to you to burn you In that said Mr. Hooper thou dost nothing offend me God forgive thee thy sins and do thy office Then the reeds being put about him he took them in his Arms and Kissed them giving order how they should be placed presently fire was ordered to be put to him but by reason the faggots were green and also very few they put this holy man to intollerable torments and the wind being also strong blew the flame from him so that he was only scorched by the fire Then they fetch'd some dry faggots and made a new fire but all the reeds being gone they burnt his neither parts and never reach'd his upper parts only scorch'd and Shriffled his Skin and burnt his hair All which time this holy Martyr was heard to pray as one without pain O Jesus the son of David have mercy upon me and receive my soul After this second fire was spent he wiped his eyes with his hands and beholding the People he said with an indifferent loud voyce For God's Love good People let me have more fire and all the while his neither paris were burning Then they made a 3d fire more extream than the other then the bladders of Gunpowder broke which did not much good by reason the wind was so Violent then he prayed with a loud voyce Lord Jesus have mercy upon me Lord Jesus receive my Spirit these were the last words he was heard to speak but when his lipps and mouth were black as a Coal and his tongue swelled they were perceived to move till his lips were quire burnt away Then he knocked his breast with his hands till one of his Arms fell off and then he knocked it still with the other whilst water fat and blood fryed out at his fingers ends at last they renewed the fire when bending his body over the hoop of Iron he yeilded up his Spirit On the same day that this last mentioned holy Martyr suffered at Gloucester Dr. Rowland Taylor the Constant Martyr of Jesus Christ in the behalf of his Gospel was burnt at Hadley in suffolk where he had been the Parson all the Reign of King Edward the 6th and upon the bringing in of Popery under Queen Mary he was disturbed at his own Church thrust out and Popish Mass Celebrated before his Face but he endeavouring all he could to hinder it complaint being made to Gardner Chancellor and Bishop of Winchester he sent for Dr. Taylor by his Letters missive to come before him at London which he readily obey'd But his friends knowing the Cruelty of that persecutor advised him to fly and save his Life but he utterly refused it saying Tho he knew they had neither Justice or Equity on their side and that he looked for nothing at his Popish Adversaries hands but Imprisonment or Cruel dearn yet since he knew his cause to be good and Righteous and Truth upon his side he would not flinch but appear and be willing to dye in so good a cause for that he was satisfied in his Conscience that the Doctrine of the Church of Rome led them to Idolatry Superstition Errors Hypocrisy and Lies After he came to London He was examined before the cruel Chancellor who called him Knave Villain Fool and such like unchristian expressions for which the Doctor humbly reproved him and seeing he could not make him turn to his Idolatry he sent him prisoner to the Kings Bench where he lay almost two years At his going away from the Bishop he kneeled down on the floor and lifting up both his hands with a loud voyce he say'd From the Tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and all his detestable errors Idolatries and abominations Good Lord deliver us When in prison he so preached to the rest of the prisoners there and used such godly exhortations and discourses leading also so strict and holy a life that he wrought upon many and converted them from their Superstitious errors He was also very Charitable while he had it relieving others tho he had a Wife and 9 Children but they soon deprived him of his benefice so that he had nothing to support him but the charity of good people which with Gods providence he found sufficient Several examinations he had before the Bishops where he strenuously maintained his positions for the Clergies Marriage and against the Corporeal presence of Christ in the Sacrament but at last they overcame him with their Temporal Weapon persecuting power backt by Statute Law and by it they Condemned him with Mr. Bradford and others to death as Hereticks to be burnt alive After this sentence he was degraded by Bishop Bonner in prison and they were compelled by main force to put on their Popish Trinkets upon his back he refuseing to do it himself and after they had notch'd his Hair and pair'd orscrap'd his fingers ends and with all their foppish Ceremonies stript him of his Popish habiliments when the Bishop should have struck him on the Breast with his staff seeing the sturdiness of the Doctor who was a portly bigg man Bonner was afraid and omitted that last Ceremony lest the Dr. should have struck him again The next day after this his degradation which is like the last unction for the burial at two of the Clock in the morning the Sheriffs took him and delivered him to his Guards who were to Conduct him to Hadley to be burnt there at which he rejoyced being willing to seal the Doctrine he had there preached with his blood His Wife fearing they would have him away by night for they feared daylight and the people she watched all night with two Children in the Porch of St. Buttolphs Church near Algate which way she knew he must pass and about 3 of the Clock it being very dark she heard the noise of the guard at which she ran out to her husband where was such a moaning and pathetick greeting or rather separation that the Sheriffs wept but forced her to depart and led him to the sign of the Woolsack where he was put on horseback with a hood over his face a place made for his Eyes to look out at and a slit for his Mouth that he might breath After this manner they carried him along that he might not be known all which he patiently suffered When he was come to Suffolk many of the Gentry and Justices of the peace met him of his friends and acquaintance all endeavouring to perswade him to save his Life by Recantation offering him not only pardon for his Life but great promotions even a Bishoprick But this good and constant professor of the Gospel strengthned by Gods holy Spirit refused all those Temptations coming to Hadley he rode thorow the Town where the poor people were assembled with grievous Moans and Tears Kneeling down and with lifted up hands prayed to God to strengthen him to whom he sayd That he had preached to them Gods Word the Truth and that he was now come to seal it
going home in the Gravesend Barge chanced into the company of a Priest in the same Barge and sitting too near the proud and surly Priest the Priest asked him if he knew him not that he sat upon his cloaths John Brown told him he did not know him nor what he was I tell thee then said the other that I am a Priest What Sir said John Brown are you a Parson or Vicar or a Ladies Chaplain No quoth he again I am a Soul Priest I sing for a Soul Do you so Sir said the other that is well done But I pray Sir said he where do you find the soul when you say Mass I cannot tell reply'd the Priest Then said the other where do you leave it when mass is done I cannot tell thee said the Priest If you can tell neither where you find it nor where you leave it when your Mass is done said John Brown how do you know how you save it Go thy waies said the Priest thou art an Heretick and I will be even with thee As he was for nor long after John Brown not thinking any thing was surprised in his own house set on horse back and his feet tyed like a Felon under the horses Belly and so carried to Canterbury and there was kept from Low Sunday till the Fryday before Easter his wife and family not knowing what was become of him There he was most cruelly handled by the Bishops Warham and Fisher as he related himself to his own Wife before his Death and the Soles of his feet being set upon hot coals till they were burned to the bones so that he could not set them to the Ground to make him as he said to deny his Lord which he resolved not to do and so indured their torments and being condemned to be burnt at his own Town of Ashford whither he was carried and the night before he was burnt set all night in the stocks where his Wife came to him whom he exhorted to continue as she had began in the fear of God and to bring up her children vertuously in the fear of God And the next day being Whit-Sunday even this godly Martyr was burnt and standing at the stake with his hands lifted up he prayed thus O Lord I yield me to thy grace Grant me mercy for my trespass Let never the Fiend my Soul chace Lord I will bow and thou shalt beat Let never my Soul come in hell's heat Into thy hands I commend my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord of Truth One Chilton the Bayliff seeing his Children at the fire bid them fling them in too for they would spring up Hereticks from his Ashes This was the end of this Martyr burnt 1517. The Horrid Murther of Mr. Hun in the Lollards Tower The next we shall briefly treat of is one Richard Hun Merchant Tailor of London esteemed a very worthy man This man had a child at nurse in Middlesex in the Parish of St. Mary Matsilon which dyed on occasion of which there fellout a quarrel between the said Rich. Hun and Thomas Dryfield the Parson of the Parish about a Mortuary which he claimed very unjustly and sued Mr. Hun in the Spiritual Court but Mr. Hun by advice of Councel took out a writ of Premunire against Tho. Dryfield this enraging the whole horners nest of Priests hanging together thought it not to be endured that a Lay man should thus be able to withstand the power of Priest-hood though in his own just defence and fearing if they should suffer this Priest to be condemned at Hunt Suit there would be a way opened for the rest of the Laity to follow the example Therefore to put a stop to this and to be revenged on him they contrive to exhibite certain Articles against him and accuse him of Heresie before the Bishop who thereupon apprehended him and committed him to the Lollards Tower at Paul's So that none of his Friends were suffer'd to come at him And from thence by the instigation of Dr. Horsey a cruel persecuter and the Bishops Chancellour he was had before the Bishop at his manour House at Fulham where he was examined and certain Articles laid to his charge That he had taught and published that Tythes were not ordained as due by God but by the Covetousness of Priests That the Bishops and Priests were the Scribes and Pharises that crucified Christ That they were only preachers and praters but no doers of Gods word That he should say he would defend the opinions of Joan Barker that was forced to abjure That he should say the Bishop and his Officers deserved punishment rather than the aforesaid Joan Barker Lastly that he kept Heretical Books damned by the Law such as the Apccalips in English The Epistles and Gospels in English Wickliffs damnable works and the like To which he gave in his Answers and was after his examination sent back to the Lollards Tower under the charge of Charles Joseph the Sumner and John Spalding the Bell ringer by the means of these two wicked fellows the bloody Papists brought about their design of Murthering this Man for about two nights after his last commitment he was found hanged on a Beam in the aforesaid Tower Spalding after the Murther got himself our of the way and left the Keys of the Prison with one of his companions to deliver to the Sumners Boy who usually carried Mr. Hun his Meat The Boy going into the Prison about 10 of the Clock in the Morning on the 4th of December with two others found Mr. Hun hanging with his face to the wall who being astonished went and informed the Chancellor being then at Church after his Contrivance who went with certain of his Colleagues to the Prison and finding him hanged after their usual manner he caused it to be blazed abroad that he had hanged himself But for all that the People suspected more truly the contrary and that they had murthered him Whereupon a Contention arose between the Bishop who took his Clergys part and averr'd he had murthered himself and the Citizens who lay'd his Death to the charge of the Bishops Officers And causing the Coroner to sit upon view of his body and according to Law to chuse an Inquest and to give their Verdict vexed the Bishop and Papists so much that the Bishop proceeded ex Officio as in case of Heresie against the dead person supposing that if he were condemn'd of Heresie that they durst not find it but that he had murthered himself whereupon they objected several new matters against him too long to relate whether true or false it matters not for they were such as a good man might not be ashamed to own These Articles they cause to be proclaimed at Pauls Cross the Sunday following and according to certain rules and prescripts of the Bishop a Solemn process was framed against the dead for whom none dareing to appear sentence was pronounced against the dead carcase for Heresie and the
