The mirror of martyrs in a short vieuu lively expressing the force of their faith, the feruency of their loue, the wisedome of their sayings, the patience of their suffrings, etc. : with their prayers and preparation for their last farevvell : whereunto is added two godly letters written by M. Bradford, full of sweet consolation for such as are afflicted in conscience. Cotton, Clement. 1613 Approx. 150 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 122 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A19420 STC 5848 ESTC S756 22352016 ocm 22352016 25437 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A19420) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 25437) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1774:4) The mirror of martyrs in a short vieuu lively expressing the force of their faith, the feruency of their loue, the wisedome of their sayings, the patience of their suffrings, etc. : with their prayers and preparation for their last farevvell : whereunto is added two godly letters written by M. Bradford, full of sweet consolation for such as are afflicted in conscience. Cotton, Clement. Bradford, John, 1510?-1555. [18], 216, [8] p. Printed by T.P. for Io. Budge, and are to be sold at his shop at the great south doore of S. Paules, and at Brittaines Bursse, At London : 1613. Dedication signed: Clem. Cotton. Signatures: A⁸(-A1) [par.]² B-K¹² L⁴. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Martyrs -- England. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE MIRROR OF MARTYRS . IN A SHORT VIEVV lively expressing the force of their Faith , the feruency of their Loue , the wisedome of their Sayings , the patience of their Suffrings , &c. With their Prayers and preparation for their last farewell . Whereunto is added two godly Letters written by M. BRADFORD , full of sweet consolation for such as are afflicted in conscience . ¶ They loved not their liues vnto the death . Reuel . 12.11 . AT LONDON , ¶ Printed by T. P. for Io : Budge , and are to be sold at his Shop at the great South doore of S. Paules , and at Brittaines Bursse . An. 1613. Deut. 15.15 . ¶ Remember that thou wast a bond-man in the Land of EGYPT : and that the Lord thy God redeemed thee . Deut. 16.3 . ¶ Remember the day thou camest out of the Land of EGYPT , all the dayes of thy life . TO ALL SVCH as from a true heart delight to see the mightie power of CHRIST magnified in his Martyrs , salvation . DEare Christian Reader , who either wantest leisure to read , or abilitie to buye that rich and plentifull Store-house of Storie , Doctrine , and Comfort , the Acts and Monuments : penned by the most innocent hearted man of God , and true NATHANAELL , M r. IOHN FOXE : and yet knowing th'incomparable worth of the things contained therein , doest often wish thy selfe some of that pretious store for thy present vse , Loe here , a Mirror fitched thence , which how so euer in regard of the smalnesse , it cannot shew thee all ; yet mayest thou here behold the choice of many memorable things , which will yeeld thee sound comfort , and profitable delight . Accept then ( good Reader I praye thee in stead of the greater ) this little Institution of a Christian Martyr , with the same mind with which it is now offered vnto thee , & vse it to the same ends for which it was at the first framed into this so smal a Volume & if in reading the whole or any part therof , thou , or any of thine , doe reape but the least good ; be thankefull therfore to thy good God , and helpe mee with thy prayers . Thine ever in Christ , C. C. THE FAYTHFVLL Soule , to her spouse CHRIST . I Am my welbeloveds , & my welbeloved is mine . Set me as a seale on thine heart , and as a signet vpon thine arme : for Loue is strong as death : Ielousie is cruell as the graue : the coles therof are fiery coles , and a vehement flame . Much water cannot quench Loue , neither can the flouds drowne it : if a man should giue all the substance of his house for Loue , they would greatlie contemne it . A PREAMBLE before the Booke . HAppy , happy , yea thrise , and everlastingly happy is that Soule which by Faith feeles it selfe handfasted vnto Christ ! Thogh it meet with a prosperous estate in this world , it easily swels not : and if it meet with th' adverse things of the world , it easily quailes not . For it hath the word of Christ , and the Spirit of Christ residing and dwelling in it . Shee is not to learne in whome shee hath beleeued : neither can she ever be finally forced from beleeving . Bring her to triall , and prooue whether of the two , Christ or Belial she will embrace ; offer her Gold to forgoe CHRIST shee greatly contemns it : Let the mighty terrify with threats , shee feares not their feare , nor is carefull vpon the perill of life , to giue them a direct answere : she regards not whippings ; she dreads not rackings : vpon honorable conditions shee esteems the prison a Pallace ; fetters of jron , Ornaments of fine Gold : the darkest dungeon , a delightsome dwelling ; rather then shee will violate the chastitie of her faith to CHRIST her onely Spouse , she will willingly endure headding and hanging ; yea burning and broyling : In a word , nothing can be able to separate this sweet soule from that loue of GOD to her ; which is in CHRIST Iesus her Lord. Now the jmage of such a soule who desires to see , and by sight thereof to be transformed inro the same jmage : Let him often with a spirituall eye prie into this Mirrour of Martyrs , following : Where he shall behold their Faith victorious , their Hope liuely , their peace passing al vnderstanding , their Ioy vnspeakable and glorious : their Speach alwaies gracious , their prayers full of Fervor , their liues full of Beautie , their ends full of Honor : This Honor shal be to all the Saints . Revel . 7.13 . WHat are these ? And whēce come these ? Verse 14. THese are they that came out of great tribulation , and haue washed their long white Robes in the bloud of the Lambe . Verse 15. THerefore are they in the presence of the throne of God , and serue him day and night in his Temple , and hee that sitteth on the throne will dwell among them . Verse 16. THey shal hūger no more , neither thirst any more , neither shall the sunne light on them , neither heat . Verse 17. FOr the Lambe which is in the midst of the thron shal governe them , and shall lead them to the liuely fountaines of waters , and GOD shall wipe away all teares from their eies . Revel . 14.12 . HEere is the patience of Saints : heere are they that keepe the Commandemets of God , and the Faith of Iesus . Verse 13. ANd I heard a voyce from Heauen saying vnto mee , write , Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea saith the spirit , that they may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them . Psal. 116.15 . PRecious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints . Psal. 72.14 . ANd deare shall their bloud bee in his sight ▪ Reuel . 6.10 . HOw long Lord , which art holy & true ! doest thou not judge and auenge our bloud on thē that dwel on the earth ? Verse 11. ANd it was sayd vnto thē that they should rest for a little season , vntill their fellow servants & their brethren that should bee killed even as they were , were fulfilled . TO THE RIGHT Noble and Vertuous Princesse , the Lady ELIZABETHS Grace , Eldest daughter to our Soveraigne Lord King Iames. THat neither this poore and weake seruice which is heere to be offred to the Church of Christ , nor the memorie of his faithfull Martyrs which in this small Briefe I endevor to reviue , and celebrate , might bee the lesse esteemed of the good , or any way vilified of the bad , by comming abroad without the Patronage and protection of some person of Eminencie in the sayd Church : it was needfull for me most Noble Lady , to make choyse of such a Patron as for Eminencie of place , and vertues , might h●ue large romth in the hearts of the former ; and also whose sole authoritie might suffice to put to silence the jgnorance of the foolish . All which meeting togeather in your Grace , my humble sute is , that through your Princely hands this poore Mite may now be cast into the Lords Treasurie . Wherein your Grace shall walke in her Royall stepps , who ( though dead , yet now seemes to liue in you ) by her sacred hands did first consecrate the larger volume , whence this Epitome is extracted , to the vse of the Church and people of God. Be pleased then most Gratious Lady ( for the matter belongeth vnto you ) to receiue vnder your favorable protectiō this Mirrour or memorial of the Martyrs , who living , had the protection of Angels : and when the Lord shall haue perfourmed to your Grace all the good that hee hath promised , and of all loyall hearts is earnestly expected , it shall then bee no offence vnto your Princely mind that you haue so doone . That great GOD who by his Omni-presence filleth Heaven and Earth with his Glorie , fill and replenish your Graces heart with all the gifts and graces of his blessed Spirit ; which may beautifie and adorne your person in the sight of God and Man in this life : and heereafter Crowne you with jmmortall Glorie for ever and ever in his Kingdome of Glory , Amen . Your Graces most humbly devoted In all humble and dutifull affection , CLEM : COTTON . THE MIRROR OF the Martyrs . ¶ In a short view liuely expressing and shewing the force of their Faith , the feruencie of their Love , the wisedome of their Sayings , the patience of their Suffrings , their Constancy , Comforts , and sweet meditations in the middest of all their Conflicts . ¶ With their Prayers and preparation for their last farewell . Bishop Hooper . THE Godly Bishop HOOPER being brought vnto the place where he should suffer , seeing a Pardon lying vpon a stoole to be tendered vnto him if he would recant , cryed to them that stood by , If you loue my soule , away with it : If you loue my soule , away with it . A blind Boye being suffered to come vnto him ( after much entreaty ) to conferre with him : M r. HOOPER hearing his talke , the water stood in his eyes : Ah poore Boy sayd he , GOD hath taken from thee the sight of thy bodilie eyes , for what cause he best knoweth : but hee hath giuen thee another sight much more pretious ; for he hath endued thy soule with the eye of knowledge and faith . GOD giue thee grace that thou loose not that sight : for thē should'st thou be blind both in body and Soule . The day before his Martyrdome , he spent the most of the day in prayer , vnlesse any were licenced to speake with him , amongst the which S r. Anthony Kingston was one : who being brought into his Chāber found him at prayer , and at the first view of him , burst foorth into teares . M r. HOOPER at the first blush knew him not . Then sayd S r ANTHONY why my Lord , know you not me , an old friend of yours , Anthony Kingston ? Yes M r. Kingston I know you well sayd M r. HOOPER and I am glad to see you in good health , & doe praise GOD for it . KINGSTON , But I am sorie to see you in this case : for as I vnderstand , you are come hither to die : But alas consider that life is sweet , and death is bitter . Therefore seeing life may be had , desire to liue : for life hereafter may do good . HOOPER . Indeed it is very true M. Kingston I am come hither to die , and to end this life heere ; because I will not gainesay the former truth I haue heeretofore taught in this Diocesse amongst you : and I thanke you for your friendly counsaile , though not so friendly as I could haue wished it . Life indeed is sweet , and death is bitter ; but alas cōsider that the death to come is more bitter , and the life to come more sweet . Therefore for the desire & loue I haue to the one , & the feare and terror I haue of th' other , I do not so much regard this death , nor esteeme this life : but haue setled my selfe through the strength of Gods Spirit , patiently to passe through the torments and extremities of the fire now prepared for me ; rather then to deny Gods word and truth . The night before he suffred , his desire was to go to bed that night betimes , saiing , that he had many things to thinke on : and so did at 5 of the clock , and slept one sleepe soundly , and bestowed the rest of the night after in prayer . Being got vp in the morning , hee desired that none should come vnto him , that hee might bee solitary till the hower of his death . Bishop Ridley . WOrthie Bishoppe RIDLEY going to his burning at Oxford , looking backe , espyed M r. LATIMER coming after : to whome he sayd , Oh be ye there ? yea sayd Father LATIMER , haue after as fast as I can . Bejng come to the stake , he ranne to M r. LATIMER , jmbraced him and kissed him , and as they that stood neere reported ) comforted him , saying : Bee of good comfort Brother ; for GOD will either asswage the furie of the fire , or else strengthen vs to abide it . Being at the stake , he held vp both his hands to Heaven , and sayd : Oh heauenly Father , I giue thee most heartie thankes , that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee euen vnto death . A Fagot being brought which was kindled with fire and laid downe at M. RIDLEYS feet , Father LATIMER spake on this manner to him : Be of good comfort M. RIDLEY , and playe the man : wee shall by Gods grace light such a Candle this day in ENGLAND , as I trust shall neuer be put out . By reason the fire was ill made , M. RIDLEY continued long in his torments , in so much as he often cryed , I cannot burne , I cannot burne : for Christs sake let the fire come to mee : Lord haue mercie vpon mee : let the fire come to me , I cannot burne . M. Iohn Philpot. THE valiant servant of Christ M. Iohn Philpot having the newes of his death brought him by one of the Sheriffes men , that hee must the next day bee burned at a stake , sayd , I am ready : God grant me strength , and a ioyfull resurrection . And so went to his chamber and powred out his spirit vnto the Lord , giving him most heartie thankes , that had made him worthy to suffer for his truth . As hee was entring into Smithfield , the passage was somewhat foule , and twoo Officers tooke him vp to beare him to the stake . Thē he sayd merilie , What ? will ye make me a Pope ? I am content to go to my iourneys end on foote . But first comming into Smithfield , hee kneeled downe there , saying these words , I will paye my vowes in thee O Smithfield . Iohn Bradford . HOly BRADFORD having newes brought him in great haste by the Keepers wife of the Counter , that hee should be burned the next day , and that his Chayne was a buying : with that put off his Cap , and lifting vp his eyes to Heaven , said : I thanke God for it : I haue long looked for this time , and therefore it commeth not to me now sodainlie ; but as a thing expected euery houre , the Lord make me worthy thereof . After which he went alone , and prayed secretly a long time . A little before they carried him from the Counter to Newgate , he made a notable prayer of his farewell , with such plentie of teares , and aboundance of the spirit of praier , that it ravished the minds of the hearers . Also when he shifted himselfe with a cleane shirt that was made for his burning , hee made such a prayer of the wedding Garment , that some there present so admired him , that their eies were no lesse thorowly occupied in beholding him , thē their eares gaue place to the hearing of his prayers . At his departing the chāber , hee made in like sort a prayer , in which hee vehemently desired of God that his wordes might not bee spoken in vaine . ¶ His behauiour at his death . MR. Bradford cōming to the stake fell flat vpon his face , praying the space of one minute of an hower , the Sheriffe willed him to make an end , because the presse was great : at that word standing vpon his feet , he tooke a Fagot in his hand and kissed it , and so likewise the Stake : so putting off his rayment , he went to the Stake holding vp his hands , and casting vp his countenance to heaven , sayd thus , O England , Englād , repēt thee of thy sins , repent thee of thy sins , &c. To the young man that suffered with him hee sayd , Be of good comfort Brother , for we shall haue a merry Supper with the Lord this night , and spake no more wordes that any man heard , but jmbracing the Reeds , sayd thus , Straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth vnto life eternall , and fewe there be that find it . M. William Tims . WIlliam Tims being convented before Bonner & Winchester : Tims said the Bishops ; thou hast a good fresh spirit , it were well if thou had'st learning to thy spirit : Yea my Lords sayd TIMS , and it were well also that as you bee Learned men ; so yee had a good Spirit to your learning . Bishop Latimer . REuerend LATIMER writes thus to Bishop RIDLEY , Lo Sir , I haue blotted your papers and play'd the foole egregiously : but so I thought it better , then not to fulfill your request at this time . Pardon me , and pray for me : pray for me , pray