N20568:4694
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.
IN the beginning of king Edward's reign, when God's true religion was introduced, after licence obtained, he began to preach, and was so well liked of them who then had authority, that they had appointed him to read a divinity lecture in the college at Fothringam, where, by doctrine and life, he edified the pious, drew many ignorant to the true knowledge of God, and stopped the mouths of adversaries. He married about that time, and in the married state led a life unblameable before all men. The college of Fothringam being dissolved, he was placed to be a reader in the minster at Litchfield: where he so behaved himself in teaching and living, that his very adversaries did give a full report as well of his learning as of his piety. After a certain space, he departed from Litchfield to a benefice in Leicestershire, called Church-langton, where he keeping residence, taught diligently, and kept a liberal house. From thence he was orderly called to take a benefice in the city of London, named Allhallows in Bread-street. Then he was minded to give over his cure in the country: and therefore after he had taken possession of his benefice in London, he departed from thence into the country, clearly to discharge himself thereof. And even at that time began the broil about the claim that queen Mary made to the crown, by reason whereof he could not accomplish his purpose.
IN the beginning of king Edward's reign, when God's true religion was introduced, after licence obtained, he began to preach, and was so well liked of them who then had authority, that they had appointed him to read a divinity lecture in the college at Fothringam, where, by doctrine and life, he edified the pious, drew many ignorant to the true knowledge of God, and stopped the mouths of adversaries. He married about that time, and in the married state led a life unblameable before all men. The college of Fothringam being dissolved, he was placed to be a reader in the minster at Litchfield: where he so behaved himself in teaching and living, that his very adversaries did give a full report as well of his learning as of his piety. After a certain space, he departed from Litchfield to a benefice in Leicestershire, called Church-langton, where he keeping residence, taught diligently, and kept a liberal house. From thence he was orderly called to take a benefice in the city of London, named Alhallows in Bread-street. Then he was minded to give over his cure in the country: and therefore after he had taken possession of his benefice in London, he departed from thence into the country, clearly to discharge himself thereof. And even at that time began the broil about the claim that queen Mary made to the crown, by reason whereof he could not accomplish his purpose.
IN this trouble, and even among the beginners of it, (such I mean as were for the queen) he preached at Northampton, nothing meddling with the state, but boldly uttered his conscience against popish doctrines, which were like to spring up again in England, as a just: plague for the little love which the English nation did bear to the blessed word of God, which had been so plentifully offered unto them. The queen's party who were there, and heard him, were highly displeased with him for his sermon, and for it kept him among them as a prisoner. But partly for love of his brethren and friends, who were chief doers for the queen among them, partly ⟨p. 434⟩because there was no law broken by his preaching, they dismissed him. He, seeing the dreadful day• at hand, inflamed with the fire of godly real, preached with diligence at both those benefices, as time could serve him, seeing he could resign neither of them now, but into the hands of a papist.
THUS passed he his time in preaching, until that proclamation was put forth, of which mention has been made, at which time he was at his benefice in the country, where he (notwithstanding the proclamation) taught diligently God's truth, confirming the people therein, and arming them against false doctrines, until he was not only commanded to cease, but also with force resisted, so that he could not proceed there in preaching. Some of his friends, perceiving such fearful menacing, counselled him to fly out of the realm, with he refused to do. But seeing he was with violence kept from doing good in that place, he returned towards London to visit the flock, of which he had there the charge.
ON Saturday, October 14th, as he was coming nigh to the city of London, sir John Mordant, a counsellor to queen Mary, did overtake him, and asked him whither he went. I have, said Saunders, a cure in London, and now I go to instruct my people, according to my duty. If you will follow my counsel, said Mr. Mordant, let them alone, and come not at them. To this Saunders answered: How shall I then be discharged before God, if any be sick, and desire consolation, if any want good counsel, and need instruction? or if any should slip into error, and receive false doctrine? Did you not, said Mordant, preach such a day, and named the day, in Bread-street, London? Yes verily, said Saunders, that same is my cure. I heard you myself, said Mr. Mordant: and will you preach now there again? If it please you, said Saunders, to-morrow you may hear me again in that same place, where I will confirm, by the authority of God's word, all that I said then, and whatsoever before that time I taught them.
