Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2
The second examination of Roger Bernard before the said Bishop.
THe next day Bernard was brought again before the B. who asked him if he did not remember himself since the day before that he was before him.
Rog. Yes my L. I have remembered myself very well, for the same man I was yesterday, I am this day, & I hope shall be all the days of my life, concerning the matter you talked with me of.
Then one of the Gard standing by, said: my Lord, I pray you trouble not yourself anymore with him, but let me have the examining of him: I shall handle him after another sort, I trow, and make him a fair child or he go, you shall see.
So was he committed to him, and brought by him to an Inn, where were a great many of Priests assembled together, and there they fell all in flattering him and persuading him with gay enticing words what they could: but when therein they might not prevail, for that the lord assisted the good poor man, then began they to threatē him with whippyng, stockyng, burning, and such like, that it was wonderful the do they made with him. Unto whō Bernard said: Friends, I am not better then my master Christ and the Prophets, which your fathers served after such sort, and I for his names sake am content to suffer the like at your hands, if God shall so permit, trusting that he will strengthen me in the same according to his promise, in spite of the devil and all his ministers. So when they could not make him to relent or yield, they said: behold a right scholar of John Fortune, whom they had thē in prison. Then carried they him to the B. who immediately condemned him as an heretic, and delivered him to the secular power.
This Roger Bernard was a single man, and by his vocation a Labourer, dwelling in Fransden in Suffolk, who was taken in the night by M. Tamages mē because he would not go to church to hear their unsavory service, and so by them carried to prison.
Adam Foster.
ADam Foster of the age of 26. years, husbandman, being married, dwelling in Mendlesam in the County of Suffolk, was taken at home in his house a little before the sun going down by the Constables of y e said town, George Reuet & Tho. Mouse, at the commandment of sir John. Tyrrell of Gipping hall in Suffolk, knight, because he would not go to church and hear Mass, and receive at Easter, except he might have it after Christ's holy ordinance. When they came for him, they told him he must go with them unto the Justice. Unto whom Adam Foster said, for Christ's cause, & to save his conscience, he was well contented, & so they led him to sir John Tyrrell and he sent him to Aye dungeon in Suffolk, from whence at length he was sent to Norwich, and there condemned by B. Hopton.
Now after this taking, the said Tho. Mouse & George Reuet were stricken with a great fear and sickness, whereby Mouse pined and consumed away even unto death, although he was a man of a young & lusty age. But George Reuet who was the said Mouses fellow, and a great reader of the Scripture, or (as a man may term it) a talkative gospeller, would not be premonished by the works of God, but set his son to help the priest say Mass, and to be clarke of the same town of Mendleshā for lukers sake: yet was there a fair warning given him of GOD, although he had not y e grace so to consider it, the which thing was this.
A young man of the same parish newly married, called Robert Edgore, being of a ripe wit and sound, was clark in the said Church before the said Reuet set his son in that room, and executed the office a little, yea, alas too long against his own conscience: whereby at length the Lord so took away his wits, that many years after, his poor and woeful wife, good woman, was compelled to keep him cheyned & bound continually, lest he should unawares do himself or some other, some mischief, as many times (the more piety) he was ready enough to do.
This (as I said) would not admonish Reuet, but needs he must persist in his wicked purpose. Notwithstāding at the length, as many men were offended with him in the Parish, so honest women especially (being mightily grieved at his ungodly doings) came to him & said: neighbor Reuet, are ye not afraid to let your son help the naughty Priest to say Mass, and to serve that abhominable Idol? and he said no.
Then said they, we fear not to go to church and hear Mass, seeing you being a man, that so much profess Christianity, will let your son help the Priest say Mass. &c.
At which words Reuet waxed angry, and in his rage immediately made his prayer unto god after this manner or with such like words, saying: O Lord, if it be not thy will that my son should so do, then I beseech thee send some strange token to let me understand what thy good pleasure is therein. &c. So according to his petition, within short space after, his neighbors Bull came into his pasture, and there he having a very proper gelding which was his felicity above anything he had, the Bull running upon him, did so wound & gore him, that immediately thereof his gelding died, and he thereby nothing amended. For although he knew and confessed, that it was the Lord's hand upon him for the sufferance of his son in that wicked vocatiō: yet would he not take him frō it, but permitted him still to use and frequent the same against his own conscience.
At the last the Lord justly sent upon him a great swelling in his legs, which did so grievously vex and trouble him by reason it swelled upward, y t at length having thereby brought upon him a very strange sickness, he died most miserably, in so impatient manner, that it terrified all good hearts to hear thereof. The Lord grant for Christ's sake, that we may observe his judgments better, to his glory and our comfort. Amen. Ex testimonio quorundam Suffolcensium.
Robert Lawson.
RObert Lawsō was a single man of the age of 30. years and by vocation a linen Weaver, who was apprehended in the night by one Robert Kereth, at the commandment of Syr John Tyrrel of Gyppinghall in Suffolk Knight, and so was immediately carried to Aye Dungeon in Suffolk, where he remained a certain time, and after was led to Bery. The cause of his taking was, for that he would not go to Church to hear Mass, and receive their popish Idol.
When these three foresaid martyrs were carried to their deaths, videl. Roger Bernard, Adam Foster, and Robert Lawson at Bery, after they had made their prayer, being at the stake & the tormentors attending the fire, they most triumphantly ended their lives, in such happy and blessed condition, as did notably set forth their constancy, and joyful end, to the great praise of God, and their commendatiō in him, and also to the encouragemēt of others in the same quarrel to do the like. The Lord of strength fortify us to stand as his true soldiors in what standing soever he shall think it good to place us. Amen.
In the examinatiō of Roger Bernard, ye heard a little before, how he was compared by the Priests there, to John Fortune, & called his scholar. This John Fortune, otherwise called Cutler, of Hintlesham in Suffolk, was by his occupation a Black Smith, whom they had before them in examination a little before the 20. day of April. In spirit he was zealous and ardent, in the Scriptures ready, in Christ's cause stout and valiant, in his answers marvelous, & no less patient in his wrongful suffering then constant in his doctrine. Whether he was burned, or died in prison, I cannot certainly find: but rather I suppose that he was burned. Certeine it is, howsoever he was made away he never yielded. What his answers and examinations were before D. Parker and the Bishop, ye shall hear him, although not with his own mouth speaking, yet w t his own hand you shall see written, what he did say, as followeth.
The examination of John Fortune before Doctor Parker and Mayster Foster.
FIrst Doct. Parker asked me how I believed in the Catholic faith.
And I asked him which faith he meant: whether the saith that Stephen had, or the faith of them that put Steuē to death.
being moved, said: what a noughty fellow is this? you shall see anon he will deny the blessed Sacrament of the altar.
Then said Mayster Foster: I know you well enough. You are a busy merchant. How sayest thou by the blessed Mass?
And I stood still and made no answer.
Then said M. Foster: why speakest thou not, and make the gentleman an answer?
And I said: silence is a good answer to a foolish question.
And I said: I know none such, but only the sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Then said he: you deny the order of the seven sacraments. And why doest thou not believe in the Sacrament of the altar?
And I said: because it is not written in God's book.
Thē said he: you will not believe vnwrittē vereties.
And I said: I will believe that those unwritten verities that agree with the written verities, be true: but those unwritten verities that be of your own making, & invented of your own brain, I do not believe.
Then said I: if you knew how these words do rejoice my heart, you would not have spoken them.
Why thou fool, doest thou rejoice in whipping.
Yea, said I, for it is written in the Scriptures, and Christ saith: thou shalt be whipped for my names sake: & since the time that the sword of tyranny came into your hands, I heard of none that was whipped. Happy were I, if I had the maydenhead of this persecution.
Away with him then (said he) for he is ten times worse then Samuel: and so was he carried to prison again.
The second examination of John Fortune before the Bishop of Norwich.
WHen I came before the Bishop, he asked me if I did not believe in the Catholic church, I said: I believe that Church whereof Christ is the head.
Then said the Bishop: doest thou not believe that the Pope is supreme head of the Church? And I said: no, Christ is the head of the true Church.
So do I believe also: but the Pope is God's Uicar upon earth, and the head of the Church, and I believe that he hath power to forgive sins also.
Then said I: the Pope is but a man, and the Prophet David saith: That no man can deliver his brother, nor make agreement for him unto God: For it cost more to redeem their souls, so that he must let that alone forever.
And the Bishop again fetching about a great circumstance, said: like as the Belweather weareth the bell, and is the head of the flock of sheep: so is the Pope our head. And as the hiues of Bees have a Mayster Be that bringeth the bees to the hive again: so doth our head bring us home again to our true Church.
Then I asked him whether the Pope were a spiritual man: and he said yea. And I said again: they are spiteful men, for in xvij. months there were three Popes, and one poisoned another for that presumptuous seat of Antichrist.
It is maliciously spoken (said he) for thou must obey the power and not the man. And thus was the pope denied to be supreme head.
Well, said he, what sayst thou to the Ceremonyes of the Church?
And I answered: All things that are not planted by my heavenly father, shall be plucked up by the roots, saith christ. For they are not from the beginning, neither shall they continue to the end.
They are good and godly and necessary to be used.
S. Paul called them weak and beggarly.
No, that is a lie.
I hearing that, said: that Saint Paul writeth thus in the fourth to the Galatians: You foolish Galatians (saith he) who hath bewitched you, that ye seek to be in bondage to these weak and beggarly Ceremonies? Now which of you do lie? you or Saint Paul? And also it is said, that works instituted and enjoined without the commandment of GOD, pertain not to the worship of God, according to the text: In vain do men worship me with men's traditions and commandments. And Sayncte Paul saith: Wherefore do ye carry us away from the grace of Christ to another kind of doctrine? And Christ openlie rebuked the Scribes, Lawyers, Pharisees, Doctors, Priests, Bishops and Hypocrites, for making God's commandments of none effect, to support their own tradition.
Thou liest, there is not such a word in all the Scriptures, thou noughty heretic. Thou art worse then all other heretics: for Hooper (said he) and Bradford alow them to be good, and thou doest not. Away with him.
Here you may perceive, howe that the Catholic church cannot err, but whatsoever they say, must needs be true. And so my Lord Bishop cannot lie, as it may appear to all men most plainly in the text.
The third examination of John Fortune before the Bishop of Norwich.
THe next day I was brought before the said Bishop again, where he made a Sermon upon the 6. chapter of S. John's Gospel of Christ's words: I am the bread that came down from heaven. &c. and thereupon had a great bibble babble to no purpose. So in the end I was called before him, and he said to me.
How believest thou in the Sacrament of the alter? doest thou not believe that after the consecration, there is y e real substance of the body of Christ?
And I answered him, that it is the greatest plague that ever came into England.
Why so?
I said: if I were a Bishop, and you a poor man as I am, I would be ashamed to ask such a question. For a Bishop should be apt to teach and not to learn.
I am appointed by the law to teach, so are not you.
And I said: Your law breaketh out very well: for you have burned up the true Bishops and preachers, and maintained liars to be in their steed.
Now you may understand that he is a traitor: for he denieth the higher powers.
I am no traitor: for S. Paul saith: All souls must obey the higher powers, and I resist not the higher powers, concerning my body, but I must resist your evil doctrine wherewith you would infect my soul.
Then said a Doctor: my Lord, you do not well: let him answer shortly to his articles.
How sayst thou? make answer quickly to these articles.
S. Paul saith: Christ did one sacrifice once for all, and set him down on the right hand of his father, triumphing over hell and death, making intercession for sins.
I ask thee no such question, but make answer to this article.
If it be not GOD before the consecration, it is not God after: for God is without beginning and without ending.
Then said he: lo, what a stiff heretic is this? He hath denied altogether: how sayest thou? Is it idolatry to worship the blessed sacrament or no.
God is a spirit, and will be worshipped in spirit and truth.
I ask thee no such question: answer me directly.
It is pity that the ground beareth thee, or that thou hast a tongue to speak. Thē said the scribe: here are a great many more articles.
Then said the Bishop: Away with him, for he hath spoken to much.
An other examination of I. Fortune.
ANd when I came to mine examination again, the bishop asked me if I would stand unto mine answer that I had made before: and I said, yea, for I had spoken nothing but the truth. And after that he made a great circumstance upon the Sacrament.
Then I desired him to stand to the text, & he read the Gospel on Corpus Christi day, which said: I am the bread which came down from heaven: believest thou not this? And I said: yea truly.
And he said, why doest thou deny the Sacrament?
Because your doctrine is false, said I.
Then said he: how can that be false which is spoken in the Scripture? And I said: Christ said: I am the bread, and you say the bread is he. Therefore your doctrine is false, said I.
And he said: doest thou not believe that the bread is he? And I said no.
I will bring thee to it by the Scriptures.
Hold that fast my Lord: for that is the best Argumēt that you have yet.
Thou shalt be burned like an heretic.
Who shall give judgment upon me?
I will judge an hundred such as thou art, and never be shriven upon it.
Is there not a law for the spiritualty as well as for the temporaltye? and Syr Clement Higham said yes, what meanest thou by that?
When a man is perjured by the law, he is cast over y e bar, and sitteth no more in judgment. And the Bishop is a perjured man and ought to sit in judgment of no mā.
How prouest thou that?
Because you took an oth by king Henries days to resist the Pope. So both spiritual and temporal are perjured that here can be no true judgment.
Thinkest thou to escape judgment, by that? no, for my Chancelor shall judge thee. He took no oth, for he was out then of the Realm.
It is time to weed out such fellows as you be, in deed.
Good fellow, why believest not thou in the Sacrament of the alter?
Because I find it not in God's book, nor yet in the Doctors. If it were there, I would believe it w t all my heart.
How knowest thou it is not there?
Because it is contrary to the second commandment: and seeing it is not written in God's book, why do you thē rob me of my life.
Then the Bishop having no more to say, commanded the Bailiff to take him away.
And thus much touching y e examinations of this man. Now whether he died in fire, or otherwise prevented with death: as I said before, I am uncertain.
In the Registers of Norwich this I do find, that his sentence of condemnation was drawn and Registred, but whether it was pronounced in y e said Register, it is not expressed according as the usual manner of the Notary is so to declare in the end of the sentence. Neuertheles this is most certain, that he never abjured nor recanted, howsoever it pleased the Lord by death to call him out of this world.
The death of John Careles in the Kynges Benche.
ABout this time, the first day of July, amongst diverse other prisoners which died the same year in the Kings Bench, was also one John Careles of Coventry a weauer. Who though he were by the secret judgment of almighty God prevented by death, so that he came not to the full Martyrdom of his body, yet is he no less worthy to be counted in honor & place of Christ's martyrs, then other that suffered most cruel torments, as well for that he was for the same truths sake a long time imprisoned, as also for his willing mind & zealous affection he had thereunto, if the Lord had so determined it, as well may appear by his examinatiō had before Doct. Martin. Which examination because it containeth nothing almost but wrangling interrogations, and matters of contentiō, wherein Doctor Martin would enter into no communication about the articles of his accusation, but only urged him to detect his fellows, it shall not be greatly material therefore to express the whole, but only to excerpt so much as pertaining to the question of predestination, may bring some fruit to the Reader.
The effect of John Careles examination. before Doctor Martin briefly declared.
FIrst, Doctor Martin calling John Careles to him in his Chamber, demanded what was his name. To whom when the other had answered, that his name was John Careles, then began Doctor Martin to descant at his pleasure upon that name, saying: that it would appere by his conditions, by that time he had done with him, that he would be a true careless man in deed. And so after other by talk there spent about much needless matter, then he asked him where he was borne.
Forsooth, saith he, at Coventry.
At Coventry? what so far, man? How camest thou hither? Who sent thee to the kings Bench to prison?
I was brought thither by a writ, I trow, what he was I cannot tell. I think M. Marshall can tell you.
In good faith I cannot tell what the matter is: but in deed my Lord chief Justice sent him from the bar.
Well Careles, I would wish, thou shouldest play the wise man's part. Thou art a handsome man: And it is pity but thou shouldest do well, and save that which God hath bought.
I thank your good Maystershippe most heartily: And I put you out of doubt, that I am most sure and certain of my salvation by Jesus Christ: so that my soul is safe already what so ever pains my body suffer here for a little time.
Yea Mary, you say truth. For thou art so predestinate to life, that thou canst not perish, in whatsoever opinion thou doest die.
That GOD hath predestinate me to eternal life in Jesus Christ, I am most certain, and even so am I sure that his holy spirit (wherewith I am sealed) will so preserve me from all heresies & evil opinions, that I shall die in none at all.
Go to, let me hear your faith in predestination. For that shall be written also.
Your Maystership shall pardon me herein. For you said yourself erewhile, that you had no Commission to examine my conscience. I will trouble myself with answering of no moe matters then I needs must, until I come before them that shall have more authority farther to examine me.
I tell thee then I have Commission: yea, and commandment from the Counsel to examine thee: for they delivered me thy articles.
Yea I think in deed that your Mastershippe is appointed to examine me of my articles which you have there in writing and I have told you the truth. I do confess them to be mine own fact and deed: but you do now exam • ne me of predestination, whereof my articles speaketh nothing at all.
I tell thee yet again, that I must also examine thee of such things as be in controuersye between thee & thy fellows in the Kings Bench, whereof predestination is a part, as thy fellow N. hath confessed and thyself doest not deny it.
I do not deny it. But he that first told you that matter, might have found himself much better occupied.
Why? what if he had not told me? thinkest thou I would not have know̄ it? yes, or else thou shouldest have withstand my Commission. For I tell thee truth, I may now examine thee of the blessed Sacrament, or any other thing that I list, but that I would show thee favor, and not be to hasty with thee at the first.
Yea in deed Careles, Master Doctor hath Cōmission to examine you or any other of your fellows.
Yea mary have I, I tell the truth of it.
Then let your Scribe set his pen to the paper, and you shall have it roundly even as the truth is. I believe y t almighty God our moste dear loving father of his great mercy and infinite goodness, did elect in Christ.
Tush, what need all that long circumstance? write, I believe that God elected and make no more ado.
No, not so M. Doctor. It is an high mistery, and ought reverently to be spoken of. And if my words may not be written as I do utter them, I will not speak at all.
Go to, go to, write what he will. Here is more business then needeth.
I believe that Almighty GOD our moste dear loving Father, of his great mercy and infinite goodness (thorough Jesus Christ) did elect and appoint in him before the foundation of the earth was laid, a Church or congregation, which he doth continually guide and govern by his grace and holy spirit, so that not one of them shall ever finally perish. When this was written, M. Doctor took it in his hand and read it, saying.
Why? who will deny this?
I • your Maistership do allow it and other learned men when they shall see it, I have my hearts desyer.
And do you hold none otherwise, thē is there writ̄?
No verily, nor never did.
Write that he saith, otherwise he holdeth not. So y t was written. It was told me also that thou doest affirm, that Christ did not die effectually for all men.
Whatsoever hath been told you it is not much material unto me. Let the tellers of such tales come before my face, and I trust to make them answer. For in deed I do believe y t Christ did effectually die for all those that do effectually repent and believe, and for none other: so that was written also.
Now Syr, what is Trewes faith of predestinatiō? he believeth that all men be predestinate, & that none shall be damned. Doth he not?
No forsooth that doth he not.
How then?
Truly I think he doth believe as your Maistershyp and the rest of the Clergy do believe of predestinatiō, that we be elected in respect of our good works, and so long elected, as we do them, and no longer.
Write that he saith, his fellow Trew believeth of predestination as the Papists do believe.
Ah Master Doctor, did I so term you? Seeing that this my confession shall come before the Counsel, I pray you place my terms as reverently as I spake them.
Well, well, write that Trew is of the same faith as the Catholics be.
I did not so call you neither, I wonder what you mean.
You said the Clergy, did you not Careles?
Yes forsooth did I. So then it was written of the Clergy.
Now Syr, what say you more?
Forsooth I have no farther to say in this matter.
Well, Careles I pray thee prove thyself a wise man and do not cast away thy life willfully.
Now the Lord he knoweth, good Master Doctor, I would full gladly live, so that I might do the same with a safe conscience. And your Maistershippe shall right well perceive that I will be no willful man, but in all things that I stand upon I will have a sure ground.
Now the Lord knoweth, good Careles, that I would gladly make some means to preserve thy life: but thou speakest so much of the Lord, the Lord. Wilt thou be content to go with my Lord Fitzwater into Ireland? me thinks thou art a goodly tall fellow to do the Queen service there. How sayest thou?
Verily Master Doctor, whether I be in Ireland, France, or Spain, or any place else, I am ready to do her grace the best service that I can, with body, goods and life, so long as it doth last.
That is honestly said, I promise thee every man will not say so. How say you Master Marshall, this man is meet for all manner of service. In deed thou art worthy Careles, to have the more favor.
In deed Syr, I hope to be meet and ready unto all things that pertaineth unto a true Christian subject to do. And i • her grace or her officers under her do require me to anything contrary to Christ's Religion, I am ready also to do my service in Smithfield for not observing it, as my bedfellow and other brethren have done, praised be God for them.
By my truth thou art a pleasant fellow as ever I talked with of all the Protestants, except it were Tomson. I am sory y t I must depart w t thee so soon: but I have such business now, that I can tarry w t thee no longer. Well, yet thou canst not deny, but you are at jar amongst yourselves in the kings Bench, and it is so throughout all your congregation for you will not be a Church.
No Master Doctor, that is not so. There is a thousand times more varietye in opinions among your Doctors, which you call of y e Catholic Church, yea and that in the Sacrament for y • which there is so much bloodshed now a days. I mean of your latter Doctors and new writers: as for the old they agree wholly with us.
No Careles this is not so: there thou art deceived.
Verily it is so, Master Doctor. I am not deceived therein anything at all, as it hath been, and is evidently proved by such as GOD hath endued with great learning. Then he turned to the Marshall, and whispered with him a while.
Turning unto me again, said: Farewell Careles, for I can tarry no longer with thee now, my business is such.
God be with you, good Master Doctor. The Lord give your Maistership health of body and soul.
God have mercy good Careles and God keep thee from all errors, and give thee grace to do as well as I would wish myself.
I thank your good Maistership. I pray GOD I may do always that is acceptable in his sight. Whereunto they all said, Amen. And so I departed with a glad heart: God only have the whole praise, Amen.
It appeareth by the examination of the foresaid John Careles, that he endured prisoner the space of two whole years having wife and children. In the which his captivity, first being in Coventry Jail, he was there in such credit with his keeper, y t upon his word he was let out to play in the Pageant about the City w t other his companions. And that done, keeping touch w t his keeper, he returned again into prison at his hour appointed.
