Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2

The second examination of Alice Dryuer.

THe next day she came before them again, & the Chancellor then asked her, what she said to the blessed sacrament of the altar.

Alexander Gouche, Martyr.

AT which time Alexander Gouch also was examined, who was taken with her, as before is said, whose examination here after followeth.

This Alexander Gouch was examined chiefly of the Sacrament & other ceremonies of the popish church. And as for that his belief was, that Christ was ascended into heaven, and there remaineth, & that the Sacrament was the remembrance of his death and passion, and for refusing the Mass, and the Pope to be supreme hed of Christ's Church, for these causes was he condemned, & died with Alice Dryuer at Ipswich, the 4. of November which was the Monday after All Saints, 1558. D. Myles, Spenser being Chancellor, they both ending their lives with earnest zeal, nothing fearing to speak their conscience whē they were commanded to the contrary.

These two godly persons being come to the place where the stake was set by 7. of the clock in the morning, notwithstanding they came the self same morning from Melton Jail, which is vi. miles from Ipswich, being in their prayers, and singing of Psalms both of them together, Sir Henry Dowell then being Sheriff, was very much offended with them, and willed the Bailiffs of Ipswich to bid them make an ende of their Prayers, they kneeling upon a broom fagot, one of the Bailiffs, whose name was Richard Smart, commanded them to make an ende, saying: On, on, have done, have done: make an ende, nail them to the stake, yet they continued in prayer.

Then sir Henry sent one of his men, whose name is Rich. Coue, that they should make an end.

Then Gouch stood up, and said unto the Sheriff: I pray you M. Shirife let us pray a little while, for we have but a little time to live here.

Then said the Bailife: Come of, have them to the fire.

Then the said Gouch and Alice Driuer said: Why M. Sheriff, and M. Bailiff, will you not suffer us to pray?

Away, said sir Henry, to the stake with them.

Gouch answered: Take heed M. shiriffe. If you forbid prayer, the vengeance of God hangeth over your heds.

Then they being tied to the stake, and the iron chain b • yng put about Alice Driuers neck: O (said she) here is a goodly neckerchiefe, blessed be God for it.

Then diverse came & took them by the hands as they were bound standing at the stake. The shiriffe cried, lay hands on them, lay hands on them. With that a great mumber ran to the stake. The shirife seeing that, let them all alone, so that there was not one taken.

There was one Bate a Barbour, a busy doer about thē, who having thē a freeze gown upon him, sold it immediately: saying, it stunke of heretics, with other foul words moe. After this, within three or four weeks, God's hand was upon him, and so he died very miserably in Ipswich.

The Martyrdom of three which were burned at Bury, for the true testimony of Jesus Christ.

ALthough our history hasteth apace (the Lord be praised) to the happy death of Queen Mary, yet she died not so soon, but some there were burned before, and moe should have been burnt soon after them, if God's provision had not prevented her with death. In the number of them which suffered the same month when Queen Mary died, were three that were burned at Bury, whose names were these:

• Phillip Humfrey.
• John David.
• Henry David, his brother.

Concernyng the burning of these three, here is to be noted, that sir Clement Higham about a fortnight before the Queen died, did sue out a writ for the burning of these three aforesaid godly and blessed Martyrs, notwithstanding that the Queen was then known to be past remedy of her sickness.

The trouble and Martyrdom of a godly poor woman which suffered at Exeter.

ALthough in such an innumerable company of godly Martyrs, which in sundry quarters of this Realm were put to torments of fire in Q. Mary's time, it be hard so exactly to recite every particular person that suffered, but that some escape us either unknown, or omitted: yet I cannot pass over a certain poor woman, and a seely creature, burned under the said queenes reign, in the City of Exeter (whose name I have not yet learned:) who dwelling sometime about Cornewall, having a husband and childrē there, much addicted to the superstitious sect of popery: was many times rebuked of thē, & drivē to go to the church, to their Idols and ceremonies, to shrift, to follow the Cross in Procession, to give thanks to God for restoring Antichrist again into this Realm. &c. Which when her spirit could not abide to do, she made her prayer unto God, calling for help and mercy, and so at length lying in her bed, about midnight, she thought there came to her a certain motion and feeling of singular comfort. Wherupon in short space, she began to grow in contempt of her husband and children, and so taking nothing from them, but even as she went, departed from them, seeking her living by labor & spinning as well as she could, here & there for a time. In which time notwithstanding she never ceased to utter her mind, as well as she durst: howbeit she at that time was brought home to her husband again. Wher at last she was accused by her neighbors, and so brought up to Exeter, to be presented to the Bishop and his Clergy. The name of the Bishop which had her in examination, was Doctor Troubleuile. His Chancellor (as I gather) was Blackstone. The chiefest matter whereupon she was charged and condemned, was for the Sacrament (which they call of the Aultar) and for speaking against Idols, as by the declaration of those which were present▪ I understand, which report the talk between her and the bishop on this wise.

Then diverse of the Priests had her in handling, persuading her to leave her wicked opinion about the sacrament of the alter, the natural body and blood of our Savior Christ. But she made them answer, that it was nothing but very bread and wine, and that they might be ashamed to say, that a piece of bread should be turned by a man into the natural body of Christ, which bread doth vinow, and Mice oftentimes do eat it, and it doth • old & is burned: And (said she) God's own body will not be so handled, nor kept in prison, or boxes, or aumbries. Let it be your God: it shall not be mine: for my Savior sitteth on the right hand of God, & doth pray for me. And to make that sacramētal or significative bread instituted for a remembrance, the very body of Christ, and to worship it, it is very foolishness and devilish deceit.

Now truly (said they) the devil hath deceived thee.

No (said she) I trust the living God hath opened mine eyes, and caused me to understand the right use of the blessed sacrament, which the true church doth use, but the false church doth abuse.

Then stepped forth an old Frier, and asked what she said of the holy Pope.

I (said she) say that he is Antichrist and the devil.

Then they all laughed.

Nay (said she) you had more need to weep then to laugh, & to be sory that ever you were borne, to be the chapleines of that whore of Babylon. I defy him and all his falsehood: and get you away frō me: you do but trouble my conscience. You would have me follow your doings: I will first loose my life. I pray you depart.

Why, thou foolish woman (said they) we come to thee for thy profit and souls health.

O Lord God (said she) what profit riseth by you that teach nothing but lies for truth? how save you Souls, when you preach nothing but damnable lies, and destroy souls.

How prouest thou that (said they?)

Do you not damn souls (said she) when you teache the people to worship Idolles, Stockes, and Stones, the work of men's hands? and to worship a false GOD of your own making, of a piece of bread, and teach that the Pope is God's Uicar, and hath power to forgive sins? and that there is a Purgatory, when God's son hath by his Passion purged all? and say, you make God and sacrifice him, when Christ's body was a Sacrifice once for all? Do you not teach the people to number their sins in your ears, and say they be damned, if they confess not all: when God's word saith: Who can number his sins? Do you not promise them Trentals and Diriges, & masses for souls, and sell your prayers for money, and make them buy pardons, and trust to such foolish inventions of your own imaginations? Do you not altogether against God? Do you not teache us to pray upon Beads, and to pray unto Saints, and say they can pray for us? Do you not make holy water and holy bread to fray Devils? Do you not a thousand more abominations? And yet you say, you come for my profit and to save my soul. No, no, one hath saved me. Farewell you with your salvation. Muche other talk there was between her and them, which here were too tedious to be expressed.

In the mean time during this her months liberty granted to her by the Bishop, which we spake of before, it happened that she entering in saint Peters Church, beheld there a cunning Dutchman how he made new noses to certain fine Images which were disfigured in Kyng Edward's time: What a mad man art thou (said she) to make them new noses, which within a few days shall all lose their heads. The Dutchman accused her, & laid it hard to her charge. And she said unto him: Thou art accursed, and so are thy Images. He called her Whoore. Nay (said she) thy Images are Whoores, and thou art a Whore hunter: for doth not GOD say: You go a whoryng after strange God's, figures of your own making? and thou art one of them. Then was she sent for, and clapped fast: and from that time she had no more liberty.

Duringe the time of her imprisonment, diverse resorted to her, to visit her, some sent of the bishop, some of their own voluntary will: amongst whō was one Daniel a great doer and preacher sometimes of the Gospel, in the days of king Edward, in those parties of Cornewall and Deuonshyre, whom after that she perceived by his own confession, to have revolted from that which he preached before, through the grievous imprisonmentes (as he said) and fear of persecution, which he had partly sustained by the cruel Justices in those parties, earnestly she exhorted him to repent with Peter, and to be more constant in his profession.