ON Saturday, October 14th, as he was coming nigh to the city of London, sir John Mordant, a counsellor to queen Mary, did overtake him, and asked him whither he went. I have, said Saunders, a cure in London, and now I go to instruct my people, according to my duty. If you will follow my counsel, said Mr. Mordant, let them alone, and come not at them. To this Saunders answered: How shall I then be discharged before God, if any be sick, and desire consolation, if any want good counsel, and need instruction? or if any should slip into error, and receive false doctrine? Did you not, said Mordant, preach such a day, and named the day, in Bread-street, London? Yes verily, said Saunders, that same is my cure. I heard you myself, said Mr. Mordant: and will you preach now there again? If it please you, said Saunders, to-morrow you may hear me again in that same place, where I will confirm, by the autho•ity of God's word, all that I said then, and whatsoever before that time I taught them.
I would counsel you, said the other, not to preach. If you can and will forbid me by lawful authority, then I must obey, said Saunders. Nay, said he, I will not forbid you, but I do give you counsel. And thus entered they both the city, and departed each from the other. Mr. Mordant, of an uncharitable mind, went to give warning to Bonner, bishop of London, that Saunders would preach in his cure the next day. Saunders resorted to his lodging, with a mind bent to do his duty. Where because he seemed to be somewhat troubled, one who was there about him, asked him how he did. In very deed, said he, I am in prison, till I be in prison; meaning, that his mind was unquiet until he had preached, and that he should have quietness of mind though he were put in prison.
THE next day, which was Sunda• in the afternoon, he made a sermon in his parish, treating on that place which St. Paul writeth […] Corinthians, "I have coupled you to one man, that ye should make yourselves a chaste virgin unto Christ. But I fear lest it come to pass, that as the serpent beguiled Eve, even so your wi•• should be corrupt from the singleness which ye had towards Christ." He recited the sum of that true christian doctrine, thro' which they were coupled to Christ, to receive of him free justification through faith in his blood. The papistical doctrine he compared to the serpent's deceiving: and lest they should be deceived by it, he made a comparison between the voice of God, and the voice of the popish serpent; descending to more particular declaration thereof, as it were to let them plainly see the difference that is between the order of the church service, set forth by king Edward in the English tongue, and comparing it with the popish service then used in the Latin tongue.
THE next day, which was Sunda• in the afternoon, he made a sermon in his parish, treating on that place which St. Paul writeth 〈…〉 Corinthians, "I have coupled you to one man, that ye should make yourselves a chaste virgin unto Christ. But I fear lest it come to pass, that as the serpent beguiled Eve, even so your wi•• should be corrupt from the singleness which ye had towards Christ." He recited the sum of that true christian doctrine, thro' which they were coupled to Christ, to receive of him free justification through faith in his blood. The papistical doctrine he compared to the serpent's deceiving: and lest they should be deceived by it, he made a comparison between the voice of God, and the voice of the popish serpent; descending to more particular declaration thereof, as it were to let them plainly see the difference that is between the order of the church service, set forth by king Edward in the English tongue, and comparing it with the popish service then used in the Latin tongue.
THE first he said was good, because it was according to the word of God, 1 Cor. xiv. and the order of the primitive church. The other, he said, was evil, and though in that evil, be intermingled some good Latin words, yet was it but as a little honey or […] mingled with a great deal of poison. This was the sum of his sermon.
THE first he said was good, because it was according to the word of God, 1 Cor. xiv. and the order of the primitive church. The other, he said, was evil, and though in that evil, be intermingled some good Latin words, yet was it but as a little honey or 〈…〉 mingled with a great deal of poison. This was the sum of his sermon.
