N20568:7817
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.
AND thus much touching the particular and several examinations of Mr. Sheterden and Bland. Now to touch something also of the other martyrs, who were examined the same time, and suffered together with them, to wit, Humphrey Middleton, of Ashford, and John Frankesh, vicar of Rolvynden, in the diocese of Kent, above mentioned; here first should be declared the articles, which publicly in their last examinations were jointly and severally ministered unto them by the aforesaid Thornton, bishop of Dover; but forasmuch as these articles being ordinary and of course, are already expressed in the story of Mr. Bland, it is not therefore needful to make any new rehearsals thereof.
AND thus much touching the particular and several examinations of Mr. Sheterden and Bland. Now to touch something also of the other martyrs, who were examined the same time, and suffered together with them, to wit, Humphry Middleton, of Ashford, and John Frankesh, vicar of Rolvynden, in the diocese of Kent, above mentioned; here first should be declared the articles, which publicly in their last examinations were jointly and severally ministered unto them by the aforesaid Thornton, bishop of Dover; but forasmuch as these articles being ordinary and of course, are already expressed in the story of Mr. Bland, it is not therefore needful to make any new rehearsals thereof.
THE seven articles being propounded to the persons above-named, to wit, John Frankesh, John Bland, Nicholas Sheterden, Humphrey Middleton, and one Thacker; John Frankesh first answered somewhat doubtfully, desiring further respite to be given him of fourteen days to deliberate with himself, which was granted. Mr. Bland answered flatly and roundly, as you heard before. Nicholas Sheterden and Humphrey Middleton, answered to the first and second articles affirmatively. To the third concerning the catholic church after a sort they granted. To the fourth, fifth, and sixth, concerning the real presence, and the sacrament to be administered in the Latin tongue, and in one kind, they utterly refused to answer. Sheterden said, he would not answer thereto before the cause were determined why he was imprisoned, and so still remained prisoner, before the laws of parliament received, &c. Middleton added moreover and confessed, that he believed in his own God, saying, My living God, and no dead god, &c. Thacker only relented, and was content to take penance. Thus the aforesaid four upon these answers were condemned by the bishop of Dover the 25th day of June, 1555.
THE seven articles being propounded to the persons above-named, to wit, John Frankesh, John Bland, Nicholas Sheterden, Humphry Middleton, and one Thacker; John Frankesh first answered somewhat doubtfully, desiring further respite to be given him of fourteen days to deliberate with himself, which was granted. Mr. Bland answered flatly and roundly, as you heard before. Nicholas Sheterden and Humphry Middleton, answered to the first and second articles affirmatively. To the third concerning the catholic church after a sort they granted. To the fourth, fifth, and sixth, concerning the real presence, and the sacrament to be administered in the Latin tongue, and in one kind, they utterly refused to answer. Sheterden said, he would not answer thereto before the cause were determined why he was imprisoned, and so still remained prisoner, before the laws of parliament received, &c. Middleton added moreover and confessed, that he believed in his own God, saying, My living God, and no dead god, &c. Thacker only relented, and was content to take penance. Thus the aforesaid four upon these answers were condemned by the bishop of Dover the 25th day of June, 1555.
AND being delivered to the secular power, they were all four burnt together at Canterbury the 12th of July, at two several stakes, but in one fire, where they in sight of God and of his angels, and before men, like true soldiers of Jesus Christ, gave a constant testimony to the truth of the gospel.
O Lord my God and Saviour, who art Lord in heaven and earth, maker of all things visible and invisible, I am the creature and work of thy hands; Lord God, look upon me and other thy ⟨p. 719⟩people, who at this time are oppressed by the worldly-minded for thy law's sake; yea, Lord, thy law itself is now trodden under foot, and men's inventions exalted above it, and for that cause do I, and many thy creatures, refuse the glory, praise, and conveniences of this life, and do choose to suffer adversity, and to be banished, yea, to be burnt with the books of thy word, for the hope's sake that is in store. For, Lord, thou knowest, if we would but seem to please men in things contrary to thy word, we might by their permission enjoy these advantages that others do, as wife, children, goods, and friends, all which I acknowledge to be thy gifts, given to the end that I may serve thee. And now, Lord, that the world will not suffer me to enjoy them, except I offend thy laws, behold I give unto thee my whole spirit, soul, and body; and lo, I leave here all the pleasures of this life, and do now leave the use of them for the hope's sake of eternal life purchased in Christ's blood, and promised to all them that fight on his side, and are content to suffer with him for his truth, whensoever the world and the devil shall persecute the same.
