Upon the xxix. of January, they were both brought again by the Sheriffs of London before the commissioners: and when they could not be persuaded to forsake the truth, the Sheriffs of London were willed to carry them to the Clink, there to remain till night. And when it was dark, Master Hooper was had to Newgate, there remaining six days close prisoner. During which time; Boner, Fecknam, Chadsey, and Harpsfield, &c. resorted to him, to assay to persuade him to forsake the trueth: which when he would not do, they spread false rumours of his relenting. Whereof when master Hooper 1heard, he directed a letter wherein he purgeth himself of that slander. Upon monday morning, Boner came to Newgate, and there degraded him. And the fifth of February, about four of the clock in the morning, he was led by the Sheriffs forth of Newgate, to a place appointed, not far from S. Dunstans Church in Fleet street: where six of the Queens guard were appointed to carry him to Gloucester, there to be burned. Whereat he greatly rejoiced: being glad that he should confirm his doctrine which he had taught to his own flock, by martyrdom before their eyes, whom he had instructed. So being brought to Gloucester, he was lodged all night at Robert Ingram's house, and watched by the sheriffs there all night. His desire was, that he might go to bed betimes that night, saying that he had many things to remember: and so did at five of the clock, & slept one sleep soundly: bestowing the rest of the night in prayer. After, he gat up in the morning, & desired that no man should be suffered to come into the chamber: that he might be solitary till the hour of execution. At nine of the clock he was willed ⟨p. 129⟩to prepare himself, for the time was at hand. At which time, and when he came to the place of execution, he was never known during the time of his being amongst them,2 to look with so cheerful a countenance as he did at that present. When he came to the place where he should die, smiling he beheld the stake, and preparation made for him, he kneeling down made a prayer upon the whole Creed for the space of half an hour. Now after he was somewhat entered into his prayer, a box was brought, and laid before him upon a stool, with his pardon, if he would turn:3 at the sight whereof he cried, if you love my soul, away with it: if you love my soul, away with it.
Vpon the xxix. of Ianuary, they were both brought againe by the Shiriffes of London before the commissioners: and when they could not be perswaded to forsake the truth, the Shiriffes of London were willed to carrie them to the Clincke, there to remaine til night. And when it was darke, Master Hooper was had to Newgate, there remaining six daies close prisoner. During which time; Boner, Fecknam, Chadsey, and Harpsfield, &c. resorted to him, to assay to perswade him to forsake the trueth: which when he would not doe, they spread false rumors of his relenting. Wherof whē maister Hooper 1heard, he directed a letter wherein he purgeth himself of that slaunder. Vpon munday morning, Boner came to Newgate, and there disgraded him. And the fifte of February, about foure of the clocke in the morning, he was led by the Sheriffes foorth of Newgate, to a place appoynted, not farre from S. Dunstans Church in Fléete stréete: where sixe of the Quéenes gard were appointed to cary him to Glocester, there to be burned. Whereat hee greatly reioyced: being glad that he should confirm his doctrine which he had taught to his owne flock, by martyrdom before their eyes, whō he had instructed. So being brought to Glocester, he was lodged all night at Robert Ingrams house, and watched by the sheriffes there all night. His desire was, that he might go to bed betimes that night, saying that hée had many things to remember: and so did at fiue of the clock, & slept one sléep soūdly: bestowing the rest of ye night in praier. After, he gat vp in the morning, & desired that no man should be suffered to come into ye chamber: that he might be solitary til the houre of execution. At nine of the clocke he was willed ⟨p. 129⟩to prepare himselfe, for the time was at hand. At which time, and when he came to the place of execution, hée was neuer knowne during the time of his beyng amongst them,2 to looke with so chéerefull a countenaunce as he did at that present. When hée came to the place where hée should die, smiling he beheld the stake, and preparation made for him, he knéelyng downe made a prayer vpon the whole Créede for the space of halfe an houre. Now after hée was somewhat entered into his prayer, a boxe was brought, and layd before him vpon a stoole, with his pardon, if he would turne:3 at the sight whereof he cried, if you loue my soule, away with it: if you loue my soule, away with it.
- 1False rumours of Hoppers relenting.False rumors of Hoopers relenting.
- 2Hooper goeth cheerfully to his death.Hooper goeth cheerefully to his death.
- 3Hooper refuseth pardon.
