will strengthen me therein When he was told that his four Quarters should be hanged at four parts of Calice and his Head upon the Lanthern-gate Then shall I not need said he to provide for my Burial Delos Alas said Iames Delos to the Monks that called him proud Heretick here I get nothing but shame I expect indeed preferment hereafter Denley Mr. Iâ—hn Denlâ—y being entreated by Bishop Bonner to recant said God save me from your Counsel In the Fire with the burning flame about him he sung a Psalm and having his face hurt with a Fagot hurled at him he left singing for a while and clapt his hands in his bleeding face and afterwards put his hands abroad and sung again till he died Dionysius Dionysius Areopagita who seeing the generâ—â—â— Eclipse of the Sun at Christ's death said to oneâ— Either the God of Nature now suffers or the frame of the World shall be dissolved and to another God unknown in the flesh doth suffer When he was apprehended by Sisinius the Praefect and sharply reproved for preaching against the worship of their Gods and required to confess his errour said That they were no gods whom they worshipped but Idols the works of mens hands and that it was through meer ignorance folly and idolatry that they adored them adding that there was but one true God as he had preached After he was grievously tormented he was brought before Sisinius the second time who sentenced him to be beheaded forthwith Dyonisius told him he worshipped such Gods as would perish like Dâ—ng upon the Earth but as for my self said he come life come death I will worship none but the God of Heaven and Earth He pray'd thus at his death O Lord God Almighty thou onely-begotten Son and Holy Spirit O Sacred Trinity which art without beginning and in whom is no division Receive the soul of thy Servant in peace who is put to death for thy Cause and Gospel He used to say That he desired these two things of God 1 That he might know the Truth himself and 2 That he might preach it as he ought to others Driver Alice Driver in her first Examination havâ—ng got her Adversaries to acknowledge that a Sacrament is a sign and that it was Christ's Body his Disciples did eat the night before he was crucified Seeing it is said she a sign it cannot be the thing signified and how could it be Christ's Body that was crucified seeing his Disciples had eaten him up over night except he had two Bodies At the end of her second Examination She said Have you no more to say God be honoured You be not able to resist the Spirit of God in me a poor Woman I was an honest poor man's Daughter never brought up in the University as you have been but I have driven the Plough before my Father many a time I thank God yet notwithstanding in the defence of God's Truth and in the Cause of my Mr. Christ by his Grace I will set my foot against the foot of any of you all in the maintenance and defence of the same and if I had a thousand lives they should go for payment thereof When she was tied to the Stake and the iron Chain put about her neck O said she here is a goodly Neckerchief blessed be God for it Drowry Thomas Drowry the blind Boy to whom Bishop Hooper as he was going to the Stake after he had examined him said Ah poor Boy God hath taken from thee thy outward sight but he hath given thee another sight much more precious He that endued thy soul with the eye of Knowledge and Faith Shortly after Bishop Hooper's Martyrdome was cast into Prison Afterwards the Chancellor of Glocester asking him who taught him that Heresie that Christ's Body was not really present in the Sacrament of the Altar he said You Mr. Chancellor when in yonder Pulpit you taught us that the Sacrament was to be received spiritually by Faith and not carnally and really as the Papâ—â— teach But said the Chancellor Do thou as I haâ—â— done and thou shalt live as I do and escape buâ—â—ing Though you said Drowry can so easily dâ—â—pense with your Conscience and mock God aâ—â— the World yet will not I do so Then said tâ—â— Chancellor I will condemn thee God's Will bâ—â— fulfilled said Drowry E. Edward King Edward the Sixth our English Iâ—sias being prest by Archbishop Cranmer and Bishop Ruley to permit the Lady Mâ—ry to have Mass in heâ—â— House after he had argued notably against iâ—â—bid them be content for he would spend his life and all he had rather then to agree to and graâ—â—â— that he knew certainly to be against the Truth and then fell a weeping insomuch that the Bishop wept as fast as he and the Archbishop tolâ— Mr. Cheek his Scholar had more Divinity in hiâ—â— little finger then all they had in all their Bodies Elizabeth The Lady Elizabeth afterward Queen of England when she came out of the Barge at Traytorâ— Stairs going into the Tower said Here landed as true a Subject being a Prisoner as ever landeâ— at these Stairs And before thee O God I speak it having no other Friends but thee alone Her Gentleman-Usher weeping she demandeâ— of him what he meant so uncomfortably to use her seeing she took him to be her Comfort and not to dismay her especially for that she knew her Truth to be such that no man should have cause to weep for her When the Doors of the Prison were locked and bolted upon her she called for her Book desiring God not to suffer her to build her foundation upon the Sands but upon the Rock wâ—ereby all blasts of blustering weather should have no power against her When she was locked up close in Prison at first she was much daunted but afterwards she brake forth into this Speech The skill of a Pilot is unknown but in a Tempest the valour of a Captain is unseen but in a Battel and the worth of a Christian doth not appear but in time of Tryal and Temptation Mr. Burrough's Mos. Self-denial pag. 31. Upon Gardeners and other Counsellors strict Examination of her she said My Lords you do sift me very narrowly but well I am assured you shall not do more to me then God hath appointed and so God forgive you all Some telling her that they were perswaded God would not suffer Sir Henry Bâ—nâ—field to make her away privately Well said she God grant it be so for thou O God canst mollifie all such tyrannous hearts and disappoint all such cruel purposes and I beseech thee to hear thy Creature which am thy Servant and at thy Command trusting by thy Grace ever so to remain As she passed over the Water to Richmond going towards Windsor in their Journey to Woodstock she espied certain of her old Servants standing on the other side very desirous to see her and sent one of her men standing by unto
to die then to do any ungodliness 2 We must obey our Parents and be careful for our Houses that they be fed not onely with bodily food but much rather with spiritual food the Word of God 3 Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you do ye likewise unto them for this is the Law and the Prophets 4 Pray for all Estates 5 After these works we must learn to know the Cross and 6 What affection and mind we must bear towards our enemies whatsoever they be to suffer all evils patiently to pray for them that persecute us And thus doing we shall obtain a certainty of our vocation that we be the elect Children of God And thus I commend you Brethren unto God and to the Word of his grace which is able to â—uild farther c beseeching you to help Mr. Saunders and me your late Pastors and all them that be in bonds for the Gospels sake with your Prayers to God for us that we may be delivered from unreasonable men c. and that this our imprisonment may be to the glory and profit of our Christian Brethren in this world and that Christ may be magnified in our bodies whether it be by death or life Amen The grace of our Lord be with you all The unprofitable Servant of Iesus Christ and now also his Prisoner G. M. Iune 28. 