place of Execution hee put off his gown and gave it with his bonnet coat and other apparrell to his servant saying this stuffe will not help in the fire yet will do thee some good I have no more to leave thee but the example of my death which I pray thee keep in mind for albeit the same be bitter and painfull in mens judgement yet is it the entrance to everlasting life which none can inherite that denieth Christ before this congregation At his death the Friers vexed him bidding him convert pray to our Lady and say salve Regina but none was more troublesome then Fier Alexander Campbell whom he often besought to depart and not to vex him but when he would not cease he said wicked man thou knowest I am not an heretick and that it is the truth of God for which I now suffer so much thou diddest confesse unto me in privat and thereupon I appeal thee to answer before the Judgement seat of Christ his body was quickly conâ—umed for the fire was vehement but the patience and constancy he shewed in his dying stirred up such compassion in the beholders as many of them doubted not to say that he suffered an innocent and was indeed a true Martyr of Christ This opinion was further confirmed by the death of the Fâ—â—er and that manner of it for within a year and lâ—sse he fell into a frensie and died as one despeâ—at numbers were brought to the knowledge of â—he truth by his suffering This Mr. Patrick Hammiltoun suffered martyrdomâ— in the year of God 1527 Under Jimes Beton Archbishop of St. Andrews â—â—d Chancelâ—o r of the Kingdom After the deâ—â—h of Mr. Patrick Hammilton his Brother german James Hammilton oâ— Levingston was accused likewise but the King did cause convey him secretly out of the way Also Kathren Hammilton his sister was accused and being questioned upon works she answered that none was saved by his works Then John Spence spake to her of the works of congruo and condigno to which she answered work here work there what kind of working is all this no works can save me but Christs At this the king being present laughed and after conveyed her away secretly One Henry Forrest a Monk of the order of Benet and Cellet as they spoke then was also accused of Heresie but without sufficient proof Then he was sent to Walter Ange whom Buchanan in his Satyr against the gray Friers called Langius to be confessed Langius having asked him by way of confession what he thought of Patrick Hammilton he answered that he was a good man and that his articles were to be mantained Lang discovers this simple mans confession and this confession being taken for a sufficient proof the poor man was condemned to be burnt and so he was immediatly after they degraded him according to their custome As they were leading him to the execution place he complained of the Frier who had betrayed him and said let no man trust the false Friers after me They were despisers rof God and deceivers of men they burnt him at the north style of the Abbey Church in Sr. Andrews that the hereticks of Angus might see the fire Mr. Normend Gourley and David Straton were brought to tryal and condemned the one for denying Purgatory and that the Pope should have no jurisdiction within Scotland the other was charged with the same points and further was accused for maintaining the Tithes were not due to Church-men which point he denied confessig that the tithes of â—ome fish which his servants had taken at sea being too rigourously exacted hee said that if they would have the tithes of the fishes they should go and receive them where the stock was taken that he gave order to his servants to cast every tent fish they took into the sea because he saw nothing but rigour would content the Church these two were burnt at one stake as hereticks between Leith and Edinburgh to the intent the inhabitants of Fife seeing the fire might bee stricken with the more terrour and fear not to fall into the like After the death of the foresaid Martyrs under James Betoun Archbishop of St. Andrews consultation was taken by the Bishops to proceed and to burn moe hereticks for then men began liberally to speak of religion A merry Gentle-man named John Lindsay familiar to B. James Betoun standing by when consultation was had said my Lord if ye burn any more except ye follow my counsell ye will utterly destroy your selves if ye will burn them let them be burnt in hollow Cellars for the smoak of Mr. Patrick Hammilton hath infected as many as it blew upon Thus it pleased God that they should be taunted in their own face At this time when Normond Gourlay and David Straton were put to tryal and condemned were summouned Sir William Kird Adam Dayes Henry Kernes John Stewart of Leith with diverse others such as Mr. William Johnstoun Advocat Mr. Henry Henderson School-master of Edinburgh of whom some compeared in the Abby Kirk of Halyrudhouse and so abjured and publickly burnt their Bills the burning of the Bill was a sign of recantation others compeared not and therefore was exiled About this time Mr. George Buchanan for some byting verses against the Franciscans was commanded to prison but he escaping by a window of the Chamber where hee was detained prisoner whilest the Keepers were fast asleep fled into France thus there passed few dayes wherein some one or other was not called into question for Religion but the more hote the persecution was the favourers of the truth did every day the more increase The Archbishop James Betoun committed the charge of the Church affairs to his Nephew the Cardinal who succeded in his place for he was sickly himself and not seen often abroad In his time lived Mr. John Major Hector Boeth Gilbert Crab and William Gregory men of good learning and worthy to be remembred Hector Boethius was Principall of the Colledge of Aberdene a great Philosopher and much commended by Erasmus for his Eloquence and felicitie of ingenie Buchanan who could well discern of learned men speaking in a certain place of him saith quod non solum artium liberalium cognitione supraquam illa ferchant tempora insignis erat sed etiam humanitate comitate singulari praeditus that he was not only learned in the liberall Sciences above the condition of these times but also of an exceeding courteous and humane inclination yet is he traduced by some of the English Writers for a fabulous and partiall Historian But they who like to peruse his History will perceive that is spoken out of passion and malice and not upon just cause Mr. John Mair wrote also the History of Scotland and wrote upon the four Evangelists Sir John Borthwick Knight commonly called Captain Borthwick who being accused of heresie as the Papists call it and cited therefore and not appearing and escaping into other Countreys was condemned for the same being
Good Christian people for Gods love be well war of these men for they else will beguile you and lead you blindfold into Hell with themselves for Christ saith plainly unto you If one blind man lead another they are like both to fall into the ditch After this he fell there down upon his knees and thus before them all prayed for his Enemies holding up both his hands and his eyes toward Heaven and saying Lord God Eternall I beseech thee of thy great mercy sake to forgive my persewers if it be thy blessed will And then he was delivered to Sir Robert Morley and so led forth again unto the Tower of London there to be imprisoned but he escaped afterward out of the Tower how and by what means it is uncertain and was in VVales about the space of four years at which time a great summe of Money was proclaimed by the King to him that could take the said Sir John Oldcastle either quick or dead about the end of which four years being expired the Lord Powes whether for love or greedinesse of the money or whether for the hatred of the true and sincere Doctrine of Christ seeking all manner of wayes how to play the part of Judas at length obtained his bloody purpose and brought the Lord Cobham bound up to London and was brought before the Parliament and being out-lawed in the Kings binch and excommunicated before the Archbishop of Canterbury for Heresie where he was adjudged that he should be taken as a Traitour to the King to the Realm What was the point of Treason is not expressed that he should be carried to the Tower of London unto the new Gallows in St. Giles without Temple-bar and there to be hanged and burned hanging Treason was falsly surmized against him his execution arose principally of his Religion which first brought him in hatred of the Bishops the Bishops brought him in hatred of the King the hatred of the King brought him to his death martyrdome The Clergy then tanqâ—am Leones rugientes ceased not to roar after Christian blood and whatsoever else was in fault still the Clergy cryed Crucifie Christ and deliver us Barrabas for then all horrible facts and mischiefs if any were done were imputed to the poor Lollards whom they so misnamed that is withered Darnell Lollard by the Popes interpretation is a word derived of Lollium that is Darnell Yet after the burning of the Lord Cobham the Bishops and priests were in great discredit both with the Nobility and Commons partly for that they had so cruelly handled the good Lord Cobham and partly again because his opinion as they thought all at that time was perfect concerning the Sacrament The prelats feared this to grow to further inconvenience toward them both wayes wherefore they drew their heads together and at the last consented to use another practice somewhat contrare to that they had done before they caused by and by to be blown abroad by their hyred servants friends and babling Sir John's that the said Lord Cobham was become a good man and had lowly submitted himself in all things unto the holy Church utterly changing his opinion concerning the Sacrament and thereupon they counterfeited an abjuration in his name that the people should take no hold of his opinion by any thing they heard of him before and so to stand the more in aw of them considering him so great a man and by them subdued At this time Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury died and this may seem strange that the same Thomas Arundell who a little before sat in Judgement against the Lord Cobham and pronounced sentence of death upon him did himself feel the stroak of death and the sentence of God executed upon him before the other who would have thought but that the Lord Cobham being so cast and condemned definitely by the Archbishops sentence should have died long before the Bishop but such be the works of Gods Almighty hand whoso turned the Wheel that this condemned Lord survived his condemner three or four years Now to leave England for a while and to take a view of the Church of Bohemia and the persecution there for the profession of the Gospel of Christ in the year of our Lord 1400. there was great divisions in Religion in the Country of