And after that being brought up to London he was endued with such patience and constant fortitude, that he longed for nothing more earnestly, then to come to y t promotion to die in the fire for the pro • ession of his faith: & yet it so pleased the Lord to prevent him with death that he came not to it, but died in the prison, and after was buried in the fields in a dounghill.
In the mean time while he was in prisō in the kings Bench it chanced he was in great heaviness and perturbation of mind and conscience, whereupon he wrote to M. Philpot being then in the Colehouse. Uppon the occasion hereof Mayster Philpot sent an Epistle consolatory unto him, specified before among master Philpots letters, pag. 1762. Unto the which Epistle John Careles maketh answer again as followeth.
Letters of John Careles
*A Letter of John Careles answering to the loving Epistle or Letter sent to him before by Mayster John Philpot.
A faithful friend is a strong defense, who so findeth such a one, findeth a treasure.
A faithful friend hath no peer, the weight of gold and silver is not to be compared to the goodness of his faith.
A faithful friend is a medicine of life, and they that fear the Lord shall find him. Ecclesiast. 6.
THe father of mercy and God of all consolation, comfort you with his eternal spirit (my most dear and faithful loving friend, good Mayster Philpot) as you have comforted me by the mighty operation of the same: the everlasting GOD be praised therefore forever. Amen.
Ah my dear heart and most loving brother, if I should do nothing else day and night, so long as the days of heaven do endure, but kneel on my knees and read Psalms, I can never be able to render unto God condign thanks, for his great mercy, fatherly kindness, and most loving compassion extended unto me most vile, sinful, wicked, and unworthy wretch. Oh that the Lord would open my mouth and give me a thankful heart, that from the bottom of the same might flow his continual praise. Oh that my sinful flesh (which is the cause of my sorrow) were clean separated from me, that I might sing Psalms of thanksgiving unto the Lord's name forever: that with good Samuel's mother I might continually record this noble verse following, the which by good experience I have found most true, praised be my good God therefore.
The Lord (saith that good woman) killeth and maketh alive: he bringeth down to hell and fetcheth up again. Praised be that Lord forever, yea, and praised be his name, for that he hath givē me true experience and lively feeling of the same. Blessed be the Lord GOD, whose mercy endureth forever, which hath not dealt with me according to my deep deserts, nor destroyed me in his displeasure when I had justly deserved it, Oh what reward shall I give again unto Lord for all the great benefits that he hath done for my soul? I will gladly receive the cup of salvation at his hand, and will worship his name with prayer & with praise.
Ah my dear heart, yea most dear unto me in the Lord, think not this sodeine change in me, to be some fickle phantasy of my foolish head (as in deed some other would surely suspect it to be.) For doubtless it is the marvelous doing of the Lord, moste merciful unto me his unworthy creature. God for his great mercies sake give me grace to be more thankful unto him then I heretofore have been, and keep me that I never fall forth of his favor again.
And now my dear brother, and moste blessed messenger of the Lord, whose beautiful feet have brought much glad tidings unto my soul, what shall I do or say unto you, in the least part to recompense the fatherlye affection and Godlye care that you continually keep for me? Oh that God would give me the spirit of fervent prayer, that I might yet that way supply some little part of my duty toward you. Ah my true loving friend, howe soon did you lay aside all other business, to make a sweet plaster for my wounded conscience, yea and that out of a painful pair of stocks, which place must needs be vneasye to write in. But God hath brought you into a straight place, that you might set my soul at liberty. Out of your pinching and painful seat you have plentifully poured upon me your precious narde, the sweet • auour whereof hath greatly refresteed my tired soul. The Lord likewise refresh you both body & soul, by pouring the oil of his gracious spirit into your sweet heart.
Ah good Jeremiah, hath Phasure put thee in the stocks? why, now thou hast the right reward of a prophet. Thy glory never began to appear until now. I doubt not but shortly, in stead of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Jesus the son of the living God will come and deliver thee forth of the hands of all thine enemies, and will also make good against them and their Antichristian Synagogue, all the words that thou hast spoken in his name. The Lord hath made thee this day a strong defended Tower, an iron pillar, and a brazen wall against the whole rabble of Antichrist, & though they fight against thee never so fiercely, yet shall they not overcome thee, for the Lord himself is with thee to help and deliver thee: and he will rid thee out of the hands of the wicked, and will deliver thee out of the hands of the Tyrantes. And in that you are not busy in casting pearls before swine, nor in giving the holy things unto dogs, you are much to be commended, in my simple judgment. And sure I am that your circūspect and modest behavior hitherto hath been as much to God's glory & to the shame & confusion of your enemies, as any man's doings that are gone before you.
Wherefore mine advise and most earnest desire is, with all other of your loving friends, that you still keep that order with those bloudthirsty bitesheepes, bishops I should say, that you have begun. For though in conclusion they will surely have your blood, yet shall they come by it with shame enough, and to their perpetual infamy whiles the world doth endure. They would in deed condemn you in hugger mugger, to darken God's glory if it might be. But Satan's thoughts are not unknown to you, & the depth of his subtlety is by you well foreseen. Therefore let them do whatsoever God shall suffer them to do: for I know all things shall turn to your best. Though you lie in the darck, s • orried with the Bishops black coal dust: yet shall you be shortly restored unto the heavenly light, and made as white as snow in Salmon, and as the wings of a Dove that is covered with silver wings, and her feathers like gold. You know the vessel, before it be made bright, is soyled with oil and other things that it may scour the better.
Oh happy be you that you be now in the scouring house: for shortly you shall be set upon the celestial shelf as bright as angels. Therefore my dear heart, I will now according to your loving request, cast away all care, and rejoice with you, and praise God for you, and pray for you day and night: yea, I will now with God's grace sing Psalms of praise and thanksgiving with you. For now my soul is turned to her old rest again, and hath takē a sweet nap in Christ's lap. I have cast my care upon the Lord, which careth for me, and will be Careles, according to my name, in that respect which you would have me. I will leave out my unseemly addition as long as I live: for it can take no place where true faith and hope is resident. So soon as I had read your most godly and comfortable letter, my sorrows vanished away as smoke in the wind, my spirit revived, and comfort came again, whereby I am sure the spirit of God was author of it.
Oh, my good M. Philpot, which art a principal pot in deed filled with most precious liquor, as it appeareth by the plēteous pouring forth of the same: Oh pot most happy, of the high Potter ordained to honor, which doest contain such heavenly treasure in the earthen vessel: Oh pot thrice happy, in whom Christ hath wrought a great miracle, altering thy nature, and turning water into wine, and that of the best, whereout the master of the feast hath filled my cup so full, that I am become drunken in the joy of the spirit through the same: When Martyrdom shall break thee (O vessel of honor) I know the fragrant savor of thy precious Narde will much rejoice the heavy hearts of Christ's true members although the Judases will grudge and murmur at the same. Yea and burst out into words of slander, saying: it is but lost and waste.
Be not offended dear heart, at my Metaphoricall speech. For I am disposed to be merry, and with David to dance before the Ark of the Lord: and though you play upon a pair of Organes not very comely or easy to the flesh, yet the sweet sound that came from the same causeth me thus to do. O that I were with you in body, as presently I am in spirit, that I might sing all care away in Christ: for now the time of comfort is come. I hope to be with you shortly, if all things happen aright: For my old friends of Coventry have put the Counsel in remembrance of me, not 6. days ago, saying that I am more worthy to be burned, then any that was burned yet. God's blessing on their harts for their good report. God make me worthy of that dignity, and hasten the time, that I might set forth his glory.
Pray for me dear heart. I beseech you, and will all your company to do the same, and I will pray God for you all so long as I live. And now farewell in Christ, thou blessed of God's own mouth. I will for a time take my leave, but not my last farewell. Blessed be the time that ever I came into the kings bench, to be joined in love and fellowship with such dear children of the Lord. My good brother Bradford shall not be dead whiles you be alive: for verily the spirit of him doth rest on you in most ample wise. Your letters of comfort unto me in ech point do agree, as though the one were a copy of the other. He hath planted in me, and you do water: the Lord give good increase. My dear Brethren and fellow prisoners here, have them humbly and hartelye commended unto you, and your company, mourning for your misery, but yet rejoicing for your plenteous consolation and comfort in Christ. We are all cheerful and merry under our cross, and do lack no necessaryes, praised be GOD for his providence and great mercy towards us for evermore. Amen
To his wife.
AS by the great mercy of God, at the time of his good will and providence appointed (my dearelye beloved wife) you and I were joined together in the holy and Christian state of godly Matrimony, as well to our great joy and comfor in Christ, as also to the increase of his blessed church and faithful congregation, by having lawful children by & in the same, with the which God of his mercy hath blessed us, praised be his name therefore: evē so now by his merciful will and divine ordinance, the time is come (so far as I can perceive) wherein he will, for his glory & our eternal comfort, dissolve the same, and separate us asunder again for a time. Wherefore I thought it good, yea and my boūden duty, by this simple letter to provoke stir, & admonish you, to behave yourself in all your doings, sayings, and thoughts, most thankfully unto our good God for the same. And therefore (my dear wife) as you have heartily rejoiced in the Lord, and oftentimes given God thanks for his goodness, in bringing us together in his holy ordinance: evē so now I desire you, when this time of our separation shall come, to rejoice with me in the Lord, and to give him most hearty thanks, that he hath (to his glory and our endless commodity) separated us again for a little time, & hath mercifully taken me unto himself, forth of this miserable world, into his celestial kingdom: believing and hoping also assuredly, that God of his goodness, for his son Christ's sake, will shortly bring you and your dear children thither to me, that we may moste joyfully together sing praises unto his glorious name forever. And yet once again I desire you for the love of God and as ever you loved me, to rejoice with me, and to give God continual thanks for doing his most merciful will upon me.
I hear say, that you do oftentimes use to repeat this godly saying: The Lord's will be fulfilled. Doubtless it rejoiceth my poor heart to hear that report of you, & for the lords sake, use that godly prayer continually, and teach your children and family to say the same day and night: and not only say it with your tongues, but also with your heart and mind, and joyfully to submit your will to God's will in very deed, knowing & believing assuredly, that nothing shall come to you or any of yours, otherwise then it shall be his almighty and fatherly good will and pleasure, and for your eternal comfort and commodity. Which thing to be moste true and certain, Christ testifieth in his holy gospel saying: Are not two little Sparowes sold for a farthing, and yet not one of them shall perish without the will of your heavenly father▪ And he concludeth saying: Fear not ye therefore, for ye are better then many sparowes. As though he should have said, If God have such a respect and care for a poor sparowe, which is not worth one farthing, that it shall not be taken in the lime twig, net, or pitfall, until it be his good will & pleasure: you may be well assured, that not one of you (whō he so dearly loveth, that he hath givē his only dear son for you) shall perish, or depart forth of this miserable life without his almighty good will and pleasure.
Therefore dear wife, put your trust and confidence wholly & only in him, and ever pray that his will be fulfilled, and not yours, except it be agreeing to his will: the which I pray GOD it may ever be, Amen. And as for worldly things, take you no care, but be you well assured the Lord your dear God and father will not see you nor yours lack, if you continue in his love and childely fear, and keep a clear conscience from all kind of Idolatry, superstition and wickedness, as my trust is that you will do, although it be with the loss and danger of this temporal life. And good Margaret, fear not them that can but kill the body (and yet can they not do that, until God give them lea • e) but fear to displease him that can kill both body and soul, and cast them into hell fire. Let not y e remembrance of your children keep you from God. The Lord himself will be a father and a mother, better then ever you or I could have been, unto them. He himself will do all things necessary for them: yea, as much as rock the Cradle, if need be. He hath given his holy Angels charge over them, therefore commit them unto him. But if you may live with a clear conscience, (for elles I would not have you to live) and see the bringing up of your children yourself, look that you nurture them in the fear of God, and keep them far from Idolatry, superstition, and all other kind of wickedness: and for God's sake help them to some learning, if it be possible, that they may increase in virtue and godly knowledge, which shall be a better dowry to marry them withal, then any worldly substance: and when they be come to age, provide them such husbands as fear God, and love his holy word. I charge you take heed that you match them with no Papists, and if you live, and marry again yourself (which thing I would wish you to do, if need require, or else not) good wife take heed how you bestow yourself (that you and my poor children be not compelled to wickedness. But if you shall be able well to live God's true widow, I would counsel you so to live still, for the more quietness of yourself and your poor children. Take heed, Margaret, and play the wise woman's part. You have warning by other, if you will take an example. And thus I commit you and my sweet children unto God's most merciful defense. The blessing of God be with you, and God send us a merry meeting together in heaven. Farewell in Christ, farewell mine own dear hearts all. Pray, pray.
*To my good Brother Mayster John Bradford.
THe peace of God in Jesus Christ the eternal comfort of his sweet spirit, which hath surely sealed you unto eternal salvation, be with you and strengthen you in your joyful journey towards the celestial Jerusalem (my dear friend and most faithful brother Master Bradford) to the setting forth of God's glory, and to your eternal joy in Christ, Amen.
Euer since that good M. Philpot shown me your last letter (my dear heart in the Lord) I have continued in great heaviness and perplexity: not for any hurt or discommodity that I can perceive coming towards you, unto whō doubtless, death is made life and great felicity: but for the great loss that God's Church here in England shall sustain by the taking away of so godly, worthy, and necessary an instrument, as the Lord hath made you to be. Oh that my life and a thousand such wretched lives mo might go for yours. Oh, why doth God suffer me and such other Caterpillars to live, that can do nothing but consume the alms of the church, and take away you so worthy a workman & laborer in the Lord's vineyard? But woe be to our sins & great unthankfulness, which is the greatest cause of the taking away of such worthy instruments of God, as should set forth his glory, & instruct his people. If we had been thankfull unto God for y e good ministers of his word, we had not been so soon deprived both of it and them. The Lord forgive our great ingratitude & sins, and give us true repentance and faith, & hold his hand of mercy over us, for his dear son Christ's sake. Take not away all thy true preachers forth of this realm (O Lord) but leave us a seed, least England be made like unto Sodom and Gomorre, when thy true Lothes be gone.
But what go I about to mingle your myrthe with my mourning, and your just joy with my deserved sorrow? If I loved you in deed, as I have pretended, I should surely rejoice with you most heartily, & praise god on your behalf from the very bottom of my heart: I should praise God day and night for your excellent election in & through his great mercy, and should give him most humble thankes for your vocation by his Gospel, & your true knowledge in the same: I should earnestly praise him for your sweet justification, whereof you are most certain by God's grace and spirit, & should instantly pray unto him for your glorification, which shall shortly ensue: I should rejoice and be glad to see you so dignifyed by the crown of Martyrdom, and to be appointed to that honor, to testify his truth, and to seal it with your blood: I should highly extol the Lord, who hath given you a glorious victory ever all your enemies, visible and invisible, and hath given you grace and strength to finish the Tower that you have begun to build. Finally, if I loved you, I should most heartily rejoice and be glad to see you delivered from this body of sin and vile prison of the flesh, and brought into that heavenly tabernacle where you shall be safely kept, and never offend him more.
This and much more should I do, if I had a good heart towards God, or you his dear child. But (alas) I am an hypocrite, & do seek nothing but mine own commodity. I would have gods everlasting providence give place to my peevish will & purpose, although it were to the hindrance of his glory and your sweet commodity. God forgive me my horrible ingratitude, sins & offenses against him, and good brother, do you forgive me my great negligence and unthankfulness towards you, and henceforth I promise you, I will put my will to God's will, & pray that the same may be fulfilled in you, so long as you be on this earth: and when you are taken hence, I will most heartily praise the Lord for you, so long as I have my being in this world. Ah my dear heart, now I must take my leave of you, and as I think, my Vltimum vale in this life, but in the life to come I am righte well assured we shall merilye meet together, & that shortly I trust. And in taking of my leave of you (my dear heart in the Lord) I shall desire you faithfully to remember all the sweet messages that the Lord our good God & most dear loving father hath sent you by me his most unworthy servant, which as they are moste true, so shall they be most truly accomplished upon you eternally: and for the more assurance and certificate thereof to your godly conscience, he hath commanded me to repeat the same unto you again, in his own name and word.
Therefore now give ear and faithful credence. Hearken O ye heavens, and thou earth give ear, and bear me witness at the great day, that I do here faithfully and truly the lords message unto his dear servant, his singularly beloved and elect child John Bradford. John Bradford, thou man so specially beloved of God, I pronounce & testify unto thee in the word & name of the Lord Jehovah, that all thy sins whatsoever they be, be they never so many, so grievous, or so great, be fully & freely pardoned, released & forgiven thee, by the mercy of God in Jesus Christ thine only Lord & sweet savior, in whom thou doest undoubtedly believe. Christ hath cleansed thee with his blood, and clothed thee with his righteousness, and hath made thee in the sight of God his father, without spot or wrinkle: so that when the fire doth his appointed office, thou shalt be received (as a sweet burnt sacrifice) into heaven, where thou shalt joyfully remain in God's presence forever, as y e true inheritor of his everlasting kingdom, unto y t which y t wast undoubtedly predestinate & ordained by the Lord's infallible purpose and decree, before the foundation of the world was laid. And that this is most true that I have said, I call the whole Trinity, the almighty and eternal majesty of God the father, the son, and the holy ghost to my record at this present: whom I humbly beseech to confirm and stablish in thee the true and lively feeling of the same. Amen. Selah.
Now with a merry heart and a joyful spirit, something mixed with lawful tears. I take my farewell of you, mine own dear brother in the Lord: who send us shortly a merye meeting in his kingdom, that we may both sing praises together unto him with his holy Aungelles and blessed spirits forever & ever. Farewell thou blessed of the Lord, farewell in Christ: depart unto thy rest in the Lord: and pray for me, for God's sake.
As I had made an ende of this simple Letter, I heard some comfort both of good Master Philpots servant and yours: but (alas) I do scarcely believe them. Well I will hope in God, & pray all night that God will send me some comfort tomorrow, and if the Lord give you sparing tomorrow, let me hear four words of comfort from you, for God's sake. The blessing of God be with you now and forever. Amen.
Yours forever in the Lord Jesus, John Careles, living in hope against hope.
In reading this letter of John Careles to M. Bradford above prefixed, wherein he maketh so much mention of a certain letter of his sent to him, and of the great exceeding consolation, he received of the same, thou wilt wish peradventure (good loving Reader) in thy mind, to have some sight also of the said Letter of M. Bradford. Wherein to satisfy thy desire, or rather to prevent thy petition, I have hereunto annexed the same, to the intent thou mayest not only understand the contents thereof, but also receive fruit thereof to thy consolation likewise. The purport of the letter here followeth.
Mayster Bradford to Careles.
ALmighty God our dear father, through and for the merits of his dearly beloved son Jesus Christ, be merciful unto us, pardon us our offenses, & under the wings of his mercy he protect us from all evil, from henceforth and forever. Amen.
Deare brother Careles, I heartily pray you to pray to GOD for me, for the pardon of my manifold sins and most grievous offenses, which need none other demonstration unto you then this, namely that I have behaved myself so negligently in answering your godly triple letters, which are three witnesses against me. God lay not them nor none other thing to my charge to condemnation, though to correction, not my will but his will be done. Concerning your request of absolution (my dearest brother) what shall I say, but even as truth is, that the Lord of all mercy, and Father of all comfort, through the merits and mediation of his dear son thy only Lord and Savior, hath clearly remitted and pardoned all thy offenses whatsoever they be, that ever hitherto thou hast committed against his majesty: and therefore he hath given to thee as to his child (dear Brother John Careles) in token that thy sins are pardoned: he (I say) hath given unto thee a penitent and believing heart: that is, a heart which desireth to repent and believe: For such a one is taken of him (he accepting the will for the deed) for a penitent and believing heart in deed.
Wherefore (my good Brother) be merry, glad, and of good cheare, for the Lord hath taken away thy sins: thou shalt not die. Go thy ways: the Lord hath put away thy sins. The East is not so far from the West, as the Lord now hath put thy sins from thee. Look how the heavens be in comparison of the earth, so far hath his mercy prevailed towards thee his dear child, John Careles, through Christ the beloved. Say therefore with David: praise the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name? for he hath forgiven thee all thy sins: as truly he hath. And hereof I desire to be a witness. God make me worthy to hear from you the like true message for myself. Myne own dearly beloved, you have great cause to thank God moste heartily that he hath given you such reap̄tance and faith: the lord increase the same in you and me a most miserable wretch, whose heart is harder then the Adamant stone, or elles I could not thus long have stayed from writing unto you. If I live and may, I purpose and promise you to make amends. Praye for me my moste dear brother, I heartily beseech you, and forgive me my long silence. God our father be with us forever. Amen.
Yours in the Lord▪ John Bradford.
To my most dear and faithful brethren in Newgate, condemned to die for the testimony of God's everlasting truth.
THe everlasting peace of God, in Jesus Christ, the continual joy, strength and comfort of his most pure, holy, & mighty spirit, with the increase of faith & lively feeling of his eternal mercy, be with you, my most dear & faithful loving brother Tyms, & with all the rest of my dear hearts in the Lord, your faithful fellow soldiers, & most constant companions in bonds, yea of men condemned most cruelly for the sincere testimony of God's everlasting truth, to the full finishing of that good work, which he hath so graciously begun in you all, that the same may be to his glory, the commodity of his poor afflicted church, and to your everlasting comfort in him. Amen.
Ah my most sweet and loving brethrē, and dearest hearts in the Lord, what shall I say, or how shall I write unto you in the least point or part, to utter the great joy that my poor heart hath conceived in God, through the most godly example of your Christian constancy and sincere confession of Christ's verity? Truly my tongue cannot declare, nor my pen express the abundance of spiritual mirth and gladness, that my mind and inward man hath felt, ever since I heard of your hearty boldness, and modest behavior before that bloody butcher, in the time of all your crafty examinations, especially at your cruel condemnation in their cursed Consistory place. Blessed be God the Father of all mercy, & praised be his name, for that he hath so graciously performed upon you his dear darlinges, his most sweet and comfortable promises, in not only giving you the continual aide, strength, and comfort of his holy and mighty spirit, to the faithful confession of his Christ, for whose cause (O most happy mē) ye are condemned to die: but also in giving you such a mouth & wisdom, as all your wicked enemies were not able to resist, but were fain to cry: Peace, peace, & not suffer you to speak. As truly as God liveth (my dear brethrē) this is not only unto you a most evident probation that God is on our side, and a sure certainty of your everlasting saluatiō in him, but also to your cruel adversaries (or rather gods cursed enemies) a plain demonstration of their just eternal woe & damnatiō which they shall be full sure shortly to feel, whē ye shall full sweetly possess the place of felicity & pleasure prepared for you frō the beginning.
