to brotherly Love and shewing the Vanity of the world exhorting to Alms and obedience to the Queen with many other excellent things and at last He made a short Confession of his Faith repeating the Articles of the Creed continuing I believe every Article of the Catholick Faith every word and sentence taught by our Saviour Jesus Christ his Apostles and Prophets in the new and old Testament anâ— now said he I am come to the great thing th t so much troublâ—th my Conscience more than â—ny â—oing thâ—t ever I did or said in my whole Late and that is the sâ—ttiâ—g my hand to a writing C ntrary to Truth which I now renounce being done only for fear of Death and for as much as my hand offended against my heart this my hand shall be first of all punishâ—d for it and assâ—on as I can coâ—e to the fire shall be first burâ—t As for the Pope I refusâ— him as Câ—riâ—â—s Eâ—â—my and Antichrist with all his f â—sâ— Dâ—ctrinâ— As for the Sacrament I believe is as I have taughâ— it in my Book against the Bishâ—p of Wincâ—ester which shall stand at the last dâ—y before the Judgment of God where the Papistiâ—â— Doctrine Contrary thereto shâ—ll be never able to appear All the people being amazed looked one upâ—â— another and all the Priests and Fryers were in an uprore seeing their great expectation frustrated and Cole bellowed from the Pulpit stop the Heretick Mouth pull him down pull him down Upon which the rabble of Priests and Fryers laid hands on Cranmeâ— and pull'd him off the stage and all things being prepared for his burning in the same place where the Martyrs Râ—â—ey and Latâ—mer suffered they haled and drâ—gged him thither to which place all the coâ—â—any râ—n yelping and hauling at the good Archbishâ—p When he came to the place he kneeled down making but short prayerâ— seeing them so â—ager to have his Life and putting off his garments to his shâ—rt which hung down to his seer which were â—â—re as likewise his head being thus stript they fâ—sâ—ned the holy Martyr to the Stake with a chain and after several of them â—ad tryed in vain to move him to recant and saw that he was stedfast they caused fire to be set to him into which assoon as iâ— began to burn he thrust his right hand which had signed the Recantation which he hâ—ld therein stedfastly and unmoved sâ—eing that once therewith being of a stâ—me be wipeâ— his face that all men might see his hand was burned before his body was touched His body aboad the burning and torment of the Flame with such Constancy and stedfastness that he was not seen to stir or move any more than the stake to which he was fastned shewing to their amazement a noble Constancy of mind and heroick fortitude His eyes were seen to be lifted up towards Heaven and he was heard oftentimes to repeat whilst his hand was burning O unworthy right hand at last in the greatest of the flame he gave up the Ghost useing these his last words O Lord Jesus receive my Spirit This was the end of this blessed Martyr Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who suffered about the middle of the Reign of the Cruel Queen Mary Two women burnt at Ipswich About the same time suffered in the Town of Ipswich in Suffolk two simple women â—he one named Agâ—es Potten the other Joan Trunchfeild the wife of a Shoemaker both for that they denied the bodyly presence of Christ in the Sacrament they both dyed with wonderful Constancy exhorting the people at their death today hold on and believe the word of God and to despise the ordinances of the Romish Antichrist and after fire was set to them they stood holding up their hands and calling on the name of God in the midst of the flames till they dyed In the same Month of march on the 24th day three men were burnt in one fire without Salisbury in Wiltshire for the same cause as other Martyrs before them for denying the Popes Supremacy Purgatory and that murthering Article of the bodily presence their names were John Mandrel an husbandman who had long professed the truth and in King Henry 8. days had done penance William Coberly a Taylor and John Spicer a free-mason all 3 Companions both before and at their Deaths They died with great fortitude and when the Sheriff offered them pardon if they would turn one of them replyed not for all Salisbury And John Spicer said O Mr. Sheriff must you be the Butcher of these Papists and be made guilty of Shedding innocent blood before the Lord Coberly was longer in burning than the other and when his Arms were burnt off and his body hung over the chain black and shrunk up so that all thought he had been dead he suddenly rose up again and then fell down and dyed Six men Martyred in Smithfeild About the 23d of April 1556. were burnt in one fire in Smithfield no less than 6 blessed Martyrs two of them being Ministers viz Robert Drakes Minister of Tundersley in Essex and William Tymes Curate of Hookley in the same County This Tymes upon his examination before Bonner one of his Articles being for denying the Popes Supremacy told him that he owned no more than what his Lordship had maintained in print Where have I written any thing against the Church of Rome said the Bishop angrily In your Preface replyed Tymes to the Chancellors Book Stephen Gardner which he wrot purposely against the authority of the Romish Church where also you in your preface inveigh against the Bishop of Rome reproving his Tyranny and falshood calling his power false and pretended only and this is still extant This much abashed the Bishop and made him speak more gently afterwards saying it was done in perilous times and when it was death to have declared otherways but that the Chancellour and himself had since owned their errors as he would now have him to do but Mr. Tymes told him that would be against his Conscience and he would never do it for what