you so far off Answ I am near enough and a little too near and further said I have done with you Chancellor What shall I tell my Lord of you Answ If you have nothing to tell him your Arrant will be the sooner done Chancellor Will you turn from this wicked Error you have been an evil example by your wicked reading you have perswaded simple women to this Error and you shall have mercy Answ I ask mercy of God whom I have offended and not of you Chancellor When were you at your Parish Church you have been Excommunicated this two years and therefore you are condemned and so past Sentence upon him and he was shortly after burnt at Norwich The next that suffered was one Joyce Lewis Wife to Thomas Lewis of Manchester this Joyce Lewis was a woman finely brought up in the pleasures of the World Joyce Lewis Martyr she was turned from the Popish Religion by seeing the great Sufferings and Death of Lawrance Saunders at Coventry and being afterwards inflamed with the love of God she purposed to abstain from those things that displeased him but her Husband being furious against her compelled her to go to Mass but being there in Testimony against their Idolatry when they sprinkled the holy Water she turned her back toward it for which she was shortly after accused before the Bishop the told the Bishop by refusing their holy Water she neither offended God nor his Laws the Bishop thereat was offended and bound her Husband in a hundred pound Bond for her appearance a Moneth after the Moneth being ended her unnatural Husband carried her himself to the Bishop who asked her Why she would not go to Mass and receive the Sacraments She answered because she found them not in the VVord needfull for mens Salvation wherefore she was condemned after her condemnation she continued a year in Prison where her behaviour both in word and deed was such that her death was greatly lamented when the Sheriff brought her news of the hour of her death she said to him your Message is welcome to me when the Fire was set to her she never struggled nor strived but ended her life patiently Four persons burnt at Islington About the seventeenth day of September were burnt at Islington Ralph Allerton James Austoo Margery Austoo his Wife and Richard Roth. Ralph Alerton after his apprehending was kept a whole year in Prison before he was condemned he was first accused before the Lord Darsey of Chichester for not conforming to the Idolatry and Superstition of the times and for praying and exhorting the People of the Parish where he lived not being a Priest before he was apprehended he kept himself in Woods and Barnes and other solitary places and at last being apprehended was sent up to the Councel and from them to Bonner Bishop of London in his Examination he told the Bishop there were three Religions in England then said Bonner Which be these Allerton replyed The first is that which you hold the second is clean contrary to the same and the third is a Neuter Then said Bonner Of which of these three art thou of Allerton said I am of that which is contrary to that which you teach to be believed on the pain of death after some other discourse between them the Bishop in a rage called him Knave and Whorson Prick-louse and demanded what he had to say why he should not pronounce the Sentence of condemnation against him to which he answered You ought not to condemn me for I am a Christian but do as you have determined for I see right and truth are suppressed and cannot appear upon the Earth these words ended the Bishop pronounced the Sentence of death against him and delivered him to the temperal Officers who on the day aforesaid caused him and the other three to be burnt There is not much Recorded what past in the Tryal of the other three only James Austoo when he was brought upon Examination before the Bishop in his Chappel at Fulham the Bishop said to him Dost thou know where thou art and before whom to which he replyed I know where I am for I am in an Idol-temple whereupon the Bishop past Sentence against him and his Wife who suffered deeply a Prisoner in the Bishops House being kept in his Dog-kennel under a pair of Stairs One Article against Richard Roth one of the four that was burned was that he was a Comforter to Hereticks and to that end had VVrit a Letter to certain Persons that were burnt at Colchester The Substance of which Letter written by him and directed to his Brethren and Sisters in Christ condemned at Colehester and ready to be burned for the Testimony of the Truth is as followeth Oh dear Brethren and Sisters how much have you to rejoyce in God that he hath given you such Faith to overcome this blood thirsty Tyrant thus far and no doubt he that hath begun that good work in you will fulfill it unto the end Oh dear hearts in Christ what a Crown of Glory shall ye receive with Christ in the Kingdom of God Oh that it had been the good will of God that I had been ready to have gone with you for I lye in my Lords little ease in the day and in the night I lye in the Cole-house from Ralph Allerton or any other and we look every day when we shall be condemned for he said that I should be burnt within ten dayes before Easter but I lye still at the Pools-brink and every man goeth in before me but we abide patiently the Lords leisure with many Bonds in Fetters and Stocks by the which we have received great joy in God And now fare you well dear Brethren and Sisters in this World Oh Brother Munt with your Wife and my dear Sister Rose how blessed are you in the Lord that God hath found you worthy to suffer for his sake with all the rest of my dear Brethren and Sisters known and unknown Oh be joyfull even unto death fear it not saith Christ For I have overcome death saith he Oh dear hearts seeing that Jesus Christ will be our help Oh tarry you the Lords leisure be strong let your hearts be of good comfort and wait you still for the Lord he is at hand yea the Angel of the Lord pitcheth his Tent round about them that fear him and delivereth them which way he seeth best for our lives are in the Lords hand and they can do nothing unto us before God suffer them therefore give all thanks to God Oh dear hearts you shall be clothed with long white Garments upon Mount Zion with the multitude of Saints and with Christ Jesus our Saviour which will never forsake us Oh blessed Virgins you have plaid the wise Virgins part in that you have taken Oyle in your Lamps that you may go in with the Bridegroom when he cometh into the everlasting joy with him but as for the Foolish they shall be
either to deny the same or confirm it with their blood the Story whereof was at large set forth by Francis Ensenes in Latine who himself was a Prisoner at the same time in Brussels for the Truth Sake Martin Hoeurblock Martyr Martin Hoeurblock Fishmonger in Gaint 1545. being converted to the Truth from the Superstitious Idolatry of the Papists and a great change wrought in him having all his time till then lived a wicked and a fleshly life was a wonder to his Neighbours to see such a sudden change the Franciscan Friars who before knew him and remembring how beneficial he had been to them now seeing him so altered and taking notice of his visiting the Prisoners and comforting them in Persecution and confirming them that went to the Fire they soon caused him to be detected and imprisoned and with grievous and sharp Torments would have constrained him to utter more of the same Religion to whom he answered That if they could prove by the Scripture that his detecting and accusing of his Brethren whom they would afflict with the like Torments were not against the Law of God then he would not refuse to prefer the honour of God before the safegard of his Brethren he was soon after had to the Council in Flanders where the Causes laid against him were the Sacrament Purgatory c. for which he was condemned and burn at Gaunt all his goods being Confiscate Nicholas and Francis Thiesten Martyrs Nicholas and Francis Thiesten Anno 1545. for standing firm in the Truth and bearing witness against the Church of Rome and their Auriculer Confession Purgatory c. were condemned to be burnt and coming to the place of Execution for exhorting the People they put Wooden-gags in their Mouths when they were fastned to the Stake they patiently endured the Fire the Mother of these two men was for her stedfastness to the Truth condemned to perpetual Imprisonment Adrian Tayler and Marion his wife Martyr Adrian Tayler and Marion his wife of Dornick Anno 1545. by reason of the Emperors decree at Worms against the Lutherans were apprehended and persecuted Adrian not so strang as a man for fear gave back and was but only beheated the wife stronger then a Woman withstood their threats and abode the uttermost and being inclosed in an Iron grate formed in shape of a Pasty was laid in the Earth and buried quick when the Adversaries first told her that her Husband had relented she believed them not but as she was going to the place where she was to die passing by the Tower where he was she called to him to take her leave but he was gone before Peter Bruly Martyrs Peter Bruly of Stratsburge at the earnest request of faithful Brethren went down to visit the Lower Counties about Artois which the Magistrates of Dornick hearing shot the gates of the Town and made search for him three days he was privately let down the Wall in the night by a basket and as he was let down into the Ditch ready to take his way one of them which let him down leaning over the wall to bid him farewel caused unawares a stone to slip out of the wall which falling upon him brake his Leg by reason whereof he was heard of the watchmen complaining of his wound and so was taken So long as he remained in Prison he ceased not to preach the Truth to all that came unto him he wrote his own Confession and Examination and sent it to the Brethren he wrote also another Epistle to them that were in Persecution another he wrote to all the faithful another Letter he wrote to his wife the same day he was burned he remained four Months in Prison before he was sentenceed to be burnt Letters were sent from Duke Frederick of the Lant-grave to intreat for him but he was burnt before the Letters came Peter Moice Martyr Peter Moice being converted to the Truth by Peter Bruly was apprehended and let down into a deep Dungeon under the Castle-Dirch which was full of filthy Vermine the Friars coming to examine him he told them whilst he lived an ungodly life they never concerned themselves with him but now for favouring the Word of God they sought his blood being brought before the Senate he would have boldly answered to what they objected against him but they interrupted him to whom he said if you will not suffer me to answer for my self send me back to Prison among the Toads and Frogs which will not interrupt me while I talk with my God and continuing constant in the Truth was at last burnt to death Nicholas Frenchman Martyr Nicholas Frenchman having been at Geneva intending to go into England but in his way was apprehended by the Lieutenant of Dornick and being bound hands and feet was brought to Burgis and there laid in a Dungeon the Friars when they came to examin him went away in a shamefull rage saying he had a Devil and crying to the fire with him Soon after the Judges condemned him to be burnt to Ashes at which sentence giving he blessed the Lord which had counted him worthy to be a witness in the cause of his beloved Son going to the place of Execution he was threatned that if he spake they would put a wooden ball in his mouth nevertheless being at the Stake he minded not their threats but cryed out with a loud voice saying Oh Charls Charls how long shall thy heart be heardned with that one of the Souldiers gave him a blow then he said O miserable People who are not worthy to whom the Word of God should be Preached then the Friers cryed out he hath a Devil to whom he said depart from me all you Wicked for the Lord hath heard the voice of my Weeping So in the midst of the fire commended his Spirit unto God and ended this life Bertrand Le Blais Martyr Bertrand Le Blais at Dornick in the year 1555. Suffered lamentably his Torments being almost incredible that the Tyrants shewed unto him his constancy was admirable This Bertrand being a Silk-Weaver having something upon his Spirit set his House in order and desired his Wife and Brother to pray that God would establish him in his enterprise that he was going about which was upon Christ-mass day so called he went to the high place at Dornick where he took the Cake out of the Priests hands as he would have lifted it over his head at Mass and stampt it under his feet saying that he did it to shew the Glory of that God and what little power he hath at the sight hereof the People were amazed and he hardly escaped with his life it was not long before the Governor of the Castle heard of this passage who like a mad man threatned he should be an example to all posterity Bertrand being brought before him he askt him if he repented of his fact who answered no and if he had a hundred lives he could
and so the poor Boy was burnt in Smithfield Persecuted at Callice By reason of the diligent preaching of Adam Damplip and one William Smith at Callice the Devil raised up his Instruments to Persecute them and others their Hearers and Letters were wrote over to the Council in England suggesting that by the means of Damplip they were infected with horrible Heresies and Errors Persons accused were Thomas Brooke Ralph Hare James Cock and James Barber who were sent for over and committed to Prison at VVestminster afterwards they were brought before the Bishops grievous Letters were written against them from Callice by their Adversaries so that if God had not preserved them they had all certainly Perished One of these viz. Ralph Hare though so unlearned that he could scarce read yet was very zealous and so holy and inofensive in his life that none of his Adversaries could accuse him of evil he was charged for speaking against Auricular Confession holy Bread holy Water as also for that he would not Swear nor use any Pastime but used to be in a Corner by himself looking on his Book when others were at Liberty Thus being charged he said to the Commissioners I take God to Witness I would not willingly maintain any Error or Heresie wherefore I beseech you let my Accusers come before me face to face for if they charge me with that I have spoken I will not deny it and if it be Truth I will stand to it if an Error I will with all my heart forsake it I mean if it be against Gods holy Word for the Lord is my Witness I daily pray to God that I may know the Truth and shun Errors and I hope God will preserve me from them The Bishop of Winchester said I perceive now thou art a naughty Fellow Alas said Hare what evil have I spoken Bishop replyed Marry Sir you said the Lord the Lord and that is Symbolum Hereticorum what is that said Hare Thou art naught thou art naught said the Bishop and further said I pity thee for I think thou art a good simple man and meanst well enough if thou hadst not bad bad School-masters and then Thomas Brook was called for who was charged with sedition and that he had contributed towards maintaining Adam Damplip and that he should say that what the Priest held up at Mass was not the Body of Christ Brook denyed the charge and after some debate was for that present dismissed The Suffering and Martyrdom of Anne Askew Anne Askew being apprehended for her Religion and examined before one Christopher Dare an Inquisitor who asked her if she did not believe the Sacrament of the Altar to be the real Body of Christ To this question she refused to answer Then he told her that she was accuâ—ed for reading that God dwelt not in Temples made with haâ—ds thereupon she shewed him the 7 and 17. Chapters of the Acts for it Then he asked her how she understood those texts she answered that she would not cast Pearls before Swine Then he charged her for saying that she had rather read five lines in her â—ible then hear a Mass she said the reason was because one did greatly edifie her and the other did not and after other questions askt her he had her before the Mayor of London The Mayor after some discourse with her ordred her to be had to Prison she askt if Sureties would not serve turn he said he would take none but after some time she