Therefore (my dearly beloved) cease not so long as ye be in this life, to praise the Lord with a lusty courage, for that of his great mercy and infinite goodness, he hath vouched you worthy of this great dignity, to suffer for his sake not only the loss of goods, wife, and childrē, long imprisonment, cruel oppressiō &c. but also the very deprivation of this mortal life, with the dissolution of your bodies in the fire. The which is the greatest promotion that GOD can bring you or any other unto in this vale of misery, yea so great an honor, as the highest Aungel in heaven is not permitted to have: & yet hath the Lord (for his dere son Christ's sake reputed you worthy of the same, yea and that before me and many other, which have both long looked & longed for the same.
Ah my most dear brother Tyms, whose time resteth altogether in the hands of the Lord, in a full happy time camest thou into this troublesome world, but in a much more blessed hour shalt thou depart forth of the same: so that the sweet saying of Solomon, or rather of the holy ghost, shall be full well verified upon thee, yea and all thy faithful fellows: Better is the day of death (saith he) then the day of birth. This saying cannot be verified upon every man, but upon thee my dear brother, and such as thou art, whose death is most precious before God, & full dear shall your blood be in his sight. Blessed be God for thee my dear brother Tymmes, and blessed be God again that ever I knew thee, for in a most happy time I came first into thy company. Pray for me, dear brother, pray for me, y t God will once vouch me worthy of that great dignity whereunto he hath now brought you.
Ah my loving brother Drake, whose soul draweth now nigh unto God, of whom you have received y e same, full glad may you be that ever God gave you a life to leave for his sake: Full well will he restore it to you again in a thousand fold more glorious wife. Praise God, good brother, as you have great cause, and pray for me, I beseech you, which am so much unworthy (so great are my sins) of that great dignity whereunto the Lord hath called you and the rest of your godly brethren: whom I beseech you to comfort in the Lord, as you can full well: praised be God for his gifts, which you have heartily applied to the setting forth of his glory, and the commodity of his poor afflicted Church. Which thing shall surely redound to your everlasting joy, and comfort, as you shall most effectually feel or ever it be long, though the wicked of y e world judge far otherwise.
Ah mine own hearts, and most dearly beloved brethren, Cauell, Ambrose, and both the Spurges: blessed be the Lord on your behalf, and praised be his name: which hath given you such a glorious victory: Full valiant have you shown yourselves in the Lord's fight, & full faithfully in your painful service. Faint not, but go on forward as ye have most godly begun, for great shall your reward be at the end of this your travel. Ah my good faithful brethren all, what shall I say, or what shall I write unto you but even the same that good Elizabeth did say to her godly kinswoman Mary the blessed mother of Christ: Happy art thou (quoth that good woman) which hast believed: for all things which the Lord hath spoken to thee, shall be fulfilled. So I say to you (my dear hearts in the Lord) happy are ye all, yea twice happy shall ye be for evermore, because ye have steadfastly believed y e most sweet promises which god y e father hath made unto you w t his own mouth, in y t he hath promised you (which are the faithful seed of the believing Abraham) that ye shall be blessed ever, world without end. The promises of God your sweet father, as ye do believe, so do ye bear record that God is true. The Testymony whereof ye have full worthily borne to the world, & shortly will full surely seal the same with your blood, yea even tomorrow, I do understand. Oh constant Christians oh valiant soldiers of the high captain Jesus Christ, who for your sake hath conquered the devil, death, sin, & hell, & hath givē you full victory over them for evermore. Oh worthy witnesses, and most glorious martyrs, whose invincible faith hath overcome that proud, sturdye, bragging Prince of y e world, & all his wicked army, over whom ye shall shortly triumph for evermore. Ah my sweet harts the everlasting treasures are full surely laid up for you in heaven. The immercessible and moste glorious crown of victory is already made and prepared for you, to be shortly clapt upon all your happy heads. The holy Aungelles of your heavenly father are already appointed to conducte your sweet souls into Abraham's bosom. All the heavenly host rejoiceth already, for that they shall shortly receive you with joy & felicity into their blessed fellowship. Selah.
Rejoice with double joy, and be glad my dear brethren, for doubtless ye have more cause then can be expressed. But (alas) I that for my sins am left behind, may lie and lament with the holy Prophet, saying: Woe is me that the days of my joyful rest are prolonged. Ah cursed Satan, which hath caused me so sore to offend my most dear loving father, whereby my exile and banishmente is so much prolonged. Oh christ my dear advocate, pacify thy fathers wrath, which I have justly deserved, that he may take me home to him in his sweet mercy. Oh y t I might now come home unto thee with my blessed brethren. Well, thy will (O Lord) be effectuously fulfilled, for it is only good, and turneth all things to the best, for such as thou in thy mercies hast chosen.
And now farewell my dear hearts, most happy in y e Lord. I trust in my good God, yet shortly to see you in the celestial city, whereof undoubtedly the Lord hath already made you free citizens. Though ye be yet with us for a little time, your very home is in heavē, where your treasure doth remain with your sweet Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, whose calling you have heard with the ears of youre hearts, and therefore ye shall never come into judgment, but pass from death to life. Your sins shall never be remembered, be they never so many, so grievous or so great, for your savior hath cast them all into y e bottom of the sea: he hath removed them from you as far as the East is from the West, and his mercy hath much more prevailed over you, then is distance between heavē and earth: and he hath give you for an everlasting possession of the same, all his holiness, righteousness, and justification, yea and the holy Ghost into your harts, wherewith ye are surely sealed unto the day of redemption, to certify you of your eternal election, and that ye are his true adopted sons, whereby ye may boldly cry unto God: Abba dear father, for evermore: so that now no creature in heaven, earth, nor hell, shall be able to accuse you before the throne of the heavenly king. Satan is now cast out from you: he himself is judged, and hath no parte in you. He will once more byte you by the heel, and then he hath don, for at that time you shall squise his head through your own good Christ, and so have you final victory for evermore. In joyful triumph whereof, ye shall sweetly ascend into the place of eternal rest, whether youre eldest brother christ is gone before you, to take possession for you and to prepare your place under the holy alter, w t Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley, Rogers, Hooper, Saunders, Farrar, Taylor, Bradford, Philpot, with many other, who will be full glad of your coming, to see six moe of their appointed number that their blood may so much the sooner be revenged upon them that dwell on the earth.
Thus I make an ende, committing you all to God's most merciful defense, whose quarrel ye have defended, whose cause ye have promoted, whose glory ye have set forth, and whose name ye have constantly confessed. Farewell for a while, my dear hearts in the Lord: I will make as much haste after you as I may. All our dear brethren salute you. They pray for you, and praise God for you continually. Blessed be the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors, saith the holy Ghost, and their works follow them.
Your own, John Careles, a most unprofitable servaunt of the Lord. Pray, pray, pray.
In the pag. 1742. ye heard before the letter of Thomas Whittel, written to John Careles wherein he yieldeth great thanks unto him, for the singular joy and consolatiō received by his letters. The copy of which letters sent unto him if any be disposed to peruse, here under followeth to satisfy his desire.
To M. Green, M. Whittel, and certain other prisoners in Newgate, condemned, and ready to be burnt for the testimony of our Lord Jesus.
THe everlasting peace in Jesus Christ, the continual comfort of his most pure and holy spirit, be with you my most dear and faithful brethren and sisters of Newgate, the Lord's appointed sheep unto y e slaughter, to the good performaunce of the great and notable work of the Lord, which he hath so graciously begun in you all: that the same may redound to the setting forth of his glory, & to the commodity of his Church, and to your own everlasting comfort in him. So be it.
Ah my dear hearts, and most faithful brethren and sisters in the Lord, what high laudes and praise, yea what humble & continual thanks am I bound to give to God our father for you & on your most happy behalf, who so mightily hath magnified him self in you thus far forth, in giving you his holy & mighty spirit, to the constant confessing of Christ's verity, even to the cruel condemnation, & I doubt not but he will do the same to the death. Oh happy and blessed are you that ever you were borne, that the Lord will vouch you worthy of this great dignity, to die for his sake. Doubtless it is the greatest honor that God can give you in this life. Yea if they be so blessed of God y t die in the Lord, as the holy ghost saith they be: how much more blessed and happy then are you, that die not only in y e Lord, but also for the Lord. Oh that it were the good will of God, that the good hour were now come, that I might go with you. Ah that my sins made me not unworthy of such an excellent dignity.
Be thankful dear harts, be thankful & rejoice in the Lord: for mighty is his mercy towards you, and great is your reward in heaven, the which you like faithful persons have plucked to you with a godly violence of an invincible faith. Oh worthy warriors of the most high captain, Oh constant confessors of the everlasting verity: how glorious a crown of victory shall you shortly receive, which is prepared for all such as do continue to the ende? Oh you sweet saints of y e Lord, how precious shall your death be in his sight? Oh how dear are your souls to your redeemer in whose hand they shall most joyfully rest, and y e pains of death shall never touch you? Oh how blessed shall you be, when Christ shall appear, at the which time you shall receive your bodies again full of immortality? Oh howe joyful shall you be, when Christ, according to his promise shall knowledge you before his father and his holy angels, as you have most constantly confessed him to be your Lord, and only savior before men?
Oh blessed Green, thou meek and loving lamb of the Lord, how happy art thou to be appointed to die for his sake? A full dainty dish art thou for the Lord's own tooth. Fresh and Green shalt thou be in the house of the Lord, & thy fruits shall never wither nor decay. Although thou go here forth sowing thy good fruits with tears, y e time shall come that thou shalt reap with joy and gladness, y e fruits of everlasting life, and that without ceasing. Be merry therefore and fear not, for it is thy fathers will to give thee a kingdom, whereunto he hath chosen thee before the foundations of the world were laid.
Oh happy Minister, thou mā of God, how glad mayest thou be of God's most gracious favor, which hath prevented thee in y e day of thy trial? Oh happy Peter, whose part thou hast well played: therefore thy reward and portion shall be like unto his. Now hast thou good experience of man's infirmity, but much more proof and taste, yea sense & feeling of God's abundant bottomless mercy. Although Satan desired to sift thee, yet Christ thy good Captayne prayed that thy faith should not fail. God's strength is made perfect by thy weakness, & his grace is sufficient for thee his dear child. Thine example did so encourage and strength thy poor brethren, that God is every way glorified by thee, and shortly will he glorify thee with himself with that glory which he hath prepared for thee his elect deareling before the world was made. Therefore rejoice & be glad, for thou hast good occasion, in finding such favor in his sight.
This is most true (Oh my other brethren, whom I do not know, neither have I heard much of you) happy are you y t ever you were borne, and blessed be our God which hath given you such victory over the bloody beast: shortly shall you be clothed in large white garments, and fine reins of righteousness, and so shall you follow y e Lamb on mount Zion with new songs of mirth and melodye, for your delivery forth of Satan's power & tyranny. God for evermore be blessed for you, and strengthen you to the end, as I doubt not but he will: for he never failed them that put their trust in him.
O my dear and faithful sister Joan Warner, what shall I say to thee? Thy trial hath been great: thy victory in Christ hath been notable. Thou hast overcome many a sharp shower and storm. Shortly shalt thou ariue at the haven of quiet rest, and receive a reward due to a constant martyr. Thou shalt go home to thy heavenly father, and possess forever the inheritance which Christ hath purchased for thee, where thy earthly parents be, still looking for thee, which have triumphed over Antichrist most victoriously. Oh blessed parents of happy Children, which have shown such an example, as y e like hath been seldom seen. I salute thee dear sister of like constant mind: whose constant example is worthy of continual memory. Praised be god for you mine own sweet sisters, which hath made you to play such wise virgins parts. He hath plentifully poured the oil of his spirit into the lamps of your faith, so that the light thereof shall never be extinct. You shall enter with your bridegroom into everlasting joy, whereunto you were chosen in him from the beginning.
Oh my dear brethren and sisters, you blessed saints of the Lord, how much & how deeply am I bound to praise God for you both day & night Pray, pray for me (my dear hearts) for the render mercy of God, that I may be made worthy to follow your trace. Oh that I had run the race of my life, as far as you have done yours, and were as nigh my iorneys end, as you be unto yours. But alas, I lie like the lame man at y e pools side by Solomon's porch & every man goeth into the place of health before me. But God will appoint me one, one day to put me in. I trust my Lord of Londons Colehouse is empty, & all his officers idle. Therefore they must shortly fetch more sheep to the shambles: for he is the common slaughter slave of all England. But happy are you that are passed through y e pikes & delivered out of his hands, and from all the angels of the darkness of this world, which long tempted you in y e wilderness of the same: but now shall the angels of God come and minister unto you, for they are your servants to hold you up in your hands, & that you shall not hurt your foot no nor one hear of your head shall pearish. They shall carry you up to heaven in a fiery chariot, though you leave your Mantell behind you for a time, till God restore the same again in a more ample and glorious sort.
Thus in hast, as it doth appear, I am constrained to make an end, committing you all to God's most merciful defense: whoever have you in his blessed keeping, desiring you all to remember me in your godly and faithful prayers, as I will not forget you in mine, by God's grace. The blessing of God be with you all my dear brethrē and sisters. All our brethren and fellow prisoners here have them most heartily commended unto you, and pray for you without ceasing. God send us a merry meeting in his kingdom. Amen.
By your brother and unfeigned lover, John Careles, prisoner, abiding his moste merciful will and pleasure. Pray, pray, pray.
To my dear and faithful brother, William Tymmes, prisoner in Newgate.
THe everlasting peace of God in Jesus Christ, with the continual joy, comfort & strength of his sweet spirit be multiplied, and daily more and more increased in your good heart (my most faithful and dear brother Tymmes) to the full quieting of your conscience, and beating back of all the fiery darts of the wicked, that you may shortly receive the glorious crown of victory, and in the same triumph over all your enemies for evermore. Amen.
I cannot express the exceeding great joy and consolation of my poor heart, considering the marvelous works of God most graciously wrought upon you, not only in proving you and trying your faith by his great and huge crosses both inwardly and outwardlye, but also in giving you so great consolation & constancy in the middes of the same. Faithful is God & true of his promises, who hath said: That he will never suffer his chosen children to be tempted above their strength, but in the middes of their temptation will make an outscape for them, by such means as may make to his glory & their everlasting consolation. My dear heart great cause have you to be of good comfort, for I see in you as lively a token of God's everlasting love and favor in Jesus Christ, as ever I perceived in any man. In respect whereof I do even with my heart, love, honor, & reverence you, beseeching God for his glorious names sake in the bowels & blood of our Lord & only savior Jesus Christ to finish his good work in you, as I doubt not but he will do, according to his infallible promises: yea I am well assured thereof, for as much as you have so effectually received his holy spirit into your heart, as a pledge and sure seal of your eternal redemption, & a testimony of your adoption in Christ Jesus. For which cause Satan so sore envieth you that he hath now bent all his fierce Ordinaunce against you, thinking thereby utterly to destroy y e invincible fort of you faith founded moste firmly upon the unmovable rock Christ, against the which, the devil, sin, nor yet hell gates shall never prevail. Selah.
Therefore mine own bowels in the Lord, be not discōforted for this your conflict, which doubtless shall greatly increase your crown of glory, triumph, and victory: but take a good heart unto you, and buckle boldly w t Satan both in himself and his subtle members. It is the very Divine ordinance of God, that all his regenerate children shall be tempted, proved, and tried, as we see by the example of our savior Christ, who as soon as he was baptized, was strayt ways led of the holy Ghost into the wilderness, there to be tempted of the Devil. But there got he such a glorious victory of Satan, y t he could never since finally prevail against any of his poor members, but in every assault y t he maketh either inwardly or outwardly he getteth a foil and taketh shame: so y t now he rageth with all the spite possible, specially because he knoweth his time is but short. S. James testifieth that he is but a very coward, that will soon flee, if he be faithfully resisted. And as for his tempting tools, the Lord hath made them manifest unto us, so that he cannot deceive us though he assault us: for as S. Paul saith: His very thoughts are not unknown to us, as it doth in you largelye appear, praised be the Lord's name therefore.
You see, dear brother, that now to molest you & such as you are, that be even passing from this vale of misery, he hath but two ways, or two pieces of Ordinaunce to shoot at you, with the which he cannot hurt you, because you have two Bulwarks to defend you. The first of these terrible Gunnes that Satan hath shot at you, is the very same that he continually shooteth at me, that is to say, fear and infidelity: for the vglesomnes of death, and horror of my sins, which be so many, grievous, and great. But this pellet is easily put away with the surer shield of faith in the most precious death and bloodshedding of our dear Lord and only Savior Jesus Christ, whom the father hath given unto us wholly to be ours for evermore, and with him hath given us all things, as Paul saith: so y t though we be never so great sinners, yet Christ is made unto us holiness, righteousness, and iustificatiō. He hath clothed us with all his merits, mercies, and most sweet sufferings & hath taken unto him all our misery, wretchedness, sin and infirmity. So that if any should now be condemned for the same, it must needs be Jesus Christ, which hath taken them upon him. But in deed he hath made satisfactiō for them to the uttermost jot: so that for his sake they shall never be imputed to us, if they were a thousand times so many moe as they be. This do you moste effectuously feel and know, dear brother, a great deal better then I can tell you, blessed be God therefore.
And now Satan, seeing that he cannot prevail with his boisterous battery against this Bulwark of faith, which doth so quench all his fiery darts, that they can do you no harm, but rather do you good service to caste you down under the mighty hand of God, that he may take you up by his only grace and power, and so you may render him all the glory by Jesus Christ, (which thing the enemy cannot abide in no wise) therefore he shooteth of his other Peece most pestilent, to provoke you to put some part of your trust and confidence in yourself, and in your own holiness and righteousness, that you might that way • ob God of his glory, Christ of his honor and dignity of his death. But blessed be the Lord God, you have also a full strong Bulwark to beat back this pestiferous peller also, even the pure law of God, which proveth the best of us all damnable sinners in the sight of God, if he would enter into judgment with us, according to the severity of the same, and that even our best works are polluted and defiled in such sort, as the prophet describeth thē. With which manner of speaking, our free will Pharisees are much offended: for it felleth all man's righteousness to the ground, (I had like to have said, to the bottom of hell) & extolleth only the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is allowed before God, and is freely given to all those that firmly believe, as blessed be God you do.
Ah my good brother Tymmes, Satan hath put his hand in a wrong box when he beginneth to tempt you, either to vain glory or mistrust: for you are an old beaten soldier, and have had good experience of these manner of temptations, both by yourself and other, whom you know well were the beloved of God. Be of good cheare therefore, dear heart, be of good cheare, for now Satā hath wrought all his malice, he hath done all that he can, and hath shot of all his last Peeces, wherewith he had thought to have done most mischief: but now he seeth he cannot prevail (the strong tower of your faith being so invincible) he will pluck up all his tents, and get him to some other place to practice the like assaults: and then will the Angels of God come and minister unto you the moste sweet & heavenly consolations of y e holy Ghost. To him therefore who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that ever we can desire or think, I do most heartily commit you, with all the rest of youre godly prison fellows, who comfort, strengthen, and defend you with his grace & mighty operation of his holy spirit, as he hath hitherto done, that you having a most glorious victory over y e subtle serpent and all his wicked seed, may also receive the crown of glory and immortality prepared for you before the foundations of the world were laid, and is so surely kept for you in the hands of him whose promise is infallible, that the Devil, sin, death, or hell, shall never be able to deprive you of the same. The blessing of God be w t you now & for evermore. Amen. Pray, pray, pray for me.
Your own forever John Careles.
*To my good sister. M.C.
THe peace of God in Jesus Christ, the eternal comforts of his sweet spirit, be with you my dear and faithful sister, to the full accomplishment of that good work which he hath most graciously begun in you, that the same may be effectual to the setting forth of his glory, and to your everlasting consolation in him. Amen.
My loving and faithful Sister in the Lord, I thank you for all your loving kindness shown unto me in youre fervent and faithful prayers, and for your most godly and comfortable letter, whereby you do not only much increase my joy and comfort, but also put me in remembrance of my duty towards you.
Blessed be the Lord our God, which of his great merhath so beautified his Church in these our days, that even unto many godly women he hath given most excellent gifts of knowledge and understanding of his truth, so y t they are not only well able to inform their own consciences in all things necessary to salvation, but also moste sweetly to comfort their sorrowful brethren & sisters that sustain any trouble for the testimony of God's truth, yea & that which is more, even in the midst of their great cōflictes of conscience. Of which most happy number of godly and virtuous women, my dear heart, you are one, and that of the chiefest, being plentifully endued with the gifts of God's most gracious spirit, as it doth full well appear in your daily doings. God only have the praise therefore.
For as much then as God hath given you y e gift to write I shall moste heartily desire you to let me hear from you sometimes, be it never so little, for truly I take great comfort and courage thereby, specially in my poor conscience, which is sore assaulted of subtle Satan, and in a manner oppressed of my sins. Pray, dear sister, y t GOD may give me true, hearty, and earnest repentance, & increase my faith, for they are both the good gifts of God only, and far pass the reach of my power, to take at my pleasure.
Therefore dear sister, if you will help me to beg the same of our dear loving father, I am sure that he both cā and will give them in his good time. As for the fear of death or terror of the fire, I most heartily thank my good God, I feel it not: only it is mine own sins and unthankfulness, which holdeth hard battle, & wageth strong war against me, which only goeth about to separate me from my good captain Christ, that I should not enjoy his glorious victory: but God being on my side, (as I am sure he is) that cannot continually prevail against me. Though God for a time permit Satan to take his pleasure on me, as he did upon Job, yet I doubt not but in the end all shall turn to my profit, through the merits of our Lord & savior Jesus Christ: to whose most merciful defense, I commit you, dear Sister, with all the rest of the Lord's elect. Farewell in Christ.
Yours unfeignedly, John Careles, Pray, pray, pray, pray.
*To my dear brother. T. V.
THe everlasting peace of God in Jesus Christ, the continual comforts of his most pure and holy spirit, be w t you my most dear friend and faithful brother U. to the increase of your faith, and comfort of your sorrowful spirit, which is to the father a sweet sacrifice, through chryst for whose sake he will never despise your humble and contrite heart, but doth favorably accept the same, and will in most ample wise perform the desire thereof, to his glory your eternal comfort in him.
