A01980:197
A recovery from apostasy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepney Church near London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friars London Herein is the history of the surprisal and admirable escape of the said penitent.A recovery from apostacy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepny Church neere London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friers London Herein is the history of the surprizall and admirable escape of the said penitent.
London: printed by George Miller for Joshua Kirton, 1639London: printed by George Miller for Ioshua Kirton, 1639
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Galeazius a Gentleman of great estate, who suffered Martyrdom at Saint-angelo in Italy being much pressed by his friends to recant and save his life, replied that Death was much more sweet to him with testimony of verity then life with the least denial of truth.
Galeazius a Gentleman of great estate, who suffered Martyrdome at Sant-angelo in Italy being much pressed by his friends to recant and save his life, replied that Death was much more sweete to him with testimony of verity then life with the least deniall of truth.
Francis Camba a Martyr in the Diocese of Milan, being much assailed by his friends, and terrified by his foes, by no means could be overcome, but gave thanks to God that he was accounted worthy to suffer cruel death for the testimony ⟨p. 50⟩of his Sonne. Such were the expressions of joy in his sufferings, as his persecutors caused his tongue to be bored through, that he might speak no more to the people.
Francis Camba a Martyr in the Diocesse of Millaine, being much assailed by his friends, and terrified by his foes, by no meanes could be overcome, but gave thankes to God that he was accounted worthy to suffer cruell death for the testimony ⟨p. 50⟩of his Sonne. Such were the expressions of joy in his sufferings, as his persecutors caused his tongue to be boared thorow, that he might speake no more to the people.
Anne Askew being offered the Kings pardon, even at the stake, if she would recant, gave this resolute answer, I come not hither to deny my Lord and Master. By that which this Gentlewoman with admirable courage and constancy endured, she verified that which of old Julitta spake concerning their Sex, We women ought to be as constant as men in Christs cause.
Anne Askew being offered the Kings pardon, even at the stake, if shee would recant, gave this resolute answer, I come not hither to denie my Lord and Master. By that which this Gentlewoman with admirable courage and constancy indured, shee verified that which of old Iulitta spake concerning their Sex, We women ought to be as constant as men in Christs cause.
Walter Mille, who suffered Martyrdom in Scotland, being solicited to recant, made this resolute reply, Ye shall know that I will not recant the truth: for I am corn, I am no chaff; I will not be blown away with the wind, nor burst with the flail: but I will abide both.
Walter Mille, who suffered Martyrdome in Scotland, being sollicited to recant, made this resolute reply, Yee shall know that I will not recant the truth: for I am corne, I am no chaffe; I will not be blowne away with the winde, nor burst with the flaile: but I will abide both.
Mr. John Rogers, the first Martyr in Queen Mary's days, being solicited to revoke his doctrine for saving his life, said, That which I have preached I will seal with my blood.
Mr. Iohn Rogers, the first Martyr in Queene Maries daies, being sollicited to revoke his doctrine for saving his life, said, That which I have preached I will seale with my blood.
John Hooper Lord Bishop of Gloucester, upon the sight of a pardon cried out, If ye love my soul away with it; if ye love my soul away with it.
Iohn Hooper Lord Bishop of Glocester, upon the sight of a pardon cried out, If yee love my soule away with it; if yee love my soule away with it.
Thomas Hawks a Gentleman in Essex, on a like occasion gave this resolute answer, If I had an hundred bodies I would suffer them all to be torn in pieces rather then abjure or recant.
Thomas Hawks a Gentleman in Essex, on a like occasion gave this resolute answer, If I had an hundred bodies I would suffer them all to be torne in peeces rather then abjure or recant.
Bishop Ridley to like purpose thus, So long as the breath is in my body, I will never deny my Lord Christ and his known truth.
Bishop Ridly to like purpose thus, So long as the breath is in my body, I will never denie my Lord Christ and his knowne truth.
Old Father Latimer used such a speech to one that advised him to spare himself, as Christ did to Peter on a like occasion, which was this, Get thee behind me Satan.
Old Father Latimer used such a speech to one that advised him to spare himselfe, as Christ did to Peter on a like occasion, which was this, Get thee behind mee Satan.
In like manner all the holy, constant Martyrs refused to accept deliverance: some after a more zealous, others after a more mild manner.
In like manner all the holy, constant Martyrs refused to accept deliverance: some after a more zealous, others after a more milde manner.
Many were the motives whereby Martyrs in all ages have been induced to be not only careless, but even prodigal also of their lives.1 Therein they had respect to Christ, to the Church, to the Faith, to their Brethren, to Themselves, to Persecutors, to Satan.
Many were the motives whereby Martyrs in all ages have beene enduced to be not onely carelesse, but even prodigall also of their lives.1 Therein they had respect to Christ, to the Church, to the Faith, to their Bretheren, to Themselves, to Persecutors, to Satan.
