A Breviary of All the Greatest Persecutions, Part 4

A Breviary of All the Greatest Persecutions · Part 4

p. 149THE PERSECUTIONS Of the Church of England, From the firſt planting of the Goſpel, to the end of Queen Maries Reign.

SECT. I.

The Perſecution of the Britiſh Church, till the coming in of the Saxons.

TO tell exactly who the perſons were

That firſt preach'd to the Britains, in what year

The Goſpel firſt took root, is paſt my skill,

Since Authors cite them with a diff'ring Quill.

Some ſay**Simon Zelotes. Zelotes preach'd here firſt of all;

Some Arimathean Joſeph; others Paul:

Fagan, and Damian, did the Goſpel bring

Into great Britain. Lucius the King,

p. 150With many of his ſubjects, did embrace

The proffer'd Goſpel, as the means of grace:

Converted, and baptiz'd, they overturn'd

Th'Idol'trous Temples, and the Altars burn'd:

All ſuperſtitious rites they laid aſide,

Advancing Chriſt: the Scripture was their guide,

And onelyonly rule; they judged nothing fit

But what had warrant from the Sacred Writ.

Two hundred ſixteen years this faith did flame

Amongſt them till the Pagan Saxons came.

Religious Lucius without iſſue dy'd,

And now the Barons and the Nobles vy'd

For King; and while they for the crown contended,

In ſtep'd the Romans, ſo the quarrel ended:

For they uſurp'd the crown, and did o'rewhelm

With miſery and ruine the whole Realm.

Sometimes th'Idol'trous Romans bore the ſway;

Sometimes the Chriſtian Britans won the day:

By turns they got the beſt, by turns they got

The worſt, as Providence did them allot.

In Diocleſian's time, and in the Reign

Of Maximinian, the Chriſtians ſlain

In Britany and elſewhere, did amount

To ſev'nteen thouſand. One of great account,

Alban his name, the Proto-Martyr was

Of Englands Iſle; and many more did paſs

That way he went. Religion decaid,

Bibles were burned, and the Churches laid,

Laid level with the ground; diſord'red orders

Took place; and Piety forſook our borders.

But the fore-named Tyrants over-tir'd

With blondy butcheries, at laſt reſpir'd;

Experience telling them, the more they ſhed

The Chriſtians blood, the more the faith ſtill ſpread.

p. 151They both went down from the Imperial ſeat;

Conſtantius; next Conſtantine the Great

Succeeding in the Britiſh government,

The Church was quiet, and enjoy'd content:

Which peace continu'd till the Arrian Sect

The novelty-affectors did infect.

Hereat God raiſed up the Picts and Seots

(Two barb'rous nations) and to them alots

The Victors wreath: poor England was oppreſt,

And did for many years enjoy no reſt.

Which made them ſend Embaſſadors to Rome

With ſad complaints, entreating them to come

To aid them; ſo a Roman Legion came,

Slew ſome, making the reſt retreat with ſhame,

And quit theſe coaſts; adviſing us withal

To raiſe betwixt us and the Scots, a wall:

A wall being builded by the Engliſh men,

The Roman force returned home agen.

This news was brought unto the Picts and Scots

One this ſide of the wall; they landed boats,

O're-ran the country, laid the corn-ſields waſte,

And bare down all before them as they paſt.

The Britans ſend their Legates unto Rome

A ſecond time; the ſent-for ſouldiers come

And vaequiſh'd them; the reſt put to diſorders,

Enforcedly deſert the Britiſh borders.

Which done, they told the Britans flat and plain,

They ſhould expect no aid from them again;

Beſides, it ſtood not with their eaſe, to take

So long and tedious journeys for their ſake:

Now therefore arm your ſelves, and exerciſe

In Warlike feats (ſaid they) if yee be wiſe:

Go, go and build you firmer walls, that ſo

You may be able to keep out your foe,

p. 152The Romans having took their laſt farewel

Of Britany, the Picts and Scots ſoon fell

On the re-builded walls, and put to flight

The trembling Britains, noitrain'd up to fight.

They that ſtood out were barb'rouſly deſtroy'd;

And all their goods the enemies enjoy'd.

Loan Aceldama of blood! what ſtore

Of ſlaughtred Carkaſſes, ev'n ſwim in gore!

Rome b'ing again ſolicited to ſend

Relief, refus'd; the Britains in the end

Took heart to graſs, when earthly comforts fail'd

Sought God, and 'gainſt their enemies prevail'd;

Gave them the total rout; the Picts began

To keep their bound, ſave onelyonly now and than

They inroads made into the Land; the Land

At laſt became under her own command.

The ground was now manur'd; the Lord did bleſs

Th'induſtrious Britains with a large encreaſe

Of full-ear'd corn, that ſuch abundant ſtore

Scarce ever in the Land was ſeen before.

But Oh! mans ſinful heart! this Peace, this Quiet,

This Plenty, led them to exceſs, and rior,

To pride, contention, envy, and the like:

God ſent the plague among them, which did ſtrike

So many dead, that the alive were all

Unable to afford them burial.

Yet could the judgements that abroad were ſent

Not melt their hearts, nor move them to repent;

The death of friends, the danger they were in

Themſelves, but hardened them more in ſin;

Not work'd their Reformation; oftentimes,

Judgements prove Shooing-horns to greater crimes.

They wax ſtill worſe and worſe; the Laity choſe,

And Clergy too, to live like ranc'rons foes.

p. 153Gods thundring vengeance which upon them fell,

My breathing Muſe ſhall in the ſequel tell.

SECT. II.

The Perſecution of the Britiſh Church under the Heathen Saxons and Engliſh, Anno 429, &c.

THE Britains with ill-neighbours re-infeſted,

Inſtead of turning to the Lord, requeſted

The Pagan Saxons aid, for to oppoſe

The raging fury of theſe Northern foes;

They came, and coming, conquer'd them; at length,

The Saxons knowing their ſufficient ſtrength

To over-pow'r the weaker Britains, they

Fell foul on them, exacting greater pay,

And more proviſion, or elſe they would

Side with the Picts, and do the beſt they could

To ſpoil their country. This their reſolution

No ſooner ſaid, was put in execution:

All goodly edifices they deſtroy'd:

The Miniſters, the while they were employ'd

In Divine ſervice, were of lives depriv'd,

And rev'rend Biſhops with their flocks diſliv'd.

Some left their country and beyond Seas fled;

Some on the mountaines tops were murthered.

Some pin'd with hunger, creeping from their caves,

Were ſoon diſpatch'd, or made perpetual ſlaves.

The Engliſh Nobles ſummoned to treat

Concerning peace, did on a fix'd time meet

At Almſhury; but by the faithleſs train

Of Saxons, were moſt treacherouſly ſlain

p. 154At Stomheng; and, that they were bury'd there,

The yet-remaining monuments declare.

Now when the Britans found no other way

Lay open to redreſs, they fell to pray.

A faſt was call'd, and all, with one accord

Humbled their ſouls, before th'Almighty Lord.

Ambroſius Aurelian, being choſe

To be their King, did profligate their foes;

And from that day Gods hand appearing glorious.

They went out proſp'rous, and return'd Victorious.

At laſt Aurelian with poyſon dead,

Uter Pendragon reigned in his ſtead:

He bidding battail to the enemy,

Two of their Chieftains took; who ſcaping fly

To Belgia for more aid; and in the mean

The Saxons flock'd in; conflicts paſt between

Th'Engliſh and them: now theſe, and ſometimes they,

(As Providence ſaw good) did win the day,

Octa, and Coſa, with a force renew'd

Came o're again; the Britans are ſubdu'd;

Their paſtors ſlain, Churches demoliſhed,

No mercy's ſhown; King Ʋter ſick in bed,

Seeing his Subjects fall, would needs be brought

Into his camp: ſo reſolutely fought

His ſouldiers then, they (under God) obtain

The Victors wreath: Octa and Coſa ſlain.

Soon ever this great Victory was won,

Uter of poyſon dy'd; Arthur his ſon

Was crowned King, who twice ſix Victories

Obtain'd againſt the Saxon enemies.

His ſtranger acts, and unbeliev'd ſucceſs,

As fabulous, I leave; but queſtionleſs

Much peace and ſafety to the Britiſh Iſle

Was in his happy reiga enjoy'd; yet while

p. 155They were at Peace with others, they agin

Returning to their loathed wayes of ſin,

Fell to inteſtine broils, embracing evil

In ſtead of good, and worſhipped the Devil,

Under the notion of an Angel bright.

The Prieſts withheld the Goſpels purer light

From deviating ſouls; which ſoon procur'd

The wrath of God (too great to be endur'd)

Driv'n out of houſe and home, no eaſe, no reſt

They found; the Saxons had the Land poſſeſt,

And turn'd out all the Chriſtian Divines.

So done, they did in the uſurp'd confines,

The Heptarchy erect: Theſe Kings did ſmother

All peace, fell out and warr'd with one another:

Till diſempowr'd, they could not well defend

Themſelves, much leſs with enemies contend.Anno 180.

King Lncius was the firſt that did receive

The Goſpel, and in Jeſus Chriſt believe:

From which time (as't in Chronicles appears)

It ſtaid in Britain full four hundred years:

One hundred fourty and three years Gods word

Grew cold;Anno 598, but Auſtins comming it reſtor'd.

Some Engliſh children being brought to Rome,

There to be ſold, Gregory chanc'd to come

Into the market-place: when his fix'd ſight

Saw in their lovely cheeks pure red and white

Contend for Maſterſhip, he much admir'd

At their ſo ſweet complexions, and enquir'd

What country they were of; then being told

That they were Engliſh heathens, to be ſold

For ſlaves: here's choice enough, if any wats,

Said he, 'tis pity ſuch inhabitants,

So fair, and ſo Angelical, ſhould dwell

As ſubjects to the ſtory Prince of hell.

p. 156Inform'd their Province Deira was; ſaid he,

Could wiſh them Manu-miſs'd De ira Dei.

And further, being given to underſtand,

That one nam'd Alle rul'd the Britiſh land;

There, there, ſaith he, ought Praiſes to be given

And Allelujab's to the King of heaven.

He alſo had a great deſire to go

To England, and there preach: but Rome ſaid, no.

Pelagius dy'd: he in his room aſſign'd

Romes Biſhop, calling his intent to minde:

Auſtin, Anno 590.and forty more Divines, he ſent

To undertake this work: they land in Kent,

At Thanets fertile Iſle: King Ethelbert,

In Canterbury City, they convert,

And did baptize:Anno 186. by whoſe example, many

Dayly came in, the King enforc'd not any,

But much reſpected, and affected thoſe

Who willingly with Chriſt would make a cloſe.

Auſtin ſends Greg'ry word, how God did bleſs,

And crown their labours with deſir'd ſucceſs.

The joyful Biſhop ſendeth more Divines

Over, for to effect thoſe great deſigns

Were now on foot: a letter of adviſe

He writes to Auſtin, not to be too wiſe

In his own eyes, not be puft up at all

By thoſe great miracles, which did befall

The Engliſh Church: For why? for this intent,

God onelyonly us'd him, as an inſtrument.

Aſcribe all, Auſtin, to God's pow'r Divine;

His be the glory, and the praiſe, not thine:

And when thy heart t'ebulluate begins,

O think upon thy God-offending ſins,

And that will humble thee: all Gods elect

Have of themſelves no power to effect

p. 157A miracle like this; and yet heav'ns book

Contains their names. O do not, do not look

So much on thine own works; be this thy ſtrife,

To have thy name writ in the book of life.

What ever miracle the Lord hath brought

To paſs by thee, know this, it was not wrought

For thy ſake; no, 'twas wrought for the ſalvation

Of the ſeduc'd, miſguided Engliſh nation.

If I might be ſo worthy to adviſe,

The Temples built for heath'niſh ſacrifice

I would not have demoliſh'd, but th'abuſe

Remov'd, converted to another uſe.

God go along with you, and leſt you ſtumble

Through pride, and glory, keep you alwayes humble, &c.

He an Epiſtle alſo did direct

Unto the King, which was to this effect:

He firſt prais'd God, then did the King commend,

Wiſhing he might prove conſtant to the end

In his profeſſed faith; and to his power,

Convert his Subjects to a Saviour,

Who holds forth life to thoſe that will receive

It freely, and in's promiſes believe.

And laſtly, he intreats his gifts may finde

Acceptance, coming from a willing minde.

Miletus, by his preaching did convert

Th'eaſt Angles and the then-King Sigebert;

Who with his Unckle Ethelbert did found

St. Paul his Church, and built it from the ground.

Auſtin a Synod gath'red in this nation

Of Biſhops, to conſult of Reformation;

But nothing's done therein: King Ethelbert

Having a mighty force, went to evert

The Cheſtrian City, where the Monks of Bangor

Aſſembling, pray'd God to divert his anger,

p. 158From their friends heads, and turn it on their foes,

To ſhield the Engliſh from approaching woes.

When the King ſaw them ſo intent in pray'r,

Demand he did, what ſort of men they were:

And being credibly inform'd, they pray'd

For thoſe that were his enemies; he ſaid,

Although unarm'd, they fight againſt us do,

And with their prayers perſecute us too;

My hearts, fall bluntly on them; upon pain

Of our diſpleaſure, let them all be ſlain.

Eleven hundred Monks had their blood ſpill'd;

Which God reveng'd: the bloody Tyrant's kill'd

In fight by Chriſtian Edwin, who obtain'd

The crown, and the Chriſt-builded faith maintain'd.

The Idols, and the Altars he deſtroy'd,

Making all ancient ceremonies voyd.

He cauſed brazen diſhes to be tide

By ev'ry fountain in the High-wayes ſide,

That ſo each paſſenger without controul,

Might be refreſhed with a liberal boul:

He alwayes carried himſelf propitious

Unto the good, but rig'rous to the vitious:

So that a woman charg'd with gold might paſs

From Sea to Sea, unqueſtion'd who ſhe was.

At laſt, by Penda, and Cadwalla's might,

Subdu'd, Joſiah- like, he dy'd in fight:

His Chriſtian Subjects felt the worſt of woes,

Nay, eruelſt deaths, by thoſe inſulting foes.

The**Edelburg. Queen, her**Eufled. daughter, and Paulinus went,

To ſave their lives, by water into Kent;

Oſwald was crowned next; whoſe pray'rs did gain

A glorious Victory, Cadwalla ſlain.

His love to piety, his fervent zeal

To ſpread the Goſpel in his common-weal,

p. 159Was known to all. From Scotland he procur'd

Aidanus Biſhop; and the King inur'd

To Scoth, himſelf interpreted the words

Aidanus preach'd, unto his noble Lords

And Subjects in their mother tongue, more known

To them then the exotique Scotiſh tone.

He to the poor was ſo compaſſionate,

That when on Eaſter-day at meat they ſate

And ſerv'd in ſilver, he was told the poor

Stood flocking thick and threefold at the door

He cauſed them for to be ſerv'd in ſtate

With his own food, taking a ſilver place,

And ſtraight-way breaking it in pieces ſmall,

Diſtribute it he did amongſt them all.

Aidanus ſeeing this, admir'd, and got

Him by the hand, O may this never rot

That to the poor ſo beneficial was

(Said he:) as Authors ſay, it came to paſs.

This Oſwald alſo was a means to bring

Kinigilſus of the Weſt-Saxons King.

And Quicelinus King of Dorſetſhire,

With many of their Subjects, to the clear

Knowledge of Chriſt; under the Miniſt'ry

Of Berinus famous for piety.

Thus Oſwald having reigned nine years ſpace,

Mercian Penda did his life uncaſe.

