Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 11 · Part 76 – Part 85
William Adherall Minister, and Iohn Clement-Wheele-wright▪
THese died in the Kings Bench the three and twentieth of Iune,1556 and were buried in the backside, being imprisoned for the profession of the truth.
A Merchants seruant the next day was burned at Leicester for the like godlines, by the cruell persecution of the Papists.
About this time there were thirtéene burned in one fire at Stratford the Bow by London eleuen of them being men and two of them women, whose dwellings were in sundry places in …, and whose names f…llow: Henry Adlington, Lawrence Parman, Henry Wye, William Hallywell, Thomas Bowier George Searle, Edmond Hurst, Lion Cawch, Ralph Iackson, Iohn Perifall, Iohn Roth, Elizabeth Peper, and Agnes George Their points of Religion doth better appeare by a Certificate vnderunder all their hands, which I hauehave here inserted, then by their examination which followeth.
Be it knowne vntounto all to whom this our Certificate shall be feene, that whereas vponupon Saturday the thirteenth of Iune, sixteene of vsus were condemned to dye, by the Bishop of London, for the sincere truth of Christs verity, which truth hath bin continually defaced from the beginning by the wicked aduersaries, as it is slandered now by the Diuell and his Imps, which constraineth vsus to manifest our beleefe, and the articles, wherefore we were condemned for auoyding the slanders that might happen by occasion of the flanderous Sermon lately preached at Pauls Crosse by Doctor Fecknam Deane of Paules, where he defamed vsus to be of sixteene sundry opinions.
1 We beleeue by Baptisme we were made members of Christs Church, and although wee erred for a time, yet the roote of Faith was preserued in vsus by the Holy Ghost, which maketh vsus certaine of the same, and we doe and will persist by Gods assistance vntounto the end: And though the Minister were of the malignant Church, yet he did not hurt vsus, because he baptized vsus in the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost; there was the word and the element; Godfathers, and Godmothers, renouncing for vsus the Diuell and all his workes, and confessing the Articles of the Christian Faith.
2 There are but two Sacraments, Baptisme, and the Lords Supper, in these are contained the two Testaments: the effect of the Law is Repentance, and the effect of the Gospell is remission of sinnes.
3 There is a visible Church wherein the word of God is preached, and the Sacraments truely ministred: Uisible to the wicked world, although it bee not credited, and by death of Saints confirmed: as in the time of Elias as well as now.
4 The Sea of Rome is the Sea of Antichrist: The Congregation of the wicked, whereof the Pope is head vnderunder the Diuell.
5 God is neither spiritually nor corporally in the Sacrament of the Altar, and there is no other substance but bread and Wine.
2 The Masse is not onelyonly a prophanation of the Lords Supper, but a most blasphemous Idoll.
We affirmed to beleeue all that the Bishop or any could proue by Scriptures: but he said he would not stand to proue it with hereticks, but said, they themselues were the holy Church, and that we ought to beleeue them, or else to be cut off like withered branches.
When they were brought to Stratford the Bow they were deuided into two parts, and put into two chambers: then the Sherife came to the one part and tolde them that the other had recanted and were saued, and exhorted them to doe the like, and not cast away themselues: they answered, their faith was not builded on man, but Christ crucified: When he could doe no good with them, he went to the other place, and told them their Fellowes had recanted, and were saued, and counselled them to doe the like, and not willingly to kill themselues: vntounto whom they answered as their fellowes had done. When he saw he could not preuaile, he lead them to the fire, they ioyfully kissed the stake: the eleauen men were tyed to foure stakes, and the two Women loose in the middest, and so they were burned all in one fire, with such louelove one to another, and constancy in our Sauiour Christ, that it was wonderfull.
Thomas Free-man, William Stannard, and William Adames.
THese were also condemned to dye with the other at the same time, and béeing in the hands of the secular power, Cardinall Poole sent his dispensation for their liues, and by that meanes they were kept from mart…rdome.
