Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright, Volume 2 · Book 11

Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright · Volume 2 · Book 11

p. 121The eleuenth Booke.

THe fourth day of February, ſuffered maiſter Iohn Rogers, M. Iohn Rogers martyr,he was of the Vniuerſitie of Cambridge: from whence at length hee was choſen to bee Chaplaine to the marchantes at Antwerpe, in Brabant: where hée fell in companie with maiſter William Tindall, and with Miles Couerdale: by conference with whom, he came to great knowledge in the Goſpel, and caſt off poperie, and ioyned himſelf with them: as in the tranſlating of the Bible, intituled, the tranſlation of Thomas Mathew. After he was married, hée went to Wittenberge in Saxonie: where he ſo profited in knowledge, and in the Duitch tongue: that the charge of a Congregation was committed vntounto him. In which miniſterie, he faithfully ſerued till the time of king Edwarde. And béeyng orderly called, he returned into Englande againe, without certayntie of any condition of liuing: where he preached diligently. Then Nicholas Ridley Biſhop of London gaue him a Prebend in Paules:M. Rogers diuinity reader in Paules Church. and the Deane and Chapter therechoſe him to reade the diuinity Lecture. In which place, hée remayned till the time of Quéene Marie.

After the Quéen was come to the Tower of London, he being orderly called therevnto, made a vehement ſermon at Paules croſſe, confirming the doctrine taught in king Edwardes time, and exhorting the people to conſtancie. For which he was called into queſtion: and made ſuch anſwere, as for that time he was cléerly diſmiſſed. But after the proclamation, which prohibited true preaching, the Counſell quarrelled with him concerning his doctrine, and commanded him as priſoner to keepe his owne houſe: where p. 122he remained a long time, and might hauehave eſcaped, if hee would. At length by Boners procurement, hée was put among the théeues and murtherers in Newgate for a great ſpace He was firſt examined the 22. of Ianuary by Wincheſter,Rogers condemned. with the reſt of the cōmiſſioners. Then again the 28. & 29. of the ſame monethmonth: & in the end they read the ſentence of condemnation againſt him: mentioning there but 2. articles. Firſt, that he affirmed y^e church of Rome to be of Antichriſt: Secondly, that he denied the realtie of the Sacrament. And ſo committed him vntounto the Sheriffes handes, ſending him and maiſter Hooper (who with maiſter Cardemaker was examined at the ſame time) to the Clinke, there to remaine till night, and from thence then to be remoued to Newgate. After ſentence giuen, Maiſter Rogers required of Gardiner, that his wife (being a ſtrāger) might come and ſpeake with him ſo long as he liued. Which Gardiner Cruel Gardiner,would not, though ſhe were a ſtranger, & had 11. children, and one ſucking on her: whom her huſband woulde hauehave comforted and counſelled, but Gardiner would not permit it.

In the morning the fourth of Februarie, Anno 1555. 1555being munday, hée was warned ſodainely by the kéepers wife, to prepare himſelfe to the fire (Who beeing then ſounde aſléepe, ſcarce with much ſhogging coulde bee awaked) & being bid to make haſt: then ſaid he, if it be ſo, I ſhal not néede to tye my poyntes. And ſo was he had downe: firſt to Boner Boner would not ſuffer maiſter Rogers to talke one word with his wife before his death. Maiſter Rogers the firſt martyr of Q. Maries dayes.to be diſgraded: that done, he craued of Boner, he might talke a fewe wordes with his wife before his death. This Boner would not ſuffer: So was he brought into Smithfield by maiſter Cheſter, and maiſter Woodrofe then Sheriffes of London, and chéerefully ended his martirdome in the fire: waſhing his handes in the flame as he was in burning. His pardō was brought him at y^e ſtake, if he would hauehave recanted: but he vtterly refuſed it, and was the firſt martyr of Quéene Maries daies.

p. 123The Sunday before he ſuffered he drunke to Maſter Hooper being then vnderneth him, and bad them commend him vntounto him, and tell him there was neuer little fellow better would ſticke to a man then he would to him; thinking they ſhould hauehave burned together.

In the priſon he wrote a certaine prophecie of the ruine of the pope here in England,A prophecie of the ruine of the pope in England. and reſtauration of the Goſpell againe, which accordingly came to paſſe by y^e bleſſed raigne of Quéene Elizabeth.

In the monethmonth of February the viij. day. Anno 1555. Laurence Saunders Laurence Saunders.a Gentleman of a worſhipfull houſe, was burned at Couentrie, after he had béen pryſoner a yéere and a half in the Marſhalſea. He was brought vp in Eaton, & from thence was choſen to go to Kings Colledge in Cambridge: where he continued ſcholer in the Colledge 3. yeres, and profited much. From thence departing to his parents: by their aduiſe, hee minded to become a marchant, and was bounde apprentice with Syr William Cheſter, who afterward was Sheriffe of London. The ſame yéere Saunders was burned at Couentrie, his maiſter conſidering his towardneſſe in learning, and his great zeale in religion, diſcharged him of his ſeruice, as one méete for an other vſe. Wherevpon he returned to Cambridge againe, where he profited greatly in the Gréeke and Hebrewe tongues: and gaue himſelfe whollie to the ſtudie of Diuinitie, and continued in the Vniuerſitie till he had procéeded Maſter of Artes. And a long ſpace after, in the beginning of King Edwardes time, hée was called to reade a Lecture at Fothringam, in Diuinitie: where he greatlie edified many. Which being diſſolued, hée was placed in the Minſter at Lichfielde, to reade there. From whence hée was called to a Benefice in Leiceſter ſhire, called Church-lancton, wherupon he kept reſidence. And from thence he was called to Aſhalowes in Breadſtréete in London. Where behauing himſelfe according to his duetie, he was accuſed by ſir Iohn p. 124Mordant (Counſellour to Quéene Mary) vntounto Boner: and after examination, being commanded to priſon by the B. of Wincheſter, he anſwered: that he did giuegive God thanks who had giuen him at the laſt a reſting place, where hee might pray for the Biſhops conuerſion. His conſtancie was ſuch, that he forbad his wife to ſue for his deliuerie.Laurence Saunders conſtancie. And when other of his friends had by ſuite almoſt obtained it, he diſcouraged them. In priſon he wrote diuers comfortable letters to his wife,Sanders wrote diuers letters. to Doctor Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer, priſoners for the like cauſe in Oxford: to M. Ferrar B. of S. Dauies, Taylor, Bradford, Philpot, to miſtres Lucie Harrington, &c. After hee was excommunicated and deliuered to the ſecular power, he was brought by the Sheriffe of London to the counter, in his pariſh in Bredſtréet: wherat he reioyced greatly.

The fourth day of February, the Biſhop of London did come to priſon, where he was to diſgrade him: which when he had done, Laurence Saunders ſaid, I thanke God, I am not of your Church.

The day following in the morning, he was deliuered to certaine of the Quéenes gard to bee carried to Couentrie, there to be burned. The firſt night he lay at S. Albones, where maiſter Grimoalde did ſpeake with him, a man of greater giftes then conſtancie: after maiſter Saunders had giuen him a leſſon méete for his lightneſſe, he tooke a cuppe into his hands, aſked him if he woulde pledge him of that cuppe of which hée woulde beginne to him vntounto him: to whom Grimoald ſhrugging, ſaide: of that cuppe in your hand I will pledge you,Sweet ſayings of Laurence Saunders. but of that other which you meane, I will not promiſe you. Well, (ſaide maiſter Saunders) my déere Lorde Ieſus Chriſt hath begunne to mee of a more bitter cup then mine ſhalbe, and ſhall I not pledge my moſt ſwéete Sauiour? Yes I hope.

After they were come to Couentrie, the ſame night, he was put into the common gaole among other priſoners: p. 125where he ſpent all that night in prayer, and in inſtructing others.

The next day, which was the viij. of Februarie, he was had to the place of execution, in the Parke without the Citie: where comming to the ſtake, he took it in his armes, and kiſſed it, ſaying: welcome the Croſſe of Chriſt, welcome euerlaſting life. And being faſtened to the ſtake, and fire put to him, full ſwéetly he ſlept in the Lord.

Anno 1555. The ix. of Februarie, was B. Hooper burned at Gloceſter,Hooper burned at Gloſter. for the teſtimonie of Ieſus. He had béene Graduate in the Vniuerſitie of Oxforde, in the time of the ſixe Articles. Wincheſter conferred with him 4. or 5. daies together, and not preuayling with him, diſmiſſed him to his M. ſir T. Arundel, whoſe Steward he had béene, when hee had forſaken Oxford for feare of the ſixe Articles.

After the conference with Wincheſter, he had intelligence of danger: and being counſelled to prouide for himſelf, went ouer beyond the ſea, and being at Paris, ſtayed not long, till he was againe layd for. So hee returned againe into England, and was retayned of M. Sentlow. After that, he departed againe beyond ſeas, through France into Germanie, where he was wel acquainted with M. Bullinger at Zuricke: there he married a wife, a Burgonian, and then applied very ſtudiouſly the hebrew tongue. In K. Edwards raigne he returned again into Englād, and taking his leaue of M. Bullinger, ſaid vntounto him: you ſhall ſure from time to time heare from me, but the laſt newes of all, I ſhal not be able to write. For (ſaid he) you ſhal heare of me to be burned to aſhes: and (taking M. Bullinger by the hande) ſaid, where I ſhal take moſt paynes: and that ſhall be the laſte newes, which I ſhall not be able to write vntounto you, but you ſhal heare it of me. Thus prophecying of the maner of his death.Hooper preacheth once or twiſe a day. After that he had preached a while in London (for the moſt part twiſe, at the leaſt once eueryevery day, & neuer fayled) he was called to preach before the K. maieſtie, and ſoone p. 126after made Biſhop Gloceſter by the kings cōmandement: In which office he continued two yeares, and after that, was made B. of Worceſter: which he had not long enioyed, but the biſhops quarrelled with him for the apparrell, which he refuſed to weare. And in the ende they ſo preuayled, that he agréed ſometimes to ſhew himſelfe apparrelled as the other biſhops were. Afterwards (king Edward being dead, and Marie being crowned Quéene) this good Biſhop was one of the firſt that was ſent for by a Purſiuant, to be at London. He might by flight hauehave auoyded danger, but woulde not: ſaying to thoſe that woulde hauehave perſwaded him thereto: Once I did flie, and tooke me to my féete; but now, becauſe I am called to this place and vocation, I am throughly perſwaded to tarrie, and to liue and die with my ſhéepe. And ſo (hauing made his appearance) after much rating, he was cōmaunded by the Counſell to warde: it being declared vntounto him at his departure, that the cauſe of his impriſonment was only for certaine ſummes of money, for the which he was indebted to the Quéenes maieſtie, and not for Religion.

The next yere, being anno 1554. the ninetéenth day of March, he was called againe to appeare before Wincheſter: where, what for the B. and what for the vnruly multitude, when he could not be permitted to pleade his cauſe, he was depriued of his Biſhopricke.

Hooper depriued.The firſt of September, anno 1553. he was committed to the Fléete from Richmond, to hauehave libertie of the priſon, and within ſixe dayes after he payd for his libertie v. l. ſterling, to the warden for fées: who immediatly vponupon y^e paymēt hereof, complayned of him to Steuen Gardiner, and ſo was he committed to cloſe priſon one quarter of a yere in y^e Tower chāber of the Fléet, where he was vſed very extremely. After one quarter of a yere and ſomewhat more, Babington the warden of the Fléete, & his wife fell out w^t him about the maſſe: ſo he was put into y^e wardes, where he cōtinued a lōg p. 127time, hauing nothing appointed for his bed but a litle pad of ſtraw and a rotten couering, and a tike with a fewe feathers therein: the chamber vile and ſtinking,Hooper hardly vſed in pryſon. till good people ſent him a bed to lie on: On the one ſide of which priſon was the ſinke and filth of the houſe, and on the other ſide the towne ditch, ſo that the ſtinch of the houſe had infected him with ſundry diſeaſes.

During which time hée was ſicke, and the doores, barres, haſpes and chaynes beyng all cloſed and made faſt vppon him, he mourned and called for help: but the Warden, when he had knowne him many times ready to die, and when the poore men of the wardes hauehave called to helpe him, hée hath commanded the doores to be kept faſt, and charged that none of his men ſhould come at him, ſaying: let him alone: it were a good riddance of him. And finally, his vſage was ſuch, that he feared he ſhould hauehave died in priſon through vile intreaty, before he ſhould come to iudgement.

Againe, he was examined: Anno 1555. the 22. of Ianuary, before the Biſhop of Wincheſter, with other biſhops and commiſſioners of Saint Mary oueries: where, whē (being exhorted by them therevnto) he refuſed to returne to the popiſh Church, he was had to priſon againe, and was ſhifted from his former chamber into another, néere to the wardens chamber. Where he remained 6. daies, till his chamber was ſearched for bookes and writinges, by D. Martin and others, but none were found.

The xxviij. day of Ianuarie, Hooper appeared againe before Gardiner and the Commiſſioners, in the afternoone, with Maſter Rogers. Their examinations being ended, the two ſherifes of London were commaunded to carry them to the counter in Southwarke,Hooper and Rogers ſent to the Counter there to remayne till the morrow at ix. of the clocke, to ſée whether they would relent. So M. Hooper went before with one of the ſherifs, and M. Rogers with the other: to whom M. Hooper (looking back) ſaid, come brother R. muſt we two take this matter firſt in hand, p. 128and beginne to frie theſe faggots? Yea ſir (ſaid M. Rogers) by Gods grace. Doubt not (ſaid M. Hooper) but God will giuegive ſtrength. They were committed to the kéeper of the Counter, and appointed to ſeuerall chambers: not being ſuffered to ſpeake one with the other, neither yet any other permitted to come at them that night.

VponUpon the xxix. of Ianuary, they were both brought againe by the Shiriffes of London before the commiſſioners: and when they could not be perſwaded to forſake the truth, the Shiriffes of London were willed to carrie them to the Clincke, there to remaine til night. And when it was darke, Maſter Hooper was had to Newgate, there remaining ſix daies cloſe priſoner. During which time; Boner, Fecknam, Chadſey, and Harpſfield, &c. reſorted to him, to aſſay to perſwade him to forſake the trueth: which when he would not doe, they ſpread falſe rumors of his relenting. Wherof whē maiſter Hooper Falſe rumors of Hoopers relenting.heard, he directed a letter wherein he purgeth himſelf of that ſlaunder. VponUpon munday morning, Boner came to Newgate, and there diſgraded him. And the fifte of February, about foure of the clocke in the morning, he was led by the Sheriffes foorth of Newgate, to a place appoynted, not farre from S. Dunſtans Church in Fléete ſtréete: where ſixe of the Quéenes gard were appointed to cary him to Gloceſter, there to be burned. Whereat hee greatly reioyced: being glad that he ſhould confirm his doctrine which he had taught to his owne flock, by martyrdom before their eyes, whō he had inſtructed. So being brought to Gloceſter, he was lodged all night at Robert Ingrams houſe, and watched by the ſheriffes there all night. His deſire was, that he might go to bed betimes that night, ſaying that hée had many things to remember: and ſo did at fiue of the clock, & ſlept one ſléep ſoūdly: beſtowing the reſt of y^e night in praier. After, he gat vp in the morning, & deſired that no man ſhould be ſuffered to come into y^e chamber: that he might be ſolitary til the houre of execution. At nine of the clocke he was willed p. 129to prepare himſelfe, for the time was at hand. At which time, and when he came to the place of execution, hée was neuer knowne during the time of his beyng amongſt them,Hooper goeth cheerefully to his death. to looke with ſo chéerefull a countenaunce as he did at that preſent. When hée came to the place where hée ſhould die, ſmiling he beheld the ſtake, and preparation made for him, he knéelyng downe made a prayer vponupon the whole Créede for the ſpace of halfe an houre. Now after hée was ſomewhat entered into his prayer, a boxe was brought, and layd before him vponupon a ſtoole, with his pardon, if he would turne:Hooper refuſeth pardon. at the ſight whereof he cried, if you louelove my ſoule, away with it: if you louelove my ſoule, away with it. When his praiers were ended, and hée ſtripped to his ſhirte, hée went vp to the ſtake, and had deliuered vntounto him a pound of gun-powder, whiche hée truſſed cloſe betwixt his legges, and aſmuch vnderunder each arme hole. So réedes being ſet about him and caſt vp, he receiued two bundels of them in his owne hands, embraced them and kiſſed them, and put vnderunder ech arme one of them, and ſhewed with his hande, how the reſt ſhould be beſtowed. So fire being put to, he endured iij. quarters of an houre at leaſt in the fire before hée died: it was ſo euill made, and the wind did ſo ſtande. In which paines he prayed ſo long as he could, earneſtly to the Lord:Hooper a worthy martyr. and the vſe of tongue being taken away, hée knocked ſo long on his breſtes with his handes, till one of his armes fell of: and then with the other, till his hand did cleaue faſt to the iron vponupon his breſt.

