A Cloud of Witnesses, Part B

A Cloud of Witnesses · Part B

p. 11B

Babilas.

Babilas Bishop of Antioch, St. Chrysoft. cont. Gentiles.being cast by Decius into a filthy stinking Prison for the name of Christ, with as many irons as he could bear, intreated his Friends (that visited him) that after his death they would bury with him the signs and tokens of his valour, meaning his bolts and fetters.

Now (said he) will God wipe away all tears,Ward, pag. 141, and now I shall walk with God in the land of the living.

Bainham.

Mr. Iames Bainham, Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 300.when he repented of his Recantation in Austin's Church in London, He declared p. 12openly with weeping eyes, that he had denied God, and prayed all the people to beware of his weakness, and not to do as he did; For (saie he) If I should not return again unto the truth, this Word of God (he having a New Testament in his hand) would damn me both body and soul at the Day of Judgement. He perswaded them to die by and dy, rather then to do as he did; for he would not feel such an hell again for all the worlds good.

When he was at the Stake in the midst of the flaming fire, which had half consumed his Arms and Legs, he spake these words; O ye Papists, Behold, ye look for miracles, and here now you may see a miracle; for in this fire I feel no more pain, then if I were in a Bed of Down, it is to me as a Bed of Roses.

Bar…evil.

Ward, pag. 162.Iohn Barbevil said to the Friers that called him ignorant Ass; Well, Admit I were so, yet shall my bloud witness against such Balaams as you be.

Bale.

Mr. John Bale in his excellent Paraphrase in Apocalyps.See the image of both Churches printed 1550.

In his Preface—He that will live godly in Christ Jesus, and be a patient sufferer; he that will stand in Gods fear, and prepare himself to temptation; he that will be strong when adversity shall come, and avoid all assaults of Antichrist and the Devil, let him give himself wholly to the study of this prophesie—He that knoweth not this Book, knoweth not what the Church is, Whereof he is a member.—It containeth the universal troubles, persecutions and crosses, that the Church suffered in the Primitive Spring, what is suffereth p. 13now, and what it shall suffer in the later Times, by the subtilties of Antichrist and his Followers, the cruel Members of Satan; and it manifesteth what Promises, what Crowns, and what Glory the said Congregation shall have, after this present Conflict with the Enemies, that the promised Rewards might quicken the hearts of those that the Torments feareth. — Unto St. Iohn were these Mysteries revealed, when he was by the Emperor Domitianus exiled for his Preaching, into the Isle of Patmos, at the cruel Complaints of the Idolatrous Priests and Bishops, and by him writ and sent out of the same exile into the Congregations. — The Contents of this Book are from no place more freely and clearly opened, nor told forth more boldly, then out of exile. — Flattery dwelling at home, and sucking there still his Mothers breasts, may never tell out the truth, he seeth so many dangers on every side, as displeasure of Friends, decay of Name, loss of Goods, offence of Great men, and jeopardy of Life, &c. The forsaken wretched sort hath the Lord provided alwayes to rebuke the world of sin, hypocrisie, blindness; for nought is it therefore that he hath exiled a certain number of believing Brethren the Realms of England, of the which afflicted Family my faith is that I am one. Whereupon I have considered it is no less my bounden duty, under pain of damnation, to admonish Christs flock by this present Revelation of their perils past, and dangers to come for contempt of the Gospel, which now reigneth there above all in the Clergy. — Graciously hath the Lord called them, especially now of late, but his voice is nothing regarded. His Servants have they imprisoned, tormented, and slain, having his Verity in p. 14much more contempt then before. We looked for a time of peace, (saith the Prophet Ieremiah) and we fare not the better at all; we waited for a time of health, and we find here nothing else but trouble. And no marvel, considering the Beasts head that was wounded, is now healed up again so workmanly, as Rev. 13. mentioneth. The abominable hopocrisie, idolatry, pride, and filthiness of those terrible termagaunts of Antichrists holy houshold, those two-horned Whoremongers, those Conjurers of Egypt, and lecherous Locusts, leaping out of the bottomless Pit, which daily deceive the ignorant multitude with their Sorceries and Charms, must be shewed to the World to their utter shame and confusion. —. To tell them freely of their wicked works by the Scriptures, I have exiled my self for ever from mine own native Countrey, Kindred, Friends, Acquaintance, (which are the great delights of this life) and am well contented for the sake of Christ, and for the comfort of my Brethren there, to suffer poverty, penury, abjection, reproof, and all that shall come beside.—Here are we admonished before-hand of two most dangerous evils; neither to agree with those Tyrants, that wage war with the Lamb in his elect Members, nor yet to obey those deceitful Bishops, that in hypocrisie usurp the Churches Titles. — Of those hath our heavenly Lord premonished us in this heavenly work of his, and graciously called us away from their abominations, lest we should be partakers of their sins, and so receive of their plagues. If we unthankfully neglect it, the greater is our danger.—

Barlaam.

Fox, Vol. 1. pag. 118. Ward, pag. 141.He holding his hand in the flame over the Altar, sung that of the Psalmist, Thou teachest my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

p. 15Barnes.

I have been reported (said Dr. Barnes at the Stake) to be a Preacher of Sedition,Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 527. and disobedient to the Kings Majesty; but here I say to you, that you are all bound by the command of God, to obey your Prince with all humility, and with all your heart; and that not onelyonly for fear of the sword, but also for conscience sake before God: Yea, I say further, If the King should command you any thing against Gods Law, if it be in your power to resist him, yet may you not do it.

Basil.

When Valens the Emperour sent his Officers to him,Burroughs in Mose Self-De… al, pag. 1 seeking to turn him from the Faith: And first of all great preferments were offered him; Basil rejected them with scorn: Offer these things (said he) to Children. When he was afterwards threatned grievously; Threaten (said he) your Purple Gallants, that give themselves to their pleasures.

When the Emperors Messenger promised him great preferment,Clarks Lives, Part 1. pag. 101. Alas, Sir, (said this Bishop of Caes…rca) these speeches are fit to catch little Children, that look after such things; but we that are taught and nourished by the holy Scriptures, are ready to suffer a thousand deaths, rather then to suffer one syllable or tittle of the Scripture to be altered.

When the Emperour threatned to banish him,Leiglis Saints Encouragements in evil times, pag. 9. &c. if he obeyed not, he said, Those Bug-bears were to be propounded to Children; but for his part, though they might take away his life, yet they could not hinder him from professing the Truth.

When Modestus the Praefect asked him,Clark, &c. pag. 191. Know you not who we are that command it? No body p. 16(said Basil) whilst you command such things. Know ye not (said the Praefect) that we have Honours to bestow upon you? They are but changeable (said Basil) like your selves. Hereupon he threatned to confiscate his Goods, to torment him, to banish him, or kill him; he answered, He need not fear confiscation, that had nothing to lose nor banishment, to whom Heaven onelyonly is a Countrey; nor torments, when his body would be dash'd with one blow; nor death, which is the onelyonly way to set him at liberty. The Praefect telling him he was Mad, he said, Opto me in ae…ernum sic delirare, I wish I may for ever be thus Mad. The Praefect another time threatning him with death he said, Would it would fall out so well on my side, that I might lay down this carkass of mine in the quarrel of Christ, and in the defence o… his Truth, who is my Head and Captain.

The Praefect desiring that he would not, by rashly answering, throw himself away, offered him a day and night to consider further of it; but Basil said, I have no need to take further counsel about this matter: Look what I am to day, the same thou shalt find me to morrow; but I pray God that thou change not thy mind.

Benden.

Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 796.Alice Benden, when she was in Prison at Canterbury, agreed with a fellow Prisoner to live both of them with two pence half penny a day, to try thereby how well they could sustain penury and hunger before they were put to it.

At her first coming into the Bishops Prison, she was much troubled, and expostulated why her Lord did suffer her to be sequestred from her loving Fellowes in so extreme misery? But was comforted▪ by these words, Why ar… thou so heavy, p. 17O my soul? The right hand of the Lord can change all.

At the stake she took forth a shilling of Philip and Mary, which her father had bowed… and sent her when she was first in Prison, desiring her Brother there present, to return the same to her Father again, that he might understand she never lacked money whilst she lay in Prison.

Bennet.

