Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright, Volume 2 · Book 12 · Account 1 – Account 3

Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright · Volume 2 · Book 12 · Account 1 – Account 3

p. 223The twelfth and laſt Booke.

CArdinall Poole thrée yéeres after his returne into England, aduiſed himſelfe of the reforming of the Vniuerſitie of Cābridge.The vniuerſitie of Cambridge to be reformed. To performe which charge, were choſen Cutbert Scot, not long before cōſecrated B of Cheſter, Nicholas Ormanet an Italian, archprieſt of y^e people of Bodalon in the dioces of Veron, profeſſed in both lawes, bearing y^e name of Lord Pope his Datary, T. Watſon elected B. of Lincoln, Iohn Chriſtophorſon elected B. of Chicheſter, and Henrie Cole, prouoſt of the Colledge of Eaton.

The 9. of Ianuary. Anno 1556. Inquiſitors came to Cambridge.The inquiſitors aforeſaid came to Cambridge, & took vp their lodgings all of them in Trinity colledge with M. Chriſtophorſon maiſter of the Colledge. The next day after their comming, they interdicted two Churches, namely, S. Maries, Q. Maries and S. Michaels Churches were interdicted.where Martin Bucer, and S. Michaels, where Paulus Phagius was buried, now thrée or foure yéeres paſt. During which time vntounto that day, the Prieſts neuer ceaſſed to celebrate maſſes and other ceremonies in theſe Churches, and that without ſcruple, till the comming of theſe Commiſſioners. Who commaunded hereafter, that the aſſemblies which ſhould be made for executing of holy ceremonies, ſhould be remoued to y^e kings Chappell.

On the xj. day the Vicechancellor of the Vniuerſitie, w^t the Maſters of houſes, and the reſt of the Graduates, were commanded to appeare before the Commiſſioners in their habites: & ſo did in the gatehouſe of Trinitie colledge, which was adorned for the Commiſſioners. Where the vicechā cellor aforeſaid, hauing on a tiſſue cope, ſprinkeled the Commiſſioners with holy water, and purpoſed to cenſe thē, but p. 224they refuſed it there. Which notwithſtanding afterward in the Quéenes Colledge, and elſwhere they refuſed not.

There M. Iohn Stokes oratour of the Vniuerſitie welcomed them with an oration, whereto the B. of Chicheſter anſwered, with thankefull acceptation of the curteſie of the vniuerſitie, and ſo declared the cauſe of their commiſſion. From thence they were brought to the kinges Colledge, where was ſonge a maſſe of the holy Ghoſt. From thence they went to the interdicted Church of ſaint Maries: wher Pecocke preached againſt hereſie and heretickes, naming Bylney, Cranmer, Latimer, Rydley, &c. That being ended, they procéeded to their viſitation, which Robert Braſſey maiſter of kings Colledge, a worthy aged man woulde not admit in his colledge,Kings colledge refuſeth the inquiſitors. becauſe the viſitation of his houſe was wholly reſerued to the B. of Lincolne. Which exception they tooke all in great diſpleaſure.

The 12. of Ianuary, they reſorted to kings colledge, for that Colledge, (time out of mind) had béen counted neuer to be without an heretike or twaine. The M. of that Colledge, maiſter Braſſey K. colledge neuer without an heretike. Robert Braſſey a good old man maiſter of K. Colledge.maketh his exception againe to their viſitaon: but it would not ſerue.

In that Colledge ſome there were that refuſed to take their oath, becauſe they had giuen it to their Colledge before: and alſo would not be brought thereby to accuſe themſelues: yet at the length (with much a doe) they were contented to be ſworne. Thrée daies long laſted the Inquiſition. There after this it was aduiſed, that the Vniuerſitie ſhould themſelues firſt decrée againſt Bucer and Phagius, and after make Supplication to the Commiſſioners, for the confirming of this decrée. So the Vniuerſitie authoriſed their Vicechancellour, to be the common factor for the Vniuerſitie. Which Supplication being put vp to the Commiſſioners the xiij. day, was of them graunted: and afterwarde confirmed by the whole conſent of the Vniuerſitie, and ſigned with the common ſeale the fourtéenth day, by the Vice-Chaunceller p. 225by Doctor Yong Doctor Haruey, Swineborne, Marpetide, &c. After they had all dyned together at maſter Bacons, maiſter of Gonwell hall: by and by they carried it to the Commiſſioners to their Lodging. Their condemnation being openly read, then was it deſired to ſend out proceſſe to cite Bucer and Phagius to appeare, or any other that would take vponupon thē to plead their cauſe againſt y^e next mū day. So the next day proceſſe went out to cite the offenders.

But when neither of the parties accuſed would appeare at the time appointed, although they might at the firſt hauehave condemned them: yet a ſecond proceſſe was publiſhed, and ſentence deferred till the 26. of the ſame monethmonth On which day the Maior was alſo warned with his bretheren to bée preſent to behold what ſhould bée determined.

When they had taken their places, there was exhibited to the commiſſioners the proceſſe that was laſtly publiſhed to cite them.

This being done, y^e B. of Cheſter maketh a ſpéech, & reciteth y^e ſentence out of a ſcroll, and condemned Bucer & Phagius Bucer and Phagius digged out of their graues.of hereſie. After ſentence thus read, he commaunded their bodies to be digged out of their graues, & firſt to be diſgraded from holy orders, he deliuered them to the ſecular power.

All this being ended, they diſpatch a purſeuante to aduertiſe the Cardinall what they had done, and required the writ de comburendo. And while he went on his meſſage, they willed all ſuſpected bookes to be brought for to be burned with the corps of Bucer and Phagius.

The purſeuante being returned with the writ: vponupon the receipte thereof they appointed the 6, day of Februarie for the accompliſhment of the matter.

So the Vicechanceller on that day taking with him, Marſhall the common notarie, went firſt to ſaint Michaels church, where Phagius was buried: there he calleth foorth Andrew Smith, Henry Sawyer, and Henry Adams, men of the ſame parriſh, and bound them with an oth to digge vp p. 226Phagius bones and to bring them to the place of execution. Marſhall tooke their othes, receyuing the like of Roger Smith, and William Haſell the towne Sergeants, and of Iohn Capper warden of the ſame Church, for doing the like with Bucer. Their cofins being taken vp, they were lincked with a chaine to a poſt on the market hill, and fire put too,Bucer & Phagius corps burned with many good bookes. were burned: and a number of condemned bookes with them; which while they were burning (that gaue the people cauſe greatly to miſlike their crueltie) on the market hill, Doctor Watſon enueyeth againſt them in the pulpet in S. Maries church: although Bucer taught no other thing, then both he and Scot had ſubſcribed to in king Edwards daies.

The next day after the B. of Cheſter went with great ſolemnitie to the Church of our Lady and Saint Michaell. Which doone, the Commiſſioners beſtowed a fewe dayes in puniſhing ſuch as they thought had offended, and enacted certaine Statutes, preſcribing, at how many Maſſes eueryevery man ſhould be, day by day, and how many Pater noſters and Auies eueryevery man ſhould ſay, when he ſhould enter into the Church. And in his entrance, after what a … his ſhould …owe himſelfe to the Altar: and at what time of the Maſſe a man ſhould ſtand, when ſit downe, with a number of ſuch ſuperſtitious toyes. Which thinges being thus ordered, the Vniuerſitie beſtoweth the degrée of Doctor vponupon Ormane… and Cole, and to the holy reformers dep… who yet before they departed,The holy commiſſioners depart from Cā bridge. gaue commaundement that the Maiſters of eueryevery houſe ſhould copie out their Statutes, which contained certayne … rules for eueryevery houſe particularlie. Swineborne maiſter of Clare hall, beeing demaunded whether he would hauehave their engroſſed in paper, or parchment, anſwered: it made no matter, paper would for continuance ſerue the turne well enough.

Accordyng as they dealt with the bodies of Bucer and Phagius at Cambridge, ſo likewiſe at Oxford, they vſed p. 227Per Martyrs They take Peter Martyrs wiues corpes at Oxford.wife (while ſhe liued, a graue and ſober matrone.) Anno 1552. ſhe departed this life.

Now when B. Brookes of Gloceſter, Nichol, Ormanet, Datary, Robert Morwen, preſident of Corpus Chriſti Colledge, Cole & Wright, Doctors of the Ciuil law, came thither as the Cardinals viſitors. They among other things hauing commiſſion for the ſame, miniſtred an oath to ſuch as had acquaintance with her, that they ſhold not conceale what they knew touching religion, concerning her faith. Who becauſe they vnderſtood not her language, anſwered: they could know nothing. Which the commiſſioners alſo certified the Cardinall. But that notwithſtanding, he left not the matter ſo, but wrote down his letters, a good while after, to Marſhall, the Deane of Friſwides, that he ſhould digge her vp, and lay her out of Chriſtian burial, becauſe ſhe was buried nigh S. Friſwides reliques. Whoſe commandement Doct. Marſhall calling his ſpades and mattockes together in an Euening, when he was well whitled, did fulfill and buried her in a dunghill.

Anno 1557. 155710 of the 15. perſons mentioned in the other booke that were in priſon in the caſtle of Canterbury, wherof fiue were famiſhed, were cōmitted to the fire by Thornton called B. or ſuffragan of Douer, otherwiſe called Dick of Douer, and by Nicholas Harpesfield Archdeacon of the ſame prouince.

The names of thoſe tenne be theſe: Iohn Philpot Iohn Philpot. W. Waterer. Steph. Kempe. W. Haydhith. Th. Hudſon. Mathew Brodbridge. Tho. Stephens. Nich. Finall. W. Lowicke. W. Prowting.of Tenderden. W. Waterer of Bedington, Stephen Kempe of Norgate, W. Haidhith, Th. Hudſon of Shalenge, Mathew Brodbridge of Tenderden, Thomas Stephens of Bedingden, Nicholas Finall of Tenderden, W. Lowicke of Crambrooke, W. Prowting of Thoneham. Of theſe ſixe were burned at Canterbury about y^e xv. of Ianuary, twoo, that is, Stephen and Philpot at Wye. About the ſame monethmonth, other two, Finall and Brodbridge, at Aſhford the 16. of the ſame monethmonth.

p. 228In february following came out another bloody commiſſion from the king and Quéene,Another bloody commiſſion. yet more to inflame the fire of perſecution. After the publiſhing of which Commiſſion the eight of February, perſecution did rage moſt fiercely in all quarters: ſo that the priſons were full of priſoners: namely, in the dioces of Canterbury. And in the towne of Colcheſter, it was ſo fierce, that 22. together, men and women were apprehended at one clappe, 14. men and 8. women: of which, ſome eſcaped; the other were driuen vp like a flocke of Chriſtian lambes to London, with 2. or 3. leaders at the moſt.

The blood of which people, Boner woulde hauehave ſucked, had not Cardinall Poole Cardinall Poole mercifull.ſtaied his rage. Who although he were a papiſt and an enemy, yet was he not ſo bloody as the other were.

So theſe people, being ſuffered to draw themſelues out a ſubmiſſion, were deliuered, notwithſtanding diuers of thē afterward were taken and ſuffered.