Anno 1555. The ix. of February Doctor Taylor, Doctor Taylor martyr.doctor of both the lawes, was burned at Hadley the towne where he was Paſtor. The cauſe of his trouble was one Foſter a petigentleman, after the ſort of a Lawier, a kéeper of courts, and one Iohn Clerke of Hadley, becauſe he reſiſted Iohn Auer parſon of Aldam, who would hauehave ſaid Maſſe in Hadley church. For this they complained of him to Stephen Gardiner: who vponupon complaint ſent a letter to D. Taylor, commaunding p. 130him within certaine daies to appeare before him. Which D. Taylor, (cōtrary to y^e perſwaſions of his fréends) did, who ſo ſoone as D. Taylor appéered before him rayled vponupon him, & when he could not preuaile any way to ſeduce him: he commaunded him to priſon, ſaying: hauehave this fellow hence, and cary him to the Kings bench, and charge the kéeper he be ſtraightly kept: ſo they carried him to priſon, where he lay priſoner almoſt two yéeres. Within few daies after, diuers other learned and godly men in ſundrie countries of England were layd in pryſon for religion,All the priſons in England Chriſtian ſchooles and Churches. ſo that almoſt all the pryſons in England were become right chriſtian ſchooles and churches. D. Taylor when he was come to the Kings bench, there found M. Bradford, who had great cōfort one of another. After that D. Taylor had lyen in priſon a while, he was cited to appeare in the arches at Bow-church, there to anſwere &c. & ſo to be depriued: who ſo handled the matter of his mariage by ſcriptures, doctors, lawes, ciuill & canon, that the iudge could giuegive no ſentēce to diuorſe him: but gaue ſentence of depriuation becauſe he was married. After a yéere & thrée quarters (in which time they had gotten old tyrannous lawes put downe in K. Henry the 8. time, & of K. Edward, to be reſtored againe) about the 22. of Ianuary D. Tailor appéered againe before the cōmiſſioners: where after perſwaſions and threats at Gardiners hands & the reſt, he conſtantly holding the truth, was had to priſon againe, where he endured cloſe till the laſt of Ianuary.

VponUpon which day he with M. Bradford, and M. Saunders were again called to appéere before Wincheſter, Norwich, London, Saliſburie, &c. where charged with Hereſie and Schiſme, they were required to giuegive determinate anſwere, whether they would recant or no: who ſhewing themſelues bolde and conſtant in the cauſe of Chriſt, receiued the ſentence of condemnation, with chéerefulneſſe and thankeſgiuing to God, that they were counted worthy to ſuffer for his name. So Doctor Taylor Taylor, Bradford, Saunders condemned.beyng condemned was p. 131committed to the Clinke, where hee was beſtowed till towards night, and then he was remoued to the Counter. Where after he had lyen a ſeuenight, Boner came to diſgrade him: at which diſgrading, whē Boner would hauehave had him put on the Antichriſtian attire, he would not himſelf do it: but it was forced vponupon him by others. And when he was throughly furniſhed therwith, he ſet his hands by his ſide,M. Tayler is pleaſant at antichr… attire walking vp and downe, and ſaide: how ſay you my Lorde? Am I not a goodly foole? how ſay you my maiſters? So the B. ſcraped his fingers, thombs, and crown of his head: and when he ſhould hauehave giuen him a ſtroke on his breſt with his croſier ſtaffe, the B. Chaplen ſaide, my Lord ſtrike him not, for he will ſure ſtrike againe. Yea that will I (q… Doctor Taylor) the cauſe is Chriſtes, and I were no … Chriſtian, if I wold not fight in my maiſters quarrel. S… … Biſhop being afraide, laid his curſe vponupon him. The fo… day of February, Doctor Taylors They ſtrike out D. Tailors braines at the fire.wife and his ſonne ſup… with him in the Counter, and the next day by two of the clocke in the morning, the Sheriffe of London with his officers came to the Counter, and ſo brought forth D. Taylor without any light: leading him to the Wolſacke, an Inne without Algate: where he was ſtraightway put in a chamber, and kept with 4. yomen of the guard, and the Sheriffes men. Where Doctor Taylor fell downe on his knées, & gaue himſelfe wholly to praier. At the Wolſacke he remained til xi. of the clocke: at which time, the Sheriffe of Eſſex was ready to receiue him. And ſo they ſet him on horſeback within the Inne, the gates being ſhut. At Burntwood they cauſed to be made for D. Taylor They maſke D. Taylor that he might not be knowen.a cloſe hood, with two holes for his eies, and a ſlit for his mouth to breath at. This they did that no man ſhould know him, nor he ſpeake to any man: which practiſe they vſed with others.

All the way, he was very chéerefull and merrie, to the great woondering of the companie. At Chelmesford, the Sheriffe of Suffolke mette him, and tooke him to his p. 132charge, and perſwaded him to reuolt, and dranke to him of the ſame condition. So did the gard, ſaying: on this condition, Maiſter Doct. we al drink to you. When they had all drunk to him, and the cup was come to him: he ſtaied a litle, as one ſtudying what anſwere he might giuegive: at the laſt he ſaide, maiſter Sheriffe, & my maiſters all, I heartily thanke you for your goodwil. I hauehave hearkened to your words, and marked well your counſels: and to be plaine with you, I doe perceiue that I hauehave béene deceiued my ſelfe, and am like to deceiue a great many in Hadley of their expectations. With that word they all reioyced: yea, good maiſter Doctor (quoth … Sheriffe) Gods bleſſing on your heart, holde you there … it is the comfortableſt worde that wée hearde you … yet: what? ſhould you caſt away your ſelfe in vain? … a wiſe mans part, and I dare warrant you, you ſhall … fauour.

Thus they reioyced very much at the wordes and were …y merry. At the laſt, good maiſter Doctor (quoth the ſheriffe) what meane you by this? that you thinke you hauehave …ene deceiued your ſelfe &c. Would you know my meaning plainely (quoth he) I will tell you, I hauehave béene deceiued, and (as I thinke) I ſhal deceiue a great manie: I am as you ſée, a man that hath a very great carkas, which I thought ſhoulde hauehave béene buried in Hadley Churchyarde, if I had died in my bed, as I well hoped I ſhoulde hauehave done. But herein I ſée I was deceiued: and there are a great number of woormes in Hadley Churchyarde, which ſhould hauehave had iolly féeding vponupon this carrion, which they hauehave looked for manie a day.The wormes deceiued by D. Taylors burning. But nowe I know, wée be deceyued, I, and they: for this carkas muſt bée burnt to aſhes, and ſo ſhall they looſe their baite and féeding. When the Sheriffe and his companie heard him ſay ſo: they were amazed, maruelling at his conſtancie. Departing thence, and comming within two myles of Hadley, hée deſired to light of his Horſe to make water. p. 133which done, he leapt, and fetcht a friſke or twaine,D. Taylor of a marueylous courage. as men commonly doe in daunſing. Why M. Doctor, quoth the ſheriffe, how do you now? He anſwered, well God be praiſed, good M. ſheriffe, neuer better, for now I know I am almoſt at home. And at the laſt, comming to Aldam Common, the place aſſigned where he ſhould ſuffer, and vnderſtanding it was the place, he ſaide: Thanked be God, I am euen at home, & ſo lighted from his horſe, and with both his handes rent the hood from his head: and profering to ſpeake to the people, who prayed for him, and ſaluted him, one or other thruſt a tipſtaffe into his mouth, and would in no wiſe permitte him to ſpeake. For he was threatned, and ſo were others, that he ſhould hauehave his tongue cutte out of his head, except he would promiſe to kéepe ſilence at his death. Whē he had praied, he kiſſed the ſtake, and ſet himſelfe into a pitch barrell, which they had ſet for him to ſtande in. So praying,They ſtrike out D. Tailors braines at the fire. and calling on the name of God, he endured the torment, til one Soice with an halbert ſtrooke him on the head, that the braynes fell out, and the dead corps fell into the fire.

Within viij. or ix. dayes, after S. Gardiner had geuen ſentence againſt M. Hooper, M. Rogers, M. Saunders, Doctor Taylor, and Maſter Bradford, being the viij. of Februarie, ſixe other good men were brought before the biſhoppes to be examined for their Religion: Whoſe names were, William Pigot Butcher, St. Knight Barber, Tho. Tomkins Weuer, Thomas Hawkes Gentleman, Iohn Lawrence Prieſt, and William Hunter Prentice. From which day, Steeuen Gardiner Gardiner putteth of the butchering of the Saints to Boner.would meddle no more in ſuch kinde of condemnations, but referred the whole doing thereof to Boner Biſhoppe of London. Who taking the matter in hande, in the Conſiſtorie of Paules, the Lord Mayor, and certaine Aldermen ſitting with him, the ix. day of Februarie, he read the ſentence of condemnation againſt the ſixe perſons, which were not executed before the monethmonth of March.

VponUpon the xiij. day of Februarie, Maſter Robert Farrar p. 134Biſhop of ſaint Dauies, was ſent towardes ſaint Dauies, there to be condemned and executed.

The xviij. day of Februarie, Quéene Marie, after long delay, made ful anſwere to the king of Denmarkes letters: who had written two before to her, in the behalfe of Miles Couerdale, Miles Couerdale graunted to the King of Denmarke.for his deliuerance, whereunto ſhe in the ende yelded.

The xix. of Februarie, there was a certaine intimation printed in the name of Boner: where charge was geuen to eueryevery man and woman within his Dioces, to prepare them ſelues againſt Lent to receiue reconciliation ſent from pope Iulius 3. by Poole his Cardinall, and Legate de latere: and ſo to be abſolued.

Of the vj. before mentioned condemned by Boner, Tho. Tomkins Thomas Tomkins Martyr.was the firſt that ſuffered, the xvj. of March 1555. 1555in Smithfield. His dwelling was in Shordich, in the Dioces of Lond. He was kept in priſon by Boner halfe a yere, and was of him moſt cruelly vſed; beaten about the face; and parte of his bearde pulled off by Boner. Wherefore he cauſed him to be ſhauen, pretending that then he woulde looke like a Catholike. After that, hauing with him M. Harpſfield, M. Pendleton, Doctor Chadſey, M. Willerton, and other ſtanding by, the Biſhoppe tooke Tomkins by the fingers, and helde his hande directly ouer the flame of a Taper hauing thrée or foure wéekes: ſuppoſing by the payne thereof to terrifie him, and cauſe him to leaue off the profeſſion of the trueth. In the which burning he neuer mooued, till the veines ſhrunke,They burne Tomkins hand with a Taper. and the ſinewes burſt, and the water did ſpirte in Maſter Harpſfieldes face. In ſo much that Harpſfield mooued with pittie, deſired the Biſhoppe to ſtay; ſaying, he had tryed him enough. This burning was in the Biſhops Hall at Fulham. He was ſundrie times examined: The firſt time after he had béene impriſoned about halfe a yere, the 8. of Februarie. His Articles were touching the Sacrament of the Altar.

p. 135The next day he appeared againe at eight of the clocke before noone, and againe the third tyme the ſame day at two of the clocke in the after noone, where remayning conſtant in the doctrine of the Goſpell: the Biſhop gaue ſentence of death againſt him, and ſo beyng deliuered to the Shiriffe of London, was carried to Newgate, where he remayned moſt ioyous and conſtant vntill the xvj. of March next after.Tomkins burned in Smithfield. On which day in Smithfield he ſealed vp his faith in the flaming fire.

The ſame yéere the xvj. of March William Hunter of the age of ninetéene yéeres was martyred for the teſtimonie of the truth, he being a prentiſe in London, in the firſt yéere of Quéene Marie, was commaunded at the Eaſter next followyng to receiue the Communion at a Maſſe by the Prieſt of the pariſh where he dwelt in Colman ſtréete in London: which becauſe he refuſed, he was threatned to be brought before the B. of London. Wherfore his maſter one Th. Taylor a ſilke mā, fearing leaſt he ſhould come in danger for his ſake, required W. Hunter to depart from him: which he did, and came to Burntwood, where his Father dwelt, with whom he remained about the ſpace of half a quarter of a yéere, till being ſuſpected, for reading the vj. of Iohn in the chappell of Burntwood. One Father Otwell a ſumner, and one Thomas Wood vicar of Southweild, with whom alſo he diſagréed in reaſoning of points of the ſacrament, he was cōplained of by the vicar to iuſtice Browne: but Hunter being afraid of the vicars threats, fled. Browne ſent for Hūters father with the Conſtable, & threatned him puniſhment, except he would bring vntounto him his ſon. The father to ſatiſfie the expectation of Browne, road ij. or iij. daies iourneis, & in the high way William met with his Father: who after he had with many teares declared what charge Browne had giuen him, the ſonne ſaid he would go home with him, to ſaue him harmeles whatſoeuer came of it.The father cō pelled againſt the ſonne. So he was brought to iuſtice Browne, who after he had reaſoned w^t him out of the p. 136ſixt of Iohn, and could not peruert him, made a letter immediatly, and ſent William Hunter with a Conſtable to the biſhop of London: who not able to alter Hunters minde, neither by threates nor flatteries, commaunded his men to put him in the ſtockes in his gatehouſe, where hée ſat two dayes and nightes, onelyonly with a cruſt of brownebread, and a cup of water. After two daies the B. aſſaied him againe, and finding him conſtant, ſent him to the conuict priſon, and commaundeth the kéeper to lay irons enough on him. So hée continued in priſon thrée quarters of a yéere: in the whiche time hée had béene before the Biſhop fiue times, beſides the time when he was condemned the ix. day of February in the conſiſtory of Paules with fiue other mo. After ſentence of condemnation of them all, the Biſhop called for William Hunter, and perſwaded with him, ſaying: if thou wilt yet recant, I will make thée a frée man in the Citie, and giuegive thée fortie pounds in good mony to ſet vp thine occupation withall: or I will make thée Stewarde of my houſe, and I will preferre thée &c. Whereto after William had ſaid, he counted all wordly thinges but loſſe and dunge, in reſpect of the louelove of Chriſte; with the reſt hée was ledde to Newgate, where they remayned aboute a monethmonth, and afterwarde were ſent downe, William to Burntwood, and the other to other places in the Countrie.

Now when William was come downe into the Countrie to Burntwood, whiche was the Saturday before the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary that followed on the Munday after, William remained till the Tueſday, becauſe they would not put him to death then, for the holynes of the day. In the meane time his father & mother came and comforted him,Hunters mother encourageth him to be conſtant. and encouraged him, his mother ſaying: that ſhée was glad that euer ſhée was ſo happie to beare ſuche a ſonne, who coulde finde in his heart to looſe his lyfe for Chriſtes names ſake. Then William aunſwered: for my little payne whiche I ſhall ſuffer, whiche is but ſhort, p. 137Chriſt hath promiſed me (ſaid he) a crowne of ioy: may you not be glad of that mother? with other ſuch words of ioy and comfort on both partes. Thus paſſing away ſaterday, Sunday, and munday: on Tueſday morning, when it was morning, the Sheriffe maiſter Brocket called on to ſet forward to the burning of William Hunter. Whoſe ſonne yet did imbrace and comfort William. At the place of his martyrdom, there was a Popiſh prieſt that endeuoured to peruert him at the ſtake, and ſaide vntounto him: as thou burneſt here, ſo ſhalt thou burne in hell. To whom William anſwered: thou lyeſt falſe prophet, away thou falſe prophet, away. His brother béeyng by, ſaide vntounto him: William, Hunters brother encourageth him.thinke on the paſſion of Chriſt, and bée not afrayde of death. To whom hée aunſwered: I am not afrayde: then lift hée vp his handes to heauen, and ſaide: Lorde, Lorde, Lorde, receiue my ſpirite. And caſting downe his head againe into the ſmothering ſmoke, hée yéelded vp his life for the trueth.

The eight of Auguſt, Anno 1553. William Sarton William Sarton.weauer of Briſtow, was brought before Dalbie Chancellour of Briſtow, and by him condemned, for holding againſt the ſacrament of the altar. He was burned the 18. of September, Anno 1556.

At Bedaile, a market towne in Yorkeſhire, were two men perſecuted for the trueth of the Goſpell in the latter dayes of Quéene Marie, the one named Iohn Suell, and the other Richarde Suell: their impriſonment was ſo ſore, that their toes rotted off. In the ende, the one of them at length yeelded to heare maſſe, and within thrée or foure dayes after his libertye, hée drowned himſelfe in a riuer running by Richmonde, called Swaile: the other endured to the ende béeyng condemned by Doctour Dakins. Who after ſentence giuen againſt the martyr, came home to his houſe, and neuer ioyed after, but died.

p. 138Anno 1555. the xxvi. of March, Maiſter Higbed, and Maiſter Canſton, Gentlemen of Eſſex, were put to death for the teſtimonie of the Goſpel: the one at Hornden of the hill, and the other at the pariſh of Thundreſt. Boner perceiuing theſe two Gentlemen to bée of woorſhipfull eſtate: leaſt anie tumult ſhoulde thereby ariſe, came downe himſelfe, accompanied with Fecknam, and certaine other: and laboured with faire promiſes and threatninges. Which when they ſaw would not preuaile, the B. carried them both with him to London, and with them certaine other priſoners alſo: which about the ſame time were in thoſe quarters apprehended. Not long after this, theſe priſoners were committed to ſtraight priſon, and there attempted ſundry waies by the B. and his chaplains to reuoke their opinions. At length, when no perſwaſion would ſerue, they were brought to open examination at the Conſiſtory at Paules the 17. day of February, Anno 1555. Where being demaunded whether they would recant, and they denying ſo to do, were aſſigned the next day to appeare againe the 18. of Februarie.

On which day, among many other things the Biſhop read vntounto them ſeuerall Articles, and gaue them reſpite till the next day to anſwere, and ſo committed them to priſon againe. The articles did touch the reall preſence, and that the godly martyrs who were burned, were heretikes: with other to this effect. Theſe béeyng giuen them in writing, the next daie was aſſigned to them to giuegive their anſwere. VponUpon which day, béeyng the firſt of Marche, they did exhibite their aunſweres contrarie to the determination of the Romiſh Churche: and denying to recant, they were againe diſmiſſed and commaunded to appeare the Wedneſday nexte after at twoo of the clocke at after noone, there to receyue definitiue ſentence.