Mr. Thomas …ennet, Fox, Vol. 2.314.a School-master in Exceter, being press't by a Doctour, a Gray Frier, to recant for putting upon the doors of the Cathedral in Schedules, That the Pope is Antichrist, and that we ought to worship God onelyonly, and not the Saints, said, I take God to record, my life is not dear to me, I am weary of it, seeing your detestable doings, to the utter destruction of Gods flock, so that I desire death, that I may no longer be partaker of your detestable idolatries and superstitions, or be subject unto Antichrist your Pope. —Away from me I pray you, vex my soul no longer, ye shall not prevail.—If I should hear and follow you this day, everlasting death should hang over me, a just reward for them that prefer the life of this world before life eternal.

Berger.

Peter Berger, Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 140.burnt at Lions 155…. beholding the multitude at the stake, said, Great is the Harvest, Lord, send Labourers, I see the heavens open to receive me.

B…tken.

When she was brought to the Rack,Fox, Vol. 3. Suppl. p. 49. she said, My Masters, wherefore will you put me to this torture, seeing I have no way offended you? Is it for my Faith's sake? you need not torment me for that, for as I was never ashamed to make confession p. 18thereof, no more will I be now at this present before you, I will freely shew you my mind therein. But for all … when they proceeded on with what they inte…, Alas my Masters, said she, If it be so that I must suffer this pain, then give me leave first to call upon God. Her request they granted: whilst she wa… praying, one of the Commissioners was so sur… with fear and terrour, that by and by he swo… ▪ …nd could not be fetcht again, and so she esca… the torture.

Bilney.

Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 268.Mr. Thomas Bilney in a Letter to Dr. Tonstal Bishop of London, he gives this account of his conversion. —The woman which was twelve years vexed with the bloudy Flux, had consumed all that she had upon Physicians, and yet was still worse and worse, untill such time as she came to Christ, and after she had once touched the hem of his vesture, through faith she was healed. O mighty power of the most High! which I also most miserable sinner have often tasted and felt. Before I came to Christ I had likewise spent all I had upon ignorant Physicians. —They appointed me Fastings, Watchings, buying of Pardons, and Masses, &c. But at last I heard speak of Jesus, even then, when the New Testament was first set out by Erasmu…. At first I was allured to read, rather for the Latine (having heard it was eloquently done) then for the Word of God. At the first reading I hit upon this sentence of St. Paul, (O most sweet and comfortable sentence to my soul) in 1 Tim. 1. It is a true saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. This sentence through Gods instruction and inward working, did so exhilarate my heart, being before wounded with the guilt of my sins, insomuch p. 19that my bruised bones leapt for joy. After this the Scripture began to be more pleasant to me then the honey or the honey-comb. Therein I learned that all my Travels, all my Fasting and Watching, all the redemption of Masses and Pardons, without faith in Christ, were but a hasty and swift running out of the right way, or else much like the vesture made of Fig-leaves, wherewithall Adam and Eve went about in vain to cover their nakedness, and could never obtain quietness and rest, till they believed in the promise of God, that Christ the seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head. Neither could I be relieved or eased of the sharp stingings of my sins, before I was taught of God, that even as Moses exalted the serpent in the Desart, so shall the Son of man be exalted, that all which believe on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. As soon as I began to taste and savour this heavenly Lesson, which none can teach but God onelyonly, I desired the Lord to encrease my faith. And at last I desired nothing more, then that I being so comforted by him, might be strengthened by his holy Spirit and grace from above, to teach the wicked his wayes, which are mercy and truth, that the wicked may be converted unto him by me, who sometimes was also wicked.—Accordingly I did teach, and set forth Christ, being made for us by God his Father, our Wisdome, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption, 1 Cor. 1. Who was made sin for us, i. e. a Sacrifice for sin, that we through him should be made the righteousness of God, 2 Cor. 5. Who became accursed for us, to redeem us from the curse of the Law, Gal. 2.—I taught that all men should first acknowledge their sins, and condemn them, afterward hunger and thirst for that righteousness, p. 20which is by faith in Christ, &c. Rom. 3. And forasmuch as this hunger and thirst was wont to be quenched with the fulness of mans righteousness. —Therefore oftentimes have I spoken of those works, exhorting all men not so to cleave to them, as they being satisfied therewith, should loath or wax weary of Christ. For those things I have been cryed out of, attached, and now cast into prison.

Pag. 271.His abjuration cost him dear, it brought him even to despair, his Friends were fain to be with him night and day.

Bishop Latimer saith, That he thought all the Word of God was against him, and sounded his condemnation: To bring any comfortable Scripture to him, was as though a man should run him through with a sword.

Pag. 277.The day before his Execution, some Friends finding him eating heartily, with much cheerfulness, and a quiet mind, they said, They were glad to see him at that time so heartily to refresh himself: O (said he) I imitate those, who having a ruinous house to dwell in, yet bestow cost as long as they may to hold it up.

Leigh's Saints Encouragements in evil times. p. 27.In Prison he divers times proved the fire, by putting his finger near to the candle; at the first touch of the candle his flesh resisting, and he withdrawing his finger, did after chide his flesh in these words; Quid uniu… m…mlri inustionem ferre n…n potes, & quo pacto cras totius corporis confl… grationem tolerabis? What (said he) canst thou not bear the burning of one member, and how wilt thou endure to morrow the burning of thy whole body?

Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 277.I feel, and have known it long by Philosophy, that fire is hot; yet I know some (recorded in Gods Word) even in the flame felt no heat, and I p. 21believe that though my body will be wasted by it, my soul shall be purged thereby.

At the same time he most comfortably treated among his Friends, of Isa. 43.1, 2, 3. But now, thus saith the Lord, that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy Name. Thou art mine when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy one of Israel, thy Saviour. The comfort whereof never left some of his Friends to their dying day.

The next morning the Officers fetching him to Execution, a certain Friend entreated him to be constant, and to take his death patiently; Bilney answered, I am sailing with the Mariner through a boisterous sea, but shortly shall be in the Haven, &c. Help me with your Prayers.

Bland.

Mr. Iohn Bland a Kentish Minister,Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 373. in his Prayer at the stake.—Lord Jesus, for thy love I do willingly leave this life, and desire rather the bitter death of thy Cross, with the loss of all earthly things, then to abide the blasphemy of thy Holy Name, or else to obey man in the breaking of thy Command.—This death is more dear unto me then thousands of gold and silver. Such love, O Lord, hast thou laid up in my breast, that I hunger for thee, as the Deer wounded desireth the soyl.

Blehere.

Levine Blehere said to his Friends,Ward, pag. 160. offering to rescue him by tumult; Hinder not the Magistrates work, nor my happiness. Father, thou foresawest p. 22the sacrifice from eternity, now accept of it I pray thee.

Bongeor.

Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 849.Agnes Bongeor, having prepared her self to go with her Fellow-martyrs to the stake, putting on a Smock made for that purpose, and sending away her sucking infant to a Nurse, through a mistake of her Name in the Writ (Bowyer being put for Bongeor) was kept back. Hereupon she made piteous moan, wept bitterly, &c. Because she went not with them to give her life in defence of her Christ; of all things in the world, life was least looked for by her. In this perplexity a Friend came to her, and put her in mind of Abraham's offering up Is… ac. I know (quoth she) that Abraham's will before God was accepted for the deed, in that he would have done it, if the Angel of the Lord had not stay'd him; but I am unhappy, the Lord thinks not me worthy of this dignity; and yet I would have gone with my company with all my heart; and because I did it not, it is now my chief and greatest grief. She was grieved because she had not offered her self (though she had given away her child) which was more then Abraham was put to.)

Bossu.

Fox, Vol. 3. cons. p. 68.Francis le Bossu, a French Martyr, to encourage his children to suffer martyrdome with himself, he thus spake unto them; Children, we are not now to learn, that it hath alwayes been the portion of Believers to be hated, cruelly used, and devoured by Unbelievers, as sheep of ravening wolves; if we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him Let not these drawn swords terrifie us, they will be but as a Bridge, whereby we shall pass over out of a miserable life into immortal blessedness. We p. 23have breathed, and lived long enough among the wicked; let us now go, and live with our God. He and his two Sons were killed, embracing each other, in the Massacre at Lyons in France, 1572.

Bradford.

Mr. Iohn Bradford, Fox, Vol. 3. p. 281, 282.the night before he was carried to Newgate, he dreamt that Chains were brought for him to the Counter, and that the day following he should be carried to Newgate, and that the next day he should be burnt in Smithfield; which accordingly came to pass.