Moreover, there resorted to her a certain worthy gentlewoman, the wife of one Walter Rauley, a womā of noble wit, and of a good & godly opinion, came to the prisō & talked with her: she said her creed to the gentlewoman, & when she came to the Article· He ascended: there she stayed, and bade the Gentlewoman to seek his blessed body in heaven, not in earth, & told her plainly that God dwelleth not in temples made with hands, & that sacrament to be nothing else but a remembrance of his blessed passion, & yet (said she) as they now use it, it is but an Idol, & far wide from any remembrance of Christ's body? which (said she) will not long continue, & so take it good maistres. So that as soon as she came home to her husband, she declared to him, that in her life, she never heard a woman (of such simplicity to see to) talk so godly, so perfectly, so sincerely, & so earnestly: in so much that if God were not with her, she could not speak such things: to the which I am not able to answer her (said she) who can read, and she cannot.

Also there came to her one William Kede, and John his brother, not only brethren in the flesh, but also in the truth, and men in that Country of great credit, whose father Robert Kede, all his life suffered nothing but trouble for the Gospel. These two good and faithful brethrē were present with her, both in the hall and also at the prison, & (as they reported) they never heard the like woman: of so godly talk, so faithful, or so constant, & as godly exhortations she gave them.

Thus this good matron, the very servant and handmayd of Christ, was by many ways tried both by hard prisonment, threatenings, taunts, and scorns, called an Anabaptist, a mad woman, a drunkard, a whore▪ a runagate. She was proved by liberty to go whither she would: she was tried by flattery, with many fair promises: she was tried with her husband, her goods and childred, but nothing could prevail: her heart was fixed, she had cast her anker, utterly contēning this wicked world: A rare ensample of constancy to all professors of Christ's holy Gospel.

In the bill of my Information, it is so reported to me, that albeit she was of such simplicity and without learning, yet you could declare no place of Scripture, but she would tell you the Chapter: yea, she would recite to you the names of all the books of the Bible. For which cause one Gregory Basset a rank Papist, said, she was out of her wit, and talked of the Scripture, as a dog rangeth far of from his master whē he walketh in the fields, or as a stolen sheep out of his masters hands, she wist not whereat, as all heretics do, with many other such taūtes, which she utterly defyed. Whereby as almighty God is highly to be praised, working so mightily in such a weak vessel: so men of stronger and stouter nature, have also to take example how to stand in like case: whē as we see this poor woman, how manfully she went through with such constancy and patience.

At the last, when they perceived her to be past remedy, and had consumed all their threatenings, that by neither prisonmēt nor liberty, by manaces nor flattery, they could bring her to sing any other song, nor win her to their vanities and superstitious doings, then they cried out, An Anabaptist, an Anabaptist. Then at a day they brought her from the Bishops prison to the Guildhall, & after that delivered her to the temporal power, according to their custom, where she was by the Gentlemen of the country exhorted yet to call for grace, & to leave her fond opinions: And go home to thy husband (said they:) thou art an unlearned woman, thou art not able to answer to such high matters.

I am not, said she: yet with my death I am content to be a witness of Christ's death: and I pray you make no longer delay with me: my heart is fixed, I will never otherwise say, nor turn to their superstitious doings.

Then the bishop said, the devil did lead her.

No my Lord (said she) it is the spirit of God which leadeth me, and which called me in my bed, & at midnight opened his truth to me. Thā was there a great shout and laughing among the priests and other.

During the time that this good poor woman was thus under these priests hands, amongst many other baytinges and sore conflicts which she sustained by thē, here is moreover not to be forgotten, howe that Mayster Blaxton aforesaid, being treasurer of the Church, had a concubine which sundry times resorted to him, with other of his gossips: so that always when they came, this said good woman was called forth to his house, there to make his miniō with the rest of the company some mirth, he examining her with such mocking & gyruing, deriding the truth, that it would have vexed any Christian heart to have seen it. Then when he had long used his foolishness in this sort, & had sported himself enough in deriding this Christian martyr: in the end he sent her to prison again, and there kept her very miserablye, saving that sometimes he would send for her, when his foresaid guest came to him, to use with her his accustomed folly aforesaid. But in sine, these vile wretches (after many combats and scoffing persuasions) whē they had played the part of the cat with the mouse, at length condemned her, and delivered her over to the secular power.

Then the Indictment being given and read, which was, that she should go to the place whence she came, and from thence to be led to the place of execution, then & there to be burned with flames till she should be consumed: she lifted up her voice and thanked GOD, saying: I thank thee my Lord my God, this day have I found that which I have long sought. But such outcries as there were again, and such mockings were never seen vpō a poor seely woman: Al which she most patiently took. And yet this favor they pretended after her judgment, that her life should be spared, if she would turn & recant. Nay, that will I not (said she:) God forbid that I should loose the life eternal for this carnal and short life. I will never turn from my heavenly husband, to my earthly husband: from the feloshippe of angels, to mortal children: And if my husband and children be faithful, then am I theirs. God is my father, God is my mother, God is my Sister, my Brother, my Kinsman, God is my friend moste faithful.

Then was she delivered to the Sheriff, & innumerable people beholding her, she was led by the officers to the place of executiō, without the walls of Exeter, called Sothenhey, where again these superstitious priests assaulted her: and she prayed them to have no more talk with her, but cried still, God be merciful to me a sinner, God be merciful to me a sinner. And so whiles they were tying her to the stake, thus still she cried, and would give no answer to thē, but with much patience took her cruel death, and was with the flames and fire consumed: and so ended

this mortal life as constant a woman in the faith of Christ, as ever was upon the earth. She was as simple a womā to see to as any man might behold: of a very little & short stature, somewhat thick, about 54. years of age. She had a cheerful countenance, so lively, as though she had been prepared for that day of her marriage to meet the Lamb: most patient of her words & answers, sober in apparel, meat & drink, and would never be idle: a great comfort to as many as would talk with her: good to the poor: and in her trouble, money, she said, she would take none: for she said, I am going to a city where money beareth no maistry: whiles I am here, God hath promised to feed me. Thus was her mortal life ended. For whose constancy God be everlastingly praised. Amen.

Touching the name of this woman (as I have now learned) she was the wife of one called Prest, dwelling in the Dioces of Exeter, not far from Launceston.

The Persecution and Martyrdom of three godly men burnt at Bristow, about the latter years of Queen Mary's reign.

IN writing of the blessed Saints, which suffered in the bloody days of queen Mary, I had almost overpassed the names and story of three godly Martyrs, which with their blood gave testimony likewise to y ^e gospel of Christ, being condemned and burnt in the town of Bristow. The names of whom were these:

• Richard Sharpe.
• Thomas Benion.
• Thomas Hale.

First, Richard Sharpe Weaver, of Bristow, was brought the 9. day of Marche. an. 1556. before M. Dalbye Chancellor of the Town or City of Bristow, and after examination concerning the sacrament of the alter, was persuaded by the said Dalbye and others, to recant, and the 29. of the same month was enjoined to make his recantation before the Parishioners in his parish Church. Which whē he had done, he felt in his conscience such a tormenting hell, that he was not able quietly to work in his occupation, but decayed and changed, both in color and liking of his body. Who shortly after upon a Sunday came into his parish Church, called Temple, & after high mass, came to the queere door & said with a loud voice: Neighbors, bear me record that yonder Idol (and pointed to the alter) is the greatest and most abhominable that ever was: and I am sory that ever I denied my Lord GOD. Then the Constables were commanded to apprehend him, but none stepped forth, but suffered him to go out of the Church. After by night he was apprehended and carried to Newgate, & shortly after, he was brought before the said Chancellor, denying the sacrament of the alter to be the body & blood of Christ, & said, it was an Idol, and therefore was condemned to be burnt by the said Dalby, He was burnt the 7. of May. 1557. and died godly, patiently, and constantly, confessing the articles of our faith.

Thomas Hale, Martyr.

THe Thursday in the night, before Easter .1557. came one M. David Herris Alderman, & John Stone, to y ^e house of one Thomas Hale, a Shoemaker, of Bristow, & caused him to rise out of his bed, & brought him forth of his door. To whō y ^e said Tho. Hale said: You have sought my blood these two years, & now much good do it you w ^t it. Who being committed to the watchmen, was carried to Newgate, the 24. of April, the yere aforesaid was brought before M. Dalby the Chancelor committed by him to prison, & after by him condemned to be burnt, for saying the sacrament of the altar to be an Idol. He was burned the 7. of May, with the foresaid Rich. Sharpe, & godly, patiently, and constantly embracing the fire with his arms.

Richard Sharpe & Thomas Hale were burned both together in one fire, and bound back to back.

Thomas Benion.

THomas Benion a Weaver, at the commandment of the Commissioners, was brought by a Constable, the thirtenth day of August. 1557. before Mayster Dalbye Chancellor of Bristow, who committed him to prison for saying there was nothing but bread in the Sacrament as they used it. Wherefore, the twenty day of the said August he was condemned to be burnt by the said Dalby, for denying five of their Sacraments, and affirming two, that is: the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, and the Sacrament of Baptism. He was burnt the seven and twenty of the said month and year, and died godly,

constantly and patiently, with confessing the articles of our Christian faith.

The Martyrdom of five constant Christians, which suffered the last of all other in the time of Queen Mary.

