WEBVTT 00:01.400 --> 00:07.580 Anecdotes and Sayings of Other Martyrs When sentence was given against Jerome of 00:07.580 --> 00:12.920 Prague, a great long mitre of paper was brought unto him, painted about with red 00:12.920 --> 00:17.720 devils, which when he beheld, throwing away his hood upon the ground amongst the 00:17.720 --> 00:22.360 prelates, he took and put upon his head, saying, Our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:22.500 --> 00:26.920 when he should suffer death for me, most wretched sinner, did wear a crown of 00:26.920 --> 00:32.640 thorns upon his head, and I for his sake, instead of that crown, will willingly wear 00:32.640 --> 00:34.020 this mitre and cap. 00:35.340 --> 00:42.420 Constance 1416 There came unto George Carpenter, a certain schoolmaster of St. 00:42.580 --> 00:46.940 Peter, saying, My friend George, dost thou not fear the death and 00:46.940 --> 00:48.700 punishment which thou must suffer? 00:49.320 --> 00:52.940 If thou wert let go, wouldst thou return to thy wife and children? 00:53.940 --> 00:58.400 Whereunto he answered, If I were set at liberty, whither should I rather go, 00:58.700 --> 01:00.720 than to my wife and well-beloved children? 01:01.620 --> 01:06.880 Then said the schoolmaster, Revoke your former sentence and opinion, and you shall 01:06.880 --> 01:07.820 be set at liberty. 01:09.520 --> 01:14.500 Whereunto George answered, My wife and my children are so dearly beloved unto me, 01:14.620 --> 01:18.420 that they cannot be brought from me for all the riches and possessions of the Duke 01:18.420 --> 01:19.040 of Bavaria. 01:19.860 --> 01:23.780 But for the love of my Lord God, I will willingly forsake them. 01:24.520 --> 01:30.780 Munich 1527 And so, going forth, they came to the place of execution, 01:31.500 --> 01:35.560 where Antony Pearson, with a cheerful countenance, embraced the post in his 01:35.560 --> 01:41.240 arms, and kissing it, said, Now welcome mine own sweet wife, for this day shalt 01:41.240 --> 01:44.680 thou and I be married together in the love and peace of God. 01:45.420 --> 01:49.400 And pulling the straw unto him, he laid a good deal thereof upon the top 01:49.400 --> 01:51.960 of his head, saying, This is God's hat. 01:52.600 --> 01:57.760 Now am I dressed like a true soldier of Christ, by whose merits only I trust this 01:57.760 --> 01:59.820 day to enter into His joy. 02:00.560 --> 02:08.240 Windsor 1543 As Giles Tillman was brought to the place of burning, where he saw a 02:08.240 --> 02:13.260 great heap of wood piled, he required the greater part thereof to be taken away, 02:13.640 --> 02:14.880 and to be given to the poor. 02:15.620 --> 02:17.860 A little, said he, would suffice him. 02:18.360 --> 02:23.500 And seeing a poor man coming by as he went, that lacked shoes, he gave his shoes 02:23.500 --> 02:24.060 unto him. 02:24.540 --> 02:28.720 Better, said he, so to do, than to have his shoes burnt, and the poor to perish 02:28.720 --> 02:29.320 for cold. 02:30.260 --> 02:33.460 Standing at the stake, the hangman was ready to strangle him before. 02:34.000 --> 02:38.420 But he would not, saying that there was no need that his pain should be mitigated. 02:39.080 --> 02:41.580 For I fear not, said he, the fire. 02:42.360 --> 02:44.400 Do thou therefore as thou art commanded. 02:44.400 --> 02:48.720 And thus the blessed martyr, lifting up his eyes to heaven in the middle of the 02:48.720 --> 02:52.600 flame, died to the great lamentation of all that stood by. 02:53.140 --> 03:01.220 Brussels 1544 Peter Miochius was let down into a deep dungeon under the castle 03:01.220 --> 03:03.900 ditch, full of toads and filthy vermin. 03:04.840 --> 03:08.660 Shortly after, the senate began to examine him of certain articles of religion, 03:09.660 --> 03:14.640 to whom, as he was about to answer boldly and expressly to every point, they, 03:14.920 --> 03:19.100 interrupting him, bade him say, in two words, either yea or nay. 03:19.920 --> 03:24.440 Then said he, If ye will not suffer me to answer for myself in matters of such 03:24.440 --> 03:29.460 importance, send me to my prison again among my toads and frogs, which will not 03:29.460 --> 03:32.180 interrupt me while I talk with my Lord and my God. 03:32.700 --> 03:39.840 Dornick 1545 Master Wingfield said to Kirby, Remember the fire is hot, 03:40.120 --> 03:44.400 take heed of thine enterprise, that thou take no more upon thee than thou 03:44.400 --> 03:45.720 shalt be able to perform. 03:46.420 --> 03:50.800 The terror is great, the pain will be extreme, and life is sweet. 03:51.560 --> 03:56.600 Better it were betimes to stick to mercy, while there is hope of life, than rashly 03:56.600 --> 03:58.600 to begin, and then to shrink. 03:59.580 --> 04:04.940 To whom Kirby answered, Ah, Master Wingfield, be at my burning, and you shall 04:04.940 --> 04:08.140 say, There standeth a Christian soldier in the fire. 04:08.800 --> 04:12.980 For I know that fire and water, sword, and all other things, are in the 04:12.980 --> 04:17.260 hands of God, and he will suffer no more to be laid upon us than he will give us 04:17.260 --> 04:18.340 strength to bear. 04:19.160 --> 04:25.520 Ipswich 1545 When the rope was put about Anne Audubert, she called it her wedding 04:25.520 --> 04:28.360 girdle, wherewith she should be married to Christ. 04:29.040 --> 04:32.680 And as she should be burned upon a Saturday, upon Michaelmas even, 04:33.380 --> 04:38.200 upon a Saturday, said she, I was first married, and upon a Saturday I shall be 04:38.200 --> 04:38.920 married again. 