the Revelation in these words And I saw an Angel descending from Heaven having a key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chain in his hand and he took the Dragon the old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years and put him into the bottomlesse dungeon and shut him up and signed him with his seal that he should no more seduce the Gentiles till a thousand years were expired and after that he must be loosed again for a little space of time c. The thousand years being now expired Satan let loose he begins again to persecute the Church of God and the professors of the truth in the person of Wickliff in the year of our Lord 1371. in the dayes of Edward the third King of England This Wickliff was an English-man and a Professor of Divinity in Oxford a man of great spirit and of great learning he came to such a degree or erudition that he was thought the most excellent amongst all the Theologians at that time he perceiving the true Doctrine of Christs Gospel to be aduldeâ—at and defiled with so many filthy inventions of Bishops Sects of Monks and dark errors and after long debating and deliberating with himself with many secret sighs and bewalings in his mind the generall ignorance of the whole world could no longer sâ—ffer or abide the same he at the last determined with himself to help and remedy such things as he saw to be wide and out of the way and so he began as from a deep night to draw out the truth of the Doctrine of the Son of God with the purity of the Doctrine which hee taught he also lively touched the abuses of the Popedome in so much that the Locusts that is to say the Monks and begging Friers listed themselves up against him to persecute him with all the rable of the Popish Clergie but the Lord gave him for a Protector King Edward the third the Duke of Lancaster the Kings son and Lord Henery Peircy the Marshaâ—l of England for all the time of King Edwards raign he had great liberty of his profession and that the King carried a speciall favour and good-will to him appears in this that he sent him with his Ambassadour over into the parts of Italy to treat with the Popes Legats concerning affairs betwixt the King and the Pope with full commission This King Edward was a good man and hath this commendation that he was Orphanis quasi Pater afflictis compations miseris condolâ—ns oppressis relevaâ—s cunctis indigentibus impendens auxilia opportuna that is to the Orphans he was a Father competient to the afflicted mourning with the miserable releiving the oppressed and to all them that wanted a helper in the time of need c. Pope Gregory being informed of Wickliffs Doctrine that was pred abroad through the land He wrot to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London to cause apprehend the said John Wickliffe and to cast him into prison and that the King and Nobles of England should be admonished not to give any trust to the said John VVickliffe or to his Doctrine in any wayes As also he wrote unto King Edward or rather unto King Richard who succeeded King Edward to persecute this VVickliff but God shortned the rage and fury of this cruel Prelate against him for that in the same year or in the beginning of the next year following the forsaid Pope Gergory the eleventh turn'd up his heels and died Yet the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London did vex trouble him and held sundry meetings of the Clergy against him to condemne him and his Doctrine And here is not to be past over the great miracle of Gods Divine admonition or warning for when as the Archbishop and Suffraganes with the other Doctors and Lawiers with a great company of babling Friers and Religious persons were gathered together to consult as touching John VVickliffs books and that whole sect When as I say they were gathered together at the Gray-friers in London to begin their businesse upon St. Dunstanes day after dinner about two in the cloak the very hour and instant that they should go forward with their businesse a wonderfull and terrible earthquake fell throughout all England whereupon diverse of the Suffraganes being feard by the strange and wonderfull demonstration doubting what it should mean thought it good to leave off from their determinat purpose But the Archbishop as the chief Captain of that Army more rash and bold then wise interpreting the change which had happened clean contrary to another meaning and purpose did confirm and strengthen hearts and minds which are almost danted with fear stoutly to proceed and to go forward in their attempted enterprise who then discoursing VVickliffs Articles not according to the sacred Cannons of the Holy Scripture but unto their own private affections and traditions pronounced and gave sentence that some of them were simply and plainly Hereticall other some false erroneous other irreligious some seditious and not consonant to the Church of Rome John VVickliff a long time after this returning again either from his banishment being banished by King Richard or from some other place where he was secretly keeped repaired to his Parish at Lutterworth where hee was Parson and there quyetly departing this mortall Life sleept in peace in the Lord 1384. Here is to be noted in this Man as in diverse others whom the Lord so long preserved in such rages of so many enemies from all their hands even to his old age This VVickliff had written diverse and sundry works the which in the year of our Lord 1410. were burnt at Oxford And not only in England but in Bohemia Likewise the Books