N20568:9737
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.
DR. RIDLEY, as he passed toward Bocardo, looked up where Dr. Cranmer lay, hoping belike to have seen him at the glass-window, and to have spoke unto him. But Dr. Cranmer was then busy with friar Soto and his fellows disputing together, so that he could not see him through that occasion. Then Dr. Ridley looking back, espied Mr. Latimer coming after. Unto whom he said, Oh, be you there? Yea, said Mr. Latimer, have after as fast as I can follow. So he following a pretty way off, at length they came to the stake, the one after the other▪ where first Dr. Ridley entering the place, marvellously and earnestly holding up both his hands, looked towards heaven: then shortly after seeing Mr. Latimer, with a wondrous cheerful look he ran to him, embraced and kissed him, and as they that stood near reported, comforted him, saying, Be of good heart, brother, for God will either assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it.
DR. RIDLEY, as he passed toward Bocardo, looked up where Dr. Cranmer lay, hoping belike to have seen him at the glass-window, and to have spoke unto him. But Dr. Cranmer was then busy with friar Soto and his fellows disputing together, so that he could not see him through that occasion. Then Dr. Ridley looking back, espied Mr. Latimer coming after. Unto whom he said, Oh, be you there? Yea, said Mr. Latimer, have after as fast as I can follow. So he following a pretty way off, at length they came to the stake, the one after the other▪ where first Dr. Ridley entering the place, marvellously and earnestly holding up both his hands, looked towards heaven: then shortly after seeing Mr. Latimer, with a wondrous chearful look he ran to him, embraced and kissed him, and as they that stood near reported, comforted him, saying, Be of good heart, brother, for God will either assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it.
WITH that he went to the stake, kneeled down by it, and earnestly prayed, and behind him Mr. Latimer kneeled, as earnestly calling upon God as he. After they arose, the one talked with the ⟨p. 906⟩other a little while, till those who were appointed to see the execution removed themselves out of the fun. What they said I can learn of no man.
THEN Dr. Smith began his sermon to them upon this text of St. Paul, in the 13th chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians: "If I yield my body to the fire to be burnt, and have not charity, I shall gain nothing thereby." Wherein he alleged, that the goodness of the cause, and not the order of death, maketh the holiness of the person: which he confirmed by the examples of Judas, and of a woman in Oxford that of late hanged herself, for that they and such like as he recited, might then be adjudged righteous, which desperately separated their lives from their bodies, as he feared that those men that stood before him would do. But he cried still to the people to beware of them, for they were heretics, and died out of the church. And on the other side, he declared their diversities in opinions, as Lutherans, Oecolampadians, Zwinglians, of which sect they were he said, and that was the worst: but the old church of Christ, and the catholic faith, believed far otherwise. At which place they lifted up both their hands and eyes to heaven, as it were calling God to witness of the truth. Which countenance they made in many other places of his sermon, where they thought he spake amiss. He ended with a very short exhortation to them to recant and come home again to the church, and save their lives and souls, which else were condemned. His sermon was scarce in all a quarter of an hour.
THEN Dr. Smith began his sermon to them upon this text of St. Paul, in the 13th chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians: "If I yield my body to the fire to be burnt, and have not charity, I shall gain nothing thereby." Wherein he alledged, that the goodness of the cause, and not the order of death, maketh the holiness of the person: which he confirmed by the examples of Judas, and of a woman in Oxford that of late hanged herself, for that they and such like as he recited, might then be adjudged righteous, which desperately separated their lives from their bodies, as he feared that those men that stood before him would do. But he cried still to the people to beware of them, for they were heretics, and died out of the church. And on the other side, he declared their diversities in opinions, as Lutherans, Oecolampadians, Zuinglians, of which sect they were he said, and that was the worst: but the old church of Christ, and the catholic faith, believed far otherwise. At which place they lifted up both their hands and eyes to heaven, as it were calling God to witness of the truth. Which countenance they made in many other places of his sermon, where they thought he spake amiss. He ended with a very short exhortation to them to recant and come home again to the church, and save their lives and souls, which else were condemned. His sermon was scarce in all a quarter of an hour.
DR. RIDLEY said to Mr. Latimer, Will you begin to answer the sermon, or shall I? Mr. Latimer said, Begin you first, I pray you. I will, said Dr. Ridley.
