An Alphabetical Martyrology, Part F 1
F F
FRuctuosus, Bishop of Tarraconia in Spain, being by Emilianus under the Eighth Persecution, in the year of Christ 262. to be burned, because he would not worship Idols, said, He worshipped not any dumb God of Stocks and Blocks, but one God the Creator of all things: And being cast into the fire with his hands tyed behind him, his bands were by the fire dissolved, his hands unhurt, and his body remained whole, and he lifted up his hands and praised God, praying also that the fire might speedily dispatch him; which then was soon done: in the mean time a Souldier in the house of Emilianus, with the Daughter of Emilianus, said they saw the Heavens open and the Martyr to enter in. Vol. 1. p. 96.
Nicholas Finchman burned in Dornick 1549. who being condemned, blessed God which had counted him worthy to be a witness in the cause of his dear and well beloved Son; and patiently took his death, commending his Spirit unto God in the midst of the fire. Vol. 2. p. 124.
Iames Faber an old man, about the year of Christ 1562. being apprehended, said, he could not answer or satisfie them in reasoning, yet he would constantly abide in the truth of the Gospel; and so was martyred. Vol. 2. p. 127.
Ioannes Filieul, or Filiolus, and Iulianus Leville, suffered both at Sanserre in France 1554. who having their Tongues cut out, yet had some utterance given them of God, that at their death they said, We bid Sin, the Flesh, the World and the Devil farewel for ever, with whom never we shall have to do hereafter. Vol. 2. p. 145.
Fininus at Ferraria, an Italian, was burnt 1550. who being apprehended, by the perswasion of his Friends he recanted, and then was in so great horrour that he almost despaired, till he publickly again preached the Gospel; for which he being again taken, could not by all the solicitations of his Wife and Children be drawn from it, but told them that his Lord had commanded him not to deny him for taking care of his Family, wherefore he desired them to depart: And being afterwards commanded by Pope Iulius the Third to be executed, he returned thanks to the Messengers of the News, and much rejoiced at it: And being asked what would become of his Wife and Children, if he so left them: he said he had left them to a good Overseer, Christ the Lord, a faithful Keeper of all committed to him. One seeing him so merry before his death, asked the Reason, since Christ wept and sweat drops of blood before his Passion? To whom he answered, Christ sustained in his body all the sorrows and conflicts of Hell and death due to us, by whose death we are delivered from sorrow and fear of them all. And at the Stake, after his Prayers to God, he meekly gave his neck to the Cord, with which he was strangled, and was afterwards burned. Vol. 2. p. 165, 166.
Iohn Frith burnt at one Stake in Smithfield 1533. with one Andrew Hewet, this Frith willingly embraced the Stake, and whenas one Dr. Cooke bad the people pray for them no more than for a Dog, he said smiling, Father forgive them; and the fire being by the wind more blown to his Partner than himself, he, though in so great torments, rejoiced; and seeming to feel no torments, comforted his fellow-sufferer rather than was careful for himself. Vol. 2. p. 309, 310.
Henry Filmer, a Preacher of the Gospel, in King Hen. 8. days, about Windsor, was brought to be burnt by the Envy of Dr. London, and the false accusations of his own Brother, induced to it by promises of maintenance from the Doctor: To which Brother, Filmer (seeing himself like to suffer by reason of his accusations) said, Ah, Brother, what cause hast thou to shew me this unkindness? I have been always a natural Brother to thee; and is this a Brotherly part, to reward me now so? God forgive thee it my Brother, and give thee grace to repent. He suffered with one Testwood and Anthony Persons. As he came to his Brothers door, as he was going to suffer; he called his Brother three or four times, but he appeared not: and then Filmer said, And will he not come? then God forgive him, and make him a good Man. He being with the other two at the Stake, drank to each other; and Filmer said, Be merry, for I trust, that after this sharp Breakfast, we shall have a good Dinner in the Kingdom of Christ. Vol. 2. p. 553, 554.
Dr. Robert Farrar, Bishop of S. Davids in Wales, being to be burnt, and much pitied by a Knights Son, who lamented the painfulness of the death he was to suffer; to whom Ferrar said, If ye see me once stir in the pains of my burning, you shall not believe my Doctrine: And as he said, so it was; for he stood so patiently that he never moved; but as he stood holding up his Stumps, so he continued till he was struck down by a Staff, March 30. 1555. in the Reign of Queen Mary. Vol. 3. p. 216.
William Flower, alias Branch, a Cambridgeshire Man, brought up a Monk, at last was reformed; and after removing from place to place, he came to Lambeth, by London; and on an Easter-day went to Westminster, and in S. Margarets Church he, out of zeal for Gods Cause, drew his Hanger, and wounded the Priest as he was administring the Sacrament; for which he was imprisoned, and though he much lamented the Fact as done amiss, yet did he justifie his Faith against them. And Bishop Bonner threatning him one while, and then perswading him by proffers of Gifts, he thankt him and said, whereas it was in his power to kill, or not kill his Body, he was contented he should do what he pleased; but he knew over his Soul he had no such power, but that being separated from the Body is in the hands of no Man, but only of God, either to save or spill. At length he was burnt in Westminster-Abby Yard, April 24. 1554. where his right hand was cut off, he not shewing any sense of pain; and at last, burning in the Fire, he cryed out, O thou Son of God have mercy on me, O thou Son of God receive my Soul; and dyed by much torment, his lower part being burnt when his upper part was untouched, by reason of want of Fuel. Vol. 3. p. 243, 244. 246.
Elizabeth Folkes, an Essex Maid, being imprisoned and condemned for the Gospel, kneeled down and lifting up her hands, prayed to God and praised him that ever she was born to see that most blessed day, that the Lord would count her worthy to suffer for the Testimony of Christ; and, Lord, said she, if it be thy Will, forgive them that have done this against me; for they know not what they do: and going to the Stake at Colchester, August 2. 1557. and the People not permitting her to give her Petticoat to her Mother (who was present and kist her at the Stake, and exhorted her to be strong in the Lord) she threw away the Coat, saying, Farewel all the World, farewel Faith, farewel Hope; and then taking hold of the Stake, she said, Welcome Love. She was burned with five more, who all clapped their hands for joy in the flames. Vol. 3. p. 832.
Iohn Frith being in the Tower as an Heretick, because he held against Transubstantiation. And being afterwards sent for to Croydon by my Lord of Canterbury, Cranmer, in King Henry the 8th's time, the Lords Men who were sent for him advised him to submit to the Bishops and Doctors opinion: to whom Frith said, My Conscience is such, that in any wise I neither may, nor can, for any worldly respect, without danger of damnation, start aside from that true knowledge, though I should presently lose twenty lives if I had so many. The Servants, still endeavouring to save him, contrived how he might fly, and so escape; which they imparted to him: To whom he said, Should you leave me, I would surely follow you; should you bring the Bishops news ye had lost Frith, I would bring them news I had found him, and brought him again: for, though before I was taken, I being at liberty, fled, to make use of my liberty; yet I being taken, cannot fly, but run from God, and should then be worthy of a thousand Hells. And so he went chearfully to the Bishops at Croydon, and there disputed the Point; and after was sent to Bishop Stokesteys, the Bishop of London's Consistory; and soon after was burnt. Vol. 3. p. 990, 991, 992. See more of Frith p. 59. of this Book.