he himself had wrote against the Popes Supremacy was according to the Scriptures and he would prove it upon which he entred on his proofs was much too hard for them all in the Scriptures but at last he was condemned with the rest whose names were Richard Spurge Sheerman Thomas Spurge Fuller John Cavel Weaver and George Ambrose Fuller all of Essex and of the Diocess of London and so condemned by Bonner and suffered together in one Fire in Smithfeild with the true Constancy of other holy and blessed Martyrs In the same Month of April at Rochester suffered John Harpool and Joan Bench in one fire Also in the same month suffered at Cambridg John Hullier a Minister brought up at Eaton School and afterwards Scholar and Conduct in Kings Colledg in Cambridge where he at last suffered being condemned by the Bishop of Ely for preaching the truth and owning the Gospel and disavowing
he had been bred a Papist and then liv'd in all manner of sin being absolved by the Priests so that he made no Conscience of committing any crime whilst in their Church for he knew that for a little mony he could be absolved from all his wickedness and begin again anew he could eat flesh on Frydays whore swear drink game and all was well enough so long as he went to Mass but now the he lived a strict and sober life leaving their Idolatry he must be persecuted to death being called by the light of God's Word to Repentance and that by Priests who blaspheme God and lead Scandalous lives without punishment some of them having 6 or 7 Children apiece to his knowledge by four or five sundry women He told them many other crimes and Enormities of their Church to the Bishops face too long to rehearse which so enraged the Bishop that he read the sentence against him nor permitting him to speak any more saying he was one of the mâ—st blasphemous hereticks that ever he heard of He heard his sentence of Condemnation very patiently and when they would have had him away he desired to speak two or three words but the Bishop Cry'd away with him way with him at last some of his friends prevailed not knowing but he might recant and being permitted to speak he thus prophesied I tell you said he that God has now heard the prayers of his servants which have been poured forth with tears for his Afflicted Saints which you dayly persecute as you do us But this I sâ—â—o you moved thereto by his holy Spirit that God will shorten your hand of Câ—uâ—â—â—â—â—d tâ—â—â— nor Bâ—â—threâ— tâ—â—a shâ—rt time will be able to 〈◊〉 â—â—â—e so to â—t you shall not be able to persecute them 〈◊〉 more For mark me after this daâ—â—n this place 〈◊〉 â—â—â—h I 〈◊〉 Bâ—â—thren and fellow Marty â—s are to suffâ—r no more shall undergo the tryâ—â—â— of Fâ—â—e and faggot Upon this Bonner said I â—ow perceive Roger that thou art as mad in thy â—â—â—â—sie as ever was Joan Bâ—â—cher Thou wouldst fâ—â—â— be accounted a railing prophet and tho thou and all the rest of you desire to see me hang'd 〈◊〉 shâ—ll live to burn you yeâ— I will burn all of you 〈◊〉 coâ—â— under my hâ—nds that will not woâ—s◠〈◊〉 blâ—ssâ—d Sacrament of the Altar for alâ—◠〈◊〉 prating And to they haled him away but thâ—â— Hâ—lâ— man was no false prophet for he and his 6 Companions above named wâ—o were burnt with him were the last who suffered in that place for the testimony of the Gospel That day these holy Martyâ—s suffered a proclamation was made that none should dare to speak or talk a word to them or receive any thing from them or touch them on pain of Imprisonment without bad or mainprise Notwithstanding the people cryed out dâ—siteing God to strengthen them When they all came to the Stake Roger Holland embracing it said aloud Lord I most humbly thank thy Majesty that hast called me from the State of Death unto the Light of thy heavenly Word and now unto the fellowship of the Saints that I may sing and say Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts And Lord into thy hands I Commit my Spirit Lord bless these thy people and save them from Idolatry so being fastned to the Stake with the rest looking up towards Heaven praying and praising God with the rest of his fellow Martyrs he ended his Life and exchanged for a better with great Courage holy resolution and manlike Constancy Six Martyred at Brainford Not long after the Martyrdom of these 7 last mentioned in Smathfield viz. on the 14th of July following Six more suffered in one fire at Brainford Their names were Robert Wills Stephen Coltâ—n Robert Dynes Stephen White John Slade and William Pikes a Tanner All these were condemned By Bonner and ordered to be burnt at the place aforesaid When they came to the stake they made their prayers with great humility like so many Lambs prepared for the slaughter thâ—n and resâ—ing themselves they went joyfully to the stake to which they were bound and the fire being put to them and flaming about them they yield 〈◊〉 their Bodies Lives and Souls into the hand of Jesus for whose cause they suffer'd The last mentioned William Pikes being a very godly holy and religious man not long before he was taken as he was reading the Bâ—ble of Mr. Rogers his translation in his Garden 4 drops of blood fell down upon the Bible from whence he could not tell except it came out of the Element upon which he called his wife and shewed her the prodigy blotting out one of the drops with his finger At last he said I perceive the Lord will have blood his will be cone and give me grace to abide the tryal And it was not long after that be was apprehended The same man being in Newgate fell extreamly sick so that none looked he could have lived 6 hours being given over for a dead man upon which he prayed and desired of God that he might glorifie his name at the stake which came to pass accordingly God hearing his prayers The Cruel Whipping of