N20568:14952
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.
CUTHBERT SYMSON was a man of a faithful and zealous heart to Christ and his true flock, insomuch that he never ceased labouring, and studying most earnestly, not only how to preserve them without corruption of the popish religion, but also his care was very vigilant, how to keep them together without danger or peril of persecution. The pains, travail, zeal, patience, and fidelity of this man, in caring and providing for this congregation, as it is not easily to be expressed; so it is wonderful to behold the providence of the Lord by vision, concerning the troubles of this faithful minister and godly deacon, as in this here following may appear.
CUTBERT SYMSON was a man of a faithful and zealous heart to Christ and his true flock, insomuch that he never ceased labouring, and studying most earnestly, not only how to preserve them without corruption of the popish religion, but also his care was very vigilant, how to keep them together without danger or peril of persecution. The pains, travail, zeal, patience, and fidelity of this man, in caring and providing for this congregation, as it is not easily to be expressed; so it is wonderful to behold the providence of the Lord by vision, concerning the troubles of this faithful minister and godly deacon, as in this here following may appear.
THE Friday night before Mr. Rough, minister of the congregation (of whom mention was made before), was taken, being in his bed he dreamed, that he saw two of the guards leading Cuthbert Symson, deacon of the said congregation, and that he had the book about him, wherein were written the names of all them which were of the congregation. Whereupon being sore troubled he awaked, and called his wife, saying, Kate, strike a light, for I am much troubled with my brother Cuthbert this night. When she had so done, he began to read in his book a while, and there feeling sleep to come upon him, he put out the candle, and so gave himself again to rest. Being asleep, he dreamed the like dream again; and, awaked therewith, he said, Oh Kate, my brother Cuthbert is gone. So they lighted a candle again, and rose. And as the said Mr. Rough was making him ready to go to Cuthbert to see how he did, in the mean time the said Cuthbert came in with the book containing the names and accounts of the congregation. Whom when Mr. Rough had seen, said he, Brother Cuthbert, you are welcome; for I have been sore troubled with you this night, and so told him his dream. After he had so done, he desired him to lay the book away from him, and to carry it no more about him. Unto which Cuthbert answered, he would not so do; for dreams, he said, were but fancies, and not to be credited. Then Mr. Rough straitly charged him in the name of the Lord to do it. Whereupon the said Cuthbert took such notes out of the book, as he had desired him to do, and immediately left the book with Mr. Rough's wife.
THE Friday night before Mr. Rough, minister of the congregation (of whom mention was made before), was taken, being in his bed he dreamed, that he saw two of the guards leading Cutbert Symson, deacon of the said congregation, and that he had the book about him, wherein were written the names of all them which were of the congregation. Whereupon being sore troubled he awaked, and called his wife, saying, Kate, strike a light, for I am much troubled with my brother Cutbert this night. When she had so done, he began to read in his book a while, and there feeling sleep to come upon him, he put out the candle, and so gave himself again to rest. Being asleep, he dreamed the like dream again; and, awaked therewith, he said, Oh Kate, my brother Cutbert is gone. So they lighted a candle again, and rose. And as the said Mr. Rough was making him ready to go to Cutbert to see how he did, in the mean time the said Cutbert came in with the book containing the names and accounts of the congregation. Whom when Mr. Rough had seen, said he, Brother Cutbert, you are welcome; for I have been sore troubled with you this night, and so told him his dream. After he had so done, he desired him to lay the book away from him, and to carry it no more about him. Unto which Cutbert answered, he would not so do; for dreams, he said, were but fancies, and not to be credited. Then Mr. Rough straitly charged him in the name of the Lord to do it. Whereupon the said Cutbert took such notes out of the book, as he had desired him to do, and immediately left the book with Mr. Rough's wife.
THE next night following, the said Mr. Rough had another dream in his sleep, concerning his own trouble. The matter whereof was this: he thought in his dream that he was carried himself forcibly to the bishop, and that the bishop plucked off his beard, and cast it into the fire, saying these words▪ Now I may say I have had a piece of an heretic burned in my house, and so accordingly it came to pass.
THE next night following, the said Mr. Rough had another dream in his sleep, concerning his own trouble. The matter whereof was this: he thought in his dream that he was carried himself forcibly to the bishop, and that the bishop pluckt off his beard, and cast it into the fire, saying these words▪ Now I may say I have had a piece of an heretic burned in my house, and so accordingly it came to pass.