Bohemia The Emperor Charles the fourth instituted the University of Prage and provided it of learned men and as a Prince given to Letters adorned often with his presence the Disputations made in Schools but because theâ— Teutonians or Almains in that University seemed to carry away the praise and honour there in Disputations above the Bohemians they were greatly ashamed that strangers should surmount them It came to passe that one of the Bohemians having recovered the Books of VVickliff communicated them to his companions and they drew out of them great Arguments which the Teutonians could not resist whereupon many dissentions fell amongst them even to Batteries and Murthers The Teutonians seeing this forsook the place in so much that more then 2000 Schollars on one day went out of Prage and came to Lipse where they began an University after leave obtained John Hus then had the greatest renown a man that came out of a Village called Hus which signisieth an Hen whereof he took his name he was of a great and quick spirit and well spoken beginning to recommend the Doctrine of VVickliff in his Sermons to the people the occasion how the Doctrine of wickliff came to Bohemia was this there chanced at this time a certain Student of the Countrey of Bohemia to be at Oxford one of a wealthy house and also of a noble stock who returning home from the University of Oxford to the University of Prage carried with him certain Books of wickliffs who being communicated to John Hus a man of great knowledge and of a prognant wit took such pleasure in reading of them that not only he began to defend this Author openly in the Schooles but also in his Sermon commending him as a good man an holy and heavenly man wishing himself when hee should die to bee there placed whereas the Soul of wickliff should bee The Bohemians being instructed with his Doctrine began first to set against the Pope esteeming him no more Honourable nor great nor other Bishops or Priests and thereupon reformed the Doctrine by the conclusions and Articles following First that the dignity makes not the Priest or Bishop honourable but Sanctity of life and good Doctrine 2. That souls separat from the bodies go right unto eternall pains o straight obtain happy life 3. That there is no witnesse in all the Scripture whereby can be proved that there is purgatory after this life 4. To make oblation and Sacrifices for the dead is an invention of the covetousnesse of Priests 5. Images of God or Saints benedictions of waters and such like things are forged of men against the Word of God 6. That the orders of begging Friers
are invented by Devils 7. That Baptisme ought to bee administred with water without cream oyle spittle and such pollutions 8. That the Temple of God is the world That such as build Churches Monastaries and Oratories therein to inclose him do inclose Majestie which is incomprehensible 9. That the Ornaments of Priests chasubles corporalls chaleices plates vestiments and Altars are all but vanitie 10. That in vain we implore the help of Saints and that it is time lost using the Cononicall hours 11. That fastings merit nothing 12. That the Eucharist ought to be administred under both kinds 13. They rejected the Masse and received only the communion of the Supper the word and prayer and many other Articles draw from the holy Scripture Before we come to the Counsel of Constance where John Hus compeared was condemned It shall not be impertinent nor out of purpose to repeat a certain merry History and worthy otherwise to be noted that fell out at that time Pope John 23. of that name holding a Synod at Rome In the first Session of the Synod as the aforesaid John was sitting on an high seat after the Masse of the holy Ghost was sung there came an owle who placing her self upon one of the balks of the Temple and looking directly upon the Pope Saluted him in a strange manner with her fearful Song such as were there present began to wonder looking one at another and also casting their view upon the Pope they could skant keep to be much ashamed to sweat to bee sore anguished and tormented in himself finally finding no other mean whereby he might remedy his so great confusion after he had given leave to such as were assembled he rose up and retired There was an other Session after this wherein came the like for this Owle could not be chased away neither for any cryes no nor yet for stones and staffes which were cast at it There was then many which by this spectacle were induced to believe that such spirituall pillars have long time governed the Church of Rome In the year of God 1414. there was a General Counsel holden at Constance by Sigismund the Emperor and Pope John the 23. for the pacifying of the Schisme in the Church which was then between three Popes striving for the Popedome The first was John whom the Italians set up the second was Gregory whom the French men set up the third was Benedic whom the Spainards placed all three were deposed â—nd Martin is chosen Pope he is inthronized with great solemnity the Emperor on foot leading his horse by the bridle on the right hand and the Marquesse of Brandeburg Prince Elector likewise leading his horse on the left hand the Pope himself ryding in the mids upon his Palfrey This Counsel of Constance continued for the space of four years and had in it 45 Sessions wherein many things were concluded as here it was inacted that the Popes Authority is under the Counsel and that the Counsel ought to judge the Pope And touching the Communion in both kinds althogh the Counsel could not deny that it was by Christ and his Apostles used yet notwithstanding by the same Counsel it was decreed to the contrare Great was the convention at this Counsel of Constance The number of Prelats conveened at this Counsel were 346. Of Abbots and Doctors 564. Secular men Princes and Dukes Earles and Knights Esquyers 16000. besides common women belonging to the said Counsel 450. Barbars 600. Minstrels Cooks and Jesters 320. So that the whole multitude which were viewed to be in the Town of Censtance between Easter and Whitsuntide were numbered to be 60500. Strangers and Forrainers at the Counsel At this time Wencâ—laus King of Bohemia was required by the Counsell to send John Hus that he might purge himself of the slanders that was raised upon him who went thither with the Emperors safe conduct given him he is brought before the Pope and the Cardinals and of them is slanderously accused of many crimes he is keeped a while in prison amongst them during which time hee wrot certain Books that is to say Of the Ten Commandements Of the love and knowledge of God Of Matrimony Of Pennance Of the enemies of Mankind Of the Prayer of our Lord And of the Supper of our Lord After Pope John fled out of Constance the Popes servants delivered up the Keyes of the prison where John Hus was unto the Emperor Sigismund and to the Cardinals then by the whole consent of the Counsell the said John Hus was put into the hands of the Bishop of Constance who sent him to a Castle of the other side of the River of Rhine not very far from Constance where he was shut up in a Tower with fetters on his legs that he could scarcely walk in the day time and at night he was fastened up to a Rack against the Wall hard by his Bed In the mean season the Nobles of Bohemia did all their endeavour to purchase hid deliverance having respect to the good renown of all the Realm the which was wonderfully desamed and slandered by certain naughty persons and to this effect the Nobles of Bohemia gave in a Schedul or Bill to the Counsell humbly entreating that John Hus might be delivered out of prison and defend his own cause openly he is brought before the Counsell where many things were falsly said to his charge by his adversaries whereof he cleared himself yet he is condemned for an Heretick and a teacher of false and erroneous Doctrine when sentence and judgement was given out against him kneeling down upon his knees he said Lord Jesus Christ forgive mine enemies by whom thou knowest that I am falsly accused and that they have used false witnesse and slanders against me forgive them I say for thy great mercies sake This his prayer and Oration the greater part and especially the chief of the Priests did deride and mock he is first degraded and deprived of all the Priestly ornaments and priviledges and before they deliver him over unto the Secular power they put this reproach upon him they caused to be made a certain Crown of Paper almost a cubit deep in the which were painted three Devils of wonderful ugly shape and this Title set above their heads Haeresiarcha the which when he saw he said My Lord Jesus Christ for my sake did wear a Crown of Thorns why should not I then for his sake again wear this light Crown be it never so ignominious truly I will do it and that willingly When it was set upon his head the Bishops said now we commit thy soul unto the Devil But I said John Hus lifting up his eyes towards the heavens I commit my spirit unto thy hands O Lord Jesus Christ unto thee I commend my spirit which thou hast redeemed These contumelous opprobries thus ended the Bishops turning themselves towards the Emperor said this most sacred Synod of Constance leaveth now John Hus which hath no more any
