Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 11 · Account 40
The hystorie and Martyrdome of a learned and vertuous yonge man, called Iulins Palmer, sometime fellow of Magdalene Colledge in Oxford, with two other Martyrs, to wit, I. Gwin, and Thomas Askine, burned together in Newberie, at a place there called the Sande pittes.
3▪ Martyrs … at Newbery, … Palmer, Iohn Gwin, Thomas … Martyrs. Ioh. 16. The story of Palmer.THe same monethmonth of Iuly, in which Careles, as before is declared, was released out of prison by death, in short time after, about the 16. day of the sayd monethmonth of Iuly, suffered these 3. godly and constante Martyrs aboue mentioned, at Newbery, in which number was Iulins Palmer, sometime student and fellowe of Magdalene Colledge in Oxford, and afterwardes Schoolemaister in the towne of Reading. Concerning whose storie and Martyrdome here foloweth, although not so much as he deserueth to be sayde: yet so much as sufficiently may set foorth the great woorking of God in this yong man.
Iulins Palmer.
AS all Gods woorkes are wonderous, in calling of all sorts of men to confirme hys truth, and to beare witnesse vntounto his assured and infallible woord, which the aduersaries hauehave depraued, and corrupted with theyr false gloses, to establish the fleshly kingdome of Antichrist, and to purchase securitie in the world, which they seke to kepe in theyr possession by all meanes possible, rather curssing wyth the thunderbolte of excommunication, burnynge, hanging, drowning, racking, scourging, and persecuting by secrete practise, and open violence, the simple sheepe of our Sauiour Christ: then that their false forged packing, shuld be detected, theyr estimation appaired, theyr kitchin cooled, theyr rents, reuenues, goodes, landes and possessions abated:The story of the godly Martyr I…ius Palmer fellow sometyme of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford. I say as Gods woorks be woonderful, which chuseth some of all sortes to confesse his Gospell: so there is no one example, in the whole godly felowship of martyrs, more to be marked, yea, more to be wōdered at, then thys: that one, which in all King Edwardes dayes, was a Papist within the Uniuersitie of Oxforde, and so obstinate, as that he did vtterly abhorre all godly Prayer, and syncere Preaching, and almost of all them, with whom he liued, was therefore likewise abhorred, & (as I may say) poynted at with the finger, did yet after in Queene Maries time suffer most cruell deathe, at the Papists handes, at Newberie in Barkeshire, for the most ready, and zealous profession of the blessed truthe.
Iulins Palmer borne in Couentrye.Hys name was Iulins Palmer, borne in Couentry, where also his parents dwelt. His father had some tyme bene Maior of that Citie, and occupied Marchandise, all be it he was an Upholster by hys misterie. How he was brought vppe in hys yonge and tender yeares, from hys first entring, we knowe not, but as we hauehave learned, hee was sometime scholer to master Harley, which taught the free schoole of Magdalene Colledge in Oxforde,Iulins Palmer scholer …. M. Har…, …choole…er of Magdalen Colledge. by whose diligence, and the goodnesse of hys owne capacitie, he became a towarde yong scholler in prose and verse. For hee had a very prompt and ready memorie, a witte sharp and pregnant. Hee spake Latine with greate facilitye of vtterance, and wanted not competent knowledge in ye Greke tong: in so much that diuers times he supplied the roume of the Greke reader in his house. He was a subtill disputer, both in the publique schooles, and also at home. He vsed to say, yt he was neuer so pleasantly occupied, as when he came to the harde debating, of profounde questions in Philosophie?Iulins Palmer addicted to Philosophye. so that he hath oftentimes watched and spēt the whole nighte in the discussing, and searching oute the truth of deepe and diffuse questions, as De principijs, de infinito, de vacuo, te tempore, de casu, & fortuna. &c. And thys vsed he to do sondry times, with diuers of his equals.
In familiar talke he greatly delited, for the exercise of his learning, to defend ye contrary to that, which was affirmed, yet with modestye, and wtout all ostentation. For he greatly abhorred al ouerthwart cauilling, al friuolous talke, and vnsauery brabbling. He was not captious, but would reason so soberly, & with such probability, that euē his aduersaries would no lesse maruel at the dexteritie of hys inuention: then at hys comely and decent behauiour in prosecuting the same.
And although he applied Diuinitie very lately, it appeareth, yt he recompēsed the smal time of his study,Iulins Palmer beginneth to apply Diuinity. wt the greatnes of his diligence bestowed in the same, & his late comming to the truthe, with his earnest & zealous proceding therein. For by the secrete inspiration of Gods holy spirit, inwardly working in his hart, he gaue an apparāt signification in his yōg yeres, yt if God had spared his life to age, he would hauehave grown to such maturitie & ripenes of iudgement, as wherby he should hauehave ben an ornamēt to Christes Church, and an honour to his countrey.
And somewhat to speake of his ciuil behauior,The ciuill behauiour of Iulins Palmer. he was of maners courteous without curiosity, of countenaunce chearefull, without high lookes, of speach pleasant, wythout affectation, he was affable and lowlye as any childe, and yet quicke spirited, and vehement in reasoning. Hee practised no deceit towarde any man, for he was of suche simplicitye, that hee was apter to be deceiued, then to deceiue,Palmers prouerbe. and he was so great a cōtemner of al reproches and iniuries, that he would say: none were to be counted valiant, but such as could despise iniurie.
In priuate studie he was so infatigable, that hee arose ordinarily eueryevery morning at 4. of the clock, and went not lightly to bed, before 10. at night.Palmer fellow of Magdalen Colledge. In so much yt as he grew in yeres & vnderstanding: so he came to be a Bacheler of Art, & at length for the hope appering in him, to ye preferment of a felowship in Mag. colledge, where also he was admitted to ye office of a reader in logique. An. 1550.Palmer reader of Logique in his Colledge. Now if he had at the first, fauored syncere religiō, so much as he folowed his booke, then had we had the les matter to note in him. But in deede he was so much (as is aforesaid) addicted to the Romish faith, yt his company & conuersation in ye same house, was altogether with such,Palmer an vtter enemy to sound religion. as were vtter enemies to the gospel of Christ. If he came to cōmon praier at any time, it was vy violence, & compulsiō, for otherwise he came not. Sermons wold he heare none himself, nor yet suffer hys scholers to resort vntounto them, by his good will, for he was full perswaded, that they might be better occupied at home. The Preachers themselues,Palmer impugner of true Preachers in K. Edwardes time. he did both disdaine and despise, and all suche as were setters foorth of sounde doctrine beside. For the which contumacie, & stubbornnesse, hee was so ofte called before the Officers of the Colledge, and punished sometime by the pursse, sometime by the lacke of hys commons, and otherwhile by certaine taskes, and exercises of learning, enioyned vntounto hym: that diuers supposed hym to hauehave endeuoured of set purpose, continually to seeke occasion, whereby he might be counted a sufferer for that fantasied religion of the Romyshe Churche.
