N20568:5094
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 two days, the sheriff and his company led Dr. Taylor towards Hadley, and coming within two miles of the town, he desired to light off his horse to make water: which done, he leapt, as men commonly do in dancing. Why, Doctor, said the sheriff, how do you now? He answered, Well, God be praised, good sheriff, never better: for now I know I am almost at home. I lack not past two stiles to go over, and I am even at my father's house. But Mr. Sheriff, said he, shall we not go through Hadley? Yes, said the sheriff. Then said he, O good Lord, I thank thee, I shall yet once ere I die see my flock, whom thou Lord knowest I have most heartily loved, and truly taught: good Lord bless them, and keep them steadfast in thy word and truth.
AFTER two days, the sheriff and his company led Dr. Taylor towards Hadley, and coming within two miles of the town, he desired to light off his horse to make water: which done, he leapt, as men commonly do in dancing. Why, Doctor, said the sheriff, how do you now? He answered, Well, God be praised, good sheriff, never better: for now I know I am almost at home. I lack not past two stiles to go over, and I am even at my father's house. But Mr. Sheriff, said he, shall we not go through Hadley? Yes, said the sheriff. Then said he, O good Lord, I thank thee, I shall yet once ere I die see my flock, whom thou Lord knowest I have most heartily loved, and truly taught: good Lord bless them, and keep them stedfast in thy word and truth.
WHEN they were come to Hadley, and riding over the bridge, at the bridge-foot waited a poor man with five small children: who when he saw Doctor Taylor, he and his children fell down upon their knees, and held up their hands, and cried with a loud voice, and said, O dear father and good shepherd Dr. Taylor, God help and succour thee, as thou hast many a time succoured me and my poor children. Such witness had the servant of God of his virtuous and charitable alms given in his lifetime. For God would now the poor should testify of his good deeds to his singular comfort, to the example of others, and confusion of persecutors and adversaries. For the sheriff and others that led him to death, were wonderfully astonished, and and rebuked the poor man for so crying. The streets of Hadley were beset on both sides the way with men and women of the town and country, who waited to see him: whom when they beheld so led to death, with weeping eyes and lamentable voices they cried, saying one to another, Ah good Lord! there goeth our good shepherd from us, that so faithfully hath taught us, so fatherly hath cared for us, and so godly hath governed us! O merciful God! what shall we poor scattered lambs do? What shall come of this most wicked world? Good Lord strengthen him, and comfort him: with such other most lamentable and piteous voices. Wherefore the people were rebuked by the sheriff and his men, that led him. And Dr. Taylor repeatedly said to the people; I have preached to you God's word and truth, and am come this day to seal it with my blood.
COMING against the alms-houses, which he well knew, he cast to the poor people money, which remained out of what had been given him in the time of his imprisonment. As for his living, they took it from him at his first going to prison, so that he ⟨p. 486⟩was sustained all the time of his imprisonment by the charitable alms of good people that visited him.
THEREFORE the money that now remained he put into a glove, ready for the same purpose, and gave it to the poor alms-men standing at their doors to see him. And coming to the last of the alms-houses, and not seeing the poor that dwelt there ready at their doors as the others were, he asked, Is the blind-man and blind-woman that dwelt here, alive? It was answered, Yes, they are within. Then he threw the glove and all in at the window, and rode on.
THUS this good father and provider for the poor now took his leave of those, for whom all his life he had a singular care and love. For this was his custom, once in a fortnight at least, to call upon sir Anthony Doyl, and others of the rich cloth-makers, to go with him to the alms-houses, and there to see how the poor lived; what they lacked in meat, drink, clothing, bedding, or any other necessaries. The like did he also to other poor men that had many children, or were sick. Then would he exhort and comfort them, and where he found cause, rebuke the unruly, and what they wanted, that gave he after his power: and what he was not able, he caused the rich and wealthy men to minister unto them. Thus showed he himself in all things an example to his ••ock, worthy to be followed; and taught by his deeds, what a great treasure alms is to all such as cheerfully for Christ's sake do bestow them.
