I will not Urge me no more for do it I will never This I resolve and will herein persever Expose me to the ravenous Lyons paw Yet I 'le not make a rupture in the Law Rip up my Entrails do and when that 's done Fling fling m'into an hate-light Dungeon Pluck out these eyes with Pinsers let the flame Burn me to cinders I 'll be still the same Think not that I 'll recant because I 'm old And feeble no torments shall make me bold I am content to suffer for my God And patiently sustain his chastning rod The zeal I bear is not a zeal that founds It's happiness on such unstable grounds As once to move me or to make me totter No Tyrant were thy fury ten times hotter I 'le laugh death in the face when I lay down This life to take up an immortal Crown Blest I shall be although by thee accurst Tyrant I challenge thee do do thy worst With that the soldiers hale him to the place Of torment strip him whip him and do lace His back with stripes till bloody streams out-gush And in the face of the tormentor blush While he was under the afflicter's hand One stood and cry'd Obey the Kings command But patiently this worthy man endur'd A world of wounds too dang'rous to be cur'd And darting up his venerable eyes He knew for whom he was a sacrifice In whom he did believe then casts a look On his afflicted self and sees a brook A bubbling brook with uncontrouled tides Crimson their passage from his mangled sides And when his sufferance over-flow'd the banks Of torment he admir'd gave God the thanks They loathsome liquor in t ' his nostrils pouring Did then commit him to the flames devouring Yet when his nat'ral life began to fail And his approaching death would take no bail Having his wasting eyes on Heaven laid His dying breath breath'd forth these words said Thou O my God art he who bringest down To th' grave giv'st life and with that life a Crown Behold dear Lord I 'm swallow'd by deaths jaws For the strict keeping of thine own-made Laws Sweet Father hear me O be pleas'd to keep Thy bosome Nation suffer not thy Sheep To be devour'd by Wolves that are too bold To worry them or scare them from their fold O let my death conclude all miserie And grant in dying I may live to thee Now I am found in thee can I be lost He ceas'd and ceasing yeilded up the Ghost The Kings displeasure waxing now more strong Sent for sev'n Hebrew children who being young He thought them weak unable pains to bear He therefore either by entreats or fear Presum'd he should induce them to abjure Their Law and eat what by their Law 's impure The crafty Tyrant ambushing his guile Beholdeth them with a dissembling smile And thus reveal'd himself Admir'd young men I wish your good O do not madly then Shun my Behests prevent the torments due Unto the refractory not to you As for my part I desire nothing more Then to advance you and increase your store Contemn your superstitious vanities And come along our tracts if you be wise T is no such crime if you your Law fulfil not If you neglect ours as I hope you will not With ling'ring deaths I 'll study to torment you You may it may be then too late repent you Am I a King and shall contempt accrue To me a King from such low worms as you Racks Bring forth those Wheels Rods Cauldrons Hooks Grid-irons Cages here 's not all here lacks Let 's see the Engines to torment the hands Gauntlets Auls Bellowes Brass-pots Frying-pans Obey young men if I enforce a fact Not good 't is not your voluntary act You do not sin be prudent then I say Not actively but passively obey The zeal-inflam'd young men do vilify His threats intreats retorting this reply Speak Tyrant say say why art thou so bent To persecute us that are innocent We will observe for all afflictions rod What Moses taught us from the mouth of God Know we detest your sense-deluding shows Nor will we be seduc'd by words or blows No Tyrant no do thou the best you can To do thy worst we will fear God not man Our cause is God's and death is our desire Heaven is our portion yours eternal fire Th' enraged Tyrant after one another Lop'd off these hopeful sprouts the eldest brother Named Macchabons first was stretched out Upon a Rack and beaten round about His naked ribs with a Bulle-pizle till His wearyed tormentors had their fill Of long continued strokes and did desire Rather to leave then he did them require Nor was this all fresh tort'rers have extended Him on a wheel weights at his heels appended While yet his sinews and his entrails brake He call'd on God then to the Tyrant spake Blood-guilty wretch who labor'st to disthrone Gods Majesty it self know I am one Am for the cause of God a sufferer And no witch nor inhuman murtherer When the afflicter with compassion sway'd Bid him submit unto the King he said Accursed ministers of Tyranny Your wheels as yet are not so sharp that I Should thereby be enforced to abjure Heaven wherein is my foundation sure See tyrant see how resolute I am Winde off my flesh with pinsers do and cram Young Vultures with the bits before mine eyes Put put me to the worst of cruelties Rost if you please by a soft fire my flesh And if that will not serve invent a fresh Inflict inflict till there cannot be fonnd A place whereon t' inflict another wound So said thus rack'd into a fire he 's thrown And now his wasting bowels stared on The Tyrants face yet with an unmov'd brest He to his brethren thus himself exprest Beloved brethren learn by my example To scorn the worlds alluring baits and trample All torments under foot obey God rather Then this proud Tyrant God 's a gracious father And when him pleases with a smile or frown Can raise the humble strike the lofty down This torment 's not enough to end his pain For he is snatch'd out of the fire and flame Alive his tongue was plucked out and then His life he ended in a frying pan And now his soul enjoy'd what he desir'd His friends rejoyced and his foes admir'd Then was the second brother Aber call'd Who with the tort'ring Engines unappal'd Refus'd to eat chains did his hands restrain His skin the garment of his flesh was flain From head to knees the tort'rer did devest His intrails peeping from his unglaz'd brest Too grievous to behold and him at last Unto a famine-pined Leopard cast The beast though truculent did onely smell And went her way forgetting to be fell Nor was sh ' injurious to him in the least The Kings displeasure but the more increas'd And Aber grown more constant by his pain Thus thus his dying voice did loudly strain How sweet How pleasant is this death to me Yea
Candid simplicity 't is sad to tell The barb'rous outrage to the Saints befel Some rack'd from place to place some toss'd and turn'd Some driven into woods and caves some burn'd About this time the Boors in arms did the And rob'd the Abbeys and Monasteries They after they had entertained bin By Mr. Spencer strip'd him to the skin Who weeping said This violence will i'th'end Bring mischiefe on your heads you do pretend The Gospel but alas how quite contraire Unto the Gospel-rules your walkings are They jeer'd him for his pains at last he 's bound Both hands and feet and in the river drown'd His gaping wounds let out a Crimson flood Which on the surface of the water stood When Wolfgang Scuch was asked if his woe He would have be abridg'd heanswer'd No God which hath hitherto upheld my head Will not forsake me in my greatest need No no he will not 't is a happy flame Which lights to heaven thrice blessed be his name George Carpenter b'ing cast into the fire Fulfill'd his Christian bretherens desire In giving them a signe of his true faith Cry'd Jesus Jesus â—ill â—e lost his breath Our Leonard Keyser also at the stake Said I 'm thine save me Lord for thy Truths sake His willing spir't impatient of the flame Went up to heaven whence at first it came A cruel Bishop in Hungaria took A godly minister who could not brook Erroneous wayes and Hares Geese Hens he tide His naked body with on ev'ry side Being by set-on dogs and bloody hounds All rent and torn he died of his wounds But God is Just the Bishop that so acted His cruel part did forthwith fall distracted His hair by handfulls from his head did rend And raving made a miserable end SECT XXV The Persecution of the Church in the Low-Countries THere was in Holland a religious Dame Called Wendelmuta she for Christ's name Was sent to prison where she must be kept Till the next Sessions