Though the good man was altogether unlearned, and withal very
simple, yet it pleased God to remove him from error and idolatry
to a knowledge of the truth, through the blessed Reformation in
Edward's reign. He had his son taught to read English, and after
the little boy could read pretty well, his father every night
after supper, summer and winter, made the boy read a portion of
the Holy Scriptures, and now and then a part of some other good
book.
When he had continued in his profession the space of five
years, King Edward died, upon whose decease Queen Mary succeeded
and with her all kinds of superstition crept in. White was taken
by the officers of the town, as a man suspected of heresy,
brought before the Bishop Llandaff, and committed to prison in
Chepstow, and at last removed to the castle of Cardiff, where he
continued for the space of one whole year. Being brought before
the bishop in his chapel, he counselled him by threats and
promises. But as Rawlins would in no wise recant his opinions,
the bishop told him plainly that he must proceed against him by
law, and condemn him as a heretic.
Before they proceeded to this extremity, the bishop proposed
that prayer should be said for his conversion. "This," said
White, "is like a godly bishop, and if your request be godly and
right, and you pray as you ought, no doubt God will hear you;
pray you, therefore, to your God, and I will pray to my God."
After the bishop and his party had done praying, he asked Rawlins
if he would now revoke. "You find," said the latter, "your prayer
is not granted, for I remain the same; and God will strengthen me
in support of this truth." After this, the bishop tried what
saying Mass would do; but Rawlins called all the people to
witness that he did not bow down to the host. Mass being ended,
Rawlins was called for again; to whom the bishop used many
persuasions; but the blessed man continued so steadfast in his
former profession that the bishop's discourse was to no purpose.
The bishop now caused the definitive sentence to be read, which
being ended, Rawlins was carried again to Cardiff, to a loathsome
prison in the town, called Cockmarel, where he passed his time in
prayer, and in the singing of Psalms. In about three weeks the
order came from town for his execution.
When he came to the place, where his poor wife and children
stood weeping, the sudden sight of them so pierced his heart,
that the tears trickled down his face. Being come to the altar of
his sacrifice, in going toward the stake, he fell down upon his
knees, and kissed the ground; and in rising again, a little earth
sticking on his face, he said these words. "Earth unto earth, and
dust unto dust; thou art my mother, and unto thee I shall
return."
When all things were ready, directly over against the stake,
in the face of Rawlins White, there was a stand erected, whereon
stepped up a priest, addressing himself to the people, but, as he
spoke of the Romish doctrines of the Sacraments, Rawlins cried
out, "Ah! thou wicked hypocrite, dost thou presume to prove thy
false doctrine by Scripture? Look in the text that followeth; did
not Christ say, 'Do this in remembrance of me?'"
Then some that stood by cried out, "Put fire! set on fire!"
which being done, the straw and reeds cast up a great and sudden
flame. In which flame this good man bathed his hands so long,
until such time as the sinews shrank, and the fat dropped away,
saving that once he did, as it were, wipe his face with one of
them. All this while, which was somewhat long, he cried with a
loud voice, "O Lord, receive my spirit!" until he could not open
his mouth. At last the extremity of the fire was so vehement
against his legs that they were consumed almost before the rest
of his body was hurt, which made the whole body fall over the
chains into the fire sooner than it would have done. Thus died
this good old man for his testimony of God's truth, and is now
rewarded, no doubt, with the crown of eternal life.
The Rev. George Marsh
George Marsh, born in the parish of Deane, in the county of
Lancaster, received a good education and trade from his parents;
about his twenty-fifth year he married, and lived, blessed with
several children, on his farm until his wife died. He then went
to study at Cambridge, and became the curate of Rev. Lawrence
Saunders, in which duty he constantly and zealously set forth the
truth of God's Word, and the false doctrines of the modern
Antichrist.
Being confined by Dr. Coles, the bishop of Chester, within the
precincts of his own house, he was dept from any intercourse with
his friends during four months; his friends and mother, earnestly
wished him to have flown from "the wrath to come;" but Mr. Marsh
thought that such a step would ill agree with that profession he
had during nine years openly made. He, however, secreted himself,
but he had much struggling, and in secret prayer begged that God
would direct him, through the advice of his best friends, for his
own glory and to what was best. At length, determined by a letter
he received, boldly to confess the faith of Christ, he took leave
of his mother-in-law and other friends, recommending his children
to their care and departed for Smethehills, whence he was, with
others, conducted to Lathum, to undergo examination before the
earl of Derby, Sir William Nores, Mr. Sherburn, the parson of
Garpnal, and others. The various questions put to him he answered
with a good conscience, but when Mr. Sherburn interrogated him
upon his belief of the Sacrament of the altar, Mr. Marsh answered
like a true Protestant that the essence of the bread and wine was
not at all changed, hence, after receiving dreadful threats from
some, and fair words from others, for his opinions, he was
remanded to ward, where he lay two nights without any bed.
