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
same delivered over to the secular power to be burned which decree was performed in Smithfield on the 20th day of the same month being 16 days after they had Murthered him to the great grief and disdain of the people Norwithstanding after all this tragical and cruel handling of the dead Body and their fair and colourable shew of Justice yet the Inquest staid not their diligence in searching out the truth and the cause and means of Mr. Hunâ—'s death insomuch that they were called before the Lords Chief-Justices and also before the King himself and his Privy Council about this matter and the determination at last was left to them and after great search and deliberation they found by good proof and sufficient Evidence that Doctor Horsey the Bishop of London's Chancellor Charles Joseph the Sumner and John Spalding the Bell-Ringer had privily and maâ—iciously committed this Murther and therefore indicted them all three as willful Murtherers Notwithstanding by the power of the Bishop of London with Cardinal Woolsey then in great favour the next Sessions the King's Attorney General pronounced the Indictment against Dr. Horsey to be false and untrue and that he was no way guilty of the Murther Being thus freed he went away to Exeter and for shame durst never after appear in London The aforesaid Inquest found by most evident signs that the said Mr. Hun could not have hang'd himself and that his Wrists had-been hard bound with Cords and they found that bis Neck had been broken below the silken Girdle they had â—anged him in and that there were two streams of Blood on his Jacote a great clodder in the lappet of his Coat â—hich could not happen to him after â—e was hanged Besides there was no place for â—im to get up to do the deed But besides these â—roofs Charies Joseph freely confessed of himself â—hat 〈◊〉 those Heresies laid to Mr. Hunn's charge were wrote and invented by the Chancellor and also that he and John the Bell-Ringer together with Dr. Horsey himself who assisted them murthered the said Mr. Hun who was lying on bis Bed and at the bidding of the aforesaid Chancellour who said lay hold on the Thief they fell upon him and broke his Neck and that he the said Charles Joseph put the Girdle about Mr. Hunn's Neck and that John the Bell Ringer helping him to lift the dead Body the Chancellour put the Girdle about the Staple and so left him hanging Thus you may see Godfreying is no new thing among them Murther is their Trade and this was the cruel end of this man only for opposing the Power of the Lordly Priests and which good People you must look for again if ever the Popish Tyranny get footing in this Kingdom Lay it to heart The Martyrdom of John Stillman It would be endless to relate all the troubles the people of God then suffered in the Reign of this King or to enumerate the persons who were forced against their Consciences to abjure in the year 1517. in and about London about 35 persons were compelled to abjure among whom was one George Laud the Prior of St. Sithe Some of them afterwards being troubled in Conscience recanted and suffered death among the rest one John Stillman who about the 24 day of September 1518. was apprehended and brought before Richard Fitz-James then Bishop of London at Fulham and charged for speaking against the worshipping of Images and for that he had commended Wickliff and said he waâ— a Saint in Heaven and that his Book called Wickliff's Wicket was a good and holy Book From thence he was had to the Lollardâ— Tower and or the 22 day of Octob. brought before the Consistory aâ— Paul's and there examined by Thomas Hed the Bishops Vicar General upon several Articles objected against him and he the said John Stillman owning the truth and persevering in the same he was condemned of Heresie and delivered over to the Sheriffs of London on the 25th of the same Month and publickly burnt in Smithfield Thomas Man and Robert Cosin Martyrs The next in order was Thomas Man who the 29. of March 1518. was likewise burned in Smithfield He had for divers years been persecuted and imprisoned forced to abjure and to do Pennance after which they kept him in a Monastery as their servant from whence he escaped his Conscience troubling him for denying the Truth but being retaken he was proceeded against as a relapsed Heretick by the aforesaid Thomas Hed Vicar General who produced false Witnesses against him who swore several Articles that they said were Heresie and though he charged the Witnesses of Adultery and Theft he could not be heard and those they had assigned him for Advocates being Papists betrayed his Cause and wrested his Words to his destruction upon which he was condemned as a relapsed Heretick with these gloseing words Rogamus attentè in Visceribus Jesu Christi ut c. In English thus We desire in the Bowells of the Lord Jesus Christ that the punishment and execution of due severity of thee and against thee in this part may be so Moderated that there be no rigorous Rigour nor yet nodissolute mansuetude but to the health and wealth of thy soul c. This Sentence Thomas Man said was like that of Cajaphas against Christ when he said to Pilate It is not lawfull for us to put any man to death But if thou letst him go thou art not Caesars Friend So they said it was not lawfull for them to take away Thomas Mans life but they delivered him up to the Sheriffs of London who caused him to be burnt without any warrant for the same About the same time one Robert Cosin who had been instructed by Thomas Man in his flight was martyred at Buckingham The chief articles against him were that he had perswaded one Joan Norman after she had bowed a piece of silver to be offered to a Saint for the health of her child not to carry it and told her she needed only to pray to Heaven And that she needed not to confess her self to the Priest but to God and that she might drink as well before she went to Mâ—ss on the Sunday as on any other day For these Perillous Doctrines this poor man was sacrificed to the Lusts of the Popish Priests Much about the same time Christopher Shoemaker was burnt at Newberry for professing the Gospel and Speaking against worshipping of Saints and going on Pilgrimages And in the years 1520 and 1521 many received the Light of the Gospel in and about Newberry Buckingham Henly Amerâ—â—m in the Diocess of London in Essex at Colchâ—ster 〈◊〉 Suffolk and Northfolk and many other places so that it spread very much before Luther appeared Cruel percâ—cution by the Bishop of Lincoln Children Compelled to set fire to their parent About the same year a most Cruel persecution was made against these Gospellers or such as professed according to the Gospel by John Longland Bishop of Lincoln who brought
the fiery Laws in Execution against these protestant dissenters he was brought before the Bishop and examined and several articles exhibited against him concerning the bodily presence of Christ in the Sacrament which he would in no wise deny but offered to maintain his opinions as truth by the H. Scriptures and when they saw that they could by no means make him recant he was condemned to be burnt and at the same time with John Warren This John Warren was formerly condemned to be burnt in the days of King Henry the 8th with Ann Askew but then pardoned by the King but they now finding him professing the Gospel which he always Constantly did Bonner the cruel persecutor of God's people laid hold of him and had several Articles brought against him which he plainly confessed being only the Truths he had owned and declared and willingly yeilded himself to be put to death for a Testimony of them On the 30th of May they were both brought to the Stake in Smithfield whilst Mr. Cardmaker was in privat conference with the Sheriffs who were perswadeing him to recant and which discourse lasted a long time Mr. Warren was stripp'd fastned to the Stake it was rumour'd by some of the Papists that Cardmaker would turn to save his life and by the long discourse he had with the Sheriffs the People began to Suspect it would prove true but when at last they saw him depart from them and strip himself to his shirt kneel down at the Stake shouting aloud they cryed out God be praysed the Lord strengthen thee Cardmaker The Lord Jesus receive thy Spirits and this continued till the Executioner put fire to them that they both with great constancy alacrity of Spirit passed thorow the flame to everlasting rest and peace among God's holy Martyrs to enjoy the Crown of Victory prepared for them Two more burnt in Essex On the 29th of the same month was also Condemned John Simson and John Ardley both husbandmen of Essex and in Bonners Diocess who soon dispatch'd them for their Conscience sake tho they offered to save their lives all their estates or what ever they had so their Consciences might be free but nothing but their blood would serve their turns and therefore they were sent into Essex where about the 10th of June they both suffered the fire in several places Simson at Rochford and Ardley on the same day at Railey in which places both finished their Martyrdom most quietly in the quarrel of Christ's Gospel Mr. Hawks burnt in Essex On the same day was burned Mr. Tho. Hawks whom we have formerly mentioned to have been Condemned with 5 other Martyrs whose storys we have given you but this Gentleman for he was one and bred a Courtier haveing served the Earl of Oxford all the time of King Edward was respited till this time in hopes to prevail with him to recant tho in vain for he was most constant and resolute not to deny his Faith for he boldly