her kinde kindred wept And said thus Ah! why doft thou not conceal What thou believ'st but madly thus reveal Thy secret thoughts be more reserv'd thereby Thou 'lt life prolong To whom she did reply You know not what you say the heart alone Believes to righteousness confession Unto salvation with the tongue is made She burn'd her spirit did the heav'ns invade George Scherter a Divine passing along Tow'rd execution to the gazing throng Delivered these words That you may know I die-a Christian I a signe will show His head cut off he turned on his back And cross'd his arms and legs by which aspect Many believe the Gospel whom alive They bury drown or into exile drive In Colen Holland Suevia Lovain The godly well-disposed part was slain Some lost their heads in Flanders some were sent Into perpetual imprisonment Two hundred Saints in Artâ—ïs Brabant Were made away with not a few at Gaunt At Delden two young Virgins well-descended For their frequenting Sermons apprehended Examin'd and condemn'd must both partake Of Martyrdom and suffer at the stake But after death the bodies of them both Remained white the fire to hurt them loth At Antwerp one Christopher Fabri's brains Are beat cut with a hammer Sev'ral pains Afflict the innocent these bear great loads Those are companions to Frogs and Toads One Nicholas and Austine with their wives At Dormick apprehended lost their lives When Nicholas did hear a Captain swear He said Hath Christ done ought that thus you tear His name in pices rending life and limb Pray vent your malice upon me not him B'ing silenc'd at the stake Thwarting their will He cry'd O Charles wilt thou be hardned still With that a souldier gave him a great blow He thus Ah miserable people know God's word 's too good for you the Fryars cry'd A Devil a Devil with David he reply'd Depart ye workers of iniquity Depart depart my God hath heard the cry My weeping voice hath made his holy name Be prais'd so said he vanish'd in the flame At Dormick Bert'rand trod the Cake about For which distongu'd he yet on God call'd out A ball is thrust into the mouth of him He 's burnt and 's ashes in the river swim At Lile for three years space in woods and caves God's word was preached Satan and his slaves Took the advantage of the silent night So finde their meetings finding none they light On Robert Oquir's house his wife his sons And he rejoyce in tribulations Bound at the stake their spirits they commend To God and make a comfortable end The Persecution of the Duke de Alva in the Netherlands THe Gospel shining in the Netherlands Philip that wore the Spanish crown commands The Duke de Alva with a warlike train To slay Professors and with might and main Promote the Romish Doctrin to rebuke Nobles and Commons too the desep'rate Duke Scarce breath'd but on them violently pour'd Matrons he ravished and Maids deflour'd Before their husbands and their parents eyes Or put them unto worser cruelties He on a time at his own Table sate Boasted his diligence t'eradicate Heret'cal weeds for that besides the slain During the war in six years space a train Of more then eighteen thousand persons were By him deliv'red to the hangmans care Don Frederick his son kindely receiv'd By Zutphen Bourgers cruelly bereav'd The poor inhabitants of all their lives Hang'd drown'd brain'd very infants virgins wives Then marched he to Naerden and the town All the ind wellers kill'd he bart'red down At Harlem he three hundered Walloons Beheads five hundred Bourgers and Dragoons He hangs or drowns all th' English and the Scorts To lose their heads in gen'ral he alots The wounded and diseas'd are killed all Before the entrance to the Hospital John Herwin said unto the gazing throng As he to execution went along See what rewards the wicked world do give Christ his poor servants for whilst I did live A drunkard 's life and play'd at Cards and Dice A foe to Vertue and a friend to Vice O then I liv'd at ease and was a stranger To bonds and fetters nay was out of danger Of suffering for the Truth yonder they cry A Boon Companion goes who then but I No sooner did I seek my God but lo This fawning friend became a frowning foe Yet this doth not and so I hope shall never Discourage me one jot I must persever In what is good and follow Christ the faster The servant is not better then his master His soul refreshed then with Gileads Balm To sing he did begin the thirtieth Psalm With lift-up heart but an impatient Frier Thus interrupted him Avoid the fire Oh John and turn yet you have time and space Then disregarding Martyr turn'd his face Another way then some that were in sight Retorted this Turn thou thou hypocrite Herwin sung on until his Psalm was ended The Fryer then Good people ben't offended To hear the clamour of this Her'ticks song Her'tick thou Bala'mite thou hold
which were in Bethlem nurs'd Upon my blessing I saac record Proff'ring his neck unto his father's sword Then did the barbarous tormentor pull The hair the skin and all from the childs scull The mother cryes This pain will soon be gon Suffer my child my sweet-sac'd child anon Thou 'lt pass to him who will adorn thy head With an eternal crown a crown indeed Thus doth the mother chear the child the child Takes heart to grass and in his pains he smil'd The Tyrant seeing how the Child stood fast Himself subdu'd commands him to be cast Into a stinking Dungeon whilst that pain Unto Romanus was renew'd again Romanus is drag'd forth to have a fresh Supply of stripes on his bemangled flesh Discovering the bare bones a second smart Augmenteth each already-wounded part Nor was this yet enough cut prick'd and pounc'd He suddenly must be then was denounc'd A final sentence ' gainst him and the child Both must be burn'd their torments were too milde The tort'rers did too favourably deal Romanus boldly said I do appeal From this ungodly sentence of thine own To Christ his righteous Tribunal Throne Who is an upright Judge not that I fear Thy merc'less handling no I more can bear Then thou canst lay upon me but that I May shew thy judgments to be cruelty The childe 's demanded of his mother she Embracing it deliver'd it to be Bereav'd of life and when the fatal stroke Was given Farewel sweet child Farewel she spoke All praise O Lord with heart and word Vnto thy name we render The Saints that dye are in thine eye Most precious dear and tender The childs head 's off the mother tender-hearted Enwrap'd it in her lap and so departed Romanus then into the fire is flung A storm extinguish'd it and now his tongue Must take a farewel of his head his neck Becomes the subject of a halters check One Gordius having liv'd a certain time In deserts counted it at last a crime Not to endure he therefore when a game Was celebrated unto Mars forth came And up in a conspicuous place b'ing got He said I 'm found of those that sought me not Then apprehended he his faith confesses And in the midst of torment this expresses God 's my adjutor Ah! why should I than Fear in the least the Tyranny of man Nothing shall me dismay that can fall out Thou Lord art with me fencing me about With Bullwarks of thy love thy favour still Surrounds me Ah! how can I then fear ill These torments are but light which I endure Let heavier come Tormentors pray procure Substantialler then these these are too small Gibbits and racks as good have none at all VVhen foul means could not shake his faith in Christ He was by specious promises entic'd But Gordius said I do expect in heaven Greater preferments then on earth are given Now for this good man going to be burn'd How many tender-hearted persons mourn'd To whom he thus Let not your brimfill'd-eyes Weep showres for me but for God's enemies VVho make a fire for us But in conclusion Purchase a greater to their own confusion O weep for them or none good people curb Those gliding streams and do not thus disturb My calmed minde for truely I could bear A thousand deaths for Christ and never fear Some pity'd him while others standing by Perswade him to deny Christ verbally And to himself reserve his conscience My tongue said he will under no pretence Deny its donor unto righteousness Our hearts believe but 't is our tongues confess Unto salvation O let me excite You all to suffer for a cause so right Good folks fulfill a dying mans desire So said he ceas'd and leap'd into the fire One Menas an Egyptian