WEBVTT 00:00.740 --> 00:08.120 A Faithful Parish Clergyman The History of Dr. Roland Taylor Hadley The town of 00:08.120 --> 00:11.560 Hadley was one of the first that received the Word of God in all England. 00:12.460 --> 00:16.820 The gospel of Christ had such gracious success, and took such root there, 00:17.260 --> 00:21.600 that a great number of that parish became exceedingly well learned in the Holy 00:21.600 --> 00:27.360 Scriptures, as well women as men, so that a man might have found among them 00:27.360 --> 00:32.020 many that had often read the whole Bible through, and that could have said a great 00:32.020 --> 00:37.180 sort of St. Paul's epistles by heart, and very well and readily have given a 00:37.180 --> 00:39.900 godly learned sentence in any matter of controversy. 00:40.700 --> 00:44.700 Their children and servants were also brought up and trained so diligently in 00:44.700 --> 00:49.360 the right knowledge of God's Word that the whole town seemed rather a university of 00:49.360 --> 00:52.780 the learned than a town of cloth-making or laboring people. 00:53.680 --> 00:58.600 And, what most is to be commended, they were for the more part faithful 00:58.600 --> 01:00.700 followers of God's Word in their living. 01:02.180 --> 01:06.760 In this town was Dr. Roland Taylor, who, at his first entering into his 01:06.760 --> 01:12.500 benefice, did not, as the common sort of beneficed men do, let out his benefice to 01:12.500 --> 01:17.260 a farmer, that shall gather up the prophets, and set in an ignorant unlearned 01:17.260 --> 01:22.300 priest to serve the cure, and, so they have the fleece, little or nothing 01:22.300 --> 01:23.940 care for feeding the flock. 01:25.080 --> 01:29.880 But, contrarily, he forsook the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, 01:30.360 --> 01:35.220 with whom he before was in household, and made his personal abode in Hadley 01:35.220 --> 01:40.140 among the people committed to his charge, where he, as a good shepherd, dwelling 01:40.140 --> 01:43.660 among his sheep, gave himself wholly to the study of holy Scriptures. 01:44.560 --> 01:49.160 This love of Christ so wrought in him that no Sunday nor holy day passed, 01:49.540 --> 01:53.040 nor other time when he might get the people together, but he preached to them 01:53.040 --> 01:55.680 the word of God, the doctrine of their salvation. 01:57.860 --> 02:02.020 Not only was his word a preaching unto them, but all his life and conversation 02:02.020 --> 02:05.200 was an example of unfeigned Christian life and true holiness. 02:06.260 --> 02:11.440 He was void of all pride, humble and meek as any child, so that none were so poor, 02:11.680 --> 02:15.040 but they might boldly, as unto their father, resort unto him. 02:15.550 --> 02:21.000 Neither was his lowliness childish or fearful, but as occasion, time, 02:21.180 --> 02:25.820 and place required, he would be stout in rebuking the sinful and evil-doers, 02:26.080 --> 02:30.960 so that none were so rich, but he would tell them plainly his fault, with such 02:30.960 --> 02:35.180 earnest and grave rebukes as became a good curate and pastor. 02:36.220 --> 02:40.800 He was a man very mild, void of all rancour, grudge, or evil will, 02:40.800 --> 02:45.760 ready to do good to all men, readily forgiving his enemies, and never sought to 02:45.760 --> 02:46.760 do evil to any. 02:47.940 --> 02:53.300 To the poor that were blind, lame, sick, bed-rid, or that had many children, 02:53.780 --> 02:59.640 he was a very father, a careful patron, and diligent provider, insomuch that he 02:59.640 --> 03:03.960 caused the parishioners to make a general provision for them, and he himself, 03:04.540 --> 03:09.180 beside the continual relief that they always found at his house, gave an honest 03:09.180 --> 03:11.600 portion yearly to the common alms-box. 03:12.600 --> 03:16.880 His wife also was an honest, discreet, and sober matron, and his children, 03:17.340 --> 03:20.160 well nurtured, brought up in the fear of God and good learning. 03:21.440 --> 03:25.740 He was a good salt of the earth, savourily biting the corrupt manners of 03:25.740 --> 03:30.620 evil men, a light in God's house, set upon a candlestick for all good men to 03:30.620 --> 03:31.600 imitate and follow. 03:32.780 --> 03:36.800 Thus continued this good shepherd among his flock, governing and leading them 03:36.800 --> 03:40.900 through the wilderness of this wicked world, all the days of the most innocent 03:40.900 --> 03:43.860 and holy King of blessed memory, Edward VI. 03:44.780 --> 03:49.140 But after it pleased God to take King Edward from this veil of misery unto his 03:49.140 --> 03:53.720 most blessed rest, to live with Christ, and reign in everlasting joy and felicity, 03:54.420 --> 03:59.360 the Papists violently overthrew the true doctrine of the gospel, and persecuted 03:59.360 --> 04:03.620 with sword and fire all those that would not agree to receive again the Roman 04:03.620 --> 04:08.480 bishop as supreme head of the universal church, and allow all the errors, 04:08.860 --> 04:15.040 superstitions, and idolatries that before by God's word were disproved and justly 04:15.040 --> 04:15.460 condemned. 04:16.620 --> 04:21.060 In the beginning of this rage of Antichrist, a certain petty gentleman 04:21.060 --> 04:26.180 called Foster conspired with one John Clerk to bring in the Pope and his idol 04:26.180 --> 04:28.180 worship again into Hadley church. 04:29.060 --> 04:33.080 For as yet Dr. Taylor had kept in his church the godly church service and 04:33.080 --> 04:37.060 reformation made by King Edward, and most faithfully and earnestly preached 04:37.060 --> 04:41.400 against the Popish corruptions which had infected the whole country round about. 