1555. Postscript Save your selves from this untoward generation Pray pray pray Never more need In his Letter to his Friends at Manchester These are earnestly to exhort you and beseech you in Christ as ye have received the Lord Iesus even so to walk rooted in him and not to be afraid of any terrour of your adversaries be they never so many and mighty and you on the other side never so few and weak for the battel is the Lords As I was with Moses so will I be with thee saith God and will never leave thee nor forsake thee Be strong and bold neither fear nor dread for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest Now if God be â—n our side who can be against us In this our spiritual warfare is no man overcome unless he traiterously leave and forsake his Captain or cowardly cast away his Weapons or willingly yield himself unto his Enemies or fearfully turn his back and flie Be strong therefore in the Lord and in the power of his might and put on all the armour of God that ye may be able to stand stedfâ—st against all the assaults of Satan If we submit our selves to God and his holy Word no man shall be able to hurt us God will deliver us from all troubles yea from death also till such time as we covet and desire to die as he did Paul c. Let us therefore run with patience unto the battel that is set before us and look unto Iesus the Captain and Finisher of our Faith and after his example for the rewards sake that is set out unto us patiently to bear the Cross and despise the shame All that will live godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution Christ was no sooner Baptized and declared to the world to be the Son of God but Satan was by and by ready to tempt him which thing we must look for also yea the more we shall increase our faith and vertuous living the more strongly will Satan assault us whom we must learn after the example of Christ to fight against and overcome with the Holy and Sacred Scriptures c. and let the fasting of Christ when he was tempted in the Wilderness be an example unto us of our sober living not for the space of fourty dayes as the Papists do fondly fancy of their own brains but us long as we are in the Wilderness of this wretched life assaulted of Satan who like a roaring Lion c. It is the nature and property of the Devil alwayes to hurt and do mischief if God do not forbid Indeed if God will not permit him he cannot so much as enter into a filthy Hog c. Let us knowing Satans deceits and rankor walk the more warily and take unto us the shield of faith c. Let us fast and pray continually c. To fasting and prayer must be joyned mercy to the poor and needy c. Let us go boldly to the seat of grace where we shall be sure to find grace and mercy to help in time of need Wherefore my dear Brethren be ye fervent in the Law of God and jeopard ye your lives if need shall require for the testament of the Fathers and so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name Remember Abraham was not he found faithful in temptation and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness Ioseph in time of his trouble kept the Commandment and was made a Lord of Egypt Phineas was so fervent for the honour of God that he obtained the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood Ioshua for the fulfilling of the Word of God was made the Captain of Israel Caleb bare record before the Congregation and received an Inheritance David also in his merciful kindness obtained the Throne of an everlasting Kingdome Elias being zealous and fervent in the Law was taken up into Heaven The three Children remained stedfast in the Faith and were delivered out of the fire and Daniel from the mouth of the Lions Thus whoever put their trust in the Lord were not overcome Fear not ye then the words of ungodly men for their glory is but dung and worms to day they are set up and to morrow they are gone they are turned into earth and their memorial cometh to nought Wherefore let us take good hearts unto us and quit our selves like men in the Law c. Let us not faint because of affliction wherewith God trieth all them that are sealed to everlasting life c. Seeing we are in the narrow and strait way that leadeth unto the mâ—st joyful and pleasant City of everlasting life let us not stagger or turn back being afraid of the perilous way but follow our Captain Christ therein and be afraid no not of death it self Consider also the course of this world how many for their Master's sake or a little promotions sake will adventure their lives as commonly in Wars and yet is their reward but light and transitory and ours is unspeakably great and everlasting They suffer pains to be made Lords on Earth for a short season how much more ought we to endure it may be much less pains to be made Kings in Heaven for evermore Seeing Brethren it hath pleased God to set me and that worthy Minister of Christ Iohn Bradford your Countreyman in the forefront of this Battel where for the time is most danger I beseech you all in the bowels of Christ to help us and all our fellow Souldiers standing in like perilous place with your Prayers to God for us that we may quit our selves like men in the Lord and
from my head Afterwards Supping in the company of the said Frier and other great Papists and having refused to kiss his hand or to pledge him and being askt why he was so unwise and uncivil in his carriage He answered Oleum eorum non demulcet sed frangit caput meum The oyle of these men doth not supple but breaketh my head Another time a little before his death reasoning stifly for the Truth Mr. Barwick then Fellow of Trinity Colledge told him Well Palmer now thou art stout and hardy in thy Opinion but if thou wert once brought to the Stake I believe thou wouldst tell me another tale I advise thee beware of the fire it is a shrewd matter to burn Truly said Palmer I have been in danger of burning once or twice and hitherto I thank God I have escaped But I judge verily it will be my end at last welcome be it by the grace of God Indeed it is an hard matter for them to burn that have the mind and soul linked to the body as a Thiefs foot is tyed in a pair of Fetters but if a man be once able through the help of Gods Spirit to separate and divide the soul from the body for him it is no more mastery to burn then for me to eat this piece of bread After he had not onely resigned up his Fellowship but left his School at Reading for Conscience sake he went to his Mother at Esham hoping to get from her some Legacies left him by his Father Her first words to him were Thou shalt have Christs curse and mine whithersoever thou goest Oh Mother said he your own curse you may give me which God knoweth I never deserved but Gods curse you cannot give me for he hath already blessed me Whereas you have cursed me I again pray God to bless you and prosper you all your life long At his Trial at Newberry Dr. Ieffery told him he would make him recant and wring peccavi out of his lying lips ere he had done with him But I know said Palmer that although of my self I be able to do nothing yet if you and all mine enemies both bodily and ghostly should do your worst you shall not be able to bring that to pass neither shall ye prevail against Gods mighty Spirit by whom we understand the truth and speak it so boldly Ah said Ieffery are you full of the Spirit are you inspired with the Holy Ghost Sir said Palmer no man can believe but by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost therefore if I were not a Spirtual man and inspired with Gods holy Spirit I were not a true Christian. He that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his I perceive said Ieffery you lack no words Christ hath promised said Palmer not onely to give us store necessary but with them such force of matter as the Gates of Hell shall not be able to confound or prevail against it Christ replied Ieffery made such a promise to his Apostles I trow you will not compare with them Palmer answered with the holy Apostles I may not compare yet this promise I am certain pertaineth to all such as are appointed to defend Gods Truth against his enemies in the time of their persecution for the same Then said Ieffery it pertaineth not to thee Yes said Palmer I am right well assured that through his grace it appertaineth at this present to me as it shall appear if I may dispute with you before this Audience Thou art but a beardless Boy replied Ieffery and darest thou presume to offer disputation or to encounter with a Doctor Remember Doctor said Palmer the wind bloâ—eâ—h where is listeth c. Out of the mouth of Infants c. Thou hast hid these things from the wise c. God is not tied to 〈◊〉 wit learning place nor person and though your wit and learning be greater then mine yet your belief in the Truth and zeal to defend the time is no greater then mine The Catholick Church I believe yet not for her own sake but be-because she is holy that is to say a Church that grounds her belief upon the Word of her Spouse Christ. After Dinner Sir Richard Alridges sent for Mr. Palmer to his Lodging and by offers tempted him to recant Mr. Palmer told him that as he had in two places already recounced his livelyhood for Christs sake so he would with Gods grace be ready to surrender and yield up his life also for the same when God should send time When the Knight perceived he would by no means relent Well Palmer said he then I perceive one of us twain must be damned for we be of two Faiths and certain I am there is but one Faith that leadeth to Life and Salvation O Sir said Palmer I hope we both shall be saved How may that be said the Knight Right well Sir said Palmer for as it hath pleased our merciful Saviour according to the Gospels parable to call me at the third hour of the day even in my flowers at the age of four and twenty years even so I trust he will call you at the eleventh hour of this your old age and give you everlasting life for your portion Mr. Winchcome perswading him to take pity on the pleasant flowers of lusty youth before it be too late Sir said Palmer I long for those springing flowers that shall never fade away Brethren said Palmer to his fellow Prisoners an hour before his Execution be of good cheer in the Lord and faint not Remember the words of our Saviour Christ Matth. 