The next Friday they were called for agayne: and p. 139no hope being had of their recantation, were againe diſmiſſed to pryſon, and commaunded to appeare the nexte day in the conſiſtorie of Paules, betwéene one and thrée in the after noone. At which houres they appearing, denied to recant, and exhibited in writing a confeſſion of their faith: and ſayde, they woulde not departe there from. After whiche woordes the Biſhop beganne to pronounce ſentence agaynſt them. Whiche when hée beganne to doo: M. Canſton complayned for that hée would not anſwere to their confeſſion, but condemne them in ſuch ſort: and ſo appealed from him to the Cardinall. Then Doctor Smith ſaid, he would anſwere it: but the Biſhop not ſuffering him to ſpeake, willed Harpesfield to ſay his minde, for the ſtay of the people: who tooke their confeſſion in hande, but anſwered no one ſentence thereof. That done, the Biſhop pronounced ſentence: which they chéerefully receiued, and were deliuered to the Sheriffes, and ſo by them ſent to Newgate, where they remained in conſultation fouretéen daies. Which daies expyred, the thrée and twentieth daie of Marche, they were at foure of the clocke in the morning deliuered to the Sheriffe of Eſſex, and ſo brought to their ſeuerall places of burning,M. Higbed & M. Canſton burned. which they did moſt conſtantly endure the ſixe and twentieth of the ſame monethmonth.

The ſame yere the xxviij. day of March, William Pigot, and Steeuen Knight of Maulden,Pigot & Knight Martyrs. two of the ſixe that were condemned by Boner the ninth of Februarie, were both (after their appearinges) burned for the teſtimonie of the trueth. Pigot at Braintrie, and Knight at Maulden. Their Articles and aunſweres were like to thoſe of Tho. Tomkins and oth Martyrs, touching the Sacrament of the Altar. &c. er

The next day, being the nine and twentieth day, I. Laurence Iohn Laurencea Prieſt, who was condēned with other, was brought to Colcheſter, and there burned ſitting in a Chaire, for that p. 140he was through euill vſage and heauie irons, not able to go.

The next day after being the xxx. day of March, Robert Farrar B. of S. DauiesRobert Farrar B of S. Dauies burned. in Wales, was burned for the teſtimonie of the truth: he was the next B. that ſuffered after M. Hooper: hée was called before the B. of Wincheſter with M. Hooper, M. Rogers, M. Bradford, M. Saunders, and other aforeſaid, the fourth of February, on the which day he ſhould alſo with them hauehave béene condemned: but it pleaſed them to deferre it till the xiiij. day of the ſame monethmonth of February.

After he had receiued many checkes and taunts of Wincheſter, the B. of Worceſter M. Bourne &c. being found cō ſtant and reſolute in the trueth, he was dimiſſed to priſon, where he remained vncondemned, til the 14. of February: and then was ſent downe into Wales, there to receiue ſentence of cōdemnation. Who then vponupon the 26. of Februarie, in the Church of Carmarthen, being brought before Griffith Leyſon Eſquier, Sheriffe of the Countie of Carmarthen, was there perſonally preſented before Henrie Biſhop of Saint Dauis, and Conſtantine the publike Notarie: which Henrie diſcharged the Sheriffe, and receiueth him to his owne cuſtody, and committed him to the kéeping of Owen Iones. And therevpon exhorting him to recant, miniſtred articles vntounto him touching prieſtes marriage, and the Sacrament of the Altar: which he refuſed to anſwere vntounto, till he ſaw his Commiſſion. Which alſo he refuſed to doe at another examination, the laſt of Februarie. Wherefore the Biſhop pronounced him contumax, and pro confeſso, and committed him to his former kéeper, til Munday next, being the fourth of March, there to appeare againe betwixt one and two of the clocke. At which time appearing, he yelded an anſwere, and required a copie of his Articles, with reſpite to anſwere. Which was graunted: and the Thurſday next aſſigned him betwixt one and thrée. Where, appearing at the time, he refuſed to ſubſcribe. After that he had twiſe p. 141more appeared, and conſtantlie perſiſted in the defence of the trueth, (notwithſtanding he made his appeale from him to the Cardinall) the Biſhop pronounced ſentence againſt him, and after he had diſgraded him, he committed him to the Secular power: who brought him to the place of execution in the Towne of Carmarthen. Where he in the Markette place, on the South ſide of the Market Croſſe, the xxx. day of March, moſt conſtantly gaue teſtimonie to the trueth in the flaming fire.

A little before Maſter Farrars Farrars words to a gentleman at his death.death, one Richard Iones a Knightes ſonne, comming to Maſter Farrar, ſéemed to lament the painfulnes of the death he had to ſuffer. To whom the Biſhoppe anſwered againe to this effect: ſaying, that if he ſawe him once to ſtirre in the paynes of his burning, hée ſhould then geue no credite to his doctrine: which alſo fell out, for he neuer mooued, but continued ſtill, holding vp his ſtumpes burning, till the time that one Richarde Grauell, with a ſtaffe daſhed him vponupon the head, and ſo ſtroke him downe.

About the ſame monethmonth of March, one Rawlins White Rawlins Whita Fiſherman, was burned at Cardiffe, for the teſtimonie of Ieſus. He being deſirous of knowledge, (him ſelfe not able to reade) ſet his ſonne to ſchoole, to learne to reade: and vſed to hauehave him reade vntounto him the Scriptures, and other good bookes. Whereby he greatly profited in knowledge, and did inſtruct, and conuert diuers. In which good courſe Father Rawlins continued, til at laſt he was taken by the officers of the Towne, as a man ſuſpected of hereſie. VponUpon which apprehenſion, he was conuented before the Biſhoppe of Landaffe: by whom (after diuers combats) he was committed to priſon in Chepſtowe, with ſuch libertie, as Rawlins might, (if he would) hauehave eſcaped: but that notwithſtanding, hee continued ſtill, and at the laſt was remoued to the Caſtle of Cardiff, where he remained a yere, paſſing y^e time in praier, and exhortation to his frends, & thoſe that came to viſit him. p. 142After a yere, the Biſhop cauſed him to be brought vntounto his owne houſe by Chepſtowe: where (after many aſſayes) perceyuing he could not preuaile, gaue him a day of determination: which being expired, the Biſhoppe calleth for him againe; and after exhortation to recant, he procéedeth to the ſentence of condemnation: ſauing before he ſaid, he woulde pray for Rawlins, that God would ſende ſome ſparke of grace vponupon him. I thanke you hartely for your gentleneſſe (ſayth Rawlins) and if ſo be that your requeſt he godly, and lawfull, and that you pray as you ſhould pray, without all doubt God will heare you. And therefore my Lord, go to: do you pray to your God,Rawlins God & the biſhops God. and I will pray to my God. I know that my God wil both heare my prayer, and perfourme my deſire.

After prayer the Biſhop ſaide, Now Rawlins, how is it with thée? &c. Surely (ſaid he) my Lord, Rawlins you lefte me, and Rawlins you finde me, and by Gods grace Rawlins I will continue. Certainly if your petitions had béene good, and lawfull, God would hauehave heard them: but you honour a falſe God, and pray not as you ſhould pray, and therefore hath not God graunted your deſire. But I am a poore ſimple man, as you ſée, and God hath heard my complaint: and I truſt he will ſtrengthen me in his owne cauſe. When their prayer would not preuaile, they aduiſed to ſay a maſſe, to ſée what that would worke. In the meane time Rawlins be tooke him to prayer in a ſecrete place, till ſuch time as the Prieſt came to the ſacring. When Rawlins heard the ſacring bell ring, he roſe out of his place, and came to the quire dore, and ſtanding a while, turned himſelfe to the people, ſpeaking theſe wordes: Good people, if there be at the leaſt but one brother among you, the ſame one ſhall beare witneſſe at the day of iudgement, that I howe not to this Idoll, meaning the hoſt that the Prieſt helde ouer his head. Maſſe being ended, and Rawlins perſiſting conſtant, the Biſhoppe procéedeth to ſentence, and hauing condemned him, diſmiſſeth p. 143him to be carried againe to Cardiffe, there to be put into the priſon of the towne, called Clockemacell, a very dark lothſome, and moſt vile priſon: where Rawlins paſſed the time in ſinging of Pſalmes.

About thrée or foure wéekes after, he hauing intelligence that his tyme of death drewe néere, ſendeth foorthwith to his wife, and willeth her by the meſſenger, that in any wiſe ſhe ſhould make readie,Rawlins wedding garmēts. and ſend vntounto him his wedding garments, meanyng a ſhirte, which afterwarde hée was burned in. Whiche was accompliſhed accordyng to his mynde.

Now apparelled in his wedding garments, when y^e houre was come, and he paſſed to his death, in the way his poore wife and children ſtood wéeping, and making lamentation: which ſo pearced his heart, that hee let fall teares from his eyes: but ſoone after, as though he had miſliked his infirmitie, beganne to be angry with himſelfe: inſomuch that ſtriking his breſt with his hande, hée vſed theſe wordes: Ah fleſh, ſtayeſt thou me ſo? wouldeſt thou faine preuaile?Rawlins a worthy martyr. Well, I tell thée, do what thou canſt, thou ſhalt not by Gods grace hauehave the victorie. By this time hée came to the ſtake, and going towards it, he fell down vponupon his knées and kiſſed the ground: and in riſing againe, the earth a little ſticking on his face, he ſaide theſe words: Earth vntounto earth and duſt vntounto duſt: thou art my mother, and to thée ſhall I returne. Then went he cherefully, and very ioyfully to the ſtake, and ſet his backe cloſe thereunto: and when hée had ſtoode there a while, he caſt his eye vponupon the Reporter of this Hiſtory, calling him vntounto him, and ſayde, I féele a great fighting betwixt the Fleſhe and the Spirit: and the Fleſhe woulde very fayne hauehave his ſwinge, and therefore I pray you when you ſéeme any thing tempted, holde your finger vp to me, and I truſt I ſhall remember my ſelfe. After the Smith had made him faſt to the Stake, according as hée had required him, being afrayde of his p. 144infirmitie, and the Officers began to laie wood to him with ſtrawe and réede,) hée himſelfe as farre as hée could reach, would catcht the ſame, and very chéerefully diſpoſed it about his bodie. When all thinges were readie, then ſtept vp a Prieſt, addreſſing himſelfe to ſpeake, and to peruert the people. Which when Rawlins Rawlins.perceiued, hée beckened with his hand to the people, and ſaid: come hither good people, and heare not a falſe prophet preach. And then ſaid vntounto the preacher: oh thou naughtie hypocrite, dooſt thou preſume to prooue thy falſe doctrine by Scripture? Looke in the text what followeth: did not Chriſt ſay, doo this in remembrance of mée: after which wordes the Prieſt beyng amazed, held his peace. Then ſome that ſtood by, cried: put too fire, put to fire: which being put to, he bathed his handes ſo long in the flame, till the ſinewes ſhrunke, and the fatte dropped away: and once he did as it were wipe his face with one of them. All this while (which was ſomewhat long) he cried with a loud voice: O Lord receiue my ſoule, vntill he could not open his mouth. He was at the ſame time of his death, about 60. yéeres of age.

About this time, Anno 1555. the 28. of March, Quéene Marie was fully reſolued, and declared ſo much to foure of her Counſell, to reſtore the Abbey landes againe to the Church. And the monethmonth before, the 19. of Februarie, the Biſhoppe of Ely, with the Lord Montague, and viij. ſcore horſe, were ſent as Ambaſſadors from the king & Quéene, vntounto Rome: very likely, for the cauſe of Abbey landes, as it appeareth by the ſequele. For it was not long after, but the Pope did ſet foorth in print, a Bull of excommunication, for all manner ſuch perſons without exception, that kept any of the Church landes.The P. excommunicateth thoſe that hold Abbey lands. Pope Iulius the monſter dyeth. And alſo, all ſuch as did not put the ſame Bull in execution.

About the latter end of this MonethMonth, Pope Iulius dyed, a monſter of nature: who miſſing on a time his Porke, and anſwere being made that his Phiſition forbad it, becauſe of p. 145his goute: burſting out into a rage, he vttered theſe wordes: bring me my porke fleſh in the deſpight of God.

An other time miſſing his cold Peacocke,Popes Peacocke. moſt horribly blaſphemyng God, he brake into a rage. Wherevpon when one of his cardinals ſitting by, labored to pacifie him; what (ſaid Iulius y^e Pope) if God was ſo angry for one apple, that hée caſt our firſt parents out of Paradice therefore:A blaſphemous Pope. why may not I being his vicar, be angry then for my Peacocke, ſithence a Peacocke is a greater matter then an apple? Hée confirmed the idoll of Lauretane.

VponUpon Shroueſunday, which was about the iij. of March, the ſame yéere a préeſt in Kent, named Nightingall, parſon of Crondall beſides Canturbury, reioycing at the alteration of religion, and reading to the people the popes Bull of pardon that was ſent into England, hée ſayd, hée thanked God that euer hée had liued to ſée that daie: adding moreouer, that hée beléeued that by the vertue of that Bull, hee was as cléere of ſinne as the night that he was borne: and immediatly vponupon the ſame fell ſuddenly downe out of the Pulpit,Gods iudgement. and neuer ſtirred hand nor foot, but ſo died. Teſtified by Robert Auſten of Cartham, who both heard and ſaw the ſame: and it is witneſſed alſo of the whole country round about.

In the monethmonth of Aprill and the ſecond day, Iohn Awcocke died in pryſon, and was buried in the fieldes.

The firſt of Aprill Anno 1555. a letter was ſent to the Shiriffe of Kent, to apprehend Thomas Woodgate, and William Maynard for preachyng ſecréetly, and to ſend them vp to the Counſell. The vij. day of the ſame monethmonth was ſent another letter to the ſaid Shiriffe, for the apprehenſion of one Hardwich, who went about with a boy with him, preaching from place to place.

The fiftenth of Aprill, a letter was directed to Sir Nicholas Hare, and ſir Thomas Cornewallis, willing them to examine Maiſter Flowre alias Branch, what hée meant to were about his necke written Deum time, Vitium fuge? Deum time, Vitium fuge.and p. 146whom elſe he knew to weare the like: praying them alſo to ſpeake to Boner B. of London, ſpéedely to procéede agaynſt him for his Religion, according to the Lawes, and that the Iuſtices of peace of Middleſex, ſhould likewiſe procéede againſt him for ſhedding of bloud in the Church, according to the Statute: ſo as if hée continue in his opinion hee might be executed, at the fartheſt by the latter end of this wéeke: and that his right hand the day before his execution, or the ſame day might be ſtricken of.

The two and twentith of Aprill there was a letter ſent to the Iuſtices of peace of Middleſex, with a writ for the execution of the ſaid Flower.M. Flower.

The xxix. of Aprill Maiſter Robert Hornbye ſeruaunt then to the Ladie Elizabeth, was conuented before the Counſell for his religion, and conſtantly ſtanding thereto, was commited to the Marſhalſea.

Anno 1555. the xxiiij. of Aprill George Marſh George Marſhſuffered moſt conſtantly at Wincheſter for the teſtimonie of the truth. For a while he was Curate to Laurence Saunders: in which condition he continued for a ſpace. But at length by detection of certaine aduerſaries, hée was apprehended and kept in cloſe pryſon by George Cotes then Biſhop of Cheſter, in ſtraight priſon in Cheſter in the biſhops houſe about the ſpace of foure moneths, beyng not permitted to hauehave reléefe and comfort of his fréends.

The Wedneſday before Palmeſunday, he voluntarily preſented himſelfe (being ſought for) before Maſter Barton, who ſent him the next day before the Earle of Darbie and his Counſell at Lathā. Where appearing before them, and not anſwering to their contentment touching the Sacrament of the Altar, he was committed to ward in a cold wide ſtone houſe: where he lay two nights without any bed, ſauing a few canuaſſe tentclothes, and a paire of ſhéets without woollen clothes: and ſo continued he till Palmeſunday, beyng occupied in prayer and godly meditation.

p. 147On Palmſunday at after dinner, he appeared again: and comming with the Vicar of Preſcot, the Vicar made report to the Earle, that the anſwer which he made, was ſufficient for a beginner, vntounto ſuch time as he ſhould learne farther. Wherewith the Earle was very well pleaſed: and ſo after few words, commanded he ſhould hauehave a bed, with fire, and liberty to go among his ſeruants, ſo he would not hurt them with his communication.

Thus he departed more troubled then before, becauſe he had not with more boldnes confeſſed Chriſt: but in ſuch ſort as the aduerſaries thought they might preuaile againſt him. So he praied to God for more ſtrength. And after a day or two, confeſſed more plainly, and more boldly in ſuch ſort, as the Vicar was not well pleaſed.

After which, within a day or two came to him againe M. Moore, bringing with him certaine articles, whervnto Doctor Crome had ſubſcribed in the daies of king Henrie the viij. requiring him alſo to ſubſcribe: whereto he would in no ſort agrée, and ſo he departed. Within a ſhort ſpace after, on ſhrouethurſeday, the Vicar ſent for him againe, ſaying: my Lord would be at a ſhort point with him, if he woulde not ſubſcribe to 4. articles: wherof thrée tended to the maſſe, and the fourth touching confeſſion.

Theſe articles he denied to ſubſcribe vntounto, and was committed to the Porters ward: where he continued till Lowſunday. On which day after dinner, his kéeper Richard Scot ſignified vntounto him, that 2. young men came to carrie him to Lancaſter. And ſo was he carried thither by them: and appeared at the ſeſſions among malefactors, and was thriſe arraigned among théeues, with yrons on his féete: and with boldnes confeſſed Chriſt.

Within few daies after, Marſh was remoued from Lā caſter, and comming to Cheſter, was ſent for of D. Cotes, the B. to appeare before him in his hall, no body being preſent but they twaine. Where the B. communed with him, p. 148and laboured to peruert him: but all in vaine. And after he had taken his pleaſure in puniſhing him, and reuiling him, he cauſed him to be brought forth into a chappel in the Cathedrall church in Cheſter, called our Ladies Chappel, before him, at two of the clocke in the after noone: who was there placed in a chaire for that purpoſe, and Fulke Dutton maior of that citie D. Wall, and other prieſts aſſiſting him. And after they had cauſed him to take an othe, they miniſtred articles vntounto him. To which he anſwered according to the doctrine taught in king Edwards daies: which being regiſtred, he was returned againe to his priſon. Within thrée wéekes after he appeared againe: and after many vain perſwaſions to recant, he receiued ſentence of condemnation, and was carried away, and put into a darke priſon, where he had ſmal comfort of any creature til his death. Yet ſome of the citizens that feared God, would comfort him at a hole in a wall of the citie, and giuegive him money.