Oſwic ſucceeded him; Oſwic as glorious

A Prince, as pious, and no leſs Victorious:

He rais'd an army, fought, and overthrew

A greater force, and impious Penda ſlew.

And now the Biſhops and the Miniſters,

Sequeſter'd from the World, and its affairs,

Preach'd freely to the people, until they

About the celebrating Eaſter-day

p. 160(Which bone amongſt them Satan caſt) contended,

A Synod's call'd, nor was the diff'rence ended,

Wolferus now a licenſe having gain'd,

Converted the ſouth-Saxons; then there rain'd

Abundant ſhowrs which fertiliz'd the land

Laine barren for three years: thus Gods good hand

Appeared in a plenteous increaſe;

He ſent his Goſpel, with his Goſpel-peace.

Thus the South-Saxons, with the Ifle of Wight,

Did laſt of all embrace the Goſpels light.

About this time the Roman Church diſown'd

Her priſtine beauty; Antichriſt enthron'd,

The Pope did Lord it over all; he ſent

Italian Theodorus into Kent

With many Monks, there Maſſes muſt be ſung,

And in the Latin, not the mother-tongue:

Biſhops, and Miniſters he did diſplace

At's pleaſure, ſo that in a little ſpace

Truth turn'd to errour, Piety to vainneſs,

Zeal to contempt, Religion to profaneſs.

Becauſe their iterated crimes did urge

Gods wrath, the Pagan-Danes became their ſcourge.

p. 161SECT. III.

Of the Heptarchy united by Egbert; and of the invaſion by the Danes, and of the Perſecution of the Engliſh Church under them.

KIng Egbert after many battails fought,

United firſt the Heptarchy, and brought

In Monarchy, into the Britiſh land;

The whole Realm his, he gave a ſtrict command

That Britain ſhould be England nam'd, and all

The Saxons anſwer to the Engliſh call.

The Pagan-Danes invaded ſeveral times

(To plague her for her execrable crimes)

This Britiſh Iſle, not ſtriving to enjoy

And conquer it, but t'utterly deſtroy.

They whoſoe're they met, man, woman, child,

Kill'd or enſlaved, and the Churches ſpoil'd.

They ſacked Canterbury, in which place

Above nine thouſand ſouls they did uncaſe.

Throughout the Land their cruelty was ſuch,

Of blood they thought theycould not ſhed too much.

This Iſle was ſubject to a forreign power,Above 255 years.

Till freed by William the Conquerour.

Who liſt to know the intercourſe of things.

The Acts and the Succeſſions of Kings,

May if he pleaſe, (for brevity's my mark)

Read them at large in famous Mr. Clarke.

p. 162SECT. IV.

The Perſecution of the Engliſh Church under the Papacy.

ALthough Religion from the time this Iſle

Embrac'd grace firſt, retain'd not all this while

Its Prim tive ſplendour, but grew more obſcure,

More ſuperſtitious, and no leſs impure;

Yet in thoſe Priſtine dayes, the peoples crimes

Were not equivalent to after-times.

The Church now being in the deſarts hid,

Affraid to ſhew her face, th' Almighty did

Raiſe Bernard up, and many more beſide,

T'unmask and check the Antichriſtian pride;

And ſuperſtitious diſordred orders

Too too luxuriant in the Britiſh borders.

At which the Pope and his adherents urg'd,

They were impriſon'd, hang'd, and burnt, and ſcourg'd

About the ſtreets, or branded in the ſorehead,

With an Heret'cal character: O horrid

Yet many did moſt readily embrace

Their Doctrine, as the onelyonly meanes of grace:

That man of ſin, that offspring of perdition

Renounc'd, and all the wayes of ſuperſtition.

God ſtill preſerv'd a Church unto his name,

From Chriſts time, till the time that Luther came.

John Patrick Engina,Anno 1518. When Alfred reign'd,

The firſt Reader in Oxford was ordein'd:

He wrote a book about the Sacrament,Anno 884.

For which a Martyrs death he underwent.

p. 163They branded in the face,Anno 960. and baniſh'd ſome

Divines at Oxford, who declam'd 'gainſt Rome.

One Arnold there they butcher'd, who decry'd

Againſt the Prieſts lewd lives,Anno 1126. and Prelates pride.

In Henry's reign the ſecond of that name,

Thirty Waldenſes into England came,Anno 1160.

Gerard their Paſtor; and without all pity,

Were whipped publickly through Oxford City;

They ſinging all the while, Bleſſed are yee,

When you ſhall hated, and miſuſed be, &c.

With want and cold, they dy'd; none might afford

Them any comfort, nor at bed nor board.

Gualdo who 'gainſt the prieſts invectives wrote,

And alſo Doctor Gilbert Foliot,Anno 1170.

Who oft blam'd**Archbiſhop of Canterbury. Thomas Becket to his face,

Were perſecuted much: to them a grace.

Sylveſter Gyrald by his writings tears

Such Hornets up,Anno 1200. as fall about his ears.

One Alexander, for his bitter ſtile

Baniſh'd by††Anno 1207. Langton, died in exile.

Aſhton fellow of Merton colledge went

Into perpetual impriſonment.Archbiſhop of Canterbury.

One William Sawtre, Thorp, and Swinder by.

With ſundry more Divines condemn'd, did die

Under the Chriſtian Banner,Anno 1382. and their ſpirits

Paſs'd into glory through Chriſt Jeſus merits.

And now becauſe my Muſe finds nothing new

But onelyonly Martyrs names, ſhe dids adieu

At preſent, Reader, but intends to meet

Thy ſerious eye within another ſheet.

p. 164SECT. V.

The Perſecution of the Engliſh Church after the riſing of Martin Luther.

THE Chriſtian world appear'd not very clear

Until the fifteen hundred eighteenth year,

Wherein God pleaſed to unboſome night,

The Art of Printing being brought to light;Anno 1518.

Which furniſhed the Church with uſeful books,

And made them to diſcerne Religions looks

From ſuperſtition, (as in a mirrour;)

Subſtantial Truth, from counterfeited errour.

God alſo rais'd up ſundry men of parts;

Who by their learning and ingenious Arts,

Moſt ſtrenuouſly oppoſed Barbariſm,

Truths Sunſhine breaking from the clouds of Schiſm.

Picus, and Franciſcus Mirandula,

Laurentius Valla, Francis Petrarcha,

Eraſmus, Doctor Collet, Weſalinus

Rhenanus Grocinus, and Revelinus, &c.

Were in Gods vineyard faithful labourers;

Then Martin Luther, and his followers,

By Gods appointment came into this nation,

To work his Church t'a fuller Reformation.

Six perſons ſuff'red death at Coventry,Anno 1519.

OnelyOnly for teaching of their family

The Lords pray'r, ten commandments, and the creed,

I'th' Engliſh tongue.Anno 1523. Severity indeed!

One Thomas Harding, on an Eaſter day,

When others worſhip'd Idols, went to pray

p. 165Within a ſilent grove; where apprehended,

Condemn'd, and burnt, his ſoul to heaven aſcended.

At London one John Raimond was abjur'd;Anno 1528.

Who fifteen hundred Teſtaments procur'd

Of Antwerp Print, and brought five hundred over

Into this Iſle, the darkneſs to diſcover.

One Sigar Nicholſon was hung up by

The ptivy members:Anno 1529. and the reaſon why,

Was this: in Cambridge he (a Stationer)

Kep'd in his houſe ſome works, that Luther's were.

One Thomas Hitten, a Divine in Kent,

After a tedious impriſonment,Anno 1530.

Was over to the ſec'lar power turn'd,

And by them in the Town of Maidſtone burn'd.

Cardinal Woolſy perſecuted ſore

Bilny,Anno 1531. Lome, Garret, Barnes, and many more.

One Richard Bayfield, Anno 1532.was from Lollards tower

Deliver'd over to the ſec'lar power,

And after bound at ſtake; when with the flame

His left arm burned was, he rubb'd the ſame

With his right hand ſo hard, that down it fell;

He pray'd until he went in heaven to dwell.

Edward Freeſe, Johnſtone, Wylie, Father Bates,

All ſhut up with their wives in Fulham grates,

During their hard impriſonment, were fed,

O miſery indeed! with ſaw-duſt bread.

After a tedious lying in the ſtocks,

Thay let them go, but clog'd their legs with locks.

James Bainham, when half burned at the ſtake,

To this effect unto the Papiſts ſpake:

Behold, ye look for miracles; and here

A miracle indeed, doth now appear:

For I am as inſenſible of pain,

As if I on a bed of down were lain;

p. 166All's one to me, both equally do pleaſe:

O tis a Roſy bed, a bed of eaſe!

An Idol nam'd The Rood of Dover Court,A. 1530.

Was burnt, and ſome in chains were hanged for't.

Now ſuffer'd Andrew Howet, and John Frith.

One Thomas Bennet, who was curſed with

Bell, Book, and Candle, faſtned to the ſtake,

And fir'd a comfortable end did make.

The Papiſts to their power the truth ſuppreſt,

And Perſecuted thoſe that it profeſt:

But God was pleas'd deliverance to bring

To his afflicted Saints; for now the King

Divorc'd the Lady Katharine of Spain,

And took to wife Lady Anne Bullen. Vain

Were all the Popes projects; none in this nation

Might now enſorced be to abjuration.

Eliz'beth Barton, th'holy maid of Kent,

A Nun both ſubdolous and fraudulent,

By the ſtrange alt' ring of her countenance

Gull'd ſilly people, lying in a trance

(As Quakers do) and then, as if ſh' had been

Inſpir'd by God, would in reproof of ſin

Speak much, and raile againſt the Goſpels light,

Calling it Hereſy; her ranc'ous ſpight

She vented to the King and Queens diſhonour.

By Satan back'd, ſhe alſo took upon her

T'advance Rome's Doctrine, praiſing conſtitutions

Idol' try, Pilgrimages, Abſolutions, &c.

But Doctor Cranmer, Anno 1533.with the Lord Cromwel,

And Mr. Latimer, did wiſely ſmell

Out all the knavery;Aano 1534. ſo that the Nun

And her aſſociates hang'd, their dayes were don.

Though England did the Popiſh pow'r diſown,Anno 1536.

Yet Popery ſtill hover'd up and down:

p. 167And William Tindal was betraid, arrain'd,

Condemn'd and burned for the Truth maintain'd.

Anne Bullen alſo, that Religious Queen,

(Who now about three yeers had married been)

By falſe reports and ſiniſter ſuggeſtions,

Had loſt the Kings affection; he queſtions

Her deareſt love; which he intends to ſmother,

By marrying himſelf unto another.

Queen Anne was to the Tower carried;

And, e're three weeks were over, loſt her head.

The Vertuous Lady, ſtanding up erect

Upon the Scaffold, ſpake to this effect:

Good Chriſtian people, if you wonder why

I am come hither, know, it is to die;

Having already heard my ſentence ſtrict:

Nor lies it in my pow'r to contradict.

I come not hither for this end, to clear

My ſelf, nor tell who my accuſers are:

I pray God ſave the King his life maintain,

And make you flouriſh in his happy reign, &c.

And if among you, there be any ſhall

Preſume to queſtion my untimely fall;

Anne Bullen begs, Anne Bullen does implore,

That they would judge the right, and judge no more.

Thus, thus vain world, I take my leave of you:

Dear Chriſtian friends, I bid you all adieu:

I pray be fellow-feelers of my caſe,

And put up prayers to the Throne of grace

In my behalf. Oh Lord in mercy ſhine

Upon me, take my ſoul, for it is thine:

Sweet Jeſu, it is thine. This oft ſhe ſed

On her bent knees, until ſhe loſt her head.

The King, (no longer time then three dayes tarried,

But) to the Lady Jane Seymer was married.

p. 168About this time, (which God to paſs did bring)

Lord Cromwel grew in favour with the King:

By whoſe adviſe, and ſage deliberation,

The Church was brought unto a reformation.

The Kings injunctions all abroad made known,Anno 1538.

Idol'trous Images were overthrown:

Our Ladies at Walſingham, Worceſter,

Ipſwich, and Thomas Becket's image, were

Caſt down; with others, which had long deceiv'd

The ſilly people, who indeed believ'd

They liv'd; for they (by ſecret Engines found)

Could open, ſhut their eyes, and roll them round.

The ſame year (as Lord Cromwel, did adviſe)

Abbeys were ruin'd and Monaſteries.

A little after, for oppoſing Rome,

Mr. John Lambert ſuff'red Martyrdome.

Packington Collins, Leiton, Puttedew,

Peck, Doctor Barnes, Garret, and Heirom too,

Two eminent Divines, the Lord Cromwel,

Great Eſſex Earl, all for the truths ſake fell.

Yea all the priſons, within London walls

Were fill'd, and many were enclos'd in Halls,

By vertue of an Act for prohibition

Of truth, and countenancing ſuperſtition.

John Porter, Anno 1541.unto New-gate Dungeon ſent

For reading in the Bible; underwent

Hard uſage: bolts and Iron chains did check

The freedom of his legs, his hands, and neck:

At laſt, into the loweſt dungeon caſt,

Not many dayes expir'd, he breath'd his laſt.

At Lincoln Biſhop Longland took away

James Morton, Thomas Bornard, in one day.

One Mr. Barber, who the truth deny'd,

With ſorrow wore away until he dy'd.

p. 169One Teſtwood, Anno 1544.Perſon, Filmore, toſt and turn'd

Under afflictions hand, at laſt were burn'd

Neer Windſore Caſtle: with a cheerful face,

Anthony Perſon did the ſtake embrace,

Kiſſing it, ſaid, Welcom mine own ſweet Bride,

For this bleſt day ſhalt thou and I be ty'd

As man and wife together, in the love

And Matrimonial peace of God above,

Of God above; I long for to be there, &c.

When all of them unto the ſtake bound were,

Said Filmer then, My bretheren rejoyce

In God, unto him make a joyful noiſe:

For after this ſharp breakfaſt, we a boon

Dinner ſhall have with Chriſt in heaven at noon.

Teſtwood with hands and eyes to heaven up heav'd,

Deſir'd God that his ſpir't might be receiv'd.

Perſon (ſaid thus) tricking with ſtraw his head,

This is Gods hat, now I am dreſs'd indeed,

Like a true ſouldier of Chriſt, by whom

This day into his joy I truſt to come.

And ſo they ſuffer'd with ſuch conſtancy,

That many with them could afford to die.

The Lord Liſle, Thomas Brooks, James Cock, Ralph Hare,

James Barber, Mr. Smith, John Butler, bare

The croſs of Chriſt. Said Rockwood, Bad's my ſtate

I can't repent, All too late, all too late.

The under-Marſhal fell upon the floor,

I'th' Councel. room, and never ſpake word more.

One Richard Mekins, that had ſcarce out-worn

The fifteenth year,Anno 1541. they did in Smithfield burn.

Two labouring men, there was at Callice Martyr'd;

And Mr. Da…ſlip was hang'd, drawn and quarter'd.

Button, was perſecuted; Mr. Dod

Reſign'd up in the flame his ſoul to God.

p. 170One Mr. Saxie, to his end was brought,

By Gardiner's appointment,Anno 1546. as 'cwas thought.

Kerby at Ipſwich, Roger Clarke at Bury

Fry'd Faggots, to appeaſe their foemens fury.

Anne Askew being toſt from poſt to pillar,

And cruelly miſus'd, an evil-willer

Led her into a dungeon; where he rack'd

Her body till her very bowels crack'd:

Nay, when her bones and joynts were pluck'd aſunder,

She praiſed God and pray'd; (to all a wonder)

Then the Lord Chanc'ller ſent her word that burn'd

She ſhould be, if ſhe chang'd not: ſhe return'd

An anſwer back, that ſhe would rather die,

Then once recant, and her true faith deny.

