprisoned and secretly made away by the aforesaid Bishop In the year 1413. Roger Acton and other Persecuted Roger Acton John Brown John Beverly were persecuted and put to death for their Testimony to the Truth in Giles's in the field together with divers others to the number of thirty six all which were hanged with Fire made under them These godly persons in these dangerous times used to meet in the night in Giles's in the Fields to pray and preach which the Bishops having notice of they informed the King as if they intended to rebel whereupon the King going with many armed men at Midnight took these thirty six and caused them to be executed the number that were assembled was greater but they fled amongst whom was Wil. Murle of Dunstable Maultster who being afterwards apprehended was drawn hanged and burnt within few daies after their Execution Thomas Arundel Arch-bishop was so stricken by God in his tongue that he could neither swallow any food nor speak for diverse daies before his death A Judgment on a Persecutor whereby he died in much misery And this was thought to come upon him for that he so bound the Word of the Lord that it should not be preached in his daies About this time there began to spring forth some light in Bohemia the Bohemians having received some of Wickliffs Books began first to taste and savour Christs Gospel till at length by the preaching of John Hus they encreased more and more in knowledge insomuch that Pope Alexander the fifth hearing thereof began to stir Coals and directed his Bull to the Arch-bishop of Swinco requiring him to look to the matter that no persons should maintain that Doctrine and not long after this John Hus and Jerome of Prague were both condemned and burnt at Constance by the Council held there and yet their blood did not satisfie their Adversaries but they took further counsel for the destruction of these People in the whole Nation for when fifty eight of the cheif Nobles of Bohemia in the Name of all the Commons Anno 1416. had sent letters from Prague to the Council complaining that John Hus their Paster an innocent and holy man and faithful Teacher of the Truth was unjustly condemned the Council instead of answering them wrote Letters to some violent Papists who were in Authority to assist their Legate iâ— oppressing the Hereticks and thereupoâ—â—â—ey persecuted them all manner of ways useing great violence towards them insomuch that they raised Tumults and one Zisca a noble man of that Country being sore grieved for the death of John Hus and Jerome of Prague minding to revenge the Injuries which the Council had done greatly to the dishonour of the Kingdom of Behemia upon their Complices and Adherents he gathered together a number of men of War subverted the Monasteries and Idolatrous Temples pulling down and breaking in pieces the Images and Idols driving away the Monks and Priests which he said were kept up in their Cloisters like Swine in their Styes to be fatted when this Zisca died in remembrance of him the Bohemians ingraved over his Tomb in the Greek Language this Epitaph John Zisca a Bohemian Enemy to all wicked and Covetuout Priests but with a godly Zeal Yet still as the Popish party prevailed they exercised all manner of Cruelty upon the poor Servants of Christ till they were utterly suppressed by force many of whom fled into the hilly Country neer to Silesia to inhabit where throwing off all superstitious practices they applyed themselves to the best form that they according to the best of their understandings judged to be nearest to the primitive Christians calling themselves Brethren and Sisters They were branded with the Name of Piccards a Name by which the Waldenses in Piccardy were called The purity that was amongst them much displeased the Devil for he raised a sudden and violent Tempest against them and an Edict was proclaimed threatning death to all that should administer to the Piccards whereupon they were brought into great extremity A second Edict came forth that none of them should be suffered either to live in Bohemia or Moravia hereupon they were dispersed amongst the Woods and Mountains dwelling in Caves where yet they were scarce safe so that they were forced to make no Fire nor dress any meat but in the night time least the smoak should betray them In the cold Winter nights sitting by the Fire they applyed themselves to the reading of the Bible and holy discourses when in the Snow they went abroad to provide them necessaries they went close together and lest their foot-steps should betray them the hindermost of them did draw after him a great bough to cover the prints which their feet had made But to return again to give a futher account of Sufferers in England John Claydon of London Curryer in the year 1415. being examined before Henry Chichly Arch-Bishop of Canturbury upon suspition of Heresie he confessed that for the same cause he had been formerly impâ—â—soned by Robert Braybrock Bishop of London in Conway Prison two years and at another time three years in the Fleet and also that he had several English books that he took delight to hear read to him one of the books was entituled The Lanthorn of Light in which books were contained 1 Speaking or Treating of the Text how the Enemy did sow the Tears there is thus said That wicked Antichrist the Pope hath sowed his Popish and corrupt Decrees which are of no authority strength nor value and that the Bishops Licence for a man
lost the true Faith once delivered to the Saints and instead of being Sufferers which was once the portion of the true Christians were now became Persecutors and Destroyers of such as would not stoop to their Idolatry and to every foolish invention that the Popes from time to time did set up and commanded to be observed It is recorded that in the time of Pope Julius partly with his Wars and partly with his Cursings in the space of seven years about 200000. Christians were destroyed so addicted to Bloodshed was this Pope and as is written surpassed many other Popes in Iniquity that Wicelius wrot thus of him Marti illum quam Christo deditiorem fuisse that is that he was more given to War and Batail then to Christ which made Philip Melancton write an Epigram in Latine upon him the sence of which in English is as followeth When Julius Pope against the French determin'd to make War As fame reports he gathered up great Troops of men from far And to the Bridge of Tyber then marching as he were Wood His holy Keys he took and cast them down into the Flood And afterward into his hand he took a naked Sword And shaking it braks forth into this fierce and warlike word This Sword of Paul quoth he shall now defend us from our Foe Since that this Key of Peter doth nothing avail thereto In the year 1512. there was a fight between Lewis the French King and this Pope Julius at Ravenna upon Easter day where the Pope was vanquished and had of his Army slain to the number of Sixteen thousand and the next year this Apostolical Warriour which had resigned his Keys to the River of Tybris before made an end both of his fighting and living About this time began the reign of Henry the eighth King of England in whose reign great alterations and turns of Religion were wrought by the mighty operation of Gods Hand not only in England but in Germany and other parts of Europe such as had not been seen although much groaned for many hundred years before nevertheless many suffered great Persecutions and Martyrdom in this Kings reign both in England and elsewhere and many good men were raised up to bear witness to the Truth yet some were of opinion that it was not wholy the Kings fault that so much Blood was spilt in his time for the Bishops were the Draco to make the bloody Laws and it was the Bishops that were earnest to see the Laws put in Execution the King oftentimes scarce knowing what was done and but hearing of a Woman that was the second time put upon the Rack exceedingly condemned the party that was the cause of it for using such extreme Cruelty John Brown passing from London in a Gravesend-Barge in which Barge there was a Priest and Brown sate hard by him whereupon the Priest said dost thou know who I am Thou sittest too neer me Brown said no sir I know not who you are I tell thee said he I am a Priest What sir said Brown are you a Parson or a Viccar or a Ladies Chaplain I am said he a Soul Priest and sing for a Soul I pray you sir said Brown where find you the Soul when you go to Mass I know not said the Priest and where do you leave it when you have done Mass I cannot tell said the Priest Brown replyed if you neither know where the Soul is when you begin nor where you leave it when you have done how then do you save a soul Go thy ways said the Priest thou art an Heretick and I will be even with thee And accordingly when they came to Land the Priest taking two others with him that were present in the Boat went and complained to Arch-Bishop Warham who sent a Warrant presently to apprehend Brown and being apprehended the Messenger bound his feet under his horse belly and carried him away to the Arch-Bishop neither his wife nor friends knowing whether he went nor what they would do with him The Bishop cast him into Prison where he lay about six weeks then was carried to Ashford where he dwelt and there set in the flocks all night his wife hearing of it came and set by him all night to whom he shewed how cruelly he had been handled by the Arch-bishop telling her he could not set his feet to the ground for they had burnt them to the bones to make him deny Christ which said he I durst not do lest my Lord Christ should deny me hereafter Therefore good wife continue as thou hast begun and bring up my Children Virtuously and in the Fear of God And so the next day this Godly Martyr was burnt calling upon God and saying into thy hands I commend my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth At the fire the n = ‖ Chilton by name Bailiff bid cast in his Children also for said he they will spring out of his Ashes And in Queen Maries time his son Richard Brown was sentenced to be burnt being a Prisoner at Canterbury but that the Queen dying he escaped suffering About this time many suffered very greatly for spaking against Worshipping of Saints against Pilgrimage for having Scripture books in English and a book called Wickliss wicket One of which Sufferers by name Elizabeth Stamford who being brought and examined before Fitz James Bishop of London Anno 1517. confessed that she was taught by one Thomas Beale of Henly these words Eleaven years before viz. That Christ faâ—deth and nourisheth his Church with his own pretious Body that is the Bread of Life coming down from Heaven This is said she the Worthy Word that is Worthily received and joyned unto man to be in one body with him so it is that they be both one they may not be parted This is not received by chewing of Teeth but by hearing with Ears and understanding with the Soul and wisely working thereafter and as Paul saith I fear me amongst us Brethren that many of us be feeble and sick therefore my Counsel is Brethren to rise and watch that the great day of Doom come not suddenly upon us as the Thief doth upon the Merchant And she said further that the said Thomas Beale taught her that she should confess her sins to God and that the Popes Pardons and Indulgences were nothing worth John Stillman in the year 1518. was apprehended and brought before the Bishop of London and examined for speaking against Worshipping Praying and Offering unto Images and for saying Wicklifs Wicket was a good book and that when he was apprehended he hid the same in an old oak and did not bring it out to the Bishop he was sent to the Lollards Tower and being afterwards brought openly to the Consistory at Pauls it was further objected against him that he should say the Pope was Antichrist and not the true Successor of Peter or Christs Viccar on Earth and that his Pardons and Indulgences which he granted in the Sacrament
deceitful in all their words and deeds Being condemned they were led to the place of Execution in Bruxells they went joyfully saying They dyed for the Glory of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel as true Christians believing and following the Holy Church of the Son of God saying also That it was the day which they had long desired Being come to the place of execution and stripped to their Shirts they stood so a great space patiently and joyfully enduring whatsoever was done unto them praising God and singing for joy a Doctor standing by exhorted Henry to take heed so foolishly to Glory himself to whom he answered God forbid that I should Glory in any thing but only in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ Another counselled him to have God before his eyes to whom he said I trust I carry him truly in my heart The next that suffered was Henry Stutven burned in the borders of Germany when he was apprehended they fell upon him in a great rage and fury drawing him naked out of his bed Henry Stutven Martyred in â—â—rmany and bound his hands behind him when he was brought to Hemming stead they asked of him what his intent was in coming to Diethmar unto whom he gently declared the cause of his coming which was to preach the Gospel they all in a rage cryed out away with him away with him for we will hear him talk no longer then he being mavelous weary and faint required to be set on horse-back for his feet were all cut and hurt with the Ice because he was led all night bare-foot but they mocked him and said he was an Heretick and he should go on foot that night they had him to a mans House called Calden and there bound him in Chains in the Stocks but the Master of the House being compassionate would not suffer the cruel deed long wherefore he was carried away to a Priests House and there shut up in a Cubbard and by the rude people mocked and scorned all night in the morning about Eight of the Clock they gathered together in the Market-place to consult what they should do where the Rustical people boiling in drink cryed out burn him burn him to the fire with the Heretick then they bound him hands feet and neck and being brought to the Fire one of the Presidents appeared to pass a sentence upon him to be burnt and consumed with fire Henry lifting up his hands said Lord forgive them for they know not what they do thy Name oh Almighty God is Holy the Fire as often as it was kindled would not burn notwithstanding they satisfied their minds upon him striking and pricking him with their several kinds of Weapons the said Henry standing in his shirt and when he began to pray one strook him on the face saying thou shalt first be burnt and afterwards pray and prate as much as thou wilt and thus this godly preacher finisht his Martyrdom which was in the year 1529. John Clark Perscuted in France John Clark of Melden in France for setting up a paper upon the Steeple-House door against the Popes Pardons calling the Pope Antichrist for which he was whipt three several dayes and markt in the forehead his mother seeing their cruelty towards her son constantly and boldly encouraged her son blessing the Lord with aloud voice that he was worthy to suffer after the execution of the foresaid punishment the said John Clark removed to Mentz and there followed his trade being a Wooll-Comber where understanding that the people of the City after an old accustomed manner Worshipt certain blind Idols the said John being inflamed with the zeal of God against them went to the place where the Images were and broke them all down in pieces the next morning the Cannons Priests Monks accompained with the People according to their accustomed manner went to their Idolatrous place of Worship where they sound all their blocks and stocks broken to pieces upon the ground which fight sore offended them and searching out for the author of the fact and John Clark being suspected was apprehended and upon examination confest he did it and shewed them the cause wherefore and being brought to tryal he defended the pure Doctrine of the Son of God against their Images and their false Worships for which he was condemned being led to the place of Execution he there sustained extream Torments for first his right hand was cut off then his nose with sharp pinchers was violently pluckt from his face all which and much more he quietly and constantly endured testifying at the Fire against his Persecutors saying their Imageswere Silver and Gold the work only of mans hand George Carpenter of Emering in Bavaria was burnt to death when he was led out of the Tower where he was Prisoner before the Council George Carpender Martyred divers Friars and Monks followed him to instruct and teach him whom he willed to tarry at home and not to follow him when he came before the Council they read his Offences viz. That he did not believe that a Priest could forgive a man his Sins and that he did not believe that God was in the Bread which the Priests hang over the Alter and that the Element of Water in Baptism doth not give grace being urged to revoke these his Opinions and that then he should be set at Liberty and go home to his Wife and Children to which he answered any wife and Children are so dearly beloved unto me that they cannot be bought from me for all the riches and possessions of the Duke of Bavaria but for the Love of my Lord God I can willingly forsake them at his Execution a Schoolmaster repeating the Lords Prayer George Carpenter said as followeth Truly thou art our Father and no other this day I trust to be with thee Oh my God how little is thy Name hallowed in this World for this Cause Oh Father am I now hear that thy will might be fulfilled and not mine the only Living Bread Jesus Christ shall be my food with a willing mind do I forgive all men both my Friends and Adversaries Oh my Lord without doubt shalt thou deliver me for upon thee only have I laid all my hope in thee alone do I trust in thee only is all my confidence I knew that I must suffer Persecution if I did cleave unto Christ who said where the Heart is there is the Treasure also and whatsoever thing a man doth fix in his Heart to love above God that he maketh his Idol and then being cast into the Fire by the Hangman he joyfully yielded up his Spirit unto God The suffering of Weendal Muta Weendel Muta a widdow of Holland receiving the Truth of the Gospel into her Heart was apprehended and committed into the Castle of Werden and from thence shorly after was brought to the Hague to tryal where certain Monks were appointed to talk with her to win her to recant but she