In the mids of my manifold crosses & troubles, wherein I am constrained to flee unto God for refuge & succor by earnest & faithful prayer, I cannot forget you my dear heart in y e Lord) but esteeming your state for mine own, I do pour forth my complaint for you, as I do for myself & rather more, as I think present need doth require, desiring most heartily to hear the good success of the same in you. The lord God for his great mercies sake, accomplish my desire, as I doubt not but he will, when he seeth it good and most to his glory, and to your comfort and commodity. Oh that I might once see you so merry in Christ, as you have just cause to be, that you might say with David: Awake my glory, awake Lute and Harp, bring forth the Psalter with the merry song, that I might sing a new song of praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord, for the light of his favorable coūtenaunce his help, and deliverance. Oh, that would refresh me as a most precious oil, and gladden my poor heart, which is assaulted with sorrow, moe ways then one. I doubt not but the same shall by your means receive much comfort, though for a time it doth mourn with you, that we may be made both glad together, yea & that with such gladness as shall continue forever. But in the mean space (I say) most happy are you, that so heartily mourn y e absence of the bridegroom. If you were not a wedding child, you could never do it. Only Christ's true Disciples do mourn for his absence: therefore shall they doubtless rejoice at his presence, which will be so much more joyful, by how much the absence is more sorrowful.
Therefore, my good brother, take a good heart unto you, & be of good cheare. Say with the Prophet David: O my soul why art thou so heavy, and why art thou so disquieted with in me? O put thy trust in God, for I will yet give him thanks for the help of his loving countenance, and because he is my God. Read the Psal, the xli. and the xlij. for your comfort, & consider that the holy kng and Prophet, at the making & first saying of them, was evē in the same case that you are now in: but he still comforted himself with the sweet promises of God: and so do you my dear heart, for to you they do as well pertain, as they did to him, and as surely shall they be performed upon you, as they were upon him: for he is one God and dear father unto you both, & for his mercy, truth, and promise sake, he must needs make good unto you all that he hath said.
If his love towards you, stood in the respect of your own merit or worthiness, you might well mourn, lament and complain: yea, you had good cause to doubt, fear, & mistrust. But seeing he loveth you only for and in Jesus christ, who is your whole holiness, righteousness, and redemption: lay away all mourning, lamenting, and complaing: banish from you all fear, mistrust and infidelity, and know that as long as Christ doth continue God's son, so long must the love of the father continue towards you immutable, and his good will unchangeable, and cannot be altered through any of your infirmities. For this is most true, that as long as the cause of any thing doth last, so long must the effect remain: but Christ is y e whole cause, why the father loveth you, and he also continueth forever: then must I needs conclude, that the love of the father continueth towards you forever, and (as y e Psalmist most joyfully so often singeth) His mercy endureth forever and ever.
This is most true, mine own dear heart, although y e Lord for a time hide it from your senses, that you might be the more earneste in prayer to him for the feeling of it, & also the more thankful for it when he doth give y e lively taste of it, as doubtless he will do ere ever it be long: and then shall you be well able to comfort other in the same state that you are now in, with the same comfort wherewith you are and further shall be comforted of God.
Therefore lift up youre hands that are now a little fallen down, and stretch forth the weak knees of youre troubled mind, which now mourneth w t a godly mourning, and therefore shall it be full well comforted with that sweet peace of God which passeth all understanding: and you are sure already to enjoy the blessing that Christ gave unto the Godly mourners of Zion upon the Mount, at the first sermon y t he made. Oh happy U. in whose mourning company I had rather be, then in the house of mirth and banqueting of such as see not what cause they have to mourn and be sory. But yet my good brother, use a measure in this your godly mourning, & make not your faithful friends too much sory for you. Let the persuasions of such godly lovers as you do daily company withal, or rather the persuasions of the holy Ghoste by them, move you to some godly mirth and reioising. Consider that you are commanded of God by the mouth of Saint Paul, thereto: Rejoice in the Lord (saith he) and I say again rejoice. Mark how he doubleth the sentence, that we may perceive it is a most earnest and necessary thing he requireth. Obey the commandment of God in this behalf: wherein as you cannot but highly please him, so I assure you, you shall very much rejoice my poor heart, and the harts of other which pray for you with mourning tears, and make that cruel enemy Satan and all your adversaries sory, which will rejoice and laugh to see you mourn. Oh my good brother, let it manifestly appear, that the Lord of his great mercy hath heard our faithful and hearty requests for you, Oh how would that rejoice me in y e midst of my troubles?
Therefore now to conclude, because the darkness constrayneth me to make an end for this time, I say, my dear & faithful brother U. in respect of the great cause you have of your own part through Christ, & for the glory and honor of almighty God: the comfort, joy, and rejoicing of your dear brethren and sisters in Christ: also your own duty by the commandment of God: and last of all to vex, molest, and grieve Satan withal, rejoice in the lord and be most heartily glad in him, who is wholly yours, and you are his and shall be for evermore. Selah.
Farewell mine own bowels in the Lord, & praise God with joyful lips & a merry heart, & pray for me his most unprofitable servant, which have more cause concerning myself, to lament, then any one man living: but my good bridegroom is present, & biddeth me cast away my mourning garments, and therefore I must needs be merry w t him: and so he biddeth you to be, by my mouth, for he is present w t you, although for sorrow you cannot know him, as Magdalene could not in the garden, until he spake unto her. The Lord God speak these words of comfort in your heart, & open y e eyes of your mind, that you may perfectly perceive and feel his blessed presence, & so rejoice in the same for evermore. Amen. Comfort your heart in christ, and cast your care upon him, for he careth for you.
Your brother in the Lord, abiding his good pleasure, John. Careles.
*To my dear and faithful brother, Augustine Bernher.
The peace of God in Jesus Christ, the help comfort and assistance of his eternal spirit be with you, my dear and faithful brother Augustine, and with all the rest of my good brethren and sisters of the houses of Baxterley & Manceter (which mourneth for the misery of God's people) to your everlasting consolation in him, Amen.
Right glad I am to hear (my dear and faithful brother Augustine) that God of his great mercy and infinite goodness, hath yet so graciously delivered & preserved you out of your enemies hands, beseeching almighty God also, from the bottom of my heart, to be your continual defense unto the ende, as hitherto he hath most graciously been, that you may live & die both to God's glory, the commodity of his Church and to the increase of your own everlasting joy and comfort in him.
Knowe you, dear brother, that I have received your letter, for the which I heartily thank you. In deed I think it very short, although it seemeth something sharply to rebuke me in the beginning, for the breach of my promise, in not writing to you of this long time. Well brother, I am content to bear it with patience, considering that you are troubled otherwise (the Lord comfort you and all heavy hearts) neither will I spend ynke & paper for my purgation in this point. God he knoweth whether I be so mindeles of my promise as it appeareth in your sight I am. Your request I will truly perform to the uttermost of my power, as gladly as any poor wretch shall do in the world and I thank God I have done no less of longe time. And as my poor prayer shall be a handmayd to wait upon you which way soever you ride or go, so I beseech you that my simple counsel may take some place in you, in this time of your pilgrimage, which you pass in no small peril: God keep and preserve you for his names sake.
I do not disalowe, but much praise and commend your hearty boldness in putting yourself in preasse, when any one of God's people needeth your help in any point. But yet I would not have you thrust yourself in danger, when you can do them no good, or at least wise when they may well enough spare that good you would do them: For if you should then chance to be taken, you shall not only be no comfort unto them, but also a great discomfort, adding sorrow unto their sorrow.
I do not persuade you to absent yourself from any place where your presence of necessity is required: for in all such places, I know, God will preserve you as he hath hitherto wonderfully done, praised be his name therefore: or if it shall please him to permit you in any such place to be taken, I know he will most sweetly comfort your conscience with this consideratiō, that it is the very providence & appointment of God that you should there and then be taken up for a witness of his truth unto the world: but I cannot alowe, nor be contented that you should rashly or negligently thrust yourself into that place where your wicked enemies do continually haunt, yea and lay wait for you, when no necessity of yourself nor of any other of God's people doth require your company. If they need any of your godly counsel, you may write unto them that thing that you think good: which (I dare say) will be sufficient unto them. For (continual thanks and praises be given unto the everlasting God) there is none of those that be cruelly condemned for God's truth, that now be weaklings: for they have manfully passed through the pikes, and they have boldly abidden the brunt of the battle, and therefore I reckon the worst is paste with them already, So that now and thē a godly letter from you to them, shall do as much good as your company shall do, and perchance more too▪ for writing sticketh longer in the memory then words do yea though your letters were as short to them, as your last was to me, so that the same be something sweeter and not althing so sharp.
This (dear brother) is the simple counsel which I would gladly have you observe, partly for that I heartily pray for your preservation to the commoditye of Christ's Church, and partly for that I unfeignedly wish the peace, comfort, and tranquility of your own conscience, which I know will be quickly ready to accuse you, if you do anything wherein you have not the word of God for your warrant. For in a glass that is clear, a small mote will soon appear: even so the good conscience of God's chosen children being more clear then Cristall, will quickly accuse them at the least fault they do commit, whereas the wicked worldlings have their conscience so clogged & corrupted thorough the custom of sin, that they cannot once see or perceive their own shameful deeds & wicked works, until God set the same before them for their utter destruction, & then despair they immediately. But seeing that God hath given you a clear conscience and a pure, sharp, quick, and lively sight in your soul, I would wish you to beware that you do nothing unadvisedly, but upon a good ground. For an accusing conscience is a sore thing when death doth approach, and then Satan will not stick to tell you that you have to much tempted God, when peradventure you have done nothing so at all. For this cause (I say) partly I have thought it good to admonish you (as I have done often) to be cirumspecte, according to the counsel of Christ, which biddeth you to beware of men. Other things I have not to write, for I know this bearer can certify you of all things at large, better then I can declare it by writing.
I beseech you good Augustine, help me forwards with your hearty prayers, for I trust I have but a small time to tarry in this troublesome world. Doctor Story told our Marshall that we should all be dispatched so soon as he came from Oxford, whether he and other bloody butchers be gone to make slaughter of Christ's sheep that lie there appointed to be slain. God for Christ's sake put them and such like, besides their cruel purpose, if it be his good will and pleasure: Amen good Lord. I pray you do my moste hearty commendations to my dear sister and faithful friend, good Mistress Mary glouer, I beseech God be her comfort, as I doubt not but he is, I am very glad to hear that she doth so joyfully and so patiently bear this great cross that God hath laid upon her. I pray God strengthen her, and all other his dear Saints unto the end, Amen. Commende me unto my dear and faithful sister Elizabeth B. I thank her most heartily for my napkin and so I do youre dear brother, for my sherte. Truly that day that we were appointed to come to our answer before the Commissioners (which had sent word the same morning, that they would come to the kings Benche by viii. of the clock, and the house and all things were trimmed and made ready for them) I got that sherte on my back and that napkin in my hand, and me thought that they did help to harness me and weapon me well, to go fight against that bloody beast of Babylon. And trust me truly, if they had come, I would have stricken three strokes the more for your two sakes, as well as God would have abled me to have set them on, as by God's grace I will not fail to do at the next skirmish that I come to: Wherefore I pray you pray for me, that I may be strong and hardy to lay on good load. Oh that I might so strike him down, that he should never be able for to rise again. But that stroke belongeth only unto the Lord, to strike at his coming, the which I trust will be shortly. O hasten it good Lord, and shorten these sorrowful and sinful days, for thy great mercies sake.
Farewell my dear and faithful loving brother. The Lord defend, keep, and preserve you from the power of youre enemies visible and invisible, and send us a most joyful and merry meeting here or elsewhere, as it shall please his goodness to appoint us.
In the mean space I shall most earnestly desire you to pray for me, for I never had more need in my life: and doubtless you shall never want my poor prayer, if it shall please God to accept the prayer of so sinful a wretch as I am. The Lord impute not my sins to me, for Jesus Christ's sake: unto whose most merciful defense, I do most heartily commit you The blessing of God be with you now and ever, Amen. I pray you do my most hartye commendations unto M. John Glover. I do not forget him in my daily prayers, and I trust he doth remember me.
Your poor brother, always mindful of you in my prayer, John Careles prysoner, abiding God's pleasure.
To my dear brother Harry Adlington prisoner in the Lolardes Tower.
THe everlasting peace of God in Jesus Christ, the continual aid, strength, joy, and comfort of his moste pure, holy, and mighty spirit, with the increase of faith and lively feeling of his mercies: be most effectuously wrought in your heart, my dear and faithful loving brother Adlington, and in the hearts of all your other godly prison fellows, to the full finishing of that good work, which the Lord hath most graciously begun in you: that the same may be to the setting forth of his glory, the commodity of his poor afflicted Church, and to your own eternal joy and comfort in in him, Amen.
My most dear and faithful loving brother in our Lord, I withal the rest of my loving brethren here with me, do moste humbly and heartily commend us unto you, with all faithful remembrance of you in our daily prayers, giving GOD earnest thanks on your moste happy behalf, for that he hath given you such hartye boldness and Christian constancy in the faithful confession of his everlasting verity. Blessed be GOD for thee my dearly beloved brother, which hath vouched thee worthy of so great dignity, as to suffer for his sake and setting forth of his glory. Oh glad in heart mayest thou be, to whom it is given, not only to believe in thy Lord and Christ most lively: but also to suffer for his sake, as one of his seely sheep appointed to the slaughter. Be of good comfort therefore my good brother, for your calling unto the Cross of Christ, was after a marvelous sort. Surely, it was only the Lord's appointment, and therefore he will well perform his own work in and upon you, to the great magnifying of his glory, and comfort of your brethren: whose hearts are mightily refreshed, to hear how heartily you have behaved yourself hitherto.
This present day I received a Letter from you, at the reading whereof my brethren and I were not a little comforted, to see your conscience so quieted in Christ, and your continuance so steadfast in him: which things be the special gifts of GOD, not given unto every man, but to you his dear dearelyng, elect, and chosen in Christ, and such as you be. And where as you do require to know my simple mind concerning your answer unto Doctor Story and the Chancelor: truly I say you did answer them very well: for there are but two Sacraments in deed: that is to say, the Sacrament of Baptism, and the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, as you have full well answered them: praised be GOD for his good gifts: who chooseth the weak to confound the strong, and the foolish to confound the worldly wise. If, when you come before them again, they do ask you what a Sacrament is, say you that a Sacrament, being ministered according to Christ's institution, is a visible sign of an invisible grace, and hath the promise of GOD'S mercy annexed unto it, auaylable to all such as do worthily receive it, and not unworthily worship it: as they would have us to do, contrary to GOD'S commandment. And these properties belonging to Christ's true Sacraments, cannot be applied unto any one of those five Sacraments which they have invented of their own brain, since Antichrist began to reign, to blind the people withal.
I perceive dear heart, that upon Friday they do intend to condemn you and to give you your judgment. Therefore I think they will have no great reasoning with you, but bid you answer them directly, either yea or nay, to all such things as they have to charge you withal, which they have gathered of you since you came into their cruel hands. But if they will needs make many words with you, because you are but a simple man, and therefore perchance they will be the busier with you to trouble you with many questions, to comber your knowledge, and then seem to triumph over you and that truth that you do hold: if (I say) they do this (as perhaps for some evil purpose they will) then be you so plain and as short as you cā, saying roundly unto them these or such like words, as nigh as you can.
Be it known unto you, that I in all pointes do believe as it becometh a true Christian, and as I have been truly taught in the days of that good Kyng Edward, of such godly Preachers and Prophets sent of GOD, as have sealed their doctrine with their blood: from whom I will dissent in no point: for I am a poor man without learning, but am commanded of GOD to follow the counsel of his constant Preachers, and so do I intend to do, GOD giving me grace and assistance thereto.
As for you, I know you to be none of Christ's shepeheardes, but ravening Wolves which come to kill and scatter the flock of Christ, as the Lord said you should: and doth will us to beware of you and your poisoned doctrine, bidding us to judge you according to your fruits, whereby all men may see and know what you be, that will not be willfully blind. But the good shepeheardes have given their lives for the defense of Christ's flock: and I am commanded to follow their faithful and Godly example, and to confess with them one truth, even to the fire, if GOD shall see it good: and this as a true Christian, I have hitherto done, and hence forth by GOD'S grace intend for to do.
And if for the same, GOD shall suffer you to take away my life, as you have done theirs, I am contented therewith: his will be done, for that only is good. But of this be you sure, the Lord will shortly call you to accompt for all the innocent blood that is shed within this Realm: which you have brought into a most woeful case, and made many a heavy heart in the same, and moe I perceive you will make, so long as the Lord for our sins will suffer you to prosper, and until the time that your own iniquity be full ripe. But then be you sure the Lord will sit in judgment vpō you, as well as you do now upon his Saints, and will reward you according to your deservings: to whō with my whole heart I commit my cause, and he will make aūswear for me, when the full time of my refreshing cometh. In the mean space I will keep silence with this that I have said, trusting that I have sufficiently discharged my conscience in confessing my faith and Religion to you, declaring of what Church I am, even of the Catholic Church of Jesus Christ, which was well known to be here in England in our late good kings days, by two special tokens which cannot deceive me, nor suffer me to be deceived: that is to say, the pure preaching of his holy word, and the due administration of the holy sacraments: which is not to be seen in your Romish Church, and therefore it cannot justly be called the Church and spouse of Christ. I believe in the holy Trinity, and all the other Articles of the Christian faith contained in the three Creedes, and finally all the Canonical scripture to be true in every sentence. And I detest all sects both of the Arians and Anabaptists, or any other that devide themselves from the true Church of Christ, which is his mystical body, the ground and pillar of truth, and the very house of the living God. And if for these things you take away my life, & make yourselves gilty of my blood, you may for I am in your hands as the sheep brought to the shambles, abiding the grace of the Butcher. And be you sure, youre judgment sleepeth not, but when you cry peace, peace, and all is safe: then shall your plagues begin like the sorrow of a woman traueling with child, according to Christ's infallible promise.
This kind of answer my dear heart, it shall be best for you to make, and by God's grace, I do intend to take the same order myself in time to come, when the Lord shall vouche me worthy of that great dignity, whereunto he hath called you. And if they shall laugh you to scorn, as I know they will, saying thou art a fool and an unlearned assehead, and art able to make answer to nothing &c. care you not for it, but still committee your cause unto God, who will make answer for you, and tell them that they have been answered again and again of diverse godly and learned men: but all will not help, for you have one solution of all manner of questions, even a fair fire & fagots, this will be the ende of your disputations. Therefore I pray you to trouble me no more, but do that which you are appointed, when God shall permit the time. I am no better then Christ, his Apostles, and other of my good brethren that are gone before me.
This kind of answer will cut their combes moste, and edify the people that stand by, so that the same be done coldly with sobriety, meekness, and patience: as I heard say our sweet brethren Thomas Harland and John Oswalde did at Louis in Sussex, to the great rejoicing of the children of God that were in those parties: and I hear say, that they were dissolved from this earthly Tabernacle at Louis on saterday last, and were condemned but the Wednesday before: so that we may perceive the papists have quick work in hand, that they make such haste to have us home to our heavenly father. Therefore let us make our selves ready to ride in the fiery chariot, leaving these sory mantels and old clokes behind us for a little time which God shall restore unto us again in a more glorious wise.
My good brother Harry, you shall understand that bragging John T. hath begiled his keepers (who trusted him to well) and is run away from them, and hath brought the poor men into gaeat danger by the same. The one of them is cast by the Counselles commandment, into the gatehouse at Westminster, the other is fled forth of the Country for fear.
Thus you may see the fruits of our free will men, that made so much boast of their own strength. But that house which is not built surely upon the unmovable rock, will not longe stand against the boisterous winds and storms, that blow so strongly in these days of trouble.
But my dearly beloved brother, blessed be God for you & such as you be, which have played the partes of wise builders. You have digged down past the sand of youre own natural strength, and beneath the earth of your own worldly wisdom, & are now come to the hard stone and unmovable Rock Christ, who is your only keeper: and upon him alone have you built your faith most firmly, without doubting, mistruste, or wavering. Therefore neither the storms nor tempests, winds nor weathers that Satan and all his wily workmen can bring against you, with the very gates of hell to help them, shall ever be able once to move your house, much less to overthrow it: for the Lord God himself, and no man, is the builder thereof, and hath promised to preserve and keep the same safe forever. Unto his moste merciful defense therefore, I do heartily committee you and all your good company, desiring him for his sweet son Jesus Christ's sake, to confirm and strengthen you all, that you may be constant unto the very ende: that after the final victory is once gotten, you may receive the imme • cessible crown of glory, of God's free gift, through his great mercy in Jesus Christ our only Savior. To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, be all honor, glory, praise, thanks, power, rule and dominion forever and evermore, Amen. The blessing of God be with you all.
John Careles.
To my most dear and faithful brother. T. V.
THe everlasting peace of GOD in Jesus Christ, the continual joy and comfort of his most pure, holy, and mighty spirit, with the increase of faith and lively feeling of his mercy, be with you my dear heart in the Lord, and faithful loving brother T. V. to the full accomplishing of that good work which he hath so graciously begun in you, that the same by all means, may be to the setting forth of his glory, to the commodity of his poor afflicted congregation, and to the sweet comfort and quietness of your conscience in him now and evermore. Amen.
With such due honor, love, and reverence, as it becometh me to bear unto the sweet saints and dearly beloved children of God, I have me most heartily commended unto you, my dear brother V. with all earnest and faithful remembrance of you in my daily prayers, thanking God right heartily that you do likewise remember me in yours: assuring you that my poor heart doth daily feel great consolation thereby, GOD only have the praise for the same and all other his benefits. Ah my dear heart in the Lord, well is me that ever I was borne, that God of his great mercy and infinite goodness hath used me most miserable wretch at any time, as his instrument, to minister anything unto you either by words or writing, that might be an occasion of your joy and comfort in the Lord, and a provoking of you to praise and thanksgiving unto GOD for the same, as your moste loving and godly letter seemeth to import. Oh happy am I that the Lord hath appointed me unto so good a ground to sow his seed upon: but much more happy are you whose heart the Lord hath prepared & made so meet to receive the same so effectuously, giving thereto the sweet showers and heavenly dew of his grace and holy spirit that it may bring forth fruit in due season accordingly: the increase whereof we shall shortly reap together with perfect joy and gladness, and that continually.
Therefore (my dear brother) I say unto you as good Elizabeth did to her dear cosin Mary: Happy are you, and happy shall you be for evermore, because you have believed. The most sweet and faithful promises of your redeemer Jesus Christ you have surely laid up in the treasury of your heart. His comfortable callings you have faithfully heard: his faithful admonitions you have humbly obeyed, and therefore you shall never come into judgment: your sins shall never be remembered: for your savior hath cast them all into the bottom of the sea: he hath removed them from you as far as is the East from the West, and hath given you for an everlasting possession his justification & holiness, so that now no creature neither in heaven nor in earth shall be able to accuse you before the throne of the heavenly king.
