N20568:11514
The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being Fox's Book of martyrs, revised and corrected, with additions and great improvements. : Containing an authentic account of the lives, persecutions and sufferings of the holy martyrs; and the many dreadful persecutions against the Church of Christ in all parts of the world, by pagans, Jews, Turks, papists, and others, from earliest ages of the church to the present period. ... The whole forming at once a general Christian martyrology, and a complete history of persecutions. / By the Rev. Mr. John Fox, M.A. late of Magdalen College, Oxford. ; Now revised, corrected and improved, with many additional articles, relating to the acts and monuments of the church. By Paul Wright, D.D. ; Embellished with forty elegant copper plate engravings. ; In two volumes. Vol. I[-II].The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being Fox's Book of marytrs, revised and corrected, with additions and great improvements. : Containing an authentic account of the lives, persecutions and sufferings of the holy martyrs; and the many dreadful persecutions against the Church of Christ in all parts of the world, by pagans, Jews, Turks, papists, and others, from earliest ages of the church to the present period. ... The whole forming at once a general Christian martyrology, and a complete history of persecutions. / By the Rev. Mr. John Fox, M.A. late of Magdalen College, Oxford. ; Now revised, corrected and improved, with many additional articles, relating to the acts and monuments of the church. By Paul Wright, D.D. ; Embellished with forty elegant copper plate engravings. ; In two volumes. Vol. I[-II].
New-York: printed by William Durell, 1794
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.
HE that preserved Joseph, prisoner in Egypt, fed Daniel in the lion's den, and delivered Paul, Peter, and the apostles out of prison, vouchsafe of his goodness to keep, fe•d, and deliver you, my good brother Went, with the other our fellow-soldiers your prison-fellows, as may be most to his glory, to your consolation, and the edification of his church.
I cannot but praise God most earnestly, when I hear of your constancy in the faith, and joy in the cross of Christ, which you now bear and suffer together, with many other good members of Christ, which is a token that by Christ you are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, as St. Paul saith. And though the world counteth the yoke and cross of Christ as a most pernicious and hurtful thing, yet we which have tasted how friendly the Lord is, cannot but rejoice in this persecution as touching ourselves; inasmuch as the cause for which we suffer is the Lord's cause and not our's, at whose hand, if we endure to the end, we shall receive, through his liberal promise in Christ, not only a great reward in heaven, but also in the mean season be sure to be defended and cared for, so that we shall lack no necessary things, neither a hair of […] heads shall perish without his knowledge. O what is he that would mistrust, or not gladly serve so loving a Father! O how unhappy are they that forsake him, and put their trust in man; but how blessed are they that for his love and for his holy word's sake, in these troublesome days do comm•• their souls and bodies into his hands with well doing, counting it greater happiness and riches to suffer rebuke with Christ and h•s church, than to enjoy the pleasures of this life for a short season? This cross that we now bear hath been common to all the faithful from Abel hitherto, and shall be to the end, because the devil having great wrath against God and his Christ, cannot abide that he should for his manifold mercies be lauded and magnified, and Christ to be taken and believed upon for our only sufficient Redeemer, Saviour, and Advocate: and therefore because we will not deny Christ, nor dissemble with our faith, but openly protest and profess the same before the world, he seeketh by all means to stir up his wicked members to persecute and kill the bodies of the true christians; as St. John saith, "The devil shall cast some of you into prison." And David saith, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken, but I was sore troubled." Notwithstanding this, go forward, dear brethren, as ye have begun, to fight the Lord's ⟨p. 137⟩battle, considering Christ the captain of your war, who will both fight for you, give you victory, and also highly reward your pains.
I cannot but praise God most earnestly, when I hear of your constancy in the faith, and joy in the cross of Christ, which you now bear and suffer together, with many other good members of Christ, which is a token that by Christ you are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, as St. Paul saith. And though the world counteth the yoke and cross of Christ as a most pernicious and hurtful thing, yet we which have tasted how friendly the Lord is, cannot but rejoice in this persecution as touching ourselves; inasmuch as the cause for which we suffer is the Lord's cause and not our's, at whose hand, if we endure to the end, we shall receive, through his liberal promise in Christ, not only a great reward in heaven, but also in the mean season be sure to be defended and cared for, so that we shall lack no necessary things, neither a hair of 〈…〉 heads shall perish without his knowledge. O what is he that would mistrust, or not gladly serve so loving a Father! O how unhappy are they that forsake him, and put their trust in man; but how blessed are they that for his love and for his holy word's sake, in these troublesome days do comm•• their souls and bodies into his hands with well doing, counting it greater happiness and riches to suffer rebuke with Christ and h•s church, than to enjoy the pleasures of this life for a short season? This cross that we now bear hath been common to all the faithful from Abel hitherto, and shall be to the end, because the devil having great wrath against God and his Christ, cannot abide that he should for his manifold mercies be lauded and magnified, and Christ to be taken and believed upon for our only sufficient Redeemer, Saviour, and Advocate: and therefore because we will not deny Christ, nor dissemble with our faith, but openly protest and profess the same before the world, he seeketh by all means to stir up his wicked members to persecute and kill the bodies of the true christians; as St. John saith, "The devil shall cast some of you into prison." And David saith, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken, but I was sore troubled." Notwithstanding this, go forward, dear brethren, as ye have begun, to fight the Lord's ⟨p. 137⟩battle, considering Christ the captain of your war, who will both fight for you, give you victory, and also highly reward your pains.