water I will be with thee and the strong floods shall not overthrow thee When thou 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 The next day being Saturday with a great Guard of Glaves and Bilmen they fetch'd this constant Martyr out of prison carrying him to a place called the Lollards Pit which was encompassed about with hills as he passed the streets he distributed Alms to the poor by the hands of one Dr. Warner Parson of Winterton his Friend and one he had chosen to give him ghostly comfort at the Stake he was clad in a Lay habit with his sleeves hanging down his hair cut and mangled at his degradation however he seemed of an upright and chearful countenance being but little in Stature Being at the Stake while they were preparing the materials for his burning he desired to speak a few words to the people In which he told them he was born and so of necessity must dye he had Life with that condition 't was natural but he was there to testifie that he dyed a good Christian and in a right belief towards almighty God Upon which he rehearsed the Articles of the Creed with the Elevation of his Eyes and hands towards heaven and at the Article of Christs Incarnation having a little meditation with himself and coming to the word Crucified he bowed himself with great reverence and then proceeded to the rest This done he put off his Gown and kneeled down upon a little ledg at the foot of the stake for him to stand on that he might be more Conspicuous to the people where he prayed privatly with great fervency his Eyes and hands lifted up towards Heaven ending at last with the 143 Psalm which he repeated aloud Hear my prayer O Lord and consider my desire which he repeated in Latin thrice with deep meditation and then again Enter not into Judgment with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Having put off his Jacot and Doublet he stood in his Breeches and shirt and so was chained to the stâ—ke bidding his friends chearfully farewell and when Dr Warner could not speak to him for weeping be said to him pasce gregem tuum c. Feed your flock feed the flock that when the Lord cometh he may find you so doing Then many of the priests and Fryers his enemies finding the people to murmur much for their puting him to death some of them spake to Mr. Bilney to satisfie the people concerning them lest they should withdraw their charitable Arms upon which Mr. Bilney said with a loud voyce I pray you good people be never the worse to these men for my sake and tho they should have been the Authors of my death it was not they Then the officers setting fire to the reeds made a very great flame which he feeling held up his hands and then Knocking his Breast he often cryed on the name of Jesus and sometimes said Credo Credo I believe I believe but the wind being very high it blew the flame from him with its violence so that he suffered much ere the wood took fire and had strength enough to burn him at last he bowed over the chain and gave up the Ghost which one of the officers seeing thrust the staple out of the stake with his halbert so let the body drop into the fire flinging faggots upon him he was so Consumed to Ashes and this was the end of this good man Martyr and Saint as Mr. Latimer calls him Mr. Bilney who dyed at Norwich 1531. Mr. Bayfeild Martyr The next in order that suffered the torment of the flames by the bloody persecuting Papists was Mr. Richard Bayfeild in the year 1532 in the month of Novem in Smithfieild He was sometimes a Monk of Bury converted by Doctor Barnes and two others of London the said Doctor giving him a Testament of Tindals Translation and other godly books in English which so wrought upon this Monk that he made them his dayly study till at last he was found out by some of the Fryers of the Covent was by them gaged and cruelly whipped and imprisoned in the House and put in the Stocks for 3 quarters of a year ere Doctor Barnes could get him out which he at last effected by means of one Dr. Ruffam his friend one of the same House Dr. Barnes had him with him to Cambridge where he studied and profited so well that he never more returned to his Covent but went to Lond. where he hid himself for a while till he got beyond sea where he was very usefull and assisted Tindal and Frith but coming over again to London and lodging in Bucklersbury he was betray'd being dogg'd thence to his Bookbinders in Mark lanâ— was there taken and carryed to the Lollards Tower where finding one Parson Patmore imprisoned for the same Doctrine he wonderfully strengthen'd him confirm'd him by his discourse which being perceived they caused Mr. Bayfeild to be removed to the Bishops Colehouse As for the Parson he was afterwards adjudged by the Bishop to perpetual Imprisonment from which he was at last delivered by the Kings Pardon But as for Mr. Bayfeld he being now in the Colehouse was more Cruelly handled than before for they tied him to the Wall by the neck middle and legs to force him to accuse others but he would not Several Articles were put in against him and among the rest this viz. that he should say all laud praise should be given to God alone and not to Saints or Creatures He very learnedly answered all the Articles put in against him and offered to dispute with the most learned of them the points which he asserted but they had other more powerfull Weapons to fight with than words the Papal Jurisdiction by which they condemned him first for a relapsed Heretick and then sentenced him to be degraded upon which Mr. Bayfeild being moved more than Ordinary said to the Bishop who had pronounced the sentence against him The Life of you of the spirituality is so evil that ye be hereticks for ye do not only live evilly but ye maintain evil living contrary to the Gospel of Christ and the true belief of Christs Church Upon which they proceeded actually to degrade him which done they delivered him over to the Secular power who received him into their Jurisdiction without any Writ but only by virtue of the Bish Letters according to a Stature made Hen. 4. when they had degraded Mr. Bayfeild the Bishop being present struck him with his Crosier Staff that he had in his hand on the brest with such violence that he overturned Mr. Bayfeild who was on his knees before him and falling back on the pavement broke his head so that he lay a while stun'd and in a swone ere they could bring him to himself When he said I rejoyce that I
sent to the Tower where he wrote an excellenâ— tract concerning the Sacrament which Sr. Tho Mâ—â—â— thought worthy of answer by himself But Frith treatise coming into several hands did much good and was some means of Converting Archbishop Cranmer He maintained his Arguments so strenuously and with so much learning against all the Bishops that they knew not what to say to him But in the end after many appearances before these wolfish Prelates on the 20th of June 1533. he received his sentence from the Bishop of London to be burnt thereupon directing his Letter to Sr. Scephen Peacock the Mayor of London and to the Sheriffs to receive him he was delivered over to the secular power who on the 4th of July following caused him to be burnt in Smithfield together with Andrew Hewet where he suffered Death with great courage and constancy For when the faggots and fire were put unto him he embraced them declaring with what quiet of mind he suffered for Christs Sake and the true Doctrine of which he that day gave a cheerful testimony with his Blood The wind bare away the flame from him to his fellow who was tyed to his back so that he was Longer in dying yet God giving him strength he bore it with such patience as if he felt no pain or torment but rather seemed to be joyful for his fellow than careful for himself As to the other Martyr who suffered with Mr. 〈◊〉 Frith his name was Andrew Hewet born in Feverâ—â—am in the County of Kent he was but a young man and had been at Apprentise to a Taylor in Waring Street but being suspected he was betray'd â—nd had to Prison in the Lollards Tower where one â—rocuring him a file he filed off his Irons and made â—is escape but was not long after retaken and uâ—ed much worse till at last after much hard usage â—nd long imprisonment he was condemned to be â—urnt and suffered in the same fire with the aforeâ—aid Mr. Frith when they were at the Stake and desired the Prayers of the People one Doctor Cook a Parson in London openly admonished â—he People not to pray for those Martyrs no more than for a Dog Mr. Frith desired God to forgive him and the People were much displeased The Martyrdom of Thomas Bennet The next that we read of was on Thomas Bennet who received his Martyrdom at Exeter He was born at Cambridge and there Commenced Master of Arts one well learned a familiar acquaintance of Mr. Bilney the glorious Martyr we have spoken of before Finding the great Corruption of the Clergy to be a great trouble to him and fearing to fall into trouble in his own Country that he might have the more freedom he went into Devonshire in the year 1524. dwelling at a Town called Torrington where he was utterly unknown Here he kept a School being Married but his expectation being not there answered he went to exeter about a year after where he also taught School and so maintained his Family He was a man of a quiet behaviour of a godly Conversation of a very courteous nature humble to all Men and offensive to none and a diligent and attentive hearer of Sermons All his spare time he gavâ— to the study of the Scriptures But when he hearâ— of one Wil. Stroud of Newnham of that County Esâ—â— was put into the Bishops prison for the sake of the Gospel he wrote to him many Comfortable Letters discloseing to him who he was and for whaâ— he came into that Country among other Expressions he had this That because he would not be 〈◊〉 whoremaster or an unclean person he had marrieâ— a Wife with whom he had lived out of thâ— Tyranny of his Antichristian persecutors for Six years he having been a Priest and taken Orders Thiâ— man being full of zeal for Christ and his Gospel beholding dayly the gross Idol-tries committed tâ— dumb Idols and hearing the blasphemies of the Popish teachers he could not be quiet in his mind tilâ— he had given his testimony against them and thâ—â— he knew the danger that he incurr'd thereby yet he thoughâ— he should do more good anâ— be more profitable to the Church of God by hâ—â— death than by his Life Therefore desiring hâ—â— friends that God would strengthen and support his in his Intentions he set upon the door of the Cathedral That the Pâ—pe was Antichrist and the Saints were not to be Woâ—shipped but God alone This did not a little inrage the Bishop and all the Priests and they caused the Mayor to mâ—ke a diligent search thorow the City for the Heretick who durst put up this Blasphemous Bill as they calâ—ed it and the most Learned among them were calâ—ed upon to preach against it but not being able to find out who did it they proceed however to curse the parâ—y with Bell Book and Candle which they perâ—ormed with great Fopperie and Ceremony The Priests being apparelled in White and the Monks â—â—anding round about the Cross and holy Candles â—eing holden up one of them ascending the Pulpit â—egan his Sermon with this Text Est blasphemia in â—asâ—is There is Blasphemy in the Army c. Spoâ—en by Joshua Concluding that the damnable Hereâ—ick who had put up that Blasphemous Bill was â—amnably accursed and so besought God our Laâ—y St. Peter Patron of the Church with all the Hoâ—â— Martyrs Confessors Virgins c. that it might â—e known what wicked and accursed Heretick had â—ut up that Blasphemous Bill that Gods People might â—voyd the Vengeance Then the Bishop stood up â—nd said by the Authority of God the Father Alâ—ighty and by the blessed Virgin Mary of St. Peter â—nd St. Paul and of the holy Saints we Excomâ—unicate we utterly Curse and Ban Commit and â—eliver to the Devil of Hell him or her whatsoâ—ver he or she be that have in Spite of God and St. â—eter whose Church this is in Spite of all holy Saints 〈◊〉 in Spite of our most holy Father the Pope and in â—pite of the reverend Father in God John Diocesan â—nd the Worshipful Canons Masters and Priests 〈◊〉 Clarks which serve God dayly in this Cathedral â—hurch fixed up with wax a cursed and heretical â—ill full of Blasphemy upon the door of this holy â—hurch Excommunicate plainly be he or she and â—elivered over to the Devil as perpetual malefaâ—â—ors and Schismaticks Accursed may they be and â—iven Body and Soul to the Devil Cursed be they â—e or she in Citys and Towns in Fields and in Ways in Paths in Houses out of Houses in all other places standing lying or riseing walking or running waking or sleeping eating or drinking or whatsoever thing they do besides We separate them him or her from the Threshold and from all the 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 merits of Gods Priests and religious men and from all their Cloysters from all
their pardons priviledges grants and immunities which all the Holy Fathers Popes of Rome have granted to them And we give over utterly to the power of the Fiend them he or she 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 then he put out one of the Candles and let us pray to God if they be alive that their Eyes maâ— be put out as this light Candle is with that he puâ— out another Candle let us pray to God and to ouâ— Lady to St. Peter and Paul and all holy Saints that all the senses of their Bodys may fail them and thaâ— they may have no feeling as now the light of thiâ— Candle is gone out and so he put out the 3d Candle except they he or she come openly now and confess their Blasphemy and make satisfaction to God our Lady St. Peter and the worshipful company of this Cathed Chu as this Holy Cross staff that now falleth down so may they except they repent and shew themselves Then the Cross staff falling down the people gave a great shout and so the Ceremony ended Thomas Bennet was there in presence and could not choose but laugh at their foppery upoâ— which he was laid hold on but not suspected for the Heretick they had cursed contrary to the Doctrine of Christ they let him go again But nâ—â— long after his Boy setting up more Bills on the Churcâ— door he was taken in the Action and then Mâ— Bennet was seized and cast into prison he freely acknowledging the Action and that he would maintain the doing of it upon this they put him into the Stocks with heavy Irons and Bolts many disputeâ— the Priests and Fryers had with him whom he answered with much sobriety and maintained his Assertions with so much learning that they knew not what to say to him But to handle him more Cruelly as also his wife who was a partaker with her husband in his sufferings About a weeks time they endeavoured all they could to cause him to recant but in vains upon which they pronounced him an obstinate Heretick and so Condemned him to be burnt And the writ de Comburendo c. being procured and sent from London they delivered him over to Sir Tho. Denis Sheriff of Devonshire to be burnt and being brought to his Execution in a place called Liverydole without Exeter where he behaved himself with so much moderation and Christian patience making to the people such pithy and godly exhortations at his Death that many of his very enemies could not but say and Confess that he was a good man and a servant of God Yet one of them when he was at the Stake endeavouring to perswade him to pray to the Virgin Mary and the Saints he denyed and told them he had but one Advocate Jesus Christ who dyed for us and now sitteth at the right hand of the Father and to him they ought only to pray which this zealous man hearing his name being Barnhouse he was so inraged that taking a furze bush on the end of a pike he set it on fire and thrust it into the Holy Martyrs face At which the Holy man holding up his hands said Sir trouble me not now and presently prayed Pater ignosce illis c. Father forgive them c. upon which fire was put to the Furzes and Wood when Mr. Bennet lifting up his hands and eyes towards heaven He cryed out O Lord receive my Spirit and so Continuing in his prayers never stir'd or mov'd but most patiently abode the Cruelty of the Fire till his Life was ended Great persecution in London About the same time a very great persecution was maintained by Bishâ—p Stokâ—sly in his Diocess of London causeing about 138 several persons to abjure and the Body of one Mr. Tracy to be taken