A67927:1375
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
He gave away besides, divers other small things to Gentlemen standing by,1 and divers of them pitifully weeping, as to sir Henry Lea, he gave a new groat, and to divers of my L. Williams gentlemen, some napkins, some nutmegs, and races of ginger, his Dial, and such other things as he had about him, to every one that stood next him. Some plucked the points of his hose. Happy was he that might get any rag of him.
He gaue away besides, diuers other small thynges to Gentlemen standyng by,1 and diuers of them pitifully wepyng, as to sir Henry Lea, he gaue a new grote, and to diuers of my L. Williams gentlemen, some napkins, some nutmegs, and races of ginger, his Diall, and such other thyngs as he had about hym, to euery one that stoode next hym. Some plucked the pointes of his hose. Happy was he that might get any rag of hym.
M. Latimer gave nothing, but very quietly suffered his keeper to pull of his hose, and his other array,1 which to look unto was very simple: and being stripped into his shroud, he seemed as comely a person to them that were there present, as one should lightly see: and where as in his clothes, he appeared a withered and crooked silk old man, he now stood bolt upright, as comely a father as one might lightly behold.
M. Latymer gaue nothyng, but very quietly suffered his keper to pull of his hose, and his other aray,1 which to looke vnto was very simple: and beyng stripped into hys shroud, he seemed as comely a person to them that were there present, as one should lightly see: and where as in his clothes, he appeared a withered and crooked silke olde man, he now stood bolt vpright, as comely a father as one might lightly behold.
Then M. Ridley standing as yet in his truss, said ⟨p. 1770⟩to his brother: it were best for me to go in my truss still. No (quoth his brother) it will put you to more pain: and the truss will do a poor man good. Whereunto Master Ridley said: be it, in the name of God, and so unlaced himself.1 Then being in his shirt, he stood upon the foresaid stone, and held up his hands and said: Oh heavenly Father, I give unto thee most hearty thanks, for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee, even unto death. I beseech thee Lord GOD take mercy upon this Realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies.
Then M. Ridley standyng as yet in hys trusse, sayde ⟨p. 1770⟩to his brother: it were best for me to goe in my trusse still. No (quoth hys brother) it will put you to more payne: and the trusse will do a poore man good. Whereunto Maister Ridley sayd: be it, in the name of God, and so vnlaced hymselfe.1 Then beyng in his shirt, he stoode vpon the foresayd stone, and held vp hys handes and sayd: Oh heauenly Father, I geue vnto thee most harty thankes, for that thou hast called me to bee a professour of thee, euen vnto death. I beseech thee Lord GOD take mercy vpon this Realme of England, and deliuer the same from all her enemies.
Then the Smith took a chain of iron, and brought the same about both D. Ridley's, and M. Latimers middles: and as he was knocking in a staple, D. Ridley took the chain in his hand, and shaked the same, for it did gird in his belly, and looking aside to the Smith, said: good fellow knock it in hard, for the flesh will have his course. Then his brother did bring him gunpowder in a bag,1 and would have tied the same about his neck. M. Ridley asked what it was. His brother said gunpowder. Then said he, I take it to be sent of God, therefore I will receive it as sent of him. And have you any said he, for my brother, meaning M. Latimer? Yea sir, that I have (quoth his brother.) Then give it unto him said he, betime, least ye come to late. So his brother went, and carried of the same gunpowder unto M. Latimer.
Then the Smith tooke a chaine of iron, and brought the same about both D. Ridleis, and M. Latimers middles: and as he was knockyng in a staple, D. Ridley took the chayne in his hand, and shaked the same, for it did gird in his belly, and lookyng aside to the Smith, sayd: good felow knocke it in hard, for the flesh will haue hys course. Then his brother did bring hym gunpouder in a bag,1 and would haue tied the same about hys necke. M. Ridley asked what it was. His brother said gunpouder. Then sayd he, I take it to be sent of God, therefore I will receyue it as sent of hym. And haue you any sayd he, for my brother, meanyng M. Latymer? Yea sir, that I haue (quoth hys brother.) Then geue it vnto hym sayd he, betyme, least ye come to late. So hys brother went, and caried of the same gunpouder vnto M. Latymer.