was released from that imprisonment but not long after was apprehended again and carried before the Kings Council where the Chancellor askt her her Opinion about the Sacrament she said that she believed that so oft as she received the Bread in remembrance of Christs death she received therewith the frâ—â—â—s of his most glorious Passion the Bishop of Winchester bid her answer directly she answered she would not sing the Lords Song in a strange Land The Bishop told her she was a Pariat To which she replied that she was willing not only to recâ—â—ve rebukes from him but whatsoever should follow besides and that gladly after much other debate she was imprisoned until the next day at which time they asked her again what she said to the Sacrament she answered that she had said what she could say Then the Bishop of Winchester said he would speak with her familiarly she said so did Judas when he unfriendly betrayed Christ Then desired the Bishop to speak with her alone but she refused he asked hâ—r Why she said that in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses every matter should stand after Christ and Pauls Doctrine Then the Chancellor began to examine her again of the Sacrament Math. 18.2 Cor. 13. she askt him how long he would halt on both sides then would be needs know where she found that she said in the Scripture then he went his way Then the Bishop told her she would be burnt she answered 3 Kings 18. that she had searched all the Scriptures and could never find that either Christ or his Apostles put any Creature to death and told them God would laugh their threatings to scorn After much other arguing wherein she answered them wifely and holily they dismissed her a few dayes after she was taken very sick like to die in which extremity of her sickness they sent her â—o Newgate After a time she was brought to her Tryal at Guild-hall where she was required to recant or else she was condemned by the Law for an Heretick she answered she was no Heretick neither deserved death by the Law of God Then they asked if she would deny the Sacrament to be Christs Body and Blood she said yea They wished her to shrive her self to a Priest at which she smiled and said she would confess her faults to God for she was sure he would bear her with favour Then they would know of her whether the Bread in the Box were God or no she said God is a Spirit and will be worshipped in Spirit and Truth After she was Condemned she wrot a few liâ—es to the King to this effect I Anne Askew of good memory although God hath given me the Bread of Adversity and the Water of Trouble yet be it known that for asmuch as I am by the Law condemned as an Evil Doer here I take Heaven and Earth to record that I shall die in my innocency and as I said at first I say at last I utterly abhor and detest all Heresies and concerning the Supper of the Lord I believe so much as Christ hath said therein which he confirmed with his most blessed Blood I believe so much as he willed me to follow for I will not forsake the Commandment of his holy Lips but look what God hath charged me with his Mouth that have I shut up in my Heart and thus briefly I end Anne Askew Shortly after she was sent from Newgate to the sign of the Crown where she said one
Westminster Hall Judge Hailes was by the Commandment of the Bishop committed to the Kings Bench where he remained some time and then was committed to the Compter in Bred-Street and from thence carried to the Fleet being in the Fleet some endeavoured to perswade him to Compliance how far he yielded to those Perswasions and Assaults of the Enemy it was not known but shortly after he fell into a great horrour and terrour in his Conscience and in the anguish of his Spirit stabbed himself with his Pen-Knife and so thought to end his misery but through providence he was disappointed of destroying himself at that time But this Action being noised abroad as it was occasion of great sorrow and trouble to many that had a great Esteem of him being reputed so worthy a Judge and so just a man so it also opened the Mouth of his Adversary the Bishop who openly in the Star-Chamber blasphemed against such as profest the Truth calling the Doctrine of the Gospel the Doctrine of Desperation But it was not long before the Judge was set at Liberty but he had not been long at home but his trouble encreasing upon him he watch an apportunity and drowned himself in a shallow Water neer his House Now Stephen Gardner Bishop of Winchester having got the Law and outward Sword on his Side he thought to Rule as he pleased and having taken off either by Imprisonment or Death most of the principal Preachers of those he counted Sectaries he concluded the rest would be thereby terrified and kept under but his Expectations herein were frustrated For within a few Weeks after the Apprehension and Execution of the aforesaid persons The apprehending of Thomas Tomkins and five others there were six more raised up to testifie against the Popish Idolatry then established by a Law their names were William Piggot a Butcher Stephen Knight a Barber Thomas Tomkins a Weaver Thomas Hawkes John Lawrence and William Hunter these Persons being brought before B. Gardner he was so concerned to see his former devices so little effect the end he intended that he refused to Act any more against them but being wholy discouraged turned them over to Bonner Bishop of London who Prosecuted all that were brought before him to the utmost of his power not sparing to act his cruelty as from time to time he had an opportunity to the uttermost They were all condemned by Bâ—nnor Upon the 8th day of the Moneth called February 1555. The aforesaid six persons were brought before Bâ—nner at the Consistory at Pauls where nhe next day he past Sentence of Death upon them shewing himself a rash and cruel Judge to pass Sentence so suddainly upon so many Innocent mens Lives but he gave them a little time before they were put to death which was till the Moneth following The most remarkable Passages that I find at their Tryals and Examinations are briefly related as followeth Thomas Tomkins a Weaver dwelling in Shoreditch a man accounted by such as were acquainted with him Zealous and Godly The Examination of Thomas Tomkins much given to Prayer during the time of his Imprisonment which was half a year the Bishop Bonner beat him sorely about the Face and pluckt him by the Beard being long and caused his Beard to be Shaved off but though the rage of the Bishop was great the constancy and patience of the poor man was as great for he was not moved at the Bishops cruelty the Bishop seeing the course he had taken would no wayes prevail he fell from Beating to Burning for having a great Candle burning in his Hall at Fulham he took Tomkins by the Fingers ends holding his hand over the flame of the Candle trying him whether he would Recant but with patience he bore this cruelty also until Doctor Harpsfield standing by moved with pity told Bonner he had tryed him enough and then Bonner let his Fingers go The last time Thomas Tomkins appeared before Bonner there were several other Bishops present one of which earnestly exhorted him to leave off his Opinions to whom he answered I was Born and brought up in Ignorance until of late years and now I know the Truth I shall continue in the same until Death which Bonner hearing thought it time to pass Sentence upon him and as he had begun to burn his Hand so sentenced his Body to be burnt delivering him to the Sheriff of London who carried him to Newgate where he remained untill the 16th day of the Moneth called March and then sealed his Faith in the Flames The 26th day of the aforesaid Moneth followed the Martyrdom of another of these six persons viz. VVilliam Hunter a Zeal ous Young man for Religion William Hunter Martys who was about the Age of ninteen years when he suffered he was born of godly Parents by whom he was not only Instructed in godliness but also confirmed by them until Death William Hunter being an Apprentize in Coleman-Street in London with one Thomas Taylor a Silk-weaver the beginning of his trouble was for refusing to hear Mass and to receive their Eucharist for which the Priest of the Parish threatned to have him before the Bishop his Master fearing lest he should come to suffer by reason of Williams not conforming desired him to depart from him whereupon William went home to his Fathers to Burntwood in Essex where after he had remained a little time happening to go into the Chappel of Burntwood and finding a Bible lying upon a Desk he read therein while he was reading one Atwell a Sumner coming in reproved him saying Wherefore meddlest thou with the Bible William answered I read in it for my comfort Atwell replyed It was never a good World since the Bible came abroad in England William answered say not so it liketh me well and I pray God we may have the Bible amongst us continually Atwell I perceive you are one of them that mislikes the Queens Laws and therefore you came from London but you must turn another Leaf or else you will Broyl for it and in a fury went away saying he would fetch one that should talk with him and went to an Ale-house hard by and fetch out the Viccar of Soutweld who coming into the Chappel and hearing William read said Sirrah who gave thee leave to read in the Bible William answered I read for my Comfort and shall read while I Live and told the Viccar He ought rather to encourage then discourage people in reading the Scriptures Viccar Doth This become thee to tell me what I have to do thou Heretick William Hunter said I am no Heretick Vâ—ccar What sayst thou to the blessed Sacrament of the Altar believest thou in it and that the bread and wine is transubstantiated into the very Body and Blood of Christ William Hunter I learn no such thing in the Scriptures as you speak of you understand Christs Words much like the Carnal Cappernâ—tes who thought that Christ would have given them his
Hereticks Philpot God hath appointed a day shortly to come in the which he will surely Judge us with righteousness howsoever you judge of us now After some further discourse with him he was with four others had to the Keepers House in Paster-noster-row where the Arch Deacon of Londons Servant Q. Mary An. 1555 in his Masters name offered John Philpot a Bed for that night To whom he gave thanks but said it would be a grief to him to lie well one night and the next night worse wherefore said he I will begin as I am like to continue and take such as my Fellows do whereupon they were brought to the Bishops Cole-house unto which is joyned a little blind house with a pair of Stocks where they found one person sitting with his hand and foot in At his fifth Examination as he was going to the Cole-house he met with Bonner who said to him Philpot If there be any pleasure I can shew you in my house I pray you require it and you shall have it Philpot The pleasure that I require of you is to hasten my Judgment which is committed unto you and to dispatch me forth of this miserable World unto my Eternal rest Note for all this fair Speech I could never attain hitherto this fortnight space neither Fire nor Candle nor good Lodging Another time being sent for before Bonner Bonner said I charge you to answer to such Articles as my Chaplain and my Register have from me to object against you Philpot Omnia Judicia debet esse publica All Judgment ought to be publick therefore if you have any thing to charge me lawfully withal let me be in Judgment lawful and openly called and I will answer otherwise in Corners I will not At which the Bishop was angry and called him foolish Knave and bid them put him in the Stocks Philpot Indeed you handle me with others like Fools and we must be content to be made Fools at your hands Stocks and Violence is your Bishop like Almes so he was put in the Stocks alone in the house seperate from his Fellows for which he praised God that he thought him worthy to suffer any thing for his Names sake Not long after the Bishop coming to view the Cole-house saying he was never there before and his coming then was for no good for he thought the place too good for John Philpot and called for the Keeper and caused him to put the said John Philpot in another place by himself where the Keeper pluckt off his Gown and searched him and took away his Pen and Ink and Papers At another Examination the fourth of December Chadsey said You shall be constrained to come to us at length whether you will or no. Philpot said Hold that Argument fast for it is the best you have for you have nothing but violence Soon after Bonner pronounced the Sentence against him and then delivered him to the Sheriffs whose Officers had him to Newgate in his way he said Ah good People Blessed be God for this day At Newgate he was cruelly handled by the Keeper having Irons put on because he had not wherewithal to satisfie the unreasonable Goalers demand for Fees Upon the 17th day of December the Sheriff sent a Messenger to him to bid him make ready for the next day he should suffer and be burnt at a Stake He answered I am ready God grant me strength so he went into his Chamber and poured out his Spirit unto the Lord God giving him thanks that he of his mercy had made him worthy to suffer for his Truth and when he came into Smithfield he kneeled down saying these words I will pay my Vows in thee O Smithfield and so died a constant Martyr The death of the Persecuting Bishop of Winchester About this time died one of the great Persecutors viz. Stephen Gardner Bishop of Winchester at his House in Southwark of whose death its memorable that the same day in which Ridley and Latimer suffered at Oxford he would not go to Dinner till four a Clock in the after-noon though the old Duke of Norfolk was come to Dine with him the reason was because he would first hear of their being burnt and as soon as word of that was brought him he presently said now let us go to Dinner where sitting down and eating merrily upon a suddain he fell into such an Extreamity that he was fain to be taken from the Table and carried to his Bed where he continued fifteen dayes without voiding any thing either by urine or otherwise which caused his Tongue to swell in his Mouth and so he died â—556 Seven Martyrs burnt in Smithfield About the 27th of January were burned in Smithlfield London these seven persons hereafter following viz. Thomas VVhittle Bartelet Green John Tudson John VVent Thomas Browne Isabel Foster Joane VVarren alias Lashford At which seven as they were burned together in one Fire so were they likewise upon one sort and form of Articles condemned in one day This Thomas VVhittle one of these Sufferers was the person that Jo. Philpot found in the Stocks when he was put into the Bishops Cole-house Thomas Whittle was sorely beaten and heardly used by the Bishop for two nights he lay on a Table without Bed or Straw the Bishop telling him he should be fed with Bread and Water the Bishop sometimes giving him fair words and sometimes threatning him and Doctor Harpsfield perswaded him very much to forsake his Opinions Thomas answered he held nothing but the Truth but he had made a Bill for Thomas to subscribe to this effect that he should detest all Errours and Heresie against the Sacrament of the Altar and other Sacraments and to believe the Faith of the Catholike Church and live accordingly Now after he had signed it he was under great condemnation as appears by this Testimony under his hand the Substance of which is as followeth To the Bill I did indeed set my hand being much desired and counselled so to do and the Flesh being alwayes desirous to have liberty I considered not throughly the inconveniences that might come thereupon and respite I desired to have had but earnestly they desired me to subcribe Now when I had so done I had little joy thereof for by and by my Mind and Conscience told me I had done evil by such a slighty means to shake of the sweet Cross of Christ and yet it was not my seeking as God he knoweth but altogether came of them O the crafty Subtilty of Sathan in his Members let every man that God shall deliver into their hands take good heed and cleave fast to Christ for they will leave no corner of his Conscience unsought but will attempt and guilefull and subtil means to corrupt him to fall both from God and his Truth The night after I had subscribed I was sore grieved and for sorrow of Conscience could not sleep for in the deliverance of my Body out of Bonds which
