A Cloud of Witnesses, Part C
C.
Caesar.
Ward, pag. 158.O Lord (said Leonard Caesar) do thou suffer with me, Lord, support me, and save me.
Caigneola.
Pag. 150, 151.Michaela Caigneola, a noble Matron, seeing her Judges look out of the Windows, said to her fellow Martyrs, These stay to suffer the torments of their Consciences, and are reserved to judgement, but we are going to glory and happiness.
When certain poor women wept and cried, O Madam, we shall never now have more Alms; Yes hold (said she) yet once more, and plucked of her Slippers, and such other of her Apparel, as she could with modesty spare from the fire.
Calberg.
Pag. 153.I believe (said Thomas Calberg to the Friers, willing him to repent at the last hour) that I am one of those workmen in Christs vineyard, and shall presently receive my penny.
Calocerius.
He seeing the great patience of Faustinus and Iolita, Fox, Vol. 1. pag. 53.Citizens of Briria, in their very great torments, cried out, Vere magnus est Deus Christianorum, Verily great is the God of Christians. Which words being heard, caused him forthwith to be apprehended, and martyred with those two famous Christians.
Cane.
When a fool's cap was put on Alexander Cane's head;Ward, pag. 159. Can I have (said he) a greater honour done me, then to be served as my Lord Christ before Herod? Lord, seeing my persecutours have no mercy, have thou mercy on me, and receive my soul.
Canesire.
There is one Passage in your Letter (said Claude de la Canesire, The Mirrour of Martyrs, pag. 575.in a Letter to his Wife from Lions) which doth not a little comfort me, namely, that albeit you are loath to leave me, yet you had rather have no husband at all, then to have one that should betray the cause of Christ.
Cardmaker.
Mr. I…hn Cardmaker, Fox. Vol. 3. pag. 250.burnt in Smithfield, 1555. in a Letter to a Friend writes thus. You shall right well perceive, that I am not gone back as some men do report me, but as ready to give my life as any of my Brethren, that are gone before me. — That day, that I recant any point of Doctrine, I shall suffer twenty kinds of death, the Lord being my assistance, as I doubt not, but he will. — I have learned to rejoyce in poverty, as well as riches, for that I count now to be very riches. — I have conferred with some of my learned Adversaries, and I find they are but Sophisters and shadows.
Careles.
Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 713.Iohn Careles of Coventry, Weaver, being wisht by Dr. Martin to play the wise man's part, to save that which God hath bought. I thank you Sir (said he) and I put you out of doubt, that I am most sure and certain of my salvation by Jesus Christ, so that my soul is safe already, whatsoever pains my body suffers here for a little time. Art thou so predestinated to life (said the Doctour) that thou canst no… perish in whatsoever opinion thou dost die. That God hath predestinated me to eternal life in Jesus Christ (said he) I am most certain, and even so I am sure that his Holy Spirit (wherewith I am sealed) will so preserve me from all Heresies, and evil opinions, that I shall die in none at all.
When the Dr. told him that he was a goodly tall man, and might do the Queen good service in Ireland; He said, wheresoever I am, I am ready to her Grace the best service I can with body, goods, and life, and if she, or any under require me to do any thing contrary to Christs true Religion, I am ready also to do service in Smithfield, as my Bedfellows and other Brethren have done, praised be God for them.
Pag. 715.In his Letter to Mr. Philpot. — Ah my true loving Friends, how soon did you lay aside all other business to make a sweet plaister for my wounded conscience, yea, and that out of a painful pair of Stocks, which place must needs be uneasie to write in! But God hath brought you in a strait place, that you might set my soul at liberty. — Ah good Ieremy, hath Phassur put thee into the Stocks: why now thou hast the right reward of a Prophet. —Though you lye in the dark, slurred with the Bishops black coal-dust, yet shall you shortly be made as white as snow in Salmon, and as the wings of a Dove that is covered with silver, and her feathers like gold. You know the Vessel before it be made bright, is soiled with oyl and other things, that it may scour the better. O happy be you that you be now in the scouring house, for shortly you shall be set on the celestial shelf, as bright as Angels. — My old Friends of Coventry have put the Counsel in remembrance of me not six dayes ago, saying, I am more worthy to be burnt then any that hath been burned yet. God's blessing on their hearts for their good report. God make me worthy of that dignity, and hasten the time, that I may set forth his glory. — Blessed be the time that ever I came into the Kings Bench to be joyned in love and fellowship with such dear children of the Lord.
