N20568:14923
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.
JOHN ROUGH was born in Scotland, who, (as himself confesseth in his answers to Bonner's articles) because some of his kinsfolk would have kept him from his right of inheritance which he had to certain lands, did at the age of seventeen years▪ ⟨p. 505⟩in despite (and rather to displease his friends,) profess himself into the order of the black friars at Stirling, in Scotland; where he remained the space of sixteen years, until such time as the lord Hamilton, earl of Arran, and governor of the realm of Scotland (as a favour unto him) did apply unto the archbishop of St. Andrew's, to have him out of his professed order, that as a secular priest he might serve him for his chaplain. At which request the archbishop caused the provincial of that house, having thereto authority, to dispense with him for his habit and order.
JOHN ROUGH was born in Scotland, who, (as himself confesseth in his answers to Bonner's articles) because some of his kinsfolk would have kept him from his right of inheritance which he had to certain lands, did at the age of seventeen years▪ ⟨p. 505⟩in despite (and rather to displease his friends,) profess himself into the order of the black friers at Stirling, in Scotland; where he remained the space of sixteen years, until such time as the lord Hamilton, earl of Arran, and governor of the realm of Scotland (as a favour unto him) did apply unto the archbishop of St. Andrew's, to have him out of his professed order, that as a secular priest he might serve him for his chaplain. At which request the archbishop caused the provincial of that house, having thereto authority, to dispense with him for his habit and order.
THIS suit being thus obtained by the earl, the said Rough remained in his service one whole year: during which time it pleased God to open his eyes▪ and to give him some knowledge of his truth, and was thereupon sent by the said governor to preach in the freedom of Air, where he continued four years, and then after the death of the cardinal of Scotland, he was appointed to abide at St. Andrew's, and there had assigned unto him a yearly pension of twenty pounds, from Henry the Eighth, king of England. However, at last weighing with himself his own danger, and also abhorring the idolatry and superstition of the country, and hearing of the freedom of the gospel within this realm of England, he determined with himself not to tarry any longer there: and therefore, soon after the battle of Musselborough, he came first unto Carlisle, and from thence unto the duke of Somerset, then lord protector of England, and by his assignment had appointed unto him out of the king's treasury twenty pounds of yearly stipend, and was sent (as a preacher) to serve at Carlisle, Berwick, and New-Castle, where he married. From whence he was called by the archbishop of York that then was, unto a benefice in the town of Hull, where he continued till the death of good king Edward VI.
THIS suit being thus obtained by the earl, the said Rough remained in his service one whole year: during which time it pleased God to open his eyes▪ and to give him some knowledge of his truth, and was thereupon sent by the said governor to preach in the freedom of Ayre, where he continued four years, and then after the death of the cardinal of Scotland, he was appointed to abide at St. Andrew's, and there had assigned unto him a yearly pension of twenty pounds, from Henry the Eighth, king of England. However, at last weighing with himself his own danger, and also abhorring the idolatry and superstition of the country, and hearing of the freedom of the gospel within this realm of England, he determined with himself not to tarry any longer there: and therefore, soon after the battle of Musselborough, he came first unto Carlisle, and from thence unto the duke of Somerset, then lord protector of England, and by his assignment had appointed unto him out of the king's treasury twenty pounds of yearly stipend, and was sent (as a preacher) to serve at Carlisle, Berwick, and New-Castle, where he married. From whence he was called by the archbishop of York that then was, unto a benefice in the town of Hull, where he continued till the death of good king Edward VI.
BUT in the beginning of the reign of queen Mary (perceiving the alteration of religion, and the persecution that would thereupon arise, and feeling his own weakness) he fled with his wife into Friezeland, and dwelt there at a place called Norden, labouring truly for his living, in knitting of caps, and hose, and such like things, till about the end of the month of October, before his death. At which time, lacking •arn, and other such necessary provision for the maintenance of his occupation, he came over again into England, here to provide for the same, and the tenth day of November arrived at London. Where, hearing of the secret society, and holy congregation of God's children there assembled, he joined himself unto them, and afterwards being elected their minister and preacher, did continue most virtuously exercised in that godly fellowship, teaching and confirming them in the truth of the gospel of Christ. But in the end (such was the providence of God, who disposing all things to the best) the twelfth day of December, he with Cuthbert Simpson and others, through the crafty and traitorous suggestion of a false hypocrite and dissembling brother, named Roger Serjeant, tailor, were apprehended by the vice-chamberlain of the queen's house, at the Saracen's Head in Islington; where the congregation had then purposed to assemble themselves to their accustomable exercises of prayer, and hearing the word of God: which pretence, for the safeguard of all the rest, they yet at their examinations covered and excused, by hearing of a play that was then appointed to be at that place. The vice-chamberlain, after he had apprehended them, carried Rough and Simpson unto the council, who charged them to have assembled together to celebrate the communion or supper of the Lord, and therefore after sundry examinations they sent them unto the bishop of London, with a letter signed with their hands: the copy whereof here follows.
