An Alphabetical Martyrology, Part W 1 – Part I
W W
WEndelmuta, a Widow in Holland, was martyred 1527. of Christ, who being extremely beloved, had many importuning her to recant, but she would not; and amongst the rest, a certain Noble Matron communing with her, perswaded her to keep silence, and to think silently in her heart what she believed, that she might prolong her days: To whom she said, Ah you know not what you say; it is written Rom. 10. with the heart we believe to Righteousness, and with the tongue we confess to salvation. And thus she remained stedfast and firm in her Confession, and was November 20. condemned to be burnt to ashes; which sentence she took mildly and quietly: And being at the place of Execution, a Monk brought her a blind Cross, willing her to kiss it, and worship her God; to whom she said, I worship no wooden God, but only that God which is in Heaven: And so with a merry and joyful countenance, she embraced the Stake, and by an ardent prayer commended her self to the hands of God. Vol. 2. p. 115.
Waldenses began 1200 years after Christ, and were so called from Waldo who first instructed them; and they delivered their Doctrine from Father to Son successively. They had indeed divers Names according to the places where they lived: In the Northern parts they were called Lollards; about Lyons in France they were called Pauperes de Lugduno; in Flanders, Terraelupins, of a desart where Wolves did haunt; in Dolphine, Chugnards, by way of despite, because they lived harbourless. They taught at first in Caves of the Earth, and in the night for fear of Persecution, and were a people fearing God, living uprightly and justly, yet they suffered much Persecution, especially in Merindol and Calabria, whither they came from Piedmont Vallies, and though those places were desarts, yet were they by them so cultivated that they proved very fruitful. Vol. 2. p. 185, 186. They were charitable to the poor, hospitable to strangers, and were known by these marks, they would not swear, nor name the Devil; were true to their promise, and would not take an Oath, unless in judgment, or in making some solemn Covenant; nor would they in any company talk of dishonest matters, but whenever they heard wanton or swearing talk, they presently departed out of that Company; and also they always prayed before they went to any business, and opposed generally Images, crossing, and other Popish Fooleries, as was testified by their very Enemies, and their neighbouring Inhabitants, to the French King. Vol. 2. p. 193. They were also called Albigenses, from the place where they frequented in Tolouse; and Merindolians, from Merindol a place of Provence in France, which with Cabriles were laid waste, burned and rased, their Inhabitants cut asunder, and their Women and Maids ravished, those with Child cut open, by one Iohn Minerius Lord of Opede, at the command of Francis the French King, April 12. 1545. Vol. 2. p. 196, to page 200.
Their Principles were these:
1. One God the Creator of all things.
2. The Son the onelyonly Mediator and Advocate of all Mankind.
3. The Holy Ghost the Comforter and Instructer of all truth.
4. They acknowledged the Church to be the Fellowship of the Elect of God whereof Iesus Christ is the Head.
5. They allow'd the Ministers of the Church, wishing such as did not their duty were removed.
6. Magistrates they granted to be ordained of God to defend the good, and to punish the transgressors, and that they ought to the Magistrate love and tribute, and that none herein was exempted.
They acknowledged Baptism to be an outward and visible sign representing to us the Renewing of the Spirit, and mortifying of the members.
8. They confessed the Lord's Supper to be a Thanksgiving, and a memorial of the benefits received through Christ.
9. Matrimony they esteemed holy, instituted of God, and inhibited to no Man.
10. Good works they observed, and thought them to be practised of all Men, as Scripture teaches.
11. False Doctrine leading from the true worship of God ought to be eschew'd.
12. The order and rule of their Faith was the old and new Testament, protesting they believed all contained in the Apostolique Creed. Vol. 2. p. 200.
They at they burying of their Dead used to accompany the dead to the grave reverently, with a sufficient company, and made Exhortation out of the word of God to the Living, and to comfort the Parents and Friends of the party deceased, and to admonish all Men diligently to prepare for death. Vol. 2. p. 203.
They were much persecuted by Henry the Ninth French King, and often delivered miraculously in Angrogne, Lusern and other places, Valleys of Piedmont; till 1559. when a peace being made between France and Spain, those Valleys were (as due) given to the Duke of Savoy, who entreated these Waldenses gently, till by the Pope and his Legates he was instigated to persecute them, which was very severely and cruelly done, Vol. 2. p. 204, 205.