The furniture of his Books cost him 70â—0 Florents a little before his death his mind was to give all away and to take a Towl and Preach but the Lord would not permit him With two Popes that is with Pope Innocent and Alexander the sixt he had much vexation Under the Raign of Fredericus the third Emperor of Germany was one Iohn a Pastor or a Neat herd which was a keeper of Cattel him the Bishop of Herbipolis condemned and burnt for an Heretick because he taught and held that the life of the Clergy was ignominious and abominable before God But to proceed in the Persecutions of the Godly in England in King Henry the seventh his Raign In the Diocesse of Lincoln in Buckinghame-shire William Smith being Bishop of the same Diocesse one William Tylesworth was burned in Amershame his only Daughter being a married Woman a Godly and a Faithfull Woman was compelled with her own hands to set fire to her dear father and at the same time her husband did penance at her fathers burning and bare a Fagot as did also many moe At the burning of this William Tylsworth were sixty and above that were put to bear Fagots for their Penance of whom diverse were injoyned to bear and wear Fagots at Lincoln for the space of seven years some at one time some at another c. In which number was also Robert Barlet a rich man who for his Possessions sake was put out of his Farm and Goods and was condemned to be kept in the Monasterie of Ashange were he did wear on his right Sleeve a square piece of Cloath the space of seven years together About the same time also of the burning of Wilâ—iam Tylesworth was one Father Roberts burned at Buckinghame he was a Miller and dwelt at Missenden and at his burning there were about twenty persons that were compelled to bear Faggots and to do such pennance as the wicked Pharisees did compell them After that by the space of two or three years was burned at Amersham Thomas Bernard a husband man and James Mordan a labourer and they two was burned both at one fire Also there were thirty burned on the right Cheek at the same time and bare Faggots the cause was that they would table against Superstition and Idolatrie and were desireous to hear and read the holy Scriptures The manner of their burning on the cheek was this their necks was tyed fast to a Poast or Stay with Towels and their hands holden that they might not stir and so the Iron being hot was put to their cheeks and thus bare they the Prints and Marks of the Lord Jesus about them At this time also in the dayes of King Henry the seventh was one Laurence Ghest which was burned in Salisbury for the matter of the Sacrament he was of a comely and tall Personage he was kept in Prison the space of two years This Laurence had a Wife and seven Children wherefore they thinking to expugne and perswade his mind by stirring his fatherly affection toward his Children when the time came which they appointed for his burning as he was at the Stake they brought before him his Wife and his foresaid seven Children at the sight whereof although Nature is commonly bent to work in other yet in him Religion overcoming Nature made his constancy to remain unmoveable in such sort as when his Wife began to exhort and desire him to favour himself he again desired her to be content and not to be a block in his way for he was in a good course running towards the mark of his Salvation and so fire being put to him he finished his life renouncing not only Wife and Children but also himself to follow Christ As he was in burning one of the Bishops men threw a fire-brand at his face whereat the brother of Laurence standing by ran at him with his Dagger and would have slain him had he not been otherwise stayed It is recorded likewise in the raign of this King Henry the seventh when the people was returning from the burning of a faithfull woman at Cheaping Sadbery for alledged Heresie by Doctor Whitington the Bishops Chancelour who was present at the execution as hee returned with the rest there happened that a Bull escaping from the Butcher into the street he passed through the throng of the people every one drawing aside and shifting for himself and touching neither man nor childe till hee came where the Chancelour was against whom the Bull as pricked with a sudden vehemency ran upon him with his horns and taking him upon the paunch gorred him throw and throw and so killed him immediatly carrying his guts and trailing them with his horns all the streets over to the great admiration and wonder of all them that saw it Here we see a plain miracle of Gods mighty power and judgement both in the punishing of this wretched Chancellour and also in admonishing all other like persecutors by his example to fear the Lord and to abstain from the like cruelty Besides these before mentioned many moe in this King Henry the seventh his raign were persecuted for their Religion specially in the diocesse of Coventree and Lich-field among whom we shall name these few First John Blomston was openly and publickly infamed accused reported and apeached that he was a very Heretick because he had preached taught holden and affirmed that the power attributed to St. Peter in the Church oâ— God by one Saviour Jesus Christ immediatly did not flitte or passe from him to remain with his Successors Item that there was as much vertue in an Herb as in the Image of the Virgine Mary Item that prayer and Alms avail not the dead for incontinent after death he goeth either to Heaven or hell whereupon hee concludeth there is no Purgatory c. Richard Heghame in the same City of Coventree was accused to be a very Heretick because that hee did hold that a Christian man being at the point of death should renounce all his own works good and ill and submit him to the mercy of God Item It was fondnesse to worship the images of our Lady of Tower in the forsaid City or of other Saints for they are but stocks and stones Item that if the image of our Lady of Tower were put into the fire it would make a good fire Item that it were better to deal money unto the poor folks than to offer to the Image of Christ and other Saints which are but dead stocks and stones John Smith was accused to be a very Heretick because he did hold every man is bound to know the Lords Prayer and the Creed in English if he might for these false Priests Thomas Butler was likewise accused to bee a very Heretick because he did hold that there were but two wayes that is to say to heaven and to hell Item that there was no Purgatory for every man immediatly after death passeth either to heaven or hell Item that prayers
Prince of Spain and Mary Queen of England were married together by the Bishop of Winchester in the presence of a great number of Noblemen of both the Realms in the year of God 1554. Cardinal Pool is sent legate to the King and Queen to reconcile England to their mother Church Rome the Parliament suâ—mit themselves to the Pope his authority is restored which was matter of great joy to Rome Great was the bloody murthering of Gods Saints in the time of Queen Mary And first to begin with Master John Rogers he is condemned of the Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor for two articles first for that he affirmed the Romish Catholick Church to be the Church of Antichrist and that he denied the reality of their Sacrament he cursed him to be disgraded and condâ—mned and put into the hands of the Lâ—itie and so he gave him over into the Shireffs hand which were much better then his 2. That in the Sacrament of the Altar there is not substantially nor really the natural body and blood of Christ After that this John Rodgers had been long and straitly imprisoned by the space of an year and an half at New-gate amongst Theeves often examined and very uncharitably entreated and at length unjustly and most cruelly by wicked Winchester condemned Such was the Bishop of Winchester and Boner Bishop of London their charity that he could not obtain of them that favour as to talk a little with his wife before his burning for his wife and children being eleven in number ten able to go and on sucking on her breast met him by the way as he went towards Smithfield this sorrowfull sight of his own flesh blood could nothing move him but that he constantly and chearfully took his death with wonderful patience in the defence and quarrel of Christs Gospel As he was going to Smithfield he said the Psalm Miserere by the was all the people wonderfully rejoycing at his constancy with great praises and thanks to God for the same A littâ—e before his burning at the stake his pardon was brought if he would have recanted but he utterly refused it so he was burned into ashes washing his hands in the flamme as he was in burning he was the first Protomartyr of all that blessed company that suffered in Queen Maries time that got the first adventure upon the fire he was viccar of St. Pulchers and Reader of Pauls in London After that Mâ—ster Rodgers had broken the yce here under Queen Mary there suffered in like sort an Archbishop four Bishops twenty one Divines eight Gentlemen eighty four Artificers one hundred Husband-men Servants and Labourers twenty six Wives twenty Widows nine Virgins two boyes and two Infants with many moe yea it is recorded that in lesse then four years they sacrificed the lives of eight hundred innocents here to their Idols in Queen Maries daies We shall take a view of them that are most memorable Lawrence Sanders Preacher a man of worshipfull Parentage was burned for the defence of the Gospel at Coventree being led to the place of Execution he went in an old Gown and a Shirt bare-footed and oftentimes fell flat on the ground and prayed When he came to the fire he fell to the ground and prayed he rose up again and took the Stake to which he should be chained in his arms and kissed it saying welcome the Crosse of Christ welcome everlasting life and being fastned to the Stake and fire put to him full sweetly he sleeped in the Lord. Mr. John Hooper Bishop of Worchester and Glocester was burnt for the defence of the Gospel at Glocester he was a worthy Bishop endued with these qualities that St. Paul requires in a Bishop he was condemned at London and degraded by Bishop Winchester and others and sent to Glocester to be burnt As he went to the fire he was led between two Sheriffs as it were a Lamb to the place of slaughter in a Gown of his Hosts his Hat upon his head and a staff in his hand to stay himself withall for the grief of the Sciatica which he had taken in prison caused him sometimes to halt All the way he was straitly charged not to speak the people mourned bitterly for him After he was entred into his prayer a Box was brought and laid before him upon a Stool with his pardon or at the least wise it was fained to be his pardon from the Queen if he would he at the sight thereof cryed if ye love my soul away with it if ye love my soul away with it the Box being taken away the Lord Shandois said seeing there is no remedy dispatch him quickly Mr. Hooper said God my Lord I trust your Lady will give me leave to make an end of my prayers Then said the Lord Shandois to Sir Edmund Bridges take heed that he do nothing else but pray if he do tell me and I shall quickly dispatch him so he prayed in these words following Lord said he I am hell but thou art heaven I am swill and a stink of sin but thou art a gracious God and a merciful Redeemer have mercy therefore upon me most miserable and wretched offender after thy great mercie and according to thy inestimable goodnesse Thou that art ascended into heaven receive me hell to be partaker of thy joyes where thou sittest in equall glory with tâ—y Father for well knowest thou Lord whereof I am come hither to sâ—ffer and why the wicked do â—â—â—secute this thy poor servant not for my sins and â—â—â—sgressions committed against thee but because I will not allow their wicked doings to the contaminating of thy blood and to the denyall of the knowledge of thy truth wherewith it did please thee by thy holy Spirit to instruct me the which with as much diligence as a poor wretch might being thereto called I have set forth to thy glory And well seest thou my Lord and God what terrible pains and cruel torments be prepared for thy creature such Lord as without thy strength none is able to bear or patiently to passe but all things that are impossible with man are possible with thee Therefore strengthen me of thy goodnesse that in the fire I break-not the rules of patience or else aswage the terrour of the pains as shall seem most to thy glory After he had done he was put to the fire and he abode three quarters of an hour in the fire for it was slow in burnning and thrise it was kindled before he was consumed In the midst of the fire he prayed with a loud voice Lord Jesus have mercy upon me Lord Jesus have mercy upon me Lord Jesus receive my spirit and these were the last words that he was heard to utter But when he was black in the mouth and his tongue swollen that he could not speak yet his lips went til they were shrunk to the Gams and he knocked his breast with his hands untill one of his arms fell off and then knocked