for me I say . For I am sometimes so scarefull that I could creepe into a mouse hole : Sometimes God doth visit me againe with his Comforts . So he is comming and going , comming and going ; to teach me to know mine owne infirmitie , that I might thanke him who is worthy , least I should rob him of his glorie , as many doe , and almost all the world , fare yee well . ¶ The 3 requests which Father Latimer was wont to make . THe first was , that as GOD had appointed him to be a preacher of his word ; so also he would giue him grace to stand to his doctrine vnto the death , and that he might giue his heart blood for the same . The second was , that GOD of his mercie would restore his Gospell to Enggland once againe : and these words once againe , once againe , hee did so inculcate and beat into the eares of the Lord , as though hee had seene god face to face , and would haue no nay . His third request was for the Lady ELIZABETH our late Soueraigne , whō in his prayer hee was wont to name , & euen with teares begged of God , that shee might liue to be a comfort to this comfortlesse Realme . Bishop Ridley . RIDLEY writes thus in a Letter to Bradford , wee looke euery day to be called on : I weene I am the weakest many waies of our company : and yet I thanke our Lord God and heauenly Father through Christ , that since I heard of our deere Brother ROGERS departing , and his stout Confession of Christ and his truth euen vnto death , mine heart blessed be God reioyced so in it , that since that time ( I say ) I never felt any lumpishnesse nor heauinesse of heart , as I grant I haue felt sometimes before : O good Brother Bradford blessed bee God for thee , and blessed be the time that euer I knew thee . Iohn Rogers . MAISTER ROGERS that Morning hee should be burned , being in a sound sleepe , was hardly awaked with much shogging , whē the keepers wife came sodainely vp to giue him warning of his burning . At length beeing awaked , and bid to make hast , Nay then sayd hee , and if it be so , I shall not need to tye my points . The Sunday before hee suffred , hee dranke to M. HOOPER being then in a Chamber vnderneath him in Newgate , and bad them commend him to him , and to tell him , that there was never little fellow would better sticke to a man , then he would sticke to him : supposing they should haue beene burned together . Laurence Saunders . MR. SAVNDERS at the time of his first examination before STEVEN GARDINER , reporto his bed-fellow that lay with him the night following , that in the time of his examination , he was so wonderfully comforted , that not onely in his spirit , but also in body hee receiued a certaine tast of that holy Communion of Saints ; whilst a most pleasant refreshing issued from euery part and member of his body vnto the seat of the heart , and from thence did ebbe and flow to & fro vnto all the parts againe . In a Letter to his Wife : faine would this flesh make strange of that which the spirit doth imbrace . Oh Lord how loth is this loytring sluggard to passe foorth into Gods path ? It fancieth forsooth much feare of fraybugs ? and were it not for the force of Faith , which pulleth it forwards by the raines of Gods most sweet promise ; and hope which pricketh on behind ; great aduenture there would be of fainting by the way . But blessed & euerlastingly blessed be that heauenly Father of ours , who in his Christ our sufficient Sauiour , hath vouchsafed to shine in our hearts by the light of his knowledge in the face of Iesus Christ. His Wife comming to visit him in prison , was forbidden to enter the prison ; by reason whereof the keeper tooke the little babe shee had in her armes and caried him to his Father . LAVRENCE SAVNDERS seeing him reioyced greatly , saying , that hee esteemed more of such a boy , then if 2000 pound should be giuen him . And to the standers by which praysed the goodlinesse of the child , he sayd , what man fearing God , would not loose this life presently , rather then by preserving it heere , hee should adiudge this boy to be a bastard , and his wife an Whore , and him-sefe an Whoremonger , yea were there no other cause why a man of my estate should loose his life , yet who would not giue it to avouch this child to be legitimate , and his mariage to be lawfull and holy . Beeing come to the stake where hee was burned , hee fell prostrate to the groūd and prayed : And rysing vppe againe , hee tooke the stake in his armes to which he should be chained , and kissed it , saying , Welcome the Crosse of Christ : Welcome euerlasting life . Robert Glouer Gen. MR. GLOVER a day or twoo before hee should bee burnt , felt his heart so lumpish and heavy , that hee found in himselfe no aptnes not willingnesse to die , but rather a dulnesse of Spiritfull of much discomfort to beare the bitter Crosse of Martyrdome ready now to bee layd vppon him : Wherevpon , fearing in himselfe least the Lord had vtterly withdrawen his wonted favour from him ; he made his moane to one AVGVSTINE BERNHERE his deere friend , signifying vnto him how earnestly hee had praied vnto the Lord , and yet could receiue no motion nor sence of any comfort from him . To whome the sayd Austen answering , desired him patiētly to waite the Lords leisure , howsoeuer his present feeling was ; and to play the man , nothing doubting but the Lord in due season would satisfie his desire with plentie of Consolation , whereof hee sayd hee was right certaine and sure : and therefore desired him whensoeuer any feeling of GODS heavenly mercies should begin to touch his heart , that hee would giue him some signe thereof . The next day when the time of his Martyrdome was come , and as hee was going to the stake & come to the sight of it , albeit all the night before prayjng for comfort and courage , hee felt no answere of his praier : sodainely he was so mightily replenished with the comfort of Gods holy Spirit and heavenly joies , that hee cried out clapping his hands to Austen sayjng these words , hee is come Austen , hee is come , hee is come : and that with such joy and alacritie as one seeming rather to bee risen from some deadly danger to liberty of life , then as one passing out of this world by any paines of death . M. Iohn Lambart . IOHN LAMBART having his nether parts consumed with fire , lifting vp such hands as hee had , and his fingers ends flaming with fire , cryed to the people , None but Christ , None but Christ. Adam Damplip . THIS good man beejng advertised by his keeper that his execution drew neere , was never seen to quaile , but was as merrie , and eate his supper that night as chearefully as ever hee did in all his life ; at which his keeper and the rest of the prisoners wondring , asked him how hee could take such newes so chearefully : Ah my Maisters sayth he , doe yee thinke I haue beene thus long Gods prisoner in the Marshalsey , and haue not yet-learned to die ? Yes , yes , I doubt not but God will strengthen me therein . Kerby Martyr . ONE KERBY beeing councelled by M. WINKFIELD to pittie himselfe , and to take no more vppon him then hee should bee able to performe : the fire saith hee is hot , the terrour is great , the paine wil be extreame , and life is sweet . To whom KERBY answered , M. WINKFIELD be at my burning , and you shall say , there standeth a Christian Souldier in the fire . For I know that Fire , and Water , Sword , and all other things are in the hāds of God , who will suffer no more to bee layd vppon vs then hee will giue strength to beare . Thomas Bilney . MR. THOMAS BILNEY beeing put in mind , that though the fire which he should suffer the next day should be of great heat vnto his body , yet the comfort of GODS spirit should coole it to his euerlasting comfort and refreshing : At those words putting his finger towards the flame of the candle thē burning before them ( as also hee diuers times did ) and feeling the heat thereof , O sayd hee I feele by experience and haue knowne it long by Philosophy , that fire by gods ordinance is naturally hot , but yet I am perswaded by Gods holy word , and by th' experience of some spoken of in the same , that in the flame they felt no heat , and in the fire they felt no consumption : And I constantly beleeue ▪ that howsoeuer the stubble of this my body shal be wasted by it , yet my Soule and Spirit shall be purged thereby . A paine for the time : after which notwithstanding followeth vnspeakeable Ioy. And then entreated notably vpon the first and second verses of the 43 Chap. of Isaias , which sentēces for the joy & cōfort some of his friends tooke in them , caused them to be faire written out ; the comfort whereof they left not to their dyjng day . The sayd BILNEY beeing visited by certain of his friēds the night before he suffred , they found him eating an Alebrew with such a cherefull heart and quiet minde , as made them wonder thereat , sayjng , they were not a little glad to see him at that time so cheerefully to refresh himselfe . To whome hee made this answere , Oh sayd he , I follow the example of the Husbandmen in the Countrie , who hauing a ruinous house to dwell in , doe yet bestow cost as long as they remaine in it , to vphold the same : And so do I now with this ruinous house of my body ; refreshing the same as you see , with these good creatures of God. Iames Baynam . THis BAYNAM as hee stood at the stake in the midst of the flaming fire , which fire had halfe consumed his armes and his legges , hee was heard to speake these words , O yee Papists . Behold yee looke for Miracles , and heere yee may see a Miracle : for in this fire I feele no more paine then if I were in a bed of down ; but it is to me as sweet as a bed of Roses . Henry Voes . THe like speach I finde of a young man burnt at Bruxels , who when the fire was kindled at his feet , sayd , me thinks you strew Roses vnder my feete . Hugh Laverocke . THis Laverocke a lame Creple , & IOHN APPRICE a blind man , being chained both of them to the stake ; LAVERCOCK casting away his Crutch , and comforting his fellow . Martyr , fayd , Be of good comfort my brother , for my L. of London is our good Phisition , Hee will shortly cure vs both : thee of thy blindnes , and me of my lamenesse . William Hunter . WILLIAM HVNTER apprētice of the age of 19 yeares standing at the stake , sayd , Son of God shine vppon me : and jmediately the Son in the Element shone out of a darke cloud ( for it was a glomie day ) so full in his face , that hee was constrained to turne his face an other way . The sayd WILLIAM HVNTER beeing brought downe from London to be burnt : remained by the way two dayes at Burntwood , whether his Father and Mother came to comfort him , who heartely desired of GOD that hee might cōtinue in the good way hee had begun , vnto the end ; and his mother sayd vnto him , that shee was glad shee was euer so happy as to beare such a Sonne who could find in his heart to loose his life for Christs sake . Then said WILLIAM to his mother : For my little paine which I shall suffer which is also but for a moment , Christ hath promised me Mother ( saith he ) a Crowne of life . And may not you bee glad of that Mother ? With that his Mother kneeled downe on her knees , sayjng , I pray GOD strengthen thee my Sonne vnto the end . And I thinke thee as well bestowed as any Child that euer I bare . At which words M. HIGBED ( one that was then to suffer for the same cause ) tooke her in his armes , sayjng , I rejoyce much to see you in this mind , and you haue good cause so to doe . Robert Samuel . MR. ROBERT SAMVEL Minister , was kept in streight prison by the Bishops Chancellor of NORVVICH : Wherein hee was chained boult vpright to a great post , in such sort , that standing only on tip-toe , hee was faine to stay vp the whole poyse of his body thereby . And to make amends , they added a far greater torment , keeping him without meat and drinke , whereby hee was miserablie vexed with hunger and thirst , saving that hee had allowed him every day 2 or 3 mouthfuls of bread and 3 spoonfuls of water , rather to reserue him to further torment , then to preserue his life . O the worthy constancy of the Martyr ! O pitilesse hearts of the Papists , worthy to be complained of before god & nature ! O the wonderfull strength of Christ in his Martyrs ! How oft-times would hee haue drunke his owne water , but his body was so dryed vp with long emptines , that hee was not able to make water , no not so much as one drop . Now after he had beene thus long famished with hunger ( see a strange thing that happened to him , of which himselfe was the reporter ) he fell as it were into a slumber , at which time one clad all in white , seemed to stand before him : which ministred comfort vnto him , by these words , Samuell , Samuell be of good cheare , and take a good heart vnto thee : for after this day , thou shalt never hunger nor thirst : Which thing came even to passe accordingly : for speedily after hee was burned , and from the time till hee should suffer he felt neither hunger nor thirst . Cut. Simpson , Deacon . CVtbert Sympsons patience was thus commended by Bishop Boner : ye see saith BONER what a personable man this is : & touching his patience , I say vnto you , that if hee were not an Hereticke , I would affirme that he were a man of the greatest patience that ever yet came before me . For I tell you , hee hath been thrice racked in one day . Also in my house hee hath felt some sorrow , and yet I never saw his patience broken . The day before he was cōdēned ( being in the stockes in the Bish : colehouse ) Cloney his keeper came in with the keyes about 9 of the clocke at night after his vsuall manner , to view his prison , and to see whether all were present : who when he spied the sayd Cutbert to be there , departed again , locking the dores after him . Within 2 houres after at a 11 of the clocke towards midnight ( whether awake or in a slumber I cannot say ) hee heard one comming in , first opening the outward doore , then the second , and after the third doore , and so looking in to the said CVTBERT , having no Candle nor Linke that hee could see , but giving a brightnes and light most cōfortable & joyfull to his heart , saying , Ha , vnto him ; and departed away againe . Who it was hee could not tell . But this hee declared 4 or 5 times with his owne mouth to one M. AVSTEN , to his wife , & THOMAS SAMPSON , besides many others in Newgate , a little before his death . At the sight whereof hee received such a joyfull comfort , that hee also expressed no little joy and solace in telling of it . Iohn Rough. MR. IOHN ROVGH Minister , having bin at the burning of one AVSTO in Smithfield , returning homeward mette M. FARRAR a Marchant of Halifax , who asked where hee had beene ? I haue bin saith he where I would not for one of mine eyes but I had bin . Where haue you been sayd M. FARRAR ? Forsooth saith hee , I haue been to learne the way . And so told him the whole matter of the burning of AVSTO , where shortly after hee was burned himselfe . D. Rowland Taylor . MR. Doctor TAYLOR beeing come to Chelmesford in the way towards his Martyrdome , was receiued there of the Sheriffe of SVFFOLKE to conduct him to HADLEY to be burnt . At supper the Sheriffe of ESSEX labored him with might and maine to haue him returne to the vnitie of the Catholique Romish Church , affirming that that which he spake proceeded of a good heart & good will towards him , and therevpon drank to him : The Yeomen of the Guard also sayd , vpon that condition M. Doctor we all drink to you . When they had all dranke , and the Cup was come to him , hee stayed a while as one studyjng what answere hee might giue . At length he spake thus to them , M. Sheriffe , and my Maisters all , I heartely thanke you of your good will. I haue given eare to your words . And to be plaine with you I doe perceiue that I haue bin deceiued my selfe , and am like to deceiue a great many at HADLEY of their expectation . At which speach they all reioyced , yea good M. Doctor sayd the Sheriffe , jt is the comfortablest word you spake yet . Why should yee cast away your selfe in vaine , play a wise mans part , and I dare warrant you , you shall haue favour . And then they began to pray him to explaine his meaning further vnto them . Then sayd Doctor Taylor , I will tell you how I am deceiued my selfe , and how I thinke I shall deceiue a great many . I am as you see a man that hath a great Carkasse whicht I though should haue beene buried in Hadley Church-yard , had I dyed in my bed as I well hoped I should haue done : but therein I see I was deceiued : And there are a great many of Wormes in HADLEY Church-yard that should haue had iolly feeding vppon this Carkasse , which they haue long looked for . But now I know wee bee deceiued , both I and they : for this Carkasse must be burnt to ashes , and so shall they loose their bait and feeding which they expected . The same Morning in which he was called vp by the Sheriffe to goe