To New-gate being ſent, ſhe penned there

Her faith's confeſſion, ending with this prayer:

O Lord, the hairs which on my head do grow,

Are not ſo num'rous as my foes, I know:

Yet Lord, take not thy grace and comfort from me;

So ſhall they not with flatt'ring words o'recome me:

Do thou fight for me; ſo my ſoul ſhall fear

No danger, for on thee I caſt my care.

With all the miſchief that they can invent

They fall upon me, and have even ſpent

Me thy poor creature. Sweet Lord let me ſlight

My foes, for thou alone art my delight.

And Lord, I pray thee, when thy wrath begins

To burn them, quench it: O forgive their ſins:

Lord open thou their hearts, reſtore the blind,

That they may pleaſe thee; give them grace to minde

The things that do belong unto their peace

In this their day, left when they would, they ceaſe.

Let not the fancies vain of ſinful men

Deſtain thy truth: Amen, O Lord, Amen.

p. 171She brought to Smithfield in a chair, was bound

To th'ſtake, and with the flames beſieged round.

So ſlep'd ſhe in the Lord,Anno 1546. and in Gods eyes

Became an acceptable ſacrifice.

At that time Nicholas Belerrian,

A Shropſhire Min'ſter; and a Gentleman,

John Lacels, ſervant to the King; with one

John Adams Tailour, burning undergon.

The ſame year, Biſhop Gardiner did bring

Malicious accuſations to the King

Againſt Queen Kathrin Parre (ſuppoſing all

The boughs would wither, if the ſtock did fall)

In that ſhe gave her minde (which was unfit)

To read and meditate on Sacred Writ.

And Chaplains kept ſeditions to rear,

None b'ing deny'd the priviledge to hear:

As alſo, that her heart was fully bent

To ſpurn againſt the preſent government:

Her life was dangerous: nor could he reſt,

That nouriſh'd ſuch a Viper in his breſt.

The Kings love turn'd to hate; and now the Queen

Muſt die the death: but Prov'dence ſtept between;

The plot's found out; ſhe wiſely did behave her:

The King receiv'd her to his wonted favour.

Now alſo Sir George Blake condemned was,

For caſting out ſome words againſt the Maſs.

A pardon's granted him; after which thing,

He being in the preſence of the King;

The King ſaid to him, Ah my Pig, (for ſo

He us'd to call him:) yea, ſaid he, I know,

Had not your Majeſty been more enclin'd

To ſave my life, (ſuch was your Royal minde)

Then were your Biſhops to reak out their teen;

Your Pig, I'm ſure, e're this had roſted been.

p. 172Streight after, Wincheſter, and his complices

(Sworn foes to Vertues, and faſt friends to Vices)

Set forth in the Kings name, a Proclamation

That all the Engliſh Bibles in the Nation,

And other Books which yielded any light

Unto the truth, ſhould be aboliſh'd quite.

This done, ſaid they, So, now the Goſpels lain

So low that it ſhall never riſe again;

And for the greater terrour, ſtrict inqueſt

They made for thoſe that verity profeſt:

Of many pricked down the names; of whom,

They ſome expelled, and impriſon'd ſome:

So that theſe varlots did in no wiſe doubt

The bringing of their wicked ends about.

But God, who careth for his truth, and thoſe

That countenanc'd the ſame, diſpers'd their foes:

A midſt their vain projects the King was dead,

And with him all their hopes were buried.

SECT. VI.

The Perſecution of the Duke of Somerſet in the Reign of King Edward the ſixth

NOW when King Henery the eighth was dead,

His ſon Prince Edward reigned in his ſtead;

During whoſe happy reign Religion flouriſh'd,

Pop'ry decar'd, the Church of God was nouriſh'd

With the full breaſts of Peace, the Goſpel ſpred

And ſuperſtition was aboliſhed:

OnelyOnly the Godly Duke of Somerſet

With Perſecutions, and great troubles met;

p. 173Some of the Nobles lab'ring moſt of all

To raiſe themſelves upon his ſuddain fall.

Edward, and Thomas Seymer were ally'd

Unto King Edward, by his mothers ſide;

Edward the eldeſt (fit to guide the Helm)

Was made Protector of the King, and Realm:

Thomas the ſecond, of this Britiſh Iſle

Was choſen Lord high Admiral; the while

Theſe brethren joyned in fraternal love,

Nothing fell out amiſs; but when they ſtrove,

(Spur'd on by make-bates) unto one another

They prov'd deſtructive; and the younger brother

Attainted, was condemn'd, and loſt his head

On Tower-hill:Anno 1549. hence inſurrections bred.

The Lords, at London privily conjur'd

Againſt the Lord Protector, and immur'd

Him once, nay twice, yea thrice, in a ſhort ſeaſon,

Then charged him with Felony, and Treaſon.

He's to the Tow'r- hill brought, where he commended

His ſoul to God; his prayers being ended,

He roſe from off his knees, and like a man

Couragiouſly bold, he thus began:

Dearly beloved friends, Lo, I am here

To ſuffer death, though (God knows) I am clear

From thinking, ſpeaking, or from acting ought

Againſt the King, in word, in deed, or thought;

But alwayes to this Realm have born a breſt

As faithful, and as loyal as the beſt.

Yet in obedience to the Laws command,

I here as a condemned perſon ſtand;

And praiſe my God, for his abundant grace

In giving unto me both time and ſpace,

Who might have juſtly took away my breath,

Had he ſo pleaſed, by a ſudden death,

p. 174Now as for the Religion which I

During the time of my Authority

Maintain'd to my power, nor do I now

Repent of what I did, but both to you

And me agnize it as a favour great;

And do you all moſt heartily entreat

To joyfully receiv't, and ſet it forth

In your lives, as a thing of unknown worth;

Which ſtudiouſly to do, if you neglect,

Great miſery I fear you may expect.

Theſe words no ſooner out, a ſudden ſound

As terrible as thunder, did confound

The people ſo, that ſome fell down through fear,

Some this ſome that way run, but none knew where

Anthony Brown Knight came; that he did bring,

The crowd ſuppos'd, a pardon from the King;

With that a ſhout aroſe: but the good Duke

Did gravely with his beck'ning hand rebuke

The clam'rous throng. And ſilence being gain'd,

He ſaid, Dear friends, Pardon is not obtain'd

As you conceive; God otherwiſe is bent;

His will be done, and we muſt be content.

Let's joyn in prayer, that ſafety may purſue

The King, t'whom loyal I have bin. 'Tis true,

The people cryed out. O heaven bleſs

His Highneſs with all health and happineſs:

I wiſh his Counc'llours grace to rule, and then

You all obedient hearts: all ſaid, Amen

I ask forgiveneſs if I wronged any;

O Lord remit my ſins, for they are many.

As for my foes, I freely them forgive.

For Chriſt I die, in whom I hope to live, &c.

Farewel, farewel, he lay him down, and ſpoke

Chriſt ſave me,A. 1552. thrice: the hangman gave the ſtroke

p. 175SECT. VII.

The Perſecution of the Engliſh Church under the Reign of Queen Mary.

EDWARD the ſixth (Englands Joſiah) dead,

Lady Jane Grey was crowned in his ſtead;

The Lady Mary, having heard the news,

Sent to the Lordly Councel for to chuſe

Her to be Queen: and if they did withſtand

The execution of her juſt command,

By force of arms ſhe threatned to regain

Her wronged right, and her defrauded reign.

The Lords return'd this anſwer, There was none

Had ſuch juſt right and title to the Crown

As Lady Jane: the ancient Laws allow

It hers, and place it on her Princely brow;

'Twas hers by Letters patent from the King,

And made Authentick with his Royal Ring

Before his death; and ſince ſhe was inveſted

As an apparent heireſs, all proteſted

Adherence to her and no Queen beſide.

The Lady Mary to reſt ſatisfiy'd,

Requeſt they did, entreating her to ceaſe

By new pretences to moleſt the peace

The quiet Realm enjoy'd; promiſing her

They would be nothing wanting to prefer

Her next the Queen: if poſſibly they could

Serve her in any other thing, they would,

Provided that ſhe did her ſelf ſo carry,

As fits a duteous Subject, Lady Mary

p. 168Having receiv'd this anſwer, heavy hearted,

From out the City's circuit ſtreight departed.

Hereat the Councel did ſet out a band

Of armed ſouldiers under the command

Of the Northumbrian Duke: Mary withdrew her

Self into Suffolk, many flocking to her:

And while ſhe in Fermingham Caſtle ſtaid,

All Suffolk freely proff'red her their aid

And beſt aſſiſtance to procure her Reign,

With this Proviſoe, that ſhe would maintain

Religion eſtabliſhed of late

By her good brother, and not broach debate

Amongſt her Subjects, nor foment the ſeed

Of war: to this ſhe eaſily agreed,

And did to God ſo ſolemnly proteſt,

That no man could ſuſpect her in the leaſt:

Now with this power, of thoſe Godly men,

She vanquiſhed her foes; yet after when

The ſelf-ſame party ſpplication made

Unto her Grace, to do, as ſhe had ſaid:

She anſwer'd, Foraſmuch as you that are

But members arrogantly ſeek to bear

Rule o're your head, I fear me to your coſt

You'l once know what it was to rule the roſt;

By ſad experience you ſhall find one day,

That Subjects may not rule, but muſt obey.

Then in the Pill'ry famous Mr. Dobbe,

Expoſed was to many a bitter bobbe;

Some others for preſenting that requeſt

Were laid up faſt to terrifie the reſt.

The Marches of the Duke not over-long,

The Lady by his ling'ring grew more ſtrong.

So that the London Councel having heard

How much the Commons for her aid appear'd,

p. 161And that ſome of the Nobles too, did lean

That way, they preſently proclaim'd her Queen.

The Gen'ral by his ſouldiers forſook,

At Cambridge left almoſt alone, was took,

And brought to London-Tower; in a ſhort ſeaſon

On Tower-hill he loſt his head for treaſon.

After his condemnation he was

Promis'd his life, if he would go to Maſs,

Which he aſſented to, his words regreſt

The truth he had ſo formerly profeſs'd.

He to the Cath'lick cauſe the people led

To th'papiſts great joy: yet did he loſe his head.

Queen Mary thus poſſeſſed of the crown,

Began the pure Religion to diſown;

As ſoon appear'd, by her diſplacing all

The godly Biſhops; Ridly, Coverdale,

Poinet, Hooper and Scory, Gardiner

Set free, was made Biſhop of Wincheſter,

Alſo Lord Chancellour of England. Bonner

Too undeſervedly attain'd the honour

Of being London's Biſhop. To the Fleet

Was Mr. Hooper manded (O unmeet!)

To ſee the Queen good Doct or Ridly went,

But on a lame Jade to the Tow'r was ſent.

A Parliament was call'd, a Proclamation

Forthwith the Queen ſet forth throughout the nation;

Wherein ſhe ſhew'd, She could by no means brook

To ſmother that Religion which ſhe took

In with her Infant-milk, and to her power

Meant to obſerve until her lateſt hour,

Wiſhing that all her Subjects (which would ſleep

Secure in their whole skin) the ſame might keep:

She alſo did declare, whereas there were

Evil-diſpoſed perſons, who did dare

p. 162To preach God's word miſled by their own brain;

She therefore did by ſtrict command ordain

Such ſhould not henceforth preach (as held unfit)

Read or interpret any Sacred Writ,

Or other points Religion concern'd,

Or Print Books by the which it might be learn'd,

Without a ſpecial licence from the Queen

On pain of ſtirring up her Highneſs ſpleen;

Requiring all her Officers to ſee

Her will and pleaſure executed be:

If herein any wilfully offend,

She authoriz'd them, them to apprehend

And ſend them forthwith to the neighb'ring gaol,

Without admitting Mani-prize, or bail;

Till for their puniſhment, and the example

Of others, Orders be procur'd more ample.

Alſo the London- Aldermen were will'd

To ſend for all the Miniſters which fill'd

The ſtreight'ned Wards, and ſilence them on pain

Of death, commanding them that none explain,

Or preach, or read the Scripture in their ſtead,

But ſuch as by the Queen were licenſed.Anno 1553.

One William Rutler, Humphry Palden, too,

He muſt to priſon, this to th'Counter go,

For ſpeaking but againſt what was expreſs'd

At Paul's- Croſs by one Bourn, a Popiſh Prieſt.

Good Mr. Rogers was t'his houſe confin'd;

Bradford, Vernon, and Beacon, were aſſign'd

Cloſe priſ'ners in the Tower. Then did they ſend

For Coverdale, and Hooper to attend

The Councel; and for Newgate they allot

John Melvine a Divine, by birth a Scot.

Mr. Hugh Latimer was ſent to th'Tower;

And ſo was Dr. Cranmer by this power.

p. 163Mr. Simonds, Sanders, Horn, Durhams Dean,

Were ſummon'd to appear before the Queen.

Soon after this, the Parliament began;

Where Mr. Harly, a judicious man,

Biſhop of Hereford, degraded was,

For marrying a wife, and ſhunning Maſs.

Sir James Hales Juſtice of the Common-Plea,

In charge againſt the Popes ſupremacie

Producing Statutes, &c. into priſon caſt

Was there ſo roughly dealt with, that at laſt

Recant he did; but (O dire conſequence!)

He felt the terrours of his conſcience,

And his own executioner had been,

Had not God's ſpecial goodneſs ſtep'd between

The knife and him. From priſon he releas'd,

(His ſelf-made wounds recur'd) no inward reſt

Enjoy'd at home: ſo having made his will,

He drown'd himſelf, and's end began his ill.

At the ſame time, for their diſ-approbation

Of a preſented Bill, the Convocation

By Bonner was diſſolv'd: From Coventry,

(For their oppugning of Idolatry)

Baldwin, Clark, Careleſs, Willcocks, all in haſt

Sent up to London by the Mayor, lay faſt.

Biſhops impriſon'd were, Archdeacons, Deans,

All Beneficed men, put by their means,

Who cloſely to the truth reveal'd adher'd;

And Popiſh Parſons, in their roomes prefer'd,

(Too bad ſupplies.) within a little ſeaſon,

Archbiſhop Cranmer, for no leſs then Treaſon

At Guild- Hall was araing'd; clear'd of that charge,

For's hereſy he might not live at large.

One Mr. Thomas Wotton an Eſquire,Anno 1554.

And Doctor Crome did in the Fleet retire.

p. 164Now Hymen went to joyn with Nuptial bands,

Iberian Philip's, and Queen Maries hands:

Some of the Nobles, and the vulgar ſort,

Not very well reſented this report;

The Duke of Suffolk, labour'd to prevent

The match: Sir Thomas as Wyat rais'd in Kent

Some ſorces to oppoſe it; for he fear'd

The Realm would be enſlav'd, and Popery rear'd.

Wyat for London march'd: Queen Mary then

At Guild- Hall ſtirred up the City-men.

Wyat came into Southwark; having found

Entrance block'd up, he went by Kingſtone round,

And faced Lud-gate, which to entertain

Such gueſts refuſing, he return'd again;

And having got the worſt at Temple-Bar,

Became Sir Clement Parſon's priſoner,

Who ſent him to the Tow'r: on Tower-Hill

He and the Lady Jane, Anno 1554.their dayes fulfill.