of the said VVickliff were set on fire by the Archbishop of Prage who made diligent inquisiition for the same and burned them The numbers of the Volumes which he is said to have burned most excellently written and richly adorned with bosses of Gold and coverings as Aeneas Silvius writes were about the number of two hundred Great was the testimony given out by the Vniversity of Oxford touching the commendation of the great Learning and good Life of John VVickliff as also great was the testimony and commendation of Master John Hus concerning John VVickliff who affirmed that he was no Heretick and yet the Counsel of Constance condemned him for an Heretick and caused his Body and Bones to bee raised and burnt 41. years after his Death and took his Ashes and threw into the River thinking thereby utterly to extinguish and abolish both the Name and Doctrine of VVickliff for ever for though they digged up his Body and burnt his Bones and drowned his Ashes yet the Word of God and truth of his Doctrine with the fruit and successe thereof they could not burn which yet to this day for the most part of his Articles do remain After the Death of Pope Gregory
so often or so long as it pleased their ordinary to appoint by which long rigorous and open punishing of them they meant as it should seem utterly to terrifie and keep back all others from the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and his Gospel But the Lord be evermore praised what effect their wicked purposes therein have been taken these our most lightsome dayes of Gods glorious Gospell doe most joyfully declare William Sweting and John Brewster were put to death and burnt together in Smithfield the chiefest case of Religion alledged against them in their Articles was their Faith concerning the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood which because it differed from the absurd grosse and Capernaiticall opinion of the new School men was counted as most hainous Heresie John Brown was put to death and burned at Ashford in the year of God 1517. about the fourth year of King Henry the eighth upon the declaration of a Priest in a conference between him and the Priest who took him for an Heretick whereupon he was apprehended and committed to Prison the same night as he was in the Stocks at Ashford where he and his Wife dwelt his Wife came and sat beside him all the night before he should be burned to whom he declaring the whole story how he was handled shewed and told how that he could not set his feet to the ground for they were burned to the bones and told her how by the two Bishops Warham and Fisher his feet were heated upon the hote coals and burnt to the bones to make me said he to deny my Lord which I will never do for if I should deny my Lord in this World he would hearafter deny me I pray thee therefore said he good Elizabeth continue as thou hast begun and bring up thy Children vertuously and in the fear of God and so the next day this godly Martyr was burned commending his spirit into the hands of the Lord At the fire the Bayllie Arrant bade cast in his Children also for they would spring said he of his ashes This blessed Martyr John Brown had born an Faggot seven years before in the dayes of King Henry the 7. Richard Hunne Merchand Tailyour dwelling within the City of London and free-man of the same who was esteemed during his life and worthily reputed and taken not only for a man of true dealing and good substance but also for a good Catholick man this man was suspect of Heresie and committed to the Lollords Tower where he was first murthered by his adversaries the Priests and by them hanged whereupon they made the people to believe that he had desperatly hanged himself and after his death led a processe against him and condemned him of Heresie and at last burned him in Smith-field Thomas Man for alledged Heresie suffered much trouble and long imprisonment and in end was condemned and burnt in Smithfield This Tomas Man called Doctor Man confessed that he turned seven hundred people to his Religion and Doctrine for the which he thanked God Against the faithfull Christians of Amershame was great trouble and persecution in the time of William Smith Bishop of Lincolne At which time diverse and many were abjured and it was called abjuratio magna the great abjuration and they which were noted of that Doctrine and profession were called amongst themselves by the name of known men or just fast men as now they are called by the name of Protestants At this time although publick authority then lacked to maintain the open Preaching of the Gospel yet there were many in secret good Christians and true Professors of the Gospel truly the fervent zeal of those Christian-dayes seemed much superiour to these our dayes and times as manifestly may appear by their sitting up all night in reading and hearing also by their charges and expenses in buying of Books in English In which rarity of books and want of Teachers this one thing may be much marvelled and mused at to note in the Registers and to consider how the word of truth notwithstanding did multiplie so exceedingly as it did amongst them wherein is to be seen no doubt the marvellous working of Gods Almighty power for so it is found and observed in considering the Registers how one neighbour resorting and conferring with another oft seemed with a few words of the first and second Table did win and turn their minds to that wherein they desired to perswade them touching the truth of Gods Word and their Sacraments To see their travells