04:39.440 --> 04:46.880 Orleans 1549 About ten of the clock cometh riding the sheriff, with a great many 04:46.880 --> 04:50.740 other gentlemen and their retinue appointed to assist him, and with them 04:50.740 --> 04:55.700 Christopher Wade, riding pinioned, and by him one Marjorie Polly of 04:55.700 --> 05:01.080 Tunbridge, both singing of a psalm, which Marjorie, as soon as she espied afar 05:01.080 --> 05:05.140 off the multitude gathered about the place where he should suffer, waiting his 05:05.140 --> 05:09.820 coming, said unto him very loud and cheerfully, You may rejoice, Wade, 05:10.180 --> 05:13.680 to see such a company gathered to celebrate your marriage this day. 05:14.680 --> 05:19.460 Wade, coming straight to the stake, took it in his arms, embracing it, 05:19.580 --> 05:22.980 and kissed it, setting his back unto it, and standing in a pitch-barrel. 05:24.000 --> 05:27.800 As soon as he was thus settled, he spake, with his hands and eyes lifted 05:27.800 --> 05:32.640 up to heaven, with a cheerful and loud voice, the last verse of Psalm 86. 05:33.700 --> 05:38.300 Show some good token upon me, O Lord, that they which hate me may see it and be 05:38.300 --> 05:42.720 ashamed, because Thou, Lord, has helped me and comforted me. 05:43.460 --> 05:48.360 The sheriff often interrupted, saying, Be quiet, Wade, and die patiently. 05:49.100 --> 05:50.160 I am, said he. 05:50.660 --> 05:55.020 I thank God, quiet master sheriff, and so trust to die. 05:56.400 --> 05:59.800 Then the reeds being set about him, Wade pulled them and embraced them in his 05:59.800 --> 06:04.180 arms, always with his hands making a hole against his face, that his voice might be 06:04.180 --> 06:09.080 heard, which they, perceiving that were his tormentors, always cast faggots at the 06:09.080 --> 06:14.480 same hole, which notwithstanding he still, as he could, put off, his face being hurt 06:14.480 --> 06:16.640 with the end of a faggot cast thereat. 06:17.320 --> 06:22.980 Then fire being put to him, he cried unto God often, Lord Jesus, receive my soul, 06:23.520 --> 06:29.400 without any token or sign of impatiency in the fire.—Dartford, 1555. 06:31.360 --> 06:34.920 When the time came that he should be brought out of Nugget to Smithfield, 06:35.060 --> 06:39.760 came to him Master Woodruff, and asked him if he would revoke his evil opinion of the 06:39.760 --> 06:40.700 sacrament of the altar. 06:41.400 --> 06:46.080 Master Rogers answered and said, That which I have preached I will seal 06:46.080 --> 06:46.900 with my blood. 06:47.940 --> 06:51.140 Then, quoth Master Woodruff, thou art a heretic. 06:51.960 --> 06:55.040 That shall be known, quoth Rogers, at the day of judgment. 06:56.380 --> 07:00.000 Well, quoth Master Woodruff, I will never pray for thee. 07:00.440 --> 07:03.140 But I will pray for you, quoth Master Rogers. 07:04.240 --> 07:09.140 His wife and children, being eleven in number and ten able to go, and one sucking 07:09.140 --> 07:12.820 on her breast, met him by the way as he went towards Smithfield. 07:13.540 --> 07:18.420 This sorrowful sight of his own flesh and blood could nothing move him, but that he 07:18.420 --> 07:20.400 constantly and cheerfully took his death. 07:21.300 --> 07:26.460 When the fire had taken hold both upon his legs and shoulders, he, as one feeling no 07:26.460 --> 07:31.140 smart, washed his hands in the flame, as though it had been in cold water. 07:31.860 --> 07:33.580 —Smithfield, 1555. 07:34.300 --> 07:38.860 When the godly martyrs, Master Cardmaker and John Warne, were brought by the 07:38.860 --> 07:42.720 sheriffs to the place where they should suffer, the sheriffs called Cardmaker 07:42.720 --> 07:47.860 aside and talked with him secretly, so long that in the meantime Warne had 07:47.860 --> 07:52.480 made his prayers, was chained to the stake, and had wood and reed set about 07:52.480 --> 07:57.160 him, so that nothing wanted but the firing, but still abode Cardmaker talking 07:57.160 --> 07:57.940 with the sheriffs. 07:58.860 --> 08:03.340 The people which before had heard that Cardmaker would recant, on beholding this 08:03.340 --> 08:07.840 manner of doing, were in a marvellous dump and sadness, thinking indeed that 08:07.840 --> 08:10.600 Cardmaker should now recant at the burning of Warne. 08:11.520 --> 08:15.000 At length Cardmaker departed from the sheriffs and came towards the stake, 08:15.260 --> 08:19.380 and in his garments as he was, kneeled down and made a long prayer in 08:19.380 --> 08:20.340 silence to himself. 08:21.360 --> 08:25.180 Yet the people confirmed themselves in their fantasy of his recanting, 08:25.680 --> 08:30.120 seeing him in his garments, praying secretly, and no semblance of any burning. 08:31.160 --> 08:35.700 His prayers being ended, he rose up, put off his clothes unto his shirt, 08:36.000 --> 08:38.940 went with bold courage to the stake, and kissed it sweetly. 08:39.400 --> 08:44.300 He took Warne by the hand and comforted him heartily, and so gave himself to be 08:44.300 --> 08:46.680 also bound to the stake most gladly. 08:47.840 --> 08:51.840 The people seeing this so suddenly done, contrary to their fearful expectation, 08:52.480 --> 08:57.380 as men delivered out of a great doubt, cried out for joy, saying, God be praised! 08:57.760 --> 08:59.560 The Lord strengthen thee, Cardmaker! 08:59.900 --> 09:01.980 The Lord Jesus receive thy spirit! 09:03.400 --> 09:10.720 Smithfield 1555 When this good man Rawlins White, while he was on his way to the 09:10.720 --> 09:14.660 stake, came to a place where his poor wife and children stood weeping and making 09:14.660 --> 09:19.680 great lamentation, the sudden sight of them so pierced his heart that the tears 09:19.680 --> 09:20.880 trickled down his face. 09:21.660 --> 09:26.060 But he soon after, as though he had misliked this infirmity of his flesh, 09:26.380 --> 09:30.820 began to be, as it were, altogether angry with himself, insomuch that in striking 09:30.820 --> 09:37.500 his breast with his hand he used these words, Ah flesh, stayest thou me so? 09:38.020 --> 09:39.380 what, dost thou fain prevail? 