born and bred Leaving his temporal subsistence led A solitary life in desert places Where he might wholly exercise his graces In fasting prayer meditation fit And dil ' gent reading of the sacred Writ At last return'd to Cot is when the croud Were at their pastimes he proclaim'd aloud Himself to be a Christian then surpriz'd His faith in God more boldly he agniz'd Torments ensu'd no torments could revoke His minde but thus he confidently spoke In my minde nothing comparable is To the enjoyment of eternal bliss Nay all the world if put into one scale Is lighter then one soul VVho can prevail To disunite us from the love of Christ Can tribulation anguish he 's the high'st To him will I look up he bids me fear not Those that can kill me bodily but are not Able to hurt the soul but fear him who Hath pow'r to slay the soul and body too And fling them into hell Having receiv'd The final sentence up to heaven he heav'd His eyes hands heart and said O Lord my maker Thanks be to thee in that I am partaker Of Christ his precious blood thou hast not let My foes devour me but hast beset My heav'n-fix'd soul with such true constancy That in the faith I liv'd for that I die The lift up axe upon his neck falls down And so he lost his head but found a Crown In Portugal a Noble Virgin nam'd Eulalia of twelve years old enflam'd With holy zeal most earnestly desir'd To suffer death and heartily requir'd The blest assistance of Gods willing arm And faith all her corruptions to charm Her godly Parents fearing she should come T'antimely death did keep her close at home But she not brooking long delay by night Stole out of doors by that time it was light She came into the City and appearing Before the Judge spake boldly in his hearing What no Shame in you will you still be bent To shoot your arrowes at the innocent Never have done because no power controuls To break their bodies and afflict their souls Are you desirous what I am to know I am a Christian and an open foe Unto your diabolick sacrifices As for your Idols them my soul despises I do aknowledge with my voice and hert Th'all-powerfull God Hangman in ev'ry part Come cut and mangle me dishead me burn me What ever thou canst do shall never turn me Alas alas my flesh is too too weak And may be conquer'd thou maist eas'ly break This brittle Casket but my inward minde A jewel is which thou shalt never finde Then thus the angry Judge Here Hangman take her Drag her out by the hair to torments make her Be sensible of what our Gods can do And we But yet before thou undergo A miserable end O sturdy girle I 'de fain have thee recant life is a pearl Too precious to lose call but to minde Thy Noble Birth and be not so unkinde To thine own self as to neglect thy fortune Methinks the glist'ring Bride-bed should importune Thee to preserve thy life bar not thine ears But be entreated by thy Parents tears Not to contemn th' Aurora of thy time The flower of thy youth is in its prime And wilt thou slight it now well if thou
found the Saxons had the Land possest And turn'd out all the Christian Divines So done they did in the usurp'd confines The Heptarchy erect These Kings did smother All peace fell out and warr'd with one another Till disempowr'd they could not well defend Themselves much less with enemies contend King Lncius was the first that did receive The Gospel and in Jesus Christ believe From which time as 't in Chronicles appears It staid in Britain full four hundred years One hundred fourty and three years Gods word Grew cold but Austins comming it restor'd Some English children being brought to Rome There to be sold Gregory chanc'd to come Into the market-place when his fix'd sight Saw in their lovely cheeks pure red and white Contend for Mastership he much admir'd At their so sweet complexions and enquir'd What country they were of then being told That they were English heathens to be sold For slaves here 's choice enough if any wat 's Said he 't is pity such inhabitants So fair and so Angelical should dwell As subjects to the story Prince of hell Inform'd their Province Deira was said he Could wish them Manu-miss'd De ira Dei And further being given to understand That one nam'd Alle rul'd the British land There there saith he ought Praises to be given And Allelujab's to the King of heaven He also had a great desire to go To England and there preach but Rome said no. Pelagius dy'd he in his room assign'd Romes Bishop calling his intent to minde Austin and forty more Divines he sent To undertake this work they land in Kent At Thanets fertile Isle King Ethelbert In Canterbury City they convert And did baptize by whose example many Dayly came in the King enforc'd not any But much respected and affected those Who willingly with Christ would make a close Austin sends Greg'ry word how God did bless And crown their labours with desir'd success The joyful Bishop sendeth more Divines Over for to effect those great designs Were now on foot a letter of advise He writes to Austin not to be too wise In his own eyes not be puft up at all By those great miracles which did befall The English Church For why for this intent God onely us'd him as an instrument Ascribe all Austin to God's pow'r Divine His be the glory and the praise not thine And when thy heart t'ebulluate begins O think upon thy God-offending sins And that will humble thee all Gods elect Have of themselves no power to effect A miracle like this and yet heav'ns book Contains their names O do not do not look So much on thine own works be this thy strife To have thy name writ in the book of life What ever miracle the Lord hath brought To pass by thee know this it was not wrought For thy sake no 't was wrought for the salvation Of the seduc'd misguided English nation If I might be so worthy to advise The Temples built for heath'nish sacrifice I would not have demolish'd but th' abuse Remov'd converted to another use God go along with you and lest you stumble Through pride and glory keep you alwayes humble c. He an Epistle also did direct Unto the King which was to this effect He first prais'd God then did the King commend Wishing he might prove constant to the end In his professed faith and to his power Convert his Subjects to a Saviour Who holds forth life to those that will receive It freely and in 's promises believe And lastly he intreats his gifts may finde Acceptance coming from a willing minde Miletus by his preaching did convert Th' east Angles and the then-King Sigebert Who with his Unckle Ethelbert did found St. Paul his Church and built it from the ground Austin a Synod gath'red in this nation Of Bishops to consult of Reformation But nothing's done therein King Ethelbert Having a mighty force went to evert The Chestrian City where the Monks of Bangor Assembling pray'd God to divert his anger From their friends heads and turn it on their foes To shield the English from approaching woes When the King saw them so intent in pray'r Demand he did what sort of men they were And being credibly inform'd they pray'd For those that were his enemies he said Although unarm'd they fight against us do And with their prayers persecute us too My hearts fall bluntly on them upon pain Of our displeasure let them all be slain Eleven hundred Monks had their blood spill'd Which God reveng'd the bloody Tyrant's kill'd In fight by Christian Edwin who obtain'd The crown and the Christ-builded faith maintain'd The Idols and the Altars he destroy'd Making all ancient ceremonies voyd He caused brazen dishes to be tide By ev'ry fountain in the High-wayes side That so each passenger without controul Might be refreshed with a liberal boul He alwayes carried himself propitious Unto the good but rig'rous to the vitious So that a woman charg'd with gold might pass From Sea to Sea unquestion'd who she was At last by Penda and Cadwalla's might Subdu'd Josiah like he dy'd in fight His Christian Subjects felt the worst of woes Nay eruelst deaths by those insulting foes The Queen her daughter and Paulinus went To save their lives by water into Kent Oswald was crowned next whose pray'rs did gain A glorious Victory Cadwalla slain His love to piety his fervent zeal To spread the Gospel in his common-weal Was known to all From Scotland he procur'd Aidanus Bishop and the King inur'd To Scoth himself interpreted the words Aidanus preach'd unto his noble Lords