In his Letter to his Wife.Pag. 716. — Are not two sparrows (saith Christ) sold fer a farthing, and yet not one of them shall perish without the will of your Heavenly Father, &c. As though he should have said, if God hath such respect and care for a poor sparrow, which is not worth one farthing, it shall not be taken in the lime-twig, net, or pitfall, untill it be his good will and pleasure: you may be well assured, that not one of you (whom he so dearly loveth, that he hath given his onelyonly dear Son for you) shall perish or depart forth of this miserable life, without his good will and pleasure. — Let not the remembrance of children keep you from God. The Lord himself will be a Father and a Mother better then ever yo… or I could have been unto them. He himself will do all things necessary for them, yea as much as rock the cradle, if need be.
Pag. 717.In his Letter to Mr. Bradford. — If we had been thanful to God for the good Ministers of his Word, we had not so soon been deprived both of it and them. — Take not away all thy true Preachers forth of this Realm (O Lord) but leave us a seed, least England be made like unto Sodom and Gomorrah when thy true Lots be gone.—Hearken O Heavens, and then Earth give ear, and bear me witness at the great Day, that I do here faithfully and truly the Lord's message to his dear Servant, to his singularly beloved and elect child Iohn Bradford. Iohn Bradford, thou man so specially beloved of God, I pronounce and testifie unto thee in the Name of the Lord Jehovah, that all thy sins whatsoever they be, be they never so many, so grievous, or so great, be fully and freely pardoned, released, and forgiven thee, by the mercy of God in Jesus Christ thine onelyonly Lord and sweet Saviour, in whom thou doest undoubtedly believe. Christ hath cleansed thee with his blood, and cloathed thee with his Righteousness, and hath made thee in the sight of God his Father without spot or wrinckle, so that when the fire doth his appointed office, thou shalt be received (as a sweet burnt-sacrifice) into Heaven, where thou shalt joyfully rema…n in God's presence for ever, as the true inheriter of his everlasting Kingdom, unto the which thou wast undoubtedly predestinate, and orda…ned by the Lords infallible purpose and decree before the foundation of the world was laid, and that this is most true that I have said, I call the whole Trinity, the Almighty and Eternal Majesty of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost to my record at this present, whom I humbly beseech to confirm and stablish in thee the true and lively feeling of the same. Amen. Selah.
In his Letter to his dear and faithful Brethren in Newgate, Pag. 719.condemned to die. —Cease not my dearly Beloved, so long as you be in this life to praise the Lord with all your hearts, for that of his great mercy and infinite goodness he hath vouched you worthy of this great dignity, to suffer for his sake, not onelyonly the loss of goods, wife, and children, long imprisonment, cruel oppression, but death it self in the fire. This is the greatest promotion that God can bring you, or any other into, in this vail of misery; yea, so great an honour, as the highest Angel in Heaven is not permitted to have, and yet hath the Lord for his dear Son Christ's sake reputed you worthy of the same, yea, and that before me and many others, who have both long looked and longed for the same.— Rejoyce with double joy, and be glad, my dear Brethren, for doubtless you have more cause then can be exprest. But alas! I that for my sins am left behind, may lament with the holy Prophet, Woe is me, that the dayes of my joyful r…st are prolonged. Ah cursed Satan! which hath caused me so sore to offend my most dear loving Father, whereby mine exile and banishment is so long prolonged. Oh Christ, my dear Advocate, pacifie thy Father's wrath, which I have justly deserved, that he may take me home to him in his sweet mercy.
In his Letter to Mr. Green, Pag. 720.&c. — If they be so blessed of God that die in the Lord, as the Holy Ghost saith they be, how much more blessed and happy then are you, that die not onelyonly in the Lord, but for the Lord. — O blessed Green, &c. fresh and green shalt thou be in the Lord's House, and thy fruits shall never wither nor decay.—
O happy Mr. Whittle, Peter's part thou hast well play'd, therefore thy reward and portion shall be like his. Now hast thou good experience of man infirmity, but much more proof and taste, yea sense and feeling of God's abundant bottomless mercy… Although Satan desired to sift thee, yet Christ thy good Captain pray'd that thy faith should not fail… God's strength is made perfect by thy weakness, &c. — But alas! I lye like the lame man a… the Pools side, and every one goeth into the place of health before me.