see his Father at his coming thither one of the Bishops Chaplains asked him What he lackt The Child answered that he came to see his Father the Chaplain said VVho is your Father The Boy pointing towards Lollards Tower told him that his Father was in Prison there VVhy said the Priest thy Father is an Heretick No said the Boy my Father is no Heretick but you are an Heretick for you have Balaams mark With that the Priest took him by the hand and led him into the Bishops House and there stript him naked amongst them and in a most shameful manner without all pity Whipt and Scourg'd this poor Child till he was all in a gore blood and then caused Cluney the Keeper to carry him in his Shirt to his Father in Prison the blood running down by his heels The poor man seeing his Child cryed out for sorrow Alas Will who has done this to thee the Boy answered As I was seeking to come to see you a Priest with Balaams mark took me into the Bishops House and there I was so used Cluney the Keeper heering this pulled the Boy out of his Fathers hands and carried him back again to the Bishops House where they kept him three dayes at the three dayes end the Childs Father was brought before Bonner and coming into the Bishops Chamber he said God be here and Peace Then said Bonner That is neither God speed nor Good morrow Then said Fetty if you kick against this peace this is not the place that I seek for and espying a Crucifix lying in the Window he asked the Bishop whether Christ was handled so cruely as he was there pictured Yea That he was said the Bishop Fetty Even so cruelly do you handle such as come before you for you are unto Gods people as Caiphas was unto Christ Then said the Bishop thou art a vile Herotick and I will burn thee or else I will spend all that I have to my Gown Nay said Fetty you were better give your Gown to some poor body that he may pray for you But notwithstanding this talk the Bishop considering what danger the Child was in by reason of their cruel whipping and cruelty used towards him let the father and him both go at Liberty but within fourteen dayes after the Child dyed The Martyrdom of Nicholas Burton Englishman and Merchant in Spain Nicholas Burton Martyr in Spain The fifth day of November in the year 1560. Nicholas Burton Merchant of London being in the City of Cadiz was apprehended by the Officers of the Inquisition who knowing himself clear asked them that did Arrest him what they laid to his Charge they answered nothing but commanded him with cruel threatnings to hold his peace and so carried him to the common Prison of the Town where he remained in Irons fourteen dayes amongst Thieves and because he declared the Truth amongst the Prisoners according to the Tallent that God had given him exhorting them to reject the Popes Traditions which being known to the Officers of the Inquisition they conveyed him loaden with Irons from thence to the City of Civil into a more cruel and strait Prison called Triana where the persecuting Fathers of the Inquisition proceeded against him according to their accustomed tyranny that never after he could be ever suffered to write or speake to the English Nation In December following they brought him with a great number of other Prisoners for professing the true Christian Religion into a place in the City called the Awto where the Inquisitors sate in Judgment Nicholas Burton they had cloathed with a Canvas Coat whereupon in divers parts was painted a huge Devil tormenting a Soul in a flame of Fire and on his head a Coppintanke of the same work His Tongue was forced out of his Mouth with a Cloven-stick fastned upon it that he should not utter his Conscience and Faith unto the people and so he was set with another English man of South â—â—pton and divers other condemned men for Religion as well French men as Spaniard upon Scaffold over against the said Inquisition where Sentence and Judgment was pronounced against them and immediately after the Sentence was given they were all carried to the place of Execution without the City and after he was burnt they immediately seized all the Goods and Merchandâ—â—â— both of his own and other mens that he was intrusted with as Factor A Merchant of Bristol who had sent Goods to him hearing of this sent over an Agent to Civel to recover his Goods out of the Inquisition so wrongfully seized At length after he had spent four Moneths time and great charges he was at was by the Inquisitors still shifted off from time to time Posting him from one to another till he had spent his Money and could get no relief but being earnest to be dispatched he was at last himself also shut up in a close Prison where being two or three dayes after brought before the Court where because he demanded his Goods they bid him say his Avemary and sent him to Prison again as an Heretick and afterwards brought him forth upon the Stage in a disguised manner where Sentence was given against him that he should lose all the Goods he sued for thought they were none of his own and suffer a Years Imprisonment besides The Scourging of Thomas Green Thomas Green Servant to one VVayland a Printer for dispersing a Book called Anti-christ was bought before Docter Story who asked him Where he had that Book and called for Cluney the Keeper of the Lollards Tower and bid him set him in the Stocks he had not been two hours in the Lollards Tower but Cluney took him out and carryed him to the Cole-house where he took a French-man out of the Stocks and putting a Bolt and Fetter upon Thomas Greens right Leg and left Hand he set him cross Fettered in the Stocks and took the French-man away with him and there he lay a day and a night the next day the Keeper came and said Let us shift your Hand and your Leg as you may not be lame and there he remained six dayes and then was sent for by Doctor Story who asked him Where he had the Book he told him He had it of a French-man How came you acquainted with him said the Doctor Thomas Green replyed Coming to Newgate to my Friends who were put in for Truth 's sake where the French-man also came and there we were acquainted Then Story required him to bring two Sureties Thomas Green told him He could find no Sureties Then said Story to the Keeper Lay him safe in the Cole-house I le make him tell another tale at his next coming so he lay in the Stocks day and night for ten dayes before he was called again and then the Doctor asked him Whether he would tell the Truth Thomas Green replyed I can tell no other Truth then I have told already and thereupon was committed to Prison for fourteen dayes more
without order at the first encounter are reckoned up to him all his Articles and then besides binding his hands they tye his Thumbs together with a small Cord then they tye his Hands and Tumbs unto a greater Cord hoisting him up by a Pulley very high which done they put upon his Legs heavy Bolts if he have not them on before to which are yet added for the first pull an Iron weight of twenty five pounds which is hanged to those Bolts between his Feet being thus arrayed the Tormenter draws him up on high the Register and Inquisitor mixing therewith their former Exhortations confess when he comes to touch the Pulley with his Head they urge him yet then to confess if he obey they presently let him down if not then they let him hang in this condition until he have answered their demands now after he hath hung thus without making any Confession they let him down to redouble on his feet the former weight and then pulling him up again threatning him to hang there till he die if he declare not to them what they ask of him commanding thet Tormenter to let him hang a long while that through the heaviness of the weight which hangs at his Feet all his Members and Joynts are stretched out beyond measure when the Patient through the extremity of Torment which he endures cryes out they in like sort cry as loud as they can that he should now confess what he knows if not then they let him fall for when they perceive he continues constant then they commanded the Officer to let go the Cord which is as soon done as spoken yet not wholly and altogether to the mid way but a certain stop which hinders his falling to the ground by reason whereof he receives such a suddain check his Body is pitifully and miserably stretched But yet this sufficeth not for then if through their importunity he will confess nothing they augment the weight the third time and if the poor creature in regard of his intollerable pain call upon the Lord to help him and desire to be let down then they Scoff and Mock at him pressing him to confess telling him that is not all threatning him by the Strappado as before This Hellish Torture beginneth at nine and lasteth till one a clock and when they please to make an end they ask the Tormenter if he have the other Engines ready and at their going all the comfort they give their dissolate Patient is thus this shall suffice say they for this time but look between this and to morrow thou advisest thy self well what thou oughtest to confess other wayes thou art like to die under Torture nor think to escape by what thou hast endured for that is but a Bed of Roses in regard of the Torment which is to come they being gone his clothes is put on and if he be not able to go he is carried again unto Prison a few dayes after they send for him again renewing their threats that if he will not reveal those that are of his Opinion he must prepare himself for the Torture wherein if he any way miscarry or Death follows the fault shall be his and not theirs if he continue unmovable in his mind they cause the Goaler to bring him to the place of Torture and there they sitting in their Tribunal command him to be stripped naked and then tormented after the same manner as is before related besides as an addition thereunto they tye his thighes and hamstrings together with a small Cord forcing the same with pieces of Wood so that the Cords do eat into his very Flesh in which extremity they leave him for three or four hours plying him the whilst with infinite threats and derisions which is all the comfort that they minister unto him in this his most miserable condition Thus in short the Reader hath an Account of the cruel Inquisition of these pretended Christians in Spain Now I shall proceed to give a further Account of some that suffered under these Papists cruelty in divers parts of France and Flanders A Woman of Tours whose Husband the Papists had not long before drowned having an Infant sucking at her Brest about seven weeks old and a Daughter about sixteen Years Old who was very beautiful this Woman accompained with her Children they hailed to the River side where kneeling down she prayed to the Lord the Child sucking at her Brest then she shifted her Child in the Sun and laid it upon the Grass commending it to God in the mean while this Hellish Crew used many words to turn the Young Maid from her Religion the Mother being ready to be plunged into the Water exhorted her Daughter to persist in the Truth the Daughter beholding their outrage cryed out in these words I will said she live and die with my Mother whom I know to be a virtuous woman as for your threats and promises I regard them not do with me what you please The Mother was not yet dead when these merciless wretches threw in the Daughter also An. 1562. and so they yielded up their Souls together as Witnesses against the Papists cruelty the Infant was taken up by a Souldier who having kept it a day and a night laid it in a Steeple-House-Porch whence being taken and given to a Nurse to keep it would never take the Brest after but within two dayes it died In the same City suffered one Glee an honourable woman and constant to her Profession and when news was brought her that she was condemn'd to be hang'd she received it with joy being conducted with the rest of the Prisoners about the second hour in the afternoon towards the place of Execution they would have put a lighted Torch into her hand and have had her to acknowledge she had offended God and the King Away away with it said she I have neither offended God nor the King I need no such light to help me ask forgiveness of my sins use such things your selves who sit and walk in the Darkness of Ignorance and Errour The one of her Kindred meeting her in the way presented to her veiw her little Children praying her to have compassion on them seeing that by renouncing your Religion you may preserve your life This caused the tears to flow down and this answer she made I must needs say I love my Children dearly but yet neither for love I bear to them or any thing else in this World will I renounce the Truth or my God who is and will be a Father unto them and therefore to his Providence and Protection I commend and leave them and so passed on and with cheerfulness finished her Testimony with the loss of her life The Body of Coqueville being stripped naked was dragged by the Murtherers from Valongues being low Normandy up and down his House with derision into a Chamber where they used to meet and there spurning the dead body with their feet they bid him Now
the Council sought false Witness against him and found none at last two Witnesses came but their Testimony agreed not Caiphas then said answerest thou not to what they witness against thee but Jesus held his peace then he adjured him that he should tell whether he were the Christ and he answered I am wherefore they judged him guilty of death for this Blasphemy as they accounted it Their cruelty to him Then they Mocked him and Spit on him and cruelly beat him with Buffits and Staves and covering his Face they said Prophesie who smote thee and many other things they reproachfully spoke against him And they led him bound unto Pontius Pilate the Governour from Caiphas to the Hall of Judgment and they began to accuse him saying We found this Man perverting the Nation and forbidding to give Tribute to Caesar The chief Priests accuse him falsly saying that himself is Christ a King and when he was accused of the chief Priest and Elders he answered nothing then said Pilate unto him Hearest thou not how many things they Witness against thee but he answered him not a word so that Pilate marvell'd then said Pilate take ye him judge him according to your Law but they urged it is not lawful for us to put any man to death Pilate then entered into the Judgment Hall again and called Jesus and said unto him He is called before Pilate again Art thou the King of the Jews Jesus answered Sayest thou this of thy self or did others tell it thee of me Pilate answered Am I a Jew thine own Nation and the chief Priests have delivered thee unto me what hast thou done Jesus answered My Kingdom is not of this World Pilate therefore said unto him Art thou a King then His answer to Pilate Jesus answered For this cause came I into the World that I might bear Witness unto the Truth Pilate said unto him What is Truth And when he had said this he went out again unto the Jews and said unto them Pilate finds no fault in him I find in him no fault at all and they were the more fierce saying He stirreth up the People teaching throughout all Galilee to this place Pilate therefore hearing of Galilee asked if he were a Galilean and when he knew that he belonged to Herod's Juridictions he sent him to Herod who was at Jerusalem in those dayes Being in Herods Jurisdiction he is sent by Pilate to him and when he saw Jesus he was exceeding glad but being deceived in his hopes of seeing a Miracle and not vouchsafed any answer either to him or the chief Priests and Scribes vehemently accusing him after Herod had set Jesus at nought and mocked him Sends him back to Pilate arrayed in a gorgeous Robe Herâ—d sends him back and both the Governors were made Friends that same day and Pilate when he had called the chief Priests and the Rulers and the People said unto them Neither I nor Herod find any fault in him Pilate would have released him nor any thing worthy of Death I will therefore Chastize him and release him for the Governor was of necessity every Feast as the custom was to deliver to the People one Prisoner whom they would and the Multitude crying out aloud began to desire that he would do unto them as he had ever done Pilate therefore