IN the afternoon he was ready in his church to have given another exhortation to his people. But the bishop of London interrupted him by sending an officer for him. This officer charged him, upon p•in of disobedience and contumacy, forthwith to come to the bishop his master. Thus, as the apostles were brought out of the temple, where they ⟨p. 435⟩were teaching, unto the rulers of the priests, so was Laurence Saunders brought before the bishop of London, who had in his company the aforenamed sir John Mordant and some of his chaplains. This bishop laid no more to Laurence Saunders's charge, but treason for breaking the queen's proclamation, heresy and sedition for his sermon.
THE treason and sedition, his charity was content to let slip until another time. But an heretic he would now prove him, and all those, he said, who did teach and believe that the administration of the sacrame•• and all orders of the church are most pure, which do come most nigh to the order of the primitive church. For the church was then but in her infancy, and could not abide that perfection which was afterwards to be furnished with ceremonies. And for this cause Christ himself, and after him the apostles, did in many things bear with the rudeness of that church. To this Laurence Saunders answered with the authority of St. Augustine, "That ceremonies were even from the beginning invented and ordained for the rude infancy and weak infirmity of man, and therefore it was a token of the more perfection of the primitive church, that it had few ceremonies, and of the rudeness of the papistical church, because it had so many ceremonies, partly blasphemous, partly unsavoury and unprofitable.
THE treason and sedition, his charity was content to let slip until another time. But an heretic he would now prove him, and all those, he said, who did teach and believe that the administration of the sacrame•• and all orders of the church are most pure, which do come most nigh to the order of the primitive church. For the church was then but in her infancy, and could not abide that perfection which was afterwards to be furnished with ceremonies. And for this cause Christ himself, and after him the apostles, did in many things bear with the rudeness of that church. To this Laurence Saunders answered with the authority of St. Augustine, "That ceremonies were even from the beginning invented and ordained for the rude infancy and weak infirmity of man, and therefore it was a token of the more perfection of the primitive church, that it had few ceremonies, and of the rudeness of the papistical church, beca•se it had so many ceremonies, partly blasphemous, partly unsavoury and unprofitable.
AFTER much talk concerning this matter, the bishop desired him to write what he believed of transubstantiation. Laurence Saunders did so, saying. My lord, you do seek my blood, and you shall have it: I pray God that you may be so baptized in it, that you may thereafter loathe blood sucking, and become a better man. This writing the bishop kept for his purpose, even to cut the writer's throat, as shall appear hereafter. The bishop, when he had his will, sent Laurence Saunders to the lord chancellor, •s Annas sent Christ to […]: and like favour found Saunders as Christ his master did before him▪ But the chancellor being not at home, Saunders was constrained to tarry for him the space of four […] outer chamber, where he found a chaplain of the bishop's very merrily disposed, with certain gentlemen playing at tables, with divers others of the same family or house occupied there in the same exercise.
AFTER much talk concerning this matter, the bishop desired him to write what he believed of transubstantiation. Laurence Saunders did so, saying. My lord, you do seek my blood, and you shall have it: I pray God that you may be so baptized in it, that you may thereafter loathe blood sucking, and become a better man. This writing the bishop kept for his purpose, even to cut the writer's throat, as shall appear hereafter. The bishop, when he had his will, sent Laurence Saunders to the lord chancellor, •s Annas sent Christ to 〈…〉: and like favour found Saunders as Christ his master did before him▪ But the chancellor being not at home, Saunders was con•trained to tarry for him the space of four 〈…〉 outer chamber, where he found a chaplain of the bishop's very merrily disposed, with certain gentlemen playing at tables, with divers others of the same family or house occupied there in the same exercise.