Consider to your comfort the notable and chief shepherds and soldiers of Christ, which are gone before us in these days, I mean those learned and godly bishops, doctors, and other ministers of God's word; whose faith and examples we that are inferiors ought to follow; as St. Paul saith, "Remember them that have declared unto you the word of God, the end of those conversation see that you look upon, and follow their faith." The grace and blessing of God, with the ministry of his holy angels, be with you for ever, Amen. All my prison-fellows greet you. From the Coal-house, this 4th of December.
By your poor brother, THOMAS WHITTLE, an unworthy minister of Christ, now his▪ prisoner for the gospel's sake, Amen.
THE same faith for which Abraham was counted righteous, and Mary blessed, the Lord God increase and make stable in your hearts, my dear and faithful brethren and sisters of London, for ever and ever, Amen.
DEARLY beloved, be not troubled in this which is now come amongst you to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's passions, that when his glory appeareth, ye may be merry and glad, &c. Out of these words of St. Peter I gather more especially these four notes. First, that persecution happeneth to Christ's church for their trial, that is, for the probation and proof of their faith. Which faith, like as it is known with God in the depth of our hearts, so will he have it made manifest to the whole world through persecution, that so it may evidently appear that he hath such a church and people on earth, which so trusteth in him and feareth his holy name, that no kind of persecution, pains, nor death, shall be able to separate them from the love of him. And thus was Abraham tried, and […] tempted, that their faith, which before lay hid almost in their hearts, might be made known to the whole world to be so steadfast and strong, that neither the devil▪ natural love, nor any other enemy could bereave them thereof. Whereby also God was to be magnified, who hath tried his people by many tribulations, and also standeth by them in the midst of their troubles, to deliver them by life or death as he seeth best: like as he assisted Lot and delivered him out of his enemy's hands; Joseph out of the hands of his brethren, and out of prison; Paul from his enemies in Damascus, and the apostles out of the stocks and prison.
DEARLY beloved, be not troubled in this which is now come amongst you to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's passions, that when his glory appeareth, ye may be merry and glad, &c. Out of these words of St. Peter I gather more especially these four notes. First, that persecution happeneth to Christ's church for their trial, that is, for the probation and proof of their faith. Which faith, like as it is known with God in the depth of our hearts, so will he have it made manifest to the whole world through persecution, that so it may evidently appear that he hath such a church and people on earth, which so trusteth in him and feareth his holy name, that no kind of persecution, pains, nor death, shall be able to separate them from the love of him. And thus was Abraham tried, and 〈…〉 tempted, that their faith, which before lay hid almost in their hearts, might be made known to the whole world to be so stedfast and strong, that neither the devil▪ natural love, nor any other enemy could bereave them thereof. Whereby also God was to be magnified, who hath tried his people by many tribulations, and also standeth by them in the midst of their troubles, to deliver them by life or death as he seeth best: like as he assisted Lot and delivered him out of his enemy's hands; Joseph out of the hands of his brethren, and out of prison; Paul from his enemies in Damascus, and the apostles out of the stocks and prison.
THESE with many more he delivered to life; and also he delivered Abel, Eleazar, Stephen, and John Baptist, with many others by death, and hath also by the trial of their faith made them good precedents and examples to us and all that come after, to suffer affliction in the like cause: as […] saith, Take, my brethren (saith he) the prophets for an example of suffering adversity and of long patience, which spake unto you in the name of the Lord: behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made with him, for the Lord is very pitiful and merciful. Also the Lord trieth us, to let us see our own hearts and thoughts, that no hypocrisy or ambition deceive us, and that the strong in Christ may pray that he fall not, but to endure to the end; and that those that fall through fearful infirmity, might speedily repent and rise again with Peter, and also that the weak ones might bewail their weakness, and cry with David, Psal. vi. "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord, heal me, for all my bones are vexed."