NOW to return to Cuthbert again; as we have touched something concerning these visions, so now remaineth to mention his pains and sufferings upon the rack, and otherwise, like a good Laurence for the congregation's sake, as he wrote with his own hand.
NOW to return to Cutbert again; as we have touched something concerning these visions, so now remaineth to mention his pains and sufferings upon the rack, and otherwise, like a good Laurence for the congregation's sake, as he wrote with his own hand.
ON the Thursday after, I was called into the Warehouse, before the constable of the Tower, and the recorder of London, Mr. Cholmley; they commanded me to tell, whom I did will to come to the English service. I answered, I would ⟨p. 510⟩declare nothing. Whereupon I was set in a rack of iron, the space of three hours, as I judged.
THEN they asked me if I would tell them. I answered as before. Then was I loosed, and carried to my lodging again. On the Sunday after I was brought into the same place again, before the lieutenant and the recorder of London, and they examined me. As before I had said, I answered. Then the lieutenant did swear by God I should tell. Then did they bind my two sore fingers together, and put a small arrow betwixt them, and drew it through so fast that the blood followed, and the arrow brake.
THEN they racked me twice. Then was I carried to my lodging again, and ten days after the lieutenant asked me if I would not confess that which they had before asked me. I answered, I had said as much as I would. Then five weeks after he sent me unto the high priest, where I was greatly assaulted, and at whose hand I received the pope's curse, for bearing witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And thus I commend you unto God, and to the word of his grace, with all them that unfeignedly call upon the name of Jesus, desiring God of his endless mercy, through the merits of his dear Son Jesus Christ, to bring us all to his everlasting kingdom, Amen. I praise God for his great mercy showed upon us. Sing Hosanna unto the Highest with me Cuthbert Symson. God forgive me my sins. I ask all the world forgiveness, and I do forgive all the w••ld, and thus I leave this world, in hope of a joyful resurrection.
THEN they racked me twice. Then was I carried to my lodging again, and ten days after the lieutenant asked me if I would not confess that which they had before asked me. I answered, I had said as much as I would. Then five weeks after he sent me unto the high priest, where I was greatly assaulted, and at whose hand I received the pope's curse, for bearing witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And thus I commend you unto God, and to the word of his grace, with all them that unfeignedly call upon the name of Jesus, desiring God of his endless mercy, through the merits of his dear Son Jesus Christ, to bring us all to his everlasting kingdom, Amen. I praise God for his great mercy shewed upon us. Sing Hosanna unto the Highest with me Cutbert Symson. God forgive me my sins. I ask all the world forgiveness, and I do forgive all the w••ld, and thus I leave this world, in hope of a joyful resurrection.
NOW as touching this Cuthbert Symson, this is further to be noticed, that Bonner in his consistory, speaking of Cuthbert Symson, gave this testimony of him there to the people, saying, You […] this man, saith he, what a p•r••nable man he is; and after he had thus commended his person, added moreover, And furthermore concerning his patience, I say unto you, that •f he were not an heresy, ••e is a man of the greatest patience that ever yet came before me: fo• I tell you, he hath been thrice racked upon one day […] the Tower. Also in my house he hath felt some sorrow, and yet I never saw his patience broken, &c.
NOW as touching this Cutbert Symson, this is further to be noticed, that Bonner in his consistory, speaking of Cutbert Symson, gave this testimony of him there to the people, saying, You 〈…〉 this man, saith he, what a p•r••nable man he is; and after he had thus commended his person, added moreover, And furthermore concerning his pa•i•nce, I say unto you, that •f he were not an heresie, ••e is a man of the greatest patience that ever yet came before me: fo• I tell you, he hath been thrice racked upon one day 〈…〉 the Tower. Also in my house he hath felt some sorrow, and yet I never saw his patience broken, &c.
IT is thought and said by some, that that arrow which was grated between his singers, being tied together, was not in the Tower, but in the bishop's house.