constantly persisted in the Truth in which she was planted a Woman of her acquaintance coming to Prison to visit her said to her why doest not thou keep silence and think secretly in thine Heart these things which thou believest that thou mayest prolong thy life here Oh said the Widdow you know not what you say it is written With the Heart we believe to Righteousness with the Tongue we confess to Salvation at her Execution she commended her self into the Hands of God and after a fervent prayer was burnt to death John Pistorius Martyr About this time there suffered many more in Germany for the witness of the Gospel viz. John Pistorius coming from Wittenberge for speaking against the Mass and Pardons and against the subtile abuses of the Priests he was committed to Prison with ten Malefactors whom he did comfort one of whom being half naked and in danger of cold he gave his gown his Father visiting him in Prison did not disswade him but bad him be constant being condemned and coming to the Stake he gave his neck willingly to the band wherewith he was first strangled and then burned saying at his death O death where is thy victory There using to be a great Meeting near Antwerp where one used to preach to a great number of People which Charles the Emperor hearing of gave leave to any that would to take the uppermost Garment of all them that came to hear and offered thirty Guilders to him that would take the Preacher afterwards when the People were gathered and their usual Minister being not there One Nicholas of Antwerp Martyr one Nicholas of Antwerp stood up and preacht to the People wherefore being apprehended by a Butchers Servant was put in a Sack and drowned at the Crane at Antwerp 1524. And certain of the City of Lovane were suspected of Lâ—â—â—â—ranism the Emperors Procurator came from Brussels thither to make Inquisition after which Inquisition made certain Bands of armed men came and beset their Houses in the night where many were taken in their beds pluckt from their Wives and Children and sent to divers Prisons through the terror whereof many Citizens revolted from the Gospel The terror of Persecution caused some to revolt from the Truth and returned again to Idolatry but twenty eight there were which remained constant in that Persecution unto whom the Doctors and Inquisitor of Lovane resorted disputing with them thinking either to confound them or convert them but so strongly the Spirit of the Lord wrought with the Saints that the Doctors went rather confounded away themselves when they saw disputing would not do they used cruel Torments to enforce them one of them was condemned to perpetual Prison which was a dark and stinking Dungeon where he was suffered neither to write nor read nor any man to come at him commanded only to be fed with bread and Water two of the said Prisoners were also burns constantly taking their Martyrdom One man beheaded and two women buryed afive There was there an old man and two aged Women brought forth of whom the one was called Antonia born of an antient Stock in that City these were condemned the man to beheaded the two Women to be buried Quick which death they received very chearfully and the rest of the Prisoners that would not abjure the Doctrine of Lather were put to the Fire One Percival of Lovane for owning the Truth was adjudged to perpetual imprisonment there to be fed only with Bread and Water which punishment he took patiently for Christ's sake he was secretly made away either famished or drowned no man could learn how Justus Jusberge a Skinner in Lovane in the year 1544. for having a New Testament in his House Justus Jusberge Martyr was persecuted by one Darsardus and committed to Prison and the Goaler commanded that none should speak with him shortly after the Doctors examining of him touching the Popes Supremacy Sacrifice of the Mass Purgatory and such Trumpery whereunto he answered plainly and boldly confirming his Answers by the Scriptures when they saw he would not be moved from his Faith then they condemned him to be burnt but as a pretended favour to him he was only beheaded Giles Tilman of Brussels Cutler born of honest Parents about the age of thirty years Giles Tilman Martyr he began to receive the Light of the Gospel for which he was very Zealous and fervent he was in his nature very mild and pittiful passing all other in those parts giving whatsoever he had to spare to the poor living only upon his Trade he was persecuted by the Priest of Brussels being taken at Lovane spreading that Religion which the Pope called Heresie his Adversaries used great care to make him objure but being a man of a singular wit and constant in his Religion they went away many times with shame after he had been kept eight Months in Prison he was sent to Brussels to be judged where finding Franciscus Ensenes and othes of the same Religion in Prison he exhorted them to be constant to the Truth that they might receive the Crown that was prepared for them When the Gray-Friars being sent unto him would mis call abuse him he ever held his peace at such private lajuries wheresore they reported that he had a dumb Devil in him he might several times have escaped out of Prison the doors being set open but he would not being removed to another Prison and on the twenty second of the Month called January 1544. he was condemned to be burnt privately for openly they durst not do it for fear of the People he being so well beloved when tiding was brought him of his Sentence he thanked God that the hour was some wherein he might glorifie the Lord and being had to the Fire he willingly refined up his life into the Hands of the Lord. Great Persecution in Gaunt and other parts of Flanders Anno 1543 1544. The Edict against the Lutherans to be read twice a year Charles the Emperor lying in Gaunt the Fryars and Docters obtained that the Edict made against the Lutherans might be read openly twice a year which caused a great Persecution to follow so that there was no City nor Town in all Flanders wherein some were not either Expulsed Beheaded Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment or their Goods Confiscate without respect either to Age or Sex especially at Gaunt where some of the cheif men in the Town were burnt for their Religion Afterward the Emperor coming to Brussels there also was terrible Slaughter and Persecution of Gods People namely in Brabant Honegow and Artois the horror and cruelty whereof is almost incredible insomuch that two hundred Men and Women were brought out of the Country into the City some of whom were drowned others buried Quick others privately made away others sent to perpetual Imprisonment whereby the Prisons were filled to the great sorrow of them which knew the Gospel the Professors whereof being now compelled
either to deny the same or confirm it with their blood the Story whereof was at large set forth by Francis Ensenes in Latine who himself was a Prisoner at the same time in Brussels for the Truth Sake Martin Hoeurblock Martyr Martin Hoeurblock Fishmonger in Gaint 1545. being converted to the Truth from the Superstitious Idolatry of the Papists and a great change wrought in him having all his time till then lived a wicked and a fleshly life was a wonder to his Neighbours to see such a sudden change the Franciscan Friars who before knew him and remembring how beneficial he had been to them now seeing him so altered and taking notice of his visiting the Prisoners and comforting them in Persecution and confirming them that went to the Fire they soon caused him to be detected and imprisoned and with grievous and sharp Torments would have constrained him to utter more of the same Religion to whom he answered That if they could prove by the Scripture that his detecting and accusing of his Brethren whom they would afflict with the like Torments were not against the Law of God then he would not refuse to prefer the honour of God before the safegard of his Brethren he was soon after had to the Council in Flanders where the Causes laid against him were the Sacrament Purgatory c. for which he was condemned and burn at Gaunt all his goods being Confiscate Nicholas and Francis Thiesten Martyrs Nicholas and Francis Thiesten Anno 1545. for standing firm in the Truth and bearing witness against the Church of Rome and their Auriculer Confession Purgatory c. were condemned to be burnt and coming to the place of Execution for exhorting the People they put Wooden-gags in their Mouths when they were fastned to the Stake they patiently endured the Fire the Mother of these two men was for her stedfastness to the Truth condemned to perpetual Imprisonment Adrian Tayler and Marion his wife Martyr Adrian Tayler and Marion his wife of Dornick Anno 1545. by reason of the Emperors decree at Worms against the Lutherans were apprehended and persecuted Adrian not so strang as a man for fear gave back and was but only beheated the wife stronger then a Woman withstood their threats and abode the uttermost and being inclosed in an Iron grate formed in shape of a Pasty was laid in the Earth and buried quick when the Adversaries first told her that her Husband had relented she believed them not but as she was going to the place where she was to die passing by the Tower where he was she called to him to take her leave but he was gone before Peter Bruly Martyrs Peter Bruly of Stratsburge at the earnest request of faithful Brethren went down to visit the Lower Counties about Artois which the Magistrates of Dornick hearing shot the gates of the Town and made search for him three days he was privately let down the Wall in the night by a basket and as he was let down into the Ditch ready to take his way one of them which let him down leaning over the wall to bid him farewel caused unawares a stone to slip out of the wall which falling upon him brake his Leg by reason whereof he was heard of the watchmen complaining of his wound and so was taken So long as he remained in Prison he ceased not to preach the Truth to all that came unto him he wrote his own Confession and Examination and sent it to the Brethren he wrote also another Epistle to them that were in Persecution another he wrote to all the faithful another Letter he wrote to his wife the same day he was burned he remained four Months in Prison before he was sentenceed to be burnt Letters were sent from Duke Frederick of the Lant-grave to intreat for him but he was burnt before the Letters came Peter Moice Martyr Peter Moice being converted to the Truth by Peter Bruly was apprehended and let down into a deep Dungeon under the Castle-Dirch which was full of filthy Vermine the Friars coming to examine him he told them whilst he lived an ungodly life they never concerned themselves with him but now for favouring the Word of God they sought his blood being brought before the Senate he would have boldly answered to what they objected against him but they interrupted him to whom he said if you will not suffer me to answer for my self send me back to Prison among the Toads and Frogs which will not interrupt me while I talk with my God and continuing constant in the Truth was at last burnt to death Nicholas Frenchman Martyr Nicholas Frenchman having been at Geneva intending to go into England but in his way was apprehended by the Lieutenant of Dornick and being bound hands and feet was brought to Burgis and there laid in a Dungeon the Friars when they came to examin him went away in a shamefull rage saying he had a Devil and crying to the fire with him Soon after the Judges condemned him to be burnt to Ashes at which sentence giving he blessed the Lord which had counted him worthy to be a witness in the cause of his beloved Son going to the place of Execution he was threatned that if he spake they would put a wooden ball in his mouth nevertheless being at the Stake he minded not their threats but cryed out with a loud voice saying Oh Charls Charls how long shall thy heart be heardned with that one of the Souldiers gave him a blow then he said O miserable People who are not worthy to whom the Word of God should be Preached then the Friers cryed out he hath a Devil to whom he said depart from me all you Wicked for the Lord hath heard the voice of my Weeping So in the midst of the fire commended his Spirit unto God and ended this life Bertrand Le Blais Martyr Bertrand Le Blais at Dornick in the year 1555. Suffered lamentably his Torments being almost incredible that the Tyrants shewed unto him his constancy was admirable This Bertrand being a Silk-Weaver having something upon his Spirit set his House in order and desired his Wife and Brother to pray that God would establish him in his enterprise that he was going about which was upon Christ-mass day so called he went to the high place at Dornick where he took the Cake out of the Priests hands as he would have lifted it over his head at Mass and stampt it under his feet saying that he did it to shew the Glory of that God and what little power he hath at the sight hereof the People were amazed and he hardly escaped with his life it was not long before the Governor of the Castle heard of this passage who like a mad man threatned he should be an example to all posterity Bertrand being brought before him he askt him if he repented of his fact who answered no and if he had a hundred lives he could
give them in that Quarrel then was he thrice put to the Pin-bank and Tormented most miserably to utter his Setters on then they past sentence against him and this was executed First he was drawn from the Castle of Dornick to the Market place having a ball of Iron put in his mouth then he was set upon a Stage where his Right hand was Crusht and prest between two hot Irons with sharp Iron edges fiery red in the like manner they served his right foot which Torments he endured with marvelous constancy that done they took the ball of Iron out of his mouth and cut out his Tongue notwithstanding his Tongue was cut out he still called upon God as well as he could whereby the hearts of the people were greatly moved whereupon the Tormentors thrust the Iron ball into his mouth again from thence they brought him down to a lower Stage where his legs and hands were bound behind him with an Iron Chain going about his body and so he was let down flat upon the Fire the Governer standing by caused him to be plucked up again and so down and up again till at last the whole body was consumed to Ashes James Faber and three others Martyrs James Faber and three others suffered at Valens James Faber being an old man said that though he could not answer nor saisfie them in Reasoning yet he would constantly abide in the Truth of the Gospel Godfry Hamell Martyr Godfry Hamell a Taylor taken and condemned at Dornick when they had condemned him by the Name of an Heretick nay said he not an Heretick but a Servant of Jesus Christ when the Hangman went about to Strangle him to diminish his punishment he refused saying that he would abide the Sentence that the Judges had given Besides these that suffered in Germany before mentioned a great number there was both in the Higher and Lower Countries of Germany which were put to death for Religion many of them were burnt some buryed alive some secretly drowned many of their Names are mentioned in the Acts and Monuments but little of the circumstances of their Tryal and Execution being mentioned I have omitted them for brevities sake Sufferers in France for bearing the like Witness to the Gospel Dennis Renix Martyr Denis Renix at Melde in the year 1558. Was burnt for testifying against the Mass he was alwayes wont to have in his mouth the Words of Christ He that denyeth me before men him wiâ—â— I also deny before my Father he was burnt in a slow Fire and did abide much Torments Note upon a complaint made to the Council called Le Chamber Ardante that the Judges suffered Hereticks to have their Tongues Immediately thereupon a Decree was made that all which were to be burned unless they recanted at the fire should have their Tongues cut off which Law afterwards was diligently observed Stephen Polliard Martyr Stephen Polliard coming out of Normandy in the year 1546. where he was born unto Meux tarried there not long but he was compelled to flee and went to a Town called Fera where he was apprehended and brought to Paris and there cast into a foul and dark Prison in which Prison he was kept in Bonds and Fetters a long time where he saw almost no Light at length being called for before the Senate and his sentence given to have his Tongue cut out and to be burnt alive his Satchell of Books hanging about his neck O Lord said he is the World in blindness and darkness still for he thought being in Prison so long that the World had been altered from its old darkness to better knowledge at last with his Books about his neck he was burnt to death Florent Venote Martyr Florent Venote remained a Prisoner in Paris four years during which time he was put to divers Torments one kind of Torment was he was put in a narrow place so straight that he could neither stand nor lie which they called the Hose or Boots because it was strait below and wide above in this he remained seven weeks where the Tormentors affirm that no Thief or Murtherer could ever endure 15 days but were in danger of Life or Madness and at last on the 9th of the Moneth called July he was burnt to death with divers other Martyrs who were burnt as a Spectacle at the Kings coming into Paris The next that suffered was a poor Taylor in Paris who for working upon Holy-days so called and denying to observe them A poor Taylor in Paris Martyred was clapt in Prison the King hearing of it sent for him before him and some of his Peeres being before the King he answered with great boldness wit and memory defending the cause of Christ neither flattering their Persons nor fearing their threats which struck the King in a great damp in museing in his mind which the Bishops seeing committed the poor Taylor again to the hands of the Officer saying he was a stubborn Fellow and fitter to be punisht then to be marvelled at within few days after he was condemned to be burnt alive The next year two men for friendly admonishing a certain Priest which in his Sermon had abused the Name of God were both burned another young man of the Age of eighteen years for rebuking a man in Paris for Swearing being suspected to be a Lutheran was apprehended and brought before the Council at Paris who committed him to Prison where he was so cruelly Racked and Tormented that one of the Persecutors seeing it could not but turn his back and weep when he was brought and put in the Fire he was pluckt up again upon the Gibbet and asked whether he would turn to whom he said that he was in his way towards God and therefore desired them to let him go John Joyer and his Servant being a young man in the year 1552. coming from Geneva to their Country with certain Books John Joyer and his Servant and his Servant Martyrs were apprehended by the way and had to Tholouse where the Master was first condemned the Servant being young was not so prompt to answer but directed them to his Master to answer them when they were brought to the Stake the young man first going up began to weep the Master fearing lest he should recant ran to him and he was comforted as they were in the Fire the Master standing upright to the Stake shifted the Fire from him to his Servant being more carfull for him then for himself and when he saw him dead he bowed down himself in the flame and so expired Mathias Dimonetus Merchant at Lyons in the year 1553. having been a man of a Vicious and detestable life Mathias Dimonetus Martyr was notwithstanding through the Grace of God brought to the knowledge and Savour of his Truth for a Testimony to which he was soon after Imprisoned being in Prison he had great conflicts with the infirmity of his own Flesh but especially with the temptation