When the day appointed came that he ſhould ſuffer: y^e ſheriffes of the city, Amry & Cooper, with their officers tooke him out of y^e Northgate where he was priſoner, who came with thē moſt méekly with a locke on his foot, & being at the place of his death, he refuſed the pardon of the Quéen, which was offred him if he would recant. Which he ſaid he would gladly accept: but foraſmuch as it tended to plucke him frō God, he would not receiue it vponupon ſuch condition. So after he had praied, he put off his clothes to his ſhirt, & being faſtned to the poſt, by reaſon the fire was vnſkilfully made, he ſuffered with great patience grieuous torment. So that when he had a long time bin tormented in the fire without mouing, hauing his fleſh ſo broyled and puft vp, that it couered the chaine wherwith he was faſtned: hee therefore was ſuppoſed to be dead. Notwithſtanding ſodainly he ſpread abroade his armes,George Marſh of great patience. ſaying: Father of heauen hauehave mercy on me: & ſo yelded. VponUpon this y^e people ſaid, he was a martyr. And the Biſh. to quiet them, ſhortly after made a ſermon, affirming p. 149that he was an Heretike, &c. and a firebrand in hell. Whom in recompence not long after, the hand of God did ſo ſtrike, that hee dyed (as it was thought) burned of an Harlotte. This Martir did write diuers and ſundrie bookes out of priſon.

The xxiiij. of Aprill, William Flower, ſometime a Monke of Ely, and a Prieſt, but afterward being married, liued by teaching of children, was put to death for the teſtimony of the trueth, and had his hand firſt ſtricken of, for ſtriking a Prieſt ſaying maſſe. Comming from Lambeth (where he dwelt) about tenne or eleuen of the clocke in the forenoone, into Saint Margarets Church at Weſtminſter: where he finding and ſéeing a prieſt, called Iohn Cheltam, miniſtring the Sacrament of the Altar to the people, therewith being offended in his conſcience, did ſtrike and wounde him vponupon the head, and alſo vponupon the arme and hande with his woodknife:W. Flower woundeth a prieſt at maſſe. the Prieſt hauing the ſame time in his hand a Challice, with certaine conſecrated hoſtes therein, which were ſprinckled with the bloud of the ſame Prieſt. Which acte he him ſelfe after confeſſed to hauehave béene euil done, and therefore would ſubmit himſelfe to the puniſhment: but as concerning his beléefe in the Sacrament, he would not ſubmit himſelfe to the Popiſh adminiſtration.

VponUpon this acte William Flower being firſt apprehended, was laid in the Gatehouſe at Weſtminſter, where he had giuen two groates before, the ſame day to one: ſaying, hée would ſhortly come to him with as many Irons as he could beare. Afterward he was conuented before Boner his Ordinarie, the xix. of April 1555. Where (after the Biſhop had ſworne him vponupon a booke, according to his ordinarie maner) he miniſtred Articles vntounto him, and laboured at thrée ſeuerall appearings, to reduce Flower to his ſuperſtition, from the trueth of the Goſpell. To whom when Flower anſwered: do what you will, I am at a poynt, for the heauens ſhall aſſoone fall, as I wil forſake mine opinion, &c. The Biſhop p. 150called for depoſitions of certaine witneſſes, and pronounced ſentence againſt him.

VponUpon the xxiiij. day of April he was brought to the place of Martirdome, which was in Saint Margarets Churchyarde at Weſtminſter, where the fact was committed. And there comming to the ſtake whereat he ſhoulde bee burned; firſt he maketh his praier vntounto God, with a confeſſion of the Chriſtian faith. At the ſtriking off of his hand he did not once ſhrinke, but once he ſtirred a little his ſhoulders. And thus fire was ſet vntounto him, who burning there, cried with a loud voice thrée times: Oh Sonne of God, hauehave mercy vponupon me. And when his voice fayled, he held vp his armes, till he died, being ſtricken downe for wante of fire ſufficient, (where his nether partes were burned) yet he being in the fire, his tongue moued in his head.

The iij. of May, a letter was ſent to George Colt, and T. Daniel, to make ſearch for, and to apprehend I. Bernard and I. Welch, who vſed to repaire to Sudburie: and carrying about with them the bones of Pigot that was burned, ſhewed them to the people, perſwading them to be conſtant in his religion. This day St. Aps was committed to little eaſe in the Tower, there to remaine two or thrée dayes, vntill further examination.

The xij. day, Maſter T. Roſſe Preacher, was by the Coū ſels letters, deliuered from the Tower, to the Sheriffe of Norfolke, to be deliuered to the B. of Norwich, to reduce him to recant, or to procéede againſt him according to law.

The xvj. day a letter was ſent to y^e L. treaſorer, ſignifying what the Lords had done for Roſſe, and that order ſhould be geuen according to his Lordſhips requeſt, for letters to the Biſhops. And as for Aps (whom the Lieftenant of the Tower reported to be mad) his L. perceiuing the ſame to be true, ſhould commit him to Bedlem, and there to remayne vntill their further order.

The xxvj. a letter was ſent to the L. Treaſorer, to confer p. 151with the B. of London, and the Iuſtices of peace in that Countie where they were to be executed, that were alreadie condemned for religion, and vponupon agréement of places, to giuegive order for their execution accordingly.

The 28. a letter was ſent to the L. Treaſuror,Queene Maries ioyfull deliuerance of child. to cauſe ſpéedy preparation to be made of ſuch mony, as was appointed for ſuch perſons as ſhould carrie the ioyfull tidinges of Quéene Maries good deliuerance of childe.

The 29. day was a letter directed to ſir Frauncis Inglefield, to make ſearch for one Iohn D. at London, and to apprehend him, and ſend him to the Counſell, and to make ſearch for ſuch papers and bookes as might touch the ſame D. or one Benger.

VponUpon the 30. day of May ſuffered together in Smithfield Iohn Cardmaker otherwiſe called Taylor, prebendarie of the Church of Wels, and Iohn Warne vpholſter, of the pariſh of Saint Iohn in Walbrooke. Cardmaker was an obſeruant Frier, afterward a married miniſter, and in King Edwardes dayes appoynted to bée reader in Paules. Where the Papiſtes were ſo much gréeued at him for his doctrine, that in his reading they cut & mangled his gowne with their kniues. He beyng apprehended in the beginning of Quéene Maries dayes, with Maiſter Barlow biſhop of Bath was brought to London and layed in the Fléeter King Edwards lawes yet beyng in force till the Parlement ended, which deliuered the Biſhops authoritie, and power ouer the profeſſors of the Goſpell. At which time theſe two were both brought before Wincheſter & other cōmiſſioners, who anſwered in ſuch ſort vntounto thē, that Wincheſter with his fellow commiſſioners allowed them for catholicke, glad to hauehave a forged example of a ſhrinking brother: which alſo they obiected againſt others, commending the ſoberneſſe of them twaine. This notwithſtanding, Barnard was led againe to the Fléete. From whence he afterward beyng deliuered, did by exile conſtantly beare witneſſe to the truth. p. 152Cardmaker was conueyed to the Counter in Bredſtréete, the Biſhop of London procuring it to be publiſhed, that hée ſhould ſhortly be deliuered, after that hée had ſubſcribed to Tranſubſtantiation, and certaine other Articles.

To the ſame priſon where Cardmaker was, Laurence Saunders was brought, after ſentence of death was giuen againſt him, & they had great comfort one of another. After whoſe departure Cardmaker remained alone, bayted of the Papiſtes. Againſt whom Doctor Martine tooke vponupon him to be a chéefe dooer by writing, whome Cardmaker did ſubſtantially confute. When the Biſhop perceiued no hope to peruert theſe conſtant ſeruants of God, hée pronounced ſentence againſt them. And vponupon the xxx. day of Maie, Iohn Cardmaker with Iohn Warne were brought by the Shiriffes to y^e place where they ſhould ſuffer. Who being come to the ſtake; firſte the Shiriffes called Cardmaker aſide, and talked with him ſecréetly, ſo long that in the meane time Warne had made his prayers, was chayned to the ſtake, and had réede ſette aboute him, ſo that nothing wanted but firing: but ſtil abode Cardmaker with the Shiriffes. The people which before had heard that Cardmaker would recant, and beholding this manner of dooing, were in a merueylous dumpe and ſadnes, thinking in déede that Cardmaker would now recant at the burning of Warne. At length Cardmaker departed from the Shiriffes & came towards the ſtake, and in his garments, as hée was knéeling downe made a long prayer in ſilence to himſelfe, yet the people confirmed themſelues in their fantaſie of his recanting, ſéeing him in his garmentes praying ſecréetly and no reſemblance of any burning.

His prayers being ended, hée roſe vp, put of his clothes vntounto his ſhirte, went with bolde courage to the ſtake and kiſſed it ſwéetely, hée tooke Warne by the hand, and comforted him hartely,Cardmaker & Warne martyrs. and ſo alſo gaue himſelfe to be bound to the ſtake moſt gladly.

p. 153The people ſéeing this ſo ſodainly done, contrary to their fearful expectation, as men deliuered out of great doubt: cried out for ioy (with ſo great a ſhowte as hath not lightly bin heard a greater) ſaying, God be praiſed:The people encourage Cardmaker at his death. the Lorde ſtrengthen thée Cardmaker, the Lord Ieſus receiue thy ſpirit: and this continued till the executioner put fire to them. Which being done, they both paſſed through the fire to their eternal reſt.

The twelfth day a letter was ſent to the Lord Treaſurer, to cauſe writtes to bee made to the Sheriffe of Suſſex, for the burning and executing of Dericke a Bruer at Lewes, and other two: one in Stainings, and the other at Chicheſter.

The 23. of Iune, a letter was ſent to Boner to examine a report, giuen to the Councel, of 4. pariſhes within the Sooken of Eſſex, that ſhould ſtill vſe the Engliſh ſeruice: and to puniſh the offenders, if any ſuch were.

With maiſter Cardmaker & Iohn Warne, vponupon the ſame day, and in the ſame company, and for the ſame cauſe were alſo condemned Iohn Ardeley and Iohn Simſon, which was the 25. of May. They were both huſbandmen in the pariſh of Wigborow in Eſſex, and almoſt both of one age, ſaue that Simſon was of the age of 34. and the other of 30. Valiant martyr Ioh. ArdleyIohn Ardley being vrged by the B. to recant, ſaide boldly vntounto the B. with many other wordes of like conſtancie: If eueryevery haire of my head were a man, I would ſuffer death in the faith that I am now in. So the 25. of May, they both receiued ſentence of condemnation, and were both in one day put to death in Eſſex, the 10. of Iune, Iohn Simſon Iohn Simſon martyr.at Rotchford, and Iohn Ardley at Rayley: which they patiently endured for Chriſtes ſake.

About the ſame time, one Iohn Tooly Iohn Tooly.was executed as a fellon, for rayling on a Spaniard at S. Iames. And at the gallowes hee defied the Pope and his indulgences: and ſaide, hée truſted onelyonly on the merits of Chriſt: with other p. 154words againſt the Pope. For which, after he had béene buried, the mitered prelates cauſed him to be taken vp out of his graue (after they had excommunicated him for want of appearance) and committed him to the Sheriffe of London to be burned the 4. of Iune.

Thomas Hawks was one of the 6. men condemned in one day of Boner, the 9 of February: and put to death the tenth of Iune. Hee was borne in Eſſex, and by profeſſion a Courtier, and ſeruant to the Earle of Oxforde, till God tooke King Edward out of this world. He had borne to him a ſonne, whoſe baptiſme he deferred to the thirde wéeke, for that hée would not hauehave him baptiſed after the Papiſticall manner. For which cauſe, the aduerſaries laid hands on him, and brought him to the Earle of Oxford. The Earle ſendeth him vp to London, with letters to Boner. With whom Boner after much communication, and conference of his Chaplens with maiſter Hawkes, hee remained at Fulham: and the B. the next day departed to London, and came home againe at night.

VponUpon the munday morning very early, the B. called for him agayne: and there Harpesfield Archdeacon of London, reaſoned with maiſter Hawkes touching Baptiſme, and the maſſe &c. But Hawkes remayned conſtant, & withſtood him with mightie power of the Scriptures: as alſo the B. himſelfe Fecknam and Chadſey, at foure ſundrie times after.

The firſt day of Iuly, the B. did call him himſelfe from the Porters lodge, and commanded him to prepare himſelfe to priſon: and ſo was hee ſent to bée kept cloſe priſoner in the gate houſe, where he remayned thirtéene daies: and then ſent Boner two men to know how he did, and whether hée were the ſame man. To whom he anſwered conſtantly for the trueth. After which anſwere, he heard no more of the biſhop, till the 3. of September: on which day he was priuately examined againe of Boner, and woulde hauehave had p. 155his hand to a bill of articles: to whom when Hawkes had ſaid; it ſhould neither come into his hand, hart nor minde, the biſhop wrapt it vp and put it into his boſome, and in a great anger went his way, and tooke his horſe and rode on viſitation into Eſſex, and Hawkes went to priſon againe.

After theſe priuate conferences, perſwaſions, and long debatings, M. Hawkes was cited to appeare in the B. conſiſtorie the viij. of February: & again the ix. Where being exhorted by the B. with many faire wordes, to returne againe to the boſome of the mother Church: after that hée had ſaid to the Biſhop: no my Lord, that will I not, for if I had an hundreth bodies, I would ſuffer them all to be torne in pieces rather then I will abiure or recant: at the laſt, Boner readeth the ſentence of death vponupon him: and ſo was hée diſmiſſed to priſon againe, till the 10. of Iune. Then was he committed to the handes of the Lorde Riche: who being aſſiſted, had him into Eſſex to ſuffer martyrdome at Coxhall. Certain of his friendes praied him to giuegive thē a ſigne, whether the payne of burning was ſo great, that a man might not there kéepe his patience in the fire, which thing hee promiſed them to doe. That if the payne were tollerable, then hée woulde lift vp his handes aboue his head towards heauen before hée gaue vp the Ghoſt. Which thing hée performed vntounto them. For after he had continued a long time in the fire, and when his ſpéech was taken away by the violence of the flame, his ſkinne alſo drawen together, and his fingers conſumed with the fire; that now all men thought certainelye that hee had béene gone:Haukes geueth a ſigne to his friendes. then ſodeinly he reached vp both his handes, (burning on a light fire) ouer his head to the liuing God, and ſo with great reioyſing (as it ſéemed) did ſtrike or clappe them thrée ſeuerall times together.Haukes writte diuers comfortable epiſtles. At which ſight the people gaue a marueylous ſhowte. And ſo the bleſſed Martyr ſtraightway ſinking down into the fire, gaue vp the ghoſt. He wrote diuers comfortable Epiſtles.

p. 156The xxvj. of Aprill Thomas Wattes of Byllirica in Eſſex a linen draper was apprehended and brought before the Lord Rich and other Commiſſioners at Chelmeſford, who after ſhort communication had with him, ſent him vp to Boner, who after foure appearances and much labouring of him to recant, in the end pronounced ſentence agaynſt him, and deliuered him to the Shiriffes of London: by whom he was ſent to Newgate, where hée remained till the ninth of Iune: or as ſome record, till the xxij. of Maie. At which time he was carried to Chelmeſford, and there was brought to Scots houſe, kéeping an In, where they were at meat with Hawkes & the reſt that came downe to their burning. They praied together both before and and after their meate. Wats went and praied priuatly to himſelfe,Tho. Wats martyr. and afterward came to his wife and ſixe children, being there (two of which company offered to burne with him,) and comforted him: and when he had kiſſed them all, was carried to the fire. Where he hauing kiſſed the ſtake ſaid vntounto my Lord Rich: beware my Lord, beware, for you do againſt your cōſcience, &c. And ſo patiently he ended in the Lords quarrell.

In the beginning of this moneto of Iune, the time was thought to be nigh of Quéene Maries Queen Mary proued not with child.trauaile: but their expectation was deceiued, and the Prelates and their fauourers confounded: ſo that they dealt with one Iſabell Mault dwelling in Alderſgate ſtréete in Horne Alley, to helpe the matter. Who before witneſſes made this declaration: that ſhe being deliuered of a man childe, vponupon Whitſunday in the morning, the xj of Iune, there came to her the L. North and another Lord, to her vnknowen, dwelling about Olde Fiſhſtréete. Who demaunded of her, if ſhe would part from her childe, and would ſweare that ſhe neuer had, nor knew any ſuch childe. Which if ſhe would, her ſonne ſhould (they ſaid) be wel prouided for, and ſhe ſhould take no care for it. With many faire offers, if ſhe would parte with her child.

After that came other women alſo, of whom, one (ſhe ſaid) p. 157ſhould hauehave béene the Rocker:T. Mault ſhould hauehave bin Queene Maries childe. but ſhe would not part with her Sonne, who was at the writing of this Hiſtory aliue, of the age of xiij. yeres and vpward, and called Timothie Mault.

About this time came out a Booke called a Caueat for England,A Caueat for England. giuing warning to Engliſhmen of the practiſes of the Spaniardes, and reſtoring of Abbey lands. Wherupon, came foorth a ſtraite Proclamation againſt any booke or writing, that ſhould empaire the Popes dignitie: whereby great peril grew vntounto diuers people.

With Thomas Haukes were ſent downe thrée other to be burned for the teſtimonie of the trueth. Nicholas Chamberlaine Nicholas Chā berlaine.at Colcheſter, the xiiij. of Iune. Thomas Sommer Th. Sommer.at Maningtrée, the xv. of Iune. William Bamforde, W. Bamford.alias Butler, at Norwich, the ſame xv of the MonethMonth of Iune. All which men patiently and conſtantly endured the torment for his names ſake.