Thomas Hinshaw by Bonner This Bloody Bonner who in a matter of 3 years space had destroyed one way or other about 200 Martyrs for the Gospel haveing one Thomas Hinshaw an Apprentice in London before him in Examination at Fulham and not receiving satisfactory Answers to his mind he set him in the stocks all night with bread and water only the next day he sent his Archdeacon Harpsfield such another persecutor as himself who calling this young man who was about 19 or 20 years of Age Prevish boy asking him whether he thought he went about to dams his Soul or no unto which the said Thomas answered that he was perswaded they laboured to maintain their dark and devilish Kingdom and not for any Love to Truth This put the Archdeacon into a Rage and away he goes to Bonner who furned and fretted not being able to have his will of a young man presently he sends for him into an Arbour in his Garden untrussing him he caused the young man to Kneel down and to lye over a bench where with his own Episcopal hands he wore out a willow Rod upon him who bore it all patiently till this sâ—â—uâ— whipping Bishop who had none of St. Pauls Characters in him could lay on no longer for want of Bâ—eath With this and other ill â—suâ—ge this poor young is an fell sick and so continued in a â—â—ngring Stâ—knâ—ss till he was treed by the Death of this Popish Persecuting Queen Mary The Whipping of John Wills by Bonner Besides this young man there was another named John Wills a Capper and was brother to the above mentioned Robert Wills Martyr'd at Brainford he was kept for some time in Bonners cole hole at Fulham and put into the Stocks being taken at a meeting in the fields at Islington Bonner
him coming after him O are you there said he yes said Mr. Latimer I am coming after you as fast as I Can. When they both came to the stake Bishop Ridly holding up both his hands and looking towards heaven prayed and seeing Mr. Latimer come he ran to him and embraced him and Kissed him saying Be of good heart Brother for God will either asswage the fury of the Flame or else streâ—gthen us to abide it With that he Kneeled down at the Stake Kissing it and then fell to prayer and Mr. Latimer behind him both earnestly calling upon God After they arose and talked a little while together when Dr. Smith who in King Ed. days had renounced Popery now embracing it preached to the people on this Text Tho I give my Body to be burnt c. inveighing very much against the opinions of the Lutherans after he had done both Dr. Ridly and Mr. Latimer had a desire to have reply'd to what he had said but as soon as they began to open their mouths some ran to them and stop'd them telling them unless they would recant they should not be suffered to speak Gods will be done then said Bishop Ridly but so long as I have breath in my body I will never deny my Lord Christ and his known truth Then he said with a loud voyce I Commit our cause to Almighty God who will indifferently Judg all Then Mr. Latimer said what is hid shall be revealed They were then Commanded to make themselves ready which they did and were both Chained to the Stake and Dr. Rilleys brother-in-law brought each a Bag of Gunpowder to tye about them which they accepted of as sent them from God Dr. Ridley stripped himself and gave away his things among his friends there being great striving to have some remembrance from this good Man but Mr. Latimer suffered himself to be strip'd by the officers haveing nothing worth bestowing Dr. Ridly being now at the stake prayed saying holding up both his hands O heavenly Father I give thee most hearty thanks for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee even unto Death I beseech the O Lord have mercy upon this Realm of England and deliver the same from all her Enemies Then he made a Request to the Lord Williams to intreat the Queen to be good to several poor people to whom he had let Leases that they mought injoy them which he promised to do but Bishop Bonner like a wretch took them all from them Then fire was put to them when Mr. Latimer said be of good comfort Mr. Ridly and play the Man we shall this day light such a Candle by God's Grace in England as I trust shall never be put out Dr. Ridly when he saw the flame approach him he cryed out In manus tuas Domine commendo Spiritum meum Domine recipe Spiritum meum that is Into thy hands O Lord I commend my Spirit O Lord receive my Spirit which latter part he often repeated in English Mr. Latimer crying as vehemently on the other side O Father of Heaven receive my Soul Who receiving the flame as it were imbracing it soon dyed with little or no Pain But Bishop Ridly by reason of the fire being ill made endured great torment having all his lower parts burnt before his upper were touched so that he was heard to cry to them often for the Lords sake to put the fire to him I cannot burn and then crying out Lord have mercy upon me he Continued a long time and all one side of him remained untouch'd till aâ—â—â—â—st tâ—â— Gâ—â—â—oweâ—cr â—â—â—k firâ— after which he wâ—◠〈◊〉 seâ—n to move â—y more And this was the eâ—â—â—â—th sâ—â— two â—oly Martyrs Blessed Bishops for the Gospel of Christ's sake by the hands of persecuting Papisis and by the Religion â—hen established by Law The Death of pâ—â—seâ—â—ting Gardner Wit in a wâ—ilt afâ—â—r the B oody persecuting Pâ—â—lâ—â— Stephâ—â— Gâ—â—dâ—â— dyed for that day the last mentioned Mâ—rtyâ—s were put to death tho the Duke of No â—â—hfolk and other persons of Quality came to dine with him he would not go to dâ—nner till 3 or 4 of the Clock expecting to hear of the Death of these wâ—mâ—n and assâ—on as his man riâ—â—â—g post had brâ—â—ght him word of it he began to be merry and sat down to dinner but was emmediately struck with the hand of God the first but â—e put â—nto his