The names of that multitude were theſe: Robert Coleman of Walton, in the Countie of Eſſex, labouring man, Ioan Winſley of Horſley magna in the ſame Countie, Stephen Glouer of Railey in the ſame Countie, Glouer, Ri, charde Clarke, of much Holland in the ſame Countie, mariner, W. Munt of much Bentley in the ſame Countie, huſbandman, Thomas Winſeley, of much Horſley in the ſame Countie, ſawyer, Margaret Field of Ramſey in the ſame Countie, Agnes Whitlocke of Douercourte, Alice Munt of much Bentley, Roſe Allen of the ſame towne, Richard Bongeor of Colcheſter, Currier, Richard Atkyn of Halſtéed weauer, Robert Barcock of Whiſtone, carpenter, Rich. George of Weſtbarfolt, labourer, Rich, Gelly of Colcheſter mariner. Tho. Fereſham, mercer of Colcheſter, Robert Debnam late of Dedham, Ciſley Warren of Cockſhall, Chriſtian Pepper widow, of the ſame towne Allen Simſon, Eline Euring, Alice the wife of Rob. Wil. at colcheſter, William p. 229Bongeor of Colcheſter Glaſter. Their chiefe trouble was for the article of the Lords ſupper.

The ſame yeare, 1557. 1557 T. Loſebie. H Ramſey. T, Thirtell. M. Hyde. A. Stanley.the xij. of April, ſuffered v. godly Martirs in ſmithfield: Thomas Loſebie, Henry Ramſey, Thomas Thyrtel, Margaret Hyde, and Agnes Stanley. The vij. of Ianuarie they were examined by Darbiſhire then Chauncellour to Boner. Who dealt ſo with them, that they were diſmiſſed for that time: but the B. taking the matter into his handes, the vi. of March, dealt more hardly w^t them. And againe, the firſt day of April conuented them: and finding them conſtant in the truth, neither to be moued by his threates, nor allurements, procéeded to their condemnatiō. The afternoone, the B. firſt called for Loſeby (who when in reading of his articles) mention was made of the Sacrament of the altar) the Biſhop putting off his cappe,The valeaunt Martir. & his felowes, ſaid: My Lorde, ſéeing you put off your cap, I will put on mine, and therewithall did put on his cap. So ſentence was pronoūced vponupon him, and the reſt ſeuerally. Who couragiouſly, and conſtantly defied to the biſhops face, their Popiſh Idolatrie and ſuperſtition. And ſo were they deliuered to the Sheriffes of London: who the xij. day of Aprill brought them into Smithfielde. Where all together in one fire ioyfully they ſlept in the Lord.

In the MonethMonth of May following, thrée other ſuffered in Saint Georges fieldes in Southwarke: whoſe names were, William Morant, one King, and Steeuen Gratwicke. W. Morant. King. S. Gratwick.Who was aboue all moſt vnlawfullie put to death: For firſt he was condemned by the Biſhoppe of Wincheſter, and the Biſhoppe of Rocheſter,Vniuſt preceeding. which were not his Ordinaries: neither could his appeale be taken. Then when they had no colour, they ſuborned one of the Prieſtes to come in for a falſe Ordinarie, and ſitte vponupon him, and pretended falſe articles, which were no part of his examination. And hauing no other ground, nor iuſt matter againſt him, but onelyonly for ſaying theſe wordes: That which I ſaid, p. 230I hauehave ſaide, they read the Sentence of Condemnation againſt them.

So he with the other two, about the ende of May, was burned for the teſtimonie of Ieſus Chriſt in S. Georges fieldes. While the Biſhoppe was reading Sentence againſt Gratwicke, his Chaplaines cryed out, ſaying: ſtoppe, ſtoppe my Lorde, for now hee will recant. Then the Biſhoppe aſked him what he would doe. To whom he anſwered,Faith ſurely grounded. My Lorde, my faith is grounded more ſtedfaſtly, than to change in a moment. It is not proceſſe of time that can alter me, vnleſſe my faith were as the waues of the Sea. So the Biſhoppe made an ende, and deliuered him to the Sheriffe.

I. Bradbridge. W. Applebie-Pettonel. Ed. Allen. K. his wife. I. Mannings. E. a blind maidIn the xxviij. day of the monethmonth of Iune, were vij. Chriſtian, and faithfull Martirs burned at Maidſtone in Kente, through the cruelty of Richard Thornton, ſuffragan of Douer, & the bloudy Archdeacon of Canterburie. Their names were, Ioane Bradbridge of Staplehurſt, Walter Applebie of Maidſtone, Petronell his wife, Edmund Allen of Fritēden, Katherin his wife, Ioan Mānings, wife, of maidſtone, Elizabeth, a blinde mayden. Edm. Allen was a Miller, in the pariſh of Frittenden in Kent, who in a déere yeare would féede the poore, and would reade vntounto them the ſcriptures, and exhort them. Hee was taken by the meanes of Iohn Tayler, Prieſt of the Pariſh, and committed (after much vile taunting and rayling) to priſon, by ſir Iohn Baker knight.

The nintéenth day of Iune, were burned ſeuen: foure women and thrée men, at Canterburie, for the teſtimonie of Chriſt.I. Fiſhcock. N. White. N. Pardu, B. Finall. Widow Brad. Wilſons wife. Bendens wife. Their names were theſe: Iohn Fiſhcock, Nicholas White, Nich. Pardue, Barbara Final, widow, Bradbridge, widow, who was thought to hauehave béene with childe, Wilſons wife, and Bendens wife. The vſage of Alice Benden was moſt cruell. Shée being deliuered, was by the fooliſh wordes of her owne huſbande impriſoned againe, who p. 231tooke mony of the Conſtable to carrie her to priſon himſelfe:The huſband againſt the wife. but that the wife tendering her huſbands fame, and that the world ſhould not witneſſe againſt him ſo facinorous a fact, went to the Conſtable, deſiring him to go with her: who anſwered that he could not, but lent her his boy to go with her, with whom ſhe went to Canterbury caſtell. Where ſhe being in priſon, practiſed with a priſon fellow of hers, the wife of one Potkin, to liue both of them with two pence halfe penie a day, to trie thereby, how well they could ſuſtaine penury, if they were put to it: for they had heard when they ſhould be remoued to the Biſhops priſon,The martyrs diet in priſon. their liuings ſhould be but thrée pence halfe penie each day: & did in déede ſo liue both, fouretéene daies, ere ſhe were from thence remoued.

The two and twentith day of Ianuary following, her huſband went and told the Byſhop, that ſhée had a brother, whoſe name was Roger Hall that reſorted vntounto her, who if hée were kept from her, hée ſayd ſhée would turne: for hée comforteth her (ſaith hée) and giueth her mony, and perſwadeth her not to recant. Vppon which reporte of her huſband, ſhée was remoued to a pryſon called Munday hole, and ſtraight charge giuen, that if her brother came, hée ſhould be taken: but hée comming earely in the morning when her kéeper was gone to ringe, (for he was a bell ringer) otherwiſe did not know where ſhée had béene impriſoned, but by hearing her voyce as ſhée powred out vntounto God her ſorrowfull complaints, ſaying the Pſalmes of Dauid. And there putting mony in a loafe of bread, & ſticking the ſame on a pole, ſo did he reach it vntounto her: & this was fiue wéekes after her comming thither: all which time no creature was knowne to come at her, more then her kéeper.Three farthings a day the martyrs allowance. Alice Bende… a conſtant martyr. Her lying in that priſon was vponupon a litle ſhort ſtraw, betwixt a payre of ſtockes and a ſtone wall, & her allowance thrée farthings a day: that is, an halfe peny in bread and a farthing in drincke, neyther could ſhe get any more for her mony: p. 232wherefore ſhée deſired to hauehave her whole allowance in bread, and vſed water for drinke. Thus did ſhée lie nine wéekes: during which tyme ſhée neuer chaunged apparell.

At the firſt comming into this place ſhée did gréeuouſly bewayle her ſtate, with great ſorrowe, and reaſoned with her ſelfe why the Lord God, with his heauie iuſtice ſuffered her to be ſequeſtred from her louing fellowes in ſo extréeme miſery. In which ſhée continued till on a night as ſhée was in her ſorrowfull ſupplications, in rehearſing this verſe of the Pſalme: Why art thou ſo heauy O my ſoule, and againe the right hande of the moſt higheſt can chaunge all:God ſendeth the ſpirit of comfort. ſhée receiued comfort in the middeſt of her miſeries, and after that continued ioyfull vntill her deliuerance from the ſame. So ſhée with the reſt the nintenth of Iune were conſumed with fire for the teſtimony of Ieſus, after they knéeling downe together had called vponupon the name of God.

Bradbriges wife when ſhée was condemned of the Biſhop to be burned, had two children named Patience and Charitie. Who then ſaid to the Biſhop, that if he would néedes burne her, yet ſhe truſted that he would take and kéepe Patience and Charitie, The B. will neither meddle with Patience nor Charitie.meanyng her two daughters: Nay quoth the Biſhop, by the faith of my body, I will meddle with neither of them both.

About this tyme Matthew Plaſe weauer of the pariſhe of Stone in Kent, was examined before Thorneton, Harpsfielde, &c. And conſtantly maintayned the truth againſt the popiſh hypocrites:Ten at one fire Rich. Woodmā G. Stephens, R. Maynard, Alex. Hoſemā, Tom. a Wood, Marg. Moris, Iames Moris, Denis Burgis, Aſhdons wife, Groues wife. but what became of him it is vncertaine.

In the towne of Lewes were ten faythfull ſeruaunts of God, put in one fire the two and twentith day of Iune. Their names were Richard Woodman, George Stephens, Robert Maynard, Alexander Hoſeman, his ſeruant Tomaſin a Wood, Maynards maide, Margery Moris, Iames Moris her ſonne, Denis Burgis, Aſhdons wife, Groues p. 233wife. Rich. Woodman was twiſe impriſoned for the teſtimony of Ieſus. At the firſt apprehenſion, he was impriſoned a yéere and a halfe in the kings bench, and afterwarde 8. wéekes in the Biſhops colehouſe, lacking one day. His firſt apprehenſion was for reprouing a Preacher in the pulpit, in the Pariſh of Wambleton, where he dwelt. For which hée was twiſe before y^e Biſhoppe of Chicheſter, and fiue times before the Commiſſioners, and then ſent to Londons Cole-houſe, and manie times called before him.

He was ſixe times examined in the Colehouſe, and 26. times before, ſo that his examinations in all were 32.

The ſecond time he was found out, and taken by means of his father and brother:Father againſt the ſonne. who had as much goodes of his in their handes, as were well woorth ſixe and fiftie pounds a yéere, a Lordſhip, and an honor and halfe a Lordſhippe, which hée had deliuered vntounto their handes to pay his debtes, and the reſt to remaine to his wife and children, which was two hundred pounds better then the debt came to.

The ſame day that Philpot was burned, which was the 18. of December, hée with foure more, were deliuered out of Boners hands with very good conditions: in ſuch ſort as Woodman ſaid of him, that his heart was ſo drunken with y^t blood of Philpot, Boner drunke with the blood of Philpot.that he thought he could not tell what he did. For two daies before (ſaid he) he promiſed them they ſhould be condemned, that ſame day they were deliuered. Yet the morning after they were deliuered, hée ſought earneſtly for ſome of them again, waxing dry after his great drunkennes.

Before his ſecond apprehenſion, he continued in a Wood vnderunder a towre, 6. or 7. wéekes: with his Bible, penne and ynke, and other neceſſaries: his wife bringing him meate daily.