Within iij. dayes after that Maſter Bradforde had ſaued M. Bourne, who preached a ſeditious Sermon at Paules Croſſe, he was ſent for to the Tower, where the Quéene was then, to appeare there before the Counſell. Where he was charged with the acte of ſauing Bourne, which act they called ſeditious: and alſo obiected againſt him for preaching: and ſo by them he was committed, firſt to the Tower, and afterwardes to the Kinges Bench: and after his condemnation, to the Counter. He was a man of ſingular pietie, and great learning, and a ſpeciall patterne of all vertue, where he became.

Biſhoppe Farrar being in the kinges Bench, after much labouring with, had promiſed the Papiſtes to receiue the Sacrament of the Altar with them at Eaſter in one kinde. Then it happened (by Gods prouidence) on Eaſter euen, the day before he ſhould do it, that M. Bradforde was brought to the kings Bench, priſoner. Where he reclaimed M. Farrar, that he did not ſatiſfie the Papiſtes in receiuing, as hée had p. 158purpoſed. When the Kéepers wife had brought him worde he ſhould on the morow be had to newgate, and ſo to be burned, he put off his cap, and lifted vp his eyes to heauen, and ſayde:Bradford reioyceth at the newes of his Martirdome. I thanke God for it, for I hauehave looked for the ſame a long time, and therefore it commeth now vntounto me not ſodainely, but as a thing wayted for eueryevery day, and eueryevery hower: and the Lorde make me woorthie thereof. And ſo (thanking her) he departed vp into his Chamber, and went ſecretelie him ſelfe, and prayed a long time aboue: and ſpent the euening in prayer, and other good exerciſes with his friendes.

The time they carried him to Newgate, was about xi. or xij. of the clocke in the night, for feare of the people. And the next morning at nine of the clock, he was brought into Smithfield: whither (as he went) there came to him a brother in law of his, called R. Beſwicke, and tooke M. Bradford by the hand. Which when Woodrooffe (being Sheriffe) did behold, he came and brake M. Beſwickes head, that the bloud ranne about his ſhoulders. Being come to the place of execution, hee fell flatte to the grounde, ſecretely making his prayers to almightie God. Then riſing vp againe, and putting off his clothes vntounto his ſhirte, he went to the ſtake, and (holding vp his handes, and caſting his countenance to heauen) ſaid thus: O Englande, Englande repent thée of thy ſinnes; beware of Idolatrie; beware of falſe Chriſtes; take héede they doe not deceiue you. With which words the ſheriffe was greatly offended. So (hauing comforted I. Leafe, that ſuffered at the ſame Stake with him) embracing the Réedes, he ſayd thus: Straight is the way, and narrowe is the Gate that leadeth to eternall ſaluation, and fewe there be that finde it. M. Bradfords words at the ſtake.And ſo conſtantly he ended this mortall life.

Hee remayned in the Tower of London (before his remoouing to other Priſons) from the MonethMonth of Auguſt, in the yere of our Lorde, one thouſand fiue hundred fiftie thrée, p. 159to the 22. of Ianuary Anno 1555. vponupon which day he was called out to examination before Stephen Gardiner and other commiſſioners: before whom he appeared thrée times, and had great reaſoning touching the reall preſence with him, with Boner, & Worceſter: and at the laſt was condemned by Wincheſter, the laſt of Ianuarie. Which ſentence beyng pronounced, he fell downe on his knées, and hartily thanked God, that he counted him worthie to ſuffer for his ſake.

After condemnation diuerſe conferred with him, as Boner, Willerton, Creſwell, Harding, Harpsfielde, and other mo: as Doctor Heath archbiſhop of Yorke, Day Biſhoppe of Chicheſter, Alphonſo the Kinges confeſſor, and another Spaniſh Frier: Doctor Weſton, Doctor Pendleton &c.

With maiſter Bradford was burned one Iohn Leaſe,Iohn Leafe 19. yeere old, burned with Bradford. an apprentice, of the age of ninetéen yéeres. Who when two billes were ſent vntounto him into the Counter: the one contayning a recantation, and the other his confeſſion, to know to which of them he woulde put his hand to. Firſt hearing the byll of recantation read vntounto him, (becauſe hée coulde not reade nor write himſelfe,) that hée refuſed: and when the other was read vntounto him, which he well liked of: inſtéede of a penne, he tooke a pinne, and ſo pricking his hand, ſprinkled the bloud vponupon the ſame bill: willing the Reader thereof to ſhew the B. that he had ſealed the ſame with his bloud already. And ſo being condemned,Iohn Leafe, a notable young man, a martir. he ſuffered patiently with M. Bradford.

Within halfe a yere after, God did ſo ſtrike the forenamed ſherife, Maſter Woodrooffe, which ſo cruelly handled M. Bradforde, Gods iudgement.that his right ſide being ſtricken with a palſey, hee ſo remayned till his dying day, eyght yeres together.

Maſter Bradford wrote a whole volume of Letters,Bradfordes Letters. to ſundrie perſons, out of priſon. And greatly ſtrengthened, p. 160and comforted many: to the Citie of London, to Cambridge into Lankeſſhire, and Cheſſhire, to the towne of Walden, with a nūber other to priuate perſons. The next day after M. Bradford & Iohn Leafe did ſuffer in Smithféeld, Williā Munge préeſt died in pryſon at Maidſtone, being there in bondes for religion, & like to hauehave ſuffered if he had liued.

VponUpon the iij. of Iulie Anno 1555. died one Iames Treuiſam in the pariſh of S. Margaret in Lothberie, and was borne vponupon a table without coffin or any thing elſe, into Moore-féeld and there buried. The ſame night the body was caſt vp aboue the ground, and his ſheete taken from him, and he left naked. After this, the owner of the field ſeeing him, buried him again.The dead body ſummoned to appeare to anſwere. And a fortnight after, the ſumner came to his graue, and ſummoned him to appeare at Paules before his ordinary, to anſwere ſuch thinge as ſhould be laide againſt him.

The 13. of Iuly, Iohn Bland parſon of Adeſham in Kent, I. Frankeſh, Nicholas Sheterden, and Humfrey Middleton were all foure burned together at CanterburyFoure martyrs in Canterbury. for one cauſe: whereof Frankeſh and Bland were miniſters and preachers. He was twiſe before put in priſon for the Goſpell, and by ſuite of friends deliuered: but becauſe he coulde not kéepe ſilence in his liberty, but preach vntounto the people, he was the third time impriſoned.

The xiij or xiiij. of Februarie, he was ſent to Canterburie gaole, where he lay x. wéekes, and then was bayled, and bound to appeare at the next Seſſions at Canterburie. But the matter being exhibited to the Spirituall Court, there it was heard. So that the xviij. of May he was examined by Harpſfielde: and againe the xxi. And from them toſſed to the Seſſions, at Gréenewich, the xviij. and xix. of Februarie. And after much reaſoning with the Commiſſarie, and other of the Spirituall Court, he was condemned the xxv. day of Iune, by the S. of Douer, R. Thornton, ſometimes a Profeſſor aſſiſted by the Commiſſarie, Robert Cellius, and the p. 161archdeacon Nicholas Harpsfield. The ſame day were the reſt afore named condemned, and ſuffered ioyfully together at Canturburie, the xij. of Iuly, at two ſtakes, al in one fire.

The ſame monethmonth of Iuly, next after the ſuffering of the Kentiſhmen aboue named, Nicholas Hall bricklayer, and Chriſtopher Wade Nicholas Hall, Chriſtopher Wade martyrsof Dartford ſuffered: & were condemned by Maurice B. of Rocheſter, about y^e laſt day of the monethmonth of Iune. Nicholas Hall was burned at Rocheſter, about the xix. of Iuly. In which monethmonth of Iuly thrée other more were condēned by Maurice: whoſe names were Ioane Breach widow, Iohn Horpoll of Rocheſter, and Margerie Polley.

Chriſtopher Wade of Dartford in the Countie of Kent lynen draper, was appointed to be burned at Dartford. About x. of the clocke, the Shiriffe bringeth Wade pinioned, and by him one Margerie Polley Margerie Polley comforteth Wade.of Tunbridge both ſinging a Pſalme. Which Margerie, ſo ſoone as ſhée ſpied a great multitude gathered about the place where ſhe ſhould ſuffer, wayting her comming, ſhe ſaid vntounto Wade very lowde and chéerefully: you may reioyce Wade, to ſée ſuch a company gathered to celebrate your mariage this day. Wade cōming to the ſtake tooke it in his armes embracing it, & kiſſed it: and being ſetled thereto, his handes and eies lift vp to heauen: He ſpake with a chéerefull and lowde voice, the laſt verſe of the 86. pſalme: Shew ſome good tokē vponupon me O Lord,Wades praier. that they which hate me, may ſée it, and be aſhamed, becauſe thou Lord haſt helped me, & comforted me. Néere vntounto the ſtake approched a Frier intēding ſome matter, while Wade was a praying. Whom when he ſpied, he cried earneſtly to the people to beware of the doctrine of the whore of Babylon: with ſuch vehemencie, that the Frier withdrew himſelfe without ſpeaking any word. Thē réeds being ſet about him he pulled & embraced them in his armes, alwaies with his hands making a hole againſt his face, that his voice might be heard: which they perceiuing that were his tormentors, alwaies caſt faggots at y^e ſame hole. Which he notwithſtanding p. 162ſtil (as he could) put off, his face being hurt with y^e end of a faggot caſt thereat. Then fire being put to him, he cried vntounto God often: Lord Ieſus receiue my ſoule. And beyng dead and altogether roſted, his handes were held ouer his head, as though he had béene ſtaied with a prop.

The 22. of Iuly was burned at Lewes within y^e countie of Suſſex, one Dyrick Caruer Dyrick CaruerBéerebrewer, in the pariſh of Bright-hamſtéed in the ſame countie: & the next day was alſo burned at Steining, Iohn Lander Iohn Lander.late of Godſtone, in the county of Surrie. Which two mē (with others) about y^e end of the monethmonth of October were apprehended by Edw. Gage gentleman, as they were at praier in the houſe of Dyrick, & by him were ſent vp to London to y^e Counſell: who after examinatiō ſent them to Newgate, there to attend the leiſure of Boner. From whence they were brought the viij. of Iune next after, into the B. chāber in his houſe at Londō, Where being examined & earneſtly perſwaded with, and no hope to peruert thē: after diuerſe examinations they were condēned the x of Iune, of y^e B. in his cōſiſtorie at Paules, & afterwards were conueyed to the places afore mentioned: where they gaue their liues chéerfully and gladly for the teſtimonie of y^e truth. Dyrick was a man bleſſed with tēporall riches, which notwithſtanding were no clog to him during his impriſonment: although he was well ſtricken in yéeres, & as it were paſt y^e time of learning, yet he ſo ſpent his time, that being at his firſt apprehenſiō vtterly ignorāt of any letter of y^e booke: yet could he before his death read any printed Engliſh.

In his praier at the ſtake he vttered theſe words: oh Lord my God thou haſt writtē: he that will not forſake wife, childrē, houſe, and all that euer he hath, & take vp thy croſſe & follow thée is not worthy of thee:Dyrick Caruers words at the ſtake. but thou Lord knoweſt, that I hauehave forſaken all to come vntounto thée: Lord hauehave mercy vpō me, for vntounto thée I commend my ſpirit, & my ſoule doth reioyce in thée. Theſe wordes were the laſt that hée ſpake, till the fire was put vntounto him. And after the fire came to him: he p. 163cried: Lord hauehave mercy vponupon me: and ſo died.

At Chicheſter about the ſame monethmonth, was burned one Tho. Iueſon Tho. Iueſon.of Godſtone, in the county of Surrey Carpenter: after perſwaſion in vaine to recant. When he had ſaid: if there came an Angel from heauen to teach him another doctrine, then that which he was now in, he would not beléeue him, he was condemned, & committed to the ſecular power.

In y^e latter end of this month of Iuly, Ioh. Aleworth Ioh. Aleworth.died in priſon at Reding, being there in bōds for y^e teſtimony of Ieſu. About y^e end of Iuly, Iames Abbes was brought before y^e B. of Norwich, D. Hopton: to whō through his threatnings in y^e end Iames yelded and now whē he was diſmiſſed, & ſhold go frō the B, he calling him again, gaue him a piece of mony either xx. or xl d: which whē Iames had receiued & was gone frō y^e B: his conſcience began to rob, & immediatly to accuſe his fact. In which cōbate with himſelf, (being piteouſly vexed) he went immediatly to y^e B. again, & there threw him his money, & ſaid: it repented him that euer he gaue his conſent to perſwaſions: & that he gaue his conſent in taking money. Whē no perſwaſions could auaile with him, he was condē ned to the fire: which he endured patiently for the name of Chriſt, the 2. of Auguſt An. 1555. in the towne of Berry.

VponUpon the 5. of Iuly, Ioh. Denley Iohn Denley.gent. Ioh. Newman, Ioh. Newman.and Patrick Packingā Patrick Packingam.were condēned in the conſiſtory of Pauls to be burned for the teſtimony of Ieſus. The two firſt were met on the way by Edmond Tyrrel Eſquier: a moſt barbarous perſecutor in thoſe daies, comming from the burning of certain godly martirs: & vponupon ſuſpicion he ſent thē to Boner: who after much trial and perſwaſion, were condemned for the cauſe of Chriſt, and afterward ſuffered for the ſame. M. Denley at Vxbridge the 8, of Auguſt, beeing ſet in the fire, with the burning flame about him, ſang in it a Pſalm. Which D. Story being preſent hearing, cōmanded one of the tormētors to hurle a fagot at him: which was done, ſo that y^e blood rā down vpō his face: wherat he ceaſed ſinging a while, p. 164and clapped his handes on his face: and anon, putting his hands abroad,The martyr ſingeth in the fire. ſang againe. At the laſt he yéelded his ſoule into the hands of his redéemer. Story in the meane while ſaying, that he that floong the fagot, marred a good old ſong. Not long after, ſuffered Patrick Packingam in the ſame towne, About the 28. of the ſame monethmonth, Iohn Newman Pewterer dwelling at Maidſtone in Kent, was burned the laſt of Auguſt at Saffron Walden in Eſſex.

About the ſame time, Richard Hooke Rich. Hooke.gaue his life for the ſame cauſe at Chicheſter.

The ſame yéere 1555, 1555about the latter end of Auguſt ſuffered, 6. godly martyrs together in Canterbury,Sixe godly martyrs in Canterbury. for the teſtimony of Ieſus: being condēned by the bloody Suffragā, M. Collins & Faucet. Their names were Williā Coker, Williā Hopper, Henry Laurence, Richard Collier, Rich. Wright, William Stere. Coker had giuen him reſpite of 6. daies, but refuſed them, & ſo was condemned. The xi. of Iuly, Hopper ſéemed at y^e firſt to graunt vntounto thē, but repēted: & was afterward cōdemned. The 16. of Iuly, Laurence being required to ſet to his hand to y^e bil of his anſweres, wrote theſe words: You are all of Antichriſt, and him foll. And there they ſtaied him, and would not ſuffer him to procéed: and wrote not follow. So the ſecond of Auguſt they read ſentence againſt him. Collier of Aſhford was condemned the 16. of Auguſt.

After ſentence giuen againſt him, he ſang a pſalm: y^e prieſt crying that he was out of his wits. The ſame day Wright and Stere were condemned, and the day aforeſaid, they conſtantly ſuffered for the teſtimony of Chriſt.

After the burning of theſe 6. aboue named, next followed the perſecution of ten other ſeruaunts of God: Elizabeth Warne, George Tankerfield, Robert Smith, Stephen Hardwood, Thomas Fuſt, William Hall, Tho. Lewes, George King, Iohn Wade, Ioane Laiſhford.

Elizabeth Warne Eliz. Warne.in the monethmonth of Auguſt, was burned at Stratford-bow: ſhe was widow, & late wife of Ioh. Warn p. 165Vpholſter and Martyr, who alſo was burned in the ende of the MonethMonth of May laſt paſt. She had béene apprehended amongſt others the firſt day of Ianuarie, in a houſe in Bow Churchyarde in London, as they were gathered together in prayer: and at that preſent was caried to the counter, where ſhe lay a priſoner til the xj. of Iune. At which time ſhe was brought into Newgate, and remayned there til the ij. of Iulie. Then ſhe was ſent by the Commiſſioners to Boner: who the vi. day of the ſame MonethMonth, cauſed her with diuers others to be brought before him to his Pallace. Where, after diuers vexations, and allurements to forſake Chriſt, after ſhe had ſaid to them: (threatning her) do what you will, for if Chriſt were in an error, thē am I in an error, ſhée was iudged to die. The chéefe procuror of her death was D. Storie, being (as is thought) of ſome alliance to her, or her late huſband. G. Tankerfield George Tankerfield.of Lōdon Cooke, borne in the city of Yorke, about the age of xxvij. or xxviij. yeares, was in king Ed. dayes a papiſt, til Q. Marie came in. In whoſe dayes, (perceiuing the great crueltie that was vſed) he beganne to doubt, and fel to prayer, and reading of the word, which God did ſo bleſſe, that he grewe in knowledge: which ſo kindled him with zeale, that he became an exhorter of others. At the laſt he was found out, and while he went into the Temple fieldes to refreſh himſelfe, hauing béene ſick before, Bearde commeth home to his houſe, and enquired for him: pretending to his wife, that he came to hauehave him dreſſe a banket at the L. Pagets. She thinking no leſſe, went and tolde her huſband: who when he heard it, ſaid: a banket woman: indéede it is ſuch a banket as wil not be pleaſant to the fleſh. But Gods will be done. And when he came home, he ſawe who it was. And ſo Tankerfield was deliuered to the Conſtable, and brought to Newgate about the laſt of Februarie, 1555. by the ſaid Beard, yeoman of the Gard, and S. Ponder, peuterer, Conſtable of S. Dunſtans in the weſt. He was ſent in by ſir R. Cholmley knight, & D. Man, a bloudy perſecuter. p. 166And being brought before Boner, & conſtantly maintayning the trueth, was by him condemned: and ſuffered at S. Albōs the xxvi. day of Auguſt, for the teſtimonie of the trueth. Going down to ſuffer, at the ſigne of the croſſe keyes where hée inned, he deſired the hoſte y^t he might hauehave a good fire: which was made according as he required. Then he (ſitting on a fourme before the fire) put off his ſhoes and hoſe, & ſtretched out his leg to the flame: and when it had touched his foote, he quickly withdrew it, ſhewing how the fleſh perſwaded him one way,A pretty ſaying of the martir. and the ſpirit another. After dinner y^e ſherife came to him, to cary him to the place of executiō. Who conſidering the ſhortnes of time, his ſaying was, that although the day were neuer ſo long, yet at the laſt it ringeth to euenſong &c.