THe last that suffered in Queen Mary's time, were five at Caunterburye, burned about six days before the death of Queen Mary, whose names follow here under written.

• John Corneford, of Wortham.
• Christopher Brown, of Maydstone.
• John Herst, of Ashford.
• Alice Snoth.
• Katherine Knight, otherwise called Katherine Tynley, an aged woman.

These five, to close up the final rage of queen Mary's persecution, for the testimony of that word, for which so many had died before, gave up their lives, meekly and patiently suffering the violent malice of the Papists. Which Papists although they then might have either well spared them, or else deferred their death, knowing of the sickness of Queen Mary: yet such was the implacable despite of that generation, that some there be that say, the Archdeacō of Canterbury the same time being at London, & understanding the danger of the Queen, incontinently made all post hast home to dispatch these, whom before he had thē in his cruel custody.

The matter why they were judged to the fire, was for believing the body not to be in the sacrament of the altar, unless it be received, saying moreover that we receive another thing also beside Christ's body, which we see, and is a temporal thing, according to S. Paul: The things that be seen, be temporal. &c.

Item, for confessing that an evil man doth not receive Christ's body: Because no man hath the son, except it be given him of the father.

Item, that it is Idolatry to creep to the cross and S. John forbidding it, saith, Beware of Images.

Itē, for confessing that we should not pray to our Lady and other Saints, because they be not omnipotent.

For these and such other articles of Christian doctrine, were these five committed to the fire. Agaynst whom whē the sentence should be read, and they excommunicate, after the manner of the papists, one of them, John Cornford by name, stirred with a vehement spirit of the zeal of god, proceeding in a more true excommunication against the papists, in the name of them all, pronounced sentence against them, in these words as follow.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the son of the most mighty God, and by the power of his holy spirit, & the authority of his holy catholic & Apostolic church, we do give here into th • hands of Satan, to be destroyed, the bodies of all those blasphemers & heretics, that do maintain any error against his most holy word, or do condemn his most holy truth for heresy, to the mainteinaunce of any false Church or feigned Religion, so that by this thy just judgment, O most mighty God, against thy adversaries, thy true religion may be known, to thy great glory, and our comfort, and to the edifying of all our natiō. Good Lord so be it. Amen.

This sentence of excommunication being the same time openly pronounced and registered, proceeding so, as it seemeth from an inward faith and hartye zeal to God's truth and Religion, took such effect against the enemy, that within six days after, Queen Mary died, and the tyranny of all English Papists with her. Albeit, notwithstanding the sickness and death of that queen, whereof they were not ignorant, yet the Archdeacon, with other of Canterbury, thought to dispatch the Martyrdom of these men before.

In the which fact, the tyranny of this Archdeacon seemeth to exceed the cruelty of Boner: who notwithstanding he had certain the same time under his custody, yet he was not so importune in haling them to the fire, as appeareth by father Living and his wife, and diverse other, who being the same time under the custody and danger of Boner, delivered by the death of Queen Mary, remain yet some of them alive.

These godly martyrs in their prayers which they made before their martyrdom, desired God y ^t their blood might be the last that should be shed, and so it was.

This Katherine Tynley was the mother of one Robert Tynley now dwelling in Maydstone, which Robert was in trouble all Queen Mary's time. To whom his Mother coming to visit him, asked him how he took this place of Scripture (which she had seen, not by reading of the Scripture, for she had yet in manner no taste of Religion, but had found it by chance in a Book of prayers: I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. And also upon the servants, and upon the maids in those days will I pour my spirit. &c. Which place after that he had expounded to her, she began to take hold on the Gospel, growing more and more in zeal and love thereof, and so continued unto her Martyrdom.

Among such young women as were burned at Canterbury, it is recorded of a certain maid, and supposed to be this Alice Snoth here in this story mentioned, or else to be Agnes Snoth above storied, pag. 1751. (for they were both burned) that when she was brought to be executed, she being at the stake, called for her godfather and godmothers. The Justice hearing her, sent for thē, but they durst not come. Notwithstanding the Justice willed the mess̄ger to go again, and to show them that they should incur no danger therefore.

Then they hearing that, came to know the matter of their sending for. When the maid saw them, she asked thē what they had promised for her: and so she immediately rehearsed her faith, and the commandments of God, and required of them, if there were anymore that they had promised in her behalf: and they said no.

Then said she: I die a Christian woman: bear witness of me, and so cruelly in fire was she consumed, & gave joyfully her life up for the testimony of Christ's Gospel, to the terror of the wicked, and comfort of the godly, and also to the stopping of the sclaunderous mouths of such, as falsely do quarrel against these faithful Martyrs for going from that religion wherein by their Godfathers & Godmothers they were first baptized.

The story and condemnation of John Hunt, and Richard White, ready to be burnt, but by the death of Queen Mary escaped the fire.

BEsides these Martyrs above named, diverse there were in diverse other places of the Realm imprisoned, whereof some were but newly taken and not yet examined, some begun to be examined but were not yet condemned, certain both examined and condemned but for lack of the writ escaped.

Other there were also, both condemned, and the writ also was brought down for their burning, and yet by the death of the Chancelor, the bishop, and of Queen Mary happening together about one time, they most happily & marvelously were preserved and lived many years after. In the number of whom was one John Hunt and Rich. White imprisoned at Salisbury. Touching which history something here is to be shown.

First these two good men and faithful servants of the Lord above named, to wit, John Hunt, and Richard White had remained long time in prison at Salisburye, & other places thereabout, the space of two years and more. During which time, oft times they were called to examination, & manifold ways were impugned by the Bishop, and the Priests. All whose examinations, as I thought not much needful here to prosecute or to search out, for the length of the volume: so neither again did I think it good to leave no memory at all of the same, but some part to express, namely of the examination of Richard White before the Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Gloucester, with the Chancellor and other Priests, not unworthy perchance to be rehearsed.

*The Martyrdom of a young lad of eight years old, scourged to death in Bishop Boners house in London.

IF bloody torm • ntes and cruel death of a poor innocent suffering for no cause of his own, but in the truth of Christ and his Religion, do make a Martyr, no less deserveth the child of one John Fetty, to be reputed in y ^e Catalogue of holy Martyrs, who in the house of Bishop Boner vnmercifuly was scourged to death, as by the sequel of this story here following may appear.

Amongest those that were persecuted & miserably imprisoned for the profession of Christ's Gospel, & ye • mercifully delivered by the providence of God, there was one John Fetty, a simple and godly poor man dwelling in the parish of Clerkenwell, & was by vocation a Taylor, of the age of 42. years or thereabout, who was accused and complained of, unto one Brokenbury a priest & a parson of the same parish, by his own wife, for that he would not come unto the church, & be partaker of their Idolatry & superstition: & therefore through y ^e said priests procurement, he was apprehended by Rich. Tanner & his fellow, constables there, and one Martin the Hedborough. Howbeit immediately vpō his apprehension, his wife (by the just judgment of God) was stricken mad, and distract of her wits: which declared a marvelous example of the justice of God against such unfaithful and most unnatural treachery. And although this example perhaps for lack of knowledge & instruction in such cases little moved the consciences of those simple poor mē▪ to surcease their persecutiō: yet natural pity towards that ungrateful woman, wrought so in their harts that for the preservation & sustentatiō of her & her 2. children (like otherwise to perish) they for that present let her husband alone and would not carry him to prison, but yet suffered him to remain quietly in his own house. During which time, he as it were forgetting the wicked and unkind fact of his wife, did yet so cherish and provide for her, that within the space of three weeks (through God's merciful providence) she was well amended, and had recovered again some stay of her wits and senses.

But such was the power of Satan in the malicious heart of that wicked woman, that notwithstanding his gentle dealing with her, yet she so soon as she had recovered some health, did again accuse her husband: whereupon he was the second time apprehended, and carried unto Syr John Mordaunt Knight, one of the Queens Commissioners, and he upon examination sent him by Cluny the Bishops Sumner, unto the Lollards Tower: where he was (even at the first) put into the painful stocks, and ha • a dish of water set by him, with a stone put into it. To what purpose God knoweth, except it were to show that he should look for little other sustenance. Which is credible enough, if we consider their like practices upon diverse before mentioned in this history, as amongst other (upon Richard Smith, who died through their cruel imprisonment. Touching whom, when a godly woman came unto Doct. Story to have leave y ^t she might bury him, he asked her if he had any straw or blood in his mouth: but what he meant thereby, I leave to the judgment of y ^e godly wise.