mouth being carried from the Table Continuing for â—5 days in great Torments nor being able to evacuate Naturâ— any way and his Tongue that had so often blaspherâ—ed God swollen and black lolling out of his mouth till he dyed Tho he weâ—e dead yet persecution Continued and the Devil found Instruments to do his Work For in the Month of November three flour Champions of Jesus Christ suffer'd in one Fire in Canterbury viz Jâ—hn wâ—bb Gentleman George Roâ—er and Gâ—egory Parke being all condemned to the fire by the Bishop of Dover and Nicâ—oâ—as Harspfield As they went to the plâ—ce of their Martyrdom they sung Psalms two of them were will striâ—ken in years but Râ—per was a younger man of a fresh Complexion going all â—ith whi e Linnen and their gowns upon it They all shewâ—d great Constancy but Râ—per especially who coming to the place leâ—ped for Joy and whâ—n fiâ—e waâ— put to hâ—m he streatched out both his Aâ—ms into â—â—e â—lâ—mes standing like a Cross unmevable and so continued never stirring them till they were both burnt â—ff and afterwards his Body to Ashes Several dyed in Prison in the â—â—llards Tower through the bâ—â—â—arity of the Papists and were Cast into t he open fields for doggs and swine to tear with command that none 〈…〉 hâ—m yet by night some were â—ound to be â—o Câ—â—â—table as to fling Eartâ— over thâ—m Archdeacon Philpot burnt in Smithfield The next 〈…〉 mâ—â—tâ—â—â— Wâ—â—â—â—ought to the stâ—ke by thâ—se blood sâ—â—kâ—â—â— wâ— Mr Jâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 Archdeacon â—f Wincâ—â—â—â— â—â—e wâ—â— tâ—e 〈…〉 Gentâ—emaâ—â—f 〈◊〉 goâ—d fâ—â—mâ—ly in 〈…〉 brought up in Nâ—â—â— Coâ—â—cagâ— in Oxâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 died thâ— Civil â—â—ws 6 or 7 yeaâ—s wâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ral Arts 〈◊〉 â—â—ence and â—spâ—â—â—ly 〈…〉 in which he profiteâ— and more 〈…〉 Hebrew He wâ—s of a preâ—anâ—â—â—â—t 〈…〉 and resolution fervent in Religioâ— â—ree from 〈◊〉 â—â—â—tery and hypocrisie and hated â—â—ssiâ—â—ulatiâ—n Fâ—â—m Oxford he went to travel to improve himself going thorow Italy and other parts where he increaâ—â—d his knowledg and lost nor as many do good m nners and Love to God Returning into England he was made Arcâ—dâ—acon of Winchester in King Edwâ—rds days under the Bishop Dr. Poinet who had succeeded Gardner But â—fter that Queen Mary came in and caused a Convocation of Prelates to Assemble about Religion this good man believing they might there speak freely he manfully maintained the cause of the Gospel against all its Adversaries for which he was afterwards â—â—pâ—â—ioned and after a twelve months time or more w s had to be examined before Bâ—shop Gardner
water I will be with thee and the strong floods shall not overthrow thee When thou walkest in the fire it shall not burn thee and the flame shall not kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel The next day being Saturday with a great Guard of Glaves and Bilmen they fetch'd this constant Martyr out of prison carrying him to a place called the Lollards Pit which was encompassed about with hills as he passed the streets he distributed Alms to the poor by the hands of one Dr. Warner Parson of Winterton his Friend and one he had chosen to give him ghostly comfort at the Stake he was clad in a Lay habit with his sleeves hanging down his hair cut and mangled at his degradation however he seemed of an upright and chearful countenance being but little in Stature Being at the Stake while they were preparing the materials for his burning he desired to speak a few words to the people In which he told them he was born and so of necessity must dye he had Life with that condition 't was natural but he was there to testifie that he dyed a good Christian and in a right belief towards almighty God Upon which he rehearsed the Articles of the Creed with the Elevation of his Eyes and hands towards heaven and at the Article of Christs Incarnation having a little meditation with himself and coming to the word Crucified he bowed himself with great reverence and then proceeded to the rest This done he put off his Gown and kneeled down upon a little ledg at the foot of the stake for him to stand on that he might be more Conspicuous to the people where he prayed privatly with great fervency his Eyes and hands lifted up towards Heaven ending at last with the 143 Psalm which he repeated aloud Hear my prayer O Lord and consider my desire which he repeated in Latin thrice with deep meditation and then again Enter not into Judgment with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Having put off his Jacot and Doublet he stood in his Breeches and shirt and so was chained to the stâ—ke bidding his friends chearfully farewell and when Dr Warner could not speak to him for weeping be said to him pasce gregem tuum c. Feed your flock feed the flock that when the Lord cometh he may find you so doing Then many of the priests and Fryers his enemies finding the people to murmur much for their puting him to death some of them spake to Mr. Bilney to satisfie the people concerning them lest they should withdraw their charitable Arms upon which Mr. Bilney said with a loud voyce I pray you good people be never the worse to these men for my sake and tho they should have been the Authors of my death it was not they Then the officers setting fire to the reeds made a very great flame which he feeling held up his hands and then Knocking his Breast he often cryed on the name of Jesus and sometimes said Credo Credo I believe I believe but the wind being very high it blew the flame from him with its violence so that he suffered much ere the wood took fire and had strength enough to burn him at last he bowed over the chain and gave up the Ghost which one of the officers seeing