N20568:8952
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.
JOHN and William Glover, the two brothers of Robert Glover, the martyr, ought not to be omitted in this history, although they were not called ⟨p. 781⟩to finish their course in fire, as their brother, and other martyrs were; yet they were cast out of the church, and excommunicated even after they were dead, and denied christian burial.
AND first concerning Mr. John Glover, the elder brother, what inward storms and agonies he sustained by the ghostly enemy, you have partly heard before described: now what his bodily enemies wrought against him, remaineth to be declared. Whose rage and malice, although God restrained, that they could little prevail against him so long as his life endured, yet after his decease, having power upon him, what they did you shall now understand.
WHEREUPON the sheriffs, with their under officers and servants, being sent to seek him, came into his house, where he and his wife were. It chanced a• he was in the chamber by himself, the officers bursting into the house, and searching other rooms, came to the chamber where John Glover was, who being within, and holding the latch softly in his hand, perceived and heard the officers bustling about the door, amongst whom one of the said officers having the string in his hand, was ready to draw and pluck at the same.
IN the mean time another coming by, (whose voice he heard and knew) bade them come away, saying, they had been there before. Whereupon they departing thence, went to search other corners of the house, where they found Agnes Glover his wife, who being carried to Litchfield, and there examined before the bishop, at length after much ado, was constrained to give place to their tyranny. John Glover, in the mean time, partly for care of his wife▪ partly through cold taken in the woods where he did lie, took an ague, whereupon not long after, he left this life, which the cruel papists so long had sought for.
THUS by the mighty protection of the Almighty Lord, how John Glover was delivered and defended from the hands of the persecuting enemies during all the time of his life, you have heard. Now what befell after the time of his death, both to him and his brother William, is worthy to be remembered. After he was dead, and buried in the church-yard, without priest, or clerk, Dr. Dracot, then chancellor, six weeks after, sent for the parson of the town, and demanded how it happened that he was there buried. The parson answered, that he was then sick, and knew not of it. Then the chancellor commanded the parson to go home, and to cause the body of the said John Glover to be taken up, and to be cast over the wall into the highway: the parson again answered, that he had been six weeks in the earth, and so smelled, that none were able to endure it. Well, quoth Dr. Dracot, then take this bill, and pronounce him in the pulpit a damned soul, and a twelvemonth after take up his bones, (for then the flesh will be consumed) and cast them over the wall, that the carts and horses may tread upon them, and then I will come and hallow that place in the church-yard where he was buried. Recorded by the parson of the town, who told the same to Hugh Burrows, dwelling at Fynden, in Derbyshire, and to Mr. Robert Glover's wife, by whose credible information we received the same.
THUS by the mighty protection of the Almighty Lord, how John Glover was delivered and defended from the hands of the persecuting enemies during all the time of his life, you have heard. Now what befel after the time of his death, both to him and his brother William, is worthy to be remembered. After he was dead, and buried in the church-yard, without priest, or clerk, Dr. Dracot, then chancellor, six weeks after, sent for the parson of the town, and demanded how it happened that he was there buried. The parson answered, that he was then sick, and knew not of it. Then the chancellor commanded the parson to go home, and to cause the body of the said John Glover to be taken up, and to be cast over the wall into the highway: the parson again answered, that he had been six weeks in the earth, and so smelled, that none were able to endure it. Well, quoth Dr. Dracot, then take this bill, and pronounce him in the pulpit a damned soul, and a twelvemonth after take up his bones, (for then the flesh will be consumed) and cast them over the wall, that the carts and horses may tread upon them, and then I will come and hallow that place in the church-yard where he was buried. Recorded by the parson of the town, who told the same to Hugh Burrows, dwelling at Fynden, in Derbyshire, and to Mr. Robert Glover's wife, by whose credible information we received the same.
NOT much unlike usage was practised also by these catholic children of the mother church, upon the body of William, the third brother, whom, after it had pleased Almighty God about the same season to call out of this vale of misery, the well-disposed people of the town of Weme, in Shropshire, where he died, brought the body into the parish church, intending there to have it buried. But one Bernard, being then curate of the said church, in order to stop the burial thereof, rode to the bishop named Ralph Bath, to certify him of the matter, and to have his advice therein. In the mean time, the body lying there a whole day, in the night-time one Richard Morris, a tailor, would have interred him. But then came John Thorlyne, of Weme, with some others, of Weme, and would not suffer the body to be buried; expressing to us the contrary examples of good Tobit; for as he was religious in burying the dead, so this man's religion consists in not burying the dead; so that after he had lain there two days and one night, the aforesaid Bernard, the curate, came with the bishop's letter, the contents of which letter being copied out word for word, here follow.