up and burnt for an Heretick because he had spoken against the mass and praying to Saints in his Testament About the same time ten Anabaptists were also put to Death for their Religion But now after that King Henry had marryed Ann of Bullein there was a Cessation of their bloody persecution for a time and the Church had some rest from these Tyrants she favouring those of the Religion this being the Mother of our glorious Queen Elizabeth who was not long after born and now the Popes Supremacy was utterly abolished out of England And many of the High and ranting Popelings now turned their coats and preached publickly against the Supremacy of the Pope for which they before had burnt divers for maintaining it But Sir Tho. More and Bishop Fisher two great persecutors were beheaded Mr. Tyndal Martyred in Flanders In the year 1536 Willam Tyndal who may be called the Apostle of this Nation was Martyr'd in Flanders He was born on the borders of Wales and brought up in the University of Oxford where he was first Converted to the Gospel and after that he removed to Cambridg where he also studied and ripened in the study of Gods Word From thence he went into Glocester Shire and lived with one Welch a Knight of that County as a Tutor to his children where he translated the Enchiridion of Erasmus into English but being there persecuted by the Priests of that Country he was fain to fly to London and thence went into Germany where he Translated the Bible into English being assisted in it by Mr. Coverdale This translation enraged the Popish Priests so that they procured an order to have it burnt desiring to keep the people in Ignorance Afterwards Mr. Tyndal being at Antwerp where he lay was betrayed by one Phillips his own Country man to whom he had been very kind and familiar and took him to be his friend but he was deceived in him carried prisoner to Filford Castle by the Emperors officers where he continued till he was Martyr'd at the procuration of his most Cruel enemies the Priests for no other crime than translating the Bible He was first strangled at a Stake and then burnt to Ashes by the Emperors decree Mr. Tyndal crying at his death O Lord open the King of Englands Eyes The very same year Queen Ann was beheaded Mr. Lambert Martyr The next we shall take notice of is John Lambert Alias Nicholson born and brought up in Northfolk but studied at Cambridg where he was Converted by Mr. Bilney and profited very much both in the Latine and Greek tongues But perceiving the violence of the times to avoyde persecution went over into Germany to Mr. Tyndal where he remained sometime Preacher and Chaplain to an English House in Antwerp till he was disturbed by Sir Tho. Moor and taken and brought thence to London where there was 45 Articles laid to his charge all which he answered in writing He was kept in prison till the death of Archbishop Warham when he was released and kept a privat School in London but not long after he
began to dispute about the Sacrament and real presence which brought him into farther trouble For by the Advice of Gardner Bishop of Winchester because the King had Contracted great hatred from the people for his demolishing the Abbies and Monkeries saying he favoured Hereticks and heresie he was resolved to shew the Contrary by his Actings against this John Lambert and therefore after several disputings before the Bishops the King resolves by Gardners advice to hear the matter himself where this Holy man maintained his Arguments with great learning and modesty for 5 hours against 10 Prelates who disputed against him and notwithstanding the Kings fâ—owns and taunts being upholden by the Spirit of God the main thing being the business of the real presence in the Sacrament which he denyed At last it being night and the King willing to be gone asked Mr. Lambert whether he would live or dye for it way yet in his free choyce to which Lambert Answered that he submitted himself wholly unto the will of his Majesty Then said the King commit your self into the hands of God and not into mine my Soul replyed he I Commend into the hands of God but my Body wholly to your Clemency Then said the King if you commit your self to my Judgment you must dye for I will not be a Patron to Hereticks After which he commanded Cromwell to read the sentence of Death upon him which was done to his grief for he was a great favourer of the Gospellers but feared if he should refuse he should incur the Kings displeasure and do him no good But it is said that Cromwel asked him forgiveness before he dyed for reading the sentence against him Lambert having notice of his death prepared for it very cheerfully and it is to be noted that among all these who had suffered at Smithfield there was none that was so cruelly handled as this man for after his Leggs were burned to the stumps withdrawing the fire from him tâ— put him to more torment two that stood one eacâ— side of him pitching their piked halberts into his body lifted him up as high as the chain would permit them when he lifting up his hands all of a flaâ—â— cryed aloud to the people none but Christ none bâ—â— Christ and being let down again into the fire he ended his Life in year 1538. The Murther of Mr. Packington We cannot here pass over the murther of Mr. Robert Packington who was a Burgess in Parliamenâ— for the City of London where it seems he was too free in speaking against the Covetousness and pride of the Clergy for which they Stomached him and knowing him to be a stout resolute man such another as Sir Edmondbury Godfrey and might do them a prejudice they resolved to take him out of the way They had observed that every morning he went to prayers at 5 of the Clock winter Summer to the Church called St. Thomas of Acres now Mercers Chappel being not far from his house dwelling in Cheapside upon which one morning as the said Mr. Packington was Crossing the street to go over to the Chappel being a very misty morning and fit for their black purpose he was shot with a Gun several Neighbours hearing it go off and the Labourers who stood at Soper-lane end saw him fall upon the shot but the Murtherer could not be heard of having dexterously made his escape The blow heard they had not the opportunity of putting or according to our new phrase of shamming the Murther upon himself But God that reveals the close designs of the wicked and brings such horrid Contrivances to Light for his Glory and our Instruction at last brought this Murther to Light for Dr. Incent Dean of St. Pauls being on his Death Bed had such horrors of Conscience that he could not die till he had confessed that he had hired an Italian to murther the said Mr. Packington no doubt as he thought for the good of the Church and thus it came to be known and the horrid malice of the Clergy to all that speak or any way Act against them to be taken notice of Two Mad Men burnt for Hereticks We shall not omit the burning of Mr. Collens a Lawyer who by occasion of the lightness of his Wife whom he passionately lov'd fell mad and besides his senses this man one Sunday going into a Church and seeing the Priest holding the Host up between his hands over his head he took up his Dog and did the like which they taking it done in derision tho he was mad had him Condemned and burned for an Heretick both he and his Dog being burnt in Smithfield the same year 1538. In the same or the next following year one Cowbridg was burnt at Oxford being also mad and out of his right senses and had more need of Physick to restore him to his right mind than punishment and to be sent to Bethlem than to the fire but such was the merciless Cruelty of these persecutors that they would spare none However it was observed that this Martyr being in the midst of the Flames lift up his head towards Heaven and called upon the name of Jesus till he dyed Also the same year was one Puttedew burnt in Suffolk for jesting only with the Priest saying that after he had drunk up all the Wine himself he blessed the people with the hungry Chalice for this he was Condemned and burned for an Heretick And about the same time one William Leiton was burnt at Norwich for speaking against an Idol that they were wont to carry about in Procession and for saying the Lords Supper ought to be administer'd to the Laity in both kinds N. Peke burnt at Ipswich About the same time one N. Peke was burnt at Ipswich who being at the Stake and the Furze and Faggots being set on fire when he was as black as a Coal Dr. Reading being by with a white Wand which he held in his hand he stroke Peke on the shoulder and bid him recant and acknowledge that the Sacrament of the Altar was the very Body of Christ Flesh Blood and Bones and he would absolve him to which he answered I defie both it and thee and with great violence spat blood out of his Body his Veins being broke within him Upon which this Popish Doctor in the Name of the Bishop proclaimed that whosoever cast a stick into the fire towards the burning of that obstinate Heretick should have 40 days pardon upon which many ran and flung sticks into the fire to obtain this pardon such was their blindness and Ignorance Not long after by the cunning devices of Gardner Bishop of Winchester and other Popish Prelates the six Articles were obtained in Parliament The first of which was concerning transubstantiation declaring the Sacrament of the Altar after the Priestly consecration to be the very Body of our Lord with a penalty that those who should deny this Article either by word of mouth or writing should be burnt alive
two Thieves even so when the Priest is at mass and hath lifted the Host over his Head he there hangeth between two Thieves except he be one that preaches the Word of God truly That he had said to the people that they should not eat and tear the flesh of Christ with their teeth c. For Christ said This is my Body which was the Word of God which was to be broken to the people with such like to which he gave his particular Answers But a Commission was sent down for the tryal of these persons according to the Act of the six Articles and the aforesaid persons clapt into the Jayle Testwood being sick and in bed was haled thence and forced into prison going upon Crutches The chief Judges who sat on these men were Doctor Capon Bishop of Salisbury Sr. William Essex Knight Sr. Tho Bridges Sr. Humphry Foster Mr. Franklin Dean of Windsor and Mr. Fachell of Reading After very unjust doings packing of the Jury being strangers and not of the neighbourhood and all of them farmers belonging to the Colledg of Windsor and some of them Contrary to the Statute had but one witness appearing against them yet they were all of them found guilty by the Jurie and condemned to dye the next day by the Court Fatchell giving the Sentence There came a pardon for Marbeck the rest seeing their hard lot comforted one another knowing that they dyed in a good Cause All night they spent in fervent prayer to God to strengthen them that they might be stedfast in their torments praying also for their persecutors that God would forgive them since they did what they did through blind Ignorance and zeal The next day being Fryday their execution was respired but on the Saturday when they were to dye desiring to receive the Sacrament it was denyed them for they said it was not to be granted to Hereticks but they might be Confessed if they would As they passed thorow the Streets they prayed all good people to pray for them and Filmer who was Condemned from the testimony of his own Brother only as he past by his door called several times on him that he mought see him but he would not appear however Filmer most Christian like desired God to forgive him for he had restified wrongfully against Him When they were come to the Stake Mr. Persons with a chearful Countenance embracing the Stake in his Arms and Kissing it said Now welcom my own sweet Wife for this day shall thou and I be married together in the Love and peace of God Being all bound to the post a certain young man of Filmers acquaintance brought him a pot of drink which he drâ—nk of to his Companions who pledged him at when drinking their Adversaries made a jesting reporting afterwards that they were all drunk and knew not what they said After they had drank Mr. Filmer said my Brethren let us be merry in the Lord for I trust in God that after this sharp Breaâ—fast we shall have a good dinner in the Kingdom of Christ our Lord and Redeemer At which words the Fire being set to the straw Testwood lifting up his Hands and eyes to Heaven desired God to receive his spirit And Mr. Persons pulling the straw to him put a good handful on his Head saying This is Gods Hat now am I dressed like a true Souldâ—ers of Christ by whâ—se merits onâ—y I trust this day to enter into his Joy And so they yeilded up their souls to God like meek Lambs with so much patience and tranquillity and so great stedfastness that amazed the people many wished that they had been so happy as to have dyed with them The Persecutors disgraced Not long after the whole Conspiracy of the Bishop of Winchester Dr. London Simone and Okeham came to be revealed by Gods Providence and how unjustly they had dealt with these poor men haveing also lay'd a design against several of the Kings Privie Council and many Knights and Gentlemen as favourers of Heresie which being made known to the King he withdrew his Favour from Gardner and London Simmons and Okeham Perjurie being proved against them rode thorow Windsor with their faces to the Horses tails and papers of their Crimes pinned on their breasts and Okeham the like at Newberry where he stood in the pillory Thus God by his secret Judgment brought the wickedness of these malicious Papists to light and their persons to disgrace being ever hated of all men About the same time great persecution was made at Calice where one Adam Damlip Dod and several others were Martyred And likewise in Scotland suffered many Martyrs in the latter end of the reign of King Henry the 8th of England as Mr. Wisehart Walace Sr. John Borthwick and divers others so that many there as well as in England sealed to the truth of the Gospel with their Blood But we shall omit forreigners and speak only of those of our own nation as we have at first proposed having enough and too many executed and tormented by the bloody Papists Kerby and Clark Martyr'd in Suffolk In the year 1546 Mr. Kerby and Clark were burned for their religion in Suffolk passing over one Henrie and his servant burnt at Colchester and also one Sary a Priest who was hang'd privatly in the Bishop of Winchesters Porters lodg and that not without the privity of the Bishop himself as it was thought for indeed it would be too long to enumerate all the publick and private Murthers of these bloody Papists But as to the Story of Kerby and Clark in brief it was this Kerby and Clark of Mendelsham in the County of Suffolk were apprehended for Gospellers and thrown into the Goal and a Commission was sent down to try them the chief of the Commissioners was the Lord Wentworth Being brought before them having in Secret prayed to themselves a while with hands eyes lifted up they hearkned to their charge which were certain Articles put in against them concerning the Sacrament and being there publickly demanded if that after the words of Consecration spoken by the Priests the breed did not then become the very flesh blood and bones of Jesus Christ as he was born of the Virginâ— they answered No That they did not believe it but that it was a sign to put us in mind of Christs Death for the remission of our sins Upon his after they had used 〈◊〉 â—â—gâ—mentâ— perswasions and threats to thes poor men to make them alter thâ—ir minds in vain sentence was given against them Kerby to be burnt in Ipswich the next Saturday following and Roger Clark at Bury before Gang Munday ensuing Kirby having received his sentence holding up his hands with humble reverence bowing himself he said Praysed be Almightie God and then stoâ—d still saying no more And Clark at pâ—rting from the Judgment seat said with some Vehemency Fight for your God for he hath not long to coâ—tinue which was a Prophesie of the Reformation