thrust the staple out of the stake with his halbert so let the body drop into the fire flinging faggots upon him he was so Consumed to Ashes and this was the end of this good man Martyr and Saint as Mr. Latimer calls him Mr. Bilney who dyed at Norwich 1531. Mr. Bayfeild Martyr The next in order that suffered the torment of the flames by the bloody persecuting Papists was Mr. Richard Bayfeild in the year 1532 in the month of Novem in Smithfieild He was sometimes a Monk of Bury converted by Doctor Barnes and two others of London the said Doctor giving him a Testament of Tindals Translation and other godly books in English which so wrought upon this Monk that he made them his dayly study till at last he was found out by some of the Fryers of the Covent was by them gaged and cruelly whipped and imprisoned in the House and put in the Stocks for 3 quarters of a year ere Doctor Barnes could get him out which he at last effected by means of one Dr. Ruffam his friend one of the same House Dr. Barnes had him with him to Cambridge where he studied and profited so well that he never more returned to his Covent but went to Lond. where he hid himself for a while till he got beyond sea where he was very usefull and assisted Tindal and Frith but coming over again to London and lodging in Bucklersbury he was betray'd being dogg'd thence to his Bookbinders in Mark lanâ— was there taken and carryed to the Lollards Tower where finding one Parson Patmore imprisoned for the same Doctrine he wonderfully strengthen'd him confirm'd him by his discourse which being perceived they caused Mr. Bayfeild to be removed to the Bishops Colehouse As for the Parson he was afterwards adjudged by the Bishop to perpetual Imprisonment from which he was at last delivered by the Kings Pardon But as for Mr. Bayfeld he being now in the Colehouse was more Cruelly handled than before for they tied him to the Wall by the neck middle and legs to force him to accuse others but he would not Several Articles were put in against him and among the rest this viz. that he should say all laud praise should be given to God alone and not to Saints or Creatures He very learnedly answered all the Articles put in against him and offered to dispute with the most learned of them the points which he asserted but they had other more powerfull Weapons to fight with than words the Papal Jurisdiction by which they condemned him first for a relapsed Heretick and then sentenced him to be degraded upon which Mr. Bayfeild being moved more than Ordinary said to the Bishop who had pronounced the sentence against him The Life of you of the spirituality is so evil that ye be hereticks for ye do not only live evilly but ye maintain evil living contrary to the Gospel of Christ and the true belief of Christs Church Upon which they proceeded actually to degrade him which done they delivered him over to the Secular power who received him into their Jurisdiction without any Writ but only by virtue of the Bish Letters according to a Stature made Hen. 4. when they had degraded Mr. Bayfeild the Bishop being present struck him with his Crosier Staff that he had in his hand on the brest with such violence that he overturned Mr. Bayfeild who was on his knees before him and falling back on the pavement broke his head so that he lay a while stun'd and in a swone ere they could bring him to himself When he said I rejoyce that I
two Thieves even so when the Priest is at mass and hath lifted the Host over his Head he there hangeth between two Thieves except he be one that preaches the Word of God truly That he had said to the people that they should not eat and tear the flesh of Christ with their teeth c. For Christ said This is my Body which was the Word of God which was to be broken to the people with such like to which he gave his particular Answers But a Commission was sent down for the tryal of these persons according to the Act of the six Articles and the aforesaid persons clapt into the Jayle Testwood being sick and in bed was haled thence and forced into prison going upon Crutches The chief Judges who sat on these men were Doctor Capon Bishop of Salisbury Sr. William Essex Knight Sr. Tho Bridges Sr. Humphry Foster Mr. Franklin Dean of Windsor and Mr. Fachell of Reading After very unjust doings packing of the Jury being strangers and not of the neighbourhood and all of them farmers belonging to the Colledg of Windsor and some of them Contrary to the Statute had but one witness appearing against them yet they were all of them found guilty by the Jurie and condemned to dye the next day by the Court Fatchell giving the Sentence There came a pardon for Marbeck the rest seeing their hard lot comforted one another knowing that they dyed in a good Cause All night they spent in fervent prayer to God to strengthen them that they might be stedfast in their torments praying also for their persecutors that God would forgive them since they did what they did through blind Ignorance and zeal The next day being Fryday their execution was respired but on the Saturday when they were to dye desiring to receive the Sacrament it was denyed them for they said it was not to be granted to Hereticks but they might be Confessed if they would As they passed thorow the Streets they prayed all good people to pray for them and Filmer who was Condemned from the testimony of his own Brother only as he past by his door called several times on him that he mought see him but he would not appear however Filmer most Christian like desired God to forgive him for he had restified wrongfully against Him When they were come to the Stake Mr. Persons with a chearful Countenance embracing the Stake in his Arms and Kissing it said Now welcom my own sweet Wife for this day shall thou and I be married together in the Love