to his burning about 3 of the clocke in the morning , being sodainely awaked out of his sound sleepe , he sate vp in his bed and putting on his Shirt , hee had these words ; speaking somewhat thicke after his accustomed manner , Ah horson theeues , ah horson theeues , robbe God of his honor , robbe God of his honor . Beeing risen and tyjng his points , he cast his arms about a balke which was in the chamber between M. BRADFORDS bed and his , and clasping his hands about it ; o M. BRADFORD sayd he , what a great swing should I giue , if I were hanged ? Beejng come within 2 miles of HADLEY , he desired to light off his horse to make water : Which done , hee lept and fecht a friske or twaine as men cōmonly do in daunsing , why M. Doctor sayd the Sheriffe , how doe ye now ? well I thanke God M. Sheriffe sayd he , never better , for now I know I am almost at home , I lacke but 2 stiles to go ouer and I am euen at my Fathers house . But M. Sheriffe , shall wee not goe through HADLEY ? Yes , you shall sayd the Sheriffe . Thē said he , O God I thanke thee that I shall yet once ere I dye see my flocke , whom thou Lord knowest I haue most deerely loued , & truly taught . Good Lord blesse them , and keepe thē stedfast in thy truth . At the time of his degrading by Bishop Boner , bejng furnished fully with all his attire according to their ridiculous custome , hee set his hands by his side walking vp and down , and sayd : How say ye now my Lord , am I not a goodly foole ? How say ye my maisters ? If I were now in Cheap , should I not haue boyes enough to laugh at these apish toyes , and toying trumperies ? when all his trinkets were taken from him , hee sayd , good Lord deliver me from you : and gojng from them vp to his chamber , hee sayd , good Lord deliuer me from you , good Lord deliuer mee from you . Iohn Leafe . THis IOHN LEAFE a prentise to one HVMPHREY GAVVDY tallow Chandler , who was burned with M. IOHN BRADFORD , had 2 bils sent him into the Counter in breadstreet after his judgement , th' one containing a recantation , th' other his confession : to know to which of them hee would subscribe . Hearing first the bill of his recantation read vnto him , ( because hee could nether write nor read himselfe ) that hee refused : and when hee heard th' other read vnto him , which hee liked well off , in stead of a pen , he tooke a pinne , and so pricking his hand , sprinkled the blood vppon the sayd bill , willing the reader thereof to shew the Bishop , that hee had sealed the same with his blood already . Richard Woodman . THe conflicts whieh Richard Woodman had with the feare of death , recorded in his owne words , as followeth . Then 3 daies after , my Lord Chamberlain sent 3 of his men to take mee , whose names were Deane , Ieffrey , , and Frauncis , I being at plough with my folkes , right in the way as they were comming to my house , least mistrusting them of all other , came vnto them and asked them how they did . And they said they arrested me in the King and Queenes name , and that I must goe with them to my Lord Chamberlaine their Maister . Which words made my flesh to tremble and quake in regard the thing was sodaine . But I answered them , that I would goe with them . Yet I desired them to go with me to my house that I might break my fast , and put on some other geare : And they sayd I should . Then I remembred my selfe , saying in my heart , why am I thus afrayd ? They can lay none euill to my charge , If they kill me for well dooing , I may thinke my selfe happy . I remembred how I was contented gladly to dye before , in that quarrell , and so haue continued euer since , and should I now feare to die ? God forbid I should , for then were all my labour in vaine . So by and by I was perswaded I praise god , cōsidering it was but the frailtie of my flesh which was loth to forgoe my wife , children , & goods : for I saw nothing but present death before mine eies . And as soone as I was perswaded in mine heart to die , I regarded nothing in this world , but was as merrie , glad , and ioyfull I praise God as euer I was . This battaile lasted but a quarter of an houre , but it was sharper for the time then death I dare say . M. Glouer . ROBERT GLOVER had a contrarie effect in his troubles , as his owne words testifye . After I came into prison sayth hee and had reposed my selfe a while , I wept for joy and gladnes my bellyfull , musing much of the great mercies of GOD , and as it were , saying thus vnto my selfe , O Lord who am I , on whome thou should'st bestow thus thy great mercie , to bee numbred among thy Saints , which suffer for thy Gospell sake ? And so beholding on the one side my jmperfection , vnablenes , sinnefull miserie , and vnworthines ; and on th' other side the greatnes of Gods mercie , to be called to so high promotion , I was as it were amazed and overcome for a while with joy and gladnes , concluding thus with my selfe in mine heart , O Lord thou shewest power in weakenes , wisedome in foolishnes , Mercie in sinfulnesse : who shall let thee to choose where and whom thou wilt ? As I haue euer zealously loued the profession of thy word , so haue I euer thought my selfe vnworthie to bee partaker of th' afflictions of the same . The same ROBERT GLOVER , at an other time was much discouraged by Satan , not to persevere in his suffring , suggesting to him his vnworthines to suffer for Christ and his Gospell , but these his suggestions were thus repelled by him . What were all those whome GOD in former time chose to be his witnesses ? were they not men subiect to sinne and imperfection as other men bee ? All wee sayth Iohn haue receiued of his fulnes . They were no bringers of any goodnes to GOD : they were altogether receiuers . They chose not GOD first , but hee chose them . They loued not GOD first , but hee loued them , yea , when they were enemies to him , and full of sinne . Hee is and wil be the same God still . As rich in mercie , as mighty , as ready , as willing to forgiue sinnes now without respect of persons , as hee was then ; and so wil be to the worlds end , to all that call vppon him . It is no arrogancie , nor presumption in any man to burthen God with his promise , chalenging his ayd and assistance in all perils and daungers ; Calling vpon him in the name of Christ , for whose sake , whosoeuer commeth to the Father , is sure to receiue more then hee can wish or desire . I also answered the enemie on this manner : I am a sinner , and therefore vnworthy to be a Martyr . What then ? must I deny GODS word , because I am a sinner ; and not worthy to professe it ? What bring I to passe in so dooing , but adding sinne to sinne ? What is a greater sinne , then to deny the truth af Christs Gospell ? I might also by the like reason , forbeare to doe any of GODS commaundements , when I am prouoked to pray , th' enemie may say vnto mee , thou art not worthy to pray , and therefore I shall not pray . I shall not forbeare to steale , &c. because I am not worthy to do any of GODS commaundements . These be delusiōs of the Deuill , which must be ouercome by continuance of prayer , and with the word of GOD applied according to the measure of euery mans gift . George Wise-heart . THis WISE-HEART a Scottishman ( rightly so called in regard of that true wisedome of the spirit wherewith his heart was filled , ) beejng come to the place of execution , the hangman came vnto him vppon his knees , craving forgiuenesse of him . To whome he answered , come hether to me : when hee was come nie him , hee kissed his cheeke , and sayd , loe here is a signe that I forgiue thee ; my heart doe thine office . And by and by hee was put vpon the Gibbet and martyred . Walter Mill. WALTER MILL a Scottish Minister beejng disturbed in his praier in the time of his examination , having ended the same , sayd ; wee ought more to obay GOD then Men. I serue one more mightie , even th'omnipotent Lord. And where ye call me S r. Walter , they vsually call mee WALTER , and not S r. WALTER . I haue beene one of the Popes Knights too long . Beejng threatned with the sentence of death : I know I must die once saith he , and therefore as Christ said to Iudas , Quod facis , fac citius . Ye shall know , that I will not recant the truth ; for I am Corne , I am no Chaffe : I will not be blowne away with the wind , nor burst with the flaile : I will abide both . Patrick Hamleton . MR. Patrick Hamleton beejng in the fire , was heard by certaine faithfull men of credit then aliue , there to cite and appeale the black frier campbell that accused him , to appeare before the high GOD as generall Iudge of all men , to answere to the innocency of his death , and whether his accusation were iust or no , between that and a certaine day of the next moneth which hee there named . Moreouer , by the same witnesse it is testified , that the sayd Fryer dyed immediately before the same day came , without remorse of conscience that hee had persecuted the poore Innocent . Robert Farrar . BIshop FARRAR being visited of a Knights sonne called RICHARD IONES a little before his death , the sayd RICHARD seemed much to lament the painfulnes of the death he had to suffer . To whom the Bishop answered , that if hee saw him once to st●r●e in the paines of his burning , he should giue no credit to his doctrine . And as he sayd , so he right well performed the same : For so patiently hee stood , that hee neuer mooued , but even as hee stood holding vp his stumps of his hands , so hee still continued , till one RICHARD GRAVELL with a staffe dashed him vppon the head , and so stroke him downe into the fier . Rawlins Whight . THis Whight a fisherman , a very aged man in the Towne of Cardiffe in Wales , grew very expert in the Scriptures by the helpe of a little boy he had , beejng his owne Sonne , who dayly read the same , to him every night after supper , Sommer and Winter , and now and then some other good Booke . In which kind of vertuous exercise the old man had such delight and pleasure , that as it seemed , hee practised himselfe rather in the studie of the Scripture , then in the trade or Science which before time hee had vsed : so that RAVVLINS within few yeares , in the time of King EDVVARD , by the helpe of his little boy , as a speciall Minister no doubt appointed by GOD for that purpose , profited and went forward in such sort , that hee was not onely able to resolue himselfe touching his former blindnes and jgnorance ( for by all likelihood hee was before King EDVVARDS dayes a Papist ) but was also able to admonish and jnstruct others . So as when occasion serued , hee would go from one place to another visiting such as he had best hope in . And thus in that Countrey became a notable professor of the truth , beejng at all times and in all such places not without the helpe of his little boy . And to this his jndustrie GOD added to him a singular guift of memorie , so that by the benefit thereof hee could and would doe that in alleadging and rehearsing the text , which men of riper knowledge by their notes and other helps of memorie could hardly accomplish . In so much that vpon alleadging some place of Scripture , hee was able very often to cite the Booke , the leafe , yea and the very sentence : such was the wonderfull worke of GOD in this simple and vnlearned Father . In the daies of Queene MARIE it so fell out , that GOD called him not onely formerly to beleeue in him , but then to suffer for his sake : in which his suffrings , the Lord endued him with inuincible cōstācie , in so much as beeing convented before the Bishop of Landaffe , The Bishop would needs with his company fall to prayer in his Chappell , to see ( as he sayd ) if GOD would turne the poore Mans heart : which RAVVLINS hearing , sayd , now you deale well my Lord , and like a good Bishop indeed . Go to therefore my Lord , pray you to your God , and I wil pray to my GOD : I know that my GOD will heare my prayer , and performe my desire . By and by the Bishop and his men fell to prayer . And RAVVLINS turning him to a pew somewhat neere , fell downe vppon his knees ; covering his face with his hands . Bejng all risen from praier : The Bishop sayd , now Rawlins how is it with thee ? wil 't thou revoke thine opinions , or no ? Surely said Rawlins ; my Lord , Rawlins you left mee , and Rawlins you find me , and by GODS grace Rawlins I will continue . The Bishop seejng his prayers tooke none effect , was perswaded by some about him ( before hee read the sentence ) to haue a Masse , thinking that GOD would thereby worke some Miracle vpon the old man , when RAVVLINS heard the sacring bell ring , ( as the vse is ) hee rose out of his place and came to the quier doore , and there standing a while turned himselfe to the people , speaking these words , Good people , if there be any brethren amongst you , or at the least , if there bee but one brother amongst you , l●t that same one beare witnesse at the day of iudgement , that I bow not to this Idol , meaning the host the Priest held over his head . Hearing that the time of his burning drew neere , he sent to his wife willing her to provide him his wedding garment , in which he ment to be burned , meaning his Shirt . Beejng brought out of prison and seejng himselfe guarded with a great company of bils and gleaues , he sayd , alas what needs all this adoe ? I will not start away by GODS grace : but with al my heart and mind I giue vnto GOD most hearty thank th●t hath made mee worthy to abide all this for his holy names sake . At the light of his Wife and Children whome hee saw in the way as he went to be burnt , it so pierced his heart , that the teares trickled downe his cheekes : but sodainely misliking his jnfirmitie , he began to be angrie with himselfe , and striking himselfe on the brest with his hand , vsed these words , Ah flesh , stayest thou me so ? would'st thou faine preuaile ? well , I tell thee doe what thou canst , thou shalt not by GODS grace get the victorie . When hee came to the sight of the stake , hee set himselfe forwards very boldly , but in going towards it , he fell downe vppon his knees and kissed the ground , and in rising againe , the earth a little sticking vpon his nose , he sayd these words , Earth vnto Earth , and dust vnto dust : thou art my Mother , and vnto thee shall I returne . Then went hee cheerefully and very joyfully vnto the stake , setting his back close vnto it , and when hee had stood there a while , casting his eye vpon the Reporter of this historie , and call●ng him to him , sayd , I feele a great fighting betweene the flesh and the Spirit , and the flesh would very faine get the masterie : And therefore I pray , if you see mee any thing tempted , hold vp but your finger to mee , and I trust I shall remember my selfe . The reporter . THere was observed in this good Father going to his death , and standing at the stake , a wonderfull change in nature . For whereas hee was wont before to goe stooping , or rather croked through the jnfirmitie of age : and having a sadde countenance , and feeble complexion , & withall a feeble and soft voice and gesture : Now he went and stretched vp him selfe & bare withall a most pleasant countenance , not without great courage , both in speach and behauiour . Thomas Spurdance . THis SPVRDANCE being asked of the Bish. when hee was at masse , and received the ceremonies of the Church , answered , Neuer sayd hee since I was borne . No ? sayd the Bishop , how old art thou ? He sayd , I thinke forty . Why , how vsed you your selfe 20 yeares agone sayd the Bishop ? as ye doe now , sayd hee . And even now quoth the Bishop , he sayd , he vsed not the ceremonies since hee was borne . No more I haue my Lord sayd hee , since I was borne againe . Iohn . 