The fourteenth of Iune Iohn Colstoke of Wellington in Liechfield Dioces, for holding against the real presence and auricular confession, was compelled to recant and to beare a faggot before the Crosse bare-headed, hauing in one hand a Taper, and in the other a paire of Beads.
The seuentéenth of Iune Thomas Barnes and Ellice Birth were accused that one wished to the other, in the beginning of Queene Maries raigne, his dagger in the belly of him that sung to the Organs …he denied not but he spake these words, and that he then thought the masse abominable; and though he submitted himselfe hee was condemned to beare a faggot, with beads and his taper before the crosse.
The seuen and twentieth of Iune Thomas Paret, Martin Hunt, and Iohn Norrice died in the Kings Bench, and were buried in the back-side: they were imprisoned for the profession of the truth.
Robert Bernard, Adam Foster and Robert Lawson.
THe 30. of Iune Hopton B of Norwich called Robert Bernard Heretick, because he said he would neuer be confessed of a Priest: he answered, it gréeueth me not to be called hereticke at your hand▪ for so your forefathers called the Prophets and Confessors long agoe: then the B: …ad him follow him, and went and knéeled before the Sacrament of the Altar: and as he was at his prayers, he looked back and asked Barnard why he did not as he did, He answered, I cannot tell why you should doe so, the Bishop asked him, whom sée you yonder, pointing to the Pixe hanging ouer the Altar? Do you not see your maker there? He said, No, I see nothing but a few cloaths hang together in a heape: then the Bishop commaunded him to the Iayle, and …ad put Irons enough vponupon him.
After one of the Guard had him to a Tauerne where many Priests were, when they could not perswade him, they threatned h…m with whipping and stocking, and when they could peruert him by no meanes, then they carried him to the Bishop, who immediatly condemned him: Hee was a labourer, dwelling in F…an…den in Suffolke.
Adam Foster was a Husbandman, dwelling in Mendlesam in Suffollke: Hee was apprehended by Thomas Mouse, and George Reuet Constables, at the command…ment of Sir Iohn Terill, because he would not heare Masse: He was cast into Aye dungeon, from whence he was sent to Norwich, and condemned by the aforesaid Bishop: Mouse presently after fell sicke, and pined away to death: the … ther came to the like end not long after.
Robert Lawson a Linnen Weauer, was likewise apprehended at the commandement of Sir Iohn Terill, and sent to Aye Dungeon, because hee would not come to Church, nor receiue their Popish Idoll.
When they were carried to their deathes, they most triumphantly ended their liues in the fixe.
Iohn Careles of Couentry Weauer.
ABout this time he died in the Kings Bench, hauing beene long imprisoned there, hee was examined before Doctor Martine, one of the Masters of the Chancerie, a iolly stirrer in those matters: in which examination I finde no matters of religion, but that he answereth a popish opinion of election, that wee are elected in respect of our good workes, and so long elected as we doe them, and no longer, but he beleeued that God of his infinite goodnesse (through Iesus Christ) did elect and appoint in him, before the foundation of the earth was laid, a Church or Congregation, which he doth continually guide and gouerne by his grace and holy spirit; so that not one of them shall euer finally perish, and that God hath e…ernally predestinated me to eternall life in Iesus Christ. I am most certaine and likewise sure that his holy spirit (wherewith I am sealed) will so preserue me from all heresies and euill opinions, that I shall die in none at all: I doe beleeue that Christ did effectually die for al those that repent, and beleeue, & for none other. At his first comming into prison, his conscience was ouer much oppressed with the consideration of his sinnes, vntill he had a comfortable letter of Philpot, concerning the merciemercy of Christ to them that repent: and although a sorrowfull spirit be a sacrifice acceptable to God, and the earnest pennie of election, yet the end of it must be comfort and ioy of the holy Ghost in assurance of the remission of sinnes, therfore he …iddeth him be carelesse, according to his name, in assurance of the remission of sinnes in Christ.