calling them said unto them Ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the Passover will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews The Iews still prosecute their envy against him Which will ye either this man or Barrabas For he knew that the chief Priests had delivered him for envy but they stirred up the People that he should rather deliver Barrabas unto them Now he was a notable Thief who lay bound with them that made Insurrection and for Insurrection and Murder in the City was Cast into Prison and when Pilate was sate down in the Judgment Seat his Wife sent unto him saying Have nothing to do with the just man Pilate fits again His Wife Warns him for I have suffered many things in my Dream by reason of him this day Pilate therefore spake unto them again being willing to release Jesus which of the twain will you that I release unto you but they all cryed out saying not him but Barrabas Pilate therefore answering said unto them what will you that I shall do unto him that ye call King of the Jews and they all cryed out again Crucifie him Pilate said but what evil hath he done I find no Cause of death in him I will therefore Chaâ—tize him and let him go but they cryed more earnestly Crucifie him and were very instant with loud Voices desiring the same The Jews Cruelty then Pilate took Jesus and Scourged him and the Soldiers plated a Crown of Thornes and put it on his Head and cloathed him with Purple saying Haile King of the Jews and beat him with staves Pilate therefore went forth again and said unto them behold I bring him forth unto you that you may know I find no fault in him then Jesus came forth wearing the Crown of Thorns and the Robe and Pilate said unto them behold the man When the Chief Priests and Officers saw him they cryed out saying Crucifie him Crucifie him Pilate said take ye him and Crucifie him for I find no fault in him the Jews said he ought to dye because he made himself the Son of God when Pilate therefore heard that saying he was the more affraid Pilate went again into the Judgment Hall and went again into the Judgment Hall and said to Jesus Whence art thou but Jesus gave him no answer then said Pilate speakest thou not unto me knowest thou not that I have Power to Crucifie thee Jesus answered thou couldest have no power unless it were given thee from above and from thence forth Pilate sought to release him but the Jews cryed out then thou art not Caesars Friend when Pilate heard this he brought forth Jesus and sate in the Judgment Seat in the Place called the Pavement and it was the Preparation of the Passover and about the sixth hour then said he unto the Jews The chief Priests wickedness behold your King but they cryed out Away with him Away with him Crucifie him Pilate said unto them shall I Crucifie your King Then answered the Chief Priests we have no King but Caesar Pilate washeth his hands and why when Pilate therefore saw that he prevailed nothing but that rather a Tumult was made he took water and washed his hands before the Multitude saying I am innocent of the Blood of this just Person see you to it and all the People answered and said his Blood be upon us and our Children then willing to content the Multitude he released unto them Barrabas and when he had scourged Jesus he delivered him â—ver to their will that he might be
give them in that Quarrel then was he thrice put to the Pin-bank and Tormented most miserably to utter his Setters on then they past sentence against him and this was executed First he was drawn from the Castle of Dornick to the Market place having a ball of Iron put in his mouth then he was set upon a Stage where his Right hand was Crusht and prest between two hot Irons with sharp Iron edges fiery red in the like manner they served his right foot which Torments he endured with marvelous constancy that done they took the ball of Iron out of his mouth and cut out his Tongue notwithstanding his Tongue was cut out he still called upon God as well as he could whereby the hearts of the people were greatly moved whereupon the Tormentors thrust the Iron ball into his mouth again from thence they brought him down to a lower Stage where his legs and hands were bound behind him with an Iron Chain going about his body and so he was let down flat upon the Fire the Governer standing by caused him to be plucked up again and so down and up again till at last the whole body was consumed to Ashes James Faber and three others Martyrs James Faber and three others suffered at Valens James Faber being an old man said that though he could not answer nor saisfie them in Reasoning yet he would constantly abide in the Truth of the Gospel Godfry Hamell Martyr Godfry Hamell a Taylor taken and condemned at Dornick when they had condemned him by the Name of an Heretick nay said he not an Heretick but a Servant of Jesus Christ when the Hangman went about to Strangle him to diminish his punishment he refused saying that he would abide the Sentence that the Judges had given Besides these that suffered in Germany before mentioned a great number there was both in the Higher and Lower Countries of Germany which were put to death for Religion many of them were burnt some buryed alive some secretly drowned many of their Names are mentioned in the Acts and Monuments but little of the circumstances of their Tryal and Execution being mentioned I have omitted them for brevities sake Sufferers in France for bearing the like Witness to the Gospel Dennis Renix Martyr Denis Renix at Melde in the year 1558. Was burnt for testifying against the Mass he was alwayes wont to have in his mouth the Words of Christ He that denyeth me before men him wiâ—â— I also deny before my Father he was burnt in a slow Fire and did abide much Torments Note upon a complaint made to the Council called Le Chamber Ardante that the Judges suffered Hereticks to have their Tongues Immediately thereupon a Decree was made that all which were to be burned unless they recanted at the fire should have their Tongues cut off which Law afterwards was diligently observed Stephen Polliard Martyr Stephen Polliard coming out of Normandy in the year 1546. where he was born unto Meux tarried there not long but he was compelled to flee and went to a Town called Fera where he was apprehended and brought to Paris and there cast into a foul and dark Prison in which Prison he was kept in Bonds and Fetters a long time where he saw almost no Light at length being called for before the Senate and his sentence given to have his Tongue cut out and to be burnt alive his Satchell of Books hanging about his neck O Lord said he is the World in blindness and darkness still for he thought being in Prison so long that the World had been altered from its old darkness to better knowledge at last with his Books about his neck he was burnt to death Florent Venote Martyr Florent Venote remained a Prisoner in Paris four years during which time he was put to divers Torments one kind of Torment was he was put in a narrow place so straight that he could neither stand nor lie which they called the Hose or Boots because it was strait below and wide above in this he remained seven weeks where the Tormentors affirm that no Thief or Murtherer could ever endure 15 days but were in danger of Life or Madness and at last on the 9th of the Moneth called July he was burnt to death with divers other Martyrs who were burnt as a Spectacle at the Kings coming into Paris The next that suffered was a poor Taylor in Paris who for working upon Holy-days so called and denying to observe them A poor Taylor in Paris Martyred was clapt in Prison the King hearing of it sent for him before him and some of his Peeres being before the King he answered with great boldness wit and memory defending the cause of Christ neither flattering their Persons nor fearing their threats which struck the King in a great damp in museing in his mind which the Bishops seeing committed the poor Taylor again to the hands of the Officer saying he was a stubborn Fellow and fitter to be punisht then to be marvelled at within few days after he was condemned to be burnt alive The next year two men for friendly admonishing a certain Priest which in his Sermon had abused the Name of God were both burned another young man of the Age of eighteen years for rebuking a man in Paris for Swearing being suspected to be a Lutheran was apprehended and brought before the Council at Paris who committed him to Prison where he was so cruelly Racked and Tormented that one of the Persecutors seeing it could not but turn his back and weep when he was brought and put in the Fire he was pluckt up again upon the Gibbet and asked whether he would turn to whom he said that he was in his way towards God and therefore desired them to let him go John Joyer and his Servant being a young man in the year 1552. coming from Geneva to their Country with certain Books John Joyer and his Servant and his Servant Martyrs were apprehended by the way and had to Tholouse where the Master was first condemned the Servant being young was not so prompt to answer but directed them to his Master to answer them when they were brought to the Stake the young man first going up began to weep the Master fearing lest he should recant ran to him and he was comforted as they were in the Fire the Master standing upright to the Stake shifted the Fire from him to his Servant being more carfull for him then for himself and when he saw him dead he bowed down himself in the flame and so expired Mathias Dimonetus Merchant at Lyons in the year 1553. having been a man of a Vicious and detestable life Mathias Dimonetus Martyr was notwithstanding through the Grace of God brought to the knowledge and Savour of his Truth for a Testimony to which he was soon after Imprisoned being in Prison he had great conflicts with the infirmity of his own Flesh but especially with the temptation
Newgate and from thence to the place of Execution but first the Sheriffs were commanded to have him into the Vestry and to bring him forth again in Anti-christs apparel to be degraded having been a Monk where the Bishop took his Crosier Staff and smote him on the Brest that he threw him down backwards and brake his head and he swounded but coming to himself again he thanked God that he was delivered from this Malignant Church of Anti-christ and being led to Newgate after one hours respite he was had to the Fire and burnt John Tewkesberry Martyr John Tewksberry Leather-seller of London he was converted by the reading of the Testament in English and the Book called The wicked Mammon in the moneth called April in the year 1529. he was brought before the Bishop of London in the open Consistory where he disputed with the Bishops and the Prelates concerning his Faith and was very expect and prompt in his answers to them being indued with heavenly Wisdom that they were not able to resist him insomuch that the Bishops were ashamed that a Leather-seller should so confound them he affirmed in his Doctrine that there was no Purgatory after this life but that the Souls of the faithful departing this life rest with Christ that prayers ought not to be made to Saints there being no other Advocate but Christ alone for which and other Principles he was condemned to die by the Bishop of London and by him dilivered to the Sheriffs of London and by them burnt in Smithfield Edward Freese Martyr Edward Freese Painter for painting upon clothes in an Inn certain Sentences of Scripture was noted to be a Heretick and was apprehended and brought to London and from thence had to the Bishops House at Fulham where he was imprisoned with several other men and their wives and there fed with Manchets part of which was made with Sawdust and there kept so strait in Prison that their Relations were not Suffered to come at them the Painters Wife being very desireous to see her Husband and pressing to go into the Prison notwithstanding she was big with Child the Bishops Porter kickt her on the Belly so that her Child died immediately and she died soon after After that the Prisoners were all put in the Stocks for a long time and after they were let loose some had Horse-locks put on their Legs and some other Irons the Painter would ever and anon be writing on the Walls with Chalk or Coal which so provoked his Adversaries that they Manackled his wrists so long till the Flesh of his Arms was grown higher then the Irons from that Prison he was brought to the Lollards Tower where they kept him there dayes without Meat and used him so heard that he lost his understanding and sence so that when he was brought before the Consistory at Pauls he could say nothing but look upon the People like a wild man and if they askt him a Question he could say nothing but my Lord is a good man my Lord is a good man and in this unsensible condition he continued to his dying day Valentine Freese Brother of the said Edward Freese and the said Valentine's wife were both burned at one Stake in York for the Testimony of Jesus Christ James Bainham Martyr James Bainham Son to a Knight in Gloâ—cestershire the said James was a man of a virtuous disposition and a Godly Conversation much addicted to Prayer and Reading of the Scriptures a great maintainer of the Godly a visiter of the Prisoners liberal and merciful delighting in doing equity and Justice to the Poor very dilligent in giving counsel to all Widdows Fatherless and Aâ—â—ucted without Money or Reward being a man bred in Knowledge in the Law this Bainham for his Religion was apprehended by the instigation of Thomas Moor Chancellor of England who kept him Prisoner in his own house and there whipt him at a Tree in his Garden which he called The Tree of Troth from thence he sent him to the Tower to be Racked being himself present to see it effectually done till in a manner he had lamed him to make him confess where his Books lay and because his wife denyed them to be at his House she was sent to the Fleet and their goods were Confiscated these Tortures making him confess nothing the Chanceller sent him to the Bishop of London in the year 1531 who examined him upon certain Interrogatories concerning his Religion asked Whether he believed there was any Purgatory of Souls hence departed to which he answered If we walk in the Light even as he is in the Light we have Society together with him and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son hath clensed us from all Sin if we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth in not is us if we confess our Sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our Sins and will purge us from all our Imquiâ—â—es Several other things they objected against him and often had him to and again before them threatening him with the danger that would ensue if he did not abjure his Religion whereupon he being overtaken with fear he consented unto them after he had abjured the Chancellor fined him twenty pound to the King and enjâ—yned him Pennance which was to go before the Cross in profession at Pauls and to stand before the Preacher during the Sermon at Pauls Cross with a Fagger upon his Shoulder and then to return with the Sumner to Prison again but soon after he was discharged of his Imprisonment and before he had been at Liberty a month he bewailed his Fact and Abjuration and was never quieâ— in his Mind and Conscience until before a Congregation of the People of God who in those dayes met in a Ware-house in â—ow-Lanâ— he uttered his Condemnation of the Fact asking God and that Assembly forgiveness and the next Sunday so called afterwards went to a place called St. Austins and stood up in a Pew with a Testament in English in his Hand and with Tears declared to the People that he had denied God and desired the People to forgive him and to beware of his weakness and rather to choose to die then to do as he did for he would not for all the World to feel again such a Hell as he had done to this purpose he also wrote to the Bishop whereupon he was shortly after apprehended and committed to the Tower of London from thence he was removed to the Bishops Coale-house where he lay two weeks in the Stocks with Irons upon his Legs then he was carried to the Chancellors and there Chained to a post two nights from thence he was had to Fullham where he was cruely handled for the space of a week from thence he was committed to the Tower where he lay a fortnight and there scourged with Whips to make him revoke his Opinions from thence he was carried to Barkin and from thence to Cheâ—sey and