3. Elizabeth Folkes . ELIZABETH bejng examined if she beleeued not that Christs body was in the Sacrament Substantially , and really , yes sayth she I beleeue it is a reall lye , and a substantiall lye indeed . Iulius Palmer . PALMER shewing his vnmoueable constancy in standing to the truth , and beejng now ready to yeeld vppe his life for the same truth , S r. RICHARD ABRIDGES said vnto him , well PALMER sayth the Knight , I perceiue that one of vs two must bee damned , for wee be of 2 sundrie faiths , and sure I am there is but one Faith that leadeth to life and salvation . Pal. O sir I hope that both of vs shal be saved . Brid . How may that be PALMER ? Pal. Very well sir. For as it hath pleased our Mercifull Saviour according to the Gospels parable , to call me at the third houre of the day , even in my flowers , at the age of 24 yeares ; even so I trust hee hath called , and will call you at the 11 houre , in this your old age , and giue you everlasting life for your portion . Brid . Sai'st thou so ? well Palmer , well , I would I might haue thee but one moneth in mine house , I doubt not but I would cōvert thee , or thou shouldst convert me . Bradbegs Wife . THis good woman had 2 children named Patience and Charitie . At the time of her condemnation shee told the Bishop that if he would needes burne her , yet shee trusted hee would take and keepe Patience and Charitie , ( meaning her two children ) Nay by the Faith of my body sayth the Bishop will I not : I will meddle with neyther of them both . M. Frith . IOhn Frith after much trouble , bejng at length sent for to CROYDON from the tower to appeare before th'archbishoppe of Canterbury , Thomas Cranmer , sitting therewith other Bishops , to receiue his last doome ; was earnestly laboured withall by one of his Gentlemen , and his Porter , who were the messengers that set him , to free himselfe out of the Bishops hands . For they greatly lamented FRITHS case , beejng sure if hee came to CROYDON he would bee cast away , such was his cōstancie : in regard whereof vppon Bristow Causie , the Gentleman plotted a way for FRITH to escape , and drew the porter to his part . In the end they acquaint Frith with their purpose , who with a smiling countenance made them this answere , And is this the effect of your secret consultation so long continued betweene you ? Surely you haue lost a great deale more time then this ere now : and so are yee like to doe at this time , for if you both should leaue me heere alone , and should goe tell the Bishops that you had lost FRITH , and that he had escaped away from you , I would surely follow you as fast as I could , and would bring them newes of Friths finding . Do ye thinke ( sayd he ) I am afrayd to declare mine opinion to the Bishops of England in a manifest truth ? Agnes Bongeor . THis deere Servant of Christ bejng condemned to be burned , had prepared her selfe to goe with her fellowe Martyrs to the stake , the same morning they went : but it was her happe of all the rest to bee kept backe , in regard her name was wrong written , to wit , Agnes Boyer , for Agnes Bongeor : What piteous moane this good woman made , how bitterly shee wept ; what strāge thoughts came into her mind , how naked and desolate shee esteemed her selfe , into what plunge of dispaire & care her poore Soule was cast ; it was lamentable to behold ; because she went not with her fellows to giue her life in the defence of her Christ and his Gospell , for of all things in the world shee least expected this restraint . For that very Morning in which shee was kept backe from burning , shee had put on a smocke which she had prepared onely for that purpose : and also having a little jnfant sucking on her , shee likewise sent it away to another nurse ; So little looked she for life . Bejng in this great perplexitie of mind , a friend of hers came to her , demaunding of her whether ABRAHAMS obedience was accepted before GOD , for sacrificing his Sonne ISAAK , or in that hee would haue offred him , vnto which she made this answere , I know that Abrahams will before God was allowed for the deede , for he would haue done it , if the Angell of the Lord had not stay'd him : but I sayd shee am vnhappy , the Lord thinks mee not worthy of this dignitie , and therefore ABRAHAMS case and mine is not alike . Friend . Why ? you were resolved to goe with your company , if GOD had beene so pleased . Agnes . Yes with all my heart , and for that I went not with them , it is my chiefest griefe . Friend . Deere sister I pray thee consider ABRAHAM and thy selfe well , & thou shalt see , thou nothing differest from him at all . Agnes . Alas sir , there is a farre greater matter in ABRAHAM then in me : for Abraham was tryed with the offring of his Child , but so am not I ; our cases therefore are not alike . Friend . Good sister weigh the matter jndifferently : Abraham I graunt would haue offred his owne Son : and haue not you done the like in your little sucking babe , which you were content to part with ? But consider that whereas Abraham was commaunded but to offer his Sonne , you are heavy and perplexed because you cannot offer your selfe ; which goeth somewhat more neere you , then Abrahams obedience did , and therfore in Gods sight and acceptation is assuredly no lesse allowed . After which talke between them she began a little to stay her selfe , and gaue her selfe wholy to th'exercises of prayer , and reading , wherin shee found no little comfort , waiting for the time of her Martyrdome , which at length she obtained . Thomas Hudson Martyr . SEaman , Carman , and Hudson , beejng all three fastened to the stake in a pit called the Lolards pit without Bishops-gate in NORVVICH : HVDSON suddainely slippeth from vnder the chame from his two fellowes , to the wonder of many , whereby arose much doubtfulnes in mens minds . But sweet HVDSON felt not his Christ. He felt more in his heart and conscience , then they could conceiue off . In the meane while his 2 cōpanions at the stake cried out to him to cōfort him , what they could : exhorting him in the bowels of Christ , to be of good comfort . But alas good soule hee was compassed ( GOD knoweth ) with great dolour and griefe of mind , not for his death , but for lacke of feeling the comfort of the holy ghost , the comforter . And therefore beejng very carefull , hee humbly fell on his knees praying vehemently and earnestly vnto the Lord , who at length according to his mercies of old sent comfort , and then rose he with great joy , as a man new changed even from death to life , saying , Now I thank God I am strong and passe not what man can doe vnto mee . So went hee to the stake to his fellowes againe , who all suffred together most joyfully . Roger Holland . HOLLAND having leaue giuen him to speake after sentence pronounced by BONER Bishop of LONDON , vttered these words . I told you even now that your authoritie was from God , and that by his sufferance you doe these things : and now I tell you , God hath heard the prayers of his servants , which hath beene poured out with teares for his afflicted Church which daily you persecute , as now ye doo vs. But this I dare be bold in God to say , ( which by his spirit I am mooued to speake ) that God will shorten your hand of cruelty , that for a time you shal not molest his Saints : and this shall you in short time well perceiue my deere brethren to bee most true : for after this day in this place , shall there not be any by him ( Boner he meanes , put to the tryall of fire and Faggot . And after that day , was there never any that suffred in Smithfield for the testimonie of the Gospell , God be thanked . WIlliam Pickes somewhat before his apprehension , went into his Garden and tooke with him a Bible of Rogers translation , where hee sitting with his face towards the South , reading on the said Bible , suddenly fell downe vppon his Booke betweene 11 and 12 a clocke at noone , 4 drops of fresh blood , not knowing from whence they came . Then he seeing the same was sore astonished , and could by noe meanes learne from whence they should fall : and wiping out one of the drops of blood with his finger , called his wife & said , In the vertue of God wife what : me●neth this ? Will the Lord haue 4 Sacrifices ? I see well enough the Lord will haue blood . His will be done , and giue mee grace to abide the triall . Afterward hee looked dayly to be apprehended of the Papists , which came to passe accordingly . Prests Wife . ONe PRESTS Wife of Exeter , beeing asked of the Bishop whether she had an husband & childrē , or not , answered , I haue an husband and Children , and I haue them not . So long as I was at libertie , I refused neither husband nor children : but standing heere as I doe in the cause of Christ and his truth , where I must eyther forsake Christ , or my husband , I am content to sticke onely to Christ my spirituall Husband , and to forsake th' other . Beeing oft-times offred money to relieue her necessities , shee would for the most part refuse it , saying , That she was going to a Countrey , where Money beares no Masterie . Elizabeth Yong. ELIZABETH YONG beejng committed to close prison , the keeper was charged by Doctor MARTIN in her hearing , to giue her one day bread & an other day Water , to which shee made this answere , Sir , If you take away my meat , God I trust will take away my hunger . Iohn Cardmaker . MR. CARDMAKER disputing with one about the Real presence , asked the partie whether the Sacrament whereof he spake had a beginning or no. Which hee affirmed . The sayd M r. CARDMAKER thus inferred therevppon : If the Sacrament ( sayd hee ) as you confesse haue a beginning and an ending , then it cannot be God : for GOD hath neither beginning nor ending , and so willing him to note it well , hee departed from him . Iohn Bradford . MR. BRADFORD beejng solicited by one PERCIVALL CRESVVEL to make sute for him , after many words , said . Cres. I pray you let me labor for you . Brad. You may do what you will. Cres. But tell me , what sute I should make for you . Brad. Forsooth that that you will doe , doe it not at my request , for I desire nothing at your hands . If the Queene will giue me life , I will thanke her . If she will banish me , I will thanke her . If shee will burne me , I wil thanke her . If shee will condemne mee to perpetuall prison , I will thanke her . ¶ Out of a Letter of Bradfords , to Crāmer , Ridley , and Latimer . THis day I thinke , or to morrow at the vttermost . Hearty HOOPER , sincere SAVNDERS , and trusty TAYLOR , end their course , and receiue their Crowne . The next am I , which hourely looke for the porter to open mee the gates after them , to enter into the desired rest . Cranmer Archbishop . SVch was the patience & mildnes of that worthy Martyr Thomas Cranmer towards his enemies , that it was grown to a common proverb : Doe my L. of Canterbury a shrewd turne , & thē you may be sure to haue him your friend for your labor , while you liue . Laurence Saunders . ¶ Out of a Letter written to his wife . TO number the mercies of God vnto me in perticular , were to number the drops of water which are in the Sea , the sands on the shore , the starres in the skie . O my deere wife , and ye the rest of my friends , rejoyce with mee I say , reioyce with thanksgiving for this my present promotion , in that I am made worthy to magnifie my God , not onely in my life by my slow mouth , & vncircumcised lippes , bearing witnes vnto his truth : but also by my blood to seale the same to the glory of my GOD , and confirmation of his true church . And as yet I testify vnto you , that the comfort of my sweet Christ , doth driue from my fantasie the feare of death . But if my deere Husband Christ do for my tryall , leaue mee alone a little to my selfe , alas , I know in what case I shall bee then : but if for my proofe hee doe so , yet am I sure he will not be long or farre from mee . Though hee stand behind the wall and hide himselfe as Salomon sayth in his misticall song , yet will hee peepe in by a crest to see how I doe . Hee is a very tender hearted Ioseph : though he speke roughly to his brethren , and handle them hardly , yea & threaten greeuous bondage to his best beloved Beniamin : yet can hee not contain himselfe from weeping with vs , and vpon vs , with falling on our necks , and sweetly ●issing vs ▪ Such , such a brother is our Christ vnto all &c. ¶ Out of another Letter to his wife . WE be shortly to be dispatched hence to our good Christ , Amen , Amen . Wife , I would haue you to send mee my Shirt : you know wherevnto it is consecrated , let it be sowed downe on both sides , and not open . O my heauenly Father looke vpon me in the face of thy Christ , or else I shall not bee able to abide thy countenance , such is my filthines . He will doe so , and therefore I will not be affrayd what sin , death , hell , and damnation , can do against me . ¶ Out of a Letter written to M. ROBERT GLOVER the same morning hee was burned . OH deare Brother , whome I loue in the Lord , being loved also of you in the Lord , be merrie and rejoyce for mee , now ready to goe vppe to that mine jnheritance , which I my selfe jndeede am most vnworthy of , but my deare Christ is worthy , who hath purchased the same for me with so deare a price . Oh wretched sinner that I am , not thankfull vnto this my Father , who hath vouchsafed mee woorthy to bee a vessell vnto his honour . But O Lord , now accept my thankes , though they proceed out of a ( not enough ) circumcised heart . Salute all that loue vs in the truth , Gods blessing bee with you alwayes , Amen . Euen now towards the offring vp of a burnt Sacrifice . O my CHRIST helpe , or else I perish . Bishop Hooper . ¶ Out of a Letter consolatory , which he writ to certain godly Brethren taken in Bow Church-yard at prayer , and layd in the Counter in Bread-streete . REmember what lookers on you haue to see and behold you in your fight ; God and all his holy Angels , who are ready alwaies to take you vp into Heaven , if you be slaine in his fight . Also you haue standing at your backes all the multitude of the faithfull , who shal take courage , strength , and desire to follow such noble and valiant Christians as you be . Be not afrayd of your adversaries : for he that is in you , is stronger then hee that is in them . Shrinke not although it be paine to you : your paines be not now so great , as hereafter your joyes shall bee . Read the comfortable Chapters to the Rom. 8 10.15 . Heb. 11.12 . And vppon your knees thanke God that ever you were accounted worthy to suffer any thing for his names sake . Read the second of Lukes Gospell , and there you shall see how the Sheapheards that watched vppon their Sheepe all night , as soone as they heard that Christ was borne at Bethlem , by & by they went to see him . They did not reason or debate with themselues , who should keepe the Wolfe from the sheep in the mean time , but did as they were commanded , and committed their Sheepe vnto him , whose pleasure they obayed . So let vs , now wee bee called , commit all other things to him that calleth vs. Hee will take heede that all things shall be well . He will helpe the Husband , hee will comfort the Wife . Hee will guide the Seruants , hee will keepe the house , hee will preserue the goods . Yea , rather then faile , if it should lye vndone , he will wash the Dishes , and rocke the Cradle . Cast therefore all your care vppon him , for he careth for you . ¶ Out of another Letter of M r. HOOPERS to his friends , perswading them to constancy . IT was an easie thing to hold with Christ whiles the Prince and the World held with him , but now the world hateth him , it is the true tryal who be his . In the name and in the vertue thē of his holie spirit prepare your selues to adversity & constancy . Let vs not run away when it is most time to fight . Remember none shall bee crowned but such as fight manfully . You must now turne all your cogitati●ns from the perill you see : and marke the felicitie that followeth the perill : either victorie of your enemies in this World , or else a surrender for euer of your right in the inheritance to come . Beware of beholding to much the felicite or miserie of this world : for the consideration and too earnest loue or feare of either of them draweth from God. Thinke with your selues : the felicitie of the world is good : but yet none otherwise then it standeth with the fauor of God. It is to be kept : but yet so farre forth as by keeping of it wee loose not God. It is good abiding and tarrying still among our friends here : but yet so that we tarrie not therwithall in Gods displeasure , and to dwell hereafter with Deuils in fire euerlasting . There is nothing vnder God but may bee kept , so that God , being aboue all things we haue , be not lost . Of Aduersity iudge the same . Long imprisonment is painfull , but yet libertie vppon euill conditions is more painfull . The prisons stincke : but yet not so much as sweet houses whereas the feare and true honour of God lacketh : losse of goods is great , but losse of Gods grace and fauour is greater . I must bee alone and solitarie : it is better to bee alone and haue God with mee , then to bee in company with the wicked , and want his presence . I am a poore simple creature , and cannot tell how to answere before such a great sort of Noble and learned wen : it is better to make answere before the pompe and pride of wicked men , then to stand naked in the sight of all heaven and Earth , before the iust GOD at the latter day . I shall die then by the hands of the cruell man : hee is blessed that looseth his life full of miseries , and findeth the life of eternall ioyes . It is paine and griefe to depart from life and friends : but yet not so much as to depart from grace and Heauen it selfe . Felicitie nor adversitie then can apreare to be great , if it be wayed with the joyes or paine of the life to come . ¶ The last will and testament of Doctor Rowland Taylor . I Say to my wife , and to my Children : the Lord gaue you vnto mee , and the Lord hath taken me from you , and you from mee : blessed be the name of the Lord. I beleeue