Bonner did in his Dioceſs diſperſe

Injunctions to all the Miniſters,

Wherein they were required to give in

The names of all whoever were agin

Auricular confeſſion, the next Lent

Encroaching on. Queen Mary alſo ſent

To Bonner, Articles, commanding ſtreight

The Church-Laws made by Henery the eight

Should be in force; that hereſy abhor'd

Should fall, the Popes ſupremacy reſtor'd:

That Miniſters which did lead marri'd lives

Should be divorced from (themſelves) their wives;

And that proceſſions ſhould be ſaid, or ſung,

From that time forward, in the Latin tongue, &c.

John a Laſco, Peter Martyr, and more

Proteſtant forr'ners, were exil'd this ſhore:

p. 165And many godly-minded Engliſh fly

To Friez land, Cleav…land, Baſil, Germany;

Where through God's mercy they were kept from dangers,

And all found favor, in the eyes of ſtrangers.

The number of theſe Peregrines encreas'd

Unto eight hundred perſons, at the leaſt.

Then to the Tower Lady Elizabeth

Was ſent, and bore afflictions worſe then death.

Latimer, Cranmer, Ridly, Biſhops, ſpent

Much time at Oxford in impriſonment.

One Mr. Sanders crying down the Maſs,

Became cloſe pris'ner. Doctor Tailour was

To London ſent for up. Henry Lord Gray

Of Suffolk Duke, condemn'd, was brought to pay

His ſought for life; where having open broke

His ſealed lips, he to the people ſpoke;

I have diſpleas'd the Queen, contrair'd her Laws,

Take notice Chriſtians, that's the onelyonly cauſe

I ſuffer ſo: and ſeeing they are bent

T'a bridge my fleeting dayes, I am content,

And do beſeech you all, bear me record,

I die in the true faith of Chriſt, my Lord;

And for ſalvation on his merits rely,

Not on inefficacious trumpery.

For me, and all true penitents beſide,

Who in him ſtead faſtly believe, Chriſt dy'd.

Repent I do, and do deſire you all

To pray for me, that when my body ſhall

Reſigne its breath, God will be pleas'd to take

My ſoul unto himſelf, for Chriſt his ſake.

Forgive me yee, whom I offended have.

Saies Dr. Weſton then, As he doth crave

The Queen hath done: him thus the throng rebuke,

God ſend thee ſuch forgiveneſs. So the Duke

p. 166Kneel'd down and prai'd, concluding, I reſigne

My ſoul (O Lord) into thoſe hands of thine:

Then made he preparation to embrace

The bloody blow; and having veil'd his face

With his own handkerchief, he kneeling ſaid

The Lords pray'r over, down his head he laid

Venting theſe lateſt words, Chriſt look upon me,

Have mercy, Jeſus, O have mercy on me.

And now the ſtroke was fetch'd, he being caſt

At the black bar of death, breath'd out his laſt.

Divers of all degrees, who bought or ſold

Some good religious books, were kep'd in hold.

As Bonner paſt his Viſitation,

He charg'd all Sacred ſentences upon

The Church-walls painted ſhould be waſhed out.

And Viſitors he alſo ſent about

The Univerſities, to bring therein

All Popiſh traſh: to turn out they begin

The ableſt men: ſome of themſelves forſook

Their fellowſhips, while worth-leſs perſons took

Their places up, to the great hinderance

Of learning, and religions advance.

By this 'twas bruited over all the land,

The Queen went quick with child: upon command,

Thanks were returned to Almighty God

In ev'ry Church, and after, all abroad

Prayers were made, that ſhe might have e're long

A male child, fair, wiſe, valiant, and ſtrong.

The Godly Min'ſters before Wincheſter

In and about the City muſt appear;

Who ask'd them, If they would recant, and ſo

Have pardon from the Queen? All anſwer'd, No,

Yea, all of them unan'mouſly agreed

To ſtand to what they taught: the Biſhop's ſpeed

p. 167Made them cloſe priſoners, and did divorce

Their friends from interchangable diſcourſe.

Mr. James George, one of them, there did yield

His ſpir't up, whom they bury'd in the field;

Then Mr. Hooper, Rogers, Bradford (hated)

And Sanders too, were excommunicated:

And Pious Dr. Tailour, Ferrar, Crome,

Did all of them, with them receive their doom.

Commiſſions and inquiſitors were ſent.

Throughout the Realm;great multitudes from Kent,

From Eſſex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and elſewhere,

VVere brought to London, and encloyftred there.

Part of them dead in priſon, out were turn'd

To dunghills, and the flames a many burn'd:

Alſo Hanks, Hunter, Pigot, Laurence, brought

Before the Biſhops were, for no juſt fault.

When Stephen Gard'ner ſaw that what h'aſſail'd

By threats, hard uſage, not at all prevail'd

To make men ſhake off truth; he did begin

(As utterly diſcouraged therein)

The buſineſs in hand, for to renounce,

Meddling no more with condemnations;

But unto Biſhop Bonner, them referr'd,

Who in that truſt impoſed, ſo beſtirr'd

Himſelf, that ſending for all in great haſt

Th'above nam'd parties, he upon them paſt

Death's final ſentence: Dr. Ferrar, quick

He ſent down to St. Davids Biſhoprick

Within the Cambrian country, there to be

Condemn'd and executed (crueltie!)

To th'Queen in Mr. Coverdale's behalf

Twice wrote the King of Denmark for his ſafe

Releaſe from priſon; but with much ado

To him, the Queen permitted him to go,

p. 168One Thomas Tomkins, Weaver by his trade,

An humble man, and one that conſcience made

Of what he did, who would begin his labour

With ſervent prayers; and to his needy neighbour

So charitable was, that he'd disburſe

Unto them, all the mony in his purſe

If any came to borrow of him: when

His creditors would bring it home agen,

He u'sd to bid them keep it longer yet,

Till they more able were to pay the deb.

This man was kept in pris'n a half years ſpace,

By Benner's means, who beat him on the face

With livid blows, and plucked off a piece

Of his faſt beard; yet this did but increaſe

His patience more: the Biſhop then affail'd

(When other tearms nothing at all prevail'd)

With gentle words to win him; but the trial

Succeſleſs prov'd: Tomkins return'd denial.

The Biſhop, having by, a flaming Torch,

Took Tomkins by the fingers and did ſeorch

His hand therewith; afterwards Tomkins told

A friend of his, that whilſt Bonner did hold

His hand to burn, he felt no pain at all,

Such conſolation from God's ſpirit did fall;

Nor ſhrunk he in the leaſt, until his veines

The fire contracted (fire you know conſtreines)

And ſinewes crack'd again, and water ſpurt

On Dr. Harpsfield's face (as from a ſquirt.)

Who was ſo pityful compaſſionate,

As to beſeech the Biſhop to abate

His cruel minde: O be not ſo, ſo rough,

(Said he) have you not tryed him enough?

Into the Biſhops conſiſtory brought,

Examined he was, whether he thought

p. 169Chriſts real body in the Sacrament

Was preſent yea, or no? to which he ſent

This anſwer, that he verily believ'd,

The Sacrament by a true faith receiv'd,

Was onelyonly its remembrance; with the High'ſt

The very body, and the blood of Chriſt,

In heaven is, and nowhere elſe: being ask'd

If he'd recant? God hath (ſaid he) unmask'd

His truth to me in ſuch corruſcancy,

That in it I reſolve to live, and die.

The Biſhop then, death's ſentence on him paſt,

And to the Sheriffs deliv'red him, who caſt

Him into Newgate priſon; in Smithfield

The truth (in fine) with his dear blood he ſeal'd,Anno 1555.

And in the Lord ſlep'd ſweetly.—

Then William Hunter, that had ſcarce out-worn

The nineteenth, year of Godly Parents born,

VVho him inſtructed in Religion's truth,

And plac'd him out in London; this good youth

VVas charg'd by ſpecial command to go

To Maſs, break bread; which he refus'd to do.

Hunter when threatened that this ſhould come

Unto the Biſhop's ear, leave got, went home

To Burnt-wood, and did with his Parents ſtay

About ſix weeks. And going on a day

Into the Chappel there, (which pleas'd him well)

He found a Bible, and to reading fell:

In came a Sommoner, who thus did ſay,

VVhat doſt thou meddling with the Bible? Ha?

Know'ſt thou well, what thou read'ſt? canſt thou unfold

The Sacred VVrit? I dare not be ſo bold.

Said Hunter then, Nor Scriptures to expound

Take I upon me now; but having found

p. 170The Bible here, that joy might me betide

I read in it. The Sommoner reply'd,

Twas never merry world, ſince in our tongue

The Bible firſt came forth; would it were hung.

Said Hunter, Oh! for Godſake ſay not ſo;

'Tis Gods Book, by it ev'ry ſoul may know,

That hath one ſparke of grace, the way which leads

To laſting bliſs: 'tis this true comfort breeds.

God grant that we may ſtill amongſt us have

The bleſſed Bible, as a means to ſave.

O now I know your minde,Sommoner. y'are one of them

That ſlight the Queen, and her decrees contemn;

But you and others, muſt a new leaf turn,

Or elſe I fear me, you'l go neer to burn.

Pray God I build my faith on his word ſtill,Hunter.

And his great name confeſs, come what come will.

Confeſs his name?Sommoner. No, no, you'l in a meſs

All to the Devil go, and him confeſs.

Then ſtep't the Somm'ner forth, and fetch'd a Prieſt,

The Vicar of that place, a drunken beaſt,

VVho finding William Hunter at his Book,

Rebuk'd him for't, and ask'd if he could brook

The Doctrine well of Tranſubſtantiation:

Hunter made anſwer it had no relation

Unto the truth reveal'd: he underſtood

Thoſe words of Chriſt touching his fleſh and blood

Carnal Capernait-like, who thought to feed

On Chriſt his fleſh, and drink his blood indeed.

VVherefore to them he ſaid, The words I ſpeak

Are ſpirit, and life, and not as fleſh ſo weak.

Ah! quoth the Viear, have I found you out?

Thou art an Her'tick now, without all doubt, &c.

VVhereas you of my faith do queſtion make,Hunter.

I would we two were faſtned to the ſtake,

p. 171To prove whether of us ſhould cloſeſt ſtick

Unto our faith, and which was Heretick, &c.

The Vicar to complain of him did threat,

Flung out of doors, departing in a heat.

Hunter went home, and having farewel took

Of his dear friends, his fathers houſe forſook.

Brown, call'd old Hunter, ask'd if he could tell

VVhere his ſon was; who ſaid, He knew not well.

Brown told him, Either your miſs'd-ſon produce,

Or go to priſon; bring me no excuſe.

The old man ſtrides his horſe, and rides to look him,

And after two dayes journey overtook him;

Telling him all what happ'ned; yet ſaid he,

Go on, I'll ſay I cannot light on thee.

No, no, ſaid William, home with you I will,

And ſave you harmleſs; me they can but kill.

At his return, a Conſtable him caught,

And brought before this Mr. Brown, who thought

VVith arguments to win him; and enrag'd

At his judicious anſwers, he engag'd

No more to hold on the diſpute, but ſtreight

Sent him to Bonner, Bonner to the Grate;

VVhere he for two dayes lay allowed juſt

A diſh of water and a brown-bread cruſt.

At two dayes end, the Biſhop coming found

The ſlender fare, he bids he be unbound,

And break his faſt with them, but he's revil'd,

Call'd Heretick, worthy to be exil'd

Their company: ſaid Hunter, I decline

Their company, as much as they do mine:

The Biſhop ſent for him, and thus did rant;

And wilt thou not, thou Heretick, recant?

Recant (ſaid he) the faith I have profeſt

So publikely? I will not, I proteſt:

p. 172No, no, I will not; what? ſhall I be whirl'd

By errours wheels? I would not for a world.

Then take him Jailor, mand him to the ſtocks;

Be ſure you load him well with bolts and locks

Till I ſhall burn him. VVhereupon he ſaid,

Great God! O let thy all-ſufficient aid

Corroborate my ſoul. He's born away;

The Biſhop to a half-penny a day

Stinted his lively-hood; thus nine months ſpace

Impriſon'd, he before the Biſhop's face

Was ſix times brought, to th'queſtion ſtill propounded

Hunter a pertinacious No, rebounded.

The Biſhop read his charge, and him return'd

To Newgate, ſo to Burnt-wood to be burn'd.

His parents ſee him, and petitions ſend

To God, to make him conſtant till the end:

His mother added this, that ſhe was bleſt

In bearing ſuch a child, as could deveſt

His life for Chriſt's ſweet ſake. William reply'd,

For the ſmall pain, which I ſhall here abide

But a ſhort time, my Chriſt a joyful crown

Hath promis'd me. His mother kneeling down

Said thus, I pray God ſtrengthen thee my ſon

To run the race thou haſt ſo well begun;

I think thee now as well beſtow'd (my dear)

As any child that ever I did bear.

VVhilſt he remain'd at Burnt-wood, many friends

Came to him, to whom he the truth commends:

Three dayes expir'd all things were ready made;

The Sheriffs ſon hugg'd him in his arms, and ſaid

William, don't fear theſe men with Bills Bowes,

That bring you to the place; death as he ſhowes

Is not ſo grim. I've caſt up mine accounts

(Said he) and know t'how much the coſt amounts.

p. 173With that the young man, while he went about

To ſpeak, could not, his tears ſo faſt burſt out.

So Hunter his way cheerfully went on,

His father meeting with him, ſaid, My ſon

God be with thee. God be with you likewiſe

Good father, anſwer'd William. Let your eyes

Smile on your ſon; O be not ſo, ſo ſad;

For we ſhall meet, and have our hearts made glad.

Come neer the ſtake, he kneeled down, and read

The one and fiftieth Pſalm. The Sheriff ſaid,

Here is a pardon: if thou wilt be turn'd,

Thou ſhalt live, otherwiſe thou muſt be burn'd.

No, I'll not turn (quoth William) and did go

To th'ſtake, and ſo was faſt'ned thereunto.

Then ſpake he to the throng, Good people ſtrive

By pray'r for me while I remain alive,

And I'll for you. Not I, I'll make my boon

Said ſurly Brown, (there ſtanding by,) aſſoon

For a cur-dog as thee.**Hunter. Sir you have got

What you deſir'd; I pray God it be not

Laid to your charge, but I forgiv'n you have.

Said Brown, Brown.That's more then at your hands I crave.

If God forgive you not,Hunter. I tell you true,

This blood of mine ſhall be requir'd of you.

O Son of God ſhine on me; from a cloud

The Sun brake out (till then thick ſhades did ſhroud

The face of day) his eyes he turn'd aſide,

Too weak ſuch radiant glory to abide.

A Prieſt brought him a book to look upon.

To whom he thus, Falſe Prophet thou be gon:

Good folk beware of them, for Jeſus ſake;

Who of their fins, ſhall of their plagues partake.

Marke what I ſay, as thou burn'ſt in this fire,Brown.

So ſhalt thou burn in hell. Hu. Thou art a lyar.

p. 174Falſe Prophet hence, from me away be gon:

Fire made, he pray'd, and breath'd his laſt. Anon

Higbid, and Cauſton, Gentlemen as good

As great, in Eſſex, with their own hearts blood

Sealed their faith unto Gods glory then,

And the rejoycing of all Godly men.

At Braintree, William Pigot, for Chriſts name

Endur'd the fury of the ardent flame;

At Maulden, Stephen Knight, before the ſtake

Kneel'd down and pray'd; Sweet Jeſu, for whoſe ſake

I freely leave this life and rather chooſe

Thy croſs, and irrecoverably looſe

All worldly goods, then to give audience

To men in breaking thy commandements:

Thou ſeeſt (O Lord) that whereas I but now

VVas proffer'd great preferments, if I'd bow

To a falſe helpleſs God; I was content

My body ſhould be burnt, and my life ſpent,

Counting all things below, but dung and droſs,

For thee; happy ſuch gain which comes by loſs!