In his Letter to William Tyms.—Satan hath two great pieces of Ordinance to shoot at you, with the which he cannot hurt you, because you have two bul-warks to defend you. The first of these terrible Guns that he hath shot at you is fear and infidelity, for the uglesomness of death, and horrour of your many and great sins. But this pellet is easily put away with the sure shield of faith in the most precious death and blood-shedding of our dear Lord and onelyonly Saviour, Jesus Christ, whom the Father hath given to us wholly to be ours for evermore, and with him hath given us all things, as Paul saith, so that though we be never so great sinners, yet Christ is made unto us holiness, righteousness, and justification; He hath clothed us all his merits, &c. and taken to himself all our sin, &c. so that if any should be now condemned for the same, it must needs be Jesus Christ, who hath taken them upon him. But indeed he hath made satisfaction for them to the uttermost, so that for his sake they shall never be imputed to us, if they were a thousand times more then they be.
The other pestilent Piece he shooteth off at you is, to provoke you to put some part of your trust and confidence in yourself, and in your own holiness and righteousness, that you may that way rob God of his glory, and Christ of the honour and dignity of his death; but blessed be the Lord God, you have also a full strong Bul-work to beat back this pestilent Pellet, even the pure Law of God, which proveth the best of us all damnable sinners in the light of God, and that our best works are polluted, in such sort as the Prophet describes them, with the which manner of speaking, our free-will Pharisees are much offended, for it felleth all mans righteousness to the ground.
In his Letter to Mr. Augustine Bernher. — Pray for me that I may be strong and hardy to lay a good load on that bloody beast of Babylon. O that I might so strike him down, that he should never be able to rise again, but that stroke belongeth onelyonly to the Lord to strike at his coming, which I hope will be shortly.
Carpenter.
All Bavaria (said George Carpenter) is not so dear to me as my wife and children,Ward, pag. 156. yet for Christs sake I will forsake them cheerfully.
Carver.
Mr. Derick Carver, Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 385.being asked by Bonner whether he would stand for his Confession, answered, He would, for your Doctrine is poyson and sorcery. If Christ were here, you would put him to a worse death, then he was put to before.
At the stake he spake thus; Dear Brethren and Sisters, I am come here to seal with my blood Christs Gospel, because that I know it to be true. — As many of you as do believe upon the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost unto everlasting life, see you do the works pertaining to the same. As many of you as do believe on the Pope of Rome, you do believe to your utter condemnation, and except the great mercy of God prevent not, you shall burn in Hell perpetually.
In his Prayer. — O Lord my God, thou has… written, He that will not forsake wife, children, house, and all that ever he hath, and take up his cross, and follow thee, is not worthy of thee. Lord, thou knowest that I have forsaken all to come unto thee. Lord, have mercy upon me, for unto thee I commend my Spirit, and my soul doth rejoyce in thee.
Chrysostome.
Clark's first Volume of Lives, pag. 145.Eud xia the Emperess having sent him a very threatning message, he gave this answer; Go, tell her, Nil nisi peccatum timeo, I fear nothing but sin.
When she had procured his banishment, as he went forth of the City, he said, None of these things trouble me; but I said within my self, if the Queen will, let her banish me, the Earth is the Lords, and the fulness thereof, if she will, let her cast me into the sea, I will remember Ionah; if she will, let her cast me into a burning fiery. Furnace, or among wild beasts, the three children and Daniel were so dealt with; if she will, let her stone me, or cut off my head, I have St. Stephen, and the Baptist my blessed Companions, if she will, let her take away all my substance, Naked came I out of my Mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither again.
He used to say the Devil's first assault is violent, resist that, and his second will be weaker, and that being resisted, he proves a Coward.
Clarebachius.
Ward, pag. 159.I believe (said Adolphus Clarebachius) that there is not a merrier heart in the world at this instant then mine is: Behold, you shall see me die by that faith I have lived in.
Colham.
See Sir Iohn Oldcastle under the Letter (O)
Clark.
When Roger Clark was sentenced,Fox Vol pag. 569. he said with much vehemency, Fight for your God, for he hath not long to continue.
At the Stake he cried out to the people, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.
Coligni.
Iasper Coligni, Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 57. Clarks Martyrology &c. pag. 41. of his life.great Admiral of France, who was slain in the Massacre at Paris, August 24. 1572. being shot in the left Arm with two Bullets, and the fore-finger of the right hand broke off with a third; and being told by a Gentleman, that it was to be feared the Bullets were poysoned, he said, All must be as it pleaseth God.