which happened not long after The next day which was Saturday Kerby was brought forth to the marker place about ten of the Clock where was a Stake ready wood broom and straw for his burning Having put off his clothes to his shirt with his night cap on his head he was fastened to the Stake with Irons The Lord Wentworth and others sitting in Gallery to see the execution a very great Concourse of people being present One Doctor Righam made an oration or sermon after which he examined Kerby concerning his belief of the Sacrament to which he answered as before and that he would dye in that Opinion After which the Sheriff asking him if he had any more to say he took off his night Cap and Casting it away he lifted up his hands and said the â—e Deum the Belief and other prayers in the English tongue And it was observed that the Lord Wentworth and divers others could not refrain from weeping at the humble Carriage of this holy Martyr After he had done he bid the Sheriff do his office and fire being set to him he called upon God Knocking his Breast as long as he had any remembrance left The people being much affected at the Carriage and Constancy of this illiterate man praysed God with great admiration On the Gang Monday about ten of the Clock Anno 1546 Roger Clark was brought out of prison going on foot to be burnt in Bury By the way the procession met him but he would take no other notice but kept on his way only reproving the people for their Idolatry and Superstition at which the officers were much offended When he came to the place of execution all things being ready he kneeled down at the Stake and said aloud the Magnificat in English making a kind of parraphrase thereof After he had done he was fastned to the Stake and fire was set to him but the wood being green he was almost suffocated with smoke and part of him being only scorched he suffered unmerciful torments and his feet being put into a pitch'd barrell he was so pained that he got them out with Violence At length one beating off the Iron ring that fastened his neck to the Stake let him fill down into the fire and so he was at last Consumed to Ashes About the same time one Rogers was burnt in Northfolk by means of that Bishop and the Duke upon the 6 Articles But I shall now conclude this second part with the Martyrdom of Ann Askew a Vertuous and Constant woman in the Cause of Christ with whom also was burnt in Smithfield John Lacells a Gentleman of the Court and houshold to the King Nicholas Belenian a Priest and John Adams a Tayler The Martyrdom and Cruel usage of Mrs. Ann Askew and 3 Gentlemen in Smithfield Mrs. Ann Askew had been in great troâ—ble for a year before 1546 having been in several prisons had before the Lord Mayor the Bishop and Councell for her religion chiefly for not owning the real presence in the Sacrament being also most falsly accused of several other Articles by the malice and Instigation of the Popish Priests her inveterate Enemies but by her prudent Answers to all their intrapping questions and by the solicitation of her Friends she came cut upon bail but the year 1546. by means of her aforesaid Enemies and especially by the power and malice of Bishop Bonner then Bishop of London and the Chancellor Writhsley she was brought again into trouble and put into prison being several times examined they hoping by her means to detect several Ladys and great persons of her acquaintance for Hereticks but all they could doe could not make her Confess any to do them injury which so enraged them that they took her from Newgate where she had been imprisoned and sent her to the Tower where they resolved to torment this Innocent Gentlewomen but most Constant servant of Jesus Christ Therefore to make her Confess they caused her to be put upon the Rack where they kept her till she swouned and when the Lieutenant of the Tower pittying her weak Condition refused to rack her any Longer The Chancellor himself and oâ—e Mr. Rich who was with him threatned the Lieutenant of the Tower to Complain of him to the King for favouring Hereticks this was Sr. Anthony Knevet but when they saw they could not prevail with him to torment the languishing Gentlewoman any farther the Chancellor and Rich throwing off their gowns would needs play the Tormentors themselves and asking her first if she were with child she told them they should not spare her for that but do their wills upon her upon which they lay'd her again upon the Rack where they most Cruelly and barbarously tormented her till all her bones and joynts were pulled out of their places she enduring it with most admirable patience all the time praying to God and when they had tyred themselves to no purpose not being able with all their torments to make her Confess any thing or accuse any body they left her to be carried away in a chair to her lodging not being able to stir hand or foot She was therefore at last Condemned to be burnt upon that Article for denying the real prefence after the words of Consecration which she denyed saying that then their Creed was false which says he sitteth at the Right hand of God the Father Almighty c. This Gentlewoman was born of a good stock and might have liv'd well and plentifully and in great prosperity would she have gone against her Conscience and have denied Christ But she gloried in her sufferings which God enâ—bled her to endure and at last sealed neâ— testimony with her blood after she had been several ways tormented and leaving behind her an example of Christian fortitude for all men to follow and by her example and exhortations the three aforesâ—â—d men Mr. Lacesâ—s Belenian and Adams were encouraged and received from her great comfort at their Death being burnt with nor in Smithfield Mrs Askew being not able to goe by reason of her racking she was brought to the Stake in a chair where she was fastned by the middle with a chain and so were the rest of the Martyrs and all things being prepared there being a great Concourse of people and the Chancellor the Duke of Northfolk the Earl of Bedford the Lord Mayer and others of quality being present sitting on a Scaffold Dr. Snaxton made a Sermon after which the fire being ready to be put to them the Chancellor sent to Mrs. Askew the Ks. pardon if she woulâ— recant her opinion which she utterly refused Then the same was offer'd to the rest but they also followed her example being strengthened by her exhortations upon which the Lord Mayor cryed fiat Jâ—stitia and so caused fire to be put to them which these Martyrs constantly and without shrinking or shewing any change endured till their bodies were consumed This execution was about the month of June 1546. Thâ—
it was here stablished under K. Edward exhorting the People to remain constant to the same For which sermon he was immediatly called to account and tho he was at that time acquitted by the Council yet the Bishops thirsting after his blood as soon as the Queen had put forth her Proclamation to prohibit preaching he was â—gain called before the Council and his Doctriâ—â— found fault with and he confined to his House But it was not long ere he was taken thence and sent to Newgate by the procurement of Bishop Benner And on the 21 of Jan. 1555. he was examined upon certain Articles before the chancellor which was Gardner Bishop of Winchester Where he maintained that the Church of Rome was not the Catholick Church and that Christ not the Pope was the Head of the Church On the 28th and 29 day following of the same month he was again examined concerning the real presence in the Sacrament which he would nor own Then they asked him if he would come over to the Church of Rome and submit himself and receive the Queens mercy as others had done but he refused to deny his opinions or to embrace that which he knew was antichristian After they had thus baited this holy man for two daies they condemned him upon these Articles That he had said that the Catholick Church of Rome was the Church of Antichrist and that in the Sacrament of the Altar there was no Substantial Real or Natural body of Christ After his condemnation was read they caused him to be degraded and then delivered him to the Sheriffs to be punished Mr. Hooper being at the same time condemned with him they were both led by the Sheriff from St. Mary Overies in Southwark where they were condemned to Newgate Here he â—ay till the 4th of February being Monday early in the Morning the Keepers wife of Nâ—wgate came to him and finding him fast asleep could hardly wake him with Jogging to tell him he must prepare himself that day to be burnt Which Messâ—ge he received cheerfulâ—y and going to put on his cloaths I need not stâ—nd said he to fastâ—n my points He sent to Bish p Bonner that he might see and speak with his wifâ— which was denyed h m Then they searched his chamber for his writings but he had hid them in such an abscure place under the stairs that they could not find them but was after found â—y his wife and one of his children by Gods providence where was his tryal confession and answer to all his Articles as they are set down at large by Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments one of the Sheriffs named Woodroof coming to have him out of Newgate to his execution in Smithfield asked him â—f he would recant his abominable Doctrine and â—â—il opinion of the Sacrament of the Altar But Mr. Rogers answered him and say'd That which I hâ—ve preached I will seal with my Blood Then the Sâ—eriff called him Heretick That will be known says Mr. Rogers at the day of Judgment But says the Sheriff I will never pray for you Then I will pray for you said the holy Martyr Then he was led away on foot by the said sheriffs men towards Smithfield he saying the Psalm Miserere by the way all the people wonderfully rejoycing at his constancy with great praise and thanks to God for the same As he was going his Wife met him in the way with 10 Children that could go and one sucking at her Breast but this sorrowful sight of his own flesh and blood could nothing move him but he constantly and chearful proceeded to his death A little before he came to the stake a pardon was brought him if he would recant but he utterly refused it When he came to the stake he found there the Queens Controller and Sr. Richard Southwell both the Sheriffs and an infinite number of People to see him burnt He used not many words for indeed they would not permit him only he exhorted the People to remain in that faith and true Doctrine which he before had taught and they had learned and for the confirmation whereof he was not only content patiently to suffer and bear all such bitterness and cruelty as had been shewed him but also most gladly to resign up his Life and to give his flesh to the consuming fire for the Testimony of the same Thus he took his death with great meekness and wonderful patience in the defence and quarrel of Christ's Gospel When fire was put to him as it were washing and rubbing his hands in the midst of the flame he cry'd out Lord receive my Spirit till he was consumed to Ashes He was the first Protomartyr in Queen Maries daies of all that blessed company of sufferers and gave the first adventure upon the fire The Martyrdom of Mr Saunders at Coventry The next that we shall mention who much about the same time suffered by fire for the Gospel was Mr. Lawrence Saunders who was burnt at Coventry on the 8th of february 1555. This man was born of good parents his mother being a Gentlewoman of good Quality he was first educated at Eaton Colledg from thence sent to Kings Colledg in Cambridge where he continued for some time and profited very much in his Studies but his mother intending him for a Merchant took him from thence and bound him Prentise to Sr William Chester who was afterwards Sheriff of London the same year that Mr. Saunders was burnt But God so wrought on the spirit of this young man that he still continued his Studies finding an aversion in himself to the way he was in which made him pensive and melanchollick which being perceived by his Master he desired to know what might be the reason of it upon which he freely declared his mind and how he was bent on his Studies and did not at all relish that kind of Life upon which his Master wrote to his friends and freely gave him up his Indentures and set him at liberty to his no smalâ— rejoycing He was then once more sent to the University where he increased his knowledg and became a great proficient in the Greek and Laune tongues and also of the Hebrew giving himself wholâ—y to the study of the Scripture that he might be a Minister of Gods word which he ardently desired He lived a very strict and Godly life much exercised in prayer and thus continued till he was Master of Arts and a long time after In the beginning of King Edwards Reign when the Gospel was restored he beg in to preach and was so well lâ—ked of that he was appoynted to read the Divinity Lecture at the Colledg of Fothringha He married a wife about that time and after the Colledg was dissolved he was placed to be Reader in the Minster of Litchfeâ—â—d from thence he was beneficed in Leicester shire at a place called Church Laungâ—on where he resided kept a liberal House and taught Gods word diligently From thence he was