09:40.140 --> 09:44.900 Well, I tell thee, do what thou canst, thou shalt not by God's grace have the 09:44.900 --> 09:45.260 victory. 09:45.900 --> 09:50.520 Then went he cheerfully and very joyfully, and set his back close unto the stake. 09:51.020 --> 09:58.740 Cardiff 1555 Thomas Harker being bound to the stake, the fire was set unto him. 09:59.480 --> 10:03.700 In the which, when he continued long, and when his speech was taken away by 10:03.700 --> 10:09.020 violence of the flame, his skin also drawn together, and his fingers consumed with 10:09.020 --> 10:13.540 the fire, so that now all men thought certainly he had been gone. 10:13.880 --> 10:18.700 Suddenly, and contrary to all expectation, the blessed servant of God reached up his 10:18.700 --> 10:22.320 hands, burning on a light fire, which was marvellous to behold, 10:22.720 --> 10:26.300 over his head to the living God, and with great rejoicing, as it seemed, 10:26.820 --> 10:29.200 struck or clapped them three times together. 10:30.180 --> 10:34.480 Which thing he had promised certain of his friends to do, and so secretly between 10:34.480 --> 10:38.780 them it was agreed, that if the rage of the pain were tolerable, and might be 10:38.780 --> 10:42.320 suffered, then he should lift up his hands above his head towards heaven, 10:42.880 --> 10:44.280 before he gave up the ghost. 10:45.380 --> 10:53.920 Cogshall 1555 A Godly Letter of John Bradford To my dear fathers, Dr. Cranmer, 10:54.020 --> 10:55.500 Dr. Ridley, and Dr. Latimer. 10:56.340 --> 11:00.800 Our dear brother Rogers hath broken the ice valiantly, as this day I think, 11:00.960 --> 11:04.860 or to-morrow at the outermost, hearty Hooper, sincere Saunders, 11:04.940 --> 11:08.440 and trusty Taylor, end their course and receive their crown. 11:09.520 --> 11:14.600 The next am I, who hourly look for the porter to open me the gates after them, 11:14.960 --> 11:16.820 to enter into the desired rest. 11:17.680 --> 11:21.780 God forgive me mine unthankfulness for this exceeding great mercy, that, 11:22.160 --> 11:27.340 amongst so many thousands, it pleaseth His mercy to choose me to be one in whom He 11:27.340 --> 11:27.880 will suffer. 11:28.860 --> 11:33.880 O what I am, Lord, that Thou shouldest thus magnify me, so vile a man and 11:33.880 --> 11:35.640 wretched as always I have been! 11:36.420 --> 11:41.020 Is this Thy want, to send for such a wretch and hypocrite as I have been, 11:41.400 --> 11:44.720 in a fiery chariot, as Thou didst for Elias? 11:45.440 --> 11:49.600 O dear fathers, be thankful for me, and pray for me, that I still might be 11:49.600 --> 11:53.240 found worthy, in whom the Lord would sanctify His holy name. 11:53.720 --> 11:58.420 And for your part make you ready, for we are but your gentlemen ushers. 11:58.720 --> 12:00.680 The marriage of the Lamb is prepared. 12:01.200 --> 12:02.480 Come unto the marriage. 12:02.960 --> 12:09.940 Smithfield 1555 When Robert Samuel was brought forth to be burned, certain there 12:09.940 --> 12:14.180 were that heard him declare what strange things had happened unto him during the 12:14.180 --> 12:15.420 time of his imprisonment. 12:16.000 --> 12:20.500 To wit, that after he had been famished or pined with hunger two or three days 12:20.500 --> 12:25.180 together, he then fell into a sleep, as it were one half in a slumber, 12:25.800 --> 12:30.700 at which time one clad all in white seemed to stand before him, who ministered 12:30.700 --> 12:36.000 comfort unto him by these words, Samuel, Samuel, be of good cheer, 12:36.140 --> 12:40.260 and take a good heart unto thee, for after this day there shall never be 12:40.260 --> 12:41.860 either hungry or thirsty. 12:43.420 --> 12:48.020 No less memorable it is, and worthy to be noted, concerning the three ladders which 12:48.020 --> 12:53.640 he told to divers he saw in his sleep, set up toward heaven, of the which there 12:53.640 --> 12:58.120 was one somewhat longer than the rest, but yet at length they became one, 12:58.420 --> 13:01.160 joining, as it were, all three together. 13:02.200 --> 13:06.360 As this godly martyr was going to the fire, there came a certain maid to him, 13:06.560 --> 13:10.560 which took him about the neck and kissed him, who, being marked by them that were 13:10.560 --> 13:15.020 present, was sought for the next day after, to be had to prison and burned, 13:15.400 --> 13:17.680 as the very party herself informed me. 13:18.480 --> 13:23.020 Howbeit, as God of His goodness would have it, she escaped their fiery hands, 13:23.460 --> 13:26.260 keeping herself secret in the town a good while after. 13:27.340 --> 13:31.940 But as this maid, called Rose Nottingham, was marvelously preserved by the 13:31.940 --> 13:37.460 providence of God, so there were other two honest women who did fall into the rage 13:37.460 --> 13:38.800 and fury of that time. 13:39.460 --> 13:44.160 The one was a brewer's wife, the other was a shoemaker's wife, but both together now 13:44.160 --> 13:47.000 espoused to a new husband, Christ. 13:48.260 --> 13:52.100 With these two was this maid aforesaid very familiar and well-acquainted, 13:52.620 --> 13:56.820 who on a time, giving counsel to the one of them, that she should convey herself 13:56.820 --> 14:01.360 away while she had time and space, had this answer at her hands again. 14:01.960 --> 14:07.900 I know well, says she, that it is lawful enough to fly away, which remedy you may 14:07.900 --> 14:11.340 use if you list, but my case standeth otherwise. 14:12.080 --> 14:17.640 I am tied to a husband, and have besides young children at home, therefore I am 14:17.640 --> 14:21.980 minded for the love of Christ and His truth, to stand to the extremity of the 14:21.980 --> 14:22.220 matter. 