About ij. of the clocke he was brought to the place called Romeland, a gréene néere the weſt end of the abbey church. After he had prayed at the ſtake, he ſaid w^t a chéerfull voice, that although he had a ſharp dinner, yet he hoped to hauehave a ioyful ſupper in heauen. While y^e reeds were ſet about him, a prieſt came to perſwade him to beléeue in the ſacrament. But Tankerfield cried vehemētly, I defy the whore of Babilon, fie on the abhominable idol. Whereat the maior was ſore offended, and ſaid: though he had but one lode of fagots in the world, he would geue them to the burning of him.

There was a certaine knight by, that went vntounto Tākerfielde, and tooke him by the hand, and ſaid: good brother be ſtrong in Chriſt. This he ſpake ſoftly: and Tankerfield ſaid, Oh ſir, I thanke you, I am ſo I thank God. Fire being put to him,The patience of the martirs cauſed the people to ſay they had the deuil. he embraced the flame, and bathed his hands therin, and ſo gaue vp his ſoule into the handes of Chriſt. Whoſe patience was ſuch, that certaine ſuperſtitious olde women did ſay the deuill was in him, and in all ſuch Heretikes, and therefore they could not almoſt féele any payne.

Robert Smith Robert Smith.was brought to Newgate the fifth of Nouember, in the firſt or ſecond yere of the Q. by I. Mathew, yoman of the gard, & by the commandement of the Counſell. p. 167Firſt he was ſeruant to ſir Th. Smith prouoſt of Eaton, frō whence he was preferred to a clerkſhip of x.l in Eaton. Hée was much confirmed in the truth, by the preachings & readings of one M. Turner of Windſor and others: Wherfore at the cōming in of Mary he was depriued of his clerkſhip, and not long after their examinations, wherein boldly and wiſely he behaued himſelfe in the cauſe of Chriſt, he was condemned in the conſiſtorie the xij. of Iuly, and from thence was had to Newgate, with other of the brethren. He wrote diuerſe letters in priſon to ſundry fréends. Hée ſuffered at Vxbridge the viij. of Auguſt. Being at y^e ſtake he comforted the people, willing them to thinke well of his cauſe, and not to doubt but his body dying in that quarrell, ſhould riſe againe to life. And (ſaid he) I doubt not but God will ſhewe you ſome tooken therof. At length he being well nigh halfe burnt and blacke with fire,The martyr giueth a ſigne. cluſtered together as in a lumpe like a blacke cole, all men thinking him for dead, ſuddainly roſe vpright before the people, lifting vp the ſtumpes of his armes, and clapping the ſame together, and ſo hanging ouer the fire ſlept in the Lord.

About this time died Stephen Harwood Stephen Harwood.at Stratford, & Thomas Fuſt Thomas Fuſt.at Ware, both for the teſtimonie of Ieſus.

Alſo about the end of Auguſt William Haile Williā Haile.was burned at Barnet, and conſtantly ſuffered for the truth.

George King, Thomas Lewes, and Iohn Wade ſickened in Lollardes tower, died, and were caſt into the fieldes, and buried in the night by the brethren. So alſo William Andrew died in pryſon, who was brought to Newgate, Anno 1555, by Ihon Motham Cōſtable of Maulden in Eſſex. The principall promoter of him was the Lord Rich.

The xxxj. of Auguſt ſuffered Robert Samuell preacher & miniſter at Barfold in Suffolke, his chéefe perſecutor was M. Foſter a iuſtice of Cobdock a litle from Ipſwich: where he cauſed M. Samuell to be apprehēded & put in the goale of Ipſwich: frō whence being remoued to Norwich, he fell into p. 168the cruell hands of the biſhop Doctor Hopton & Dunnings his chancellour: who firſt cauſed him to be chained bolt vpright to a great poſt: in ſuch ſort, that ſtanding onelyonly on tiptoe, hée was faine to ſtay vp the whole waight of his bodie: beſides he ſo pined him with hunger & thirſt, his allowance being only two or thrée mouthfuls of bread, and thrée ſponefuls of water for his dayly ſuſtenance, that his body was ſo dried vp that he could not make one drop of vrine to relieue his thirſt. He had diuerſe viſions during the time of his impriſonment,Samuell hath a viſion. which he for modeſties ſake concealed. Sauing this one he declared, that after he had béene pined iij. daies, he fell in a ſléepe or ſlumber, & one clad all in white ſéemed to ſtand before him, which miniſtred vntounto him comfort in theſe wordes: Samuell, Samuell, be of good chéere, and take a good hart vntounto thée, for after this day ſhalt thou neuer hunger nor thirſt. Which came ſo to paſſe accordingly. As hée came to the fire a certaine mayde came vntounto him, and kiſſed him: her name was Roſe Nottingham.Roſe Nottingham.

Next after the ſuffering of Robert Samuell Robert Samuell.about the beginning of September, was burned Williā Allen W. Allen.in Walſingham laboring man. At his ſuffering, ſuch was his credite among the Iuſtices, by reaſon of his well tried conuerſation among them, that he was ſuffered to go vntied to his ſuffering: and there with patience and conſtancie gaue witnes to the truth by ſhedding of his bloud.

The ſame yéere in the monethmonth of Septēber, Roger Coo Roger Coo.of Melford in Suffolke a ſheareman, and an aged father, after ſundry conflicts with his aduerſaries was committed to the fire at Yexford in the countie of Suffolke. Hée was condemned the xij. of Auguſt by the biſhop of Norwich.

With the aforeſaid was alſo condemned Thomas Cobbe Tho. Cobbe.of Hauerhill butcher, and was burned in the towne of Tetford in the monethmonth of September.

About the vj. of September, Robert Catmer of Hith, Robert Streater of Hith, Anthony Burward of Calete, George p. 169Brodbridge of Bromfield, Iames Tutley of Brēchley were condemned by Thornton S. of Douer.

About the mids of Septemb, Thomas Hayword, Th. Hayword.& Iohn Gareway Ioh. Gareway.ſuffered at the towne of Lichfield, for the teſtimonie of the trueth.

About this time, there was a godly gentleman, M. Iohn Glouer M. Ioh. Glouer.in the dioces of Lichfield and Couentry, whom the B. by his letters charged the maior of Couentry to apprehend. But ſo ſoon as he had receiued the letters, he ſent a priuie watchword to Iohn to eſcape and ſhift for himſelfe: who with his brother William, was not ſo ſoon departed out of his houſe, but that yet in y^e ſight of them, the Sheriffe, and other ſearchers came in to take him. But when Iohn could not be found, one of the officers going into an vpper chamber, foūd there Robert the other brother: a maiſter of art in Cābridge, lying ſicke of a long diſeaſe: which was by him incontinent brought before the ſheriffe, by whom he was committed to the gaole forthwith. Not being called to his anſwere, he was moued to enter in bonds, and ſo to be diſmiſſed. But that he refuſed to doe, becauſe they had nothing to lay to his charge. So he remained priſoner in Couentry the ſpace of 10. or 11 daies: being neuer called of the maiſters to anſwere.

The 2 day after, the B. comming to Couentrie, M. Warren came to the guildhall, & willed the chiefe gaoler to carrie him to the B. With whom after much diſputation, when he could not agrée: he was returned againe to the cōmon gaole.

On the Friday morning, being the next day after, he with other brethren was carried to Lichfield, whither they came at 4 a clock: & were friendly entertained at the Sun. But the ſame night they were put in priſon by Iephcot the Chancellors man: being deſtitute on the ſodain of al neceſſaries. He put him into a priſon (where he continued til he was condē ned) a place next to y^e dungeō, narrow of room, ſtrong of building & very colde, with ſmal light: where he was allowed a būdell of ſtraw in ſtéed of a bed, without any thing els to eaſe p. 170himſelf withal: & was alowed no help neither night nor day, nor company of any man, notwithſtāding his great ſicknes. Within 2. daies after, the Chancellour, & one Temſey a prebendary, came to exhort him to conformity: to whō he gaue none eare. He was alſo in the mean time of his impriſonmēt aſſailed by tēptations of Satan: but God vpheld his ſeruant.

At the B. firſt comming to Lichfield, after his impriſonment, he was called before him, none being preſent but his chaplains, and ſeruants, ſauing an old prieſt: with whom he had reaſoning of the church and of the ſacrament, &c. and to the end he continued conſtant in the truth.

After that, he was condemned of the B. Auſten Bernher, a miniſter reporteth of him, that for 3. or 4. daies before his death, his heart grew lumpiſh, ſo that he feared leaſt y^e Lord ſhold not aſſiſt: though he had earneſtly praied for the ſame. This his tēptation he ſignified to Auſten his familiar friēd: who exhorted him with patience to waite the Lordes leyſure, and if conſolation came, hee would ſhew ſome ſigne vntounto him thereof:God ſendeth the ſpirite of comfort. whereby he might alſo witnes the ſame: & ſo he departed. The next day when he came to y^e ſight of the ſtake, ſodainly he was ſo mightily repleniſhed with heauēly comfort: that he cried out, clapping his hands to Auſten, and ſaying in theſe words:Robert Glouer. Auſten he is come, he is come, &c.

In the ſame fire was burned with him, Cornelius Bungey Cornelius Bungey.a Capper of Couentry, and condemned by the B. of Couentry, and ſo they ioyfully ſuffered together about the 20. of September.

Iohn Glouer and William died after, and were prohibited to be buried. Iohn a twelue monethmonth after, being condemned to be taken vp, and caſt ouer the wall, as Doct. Dracot gaue ſentēce. The other was prohibited to be buried by one Iohn Thirlme of Weme in Shropſhire. Where hee died, and Barnard the Curate with him.

In the ſame dioces alſo, M. Edward Bourton, who required of his friende, that hee might not bee buried after the p. 171popiſh manner, was prohibited buriall, and was buried in his owne garden.

In the ſame countie of Salop, Olyuer Richardine Olyuer Richardine.of the pariſh of Whitchurch was burned in Hartford Weſt, Sir Iohn Yong beyng Shiriffe. Which ſéemeth to hauehave béene about the latter end of king Henry the eight.

After the martyrdome of thoſe aforeſaid, followed next the condemnation of William Wolſey W. Wolſey.and Robert Pygot Robert Pygot.paynter, who were iudged and condemned at Ely by Iohn Fuller Chauncellour, Doctor Shaxton his Suffragan, Robert Steward Deane of Ely, Iohn Chryſtopherſon Deane of Norwich, &c. Anno 1555. The eleuenth of October they were burned in Wiſbich.

Wolſey was a Conſtable at Welles, and was brought to death by one Richard Euerard Gentleman, a Iuſtice of peace. He might hauehave departed if he liſted: being willed ſo to do by D. Fuller: but he ſaid he would be deliuered by law, and no otherwiſe.

Pigot being called at y^e ſeſſions at Wiſbich, would not abſent himſelfe, but appeared, & was with the other, carried to Ely to priſō: where they remained til they ſuffred. During which time, there came to thē one Peter Valentius a French man, who had bin a remainer there about xx. yeres, & ſtrēgthened them in the faith. Shaxton had béene a profeſſor, and became a reuolt, and laboured with them, and ſaid: good brethren remember your ſelues, and become new men: for I hauehave béene of this fond opinion, &c. To whome Wolſey anſwered. Ah, are you become a new man? wo be to thée thou wicked new man: God ſhall iuſtly iudge thée. In the ende, ſentence was geuen againſt them, and they committed to the ſtake: where they did ſing the 106. pſalme, clapping (as it was thought) certaine new Teſtaments to their breaſts, which were throwen into the fire to be burned with them.

The ſame yere, monethmonth, and day in the which the foreſaide martyrs were burned at Ely, which was an 1555 the p. 172ſixtenth of October, followed alſo at Oxford the ſlaughter of M. Ridley B. of London, and M. Latimer B. ſometimes of Worceſter. M. Ridley M, Ridley.was ſometimes maiſter of Penbrooke hall in Cambridge: afterward was made Chaplen to king Henry the eight, and promoted by him to be biſhop of Rocheſter: and from thence in king Edwards daies tranſlated to London. He was repleniſhed with ſingular vertues and great learning. He ſhewed great compaſſion on Boners mother in K. Edwards daies: whoſe ſonne now full vncourtuouſly requited him. He was firſt conuerted to the truth, by reading Bertrames booke of the Sacrament, whom alſo the conference with Peter Martyr & biſhop Cranmer did much confirme. When Quéene Marie came in firſt, he was committed to the tower, & from thence with the Archb. of Canterbury, and Latimer, to Oxford: and there incloſed in the common gaole of Bocardo. Where at length being diſſeuered from them, he was committed to cuſtodie in the houſe of one Iriſh: Sundry letters and tractations of Ridley.where he remained till his martyrdom. Which was from the yéere 1554. till 1555, the xvi. of October. He wrote diuers letters and ſundry tractations in time of his captiuity.

Maiſter Latimer M. Latimer.of the Vniuerſity of Cambridge, was firſt a zealous Papiſt, and a railer againſt thoſe that profeſſed the Goſpel, as he did plainly declare in his Oration againſt Philip Melancthon, when he procéeded Bachelour of Diuinitie.M. Latimer a zealous papiſt ſometime, and conuerted by Bilney. But eſpecially he could not abide Maſter Stafforde, Diuinitie Reader there. But M. Bilney had compaſſion of his blinde zeale: and after a time came to Latimers ſtudie, and deſired him to heare him make his confeſſion. In hearing whereof he was ſo touched, that thereupon he lefte his Schoole diuinitie, and grewe in further knowledge of the trueth.

After he came to the knowledge of the trueth he feruently embraced the ſame, and ſuffered with patiēce many conflictes therefore. He had eſpeciall enemies in Cambridge, a p. 173black Frier, one Doctor Buckeman, Prouoſt of the houſe: and another Frier, an outlandiſh man, called Doctor Venetus, beſides all the rabble of the Heades and Doctors: as, Doctor Watſon, Maſter of Chriſtes Colledge, whoſe Scholer Latimer had béene before: D. Notaries, Maſter of Clare Hall: Doctor Phili, Maſter of Michael houſe: D. Medcalfe, Maſter of S. Iohns: D. Blithe, of the kings hal: D. Bullock Maſter of the Quéenes Colledge: Doctor Cliffe, of Clement houſe: Doctor Downes, of Ieſus Colledge: D. Palmes, maſter of S Nicholas Hoſtel, &c.

At the laſt came D. Weſt, Biſhop of Ely, who (preaching againſt Latimer at Barnewel Abbey) forbad him to preach any more within the churches of the Vniuerſitie. Notwithſtanding, D. Barnes, Prior of the Auguſtine Friers, did licence Maſter Latimer to preach in his Church of the Auguſtine Friers: and he himſelfe preached at the Church by, called Saint Edwardes: which was the firſt Sermon of the Goſpel that D. Barnes preached, being vponupon Chriſtmaſſe euen, vponupon a Sunday. Whereupon, Articles were gathered out againſt him by M. Tirrel, Felow of the Kings Hall: and preſented to the Cardinall. Notwithſtanding the enemies that Latimer had in Cambridge, hee continued preaching there thrée yeres, and kept conference with Maſter Bilney. So that the place where they vſed moſt to walke in y^e fields, was commonly called the Heretikes hill.

After he had trauelled in preaching thrée yeres in Cambridge, at length he was called vp to y^e Cardinall for hereſie, & being contented to ſubſcribe to ſuch Articles as they propounded vntounto him, was diſmiſſed. After this, by the meanes of Doctor Buttes, a great fauourer of good men,D. Buttes a fauourer of good men. he was among the number of thoſe that laboured in the Kinges Supremacie, and went to the Court: where, after a ſpace, hee obteined a Benefice in Wiltſhire, in a towne called Weſtkington. So he left the Court, & there kept reſidence. There he alſo found enemies, as in the Vniuerſitie, that drew articles p. 174againſt him. As, that he ſhould preach againſt our Ladie; Saintes; Auemaries; &c. His chéefe enemies (beſides the Prieſtes of the Countrey) were Doctor Powel of Saleſburie: Doctor Wilſon, ſometime of Cambridge: Maſter Hubberden: and Doctor Sherewood. By whoſe meanes he was cited vp to W. Warham, Archb. of Canterburie, and Iohn Stokeſeley B of London an. 1531. the xxix. of Ianuarie: eueryevery wéeke for a ſpace thriſe. Being called before them, in the end he was diſmiſſed: on what condition it is vncertain. At length, through the procurement of D. Buttes, & Cromwell, he was aduaunced by the king to be B. of Worceſter. Who (whē holy bread, and holy water ſhould be miniſtred) cauſed theſe verſes to be pronounced to the people in his dioces:Verſes of Latimer at the giuing of holy bread and holie water. Remember your promiſe in baptiſing; Chriſt his merciemercy and bloudſheading: By whoſe moſt holy ſprinkling; Of all your ſinnes you hauehave full pardoning. At the geuing of holy bread, theſe verſes following. Of Chriſtes body this is a token; which on the croſſe for our ſinnes was broken. Wherefore of your ſinnes you muſt be forſakers: If of Chriſtes death you wil be partakers.