called to â—â—ke a Benefice in London being Allhallows Bread-â—â—eet which he accepted and being minded to â—â—ve over that in the Country he went thither much about the time that Queen Mary came to the Crown At which time preaching at Northampton â—reat exceptions were taken at his sermon by the Papists for that he inveighed against the Popish Religion as Antichristian After this they had a malicious eye against him and sought for his blood which he perceived but seeing he could not now â—esign his Benefice but into the Hands of a Papist â—e kept both constantly preaching sometimes at â—ondon and sometimes in the Country till the proâ—â—bition came forth which we before mentioned â—et his Conscience not giving him leave to desist tho â—e foresaw the danger he should incurr he continuâ—â—d to preach the Gospel and would not fly the Realm tho advised to it by his friends And it was not long after that preaching at his cure in London he was aâ—prehended by the order of Bishop Bonner and carried out of the Church and brought before him where the Bishop accused him of Treason and Herâ—sie to which Mr. Saunders answered with much sobriety endeavouring to prove he had done nothing against the Laws or spoke contrary to the Dâ—ctrine of Christ and his Apostles After much talk the Bishop bid him to write down his mind concerning Transubstantiation or the Real presence in the Sacrament Mr. Sauâ—ders perceived that Bonner fought his Life my Lord said he you seek Blood and you shall have it I pray God that you may be baptized in it that you may hereafter loath blood sucking and become a better man And upon this he wrote his mind boldly not fearing what they could doe being willing to seal to the Testimony of the Gospel with his Death From him he was sent to the Chancellor Gardner who after Examination before him being secretly nipped by Mr. Saunders answers for that he had in the days of King Henry the 8th written a book treating of true obedience in which he openly declared the Princess Mary to be illegitimate sent him to prison from whence he was had before the Council and after several examinations he was condemned after which Mr. Saunders at his goeing away said that he did preach sincerely the word in its purity and thâ— he now was forbidden by them to do it with his mouth yet he doubted not but that his blood would do the same He was sent to prison where he continued a year and 3 months in which time one that was his Bedfellow declared that he had often heard Mr. Saunders say that he felt the power of God upon him wonderfully comforting him insomuch that not only his Spirit but his Body also received a tast of the Communion of Saints whilst he felt 〈◊〉 sweet and pleasant refreshing flow thorow every part and member thereof from the heart ebbing and flowing like a tide of sweet and Spiritual flame thorow his whole body But such was their cruelty that in all this time by the Bishops order they would not suffer his Wife to come to see him she several times attempted it but one day intreating the Keeper with her young Child in her Arms the Keeper took the Child and carried him being a Boy to his father which rejoyced the Heart of Mr. Saunders who said what man would not lay his Life down before he would make such a fine Child a Bastard and its Mother a Whore as I must if I embrace the Religion of Rome At last Bonner came to the prison where he was and degraded him and then delivered him over to the Secular Power after he was Excommunicated to be burnt for an Heretick The Sheriff of London took him and carried him to the Counter in Bread-street his own Parish but he stayed not long there because an order was signed for his burning in Coventry to which place he was carried and put into the Common Goal where he spent the night in prayers and the next day being the 8th of February he was led to execution in the Park without the City going in an old Gown and a shirt bare footed falling often flat on his face and praying to himself When he came to the Stake a pardon was â—ffer'd him if he would recant but he refused it saying it is not I nor my fellow Preachers that hurt â—he Queen or the Realm but such as you speaking to 〈◊〉 officers who resist Gods holy word and I shall never woke the Truth of what I have taught and openly â—â—intained Upon that they cryed our away with â—im to the fire to which he went with a chearfull Countenance nothing daunted and coming to the take Kissed it Crying Welcome Life Welcome the â—ross of Christ After they had chained him fast they â—â—t fire to the fewell which being green smothered â—nd would not burn clearly so that they put this â—oly Martyr to intollerable pain which he yet â—â—â—tained with admirable patience till he fell aâ—â—eep in the Lord at last in the midst of the fire The Martyrdom of Bishop Hooper The next most godly Martyr who suffered for the Gospel of Christ by the cruel and bloody Papists was that most Reverend and Holy Bishop both oâ— Gâ—ocester and Worcester and who was burnt at Gâ—â—câ—ster Feb. 9th 1555. This man was bred a Student in the University of Oxford where he led a pious and sober Life and was a good Schoâ—lar but in the time of persecution in King Hen. 8th days he was forced to leave the University and to become Steward to Sr. Thâ—mas Arundel but Sâ— Thomas being a Papist tho he loved Mr. Hooper yet looking on him as an Heretick he would not keep him buâ— sent him privately to the Bishop of Winchester that he might Convert him but the Bishop not being able to answer Mr. Hoopers solid Arguments seâ—â— him back to his Master but intending to do him 〈◊〉 mischief he being a Constant persecutor of all good People but Mr. Hooper having notice of it left Sr. Tho. Arundels House and service and got overseas to Paris where he stayed not long before he returned for England and was retained by one Mr St. Lowe but he was not long there before notiâ—â— was given of him and he was fain to disguise himself and fly over to Ireland from whence he weâ—â— to France and thorow France into Germany wherâ— he remained both at Basil and at Zurick in thâ— company of several Protestant Ministers who weâ—â— great friends to him and where he Married a wiâ—â— who was a Burgundian Here he stayed till thâ— Reign of the pious King Ed. 6th when desirous tâ—â— see his native Country he took leave of his friendâ— and among the rest the famous Mr. Bullinger whâ— at parting desired him not to forger them when 〈◊〉 prosperity in his own Land tho he should be madâ— a Bishop to whom Mr. Hooper prophetically râ—plyed that he would constantly write to them 〈◊〉 that he should not be
the fiery Laws in Execution against these protestant dissenters he was brought before the Bishop and examined and several articles exhibited against him concerning the bodily presence of Christ in the Sacrament which he would in no wise deny but offered to maintain his opinions as truth by the H. Scriptures and when they saw that they could by no means make him recant he was condemned to be burnt and at the same time with John Warren This John Warren was formerly condemned to be burnt in the days of King Henry the 8th with Ann Askew but then pardoned by the King but they now finding him professing the Gospel which he always Constantly did Bonner the cruel persecutor of God's people laid hold of him and had several Articles brought against him which he plainly confessed being only the Truths he had owned and declared and willingly yeilded himself to be put to death for a Testimony of them On the 30th of May they were both brought to the Stake in Smithfield whilst Mr. Cardmaker was in privat conference with the Sheriffs who were perswadeing him to recant and which discourse lasted a long time Mr. Warren was stripp'd fastned to the Stake it was rumour'd by some of the Papists that Cardmaker would turn to save his life and by the long discourse he had with the Sheriffs the People began to Suspect it would prove true but when at last they saw him depart from them and strip himself to his shirt kneel down at the Stake shouting aloud they cryed out God be praysed the Lord strengthen thee Cardmaker The Lord Jesus receive thy Spirits and this continued till the Executioner put fire to them that they both with great constancy alacrity of Spirit passed thorow the flame to everlasting rest and peace among God's holy Martyrs to enjoy the Crown of Victory prepared for them Two more burnt in Essex On the 29th of the same month was also Condemned John Simson and John Ardley both husbandmen of Essex and in Bonners Diocess who soon dispatch'd them for their Conscience sake tho they offered to save their lives all their estates or what ever they had so their Consciences might be free but nothing but their blood would serve their turns and therefore they were sent into Essex where about the 10th of June they both suffered the fire in several places Simson at Rochford and Ardley on the same day at Railey in which places both finished their Martyrdom most quietly in the quarrel of Christ's Gospel Mr. Hawks burnt in Essex On the same day was burned Mr. Tho. Hawks whom we have formerly mentioned to have been Condemned with 5 other Martyrs whose storys we have given you but this Gentleman for he was one and bred a Courtier haveing served the Earl of Oxford all the time of King Edward was respited till this time in hopes to prevail with him to recant tho in vain for he was most constant and resolute not to deny his Faith for he boldly told the Bishop that if he had an hundred lives and an hundred bodys he would give them all to be torn to pieces reather than abjure and recant He was first taken because he had kept his child 3 weeks without Christning it because it was against his Conscience to yeild to their Popish Ceremonies as their Oyl Salt Cream Spittle Candle and conjuring Water which he decalred was not of divine Institution but mens foolish Inventions For this he was had before the Bishop and he being a man of parts and a gentleman much pains was taken with him and he was much pittied for that he was a very handsom man of a fine make and sweet Countenance and of an excellent sweet nature But all this was nothing to the Love he bore to God for whose sake he forsook all the offers and pleasures of the world to undergo a rigorous Death After his Condemnation aforesaid he was sent into Essex and delivered over to the Lord Rich to see him burnt who brought him guarded to the place of execution which was at Coxhall in Essex A little before the time he used much exhortation to his Friends to be stedfast in the Faith some of which were greatly confirmed by him both by his talk and example but much more by his death for some of them who feared the sharpness of the punishment and thought it was intollerable to the flesh desired of him if he were able to give them a privat sign when he was burning if it were to be born which he promised to do and if that the pain were tollerable and might be quietly born he would lift up his hands over his head before he gave up the Ghost After he came to the place with fervent prayers made to God he with great patience and meekness addressed himself for the Fire being bound to the Stake with a chain an innumerable company of people encompassing him and lamenting him After he had spoken many things to the Lord Rich concerning their shedding thus the innocent blood of Gods Saints and that his prayers were ended they set fire to him in which he continued long and when that his speech was taken away with the violence of the fire and his skin shrivled and drawn together and his fingers ends consumed in the flame and the rest of his Arms and body burning so that all men thought he had been certainly dead suddenly and contrary to all expectation being mindful of his promise to his friends he reached up his hands over his head burning of a light fire and as it were rejoyceing clapt them together 3 times to the amazement of all the people upon which arose such an out-cry or shout especially by those who understood the sign that the like had not been heard After which this blessed Martyr sinking down into the fire gave up the Ghost being a most Constant and faithful witness of the Gospel Thomas Wats Martyr'd as Chelmsford with 3 others in Essex Thomas Wats also of Essex having been sent up to the bloody Bishop Bonner after many examinations and appearances he was condemned to the fire and sent down to Chelmsford in Essex to be Martyr'd the Lord Rich being ordered to see him executed where his wife and 6 Children came to him to whom he said My dear Wife and children I must now depart from you and hence forth know you no more but as the Lord hath given you to me so I give you again unto the Lord whom I charge you to obey and fear and beware you turn not to this abominable Papistry against which by God's Grace I shall anon give testimony with my blood Let not the Murthering of God's saints cause you to relent but take an occasion thereby to grow stronger in the Lords quarrel and I doubt not but he will be a merciful Father to you Two of his weeping Children offer'd themselves to be burnt with him but he kissing and Hesting them bad them farewel and so was carried
