An Alphabetical Martyrology, Part L
L L
LUcius hearing Ptolomeus unjustly condemned by Urbicius, in the 4th Persecution, reproved the Judge, who said to Lucius, Methinks thou art a Christian? which being granted by Lucius, the Judge forthwith condemned him to be had away to the place of execution: whereupon Lucius said, I thank you with all my heart that you release me from most wicked Governours, and send me to my most good and loving Father, who is the King of gods. Vol. 1. p. 59.
Laurence a Deacon of Xystus Bishop of Rome, seeing him going to be martyred, earnestly desired to die with him, and cry'd out to him, saying; Oh dear Father! whither goest thou without the company of thy dear Son? hast thou proved me unnatural? Now try whether thou hast chosen a faithful Minister or no? Grant that the Body of thy Scholar may be sacrificed, whose mind thou hast beautified with good Letters. To whom Xystus said, He should follow him after 3 dayes. And when this Laurence was to be persecuted, he being as Deacon, Treasurer of the Church, and commanded by his Persecutors to produce the Treasure, caused a number of poor People to come together, and said; These were the Church's riches in whom Christ dwells. Whereat the Persecutors raged, and caused the fire to be kindled, and he was laid on a hot burning Iron-bed, or Grid-Iron, and held down with hot forks, who said to the Tyrant: This side is roasted enough, turn up O Tyrant that, assay whether roasted or raw thou thinkest the better meat. This was done under the 8th Persecution, Vol. 1. pag. 92, 93.
Simon Laloe burned at Dyon in France 1553. shew'd such faith and constancy, that his Executioner, Iames Silvester, seeing it, was so compuncted with repentance, and fell into such despair, that they had much adoe with all their promises of the Gospel to recover any comfort in him; at last through Christ's mercy he was comforted and converted, and he with his Family removed to Geneva. Vol. 2. pag. 142.
Iohn Lambert being much examined concerning the Sacrament, and released by reason of the death of Archbishop Warham, was at last by the malice of Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester brought before King Henry the VIII. and many Nobles, and ten Bishops caused to dispute him 1538. and against reason by Popish instigation the King was perswaded to condemn him; and he was burned in Smithfield, who was very chearful the day of his sufferings; and when in the fire his legs were burned to the stumps, the Tormentors withdrew the fire, so that a small fire and coals were left under him, and two Persecutors ran their Halberts into him; then he lifting up that hand he had with fingers flaming cry'd out, None but Christ! none but Christ! and so being let down from their Halberts fell into the fire, and died. Vol. 2. pag. 427.
Iohn Lacels Servant to King Henry VIII. was burnt with Mrs. Anne Askew about Iune 1546. who in a Letter against Transubstantiation, subscribed himself thus, Iohn Lacels late Servant to the King, and now I trust to serve the Everlasting King with the testimony of my Blood in Smithfield. Vol. 2. pag. 581.
Iohn Lawrence burnt at Colchester March 29. 1555. he was so badly used in Prison that he could not go to the Stake, but was carried in a Chair and burnt sitting. Whilst he was burning the young Children came about the fire and cry'd as well as they could speak, saying: Lord strengthen thy Servant, and keep thy promise: Lord strengthen thy Servant, and keep thy promise. Vol. 3. pag. 200.
Hugh Lawrence, a Kentish Man, being August 2. 1555. examined by the Bishop of Dover, Dr. Thornton and Dr. Harpsfield, stood constantly against Popery; being required to subscribe to their Articles, he took a pen and writ, Ye are all of Antichrist, and him ye fol. intending to write as appears, follow; but was prevented, condemned and burned with 5 more Kentish Men at 3 Stakes in one fire. Vol. 3. p. 393.
