N20568:8975
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.
AMONG many other worthy histories and notable acts of such as of late days have been troubled, murdered, and martyred, for the true gospel of Christ, in queen Mary's reign, the tragical story and life of Dr. Ridley, I thought good to commit to writing, and leave to perpetual memory; beseeching thee (gentle reader) with care and study well to peruse, diligently to consider, and deep•• to print the same in thy breast, seeing him to be a man beautified with such excellent qualities, so spiritually inspired, and godly learned, and now written doubtless in the book of life, with the blessed saints of the Almighty, crowned and enthro••• amongst the glorious company of martyrs. […], descending of a stock right worshipful, he was […] in the county of Northumberland, who being a child, learned his grammar with great dexterity in Newcastle, and was removed from thence to the university of Cambridge, where he in a short time became so famous, that for his singular aptness▪ he was called to higher functions and offices of the university, by degrees pertaining thereunto, and was called to be head of Pembroke Hall, and there made doctor of divinity. After this, departing from thence, he travelled to Paris, and at his return was made chaplain to king Henry the eighth, and promoted afterwards by him to the bishopric of Rochester, and from thence translated to the see and bishopric of London, in king Edward's days.
AMONG many other worthy histories and notable acts of such as of late days have been troubled, murdered, and martyred, for the true gospel of Christ, in queen Mary's reign, the tragical story and life of Dr. Ridley, I thought good to commit to writing, and leave to perpetual memory; beseeching thee (gentle reader) with care and study well to peruse, diligently to consider, and deep•• to print the same in thy breast, seeing him to be a man beautified with such excellent qualities, so spiritually inspired, and godly learned, and now written doubtless in the book of life, with the blessed saints of the Almighty, crowned and enthro••• amongst the glorious company of martyrs. 〈…〉, descending of a stock right worshipful, he was 〈…〉 in the county of Northumberland, who being a child, learned his grammar with great dexterity in Newcastle, and was removed from thence to the university of Cambridge, where he in a short time became so famous, that for his singular aptness▪ he was called to higher functions and offices of the university, by degrees pertaining thereunto, and was called to be head of Pembroke Hall, and there made doctor of divinity. After this, departing from thence, he travelled to Paris, and at his return was made chaplain to king Henry the eighth, and promoted afterwards by him to the bishopric of Rochester, and from thence translated to the see and bishopric of London, in king Edward's days.
IN which calling and offices he so diligently applied himself by preaching and teaching the true and wholesome doctrine of Christ, that no good child was more singularly loved by his dear parents, than he by his flock and diocese. Every holiday and Sunday he preached in one place or other, except he were otherwise hindered by weighty affairs and business; to whose sermons the people resorted, swarming about him like bees, and coveting the sweet flowers and wholesome juice of the fruitful doctrine, which he did not only preach, ⟨p. 787⟩but showed the same by his life, as a glittering lantern to the eyes and senses of the blind, in such pure order and chastity of life (declining from evil desires and concupiscence) that even his very enemies could not reprove him in any one jot thereof.
IN which calling and offices he so diligently applied himself by preaching and teaching the true and wholsome doctrine of Christ, that no good child was more singularly loved by his dear parents, than he by his flock and diocese. Every holiday and Sunday he preached in one place or other, except he were otherwise hindered by weighty affairs and business; to whose sermons the people resorted, swarming about him like bees, and coveting the sweet flowers and wholesome juice of the fruitful doctrine, which he did not only preach, ⟨p. 787⟩but shewed the same by his life, as a glittering lanthorn to the eyes and senses of the blind, in such pure order and chastity of life (declining from evil desires and concupiscence) that even his very enemies could not reprove him in any one jot thereof.
BESIDES this, he was very well learned, his memory was great, and he of such reading withal, that of right he deserved to be compared to the best men of this our age, as his notable works, pithy sermons, and his sundry disputations in both the universities can well testify, and also his very adversaries will say the same themselves.
BESIDES all this, he was wise of counsel, deep of wit, and very politic in all his doings. How merciful and careful he was to reduce the obstinate papists from their erroneous opinions, and by gentleness to win them to the truth, his gentle ordering and courteous handling of Dr. Heath, late archbishop of York, being prisoner with him in king Edward's time, in his house, one year, sufficiently declareth. In fine, he was such a prelate, and in all points so good, pious and spiritual a man, that England may justly lament the loss of so worthy a treasure. And thus much concerning these public matters.