time but in the month called June following it was first proposed to them To put away their Ministers that were Strangers which they refusing to do it was then commanded of them in the Dukes name That they should banish from them all their Ministers that were Strangers and a New Proclamation was put out and Persecution began afresh and many of the said People were slain and many imprisoned and cruelly handled the Monks being very active in this Persecution in one place causing two Women to carry Faggots to the Fire where their Minister was burnt and to speak these words to him viz. Take this thou wicked Heretick in recompence of the Naughty Doctrine thou hast taught us to whom he said Ah! Good Women I have taught you well but you have learned ill Great was the Havock and Ruin they made upon these poor Peoples Estates and Bodies in this Persecution and not long after an Army was raised to destroy the Waldoys which they hearing their Ministers met with the cheif Rulers to advise what in such an Extremity they were best to do upon due consideration they concluded not to defend themselves by force of Armes but to flee to the Mountains and carry their goods with them others of their Ministers hearing of the resolution that they at Angrogne and Lucern had made thought it strange that they might not defend themselves against their Enemies violence in so just a cause knowing that it was the Pope and his Ministers who were the cause of their Troubles and some stood in their own defence and made great Slaughters upon their Enemies at times and when they persued their enemies they often retired to avoid shedding Blood meaning only to defend themselves and held their Adversaries so titely to it that they were at last brought to make a Peace upon Articles and conditions so that the Persecution was stopt and the Pride Malice and Rage of their Adversaries was abated Thus having given an Account in brief of the troubles and Persecutions sustained by the faithful Martyrs in Forreiâ— parts it remains to give a further Relation of such as suffered in this Nation of England in this Kings Reign After that the light of the Gospel began to Shine and encrease beyond Sea the Beams of it began to spread and grow more here in England and a great stir and alteration followed in the hearts of many so that coloured Hypocrisie and painted Holiness began to be spied more and more by such as in any measure tasted of the Truth and some there were that could distinguish Christ from Anti-christ amongst whom was one Simon Fish of Grayes-Inn who wrote a sharp Book against the Corruption of the Clergy Entituled The Supplication of Beggers which Book was wrot beyond Sea Anno 1525. he being fled thither for fear of Cardinal Woolsey who had taken distaste against him in this Book was shewed what a great Oppression the Priests and Clergy were to the Nation for that they had got into their hands more then a third part of the Realm besides their Tythes of all the enerease of Corn Hay c. The Book being read to the King after a pause he said If a man should pull down an old stone wall and begin at the lower part the upper part thereof might chance to fall on his head and took the Book and put it in his Desk and seemed to be pleased at it for he encouraged Simon Fish his Wife to send for her Husband to come before him but how much so ever he liked it he would make no show of it openly for that Book and others being thrown about London the Cardinal acquainted the King therewith and bid him beware of them and the Cardinal and Bishop of London consulted how they might stop the mischief that might acrew by that and other Books being so spread about whereupon they agreed that the Bishop of London should send forth a Proclamation to call in the New Testament Translated into English The Supplication of Beggers The Revelation of Anti-christ by Martin Luther and other Books in English This was one way they took by which they thought-to have suppressed the growth of those they accounted Hereticks but not thinking that sufficient obtained a Proclamation from the King to suppress the Sectaries Hereticks and Lollards and for abolishing divers of their Books in English the Bishops having that now they would have there was no dilligence wanting on their parts for the putting the same in execution whereupon ensued a grievous Persecution and Slaughter of the Faithfull Thomas Bilâ—ey Martyr The first that went to wrack was Thomas Bilney who after his Examination and Condemnation by Doctor Pells Chanâ—llor he was committed to the Lay Power viz. to the Sheriffs of the City of Norwich a day before his Execution some Friends being with him and comforting him that though he was to go through the Fire the Lord would refresh him in it At this he put his finger in the Candle as he used to do divers times saying I know the fire is hot and my body shall be wasted by it and it is a pain for the time but he would often reherse this Scripture for his comfort Fear not for I have redeemed thee and called thee by my name thou art mine own When thou goest through the water I will be with thee when thâ—s walkest in the Fire it shall not burn thee and the Flame shall not kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel Going to Execution he said The Marriner for a while meets with a troubled Sea and is tossed with the Waves but he is in hopes when he comes to the Haven he shall be at quiet I doubt not though I feel storms but by Gods Grace I shall attain to the Haven and being brought to the Stake he very Patiently endured the Fire till doath Richard Bayfield Martyr The next that suffered was Richard Bayfield who receiving the truth in a measure and reading the Testament in English and a book called The wicked Mamman c. He was cast into Prison and there sore whipped with a Gag in his mouth and then stocked and there continued in Prison three quarters of a year and then was set at Liberty but soon after was taken again and put in the Câ—le-house where he was tyed by the neck middle and legs standing upright by the walls this punishment was inflicted on him to make him confess who bought his books but he accused none but stood to his Religion and told them he would Dispute for his Faith at his Tryal he was accused of divers things but the chief were for bringing Books over from beyond Sea and spreading them here in England on the twentieth day of November 1532. being had into the Quire of Pauls Cathedral the Bishop of London with other Prelates being there ready to pass sentence on him and being delivered to the Sheriffs of London to carry him to
this is in Spite of all holy Saints and in Spite of our most holy Father the Pope Gods Viccar here in Earth and in Spite of the reverend Father in God John our Diocesian and the Worshipfull Cannons Masters Priests and Clarks which serve God daily in this Cathedral Church fixed up with wax such Cursed and Heretical Bills full of Blasphemy upon the Doors of thâ—s and other holy Churches within this City Excommunicate be hâ— she or they plaenally and delivered over to the Devil as perpetual Malefactors and Schismaticks accursed they be and given Body and Soul to the Devil Cursed be they he or she in Cities and Towns in Fields and Wayes in Houses and out of Houses and all other places standing lying or rising walking running waking sleeping eating drinking and whatsoever thing they do besides we seperate them him or her from the Threshold and from all the good Prayers of the Church from the participation of the holy Mass from all Sacraments Chappels and Altars from Holy Bread and Holy water from all the Merrits of Gods Priests and religious men and from all their Cloisters from all their Pardons Priviledges Grants and Immunities which all the holy Fathers Popes of Rome have granted to them and we give them over utterly to the power of the Devil and let us quench their Souls if they be dead this night in the pains of Hell-fire as this Candle is now quenched and put out and with that he put out one of the Candles and let us pray to God if they be alive that their ey 's may be put out as this Candle light is so he put out another Candle let us pray to God and to our Lady and to Saint Peter and Paul and all holy Saints that all the Sences of their bodies may fail them and that they may have no feeling as now the Light of this Candle is gone and so he put out the third Candle except they he or she come openly now and confess their Blasphemy and by repentance as in them shall lie make satisfaction unto God our Lady Saint Peter and the Worshipfull Company of this Cathedrall Church Thomas Bennet being not able to digest these Fopperies writ other Bills and caused them to be set up upon the Gates of the Grave yard but the person that set them up being taken in the action Thomas Bennet was thereby discovered and being apprehended confest they were his Bills and that he could do it again to discover the Abominable Blasphemy of their Anti-christ the Pope and to let people see that he is the Bâ—ar come out of the Wood which destroyeth and throweth down the Hedges of Gods Church Whereupon he was committed to Prison and the next day was had to the Bishop who committed him to Prison again where he was kept in the Stocks with strong Irons with as much favour as a Dog should find then his Houâ—e was Searched for Books and his wife shamefully abused which she bore with patience being contented to bare the Cross with her Husband and to fare hardly with him and eat Course meat and drink A gray Fryar possessing Thomas Bennet with the many dangers that he was lyable to fall into in that condition Thomas replyed my life is not dear to me I had rather by death which I know is not far off depart this Life then to partake of your detestable Idolatries and Superstitions or be subject to Anti-christ your Pope During the time of his imprisonment the hate of the people through ignorance was great against him notwithstanding they could never move his patience during his imprisonment his wife provided Sustenance for him when she Lamented he Comforted her and gave her many good and godly Exhortations and desired her not to move him to comply with his Adversaries After the Clergy saw they could by no means cause him to recant they Condemned him to be burnt and delivered him to the Sheriff of Devonshire to see him Executed the mild man rejoycing to see his end approach so near as the Sheep before the Shearer yielded himself with all humbleness to abide and suffer the Cross of Persecution being brought to his Execution in a place called Livery Dole without Exeter he gravely and soberly spake to the people to seek the honour of God and the knowledg of him and to leave the devices and immaginations of mens inventions and saying Oh Lord receive my spirit patiently endured the Cruelty of the Fire untill his life was ended Thus the Reader hath an Account of such as sustained death for Christs Cause through the rigorous Proclamation aforesaid set out in the name of the King but indeed procured by the Bishops and by them so strictly Executed that no good man could peep out with his head never so little but he was caught by the back and either brought to the fire or else forced to abjure their Religion a great number of which are particularly mentioned in Foxe's Acts and Monuments which for Brevity sake are here omitted Thomas Phillip being one of them that was prosecuted and being asked by the Bishop whether he would abjure or not he said except ye shew me cause wherefore I should abjure I will not say yea or nay to it but will stand to my appeal then the Bishop read openly the Bill of Excommunication against him charging all men to have no company or any thing to do with him after this Excommunication what became of him whether he was burnt or died in the Tower no mention is made in the Register I mention him because a Letter that was found in his Pocket and the substance of one Tracy's Will are worth the taking notice of which are as followeth A Letter directed to Thomas Phillip in the name of the Brethren and given him by the way going to the Tower is as followeth The favour of him that is able to keep you that you fall not and to confess your name in the Kingdom of Glory and to give you strength by his Spirit to confess him before all his Adversaries be with you ever Amen The Brethren think that there be divers false Brethren craftily crept in among them to seek out their freedom in the Lord that they may accuse them to the Lords Adversaries as they suppose they have done you wherefore if it be so that the Spirit of God move you thereunto they as Councellers desire you above all things to be stedfast in the Lords Truth without fear for he shall and will be your help according to his promise so that they shall not diminish the least hair of your head without his will unto the which will submit your self and rejoyce for the Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of Temptation and how to reserve the Unjust unto the day of Judgment to be punisht and therefore cast all your care on him for he careth for you and in that you suffer as a Christian man be not ashamed but rather glorifie God on
