A Cloud of Witnesses, Part N
N.
Newman.
Iohn Newman in his written Answer to Suffragen Thornton. …— It may please you to understand that good Ministers all the time of King Edward's reign taught us diligently, perswading us by the Allegations of Gods Word, that there was no Transubstantiation, nor corporal Presence in the Sacrament: their Doctrine was not believed of us suddenly, but by their continual preaching, and also by our continual Prayer unto God, that we might never be deceived, but if it were true, that he would incline our hearts unto it; and if it were not true, that we might never believe it. We weighed, That they labourel with Gods Word, &c. — Wherefore until such time as our consciences are otherwise taught and instructed by Gods Word, we cannot with safeguard of our consciences take it, as many suppose at this time. And we trust in God, that the Queens Highness, and her most Honourable Council, will not in a matter of Faith use compulsion or violence; because Faith is the gift of God, and cometh not of man, or of mans Laws, nor at such time as men require it, but at such time as God giveth it.
Pag. 392.Being asked whether he would stand to what he had said; I must need stand to it (said he) till I be perswaded by a further truth. It being replied; Nay, you will not be perswaded, but stand to your own Opinion: Nay (said he) I stand not to mine own Opinion, God I take to witness, but onelyonly to the Scriptures of G…d; and I take God to witness, that I do nothing of presumption, but that that I do is onelyonly my Conscience; and if there be a further truth then I see, except it appear a truth to me, I cannot receive it as a truth. And seeing Faith is the gift of God, and cometh not of man; for it is not you that can give me Faith, nor no man else; therefore I trust ye will bear the more with me, seeing it must be wrought by God; and when it shall please God to open a further truth to me, I shall receive it with all my heart.
Hab. 2. Heb. 10.In his Confession of his Faith. — The Lord is the Protector of my life. The just shall live by Faith; and if he withdraw himself, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.Pag. 393. — Thus have I declared my Faith briefly, which were no Faith, if I were in doubt of it. This Faith I desire God to increase in me. Praise God for his gifts.
Nicaise.
Fox, Vol. 3. cont. pag. 33.Nicaise a Say-maker in Tournay for refusing to live according to the Customes of the Romish Church, and to observe the traditions invented by her, &c. being condemned, and having heard the sentence, as he rose up, he said, Now praised be God.
As he was led to execution, seeing a great multitude of people, he lifted up his voice, and said, O ye men of Tournay, open your eyes, awake ye that sleep, and stand up from the dead, and Christ shall give ye light.
As he joyfully ascended up the Scaffold, he said, Lord, they have hated me without a cause.
As he was fastning to the Stake, he said, Eternal Father, have pity and compassion upon me, according as thou hast promised to all, that ask the same of thee in thy sons Name.
Noyes.
When Iohn Noyes was asked by his Brother in Law if he did fear death, Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 851.when the Bishop gave judgement against him, he answered, He thanked God he feared death no more at that time then himself, or any other did being at liberty.
Being bound to the Stake, he said, Fear not them that can kill the body, but fear him that can kill both body and soul, and cast it into everlasting fire.
When he saw his Sister weeping and making moan for him, he bade her, Weep not for him, but weep for her sins.
When a Fagot was set against him he took it, and kissed it, and said, Blessed be the time that ever I was born to come to this.
He said also, Good people bear witness that I do believe to be saved by the merits and passion of Jesus Christ, and not by my own deeds.
When the fire was kindled and burned about him, he said, Lord have mercy upon me, Christ have mercy upon me, Son of David have mercy upon me.
In his Letter to his Wife out of Prison. — You desired me to send you some tokens to remember me. I therefore send you these Scriptures even for a remembrance. St. Peter saith, Dearly beloved, be not troubled with this heat, that is now come among you to try you, as though some strange thing had hapned unto you, but rejoyce in as much as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings, that when his glory appeareth, ye may be merry and glad. If ye be railed on for the Name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God restest on you. — See that none of you suffer as a Murtherer, &c. but if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but glorifie God in this behalf; for the time is come that judgement must begin at the House of God: If it first begin at us, what shall the end of them be, that believe not the Gospel of God? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to him in well doing. St. Paul saith, 2 Tim. 3.All that will live godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution. St. Iohn saith, See that ye love not the world, nor the things of the world: If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him; for all that is in the world, as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world, which vanisheth away and the lust thereof, but he that fulfilleth the will of God abideth for ever.2 Cor. 1. — St. Paul saith, What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? what company hath light with darkness? or what part hath the Believer with the Infidel? &c. Wherefore come out from among them, and separate your selves now (saith the Lord) and touch no unclean thing, so will I receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. — So farewell Wife and Children, and leave worldly care, and see that ye be diligent to pray. Take no thought (saith Christ) saying what ye shall eat,Matth. 6. or what ye shall drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? (after all these things do the Geneiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things; but seek ye first the Kingdome of God and the righteousness there…f, and all these things shall be ministred to you. —