and peace of God Being all bound to the post a certain young man of Filmers acquaintance brought him a pot of drink which he drâ—nk of to his Companions who pledged him at when drinking their Adversaries made a jesting reporting afterwards that they were all drunk and knew not what they said After they had drank Mr. Filmer said my Brethren let us be merry in the Lord for I trust in God that after this sharp Breaâ—fast we shall have a good dinner in the Kingdom of Christ our Lord and Redeemer At which words the Fire being set to the straw Testwood lifting up his Hands and eyes to Heaven desired God to receive his spirit And Mr. Persons pulling the straw to him put a good handful on his Head saying This is Gods Hat now am I dressed like a true Souldâ—ers of Christ by whâ—se merits onâ—y I trust this day to enter into his Joy And so they yeilded up their souls to God like meek Lambs with so much patience and tranquillity and so great stedfastness that amazed the people many wished that they had been so happy as to have dyed with them The Persecutors disgraced Not long after the whole Conspiracy of the Bishop of Winchester Dr. London Simone and Okeham came to be revealed by Gods Providence and how unjustly they had dealt with these poor men haveing also lay'd a design against several of the Kings Privie Council and many Knights and Gentlemen as favourers of Heresie which being made known to the King he withdrew his Favour from Gardner and London Simmons and Okeham Perjurie being proved against them rode thorow Windsor with their faces to the Horses tails and papers of their Crimes pinned on their breasts and Okeham the like at Newberry where he stood in the pillory Thus God by his secret Judgment brought the wickedness of these malicious Papists to light and their persons to disgrace being ever hated of all men About the same time great persecution was made at Calice where one Adam Damlip Dod and several others were Martyred And likewise in Scotland suffered many Martyrs in the latter end of the reign of King Henry the 8th of England as Mr. Wisehart Walace Sr. John Borthwick and divers others so that many there as well as in England sealed to the truth of the Gospel with their Blood But we shall omit forreigners and speak only of those of our own nation as we have at first proposed having enough and too many executed and tormented by the bloody Papists Kerby and Clark Martyr'd in Suffolk In the year 1546 Mr. Kerby and Clark were burned for their religion in Suffolk passing over one Henrie and his servant burnt at Colchester and also one Sary a Priest who was hang'd privatly in the Bishop of Winchesters Porters lodg and that not without the privity of the Bishop himself as it was thought for indeed it would be too long to enumerate all the publick and private Murthers of these bloody Papists But as to the Story of Kerby and Clark in brief it was this Kerby and Clark of Mendelsham in the County of Suffolk were apprehended for Gospellers and thrown into the Goal and a Commission was sent down to try them the chief of the Commissioners was the Lord Wentworth Being brought before them having in Secret prayed to themselves a while with hands eyes lifted up they hearkned to their charge which were certain Articles put in against them concerning the Sacrament and being there publickly demanded if that after the words of Consecration spoken by the Priests the breed did not then become the very flesh blood and bones of Jesus Christ as he was born of the Virginâ— they answered No That they did not believe it but that it was a sign to put us in mind of Christs Death for the remission of our sins Upon his after they had used 〈◊〉 â—â—gâ—mentâ— perswasions and threats to thes poor men to make them alter thâ—ir minds in vain sentence was given against them Kerby to be burnt in Ipswich the next Saturday following and Roger Clark at Bury before Gang Munday ensuing Kirby having received his sentence holding up his hands with humble reverence bowing himself he said Praysed be Almightie God and then stoâ—d still saying no more And Clark at pâ—rting from the Judgment seat said with some Vehemency Fight for your God for he hath not long to coâ—tinue which was a Prophesie of the Reformation
to the fire When he came to the stake he kissed it and then spake to the Lord Rich these words My Lord beware beware for you do against your own Conscience and without you repent the Lord will revenge it for you are the cause of my death After which he suffered the fire as the rest and no doubt received his Reward in Heaven On the 14th of June the same year Nicholas Chamberlin was burnt at Colchester and on the 15th Thomas Osmond was burnt at Maintree and William Bamford alias Butler the same day at Harwich all which sealed to the Testimony of the Gospel with their blood I shall now proceed to give you briefly the History of the noted Mr. Bradfood a godly Preacher and holy Martyr for the Gospel of Christ Mr. John Bradford was born at Manchester in Lancastershire being brought up in Learning by his parents attaining to great perfection in the Latin tongue in ready writing and in Accounts which preferred him to the service of Sr. John Harrington Knight who was Treasurer of the Kings Camp and buildings by him Mr. Bradford was imployed both at home and abroad beyond seas and he was in a thriving way and ready for great preferment But God having otherwaies designed this then young Man called him to the Gospel and to the study of the H. Scriptures Finding a call in himself he immediatly embraced it looking upon it as the Spirit of God that prompted him to forsake worldly Riches preferment and Honour in the way he was following and to retire to Cambridge for the benefit of his studies and to sit him for the Ministry He had not been in the