In his Biſhoprick alſo he ſuffered much trouble for wel doing, but the king greatly fauoured him. He continued in his biſhoprick til the time of the vi. articles. At which time, of his own accord he reſigned it. At which time alſo, Shaxtō B. of Saliſburie, reſigned his biſhoprick. So they kept ſilēce til the time of K. Edward. And comming vp to London, for cure of a bruiſe, which he receiued by a fall from a Trée, hée was moleſted, and caſt into the Tower, til the time of king Ed. In whoſe dayes he was ſet frée, and preached againe, with great fruite and edification of the people. He being 67. yeres of age, preached eueryevery ſunday twiſe for the moſt part: and both winter and ſummer, about ij. of the clock in y^e morning he would be at his booke moſt diligently. He euer affirmed that the preaching of the Goſpel would coſte him his life: and perſwaded himſelfe that Wincheſter was kept in p. 175the Tower for the ſame purpoſe: as the Euent did truly prooue. For after the death of K. Edward he was ſent for by a purſeuant: of whoſe comming he had intelligence by Iohn Careles, & prepared himſelf before to go with him. The purſeuant when he had deliuered his letters to him, departed, affirming that he had commandement not to tarrie for him, whereby it ſhould appeare they would hauehave had him fledde the realme, but he cōmeth vp to London, & paſſing through Smithfield, (where merely hée ſaid that Smithfield had long groaned for himSmithfield had long groaned for M. Latimer.) was brought before the Counſel. Of whom he was againe caſt into the Tower, where he was hardly vſed, yet bare it cherefully, for when the Lieftenāts man vponupon a time came to him: the aged father kept without fire in froſty weather, & welnigh ſterued for cold, he merily had the man tel his maſter, that if he did not looke the better to him, perchance he would deceiue him. Which when the Lieftenant heard, fearing he ſhould make eſcape,M. Latimer almoſt ſterued for cold in the tower. chargeth him with his words. Yea M. Lieftenant, ſaith he, ſo I ſaide: for you look I think that I ſhould burne, but I am like here to ſterue for cold.

Thus paſſing a long time in the tower: from thence hée was tranſported to Oxford with Ridley and Cranmer to diſpute: as hath béene aforeſaid. He wrote diuers and ſundrie letters. Among other enemies to Latimer Latimers ſundry letters.at Oxford, there was one Hubberden, who riding by a Church ſide, where the youth of the Pariſhe were daunſing, came into the Church, and cauſed the bell to be tolled, and there made to the people a Sermon of daunſing.A Sermon of piping and daunſing. In which Sermon, hée made the Doctors of the Church to anſwere to his call, and to ſing after his time, for the probation of the Sacrament of the Altar, againſt Latimer, Frith, &c, and all Heretikes. At the laſt, as he had made them ſing, ſo after he maketh them daunce alſo. And firſt he calleth out Chriſt and his twelue Apoſtles: then the auncient Doctors of the church, as in a round ring, all to daunce together, with pipe vp Hubberdē. p. 176Now daunce Chriſt, now daunce Peter, now Paule &c. And in concluſiō, ſuch a dauncing kept Hubberdin, that the pulpet fell, and downe falleth Hubberdine and brake his leg, and died not long after. The people refuſed to repaire the pulpet, ſaying: it was not for dauncers.

M. Latimer to the king for reſtoring of the Scriptures.M. Latimer alſo wrote to king Henry the viij. for the reſtoring of the frée reading of holy Scriptures, which was inhibited. Anno 1531. and Anno 1546. For the which Letter, hée receiued rather thankes then diſpleaſure of the King: and not long after that, hee was aduanced to be a Biſhop.

Amongſt other memorable acts of Latimer, this was one worthy to be remembred: that being B. of Worceſter, whē others gaue newyeeres gifts of golde and ſiluer &c. hee preſented the king with a new Teſtament for a new yéers gift,M. Latimers newyeeres gift to the king. and a napkin hauing this poeſie about it. Fonicatores & adulteros iudicabit Dominus.

Anno 1555. In the month of October, Ridley & Latimer were both brought forth to their finall examination and execution: the Commiſſioners wherof, were maiſter White, Biſhop of Lincolne, maiſter Brookes Biſhop of Gloceſter, with others.

VponUpon the 20. of September was ſent downe a commiſſion to Oxforde from Cardinall Poole to the parties aforeſaide, to procéede againſt Ridley in iudgement, and Latimer, except they would recant. So the laſt of September, they were cited to appeare before the Lordes in the Diuinitie Schoole at Oxford, at viij of the clocke. Where firſt appeared Maſter Ridley, and then Latimer. M. Ridley (while the Commiſſion was read) ſtanding bare before, when he heard the Popes holines named,Ridley couereth his head at the name of the Pope. and the Cardinal, put on his cap: and being thriſe admoniſhed, woulde not (by putting it off) geue ſigne of reuerence vntounto the Pope or his Legate. At the laſt, the Biſhop of Lincolne commanded one of the Bedles to pluck his cap from his head. Maſter Ridley bowing p. 177his head to the officer, gentlie permitted him to take away his cappe. After that Lincolne perſwaded him with a long oration to recant: to which Rydley maketh anſwere, confuting the vſurped ſupremacie of the Pope &c. In the ende they obiected articles, whereto preſently they required anſwere: but they ſaid ſuch as ſhould not be preiudiciall to that he ſhould ſay to morrow. So they tooke his anſweres, and appointed him againe the next morrow at eight of the clocke, willing the Maior he ſhould hauehave penne, yncke, and paper, &c. So diſmiſſing Maiſter Rydley, they ſent for maiſter Latimer. To whom after exhortation to recant, and other conference, they propounded the ſame articles to him which they propounded to maiſter Rydley. Whereto he anſwered preſently, and was aſſigned to appeare on the morrow againe: which maiſter Latimer was loth to do willing them to make ſpéed in that they would do. So y^e Maior being charged with him, they brake vp for y^e day their ſeſſiō.

The next day following, which was the firſt of October, maiſter Rydley appeared againe: and becauſe he would not reuerence them, his cap was ſnatched haſtely off his head.

After the articles were read, & he required to anſweare, maiſter Rydley tooke a ſhéet of paper out of his boſome, and began to read that which he had writtē: but y^e B. of Lincolne commaunded y^e Beadle to take it from him. To whom Rydley ſayd, why my Lord, wil you require my anſweare, and not ſuffer me to publiſh it, I beſéech you, &c. ſo maiſter Rydley Ridley not ſuffered to make his anſwere.ſéeing no remedy deliuered it to an officer, that immediatly deliuered it to the B. of Lincolne: who after he had ſecretly communicated it to other two Byſhops, declared the ſence, but would not reade it, ſaying, it contained words of blaſphemie. Maſter Rydley on the other ſyde would make no other anſwere then was contained in his writinges: which being recorded by y^e regiſter, the B. of Gloceſter fel to perſwade maſter Rydley to recant. To whō maiſter Ridley taking in hand to anſwere, the B. of Gloceſter interrupted p. 178him. The B. of Lincolne with his cap in his hand, deſired him to returne to the vnity of their Church: which intrratie, when he ſaw it moued not the conſtant ſeruant of God. He pocéeded to ſentence of condemnation againſt him, which being publiſhed, M. Ridley was committed to the maior, & M. Latimer called for: who alſo conſtantly ſtanding to the defence of the truth,Ridley and Latimer condemned. receiued ſentence of condemnation, and was committed to the maior, and continued in durance till the 16. day of October.

VponUpon the fiftéenth day of October, the B. of Gloceſter D. Brookes, and the Vicechancelour of Oxford, D, Marſhall came to maiſter Iriſhes houſe, then maior of Oxford, where M. Ridley Ridley refuſeth his pardō.lay, and offered him the Quéenes pardon, if hée would recant. Which he refuſing to do, they procéeded to diſgrade him, & would hauehave had him put on the ſurplice himſelf, but he would not: and while he ſpake againſt that Romiſh apparel (as he called it,) one Edridge the reader of the gréek lecture, gaue counſel he ſhould be gagged. Nether would M. Ridley hold the chalice in his hands: but one was appointed to hold it in his hands. His degradation ended, D. Brookes called the Bailiffes, & deliuered to them maiſter Ridley, with charge to kéep him ſafe from any mans ſpeaking with him, and that he ſhould be brought to the place of execution, when they were commaunded.

The night before he ſuffered, his beard was waſhed, and his legges. And as he ſate at ſupper the ſame night at M. Iriſhes (who was his kéeper) he bad his hoſtes and the reſt at the boorde to his marriage: for to morrow (ſaid he) I muſt be married, and ſo ſhewed himſelfe as merrie as at any time before. When they aroſe from the table, his brother offered all night to watch with him: but ſaid he, no, no, that ſhall you not, for I minde God willing to ſléepe as quietly tonight, as euer I did in my life.

When eueryevery thing was readie for their, execution in y^e ditch ouer againſt Baily Colledge, they were brought foorth p. 179by the maior and bayliffes. Maiſter Ridley had a faire black gowne, furred and faced with Foynes, ſuch as he was wont to weare béeing B, and a tippet of Veluet furred likewiſe about his necke, a veluet nightcap vponupon his head, and a corner cappe vponupon the ſame, going in a paire of ſlippers to the ſtake.

After him came Maiſter Latimer in a poore Briſtow frize frocke all worne, with his buttened cappe,The behauiour of Ridley and Latimer at the place of execution. and a kerchiefe on his head, a new long ſhrowd hanging ouer his hoſe downe to the foote: which at the firſt ſight ſtirred mens hearts to rue vponupon them. Maiſter Ridley looking backe, eſpied maiſter Latimer comming after, vntounto whom he ſayd: Oh bée you there? Yea (ſayd maiſter Latimer) hauehave after as faſt as I can follow. Firſt maiſter Ridley entering the place, marueilous earneſtly, holding vp both his hands, loked towards heauen: then ſhortly after eſpying maiſter Latimer, with a woonderfull chéerefull looke, ranne vntounto him, and embraced him, and kiſſed him, and as they that ſtoode neere reported, comforted him ſaying: be of good heart brother, for God will either aſſwage the furie of the flame, or els ſtrengthen vsus to abide it.

With that, went hee to the ſtake, kneeled downe by it, kyſſed it, and moſt effectually prayed: and behynde hym kneeled Maiſter Latimer, as earneſtly calling vppon GOD as hee. Doctour Smith who recanted, preached a Sermon, ſcant in all a quarter of an houre, againſt them, in the meane while that they were a preparing to the fire.

M. Ridley being in his ſhirt, ſtood vponupon a ſtone at the ſtake, and held vp his hands and ſaide: Oh heauenly father, I giuegive vntounto thée moſt hearty thankes, for that thou haſt called me to be a profeſſor of thée, euen to the death, &c. Then the ſmith tooke a chaine of yron, and brought the ſame both about D. Ridleyes and Latimers middles: and as hee was knocking in the ſtaple, maiſter Ridley tooke the chayne in p. 180his hand, and ſhaked the ſame, for it did gyrd in his bellie, and looking aſide to the ſmith, ſaide: Good fellow, knocke it in hard, for the fleſh will hauehave his courſe. Then his brother brought both him and maiſter Latimer gunpowder: which he ſaid he would take as ſent from God: then brought they a fagot kindeled with fire, and laide it downe at Ridleyes féete.Latimer prophecieth at the ſtake. To whom maiſter Latimer ſpake in this maner: be of good comfort M. Ridley, and play the mā, we ſhal this day light ſuch a candle by Gods grace in England, as (I truſt) ſhal neuer be put out. And ſo the fire was giuen vntounto them. When Doctor Ridley ſawe the fire flaming vp towardes him: he cried with a woonderfull loude voyce, In manus tuas Domine commendo ſpiritum meum, Domine accipe ſpiritum meum. And after repeated often in Engliſh, Lorde, Lorde receiue my ſpirite: maiſter Latimer crying as vehemently on the other ſide, Oh father of heauen receiue my my ſoule: who receiued the flame as it were imbracing it, and ſoone died M. Ridley, by reaſon of the euil making of the fire, had his nether partes all burnt, before the vpper parts were touched, and endured great torment with much patience: ſo they both ſlept in the Lorde, faithfull witneſſes of his trueth.

Diuers letters and treatiſes.Maiſter Ridley wrote diuers letters and treatiſes of exhortation.

The next monethmonth after the burning of Ridley M. Ridley.and Latimer, which was the monethmonth of Nouember, died Stephen Gardiner, Stephen Gardiner dieth, a man of an vnconſtant mind.a man hated of God and all good men. He was (during the time of Queene Anne,) an enemie to the Pope,: but after her deceaſe the time carried him away, that hée became a Papiſt: till agayne in King Edwardes time, hée beganne to rebate from certaine pointes of poperie. Agayne, after the decay of the Duke of Sommerſet, he quite turned to poperie, and became a cruell Perſecutour. Hée hauing intelligence of the death of Ridley and Latimer, deferring his dinner til thrée or foure of p. 181the clock at after noone, commeth out (reioyſing) to the olde Duke of Norfolke, who tarried for his dinner till then, at Gardiners Gods iudgement vponupon Gardiner.houſe, and ſaid: Now let vsus goe to dinner. And being ſet downe, began merely to eate: and had eaten but a fewe bittes, when the ſodaine ſtroke of Gods terrible hande fell vponupon him, ſo that immediatly he was taken from the table, and brought to his bed: where he ſo continued xv. dayes, and then died, his tongue being blacke, and ſwolne in his head. When Doctor Day Biſhop of Chicheſter came to him, and began to comfort him with words of Gods promiſes, & with frée iuſtification in the bloud of Chriſt our Sauiour, repeating the Scriptures vntounto him: WincheſterWincheſters words at his death. hearing that, what my Lorde (ſaide he) will you open that gap now? then farewel all together. To me, and to ſuch other in my caſe you may ſpeake it: but open this window to the people, then farewel all together.

Next after the death of Maſter Ridley and Maſter Latimer, followed thrée other couragious Souldiers of Ieſus Chriſt. Iohn Webbe Gentleman, George Roper, and Gregorie Parke. Iohn Webbe I Webbe, G. Roper. G. Parker, Martirs.was brought before the ſuffragan of Douer, the ſixtéenth day of September before: the other two long after. Which (beſide ſundrie other times) the the iij. day of October, were all thrée together brought before the ſaid Iudge, and by him condemned. And about the ende of October, or in the latter end of Nouember (as it is otherwiſe found) they were brought out of priſon to their martirdome: who by the way ſaid certaine Pſalmes mournfullie. Roper was a young man, of a freſh colour, courage and complexion. The other two were ſomewhat more elderly. Roper comming to the ſtake, and putting off his gowne, fet a great leape. So ſoone as the flame was about him, he putte out both his armes from his bodie like a Roode, and ſo ſtoode ſtedfaſt, continuing in that maner (not plucking his armes in till the fire had conſumed them, and burnt them off. And thus theſe woorthie Martirs at Canterburie gaue witneſſe p. 182to the trueth,

The xiij. of December died William Wiſeman in the lolards Tower, a Clothwoorker of London. Some thought that through famine, or other euill handling, hee was made away. After his death he was throwen into the fields, and charge geuen that none ſhould burie him. But the brethren buried him in the night.

In the ſame yeare, about the vij. of September, Iames Gore deceaſed in priſon at Colcheſter, being captiue for defence of the trueth.

Maſter Iohn Philpot (after he had béene impriſoned by the Lord Chauncellour a yere & a halfe for his frée ſpéech in the conuocation houſe) was the ſecond of October an. 1555. called for before the Quéenes Commiſſioners, M. Cholmeley, Maſter Roper, Doctor Storie, and one of the Scribes of the Arches, at Newgate Seſſions Hall. Where they had nothing particular to charge him with by the Lawe: neyther would he otherwiſe anſwere. So they ſent him againe to priſon. Afterwardes hee was commaunded to appeare the xxiiij. day of October, which he did. And after much railing againſt him, and many threatenings, they ſent him to the B. of Londons Colehouſe, where he found Tho. Whittle Prieſt, in the ſtockes: who once (through infirmitie) had relented to the Papiſtes, but féeling remorſe and torment in his conſcience, went to the B. Regiſter, deſiring to ſée his bill againe. Which as ſoone as he had receiued, he tare in péeces: and after that was ioyfull, & receiued comfort. Whē the B. heard thereof, he beate him, and pulled a greate péece of his beard from his face, and caſt him into priſon. Which he endured ioyfully for Chriſtes name.

Boner vnderſtanding of maſter Philpots impriſonment, ſent him bread, and meate, and drinke, with faire wordes, and promiſe of fauour. And within a while after, one of his Gentlemen was ſent for him, and brought him to the preſence of Boner. Who vnderſtanding by Maſter Philpot p. 183the cauſe of his trouble to hauehave riſen by his ſpeach in the cō uocation houſe, ſaid, he would not as then burthen him with his conſcience, and ſaid moreouer, that he meruailed they were ſo merrie in priſon, ſinging and reioycing. To whom M. Philpot anſwered, that they ſang Pſalmes, and that hée truſted he would not be offended therewith, ſince S. Paul ſaith. If a man be of an vpright minde,Mē of vpright mindes. let him ſing: and we therefore (ſaid he) to teſtify that wee are of an vpright mynd to God, though we be in miſerie, do ſing. So he was had againe to the Colehouſe, where he had other ſixe companions of the ſame affliction.

He was examined in all 14. ſeuerall times: the fourth time in the Archdeacons houſe of London in the monethmonth of October, before the Byſhops of London, Bath, Worceſter and Gloceſter: with whom after diſpute, of the church of Rome and authoritie therof, he was againe diſmiſſed.

The Byſhops roſe vp and conſulted together, and cauſed a writing to be made, whertoo they put their handes. So he was againe carried to his Colehouſe M. Philpot thought then they conſpired his death.

The 5. examination was before the Byſhops of London, Rocheſter, Couentrie, ſaint Aſſes, with another. Doctor Storie, Curtop, Doctor Sauerſon, Doctor Pendleton, with other Chaplens and gentlemen of the Quéenes Chamber, and others in the Gallerie of the B. of Londons pallace. Where Boner, becauſe he ſaid hee minded on the morrow to ſit in iudgement on him, exhorted him to play the wiſe mans part, and to conforme himſelfe. To whom Philpot anſwered, he was glad iudgement was ſo nigh: but refuſed Boner, as not being his ordinarie.