Satan is now judged: he is now cast out from you: he hath no part in you: you are wholly given unto Christ, which will not loose you, your steadfast faith in him hath overcome that sturdy and braggyng Prince of the world: Christ hath given you the final victory over him and all his army, that they shall never hurt you.
What would you have more? Oh my dear heart, howe great treasures are laid up in store for you, and how glorious a Crown is already made and prepared for you?
And albeit the holy Ghost doth bear witness of all these things in your heart, and maketh you more sure and certain thereof, then if you had all the outward oracles in the world: yet I being certainly persuaded and fully assured by the testimony of God's spirit in my conscience, of youre eternal and sure salvation in our sweet Sauioure Jesus Christ, have thought it good, yea and my bounden duty, not only at this time to write unto you, and to show my joyful heart in that behalf: but also by the word and commandment of Christ, to pronounce and affirm in the name and word of the heavenly king Jehovah, and in the behalf of his sweet son Jesus chryst our Lord, to whom all knees shall bow, whom all creatures shall worship: and also by the impulsion of the holy Ghost, by whose power and strength all the faithful be regenerate: I do (I say) pronounce to thee my dear brother T. V. that thou art already a Citizen of heaven.
The Lord thy God in whom thou doest put all thy trust, for his dear sons sake, in whom thou doest also undoubtedly believe, hath freely forgiven thee all thy sins, clearly released all thine iniquities, and full pardoned all thine offenses, be they never so many, so grievous, or so great, and will never remember them anymore to condemnation. As truly as he liveth, he will not have thee die the death, but hath utterly determined, purposed, and eternally decreed, that thou shalt live with him forever. Thy sore shall be healed, and thy wounds bound up even of himself for his own names sake. He doth not nor will not look upon thy sins in thee: but he respecteth and beholdeth thee in Christ, in whom thou art lively graffed by faith in his blood, and in whom thou art most assuredly elected and chosen to be a sweet vessel of his mercy and salvation, and wast thereto predestinate in him before the foundation of the world was laid. In testimony and earnest whereof, he hath given thee his good and holy spirit which worketh in thee, faith, love, and unfeigned repentance, with other godly virtues, contrary to the corruption of thy nature.
Also he hath commanded me this day (although a most unworthy wretch) to be a witness hereof by the ministry of his holy word, grounded upon the truth of his most faithful promises: the which thou believing, shalt live forever. Beleeuest thou this my dear heart? I know well thou doest believe. The Lord increase thy faith, and give thee a lively feeling of all his mercies: whereof thou art warranted and assured by the testimony of the holy Ghost, who confirm in thy conscience (to the utter overthrowing of Satan, and those his most hurtful dubitations whereby he is accustomed to molest and vex the true children of God) all that I have said: and by God's grace I will, as a witness thereof, confirm and seal the same with my blood, for a most certain truth.
Wherefore (my good brother) praise the Lord with a joyful heart, and give him thanks for this his exceeding great mercy, casting away all dubitation and wavering, yea all sorrow of heart and pensiuenesse of mind: for this the Lord your God and most dear and loving father, commandeth you to do by me, nay rather by his own mouth & word pronounced by me. But now my dear brother, after that I have done my message: or rather the Lord's message in deed, I could find in my heart to write 2. or 3. sheets of paper, declaring the joy I bear in my heart for you, mine own bowels in the Lord: yet the time being so short (as you do well know) I am here constrained to make an ende, desiring you to pardon my slackness, and to forgive my great negligence towards you, promising you still that so long as my poor life doth last, my prayer shall supply that my pen doth want▪ as knoweth the almighty God, to whose most merciful defense I do heartily commit you and all other his dear children, as well as though I had rehearsed them by name, desiring them most heartily to remember me in their hearty and dailye prayers, as I know right well they do: for I feel the daily comfort and commodity thereof, & therefore I neither will nor can forget them, nor you, or any such like. The blessing of God be with you all. Amē.
Yours forever unfeignedly, John Careles.
A letter of thanks to a faithful friend of his, by whom he had received much comfort in his inward troubles.
BLessed be God the father of all mercy, for the great comfort and Christian consolation which he hath so mercifully ministered unto my poor afflicted heart by your means, my moste dear and faithful brother. Truly me thinketh your words, or rather God's words by you uttered, have a wonderful power and efficacy working in my heart at the hearing or reading of them. Rejoice therefore my dear brother, and be thankful unto God: for verily he both is & will be mightily magnified in you, and that diverse and many ways, both to the strengthening of them that stand in his truth, and also to the raising up of such as are fallen from the same. God make me thankful for you & on your behalf, for verily great is the goodness of God towards me in giving me acquaintance in faithful love and amitye with you: God's name forever be praised therefore, and he perform all his merciful promises upon you, as I doubt not but he will, for his sake in whom you trust.
I thank my God most heartily, & also you my good brother, for that you are careful for me in your faithful prayers, remembering my just deserved sorrows, as though they were your own and laboring so much to solace the same. Ah my gracious good God, what am I, for whom thou & thy dear children should be so careful? Oh sweet Lord, forgive me my great ingratitude & sin, and grant that I never abuse thy great benefits. Oh let the love of thine elect, which love me for thy sake, be a sure sign & token, yea a most firm testimony & a seal to my sinful conscience of thine everlasting love and mercy towards me in Christ: as verily it would and ought to be, if mine infidelity did not let it. Oh circumcise therefore the foreskin of my heart, that I may with lively faith behold thy great love towards me in all thine elect, that I may always be thankful for the same, and love thee and them again most heartily and unfeignedly.
Ah my dear heart, how sweetly and how truly, yea howe godly & how comfortably have you rehearsed the sweet saying of Solomon concerning prosperity with true & godly friends? I will join with it the sentence which goeth a little before, for doubtless it may be well verified on you. A sure friend (saith the wise man) will be unto thee even as thine own soul, and deal faithfully with thy household folk. If thou suffer trouble and aduersitye, he is with thee, and hideth not his face from thee. A faithful friend is a strong defense: who so finedeth such a one, finedeth a treasure. A faithful friend hath no peer: the weight of gold is not to be compared to the goodness of his faith. A faithful friend is a medicine of life, and they that fear the Lord, shall find him. &c. Loe (my dear heart in the Lord) here is a lively image or description of you: for verily such a one have I always found you unto me, not only sorrowing for my great sorrow: but also oftentimes making me merry and joyful, with such joys as the world cannot feel. Now let the world brag of his feigned friendship: but I will boast of this true friendship in God, and esteem it a more treasure then all transitorye things. And as for my mourning, dear brother, God hath made you to tourne it unto mirth: for God hath put you in the stead of them to be my comfort, whom he hath in his great mercy taken away. I trust henceforth to leave the mourning for my great loss, and to praise God for gaining unto him self so great glory by his chosen children. God make me a true mourner of Zion, both for mine own sin and wickedness, and also to see his honor defaced, that I may be made meet and apt to bear the joyful and comfortable message that your beautiful feet shall bring me. God bless thee my dear heart and faithful loving brother and increase his good gifts of grace in thee, as he hath moste happily begun, that you may daily more effectually feel and lively perceive the certainty of God's grace wherein you stand, and firmly to testify the same, to the conversion or confoūding of all gainsayers, and to the comfort & confirmation of all God's dear children, Amen. Farewell mine own sweet brother, fare well as mine own heart.
Your own in Christ, John Careles·
An other letter of John Careles, to a certain godly faithful sister, by the name of E.K.
THe grace and free mercy of God in Jesus Christ the sweet consolations of the holy Ghost, the guide of all God's dear children, he with you, strengthen and comfort you my dearly beloved sweet sister E.K. now and ever. Amen.
Albeit, my dearly beloved sister in Christ, that as yet we did never see one another personally to any knowledge, yet by the virtuous report that I have heard of you, and also by the large loving token that I have received from you, me think that I do even presently see you, and behold your person, fa • thfully walking in the fear and love of God, joying and rejoicing with you in the spirit, as though we were sweetly talking together of Christ's verity. The Lord God do I humbly beseech in the bowels and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that he will strengthen us both with his holy and mighty spirit, that we may constantly continue in the confession of his truth unto the ende: that like as we now see one another presently in spirit, we may also see one another personally in the glorious presence of God and his holy Angels, where undoubtedly, we shall know one an others personage, to our great joy, felicitye, and endless comfort.
And now therefore dear sister K be strong in the Lord our God, for doubtless the time of trial is at hand: a great persecution with cruel murthering of God's dear Saints is like to be very shortly in this woeful wicked Realm of England. Therefore dear sister, for the love of God, prepare you to the Cross with all diligence, and make yourself ready to die with Christ, that you may also live with him forever. There is no remedy, if you will be Christ's Disciple, you must needs take up youre cross and follow him, for the Disciple must not look to be above his master, nor the servant to be better entreated then his Lord. If we were of the world (good sister) no doubt, the world would love us. But for as much as Christ hath chosen us out of the world, to serve God in spirit and verity, let us be well assured the world will hate us and persecute us, as it hath done our Lord and master Christ. But yet let us be of good cheare, for Christ hath overcome the world. The pain is but short that we can feel here, but the pleasure is perpetual that we shall feel elsewhere.
Let us set before us the example of Christ, which abode the Cross and despised the shame in respect of the joy that was set before him: Even so let us consider for whose sake we suffer, whose cause we defend, and what glorious reward we shall have at the day of our victory, & then doubtless the consolation of these things will make sweet all our suffringes, & soon swallow up all the sorrows that we are sow • ed in for God's sake. I could recite diverse texts of the Scriptures to confirm this pointe. But I need not, for I am well assured that you do know them most perfectly already The Lord give you strength and assist you with his holy spirit, that you may continually walk in all pointes according to your godly knowledge: And then shall you not do as the moste parte of our Gospellers do now adaies, the more is the pity.
There are a great many in England, that do perfectlye know, that the Idolatrous Mass is abhominable, Deuelishe, and detestable in the sight of God. And yet alas, they be not afraid to pollute and defile their bodies, which ought to be the temples of the holy Ghoste, with being present at it, so sinning against God and their own conscience.
But dere sister K. do you fly from it, both in body & soul, as you would fly from the very Devil himself. Drink not of the whore of Babylon's cup by no means, for it will infecte the body, and poison the soul. Be not partakers of her sins (saith the Angel) least you be partakers of the plagues that shortly shall be poured upon her. O what an array is this? that so many that know God's truth, will now tourne again and defile them selves in the filthy puddle of antichristes stinking religion? They go about to save their lives with their dowble dissimulation: but doubtless, they shall loose everlasting life by it, if they do not repent in time, and tourne unto the Lord. But dear sister, my trust is, that you do utterly abhor the coming to any such thing. I hope that you will not by any means turn back into Egypt now, but that you will boldly venter through the wilderness of trouble and persecution, that you may come into the lande that floweth with all kind of heavenly pleasures and joyful delectations, and possess the same forever.
Lette us consider, howe that everyone of us doeth owe unto God a death by nature, and howe soon the Lord will require it of us, we know not. O howe happy are we then, if God of his goodness appoint us to pay natures dette with suffering for his truth and Gospels sake, and so making us his faithful witnesses with the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and Confessors, yea with his dearly beloved son Jesus Christ, to whom he doeth here begin to fashion us like in suffering, that we might be like him also in glory. Thus my dearly beloved sister, I have ben bold to trouble you a little with my rude & simple letter, being made in hast as it doth appear. Yet I desire you to take it in good woorthe, as a token of my poor zeal unto you, and to accept my good will. And if it please God to spa • e me life and liberty, I trust hereafter to write unto you more largely. Fare ye well dear sister E.K. the Lord bless you and all yours, and pour upon you the heavenly dew of his grace. The Lord endue you with plentiful knowledge of his verity, and fill you with his holy and mighty spirit, that you may continually rejoice in the comforts of the same now and ever, Amen. Pray, pray, pray, with steadfast faith.
Your daily Orator John Careles, prisoner of the Lord.
In the letters of William Tymmes, ye heard before, page 1897. much mention made of Agnes Glascock. Thys Agnes Glascocke, through infirmity, and her husbands persuasion, was allured to go to Mass. For which cause she falling in great sorrow and repentance was raised up again by the comfortable Letters of William Tymmes and John Careles, as before you may read, and after that was constante in the sincere profession of the verity, and in danger for the same of persecution: unto whom John Careles writeth therefore this letter as followeth.
A letter of Careles to Agnes Glascocke.
THe everlasting peace of God in Jesus Christ: the continual aide, strength, and comforts of his moste pure, holy, and mighty spirit be with you my dear & faithful sister Glascock, to the good performance of that good work which God hath so graciously begun in you, to his glory, the commoditye of his poor affl • cted Church, and to your own eternal comfort in him, Amen.
In our Lord I have my most humble and hearty commendations unto you my dear sister, & most faithful mother Glascocke, with all remembrance of you in my daily prayers, giving God most hearty laude, praise, and thanks, for you and on your behalf, in that he of his great mercy hath hitherto so mightily strengthened you, constantly to cleave unto youre Captayne Christ, notwithstanding the great assaults and manifold temptations, that you have had to the contrary. Doubtless dear heart it cannot be expressed, what joy and comfort it is unto my very soul, to see howe mightily the Lord hath magnified him self in you, and other his dear elect darlings, whom he will shortly glorify with himself, as he hath done other of his sweet Saints that are gone before you. Rejoice therefore & be glad: for verilye you have good cause if you diligently consider the great dignity that God hath called you unto even now in your old age, to be one of his worthy witnesses unto the world, and I think you shall with me and other youre brethren in bonds, seal the Lord's verity with the testimony of your blood. Surely sweet sister, this is the greatest promotion that God cā bring you or any other unto in this life: and an honor that the highest aungel in heaven is not permitted to have.
Therefore happy are you, Oh faithful daughter of Abraham, that the Lord will now prefer you before many other, yea or any other of your age, that I do know in England. Oh faithful and virtuous matron, which wilt not be moved from the sure rock Christ, upon whom you have so firmly built your house, that neither storms nor tempests, neither yet bell gates, or any other temptations shall ever be able once to prevail against it. Full well doeth it appear by your constant continuance, that you have played the parte of a wise builder, in counting the cost afore hand, belonging to the finishing of your tower. And I doubt not but (through God's gift) you have sufficient to the performaunce thereof, that the hypocrites of their parte shall have no just cause to triumph against you, or to mock you, saying, loe this woman began to build, but is not able to make an ende. Therefore go on boldlye and fear not: for God is faithful (as S. Paul saith) which will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength, but either will he give you grace and strength to stand unto the death (which is the gate and entrance into life) or else he will make such an outscape for you, as shall be to the setting forth of his glory: the which above all other things, we that are his chosen children ought for to seek, yea even with the loss of our own lives, being yet well assured that the same shall not be shortened one minute of an hour before the time that God hath appointed.
Cast therefore (dear sister) all your care upon the Lord, which (as S. Peter saith) careth for you. Great is his providence for you, and mighty is his love and mercy towards you. Wyth his grace he will defend you, and with his holy spirit he will evermore guide you: wherewith he hath surely sealed you unto the day of redemption: he hath also given you the same in earnest for the recouerye of the purchased possession, which he hath prepared for you before the foundation of the world was laid. Be strong therefore and take a good heart, as I hear say you be. God forever be blessed for you, which hath graft his love in your good heart that nothing is able to separate you from the same, but will rather choose to suffer adversity with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a little season. Oh happy woman that canst find in thine heart to esteem the rebukes of Christ to be greater rich • sse then all the treasures of the world, as good Moses did. Doubtless great is your reward in heaven: which you shall shortly receive of his free gift, and not of any deserving.
Thus dear mother Glascocke, I have been bold to trouble you with my rude and simple letters, desiring you to take them in good woorthe, being done in great haste, as it doeth appear: but yet proceeding from a poor heart which floweth over in love towards you: as my dailye prayers for you can testify: which I trust shall supplye that parte of my duty towards you, that my pen now wanteth. I thank you dear heart, for all your loving tokens, and for the great kindness you have hitherto shown unto my poor brother Tymmes and his wife and children, with all other of God's people, to whom you daily do good: the Lord recompense the same seuenfolde into your bosom, as I doubt not but he will, according to his infallible promises. I pray you have my hearty commendations unto your husband. I beseech the Lord strength him in the confession of his truth (as my t • ust is that he will) that we may all joyfully rest with Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob in the kingdom of God: unto the which he bring us, that with his most precious blood hath bought us. The blessing of God be with you now and ever. Amen.
Your daily Orator and unfeigned lover John Careles, prisoner of the Lord. Pray, pray, pray.
A brief admonition written to Mistress Agnes Glascocke, in a book of hers, when she came to the prison to visit him.
THere is nothing that the holy Scripture throughout, doth so much commend unto us, as true Faithe and stedfaste trust in the promises of God's eternal mercies towards us in Jesus Christ. For from the same, as forth of the chief fountain and well spring of life, do flowe all kinds of virtues and godly fruits, specially true love towards God, in the which we ought purelye to serve him all the days of our life: and also Christian charitye towards our neighbors, as well to help them at all needs, as also not to hurt them by any means. Therefore pray earnestly for the increase of Faythe and lively feelinge of God's mercy: for all things are possible unto him that can undoubtedly believe. Faith is that thing which assureth us of God's mercy, and whereby we vanquishe all the fierye darts of the devil: our victory that overcometh the world: the knife that killeth and mortifieth the flesh: and finally that which setteth us at peace with God, and quieteth our consciences always before him, and maketh us merry and joyful under the cross, with many moe things then I can now express. Pray therefore for faith, in faith. And for the Lord's sake, beware of Popery and Popish Idolatry, the Idol of the wicked Mass, and other idolatrous service. Make not your body▪ which is a member of Christ▪ a member of Antichrist. Remember that we shall receive of god according to that we do in the body, be it good or evil. Therefore glorify god, in your body which is dearly bought. Betray not the truth, least the Lord deny you. If God be God, follow him. You cannot serve two masters. I write not this as doubting you, but by the way of admonition. God keep you from all evil.
An other Letter of John Careles to Mistress A.G. to comfort her in her repentance, after she had been at Mass, fruitful for all them to be read, which have fallen, and are to be raised up again.
THe peace of God in Jesus Christ: the eternal comforts of his sweet spirit be with you, and strength and comfort you my dear and faithful sister. Amen.
Although the pearillous days be come, whereof Christ prophesied▪ that if it were possible the very elect should be deceived: yet let the true faithful Christians rejoice and be glad, knowing that the Lord him self is their keeper, who will not suffer one hair of their heads to pearish without his almighty good will and pleasure, neither will suffer them to be further tempted then he will give them strength to bear: but will in the midst of their temptation make away for them to escape out: So good and gracious a God is he to all his chosen children. And though sometimes he do let his elect stumble and fall, yet (no doubt) he will raise them up again to the further increase of their comfort, and to the setting forth of his glory and praise. Which thing (my dear and faithful loving sister) I trust shall be well verified on you. For I do hear say that by the manifold allurementes, enticements, procurementes, yea, and enforcements that you dear heart have had, your foot hath chanced to slip forth of the way, to the great discomfort of your soul, and the heaviness of your heart: but my good sister, be of good cheare, for the Lord will not so leave you, but he will raise you up again, and make you stronger then ever you were: so that your fall shall tourne to his glory and youre profit. For if you had not by this proved the experience of your own strength, or rather your own weakness, you would have stand too much in your own conceit, or perchance have glorified in yourself, and have despised and condemned other weak persons that have committed the like offense. Therefore now you may see what the best of us all can do, if God leave us to our selves. Which thing ought to move you to be diligent to call earnestly upon God for his grace and the strength of his holy spirit (without the which we are not able to stand one hour) & to be most thankful for the same when you have it, and then to be more circumspecte in time to come.
Therefore dear sister, seeing that you have done otherwise, then the word of God and your own conscience would allow, yet dear heart, do you not think that God therefore will cast you clean away, but know that he hath mercy enough in store for all them that truly repent and believe in him, although the sins of them were as many in number as the sandes in the sea, and as great as the sins of the whole world. It is a greater sin to mistrust the mercy and promises of God, then to commit the greatest offense in the world. Therefore (good sister) beware in any wise, that you do not once mistrust the promises of God's mercy towards you: but know for a very surety that all youre sins be utterly forgiven you for Christ's sake, be they never so many, so grievous, or so great.
But now (dear heart) take heed and beware that you do not cloak that sin and increase the same daily, in communicating with the wicked in their Idolatry, and devilish doings at their den of thieves. Do not (I say) dear sister, come at any of their Antichristian service, least by little and little you utterly lose a good conscience, and at length esteem it for none offense: as (alas) a great number doth at this day, to the great pearill of their souls. The Lord be merciful unto them, and give them grace to repent in time and tourne to the Lord, and then they shall be sure to find mercy at the Lord's hand, as doubtless you have done, praised be his name therefore.
Ah my dear sister, you may now see the words of Christ verified upon yourself: that a man's greatest foes shall be they of his own household: for your husband hath gotten you to do that, which all the tyrants in the world could never have made you to do. Doubtless he may be sory for it. God give him grace to repent, or else, without doubt, it will be laid to his charge one day, when he would not by his will hear it for all the goods in the world. Well, I think my brother Tymmes will write him a letter shortly that shall touche his conscience, if he have any conscience at all.
But now again to you dere sister. The thing that is done cannot be undone, and you are not the first that hath offended, neither are you so good and so holy, as hath at a time slipped forth of the way. Therefore I would not have you to be so much discomforted as I hear say you be, as though God were not able to forgive you your offense, as he was to forgive his dear Saints that offended him in times past: or as though God were not as merciful now, as ever he was. Whereas in very deed, There is with the Lord (as the Prophet saith) mercy and plentiful redemption: and his mercy far surmounteth all his works: and he never faileth any that put their whole trust and confidence in him, howe great an offender or howe wicked a trespasser so ever he be: No, he maketh their falls and backslidings many times to tourne to their profit and commodity, and to the setting forth of his glory: As doubtless dear sister, yours shall do, if you put your whole faith, hope, and trust only in his infinite and eternal sweet mercies.
Oh what a suttel, crafty, lying serpent is that Satan our old enemy, that when he seeth that he cannot make us to continue in our wickedness to do him service, would then bring us into a doubting and mistrusting of the mercy of God: which is the greatest offense that can be: yea infidelitye is the root and original of all other sins. Therefore (my sweet sister) give no place to that cruel adversary of mankind, who hath been a liar and a murderer from the beginning, but stedfastlye believe the Lord, who hath sent you word by me his most unworthy servant, that all your sins be pardoned, forgiven, and clean released for Jesus Christ's sake our only Lord and Savior. To whom with the father, and the holy Ghost, be all honor, glory, praise, thanks, power, rule, and dominion forever & forever, Amen. Farewell my dear sister, and be of good cheare. Believe in the Lord and you shall live forever. The Lord increase your faith. Amen. Amen.