04:42.800 --> 04:49.100 Therefore, the foresaid Foster and Clerk hired one John Averth, parson of Aldam, 04:49.860 --> 04:55.180 a Popish idolater, to come to Hadley, and there begin again the Popish mass. 04:56.000 --> 05:00.660 To this purpose they built it up with all haste possible the altar, intending to 05:00.660 --> 05:03.840 bring in their mass again about Palm Monday. 05:04.480 --> 05:08.920 But this their device took none effect, for in the night the altar was beaten 05:08.920 --> 05:09.460 down. 05:10.040 --> 05:13.720 Wherefore, they built it up again the second time, and laid diligent watch, 05:14.060 --> 05:15.880 lest any should again break it down. 05:16.680 --> 05:20.480 On the day following came Foster and John Clerk, bringing with them their Popish 05:20.480 --> 05:26.160 sacrificer, who brought with him all his implements and garments to play his Popish 05:26.160 --> 05:30.640 pageant, whom they and their men guarded with swords and bucklers, lest any man 05:30.640 --> 05:33.580 should disturb him in his missal sacrifice. 05:34.740 --> 05:38.680 When Dr. Taylor, who according to his customs sat at his book studying the word 05:38.680 --> 05:42.320 of God, heard the bells ringing, he arose and went into the church, 05:42.440 --> 05:46.680 supposing something had been there to be done according to his pastoral office. 05:47.740 --> 05:51.600 And coming to the church, he found the church doors shut and fast barred, 05:52.160 --> 05:55.140 saving the chancel door, which was only latched. 05:56.020 --> 06:00.200 Where he, entering in and coming into the chancel, saw a Popish sacrificer in his 06:00.200 --> 06:04.480 robes, with a broad new-shaven crown, ready to begin his Popish sacrifice, 06:04.900 --> 06:09.380 beset round about with drawn swords and bucklers, lest any man should approach to 06:09.380 --> 06:09.960 disturb him. 06:10.940 --> 06:15.760 Then said Dr. Taylor, Who made thee so bold to enter into this church of Christ, 06:15.960 --> 06:19.740 to profane and defile it with this abominable idolatry? 06:20.640 --> 06:24.500 With that started up Foster, and with an ireful and furious countenance, 06:25.020 --> 06:29.380 said to Dr. Taylor, Thou traitor, what dost thou here to let and perturb the 06:29.380 --> 06:30.240 Queen's proceedings? 06:31.320 --> 06:35.240 Dr. Taylor answered, I am no traitor, but I am the shepherd that God my Lord 06:35.240 --> 06:37.400 Christ hath appointed to feed this flock. 06:37.980 --> 06:42.000 Wherefore, I have good authority to be here, and I command thee in the name of 06:42.000 --> 06:46.440 God to avoid hence, and not to presume here to poison Christ's flock. 06:47.320 --> 06:51.940 Then said Foster, Wilt thou, traitorly heretic, make a commotion, and resist 06:51.940 --> 06:53.600 violently the Queen's proceedings? 06:54.840 --> 07:00.100 Dr. Taylor answered, I make no commotion, but it is you Papists that make commotions 07:00.100 --> 07:00.740 and tumults. 07:01.380 --> 07:06.700 I resist only with God's word against your Popish idolatries, which are against God's 07:06.700 --> 07:11.260 word, the Queen's honour, and tend to the utter subversion of this realm of England. 07:12.520 --> 07:17.020 Then Foster, with his armed men, took Dr. Taylor, and led him with strong 07:17.020 --> 07:22.680 hand out of the church, and the Popish prelate proceeded in his Romish idolatry. 07:23.780 --> 07:27.220 Dr. Taylor's wife, who followed her husband into the church, when she saw him 07:27.220 --> 07:30.640 thus violently thrust out of his church, kneeled down and held up her hands, 07:30.740 --> 07:34.760 and with a loud voice said, I beseech thee, God, the righteous judge, 07:34.820 --> 07:39.800 to avenge this injury that this Popish idolater doth to the blood of Christ. 07:40.440 --> 07:44.280 Then they thrust her out of the church also, and shut the doors, for they feared 07:44.280 --> 07:46.960 that the people would have rent their sacrificer in pieces. 07:48.520 --> 07:53.040 Thus, you see how, without consent of the people, the Popish mass was again set up 07:53.040 --> 07:57.060 with battle array, with swords and bucklers, with violence and tyranny. 07:59.180 --> 08:03.700 Within a day or two after, with all haste possible, this Foster and clerk made a 08:03.700 --> 08:07.940 complaint of Dr. Taylor, by a letter written to Stephen Gardner, Bishop of 08:07.940 --> 08:09.280 Winchester and Lord Chancellor. 08:10.400 --> 08:14.360 When the Bishop heard this, he sent a letter to Dr. Taylor, commanding him 08:14.360 --> 08:16.760 within certain days to come and appear before him. 08:18.400 --> 08:22.960 When Dr. Taylor's friends heard of this, they were exceeding sorry and grieved in 08:22.960 --> 08:26.900 mind, which then, foreseeing to what end the matter would come, came to him and 08:26.900 --> 08:28.640 earnestly counseled him to flee. 08:30.480 --> 08:35.660 Then said Dr. Taylor, Dear friends, I most heartily thank you, for that you 08:35.660 --> 08:37.480 have so tender a care over me. 08:38.060 --> 08:42.200 And although I know that there is neither justice nor truth to be looked for at my 08:42.200 --> 08:48.000 adversary's hand, but rather imprisonment and cruel death, yet know I my cause to be 08:48.000 --> 08:52.900 so good and righteous, and the truth so strong upon my side, that I will by God's 08:52.900 --> 08:57.380 grace go and appear before them, and to their beards resist their false 08:57.380 --> 08:58.120 doings. 08:58.920 --> 09:03.880 Then said his friends, Master Doctor, we think it not best so to do. 09:04.560 --> 09:08.900 You have sufficiently done your duty, and testified the truth both by your godly 09:08.900 --> 09:14.100 sermons, and also in resisting the parson of Aldam, with others that came hither to 09:14.100 --> 09:15.840 bring again the popish mass. 09:16.680 --> 09:21.120 And forasmuch as our Saviour Christ willeth and biddeth us, that when they 09:21.120 --> 09:24.180 persecute us in one city, we should flee into another. 09:24.740 --> 09:29.740 We think in flying at this time ye should do best, keeping yourself against another 09:29.740 --> 09:34.500 time, when the church shall have great need of such diligent teachers and godly 09:34.500 --> 09:34.980 pastors. 