They were persecuted in all their places; and one called The Lord of Trinity, and one Trunchet were their great enemies. The Waldenses used to go and pray before Battel, and after Battel gave thanks; and though they were but few in number and without armour, only by Slings and stones, and a few Harquebusses, they so amazed and put to flight their Enemies often, that they flying said, God fought for them. And at last (though after much misery and cruelty) they had a peace brought them by the Lord of Raconis from the Duke of Savoy, which was obtained by the Mediation of his Dutchess. Vol. 2. p. 218, 219, 220, 222. So much of the Waldenses Rise and Actions, Vol. 1. p. 299.
George Wisehart, a Scotchman, burnt March 1. 1546. being condemned by David Beton Archbishop of St. Andrews, although he answered all the Articles he was accused of. Who going to the Stake sat down on his knees, and rose again, saying three times, O thou Saviour of the World, have mercy on me, Father of Heaven I commend my Spirit into thy holy hands: And then turning to the People, he said: I desire you not to be offended with the word of God, for which I suffer; and exhorted them to embrace it, and to continue stedfast. For which, saith he, I suffer this day, not sorrowfully, but with a glad heart and mind: Consider and behold my visage, ye shall not see me change my colour; this grim fire I fear not, and so I pray you to do if any persecution befal you; I know that my Soul shall sup with Christ, for whom I suffer this, within these six hours in Heaven: Then pray'd he for his Enemies, saying, Father, I beseech thee to forgive them that have ignorantly or of evil mind forged any lies upon me; I freely forgive them with all my heart, and I beseech Christ to forgive them, who this day condemned me to death. And being to be hang'd on a Gibbet, and so burn'd, the Executioner begg'd his pardon; whom he kissed, saying, There is a token that I forgive thee, do thine Office: And so he was burnt. Vol. 2. p. 618, 620, 621.
Adam Wallace, a Scotchman, burnt 1549. as an Heretick. He passed over the night of his condemnation in singing and lauding God, having learned David's Psalter by heart to his great consolation; and being tempted by several to recant, he (though a poor mean learnned Man) said, He would adhere to whatsoever could be proved by Scripture, but he would consent to nothing that had not Scripture evidence, though an Angel from Heaven came to perswade him. And on the day of his sufferings he asked, whether the fire was fit, saying, As it pleaseth God I am ready soon or late; and so desired the Faithful to remember him to all the Brethren, being sure to meet together with them in Heaven. As he went to the fire, the People said, God have mercy on you; And on you too, said he. At the fire he lifting up his eyes two or three times, said to the People, Let it not offend you that I suffer for the truth's sake; for the Disciple is not greater than his Master. But he was not permitted to speak, and so was burned. Vol. 2. p. 623.
Rawlins White, a Welchman, a Fisherman of Cardiff, was very superstitious in time of Popery, till afterwards through God's Grace, he, upon the Reformation, began to give ear to good Men, and searched out the Truth; but being a very poor ignorant Person, he knew not how to be informed; and so resolved to put his Child to learn to read, whom he caused, when he could read, to read every night Summer and Winter after Supper, a piece of Scripture or some good Book, which profited him so much through God's grace, and the blessing of a good memory, that he soon became very perfect in Scriptures, did see his former errours, and was enabled to admonish others; by which means he was instrumental for the conversion of many others, whom he instructed; for which he expected to be apprehended; and his Friends desired him to fly, but he said, No: He had learned, That if he should presume to deny his Master Christ, Christ in the last day would deny and condemn him. I will therefore by his favourable Grace bear witness of him before Men, that I may find him in Everlasting Life. And at last was taken and imprisoned for a year; where as oft as his Friends visited him, he would spend the time in prayer and Exhortation: And after many means of threats and flatteries used by Bishop of Landaffe to bring him to a conformity, but in vain: he resolved to condemn him, yet exhorted he his Fellow-Assistants to pray to God for Grace for Rawlins to convert him: Whereat Rawlins rejoyced, and commending them, said, Go and pray, and I also will pray. After prayer, the Bishop asked him, If he would recant, and he said, No. Rawlins ye left me, and Rawlins ye find me, and by God's Grace Rawlins I will continue. Certainly if your petitions were just and lawful, God would have heard you; but ye honour a false God, and pray not as ye ought to pray, and therefore hath not God granted your desire; but God hath heard my complaint, and I trust will strengthen me in his own cause. Then the Bishop would have a Mass, at which Rawlins went, and begg'd the Brethren or but one Brother to bear witness that he did not worship that Idol the Host over the Priest's head: and so, soon after he was condemned: who then sent to his Wife for a Shirt to be burnt in, which he called a Wedding-garment. And going to the Stake, seeing his Wife and Children there, who made great lamentation, his heart was pierced and he wept, but soon after, being angry with himself for that infirmity, he struck his breast, saying, Ah Flesh! wouldest thou fain prevail? Well, I let thee do what thou canst, thou shalt not through God's grace have the victory. And being in the fire, he cry'd whilst he could open his mouth, O Lord, receive my Soul; O Lord receive my Spirit. Vol. 3. p. 219, 220, 221.