Your poor brother and daily faithful Orator John Careles, prisoner of the Lord. Pray for me.
An other letter of John Careles to A.B. a faithful Minister of the Lord, containing certain fruitful precepts of Matrimony.
I Beseech the same everlasting Lord (my dear and faithful brother) that blessed young Tobias with his wife Sara, & brought them together in due time with reverence and fear, preserve and bless you both, and your seed after you, that they may increase the number of the faithful by thousands and thousands. And as the Lord of his great mercy and fatherly providence hath been always careful for you, and now hath for your comfort accomplished his good work in coupling you with a faithful mate: so see that you be thankful for his providence towards you, that it may every way in you be an increase of love & godliness, yea of Christian joy and gladness in these sorrowful days: but yet so, that you mourn with the true mourners of Zion, and be sorry (yet in measure) for the hurt of the same. Pray also in faith for her prosperity, that the Lord may build up the walls of Jerusalem again.
Oh that the Lord would turn Syons captivity as the river, into the South: Then should our hearts be made glad, and our mouths filled with laughter. Then would the heathen hypocrites say: the Lord hath done much for them. Oh, the Lord hath done great things for us already: whereof let us heartily rejoice and praise his name therefore. For though we now sow with tears, yet shall we be sure to reap with gladness: and as we now go forth weeping, bearing forth good seed, so shall we come again with joy, and bring our sheaves full of corn. Yea, the death of the Martyrs (which is most precious in his sight) shall be the life of the Gospel, spite of the Papists hearts.
Pray for me (dear heart) that I may be counted worthy to so we some seed amongst the sweet Saints of the Lord, that I may reap the same again without ceasing, at the harvest. It is now sowing time of the year, men say in the country, and I think that I shall make an ende of sowing before all Marche be past; for I hear say that I shall prove how my plough will enter into the stony ground of the hard hearted Papists, within these 4 days. I hope to hold fast, and not to look back, neither for fear nor flattery, until I have made an ende of sowing, and then will I set me down and rest me, and ask them all no leave, and look for the lively fruit and increase thereof with joy and gladness.
My dear brother, the time approacheth near (I praise God therefore) that I must put off this sinful tabernacle, and go home to my heavenly father, where diverse of my dear brethren are all ready, looking and wishing for me. I beseech you therefore that you will help me forewarde with your faithful prayers, as I know you do, for I do feel the comfort and commoditye thereof.
That you have observed my simple counsel, I am right glad, and I trust in the Lord God, you shall find comfort in the same. And that you may so do in deed, I have been so bold to write these few words unto you, because I shall see you no more in this corruptible life, therefore mark them well. First and above all things, you must be very circumspecte to keep the bande of love, and beware that there never spring up the root of bitterness between you. If at any time there hap̄ to rise any cause of unkindness between you (as it is impossible always to be free from it) see that you weed up the same with all lenity, gentleness and patience, and never suffer yourself, nor youre wife to sleep in displeasure.
If you have cause to speak sharpelye, and sometimes to reprove, beware that you do not the same in the presence of other: but keep your words until a convenient time (which is the point of a wise man, saith Solomon) and then utter them in the spirit of meekness and the groaning spirit of perfect love: which you must also let sometimes to cover faults, and wink at them if they be not intolerable. What so ever loss and mischance shall happen unto you, take it patiently, and bear it merely· and though the same should come partly through your wives negligence, yet let it rather be a loving warninge to take heed in time to come, then a cause of sorrow for that which is past & cannot be holpen. I know by mine own experience, that we are in this life subject to many inconveniences, and that of nature we are prone to displeasure, and ready to think unkindness for every little trifle, and specially with our best friends, yea soonest with our loving wives, which be moste lothest to displease us.
But let us beware of this cankered corruption, and consider that we ought most of all, in love to bear with them, according to Christ's example towards his congregation, for whom he gave himself to cleanse it. &c. I had thought to have treated this matter at large, but even now I am interrupted and otherwise letted. I doubt not but you know your duty therein a great deal better then I can declare it unto you, and as you know it, so will do it: but I love to be bold with you. I intend to write also to your wife very shortly, and so take my last farewell of you forever in this world. And thus in great haste I am now constraind to make an end. The blessing of god be always with you.
Your own forever John Careles. Pray, pray, pray with faith.
An other letter of John Careles to Elizabeth, wife of the said A.B. containing likewise certain Godly precepts of Matrimony pertaining to her duty.
THe everlasting peace of God in Jesus Christ, the continual aide, strength, and comfort of his moste holy and mighty spirit, with increase of knowledge, faith, and perfect feeling of God's eternal mercy, be with you my dear and faithful loving sister. E.B. and with your godly loving husband my dear and faithful brother, to the full performaunce of that good which he hath so graciously begun in you, that in all things you may be made riche and blessed in him, and your seed after you, now and ever Amen.
As I have been long desirous to write unto you (my dear heart in the Lord) not only being thereto bound of duty, but also often provoked of him, to whom I owe myself and all that I am able to do (I mean even that blessed of the Lord's own mouthe, whom God hath joined with you in that holy and Christian state of Matrimony) even so at the last I have obtained time and occasion, in some part to perform that which I have long purposed. And for as much as the Lord of his great mercy and fatherlye care and providence over you his dear child, hath now graciously accomplished that good work amongst many others, which I (as a friend of the bridegroom) have full heartily wished and often prayed for: I think it good, yea and my bounden duty, to treat of such things as may be profitable to preserve mutual love and faithful amity between you: which I know Satan will chiefly labor to diminish, if he cannot altogether destroy the same, lest by many joyful occasions you should be provoked continually to praise God for his good gift, which that enemy hath by all means sought to hinder from you.
As for all other things, I know you are sufficiently instructed & also have a most learned companion, who is well able further to teach you if need do require. But in this thing I know my experience is more then his. Therefore my good sister, first and before all things, see that you do diligently consider, that as every good and perfect gift pertaining to soul and body, is given from above, and cometh from the father of light: even so to whom • o ever the Lord dealeth any of his benefits, of them he doth chiefly require always a thankful heart for the same: For else he will either take away his good gifts again, or turn the same to their great discommoditie, and in the ende to the increase of their damnation: So detestable in his sight is the sin of ingratitude. But to such as be thankful for his benefits he doeth not only to the old ever add new, but also maketh the commodity of his former gifts ever more and more to increase until by them they are fully persuaded and throughlye certified of his everlasting love in Christ Jesus, which is eternal life it self: So much doth he of his great mercy delight in a thankful heart.
Therefore I do yet once again earnestly require you, that above all things you be thankful to God for his benefits: not only for your election, creation, redemption, and preservation, but also for his other temporal gifts wherewith he hath endued you: amongst the which the chief and moste excellent is (as testifieth the holy Ghost) your good, godly, and faithful loving husband. For (as the wise man saith) Goods and possessions may come to a man by the death of his friends, but a good wife is the gift of God, which the Lord will give for a good portion, to such as fear him.
And the like is of a good husband, as the Lord hath now given you, praised be his name therefore. He hath not given you an ignorant, froward, churlish, brawling, wasteful, rioting drunken husband, wherewith he hath plagued many other (as he might also have done you) but he hath given you a moste godly, learned, gentle, loving, quiet, patient, thri • tie, diligent & sober husband: by whom he will nourish, cherish, keep and defend you, instruct and teach you, yea care and provide for you and your childrē (the which he will also by him give you) such things, as be necessary for you. He hath not dealt so with everybody: and yet he hath done this and much more for you my dear sister, & will thereto increase joy and love between you. For as he delighteth in the love & godly agreement of man and wife together, so is it he only that maketh them and all the whole household to be of one mind. Unto the which his gracious work he requireth your diligence, and will use you as his instrument and mean, the more effectuously to accomplish the same. And therefore I now require you to observe this my simple counsel, the which I have here written as a testimonial of my good will towards you, because I think in this life I shall never more see you.
Now, as I have shown you how you should be thankful unto God for his good gifts: so I exhort you, and as much as in me lieth) charge you to be evermore thankful unto your dear loving husband: who hath given him self unto you: which is a more precious jewel in the Church of God, then perchance you are yet aware of. Thincke yourself unworthy to be matched with such an instrument of God: and also reverence evermore the gifts of God in him, and seek with true obedience and love to serve him, in recompense of his true & painful heart towards you. Be loath in any wise to offend him: yea rather be careful & diligent to please him, that his soul may bless you. If at any time you shall chance to anger him, or to do or speak any thing that shall grieve him, see that you never rest until you have pacified him and made him merry again.
If at any time he shall chance to blame you without a cause, or for that you cannot do therewith (which thing happeneth sometimes of the best men living) see that you bear it patiently, and give him no uncomely or unkind word for it: but ever more look upon him with a loving and cheerful countenance, and rather take the fault upon you, then seem to be displeased.
Be always merry and chereful in his company, but not with too much lightness. Beware in any wise of swelling, powting, or lowering, for that is a token of a cruel and unloving heart: except it be in respect of sin, or in the time of sickness.
Be not sorrowful for any adversity that God sendeth: but beware that nothing be spilte or go to waste through your negligence. In any wise see that you be quick and cleanly about his meat and drink, and prepare him the same according to his diet in due season. Go cleanely and well favoredly in your apparel, but beware of pride in any wise.
Finally in word and deed show yourself wise, humble, merry, and loving towards him, and also towards such as he doeth love, and then shall you lead a blessed life. I could speak of many things, the which I have learned and proved true by experience: but I know that you will do in all things, much better then I can teache you, because you have that anointing that teacheth you all things: who hath also given you an heart to obey, and serve him. Yet I trust you will not be offended for this, which I have written: but rather accept my good will towards you, whom I love in the Lord, as well as I do my daughter Judith.
Thus as mine own soul, I commend you both to God, desiring him to bless you with all manner of spiritual blessings, in heavenly things, and also with the dew of heaven, and fatness of the earth, that in all things you may be made rich in Jesus Christ our Lord and only Savior. The Lord increase and bless the fruit of your bodies, that your children may stand round about your table, thick, fresh and lusty, like the Olive branches God give you both a long life, that you may see and bless your children's children, unto the third and fourth generation, and teach them the true fear and love of God, and that faith for the which they shall be accepted in his sight.
God let you see the prosperity of Zion, for whose lying in the dust, let your hearts mourn. The Lord make perfect your love together in him, and always increase the same, and bring you both in peace to your graves, at a good age. And now I bid you both moste heartily farewell: and I think I shall now take my leave of you forever in this life. I beseech you both to aide me with your continual prayers (as I will not forgette you in mine) that I may have a joyful victory through Jesus Christ: To whose most merciful defense, I do moste heartily forever commend you to be kept unblameable, until his coming: The which I beseech him to hasten for his mercies sake.
Your own unfeignedly, John Careles, prisonner of the Lord.
The history and Martyrdom of a learned and virtuous young man, called Iulins Palmer, sometime fellow of Magdalene College 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.
T He same month of July, in which Careles, as before is declared, was released out of prison by death, in short time after, about the 16. day of the said month of July, suffered these 3. godly and constante Martyrs above mentioned, at Newbery, in which number was Iulins Palmer, sometime student and fellow of Magdalene College in Oxford, and afterwards Schoolmaster in the town of Reading. Concerning whose story and Martyrdom here followeth, although not so much as he deserveth to be said: yet so much as sufficiently may set forth the great working of God in this young man.
Iulins Palmer.
AS all God's works are wondrous, in calling of all sorts of men to confirm his truth, and to bear witness unto his assured and infallible word, which the adversaries have depraved, and corrupted with their false glosses, to establish the fleshly kingdom of Antichrist, and to purchase security in the world, which they seek to keep in their possession by all means possible, rather curssing with the thunderbolte of excommunication, burning, hanging, drowning, racking, scourging, and persecuting by secrete practice, and open violence, the simple sheep of our Savior Christ: then that their false forged packing, should be detected, their estimation appaired, their kitchen cooled, their rents, revenues, goods, lands and possessions abated: I say as God's works be woonderful, which chooseth some of all sortes to confess his Gospel: so there is no one example, in the whole godly fellowship of martyrs, more to be marked, yea, more to be woēdered at, then this: that one, which in all King Edward's days, was a Papist within the University of Oxford, and so obstinate, as that he did utterly abhor all godly Prayer, and sincere Preaching, and almost of all them, with whom he lived, was therefore likewise abhorred, & (as I may say) pointed at with the finger, did yet after in Queen Mary's time suffer most cruel death, at the Papists hands, at Newberie in Barkeshire, for the most ready, and zealous profession of the blessed truth.
Hys name was Iulins Palmer, borne in Coventry, where also his parents dwelt. His father had some time been Major of that City, and occupied Marchandise, all be it he was an Upholster by his mystery. How he was brought up in his young and tender years, from his first entering, we know not, but as we have learned, he was sometime scholar to master Harley, which taught the free school of Magdalene College in Oxford, by whose diligence, and the goodness of his own capacity, he became a toward young scholar in prose and verse. For he had a very prompt and ready memory, a wit sharp and pregnant. He spake Latin with great facilitye of utterance, and wanted not competent knowledge in y e Greke tongue: in so much that diverse times he supplied the room of the Greke reader in his house. He was a subtle disputer, both in the public schools, and also at home. He used to say, y t he was never so pleasantly occupied, as when he came to the hard debating, of profounde questions in Philosophy? so that he hath oftentimes watched and spent the whole night in the discussing, and searching out the truth of deep and diffuse questions, as De principijs, de infinito, de vacuo, te tempore, de casu, & fortuna. &c. And this used he to do sundry times, with diverse of his equals.
In familiar talk he greatly delited, for the exercise of his learning, to defend y e contrary to that, which was affirmed, yet with modestye, and w t out all ostentation. For he greatly abhorred all overthwart cavilling, all frivolous talk, and unsavory brabbling. He was not captious, but would reason so soberly, & with such probability, that evē his adversaries would no less marvel at the dexterity of his invention: then at his comely and decent behavior in prosecuting the same.
And although he applied Divinity very lately, it appeareth, y t he recompēsed the small time of his study, w t the greatness of his diligence bestowed in the same, & his late coming to the truth, with his earnest & zealous proceeding therein. For by the secrete inspiration of God's holy spirit, inwardly working in his heart, he gave an apparent signification in his young years, y t if God had spared his life to age, he would have grown to such maturity & ripeness of judgment, as whereby he should have ben an ornament to Christ's Church, and an honor to his country.
And somewhat to speak of his civil behavior, he was of manners courteous without curiosity, of countenance cheerful, without high looks, of speech pleasant, without affectation, he was affable and lowlye as any child, and yet quick spirited, and vehement in reasoning. He practiced no deceit toward any man, for he was of such simplicitye, that he was apter to be deceived, then to deceive, and he was so great a cōtemner of all reproaches and injuries, that he would say: none were to be counted valiant, but such as could despise injury.
In private study he was so infatigable, that he arose ordinarily every morning at 4. of the clock, and went not lightly to bed, before 10. at night. In so much y t as he grew in years & understanding: so he came to be a Bachelor of Art, & at length for the hope appering in him, to y e preferment of a fellowship in Mag. college, where also he was admitted to y e office of a reader in logique. An. 1550. Now if he had at the first, favored sincere religiō, so much as he followed his book, then had we had the les matter to note in him. But in deed he was so much (as is aforesaid) addicted to the Romish faith, y t his company & conversation in y e same house, was altogether with such, as were utter enemies to the gospel of Christ. If he came to common prayer at any time, it was vy violence, & compulsiō, for otherwise he came not. Sermons would he hear none himself, nor yet suffer his scholars to resort unto them, by his good will, for he was full persuaded, that they might be better occupied at home. The Preachers themselves, he did both disdain and despise, and all such as were setters forth of sound doctrine beside. For the which contumacy, & stubbornness, he was so often called before the Officers of the College, and punished sometime by the pursse, sometime by the lack of his commons, and otherwhile by certain tasks, and exercises of learning, enjoined unto him: that diverse supposed him to have endeavored of set purpose, continually to seek occasion, whereby he might be counted a sufferer for that fantasied religion of the Romish Church.
In the ende, not longe before the death of King Edward that godly Prince, certain sclaunderous libelles, and railing Uerses, were privily fixed to the walls and doors in sundry places of the College against the President, which was then Doctor Haddon, whereby was ministered further matter of trouble to Palmer. For whereas it was well known that he, and some of his companions, had very little before, spoken contumelious words against the President: it could not be now avoided, but that thereby arose a vehement surmise and suspicion, that he conspiring with others, had contrived, made, and scattered abroad the said slanderous writings. Great inquisition was made in the College, to search out the author of so malicious and despiteful a deed, but nothing could be found and proved against Palmer, or any of his companions. Now Palmer being hereuppon examined by the Officers, did not only with stout courage deny the fact to have been his: but also spake further many reprochefull words touching the said Officers, and sent the same to them in writing, whereby he was by them adjudged to be an unworthy member of that society. And so for this, and other Popish pranckes (continuing obstinate still) he was expelled the house.
After he was thus dispatched of his room, he was fain for his own maintenance, to apply him self to be a teacher of children, in the house of sir Frances Knolles, in the which trade he continued until the coming of Queen Mary. And whē her visitors were sent to Magdalene College, under a title of reformation (whereas all things were better afore) I mean to displace diverse of the fellows that were learned, and to put right Catholics (as they called them) in their roumes: then came this Iulins Palmer, waiting to be restored to his living again, of which he had been deprived before, thinking by good right, to be restored of them, whose Faith and religion (as he said) he did to the uttermost of his power defend and maintain. And in deed, at length he obtained the same. Then after he was restored again, to his house in Queen Mary's reign, God dealt so merciful with him, that in the ende he became of an obstinate Papist, an earnest and a zealous Gospeller.
Concerning whose conversion to the truth, for the more credit to be given to the same, we have here put down a letter written by one M. Bullingham, fellow in some part of K. Edward's time, with the said Palmer, then also of the same faction of religion with him, and toward the latter end of the said Kings reign, a voluntary exile in France, for papistry. In Queen Mary's days, likewise a chaplain unto Stephen Gardener, B. of Wint. And after coming in of Queen Elizabeth such a one, as for his obstinacy was quite and clean dispatched from all his livings by her Majesty's commissioners. And yet now (God be praised therefore) a most constant professor, and earnest teacher of the word of God. This man at the request of a certain friend of his in Londō, being desirous to know the certain truth thereof, wrate unto him concerning this Iulins. The copy of which letter we thought good here to insert, for that the parties being alive, can testify the same to be true and certain, if any shall doubt thereof.
The letter of M. Bullingham is this.
M. B. I wish you and all yours continual health in the Lord. Hitherto have I not written anything unto you concerning Iulines Palmer, that constante witness of God's truth, for that his doings and sayings known unto me, were worn out of my remembrance: and to write an vntroth it were rather to deface & blemish, then to adorn and beutify him. After his conversion to the most holy gospel I never saw his face. Wherefore the less have I to certifye you off. But so much as seemeth to me to serve most unto the purpose, here I commend unto you: and in witness that my sayings are true, I subscribe my name, willing, praying, and beseechinge you to publish the same to the whole world. &c. At what time I Bullingham intended to forsake England, and to fly into France for the wicked Popes sake (which came to pass in deed: for in Roane I was for a time) this Iulines Palmer, and Rich. Ducke, brought me outwardes in my journey til we came to London: where, on a day Iulines Palmer & I walked to S. James the Queens place: and as we leaned at the great gate of that place, Palmer spake thus unto me. Bullingham, you know into what misery and calamities we are fallen for the Pope & his religion We are young men, abhorred of all men now presently, and like to be abhorred more and more. Let us consider what hangeth over our heads. You are departing into a strange country, both frendless and monilesse, where I fear me you shall taste of sowrer sauces then hitherto you have done. And as for me I am at my wits end. The face of hell itself, is as amiable unto me as the sight of Magdalene college. For there I am hated as a venomous Tode. Woulde God I were raked under the earth. And as touching our religion, even our consciences bear witness that we taste not such an inward swetenesse in the profession thereof, as we understand the gospellers to taste in their religion. Yea, to say the truth, we maintain we wote not what, rather of will then of knowledge. But what then? Rather then I will yield unto them, I will beg my bread. So Palmer bequeathed him self to the wide world and I passed over into Normandy. At my return into England again, my chance was to mete Palmer in Paul's, where a Rood was set up. (This our meeting was in the beginning of Queen Mary's reign, and our miserable departing not long before the ende of K. Edward's days.) Then after our greting, thus said Palmer. Bullingham, is this our God, for whō we have smarted? No Palmer (quod I): it is an image of him. An Image quod he? I tell thee plainly Bullinghā, John Calvin (whose institutions I have perused since our departure) telleth me plainly by God's word that it is an idol, and that the Pope is Antichrist, and his clergy the filthy sink hole of hell: and now I believe it. For I feel it sensibly. O that God had revealed these matters unto me in times past. I would have bequeathed this Romish religion or rather irreligion to the Devil of hell frō whence it came. Beleue them not Bullingham I will rather have these knees pared of, then I will kneel to yonder Iacknapes, (meaning the rode) God help me. I am borne to trouble and adversity, in this world. Well Palmer (said I) is the wind in that corner with you? I warrant you it will blow you to l • tle ease at the end. I will never have to do with you again. So I left Palmer walking in Paul's, who thorough the element of fire is exalted above the elements, where eternal rest is prepared for persecuted Martyrs. Thus much is true: and let it be known that I Bullingham affirm it to be true. More I have not to say. In these words and deeds it appeareth that God had elected him. From Bridgewater. April. 26. Anno. 1562.
By me John Bullingham.
When he was by the visiters restored to his College, although he began something to savor and taste of God's truth, by conference and company of certain godly and zealous men abroad, in time of his expulsion, specially at the house of sir Frances Knowls: yet was he not thoroughly persuaded, but in most points continued for a while, either blind, or else doubtful. Neither could he choose, but utter himself in private reasoning from time to time, both in what points he was fully resolved, and also of what points he doubted. For such was his nature always, both in Papistry, and in the Gospel: utterly to detest all dissimulation, in so much that by the means of his plainness, and for that he could not flatter, he suffered much woe, both in K. Edwards, and also in Queen Mary's time. Whereas he might at the first have lived in great quietness, if he could have dissembled, and both done, and spoken against his conscience, as many stirring Papists then did. And likewise he might have escaped burning in Queen Mary's time, if he would either have spoke • or kept silence against his conscience, as many weak Gospellers did. But Palmer could in no wise dissemble.
