N20568:8901
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.
ROBERT GLOVER, gentleman, was likewise apprehended, and put to death in the month of September, in the diocese of Litchfield and Coventry. Of whose apprehension and troubles I cannot well treat, without mentioning some things relating to John Glover, his brother, because the commission was chiefly sent down for John, and not for Robert, (although it pleased God that John escaped, and Robert was apprehended) therefore I thought it necessary to comprehend them both in one story. In describing some part of their virtuous institution and order of life, I shall first begin with John the eldest brother▪ who being a gentleman, and heir to his father in the town of Mancetor, was endowed with fair possessions and worldly goods, but much more plentifully enriched with God's heavenly grace, and inward virtues: which grace so wrought in him, that he with his other brethren, Robert and William, not only received and embraced the happy light of Christ's holy gospel, but also most zealously professed, and no less diligently in their lives and conversation followed the same.
JOHN GLOVER was a man of a very tender conscience, and seemed to have a deeper taste and contemplation of heavenly things, and more mortified from worldly cares than the others were. His spiritual conflicts were very extraordinary, and because the consideration of them both is worthy of memory, and the example may work experience to the comfort of the godly, it may not be amiss to rehearse some part of them. It pleased God so to lay his heavy hand of inward afflictions and grievous passions upon him, that though he suffered not the pains of the outward fire, as his brother and other martyrs did; yet if we consider what he suffered inwardly, and that for a long time, he may well be counted a martyr with his brother Robert, being no less desirous with him of the same martyrdom; yea, and in comparison may seem to be chronicled for a double martyr.
FOR as the said Robert was speedily dispatched with the sharp and extreme torments of the fire in a short time; so this no less blessed saint of God, what, and how much more grievous pangs, what sorrowful torments, what boiling heats of the fire of hell he inwardly felt, no tongue is able to express. Being young, I remember I was once or twice with him, who partly by his talk I perceived, and partly by mine own eyes saw to be so worn and consumed in the space of five years, that he could hardly digest any meat, enjoy the quietness of sleep, or pleasure of life; yea, and almost no kind of senses were left in him. And truly I have often greatly wondered at the miraculous operation of ⟨p. 770⟩Christ showed upon him, who unless he had relieved in time his poor wretched servant so far worn, with some seasonable consolation now and then, it could not be possible for him to subsist under such intolerable agonies. And yet the occasion thereof was of no great moment neither. But nothing is more common amongst the holiest and best of men, by how much the more devout and watchful they are, (having the fear of God before their eyes) so much the more they mistrust and suspect themselves; whereby it cometh to pass, that they are often terrified and perplexed with small matters (in comparison) as though they were huge mountains; whereas, on the contrary, others there be whom the blackest and most heinous crimes will nothing touch or move.
FOR as the said Robert was speedily dispatched with the sharp and extreme torments of the fire in a short time; so this no less blessed saint of God, what, and how much more grievous pangs, what sorrowful torments, what boiling heats of the fire of hell he inwardly felt, no tongue is able to express. Being young, I remember I was once or twice with him, who partly by his talk I perceived, and partly by mine own eyes saw to be so worn and consumed in the space of five years, that he could hardly digest any meat, enjoy the quietness of sleep, or pleasure of life; yea, and almost no kind of senses were left in him. And truly I have often greatly wondered at the miraculous operation of ⟨p. 770⟩Christ shewed upon him, who unless he had relieved in time his poor wretched servant so far worn, with some seasonable consolation now and then, it could not be possible for him to subsist under such intolerable agonies. And yet the occasion thereof was of no great moment neither. But nothing is more common amongst the holiest and best of men, by how much the more devout and watchful they are, (having the fear of God before their eyes) so much the more they mistrust and suspect themselves; whereby it cometh to pass, that they are often terrified and perplexed with small matters (in comparison) as though they were huge mountains; whereas, on the contrary, others there be whom the blackest and most heinous crimes will nothing touch or move.