5.10 11 12. We shall not end our lives in the fire but change them for a better life yea for Coles we shall receive Pearls For Gods holy Spirit certifieth our spirit that he hath even now prepared for us a sweet Supper in Heaven for his sake which suffered first for us As he arose from Prayer at the Stake two Popish Friers came behind him and exhorted him yet to recant and save his soul. Mr. Palmer answered Away away tempt me no longer away I say from me all ye that work iniquity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my tears When he was bound to the Post he said Good people pray for us that we may persevere to the end and for Christs sake beware of Popish Teachers for they deceive you When the fire was kindled and took hold of his body and the bodies of Iohn Gwin and Thomas Aâ—kine they lifted up their hands to Heaven and quietly and cheerfully as though they had felt no smart cried Lord Iesus strengthen us Lord Iesus assist us Lord Iesus receive our souls After their three heads by force of the raging and devouring flames of the fire were fallen together in a cluster so that they were all judged already to have given up the ghost suddenly Mr. Palmer as a man awaked out of sleep moved his tongue and jaws and was heard to pronounce this
dying Witnesses have extorted even from Heathens acknowledgments to the honour of God that truly the Christians God is a great God yea by them sinners have been converted Iustin Martyr and others by observing the end the Martyrs made were brought out of love with the wayes of sin and in love with the wayes of holiness These Speeches here collected are called Swan-like Songs for their remarkableness A Cloud of Witnesses and The Sufferers Mirrour for their usefulness The Israelites found not onely comfort in the shadow of the Cloud in the Wilderness but a directive vertue therein they were led by it There is a double power in such instances both to Comfort and to Assimulate To see that others have suffered worse is no small comfort to Sufferers Iacob's Sheep conceived according to the colour of the Rods that lay in the Troughs Our conceptions will be like our visions like the examples that are set before our eyes Here as in a Glass even the best may see their spots and all especially Sufferers may learn how to dress themselves for death How can the best of us read these passages without shame for our low attainments for our little proficiency in the School of Christ How unlike are our faces to the faces in this Mirrour How self-denying were they How selfish are we How crucified to the world were they How much glued thereunto are we How easie was it for them to chuse the greatest Sufferings rather then the least Sin How hard is it for us not to chuse the greatest Sin rather then the least Suffering How willing were they to part with all for Christ How unwilling are we to part with littles for Christ What an honour did they esteem it to suffer for Christ to be chain'd to be whipt to be wrackt to be halter'd to be stak'd for Christ Have we such esteems of sufferings for Christ and of such sufferings Are not we ashamed of our glory How patient were they under the greatest tortures How impatient are we under very little troubles How hot was their love to Christ his Truths Ordinances People How cold is ours How zealous were they for the Honour of God How luke-warm are we How magnanimous were they How cowardly and dastardly are we How humble were they How proud are we How broken-hearted were they How hard-hearted are we What sympathizing spirits had they How little fellow-feeling is there now among Christians How active were they for the glory of God and good of souls under their sufferings How slothful are we And how little do we for either under our sufferings How strong was their Faith How weak is ours How fearless were they of man who can only kill the body How fearful are we How many of these Worthies attained unto Assurance and had their Evidences for Heaven clear How are the most of us in the dark as to an interest in God and a right and title to Glory How willing and desirous were they to die even a violent death How loth are we to die even a natural death How did they without the least fear play on the hole of this Asp and with much courage put their hand into the Den of this Cockatrice But how doth the fear of this King of Terrors make us subject to bondage Thus they are useful to shame us They are also usefull to prepare us to die especially a violent death Such examples chalk the way more plainly then bare direction These encourage more heartily these perswade more powerfully these chide unbelief with more authority I beseech you all who are the Lords people said one lately not to scare at suffering for the interests of Christ because of any thing you may see fall out in these days as to the sufferings of his Servants but be encouraged to do and suffer for I assure you in the Name of the Lord he will bear all your charges I do again assure you in his Name he will furnish all your expences and bear all your charges Mr. Rough learn'd the way to Martyrdome by seeing and hearing Austo at the Stake in Smithfield Coming from his burning and being askt where he had been he made answer There where I would not but have been for one of mine eyes would you know where Forsooth I have been to learn the way And soon after he followed him in the same place and the same kind of death Now if one president made him so good a Scholar what Dullards and Non-proficients are we if such a Cloud of Instances work not in us a chearful ability to expect and encounter the same adversary so often foiled before our eyes I shall detain thee no longer from seeing these rare sights but now invite thee in the words of Rev. 6.7 The good Lord adde his blessing that thine eye may affect thy heart and that these Remarkable passages may be thus usefull to all our souls and that the Cloud of Witnesses may not be a standing Witness against any of us Farewell To the Reader Reader THe life present is onely preparative to that to come as the hidden life in the womb to the more perfect and noble life in the world 1 Col. 12. Salvation is not instantaneous The Heirs of Glory make their gradual approaches to it and enter upon their Inheritance by degrees Rom. 13.11 And the nearer they come to Heaven the more heavenly their Spirits are Could a man but hear the last breathings and whispers of dying Saints how would he melt and ravish Like the Sun they appear most great and glorious at setting God often leads them to the top of Pisgâ—h whence they have a prospect of Canaan a little befâ—re they enter in to possess it But although God doth frequently indulge those that die in the Faith of Christ with rare and excellent visions of Christ yet ordinarily those that die for Christ as well as in Christ have a Benjamin's portion in comparison of their Brethren There is a joy proper to Martyrs which is bestowed upon them as an honorarium partly to reward their faithfulness in trials past and partly to encourage them to break through the difficulties which yet remain In these joyes Heaven is let down to Earth glory antedated and a short salvation here obtained 1 Pet. 1.8 During the continuance of this glorious frame they are acted above the ordinary rate of man which makes the world stand at gaze anâ— all that behold them to admire at them Their aspecâ— is rather angelical then humane Acts 6.15 and they seem no longer fit to be reckoned to the Tribe oâ— mortalls on Earth but rather ranked with the glorious Saints and Seraphims in Heaven they no longer wrap themselves up in their garment of flesh but the onely strife among them seems to be whâ— shall first cast it off to put on the garments of glory prepared for them Reader wouldst thou see some of these Earthly Angels men that are a little too low