Now within short space, God so wrought in his heart that he became very inquisitive, and careful to hear and understand, howe the Martyrs were apprehended, what articles they died for, how they were used, and after what sort they took their death. In so much that he spared not at his own charges, to send over one of his scholars, in the company of a Bachelor of that house, to Gloucester, to see & understand the whole order of B. Hoopers death, and to bring him true report thereof. Which thing some think, he the rather did, because he was wont 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 valiantly they overcame all kind 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 much that the first hope, which the godly conceived of him, was at the return from the burning of B. Ridley, and B. Latimer. At what time in the hearing of diverse of his friends, he brast out into these words, and such like: O raging cruelty, O tyranny tragical, and more than barbarous.
From that day forward, he studiously sought to understand the truth, and therefore with all speed he borrowed Peter Martyrs Commentaries upon the first to the Corinthes▪ of one of Magdalenes yet alive, and other good books of other men. And so through hearty prayer and diligent search, and conference of the scriptures, at length he believed and embraced y e truth with great joy: and so profited in the same, that daily more and more, he declared it both in word and deed: In such sort, as he never hated the truth more stubbornly before, then afterward he willingly embraced the same, whē it pleased God to open his eyes and to reveal unto him the light of his word. And now again when he should come to Church, in those days of Popery, there to be occupied among the rest, in singing of Respondes, reading of Legendes, and such like stuff allotted unto him, he had as much pleasure (he said) to be at them, as a Bear to be baited, and wearied with dogs. When he came, it was (as it appeared) more to avoid displeasure, and danger: then for any good will, and ready affection.
At length through God's grace, he grew up to such maturity and ripeness in the truth, that he spared not to declare certain sparks thereof in his outward behavior and doings. For when he should keep his bowing measures at Confiteor, (as the custom there was) in turning himself to and fro, sometime Eastward, sometime Westward, and afterward knock his breast at the eleuatiō time, against which Idolatrous adoration, his heart did so vehemently rise, that sometime he would absent himself from them, and sometime being there, he would even at the sucring time (as they termed it) get him out of the church, to avoid those ungodly gestures, and Idolatrous adoration. To be short, perceiving after a while, that he was greatly suspected and abhorred of the President then being, which was M. Cole, and of diverse other, which before were his friends, and therewithal feeling great conflict and torment of conscience daily to grow, with his conversation with idolaters: seeing also that his new life and old living might not well nor quietly stand together, he addressed himself to depart the house. For he thought it not best, to abide the danger of expulsion, as he did at the first: seeing the weather was now waxed warmer. And being demanded at that time, of a special friend (who would gladly have persuaded him to stay there longer) whether he would go, or how he would live, he made this answer: Domini est terra, & plenitudo eius. i. The earth is y e Lord's, and the fullness thereof. Let the Lord work, I will commit myself to God, and the wide world.
Here I think it expedient, before I write of the painful surges that he suffered, after he came abroad into the perilous gulphes, and deep Sea of this wretched wyde world: first, to rehearse one or two examples of his outward behauioure, at such times as he had recourse to the College, after his last departure, whereby the Reader may yet better understand of his simplicity & playnenesse and how far wide he was, from all cloaked dissimulation in God's cause, which certain godless persons have sought maliciously to charge him with all. Beyng at Oxford on a certain time in Magdalene College, and having knowledge that the Spanish Frier John (who succeeded D. Peter Martyr, in the office of the Divinity Lecture) would preach there that present Sunday, he would not at the first, grant 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 said friend to the church. But suddenly as the Frier vehemently inueyed against God's truth, in defending certain popish heresies Palmer having many eyes bente and directed towards him, departed from amongst the midst of the auditory, and was found in his friends chamber weeping bitterly. Afterward being demanded why he slipped away upon such a sudden, Oh said he, if I had not openly departed, I should have openly stopped mine ears. For the Friers blasphemous talk in disproouyng, or rather deprauyng the verity, made mine ears not to glowe, but my heart worse to smart, then if mine ears had been cut from mine head.
It chanced another time, that the same friend of his called M. Shipper, being then Bursar of the house, bade him to dinner in his chamber, Palmer not knowing what ghestes were also thither invited, and bidden, happened there (contrary to his expectation) to meet with the foresaid Frier, with whom were present D. Smith, Doc. Tresham, and diverse other papists, whose company Palmer could not well bear: and therefore whisperyng a friend in the ear, he said he would be gone, for that was no place for him. I will (saith he) to the Bursars Table in the great hall. The Bursar understanding his mind, desired him of all friendship not so to depart, alleging that it were the next way to be wray himself, & as it were of purpose, to cast himself into the Briers, with many other persuasions, as the shortness of time would permit. In the end he condescēded to his request, and tarried. Now as he came to the fire side, the Frier saluted him cheerfully in Latin, for he could not speak English. Palmer with an amiable countenance resaluted him gently. But when the Frier offered him his hand, he casting his eye aside, as though he had not seen it, found matter of talk to another standing by, and so avoided it, which thing was well marked of some, not without great grudge of stomach.
After they were set and had well eaten, the Frier with a pleasant look offering him the cup, said: Propino tibi inuenis erudite. i. I drink to you learned young man. Palmer at that word blushyng as red as scarlet, answered: Non agnosco nomen domine. i. I knowledge no such name, O sir. And therewith taking the cup at his hand, he set it down by him, as though he would have pledged him anon after, but in the end it was also well marked, that he did it not. When diner was done, being sharply rebuked of the said Bursar his friend, for his so unwise, vnciuile, and unseemly behavior (as he termed it) he made answer for himself, and said: Oleum eorum non demulcet, sed frangit caput meum. i. The oil of these men doth not supply, but breaketh my hed.
Another time which was also the last time of his being at Oxford, not long before his death, one Barwike an old acquaintance of his, being sometime Clarke of Magdalenes, and then fellow of Trinity college, a rank papist, began to reason with him in his friends chamber aforesaid, and perceiving him to be zealous and earnest in the defense of the verity, he said unto him in the hearing of M. Thomas Parry, and others there present. Well Palmer, well, now thou art stout, and hardie in thine opinion, but if thou were once brought to the stake, I believe thou wouldest tell me another tale. I advise thee beware of the fire, it is a shrewd matter to burn. Truly saith Palmer, I have been in danger of burning once or twice, and hitherto (I thank GOD) I have escaped it. But I judge 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 burn, that have the mind and soul linked to the body, as a thiefes foot is tied in a pair of fetters: but if a man be once able through the help of God's spirit, to separate and devide the soul from the body, for him it is no more mastery to burn, then for me to eat this piece of bread.
Thus much by the way concerning his plainness, without dissimulation, and how he feared not openly to show himself more grieved in heart to hear the word of God blasphemed, then to suffer any worldly pains. Now let us proceed in our story, and faithfully declare both the occasion and manner of his death.
Within short space after he had yielded up his fellowship in Oxford, he was through God's providence (who never faileth them that first seek his glory) placed schoolmaster by Patent, in the Grammar school of Readyng, where he was well accepted of all those that feared God, and favored his word, as well for his good learning and knowledge, as also for his earnest zeal, and profession of the truth. But Satan the enemy of all godly attempts, envying his good proceedings and prosperous success in the same, would not suffer him there, long to be in quiet. Wherefore he stirred up against him, certain double faced hypocrites, which by dissimulation & crafty insinuatiō had crept in, to understand his secrets, under the pretence of a zeal to the gospel. Which men he (suspecting no deceit) right joyfully embraced, making them privy of all his doings. For as he himself was then fervently enflamed with the love of heavenly doctrine: so had he an incredible desire by all means possible to allure and encourage others, to the profession of the same.
These faithful and trusty brethren, so soon as they had found good opportunity, spared not in his absence to rifle his study of certain godly books, and writings, amongst 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 proceedings, and specially against their unnatural & brutish tyranny, executed toward the Martyrs of God. When they had thus done, they were not ashamed to threaten him that they would exhibit the same to the Counsayle, unless he would without delay, depart out of their coasts and give over the school to a friend of theirs. The truth of this story appeareth in part by a letter written with his own hand, out of prison, eight days before he was burned, which because it is of certain credit, and came to our hands, therefore we are the bolder to auouche it for a truth.
Thus then was this silly young man for the sauegard of his life, forced to depart upon the sudden from Readyng, leaving behind him in the hands of his enemies his stuff, and one quarters stipende, and so he took his journey toward Esham, where his mother then dwelt▪ hopyng to obtain at her hands certain Legacies due to him by his fathers last will, which he should have received certain years before, and taking his journey by Oxford, he requested certain of his friends to accompany him thither. His mother understanding his state and errande by M. Shipper and his brother (whom he had sent before to entreat for him) as soon as she beheld him on his knees asking her blessing as he had been accustomed to do, thou shalt (said she) have Christ's curse and mine wheresoever thou go. He pausing a little as one amazed at so heavy a greetyng, at length said: O mother, your own curse you may give me, which God knoweth I never deserved but God's curse you cannot give me, for he hath already blessed me. Nay, saith she, thou wentest from God's blessing into the warm sun, when thou wast banished for an heretic out of that worshipful house in Oxford, and now for the like knavery, art driven out of Readyng too. Alas mother (saith he) you have been miss informed. I was not expelled nor driven away, but freely resigned of mine accord. And heretic I am none, for I stand not stubbornly against any true doctrine, but defend it to my power. And you may be sure, they use not to expel nor banish, but to burn heretics (as they term them.) Well, (quoth she) I am sure thou doest not believe as thy father and I, and all our forefathers have done. But as we were taught by the new law in K. Edwards days, which is damnable heresy.
In deed I confess (said he) that I believe that doctrine which was taught in K. Edwards time, which is not heresy but truth, neither is it new, but as old as Christ and his Apostles. If thou be at that point (saith she) I require thee to depart from my house, and out of my sight, and never take me for thy mother hereafter. As for money and goods I have none of thine, thy father bequeathed naught for heretics. Fagots I have to burn thee, more thou gettest not at my hands. Mother (saith he) where as you have cursed me, I again pray God to bless you and prosper you all your life long, and with like soft talk, sweet words, and abundance of tears tricklyng down his cheeks, he departed from her, wherewith she so mollified her hard heart, that she hurled an old Angel after him, and said: take that to keep thee a true man.
Thus poor Palmer being destitute of worldly friendship, and cruelly repelled of her, whom he took to have been his surest friend, wist not which way to turn his face. Soone after, when he had bethought himself, it came to his mind to return secretly to Magdalene College, upon the assured trust and affiaunce, that he had in a privy friend or two, in that house. At what time, by the suite of one Alane Cope, then fellow of the house, he obtained letters commendatorie, from M. Cole President there, for his preferment to a school in Gloucester shiere. So he getteth him away, committed by his friends, to gods divine protection, of whom some accompanied him as far as Eusam Ferrie, and some to Burford.
Afterward as he went alone musing, and pondering of matters, it came in his head (as he writeth in an Epistle to one of his friends) to leave his appointed journey, and to return closely to Redyng, trusting there by the help of friends, to receive his quarters stipend, and convey his stuff to y e custody of some trusty body. To Redyng he cometh, and taketh up his lodging at the Cardinal hatte, desiring his hosts instantly to assign him a close chamber where he might be alone from all resort of company. He came not so closely, but that this Uiperous generation had knowledge thereof. Wherefore without delay, they laid their heads together, and consulted what way they might most safely proceed against him, to bring their old cankerd malice to pass. And soon it was concluded, that one M. Hampton (which then bare two faces in one hood, and under the color of a brother, played the part of a dissembling hypocrite) should resort to him under the pretence of friendship, to feel and fish out the cause of his repair to Redyng.
Palmer as he was a man simple, & without all wrinkles of cloaked collusion, opened to him his whole intent. But Hampton earnestly persuaded him to the contrary, declaring what danger might ensue if this were attempted. Against his counsel Palmer replied very much, and as they waxed hot in talk, Hampton flang away in a fury, and said: as he had fished, so should he foul for him. Palmer not yet suspecting such pretensed and devised mischief, as by this crooked and pestiferous generation was now in brewing against him, called for his supper & went quietly to bed. But quietly he could not long rest there. For within short space after, the officers and their retinue came rushing in with lanternes and bills, requiring him in the King and Queens names, to make ready himself and quietly to depart with them. So this silly young man perceiving that he was thus Iudasly betrayed (without opening his lips) was led away as a lamb to the slaughter, and was committed to Ward, whom the Keeper as a ravening Wolf greedy of his pray, brought down into a vile, stinkyng, and blind dungeon, prepared for thieves and murderers, & there he left him for a time, hanging by the hands and feet in a pair of stocks, so high, that well near no part of his body touched the ground.
In this cave or dungeon he remained about x. days under the tyranny of this unmerciful keeper.
Here by the way (gentle Reader) I have by a little digression to give thee to understand, concerning one Tho. Thackham, for that the said Tho. Thackham in the story of this Iulins Palmer, was noted and named in our former book, to be a doer and worker against the said blessed Martyr: he therefore being not a little agreued, made his reply again in writing for purgation and defense of himself against the false information of his slanderer. Albeit for his confutation in writing I pass not much vpō, either what he hath written, or can write, Only the thing y t moveth me most, is this. For that the said Th. Thackham not long since, coming to me himself, hath so attested and deposed against the information, w t such swearing and deep adjuration, taking the name of the Lord God to witness, and appealyng to his judgment to the utter perdition of his soul if it were not false which by information was reported of him, and he faultless in the matter. Which being so, I could not otherwise refuse, but to give credit to his oath, and upon 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 own conscience, and the judgments of the Lord God, to whom either he standeth if it be true, and falleth if it be false.
And now to our story again, concerning the process 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, and there by the procurement of certain false brethren (the Lord knoweth what they were) who had been conversant with Palmer, and robbed his study, diverse grievous & enormious crimes were laid to his charge, as treason, sedition, surmised murder, and adultery.
To whom Palmer answered, that if such horrible and heinous crimes might be proved against him, he would patiently submit himself to all kind of torments that could be devised. But O ye cruel bloudsuckers (saith he) ye follow the old practices of your progenitors, the Uiperous and Woluish generation of Pharisees & Papists: but be ye well assured, that God already seeth your subtle devises and crafty packyng, and will not suffer the outrageous fury of your venomous tongues & fiery hearts to escape unpunished. All this while no mention was made of heresy or heretical writings.
Their greatest proofs against him, were these.
FIrst, that Palmer said, the Queens sword was not put in her hand to execute tyranny, and to kill and murder the true servants of God.
Item, that her sword was to blunt toward the papist, but toward the true Christians it was to sharp.
Item, that certain servants of sir Frances Knowles and others, resorting to his lectures, had fallen out among themselves, and were like to have committed murder, & therefore he was a sower of sedition, and a procurer of unlawful assemblies.
Item, that his Ostesse had written a letter unto him (which they had intercepted) wherein she required him to return to Reding, & sent him her commendations by the token, that the knife lay hid under the beam, whereby they gathered that she had conspired with him to murder her husband.
Item, that they found him alone with his hostesse by the fire side in the Hall, the door being shut to them forsooth. When this evidence was given up, the Major dismissed them & went to dinner, commanding Palmer to the cage, to make him an open spectacle of ignominy to the eyes of the world. And Thackham the better to cover his own shame, caused it to be bruited, that he was so punished for his evil life and wickedness already proved against him.
In the after noon Palmer came to his answer, and did so mightily and clearly deface their evidence, and defend his own innocence, proouyng also, that the said letters were by themselves forged, that the Mayor himself was so much ashamed, that he had given such credit unto them, and so much borne with them, so that he sought means how they might convey him out of the country privily.
But here among other things this is not with silence to be passed over, that one John Galant a zealous professor of the Gospel, a little after this came to the prison and found him somewhat better entreated then before. When he beheld him, O Palmer (saith he) thou hast deceived diverse men's expectation: for we hear that you suffer not for righteousness sake, but for your own demerits.
O brother Galant (saith he) these be the old practices of that Sathanicall brood. But be you well assured, & God be praised for it, I have so purged myself, and detected the • r falsehood, that from henceforth I shall be no more molested therewith. And there having pen and ink, he did write somewhat whereby part of his story here rehearsed, is well confirmed. But now to these bloody adversaries.
A • ter this, when they saw the matter frame so ill favoredly, fearing that if he should escape secretly, their doings would tend no less to their shame and danger, then to the Mayors dishonesty, they devised a new policy to bring to pass their song hid̄ and festered malice against him, which was by their extreme refuge. For, where as before they were partly ashamed to accuse him of heresy, seeing they had been counted earnest brethren themselves: and partly afraid, because they had broken up his study, and committed theft: yet now least their iniquity should have been revealed to the world, they put both fear and shame aside, and began to refricate and rip up the old sore, the scar whereof had been but superficially cured, as you have heard, and so to color their former practices with the pretence of his reformation in religion, they charged him with the writings that they had stolen out of his study.
Thus Palmer was once again called out of the prison to appear before the Major, and Bird the Officiall, & two other Justices, to render an accompt of his faith before them: to answer to such Articles and informations, as were laid against him. And when they had gathered of his own mouth sufficient matter to entrappe him, they devised a certificate, or bill of Instructions against him, to be directed to Doctor Jeffrey, who had determined to hold his Uisitation, the next Tewsday at Newbery, which was the xvj. of July. And thus were the false witnesses and bloody accusers winked at, and the Innocent delivered to the Lyon to be devoured. When it was therefore concluded that Palmer should be sent over to Newbery, the said letters testimonial were conveyed over together with him, the contents whereof shall partly appere hereafter. In the mean time, I think it good here to rehearse one example among other, both of charitable affection toward him, and of his modesty correspondent to the same.
M. Rider of Reding, a faithful witness of gods truth, hearing how cruelly Palmer had been dealt withal in the prison, and pined away for lack of necessaries, and how evidently he had proved himself innocent before the Officers, of such crimes as were objected against him, he sent to him his servant secretly the night before his departure to Newbery, with a bowed grote in tokē of his good heart toward him, requiring him to let him understand if he lacked necessaries, and he would provide for him. Palmer answered, the Lord reward your M. for his benevolence toward me a miserable abject in this world, and tell him that (God be praised) I lack nothing.
In the morning before they took their journey, Tho. Askme, alias Roberts, being fellow prisoner with him in Christ's cause, sitting at breakfast, and beholding Palmer very sad, leaning to a window in y e corner of the house asked why he came not to breakfast. Because I lack money (saith Palmer) to discharge the shot. Come on man (quoth he) GOD be praised for it, I have enough for us both. Which thing when M. Rider heard of, it cannot be expressed, how much it grieved him that Palmer had deceived him with so modest an answer.
Thus to Newbery they came on Monday night, and forthwith they were committed to the comfortable hostrie of the blind house, where they found John Gwin, their faithful brother in the Lord. Now how they came before the Consitory of Doctor Jeffrey, and how Palmer was examined, it doth in part appear by this examinatiō here unto annexed, which although it be not perfectly and orderly penned, as the report goeth it was spoken, nor perchance altogether in such form of words, yet as exactly as we were able to compact and dispose it, being gathered out of several notes of Richard Shipper, John. Hunt, John Kirry of Newbery, Richard White of Marleborough, which were oculati testes, and present at the hearing thereof.
The second examination and accusation of Iulins Palmer at Newbery, in the hearing of moe then three hundredth persons.
IN the yere 1556. the xv. of July, four or five seats were prepared in the Choir of the Parish Church of Newbery for the Uisitours, whose names here ensue: Doctor Jeffrey for the Bishop of Sarum, Sir Richard Abridges Knight, and then high Sheriff of the Shiere. Sir William Rainsford Knight, Master John Winchcombe Esquire, and the Person of Inglefield. After the Prisoners were presented, the Commission read, and other things done in order accordingly, Doctor Jeffrey called to Palmer and said: Art thou that jolly writer of three halfepeny books that we hear of.
I know not what you mean.
Have you taught Latin so long, that now you understand not English?
To this he answered nothing.
Then D. Jeffrey standing up, said: We have received certain writings and articles against you, from the right worshipful the Major of Reading, and other Justices, whereby we understand, that being convented afore thē, you were convict of certain heresies.
First, that you deny the Popes holiness supremacy.
Next, that there are but two Sacraments.
Thirdly, that the Priest showeth up an Idol at mass: and therefore you went to no mass, since your first coming to Redyng.
Fourthly, that there is no Purgatory.
Last of all, that you be a sower of sedition, and have sought to devide the unity of the Queens subjects.
You were best see first what he will say to his own handy work.
Ye say truth. Tell me Palmer, art thou he y t wrote this fair volume? Look upon it.
I wrote it in deed, and gathered it out of the scripture.
Is this doggish rime yours also? Look.
I wrote this, I deny not.
And what say you to these Latin verses entitled
Are they yours too?
Yea sir.
Art thou not ashamed to affirm it? It came of no good spirit that thou didst both rail at the dead, & slander a learned and Catholic man yet alive.
If it be a slander, he hath slandered himself: For I do but report his own writing, & open the folly therein declared. And I reckon it no railing to inuey against Annas and Caiaphas being dead.
Sayest thou so? I will make thee recant it, and wryng Peccaui out of your lying lips, ere I have done with thee.
But I know, that although of myself I be able to do nothing, yet if you and all mine enemies both bodily and ghostly, should do your worst, you shall not be able to bring that to pass, neither shall ye prevail against God's mighty spirit, by whom we understand the truth, and speak it boldly.
Ah, are you full of the spirit? Are you inspired with the holy ghost?
Sir, no man can believe, but by the inspiration of the holy ghost. Therefore If I were not a spiritual man, and inspired with God's holy spirit, 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.
I perceive you lack no words.
Christ hath promised not only to give us store of words necessary: but with them, such force of matter, as the gates of hell shall not be able to confound, or prevail against it.
With the holy Apostles I may not compare, neither have I any affiaunce in mine own wit or learning, which I know is but small, yet this promise I am certain pertaineth to all such as are appointed to defend God's truth against his enemies, in the time of their persecution for the same.
Then it pertaineth not to thee.
Yes, I am right well assured, that thorough his grace it pertaineth at this present to me, as it shall (I dout not) appear, if you give me leave to dispute with you before this audience, in the defense of all that I have there written.
Thou art but a beardless boy, starte up yesterday out of the schools, and darest thou presume to offer disputation, or to encounter with a Doctor?
Remember M. Doctor: Spiritus vbi vult spirat. And again: Ex ore infantium, &c. And in another place: Abscondisti haec a sapientibus. &c. i. The spirit breatheth whē it pleaseth him, &c. Out of the mouth of Infants. &c. And thou hast hidden these things from the wise, &c. God is not tied to time, wit, learning, place, nor person. And although your wit and learning be greater then mine: yet your belief in the truth, and zeal to defend the same, is not greater then mine.