their earnest seeking their burning zeal their readings their watchings their sweet assemblies their love concord their godly living their faithfull meaning with the faithfull may make us now in these our dayes of free profession to blush for shame Four prinipal points they stood in against the Church of Rome in pilgrimage adoration of Saints in reading of Scripture-books in English and in the carnall presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament After the death of William Smith succeeded John Longland a bloody and cruell persecutor of the Saints of God he caused the Wife to detect the Husband the Husband the Wife the Father the Daughter the Daughter the Father the Brother to disclose the Brother and Neigbour the Neighbour neither were there any Assemblies nor readings kept but both the persons and also the books were known neither was one word so closely spoken nor Article mentioned but it was discovered So subtilly and slightly these Catholick Prelats did use their inquisions and Examinations that nothing was done or said among these known men fifteen or twenty years before so covertly but it was brought at length to their intelligence as appears in a Table describing the grievous afflictions of good Men and Women in the Diocesse of Lincolne under John Longland their Bishop with the names both of the accusers and of them that were accused also with the crimes to them objected out of the Registers of the said Diocesse all these were constrained to abjure and do penance and they which were Relapse were committed to the Secular power and burnt As touching the burning of John Scrivener here is to be noted that his Children were compelled to set the fire unto their Father in like manner as Joan Clerk also Daughter of William Tylesworth was compelled to give fire for the burning of her own naturall Father The example of which cruelty as it is contrary both to God and Nature so it had not been seen nor heard of in the memory of the Heathen Now to leave England for a while and to take a view of other Countreys and the Persecutions for Religion there we shall begin first with Germany OF MARTIN LUTHER by whom God began the Reformation of his CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER born at Isleben in Saxonie one Augustine Frier arose in the year of God 1516. to detect and discover the errors of the Church of Rome and to cry out against indulgences upon this occasion Leo the tenth of that name Pope of Rome
eâ—ghten years comming from Geneva to Paris rebuked there a man for swearing for the which cause he being susected for a Lutherian was followed and watched whither he went and was taken and brought before the Counsell of Paris and put in Prison where he was racked and miserably tormented to the intent he should either change his opinion or confesse others of his profession his torments and rackings were so sore through the setting on of Mallard and another Sorbonists that the sight thereof made Auberius one of the Counsel a cruell and vehement enemy against the Gospel to turn his back and wept The young man when he had made the tormenters weary with racking yet would utter none at last was had to Manbelt Place in Paris to be burned where he being in the fire was plucked up again upon the Gibbet and asked whether he would turn To whom he said that he was in the way toward God and therefore desired them to let him go Thus this glorious Martyr remaining inexpugnible glorified the Lord with constant confession of his truth Nicholas Nayle a Schoemaker comming to Paris with certain fardels of Books was there apprehended who stoutly persisting in coufessing the truth was tryed with his sundry torments to utter what followes he had besides of his profession so cruelly that his body was dissolved almost one joynt from another but so constant he was in his silence that he would expresse none As they brought him to the Stake first they put a gage or piece of wood in his mouth which they bound with Cords to the hinder part of his head so hard that his mouth on both sides gushed out with blood and disfigured his face monstruously by the way they passed an Hospitall where they willed him to worship the Picture of St. Mary standing at the Gate But turned his back as well as he could and would not for the which the blind people was so grieved that they would have fallen upon him After he was brought to the fire they so smeared his body with Fat and Brimstone that at the first taking of the fire all his skin was parched and the inward parts not touched with that the Cords burst which were about his mouth whereby his voice was heard in the midst of the flamme praising God and so the blessed Martyr departed One of the Parliament seeing the great zeal and patience of the Martyrs at their burning said that way not to be best to bring the Lutherans to the fire for that would do more hurt then good A Carpenter and another a Poynt-maker going to Execution to be burnt for the profession of the Gospel their tongues were commanded to be cut off and being cut off there appeared a marvellous work of the Lord for neverthelesse that their tongues were taken from them to the intent they should not speak yet God gave them utterance their tongues being cut out to speak at their death saying we bid sin the flesh the world and the devil farewell for ever with whom never we shall have to do hearafter Diverse other words they spake beside which the people did hear and note At last when the Tormenter came to smear them with Brimstone and Gun-powder go to