Wherefore Carles thanketh God heartily, and confesseth that Philpots sweete exhortations had brought much glad tidings vntounto his tyred soule, and that it was greatly refreshed with the sweet sauor of his precious Nard. I will now according to your louing request cast away all care, & reioice with you, and pray God for you day & night, for now my foule is turned vntounto her old rest again, & hath taken a swéet na… in Christs lap, I hauehave cast my care vponupon the Lord, which will care for mee, and will be careles, according vntounto my name: as soon as I had read your comfortable Letter, my sorrowes vanished away, as smoke in the wind: I am sure the spirit of God was a…thor of it: Good M. Philpot thou art a principal Pot indéed, filled with most precious liquor: Oh pot most happy of the high Potter ordained to honour, which doest containe such heauenly treasure in the earthen vessell: Oh pot most happy, in whom Christ hath turned water into wine, and that of the best, whereof the Master of the Feast hath fi…led my cup so full, that it hath made mee drunken in the ioy of the spirit: When martyrdome shall breake thee (oh vessell of honour) the fragrant sauour of the precious ointments will much reioyce the hea…y hearts of Christs true members.
Iohn Gwinne, Askin, Iulines Palmer.
THe 16. of Iuly these thrée godly and constant martyrs were burned at Newbery in Barkshire. Iulines Palmer had been student in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford, and was Schoolemaister of Redding: all King Edwards daies hee was an obstinate Papist, abhorring all godly prayer and sincere preaching, and was abhorred and put out of the Colledge for the same, yet after in Quéene Maries time, suffered a most cruel death at the Papists hands. He was born in Couentry, his father had sometimes béene Mayor of the Citty. When Quéene Mary came to her raign, he was receiued into the fellowship of the Colledge again, but his mind was …o far altered, that hee would not come to prayers for feare of suspition: but when he should kéepe his bowing measures at the Confiteor, in turning vpward & downeward, and knocke his breast with Idolatrous adoration, at the lifting vp of the Sacrament, his heart rose against it, that hee would get him out of the Church, wherefore he left the Colledge and became Schoolemaister in Redding, and béeing vexed with the consideration of the cruelty that was then shewed to the Christians, he made a testimony of his Faith, and deliuered it to Doctor Geffery in his visitation, who reading the same put him in Prison, and within a fortnight after burned him as before, where he yéelded vp as ioyfull a Soule to God, as euer any did.
Katherine Cauches mother and Paratine and Guillimiue her Daughters.
THE said Katherine was a Widdow, they were of the Isle of Garnesey, the 10. of Iuly they were there burned for her…ticks for professing the truth: Paratiue being great with childe, and ready to bee brought a bed the wombe of the said Paratine being bu…ned, there issued from her a goodly man Child, which by the officer was taken vp, and after most spitefull manner throwne into the fire, and most cruelly burned with her seely mother.
The cause was thi…; a woman had stollen a cup and pawned it to this Katherine for six pence, she perceiuing whose cup it was thought to hauehave carried it home: In the meane time the owner of the cup missed it, and charged ber with it that stole it, who confessed it and brought the owner of the cup to the Widdow who deliuered him the Cup: shortly after the Bayliff…s hearing thereof, searched her house, they finding one Platter which had no marke, and another that had the mark scraped out: Whereupon they brought her and her two Daughters to the Iustices, who committed them vntounto prison, and the Bayliffs seized vponupon all their goods, and when they could proue nothing against them, the Bayliffs accused them of heresie and caused them to be committed againe; and the Bayliffs wrote to Iaques Amy Deane of the Ile aforesaid, to desire him to proceed against them in the cause of heresie: whereupon the said Deane, assisted by the Curats there, did make an inquirie of the said widdow and her daughters, and condemned them for hereticks, the widdow and her daughters neuer hearing therof, and deliuered it to the Bayliffs and Iurats, whereupon when the Bayliffs did know that the said Deane and Curats had not examined the woman, they would not sit in iudgement that day, but ordained that the women should first be examined of their Faith before the Deane and Curats: wherefore the women were presented before the said Deane and Curats who answered that they would obe… the Ordinances of the King and Queene, and the commandements of the Church, notwithstanding they were condemned, and thereupon burned, and the Bayliffs had all their goods, as before, but in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths raigne the Gern…y men, and one Matthew Cauches, brother to …he said two Sisters presented a supplication to the Quéenes Commissioners touching that matter, who sitting vponupon the cause, found the matter probable, and commit…ed the Deane to prison, and dispossessed him of all his liuings and possessions.