BUT in the beginning of the reign of queen Mary (perceiving the alteration of religion, and the persecution that would thereupon arise, and feeling his own weakness) he fled with his wife into Friezeland, and dwelt there at a place called Norden, labouring truly for his living, in knitting of caps, and hose, and such like things, till about the end of the month of October, before his death. At which time, lacking •arn, and other such necessary provision for the maintenance of his occupation, he came over again into England, here to provide for the same, and the tenth day of November arrived at London. Where, hearing of the secret society, and holy congregation of God's children there assembled, he joined himself unto them, and afterwards being elected their minister and preacher, did continue most virtuously exercised in that godly fellowship, teaching and confirming them in the truth of the gospel of Christ. But in the end (such was the providence of God, who disposing all things to the best) the twelfth day of December, he with Cutbert Simpson and others, through the crafty and traitorous suggestion of a false hypocrite and dissembling brother, named Roger Serjeant, taylor, were apprehended by the vice-chamberlain of the queen's house, at the Saracen's Head in Islington; where the congregation had then purposed to assemble themselves to their accustomable exercises of prayer, and hearing the word of God: which pretence, for the safeguard of all the rest, they yet at their examinations covered and excused, by hearing of a play that was then appointed to be at that place. The vice-chamberlain, after he had apprehended them, carried Rough and Simpson unto the council, who charged them to have assembled together to celebrate the communion or supper of the Lord, and therefore after sundry examinations they sent them unto the bishop of London, with a letter signed with their hands: the copy whereof here follows.
AFTER our hearty commendations to your good lordship, we send you here enclosed the examination of a Scottish man, named John Rough, who, by the queen's command, is just sent to Newgate, being of the chief of them that upon Sunday last, under the colour of coming to see a play at the Saracen's Head, at Islington, had prepared a communion to be celebrated and received there among other certain seditious and heretical persons. And forasmuch as by the said Rough's examination, containing the story and progress of his former life, ⟨p. 506⟩it well appeareth of what sort he is; the queen's highness hath willed us to remit him unto your lordship, to the end that being called before you out of prison, as oft as your lordship shall think good, you may proceed, both to his further examination, and otherwise ordering of him according to the laws, as the case shall require. And thus we bid your lordship heartily well to fare. From St. James's, December 15, 1557. Your lordship's loving friends, Nicholas Ebor, F. Shrewsbury, Edward Hastings, Anthony Mountague, John Bourne, Henry Jernegam.
AFTER our hearty commendations to your good lordship, we send you here inclosed the examination of a Scottish man, named John Rough, who, by the queen's command, is just sent to Newgate, being of the chief of them that upon Sunday last, under the colour of coming to see a play at the Saracen's Head, at Islington, had prepared a communion to be celebrated and received there among other certain seditious and heretical persons. And forasmuch as by the said Rough's examination, containing the story and progress of his former life, ⟨p. 506⟩it well appeareth of what sort he is; the queen's highness hath willed us to remit him unto your lordship, to the end that being called before you out of prison, as oft as your lordship shall think good, you may proceed, both to his further examination, and otherwise ordering of him according to the laws, as the case shall require. And thus we bid your lordship heartily well to fare. From St. James's, December 15, 1557. Your lordship's loving friends, Nicholas Ebor, F. Shrewsoury, Edward Hastings, Anthony Mountague, John Bourne, Henry Iernegam.
BONNER, now minding to make quick dispatch, did, within three days after the receipt of the letter, send for Rough out of Newgate, to be examined before him and others; who, when they perceived his constancy, determined the next day after to bring him openly into the consistory, there to adjudge and condemn him as an heretic. Which purpose they accomplished: for the twentieth day in the afternoon, in the presence of the bishop of London, and St. David's, with Fecknam, abbot of Westminster, and others, he was there produced. Where, after many persuasions, Bonner read unto him the articles and answers, in which they charged him to have received the orders of the church, and therefore might not marry: and that he had refused to consent to the Latin service then used in the church. Whereunto he then answered and said, That their orders were nothing at all, and that he being a priest, might lawfully marry, and that the children which he had by his wife were lawful. And concerning the service then used, he utterly detested it, saying, That if he should live as long as did Methuselah, yet he would never come to the church to hear the abominable mass and other service being as it was then. Upon which words the bishop proceeded▪ to the degradation of the said Rough; and after condemning him as an heretic, committed his body to the secular power, who taking him into their custody, carried him to Newgate.