told the Bishop that if he had an hundred lives and an hundred bodys he would give them all to be torn to pieces reather than abjure and recant He was first taken because he had kept his child 3 weeks without Christning it because it was against his Conscience to yeild to their Popish Ceremonies as their Oyl Salt Cream Spittle Candle and conjuring Water which he decalred was not of divine Institution but mens foolish Inventions For this he was had before the Bishop and he being a man of parts and a gentleman much pains was taken with him and he was much pittied for that he was a very handsom man of a fine make and sweet Countenance and of an excellent sweet nature But all this was nothing to the Love he bore to God for whose sake he forsook all the offers and pleasures of the world to undergo a rigorous Death After his Condemnation aforesaid he was sent into Essex and delivered over to the Lord Rich to see him burnt who brought him guarded to the place of execution which was at Coxhall in Essex A little before the time he used much exhortation to his Friends to be stedfast in the Faith some of which were greatly confirmed by him both by his talk and example but much more by his death for some of them who feared the sharpness of the punishment and thought it was intollerable to the flesh desired of him if he were able to give them a privat sign when he was burning if it were to be born which he promised to do and if that the pain were tollerable and might be quietly born he would lift up his hands over his head before he gave up the Ghost After he came to the place with fervent prayers made to God he with great patience and meekness addressed himself for the Fire being bound to the Stake with a chain an innumerable company of people encompassing him and lamenting him After he had spoken many things to the Lord Rich concerning their shedding thus the innocent blood of Gods Saints and that his prayers were ended they set fire to him in which he continued long and when that his speech was taken away with the violence of the fire and his skin shrivled and drawn together and his fingers ends consumed in the flame and the rest of his Arms and body burning so that all men thought he had been certainly dead suddenly and contrary to all expectation being mindful of his promise to his friends he reached up his hands over his head burning of a light fire and as it were rejoyceing clapt them together 3 times to the amazement of all the people upon which arose such an out-cry or shout especially by those who understood the sign that the like had not been heard After which this blessed Martyr sinking down into the fire gave up the Ghost being a most Constant and faithful witness of the Gospel Thomas Wats Martyr'd as Chelmsford with 3 others in Essex Thomas Wats also of Essex having been sent up to the bloody Bishop Bonner after many examinations and appearances he was condemned to the fire and sent down to Chelmsford in Essex to be Martyr'd the Lord Rich being ordered to see him executed where his wife and 6 Children came to him to whom he said My dear Wife and children I must now depart from you and hence forth know you no more but as the Lord hath given you to me so I give you again unto the Lord whom I charge you to obey and fear and beware you turn not to this abominable Papistry against which by God's Grace I shall anon give testimony with my blood Let not the Murthering of God's saints cause you to relent but take an occasion thereby to grow stronger in the Lords quarrel and I doubt not but he will be a merciful Father to you Two of his weeping Children offer'd themselves to be burnt with him but he kissing and Hesting them bad them farewel and so was carried
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
going home in the Gravesend Barge chanced into the company of a Priest in the same Barge and sitting too near the proud and surly Priest the Priest asked him if he knew him not that he sat upon his cloaths John Brown told him he did not know him nor what he was I tell thee then said the other that I am a Priest What Sir said John Brown are you a Parson or Vicar or a Ladies Chaplain No quoth he again I am a Soul Priest I sing for a Soul Do you so Sir said the other that is well done But I pray Sir said he where do you find the soul when you say Mass I cannot tell reply'd the Priest Then said the other where do you leave it when mass is done I cannot tell thee said the Priest If you can tell neither where you find it nor where you leave it when your Mass is done said John Brown how do you know how you save it Go thy waies said the Priest thou art an Heretick and I will be even with thee As he was for nor long after John Brown not thinking any thing was surprised in his own house set on horse back and his feet tyed like a Felon under the horses Belly and so carried to Canterbury and there was kept from Low Sunday till the Fryday before Easter his wife and family not knowing what was become of him There he was most cruelly handled by the Bishops Warham and Fisher as he related himself to his own Wife before his Death and the Soles of his feet being set upon hot coals till they were burned to the bones so that he could not set them to the Ground to make him as he said to deny his Lord which he resolved not to do and so indured their torments and being condemned to be burnt at his own Town of Ashford whither he was carried and the night before he was burnt set all night in the stocks where his Wife came to him whom he exhorted to continue as she had began in the fear of God and to bring up her children vertuously in the fear of God And the next day being Whit-Sunday even this godly Martyr was burnt and standing at the stake with his hands lifted up he prayed thus O Lord I yield me to thy grace Grant me mercy for my trespass Let never the Fiend my Soul chace Lord I will bow and thou shalt beat Let never my Soul come in hell's heat Into thy hands I commend my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord of Truth One Chilton the Bayliff seeing his Children at the fire bid them fling them in too for they would spring up Hereticks from his Ashes This was the end of this Martyr burnt 1517. The Horrid Murther of Mr. Hun in the Lollards Tower The next we shall briefly treat of is one Richard Hun Merchant Tailor of London esteemed a very worthy man This man had a child at nurse in Middlesex in the Parish of St. Mary Matsilon which dyed on occasion of which there fellout a quarrel between the said Rich. Hun and Thomas Dryfield the Parson of the Parish about a Mortuary which he claimed very unjustly and sued Mr. Hun in the Spiritual Court but Mr. Hun by advice of Councel took out a writ of Premunire against Tho. Dryfield this enraging the whole horners nest of Priests hanging together thought it not to be endured that a Lay man should thus be able to withstand the power of Priest-hood though in his own just defence and fearing if they should suffer this Priest to be condemned at Hunt Suit there would be a way opened for the rest of the Laity to follow the example Therefore to put a stop to this and to be revenged on him they contrive to exhibite certain Articles against him and accuse him of Heresie before the Bishop who thereupon apprehended him and committed him to the Lollards Tower at Paul's So that none of his Friends were suffer'd to come at him And from thence by the instigation of Dr. Horsey a cruel persecuter and the Bishops Chancellour he was had before the Bishop at his manour House at Fulham where he was examined and certain Articles laid to his charge That he had taught and published that Tythes were not ordained as due by God but by the Covetousness of Priests That the Bishops and Priests were the Scribes and Pharises that crucified Christ That they were only preachers and praters but no doers of Gods word That he should say he would defend the opinions of Joan Barker that was forced to abjure That he should say the Bishop and his Officers deserved punishment rather than the aforesaid Joan Barker Lastly that he kept Heretical Books damned by the Law such as the Apccalips in English The Epistles and Gospels in English Wickliffs damnable works and the like To which he gave in his Answers and was after his examination sent back to the Lollards Tower under the charge of Charles Joseph the Sumner and John Spalding the Bell ringer by the means of these two wicked fellows the bloody Papists brought about their design of Murthering this Man for about two nights after his last commitment he was found hanged on a Beam in the aforesaid Tower Spalding after the Murther got himself our of the way and left the Keys of the Prison with one of his companions to deliver to the Sumners Boy who usually carried Mr. Hun his Meat The Boy going into the Prison about 10 of the Clock in the Morning on the 4th of December with two others found Mr. Hun hanging with his face to the wall who being astonished went and informed the Chancellor being then at Church after his Contrivance who went with certain of his Colleagues to the Prison and finding him hanged after their usual manner he caused it to be blazed abroad that he had hanged himself But for all that the People suspected more truly the contrary and that they had murthered him Whereupon a Contention arose between the Bishop who took his Clergys part and averr'd he had murthered himself and the Citizens who lay'd his Death to the charge of the Bishops Officers And causing the Coroner to sit upon view of his body and according to Law to chuse an Inquest and to give their Verdict vexed the Bishop and Papists so much that the Bishop proceeded ex Officio as in case of Heresie against the dead person supposing that if he were condemn'd of Heresie that they durst not find it but that he had murthered himself whereupon they objected several new matters against him too long to relate whether true or false it matters not for they were such as a good man might not be ashamed to own These Articles they cause to be proclaimed at Pauls Cross the Sunday following and according to certain rules and prescripts of the Bishop a Solemn process was framed against the dead for whom none dareing to appear sentence was pronounced against the dead carcase for Heresie and the