NOT much unlike usage was practised also by these catholic children of the mother church, upon the body of William, the third brother, whom, after it had pleased Almighty God about the same season to call out of this vale of misery, the well-disposed people of the town of Weme, in Shropshire, where he died, brought the body into the parish church, intending there to have it buried. But one Bernard, being then curate of the said church, in order to stop the burial thereof, rode to the bishop named Ralph Baine, to certify him of the matter, and to have his advice therein. In the mean time, the body lying there a whole day, in the night-time one Richard Morice, a taylor, would have interred him. But then came John Thorlyne, of Weme, with some others, of Weme, and would not suffer the body to be buried; expressing to us the contrary examples of good Tobit; for as he was religious in burying the dead, so this man's religion consists in not burying the dead; so that after he had lain there two days and one night, the aforesaid Bernard, the curate, came with the bishop's letter, the contents of which letter being copied out word for word, here follow.
UNDERSTANDING that one Glover an heretic is dead in the parish of Weme, which Glover hath, all the time of my being in this country, been known for a rebel against our holy faith and religion, a contemner of the holy sacraments and ceremonies used in the holy church, and hath separated himself from the holy communion of all good christian men, and never required to be reconciled to our mother holy church, nor in his last days did call for his spiritual father, but died without a rite belonging to a christian man; I thought it good not only to command the curate of Weme, that he should not be honoured with christian burial, but also will and command all the parish of Weme, that no man procure, help, nor speak to have him buried in holy ground: but I do charge and command the church-wardens of Weme in special, and all the parish of the same, that they assist the said curate in defending and hindering, and procuring that he be not buried in the church, or within the walls of the church-yard: and likewise I charge those that brought the body to the place to carry it away again, and that at their charge, as they will answer at their peril. At Ecclesch, this sixth of September 1555. By your Ordinary, Radulph, Coventry and Litchfield.
BY virtue of this aforesaid letter, so it fell out, that they who brought the corps thither, were obliged to carry it back again at their own charges. But as the body was corrupted, and smelt so strong that no man could well come near it, they were forced to draw it with horses into a broom-field, and there he was buried.
THE like example of charitable affection in these catholic churchmen, is also to be seen and noted in the burying of one Edward Burton, Esq. who in the same diocese of Chester, departing out of this world the very day before queen Elizabeth was crowned, required of his friends, as they would answer for it, that his body should be buried in his parish church, (which was St. Chad's, in Shrewsbury) so that no mass-monger should be present thereat. Which thing being declared to the curate of that parish, named John Marshall, and the bo•• being withal brought to the burial, upon the […] day when the queen was crowned, the curate […] therewith offended, said plainly, that he should […] be buried in the church there. Whereunto on• […] the friends of the deceased, named George Tor••• ley, answering again, said, That God would jud•• him in the last day, &c. Then said the prie•• ▪ Judge God or devil, the body shall not come the•• And so they buried him in his own garden, wh•• he is no doubt as near the kingdom of heaven •• if he had been buried in the midst of the church.
THE like example of charitable affection in these catholic churchmen, is also to be seen and noted in the burying of one Edward Burton, Esq. who in the same diocese of Chester, departing out of this world the very day before queen Elizabeth was crowned, required of his friends, as they would answer for it, that his body should be buried in his parish church, (which was St. Chad's, in Shrewsbury) so that no mass-monger should be present thereat. Which thing being declared to the curate of that parish, named John Marshall, and the bo•• being withal brought to the burial, upon the 〈…〉 day when the queen was crowned, the curate 〈…〉 therewith offended, said plainly, that he should 〈…〉 be buried in the church there. Whereunto on• 〈…〉 the friends of the deceased, named George Tor ley, answering again, said, That God would jud him in the last day, &c. Then said the prie Judge God or devil, the body shall not come the And so they buried him in his own garden, wh he is no doubt as near the kingdom of heaven if he had been buried in the midst of the church.
MOREOVER, in the said county of Salop, I […] that one Oliver Richardine, of the parish of […] church, was burnt in Hartford-west, sir John Yo•• being sheriff the same time, which seemeth to be about the last year of king Henry the eighth• Whose name, as it was not mentioned before • thought here to give some little touch of him, […] now in hand to speak of the persecution […] the diocese of Coventry and Litchfield.
MOREOVER, in the said county of Salop, I 〈…〉 that one Oliver Richardine, of the parish of 〈…〉 church, was burnt in Hartford-west, sir John Yo•• being sheriff the same time, which seemeth to be about the last year of king Henry the eighth• Whose name, as it was not mentioned before • thought here to give some little touch of him, 〈…〉 now in hand to speak of the persecution 〈…〉 the diocese of Coventry and Litchfield.
