N20568:14682
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.
TO all these articles he answered affirmatively, denying precisely none of them; saving to this clause contained in the twelfth article, that a man is not bound to fast and pray but at his own will and pleasure, he said that he had affirmed no such thing, but he confessed that he had not fasted nor prayed so oft as he was bound to do. And unto this answer he also subscribed in this sort.
EXCEPT it be proved otherwise by the holy scripture, I do affirm these articles to be true. By me, Ralph Allerton.
THE next examination was the fourth day of July; the act whereof, because they do appear more amply is his other examination, on the tenth of September, I here omit, giving you farther to understand, that on the seventh day of July, he was brought before Dr. Darbishire in the bishop's palace, who examined him again on the former articles, and after persuaded him to recant, threatening him that otherwise he should be burned. To whom he boldly answered, I would I might be condemned even to-morrow; for I perceive my lord (meaning Bonner) doth seek nothing but men's blood. Upon ⟨p. 484⟩which saying Dr. Darbishire committed him again to prison, and the tenth of September the bishop caused him (with the other three above-named) to be brought unto Fulham, and there in his private chapel within his house, he judicially propounded unto him certain other new articles; of which, the tenor of the first, fifth, sixth, and seventh are already mentioned in the second, third, and fourth former objections: as for the rest, their contents here follow.
"THOU, Ralph Allerton, canst not deny, but that the information given against thee, and remaining now in the acts of this court of thine ordinary, Edmund Bishop of London, was and is a true information."
THIS information was given by Thomas Tie, curate of Bentley (of whom you have already heard), and certain others of the same parish and affinity; as namely, John Painter, William Harris, John Barker, John Carter, Thomas Candeler, Jeffry Bestwood, John Richard, Richard Mere.
THIS information was given by Thomas Tye, curate of Bentley (of whom you have already heard), and certain others of the same parish and affinity; as namely, John Painter, William Harris, John Barker, John Carter, Thomas Candeler, Jeffry Bestwood, John Richard, Richard Meer.
THE effect thereof was, that one Laurence Edwards, of Bentley aforesaid, had a child that was unchristened, and being demanded by the said Tie, why his child was not baptized, he made answer, it should be when he could find one of his religion (meaning a true professor of Christ's gospel). Whereat the curate said, Ah, you have had some instructor that hath schooled you of late. Yea, (quoth Edwards) that I have, and if your doctrine be better than his, then I will believe you; and thereupon fondly offered to fetch him.
THE effect thereof was, that one Laurence Edwards, of Bentley aforesaid, had a child that was unchristened, and being demanded by the said Tye, why his child was not baptized, he made answer, it should be when he could find one of his religion (meaning a true professor of Christ's gospel). Whereat the curate said, Ah, you have had some instructer that hath schooled you of late. Yea, (quoth Edwards) that I have, and if your doctrine be better than his, then I will believe you; and thereupon fondly offered to fetch him.
WHEREUPON the constable going with him, they brought before the said curate the said Ralph Allerton; of whom in this information they make this report, that he was a seditious person, who since his coming down from the bishop, had set upon the constable's door seditious letters, moving and persuading thereby the people to follow his malicious disobedience; and that these his persuasions had taken effect in many: and farther, that the said Ralph Allerton (the curate asking him whether he had instructed this Laurence Edwards, that it was against God's commandment to enter into the church) casting his hands abroad, should say, Oh, good people, now is fulfilled the saying of the godly priest and prophet Esdras, who saith, 4 E••. 1•. "The fire of a multitude is kindled against a […] they have taken away their houses, and spoiled their goods," &c. Which of you hath not seen this, […] day? who is he here amongst you, that seeth […] all these things done upon us this day? The chur•• which they call us to, is the church of Antichri••• a persecuting church, and the church malignant. With these, and many more words (said they, […] maliciously and falsely alleged out of the scriptures) he thus persuaded a great multitude that present (as much as in him lay) unto disobedien••. For which cause the constables did then appreh••• him.
WHEREUPON the constable going with him, they brought before the said curate the said Ralph Allerton; of whom in this information they make this report, that he was a seditious person, who since his coming down from the bishop, had set upon the constable's door seditious let••rs, moving and persuading thereby the people to follow his malicious disobedience; and that these his persuasions had taken effect in many: and farther, that the said Ralph Allerton (the curate asking him whether he had instructed this Laurence Edwards, that it was against God's commandment to enter into the church) casting his hands abroad, should say, Oh, good people, now is fulfilled the saying of the godly priest and prophet Esdras, who saith, 4 E••. 1•. "The fire of a multitude is kindled against a 〈…〉 they have taken away their houses, and spoiled their goods," &c. Which of you hath not seen this, day? who is he here amongst you, that seeth all these things done upon us this day? The chur which they call us to, is the church of Antichri a persecuting church, and the church malignant. With these, and many more words (said they, malicously and falsely alledged out of the scriptures) he thus persuaded a great multitude tht present (as much as in him lay) unto disobedien. For which cause the constables did then appreh him.
3 Item, thou, Ralph Allerton, canst not de••, but the letter sent unto me by my lord Darcy, beginning with these words, [Pleaseth it your lordship, &c.] was thine own letter, and was […] by thine own hand.
3 Item, thou, Ralph Allerton, canst not de••, but the letter sent unto me by my lord Darcy, beginning with these words, [Pleaseth it your lordship, &c.] was thine own letter, and was 〈…〉 by thine own hand.
THE contents of the letter mentioned in this •• ticle, and written by Allerton unto the lord Dar•• was a confession of his demeanour before his […] apprehension, the effect and purport whereof, because it appeareth in the beginning of his history, I do here omit.
THE contents of the letter mentioned in this •• ticle, and written by Allerton unto the lord Dar•• was a confession of his demeanour before his 〈…〉 apprehension, the effect and purport whereof, because it appeareth in the beginning of his history, I do here omit.