After the foresaid Fetty had thus lain in the prison by the space of xv. days, hanging in the stocks, sometime by the one leg and the one arm, sometime by the other, and otherwhiles by both, it happened that one of his children (a boy, of the age of eight or nine years) came unto y ^e Bishops house to see if he could get leave to speak with his father. At his coming thither, one of the Bishops Chaplaynes met with him and asked him what he lacked, and whom he would have. The child answered that he came to see his father. The Chaplayne asked again, who was his father. The boy then told him and pointing towards Lollards Tower, shown him that his father was there in prison. Why (quoth the priest) thy father is an heretic. The child being of a bold and quick spirit, and also godly brought up and instructed by his father in the knowledge of God, answered & said: my father is no heretic: but you are an heretic: For you have Balaam's mark

With that the Priest took the child by the hand, & carried him into the Bishops house (whether to the Bishop, or not, I know not, but like enough he did) & there amongst them they did most shamelessly and without all pity, so whip and scourge, being naked, this tender child, that he was all in a gore blood, and then, in a ioly brag of their Catholic tyranny, they caused Cluny, having his coat upon his arm, to carry the child in his shyrt unto his father being in prison, y ^e blood running down by his heels.

At his coming unto his father, the child fell down up-his knees, and asked him blessing. The poor man then beholding his child, & seeing him so cruelly arrayed, cried out for sorrow and said: Alas Will, who hath done this to thee? The boy answered, that as he was seeking how to come to see his father, a priest with Baalams mark took him into the Bishops house, and there was he so handled. Cluny therewith violently plucked the child away out of his fathers hands, and carried him back again into the Bishops house, where they kept him three days after.

And at the three days end, Boner (minding to make the matter whole, and somewhat to appease the poor mā, for this their horrible fact) determined to release him, and therefore caused him early in a morning to be brought out of Lollards tower, into his bedchamber, where he found the B. basting of himself against a great fire: & at his first entering into the chamber, Fetty said, God be here & peace. God be here and peace (quoth Boner) that is neither God speed, nor good morrow. If ye kick against this peace (said Fetty) then this is not the place that I seek for.

A Chaplayne of the Bishops standing by, turned the poor mā about, & thinking to deface him, said in mocking wise: what have we here? a plaier? whilst this Fetty was standing in the bishops chamber, he espied hanging about the Bishops bed a great pair of black beads: whereupon he said: my Lord, I think the hangman is not far off: • o • the halter (pointing to the beads) is here already. At which words the Bishop was in a marvelous rage.

Then immediately after he espied also, standing in the said Bishops chamber in the window, a little Crucifix (before which belike Boner used to kneel in the time of his hipocriticall prayers. ) Then he asked the Bish. what it was: and he answered that it was Christ. Was he handled so cruelly as he is here pictured, quoth Fetty?

Yea that he was, said the Bishop.

And even so cruelly will you handle such as come before you. For you are unto God's people, as Caiaphas was unto Christ.

The Bishop being in a great fury, said: thou art a vile heretic, and I will burn thee, or else I will spend all that I have unto my gown.

Nay my Lord, said Fetty, ye were better to give it to some poor body, that he may pray for you. But yet Boner bethinking in himself of the danger that the child was in by their whipping, and what peril might ensue thereupon, thought better to discharge him: which thing was accomplished.

Wherupon, after this and such talk, the Bishop at last discharged him, willing him to go home and carry his child w ^t him: which he so did, and that with a heavy heart to see his poor boy in such extreme pain and grief. But within 14▪ days after the child died, whether thorough this cruel scourging, or any other infirmity: I know not & therefore I refer y ^e truth thereof unto y ^e Lord, who knoweth all secretes, and also to the discreet judgment of the wise reader. But howe soever it was, the Lord yet used this their cruel & detestable fact, as a means of his providence for the delivery of this good poor man and faithful Christian, his name be ever praised therefore. Amen.

The cruel handling and burning of Nicholas Burton Englishman and Marchaunt in Spain.

FOrasmuch as in our former book of Acts and Monuments mention was made of the Martyrdom of Nicholas Burton, I thought here also not to omit the same the story being such as is not unworthy to be known, as well for the profitable example of his singular constancy, as also for the noting of the extreme dealing and cruel revenging of those Catholic Inquisitors of Spain, who under the pretensed visour of Religion, do nothing but seek their own private gain and commodity, with crafty defending and spoiling of other men's goods, as by the noting of this story may appear.

The fifth day of the month of November, about the year of our Lord God .1560. this Nicholas Burton Citizen sometime of London and Marchaunt, dwelling in the Parishe of little Saint Barthelmew, peaceably and quietly following his traffike in the trade of Marchaundise, and being in the City of Cadix in the parties of Andolazia in Spain, there came into his lodging a Judas (or as they term them) a Familiar of the Fathers of the Inquisition. Whom asking for the said Nicholas Burton, feigned that he had a Letter to deliver to his own hands: by which means he spake with him immediately And having no Letter to deliver to him then the said Promoter or Familiar, at the motiō of the Devil his master, whose messenger he was, invented another lie, and said that he would take ladyng for London in such ships as the said Nicholas Burton had fraited to lade, if he would let any: which was partly to know where he laded his goods, that they might attache them, and chiefly to detract the time until the Alguisiel, or Sergeant of the said Inquisition might come and apprehend the body of the said Nicholas Burton: which they did incontinently.

Who then well perceauyng y ^t they were not able to burden nor charge him y ^t he had written, spoken, or done any thing there in that country against the Ecclesiastical or Temporal laws of the same Realm, boldly asked them what they had to lay to his charge that they did so Arrest him and bad them to declare the cause and he would answer them. Notwithstanding, they answered nothing, but commanded him with cruel threatening words to hold his peace, and not to speak one word to them.

And so they carried him to the cruel and filthy common prison of the same Town of Cadix, where he remained in irons 14. days amongst thieves.

All which time he so instructed the poor prisoners in the word of God, according to the good talent which God had given him in that behalf and also in the Spanyshe tongue to utter the same, that in short space he had well reclaimed sundry of these superstitious and ignorant Spaniards to embrace the word of God, and to reject their popish traditions.

Which being known unto the officers of the Inquisition, they conveyed him laden with irons from thence to a city called Siuill, into a more cruel and straighter prison called Triana, where the said fathers of the Inquisition proceeded against him secretly according to their accustomable cruel tyranny, that never after he could be suffered to write or to speak to any of his nation: so that to this day it is unknown who was his accuser.

Afterward the the xx. day of December, in the foresaid year, they brought the said Nicholas Burton with a great number of other prisoners, for professing the true Christian Religion, into the City of Siuill, to a place where the said Inquisitors sat in judgment, which they called the Awto, with a Canuas coat, whereupon diverse partes was painted the figure of on huge Devil, tormenting a soul in a flame of fire, & on his head a coppyng tanke of the same work.

His tongue was forced out of his mouthe with a cloven stick fastened upon it, that he should not utter his conscience and faith to the people, and so he was set with another englishmā of Southampton, and diverse others condemned men for Religion, as well French men,

as Spaniards, upon a Scaffold over against the said Inquisition, where their sentences and judgments wer read and pronounced against them.

And immediately after the said sentences given, they were all carried from thence to the place of execution with out y ^e city, where they most cruelly burned him, for whose constant faith God be praised.

This Nicholas Burton by the way, and in y ^e flames of fire made so cheerful a countenance, embracing death with all patience and gladness, that the tormentors and enemies which stood by, said that the Devil had his soul before he came to the fire, and therefore they said his senses of feeling were past him.

It happened that after the Arrest of this Nicholas Burton aforesaid, immediately all the goods and Marchaundise which he brought with him into Spain by y ^e way of traffic, were according to their common usage, seised, and taken into the Sequester: among the which they also rolled up much that appertained to another English Marchaunt, wherewith he was credited as Factour. Wherof so soon as news was brought to the Merchant as well of the imprisonment of his Factoure, as of the Arrest made upon his goods, he sent his Attorney into Spain with authority from him, to make claim to his goods, and to demand them: whose name was I. Fronton Citizen of Bristow.

When his Attorney was landed at Siuill, and had shown all his Letters and writings to the holy house, requiring them that such goods might be delivered into his possession, answer was made him that he must sue by Bill, and retain an Advocate (but all was doubtless to delay him) and they forsoothe, of courtesy assigned him one to frame his supplication for him, and other such bills of petition, as he had to exhibit into their holy Courte, demanding for eche Bill viii. Rials, albeit they stood him in no more stead, then if he had put up none at all. And for the space of three or four months this fellow missed not twice a day, attending every morning and afternoon at the Inquisitors Palace, suing unto them upon his knees for his dispatche, but specially to the Byshoppe of Tarra • on, who was at that very time chief in the Inquis • tion at Siuill, that he of his absolute authority would command restitution to be made thereof: but the bootie was so good and so great, that it was very hard to come by it again.

At the length, after he had spent whole 4. months in suits and requests, and also to no purpose, he received this answer from them, that he must show better evidence and bring more sufficient certificates out of England for proof of his matter, then those which he had already presented to the Courte. Whereupon the party forthwith posted to London, and with all speed returned to Civil again with more ample and large letters testimonialles and certificates, according to their request, and exhibited them to the Court.

Notwithstanding, the Inquisitors still shifted him off, excusing themselves by lack of leisure, and for y ^• they were occupied in greater and more weighty affairs, and with such answers delayed him other four months after.