14:23.280 --> 14:28.540 And so the next day after Samuel suffered, these two godly wives, the one called Anne 14:28.540 --> 14:32.260 Poulton, the other called Joan Trunchfield, the wife of Michael 14:32.260 --> 14:37.320 Trunchfield, shoemaker of Ipswich, were apprehended, and had both into one 14:37.320 --> 14:37.980 prison together. 14:39.020 --> 14:43.500 As they were both by sex and nature somewhat tender, so were they at first 14:43.500 --> 14:47.760 less able to endure the straightness of the prison, and especially the brewer's 14:47.760 --> 14:51.500 wife was cast into marvellous great agonies and troubles of mind thereby. 14:52.680 --> 14:56.880 But Christ, beholding the weak infirmity of His servant, did not fail to help her 14:56.880 --> 14:58.720 when she was in this necessity. 14:59.800 --> 15:05.060 So at the length they both suffered after Samuel, in 1556, February 19. 15:05.980 --> 15:10.060 And these, no doubt, were those two ladders which, being joined with the 15:10.060 --> 15:12.960 third, Samuel saw stretched up into heaven. 15:13.720 --> 15:18.320 This blessed Samuel, the servant of Christ, suffered the 31st of August, 15:18.840 --> 15:19.960 1555. 15:21.380 --> 15:26.620 The report goeth among some that were present, and saw him burn, that his body 15:26.620 --> 15:31.520 in burning did shine in the eyes of them that stood by, as bright and white as 15:31.520 --> 15:32.680 new-tried silver. 15:33.220 --> 15:37.240 Norwich, 1555, 1556. 15:38.840 --> 15:43.360 Suffered at the town of Derby, a certain poor honest godly woman, 15:43.600 --> 15:49.040 being blind from her birth and unmarried, about the age of twenty-two, named Joan 15:49.040 --> 15:49.480 Waste. 15:50.380 --> 15:55.280 This Joan was the daughter of one William Waste, an honest poor man, and by his 15:55.280 --> 15:58.780 science a barber who sometimes also used to make ropes. 15:59.760 --> 16:04.860 She was born blind, and when about twelve or fourteen years old, she learned to knit 16:04.860 --> 16:08.440 hosen and sleeves and other things which in time she could do very well. 16:09.300 --> 16:12.960 Furthermore, as time served, she would help her father to turn ropes, 16:13.280 --> 16:17.260 and do such other things as she was able, and in no case would be idle. 16:19.220 --> 16:23.980 In the time of King Edward VI, of blessed memory, she gave herself daily 16:23.980 --> 16:27.500 to go to the church to hear divine service read in the vulgar tongue. 16:28.380 --> 16:33.560 And thus, by hearing homilies and sermons, she became marvelously well affected to 16:33.560 --> 16:35.020 the religion then taught. 16:35.820 --> 16:40.640 So at length, having by her labor gotten and saved so much money as would buy her a 16:40.640 --> 16:43.980 New Testament, she caused one to be provided for her. 16:45.000 --> 16:50.300 And though she was of herself unlearned, and by reason of her blindness unable to 16:50.300 --> 16:56.120 read, yet for the great desire she had to understand and have printed in her memory 16:56.120 --> 16:59.540 the sayings of the holy Scriptures contained in the New Testament, 17:00.320 --> 17:05.320 she acquainted herself chiefly with one John Hurt, then prisoner in the common 17:05.320 --> 17:07.400 hall of Derby, for debts. 17:08.180 --> 17:13.480 The same John Hurt, being a sober, grave man of the age of threescore and ten 17:13.480 --> 17:18.360 years, by her earnest entreaty, and being a prisoner, and many times idle 17:18.360 --> 17:24.500 and without company, did for his exercise daily read unto her some one chapter of 17:24.500 --> 17:25.180 the New Testament. 17:26.200 --> 17:30.860 And if at any time the said John Hurt were otherwise occupied or letted through 17:30.860 --> 17:36.260 sickness, she would repair unto some other person which could read, and sometimes she 17:36.260 --> 17:40.800 would give a penny or two, as she might spare, to such persons as would not freely 17:40.800 --> 17:45.600 read unto them, appointing unto them aforehand how many chapters of the New 17:45.600 --> 17:49.260 Testament they should read, or how often they should repeat one chapter, 17:49.700 --> 17:50.480 upon a price. 17:51.440 --> 17:57.580 Moreover, in the said Joan Waste this was notorious, that she, being utterly blind, 17:58.220 --> 18:03.400 could, notwithstanding, without a guide, go to any church within the said town of 18:03.400 --> 18:08.340 Derby, or at any other place or person with whom she had any such exercise. 18:09.240 --> 18:14.960 By the which exercise she so profited, that she was able not only to recite many 18:14.960 --> 18:19.740 chapters of the New Testament without book, but also could aptly impugn by 18:19.740 --> 18:25.380 divers places of Scriptures, as well as sin, as such abuses in religion as then 18:25.380 --> 18:28.880 were too much in use in divers and sundry persons. 18:30.280 --> 18:33.960 Notwithstanding the general backsliding of the greatest part of the whole realm into 18:33.960 --> 18:38.740 the old papism again, this poor blind woman, continuing in a constant 18:38.740 --> 18:42.620 conscience, proceeded still in her former exercise. 18:43.460 --> 18:45.600 Derby 1556. 18:47.620 --> 18:52.400 Then both the bishops waxed weary of the said William Thames, for he had troubled 18:52.400 --> 18:54.180 them about six or seven hours. 18:54.880 --> 18:58.560 Then the bishop began to pity Thames' case, and to flatter him, saying, 18:58.920 --> 19:04.200 Ah, good fellow, said they, thou art bold, and thou hast a good fresh spirit. 19:05.000 --> 19:07.000 We would thou learning to thy spirit. 19:07.620 --> 19:13.180 I thank you, my lords, said Thames, and both you be learned, and I would you 19:13.180 --> 19:14.920 had a good spirit to your learning. 19:15.940 --> 19:17.600 London 1556. 