am delivered from the Church of Antichrist and that I now am of the true Church of Christ militant on Earth and trust that ere long I shall be in Heaven with Jesus Christ and the Church triumphant for ever From the Quire they had him to Newgate and thence after an hours time which he spent in prayer they led him to Smithfield who went very chearfully and there for want of a speedy fire he was half an hour alive after they had enkindled the fewel and when that his left arm was burning and on a flame he rub'd it with his right till it fell off into the fire from his body and then he continued in prayer to the end without moving This was the end of this godly stout Martyr on the 20 of Nov. 1532. John Tewksberry Martyr The next that dyed by the hands of the persecuting Papists for his Religion was one Tewksbury a Leather seller of London being converted by reading the Testament of Mr. Tyndel in English and was so well verst in all points of his Religion that he disputed it before Bishop Tonstall and his Priests for 7 days together to their great wonder and amazement they being not a little troubled and ashamed that a Lay ignorant man as they accounted him should be able by the power of the Scriptures to resist and overthrow all their Arguments The Bishop often urged him to recant his heresies which he so well defended but he answered them that he no way erred from the true doctrine of the ancient mother Church After which many Articles were objected against him to which he gave his particular Answers but at last being thorow many importunities and threats perswaded the flesh being weak he recanted and submitted himself to penance which was That he should keep his abjuration under pain of suffering for his relapse That the next Sunday he should openly bear a faggot at Pauls Cross and the Wednesday following another in Newgate Market and Cheapside and on the Fryday in Cornhill and Leadenhall that he should on either sleeve wear an Embroidered faggot as a badg all his Life time That he should enter the Monastery of St. Bartholomew in Smithfield on the Whiteson Eve following and there abide and not come out unless released by the Bishop of London And that he should never go out of the Diocess of London without the special leave of the Bishop or his successors But nothwithstanding this about two years after the said John Tewksbury being strengthned in his faith by the Constancy and example of Mr. Bayfeild before mentioned he made an open profession of his Faith upon which he was apprehended and carried before the Bishop of London and St. Tho. Moor where divers Articles were preferred against him one of which was that he confessed that his Abjuration made before Cuthbert Bishop of London was done by Compulsion and against his Conscience and that he had taken off the Badges of faggots on his sleeves without order and many others such like most of which the said Tewksbury confessed upon which the Bishop pronounced sentence against him and delivered him to the Sheriffs of London who caused him to be burnt in Smithfield upon St. Thomas Eve being 20th of Decem. 1532. having no writ of the Kings but the Bishops Warrant The Cruel handling of Edward Freese Edward Freese a Painter by profession who being at Colchester and painting certain cloaths for an Inn there wrote several places of Scripture by which they perceived him to be one of them they termed Hereticks upon which they seised him and carryed him away forcibly to London to the Bishop and so to Fulham where the Bishop then was where he was imprisoned and handled cruelly with some others of Essex who had professed alâ—o tâ—e Gospel most of their bread being made of Sawdust then friends and wives being denyed to come to see them and the wife of this Freese pressing in at the Gate desirous to see her husband the Porter gave her such a Kick on the Belly she being then big with child that the child was immediatly destroyed and she not long after dyed of the same The Painter would ever and anon be writing things on the wall of the prison and among the rest one day he wrote Doctor Dodipal would make me beleive the Moon is made of green cheese upon which they put manacles upon his wrists so that he could not use his hands so much as to comb his Head which they forced him to wear till they eat into his flesh and that the flesh of his wrists stood up higher than the Irons After a long suit of some of his friends he was brought out of prison to answer at the Consistory having been kept 3 days before without either meat or drink so that when he came forth he was so much amazed and out of his senses with their cruel handling him in prison that he Stared like a wild man and could answer nothing to any Question was asked him but that my Lord Bishop is a good Man They perceiving him distracted they sent him to an Abby but he never came again to his perfect mind Not long after the Brother of this man named Valentine Freese and his Wife were both burned at York The same year this Bishop of London caused all the Bibles he could get of Tindals translation to be publickly burnt Mr. Baynham a Lawyer Martyr The next we shall mention is one Mr. James Baynham a Lawyer and son to a Knight of Glocestershire well skill'd both in the Latine Greek tongues and bred up in the Study of the Laws of a most vertuous disposition affable Conversation and extreamly addicted to prayer and meditation and reading the holy Scriptures visiting poor prisoners and relieving them just to his Clients giving good Council to the poor and widdows without fees and was a singular pattern for all Lawyers but notwithstanding his good and holy Life he was accused before Sr. Tho. Moor then Chancellor arrested and carryed out of the Middle Temple to the Chancellours House at Chelsey where he remained in free prison for a time but when Sr. Tho. Moor saw he could not pervert him he handled him cruelly and caused him to be whipt at a Tree in his Garden called the Tree of Truth and after that sent him to The Tower to be rack'd Sr. Tho. Moor himself being present till they had lamed him all to have him accuse others which he would not And his wife because she would not discover where his Books were they sent to the Fleet and confiscated his Goods After this they had him before the Bishop of London and interrogated him upon several Articles to which he answered with great prudence The Bishop told him now was the time for him to save his Life or to lose it and Sr. Tho Moor useing many flattering speeches they at last brought him to submit tho he could not yield to many of the Articles which he had spoken against
without Abjuration and all their goods forfeited to the King and as to the other five it was made death and felony by the Law to deny them without benefit of Clergy or Sanctuary The second being concerning the Sacrament of both kinds that it ought not to be given to the Laity The 3d that Priests may not marry 4. That Vows of chastity ought to be observ'd 5. That private Mosses are agreeable to God's Law 6. That auricular Confession is expedient and necessary to be received c. and upon these Articles was granted by the same Parliament a bloody and Cruel Inquisition directed to certain persons in every shire and County to enquire into all such Heresies Felonies Contempts c. committed or done by any that they might suffer according to the Law These Articles were opposed openly in Parliament by Cranmeâ— Archbishop of Canterbury who afterwards suffâ—red Martyrdom in the days of Queen Mary as shall be declared And among these we might nominate the Lord Cromwell who lost his Life in the cause of God by the craft and policy of his Popish Adversaâ—ies but since it had some other shew than that of Religion only we shall let it pass and proceed to others Dr. Barnes Martyr After the Death of the Lord Cromwell Gardner raged against all that opposed the Papal power at his pleasure having now got an Act of Parliament to their bloody minds and now 3 noted Divines suffered together in Smithfield which I shall briefly mention The first was Doctor Robert Barnes who having been bred abroad at Lovain and also at the University of Cambridg was made Prior and Master of the House of the Augustines where much to his praise he advanced the knowledg of good Letters and caused the Epistles of St. Paul to be read causing disputations of the same publickly which seemed strange to the blind and Ignorant Scholars His first Sermon that he made in defence of the truth was at St. Edward's Church belonging to Trinity Hall in Cambridge the Sunday before Christmass day for which he was accused of Heresie by two Fellows of Kings Hall and Articles drawn up against him and not long after he was publickly arrested by a Serjeant at Arms from London and the University was searched for Luthers Books Dr. Barnes was immediately had away to London and brought before Cardinal Woolsie who was then in power After a long discourse with him the Cardinal being highly offended with him for his