At the last, when the party had wellnigh spent all his money, and therefore sued the more earnestly for his dyspatch, they referred the matter wholly to the Bishop. Of whom, when he repaired unto him, he had this answer that for himself he knew what he had to do: howbeit he was but one man, and the determination of the matter appertained unto the other Commissioners as well as unto him: and thus by posting & passing it from one to another, the party could obtayn no end of his suit. Yet for his importunity sake, they were resolved to dispatche him, it was on this sort: One of the Inquisitors called Gasco a man very well experienced in these practices, willed the party to resort unto him after dinner.

The fellow being glad to hear these news, and supposing that his goods should be restored unto him, and that he was called in for that purpose to talk with y ^e other that was in prison, to confer with him about their accounts, the rather through a little misunderstanding, hearing the Inquisitor cast out a word, that it should be needful for him to talk with the prisoner, and being thereupon more then half persuaded, that at the length they meant good faith, did so, and repaired thither about the evening. Immediately upon his coming, the Jailor was forthwith charged with him, to shut him up close in such a certain prison, where they appointed him.

The party hoping at the first that he had been called for about some other matter, and seeing himself contrary to his expectation, cast into a dark dungeon, perceived at the length that the world went with him far otherwise then he supposed if would have done.

But within two or three days after, he was brought forth into the Court, where he began to demand his goods: and because it was a devise that well served their turn without anymore circumstance they bad him say his Ave Maria. The party began & said it after this manner Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus te cum, benedicta tu in mulieribus & benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus. Amen.

The same was written word by word as he spake it: and without any more talk of claiming his goods because it was booteles, they command him to prison again, and enter an action against him as an heretic, for as much as he did not say his Ave Maria after the romish fashion, but ended it very suspiciously, for he should have added moreover: Sancta Maria mater Dei ora pro nobis pecca toribus, by abbreuiating whereof, it was evident enough (said they) that he did not allow the mediation of saints.

Thus they picked a quarrel to detain him in prison a longer season, and afterwards brought him forth into their stage disguised after their manner: where sentence was given that he should loose all the goods which he sued for, though they were not his own, and besides this suffer a years imprisonment.

The Martyrdom of another Englishman in Spain.

AT what time this blessed Martyr of Christ suffered, which was the year of our Lord .1560. December. 22. there suffered also another Englishman, with other xiii. one of them being a Nun, another a Friar, both constant in the Lord. Of which xiii. read before, pag. 934.

*John Baker and Willam Burgate Martyrs.

John Baker and William Burgate, both Englishmen in Cales, in the country of Spain, were apprehended and in the Citty of Siuill burned the second day of November.

Mark Burgess and William Hoker Martyrs.

MArke Burgess an Englishman, Mayster of an English ship called the Minion, was burned in Lushborn a city in Portingale. an. 1560.

William Hoker a young man, about the age of xvi. years, being an Englishman, was stoned to death of certain young men there in the Citty of Siuill, for the confession of his faith. an. 1560.

But of these and such other acts and matters paste in Spain, because they fell not within the compass of Q. Mary's reign, but since her time, another place shall serve hereafter (the Lord willing) to entreat more at large of the same, when we come to the years and reign of the Queen that now is, where we have more conveniently to infer not only of these matters of the Martyrs (whereof somewhat also hath been touched before, pag. 907. but also of the whole Inquisition of Spain, and Plackarde of Flanders, w ^t the tragical tumults & troubles happening w ^t in y ^e last memory of these our latter days, according as it shall please the mercy of the Lord to enable our endeavor with grace and space to the accomplishment thereof.

A chapter or treatise concerning such as were scourged and whipped by the Papists in the true cause of Christ's Gospel

ANd thus through the merciful assistance and favorable aid of Christ our Savior, thou hast as in a general Register (good Reader) the story collected, if not of all, yet of the most part, or at least, not many I trust omitted of such good Saints and Martyrs as have lost their lives, and given their blood, or died in prison for the testimony of Christ's true doctrine and sacraments, from the time of the cruel Statute first given out by king Henry the 4. Ex officio, pag. 523. unto this present time, & especially under the reign of Queen Mary.

Now after this bloody slaughter of GOD'S good saints and seruau • tes thus ended and discoursed, let us proceed (by the good pleasure of the Lord) somewhat like wise to entreat of such as for the same cause of Religyon have been, although not put to death, yet whipped and scourged by the adversaries of God's word, first beginning with Richard Wilmot and Thomas Farefaxe, who about the time of Anne Aschue, wer pitifully rent & tormented with scourges and stripes for their faithful standing to christ, and to his truth, as by the story and examination both of the said Rich. Wilmot, and of Thomas Farefaxe now following, may appear.

An other treatise of such as being pursued in Queen Mary's time, were in great danger, & yet through the good providence of God, mercifully were preserved.

ALthough the secret purpose of almighty God, which disposeth all things, suffered a great number of his faithful servants both men and women, and that of all ages and degrees, to fall into the enemies hands, and to abide the brunt of this persecution, to be tried with rods, with whips, with racks, with fetters and famine, with burning of hands, with plucking of beardes, with burning also both hand, beard, and body. &c.

Yet notwithstanding some there were again, and that a great number, who myraculously by the merciful providence of God, against all man's expectation, in safety were delivered out of the fiery rage of this persecution, either by voydinge the Realm, or shiftinge of place, or the Lord so blinding the eyes of the persecutors, or disposing the opportunity of time, or working some such means or other for his servants, as not only ought to stir them up to perpetual thanks, but also may move all men both to behold and magnify the wondrous works of the almighty.

About what time it began to be known that Queen Mary was sick, diverse good men were in hold in diverse quarters of the realm, some at Burie, some at Salisb. as John Hunt and Richard White, of whom we have storied before, and some at London, amongst whom was Will. Living with his wife, and John Lithall, of whom something remaineth now compendiously to be touched.

The trouble and deliverance of William Living with his wife, and of John Lithall, Ministers.

ABout the time of the latter end of Queen Marie, she then being sick, came one Coxe a Promoter, to the house of William Living, about 6. of the clock, accompanied with one John Launce of the Graihound. They being not ready, they demanded for buttons, saying they should be as well paid for them, as ever was any: and he would come about 3. hours after again for them.

In the mean while he had gotten the Constable called master Dean, and George Hancocke the Beadle of that Ward, and searching his books, found a book of Astronomy, called the work of Johannes de sacro busto de sphaera, with figures, some round, some triangle, some quadrate: which book because it was gilted, seemed to him the chiefest book there, and that he carried open in the streate, saying: I have found him at length. It is no marvel the Queen be sick, seeing there be such conjurers in privy corners: but now I trust he shall conjure no more, and so brought him and his wife from Shoe lane through Fleet street into Paul's Churchyarde, with the Constable, the Beadle, and 2. other following them, til they were entered into Darbishires house, who was bishop Boners Chancellor: And after the Constable and they had talked with Darbishire, he came forth and walked in his yard, saying these words.

Then called he Cluny again, and spake secretly to him, what I know not.

Then said Cluny: wilt thou not come: and so plucked me away violently, and brought me to his own house in Pater noster Rowe, where he robbed me of my pursse, my girdle, and my Psalter, and a new Testament of Geneva, and then brought me to the Colehouse to put me in the stocks, saying: put in both your legs and your hands also: and except you fine w ^t me, I will put a collor about your neck. What is the fine, quoth I? Fortie shillinges quoth he, I am never able to pay it, said I.

Then said he: you have friends that be able. I denied it: and so he put both my legs into the stocks til supper time, which was 6. of the clock, and then a cosine of my wives brought me meat, who seeing me so sit there, said: I will give you 40. pence and let him go at liberty: and he took her money, and presently let me forth in her sight, to eat my supper. And at 7. of the clock he put me into the stocks again, and so I remained till 2. of the clock the next day, and so he let me forth till night. This woman above mentioned, was Griffins first wife, a brother dwelling then in Aldermanberie, and yet alive in Chepeside.

The thursday following at afternoon was I called to the Lollards tower, and there put in the stocks, having the favor to put my leg in that hole that Master John Philpots leg was in, and so lay all that night, nobody coming to me, either with meat or drink.

At 11. of the clock on the Fridaye, Clunie came to me with meat, and let me forth, and about one of the clock he brought me to Darbishires house, who drew forth a scroll of names, and asked me if I knew none of them, I said I know none of them, but Foster. And so I kneeled down upon my knees, and prayed him that he would not inquire thereof any farther. And with that came forth two godly women, which said: Master Darbishire, it is enough, and so became sureties for me, and paid to Clunie xv. s. for my fees, and bad me go with them.

And thus much concerning William Living. After this came his wife to examination, whose answers to Darbishire the Chancellor, here likewise follow.

The trouble and deliverance of John Lithall.

AT the taking of William Living, it happened that certain of his Books were in the custody of one John Lithall, which known, the Constable of the Warde of Southwarke, with other of the Queens servants, were sent to his house, who breaking open his doors and chests, took away not only the books of the said William Living, but also all his own books, writings, and bills of debts, which he never had again. All this while Lithall was not at home.