In the ende, not longe before the deathe of King Edwarde that godly Prince, certaine sclaunderous libelles,Libells set vp in Oxford agaynst D. Haddon President. and railing Uerses, were priuely fixed to the walles and doores in sondry places of the Colledge against the President, which was then Doctor Haddon, whereby was ministred further matter of trouble to Palmer. For whereas it was well knowen that he, and some of his companions, had very little before, spoken contumelious woordes against the President: it coulde not be nowe auoyded, but that thereby arose a vehement surmise and suspition, that he conspiring wyth others, had contriued, made, and scattered abroade the sayde slaunderous wrytings. Great inquisition was made in the Colledge, to search out the author of so malitious and despitefull a deede, but nothynge coulde be found and prooued against Palmer, or any of his companions. Nowe Palmer being hereuppon examined by the Officers, did not onelyonly with stoute courage denye the facte to hauehave bene hys:Iulins Palmer expelled the Colledge for Poperye. but also spake further manye reprochefull woordes touching the sayd Officers, and sent the same to them in wryting, wherby he was by them adiudged to be an vnwoorthy member of that societie. And so for this, and other Popish pranckes (continuing obstinate still) he was expelled the house.
After hee was thus dispatched of his roume, hee was faine for his owne maintenance, to applie him selfe to be a teacher of children,Iulins Palmer driuen to teach children. in the house of sir Frances Knolles, in the whych trade hee continued vntill the commynge of Queene Mary. And whē her visitors were sent to Magdalene Colledge, vnderunder a title of reformation (wheras all thinges were better afore) I meane to displace diuers of the fellowes that were learned, and to put ryghte Catholickes (as they called them) in theyr roumes: then came thys Iulins Palmer,Palmer restored agayne to his Colledge. waiting to be restored to his liuing againe, of which he had bene depriued before, thinking by good right, to be restored of them, whose Faith and religion (as he sayde) he did to the vttermoste of his power defend and maintaine. And in deede, at length hee obtayned the same. Then after he was restored againe, to his house in Queene Maries raigne, God dealt so mercifull wyth him, that in the ende he became of an obstinate Papist, an earnest and a zealous Gospeller.
Concerning whose conuersion to the truthe, for the more credite to be geuen to the same, we hauehave heere putte downe a letter wrytten by one M. Bullingham, felow in some part of K. Edwardes time, wyth the sayde Palmer, then also of the same faction of religion with him, and toward the latter end of the said Kings raigne, a voluntary exile in Fraunce, for papistrie. In Queene Maries daies, likewise a chaplaine vntounto Steuen Gardiner, B. of Wint. And after comming in of Queene Elizabeth suche a one, as for his obstinacy was quite and cleane dispatched from all his liuings by her Maiesties commissioners. And yet now (God be praised therefore) a most constant professor, and earnest teacher of the woord of God. This man at the request of a certain friend of his in Londō, being desirous to know the certaine truthe thereof, wrate vntounto hym concerning this Iulins. The copie of which letter we thought good here to insert, for that the parties being aliue, can testifie the same to be true and certaine, if any shall doubt thereof.
The letter of M. Bullingham is thys.
M. B. I wish you and all yours continual health in the Lorde. Hitherto hauehave I not wrytten any thing vntounto you concerning Iulines Palmer, that constante witnesse of Gods truthe, for that his doings and sayings known vntounto me, were worne out of my remembrance: and to wryte an vntroth it were rather to deface & blemish, then to adorne and beutify him. After his cōuersion to the most holy gospel I neuer sawe his face. Wherefore the lesse hauehave I to certifye you off. But so much as seemeth to me to serue most vntounto the purpose, heere I commend vntounto you: and in witnesse that my sayings are true, I subscribe my name, willyng, praying, and beseechinge you to publishe the same to the whole world. &c. At what time I Bullingham entended to forsake England, and to flie into Fraunce for the wicked Popes sake (whych came to passe in dede: for in Roane I was for a time) this Iulines Palmer, and Rich. Ducke, brought me outwardes in my iourney til we came to London: where, on a day Iulines Palmer & I walked to S. Iames the Quenes place: and as we leaned at the great gate of that place, Palmer spake thus vntounto me. Bullingham, you know into what misery and calamities we are faln for the Pope & his religion We are yong men, abhorred of all men now presently, and like to be abhorred more and more. Let vsus consider what hangeth ouer our heads. You are departing into a strange country, bothe frendless and monilesse, where I fear me you shal taste of sowrer sauces then hetherto you hauehave done. And as for me I am at my wits end. The face of hell it self, is as amiable vntounto me as the sight of Magdalene colledge. For there I am hated as a venemous Tode. Woulde God I were raked vnderunder the earthe. And as touching our religion, euen our consciences beare witnesse that we taste not such an inward swetenesse in the profession therof, as we vnderstand the gospellers to taste in theyr religion. Yea, to say the truthe, we maintaine we wote not what, rather of will then of knowledge. But what then? Rather then I wil yelde vntounto them, I wil beg my bread. So Palmer bequeathed him selfe to the wide world and I passed ouer into Normandie. At my returne into England againe,Behold the obstinacye of Papistes which knowing the truth will not yelde. my chance was to mete Palmer in Paules, where a Roode was set vp. (This our meeting was in the beginning of Quene Maries raigne, and our miserable departing not long before the ende of K. Edwardes daies.) Then after oure greting, thus said Palmer. Bullingham, is this our God, for whō we hauehave smarted? No Palmer (quod I): it is an image of him. An Image quod he? I tel thee plainly Bullinghā, Ihon Caluin (whose institutions I hauehave perused sith our departure) telleth me plainly by Gods word that it is an idoll, and that the Pope is Antichrist, and his clergy the filthy sinke hole of hel: and now I beleue it. For I feele it sensibly. O that God had reuealed these matters vntounto me in times past. I woulde hauehave bequeathed this Romish religion or rather irreligion to the Deuill of hell frō whence it came. Beleue them not Bullingham I will rather hauehave these knees pared of, then I will kneele to yonder Iacknapes,Behold his … now he is turne to the truth. (meaning the rode) God helpe me. I am borne to trouble and aduersitie, in this worlde. Well Palmer (sayd I) is the winde in that corner with you? I warrant you it will blow you to l…tle ease at the end. I wil neuer hauehave to do with you agayne. So I left Palmer walking in Paules, who thorow the element of fier is exalted aboue the elementes, where eternall rest is prepared for persecuted Martyrs. Thus much is true: and let it be knowen that I Bullingham affirme it to be true. More I hauehave not to saye. In these wordes and deedes it appeareth that God had elected him. From Bridgewater. Aprill. 26. Anno. 1562.
By me Iohn Bullingham.
When he was by the visiters restored to his Colledge, although he began some thing to sauor and taste of Gods truthe,… by conference and company of certaine godly and zealous men abroade, in time of his expulsion, specially at the house of sir Frances Knowls: yet was he not throughly perswaded, but in most poyntes continued for a while, either blinde, or els doubtfull. Neither could he chuse, but vtter himself in priuate reasoning from time to time, both in what poyntes he was fully resolued, and also of what poynts he doubted. For such was his nature alway, both in Papistrie, and in the Gospell: vtterly to detest all dissimulation, in so much that by the meanes of his plainnes, and for that he could not flatter, he suffred much woe, both in K. Edwards, and also in Quene Maries time.Playne Palmer could neuer dissemble with his conscience. Wheras hee mighte at the first hauehave liued in great quietnesse, if hee coulde hauehave dissembled, and bothe done, and spoken against his conscience, as many stirring Papistes then did. And likewise he mighte hauehave escaped burning in Queene Maries time, if he woulde either hauehave spoke… or kept silence against his conscience, as manye weake Gospellers did. But Palmer could in no wise dissemble.