ALL this time Saunders stood very modestly and soberly at the screen or cub-board bare-headed, sir John Mordant his guide or leader walking up and down by him: who (as I said before) was then one of the council. At last the bishop returned from the cou•• whom, as soon as he was entered, a great many suitors met and received; so that ••fore he could get out of one house into another, •alf an hour was passed. At last he came into the chamber where Saunders was, and went through into another chamber: where in the mean time, sir John Mordant gave him a writing, containing the cause, or rather the accusation of the said Saunders: which when he had perused, where is the man? said the bishop. Then Saunders, being brought forth to the place of examination, first most lowly and meekly kneeled down, and made courtesy before the table where the bishop sat; unto whom the bishop spoke on this wise:
ALL this time Saunders stood very modestly and soberly at the screen or cub-board bare-headed, sir John Mordant his guide or leader walking up and down by him: who (as I said before) was then one of the council. At last the bishop returned from the cou•• whom, as soon as he was entered, a great many suiters met and received; so that ••fore he could get out of one house into another, •alf an hour was passed. At last he came into the chamber where Saunders was, and went through into another chamber: where in the mean time, sir John Mordant gave him a writing, containing the cause, or rather the accusation of the said Saunders: which when he had perused, where is the man? said the bishop. Then Saunders, being brought forth to the place of examination, first most lowly and meekly kneeled down, and made courtesy before the table where the bishop sat; unto whom the bishop spoke on this wise:
HOW happeneth it, said he, that, notwithstanding the queen's proclamation to the contrary, you have attempted to preach?
SAUNDERS denied not that he did preach; saying, that forasmuch as he saw the perilous times now at hand, he did but (according as he was admonished, and warned by Ezekiel the prophet) exhort the flock and parishioners to persevere and stand steadfastly in the doctrine which they had learned; saying also, that he was moved thereunto by the place of the apostle, wherein he was commanded rather to obey God than man; and moreover, that nothing more moved him thereunto than his own conscience.
SAUNDERS denied not that he did preach; saying, that forasmuch as he saw the perilous times now at hand, he did but (according as he was admonished, and warned by Ezekiel the prophet) exhort the flock and parishioners to persevere and stand stedfastly in the doctrine which they had learned; saying also, that he was moved thereunto by the place of the apostle, wherein he was commanded rather to obey God than man; and moreover, that nothing more moved him thereunto than his own conscience.
A goodly conscience, surely, said the bishop. This your conscience could make our queen a bastard, or misbegotten; would it not, I pray you.
WE, said Saunders, do not declare, or say that the queen is base, or misbegotten, neither go about any such matter. But for that, let them care whose writings are yet in the hands of men, witnessing the same, not without the great reproach and shame of the author: privily taunting the bishop himself, who had before (to get the favour of Henry VIII.) written and set forth in print a book of true obedience, wherein he had openly declared queen Mary to be a bastard: now Mr. Saunders going forward ⟨p. 436⟩in his purpose, said, We do only profess and teach the sincerity and purity of the word; which, though it be now forbidden us to preach with our mouths, yet notwithstanding, I do not doubt, but that our blood hereafter shall manifest the same. The bishop being touched, said, Carry away this […] fool to prison. Unto whom Mr. Saunders answered, that he did give God thanks, which ••d given him at the last a place of rest and quietness, where he might pray for the bishop's conversion.
WE, said Saunders, do not declare, or say that the queen is base, or misbegotten, neither go about any such matter. But for that, let them care whose writings are yet in the hands of men, witnessing the same, not without the great reproach and shame of the author: privily taunting the bishop himself, who had before (to get the favour of Henry VIII.) written and set forth in print a book of true obedience, wherein he had openly declared queen Mary to be a bastard: now Mr. Saunders going forward ⟨p. 436⟩in his purpose, said, We do only profess and teach the sincerity and purity of the word; which, though it be now forbidden us to preach with our mouths, yet notwithstanding, I do not doubt, but that our blood hereafter shall manifest the same. The bishop being touched, said, Carry away this 〈…〉 fool to prison. Unto whom Mr. Saunders answered, that he did give God thanks, which ••d given him at the last a place of rest and quietness, where he might pray for the bishop's conversion.
FURTHERMORE, he that did lie with him afterwards in prison, in the same bed, reported, that he heard him say, that even in the time of his examination he was wonderfully comforted, insomuch as not only in spirit, but also in body, he received a certain taste of that holy communion of saints, whilst a most pleasant refreshing did issue from every part and member of the body unto the seat and place of the heart, and from thence did ebb and flow to and fro unto all the parts again.