THESE with many more he delivered to life; and also he delivered Abel, Eleazar, Stephen, and John Baptist, with many others by death, and hath also by the trial of their faith made them good precedents and examples to us and all that come after, to suffer affliction in the like cause: as 〈…〉 saith, Take, my brethren (saith he) the prophets for an example of suffering adversity and of long patience, which spake unto you in the name of the Lord: behold, we count them happy which endur•. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made with him, for the Lord is very pitiful and merciful. Also the Lord trieth us, to let us see our own hearts and thoughts, that no hypocrisy or ambition deceive us, and that the strong in Christ may pray that he fall not, but to endure to the end; and that those that fall through fearful infirmity, might speedily repent and rise again with Peter, and also that the weak ones might bewail their weakness, and cry with David, Psal. vi. "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord, heal me, for all my bones are vexed."
OF this opening of the heart by persecution spake holy Simeon to Mary, Christ's mother, when he said, The sword, that is, the cross of persecution, shall pierce thy soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened. For like as a king that should go to battle, is compelled to look in his coffers what treasure he hath, and also what number and puissance of men and weapons he hath, so that if he himself be unready and unarmed to fight his enemy, he ceaseth and taketh truce for a time: even ⟨p. 138⟩so we by persecutions have our hearts opened, that we may look therein to see what faith in Christ we have, and what strength to withstand the enemies, and to bear the cross, that if we be rich in these treasures, we might rejoice, and valiantly go to battle; or if we want these things, we might with all spend call and cry upon him who giveth all good gifts to those that ask them. Item, The cross •rieth the good people from the bad, the faithful from the worldlings and hypocrites, and also cleanseth and scoureth the faithful hearts from all corruption and filthiness, both of the flesh and the spirit. And even as iron▪ except it be often scoured, will soon wax rusty; so except our sinful hearts and flesh be often scoured with the whetstone of the cross, they will soon corrupt and evergrow with the rust of filthiness and sin. And therefore it is meet and good for us (as the wise man saith) that as gold and silver is tried in the fire, so should the hearts of acceptable men be tried in the furnace of adversity. Abide the trial (dear friends), that ye may obtain the crown of life. Fight manfully in this the Lord's cause, that ye may obtain a glorious victory here, and receive greater reward in heaven hereafter.
OF this opening of the heart by persecution spak• holy Simeon to Mary, Christ's mother, when he said, The sword, that is, the cross of persecution, shall pierce thy soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened. For like as a king that should go to battle, is compelled to look in his coffers what treasure he hath, and also what number and puissance of men and weapons he hath, so that if he himself be unready and unarmed to fight his enemy, he ceaseth and taketh truce for a time: even ⟨p. 138⟩so we by persecutions have our hearts opened, that we may look therein to see what faith in Christ we have, and what strength to withstand the enemies, and to bear the cross, that if we be rich in these treasures, we might rejoice, and valiantly go to battle; or if we want these things, we might with all spend call and cry upon him who giveth all good gifts to those that ask them. Item, The cross rieth the good people from the bad, the faithful from the worldlings and hypocrites, and also cleanseth and scoureth the faithful hearts from all corruption and filthiness, both of the flesh and the spirit. And even as iron except it be often scoured, will soon wax rusty; so except our sinful hearts and flesh be often scoured with the whetstone of the cross, they will soon corrupt and evergrow with the rust of filthiness and sin. And therefore it is meet and good for us (as the wise man saith) that as gold and silver is tried in the fire, so should the hearts of acceptable men be tried in the furnace of adversity. Abide the trial (dear friends), that ye may obtain the crown of life. Fight manfully in this the Lord's cause, that ye may obtain a glorious victory here, and receive greater reward in heaven hereafter.
AS ye are called christians, and would be angry to be called Jews or Turks, so declare your christianity by following the steps of Christ, whose name ye bear; suffer with him and for his gospel's sake, rather than deny him or defile your faith and conscience with false worshipping of Romish religion.