On Palm Sunday he underwent a second examination, and Mr.
Marsh much lamented that his fear should at all have induced him
to prevaricate, and to seek his safety, as long as he did not
openly deny Christ; and he again cried more earnestly to God for
strength that he might not be overcome by the subtleties of those
who strove to overrule the purity of his faith. He underwent
three examinations before Dr. Coles, who, finding him steadfast
in the Protestant faith, began to read his sentence; but he was
interrupted by the chancellor, who prayed the bishop to stay
before it was too late. The priest then prayed for Mr. Marsh, but
the latter, upon being again solicited to recant, said he durst
not deny his Savior Christ, lest he lose His everlasting mercy,
and so obtain eternal death. The bishop then proceeded in the
sentence. He was committed to a dark dungeon, and lay deprived of
the consolation of any one (for all were afraid to relieve or
communicate with him) until the day appointed came that he should
suffer. The sheriffs of the city, Amry and Couper, with their
officers, went to the north gate, and took out Mr. George Marsh,
who walked all the way with the Book in his hand, looking upon
the same, whence the people said, "This man does not go to his
death as a thief, nor as one that deserveth to die."
When he came to the place of execution without the city, near
Spittal=Boughton, Mr. Cawdry, deputy chamberlain of Chester,
showed Mr. Marsh a writing under a great seal, saying that it was
a pardon for him if he would recant. He answered that he would
gladly accept the same did it not tend to pluck him from God.
After that, he began to speak to the people showing the cause
of his death, and would have exhorted them to stick unto Christ,
but one of the sheriffs prevented him. Kneeling down, he then
said his prayers, put off his clothes unto his shirt, and was
chained to the post, having a number of fagots under him, and a
thing made like a firkin, with pitch and tar in it, over his
head. The fire being unskilfully made, and the wind driving it in
eddies, he suffered great extremity, which notwithstanding he
bore with Christian fortitude.
When he had been a long time tormented in the fire without
moving, having his flesh so broiled and puffed up that they who
stood before him could not see the chain wherewith he was
fastened, and therefore supposed that he had been dead, suddenly
he spread abroad his arms, saying, "Father of heaven have mercy
upon me!" and so yielded his spirit into the hands of the Lord.
Upon this, many of the people said he was a martyr, and died
gloriously patient. This caused the bishop shortly after to make
a sermon in the cathedral church, and therein he affirmed, that
the said 'Marsh was a heretic, burnt as such, and is a firebrand
in hell.' Mr. Marsh suffered April 24, 1555.
William Flower
William Flower, otherwise Branch, was born at Snow-hill, in
the county of Cambridge, where he went to school some years, and
then came to the abby of Ely. After he had remained a while he
became a professed monk, was made a priest in the same house, and
there celebrated and sang Mass. After that, by reason of a
visitation, and certain injunctions by the authority of Henry
VIII he took upon him the habit of a secular priest, and returned
to Snow-hill, where he was born, and taught children about half a
year.
He then went to Ludgate, in Suffolk, and served as a secular
priest about a quarter of a year; from thence to Stoniland; at
length to Tewksbury, where he married a wife, with whom he ever
after faithfully and honestly continued. After marriage he
resided at Tewksbury about two years, and thence went to Brosley,
where he practiced physic and surgery; but departing from those
parts he came to London, and finally settled at Lambeth, where he
and his wife dwelt together. However, he was generally abroad,
excepting once or twice in a month, to visit and see his wife.
Being at home upon Easter Sunday morning, he came over the water
from lambeth into St. Margaret's Church at Westminster; when
seeing a priest, named John Celtham, administering and giving the
Sacrament of the alter to the people, and being greatly offended
in his conscience with the priest for the same, he struck and
wounded him upon the head, and also upon the arm and hand, with
his wood knife, the priest having at the same time in his hand a
chalice with the consecrated host therein, which became sprinkled
with blood.
Mr. Flower, for this injudicious zeal, was heavily ironed, and
put into the gatehouse at Westminster; and afterward summoned
before bishop Bonner and his ordinary, where the bishop, after he
had sworn him upon a Book, ministered articles and
interrogatories to him.