Now within short space, God so wrought in his hart that he became very inquisitiue,The first occasion of Iulins Palmers conuersion was by the constant death of the Martyrs. and carefull to heare and vnderstand, howe the Martyrs were apprehended, what articles they died for, how they were vsed, and after what sort they tooke theyr death. In so much that he spared not at his owne charges, to sende ouer one of his schollers, in the companye of a Bacheler of that house, to Glocester, to see & vnderstand the whole order of B. Hoopers deth, and to bring him true report therof. Which thing some thinke, he the rather did, because he was woont in king Edwards time to say: that none of them all, would stand to death for their religion. Thus he learned with what extreme & horrible cruelty the martyrs of God were tried, and how valiauntly they ouercame all kinde of torments to the ende. Wherof he himself also did see more experience afterward, at the examination and death of those holy confessors and martyrs which were burned at Oxford before his eyes, in so muche that the first hope, which the godly conceyued of him, was at the retourne from the burning of B. Ridley, and B. Latimer.Note how the bloud of Martyrs worketh. At what time in the hearing of diuers of his frendes, he brast out into these woordes, and suche like: O raging crueltie, O tyrannie tragicall, and more than barbarous.
From that day forward, he studiously sought to vnderstand the truth, and therefore with all speede he borrowed Peter Martyrs Commentaries vponupon the first to the Corinthes▪ of one of Magdalenes yet aliue, and other good bookes of other men. And so through harty praier and diligent search, and conference of the scriptures, at length he beleeued and imbraced ye truth with great ioy: and so profited in the same, that daily more and more, hee declared it both in word and dede: In such sort,Palmer feruent in the Gospells cause. as he neuer hated the truth more stubbornly before, then afterward he willingly embraced the same, whē it pleased God to open his eies and to reueale vntounto him the light of his woord. And nowe againe when he should come to Church, in those dayes of Poperie, there to be occupied among the rest, in singing of Respondes, reading of Legendes, and suche like stuffe allotted vntounto him,Superstitious toyes. he had as much pleasure (he sayd) to be at them, as a Beare to be baited, and wearied wyth dogs. When he came, it was (as it appeared) more to auoid displeasure, and daunger: then for any good will, and readye affection.
At length through Gods grace, he grew vp to suche maturitie and ripenes in the truth, that he spared not to declare certaine sparkes thereof in his outward behauior and doyngs. For when he should keepe his bowing measures at *By these meanes he meaneth a certayne ceremony of that Colledge, … was … ▪ That inConfiteor, (as the custome there was) in turning hymselfe to and fro, sometyme Eastward, somtyme Westward, and afterward knocke his brest at the eleuatiō time, agaynst which Idolatrous adoration, hys hart did so vehemently rise, that sometyme hee would absent hymselfe from them, and sometyme beyng there, he would euen at the sucring tyme (as they termed it) gette hym out of the church, to auoyd those vngodly gestures, and Idolatrous adoration. To be shorte, perceiuing after a while, that hee was greatly suspected and abhorred of the President then being, which was M. Cole, and of diuers other, whiche before were his friendes, and therewithall feeling great conflict and torment of conscience daily to grow, with his conuersation with idolaters: seeing also that his newe life and old liuing might not wel nor quietly stande together, he addressed himselfe to depart the house. For he thoughte it not best, to abide the dāger of expulsion, as he did at the first: seeing the weather was now waxed warmer. And being demanded at that time, of a special frend (who wold gladly hauehave perswaded him to stay there longer) whether he would go, or how he would liue, he made this answer: Domini est terra, & plenitudo eius. i. The earth is ye Lordes, and the fulnesse thereof. Let the Lord woorke, I will commit my selfe to God, and the wide worlde.
Here I thinke it expedient, before I wryte of the painfull surges that he suffered, after he came abroade into the perillous gulphes, and deepe Sea of this wretched wyde world: first, to reherse one or two exāples of his outward behauioure, at suche tymes as he hadde recourse to the Colledge, after his last departure, whereby the Reader may yet better vnderstand of his simplicitie & playnenesse and how farre wide he was, from all cloked dissimulation in Gods cause,Anno …56. …. which certayne godlesse personnes hauehave sought maliciously to charge hym with all. Beyng at Oxford on a certayne tyme in Magdalene Colledge, and hauyng knowledge that the Spanish Frier Iohn (who succeeded D. Peter Martyr,… in the office of the Diuinitie Lecture) would preach there that present Sonday, he would not at the first, graunt to be present at it. At length a friend of his, a fellow of that house, persuaded so much with him that he was content to accompany his sayde friend to the church. But sodainly as the Frier vehemently inueyed against Gods truth, in defendyng certayne popish heresies Palmer hauyng many eyes bente and directed towardes hym, departed from amongst the middest of the auditorie, and was found in hys friends chamber weepyng bitterly. Afterward beyng demaunded why he slipt away vponupon such a sodayne,… Oh sayd he, if I had not openly departed, I should hauehave openly stopped myne eares. For the Friers blasphemous talke in disproouyng, or rather deprauyng the veritie, made myne eares not to glowe, but my hart worse to smart, then if myne eares had bene cut from myne head.
It chanced another tyme, that the same friend of hys called M. Shipper, beyng then Bursar of the house, bade hym to dinner in hys chamber, Palmer not knowyng what ghestes were also thither inuited, and bidden, hapned there (contrary to his expectation) to meete with the foresayd Frier, with whom were present D. Smith, Doc. Tresham, and diuers other papists, whose company Palmer coulde not well beare: and therefore whisperyng a friend in the eare, he sayd he would be gone, for that was no place for hym. I will (sayth he) to the Bursars Table in the great hall. The Bursar vnderstandyng his mynde, desired hym of all friendshippe not so to depart, alledgyng that it were the next way to be wray hymselfe, & as it were of purpose, to cast hymselfe into the Briers, with many other perswasions, as the shortnes of tyme would permit. In the end he condescēded to his request, and taried. Now as he came to the fire side,Palmer … to … Frier … by the …. the Frier saluted hym cherefully in Latine, for he could not speake Englishe. Palmer with an amiable countenaunce resaluted him gently. But when the Frier offered hym hys hand, he castyng his eye aside, as though he had not seene it, found matter of talke to another standyng by, and so auoyded it, which thyng was well marked of some, not without great grudge of stomacke.