And Subjects in their mother tongue more known To them then the exotique Scotish tone He to the poor was so compassionate That when on Easter-day at meat they sate And serv'd in silver he was told the poor Stood flocking thick and threefold at the door He caused them for to be serv'd in state With his own food taking a silver place And straight-way breaking it in pieces small Distribute it he did amongst them all Aidanus seeing this admir'd and got Him by the hand O may this never rot That to the poor so beneficial was Said he as Authors say it came to pass This Oswald also was a means to bring Kinigilsus of the West-Saxons King And Quicelinus King of Dorsetshire With many of their Subjects to the clear Knowledge of Christ under the Minist'ry Of Berinus famous for piety Thus Oswald having reigned nine years space Mercian Penda did his life uncase Oswic succeeded him Oswic as glorious A Prince as pious and no less Victorious He rais'd an army fought and overthrew A greater force and impious Penda slew And now the Bishops and the Ministers Sequester'd from the World and its affairs Preach'd freely to the people until they About the celebrating Easter-day Which bone amongst them Satan cast contended A Synod's call'd nor was the diff'rence ended Wolferus now a license having gain'd Converted the south-Saxons then there
blind That they may please thee give them grace to minde The things that do belong unto their peace In this their day left when they would they cease Let not the fancies vain of sinful men Destain thy truth Amen O Lord Amen She brought to Smithfield in a chair was bound To th'stake and with the flames besieged round So slep'd she in the Lord and in Gods eyes Became an acceptable sacrifice At that time Nicholas Belerrian A Shropshire Min'ster and a Gentleman John Lacels servant to the King with one John Adams Tailour burning undergon The same year Bishop Gardiner did bring Malicious accusations to the King Against Queen Kathrin Parre supposing all The boughs would wither if the stock did fall In that she gave her minde which was unfit To read and meditate on Sacred Writ And Chaplains kept seditions to rear None b'ing deny'd the priviledge to hear As also that her heart was fully bent To spurn against the present government Her life was dangerous nor could he rest That nourish'd such a Viper in his brest The Kings love turn'd to hate and now the Queen Must die the death but Prov'dence stept between The plot 's found out she wisely did behave her The King receiv'd her to his wonted favour Now also Sir George Blake condemned was For casting out some words against the Mass A pardon 's granted him after which thing He being in the presence of the King The King said to him Ah my Pig for so He us'd to call him yea said he I know Had not your Majesty been more enclin'd To save my life such was your Royal minde Then were your Bishops to reak out their teen Your Pig I 'm sure e're this had rosted been Streight after Winchester and his complices Sworn foes to Vertues and fast friends to Vices Set forth in the Kings name a Proclamation That all the English Bibles in the Nation And other Books which yielded any light Unto the truth should be abolish'd quite This done said they So now the Gospels lain So low that it shall never rise again And for the greater terrour strict inquest They made for those that verity profest Of many pricked down the names of whom They some expelled and imprison'd some So that these varlots did in no wise doubt The bringing of their wicked ends about But God who careth for his truth and those That countenanc'd the same dispers'd their foes A midst their vain projects the King was dead And with him all their hopes were buried SECT VI. The Persecution of the Duke of Somerset in the Reign of King Edward the sixth NOW when King Henery the eighth was dead His son Prince Edward reigned in his stead During whose happy reign Religion flourish'd Pop'ry decar'd the Church of God was nourish'd With the full breasts of Peace the Gospel spred And superstition was abolished Onely the Godly Duke of Somerset With Persecutions and great troubles met Some of the Nobles lab'ring most of all To raise themselves upon his suddain fall Edward and Thomas Seymer were ally'd Unto King Edward by his mothers side Edward the eldest fit to guide the Helm Was made Protector of the King and Realm Thomas the second of this British Isle Was chosen Lord high Admiral the while These brethren joyned in fraternal love Nothing fell out amiss but when they strove Spur'd on by make-bates unto one another They prov'd destructive and the younger brother Attainted was condemn'd and lost his head On Tower-hill hence insurrections bred The Lords at London privily conjur'd Against the Lord Protector and immur'd Him once nay twice yea thrice in a short season Then charged him with Felony and Treason He 's to the Tow'r hill brought where he commended His soul to God his prayers being ended He rose from off his knees and like a man Couragiously bold he thus began Dearly beloved friends Lo I am here To suffer death though God knows I am clear From thinking speaking or from acting ought Against the King in word in deed or thought But alwayes to this Realm have born a brest As faithful and as loyal as the best Yet in obedience to the Laws command I here as a condemned person stand And praise my God for his abundant grace In giving unto me both time and space Who might have justly took away my breath Had he so pleased by a sudden death Now as for the Religion which I During the time of my Authority Maintain'd to my power nor do I now Repent of what I did but both to you And me agnize it as a favour great And do you all most heartily entreat To joyfully receiv't and set it forth In your lives as a thing of unknown worth Which studiously to do if you neglect Great misery I fear you may expect These words no sooner out a sudden sound As terrible as thunder did confound The people so that some fell down through fear Some this some that way run but none knew where Anthony Brown Knight came that he did bring The crowd suppos'd a pardon from the King With that a shout arose but the good Duke Did gravely with his beck'ning hand rebuke The clam'rous throng And silence being gain'd He said Dear friends Pardon is not obtain'd As you conceive God otherwise is bent His will be done and we must be content Let 's joyn in prayer that safety may pursue The King t' whom loyal I have bin 'T is true The people cryed out O heaven bless His Highness with all health and happiness I wish his Counc'llours grace to rule and then You all obedient hearts all said Amen I ask forgiveness if I wronged any O Lord remit my sins for they are many As for my foes I freely them forgive For Christ I die in whom I hope to live c. Farewel farewel he lay him down and spoke Christ save me thrice the hangman gave the stroke SECT VII The Persecution of the English Church under the Reign of Queen Mary EDWARD the sixth Englands Josiah dead Lady Jane Grey was crowned in his stead The Lady Mary having heard the news Sent to the Lordly Councel for to chuse Her to be Queen and if they did withstand The execution of her just command By force of arms she threatned to regain Her wronged right and her defrauded reign The Lords return'd this answer There was none Had such just right and title to the Crown As Lady Jane the ancient Laws allow It hers and place it on her Princely brow 'T was hers by Letters patent from the King And made Authentick with his Royal Ring Before his death and since she was invested As an apparent heiress all protested Adherence to her and no Queen beside The Lady Mary to rest satisfiy'd Request they did entreating her to cease By new pretences to molest the peace The quiet Realm enjoy'd promising her They would be nothing wanting to prefer Her next the Queen if possibly they could Serve her in