Flesh to feed upon which opinion Christ corrected when he said The Words which I speak unto you are Spirit and Life Viccar I have found you out now I see thou art an Heretick indeed and that thou doest not believe in the Sacerament of the Altar William Hunter whereas you doubt my belief I would it were tryed whether you or I would stand fastest in our Faith Viccar Thou Heretick wouldst thou have it so tryed William Hunter In that way which you call Heresie do I serve the Lord my God I would you and I were even now tyed fast to a Stake to prove which of us would stand firmest in our Faith Viccar It shall not be so tryed No quoth William I think so for if it might I know who would soonest Recant I durst set my Foot against yours even to the death That we shall see quoth the Viccar and so departed threatning William to complain of him Shortly after according to his words he instigated one Justice Brown against William who shortly after sent for a Constable and for William's Father to come before him William being gone from home the Justice threatned his Father He would make him tell where he was or else he would send him to Prison the Old man said Would you have me seek my Son to be burned If thou bring him to me saith the Justice I will deal well enough for that matter and with flatterings and threatnings perswaded him to seek his Son out When the old man had found his Son he told him what the Justice said William told his Father I will go home with you and save you harmless what ever comes on it as soon as he came home he was apprehended by the Constable and put in the Stocks and the next day was had before the Justice Justice Brown Ah Sirrah are you come I hear say you are a Scripture-man What say you to these words where Christ saith the Bread is his Body William Hunter the Scripture saith that Christ took Bread but not that he changed it into another Substance but gave that which he took and brake that which he gave which was Bread as is evident by the Text else he should have had two Bodeis At which the Justice began to be angry and called him Naughty Boy saying Doth not Christ call the Bread his Body plainly and thou wilt not believe that the Bread is his Body after Consecration thou goest about to make Christ a Lyar. William Hunter We ought earnestly to search what the mind of Christ is in that holy Institution wherein he commendeth unto us the remembrance of his Death Passion Resurrection and coming again saying This do in remembrance of me And though Christ calls the Bread his Body so he did also say that he is a Vine a Door c. Yet is not his Body turned into Bread no more then he is turned into a Door or Vine wherefore Christ called the Bread his Body by a figure William Hunter â—ent up to Bonner At these words the Justice was enraged calling him Villain and the next day sent him and a Letter by an Officer to Bonner Bishop of London When he came before the Bishop at first the Bishop began to flatter him telling him he should have no harm for any thing he had done or said if he would be ruled by him saying further It may be thou mayest be ashamed to bear a Fagot a Recant openly of what thou hast said but if thou wilt Recant thy sayings I promise thee what thou speakst between me and thee shall go no further and thou shall go home again without any hurt so that thou wilt go to Church and continue a good Catholick W. Hunter I will not do so for all the World Then said the Bishop If you will not do so I will make you sure enough I warrant you William You can do no more then God will permit you Bishop Wilt thou not Recant indeed by no means William No never while I live Then the Bishop commanded his Men to put him in the Stocks in his Gate-house where he sate two dayes and two nights only with a Crust of brown Bread and a Cup of Water at the two dayes end the Bishop came to him and finding the Cup of Water and crust of Bread still by him upon the Stocks he said to his men take him out of the Stocks and let him Breakfast with you whereupon they took him forth of the Stocks but would not suffer him to eat with them but called him Heretick He told them He was as unwilling to be in their company as they were to be in his After Breakfast the Bishop sent for him and askt whether he would Recant He answered No he would never Recant that which he had confest before men concerning his Faith in Christ Then the Bishop sent him to Prison and commanded the Keeper to lay Irons upon him as many as he could bear and askt William how old he was He told him he was nineteen years Old Well said the Bishop you will be burnt ere you are twenty year old if you do not Recant William answered God strengthen me in his Truth and so he parted from the Bishop He continued in Prison three quarters of a year in which time he had been before the Bishop five times besides the time when he and five more were Condemned in the Consistory in Pauâ—s which was on the ninth day of the Month called February before the Seâ—â—ence was past the Bishop askt him if he would Recant but finding â—un to stand firm in his Faith said I have alwayes found thee at this Point I see no hope of reclaiming thee to the Catholick Faith but thou wilt continue a corrupt Member And then pronounced Sentence upon him how that he should go from that place to Newgate for a time and from thence to Burntwood Where said he Thou shalt be Burnt After he had Condemned the rest he called for William again and would have perswaded him to Recant saying if thou wilt Recant I will make thee a Free-man of the City and I will give thee forty Pounds to set up thy Trade with or I will make thee Steward of my House William Replyed I thank you for your great Offers if you cannot perfwade my Conscience with Scriptures I cannot find in my Heart to turn from God for the love of the World for I count all things worldly but loss and Dung in respect of the Love of Christ Then said the Bishop If thou diest in this mind thou art damned forever William answered God Judgeth righteously and justifieth them whom man condemneth unjustly Then the Bishop departed and William and the rest were sent to Newgate where they remained about a Month and then William was carried down to Burntwood where his Father and Mother coming to him hartily desired of the Lord that he might continue to the end in that good way in which he had begun counting themselves happy
lay two nights without any bed saving a few great Canvas Tent Cloths and after two nights he had a pair of Sheets allowed him but no Woolen clothes and there was kept without any being suffered to come at him only twice a day the Keeper when he brought him Victualls shortly after he was brought before the Earl again who examined him of the Sacrament at his Answers the Earl seemed to be somewhat pleased and hoped he would be conformable and commanded that he should have a bed and fire and liberty to go amongst his Servants when he departed he was much troubled in his Spirit for fear lest he had given advantage to his Adversaries in not confessing Christ so boldly as he ought to have done and was much grieved but considering his condition he cryed earnestly unto the Lord saying Strengthen me with thy holy Spirit with boldness to confess thee and deliver me from their enticing words that I may not be spoiled through their Phylosoply and vain deceit A day or two after he was sent for before two Priests who began to discourse with him concerning the Mass asking him what part of the Mass offended him he answered the whole Mass did offend him upon which discourse and other matters that past between them Articles were drawn up against him and they exhorted him to recant his Opinions he told them he could not change nor alter and desired them to speak to the Earl that during his Imprisonment his Friends might be suffered to relieve him with necessaries they still presisted to advise him to forsake his Opinions not regarding any Worldly shame he answered what he did was not for avoiding Worldly shame nor yet for any vain praise of the World but in the reverent fear of God they told him it was pity such a well-favoured Young man should so foolishly cast away himself he answered them to this effect My Wife Children and other delights of this World are as Sweet to me as another mans may be to him and I am as unwilling to lose them as another would if I might enjoy them with a good Conscience but my trust is said he that God will strengthen me to lose them all for his sake for I do not say or do any thing either out of Stubbornness willfullness vain Glory or any other Worldly purpose but with a good Conscience in the fear of God and farther said I commit my cause unto God who hath numbered the hairs of my head and appointed the dayes of my life who is a Righteous Judge and will make inquisition for my blood From Latham he was carried to Lancaster Castle where he was threatened for preaching to the people out of the Prison shortly after he was carried to Lancaster the Bishop of Chester came thither and sent for the Goaler and rebuked him for suffering George Marsh to fare so well and from thence he was removed to Chester and being brought before the Bishop he was further examined concerning the Sacrament and other matters and Articles drawn up against him and the last time he was brought before the Bishop the Bishops Chanceller made a Speech to the people to this effect The Bishop said he as a good Shepherd doth see to his Flock that no Scabby diseased Sheep infect the other wherefore his Lordship hath sent for this George Marsh as a Scabby Sheep to weed him out lest he corrupt others and then read the Articles against him and askt him if he would have mercy Marsh said he durst not deny Christ then the Bishop read the Sentence against him and committed him to the Northgate Prison and there was he kept in a dark Dungeon where none dared to come to him that had any Friendship towards him for fear of the Bishops threats so that he was kept very strictly in Prison until the time that he suffered death having little comfort or relief from any worldly Creature sometimes in an Evening some Citizens at a hole upon the Wall of the City that looked into the dark Prison would call to him and ask him how he did he would answer them chearfully that he did well and thanked God that he of his Mercy had appointed him to be a Witness of his Truth and to suffer for the same wherein he did rejoyce desiring that he might not faint under the Cross but patiently bare the same to Gods Glory and the Comfort of his Church once he had ten pence cast him in at the said hole and another time two shillings which did help to supply his necessity shortly after he was led to the place of Execution with a Lock upon his Foot he began to exhort the people but one of the Sheriffs would not suffer him to speak saying We must have no Sermon now so with patience he ended his dayes in the Fire Whilst he was a Prisoner he wrot several Epistles to his Friends and Relations and such as had been assistant to him in the time of his Sufferings the Epistles being large I shall only insert some of the Principle heads of some of them which if the Reader pernseth he will find them to be worth â—oting considering the time they were wrot in and first I shall begin with a letter he wrot to the Faithful Professors at Langton An Epistle by George Marsh to his Friends at Langton Grace be unto you and Peace be multiplied in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord Amen I thought it meet to write unto my beloved in the Lord at Langton to stir up your minds and to call to your remembrance the Words which have been told you before and to exhort you as that Good Man and full of the holy Ghost Barnabas did the Antiochians That with purpose of heart you continually cleave unto the Lord and that ye stand fast and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel when Persecution ariseth because of the word do not fall away like shrinking Children and forsake the Truth for after this life the Godly being delivered from their Tribulations and Pains shall have a most quiet and joyful rest whereas the Wicked and Ungodly contrary wise shall be tormented for evermore as Christ by the Parable of the rich Glutton and wretched Lazarus doth plainly declare these ought we to have before our Eyes alwayes that in the time of Adversity and Persecution we may stand stedfast in the Lord and endure even unto the end that we may be saved for unless we like good Warriors of Christ Jesus endeavour our selves to please him who hath chosen us to be his Souldiers and fight the good sight of Faith even unto the end we shall not obtain the Crown of Righteousness which the Lord that is a righteous Judge shall give to all them that love his Coming Let us therefore receive with meekness the word that is grafted in us which is able to save our Souls and ground our selves on the sure Rock Christ for as the Apostle saith Other Foundation
fare your Lordship well from London this second of July Your Lordships loving Friends Nicholas Hare Richard Rede William Roper William Cooke An Account of the most remarkable Passages at their Examination and Executions are as followeth Elizabeth Warne Martyr Elizabeth Warne of London Widdow her Husband being not long before her death burnt for the same cause she was first apprehended at a Meeting in Bow-Lane where she with others were at prayer and was first carried to the Counter and from thence to Newgate being brought before Bonner the common Articles usally administred to the Martyrs and such as had before suffered were objected against her In the end being brought divers times before him and urged to recant she said do what you will for if I am in an Error Christ was in an Error upon which answer he condemned her as an Heretick and she was burnt at Stratford-Bow neer London about the latter end of the Month called May 1555. George Tankerfield of London Cook born in the City of York Aged about twenty seven years G. Tankerfield Martyr at his first conversion being something touched in his understanding he desired the Lord would open his Truth to him according to his Request there was wrought in him daily a further detestation of the Mass and such Idolatrous stuff so that he did abhor the same and his mind came more and more to be enlightened that at length such a Flame was kindled in him that he began not only to reprove and declare against his own former ignorant actions but exhorted others to repent and to return to the Truth but no sooner did this good thing stir in him but the bad stirred in his Adversaries against him who sent one to his House to apprehend him when the Messenger came for him he was from home but the Messenger declaring to his Wife a Lye saying that he was come for her Husband to dress a Banquet for the Lord Paget the Woman mistrusting no evil in the matter sought out her Husband and acquainted him of the business the poor man when he heard the Message said A Banquet Woman indeed it s such a Banquet as will not be very pleasent to the Flesh but Gods will be done and went home with her where he was soon apprehended and had to Newgate shortly after he was brought to Examination before Bonner where the common Articles concerning the Sacrament and Auricular Confession c. were objected against him and for refusing to recant Sentence was past against him and he was delivered to the Sheriff of Hartford-Shire and burnt at Albions upon the 26th of the Moneth called August 1555. The Sufferings and Examination of Robert Smith who Suffered for the Truth in the Month called August 1555. Robert Smith was brought to Newgate the fifâ—h of the Month called November by John Mathew yeoman of the Gâ—ard by order of the Council this Smith first served in the house of Sir Thomas Smith Knight being then Provest of Eaton from thence he was preferred to Windsor having there in the Colledge a Clerk nâ—p of ten pounds a year of stature he was tall and slender aâ—â—â—e â—â—bout many things In Religion he was fervent after he had â—â—ce â—â—â—â—d the Truth at the coming of Queen Mary to the Crown he was â—eprived of his Clerkship by her Visitors and not long after wâ—s appreheaded and brought to Examination before