preaching against his Pomp Power and Dignity seeing he could not cause him to recant but stood in the justification of what he had publickly delivered according to his Conscience the Scriptures he sent him to the Fleet from whence he was had again before the Cardinal and by the importunity of Gardner Fox and others he was perswaded at last to abjure and with some of the men of the Stillyard accused also for Lollardy he publickely bore a faggot After which he was remanded to the Fleet and thence was removed to Austins Fryer's in London where being Complained against to the Cardinal by those who sought his Life he was removed again to Austin Fryer's in Northampton with intent to have him burnt But he escaped thence leaving a Letter as if thorow despair h ehad gone to drown himself that they might not pursue him so that whilst they were searching the River for his Body he made his escape to London and thence beyond the seas where he wrote a Book intituled Acta Romanorum Pontificum with a supplication to King Henry There he grew Familiar with Luther Melancthon Pomeran the Duke of Saxony and others and was not long after sent over by the King of Denmark as his Ambassador into England where Sir Tho. Moor sought his Life but Cromwell stood his friend After that in the time of Queen Ann he returned into England and was sent by the King as his Embassador to the Duke of Cleve But Gardner getting into the favour of the King never left till he had undermined Dr. Barneâ— who was at last sent to the Tower together with Thomas Garrat and Mr. Hierom from whence they never came till they were carried to their Martyrdom Thomas Garrat and William Hierom Martyrs Thomas Garrat was Curate in Honylane in London and having received the knowledge of the truth endeavoured all he could to promote it and haveing a parcel of Tyndols translation of the new Testament and other books treating of the Scriptures he went privately to Oxf rd to sell them there to those he knew well affâ—cted to the Gospel But his Adversarâ—es having their spies in every Corner had notice of 〈◊〉 â—nd immâ—dâ—aâ—â— some were sent to apprehend both him and his books at Oxford that they might be both burnt together and after great search he was taken but made his escape intending to fly into the west but was pursued and taken again and imprisoned and after much trouble was forced agâ—inst his Conscience to abjure After which he fled again from place to place for fear of his persecutors but was tâ—kâ—◠〈◊〉 by the diligence of his Adversaries and sâ—nt to the Tower from whence he was câ—râ—â—ed to the Stake and burnt with his Companions Dr. Barnes and Mr. Hierome The Death of Barnes Gaâ—ret and Hierom. The 3d Companion in this glorious suffering was Mr William Hierâ—â— who was vicar of Stepney and a diligent preacher of God's word for the comfort and edification of the People and had preached divers sermons with intent to implant in the Consciences of men the sincere Truth of Christian Religion and to weed out of mens minds traditions dreams and Popish fansies in the doing of which he had contracted the Hatred of the Papists who were utter enemies of the Gospel of Christ and for this they sought this good man's Life The occasion they took from a Sermon which he preached at Paul's Cross the fourth Sunday in Lent in which speaking of Sarah and Hagar he said those who were born of the free Woman were freely Justified and the one would think nothing of false doctrine or Heresie could be gathered from these words yet he was charged therewith and convented before the King at Westminster for that he had erroneously taught the people that all that were born of Sarah were freely justified absolutely without Condition either of Baptism or Penance c. Several other things were objected against him and he was at last sent to the Tower in order to his Execution we have spoken of these 3 Martyrs severally we shall now joyn them together as fellow sufferers and Martyrs About two days after the Death of the Lord Cromwell a process was issued out against these three men by means of See Gardner to which they were never brought to Answer but on the 30th of July being Condemned without their knowing the cause and without any hearing were carried together forth of the Tower to Smithfield to be burnt Then Dr. Barnes made his protestation against several false
which happened not long after The next day which was Saturday Kerby was brought forth to the marker place about ten of the Clock where was a Stake ready wood broom and straw for his burning Having put off his clothes to his shirt with his night cap on his head he was fastened to the Stake with Irons The Lord Wentworth and others sitting in Gallery to see the execution a very great Concourse of people being present One Doctor Righam made an oration or sermon after which he examined Kerby concerning his belief of the Sacrament to which he answered as before and that he would dye in that Opinion After which the Sheriff asking him if he had any more to say he took off his night Cap and Casting it away he lifted up his hands and said the â—e Deum the Belief and other prayers in the English tongue And it was observed that the Lord Wentworth and divers others could not refrain from weeping at the humble Carriage of this holy Martyr After he had done he bid the Sheriff do his office and fire being set to him he called upon God Knocking his Breast as long as he had any remembrance left The people being much affected at the Carriage and Constancy of this illiterate man praysed God with great admiration On the Gang Monday about ten of the Clock Anno 1546 Roger Clark was brought out of prison going on foot to be burnt in Bury By the way the procession met him but he would take no other notice but kept on his way only reproving the people for their Idolatry and Superstition at which the officers were much offended When he came to the place of execution all things being ready he kneeled down at the Stake and said aloud the Magnificat in English making a kind of parraphrase thereof After he had done he was fastned to the Stake and fire was set to him but the wood being green he was almost suffocated with smoke and part of him being only scorched he suffered unmerciful torments and his feet being put into a pitch'd barrell he was so pained that he got them out with Violence At length one beating off the Iron ring that fastened his neck to the Stake let him fill down into the fire and so he was at last Consumed to Ashes About the same time one Rogers was burnt in Northfolk by means of that Bishop and the Duke upon the 6 Articles But I shall now conclude this second part with the Martyrdom of Ann Askew a Vertuous and Constant woman in the Cause of Christ with whom also was burnt in Smithfield John Lacells a Gentleman of the Court and houshold to the King Nicholas Belenian a Priest and John Adams a Tayler The Martyrdom and Cruel usage of Mrs. Ann Askew and 3 Gentlemen in Smithfield Mrs. Ann Askew had been in great troâ—ble for a year before 1546 having been in several prisons had before the Lord Mayor the Bishop and Councell for her religion chiefly for not owning the real presence in the Sacrament being also most falsly accused of several other Articles by the malice and Instigation of the Popish Priests her inveterate Enemies but by her prudent Answers to all their intrapping questions and by the solicitation of her Friends she came cut upon bail but the year 1546. by means of her aforesaid Enemies and especially by the power and malice of Bishop Bonner then Bishop of London and the Chancellor Writhsley she was brought again into trouble and put into prison being several times examined they hoping by her means to detect several Ladys and great persons of her acquaintance for Hereticks but all they could doe could not make her Confess any to do them injury which so enraged them that they took her from Newgate where she had been imprisoned and sent her to the Tower where they resolved to torment this Innocent Gentlewomen but most Constant servant of Jesus Christ Therefore to make her Confess they caused her to be put upon the Rack where they kept her till she swouned and when the Lieutenant of the Tower pittying her weak Condition refused to rack her any Longer The Chancellor himself and oâ—e Mr. Rich who was with him threatned the Lieutenant of the Tower to Complain of him to the King for favouring Hereticks this was Sr. Anthony Knevet but when they saw they could not prevail with him to torment the languishing Gentlewoman any farther the Chancellor and Rich throwing off their gowns would needs play the Tormentors themselves and asking her first if she were with child she told them they should not spare her for that but do their wills upon her upon which they lay'd her again upon the Rack where they most Cruelly and barbarously tormented her till all her bones and joynts were pulled out of their places she enduring it with most admirable patience all the time praying to God and when they had tyred themselves to no purpose not being able with all their torments to make her Confess any thing or accuse any body they left her to be carried away in a chair to her lodging not being able to stir hand or foot She was therefore at last Condemned to be burnt upon that Article for denying the real prefence after the words of Consecration which she denyed saying that then their Creed was false which says he sitteth at the Right hand of God the Father Almighty c. This Gentlewoman was born of a good stock and might have liv'd well and plentifully and in great prosperity would she have gone against her Conscience and have denied Christ But she gloried in her sufferings which God enâ—bled her to endure and at last sealed neâ— testimony with her blood after she had been several ways tormented and leaving behind her an example of Christian fortitude for all men to follow and by her example and exhortations the three aforesâ—â—d men Mr. Lacesâ—s Belenian and Adams were encouraged and received from her great comfort at their Death being burnt with nor in Smithfield Mrs Askew being not able to goe by reason of her racking she was brought to the Stake in a chair where she was fastned by the middle with a chain and so were the rest of the Martyrs and all things being prepared there being a great Concourse of people and the Chancellor the Duke of Northfolk the Earl of Bedford the Lord Mayer and others of quality being present sitting on a Scaffold Dr. Snaxton made a Sermon after which the fire being ready to be put to them the Chancellor sent to Mrs. Askew the Ks. pardon if she woulâ— recant her opinion which she utterly refused Then the same was offer'd to the rest but they also followed her example being strengthened by her exhortations upon which the Lord Mayor cryed fiat Jâ—stitia and so caused fire to be put to them which these Martyrs constantly and without shrinking or shewing any change endured till their bodies were consumed This execution was about the month of June 1546. Thâ—