cause Saving that every morn by break of day They to a God call'd Christ did sing and pray In other things they were to be commended Trajan returns this answer he intended To search them out no more but if they were Brought and convicted them he would not spare Sentence confus'd he them as harmless tenders And yet would have them punish'd as offenders The rage was by this act a little curb'd Yet ill-disposed men the Peace disturb'd Especially if new commotions flam'd Amongst them then the Christians must be blam'd Trajan commands the lineage of David Which could be found should by no means be saved He Phocas Pontus Bishop cast in 's wrath First int'a lime-kiln next a sealding bath Ignatius and many thousands more Exposed to the wild beasts to devour Nor did in Adrian's reign this fury slake Ten thousand sufferd for the Lord Christ's sake In Ararath thousands were crucifi'd Crowned with thorns and thrust into the side VVith needle-pointed darts in imitation Of Christ our blessed Lord and Saviours passion Faustiu us Zenon and Eustachius Dy'd for the truth VVhen Calocerius Saw how the Saints did bear afflictions rod He cry'd out Truly great 's the Christians God For which he apprehended did become Partaker likewise of their Martyrdom Symphorissa a fair and vertuous dame Hang'd up by th' hair was scourged for Christs name And then made fast unto a pondrous stone Into the bosom of a river thrown Seven sons she had all stak'd rack'd and at last Thrust thorough were into a deep pit cast Adrian b'ing come to Athens sacrific'd After the Greekish manner authoriz'd Any that would to persecute abuse VVhoever in contempt should it refuse Quadratus an Athenian Bishop hence Did out of zeal i' th' Christians defence Write learned Tractares Serenus did do The like and famous Aristides too Declaring that'twas neither right nor reason In harmless persons and no other fault Should bring their lives in danger at th' assault Of th'hair-brain'd rabble th' Emperour hereat Grew milde and pity'd their afflicted state After him Antonius Pius swaid And he this persecuting storm allaid Gods word 's fulfill'd the wicked's rod shall not Alwayes remain upon the righteous lot SECT VIII The fourth Primitive Persecution which began Anno Christi 162. NOw Antoninus Verus Pius son Who dead rais'd the third persecution Germanious Pionius Metrodore Polycarp Carpus and a number more In Asia burn'd Felicit as at Rome With her seven children suffered Martyrdome Scourg'd was her eldest Son and after prest To death with leaden weights attain'd true rest The two next had their brains knockt out with mauls The 4th thrown headlong down a prec'pice sprawls With his broke neck The three that do remain Must lose their heads In fine the Mother 's slain Concordus suffered who in disgrace Did spirt out spittle in the Idols face In France the Christians under went all wrongs As Scourgings stonings and the spatt'ring tongues Of railing Rabshakeh's at home abroad Their backs must tolerate afflictions load Yet well they knew that griefs were transitory If but compared to eternal glory Sanchis the Bishop of Vienna stood Unmov'd under such pains as flesh and blood Could not endure to bear no torments could Prevail to make him to let go his hold When he was ask'd where he was born and bred He I 'm a Christian onely answered And when another did demand his name Urging it much his answer was the same A third enquir'd whether he were a man Or bond or free I am a Christian He still reply'd no torments could divorce His constant lips from using that discourse When there were plates of candent Brass apply'd I'his tendrest parts O how did he abide That scorching heat nor was he seen to shrink As did his body while his tort'rers think With new supplies to force his recantation He quite contrary to their expectation VVas so restor'd that what he did endure These latter times did prove his Sov'raign cure At last plac'd in a red-hot iron chair His spir'e with others vanish'd into Air. Thus were the holy Saints from morn to night A spectacle unto the people's sight Biblides in the midst of pains spake thus Ah! how should we as you report of us VVe Christians think you of our babes make food VVhen we not taint our lips with bestial blood Attalus frying thus Your selves do eat Mans flesh and as for us we loath such meat B'ing asked what he call'd their God by name He answer'd Man 's and his was not the same Then let your God if that a God he be So powerfull said they come set you free Pont'cus a youth of fourteen years of age Perpass'd the utmost of the fo-mens rage VVilde beasts are put to Blandina but they More merciful then men would go their way VVhipped she is then broyl'd and thrown on ground For Buls to tear from every gaping wound Blood gushes forth and runneth out afresh From th'uâ—stopp'd chinks of her bemangled flesh She felt no paine by reason she was fill'd VVith spir'tual joy she at the last was kill'd The bodies of the Saints were made a mock A scorn a by-word and a laughing-stock I' th' open streets till thrice two Suns were down Then burn'd their ashes in the river thrown Th' Apostatized Christians which came Unto their tryals did confess their shame By down-cast looks and sorrow-boding faces The Gentiles pulveriz'd them with disgraces As persons too degenerous addicted To vice deserving what should be inflicted But they which constant to the last remain'd VVent with a cheerful brow and entertain'd An obvious death and as it were combin'd Their glorious rayes and like to Phoebus shin'd So have I seen a fair and comly Bride Richly attir'd with what a decent pride She quits her conclave or interior room Who drawing neer about her neck doth fall And seals his favours on her lips withall Faith as an ornament the soul endows Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church the Spouse Prepares to meet him and direct her paces They he may hug her with entwin'd embraces They meet Christ his following Spouse do clamber Up by steep staires heaven is the Bridal Chamber Where with Unknown delights they are possest Of sweet reposes and eternal rest Marcus Aurelius and Antonius go To war against the Quades the Vandals too Their Army by innum'rous foes beset Were so put to 't the souldiers could not get The least of water their thirst to allay VVith that a Christian Legion fell to pray VVithdrawing from the rest the heav'n disburst Abundant show'rs the Romans quench'd their thirst Against their enemies such lightnings flash'd As made them fly discomfited and dash'd The Emp'rour pleas'd hereat commands that none Kill Christians more whose God such things had done And his which was not long in force decree Burn'd the accusers set th' accused free SECT IX The fifth Primitive Persecution which began Anno Christi 205. WHen Peace-maintaining Pertinax was dead Servere
his body ever after found Yea God throughout the Roman Empire spred A ten-years plague t' avenge the blood was shed Brotherly love the Christians shew'd t' each other By visiting relieving one another But the Idolaters fled from neglected Cast out not succour'd those that were infected Shift onely for themselves go where they will This spreading punisment pursu'd them still Gallus succeeding Decius being dead This persecution continued The weight of his displeasure fell most heavy Upon the shoulders of the Tribe of Levi. He banish'd Cyprian and more Divines Condemned others to the Metal-Mines T'whom Cyprian wrote letters cons'latory Shewing affliction is the Saints true glory Deep wounds and scars are to a Christian brest As Ornaments to bring them in request With God himself to multiply their fame And not as markes of stigmatized shame And though the naked Mines afford no beds Can they want ease that lay in Christ their heads What if their aking bones lie o' th' cold floor Is 't pain to lie with Christ say they are poor Yet are they rich in faith suppose their hands Be manacled put ease coacted bands Hold their worn seet Can he be said to be Fetter'd with chains whom the Lord Christ doth free He lies ty'd in the stocks thereby whose feet To run a heav'nly race become more fleet Nor can a Christian be bound so fast But his life's crown adds wings unto his hast They have no clothes cold weather to resist Can he be naked who hath put on Christ Do they want bread Christ is the bread of life That commeth down from heaven in him is rise Man by the word which doth from God proceed Is said to live and not alone by bread What matter is 't though you deformed seem You shall be honour'd and of great esteem Your God will turn your miserable dayes To peace your mournings into songs of praise You sail through troublous Seas to be possest Of heaven the haven of eternal rest And do not grieve because you are forbid To serve the Lord as formerly you did In your Parochial places God's