Sir, if you suffer him thus impudently to trifle with you, he will never have done.
Well, ye shall understand, that I have it not in commission at this present to dispute with you, neither were it meet that we should call again into question such Articles as are already discussed, and perfectly defined by our mother the holy Church, whom we ought to believe without why, or wherefore, as the Creed telleth us. But the cause why ye be now called hither, is that ye might be examined upon such articles as are ministered against you, & such matter as is here contained in your hand writing, that it may be seen whether you will stand to it, or nay. How say you to this?
By your holy church you mean the Synagogue of Rome which is not universal, but a particular Church of shauelyngs. The catholic church I believe, yet not for her own sake, but because she is holy, that is to say: a Church that groundeth her belief upon the word of her spouse Christ.
Leave railing, & answer me directly to my questiō. Will ye stand to your writing, or will ye not?
If ye prove any sentence therein comprised, not to stand with God's word, I will presently recant it.
Thou impudent fellow, have I not told thee, that I came not to dispute with thee, but to examine thee.
Here the parson of Inglefield pointing to y e pyx, said: What seest thou yonder?
A canapie of silk brodered with gold.
Yea, but what is within it.
A piece of bread in a clout, I trow.
Thou art as froward an heretic as ever I talked with all. Here was much spoken of Confiteor, and other partes of the Mass.
Do you not believe that they which receive the holy Sacrament of the alter, do truly eat Christ's natural body?
If the Sacrament of the Lord's supper be ministered, as Christ did ordain it, the faithful receivers do in deed spiritually and truly, eat and drink in it, Christ's very natural body and blood.
The faithful receivers? ye cannot blear our eyes with such Sophistry. Do not all manner receivers good & bad, faithful, and unfaithful, receive the very natural body in form of bread?
No sir.
How prove you that?
See that fond fellow whiles he taketh himself to be a Doctor of the law, you shall see me prove him a stark foolish dawe. Do you not read likewise: Quicunque inuocauerit nomen domini saluus erit? id est. Whosoever inuocateth the name of the Lord, shall be saved? Ergo, Do none but the godly call upon him? therefore you must mark how S. Paul answereth you. He saith, that the wicked do eat the true body to their condemnation.
As Palmer was bent to answer him at the full, the Person interrupted him, crying still, what sayest thou to S. Paul.
I say, that S. Paul hath no such words.
See, the impudent fellow denieth the plain text. Qui edit & bibit corpus Domini indign, reus erit Iudicij. i. He that eateth and drinketh the body of the Lord unworthily, is guilty of judgment.
I beseech you lend me your book.
Not so.
I pray you lend him your book. So y e book was given over to him.
Your own book hath, Qui manducat hunc panem. &c. i. He that eateth this bread.
But S. Jerome's translation hath Corpus.
Not so M. Parson, and God be praised that I have in the mean season, shut up your lips with your own book.
It skilleth no matter whether ye write bread or body, for we be able to prove that he meant the body. And where as you say, they eat it spiritually, that is but a blind shift of descant.
What should I say else?
As holy Church saith, really, carnally, substantially.
And with as good Scripture, I may say grossly, or monstrously.
Thou speakest wickedly. But tell me: Is Christ present in the sacrament or no?
He is present.
How is he present.
The Doctors say modo ineffabili. Therefore why do ye ask me. Would God ye had a mind ready to believe it, or I a tongue able to express it unto you.
I say that it standeth with God's word, & therefore it ought of necessity to be retained in the Church.
Ye have forgotten yourself I wis, for ye write that children may be saved without it.
So I write, and so I say.
Your argument is not good M. Doctor.
Will ye stand to it?
Yea M. Doctor, God willing.
Note it Register.
More of his Examination in that time and place, is not yet come to our hands, whensoever God sendeth it, I will impart and communicate the same to the Reader. In the mean season we are credibly informed of this, that sir Richard Abridges the same day after dinner, sent for him to his lodging, and there in the presence of diverse persons yet alive in Newbery and elsewhere, friendly exhorted him to revoke his opinion to spare his young years, wit, and learning. If thou wilt be conformable, and show thyself corrigible and repentant, in good faith (saith he) I promise thee before this company, I will give thee meat and drink, and books, and x. pound yearly so long as thou wilt dwell with me. And if thou wilt set thy mind to marriage, I will procure thee a wife and a farm, & help to stuff and frit thy farm for thee.
How sayest thou?
Palmer thanked him very courteously, & made him further answer concerning his religion somewhat at large, but very modestly and reverently, concludyng in the end, that as he had already in two places renounced his living for Christ's sake, so he would with God's grace be ready to surrender and yield up his life also for the same, whē God should send time.
When Sir Richard perceived that he would by no means relent: Well Palmer (saith he) then I perceive one of us twain shall be damned. For we be of two faiths, and certain I am that there is but one faith that leadeth to life and salvation.
O sir, I hope that we both shall be saved.
How may that be?
Right well Sir. For as it hath pleased our merciful Savior, according to the Gospels parable, to call me at the third hour of the day, even in my flowers, at the age of 24. years, even so I trust he hath called, and will cal you at the eleventh hour of this your old age, and give you everlasting life for your portion.
Sayest thou so? Well Palmer well, I would I might have thee but one month in my house, I doubt not, but I would convert thee, or thou shouldst convert me.
Then said M. Winchcome: Take pity on thy golden years, and pleasant flowers of lusty youth, before it be too late.
Sir, I long for those springing flowers, that shall never vade away.
If thou be at that point, I have done with thee.
Then was Palmer commanded again to the blind house, but the other two silly men, were led again the same after noon to the Consitory, and there were condemned, and delivered to the secular power of the shiriffe there present, by name sir Rich. Abridges.
It is reported also, that D. Jeffrey offered Palmer a good living, if he would outwardly show himself conformable, keeping his conscience secret to himself, or at least declare that he doubted, which was the truest doctrine. But I cannot affirm it for a surety.
The next morning the 16. of July, Palmer was required to subscribe to certain Articles, which they had drawn out, touching the cause of his condemnation: in the front whereof, were plucked together many heinous terms, as horrible, heretical, damnable, devilish, and execrable doctrine. To these words Palmer refused to subscribe, affirming, that the doctrine which he professed, was not such, but good and sound doctrine.
Ye may see good people what shifts these heretics seek to escape burning, when they see Justice ministered unto them. But I tell thee this style is agreeable to y e law, and therefore I cannot alter it.
Then cannot I subscribe to it.
Wilt thou then crave mercy, if thou like not justice? and revoke thy heresy.
I forsake the Pope & his Popelings, withal Popish heresy.
Then subscribe to the Articles.
Alter the Epithetons, and I will subscribe.
Subscribe and qualify the matter with thine own pen. So he subscribed. Whereupon D. Jeffrey proceeded to read the Popish sentence of his cruel condemnation, and so was he delivered to the charge of the secular power, & was burned the same day in the after noon, about five of the clock.
Within one hour before they went to the place of execution▪ Palmer in the presence of many people, comforted his fellows with these words. Brethren (saith he) be of good • here in the Lord and faint not. Remember y e words of our Savior Christ, where he saith: Happy are you whē men revile you and persecute you for righteousness sake. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Fear not them that kill the body, and be not able to touch the soul. God is faithful, and will not suffer us to be tempted further, then we shall be able to bear it. We shall not ende our lives in the • ire, but make a change for a better life. Yea for coals, we shall receive pearls. For God's holy spirit certifieth our spirit, that he hath even now prepared for us a sweet supper in heaven for his sake which suffered first for us.
With these and such like words, he did not only comfort the hearts of his silly brethren that were with him appointed as sheep to be slain, but also wrested out plētifull tears from the eyes of many that heard him. And as they were singing a Psalm, came the shiriffe Sir Richard Abridges, and the Bailiffs of the Town, with 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 voice pronounced the xxxj. Psalm, but the other two made their prayers secretly to almighty God.
And as Palmer began to arise, there came behind him two popish priests, exhorting him yet to recant and save his soul. Palmer answered and said: Away, away, tempt me no longer. Away I say from me all ye that work iniquity, for the Lord hath heard the voice of my tears. And so forthwith they put of their raiment, and went to y e stake and kissed it. And when they were bound to the post, Palmer said: Good people pray for us, that we may persevere to the ende. And for Christ's sake, beware of Popish teachers, for they deceive you.
As he spake this, a servant of one of the Bailifs, threw a fagot at his face, that the blood gushed out in diverse places. For the which fact, the Sheriff reviled him, calling him cruel tormentor, and with his walking staff brake his hed, that the blood likewise ran about his ears. Whē the fire was kindled and began to take hold upon their bodies, they lift their hands towards heaven, and quietly and cheerfully as though they had felt no smart, they cried: Lord Jesus strength us, Lord Jesus assist us, Lord Jesus receive our souls. And so they continued without any
Among other things this is also to be noted, that after their three heds by force of the raging and deuouryng flames of fire were fallen together in a plumpe or cluster, which was marvelous to be hold, and that they all were judged already to have given up the ghost, suddenly Palmer, as a man waked out of sleep, moved his tongue and jaws, and was heard to pronounce this word Jesus. So being resolved into ashes, he yielded to God as joyful a soul (confirmed with the sweet promises of Christ) as any one that ever was called beside to suffer for his blessed name. God grant us all to be moved with the like spirit, working in our hearts constantly to stand in defense and confession of Christ's holy Gospel, to the ende, Amen.
De Martyrio Palmeri hexasticon.
Iustus vt Palma florebit.
A memorable story of one Agnes Wardall in the Town of Ipswich, pursued for the true faith of Christ's Gospel.
ABout the said month of July, in this present yere, 1556. there was one Rich. Argentine D. of Phisike, otherwise called Rich. Sexten, with certain other dwelling in the Town of Ipswich, not many in number, but in heart and purpose mightily bent to impugn & impeach the growing of Christ's Gospel, & the favorers of the same. In the number of whom were Phillip Ulmes, Edmond Leach, John Steward, and Matthew Butler Apothecary, a curious singing man, a fine player of the Organes, a perfect papist, and a diligent promooter of good men. This Butler being then Constable in the Town of Ipswich, as he was in his watch by night upon Cornehill, cometh to him Doc. Argentine in great hast, giving him intelligence of one Agnes Wardall, being thē lately come home to her house in Ipswich. Wherupon immediately, such a way was contrived between them, that the said Agnes Wardall forthwith should be apprehended: but God in whose providence the direction of all things consisteth, by whose disposition they have their operation, so graciously provided for his servant, & so prevented their malignaunt devises, that they came to no great effect in working, although on the contrary part there wanted no good will, as here consequently you shall further understand.
This Agnes Wardall was a womā that lived in gods fear, and was at defiance with their Romish trash, desiring rather with hard fare and evil lodging to be abroad, then to be at home in her house, and among the tents of the ungodly: her husband also being a man living in the fear of God, and for the testimony of his conscience being also hunted, by force of the law was constrained to avoid his house, and got into a Crare with an honest man, serving as a sailer, a faculty not before of him frequented, nor he a man nimble for that trade, because God had given him an impediment by reason of a stumped foot, unfit to climb to top and yard: yet so it pleased God to enable him with his strength, that he was strong and lusty to do good service, as they can well witness that were of his company.
The said Agnes Wardall chanced on a day to come home to see her poor house and children, which was under the guiding of a young maid, and being espied, news was borne to Doct. Argentine, who having knowledge thereof as is aforesaid, went speedily unto the Apothecary the Constable aforesaid, and informed him what a notable cure was to be brought on Wardals wife in the apprehendyng of her. Which was more like to speed then miss, had not the mighty providence of God wrought contrary to their expectation.
This being known to the Constable, the watch was charged speedily, and ech company sent to his place. And Argentine and Butler took unto them a good number, & forth they go unto the house of this poor woman to lay hands upon her, and beset the house on the foreside & back side, lying open in the fields, and other some were set to the house of his mother, which was not far frō his house. This done, one knocked at the street door where Argentine and Butler was, with one of their weapons, and no answer was made: the second time somewhat harder, but had no answer. In the mean time they fearing that some cōueiance was made, knocked the third time more harder then before.
There was not far from the door where they knocked, a certain bay window where one might look out & speak: And so at the third knocking, a woman who at that time was tenant to R. Wardals mother, & had but two nights before lie • n in the house, speaking out hard by their ears, asked who was there?
Ah sirha, quoth Argentine, are ye so nigh and will not speak? How fortuned it that ye spake not at the first, being so nye? How fortuned it, quoth the woman? Marrie I shall tell you. I am but a stranger here, and I have heard say, that there be spirits walking hereabout, which if a man do answer at the first call or second, he stands in great danger, and I was never so afraid of my life. At this her answer they laughed, and commanded her to open the door in the Queens Name, for they were the Queens watch.
Agnes Wardall being at that time in bed in an inner chamber, having her maid with her, and her two children she being at that time very heavy a sleep, heard not the knockyng. Her maid hearing at the second knock, called and shogged her dame, and with much ado awaked her, & said: the watch is at the door. What thou liest, said she. Yes truly said the maid, & hath knocked twice. With that she arose with all speed, and put on her clothes very slightly, and took with her a buckeram apron, which afterward she cast on her head, when she was fain to creep in a ditche with nettles, and so passed down into a parlor, wherein stood a cupboard with a fair press, into the which the maid did lock her.
And immediately went up to a chamber which was hard by the street, where she might see and speak to the watch, and said, who is there. Then they bade her opē the door. And she said, we have no candle. And they said, open the door, or we will lay it in the floor: With that she came down and opened the door. Then asked they the maid, who is within? And she said, none but a woman y t dwelleth within us, and two children. Then said they, where is thy dame? Truly, said she, I cannot tell, she is not within. She was here in the evening said they. Yea, said the maid, but she went forth I know not whether. Notwithstandyng, they charged her that she knew where she was, which she denied. Then got they a Candle light at one of the neighbors houses, and came in, & in the entry met the woman which had answered thē at the window, and said, she was afraid of sprites. Argentine looking upon her, clapt her on the back, and said: thou art not the woman whom we seek for.
So entered they the house, and searched a parlor next the street where the woman lay which was his mothers tenant, and a young child that sucked on her breast, and not only in the bed turning it down past all honest humanity, but also under the bed behind the painted clothes, and in the chimney, and up into the chimney, and finding the bed hot, said: who lay here in the bed. The woman said, I and my child. And none else, quoth they? No, said the womā. When they could find nothing there for their purpose, from thence they went into an inner parlor, in the which stood the cupboard wherein she was, & searched the parlor which was but a little one. And one of the company laying his hand on the cupboard, said: this is a fair cupboard, she may be here for anything that is done. That is true, saith another of them. Notwithstanding, they looked no further, but went from that into the chamber alofte, wherein the said Agnes had lain with her maid and children, with all other roumes and chambers.
At length came down into the yard where they found a horse tied at a pale eating of shorn grass. Then asked they the maid, whose horse is this? She answered, it is her horse in deed, and she came in before night, & went abroad again, but I know not whether. Then were they in good hope to find their pray and bestirred them with speed, and went into an out chamber that was in the yarde, in which was a boy in bed of 13. or 14. years old. And being in his dead sleep, they suddenly awaked him, and examined him for his Dame. Who answered, he knew not where she was, and unto that stood firmly, although their threats were vehement, not only to the poor silly boy, but also to the good simple plain maid. Then caused they him to arise and dress him, and sent both maid and boy up to the cage, where they put the maid, but kept the boy among their trusty soldiers, so that one of them should not speak with another.
Now, while some were on the Cornehill, and other some searching the neighbors houses and backesides, the wife of Wardall being in the press fast locked and almost smothered for want of breath, desired the woman her mothers tenant, when she heard her in the parlor, to let her out. She asked her where the keys were, who answered they were in a hamper which she found and assayed to unlock the press, and of a long time could not. Then desired she her to break it open: for (said she) I had rather fall into their hands, then to kill myself. Then went her mothers tenant & sought for her husbands hammer and chisell to break it opē, but could not find it, nor anything else to break it open withal, & came again and told her she could find nothing to break it open with.
Then said she, assay again to open it, for I trust God will give you power to opē it. And being within in much extremity, she heartily prayed unto God who heard her prayer and helped her: for at the first assay and turn of the kay, it opened easily. When she came out, she looked as pale and as bleak as one that were laid out dead by the walls and as she her self looked afterward when she was dead, as the same woman reported, which then let her out, and was also at her death long after in the Queens majesties reign that now is, and all on a vehement sweat was she like drops of rain.
Then went she out into the backside, where was a pale toward the fields for the defense of the Garden, wherein was one or two lose pales, by the which both she and her husband had diverse times used to come and go in and out, so went she out into the fields. And passing one little field and over a style, shrouded herself in a low ditch with nettles, and covered her hed with the buckram apron afore mentioned, and so crept low, and lay in the ditch. After long search, when they could not find her in the town, certain of the watch returned again into the fields side: among whom was one Geo • ge Mannyng, with John Bate the Crier of the same town coming together. This Mannyng was a simple honest plain man, but Bate a very enemy, and one that in Queen Mary's time would have been a priest as it was reported, but that he was married.
Mannyng espying where she lay, gave a hem, and made a noise with his Bill, he being before Bate, at the which she lay still, and at last they departed to the street side to the Constable. All this time the maid was in the Cage, and the boy with the other of the watch until perfect day light. Then went they up and let out the maid, & sent her home, and the boy also? but they made the maid believe, they had found her Dame. Who answered, if ye have her, keep her fast.
On the morrow, Mannyng sent her word to beware that she should hyde her self no more so near.
Thus by the might and power of God was his faithful servant delivered from their cruelty, and they known to be his adversaries, not only at that time, but divers times after and before. Notwithstandyng, the said Argentine at his first coming to Ipswich, came in a Seruyng man's cote. And then being in the days of K. Henry the 8. he would accustomably use the reading of Lectures himself, in the which he was well commended at that time. After obtained the office of Usher of the Free Grammar school, and the master being dead, got to be master himself. And being married to a very honest woman, remained there the days of K. Edward. And when God took him from us for our just deserved plague, and Queen Mary came to her reign, none more hot in all Papistry and superstition, then he, paintyng the posts of the town with viuat Regina Maria, and in every corner.
Furthermore, after the death of his wife (which was an honest woman) was made a Priest: taking upon him diverse times to preach (but never without his white miniuer hoode) such doctrine as was shameful to hear, saying Mass, and carrying about the pyx in high processions. Furthermore, leading the boy S. Nicholas with his miniuer hood, about the streets for apples and belly cheer. And who so would not receive him, he made them heretics, and such also as would not give his fagot to y e bonfire for Queen Mary's child. And thus continued he at Ipswich the most part of Queen Mary's days, molestyng there good men, some for not going to the Church, some for not being confessed, some for not receiving, &c. till at length, toward the end of Queen Mary he came to London, and in this Queens time began to show himself again a perfect protestant. And thus much of Argentine. Ex testimon. Petri Moonaei.
The trouble of Peter Moon and his Wife, and of other Godly Protestants at Bishop Hoptons visitation in Ipswich.
IN the year of our Lord God. 1556. The sceane or visitation, being kept before Whitsuntide, in the Town of Ipswich in Suffolcke, by Doctor Hopton being then Bishop of Norwich, and Myles Dunninges, being then his Cauncellour, diverse and sundry godly Protestants, through the accusation of evil men, where sore troubled & presented before him: among whom were accused one Peter Moon a Taylor, and Anne his wife: for their disobedience to the law, in not showing their readiness to come to the Church, and to be partaker of such Romish observances as at that time were used.
And first the said Peter Moon was commanded to come before the Bishop, where he was examined of three sundry Articles, to wit: 1. Whether the pope were supreme head: 2. Whether King Philip and Queen Mary were right inheritors to the crown. 3. And whether in the Sacrament of the altar was the very body of Christ substācially and really there present.
Unto the which, the said Peter being timorous and weak, fearing more the face of man then the heavy wrath of God, affirmed, and in manner granted unto the demaūdes. Whereupon the Bishop being in good hope, that although he had not come to the Church, nor received their Sacrament of the Aultar, nor been ready to do his duty as the law had commanded: yet there showing his mind said, that he liked well the man: for such as have been (said he) earnest in evil things, will also be earnest in that that is good and godly, if once they be won.
Thus as this Spiritual father was commending his carnal child, and rather preferring him to hell fire, thē unto the sincere word and commandments of GOD, it chanced amongst many others in the chamber, was one of the portmen of the same town named Smart, an earnest member of their Romish law, doing of a very conscience that he did, who after the death of Queen Mary lived not many years, but rendered his life in godly repentance, protesting that if God should suffer him to live, he would never be the man he had been before, what laws so ever should come again: so that before the time of his sickness he frequenting earnestly the Sermons in the same Town by diverse godly learned, would weep as it had been a child, being notwithstanding of courage as stout a man as any was in Ipswich. Such is the marvelous mercy of God, in calling to his kingdom, whom, & when he pleaseth.
This portman aforesaid, perceiving the Bishop thus, as it were, at an end with the said Moon, and so he like to be discharged, said unto the Bishop: my Lord, in deed I have a good hope in the man, and that he will be conformable: but my Lord, he hath a perrillous woman to his wife. For I will tell you my Lord, she never came to Church yet, since the Queens reign, except it were at Evensong, or when she was Churched. And not then until Mass were done. Wherefore your good Lordship might do a good deed to cause her to come before you, and to see if ye could do any good. And therefore I beseech your good Lordshyp to command him to pray her to come before your Lordship.
At the which words Moon was somewhat stirred in that he said, command him to pray her to come before your Lordship. And he said unto him, under my Lord's correction I speak, I am as able to command her to come before my Lord, as ye are to command the worst boy in your house. Yea my Lord, said the other, I cry your Lordship mercy: I have informed your Lordship with an vntroth, if this be so. But if he be so able as he saith, he might have commanded her to have come to Church in all this time, if it had pleased him. Well said the Bishop, look ye come before me again at afternoon, and bring your wife with you: I will talk with her.
As my Lord's dinner at that time was serving up, Moon departed and tarried not to take parte thereof having such an hard breakfast given him before to digest. At afternoon Moon delayed and waited his time, bethinking whē he might most conveniently come, especially whē his accuser & his wives should not have been there. And according to the commandment came with his wife, which was not so secretly, but his accuser had knowledge thereof, and came with all expedition in such post speed, that in a manner he was windlesse entering into the bishops chamber.
The Bishoppe hearing that Moon and his wife were come, called for them, and said to Moon: is this your wife Moon? Yea my Lord, said he.