BESIDES all this, he was wise of counsel, deep of wit, and very politic in all his doings. How merciful and careful he was to reduce the obstinate papists from their erroneous opinions, and by gentleness to win them to the truth, his gentle ordering and courteous handling of Dr. Heath, late archbishop of York, being prisoner with him in king Edward's time, in his house, one year, sufficiently declareth. In fine, he was such a prelate, and in all points so good, pious and spiritual a man, that England may jus•ly lament the loss of so worthy a treasure. And thus much concerning these public matters.
NOW I will proceed something further, particularly of his person and conditions. He was a man right comely and well proportioned in all points, both in complexion and lineaments of the body. He took all things in good part, bearing no malice nor rancour from his heart, but straightway forgetting all injuries and offences done against him. He was very kind and natural to his kinsfolk, and yet not bearing with them any otherwise than right would require, giving them always for a general rule, yea, to his own brother and sister, that they doing evil should seek or look for nothing at his hand, but should be •s strangers and aliens to him, and they to be his brother and sister, who used honestly and a godly trade of life.
HE used all kinds of ways to mortify himself, and was much given to prayer and contemplation: for duly every morning, as soon as his apparel was put upon him, he went forthwith to his bed-chamber, and there upon his knees prayed the space of half an hour; which being done, immediately he went to his study (if no other business came to interrupt him) where he continued till ten o'clock, and then came to the common prayer, daily used in his house. The prayers being done, he went to dinner; where he used little talk, except otherwise occasion had been ministered, and then it was sober, discreet and wise, and sometimes merry, as cause required.
HE used all kinds of ways to mortif• himself, and was much given to prayer and contemplation: for duly every morning, as soon as his apparel was put upon him, he went forthwith to his bed-chamber, and there upon his knees prayed the space of half an hour; which being done, immediately he went to his study (if no other business came to interrupt him) where he continued till ten o'clock, and then came to the common prayer, daily used in his house. The prayers being done, he went to dinner; where he used little talk, except otherwise occasion had been ministered, and then it was sober, discreet and wise, and sometimes merry, as cause required.
THE dinner done, which was not very long, he used to sit an hour or thereabouts talking, or playing at the chess: that done, he returned to his study, and there would continue, except visitors, or business abroad were occasion of the contrary, until five o'clock at night, and would come to common prayer, as in the forenoon; which being finished, he went to supper, behaving himself there as at dinner before. After supper, recreating himself in playing at chess the space of an hour, he would then return again to his study; continuing there till eleven o'clock at night, which was his common hour of going to bed, then saying his prayers upon his knees as in the morning when he rose. Being at his manor of Fulham, as sometimes he used to be, he read daily a lecture to his family at the common prayer, beginning at the Acts of the apostles, and so going through all the epistles of St. Paul, giving to every man that could read, a New Testament, hiring them, besides, with money to learn by heart certain principal chapters, but especially the 13th chapter of the Acts of the apostles, reading also unto his household oftentimes the 101st Psalm, being marvellously careful over his family, that they might be a pattern of all virtue and honesty to others. To be short, as he was godly and virtuous himself, so nothing but virtue and godliness reigned in his house, feeding them with the food of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
THE dinner done, which was not very long, he used to sit an hour or thereabouts talking, or playing at the chess: that done, he returned to his study, and there would continue, except visitors, or business abroad were occasion of the contrary, until five o'clock at night, and would come to common prayer, as in the forenoon; which being finished, he went to supper, behaving himself there as at dinner before. After supper, recreating himself in playing at chess the space of an hour, he would then return again to his study; continuing there till eleven o'clock at night, which was his common hour of going to bed, then saying his prayers upon his knees as in the morning when he rose. Being at his manor of Fulham, as sometimes he used to be, he read daily a lecture to his family at the common prayer, beginning at the Acts of the apostles, and so going through all the epistles of St. Paul, giving to every man that could read, a New Testament, hiring them, besides, with money to learn by heart certain principal chapters, but especially the 13th chapter of the Acts of the apostles, reading also unto his houshold oftentimes the 101st Psalm, being marvellously careful over his family, that they might be a pattern of all virtue and honesty to others. To be short, as he was godly and virtuous himself, so nothing but virtue and godliness reigned in his house, feeding them with the food of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