1In the mean time D. Ridley spake unto my L. Williams, and said: My L. I must be a suitor unto your lordship, in the behalf of divers poor men, and especially in the cause of my poor Sister: I have made a supplication to the Queens Majesty in their behalves. I beseech your Lordship for Christs sake, to be a mean to her grace for them. My brother here hath the Supplication, and will resort to your lordship to certify you hereof. There is nothing in all the world that troubleth my conscience (I praise God) this only excepted.2 Whiles I was in the Sea of London, divers poor men took Leases of me, and agreed with me for the same. Now I hear say, the B. that now occupieth the same room, will not allow my grants unto them made, but contrary unto all law and conscience, hath taken from them their livings, and will not suffer them to enjoy the same. I beseech you my Lord, be a mean for them: you shall do a good deed, and God will reward you.
1In the meane tyme D. Ridley spake vnto my L. Williams, and sayd: My L. I must be a suter vnto your lordship, in the behalfe of diuers poore men, and especially in the cause of my poore Sister: I haue made a supplication to the Queenes Maiestie in their behalfes. I beseech your Lordship for Christes sake, to bee a meane to her grace for them. My brother here hath the Supplication, and wyll resort to your lordship to certifie you hereof. There is nothing in all the world yt troubleth my conscience (I praise God) this onely excepted.2 Whiles I was in the Sea of London, diuers poore men tooke Leases of me, and agreed with me for the same. Now I heare say, the B. that nowe occupieth the same roume, wil not allow my graunts vnto them made, but contrary vnto all law and conscience, hath taken from them their liuynges, and will not suffer them to enioy the same. I beseech you my Lord, be a mean for them: you shall doe a good deed, and God wil reward you.
1Then brought they a fagot kindled with fire, and laid the same down at D. Ridleys feet. To whom Master Latimer spake in this manner: Be of good comfort master Ridley, and play the man: we shall this day light such a candle by Gods grace in England, as (I trust) shall never be put out.
1Then brought they a fagot kindled with fire, and layd the same downe at D. Ridleys feete. To whome Maister Latymer spake in this maner: Be of good comfort maister Ridley, and play the man: wee shall this day light such a candle by Gods grace in England, as (I trust) shall neuer be put out.
And so the fire being given unto them, when D. Ridley saw the fire flaming up toward him, he cried with a wonderful loud voice:1 In manus tuas Domine, commendo spiritum meum, Domine recipe spiritum meum, and after repeated this latter part often in English: Lord, Lord, receive my spirit: M. Latimer crying as vehemently on the other side: Oh Father of Heaven, receive my soul: who received the flame as it were embracing of it. After, as he had stroked his face with his hands, & (as it were) bathed them a little in the fire, he soon died (as it appeared) with very little pain or none. And thus much concerning the end of this old and blessed servant of God, M. Latimer, for whose laborious travails, fruitful life, & constant death, the whole Realm hath cause to give great thanks to almighty God.
And so the fire beyng geuen vnto them, when D. Ridley saw the fire flamyng vp toward hym, he cryed wyth a wonderfull lowd voyce:1 In manus tuas Domine, commendo spiritum meum, Domine recipe spiritum meum, and after repeated this latter part often in English: Lord, Lord, receyue my spirit: M. Latymer crying as vehemently on the other side: Oh Father of Heauen, receyue my soule: who receyued the flame as it were embrasing of it. After, as he had stroked hys face with hys hands, & (as it were) bathed them a little in the fire, he soone died (as it appered) with very litle payne or none. And thus much concerning the end of this old and blessed seruaunt of God, M. Latymer, for whose laborious trauails, fruitfull lyfe, & constāt death, the whole Realme hath cause to geue great thankes to almighty God.
But M. Ridley by reason of the evil making of the fire unto him,1 because the wooden fagots were laid about the gorse, and over high built, the fire burned first beneath, being kept down by the wood. Which when he felt, he desired them for Christs sake to let the fire come unto him. Which when his brother in law heard, but not well understood, intending to rid him out of his pain (for the which cause he gave attendance) as one in such sorrow, not well advised what he did, heaped fagots upon him, so that he clean covered him, which made the fire more vehement beneath, that it burned clean all his nether parts before it once touched the upper, and that made him leap up and down under the fagots, and often desire them to let the fire come unto him, saying: I cannot burn. Which in deed appeared well: for after his legs were consumed by reason of his struggling through the pain (whereof he had no release,2 but only his contentation in God) he showed that side toward us clean, shirt and all untouched with flame. Yet in all this torment he forgot not to call unto God still, having in his mouth: Lord have mercy upon me, intermeddling this cry, let the fire come unto me, I can not burn. In which pains he laboured, till one of the standers by with his bill, pulled of the fagots above, and where he saw the fire flame up,3 he wrested himself unto that side. And when the flame touched the gunpowder, he was seen stir no more, but burned on the other side, falling down at M. Latimers feet. Which some said happened, by reason that the chain loosed: other said that he fell over the chain by reason of the poise of his body, and the weakness of the nether limbs.