After much diſpute of the Romiſh church, and reuilings of Doctor Storie againſt Maiſter Philpot, he was had againe to the Colehouſe, the Byſhop of London promiſing him fauour, and that he had in his hands to do him good. To whō Philpot anſwered: my Lord, the pleaſure that I will p. 184require of you is to haſten my iudgment, and ſo to diſpatch me out of this miſerable world vntounto my eternall reſt.To haſten iudgement a pleaſure to the Martyr. The B. for all his faire promiſes performed no kinde of curteſie vntounto him: for a whole fortnight after, he had neither fire, nor candell, nor good lodging.

The ſixt examination was before the Lord Chāberlaine, the vicont Hereford: the L. Ritch, the L.S. Iohns, the Lord Windſore the L. Shandoys, ſir Iohn Brydges lieftenant of the Tower, with the B of London, and Doctor Chadſey. The ſixt of Nouember, Anno 1555. Before whom he was reaſoned with touching the Romiſh Church, and of the Sacrament of the Altar. The Lordes temporall being halfe amazed at that which they heard, and not giuing M. Philpot an euill word.

The vij. examination was had the xix. of Nouember, before the B of London, and Rocheſter, the Chauncellor of Litchfield, and Doctor Chadſey.

The next morning Boner ſent for maiſter Philpot to come to Maſſe.A ſharpe anſwere to Boners meſſage. To whoſe meſſenger he anſwered, his ſtomacke was too weake to digeſt ſuch raw meates of fleſh, blood and bone.

The next day the B. ſent againe for him, and miniſtred falſe articles againſt him, and could bring no witneſſe: but would hauehave had his priſon fellows ſworne againſt him. Which becauſe they refuſed, they were put in the ſtockes, and alſo M. Philpot with them, where they ſate from morning till night.

The Sunday after at night betwixt 8. and 9. the Byſhop came to the Colehouſe himſelfe, and cauſed maiſter Philpot to be had into another place of impriſonment, and there cauſed him to be ſearched, but the ſearcher miſſed of his laſt examination which he had written: yet tooke two Letters from him whiche were of no greate importaunce.

The viij. examination was before the B. of London, of p. 185Saint Dauis, maiſter Mordant and others in the B. chappel: where the B. would hauehave had him anſwered onelyonly, yea, or nay to certaine Articles. Which Philpot would not, but made his appeale: which the Biſhop ſaid he would ſtay in his owne handes. So was he had againe to the colehouſe.

The 9. time he was examined of the B. alone with his Chaplains: the next day after in the Wardrope. Where maiſter Philpot woulde not heare ſo much as Articles read againſt him: refuſing Boner as béeing not his ordinary. At the laſt, they fell to reaſon of the Sacrament of the altar, and the maſſe: the Biſhop and diuers of his Chaplaines ſetting vponupon maiſter Philpot. To whom hée gaue no place nor cauſe of triumph: but ſufficiently mainteined the trueth therein. So for that time he was diſmiſſed to his priſon againe.

And the next day the tenth time was examined of the B, his regiſter and others: and charged with the booke of Catechiſme, made in king Edwards daies, and certain concluſions agréed vponupon both in Oxford and Cambridge, &c. But M. Philpot refuſed him for ordinary, & would not anſwere: but appealed to him that was in place of the Archbiſhopricke of Canterbury, becauſe he knew not of his impriſonment, who was then Archbiſhop.

The 11. examination was on S. Andrewes day before the Biſh. of Dureſme, of Chicheſter, of Bath, of London: the Prolocutor maiſter Chriſtophorſon, Doctor Chadſey, maiſter Morgan of Oxford, maiſter Huſſey of the Arches, Doctor Weſton, Doctor Harpesfield, maiſter Cooſins, maiſter Iohnſon, regiſter to the B. of London: theſe diſputed againſt maiſter Philpot touching the true Church, and of the Sacrament of the Altar, and of the antiquity of the religion which maiſter Philpot profeſſed. Of which companie maiſter Morgan behaued himſelfe aboue all the reſt, moſt inſolently againſt him: who aſked maiſter Philpot howe p. 186hée knew that hée had the ſpirite of GOD, ſcoffingly. To whome Philpot aunſwered: by the faith of Chriſt which is in mée: Ah by faith, doe you ſo, ſayth Morgan? I weene it bee the ſpirite of the buttery, which your fellowes hauehave had, which hauehave beene burned before you: who were drunken the night before they went to their death: and I weene went drunke vntounto it. To whome Maiſter Philpot aunſwered: It appeareth by your communication, that you are better acquaynted with the ſpirite of the the butterie,M. Philpots zeale againſt Morgan. then with the ſpirite of God. Wherefore I muſt needes tell thee thou paynted wall, and Hypocrite: In the name of the liuing GOD, whoſe trueth I hauehave tolde thee, that God ſhall raigne fire and brimſtone vppon ſuche ſcorners of his worde, and Blaſphemers of his trueth as thou art. Morgan, What, you rage nowe. Philpot. Thy fooliſhe blaſphemies hauehave compelled the ſpirite of God which is in mée, to ſpeake that which I hauehave ſaide vntounto thee thou enemie of all righteouſneſſe. By thine owne wordes doe I iudge thée, thou blinde and blaſphemous Doctour, for as it is written: By thy words thou ſhalt be iuſtified, & by thy wordes thou ſhalt be condemned. I hauehave ſpoken on Gods behalfe, and nowe hauehave I done with thée Morgan. Why then, I tell thée Philpot thou art an heretike, and ſhalt bée burned for thine hereſie, and afterwarde goe to hell fire. Philpot: I tell thee thou hypocrite, I paſſe not this for thy fire and fagot, neyther (I thanke GOD my Lorde) ſtande in feare of the ſame: my fayth in Chriſt ſhall ouercome them, &c.

In fine, Chadſey perſwaded him to conſider of himſelfe, and to be wel aduiſed. To whom M. Philpot ſaid, he would his burning day were to morow: for this delay, (ſaid he) is eueryevery day to die, & yet not to be dead. So for that time they diſmiſſed him.

The 12. examination was on Wedneſday the fourth p. 187of December before the Biſhop of London, Worceſter, & Bangor. After Maſſe the Byſhop called him before him into his Chappell, and recited the Articles, which often tymes he had done before, with depoſitions of witneſſes, of whom ſome were not examined. Philpot againe refuſed him for Iudge.

So he was had away, and anone after he was called for to come before him, & the Byſhop of Bangor. Who being before them, they cauilled with him, where his religion was an hundreth yeare ago, accuſing him of ſingularitie &c. and ſo diſmiſſed him til after noone. At which time he appeared againe, and after reaſoning with him touching the reall preſence: they againe diſmiſſed him till Thurſday after, which was the 13. examination. On which day he appeared before the Archb. of Yorke, and other Biſhops, as the biſhop of Chicheſter, Bathe, London, &c & they reaſoned with him touching the true Church, and the authority thereof, and vniuerſality. But being not able to deale or preuayle with him in ſtrength of argument, nor verity of their cauſe, they departed.

The ſame day at night againe, Boner called for him, and required him to ſay directly, whether he would be conformable or not. To whom he anſwered, that he required a ſure proofe of that Church whereto Boner called him: which when Boner could not prooue, they gaue him ouer vntil the xiij. or xiiij. daye of December. On which dayes the Biſhop ſitting iudicially in his Conſiſtorie at Paules, cauſed him to be brought thither before him and others, and obiected vntounto him 3. articles. 1. That he refuſed to be reconciled to the Church. 2. That he had blaſphemed the maſſe,Articles againſt M. Philpot. and called it Idolatrie. 3. That he denied the reall preſence. And exhorted him to recant, and to returne to his Romiſh Church.

Whereto when M. Philpot had ſhewed that he was not out of the church, & that he had not ſpoken againſt the maſſe, p. 188nor ſacrament of the Altar. He was once againe diſmiſſed till the ſixtéenth day of the ſame monethmonth: on which day when neither threatninges, nor faire allurementes could mooue him. The B. after he had brought foorth a certaine inſtrument containing articles and queſtions, agréed vppon both in Oxforde and Cambridge: and had exhibited two bookes in print: the one the Catechiſme made in King Edwardes dayes, anno. 1552. The other concerning the true reporte of the diſputation in the Conuocation houſe, which Philpot acknowledged to bée his penning, without any iuſt cauſe he could pretend againſt him by forme of lawe,Boner condemneth Philpot. procéeded to his tyrannical ſentence of condemnation. & ſo commited him to the Sheriffe: whoſe officers led him away. And in Pater noſter row, his ſeruaunt méeting him, lamented: to whom Philpot ſaid, content thy ſelfe, I ſhal do well ynough, thou ſhalt ſée me againe. So the officers had maiſter Philpot to Newgate: whom Alexander the kéeper vſed very rigorouſly, and would not ſtrike off his yrons vnderunder foure pound, but put him in Limbo. Whereof the Sheriffe vnderſtanding, cauſed Alexander to vſe him more gently.

VponUpon Tueſday at ſupper, being the 17. of December, he had worde from the Sheriffe to prepare himſelfe: for the next day he ſhould be burned. Maiſter Philpot anſwered, and ſaid: I am readie, God graunt me ſtrength, and a ioyfull reſurrection. In the morning, the ſherifes came about viij. of the clocke, and called for him, and hee moſt ioyfully came down vntounto them, When he was entred into Smithfield, becauſe the way was foule, two Officers tooke him vp, to bear him to the ſtake. To whom he ſaid merily: what? will you make me a Pope? I am content to goe vntounto my Iourneyes ende on my feete. But firſt comming to Smithfielde,M. Philpot payeth his vowes in Smithfield. hée there knéeled downe vponupon his knées, ſaying with a loude voice theſe wordes. I wil pay my vowes in thée, O Smithfield.

p. 189When he was come to the place where he ſhould ſuffer, he kiſſed the ſtake, and ſaid: Shal I diſdaine to ſuffer at this ſtake, ſéeing my Redéemer did not refuſe to ſuffer moſt vile death on the croſſe for me? Then méekely he ſaid the 10. 107. and 108. Pſalmes. The fire being put vntounto him hee yelded his ſoule vntounto God (whoſe trueth he had witneſſed) the eyghtéenth day of December. He wrote many fruitfull Letters.

Anno. 1556. 1556 Seuen perſons burned together in Smithfield.To beginne the new yere withall, about the xxvij. of Ianuarie, were burned in Smithfield theſe ſeuē perſons following: Thomas Whittle, Prieſt, Bartlet Green Gentleman, Iohn Tudſon Artificer, Iohn Went Artificer, Thomas Browne, Elizabeth Foſter, wife, Ioane Warren, alias Laſhford, maide: all together in one fire. The Articles obiected againſt them: were, touching the ſeuen Sacramēts; the Sacrifice of the Maſſe; the Sea of Rome; &c.

Thomas Whittle was apprehended by one Edmund Alabaſter, and caried to the Biſhop of Wincheſter lying ſick, hoping to be preferred for his diligence: but the Biſhop repulſed him. So he was had to Boner, who did beate & buffet him, and caſt him into priſon. D. Harpſfielde offered him a Bill to ſubſcribe vntounto, conſiſting of generall tearmes, the rather to deceiue Whittle. So he ſubſcribed, but afterwarde felt ſuch horror in his conſcience, that he could not be in quiet till he had gotten his bill againe,T. Whittle repenteth, and is condemned. T. Whittles Letters. and rent away his name from it. So the Biſhoppe condemned him, after many perſwaſions to hauehave made him recant, and committed him to the Secular power. He wrote diuers Letters of comforte and exhortation.

The next day after was Bartlet Greene condemned. He had béene Student in Oxford, and there by hearing the lectures of Peter Martir, hee came to hauehave knowledge of the trueth. Afterward he was Student of the common lawes in the Temple.

The cauſe of his firſt trouble was an anſwere to a letter p. 190of Maſter Goodmans, baniſhed at that time beyonde the Seas. Wherein hee wrote that Quéene Marie was not dead: whereof Maſter Goodman deſired to bee ſatiſfied. Theſe Letters came into the Counſels handes, and they would hauehave made treaſon thereof, if the lawes would hauehave ſerued. But after they had long deteyned him in the tower and elſwhere, they ſent him to Biſhop Boner, to be ordered after their Eccleſiaſticall manner. Againſt whom Sir Iohn Bourne, then Secretarie to the Quéene, was a principall dooer.

The xvij. of Nouember, at two of the clock in the after noone, he was preſented before the Biſhop of London, and two other Biſhops: Maſter Deane, M. Roper M. Welch, Doctor Harpſfielde, D. Dale, Maſter George Mordant, and Maſter Dee. Before whom, after he had ſhewed the cauſe of his impriſonment, to hauehave beene his Letter written vntounto Maſter Goodman: Doctor Chadſey (being ſent for) reported, that in the preſence of Maſter Moſeley, and the Lieftenant of the Tower, he ſhould ſpeake againſt the Reall preſence, and Sacrifice of the maſſe, & that their Church was Antichriſtian. This Maſter Greene confeſſed that he had ſayde. So after ſome talke with other, Maſter Welche deſired of the Biſhoppe, that hée might hauehave licence geuen him to talke with him aparte, and then with flattering behauiour, and faire wordes, he laboured to peruert him, and reaſoned w^t him touching the marks of the church. Wherein Maſter Greene (ſhewed himſelfe able ſufficientlye to anſwere that which he did obiect. Afterwarde, he had priuate conference with Boner, in his bedchamber: who alſo laboured him all he might, but the ſpirite of God was of more power: and M. Greene (notwithſtanding) continued conſtant in his holy profeſſion.

In the ende, the B. perceiuing himſelfe not able to alter his conſtant minde, the xxviij. of Nouember he examined him vponupon certayne poyntes of Chriſtian Religion: and p. 191and out of his anſweres drew articles, whereto Maiſter Greene ſet to his hand. The fiftéenth day of Ianuary, in his Conſiſtorie at Paules, accompanyed with Fecknam, and other of his Chapleins, after he had condemned the other ſixe, hée called for maiſter Greene, M. Greene condemned.and aſked him if hée would recant. Which when he denyed, the Byſhop procéeded in ſentence and condemned him, and committed him to the Shiriffes of London, to bee carried to Newgate, where he continued in prayer and godly meditation, till the 28. of Ianuary. At which time he with the reſt were carried to the place of execution. Whither going by the way, as alſo at the ſtake,M. Greene at the ſtake. he vttered often times Latine verſes: Chriſte Deus, ſine te ſpes eſt mihi nulla ſalutis: Te duce, vera ſequor: te duce, falſa nego. He confeſſed himſelfe to to one Maiſter Cotton of the temple his friend, that he had béene ſcourged with roddes of Boner: but elſe for modeſtye ſake kept it ſecrete. Hee was of nature moſt milde, and gentle. Hée wrote diuerſe Letters and exhortations.

Thomas Browne borne in the pariſh of Byſton within the dioces of Ely, came afterward to London,Tho, Browne where hee dwelled in the pariſh of S. Brides in Fléetſtréete, a maried man of the age of 37. Who becauſe he came not to his pariſh Church, was preſented to Boner by the Conſtable. When Boner laboured to perſwade him, and ſéeing himſelf not able to preuayle by the worde, to ouerthrowe him, procéedeth to his cruell Sentence, and ſo committeth him to the Secular power. So hee abode the cruel fire amongeſt the reſt.

The ſame daye alſo was Iohn Tudſon, Iohn Tudſon.borne in Ipſwich, condemned. Who being complayned of to ſir Roger Chomley, and Doctor Storie, was ſent to Boner. And after much perſwaſion to recant, according to his māner, he pronounced ſentence againſt him.

Iohn Went, borne in Langham in Eſſex,Iohn Went. within the dioces p. 192of London, of the age of 27. yeares, examined by Doctor Story, vponupon the ſacrament of the popiſh Maſſe, becauſe they diſagréed with him in the reall preſence, was ſent to Boner, and of him condemned for the profeſſion of the truth.

With the fiue aboue recited were condemned two women, Iſabell Foſter Iſabell Foſter.a wife, and the other a maide called Ioan Warne, alias Laſhford. Iſabell was married to one Iohn Foſter Cutler of the parriſh of ſaint Brides in Fléetſtréet being of the age of 55. yeares. She was ſent to Boner for not comming to the church, and conſtantly mainteining the truth of her profeſſion, was of him condemned.

Ioan Laſhforde.Ioan Laſhford borne in the parriſh of litle Alhallowes in Thames ſtréete, was the daughter of one Robert Laſhford Cutler, and of Elizabeth, who afterward was married to Iohn Warne Vpholſter: who was perſecuted for the Goſpel of God to the burning fire, and after him, his wife, and after her this Ioan Laſhford their daughter, after ſhe had remained priſoner in the Counter 5. weekes, and certaine moneths in Newgate.

After theſe 7. aboue rehearſed, ſhortly after in the ſame monethmonth, the 31. of Ianuary, 4. women and one man were burned at Canterbury at one fire. Their names were Iohn Lomas a yong man, Anne Albright, Ioan Catmer, Agnes Snoth widow, Ioan Sole wife. Lomas was condemned the xviij. of Ianuary, Snoth, the xxxi. Albright, alias Chamixes, the xviij. Sole, the xxxi, and at the ſame time, Ioane Catmer: all fiue at one fire.Fiue martirs ſing a pſalme in the flaming fire. Who (when the fire was flaming about their eares) ſang Pſalmes. At the ſight whereof, ſir I. Norton Knight wept bitterly.

The Iudges, and the other Aſſiſtantes which ſate vponupon them, were Richarde Faucet. Iohn Warren, Iohn Milles, Robert Collins, and Iohn Baker, the Mayor.