11 Christ much rejoiceth in such servants. For constancy of Martyrs unto death (of such Martyrs as profess the name of Christ and suffer for his Truth) is a great honour unto Christ. Is it not an high honour to a King to have such Captains and Champions as will not yield to their Sovereigns enemies, but stand it out to the uttermost till they get the victory, though it cost them their life to get it? Yet no mortal King can (as Christ doth) put spirit, courage, or strength into a subject: only it is conceived that such valorous soldiers as are ready to hazard their lives for their Sovereign, serve a good Master. Thus do Martyrs give persecutors to understand that they serve a good Master:2 and that they believe in him who hath done more for them then their dearest blood is worth, who enables them with courage, and comfort to endure whatsoever for his names ⟨p. 52⟩sake can be inflicted on them, and therein [Greek or Hebrew] to be more then conquerors: and after all give such recompense as their sufferings are not worthy to be compared with, Rom. 8.18, 37. Is not this an honour to Christ?
11 Christ much rejoyceth in such servants. For constancy of Martyrs unto death (of such Martyrs as professe the name of Christ and suffer for his Truth) is a great honour unto Christ. Is it not an high honour to a King to have such Captaines and Champions as will not yeeld to their Soveraignes enemies, but stand it out to the uttermost till they get the victory, though it cost them their life to get it? Yet no mortall King can (as Christ doth) put spirit, courage, or strength into a subject: onely it is conceived that such valourous souldiers as are ready to hazard their lives for their Soveraigne, serve a good Master. Thus doe Martyrs give persecutors to understand that they serve a good Master:2 and that they beleeve in him who hath done more for them then their dearest bloud is worth, who enables them with courage, and comfort to endure whatsoever for his names ⟨p. 52⟩
12. The Church which breedeth, and sendeth forth such courageous and resolute children as are ready to spend their blood in their mothers cause, is much honoured. Never did any Church bring up such children as the Church of Christ. She hath the glory of invincible Martyrs. Of it, it may truly be said, O blessed Church, which is honoured with so divine renown: which the glorious blood of Martyrs doth beautify.
12. The Church which breedeth, and sendeth foorth such couragious and resolute children as are ready to spend their blood in their mothers cause, is much honoured. Never did any Church bring up such children as the Church of Christ. She hath the glory of invincible Martyrs. Of it, it may truely be said, O blessed Church, which is honoured with so divine renowne: which the glorious blood of Martyrs doth beautifie.
13. The Faith which such Martyrs profess by their standing steadfast therein unto death, is sealed and confirmed. The blood of Martyrs is a seal of that Faith for which they shed their blood. By this kind of ratifying the Christian Faith many have been brought to embrace the Christian Faith: As of old *many were induced to believe in Christ by the miracles which he himself did, and which his Apostles did in his Name. If the tortures whereby sundry Martyrs were put to death, and their manful, cheerful, and joyful enduring of them (whereof before) be duly weighed, we shall find their enduring to be so miraculous, as their sufferings may well be accounted miracles.
13. The Faith which such Martyrs professe by their standing stedfast therein unto dea•h, is sealed and confirmed. The blood of Martyrs is a seale of that Faith for which they shed their blood. By this kinde of ratifying the Christian Faith many have beene brought to embrace the Christian Faith: As of old *many were enduced to beleeve in Christ by the miracles which he himselfe did, and which his Apostles did in his Name. If the tortures whereby sundry Martyrs were put to death, and their manfull, cheerefull, and joyfull enduring of them (wherof before) be duly weighed, we shal find their induring to bee so miraculous, as their sufferings may well be accounted miracles.
14. The Brethren which believe and profess the same Faith, are by the constancy of Martyrs much strengthened. For the invincible courage ⟨p. 53⟩of some putts life and spirit into others. In an army valorous Leaders much animate the rest of the soldiers,2 and embolden them to follow their leaders. Now the Church is as an army with banners (Cant. 6.4.) Martyrs are as Leaders: they courageously and victoriously make the on-set: Other Christians by their example are pricked on as occasion serveth to follow them. Read Phil. 1.13.
14. The Bretheren which beleeve and professe the same Faith, are by the constancy of Martyrs much streng•hened. For the invincible courage ⟨p. 53⟩of some putts life and spirit into others. In an army valourous Leaders much animate the rest of the souldiers,2 and embolden them to follow their leaders. Now the Church is as an army with banners (Cant. 6.4.) Martyrs are as Leaders: they couragiously and victoriously make the on-set: Other Christians by their example are pricked on as occasion serveth to follow them. Reade Phil. 1.13.
15. They procure to themselves even for the present in their souls much peace, comfort and joy. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in them, so their consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (2 Cor. 1.5.) Then especially are the comforts of the Holy Ghost even poured upon a Christian soul. For athey could never endure such torments in the flesh, unless they had much peace in their soul. For the future, on earth they leave a most sweet savour of a renowned name: When their bodies are consumed their name is as an ointment poured out, and bthey thereby do light a torch of Fame to posterity. cForth Church was wont to celebrate the memory of Martyrs: For which end they had set days in the year, whereon Christians in full assemblies met together, rehearsed catalogues of Martyrs, and gave solemn praise to God for the power of his Spirit, manifested in their admirable patience and perseverance. And in Heaven they have the highest degree of glory. For though God do not reward men simply for their works, namely for the merit of them, yet he rewards according to ⟨p. 54⟩their works (Rom. 2.6.) and proportions the degree or measure thereof, according to the kind of work which on earth is done, and according to the measure of grace whereby he enables men to do it.
15. They procure to themselves even for the present in their soules much peace, comfort and joy. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in them, so their consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (2 Cor. 1.5.) Then especially are the comforts of the Holy Ghost even poured upon a Christian soul. For a