they are blessed that dye in the Lord. God careth for sparrowes , and for the haires of our heads . I haue euer found him more faithfull and fauorable , then is any Father or husband . Trust yee therefore in him by the meanes of our deere Sauiour Christs merits : beleeue , loue , feare and obay him : pray to him , for hee hath promised to helpe . Count me not dead for I shall certainely liue , and neuer die . I goe before you , and you shall follow after to our long home . I goe to the rest of my childrē Susan , George , Ellen , Robert , Zacharie : I haue bequeathed you to the onely omnipotent . I say to my deare friends of HADLEY , and to all other which haue heard me preach : that I depart hence with a quiet conscience , as touching my doctrine : for the which I pray you thanke God with me , for after my small tallent , I haue declared to you those lessons I gathered out of Gods blessed booke the Bible . If I therefore or an Angell from Heaven should preach vnto you any other Gospell then that ye haue received , Gods great curse vppon that preacher . Beware for gods sake that ye deny not God , neither decline from the woord of Faith , least GOD decline from you , and so ye doe everlastingly perish . For Gods sake beware of Poperie , for though it appeare to haue in it vnitie , yet the same is in vanitie , and Antichristianitie , and not in Christs faith and veritie . Beware of the sin against the holy Ghost , now after such a light opened so plainlie and simplie , truelie , thorowlie , and generally to all England . The Lord grant all men his good and holy spirit ; increase of his wisdome , contemning this wicked world , heartie desire to bee with God & the heavenly company , through Iesus Christ our onely Mediatour , advocate , righteousnes , life , sanctification , and onelie hope . Amen , Amen , pray , pray . Rowland Taylor , departing hence in sure hope without all doubting of eternall salvation , I thanke God my heavenly father through his Sonne Iesus Christ my certaine Saviour . Iohn Warren . IN the confession of his Faith hath this sweete speach , Without Christ no heauenly guift is giuen , nor sin forgiuen . Iohn Warren Vpholster . Alice Binden . SHee beeing at the stake , tooke forth a shilling of Phillip and Marie , which her Father had bowed and sent her , ( when she was first sent to prison ) desiring her Brother ( there present ) to returne the same to her father againe , with obedient salutations : and to tell him It was the first peece of money that he sent her after her troubles began , which ( as she protested ) shee had kept , and now sent him : to doe him to vnderstand , that shee neuer lacked mony while she lay in prison . And yet what extremity she endured in prison , this briefe Relation following may testifie . Her constancy beeing such in the profession of the trueth , that shee could no waye bee remooved from it , her fond husbād ( who first had procured her jmprisonmēt , & had also taken money of the Constable to carrie her to prison himselfe ) told the Bishop that she had a Brother called Richard Hale , who if his Lordship could keepe from her , she would turne : for he comforteth her ( sayd hee ) and giveth her mony , and perswadeth her not to relent . This councell beeing as soone apprehended as tendered ; was forth-with put also in execution . For thervpon the Bishop gaue cōmandement she should bee committed to his prison called Mondayes hole , giving also straight charge that if her Brother at any time came at her , he should be layd hold on . This prison was within a Court where the Prebends Chambers were , beeing a vault beneath the ground , and the window beeing jnclosed with a pale ; of height by estimation 4 foot and a halfe , and distant from the same three foot , so that she looking frō beneath might onelie see such as stoode at the pale . Her Brother in the meane while sought her , with no lesse danger of life , then diligēce . But in regard of many impediments hee could never know where she lay , till comming by gods vnsearchable providence very earlie thither in a morning ( her Keeper being thē gone to Church to ring , for he was Bel-ringer ) chanced to heare her voice as she poured out her sorrowfull complaints vnto God ; saying the psalmes of David : in which place hee could none otherwise releeue her , but by putting money in a loafe of bread , and sticking the same on a pole , and so reached it vnto her ; for neither with meate nor drinke could hee sustaine her . And this was 5 weekes after her cōming thither . All which time no creature was knowne to come at her , more then her keeper . Her lyjng in that prison was onely vppon a little short straw , between a paire of stocks and a stone wall : beeing allowed 3 farthings a day ; that is a halfe peny bread , & a farthing drinke : neither could shee get any more for her money : wherfore she desired to haue her whole allowance in bread , and vsed water for her drinke . Thus did she lye 9 weekes , during all which time , shee never chaunged her apparell : whereby she became at the last a most piteous & loathsome creature to behold . At her first comming into this place , shee did greevously bewaile her state with great sorrow and lamentation , reasoning with her selfe : Why her Lord God did with so heauie iustice suffer her to be sequestred from her louing fellowes , into so extreame miserie . In these dolorous mournings did she continue , till on a night , as shee was in her sorrowfull supplications , rehearsing this verse of the Psalme : why art thou so heauie O my soule ? And againe , The right hand of the Lord can change all this : she received comfort in the middest of her miseries : and after that , continued very joyful vntill her deliverance from the same . In March following the Bishoppe called her before him : demaunding of her whether shee would goe home and goe to Church or no , promising her great favour if shee would be reformed . To whom she answered , I thinke , and am throughly perswaded by the great extremitie that you haue already shewed mee , that you are not of God , neither can your dooings bee godly , and I see sayth she , that you seeke my vtter destruction , shewing how lame she was of the cold shee had taken , and for lacke of foode while she lay in that painefull prison . Then did the Bishop deliuer her from that filthie hole , and sent her to West-gate , where after shee had been changed , and for a while been cleane kept , her skinne did wholly pill and scale off , as if shee had been poysoned with some mortall venom , where shee continued till the 19 of Iune , on which day shee was bereaved of life by the terrible fier . One thing more touching this good woman is to be noted , that while she was in prison shee practised with a prison fellow of hers , the wife of one Potkin , to liue both of them with 2 pence halfe-penny a day , to try thereby how wel they could sustaine penurie and hunger , before they were put to it , for they had heard , that when they should remoue from thēce to the Bishops prison , their allowance should be but 3 farthings a day a peece , and thus they lived 14 daies ere shee was remoued . ¶ Thomas Wats his farewell to his Wife and children . AFter his priuate praier made to himselfe , hee came to his Wife and sixe Children being there , and sayd these words in effect : Wife and my good Children , I must now depart away from you . Therefore hencefoorth know I you no more : but as the Lord hath giuen you vnto me , so I giue you againe vnto the Lord ; whom I charge you see you obay , and feare him : aad beware yee turne not to this abhominable Papistrie , against the which anon you shall see mee by Gods grace giue my blood . Let not the murthering of Gods Saints cause you to relent , but take occasion therby to be the stronger in the Lords quarrell , and I doubt not but hee will bee a mercifull Father vnto you . In the end hee bad them farewell , and kissed them all & was carried to the fier . ¶ BRADFORDS Mementoes to the Lord RVSSELL , afterwards called the good Earle of Bedford . REmember LOTS Wife which looked backe . Remember that none are Crowned , but such as striue lawfully . Remember FRAVNCIS SPIRA . Remember that all you haue , is at Christs commaundement . Remember he lost more for you , then you can loose for him . Remember that it is not lost which you loose for his sake , for you shall find much more heere , and elsewhere . Remember you shall dye ; when , where , and how , ye cannot tel . Remember that the death of sinners is terrible . Remember that the death of Gods Saints is precious in his sight . Remember the multitude goeth the wide way , which windeth to wo. Remember the straight way which leadeth to life , hath but few trauellers . Remember Christ biddeth you enter in thereat . Remember hee that trusteth in the Lord , shall receiue strength to stand against all the assaults of his enemies . Be certaine , all the haires of your head are numbred . Be certain , your good Father hath appointed your bounds , over which the devill dare not looke . Commit your selfe to him : hee is , hath been , and will bee your keeper . Let Christ be your marke and scope to prick at : Let him be your patterne to worke by : Let him be your ensample to follow : giue him as your heart , so your hand : as your mind , so your tongue : as your Faith , so your feet : And let his word be your Candle to goe before you in al matters of Religion . Blessed is he that Walketh not to these Popish praiers , nor standeth at them , nor sitteth at them : glorifie God both in soule and body . ¶ Fifteene short sentences left by Robert Smith Martyr , to ANNE SMITH his wife . 1 SEEke first to loue God deere wife with your whole heart , and then it shall be easie for you to loue your neighbour . 2 Be friendly to all creatures , but especially to your owne Soule . 3 Be alwaies an enemie to the Deuill & the world , but chiefely to your owne flesh . 4 In hearing of good things , ioyne the eares of your head and heart together . 5 Seeke vnitie and quietnesse with all men , but specially with your conscience : for it will not easily be pacified . 6 Loue all men , but specially your enemies . 7 Hate the sinnes that are past , but especially those to come . 8 Be as ready to further your enemie , as hee is to hinder you , that yee may bee the child of God. 9 Defile not that which Christ hath cleansed , least his blood bee layd to your charge . 10 Remember that god hath hedged in your tongue with the teeth and lippes , that it might speake vnder correction . 11 Be ready at all times to looke to your brothers eye , but especially to your owne eye . For he that warneth an other of that hee himselfe is faultie , giueth his neighbour the cleere Wine , and himselfe the dregges . 12 Beware of riches and worldly honor : for without vnderstanding , prayer , and fasting , it is a snare , & like to consuming fier , of which if a man take a little it will warme him , but if too much , it will consume him . 13 Shew mercie to the Saints for Christs sake , & Christ shall reward you for the Saints sake . 14 Among all other prisoners , visit your owne Soule : for it is inclosed in a perillous prison . 15 If you loue GOD , hate euill , &c. Your Husband RO : SMITH . If yee will meet with me againe , Forsake not Christ for any paine . CERTAINE deuout Prayers , which some of the godly Martyrs made at the hower of their death . ¶ The Prayer which M r. HOOPER Bishop of Glocester , made at his death . LORD , sayd he , I am Hell , but thou art Heaven : I am swill and a sincke of sinne , but thou art a gracious GOD , and a merciful Saviour and Redeemer . Haue mercie therefore vppon me most miserable and wretched offender , after thy great mercie , and according to thine jnestimable goodnes : thou art assended into Heaven ; receiue me Hell to be partaker of thy joyes , where thou sittest in equall glory with the Father . For well thou knowest Lord wherefore I am come hither to suffer , and why the wicked doe persecute this thy poore seruant : not for my sinnes and transgressions committed against thee , but because I will not allow of their wicked doings , to the contaminating of thy blood , and to the deniall of the knowledge of thy truth wherwith it did please thee by thy holy spirit to jnstruct mee : the which with as much diligence as a poore wretch might ( being called thereto ) I haue set forth to thy glory . And well thou seest my Lord & God what terrible paynes and cruel torments be here prepared for thy poore Creature : such Lord as without thy strength none is able to beare or patiently to passe . But all things that are jmpossible with man , with thee are possible . Therefore strengthen me of thy goodnesse , that in the fire I breake not the bounds of patience ; or else asswage the terrour of the paines as shall seeme most to thy glory . Heere the party who heard thus much of his prayer , beeing espied of the Maior , was commaunded away and could be suffred to heare no more . ¶ The Prayer of Doctor CRANMER Archbishop of Canterburie : when it was thought he would haue made his Recantation . O Father of Heauen : O Sonne of GOD , redeemer of the world : O holy Ghost three persons and one GOD haue mercy vppon me most wretched Caytiffe , and miserable sinner : I haue offended both against Heauen and Earth , more then my tongue can expresse . Whether then may I goe , or whether should I flee ? To heauen I am ashamed to lift vppe mine eyes , and in Earth I find no place of refuge or succour . To thee therefore o Lord do I runne ; to thee do I humble my selfe , saying . O Lord my GOD , my sinnes be great , but yet haue Mercie vppon mee for thy great Mercie . The great mistery that God became man , was not wroght for small or few offences . Thou didst not giue thy Sonne O Heauenly Father vnto death for little sinnes onely , but for all the greatest sinnes of the world : so that the sinner returne to thee with his whole heart , as I doe heere at this present . Wherfore haue mercie vppon mee ô GOD , whose property it is always to haue mercie : haue mercie vpon mee ô Lord , for thy great mercie . I craue nothing for mine owne merits , but for thy names sake , that it may be hallowed thereby , and for thy deere Sonne Iesus Christs sake . And now therefore , O our Father , &c. His repentance for subscription ; vttered a little before his death . And now I come to the great thing , that so much troubleth my conscience more then any thing that ever I did or sayd in my whole life , and that is , the setting abroad of a writing contrarie to the truth : which now I heere renownce & refuse as things written with my hand contrary to the truth which I thought in mine heart , and written for feare of death , and to saue life if it might be ; and that is , all such bils and papers which I haue written or signed with mine hand since my degradatiō : wherein I haue written many things vntrue . And for as much as my hand offeded in writing cōtrary to my heart ; mine hand shal be punished therefore : for may I come to the fire , it shall first be burned : which accordingly he did . For being at the stake , whē the fire began to flame , hee put his right hand vnto it , which hee held so stedfast and jmmoueable ( saving that once with the same hand hee wiped his face ) that all men might see his hand burned before it touched his body . ¶ The Prayer of Steven Knight , made vppon his knees at his death . O Lord Iesus Christ , for whose loue I willingly leaue this life , and desire rather the bitter death of the Crosse , with the losse of all earthly things , then to abide the blaspheaming of thy most holy name , or to obay men in breaking thy holy Commandemēt . Thou seest ( oh Lord ) that where I might liue in worldly wealth to worshippe a false God and honour thine enemy , I choose rather the torment of the body and losse of this my life , and haue counted all things but vild , dust , and dunge , that I might winne thee : which death is dearer vnto me then thousands of Gold and Silver . Such loue ( oh Lord ) hast thou layd vppe within my breast , that I hunger for thee as the Deere that is wounded desireth the soile . Send thy holy Comforter ( O Lord ) to ayd , comfort , and strengthen this weake peece of earth , which is empty of all strength of it selfe . Thou remembrest ( Oh Lord ) that I am but dust , and able to doe nothing that is good . Therefore ( O Lord ) as of thine accustomed goodnesse and loue , thou hast bidden me to this banket , & accounted me worthy to drinke of thine owne cup amongst thine elect : even so giue me strength ( Oh Lord ) against this thine element , which as to my sight it is most yrksome and terrible : so to my mind it may at thy commandent ( as an obedient servant ) bee sweet and pleasant , that through the strength of thy holy spirit , I may passe through the rage of this fire into thy bosome according to thy promise : and for this mortall , receiue an jmmortall ; and for