Rich and the Bishop of London used all their power by flattering words to perswade her from God but they prevailed not with her one Nicholas Shaxton counselled her to recant as he had done she told him it had been good for him he had never been born then Rich sent her to the Tower to be racked where first he and one of the Councel examined her telling of her that the King was informed that if she would she could name a great number of her Sect she answered that the King was as well deceived in that as he was in other Matters The manner of her Racking was thus she was first lead down into a Dungeon where the Lievtenant of the Tower commanded the Goaler to pinch her with the Rack which being done so much as he thought sufficient he went about to take her down but Wristley the Chancellor not contented that she was loosed so soon confessing nothing but lay still and did not cry commanded the Lievtenant to strain her on the Rack again which because he denyed to do tendering the weakness of the Woman the Chancellor threatened him he would signifie his disobedience to the King Then Rich and the Chanceller took pains to Rack her themselves till she was near dead first asking her whether she was with Child to whom she answered you â—hall not need to spare for that but do your wills upon me and so quietly and patiently praying unto the Lord she abode their Tyranny till her Bones and Joynts were almost pluckt assunder after she was loosed from the Rack she swooned but they recovered her again and she was carried away in a Chair to a house and laid in a bed with weary and painful Bones the Chancellor sent her word that if she would leave her Opinion she should want for nothing if she would not she should be forthwith sent to Newgate and so be burned she sent him word again that she would rather die then break her Faith The Prayer of Anne Askew before her Death O Lord I have more Enemies now then there be Hairs on my Head yet Lord let them never overcome me with vain words but fight thou Lord in my stead for on thee cast I my Care with all the spite they can imagine they fall upon me which am thy poor Creature yet Lord let me not set by them which are against me for in thee is my whole delight and Lord I heartily desire of thee that thou wilt of thy most merciful Goodness forgive them that Violence which they do and have done unto me open also thou their blind Hearts that they may hereafter do that thing in thy Sight which is only acceptable before thee and to set forth thy Truth aright without all vain Fantasie of sinful men So be it O Lord so be it The day of her Execution being appointed she was brought into Smithfield in a Chair because she could not go on her feet by means of her great Torments when she was brought to the stake she was tied by the middle with a Chain that held up her Body and so encompassed with the Flames of Fire as a blessed Sacrifice unto God she resigned up her life in the Year 1546. leaving behind her a singular example of Christian-Constancy for all men to follow there was at the same time three others burnt with her in Smithfield After the death of this Woman the Ponish Clergy consulted together how they might further proceed to keep the Truth under and down and to that end obtained another Proclamation in the Kings name for the abolishing the Scriptures in English and all other English Books which might give any light to the People which made sore work and caused Persecution for a time but it was not long that it continued by reason of the Kings death which was shortly after But before there be a full Conclusion of the Transactions in this Kings reign its necessary a short Account be given of the rise and fall of Thom is Cromwel of whom mention is made before especially seeing he was a man so Zealous for Reformation of both Church and Common-wealth He was born at Putney his Father being a Smith as is before related in his youthful dayes it is said he had little regard to God and Religion but travelled beyond Seas and for a time was there a Souldier at length getting the New Testament in English by often reading in it he began to be touched and something opened in his understanding and coming into England again Cardinal Woolsey entertained him in his service where after some yoars remaining he was preferred to be Solicitor to the Cardinal After the fall of Cardinal Woolsey he was by the Master of the Roles preferred to the King who had then to do against the Pope as a fit person to be imployed by him and being brought to the King at his Garden in Westminster where he possessed the King that his Authority was abused by the Clergy and by being sworn to the Pope they had run themselves into a Premunire and that now the King had an Opertunity to inrich himself To this the King gave ear and liked well his advice and admited him into his service and sent him to the Convocation-house amongst the Bishops where he made a Speech to this effect that in asmuch as they had sworn to the Pope contrary to their Fealty due to the King they had forfeited all their Goods Chattels Lands Possessions to the King c. This amazed the Bishops at first but after a little pause they began to shrink and before they could be quit of the Premunire by Act of Parliament it cost them to the King no less then One hundred eighteen thousand eight hundred and forty pounds After this Cromwel grew greatly in favour with the King and was made one of his Privy Council and Master of the Rolls and afterwards Knight of the Garter and Earl of Essex and now being come into such Authority and seeing the Superstition Blindness Hypocrisie and Idolatry of the Monks and Fryars and Papists whose filthy stink did breath up a most pestiferous fume as Matthew Paris said in the like case of Rome Wherefore Cromwel like a Champion was raised up to root them up which while the King favoured him he prosecuted with effect as before is related but when the Popish Bishops saw the Popes power abolished out of England they never gave over using all their uttmost Endeavours and Politick Contrivances till they had laid a Plaister to his Wounded Head It would be too long to recite what benefit this Cromwel by his Prudence and Zeal wrought in a little time for the publick good what good Orders he established what Wickedness and Vices he suppressed what Corruptions he reformed what Abuses he brought to light and Popish Idolatry and Images he suppressed One called The Rood of Grace wherein a man stood inclosed with a hundred Wyres within the Rood to make the Image goggle its Eyes
and upon private conference together the King called him Knave Arrent Beast and Fool withal commanding him out of his Presence The King after his departure returned to the Queen who perceiving him to be much chafed with Sweet words endeavoured to qualifie his displeasure saying that though she knew not what might be the cause he was Offended but desired him if it were not hainous that for her sake he would pass it by Ah poor Soul said the King little dost thou know how ill he deserves this Grace at thy hands on my word Sweet Heart he hath been towards thee an Arrant Knave and so let him go And thus the Queen through Gods Providence and the Kings Favour escaped the Hands of her bloody Persecutors who sought to have destroyed her Persecuted in Scotland In the year 1534. the Arch-Bishop of Andrews convented before him David Stratton and one Norman Gourlay the first of these having a Fisher-boat that went to Sea the Bishop of Murray demanded Tythe-Fish of him to whom he answered That if they would have Tythe of that which his Servants caught in the Sea they should take it in the Place where it was caught and so caused his Servants to throw the tenth Fish into the Sea again All this while he had nothing in him for Religion But when hereupon he was summoned to answer for Heresie it troubled him exceedingly and then he began to frequent the company of such as were godly and here appeared a Wonderful change in him so that whereas before he despised the Scriptures now all his delight was in hearing them read to him and he became a vehement Exhorter of all men to peace and concord and contempt of the World he much frequented the company of the Laird of Dun Ariskin whom God in these dayes had marvelously illuminated and hearing that Text read for he could not read himself He that denyeth me before men or is ashamed of me in the midst of this wicked Generation I will deny him before my Father and holy Angels at those words being suddenly as one revived he fell upon his Knees and stedfastly lifting up his Eyes and Hands at length he burst out into these words O Lord I have been wicked and justly mayst thou withdraw thy Grace from me But Lord for thy Mercies sake let me never deny thee nor thy Truth for fear of Death or any Corporal Pain soon after Norman and he were brought to Judgment to Holy Rood house the King himself being present much means was used to draw this David Stratton to make a Recantation but he persevered in his constancy still denying that he had offended and so they were both condemned to the Fire and after dinner they were both first hanged and then burnt Not long after the burning of these two there was one Thomas Forret a Dean who used to preach every first day to his Parishoners the Epistles and Gospels this was counted a great Novelty in those time for none used to preach but the Fryers and therefore they envying him accused him to the Bishop of Dunkelden for an Heretick and one that re rad the Mysteries of Scriptures to the vulgar People the Bishop instigated by the complaint of the Fryers called the said Thomas Forret before him to whom he said My joy Dean Thomas I love you well and therefore I must give you Council how to govern your self The Dean thanked him and then he proceeded My joy Dean Thomas I am informed that you preach the Epistles and Gospels every Sunday to your People and that you take not your Dues from them which is very prejudicial to the Church-men and that therefore my joy Dean Thomas I would have you to take your Dues or else it s too much to preach every Sunday for by so doing you make the People think that we should do so also Thomas answered My Lord I presume none of my Parishoners complain for my not taking my Dues and whereas you say it s too much to preach every Sunday I think it is too little and wish that your Lordship would do the like Nay nay Dean Thomas said the Bishop let that be for we are not ordained to preach and Dean Thomas go your wayes and let all these Fancies be for if you persist herein you will repent you when it is too late I trust said the Dean my cause is good and just in the presence of God and therefore I care not what follows thereupon and so went away but shortly after he was summoned to appear before the Cardinal by whom he was condemned and burned for a chief Heretick and Teacher of Heresie But notwithstanding their bloody Tyranny the Knowledge of God did Wonderfully encrease in this Country partly by reading and partly by brotherly Conference which in those dangerous dayes were much used to the Comfort of many which so enraged the Popish Party that in the year 1538. there were burned in one Fire four Persons The year after Jeremy Russel and Alexander Kenedy were apprehended and brought before the Bishop the said Jeremy being a man of a meek and quiet Nature Alexander was a young man about eightteen years old Alexander at first was faint and would fain have recanted but when all place of Repentance was denyed him the Spirit of God began to refresh him yea the inward Comfort began to burst forth as well in his Vissage as in his words and he cryed in prayer to God Oh Eternall God how Wounderful is thy Love and Mercy who hast made me to feel Heavenly Comfort which takest from me that ungodly fear which before I was oppressed with now I defie death do with me what you please I praise God I am ready Then did they rail upon him and Jeremy who also said unto them This is your hour and power of darkness Now sit ye as Judges and we stand wrongfully Accused and more wrongfully to be Condemned but the day will come when our Innocency will appear and ye shall see your own blindness to your Everlasting Confusion Go forward fulfill the measure of your Iniquity Shortly aft'r th'y were Condemned to die as they went to Execution Jeremy comforted Alexander saying to him Brother fear not greater is he that that is in us then he that is in the World the pain that we are to suffer is short and shall be light but our Joy and Consolation shall never have end Let us therefore strive to enter into our Master and Saviours Joy by the same Strait Way which he hath taken before us Death cannot hurt us for it is already destroyed by him for whose Sake we now Suffer And thus they constantly continued stedfast in the Flaming Fire till they finished their Course by Death In the year 1543. George Wiseheart a man of a Courteous Modest and Temperate Behaviour fearing God and hating Covetousness very charitable and moderate in his Apparel and Diet and for his Innocency was a man well beloved he was
laughed and so departed About this time about thirty Men and Women were taken at a Religious Assembly in Bow-yard in Cheapside and were Committed to Prison their Preacher one Rose was had before the Bishop of VVinchester S. Gardner and by him Committed to the Tower Cranmer Ridley and Latimer apprehended Shortly after Cranmer Ridley and Latimer three Bishops were sent to the Tower and from thence Conveyed to Oxford there to Dispute with Oxford and Cambridge men in points of Religion but especially of the Eucharist the Oxford men were Cole Chadsey Pye Harpsfield Smith and Weston Prolocutor the Cambridge men were Young Seaton Watson Fecknam Atkinson and Sedgwick the matter was so carried by these twelve men that it went against the Prisoners and after the Disputation was ended the Prisoners were brought again upon the Stage and demanded whether they would persist in their Opinion or recant They affirming they would persist they were all three adjudged Hereticks and Condemned to the Fire but their Execution was not till a year or two after John Rogers Martyr In the mean time we have an account of John Rogers who was the first Martyr in this Queens time who was burnt in London after a long and fore suffering by Imprisonment Soon after him was burnt Lawrence Saunders Lawrence Saunders Martyr who was by order kept straitly in Prison and none suffered to speak with him not so much as his Wife suffered to visit him in his Examination the Chancellor threatning him that he should not live many dayes Saunders said Welcom shall the Will of God be either Life or Death for I have learned to die but I Exhort you to beware of shedding Innocent blood Truly it will Cry As the Officers were leading him away from his Examination he exhorted the People to Repentance warning them to defie Anti-christ Sin Death and the Devil that they might receive blessing and favour from the Lord being Condemned he was carried down to Coventry to be burnt where he was put into the common Goal where he slept little but spent the Night in Prayer and instructing others and the next day was burnt during the time of his Imprisonment he wrote several good Epistles to comfort and strengthen such as were under the like Suffering with him I shall only insert the Substance of one to his Wife by which may be perceived the seriousness and Zeal that was stirred up in him against his Adversaries forbidding his Wife to seek any way for his delivery Lawrence Saunders his Letter to his Wife Grace Mercy and Peace in Christ our Lord entirely beloved Wife even as unto mine own Soul and Body so do I daily in my Prayer wish unto you daily remembring you And I do not doubt dear Wife but that both I and you as we be written in the Book of Life so we shall together enjoy the same Everlastingly through the Grace and Mercy of God our dear Father in his Son Christ and for this present life letâ— us wholy appoint our selves to the Will of our God to glorifie him either by Life or by Death the Lord make us worthy to Honour him either way as pleaseth him I am cheerful I thank God in Christ in whom and through whom I know I shall be able to fight a good fight and finish a good Course and then receive the Crown which is laid up in Store for me and all the true Souldiers of Christ wherefore Wife let us in the Name of our God fight to overcome the Flesh the Devil and the World what Weapons are used in this fight look in the sixth Chap. of the Ephesians and pray c. I would that you make no suit for me in any wise thank you know whom for her most sweet and comfortable putting me in remembrance of my Journey whither I am passing I have too few such Friends to further me in that Journey which is indeed the greatest friendship the blessing of God be with you all Amen A Prisoner in the Lord Lawrence Saunders John Hooper and Rowland Taylor Martyr Shortly after were burnt for Religion John Hooper and one Rowland Taylor the one at Gloucester and the other at Hadley The time of Rowland Taylor 's Execution drawing nigh his Wife and Son coming to see him and one John Hâ—â—â— that had been his Servant after he had supt he turned to his Son saying Thomas my dear Son God Almighty bless thee see that thou fear God always and flee from Sin and wicked living be vertuous and apply thy self to thy Book and in any wise see thou be obedient to thy Mother love her serve her be ruled by her in thy Youth and follow her good Counsel in all things Beware of Lewd Company of Young men that fear not God but follow their lewd lusts flee from Whoredom and hate all filthy living and when thy Mother is old forsake her not but provide for her to thy power and see that she lack nothing then will God bless thee and give thee long Life upon Earth and Prosperity To his Wife he said my dear Wife continue stedfast in the fear and Love of God keep your self undefiled from Poposh Idolatries and Superstitions I have been unto you a faithful Yoke-fellow and so have you been to me for which I doubt not dear Wife but God will reward you Now the time is come that I shall be taken from you The Lord gave you unto me and the Lord will take me from you Blessed be the Name of the Lord I believe they are blessed which die in the Lord The Lord is my Light and my Salvation whom then shall I fear God is he that justifieth who is he that can condemn In thee O Lord I have trusted let we never be confounded On the next day by two of the Clock in the Morning he was taken out of the Compter by Officers and had to Chelmsford and there was he delivered to the Sheriff of Suffolk who was commanded to see him burnt The suffering of Hailes About this time One St. James Hailes on of the Justices of the Common-Pleas at an Assizes in Kent giving charge upon the Statutes of Henry the Eighth and Edward the Sixth in derogation of the primacy of Rome when he was before the Chancellor in Westminster Hall being there among other Judges to take his Oath the Chancellor said Chancellor I am informed you have Indicted certain Priests in Kent for saying Mass Hailes I Indicted none but certain Indictments of that Nature were brought before me at the Assizes in Kent and I did according to Law therein and according to Conscience and if it were to do again I could do no less then I did Chancellor Your Conscience is known well enough Hailes You may do well to search your own Conscience for mine is better known to my self then to you This and other talk at that time so displeased the Bishop that not many dayes after this discourse in