… Palmer refu… to … with … Iohn.After they were set and had well eaten, the Frier with a pleasaunt looke offeryng hym the cup, sayd: Propino tibi inuenis erudite. i. I drinke to you learned yong man. Palmer at that word blushyng as red as scarlet, aunswered: Non agnosco nomen domine. i. I knowledge no such name, O sir. And therewith takyng the cup at his hand, he set it downe by hym, as though he would hauehave pledged him anone after, but in the end it was also well marked, that he did it not. When diner was done, beyng sharply rebuked of the sayd Bursar hys friend, for hys so vnwise, vnciuile, and vnseemely behauiour (as he termed it) he made aunswer for hymselfe, and sayd: Oleum eorum non demulcet, sed frangit caput meum. i. The oyle of these men doth not supply, but breaketh my hed.
…arwickes … to Palmer.Another tyme which was also the last tyme of his beyng at Oxforde, not long before hys death, one Barwike an old acquaintaunce of hys, beyng sometyme Clarke of Magdalenes, and then fellow of Trinitie colledge, a rank papist, began to reason with hym in his friendes chamber aforesayd, and perceiuyng hym to be zealous and earnest in the defence of the veritie, he sayd vntounto hym in the hearing of M. Thomas Parry, and others there present. Wel Palmer, well, now thou art stoute, and hardie in thine opinion, but if thou were once brought to the stake, I beleeue thou wouldest tell me another tale. I aduise thee beware of the fire, it is a shrewd matter to burne.Palmers godly aunswere to Barwicke. Truely sayth Palmer, I hauehave bene in daunger of burning once or twise, and hitherto (I thanke GOD) I hauehave escaped it. But I iudge verily, it will be my end at the last, welcome be it, by the grace of God. In deed it is a hard matter for them to burne, that hauehave the mynd and soule linked to the body, as a thiefes foote is tied in a payre of fetters: but if a man be once able through the helpe of Gods spirite, to seperate and deuide the soule from the body, for him it is no more masterie to burne, then for me to eate this piece of bread.
Thus much by the way concerning his plainnes, with out dissimulation, and how he feared not openly to shewe hymselfe more grieued in hart to heare the worde of God blasphemed, then to suffer any worldly paynes. Now let vsus proceed in our story, and faithfully declare both the occasion and maner of his death.
Within short space after hee had yelded vp his fellowship in Oxford,Iulins Palmer placed by patēt to be schol… master at Redding. he was through Gods prouidence (who neuer fayleth them that first seeke his glory) placed scholemaister by Patent, in the Grammer schoole of Readyng, where he was well accepted of all those that feared God, and fauoured his word, as well for his good learning and knowledge, as also for his earnest zeale, and profession of the truth. But Sathan the enemie of all godly attemptes, enuying his good proceedyngs and prosperous successe in the same, would not suffer hym there, long to be in quiet.Palmer circumuented by false Iudastes. Wherfore he stirred vp against hym, certayne double faced hypocrites, which by dissimulation & crafty insinuatiō had crept in, to vnderstand hys secrets, vnderunder the pretence of a zeale to the gospell. Which men he (suspecting no deceit) right ioyfully imbraced, making them priuy of al his doyngs. For as he hymselfe was then feruently enflamed with the louelove of heauenly doctrine: so had hee an incredible desire by all means possible to allure and encourage others, to the profession of the same.
These faithful and trustie brethren,Palmers studye searched for bookes. so soone as they had found good oportunitie, spared not in his absence to rifle his study of certayne godly bookes, and writyngs, amongest the which was his replication to Morwines verses, touching Winchesters epitaph and other arguments both in Latin and English, written by him against the popish procedings, and specially against their vnnaturall & brutish tyranny, executed toward the Martyrs of God. When they had thus done, they were not ashamed to threaten hym that they would exhibite the same to the Counsayle, vnles he would without delay, depart out of their coastes and geue ouer the schole to a friend of theirs. The truth of this story appeareth in part by a letter written with hys owne hand, out of pryson, eight dayes before he was burned, which because it is of certaine credite, and came to our handes, therefore we are the bolder to auouche it for a truth.
Thus then was this sillie yong man for the sauegard of his lyfe,Iulins Palmer forced to depart the towne of Redding. forced to depart vppon the sodayne from Readyng, leauyng behynd hym in the handes of his enemies his stuffe, and one quarters stipende, and so he tooke hys iourney toward Esham, where hys mother then dwelt▪ hopyng to obtaine at her hands certaine Legacies due to hym by his fathers last will, which he should hauehave receyued certaine yeares before, and taking his iourney by Oxford, he requested certain of his friends to accompany him thither. His mother vnderstandyng his state and errande by M. Shipper and his brother (whom he had sent before to entreat for him) as soone as she beheld him on his knees askyng her blessing as he had bene accustomed to do, thou shalt (sayd she) hauehave Christes curse and myne wheresoeuer thou go.Vnnaturall wordes of a mother. He pausing a little as one amased at so heauy a greetyng, at length sayde: O mother, your owne curse you may geue me, which God knoweth I neuer deserued but Gods curse you cannot geue me, for hee hath already blessed me. Nay, sayth she,Mothers may giuegive their owne curse, but Gods curse they cannot giuegive, much lesse can the Pope. thou wentest from Gods blessing into the warme sunne, when thou wast banished for an heretike out of that worshipfull house in Oxforde, and now for the lyke knauery, art driuen out of Readyng too. Alas mother (sayth he) you hauehave bene misse informed. I was not expelled nor driuen away, but freely resigned of myne accorde. And hereticke I am none, for I stande not stubbornly agaynst any true doctrine, but defend it to my power. And you may be sure, they vse not to expel nor banish, but to burne heretikes (as they terme them.) Well, (quoth she) I am sure thou doest not beleeue as thy father and I, and all our forefathers hauehave done. But as we were taught by the new lawe in K. Edwards dayes, which is damnable heresie.
In deed I confesse (sayd he) that I beleeue that doctrine which was taught in K. Edwards tyme, which is not heresie but truth,The father shall be diuided against the sonne, the mother agaynst. &c. Luke. 12. neither is it newe, but as olde as Christ and his Apostles. If thou be at that poynte (sayth she) I require thee to departe from my house, and out of my sight, and neuer take me for thy mother hereafter. As for money and goodes I hauehave none of thyne, thy father bequeathed nought for heretickes. Fagots I hauehave to burne thee, more thou gettest not at my handes. Mother (sayeth he) where as you hauehave cursed me,Palmer driuen f…om his mother. I agayne pray God to blesse you and prosper you all your life long, and with like soft talke, sweete wordes, and aboundance of teares tricklyng downe his cheekes, hee departed from her, wherewith she so mollified her hard heart, that she hurled an old Angell after hym, and sayd: take that to keepe thee a true man.
Thus poore Palmer beyng destitute of worldly frendship, and cruelly repelled of her, whome he tooke to hauehave bene his surest friend, wist not which waye to turne hys face. Soone after, when he had bethought himselfe, it came to his mynd to returne secretly to Magdalene Colledge, vponupon the assured trust and affiaunce, that he had in a priuie friend or two, in that house. At what tyme, by the suite of one Alane Cope, then fellow of the house, he obtained letters commendatorie,Alane Cope a helper, and supporter of Iulins Palmer. from M. Cole President there, for his preferment to a schoole in Glocester shiere. So he getteth hym away, committed by his friends, to gods diuine protection, of whome some accompanied him as farre as Eusam Ferrie, and some to Burford.