this corruptible , may put on jncorruption . Accept this burnt offring ( O Lord ) not for the sacrifice , but for thy deare Sonnes sake my Saviour . For whose testimonie I offer this free-will offring , with all my heart , and with all my soule . O heauenly Father forgiue mee my sinnes , as I forgiue all the world : O sweet Son of God my sauiour , spread thy wings ouer me . O blessed Holy Ghost , through whose mercifull inspiration I come hither to dye : conduct me into euerlasting life . Lord into thine hands I commend my spirit . Amen . ¶ A Prayer which Master George Marsh vsed daily to say , O LORD Iesus Christ which art the onely Phisition of wounded consciences , wee miserable sinners trusting in thy gracious goodnesse , doe briefly open to thee the evill tree of our hearts , with all the rootes , boughes , leaues , knots and snags , all which thou knowest : for thou throughly perceiuest as well th'jnward lusts , doubtings , and denyings of thy prouidence ; as these grosse outward sinnes which wee commit in words & deeds . Wherefore wee beseech thee according to the little measure we haue receaued , we being farre vnable and vnapt to praye , that thou wouldest mercifully circumcise our stonye hearts , and for these old hearts , create within vs and replenish vs with a new spirit : & water and moysten vs with the juice of heauenly grace and Wels of spirituall waters , whereby the jnward venome and noisome juice of the flesh , may be dryed vp , and custome of the old man changed : and our hearts alwayes bringing forth Thornes and Bryars to be burned with fire ; frō hence forth may beare spirituall fruits in righteousnes and holinesse vnto life euerlasting , Amen . Beloued , among other exercises I doe daily on my knees vse this confession of sinnes , willing and exhorting you to doe the same , and daily to acknowledge vnfainedly to God your vnbeliefe , vnthankfulnes , and disobedience against him . This shall you doe if you will diligently consider and looke vppon your selues , first in the pure glasse of Gods Commandements , & there see your jnward euils , filthines , and vncleanesse , and so learne to vanquish the same , that is to wit , to fall into hearty displeasure against sinne , and thereby be provoked to long after Christ. For we truely are sinners : but he is just and the justifier of all them that belieue in him . If wee hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , let vs resort to his table , for he is a liberall feast-maker . Hee will set before vs his own holy body , which was giuē for vs to be out meat , and his pretious bloud which was shed for vs , and for many , for remission of sinnes , to be our drinke . He biddeth , willeth , calleth for guests which hunger and thirst : Come ( sayth he ) all yee that are laden and labour vnto mee and I will refresh , coole and ease you , and you shall find rest vnto your soules . ¶ A Prayer of Nicholas Sheterden before his death . O Lord my God and Saviour , which art Lord in heauen and earth , maker of all things visible and jnvisible . I am thy creature & worke of thine hands . Lord looke vpon mee and other thy people which at this time are oppressed of the worldly minded men , for thy lawes sake , yea ; for thy Law it selfe is now trodden vnderfoote , and mens jnventions exalted aboue it ; and for that cause do I , and many of thy creatures refuse the glory , praise , and commodities of this life , and do chose to suffer adversitie , and to be banished , yea to be burnt with the Books of thy word , for the hopes sake that is layd vppe in store . For Lord thou knowest , if wee would but seeme to please men in things contrarie to thy word , wee might by thy permission enioy these comodities as other men do ; as Wife , Children , goods , and friends , which all I acknowledge to be thy gifts , given vnto the end I shold serve thee . And now Lord , that the world will not suffer mee to enioy them except I offend thy Lawes , behold I giue vnto thee my whole Spirit , Soule , and body . And lo I leaue heere all the pleasures of this life , and doe now leaue th' vse of them , for the hopes sake of eternall life purchased in Christs blood , and promised to all that fight on his side , and are content to suffer with him for his truth , whēsoever the world and the Deuill shall persecute the same . O Father , I presume not to come heere to thee trusting in mine owne righteousnes : No , but in the onely merits of thy Sonne my Saviour . For the which excellent gift of Salvation , I cannot worthilye prayse thee , neither is any sacrifice worthy or to be accepted with thee , in comparison of our bodies mortified and obedient to thy wil. And now Lord whatsoever rebellion hath been , or is found in my members against thy will , yet doe I heere giue vnto thee my body to the death , rather then I will vse any strange worshipping , which I beseech thee accept at my hands for a pure sacrifice . Let this torment be to me the last enemie destroyed , even death the end of miserie , and the beginning of all joy , peace , and solace : And when the time of the resurrection commeth , let me enjoy againe these mēbers then glorified , which now be spoyled and consumed by the fier . O Lord Iesus receiue my spirit into thine hands . Amen . George Tankerfield . GEorge Tankerfield sitting before a fier , a little before his death at ST . ALBANS , after he had put off his hose and shooes , stretched out his legge to the flame and when it had touched his foot , he quickly withdrew his leg , shewing how the flesh did perswade him one way , and the spirit an other . The flesh sayd , ô thou foole , wilt thou burne and needst not ? The spirit sayd , be not afrayd , this burning is nothing to eternall fier . The flesh sayd , do not leaue the company of thy friends and acquaintance which loue thee , and will let thee lacke nothing . The spirit sayd , the company of Iesus Christ and his glorious presence , doth farre exceed all fleshly friends . The flesh sayd , doe not shorten thy time now , for thou maist if thou wilt , liue much longer . The spirit sayd , this life is nothing to that which is to come , which lasteth for euer and ever . ¶ The Prayer of Richard Browne , who standing at the stake and holding vp both his hands sayd . O Lord I yeild mee to thy grace , Graunt mee pardon for my trespasse . Let neuer the feend my soule chase . Lord I will bow , and thou shalt beat , Let neuer my soule come in hell heat . Into thy hands I commend my spirit . ¶ A Godly and deuout Prayer mentioned in the storie of M r. Philpot Martyr , fit for such as suffer at the stake . MErcifull God and father to whome approached our Sauiour Christ in his feare & need by reason of death , and found comfort : Gracious God , and most bounteous Christ , on whome Steuen called in his extreame need and receiued strength : Most benigne and holy spirit , who in the midst of all crosses and death did'st comfort th'Apostle ST . Paul with more consolations in Christ thē hee felt sorrows & terrors ; haue mercie vpon me miserable , vild , and wretched sinner , who now draweth neere vnto the gates of death , deserued both in body and soule eternall , by reason of my manifold , horrible , old , and new transgressions , which to thine eies ô Lord are open and knowne . Oh be mercifull vnto mee for the bitter death and bloodshedding of thine onely sonne Iesus Christ. And though thy justice do require in respect of my sinnes , that thou shouldst not heare me , measuring mee with the same measure I haue measured thy Maiestie , contēning al thy gracious calls : yet let thy mercie which is aboue all thy works , and wherwith th' earth is filled , let thy mercy I say prevaile towards mee through and for the Mediation of onr Saviour , for whose sake it hath pleased thee now to bring mee foorth as one of thy witnesses , and a record bearer to thy veritie and truth taught by him , to giue my life therefore ; ( To which dignitie ô Lord and deere father I acknowledge there was never any so vnfit nor vnworthy , no not the theefe that hanged vppon the Crosse ) so I therfore most humbly beseech thee , that thou woldst accordingly aid , helpe , and assist me with thy strength and heavenly grace , that with Christ thy Sonne I may find comfort : with Steven I may see thy presence and gracious power : with Paul and all others which for thy names sake haue suffred affliction and death , I may find thy sweet consolation so present with mee , that I may by my death glorifie thy name , propagate and ratifie thy truth , comfort the hearts of the heavie , confirm thy Church in thy veritie , convert some to be converted , & so depart foorth of this miserable life , where I doe nothing but heape sinne dayly vppon sinne , and so enter into the fruition of thy blessed presence and mercie : whereof giue and encrease in mee a liuely trust , sence , and feeling , where through the terrors of death , the torments of the fire , the pangs of sinne , the darts of Satan , and the dolours of hell , may never depresse mee ; but may bee driven away through the working of thy most gratious spirit , which now plenteously endew mee withall that I may offer ( as I now desire to do in Christ by him ) my selfe wholy , Soule and body , to be an holy , liuely , and acceptable sacrifice in thy sight . Deere Father whose I am , and alwaies haue been even from my Mothers wombe , yea even before the world was made to whom I commend my selfe , soule , and body , familie , friends , Countrey , and all thy whole Church , yea , even my very enemies according to thy good pleasure : beseeching thee entirely to giue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word againe , with godly peace , to the teaching and setting foorth of the same . Oh deare Father now giue me grace to come vnto thee , purge and so purifie mee by this fire in Christs death & passion , through thy spirit , that I may bee a burnt offring of sweet smel in thy sight , who liuest and raignest with the son and holy Ghost , now and for ever more , Amen . M. Bartlet Greene. ¶ A Sweet description of the miseries of this life , and of the ioyes of the life to come , written by M r. Bartlet Greene. BEtter is the day of death ( sayth Salomon ) then the day of birth . Man that is borne of a woman liueth but a short time , and is replenished with many miseries , but happy are the dead that dye in the Lord. Man of a woman is borne in trauell to liue in miserie : man through Christ doth dye to liue . Straight as he commeth into this world , with cries hee vttereth his miserable estate : straight as he departeth , with songs hee praiseth God for ever . Scearce yet in his cradle , 3 deadly enemies assaile him : after death no adversarie can annoy him : whilst he is heere , hee displeaseth GOD : when hee is dead , hee fulfilleth his will. In this life hee dyeth through sinne : In the life to come he liueth in righteousnesse . Through many tribvlations on earth he is still purged : with joy vnspeakable in heaven , hee is made perfect for ever . Heere hee dyeth every houre : there hee liveth continually . Heere is sinne ; there is righteousnes . Here is time , there is eternitie . Heere is hatred : there is loue . Heere is paine : there is pleasure . Heere is miserie : there is felicitie . Heere is Corruption : there is jmmortalitie . Heere we see vanitie : there we shall behold the Maiestie of God , with triumphant & vnspeakable joy , in glory everlasting . Seeke therefore the things that are aboue , where Christ sitteth on the right hand of GOD the Father , to whom with the holy Ghost be all glory and houour world without end , Amen . Lady Iane. ¶ An effectuall Prayer made by the Lady IANE in the time of her trouble . O Lord thou god & father of my life , heare me poore and desolate woman , who flyeth vnto thee onely in all troubles and miseries . Thou ( O Lord ) art the onely defender and deliuerer of those that put their trust in thee : & therfore I beeing defiled with sinne , encombred with affliction , vnquieted with troubles , wrapped in cares , over-whelmed with miseries , vexed with temptations , and grieuously tormented with the long jmprisonment of this vilde masse of Claye my sinfull body : do come vnto thee O mercifull Saviour crauing thy mercie and helpe : with the which so little hope of deliuerance is left , that I may vtterly despaire of any libertie . Albeit it is expedient , that seeing our life standeth vpon trying , we should be visited sometime with some adversity , whereby we might be tried whether wee be thy flocke , or no , and also know thee and our selues the better : yet thou that sayd'st thou would'st not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our power , be merciful vnto me now a miserable wretch I beseech thee ; that I may neither bee too much puffed vppe with prosperity , neither to much pressed downe with adversity : least I beeing too full should denye thee my God , or being too low brought , should despaire & blaspheme thee my Lord and Saviour . O mercifull God , consider my miserie , best knowne to thee , and bee thou now vnto mee a strong Tower of defence , I humbly require thee , Suffer me not to bee tempted aboue my power , but either be thou a deliuerer to mee out of this great misery , or else giue me grace patiently to beare thy heauy hand and sharpe correction . It was t●y right hand that deliuered the poore people of Israell out of the hāds of Pharaoh , which for the space of Fortie yeares did oppresse and keepe thē in bondage . Let it therefore seeme good to thy fatherly goodnesse to deliuer me sorrowfull wretch ( for whome thy Sonne Christ shedde his pretious bloud on the Crosse ) out of this miserable captiuitie and bondage wherein I now am . How long wilt thou bee absent , for ever ? Oh Lord hast thou forgotten to bee gracious , and hast thou shut vppe thy loving kindnesse in displeasure ? wilt thou bee no more entreated ? Is thy mercy clean gone for ever , and thy promise come vtterly to an end for evermore ? Why doest thou make so long tarrying ? Shall I despaire of thy mercy O God ? farre be that from me . I am thy workemanship created in Christ Iesus : giue mee grace therfore to tarrie thy leisure , and patiently to beare thy workes : assuredly knowing that as thou caust , so thou wilt deliuer me when it shal please thee , nothing doubting or mistrusting thy goodness towards me : for thou knowest better what is good for me , then I doe : therefore doe with mee in all things what thou wilt . Onelie in the meane time arme me I beseech thee with thy armor , that I may stand fast , my loines being girt about with veritie , having on the breast-plate of righteousnes , and shodde with the shoes prepared in the Gospell of peace , aboue all things taking vnto me the shield of Faith , wherewith I may be able to quench al the fiery darts of the devil , and taking the helmet of Hope , and the sword of the Spirit , which is thy most holy word : praying alwaies with all manner of Prayer and Supplication , that I may referre my selfe wholly to thy will , abyding thy pleasure , and comforting my selfe in those troubles that it shall please thee to send : seeing such troubles be profitable for mee , and seeing I am assuredly perswaded , that it cannot but bee well , all that thou dooest . Heare mee ô mercifull Father for his sake whome thou would'st should bee a sacrifice for my sinnes , to whome with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honour and glorie , Amen . ¶ A Prayer of the Lord Cromwell which he at the houre of his death . O Lord Iesu which art the onely health of all men living , and the everlasting life of them which die in thee : I wretched sinner do submit my selfe wholy vnto thy most blessed will , beejng sure that the thing cannot perish which is committed vnto thy mercie : willingly now I leaue this fraile and wicked flesh , in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise raise it vp & restore it to me at the day of the resurrection of the just . I beseech thee most mercifull Lord Iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soule against all temptations , and defend mee with the buckler of thy mercie against al the assaults of Satan . I see and acknowledge that ther is in my selfe no hope of Salvation , but all my hope and trust is in thy most mercifull goodnes . I haue no merits nor good works which I may alleadge before thee : of sinnes and evill works alas I see a great heape : but yet thorow thy mercie I trust to be in the nūber of thē to whom thou wilt not jmpute their sins , but wilt accept me for just and righteous , and to bee th'inheritor of everlasting life . Thou mercifull Lord wastborn for my sake , thou didst suffer both hunger & thirst for my sake : thou didst teach , pray , and fast for my sake : all thy holy actions and workes thou wroughtest for my sake : Thou suffred'st most greeuous paines and torments for my sake : finally , thou gavest thy most precious