Being askt what he should do, and whither he would go, if he should have his liberty; he said, He cared not whether he went out, or no; but if he did, he would marry and abide still in England secretly, teaching the people as the time would suffer him.

When the Keepers Wife told him the sad News (as she called it) of the nearness of his death, being to be burned the next day, he put off his Cap, and lifting up his eyes to Heaven, said, I thank God for it, I have looked for the same a long time, and therefore it cometh not now to me suddenly, but as a thing waited for every day and hour; the Lord make me worthy thereof.

Cresw…ll offering to labour for him,Pag. 292. and desiring to know what suit he should make for him, What you will do (said he) do it not at my request, for I desire nothing at your hands. If the Queen will give me life, I will thank her; if she will banish me, I will thank her; if she will burn me, I will thank her; if she will condemn me to perpetual imprisonment, I will thank her.

The Chancellor pressing him to do as they had done,Pag. 283. in hopes of the Queens mercy and pardon; My Lord (said he) I desire mercy with Gods mercy, p. 24(i. e. without doing or saying any thing against God and his Truth, pag. 290.) but mercy with Gods wrath God keep me from. — Gods mercy I desire, and also would be glad of the Q…eens favour, to live as a Subject without clog on Conscience: but otherwise the Lords mercy is better to me then life. — Life in his displeasure is worse then death, and death with his favour is true life.

Pag. 286.He having refused again and again to answer to the Chancellors Quaeries, said, That no fear, but the fear of perjury made him unwilling to answer (he having been six times sworn not to consent to the practising of any Jurisdiction, or any Authority on the Bishop of R…me's behalf, within the Realm of England) I am not afraid of death, I thank God, I look and have looked for nothing else from your hands a long time; but I am afraid when death cometh, I should have ma…ter to trouble my Conscience by the guilt of perjury. — As for my death, as I know there are twelve hours in the day, so with the Lord my time is appointed; and when it shall be his good time, then I shall depart hence; but in the mean season I am safe enough, though all the reople had sworn my death; into his hands have I committed it, and do, his good will be done.

Pag. 297.The Earl of Derby sending one of his Servants to him, willing him to tender himself, He told the Messenger, that he thanked his Lordship for his good will towards him, but in this case I cannot tender my self more then Gods honour.

The same Servant saying also, Ah Mr. Bradford, consider your Mother, Sister, Friends, Kinsfolk, Countrey, what a great discomfort it will be to them to see you die as an Heretick. Mr. Bradford replied, I have learned to forsake Father, Mother, p. 25Brother, Sister, Friends, and all that ever I have, yea and my own self, for else I cannot be Christs Disciple.

Being askt by a good Gentlewomans Servant,Pag. 305. that was sent to him, How he did? he answered, Well, I thank God: for as men in Sailing, which be near to the Shore or Haven where they would be, would be nearer, even so the nearer I am to God, the nearer I would be.

In a Letter to his Mother and Brethren.Pag. 308.—I am at this time in Prison sure enough from starting to confirm that I have preached unto you: As I am ready (I thank God) with my life and blood to seal the same, if God vouchsafe me worthy of that honour. — If we suffer with him, we shall also reign w…th him. Be not therefore faint-hearted, but rather rejoyce, at the least for my sake, who now am in the right and high way to Heaven; for by many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdome of God. Now will God made known his Children. When the wind doth not blow, the Wheat cannot be known from the Chaffe; but when the blast cometh, then flieth away the Chaffe, but the Wheat remaineth, and is so far from being hurt, that by the wind it is more cleansed from the Chaffe. Gold when it is cast into the fire is the more precious, so are Gods Children by afflictions. — Indeed I thank God more for this Prison, then for any Parlour, yea then for any pleasure that eyer I had: for in it I find God my most sweet good God alwayes. — Of all deaths it is most to be desired to die for Gods sake: such are sure to go to Heaven. — Death, nor Life, nor Prison, nor Pleasure, I trust in God, shall be able to separate me from my Lord God and his Gospel. — Rejoyce in my sufferings, for it is for your sakes, to confirm p. 26the truth I have taught. — Howsoever you do be obedient to the Higher Powers, that is, in no point either in hand or tongue Rebel; but rather if they command that which with good conscience you cannot obey, lay your head on the Block, and suffer what they shall do, or say. By patience possess your souls.

Pag. 310.In his Letter to the City of London. — I ask God heartily mercy, that I do no more rejoyce, then I do, having so great cause, as to be an instrument, wherein it may please my dear Lord, and Saviour to suffer. — Although my sins be manifold and grievous, yet the Bishops and Prelates do not persecute them in me, but Christ himself, his Word, his Truth, and Religion. — Let the anger and plagues of God most justly fallen upon us, be applied to every one of our deserts, that from the bottome of our hearts every one of us may say, It is I Lord, that have sinned against thee: It is my hypocrisie, my vain-glory, my covetousness, uncleanness, carnality, security, idleness, unthankfulness, self-love, &c. which have deserved the taking away of thy Word and true Religion, of thy good Ministers by Exile, Imprisonment, Death, &c. — Prepare your selves to the Cross, be obedient to all that be in Authority in all things, that be not against God, his Word; for then answer with the Apostle, It is more meet to obey God, then man. Howbeit never for any thing resist, or rise against the Magistrates. Avenge not your selves. Commit your Cause to the Lord. If you feel in your selves an hope and trust in God, that he will never tempt you above that he will make you able to bear, be assured the Lord will be true to you, and you shall be able to bear all brunts: but if you want this Hope, flee and get you hence, rather then by p. 27your tarrying Gods Name should be dishonoured.

In his Letter to Cambridge. Pag. 312.— Thou my Mother, the University, hast not onelyonly had the truth of Gods Word plainly manifested unto thee by Reading, Disputing, and Preaching publickly and privately, but now to make thee altogether excuseless, and as it were almost to sin against the Holy Ghost, if thou put to thy helping hand with the Romish Rout to suppress the Verity, and set out the contrary, thou hast my life and blood, as a Seal to confirm thee, if thou wilt be confirmed, or else to confound thee, if thou wilt take part with the Prelates and Clergy, which now fill up the measure of their Fathers, which slew the Prophets and Apostles, that all the righteous blood from Abel to Bradford may be required at their hands. — For the tender mercy of Christ in his bowels and blood I beseech you to take Christs eye-salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see what you do, and have done in admitting the Romish rotten Rags, which once you utterly expelled. O be not the Dog returned to his vomit; be not the Sow that was washed, returning to her wallowing in the mire. Beware least Satan enter in with seven worse Spirits, &c. It had been better you had never known the truth, then after knowledge to have run from it. Ah! woe to this world, and the things therein, which hath now so wrought with you. Oh that ever this Dirt of the Devil should daub up the eye of the Realm! — What is man whose breath is in his nostrils, that thou shouldst thus be afraid of him? — Dost not thou know Rome to be Babylon? Dost not thou know, that as the old Babylon had the children of Iudah in captivity, so hath Rome the true Iudah, i. e. the Confessors of Christ? Dost not thou know, that as destruction happened unto p. 28it, so shall it do unto this? Dost not thou know that God will deliver his people now, when the time is come as he did then? Hath not God commanded his people to come out of her? and wil… thou give example to the whole Realm to run unto her? Hast thou forgotten the woe that Chris… threatneth to offence-givers? Wilt not thou remember that it were better that a Milstone were hanged about thy neck, and thou thrown into the Sea, then that thou shouldst offend the little one? Dear Mother, Receive some admonition of one of thy poor children, now going to be burned for the testimony of Jesus; Come again to Gods truth, come out of Babylon, confess Christ and his true Doctrine, repent that which is past, &c. Remember the readings, &c. of Gods Prophet Bucer. Call to mind the threatnings of God (now somewhat seen) by thy children, Leaver, and others. Let the exile of Leaver, Pil…inton, Grindal, H…ddon, Horn, Scory, Ponet, &c. something awake thee. Consider the martyrdome of thy Chickens, Rogers, Saunders, Tailor. And now cast not away the poor admonition of me, going to be burned also, and to receive the like Crown of Glory with my fellows. — Even now the Axe is laid to the Root.

