An Alphabetical Martyrology, Part O
O O
ORigen at 17 Years old wrote to his Father Leonides, to encourage him to suffer martyrdom under the fifth Persecution, began the 205. Year of Christ. He wrote about 7000 Volumes, as much as 7 Notaries and as many Women could pen. Vol. 2. p. 70.
Cicely Ormes, Wife of Edward Ormes a Worsted-Weaver in Norwich, was burnt September 23. 1557. at Norwich. She was an ignorant simple Woman, yet zealous in the Lord's cause; and being threatned by the Chancellor of Norwich, she said, He should not be so desirous of her sinful flesh, as she would by God's grace be content to give it in so good a quarrel. Being condemned, at the Stake she pray'd and repeated her Faith, and then said to the People: I would not have you think that I believe to be saved in that I offer my self here unto death for Christ's cause; but I believe to be saved by the death of Christ's passion, and this my death is and shall be a witness of my Faith unto you all: Good People, as many as believe of you, I pray you pray for me. And then she coming to the Stake, she kissed it, and said: Welcome sweet Cross of Christ; and so was bound to it: and in the fire she said; My Soul doth magnifie the Lord, and my Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour; and so she yielded up her Life. Vol. 3. p. 833.
Robert Oguier, of the City Lile in Flanders, his Wife and two Sons Bardicon and Martin were apprehended 1556. and first the Father and Bardicon suffer'd, who upon examination confessed their Faith; and Bardicon being apprehended, as he went, said: O Lord assist us with thy Grace, not onelyonly to be prisoners for thy sake, but so as to seal with our bloods thy Truth: And told the Emperor's Commissioners the tenour of their prayers (in their Meetings) for God's glory, and the Empires and Emperors felicity. And then he and his Father submitted themselves to the Judges (while Martin his Brother chose to accompany his Mother, who was still detained in Prison.) And these two were by their Judges condemned to be burnt, which sentence being past, they returned to Prison, rejoycing that the Lord had honoured them to enroll them amongst the number of Martyrs. The day of Execution being told them, they blessed God who delivering their Bodies out of Prison, would receive their Souls into his Kingdom. The Father being advised to pity his Soul, said: You see what pity I have of it, when for the Name of Christ I willingly abandon my Body to the fire, hoping to day to be with him in Paradise. At the Stake he and his Son sang the 16. Psalm; and being chained, the Son said to his Father; Be of good comfort, the worst will be past by and by: And often repeated these words; O God, Father Everlasting, accept the Sacrifice of our Bodys for thy wel-beloved Son Jesus Christ's sake: And lifting his Eyes to Heaven, he spoke to his Father, saying; O Father! behold I see the Heavens open, and millions of Angels ready to receive us, rejoycing to see us thus witnessing our truth in the view of the World. Father, let us be glad and rejoyce, for the joyes of Heaven are set before us. Fire being kindled, he oft repeated to his Father thus, Yet a little while, and we shall enter into the Heavenly Mansions; And their last words were, Jesus Christ thou Son of God into thy Hands we commend our Spirits. And within 8 dayes the Mother Iane Oguier and Martin her Son, were brought forth; but in Prison Iane by the Papists, was perswaded to recant, and to endeavour her Son's return to Popery; who hearing of it, said to her; Oh Mother, what have you done? have you denyed him that redeemed you? What evil hath he done you, that you should requite him with so great an injury? Ah, good God! that I should live to see this day, which pierceth my heart. And his Mother hearing his words, and seeing his tears, began to renew her strength in the Lord, and with tears cry'd, Father of mercies be merciful to me, miserable sinner, and cover my transgressions under the Righteousness of thy Blessed Son. Lord enable me to stand to my first Confession, and to abide stedfast in it to my last breath: And when the Papists came to her again, she said; Avoid Satan, get thee behind me; for hence forth thou hast neither part nor portion in me, I will by the help of my God stand to my Confession, and if I may not sign it with Ink, I will seal it with my Blood. And so she and her Son were condemned to be burnt, and their ashes to be cast into air; who rejoyced at the Sentence, and accounted it a day of Triumph over their Enemies; and Martin being profer'd an hundred pound if he would recant, said, He would not lose an Eternal Kingdom for it. Addition to Vol. 3. of Massacres of France pag. 1. to 5.