body and blood to be shed vppon the Crosse for my sake . Now most merciful Saviour , Let all these things profit mee , that thou freely hast doone for mee . Let thy blood clense & wash away the spots and foulenes of my sinnes . Let thy righteousnesse hide and couer my vnrighteousnes . Let the merits of thy passion and blood shedding bee a satisfaction for my sinnes . Giue me Lord thy grace , that the faith of my salvation in thy blood waver not , but may be ever firme and constant : that the hope of thy mercie and life everlasting never decay in me . that loue may not bee cold in mee . Finally , that the weakenes of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feare of death . Graunt me mercifull Sauiour , that when death hath shut vp the eies of my body , and hath taken away the vse of my tongue , yet the eyes of my Soule may still behold and looke vppon thee , and my heart may still cry and say vnto thee , Lord Iesu into thine hands I commed my Soule , Lord receiue my spirit . Amen . ¶ The Prayer that Martin Luther sayd at his death . MY Heavenly Father and eternall & mercifull GOD , thou hast manifested to mee thy deere son our Lord Iesus Christ. I haue taught him , I haue knowne him , I loue him as my life ; my health , and my redemption : whome the wicked haue persecuted , maligned , and with jniurie afflicted . Draw my soule to thee . After this hee sayd , I commend my spirit into thine hands , thou hast redeemed mee ô GOD , of truth God so loved the world , &c. Anne Askew . ¶ The Prayer of Anne Askew . O Lord I haue more enemies then there bee haires on my head : yet Lord let them never overcome mee with vaine words , but fight thou Lord in my stead , for on thee cast I my care . With all the spight they can jmagine they fall vppon me which am thy poore creature : Yet sweet Lord let me not set by them , which are against mee : for in thee is my whole delight . And Lord I heartely desire of thee , that thou wilt of thy mercifull goodnesse forgiue them that violence which they doe and haue done to me . Opē also their blind hearts that they may heereafter do that thing in thy sight which is only acceptable before thee , and to set foorth thy veritie aright without all fantasies of sinnefull men . So be it O Lord , so be it . By me Anne Askew . William Flower . ¶ The Prayer and confession which William Flower made at his death . OH Eternall God , most mightie and mercifull Father , who hast sent down thy sonne vppon the earth to saue mee , and all mankind , who ascended vp into heaven againe , and left his blood heere vppon the earth behind him , for the redemption of our sinnes : haue mercie vppon mee , haue mercie vpon me , for thy deere Sonne our Saviour Christs sake , in whom I confesse onely to bee all salvation , and justification , and that there is none other meane nor way , nor holinesse , in which , or by which any man can be saved in this world . This is my faith , which I beseech men heere to beare witnes off . Then sayd hee the Lords Prayer , and so made an end . Fier beeing set vnto him and burning therein , he cried thrise with a loud voice , O Sonne of GOD haue mercy vpon mee , O Sonne of GOD receiue my soule : and so his speach beeing taken from him , hee spake no more , lifting vp notwithstanding his stumpe with his other arme as long as he could . ¶ Here followeth two worthy and godly Letters full of heavenly consolation , written by that holie man of God M. Iohn Bradford Martyr : fit for all such to read and obserue as feele in them a wounded spirit . ¶ The first Letter written to Mistres H. a godly Gentlewoman , comforting her in that common and godly sorrow which the feeling and sence of sinne worketh in Gods children . I Humblie and heartilie praye the everlasting good God and Father of mercie to blesse and keepe your hart and mind in the knowledge and the loue of his truth , and of his Christ through th'jnspiration & working of the holy spirit , Amen . Although I haue no doubt but that you prosper and goe forwards daily in the way of Godlinesse , more and more drawing towards perfection , and haue no need of any thing that I can write ; yet because my desire is that you might be more fervent and persevere vnto the end , I could not but write something vnto you , beseeching you both often and diligentlie to call vnto your mind as a meane to stirre you hervnto , yea , as a thing which god most straightly requireth you to belieue , that you are the beloued of God , and that hee is your deare Father , in , through , & for Christ & his deaths sake ▪ This loue and tender kindnesse of God towards vs in Christ is aboundantlie herein declared , in that he hath to the godly worke of Creation of this world , made vs after his jmage , redeemed vs being lost , called vs into his church , sealed vs with his marke and signe Manuel of Baptisme , kept and conserved vs all the daies of our life , fedde , nowrished , defended , and most mercifullie chastised vs , and now hath kindled in our hearts the sparkles of his feare , faith , loue , and knowledge of his Christ & truth : and therefore we lament because wee can lament no more our vnthankefulnesse , our frailenes , our diffidence , and wavering in things whereof we should be most certain . All these things we should vse as meanes to confirme our faith of this , that God is our God and Father , and to assure vs that he loueth vs as our Father in Christ ▪ to this end I say , should we vse the things before touched , especiallie in that of all things God requireth this faith and perswasion of his Father by goodnesse as his chiefest seruice . For before he aske any thing of vs , he saith , I am the Lord thy God , giuing himselfe , and all he hath to vs , to be our own . And this he doth in respect of himselfe , of his owne mercie & truth , and not in respect of vs , for then were grace no more grace . In consideration wherof , when he saith , Thou shalt haue none other Gods but mee , thou shalt loue mee with all thy heart , &c. Though of dutie wee are bound to accomplish all that he requireth , and are culpable and guiltie if wee doe not the same , yet he requireth not these things further of vs , then to make vs more in loue , and more certaine of this his covenant that hee is the Lord our GOD. In certaintie whereof , as he hath giuen this world to serue our need and commoditie : so hath he giuen vs his son Christ Iesus , and in Christ , himselfe to be a pledge and gage : wherof the Holie Ghost doth now and then giue vs some tast and sweet feeling and smell to our eternall ioye . Therefore as I said , because God is your Father in Christ , and requireth of you straightly to belieue it , giue your selfe to obedience , although you doe it not with such feeling as you desire . First must faith goe before , and then feeling will follow . If our jmperfection , frailty , & many evils should bee occasions whereby Satan would haue vs doubt ; as much as in vs lyeth let vs abhorre that suggestion as of all others most pernicious : for so indeed it is . For whē we stand in doubt whether God bee our Father or no , we cannot bee thankfull to God , we cannot heartily pray , or thinke any thing we do acceptable to God ; we cannot loue our neighbours and giue ouer our selues to care for them , and doe for them as we should do : and therfore Satā is most busie hereabouts , knowing full wel that if we doubt of gods eternall sweet mercies in Christ , wee cannot please God , or doe any thing as we should to man. Continually casteth he into our memories our jmperfection , frailty , folly , and offences , that we shold doubt of gods mercie and fauour towards vs. Therefore my good Sister , we must not bee sluggish herein , but as Satan laboreth to loosen our faith , so must we labour to fasten it by thinking on the promises and covenant of god in Christs bloud , namelie , that God is our God with all that ever he hath ; which Covenant dependeth and hangeth vpon Gods owne goodnes , mercie , and truth onely , and not on our obedience and worthines in any poynt ; for then should we never bee certaine . Indeed God requireth of vs obedience and worthines , but not that thereby wee might be made his childrē , and he our Father : but because he is our Father and wee his children through his own goodnes in christ , therfore requireth he faith and obedience . Now , if we want this obedience & worthinesse which hee requireth , should wee therefore doubt whether he bee our Father ? Nay , that were to make our obedience & worthines the cause , and so to put Christ out of place , for whose sake God is our Father . But rather because hee is our Father and wee feele our selues to want such things as he requireth wee should be stirred vppe to an holy blushing and shamfastnesse , because wee are not as wee should bee : and therevpon should wee take occasion to go to our father in prayer on this manner . Deare Father , thou of thine owne Mercie in Christ Iesus hast chosen me to bee thy child , and therefore thou would'st I should be brought into thy Church and faithfull company of thy children : wherein thou hast kept me hitherto , thy name bee praised therefore . Now I see my selfe to want faith , hope , loue &c. which thy children haue and thou requirest of me ; wherethrough the deuill would haue me doubt , yea , vtterly to despaire off thy Fatherly goodnesse , favour and mercie . Therefore I come to thee as to my merciful father through thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ , and pray ▪ thee to helpe me : good Lord helpe me , and giue mee Faith , Hope , loue , thankfulnesse , &c. and graunt that thy holy spirit may be with me , for ever , and more and more to assure mee that thou art my father : that this mercifull couenant that thou madest with mee in respect of thy grace in Christ , and for Christ , and not in respect of any my worthinesse , &c. On this sort I say you must pray and vse your cogitatiōs when Satan would haue you to doubt of your Salvation . He doth all he can to prevaile heerein against you . Do you all yee can to prevaile heerein against him . Though you feele not as you would , yet doubt not , but hope beyond hope as Abraham did . For alwaies as I sayd , faith goeth before feeling . As certaine as God is Almightie , as certaine as GOD is mercifull , as certaine as God is true , as certaine as Iesus Christ was crucified , is risen , and sitteth on the right hand of God his Father , as certaine as this is Gods commandement , I am the Lord thy GOD , &c. so certaine ought you to beleeue that God is your Father . As you are bound to haue none other Gods but him : so are ye no lesse bound to beleeue that god is your God. What profit shold it be to you to belieue this to be true , I am the Lord thy god , to others ; if you should not beleeue that this is true to your selfe ? The Devill beleeueth on this sort . And whatsoever it be that wold moue you to doubt of this whether God be your God through Christ , that same commeth vndoubtedly of the Deuill . Wherefore did god make you , but because hee loved you ? might hee not haue made you blind , dumb , deafe , lame , frantick ? might hee not haue made you a Iew , a Turk , a Papist ? And why did he loue you ? what was there in you to mooue him to loue you ? surely nothing moued him to loue you , and therefore to make you , and so hitherto to keepe you , but his owne goodnes in Christ. Now thē in that his goodnesse in Christ still remaineth as much as it was that is , even as great as himselfe ( for it cannot bee lessened ) how should it bee but that he is your God & Father ? Beleeue this , beleeue this my good sister , for god is no changeling : them whome hee loueth , hee loveth to the end . Cast therefore your selfe wholly vppon him , and thinke without all wauering , that you are Gods child , that you are a Citizen of heaven , that you are the temple of the holy Ghost &c. If heereof you bee assured as you ought to bee , then shall your conscience be quietted , then shall you lamēt more and more that you want many things which God loueth : then shall you labour to be holy in soule and in body : then shall you endeavour that Gods glorie may shine in all your words and works : then shall you not be afraid what man can doe vnto you : then shall you haue wisedome to answere your aduersaries , as shal serue for their shame , and to your comfort : then shall you bee certaine that no man can touch one haire of your head further then it shall please your father , to your everlasting joy : then shal you be most certaine , that God as your good father will be more carefull of your children and make better prouision for thē , if al you haue were gone , then you can : then shall you ( beeing assured I say of Gods fauour towards you ) giue over your selfe wholly to helpe & care for others that bee in need : then shall you cōtemne this life , and desire to be at home with your good and sweet Father : then shall you labour to mortifie all things that would spot either soule or body . All these things spring out of this certaine perswasion and faith , that God is our Father and wee his children by Christ Iesus . Al things should helpe our faith herein : but Satan goeth about in all things to hinder vs. Therefore let vs vse earnest and hearty prayer : let vs oftē remember this covenant I am the Lord thy God : let vs looke vppon Christ and his precious bloud shed for th' obsignation and sealing of this covenant : let vs remember all the free promises of god in his Gospell : let vs set before vs GODS benefits generally in making this world , in ruling it , in governing it , in calling and keeping his Church , &c. Let vs set before vs Gods benefits particularly , how he hath made vs his Creatures after his jmage , how he hath made vs of perfect lyms , forme , beauty , memory , &c. How hee hath made vs Christians , and given vs a right judgement in his Religion : how ever since wee were born , he hath blessed , kept , norished and defended vs : how hee hath often beaten chastised , and fatherly corrected vs : how he hath spared vs , and now doth spare vs , giuing vs time , space , place , & grace . This if you do and vse earnest and often prayer , and so flee from all things which might troble the peace of your conscience , giving your selfe to diligence in your vocation , you shall at length find that ( which god grant mee with you ) a sure certaintie of Salvation , without all such wavering as should hinder your peace with GOD in CHRIST , to your eternall joye and comfort , Amen , Amen . Yours to be vsed in Christ Iohn Bradford . ¶ The second Letter written to a faithfull Woman in her heauinesse and trouble of mind : most comfortable for all to read that are afflicted or broken hearted for their sinnes . GOD our Father for his mercies sake in Christ , with his eternall consolatiō so comfort you , as I desire to be comforted in my most need : yea , hee will comfort you my deare Sister , only cast your care vppon him , and hee neuer can nor will forsake you . Whom he loueth , hee loueth to the end : none of his chosen can perish . Of which nūber I know your selfe to be one my dearely beloved Sister . GOD jncrease the faith thereof daily more and more in you : hee giue vnto you to hang whollie on him , and on his providence and protectiō . For who so dwelleth vnder that secret thing and helpe of the Lord , hee shall bee Cocke-sure for evermore . He that dwelleth I say : for if we be flitters as was Lot a flitter from Zoar , where God promised him protectiō if he had dwelled there still , we shall remoue to our losse , as hee did into the Mountaines . Dwell therefore , that is trust , and that finally to the end in the Lord , my deare Sister ; and you shall be as Mount Syon . As the Mountaines compasse Ierusalem : so doth the Lord all his people . How then can he forget you who are as deare to him as the apple of his Eye , for his deare Sons sake . Ah deare heart that I were now with you to bee a Symon to you , to helpe & carry your Crosse with you . God send you some good Symon to bee with you and helpe you . You complaine in your Letters of the blindnesse of your mind & the troubles you feele . My dearly beloued , GOD make you thankefull for that which God hath given you : he open your eyes to see what & how great benefits you receiued , that you may be lesse covetous or rather jmpatient for so ( I feare me ) it should be called , and more thankfull . Haue you not receiued at his hands sight to see your blindnes , and thereto a desirous and seeking heart to see where he lyeth in the midde day , as his deare Spouse speaketh of her selfe in the Canticles ? Ah Ioyce , my good Ioyce , what a guift is this ? many haue some sight , but none this sighing , none this sobbing , none this seeking which you haue ( I know ) but such as hee hath married to himselfe in his eternall sweet mercies . You are not content with the Magdalen to kisse his feet , but you wold with Moses see his face : forgetting