Bonner as here followeth written and testified with his own hand The principal heads of the first Examination of Robert Smith before Bishop Bonner written by himself About nine of the Clock in the Morning I was among the rest of my Brethren brought to the Bishops house and I first of all was brought before him into his Chamber to whom the Bishop said as followeth after he had asked my Name Bonner How long is it ago since the time that you were confessed to any Priest Smith Never since I had years of discretion for I never saw it needful neither commanded of God to come to shew my faults to any of that sinful number whom ye call Priests Bonner Thou shewest thy self even at the first chop to be a rank Heretick which being weary of painting art entred into Divinity and so fallen through thy departing from thy vocations into Heresie Smith Although I have understanding in the said Occupation yet I praise God I have had little need all my life hitherto to live by the same but have lived without the same in mine own house as honestly in my vocation as ye have lived in yours and yet used the same better then ever you used the Pulpit Bonner How long is it ago since you received the Sacrament of the Altar and what is your opinion in the same Smith I never received the same since I had years of discretion nor never will by Gods Grace neither do esteem the same in any point because it hath not Gods Ordinance neither in Name nor in other usage but rather is set up and erected to mock God withal Bonner Do you not believe that it is the very Body of Christ that was born of the Virgin Mary naturally substantially and really after the words of Consecration Smâ—th I shewed you before it was none of Gods Ordinances as you use it then much less to be God or any part of his Substance but only bread and wine erected to the use aforesaid yet nevertheless if ye can prove it to be the Body that ye speak of by the Word I â—ill believe it if not I will as I do account it a detestable Idol not God but contrary to God and his Truth Then after many raging words and vain Objections he said There was no remedy but I must be burned Smith Ye shall do no more unto me then ye have done to better men then either of us both but think not thereby to quench the Spirit of God neither thereby to make your matter good for your sore is too well seen to be healed so privily with Blood for even the very Children have all your deeds in derision so that although ye parch up one place with Authority yet shall it break forth in forty to your shame Then after much ado and many railing sentences the Bishop said throwing away the Paper of mine Examination Well even now by my Troth even in good earnest if thou wilt go and be shriven I will tear this Paper in pieces Smith To which I answered it would be too much to his shame to shew it to men of discretion After which Answer I was carried down to the Garden with my Goaler and there remained until my Brother Harwood was examined and then being again brought up before the said Bonner he demanded if I agreed with Harwood in his Confession upon this Articles following Bonner What say you to the Catholick Church do ye not confess there is one in Earth Smith Yesverily I believe that there is one Catholick Church or faithful Congregation which as the
perfect VVord which is to me so dear Lay up thy Laws within my heart to keep me still in fear Aed rob me of that great rebuke which I do fear full sore For all thy Judgments and thy Law endure for evermore Behold O Lord in thy precepts is all my whole delight O quicken me in all thy Wayes that I may walk aright The Substance of an Epistle written by Robert Smith to the Persecuted Flock of Christ To all which Love God unfainedly and intend to lead a godly life according to his Gospel and to persevere in his Truth unto the end Grace and Peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ Amen Be not afraid most dearly beloved in our Saviour Jesus Christ at these most perilous dayes wherein by the suffering of God the Prince of Darkness is broken loose and rageth in his members against the Elect of God withal cruelty to set up again the Kingdom of Anti-christ against whom see that ye be strong in faith to resist his most devilish Doctrines with the pure Gospel of God arming your selves with patience to abide whatsoever shall be laid to your charge for the Truths sake knowing that thereunto you are called not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him Oh how happy are ye that in the sight of God are counted worthy to suffer for the Testimony of Christ quit therefore your selves O my loving Brethren and rejoyce in him for whom ye suffer for unto you do remain the unspeakable Joyes which neither the Eye hath seen nor the Ear hath heard neiâ—â—â—r the heart of man is able to comprehend in any wise Be not â—â—â—raid of the bodily Death for your names are written in the Book of Life and the Prophets do record that in the sight of the â—â—â—d pretious is the Death of his Saints Watch therefore and pray that ye be not prevented in the day of Temptation now cometh the day of your Tryal wherein the Waters rage and the Stormy Winds blow now shall it appear whether you have builded upon the fleeting Sand or upon the unmovable Rock Christ which is the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles whereon every House that is builded groweth into an holy Temple of the Lord by the mighty working of the holy Ghost now approacheth the day of your Battel wherein it is required that you shew yourselves the valiant Souldiers of Christ Jesus with the Armour of God that ye may be able to stand fast against all the crafty assaults of the Devil Christ is your Captain anâ— you are his Souldiers whose Cognisance is the Cross to the which he willingly humbled himself even unto the Death and thereby spoiled his Enemies and now triumpheth he over them in the glory of his Father making intercession for them that do here remain to suffer the Aâ—â—lictions that are to be fulfilled in his mystiâ—al Body it behoveth therefore every one that will be accounted his Schollor to take up his oâ—n Cross and follow him as yâ—u have him for Example and â—ssure you that he being on your side nothing shall be able to prevail against you and that he will be with you even to the Worlds â—nd you have his promise in the 28th of Matthew he will go forth with his Host as a Conqueror to make a Conquest he is the man that siâ—â—eth on the white Horse crowned with Immortality and ye Brethren are his Fellowship whereof he is the Head he hath your hearts in his hand as a bow bent after his godly will he shall direct the same according to the riches of his glory into all spiritual and heavenly Cogitation he is faithfull and will not suffer you to be further assâ—â—â—ced then he will give you strength to overcome and in the most danger he will make a way that you may be able to bear it Shrink not therefore dear â—earts when ye shall be called to answer for the hope that is in you for â—ebâ—â—e the Comforter even the Spirit of Truth which was sent from the Heavens to teach us he shall speak in us he shall strengthen us what is he then that shall be able to confound us Nay what Tyrant is he that now boasteth himself of his strength to do mischief whom the Lord shall not with his Spirit by the Moâ—th of his Servants strike down to Hell-fire yea suddainly will the Lord bring down the glory of the Proud Philistians by the hands of his Servant David their strength is in Shield and Spear but our help is in the Name of the Lord which made both Heaven and Earth he is our Buckler and our Wall a strong Tower of defence he is our God and we are his People he shall bring the counsels of the ungodly to nought he shall take them in their own Net he shall destroy them in their own Inventions the Right Hand of the Lord shall work this Wonder his Power is known amongst the Children of men their Fathers have felt it and are confoundeâ— in like manner shall they know that there is no counsel against the Lord when their secrets are opened to the whole World and are found to be against the Living God work they never so craftily builâ—â—hey never so strongly yet down shall their Babel fall and the Builders themselves shall then be scattred upon the face of the Earth as Accursed of God the Just shall see this and be glad and praise the Name of the Lord that so Marvelously hath dealt with his Servants as to bring their Enemies under their feet then shall the fearfull Seed of Cain Tremble and Quake then shall the mocking Ishmâ—elites be cast out of the Door then shall the Proud Nemborth see his labour lost then shall the Beast of Babylon be trodden under foot then shall the Scribes and Pharisees for madness fret and rage then shall their painted Wisdom be known for extream folly then shall the bloody Dragon be void of his prey then shall the Whore of Babylon receive double Vengence then shall they scratch their Crowns for the fall of their Mistress Harlot whom they now serve for filthy lucre when no man shall buy their Wares any more then shall the Popish Priesthood cry Weal away with care even when the Lord shall help his Servants which day is not far off the day wherein the Kingdom of Anti-christ shall have an end and never raise any more in the mean time abide in certain and sure hope cleaving unto the promises of God which in their own time shall be fulfilled What better Quarrel can you have to give your lives for then the Truth it self That man that giveth his life for the Truth taketh the readiest way to life he that hath the Popes curse for the Truth is sure of Christs Blessing Well then my Brethren what shall now let but that you go forwards as ye have begun Nay rather run with the Runners that ye may obtain the appointed glory hold on the right
Right hand of God the Father and therefore I do not believe him to be in the Sacrament of the Altar but he is in the worthy Receiver and your Sacrament as you use it is an abominable Idol George Brâ—dbridge said as for your holy Bread and holy Water and your Mass I utterly defie them They were all five condemned and burnt at Canterbury the sixth day of the 7th Moneth 1555. Two burnt at Lichfield About the middle of the same Moneth Thomas Hayward and John â—oreway were both burnt at Lichfield The Persecutions and Sufferings of Robert Glover About the Moneth called September 1555. there was a privy Commission sent down to the Mayor of Coventry to apprehend John Glover Brother of the said Robert Rob. Clover Martyr but John having some notice of the Officers coming escaped but they searching in an upper Room found Robert Glover lying sick in Bed and had him away before the Sheriff who being detained till the Bishop came and was then examined a Relation of his Troubles and Conflicts he had with the Bishop He sent his Wife in a Letter some Passages most material of which are as followeth To my intirely beloved Wife Mary Glover The peace of Conscience which passeth all understanding the Sweet Consolation Comfort Strength and Boldness of the holy Ghost be continually increased in our hearts through a servant earnest and stedfast faith in our most dear and only Saviour Jesus Christ Amen I thank you heartily most loving Wife for your Letters sent unto me in my imprisonment I read them with tears more then once or twice for Joy and Gladness that God had wrote in you so merciful a work These your Letters and the hearing of your most godly proceedings and constant doing from time to time have much relieved and comforted me at all times and shall be a goodly Testimony with you at the great Day If I would have given place to worldly reasons these might have moved me first the foregoing of you and my Children the consideration of the state of my Children being yet tender of Age and young apt and inclineable to virtue and learning and so having the more need of my Assistance being not altogether destitute of gifts to help them withal possessions above the common sort of men because I was never called to be a preacher or minister because of my sickness fear of death in imprisonment before I should come to my answer and so my death to be unprofitable But these and such like I thank my heavenly Father who of his infinite mercy inspired me with his holy Ghost for his Sons sake prevailed not in me but when I had by the wonderfull permission of God fallen into their hands at the first sight of the Sheriff Nature a little abashed yet ere ever I came to the Prison by the working of God and through his goodness fear departed I said to the Sheriff at his coming unto me what matter have you to charge me withal He answered you shall know when you come before the Masters I lookt to have been brought before the Masters and to have heard what they could have burthened me withal but contrary to my expectation I was committed forthwith to the Goal not being called to my answer little Justice being shewed therein but the less Justice a man findeth at their hands the more Consolation in Conscience shall he find from God for whosoever is of the World the World will love him After I came into Prison and had reposed my self there a while I wept for Joy and Gladness my belly full musing much of the great mercies of God and as it were saying to my self after this sort Oh Lord who am I on whom thou shouldest bestow this great mercy to be numbered among the Saints that suffer for the Gospel sake And so beholding and considering on the one side my imperfection unableness sinfull misery and unworthiness and on the other side the greatness of Gods mercy to be called to so high promotion I was as it were amazed and overcome for a while with joy and gladness concluding thus with my self in my heart Oh Lord thou shewest Power in Weakness Wisdom in Foolishness Mercy in Sinfulness who shall let thee to choose where and whom thou wilt as I have zealously loved the confession of thy Word so ever thought I my self to be most unworthy to be a partaker of the affliction for the same Not long after came unto me M. Brasbridge M. Phinees and M. Hopkins travelling with me to be dismissed upon bonds to whom my answer was to my rememberance after this sort for as much as the Masters have imprisoned me having nothing to burthen me withal If I should enter into bouds I should in so doing Accuse my self and seeing they have no matter to lay to my charge they may as well let me pass without boÌ„nds as with bonds And when they were somewhat importune I said to one of them that liberty of Conscience was a pretious thing and took as it were a pause lifting up my heart to God earnestly for his aide and help that I might do the thing that might please him and so when they had let their sure fall my heart me thought was wonderfully comforted Afterward debating the matter with my self these considerations came into my head I have from time to time with good Conscience God I take to record moved all such I had Conference withal to be no dalliers in Gods matters but to shew themselves after so great a light and knowledge hearty earnest constant and stable in so manifest a Truth and not to give place one jot contrary to the same now thought I if I shall withdraw my self and make any shifts to pull my own neck our of the Collar I shall give great offence to my weak Brethren in Christ and advantage to the Enemy to slander Gods Word it will be said he hath been a great boldner of others to be earnest and fervent to fear no worldly perrils or dangers but he himself will give no such example Wherefore I thought it my bounden duty both to God and man being as it were by the great goodness of God marvelously called and appointed hereunto to set aside all fear perril and dangers all worldly respects and considerations and like as I had hereto according to the measure of my small gift from the bottom of my heart unfeignedly moved exhorted and perswaded all that profess Gods Word manfully to persist in the defence of the same not with Sword and Voilence but with suffering and loss of life rather then to defile themselves again with the Whorish abominations of the Romish Anti-christ so the hour being come with my fact and Example to ratific and confirm the same to the hearts of all true Believers and to this end by the assistance of Gods holy Spirit I resolved my sâ—lf with much peace of Conscience willingly to sustain whatsoever the Romish Anti-christ should