called to â—â—ke a Benefice in London being Allhallows Bread-â—â—eet which he accepted and being minded to â—â—ve over that in the Country he went thither much about the time that Queen Mary came to the Crown At which time preaching at Northampton â—reat exceptions were taken at his sermon by the Papists for that he inveighed against the Popish Religion as Antichristian After this they had a malicious eye against him and sought for his blood which he perceived but seeing he could not now â—esign his Benefice but into the Hands of a Papist â—e kept both constantly preaching sometimes at â—ondon and sometimes in the Country till the proâ—â—bition came forth which we before mentioned â—et his Conscience not giving him leave to desist tho â—e foresaw the danger he should incurr he continuâ—â—d to preach the Gospel and would not fly the Realm tho advised to it by his friends And it was not long after that preaching at his cure in London he was aâ—prehended by the order of Bishop Bonner and carried out of the Church and brought before him where the Bishop accused him of Treason and Herâ—sie to which Mr. Saunders answered with much sobriety endeavouring to prove he had done nothing against the Laws or spoke contrary to the Dâ—ctrine of Christ and his Apostles After much talk the Bishop bid him to write down his mind concerning Transubstantiation or the Real presence in the Sacrament Mr. Sauâ—ders perceived that Bonner fought his Life my Lord said he you seek Blood and you shall have it I pray God that you may be baptized in it that you may hereafter loath blood sucking and become a better man And upon this he wrote his mind boldly not fearing what they could doe being willing to seal to the Testimony of the Gospel with his Death From him he was sent to the Chancellor Gardner who after Examination before him being secretly nipped by Mr. Saunders answers for that he had in the days of King Henry the 8th written a book treating of true obedience in which he openly declared the Princess Mary to be illegitimate sent him to prison from whence he was had before the Council and after several examinations he was condemned after which Mr. Saunders at his goeing away said that he did preach sincerely the word in its purity and thâ— he now was forbidden by them to do it with his mouth yet he doubted not but that his blood would do the same He was sent to prison where he continued a year and 3 months in which time one that was his Bedfellow declared that he had often heard Mr. Saunders say that he felt the power of God upon him wonderfully comforting him insomuch that not only his Spirit but his Body also received a tast of the Communion of Saints whilst he felt 〈◊〉 sweet and pleasant refreshing flow thorow every part and member thereof from the heart ebbing and flowing like a tide of sweet and Spiritual flame thorow his whole body But such was their cruelty that in all this time by the Bishops order they would not suffer his Wife to come to see him she several times attempted it but one day intreating the Keeper with her young Child in her Arms the Keeper took the Child and carried him being a Boy to his father which rejoyced the Heart of Mr. Saunders who said what man would not lay his Life down before he would make such a fine Child a Bastard and its Mother a Whore as I must if I embrace the Religion of Rome At last Bonner came to the prison where he was and degraded him and then delivered him over to the Secular Power after he was Excommunicated to be burnt for an Heretick The Sheriff of London took him and carried him to the Counter in Bread-street his own Parish but he stayed not long there because an order was signed for his burning in Coventry to which place he was carried and put into the Common Goal where he spent the night in prayers and the next day being the 8th of February he was led to execution in the Park without the City going in an old Gown and a shirt bare footed falling often flat on his face and praying to himself When he came to the Stake a pardon was â—ffer'd him if he would recant but he refused it saying it is not I nor my fellow Preachers that hurt â—he Queen or the Realm but such as you speaking to 〈◊〉 officers who resist Gods holy word and I shall never woke the Truth of what I have taught and openly â—â—intained Upon that they cryed our away with â—im to the fire to which he went with a chearfull Countenance nothing daunted and coming to the take Kissed it Crying Welcome Life Welcome the â—ross of Christ After they had chained him fast they â—â—t fire to the fewell which being green smothered â—nd would not burn clearly so that they put this â—oly Martyr to intollerable pain which he yet â—â—â—tained with admirable patience till he fell aâ—â—eep in the Lord at last in the midst of the fire The Martyrdom of Bishop Hooper The next most godly Martyr who suffered for the Gospel of Christ by the cruel and bloody Papists was that most Reverend and Holy Bishop both oâ— Gâ—ocester and Worcester and who was burnt at Gâ—â—câ—ster Feb. 9th 1555. This man was bred a Student in the University of Oxford where he led a pious and sober Life and was a good Schoâ—lar but in the time of persecution in King Hen. 8th days he was forced to leave the University and to become Steward to Sr. Thâ—mas Arundel but Sâ— Thomas being a Papist tho he loved Mr. Hooper yet looking on him as an Heretick he would not keep him buâ— sent him privately to the Bishop of Winchester that he might Convert him but the Bishop not being able to answer Mr. Hoopers solid Arguments seâ—â— him back to his Master but intending to do him 〈◊〉 mischief he being a Constant persecutor of all good People but Mr. Hooper having notice of it left Sr. Tho. Arundels House and service and got overseas to Paris where he stayed not long before he returned for England and was retained by one Mr St. Lowe but he was not long there before notiâ—â— was given of him and he was fain to disguise himself and fly over to Ireland from whence he weâ—â— to France and thorow France into Germany wherâ— he remained both at Basil and at Zurick in thâ— company of several Protestant Ministers who weâ—â— great friends to him and where he Married a wiâ—â— who was a Burgundian Here he stayed till thâ— Reign of the pious King Ed. 6th when desirous tâ—â— see his native Country he took leave of his friendâ— and among the rest the famous Mr. Bullinger whâ— at parting desired him not to forger them when 〈◊〉 prosperity in his own Land tho he should be madâ— a Bishop to whom Mr. Hooper prophetically râ—plyed that he would constantly write to them 〈◊〉 that he should not be
able to write them the laâ—â— news of his death for that where he should taâ—â— most pains he should be burned to Ashes bâ— that you will hear of me said he tho I shall 〈◊〉 be able to write it to you After he was returnâ— to England he preached constantly once and mâ—â— times twice a day being much beloved and followed He had a grave and austere look eloquent of tongue Constâ—nt in his teaching not altered by any promotion nothing could corrupt him pure of life and unspotted of reputation of unblemish'd manners of great patience sparing in diet yet liberal in his house keeping At last he was called to preach before the King who liked him so well that he made him Bishop of Glocester and afterwards of Worcester both which Bishopricks he held at one time It is observed that when he was made a Bishop he took for his Arms or else it was prophetically given him by the Heralds A Lamb in a fiery Bush and the sun beams deseending from heaven upon the Lamb which was an Hierogliphic of his suffering by fire which afterwards came to pass He continued in his Diocess of Gloucester till ater the Death of King Edward and that Q Mary came to the Crown when being sent for up to London by the Queens order his friends Counselled him to fly but he refused it saying tho he formerly did so when he bad no charge yet now being called to be a shepherd of souls it became not a Bishop to fly from his flock and tho he knew the danger of staying yet he would willingly seal to that Doctrin he had taught with his Blood Being come to London he was had into examination by the Council where his Marriage was urged against him which he