THE occasion of this was, that he being first called by the light of the Holy Spirit to the knowledge of the gospel, and having received a wonderful, sweet, and feeling sense of Christ's heavenly kingdom, his mind, after that, falling to some cogitation of his former affairs belonging to his vocation, began by and by to misdoubt himself upon the occasion of these words written in the 6th chapter to the Hebrews; "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance. seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Upon the consideration of which words, he fully persuaded himself that he had sinned against the Holy Ghost; even so much, that had he been in hell, he could hardly despair much more of his salvation. Every good man may readily judge, by himself, what terrors, boilings, and convulsions, turmoiled in the mean time in his woeful breast; although it be hard for any man to judge of the misery thereof, but he who hath by experience felt the like,
THE occasion of this was, that he being first called by the light of the Holy Spirit to the knowledge of the gospel, and having received a wonderful, sweet, and feeling sense of Christ's heavenly kingdom, his mind, after that, falling to some cogitation of his former affairs belonging to his vocation, began by and by to misdoubt himself upon the occasion of these words written in the 6th chapter to the Hebrews; "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance. seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Upon the consideration of which words, he fully persuaded himself that he had sinned against the Holy Ghost; even so much, that had he been in hell, he could hardly despair much more of his salvation. Every good man may readily judge, by himself, what terrors, boilings, and convulsions, turmoiled in the mean time in his woful breast; although it be hard for any man to judge of the misery thereof, but he who hath by experience felt the like,
NOW in comparing the torments of all martyrs with his pains, I pray you, what pains, punishment, and flames would he not willingly have suffered, to have had some small ease and refreshment? Being under such intolerable agonies of mind, that he could have no enjoyment of his food, yet was he compelled to eat against his appetit•, on purpose to defer the time of his damnation as long as he could, thinking with himself, that he must needs be thrown into hell, as soon as the breath went out of his body. However, he thought Christ pitied his case, and was sorry for him; yet he could not (as he imagined) help, because of the verity of his word, which said, "It i• impossible for those who were once enlightened," &c.
AND this I mention not to open his wound and expose his misfortunes, but to encourage all good men by his example to glorify the Son of God, who suffereth none to be tempted above his strength, but so tempereth and seasoneth the asperity of evils, that what seemeth to us intolerable, he doth not alleviate that we may bear it, but also turneth i• more to our advantage than we can imagine▪ which manifestly appeared in this good servant of God, and in no man more. And although (as we have said) he suffered many years these sharp temptations and strong buffetings of Satan; yet the Lord, who graciously preserved him all the while, did not only rid him out of all discomfort, but also framed him thereby to such mortification of life, as the like probably hath not been seen, in such sort as he being like one placed in heaven already, and dead to this world, both in word and meditation led a life altogether celestial, abhorring in his mind all profane doings. Neither was his talk any thing different from the fruits of his life, never throwing out an idle, vile, or vain word. The most part of his lands he distributed to the use of his brethren, and committed the rest to the guiding of his servants and officers whereby he might the more quietly give up himself his godly study, as to a continual Sabbath rest. This was about the latter end of king Henry's reign, and continued in the time of king Edward VI.
AFTER this, in the persecuting days of queen Mary, as soon as the bishop of Coventry heard of his fame, and of his being so ardent and zealous in the gospel of Christ, he immediately wrote a letter to the mayor and officers of Coventry, ⟨p. 771⟩to apprehend him as soon as possible. But by the good providence of God, it happened otherwise: for God disposeth all things after his own secret pleasure, who seeing his old trusty servant so many years with so extreme and many torments broken and dried up, would in no wise heap too many sorrows upon one poor silly wretch: neither would he commit him to the flames of fire, who had been already baked and scorched with the sharp fires of inward affliction, and had sustained so many burning darts and conflicts of Satan so many years▪ God therefore, of his divine providence, thinking it too much that one man should be so overcharged with so many plagues and torments, did graciously provide, that Robert his brother being both stronger in body, and also better furnished with helps of learning to answer the adversaries, (being a Master of Arts in Cambridge) should sustain that conflict, and even so it came to pass.
FOR as soon as the mayor of Coventry had received the bishop's letters for the apprehending of Mr. John Glover, he forthwith sent private notice to the said John to convey himself away: who with his brother William was not so soon departed out of his house, but that yet, in the sight of the sheriff and others, the searchers came and rushed in to take him, according to the bishop's order.
BUT when the person they sought for could not be found, one of the officers going into an upper chamber, found there Robert the other brother lying on his bed, who had been long sick; and was by him immediately brought before the sheriff. Which sheriff, notwithstanding, favouring Robert, and his cause, would indeed fain have dismissed him, and wrought what means he could, saying, that he was not the man for whom they were sent: yet, nevertheless, being terrified with the threats of the officer, contending with him to have him detained till the bishop's coming, he was constrain-to carry him against his will, and so laid him fast till the bishop came. And thus much by way of preamble, concerning the worthy remembrance of Mr. John Glover.
NOW to enter upon the matter which principally we have in •and, that is, to consider the s•ory and martyrdom of Mr. Robert Glover; as the whole narration was sent in a letter of his own writing to his wife, concerning the manner of his being handled; therefore it seemeth best, for the more credit of the matter, to exhibit his own letter, the contents of which are as follow.