the eleventh there ensued such a great Schisme in Rome between two Popes Urban and Clement and other succeeding after them one striving against another that the Schisme thereof indured the space of 39. years or there about untill the time of the Counsell of Constance As touching this pestilent and miserable Schisme It would require here another Iliad to comprehend in order all the circumstances and tragicall parts thereof what trouble in the whole Church what parts taking in every country what apprehending and imprisoning of Priests and Prelats taken by land and sea what shedding of Blood did follow thereoff how Otho Duke of Brunswick and Prince of Tarentum was taken and murthered how Joan his wife Queen of Jerusalem and Sicilia who before had sent to Pope Urban beside other gifts at his Coronation 40. m. Duckets in pure Gold was after by the said Urban committed to prison and in the same prison strangled What Cardinals were racked and miserably without all mercy tormented on Gibbets to death what slaughter of men what Battels were fought between the Popes whereof 5000. on the one side were slain beside the number of them who are taken Prisoners of the beheading of five Cardinals together after long torments And how the Bishop of Aquilonensis being suspected of Pope Urban for not ryding faster with the Pope his horse not being so good was there slain by the Popes commandement sending his Souldiers unto him to slay him and cut him in pieces with many moe acts of horrible cruelty happening in the time of this abominable Schisme About the same time aâ—so or about three years after there fell a cruell dissention in England between the common people and the Nobility the which did not a little disturb and trouble the Common-wealth In this tumult Simon of Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury was taken by the Rusticall and rude people and was beheaded In the year of God 1397. there was a battel foughteen betwixt Tamerlane the Tartarian Prince and Bajazet the fourth King of the Turks not far from the Mount Stella where Bajazer there lost his son Mustapha with two hundred thousand of his men and Tamerlane not many fewer Bajazet himself was taken and being brought to Tamerlane and after sundry things asked of him he inqired of him what he would have done with him if it had been his fortune to have fallen into his hands as thou art now in mine I would said Bajazer have inclosed thee in a Cage of Iron and so in triumph have carried thee up and down my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlane shalt thou be served And so he made him to be schaked in fetters and chains of gold and to be shut up in an Iron Cage made like a Grat in such sort as that he might on every side be seen and so carried him up and down as he passed through Asia to be of his own people scorned and derided And to his own further disgrace upon Festival dayes used him for a footstool to tread upon when he mounted to horse and at other times scornfully feed him like a Dog with crumes fallen from his Table A rare example of the uncertainty of worldly honour that he unto whose ambitious mind Asia and Europe two great parts of the world were too little should be now carried up and down cooped up in a little Iron Cage like some perillous wild beast all which Tamerlane did not so much for the hatred to the man as to manifest the just judgement of God against the arrogant folly of the proud It is reported that Tamerlane being requested by one of his Noblemen that might be bold to speak unto him to remit some part of his severity against the person of so great a Prince answered that he did not use that rigour against him as a King but rathet did punish him as proud ambitious Tyrant polluted with the blood of his own brother About this time Berthold Schwartz and Alchimist invented the Guns and Artilery After the death of John Wickliff many were persecuted and suffered most cruel death in England and many moe did forsake the Realm and weâ—e persecuted for the embracing professing and maintaining of VVckliffs doctrine And first of all we begin at one VVilliam Sawtre a good man and a faithfull Priest of the Churrh of St. Margaret in the Town of Lin and zealous of the true Religion he is brought before Thomas Arnndell Archbishop of Canterbury and his Clergie and is before them convict and condemned for Heresie he is first desposed and degraded from his Office and thereafter delivered to the secular power to be burned This it may appear how tKings and Princes have been blinded and abused by â—he false Prelates of the Church in so much that they have been their slaves and butchers to slay Christs poor innocent members See therefore what danger it is for princes not to have knowledge and understanding themselves but to be led by other mens eyes and especially trusting to such guides who through hypocrisie both deceive them and through cruelty devour the people As this King Henry the fourth was the first of English Kings that began the unmercifull burning of Christs Saints for standing against the Pope so was this VVilliam Sawtre the true and faithfull Martyr the first of all them after VVickliffs death which I find to be burned in the raign of the forsaid King which was in the year of our Lord 1400. After the Martyrdome of this godly man the rest of the same company began to keep themselves more clearly for fear of the King who was altogether bent to hold up the Popes Prelacie Such was the raign of this Prince that to the godly he was ever terrible in his actions immeasurable of few men heartily beloved but Princes never lack flatters about them neither was the time of his raigne very quiet but full of trouble of blood and misery After the death of VVilliam Sawtre was apprehended one John Badby a Taylor a Lay-man he was accused of heresie and other Articles repugnant to the determination of the Church of Rome before Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury and other his assiants both Lords Spirituall and Temporall and was condemned for an Heritick and delivered over to the Secular power to be burnt the Kings warrand is given for his burning he is brought into Smithfield and there being put in an empty Barrell was bound with Iron Chains fastened to an Stake having dry Wood put about him And as he was thus standing in the Pipe or Tun it happened that the Prince the Kings eldest son was there present who shewing some part of the good Samaritan began to endeavour and essay how to save his life he admonished counselled him that having respect unto himself he would speedily withdrawn himself out of these dangerous Labyrinths of opinions adding oftentimes threatnings the which might have daunted any mans stomack but hee hearkened not thereunto and then was the Tun put over him and fire put
unto him and when he felt the fire he cryed mercy calling belike unto the Lord and so the Prince immedialy commanded to take away the Tun and quench the fire The Prince his commandement being done asked him if he would forsake Heresie to take him to the faith of Holy Church which thing if he would do he should have Goods enough promising also unto him a yearly Stipend out of the Kings Treasury so much as should suffice his contentation but this valiant Champion of Christ neglecting the Princes fair words and promises continued constant in his profession then the Prince commanded him straight to be put again into the Pipe or Tun and that he should not afterward look for any grace or favour and so he was burnt to death Other servants of God good religious men were accused of Heresie and brought before the Archbishop of Canterbury as VVilliam Thorp who gave a large and notable confession of his Faith and answered wisely and godly to all the points whereof he was accused by the Archbishop where he suffered mocking and scorning and threatning what became of this good man and blessed servant of God is not at yet in Story specified by all conjecture it is thought that the Archbishop Thomas Arundell being so hard an adversary against him would not let him go much lesse it is to be supposed that he would ever retract his sentence and opinion which he so valiantly maintained before the Bishop neither doth it seem that he had any such recanting spirit Again neither is it found that he was burned wherefore it remaineth most likely to be true that he being committed to some strait Prison according as the Archbishop in his Examination before did threaten him was so straitly keeped that either he was secretly made away or else there he died by sicknesse The like end also I find happen to John Ashton another good fellower of VVickliff he was condemned by the Bishops and because he would not recant he was committed to perpetuall Prison wherein the good man continued till his death And as great was the constancy of the true professors so many did shrink and did revolt and renounce for danger of the Law In those dayes great was the pride and glory of the Clergie of England that none durst stir or once mute against them having the King so full on their side armed moreover with Laws Statutes Punishments Imprisonments Sword Fire and Fagot reigned and ruled as they listed as Kings and Pâ—inces within themselves So strong were they of power that no humane force was able to stand against them so exalted in pride and puft up in glory that they thought all things to be subject to their reverend Majesties whatsoever they set forth or decreed it must be of all men received and obeyed What greater shew of arrogancy and pride could there be then in this When Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury passed by the high Street of London and because they did not ring their Bells for a triumph of his coming took great snuffe thereat and did suspend all such Churches in London not only with the Steeple and Bells but also with the Organs so many as did not receive his coming with the noise of Bells The like stir for Bell-ringing and for Processions had almost happened between the Archbishop of Canterbury Successor to this Thomas Arundell named Henry Chicâ—ly on the one part and the Abbey of St. Albons on the other part had not the Abbot in time submitting himself to the Archbishop so provided that the ringing of their Bells