THE day before this blessed deacon and martyr of God, Cuthbert Symson, after his painful racking, should go to his condemnation before Bonner to be burned, being in the stocks in the bishop's •odhouse, he had a very strange vision or apparition which he himself with his own mouth declared to that learned man Mr. Austen, to his own wife, and Thomas Symson, and to others besides, in the p•• son of Newgate a little before his death. The relation whereof I stand in no little doubt whether […] report abroad or not, considering with myself […] great diversity of men's judgments, by the reading of histories, and variety of affections. Some I […] will not believe it, some will deride the same, […] also will be offended with the setting forth […] uncertain things of that sort, esteeming all things […] be uncertain and incredible which appears any way strange from the common order of nature.
THE day before this blessed deacon and martyr of God, Cutbert Symson, after his painful racking, should go to his condemnation before Bonner to be burned, being in the stocks in the bishop's •odhouse, he had a very strange vision or apparitio• which he himself with his own mouth declared to that learned man Mr. Austen, to his own wife, and Thomas Symson, and to others besides, in the p•• son of Newgate a little before his death. The relation whereof I stand in no little doubt whether 〈…〉 report abroad or not, considering with myself 〈…〉 great diversity of men's judgments, by the reading of histories, and variety of affections. Some I 〈…〉 will not believe it, some will deride the same, 〈…〉 also will be offended with the setting forth 〈…〉 uncertain things of that sort, esteeming all things 〈…〉 be uncertain and incredible which appears any way strange from the common order of nature.
OTHERS will be perhaps grieved, thinking with themselves, or else reasoning with me, that although the matter were as is reported, yet, forasmuch […] the common error of believing tho•e rash miracle• ▪ fancies visions, dreams, and apparitions, thereby may be confirmed, it is thought more expedient […] the same to be omitted.
OTHERS will be perhaps grieved, thinking with themselves, or else reasoning with me, that although the matter were as is reported, yet, forasmuch 〈…〉 the common error of believing tho•e rash miracle• ▪ fancies visions, dreams, and apparitions, thereby may be confirmed, it is thought more expedient 〈…〉 the same to be omitted.
THESE, and such like, will be, I know, the sayings of many. Whereunto briefly I answer, granting first, and admitting with the words of Basil, Not every dream is straightway a prophesy. Again, neither am I ignorant that the papists in their books and legends of saints, have their prodigious visions and apparitions of angels, of our lady, of other saints, and of Christ: which as I will not admit to be believed as true; so will they ask me, why should I require more to be credited by them, than their's by us.
FIRST, I write not this to oblige any man precisely to believe the same, as they do their's, but only ⟨p. 511⟩report it […] it hath been h•ard of persons known▪ naming also the parties who were the hearers there of, leaving the judgment thereof notwithstanding ••e unto the arbi•r•ment of the reader. Al•ho' it is no good argument, proceeding from the singular or particular, to the universal, to say that visions be not true in some: Ergo, they be true in none. And if any shall mus•, or object again, Why should such visions be given to him▪ or a few other singular persons, more than to all the rest, seeing the others were in the same cause and quarrel, and died also martyrs as well as he? To this I say, concerning the Lord's times and doings I have not to meddle nor make, who may work where and when it pleaseth him. And what if the Lord thought chiefly above others with singular consolation to respect him, who is chiefly above the other, and singularly did suffer most exquisite torments for his sake? What great marvel herein? But, as I said, of the Lord's secret times I have not to reason. This only which hath out of the man's own mouth been received, so as I received it of the par•ies, I thought here to communicate to the reader, for him to judge thereof as God shall rule his mind. The matter is this.
FIRST, I write not this to oblige any man precisely to believe the same, as they do their's, but only ⟨p. 511⟩report it 〈…〉 it hath been h•ard of persons known▪ naming also the parties who were the hearers there of, leaving the judgment thereof notwithstanding ••e unto the arbi•rment of the reader. Alho' it is no good argument, proceeding from the singular or particular, to the universal, to say that visions be not true in some: Ergo, they be true in none. And if any shall mus, or object again, Why should such visions be given to him or a few other singular persons, more than to all the rest, seeing the others were in the same cause and quarrel, and died also martyrs as well as he? To this I say, concerning the Lord's times and doings I have not to meddle nor make, who may work where and when it pleaseth him. And what if the Lord thought chiefly above others with singular consolation to respect him, who is chiefly above the other, and singularly did suffer most exquisite torments for his sake? What great marvel herein? But, as I said, of the Lord's secret times I have not to reason. This only which hath out of the man's own mouth been received, so as I received it of the paries, I thought here to communicate to the reader, for him to judge thereof as God shall rule his mind. The matter is this.