09:36.040 --> 09:39.920 Oh, quoth Dr. Taylor, what will ye have me to do? 09:40.680 --> 09:45.340 I am now old, and have already lived too long to see these terrible and most wicked 09:45.340 --> 09:45.880 days. 09:46.480 --> 09:49.360 Fly you, and do as your conscience leadeth you. 09:49.740 --> 09:54.880 I am fully determined, with God's grace, to go to the bishop, and to his beard to 09:54.880 --> 09:56.100 tell him that he doth not. 09:56.860 --> 10:01.100 God shall hereafter raise up teachers of his people, which shall, with much more 10:01.100 --> 10:04.020 diligence and fruit, teach them, than I have done. 10:04.940 --> 10:10.240 For God will not forsake His church, now for a time He trieth and correcteth 10:10.240 --> 10:10.540 us. 10:11.260 --> 10:15.720 As for me, I believe before God, I shall never be able to do God so good 10:15.720 --> 10:17.500 service as I may do now. 10:18.120 --> 10:23.240 Nor shall I ever have so glorious a calling as I have now, nor so great mercy 10:23.240 --> 10:26.460 of God profit me, as is now at this present. 10:27.200 --> 10:31.640 Wherefore, I beseech you, and all other my friends, to pray for me, and I doubt not, 10:31.780 --> 10:34.720 but God will give me strength and His Holy Spirit. 10:35.840 --> 10:40.400 When his friends saw him so constant and fully determined to go, they with weeping 10:40.400 --> 10:42.240 eyes commended him unto God. 10:43.800 --> 10:47.500 Dr. Taylor, being accompanied with a servant of his own named John Hull, 10:48.020 --> 10:49.520 took his journey towards London. 10:50.880 --> 10:55.080 By the way, this John Hull labored to counsel and persuade him very earnestly to 10:55.080 --> 11:00.600 fly and not come to the bishop, and profit himself to go with him to serve 11:00.600 --> 11:03.820 him, and in all perils to venture his life for him and with him. 11:04.740 --> 11:10.700 But in no wise would Dr. Taylor consent thereunto, but said, O John, shall I give 11:10.700 --> 11:14.720 place to this thy counsel and worldly persuasion, and leave my flock in this 11:14.720 --> 11:15.100 danger? 11:16.440 --> 11:19.740 Remember the good Shepherd Christ, which not alone fed His flock, 11:20.260 --> 11:21.820 but also died for His flock. 11:21.820 --> 11:25.220 Him must I follow, and with God's grace will do. 11:26.420 --> 11:29.720 Shortly after, Dr. Taylor presented himself to the Bishop of Winchester, 11:29.880 --> 11:32.500 Stephen Gardner, then Lord Chancellor of England. 11:33.300 --> 11:37.960 Now when Gardner saw Dr. Taylor, he, according to his custom, reviled him, 11:38.280 --> 11:41.980 calling him knave, traitor, heretic, and many other villainous reproaches, 11:42.600 --> 11:47.180 all which Dr. Taylor heard patiently, and at the last said unto him, 11:47.520 --> 11:52.800 My lord, quoth he, I am neither traitor nor heretic, but a true subject and a 11:52.800 --> 11:56.440 faithful Christian man, and am come, according to your commandment, 11:56.500 --> 11:59.640 to know what is the cause that your lordship hath sent for me. 12:01.120 --> 12:03.820 Then said the Bishop, Art thou come, thou villain? 12:04.400 --> 12:06.920 How darest thou look me in the face for shame? 12:07.320 --> 12:08.820 knowest thou not who I am? 12:09.800 --> 12:12.420 Yes, quoth Dr. Taylor, I know who you are. 12:12.920 --> 12:16.280 You are Dr. Stephen Gardner, Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor, 12:16.820 --> 12:19.080 and yet but a mortal man, I trove. 12:19.940 --> 12:24.540 But if I should be afraid of your lordly looks, why fear you not God, the Lord of 12:24.540 --> 12:25.020 us all? 12:25.900 --> 12:30.380 How dare ye for shame look any Christian man in the face, seeing ye have forsaken 12:30.380 --> 12:35.380 the truth, denied our Saviour Christ and His word, and done contrary to your own 12:35.380 --> 12:36.160 oath and writing? 12:37.100 --> 12:40.420 With what countenance will ye appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 12:40.840 --> 12:44.580 and answer to your oath made first unto King Henry VIII of famous memory, 12:44.580 --> 12:47.780 and afterward unto King Edward VI his son? 12:49.020 --> 12:51.580 The Bishop answered, Tush, tush! 12:51.800 --> 12:55.800 That was Herod's oath, unlawful, and therefore worthy to be broken. 12:56.300 --> 13:01.160 I have done well in breaking it, and I thank God I am come home again to 13:01.160 --> 13:05.840 our mother, the Catholic Church of Rome, and so I would thou shouldst do. 13:07.320 --> 13:12.380 Dr. Taylor answered, Should I forsake the Church of Christ, which is founded upon 13:12.380 --> 13:16.140 the true foundation of the apostles and prophets, to approve those lies, 13:16.320 --> 13:21.440 errors, superstitions, and idolatries that the popes in their company at this day so 13:21.440 --> 13:22.860 blasphemously do approve? 13:23.740 --> 13:28.960 Nay, God forbid, let the pope and his return to our Saviour Christ and His word, 13:29.040 --> 13:33.940 and thrust out of the church such abominable idolatries as he maintaineth, 13:34.200 --> 13:36.940 and then will Christian men turn unto him. 13:37.900 --> 13:41.280 You wrote truly against him, and were sworn against him. 13:42.420 --> 13:47.240 I tell thee, the Bishop of Winchester, it was Herod's oath, unlawful, 13:47.740 --> 13:52.400 and therefore ought to be broken and not kept, and our holy father the pope hath 13:52.400 --> 13:53.580 discharged me of it. 13:54.680 --> 14:00.300 Then said Dr. Taylor, But you shall not so be discharged before Christ, who doubtless 14:00.300 --> 14:04.560 will require it at your hands, from whose obedience no man can assail 14:04.560 --> 14:06.860 you, neither the pope nor any of his. 14:07.600 --> 14:12.400 I see, quoth the Bishop, thou art an arrogant knave and a very fool. 14:13.340 --> 14:18.980 My Lord, quoth Dr. Taylor, leave your railing at me, which is not seemly for 14:18.980 --> 14:20.940 such a one in authority as you are. 14:21.360 --> 14:27.440 For I am a Christian man, and you know, that he that saith to his brother Raker is 14:27.440 --> 14:28.600 in danger of a council. 