at his comming might not redound to any derogation of their Liberties whereunto the Archbishop granted by his Lettert direct to them To expresse moreover and describe the glorious pomp of these Princely Prelates in those blind dayes of Popish Religion reigning then in the Church I though to adjoyn hereunto another example not much unlike neither differing much in time concerning certain poor men cited up and enjoyned strait pennance by VVilliam Courtney predecessor of the said Thomas Arundell for bringing Litter to his Horse not in Wains as they should do but in privie Sacks in a secret manner under their Cloaks or Coats for the which so hainous and horrible trespasse the said Archbishop sitting in his Tribunall-seat did call and cite before him the said persons pro litera 1. For Litter after his own Latin and after their submission injoyns them Pennance that is that they going leafurly before the Procession every one of them should carry openly on his shoulder his Bag stuffed with Hay and Straw so that the said Hay or Straw should appear hanging out the mouths of the Sacks being open whereupon it was said This Bag full of Straw I bear on my back Because my Lords Horses his Litter did lack If ye be not good to my Lords Graces horse Ye are like to go bare foot before the Crosse King Henry the fourth had a Prophesie that he thould die in Jerusalem and lying sick in a fair Chamber at VVestminster and lying on his Bed he asked how they called the said Chamber and they answered and said Jerusalem and then he said it was his Prophesie that he should make his end in Jerusalem And so disposing himself toward his end in the foresaid Chamber he died upon that sicknesse whether of Leprosie or of some other sharp disease I have not to affirm The like Prophesie we read of Pope Sylvester 2. to whom being inquisitive for the time and place where he should die it was answered that he should die at Jerusalem who then saying Masse in a Chappel called likewise Jerusalem perceived his end there to be near and died Sir John Oldcastle the Lord Cobham a most worthy and religious Knight was suspect of Heresie and to bee a favourer and maintainer of VVickliffs Doctrine and the professors thereof for the which he was apprehended and accused and falsly condemned for Heresie In his examination before the Archbishop Arundell and his Clergy he answered wisely and Religiously to every point he was posed upon especially anent the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and constantly and zealously maintained the Truth but in end he is falsly and unjustly condemned as an Heretick After that the Archbishop Thomas Arundell had read the bill of his condemnation with most extremity before the whole multitude the Lord Cobham said with a most chearfull countenance though ye judge my body which is but a wretched thing yet am I certain and sure that ye can do no harm unto my Soul no more then could Satan unto the Soul of Job hee that created that will of his infinit mercy and promise save I have therein no manner of doubt And as concerning these Articles of my Belief that I have given in unto you I will stand to them even unto the very death by the grace of my Eternall God And therewith he turned him unto the People casting his hands abroad and saying with a very loud voice
so often or so long as it pleased their ordinary to appoint by which long rigorous and open punishing of them they meant as it should seem utterly to terrifie and keep back all others from the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and his Gospel But the Lord be evermore praised what effect their wicked purposes therein have been taken these our most lightsome dayes of Gods glorious Gospell doe most joyfully declare William Sweting and John Brewster were put to death and burnt together in Smithfield the chiefest case of Religion alledged against them in their Articles was their Faith concerning the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood which because it differed from the absurd grosse and Capernaiticall opinion of the new School men was counted as most hainous Heresie John Brown was put to death and burned at Ashford in the year of God 1517. about the fourth year of King Henry the eighth upon the declaration of a Priest in a conference between him and the Priest who took him for an Heretick whereupon he was apprehended and committed to Prison the same night as he was in the Stocks at Ashford where he and his Wife dwelt his Wife came and sat beside him all the night before he should be burned to whom he declaring the whole story how he was handled shewed and told how that he could not set his feet to the ground for they were burned to the bones and told her how by the two Bishops Warham and Fisher his feet were heated upon the hote coals and burnt to the bones to make me said he to deny my Lord which I will never do for if I should deny my Lord in this World he would hearafter deny me I pray thee therefore said he good Elizabeth continue as thou hast begun and bring up thy Children vertuously and in the fear of God and so the next day this godly Martyr was burned commending his spirit into the hands of the Lord At the fire the Bayllie Arrant bade cast in his Children also for they would spring said he of his ashes This blessed Martyr John Brown had born an Faggot seven years before in the dayes of King Henry the 7. Richard Hunne Merchand Tailyour dwelling within the City of London and free-man of the same who was esteemed during his life and worthily reputed and taken not only for a man of true dealing and good substance but also for a good Catholick man this man was suspect of Heresie and committed to the Lollords Tower where he was first murthered by his adversaries the Priests and by them hanged whereupon they made the people to believe that he had desperatly hanged himself and after his death led a processe against him and condemned him of Heresie and at last burned him in Smith-field Thomas Man for alledged Heresie suffered much trouble and long imprisonment and in end was condemned and burnt in Smithfield This Tomas Man called Doctor Man confessed that he turned seven hundred people to his Religion and Doctrine for the which he thanked God Against the faithfull Christians of Amershame was great trouble and persecution in the time of William Smith Bishop of Lincolne At which time diverse and many were abjured and it was called abjuratio magna the great abjuration and they which were noted of that Doctrine and profession were called amongst themselves by the name of known men or just fast men as now they are called by the name of Protestants At this time although publick authority then lacked to maintain the open Preaching of the Gospel yet there were many in secret good Christians and true Professors of the Gospel truly the fervent zeal of those Christian-dayes seemed much superiour to these our dayes and times as manifestly may appear by their sitting up all night in reading and hearing also by their charges and expenses in buying of Books in English In which rarity of books and want of Teachers this one thing may be much marvelled and mused at to note in the Registers and to consider how the word of truth notwithstanding did multiplie so exceedingly as it did amongst them wherein is to be seen no doubt the marvellous working of Gods Almighty power for so it is found and observed in considering the Registers how one neighbour resorting and conferring with another oft seemed with a few words of the first and second Table did win and turn their minds to that wherein they desired to perswade them touching the truth of Gods Word and their Sacraments To see their travells their earnest seeking their burning zeal their readings their watchings their sweet assemblies their love concord their godly living their faithfull meaning with the faithfull may make us now in these our dayes of free profession to blush for shame Four prinipal points they stood in against the Church of Rome in pilgrimage adoration of Saints in reading of Scripture-books in English and in the carnall presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament After the death of William Smith succeeded John Longland a bloody and cruell persecutor of the Saints of God he caused the Wife to detect the Husband the Husband the Wife the Father the Daughter the Daughter the Father the Brother to disclose the Brother and Neigbour the Neighbour neither were there any Assemblies nor readings kept but both the persons and also the books were known neither was one word so closely spoken nor Article mentioned but it was discovered So subtilly and slightly these Catholick Prelats did use their inquisions and Examinations that nothing was done or said among these known men fifteen or twenty years before so covertly but it was brought at length to their intelligence as appears in a Table describing the grievous afflictions of good Men and Women in the Diocesse of Lincolne under John Longland their Bishop with the names both of the accusers and of them that were accused also with the crimes to them objected out of the Registers of the said Diocesse all these were constrained to abjure and do penance and they which were Relapse were committed to the Secular power and burnt As touching the burning of John Scrivener here is to be noted that his Children were compelled to set the fire unto their Father in like manner as Joan Clerk also Daughter of William Tylesworth was compelled to give fire for the burning of her own naturall Father The example of which cruelty as it is contrary both to God and Nature so it had not been seen nor heard of in the memory of the Heathen Now to leave England for a while and to take a view of other Countreys and the Persecutions for Religion there we shall begin first with Germany OF MARTIN LUTHER by whom God began the Reformation of his CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER born at Isleben in Saxonie one Augustine Frier arose in the year of God 1516. to detect and discover the errors of the Church of Rome and to cry out against indulgences upon this occasion Leo the tenth of that name Pope of Rome