THEN the wicked sermon being ended, Dr. Ridley and Mr. Latimer kneeled down on their knees to my lo•d Williams, of Tame▪ the vice-chancellor of Oxford, and divers other commissioners appointed for that purpose, who sat upon a fo•m thereby Unto whom Dr. Ridl•• said, I beseech you, my lord, even for Christ's sake, that I may speak but two or three wor•s: and whilst my lord bent his head to the mayor and vice-chancellor, to know (as it appeared) whether he might have leave to speak, the bailiffs, and Dr. Marshal, the vice-chancellor, ran hastily unto him, and with their hands stopped his mouth, and said, Mr. Ridley, if you will revoke your erroneous opinions, and recant the same, you shall not only have liberty so to do, but also the benefit of a subject, that is, have your life. Not otherwise? said Dr. Ridley. No quoth Dr. Marshal: therefore if you will not do so, then there is no remedy but you must suffer for your deserts. Well, says Dr. Ridley, so long as the breath is in my body▪ I will never deny my Lord Christ, and his known truth: God's will be done in me. And with that he rose up, and said with a loud voice, Well then I commit our cause to Almighty God, who will indifferently judge all.
THEN the wicked sermon being ended, Dr. Ridley and Mr. Latimer kneeled down on their knees to my lo•d Williams, of Tame▪ the vice-chancellor of Oxford, and divers other commissioners appoint•ed for that purpose, who sat upon a fo•m thereby Unto whom Dr. Ridl•• said, I beseech you, my lord, even for Christ's sake, that I may speak but two or three wor•s: and whilst my lord bent his head to the mayor and vice-chancellor, to know (as it appeared) whether he might have leave to speak, the bailiffs, and Dr. Marshal, the vice-chancellor, ran hastily unto him, and with their hands stopped his mouth, and said, Mr. Ridley, if you will revoke your erroneous opinions, and recant the same, you shall not only have liberty so to do, but also the benefit of a subject, that is, have your life. Not otherwise? said Dr. Ridley. No quoth Dr. Marshal: therefore if you will not do so, then there is no remedy but you must suffer for your deserts. Well, says Dr. Ridley, so long as the breath is in my body I will never deny my Lord Christ, and his known truth: God's will be done in me. And with that he rose up, and said with a loud voice, Well then I commit our cause to Almighty God, who will indifferently judge all.
TO which Mr. Latimer added his old posy, Well, there is nothing hid but it shall be opened: and he said he could answer Smith well enough, if he might be suffered. Incontinently they were commanded to make themselves ready, which they with all meekness obeyed. Dr. Ridley took his gown and his tippet, and gave it to his brother-in-law Mr. Shipside, who all the time of his imprisonment, although he might not be suffered to come to him, lay there at his own charges to provide him necessaries, which from time to time he sent him by the serjeant that kept him. Some other of his apparel that was little worth he gave away, the others the bailiffs took away.
TO which Mr. Latimer added his old posey, Well, there is nothing hid but it shall be opened: and he said he could answer Smith well enough, if he might be suffered. Incontinently they were commanded to make themselves ready, which they with all meekness obeyed. Dr. Ridley took his gown and his tippet, and gave it to his brother-in-law Mr. Shipside, who all the time of his imprisonment, although he might not be suffered to come to him, lay there at his own charges to provide him necessaries, which from time to time he sent him by the serjeant that kept him. Some other of his apparel that was little worth he gave away, the others the bailiffs took away.
He gave away divers other small things to gentlemen standing by, and divers of them pitifully weeping; to Sir Henry Lea he gave a new gr•at, and to divers of my lord Williams•s gentlemen, some napkins, some nutmegs, and race• of ginger, his dial, and such other things as he had about him, to every one that stood next to •im. Some plucked the p•int• off his hose. Happy was he that might get any r•g of him.
He gave away divers other small things to gentlemen standing by, and divers of them pitifully weeping; to Sir Henry Lea he gave a new gr•at, and to divers of my lord Williams•s gentlemen, some n•pkins, some nutm•gs, and race• of ginger, his dial, and such other things as he had about him, to every one that stood n•xt to •im. Some plucked the p•int• off his hose. Happy was he that might get any r•g of him.