TAKE up your cross (my hearts) now when it is offered you, and go up with Christ to Jerusalem amongst the bishops, priests, and rulers, if God call you thereto, and they will anon send you to Calvary: from whence (dying in the cause of the gospel, wherein our good preachers and brethren have given their lives) your souls (I warrant you) through Christ Jesus shall ascend to God that gave them, and that body shall come after at the last day, and so shall ye dwell with the Lord for ever in unspeakable joy and bliss. O blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness' sake▪ Christ's people in this Jewish England now doth; for their's •s the kingdom of heaven. O my beloved▪ set your mind on this kingdom where Christ our head and king is; considering that as the brute beast looketh downwards with the face towards the earth; so man is made contrariwise with his face looking upwards towards the heavens, because his conversation should be in heaven and heavenly t•ings, and not upon the earth and earthly thing•, as St. Paul saith, Coloss. iii. Set your mind on things […] are above, where Christ is. And again he saith, Phil. iii. Our conversation is in heaven, fr•m whence we look for our Saviour, who will change our vile bodies, and make them like to his glorious body. O the glorious estate that we be called unto▪ The Lord preserve us harmless unto his eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
TAKE up your cross (my hearts) now when it is offered you, and go up with Christ to Jerusalem amongst the bishops, priests, and rulers, if God call you thereto, and they will anon send you to Calvary: from whence (dying in the cause of the gospel, wherein our good preachers and brethren have given their lives) your souls (I warrant you) through Christ Jesus shall ascend to God that gave them, and that body shall come after at the last day, and so shall ye dwell with the Lord for ever in unspeakable joy and bliss. O blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness' sake▪ Christ's people in this Jewish England now doth; for their's s the kingdom of heaven. O my beloved set your mind on this kingdom where Christ our head and king is; considering that as the brute beast looketh downwards with the face towards the earth; so man is made contrariwise with his face looking upwards towards the heavens, because his conversation should be in heaven and heavenly tings, and not upon the earth and earthly thing, as St. Paul saith,
THE second thing that I note in the aforesaid words of Peter, is, that he calleth persecution no strange thing. And truth it is: for which of the prophets were not persecuted, with Christ and his apostles, and some of them in the end cruelly killed for the truth's sake? Cain killed Abel, Isaac was persecuted of Ishmael, Jacob was hated of Esau, Joseph was imprisoned and set in the stocks, the prophet Isaiah was cut in two with a saw, Jeremiah was stoned, Micah was buffeted and fed with bread and water, Elijah was sore persecuted, Eleazar, and the woman with her seven sons, were cruelly killed. What Christ and the apostles suffered i• well known. So that by many tribulations (as Paul saith, Acts xiv.) we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. All the holy prophets, Christ and his apostles, suffered such afflictions not for evil doing, but for preaching God's word, for rebuking the world of sin, and for their faith in Jesus Christ.
THE second thing that I note in the aforesaid words of Peter, is, that he calleth persecu•ion no strange thing. And truth it is: for which of the prophets were not persecuted, with Christ and his apostles, and some of them in the end cruelly killed for the truth's sake? Cain killed Abel, Isaac was persecuted of Ishmael, Jacob was hated of Esau, Joseph was imprisoned and set in the stocks, the prophet Isaiah was cut in two with a saw, Jeremiah was stoned, Micah was buffeted and fed with bread and water, Elias was sore persecuted, Eleazar, and the woman with her seven sons, were cruelly killed. What Christ and the apostles suffered i• well known. So that by many tribulations (as Paul saith, Acts xiv.) we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. All the holy prophets, Christ and his apostles, suffered such afflictions not for evil doing, but for preaching God's word, for rebuking the world of sin, and for their faith in Jesus Christ.
THIS is the ordinance of God (my friends), this is the high way to heaven, by corporal death to eternal life; as Christ saith, John v. He that heareth my words▪ and believeth in him that sent me, hath eternal life, and shall not come to judgment, but is escaped from death to life. Let us never fear death, which is killed by Christ, but believe in him, and live forever, as St. Paul saith, Rom. viii. There i• no […] to them that are in Christ Jesus, which […] not […] the flesh, but after the […] 1 Cor. xv. […] ⟨p. 139⟩thy ••ctory? Thanks be to God▪ who hath given us the victory through Jesus Christ.
THIS is the ordinance of God (my friends), this is the high way to heaven, by corporal death to eternal life; as Christ saith, John v. He that heareth my words▪ and believeth in him that sent me, hath eternal life, and shall not come to judgment, but is esc•ped from death to life. Let us never fear death, which is ki•led by Christ, but believe in him, and live forever, as St. Paul saith, Rom. viii. There i• no 〈…〉 to th•m that are in Christ Jesus, which 〈…〉 not 〈…〉 the flesh, but after the 〈…〉 1 Cor. xv. 〈…〉
BESIDES this, ye have seen, and do daily see, the blood of your good preachers and brethren, which hath been shed in the gospel's cause in this sinful Sodom, this bloody Jerusalem, this unhappy city of London. Let not their blood be forgotten▪ nor the blood of your good bishop Ridley, who like a shepherd, to your comfort and example, hath given his life for his sheep. Good St. Paul saith, Heb. xiii. Remember them that have spoken to you the word of God, and look upon the end of their conversation, and follow their faith.
BESIDES this, ye have seen, and do daily see, the blood of your good pr•achers and brethren, which hath been shed in the gospel's cause in this sinful Sodom, this bloody Jerusalem, this unhappy city of London. Let not their blood be forgotten▪ nor the blood of your good bishop Ridley, who like a shepherd, to your comfort and •xample, hath given his life for his sheep. Good St. Paul saith, Heb. xiii. Remember them that have spoken to you the word of God, and look upon the end of their conversation, and follow their faith.