Thomas Watts, an Essex Man, a Linen-Draper, expecting every day to be sent for and imprisoned for the Gospel, did dispose of his things; and sold, and gave to the Poor, his Cloath, and at length was imprisoned; and not recanting by the flatteries and threats of Bishop Bonner, he was condemned; and going to take leave of his Wife and six Children, he said to them thus: I must now depart from you, therefore henceforth I know you no more; but as the Lord hath given you to me, I give you again to him, whom I charge ye see to obey, and beware ye turn not to Popery; against which, by God's grace, I shall anon give my blood: Let not the murdering of God's Saints cause you to relent, but take occasion thereby to be strong in the Lord's quarrel; and I doubt not but he will be a merciful Father to you: and so he went to the Stake, kissed it, and was burned, Iune 9. 1555. Vol. 3. p. 268.
Christopher Ward burned at Dartford, 1555. who coming to the Stake, being in a Pitch Barrel fastned to it, he held up his hands and eyes to Heaven, saying, with a chearful and loud voice, the last Verse of the 86. Psalm, Shew some good token upon me for good, that they which hate me may see it and be ashamed; because thou Lord hast helped me and comforted me: and the fire being kindled, he cryed with a loud voice, but without any impatience, Lord Iesus receive my Soul; and when his voice could not be heard, his hands were held up, and continued clasped together and held up towards Heaven, even when he was dead and altogether roasted, as though they had been stayed up by some Prop; which token God granted as it were an answer to his Prayer. Vol. 3. p. 382.
Thomas Whittle, a Priest, burnt with six others, Ian. 28. 1556. was, by the perswasions of the Papists, brought to recant; but after that, he felt such an horrour of Conscience, that he did earnestly beg to see again the Bill he had subscribed; and seeing it, he rent out his Name, and then was right glad: and in a Letter, after his condemnation, he said, Now I am condemned to dye, my conscience and mind is, I praise God, quiet in Christ, and I am willing and content to give this Body to death for a Testimony of his truth against Antichrist ▪ In another Letter he thus writes;
The World I do forsake,
To Christ I me take;
And for his Gospel's sake,
Patiently I Death take;
My Body to the Dust,
Now to return it must;
My Soul I know full well,
With my God shall dwell.
Vol. 3. p. 615.621.
Ioan Waste of Derby, born blind, yet by hearing the Word of God did become knowing; and purchased a New Testament, which she gat sometimes one Prisoner to read, and sometimes another, by giving them often some Money to read a Chapter or two in it to her: by which means she grew understanding in the Scriptures, could say much of them by heart; and at last was burned for the Gospel, August 1. 1556. who told the great Doctors that opposed her, that if they would take it upon their Consciences to answer for her at the day of Judgment, that their Doctrines were true, she would embrace it; but they would not; and burnt her because she would not recant: who in the flames, while life lasted, did continue praying the Prayers she had learned by heart, and calling on Christ for mercy. Vol. 3. p. 756, 757, 758.
Richard Woodman of Warbleton in Sussex, imprisoned for reproving their Priest who preached in Queen Mary's days contrary to his Doctrine in King Edward the VI. time, which he then averred to be true, and charged his people to believe no other. Woodman was imprisoned one year and a half, and then dismissed, and afterwards sent for again, whom the Commissioners found in his Fields at Plough, and its news made him tremble and fear; but he said he would not go with them, they not having their Commission about them: And he much reproved himself for his carnal fear, thus, They can lay no evil thing to my charge, and if they kill me for well-doing, I may think my self happy. And assoon as I was perswaded in my mind to dye, I was as merry and as joyful as ever I was. But having now escaped them, he fled home, and for six or seven weeks in a wood near his House, he lived under a Tree, where he had his Bible Pen and Ink and his provision brought dayly by his Wife to him; and then the Country being sought for him, he went into Flanders, and soon returned again, and was betray'd into his Enemies hands by his Father and Brother. Being taken, he was bound, which much rejoyced him, he said, That he should be bound for Christ's sake: and he took leave of his Wife and Children, thinking never to see them again; because it was said, He should not live six dayes; yet he said, He knew it was not as they would, but as God pleased. I know, said he, what God can do, but what he will do I know not; but I am sure he will work all things for the best for them that love and fear him. And so they went away with him. Vol. 3. p. 800, 801, 802, 803.