19:19.060 --> 19:23.440 Hugh Laverick, a lame old man, and John Appriss, a blind man, 19:24.140 --> 19:29.080 were carried from Newgate in a cart to Stratford-le-Beau, and most quietly in the 19:29.080 --> 19:33.200 fire, praising God, yielded up their souls into his hands. 19:34.180 --> 19:38.740 Hugh Laverick, after he was chained, cast away his crutch, and comforting John 19:38.740 --> 19:43.120 Appriss, his fellow-martyr, said unto him, Be of good comfort, my brother, 19:43.680 --> 19:45.760 for my lord of London is our physician. 19:46.540 --> 19:51.960 He will heal us both shortly, thee of thy blindness, and me of my lameness. 19:52.740 --> 19:54.840 Stratford-le-Beau 1556. 19:56.340 --> 20:00.620 There followed in this happy and blessed order of martyrs, burnt in one fire, 20:00.860 --> 20:05.400 eleven men and two women, whose dwellings were in sundry places in Essex, 20:05.800 --> 20:07.380 and whose names hereafter follow. 20:08.300 --> 20:14.960 Henry Adlington, Lawrence Parnham, Henry Why, William Hallowell, Thomas 20:14.960 --> 20:24.280 Bowyer, George Seals, Edmund Hurst, Leon Corch, Ralph Jackson, John Derrifall, 20:24.640 --> 20:29.040 John Ruth, Elizabeth Pepper, and Agnes George. 20:29.720 --> 20:33.280 When these thirteen were condemned, and the day appointed they should suffer, 20:33.820 --> 20:36.920 they were divided into two parts in two several chambers. 20:38.100 --> 20:41.740 The sheriff came to the one part, and told them that the other had recanted, 20:42.080 --> 20:46.620 and their lives therefore should be saved, willing and exhorting them to do the like, 20:47.020 --> 20:48.860 and not to cast away themselves. 20:49.420 --> 20:53.920 Unto whom they answered that their faith was not builded on man, but on Christ 20:53.920 --> 20:54.540 crucified. 20:55.740 --> 21:00.120 Then the sheriff, perceiving no good to be done with them, went to the other part, 21:00.240 --> 21:04.800 and said the like to them, that they whom he had been with before had recanted, 21:05.120 --> 21:08.840 and should therefore not suffer death, counselling them to do the like, 21:08.940 --> 21:12.460 and not willfully to kill themselves, but to play the wise men. 21:13.180 --> 21:17.540 Unto whom they answered, as their brethren had done before, that their faith was not 21:17.540 --> 21:20.840 builded on man, but on Christ and His sure word. 21:22.080 --> 21:26.800 Now when he saw it booted not to persuade, for they were, God be praised, 21:26.960 --> 21:31.240 surely grounded on the rock Jesus Christ, he led them to the place where they should 21:31.240 --> 21:31.580 suffer. 21:32.180 --> 21:35.440 And being all there together, most earnestly they prayed unto God, 21:35.920 --> 21:39.020 and joyfully went to the stake, and kissed it, and embraced it very 21:39.020 --> 21:39.500 heartily. 21:40.500 --> 21:45.040 The eleven men were tied to three stakes, and the two women loose in the midst, 21:45.200 --> 21:45.980 without any stake. 21:46.720 --> 21:50.620 And so they were all burnt in one fire, with such love to each other, and 21:50.620 --> 21:55.060 constancy in our Saviour Christ, that it made all the lookers on to marvel. 21:56.020 --> 21:58.320 Stratford, Lebeau, 1556. 21:59.860 --> 22:03.700 A blind boy named Thomas Drowery suffered martyrdom at Gloucester. 22:04.420 --> 22:08.520 Dr. Williams, then Chancellor of Gloucester, ministered unto the boy such 22:08.520 --> 22:11.080 articles as are accustomed in such cases. 22:12.520 --> 22:16.700 Chancellor, dost thou not believe that after the words of consecration spoken by 22:16.700 --> 22:20.740 the priest, there remaineth the very real body of Christ in the sacrament of the 22:20.740 --> 22:20.980 altar? 22:21.800 --> 22:25.020 To whom the blind boy answered, No, that I do not. 22:26.120 --> 22:29.940 Chancellor, then thou art a heretic, and shalt be burned. 22:30.960 --> 22:32.700 But who hath taught thee this heresy? 22:33.480 --> 22:33.760 Thomas. 22:34.420 --> 22:35.520 You, Master Chancellor. 22:36.640 --> 22:38.720 Chancellor, where I pray thee? 22:39.460 --> 22:39.780 Thomas. 22:40.400 --> 22:41.740 Even in yonder place? 22:42.400 --> 22:43.720 Pointing towards the pulpit. 22:44.480 --> 22:46.880 Chancellor, when did I teach thee so? 22:47.620 --> 22:52.900 Thomas, when you preached a sermon to all men as well as to me upon the sacrament, 22:53.420 --> 22:59.040 you said the sacrament was to be received spiritually, by faith, and not carnally 22:59.040 --> 23:02.660 and really, as the Papists have heretofore taught. 23:03.280 --> 23:08.340 Chancellor, then do as I have done, and thou shalt live as I do, and escape 23:08.340 --> 23:08.840 burning. 23:09.640 --> 23:15.080 Thomas, though you can so easily dispense with yourself and mock with God the world 23:15.080 --> 23:17.840 in your conscience, yet will I not so do. 23:18.820 --> 23:23.880 Chancellor, then God have mercy upon thee, for I will read the condemnation sentence 23:23.880 --> 23:24.520 against thee. 23:25.240 --> 23:27.640 Thomas, God's will be fulfilled. 23:28.600 --> 23:32.300 The Registrar, being herewith somewhat moved, stood up and said to the 23:32.300 --> 23:37.760 Chancellor, Registrar, by for shame, man, will you read the sentence against 23:37.760 --> 23:39.020 him and condemn yourself? 23:39.500 --> 23:43.160 Away, away, and substitute some other to give sentence and judgment. 23:44.220 --> 23:49.400 Chancellor, no, Registrar, I will obey the law and give sentence myself according to 23:49.400 --> 23:50.020 mine office. 23:50.640 --> 23:52.540 Gloucester, 1556. 23:54.240 --> 23:59.820 Sir Richard Abridges sent for Julius Palmer to his lodging, and there friendly 23:59.820 --> 24:04.400 exhorted him to revoke his opinion, to spare his young years' wit and 24:04.400 --> 24:04.780 learning. 