Afterward as he went alone musing, and ponderyng of matters, it came in hys head (as he writeth in an Epistle to one of his friends) to leaue his appoynted iourny, and to returne closely to Redyng, trusting there by the helpe of friends, to receiue his quarters stipend, and conueigh his stuffe to ye custody of some trusty body. To Redyng he commeth, and taketh vp his lodging at the Cardinall hatte, desiring his hostes instantly to assigne hym a close chamber where he might be alone from all resorte of company. He came not so closely, but that this Uiperous generation had knowledge thereof. Wherefore without delay, they layed their heads together, and consulted what way they might most safely proceed against him, to bryng their old cankerd malice to passe. And soone it was concluded, that one M. Hampton (which then bare two faces in one hood,Hampton of Reding, a dissē bling Hypocrite, and a false witnesse. and vnderunder the colour of a brother, playd the part of a dissembling hypocrite) should resort to him vnderunder the pretence of friendship, to feele and fish out the cause of hys repaire to Redyng.
Palmer as he was a man simple, & without all wrinckles of cloked collusion, opened to him his whole intent. But Hampton earnestly perswaded hym to the contrary, declaryng what danger might ensue if this were attempted. Against his counsaile Palmer replied very much, and as they waxed hote in talke, Hampton flang away in a fury, and sayd: as he had fished, so should he foule for hym. Palmer not yet suspecting such pretensed and deuised mischiefe, as by this crooked and pestiferous generation was now in brewing against him, called for his supper & went quietly to bed.Palmer betrayed, and apprehended. But quietly hee coulde not long rest there. For within short space after, the officers and their retinue came rushing in with lanternes and bils, requiring hym in the King and Queenes names, to make ready himselfe and quietly to depart with them. So this sillie yong man perceiuyng that he was thus Iudasly betrayed (without openyng his lips) was led away as a lambe to the slaughter, and was committed to Ward, whom the Keeper as a rauening Wolfe greedie of his praie, brought downe into a vile, stinkyng, and blynd dungeon, prepared for theeues and murderers, & there he left him for a tyme, hangyng by the hands and feete in a paire of stocks,Palmer miserably vsed in prison. so high, that well neere no part of his body touched the ground.
In this caue or dungeon he remained about x. dayes vnderunder the tiranny of this vnmercifull keeper.
❧ Here by the way (gentle Reader) I hauehave by a little digression to geue thee to vnderstand, concernyng one Tho. Thackham, for that the sayd Tho. Thackham in the story of this Iulins Palmer, was noted and named in our former booke, to be a doer and worker against the said blessed Martyr: he therefore beyng not a little agreued, made his reply agayne in writyng for purgation and defence of hymselfe against the false information of his slanderer. Albeit for his confutation in writyng I passe not much vpō, eyther what he hath written, or can write, Only the thing yt mooueth me most, is this. For that the sayd Th. Thackham not long since, commyng to me hymselfe, hath so attested and deposed against the information, wt such swearyng and deepe adiuration, takyng the name of the Lorde God to witnesse, and appealyng to his iudgement to the vtter perdition of his soule if it were not false which by information was reported of hym, and hee faultlesse in the matter. Which beyng so, I could not otherwyse refuse, but to geue credite to his othe, and vponupon the same to alter and correct so much as pertaineth to the diffamatiō (as he calleth it) of his name, referring the truth of the matter to his owne conscience, and the iudgements of the Lord God, to whom eyther he standeth if it be true, and falleth if it bee false.
And now to our story againe, concerning the processe and accusation of Iuline Palmer, omittyng by the way, the names of Tho. Thackham, and Downer.
¶Here followeth the first examination and accusation of Iulins Palmer at Redyng.
AFter this he was brought before the Mayor,The first examination of Iulins Palmer. and there by the procurement of certaine false brethren (the Lord knoweth what they were) who had bene conuersant with Palmer, and robbed his study, diuers greuous & enormious crimes were layd to his charge, as treason, sedition, surmised murther, and adultery.
To whom Palmer answered, that if such horrible and hainous crimes might be prooued against hym, he would paciently submit hymselfe to all kynde of tormentes that could be deuised. But O ye cruell bloudsuckers (sayth he) ye follow the old practises of your progenitours, the Uiperous and Woluish generation of Pharisies & Papists: but be ye well assured, that God alredy seeth your subtile deuises and crafty packyng, and will not suffer the outrageous fury of your venemous tongues & fierie hartes to escape vnpunished. All this while no mention was made of heresie or hereticall writyngs.
Their greatest proofes against hym, were these.
FIrst, that Palmer sayd, the Queenes sworde was not put in her hand to execute tyranny,Euidence put vp agaynst Palmer. and to kil and murther the true seruants of God.
Item, that her sword was to blunt toward the papist, but toward the true christians it was to sharpe.
Item,Note the worshipfull proces of the quarelling Papistes. that certaine seruants of sir Frances Knowles and others, resorting to his lectures, had fallen out amōg themselues, and were like to hauehave committed murther, & therfore he was a sower of sedition, and a procurer of vnlawfull assemblies.
Item, that his Ostesse had written a letter vntounto hym (which they had intercepted) wherein she required him to returne to Reding, & sent him her commendations by the token, that the knife lay hid vnderunder the beame, wherby they gathered that she had conspired with hym to murther her husband.
Item, that they found hym alone with his hostesse by the fire side in the Hall, the doore beyng shut to them forsooth. When this euidence was geuen vp, the Maior dismissed them & went to dinner, commaunding Palmer to the cage, to make him an open spectacle of ignominy to the eyes of the world. And Thackham the better to couer hys owne shame, caused it to bee bruited, that he was so punished for his euill lyfe and wickednesse alredy prooued against hym.
In the after noone Palmer came to his aunswer,Palmer cleareth himselfe. and did so mightily and clearely deface their euidence, and defend his owne innocencie, proouyng also, that the sayd letters were by themselues forged, that the Mayor himselfe was so much ashamed,Note her…, the fruite of Romish religion. that he had geuen such credite vntounto them, and so much borne with them, so that hee sought meanes how they might conuey him out of the countrey priuily.
But here among other thyngs this is not with silence to be passed ouer, that one Iohn Galant a zealous professor of the Gospell,Iohn Galante a zealous professor. a little after this came to the prison and found hym somewhat better intreated then before. When he beheld hym, O Palmer (sayeth he) thou hast deceiued diuers mens expectation: for we heare that you suffer not for righteousnes sake, but for your owne demerites.
O brother Galant (sayth he) these be the old practises of that Sathanicall brood. But be you well assured, & God be praysed for it, I hauehave so purged my selfe, and detected the…r falshood, that from henceforth I shal be no more molested therewith. And there hauyng pen and inke, he dyd write somwhat wherby part of his story here rehersed, is well confirmed. But now to these bloudy aduersaries.
