The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 26
The Life and Death of Laurence Saunders, who died Anno Christi 1555.
LAurence Saunders was borne of worshipfull Parents, brought up in learning at Eaton Schoole, and from thence chosen to Kings Colledge in Cambridge, where he continued three yeers, and profited in learning very much; then by his Mo…her, who was very rich, he was bound to a Merchant in London; but not affecting that course of life, his Master gave him his Indentures, and he returned to his studies in Cambridge, where also he studied Greeke and Hebrew, but especially the holy Scriptures: he was frequent, and very fervent in Prayer, and when assaulted by temptations, he still found much support, and comfort in prayer, whereby he gained such experience, that he became a great comforter of others: he Commensed Master of Arts, and stayed long after in the University. In the beginning of King Edwards Raign he began to Preach (being first Ordeined a Minister) and that with such generall approbation, that he was chosen to read a Divinity-Lecture at Fotheringay, where by his Doctrine and life he drew many to God, and stopped the mouths of the adversaries: about which time he married a wife: and from thence he was removed to the Minster of Leichfield, where also he, by his Life and D…ctrine, gat a good report, even from his adversaries: from thence he was removed to Church-Langton in Leicestershire, and from thence to Al…allowes in Breadstreet London; and after his admission there, he went backe into the Country to resign his Benefice, which fell out when Queen Mary raised stirs to get the Crown: In his journey he preach'd at Northampton, not medling with the State, but boldly delivered his conscience against Popish Doctrine, and errors; which (said he) are like to spring up againe, as a just plague for the little love which England hath borne to the true Word of God, so plentifully offered to them: And seeing the dreadfull day approaching, infl…med with godly zeal, he Preached diligently at both his Benifices, not having opportunity to resign e…ther, but into the hands of the Papists: and notwithstanding the Proclamation to the contrary, he taught diligently the Truth, at his Country-place where he then was, confirming th… people, and arming them against false doctrine, till by force he was resisted: some counselled him to fly out o… the Kingdome, which he refused; and being hindred there from preaching, he traveled towards London, to visit his flock in that place, coming near London Master Mordant one of the Q…eenes Counsell overtooke him, asked him if he did not Preach such a time in Breadstreet? he said, Yea: And will you, said Mordant, preach so again? Yes, said he, to morrow you may hear me there, where I will confirme by Gods Word, all that I then Preached. I would counsell you (said the other) to forbe…r. Saunders said, if you will forbid me by lawfull Authority, I must then forbear: Nay, Mordant, I will not forbid you, and so they parted. Mordant went presently to Bishop Bonner, and informed him of Master Saunders his purpose to Preach the next day: which accordingly he did, and at his lodging being …omewhat troubled in his thoughts, a friend of his asked him h…w he did? truly said he, I am in prison, til… I be in prison: In the afternoon he prepared himselfe to Preach again, but Bonner sent an officer for him, who carried him to the Bishop, where was Mordant also: the Bishop charged him with Treason, Heresie, and Sedition: and required him to write his judgment about Transubstantiation; which he did, saying, You seek my blood, and you shall have it: I pray God you may be so baptized in it, that you may hereafter loath blood sucking, and become a better man: then Bonner s…nt him to Gardiner, where he waited four hours before he was called in: and after some discourse with him, Gardiner sent him to prison; to whom he said, I thanke God that at last he hath given me a place of rest, where I may pray for your conversion. He continued in prison one yeere, and three months: in a lettter to his wife he writes, I a… merrie, and I trust I shall be merrie, maugre the teeth of all the Divels in hell: Riches I have none to endow you with, but that treasure of tas…ing …ow sweet Christ is to hungrie consciences (where…f I thanke my Christ, I doe feel part) that I bequeath unto you, and to the rest of my beloved in Christ, &c. Being at last brought again to examination, and lif… b…ing promised if he would recant; he answered, I love my life and libertie, if I could enjoy them without the hurt of my conscience: but by Gods grace I will …bide the most extremitie that man can doe against mee, rather then doe any thing against my conscience. Being condemned, he was sent to Coventrie to be burned: when he came near the place of execution, he went chearfully …o the stake, kissing of it, and saying, Welcom the Crosse of Christ; welcom everlasting life; and the fire being kindled, he sweetly slept in the Lord.
Doctor Pendleton, and this Master Saunders meeting together in the beginning of Queen Maries reign, and speaking of the Persecution that was like to ensue, about which Master Saunders shewed much weaknesse and many fears. Pendleton said to him, What man? there is much more cause for mee to fear, then for you, forasmuch as I have a big and fat body, yet will I see the utmost drop of this grease of mine molten away, and the last gobbit of this flesh of mine consum…d to ashes, before I will forsake Iesus Christ, and his Truth which I have professed: yet not long after, upon triall, poore, feeble, faint hearted Saunders, by the power and goodnesse of God, sealed the Truth with his blood: whereas proud Pendleton played the Apostate, and turned Papist.
He from inferior Parents did not spring,
But such as noble were in every thing;
Nor did his life, but to their splendor adde,
Which make both them and all that knew him glad;
For he in knowledge did so high excell,
That …asseth aut of man almost to tell:
Whether his knowledge or his vertues were
The more resplendant, yet a holy feare
Did séem to equall both; and which doth crown
Him all triumphant, he past Martyrdome
With …uch high courage, and so rare a zeale,
That I want words his worth for to reveal….