24:05.380 --> 24:09.900 If thou wilt be conformable, and show thyself courageable and repentant in good 24:09.900 --> 24:15.140 faith, said he, I promise thee I will give thee meat and drink and books and ten 24:15.140 --> 24:18.380 pound yearly, so long as thou wilt dwell with me. 24:18.820 --> 24:23.800 And if thou wilt set thy mind to marriage, I will procure thee a wife and a farm, 24:24.180 --> 24:26.660 and help to stuff and frit thy farm for thee. 24:27.240 --> 24:28.140 How sayest thou? 24:29.020 --> 24:34.100 Palmer thanked him very courteously, but very modestly and reverently concluded 24:34.100 --> 24:39.260 that, as he had already in two places renounced his living for Christ's sake, 24:39.660 --> 24:44.320 so he would with God's grace be ready to surrender, and yield up his life also for 24:44.320 --> 24:46.540 the same when God should send time. 24:47.800 --> 24:52.480 When Sir Richard perceived that he would by no means relent, Well, Palmer, 24:52.680 --> 24:58.420 saith he, then I perceive one of us twain shall be damned, for we be of two faiths, 24:58.680 --> 25:03.060 and certain I am there is but one faith that leadeth to life and salvation. 25:03.940 --> 25:07.580 Palmer, O Sir, I hope that we both shall be saved. 25:08.200 --> 25:10.200 Sir Richard, how may that be? 25:10.880 --> 25:16.020 Palmer, write well, Sir, for as it hath pleased our merciful Saviour, according to 25:16.020 --> 25:20.780 the gospel's parable, to call me at the third hour of the day, even in my flowers, 25:21.160 --> 25:25.280 at the age of four and twenty years, even so I trust He hath called, 25:25.340 --> 25:29.680 and will call you at the eleventh hour of this your old age, and give you 25:29.680 --> 25:31.640 everlasting life for your portion. 25:32.480 --> 25:34.820 Sir Richard, sayest thou so? 25:35.480 --> 25:39.940 Well, Palmer, well, I would I might have thee but one month in my house. 25:40.420 --> 25:44.500 I doubt not but I would convert thee, or thou shouldst convert me. 25:45.460 --> 25:50.640 Then said Master Winchcombe, Take pity on thy golden years, and pleasant flowers of 25:50.640 --> 25:52.720 lusty youth, before it be too late. 25:53.580 --> 25:59.440 Palmer, Sir, I long for those springing flowers that shall never fade away. 26:00.300 --> 26:02.320 Newbury, 1556. 26:03.620 --> 26:08.360 Agnes Bongeor, who should have suffered with the six that went out of Moat Hall, 26:08.460 --> 26:13.000 was kept back at the time, because her name was wrong written within the writ. 26:14.240 --> 26:18.760 When the said six were called out to go to their martyrdom, and when the said Agnes 26:18.760 --> 26:23.880 Bongeor saw herself so separated from her prison fellows, what piteous moan that 26:23.880 --> 26:29.340 good woman made, how bitterly she wept, what strange thoughts came into her mind, 26:29.760 --> 26:34.740 how naked and desolate she esteemed herself, and into what plunge of despair 26:34.740 --> 26:39.460 and care her poor soul was brought, it was piteous and wonderful to see, 26:40.180 --> 26:44.140 which all came because she went not with them to give her life in the defense of 26:44.140 --> 26:50.120 her Christ, for of all things in the world life was least looked for at her hands. 26:50.920 --> 26:55.600 For that morning, in which she was kept back from burning, had she put on a smock 26:55.600 --> 26:57.940 that she had prepared only for that purpose. 26:58.680 --> 27:03.540 And also having a child, a little young infant sucking on her, whom she kept with 27:03.540 --> 27:08.080 her tenderly all the time that she was in prison, against that day likewise did she 27:08.080 --> 27:13.000 send away to another nurse, and prepared herself presently to give herself for the 27:13.000 --> 27:15.560 testimony of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. 27:16.360 --> 27:21.340 So little did she look for life, and so greatly did God's work in her above 27:21.340 --> 27:25.000 nature that death seemed a great deal better welcome than life. 27:26.060 --> 27:30.380 Being in this great perplexity of mind, a friend of hers came to her and required 27:30.380 --> 27:35.220 to know whether Abraham's obedience was accepted before God, for that he did 27:35.220 --> 27:38.700 sacrifice his son Isaac, or in that he would have offered him. 27:39.440 --> 27:45.200 Unto which she answered thus, I know, cried she, that Abraham's will before God 27:45.200 --> 27:49.880 was allowed for the deed, in that he would have done it if the angel of the Lord had 27:49.880 --> 27:50.780 not stayed him. 27:51.240 --> 27:56.580 But I, said she, am unhappy, the Lord thinketh me not worthy of this dignity, 27:57.100 --> 28:00.580 and therefore Abraham's case and mine are not alike. 28:01.400 --> 28:05.760 Why, cried her friend, would ye not willingly have gone with your company, 28:06.060 --> 28:07.880 if God should so have suffered it? 28:08.640 --> 28:13.920 Yes, said she, with all my heart, and because I did not, it is now my chief 28:13.920 --> 28:14.940 and greatest grief. 28:15.860 --> 28:20.580 Then said her friend, My dear sister, I pray thee consider Abraham and thyself 28:20.580 --> 28:25.160 well, and thou shalt see thou dost nothing differ with him in will at all. 28:26.400 --> 28:31.640 Alas, nay, cried she, there is a far greater matter in Abraham than in me, 28:32.180 --> 28:35.480 for Abraham was tried with the offering of his own child. 28:36.160 --> 28:40.240 But so am not I, and therefore our cases are not alike. 28:41.300 --> 28:45.360 Good sister, cried her friend, weigh the matter but indifferently. 