thy Promise and for this Mortal receive an Immortall and for this Corruptible put on Incorruption accept this burnt Sacrifice and Offering O Lord not for the Sacrifice but for thy Sons sake for whose Testimony I offer this Free-will-Offering with my Soul into thy hands O Lord I commend my Spirit Amen The next day John Lawrence was brought to Colchester and being not able to go his Legs being so worn in Prison with heavy Irons and his Body weak he was carried in a Chair to the Fire and burnt sitting After these suffered two persons in Wales viz. Robert Farrar in Carmarthen Robert Farrar and Rawlins White Maryrs in Wales who was a Bishop of a place called St. Davids and one Rawlins white a Fisher-man burnt at Cardiff This Rawlins for the love that was in him to the Truth and delight he took in hearing the Scriptures read trained up his Son at School on purpose to read to him because he could not read himself and by often hearing the Scriptures read having a good Memory he so retained them that he at last became an Instructor and Teacher to People and travelled from place to place with his little Boy with him visiting such where he saw any hopes of receiving the Truth having thus continued for five years in Edward the sixths time he became a noted Preacher until by the Bishop of Landaff he was committed Prisoner to Chepstow and from thence was removed to Cardiff Castle where he continued a Prisoner a whole year which tended to the ruin of his poor Wife and Children in this World yet he as a man unconcerned at the loss of the World continued exhorting and speaking to such as came to visit him declaring the Way of Salvation to them according to the best of his understanding admonishing them to beware of false Prophets that come to them in Sheeps Cloathing At his Examination the Bishop speak to him to this effect that they had taken pains to reduce him from his Opinions but seeing he continued still obstinate and willful he must condemn him as an Heretick but said the Bishop to the People before we proceed any further let us pray that God may turn his heart after Prayer the Bishop askt him how it was with him and whether he would recant He answered Rawlins you left me and Ralwins you shall find me Thereupon he was carried again to Cardiff and ordered to be put in the Town Prison a very dark loathsom bad Prison where he continued about three week before he suffered in which time the Enmity of his Persecutors was such that they would have burnt him before the Writ de hareticis Comburendis came from London had not the Recorder of the Town stopt them teling them if they should so do they were liable to be called in question when the Writ came as they had him to Execution his Wife and Children met him by the way Q. Mary An. 1555. with great Weeping and Lamentation at the Suddain sight whereof his heart was so pierced that the tears trickled down his Face yet on he went cheerfully to the Stake and being fastned thereto with a Chain and the Fire kindled he give up his life crying O Lord receive my Soul O Lord receive my Spirit About this time the Pope knowing how things stood in England in reference to Religion and how the Power of the Sword was turned against such as had been the chief Instruments in reforming Religion he thought it was now a good time to stir to redeem and cause to be restored to the Church such Rites as not long before had been taken from her for Queen Mary signifying to the Council that in her Conscience she was not satisfied until she had restored Abbey Lands to the former Proprietors The Council objected against it upon this account for that it brought in such an incom to the Crown without which possessions they said it could not well be furnished nor maintained she answered the Salvation of her Soul was more to her then ten Kingdoms a zealous Expression and could not have been discommended had it been spoken in a good cause The Pope hearing this sends over a Bull with all speed with full Authority to Command the Restitution of Abbey Lands thundring out Excommunication against all such as should detain them but many of the chief both of the Clergy and others being against the alteration of those Laws that had given them to the Crown considering the profit they brought in over-ballanced that good will and affection they had to observe the Popes Directions and Command which no doubt they were ready enough to incline to had it not been in a matter wherein the Revenues of the Crown would have been so lessned if the Bull had been prosecured and therefore it was let fall without taking so much notice of it as to see it performed but to return to shew the next that suffered The Sufferings and Examination of George Marsh Martyr at Westchester the 24th day of the Moneth called April 1555. The said George Marsh was born in the Parish of Deane George Marsh Martyr in the County of Lancaster about the Age of twenty five years he Married and took a Farm towards the Maintenance of himself and Family for favouring the Protestant Religion and Preaching against the Anti-Christian Doctrine of the Papists he was at length apprehended and committed to Prison The beginning of his trouble was thus there was strict search made for him in Boulton with intentions if he had been apprehended to have him before the Earl of Derly there to be examined concerning his Religion divers of his Friends and Relations hearing of it advised him to escape their hands laying before him the danger that might ensue if he did not which caused him to consult with himself and to be full of trouble not knowing what course he had best to take but soon after a Friend writ to him counselling him that he should not flee but abide and boldly confess the Faith of Jesus Christ at which words he was so confirmed and established in his Conscience that from thenceforth he consulted no more but was resolved to appear before those that sought after him and patiently to bear such Cross as it should please God to lay upon him upon which Conclusion be found great peace and quietness in his Conscience And appearing before one Barton that had sought for him Barton shewed him a Letter from the Earl of Darby wherein he was Commanded to send the said George Marsh and others to Latham when he came to Latham he was brought before the Earl of Darby who after he had ask his name enquired further of him whether he was not one that sowed evil seed and diffention among the People which thing he denied desiring to know who were his Accusers and after many more Questions askt him in Conclusion they committed him to Ward in a cold windy Stone House where was little room where he
lay two nights without any bed saving a few great Canvas Tent Cloths and after two nights he had a pair of Sheets allowed him but no Woolen clothes and there was kept without any being suffered to come at him only twice a day the Keeper when he brought him Victualls shortly after he was brought before the Earl again who examined him of the Sacrament at his Answers the Earl seemed to be somewhat pleased and hoped he would be conformable and commanded that he should have a bed and fire and liberty to go amongst his Servants when he departed he was much troubled in his Spirit for fear lest he had given advantage to his Adversaries in not confessing Christ so boldly as he ought to have done and was much grieved but considering his condition he cryed earnestly unto the Lord saying Strengthen me with thy holy Spirit with boldness to confess thee and deliver me from their enticing words that I may not be spoiled through their Phylosoply and vain deceit A day or two after he was sent for before two Priests who began to discourse with him concerning the Mass asking him what part of the Mass offended him he answered the whole Mass did offend him upon which discourse and other matters that past between them Articles were drawn up against him and they exhorted him to recant his Opinions he told them he could not change nor alter and desired them to speak to the Earl that during his Imprisonment his Friends might be suffered to relieve him with necessaries they still presisted to advise him to forsake his Opinions not regarding any Worldly shame he answered what he did was not for avoiding Worldly shame nor yet for any vain praise of the World but in the reverent fear of God they told him it was pity such a well-favoured Young man should so foolishly cast away himself he answered them to this effect My Wife Children and other delights of this World are as Sweet to me as another mans may be to him and I am as unwilling to lose them as another would if I might enjoy them with a good Conscience but my trust is said he that God will strengthen me to lose them all for his sake for I do not say or do any thing either out of Stubbornness willfullness vain Glory or any other Worldly purpose but with a good Conscience in the fear of God and farther said I commit my cause unto God who hath numbered the hairs of my head and appointed the dayes of my life who is a Righteous Judge and will make inquisition for my blood From Latham he was carried to Lancaster Castle where he was threatened for preaching to the people out of the Prison shortly after he was carried to Lancaster the Bishop of Chester came thither and sent for the Goaler and rebuked him for suffering George Marsh to fare so well and from thence he was removed to Chester and being brought before the Bishop he was further examined concerning the Sacrament and other matters and Articles drawn up against him and the last time he was brought before the Bishop the Bishops Chanceller made a Speech to the people to this effect The Bishop said he as a good Shepherd doth see to his Flock that no Scabby diseased Sheep infect the other wherefore his Lordship hath sent for this George Marsh as a Scabby Sheep to weed him out lest he corrupt others and then read the Articles against him and askt him if he would have mercy Marsh said he durst not deny Christ then the Bishop read the Sentence against him and committed him to the Northgate Prison and there was he kept in a dark Dungeon where none dared to come to him that had any Friendship towards him for fear of the Bishops threats so that he was kept very strictly in Prison until the time that he suffered death having little comfort or relief from any worldly Creature sometimes in an Evening some Citizens at a hole upon the Wall of the City that looked into the dark Prison would call to him and ask him how he did he would answer them chearfully that he did well and thanked God that he of his Mercy had appointed him to be a Witness of his Truth and to suffer for the same wherein he did rejoyce desiring that he might not faint under the Cross but patiently bare the same to Gods Glory and the Comfort of his Church once he had ten pence cast him in at the said hole and another time two shillings which did help to supply his necessity shortly after he was led to the place of Execution with a Lock upon his Foot he began to exhort the people but one of the Sheriffs would not suffer him to speak saying We must have no Sermon now so with patience he ended his dayes in the Fire Whilst he was a Prisoner he wrot several Epistles to his Friends and Relations and such as had been assistant to him in the time of his Sufferings the Epistles being large I shall only insert some of the Principle heads of some of them which if the Reader pernseth he will find them to be worth â—oting considering the time they were wrot in and first I shall begin with a letter he wrot to the Faithful Professors at Langton An Epistle by George Marsh to his Friends at Langton Grace be unto you and Peace be multiplied in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord Amen I thought it meet to write unto my beloved in the Lord at Langton to stir up your minds and to call to your remembrance the Words which have been told you before and to exhort you as that Good Man and full of the holy Ghost Barnabas did the Antiochians That with purpose of heart you continually cleave unto the Lord and that ye stand fast and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel when Persecution ariseth because of the word do not fall away like shrinking Children and forsake the Truth for after this life the Godly being delivered from their Tribulations and Pains shall have a most quiet and joyful rest whereas the Wicked and Ungodly contrary wise shall be tormented for evermore as Christ by the Parable of the rich Glutton and wretched Lazarus doth plainly declare these ought we to have before our Eyes alwayes that in the time of Adversity and Persecution we may stand stedfast in the Lord and endure even unto the end that we may be saved for unless we like good Warriors of Christ Jesus endeavour our selves to please him who hath chosen us to be his Souldiers and fight the good sight of Faith even unto the end we shall not obtain the Crown of Righteousness which the Lord that is a righteous Judge shall give to all them that love his Coming Let us therefore receive with meekness the word that is grafted in us which is able to save our Souls and ground our selves on the sure Rock Christ for as the Apostle saith Other Foundation
I might have had I could find no joy nor confort but still was in my Conscience tomented more and more being assured by Gods Spirit and his Word that I through evil counsel and advisement had done amiss and with the disquietness of my Mind and other cruel handling I was sick lying upon the ground when the Keeper came and so I desired him to pray Doctor Harpsfield to come to me and so he did And when he came and the Register with him I told him that I was not well at ease but especially I told him I was grieved very much in my Conscience and Mind because I had subscribed and I said that my Conscience had so Accused me through the just Judgment of God and his Word that I had felt Hell in my Conscience and Sathan ready to devour me and therefore I pray you said I let me have the Bill again for I will not stand to it so he gently commanded it to be fetcht and gave it me and suffered me to put out my name whereof I was right glâ—d when I had so done although death should follow and hereby I had experience of Gods Providence and Mercy towards me who tryeth his People and suffereth them to fall but not to be lost for in the midst of this Temptation and Trouble he gave me warning of my deed and also delivered me his name be praised for evermore Amen By me Thomas VVhittle Bartlet Green born in the City of London in the Parish of Baâ—inghal of the age of twenty five years Bartlet Green Martyr being examined by Bishop Bonner with whom he had sundry Conferences and publick Examinations but in the end Bonner seeing his stedfastness to the faith of Christ to be such as against the which neither their threatnings nor yet their flattering promises could prevail After he he had condemned the other six he called for Bartlet Green and pronounced the definitive sentence against him and so committed him to the Sheriffs of London who sent him to Newgate and when he came to Prison he was often exercised in prayer and godly meditations and exercises until the twenty eighth day of the month called January when he with his other above mentioned Brethren went most cheâ—rfully unto the place of their Torments at the stake repeating these Latine verses following Christe de us sine te spes est mihi nulla salutis Te duce vera sequor Q. Mary An. 5515 te duce falsa nege In English thus O Christ my God sure hope of health besides thee have I none The Truth I love and falshood hate by thee my Guide alone After these seven above rehearsed martyred together in Smithfield shortly after in the same Month being the one and thirtieth day of the Month called January Four Women and one Man burnt at Canterbury four Women and one Man were burnt for the Faith of the Gospel at Canterbury their names are as followeth viz. John Lomas a young man of the Parish of Tenterden Anne Albright Joan Catmer of the Parish of Hyth Agnes Snoth Widdow of Smarden Joan Sole Wife of the Parish of Horton The aforesaid five persons were burnt at two Stakes and one Fire ratifying and confessing the true faith of Christ Jesus and when the flame was about their ears they sung for joy whereat John Norton called Knight standing by wept bitterly to hear and see what was done The Persecutors names The Judges and others Assistants which face upon these Martyrs were Richard Faucet John Warren John Mills Robert Collins and John Baker the Notary Now we come to the time of Cranmers Execution who the year before as I have mentioned was condemned and degraded by Commission from the Pope Cranmers Martyrdom after which being by the subtylty of some put in hope of life out of frailty he subscribed to a Recantation which yet did him no good for whether it were that Cardinal Pool would no longer be kept from being Aron-Bishop which he would not be as long as he lived or that the Queen could not be gotten to forget his being the chief Instrument of her Mothers divorce his Execution was resolved to be in the same place at Oxford where Ridley and Latimer five Months before had suffered before the Execution Doctor Cole preached who to make use of Cranmers recantation told the People they should do well to hearken to this learned mans Confession who now at his death and with his death would testifie which was the true Religion never thinking Cranmer would have denied his former Recantation but Cranmer being brought to the Stake contrary to expectation acknowledged that throught frailty he had subscribed it praying God heartily to forgive it for that he had set his hand contrary to the Truth that was in his heart and now for a punishment that hand which had done â—â—should first suffer and therewithal thrusting his Right hand into the Fire he there held it till iâ— first then his whole Body was consumed The next that suffered were Agnes Potter and Jone Trunchfield in the County of Suffolk both Married Women dwelling both in one Town they were burnt in Ipswich when they had prepared themselves ready for the Fire they exhorted the people very earnestly to lay hold on the Word of God and not upon mans devices and inventions despising the Ordinances and Inventions of the Romish Antichrist with all his Superstitions and rotten Religion After these two Women were burnt three Men at one Fire in Salsbury their names John Spicer Free-Mason William Coberly Taylor John Maundrel Husbandman The beginning of their Imprisonment was after this manner going into a Steeple-house and seeing the Idolatry by the people performed in following the Idol in procession exhorted the people to return to the living God speaking more particularly to one Robert Berksdale head man of the Parish but he took no regard to their words soon after the Priest came into his Pulpit who being about to read his Bedral and prayer for the Souls in Purgatory Jo. Maundrel speaking with an Audible voice said that that was the Popes Pinfold after which words by commandment of the Priest they were had to the Stocks where they remained till their Worship was done and then were had before a Justice of Peace and the next day were all three had to Salsbury and presented before Bishop Capon and William Geoffry the Chancellor of the Diocess by whom they were imprisoned and often Examined of their Faith in private but seldom openly in their Answer to the Articles charged against them they said that the Popish Mass was abominable Idolatry and injurious to the Blood of Christ and being asked whether the Pope was supream head of the Church they said he usurped Authority and said Christ was the head of the Church and said Christs Blood purged away their Sins and not the Popes Purgatory and being asked whether Images were necessary in the Church John Mundrell said Wooden Images were