WILLIAM Wolsey and Robert Pygot, […] inhabitants of the town of Wisbich, […] the next condemned after the suffering of […] Glover and Cornelius Bungey. These two blessed martyrs were judged and condemned at Ely, […] John Fuller, the bishop's chancellor of Ely, […] Shaxtone, his suffragan, Robert Stewart, […] Ely, John Christopherson, dean of Norwich, […]. 9, l555. The said William Wolsey, who was […] a constable, through the means of one […] Everard, gentleman, a justice appointed for those days, who cruelly treated the said William Wolsey, causing him to put in sureties for his good behaviour and appearance at the next general sessions held within the Isle of Ely. Being called again at the next sessions, he was still constrained to put in ne• sureties, which at length he refused to do, and so was committed to jail, at the assize held at Ely in Lent. IN the Easter week following, Dr. Fuller, the chancellor, with Christopherson, and one Dr. Young, ⟨p. 783⟩came to confer with him, who laid earnestly to his charge that he was out of the catholic faith, desiring him to meddle no further with the scriptures, than it did become such a lay-man as he was to do. The said William Wolsey standing still a great while, suffering them to say their pleasure, at last he answered in this wise: Good Mr. Doctor, What did our Saviour mean, when he spake these words written in the 23d chapter of St. Matthew's gospel, "Woe be unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites; for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." YEA, saith Dr. Fuller, you must understand, that Christ spake to the scribes and pharisees. NAY, Mr. Doctor, Christ spake even to you, and your fellows here present, and to all others such as you be. AWAY, Mr. Doctor, said Christopherson, for you can do no good with this man. Yet, saith Dr. Fuller, I will leave thee a book to read, I promise thee of a learned man's doing, that is to say, of Dr. Watson's doing (who was then bishop of Lincoln). WOLSEY receiving the same book, did diligently read it over, which in many places did manifestly appear contrary to the truth of God's word. At length, a fortnight or three weeks following, the said Dr.
WILLIAM Wolsey and Robert Pygot, 〈…〉 inhabitants of the town of Wisbich, 〈…〉 the next condemned after the suffering of Glover and Cornelius Bungey. These two blessed martyrs were judged and condemned at Ely, John Fuller, the bishop's chancellor of Ely, Shaxtone, his suffragan, Robert Stewart, Ely, John Christopherson, dean of Norwich, . 9, l555. The said William Wolsey, who was a constable, through the means of one Everard, gentleman, a justice appointed for those days, who cruelly treated the said William Wolsey, causing him to put in sureties for his good behaviour and appearance at the next general sessions held within the Isle of Ely. Being called again at the next sessions, he was still constrained to put in ne sureties, which at length he refused to do, and so was committed to jail, at the assize held at Ely in Lent. IN the Easter week following, Dr. Fuller, the chancellor, with Christopherson, and one Dr. Yonge,
Fuller resorting again to the prison to confer with the said Wolsey, asked him how he liked the said book, (thinking that he had won him by the reading of the same) who answered him and said, Sir, I like the book no otherwise than I thought before I should find it. Whereupon the chancellor taking his book, departed home. AT night when Dr. Fuller came to his chamber to look on it, he found in many places, contrary to his mind, the book razed with a pen by the said Wolsey. Which he seeing, and being vexed therewith, said, O this is an obstinate heretic, and hath quite marred my book. THEN the assizes to be held at Wisbich drawing •igh, Dr. Fuller cometh again to the said Wolsey, and spake unto him on this manner: thou dost much trouble my conscience, wherefore I pray thee depart, and rule thy tongue, so that I hear no more complaint of thee, and come to the church when thou wilt, and if thou be complained upon, so far as I may, I promise thee I will not hear of it. MR. Doctor, said Wolsey, I was brought hither by a law, and by a law I will be delivered. THEN being brought to the sessions before named, Wolsey was laid in the castle at Wisbich. he and all his friends thinking, that he should have suffered there at that present time, but it proved otherwise. THEN Robert Pygot, the painter, being at liberty, was there presented by some evil disposed persons (sworn men as they called them) for not coming […] the church. THE said Pygot being called in the sessions, would not absent himself, but there did plainly appear before sir Clement Hygham, being judge, who said unto him: Ah, are you the holy father the painter? How chance you came not to the church? Sir, quoth the painter, I am not out of the church, I trust in God. NO, sir, said the judge, this is no church, this is a hall. Yea, sir, said Pygot, I know very well it is a hall: but he that is in the true faith of Jesus Christ, is never absent, but present in the church of God. AH, sirrah, said the judge, you are too high learned for me to talk with, wherefore I will send you to them that are better learned than I, straightway commanding him to the jail where Wolsey lay. So the sessions being broke up and ended, the said Wolsey and Pygot were carried again to Ely to prison, where they both remained till the day of their death.