Anno 1557. the 14. of April, he was brought before the p. 234Biſhop of Chicheſter, Doct. Story, and Doct. Cooke, of whō after examination of diuers pointes, as of marriage of prieſts, concerning the aſſurance of hauing the ſpirit of God, (which the Papiſts account arrogancie to affirme,) and concerning the 7. ſacraments, he was had to the marſhalſea, and there remained till the 27. of Aprill. At which time he appeared againe before Chicheſter, two of his Chaplains, and Doctor Story, of whom he was examined of the ſeuen Sacraments, and not agréeing with them therein, hée was commaunded againe to the marſhalſea, no man to ſpeake with him.

The 12. of May he was examined again of Doct. Langdall, parſon of Buxted in Suſſex, and Chaplaine to my Lorde Mountague, and maiſter Iames Gage at my Lord Mountagues houſe in Southwarke: where he ſet Langedall vp in diuers pointes of religion: as of the force of Baptiſme, whether it bée of neceſſitie of ſaluation to all, and of the ſtate of infants that die without it: touching the Sacrament of the Altar, &c. and ſo was had againe to priſon till the fiue and twentie of May. On which day hée was examined agayne of Wincheſter, Rocheſter, and a certaine Doctor, with diuers other Prieſtes and Gentlemen, ſitting in Saint Georges Church in Southwarke, of whom béeing wrangled with touching Prieſtes mariages, and his reproouing of a reuolting Preacher, hée was diſmiſſed againe to the marſhalſea, till the fifteene of Iune. At which day he appeared before Wincheſter, the Archdeacon of Canterbury, Doctor Langdall, &c. and woulde not anſwere nor ſweare before Wincheſter, becauſe hée was not his ordinarie. Who when he threatned him, made anſwere: I looke for no helpe of men, God is on my ſide, I praiſe him therefore: I will not care who bée againſt mée, neyther doe I. So was hée had to the marſhalſea againe, where hee remayned till the ſixtéenth of Iuly: on which day he was condemned by Wincheſter, p. 235chiefly for the poynt of the Sacrament of the Altar, and ſo was burned with nine other, which were taken not paſt two or thrée dayes before their iudgement, and burned before the writ could come downe.Quicke diſpatch. Such quicke diſpatch they made. They ſuffered the two and twentith day of Iune at Lewes.

About the ſame tyme one Ambroſe died in Maidſtone priſon, who elſe ſhould hauehave béene burned in the quarrell of Chriſt.

About the ſame time was one Richard Luſh condemned of Cutbert Bourne B. of Bath and Welles, and giuen to the ſecular power for the ſinceritie of the Goſpell: whether he were burned or not it is vncertaine.

In the monethmonth of Iuly next, enſued the martyrdome of Simon Miller of Linne, and Elizabeth Cooper. Simon Miller Simon Miller. Eliza. Cooper.being at Norwich, and ſéeing the people comming from their Popiſh ſeruice, aſked them where hée might hauehave the Communion. At which words, a Papiſt ſaid: he would bring him where hée ſhould not miſſe, and brought him to the Chauncellour of Norwich, who as hee was examining him, ſpied his confeſſion which hee had put into his ſhoe, which did appeare: and aſked if he would ſtand to the ſame. Which when he ſayd he conſtantly would do, he was committed to a kéeper in the Biſhops houſe: from whence (on what condition it is vncertaine) he was diſmiſſed, and went home to his houſe at Linne, Where (when hee had ſet all things in order) he returned againe to his Priſon in the Biſhops houſe, and there continued conſtant in the profeſſion of the trueth, till by the B. and his Chancellour he was condemned to death.

Elizabeth Cooper was a Pewterers wife, dwelling in Saint Andrewes pariſh in Norwich: where before ſhe had recanted, and being vnquiet in mind, and greatly troubled in conſcience for the ſame, at the laſt ſhe came into y^e church (the people being at their Superſtitious Seruice: and p. 236before them all bewailed her fall,Elizab. Cooper repenteth of her recantation. and greatly repented of that ſhe had done. For which ſhe was taken by M. Sutterton the Shiriffe, & burned with Simon Miller. When the fire came vntounto her, ſhee a litle ſhronke thereat, crying ah a. Which when Simon Miller heard, he put his hand behinde towards her, and willed her to be ſtrong and of good cheare: we ſhall hauehave a ioyfull and ſwéet ſupper. Whereby ſhe was ſtrengthened ſtill, and quietly ended her combate, with victorie.

Of thoſe 22. which were before mentioned: that were then deliuered by the meanes of the Cardinall Poole, was William Moūt of much Bentley in Eſſex huſbandmā,W. Mount. Alice, his wife. Roſe Allen. with Alice his wife, and Roſe Allen maid, the daughter of the ſaid Allice Mount. They comming home againe, refrayned from their pariſh Church, and frequented the company of good men. Wherefore, a wicked prieſt of the towne, Syr Thomas Tye, who by reaſon he himſelfe had béen a profeſſor, knew all their haunt, complained of them to the Lorde Darcie, and wrote alſo againſt them to Boner. So the 7, day of March, at two of the clock in the morning, one maiſter Edmund Tyrrel, (who came of the Tyrrels that murdered K. Edward the 5. and his brother) tooke with him the Baylieffe of the hundred, called William Samuel, dwelling in Colcheſter, and the two Conſtables of much Bentley, Iohn Baker, and William Harris, and other companie, and came to father Mountes houſe, and apprehended him, & his wife being ſick, ſaying they ſhoulde goe to Colcheſter Caſtle. Which mother Mount hearing, deſired her daughter might firſt fetch her ſome drinke, for ſhe was very ſicke. Which they graunted her. So her daughter Roſe Allen Roſe Allen.tooke a pot, and went with a candle to drawe drinke: and as ſhe came back againe, Tirrel met with her, and willed her to giuegive her parents good counſell, &c. To whom ſhe anſwered: ſir, they hauehave a better inſtructor than I: for the holy Ghoſt doeth teach them, I hope, which I truſt will not ſuffer thē to erre. p. 137Tirrel ſaid, Why? art thou ſtill in that minde y^u naughty huſwife? Marry it is time to looke vntounto ſuch heretikes in déede. Roſe. Sir, w^t that which you call hereſie do I worſhippe my Lorde God, I tel you truth. Tirrell. The tragicall dialogue betwixt Tirrell and R. Allin.Then I perceiue you will burne (goſſip) with the reſt for companies ſake. Roſe. If I be ſo compelled, I hope in his mercies (if he call me to to it) he will make me able to beare it. So he (turning to his companie) ſaid: Sirs, this Goſſip will burne, do ye not think it? Marry ſir (quoth one) proue her, and you ſhall ſée what ſhe will doe by and by. So the cruell Tirrell taking the candle from her, helde her by the wreſt, and the burning candle vnderunder her hande, burning croſſewaies ouer the backe thereof, ſo long, till the ſinewes crackt in ſunder. In which time of his tirannie, hee ſaid often to her: Why whoore, wilt thou not crie: thou young whoore, wilt thou not crie? &c. VntoUnto which ſhe alwaies anſwered, that ſhe had no cauſe, ſhe gaue God thankes. He had more cauſe to wéepe (ſhe ſaide) than ſhe, if he conſidered the matter well. In the end,Tyranny ouercome with patience. when the ſinewes brake, he thruſt her violently from him, and ſaid: Ah ſtrong whoore, thou ſhameleſſe beaſt, thou beaſtlie whoore, &c. But ſhe (patiently ſuffering his rage) at the laſt ſaide: HaueHave you done what you will doe? And he ſaid, yea. And if thou thinke it be not well, then mende it. R. Mend it, nay, the Lord mend you, and geue you repentance, if it bée his wil. And now (if you thinke it good) begin at the féete, and burne the head alſo. And ſo ſhe went, and carried her mother drinke, as ſhe was commaunded.

After they had ſearched the houſe for more companie, at the laſt, they founde one Iohn Thurſtone, I. Thurſton, & M. his wife.and Margarette his wife alſo with other, whom they carried to Colcheſter Caſtle immediatly.

With William Mount and his Familie, was ioyned alſo in the ſame Priſon at the Towne of Colcheſter, another faithfull brother, Iohn Iohnſon, otherwiſe called Aliker, of the Towne of Thorpe, in the Countie of Eſſex, Labourer, p. 224of the age of 34. yeres, his wife being dead, and thrée children by her left with him.

Other ſixe priſoners lay in Mot-hall, in the ſame town, whoſe names were, William Bongeor, W. Bongeor.of the Pariſh of S. Nicholas in Colcheſter, Glaſier, about the age of 40. yeres: Agnes Siluerſide, A. Siluerſide.alias Smith, of Colcheſter, widow, of the age of ſixtie yeres: Thomas Benolde T. Benold.of Colcheſter, Talowchaundler: William Purcas W. Purcas.of Bocking in Eſſex Fuller, of the age of twentie yeres: Helene Ewring, H. Ewring.the wife of Iohn Ewring, Miller of Colcheſter, of the age of fourty & eyght yeres: who was one of the two and twentie priſoners before mentioned, and was by Robert Maynarde (then Bailiffe of Colcheſter) impriſoned in the Mot-hall. The ſixtth of this companie was Elizabeth Folkes, E. Folkes,a ſeruant, of the age of twentie yeres. Theſe were impriſoned in the Mot-hall, and the other foure were in the Caſtle. Diuers examinations theſe good men had at ſundrie times, before Iuſtices, Prieſtes, and Officers. As, Maſter Roper, Iohn Kingſtone Commiſſarie, Iohn Boſwell Prieſt, and Biſhoppe Boners Scribe. Laſt of all, they were examined in the Mot-hall the thrée and twentie day of Iune, by Doctor Chadſey, Iohn Kingſtone Commiſſarie, with other prieſts, and Boſwel the Scribe, in the preſence of Robert Browne, and Robert Maynard, Bayliffes of Colcheſter, with diuers Iuſtices, and Gentlemen of the Countrey.

At which time, ſentence of death was read againſt them, chéefly for denying the Reall preſence in the Sacrament. Elizabeth Folkes the young maide, being aſked whether ſhe beléeued the Lorde to be preſent in the Sacrament ſubſtantially and really:A ſharpe anſwere of the Martir. made anſwere, that ſhee beléeued it was a ſubſtantiall Lie, and a reall Lie. Then they read the Sentence of condemnation againſte her. In which time Doctor Chadſey wept, that the teares trickled downe his chéekes.

This Elizabeth Folkes Eliz. Folkes.the day before ſhee was condemned, p. 239was examined onelyonly vponupon this article, whether ſhée beléeued that there was a Catholicke Church or no? VntoUnto which ſhe anſwered, yea: then was ſhe immediatly by Boſwels meanes the Scribe, deliuered vntounto her vncle Holt of Colcheſter to be kept, who carried her home to his houſe, where ſhe might hauehave departed if ſhée would: meanes being offered to cōuey her away. But ſhe hearing that ſome doubted that ſhe had yéelded to the Pope (although it was moſt vntrue) would in no wiſe content her ſelfe, but wept, and was in ſuch anguiſh of minde, that (no remedie) ſhe would to the Papiſtes againe. And comming before them at Coſines houſe at the white hart in Colcheſter, ſhe was at vtter defiance with them and their doctrine, and ſo was condemned with the reſt, as alſo were the 4. that were put into the caſtle. Of which company, Roſe Allen Roſe Allen cō demned ſoong for ioy.after her condemnation ſong for great ioy to the wonder of many.

The 2. day of Auguſt was appointed for their martyrdome, on which day betwixt 7, and 8. of the clock in the morning, theſe 6. were brought from Mote-hall, to a place of of ground hard by the towne wall, the place of their martirdō. Where al things being prepared, they made their praier to God, but not in ſuch ſort as they would, becauſe they were interrupted, eſpecially by one maiſter Cleere, who ſometime had béene a Goſpeller.