Seeing his Friends weep, which held his Arm whilst the Incisions were made, he said, My Friends, why do you weep? I judge my self happy that bear these wounds for the Cause of my God.
To Mr. Merlin, his Chaplain, he said, These wounds, my Friend, are Gods blessings. The smart indeed is troublesome, but I acknowledge the will of my Lord therein, and I bless his Majesty, who hath been pleased thus to honour me, and to lay any pain upon me for his holy Names sake: Let us beg of him, that he will enable me to persevere to the end.
Speaking concerning those that wounded him, I know assuredly (said he) that it is not in their power to hurt me, No, though they should kill me, for my death is a most certain passage to eternal life. N
When the Blood-hounds brake open the house where he lay wounded, he spake thus, I perceive what is a doing, I was never afraid of death, and I am ready to undergo it patiently, for which … have long since prepared my self.
I bless God that I shall die in the Lord. — … now need no longer any help of man, therefore my friends get ye hence. — The presence of God to whose goodness I commend my soul is abundantly sufficiently for me.
Co…v…r.
Ward, pag. 163.Sheep we are for the slaughter (said Franc… Co'ver to his two Sons, massacred together with himself) this is no new thing, let us follow millions of Martyrs through temporal death unto eternal life.
Coo.
Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 419.Roger Coo being asked by the Bishop of Nor…ich… whether he would not obey the Kings Laws, answered, As far as they agree with the Word of God, I will obey them. Whether they agree with the Word of God or no, we are bound to obey them (said the Bishop) though the King were an Infidel; Coo replyed, If Shadrach, M…shach, and Abedn…go had so done, Neluchadn…zzar had neve… confessed the Living God.
Constantine.
Ward, pag: 154.Being carried with other Martyrs in a Dung… Cart to the place of Execution, he spake thus… Well, yet are we a precious odour, and a swee… savour to God in Christ.
Cornford.
Fox Vol. 3. pag 893.Iohn Cornford one of the last five that suffered Martyrdome in Queen Mary's dayes (when th… Sentence should have been passed, and they should have been executed by the Papists) being move… in Spirit with a vehement zeal for God, in the nam… of them all pronounced Sentence of Excommunication against the Papists, in these words. — In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the most mighty God, and by the power of the holy Spirit, and the authority of his holy and Apostolick Church, We do hereby give into the hands of Satan to be destroyed, the bodies of those Blasphemers and Hereticks, that do maintain any errour against his most holy Word, or do condemn his most holy Truth for Heresie, to the maintenance of any false Church or feigned Religion, so that by this thy just judgement against thy Adversaries, thy true Religion may be known to thy great glory, and our comfort, and to the edifying of all our Nation Lord Jesus, So be it. — It is observable, that within six dayes after this Excommunication Queen Mary died, and the tyranny of all Eng…ish Papists with her.
Con…ogue.
Brethren and Sisters (said Peter Conlogue of Breda at the Stake) be you alwayes obedient to the Word of God,Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 50. and fear not those that can kill the body, for on the soul they can have no power; as for me I am now going to meet my glorious Spouse the Lord Jesus Christ.
Cranm…r.
When Dr. Th…mas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury was Excommunicated,Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 92. he said, From this your Judgement and Sentence, I appeal to the just Judgement of God Almighty, trusting to be present with him in Heaven, for whose presence in the Altar I am thus condemned.
In his Letter to Mr. Wilkinson. Pag. 677.— The true Comforter in all distresses is onelyonly God through his Son Jesus Christ. Whosoever hath him hath Comfort enough, although he were in a Wilderness all alone. He that hath twenty thousand in his company, if God be absent, is in a miserable Wilderness. In him is all comfort, and without him is none. Wherefore I beseech you seek your dwelling there, where you may truly and rightly serve God, and dwell in him, and have him ever dwelling in you.
Pag. 323.In his Letter to Mr. Warcup. — Be not so dainty, as to look for that at God, your dear Fathers hands, which the Fathers, Patriarks, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, Saints, and his own Son Jesus Christ did not find, i. e. all fair way and fair weather to Heaven. — The Devil standeth now at every Inne-door in this City and Countrey of this World, crying unto us to tarry and Lodge in this or that place till the storms be over-past, not that he would not have us to wet our skin, but that the …me of our runn…ng our Race might over-pass us to our utter destruction. — Fear not the Flail, fear not the Fann…ng-wind, fear not the Milstone, fear not the Oven; for all these make you more meet for the Lords tooth.