Thomas Dungate, Iohn Forman, Mother Tree.
THe 18 of Iuly these gaue themselues to the fire for righteousnes sake, patiently abiding what the rage of man could say or doe against them: they were burned at Grinsted in Sussex.
Ioane Wast was of the Parish of Alhallowes in Darby, shee was condemned by Radulph Bane Bishop of Couentry and Lichfield, his Chancellor, and others, for that she did hold the Sacrament of the Popish Altar to be but a representation of Christs body and materiall bread and wine, and not his naturall body, vnlesse it were receiued, and that it ought not to be reserued from time to time ouer the Altar, but immediatly to be receiued. She was burned at the aforesaid Darby: when she suffered she made her prayer to the Lord Ies…s to assist and strengthen her, and being bound to the stake with flames about her, she suffered with ioy and triumph, as though she had rather béene going to a banket, then to yéeld vp her life.
Edward Sharp was an aged man, borne in Wilshire, he was condemned the 8. of September, where hee constantly and manfully persisted in the iust quarrell of Christs Gospell, for misliking & renouncing the ordinances of the Romish Church. He was tryed as pure gold, and made a liuely sacrifice in the fire.
Iohn Hart, Tho: Rauensdale, and two whose names we hauehave not, the one a Shomaker, the other a Coriar.
THese foure were burned at Mayfield in Sussex the 24. of September, being at the place where they should suffer, after they had made their Prayer, they constantly and ioyfully ended their liues, for the testimony of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ. The next day, a yong man, a Carpenter, whose name we know not, was burned for the Testimony of Christ at Bristow: he died with much ioy, constancy, and triumph.
Thomas Horne and a woman.
THe 25. of September th…se two godly Martirs were consumed by the fire at Watton Underhedge in Glocestershire, who died very gloriously in a constant Faith, to the terror of the wicked, and comfort of the godly.
A Shoemaker was a true Witnesse and Disciple of the Lord, he renounced the false coloured Religion of the Romish Sea, wherein many a good man hath beene drowned: he was burned at Northampton.
Thrée in the Castle of Cicester being in like bonds for the like cause of Christs Gospell, died in Prison, and were buried in the fields, who had béene burned if the cruell handling of Papists had not made them away before.
John Clarke, Dunstone Chittenden vncondemned, William Foster of Stone, Allice Potkins of Staplehurst, Iohn Archer of Cranbroke VVeauer.
THe first of Nouember these fiue were macerate and pined to death by famine in the Castle of Canterbury: they answered all to this effect, that they beleeue the Articles of the Creed, but they beleeue no more Sacraments but two, that praiers to Saints or soules in purgatory profit not, that faith only iustifieth; they denied the Popish ceremonies in the Church: that it was as good to carry a Dungfork as Candles on Candlemas day, and that it is as necessary to carry the Gallowes about if ones father were hanged, as to cary the Crosse; that they could not come to Church with a safe conscience. There was fifteene of them in prison, and it seemeth the Bishops and Priests had appointed to starue them al, had not a Certificate of the manner of their cruell handling bin throwne out of the Castle window, wherby their doings were made manifest: so the other ten were burned, as after appeareth.
In the Months of September, Nouember, and December, there was a great persecution in Couentry and Lichfield: the cruell Bishop Radulph Bane, and his cruell Chancellor, Doctor Draycot, and nine Priests, and a number of others were compelled to recant, and one Hoke was burned at Chester, as thou mayst see in the Booke at large.