O Lord my God and Saviour, who art Lord in heaven and earth, maker of all things visible and invisible, I am the creature and work of thy hands; Lord God, look upon me and other thy ⟨p. 719⟩people, who at this time are oppressed by the worldly-minded for thy law's sake; yea, Lord, thy law itself is now trodden under foot, and men's inventions exalted above it, and for that cause do I, and many thy creatures, refuse the glory, praise, and conveniences of this life, and do chuse to suffer adversity, and to be banished, yea, to be burnt with the books of thy word, for the hope's sake that is in store. For, Lord, thou knowest, if we would but seem to please men in things contrary to thy word, we might by their permission enjoy these advantages that others do, as wife, children, goods, and friends, all which I acknowledge to be thy gifts, given to the end that I may serve thee. And now, Lord, that the world will not suffer me to enjoy them, except I offend thy laws, behold I give unto thee my whole spirit, soul, and body; and lo, I leave here all the pleasures of this life, and do now leave the use of them for the hope's sake of eternal life purchased in Christ's blood, and promised to all them that fight on his side, and are content to suffer with him for his truth, whensoever the world and the devil shall persecute the same.
O Father, I do not presume to come unto thee trusting in mine own righteousness; no, but only in the merits of thy dear Son my Saviour. For which excellent gift of salvation I cannot worthily praise thee, neither is my sacrifice worthy, or to be accepted with thee, in comparison of our bodies mortified, and obedient unto thy will: and now, Lord, whatsoever rebellion hath been, or is found in my members against thy will, yet do I here give my body to death, rather •han I will use any strange worshipping, which I beseech thee accept at my hand for a pure sacrifice: let this torment be to me the last enemy destroyed, even death, the end of misery, and the beginning of […] ▪ peace, and solace: and when the time of resurrection cometh, then let me enjoy again these members glorified, which now be spoiled and consumed by the fire. O Lord Jesus receive my spirit into thy hands. Amen.
O Father, I do not presume to come unto thee trusting in mine own righteousness; no, but only in the merits of thy dear Son my Saviour. For which excellent gift of salvation I cannot worthily praise thee, neither is my sacrifice worthy, or to be accepted with thee, in comparison of our bodies mortified, and obedient unto thy will: and now, Lord, whatsoever rebellion hath been, or is found in my members against thy will, yet do I here give my body to death, rather •han I will use any strange worshipping, which I beseech thee accept at my hand for a pure sacrifice: let this torment be to me the last enemy destroyed, even death, the end of misery, and the beginning of 〈…〉 ▪ peace, and solace: and when the time of resurrection cometh, then let me enjoy again these members glorified, which now be spoiled and consumed by the fire. O Lord Jesus receive my spirit into thy hands. Amen.
AFTER my humble and bounden duty remembered, well-beloved mother, this shall be to with you increase of grace and godly wisdom, that you may see and perceive the crafty bewitching of Satan our mortal enemy, who as I have divers times declared unto you, doth not openly show himself in his own likeness, but under a colour of devotion deceiveth them that keep not a diligent eye upon him; but having confidence in men's traditions and customs of the world, leaving the commandments of God and testament of his Son Christ Jesus our Lord, do grow more into superstition and hypocrisy, than into wisdom and true holiness. For this is most true, that Satan, the enemy of Souls, doth by his ministers make many believe, that those things which they compel us unto for their bellies' sake, have many godly significations, although they be most contrary to God's will, as doubtless they be, even as the serpent did in paradise to our first mother Eve. What, said he, hath God commanded you shall not eat of the trees in the garden? The woman said, of the fruits of the trees in the garden we may eat: but of the tree in the midst of the garden, said God, see ye eat not, left ye die." Even so our ministers now-a-days, say, Hath God commanded you shall not make you any image or likeness of any thing? Yea, forsooth. Tush, say they, what harm can they do? May we not remember God the better, when we see his image or picture? For they are good books for the lay-men; but indeed they be better for the priests, because they receive the offerings.