A…ter this, when they sawe the matter frame so ill fauouredly, fearing that if he should escape secretly, their doyngs would tend no lesse to their shame and danger, then to the Maiors dishonesty, they deuised a newe pollicie to bring to passe their song hiddē and festered malice against hym, which was by their extreme refuge. For, where as before they were partly ashamed to accuse hym of heresie, seyng they had bene counted earnest brethren themselues:… and partly afrayd, because they had broken vp hys study, and committed theft: yet now least their iniquitie should hauehave bene reuealed to the world, they put both feare and shame aside, and began to refricate and rip vp the old sore, the scarre whereof had bene but superficially cured, as you hauehave heard, and so to colour their former practises wyth the pretence of hys reformation in religion, they charged hym with the writynges that they had stollen out of his studie.
P…lmer called before the Maior of Red…ing.Thus Palmer was once agayne called out of the pryson to appeare before the Maior, and Bird the Officiall, & two other Iustices, to render an accompt of his fayth before them: to aunswer to such Articles and informations, as were layd agaynst hym. And when they had gathered of his own mouth sufficient matter to entrappe hym,… they deuised a certificate, or bill of Instructions against hym, to be directed to Doctor Ieffrey, who had determined to holde hys Uisitation, the nexte Tewsday at Newbery, which was the xvj. of Iuly.… And thus were the false witnesses and bloudy accusers winked at, and the Innocent deliuered to the Lyon to be deuoured. When it was therfore concluded that Palmer should be sent ouer to Newbery, the sayd letters testimoniall were conueyed ouer together with hym, the contents wherof shal partly appere hereafter. In the meane tyme, I thinke it good here to rehearse one example among other, both of charitable affection toward hym, and of his modestie correspondent to the same.
M. Rider of Reding, a faythfull witnes of gods truth, hearyng how cruelly Palmer had bene delt withall in the prison,… of Gods Gospell. and pined away for lacke of necessaries, and how euidently he had prooued hymselfe innocent before the Officers, of such crimes as were obiected agaynst hym, hee sent to him his seruant secretly the night before his departure to Newbery, with a bowed grote in tokē of his good hart toward hym, requiring hym to let hym vnderstand if he lacked necessaries, and he would prouide for him. Palmer answered, the Lord reward your M. for his beneuolence toward me a miserable abiect in this world, and tell hym that (God be praised) I lacke nothyng.
In the mornyng before they tooke their iourney, Tho. Askme, aliâs Roberts, beyng fellow prisoner with hym in Christes cause,… sittyng at breakefast, and beholdyng Palmer very sad, leaning to a window in ye corner of the house asked why he came not to breakfast. Because I lacke money (saith Palmer) to discharge the shot. Come on man (quoth he) GOD be praised for it, I hauehave enough for vsus both. Which thing when M. Rider heard of, it cannot be expressed, how much it grieued him that Palmer had deceiued hym with so modest an answer.
Thus to Newbery they came on Monday night, and forthwith they were committed to the comfortable hostrie of the blynd house,… Pal… brought … Newbery. where they found Iohn Gwin, their faythfull brother in the Lord. Now how they came before the Consistorie of Doctor Ieffrey, and how Palmer was examined, it doth in part appeare by this examinatiō here vntounto annexed, which although it be not perfectly and orderly penned, as the report goeth it was spoken, nor perchaunce altogether in such forme of wordes, yet as exactly as we were able to compact and dispose it,W…tnesses to the … parte … story. beyng gathered out of seuerall notes of Richard Shipper, Ioh. Hunt, Iohn Kirry of Newbery, Richard White of Marleborough, which were oculati testes, and present at the hearyng thereof.
¶The second examination and accusation of Iulins Palmer at Newbery, in the hearyng of moe then three hundreth persons.
The exami…n of … Palmer before D …eff…ey, at Newbe… ▪IN the yere 1556. the xv. of Iuly, foure or fiue seats were prepared in the Quire of the Parish Churche of Newbery for the Uisitours, whose names here ensue: Doctor Ieffrey for the Bishop of Sarum, Sir Richard Abridges Knight, and then high Shiriffe of the Shiere. Sir William Rainsford Knight, Maister Iohn Winchcombe Esquier, and the Person of Inglefield. After the Prisoners were presented, the Commission read, and other thynges done in order accordingly,D. Ieffrey, Syr Richard Ab…idges Knight, M. Iohn Winchcombe, the Parson of Inglefield Iudges agaynst Iulins Palmer. Doctor Ieffrey called to Palmer and sayd: Art thou that iolly writer of three halfepeny bookes that we heare of.
Palmer.
I know not what you meane.
Ieffrey.
HaueHave you taught Latin so long, that now you vnderstand not English?
To this he answered nothing.
Then D. Ieffrey standyng vp, said: We hauehave receiued certaine writings and articles against you, from the right worshipfull the Maior of Reading, and other Iustices, whereby we vnderstand, that beyng conuented afore thē, you were conuict of certaine heresies.
First, that you deny the Popes holines supremacie.
Next, that there are but two Sacraments.
Thirdly, that the Priest sheweth vp an Idoll at masse: and therfore you went to no masse, since your first cōming to Redyng.
Fourthly, that there is no Purgatorie.
Last of all, that you be a sower of sedition, and hauehave sought to deuide the vnitie of the Queenes subiects.
The Shiriffe.
You were best see first what he will say to his owne handy worke.
Ieffrey.
Ye say truth. Tell me Palmer, art thou he yt wrote this faire volume? Looke vponupon it.
Palmer
I wrote it in deede, and gathered it out of the scripture.
Ieffrey.
Is this doggish rime yours also? Looke.
Palmer.
I wrote this, I deny not.
Ieffrey.
And what say you to these Latine verses entituled
Epicidion. &c.
Are they yours too?
Palmer.
Yea sir.
Ieffrey.
Art thou not ashamed to affirme it? It came of no good spirit that thou didst both raile at the dead, & slander a learned and Catholike man yet alyue.
Palmer.
If it be a slander, he hath slandered hymselfe: For I do but report hys owne writyng, & open the folly therin declared. And I recken it no railyng to inuey agaynst Annas and Caiphas beyng dead.
Ieffrey.
Sayest thou so? I will make thee recant it, and wryng Peccaui out of your lying lyppes, ere I hauehave done with thee.
Palmer.
But I know, that although of my selfe I bee able to do nothyng, yet if you and all myne enemies both bodily and ghostly, should do your worst, you shall not be able to bryng that to passe, neither shall ye preuaile agaynst Gods mighty spirit, by whom we vnderstand the truth, and speake it boldly.
Ieffrey.
Ah, are you ful of the spirit? Are you inspired with the holy ghost?
Palmer.
Sir, no man can beleeue, but by the inspiration of the holy ghost. Therfore If I were not a spirituall man, and inspired with Gods holy spirite, I were not a true christian. Qui spiritum Christi non habet, hic non est eius. i. He that hath not the spirit of Christ, is none of his.
Ieffrey.
I perceyue you lacke no words.
Palmer.
Christ hath promised not onelyonly to geue vsus store of words necessary: but with them, such force of matter, as the gates of hell shall not be able to confound, or preuayle agaynst it.
Ieffrey.
Christ made such a promise to his Apostles,The holy ghost shall teache you in that howre what you shall aunswere. Luke. 2. I trow you will not compare with them?
Palmer.