Pag. 313.In his Letter to Lancashire and Cheshire, &c. — Indeed if I should simply consider my life with that which it ought to have been, and as God in his Law requireth, then could I not but cry, as I do, Righteous art thou, O Lord, &c. But when I consider the cause of my condemnation, I cannot but lament, that I do no more rejoyce; for it is Gods truth. So that the condemnation is not a condemnation of Bradford simply, but rather a condemnation of Christ and his Truth. Bradford is nothing else, but an instrument in whom Christ and p. 29his Doctrine is condemned. And therefore, my dearly beloved, rejoyce, rejoyce, and give thanks with me, and for me, that ever God did vouchsafe so great a benefit to our Countrey, as to choose the most unworthy (I mean my self) to be one, in whom it pleaseth him to suffer. — Forget not how that the Lord hath shewed himself true, and me his true Preacher, by bringing to pass these plagues, which at my mouth you oft heard before. — My blood will cry for vengeance, as against the Papists, Gods enemies, &c. so against you, if ye repent not, amend not, and turn not unto the Lord.

In his Letter to the Town of Walden. Pag. 316.— What can you desire more, to assure your Consciences of the Verity taught by your Preachers, then their own lives? Waver not therefore in Christs Religion truly taught you. Never shall the enemies be able to burn it, and imprison it, and keep it in bonds, though they may imprison and burn us. — I humbly beseech you, and pray you in the bowels and blood of Jesus, now I am going to death for the testimony of Jesus, love the Lords Truth, love (I say) to love it, and to frame your lives thereafter. Alas! you know the cause of all these plagues fallen upon us, and of the success, which Gods adversaries have daily, is for our not loving Gods Word. You know how that we were but Gospellers in lips, and not in life. — Remember that before ye learned A.B.C. your Lesson was Christs Cross. Forget not that Christ will have no Disciples, but such as will promise to deny themselves, and to take up their Cross (mark that, take it up) and follow him, and not the multitude, custome, &c. — Loth would I be a witness against you at the last day, as of truth I must be, if ye p. 30repent not, if ye love not Christs Gospe…

Pag. 317.In his Letter to B.C. — The world seems … have the upper hand, the Truth seems to be oppressed, and they which take part therewith an unjustly entreated. The cause of all this is God anger and mercy: His anger, because we hav… grievously sinned against him, we have been un…thankful for his Word, &c. we have been so carnal, covetous, licentious, &c. that of his Justice he could no longer forbear, but make us feel his anger, &c. His mercy is seen in this, that God do… vouchsafe to punish us in this present life. If he should not have punished us, Do not you think we should have continued in the evils we were in▪ Yes verily, we should have been worse. — The way to Heaven is not the wide way of the world, but it is a strait way, which few walk in; for few live godly in Christ, few regard the Life to come, few remember the day of Judgement, few remember how Christ will deny them before his Father, that do deny him here, few consider that Christ-will be ashamed of them in the last day, which are ashamed of his Truth and true Service, few cast up their accounts, what will be laid to their charge in the day of vengeance, few regard the condemnation of their own consciences, in doing that which they inwardly disallow, few love God better then their goods. — Of this I would that ye were all certain, that all the hairs of your heads are numberless, so that not one of them shall perish, neither shall man or Devil be able to attempt any thing, much less do any thing to you before your heavenly Father, which loveth you most tenderly, shall give them leave; they shall go no farther then he will, nor keep you any longer in trouble then he will. Therefore cast on him all your care, for p. 31he is careful for you. OnelyOnly study to please him, and to keep your consciences clean, and your bodies pure from the idolatrous service, which now every where is used, and God will marvellously and mercifully defend and comfort you.

In his Letter to Erkinald Rawlins and his wife.Pag. 318. —First we have cause to rejoyce for these dayes, because our Father suffereth us not to lye in Iezabel's bed, sleeping in our sins and security, but as mindful of us, doth correct us as his children. —Secondly, because they are dayes of tryal, wherein not onelyonly ye your selves, but also the world shall know, that ye be none of his, but the Lords Darlings, whom we obey his servants we are. Now it is seen whether we obey the world or God. —But the tryals of these dayes ye are occasioned more to repent, more to pray, more to contemn this world, more to desire life everlasting, more to be holy, for holy is the end; wherefore God doth afflict us, and so to come to Gods company.

In his Letter to Mr. Laurence Saunders. Pag. 320.— A Friend having moved the Prisoners to subscribe to the Papists Articles, with this condition, so far as they are not against Gods word. Dr. Taylor, and Mr. Philpot think the salt sent by our Friend is unseasonable; for my own part, I pray God in no case I may seek my self, and indeed (I thank God) I purpose it not.

In another Letter.Pag. 321. — This will be offensive; therefore let us Vadere plane, and so sane. I mean let us all confess we are no changlings, but re ipsa are the same we were in Religion; and therefore cannot subscribe, except we will dissemble both with God, with our selves, and with the world.

In his Letter to Dr. Cranmer, Dr. Ridley, and Dr. Latimer.—Our dear brother Rogers hath broken p. 32the Ice valiantly; this day (I think) or to morrow at the uttermost, hearty Hooper, sincere Saunders, and trusty Tailor end their course, and receive their Crown. The next am I, who hourly look for the Porter to open me the Gates after them to enter into the desired Rest. God forgive me mine unthankfulness for this exceeding great mercy. For though I justly suffer (for I have been a great Hypocrite, &c. the Lord pardon me, yea he hath done it, he hath done it indeed) yet what evil hath he done? Christ, whom the Prelates persecute, his truth, which they hate in me, hath done no evil, nor deserved death.—O what am I Lord, that thou shouldest thus magnifie me? Is this thy wont, to send for such a wretched Hypocrite in a fiery chariot, as thou didst for Elias?

Pag. 322.In his Letter to the Lord Russel.—Faith is reckoned, and worthily among the greatest gifts of God, by it, as we are justified, and made Gods children; so are we Temples and Possessours of the Holy Spirit, yea of Christ also, Eph. 4. And of the Father himself, Iohn 14. By faith we drive the Devil away, 2 Pet. 5. We overcome the world, 1 Iohn 5. And are already Citizens of Heaven, &c. Yet the Apostle doth match even with faith, yea, as it were prefer suffering Persecution for Christs sake, Phil. 1. — Though the wisdome of the world think of the Cross according to sense, and therefore flieth from it, as from a most great ignominy and shame; yet Gods Scholars have learned to think otherwise of the Cross, as the Frame-house wherein God frameth his Children like to his Son Christ, the Furnace that fineth Gods gold, the High-way to Heaven, the Suit and Livery of Gods servants, the earnest and beginning of all consolation and glory.

p. 33In his Meditation on the Commandements.Pag. 93, 94. —As the first Command teacheth me as well that thou art my God, as what God thou art; therefore of equity I should have no other Gods but thee, that is, I should onelyonly hang on thee, trust in thee, serve thee, call on thee, obey thee, and be thankful to thee; so because thou didst reveal thy self visibly, that thou mightest visibly be worshipped. The second Commandement is concerning thy Worship, that in no point I should follow in worshipping thee the device or intent of any man, Saint, Angel, or Spirit, but should take all such as idolatry, and image-service, be it never so glorious. And why? forsooth because thou wouldst I should worship thee as thou hast appointed by thy Word; for if service be acceptable it must be according to the Will of him, to whom it is done, and not of him who doth it, &c. So that the meaning of this Precept is, that as in the first I should have none other Gods but thee, so I should have no worship of thee,Pag. 198. but such as thou appointest—And therefore utterly abandon mine own will and reason, all the reasons and good intents of man, and wholly give my self to serve thee after thy will and word. —Thou bidst me not to take thy Name in vain,Pag. 98, 99. as by temerarious, or vain swearing, &c. So by denying thy truth and word, or concealing it, when occasion is offered to promote thy glory, and confirm thy truth. By reason whereof I may well see, that thou wouldst have me to use my tongue in humble confessing thee,Pag. 113, 114. and thy word, and truth after my Vocation, &c.—Thy Ministers I pray not for,This was his Meditation in Queen Marie's time. thy Church I am not careful for, no not now (good Lord) when wicked Doctrine most prevaileth, Idolatry, Superstition, and Abomination abound, the Sacraments, &c. blasphemously corrupted, p. 34&c. all which my wickedness brought in, my profaning of the fourth Commandement, and my not praying. Thy Ministers are in Prison, dispersed in other Countreys, spoiled, burnt, murthered, many fall (for fear of goods, life, name, &c.) from the truth they have received to most manifest idolatry, false Preachers abound among the people, thy people dearly bought, even with thy bloud, are not fed with the bread of thy Word, but with swillings and drink for swine. Antichrist wholly prevaileth, and yet for all this also I am too careless, nothing lamenting my sins, which have been the cause of all this.—Help thy Church, cherish it,Pag.115, 116. and give it harbour here and elsewhere for Christs sake. Purge the Ministry from corruption, and false M…ni…ters. Send out Preachers to feed thy people. Destroy Antichrist and all his Kingdome. Give to such as be fallen from thy truth, repentance. Keep others from falling, and by their falling do thou the more confirm us Confirm thy M…nisters and poor people in Prison and Exile. Strengthen them in thy truth. Deliver them if it be thy good will. Give them that with conscience they may so answer their Adversaries that thy servants may rejoyce, and thy Adversarie… be confounded. Avenge thou thy own cause (… thou God of Hosts) Help all thy people, and m… especially,Pag. 146, 147. because I have most need.—Set my heart strait in case of Religion, to acknowledg… thee one God, to worship none other God, to re…verence thy Name, and keep thy Sabbaths. Set m… heart right in matters of humane conversation, t… honour my Parents, to obey Rulers, and reverenc… the Ministry of the Word, to have hands clea… from bloud, true from theft, a body free from A…dultery, p. 35and a tongue void of all offence, but purge the heart first O Lord, &c.—