X X
XYstus Bishop of Rome, was martyred under the eighth Persecution with his six Deacons: And one Deacon of them named Lawrence, following him, desired to dye with him; to whom Xystus said, I am a weak old Man, and therefore run the Race of a lighter and easier death; but you are young and lusty, and after three days you shall follow me. And so he did. Vol. 1. p. 92. See Lawrence, pag. 104 of this Book.
Y Y
FOrty Young Men Souldiers under the tenth Persecution, being charged by the Emperour's Officers to disown Christ. They freely and boldly all with one accord confessed themselves to be Christians, and told him their names; and being endeavour'd with to win them by fair words as well as by threats of torments, they said, They desired not Life, Liberty, honours or dignities, or Mony, but the Celestial Kingdom of Christ: For the love of whom and Faith in God they were ready to endure the Cross, Wheel, Fire; and were sentenced to be all that night in a Pond of water in cold weather, and next day to be burnt; who when they were putting off their cloaths, said, We give thanks, O Lord, that with these our cloaths we may also by thy Grace put off the sinful Man; for by means of the Serpent we once put him on, and by the means of Jesus Christ we put him off. Vol. 1. p. 118.
Elizabeth Young, apprehended for selling some good Books, and was examined many times and punished severely, and should have been burnt, had not Queen Mary lain irrecoverably sick. She being committed to prison, and charge being by Dr. Martin that she should have one day Bread, and another day Water onelyonly for her provision, she said chearfully, If ye take away my meat, I trust God will take away my hunger. Vol. 3. pag. 911.
AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF GOD'S IVGMENTS Remarkably shown On many Noted and Cruel PERSECVTORS.
2 Thes. 1.6.
It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.
LONDON, Printed for Richard Butler, next door to the Lamb and three Bowls in Barbican. 1677.
An Alphabetical List of Gods Iudgements.
A A
ANtiochus, a Persecutor of Agapetus a Martyr, suddenly fell down from his Judicial Seat, and cry'd that all his inward Bowels burned; and so he gave up his breath. Vol. 1. p. 76.
Alexander, the Keeper of Newgate-Prison, a cruel enemy to God's People, who often hastened their death, dyed himself so miserably swell'd and so stinking, that none could endure the stench of him. And his Son within 3 years spent all his Estate; and it being wondred how he could have wasted it so soon, he said, Evil gotten, evil spent: And in Newgate-Market he fell down suddenly, and dyed miserably. And his Son-in-law Iohn Peterson after dyed rotting above ground. Vol. 3. p. 257.
Arundel Archbishop, giving Sentence against the Lord Cobham, dyed before him, and his tongue was so smitten that he could neither swallow nor speak. Vol. 3. p. 960.
B B
BErry, Commissary to the Bishop of Norwich, a great Persecutor, as he came from Church on a Sunday after Even-song, fell down on the ground, and never breathed more. Vol. 3. p. 870.
Blanchenden, who would have had a poor Man's Legs cut off, who fled from him and others, following him to apprehend him for the Gospel's sake, was soon after slain by his own Servants. Vol. 3. p. 931, 932.
Burton, the Bailiff of Crowland in Lincolnshire, a pretended Gospeller in King Edward VI. time; but in Queen Mary's dayes a zealous Papist: A prophane swearer, and one that threatned the Curate there to sheath his Sword in him if he would not say Mass: But soon after, he riding with a Neighour on the Fenne-bank, a Crow flew over him, and shit on his nose, so that the excrements ran from the top of his nose to his beard; which poyson'd scent so annoy'd his stomach, that he never ceased vomiting till he came at home, and there for extreme sickness went to bed, not being able for the stench in his stomach and his painful vomiting, to eat any meat, and cry'd out of the stink, cursing the Crow; and soon after dyed desperately. Vol. 3. p. 956.
Robert Baldwin, a Persecutor, at the taking of one Seaman, was struck with lightning, and so pined away. Vol. 3. pag. 957.