Elizabeth preparing her ſelfe to the fire, when ſhe had plucked off her peticote, would hauehave geuen it to her mother,A notable ſpeech of the martir. but was not permitted. Therefore (taking it in her hande) ſhe threwe it from her, ſaying: Farewell all the world: farewel faith, farewel hope: and ſo taking holde of the ſtake, ſayde: Welcome louelove. When theſe vi. were all nayled to their ſtakes, and the fire about them, they clapped their hands together (for ioy) in the fire. So ioyfully they all ended their liues in the quarrel of Chriſt.

The ſame day in the afternoone, they foure of the Caſtle were likewiſe martired in the flaming fire, and gladly gaue p. 240their liues for the witneſſing of the truth.

Iohn Thurſton, who was taken in the houſe of W. Mount, of Much Bentley, about the monethmonth of May, dyed in Colcheſter caſtle, a conſtant profeſſor of Ieſus Chriſt.

In the MonethMonth of Auguſt was George Eagles put to death at Chelmſeford: treaſon being obiected againſt him y^t he ſhould pray that God would turne Quéene Maries hart, or take her away. He was condemned and executed for treaſon, but the meaning was for religion.

He in the troubleſome time of Maries dayes gaue himſelf in all places to ſtrengthen the brethren. And ſuch was his paines in trauaile that (going from place to place) he was called Trudgeouer.George Eagles called Trudgeouer. His diet was for the ſpace of 3. yéeres very thinne, and his drinke water: and ſuch ſpite had the papiſts againſt him, that there was an edict proclaimed in the Quéenes name through Eſſex, Suffolke, Kent, and Northfolke: promiſing the party that ſhould take him 20. pounds for his paines. At length being at Colcheſter vponupon Marie Magdalens day: at which time they kept a faire in the town, he was eſpied, and flying was taken, and condemned for treaſon, ſuch as was mentioned before,

One Richard Putto the elder, an Inneholder, dwelling at the ſigne of the cocke at the ſame time, did much trouble him, in perſwading him to confeſſe he had offended the Quéene, &c. And ſo did he alſo trouble him being on the ladder. Being drawen to the place of execution, he read very deuoutly on a Pſalme booke which he had in his hande: and with patience endured the torment.

About this time ſuffered at Norwich a godly man called Richard Craſhfield, R. Craſhfieldecondemned by Dunnings the Chā cellour. He was foure times examined. The thirde time by Doctor Bridges, and the other by Dunnings: by whom hée was condemned, and ſuffered the fifth day of Auguſt. At whoſe burning, one Thomas Carman was apprehended.

About the ſame time, the xx of Auguſt, one named Frier, p. 241with the ſiſter of George Eagles, Frier and the ſiſter of G. Eagles. Ioyce Lewes.was burned at Rocheſter.

In the monethmonth of September was Miſtris Ioice Lewes, wife to Thomas Lewes of Mācheſter burned for the goſpell at Liechfield. She was inſtructed in the waies of Chriſt, and to abhorre the Maſſe and the popiſh ſuperſtition, by maiſter Iohn Glouer before mentioned. At which time being compelled by her furious huſband to come to church, when holy water was ſprinckled vponupon her, ſhe turned her backe: whervpon immediatly a citation was ſent for her by a Sumner,The Sumner cauſed to eat the citation & drinke to it. whom her huſband cauſed to eat the citation, and drincke to it: wherefore he was much troubled and was faine to ſubmit himſelfe, his wife remayning cōſtant: for whom he was bound in an hundred pound, after a moneths reſpite to bring her againe. Who at the day, being exhorted not to venture his wife in carrying her to y^e biſhop, ſaid (moſt vnkindly) he would not forfet any thing for her, and brought her to the B. who commaunded her to ſuch a ſtincking priſon, that her maid that kept her company did ſowne therein.

Thus being kept in priſon, and found cōſtant, after many examinations ſhe was condemned, and the night before ſhe ſhould ſuffer ſhe was wonderfull chéerefull and merie, ſo ſpending the time in prayer, reading and talking with them that were purpoſely come vntounto her, for to comfort her with the word of God. She was (after her condemnation) kept in priſon a whole yéere, becauſe the Shiriffe of that yéere would not burne her.

About thrée of the clocke in the morning, Sathan began to trouble her with doubt of her ſaluation:Satan troubleth the martyr. in which doubt by thoſe that were with her, ſhée receiued great comfort, and aſſurance.

About eight of the clocke, M. Shiriffe commeth & telleth her ſhe had but an hower to liue in this world. To whom ſhe anſwered: M. Shiriffe your meſſage is welcome to me, and I thanke my God, that he will make me worthy to aduenture my life in his quarrell.

p. 242When ſhe was at y^e ſtake, (becauſe ſhe was not acquainted with the freſh ayre, comming out of a cloſe priſon) one of her fréends had prouided her drinke. Now when ſhe had praied thrée times, in the which ſhe deſired God to aboliſh the idolatrous Maſſe, whereto all the people and the Shiriffe himſelfe ſaid, Amen: She tooke the cup into her hands, ſaying:She drinketh to all that louelove the goſpell. I drinke to all thoſe that vnfainedly louelove the goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt, and wiſh for the aboliſhing of the papiſtrie. When ſhe had drunke, her fréends drunke alſo, which were afterwards troubled for the ſame. So being bound to the ſtake, and fire put to her, ſhe with patience endured, for his names ſake that had redéemed her.

About the 17. day of September were burned at Iſlington nigh London, theſe foure conſtant profeſſors of Chriſt, Rafe Allerton, Rafe Allerton. Iames Auſtoo. Marg. Auſtoo. Richard Coth.Iames Auſtoo, Margery Auſtoo his wife, and Richard Coth. Rafe Allerton was apprehended by Thomas Tye prieſt, ſometimes a profeſſor of the goſpell. He was diuerſe times examined before London at Fulham the eight of Aprill: againe the ſecond of May before him and thrée of the Counſaile.

Againe the 15. of May in the Biſhops pallace at London: and at the laſt, remayning conſtant in the profeſſion of the truth, beyng vehemently purſued by Thomas Tye, the ſeuententh of September he was condemned, and burned with the other thrée.

The tenth day of September, Iames Auſtoo beyng brought with the reſt into the biſhops chappell at Fulham, he was demaunded of the biſhop if he knew where he was now,The couragious martyr. and in what place, and before whom &c. Yea quoth Auſtoo: I know where I am, for I am in an Idols demple. Whereat Boner perceiuing his conſtancie, pronounced ſentence againſt him.

Margery his wife was ſore afraid, & terrified in the pryſon at twelue of the clocke at night, one comming in to her, into the pryſon with a knife drawne, and attemptyng p. 243to cut her throate, but that ſhée called vponupon God for helpe: whereat hee departed, without doing her any hurt.They feare the martyr in the priſon. The next night, they made a rumbling ouer head like thunder to ſcarre her out of her wittes, but GOD gaue her ſtrength.

At what time the tenne before ſuffered at Colcheſter, there were alſo twoo women condemned with them, but were deferred, the one omitted and left in the priſon, while ſhée was praying apart, for the ſtrength of Gods ſpirite, the other, becauſe her name was falſe written. 1. Their names were, Agnes Bongeor, Agn. Bongeor. Margery Thurſtone.whom they wrote Bowyer, and Margerie Thurſton. Theſe twayne were both the ſeuentéene day of September, burned at Colcheſter, for the witneſſe of Chriſt, which they chéerefully endured for his names ſake.

This yéere the 20. of September, was burned at Northhampton, Iohn Knode Iohn Knode.a ſhoemaker, condemned of William Bynſley, Bachelor of law, & Chancelor to y^e B. of Peterborow, and deliuered to the ſheriffe, Sir Tho. Treſham: whoſe officers burned him without the Northgate in the ſtone pits. One Iohn Rote a Popiſh Prieſt, Vicar of S. Giles in Northampton ſtanding by, did declare vntounto him,The martyr refuſeth pardon. that if hée would recant, he had his pardon for him. To whom he anſwered, that he had his pardon by Ieſus Chriſt.

This yéere, the 12. of Sept. ſuffered Iohn Noyes Iohn Noyes.of Laxfield in y^e ſame towne, in the county of Suffolk, Shoemaker. He was apprehended by M. Tho. Louel, Wolfren Dowſing, and Nichol. Stonnard, of the ſame towne: and brought before the Iuſtices, and the ſheriffe, who the next day caſt him into Aye dungeon, where he lay a certaine time, & then was caried to Norwich: where the B. condemned him in the preſence of his Chancelor, D. Dunnings, Sir William Woodhouſe, Sir Th. Woodhouſe, M. Geor. Heyden, M. Spencer, VVilliam Farrar Alderman of Norwich, &c. Being condemned, he was ſent againe to Aie priſon, and vponupon the 21. p. 244of September about midnight, was brought from thence to Laxfield to be burned: where comming to the place of martyrdome, he ſaid the 50. Pſalme, with other praiers: and being bound to the ſtake, hee ſaide, feare not them that can kill the body, but feare him, &c. So the fire being kindled, he with patience finiſhed his courſe, and gaue teſtimonie to the Goſpel of God.

The 23. of September, was Cecil Ormes Cecil Ormes.burned at Norwich for the teſtimony of the trueth of Chriſt, betwixt ſeuen and eight of the clock in the morning. She was taken at the death of Simon Miller, and Elizabeth Cooper, for that ſhe ſaide, ſhe woulde pledge them of the ſame cuppe that they dranke on.

The 23. of Iuly ſhe was called before the Chauncelour, ſitting in iudgement with maiſter Bridges, and others: who offered her, if ſhee woulde goe to Church, and keepe her tongue and ſaie nothing agaynſt them, libertie. Which ſhe refuſed, ſaying: if ſhée ſhould doe ſo, GOD woulde ſurely plague her. Therefore doe with mée, ſaith ſhe, what yee will: and ſaide, if hée condemned her, hée ſhoulde not bee ſo deſirous of her ſinfull fleſhe, as ſhée woulde (by Gods grace) bée content to giuegive it in ſo good a quarrell.The conſtant martyr. So hee pronounced his bloodie ſentence againſt her, and deliuered her to the ſheriffes, Thomas and Leonard Sotherton,

This Cecil Ormes had before recanted: for which ſhee fell into great anguiſh of mind, and had gotten a letter made to giuegive vntounto the Chancellor, to let him know, ſhe repented her recantation, &c. But before ſhe exhibited her hil, ſhe was taken.

Being brought to the place of execution, where Miller and Cooper were burned, and the ſame ſtake, ſhée layed her hande thereon,Cecil Ormes at the ſtake. and kiſſed it, and ſaide, Welcome the ſwéete croſſe of Chriſt, and ſo gaue her ſelfe vntounto it. After the tormentors had kindeled the fire to her, ſhe ſaide, my p. 245ſoule doth magnifie the Lorde, and my ſpirite reioyſeth in God my Sauiour. And quietly, (as ſhe had béene in a ſlumber) ended this mortall life.