14:29.200 --> 14:33.440 And he that saith thou fool is in danger of hell-fire. 14:34.560 --> 14:38.520 Then said the Bishop, Thou hast resisted the queen's proceedings, and wouldst not 14:38.520 --> 14:43.540 suffer the parson of Aldam, a very virtuous and devout priest, to say mass in 14:43.540 --> 14:43.900 Hadley. 14:45.220 --> 14:52.240 Dr. Taylor answered, My Lord, I am parson of Hadley, and it is against all right, 14:52.460 --> 14:56.800 conscience, and laws, that any man should come into my charge, and presume to infect 14:56.800 --> 15:01.720 the flock committed unto me with venom of the popish idolatrous mass. 15:02.860 --> 15:07.600 With that the Bishop waxed very angry, and said, Thou art a blasphemous heretic 15:07.600 --> 15:12.100 indeed, that blasphemest the blessed sacrament, and speakest against the holy 15:12.100 --> 15:14.940 mass, which is made a sacrifice for the quick and the dead. 15:16.040 --> 15:21.160 Dr. Taylor answered, Nay, I blaspheme not the blessed sacrament which Christ 15:21.160 --> 15:26.040 instituted, but I reverence it as a true Christian man ought to do, and confess 15:26.040 --> 15:30.560 that Christ ordained the holy communion in the remembrance of His death and passion. 15:31.380 --> 15:35.120 Christ gave Himself to die for our redemption upon the cross, whose body 15:35.120 --> 15:40.760 there offered was the propitiatory sacrifice, full, perfect, and sufficient 15:40.760 --> 15:43.580 unto salvation for all them that believe in Him. 15:44.240 --> 15:49.440 And this sacrifice did our Saviour Christ offer in His own person Himself once for 15:49.440 --> 15:49.760 all. 15:50.660 --> 15:55.240 Neither can any priest any more offer Him, nor need we any more propitiatory 15:55.240 --> 15:56.040 sacrifice. 15:57.160 --> 16:00.380 Then called the Bishop his men, and said, Have this fellow hence, 16:00.440 --> 16:04.420 and carry him to the King's bench, and charge the Keeper he be straightly 16:04.420 --> 16:04.800 kept. 16:05.740 --> 16:10.460 Then kneeled Dr. Taylor down, and held up both his hands, and said, Good Lord, 16:10.560 --> 16:14.720 I thank Thee, and from the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome, and all his detestable 16:14.720 --> 16:20.000 errors, idolatries, and abominations, Good Lord deliver us, and God be praised 16:20.000 --> 16:21.500 for good King Edward. 16:22.900 --> 16:25.360 Dr. Taylor lay prisoner almost two years. 16:26.120 --> 16:29.400 He spent all his time in prayer, reading the holy Scriptures, writing, 16:29.620 --> 16:34.220 preaching, and exhorting the prisoners, and such as resorted to him, to repentance 16:34.220 --> 16:35.560 and amendment of life. 16:36.680 --> 16:42.280 On the 22nd of January, 1555, Dr. Taylor and Master Bradford and Master Saunders 16:42.280 --> 16:45.760 were again called to appear before the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishops of 16:45.760 --> 16:50.720 Norwich, London, Salisbury, and Durham, and there were charged again with heresy 16:50.720 --> 16:51.540 and schism. 16:52.400 --> 16:56.520 Therefore a determinate answer was required, whether they would submit 16:56.520 --> 17:00.560 themselves to the Roman Bishop, and abjure their errors, or else they 17:00.560 --> 17:03.980 would, according to the laws, proceed to their condemnation. 17:13.470 --> 17:15.030 Fox's Book of Martyrs 17:20.210 --> 17:24.550 When Dr. Taylor and his fellows heard this, they answered stoutly and boldly, 17:24.630 --> 17:28.450 that they would not depart from the truth which they had preached in King Edward's 17:28.450 --> 17:32.110 days, neither would they submit themselves to the Romish Antichrist. 17:32.490 --> 17:36.910 But they thanked God for so great mercy that He would call them to be worthy to 17:36.910 --> 17:38.450 suffer for His word and truth. 17:39.350 --> 17:44.530 When the bishops saw them so boldly, constantly, and unmovably fixed in the 17:44.530 --> 17:46.730 truth, they read the sentence of death upon them. 17:47.550 --> 17:51.450 Dr. Taylor was committed to the clink, and when the keeper brought him toward the 17:51.450 --> 17:56.330 prison, the people flocked about to gaze upon him, unto whom he said, God be 17:56.330 --> 17:57.350 praised, good people! 17:57.730 --> 18:02.050 I am come away from them undefiled, and will confirm the truth with my blood. 18:03.090 --> 18:08.490 So was he bestowed in the clink till it was toward night, and then he was removed 18:08.490 --> 18:10.190 to the compter by the poultry. 18:11.510 --> 18:16.030 When Dr. Taylor had lain in the said compter, a seven-night or thereabouts 18:16.030 --> 18:18.430 prisoner, the 4th of February, A.D. 18:19.070 --> 18:23.790 1555, Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London, with others, came to degrade him, 18:24.430 --> 18:28.650 bringing with him such ornaments as do appertain to their massing mummery. 18:29.290 --> 18:32.690 He called for Dr. Taylor to be brought unto him, and at his coming the bishop 18:32.690 --> 18:37.450 said, Master doctor, I would you would remember yourself and turn to your mother 18:37.450 --> 18:38.270 holy church. 18:39.010 --> 18:42.330 So may you do well enough, and I will sue for your pardon. 18:43.230 --> 18:47.270 Whereunto Master Taylor answered, I would you and your fellows would turn to 18:47.270 --> 18:47.690 Christ. 18:48.410 --> 18:51.130 As for me, I will not turn to Antichrist. 18:52.190 --> 18:56.930 Well, quoth the bishop, I am come to degrade you, wherefore put on these 18:56.930 --> 18:57.550 vestures. 