maintained to be Lawful by the Law of God Then they examined him upon the 6 Articles especially that of the real presence in the Sacrament which he denyed and shewed his Arguments for his opinion according to the holy Writ alledging this Text Quem â—portet coelum c. Whom the Heavens shall contain until the Restauration of all things But this did â—ot satisfie he had several disputes with the Bishops and Doctors upon this point and was several times examined before them keeping him in prison almost 18 months He was kept in the Fleet so strictly that none of his friends were suffered to come to him and the more to torment him Babington the then Warden put him into a room over the Common shore which stunk like Carion gave him the Sciatica and other diseases where he had nothing to lye on but a pad of Straw and an old Coverlet to throw over him and when the Warden was told by some of the Warders that they thought he would dye he groaned so much let him dye said he if he will there will be a good rid dance of him and so Commanded the doors to be kept fast lock'd upon him At last after many Conferences and Examinations seeing they could not bring him over to them Articles being exhibited against him he was at last Condemned and delivered over to the Sheriffs he being first deprived of his Bishopricks and after he had been some time in Newgate Bishop Bonner with his Assistants came and formally degraded him After which an order was granted for the writ de Comburendo c. and that he should be burnt at Gloucester which did not a little rejoyce this good man that he should die in his own Diocess and there confirm the Doctrine he had taught with his blood On the 5th of Febuary early in the morning he was delivered to some of the Queens Guards who conducted him on horseback to Gloucester and delivered him to the Sheriffs there in order to his Execution the next Day the Lord Chandois and several others being made Commissioners for that purpose That night before his death he went to bed early and having had his first sleep which was sound he spent the rest in prayer having desired of the Sheriffs that he might not be disturbed by any till they came to have him away which was granted and about 8 of the Clock the next morning with a great Guard they fetched this good man to carry him to his burning to which he walked on foot in a borrowed Gown multitudes of people bewailing him crying and wringing their hands But he exhorted them to patience and told them he came not to dye as a Traytor but because he would not account that Heresie and false Doctrine which he preached to them when he was their Pastor He look'd very chearfully as he went and more ruddy than usually but he was Commanded not to speak to the people so they stop'd his mouth which he was fain to submit to tho it grieved him to see the people weep so bitterly but lifting his eyes to heaven he prayed to himself when he came to the Stake and the preparation was made for him near unto the great Elme near the Colledg of Priests where he used to preach to the people he kneeled down beckning to several that he knew to hearken to his prayers but the Officers did all they could to keep the people at a distance that they might not hear him In the midst of his prayer a Box was brought and lay'd before him in which they said was his pardon if he would recant at which he cryed out if you Love my soul away with it if you love my soul away with it defiring them not to interrupt his prayers Then said the L. Chandois seeing there is no remedy dispatch him quickly At which the good man speaking to the Sheriffs told them all the favour he desired of them was that he might make an end of his prayers and that he might have a quick fire His prayers being finished he pulled off his Gown and gave it to the Sheriffs to be delivered to him that lent it and stripping himself to his doublet breeches he thought to be burned in them but the Sheriffs made him strip all off to his shirt which he submitted to and taking a poynt from his Hose he trussed up his Shirt between his leggs where they caused about a pound of Gunpowder in a bagg to be placed and as much under either Arm then they brought Iron hoops to put about his leggs neck and middle but he refused them saying that he knew God would give him strength to indure the torment of the fire without them yet at last he was perswaded to suffer one about his middle his belly being swell'd and big by lying in prison it pinch'd him much After he was placed he look'd about and saw the people round him bitterly weeping but not being suffered to speak to them he lifted up his eyes towards Heaven and prayed to himself After he had done the executioner came to ask him forgiveness to whom he said he knew not that he had ever offended him to whom he replyed I am appoynted to set fire
to you to burn you In that said Mr. Hooper thou dost nothing offend me God forgive thee thy sins and do thy office Then the reeds being put about him he took them in his Arms and Kissed them giving order how they should be placed presently fire was ordered to be put to him but by reason the faggots were green and also very few they put this holy man to intollerable torments and the wind being also strong blew the flame from him so that he was only scorched by the fire Then they fetch'd some dry faggots and made a new fire but all the reeds being gone they burnt his neither parts and never reach'd his upper parts only scorch'd and Shriffled his Skin and burnt his hair All which time this holy Martyr was heard to pray as one without pain O Jesus the son of David have mercy upon me and receive my soul After this second fire was spent he wiped his eyes with his hands and beholding the People he said with an indifferent loud voyce For God's Love good People let me have more fire and all the while his neither paris were burning Then they made a 3d fire more extream than the other then the bladders of Gunpowder broke which did not much good by reason the wind was so Violent then he prayed with a loud voyce Lord Jesus have mercy upon me Lord Jesus receive my Spirit these were the last words he was heard to speak but when his lipps and mouth were black as a Coal and his tongue swelled they were perceived to move till his lips were quire burnt away Then he knocked his breast with his hands till one of his Arms fell off and then he knocked it still with the other whilst water fat and blood fryed out at his fingers ends at last they renewed the fire when bending his body over the hoop of Iron he yeilded up his Spirit On the same day that this last mentioned holy Martyr suffered at Gloucester Dr. Rowland Taylor the Constant Martyr of Jesus Christ in the behalf of his Gospel was burnt at Hadley in suffolk where he had been the Parson all the Reign of King Edward the 6th and upon the bringing in of Popery under Queen Mary he was disturbed at his own Church thrust out and Popish Mass Celebrated before his Face but he endeavouring all he could to hinder it complaint being made to Gardner Chancellor and Bishop of Winchester he sent for Dr. Taylor by his Letters missive to come before him at London which he readily obey'd But his friends knowing the Cruelty of that persecutor advised him to fly and save his Life but he utterly refused it saying Tho he knew they had neither Justice or Equity on their side and that he looked for nothing at his Popish Adversaries hands but Imprisonment or Cruel dearn yet since he knew his cause to be good and Righteous and Truth upon his side he would not flinch but appear and be willing to dye in so good a cause for that he was satisfied in his Conscience that the Doctrine of the Church of Rome led them to Idolatry Superstition Errors Hypocrisy and Lies After he came to London He was examined before the cruel Chancellor who called him Knave Villain Fool and such like unchristian expressions for which the Doctor humbly reproved him and seeing he could not make him turn to his Idolatry he sent him prisoner to the Kings Bench where he lay almost two years At his going away from the Bishop he kneeled down on the floor and lifting up both his hands with a loud voyce he say'd From the Tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and all his detestable errors Idolatries and abominations Good Lord deliver us When in prison he so preached to the rest of the prisoners there and used such godly exhortations and discourses leading also so strict and holy a life that he wrought upon many and converted them from their Superstitious errors He was also very Charitable while he had it relieving others tho he had a Wife and 9 Children but they soon deprived him of his benefice so that he had nothing to support him but the charity of good people which with Gods providence he found sufficient Several examinations he had before the Bishops where he strenuously maintained his positions for the Clergies Marriage and against the Corporeal presence of Christ in the Sacrament but at last they overcame him with their Temporal Weapon persecuting power backt by Statute Law and by it they Condemned him with Mr. Bradford and others to death as Hereticks to be burnt alive After this sentence he was degraded by Bishop Bonner in prison and they were compelled by main force to put on their Popish Trinkets upon his back he refuseing to do it himself and after they had notch'd his Hair and pair'd orscrap'd his fingers ends and with all their foppish Ceremonies stript him of his Popish habiliments when the Bishop should have struck him on the Breast with his staff seeing the sturdiness of the Doctor who was a portly bigg man Bonner was