AFTER my humble and bounden duty remembered, well-beloved mother, this shall be to with you increase of grace and godly wisdom, that you may see and perceive the crafty bewitching of Satan our mortal enemy, who as I have divers times declared unto you, doth not openly shew himself in his own likeness, but under a colour of devotion deceiveth them that keep not a diligent eye upon him; but having confidence in men's traditions and customs of the world, leaving the commandments of God and testament of his Son Christ Jesus our Lord, do grow more into superstition and hypocrisy, than into wisdom and true holiness. For this is most true, that Satan, the enemy of Souls, doth by his ministers make many believe, that those things which they compel us unto for their bellies' sake, have many godly significations, although they be most contrary to God's will, as doubtless they be, even as the serpent did in paradise to our first mother Eve. What, said he, hath God commanded you shall not eat of the trees in the garden? The woman said, of the fruits of the trees in the garden we may eat: but of the tree in the midst of the garden, said God, see ye eat not, left ye die." Even so our ministers now-a-days, say, Hath God commanded you shall not make you any image or likeness of any thing? Yea, forsooth. Tush, say they, what harm can they do? May we not remember God the better, when we see his image or picture? For they are good books for the lay-men; but indeed they be better for the priests, because they receive the offerings.
AND look how truly the promise of the serpent was kept with Eve, so is the persuasion of our priests found true with us. For as Adam and Eve did become like God in knowing good and evil, so are we in remembering God by his image. For Adam's eyes were so open, that he lost both innocency and righteousness, and was become the most miserable of all creatures: and even we remember Christ so well by images that we forget his commandments, and count his testament, confirmed in his blood, for stark madness or heresy; so miserably have we remembered him, that of all people we are most blind: and this doth follow upon our presumption, when we remember God by breaking his law; and therefore surely except we repent, shortly God will remember us with his plagues, as sure as there is a God it will come to pass.
BUT (I thank God) I know their craftiness herein, who will say, Where went he to school? Is he wiser than our great doctors that studied all their lives? And lo, they say that it is good hay; although we smell it musty ourselves, yet we must believe it sweet, and then pay them well for their so saying, and all is safe. But I might say again, What, sir, be you wiser than Christ, and God his Father, and the Holy Ghost? What, wiser than the prophets, and the holy apostles, and all the holy martyrs? I pray you, sir, where had you your high learning? Is it higher than God (being in heaven) is able to teach, or have you set it lower in hell, than ever Christ durst to venture? For methinks it is some strange learning, that Christ and his apostles could never attain to the knowledge of it. But vain men are ⟨p. 720⟩never without some shift: for peradventure they will not be ashamed to say, that Christ coming on his Father's message, did forget half his errand by the way: for I dare say, that the greater half of their ceremonies were never commanded by Christ▪ yea, I doubt it would be hard to find one in the church, perfectly as he left: so Romishly hath Antichrist turned the church upside down for lucre's sake.
BELOVED mother, as I have oftentimes said unto you, even so now I beseech you from my very heart in Christ, to consider your own soul's health is offered to you, do not cast it off: we have not long time here. Why should we deceive ourselves either for ease of our flesh, or for gaining the treasures of this world: I know that some will say to you, Why should we condemn our fathers who lived thus? God forbid that we should condemn any that did according to their knowledge. But let us take heed that they condemn not us, for if they heard the word as we have, and had been warned as we have been, it is to be thought that they would more thankfully have received it than we do: yea, they were more faithful in what they knew, than many now are. Therefore they shall be our condemnation, if we do not embrace this grace that is now offered to us. And surely look how many of them God will accept and save, those shall we never see, nor have any part among them; for our disobedience is greater than was their ignorance. Wherefore if we will meet our fathers in bliss and joy, let us not refuse his mercy offered to us more largely than to them, even according to Christ's promise, which said, after such great ignorance as to seek him from country to country, and find him not; yet shall the gospel, saith he, be preached in all the world, and then shall the end come.