28:46.080 --> 28:51.660 Abraham, I grant, said he, would have offered his son, and have not you done the 28:51.660 --> 28:53.800 like in your little sucking babe? 28:54.800 --> 28:59.140 But consider further than this, my good sister, said he, whereas Abraham 28:59.140 --> 29:03.700 was commanded but to offer his son, you are heavy and grieved because you 29:03.700 --> 29:09.580 offer not yourself, which goeth somewhat more near you than Abraham's obedience 29:09.580 --> 29:15.040 did, and therefore before God assuredly is no less accepted and allowed in his holy 29:15.040 --> 29:15.560 presence. 29:16.800 --> 29:20.800 After which talk between them, she began a little to stay herself, 29:20.940 --> 29:25.580 and gave her whole exercise to reading and prayer, wherein she found no little 29:25.580 --> 29:26.040 comfort. 29:27.320 --> 29:32.020 In a short time came the writ from London for the burning, which, according to the 29:32.020 --> 29:33.760 effect thereof, was executed. 29:34.780 --> 29:36.680 Colchester, 1557. 29:38.440 --> 29:42.980 Elizabeth Cooper being condemned, and at the stake with Simon Miller to be 29:42.980 --> 29:48.360 burnt, when the fire came unto her, she a little shrank thereat, with a voice 29:48.360 --> 29:49.240 crying, Ha! 29:49.980 --> 29:54.440 When the said Simon Miller heard the same, he put his hand behind him toward her, 29:55.020 --> 29:57.200 and willed her to be strong and of good cheer. 29:58.220 --> 30:03.620 For, good sister, said he, we shall have a joyful and a sweet supper, whereat she, 30:04.140 --> 30:08.580 being as it seemed thereby strengthened, stood as still and as quiet as one most 30:08.580 --> 30:12.900 glad to finish that good work which before most happily she had begun. 30:13.800 --> 30:15.660 Norwich, 1557. 30:17.360 --> 30:21.300 Master Tyrell, with a certain of his company, went into the chamber where the 30:21.300 --> 30:26.360 said father Mount and his wife lay, willing them to rise, for, said he, 30:26.820 --> 30:29.240 you must go with us to Colchester Castle. 30:29.900 --> 30:34.640 Mother Mount, hearing that, being very sick, desired that her daughter might 30:34.640 --> 30:39.740 first fetch her some drink, for she was, she said, very ill at ease. 30:40.740 --> 30:42.680 Then he gave her leave and bade her go. 30:43.580 --> 30:48.380 So her daughter, Rose Allen, maid, took a stone pot in one hand and a candle 30:48.380 --> 30:50.800 in the other, and went to draw a drink for her mother. 30:51.360 --> 30:56.440 And as she came back again toward the house, Tyrell met her, and willed her to 30:56.440 --> 31:01.120 give her father and mother good counsel, and advertised them to be better Catholic 31:01.120 --> 31:01.600 people. 31:02.600 --> 31:08.600 Rose, Sir, they had a better instructor than I, for the Holy Ghost doth teach 31:08.600 --> 31:12.120 them, I hope, which I trust will not suffer them to err. 31:12.980 --> 31:18.560 Why, said Master Tyrell, art thou still in that mind, thou naughty housewife? 31:19.460 --> 31:22.540 Marry, it is time to look upon such heretics indeed. 31:23.700 --> 31:29.180 Rose, Sir, with that which you call heresy, do I worship my Lord God? 31:29.640 --> 31:30.720 I tell you truth. 31:31.440 --> 31:37.120 Tyrell, then I perceive you will burn, gossip with the rest, for company's sake. 31:38.100 --> 31:44.260 Rose, no, Sir, not for company's sake, but for my Christ's sake, if so I be 31:44.260 --> 31:44.740 compelled. 31:45.540 --> 31:50.820 And I hope in His mercies, if He call me to do it, He will enable me to bear it. 31:51.940 --> 31:56.580 So he, turning to his company, said, Sirs, this gossip will burn. 31:56.980 --> 31:58.040 Do you not think it? 31:58.720 --> 32:03.640 Marry, Sir, quoth one, prove her, and you shall see what she will do by and 32:03.640 --> 32:03.960 by. 32:04.880 --> 32:09.760 Then that cruel Tyrell, taking the candle from her, held her wrist and the burning 32:09.760 --> 32:14.520 candle under her hand, burning crosswise over the back thereof, so long, 32:15.120 --> 32:17.040 till the very sinews cracked asunder. 32:18.020 --> 32:22.680 In which time of his tyranny he said often to her, Why wilt thou not cry? 32:23.200 --> 32:24.200 wilt thou not cry? 32:25.020 --> 32:29.580 Unto which always she answered, That she had no cause, she thanked God, 32:30.060 --> 32:31.280 but rather to rejoice. 32:32.260 --> 32:37.380 He had, she said, more cause to weep than she, if he considered the matter well. 32:38.240 --> 32:40.380 In the end he thrust her from him violently. 32:41.380 --> 32:46.040 But she, quietly suffering his rage for the time, at the last said, Sir, 32:46.560 --> 32:48.420 have ye done what ye will do? 32:48.860 --> 32:54.080 And he said, Yea, and if thou think it be not well, then mend it. 32:54.740 --> 32:55.280 Mend it? 32:55.420 --> 32:55.940 said Rose. 32:56.680 --> 33:00.680 Nay, the Lord mend you, and give you repentance, if it be his will. 33:01.040 --> 33:04.360 And now, if you think it good, begin at the feet, and burn to the head 33:04.360 --> 33:04.740 also. 33:05.420 --> 33:10.120 For he that set you a work shall pay you your wages one day, I warrant you. 33:10.780 --> 33:14.180 And so she went and carried her mother drink, as she was commanded. 33:14.960 --> 33:16.580 Colchester, 1557. 33:17.940 --> 33:23.220 When these six constant martyrs had made their prayers, they rose and made them 33:23.220 --> 33:24.120 ready to the fire. 33:24.940 --> 33:28.380 And Elizabeth Foulkes, when she had plucked off her petticoat, would have 33:28.380 --> 33:32.760 given it to her mother, which came and kissed her at the stake, and exhorted her 33:32.760 --> 33:33.900 to be strong in the Lord. 33:34.560 --> 33:37.580 But the wicked there attending would not suffer her to give it. 33:38.160 --> 33:42.220 Therefore taking the said petticoat in her hand, she threw it away from her, 33:42.400 --> 33:44.580 saying, Farewell, all the world! 33:45.080 --> 33:46.020 Farewell, faith! 