18:58.070 --> 19:00.930 No, quoth Dr. Taylor, I will not. 19:01.830 --> 19:05.630 Wilt thou not, said the bishop, I shall make thee ere I go. 19:06.430 --> 19:09.970 Quoth Dr. Taylor, You shall not, by the grace of God. 19:11.190 --> 19:15.290 Then he charged him upon his obedience to do it, but he would not do it for him, 19:15.590 --> 19:18.070 so he willed another to put them upon his back. 19:18.410 --> 19:22.150 And when he was thoroughly furnished therewith, he set his hands to his side, 19:22.150 --> 19:26.670 walking up and down, and said, How say you, my lord, am I not a goodly 19:26.670 --> 19:27.090 fool? 19:27.630 --> 19:32.150 How say you, my masters, if I were in cheap, should I not have boys enough to 19:32.150 --> 19:35.130 laugh at these apish toys and toying trumpery? 19:35.910 --> 19:39.530 So the bishop scraped his fingers, thumbs, and the crown of his head. 19:41.130 --> 19:45.710 At the last, when he should have given Dr. Taylor a stroke on the breast with his 19:45.710 --> 19:51.490 crozier staff, the bishop's chaplain said, My lord, strike him not, for he will sure 19:51.490 --> 19:52.310 strike again. 19:53.250 --> 19:57.610 Yea, by St. Peter will I, quoth Dr. Taylor, the cause is Christ's, 19:57.870 --> 20:01.550 and I were no good Christian if I would not fight in my master's quarrel. 20:02.490 --> 20:05.110 So the bishop laid his curse upon him, but struck him not. 20:05.730 --> 20:09.670 Then Dr. Taylor said, Though you do curse me, yet God doth bless me. 20:10.130 --> 20:13.650 I have the witness of my conscience that ye have done me wrong and violence, 20:14.270 --> 20:17.690 and yet I pray God, if it be His will, to forgive you. 20:18.650 --> 20:22.130 But from the tyranny of the bishop of Rome and his detestable enormities, 20:22.310 --> 20:23.470 good Lord deliver us! 20:24.090 --> 20:28.170 And when he came up to his chamber, he told Master Bradford, for they both lay 20:28.170 --> 20:33.030 in one chamber, that he had made the bishop of London afraid, for, saith he 20:33.030 --> 20:37.910 laughingly, his chaplain gave him counsel not to strike me with his crozier staff, 20:38.370 --> 20:42.390 for that I would strike again, and by my troth, said he, rubbing his 20:42.390 --> 20:45.410 hands, I made him believe I would do so indeed. 20:47.010 --> 20:51.550 The night after that he was degraded, his wife and his son Thomas, and John Hull 20:51.550 --> 20:55.050 his servant, resorted unto him, and were, by the gentleness of the 20:55.050 --> 20:56.690 keepers, permitted to sup with him. 20:57.570 --> 21:00.430 At their coming in they kneeled down and prayed, saying the litany. 21:01.170 --> 21:04.930 After supper, walking up and down, he gave God thanks for His grace that had 21:04.930 --> 21:07.510 given him strength to abide by His holy word. 21:08.130 --> 21:11.150 With tears they prayed together, and kissed one the other. 21:11.690 --> 21:15.790 Unto his son Thomas he gave a Latin book, containing the notable sayings of the old 21:15.790 --> 21:19.290 martyrs, and in the end of that he wrote his testament. 21:20.270 --> 21:25.210 I say to my wife and to my children, The Lord gave you unto me, and the Lord 21:25.210 --> 21:27.290 hath taken me from you, and you from me. 21:28.070 --> 21:29.450 Blessed be the name of the Lord! 21:30.250 --> 21:32.750 I believe they are blessed which die in the Lord. 21:33.310 --> 21:36.270 God careth for sparrows and for the hairs of our heads. 21:36.690 --> 21:41.030 I have ever found Him more faithful and favourable than is any father or husband. 21:41.950 --> 21:45.990 Trust ye therefore in Him by the means of our dear Saviour Christ's merits. 21:46.810 --> 21:49.370 Believe, love, fear, and obey Him. 21:49.910 --> 21:52.150 Pray to Him, for He hath promised to help. 21:52.810 --> 21:56.210 Count me not dead, for I shall certainly live and never die. 21:56.830 --> 22:00.270 I go before, and you shall follow after, to our long home. 22:01.130 --> 22:05.430 I say to my dear friends of Hadley, and to all others which have heard me 22:05.430 --> 22:10.110 preach, that I depart hence with a quiet conscience, as touching my doctrine, 22:10.590 --> 22:12.790 for the which I pray you thank God with me. 22:13.370 --> 22:18.030 For I have, after my little talent, declared to others those lessons that I 22:18.030 --> 22:20.230 gathered out of God's book, the blessed Bible. 22:20.950 --> 22:26.370 Therefore, if I, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any other gospel than 22:26.370 --> 22:30.130 that you have received, God's great curse upon that preacher. 22:31.690 --> 22:36.570 Departing hence in sure hope, without all doubting of eternal salvation, 22:36.770 --> 22:41.550 I thank God my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ my certain Saviour. 22:42.850 --> 22:47.030 On the morrow the sheriff of London with his officers came to the compter by two o 22:47.030 --> 22:51.950 'clock in the morning, and brought forth Dr. Taylor, and without any light led him 22:51.950 --> 22:54.650 to the wool sack, and in without Aldgate. 22:55.870 --> 23:00.430 Dr. Taylor's wife, suspecting that her husband should that night be carried away, 23:01.090 --> 23:06.430 watched all night in St. Betulph's church porch beside Aldgate, having her two 23:06.430 --> 23:10.990 children, the one named Elizabeth of thirteen years of age, whom being left 23:10.990 --> 23:15.210 without father or mother, Dr. Taylor had brought up of arms from three years old, 23:15.590 --> 23:18.590 the other named Mary, Dr. Taylor's own daughter. 23:19.650 --> 23:24.590 Now when the sheriff and his company came against St. Betulph's church, Elizabeth 23:24.590 --> 23:30.010 cried saying, Oh my dear father, mother, mother, here is my father led 23:30.010 --> 23:30.390 away. 23:31.410 --> 23:34.930 Then cried his wife, Roland, Roland, where art thou? 23:35.750 --> 23:39.970 For it was a very dark morning, that the one could not well see the other. 23:41.030 --> 23:45.610 Dr. Taylor answered, Dear wife, I am here, and stayed. 