Then thou art an Heretick and shalt be burnt but who hath taught thee this Heresie Boy You. Chancellor Where I pray thee Boy Even in yonder place pointing towards the Pulpit the Court being held near it Chancellor When did I teach thee so Boy When you Preached there upon the Sacrament you said the Sacrament was to be received Spiritually by Faith and not carnally as the Papists have heretofore taught Chancellor Then do as I have done and thou shalt live as I do and escape burning Boy Though you can so easily dispence with your self and Mock with God the World and your Conscience yet I will not so do Chancellor Then God have Mercy upon thee for I will read the Sentance against thee Boy Gods will be fulfilled And soon after he and Thomas Croker were both burnt in Gloucester Tho. Spicer John Dunny and Edmund Fools Martyrs About the Moneth call May Thomas Spicer of Winston John Duny and Edmund Poole being brought to Examination before Duming Chancellor of Norwich who objected against them the common Articles and after they had answered because they would not recant he read the condemnation and delivered them to the Secular power and about the 21th of the aforesaid Moneth they were all burnt for their Testimony in one Fire in Beckless in the County of Suffolk In this Moneth William Slech Prisoner in the Kings-bench for the Confession of the Truth there died On the sixth day of the Moneth called June there were four persons burnt at Lewis Sufferers in Sussex in Sussex for the Profession of the Truth viz. Thomas Harland of Woodmancet Carpenter John Oswald of the same Husband-Man Thomas Auington of Ardingly Turner and Thomas Read These four after a long Imprisonment in the Kings-Bench Suffered at the aforesaid place John Oswald denied to answer any thing until his Accusers were brought face to face before him and said Fire and Faggots could not make him afraid but as many good men were gone before him he was ready to Suffer and follow after In the same Moneth and in the same Town of Lewis were burnt Thomas Wood and Thomas Mills William Adheral and John Clement being Prisoners died in the Kings-Bench about the 24th day of the same Moneth The 26th day of the same Moneth a Young man-servant to a Marchant was burnt by the Papists at Liecester The 27th day of the same Moneth there suffered thirteen Persons at one Fire at Stratford near Bow by London cleaven Men and two Women the cleaven Men were tyed to three Stakes and the two Women were loose in the midst without any Stake In the company of these thirteen were three more condemned to die viz. Thomas Freeman William Stamard William Adany The Names of the thirteen that were burnt were as followeth Ralph Jackson Henry Adlington Lyon Cawch Wil. Halnoell George Searles John Ronth John Darisall Henry Wye Edmund Hurst Lawrence Parnham Thomas Bowyer Ellis Pepper Agnes George After they were condemned the Dean of Pauls declared in his Sermon that they held as many Opinions as there were persons wherefore they drew up a Declaration of their Faith to which they all signed some particulars of which were That the Sea of Rome was the Sea of Anti-christ the Congregation of the Wicked c. Whereof the Pope is head under the Devil Also that the Mass was not only a prophanation of the Lords Supper but a Blasphemous Idol That God was neither Spiritually nor Corporally in the Sacrament of the Altar and there remaineth no Substance in the same but only the substance of Bread and Water for these Articles of our Belief said they we being condemned to die do willingly offer our corruptible Bodies to be dissolved in the Fire all with one Voice assenting and consenting thereunto When they were fixamined before the Bloody Bishop and said they would believe all he or they could prove by Scripture he said he would not stand to prove it with Hereticks but said they were the holy Church and you ought said he to believe us or else be cut off like withered Branches About this time Thomas Parres Martin Hunt and John Norrice died Prisoners in the Kings-Bench who were all buried in the back-side of the Prison Three burnt at Edmundsbury The 30th of the Moneth called June there were three persons burnt in one Fire at Edmundsbury in Suffolk whose names were Roger Bernard Adam Foster and Robert Lawson When Roger Bernard came before Doctor Hopton Bishop of Norwick upon Examination the Bishop askt him Whether he had been with the Priest at Easter to be shriven and whether he had received the Sacrament of the Altar or no Bernard said No I have not been to confess to the Priest but I have confessed mysinsto Almighty God and I trust he hath forgiven me wherefore I shall not need to go to the Priest for such matters who cannot help himself Bishop Surely Bernard thou must needs go and confess thy self unto him Bernard That shall I not do by the Grace of God while I live Bishop What a stout Boyly Heretick is this How malipertly he answereth Bernard It doth not grieve me I thank God to be called Heretick at your hands for so your Fore-fathers called the Prophets and Confessors of Christ long before this time After some other words past between them the Bishop rose up sore displeased and Commanded the Goaler to take him away and lay Irons enough on him for said he I will tame him ere he go from me The next day being brought before him again Bishop asked him if he remembred himself since the day before Bernard said Yes I remember my self very well for I am the same man I was yesterday and I hope shall be all the dayes of my life concerning the matter you talked with me of Then one of the Guard being by undertook to Examine him who had him to an Inn where many Priests were assembled together who first began to flatter Roger Bernard and then seeing that would not do they threatned him with Whipping Stocking Burning and such like Bernard tenderly replying said Friends I am no better then my Master Christ and the Prophets which your Fore-fathers served after such sort and I for his Names sake am content to suffer the like at your hands if God shall so permit trusting that he will strengthen me in the same according to his promise When they saw he would not relent or yield they said behold a right Schollar of John Fortune whom they had then in Prison so they carried him again to the Bishop who immediately condemned him as an Heretick and delivered him to the secular power he was a single man a Labourer dwelling in Fransden in Suffolk and was first apprehended for refusing to go the Church so called A Relation of the Examination of John Fortune of Hintlesham Suffolk Black-Smith about in the 20th day of the Moneth called April before ' Doctor Parker and the Bishop written with his own
Friendship and cast off by her whom he took to be his surest Friend knew not which way to go at last he concluded to go to Oxford to some Friends there where a School was proposed to him in Gloucestershire which he accepted and as he was travelling it came into his mind that there was a quarters stipend due to him at Reading for teaching School and to look after his other things he had there he resolved to go to Reading where though he used what endeavours he could to be retired and private he was by the treachery of some Hypocrites discovered and apprehended being taken out of his Bed by Officers to whom he opened not his Lips but was led away as a Lamb to the Slaughter and was committed to Prison where the Keeper like a Ravening Woolfe greedy of his prey put him into a blind stinking and dark Dungeon and there left him for a time hanging by the hands and feet in a pair of Stocks in this Dungeon he remained about ten dayes under the Tyranny of this unmercifull Keeper After this he was brought before the Mayor where he was Accused by those that had Pilledged his Study of divers grieous Crimes but when he came to his Answer he did so deface their Evidence defend his own Innocency that the Mayor was ashamed that he had given so much credit to them and sought how they might convey him privily out of the Country when these Bloody Adversaries saw this Stratagem would not serve their turns they found another Snare which was to Accuse Palmer of Heresie and he was again called out of Prison before the Mayor and Justices to render an Account of his Faith before them and when they had intrapt'd him they caused him and a Bill of Instruction with him to be sent to Newberry to be Examined by Doctor Jeffery at the Visitation at Newberry the 16th of the Month called July 1556. In the mean time he Suffered some hardships in Reading Goal for want of Money to supply his Occasion The publick Examination of Julius Palmer at Newbery before Doctor Jefferies Bishop of Sarum and others Bishop called Palmer and said Art thou the jolly Writer of three half penny books we hear of Palmer I know not what you mean Bishop Have you taught Latine so long that now you understand not English To this he answered Nothing Bishop We understand by your Articles that you are convict of certain Heresies that you deny the Popes Holiness Supremacy that the Priest sheweth up an Idol at Mass and that there is no Purgatory c. Bishop askt him Whether he wrote some Books and he shewed him the Books Palmer answered yea he did Bishop threatned him that he would make him recant and would wring peccavi out of his lying Lips ere he had done with him Palmer I know that though of my self I am able to do nothing yet if you and all mine Enemies should do your worst you shall not be able to bring that to pass neither shall you prevail against Gods mighty Spirit by which we understand the Truth and speak it so boldly Bishop Ah are you full of the Spirit are you inspired with the holy Ghost Palmer No man can believe but by the inspiration of the holy Ghost therefore if I were not a spiritual man and inspired with Gods holy Spirit I were not a true Christian he that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his Bishop I perceive you lack no words Palmer Christ hath promised not only to give us store of words necessary but with them such force of matter as the Gates of Hell shall not be able to confound or prevail against it Bishop Christ made such a promise to his Apostles you will not compare with them Palmer With the Apostles I may not compare yet this promise I am certain pertaineth to all such as are appointed to defend Gods Truth against his Enemies in the time of their Persecution for the same Bishop Then it pertaineth not unto thee Palmer Yes I am right well assured that it pertaineth unto me as it shall appear if you give me leave to dispute with you before this Audience in the defence of all that I have there Written Bishop Thou art but a beardless Boy start up yesterday out of the Schools and darest thou presume to offer Disputation or to encounter with a Doctor Palmer Remember M. Doctor the Spirit breatheth where it pleases c. and out of the Mouthes of Babes c. And thou hast hidden these things from the wise c. God is not tyed to time wit learning place nor person The Register said if you suffer him thus impudently to trifle with you he will never have done Then the Bishop said It was not in his Commission to dispute with him but had a great deal more discourse with him and after he had done examining of him the high Sheriff after Dinner sent for Julius Palmer to speak with him and exhorted him to revoak his Opinion to spare his young years wit and learning and told him that if he would be conformable he would give him his meat and ten pound a year c. Palmer thankt him and said that as he had already in two places renounced his living for Christs sake so he would with Gods Grace be ready to surrender and yield up his life also for the same when God should send time Then one Winchcom upon the Bench said Take pity on thy golden Years and pleasant Flowers of lusty Youth before it be too late Palmer I long for those springing Flowers that shall never fade away Winchcom If thou be at that point I have done with thee Then was Palmer had to the Blind-house and in the afternoon John Gwin and Thomas Askin had the sentence of Condemnation and were delivered to the Sheriff and the next morning Palmer was condemned and the same afternoon they were all three burnt About an hour before they were executed Palmer comforted his Fellow-sufferers with these words Happy are you when meâ— revile you and persecute you for righteousness sake rejoyce and be glad for great is your reward in Heaven fear not them that kill the Body and be not able to touch the Soul God 〈◊〉 Faithful and will not suffer us to be tempted further then we shall be able to bear it and being brought to the Stake and the Fire kindled they cryed Lord Jesus strengthen us Lord Jesus assist us Lord Jesus receiâ—e our Souls until they ended their lives A Remarkable Providence whereby Agnes Wardall was preserved from her Violent Persecutors in the Town of Ipwich This Agnes Wardal was a Woman that lived in Gods fear and was at defiance with their Romish Trash Agnes Wardals Sufferings desiring rather with hard Fair and ill Lodging to be abroad then to be at home in her House among the Tents of the ungodly her Husband also being a man living in the fear of God and for the Testimony
you so far off Answ I am near enough and a little too near and further said I have done with you Chancellor What shall I tell my Lord of you Answ If you have nothing to tell him your Arrant will be the sooner done Chancellor Will you turn from this wicked Error you have been an evil example by your wicked reading you have perswaded simple women to this Error and you shall have mercy Answ I ask mercy of God whom I have offended and not of you Chancellor When were you at your Parish Church you have been Excommunicated this two years and therefore you are condemned and so past Sentence upon him and he was shortly after burnt at Norwich The next that suffered was one Joyce Lewis Wife to Thomas Lewis of Manchester this Joyce Lewis was a woman finely brought up in the pleasures of the World Joyce Lewis Martyr she was turned from the Popish Religion by seeing the great Sufferings and Death of Lawrance Saunders at Coventry and being afterwards inflamed with the love of God she purposed to abstain from those things that displeased him but her Husband being furious against her compelled her to go to Mass but being there in Testimony against their Idolatry when they sprinkled the holy Water she turned her back toward it for which she was shortly after accused before the Bishop the told the Bishop by refusing their holy Water she neither offended God nor his Laws the Bishop thereat was offended and bound her Husband in a hundred pound Bond for her appearance a Moneth after the Moneth being ended her unnatural Husband carried her himself to the Bishop who asked her Why she would not go to Mass and receive the Sacraments She answered because she found them not in the VVord needfull for mens Salvation wherefore she was condemned after her condemnation she continued a year in Prison where her behaviour both in word and deed was such that her death was greatly lamented when the Sheriff brought her news of the hour of her death she said to him your Message is welcome to me when the Fire was set to her she never struggled nor strived but ended her life patiently Four persons burnt at Islington About the seventeenth day of September were burnt at Islington Ralph Allerton James Austoo Margery Austoo his Wife and Richard Roth. Ralph Alerton after his apprehending was kept a whole year in Prison before he was condemned he was first accused before the Lord Darsey of Chichester for not conforming to the Idolatry and Superstition of the times and for praying and exhorting the People of the Parish where he lived not being a Priest before he was apprehended he kept himself in Woods and Barnes and other solitary places and at last being apprehended was sent up to the Councel and from them to Bonner Bishop of London in his Examination he told the Bishop there were three Religions in England then said Bonner Which be these Allerton replyed The first is that which you hold the second is clean contrary to the same and the third is a Neuter Then said Bonner Of which of these three art thou of Allerton said I am of that which is contrary to that which you teach to be believed on the pain of death after some other discourse between them the Bishop in a rage called him Knave and Whorson Prick-louse and demanded what he had to say why he should not pronounce the Sentence of condemnation against him to which he answered You ought not to condemn me for I am a Christian but do as you have determined for I see right and truth are suppressed and cannot appear upon the Earth these words ended the Bishop pronounced the Sentence of death against him and delivered him to the temperal Officers who on the day aforesaid caused him and the other three to be burnt There is not much Recorded what past in the Tryal of the other three only James Austoo when he was brought upon Examination before the Bishop in his Chappel at Fulham the Bishop said to him Dost thou know where thou art and before whom to which he replyed I know where I am for I am in an Idol-temple whereupon the Bishop past Sentence against him and his Wife who suffered deeply a Prisoner in the Bishops House being kept in his Dog-kennel under a pair of Stairs One Article against Richard Roth one of the four that was burned was that he was a Comforter to Hereticks and to that end had VVrit a Letter to certain Persons that were burnt at Colchester The Substance of which Letter written by him and directed to his Brethren and Sisters in Christ condemned at Colehester and ready to be burned for the Testimony of the Truth is as followeth Oh dear Brethren and Sisters how much have you to rejoyce in God that he hath given you such Faith to overcome this blood thirsty Tyrant thus far and no doubt he that hath begun that good work in you will fulfill it unto the end Oh dear hearts in Christ what a Crown of Glory shall ye receive with Christ in the Kingdom of God Oh that it had been the good will of God that I had been ready to have gone with you for I lye in my Lords little ease in the day and in the night I lye in the Cole-house from Ralph Allerton or any other and we look every day when we shall be condemned for he said that I should be burnt within ten dayes before Easter but I lye still at the Pools-brink and every man goeth in before me but we abide patiently the Lords leisure with many Bonds in Fetters and Stocks by the which we have received great joy in God And now fare you well dear Brethren and Sisters in this World Oh Brother Munt with your Wife and my dear Sister Rose how blessed are you in the Lord that God hath found you worthy to suffer for his sake with all the rest of my dear Brethren and Sisters known and unknown Oh be joyfull even unto death fear it not saith Christ For I have overcome death saith he Oh dear hearts seeing that Jesus Christ will be our help Oh tarry you the Lords leisure be strong let your hearts be of good comfort and wait you still for the Lord he is at hand yea the Angel of the Lord pitcheth his Tent round about them that fear him and delivereth them which way he seeth best for our lives are in the Lords hand and they can do nothing unto us before God suffer them therefore give all thanks to God Oh dear hearts you shall be clothed with long white Garments upon Mount Zion with the multitude of Saints and with Christ Jesus our Saviour which will never forsake us Oh blessed Virgins you have plaid the wise Virgins part in that you have taken Oyle in your Lamps that you may go in with the Bridegroom when he cometh into the everlasting joy with him but as for the Foolish they shall be
