An Alphabetical Martyrology, Part R
R R
ROmanus, a great encourager of the Christians in Antioch, when they were persecuted in the 10th Persecution, was himself by Galerius, then Emperour, called out, apprehended, and sentenced to all the torments the Christians should have undergone, who said, O Emperour, I joyfully accept of thy Sentence, I refuse not to be sacrificed for my Brethren; and that by as cruel a means as thou may'st invent: then he was scourged, and under the lashes he sang Psalms, and laughed to scorn the Heathens Gods; affirming the Christian's God to be the only true God, before whose judicial Seat all Nations should appear: then was his side launched till the Bones appeared; yet he still Preached Christ, and exhorted them to adore the living God; then were his Teeth knockt out, his Eye-lids torn, his Face cut; and he said, I thank thee that thou hast opened to me many Mouths whereby I may Preach my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ; look how many Mouths I have, so many Mouths I have lauding and praising God. After that he was brought to new wounds and stripes, and distongued; who still spake and said, He that speaketh Christ shall never want a Tongue. At length he was had to Prison, and there strangled. When some pleaded he was of Noble Parentage, and it was not lawful to put such a one to an un-noble death; he said, He required them not to spare him for Nobility-sake; for, said he, not the blood of my Progenitors, but Chrstian Profession maketh me Noble. Vol. 1. p. 116, 117.
Iohn Rogers, a Cambridge Scholar, and Chaplain to the Merchants of Brabant beyond Sea, where he was acquainted with Mr. Tindal, and helped him and Mr. Coverdale in the Translation of the Bible; he threw off the Yoak of Popery, and becoming a Protestant, he married and went to live at Wittenberg in Saxony, Vol. 3. p. 119. and there learning the Dutch Tongue, he had a Congregation committed to his charge, where he staid till King Edward the 6th's time; and then being orderly called, came into England and Preached there, and was by Bishop Ridley made Prebend of Paul's; but in Queen Mary's days he suffered much, and was burned Feb. 4. 1555. He was the first that suffered in Queen Mary's days; he Prophesied of Rome's downfall, and that e're long in England true Gospel Ordinances should be again restored, and the poor people of England should be brought to as good, or a better state: His Wife, and ten Children that could go, and one at her Breast, met him going to burn; but he was not moved, but continued constant, and suffered. Vol. 3. p. 130, 131.
Bishop Ridley, born in Northumberlandshire, had his education in Newcastle, was Master of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge, Vol. 1. p. 432. then Chaplain to King Henry the 8th, who made him Bishop of Rochester; and in King Edward the 6th's days he was made Bishop of London. He Preached every Sunday, and Holyday, in some place or other, if not hindred by great affairs: he was kind and affable, one that presently forgave injuries; and was wont to tell his Relations, that if they acted evil, he should esteem them as strangers to him; and they who did honestly, should be to him as Brothers and Sisters. As soon as he was ready each morning, he alwayes prayed for half an hour, and then spent most part of the day and night in study, he not going to Bed usually till eleven of the Clock, and then praying. He did read every day a Lecture in his Family, gave every one of his Family a new Testament, and hired them to learn several Chapters, especially the 13. of the Acts. He being advised, by one that was his Chaplain formerly, to consult others, and to turn Papist, he said, I would have you know that I esteem nothing available for me, which also will not further the glory of God. Vol. 3. p. 447. He being condemned at Oxford, was kept close Prisoner in Mr. Irish, the Major's House; where he being at Supper the night before he was to suffer, he was very merry, and invited the Guests at the Table to his Wedding next day; for to morrow, saith he, I shall be married; which the Major's Wife hearing, wept; to whom he said, You love me not now I see, for I perceive you will not be at my Wedding, nor are contented with my marriage; but quiet your self, though my Breakfast be sharp and painful, yet I am sure my Supper shall be more pleasant and sweet. Vol. 3. p. 502. And at the Stake, he suffering with Mr. Latimer, he chearfully ran to him, embraced him, kissed him, and said, Be of good chear Brother, for God will either asswage the fury of the flames, or else strengthen us to abide it: and then he went to the Stake and kissed it, and prayed effectually. Being stript into his Shirt, he held up his hands, and said, O heavenly Father, I give thee most hearty thanks that thou hast called me to be a Professor of thee, even to death. And fire being kindled, he often said, Into thy hands O Lord, I commend my spirit; Lord, Lord, receive my spirit: but through the badness of the fire he burned on one side, and below on the legs, a great while, and yet his upper parts were not burned, so that he leaped under the Faggots; and calling to the Lord for mercy, did call on the Persons by to let the fire come to him, for he could not burn, he said; and shewed them one side clean Shirt, and all untouched, whole, and the other burnt. p. 504, 505. he writing to his Friends, and taking leave of them, desires them not to be astonished at the manner of his sufferings; and said, I assure you I esteem it the greatest honour that ever I was called to in my life; and I thank my Lord heartily for it, that he hath called me to the high favour to suffer death willingly for his sake, which is an inestimable gift of God; therefore, O ye that love me, rejoice, and rejoice again, with me; and render, with me, thanks to God that hath called me to this dignity. Vol. 3. p. 505.
Could Queen Mary have been entreated for Bishop Ridley, or could his life have been purchased, the Lord Dacres in the North, his Kinsman, would have given her 1000 Marks, or 1000 Pounds, rather than he should have been burned. Vol. 3. p. 996.
Iohn Rabec, burned at Aniers in France, April 24. 1556. had his Tongue cut out, because he would not pronounce Iesus Maria, joining them both in one Prayer; and being urged thereto with great threats, he said, If his Tongue should but offer to do so, he would himself bite it asunder. Additions to Vol. 3. concerning French Massacre, p. 5.
Anthony Ricetto, a Martyr at Venice, 1566. being, by his Son of twelve years of age, perswaded to recant, that he might not be Fatherless; said to his Child, A good Christian is bound to forego Goods, Children, yea Life it self, for the maintenance of God's honour and glory: and so he was drowned, having an Iron Hoop about him, and to a Chain fastned to that Hoop a great Weight fastned; and so carryed in a Wherry into the Sea: where being laid on a Board, and that Board laid cross on two Wherries, the Wherries removing he fell into the Sea; which was the manner of the Venetians punishing their Martyrs. Additions to Vol. 3. p. 44.