MR. LATIMER gave no•hing but very quietly suffered […] pull off hi• […] and hi• other array, […] look unto was very […] ▪ and being stripped in•o h•s should, he seemed as […] a p•rs•n to them that were th•re p••s•nt, as one could well se•; and whereas in his •loaths he appeared a withered and silly old m•n h• now stood bol• upright, as comely a father as one might behold.
MR. LATIMER gave no•hing but very quietly suffer•d 〈…〉 pull off hi• 〈…〉 and hi• other array, 〈…〉 look unto was very 〈…〉 ▪ and being stripp•d in•o h•s should, he seemed as 〈…〉 a p•rs•n to them that were th•re p••s•nt, as one could well se; and whereas in his loaths he appeared a wihered and silly old mn h now stood bol upright, as comely a father as one might behold.
THEN Dr. Ridley standing as yet in his truss, said to his brother, It were best for me to go in my truss still. No, says his brother, it will put you to more pain: and the truss will do a poor man good. Whereunto Dr. Ridley said, Be it so in the name of God, and so unlaced himself. Then being in his shirt, he stood upon the aforesaid stone, and held up his hand and said, Oh heavenly Father, I give unto thee most hearty thanks, for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee, even unto death; I beseech thee, Lord God, have mercy on this realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies.
THEN the smith took a chain of iron, and brought the same about both their middles: and as he was knocking in a staple, Dr. Ridley took the chain in his hand and shaked it, for it did gird in his belly; and looking aside to the smith, said, Good fellow, knock it in hard, for the flesh will have its course. Then his brother brought him a bag of gunpowder, and tied it about his neck. Dr. Ridley asked him what it was, his brother said gunpowder. Then, said he, I will take it to be sent of God▪ therefore I will receive it as sent from him. And have you any, said he, for my brother▪ (meaning Mr. Latimer.) Yea, sir, that I have, says his brother. Then give it unto him, said he, betime, lest you come too late. So his brother went and carried some gunpowder to Mr. Latimer.
IN the mean time Dr. Ridley spake unto may lord Williams, and said, My lord, I must be a suitor unto your lordship in the behalf of divers poor men, and especially in the cause of my poor sister: I have made a supplication to the queen's majesty in their behalf. I beseech your lordship for Christ's sake, to be a mean to her grace for them. My brother here hath the supplication, and will resort to your lordship to certify you hereof. There is nothing in all the world that troubleth my conscience, (I praise God this only excepted. Whilst I was in the see of London▪ divers poor men took lease• of me, and agreed with me for the same. Now I hear say the bishop that now occupieth the same •o•m, will not allow my grants to them made, but contrary to all law and conscience, hath taken from them their livings, and will not suffer them to enjoy the same. I beseech you, my lord, be a means for them: you shall do a good deed, and God will reward you.
THEN they brought a lighted faggot, and laid it at Dr. Ridley's feet. Thereupon Mr. Latimer said, Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man, we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out. When Dr. Ridley saw the fire flaming up towards him, he cried with a wonderful loud voice, Into thy hands, O lord, I commend my spirit: Lord, receive my spirit; and after repeated this often, Lord, Lord, receive my spirit. Mr. Latimer cried as vehemently on the other side, O Father of heaven receive my soul: who received the flame as it were embracing of it. After he had stroked his face with his hands, and as it were bathed them a little in the fire, he soon died, (as it appeareth) with very little or no pain. And thus much concerning this old and faithful servant of God, bishop Latimer, whose laborious travels, fruitful life, and constant death, the whole realm hath cause to give thanks to Almighty God.