to the fire When he came to the stake he kissed it and then spake to the Lord Rich these words My Lord beware beware for you do against your own Conscience and without you repent the Lord will revenge it for you are the cause of my death After which he suffered the fire as the rest and no doubt received his Reward in Heaven On the 14th of June the same year Nicholas Chamberlin was burnt at Colchester and on the 15th Thomas Osmond was burnt at Maintree and William Bamford alias Butler the same day at Harwich all which sealed to the Testimony of the Gospel with their blood I shall now proceed to give you briefly the History of the noted Mr. Bradfood a godly Preacher and holy Martyr for the Gospel of Christ Mr. John Bradford was born at Manchester in Lancastershire being brought up in Learning by his parents attaining to great perfection in the Latin tongue in ready writing and in Accounts which preferred him to the service of Sr. John Harrington Knight who was Treasurer of the Kings Camp and buildings by him Mr. Bradford was imployed both at home and abroad beyond seas and he was in a thriving way and ready for great preferment But God having otherwaies designed this then young Man called him to the Gospel and to the study of the H. Scriptures Finding a call in himself he immediatly embraced it looking upon it as the Spirit of God that prompted him to forsake worldly Riches preferment and Honour in the way he was following and to retire to Cambridge for the benefit of his studies and to sit him for the Ministry He had not been in the University above a year but he obtained the Degree of Mr. of Arts and not long after he had a fellowship given him in Pembroke Hall Where the learned Bucer being acquainted with him stirred him up to the Ministry And Dr. Ridley Bishop of London made him a Deacon giving him licence to preach and made him also a Prebendary in his Cathedral Church of St. Pauls In this office constantly preaching he continued 3 years sharply reproving sin declaring Christ crucified oppugning Heresies and Papistical Errours earnestly perswaded all to a godly Life But after Queen Mary came to the Crown and had introduced the abolished Popery Idolatry Superstition he flinched not neither would he fly as many did but continued his diligent preaching until deprived of that Liberty by the Queen and Council on the 13th of August in the first year of Queen Mary Dr. Bourn Bishop of Bâ—â—â— preaching at Pauls Cross in the behalf of Popery the people were all in an uprore at his sermon and one among the rest flung a dagger at him as he stood in the Pulpit and narrowly mist him He seeing his life in danger desired Mr. Bradford who was ner him to pacifie the people which he readily did stepping forth spake to them in such sort and sheltrinâ— the Bishop that he saved his Life for it was verily thought that if it had not been for Mr. Bradford the people had torn the Bishop to peices they were so much incensed by his sermon At which time oâ—â— called to him and said Mr. Bradford Mr. Bradford you now save him who will shortly help to buâ—â— you which proved true enough for from this very Act of Charity finding how much he was beloved by the people and fearing his Doctrine and abilities they called this sedition and a Commotion and he was sent for before the Queen and Council where his preaching was objected against him and was aâ— last committed to the Tower and then into other prisons as the Kings Bench the Counter and Newgate into all which he was cast for his conscience sake because he would not embrace the Romish superstition All the time he was in prison he preached almost continually and when in Newgate would gâ—â— once a week among the Felons Thieves preachinâ— to them and exhorting them doing a great deal 〈◊〉 good amongst them Preaching reading and praying seem'd to be his whole Life He eat but one meal a day and that but little He was almost continually on his Knees Often museing and bitterly weeping to himself He was somewhat tall of person of a sanguine complexion with an awbourn hair and beard He seldom slept above 4 hours in a night and alwaies read in his bed till sleep came He counted that hour ill spent in which he did not some good He was very Charitable and Liberal to his fellow prisoners He was much beloved through his winning carriage even of his Keepers who gave him such liberty that he might have got away if he would nay they often let him go forth on his word which they were sure of he being alwaies most punctual He was several times brought before the Chancellor and before Bonner and other Bishops and much pains was taken by several of the most learned among them to bring him over to them but in vain for he so confounded them with the Scriptures and manifested the Truth to them concerning the presence of Christ in his Sacrament that they knew not what to say to him but having the power in their hands they condemned him as an Heretick to be burnt and reading the sentence to him when the Chancellor came to the word Johannes Bradford Laicus ha Said he is he no Priest to which Mr. Bradford replyed no he never was Priest nor beneficed nor Married nor a Preacher till publick Authority had Established Religion After which he fell down on his Knees and heartily thanked God that he counted him worthy to suffer for his name sake They had kept him near 2 years in prison and he was now condemned on the last of January from which time to the 1st of July they kept him in prison where they had several conferences with him but he still kept constant and unshaken in his faith Not long before his burning he dreamed all the order of it as it afterward happened They had an intent to have sent him to Manchester to have been burnt there but their minds altering they order'd it to be done in Smithfield One afternoon as he was walking in his Chamber the Keepers wife came runing to him almost out of Breath amazed and crying O Mr. Bradford I come to bring you heavy news What is that said he That you must be burned your chain is now buying Mr. Bradford pulling off his Gap and lifting up his eyes towards heaven said I thank God for it I have looked for it a long time it is no unexpected thing the Lord make me worthy of it The rumor of Mr. Bradfords burning soon spread thorow the City and by 4 a clock in the morning people began to gather together in the streets As he was passing between Nowgate and Smithfield his Brother in Law came and took him by the hand to take his last leave of him for which Woodriff the dogged Sheriff struck him over the head
till the blood ran down his face which grieving Mr. Bradford he desired him to remember him to his Mother and others of his friends and so dismist him This sheriff was a great persecutor of Gods Saints rejoycing much at their sufferings whereas his brother never saw their Martyrdoms with dry eyes much pitty and Commiseration But God met with him for not long after Mr. Bradfords burning he was suddenly struck with a dead palsie so that for 8 years till he dyed he could not turn in his Bed but as he was helped When Mr. Bradford came to the place he fell flat on his face and prayed to himself a good space At the same time there was to suffer with him for the same cause one John Leaf a London Apprentice to a Tallow-Chandler a mere stripling of 18 or nineteen years of Age at the most who had most stoutly and resolutely confessed his Faith touching the Sacrament before Bishop Bonner touching auricular confession other points to which he argued very orthodoxically having been well grounded therein by the Holy Martyr Mr Rogers whose Schollar he was After he had been condemned whilst in prison the Bishop sent to him a Recantation in writing and also his confession bidding him to choose which he would sign the one was for his Life the other his Death The young man could not write nor read therefore caused the writings to be read to him and when he had heard the recantation he disliked it and said he would not sign it but hearing his own confession read he said he approved that and thereupon pricked his finger with a needle he took of his blood and made a mark on the paper and bid them tell the Bishop that he had already signed that with his Blood This young Man having undauntedly signed this Bill was the same day brought with Mr. Bradford to the stake where he also lay flat on his face on the ground praying on the other side of the stake till the Sheriff bid them dispatch for that the press of the people was great At which words they both stood up when Mr. Bradford taking a faggot in his hands he Kissed it as likewise the stake then stripping himself he went stood by the stake and said O England England repent thee of thy sins repent thee of thy Sins Beware of Idolatry beware of false Antichrists take beed they do not deceive you Upon this the Sheriff bid them bind him and tye his hands if he would not be quiet O Mr. Sheriff I am quiet said Mr. Bradford God forgive you To which one of his Officers reply'd you had best hold your peace if this be your learning you are a Fool. Mr. Bradford saw how it was that he might not be permitted to speak he answered not but saying as he forgave all the world so he asked forgiveness of all men and desired the people to pray for him Then turning his head to the young man who suffered with him he said be of good comfort Brother for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night then embracing the Reeds he said Strait is the way and narrow is the Gate that leadeth to eternal Salvation and few there be that find it Then fire being put to them they both with great patience and constancy ended their lives in the Fire without any alteration in their countinances being voyd of all fear hoping to obtain as no doubt they did the heavenly reward for all their sufferings The next day after Mr. Bradford suffered in Smithfield one William Minge a Priest should have suffered at Maidstone but that he dyed in prison On the 3d of July one James Trevisam in Lothbury parisâ— dyed a prisoner being lame and ill used and wheâ— he was dead because he was an Heretick as they termed him they would not let his wife bury him in the Church-yard nor have so much as a Coffin to put him in but was forced to carry him on a Table into the fields and bury him there without Moorgate On the 12th day of July 4 men viz. John Bland Minister of the parish of Adisham in Kent John Frankish Vicar of Rolvindon Nicholas Shetterden and Humphry Middleton all of the same County were long imprisoned at Canterbury and after several examinations and Articles exhibited against them they all standing firm to the Truth for the Gospels sake suffered all in one fire at two several Stakes in the City of Canterbury In the same month of July Nicholas Hall a Bricklayer was Condemned by the Bishop of Rochester for maintaining that under the forms of Bread and wine was not the very Body and Blood of Jesus Christ after Consecration but that the Body of Christ was in Heaven only with some other things concerning the Superstition of the Mass for which he was burnt at Rochester about the 19 of July Christopher Waid was of Dartford in the County of Kent a Linnen weaver Condemned also upon the like Articles by the aforesaid Bishop of Rochester and burnt at Dartford in the same month of July at a place called the Brimth without the town the Common place of Execution of Felons As he was goeing to his Martyrdom one Margery Pooly of the Town of Tunbridg a widdow who was afterwards Martyr'd said to him you may rejoyce Waid to see such a company gathered to celebrate your Marriage this day Being come to the place he stript himself put on a fair white shirt delivered to him by his wife when coming to the Stake he took it in his arms and embraced it and Kissing it he set his back to it and was fastned to it with an Iron hoop standing in a Pitch'd Barrel being thus setled he spake with a clear and chearful voyce the last verse of the 86 Psal Shew some good token upon me O Lord that they who hate me may see it and be ashamed because thou Lord hast helped me and Comforted me Near to the Stake was a little Hill where stood a Fryar with a Book in his hand ready to speak to the People but Wade cryed out so eagerly to the People to beware of the Doctrine of Antichrist that the Friar went away amated and said nothing The Sheriff bid him to be quiet and dye patiently then puting the reeds before his mouth he made a hole with his hands that his voyce might be heard but some flung faggots at the hole and hurt his face when at last fire being put to him he cryed out often Lord Jesus receive my Soul without any sign of Impatience at last holding up his hands above his head he continued in that posture without moving them even after he was dead as if they had been propped up with Stakes being a token to his Enemies according to his prayer of his Constancy to their shame and Confusion Margery Pooly and Dirick Carver Martyrs Margery Pooly a widdow was also Condemned by the aforesaid Bishop of Rochester and suffered at Maidstown in
Kent in the same month And on the 22d of the same month at Lewis in Sussex was burned Dirick Carver who was a man of small learning yet blessed by God with temporal Riches which yet was no hindrance to him in professing the Gospel tho after he was imprisoned the Ravenous Harpies left little for his wife and children After he had been several times before the Bishop and his confession read to him he owned it and being asked if he would recant or stand to the same he replyed That he would stand to his confessions for your doctrine is Poyson and Sorcery and if Christ were here said he you would put him to a worse Death than he was put to before You say you can make a god you can make a Pudding as well Your Ceremonies in the Church are full of poyson and beggerly rudiments auricular confession is contrary to Gods Word with divers others the like which made the Bishop hasten his condemnation When he came to the Town of Lewis in order to his burning the people called upon him beseeching God to strengthen him in the Faith of Jâ—sus Christ He thanked them and prayed unto God that he of his mercy would strengthen them in the like Faith When he came to the stake he kneeled down and made his prayers After he had done they took his book and threw it into the pitch'd barrel And assoon as he had stript himself he went into the barrel prepared for him himself and taking up his book he flung it among the people but the Sheriff commanded them in the Queens name on pain of Death to throw it in again that it might be burnt Then the blessed Martyr lifting up his voice said Brethren and Sisters witness all of you that I am come here this day to seal with my blood Christ's Gospel because I know it is truth It has been here truly preached but now is not Because I will not deny God's Gospel and be obedient to Man's Laws I am Condemned to dye As many of you as believe upon the Father Son and holy Spirit unto everlasting Life see you do the works appertaining to the same And as many of you as believe on the Pope of Rome you believe to your utter Cond mnation except the great mercy of God help you Immediately the Sheriff said If thou dost not believe on the Pope thou art damned both body and Soul Speak to thy God said he that â—e may deliver thee now or else strike me down to the example of the People But the Martyr reply'd the Lord forgive you your sayings Then with a loud voyce he said to the people Dear Brethren I ask you all to forgive me if I have offended any of you in word or in deed Then he prayed and said O Lord my God thou hast written He that will not forsake Wife Children House and all that ever he hath and take up thy Cross and follow thee is not worthy of thee But Lord thou knowest I have forsaken all to come unto thee Lord have mercy upon me for to thee I commend my Spirit and my Soul rejoyceth in thee When the fire was put to him he gave a spring up into the flame and cryed O Lord have mercy upon me and so ended his Life Stening and Iveson Martyrs On the 23d of the same month was also burnt at Stening another named John Launder of God-Stone in the County of Surry one of the same Town a Carpenter named Thomas Iveson was burnt in the same month at Chichester And on the 2d of August one James Abbies a young man being by the Bishop of Norwich wrought upon him to recant and gave him mony which so burthened his Conscience that he could have no rest till he had carried the Bishop his mony and owned his opinions for