University above a year but he obtained the Degree of Mr. of Arts and not long after he had a fellowship given him in Pembroke Hall Where the learned Bucer being acquainted with him stirred him up to the Ministry And Dr. Ridley Bishop of London made him a Deacon giving him licence to preach and made him also a Prebendary in his Cathedral Church of St. Pauls In this office constantly preaching he continued 3 years sharply reproving sin declaring Christ crucified oppugning Heresies and Papistical Errours earnestly perswaded all to a godly Life But after Queen Mary came to the Crown and had introduced the abolished Popery Idolatry Superstition he flinched not neither would he fly as many did but continued his diligent preaching until deprived of that Liberty by the Queen and Council on the 13th of August in the first year of Queen Mary Dr. Bourn Bishop of Bâ—â—â— preaching at Pauls Cross in the behalf of Popery the people were all in an uprore at his sermon and one among the rest flung a dagger at him as he stood in the Pulpit and narrowly mist him He seeing his life in danger desired Mr. Bradford who was ner him to pacifie the people which he readily did stepping forth spake to them in such sort and sheltrinâ— the Bishop that he saved his Life for it was verily thought that if it had not been for Mr. Bradford the people had torn the Bishop to peices they were so much incensed by his sermon At which time oâ—â— called to him and said Mr. Bradford Mr. Bradford you now save him who will shortly help to buâ—â— you which proved true enough for from this very Act of Charity finding how much he was beloved by the people and fearing his Doctrine and abilities they called this sedition and a Commotion and he was sent for before the Queen and Council where his preaching was objected against him and was aâ— last committed to the Tower and then into other prisons as the Kings Bench the Counter and Newgate into all which he was cast for his conscience sake because he would not embrace the Romish superstition All the time he was in prison he preached almost continually and when in Newgate would gâ—â— once a week among the Felons Thieves preachinâ— to them and exhorting them doing a great deal 〈◊〉 good amongst them Preaching reading and praying seem'd to be his whole Life He eat but one meal a day and that but little He was almost continually on his Knees Often museing and bitterly weeping to himself He was somewhat tall of person of a sanguine complexion with an awbourn hair and beard He seldom slept above 4 hours in a night and alwaies read in his bed till sleep came He counted that hour ill spent in which he did not some good He was very Charitable and Liberal to his fellow prisoners He was much beloved through his winning carriage even of his Keepers who gave him such liberty that he might have got away if he would nay they often let him go forth on his word which they were sure of he being alwaies most punctual He was several times brought before the Chancellor and before Bonner and other Bishops and much pains was taken by several of the most learned among them to bring him over to them but in vain for he so confounded them with the Scriptures and manifested the Truth to them concerning the presence of Christ in his Sacrament that they knew not what to say to him but having the power in their hands they condemned him as an Heretick to be burnt and reading the sentence to him when the Chancellor came to the word Johannes Bradford Laicus ha Said he is he no Priest to which Mr. Bradford replyed no he never was Priest nor beneficed nor Married nor a Preacher till publick Authority had Established Religion After which he fell down on his Knees and heartily thanked God that he counted him worthy to suffer for his name sake They had kept him near 2 years in prison and he was now condemned on the last of January from which time to the 1st of July they kept him in prison where they had several conferences with him but he still kept constant and unshaken in his faith Not long before his burning he dreamed all the order of it as it afterward happened They had an intent to have sent him to Manchester to have been burnt there but their minds altering they order'd it to be done in Smithfield One afternoon as he was walking in his Chamber the Keepers wife came runing to him almost out of Breath amazed and crying O Mr. Bradford I come to bring you heavy news What is that said he That you must be burned your chain is now buying Mr. Bradford pulling off his Gap and lifting up his eyes towards heaven said I thank God for it I have looked for it a long time it is no unexpected thing the Lord make me worthy of it The rumor of Mr. Bradfords burning soon spread thorow the City and by 4 a clock in the morning people began to gather together in the streets As he was passing between Nowgate and Smithfield his Brother in Law came and took him by the hand to take his last leave of him for which Woodriff the dogged Sheriff struck him over the head