for Mr. Frith's escape and prevailed with the Porter 〈◊〉 agree with him in the suffering thereof and then told him that the business which he had undertaken viz. to lead him as a sheep to the slaughter 〈◊〉 grieved him that he was overwhelmed with care and sorrows whereupon he was resolved whâ—â— danger soever he incurred to find out a way to deliver him out of the Lyons mouth and so acquainted him with the way that he and the Porter haâ—â— agreed upon Mr. Frith having diligently hearkened to his Speech said with a smiling countenance And is this the effect of your secret consultation all this while surely you are like to lose your labour for if you should both leave me here and gâ— to Croydon declaring to the Bishops that you haâ—â— lost Frith I would surely follow after as fast as 〈◊〉 could and bring them news that I had found anâ— brought Frith back again Do you think that I am afraid to declare mine Opinion before the Bishop in so manifest a Truth You are a fond man saiâ— the Gentleman thus to talk Do you think thâ—â— your reasoning with the Bishops will do any good I much marvel that you were so willing to flie the Realm before you were taken and now so unwilling to save your self when you may Marry saiâ— Frith there is a great difference between escapinâ— then and now then I was at liberty and not attached but now being taken by the Higher Poâ—â—ers and that by Almighty Gods permission anâ— providence I am fallen into the Bishops handâ— onely for Religions sake and for such Doctrine 〈◊〉 I am bound in conscience under pain of damnatioâ— to maintain If I should now start aside and run away I should run from my God and from the testimony of his Word whereby I should deserve a thousand hells At the time of his burning Dr. Cook admonished all the people that they should no more pray for him then they would do for a Dog Whereupon Mr. Frith smiling desired the Lord to forgive him Fulgentius An Arian Bishop offering to punish the Priest that had most mercilesly beaten him if he desired it he said It is not lawful for a Christian to meditate revenge our Lord Christ well knows how to repay the injuries offered to and inflicted on his Servants If my case be avenged then lose I the reward of my patience It may also scandalize many little ones if I a Catholick should require judgement at an Arians hands In the midst of his greatest sufferings he used to say Plura pro Christo toleranda We must suffer more then this for Christ. G. Gardiner William Gardiner an English Merchant in Portugal was so much troubled in spirit at the sight of the Idolatry committed by the Priests in the Mass at the solemnization of the Marriage between the King of Pâ—rtugal's Son and the King of Spain's Daughter that he could not be quiet till he had though in the presence of the King and of the Nobles and whole City the next Sabbath with one hand snatched away the Cake from the Priest and trod it under his feet and with the other overthrew the Chalice The King asking him how he durst be so bold He answered Most noble Kinâ— The thing which you have seen was not done nor thought of me for any contumely or reproacâ— to your presence but onely for this purpose aâ—â— before God I do clearly confess to seek the salvation of this people Being ask'd who set him on He answered He was not moved by any man but by his oâ—â— Conscience there being no man under Heaven for whose sake he would put himself into so manifest a danger but he owed his service first to God and secondarily to their salvation wherefore if he had done any thing displeasing to them the ought to impute it to themselves who so irreverently used the Sacrament of the Lords Supper unto so great Idolatry not without great ignomiâ—â—â—â— the Church violation of the Sacrament and the peril of their own soals except they repented For this he was cruelty tormented and burned and in the fire he â—unâ— Psal. 43. Iudge me O God and defend my 〈◊〉 against the unmerciful â—â—ple Gauderin Christopher Gauderin having been a Spend-thrift was converted by Lewis Stâ—llius telling him That he ought rather to distribute of his gettings to the poor then to spend them so wastfully for if he continued so God would surely call him to an account for it insomuch that he was chosen a Deacon in the Church in the execution of which Office he was taken and imprisoned and being ask'd how he came to turn Heretick seeing he learned not that of his Master the Abbot he answered I am no Heretick but a right believing Christian which he taught me not indeed but rather other vile qualities which I am ashamed now to rehearse Some objecting to him his youth being about the age of thirty He told them That mans life consisted but of two dayes viz. the day of his birth and the day of his death And for my part said he I am now willing by death to pass into eternal life The morning that he was to be executed He said to his Fellow-Prisoners having put on a clean shirt and washed himself Brethren I am now going to be married I hope before noon to drink of the wine of the Kingdome of Heaven A Frier coming to them as he said to convert them Christopher said unto him Away from us thou seducer of Souls for we have nothing to do with thee One of his Fellow-sufferers as the Hangman was gagging him said What shall we not have liberty in this our last hour to praise our God with our voice and tongue Brother said Gauderin let not this discourage us for the greater wrong our enemies think to do unto us the more assistance we shall find from God And so he never ceased to comfort them till he was gagged also and burnt Iune 2 1568. Gerard. About the year 1160. in the reign of Henry the Second came about thirty Waldensâ—s into England Gerardus being their Minister to labour to win Disciples to Christ. They were converted before a Council of Bishops at Oxford and Gerard speaking for them all said We are Christians holding and reverencing the Doctrine of the Apostles Being urged with arguments against their Doctrine they answered They believed as they were taught by Gods Word but would not dispute their faith Being admonished to repent and threatned if they did not they despised their Counsel scorned their threats saying Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven They were excommunicated burnt in the foreheads for Hereticks Mr. Gerard both in the forehead and cheek their cloaths were cut off to their Girdles and so whipt through Oxford they singing all the while Blessed are ye when men hate you and despitefully use you c. Ghest Laurence Ghest had his wife
I doubt not to â—aâ—ment your wickedness that so contemned the voicâ—â— of God for your own lusts for your cruelty for your covetousness that the Name of God was by your vanities evil spoken of in other Nations God grant you all repentant hearts for no order or state did any part of his duty in those dayes Bâ—â— to speak of the best whereof you use to boast your Religion was but an English Mattins patch'd forth of the Popes portess Many things were in your great Book superstitious and foolish all were driven to a present service like the Papists that they should think their duties discharged if the number were said of Psalms and Chapters Finally there could no Discipline be brought into the Church nor correction of manners To what contempt was Gods Word and the admonition of his Prophets come in all estates before God did strike some men are not ignorant The Preachers themselves for the most part could find no fault in Religion but that the Church was poor and lacked living Sure many things should have been reformed before that the Kitchin had been better provided for our Prelates in England It was most evident that many of you under the cloak of Religion served your own bellies some where so busie to heap benefice upon benefice some to labour in Parliament for purchasing of Lands that the time was small which could be found for the Reformation of abuses and every little that was spent upon the feeding of your flocks In a word the Goâ—â—spel was so lightly esteemed that the most part of men thought rather that God should bow and stoop to their appetites then that they should be subject to his holy Commandments Even the Nobility and Council would suffer no rebukes of Gods Messengers though their offences were never so manifest let those that preached in the Court the Lent before King Edward deceased speak their conscience and accuse me if I lie yea let a writing of Northumberland's to Mr. Harlow be brought to light and it shall testifie that he was not ashamed to say That the liberty of the Preachers tongues would cause the Council and Nobility to rise up against them for they could not suffer so to be entreated These were the fruits in the time of Harvest a little before the Winter came and of the time of Mary what should I write It hath cast off the Truth known and confessed and followeth lies and errours which once it detested It buildeth the building which once it destroyed it raiseth up the idols which once were there confounded They persecute they banish they burn Christ the Son of God in his members But to be short this onely remaineth for both these Nations that they repent and return into the Vineyard with the first Son and bring forth the fruits of Repentance The fruits of Repentance I call not onely to know your sins and to lament them but to amend your lives and to make strait the Lords paths by resisting Satan and Sin and obeying God in doing the works of righteousness and executing Gods Precepts and Judgements so long amongst you contemned for even now is the Axe put to the root of the tree c. Thâ— Lord hath now his Fan in his hand and will purge his floor c. Repent therefore whilst you have time before you be â—anned hewn