23:46.330 --> 23:50.270 The sheriff's men would have led him forth, but the sheriff said, Stay a 23:50.270 --> 23:53.610 little, masters, I pray you, and let him speak to his wife. 23:54.310 --> 23:55.410 And so they stayed. 23:56.710 --> 24:00.770 Then came she to him, and he took his daughter Mary in his arms, and he, 24:01.130 --> 24:05.170 his wife, and Elizabeth, kneeled down and said the Lord's Prayer. 24:06.370 --> 24:10.690 At which sight the sheriff wept apace, and so did divers others of the company. 24:11.890 --> 24:15.230 After they had prayed, he rose up and kissed his wife, and shook her by the 24:15.230 --> 24:20.610 hand, and said, Farewell, my dear wife, be of good comfort, for I am quiet in my 24:20.610 --> 24:21.030 conscience. 24:21.870 --> 24:24.290 God shall stir up a father for my children. 24:25.230 --> 24:29.910 And then he kissed his daughter Mary, and said, God bless thee, and make thee 24:29.910 --> 24:30.510 his servant. 24:31.430 --> 24:35.810 And kissing Elizabeth, he said, God bless thee, I pray you all stand 24:35.810 --> 24:39.010 strong and steadfast unto Christ and his word. 24:40.070 --> 24:45.170 Then said his wife, God be with thee, dear Roland, I will, with God's grace, 24:45.330 --> 24:46.290 meet thee at Hadley. 24:47.570 --> 24:51.010 And so was he led forth to the wool-sack, and his wife followed him. 24:52.230 --> 24:55.670 As soon as they came to the wool-sack, he was put into a chamber wherein he was 24:55.670 --> 24:58.450 kept with four yeomen of the guard, and the sheriff's men. 24:59.630 --> 25:03.610 Dr. Taylor, as soon as he was come into the chamber, fell down on his knees, 25:03.750 --> 25:05.430 and gave himself wholly to prayer. 25:06.470 --> 25:11.410 The sheriff then, seeing Dr. Taylor's wife there, would in no case grant her to speak 25:11.410 --> 25:14.710 any more with her husband, but gently desired her to go to his house, 25:15.110 --> 25:19.770 and take it as her own, and promised her she should lack nothing, and sent two 25:19.770 --> 25:21.470 officers to conduct her thither. 25:22.590 --> 25:26.190 Notwithstanding, she desired to go to her mother's, whither the officers led her, 25:26.390 --> 25:29.110 and charged her mother to keep her there till they came again. 25:30.950 --> 25:35.690 Thus remained Dr. Taylor in the wool-sack, kept by the sheriff and his company till 25:35.690 --> 25:39.310 eleven o'clock, at which time the sheriff of Essex was ready to receive. 25:40.450 --> 25:44.270 And so they set him on horseback within the inn, the gates being shut. 25:45.770 --> 25:50.330 At the coming out of the gates, John Hull, before spoken of, stood at the 25:50.330 --> 25:52.750 rails with Thomas, Dr. Taylor's son. 25:53.790 --> 25:58.310 When Dr. Taylor saw them, he called them, saying, Come hither, my son Thomas. 25:59.110 --> 26:02.910 And John lifted the child up, and set him on the horse before his father. 26:03.610 --> 26:06.650 And Dr. Taylor put off his hat, and said to the people that stood there 26:06.650 --> 26:10.070 looking on him, Good people, this is mine own son. 26:11.210 --> 26:16.350 Then lifted he up his eyes towards heaven, and prayed for his son, laid his hat upon 26:16.350 --> 26:17.790 the child's head, and blessed him. 26:18.150 --> 26:22.250 And so delivered the child to John Hull, whom he took by the hand, and said, 26:22.830 --> 26:27.210 Farewell, John Hull, the faithfulest servant that ever man had. 26:27.710 --> 26:32.450 And so they rode forth, the sheriff of Essex, with four yeomen of the guard, 26:32.890 --> 26:34.430 and the sheriff's men leading him. 26:35.650 --> 26:39.010 And so they came to Brentwood, where they caused to be made for Dr. 26:39.150 --> 26:43.690 Taylor a close hood, with two holes for his eyes to look out at, and a slit for 26:43.690 --> 26:44.750 his mouth to breathe at. 26:45.510 --> 26:50.430 This feared that no man should know him, nor he speak to any man, which practice 26:50.430 --> 26:51.930 they used also with others. 26:52.790 --> 26:57.030 They feared lest, if the people should have heard them speak, or have seen them, 26:57.630 --> 27:01.490 they might have been much more strengthened by their godly exhortations 27:01.490 --> 27:05.890 to stand steadfast in God's word, and to fly the superstitions and 27:05.890 --> 27:07.470 idolatries of the papacy. 27:08.390 --> 27:12.770 All the way Dr. Taylor was joyful and merry, as one that accounted himself going 27:12.770 --> 27:14.830 to a most pleasant banquet or bridal. 27:15.510 --> 27:18.850 He spake many notable things to the sheriff and yeomen of the guard that 27:18.850 --> 27:21.330 conducted him, and often moved them to weep. 27:22.010 --> 27:26.610 Through his much earnest calling upon them to repent, and to amend their evil and 27:26.610 --> 27:27.250 wicked living. 27:28.150 --> 27:33.090 Oftentimes also he caused them to wonder and rejoice, to see him so constant and 27:33.090 --> 27:37.370 steadfast, void of all fear, joyful in heart, and glad to die. 27:38.710 --> 27:42.750 At Chelmsford met them the sheriff of Suffolk, there to receive him, 27:43.230 --> 27:45.050 and to carry him forth into Suffolk. 27:45.690 --> 27:50.490 And being at supper, the sheriff of Essex very earnestly labored him to return to 27:50.490 --> 27:54.110 the popish religion, thinking with fair words to persuade him, and said, 27:54.370 --> 27:57.530 Good Master Doctor, we are right sorry for you. 27:58.490 --> 28:03.110 God hath given you great learning and wisdom, wherefore ye have been in great 28:03.110 --> 28:07.630 favor and reputation in times past with the counsel and highest of this realm. 28:08.570 --> 28:12.890 Besides this, ye are a man of goodly personage, in your best strength, 28:12.990 --> 28:14.990 and by nature like to live many years. 28:16.010 --> 28:20.070 Ye are well beloved of all men, as well for your virtues as for your 28:20.070 --> 28:24.070 learning, and methinketh it were great pity you should cast away yourself 28:24.070 --> 28:27.090 willingly, and so come to such a painful and shameful death. 