A Cloud of Witnesses, Part H · Section 4 – Section 6
Hallewin. Harman.
Fox, Vol. 3. cont. p. 7.When Cornelius Hallewin of Antwerp had received a sharp Letter, sent him from the Minister of the Flemish Church, upon the occasion of a recantation spread and falsly fathered upon Cornelius: the blood gushed out of his nose, he spread abroad his arms, and made pitiful out-cries. What to deny the Truth (said he) God forbid! O that the faithful should conceive so hardly of me! Good God, thou knowest I am innocent, nor have I this way offended.
When he was condemned to die, the Margrave offered him, that he should die a more easie kind of death, if he would give ear to the Priests, which he had brought to him to Prison: No Sir (said he) God forbid I should do such a thing. Do ye with my body what ye will.
As they bound him and Harman of Amsterdam Harman willed the Margrave to take heed what he did; for (said he) this will not go for payment in Gods sight in bereaving us thus of our Lives. I wish you therefore to repent before it be too late. You cannot long continue this tyrannous course; for the Lord will shortly avenge it.
A Cross being offered them, and a promise that they should be beheaded, and not burnt, if they would take it into their hands, they said, They would not give the least sign, that might be, of betraying the Truth, and that it was all one to them what death they were put to, so they died in and for the Lord. The punishment (they said) could last but for a while, but the glory to come was eternal.
At the Stake Cornelius fell on his knees, praying God to forgive his enemies, who had sinned through ignorance.
When the Margrave of Antwerp offered Halle…i… and Harmar mitigation of torments upon abjuation:Ward, pag. 157. We are resolved (said they) these momentary afflictions are not worthy that exceeding weight of glory, that shall be revealed.
Hallingdale.
Articles against Iohn Hallingdale. Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 856.— (3) That during the reign of King Edward, he did depart from his former Faith and Religion, and so doth continue, and determineth so to do, (as he saith) to his life's end. (4) That he hath divers times said, That the Faith, Religion, and Ecclesiastical Service, received, observed, and used now in this Realm is not good, but against Gods command, &c. And that he will not in any wise conform himself to the same, …ut speak, and think against it during his natural life. (5) That he absenteth himself continually from his Parish Church, &c. (6) That he will not have his Child by his will (as he saith) confirmed by the Bishop. Unto all which Articles he made this answer, that he confessed all, and every part to be true.
He told B…nner, Rev l. 18.that the blood of the Prophets, and of the Saints, and of all that were slain upon the Earth, was found in the Babylonical Church, which is the Church where the Pope is head. — Because I will not come to your Babylonical Church, therefore you go about to condemn me.
Being demanded whether he would recant, he answered, That he would continue, and persist in his Opinions to the death.
When the Sentence was read, He openly thanked God, that he never came into the Church, since the abomination came into it.
Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 708.When William Hallywell and the twelve more (that were burnt in one Fire at Stratford the how near London) were condemned, and carried down thither to be burnt, they were divided into two parts, in two several Chambers: Thereupon the Sheriffe came to the one part, and told them, That the other had recanted, and their lives therefore should be saved, willing and exhorting them to do the like, and not to cast away themselves: unto whom they answered, That their Faith was not built on man, but on Christ crucified: Then the Sheriffe went to the other part, and said the like to them; but they answered as their Brethren had done before, That their Faith was not built on man, but on Christ and his Word.
Hamelin.
Fox, Vol. 3. cont. pag. 5.Mr. Philibert Hamelin of Tournay, refusing offers of escape out of Prison, said, I esteem it altogetder unleseeming for a man, that is called to preach Gods Word unto others, to run away, and to break Prison, for fear of danger, but rather to maintain the Truth taught even in the midst of the flaming fire.
After Sentence of death was past upon him, he eat his meat as joyfully, as though he had been in no danger, speaking to them of the happiness of eternal life, evidencing that A good conscience is a continual feast.
Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 151.When he was apprehended, there was apprehended with him, his Host, whom he thought he had converted, but afterward he renounced Christ and his Word: Whereupon he said unto him, O unha…py, and more then miserable! Is it possible for you to be so foolish, as for the s…ving of a few dayes, which you have …o …ve by the course of nature, so to start away, and deny the Truth? Know you therefore, that although you have by your folishness avoided the corporal fire, yet your life shall be never the longer; for you shall die before me, and God shall not give you the grace, that it shall be for his Cause, and you shall be an example to all Apostates.
Immediately after, as he was going out of the Prison he was slain by two Gentlemen, that had a quarrel with him: whereof when Mr. Hamelin heard, he professed he knew of no such thing before, but spake as pleased God to guide his tongue. And thereupon discoursed excellently of the providence of God, to the conversion of some present.
When he was in Prison a Priest came in one Sabbath with all his furniture to say Mass: but Mr. Hamelin, when he saw him, pull'd off his garments, &c. saying, Is it not enough for you to blaspheme God in Churches, but you must also pollute the Prison with your idolatry?