Paul answering in all respects that of the 1 Tim. 3. and that to Titus Chap. 1. A Bâ—shop must be faultless as becometh a Minister of God Nâ—r Stubborn nor â—â—gry no drunkard sighter nor given to filthy lucre but Charitable a lover of Goodness sober minded righteous temperate cleaving to the truth and able teach or instruct All this he was and that in an high degree He studied much riseing at 5 of the Clock in the Morning Continuing private till 9. from which time â—o Dâ—nner he spent in hearing suitors or minding the King Affairs I shall not goe about to give you the history of this good man's life which was exâ—mplaâ—â— not of â—ll the troubles and persecutions he inâ—â—â—ed from his Enemies the chief being Gardner the Bishop of â—enchesieâ— in this Kings days who alway stood by him and well perceived the Integrity of the Archbishop and the implacable hatred of his Enemies so that in his dayes he was preserved in the Kingâ— Favour and afterwards he was dear to 〈◊〉 Eâ—â—â—rd and one who assisted in the Reformantioâ— of Religion writing his Faith in 5 books concerning the Sacrament But assoon as Queen Mary câ—me to the Crown yoâ— mâ—y be sure she would â—emember what he hâ—d done as to â—eâ— Mothers divorce and was indeed his bitter Enemy tho he was very â—â—rdly brought to subscâ—ibe against her for the Lady Jaâ—â— We have â—lready told you how he was had from the Tower with Bishop Râ—â—ley and Lâ—â—mer to dispute at Oâ—ford and the issue thereupon that he wâ—s condemned and where be continuâ—d a prisonâ—r about 3 years they using all ways an mâ—nner of means to cause him to recant and sinâ—ing thâ—t force and threatning would not do they tryed flattery and fair means but he had resisted all things till aâ— lâ—st resolved they were he should be burnt upon which they degraded him and tho he told them they being but Bishops and â—e their superior they could not rightfully degrade â—im their Archbishop however saying as they were the Popes Delegates and Commissionated by the Queen they had power to do it and so they useâ— all their toâ—pish Ceremonies Bishop Bonner using him roughly and uâ—mâ—nnerly All this needed not said the Archbishop for I had flâ—ng off all this gear long agoe Then being stript to his Jacot they put on him a Beâ—dles old gown and a Townsmans Cap and so delivered â—â—m over to the sâ—cular power Yet for all this being extream desirous to have him recant they afresh set upon him trying all ways to allure him with promise of Life and hopes of Reward and so importunate they were night and day never ceasing to solicitâ— him that at last humanâ— frailty appeared and he was overcome and they got him to sign a Recantation against his Conscience The Queen received it very gladly but bearing Revenge and malice in her heart she nevertheless resolved he should dye and for that End dispatched away Dr. Cole to preach at St. Maries at Oxford and to declare his Recantation Cranmer was now Miserable being tormented in his Conscience for what he had done and too late began to perceive the Malice of his Enemies who thirsted for his Blood Subtilly and treacherously they dealt with him not giving him any notice of his death but still put him in hopes of his Life urging him publickly to make his Recantation in St. Marys for which end they had prepared a stage in the midst of the Church to which place they led him whilst Dr. Cole mounted the Pulpit to make his Oration The Lord Williams and several other Commissioners were there with a multitude of people thinking to hear the Recantation of the Archbishop But things could not be so closely carried tho they kept all people from the Archbishop that might inform him but he began to surmise they intended to put him to Death and at last plainly perceived it when they gave him mony to distribute to the poor as he passed thorow the streets to the Church It was a lamentable spectable to the people to behold the Metropolitan and Primate of England standing with his bald head and reverend gray beard in an old tattered gown on the stage exposed to the Contempt of all men which sight made many weep especially seeing the Tears running down his Cheeks and beard As he thus stood by a pillar he lifted up his eyes and hands toward heaven and prayed privatly to himself till Dr. Cole began his sermon the first part being passed over he turned his whole discourse upon the Archbishop exhorting him to take his Death pariently and to glorifie God with his Conversion from his heresie since it had pleased God to reclaim him saying that before in his prosperity he was not worthy of Life but now since he could not Live he seemed unworthy of Death But he promised that Masses and Dirges should be said in all the Churches in Oxford for the succor of his soul if he continued to dye a good Catholick Cranmer with extream grief of mind heard out his Sermon showing by his Countenance the agitation of his spirit and when he had done and that all men expected he should have read his recantation he pulled out of his Bosom a writing which he had prepared and began to read Good people I beseech you all to pray to God for me that he may forgive me my sins and especially one which I â—ominate to you by and by then Kneeling down â—e made a most excellent prayer which being not long I shall here recite O Father of Heaven O Son of God Redeemer of the World O holy Ghost three Persons and one God have mercy upon me most wretched Catif and miserable sinner I have offended both against Heaven and Earth more than my tongue can express Whither then may I go or whither shall I fly To Heaven I may be ashamed to lift up mine eyes and in Earth I find no place of refuge or Scucor To thee therefore O Lord do I run to thee do I humble my self saying O Lord my God my sins are great yet have mercy upon me for thy great mercy The great mystery that God became Man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not give thy Son O Heavenly Father unto death for small sins only but for all the greatest sins in the world so that the sinner return to thee with his whole heart as I do here at this present Wherefore have mercy on me O God whose property is always to have Mercy Have mercy upon me O Lord for thy great mercy I crave nothing for mine own merits bâ—t for thy names sake that it may be hallowed thereby and for thy dear Son Jesus Christ's sake And now therefore our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy name c. Then riseing up he desired he might exhort the people before his death that God might be glorified and they edified He then began an excellent Exhortation pressing them