said Filiolus salt on salt on the rotten and stinking flesh finally as the flamme came bursting up their faces they persisting constant in the fire gave up their lives and finished their Martyrdome There was at Montpelliers in the year of God 1554. a certain Sheer-man or Cloath-worker who had been long in durance for Religion but at length for fear and infirmity he revolted To whom it was injoyned by the Judges to make publick Recantation and to be present also at the burning of Alencon who was condemned to death At the beholding of whose death and constancy it pleased God to strike in this man such boldnesse that he desired the Judges that either he might be burnt with this Alenâ—on or else be brought again to Prison saying that he would make no other Recantation but so wheresore within three dayes after he was likewise condemned to the fire and burned in the Town aforesaid There was a rich Merchant in Paris who said in jest to the Friers of St. Frances ye wear a Rope about your bodies because St. Francies once should have been hanged and the Pope redeemed him upon this condition that all his life after he should wear a Rope Upon this the Franciscan Friers of Paris caused him to be apprehended and laid in Prison and so Judgement passed upon him that he should be hanged but he to save his life was contented to recant and so did The Friers hearing of his Recantation commended him saying if he continued so he should be saved and so calling upon the Officers caused them to make hast to the Gallows to hang him up while he was yet in a good way said they lest he fall again And so was this Merchand notwithstanding his Recantation hanged for jesting against the Friers To this Merchand may also be adjoyned the Brother of Tamer who when he had before professed the truth of the Gospel and afterward by the counsell and instruction of his Brother was removed from the same fall in desparation and such sorrow of mind that he hanged himself As one Thomas Galbergue was in the flamme at Tourney the Warden of the Friers stood crying Turn Thomas yet it is time remember him that came at the last hour To whom he cryed out of the flamme with a loud voice and I trust to be one of that sort and so calling upon the Name of the Lord gave up his spirit As two Martyrs at Burdeaux were in the flamme and almost consumed in the fire to ashes suddenly without matter or cause such a fear fell upon them at the execution that the Justices the people notwithstanding that they had the Gates locked to them and were defenced with all manner of weapons about them not knowing wherefore took them to their legs in such haste flying away that they overran one another The Pior of St. Antonies fell down so that a great number went over him The Judge Pontach on his Mule with his red robe flying as the other did was overthrown with the preasse in the street in such sort that he was fain to be carried to Pichons house a widow and there cryed within hide me save my life I am dead my friends hide my Mule that no mâ—n see her nor know her briefly such was the fear which came from them that every man shut up their houses After the fear was past every man asked what the matter was but none could tell neither could the enemies of Gods truth perceive who was he that put them so to the flight and fear without any semblance of any adversary about them Impius fugit nemo perseqnitur Of the cruell Masscre in FRANCE Anno 1572. THere was at this time a marriage to bâ—e between the Kings Sister and the
about this time a blind boy named Thomas Drowrie put to death at Glochesâ—er in his examination besides Doctor Williams then Chancellor of Glocester amongst other Articles he urged the Article to Transubstantiation saying dost thou not believe that after the words of Consecration spoken by the Priest there remaineth the very real body of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar the blind Boy answered that I do not Then â—aid he then thou art an Heretick and shall be burned but who hath taught thee this heresie Ye Mâ—ster Chancellor when and where did I teach so when ye preached naming the day a Sermon to all men as well as to me upon the Sacrament Ye said the Sacrament was to be received spiritually by faith not carnally and really as the Papists have therefore taught Then said the Chancellordâ— as I have done and thou shalt live as I do and escape burning Then said the Boy though ye can so easily dispense with your self mock with God the world and your consciâ—nce yet will I not so do then said the Chancellor God have mercy upon thee for I will read the condemnatorie sentence against thee Gods will be done said he The Register being herewiâ—h somewhat moved stood up said to the Chancellor Fye foâ— shâ—me man will ye read the sentence against him and condemn your self away away and substitute some other to give sentence and judgement No said the Chancellor to the Register I ill obey the Law and give sentence my self according to mine office and so he read the sentence condemnatory against the Boy with an unhappy tongue and more an unhappy conscience delievering him over to the Secular power So he was bâ—ought to the fire burnt who constantly suffered for the defence of the truth There were burned at one fire at Stratford the Bow by London eleven men and women whole dwellings were in sundry places in Essex the eleven men were tyed to three Stakes the two women looâ—e in the midst without any Stake and so were all burnt with such love to each others and constancy in our Saviour Christ that it made