which on the day aforesaid he was burnt at Bury Greater and hotter the persecution grew dayly and they began now to be flesh'd in blood tho nothing satiated but still greedy of more On the 8th day of August the same year one Mr. Denly a Gentleman was Martyred at Vxbridge having been Condemned by the bloody Butcher Bonner When fire was put to him he fell a singing a psalm which Doctor Story a Popish persecutor hearing he bid one of the Sheriffs Officers fling a fagot in his face to stop his mouth which the fellow did and hit him so full in the face that the blood ran down upon which Mr. Denly was silent clapping both his Hands upon his face Then said the Popish Doctor to the fellow Thou hast marr'd a good old song At last the holy Martyr spreading his hands abroad in the midst of the flames sung again and so yeilded up his spirit into the Hands of God rejoycing On the 28th of the same month in the same place one Patrick Packington condemned by Bonner was burnt being urged to recant he told them no their Church was the Church of Satan and he would never turn to it At the same time one John Newman was Condemned by Bonner and burnt at Saffron Walden for that he argued against the bodily presence of Christ in the Sacrament they told him tho he could not see it with his bodily eyes yet it was there under the forms of Bread and wine and that the Bread and Wine was only a Quality or Accident to whom the Martyr reply'd that if they could shew him a Quality or Accident without a Subsâ—â—nce hâ— would believe them not else Besides he used this Argument so them That if the Body of Christ were really and Bodily in the Sacrament then whosoever received the Sacrament received also the Body But the wicked receiving the Sacrament receive not the Body of Christ Therefore the Body of Christ is not really in the Sacrament Tho they knew not how to answer this they knew how to burn him for his opinion which they did endeavouring to convince him with Fire and faggot This man was a Pewterer by trade Much about the same time one Richard Hook was burnt at Chichester in Sassex for the same cause About the latter end of August Six more whose names were William Coker Wiâ—â—iam Hopper Henry Lawrence Richard Collier Richard Wright and William Steer were all burnt together in one fire at Canterbury for the Gospels sake by the Papists unmercifull Tyranny Elizabeth Warren Widdow and others Martyred Towards the latter end of A gust also Elizabeth Warren the widdow of John Warren the Upholster who was Martyr'd before was burnt at Stratford Bow being persecuted by her Kinsman Dr. Story who was so Zealous as not to spare his own kindred for the cause of the Popish Church The chief Article against her was that of the real presence which she Constantly deny'd for being urged to recant she told them she never would do what they could for said she If Christ be in an error then I am in an error upon â—hâ—ch she was Condemned and suffered as above said George Tankerfeild
him coming after him O are you there said he yes said Mr. Latimer I am coming after you as fast as I Can. When they both came to the stake Bishop Ridly holding up both his hands and looking towards heaven prayed and seeing Mr. Latimer come he ran to him and embraced him and Kissed him saying Be of good heart Brother for God will either asswage the fury of the Flame or else streâ—gthen us to abide it With that he Kneeled down at the Stake Kissing it and then fell to prayer and Mr. Latimer behind him both earnestly calling upon God After they arose and talked a little while together when Dr. Smith who in King Ed. days had renounced Popery now embracing it preached to the people on this Text Tho I give my Body to be burnt c. inveighing very much against the opinions of the Lutherans after he had done both Dr. Ridly and Mr. Latimer had a desire to have reply'd to what he had said but as soon as they began to open their mouths some ran to them and stop'd them telling them unless they would recant they should not be suffered to speak Gods will be done then said Bishop Ridly but so long as I have breath in my body I will never deny my Lord Christ and his known truth Then he said with a loud voyce I Commit our cause to Almighty God who will indifferently Judg all Then Mr. Latimer said what is hid shall be revealed They were then Commanded to make themselves ready which they did and were both Chained to the Stake and Dr. Rilleys brother-in-law brought each a Bag of Gunpowder to tye about them which they accepted of as sent them from God Dr. Ridley stripped himself and gave away his things among his friends there being great striving to have some remembrance from this good Man but Mr. Latimer suffered himself to be strip'd by the officers haveing nothing worth bestowing Dr. Ridly being now at the stake prayed saying holding up both his hands O heavenly Father I give thee most hearty thanks for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee even unto Death I beseech the O Lord have mercy upon this Realm of England and deliver the same from all her Enemies Then he made a Request to the Lord Williams to intreat the Queen to be good to several poor people to whom he had let Leases that they mought injoy them which he promised to do but Bishop Bonner like a wretch took them all from them Then fire was put to them when Mr. Latimer said be of good comfort Mr. Ridly and play the Man we shall this day light such a Candle by God's Grace in England as I trust shall never be put out Dr. Ridly when he saw the flame approach him he cryed out In manus tuas Domine commendo Spiritum meum Domine recipe Spiritum meum that is Into thy hands O Lord I commend my Spirit O Lord receive my Spirit which latter part he often repeated in English Mr. Latimer crying as vehemently on the other side O Father of Heaven receive my Soul Who receiving the flame as it were imbracing it soon dyed with little or no Pain But Bishop Ridly by reason of the fire being ill made endured great torment having all his lower parts burnt before his upper were touched so that he was heard to cry to them often for the Lords sake to put the fire to him I cannot burn and then crying out Lord have mercy upon me he Continued a long time and all one side of him remained untouch'd till aâ—â—â—â—st tâ—â— Gâ—â—â—oweâ—cr â—â—â—k firâ— after which he wâ—◠〈◊〉 seâ—n to move â—y more And this was the eâ—â—â—â—th sâ—â— two â—oly Martyrs Blessed Bishops for the Gospel of Christ's sake by the hands of persecuting Papisis and by the Religion â—hen established by Law The Death of pâ—â—seâ—â—ting Gardner Wit in a wâ—ilt afâ—â—r the B oody persecuting Pâ—â—lâ—â— Stephâ—â— Gâ—â—dâ—â— dyed for that day the last mentioned Mâ—rtyâ—s were put to death tho the Duke of No â—â—hfolk and other persons of Quality came to dine with him he would not go to dâ—nner till 3 or 4 of the Clock expecting to hear of the Death of these wâ—mâ—n and assâ—on as his man riâ—â—â—g post had brâ—â—ght him word of it he began to be merry and sat down to dinner but was emmediately struck with the hand of God the first but â—e put â—nto his mouth being carried from the Table Continuing for â—5 days in great Torments nor being able to evacuate Naturâ— any way and his Tongue that had so often blaspherâ—ed God swollen and black lolling out of his mouth till he dyed Tho he weâ—e dead yet persecution Continued and the Devil found Instruments to do his Work For in the Month of November three flour Champions of Jesus Christ suffer'd in one Fire in Canterbury viz Jâ—hn wâ—bb Gentleman George Roâ—er and Gâ—egory Parke being all condemned to the fire by the Bishop of Dover and Nicâ—oâ—as Harspfield As they went to the plâ—ce of their Martyrdom they sung Psalms two of them were will striâ—ken in years but Râ—per was a younger man of a fresh Complexion going all â—ith whi e Linnen and their gowns upon it They all shewâ—d great Constancy but Râ—per especially who coming to the place leâ—ped for Joy and whâ—n fiâ—e waâ— put to hâ—m he streatched out both his Aâ—ms into â—â—e â—lâ—mes standing like a Cross unmevable and so continued never stirring them till they were both burnt â—ff and afterwards his Body to Ashes Several dyed in Prison in the â—â—llards Tower through the bâ—â—â—arity of the Papists and were Cast into t he open fields for doggs and swine to tear with command that none 〈…〉 hâ—m yet by night some were â—ound to be â—o Câ—â—â—table as to fling Eartâ— over thâ—m Archdeacon Philpot burnt in Smithfield The next 〈…〉 mâ—â—tâ—â—â— Wâ—â—â—â—ought to the stâ—ke by thâ—se blood sâ—â—kâ—â—â— wâ— Mr Jâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 Archdeacon â—f Wincâ—â—â—â— â—â—e wâ—â— tâ—e 〈…〉 Gentâ—emaâ—â—f 〈◊〉 goâ—d fâ—â—mâ—ly in 〈…〉 brought up in Nâ—â—â— Coâ—â—cagâ— in Oxâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 died thâ— Civil â—â—ws 6 or 7 yeaâ—s wâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ral Arts 〈◊〉 â—â—ence and â—spâ—â—â—ly 〈…〉 in which he profiteâ— and more 〈…〉 Hebrew He wâ—s of a preâ—anâ—â—â—â—t 〈…〉 and resolution fervent in Religioâ— â—ree from 〈◊〉 â—â—â—tery and hypocrisie and hated â—â—ssiâ—â—ulatiâ—n Fâ—â—m Oxford he went to travel to improve himself going thorow Italy and other parts where he increaâ—â—d his knowledg and lost nor as many do good m nners and Love to God Returning into England he was made Arcâ—dâ—acon of Winchester in King Edwâ—rds days under the Bishop Dr. Poinet who had succeeded Gardner But â—fter that Queen Mary came in and caused a Convocation of Prelates to Assemble about Religion this good man believing they might there speak freely he manfully maintained the cause of the Gospel against all its Adversaries for which he was afterwards â—â—pâ—â—ioned and after a twelve months time or more w s had to be examined before Bâ—shop Gardner
their Idolatry and Superstition Essex was fruitful in Martyrs the fires were so frequent that we can but just name them to you On the 28th of April Six were burnt together at Colchester being condemned to the fire by the Bishop of London or rather Butcher of London Bonner chearfully ending their lives to the glory of God's name and the great incouragement of others This bloody Bonner had mercy on none all went to pot who came under his Clutches one Hugh Lavercock a Painter by trade of the Parish of Barkin 68 years of Age and a Cripple and John Apprice a poor blind man were both accused to the Bishop who sent for them to examination which was about the Sacrament the bodily presence of Christ in the same which they denyed and Lavercock told him that their Doctrine was contrary to the Scriptures and the Blind Man said you are not of the Catholick Church for ye make Laws to Kill men and then make the Queen your Hangman This so enraged the Bishop that he immediatly caused the definitive sentence of excommunication to be pronounced against them and so delivered them over to the secular power to be burnt they were carryed from the Bishop to Newgate and on the 15. of May 1556. were both drawn thorow London to Stratford le Bow when they were come to the stake after they had put the Chain about them the Cripple flung away his Crutch merrily saying to the blind man his fellow sufferer Be of good cheer Brother for my Lord of London is our good Physitian he will shortly heal us both thee of thy blindness and me of my lamenest And so patiently fire being put to them these two poor men but holy Martyrs suffered in the fire and praising God yeilded up their Souls into his hands whose name to the end they Constantly confessed The very next day after these suffered being the 16th of May 3 women were Martyred in Smithfield a fourth was condemned with them by Bonner whose name was Margeret Ellis but she dyed in Newgate before the day of their execution the names of the other 3 were Katherin Hut a widdow Joan Hornes a maid and Elisabeth Thackvel These being examined upon several Articles but especially that of the Sacrament which chiefly touched their Lives Katherine Hat told the Bishop that she deny'd it to be God because it was a dumb God and made with mens hands and Joan Horns said If you can make your god bleed or shew any Condition of a living Body I will believe you and not else And as for the Romish See I forsake all its abominations from which good Lord deliver us Those 3 innocent women were condemned for the cause of the Gospel had to Smithfield and willingly gave their Bodyes to be burnt dying more joyfully in the flames than many in their beds such a Lord is God glorious and wonderfull in all his Saints A blind Boy and a Bricklayer burnt at Gloucester In the same month of May at Gloucester suffered one Thomas Croker a Bricklayer and a blind boy named Thomas Drowrie who had been much confirmed in the Faith by Bishop Hooper This boy being examined upon the Article of the Sacrament by Dr. Williams the Bishops Chancellor and being asked if he believed the bodyly presence in the Sacrament the boy answered boldly no he did not believe it Then being asked who taught him that heresie That did you said the boy in the Pulpit of this Church where you told us in your Sermon That the Sacrament was to be received Spiritually by Faith and not Carnally and really as the Papists have heretofore taught At this the Dr. was vext but says he to the Boy do you as I have done repent and you shall live or else be burnt Tho you said the Boy can so easily dispense with your self and mock God the World and your Conscience yet I can't nor will do so Then said the Chancellor I will read the sentence against thee Gods will be done reply'd the blind boy And so he was condemned with the other before mentioned and delivered over to the secular power both of them in one fire Constantly and Joyfully yeilding their souls into the hands of the Lord Jesus On the 21st of the same month of May three men were burnt together at Beckles in Suffolk their names were Thomas Spicer a Labourer John Denny and Edmond Pool whom they were so hasty to put to Death that they burnt them before the writ de Comburendo came from London When they were at the stake they prayed and recited the belief and when they came to the Article of belief in the Catholick Church a Knight that was by said that is well 't is the best word you have said yet To which Pool answered Tho we believe in the Catholick Church we do not believe in the Romish Church Then fire being put to them they praised God in the midst of the flames with such an audible voyce that it seem'd wonderful to all those who stood by and heard them But some were so wicked that they bid the people to fling faggots at them to stop their mouths which however none would do Several other Martyrs and 13 in one fire In the next Month of June on the 6th day 4 more were burnt in Lewis in Sussex after long Imprisonment their names were Tho. Harland a Carpenter John Oswald an Husbandman Thomas Avington a Turner and Thomas Read In the same month in the same Town was burned Thomas Wood a Minister and Thomas Mills a lay man Several dyed in prisons which we do not mention We shall now mention a large malfire of humane flesh no less than 11 men and two women burnt together at Stratford on Bow condemned by Bonner three more were condemned but reprieved by the Cardinal these on the 27th of June were drawn from Newgate to the place aforesaid most of them being of Essex their names were Henry Adlington a Sawyer Lawrence Parnam a Smith Henry Wye a Brewer William Hallywell a Smith Thomas Bowyer a Weaver George Searles a Taylor Edmund Hurst a Labourer Lyon Cawch a Broker Ralf Jackson a serving man John Derifal a Labourer John Routh a Labourer Elizabeth Pepper the wife of a weaver and Agnes George the wife of an husbandman whose husband was afterwards condemned but saved by the Death of the Queen When they were brought to the place they were divided and put a while apart into two several Rooms then the Sheriff going to one company told them their companions had recanted and had saved their Lives advising them to do the like but they answered That their Faith was not builded on man but on Christ Crucified The Sheriff finding no good to be done with them he went to the other company telling them the same lye to whom they answered as their brethren had done that their Faith was not built on man but on Christ and his Word c. These 11 men were tied to 3 stakes
