N20568:15022
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.
SECRETLY in a back close in a field by Islington, were gathered together a company of innocent persons, to the number of forty men and ⟨p. 517⟩women. Who there sitting together at prayer, and virtuously occupied in the meditation of God's holy word, first cometh a certain man to them unknown, who looking over unto them, stayed and saluted them, saying, that they looked like men that meant no hurt. Then one of the said company asked the man, if he could tell whose close that was, and whether they might be so bold to sit there. Yea, said he, because ye seem to be such persons as intend no harm; and so departed. Within a quarter of an hour after, came the constable of Islington, named King, with six or seven more, one with a bow, another with a bill, and the rest with weapons. Six or seven of this company were left behind in a private place, to be ready in case they were wanted, while the constable, and one with him went before to view them; they both went amongst them, looking and viewing what they were doing, and what books they had: and so going a little forward, and returning back again, ordered them to deliver their books. They understanding that he was a constable, refused not so to do. Then came up the rest of their fellows, before-mentioned, who bade them stand and not depart. They answered again, they would be obedient and ready to go whithersoever they would have them, and they were first carried to a brew-house at a small distance, while some of the company went to the nearest justice; but he being not at home, they were carried before sir Roger Cholmley. In the mean time some of the women escaped away from them, some in the close where they sat, and others before they came to the brew-house. For so they were carried, ten with one man, eight with another, with some more, with others less, in such a manner as it was not hard for them to escape that would. In fine, they that were carried to sir Roger Cholmley, were twenty-seven, and sir Roger and the recorder taking their names in a bill, and calling them one by one, so many as answered to their names he sent to Newgate, which were twenty-two out of twenty-seven. They continued in prison seven weeks; and before they were examined, word was sent by Alexander, the keeper, that if they would hear a mass, they should all be delivered, but thirteen of them were burnt, seven in Smithfield, and six at Brentford;
two died in prison, and the other seven, with much trouble (through God's providence) escaped death. Their names were these: John Wills, Thomas Hinshaw, R. Bailey, woolpacket, Robert Wills, Hudleys, T. Coast, haberdasher, Roger Sandy.
two died in prison, and the other seven, with much trouble (through God's providence) escaped death. Their names were these: John Willes, Thomas Hinshaw, R. Bailey, woolpacket, Robert Willes, Hudleys, T. Coast, haberdasher, Roger Sandy.
THE names of the seven martyrs that were apprehended amongst others, in the close at Islington, and afterwards burnt in Smithfield, were as follows: Henry Pond, Rainol Eastland, Robert Southam, Matthew Ricarby, John Floyd, John Holiday, Roger Holland.
THESE seven godly men had several articles administered to them by bishop Bonner, in the usual form; to which they returned their answers, and absolutely refusing to acknowledge the doctrine of the Romish church, were altogether condemned, the sentence being read against them, and so all seven by secular magistrates being sent to Newgate the 17th of June▪ not long after, about the 27th of the said month were brought to Smithfield, and there ended their lives in the glorious cause of Christ's gospel. Their particular examinations never came to our hands, except only those of Roger Holland, which here follow in the order and manner as we have received them by the information of some that were there present at the same.
THIS Roger Holland, a merchant-tailor of London, was first an apprentice with one Mr. Kempton at the Black Boy in Wattling-street, where he served his apprenticeship with much trouble to his master, in breaking him of the licentious liberty which he had before been trained and brought up in, giving himself to riot, as dancing, fencing, gaming, banqueting, and wanton company; and besides all this, being a stubborn and obstinate papist, far unlike to come to any such end as God called him unto.
THIS Roger Holland, a merchant-taylor of London, was first an apprentice with one Mr. Kempton at the Black Boy in Watling-street, where he served his apprenticeship with much trouble to his master, in breaking him of the licentious liberty which he had before been trained and brought up in, giving himself to riot, as dancing, fencing, gaming, banquetting, and wanton company; and besides all this, being a stubborn and obstinate papist, far unlike to come to any such end as God called him unto.
HIS master, notwithstanding his lewdness, trusted him with his accounts; and on a time he received the sum of thirty pounds for his master, and falling into ill company, lost every groat at dice, being past all hope which way to answer it, and therefore he purposed to convey himself beyond the seas, either into France or Flanders.
HIS master, notwithstanding his lewdness, trusted him with his accompts; and on a time he received the sum of thirty pounds for his master, and falling into ill company, lost every groat at dice, being past all hope which way to answer it, and therefore he purposed to convey himself beyond the seas, either into France or Flanders.
HAVING determined with himself thus to do, he called betimes in the morning on a servant in the house, an ancient and discreet maid, whose name was Elizabeth, who professed the gospel, with a life agreeing unto the same, and at all times much rebuking the wilful and obstinate papistry, as also the licentious living of this Roger Holland. To whom he said, Elizabeth, I would I had followed thy gentle persuasions and friendly rebukes; which if I had done, I had never come to this shame and misery which I am now fallen into; for this night I have lost thirty poudns of my master's money, which to pay him and to make up mine accounts I am not able. But this much, I pray you, desire my mistress, that she would entreat my master to take this note of my hand, that I am thus much indebted to him; and if I am ever able, I will see him paid, desiring him that none of my kindred and friends may ever understand this my lewd part: for if it should come to my father's ears, it would bring his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave: and so was he departing.