Fuller resorting again to the prison to confer with the said Wolsey, asked him how he liked the said book, (thinking that he had won him by the reading of the same) who answered him and said, Sir, I like the book no otherwise than I thought before I should find it. Whereupon the chancellor taking his book, departed home. AT night when Dr. Fuller came to his chamber to look on it, he found in many places, contrary to his mind, the book rased with a pen by the said Wolsey. Which he seeing, and being vexed therewith, said, O this is an obstinate heretic, and hath quite marred my book. THEN the assizes to be held at Wisbich drawing igh, Dr. Fuller cometh again to the said Wolsey, and spake unto him on this manner: thou dost much trouble my conscience, wherefore I pray thee depart, and rule thy tongue, so that I hear no more complaint of thee, and come to the church when thou wilt, and if thou be complained upon, so far as I may, I promise thee I will not hear of it. MR. Doctor, said Wolsey, I was brought hither by a law, and by a law I will be delivered. THEN being brought to the sessions before named, Wolsey was laid in the castle at Wisbich. he and all his friends thinking, that he should have suffered there at that present time, but it proved otherwise. THEN Robert Pygot, the painter, being at liberty, was there presented by some evil disposed persons (sworn men as they called them) for not coming the church. THE said Pygot being called in the sessions, would not absent himself, but there did plainly appear before sir Clement Hygham, being judge, who said unto him: Ah, are you the holy father the painter? How chance you came not to the church? Sir, quoth the painter, I am not out of the church, I trust in God. NO, sir, said the judge, this is no church, this is a hall. Yea, sir, said Pygot, I know very well it is a hall: but he that is in the true faith of Jesus Christ, is never absent, but present in the church of God. AH, sirrah, said the judge, you are too high learned for me to talk with, wherefore I will send you to them that are better learned than I, straightway commanding him to the jail where Wolsey lay. So the sessions being broke up and ended, the said Wolsey and Pygot were carried again to Ely to prison, where they both remained till the day of their death.
IN the mean time some of their neighbours of Wisbich being at Ely, came to see how they did. There came hither also a chaplain of bishop Goodrick's, a Frenchman born, one Peter Valentius, who said to Wolsey and Pygot: My brethren, according to my office I am come to talk with you, ⟨p. 784⟩for I have been amner here these twenty years and above. Wherefore I must desire you, my brethren, to take it in good part that I am come to talk with you, I promise you not to pull you from your faith. But I both require and desire, in the name of Jesus Christ, that you stand to the truth of the gospel and word, and I beseech the Almighty God, for his Son Jesus Christ's sake, to preserve both you and me in the same unto the end. For I know not myself, my brethren, how soon I shall be at the same point that you are. Thus with many other like words he made an end, causing all that were there present to water their cheeks, contrary to the expectation they all had of him. God be praised therefore. THEN within a short time after, Pygot and Wolsey were called to judgment about the 9th of Oct. before Dr. Fuller, then chancellor, with old Dr. Shaxton, Christopherson, and others in commission, who laid earnestly to their charge for their belief in divers articles, but especially of the sacrament of the altar. Whereunto their answer was, That the sacrament of the altar was an idol, and that the natural body and blood of Christ was not present really in the sacrament; and to this opinion they said they would stick, perfectly believing the same to be no heresy that they had affirmed, but the very truth, whereunto they would stand. Then the doctors said, that they were out of the catholic faith. THEN Dr. Shaxton said unto them, Good brethren, remember yourselves, and become new men, for I myself was in this fond opinion that you are now in, but I am now become a new man. AH, said Wolsey, are you become a new man? Woe be to thee, thou wicked new man, for God shall justly judge thee. DR. Fuller then spake, saying, This Wolsey is an obstinate fellow, and one that I could never do good upon. But as for the painter, he is a man quiet and indifferent, (as far as I perceive) and is soon• reformed, and may very well be delivered for any ill opinion I find in him. THEN Christopherson called for pen and ink, and wrote these words following:
IN the mean time some of their neighbours of Wisbich being at Ely, came to see how they did. There came hither also a chaplain of bishop Goodrick's, a Frenchman born, one Peter Valentius, who said to Wolsey and Pygot: My brethren, according to my office I am come to talk with you,