down and fired Here have we to lament the miserable state of mankind which iâ— so seduced by the subtile Serpent that he cannoâ— know his misery when he is admonished nor perceive his perdition when it draweth so near Wheâ— the Servants of God set forth his Truth they are charged to trouble Realms and Countreys as waâ— Elias when they warn men to joyn hands with wicked Kings and Princes they are counted Traytors as was Isaiah and Ieremiah such is mans malice Wherefore I do admonish and exhort you both in the Name of the living God that howsoever yoâ— have hitherto shewed your selves the Servants oâ— men to bear and flatter with the world that noâ— ye learn in Gods cause to despise the faces of men to bend your selves against this wicked world neither regarding the Visors of Honours vain Titles nor dignities any farther then they seek Gods onely Glory for his Glory will he not suffer to be contemned for any cause no he will pour contempâ— on those Princes that strive against his Truth bâ—â— those that glorifie him will he glorifie Behold your onely remedy remaining is to repenâ— your time of ignorance of stubbornness of cruelty of idolatry wherein ye have so long continued Mourn for your ignorance and now with all diligence seek for knowledge of the World of God and openly profess the Gospel which is the poweâ— of God whereof ye ought not to be ashamed Cease at the last from your old stubbornness and labour in the Vineyard with all meekness Cease from your cruelty against Christs Members and learn tâ— suffer for Christs sake if ye will be true Christians Banish all Idolatry and Popish Superstitioâ— from amongst you else can ye have no part iâ— Christs Kingdome no more then Christ can be partaker with Antichrist Pray to the Lord of Hosts and Armies to give you the courage strength and means The Lords Arm is not shortened now no more then of old Be strong therefore in the Lord for the defence of the Truth though all the World rise against it Now when the battel is fierce against the living God for dead idols against the Gospel of Christ for the inventions of Antichrist against Christ members for Popish ceremonies can any of you that will be accounted Gods Children still halt of both hands If you will maintain Gods truth in the Earth he will receive you as his Children into the Heavens if you confess his Christ before this wicked Generation Christ shall confess you before his Father in the Heavens in the presence of his Angels But if you persist stubbornly to banish Gods Word and his Son Christ in his Members forth of your Earthly Kingdomes how can ye look for any part in his Heavenly Kingdome Lo here is the choice of life and death of misery and wealth offered to you by Gods mercies and the means how you may win Gods favour opened whereby onely ye may prevail against your enemies God grant you hearts to answer as the people did to Ioshua offering the like choice God forbid say they that we should forsake God we will serve the Lord our God and obey his voice for he is our God And we your banâ—shed Brethren by the Power of God to provoke you forwards will thus pronounce with Ioshua That we and our Fâ—milies will serve the Lord God though all Nations run to Idols though all people do persecute us We know that Satan hath but a short time to rage and that Christ our Captain right speedily will crown his Souldiers to whom as he is the eternal God with his Father
that he disobeyed the Word of the Lord for a good intent was thrown from his worldly and temporal Kingdome Wilt thou for a good intent dishonour God offend thy Brother and danger thy soul wherefore Christ hath shed his most precious blood Wilt thou for a good intent pluck Christ out of Heaven and make his death void and deface the triumph of his Cross by offering him up daily Wilt thou either for fear of death or hope of life deny and refuse thy God who enriched thy poverty healed thy infirmity and yielded to thee his Victory if thou couldst have kept it Dost thou not consider that the thread of thy life hangeth upon him that made thee who can as he please either twine it harder to last the longer or untwine it again to break the sooner Dost thou not then remember the saying of David When thou tâ—kest away thy Spirit O Lord from men they die and are turâ—â—d again to their dust but when thou letâ—est thy breath 〈◊〉 forth they shall be made and thou shalt renew the face of the earth Remember the saying of Christ in his Gospel Whosoever seeketh to save his life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it Again Whâ—soever loveth Father or Mother above me is not meet for me He thâ—t will follow me let him forsake himself and take up his Cross and follow me What Cross the Cross of infamy and shame of misery and poâ—â—â—â—â— of affliction and persecution for his Names 〈◊〉 Let the oft falling of these Heavenly Showres 〈◊〉 thy stony heart Let the two-edged sword of Gods holy Word sheer asunder the sinews of worldly respects even to the marrow of thy carnal heart that thou mayest once again forsake thy self and embrace Christ and like as good subjects will not refuse to hazard all in the defence of their earthly and temporal Governour so fly not like a white-liver'd Milk-sop from the standing wherein thy chief Captain Christ hath hath set thee in array of this life Fight manfully come life come death the Quarrel is Gods and undoubtedly the Victory is ours But thou wilt say I will not break unity what not the unity of Satan and his members not the unity of darkness not the agreement of Antichrist and his adherents Tully saith of Amity Amicitia non est nisi inter bonos But mark my Friends yea Friend if thou beest not Gods enemy there is no unity but where Christ knitteth the knot among such as he is The agreement of all men is not an unity but a conspiracy Thou hast heard some threatnings against those that love themselves above Christ and against those that deny him for love of life saith he not He that denies me before men I will deny him before my Father in Heaven And to the same effect writeth Paul It is impossible that they which were once enlightened and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted of the good Word of God if they fall away c. should be renâ—wed again by repentance And again If we shall willingly sin after we have received the knowledge of his Truth there is no oblation left for sin but the terrible expectation of judgement and fire which shall devour the adversaries Thus Paul writeth and this thou readest 〈◊〉 dost thou not quake and tremble Well if these teâ—rible and thundring threatnings cannot stir thee to cleave unto Christ and forsake the world yet let the sweet consolation and promises of the Scriptures let the example of Christ and his Apostles holy Martyrs and Confessours incourage thee to take faster hold of Christ. Hearken what he saith Blessed are you when men reviâ—e you and persecute you for my sake Rejoyce and be glad for great is your reward in Heaveâ— For so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you Hear what Isaiah saith Fear not the curse of men be not afraid of their blasphemies for worms and moths shall eat them up like cloath and wooll but my righteousness shall endure for ever and my saving health from generation to generation What art thou then saith he that fearest a mortal man the child of man which fadeth away like the flower and forgetteth the Lord that made thee that spread out the Heavens and laid the foundation of the earth I am the Lord thy God that maketh the sea to rage and be still whose Name is the Lord of Hosts I shall put my Word in thy mouth and defend thee with the turning of the hand Christ also saith unto his Disciples They shall accuse you and bring you before Princes and Rulers for my Names sake and some of you they shall persecute and kill but fear you not and care you not what you shall say for it is â—e Spirit of your Father that speaketh within you even the hairs of your head are all numbred Lay up treasures for your selves where no thief cometh nor moth corrupteth Fear not them that kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but fear him that hath power to destroy both soul and body If ye were not of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Let these and such like consolations taken out of Scriptures strengthen you to God-ward Let not the examples of holy men and women go out of your mind as Daniel and the rest of the Prophets of the three children c. Return return again into Christs war and as becometh faithful warriour put on that armour that St. Pauâ— teacheth to be most necessary for a Christian man And above all things take unto you the shield oâ— Faith and be you provoked by Christs own example to withstand the Devil to forsake the world and to become a true and â—aithful member of his mystical Body who spared not his own Body for our sins Throw down your self with the fear of his threatned vengeance for this so great and hainous â—ffence of Aposâ—acy and comfort your self on the other hand with the mercy blood and promise of him who is ready to turn unto you whensoever you turn unto him Disdain not to come again with the lost Son seeing you have so wandred with him Be not ashamed to turn again with him from the swill of Strangers to the delicate of your most benigne and lovâ—ng Father acknowledging that you have sinned both against Heaven and against Earth Against Heaven by staining the glorious Name of God and causing his most sincere and pure Word to be evil spoken of through you Against Earth by offending so many of your weak Brethren to whom you have been a stumbling block through your sudden sliding Be not ashamed to weep bitterly with Peter to wash away the filth and mire of your offensive fall to say with the Publican