Thouſands of ſilver, and as much of gold,

Then death I do of leſſer value hold.

Juſt as the wounded Deer deſires the ſoil,

So longs my ſoul for thee: pour down the Oil

Of conſolation on a crumbling clod

So helpleſs of it ſelf: Thou know'ſt O God,

That I, who am but ſinfull fleſh, and blood,

Can of my ſelf act nothing that is good;

And therefore, as of thine abundant love

And goodneſs ſtill deflowing from above

On me, (me that am leſſer then the leaſt

Of mercies,) thou haſt bid me to this feaſt,

And judg'd me worthy to drinke of this cup

With thine elect: even ſo, O bear me up

p. 175Great God! againſt this Element of fire

So formidable, to the ſence ſo dire;

Sweeten it by thy ſpirit, ſo aſſwage

The heat, that I may overcome its rage,

And paſs into thy boſome. Holy father

Forgive thou me, as I do all men; gather

My ſoul, ſweet Son of God, my Saviour,

Beneath thy ſhady wings, a Balmy Bower;

O bleſſed Holy-Ghoſt, whoſe ſtrength deſtroies

Fleſhly corruptions, haſten thou my joyes,

Eternal joyes. Lord I commend, take then

My parting ſpirit, Amen, Amen, Amen.

John Laurence legs, with bolts and irons lame,

His body with hard uſage out of frame,

Was to the ſtake tranſported in a chair,

And ſuff'red for the ſaith at Colcheſter:

Young children while he burn'd, cry'd out, O Lord

Strengthen thy ſervant, and make good thy word,

Stand up, ſtand up, for thy poor ſervant's aid,

As thou art juſt, O do as thou haſt ſaid.

Ferrar (ſet o're St. Davids Biſhoprick)

Was apprehended for an Heretick:

Him Wincheſter miſus'd call'd him baſe ſlave,

Falſe-hearted fellow, and a croſs-grain'd knave:

Morgan (a fraudulent ſupplanter) turn'd him

Out of his place, and at Carmarthen burn'd him:

Not long before his death, one Richard Jones

A Knights ſon comming, his ſad pains bemones;

T'whom Ferrar thus: Sir if you ſee me move

My hand or foot during the flames, do prove

What mettle I am of, believe not then

My Doctrine oft inculcated to men.

And as he ſaid, he did: with the fire hot

Beſieged round, he ſtirred not a jot,

p. 176Held his ſtumps bolt upright; then with a pole

Knock'd down i'ch' fire he breathed out his ſoul.

One Rawlins White, a Fiſher-man in Wales,

Of Cardiffe town, when ſuperſtitions ſcales

Drop'd from his eyes, the Truth he underſtood,

And in his country aid a deal of good;

He dayly now expects to he ſurpriz'd

By truths oppugners: his dear friends advis'd

Him to retire elſewhere, and be excus'd:

For their good will he thank'd them, but reſus'd.

He's apprehended, and in priſon laid

In Cardiffe Caſtle, where a year he ſtaid;

His friends reſorting to him, he would ſpend

The time in pray'r, exhorting them to mend:

At laſt the Biſhop of Landaffe commands

That he be brought: he threats him now, then ſtands

On fairer terms; but all this would not ſtir

His unmov'd breſt, a day's appointed for

His condemnation; which being come

The Biſhop call'd him forth and told him ſome

Heretical opinions he did hold,

And had ſeduced others; Rawlins bold

Reply'd; My Lord, a Chriſtian man I am

I praiſe God for't, my tenents are the ſame

With Sacred Writ: if from God's word I ſtray

I would be gladly brought in the right way.

The Biſhop ſaid, Speak, if you will be won,

Elſe I'll proceed to condemnation.

Proceed, ſaid Rawlins; but you never ſhall

Condemn me for an Heretick. Let's fall

To pray'r (ſaid Landaffe) that the Lord ſome ſpark

Of grace would ſend thee, to diſcloſe the dark;

Now (ſaid he) you deal well; and if your pray'r

Do with God's will agree, he'll doubtleſs hear.

p. 177Pray to your God, and I to mine will pray;

I know my God will hear, and not ſay nay.

The Biſhop and his Chaplains pray'd anon:

Rawlins pray'd by himſelf alone: pray'r don,

The Biſhop ſaid, How is it with thee now?

Thine errours (what?) wilt thou revoke, and bow

To our true God? no, ſurely no ſaid he,

Rawlins you left, and Rawlins you finde me;

Rawlins I was, and am, and Rawlins will

Through God continue to be Rawlins ſtill.

God would have heard you, had your ſute bin juſt,

But he hath heard me, and on him I truſt.

The Biſhop being wroth, him ſoundly ſhent,

So went to Maſs. Rawlins his minde then bent

Shot forth theſe words: Good people if there be

Amongſt you any breth'ren, two, or three,

Or if but one, bear witneſs at the day

Of judgement, that I to no Idols pray.Anno 1554.

Maſs don, he was condemn'd, and after thrown

Into a darke and loathſome dungeon.

There Rawlins paſs'd his time in drowning wrongs

With ſpir'tual prayers and religious ſongs.

The night before his death t'his wife he ſent

To ſend his wedding weed (a ſhirt he meant)

Which he rejoycingly next morn put on;

And being led to execution,

Guarded he was with bills, and Pike-ſtaves too,

Alas! ſaid he, what need all this ado?

By God's grace, I will nothing ſtart aſide;

VVho is't that gives me power to abide

All this affliction for his own names ſake

But God? his be the glory. At the ſtake

He his dear wife and children having found

Pickled in briny tears, or rather drown'd;

p. 178His eyes let fall a tear; but having made

A recollection of himſelf, he ſaid,

Ah fleſh! ſaieſt thou me ſo? would'ſt thou obtain

The Victor's Palm? I tell thee 'tis in vain

To ſtrive; thy pow'r is like the morning miſt:

Then failing on the ground, the ground he kiſt,

And ſpake, Earth unto earth, and duſt to duſt,

Thou art my mother, and return I muſt

To thee. With an exhilarated brow,

Then going to be bound to th'ſtake, I now

(Said he t'a friend of his) finde great conteſt

Betwixt the fleſh and ſpirit, for the beſt.

I pray you therefore, when you ſee me ſhrink,

Hold up your finger, that I may bethink

My too oblivious ſelf. B'ing bound he rais'd

Theſe words up to the height; The Lord be Prais'd.

Unto the Smith then ſpake he, Pray good friend

Knock it in faſt,Anno 1554. the fleſh may much contend;

But God, ſupport me, let thy grace refreſh

My fainting ſpirits, and my trembling fleſh.

About him pulled he the reeds and ſtraw,

VVith ſuch a merry look, that all that ſaw

Much wondred at it. Now a Prieſt appear'd

And preached to the people: Rawlins heard

Until he ſpake of Tranſubſtantiation,

Alledging Scripture for its confirmation;

This is my Body; Come you here good folk

(Said Rawlins) don't hear that falſe Prophet's talk.

Ah! naughty Hypocrite dar'ſt thou produce

A Scripture-proof for ſo profane a uſe?

I have heard your already-quoted text;

But look immediately what follows next;

Do this for my Remembrance: then ſtreight-way

The Prieſt ſtood ſtill, not knowing what to ſay.

p. 179The fire was kindled, Rawlins in the flame

Bathed his aged hands, till in the ſame

The ſinews ſhrunk, the fat drop'd out, and all

That while he cried out; Lord, let my fall

Mount me to thee; Receive this ſoul of mine,

O Lord receiv't; his ſpirit he did reſign.

It was obſerv'd of him, that whereas through

Infirmity of age he round did go,

And with dejected countenance, he now

Went bolt upright t'his death, his ſmoother brow

As clear as day; his ſpeeches and behaviour,

Of courage, vigour very well did favour.

And now the Queen reſtor'd the Abbey-lands

She late poſſeſs'd. A Pope-ſent Bull commands

All do the like; but none therein was ſeen

T'obey the Pope, or imitate the Queen.

A Popiſh Prieſt at**in Kent neer Canterbury. Crondale (impious fool!)

Boaſted that he had bin with Card'nal Pool,

Who cleans'd him from his ſins; the Bull ſent o're

He prais'd, fell down, and never ſpake word more.

Some burn'd, becauſe they on their necks did tie

This Motto, Deum tim Idolum fugFear God, fly Idolatry.

George Marſh, one William Flower, John Cardmaker

John Simpſon, and John Warne, were each partaker

Of life, by ſuff'ring death, climb'd heavens ſtory:

Death is the ladder to immortal glory.

Bonner for many things John Ardly accus'd,

To whom John Ardly ſuch expreſſions us'd;

My Lord, not you, nor any of your breed

Are of the true Catholick Church indeed;

Your faith is falſe, and when you moſt depend

Upon it, it will fail you in the end.

You have ſhed much, too much innocuous blood,

And are not weary yet: Can this be good?

p. 180Were ev'ry hair upon my head a man,

So many lives I'd part with, rather than

Loſe the opinion I am in; ſo ſaid,

In Eſſex burnt a joyful end he made.

One Thomas Hauks, a Courtier comly tall,

VVas greatly admired and belov'd of all

For his rare qualities, in Edward's dayes;

But in Queen Maries Reign Religion's rayes

Waxing more dull, he left the Court, home went

And practis'd Godlineſs, t'his great content.

While thus he ſtaid at home, a ſon he got,

But in the Popiſh way baptiz'd it not.

By uſing oil, cream, ſpittle, ſalt, (abſurd!)

Nowhere enjoyned in the holy Word:

Told Bonner ſo: the Biſhop left him than

A while; and Mr. Darbiſher began:

You are too curious, and on none will look,

Unleſs your little pretty God's good book.

Sir,Hauks. is not that ſufficient to ſave?

Yes but not to inſtruct:Biſhop. that I may have

Salvation to my God,H. I humbly ſue,

As for inſtruction, that I leave to you.

Shall your child be baptiz'd,B. you not look o're?

I had ſuch councel given me before.H.

Why we can have it done, if we be bent,B.

True, but you never ſhall,H. with my conſent.

I'd Gladly do thee good,B. ſave thee from hell;

I am thy paſture and would teach thee well.

I'll ſtand to what I ſaid,H. you ſhall not finde

My reſolutions waver like the winde.

I am the bread of life,B. the Scripture ſaith,

And this bread is my fleſh; is this thy faith?

'Tis ſo,H. I will believe what Scriptures ſay.

Well, let's to Evenſong.B. H. There I'll not pray,

p. 181I'm beſt when furtheſt off from ſuch reſort:

And ſo he walked forth into the Court.

What thinke you of the Altar's Sacrament?B.

Excuſe me,H. for I nere knew what it meant.

But we will make you know't,B. when we begin,

Faggots ſhall make you do'…. H. Faggots? a pin

For all your faggots, you no more can do

Then God permits you, and no further go.

Much more was ſaid; in priſon he at laſt

Was for his bold judicious anſwers caſt;

Nor could that move him in the leaſt to doubt:

What's bred in the bone, will not eas'ly out.

Being (his ſentence read) to Coxſhal ſent,

In Eſſex, he exhorted as he went

His friends: and at the ſtake (as he had ſpoken

That he would do) he gave to them a token

By lifting up his hands all in a flame,

Above his head, and clapping of the ſame,

To let them underſtand, that he was able

To 'bide the pain not too intolerable.

Then gave the people an unuſual ſhout,

And ſo this bleſſed Lamp (all burnt) went out.An. Chr. 1555.

One Thomas Watts in Eſſex who defended

The truth ſo much oppos'd, was apprehended,

Condemn'd, and after ſent to Chilm'ford, where

The little time he had, he ſpent in pray'r.

Come to his wife and his ſix child'ren ſmall,

He ſaid; Wife, and my hopeful branches all,

I now muſt leave you all; henceforth therefore

Alas! I cannot know you any more:

As unto me at firſt, the Lord did ſend you,

So I unto the Lord, do recommend you;

Him I command you to obey, and fear

As long as life ſhall laſt: ſee you beware

p. 182Of this loath'd papiſtry, which I withſtood,

And ſhall againſt it give my deareſt blood

By God's grace by and by. Let not the number

Of bleeding Saints diſcourage or incumber

Your active faith, and move you to relent,

But thereby take occaſion to be bent

For greater ſervice in Jehovah's fight:

'Tis happy dying for a cauſe that's right.

I do not doubt, nor have you cauſe to fear

But he which ſtrikes, will give you ſtrength to bear

He'll be unto the widdow, in diſtreſs

Husband, and father to the fatherleſs.

Farewel, (ſaid he) farewel, gave each a kiſs,

So paſt he through the fi'ry blaze to bliſs.

One Bainford, Oſmund, Oſborne, overturn'd

Unto the Sec'lar power, in Eſſex burn'd.

Mr. John Bradford and John Leafe did climbe

Up fiety ſtairs to heaven about this time.

The next day after at Maidſtone in Kent

One Mr. Minge dy'd in imſpriſonment.

Mr. John Bland, God's faithful Miniſter,

Was for the truth a conſtant ſufferer.

John Frankiſh, Humphry Middleton, two men

Of admirable worth, were martyr'd then.

John Fettie's child, ſuch cruel whippings feels,

That the gore blood ran down about its heels;

The father put in the tormenting ſtocks,

Muſt ſee his Lamb miſus'd (O hearts of rocks!)

One Nicholas Sheterden being brought,

Him Doctor Harpsfield asked what he thought

That paſſage, This my Body is, ſhould mean;

Said Sheterden, This cannot well be ſeen

By carnal eyes: thus much I gather thence,

It muſt be taken in a ſpirituall ſence;

p. 183Elſe when, This Cup's my blood's ſo underſtood,

The ſubſtance of the Cup muſt needs be blood.

Nicholas Hall, Chriſtopher Waide, Joan Beach,

John Harpool, Marg'ry Boley, who did reach

At the deſpiſed truth, and Popery ſpun'd,

Condemn'd at Rocheſter in Kent, were burn'd.

Dirick Carver, a Surrey Gentleman

Call'd to the ſtake, unto his God began

His ſervent pray'r, which having done he ſtrip'd

Himſelf, and ſo into the barrel skip'd;

They threw his book in alſo but in vain;

For to the throng he flung it out again:

I charge you, ſaid the Shrieffe, in the Queen's name

To fling that Vip'rous book into the flame.

Then ſpake he with a cheerful voice, and ſaid,

Dear friends, bear witneſs I am not affraid

To ſeal Chriſt's Goſpel with my deareſt blood,

Knowing 'tis true, and was of late your food,

Though now ſurrepted from you; and becauſe

I'll not deny it to obey mans laws,

Condemn'd I be to dy; ſee that you walk

In anſwer to the truth, of which you talk.

And as for thoſe that do the Pope believe,

Hell's theirs, without Gods merciful reprieve.

Except (ſaid then the Sheriffe) believe thou do

The Pope, th'art damn'd both ſoul and body too:

Pray to thy God that he may ſet thee free,

Or ſtrike me down. The Lord forgive, ſaid he,

Your temerarious words. Dear Lord, thou knowſt

How I left all, to come to thee; thou doſt

Draw with Magnetick-love; to thee I fly

For ſhelter, Ah! but when my ſerious eye

Darts on thy power, and on my ſelf looks down,

I fear the wrath of a condemning frown.

p. 184What, ſhall I ſhrink? no; now the flames ſurround me,

I'll truſt my God, although my God confound me.