NOW remaineth a word or two to be declared of his gentle nature and kind behaviour to old Mrs. Bonner, mother to Dr. Bonner, sometime bishop of London, which I thought good to mention, as well for the rare clemency of Dr. Ridley, as the ⟨p. 788⟩unworthy inhumanity and ungrateful disposition again of Dr. Bonner. Bishop Ridley being at his manor of Fulham, always sent for the said Mrs. Bonner, dwelling in a house adjoining to his house, to dinner and supper, with one Mrs. Mungey, Bonner's sister, saying, Go for my mother Bonner; who coming, was always placed in the chair at the head of the table, being so gently treated, welcomed and taken, as though she had been his own mother, being never displaced from her seat, although the king's council had been present; saying, when any of them were there, (as several times they were) By your lordship's favour, this place of right and custom is for my mother Bonner. But how well he was recompensed for this singular kindness, and gentle pity afterwards at the hands of the said Bonner▪ almost the least child that goeth on the ground can declare. For who afterwards was a greater enemy to Dr. Ridley than Dr. Bonner? Who went more about to seek his destruction than he? Recompensing this his gentleness with extreme cruelty; as well appeared by the strict handling of Dr. Ridley's own sister, and her husband, George Shipside, from time to time: whereas the gentleness of the other permitted Bonner's mother, sister, and others of his kindred, not only quietly to enjoy all that which they had from bishop Bonner, but also entertained them in his house, showing much courtesy and friendship daily unto them: whereas on the other side, bishop Bonner being restored again, would not suffer the brother and sister of bishop Ridley, and other of his friends, not only not to enjoy that which they had by their said brother, bishop Ridley, but also churlishly, without all order of law or honesty, wrested from them all the livings they had.
NOW remaineth a word or two to be declared of his gentle nature and kind behaviour to old Mrs. Bonner, mother to Dr. Bonner, sometime bishop of London, which I thought good to mention, as well for the rare clemency of Dr. Ridley, as the ⟨p. 788⟩unworthy inhumanity and ungrateful disposition again of Dr. Bonner. Bishop Ridley being at his manor of Fulham, always sent for the said Mrs. Bonner, dwelling in a house adjoining to his house, to dinner and supper, with one Mrs. Mungey, Bonner's sister, saying, Go for my mother Bonner; who coming, was always placed in the chair at the head of the table, being so gently treated, welcomed and taken, as though she had been his own mother, being never displaced from her seat, although the king's council had been present; saying, when any of them were there, (as several times they were) By your lordship's favour, this place of right and custom is for my mother Bonner. But how well he was recompensed for this singular kindness, and gentle pity afterwards at the hands of the said Bonner almost the least child that goeth on the ground can declare. For who afterwards was a greater enemy to Dr. Ridley than Dr. Bonner? Who went more about to seek his destruction than he? Recompensing this his gentleness with extreme cruelty; as well appeared by the strict handling of Dr. Ridley's own sister, and her husband, George Shipside, from time to time: whereas the gentleness of the other permitted Bonner's mother, sister, and others of his kindred, not only quietly to enjoy all that which they had from bishop Bonner, but also entertained them in his house, shewing much courtesy and friendship daily unto them: whereas on the other side, bishop Bonner being restored again, would not suffer the brother and sister of bishop Ridley, and other of his friends, not only not to enjoy that which they had by their said brother, bishop Ridley, but also churlishly, without all order of law or honesty, wrested from them all the livings they had.
AND yet being not therewith satisfied, he sought all the means he could to work the death of the aforesaid Shipside, saying, that he would make twelve godfathers to go upon him; which indeed had been brought to pass, at the time he was prisoner at Oxford, had not God otherwise wrought his deliverance by the means of Dr. Heath, then bishop of Worcester. Witnessed by George Shipside.
WHEREBY all impartial good readers may […] understand what great diversity there was in the disposition of these two natures. Insomuch, that as the one excelled in mercy and piety, so the other again, as much, or more, excelled in churlish ingratitude, and despiteful disdain. But of […] matter enough.