After examination, the bishop began to exhort him again to
return to the unity of his mother the Catholic Church, with many
fair promises. These Mr. Flower steadfastly rejecting, the bishop
ordered him to appear in the same place in the afternoon, and in
the meantime to consider well his former answer; but he, neither
apologizing for having struck the priest, nor swerving from his
faith, the bishop assigned him the next day, April 20, to receive
sentence if he would not recant. The next morning, the bishop
accordingly proceeded to the sentence, condemning and
excommunicating him for a heretic, and after pronouncing him to
be degraded, committed him to the secular power.
On April 24, St. Mark's eve, he was brought to the place of
martyrdom, in St. Margaret's churchyard, Westminster, where the
fact was committed: and there coming to the stake, he prayed to
Almighty God, made a confession of his faith, and forgave all the
world.
This done, his hand was held up against the stake, and struck
off, his left hand being fastened behind him. Fire was then set
to him, and he burning therein, cried with a loud voice, "O Thou
Son of God receive my soul!" three times. His speech being now
taken from him, he spoke no more, but notwithstanding he lifted
up the stump with his other arm as long as he could.
Thus he endured the extremity of the fire, and was cruelly
tortured, for the few fagots that were brought being insufficient
to burn him they were compelled to strike him down into the fire,
where lying along upon the ground, his lower part was consumed in
the fire, whilst his upper part was little injured, his tongue
moving in his mouth for a considerable time.
The Rev. John Cardmaker and John Warne
May 30, 1555, the Rev. John Cardmaker, otherwise called
Taylor, prebendary of the Church of Wells, and John Warne,
upholsterer, of St. John's, Walbrook, suffered together in
Smithfield. Mr. Cardmaker, who first was an observant friar
before the dissolution of the abbeys, afterward was a married
minister, and in King Edward's time appointed to be a reader in
St. Paul's; being apprehended in the beginning of Queen Mary's
reign, with Dr. Barlow, bishop of Bath, he was brought to London,
and put in the Fleet prison, King Edward's laws being yet in
force. In Mary's reign, when brought before the bishop of
Winchester, the latter offered them the queen's mercy, if they
would recant.
Articles having been preferred against Mr. John Warne, he was
examined upon them by Bonner, who earnestly exhorted him to
recant his opinions, to whom he answered, "I am persuaded that I
am in the right opinion, and I see no cause to recant; for all
the filthiness and idolatry lies in the Church of Rome."
The bishop then, seeing that all his fair promises and
terrible threatenings could not prevail, pronounced the
definitive sentence of condemnation, and ordered May 30, 1555,
for the execution of John Cardmaker and John Warne, who were
brought by the sheriffs to Smithfield. Being come to the stake,
the sheriffs called Mr. Cardmaker aside, and talked with him
secretly, during which Mr. Warne prayed, was chained to the
stake, and had wood and reeds set about him.
The people were greatly afflicted, thinking that Mr. Cardmaker
would recant at the burning of Mr. Warne. At length Mr. Cardmaker
departed from the sheriffs, and came towards the stake, knelt
down, and made a long prayer in silence to himself. He then rose
up, put off his clothes to his shirt, and went with a bold
courage unto the stake and kissed it; and taking Mr. Warne by the
hand, he heartily comforted him, and was bound to the stake,
rejoicing. The people seeing this so suddenly done, contrary to
their previous expectation, cried out, "God be praised! the Lord
strengthen thee, Cardmaker! the Lord Jesus receive thy spirit!"
And this continued while the executioner put fire to them, and
both had passed through the fire to the blessed rest and peace
among God's holy saints and martyrs, to enjoy the crown of
triumph and victory prepared for the elect soldiers and warriors
of Christ Jesus in His blessed Kingdom, to whom be glory and
majesty forever. Amen.
John Simpson and John Ardeley
John Simpson and John Ardeley were condemned on the same day
with Mr. Carmaker and John Warne, which was the twenty-fifth of
May. They were shortly after sent down from London to Essex,
where they were burnt in one day, John Simpson at Rochford, and
John Ardeley at Railey, glorifying God in His beloved Son, and
rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer.
Thomas Haukes, Thomas Watts, and Anne Askew
Thomas Haukes, with six others, was condemned on the ninth of
February, 1555. In education he was erudite; in person, comely,
and of good stature; in manners, a gentleman, and a sincere
Christian. A little before death, several of Mr. Hauke's friends,
terrified by the sharpness of the punishment he was going to
suffer, privately desired that in the midst of the flames he
should show them some token, whether the pains of burning were so
great that a man might not collectedly endure it. This he
promised to do; and it was agreed that if the rage of the pain
might be suffered, then he should lift up his hands above his
head towards heaven, before he gave up the ghost.