enclin'd T' accept th' endeavours of a willing minde The dayly sacrifices you impart God loves a broken and a contrite heart His soul takes pleasure in he doth regard His servants tears and will at last reward Fidelious brests which do confess his name Promis'd he hath and will perform the same SECT XII The eighth Primitive Persecution which began Anno Christi 259. VAlerian next adds fuel to the fire And blows the flames of persecution higher By an Egyptian Sorcerer beguil'd He now is cruel who before was milde The Christians are banished his Court Where lately he allow'd them to resort Nor was this all young men maids husbands wives All sorts and ranks must lose dear hearts their lives Three hundred souls then by the President Of Carthage were into a lime-kiln sent Three Virgins first had Vinegar and gall Forc'd down their throats then scourg'd then rack'd and all Besmeared were with lime then broil'd then cast To wild beasts and beheaded at the last When Cyprian long had born afflictions yoke His neck submitted to the fatal stroke Sixtus a Bishop of the City Rome And his six Deacons suffer'd Martyrdome Laurence the seventh as along he went With Sixtus going to his punishment Complain'd he might not seeing he had rather Suffer then live die with his Rev'rend father Sixtus reply'd before three dayes were out He should come after go and give about I' th' interim thy treasures to the poor Th' observing Judge supposing he had store Of wealth crock'd up commanded him to bring All that he had For to effect which thing Laurence crav'd three dayes respit in which stock Of time he gath'red a poor Christian flock Into a ring the fourth day doth afford New light and he must now make good his word Being enforc'd by a severer charge Couragious Laurence doth his arms enlarge Over the needy throng and said These be The precious Jewels of the Church see see Here treasure is indeed here Christ doth dwell But Oh! what tongue sufficiently can tell The raving fury which the Tyrant acted How he did stamp did stare like one distracted His eyes did sparkle his gnash'd teeth struck fire And 's mouth all in a foam thus wreak'd his ire Kindle the fire Faggots on Faggots fling What doth the villain thus delude the King Away away with him whip beat him sore Jesteth the Traitor with the Emperour Pinch him with red-hot tongs let candent plates Engird the Raskals loyns heat heat the grates And when y'have bound the Rebell hand and foot On with him rost him broil him look you do 't On pain of our displeasure toss him turn him I charge you do not leave him till you burn him And that to cindars too each man fulfill His office quick and execute my will Revenge findes nimble hands the tort'ters lay Him on a soft Down-bed I will not say A fi'ry iron one God made it so That it afforded Lanrence ease not woe Valerians heart burns Laurence flesh doth roft 'T is doubtful whether was tormented most Then Laurence thus Tyrant this side 's enough turn up the rest Or rost or raw try which thou likest best SECT XIII The ninth Primitive Persecution which began Anno Christi 278. CLaudius and after him Quintilian reign Both which but one and thrice three years did Maintain'd the Churches Peace while they endur'd The Saints were happy and their lives secur'd Aurelian nat'rally severe and cruel Succeeds his rage fomented by the fuel Of mis-informing sinister suggestions Prov'd Tyrannous his Nephew's life he questions And questioning abrepts then he begun To stir up the ninth persecution But thus it happ'ned while he went about To seal the Edict that was issuing out There did a Thunder-bolt so neer him fall That he was kill'd 't was the consent of all The Emp'rour strake with such astonishment Gave over his Tyrannical intent He after six years reign was murthered And the Church forty four years flourished Under a various Emp'rour O what peace Doth crown the Christians brows what large increase Of honour doth betide them they resort Unto the Court who lately were a sport T'insulting foes and they that were a prey Are prais'd and priz'd who now more great then they While thus the Christians bath'd themselves in quiet Their natures drew them to excessive riot T'indulge to idleness to scold and brawl For very trifles or nothing at all With railing words bespatt'ring one another Moving sedition against each other Bishops with Bishops and the vulgar train Do with the vulgar altricate for gain Thus thus their sins encreased ev'ry day Till Gods wrath came where sin chalk'd out the way And now the Christians enemies abound Laying their Churches level with the ground Burn sacred Writs I'th'open market-places Pursue their Priests and load them with disgraces Slanders and contumelious opprobries Abhor'd their Doctrine and their words despise SECT XIV
The tenth Primitive Persecution which began Anno Christi 308. TVVo Tyrants Dioclesian in the VVest And Maximinian in the East distress'd The Saints of God the foe-men overcome They instituted solemn games at Rome As glad memorials of their b'ing victorious Nay Dioclesian was so vain-glorious He needs would be a god and be ador'd By ev'ry bended-knee as supream Lord Nor did he stick to say that he was brother Unto the Sun and Moon as was no other His shoes adorn'd with gold and Precious stones The people kneeling on their marrow-bones He bid to kiss his seet O height of pride He persecution rais'd at Easter tide Places of Divine worship he or'eturn'd And in contempt the Sacred Scripture burn'd Some Elders of the Church were torn in sunder The rest variety of deaths went under Sylvanus Bishop with him thirty nine Ended their sorrowes in a Mettle-Mine The Tyrian Christians none this fury spares VVere cast to Lyons Leopards and Bears Kept hungry for that purpose male-content The beasts not touched them their claws were bent At other preyes they vehemently rage ' Gainst those which brought the Christians on the stage And seiz'd on them who though they thought they stood Out of harms way became the wild beasts food And afterwards these holy Martyrs slain VVere soon committed to the foaming main The Syrian Pastors lay in prison chain'd Zenobius a Physician Brick-bats brain'd Yea good Serena Dioclesians wife Was for religions sake depriv'd of life The Martyrs blood ran like a flowing tide Such an innumerable number dy'd Upon a Christmas-day Maximinus fir'd A Church whereto the Christians retir'd To celebrate that joyful day wherein Jesus was born to save them from their sin He also did a Phrygian City burn And all th' inhabitants which would not turn Forty young Gentlemen of good repute Confess'd their faith and boldly did refute False wayes their names up to the Marshal gave Who seeing them so gallantly behave Themselves admit'd and stood in a quandary What course to take his anxious thoughts did vary Resolved he try'd what fair words would do Proff'ring them money and preferment too They answer'd thus We nothing do desire But Christ alone the wheel the cross the fire Are easie pains His eyes the Marshal casts Upon a pond expos'd to northern blasts Bids them be stripp'd unto their naked skin 'T was winter weather yet they must go in There stay all night We put not off our cloaths Say they but our old man which God so loaths The pond receiv'd them and the nipping frost Stiffened their members breath not fully lost When day appear'd unto the wakened world They were took out and burn'd their ashes hurl'd Into the gliding streams In France in Colen Italy and Spain Were many millions of Christians slain As witnessed unto the truth in Trevers The brookes of blood discolour'd ample Rivers This persecution run along and came Into our Britain where the Christians flame Besides the kindes of deaths the torments were So great that they unutterable are As whippings scourgings rackings hackings manglings Hangings bangings prickings kickings stranglings Smoakings choakings rostings scorchings spoylings Cuttings guttings flayings fryings broylings Some manded to the mines others were quarter'd In brief there were seventeen thousand Martyr'd In one months space yet still the Christians joy'd And still encreas'd the more they were destroy d. Galerius invading Antiech Romanus runs and tells the Christian flock That wolves which would devour them up were neer But therewithal exhorts them not to fear The greatest perils but that young and