In the dioces of Chicheſter many were condemned, and martired for the witneſſe bearing to the truth: whoſe names were theſe: Iohn Freeman of Eaſt Grinſted,I. Foreman. Iohn Warner I. Warner.of Berne, Chriſtian Glouer, C. Glouer.of the Archdeaconrie of Lewes, Thomas Athoth, T. Athoth.Prieſt, Thomas Auington T. Auington.of Ardinglie, Dennis Burges D. Burges.of Buxſted, Tho. Rauenſdale T. Rauenſdale.of Rie, Iohn Milles I. Milles.of Hellingleſh, Nicholas Holden N. Holden.of Withiam, Iohn Harte I. Hart.of Withiam, Margery Morice M. Morice.of Hethfield, Anne Trie A. Trie.of Eaſt-gréenſtéed, Iohn Oſeward I. Oſewars.of woodmancote, Iames Morice I. Morice.of Hethfielde, Thomas Dowgate T. Dowgate.of Eaſt-gréeneſtéed, and Iohn Aſhdon I. Aſhdon.of Ketherfielde. The greateſt doer then againſt theſe martirs, and ſitters vponupon their condemnation, were theſe, Chriſtopherſon the B. after, Day, Richard Briſeley, Doctor of Law, and Chancellour of Chicheſter, Robert Taylor Bachelour of Law, his Deputie, Tho. Backarde, Ciuilian, Anthonie Clarke, Albane Langdale, Bachelour of Diuinitie.

In the MonethMonth of Nouember, was Thomas Spurdance T. Spurdance.(one of Quéene Maries ſeruants) burned at Burie He was taken by two of his felowes, Iohn Hammon, otherwiſe called Barker, and George Lawſon, both dwelling in Codnam, in the Countie of Suffolke. Who carried him to one Maſter Goſnall, dwelling in Codnam, and by him was ſent to Burie. Hee was firſt examined by the Biſhoppes Chauncellour, and then by the Biſhoppe himſelfe, and by him condemned.

Being before the Biſhoppe, he was exhorted by a Gentleman that ſtoode by him, to take a day, and to aduiſe himſelfe. VntoUnto whom he made anſwere: If I ſaue my life, I ſhall loſe it, and if I loſe my life for Chriſtes ſake, I ſhall be ſure to finde it in euerlaſting life. And if I ſhoulde take a day, when the day commeth, I muſt ſay then, euen as I doe p. 246now, except I will lie, and that néedeth not.

The ſame yere, the eightéene day of Nouember, were theſe thrée burned in Smithfielde: Iohn Hollingdale, I. Hollingdale,William Sparrowe, W. Sparrow.and Richard Gibſon. R. Gibſon.William Sparrowe had recanted before, and afterwarde did greatly repent him for the ſame, ſaying vntounto Biſhoppe Boner, that it was the worſt déede that euer he had done. And ſaid vntounto him moreouer, That which you call hereſie (quoth he) is good and godlie, and if eueryevery haire of my head were a man, I woulde burne them all (ſaide hée) rather then I would goe from the trueth.Note.

As Boner miniſtred his Popiſh Articles vntounto M. Gibſon, euen ſo likewiſe did he againe propounde other Articles vntounto Boner. Articles for articles.As, whether the Scriptures were ſufficient to inſtruct to ſaluation? From whom authoritie commeth, and what it is? Whether any but Chriſt is Lorde ouer faith? By what markes Antichriſt is to be knowen? & ſo forth, to the number of nine. In the ende, Boner deliuered them to the Secular power: and the eyghtéenth day of Nouember they chéerefullie witneſſed the trueth in the flames of fire.

The xxij. of Decēb. Iohn Rough Miniſter, a Scotiſhmā, & Marg. Mearing, M. Mearing.were burned for the goſpel in ſmithfield. Iohn Rough I. Rough.had béene of the order of the black Friers xvi. yeares: and at the requeſt of the Lorde Hāmleton, Earle of Arran, and gouernour of Scotlande, the Archbiſhop cauſed the Prouinciall of that houſe (hauing thereto authoritie) to diſpenſe with him for his habite, & hood, and ſo he took him to be a Secular Prieſt, to ſerue in his Chappell. In whoſe ſeruice he remayned a whole yere.

In which time, God did open his eyes to ſée the trueth, and was ſent by the ſame Gouernour to preach in the fréedome of Ayos, where he remayned the ſpare of foure whole yeares.

Afterwarde he came into Englande, after the battayle p. 247of Muſcleborow, and preached at Carlill, Barwicke and Newcaſtell: and after that was placed by the Archbiſhop of Yorke in a benefice nigh Hull. Where he remained till the death of King Edward: after whoſe death, he fled with his wife into Fréeſeland: and there liued by knitting of caps, hoſe, and ſuch like: till about the end of the monethmonth of October laſt, before his death. At which time, lacking yearne,M. Rough miniſter of the congregation at London. he came ouer to make prouiſion: and comming ouer to London, was of the congregation there made their miniſter.

In the end with Cutbert Symſon, hée was taken at the Saraſines head in Iſlington, by the meanes of a diſſembling brother, called Roger Sergeaunt a Taylor, and was carryed to the Counſell, and of them was ſent to Newgate: where hée had remayned but a while before Biſhop Boner ſent for him, the eightéenth day of December, and miniſtereth vntounto him certaine Articles. And againe the nintéenth day perſwaded with him. On the twentith day finding him conſtant, hée pronounceth ſentence of condemnation againſt him.

Amongſt other talke with Biſhop Boner, hée affirmed that hée had béene twiſe at Rome, and there had ſéene plainly with his eyes, which hée had heard many times before, namely that the Pope was the very Antechriſt: for there he ſaw him carried on mens ſhoulders, and the falſe named Sacrament borne before him: yet was there more reuerence giuen to him, then to that which they counted for their God. When B. Boner heard this,More reuerēce done to the Pope, then to the bread God. riſing vp and making as though he would hauehave torne his garments, haſt thou (ſaid he) béene at Rome? and ſéene our holy father the Pope: and doeſt thou blaſpheme him in this ſort? and with that flying vponupon him, he plucked of a péece of his beard, & after making ſpéedy haſt to his death, burnt him before ſix of the clocke in the morning.

This Maiſter Rough being at the burning of Auſtoo in Smithfield, and returning homeward againe, met with p. 248one M. Farrara a merchant of Hallifar, who aſked him where he had béene: vntounto whom he anſwered. I hauehave béene (ſaid he) where I would not for one of mine eies, but I had béene: where hauehave you béene (ſaid M. Farrar) Forſooth (ſaid he) to learne the way: and ſo told him, he had béene at the burning of Auſtoo, where ſhortly after he was burned himſelfe, and with him Margarete Meering.

This Margarete Meering, (wherefore it is vncertaine) gaue occaſion to be excommunicated, & ſo was by M. Rough himſelfe in the open face of the congregation: which ſhe tooke in euill part, and gaue out threatnings againſt the congregation, but God diſpoſed otherwiſe.

For the Sunday after, M. Rough, being taken by the information of one Roger, Sergeant to the biſhop of London, was layd priſoner in the Gate houſe at Weſtminſter, where none of his fréends could come to viſit him. This Margery hearing thereof, got her a baſket & a cleane ſhirt in it, and went to Weſtminſter, where ſhée fayning her ſelfe to be his ſiſter, got into the priſon to him, and did to her power not a little comfort him.

The Friday after ſhe ſtanding at Marke-lane end with another woman a fréend of hers, ſawe Cluny Boners ſumner comming into the ſtréete towardes her houſe. Whom when ſhée ſaw,Margery Meerings ready to ſuffer for Chriſt. ſaid to the other woman ſtanding with her, whether goeth yoonder fine fellow, ſaid ſhée? I thinke ſurely he goeth to my houſe, and in vewing him ſtill, at the laſt ſhée ſaw him enter into her doore: ſo immediatly ſhe went home: and aſked him, whom he ſought? Wherevnto Cluny anſwered, for you: you muſt go with mée: Mary (quoth ſhe) here I am, I will go with you. And comming to the biſhop, ſhe was laid in priſon, and the Wedneſday after, burned in Smithfield.

An. 1558. 1558the 28. of March was Cutbert Simſon Cutb. Symſon.deacon of the ſame Church whereof M. Rough was miniſter in London, burned in Smithfield, and with him Hugh Fox, p. 249Hugh Fox. 1 Deueniſh,and Iohn Deueniſh apprehended together at Iſlington, and ſo together chéerefully ſuffered for righteouſnes ſake.

Beeing called into the Warehouſe of the Tower before the Conſtable of the Tower, and the Recorder of London, maiſter Cholmeley, & refuſing to tell who came to the Engliſh ſeruice, he was put in a racke of yron, where hée ſtood thrée houres, and being looſed from thence, becauſe he would bewray none, on a Sunday after, they did binde his two fingers together, and put a ſmall arrow betwixt them, and drewe it through ſo faſt,Cuthbert Simſon racked twiſe. that the blood followed and the arrow brake. It was thought this was done rather in the Biſhoppes houſe. After they had twiſe racked him, they fiue weekes after ſent him to Boner, of whom he was condemned.

Yet gaue he him great teſtimony of patience before al the people in his Conſiſtorie, ſaying: if he were not an heretike,Boner commē deth the patience of Cuth. Simſon. hee is a man of the greateſt patience, that yet euer came before me. For I tell you, hee hath beene thriſe racked vponupon one daie in the Tower, alſo in my houſe hée hath felt ſome ſorrowe, and yet I neuer ſaw his patience broken.

The 9. of Aprill, An. 1558. William Nichol W. Nichol.was burned for the cauſe of the Goſpel, at Hereford in Weſt Wales.

The 19. of May after, ſuffered William Seaman W. Seaman.of the age of 26. an huſbandman, dwelling in Mendleſham in the countie of Suffolke, Tho. Carman Tho. Carman.and Thomas Hudſon Tho. Hudſon.of Arlſham in Norfolke all three together at Norwich, for the cauſe of Chriſt.

William Seamon was purſued and taken by the laying waite of Sir Iohn Tirrel: who hauing ſearched for him himſelfe in vain, gaue charge to his ſeruants, Robert Balding and Iames Clarke: by whom he was taken and brought to Syr Iohn Tirrell, who ſent him to the B. of Norwich, by whom he was condemned.

After his death he left behind him a wife, and three children p. 250very young, and with his children, the wife was perſecuted out of the towne of Mendleſham, becauſe ſhe would not go to heare maſſe, and all her corne, and goods ſeiſed, and taken away by maiſter Chriſtopher Coles officers, Lord of the towne.

Thomas Carman was taken, becauſe he pledged Bichard Craſhfield at his burning.

Tho. Hudſon, after he had long bin abſent from his wife, & children, for the auoiding of the popiſh idolatry and ſuperſtition, came home to his houſe to viſit, and to comfort them, and at the firſt laye among the fagots: where his wife had made him a place to remaine in the day. At the laſt, he walked abroad for certaine daies openly in the towne, crying out continually againſt the maſſe, and that trumpery: and in the end comming home to his houſe, he ſate him down vponupon his knées, hauing his booke by him, reading & ſinging pſalms continually without ceaſſing, for 3. daies and 3. nightes together: refuſing meate, and other talke, to the great wonder of many.

Then one Iohn Crowch, his next neighbour went to the Conſtables, Robert Marſham and Robert Lawes in the night, to certifie them thereof. For Berrie the Vicar of the Towne did commaund openly to watch for him, and the Conſtables vnderſtanding the ſame, tooke him by breake of day. The two and twenty of Aprill, when Hudſon ſawe them come in, he ſaide, nowe mine houre is come, welcome friendes, welcome. You bee they that ſhall leade me to life in Chriſt:Note. I thanke GOD therefore, and the Lorde enable mée thereto for his mercies ſake. So they ledde him to Berry the Commiſſary, who wrote vntounto the Biſhop letters againſt him, and ſent him to Norwich bound like a théefe: whither hee went with ioy, and ſinging chéere.