Not long after, Mr. Haukes was led away to the place appointed
for slaughter by Lord Rich, and being come to the stake, mildly
and patiently prepared himself for the fire, having a strong
chain cast about his middle, with a multitude of people on every
side compassing him about, unto whom after he had spoken many
things, and poured out his soul unto God, the fire was kindled.
When he had continued long in it, and his speech was taken
away by violence of the flame, his skin drawn together, and his
fingers consumed with the fire, so that it was thought that he
was gone, suddenly and contrary to all expectation, this good man
being mindful of his promise, reached up his hands burning in
flames over his head to the living God, and with great rejoicings
as it seemed, struck or clapped them three times together. A
great shout followed this wonderful circumstance, and then this
blessed martyr of Christ, sinking down in the fire, gave up his
spirit, June 10, 1555.
Thomas Watts, of Billerica, in Essex, of the diocese of
London, was a linen draper. He had daily expected to be taken by
God's adversaries, and this came to pass on the fifth of April,
1555, when he was brought before Lord Rich, and other
commissioners at Chelmsford, and accused for not coming to the
church.
Being consigned over to the bloody bishop, who gave him
several hearings, and, as usual, many arguments, with much
entreaty, that he would be a disciple of Antichrist, but his
preaching availed not, and he resorted to his last revenge--that
of condemnation.
At the stake, after he had kissed it, he spake to Lord Rich,
charging him to repent, for the Lord would revenge his death.
Thus did this good martyr offer his body to the fire, in defence
of the true Gospel of the Savior.
Thomas Osmond, William Bamford, and Nicholas Chamberlain, all
of the town of Coxhall, being sent up to be examined, Bonner,
after several hearings, pronounced them obstinate heretics, and
delivered them to the sheriffs, in whose custody they remained
until they were delivered to the sheriff of Essex county, and by
him were executed, Chamberlain at Colchester, the fourteenth of
June; Thomas Osmond at Maningtree, and William Bamford, alias
Butler, at Harwich, the fifteenth of June, 1555; all dying full
of the glorious hope of immortality.
Then Wriotheseley, lord chancellor, offered Anne Askew the
king's pardon if she would recant; who made this answer, that she
came not thither to deny her Lord and Master. And thus the good
Anne Askew, being compassed in with flames of fire, as a blessed
sacrifice unto God, slept in the Lord, A.D. 1546, leaving behind
her a singular example of Christian constancy for all men to
follow.
Rev. John Bradford, and John Leaf, an Apprentice
Rev. John Bradford was born at Manchester, in Lancashire; he
was a good Latin scholar, and afterward became a servant of Sir
John Harrington, knight.
He continued several years in an honest and thriving way; but
the Lord had elected him to a better function. Hence he departed
from his master, quitting the Temple, at London, for the
University of Cambridge, to learn, by God's law, how to further
the building of the Lord's temple. In a few years after, the
university gave him the degree of master of arts, and he became a
fellow of Pembroke Hall.
Martin Bucer first urged him to preach, and when he modestly
doubted his ability, Bucer was wont to reply, "If thou hast not
fine wheat bread, yet give the poor people barley bread, or
whatsoever else the Lord hath committed unto thee." Dr. Ridley,
that worthy bishop of London, and glorious martyr of Christ,
first called him to take the degree of a deacon and gave him a
prebend in his cathedral Church of St. Paul.
In this preaching office Mr. Bradford diligently labored for
the space of three years. Sharply he reproved sin, sweetly he
preached Christ crucified, ably he disproved heresies and errors,
earnestly he persuaded to godly life. After the death of blessed
King Edward VI Mr. Bradford still continued diligent in
preaching, until he was suppressed by Queen Mary.
An act now followed of the blackest ingratitude, and at which
a pagan would blush. It has been recited, that a tumult was
occasioned by Mr. Bourne's (then bishop of Bath) preaching at St.
Paul's Cross; the indignation of the people placed his life in
imminent danger; indeed a dagger was thrown at him. In this
situation he entreated Mr. Bradford, who stood behind him. to
speak in his place, and assuage the tumult. The people welcomed
Mr. Bradford, and the latter afterward kept close to him, that
his presence might prevent the populace from renewing their
assaults.