that I hear no more complaint of thee and come to the Church when thou wilt and if thou be complained upon so far as I may I promise thee I will not hear of it VVilliam said in reply I was brought hither by a Law and by a Law I will be delivered at the Sessions the said VVilliam was committed to the Castle at VVisbidge Robert Pygot a Painter by Trade was at the same Sessions presentde for not going to Church and being called before Sr. Clement Higham Judge of the Sessions who said to Pygot Ah are you the holy Father the Painter How chance you come not to Church Robert Pygot I am not out of the Church I trust in God No Sr. said the Judge this is no Church this is a Hall Rob. Pygot I know very well it is a Hall but he that is in the true faith of Jesus Christ is never absent but present in the Church of God Ah Sirrah said the Judge you are too high learned for me to talk withal wherefore I will send you to them that be better learned and committed him to the Goal where VVoolsey lay and from thence they were both carried to Ely where they remained Prisoners till the day of their death About the nineteenth day of the same Month they were had to Judgment before Doctor Fullor then Chancellor and others who laid several Articles to their charge viz. that they denied the Sacrament of the Altar whereunto their answer was that the Sacrament of the Altar was an Idol One of the Commissioners drew up a Paper that he would have Robert Pygot sign No said Pygot that is your Faith and not mine When these two men were burnt there was a great Sheet knit full of Books burnt with them It is further testified concerning those two Martyrs by one William Fulk of Cambridge that they were burnt at Ely Pygot he said was milde humble and modest promising that he would be conformable to his Persecutors if they could perswade him by the Scriptures Wolsey he said was stout strong and vehement and detested all their doings as of whom he was sure to receive nothing but Cruelty and Tyranny he was wonderous jealous over his Companion fearing least his gentle Nature would have been overcome by the flatering inticements of the World and therefore the same day that they were burned when they would have talked with him alone he pulled him away from them almost by force Ridley and Latimer burnt at Oxford About the same time were burned at Oxford Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer both Bishops when the Faggot was brought kindled and laid at Nicholas Ridley's feet Latimer spake to him in this manner Be of good comfort we shall this day light such a Candle by Gods Grace in England as I trust shall never be put out Three burnt at Canterbury About the thirtieth of the Month called November 1555. John Web George Roper and Gregory Porke were all burnt together in one Fire at Canterbury abiding most patiently the torment counting themselves happy and blessed of the Lord that they were made worthy to suffer for Christs Gospel sake William Wiseman a Clothworker of London the thirtieth of December following died a Prisoner for the Gospel in Lollards Tower after he was departed the Papists commanded that no man should bury him but he was cast out into the fields accounting him as a prophane person and worthy of no burial yet some faithful Brethren buried him in the evening as they did the rest thrown out in like sort whom they were wont privily by night to bury In the same Month James Gore died Prisoner in Colchester for the Truth of Gods Word John Philpot Martyr The next followeth the Martyrdom of John Philpot who suffered for the sake of the Gospel of Christ and a Witness against the Antichristian Sea of Rome He was a Knights son and was born in Hampshire and was brought up in learning he was of a pregnant wit of singular courage and zealous in Religion When Queen Mary came to the Crown she caused a Convocation to be held where this John Philpot was present where he vindicated the cause of the Gospel manfully against the adverse party for the which cause he was called to account by Bishop Gardner the Chancellor notwithstanding the Liberty of the House promised before after Gardner had examined him he sent him to Bonner and his Commissinors Q. Mary An. 5515 with whom he had sundry conflicts the most material passages in which examinations I have here inserted Doctor Story looking on him said He was well fed Philpot If I be fat it is no marvel since I have been staled up in Prison a year and a half in a close corner Roper We here say you are out of the Catholick Church and have been a disturber of the same wherefore if you will come into the same you shall be received and find favour Philpot I am come before you and I would know my Offence and if I have done nothing contrary to the Laws I desire I may have the benefit of a Subject and be delivered out of my wrong imprisonment Story Thou art an Heretick and holdest against the blessed Mass Philpot What I spoke in the Convocation House the Queen and Council gave Liberty to every man of the House to utter his Conscience and to speak his mind freely of such matters in Religion as were propounded by the Prolocutor for which I ought not to be molested nor compelled by you to answer for the same Story Thou shalt go to the Lollards Tower and there shalt thou be handled like a Heretick as thou art and be Judged by the Bishop of London Philpot I have been Examined and imprisoned by the Chancellor mine Ordinary and by the Law I may have exceptionem fori and it s against all equity that I should be twice vexed for one cause and that by such as by the Law have nothing to do with me Story Thou shalt be had to the Lollards Tower Philpot Since you will needs shew me this Extremity I desire to see your Commission that gives you Authority so to do Roper Let him see the Commission Story Shall we lit every vile person see our Commission Cholmly Let him go from whence he came and on Thursday he shall see our Commission Story No let him lie in the mean while in the Lollards Tower I will sweep the Kings-Beach and all the other Prisons of these Hereticks so that they shall not have that resort as they have had to scatter their Heresies Philpot You have power to transfer my Body from place to place at your pleasure but you have no power over my Soul and I pass not whither you commit me for I cannot be worse entreated then I am kept all day in a close Chamber Story Marshall Take him home with you again and bring him on Thursday and then we shall rid your fingers of him and afterwards of your other
declare what the Tree is for a good Man or Woman out of the good Treasure of their hearts bringeth forth good Fruits Wherefore dear Sister let our Faith be made manifest to the World by our deeds and in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation as St. Paul saith Let your Light shine as in a dark place O dear hearts now is the Gospel of God overwhelmed with many black and troublesome Clouds of Persecution for the which cause very few go about to have their Eyes made clear by the true light of the Gospel for fear of loosing their Treasures of this World which are but vain and shall Perish Let us not therefore be like unto them which light their Candle and put it under a Bushel but let us set our Candle upon a Candlestick that it may give light unto all them that are in the House that is to say let all the People of the Houshold of God see our good works in suffering all things patiently that shall be laid upon us for the Gospel sake if it be Death it self for Christ died for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps and as he hath given his Life for us so ought we to give our Lives for the Defence of the Gospel to the comfort of our Brethren How is it then that some will say that their Faith is good and yet they do all the deeds of Anti-christ the Devil St. Paul saith To believe with the heart justifieth and to confess with the Mouth maketh a man safe Here may all see that no man or woman can have a true Faith unless they have deeds also and he that doubteth is like the Waves of the Sea Tossed about of the Wind and can look for no good thing at the Lords hands Now is the acceptable time that Christ spoke of yea even now is the Ax put to the Root of the Tree that so every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit must be hewn down and cast into the Fire Now is the Lord come with his Fan in his hand to try the Wheat from the Chaff the Wheat he will gather into his Barn and the Chaff he will burn Now is the time come that we must go meet the Bridegroom with Oyle in our Lamps we are also bidden to the Feast let us make no excuses our Master hath delivered Talents unto us Now is the Lord come to see if there be any Fruit upon his Trees if he find none he will serve us as he did the wild Fig-Tree that is Never Fruit shall grow on him more If we go to meet the Bridegroom without Oyle in our Lamps and should go to buy the doubt is we should be served as the Foolish Virgins were to whom God said Depart I know you not If we use not our Talents well they shall be taken from us and given to others and all such unprofitable Servants shall be cast into Hell where shall be Weeping and Gnashing of teeth May not all People now perceive that this is the time that our Master Christ speaketh of that the Father should be against the Son and the Son against the Father and one Brother against an other that the Brother shall deliver the Brother to death yea and that the Wicked shall say all manner of Wicked sayings against us for his Name sake the which I have found by experience I praise God that gave me strength to bear it I have no mistrust but that the World shall see and know my Blood shall not be dear in my own sight whensoever it please God to give my Adversaries leave to shed it I do earnestly believe that God which hath begun this good work in me will perform it to the end for when I have been in Prison sometimes wearing Blots and Shackles lying on the bear ground and sometimes sitting in the Stocks and bound with Cords that my Body was swelled and I like to be overcome with pain sometimes lying in the Woods and Fields wandring to and fro brought before Justices Sheriffs Lords Doctors and Bishops called Dog Devil Heretick Whoremonger Traytor Thief Deceiver and such like Yea even they that did eat of my Bread that should have been most my Friends by Nature have betrayed me yet for all this I praise God that hath seperated me from my Mothers Womb all this that hath happened unto me hath been easie for I praise God they are not able to prove one tittle of their sayings to be true but that way which they call Heresie I serve my Lord God and at all times before whomsoever I have been brought God hath given me Mouth and Wisdom against which my Adversaries have not been able to resist wherefore dear Sister be of good comfort with all your Brethren and Sisters and take no thought what you shall say for it shall be given you the same hour according to the promises as I have alwayes found and as you and all others of Gods Elect shall well find when the time is full come and whereas I and many others have hoped that this Persecution would have been at an end ere this time now I perceive God will have a further Tryal to Root out all Dissemblers that no man should rejoyce in himself but he that rejoyceth should rejoyce in God wherefore if Prophecy should fail and Tongues should cease yet Love must indure for fear hath painfulness but a perfect Love casteth out all fear which Love I have no mistrust but God hath poured it upon you so abundantly that nothing in the World shall be able to seperate you from God neither High nor Low Rich nor Poor Life nor Death shall be able to put you from Christ but by him I trust you shall enter into New Jerusalem there to live forever After his Examination Sentence was past upon him and upon the 22th day of the Moneth called June he and nine more were burnt at Lewis as mention is made before The next Moneth following Simon Miller and Elizabeth Cooper were burnt at Norwich S. Miller Elizabeth Cooper Martyrs This Simon Miller dwelt in Lyn he was a zealous man for the Lord and his Truth in those dayes detesting and abhoring the forced Religion of the Papists going from Lyn to Norwich and standing in the press of People as they were coming from their Popish service he spake some words to them at which some marvelled to hear and see his boldness but shortly after he was brought before Dunning Chancellor of Norwich when he was before him having his Confession of his Faith written and put in his Shoe part of which appearing was taken out which the Chancellor perusing askt him If he would stand to that Faith to which he said he should whereupon he was committed to Ward and shortly after was by the Bishop of Norwich and his Chancellor condemned and burnt with the â—â—â—esaid Elizabeth Cooper When Elizabeth first felt the Fire the shrunk and cryed out Simon Miller put his
and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty For neither Eye hath seen nor the Ear hath heard neither can it enter into the heart of man what good things the Lord hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. Ye are brought neither with Silver nor Gold but with the pretious Blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1. There is none other Name given to men wherein we must be saved Acts 4. So fare ye well Wife and Children and leave worldly care and see that ye be dilligent to pray Take no thought saith Christ Mat. 6. saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewith shall we be clothed for after all these things seek the Gentiles for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things but seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and the Righteousness thereof and all these things shall be ministred unto you The Sufferings of Cicely Ormes Wife of Edmund Ormes of Norwich Worsted-Weaver burnt about the twenty third day of September The occasion of her first apprehending was for that she being persent at the death of two Martyrs burnt in the Lollards-pit Ciâ—ely Ormes Martyr without Bishops-gate in Norwich for that she said she would pledge them of the same Cup that they drunk of she was apprehended and had before the Chancellor who Examining her concerning the Sacrament of the Altar He askt her What it was the Priest held over his head she replyed It was Bread and if said she you make it any better it is worse Whereupon the Chancellor with threatning words sent her to the Bishops Prison shortly after she was brought before him again who offered her If she would go to Church and keep her Tongue she should be at liberty but she refusing his offer he past Sentence of Death upon her and delivered her to the Sheriff to see her burnt when she came to the Stake she said Welcome the sweet Cross of Christ and when the Fire was kindled about her she said My Soul doth Magnifie the Lord and my Spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour and so finished her Testimony in patience At this time the rage of Persecution was very hot in many Counties and many were Persecuted at Litchfield and about seventeen were put to death in Sussex in the Diocess of Chichester a particular Relation whereof there is little left upon record to make manifest but the Popes Tyranny was great in many Counties in England in this Queens time The Examination of Thomas Sprudence before the Chancellor of Norwich Chancellor askt him Whether he had been with a Priest and confest his sins Tho. Spancer Martyr He replyed I have confest my sins to God and that is sufficient for me Then said the Bishop Wilt thou be sworn to the Pope as supream head of the Church No said he not as long as I live for you cannot prove by the Scripture that the Pope is head of the Church Yes said the Bishop As the Bell-weather which weareth the Bell is head of the Flock of Sheep even so is the Pope the head of the Church of Christ and now good fellow thou hast wandered long out of thy way like a scattred Sheep therefore hear this Bell-weather and come home with us to thy Mother the true Church again Thomas answered All this is but Natural reason and no Scripture Oh said the Bishop I see you are stout and will not be answered therefore you shall be compelled by Law Thomas replyed So did your Fore-fathers intreat Christ and his Apostles they had a Law and