N20568:4755
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.
AFTER Mr. Saunders had given him a lesson meet for his lightness, he took a cup in his hand, and asked him if he would pledge him of that cup, of which he would begin to him. Grimoald, showing by his shrugging and shrinking what he was, said, Of that cup which is in your hand I will pledge you: but of that other which you mean, I will not promise you. Well, said Mr. Saunders, my dear Lord Jesus Christ hath drunk to me of a more bitter cup than mine shall be, and shall I […] pledge my most sweet Saviour? Yes, I hope.
AFTER Mr. Saunders had given him a lesson meet for his lightness, he took a cup in his hand, and asked him if he would pledge him of that cup, of which he would begin to him. Grimoald, shewing by his shrugging and shrinking what he was, said, Of that cup which is in your hand I will pledge you: but of that other which you mean, I will not promise you. Well, said Mr. Saunders, my dear Lord Jesus Christ hath drunk to me of a more bitter cup than mine shall be, and shall I 〈…〉 pledge my most sweet Saviour? Yes, I hope.
WHEN they were arrived at Coventry, a poor shoemaker, who used to serve him with shoes, came to him, and said, O my good master, God strengthen and comfort you. Good shoemaker, (Mr. Saunders replied) and I desire thee to pray for me, for I am the most unfit man for this high office, that ever was appointed to it but my gracious God and dear Father is able to make me strong enough. The same night he was put into the common jail among other prisoners, where he slept little, but spent the night in prayer, and instructing of others.
THE next day, being the 8th of February, he was led to the place of execution in the park, without the city, going in an old gown and a shirt, bare-footed, and often times fell f••t on the ground, and prayed. When he was come nigh to the place, the officer appointed to see the execution done, said to Mr. Saunders, that he was one of them that marred the queen's realm with false doctrine and heresy, wherefore thou hast deserved death; but yet if thou wilt revoke thine heresies, the queen hath pardoned thee; if not, yonder fire is prepared for thee. To whom Mr. Saunders answered, It is not I, nor my fellow-preachers of God's truth that have hurt the queen's realm, but it is yourself, and such as you are, which have always resisted God's holy word; it is you who have and do mar the queen's realm. I do hold no heresies, but the doctrine of God, the blessed doctrine of Christ; that hold I, that believe I, that have I taught, and that will I never revoke. With that, this tormentor cried, Away with him. And away from him went Mr. Saunders, with a cheerful courage, towards the fire. He fell on the ground, and prayed: he rose up again and took the stake to which he should be chained, in his arms, and kissed it, saying, Welcome the cross of Christ, welcome everlasting li•e: and being fastened to the stake, and fire put to him, full sweetly he slept in the Lord.
THE next day, being the 8th of February, he was led to the place of execution in the park, without the city, going in an old gown and a shirt, bare-footed, and often times fell f••t on the ground, and prayed. When he was come nigh to the place, the officer appointed to see the execution done, said to Mr. Saunders, that he was one of them that marred the queen's realm with false doctrine and heresy, wherefore thou hast deserved death; but yet if thou wilt revoke thine heresies, the queen hath pardoned thee; if not, yonder fire is prepared for thee. To whom Mr. Saunders answered, It is not I, nor my fellow-preachers of God's truth that have hurt the queen's realm, but it is yourself, and such as you are, which have always resisted God's holy word; it is you who have and do marr the queen's realm. I do hold no heresies, but the doctrine of God, the blessed doctrine of Christ; that hold I, that believe I, that have I taught, and that will I never revoke. With that, this tormenter cried, Away with him. And away from him went Mr. Saunders, with a chearful courage, towards the fire. He fell on the ground, and prayed: he rose up again and took the stake to which he should be chained, in his arms, and kissed it, saying, Welcome the cross of Christ, welcome everlasting li•e: and being fastened to the stake, and fire put to him, full sweetly he slept in the Lord.
WELL might the apostle say, that if we only in th•s life have h•pe, we are of all men the most miserable. And what will the reader think, when he is told that this martyr was of a timid disposition? And yet here we see with what constancy he died. This is a strong proof that there must be •n almighty ⟨p. 448⟩power, working through faith in the hearts of those who are punished for the truth.
MR. SAUNDERS often told his friends, that many would suffer, if ever Mary ascended the throne. He knew the temper of that princess, and probably it was that which made him expect sufferings. It is for the benefit of succeeding ages, that God gives strength to the heart of man to suffer. It is to promote many valuable purposes, by teaching us to set a proper value on the many national blessings we enjoy in the present age; and there is no way of making a better use of them, than to live in the practice of every virtuous and religious duty; to bless the Almighty for having delivered us from a worse than Egyptian darkness; for certainly popery, both in its spirit and tendency, can be called by no other name. We live in an age when, perhaps, our own wickedness has so much displeased God, that he has suffered the enemy to sow tares among us.
TO what other cause can we ascribe the increase of popery, which has not been confined to the capital, but has even extended to the remotest parts of the kingdom? In Scotland, where, about thirty years ago, there were not, perhaps, two hundred papists, there are now as many thousands.
WE must impute much of this to our own remissness in our duty. The popish priests use all the means they can think of to seduce our people, and they even have recourse to bribes. They get money from their gentry, part of which they give away to the poor; and those who are, in a manner, unprincipled in religion, will soon turn to any thing.