28:28.370 --> 28:30.810 Ye should do much better to revoke your opinions. 28:31.370 --> 28:35.430 I and all these your friends will be suitors for your pardon, which no doubt ye 28:35.430 --> 28:35.990 shall obtain. 28:37.370 --> 28:40.870 Doctor Taylor stayed a little, as one studying what answer he might give. 28:41.790 --> 28:47.650 At the last thus he said, Master Sheriff, and my masters all, I heartily thank you 28:47.650 --> 28:48.490 for your good will. 28:49.090 --> 28:52.250 I have hearkened to your words and marked well your counsels. 28:52.970 --> 28:56.670 And to be plain with you, I do perceive that I have been deceived myself, 28:56.810 --> 29:00.230 and am like to deceive a great many of Hadley of their expectation. 29:01.250 --> 29:03.110 With that word they all rejoiced. 29:03.630 --> 29:08.150 Yea, good Master Doctor, quoth the Sheriff, God's blessing on your heart, 29:08.730 --> 29:09.710 hold you still there. 29:09.710 --> 29:14.270 It is the comfortablest word that we heard you speak yet. 29:15.150 --> 29:17.650 What should ye cast away yourself in vain? 29:18.130 --> 29:21.510 Play a wise man's part, and I dare warrant it, ye shall find favour. 29:22.330 --> 29:25.170 Thus they rejoiced very much at the word, and were very merry. 29:25.790 --> 29:30.310 At the last, good Master Doctor, quoth the Sheriff, what meant ye by this? 29:30.770 --> 29:36.730 That ye say ye think ye have been deceived yourself, and think ye shall deceive many 29:36.730 --> 29:37.610 a one in Hadley? 29:38.710 --> 29:41.010 Would ye know my meaning plainly, quoth he? 29:41.890 --> 29:44.850 Yea, quoth the Sheriff, good Master Doctor, tell us plainly. 29:46.230 --> 29:50.250 Then said Doctor Taylor, I will tell you how I have been deceived, and, 29:50.370 --> 29:52.510 as I think, I shall deceive a great many. 29:53.250 --> 29:58.030 I am, as you see, a man that hath a very great carcass, which I thought should have 29:58.030 --> 30:02.410 been buried in Hadley Churchyard, if I had died in my bed, as I well hoped I 30:02.410 --> 30:02.890 should have. 30:03.970 --> 30:08.630 But herein I see I was deceived, and there are a great number of worms in 30:08.630 --> 30:13.530 Hadley Churchyard, which should have had jobs on this carrion, which they have 30:13.530 --> 30:14.690 looked for many a day. 30:15.130 --> 30:20.770 But now I know we be deceived, both I and they, for this carcass must be 30:20.770 --> 30:26.150 burnt to ashes, and so shall they lose their bait and feeding, that they have 30:26.150 --> 30:27.390 looked to have had of it. 30:28.250 --> 30:32.370 When the Sheriff and his company heard him say so, they were amazed, and looked one 30:32.370 --> 30:36.530 on another, marvelling at the man's constant mind, that thus, without all 30:36.530 --> 30:41.450 fear, made but a jest at the cruel torment and death now at hand prepared for him. 30:42.510 --> 30:45.110 Thus was their expectation clean disappointed. 30:46.530 --> 30:51.250 At Lavenham there came to him a great number of gentlemen and justices upon 30:51.250 --> 30:54.170 great horses, which all were appointed to aid the Sheriff. 30:54.970 --> 31:00.830 These gentlemen laboured Dr. Taylor very sore to reduce him to the Romish religion, 31:01.010 --> 31:04.890 promising him his pardon, which, said they, we have here for you. 31:05.930 --> 31:10.150 They promised him great promotions, yea, a bishopric, if he would take it. 31:10.650 --> 31:13.450 But all their labour and flattering words were in vain. 31:14.970 --> 31:18.810 Coming within two miles of Hadley, Dr. Taylor desired to light off his horse, 31:19.490 --> 31:25.170 which done, he leapt, and fet a frisk or twain, as men commonly do in dancing. 31:26.030 --> 31:27.610 Why, Master Doctor, quoth the Sheriff. 31:27.970 --> 31:29.090 How do you now? 31:29.490 --> 31:29.930 he answered. 31:30.430 --> 31:34.970 Well, God be praised, good Master Sheriff, never better, for now I know I am almost 31:34.970 --> 31:35.470 at home. 31:36.310 --> 31:41.590 I lack not past two stiles to go over, and I am even at my father's house. 31:42.230 --> 31:45.970 But, Master Sheriff, said he, shall we not go through Hadley? 31:46.630 --> 31:49.170 Yes, said the Sheriff, you shall go through Hadley. 31:50.210 --> 31:53.650 Then said he, O Lord, I thank Thee. 31:54.010 --> 31:59.010 I shall yet once, or I die, see my flock, whom Thou, Lord, knowest I have most 31:59.010 --> 32:00.990 heartily loved and truly taught. 32:01.650 --> 32:05.430 Lord, bless them, and keep them steadfast in Thy word and truth. 32:06.550 --> 32:09.890 When they were now come to Hadley, and came riding over the bridge, 32:09.890 --> 32:15.170 at the bridge foot waited a poor man with five small children, who, when he saw Dr. 32:15.310 --> 32:19.190 Taylor, he and his children fell down upon their knees, and held up their hands, 32:19.330 --> 32:23.310 and cried with a loud voice, and said, O dear father and good shepherd Dr. 32:23.470 --> 32:28.250 Taylor, God help and succor thee, as Thou hast many a time succored me and 32:28.250 --> 32:29.070 my poor children. 32:29.990 --> 32:34.650 The streets of Hadley were beset on both sides the way with men and women who 32:34.650 --> 32:39.510 waited to see him, whom when they beheld so led to death, with weeping eyes and 32:39.510 --> 32:45.110 lamentable voices they cried, saying one to another, Our Lord, there goeth our good 32:45.110 --> 32:50.110 shepherd from us, that so faithfully hath taught us, so fatherly hath cared for us, 32:50.510 --> 32:52.330 and so godly hath governed us. 32:52.850 --> 32:56.390 O merciful God, what shall we poor scattered lambs do? 32:57.250 --> 32:59.750 What shall come of this most wicked world? 