In priſon he was a monethmonth, where hee did continually reade, and inuocate the name of God.

p. 251After they had all thrée béene chained to the ſtake, Thomas Hudſon immediatly commeth foorth from them vnderunder the chaine, fell downe vponupon his knées, and praied vehemently vntounto the Lord for comfort, (for he was at the very ſtake diſtreſſed): thē roſe he with great ioy, as a man new chaunged from life to death: and ſaid now I thanke God, I am ſtrong, & paſſe not what man can doo vntounto me:Note. & ſo with his fellowes gaue teſtimony to the truth in the flames of fire.

Somewhat before this time was one mother Seaman, mother to Wil. Seaman perſecuted for the goſpell, being of the age of 66. and was glad to liue ſometimes in groues, in buſhes, &c. After ſhe was dead, (the Lord taking her away by ſickneſſe) one M. Simonds the commiſſary, dwelling at Thornden, gaue commaundement, ſhe ſhould not come in Chriſtian buriall: ſo ſhe was buried in a pit, vnderunder a moats ſide.

Likewiſe one mother Bennet of the towne of Wetherſet, after her departure this life, was laide in a graue by the high way ſide.

The 26. of May, ſuffered at Colcheſter, William Harris, W. Harris.Rich. Day, Rich. Day.& Chriſtian Gorge Chriſt. Gorge.a wife, whoſe huſband had another wife burnt before this Chriſtian, whoſe name was Agnes Gorge, that ſuffered with the 13. at Stratford the Bow. After the death of Chriſtian, he maried an honeſt godly woman, and in the end, being taken with his wife, with her he remayned in priſon till the death of Q. Marie, & was deliuered by our moſt gratious Quéene Elizabeth.A ſharpe proclamation againſt godly bookes.

In the monethmonth of Iune came forth a Proclamation very ſharpe againſt godly bookes, by the king and Quéene.

On y^e backſide of the town of Iſlingtō, were aſſembled xl. godlie perſons, men and women, vertuouſlie applying thē ſelues in prayer, and reading the worde. Wherof 22. were by Sir Roger Cholmeley and the Recorder, ſent priſoners to Newgate, where they lay eight dayes before they came to examination Of theſe xxij. thirteene were burned, ſeuen in p. 252Smithfield, and ſix at Brainford. In priſon two died in Whitſon wéeke: the names of whom were Mathew Withers and T. Taylor. Seuen of them which remained, eſcaped with their liues hardly without burning, whoſe names were theſe: Iohn Milles, Thomas Hinſhaw, Robert Bayly wolpacker, Robert Willers, Hudleys, Thomas Ceaſt haberdaſher, Roger Sandey.

The 7. that ſuffered were brought before Boner the 14. of Iune, to make anſwere to ſuch articles as ſhould be obiected. Which when they conſtātly did, according to the truth of the Goſpell, they were by Boner condemned, and the 17. day of Iune were ſent againe to Newgate, where they remained til the 27. day. On which day they chéerfully ſuffered in Smithfield in the fire.

Their names were theſe. Henrie Pond, Henry Pond.Raynold Eaſtland, Rain. Eaſtland.Robert Southam, Rob. Southam.Mathew Richarby, Mat. Richarby.Iohn Floyd, Iohn Floyd,Iohn Holiday, Iohn Holiday.Roger Holland. Rog. Holland.This Holland was a merchant taylour in London, ſometimes apprentice with one maiſter Kempton, at the blacke boy in Watlingſtréet. Hee was before his conuerſion a Papiſt, and a very lewd yong man: and was brought to the knowledge of the trueth by the exhortation of a ſober maide, that was ſeruant in the ſame houſe: whom afterward he did marry, and liued vertuouſly together til ſuch time as the cruell Papiſts made ſeparation by fire,

The ſame day they ſuffered; Proclamation was made, that none ſhould be ſo bolde to ſpeake or talke any word vntounto them,A ſtraight Proclamation or receiue any thing of them, or to touch them, vponupon payne of impriſonment, without eyther Baile, or mainpriſe.

Notwithſtanding, the people cryed out, deſiring God to ſtrengthen them: and they likewiſe prayed for the people, & the reſtoring of the word of God.

R. Holland at the ſtake.At length, Roger embracing the ſtake and the Réedes, ſaid theſe wordes: Lorde, I moſt humbly thanke thy maieſtie, p. 253that thou haſt called me from the ſtate of death, vntounto the light of thy heauenly word, and now vntounto the felowſhip of thy Saintes, that I may ſing and ſay: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hoſtes, and, Lord into thy hands I commit my ſpirit. Lord bleſſe the people, & ſaue them from idolatrie. And ſo with the reſt of his felowes ended his life, lauding and prayſing God.

The fourtéenth day of Iuly ſuffered other ſixe at Brainforde, ſeuen miles from London. Their names were theſe: Robert Milles, R. Milles.Steeuen Wight, S. Wight.a Tanner, Steeuen Carton, S. Carton.Iohn Slade, I. Slade.Robert Denis, R. Denis.and William Pikes, W. Pikes.or Pikers. They were condemned by the Biſhops Chauncellour, D. Darbiſhire, in the preſence of Sir Edward Haſtinges, and Sir Thomas Cornwalles, and ſuffered ioyfully for the teſtimonie of Ieſus.

Of the ſixe of that companie which eſcaped burning, two were ſcourged by Biſhoppe Boner in his Garden, Thomas Hinſhawe, about the age of ninetéene or twentie yeares, being Apprentice, and dwelling in Paules Churchyarde with one M. Puggeſon, and Iohn Milles, a married man: on whom he ſpent two roddes, and on Hinſhaw one. Hinſhaw was deliuered by reaſon he fell ſicke of a burning ague (Boner not thinking he would liue) when he had béene a yere in priſon. In which ſpace Quéene Marie died, and hee ſhortly after recouered health.

Iohn Milles was a Capper, a right faithfull ſeruant of God. The cauſe why he was ſcourged, was, becauſe when Boner aſked him what time he crept to the croſſe, he anſwered, not ſince he came to the yeres of diſcretion, nor woulde not, but rather bée torne in péeces with wilde horſes.

Boner (ofttimes ſpeaking to Iohn Milles) would ſay, they call me bloudie Boner: a vengeance on you all, I would fain be rid of you, but you hauehave a delight in burning: but if I might hauehave my will, I would ſowe your mouthes, and put you into ſackes, and drowne you.

p. 254On a day, his wife (being great with childe, and looking eueryevery day to be deliuered) goeth vntounto Biſhoppe Boner, and entreateth him for her huſband, ſaying, ſhe woulde not depart, but would lay her bellie in his houſe, except he were deliuered. So Boner required of him, but onelyonly to ſay in Latine, In nomine Patris, & Filij, & Spiritus ſancti: and ſo ſent him away.

The tenth day of Iulie, was Richarde Yeoman R. Yeoman.martyred for the teſtimonie of Ieſus Chriſt. Hee was about the age of 70. yeres, and had béen D. Tailors Curat in Hadley, after he had bin kept cloſe a yeare in his owne houſe, and got his liuing by carding of wool, which his wife did ſpinne.

He was taken by one Parſon Newall, who had gotten the Benefice, and put him into the Cage, and ſet him in the Stockes, where he founde Iohn Dale, who for reproouing Newall & his Curat, calling them blinde Guides, was alſo ſtocked in the cage. They were both ſent to Burie gaole, by ſir H. Doel, after they had pinnioned them, & (as they had bin théeues) boūd their legs vnderunder y^e horſes bellies. Where they were put into the loweſt Dungeon: where Iohn Dale fell ſicke, and died, and was buried in the fieldes. He was of the age of ſixe and fourtie yeares, by occupation a Weauer, well learned in the Scriptures, and faithfull in all his conuerſation.

After Iohn Dale was dead, Richarde Yeoman was remooued to Norwich priſon, where hee (remayning ſtedfaſt in his confeſſion of the trueth) was condemned, and ſuffered death for the name of Chriſt.

About this time, there was a young man in the Towne of Hadley, named Iohn Alcocke, a Sherman by his occupation: who (becauſe hee woulde not geue reuerence to the Proceſſion) was ſent vp to London by Newall. And being put in the loweſt Dungeon in Newgate, died in priſon, and was buried on a Dung-hill.

The xxix. of Iulie was burned Thomas Benbridge, T. Benbridge.a p. 255a Gentleman, for witneſſing to the Goſpell. Hée was of the Dioces of Wincheſter, and ſuſtained ſundry conflictes for the truthes ſake, at Doctor Wyle the Biſhops handes: and beyng condemned, and now tied to the ſtake: Doctor Seaton, who had once béene with him before to entice him, came againe, and exhorted him to recant. To whom hée ſaid, away Babilonian, away. So when they ſaw hée would not yéeld, before he was any thing like couered with faggots, they put fire vntounto him: which firſt tooke away a péece of his beard, whereat he nothing ſhrancke at all: then it came on the other ſide, & tooke his legges: & the neather ſtockings of his hoſe beyng leather made the fire to pearce the ſharper, ſo that the intollerable heate thereof made him cry, I recant. They ſodainly therwith thruſt the fire from him:A notable conflict betwixt the fleſh & the ſpirit of God. which was alſo remoued in haſte by certaine of his friends that ſtood by, and helped thereto. So the ſheriffe (who was Syr Richard Peckhall) tooke him from the ſtake, for the which he was ſent to the Fléete, and laye a certayne time.

When he was taken from the ſtake, Doct. Seaton wrot him articles, wherto with much ado he ſubſcribed. But afterwards it grieuouſly repented him that he had done, & ſo did he write to Doct. Seaton. Whervpon declaring his conſcience, he was the ſame day ſeuenight burnt indéed. Where the vile Tormentors did rather broyle than burne him.

About the beginning of Auguſt, not long before the ſickneſſe of Quéene Marie, by D. Hopton being Biſhoppe of Norwich, and Doctor Spencer, ſupplying the roome of his Chauncellor, theſe foure, Iohn Cooke, I. Cooke.a Sawyer, Robert Miles, R. Miles.otherwiſe called Plummer, a Shereman, and Alexder Lane, A. Lane.a Whéelewright, and Iames Aſhley, I. Aſhley.a Bacheler, were burned at S. Edmundſburie.

The ſame yeare, the fourth day of Nouember, Alexander Gouche, A. Gouche.and Alice Driuer, A. Driuer.were perſecuted by M. Moone a Iuſtice in Suffolke, a bloudie Tiraunte, and were ſent p. 256to Melton gaole where they remained a while, and at lēgth they were carried to Burie, againſt the Aſſiſe at S. Iames tide, and being there examined of matters of faith, did boldly ſtand to confeſſe Chriſt crucified, defying the Pope with all his papiſticall traſh.

Among other thinges Driuers wife likened Quéene Mary in her perſecution to Iezabell. For which foorthwith her eares were cut of: which ſhe ioyfully and gladly endured, for his name. After the aſſiſe at Burie, they were carried to Melton goale againe, where they remained a time.

Alexander Gouch was of the age of xxxvj. a weauer of ſhredding couerlets, dwelling at Woodbridge in Suffolke and borne at Vfford in the ſame Countie.

Driuers wife was about the age of 30. and dwelt at Groſborough, where they were taken in Suffolke: her huſband was an huſbandman.