THE peace of conscience which passeth all understanding, the sweet consolation, comfort, strength, and boldness of the Holy Ghost, be continually increased in your heart, through a fervent, earnest, and steadfast faith in our most dear and only Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen. I thank you heartily, most loving wife, for your letters sent to me in my imprisonment. I read them with tears more than once or twice; with tears, I say, for joy and gladness, that God had wrought in you so merciful a work; first, an unfeigned repentance; secondly, an humble and hearty reconciliation; thirdly, a voluntary submission and obedience to the will of God in all things. Which when I read in your letters, and judged them to proceed from the bottom of your heart, I could not but be thankful to God, rejoicing with tears for you, and these his great mercies poured upon you. THESE your letters, and the hearing of your most godly proceedings and constant doings from time to time, much relieved and comforted me at all times, and shall be a goodly testimony with you at the great day, against many worldly and dainty dames, who set more by their own pleasure and pelf in this world, than by God's glory, little regarding. as it appeareth, the everlasting health of their own souls or others. My prayer shall be whilst I am in this world, that God, which of his great mercy hath begun his good work in you, will finish it to the glory of his name; and by the mighty power and inspiration of his Holy Spirit, so strengthen, establish, and confirm you in all his ways to the end, that we may together show forth his praises in the world to come, to our unspeakable consolation everlastingly, Amen. ⟨p. 772⟩So long as God shall lend you continuance in this miserable world, above all things give yourself continually to prayer, lifting up, as St. Paul saith, clean or pure hands without anger, wrath, or doubting, forgiving (as he saith also) if you have any thing against any man▪ as Christ forgiveth us. And that we may be the better willing to forgive, it is good often to call to remembrance the multitude and greatness of our sins, which Christ daily and hourly pardoneth and forgiveth us; and then we shall, as St. Peter affirmeth, be ready to cover and hide the offences of our brethren, be they ever so many.
THE peace of conscience which passeth all understanding, the sweet consolation, comfort, strength, and boldness of the Holy Ghost, be continually increased in your heart, through a fervent, earnest, and stedfast faith in our most dear and only Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen. I thank you heartily, most loving wife, for your letters sent to me in my imprisonment. I read them with tears more than once or twice; with tears, I say, for joy and gladness, that God had wrought in you so merciful a work; first, an unfeigned repentance; secondly, an humble and hearty reconciliation; thirdly, a voluntary submission and obedience to the will of God in all things. Which when I read in your letters, and judged them to proceed from the bottom of your heart, I could not but be thankful to God, rejoicing with tears for you, and these his great mercies poured upon you. THESE your letters, and the hearing of your most godly proceedings and constant doings from time to time, much relieved and comforted me at all times, and shall be a goodly testimony with you at the great day, against many worldly and dainty dames, who set more by their own pleasure and pelf in this world, than by God's glory, little regarding. as it appeareth, the everlasting health of their own souls or others. My prayer shall be whilst I am in this world, that God, which of his great mercy hath begun his good work in you, will finish it to the glory of his name; and by the mighty power and inspiration of his Holy Spirit, so strengthen, establish, and confirm you in all his ways to the end, that we may together shew forth his praises in the world to come, to our unspeakable consolation everlastingly, Amen.
And because God's word teacheth us, not only the true manner of praying, but also what we ought to do, or not to do in the whole discourse and practice of this life, what pleaseth or displeaseth God, and that, as Christ saith, "The word of God that he hath spoken, shall judge in the last day:" let your prayer be to this end especially, That God of his great mercy would open and reveal more and more daily to your heart, the true sense, knowledge, and understanding of his most holy word, and give you grace in your living, to express the fruits thereof. AND forasmuch as it is, as the Holy Ghost calleth it, the word of affliction, that is, it is seldom without hatred, persecution, peril, danger of loss of life and goods, and whatsoever seemeth pleasant in this world, as experience teacheth you in this time: call upon God continually for his assistance always, as Christ teacheth, casting your accounts what it is like to cost you, endeavouring yourself, through the help of the Holy Ghost, by continuance in prayer, to lay foundation so sure, that no storm or tempest shall be able to overthrow or cast it down; remembering always (as Christ saith) Lot's wife; that is, to beware of looking back to that thing that displeaseth God. And because nothing displeaseth God so much as idolatry, that is, false worshipping of God, otherwise than his word commandeth; look not back (I say) nor turn your face to their idolatrous and blasphemous mass, manifestly against the word, practice, and example of Christ; as it is most manifest to all that have any taste of the true understanding of God's word, that there remaineth nothing in the church of England at this present, profitable or edifying to the church and congregation of the Lord, all things being done in an unknown tongue, contrary to the express commandment of the Ho•• Ghost. THEY object that they be the church, and therefore they must be believed. My answer was, The church of God knoweth and acknowledgeth no other head but Jesus Christ the Son of God, whom ye have refused, and chosen the man of sin, the son of perdition, enemy to Christ, the devil's deputy and lieutenant, the pope. Christ's church heareth, teacheth, and is ruled by his word, he saith, "my sheep hear my voice. If you abide in me, and my word in you, you may be my disciples." Their church repelleth God's words, and forceth all men to follow their traditions.