the light of the Holy Ghost given unto the humble and penitent person that seeketh onely to honour God and not unto those persons that claim it by title or place because he is a Bishop or followed by succession Peter or Paul Remember therefore to examine all Doctrine by the Word of God for such as preach it aright have their infirmities and ignorance they may depart from the Truth or else build some superstition and false Doctrine upon the Gospel of Christ. Superstition is to be avoided false Doctrine to be abhorred whosoever be the Author thereof Prince Magistrate or Bishop As the Apostles made answer Acts 5. We ought to obey God rather then man ch 13. The Law is necessary for a justified man to teach him with what works he should exercise his faith will and obedience unto God We may not chuse works of our own wisdome to serve him withal He would have us to be governed by his Word as David saith Thy Word is a light unto my feet And Christ In vain do they worship me by the commands of men In the second Declaration Moses commandeth Deut. 4 that no man should decline from this Law neither to the right nor left hand i. e. That no man should adde to or take any thing from it but simply to observe it as it is given or written to us From this right line and true rule of Gods Word man erreth divers wayes Sometimes by ignorance because he knoweth not or will not know that onely the express Word of God sufficeth He holdeth with the most part and condemneth the better as it is to be seen at this present day This reason taketh place it is allowed of the most part and established by so many holy and learned Bishops therefore it is true c. Another way that leadeth from the Word of God is many times the power and authority of this world as we see by the Bishop of Rome and all his adherents who give more credit to one Charter and Gift of Constantine then to the whole Bible Another erreth by mistaking of the time making his superstition far elder then it is c. One saith thus My Father believed and should I believe the contrary Whereas no Law at all should be spoken of conscience but the onely Word of God which never altered nor can be altered Matt. 5. Luk. 10. Psal. 18.119 If Heavens and Earth made by word cannot be altered how much more the Word it self Unto which Law the conscience of man in matters of faith is bound onely Such as can interpret nothing will say I have an ill opinion of God in Heaven and of the superiour Powers on Earth because I damn the Disciples of the false Doctors with the Doctors and take from all Powers on Earth authority to prescribe unto their Subjects any Law touching Religion of the soul. As concerning those that be seduced by false Teachers St. Luke c. 6. and Ezekiel 3. and 13. judge as I do Both he that leadeth to damnation and he that is led falleth into the pit Notwithstanding I believe that in the midst of darkness when all the world as far as man might judge had sworn unto the Bishop of Rome Christ had his Elect that never consented to his false Laws as it was in the time of Elias 1 Kings 19. where God saith He had preserved seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal As many as die before us seduced by false Teachers without repentance the Scripture condemneth As many as believed them not but trusted to the Scripture or else deceived yet repented before they died live eternally in joy and solace and are saved as Iohn saith Rev. 13. in the blood of the Lamb. As touching the superiour Powers of the Earth it is not unknown to all men that have read and marked the Scripture that it pertaineth nothing to their Office to make any Law to govern the Consciences of their Subjects in Religion but to reign over them in this case as the Word of God commandeth Howbeit in their Realms they may make what Laws they will and as many as they will command them to be kept as long as it pleaseth them and change them at their pleasure as they shall see occasion for the wealth and commodity of their Realms Unto the which superiour Powers we owe all obedience both of body and goods and likewise our daily prayer for them to Almighty God c. And as many divers Commonwealths as there be so many divers Laws there may be Howbeit all Christian Kings and Kingdomes with other Magistrates should reign by one Law and govern the Churches of their Realms solely by the Word of God which is never to be changed Thus Christ commanded his Apostles to teach and their Audience to hear the things he commanded Matth. 28. Mark 16. Moses prescribeth unto his Audience seven Rules wherewith he prepareth them to the receiving of the ten Commandments 1 A right perswasion of Gods Word that God will undoubtedly give the good promised to the good and inflict the evil threatned against the evil 2 To have a right opinion of the Magistrates and superiour Powers of the Earth to give them no more nor any less honour and reverence then the Word of God commandeth For lack of this preparative the world hath erred from the Truth this many years Men do not look what Gods Word saith but extol the authority of mans Laws preferring the decree of a general or provincial Council before the Word of God 3 Another preparative is obedience both to God and man It were as good nere read the Law in case we mind not to be obedient 4 To observe jus gentium 5 To esteem the Doctrine of the Commandments as it is worthy 6 A true and right understanding of the Law not to constrain the letter against the mind of the Text but behold alwayes the consent of the Scripture 7 To adde nothing to this Law neither to take any thing from it If thou judgest that Gods Law containeth one part of such Doctrine as is necessary for mans salvation and the Bishops Laws another part thou contemnest and dishonourest the whole Law and the Giver thereof and offendest against that command Deut. 4.12 and Prov. 30. Every thing that we do for the honour of God not comanded by his Word is as strange and not accepted by God as all good intentions feigned works by man and all things commanded by general Councils not expressed in the Word of God by the Patriarks Prophets Christ and the Apostles which be and ever were before God the holy and Catholick Church Whosoever adde any thing to their Laws are the Church of Antichrist Deut. 4.12 Revel 22. Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire i. e. such as he commanded not Read the Commentaries of Thom. Valâ—â—s and Nicol. iu Aug. de Civit. Dei l. 4. and they
worldly adversity that might ensue thereof Whilst he was in England he was in so great favour and esteem with King Edward the Sixth that he was offered a Bishoprick but he not onely refused and rejected it but with a grave and severe Speech declared That the proud title of Lordship and that great state was not to be suffered to be in the Church of God as having Quid commune cum Antichristo i. e. somewhat common with Antichrist King Edward being dead the Persecution of Queen Mary made him leave England with many other godly Ministers and first he went to Frankford where for a time he preached the Gospel to the English Congregation there There he wrote his Admonition to England An. 1554. In his Admonition to the true Professours of the Gospel of Christ in England Looking for a suitable Scripture to handle for your consolation in these most dark and dolorous times as I was turning my Book I chanced to see a Note in the Margin written thus in Latin Vid eat Anglia Let England beware the Note written was this Seldome it is that God worketh any notable work to the comfort of his Church but that trouble fear and labour cometh upon such as God hath used for his Servants and Workmen and also tribulation most commonly followeth that Church where Christ Jesus is most truly preached This Note was made upon Matth. 