33:46.540 --> 33:47.420 Farewell, hope! 33:47.860 --> 33:51.720 And so, taking the stake in her arms, said, Welcome, love! 33:52.620 --> 33:56.620 Now she being at the stake, and one of the officers nailing the chain about her, 33:56.920 --> 34:01.000 in the striking in of the staple he missed the place, and struck her with a great 34:01.000 --> 34:02.840 stroke of the hammer on the shoulder-bone. 34:03.700 --> 34:07.080 Whereat she suddenly turned her head, lifting up her eyes to the Lord, 34:07.080 --> 34:11.380 and prayed smilingly, and gave herself to exhorting the people again. 34:12.780 --> 34:17.280 When all the six were also nailed likewise at their stakes, and the fire about them, 34:17.880 --> 34:21.920 they clapped their hands for joy in the fire, that the standers by, which were, 34:22.280 --> 34:27.260 by estimation, thousands, cried, The Lord strengthen them, the Lord comfort 34:27.260 --> 34:32.440 them, the Lord pour His mercies upon them, with such like words as was wonderful to 34:32.440 --> 34:32.740 hear. 34:34.140 --> 34:39.860 Colchester, 1557 Master Ruff, being at the burning of Arstoo in Smithfield, 34:39.960 --> 34:44.780 and returning homeward again, met with one Master Farrar, a merchant of Halifax, 34:44.840 --> 34:46.160 who asked him where he had been. 34:46.960 --> 34:52.080 Unto whom he answered, I have been, saith he, where I would not for one of 34:52.080 --> 34:54.080 mine eyes, but I had been. 34:54.980 --> 34:56.040 Where have you been? 34:56.300 --> 34:57.480 said Master Farrar. 34:58.080 --> 35:00.660 Forsooth, said he, to learn the way. 35:01.540 --> 35:06.340 And so he told him he had been at the burning of Arstoo, where shortly after he 35:06.340 --> 35:07.380 was burnt himself. 35:08.460 --> 35:15.020 Smithfield, 1557 After John Fetty had laid in the prison by the space of fifteen 35:15.020 --> 35:21.800 days, hanging in the stocks, sometimes by the one leg, and the one arm, sometimes by 35:21.800 --> 35:26.540 the other, and otherwise by both, it happened that one of his children, 35:26.960 --> 35:31.100 a boy of the age of eight or nine years, came into the bishop's house, to see if he 35:31.100 --> 35:32.940 could get leave to speak with his father. 35:34.120 --> 35:37.560 At his coming thither, one of the bishop's chaplains met with him, and asked him what 35:37.560 --> 35:39.100 he lacked, and whom he would have. 35:39.780 --> 35:42.280 The child answered that he came to see his father. 35:43.040 --> 35:45.100 The chaplain asked again who was his father. 35:45.660 --> 35:49.040 The boy then told him, and pointing towards Lollard's Tower, showed him that 35:49.040 --> 35:50.380 his father was there in prison. 35:51.220 --> 35:54.600 Why, quoth the priest, thy father is a heretic? 35:55.580 --> 36:00.400 The child, being of a bold and quick spirit, and also godly brought up, 36:00.520 --> 36:03.820 and instructed by his father in the knowledge of God, answered and said, 36:04.420 --> 36:09.360 My father is no heretic, but you are an heretic, for you have Balaam's mark. 36:10.720 --> 36:14.300 With that the priest took the child by the hand, and carried him into the bishop's 36:14.300 --> 36:18.740 house, and there amongst them they did most shamefully, and without all pity, 36:19.260 --> 36:24.020 so whip and scourge, being naked, this tender child, that he was all in a 36:24.020 --> 36:24.780 gore blood. 36:25.680 --> 36:29.900 Then they carried the child in his shirt unto his father, the blood running down by 36:29.900 --> 36:30.480 his heels. 36:31.580 --> 36:35.480 At his coming unto his father, the child fell down upon his knees, 36:35.600 --> 36:36.540 and asked him blessing. 36:37.300 --> 36:41.560 The poor man then, beholding his child, and seeing him so cruelly arrayed, 36:41.920 --> 36:44.160 cried out for sorrow, and said, Alas! 36:44.500 --> 36:46.740 will, who hath done this to thee? 36:47.640 --> 36:51.080 The boy answered that as he was seeking how to come to see his father, 36:51.520 --> 36:55.860 a priest with Balaam's mark took him into the bishop's house, and there was he so 36:55.860 --> 36:56.260 handled. 36:57.280 --> 37:01.380 Cloney therewith violently plucked the child away out of his father's hands, 37:01.480 --> 37:05.600 and carried him back again into the bishop's house, where they kept him three 37:05.600 --> 37:06.340 days after. 37:07.200 --> 37:11.860 Barner, bethinking in himself of the danger which the child was in by their 37:11.860 --> 37:16.620 whipping, and what peril might ensue thereupon, thought better to discharge the 37:16.620 --> 37:20.880 said fetty, willing him to go home and carry his child with him. 37:21.700 --> 37:27.180 Which he so did, and that with a heavy heart, to see his poor boy in such extreme 37:27.180 --> 37:28.120 pain and grief. 37:28.980 --> 37:32.360 But within fourteen days after, the child died. 37:33.200 --> 37:35.740 London, 1558. 37:38.430 --> 37:43.970 This concludes the reading of Foxe's Book of Martyrs, prepared by W. 37:44.090 --> 37:44.670 Grinton Berry. 37:45.570 --> 37:50.270 This unabridged recording was produced in 1993 by Blackstone Audiobooks 37:50.270 --> 37:53.050 Incorporated, which holds the copyright thereto. 37:53.970 --> 37:57.910 Neither this recording nor any portion of it may be reproduced or used for any 37:57.910 --> 38:02.230 purpose without prior written authorization from Blackstone Audiobooks. 38:02.850 --> 38:05.170 This book was read by Robin Lawson. 38:05.890 --> 38:09.810 If you would like to obtain additional information about our growing line of 38:09.810 --> 38:16.470 audiobooks, write Blackstone Audiobooks, Post Office Box 969, Ashland, Oregon, 38:17.010 --> 38:22.990 ZIP Code 97520, or call 1-800-SAY-BOOK. 38:23.650 --> 38:27.610 That's 1-800-729-2665. 38:28.670 --> 38:29.290 Thank you.