In his Meditation concerning the sober usage of the body,Pag. 184, 185. and the pleasures of this life. — O that I could consider often and heartily that this body God hath made to be the tabernacle and mansion of our soul for this life; but by reason of sin dwelling in it; is become now to the soul nothing else but a prison, and that most strait, vile, stinking, filthy, &c. Then should I not pamper up my body to obey it, but bridle it that it may obey the soul; then should I flie the pain it putteth my soul unto by reason of sin and provocation to all evil, and continually desire the dissolution of it, with Paul, and the deliverance from it, as much as ever did prisons his deliverance out of prison, for alonely by it the Devil hath a door to tempt and so to hurt me. — If it were dissolved, and I out of it, then could Satan no more hurt me, then wouldst thou speak unto me face to face, then the conflicting time were at an end, then sorrow would cease, and joy would encrease, and I should enter into inestimable rest. —

In his Meditation for exercise of true mortification.Pag. 189, 190. — He that will be ready in weighty matters to deny his own will, and to be obedient to the will of God, the same had need to accustome himself to deny his desires in matters of less weight, and to exercise mortification of his will in trifles. — If we cannot watch with Christ one hour (as he saith to Peter) we undoubtedly can much less go to death with him. Wherefore, that in great temptations we may be ready to say with Christ, Not my will but thine be done, &c. Help me to accustome my self continually to mortifie my concupiscence of pleasant things, i. e. of wealth, riches, glory, liberty, p. 36favour of men, meats, drink, apparel, ease, yea and life it self, &c. —

Pag. 192, 193.In his Meditation of Gods Providence. —This ought to be unto us most certain, that nothing i… done without thy Providence O lord, i. e. without thy Knowledge, i. e. without thy Will, Wisdome, and Ordinance, for all these Knowledge doth comprehend in it, &c. —

This will we must believe most assurely to be… all just and good, howsoever otherwise it seem so unto us. — But though all things be done by thy Providence, yet Providence hath many and divers… means to work by, which means being contemned, thy Providence is contemned also.Pag. 194. — Indeed when means cannot be had, then should we not tye thy Providence to means, but make it free as thou art free; for it is not of any need, that thou usest any instrument or mean to serve thy Providence. Thy Power and Wisdome is infinite, and therefore should we hang on thy Providence even when all is clean against us. — Grant (Dear Father) that I may use this knowledge to my comfort and commodity in thee; i. e. Grant that in what state soever I be,Pag. 195. I may not doubt but the same doth come to me by thy most just Ordinance; yea, by thy merciful Ordinance; for as thou art just, and thou art merciful, yea, thy mercy is above all thy works. — Look for thy help in time convenient, not onelyonly when I have means, by which thou mayest work, and art so accustomed to do, but also when I have no means, but am destitute; yea, when all means be directly and clean against me, grant (I say) yet that I may still hang on thee, and on thy Providence, not doubting of a Fatherly end in thy good time. And least I should contemn thy Providence, p. 37or presuming upon it by uncoupling those things which thou hast coupled together, preserve me from neglecting thy ordinary and lawful means in all my needs;Pag. 196. if so be I may have them, and with a good conscience use them, although I know thy Providence be not tyed to them farther then pleaseth thee. — Howbeit so, that I depend in no part on the means, or on my diligence, wisedome, and industry, but on thy Providence, which more and more perswade me to be altogether fatherly, and good, how far soever, otherwise it appear, yea is felt of me.Pag. 197, 198.

In his Meditation of Gods presence. — There is nothing that maketh more to true godliness of life, then the perswasion of thy presence. (Dear Father, and that nothing is hid from thee, but all to thee is open and naked, even the very thoughts which one day thou wilt reveal, either to our praise or punishment in this life, as thou didst David's faults, 2 King. 12. or in the life to come, Mat. 25. Grant to me (Dear God) mercy for all my sins, especially my hid and close sins, &c. and that henceforth I alwayes think my self conversant before thee, so that if I do well, I pass not the publishing of it, as Hypocrites do, if I do or think any evil, I may know that the same shall not alwayes be hid from men. Grant me that I may alwayes have in mind that day wherein all my works shall be revealed, so in trouble and wrong I shall find comfort, and otherwise be kept through thy grace from evil.

In his Meditation of God's pow…r, beauty, and goodness.Pag. 199. — Because thou Lord wouldest have us to love thee, not onelyonly dost thou will, entice, allure, and provoke us, but also dost command us so p. 38to do, promising thy self unto such as love thee, and threatning us with damnation if we do otherwise, whereby we may see both our great corruption and naughtiness, and also thine exceeding great mercy towards us. — What a thing is it, that power, riches, authority, beauty, goodness, liberality, truth, justice, which all thou art, good Lord, cannot move us to love thee? whatsoever things we see fair, good, wise, mighty, are but even sparkles of thy power, beauty, goodness, wisdome, which thou art. —

Pag. 202, 203.In his Meditation of death, &c — O Dear Father. — That our hearts were perswaded that when we go out of the prison of the body, and so taken into thy blessed company then. — Whatsoever good we can wish we shall have, and whatsoever we loath, shall be far from us, &c. Then should we live in longing for that which we now most loath. — If we remember the good things that after this life shall ensue,Pag. 204. without wavering in the certainty of faith, the passage of death shall be the more desired. It is like a sailing over the sea to thy home and countrey: it is like a medicine or purgation to the health of the soul and body: It is the best Physician. It is like a woman in travail; for as the child (being delivered) cometh into a more large place then the womb, wherein it did lye before, so the soul being delivered out of the body, cometh into a much more large and …air place, even into Heaven. —

Pag. 224, 225.In his Prayer for the remission of sins. — O gracious God, who seekest all means possible how to bring thy children to the feeling, and sure sense of thy mercy; and therefore when prosperity will not serve, then sendest thou adversity, graciously correcting them here, whom thou wilt shall with p. 39thee elsewhere live for ever. We poor Misers give humble praises and thanks to thee (Dear Father) that thou hast vouchsafed us worthy of thy correction at this present, hereby to work that which we in prosperity and liberty did neglect. For the which neglecting, and many other our grievous sins, whereof we now accuse our selves before thee (most merciful Lord) thou mightest have most justly given us over, and destroyed both souls and bodies. But such is thy goodness towards us in Christ, that thou seemest to forget all our offences, and — wilt that we should suffer this Cross now laid upon us for thy Truth and Gospels sake, and so to be thy witnesses with the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and Confessours, yea with thy dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ to whom thou dost now here begin to fashion us like,Pag. 226. that in his glory we may be like him also. O good God, what are we on whom thou shouldest shew this great mercy? O loving Lord, forgive us our unthankfulness and sins. O faithful Father, give us thy holy Spirit now to cry in our hearts, Abba, dear Father, to assure us of our eternal election in Christ, to reveal more and more thy Truth unto us, to confirm, strengthen, and stablish us so in the same, that we may live and die in it as Vessels of thy mercy, to thy glory, and to the commodity of thy Church. Indue us with the Spirit of thy wisdome, that with good conscience we may alwayes so answer the enemies in thy cause, as may turn to their conversion, or confusion, and our unspeakable consolation in Jesus Christ, for whose sake we beseech thee henceforth to keep us to give us patience, and to will none otherwise for deliverance or mitigation of our misery, then may stand alwayes with thy good pleasure and merciful will towards us. Grant this, dear Father, not onelyonly p. 40to us in this place, but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy Names sake, through the death and merit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