old Would be couragious resolute and bold To hazard life and limb for to maintain God's cause and theirs With that an armed train Pour'd in upon them but the Christian throng Arm'd with the staffe of faith were too too strong For them to grapple with then speedy word Was sent their Captain that no power of sword Could e're prevail it was in vain to strive Against the stream Romanus yet alive The ireful Captain in a sume commands Romanus be deliver'd to his hands Romanus comes thus did the Captain say And art thou then the Author of this fray Art thou the cause why thus so many fall By Iove I swear that answer for them all Thou shalt and that e're thee and I do part I 'll make thee undergo the self-same smart Thou do'st encourage others to abide Galerius ceas'd Romanus thus reply'd Tyrant I hug and willingly embrace Thy sentence know I count it no disgrace To be for my dear breth'ren sacrific'd By worst of torments that can be devis'd Galerius raging at this answer stout Commands his men to truss him and draw out His bowels Th' executioners defer Such horrid deeds and say Not so good Sir He is of noble Parents and his breath May not be stop'd by an ignoble death Scourge him then soundly let your yerking lashes Weighty with leaden knobs cut wounds and gashes To whom Romanus used this expression Not my descent but Christian-like profession Nobilitateth me be not therefore More favourable but inflict the more Your Idol worship I detest despise And all your superstitious fooleries With that his sides his naked sides were lanc'd This bones yet still this blessed Saint advanc'd The living God and Christ whom he hath sent Then were his teeth struck out for this intent He might not speak so audibly his face Was buffeted his cheeks were slic'd nor was This all nails tear his eyelids from his chin They pluck'd his beard and with his beard the skin Yet this meek Martyr said I give to thee O Captain thanks for opening wide to me So many mouths whereby to shew the power Of God and Jesus Christ my Saviour Look Tyrant look upon my various wound So many mouths have I Gods praise to sound The Captain wond'ring at his constancy Ceased to exercise more cruelty Yet menaced to burn him and did say Thy cru'fi'd Christ is but of yesterday The Gentiles gods of longer standing are Romanus takes occasion to declare Th' eternity of Christ of seven year old Give me a childe said he what he 'll unfold Listen unto From out the gazing throng A pretty boy is pick'd Romanus tongue Bespeaks him thus My Lamb ought we not rather To worship Christ and in this Christ one Father Then a plurality of Deities Speak 't is a good boy speak the Child replies There needs must be but one God we conceive That there are more we children can't believe Th' amazed Captain said Young villain where And of whom learn'dst thou this my mother dear He answer'd taught it me this from her breast I suck'd in with my milk that I must rest My faith in Christ alone and in no other In comes rejoycingly the sent-for mother The child 's hors'd up and scourg'd the standers by With wat'ry eyes behold this cruelty While the glad mother a tear-less Spectator Chides her sweet babe for asking for cold water After that cup she chargeth him to thirst The babes drank of
Pope Al'xander the third his wrath did smoke When they shook off his Antichristian yoke He them condemn'd as Het'ticks yet they spred And many potent Towns inhabited Nay many Lords and Earls did with them side Against the Pope and constantly deny'd The Romish faith and resolutely spake Their willingness to suffer for Christs sake Beziers was stormed by the Pilgrim train And in it sixty thousand persons slain The Legat saies Souldiers kill old and young For why God knoweth those to him belong The Catholicks besieg'd and batter'd down On the inhab'tants heads Carcasson Town When Baron Castle was surpriz'd th' enclos'd Of th' Albigenses were disey'd disnos'd Then sent to Cab'ret with an one-ey'd guide Yet still like gold that 's in a furnace tri'd The Saints appear'd their sparkling zeal like fire Blown by afflictions bellows blaz'd the higher Now Luther rose the Antichristian terror And those that were seduc'd reduc'd from error SECT XXI The Persecution of the Church of God in Bohemia which began Anno Christi 894. BOrivojus Duke of Bohemia Entring the confines of Moravia By a strange providence was Christianiz'd And with him thirty Pal'tines were baptiz'd At his return he raised from the ground Churches and Schools and all the Country round Flock'd thither many of the Noble race As well as Commons did the Truth embrace Malicious Satan env'ing the progress The Gospel made gainst those that it profess Rais'd persecution up Borivojus Is sent into exile Sanguineous Drahomira ' the Christian temples locks Forbidding Ministers to tend their flocks And in the silent night three hundred lives Pay'd tribute to the bloody cut-throats knives But Gods just Judgement Drahomira follow'd The opening earth her and her Cart up swallow'd The Popish party having got the day Did all the obvious Bohemians slay At Cuttenburge four Thousand souls were thrown Into the Metal-Mines O hearts of stone The Priests cry out Blow out good people blow These sparks before into a flame they grow Water is us'd the more they did endeavour To drown the Saints they flamed more then ever Many are scourg'd some sent into exile Two German Merchants brought unto the pile Exceedingly encourag'd one another One sayes Since Christ hath suffered dear brother For wretched us let 's do the same likewise For him and such a high-bred savour prize That we are counted worthy so to die For his sweet sake the other did reply The joy that in my Marriage-day I found Was small to this O this doth more abound Both cry'd aloud the Faggots set on fire Blest Christ thou in thy torments didst desire Thine en'mies peace the like we also crave Forgive the King let not the Clergy have Thy scalding vengeance O forbear to plague The poor misled inhabitants of Prague O be thou pleas'd to let them Scot-free go For Ah! poor souls they know not what they do Their hands are full of blood they pray'd and wept And wept and pray'd till in the Lord they slept On Noble-men intolerable Fines Were laid two hundred eminent Divines Are exil'd some are burned others brain'd Some shot to death with blood the earth 's destain'd The Martyrs one by one that were in hold Are called forth who resolutely bold Hast to their sufferings with as great content As if they had unto a banquet went When one was called for he thus exprest Himself in taking leave of all the rest Farewel dear friends Farewel the Lord support Your spirits that you may maintain the fort Against the common foe and make you stout And resolute to keep all batt'ry out That what you lately with your mouths profest You may by your so glorious death attest Behold I lead the way that I may see My Saviours glory you will follow me To the fruition of my fathers sight O how my soul is ravish'd with delight This very hour all sorrow bids adieu To my glad heart O now my joyes renew Transcendent joyes heaven and eternity Is mine is mine Then did the rest reply God go along with you O heaven we pray Assist thy servant in his thorn-pav'd way O may the willing Angells come to meet Thy obvious body and direct thy feet Into thine and our Fathers Mansion Go go dear brother go and we anon Shall follow after and be all receiv'd To bliss through Christ in whom we have believ'd Farewel farewel let equal joyes betide To us that follow and to you our guide First the Lord Schlick a man as wise as grave Condemned to be quarter'd did behave Himself most gallantly and said My doom Me pleaseth well what care I for a Tombe A Sepulchre is but an easie loss Fear death not I welcom my crown my cross Let let these limbs be scatter'd here and there I have Gods favour and I do not fear The worst that foes can do see how the Sun Displaies his shining beams Jesuites be gon And build not Castles in the empty air For I dare die for Christ I that I dare Be pleas'd blest Jesus thorough deaths dark night To Manu-duct me to eternal light Eternal light O what a happy sound That word reports my soul at a rebound Catch heaven catch heaven no sooner had he spoke But he submitted to the fatal stroke His right hand and his head lop'd off his shoulders Are hung on high to terrify