The next Saterdaye after, as he was returned, and known to be at home, John Auales and certain of the Queens servants besette his house all the night, with such careful watch, that as he in the morning issued out of his doors, thinking to escape their hands, John Auales suddenly brusting out upon him, cried, stop the traitor, stop the traitor. Whereat Lithall being amazed, looked back.

And so John Auales came running to him, with other that were with him, saying: ha syrra: you are a pretty traitorly fellow in deed: we have had somewhat to do to get you. To whom he answered, that he was a truer man to the Queens majesty then he. For you (said he) are commanded by God to keep holy the Sabbath day, and you seek to shed your neighbors blood on the Saboth day. Remember that you must answer therefore to God. But he said, come on you villain, you must go before y ^e counsel. So was Lithal brought into Paul's Churchyard to the bishops Chancellor, by John Auales, saying, that he had there caught the Captain of these fellows, and so caused him to be called to examination before D. Darbishire, who entered with him talk in this wise.

Notwithstanding all these dissembling words of master Darbishire, pretending for favor of his sureties to set him at liberty, it was no such thing, nor any zeal of charity y ^t moved him so to do, but only fear of the time, understanding the dangerous and irrecoverable sickness of Queen Mary, which then began somewhat to asswage the cruel proceedings of thes • persecutors, whereby they durst not do that they would: for else Lithall was not like to have escaped so easily.

Edward Grew.

MOreouer, there was one Edward Grewe priest, and Appline his wife, compelled to fly from their dwelling at a Town called Broke: and the man being very aged, travailed abroad to keep a good conscience.

At the last he was taken and laid in Colchester Castle, where he remained till Queen Elizabeth came to her regal seat, and by the alteration of Religion he was delivered. His wife, good womā, was in great care for him, and to her power did what she could to succor him.

William Brown.

WIlliam Brown, Parson of Little Stanham, in the County of Suffolk, made a Sermon in the said Town, incontinently after the burial of our good King Edward, and in his sermon he said: there goeth a report that our good king is buried with a Mass by the Bishop of Winchester, he having a miter upon his head. But if it were so (saith he) they are all traitors that so do, because it is both against the truth and the laws of this realm, and it is great Idolatry and blasphemy, and against the glory of God: and they are no friends neither to God, the king, nor yet unto the realm that so do. For this his preaching, one Robert Blomefielde, an adversary to the truth, being then constable of the said town, and bail •• se unto sir John Ierningham knight (the chief lord of y ^e town) immediately rode forth, & brought home w ^t him one Edward Goulding, which was then under sheriffe, Syr Thomas Cornewalis being then high sheriffe.

So the said Golding and Blomfield sent for certain men of the said Town, and examined them for the Sermon. Wherunto they made but a small answer. Then the Sheriff made a Bill, and so feared the men, that 2. or 3. of them set to their hands, and one of them never joyed after but it was a grief to him till he died.

Then did they take men with them unto the Parsones house, and in the night they took him, and with watchmē kept him until it was day. Then should he have been carried the next day to the Counsel: but y ^e said Rob. Blomefield was taken so sick, that he was like to die: so that he could not carry him for his life.

Then the said sheriffe sent him to Ipswich again, and there he was for a time. Then he was sent to Burie prison, & from thence to the Council, and then into the Flete: and so he lay in prison from the beginning of harvest till it was nigh Christmas, and he said God gave him • uche answers to make when he was examined, that he was delivered with quietness of conscience. And having his liberty, he came again unto the foresaid Town: and because he would not go to Mass, his living was taken away, and he & his wife were constrained to fly here and there, for his life & conscience. In the last year of Queen Mary's reign, God did take him out of this life in peace.

Where moreover is to be noted, y ^t this Robert Blomfield above named, immediately after he had apprehended the said Brown fell very sick: And though at that time he was a wealthy man and of a great substance (beside his land, which was better then twenty pound a year) after this time, God so plagued his household, that his eldest son died, and his wife had a pining sickness till she departed this life also.

Then married he another, a richer widow: but all would not help, and nothing would prosper: For he had a sore pining sickness, being full of botches and sores, whereby he wasted away both body and goods, till he died.

So when he died, he was above ix. • core pounds in det, and it was never heard of any repentance he had. But a little before his death, he bragged, & threatened a good man, one Simon Hariston, to put him forth to the Officers, because he did wear no Surplis when he said service.

Wherefore it is pity such baits of Popery are left to the enemies to take Christians in. God take them away, or else from them: for God knoweth they be the cause of much blindness and strife amongst men.

Furthermore, out of the said Town were constrained to fly Robert Boele and John Trapne, because they would not go to Mass and receive their Sacrament of the altar.

Elizabeth Young.

YE heard before in the treatise of the scourging of Thomas Grene, how he was troubled and beaten by doctor Story, for a certain book called Antichrist, which he received of a woman, because in no case he would detect her.

This woman was one Elizabeth Young, who coming from Emden to England, brought with her diverse books, and sparsed them abroad in London, for the which she being at length espied and laid fast, was brought to examination 13. times before the Catholic Inquisitors of heretical pravity. O. the which her examinations, nine have come to our hands.

Wherein how fiercely she was assaulted, how shamefully she was reviled, how miserably handled, and what answers she made unto the adversaries in her own defense, and finally after all this, how she escaped and passed through y ^e pikes (being yet, as I hear say, alive) I thought to give the reader here to see and understand.

Elizabeth Lawson.

IN the town of Bedfield, and in the county of Suffolk, was dwelling a godly ancient Matrone named Elizabeth Lawson, about the age of lx. years. This Elizabeth was apprehended as an heretic, by the Constables of the same town, named Robert Kitrich, and Thomas Elas, in the year of our Lord, 1556. because she would not go to Church to hear Mass, and receive the Sacrament, and believe in it.

First they laid her in a dungeon, and after that she was carried unto Norwich, and from thence to Bury Jail, where at last she was condemned to be burnt. In y ^e mean time sir John Sylliard had her home vnty his house, he being high Sheriff that yere, where she was hardly kept and wrapped in irons, till at length when they by no wise could move her co recant, she was sent to prison again with shameful revilings.

Thus she continued in prison the space of two years and three quarters. In the mean time there was burnt her son and many other, whereby she would often say: Good Lord, what is the cause that I may not yet come to thee with thy children? well, good Lord, thy blessed will be done, & not mine.

Not long after this, (most happily) followed y ^e death of Queen Mary, after whom succeeded our Queen that now is. At which time this Elizabeth Lawson remained yet still in Bury prison, till at last she was bayled upon sureties, or else she could not be delivered. For she being a condemned person, neither the temporalty, nor yet spiritual authority would discharge her without sureties.

Now she being abroad, and her sureties made afraid by wicked men, said, they would cast her again in prison, except she would see them discharged.

Then she got a supplication, to go unto the Queens majesty, and came to a friend of hers to have his counsel therein: who willed her to stay a while, because she was old, the days short, and the expenses great, and Winter fowl (for it was a little before Christmas) & to tarry until Summer. In the mean time God brake the bond, & shortened her journey: for he took her home to himself out of this life in peace.

This good old woman, long before she went to prison had the falling sickness, and told a friend of hers, one Simon Harlston, after she was apprehended, that she had it never more, but lived in good health & joy of heart, through her Lord Christ.

She had a very unkind man to her husband, who while she was in prison, sold away her raimente, and would not help her, and after she was out of prison, she returned home unto him, yet would he show her no kindness, nor help her neither: and yet the house & land that he dwelt in, he had by her, wherefor as long as she lived, she was found of the congregation.

The said Elizabeth Lawson also had a sister, wife to one Rob. Hollon of Mickfield in the same county of Suffolk, which likewise was persecuted and driven out from house to house, & a young man her son with her, because they would not go to the church to hear mass, & receive the sacrament of the alter.

Thomas Christenmasse and William Watts.

IN this perilous rage of Queen Mary's reign, were two men persecuted, one called Tho. Christenmas, the other Will. Wats of Tunbridge in Kent. As these travailed from place to place, not resting two nights together in one place, it happened them on a time to come to Rochester in Kent, where as they entering into the Town, evē at the Towns ende met with a little Damsel of eyght years of age, but whether she went, they knew not. It was then night, and they weary, and fain therefore would have lain in the same town, but could not tell where, they feared so the bloody Catholics. At last they devised to ask the Damsel whether there were any heretics in the town, or no? and she said, yea. They asked her where. She answered them. At such an Inn, telling them the name, and where the Inn was. Shortly after, as they were gone from her, they bethought themselves better, and God so moouyng their hearts, they went to the child again, and asked her how she knew that the Innekeper (of whom she spake before) was an heretic. Marrie (quoth she) well enough, and his wife also. How knowest thou, pretty maiden, said they? I pray thee tell us. How know I, said she? Marrie because they go to the church: and those that will not hold up their hands there, they will present them, and he himself goeth from house to house, to compel them to come to Church. When these two men heard this, they gave God praise, and avoided that house, taking the warning of that Mayde (of good bringing up, as it should seem) to be God's marvelous providence towards them.