But M. Ridley by reason of the euill makyng of the fire vnto hym,1 because the wooden fagots were laid about the gosse, and ouer high built, the fire burned first beneath, beyng kept downe by the woode. Which when he felt, hee desired them for Christs sake to let the fire come vnto him. Which when hys brother in law heard, but not well vnderstood, entendyng to ridde hym out of his payne (for the which cause he gaue attendance) as one in such sorow, not well aduised what he did, heaped fagots vpon hym, so that he cleane couered hym, which made the fire more vehement beneath, that it burned cleane all hys neather parts before it once touched the vpper, and that made him leape vp and downe vnder the fagots, and often desire them to let the fire come vnto him, saying: I cannot burne. Which in deed appeared well: for after hys legs were consumed by reason of his struglyng through the payne (whereof he had no release,
Some say that before he was like to fall from the stake he desired them to hold him to it with their bills. Howsoever it was, surely it moved hundreds to tears, in beholding the horrible sight. For I think there was none that had not clean exiled all humanity and mercy,1 which would not have lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage upon their bodies. Signs there were of sorrow on every side. Some took it grievously to see their deaths, whose lives they held full dear. Some pitied their persons that thought their souls had no need thereof. His brother moved many men, seeing his miserable case: seeing (I say) him compelled to such infelicity, that he thought then to do him best service, when he hastened his end. Some cried out of the luck, to see his endeavour, who most dearly loved him, and sought his release, turn to his greater vexation, and increase of pain. But who so considered their preferments in time past, the places of honour that they sometime occupied in this common wealth, the favour they were in with their princes, and the opinion of learning they had, could not choose but sorrow with tears, to see so great dignity, honour, and estimation, so necessary members sometime accounted, so many godly virtues, the study of so many years, such excellent learning, to be put into the fire, and consumed in one moment. Well, dead they are, and the reward of this world they have already. What reward remaineth for them in heaven, the day of the Lords glory when he cometh with his saints, shall shortly I trust declare.
Some say that before he was like to fall from the stake he desired them to holde him to it with their billes. Howsoeuer it was, surely it moued hundredes to teares, in beholding the horrible sight. For I thinke there was none that had not cleane exiled all humanitie and mercy,1 which would not haue lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage vpon their bodies. Signes there were of sorrowe on euery side. Some tooke it greuously to see their deaths, whose lyues they held full deare. Some pitied their persons that thought theyr soules had no neede thereof. His brother mooued many men, seyng his miserable case: seeyng (I say) hym compelled to such infelicitie, yt he thought then to doe hym best seruice, when he hastened hys ende. Some cryed out of the lucke, to see his endeuor, who most dearely loued hym, and sought his release, turne to hys greater vexation, and encrease of payne. But who so considered their preferments in tyme past, the places of honor that they sometyme occupied in this common wealth, the fauour they were in with their princes, and the opinion of learnyng they had, could not chuse but sorow with teares, to see so great dignitie, honour, and estimation, so necessary members sometime accounted, so many godly vertues, the study of so many yeares, such excellent learnyng, to be put into the fire, and consumed in one moment. Wel, dead they are, and the reward of this world they haue already. What reward remayneth for them in heauen, the day of the Lordes glory when he commeth with his saints, shall shortly I trust declare.
Albeit I have differed and put over many treatises, letters, & exhortations belonging to the story of the Martyrs, unto the latter appendix in the end of this volume: thinking also to have done the like with these farewells, & exhortations following of D. Ridley, yet for certain purposes moving me thereunto, and especially considering the fruitful admonitions, wholesome doctrine, and necessary exhortations contained in the same, I thought best here to bestow, and consequently to adjoin the said tractations of that learned pastor, with the life and story of the author. Whereof the two first be in a manner of his farewells, the one to his kinsfolks, and generally to all the faithful of the number of Christs congregation: the other more special to the prisoners, and banished Christians in the gospels cause: the third containeth a fruitful and a general admonition to the city of London, and to all other, with necessary precepts of christian office, as by the tenor of them here followeth in order to be seen.
Albeit I haue differred and put ouer many treatises, letters, & exhortations belongyng to the story of the Martyrs, vnto the latter appendix in the ende of this volume: thinkyng also to haue done the lyke with these farewels, & exhortations followyng of D. Ridley, yet for certain purposes moouing me thereunto, and especially consideryng the fruitfull admonitions, wholesome doctrine, and necessary exhortations conteyned in the same, I thought best here to bestow, and consequently to adioyne the sayd tractations of that learned pastour, with the lyfe and story of the authour. Whereof the two first be in a manner of hys farewels, the one to his kinsfolks, and generally to all the faithfull of the number of Christes congregation: the other more speciall to the prisoners, and banished Christiās in the gospels cause: the third containeth a fruitfull and a generall admonition to the citie of London, and to all other, with necessary precepts of christian office, as by the tenour of them here followeth in order to be seene.