how he biddeth vs seeke his face , Psalme 27. yea , and that euer more , Psa. 105. which signifieth no such sight as you desire to haue in this life , who would see God now face to face , whereas he cannot be seen , but covered vnder some thing , yea , somthing which is as you would say cleane contrary to God : as to see his mercie in his anger . In bringing vs to Hell , Faith seeth him bringing vs to Heaven : in darkenesse it beholdeth brightnesse : in hyding his face from vs , it beholdeth his merry countenance . How did Iob see God , but you would say vnder Satans cloake ? For who cast the fire from Heaven vpon his goods ? who overthrew his house , and stirred vppe men to take away his Cattle , but Satan ? And yet Iob pierced thorough all these and sawe Gods working , saying , The Lord hath giuen , the Lord hath taken , &c. In reading the Psalmes , how often do you see that Dauid in the shaddowe of death saw Gods sweet loue ? And so my dearely beloued I see that you in your darknes & dimnes by faith do see charity & britnes : by faith I say , because faith is of things absent , of things hoped for , of things which I appeale to your owne conseience whether you desire not . And can you desire any thing which you know not ? And is there of heauenly things any other true knoledge , thē by faith ? Therfore my deare heart , bee thankefull , for before God I writte it , you haue great cause . Ah my Ioyce how happye is that state in which you are . Verilie , you are in the blessed state of gods deare children : for they mourne , and doe not you so ? and that not for worldly weale , but for spirituall riches ; Fayth , Hope , and Charitie . Do not you hunger and thirst for righteousnes ? And I pray you , sayth not Christ , happie are such . How should GOD wipe away the teares from your eyes in heaven , if on earth you shed no teares ? How could Heaven bee a place of rest , if on Earth you did find it ? How could you desire to be at home , if in your journey you found no griefe ? How could you so often call vpon God & talke with him as I know you doe , if your enemie should sleepe all the daye long ? How should you elsewhere bee made like vnto Christ , I meane in joye , if in sorrow you sobbed not with him ? If you will haue joye and felicity , you must needs feele sorrow and misery . If you will go to heaven , you must saile by hell . If you will imbrace Christ in his robes , you must not thinke scorne of him in his ragges . If you will sitte at Christs table in his Kingdome , you must first abide with him in his temptations . If you will drinke of his Cup of glorie , forsake not his cup of jgnominie . Can the head corner stone be reiected , and the other more base stones in Gods building bee in this world set by ? you are one of his living stones in this building : be content therfore to be hewen and snagged at , that you may bee made more meet to be joyned to your fellowes which suffer with you Satans snatches , and freats of the flesh , wherethrough they are enforced to crie , Oh wretches that wee are , who shall deliuer vs ? you are of Gods corne , feare not therefore the flayle , the fanne , milstone , nor oven . You are one of CHRISTS Lambs : looke therefore to bee fleeced , halled at , and even slaine . If you were a market sheepe , you should goe in more fat pasture . If you were for the faire , you should be stalled and want no meate : but because you are for GODS owne vse , therfore you must pasture vppon the bare common , abiding the stormes and tempests that will fall . Happy & twice happy are you my deare sister , that God haleth you now whither you would not , that you might come whither you would . Suffer a little and be still . Let Satan rage against you , let the world crie out , let your conscience accuse you , let the law leade you , and presse you downe , yet shall they not prevaile , for Christ is Emanuell , that is , GOD with vs. If God be with vs , who canne bee against vs. The Lord is with you ; your Father cannot forget you ; your spouse loveth you . If the waues and surges arise , crie with Peter , saue Lord I perish , and hee will put out his hand and helpe you . Cast out your ankor of Hope , and it will not cease for al the stormie surges , till it take hold on the rocke of Gods truth and mercie . Thinke not that hee which hath given you so many things corporally , as jnductions of spirituall & heavenly mercies , and that without your deserts or desire , can deny you any spirituall thing desiring it . For if he hath given you to desire , hee will giue you to haue and enioy the thing desired . The desire to haue , and the going about to aske , ought to certifie your conscience , that they bee his earnests of the things which you asking , hee will giue you : yea , before you aske , and whilst you are about to aske , hee will grant the same as Isaiah saith , to his glorie and your eternal consolation . He that spared not his owne Son for you , will not , nor cannot think any thing too good for you , my heartely beloved . If he had not chosen you as certainly he hath , he would not thus haue called you : hee would never haue justified you : hee would never haue so glorified you with his gratious gifts which I know to be in you , praysed be his name therefore : hee would never haue so exercised your faith with temptations as he hath done , and doth , if I say hee had not chosen you . If hee haue chosen you ( as doubtlesse deere hart he hath don in Christ , for in you I haue seene his earnest , and to me you could not deny it , I know both where and when ) if I say hee haue chosen you , then neither can you , nor ever shall you perish . For if you fall , hee putteth vnder his hand : you shall not lie still : so carefull is Christ your keeper over you . Never was Mother so mindfull over her child , as he is over you . And hath hee not alwaies been so ? Speake woman , when did he finally forget you ? And will he now trow ye in your most need doe otherwise , you calling vpon him and desiring to please him ? Ah my Ioyce , thinke you God to bee mutable ? Is hee a changeling ? Doth not he loue to the end thē whom hee loveth ? Are not his gifts and calling such as he cannot repent him off thē , for els were he no God. If you should perish , then wanted hee power : For I am certain his will towards you is not to bee doubted off . Hath not the spirit , which is the spirit of truth , told you so ? And will you hearken with Eue to the liing Spirit which would haue you to despaire ? God forbid it , for to doubt and stand in a māmering , would cause you that you should never truely loue God , but ever serue him of a servile feare , least hee should cast you off for your vnworthinesse and vnthankfulnesse , as though your thankfulnes , or worthines , were any causes with God why hee hath chosen you , or will finally keepe you . Ah my owne deare heart , Christ onely , Christ onely , and his mercie and truth . In him is the cause of your election . This Christ , this Mercie , this Truth of God remaineth for euer , is certaine for euer , I say for euer . If an Angell from Heaven should tell you contrarie , accursed bee he . Your thankefulnes and worthinesse are fruits and effects of your election , they are no causes . These fruites and effects shall be so much the more fruitfull and effectuall , by how much the more you wauer not . Therefore dearely beloved , arise and remember from whence you are fallen . You haue a Sheapeheard who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth , night nor day . No Man , nor Deuill can pull you out of his hands . Night and day hee commandeth his Angells to keepe you . Haue you forgotten what I read to you out of the Psalme , The Lord is my Sheepheard , I can want nothing . Doe you know that GOD sparred Noah into the Arke on the one side , so that hee could not get out ? So hath hee done to you my good Sister , so hath hee done to you . Tenne Thousand shall fall on your right hand , & two Thousand on your l●ft hand yet no euill shall touch you . Say boldly therefore , Many a time from my youth vppe haue they fought against mee , but they haue not preuailed , no nor neuer shall preuaile , for the Lord is round about his people . And who are the people of God , but such as hope in him ? Happie are they that hope in the Lord : and you are one of those my deare heart , for I am sure you haue hoped in the Lord : I haue your wordes to shewe most manifestly , & I know they were written vnfainedly . I need not say , that euen before God you haue simply confessed to mee , and that oftentimes no lesse . And if once you had this hope , as you doubtles had it , thogh now ye fele it not , yet shall ye feele it againe : for the anger of God lasteth but for a moment , but his mercy lasteth for euer . Tell mee my deare heart , who hath so weakned you ? surely not a perswasion which came of him that called you . For why should ye wauer ? Why should ye wauer , & be so heauie hearted ? whome looke yee on ? on your selfe ? on your worthines ? on your thankefulnesse ? on that which God requireth of you , as Faith , Hope , Loue , Feare , Ioye , &c. Then can yee but wauer indeed : for what haue you as God requireth ? Belieue you , hope you , loue you , &c. as much as ye should doe ? No , no , nor neuer can in this life . Ah my dearely beloued , haue you so soone forgotten that which should bee had in memory ? namely , that when you should bee secure and quiet in conscience , thē should your faith burst throghout all things , not onely that you haue in you , or else are in Heaven , Earth , or Hell , vntill it come to Christ crucified , and th' eternall sweet mercies of God , and his goodnesse in Christ. Heere , heere is the resting place , heere is your Spouses bed : Creepe into it , and in your armes of faith embrace him , bewaile your weakenesse , your vnworthines , your dissidence : and you shall see he will turne to you . What sayd I you shall see ? Nay , I should haue said you shall feele he will turne to you . You know that Moses when hee went into the Mount to talke with God , hee entred into a darke cloud : and Helias had his face couered when GOD passed by . Both these deare friends of God heard God , but they saw him not , but you would bee preferred before them . See now my deare heart , how couetous you are ? Ah , be thankefull be thankefull ; but God be praised your couetousnes is Moses couetousnes : well with him you shall be satisfied , but when ? Forsooth when hee shall appeare . Heere is not the time of seeing , but as it were in a glasse ▪ Isaak was deceived because hee was not content with hearing onely . Therefore to make an end of these many words , wherewith I feare me I do but hinder you from better exercises : in as much as you are indeed the child of God , elect in Christ before the beginning of all times : in as much as you are given to the custody of Christ , as one of GODS most precious jewels : in as much as Christ is faithfull , and hitherto and for euer hath and shal haue al power , so that you shall never perish , no ; one haire of your head shall not be lost : I desire you , I craue at your hands with all my very heart , I aske of you with hand , pen , tongue & mind , in Christ , through Christ , for Christ , for his names sake , bloud , mercies , power , and truths sake ( my most entirely beloued sister ) that you admit no doubting of gods final mercies towards you , howsoeuer ynu feele your selfe : but complaine to God , and craue of him as of your tender Father , all things and in that time which shal be most opportune , you shall find & feele farre aboue that your hart or the heart of any creature can conceiue , to your eternall joy , Amen , Amen , Amen . The good spirit of God alwaies keep vs as his deere children : he comfort you as I desire to be comforted my deerely beloved for evermore . The peace of Christ dwell in both our harts for ever Amen . Gods holy spirit alwaies comfort & keepe you Amen , Amen . This 1. of Ianuarie by him that in the Lord wisheth to you as well and as much felicitie , as to his owne heart . IOHN BRADFORD . FINIS . A TABLE DIRECting to the names of the Martyrs , and to the speciall matters that are mentioned in this Booke . A Fol. Adam Damplip , his speach to his keeper . 27. Agnes Bongeor , her complaint . 80 , 81. She is comforted . 83. Alice Bindon , her straight handling . 110 , 118. Anne Askew , her prayer . 170. B Bartlet Greene , his description of temporall miseries , &c. 155 , 156 , 157. Bradbegges Wife , shee commends her two children Patience and Charitie , to the Bishop . 76. C Fol. Cutbert Simpson . Boner commends his patience . 39. His comfortable vision . 40. D Doctor Taylor , Pag. 44. E Elizabeth Folks , her answere , pretily retorted . 73 Eliza : Yong , her sweet speech . 90 , 91. F Father Latimer . 7 , 14 , 15. G George Wise-hart , his speach to his executioner . 58. George Marsh , his prayer . 140. George Tankerfield , his conflicts with the flesh . 147. H Hugh Latimer , his speach to M r. Ridley at the stake . Fol. 7. His comforts were going & cōming . 14. His 3 requests . 15. Hugh Laverocke , his speach . 33. Henry Voes , his speach . 32. I Iames Baynham , his speach at his death . 32. Iohn Hooper , his speach at the stake . 2. His speach to a blind boy . 2. His answere to S r. Ant : Kingston . 3 , 4 , 5 ▪ Notes out of his letters , frō 99 , to 227. Iohn Bradford , how he tooke the newes of his death . 10. With what efficacie hee made his prayers in the Counter . 11. His behauiour at his death . 12. His answere to Creswell . 92 , 93. His Mementoes . 120 A note out of a Letter of his to Cranmer . 93. His two Letters . 174 , 193. Iohn Cardmaker , his question and answere to it . Fol. 91. Iohn Philpot , how he tooke the newes of his death . 8. His speach he vsed in Smith-field . 9. A Prayer mentioned in his storie . 149. Ioh : Rough , his speach to one Farrar . 42. Iohn Warren , his sweet sentence . 100. Iohn Frith , his answere to them that would haue wrought his escape . 78. Iohn Lābart , his speach at the stake . 26. Iohn Rogers , his saying when hee heard of his burning . 18. His saying to Bishop Hooper . 19. Iohn Leafe , hee liked better the bill of his confession , then that of his recantation . 50. Iulins Palmer , his charitable answere to Sir Richard Abridges . 74 , 75. K Kerby , his speach to M. Wink-field . 28. L Laurence Saunders Preacher , his comfort at his first convention . Fol. 19. What a sluggard he found of his flesh . 20 His speach vpon the sight of his child . 21 His speach at the stake . 22. Notes out of a Letter to his wife . 95.96 , 97. Out of a Letter to M. Glouer . 98. Lady Iane , her Prayer . 158 Lord Cromwell , his Prayer . 164. Letters of M. Bradfords . 174 , 193. M Martin Luther , his Prayer . 169. N Nicholas Ridley , his saying to Latimer . 6 , 7. His mournefull complaint in the fier . 8. What comfort hee felt after the newes of M. Rogers burning . 17. Nicholas Sheterden , his Prayer . 142. P Patrik Hamleton , he foretels the death of his persecut●r . Fol. 60.61 . Prests Wife , her answers . 89 , 90. R Rawlins White , expert in the Scripture . 64. Sundrie of his speaches . 68.69.70 . Richard Woodman , his conflict with the feare of death . 51. Richard Browne , his Prayer . 148. Robert Farrar , his speach to M. Richard Iones . 61. Robert Glover , his lumpishnes before his death . 23 , 24. With supplie of comfort . 25. His comfort & conflict . 53 , 55 , 56 , 57. Robert-Samuell , his extreame handling . 36 , 37. His vision of comfort . 38. Robert Smith , his sentences 23. Roger Holland , his prophesie . 86 , 87. Rowland Taylor , his pleasant answere to the Sheriffe . 44. Fol. His speach when he came neere Hadley . 47. To Boner when he was degraded . 48. His last will and Testament . 106 , to 109. S Steven Knight , his Prayer . 134. T Thomas Bilney , his saying to his friends . 29 , 31. Hee putteth his finger in the Candle to trie his strength . 28. Thomas Spurdance , his answere to the Bishop . 72 , 73. Thomas Hudsons conflict and comfort . 84 , 85. Thomas Wats , his farewell . 199. Thomas Crāmer , a proverb of him . 94. His Prayer . 130. His Repentance . 132 , 133. He burns his right hand first . 133. W Fol. William Hunter , his Mother thinks him well bestowed on Christ. 35. Walter Mill , he would not be called Sir Walter , and why . 59. His constancie . 60. William Pickes , foretels his troble . 88. 89. William Flower , his Prayer . 172. FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A19420-e340 Cant. 6. 2. Cant. 8. 6. Verse . 7. Notes for div A19420-e940 Qu : Eliz. Notes for div A19420-e1080 His blood violently gushed out of his heart , at his burning at Oxford . An. 1525. The Bi : of Dover . This was spoken in the Moneth of Iune 15 8 , and Q. Mary dyed Sep. following the 1.7 . Of the Parish of Staple Hurst in ●he Coū●y of Kēt . Ian. 22. 1556. Ma. 25 Anno 1557. Notes for div A19420-e6860 Anno. 1518. Note . Note . Note . Note .