THUS this good father and provider for the poor now took his leave of those, for whom all his life he had a singular care and love. For this was his custom, once in a fortnight at least, to call upon sir Anthony Doyl, and others of the rich cloth-makers, to go with him to the alms-houses, and there to see how the poor lived; what they lacked in meat, drink, clothing, bedding, or any other necessaries. The like did he also to other poor men that had many children, or were sick. Then would he exhort and comfort them, and where he found cause, rebuke the unruly, and what they wanted, that gave he after his power: and what he was not able, he caused the rich and wealthy men to minister unto them. Thus shewed he himself in all things an example to his ••ock, worthy to be followed; and taught by his deeds, what a great treasure alms is to all such as chearfully for Christ's sake do bestow them.
WHEN Dr. Taylor was arrived at Aldham-Common, the place where he should suffer, seeing a great multitude of people, he asked, What place •s this, and what meaneth it that so much people are gathered hither? It was answered▪ It is Aldham-Common, the place where you must suffer; and the people are come to look upon you. Then said he, Thanked be God, I am even at home, and so alighted from his horse, and with both his hands rent the hood from his head.
NOW was his head notched and clipped much like as a man would clip a fool's; which cost the good bishop Bonner had bestowed upon him, when he degraded him. But when the people saw his reverend and ancient face, with a long white beard, they burst out with weeping tears, and cried, saying, God save thee, good Dr. Taylor! Jesus Christ strengthen thee, and help thee! the Holy Ghost comfort thee! with such other like good wishes. Then would he have spoken to the people, but the yeomen of the guard were so busy about him, that as soon as he opened his mouth, one or other thrust a tipstaff into his mouth, and would in no wise permit him to speak.
THEN he desired licence of the sheriff to speak; but the sheriff denied it to him, and bade him remember his promise to the council.
WELL, said Dr. Taylor, promise must be kept. What this promise was is unknown: but common fame was, that after he and others were condemned, the council sent for them, and threatened they would cut their tongues out of their heads, except they would promise, that at their deaths they would ke•p silence, and not speak to the people. Wherefore they, desirous to have the use of their tongues, to call upon God as long as they might live, promised silence. For the papists feared much, lest this change of religion, from truth to lies, from Christ's ordinance to th• popish traditions, should not so quietly have been received as it was, especially this burning of the preachers: but they measuring others minds by their own, feared lest any tumult or uproar might have been stirred, the people having so just a cause not to be contented with their doings, or else (as they most feared) that the people should more have been confirmed, by their pious exhortations, to stand steadfast against their vain popish doctrine and idolatry. But thanks be to God, who gave to his witnesses, faith and patience, with stout and manly hearts to despise all torments: neither was there so much as any one man that showed any sign of disobedience towards the magistrates. They shed their blood gladly in defence of the truth, so leaving example unto all men of true and perfect obedience: which is to obey God more than men, and if need require it, to shed their own blood rather than to depart from God's truth.
WELL, said Dr. Taylor, promise must be kept. What this promise was is unknown: but common fame was, that after he and others were condemned, the council sent for them, and threatened they would cut their tongues out of their heads, except they would promise, that at their deaths they would ke•p silence, and not speak to the people. Wherefore they, desirous to have the use of their tongues, to call upon God as long as they might live, promised silence. For the papists feared much, lest this change of religion, from truth to lies, from Christ's ordinance to th• popish traditions, should not so quietly have been received as it was, especially this burning of the peachers: but they measuring others minds by their own, feared lest any tumult or •proar might have been stirred, the people having so just a cause not to be contented with their doings, or else (as they most feared) that the people should more have been confirmed, by their pious exhortations, to stand stedfast against their vain popish doctrine and idolatry. But thanks be to God, who gave to his witnesses, faith and patience, with stout and manly hearts to despise all torments: neither was there so much as any one man that shewed any sign of disobedience towards the magistrates. They shed their blood gladly in defence of the truth, so leaving example unto all men of true and perfect obedience: which is to obey God more than men, and if need require it, to shed their own blood rather than to depart from God's truth.
Dr. TAYLOR perceiving that he could not be suffered ⟨p. 487⟩to speak, sat down, and seeing one named Soyce, he called him, and said, Soyce, I pray thee come and pull of my boots, and take them for thy labour: thou hast long looked for them, now take them. Then he rose […], and put off his clothes unto his shirt, and gave them away. Which done, he said with a loud voice, Good people, I have taught you nothing but God's holy word, and those lessons that I have taken out of God's blessed book, the Holy Bible: and I am come hither this day to seal it with my blood. With that word, Homes, yeoman of the guard, who used Dr. Taylor very cruelly all the way, gave him a great stroke upon the head, and said, Is that the keeping of thy promise, thou heretic? Then he, seeing they would not permit him to speak, kneeled down and prayed, and a poor woman that was among the people stepped in and prayed with him; but her they thrust away, and threatened to tread her down with their horses: notwithstanding, she would not remove, but abode and prayed with him. When he had prayed, he went to the stake and kissed it, and set himself into a pitch-barrel, which they had set for him to stand in, and so stood with his back upright against the stake, with his hands folded together, and his eyes towards heaven, and continually prayed.