BONNER, now minding to make quick dispatch, did, within three days after the receipt of the letter, send for Rough out of Newgate, to be examined before him and others; who, when they perceived his constancy, determined the next day after to bring him openly into the consistory, there to adjudge and condemn him as an heretic. Which purpose they accomplished: for the twentieth day in the afternoon, in the presence of the bishop of London, and St. David's, with Fecknam, abbot of Westminster, and others, he was there produced. Where, after many persuasions, Bonner read unto him the articles and answers, in which they charged him to have received the orders of the church, and therefore might not marry: and that he had refused to consent to the Latin service then used in the church. Whereunto he then answered and said, That their orders were nothing at all, and that he being a priest, might lawfully marry, and that the children which he had by his wife were lawful. And concerning the service then used, he utterly detested it, saying, That if he should live as long as did Metnuselah, yet he would never come to the church to hear the abominabe mass and other service being as it was then. Upon which words the bishop proceeded to the degradation of the said Rough; and after condemning him as an heretic, committed his body to the secular power, who taking him into their custody, carried him to Newgate.
MOREOVER, as touching the said Mr. Rough, this is further to be noted, that he being in the north country in the days of king Edward VI. was the cause of saving Dr. Watson's life (who in queen Mary's days was bishop of London), for a sermon that he had preached there. The said Watson after that, being with Bonner at the examination of the said Mr. Rough, to requite him i• saving his life, detected him there to be a pernicious heretic, who did more hurt in the •orth parts th•• an hundred besides of his opinion. Unto […] Mr. Rough said, Why, sir, is this the reward I have for saving your life, when you preached •••oneous doctrine in the da•s of king Edward […] This Mr. Rough said, he had lived thirty years▪ and yet had never bowed his knee to Baal: and being before Bonner, among other talk he affirm•• that he had been twice at Rome, and there had […] plainly with his eyes, which he had many […] heard of before, namely, that the pope was […] very Antichrist: for there he saw him carried […] men's shoulders, and the false-named sacram••• borne before him: yet there was more […] given to him, than to that which they count•• […] be their god. When Bonner heard this, rising […] and making as though he would have torn his […], Hast thou, said he, been at Rome, and […] our holy father the pope, and dost thou blasph••• him after this sort? and with that flying upon […] he plucked off a piece of his beard, and […] making speedy haste to his death, he burnt […] half an hour before six o'clock in the morning, […] cause the day belike should not be far spent▪ •• fore he had done a mischievous deed.
MOREOVER, as touching the said Mr. Rough, this is further to be noted, that he being in the north country in the days of king Edward VI. was the cause of saving Dr. Watson's life (who in queen Mary's days was bishop of London), for a sermon that he had preached there. The said Watson after that, being with Bonner at the examination of the said Mr. Rough, to requite him i saving his life, detected him there to be a pernicious heretic, who did more hurt in the orth parts th an hundred besides of his opinion. Unto Mr. Rough said, Why, sir, is this the reward I have for saving your life, when you preached oneous doctrine in the das of king Edward This Mr. Rough said, he had lived thirty years and yet had never bowed his knee to Baal: and being before Bonner, among other talk he affirm that he had been twice at Rome, and there had plainly with his eyes, which he had many heard of before, namely, that the pope was very Antichrist: for there he saw him carried men's shoulders, and the false-named sacram borne before him: yet there was more given to him, than to that which they count be their god. When Bonner heard this, rising and making as though he would have torn his , Hast thou, said he, been at Rome, and our holy father the pope, and dost thou blasph him after this sort? and with that flying upon he plucked off a piece of his beard, and making speedy haste to his death, he burnt half an hour before six o'clock in the morning, cause the day belike should not be far spent fore he had done a mischievous deed.