Beaton, Archbishop in Scotland, a great Persecutor of George Wisehart, was soon after slain in his bed, and lay seven months unburied; and at last was buried like a carrion on a dunghil. Vol. 2. pag. 621.
Bishop Bonner, Bishop of London, and the greatest Persecutor in Queen Mary's dayes; being imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth, died in his bed unrepentant, and was deny'd Christian burial, being at midnight tumbled into a hole amongst Thieves and murderers. Vol. 3. p. 974.
C C
CAiaphas, who wickedly set upon Christ, was deposed from the High-Priest's room by Caligula. Vol. 1. p. 40.
Clarke, a great Persecutor, hanged himself. Vol. 3 p. 957.
Coxe, a great Promoter in King Edw. VI. and in Queen Mary's dayes, going well to bed at night, was found dead next morning. Vol. 3. p. 957.
D D
DR. Dunnings, Chancellor in Norwich, a great Persecutor in the midst of Queen Mary's Reign and his rage, died suddenly in a Chair in Lincolnshire. Vol. 3. p. 954.
Dale, a great Papistical promoter, was eaten into his Body with Lice, and so died, Vol. 3. p. 967.
E E
EMperours, who were Authors of Persecution against Christians, all of them came to sad ends: either staying themselves, or being slain by others, or dying by unheard of deaths. Vol. 1. p. 41.
Sir Ralph Ellerken, a Knight at Calice, who at the martyrdom of Adam Damlip said, He would not stir till he see his heart out, had his own heart soon after cut out of his Body by the French. See Damlip pag. 51 of this Book, and see Vol. 2. p. 564, 565.
Robert Edgar, Executing the Office of a Parish Clerk against his Conscience, was bereft of his Wits, and kept in chains many years. Vol. 3. p. 960.
F F
DR. Foxford Chancellor to Bishop Stoksely in King Henry the 8th's dayes and a great Persecutor, dyed suddenly. Vol. 3. p. 957.
Bishop Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, who with Bishop Warham caused one Iohn Brown to have his feet heated and burnt to the Bones by coals to make him recant his Religion, was soon after beheaded for opposing Kings Supremacy. Vol. 3. p. 957. with Sir Thomas Pure another great Papist. See Iohn Brown, pag. 19. of this Book.
The Wife of Iohn Petty of Clerkenwel Parish in London, being the occasion of her own Husband's taking, was immediately struck mad. Vol. 3. p. 960.
A Dominick Fryar, inveighing in the Pulpit against the Gospel, was suddenly struck with lightning, and so ended his Life. Vol. 3. p. 964.
G G
GRimwood, a false witness against one Iohn Cooper, a Suffolkman (whereby the poor Man was proved guilty of Treason falsly, and was hang'd, drawn, and quartered, and his Wife and nine Children turned out of their Estate,) was afterwards sadly, and suddenly, afflicted; for in Harvest time, as he was stacking Corn, and was very well, fearing no evil, his bowels suddenly fell out of his body, and he dyed most miserably. Vol. 3. p. 955.
Bishop Gardiner, a cruel Persecutor, dyed despairing; and having a Bishop with him, who put him in mind of Peter's denying his Master, he said, I have denyed with Peter, but never repented with Peter. Vol. 3. p. 957. He rejoycing at the News of Bishop Ridley's, and Latimer's burning, at a Dinner that day, was that instant struck sick, denyed the use of Nature, either by Urine, or otherwise, for fifteen days; and then dyed with a sad inflamed body. Vol. 3. p. 527.
H H
Herod, the murtherer of Iohn Baptist, and condemner of Christ; was, by Caligula Caesar, condemned to perpetual banishment; where he dyed miserably. Vol. 1. p. 40.
Hoeimester, an Arch-Papist, going to Ratisbon to dispute against the defenders of the Gospel, dyed suddenly, and miserably in his Journey, with roaring and crying. Vol. 3. p. 963.
I I
JEws, who refused Christ, and also were Persecutors of him, were forty years after Christ's Passion destroyed by Titus, and Vespasian his Father, to the Number of 1100000, besides them which Vespasian slew in subduing Galilee, and them which were sold and sent into Egypt, and other Provinces to vile slavery, to the Number of 17000, and 2000 were brought with Titus in tryumph; of which, part were devoured by Wild Beasts, and part of them were otherwise cruelly slain. Vol. 1. p. 40, 41.17.