was dead Richard Yeoman was removed to Norwich Prison where after close Imprisonment for some time being Examined and Required to submit himself to the Pope he said I defie him and all his detasteble Abominations whereupon he was condemned and burnt There was also a Young man one Joh. Alcock a Sheer-man by Trade who being in the Market at Hadley and Newall the Priest coming by with procession because he would not move his Cap nor shew any sign of reverence he catcht hold on him and called for a Constable and said Here 's an Heretick and a Traytor have him to the Stocks and afterwards he was committed to Prison and shortly after carried him up to London where he was long time kept Prisoner in Newgate where after many Examinations and Troubles for refusing to submit to the Romish Religion he was thrown into the lower Dungeon where falling sick he died in Prison Thomas Benbridge Martyr Thomas Benbridge of the Diocess of VVinchester a Single man and one called a Gentleman who thought he might have enjoyed the pleasures of the World if he would have conformed yet he rather chused quietness and peace of Conscience and therefore manfully withstood the Popish Doctrines and was therefore condemned by Doctor VVhite Bishop of VVinchester but being brought to the Stake they used many insinuations to cause him to recant to whom at first he said Away Babyloaon away the Fire being kindled he was suprised with fear so that he cryed out I recant but before they would take him from the Stake his Adversary caused him to subscribe Articles upon a mans Back and then he was taken from the Stake and committed to Prison where being troubled in Conscience that he had subscribed the Articles he signified so much unto his Enemies who about a week after brought him again to the Stake and there burnt him In this same Year which was the last Year of Queen Mary Jo. Cook a Sawyer Robert Miles a Sheer-Man Alexander Lane a Wheelright and James Ashly a Batchellor they were all four Examined before Hopton Bishop of Norwich Edward VValgrave Knight and others the chief thing they demanded in there Examination was to know why they refused to go to Church so called to which they answered to this effect that it was against their Consciences and that they could not follow false Gods after their Examination they were all four condemned and burnt at Edmundsbury about the beginning of the Moneth called August which was not long before Queen Mary fell sick Alexander Gouch and Alice Driver Martyrs In the Month called November following Alexander Gouch and Alice Driver suffered at Ipswich The Woman in her Examination Smiling upon Doctor Spencer that examined her he said Woman why dost thou laugh us to scorn She replyed whether I do or no I may well enough to see what Fools you be Then the Chancellor askt her Wherefore she was brought before im Alice Driver Wherefore said she I think I need not tell you that for you know it better then me and if you know not you have done me much wrong to keep me in Prison and know not the cause why Chancellor Woman Woman What sayst thou to the blessed Sacrament of the Altar To which she made no answer till he askt her the second time and then she told him she knew not what he meant thereby having not read in all the Scriptures of such a Sacrament and askt him what a Sacrament was The Chancellor replyed It is a Sign and another Doctor standing by said It was a Sign of an holy thing Alice answered It s true it is a Sign indeed and therefore cannot be the thing signified thus far we do agree The Doctor standing by said Christ said to his Disciples Take eat this is my Body Ergo. Alice Driver Whether was it Bread he gave unto them Doctor No It was his Body Alice Then was it his Body they did eat over night Doctor Yes it was his Body Alice What Body was it then was crucified next day Doctor It was Christs Body Alice How could that be when his Disciples had eaten him over night except he had two Bodies then the Chancellor commanded the Goaler to take her away Alice Now you are not able to resist the Truth you command me to Prison again well the Lord in the end shall judge our cause and to him I leave it The next day she was brought before them again The Chancellor askt her What she said to the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar Alice I will say nothing to it for you will neither believe me noâ— your selves for yesterday I askt you what a Sacrament was and you said it was a sign and I agreed thereto and now you ask me again of such a Sacrament which I never read of in the Scriptures Chancellor Thou naughty Woman thou lyest we did not say it was a Sign Alice Why are not you the men that you were yesterday will you eat your own words are not you ashamed to lye before all this Multitude here present who heard you speak the same The Doctor that sat by told her she was deceived there was three Churches Alice said Is there mention of so many in the Scripture shew me the place where it is written The Doctor feeling for a Bible but had none Alice said you are a good Doctor to sit here a Judge and have not the Book of the Law by which you should Judge Doctor Have you one No said she Then said he I am as good a Doctor as you Alice I had one but you took it from me as you would take me from Christ if you could Then the Chancellor having no more to say rose up and read the Sentance in Latine against her and committed her to the secular Power and shortly after A. Gouch and she were burnt together at Ipswich Shortly after Philip Humfrey John David and Henry David his Brother were all three burnt in Bury in Suffolk for the cause of Religion being prosecuted by Clement Higham Knight the same Month that Queen Mary died About this time also suffered at Exeter a poor Woman whose name was Prest this Woman going into Peters Steeplehouse in Exeter and seeing one making new Noses to certain Images which were disfigured in King Edwards time she reproved him saying what a mad man art thou to make them new Noses which within a few dayes shall all lofe their heads for these words she was clapt fast and close in Prison this poor Woman was by many wayes tryed both by hard imprisonment throatnings taunts and scorns but neither frowns nor flatteries would prevail to move her from her profession but she continued an Example of Constancy to all that professed the Truth which her Enemies perceiving they removed her from the Bishops Prison to Guild-Hall where she was exhorted to leave her fond Opinions telling her she was not fit to meddle with such high matters Though I am not said she yet with my death
their Souls What was amongst them preached was accordingly practiced works of Mercy and Charity were there exercised not only towards those of the Houshold of Faith but even towards them which were without so as many by means hereof were drawn and brought on to the knowledge of Christ They ordained certain Persons who were men fearing God and approved of who went weekly from house to house to collect the Alms of such as they knew to be faithful admonishing every one how to carry themselves in their Vocations and of their duty in contributing towards the relief of the poor Saints And thus each one according to his place endeavouring to express and manifest his Faith by the Fruits thereof namely good works in a short time the Lord raised up a flourishing Meeting in this place so that they consisted of a competent number of Men Women and Children not only of the City but of the Villages nigh In the mean while Satan and his Adherance ceased not to storm and rage hereat not being able long to endure these their holy Meetings Upon the sixth of the Moneth called March about ten at night the Provest of the City with his Sergeants armed themselves to make search if they could find any met together in houses but as then there was no Assembly therefore they went to the house of Robert Ogvier and there violently entered seeking here and there for their prey they found certain Books which they carried away but he whom they principally aimed at was not then in the House viz. Baudicon the Son of the said Robert who according to his usual manner was gone abroad to visit some Brethren but returning home knocking at the Door his brother Martin watching his coming bid him be gone wishing him not to come in he thinking his Brother took him for some other said it is I open the Door with that the Sergeants drew nigh and opened it and he came in Then said the Provest I arrest you all in the Emperors name and commanded each of them to be bound to wit the Husband and his Wife with their two Sons leaving their two Daughters to look to the House now as they conveyed them along through the Streets Baudicon with a voice somewhat extended which might easily be heard at that time of the night said Assist us O Lord by thy Grace not only to be Prisoners for thy Name sake but to confess thy holy Truth in all purity before men so far as to seal the same with our Bloods for the edification of thy poor Church Thus were they brought into several Prisons where they were severally handled yet ceased they not to bless and praise the Lord with one consent within a few dayes after they were brought before the Magistrates of the City and Examined who first spoke to the Father in these words It is told us that you never come to Mass and also diswade others from coming thereto and that you maintain Conventicles in your House whereby you have Transgressed the Laws of the Emperial Majesty Robert answered to this effect We read not in all the Scriptures that either Christ or any of his Apostles ever said Mass for they knew not what it meant As for the second Accusation I cannot nor will deny but there have met together in my House Honest People fearing God I assure you not with intention to wrong or harm any but rather for the advancement of Gods Glory and the good of many I knew indeed that the Emperour had forbiden it but what then I know also that Christ had commanded it who said Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them Thus you see I could not well obey the Emperour but I must disobey Christ in this case then I chose rather to obey my God then man When they were brought to the Fire the last words they were heard to pronounce were Jesus Christ thou Son of God into thy hands we commend our Spirits and so they ended their Testimony Within eight dayes after Jane the Mother and Martin her Son were both Executed in the same City The manner of the Merciless Inquisitors Tormenting such as are brought into the Popish Inquisition in Spain When they purpose to torture any one the Gaoler is commanded to bring forth his Prisoner into the accustomed place where it is to be given which place is under the Earth and very obscure then going thorow many turnings and thorow sundry Doors so as the horrible cries of those who are there tortured can in no wise be heard there is a Seat prepared for the Inquisitors on high with a Rigister also to behold their Tragical Act the Torches being lighted those who are to Act their parts in this woful Tragedy are brought in the Tormentor who attends their coming is covered all over with a black Garment close to his Body and on his Head a black Hood which hides his Face from being seen having only two or three holes made therein for himself to see and to breath at and all this is to terrifie the more the poor patient who beholdeth as it were a grim Devil ready to Torment him these Fathers being set upon their Seat begin again to charge the Prisoner voluntary to confess the Truth which if he refuse to do and if it then happen that Arm or any other Member of his Body be broken or that they die on the Torture for that is all the favour he hath shewed him they made it his own fault and none of theirs after they have used all the terrible threats that can be they cause him or her to be stripped stark naked whether Man Woman or Maid though they be never so modest and bashful many having fallen into their bloody fingers thus to to have their nakedness discovered in the sight of others was more greivous then all their Torments besides which they endured laying aside then all Humanity in unclothing them they put upon them linnen Bretches as if their secret parts were better and more honestly covered with Bretches then with Shirt or Smock or as if the Torments they meant to put them to would not pierce deep enough as well in the one as in the other with such shameless Spectacles the chast Inquisitors fed their Ages and with such cruel Lust satisfied their infamous and detestable virginity The Man or Woman standing naked then only covered with little Bretches they beckon to the Tormenter who is well aquainted with their secret sign and watch word and can readily discern what Torments the holy Fathers would have them put to to teach them the Faith of the Roman Church Then standing thus naked they exhort them once again to tell the truth If the Patient be to endure the Cord they tye his hands behind his back pulling him up eight or ten times according to the number of twitches limited by the Inquisitors to the Tormentor that so nothing may be done there