THE maid considering that it might be his utter ruin, Stay, said she; and having a sum of money by her, which was left her by a kinsman at his death, who was thought to be Dr. Redman, she brought unto him thirty pounds, saying Roger, here is thus much money, I will let the• have it, and I will keep this note. But since I do thus much for thee, to help thee, and to save thy honesty, thou shalt promise me to refuse all lewd and wild company, all swearing and ribaldry talk; and if ever I know thee to play one twelve-pence at either dice or cards, then will I show this thy note unto my master. And furthermore thou shalt promise me to resort every day to the lecture at All-hallows, and the sermon at St. Paul's every Sunday, and to cast away all thy books of popery and vain ballads, and get thee the Testament and book of service, and read the scriptures with reverence and fear, calling unto God still for his grace to direct thee in his truth. And pray fervently to God, desiring him to pardon thy former offences, and not to rememb•• the sins of thy youth; and ever be afraid to break his laws, or offend his majesty. Then shall Go• keep thee, and send thee thy heart's desire.
THE maid considering that it might be his utter ruin, Stay, said she; and having a sum of money by her, which was left her by a kinsman at his death, who was thought to be Dr. Redman, she brought unto him thirty pounds, saying Roger, here is thus much money, I will let the• have it, and I will keep this note. But since I do thus much for thee, to help thee, and to save thy honesty, thou shalt promise me to refuse all lewd and wild company, all swearing and ribaldry talk; and if ever I know thee to play one twelve-pence at either dice or cards, then will I shew this thy note unto my master. And furthermore thou shalt promise me to resort every day to the lecture at All-hallows, and the sermon at St. Paul's every Sunday, and to cast away all thy books of popery and vain ballads, and get thee the Testament and book of service, and read the scriptures with reverence and fear, calling unto God still for his grace to direct thee in his truth. And pray fervently to God, desiring him to pardon thy former offences, and not to rememb•• the sins of thy youth; and ever be afraid to break his laws, or offend his majesty. Then shall Go• keep thee, and send thee thy heart's desire.
AFTER this time, within one half year God […] wrought such a change in this man, that he […] become an earnest professor of the truth, and detested all popery and ill company; so […] he was in admiration to all them that […] known him, and seen his former life and wi•••edness.
AFTER this time, within one half year God 〈…〉 wrought such a change in this man, that he 〈…〉 become an earnest professor of the truth, and detested all popery and ill company; so 〈…〉 he was in admiration to all them that 〈…〉 known him, and seen his former life and wi•••edness.
THEN he repaired to hi• father in […] and brought divers good books with him, and […] stowed them among his friends, so that his […] and others began to taste the sweetness of the […] and to detest the mass, idolatry, and […] and in the end his father gave him fifty […] begin the world withal.
THEN he repaired to hi• father in 〈…〉 and brought divers good books with him, and 〈…〉 stowed them among his friends, so that his 〈…〉 and others began to taste the sweetness of the 〈…〉 and to detest the mass, idolatry, and 〈…〉 and in the end his father gave him fifty 〈…〉 begin the world withal.
THEN he came to London again, and went […] the maid that lent him the money to pay his […] withal, and said unto her, Elizabeth, here i• […] money I borrowed of thee, and for the friend• […] good will, and good council I have received at […] hands, to recompense thee I am not able, […] wise than by making thee my wife; and soon […] they were married, which was in the first ye•• […] the reign of queen Mary. And having a child […] her, he caused Mr. Rose to baptize it in his […] house. Notwithstanding he was betrayed to, […] enemies, and he being gone into the country […] convey the child away, that the papists should […] have it in their anointing hands, Bonner caused hi• goods to be seized on, and most cruelly used […] wife.
THEN he came to London again, and went 〈…〉 the maid that lent him the money to pay his 〈…〉 withal, and said unto her, Elizabeth, here i• 〈…〉 money I borrowed of thee, and for the friend• 〈…〉 good will, and good council I have received at 〈…〉 hands, to recompense thee I am not able, 〈…〉 wise than by making thee my wife; and soon 〈…〉 they were married, which was in the first ye•• 〈…〉 the reign of queen Mary. And having a child 〈…〉 her, he caused Mr. Rose to baptize it in his 〈…〉 house. Notwithstanding he was betrayed to, 〈…〉 enemies, and he being gone into the country 〈…〉 convey the child away, that the papists should 〈…〉 have it in their anointing hands, Bonner caused hi• goods to be seized on, and most cruelly used wife.
AFTER this he remained closely in the city, and in the country, in the congregations of the faithful▪ until the last year of queen Mary. Then he with six others before-named, were taken in, or not […] from St. John's Wood, and brought up to Newgate upon May-day in the morning, 1558.
AFTER this he remained closely in the city, and in the country, in the congregations of the faithful▪ until the last year of queen Mary. Then he with six others before-named, were taken in, or not 〈…〉 from St. John's Wood, and brought up to Newgate upon May-day in the morning, 1558.
THEN being called before the bishop, Dr. Chedsey, both the Harpsfields, and certain others, after ⟨p. 519⟩many other fair and crafty persuasions of Dr. Chedsey, to allure him to their Babylonical church; thus the bishop began with him.