And because God's word teacheth us, not only the true manner of praying, but also what we ought to do, or not to do in the whole discourse and practice of this life, what pleaseth or displeaseth God, and that, as Christ saith, "The word of God that he hath spoken, shall judge in the last day:" let your prayer be to this end especially, That God of his great mercy would open and reveal more and more daily to your heart, the true sense, knowledge, and understanding of his most holy word, and give you grace in your living, to express the fruits thereof. AND forasmuch as it is, as the Holy Ghost calleth it, the word of affliction, that is, it is seldom without hatred, persecution, peril, danger of loss of life and goods, and whatsoever seemeth pleasant in this world, as experience teacheth you in this time: call upon God continually for his assistance always, as Christ teacheth, casting your accounts what it is like to cost you, endeavouring yourself, through the help of the Holy Ghost, by continuance in prayer, to lay foundation so sure, that no storm or tempest shall be able to overthrow or cast it down; remembering always (as Christ saith) Lot's wife; that is, to beware of looking back to that thing that displeaeth God. And because nothing displeaseth God so much as idolatry, that is, false worshipping of God, otherwise than his word commandeth; look not back (I say) nor turn your face to their idolatrous and blasphemous mass, manifestly against the word, practice, and example of Christ; as it is most manifest to all that have any taste of the true understanding of God's word, that there remaineth nothing in the church of England at this present, profitable or edifying to the church and congregation of the Lord, all things being done in an unknown tongue, contrary to the express commandment of the Ho Ghost. THEY object that they be the church, and therfore they must be believed. My answer was, The church of God knoweth and acknowledgeth no other head but Jesus Christ the Son of God, whom ye have refused, and chosen the man of sin, the son of perdition, enemy to Christ, the devil's deputy and lieutenant, the pope. Christ's church heareth, teacheth, and is ruled by his word, he saith, "my sheep hear my voice. If you abide in me, and my word in you, you may be my disciples." Their church repelleth God's words, and forceth all men to follow their traditions.
CHRIST'S church dare not add or diminish, […] or change his blessed testament▪ but they be […] afraid to take away all that Christ instituted, and go a whoring (as the scripture saith) with their own inventions: to glory and rejoice in the works of their own hands. THE church of Christ is, hath been, and shall be in all ages under the cross, persecuted, molest•••• and afflicted, the world ever hating them, beca••• they be not of the world. But these persecute, murder, slay, and kill such as profess the true doctrine of Christ, be they in learning, living, conversation, and other virtues ever so excellent. CHRIST and his church reserved the trial of their doctrine to the word of God, and gave the people leave to judge thereof by the same word, "Search the scriptures." But this church taketh away from the people, and suffereth neither learned nor unlearned to examine or prove their doctrine by the word of God. THE true church of God laboureth by all means to resist and withstand the lusts, desires, and motions of the world, the flesh, and the devil: thes• for the most part give themselves to all voluptuousness, and secretly commit such things, which (as St. Paul saith) it is shame to speak of. ⟨p. 773⟩BY these and such like manifest probations, they declare themselves to be none of the church of Christ, but rather of the synagogue of Satan. It shall be good for you oftentimes to confer and compare their proceedings and doings with the practice of those whom the word of God doth teach to have been true members of the church of God, and it shall work in you both knowledge, erudition, and boldness, to withstand with suffering their doings. I likened them therefore to Nimrod, whom the scripture calleth a mighty hunter, or a stout champion, telling them, that what they could not have by the word, they would have by the sword, and be the church whether men will or no; and called them with good conscience, as Christ called their forefathers, the children of the devil; and as their father the devil is a liar and a murderer, so their kingdom and church (as they call it) standeth by lying and murdering. HAVE no fellowship with them therefore, my dear wife, nor with their doctrine and traditions, le•t you be partaker of their sins, for whom is reserved a heavy damnation, without speedy repentance.