Chriſt Jeſus help, Chriſt Jeſus look upon me;

He cry'd and dy'd, with Lord have mercy on me.

Iveſon ſaid, All the treaſure in the nation

Should never draw him to a recantation:

I to the mercy of my God appeal,

And would be none of your Church for a deal:

Yea though an heaven-ſent Angel came t'expound

Unto me other Doctrine, I'm not bound

For to receive it: hereupon condemn'd

And put into the fire, he death contemn'd.

James Abbes, a Godly man did ſhift about

From place to place for ſafeties ſake: found out

At laſt, they carri'd him to Norwich town,

VVhere, by the Biſhop's threats he did diſown

VVhat he profeſs'd; the Biſhop ſeeing ſo,

Gave him ſome money, and diſmiſs'd him too:

But conſcience bringing him upon the rack,

The Biſhops money he returned back,

Repenting e're he took it: then again

The Biſhop ſtrove to gain him, but in vain;

Though Peter-like he fail'd, now to perſever

Reſolve he did, and ſtood more faſt then ever,

Even to his laſt-drawn breath; the Biſhop's fury

Condemn'd him to be burn'd, he burn'd at Bury.

John Denly, Newman, Partrick, Packingham,

Dy'd conſtant Martyrs for their Saviours name,

Wright, Coker, Collier, Hooper, Stere, and more

Beſides in Canterbury, faggots bore.

Robert Smith, Stephen Harwood, Thomas Fuſt,

And William Hale, dy'd for the truth their truſt.

Eliz'beth Warne, condemned to be burn'd

By Bonner, unto Bonner ſoon return'd

p. 185Theſe words, Do what you will with me; for why,

If Chriſt was in an errour, ſo am I;

Otherwiſe not: but Chriſt ſpake true I know

Therefore then was ſhe burn'd at Stratford-Bow.

About this very time George Tankerfield

Did at St. Albanes to their rancour yield.

George King, John Wade, and Tho. Leyes, with ſore

Uſage fell ſick, and dy'd in Lollards tower.

In Suffolk Mr. Robert Samuel

Of Barfold Min'ſter, who inſtructed well

The flock committed to his charge, was toſt

To Norwich goal, there chained to a poſt,

And ſo erect that's body did command

For ſome ſmall eaſe induc'd his tip-toes ſtand.

Hunger and thirſt (bad helpers) are procur'd;

VVhat tongue can tell what he poor man endur'd!

At laſt brought to be burn'd (an eaſie pain

To what he felt before) he did detain

Some friends in telling them, a moſt ſtrange ſtory

Of what fell out, while he was us'd ſo ſory:

VVhen I much want (ſaid he) had undergon,

I ſlept, and then me thought appeared one

Cloath'd all in white, who whiſp'red in mine ear,

Samuel, Samuel, be of good cheer;

Take heart to graſs man, thou haſt paſt the worſt,

Henceforth thou ſhalt nor hunger feel, nor thirſt:

VVhichWhich came to paſs; ſuch conſolation did

Sweeten his woes, that modeſty forbid

Him tell the ſame. So as he went along

To execution, amidſt the throng

A maid there was, (who after ſcap'd) did fall

About his neck, and kiſſed him withall.

The while his body burn'd, it ſhin'd as bright

As new-try'd Silver, or as Cynthia's light.

p. 186Next day Anne Potten and Joan Trunch field▪ come

From Ipſwich priſon unto Martyrdome.

Thomas Cob, William Allen, Roger Coo

Death for the ſake of Chriſt did undergo.

In Coventry and Litchfield-Dioceſs,

One Mr. Robert Glover, did profeſs

The Goſpel; he ſurprized, had his doom

To be confined to a narrow room,

And dark withall, next to the dungeon,

Scarce having ſtraw enough to lie upon.

No chair nor ſtool to fit on; none might look

To him though ſick; pen, paper ink nor book,

Was not allow'd him; yet a Teftament

And Prayer-book, by ſtealth he getting, ſpent

Moſt of his time in pray'r, and meditation

On Gods great love in working mans ſalvation.

Yea, ſaid he, health began to come; my peace

Of conſcience did more and more encreaſe

God's ſpir't reviv'd me; I had ſometimes ſome

Glimm'ring reflections of. the life to come.

All for his own Son's ſake: to him alwayes

Be Glory, Honour, and Obedience, Praiſe.

Two dayes before his death, he found his heart

Leſs lightſome then it was, and fear'd the ſmart

Would too much try his patience, for his pray'rs

God heard not; he unboſomed his fears

Unto a Godly Miniſter his friend,

Who wiſh'd him to be conſtant to the end:

O play the man, your cauſe is juſt and true,

God will appear anon, I'll warrant you.

The ſtake in fight, he ſaid, I ſee him whom

I call'd for, Auſtin, Oh he's come, he's come:

And look'd ſo cheerful e'en as though new breath

He ſhould receive, and not a painful death.

p. 187Cornelius Bongey, Capper alſo came

With him, and burned in the ſelf-ſame flame.

Mr. John Glover now was troubled ſore,

Seeing his brother took for him; therefore

He would have ſuff'red in his brother's ſtead,

But by his friends importunings he fled

Into the neighbouring Woods, did there abide

Till he with cares and cold ſickned and dy'd.

His body privately was buri'd in

The Church-yard: they his bones dig'd up agin

A twelvemonth after, threw them out (Opains!)

For to be trampled on by Horſes, Wains.

And thus though in his life, he ſcaped from

Their rage, yet after's death, on him they come.

William the third brother, in Shropſhire dead,

Might not (by their conſent) be buried.

Wolſey, and Pigot, ſuff'red in the Iſle

Of Ely. And within a little while

Biſhop Ridly, and alſo Latimer

Burned at Oxford. Stephen Gardiner

That day to dine till almoſt night deferr'd;

(Th'old Norfolk Duke then with him) having heard

Word of their deaths, he with a ſmiling brow

Said to the Duke, let us to dinner now.

The Table fill'd, as merry as a Buck

The Biſhop was, but on a ſudden ſtruck:

(Two bits ſcarce eaten) carry'd from the table

To bed he was, his pains intolerable;

Nature he could not eaſe, for fifteen dayes,

His tongue was ſwoln, and black, his mouth's aſſaies

Could giv't no houſe-room; his pin'd body all

Sadly enflam'd, he gaſp'd and gave a ſprawl.

And now John Webbe, George Roper, Greg'ry Parke,

At Canterbury burn'd,An. Chr. One 1556: not miſs'd their mark.

p. 188One Thomas Whittle Miniſter, accus'd

By Bonner, was moſt wickedly miſus'd;

Who fell upon him, beat him with his fiſts,

And him enclos'd within a cloſe rooms lifts:

There (ſaid he) though I did on the bare ground lie

Two nights I (prais'd be God) ſlep'd very ſoundly.

He, Joan Warne, Iſ'bel Foſter, Thomas Brown,

John Went Iobn Tudſon, Bartlet Green, lay down

Their lives together did at Smithfield ſtake,

Of heaven-prepared joys for to partake:

The laſt of which going to bear the yoke,

Cheerfully this repeated Dyſtich ſpoke;

Chriſte Deus, ſine te ſpes eſt mihi nulla ſalutie;

Te duce vera ſequor, te duce falſa nego.

In Engliſh thus:

O Chriſt who art my God

In thee for mine abode,

With thee, I onelyonly hope:

Ʋnder thy Conduct I

Seek the truth and deny

The falſi-loquious Pope.

He was a man exceeding charitable

Unto the poor, ſo far as he was able.

Nor did he love (his modeſty was ſuch)

Pop'lar applauſe, though he deſerved much.

His beatings he conceal'd, till neer his end,

When he declar'd it to a boſome-friend.

Anne Albright, Agnes Snoth, Joan Catmer, Sole,

At Canterbury were burnt to a coal.

Good Doctor Cranmer, then of Canterbury

Archbiſhop, alſo paſt the fi'ry fury.

p. 189At Salſbury, on William Coberly,

John Spicer, and John Mandrel, ſo did die.

Richard and Thomas Spurge, Tims, Cavel, Drake,

Ambroſe, all Eſſex-men, fell at the ſtake.

Maſter Tims many Godly letters ſent

T'his friends, not long before his life was ſpent:

In one he us'd theſe paſſages; I praiſe

The Lord for helping you to minde his wayes.

Conſider I beſeech you, what of late

Fell from my lips, ſo ſhall we meet in ſtate:

I'm going to the Biſhops coal-houſe now,

And hope to go to heaven e're long; do you

Hie after me: I have a great while tarri'd

For you; but ſeeing y'are not yet prepared,

I'll ſtay no longer; you ſhall finde me bleſt

And ſinging, Holy, Holy Lord of Reſt,

At my race end; now therefore my dear hearts

Make haſt and loyter not, leſt light departs,

And yee (who with the fooliſh Virgins ſtay)

Be with the fooliſh Virgins turn'd away:

And now in witneſs that I have not taught

Contrary to the truth revealed, ought,

My blood-writ name I ſend you, for a Teſt

That I will ſeal my Doctrine with the reſt.

So fare you well, and God defend you then

From Antichriſt, and his falſe Prieſts, Amen.

Uſe conſtancy in pray'r, with faith require;

And gain the fulneſs of your choice deſire.

John Hullier (formerly an Eaton Sholar)

At Ely, by his patience, conqu'red dolour.

Hugh Lavrock John Ap-Rice, this blind, that lame,

Told Biſhop Bonner, that he laws did frame

To take mens lives away, making the Queen

His hangman: Bonner burn'd them out of ſpleen,

At Stratford-Bow. In Litchfield, Colcheſter,

Gloſter, and Leiſter, many burned were.

One Mr. Julines Palmer, and ſome more

At Newb'ry dy'd. One Sharp at Briſtol bore

The flames with joy. In Darby town Joan Waſte.

(Born blind) did in the fire breath out her laſt.

Sir John Cheek for the truths ſake underwent

In London-Tow'r a ſore impriſonment.

A new Commiſſion from the King and Queen

(Like Dracoes laws) came forth,Anno 1557. that they which lean

T'his Holineſs the Pope, ſhould raiſe the fire

Of Perſecution yet a little higher:

By means where of, throughout the Kingdoms quarters

Priſons were ſtuff'd with Saints, fires grac'd with Martyrs.

Firſt to begin with Colcheſter, where they

Apprended three and twenty in one day,

And burnt the major part. Margaret Hyde,

With Agnes Standly, ſtak'd at Smithfield dy'd.

They Stephen Gratwick William Moraunt, King,

Iato St. Georges field, in Southwark bring,

And burn together. In the Dioceſs

Of Canterbury, many did profeſs

The truth and ſuffered. In Lewis town

Ten faithful ſervants in one fire laid down

Their lives for Chriſt; one of them Richard Woodman

Betraid was b'his father and brother, (good man!)

Eliz'beth Cooper, Simon Millar too,

At Norwich fir'd; Eliz'beth cry'd Ho, ho,

And ſhrunk a little: Simon Millar ſaid,

Reaching his hand out to her, What? affraid?

Raiſe up your ſpirits, in the Lord be ſtrong

And cheerful; for theſe pains are of no long

Continuance (Good ſiſter) by and by

We'll take our ſupper with alacrity:

p. 191This ſo becalm'd her heart, ſhe through-ſtitch run

The work ſhe had ſo happily begun,

And ſo committing their bleſt ſouls to God,

They clim'd to heaven, death being under trod

Mrs. Joyce Lewis a gentlewoman born,

Accuted, and condemn'd, contemn'd with ſcorn

Death's rigid brow: my Chriſt is fair, when him

I ſee (ſaid ſhe) death looks not half ſo grim.

Urg'd to confeſs before her end begins,

She ſaid, to God ſhe had confeſs'd her ſins,

And he had pardon'd them: the Prieſt befool'd

Told her e're long her courage would be cool'd.

At ſtake the Maſs ſhe pray'd againſt, cry'd then

The crowd, and Sheriffe himſelf aloud, Amen.

Taking a cup of drink, Here here's to all

That love the truth, and wiſh proud Babel's fall;

Her friends do pledge her, and ſome others too;

For which fact penance many undergo.

Bound at the ſtake, her ſmiling ruddy face

Made all ſpectators (pitying her caſe)

Go with wet eyes, much grieving for her woes

Inflicted on her by tyran'cal foes:

She ſtriv'd nor ſtrugled when the fire rag'd moſt,

But with her lift-up hands, gave up the ghoſt.

Ralph Allerton, and Richard Roth, With James

Aſtoo, and his wife, dyed in the flames

At Iſlington; as did at Colcheſter

Margaret Thurſtone, and Agnes Bongier.

John Noyes a godly Shoo-maker, who liv'd

At Laxfield in Suffolk, ſentence receiv'd

There to burn'd: the people in the town

Put out their fiers, and no houſe but one

(And that diſcov'red by the Chimnies ſmoak)

Had ſome: the Sheriffe and's Officers in broke,

p. 192So got a coal. John Noys fell down and pray'd,

And being bound unto the ſtake, he ſaid,

Fear not the bodies killer, but him, who

Can kill thee, damne thee, ſoul and body too.

Seeing his ſiſter weep, he thus begins,

Weep not for me, but weep you for your ſins.

He took a faggot up, gave it a kiſs,

And ſaid, Did I e're think to come to this?

Bleſſed be God that ever I was born;

Then ſpake he to the people, Of bread-corn

They tell you they can make God, but beleive

Them not at all, nor their falſe truths receive:

Pray bear me witneſs I expect ſalvation

Not by mine own good works but Chriſt his paſſion.

The fire was kindled, and his laſt-ſpoke word

Was Chriſt have mercy, O have mercy Lord.

Within the Dioceſs of Chicheſter,

Many accus'd, condemn'd and burned were.

Hillingdal, Sparrow, and one Gibſon dy'd

In Smithfield flames. John Rough Miniſter try'd

With Marg'ret Mearing, neer about this time,

Were alſo burned for the ſelf-ſame crime.

One Cuthbert Sympſon, Deacon, in one day

Though rack'd no leſs then thrice, would not betray

The Congregation, lying in the ſtocks,

At midnight one (whom he well heard) unlocks

The coal-houſe doors, and though no candles light

Nor fire's he ſaw, yet his amazed ſight

Splendour beheld; he that came in ſaid Ha!

And after that, ſoon vaniſhed away:

This much rejoyc'd his ſoul; upon the morrow

He, Hugh Fox, and one Devniſh▪ fire went thorough.

One Thomas Hudſon, Thomas Carman too,

And William Seaman, Norfolk-men, did go

p. 193Through tribulation to heavenly bliſs,

To have the crown their own, the croſs they kiſs.

There was one mother Bennet of the town

Wetherſet, who was driven up and down

For Jeſus ſake; returning home, ſhe dy'd,

Her corps b'ing buri'd by the high-wayes ſide.

She was exceeding lib'ral to the poor;

Her mate once told her merrily, their ſtore

If ſhe had bin but ſparing, had bin much

To what it was: ſaid ſhe, I cannot grutch

The poor: Alas! good husband, be content,

Let us be thankful, God enough hath ſent;

Wee ſtill (ſweet heart) have good competent fare:

Content's a fear although the feaſt be bare:

I cannot ſee the needie's wants, and hoard,

Leaſt in ſo doing I diſpleaſe the Lord:

But husband let's be rich in good works ſtill,

So pleaſing God, we ſhall have all at will.