Another escape of William Wats.

THis foresaid William Wats, dwelling in Queen Mary's days at Seal in Kent, the last yere of her reign save one, was apprehended by his enemies, and brought by the Constables before the Bish. and Justices at Tunbridge, where the B. and Justices would have persuaded him all they could, to turn from the truth: howbeit in vain, for they could not remove him, although they spent all the forenoon therabouts, with many flattring words: so merciful was the Lord unto him.

Now, when dinner time was come, as they should rise, they committed the prisoner to the constables again, and so rose up to go to diner. The Constables took Wats and led him to a vitailing house, where after they had well filled themselves, they fell a sleep, supposing their prisoner to be sure enough under their hands. Wats wife being then in the house with her husband, and very careful for his well doing, seeing the Constables thus fast a sleep, desired her husband to depart and go thence, for so much as the Lord had made such away for him. Unto which her words he would not consent, although she persuaded him all that she could.

At the last, (they replieng one against another) a stranger heard them, and asked her what the matter was, that she was so earnest with her husband. The wife told him. Then said the stranger unto Wats these words: Father, go thy ways in God's name, and tarry no longer: the Lord hath opened the way unto thee. Wherevpon the said Watts went his way, and his wife departed from him, and went home to her house at Seal, thinking her husband had gone another way. Now as she was going in at her door telling her friends of his deliverance, immediately came the said Watts in also, and they all being amazed thereat, willed him in all haste to get him away, for they thought there would be search for him immediately.

Then Wats said, he would eat meat first, and also pray: which he did, and afterward departed thence. So soon as he was out of the doors, and had hid himself in an holly bush, immediately came the said constables with thirty persons into the said house to search for him, where they pierced the Fetherbeds, broke up his Chestes, and made such havoc, that it was wonderful: and ever among as they were searchyng, the Constables cried: I will have Wats, I will have Wats I tell thee, I will have Watts: but (God be thanked) Wats could not be found. And when they saw it booted not to search for him, in the ende they took his wife, and set her in a pair of stocks where she remained two days, and she was very bold in the truth, and at the last delivered thorough the providence of God: whose name be glorified in all his works, Amen.

*John Glover of Manceter, Gentleman.

WHat a fatherly and manifest providence of the Lord likewise did appear in the preseruyng of M. John Glover in the Diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, in the Town of Manceter: first at the taking of Robert his brother. At which time although the Commission came down for him, yet so God ordered the matter, that his brother being sick was apprehended, and yet he being whole escaped, whereof mention is made before, pag. 1709.

And again, another time how miraculously the merciful providence of the Lord wrought his escape out of his enemies hands, they being at his chamber door, and drawing the latch to search for him: and how his wife the same time was taken and sent to Lichfielde, read before, pag. 1714.

One Dabney.

THere was at London a certain honest godly person, a Painter, named Dabney, whom John Auales in the time of Queen Mary had brought before Boner to be examined for his faith. It happened the same time. as the said Dabney was there, that the Bishop was occupied with examination of other, so that he was bid to stand by, and to wait the Bishops laysure. Uppon the same, or not long after, suddenly cometh word to the Bishop to prepare him in all speed, the general procession tarried for him. The Bishop hearing that, setting all business apart, bustleth himself with all speed possible to the Church, there to furnishe Procession. By reason whereof Dabney, which newly came to the house, was there left alone, while every man else was busied in preparing and setting themselves forward, according as the case required.

To be short, as the time called on, Boner with his household maketh hast so fast as they can out of the doors to the procession. Dabney being left alone, cometh down to the outward Court next the gate, there walking with himself all heavy, looking for nothing less then to escape that danger. The Porter who was only left at home, seeing the man to walk alone, supposing he had been some Citizen there left behind, and waityng for opening of the Gate, went and opened the wicket, asking if he would go out. Yea said he, with a good will, if ye will l • t me out. With all my heart quoth the porter, and I pray you so do.

And thus the said Dabney taking the occasion offered of god, being let out by the porter, escaped out of y ^e wolves mouth. The procession being done, when the B. returned home, Dabney was gone and could not be found. Wherevpon much search was made, but especially John. Auales said much privy wait for him: who after long searching, when he could not get him, at length he received fifteen crowns of his wife to let him alone when he should see him, and so that good man escaped.

Alexander Wimshurst.

ALike example of God almighty's goodness toward his afflicted servants in that dangerous time of persecution may also appear evidently in one Alexander Wimshurst a Priest, sometime of Magdalene College in Oxford, and then the Popes own Knight, but since an earnest enemy to Antichrist, and a man better instructed in the true fear of God. It happened that one had promooted him to Boner for religion, upon what occasion I do not understand. Accordyng to the old manner in such cases provided, he sent forth Robin Caly, otherwise called Robin Papist, one of his Whelps to bring in the game, and to cause this silly poor man to appere before him. Little Robin like a proper man bestirreth him in his business, and smelleth him out, and when he had gotten him, bringeth him along by Chepeside, not suffering him to talk with any of his acquaintance by the way, though there were of his old friends of Oxford that offered to speak unto him.

When they came into Paul's, it happened this Alexander to espy D. Chadsey there walking up and down. To whom, because he was able in such a case to do pleasure, and for that he had been of his old acquaintance in Oxford, he was very desirous to speak to him ere he went through. Chadsey perceiving that Robin Caly did attend upon him, said that he durst not meddle in y ^e matter. Yes (saith little Robin) you may talk with him if it please you M. Doctor. To be short, Alexander openeth his case, and in the ende desireth for old acquaintance sake that he would find means he might be rather brought before Doctor Martin to be examined, then any other. Nay saith he (alleging the words of Christ unto Peter in the last chapter of Saint John.) You remember brother what is written in the Gospel: When thou wast young thou diddest girde thyself, and wentest whether thou wouldest: but being aged, other men shall girde thee and lead thee whether thou wouldest not. Thus abusing the Scripture to his private meaning, whereas notwithstanding he might easily have accomplished so small a request if it had liked him.

Thence was he carried to Story and Cook Commissioners, there to learn what should become of him. Before them he did use himself boldly & stoutly, as they on the other side did urge him with captious questions very cruelly. When they had baited the poor man their fill, they asked him where his whore was. She is not my whore (said he) but my lawful wife. She is thy whore, said they. She is not my whore (said he again) but my wife I tell you. So whē they perceived that he would not give place unto them, nor attribute to them so much as they looked for at his hand, according to the ordinary manner they commanded him to prison. And now mark well the providence of God in his preser •• tion.

He was brought into Clunies house at Pater noster row, thence to be carried to Lollards tower out of hand, but that Cluny (as it happened) his wife and his maid were so earnestly occupied about present business, that as then they had not laisure to lock up their prisoner. In the hall where Alexander sat, was a strange woman, whose husband was then presently in trouble for religiō, which perceived by someone occasion or other, that this mā was brought in for the like cause. Alacke good man saith she: if you will you may escape the cruel hands of your enemies, forasmuch as they be all away that should look unto you, God hath opened the way unto you of deliverance, and therefore loose not the opportunity thereof, if you be wise. With those and such like words being then persuaded, he gate out of the doors and went away without any hast making at all: so that if any had followed, he might have been easily recovered again. But undoubtedly, it was God's will that he should so escape the fury of his adversaries, and be preserved from all dangers of death & imprisonment.

Bosomes wife.

AS the works of the Lord are not to be kept secrete, whatsoever the persons be in whom it pleaseth him to work: • o cometh to remembrance the story of ore Bosoms wife not unworthy to be considered. This good woman being at Richmond with her mother, was greatly called vpō, and urged to come to church. At length thorough importunate crying and calling upon, she granted unto them, and came. Beyng in the church, & sitting with her mother in the pue, contrary in all things to the doings of the Papists she behaved her self: to wit, when they kneeled, she stood, when they turned forward, she turned backward, &c.

This being notorious in the church, at length y ^e Constable and Churchwarden named Sanders, attached her in the Queens name, charging her with her Mother, the next day to appear at Kingston. Who at their commandment so did.

The next day according as they were assigned, they came to Kingston to appear before the foresaid officers, who at the same time (as it chanced) were going over the Fery, & meeting them by the way, saluted them by their names, but at that time had no further power to speak unto them. Afterward, as they were in the boat going over, they knocked their hands, stamped and stared, same • yng that they had let them so pass their hands. This the Feryman declared unto them, and what they said in the boat. Whereupon the good woman taking her journey to London, escaped their cruelty, through the secret working (no doubt) of the Lord: who in all his works and evermore be praised, Amen.

Lady Kneuet in Norfolk.