afraid and omitted that last Ceremony lest the Dr. should have struck him again The next day after this his degradation which is like the last unction for the burial at two of the Clock in the morning the Sheriffs took him and delivered him to his Guards who were to Conduct him to Hadley to be burnt there at which he rejoyced being willing to seal the Doctrine he had there preached with his blood His Wife fearing they would have him away by night for they feared daylight and the people she watched all night with two Children in the Porch of St. Buttolphs Church near Algate which way she knew he must pass and about 3 of the Clock it being very dark she heard the noise of the guard at which she ran out to her husband where was such a moaning and pathetick greeting or rather separation that the Sheriffs wept but forced her to depart and led him to the sign of the Woolsack where he was put on horseback with a hood over his face a place made for his Eyes to look out at and a slit for his Mouth that he might breath After this manner they carried him along that he might not be known all which he patiently suffered When he was come to Suffolk many of the Gentry and Justices of the peace met him of his friends and acquaintance all endeavouring to perswade him to save his Life by Recantation offering him not only pardon for his Life but great promotions even a Bishoprick But this good and constant professor of the Gospel strengthned by Gods holy Spirit refused all those Temptations coming to Hadley he rode thorow the Town where the poor people were assembled with grievous Moans and Tears Kneeling down and with lifted up hands prayed to God to strengthen him to whom he sayd That he had preached to them Gods Word the Truth and that he was now come to seal it
finding that he could not prevail upon him he put him into the Stocks in his Gate-house where he continued 2 days and 2 nights without any thing but a Crust of Bread and a Cup of water which he would not touch After this the Bishop sent for him again and finding him still in the same mind refuseing to deny his Faith he sent him to the prison where the Convict were kept and caused him to be loaden with as many irons as he could bear There he lay near three quarters of a year having only a halfpeny a day of the Bishop for bread and drink In which time he had been 4 or 5 times before the Bishop sometimes threatning him with burning at other times flattering him and offering him perferment as to make him a Freeman and to give him 40 l. to set up his trade or else he would make him his Steward finding him a witty young man But he answered that unless he could convince his Conscience by the Scriptures he could not turn from his Faith and from God for the Love of the World for that be accounted all worldly things but loss and dung in respect of the Love of Christ After this he was Condemned and sent to Newgate and thence to Burntwood to be Martyred Thither he was carried and received by the Sheriffs he shewing an Admirable Constancy His father and mother being of the same faith tho tender of him rejoyced to see his undaunted Constancy he being so young a man his mother saying she was heattily glad that she was so happy as to bear such a child who could find in his heart to lose his life so willingly for Christs name sake Ah mother said William for the little pain I am like to suffer Christ hath promised me a Crown of Joy You may be glad of that then his mother kneeling on her knees said I pray God to strengthen thee to the End for I think thee as well bestow'd as any child that I ever bare The night before he was burnt he saw every thing in his dream that hapned the next day and related it when he awaked to his fellow prisoner who was also burnt not long after in another place which we shall mention and every Circumstance of it was fulfilled when he came to the place of execution according to his dream the Queens pardon was offer'd if he would recant but he refused it but goeing to the Stake stood upright against it to which they bound him and whilst they were placing the faggots about him he desired the People to pray from him so long as they saw he was alive and desired they would quickly dispatch him Then the Justice said that he would pray no more for him than for a Dog Then said William I pray God Mr. Brown this my death be not laid to your charge in the last day however I forgive you I ask no forgiveness of you reply'd the Justice 〈◊〉 God do not forgive you said William my blood will be required at your hands Then being ready to put fire to him he cryed O son of God sinne upon me and it was observed upon those words it being a dark and cloudy morning the sun immediately shined forth and so full on his face that he was forced to turn his head another way at which the people mused Then taking up a faggot of broom in his Arms a Priest who he had seen in his dream came to him with a Popish book to perswade him to recant to whom he used the same woâ—ds as he had done in his dream Away thou false Prophet beware of them good people and come from their wicked Abominations lest you be partakers of their plagues Then quoth the Priest look how thoâ— burnest here so shalt thoâ— burn in Hell Thâ—u hest thou false Prophet said William away thou false Prophet away fire being then put to him he lifted up his hands towardâ— Heaven and said Lord Lord Lord receive my Spirâ—â— then casting down his head into the flame Smother and Smoke he yeilded up his life for the Truth sealing it with his Blood to the praise of God Two Gentlemen of Essex Martyr'd The very same day that this last holy Martyr suffered Mr. Higbad and Mr. Caston both Gentlemen of good repute in Essex suffered likewise in several places They were both of them true servants of God and professors of the Gospel for which they had been clapt up into Colchester Goâ—l and Bishop Bonner coming thither had them to examination but seeing he could not reclaim them he caused them to be carried to London where he kept them in strait prison till they were brought to their publick examination at the Consistory of St. Pauls where several Articles were exhibited against them and to which they severally put in their Answers but in fine not Truth but power prevailed for when the Bishops saw they could not bend them to their minds they made use of the Temporal Sword or rather fire to cut them off For they condemned them to death and delivered them to the Sheriffs of London who carried them to Newgate and after they had been there 14 days they were carried without Algate and delivered to the Sheriffs of the County of Essex Who caused them to be bound carried away in a Cart to the places of their habitations where they were to suffer the one to Hornden on the Hill the other to Rayly where on the said 26 day of March they did most constantly seal their Faith by shedding of their blood by most cruel fire to the Glory of God and to the great strengthning of the godly Because we intend this Book for a Manual or small pocket book and of easy price that every one may be able without great hurt to themselves to purchase it we are forced to be very brief in the sequel as it were just to name them to you for indeed there was let forth such a glut of Innocent blood being above 300 Martyrs besides such as dyed privately in Prisons not made known or remarqu'd that we are not able to give you the full relation of them all in this narrow compass which we have allotted to our selves But what is most moving and worthy observation shall not be omitted so that you have magnum in parvo a great Volume in a little Book Three more burnt in Essex and B. Farrar in Wales William Pigot Stephen Knight and John Laurence had been condemned as we told you before and now upon the 28th day of March Pigot was burnt at Braintree Knight at Maldon in Essex Lawrence having been a Priest was first degraded by Bonner and then sent to Colchester where on the 29th of the aforesaid Month not being able to go or stand by reason his leggs had been so worn with heavy Irons in prison and his body weakned he was carried to the fire in a chair so sitting shewing great constancy was consumed to Ashes When he was in the
their Idolatry and Superstition Essex was fruitful in Martyrs the fires were so frequent that we can but just name them to you On the 28th of April Six were burnt together at Colchester being condemned to the fire by the Bishop of London or rather Butcher of London Bonner chearfully ending their lives to the glory of God's name and the great incouragement of others This bloody Bonner had mercy on none all went to pot who came under his Clutches one Hugh Lavercock a Painter by trade of the Parish of Barkin 68 years of Age and a Cripple and John Apprice a poor blind man were both accused to the Bishop who sent for them to examination which was about the Sacrament the bodily presence of Christ in the same which they denyed and Lavercock told him that their Doctrine was contrary to the Scriptures and the Blind Man said you are not of the Catholick Church for ye make Laws to Kill men and then make the Queen your Hangman This so enraged the Bishop that he immediatly caused the definitive sentence of excommunication to be pronounced against them and so delivered them over to the secular power to be burnt they were carryed from the Bishop to Newgate and on the 15. of May 1556. were both drawn thorow London to Stratford le Bow when they were come to the stake after they had put the Chain about them the Cripple flung away his Crutch merrily saying to the blind man his fellow sufferer Be of good cheer Brother for my Lord of London is