14. which place declareth that after Christ had used the Apostles as Ministers and Servants to feed so many thousand c. he sent them to Sea c. and there they met with a Storm that was like to overthrow their poor Boat and them Remembring that I had handled the same Scripture in your presence I thought nothing more expedient then shortly to call to mind such things as then I trust were touched Why Christ sent away from him the people the Evangelist Iohn declareth saying When Iesus knew that they were come to take him that they might make him King he passed secretly or all alone to the mountain The people sought by Christ a carnal and worldly Liberty regarding nothing his heavenly Doctrine c. viz. that such as would follow him must suffer for his Names sake persecution must be hated of all men must deny themselves must be sent forth as Sheep among Wolves No part of this Doctrine pleased them but their whole mind was upon their bellies for sufficing whereof they devised that they would appoint Christ their worldly King for he had power to multiply bread at his pleasure Which vain opinion perceived by Christ he withdrew himself from their company to avoid all such suspition and to let them understand that no such Honours did agree with his Vocation who came to serve and not to be served Why the Disciples should suffer that great danger Saint Mark plainly shews saying That their hearts were blinded and therefore did neither remember nor consider the miracle of the loaves i. e. Albeit they touched the bread c. and gathered up twelve baskets full c. yet did not they rightly consider the infinite power of Christ Jesus by this wonderful miracle and therefore of necessity it was that in their own bodies they should suffer trouble for their better instruction When I deeply consider how the flock of Christ was fed under King Edward the Sixth and now behold the dispersion c. methinks I see the same causes to have moved God not onely to withdraw his presence frem the multitude but also to have sent his well beloved Servants to the travels of the Seas c. What were the affections of the greatest multitude that followed the Gospel is easily judged by their lives Who lived in that rest as that he had refused himself as that he had been crucified with Christ as that he had certainly looked for trouble to come upon him yea who lived not in delicacy and joy and seeking the world and pleasures thereof caring for the flesh and carnal appetites as though death and sin had clean been devoured and what was this else then to make of Christ an earthly King The Word that we professed daily cried in our ears that our Kingdome our Joy our Rest and Felicity neither was is nor should be upon the Earth c. but in Heaven into which we must enter by many tribulations But alas we sleeped in such security that the sound of the Trumpet could of many never be perfectly understood but alwayes we perswaded our selves of a certain tranquility as though the troubles whereof mention is made within the Scriptures of God appertained not at all to this Age c. and therefore was our heavenly Father compelled to withdraw from us the presence of his Verity to the end we may more earnestly thirst for the same and with more obedience embrace and receive it c. I mean not that such as have left Christ in body and heart shall embrace the Verity but such as by the infirmity of the flesh and weakness of faith dare not openly and boldly confess that which their hearts know to be most true and lament for the imperfection by-past and present from such shall not the amiable presence of Christ for ever be withdrawn but yet again shall the eyes of their sore troubled hearts behold the Light of Christs Gospel wherein they most delight We the Ministers who were Distributers of this Bread the true Word of God lacked not our offences which also moved God to send us to the Sea And because no mans offences are so manifest unto me as mine own I will onely censure my self O that all such Ministers as are put from their Charges would seriously and sadly peruse and lay to heart his humble confession The portion of heavenly Bread which I received from Christ by his benediction multiplyed in breaking c. but alas how little did I consider the dignity of that Office and the power of God that then multiplied the Bread the people received of my hands God I take to record in my Conscience that I delivered the same Bread that I received of Christs hands and that I mixed no poyson with the same i. e. I teached Christs Gospel without any mixture of mens dreams devices or phantasies but alas I did it not with such fervency with such indifferency and diligence as now I know it was my duty Some complained in those dayes that the Preachers were indiscreet persons yea Railers c. but alas this day my Conscience accuseth me that I spake not so plainly as my duty was to have done for I ought to have said to the wicked man expresly by his name Thou shalt die the death I find Ieremiah the Prophet to have done so to Pashur the high Priest and to Zedekiah the King The blind love I did bear to this my wicked Carkass was the chief cause I was not fervent and faithful enough in that behalf for I had no will to provoke
him said Ah Master farewell Mr. Bradford said unto him Serve God and he will help thee Entring into Smithfield the way was foul and two Officers took him up to bear him to the Stake whereupon he said merrily What will ye make me a Pope I am content to go to my journeys end on foot Coming into Smithfield he kneeled down saying I will pay my vows in thee O Smithfield Kissing the Stake he said Shall I disdain to suffer at this Stake seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer a most vile death upon the Cross for me In his Letter to the Christian Congregation It is a lamentable thing to behold at this present in England the faithless departing both of men and women from the true knowledge and use of Christs sincere Religion which so plentifully they have been taught and do know their own conscience bearing witness to the verity thereof If that earth be cursed of God which eftsoons receiving moisture and pleasant dews from Heaven doth not bring forth fruit accordingly how much more grievous judgement shall such persons receive which prove Apostates It is nâ—t onely given us to believe but also to confess and declare what we believe in our outward Conversation The belief of the heart justifieth and to acknowledge with the mouth makes a man safe Rom. 10 It is all one before God not to believe at all and not to shew forth the lively works of our belief Whosoever in time of tryal is ashamed of me saith Christ and of my words of him the Son of man will be ashamed before his Father The Prophet Aggeus 2. telleth us The Lord shaketh the earth that those might abide for ever which be not overcome Let no man deceive you with vain words saying That you may keep your faith to your selves and dissemble with Antichrist c. This is the wisdome of the flesh but the wisdome of the flesh is death and enmity of God as our Saviour for example aptly did declare in Peter who exhorteth Christ not to go to Ierusalem but counselled him to look better to himself We cannot serve two Masters we may not halt on both sides and think to please God Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and whosoever doth profane the temple of God him will God destroy 2 Cor. 3. God judgeth all strange religion which is not according to his Institution for whoredome and adultery We must glorifie God as well in body as in soul moreorer we can do no greater injury to the true Church of Christ then to seem to have forsaken her by cleaving to her Adversaries Wo be to him by whom any such offence cometh it were better for him to have a milstone tied about his neck c. Such be Judasses Traitors to the Truth c. St. John in the Apocalyps telleth us plainly That none of those who are written in the Book of Life do receive the mark of the beast i. e papistical Synagogue either in their foreheads or hands i. e. apparently or obediently See the commands for separation Phil. 2. 2 Cor. 6. Rev. 18. 