Pag. 326.In his Letter to Dr. Hill. — Such as think it enough to keep the heart pure, notwithstanding that the outward man carry favour, as they deny God to be jealous, one that will have the whole man, having created, redeemed, and sanctified both for himself, so they play the Dissemblers with the Church of God, by their parting stakes between God and the World, offending the Godly, whom either they provoke to fall with them, or make more careless and conscienceless, if they have fallen, and occasioning the wicked and obstinate to triumph against God, and the more vehemently to prosecute their malice against such as will not defile themselves in body or soul with the Romish Rags, now received among us. — Call to mind that there are but two Masters, two kind of people, two wayes, and two Mansion places. The Masters be Christ and Satan; the people the Servitors to either of these; the wayes be strait and wide; the Mansions be Heaven and Hell. This World is the place of trial of Gods people and the Devils servants by whom they follow: The Cross it is that doth make the trial.
In his Letter to Royd…n and Esing. — Whom would it grieve,Pag. 333. which hath a long journey to go through a piece of foul way, if he knew that after that, the way should be most pleasant, yea the journey should be ended, and he at his resting place most happy? Who will be afraid or loth to leave a little pelf for a little time, if he knew he should afterwards very speedily receive most plentiful riches? Who will be unwilling for a while to forsake his wife, children, friends, &c. when he knoweth he shall shortly after be associated to them inseparably, even after his own hearts desire? Who will be sorry to forsake his life, who is most certain of eternal life? Who loveth the shadow better then the body? Who can desire the dross of this world, but such as be ignorant of the treasures of the everlasting joy in Heaven? Who is afraid to die, but such as hope not to live eternally? — What way is so sure a way to Heaven, as to suffer in Christs Cause? If there be any way on Horseback to Heaven, surely this is the way, Acts 14. 2 Tim. …. The Devil cannot love his Enemies. Should we look for fire to quench our thirst? As soon shall Gods true Servants find peace and …avour in Antichrists Regiment.
In a Letter to Mrs. Anne Warcup. — My Staffe standeth at the door.Pag. 345. I look continually for the Sheriffe to come for me; and I bless God I am ready for him. Now go I to practise that which I have preached. Now am I climbing up to the hill; it will cause me to puffe and to blow before I come to the cliffe. The hill is steep and high; my breath is short, and my strength is feeble. Pray therefore to the Lord for me, that as I have now through his goodness even almost come to the top, I may by his grace be strengthned not to rest till I come where I should be. Oh loving Lord, put out thy hand, and draw me unto thee; for no man cometh but he whom the Father draweth. See my dearly beloved, Gods loving mercy: He knoweth my short breath and great weakness. As he sent for Elias in a fiery Chariot, so sends he for me. By fire my dross must be purified, that I may be fine gold in his sight.
In his Letter to Mr. Augustine Barnher. — I have now taken a more certain answer of death then ever I did. Ah my God, the hour is come, glorifie thy most unworthy child. I have glorified thee (saith this my sweet Father) and I will glorified thee. Amen.
Pag. 356.757, 361 362.Some of the subscriptions of his Letters were observable. The most miserable hard-hearted unthankful s…nner, Iohn Bradford. A very painted hypocrite, Iohn Bradford. Miserrimus peccatur, Iohn Bradford. The sinful Iohn Bradford.
Pag. 307.Pray, pray, pray, was the usual close of his Letters which he writ in Prison. When he came into Smithfield, he fell flat on his face, and prayed; then taking a Fagot in his hand he kissed it, and so likewise the Stake; and standing by the Stake, lifting up his hands and eyes to Heaven, he said, O England, England, repent of thy sins, repents of thy sins, beware of Idolatry, beware of false Antichrist, take heed they do not deceive thee; and to his fellow Martyr he said, Be of good comfort Brother, for we shall have a merry Supper with the Lord this night; and then embracing the reeds, he said, Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.