33:00.530 --> 33:02.330 Lord, strengthen him and comfort him. 33:02.810 --> 33:07.730 And Dr. Taylor evermore said to the people, I have preached to you God's word 33:07.730 --> 33:10.770 and truth, and am come this day to seal it with my blood. 33:11.930 --> 33:16.470 Coming against the almshouses which he well knew, he cast to the poor people 33:16.470 --> 33:20.450 money which remained of that which had been given him in time of his 33:20.450 --> 33:21.090 imprisonment. 33:21.710 --> 33:26.490 As for his living, they took it from him at his first going to prison, so that he 33:26.490 --> 33:30.150 was sustained all the time of his imprisonment by the charitable alms of 33:30.150 --> 33:31.490 good people that visited him. 33:32.250 --> 33:36.510 Therefore the money that now remained he put in a glove, and gave it to the poor 33:36.510 --> 33:38.990 almsmen standing at their doors to see him. 33:39.530 --> 33:43.410 In coming to the last of the almshouses, and not seeing the poor that there dwelt, 33:43.730 --> 33:48.450 ready at their doors, as the others were, he asked, Is the blind man and blind woman 33:48.450 --> 33:49.670 that dwelt here alive? 33:50.170 --> 33:52.690 It was answered, Yea, they are there within. 33:53.550 --> 33:56.210 Then threw he glove and all in at the window. 33:57.370 --> 34:02.050 Thus this good father and provider for the poor now took his leave of those for whom 34:02.050 --> 34:04.910 all his life he had a singular care and study. 34:05.870 --> 34:11.290 At the last, coming to Aldam Common, the place assigned where he should suffer, 34:11.770 --> 34:16.210 and seeing a great multitude of people gathered thither, he asked, What place is 34:16.210 --> 34:20.170 this, and what meaneth it that so much people are gathered hither? 34:20.770 --> 34:25.870 It was answered, It is Aldam Common, the place where you must suffer, 34:26.150 --> 34:27.870 and the people are come to look upon you. 34:28.230 --> 34:31.710 Then said he, Thanked be God, I am even at home. 34:32.150 --> 34:35.930 And so alighted from his horse, and with both his hands rent the hood from 34:35.930 --> 34:36.470 his head. 34:37.730 --> 34:41.870 When the people saw his reverend face, with a long white beard, they burst out 34:41.870 --> 34:45.890 with weeping tears, and cried, saying, God save thee, good Dr. Taylor! 34:46.450 --> 34:48.750 Jesus Christ strengthened thee and helped thee. 34:49.030 --> 34:50.530 The Holy Ghost comfort thee. 34:51.390 --> 34:54.950 Then would he have spoken to the people, but the yeoman of the guard was so busy 34:54.950 --> 34:59.030 about him, that as soon as he opened his mouth, one or other thrust a tipstaff into 34:59.030 --> 35:01.470 his mouth, and would in no wise permit him. 35:02.830 --> 35:07.070 Dr. Taylor thereupon sat down, and seeing one named Soice, called him, 35:07.150 --> 35:11.470 and said, Soice, I pray thee, come and pull off my boots, and take them for thy 35:11.470 --> 35:11.810 labour. 35:12.810 --> 35:15.230 Thou hast long looked for them, now take them. 35:15.770 --> 35:20.010 Then he rose up, and put off his clothes unto his shirt, and gave them away. 35:20.610 --> 35:25.010 Which done, he said with a loud voice, Good people, I have taught you nothing but 35:25.010 --> 35:29.190 God's holy word, and those lessons that I have taken out of God's blessed book, 35:29.330 --> 35:29.990 the holy Bible. 35:30.850 --> 35:34.050 And I am come hither this day to seal it with my blood. 35:35.650 --> 35:39.950 With that word, Holmes, yeoman of the guard, who had used Dr. Taylor very 35:39.950 --> 35:42.950 cruelly all the way, gave him a great stroke upon the head. 35:44.090 --> 35:47.110 Then he kneeled down and prayed, and a poor woman, that was among the 35:47.110 --> 35:48.790 people, stepped in and prayed with him. 35:49.270 --> 35:52.730 But her they thrust away, and threatened to tread her down with horses. 35:54.050 --> 35:56.970 Notwithstanding, she would not remove, but abode and prayed with him. 35:58.010 --> 36:02.110 He went to the stake and kissed it, and set himself into a pitch-barrel, 36:02.230 --> 36:05.710 which they had set for him, and so stood with his back upright against the stake, 36:05.790 --> 36:10.050 with his hands folded together, and his eyes toward heaven, and so he 36:10.050 --> 36:11.170 continually prayed. 36:12.450 --> 36:14.150 Then they bound him with chains. 36:15.250 --> 36:19.310 And the sheriff called one Richard Donningham, a butcher, and commanded him 36:19.310 --> 36:20.410 to set up faggots. 36:20.790 --> 36:24.850 But he refused to do it, and said, I am lame, sir, and not able to lift a 36:24.850 --> 36:25.210 faggot. 36:26.010 --> 36:30.330 The sheriff threatened to send him to prison, notwithstanding he would not do 36:30.330 --> 36:30.530 it. 36:31.270 --> 36:36.550 Then appointed he Mullhane, Soice, Warwick, and Robert King, to set up the 36:36.550 --> 36:39.570 faggots, and to make the fire, which they most diligently did. 36:40.710 --> 36:44.590 Warwick cruelly cast a faggot at him, which lit upon his head, and break his 36:44.590 --> 36:46.550 face, that the blood ran down his visage. 36:47.310 --> 36:51.850 Then said Dr. Taylor, O friend, I have harm enough, what needed that? 36:52.890 --> 36:56.290 Furthermore, Sir John Shelton, there standing by, as Dr. Taylor was 36:56.290 --> 37:01.510 saying the psalm, Misere, in English, struck him on the lips, Ye knave, 37:01.610 --> 37:04.130 said he, speak Latin, I will make thee. 37:04.930 --> 37:09.070 At the last they set to fire, and Dr. Taylor, holding up both hands, 37:09.230 --> 37:14.050 called upon God, and said, Merciful Father of heaven, for Jesus Christ my Saviour's 37:14.050 --> 37:16.570 sake, receive my soul into thy hands. 37:17.550 --> 37:21.710 So stood he still, without either crying or moving, with his hands folded together, 37:21.810 --> 37:25.530 till Soice, with a halberd, struck him on the head, that the brains fell out, 37:25.530 --> 37:27.490 and the corpse fell into the fire.