and the women were put in amongst them loose Elizabeth Pepper being at the same time 11 weeks gone with child These poor Creatures shewing great love one to another and such Constancy in their Martyrdom for the sake of their Saviour that all the beholders marvailed very much thus resigned their Souls and Bodys into the Hand of their Creator Roger Bernard and others Martyr'd at Norwich No less valiantly on the 30th of June suffered the pains of Martyrdom by fire at St. Edmunds-bury Roger Bernard a Labourer Adam Foster an husbandman and Robert Lawson a Weaver condemned by the Bishop of Norwich These ended their Lives most triumphantly shewing their Constancy in their Faith and making a most Joyful end to the praise of God and incouragment of others in the same Quarrel Julius Palmer Martyred at Newberry In July following the 16th day suffered that memorable Martyr Mr. Julius Palmer with two others in one fire at Newberry whose History I shall briefly relace This Julius was born in Coventry of good parentage his father being an Upholster and a Merchant and had been Mayor of that City he was bred at School and sent to Oxford where he profited much in the tongues and Philosophy and many times supplyed the place of the Gr. Reader in Magdalin Colledg where he became Batchellor of Art and became at last Fellow of the said Colledg when he began to study divinity He was of a very civil behaviour courteous pleasant and chearful without affectation and of great simplicity not knowing how to dissemble an indefatigable Student riseing at 4 of the clock every morning to his Studies and sitting up till 11 at night so that in a little time he profited much He was admitted to the office of a Reader in Logick and thus Continued a stiff and zealous Papist till the Reformation and then owned the cause of the Pope so far that he was expelled the Colledg and was fain to go and teach School privatly Continuing thus all the Time of King Edward and when Papistry was restored by Queen Mary he was also restored to his fellowship in the Colledg having for his Religion undergone much hardship yet see the providence of God to bring this man home to himself for it was the blood of the Martyrs which is the seed of the Church and their Constant sufferings which made him first to begin to look into the Doctrine they professed and it so pleased God to open his eyes that in a short time he began to see clearly the Superstition and Idolatry of the Popish Church and being one who knew not how to dissemble against his Conscience he was soon taken notice of and seeing they began to have â—n eviâ— eye upon him lest they should expel him the Colledg he voluntarily left it The cursing with excommunication burnâ—ng hanging drowning racking Scourging and persecuting men for Religion made him see and know it could not be of Christ who Commands the quite Contrary and this made him cry out when he heard of the Constant Death of Bishop Hooper Ridley Latimer and others O Raging Cruelty O Tragical Tyranny and more than Barbarous Being about to leave the University growing dayly more fervent in the Truth one of his intimate Friends asked him whither he would go to whom he Answered I know not But the Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof Let God do as he please I will commit my self to him and to the wide World And being advised by another to beware of the fire for it was no easy matter to burn he reply'd I have yet escaped it but I verily believe it will be my end at last welcome be it by the grace of God it will be easie to be suffered by the grace of God He for some time kept School at Reading in Barkshire but after a time being found to be a Gospeller he was forced to fly thence and repairing to his own Mother who was a Papist and had heard of his turning from their Religion hoping to obtain some monys due to him by his fathers will and asking her blessing as he used to do the unnatural Mother Cry'd out thou shalt have Christs Curse and mine where ever thou goest being troubled at this heavy greeting amazed for a time he at last said ah Mother you may give me your curse which God Knows I never deserv'd but God's Curse you Cannot give me for he hath already blessed me With that she reviled him giving him most bitter taunts calling him Renegade and one who had embraced a new upstart Doctrine It is not new said he but as old as Christ and his Apostles with that she charged him to go out of her sight and never see her afterwards flinging to him a piece of Gold and so leaving him to his sorrows But being sought after it was not long e're he was taken and cast into prison in a Dungeon prepared for thieves and Murtherers and there left for a time hanging by the hands and feet in a pair of Stocks so high that no part of his Body could touch the Ground in this Cave or Dungeon he remained 10 days under the Tyranny of an unmerciful Keeper After this he was several times examined before the Mayor of Reading and before the Bishop of Sarums Chancellor from Reading he was had to Newberry and clapt in the Jail there where he found two others namely John Guin and Thomas Askin poor simple men who were Martyred with him Here he had his last examination and was condemned with the two aforesaid Persons by Dr. Jeffrey Many endeavours were try'd to make him recant and great proffers of preferments to tempt him but nothing would move him and he also confirmed his fellow sufferers in their Faith Happy are you when men revile you and persecute you for Righteousness sake Rejoyce and be glad for great is your reward in Heaven Fear not them that can kill the Body but are not able to touch the soul God is faithful will not let us be tempted further than we can bear We shall not end our lives but make a change only for a better life With the like comfortable speeches he cheared his fellow Martyrs and caused tears to fall from others who heard him When they came to the place of execution they fell all 3 on their faces and prayed and Mr. Paimer recited aloud the 31 Psalm After that two Popish Priests urged him to recant but he cry'd to them away away tempt me no longer Away I say from me all yee that work Iniquity for the Lord hath heard the voyce of my Tears Forthwith they stripped themselves went to the stake Kissed it and were bound to it then Mr. Palmer said Good people pray for us that we may persevere to the end And for Christ's sake beware of Popish teachers for they deceive you with that one of the Officers threw a faggot at him and hit him on the face that all the blood ran down When the
burning it till the very sinews crackt and burst in two And seeing the Maid did not cry out why thou whore said he wilt not thou cry She reply'd he had more reason to cry than she for she thanked God she had no cause but to rejoyce Thou young strong beastly whore said he get thee gone When she came to her Mother and shewed her her Martyr'd hand her Mother asked her how she could indure it to whom she replyed that at first it was some little pain to her but the more it burnt the less she felt or well near none at all The like cruelty you heard of Bonner who also served a blind harper after the same manner with a burning coal Likewise one George Eayles a Taylor by profession but privately preached the Gospel to the great Comfort of many good people taking great pains therein drinking only water and earing little lying in the woods and Fields which secured him for some years but at last he was taken and had to London and there condemned for a traytor for meeting in traytorous companies or Conventicles and stirring them up against the Q. though nothing of that nature could be prov'd against him yet he was condemned and executed after a barbarous manner at Chelmsford in Essex On the 5th of August suffered Rich Crashsield at Norwich About the same time a converted Fryer a Woman who was Sister to the late mentioned George Eagles were burnt at Rochester Martyr'd at Lichfield Mrs. Joyce Lewis About the same time suffered Mrs. Joyce Lewis she was a Gentleman's daughter tenderly bred up all her Life and Marryed to Mr. Tho. Lewis of Manchester who was her 2d Husband She had been all her Life time a Papist and so continued till the begining of Queen Maries reign and that she saw such Cruelties exercised against the Gospellers and especially upon the burning of that learned Martyr Mr. Lawrence Saunders whom we have mentioned she began to enquire more narrowly into the matter and more especially conversed often with Mr. John Glover living near him in Coventry who taught her and instructed her in the Truth so that she being throughly convinced of the Popish errors and their damnable Doctrins she refrained from going to Mass but her Husband one day forcing her to go to Church against her will when the Priest went to sprinkle her with holy Water she turn'd her back to him upon which she was next day cited to come before the Bishop but her Husband being enraged at the fellow who brought it set his dagger to his throat and made him eat the citation and drink an health to it afterwards but upon this they were both had before the Bishop the Husband submitted himself was bound in a recognisance of 100 l. to bring his Wife after a months time given her to Considers which the unatural husband did rather than to undergo any farther trouble and the poor Gentlewoman being Constant and rather resolving to suffer than to deny the Truth was committed to so nasty and stinking a prison that her maid who went with her not being able to endure it swounded but God gave her strength and tho she had many Temptations yet by the power and assistance of God's holy Spirit she overcame them all she was several times had before the Bishop who reasoned with her endeavouring to make her come to Mass but she still answered him it was against her Conscience and not Commanded in the Word of God for if he could shew them there she would with all her heart receive esteem and believe them To which this Popish Bishop replyed If thou wilt believe no more than is in the Scripture concerning matters of Religion thou art in a damnable case Upon which she being somewhat amazed told him his words savoured of ungodliness She was then condemned but after her condemnation she was kept a whole year ere she was burnt but at last seeing they could not pervert her they procured the burning writ and she having notice of it received the news very chearfully spending the night before her Martyrdom in prayers receiving great Consolation and Joy in her Spirit in that God had accounted her worthy to suffer for his sake The next morning refusing the Priest they had sent to take her confession she went to the stake prepared for her aâ— Leichfield being accompanied with several of her friends several of her Neighbours acquaintance she being beloved and many of them drank with her at the stake all which were noted by the Fryers and made for so doing to undergo publick pennance When she was tyed with the chain she shewed such chearfulness and patience that all were amazed and most of them could not abstain from weeping who beheld her When the fire was set to her she neither struggl'd or stir'd only lifting up her hands towards heaven she was quickly dead the under Sheriff being her Friend had prepared such stuff as soon dispatch'd her And this was the end of this good and blessed Gentle woman and Martyr Four burnt at London 2 Women at Colchester c. On the 17th of September 1557 Ralf Allerton James Austoe Margery Austoe his wife and Richard Roth suffered all in one fire at Islington on the same day and year were burnt at Colchester in one fire two godly women Agnes Bongeer and Margaret Thurston About the same time one John Noys a Shoe maker of Laxfield in the County of Suffolk was burnt On the 23d of September the same year Cicilly Ormes a poor simple woman was burnt at Norwich for professing the Gospel At her Death she utterly renounced Popery and admonished people to beware of its Idolatry When she came to the stake she Kissed it and embracing it she said welcome thou Cross of Christ being bound to it and fire being set to her she said My soul doth Magnifie the Lord and my Spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour and in so saying she set her hands together right against her breast casting her eyes and head upward she stood without moving till her Arms being burnt in two fell into the fire and so yeilded up the Ghost as if she felt no pain On the 18th of November following John Hollingdale W. Sparrow and Richard Gibson being all condemned by Bonner suffered together in Smithfield On the 22th of December were also burnt in Smithfield John Rough a Minister and one Margaret Mearing in one fire On the 28th day of March following being the year 1558. Cutbert Symson who had been a Deacon in the Congregation of the last mentioned Minister Mr. Rough was burnt in London He was like another Stephen most Zealous for Religion and never ceased labouring earnestly how to help and preserve others from the Popish Tyranny This man keeping the Books of the Register of the names and accounts of the Congregation Mr. Rough before Martvr'd had a vision of his trouble that came suddenly upon him and lest they should find this Book and thereby