Almighty and from thence he shal come to judge the quick and the dead Lo this is the heresie that I hold and for it must suffer the death But as touching the holy and blessed Supper of the Lord I believe it to be a most necessary remembrance of his glorious suffering and death Moreover I believe as much therein as my eternall and only Redeemer Jesus Christ would I should believe She is brought into Smithfield to her execution in a Chair because she could not go on her feet by means of her great torments there she patiently endured death with sundry moe that at that time was burnt with her Then Urisley Lord Chancellor sent to Anna Askew Letters offering to her the Kings pardon if she would recant who refusing once to look upon them made this answer again that she came not thither to deny her Lord and Master Then were the Letters offered unto the other who in like manner following the constancy of the woman denyed not only to receive them but also to look upon them whereupon the Lord Major commanding fire to be put to them cryed with a loud voice fiat Justitia Queen Catherine Parre late Queen and wife to King Henry the eight was in great danger for the Gospel the Chancellor Bishop of Winchester and others of their conspiracy but she was graciously preserved by her kind and loving Husband the King King Henry died in the thirty eight year of his Reign King Henry of his own nature and disposition was so inclinable and forward in all things vertuous and commendable that the like interprise of redresse of Religion hath not lightly been seen in any other Christned Prince as in abolishing the stout and almost invincible authority of the Pope in suppressing Monâ—steries in repressing custome of Idolatry and Pilgrimages c. which interprises as never King of England did accomplish though some began to attempt them before him so yet to this day we see but few in other Realmes dar follow the same So long as Queen Bullâ—n Thomas Cromwell Bishop of Cranmer and such like good counsellours were about him he did much good So again when sinister and evil counsell under subtill and crafty pretences had gotten once the foot in thrusting truth and verity out of the Princes ears how much Religion and all good things went prosperously forward before so much on the contrary side all revolted backward again Prince Edward succeeded his father being of the age of nine years and Reigned six years and eight months and eight dayes and deceased Anno 1553. He was a vertuous and religious Prince of admirable gifts and graces far beyond his years Religion flourished in his time for by the advise of his Governours especially by his Uncle Lord John Simer Duke of Somerset Protector of the Realm that monstrous Hydra with six heads the six Articles I mean who devoured up so many men before was abolished and taken away the holy Scriptures were restored to the Mother Tongue Mastes extinguished and abolished these that were before in banishment for the danger of the truth were again received to their Countrey for the most part of the Bishops of Churches and Diocesses were changed Such as had been dumb Prelats before were compelled to give place to others then that would preach take pains Besides other also out of foraign Countreys men of learning and notable knowledge were sent for and received among whom was Peter Martyr Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius which were set into the Universities Of the old Bishops some were committed to one Ward some to another but these meek and gentle times of King Edward under the Government of this noble Protector hath this one commendation proper unto them for that amongst the whole number of the popish sort of whom some privily did steal out of the Realm many were crafty dissemblers some were open and manifest adversaries yet of all that multitude there was not one man that lost his life for during all the time of King Edwards Reign which was about six years neither in Smithfield nor any other quarter of this Realm any was heard to suffer for any matter of Religion either Papist or Protestant either for one opinion or other except only two one an English-woman called Joan of Kent and the other a Dutch-man named George who died for certain Articles not much necessary here to be rehearsed Besides these two there was none else in all King Edwards Reign that died in any manner or cause of Religion but that one Thomas Dobbie who in the beginning of this Kings Reign was apprehended for speaking against the Idolatry of the Masse and in the same Prison died whose pardon notwithstanding was obtained of the Lord Protector and should have been brought him if he had continued The horrible and bloody Time of Queen MARY QUeen Mary succeeded her brother King Edward to the Crown ingyring her self by force and violence notwithstanding that Lady Jane was proclaimed Queen before her by King Edwards testament and the consent of the Nobility She altered Religion that was in King Henries time and King Edwards she made an Inhibition by proclamation that no man should preach or read openly in the Churches the word of God the Masse is set up and a proclamation that no man should interrupt any of these that would say masse the Popes Authority is restored In a word she banished the Gospel and true Religion and brought in the Antichrist of Rome with his Idolatry supperstition turned the English service into Latine again c. About this time a priest of Canterbury said masse the one day and the next day after he came into the Pulpit and desired all the people to forgive him for he said he had betrayed Christ but not as Judas did and there made a long Sermon against the Masse Marriage is concluded between Queen Mary and the King of Spain Strange sights were seen before the comming in of King Philip and subversion of Religion for in the month of February 1553. there was seen within the City of London about the 9. of the clock in the forenoon two Suns Shining at once the one a good pretty way distant from the other At the same time was also seen a rain bow turned contrary and a great deal higher then hath been accustomed it stood with the head downward and the feet as it were upward In the second year of Queen Mary there was a Cat hanged upon a Gallows at the crosse in Cheap apparelled like a priest ready to say masse with a shaven crown her two fore feet tyed over her head with a round paper like a wafer cake put between them whereon arose a great ill-will against the city of London for the Queen and the Bishops were very angry withall and therefore the same afternoon there was a proclamation that whosoever could bring forth the party that did hang up the Cat should have twenty Nobles but none could or would earn it Philip
Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of the Kingdom enemy of Gods Word THe next moneth after the burning of Doctor Ridley and Mr. Latimer which was the moneth of November Stephen Gardiner Bishop and Chancellor a man hated of God and all good men ended his wretched life The same day when as Bishop Ridley and Mr. Latimer suffered at Oxford came the servant of the said Winchester posting in all possible speed from Oxford bringing intelligence to the Bishop that Ridley and Latimer were burnt he came out rejoycing and saying to the old Dâ—ke of Norfolk being then in his house Now saith he let us go to dinner Whereupon they being set down meat was immediatly brought and the Bishop began merrily to eat but what followed The bloodyly â—yrant had not eaten a few bits but the sudden stroak of God his terrible hand fell upon him in such sort as immediatly he was taken from the Table and so brought to bed where he continued for the space of fifteen dayes in such intollerable anguish and torments that all that mean while during these fifteen dayes he could not avoid by order of Urine or otherwise any thing that he received whereby his body being miserably inâ—amed within who had inflamed so many good Martyrs before was brought to wretched end And therefore no doubt as most like it is came the thrusting out of his tongue from his mouth so swolen and black with the Inflamation of his body a spectacle worthy to be noted and behold of all such bloody persecuters Moreover it is recorded concerning the said Bishop that when Doctor Daie Bishop of Chicester came to him and began to comfort him with words of Gods promise and with the free justification in the blood of Christ our Saviour repeating the Scriptures to him Winchester hearing that What my Lord quoth he will ye open that gap now then farewell altogether to me and such other in my case ye may speak it but open this window to the people then farewell altogether The Martyrdome of Mr. John Philpot Arch-deacon was burnt for the defence of the Gospels cause against the Antichristian See of Rome After long â—mprisonment oft Examination he is condemned as an Heretick and delivered to the Secular Power to be burnt When he came to the place of suffering to wit in Smithfield he kissed the Stake and said Shall I disdain to sâ—ffer at this Stake seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer most vile death upon the Crosse for me and then with an obedient heart full meekly he said the 106.107 and 108. Psalms and when he had made an end of all his prayers he said to the Officers What have ye done for me and every one of them declared what they had done and he gave to every one of them money then they bound him to the Stake and set fire unto that constant Martyr who in the midst of the firey flames yeelded his soul into the hands of the Almighty God and like a Lamb gave up his breath his body being consumed into ashes The writings and examinations of Mr. Phipòt were by the providence of God preserved from the sight and hands of his enemies who by all manner and means sought not only to stop him from all writing but also to spoil and deptive him of that which he had written for the which cause he was many times stripped and searched within the prison by his Keeper but yet so happily these his Writings were couveyed and hid in places about him or else his Keepers eyes so blinded that notwithstanding all this malicious purpose of the Bishops are yet remaining and come to light There were seven Martyrs that suffered together at one fire in Smithfield at London for the testimony of Christs Gospel in the second year of persecution under Qâ—een Mary five men one wife and one maid all which seven as they were burned together in one fire so were they likewise all upon one sort and form of Aâ—ticles condemned in on day Amongst the rest of the Articles objected against them were that they misliked the Sacrifice of the Masse and the Sacrament of the Altar refusing to come to their Parish Church to hear Masse and that they did expresly say that in the Sacrament of the Altar is not the very body and blood of our Saviour Christ really substantâ—â—ly and truly and hath affirmed expresly that the Masse is idolatry and abomination and that in the Sacrament of the Altar there is none other substance but only materiall bread and materiall wine which are tokens of Christs body and blood and that the substance of Christs body and blood is no wayes in the Sacrament of the Altar c. As for the first of these seven to wit Thomas Whitlie Minister upon perswasion and counâ—â—l râ—canted and subscribed a Bill of submission to renounce all errors and heresies against the Sacrament of the Altar c. And I do protest and declare by these presents that I do both now hold obâ—erve and keep in all points the Ctaholick â—aâ—th and belief of Christs Church according as this Church of England