The same Sunday in the afternoon, Mr. Bradford preached at Bow
Church in Cheapside, and reproved the people sharply for their
seditious misdemeanor. Notwithstanding this conduct, within three
days after, he was sent for to the Tower of London, where the
queen then was, to appear before the Council. There he was
charged with this act of saving Mr. Bourne, which was called
seditious, and they also objected against him for preaching. Thus
he was committed, first to the Tower, then to other prisons, and,
after his condemnation, to the Poultry Compter, where he preached
twice a day continually, unless sickness hindered him. Such as
his credit with the keeper of the king's Bench, that he permitted
him in an evening to visit a poor, sick person near the
steel-yard, upon his promise to return in time, and in this he
never failed.
The night before he was sent to Newgate, he was troubled in
his sleep by foreboding dreams, that on Monday after he should be
burned in Smithfield. In the afternoon the keeper's wife came up
and announced this dreadful news to him, but in him it excited
only thankfulness to God. At night half a dozen friends came,
with whom he spent all the evening in prayer and godly exercises.
When he was removed to Newgate, a weeping crowd accompanied
him, and a rumor having been spread that he was to suffer at four
the next morning, an immense multitude attended. At nine o'clock
Mr. Bradford was brought into Smithfield. The cruelty of the
sheriff deserves notice; for his brother-in-law, Roger Beswick,
having taken him by the hand as he passed, Mr. Woodroffe, with
his staff, cut his head open.
Mr. Bradford, being come to the place, fell flat on the
ground, and putting off his clothes unto the shirt, he went to
the stake, and there suffered with a young man of twenty years of
age, whose name was John Leaf, an apprentice to Mr. Humphrey
Gaudy, tallow-chandler, of Christ-church, London. Upon Friday
before Palm Sunday, he was committed to the Compter in
Bread-street, and afterward examined and condemned by the bloody
bishop.
It is reported of him, that, when the bill of his confession
was read unto him, instead of pen, he took a pin, and pricking
his hand, sprinkled the blood upon the said bill, desiring the
reader thereof to show the bishop that he had sealed the same
bill with his blood already.
They both ended this mortal life, July 12, 1555, like two
lambs, without any alteration of their countenances, hoping to
obtain that prize they had long run for; to which may Almighty
God conduct us all, through the merits of Christ our Savior!
We shall conclude this article with mentioning that Mr.
Sheriff Woodroffe, it is said, within half a year after, was
struck on the right side with a palsy, and for the space of eight
years after, (until his dying day,) he was unable to turn himself
in his bed; thus he became at last a fearful object to behold.
The day after Mr. Bradford and John Leaf suffered in
Smithfield William Minge, priest, died in prison at Maidstone.
With as great constancy and boldness he yielded up his life in
prison, as if it had pleased God to have called him to suffer by
fire, as other godly men had done before at the stake, and as he
himself was ready to do, had it pleased God to have called him to
this trial.
Rev. John Bland, Rev. John Frankesh, Nicholas Shetterden, and
Humphrey Middleton
These Christian persons were all burnt at Canterbury for the
same cause. Frankesh and Bland were ministers and preachers of
the Word of God, the one being parson of Adesham, and the other
vicar of Rolvenden. Mr. Bland was cited to answer for his
opposition to antichristianism, and underwent several
examinations before Dr. Harpsfield, archdeacon of Canterbury, and
finally on the twenty-fifth of June, 1555, again withstanding the
power of the pope, he was condemned, and delivered to the secular
arm. On the same day were condemned John Frankesh, Nicholas
Shetterden, Humphrey Middleton, Thacker, and Crocker, of whom
Thacker only recanted.
Being delivered to the secular power, Mr. Bland, with the
three former, were all burnt together at Canterbury, July 12,
1555, at two several stakes, but in one fire, when they, in the
sight of God and His angels, and before men, like true soldiers
of Jesus Christ, gave a constant testimony to the truth of His
holy Gospel.
Dirick Carver and John Launder
The twenty-second of July, 1555, Dirick Carver, brewer, of
Brighthelmstone, aged forty, was burnt at Lewes. And the day
following John Launder, husbandman, aged twenty-five, of
Godstone, Surrey, was burnt at Stening.