4. Item, thou Ralph Allerton, canst not deny, but that the other letter, sent also to me from my said lord Darcy, beginning thus, [Pleaseth it your lordship, &c.] and ending with these words, [whensoever it be] is thine own letter, and subscribed with thine own hand.
THIS was also another letter written by him unto the lord Darcy, the contents whereof were, that where the said lord had commanded him to declare where he had been ever since Whitsuntide last before his first apprehension, this was to certify his lordship, that he was not able so to do, otherwise than as he had already showed him by his former letters. And moreover, whereas he charged him to have read unto the people abroad in the woods, he certified him that he did never read any thing abroad, saying once when he was in the company of George Eagles, and others, Richard Roth took a writing out of his bosom, and desired the said ⟨p. 485⟩Ralph to read it, which request he then accomplished▪ and demanding of him whose doing the same was, the said Roth told that it was Mr. Cranmer's, late archbishop of Canterbury; and farther he could not show him. Nevertheless, he was ready and willing to suffer such punishment as his lordship should think meet, desiring yet that the same might be with favour and mercy, although he feared neither punishment nor death: praying the Lord, that it might be in his fear, whensoever it should be.
THIS was also another letter written by him unto the lord Darcy, the contents whereof were, that where the said lord had commanded him to declare where he had been ever since Whitsuntide last before his first apprehension, this was to certify his lordship, that he was not able so to do, otherwise than as he had already shewed him by his former letters. And moreover, whereas he charged him to have read unto the people abroad in the woods, he certified him that he did never read any thing abroad, saying once when he was in the company of George Eagles, and others, Richard Roth took a writing out of his bosom, and desired the said ⟨p. 485⟩Ralph to read it, which request he then accomplished▪ and demanding of him whose doing the same was, the said Roth told that it was Mr. Cranmer's, late archbishop of Canterbury; and farther he could not shew him. Nevertheless, he was ready and willing to suffer such punishment as his lordship should think meet, desiring yet that the same might be with favour and mercy, although he feared neither punishment nor death: praying the Lord, that it might be in his fear, whensoever it should be.
8. Item, Thou Ralph Allerton, canst not deny, but that the letters written with blood, beginning with these words, [Grace, mercy, and peace] and ending thus, [Farewell in God,] remaining now registered in the acts of this court, were written voluntarily with thine own hand.
HE wrote this letter in the prison with blood for lack of other ink, and did mean to send the same unto Agnes Smith, alias Silverside, at that time imprisoned, and afterwards burned at Colchester for the testimony of the gospel of Christ, as before mentioned. The copy of which letter here ensu••.
GRACE, mercy, and peace from God the father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, with the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, and the abundant health both of soul and body, I wish unto you, as to my own soul, as God knoweth, who is the searcher of all secrets. FORASMUCH as it pleaseth almighty God of his infinite mercy, to call me to the state of grace, to suffer martyrdom for Jesus Christ's sake, although heretofore I have most negligently dallied therewith; and therefore far unworthy I am of such an high benefit, to be crowned with the most joyful crown of martyrdom: nevertheless, it hath pleased God not so to leave me, but hath raised me according to his promise, which saith, "Although he fall, yet shall he not be hurt: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand, Psal. xxxvii." Wherefore we perceive God's election to be most sure, for undoubtedly he will preserve all those that are appointed to die. And as he hath begun this work in me, even so do I believe that he will finish the same to his great glory, and to my wealth, through Jesus Christ, so be it. DEARLY beloved sister (I am constrained so to call you, because of your constant faith and love unfeigned), consider, that if we be the true servants of Christ, then may not we in any wise make agreement with his enemy Antichrist. For there is no concord and agreement between them, saith the scriptures, and a man cannot serve two masters, saith Christ. And also it is prefigured unto us in the old law, where the people of God were most straitly commanded that they should not mingle themselves with the ungodly heathen, and were also forbidden to eat, drink, or to marry with them. For as often as they did either marry unto their sons, or take their daughter's unto them, or to their sons; even so often came the great and heavy wrath of God upon his own people, to overthrow both them and all their cities, with the holy sanctuary of God; and brought in strange princes to reign over them, and wicked rulers to govern them, so that they were sure of hunger, sword, pestilence, and wild beasts to devour them. Which plagues never ceased, until the good people of God were clean separated from the wicked idolatrous people. OH, dearly beloved, this was written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. And is it not in like case happened now in this realm of England?
GRACE, mercy, and peace from God the father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, with the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, and the abundant health both of soul and body, I wish unto you, as to my own soul, as God knoweth, who is the searcher of all secrets. FORASMUCH as it pleaseth almighty God of his infinite mercy, to call me to the state of grace, to suffer martyrdom for Jesus Christ's sake, although heretofore I have most negligently dallied therewith; and therefore far unworthy I am of such an high benefit, to be crowned with the most joyful crown of martyrdom: nevertheless, it hath pleased God not so to leave me, but hath raised me according to his promise, which saith, "Although he fall, yet shall he not be hurt: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand,
For now are the people of God had in derision, and trodden under foot, and the cities, towns, and houses where they dwelt, are inhabited with them that have no right thereunto, and the true owners are spoiled of their labours: yea, and the holy sanctuary of God's most blessed word is laid desolate and waste, so that the very foxes run over it, &c. yet is it the food of our souls, the lantern of our feet and the light unto our paths; and where it is not preached, the people perish. But the prophet saith "He that refraineth himself from evil men, must be spoiled, Isai. lix." Why should men then be ashamed to be spoiled, seeing that it is told us before, ⟨p. 486⟩that it must so happen unto them that refrain from evil? And thus I bid you farewell in God. RALPH ALLERTON.