WHEREBY all impartial good readers may 〈…〉 understand what great diversity there was in the disposition of these two natures. Insomuch, that as the one excelled in mercy and piety, so the other again, as much, or more, excelled in churlish ingratitude, and despiteful disdain. But of 〈…〉 matter enough.
NOW concerning God's vocation, how Dr. […] was first called to the savouring and favouring of Christ and his gospel, partly by his disputation before, and by his other treatises it may […], that the first occasion of his conversion was by the reading of Bertram's book of the sacrament, wh•• also the conference with archbishop Cranmer, and with Peter Martyr, did not a little confirm in that behalf. Who now by the grace of God, being thoroughly won and brought to the true way, as he was before blind and zealous in his old ignorance, so was he constant and faithful in the ri••t knowledge which the lord had opened unto […], (as well appeared by his life and doctrine during all the time of king Edward) and so long did he much good, when power and authority defended the gospel, and supported the peace and happiness of the church. But after it pleased God (in his wi•e providence) to bereave us of our stay, in taking from us that precious king Edward, the whole state of the church of England was left desolate and open to the enemy's hand: so that bishop Ridley, after the coming in of queen Mary, was one of the first that hands were laid on, and committed to prison, as before hath been sufficiently declared first in the Tower, and from thence translated with the archbishop of Canterbury, and […] them enclosed i• the common prison of Boccardo: but at length b•ing separated from them, he was committed to custody in the house of one Irish, where he remained •ill the day of his martyrdom, which was from the year of our Lord 1554, till October 16, 1555.
NOW concerning God's vocation, how Dr. 〈…〉 was first called to the savouring and favouring of Christ and his gospel, partly by his disputation before, and by his other treatises it may 〈…〉, that the first occasion of his conversion was by the reading of Bertram's book of the sacrament, wh•• also the conference with archbishop Cranmer, and with Peter Martyr, did not a little confirm in that behalf. Who now by the grace of God, being thoroughly won and brought to the true way, as he was before blind and zealous in his old ignorance, so was he constant and faithful in the ri••t knowledge which the lord had opened unto , (as well appeared by his life and doctrine during all the time of king Edward) and so long did he much good, when power and authority defended the gospel, and supported the peace and happiness of the church. But after it pleased God (in his wie providence) to bereave us of our stay, in taking from us that precious king Edward, the whole state of the church of England was left desolate and open to the enemy's hand: so that bishop Ridley, after the coming in of queen Mary, was one of the first that hands were laid on, and committed to prison, as before hath been sufficiently declared first in the Tower, and from thence translated with the archbishop of Canterbury, and them inclosed i the common prison of Boccardo: but at length bing separated from them, he was commited to cusody in the house of one Irish, where he remained ill the day of his martyrdom, which was from the year of our Lord 1554, till October 16, 1555.
AS for his disputations at Oxford, his determination at Cambridge, his reasons and conference at at the lieutenant's table, enough hath been said already. Besi•es, he had other conferences in prison, hoth with Dr. Cranmer and Mr. Latimer, as here followeth to be read.
AS for his •isputations at O•ford, his determination at Cambridge, his reasons and conference at at the lieuten•nt's table, enough hath been said already. Besi•es, he had other conferences in prison, hoth with Dr. Cranmer and Mr. Latimer, as here followeth to be read.
Dr. RIDLEY to Mr. LATIMER.
IN writing again you have done me an unspeakable pleasure, and I pray that the Lord may requite it you in that day. For I have received great comfort at your words: but yet I am not so ••lled withal, but that I thirst much more now than before, to drink more of the cup of your's wherein you mingle unto me profitable with pleasant. I pray you, good father, let me have one draught more to comfort my stomach. For surely, except the Lord assist me with his gracious aid, in the time of his service, I know I shall play but the part of a white-livered knight. But truly my trust is in him, that in mine infirmity he should try himself strong, and that he can make the coward in his cause to fight like a man.
SIR, now I daily look when Diotrephes with his warriors shall assault me: wherefore I pray you, good father, for that you are an old soldier, and an expert warrior, and God knoweth I am but a young soldier, and as yet of small experience in these seats, help me, I pray you, to buckle my harness. And now I would have you to think, that these darts are cast at my head by some of Diotrephes, or Antonius's soldiers.