all the beholders to marvel The Sheriff that attended upon them came to the one part and told them that the other had recanted and their lives theâ—efore should be saved willing and exhorting them to do the like and not to cast away themselves Unto whom they answered that their faith was not builded upon man but on Christ crucified Then the Sheriâ—ff perceiving no good â—o be done with them went to the other part and said like a liar the like to thâ—m that they whom he had been with before had recanted and should therefore not suffer death counselling them to do the like and not wilfully to kill themselves but to play the wise men c. Unto whom they answered as their brethren had done before that their faith was not builded on man but on Christ and his sure word The Martyrdome of a learned and vertuous young man called Julius Palmer some time Fellow of the Magdalen Colâ—edge in Oxford burned at Newberie This young man in all King Edwâ—rds daies when the Gospel was preached professed was a Papist within the University of Oxford and so obstinat that he did utterly abhorre all godly prayer and sincere preaching and almost of all them with whom he lived was therefore likewise abhorred and as I may say pointed at with the finger yet did after in Queen Mariâ—s time when the Gospel was surpressed and the Masse let up suffer most cruel death so the Lord does call when and whom it pleases him according to his good will and pleasure and animats and strengthens them to give their life for his cause When Palmer came to the fire and two other with him they fell all three to the ground and Palmer with an audible voice pronounced the 31. Psalm but the other two made their Prayers secretly to Almighty God And as Palmer began to arise there came behind him two popish Priests exhorting him yet to recant and save his soul Palmer answered and said away away tempt me no longer away I say from mee all ye that work iniquity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my tears and so forthwith they put off their rayment and went to the Stake and kissed it and when they were bound to the Post Palmer said good people Pray for us that we may persevere unto the end and for Christs sake beware of Popish teachers for they deceive you As he spake this a servant of one of the Bailiffs threw a Fâ—ggot at his face that the blood gushed out in diverse places for the which fact the Sheriff reviled him calling him cruel tormenter and with his walking staffe brake his head that the blood ran about his ears And when the fire was kindled and began to take hold upon their bodies they lift their hands towards Heaven and quietly and chearfully as though they had felt no smart they cryed Lord Jesus strengthen us Lord Jesus asist us Lord Jesus receive our souls And â—o they continued without any strugling holding up their hands and knocking their hearts and called upon Jesus untill they had ended their mortal lives Among other things this is also to be noted that after their three heads by force of the raging and devouring flames of fire were fallen together in a plump or cluster which was marvelous to behold and that they all were judged already to have given up the ghost suddenly Palmer as a man awaked out of sleep moved his tongue and jaws and was heard to pronounce this word Jesu So being resolved into ashes he yeelded to God as joyfull a soul confirmed with the sweet promises of Christ as any one that ever was called beside to fuffer for his blessed Name The Martyrdome of three women with a young infant burned to wit the mother her two daughters and the child in the Isle of Garnsey for Christs true Religion the year of our Lord 1556. Among all the Martyrdomes of this Book rehearsed there is none almost either in cruelty to be compared or so far off from all compassion and sense of humanity as this mercilesse fact of the Papists done upon these women their challenge was for not coming to the Church Upon rash information given before their cause was tried was condemned and ordained â—o be burnt foâ— Hereticks and notwithstanding that these three women were willing to be conformed to the Queens ordinances were condemned they made their appeal to the Queen but could not be heard One of the women being great with child by the vehemency of the flame the infant being a fair man child fell into the fire and eftsoones being taken out of the fire by one standing by and was laid upon the grasse then was the child had to the Provest and from him to the Bayliff who gave censure that it should be carried back again and cast into the fire and so was the child
off a piece of his beard and after making speedy haste to his death he burnt him half an hour before six of the clock in the morning because the day belike should not be far spent before he had done a mischievous deed Another note concerning John Rough is this being at the burning of Austo in Smithfield and returning homeward again met with one Mr. Farrar a Mâ—rchant of Hallifax who asked him where he had been unto whom he answered I have been saith he where I would not for one of mine eyes but I had been Where have you been said M. Farrer Forsooth saith he to learn the way and so he told him he had been at the burning of Austo where shortly after he was burned himselt As also John Rough had a vision of his trouble before his death the fryday before he suffered he had a dream in his sleep the matter was this he thought in his dream that he was carried forcibly to the Bishop and that the Bishop plucked off his beard and cast it into