by their Law they put him to death and likewise you have a Law which is Tyranny and by that you would force me to believe as you do but I trust the Lord will assist me against all your beggerly Ceremonies and make your Foolishness known to all the World Then said the Bishop When were you at Church Thomas said Never since I was born How old are you then said the Bishop I think said he about forty Then the Bishop not well understanding him he explained himself saying never since I was born anew for Christ said unto Nicodemus Except you be born again you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Then the Bishop told him He was a stubborn Fellow and an Heretick and speaking to him of Obedience to the Laws of the Realm Thomas relyed You must consider that I have a Soul and a Body and my Soul is none of the Queens but my Body and Goods is the Queens and I must give God my Soul and all that belongeth unto it that is I must obey the Laws and Commandments of God and whosoever commandeth obedience to Laws contrary to Gods Laws I may not obey them lest I loose my Soul but must rather obey God then man and further told the Bishop that their graven Images and Ceremonies were but the Inventions and Imaginations of their own brain Then one standing by said to the Prisoners Are you wiser then all men Will you willingly cast away your selves My Lord would fain save you therefore chuse some man where you will and take a day my Lord will give it you Then Thomas replyed If I save life I shall lose it and if I lose my life for Christs sake I shall find life Everlasting and if I take a day when the day cometh I must say then even as I say now except I will lye and therefore that needeth not Well then said the Bishop Have him away and after he had been kept some time a Prisoner in Bury in Saffolk he was burnt in November In the same Moneth were three persons put to death in Smithfield viz. John Hallingdal William Sparrow and Richard Gibson Three persons burnt in Smithfield they were several times brought before Bonner who produced several Articles against them and used Arguments to perswade them to recant before he past Sentence upon them to which John Hallingdal replyed Because I will not come to your Babylonical Church therefore you go about to condemn me then the Bishop askt him Whether he would persevere in his Opinions He replyed He should persist in them until the death whereupon Bonner read the bloody Sentence against him William Sparrow being asked the same Question by the Bishop he made answer to this effect That way which you call Heresie is good and godly and if every hair of my head were a man I would burn them all rather then go from the Truth and said their Laws and Mass was naught and abominable whereupon the Bishop Immediately read the Sentence of death against him and delivered him to the Secular Power who sent him again to Prison After the Bishop had ministred several Articles against Rich. Gibson the said Richard proposed several Articles to him to answer yea or nay or else to say he could not tell viz. Whether any man by the holy Ordinance of God ever was is or shall be Lord over mens faith And by what Lawfull Authority any man of what
that season bitter yet if the cause were considered one would purge the other and for setting up of Mass she had learned by the perswasions of excellent men for Six Years past inwardly to abhor and if she should then outwardly allow it she should shew her self a false Christian and to her Prince a Masking Subject you know my Lord one by Judgment reformed is more worth then a thousand transformed Temporizers to force a Confession of Religion by Mouth contrary to that in the Heart worketh Damnation where Salvation is pretended Then said the Bishop That deliberation would do well if she were required to come from an Old Religion to a New but now she is to returned from a New to an Antient Religion My Lord said Bartie in answer to that not long since she answered a Friend of hers using your Lordships speech that Religion went not by Age but by Truth and therefore she was to be turned by perswasion and not by Commandment The Dutchess and her Husband daily understanding by their Friends that the Bishop intended to call her to Account for her Faith and considering the Sufferings and Extremity that might follow endeavoured to get the Queens Licence to travel beyond Sea which in a few dayes he obtained and then first went over by himself leaving the Duchess behind who had agreed to follow him Q. Mary An. 1558 which with much difficulty she did and in their travels beyond Sea they suffered very much for having taken a House in a Town called Santon a Haunce Town under the Duke of Cleves Dominion to which Town divers Wallons were fled for Religion it was muttered about the Town that the Dutchess and her Husband weregreater persons of note then they discovered themselves to be and the Magistrates being not very well inclined to Religion a suddain order was given out that the Dutches and her Husband should be Examined of their Condition and Religion Bartie hearing this took his Wife and Child and two other with him and on Foot travelled forthwith towards VVeesell which proved a wet and wearisome Journey being not used to Foot it and Passage otherwayes they could not hire he being fain for some part of the way to carry the Child himself and she to earry his Cloak and that which was worse when night approached coming to Weesel they could get no entertainment at Inns the Innholders suspecting him to be a Launce Knight and the Dutches his Woman so that they were brought to a great straight for it rained hard the Child with cold cryed and the Mother wept the Husband seeing themselves destitute of Succor resolved to get some Straw and Coals and lay them in a Porch that night if he could get no better Lodging but in the midst of this hardship he met with two Boyes that spoke Latine through their directions he found out a Wallons House where he met with one of his acquaintance and one that had been a Friend to him who meeting together and seeing the Dutchess and her Husband in such a dirty wet condition could not speak for some time to each other for tears but at last the comfort they received from their Friend revived them and in a few dayes he hired a fair House for them and it was soon noised about the Town what they were and the uncivility of the Inn-holders towards them was openly and sharply rebuked by the Preachers in their Pulpits for being so unkind to Strangers but they were not long settled here but they were unsettled again for a Snare was laid to apprehend them there which through the kindness of the English Embassadour they had intimation of whereupon they travel'd to the Palsgraves Country and after some time of abode there the King of Poland hearing of their troubles invited them into his Country where they were quietly and honourably entertained till the Death of Queen Mary The Sufferings and Preservation of Thomas Rose Aged Seventy six Years in the Town of Luton and Country of Bedford This Thomas Rose for his zeal for the Gospel was informed against to the Council who sent a Messenger down to Hadley in Suffolk to apprehend him being before the Council the charge against him was that he was privy to the burning of the Rood of Dover-Court for this he was committed to Prison to the Bishop of Lincolns House in Holburn and there remained from the time called Shrovetide till Midsummer very sore Stocked the Stocks being very high and great so that day and night he did lye with his back on the ground upon a little Straw with his heels so high that the blood fell from his feet so that his feet were almost without sence for a long time and he fell sick insomuch that the Keeper pittying him acquainted the Bishop therewith and told him He would not keep him to die under his hands whereupon the Bishop extended some charity and gave him some more ease and liberty but would not suffer Thomas Rose his own Mother to visit him but bid her go home for she might not see him but she giving the Keeper four Shillings he let her speak to him through a Grate from thence he was removed Prisoner to Lambeth but was shortly after delivered and after he was at liberty for preaching against Auricular Confession Transubstantiation and such other Points contained in the six Articles which then so to do was Death by the Law wherefore he was narrowly sought after by the Duke of Norfolk who being Lievtenant commanded that whosoever should take him should hang him on the next Tree Thomas having notice of what was intended against him was conveyed into Flanders where he remained some Years and afterwards coming over into England again was received by the Meeting at London to be their Preacher who at their Assembles would often at a night gather ten pounds for the Assistance and help of such as suffered in Prisons for the Truths sake He was secretly preserved often times in this Assembly at London yet at length through treachery was taken with thirty five at a Meeting in Bow-Yard in Cheapside at a Sheer-mans House on the day called New-years-day and was had before Stephen Gardner to be Examined who committed him to the Clink till a seasonable time to do it He was several times brought before the Bishop upon Examination where the chief discourse was upon the common Snares of Transubstantiation Auricular Confession c. And after long Disputations privately to and fro betwixt them the Bishop took him by the hand and said Father Rose you may be a worthy Instrument in the Church and so committed him only to his own Lodging that night and afterwards being set at liberty by the hand of Providence he travelled beyond Sea and there remained till the Death of Queen Mary A true Relation of the Martyrdom of Richard Atkins an English man by the bloody Papists at Rome Anno 1581. Richard Atkins born in Hartfordshire Rich. Atkins Martyr at Rome
contrary to all Law Equity and Conscience where they alone are the Plantiffs the Accusers the Judges and the Executioners of their most fearful and barbarous Tyranny They should not by the Laws of this Land go any further in Cases of Religion then their own Ecclesiastical Censure and then refer us to the Civil power their Fore-fathers Gardner Bonner and Story dealt thus equally and we crave but this Equity Oh let her Excellent Majesty our Soveraign and your Wisdoms consider and accord unto this our just Petition for Streams of Innocent Blood are like to be spilt in secret by these Blood-thirsty-men except her Majesty and your Lordships do take order with their most cruel and inhuman proceedings We crave for all of us but the Liberty either to die openly or to live openly in the Land of our Nativity If we deserve death it beseemeth the Majesty of Justice not to see us closely murthered yea starved to death with hunger and cold and stifled in loathsome Dungeons If we be guiltless we crave but the benefit of onr Innocency viz. That we may have peace to serve our God and our Prince in the place of the Sepulcher of our Fathers Thus protesting our Innocency complaining of Violence and Wrong and crying for Justice on the behalf and on the name of that righteous Judge the God of Equity and Justice we continue our Prayers unto him for her Majesty and your Honours whose hearts we beseech him to incline towards this our most equal and just Suit This complaint was Penned by H. Barrow and is by me truly Copied Verbatim out of my Author through CHRIST JESUS our Lord. And now I find that besides many that ended their dayes in loathsome Prisons there were six executed who sealed up their Testimonies with their blood the six that were executed are these viz. Henry Barrow and John Greenwood at Tyburn John Penry at Thomas a Waterings neer London William Dennis at Thetford in Norfolk and Câ—ppin and Elias at Edmunds-Bury in Suffolk I have here inserted as followeth two Letters of John Penry which was all I could meet with by which Letters the Reader may see what a Zeal and religious Courage was stirring in these people at this day To the distressed faithful Congregation of Christ in London and all the Members thereof whether in bonds or at liberty these be delivered my beloved Brethren M. F. Johnson M. D. M. S. M. S. M. G. I. M. I. M. H. M. B. M. S. R. B. M. R. M. K. N. B. M. B. I. M. N. P. W. C. P. A. my Brethren M. I. C. W. B. A. P. M. M. M. E. C. C. D. G. M. A. B. with the rest of you both men and women as if particularly I named you all which stand members of this poor afflicted Congregation whether at liberty or in bonds Jesâ—â— Christ that great King and Prince of the Kings of the Earth bless you coâ—fâ—â—t you with his invinceable Spirit that you may be able to bear and over come these great Tryals which you are yet and I with you if I â—â—â—e to undergo for his Names sake in this Testimony Beloved let us think our Lot and Portion more then blessed that now are vouchsafed the favour not only to know and to profess but also to suffer for the sincerity of the Gospel and let us remember that great is our reward in Heaven if we endure unto the end I testifie unto you for mine own part as I shall answer before Jesus Christ and his Elect Angels that I never saw any Truth more clear and undoubted then this witness wherein we stand First Against false Offices Secondly The callings Thirdly The works Fourthly The maintenance left and retained in this Land by and from Popery Fifthly Against the obedience which spiritually either in Soul or in Body is yielded and the communion that is had with these inventions of darkness Sixthly The mingling of all sorts in these Assemblies Seventhly The worship done but scant in one of the three parts of the Commission given by our Saviour scant done I say in one of the three parts of the Commission by the best Teachers of this Land and I thank my God I am not only ready to be bound and banished but even to die in his Cause by his strength yea my Brethren I greatly long in regard of my self to be dissolved and â—o live iâ— the blessed Kingdom of Heaven with Jesus Christ and his Angels with Adam Enoch Noah Abraham Moses Job David Jeremiah Daniel Paul the great Apostle of the Gentiles and with the rest of the holy Saints both men and women with the glorious Kings Prophets and Martyrs and Witnesses of Jesus Christ that have been from the beginning of the World particularly with my two dear Brethren Master Henry Barrow and Master John Greenwood which have last of all yielded their Blood for this pretious Testimony confessing unto you my Bretheren and Sisters that if I might live upon the Earth the dayes of Methusala twice told and that in no less Comfort then Peter James and John were in the Mount and after this life might be fure of the Kingdom of Heaven that yet to gain all this I durst not go from the former Testimony wherefore my Brethren I beseech you be of like mind herein with me I doubt not but you have the same pretious faith with me and are Partakers also of far more glorious Comfort then my barren and sinful Soul can be strive for me and with me that the Lord our God may make me and all us able to end our Cause with joy and patience strive also that he may stay his blessed hand if it be his good pleasure and not make any further breach in his Church by the taking away of any more of us as yet to the discouraging of the weak and the lifting up of the horn of our Adversaries I would indeed if it be his good pleasure live yet with you to help you to bear that grievous and hard Yoke which yet ye are like to sustain either here or in a strange Land and my good Brethren seeing Banishment with loss of goods is likely to betide you all prepare your selves for this hard entreaty and rejoyce that you are made worthy for CHRIST's Cause to suffer and bear all these things And I beseech you in the Bowels of Jesus Christ that none of you in this case look upon this particular Estate but regard the general state of the Church of God that the same may go and be kept together whithersoever it shall please God to send you Oh the Blessing will be great that shall ensue this care whereas if you go every man to provide for his own House and to look for his own Family first neglecting poor Sion the Lord will set his Face against you and scatter you from the one end of Heaven to the other neither shall you find a resting place for the Soles of your Feet or a