THE comfort of the Holy Ghost make you abl• to give consolation to others in these dangerous days, when Satan is let loose, but to the trial only of the chosen, when it pleaseth our God to •ift his […] from the chaff. I have not leisure and […] write the great temptations I have been under. I speak to God's glory; my care was to have the senses of my soul open, to perceive the voice of God, saying, Whosoever denieth me before men, him will I deny before my Father and his angels. And to save the life corporal, is to lose the li•e eternal. And he that will not suffer with ⟨p. 507⟩Christ, shall not reign with him. Therefore, most tender ones, I have by God's Spirit given over the flesh, with the fight of my soul, and the spirit hath the victory. The flesh shall now before it be long, leave off to sin, the spirit shall reign eternally. I have chosen death to confirm the truth by me taught. What can I do more? Consider with yourselves, that I have done it for the confirmation of God's truth. Pray that I may continue unto the end. The greatest part of the assault is past, I praise my God. I have in all my assaults felt the present aid of my God, I give him most hearty thanks therefore. Look not back, nor be ye ashamed of Christ's gospel, nor of the bonds I have suffered for the same, thereby you may be assured it is the true word of God. The holy ones have been sealed with the same mark. It is no time for the loss of one man in the battle, for the camp to turn back. Up with men's hearts, down with the ••ubed walls of heresy. Let one take the banner, and the other the trumpet; I mean not to make corporal resistance, but pray, and ye shall have Elijah's defence, and Elisha's company to fight for you. The cause is the Lord's. Now, my brethren, I can write no more, time will not suffer, and my heart with pangs of death is assaulted; but I am at home with my God, yet alive. Pray for me, and salute one another with the holy kiss. The peace of God rest with you all, Amen. From Newgate prison in haste, the day of my condemnation.
THE comfort of the Holy Ghost make you abl• to give consolation to others in these dangerous days, when Satan is let loose, but to the trial only of the chosen, when it pleaseth our God to •ift his from the chaff. I have not leisure and write the great temptations I have been under. I speak to God's glory; my care was to have the senses of my soul open, to perceive the voice of God, saying, Whosoever denieth me before men, him will I deny before my Father and his angels. And to save the life corporal, is to lose the lie eternal. And he that will not suffer with
JOHN ROUGH.
THE Spirit of consolation be with you, aid you, and make you strong to run to the fight that is laid before you, wherewithal God in all ages hath tried his elect, and hath found them worthy of himself, by coupling to their head Jesus Christ; in whom, whoso desireth to live godly, the same must needs suffer persecution. For it is given unto them, not only to believe, but also to suffer. And the servant or scholar cannot be greater than his lord and master: but by the same way the head is entered, the members must follow: no life is in the members which are cut from the body: likewise we have no life but in Christ: for by him we live, move, and have our being. My dear sons, now departing this life to my great advantage, I make change of mortality with immortality, of corruption to put on incorruption, to make my body like unto the corn cast into the ground, which except it die first, it can bring forth no good fruit. Wherefore death is to me great advantage: for thereby the body ceaseth from sin, and after turneth into the first original; but after shall be changed, and made brighter than the sun or moon. What shall I write of this corporal death, seeing it is decreed of God, that all men shall once die? Happy are they that die in the Lord, which is to die in the faith of Christ, professing and confessing the same before many witnesses. I praise my God I have passed the same journey by many temptations, the devil is very busy to persuade, the world to entice with promises and fair words: which I omit to write lest some might think I did hunt after vain glory, which is farthest from my heart. Lastly, the danger of some false brethren, who before the bishop of London purposed to confess an untruth to my face: yet the God that ruled Balaam, moved their hearts; where they thought to speak to my accusation, he made them speak to my purgation. What a journey (by God's power) I have made these eight days before this day, it is above flesh and blood to bear: but as St. Paul saith, I may do all things in him which worketh in me, Jesus Christ. My course, brethren, have I run, I have fought a good fight, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, my day to receive it is at hand. Pray, brethren, for the enemy doth yet assault. Stand constant unto the end, then shall you possess your souls. Walk worthily in that vocation wherein you are called. Comfort the brethren.
Salute one another in my name. Be not ashamed of the gospel of the cross, by me preached, nor yet of my suffering; for with my blood I affirm the same. I go before, I suffer first the baiting of the butcher's dogs; yet I have not done what I should have done; but my weakness▪ I doubt not, is supplied in the strength of Jesus Christ; and your wisdom and learning will accept the small talent, which I have distributed unto you, as I trust, as a faithful steward: and what was undone, impute that to frailty and ignorance, and with your love cover that ⟨p. 508⟩which is and was naked in me. God knoweth ye are all tender unto me, my heart bursteth for the love of you. Ye are not without your great pastor of your soul, who so loveth you, that if men were not to be sought out, (as God be praised there is no want of men) he would cause stones to minister unto you. Cast your care on that rock, the wind of temptation shall not prevail: fast and pray, for the days are evil. Look up with your eyes of hope, for the redemption is not far off (but my wickedness hath deserved that I shall not see it). And also that which is behind of the blood of our brethren, which shall also be laid under the altar, shall cry for your relief. Time will not now suffer me to write long letters. The Spirit of God guide you in and out, rising and sitting, cover you with the shadow of his wings, defend you against the tyranny of the wicked, and bring you happily unto the port of eternal felicity, where all tears shall be wiped from your eyes, and you shall always abide with the Lamb.