AND now let us know the time of our visitation, and not turn back again, seeing we are once delivered: for surely God will not bear it at our hands to turn backward. O remember Lot's wife. God must needs punish our backsliding, either with induration and hardness of heart, so that they shall persecute his church and his true servants, or else reward it with open vengeance and plagues. And therefore, good mother, accept this my simple letter as a fruit of my love and obedience to you. Would God we might be so knit in faith and trust in God's word and promises here in this life, as we might together enjoy the bliss and consolation of eternal life; which I desire and seek above all worldly treasure, as you partly know. If I would seek the good will of men contrary to my conscience, I could make some my friends which now peradventure are jealous over me amiss. But thank God, let them weigh the matter between God and their consciences, and they have no just cause so to do. Nevertheless I wish they would yet refrain, and put their matter and mine into the balance of God's most holy word, there to be weighed by the mind of the Holy Ghost, expressed unto us by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and Jesus Christ our only Saviour and mediator, and by his holy apostles, and then I doubt not but our matter shall be ended with peace and joyfulness of heart; which God grant us for his mercy sake. Amen.
AND now let us know the time of our visitation, and not turn back again, seeing we are once delivered: for surely God will not bear it at our hands to turn backward. O remember Lot's wife. God must needs punish our backsliding, either with induration and hardness of heart, so that they shall persecute his church and his true servants, or else reward it with open vengeance and plagues. And therefore, good mother, accept this my simple letter as a fruit of my love and obedience to you. Would God we might be so knit in faith and trust in God's word and promises here in this life, as we might together enjoy the bliss and consolation of eternal life; which I desire and seek above all worldly treasure, as you partly know. If I would seek the good will of men contrary to my conscience, I could make some my friends which now peradventure are jealous over me amiss. But thank God, let them weigh the matter between God and their consciences, and they have no just cause so to do. Nevertheless I wish they would yet refrain, and put their matter and mine into the ballance of God's most holy word, there to be weighed by the mind of the Holy Ghost, expressed unto us by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and Jesus Christ our only Saviour and mediator, and by his holy apostles, and then I doubt not but our matter shall be ended with peace and joyfulness of heart; which God grant us for his mercy sake. Amen.
Your own child, Prisoner for the truth in Westgate, 1555. NICHOLAS SHETERDEN.
I Wish you health in Christ, true knowledge of his word, and a faithful heart unto the same. It is showed me▪ my brother, that you desired me by a letter made to a friend of your's to persuade me to be ruled by my uncle, who saith, he will bestow his goods very largely upon me, if I would not stand too high in mine own conceit. But, my good brother, I hope you do not judge so evil of me, that I should have a faith to sell for money. For though he or you were able to give me the treasure of the whole country, yet I thank my Lord God, I do judge it but an heap of dung, in respect of the treasure hid within; yet I do esteem a buckle of your shoe, if it come in good will. And for […] be counselled and ruled by him or you, or any other of my friends, I do not, neither have refused it, if they require […] more of me than what is in my power, and that which belongeth to a mortal man. But if they require of me any thing which appertaineth to God d•ly, there is neither high or low, friend or foe, that shall g•t it from me, nor yet […] angels in heaven.
I Wish you health in Christ, true knowledge of his word, and a faithful heart unto the same. It is shewed me▪ my brother, that you desired me by a letter made to a friend of your's to persuade me to be ruled by my uncle, who saith, he will bestow his goods very largely upon me, if I would not stand too high in mine own conceit. But, my good brother, I hope you do not judge so evil of me, that I should have a faith to sell for money. For though he or you were able to give me the treasure of the whole country, yet I thank my Lord God, I do judge it but an heap of dung, in respect of the treasure hid within; yet I do esteem a buckle of your shoe, if it come in good will. And for 〈…〉 be counselled and ruled by him or you, or any other of my friends, I do not, neither have refused it, if they require 〈…〉 more of me than what is in my power, and that which belongeth to a mortal man. But if they require of me any thing which appertaineth to God d•ly, there is neither high or low, friend or foe, that shall g•t it from me, nor yet 〈…〉 angels in heaven.