What can be so heavy a burden, as an unquiet Conscience, to be in such a place, as a man cannot be suffered to serve God in Christs Religion? If you be loth to depart from your Kin and Friends, Remember that Christ calleth them his Mother, Sisters, and Brothers, that do his Fathers will. Where we find therefore God truly honoured according to his will, there we can lack neither Friend nor Kin. If you be loth to depart for the slandering of Gods Word, Remember that Christ when his hour was not yet come, departed out of his Countrey into Samaria, to avoid the malice of the Scribes and Pharisees, and commanded his Apostles, that if they were pursued in one place, they should fly to another. Thus did Paul, and the other Apostles. Albeit when it came to such a point, that they could no longer escape, then they evidenced that their flying before came not of fear, but of godly wisdome to do more good; and that they would not rashly, without urgent necessity offer themselves to death, which had been a tempting of God.
After he had recanted, and was brought to Saint M…ry's Church in Oxford, where Dr. Cole after he had preached bitterly against him, shewing why he was to be executed notwithstanding his Recantation, prest him to evidence to the people his conversion to Popery, Dr. Cranmer entreated the people to pray with him and for him, that God would pardon his sins, especially his Recantation.
After he had prayed,Pag. 669. he told them, It is a sad thing to see so many so much dote upon the love of this false World, and be so careful of it, and so careless of Gods love, or the World to come▪ therefore this shall be my first exhortation, tha… you set not your minds overmuch upon this glozing World, but upon God, and the World to come, and to learn to know what this Lesson meaneth, which St. Iohn teacheth, That the Love of this World is hatred against God. — Let rich men consider and weigh three Scriptures, Luke 18. It is h…rd for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of Heaven. 1 John 3. He that hath the su…stance of this world, and seeth his Brother in necessity, and shutteth up his mercy from him, how can he say that he loveth God? James 5.1, 2. Go to now ye rich men, weep and hard for the miseries that are coming upon you, your riches are corrupted. — Another exhortation is, That next under God you obey your King and Queen willingly and gladly, without murmuring or grudging. They are Gods M…nisters: Whosoever resisteth them, resisteth the Ordinance of God. — And now I come (said he) to the great thing, that so much troubleth my Conscience, more then any thing that ever I did, or said, in my whole life, and that is the setting abroad a Writing contrary to the Truth, which now here I renounce, and refuse as things written with my hand, contrary to the Truth which I thought in my heart, and written for fear of death and to save my life if it might be.
And forasmuch as my hand offended, writ…ng contrary to my heart, my hand shall first be punished therefore, for may I come to the fire it shall be first burned.
At the Stake, when the fire began to burn near him, he stretching out his arm put his right hand into the flame, which he held so stedfast, that all men might see his hand burned, before his body was touched.
His eyes lifted up to Heaven, he cried out even as long as he could speak, O his unworthy hand!
His last words were the words of Stephen, Lord Iesus receive my spirit.
Cromwel.
Thomas Lord Cromwe…, Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 529.Earl of Ess…x, the morning that he was executed, having chearfully eaten his break-fast, passing out of the Prison down the Hill in the Tower, met the Lord Hungerford going to Execution for other matter; and perceiving him to be heavy and doleful, he willed him to be of good comfort; for if you repent (said he) of what you have done, there is mercy enough for you with the Lord, who for Christs sake will forgive you; and though the break-fast we are going to be sharp, yet trusting in the mercy of the Lord, we shall have a joyful dinner.
In his Prayer on the Scaffold.Pag. 515.— O Lord Jesus, who art the onelyonly health of all men living, and the everlasting life of them which die in thee — Being sure that the thing cannot perish, which is committed to thy mercy, willingly now I leave this frail and wicked flesh, in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to me again at the last day in the resurrection of the J…st. — I see and acknowledge there is in my self no hope of salvation, but all my confidence, hope, and trust is in thy most merciful goodness. — Thou, merciful Lord, wast born for my sake, didst suffer hunger and thirst for my sake, didst teach, pray, and fast for my sake, all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake, thou sufferedst most grievous pains and torments for my sake, and finally thou gavest thy most precious body and blood to be shed on the Cross for my sake; Now, most merciful Saviour, let all these things profit me, &c. — Let thy blood cleanse and wash away the spots and foulness of … sins, let thy righteousness hide and cover my un…righteousness.—
Cyprian.
Clark's first Volume of Lives, pag. 51. Leigh's Sain…s Encouragements in evil times. pag. 10.He went in the time of Persecution into volun…tary Banishment, lest (as he said) he should … more hurt then good to the Congregation.
When he heard the sentence pronounced a…gainst him, he said, I thank God for freeing m… from the Prison of this Body.
He said Amen to his own sentence of Martyrdome. The Proconsul bidding him consult abou… it, he answered, In so just a Cause there needs no deliberation.