BUT Dr. Ridley, by the ill-making of the fire, the faggots being green, and built too high about the gorse, so that the fire being kept down by the green wood, burned fiercely beneath, which put him to such exquisite pain, that he desired them for God's sake to let the fire come unto him; which his brother-in-law heard, but not well understood, intending to rid him out of his pain, (for which cause he gave attendance) as one in such sorrow, not well advised what he did, heaped faggot upon him, so that he clean covered him, which made the fire more vehement beneath, so that it burned all his nether parts, before it touched the upper, and that made him leap up and down under the faggots, and often desire them to let the fire come to him, saying, I cannot burn. Which indeed plainly appeared: for after his legs were consumed by reason of his struggling through the pain, (whereof he had no release, but only the comfort he had from God) he showed that side towards us clean, shirt and all untouched with flame. Yet in all this torment he forgot not to call upon God still, having in his mouth, Lord have mercy upon me, intermingling his cry, Let the fire come unto me, I cannot burn. In which ⟨p. 908⟩pains he laboured till one of the standers by, with his bill, pulled off the faggots above, and where he saw the fire flame up, he wrested himself to that side. And when the fire touched the gunpowder, he was seen to stir no more, but burned on the other side, falling down at Mr. Latimer's feet: which some said, happened by reason that the chain loosed; other said, that he fell over the chain, by reason of […] of his body, and the weakness of the ne••ther limbs.
BUT Dr. Ridley, by the ill-making of the fire, the faggots being green, and built too high about the goss, so that the fire being kept down by the green wood, burned fiercely beneath, which put him to such exquisite pain, that he desired them for God's sake to let the fire come unto him; which his brother-in-law heard, but not well understood, intending to rid him out of his pain, (for which cause he gave attendance) as one in such sorrow, not well advised what he did, heaped faggot upon him, so that he clean covered him, which made the fire more vehement beneath, so that it burned all his nether parts, before it touched the upper, and that made him leap up and down under the faggots, and often desire them to let the fire come to him, saying, I cannot burn. Which indeed plainly appeared: for after his legs were consumed by reason of his struggling through the pain, (whereof he had no release, but only the comfort he had from God) he shewed that side towards us clean, shirt and all untouched with flame. Yet in all this torment he forgot not to call upon God still, having in his mouth, Lord have mercy upon me, intermingling his cry, Let the fire come unto me, I cannot burn. In which
SOME said that before he was like to fall from the stake, he desired them to hold him to it with their bills. However, surely it moved hundreds to t•ars, […] beholding the horrible sight. For I think there were none that had not clean banished all humanity and mercy which would not have lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage upon their bodies. Signs there were of sorrow on every side. Some took it grievously to see their deaths, whose lives they h•ld full dear. Some pitied their persons, that thought their souls had no need thereof. His brother moved many men, seeing his miserable case, seeing him (I say) compelled to such infelicity, that he thought then to do him best service when he hasten•• his end. Some cried out of the luck, to see his endeavour, who most dearly loved him, and sough• his release, turn to his greater vexation, and increase of pain. But whoso considered their preferments in time past, the places of honour that they sometimes occupied in this commonwealth, the favour they were in with their princes, and the opinion of learning they had, could not choose but […] with tears, to see so great dignity, honour, and estimation, so necessary members sometime accounted, so many godly virtues, the study of so many years, such excellent learning, to be put into the •ire, and consumed in one moment. Well, dead they are, and the reward of this world they have already. What reward remaineth for them in heaven▪ the day of God's glory, when he cometh with h•s ••ints, shall shortly declare.
SOME said that before he was like to fall from the stake, he desired them to hold him to it with their bills. However, surely it moved hundreds to t•ars, 〈…〉 beholding the horrible sight. For I think there were none that had not clean banished all humanity and mercy which would not have lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage upon their bodies. Signs there were of sorrow on every side. Some took it grievously to see their deaths, whose lives they h•ld full dear. Some pitied their persons, that thought their souls had no need thereof. His brother moved many men, seeing his miserable case, seeing him (I say) compelled to such infelicity, that he thought then to do him best service when he hasten his end. Some cried out of the luck, to see his endeavour, who most dearly loved him, and sough his release, turn to his greater vexation, and increase of pain. But whoso considered their preferments in time past, the places of honour that they sometimes occupied in this commonwealth, the favour they were in with their princes, and the opinion of learning they had, could not chuse but with tears, to see so great dignity, honour, and estimation, so necessary members sometime accounted, so many godly virtues, the study of so many years, such excellent learning, to be put into the ire, and consumed in one moment. Well, dead they are, and the reward of this world they have already. What reward remaineth for them in heaven the day of God's glory, when he cometh with hs ints, shall shortly declare.
AT the name of Jesus let every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and let every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the lord, unto the glory of God the Father. Amen.