â—eing a member of this Catholick Church doth now profess and keep and in no wayes to swerve decâ—ine or go from the said faith during my naturall life submitting my self fully and wholly to you reverend Father my said ordinary in all things concerning my reformation and amendement at all times Now when he had thus done he was troubled in his mind and conscience for forsaking the crosse of Christ and had no rest till he obtained again the submission he had subscribed which havinâ— gotten he was very glade and returned again and with great constancy and fortitude stood to the defence or Christ Doctrine to the fire against the Papists Five other Martyrs in Canâ—erbury four Women and on Man at two staiks and one fire altogether burned who when the fire was flaming about their ears do sing Pâ—alms Where at the good knight Sir John Norton being there present weeped bitterly at the sight thereof The Martyrdome of Thomas Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury THe Martyrdom of the reverent Pastor and Prelat Thomas Cranmâ—r Aâ—ch-Bishop of Canterbury who was burned at Oxford â—nder Queen Marie for the confession of Christs true Doctrine he was a gentleman born of good parentage he attained to great knowledge and learning and was reader of Divinity lecture in the Colledge of Cambridge and was in such special estimation and reputation with the whole University that being Doctor of Divinity he was commonly appointed one of the heads which are two or three of the chiefest learned men to examine such as yearly professe in comencement either Batchelors or Doctors of Divinity by whose approbation the whole University licenseth them to proceed unto their degree and again by whose dissalowance the University also rejecteth them for a time to proceed untill they be better furnished with more knowledge When the great and weighty cause of Kiâ—g Henry
apprehended and at one time 22. prisoners were sent up together for Gods word to London from Colchester all whom bloody Boner B. of London was minded to have executed by perswasion of the Cardinal he was stayed This Cardinal was a Papist but no bloody papist alwayes for fear of stir among the people to see so many execute at once upon a reasonable submission were sent away again yet the rage of the persecution ceased not so that sometime ten at once sometime seven sometimes five excuted and burnt in Smithfield and some in other parts of the Countrey A certain woman being condemned of the Bishop to be burnt at Canterbury had two children named Patience and Charity who then said to the Bishop that if he would need burn her she trusted that he would take and keep Patience and Charity meaning her two children Nay quoth the Bishop by the faith of my body I will meddle with none of them both for the Bishop will neither keep patience nor charity At Colchester there were three men and three women burned in the forenoon besides four other burned at afternoon There that were put to the fire before noon they clapped their hands for joy in the fire that the standers by which were very many cryed generally all almost the Lord strengthen them the Lord comfort them the Lord pour his mercies upon them with such like words as was wonderfull to hear thus yeelded they up their souls and bodies into the Lords hands for the testimony of his truth Cicely Ormes was burnt at Norwich she was a very simple woman but yet zealous in the Lords cause she did for a twelve month before she was taken recant but never after was she quiet in conscience untill she was utterly driven from all their Popery between the time she recanted and that she was taken she had gotten a letter made to give the Chancellor to let him know that she repented her recantation from the bottome of her heart and would never do the like again whilest she lived but before she exhibited her bill she was taken and sent to prison and going to execution she said unto the people I would ye should not think of me that I believe to be saved in that I offer my self here unto the death for the Lords cause but I believe to be saved by the death of Christs passion and this my death is and shall be a witnesse of my faith unto you all here present Good people as many of you as believe as I believe pray for me Note well this saying of hers Then she came to the Stake and kissed it and said welcome the sweet crosse of Christ and so gave her self to be bound thereto After the Tormenters had kindled the fire to her she said my soul doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour And in so saying she set her hands together right against her breast casting her head and eyes upward and so stood having up her hands by little and little till the very sinews of her arms brast asunder and then they fell but she yeelded her life unto the Lord and quietly as she had been in a slumber or as one feeling no pain So wonderfully did the Lord work with her his name therefore be praised for evermore Amen In this furious time of persecution was burned John Rough Minister he was born in Scotland At the age of 17. years he entred into the order of the black Friers at Sterling he remained the space of 16. years untill such time as the Lord Hamiltoun Earle of Arrane and Governour of the Realm of Scotland casting a favour unto him did sue unto the Archbishop of St. Andrews to have him out of his professed order that as a Secular Priest he might serve him for his Chaplaine At which request the Archbishop caused the Provincial of that house having thereto authority to dispense with him for his habit and order This sute being thus by the Earle obtained the said Rough remained in his her service one whole year during which time it pleased God to open his eyes and to give him some knowledge and thereupon was by the said Governour sent to preach in the freedom of Air where he continued four years and then after the death of the Cardinal he was appointed to abide at St. Andrews and there he had assigned unto him a yearly pension of twenty pound from King Henry the eight King of England howbeit at last weying with himself his own danger and also abhorring with himself the idolatry and superstition of his countâ—ey and hearing of the freedome of the Gospel within the Realm of England he went to England in King Edwarâ—s time and there was preferrâ—d by the Duke of Somerset as a Preacher to serve at Caâ—lill and other placâ—s but in the beginning of the raign of Queen Mary he fled with his wife into Friesland there labouring truly for his living in knitting of Capes Hose and such like things till about the end of the moneth of October last before his death At which time lacking yarn and other necessarie provision for the maintenance of his occupation he came over again into England here to provide for the same he joyneth himself to the Congregation at London and was there Minister and thereafter he was betrayed and apprehended and sent to Newgate he is brought to his examination before Boner After his examination he is condemned as an Heretick and degraded exeeming him from all bene fits and priviledges of their Church and committed his body to the Secular power Touching him two things may be noted first he being in the north Countrey in the dayes of King Edward the sixth was the mean to save Doctor Watsons life who in Queen Maries time was Bishop of Lincoln for a Sermon that he made there The said Watson after that in the said dayes of Queen Mary being with Boner at the examination of the said Mr. Rough to requite the good turn in saving his life detected him there to be a pernicious Heretick who did more hurt in the north parts then an hundred beside of his opinion Unto whom Mr. Rough said again Why Sir Is this the reward that I have for saving your life when ye preached erroneous Doctrine in the dayes of King Edward the sixth 2. Being before Boner among other talk he affirmed that he had been twise at Rome and there had seen plainly with his eyes which he many times heard of before namely that the Pope was the very Antichrist for there he saw him carried on mens shoulders and the false named Sacrament born before him yet was there more reverence given unto him then unto that which they counted to be their God When Boner heard this rising up and making as though he would have torn his garments hast thou said he been at Rome and seen our holy father the Pope and dost thou blaspheme him After this sort and with that flying upon him he plucked
absent by the sentence of David Betown Archbishop of St. Andrews and other Prelats of Scotland and all his goods confiscat and his Picture at last burned in the open Market-place the Articles whereupon he was accused and condemned came to his hands whereunto he answered very wisely and religiously confuting them all At this time also was Thomas Forret Priest Frier John Kello Frier Beverage Duncan Simpson Priest Robert Foster a Gentleman with three or four other men of Striviling persecuted for the Gospel and testimony of Christ This Dean Thomas Forret preached every Sunday to his Parishoners the Epistle or Gospel as it fell for the time which then was a great novelty in Scotland to see any man preach except a black Frier or a gray Frier and therefore the Friers envyed him and accused him to be the B. of Dunkel in whose Diocesse he remained as an heretick and one that shewed the mysteries of the Scriptures to the vulgar people in English to make the Clergy detestable in the sight of the people The B. of Dunkel named George Crighton moved by the Friers instigation called the said Dean Thomas and said unto him my Joy Dean Thomas I love you well and therefore I must give you my counsel how ye shall rule and guide your self To whom Thomas said I thank your Lordship heartily Then the B. began this counsel on this manner my Joy Dean Thomas I am informed that ye preach the Epistle or Gospel every Sunday to your parishoners and that ye take not the Cow nor the upermost cloath from your parishoners which thing is very prejudicial to the Church-men and therefore my Joy Dean Thomas I would ye took your Cow and your upmost cloath or Mortuary as other Church-men do or else it is too much to preach every Sunday for in so doing ye make the people think that we should preach likewise but it is enough for you when ye find any good Epistle or any good Gospel that setteth forth the liberty of the holy Church to preach that and let the rest be Thomas answered My Lord I think that none of my parishoners will complain that I take not the Cow nor the uppermost cloath but will gladly give me the same together with any other thing that they have and I will give and communicate with them any thing that I have and so my Lord we agree right well and their is no discord amongst us And where your Lordship saith it is too much to preach every Sunday indeed I think it too little and also would with that you L. did the like Nay nay Dean