See the godly Meditations of Mr. Iohn Bradford. p. 415.In his godly Meditations. — We are rather to be placed among the wicked, then among thy children, for that we are so shameless for our sin, and careless for thy wrath, which we may well say to be most grievous against us, and evidently set forth in the taking away of our good King, and the true Religion, in the exile of thy Servants, imprisonment of thy People, misery of thy Children, and death of thy Saints: and by placing over us in authority thine enemies, by the success thou gavest them in all that they took in hand, by the returning again into our Countrey of Antichrist the Pope.—What shall we do? what shall we say? who can give us penitent hearts? who can open our lips, that our mouths might make acceptable confession unto thee? — O what now may we do?Pag. 6. Despair? no, for thou art God, and therefore good; thou art merciful, and therefore thou forgivest sins, with thee is mercy and propitiation; and therefore thou art worshipped. When Adam had sinned, thou gavest him mercy before he desired it, and wilt thou deny us mercy, which now desire the same?Pag. 7. Adam excused his fault, and accused thee, but we accuse our selves, and excuse thee, and shall we be sent empty away? — Abraham was pulled out of Idolatry, when the world was drown'd therein, and art thou his God onelyonly? Israel in captivity in Egypt was graciously visited and delivered, and dear God, that same good Lord, shall we alwayes be forgotten? How often in the wilderness didst thou defer and spare thy plagues at the request of Moses, when the people themselves made no Petition to thee; and seeing we do not onelyonly make our Petitions to thee, but p. 41also have a Mediator for us, now far above Moses, even Jesus Christ, shall we (I say) dear Lord, depart ashamed?Pag. 11. — Take into thy custody and governance for ever our souls and bodies, our lives, and all that ever we have. Tempt us never further then thou wilt make us able to bear, and — alwayes as thy children guide us, so that our life may please thee, and our deaths praise thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things, &c. not onelyonly to us, but, &c. especially for thy children, that be in thraldome under their enemies, in exile, in prison, poverty,Pag. 12. &c. Be merciful to all the whole Realm of England, grant us all true repentance, and mitigation of our misery. And if it be thy good will, that thy holy Word and Religion may continue amongst us. Pardon our Enemies, Persecutors, and Slanderers, and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts.Pag. 49. — Oh mighty King and most High, Almighty God, who mercifully governest all things which thou hast made, look down upon the faithful seed of Abraham, &c. consecrated to thee by the anointing of thy holy Spirit, and appointed to thy Kingdome by thy eternal purpose, free mercy, and grace, but yet as strangers wandring in this vile vile of misery, brought forth daily by worldly Tyrants like Sheep to the slaughter. — Thou hast destroyed Pharaoh with all his Horse and Chariots, puffed up with pride against thy people, leading forth safely by the hands of thy mercy thy beloved Israel through the high waves of the roaring waters.Pag. 50. Thou O God, the Lord of all Hosts and Armies didst first drive away from the Gates of thy people the blasphemous Senacherib, slaying of his Army 85000 by the Angel in one night, and after by his own Sons before his Idols didst kill the same p. 42blasphemous Idolater, &c. Thou didst transfor… and change proud Nebuchadnezzar, the enemy o… thy people, into a bruit beast, to eat grass and hay… to the horrible terrour of all worldly Tyrants, &c. Thou didst preserve those thy three Servants i… Babylon, who with bold courage gave their bodies to the fire, because they would not worship any dead Idol, and when they were cast into the burning Furnace thou didst give them chearful hearts to rejoyce and sing Psalms,Pag. 51. and saved… unhurt the very hairs of their heads, turn…ng the flame from them to devour their enemies. Thou O Lord God by the might of thy right arm, which governeth all, broughtest Daniel thy Prophet safe into light and life forth of the dark Den of the devouring Lions,Pag. 52. &c. — Now also, O heavenly Father, beholder of all things, to whom belongs vengeance, thou seest and con…iderest how thy holy Name by the wicked Worldlings, and blasphemons Idolaters is dishonoured, thy sacred Word forsaken, refused, and despised, thy holy Spirit provoked, offended, thy chosen Temple polluted and defiled. Tarry not too long therefore, but shew thy power speedily upon thy chosen Houshold, which is so grievously vexed, and so cruelly handled by thy open enemies. Avenge thine own glor…, and shorten these evil dayes for thine Elects sake. Let thy Kingdome come of all thy Servants desired, and though we have all offended thy Majesty,Pag. 53.—Yet for thine own glory (O merciful Lord) suffer not the enemy of thy Son Christ, the Romish Antichrist, thus wretchedly to delude and draw from thee our poor brethren, for whom thy Son once died, that by his cruelty, after so clear light, they they should be made Captives to dumb Idols and devillish inventions of Popish Ceremonies thereunto p. 43pertaining. Suffer him not to seduce the simple sort with this fond opinion, that his false gods, blind, mumbling, feigned Religion, or his foolish Superstition doth give him such conquest, such victories, such triumph, and so high an hand over us.Pag. 54. We know most certainly, O Lord, that it is not their arm and power, but our sins and offences, that hath delivered us to their fury, and hath caused thee to turn away from us: But turn again, O Lord, let us fall into thine hands, &c. least these vain Idolaters do rejoyce at the miserable destruction of those men whom they make Proselvtes, and from thy Doctrine Apostates. But O Lord, thy will be fulfilled, this is thy righteous judgement to punish us with the tyrannical yoke of blindness, because we have cast away from us the sweet yoke of the wholesome Word of thy Son our Saviour. Yet consider the horrible blasphemies of thine and our enemies.Pag. 55. — They say in their hearts there is no God, which either can or will deliver us: Wherefore, O heavenly Father, the Governour of all things, the Avenger of the Causes of the poor, the fatherless, the widow, and the oppressed, look down from Heaven with the face of thy fatherly mercies, and forgive us all former offences, and for thy Son Jesus Christs sake have mercy upon us; who by the force and cruelty of wicked and blasphemous Idolaters, (without causes approved) are haled and pulled from our own houses, are slandered, slain, and murdered as Rebels and Traytors, like persons pernicious, pestiferous, seditious, pestilent, and full of mortal poyson, to all men contagious; whereas we do meddle no farther but against the hellish powers of darkness, &c. which would deny the will of our Christ unto us, we do contend no farther but onelyonly for our p. 44Christ Crucified, and the onelyonly salvation by … blessed Passion.Pag. 56. — Therefore (O Lord) for … glorious Names sake, for Jesus Christs sake, &c. make the wicked Idolaters to wonder and stan… amazed at thy Almighty power. Use thy wonte… strength to the confusion of thine enemies, and … the help and deliverance of thy persecuted people▪ All thy Saints do beseech thee therefore: The young Infants (which have some deal tasted of thy sweet Word) by whose mouths thou hast promised to make perfect thy praises, whose Angels do always behold thy face, who besides the loss of us their Parents, are in danger to be compelled and driven (without thy great mercies) to serve dumb and insensible Idols, do cry and call unto thee: Their pitiful Mothers, with lamentable tears lie prostrate before the Throne of thy Grace.Pag. 57. Thou Father of the fatherless, Judge of the widdows, and Avenger of all the oppressed, Let it appear, O Lord Omnipotent, that thou dost here Judge, Avenge, and punish all wrongs offered to all thy little Ones that do believe in thee. Do this, O Lord, For thy Names sake. Arise up, O Lord, and thine enemies shall be scattered and confounded. So be it. O Lord most merciful, at thy time appointed.

Brown.

Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 649.Iohn Brown told his wife (as he sate in the Stocks) that the Arch-Bishop had burnt his feet to the bones, so as he could not set them upon the ground, and all to make them deny Christ, which (said he) I will never do; for if I should deny him in this world, he would deny me hereafter.

Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 630.Thomas Brown being brought forth to be condemned, Bonner said to him, Brown, you have been before me many times, and I have took much pains p. 45to win thee from thine errors, yet thou and such like have, and do report that I go about to seek thy blood. Yea my Lord, (said Brown) indeed you be a Blood-sucker; and I would I had as much blood as there is water in the Sea for you to suck.