With the holy Apostles I may not compare, neyther hauehave I any affiaunce in myne owne wit or learnyng, which I know is but small, yet this promise I am certain pertaineth to all such as are appoynted to defende Gods truth against hys enemies, in the tyme of their persecution for the same.
Ieffrey.
Then it pertaineth not to thee.
Palmer.
Yes, I am right well assured, that thorough hys grace it pertaineth at this present to me, as it shal (I dout not) appeare, if you geue me leaue to dispute wyth you before this audience, in the defence of all that I hauehave there written.
Ieffrey.
Thou art but a beardlesse boy, starte vp yesterday out of the schooles, and darest thou presume to offer disputation, or to encounter with a Doctor?
Palmer.
Remember M. Doctour: Spiritus vbi vult spirat. And agayne: Ex ore infantium, &c. And in another place:A maruell to the Papistes, that young men should hauehave the gifte of the holy ghost. Abscondisti haec a sapientibus. &c. i. The spirit breatheth whē it pleaseth hym, &c. Out of the mouth of Infants. &c. And thou hast hidden these thyngs from the wyse, &c. God is not tyed to tyme, wit, learnyng, place, nor person. And although your wit and learnyng be greater then myne: yet your beliefe in the truth, and zeale to defend the same, is not greater then myne.Gods spirite is not bound to place, or person.
Register.
Sir, if you suffer hym thus impudently to trifle with you, he will neuer hauehave done.
Ieffrey.
Wel, ye shal vnderstand, that I hauehave it not in commission at this present to dispute with you, neither were it meete that we should call againe into question such Articles as are already discussed,Note how these men dare not abide disputatiō. and perfectly defined by our mother the holy Church, whom we ought to beleue without why, or wherefore, as the Creede telleth vsus. But the cause why ye be now called hither, is that ye might be examined vponupon such articles as are ministred against you, & such matter as is here conteined in your hand writyng, that it may be seene whether you will stand to it, or nay. How say you to this?
Palmer.
The Churche of Rome is but a particular Church. The Church is not to be beleeued for her selfeBy your holy church you meane the Sinagogue of Rome which is not vniuersall, but a perticular Church of shauelyngs. The catholike church I beleeue, yet not for her owne sake, but because she is holy, that is to say: a Church that groundeth her beliefe vponupon the word of her spouse Christ.
Ieffrey.
Leaue railing, & answer me directly to my questiō. Will ye stand to your writing, or will ye not?
Palmer.
If ye prooue any sentence therein comprised, not to stand with Gods word, I will presently recant it.
Ieffrey.
Thou impudent fellow, hauehave I not told thee, that I came not to dispute with thee, but to examine thee.
Here the parson of Inglefield pointing to ye pixe, said: What seest thou yonder?
Palmer.
A canapie of silke brodered with gold.
Person.
Yea, but what is within it.
Palmer.
A piece of bread in a clout, I trow.
Person.
Thou art as froward an heretike as euer I talked with all. Here was much spoken of Confiteor, and other partes of the Masse.
Person.
Do you not beleeue that they which receiue the holy Sacrament of the aultar, do truly eate Christes natural body?
Palmer.
The Sacrament of the Lordes Supper.If the Sacrament of the Lordes supper bee ministred, as Christ did ordaine it, the faithfull receiuers do in deed spiritually and truely, eate and drinke in it, Christes very naturall body and bloud.
Person.
The faithfull receiuers? ye cannot bleare our eies with such Sophistry. Doe not all maner receiuers good & bad, faithfull, and vnfaithfull, receiue the very natural body in forme of bread?
Palmer.
No sir.
Person.
How prooue you that?
Palmer.
By this place. Qui manducat me, viuet propter me. i. He that eateth me,The wicked receiue not the Lordes bodye. shall lyue for me.
Person.
See that fond fellow whiles he taketh himselfe to be a Doctor of the law, you shall see me prooue him a stark foolish dawe. Do you not read likewise: Quicunque inuocauerit nomen domini saluus erit? id est. Whosoeuer inuocateth the name of the Lord, shall be saued? Ergo, Doe none but the godly call vppon hym? therefore you must marke how S. Paul answereth you. He sayth, that the wicked do eate the true body to their condemnation.
As Palmer was bent to aunswere him at the full, the Person interrupted hym, crying still, what sayest thou to S. Paule.
Palmer.
I say, that S. Paule hath no such wordes.
Person.
See, the impudent fellow denieth the playne text. Qui edit & bibit corpus Domini indignè, reus erit Iudicij. i. He that eateth and drinketh the body of the Lord vnworthily, is guiltie of iudgement.
Palmer.
I beseech you lend me your booke.
Person.
Not so.
The Shiriffe.
I pray you lend hym your booke. So ye booke was geuen ouer to hym.
Palmer.
Your owne booke hath, Qui manducat hunc panem. &c. i. He that eateth this bread.
Person.
But S. Hieromes translation hath Corpus.
Palmer.
The Parson …nfounded … his owne … Parsons … stopped.Not so M. Parson, and God bee praysed that I hauehave in the meane season, shut vp your lippes with your owne booke.
Ieffrey.
It skilleth no matter whether ye write bread or body, for we be able to prooue that he ment the bodye. And where as you say, they eate it spiritually, that is but a blind shift of descant.
Palmer.
What should I say els?
Ieffrey.
As holy Church sayeth, really, carnally, substantially.
Palmer.
And with as good Scripture, I may say grosly, or monstrously.
Ieffrey.
Thou speakest wickedly. But tell me: Is Christ present in the sacrament or no?
Palmer.
He is present.
Ieffrey.
How is he present.
Palmer.
Presence in the Sacrament.The Doctors say modo ineffabili. Therefore why do ye aske me. Would God ye had a mynd ready to beleue it, or I a tongue able to expresse it vntounto you.
Ieffrey.
What say you to the baptisme of Infants.Baptisme of ….
Palmer.
I say that it standeth with Gods word, & therfore it ought of necessitie to be retayned in the Church.
Ieffrey.
Ye hauehave forgotten your self I wis, for ye write that children may be saued without it.
Palmer
So I write, and so I say.
Ieffrey.
Then it is not necessary to be frequented and continued in the Church.Children dying before they come to Baptisme are saued, of this it followeth no, Ergo: children that are brought ought not to be Baptised.
Palmer.
Your argument is not good M. Doctor.
Ieffrey.
Will ye stand to it?
Palmer.
Yea M. Doctor, God willyng.
Ieffrey
Note it Register.
More of his Examination in that tyme and place, is not yet come to our hands, whensoeuer God sendeth it, I will impart and communicate the same to the Reader. In the meane season we are credibly informed of this, that sir Richard Abridges the same day after dinner, sent for hym to his lodging, and there in the presence of diuers persons yet alyue in Newbery and elsewhere, friendly exhorted hym to reuoke his opinion to spare his yong yeares, wit, and learnyng. If thou wilt be conformable,Sir Richard Abridges … gentle offer to Palmer. and shew thy selfe corrigible and repentant, in good fayth (sayeth he) I promise thee before this company, I will geue thee meate and drinke, and bookes, and x. pound yearely so long as thou wilt dwell with me. And if thou wilt set thy mynd to mariage, I will procure thee a wyfe and a farme, & helpe to stuffe and frit thy farme for thee.