2 Thes. 3. Many will say for their vain excuse God is mercifull c. Truth it is The mercy of God is above all his works but cursed is he that sinneth upon hope of forgiveness Others say But we ought to obey the Magistrates although they be wicked true but God must have his due as well as Caesar his If they command any thing contrary to Gods Word we ought not to obey their commandments although we should suffer death therefore Acts 4. Dan. â— Some run to this If I be elected to Salvation I shall be saved whatsoever I do such verily may reckon themselves to be none of Gods elect Children that will do evil that good may-ensue Rom. 3. God having chosen us that we should be holy c. Eph. 1. The Lord open our eyes that we may see how dangerous it is to decline from the knowledge of Truth contrary to their conscience In his Letter to Iohn Carles I am in this world in Hell but shall be shortly lifted up to Heaven where I shall look continually for your coming and though I tell you that I am in Hell in the judgement of the world yet assuredly I feel in the same the consolation of Heaven I praise God and this loathsome and horrible Prison is as pleasant to me as the walk in the Garden of the Kings Bench. If God doth mitigate the ugliness of mine imprisonment what will he do in the rage of the fire whereunto I am appointed And this hath hapned unto me that I might be hereafter an ensample of comfort if the like happen unto you or any other of my dear Brethren with you c. Be joyfull under the Cross and praise the Lord continually for this is the whole burnt-sacrifice which the Lord delighteth in In another Letter to Careles Behold the goodness of God towards me I am careless being fast closed in a pair of Stocks which pinch me for very straitness and will you be carefull Be as your name pretendeth Cast all your care on God set the Lord before your eyes alwayes for he is on your right side that you should not be moved Praise God and be joyfull that it hath pleased him to make uâ— worthy to suffer somewhat for his Names sake The Devil must rage for ten dayes Written in a Cole-house of darkness out of a pair of painfull Stocks by thine own in Christ Iohn Philpot. In his Letter to certain godly women forsaking their own Countrey for the Gospel I read in the Evangelists of certain godly women that ministred unto Christ following him in the dayes of his Passion and never forsook him but brought oyl to anoint him being dead until he had shewed himself unto them after his Resurrection and bid them tell his dispersed Disciples that he was risen and they should see him in Galile To whom I may justly compare you my loving Sisters in Christ who of late have seen him suffer in his members and have ministred to their necessity anointing them with the comfortable oyl of your assistance even unto death and now seeing ye have seen Christ live in the ashes of them he willed you to go away and to declare to our dispersed Brethren and Sisters that he is risen and liveth in his elect Members in England and by death doth overcome infidelity and that they shall see him in Galile which is by forsaking this world c. Let your faith shine in a strange Countrey as it hath done in your own that your Father which is in Heaven may be glorified by you to the end Commend me to the whole Congregation of Christ willing them not to leave their Countrey without witness of the Gospel after that we all be slain which already be stalled up and appointed to the slaughter and in the mean season to pray earnestly for our constancy that
true cause for it 29 That we are no more bound to pray in the Kirk then in other places 32 That the Pope is the head of the Kirk of Antichrist 34 That they which are called Princes and Prelates in the Church are Thieves and Robbers By these Articles exhibited in the year 1494 which God of his merfull providence caused the enemies of his Truth to keep in their Registers may appear how God retained some spark of light in Scotland in the time of greatest darkness When Arch Bishop Blacater asked Adam Read Whether he believed that God was in Heaven he answered Not as I do the Sacraments seven Whereupon Blacater insultingly said unto the King Sir Lo he denies that God is in Heaven Whereat the King wondring said Adam Read what say you He answered May it please your Majesty to hear the end between the Churle and me and therewith turned to the Bishop and said I neither think nor believe as thou thinkest that God is in Heaven though I am most assured that he is not onely in Heaven but also in the Earth but thou and thy Faction declare by your works that either you think there is no God at all or else that he is so set up in Heaven that he regards not what is done on Earth for if thou firmly believedst that God were in Heaven thou shouldst not make thy self Check-mate to the King and altogether forget that charge that Iesus Christ the Son of God gave to his Apostles to preach the Gospel and not to play the proud Prelates as all the rabble of you do this day And now Sir said he to the King judge you whether the Bishop or I believe best that God is in Heaven Then the King said to him Adam Read Wilt thou burn thy Bill He answered Sir the Bishop and you will Ridley Dr. Nicholas Ridley then Bishop of London went about Septemb. 8. â— 1552. to see the Lady Mary and offered to preach before her but she told him The door of the Parish Church adjoyning shall be open to you if you come and you may preach if you list but neither I nor any of mine shall hear you Madam said he I trust you will not refuse Gods Word I cannot tell said she what you call Gods Word that is not Gods Word now that was Gods Word in my Fathers dayes Gods Word said he is all one in all times but hath been better understood and practised in some Ages then in other After this Conference Sir Thomas Wharton one of the Lady Mary's Officers brought the Bishop to the place where they dined but the Bishop after he had drunk pausing a little while and looking very sadly brake out into these words Surely I have done amiss Why so said the Knight For I have drunk said he in that place where Gods Word offered hath been refused whereas if I had remembred my duty I ought to have departed immediately and to have shaken off the dust of my feet for a testimony against this House These words were spoken by the Bishop with such vehemency that some of the Hearers afterwards confessed That their hairstood upright upon their heads This done the Bishop departed In the time of Queen Iane in his Sermon at Paul's Cross he prophesied at it were That if ever the Lady Mary were Queen she would bring in Foreign Power to reign over them besides the subverting the Christian Religion then established Shortly after this Sermon Queen Mary was proclaimed and Dr. Ridley speedily repaired to Fremingham in Suffolk to Queen Mary but had but cold welcome there he was spoiled of his Dignity and sent back upon a lame halting Horse to the Tower In the Tower he was sometimes invited to the Lieutenants Table where he had conference with Secretary Brown c. In that Conference It is not in Scripture said Dr. Ridley as in the witness of men where a â—umber is credited more then one A multitude of affirmations in Scripture and one affirmation is all one as to the truth if the matter That which any one of the Evangeâ—ists spâ—ke inspired by the Holy Ghost is as true â—s that which is spoken by them all What John saith of Christ I am the door of the Sheâ—p is as true as what Matthew Mark Luke c. say This is my body â—â—t the Scripture words are onely true in the sence in which they were spoken As for Unity I embrace it â—it be with Verity and joyned to our Head Christ. â—â—r Antiquity I am perswaded that to be true which â—reneus saith That which is first is true Our Religion was first truly taught by Christ himself and his Apostles c. You know I were a very fool if I â—iu'd in this matter dissent from you if that in my â—onscience the Truth did not inforce me sâ— to do Ye perâ—ive I trow it is out of my way if I esteemed worldly â—â—in Afterwards he was sent out of the Tower with Cranmer and Latimer to dispute at Oxford When he was the first time brought before the Commissioners they asked him Whether he would dispute or no He answered That as long as God gave him life he should not onely have his heart but also his mouth and Pen to defend his Truth In his Protestation before his Disputation Whilst I weighed with my self how great a charge of the Lords Flock was of late committed to me for which I am certain I must render an account to my Lord God c. and that moreover by the command of the Apostle Peter I ought to be ready alwayes to give a reason of the hope that is in me with meekness and reverence unto every one that shall demand the same Besides this considering my duty to the Church of Christ and to your Worships being Commissioners by publick Authority I determined to obey your command in openly declaring to you my mind touching the Propositions which you gave me And albeit plainly to confess unto you the truth in these things which ye now demand of me I have thought otherwise in times past then now I do yet God I call to record unto my soul I lye not I have not altered my judgement as now it is either by constraint of any man or Laws or for the dread of any dangers of this world or for any hope of commodity but onely for love of the Truth revealed to me by the grace of God as I am undoubtedly perswaded in his holy Word and in the reading of the Ancient Fathers Dr. Weston telling him What he said contained onely evasions and starting holes I cannot said Dr. Ridley start far from you I am captive and bound Bertram said he was the first that pulled me â—y thâ— ear and that first â—rought me from the common errour of the Popish Church and caused me to search more diligently and exactly both the Scriptures and the Writings of the old Ecclesiastical Fathers in this matter