One Cicely Orms b'ing ask'd, over his head

What 'twas the Prieſt held up? ſhe anſw'red, Bread

Bread at the beſt; and if you do endeavour

To make it better, 'twill be worſe then ever.

Brought to the ſtake, ſhe kiſs'd it, and reſpir'd

Welcome Chriſts croſs, his ſweet croſs ſo deſir'd

My ſoul doth magnify the Lord, my ſpirit

In God rejoyceth, and my Saviours merit.

So caſting up her head, on heaven ſhe fix'd

Her eyes, and in the flames her hands commix'd

She yielded up the ghoſt. Thomas Spurdance

Of Norwich ſuff'red for the truths advance.

George Eagles, Tailour, travell'd up and down

In ſev'ral countries, went from town to town

Confirming weaker Saints: in a ſhort ſeaſon

At Chelmsford he condemned was for treaſon.

p. 194And hang'd up with two theevs, the one where of

With tears ſought Chriſt, the orher with this ſcoffe

Put off George Eagle's exhortation,

Our Captain leads, we ſhall to heaven anon.

The Pen'tent thieſe did call upon the Lord.

The mockers fhtt'ring tongue ſpake not one word

Upon the ladder. Eagles was cut down

Half dead, his heart pull'd out, his members ſtrown.

George Eagles ſiſter, and a man call'd Fryer,

At Rocheſter did in the fire expire.

A Proclamation was ſent about,An. Chr. 1558.

That all good books within this Realm ſet out,

Or from beyond ſeas brought, ſhould all be turn'd

To aſhes; if not ſo, their owners burn'd.

Soon after this dire Proclamation,

Twice twenty perſons met neer I ſlington

Were caught, ſome ſcap'd, ſome burn'd with faggotſticks

In Smithfield thirteen, and in Brainford ſix.

Amongſt theſe Godly perſons there was one

Nam'd Roger Holland, (who had boldly done

His duty in reproving bloody Bonner)

Spake thus: at laſt, God will redeem his honour

With your deſtruction, and will ſoon aſſwage

(His ſpir't ſo tells me) your unbridled rage

Againſt his Church; he heareth the complaints

His ſervants make, for the afflicted Saints,

Whom you ſo dayly perſecuted have

As us you do now: Chriſt will ſhortly ſave

His ſpotleſs Spouſe; in God I dare be bold

To tell you that you are too fierce to hold.

And my dear breth'ren, know that in this place

After this day, not any ſhall embrace

The fire and faggot by this means procur'd:

Mark what I ſay, and be thereof aſſur'd.

p. 195Which came to paſs; for, for the Lord Chriſt's ſake

None after them ſuff'red at Smithfield ſtake.

Said Bonner then, What? Roger I perceive here

Thou art as bad an Heretick as ever;

And in thine anger thou wouldſt now become

A railing Proph't, but th'hadſt as good be dumbe:

Though thou, and all like thee, would ſee me turn'd

Over the ladder, yet to ſee thee burn'd

I ſhall live; yea, and (before God I vow)

I'll make you rue it, ev'ry one of you

That comes within my clutches; ſo he went.

Roger call'd on the people to repent,

And to think well of all the Saints, that paſt

The fiery tryal, which not long ſhould laſt,

For God intended to abridge ſtraightwayes

For his elect's ſake, thoſe ſanguineous dayes.

Roger embrac'd the ſtake, and ſaid, O Lord

I praiſe thee for affording me thy word,

And fellowſhip with Saints, which in heavens coaſts

Sing, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Hoſts:

O God receive my ſoul, preſerve thy flock,

Save them from Idols, O be thou their Rock.

So with his fellowes praiſing God above,

They all repoſed in the arms of love

There was one William Pikes amongſt the ſix

(VVhichWhich dy'd at Brainford) falſe-nam'd Hereticks:

VVho (while that he his liberty enjoy'd)

I'th' Summer, at noon-day, (of cares devoyd)

His Bible with him in t'his garden took,

Sate down to read upon it; on his book

Four drops of blood fell ſuddenly, he knows

Not whence it came; t'his call'd-wife it he ſhowes,

Saying, I well perceive God will have blood;

It cannot, no, it muſt not be withſtood:

p. 196His will be done; God help me to abide

The trial, for without him I ſhall ſlide.

And ſo they went to pray'r, and in ſhort ſpace

Burned he was, in the aforenam'd place,

One Thomas Hinſhaw, like a dog was us'd

By Harpsfield firſt, by Bonner next abus'd,

Who in an arbour pulled down his breeches,

VVhip'd him with willow-rods, and with ſharp ſpeeches

Returned him to priſon: there was one

John Willis the like uſage undergone;

T' whom Bonner thus, Me bloody Bonner call

Ye do, a plague of God upon you all:

I'd fain be rid of you, but you delight

In burning ſure I think; but if I might

Have my deſires, O then I'faith I'd ſtitch

Your mouths up, ſack you, throw you in a ditch

Or down the ſtream, this would I do with ſpeed;

My fingers itch to do this pious deed.

Upon a time Bonner came to the ſtocks

VVhere this John Willis lay, and ſpake with mocks,

How like you (John) your lodging and your fare?

Willis ſaid, VVell, had I a ſtraw-pad here.

VVhile thus they commun'd, in the good man's wife

Came (great with child) to beg her husbands life;

Told Bonner ſhe within his houſe would ſtay,

And there (her count neer out) her belly lay,

Unleſs her (loving) husband might be ſreed,

And pack along with her. Indeed, indeed,

Said Bonner then, that were a handſom trick:

How ſay'ſt thou John, thou damned Heretick;

Suppoſe thy wife ſhould with her brat mſcarry,

And periſh man, art thou not acceſſary

To both their deaths? what thinkſt thou? To be ſhort,

The woman would not go ('cwas pretty ſport

p. 197To hear theſe parly) Bonner leſt in's houſe

She ſhould cry out, did let her husband looſe

On eaſie tearms. A Godly Miniſter

Nam'd Mr. Richard Yeomans, much did bear:

At laſt (he finding how his foes were bent

To take away his life) went down to Kent,

Selling pins, needles, points, thred, white and black,

And ſome odd trifiles, to ſupply the lack

Of himſelf, his poor wife and childeren:

He was impriſon'd but releas'd agen:

He went to Hadly to his wife, and there

Hiring a chamber, they abode a year;

Carding of Wool he ſets himſelf about,

She ſpins; thus pick they a poor living out.

At length the Parſon having underſtood

How this good old man liv'd, he took a brood

Of Officers with him, at night, rebound

He made the doors, ſearch'd diligently, found

Old father Yeomans and his family laid

In bed together; whereupon he ſaid,

Ne're truſt me if I did not think a knave

I with a whore ſhould finde, and ſo I have;

And would have pull'd the bed-cloaths off withall:

But father Yeomans held them faſt: Call, call

Us what you pleaſe, here's neither knave nor whore,

But a cojugal pair in God (though poor)

I bleſs God for it; you in darkneſs grope,

And I defie (with all his traſh) the Pope.

Then in the cage they carri'd him away;

There to the ſtocks with one John Dale he lay,

(VVho ſhortly after dy'd) he told's faith, for which

Degraded and condemn'd he burnt at Norwich.

John Alcock a young man, by trade a Shear-man

In Hadly-Pariſh ſaid, I do not fear man,

p. 198But God if for my God I ſuffer may,

'Twill be a happy and a joyful day:

As for the Pope I will not be forgiven

By him forgive me thou great God of heaven.

He was a Newgate pris'ner hereupon,

And thruſt into the lower dungeon,

Where he with cruel handling, and beſide

Ill keeping, ſuddenly fell ſick and dy'd.

One Mr. Thomas Benbridge though eſtate

Enough he had, yet through the narrow gate

Of perſecution did he chuſe to enter

Into heaven's Kingdom; manfully adventure

His life and limb for Chriſt, Truth he defended

Againſt the Pope till he was apprehended,

Condemn'd therefore; at the place unappal'd,

His rich apparel he put off, and call'd

Upon his God; then faſtned to the ſtake,

Said Dr. Seaton to him, Do but make

A recantation, and thou ſhalt be freed;

Said Mr. Benbridge, Shall I ſo, indeed?

I thank you, but I will not, Chriſt's my Guerdon;

I don't regard you man, no, nor your pardon.

The Doctor ſaid, In troth it is a ſin

Good folk, to pray for ſuch a dog; begin

Benbridge, begin a new leaf wilt thou? ſay?

Away thou Babylonian, away,

Benbridge reply'd; they kindled then the wood

VVhichWhich burnt his beard, yet he unmoved ſtood:

Fire ſeiz'd on's legs; unable to abide

So grievous pains, I do Recant he cry'd:

The fire's removed and his life is granted;

But he his recantation recanted,

(it pleaſing God his conſcience to awake)

And ſix dayes after ſuff'red at the ſtake.

p. 199John Cook, James Aſhly, Alexander Lane,

And Robert Miles, becauſe they did abſtain

From going to the Church, did paſs the Fury

Of corm'rant Vulcan at St. Edmunds Bury.

One Philip Humphry, John and Henry David,

Two brothers, were deſtroy'd, and yet were ſaved.

Green Wilmot, Williams, Cotton, Collingborow,

And Harris, whip'd run through a deal of ſorrow.

One Alexander Gouge, Alice Driver,

By Mr. Noon a Suffolk-Juſtice were

So hunted after, that a while they lay,

For ſafety ſake, hid in a mow of hay:

The Juſtice with his men ſearching about,

Thruſt Pitch-forks in the mow, and found them out,

Sent them to Melton goal, where being prov'd

A certain time, they were to Bury mov'd;

At the Aſſizes, they Chriſt crucifi'd

Boldly confeſſed, and the Pope defi'd.

Alce Driver did compare (exceeding well)

Queen Mary, in her rage, to Jeſabel;

Her ears to be cut off the Judge procur'd,

Hereat, which ſhe rejoycingly endur'd.

Both are to Ipſwieh ſent examin'd there

By Dr. Spencer, Norwich Chanceller,

And others; the main matter was intent

About Chriſts preſence in the Sacrament.

Alce Driver did ſo baffle them herein,

That they had nothing to reply agin:

Thus ſhe concluded then, the Lord be bleſt

You are (though learn'd) not able in the leaſt

T'oppoſe God's ſpirit in me a ſilly woman

Of low degree, and tutoured by no man;

I am no Academick, nor was I

E're brought up in the Univerſity,

p. 200As ye have been; yet in the truths defence,

And in the cauſe of Chriſt my Maſter, whence

I power derive, I will ſet foot to foot

To any of you, if you put me to't,

For to maintain the ſame; and if I had

A thouſand lives to loſe, I ſhould be glad

To let all go for it. The Chancellour

Condemn'd, and ſent her to the Sec'lar power.

Gouge alſo was condemn'd for Chriſt his name,

And ſo both ſweetly dy'd in Ipſwich flame.

Alce Driver's neck being chain'd, O ſaid ſhe (heed)

Here is a goodly handkerchief indeed!

VVell, God be praiſed for it. As they ſtand

At ſtake, ſome came to take them by the hand:

The Sheriffe bids they be caught: the crowd forbid:

The Sheriffe bids let alone, and ſo they did.

There liv'd in Cornwall a religious Dame,

Her husband a recuſant, often came

To hear Maſs read, nor would he ever lin

Till his forc'd-wife did joyn with him therein,

Which was no little trouble to her ſoul;

She thereupon did ſeek the Lord, and roul

Her ſelf upon him, and by earneſt prayer

Crav'd his direction; God was pleas'd to hear,

And one night fill'd her with ſuch ſpir'tual mirth,

That ſhe enjoy'd a little heaven on earth;

From husband, children, and from all ſhe run

For conſcience ſake, and for her living ſpun:

Yet to her husband ſhe return'd at laſt,

Where (but a very little time being paſt)

Her neighbours apprehending, carry'd her

To th'Biſhop of the town of Exeter;

She was condemned, and the reaſon why,

VVas that ſhe ſpake againſt Idolatry.

p. 201The Biſhop ſaid to her, VVoman do y'hear?

Minde your good husband, and your children dear.

She anſwered, Remembred and forgot

They're ſoon; I have them and I have them not:

While I enjoy'd my eaſe, I them enjoy'd,

But now (all ſuch relations are voyd)

Standing here, as I do, in Chriſt his cauſe,

Where I muſt either frangifie the Laws

Of Grace, or Nature; either Chriſt forſake,

Or elſe my Husband; I'm content to take

Chriſt as my heavenly Spouſe, and to renounce

The other with my children all at once.

The Biſhop after much Argumentation,

Gave her a months time for conſideration.

Seeing a Dutch-man who new Noſes made

For images defac'd when Edward ſwaid;

She ſaid, Mad-man, what meanſt thou to compoſe

New Noſes for ſuch images as thoſe,

Which will ſo ſhortly looſe their heads? For this

She was cloſe pris'ner kep'd, nor did ſhe miſs

Threatnings, taunts ſcoffes, call'd Anabaptiſt, whore,

Mad-woman, drunkard, vagabond, and more.

Then many ſpecious promiſes were us'd,

Of liberty, of wealth; which ſhe refus'd.

With husband, goods, and children they affail

To win her but yet nothing would prevail,

Her heart was fixed truſting in the Lord;

She had caſt anchor, and renounc'd, abhor'd

The ſin-involved world, with all the wiles

Which Satan uſes when he ſouls beguiles.

She was devoyd of learning, yet ſo vers'd

I'th' Scriptures, that not onelyonly ſhe rehers'd

Appoſite proofs, Quotations, but could tell

The Book and Chapter alſo very well.

p. 202Condemn'd and given to the ſec'lar power,

The country Gentlemen came flocking to her

Bidding her, yet to call on God for grace,

And ceaſe her fond opinions to embrace,

So got'her husband, and her children dear;

Thou art a woman ignorant (we fear)

And theſe things are too far above thy reach

(Said they) the ſhrub is lower then the Beach.

I am, ſaid ſhe, indeed, and yet my breath

I'll give in witneſs, of my Saviours death.

O do not put me off with longer ſtay,

For Ah! I am impatient of delay;

My love hath wings, it hovers up and down,

Nor can it reſt, till glory is her own.

My heart is fixed, I will never go

From what I ſaid, nor do as others do.

Then ſaid the Biſhop, There's no hopes to win her,

The devil leadeth her, the devil is in her.

Not ſo my Lord (quoth ſhe) Chriſt is my guide,

His Spirit upholds me, that I cannot ſlide.

She, when ſhe heard deaths ſentence paſt upon her,

Advanc'd her voice, and ſaid, Unmated honour!

The Proverb's true. Long look'd for, comes at laſt;

My Lord, my God, I thank thee, that thou haſt

Granted to me this day, my hearts deſire

In liſting me with thy celeſtial Quire.

Woman, ſaid one, be thou a happy wife

By thy recanting; O the ſweets of life!

No, ſaid ſhe, by no means; my life is hid

With Chriſt in God, now the good Lord forbid

That for this life, at beſt but tranſitory,

I ſhould loſe heaven and eternal glory:

I have two husbands, but will onelyonly cleave

Unto my heavenly, and my earthly leave;

p. 203The fellowſhip of Saints in heaven I trow

Exceeds the having children here below:

And if my husband and my children prove

Faithful, then am I theirs, they have my love;

God my good father is, God is my mother,

God is my ſiſter, and God is my brother,

God is my kinſman, God's my faithful friend

Who will ſtick cloſe unto me, till the end.

To execution then led along,

She was attended with a num'rous throng.

Bound to the ſtake, ſhe by the Popiſh Prieſts

Was ſet upon again (unwelcom gueſts!)