How sayest thou?
Palmer thanked him very curteously,Palmer refuseth worldly offers to keepe his conscience. & made him further answer concernyng his religion somewhat at large, but very modestly and reuerently, concludyng in the end, that as he had already in two places renounced his liuing for Christes sake, so he would with Gods grace be redy to surrender and yeld vp his lyfe also for the same, whē God should send tyme.
When Sir Richard perceiued that hee woulde by no meanes relent: Well Palmer (sayth he) then I perceiue one of vsus twain shal be damned. For we be of two faiths, and certayne I am that there is but one faith that leadeth to lyfe and saluation.
Palmer.
O sir, I hope that we both shall be saued.
Sir Rich.
How may that be?
Palm.
Right well Sir. For as it hath pleased our merciful Sauiour, accordyng to the Gospels parable,God calleth at diuers tymes and howres. to call me at the third hower of the day, euen in my flowers, at the age of 24. yeres, euen so I trust he hath called, and wil cal you at the eleuenth hower of this your olde age, and geue you euerlasting lyfe for your portion.
Sir Rich.
Sayest thou so? Well Palmer well, I woulde I might hauehave thee but one monethmonth in my house, I doubte not, but I would conuert thee, or thou shouldst conuert me.
Then sayd M. Winchcome: Take pitie on thy golden yeares, and pleasaunt flowers of lusty youth, before it bee too late.
Palm.
Sir, I long for those springing flowers, that shall neuer vade away.
Winchcome.
If thou be at that poynt, I hauehave done with thee.
Then was Palmer commanded agayne to the blynd house, but the other two sillie men,Iohn Gwin Thomas Askin, Martyrs condemned. Sir Richard Abridges Sheriffe. were ledde agayne the same after noone to the Consistorie, and there were condē ned, and deliuered to the secular power of the shiriffe there present, by name sir Rich. Abridges.
It is reported also, that D. Ieffrey offered Palmer a good liuyng, if he would outwardly shew hymself conformable, kepyng his conscience secret to hymselfe, or at least declare that hee doubted, which was the truest doctrine. But I cannot affirme it for a suretie.
The next mornyng the 16. of Iuly, Palmer was required to subscribe to certaine Articles, which they had drawen out, touching the cause of his condemnation: in the front whereof, were pluckt together many haynous termes, as horrible, hereticall, damnable, diuelish, and execrable doctrine.Palmer required to set his hand to his Articles. To these wordes Palmer refused to subscribe, affirming, that the doctrine which he professed, was not such, but good and sound doctrine.
Ieffrey.
Ye may see good people what shifts these heretikes seeke to escape burnyng, when they see Iustice ministred vntounto them. But I tell thee this stile is agreeable to ye law, and therfore I cannot alter it.
Palmer.
Then cannot I subscribe to it.
Ieffrey.
Wilt thou then craue mercy, if thou like not iustice? and reuoke thy heresie.
Palmer.
I forsake the Pope & his Popelings, withall Popish heresie.
Ieffrey.
Then subscribe to the Articles.
Palmer.
Alter the Epithetons, and I will subscribe.
Ieffrey.
Subscribe and qualifie the matter with thine own pen. So he subscribed. Whereupon D. Ieffrey proceded to read the Popish sentence of his cruell condemnation, and so was he deliuered to the charge of the secular power,The Popish …. & was burned the same day in the after noone, about fiue of the clocke.
Within one houre before they went to the place of execution▪ …Palmer in the presence of many people, comforted his fellowes with these wordes. Brethren (sayth he) be of good …here in the Lord and faint not. Remember ye words of our Sauiour Christ, where he sayth: Happy are you whē men reuile you and persecute you for righteousnesse sake. Reioyce and be glad, for great is your reward in heauen. Feare not them that kill the body, and be not able to touch the soule. God is faythfull, and will not suffer vsus to be tempted further, then we shall be able to beare it. Wee shall not ende our lyues in the …ire, but make a change for a better lyfe. Yea for coales, we shall receiue pearles. For Gods holy spirite certifieth our spirit, that he hath euen now prepared for vsus a sweet supper in heauen for his sake which suffered first for vsus.
With these and such lyke wordes, he did not only comfort the hartes of his sillie brethren that were with hym appoynted as sheepe to be slaine, but also wrested out plē tifull teares from the eyes of many that heard him. And as they were singyng a Psalme,Palmer, …. came the shiriffe Sir Richard Abridges, and the Bailiffes of the Towne, wyth a great company of harnessed and weaponed men to conduct them to the fire. When they were come to the place where they should suffer, they fell all three to the ground, and Palmer with an audible voyce pronounced the xxxj. Psalme, but the other two made their prayers secretly to almighty God.
The words … Palmer … Pop… Priests.And as Palmer began to arise, there came behind him two popish priests, exhortyng him yet to recant and saue his soule. Palmer answered and sayd: Away, away, tempt me no longer. Away I say from me all ye that worke iniquitie, for the Lord hath heard the voice of my teares. And so forthwith they put of their raiment, and went to ye stake and kissed it. And when they were bound to the post, Palmer sayd: Good people pray for vsus, that we may perseuer to the ende. And for Christes sake, beware of Popish teachers, for they deceiue you.
As he spake this, a seruant of one of the Bailifs, threw a fagot at his face, that the bloud gushed out in diuers places. For the which fact, the Shiriffe reuiled hym, callyng hym cruell tormentor, and with hys walkyng staffe brake hys hed,The words of these …, at …. The Mar…dome of …. that the bloud likewyse ran about his eares. Whē the fire was kindled and began to take holde vppon their bodies, they lift their hands towards heauen, and quietly and cheerefully as though they had felt no smart, they cried: Lord Iesu strength vsus, Lord Iesu assist vsus, Lord Iesu receiue our soules. And so they continued without any struglyng, holdyng vp their handes, and knockyng their hartes, and calling vponupon Iesu vntill they had ended their mortall lyues.
Among other thyngs this is also to be noted,A notable spectacle in the Martyrdome of Iuli…s Palmer. that after their three heds by force of the ragyng and deuouryng flames of fire were fallen together in a plumpe or cluster, which was meruailous to be hold, and that they all were iudged already to hauehave geuen vp the ghost, sodainly Palmer, as a man waked out of sleep, mooued his tongue and iawes, and was heard to pronounce this word Iesu. So beyng resolued into ashes, he yelded to God as ioyfull a soule (confirmed with the sweete promises of Christ) as any one that euer was called beside to suffer for his blessed name. God graunt vsus all to be mooued with the lyke spirite, workyng in our hartes constantly to stand in defence and confession of Christes holy Gospell, to the ende, Amen.
¶De Martyrio Palmeri hexasticon.
Palmerus flammas Christi pro dogmate passus,Epitaphium in Palmerum.
Impositum pondus, ceu bona palma tulit.
Non retrocessit, sed contra audentior iuit,
Illaesam retinens, fortis in igne sidem.
Propterea in coelum nunc Palmifer iste receptus,
Iusticiae Palmam non percuntis habet.
Iustus vt Palma florebit.