Dr. TAYLOR perceiving that he could not be suffered ⟨p. 487⟩to speak, sat down, and seeing one named Soyce, he called him, and said, Soyce, I pray thee come and pull of my boots, and take them for thy labour: thou hast long looked for them, now take them. Then he rose 〈…〉, and put off his clothes unto his shirt, and gave them away. Which done, he said with a loud voice, Good people, I have taught you nothing but God's holy word, and those lessons that I have taken out of God's blessed book, the Holy Bible: and I am come hither this day to seal it with my blood. With that word, Homes, yeoman of the guard, who used Dr. Taylor very cruelly all the way, gave him a great stroke upon the head, and said, Is that the keeping of thy promise, thou heretic? Then he, seeing they would not permit him to speak, kneeled down and prayed, and a poor woman that was among the people stepped in and prayed with him; but her they thrust away, and threatened to tread her down with their horses: notwithstanding, she would not remove, but abode and prayed with him. When he had prayed, he went to the stake and kissed it, and set himself into a pitch-barrel, which they had set for him to stand in, and so stood with his back upright against the stake, with his hands folded together, and his eyes towards heaven, and continually prayed.
THEN they bound him with chains, and the sheriff called one Richard Donningham a butcher, and commanded him to set up the faggots: but he refused to do it, and said, I am lame, sir, and not able to lift a faggot. The sheriff threatened to send him to prison: notwithstanding, he would not do it.
THEN he appointed one Mulleine of Carsey, a man for his virtues fit to be a hangman, and Soyce a very drunkard, and Warwick, who, in king Edward's days, lost one of his ears for his seditious talk, amongst whom was also one Robert King, a deviser of interludes, who was there present, and had doings there with the gun-powder; what he meant and did therein (he himself said he did it for the best and for quick dispatch) the Lord knoweth, who shall judge all. More of this I have not to say.
THESE four were appointed to set up the faggots, and to make the fire, which they most diligently did; and this Warwick cruelly cast a faggot at him, which struck him on his head, and cut his face, that the blood ran down. Then said Dr. Taylor, O friend, I have harm enough, what needed that?
SIR John Shelton standing by, as Dr. Taylor was speaking, and saying the Psalm Miserere in English, struck him on the lips; You knave, said he, speak Latin, I will make thee. At last they kindled the fire; and Dr. Taylor, holding up both his hands, called upon God, and said, Merciful Father of heaven, for Jesus Christ my Saviour's sake, receive my soul into thy hands. So he stood still without either crying or moving, with his hands folded together, till Soyce with an halberd struck him on the head that his brains fell out, and the corps fell down into the fire.
THUS rendered this man of God his blessed soul into the hands of his merciful Father, and to his most dear Saviour Jesus Christ, whom he most entirely loved, faithfully and earnestly preached, obediently followed in living, and constantly glorified in death.
THUS rendered this man of God his blessed soul into the hands of his merciful Father, and to his most dear Saviour Jesus Christ, whom he most intirely loved, faithfully and earnestly preached, obediently followed in living, and constantly glorified in death.
THEY that were present and familiarly conversant with Dr. Taylor, reported of him, that they never did see in him any fear of death, but especially, and above all the rest who besides him suffered at the same time, always showed himself merry and cheerful in the time of his imprisonment, as well before his condemnation, as after: he kept one countenance and like behaviour. Whereunto he was the rather confirmed by the company and presence of Mr. John Bradford, who was in the same prison and chamber with him.
THEY that were present and familiarly conversant with Dr. Taylor, reported of him, that they never did see in him any fear of death, but especially, and above all the rest who besides him suffered at the same time, always shewed himself merry and chearful in the time of his imprisonment, as well before his condemnation, as after: he kept one countenance and like behaviour. Whereunto he was the rather confirmed by the company and presence of Mr. John Bradford, who was in the same prison and chamber with him.