our good Physitian he will shortly heal us both thee of thy blindness and me of my lamenest And so patiently fire being put to them these two poor men but holy Martyrs suffered in the fire and praising God yeilded up their Souls into his hands whose name to the end they Constantly confessed The very next day after these suffered being the 16th of May 3 women were Martyred in Smithfield a fourth was condemned with them by Bonner whose name was Margeret Ellis but she dyed in Newgate before the day of their execution the names of the other 3 were Katherin Hut a widdow Joan Hornes a maid and Elisabeth Thackvel These being examined upon several Articles but especially that of the Sacrament which chiefly touched their Lives Katherine Hat told the Bishop that she deny'd it to be God because it was a dumb God and made with mens hands and Joan Horns said If you can make your god bleed or shew any Condition of a living Body I will believe you and not else And as for the Romish See I forsake all its abominations from which good Lord deliver us Those 3 innocent women were condemned for the cause of the Gospel had to Smithfield and willingly gave their Bodyes to be burnt dying more joyfully in the flames than many in their beds such a Lord is God glorious and wonderfull in all his Saints A blind Boy and a Bricklayer burnt at Gloucester In the same month of May at Gloucester suffered one Thomas Croker a Bricklayer and a blind boy named Thomas Drowrie who had been much confirmed in the Faith by Bishop Hooper This boy being examined upon the Article of the Sacrament by Dr. Williams the Bishops Chancellor and being asked if he believed the bodyly presence in the Sacrament the boy answered boldly no he did not believe it Then being asked who taught him that heresie That did you said the boy in the Pulpit of this Church where you told us in your Sermon That the Sacrament was to be received Spiritually by Faith and not Carnally and really as the Papists have heretofore taught At this the Dr. was vext but says he to the Boy do you as I have done repent and you shall live or else be burnt Tho you said the Boy can so easily dispense with your self and mock God the World and your Conscience yet I can't nor will do so Then said the Chancellor I will read the sentence against thee Gods will be done reply'd the blind boy And so he was condemned with the other before mentioned and delivered over to the secular power both of them in one fire Constantly and Joyfully yeilding their souls into the hands of the Lord Jesus On the 21st of the same month of May three men were burnt together at Beckles in Suffolk their names were Thomas Spicer a Labourer John Denny and Edmond Pool whom they were so hasty to put to Death that they burnt them before the writ de Comburendo came from London When they were at the stake they prayed and recited the belief and when they came to the Article of belief in the Catholick Church a Knight that was by said that is well 't is the best word you have said yet To which Pool answered Tho we believe in the Catholick Church we do not believe in the Romish Church Then fire being put to them they praised God in the midst of the flames with such an audible voyce that it seem'd wonderful to all those who stood by and heard them But some were so wicked that they bid the people to fling faggots at them to stop their mouths which however none would do Several other Martyrs and 13 in one fire In the next Month of June on the 6th day 4 more were burnt in Lewis in Sussex after long Imprisonment their names were Tho. Harland a Carpenter John Oswald an Husbandman Thomas Avington a Turner and Thomas Read In the same month in the same Town was burned Thomas Wood a Minister and Thomas Mills a lay man Several dyed in prisons which we do not mention We shall now mention a large malfire of humane flesh no less than 11 men and two women burnt together at Stratford on Bow condemned by Bonner three more were condemned but reprieved by the Cardinal these on the 27th of June were drawn from Newgate to the place aforesaid most of them being of Essex their names were Henry Adlington a Sawyer Lawrence Parnam a Smith Henry Wye a Brewer William Hallywell a Smith Thomas Bowyer a Weaver George Searles a Taylor Edmund Hurst a Labourer Lyon Cawch a Broker Ralf Jackson a serving man John Derifal a Labourer John Routh a Labourer Elizabeth Pepper the wife of a weaver and Agnes George the wife of an husbandman whose husband was afterwards condemned but saved by the Death of the Queen When they were brought to the place they were divided and put a while apart into two several Rooms then the Sheriff going to one company told them their companions had recanted and had saved their Lives advising them to do the like but they answered That their Faith was not builded on man but on Christ Crucified The Sheriff finding no good to be done with them he went to the other company telling them the same lye to whom they answered as their brethren had done that their Faith was not built on man but on Christ and his Word c. These 11 men were tied to 3 stakes
â—â—een Mary sickned 4 Martyrs were burnt togeâ—â—er at St. Edmunds-bury by the Bâ—shop of Norwich â—â—e names of these were James Ashâ—ey a Bâ—tchelor â—â—on Cook is Sawyer Robert â—lâ—â—es a Sheerman and Exander Lane a Wheel-wright In Ipâ—wich on the 4 of November one Alexander â—â—uch and Alice Driver were Martyr'd the aforesaid â—â—â—e Driver having both her ears out off for comâ—ring Queen Mary to Jezabel When they came to â—â—e stake singing of Psalms the Sheriff was so cruel â—â—d churâ—â—sh to them that he interrupted them and â—ould not let them stay to pray but would have â—em fastned to the stake and was enraged to see â—â—y take them by the hand threatning to have them 〈◊〉 prison yet they would not forbear Thus they â—xpressed their malice to these poor wretches but his wicked Sheriff died within 3 weeks after which â—as loâ—k'd on as a just judgment upon so cruel a â—ersecutor In the same month 3 more were burned at Bary â—â—eir names were Philip Hâ—mfreâ— John David â—nd Henry David his Brother At Exeter a poor â—oman was burnt being the wife of one Pâ—â—eâ— of â—bout 56 years of Age and being a silly ignorant â—oman in the esteem of the Priests they thought â—hey should be able to overcome her but they â—â—avelled in vain and all they could do could not â—ervert her being strengthend by the Spirit of â—â—od When the came to the stake she shewed â—â—eat chearfulness and alacrity and said I thank â—ee O God this day I have found what I long â—â—ught â—â—r And being uâ—ged to recant Nay said she God â—â—rbid I shâ—uld lose Eternal Lâ—f for this Carual and â—ort life I will never turn from my heavenly husband â—â—my earthly huâ—band from the fellowshâ—p with Angels to morial Children And if my husband 〈◊〉 hâ—an be faithfull then am I theirs God is my Fâ—â—â— God is my Mother God is my Sister my Brother 〈◊〉 Husband God is my friend most faithfull Fâ—â—â— being put to her she cryed out God be mercifâ—â— me a Sâ—â—ner God be mercifull to me a Sinner as so Continued whilst she had life The last Martyrs burnt in Queen Marys days The last that suffered for the Gospel in the day of Queen Mary and that but 6 or 7 days before her death were three mâ—n and 2 women 〈◊〉 the 10th of November at Canterbury their a mâ—â—â— were Jâ—on Corajord Christopher Brown Joâ—â— Hâ—â—â— Alice Snoth and Kâ—therinâ—◠〈◊〉 an aged woman These Five closed up the rage of Queâ—â—â— Marys persecution for the rest mony of thâ—t wâ—râ— for which so mâ—ny had dyed before and geveâ— their Lives meâ—kly and patiently suffering thâ— violent malice of the Papists The matteâ— for which they were judged to the fire was for believing that the Body Blood 〈◊〉 Bones of Christ was not in the Sacrament of 〈◊〉 Altar Upon which these poor people were 〈◊〉 communicated in these Words In the name 〈◊〉 our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the most migâ—â—â— God and by the power of his Holy Spiâ—it and the Authority of his holy Catholick and Apâ—â—â—lick Church we do hereby give into 〈◊〉 Hâ—â—ds of Sathan to be destroyed the Bodys of all these Blasphemers and hereticks that do maintain c Upon this they were delivered over to the secular power and such was the inveterate malice of these Papists to those who professed the Gospel that although they well knew that the Queen was given over by the Physitians and that the could not live yet they had a mind to dispatch these poor wretches and to rid them of their lives blasphemously making use of the names of God and Christ in their Excommunications to torment the Bodys of the Saints with fire and 〈◊〉 give their Souls to the Devil and all to arâ—â—â—o their bloody ends When these Five came 〈◊〉 the stake they prayed very fervently to God â—â—at he would have mercy on the Nation and â—â—at their Blood migâ—t be the last that should 〈◊〉 shed by the violent Rage of the bloody Papists â—nd so it was that God heard their prayers for â—â—ese were the last who suffered for the Gospel 〈◊〉 her Days for on the 17th of the same month â—he dyed and the glorious and renowned Queen â—hizâ—â—eth her Sister succeeded and put a full peâ—iod to the rage reign and bloody Tyrannie of â—he Church of Rome in England and restored the â—eformed Church as now Established to its splenâ—â—our and purity which having passed the firy â—â—val and drunk so deeply of persecution one would believe should never go about to persecute others But God preserve this Nation from the dreadful Tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and let all people heartily say Amen FINIS