beholders The Lord Wenceslaus seventy years old B'ing next was asked why he was so bold In Fred'ricks cause he said My conscience run Along with me and what is done is done My God lo here I am dispose of me Thine aged servant as best pleaseth thee O send that grim-look'd messenger that staies For none to end these miserable dayes May I not see the ruines that do wait Upon our sinking our declining State Behold this Book my Paradise was never So cordial as now Judges persever In sucking Christian blood but know Gods ire Shall smoak you for 't Up starts a cowled Fryer And said Your Judgement errs With this reply He answer'd him I on the truth rely And not on bare opinion Christ's the Way The Truth the Life in him I cannot stray Then stroaking his prolixed beard he said My gray hairs honour serves you having pray'd And giv'n his soul to Christ his Saviour His cut-off head was fixed on the Tower Lord Harant next was call'd who bravely said I 've travell'd far and many journeys made Through barb'rous countries and escaped dangers By sea and land yet was my life by strangers Surrepted not b'ing safe returned home My friends and Country-men my foes become For whom I and my Grandsires have let fall And wasted our estates our lives and all Forgive them father I O Lord have grounded My faith in thee let me not be confounded Then on the Scaffold thus O Lord I give My spir't into thine hands in hope to live By Christ his death according to thy word And so he yielded to the murth'rous sword Sir Caspar Kaplitz eighty six years old Said to the Minister
any other thing they would Provided that she did her self so carry As fits a duteous Subject Lady Mary Having receiv'd this answer heavy hearted From out the City's circuit streight departed Hereat the Councel did set out a band Of armed souldiers under the command Of the Northumbrian Duke Mary withdrew her Self into Suffolk many flocking to her And while she in Fermingham Castle staid All Suffolk freely proff'red her their aid And best assistance to procure her Reign With this Provisoe that she would maintain Religion established of late By her good brother and not broach debate Amongst her Subjects nor foment the seed Of war to this she easily agreed And did to God so solemnly protest That no man could suspect her in the least Now with this power of those Godly men She vanquished her foes yet after when The self-same party spplication made Unto her Grace to do as she had said She answer'd Forasmuch as you that are But members arrogantly seek to bear Rule o're your head I fear me to your cost You 'l once know what it was to rule the rost By sad experience you shall find one day That Subjects may not rule but must obey Then in the Pill'ry famous Mr. Dobbe Exposed was to many a bitter bobbe Some others for presenting that request Were laid up fast to terrifie the rest The Marches of the Duke not over-long The Lady by his ling'ring grew more strong So that the London Councel having heard How much the Commons for her aid appear'd And that some of the Nobles too did lean That way they presently proclaim'd her Queen The Gen'ral by his souldiers forsook At Cambridge left almost alone was took And brought to London-Tower in a short season On Tower-hill he lost his head for treason After his condemnation he was Promis'd his life if he would go to Mass Which he assented to his words regrest The truth he had so formerly profess'd He to the Cath'lick cause the people led To th'papists great joy yet did he lose his head Queen Mary thus possessed of the crown Began the pure Religion to disown As soon appear'd by her displacing all The godly Bishops Ridly Coverdale Poinet Hooper and Scory Gardiner Set free was made Bishop of Winchester Also Lord Chancellour of England Bonner Too undeservedly attain'd the honour Of being London's Bishop To the Fleet Was Mr. Hooper manded O unmeet To see the Queen good Doct or Ridly went But on a lame Jade to the Tow'r was sent A Parliament was call'd a Proclamation Forthwith the Queen set forth throughout the nation Wherein she shew'd She could by no means brook To smother that Religion which she took In with her Infant-milk and to her power Meant to observe until her latest hour Wishing that all her Subjects which would sleep Secure in their whole skin the same might keep She also did declare whereas there were Evil-disposed persons who did dare To preach God's word misled by their own brain She therefore did by strict command ordain Such should not henceforth preach as held unfit Read or interpret any Sacred Writ Or other points Religion concern'd Or Print Books by the which it might be learn'd Without a special licence from the Queen On pain of stirring up her Highness spleen Requiring all her Officers to see Her will and pleasure executed be If herein any wilfully offend She authoriz'd them them to apprehend And send them forthwith to the neighb'ring gaol Without admitting Mani-prize or bail Till for their punishment and the example Of others Orders be procur'd more ample Also the London Aldermen were will'd To send for all the Ministers which fill'd The streight'ned Wards and silence them on pain Of death commanding them that none explain Or preach or read the Scripture in their stead But such as by the Queen were licensed One William Rutler Humphry Palden too He must to prison this to th'Counter go For speaking but against what was express'd At Paul's Cross by one Bourn a Popish Priest Good Mr. Rogers was t' his house confin'd Bradford Vernon and Beacon were assign'd Close pris'ners in the Tower Then did they send For Coverdale and Hooper to attend The Councel and for Newgate they allot John Melvine a Divine by birth a Scot. Mr. Hugh Latimer was sent to th' Tower And so was Dr. Cranmer by this power Mr. Simonds Sanders Horn Durhams Dean Were summon'd to appear before the Queen Soon after this the Parliament began Where Mr. Harly a judicious man Bishop of Hereford degraded was For marrying a wife and shunning Mass Sir James Hales Justice of the Common-Plea In charge against the Popes supremacie Producing Statutes c. into prison cast Was there so roughly dealt with that at last Recant he did but O dire consequence He felt the terrours of his conscience And his own executioner had been Had not God's special goodness step'd between The knife and him From prison he releas'd His self-made wounds recur'd no inward rest Enjoy'd at home so having made his will He drown'd himself and 's end began his ill At the same time for their dis-approbation Of a presented Bill the Convocation By Bonner was dissolv'd From Coventry For their oppugning of Idolatry Baldwin Clark Careless Willcocks all in hast Sent up to London by the Mayor lay fast Bishops imprison'd were Archdeacons Deans All Beneficed men put by their means Who closely to the truth reveal'd adher'd And Popish Parsons in their roomes prefer'd Too bad supplies within a little season Archbishop Cranmer for no less then Treason At Guild Hall was araing'd clear'd of that charge For 's heresy he might not live at large One Mr. Thomas Wotton an Esquire And Doctor Crome did in the Fleet retire Now Hymen went to joyn with Nuptial bands Iberian Philip's and Queen Maries hands Some of the Nobles and the vulgar sort Not very well resented this report The Duke of Suffolk labour'd to prevent The match Sir Thomas as Wyat rais'd in Kent Some sorces to oppose it for he fear'd The Realm would be enslav'd and Popery rear'd Wyat for London march'd Queen Mary then At Guild Hall stirred up the City-men Wyat came into Southwark having found Entrance block'd up he went by Kingstone round And faced Lud-gate which to entertain Such guests refusing he return'd again And having got the worst at Temple-Bar Became Sir Clement Parson's prisoner Who sent him to the Tow'r on Tower-Hill He and the Lady Jane their dayes fulfill Bonner did in his Diocess disperse Injunctions to all the Ministers Wherein they were required to give in The names of all whoever were agin Auricular confession the next Lent Encroaching on Queen Mary also sent To Bonner Articles commanding streight The Church-Laws made by Henery the eight Should be in force that heresy abhor'd Should fall the Popes supremacy restor'd That Ministers which did lead marri'd lives Should be divorced from themselves their wives And that processions should be said or sung From that