AT the name of Jesus let every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth,1 and things under the earth, and let every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is the lord unto the glory of God the Father, Amen.
AT the name of Iesus let euery knee bow, both of thynges in heauen, and thynges in earth,1 and things vnder the earth, and let euery tongue confesse, that Iesus Christ is the lord vnto ye glory of God the Father, Amen.
As a man minding to take a far journey, and to depart from his familiar friends, commonly and naturally hath a desire, to bid his friends farewell, before his departure: so likewise now I looking daily, when I should be called to depart hence from you, (O all ye my dearly beloved brethren, & sisters in our Saviour Christ that dwell here in this world) having a like mind towards you all (and blessed be God for such time and leisure, whereof I right heartily thank his heavenly goodness:) to bid you all my dear brethren & sisters (I say in Christ) that dwell upon the earth, after such manner as I can, Farewell.
As a man mynding to take a farre iourney, and to depart from his familiar frendes, commonly and naturally hath a desire, to bidde his frendes farewell, before his departure: so lykewise now I looking daylye, when I should be cauled to depart hence from you, (O all ye my dearely beloued brethren, & sisters in our Sauiour Christ that dwell here in this worlde) hauing a lyke mynde towardes you all (and blessed be God for such tyme and leasure, whereof I right hartely thanke his heauenly goodnesse:) to byd you all my deare brethren & sisters (I saye in Christ) that dwell vpon the earth, after such maner as I can, Farewell.
Farewell my dear brother George Shipside, whom I have ever found faithful, trusty, and loving in all s•ate and conditions, and now in the time of my cross, over all other to me most friendly and steadfast, and that which liked me best, over all other things, in Gods cause ever hearty.
Farewell my deare brother George Shipside, whom I haue euer found faythfull, trusty, and louyng in all s•ate and conditions, and now in the tyme of my crosse, ouer al other to me most frendly and stedfast, and that which lyked me best, ouer all other thynges, in Gods cause euer hartye.
Farewell my dear sister Alice his wife. I am glad to hear of thee,1 that thou doest take Christs cross which is laid now (blessed be God) both on thy back and mine, in good part. Thank thou God that hath given thee a godly and loving husband: see thou honour him, and obey him, according to Gods law, Honour thy mother in law ⟨p. 1771⟩his mother, and love all those that pertain unto him, being ready to do them good, as it shall lye in thy power. As for thy children, I doubt not of thy husband, but that he which hath given him an hart to love and fear God, and in God them that pertain unto him, shall also make him friendly and beneficial unto thy children, even as if they had been gotten of his own body.
Farewell my deare sister Alice his wyfe. I am glad to heare of thee,1 that thou doest take Christes crosse which is layd now (blessed be God) both on thy backe and myne, in good part. Thanke thou God that hath geuen thee a godly and louyng husband: see thou honour hym, and obey hym, accordyng to Gods law, Honour thy mother in law ⟨p. 1771⟩hys mother, and loue all those that pertaine vnto him, beyng redy to do them good, as it shall lye in thy power. As for thy children, I doubt not of thy husband, but that hee which hath geuen him an hart to loue and feare God, and in God them that pertaine vnto him, shall also make hym friendly and beneficiall vnto thy children, euen as if they had bene gotten of his owne body.
1Farewell my well beloved brother John Ridley of the Waltoun, and you my gentle and loving sister Elizabeth: whom besides the natural league of amity, your tender love, which you were said ever to bear towards me above the rest of your brethren, doth bind me to love. My mind was to have acknowledged this your loving affection, and to have acquitted it with deeds and not with words alone. Your daughter Elizabeth I bid farewell, whom I love for the meek and gentle spirit that God hath given her, which is a precious thing in the sight of God.
1Farewell my welbeloued brother Iohn Ridley of the Waltoun, and you my gentle and louing sister Elizabeth: whom besides the naturall league of amitie, your tender loue, which you were sayde euer to beare towardes mee aboue the rest of your brethren, doth bynde mee to loue. My mynde was to haue acknowledged this your louyng affection, and to haue acquited it with deedes and not with wordes alone. Your daughter Elizabeth I bid farewell, whome I loue for the meeke and gentle spirite that God hath geuen her, which is a precious thyng in ye sight of God.