Thomas saith my Lord let that be for we are not ordained to preach Then said Thomas when your L. biddeth me preach when I find any good Epistle or a good Gospel truely I have read the New Testament and the Old and all the Epistles and the Gospels amongst them all I could never find any evil Gospel or any evil Epistle but if your L. will shew me the good Epistle and the good Gospel and the evil Epistle and the evil Gospel then I shall preach the good and ommit the evil Then spake my Lord stoutly and said I thank God that I never knew what the Old and New Testament was and of these words arose a proverb which is common in Scotland ye are like the B. of Dunkelden that knew neither new nor old Law therefore Dean Thomas I will know nothing but my Portuise and my Pontificall Go your way and let be all these fantasies for if ye persevere in these erroneous opinions ye will repent it when ye may not mend it Thomas said I trust my cause is just in the presence of God and therefore I pesse not much what do follow thereupon and so my Lord and he departed at that time And soon after a summonds was directed from the Cardinal of St. Andrews and the said B. of Dunkelden upon the same Dean Thomas Forret and upon two black Friers called Frier John Kello and another called Reverage and upon one Priest of Striviling called Duncan Simpson and one Gentleman called Robert Forrester in Stirling with other three or four with them of the Town of Stirling who at this day of their appearance after their summonding were condemned to the death without any place of recantation because as was alledged they were Heresiarchs or chief Hereticks and teachers of Heresies and especially because many of them were at the Brydell and Marriage of a Priest who was Vicar of Tillâ—bodie beside Stirling and did eat flesh in Lent at the said Brydell and so they were altogether burnt upon the Castle-hill of Edinburgh where they that were first bound to the Stake godly and marvellously did comfort them that came behind At this time likewise were apprehended two of the Diocesse of Glasgow the one named Jeremiah Russel a gray Frier a young man of a meek nature quick spirit and good learning and one Alexander Kennedy who passed not eighteen years of age one of excellent wit in vulgar poesie To assist the B. of Glasgow in that cruell judgement or at lest to dip his hands in the blood of the Saints of God were sent Mr. John Lawder Mr. Andrew Oliphant and Frier Mortman servants to Satan apt for that purpose The day appointed to the cruelty approaching the two poor Saints of God were persecuted before these bloody Boutchers Grievous were the crimes that were laid to their charge Kennedy at the first was faint and gladly would have recanted but while the place of repentance was denyed unto him the Spirit of God which is the Spirit of all comfort began to work in him yea the inward comfort began to brust forth as well in visage as in tongue and word for his countenance began to be cheerfull and with a perfect joy upon his knees he said O eternal God how wonderfull is that love and mercy that thou bearest unto mankind and unto me the most catiff and miserable wretch above all others for even now when I would have denyed thee and thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ my only Saviour and so have cast my self into everlasting damnation thou by thine own hand hast pulled me from the very bottom of hell and made me to feel that heavenly comfort which takes from me that ungodly fear wherewith before I was oppressed Now I defy death do what ye please I praise God I am ready This godly and learned Jerremie railed upon by these godlesse Tyrants answered this is your hour and power of darknesse Now sit ye as Judges and we stand wrongfully accused and more wrongfully to be condemned but the day shall come when our innocency shal appear and that ye shall see your own blindnesse to your everlasting conconfusion Go forward and fulfill the measure of your iniquity While that these servants of God thus behaved themselves variance ariseth betwixt the B. and the beasts that came from the Cardinal for the B. said I think it better
word of God John Knox returned again to France to visite that little flock of his which he had in Geneva of the Englishes which the wickednesse of men had compessed him to leave Immediatly after his going away the Bishop summoned him for non-appearance burnt him in Effigie at the Cross of Edinburgh in the year of our Lord 1555. from the which unjust sentence the said John made his appellation and caused to print the samine and directed it to the Nobility and Commons of Scotland which is yet to be seen But John Willock returning again from Emden and others as William Harlaw John Dowglas and others began in Edinburgh and others Towns of the Country publickly to exhort The Nobility and Gentry and others being by them godly instructed and comforted they keep their conventions and held Counsels with such gravity and closnesse that the enemies trembled The Images were stollen away in all parts of the Countrey And in Edinburgh was that great Idol called St. Gile or Sanctus Egidius first drowned in the north Loch after burnt which raised no small trouble in the Town for the Friers rooping like Ravens upon the Bishops the Bishops ran upon the Queen who to them was favourable enough but that she thought it could not stand with her advantage to offend such a multitude as then took upon them the defence of the Gospel and the name of Protestants and yet consented she to summond the preachers whereat the Protestants neither offended nor yet thereof afraid determined to keep the day of summonds as that they did which perceived by the Prelats and Priests they procured a Proclamation to be publickly made that all men that were come to the town without commandement of the authority should with all diligence repair to the Borders and there remain fifteen dayes for the Bishop of Galloway in this manner of ryme said to the Queen Madam because they are come without order I rid you send them to the Border Now had God so provided that the quarter of the West-land in the which was many faithful men was that same day returned from the Border who understanding the matter to proceed from the malice of the Priests assembled themselves together and made passage to themselves till that they came to the very privie Chamber where the Qâ—een Regent and the Bishop were The Gentlemen began to complain upon their strange entertainment considering that her Majesty had found in them so faithfull obedience in all things lawfull While the Queen began to craft a zealous and bold man James Chalmers of Gaithgyrth said Madame we know that this is the malice and device of the Iewels and of that Bastard meaning the Bishop of St. Andrews that standeth by you we avow to God we shal make a day of it they oppress us and our Tennants for feeding of their idle bellies they trouble our Preachers and would murther them and us shall we suffer this any longer no Madame it shal not be and therewith every man put on his stee bonnet There was heard nothing of the Queens part but my joyes my hearts what ailes you me meanes no evill to you nor to your preachers the Bishops shall do you no wrong ye are all my loving subjects I know nothing of this proclamation the day of your Preachers shall be discharged and we will hear the controversie that is betwixt the Bishops and you they shall do you no wrong My Lords said she to the Bishops I forbid you either to trouble them or their preachers unto the Gentlemen who were wondrously commoved she turned again and said O my hearts should you not love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your minds and should ye not love one another as your selves With these and the like words she keeped the Bishops from buffers that time and so the day of summonds being discharged began the brethren universally further to be encouraged but yet could the Bishops in no fort be quiet for St. Geils day approaching they gave charge to the Provest Baillies and Counsell of Edinburgh either to get again the old St. Gile or else upon their expenses to make a new Image The Counsel answered that to them the charge appeareth very unjust for they understood that God in some places had commanded idols and Images to be destroyed but where he had commanded Images to be set up they had not read and desired the Bishop to find a warrand for his commandement Whereat the Bishop offended admonished under pain of cursing which they prevented by a former appellation appealing from him as a partial and corrupt Judge unto the Popes holinesse and so great things following that passed in oblivion Yet would not the Priests and Friers cease to have that great Solemnity and manifest abomination which they accustomedly had upon St. Giles day to wit they would have that Idole born and therefore was all preparation duly made A Marmouset Idol was borrowed from the Gray-friers Thus the Priests and the Friers carried with Tabors and Trumpeters Bâ—nners and Bâ—g-pipes and who was there to lead the ring but the Queen Regent her self with all her shavelings for honour of that feast well about goeth it and cometh down the high street to the Bow The Queen Regent dyned that day in Alexander Carpenter his house betwixt the Bowes and so when the idol returned back again she left it and past into her dinner The hearts of the brethren were wonderfully inflamed to see such abomination so manifestly maintained and so immediatly after that the Q. was entered into the lodging some of them drew nigh unto the Idol and willing to help to bear him and getting the ferror upon his shoulders c. And some began to cry down with the idol down with it and then without delay it was pulled down and broken the Priests and Friers fleed Queen Regent laid up this amongst her other inventions till that she might have seen the time proper to have revenged it After this some Noblemen and Barrons and others resolving upon a Reformation of Religion their petitions put up to the Queen Regent taking no effect joyning in Counsel did bind themselves by oaths and subscriptions to assist one another and hazard their lives and substance to advance the cause of Religion and so proceed peace and peace till the Reformation was established Shortly after these things that cruel tyrant and unmerciful hypocrite falsly called B. of St. Andrews apprehended that blessed Martyr of Christ Jesus Walter Mill a man of decreeped age whom most cruelly and unjustly he put to death by fire in St. Andrews in the year of God 1558. Which thing did so highly offend the hearts of all godly that immediatly after his death began a new fervency among the whole people yea even in the Town of St. Andrews began the people plainly to condemn such unjust cruelty his constancy moved so the hearts of many that the B. steward of his Regality Provest of the