the fire saying these words now I may say that I have had a piece of an Heritick burned in my house and so accordingly it came to passe Richard Gibson being brought our of prison unto his nâ—al examination Here is to be noted that Mr. Gibson being a very big and tall man of a personable and heroical staâ—ure was sent for of Boner by a little and short person a promoter like Robin Papâ—st called Robin Caley if it were not he himself This Robin Caley having the conducting of the said Gentleman from the Pultrie would needs hale him through Cheapside the Gentleman desiring him to turn some other way but the more the Gentleman entreated the more fierce was the silly Jack upon him and drawing and holding him by the arm would needs hale him through the high street that all the world might see what he could do in his office Mr. Gibson desirous to be led without holding willed and entreated him to let his arm loose he would go quietly of his own accord with him whither he would only craving that he might go by him freely without noting of the people The sawcie and impotent miser the Promoter hearing this nay saith he thou shalt not escape me so come on thy wayes thou shalt not choose but come and so reaching at his arm would needs drag him to the Bishop The Gentleman content to go yet loath to be notified in the streets gently requested again and again that refraining his hold he would suffer him to go of his own free and voluntary will he should not need to fear him for he would not start from him To whom the catiff looking upon his face come on thy way saith he I will hold the fast spite of thy beard and whether thou wilt or no. Mr. Gibson seeing and beholding the intollerable braging of the wretched miser and moved therewith not a little could bear no longer but said wilt thou not said he and addeth moreover bitterly looking down towards him that if he did not incontinently pluck away his hand and so stayed withall he would immediatly wring his neck from his body whereupon Robin Papist the â—Romotor was fain to pluck away his hold and so proceeded they to the Bishop Next after the Martyrdome of Mr. Rough Minister of the Congregation succeeded in like Martyrdome the Deacon also of the said godly company or Congregation in London named Cuthbert Simson being committed to fire This Cuthbert Simson was a man of a faithfull and zealous heart to Christ and his true flock insomuch that he never ceased labouring and studying most earnestly not only how to preserve them without corruption of the Popish religion but also his care was ever vigilant how to keep them together without perill or danger of persecution c. And as Mr. Rough had a vision of himself touching his afflictions so had he of this Deaconfor he dreamed that he saw two of the Guard leading Cuthbert Simson Deacon of the said Congregation and that he had the book about him wherein were written the names of them all which were of the Congregation whereupon being fore troubled and awaked and called his wife to strike light for I am much troubled with my brother Cuthbert this night and giving himself to read upon his book a while he fell asleep again being asleep he dreamed the like dream again and awaked therewith he said to his wife my brother Cuthbert is gone And as Mr. Rough was making himself ready to go to Cutbert to see how he did in the mean time the said Cuthbert came in with the book concerning the names and accounts of the Congregation to whom he said he was fore troubled with him all night and declared to him his dream After he had so done he willed him to lay the book from him and so carry it no more about him unto which Cuthber answered he would not so for dreams he faid were but fantasies and not to be credited Then Mr. Rough straitly charged him in the Name of the Lord to do it and so he left the book behind him The next night following he had a dream of his afflictions Simson is apprehended and sent to the Tower of London by the Counsel And being there commanded to tell whom I did will to come to the English service he answered he would tell nothing whereupon he was set in a rack of iron the space of three hours then they asked him if he would tell them he answered as before then he was loosed and carried to his lodging again On the Sunday after he was brought into the same place again before the Leivtenant and the Recorder of London and being examined he answered as he said before then the Leivtenant did swear by God he should tell then they bind his two fingers together and put a small arrow betwixt them and drew it through so fast that the blood followed and the arrow brake Then they racked himtwise but he would not confesse Now as touching this Cuthbert Simson this further is to be noted that Eoner in his Consistory speaking of Cuthbert Simson gave this testimony of him there to the people saying ye see this man faith he what a personable man he is and after he had thus commended his person added moreover And as concerning his patience I say unto you if he were not an Heretick he is a man of the greatest patience that ever yet came before me for I tell you he hes been thrise racked upon one day in the Tower also in my house he hath selt some sorrow and yet I never see his patience broken c. It is thought and said of some that that arrow which was grated betwixt his fingers being tyed together was not in the Tower but in the Bishops H. B he is condemned sad burns in Smithfield and two other with him The day before this Simson was condemned he being in the Stock Cloney his Keeper