ANOTHER method used by them is, to spread amongst the poor small treatises on religious subjects; and these are generally filled with such bewildering notions, that the vulgar are easily caught in the s•are. Why should we not be as exact in preserving our people from these wolves in sheep's clothing? Let us take an example from this pious martyr, whose life was a comment on his doctrine, and who lived as he preached. This will do more towards suppressing popery and deism, than the best discourses that can be formed.
ANOTHER method used by them is, to spread amongst the poor small treatises on religious subjects; and these are generally filled with such bewildering notions, that the vulgar are easily caught in the s•are. Why should we not be as exact in preserving our people from these wolves in sheep's cloathing? Let us take an example from this pious martyr, whose life was a comment on his doctrine, and who lived as he preached. This will do more towards suppressing popery and deism, than the best discourses that can be formed.
SOME modern unbelievers have said, that the martyrs had good hearts, but confused heads; and to this they have added, that they were madmen. Supposing we should turn the argument against the deists, by begging the question, and asking them, whether Socrates, whom they so much glory in, was a madman, for asserting that there was but one divine being? For this crime (if it was one) Socrates suffered death, by being condemned to drink the hemlock. Now let any man read the Phaedon of Plato, and then let him answer whether Socrates did not die an enthusiast.
WHEN his friend came to visit him the day before he suffered, and told him the ship would return that day which would decide his fate: Socrates told him, that the ship would not arrive that day, for he had had a dream, which informed him of the contrary. Was not this a real sign of weakness, or rather of superstition? Nay, did not Socrates with his last words desire, that a cock should be offered up to Esculapius? Did ever a christian martyr make such a speech, when all the horrors of death presented themselves to his view? The answer is obvious, there is not an instance of it upon record. Thus the deist's argument falls to the ground.
IT is also said, they had good hearts, but their heads were not clear. Let us admit the assertion to be true, and let us consider the circumstances from which it took its rise. The whole truth will appear from a careful attention to the following things:
FIRST, Many of these men had, from motives of conscience, left that system of superstition in which they had been educated, and embraced the truth perhaps in a more violent manner than was consistent with that calmness of reflection, which must, at all times, conduct those to the knowledge of the truth, who would willingly obey the gospel. Under such circumstances men's minds must have been confused; they loved knowledge perhaps, but it was not in their power to find out the road that led towards it.
SECONDLY, It may be observed, that however desirable it may be to have a head well informed, it is much better to have a good heart. A man may ⟨p. 444⟩have much knowledge, and at the same time be destitute of piety. There have been many learned […] who were strangers to religion; there have been sufferers for the truth, who knew but little of what is commonly called human knowledge. Men may speak these things, at this distance of time, in what manner they please; but if they look back to history, they will be enabled to form more just opinions.
SECONDLY, It may be observed, that however desirable it may be to have a head well informed, it is much better to have a good heart. A man may ⟨p. 444⟩have much knowledge, and at the same time be destitute of piety. There have been many learned 〈…〉 who were strangers to religion; there have been sufferers for the truth, who knew but little of what is commonly called human knowledge. Men may speak these things, at this distance of time, in what manner they please; but if they look back to history, they will be enabled to form more just opinions.
LASTLY, Let them consider the circumstances of the times: light breaking out from darkness is apt to bewilder the rational faculties; and men are frequently led into extravagances, without any intention to deceive. Indeed, the martyrs knew they had nothing to expect but sufferings, and therefore they thought they might, with a becoming propriety, avow their sentiments. It was their duty to do so, and it will remain a monument of their everlasting honour, that they were sincere in all their declarations.
LASTLY, Let them consider the circumstances of the times: light breaking out from darkness is apt to bewilder the rational faculties; and men are frequently led into extravagancies, without any intention to deceive. Indeed, the martyrs knew they had nothing to expect but sufferings, and therefore they thought they might, with a becoming propriety, avow their sentiments. It was their duty to do so, and it will remain a monument of their everlasting honour, that they were sincere in all their declarations.
THIS may serve to show, that all the objections which, from time to time, have been brought against the martyrs, are extremely insignificant, and not worthy of a serious answer. Let those who live in the present age emulate the conduct of these men, and let them never forget, that however respectful knowledge may be, yet piety is much better. Those who really love God, never make any display, in an ostentatious manner, of religion; but those who have no religion at heart, have generally a great deal of it in their mouths.
THIS may serve to shew, that all the objections which, from time to time, have been brought against the martyrs, are extremely insignificant, and not worthy of a serious answer. Let those who live in the present age emulate the conduct of these men, and let them never forget, that however respectful knowledge may be, yet piety is much better. Those who really love God, never make any display, in an ostentatious manner, of religion; but those who have no religion at heart, have generally a great deal of it in their mouths.
AND the better to understand what the grace of Christ worke•• in his servants, and again, how weak man is in himself without the assistance of divine grace, we shall here relate a conversation which passed between Mr. Saunders, in the beginning of his troubles, and Dr. Pendleton; to which we shall subjoin a few more letters of the Rev. Mr. Saunders, full of godly instruction and consolation.
AND the better to understand what the grace of Christ worke•• in his servants, and again, how weak man is in himself without the assistance of divine grac•, we shall here relate a conversation which passed between Mr. Saunders, in the beginning of his troubles, and Dr. Pendleton; to which we shall su•join a few more letters of the Rev. Mr. Saunders, full of godly instruction and consolation.