To whom ſhe thus: for God's ſake now give o're

Your bibble babble, trouble me no more

With empty ſounds fain would I, Oh! divorce

My ſelf from your impertinent diſcourſe.

O God be merciful to ſinful me,

For Ah! I onelyonly do depend on thee.

She ſtood with admirable patience

Amidſt the flames, and ſo her ſoul flew hence.

Sh'had ſuch a cheerful look, that one would ſay

It was her wedding, not her burning day.

She had been alwayes ſober in her diet,

Neat in apparel, peaceable and quiet;

Alwayes a doing, never fitting ſtill,

During her health and limbs, by her good will;

Chain'd to her houſe; ſhe ever would refuſe

To gad abroad, as moſt ill-houſwives uſe.

To all that came to her, her gracious heart

Would ſtreams of conſolation impart.

Gods word was her delight, ſhe gave good heed

Ther husband in the Lord, a wife indeed!

According to her power, ſhe at her door,

And at their ſev'ral homes, reliev'd the poor;

p. 204And in the time of her calamity

Would take no proff'red coyne; for, ſaid ſhe, I

Am going now to (Heaven) a City, where

No mony any Maſtery doth bear;

And whilſt I here remain, the Lord will feed

My craving ſtomack, and ſupply my need;

It is his promiſe, and full ſure I be,

That he which feeds the Ravens, will feed m….

One Richard Sharp, a Weaver by his trade

In Briſtel City apprehended, made

A large confeſſion of his faith before

One Dr. Dalby the there-Chancellour,

Who by perſwaſive Arguments ſo wrought

Upon his weakneſs, that he ſoon was brought

To make a promiſe, That he would appear

And publickely recan, and when, and where.

But after this Apoſtacy, Sharp felt

His conſcience gall'd, hell's horrour ſo indwelt

His ſoul, that he his calling could not minde,

His colour went away, his body pin'd:

Next Sabbath day going to Church, he made

To the Quire-door, and with a loud voice ſaid,

That Altar, neighbours, pray bear me record,

Is the Great Idol: I deny'd my Lord,

But from the bottom of my heart am ſorry

For what I don, in hazarding my Glory.

He caught, condemn'd, and burn'd, with Thomas Hale

Climb'd up to heaven from this tearful vale.

One Thomas Benſon of the ſame town went

To priſ'n, for ſaying, That the Sacrament

Was as they us'd it, nothing elſe but bread,

And not the body of the Lord indeed;

As for the Sacraments, which you call ſeven,

Five were ordain'd by men, but two by heaven:

p. 205Give me the two, which I acknowledge true,

And all the other five I'll leave to you.

Soon after this he did receive death's ſentence;

And executed, to his God he ſent hence

His bleſſed ſoul, which left its bodie's jail

For Paradiſe, death having put in bail.

Now to conclude, The laſt that did maintain

The Goſpel with their hearts-blood in the Raign

Of Mary Queen, that hell-begotten fury,

Were theſe five Citizens of Canterbury,

John Hurſt John Cornford, (Captains in the fight)

Chriſtopher Brown, Alice Swoth, and Kath'rine knight

The things imputed to their charge were, that

Chriſts real preſence they denyed flat,

Affirming onelyonly thoſe that do believe,

Not wicked men, Chriſts body do receive.

The Pope they ſaid was Antichriſt, the Maſs

Abominable; that a ſin it was

To pray to Saints; that cringing to a croſs

Was meer Idol'try and an errour groſs, &c.

Sentence of condemnation being heard,

Forthwith John Cornford, was in ſpirit ſtirr'd,

And with an ardent zeal for God, expreſs'd

In the name of himſelf, and all the reſt

This doom: I'th'name of Chriſt our Saviour,

The Son of God, the High'ſt, and by the power

Of his moſt Holy-Ghoſt, as alſo by

The Holy and Divine authority

Of the Apoſtolick and Cath'lick Church

(Never yet totally left in the lurch)

We here turn over to the Prince of hell

As ſlaves eternally to howle and yell

In ſulph'ry flames, the bodies of all thoſe

Blaſphemers, Hereticks, who do oppoſe

p. 206The living God, and bolſter up their errours

Againſt the Truth, hence to the King of Terrours;

So that by this thy righteous judgement ſhown

Againſt thy foes great God, thou mayſt make known

Thy true religion to thy greater glory

And our ſouls comfort when we read the ſtory

Of thy great power, and to th'edification

Of all our well-nigh ruinated Nation.

Good Lord, ſo be it, be it ſo, Amen.

And this his excommunication then

Took great effect againſt truth's enemies.

Queen Mary within ſix dayes after dies,

And Tyrannie with her; there is no hope

Of any longer footing for the Pope;

In England now great joy betides to all

The faith-ey'd Saints, who wiſh'd proud Babels fall:

Yet the Archdeacon, and's aſſociates quick

(Knowing the Queen was dangerouſly ſick)

Condemn'd thoſe pious perſons to the flame,

And hurri'd them away. When there they came,

In Chriſt his name they offer'd up their prayers,

As holocauſis to the Almighties ears.

To God they pray'd, to God for ever bleſt,

Preferring this requeſt amongſt the reſt;

That if it were his will, their blood might be

The laſt that ſhould be ſhed, ſo Lord pray we.

No ſooner had they pray'd, but heaven return'd

A gracious anſwer, they the laſt that burn'd.

Great God (ſaid they) we cheerfully reſign

Our ſouls into thoſe bleſſed hands of thine

Amidſt theſe flames; their ſpirits did aſcend

To glory, which ſhall never have AN END.

Gloria Deo in Excelſis.

p. 207SECT. Ʋlt.

God's Judgements upon the Perſecutors of hic Church and children.

SInce firſt the Goſpel in the Ears did ring,

Of England under Lucius the King;

Never did King or Queen the Land ſo ſtain

With Chriſtian blood as in her four years reign

Queen Mary did: ſhe burned in her fury

An Arch-Biſhop, (and he of Canterbury)

Four Biſhops, twenty one Divines or more,

Eight Gentlemen, Artiſ'cers eighty ſoure,

Husbandmen, Servants, and poor Labouring men

Five ſcore; Wives twenty ſix, Widdowes twice ten; to

Nine Maids, two Boyes, and two young Babes heaven

VVere ſent) in all two hundred ſeventy ſeven.

Sixty four more for Jeſus Chriſt his ſake

VVere perſecuted ſore; which could not ſhake

Their heaven-built faith; ſeven whereof were ſtrip'd

Stark naked, and moſt mercileſly whip'd.

Sixteen in priſon periſhing, had dung

(After the Nabathoean cuſtom) flung

Upon their outcaſt bodies: Some did lie

In captivated chains, condemn'd to die,

But were deliv'red from approaching death

By th'happy entrance of Elizabeth,

Our glorious Queen, our Pallas and Aſtraea:

Of Grace and Virtue the divine Idea,

Many did ſpend, by reaſon of exile,

Their dayes in trouble, and their years in toile.

p. 208But as Queen Mary laviſhed the blood

Of her beſt ſubjects, and the truth withſtood

Unto the utmoſt of her power; ſo God

Scourged her ſoundly with his flaming rod,

Both in her life and death; for whilſt ſhe liv'd,

What did ſhe proſper in which ſhe atchiev'd?

To inſtance in a few particulars,

And firſt, her fair'ſt and greateſt man of War

Unmatch'd i'th' Chriſtian world, cal'd the great Harry

Was burnt by heavenly flames. Then would ſhe marry

Spaniſh King Philip, ſo expoſe to dangers

Poor England under barb'rous foes and ſtrangers.

She labour'd much, but never could attain

To joyn the Engliſh to the Spaniſh Raign.

Then did ſhe ſet about the reſtauration

Of Abbey-lands throughout the Britiſh nation:

Her ſelf began according to the Popes

Directions, yet fruſtrate were all her hopes.

God o're her land then ſuch a famine ſpred,

That her poor ſubjects upon Acorns fed,

Then Calice where the Engliſh did remain

During eleven Kings reigns from her was ta'in;

Which loſs ſo griev'd her, as ſhe did impart,

That Calice was engraven in her heart.

Again in child-birth never woman had

S'unfortunate ſucceſs as ſhe, ſo bad:

For if ſhe was with child, and had e're been

In travel, why? why was it never ſeen?

If not, why was the Kingdom ſo beguild?

Some in the Pulpit for her new-born child

Returning thanks: thus her deſires b'ing croſt,

She then th'affections of her husband loſt:

She could not him enjoy, nor might ſhe ſmother

This her firſt love, by marrying another,

p. 209Although ſhe did ſo many Judgements feel,

Yet would ſhe not her bloody Laws repeal:

She had no minde to ſtop the opened vain,

Or cloſe the bleeding Orifice again

Of dying Saints. At laſt the Lord did pleaſe

To ſtrike her with a languiſhing diſeaſe,

VVhereof ſhe dy'd; and having held the crown

Five years, and five months onelyonly laid it down.

Horrible tempeſts, mortal ſickneſſes,

Plagues, famines, burning fevers, did perpeſs

The grieved land, (the fourth year ſhe did ſway)

And ſwept a multitude of folks away:

So that in ſix weeks ſpace in London there

Dy'd ſeven Aldermen. VVheat that ſame year

Yielded four marks the Quarter: Mault a Peck

Fourty four ſhillings; as much Peaſe did make

Two pound ſix ſhillings eight pence: to a crown

The following year a Peck of VVheat came down:

Four ſhillings eight pence Mault; of Ry a Strike

Take for a groat you may, if it you like.

In her fifth year, a thundring tempeſt came

And batt'red down two towns neer Notingham,

Flung ſheets of lead abroad, bells from the ſteeple,

Tore trees up by the roots, ſlew divers people, &c.

Alſo a great mortality was known

In Autumn then; Corn ſtood unreap'd, unmown,

And rotted in the fields, hence did enſue

Great ſcarcity, the lab'rours being few.

So much of her; nor muſt my Muſe paſs by

Her chiefeſt Inſtruments of cruelty,

Firſt to begin with Stephen Gard'ner then

Biſhop of Wincheſter, whoſe end my pen

Diſdains to mention twice: I will therefore

Add onelyonly this, That lying at the door

p. 210Of merc'leſs death, and being put in minde

Of Peter his denying Chriſt, he whin'd

This anſwer out, VVith Peter I deny'd

The Lord, but there is ſomewhat elſe beſide

VVanting in me: Alas! I never ſpent

A tear, nor can (as Peter did) repent.

Morgan St. Davids Biſhop, who (high baſe)

Condemned Ferrar, and uſurp'd his place,

Did vomit up his meat through mouth and noſe

(O horrible) until his life did cloſe.

Then Mr. Leyſon high Sheriffe, ſet away

This Martyrs Cattel int'his own ground: they

No meant would eat, nor touch a blade of graſs,

But bellowed and roar'd till death (Alas!)

One Juſtice Morgan who condemned had

Lady Jane Grey, within a while fell mad:

Nothing but Lady Jane, his voice did ſound;

The Lady Jane, (Oh! how her name did wound!)

The Lady Jane, the Lady Jane; O take

The Lady Jane away; no more he ſpake.

Dunnings the Norwich Chancellour for's hate

To the truth, dy'd as in his chair he ſate.

Berry of Norfolk Commiſſary, one

Burn'd harmleſs Saints, fell with an heavy groan

Down to the ground, and never did recover.

One Biſhop Thornton Suffragan of Dover,

A cruel man, while on a Sabbath-day

He looked o're his men, to ſee them play

At Bowles, on him did the dead palſey fall;

Carry'd to bed, he was defir'd to call

The Lord to minde: Yea, ſaid he, ſo I do,

Not onelyonly ſo, but my Lord Card'nal too:

So deſperately dy'd. Another tool

Of Hell at Greenwich went to Card'nal Pool

p. 211To get his bleſſing; but returning faſt,

He fell down ſtairs, and brake his neck for haſt.

Grimwood a wretch, who had himſelf forſworn,

Being in Harveſt ſtacking of his corn,

His bowels ſuddenly fell out. Theſe two

Capon and Jeff'ry Doctors, undergo

At Salſbury ſudden deaths. Mr. Woodroffe

Sheriffe of London dyed ſoon enough.

One Clerk who did the Godly Saints devour.

Hanged himſelf, at laſt in London-Tower.

Cox a Promoter, going well t'his bed,

When the next morn aroſe, was found ſtone dead.

Dale dy'd of lice. One Troling Smith, a great

Foe to the truth, dy'd ſuddenly …'th'ſtreet.

Paul, London Town-Clerk, an accurſed wretch

Did voluntarily an halter ſtretch.

A lightning ſtroke did Robert Baldwin kill.

Cardinal Pool of an Italian Pill

Dy'd as 'twas thought. Dr. Foxford, Blomefield,

And Leland too, to ſudden deaths did yield.

One Dr. Williams Chanc'llour of Gloceſter,

Died the death before he was a ware.

One Lever ſaid he had at Oxford been,

And that ill-favour'd knave, Latimer ſeen,

Tooth'd like an horſe: but mark we what did follow.

His ſon ſoon hang'd himſelf. One William Swallow

Loſt all his hair; off all his nails did pill;

And's wife was taken with the falling ill.

Brown, Lardin, Potto, en'mies of George Eagles,

D'yd a dogs ſhameful death (three pretty Beagles!)

A Sheriffes man, who cruelty had acted

Againſt James Abbes, deſpair'd & dy'd diſtracted.

In Lincolnſhire, Burton who Bayliffe was

Of Crowland, labour'd to ſet up the Maſs;

p. 212But the Pariſhioners with wiſe delay

Still put him off; upon a Sabbath-day

This Burton went to Church, (when all men fail'd)

And on the Service-reading Curate rail'd:

Sirrah (ſaid he,) a Maſs, (what?) may'nt we have?

Buckle your ſelf to it, you whorſon knave,

Or by Gods-Blood I'll ſheath, I that I will,

My dagger in your ſhoulder; vex me ſtill

Do? you had beſt. Th'affrighted Curate made

No more ado, but Maſs in Latin ſaid.

Soon after this, as Burton with one more,

Rode on the road, a cro…king Crow flew o're

His head, and dung'd; which falling on his noſe,

Ran down his ſlab'ring beard, but in the cloſe

Burton was ſo perfum'd, that one would think

No Jakes could yield ſo horrible a ſtink

As he good man! Sweet Burton go thy way

Contented, th'haſt enough; ſuch luck they ſay

As thine is good: if the beſt luck betide

To fools, thou art not on the wiſer ſide.

Haſt Burton, haſt what need I bid thee haſt

Whom miſchance drives? Oh, Oh, cries he, at laſt,

My very bowels up ſuch reachings make,

My head even breake, ough, ough, and heart-ſtrings ake:

A plague upon, a vengance take the crow

That poyſon'd him, and made him vomit ſo:

And ſo he dy'd. The black-ey'd night inters

Bonners corps amongſt thieves and murtherers.

Job 313.Is not deſtruction to the wicked, and ſtrange Judgements to the Workers of iniquity?

2 Theſſ. 1. 6, 7.2 Thess 1:62 Thess 1:7It's a Righteous thing with God, to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you that are troubled, reſt with us.

p. 213Roma diu titubans, varijs erroribus acta,

Corruet, & mundi deſinet eſſe Caput.

Rome tot'ring long laden with Errours ſtore,

At laſt ſhall fall, and Head the World no more.

AMEN.

FINIS.

End of the text · Nicolas Billingsley, A Breviary of All the Greatest Persecutions (1657)