Hugh Latimer writing to Bishop Ridley, saith, Pray for me, for sometimes I am so fearful that I would creep into a Mouse-hole, sometimes God doth visit me again with his comfort; so he cometh and goeth to teach me to fell and to know my infirmity. Vol. 3. p. 441. He was a Leicester-shire man, and went to Cambridge at 14 years of age; he was a zealous Papist, till by Gods will and Mr. Bilney's endeavours he was converted, and then he became a zealous Protestant, p. 450. and openly preached against Popery in Cambridge, and other places, for which he was imprisoned, p. 456, 457. yet was he by God long preserved, and by the Lord Cromwell in King Henry the 8th's days made Bishop of Worcester, p. 460. but some years after he lost his Bishoprick, because he would not comply to the six Articles; and when his Rotchet was pulled off, he leaped for joy of being lightned of so great a burden as his Bishops Office; he was usually studying both Summer and Winter by Two of the Clock in the morning, p. 462. he was a great Prophet, foretelling most Plagues that came on England, and used to say his preaching the Gospel would cost him his life, as it also did; he prayed earnestly and often, so that being aged he could not get up again from his knees; in his prayer he much and earnestly desired the restoring the Gospel again to England, which God granted in a short time by Queen Elizabeth; he also beg'd that as God had called him to be a Minister of the Gospel, he might have grace to stand for it to death, and to give his hearts blood for it; which God answered and effected; for at the Stake in the greatest extremity he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven, and with an amiable countenance said, God is faithful who hath promised not to suffer us to be tempted above our strength; and by and by fire breaking his body the blood of his heart was shed for Christ, in such abundance, that the standers by did marvel, as if all the blood of his body was gathered to his heart. p. 463. The Bishops according to Custom presenting the King each New-years-day with a Gift, he being Bishop of Worcester, whilst others presented Gold, Silver, &c. presented King Henry the 8th with a New Testament with a Napkin having this Poesie, Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge, pag. 486. He being at the Stake in his shirt, to be burned in Oxford with Bishop Ridley, the Executioner brought a Faggot kindled with fire and laid it at Ridley's feet, to whom Latimer said, Be of good comfort Mr. Ridley, and play the man, we shall light such a Candle this day by Gods grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out; and in the flame he cryed, Oh Father of Heaven receive my Soul; receiving the flames, as it were embracing them, he soon dyed feeling little or no pain. Vol. 3. p. 503.
Hugh Laverock, a lame man of 68 years of age, going on Crutches, and one Apprice a blind man were burned, 1556. by Bishop Bonners command; and at the Stake this Laverock the Cripple threw away his Crutches, and turning to Apprice did comfort him saying, Be of good comfort, my Brother, for my Lord of London is our good Physician, he will heal us both shortly, thee of thy blindness, and me of my lameness. And so they both suffered. Vol. 3. p. 701.
Mrs. Ioice Lewis, a Gentlewoman of Manceter, was burnt for the Gospel in Queen Maries days; who was at first in her days a great Papist, till the burning of one Laurence Saunders by the Papists for the Mass, which put her upon an enquiry into it; and she consulting some persons about it, declined it, nor would frequent Mass; for which she was punished, and at last condemned: And when in the morning before she suffered, the Sheriff told her of it, after one years imprisonment, giving her but one hours time to prepare for it; she said, Your message is welcome to me; and I thank God that he will make me worthy to adventure my life in his quarrel. Going to the Stake she prayed against Popist Idolatry, and drank to all them that truly believed the Gospel: In the fire she neither struggled nor stirred, but only held up her hands to Heaven, and so dyed soon. Vol. 3. p. 839.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lawson, an ancient Gentlewoman of 60 years of age of Bedfield in Suffolk, was sent to Berry Goal 1556. because she would not go to Mass, and at last she was condemned to be burnt: She continued in Prison two years and three quarters, in which time her Son and many more were burnt, and she hearing of it, said often, Good Lord what is the cause that I may not yet come to thee with thy Children? Well good Lord, thy blessed will be done, and not mine. But by the death of Queen Mary she was delivered. Vol. 3. p. 916.