They were afterward carried from Melton to Ipſwich, where they were examined before Doctor Spenſer. Driuers wife was twiſe examined, and with great boldneſſe and conſtancie, mainteined the trueth, and by power of the word did put to ſilence both the Chancelor, and Doctor Gaſcoyne, ſo that they one looked on another, and had not a worde to ſay (quoth ſhe.) God be honoured, you bée not able to reſiſt the Spirite of God in me a poore woman. I was an honeſt poore mans daughter, neuer brought vp in the Vniuerſitie as you hauehave béene,A. Driuer of an excellent ſpirit but I hauehave driuen the plough before my father (I thank God:) yet notwithſtanding, in the defence of Gods truth, I will ſet my foote againſt the foote of any of you all. And if I had a thouſande liues, they ſhoulde all goe for payment thereof. So the Chauncellor roſe vp, and read the Sentence of condemnation againſt her. And ſo was ſhe ſent to priſon againe, as ioyfull as the Birde of daye, Prayſing and glorifying the name of the Lorde.

p. 257After her was condemned Alexander Gouch. By ſeuen of the clocke in the morning they were come from Melton ſix miles of Ipſwich, and beyng in their prayers were greatly moleſted by Sir Henry Doell then Shiriffe, but eſpecially by Richard Smarte one of the Bayliffes. Then they being tied to the ſtake, and the iron chaine beyng put about Alice Driuers necke, Oh (ſaid ſhée) here is a goodly neckerchiefe, bleſſed be God for it. Then diuerſe perſons came and tooke them by the handes. The Shiriffe cried, lay hands on them, lay hands on them. With that a great multitude ranne to the ſtake: which when the Shiriffe ſaw, he let them all alone. There was one Bate a barbour a buſie dooer againſt them at the fire, who within thrée or foure wéekes after died very miſerably.

In the ſame monethmonth that Quéene Mary died, were thrée martyred at Burie, Phillip Humfrey, Phil. Humfrey.Iohn Dauid, Iohn Dauid.Henry Dauid Henry Dauid.his brother, theſe were burned notwithſtanding it was knowne Quéene Mary was paſt remedy.

In the ſame monethmonth was the wife of one called Prieſt Prieſts wife.of the age of foure and fiftie yéeres, dwelling in the Dioces of Exceter, not farre from Lawceſton, burned at Exceter for the teſtimonie of the truth. Shée was perſecuted of her huſband and children,The wife was perſecuted of huſband and children. and condemned by the Biſhop, whoſe name was Troubleuile. Among other communication, when the Biſhop had ſaid: let this mad woman bée put downe to priſon till we ſend for her huſband: ſhe anſwered him: no, I hauehave but one huſband which is here already in this cittie (meaning Chriſt) and in priſon with me, from whom I will neuer depart.Chriſt the martyrs huſband. After that ſaying they thought good to giuegive her a moneths libertie, to prooue if ſhe might thereby be chaunged, during which time of her libertie, it happened that ſhée entring into Saint Peters church, beheld there a cunning Dutchman, how he made new noſes to certaine fine Images, which were diſfigured in King Edwards daies. What a mad man art thou (ſaid ſhe) to p. 258make them new noſes, which within a few dayes ſhall alſo looſe their heads. The Dutchman accuſed her and layd it to her charge. And moreouer ſhe ſayd vntounto him: thou art accurſed, and ſo are thine Images. He called her whore. Nay (ſayd ſhée) thine Images are whores:A worthy martyr. and thou art a whore hunter: for dooth not God ſay. You go a whoring after ſtraunge Gods, figures of your owne making? and thou art one of them. Then was ſhée ſent for and clapt faſt.

At the laſt when they perceiued her to bée paſt remedie, and had withſtood all their threatnings and flattery, ſhée was deliuered to the temporall power. Of whom ſhée was exhorted, yet to call for grace, and to leaue her fond opinions, and go home to thine huſband (ſayd they:) thou art an vnlearned Woman, thou art not able to anſwere to ſuch high matters.Note. I am not (ſayd ſhée) yet with my death I am content to be a witneſſe to Chriſtes death: and I pray you make no longer delay with mée, my heart is fixed, I will neuer otherwiſe ſay, nor turne to your ſuperſtitious dooings.

Then the Byſhop did ſay, the Diuell did lead her. No my Lord (ſayd ſhée) it is the Spirit of God which leadeth mée, and which called mée in my bedde, and at midnight opened his truth vntounto mée: (for once eſpecially, at midnight praying to God for ſtrength and aſſiſtaunce, ſhée found it plentifully). In the end after ſhée had receyued ſentence of death, ſhée lifted vp her voyce, and thanked God, ſaying: I thanke thée my Lord God, this day hauehave I found that I hauehave long ſought. After iudgement giuen agaynſt her, they promiſed to ſpare her life if ſhée would yet recant. Nay that will I not (ſaid ſhée). God forbid that I ſhould looſe the life eternall,Note. for this carnall and ſhort life. I will neuer turne from my heauenly huſband to my earthly huſband: from the fellowſhip of Angels, to mortall children. And if my huſband and children bée faithfull, then am I theirs: God is my Father, God is my mother, God is my p. 259ſiſter, my brother, my kinſman. God is my friend moſt faithful: ſo being brought to the place of ſlaughter, ſhe méekly ſuffered, calling vponupon the name of God, ſaying: God be merciful to me a ſinner: God be me mercifull to me a ſinner.

The 7. of May were burned at Briſtow, (being condemned by M. Dalbney the Chancelour:) Richad Sharp Weauer of Briſtow, and Thomas Hall Tho. Hall.Shoemaker of the ſame towne. Sharpe Ioh. Sharpe.by the perſwaſion of the Chancelor, had recanted, and afterward felt ſuch anguiſh of minde and conſcience, that ſhortly after comming to his pariſh Churche, called Temple, he came to the quire doore, and ſaid with a loude voyce: Neighbors, beare me record, that yonder Idoll (pointing to the altar) is the greateſt and moſt abhominable that euer was: and I am ſory that euer I denied the Lorde my God. Wherupon he was apprehended, and burned with the other at one ſtake: which they chéerefully ſuffered, embracing the flame.

The 27. of the ſame monethmonth, Tho. Benion Tho. Benion.was burned at Briſtow. being condemned by the ſame Chauncellour Dalbney.

The 10. of Nouember, ſuffered fiue of Gods children at Canterburie: being haſtened to the fire, by the bloody Archdeacon, notwithſtanding he had heard in what danger Q. Mary was. Their names were, Ioh. Cornford Ioh. Cornford.of Worthā, Chriſtoph. Brown Chriſtopher Browne.of Maidſtone, Iohn Herſt Iohn Herſt.of Aſhford, Alice Snoth, Alice Snoth.Katherin Knight, Kath. Knight.aliâs Tilney an aged woman.

Againſt theſe, when ſentence ſhould be read, and they excommunicated, one of them, Iohn Cornford, ſtirred with a vehement ſpirite of the zeale of God, procéeding in a more true excommunication againſt the Papiſts (in the name of them all) pronounced ſentence againſt them, in theſe words following.

In the name of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt,The martyr excommunicateth the Papiſts. the ſonne of the moſt mighty God, and by the power of his holy ſpirite, and the authority of his Apoſtolike church, &c. proceding with his p. 260excōmunication againſt all mainteiners of the falſe church. Which ſentence tooke ſuch effect againſt the enemy, that within ſixe daies after Quéene Mary died, and the tyranny of all Engliſh Papiſts with her.

Note.Alice Snoth, or Agnes Snoth, who was burnt before, being at the ſtake; called for her Godfather and Godmothers: whom, when the maide ſaw, ſhe aſked them what they had promiſed for her, and ſo immediatly rehearſed her faith, and the commaundements of God, and required if there were anie more that they had promiſed in her behalfe, and they ſaid no. Then (ſaid ſhe) I die a Chriſtian woman: beare witnes of me And ſo was ſhe with fire conſumed.

Theſe godly martyrs, in their praiers which they made before their martirdome, deſired God that their blood might be the laſt that ſhould be ſhed, and ſo it was.

There were diuers of Gods children in priſon, which by the death of Quéene Marie eſcaped, ſome after ſentence of death pronounced. Of which ſort were, Iohn Hunt and Richarde VVhite, who after two yéeres captiuitie, were condemned by Doctour Geffery the Biſhops Chancellour. The Sheriffe béeing vrged very vehemently to burne them, refuſed, becauſe they had no writ. Which comming down not long after, one M. Michael, Syr Anthony Hungerfords vnderſheriffe, a godly man, took it, & burnt it, ſaying: I will not be guiltie of theſe mens blood. Within foure daies after, the Chauncellour dieth, and the confeſſors of the Goſpel remained in priſon, till the happie daies of Queene Elizabeth.

There was a godly man, named Iohn Fette, a Tailor, of 42. yéeres, dwelling in the pariſh of Clarkenwell, accuſed by his owne wife,The huſband accuſed by his wife. & impriſoned by the B. in Lollards tower, where he ſuffered great extremity, hanging in the ſtocks. This poore man had a childe, of 8. or 9. yéeres olde, that came to viſite his father: to whom a Prieſt of the Biſhops houſe, ſaid, why? thy father is an heretike. No (ſaid the boy) p. 261my Father is no heretike, but you are an heretike. For you hauehave Balaams marke, With that the Prieſt tooke the child, and ſcourged him ſo ſore, that he was al on a gore bloud, and ſo cauſed Clunie to carrie him to his Father, naked, the Sumner hauing his coate vponupon his arme. At his comming to his Father, the childe fell downe vponupon his knées, and aſked him bleſſing. And being demaunded by his Father, who had vſed him ſo, he made anſwere, that a Prieſt with Balaams mark,Balaams marke. had done it. And with that Clunie with violence pulled him from his father, and kept him thrée dayes after in the Biſhoppes houſe. Who, to ſalue vp ths matter, deliuered the father and the childe.Crueltie of the Balamites But the childe died within xiiij dayes after.

Anno 1560. Nicholas Burton, 1560. N. Burton burned in Ciuil.a Marchant of London, dwelling ſometimes in the Pariſh of little Saint Bartholmewes, was burned in the Citie of Ciuill in Spaine. Who died ſo chearefullie, and with ſuch patience, that the Tormentors and enemies ſaid, that the deuill had his ſoule before he came to the fire, and therefore (ſaid they) his ſences of féeling were paſt him.

After his death, another marchant of Briſtow (for whom Burton was Factor) ſent his Atturney into Spaine, called Iohn Fronton, a Citizen of Briſtow, to claime thoſe goods which belonged to the other Marchant. Againſt whō (after impriſonment, becauſe he could not ſay his Aue Maria after the Romiſh faſhionAue Maria after y^e Romiſh faſhion.) they gaue ſentence that he ſhoulde loſe all the goods he ſued for, though they were not his owne, and beſides, ſuffer a yeares impriſonment.

At what time Burton ſuffered, which was anno 1560. was alſo martired another Engliſhman, with thirtéen mo, one of them being a Nunne, and another a Frier, both conſtant in the Lord.

The ij. day of Nouember, was burned Iohn Baker, and William Burgate, both Engliſhmen, apprehended in Calis, and burned in Ciuil.

p. 262Anno Domini, one thouſande, fiue hundred, and thréeſcore, Marke Burges, M. Burges.an Engliſhman, Maſter of an Engliſh Ship, called the Minion, was burned in Liſhborne, a citie in Portugall, and Williā Hooke, W. Hooke.of the age of xvi. yeres, ſtoned to death by certaine young men of Ciuill, for the confeſſion of his faith,

As the moſt were burned and tormented to death, ſo ſome were torne with ſcourging, as, Richard Wylmot, and Thomas Fairefaxe, both whipped in Drapers hall, through the crueltie of Brookes, then Maſter of the Companie. That Wylmot could not lie in his bed vi. nights after: and neither of them enioyed health after.