Bruger.

A Frier offering Iohn Bruger, Ward, pag. 155.a forreign Martyr, a Wooden Cross at the Stake, No (said he) I have another true Cross imposed on me, which now I will take up. I worship not the work of mans hands, but the Son of God. I am content with him for my onelyonly Advocate.

Bruse.

I thank God (said Peter Bruse) my broken Leg suffered me not to flie this Martyrdome.Pag. 159.

Buisson.

I shall now have (said Iohn Buisson) a double Goal-delivery;Ward, pag. 160. one out of my sinful flesh, another from the loathsome Dungeon I have long lain in.

Burgins.

Lord (said Annas Burgins in the midst of his torments) forsake me not,Pag. 157. least I forsake thee.

Burgon.

Iohn Burgon to his Judges,Pag. 156. asking him if he would appeal to the High-Court, answered, Is it not enough that your hands are polluted with blood, but you will make more guilty of it?

Barnes.

When Dr. Barnes was brought before Cardinal Wolsey, See his Life and Martyrdome before his Works, set forth by Mr. Fox.He told him, he thought it necessary that his Golden Shoos, and Golden Cushions, &c. should be sold and given to the poor, for that such things were not comely for his Calling, neither was the Kings Majesty maintained by his Pomp, but by God, who saith, By me Kings reign.

p. 46When the Cardinal would have had him to re…fer himself to him, promising him Favour, he an…swered, I will stick to the Holy Scripture, and t… Gods Book, according to the simple Talent tha… God hath lent me.

Being called before the Bishops and Abbot o… Westminster, who demanded of him, whether h… would abjure or burn, he was in a great agony and then thought rather to burn then to abjure▪ but perswaded by Gardiner and Fox, because they said he should do more good in time to come, He abjured, and carried his Fagot to Pauls.

After they had long detained him in Prison notwithstanding, upon notice given him of their intentions to burn him, notwithstanding his abjuration, he escaped out of England into Germany, where he made his supplication to King Henry the Eighth, against the Lordly Bishops and Prelates of England, for the intollerable injuries, wrongs, and oppressions wherewith they had vexed not onelyonly himself, but all true Preachers of Gods Word, and Professors of the same, contrary to the Word of God, and their own Laws and Doctors. — I do not believe (saith he) that ever God will suffer long so great Tyranny against his Word, and so violent Oppressions of Christians, as they now use, and that in the Name of Christ and his Holy Church. — Now it is come to that, that whoever he be, high or low, poor or rich, wise or foolish, that speaketh against them and their vicious living, he is either made a Traytor to your Grace, or an Heretick against Holy Church, as though they were Kings or Gods. — If there be any men, that Preach, Dispute, or put forth in Writing not any thing touching them, though it be never so blasphemous against God, the Blood of Christ, and his p. 47Holy Word, they will not once be moved therewith, — But if any man speak against their Cloaked Hypocrisie, or against any thing belonging to them, by which their abominations are disclosed, nothing can excuse, but he must either to open shame, or cruel death, and that under the accusation of Treason. But who is he that would be a Traitor, or maintain a Traitor against your Majesty? Sure no man can do it without the great displeasure of the eternal God. The Doctrine of the Gospel teacheth all obedience to Rulers, and not Sedition; and such as have preached the Word of God onelyonly, have never been the movers of disobedience or rebellion against Princes, but they have been ready to suffer with all patience whatsoever Tyranny any Power would minister unto them, giving all people example to do the same; whereas the Papists exempt the Pope and Priests from being bound to obey Magistrates. Yea, as to the people they teach, that the words requiring Subjection are a Counsel, and not a Command; and that the Popes Authority is sufficient to Dispense with all the Commandments of God. — Wherefore most gracious Prince, I lowly and meerly desire your Majesty to Judge between the Bishops and me, which of us is truest faithfullest to God and to your Majesty.

The following Articles were some of Dr. Barnes his Position in his Sermon, which the Bishops condemned for Heresie. (1) If thou believe that thou art more bound to serve God to morrow, which is Christmass day, or on Easter day, or on Whitsunday, for any holiness that is in one day more then another, thou art superstitious. (2) Now dare no man preach the Truth and the very Gospel of God, especially they that be feeble and fearful; but I p. 48trust, yea I pray to God, that it may shortly come that false and manifest errours may be plainly shewed, &c. (3) We make now adayes Martyrs, I tru… we shall have many more shortly; for the Verity could never be preached plainly, but persecution followed. (6) I will never believe, neither can I believe that one man may be by the Law of God … Bishop of two or three Cities, yea of a whole Countrey;Tit. 1.Titus 1 for it is contrary to Saint Paul, who saith, I have left thee behind to set in every City a Bishop. (7) It cannot be proved by Scripture that a man of the Church should have so great temporal possessions. (8) Sure I am, that they cannot by the Law of God have any Jurisdiction secular. (9) They say they be the Successors of Christ and his Apostles, but I can see them follow none but Iudas; for they bear the purse and have all the money.

To burn me or to destroy me (saith he in his Defence of the Two and twentieth Article) cannot so greatly profit them; for when I am dead, the Sun, and the Moon, and the Stars, and the Elements, yea and also Stones shall defend this Cause against them, rather then the Verity should perish. — As for me I do promise them here by this present Writing, and by the fidelity I owe to my Prince, that if they will be bound to our noble Prince, after the manner of his Law, and after good conscience and right, that they shall do me no violence, nor wrong, but discuss and dispute these Articles, and all other that I have written after the holy Word of God, and by Christs holy Scripture with me, then will I (as soon as I may know it) present my self unto our most noble Prince to prove these things by Gods Word against you all. —

p. 49He also writ unto King Henry the Eighth an excellent Treatise to prove from the Scriptures of Truth, and out of the Writings of the Fathers, that faith onelyonly justifieth before God. Prefacing it thus, Now if your Grace do not take upon you to hear the Disputation of this Article out of the ground of holy Scripture, my Lords the Bishops will condemn it, before they read it, as their manner is to do with all things, that please them not, and which they understand not, and then cry they, Heresie, Heresie, an Heretick, an Heretick, he ought not to be heard, &c.