man of a cruel nature and of a perverse and corrupt judgment a sore Persecutor of Christs Flock with greediness seeking and shedding Innocent Blood having drowned divers good men and women for which of some he was called A blood-Hound of others Sheltade that being of a short grundy and little stature he did commonly ride with a broad Hat as a Churl of the Country On a time having been at Antwerp at a Feast and being loaden with Wine riding home over a Bridge the Wagon was blown over the Bar into the Town-Ditch where his neck was broken and his Wife being with him was taken up alive but died within three dayes after the truth of this was Witnessed by several Merchants of Antwerp Erasmus in his Apology maketh mention of a Noble man who having purposed before his Death to go see Jerusalem and setting things in order for his Journey An. 1558. leaving the care of his Wife who was great with Child and of his Lordships and Castles to an Arch-Bishop as to a must sure and trusty Father to make short it happened this Noble man died in his Journey as soon as the Arch-Bishop hard of it instead of a Father he became an Enemy and Destroyer seizing into his hands all his Lordships and Possessions neither was he therewith contented but he laid seige against a strong Fort into which the Wife of the Noble man was fled for safe-guard where in the conclusion she with the Child she went withal was miserably slain By this Example the Reader may see what the effects of this mans blind Superstition was and what ill Fruits his rash vows to defend Idolatrous Pilgrimage did produce therefore saith my Author it is rightly said of Hierome To have been at Jerusalem is no great matter but to live a Godly and Virtuous life that is a great matter indeed In the Town of Gaunt in Flander An. 1565 The Provost of Gaunt one william D'waver was accused and Imprisoned by the Provost in Gaunt who had in his Cloister a Prison and place of Execution being with several others set in Judgment Seat in Examination and Trial of the said D'weavâ—â— where he charged him with denying to pray to Saints and denying Purgatory on a suddain the said Provost was smitten with a Palsie that his Mouth was drawn almost to his Ear and so he fell down and never speak word more and the next day about ten a clock he died nevertheless they burned the said William D'weaver within three hours after the same The like Example of the Lords Judgement was shewed upon another great Persecutor called Sir Garret Triest Aâ—â—56◠〈…〉 who had long promised to the Regent to bring down the Preachers for which the â—â—gent promised to make him an Earl the said Gerret being at Gaâ—â—â— â—e with other of the Lords received a Commission from the Regent 〈◊〉 sware the Lords and Commons unto the Romish Religion Garret being at Supper speak to his Wife to call him an hour sooner then he use to rise for that he should have much business to swear the People in the Town-house the next day but see what happened the said Garret going to Bed in good health and his Wife calling him in the morning according to his appointment found him dead by her and so not able to prosecute his wicked purpose However the Lords of Gaunt coming to the Town-house proceeded to give the Oath according to their Commission but Martin de Pâ—â—â—â—â— the Secratary being appointed to tender the Oath at the first â—an he offered it to the said Secratary was stricken with present Death and fell down and was carried away in a Chair and never speak more and to witness the Truth hereof my Author produceth ten persons Names A Letter translated out of French into English written to Henry the Second French King declaring and proving out of divers Histories what Afflictions and Calamities from time to time by Gods Righteous Judgments have fallen upon such as have been Eâ—â—micâ— to his People and have resisted the free passage of his Truth Consider I pray you Sir and you shall find that all your 〈◊〉 â—â—ous have come upon yon since you have set your self against 〈◊〉 which are called Lutherans when you made the Edict of 〈…〉 â—â—ant God sent you wars but when you ceased the 〈…〉 said Edict and as long as you were Enemies to the Pope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—ing into Armain for the defence of the liberty of the Germans â—â—â—â—ed for Religion your Affairs prospered as you could wish or desire On the contrary what hath come upon you since you joyned with the Pope again having received a Sword from him for his own safe-guard and who was it that caused you to break the Truce God hath turned in a moment your Prosperity into such Afflictions that they touch not only the state of your own person but of your Kingdom also To what end came the enterprise of the Duke of Guise in Haly going about the service of the Enemy of God and purposing after his return to destroy the Valleys of Piedmont to offer or sacrifice them to God for his Victories the event hath well declared that God can turn upside down our Counsels and Enterprizes as he overturned of laâ—e the Enterprize of the Constable of France at S. Quintinis having Vowed to God that at his return he would go and destroy Geneva when he had gotten the Victory Have you not heard of L' Pouchet Arch Bishop of Towers who made suit for the erection of a Court called Chamber Ardent wherein to condemn the Protestants to the Fire who afterwards was stricken with a disease called The Fire of God which began at his feet and ascended upwards that he caused one Member after another to be cut off and so died miserably without any Remedy Also one Castillanus who having inriched himself by the Gospel and forsaking the pure Doctrine thereof and returning to his vomit again went about to persecute the Christians at Orleans and by the Hand of God was stricken in his Body with a sickness unknown to the Physitians the one half of his Body burning as hot as Fire and the other as cold as Ice and so most miserably crying and lamenting ended his life There be other infinite Examples of Gods Judgments worthy to be remembered as the death of the Chancellor and Legate Duprat which was the first that opened to the Parliament the knowledge of Heresies and gave out the first Commissions to put the faithful to death who afterward died in his House at Natcilet Swearing and horribly Blaspheming God and his stomack was found pierced and knawn assunder with Worms also John Ruse Councellor in the Parliament coming from the Court after he had made report of the process against the poor Innocents was taken in a burning in the lower part of his Belly and before he could be brought home to his House the fire invaded all his secret parts and so he died
pitiful Persecution certifying him that there were very many thousands of them daily put to death of which none did any thing contrary to the Roman Laws worthy persecution saving that they used to gather together in the Morning before day and sing Hymns to a certain God whom they worshipped called Christ in all other their Ordinances they were godly and honest and for proof hereof saith he I caused two Maidens to be laid on the Rack and with Torments to be Examined about the same but finding nothing in them but only lewd and immoderate superstition I resolved to surcease farther enquiry till I receive further Instructions from you in this matter Trajan having read this Epistle returned answer that it was his mind that the Christians should not be sought after but if they were brought and convicted that then they should suffer Execution Whereof Tertullian speaking said Oh confussed Sentance he would not have them sought for as men Innocent and yet would have them punished as men guilty This Trajan sent a Command to Jerusalem that whosoever could be found out of the Stock of David should be inquired for and put to death In this Persecution suffered Phocas Bishop of Pontus whom Trajan because he would not worship Neptune caused to be cast into a hot Lime-Kill and afterwards to be put into a scaulding Bath where he ended his life in the cause of Christ Then also Ignatius Bishop of Antioch was apprehended and sent to Rome where he was devoured of wild Beafts and beside these many thousands more were martyred In the Reign of Antolius Verus a great Number of the Christians suffered most cruel punishments and torments Policarpus suffered especially in Asia and France among whom was Policarp Bishop of Smyrna who was burnt at a Stake at Smyrna About this time also suffered Blandina and Ponticus a youth of fifteen years old who defying their Idols and constantly cleaving to Christ were put to all the Torments their inraged Enemies could devise till at last the youth gave up the Ghost Blandina was first pitifully whiped and then thrown to the wild Beasts then tormented on the Gridiron and at last slain Comolus the Emperour upon his Birth day calling the People of Rome together in a great Royalty cloathed in his Lions skin sacrificed to Hercules causing it to be proclaimed that Hercules was the Patron of the City whereupon Vinsencicus Eâ—sebius Perigrenous and Potentionous learned men being stirred up with Zeal went about from place to place converting the Heathen to the Faith of Christ and hearing of the Madness of the Emperour and People they reproved that Idolatrous blindness exhorting them to believe in the true and living God and that forsaking the worship ping of Divels they should honour God alone The Emperour hearing thereof caused them to be Apprehended required them to Sacrifice Hercules which they refusing to do he caused them to be grievously tormented and pressed to death with weights of Lead Severus another Emperour put forth Proclamations that no Christians should be suffered to live hereby a great Persecution was stirred up on every side and an infinite number of Martyrs were slain Potamtena was tormented with boyling Pitch poured upon her Potamtena persecuted and afterwards with her Mother Mersila and Rhais was burnt in the Fire and when Basilides Captain having the Maid to execution as he led her to the place he repressed the raging of the Multitude who followed with raging and reviling which she seeing prayed to the Lord for his Conversion to the true Faith and so with admirable patience suffered Martyrdom Shortly after Basilides being required to give an Oath in the behalf of his fellow Souldiers he denied the same plainly Basilides suffered affirming that he was a Christian and therefore he could not Swear they which heard him thought he jested at first but when he had constantly affirmed it they had him before the Judge who committed him to Ward the Christians wondering at it went to him and inquiring the cause of his Conversion he told them that Potamiena prayed for him and so he saw a Crown put upon his head adding that it should not be long before he received it and accordingly the next day he was beheaded A certain Christian being examined before the Judge and through fear being ready to shrink back there were certain persons standing by who were ready to burst for grief making signs to him by their hands and jestures to be constant which being observed they were ready to be laid hold on but they of their own accord pressed up to the Judge professed themselves to be Christians which much emboldened the weak Christian and terrified the Judge this being done they departed away rejoycing for the Testimony they had given of their Faith The crimes and charges laid to the Christians The Crimes and Accusations that was laid to the charge of the Christians by the Persecutors were That they refused to worship Idols and the Emperours and that they professed the Name of Christ yet besides all the Calamities and evils that happenedin the World as Wars Famine Pestilence c. were imputed only to the Christians But Cyprian and Tertullian confuting these Slanders proved That the special cause of all those Miseries which befel the Empire proceeded from the sheding of the Innocent Blood of the Christians Cyprian was at last condemned to have his Head cut off who patiently and willingly submitted his Neck to the stroke of the Sword Sixtus Bishop of Rome with his six Deacons for the Christian Faith were all beheaded Laurence also another of hiâ— Deacons following Sixtus Laurence Martyred as he went to his Execution complained that he might not suffer with him but that he was seeluded as the Son from the Father to whom the Bishop answered That within three days he should follow him bidding him in the mean time to go Home and if he had any Treasures to distribute them amongst the Poor the Judge hearing mention of Treasures supposing that Laurence had great store in his custody commanded him to bring the same to him Laurence craved three days respit promising then to declare where the Treasure might be had in the mean time he caused a good number of Christians to be gathered together and when the day of his answer was come the persecutors strictly charged him to make good his promise but Valiant Laurence streaching his Arms over the Poor said These are the pretious Treasures of the Church these are the Treasures indeed in whom Christ hath his Mansion c. But the Tyrant in a great fury and madness cryed kindle the Fire make no spare of Wood hath this Villain deluded the Emperour Away with him whip him with Sourges jerk him with Rods buffet him with Fists brain him with Clubs jesteth the Traytor with the Emperour Pinch him with fiery Tongs gird him with burning Plates bring out the strongest Chains and Fire-forks and the Grate of Iron
set in on the Fire bind the Rebel hand and foot and when the Grate is red hot on with him roast him broyl him toss him turn him upon pain of our high displeasure do every man his office Oh ye Tormentors Immediately his command was obeyed and after many cruel handlings this meek Lamb was laid on the Gridiron but what he indured was with such patience that the Emperour seemed to be tormented more then him though his Flesn broyled the other 's Heart burned and when he had been pressed down with Forks for a great space in the mighty Spirit of God he spake to the Tyrant thus This side is now roasted enough turn up Oh Tyrant great Assay whether roasted or Raw thou thinkst the better Meat Dioniceous writeth that the number of those that suffered Martyrdom about that time was great Men Women young Men Maidens old Wives and Men of all sorts and ages of whom some with Scourgings and Fire and some with the Sword abtained the Vâ—ctory and got the Crown neither saith he to this day doth the President cease cruelly Murdering such as be brought before him tearing some with Torments Imprisoning others and commanding that no man should come to them yet God with the daily resort of the Brethren doth comfort the afflicted Not long after this time the Church had Peace for about the space of forty four years during which time it did mightily encrease and flourish and divers of the Christians were preferred both to Court and elsewhere but through this great prosperity the Christians began to degenerate and to grow Idle striving and contending among themselves upon every occasion with railing words bespattering one another in a despiteful manner Bishops against Bishops and People against People moving hatred and sedition each against other besides cursed Hyposrisie and Dissimulation more and more by reason whereof Gods Judgments brake forth against them the Pastours being inflamed in mutual comtempt against each other then did the Lord raise up Adversaries against his People then did Dioclecian the Emperour raise a great and grievous Persecution against the Church commanding all the Meeting places of the Christians to be spoiled and cast down and the Book of the Scripture to be burnt which was executed with all rigour and contempt that might be giving out Edicts for the displacing of all Christian Magistrates and for Imprisoning of the Elders and Bishops and a great Persecution ensued But the Christians manfully passed through exceeding bitter Torments by Scouging Whipping and Racking and being put to death so that it cannot be expressed what number of Martyrs suffered what Blood was shed through all Cities and Regions for the Name of Christ in this Emperours time by divers Torments some being hanged up by the Feet and by the smoke of a small Fire strangled One Peter was hoysted up naked and so beaten and torn with Whips that his Bones might be seen then they poured on Salt and Vineger and after Roasted him with a soft Fire Also many Christians being met together Maximinian the Emperour sent some to burn the Meeting place and burn them all but first they commanded a Cryer to Proclaim that whosoever would have life should come out and sacrifice to Jupiter otherwise they should be all burnt then one steping up boldly in the name of all the rest said We are all Christians and believe that Christ is our only God and King and we will sacrifice to none but him hereupon the Fire was kindled and many Men Women and Children were burnt in that place And the punishments these Christians endured were so great and horrible as no Tongue is able to express as Whippings Scourgings Rackings horrible Scrapings Sword Fireship-boats whereinto many were put and sunk into the Sea as also hanging upon Crosses binding some to the bodies of Trees with their Head hanging downwards hanging others by the middles upon Gallowses till they dyed of hunger throwing divers alive to Bears Leopards wilde Bulls pricking others with bodkins and tallens of Beasts till they were almost dead The Christians being assembled at Antioch where one Romanus ran to them declaring to them that the Wolves were at hand which would devour them yet he exhorted them not to fear A Band of armed men were sent against them but they kept their Faith whereupon the Souldiers sent word to their Captain that they could not force the Christians to deny their Faith by reason of Romanus who did so mightily encourage them The Captain commanded that he should be brought before him which was done accordingly What saith the Captain Art thou the Author of this Sedition Art thou the cause that so many lose their lives Romanâ—â— Persecuted by the Gods I Swear thou shalt answer for them all and shalt suffer those Torments that thou encouragest them to undergo Romanus answered Thy Sentance O Emperor I willingly embrace I refuse not to be sacrificed for my Brethren and that by as cruel Torments as thou canst invent The Captain being much enraged with this his stout answer commanded him to be trust up and his bowels drawn out whereupon the Executionor said not to Sir this man is of noble pâ—rantage and therefore be may not be put to so ignoble a death scourge him then quoth the Captain with whips having knobs of lead at the end but Romamus song all the time of his whipping requiring not to favour him for nobilities sake not the blood of Progenitors saith he but the Christian Profession makes me Noble Then did he deride their Idol Gods which inraged the Tyrant so that he commanded his sides to be lanced with Knives till the Bones were laid open yet still did the holy Martyr preach the living God and the Lord Jesus Christ to him for which the Tyrant commanded them to strike out his teeth also his face was buffetted his Eye-lids torn his Cheeks gashed with Knives the skin of his Beard pulled off yet the meek Martyr said I thank thee O Captain that thou hast opened to me so many Mouthes as Wounds whereby I may Preach my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Look how many Wounds I have so many mouths I have landing and praising God The Captain astonished at his constancy bad them give over tormenting him yet he threatned to burn him reviled him and blasphemod God saying Thy crucified Christ is but a yesterdayes God the Gods of the Gentiles are of greatest Antiquity But Romanus taking occasion from hence declared to him the Eternity of Christ withall saying give me a Christian Child of seven years old and thou shalt hear what he will say hereupon a Boy was called out of the Multitude to whom Romanus said Tell me my pretty Babe whether thou think it reason that we worship Christ and in Christ one Father or else that we worship infinite Gods the Child answered that certainly what we affirm to be God must needs be one which with one is one and the same and inasmuch as this one is