AMong the number of the godly that were kept under the providence of the Lord in those perilous days, I may not forget an ancient good Lady of much worship, called Lady Anne Kneuet, who till her death dwelte in Norfolk, in a town named Wimon • ham vi. miles from Norwich. Which said good Lady in Queen Mary's days being judged by the common people, more then an hundredth year of age, and by her own estimation well towards a C. kept her self from their popish church, or having any papistical trash ministered in her house, but only the service that was used in the latter days of K. Edward the 6. which daily she had said before her, either by one M. Tollin who was then by God's providence preserved in her house, or else by one of her Gentlewomen or household servant that could serve the place in the said M. Tollins absence.

Now this worshipful Lady continuing in this manner of true serving of God, she and her family were many times threatened by messengers, that the Bish. would visit her therefore. Unto which messengrs she would always answer, that if his Lordship sent word before what day he would come, he should thereafter be entertained at her hand. But God, whose providence ruleth the raging seas, never suffered them all that toiling time to molest her. Although oftentimes whē she had service before her, there were very great enemies to the truth and of much authority, that came in, and kneled to prayer among them, and yet had no power to trouble her therefore.

This good Lady (gentle Reader) kept good hospitality▪ as any in that country, of her living. She also succored many persecuted that came to her house in the said M. Mary's days. Were they never so simple, they were esteined of her as the friends of y ^e gospel, and departed not frō her without money and meat. Borne she was long before K. Edward the 4. died, and ended her life in the Lord Jesus peace, about the beginning of the 2. year of our most sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth's reign, as one falling into a most sweet sleep.

Unto whom not unworthily may be compared the Lady Elizabeth Uane, who likewise being a great harborer and supporter of the afflicted Martyrs and Confessors of Christ, was in great • assards & dangers of the enemies, and yet notwithstanding, thorough the merciful providence of the Lord, remained still untouched. Of this Lady Uane thou shalt read before.

John Dauis, of the age of twelve years and under.

AN Dom. 1546. and the last year of King Henry the 8. John Dauis, a child of xii. years & under, who dwelling in the house of M. Johnson Apothecary, in y ^e toune of Worcester, his uncle, using sometimes to read of the testament and other good English books, was complained of by Alice Johnson his maistresse, which Alice being an obstinate person, consulted with one Tho. Parton, & one Alice, wife to Nich. Brooke Organemaker, with certain of the Canons, and M. Johnson Chancellor to D. Heath their Bish. The means whereby he was entrapped, was wrought by the foresaid Alice Brooke, who procured Olyuer her son, schoolefellow with the said John Dauis, to fain friendship with him, and under pretence to be instructed, to see his English books, and especially to get some thing of his writing against the vi. Articles. Which being had, was soon brought to the Canons of y ^e church, and the Chancellor. Wherupon, Tho. Parton, whether being sent, or of his own mind, came to apprehend him, and his Uncle was forced against his will, to bind the poor boys arms behind him: and so he was brought to the Officers of the town, where he lay from the 14. of August, till the last of September. Then was he commanded to the Free man's prison, where one Rich. Howborough coming to persuade him from burning, willed him to prove first with a candle, who then holding his finger, and the other the candle under it a good space, yet (as the party himself to me assureth) felt no burning thereof, neither would the other that held the candle believe him a great while, til he had looked, and saw no skorching of the candle at all appeared.

Then was the child removed from thence to an inner prison called Peepehole, where the low Bailiff called Rob. Yould, laid upon him a pair of bolts, so y ^t he could not lift up his small legs, but leanyng on a staff, slipped thē forward upon the ground, the coldness of which irons, he feeleth yet in his anckles, and shall so long as he liveth, with these bolts, his lying was upon the cold ground, having not one lock of straw, nor cloth to cover him, save only two sheep skins, neither durst father nor mother, or any of his friends come at him. Besides this and many great threats of the papists, there was a mad man put to him in the prison, with a knife about him, wherewith he oft times in his frantic rage, proffered to thrust him in.

After this came to him one Iolyfe, and N. Yewer, two Canons, which had his writings against the six Articles, and his Ballet called Come down for all your shaven crown: to see whether he would stand to that he had written. Which done, with many great raging words, not long after sat M. Johnson the Chancellor in the Guild hall upon the poor lad. Where first were brought in his accusers and sworn, then were sworn also 24. men which went on his Quest, and found him guilty, but he never came before the Chancellor. Upon this he was sent to the common Jail among thieves and murderers, there to tarry the coming of the judges, and so to be had straight to execution. But the mighty mercy of the Lord, who helpeth the desolate & miserable when all other help is past, so provided for this silly condemned lad, that the purpose of all his hard hearted enemies was disappointed. For before the Judges came, God took away Henry the 8. out of this life. By reason whereof, the force of the law was then stayed, howbeit, he was nevertheless arraigned, being holden up in a man's arms at the Barre before the Judges, who were Portman and Maruen. Which when they perceived that they could not burn him, would have him presently whipped. But M. John Bourne Esquire declared to the Judges how he had whipping enough. After that he had lain a week more in prison, had him home to his house, his wife annointed his legs her self with ointment, which then were stiff and numbed with irons, till at length when M. Bourne and his wife saw they could not win him to the belief of their Sacrament, they put him away, least he should infect their son Anthony as they thought with heresy.

Thus John Dauis of the age aforesaid, in what damage he was for the Gospel ye see, and howe the Lord preserved him, ye understand. He endured in prison from the 14. day of August, till within seven days of Easter, who is yet alive, and a profitable Minister this day in the Church of England: Blessed be the Lord, qui facit mirabilia solus.

Maistresse Roberts.

FUrthermore to both these may also be associate another Gentlewoman to make the third, named maistres Robertes, yet living and dwelling (as I understand) in the town of Haukehurst in Sussex. She being earnestly addicted to the truth of Christ's Gospel, and no less constant in that which she had learned therein, so kept her self during all the brunte of Queen Mary's time, that she never came to their popish service, nor would pollute her conscience with hearing their Idolatrous mass. There dwelt the same time not far of, a Justice called sir John Gilford, who being as fervent on the contrary side, to set forward the proceedings of Q. Mary, thought to prove masteries with this Gentlewoman, in forcyng her to the Church. And first sending his wife, he attempted her by fair words and gentle persuasions to conform herself to the Princes laws, and to come as other Christian people did, to the Church. Notwithstanding, she constantly persisting in the sincerity of the truth, would by no persuasions be won to do therein against her conscience: and so kept at home a certain space, till again the second time, Master Gilford thinking not to give her over so, sent his Officers and servants to her, by force ond power to hale her out of her house to the church, and so did. Where by the way she for grief of conscience swounded, and so of necessity was brought home again, and falling into an Ague, was for that time dispensed withal.

The third time yet the vnquiete spirit of M. Gilford being not content, after the time that she recovered health again, would needs come his own person to compel her, wild she, nild she, to come to Church. But (as y ^e Proverb goeth) who can let that God would have done? For when M. Gilford had purposed as pleased him, the Lord so disposed for his servant, that as the said M. Gilford was coming up the stairs toward her chamber, suddenly his old disease the Goute so took him and terribly tormented him, that he could go no further: And so he that purposed to carry her to the church against • er will, was fain himself to be carried home to his house to his pain, protestyng and swearing that he would never from henceforth trouble that Gentlewoman more, and no more he did.

Maistresse Anne Lacie.

IN this number of good Gentlewomen being in trouble and danger for God's word, is not to be omitted the memory of one maistresse Anne Lacie widow in Notinghāshiere, who was in great danger in Queen Mary's time in so much that the process was forth against her, and she ready to have been apprehended, being so nearly pursued, that she was driven to hide her Bible and other books in a dunghill. M. Lacy her brother was then Justice of peace: but to whom (as I have heard) she was but smally beholden. Neuertheles where kindred faileth, yet gods grace never faileth such as stick to him: for in this mean time, as the process came out against her, Queen Mary died, and so she escaped.

Crosmans wife.

ONe Crosmans wife of Tibnam longrowe in Norfolk, in Queen Mary's time for not going to church was sought for at her house by one Barbour of the said town, then Constable of the hundredth: who whē he came to her house, she being at home with a child sucking in her arms, stepped into a corner on the one side of the chimney, and they seeking the chambers, the child never cried, (although before they came it did) as long as they were there, & so by this means the Lord preserved her.

The congregation at Stoke in Suffolk.

THere were some likewise which avoided the violent rage of the adversaries by means only of their number, and mutual concord in godliness, wherein they did so hold together that without much ado none well could be troubled: whereof we have example in a certain town of Suffolk called Stoke. After the three sharp years of Queen Mary's persecution being past, yet notwithstanding the inhabitants of the town aforesaid specially the women, came not to their Church to receive after the Popish manner, the Sacrament. Who, if they had been but few, they could by no means have escaped imprisonment. But because there were so many, the Papists thought it not best to lay hands upon them. Only they appointed them 16. days respite after Easter, wherein as many as would, should receive the Sacrament: those that would not, should stand to the peril that would follow. Of this company which were many, giving their hands together, the chiefest doers were these.