He writ also several other Treatises, as what the Church is, what the Keyes of the Church be, and to whom they were given. Against free-will, that it is lawful for all men to read the holy Scriptures, that mens constitutions, which are not grounded in Scripture, bind not the Conscience, &c. In which Treatise he tells us, there be two manners of Powers; a Temporal, and a Spiritual Power. The Temporal is committed to Magistrates; in this Power the King is chief and full Ruler, &c. Unto this Power must we be obedient in all things that pertain to the ministration of this present life, and of the Commonwealth, not onelyonly for avoiding of punishment, but for conscience sake. So that if this Power command any thing of Tyranny against right and law (alwayes provided it repugne not against the Gospel, nor destroy our Faith) our Charity must needs suffer it. — Nevertheless if he command thee any thing against right, or do thee any wrong, if thou canst by any reasonable and quiet means▪ without sedition, insurrection, or breaking of the common Peace save thy self, or avoid his Tyranny, thou mayest do it with good Conscience. —But in no wise mayest thou make any resistance p. 50with sword or with hand, but obey, except thou canst avoid as I have shewed thee. — But now it will be enquired, if it please the King to condemn the New Testament in English, and to command that none of his Subjects shall have it under displeasure, whether they be bound to obey this Command or no? To this he answers (having shewed why the King should not lay any such Command on his Subjects) If the King forbid the New Testament, or any of Christs Sacraments, or the preaching of the Word of God, or any other thing that is against Christ, under a temporal pain, or under the pain of death, men should first make faithful prayers to God, and then intercede the King for a release of the Command. If he will not do it, they shall keep their Testament, with all other Ordinances of Christ, and let the King exercise his Tyranny (if they cannot flee) and in no wise under pain of damnation shall they withstand him with violence, but suffer patiently, and leave the Vengeance of it to their heavenly Father, which hath a scourge to tame those Bedlams with, when he sees his time: Neither shall they deny Christs Verity, nor forsake it before the Prince, lest they run the danger of being denied by Christ before his Father. — This may be proved by the examples of the Apostles, when the High Priests of the Temple commanded Peter and Iohn that they should no more Preach and Teach in the Name of Jesus:Acts 4. and 5.Acts 4 They made them answer, It was more right to obey God then man. Also the Pharisees came and commanded our Master Christ in Herods Name to depart from thence under pain of death: But he would not obey, but bid them go tell that Wolf, Behold I cast out Devils, Luke 13.Luke 13&c. Nevertheless I must continue this day, to morrow, and the next day, &c. So that p. 51he left not the Ministration of the Word for the Kings pleasure, nor yet for fear of death. The three Children also would not obey the Kings command against Gods Word.Dan. 3.Dan 3 Daniel would not leave off Prayer,Dan. 6.Dan 6 though commanded by the King.—So that Christians are bound to obey in suffering the Kings Tyranny, but not in consenting to his unlawful Command, Alwayes having before their eyes, the comfortable saying of our Master Christ, Fear not them that can onelyonly kill the body;Mat. 10.Matt 10 and that of Peter, Happy are ye if ye suffer for righteousness sake, &c. — As for the Spiritual Power, it hath no authority to make Statutes or Laws to order the World by, but onelyonly faithfully and truly to preach the Word, not adding thereto, nor taking therefrom. — If these Ministers will of Tyranny, above the Word of God, make any Law or Statute, it must be considered, whether it be openly and directly against the Word of God, and to the destruction of the Faith, &c. such Statutes men are not bound for to obey, neither of Charity, (for here Faith is hurt, which giveth no place to Charity) nor for avoiding of slander, &c. The more that men be offended at the Word, and the stiffer they be against it, the more openly and plainly, yea and that to their faces, that make such Statutes, must we resist them with these words, We are more bound to obey God then man. — The other manner of Statutes be when certain things, that be called indifferent, be commanded to be done of necessity, &c. Here must they also be withstood, and in no wise obeyed; for in this is our Faith hurt, and liberty of Christianity, &c. and therefore must withstand them that will take this liberty from us, with this Text of Scripture,1 Cor. 7.1 Cor 7 We are bought with the price of Christs blood, we will not be the servants of men. p. 52This Text is open against them, that will bind men… Consciences in those things that Christ hath left them free in.Gal. 2.Gal 2 Of this we have an evident example in Paul, who would not circumcise Titus, when the false Brethren would have compelled him thereunto, as a thing of necessity. — It is plain, that by Christ we are made free, and nothing can bind us to sin, but his Word.—

At the Stake Dr. Barnes began with this Protestation following: I am come hither to be burned as an Heretick, and you shall hear my belief, whereby you shall perceive what erroneous opinions I hold.— I believe in the holy and blessed Trinity, three Persons and one God, that cteated and made all the World, and that this blessed Trinity sent down the Second Person Jesus Christ into the womb of the most blessed and purest Virgin Mary, &c. I believe that without the consent of mans will or power, he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and took flesh of her, and that he suffered hunger, thirst, cold, and other passions of our body, (sin except) &c. And I do believe that he lived here among us, and after he had preached and taught his Fathers Will, he suffered the most bitter and cruel Death for me and all mankind. And I do believe that this his Death and Passion was the sufficient Price and Ransome for the sin of all the World; And I do believe that through his Death he overcame the Devil, Sin, Death, and Hell, and that there is none other satisfaction unto the Father, but this his Death and Passion onelyonly; and that no work of man did deserve any thing of God, but only his Passion, as touching our justification; for I acknowledge the best work that ever I did is impure and unperfect. (Herewithal he cast abroad his Arms, and desired God to forgive him his Trespasses) p. 53Wherefore I trust in no good work that ever I did, but onelyonly in the Death of Christ, and I do not doubt but through him to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. — The Sheriffe hastening him to make an end, he turned to the people and desired all men to forgive him, and if he had said any evil at any time unadvisedly, whereby he had offended any man, or given any occasion of evil, that they would forgive it him, and amend that evil they took of him, and to bear witness, that he detested and abhorred all evil Opinions and Doctrines against the Word of God, and that he died in the Faith of Jesus Christ, by whom he doubted not to be saved.

Bressius.

If Gods Spirit say true,Ward, pag. 152. I shall streight rest from my labours. My soul is even taking her wings to flie to her resting place.

Brez.

A Lady visiting Mr. Guy de Brez, Fox, Vol. 3. C…. p. 37.a French Minister, Prisoner in the Castle of Tournay, told him, She wondred how he could either eat, or drink, or sleep in quiet; for were I in your case (said she) the very terrour thereof would go …igh to kill me. O Madam (said he) the good Cause, for which I suffer, and that inward Peace of Conscience, wherewith God hath endued me, makes me eat and drink with greater content, then mine enemies can, which seek my life. Yea so far off is it, that my bonds or chains do any way terrifie me, or break off my sleep, that on the contrary, I glory and take delight therein, esteeming them at an higher rate, then Chains and Rings of Gold, or any other Jewels of price whatsoever. Ye… when I hear the ratling of my Chains, methinks I hear some Instrument of Musick sounding in mine ears: not that such an effect p. 54comes meerly from my Chains, but in regard I am bound therewith for maintaining the truth of th… Gospel.

In his Letter to his Wife. — These thought came at first thronging into my head. What mean we to go so many in company together as we did? Had it not been for such and such, we had never been discovered, or taken. But meditating on the Providence of God, my heart began to find wonderful rest, saying thus in my self, O my God, the day and hour of my birth was before ordained of thee, and ever since thou hast preserved and kep… me in great perils and dangers, and hitherto delivered me out of all. And if now the hour be come, wherein I must pass out of this life into thy Kingdome, thy will be done. I cannot escape out o… thine hands; yea though I could, yet, Lord, the… knowest I would not, seeing all my felicity depends upon conforming my will to thine.—This World is not the place of our Rest, No, Heaven is ou… Home, this is but the place of our Banishment▪ — Take into your consideration the honour the Lord doth you, in giving you an Husband that is not onelyonly called to be a Minister of Christs Gospel, but also so highly advanced of God, as to be accounted worthy to partake of the Crown of Martyrdome. It is an honour, which the Angels in Heaven are not capable of.— I am here taugh… to practise, what I have preached to others; yea let me not be ashamed to confess, that when I heretofore preached, I spake but as a Parrot, in regard of that which I have now better learned by proo… and experience.Ward, pag. 161. (All my former discourses, were as a blind mans of Colours, in comparison of my present feeling. Oh what a precious Comforter in a good Conscience!) I have profited more in the p. 55School-house of this Prison, then ever I did in all my life before. — I would not change my condition with theirs that persecute me, though I am lodged in the vilest Prison they have, dark and obscure, where I have no air to breath at, but a little stinking Hole, where they lay all their Rubbish, and where the Drunkards commonly vent their Urine, and though I be laden with Irons both on my hands and feet, eating through the flesh even to the bare bones, &c. and that I may make no escape guarded with fourty men before the Prison door.—

When the Provost brought him tidings that he was to be burnt at Six,Pag. 42. or thereabouts that day, He gave him thanks for the good News, which he had brought him. And going to the rest of the Prisoners he said, Brethren, I am this day to die for the Doctrine of the Gospel, and now, blessed be God, I joy and rejoyce therein. I had not thought that ever God would have done me this honour. I feel my self replenished with joy more and more, from minute to minute. My God addeth new courage to me, and my heart leapeth for joy within me.

Then exhorting them to be of good courage, he told them it was no hard matter to die, adding by way of acclamation, O how happy are the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, and their works follow them!

Beware you do nothing (said he) against a good Conscience, &c. For if you do, you shall certainly feel such an Hell in your Consciences, as will never cease to vex and trouble you. O my Brethren, how good a thing is it to nourish a good Conscience! One of the Prisoners asking him, Whether he had finished a certain work, which he had begun, He answered, No, for now I must p. 56cease to labour, because I am passing along to the heavenly rest.

The time of my departing is at hand, I go to reap that in Heaven, which I have …own on Earth I have fought a good fight, I am at the point of finishing my course, from henceforth the Crown of Glory is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give unto me.

Methinks (said he with a joyful and smiling countenance) that my spirit hath obtained wings to sore aloft into Heaven, being invited to the marriage Supper of the Lamb.

The Provost coming in with Bands, Mr. Guy bid him welcome, and gave him thanks again for his good news. The Provost replying that it grieved him much that things should be carried so, Mr. Guy joyfully answered, I accept of you as my good Friend, I love you with all my heart.