They were thus ſcourged for ſaying, they were ſory for D. Cromes recantation.

After theſe two, was one Green ſcourged becauſe he had a booke, called Antichriſt: and woulde not bewraye more matter, to their minde. He was accuſed by his Maſter, called Iohn Waylande, a Printer, and brought before Doctor Storie: by whom (after long ſtocking, and euill vſage in priſō) he was adiudged to be whipped. Which was performed vponupon him in the preſence of Doctor Storie, in Chriſtes Hoſpitall.

Alſo, Steeuen Cotton, burned (as before) at Brainforde, was twiſe beaten by Boner, Likewiſe was Iames Harris of Byllerica in Eſſex, ſcourged by Boner, in his garden. So likewiſe Robert Williams endured the ſame torment by the bloudy Biſhop.

With theſe alſo is to be numbred a poore Beggar, which was whihped at Saliſburie, after hee had béene put into a Dungeon, becauſe he would not receiue the Sacrament at Eaſter, in the towne of Colingborowe.

As ſome were tried by burning, racking, and ſcourging, ſo vponupon other ſome the Lorde did lay a lighter hande of impriſonment, as vponupon William Liuing and his wife, in the citie of London, Iohn Lythall, Elizabeth Yong, and William p. 263Wats of Tunbridge, who fled away, his kéepers beyng tippled and fallen aſléepe. Alexander Winſhurſt a prieſt that eſcaped by negligence of Cluny, who left none at home to kéepe him faſt, in whoſe houſe he was priſoner, Boſomes wife: the Lady Kneuet of Northfolke, towards an hundred yéeres old: the Lady Vane, who with much trouble, yet paſſed theſe terrible daies with life.

In the time of King Henry the eight, Anno 1546. there was one Iohn Dauis a childe of twelue yéeres old,Iohn Dauis a child of twelue yeeres old. dwelling with one Maiſter Iohnſon Apothecarie in Worceſter, who beyng complained of by his Miſtris the wife of Maiſter Iohnſon, for that he had written ſomething againſt the ſix Articles, and had the Ballad called, Come downe, for all your ſhauen Crowne. After long impriſonment with bolts of irons on his legges, was arraigned, being holdē vp at the barre in mens armes before the iudges, who were Portman and Meruen, and by the death of king Henry was deliuered: elſe had hée béene burned for that offence. He endured the priſon from the fouretéenth of Auguſt, till within ſeuen daies of Eaſter.

Likewiſe Miſtris Roberts by Gods prouidence eſcaped daunger, dwelling in Hawkhurſt in Suſſex, Miſtris Anne Lucie of Nottingham, &c. Likewiſe a congregation at Stoke in Suffolke was deliuered by Gods mercifull prouidence, but eſpecially that of London was diuerſe times in perill, and alwayes was preſerued of God: in which congregation were ſometimes fortie,The congregation in Lōdon. ſometimes an hundreth, ſometimes two hundreth, ſometimes mo, ſometimes leſſe. About the latter end of Quéene Mary it greatly increaſed. From the firſt beginning, which was about the firſt entrie of Quéene Maries raigne, they had diuerſe miniſters: Firſt Maiſter Scamler, then Thomas Foule, The miniſters of the congregation in London.after him Maiſter Rough, then Maiſter Auguſtine Benher, and laſt Maiſter Bentham: who likewiſe was by Gods prouidence wonderfully preſerued.

p. 264Likewiſe at Calis few there were of the profeſſors of the goſpell that miſcaried: eſpecially Iohn Thorpe and his wife were mercifully preſerued and ſuccored of ſtraungers. To theſe are to be added Edward Benet, Ieffery Hurſt, in the towne of Shakerley in Lankeſhire, who were ſaued by the death of Quéene Mary. William Wood of Kent of the pariſh of Strowd, who was deliuered by the diſagréement of Kennall and Chadſey, two popiſh Doctors that examined him, as Paule was deliuered by the contention of the Phariſeis and Saduces.

Likewiſe was Symon Greeuens mercifully deliuered, beyng at the aſſembly held at Spire, and complained of to the king by Faber, the B. of Vienna, whom he had gently reprooued for maintaining certaine errours in his Sermon which he had there preached.

So likewiſe the Lady Katherine dutches of Suffolke hardly eſcaped, and paſſed the ſeas into Germany, where ſhe ſuffered the afflictions of a ſtraunger in another land.

Alſo Th. Sprat, and William Porredge eſcaped very narrowly perſecution by M. Brent Iuſtice in Kent, and the two Blachendines. Iohn Cornet prentiſe with a minſtrell, was onelyonly whipped by the commaundement of the Earle of Oxford, and baniſhed the towne of Roughedge.

So likewiſe Thomas Brice profeſſor of the goſpell hardly eſcaped the bloudie hands of the tyraunts. To thoſe aforeſayd are to be added, Gertrude Crockhey of S. Catherines, William Maulden in the tyme of the ſix articles, Robert Hornebey groome of the chamber to the Ladie Elizabeth, Miſtris Sandes now wife to ſir Morice Bartlet, then Gentlewomen waiter to the Ladie Elizabeth while ſhée was in the Tower, Father Roſe borne in Exmouth in Deuonſhire, after much affliction in King Henries daies, and more gréeuous in Quéene Maries, after his conſtant witneſſing of the goſpel, eſcaped, and paſſedouer ſeas, and there liued till the death of Quéene Mary: and of late beyng aged p. 265of 76. yéeres, was preacher in the towne of Luton in Bedfordſhire.

Doctor Sandes likewiſe Vicechauncellor of the Vniuerſity of Cambridge, who for his Sermon at Cambridge, preached againſt Quéene Marie, was impriſoned in the Tower, and afterward in the marſhalſea, by the meanes of Syr Thomas Holcroft. Béeing ſet at libertye, hardly eſcaped beyonde the ſeas where hee liued all Queene Maries time in Germanie.

Anno 1556. there was a complaint againſt ſuch as fauoured the Goſpel in Ipſwich, exhibited to Quéene Maries Counſel, ſitting in commiſſion at Beckles in Suffolke, the 18. of May, An. 1556. by Phillip Williams, aliâs Foteman, Iohn Steward and Mathew Butler ſworne for that purpoſe.

The names of ſuch as fled out of the towne,Such as fled out of Ipſwich for perſecution. and lurked in ſecret places, were theſe: Of S. Mary tower, Rober Partridge, Roſe Nothingam, daughter of William Notingam the elder. Of L. Laurence: Anne Fenne ſeruant to Robert Notingam, Andrew Ingforby, his wife and daughter,Ipſwich a good towne. Thomas Tomſon, Shoemaker, ſuppoſed to hauehave receiued but twiſe thoſe 17. yéeres, Martine Lockſmith his wife. Of Saint Margarets: William Pickeſſe Tanner, Iohn Woodles Couerletweauer, and his wife, William Harſet Bricklayer, Thomas Fowler Shoemaker, W. Wrightes wife at the Windmill, Laurence Waterward, late Curate, borne in Chorley in Lancaſhire. Of Saint Nicholas, widow Swanne, Mathew Birde, and his wife, Stephen Greenwich, and his wife, William Coleman ſeruaunt to the ſayde Stephen, Robert Coleman and his wife, Roger Laurence, aliâs Sparrow, Iohn Carleton Sadler, William Colemam, Iames Hearſt his wife. Of Saint Peters: Richard Houer, apprentiſe with Nicholas Notingham, Richard Hedley a ſeller of hereticall Bookes. Of Saint Stephens: Iames Booking Shoemaker, his wife, p. 266Iohn Rawe late ſeruaunt to Iames Aſhley, William Palmer, Richard Richman Shoemaker his wife, daughter to mother Fenkell midwife. Of Saint Clements, miſtres Tooley, who departed to Darſham in Suffolke, Agnes Wardall the elder Widowe, Robert Wardall her ſonne. Of Saint Mathewes: Iohn Shoemaker and his wife.

The names of ſuch as had not receiued the Sacrament. Of ſaint Clements, Robert Braye, Iohn Notingham, Agnes VVardall wife of Robert VVardal, Nich. Notingham, Richard Michell, William Iordan his wife, Rich. Butler, Robert Browne.

Of Saint Peters: Iohn Reede, Thomas Spurdance, Iohn ſeruaunt to Stephen Greenleefe. Of Saynt Stephens, Robert Scolding. Of ſaint Margarets, Iohn Greenwich, and his wife. Of ſaint Nicholas, Thomas Sturgeon mariner, Iohn Fenne his wife. Of ſaint Marie Kye, Robert Branſtone, brother and ſeruaunt to William Branſtone. Of ſaynt Marie tower, Martine Iohnſon, who lyeth bedredde, Agnes his kéeper, Benet Alceed, ſeruants to Robert Nottinghā. Of ſaint Laurence, Robert Silke his ſonne. Of ſaint Marie at Ellens, Iohn Ramſey and his wife in priſon.

The names of ſuch as obſerued not ceremonies.

Of ſaint Clements, ſome refuſed the Paxe, Robert Brage his wife refuſed to ſuffer anie childe to bee dipped in the Font: Ioane Barber widowe, Thomaſin her daughter, refuſed to beholde the eleuation of the ſacrament.

Miſtreſſe Ponder mother to Ioane Barber in the ſame fault, Tye a mariner his wife. Of ſaint Marie Ellines, Richarde Hawarde refuſed the Paxe at Maſſe in Saynt Laurence. Of ſaint Peters, Maiſter Lions at maſſe at ſaint Marie Stoke refuſed the Paxe, mother Fentell, Ioane Warde aliâs Bentley wife, refuſed to hauehave their children dypped in the Font. At Saynt Stephens, p. 267mother Beriefe refuſeth to hauehave children dipped in fontes. At S. Nicholas, George Buſh his wife reiected the hoſt, after receit of it.

Names of prieſts wiues that had acceſſe to their huſbands.

RAfe Carletons wife, Curate of S. Mathewes, and S. Marie at Ellins. Elizabeth Cantrell wife to Rafe Cantrell, Iane Barker, wife to Robert Barker, prieſt late of Burie, Latimers wife Curate of S. Laurence & S. Stephens, William Clarkes wife late curate of Barkham, and S. Marie at Ellines.

The names of the mainteiners againſt this complaint.

RObert Stirrop Cuſtomer to Quéene Marie, Gilbert Stirrop, Deputie to Edward Grimſtone for his butlerage, Maiſter Butler the elder, ſearcher, miſtreſſe Tooly, Margaret Bray, Ioane Barker widowe, miſtreſſe Birde, Baſtian Man his wife and himſelfe.

Their requeſts to puniſh, and conuent certaine for example.

TO conuent Richarde Byrde, Iayler, who by euil counſell doeth animate his Priſoners of his Secte: Thomas Sadler, for ſpeaking certaine wordes to Iohn Bate, the Crier of the towne, that it might pleaſe the Biſhop to wiſh his Commiſſarie and Officiall, to be vpright and diligent in their office, and to appoint a Curate of abilitie, to féede his Cure with Gods worde. That none might be ſuffered to be Midwiues, but ſuch as were knowen to be Catholikes. That Rafe Carleton, Curate, might be conuented, p. 268whether by corruption of mony he hath ingroſſed his booke of any that are there named, and hath not receiued in déed as it is reported.