Dirick Carver was a man whom the Lord had blessed as well with
temporal riches as with his spiritual treasures. At his coming
into the town of Lewes to be burnt, the people called to him,
beseeching God to strengthen him in the faith of Jesus Christ;
and, as he came to the stake, he knelt down, and prayed
earnestly. Then his Book was thrown into the barrel, and when he
had stripped himself, he too, went into a barrel. As soon as he
was in, he took the Book, and threw it among the people, upon
which the sheriff commanded, in the name of the king and queen,
on pain of death , to throw in the Book again. And immediately
the holy martyr began to address the people. After he had prayed
a while, he said, "O Lord my God, Thou hast written, he that will
not forsake wife, children, house, and every thing that he hath,
and take up Thy cross and follow Thee, is not worthy of Thee! but
Thou, Lord, knowest that I have forsaken all to come unto Thee.
Lord, have mercy upon me, for unto Thee I commend my spirit! and
my soul doth rejoice in Thee!" These were the last words of this
faithful servant of Christ before enduring the fire. And when the
fire came to him, he cried, "O Lord, have mercy upon me!" and
sprang up in the fire, calling upon the name of Jesus, until he
gave up the ghost.
James Abbes. This young man wandered about to escape
apprehension, but was at last informed against, and brought
before the bishop of Norwich, who influenced him to recant; to
secure him further in apostasy, the bishop afterward gave him a
piece of money; but the interference of Providence is here
remarkable. This bribe lay so heavily upon his conscience, that
he returned, threw back the money, and repented of his conduct.
Like Peter, he was contrite, steadfast in the faith, and sealed
it with his blood at Bury, August 2, 1555, praising and
glorifying God.
John Denley, John Newman, and Patrick Packingham
Mr. Denley and Newman were returning one day to Maidstone, the
place of their abode, when they were met by E. Tyrrel, Esq., a
bigoted justice of the peace in Essex, and a cruel persecutor of
the Protestants. He apprehended them merely on suspicion. On the
fifth of July, 1555, they were condemned, and consigned to the
sheriffs, who sent Mr. Denley to Uxbridge, where he perished,
August eighth, 1555. While suffering in agony, and singing a
Psalm, Dr. Story inhumanly ordered one of the tormentors to throw
a fagot at him, which cut his face severely, caused him to cease
singing, and to raise his hands to his face. Just as Dr. Story
was remarking in jest that he had spoiled a good song, the pious
martyr again changed, spread his hands abroad in the flames, and
through Christ Jesus resigned his soul into the hands of his
Maker.
Mr. Packingham suffered at the same town on the twenty-eigth
of the same month.
Mr. Newman, pewterer, was burnt at Saffron Waldon, in Essex,
August 31, for the same cause, and Richard Hook about the same
time perished at Chichester.
W. Coker, W. Hooper, H. Laurence, R. Colliar, R. Wright and W.
Stere
These persons all of Kent, were examined at the same time with
Mr. Bland and Shetterden, by Thornton, bishop of Dover, Dr.
Harpsfield, and others. These six martyrs and witnesses of the
truth were consigned to the flames in Canterbury, at the end of
August, 1555.
Elizabeth Warne, widow of John Warne, upholsterer, martyr, was
burnt at Stratford-le-bow, near London, at the end of August,
1555.
George Tankerfield, of London, cook, born at York, aged
twenty-seven, in the reign of Edward VI had been a papist; but
the cruelty of bloody Mary made him suspect the truth of those
doctrines which were enforced by fire and torture. Tankerfield
was imprisoned in Newgate about the end of February, 1555, and on
August 26, at St. Alban's, he braved the excruciating fire, and
joyfully died for the glory of his Redeemer.
Rev. Robert Smith was first in the service of Sir T. Smith,
provost of Eton; and was afterward removed to Windsor, where he
had a clerkship of ten pounds a year.
He was condemned, July 12, 1555, and suffered August 8, at
Uxbridge. He doubted not but that God would give the spectators
some token in support of his own cause; this actually happened;
for, when he was nearly half burnt, and supposed to be dead, he
suddenly rose up, moved the remaining parts of his arms and
praised God, then, hanging over the fire, he sweetly slept in the
Lord Jesus.
Mr. Stephen Harwood and Mr. Thomas Fust suffered about the
same time with Smith and Tankerfield, with whom they were
condemned. Mr. William Hale also, of Thorp, in Essex, was sent to
Barnet, where about the same time he joined the ever-blessed
company of martyrs.
George King, Thomas Leyes, and John Wade, falling sick in
Lollard's Tower, were removed to different houses, and died.
Their bodies were thrown out in the common fields as unworthy of
burial, and lay until the faithful conveyed them away at night.
Mr. William Andrew of Horseley, Essex, was imprisoned in
Newgate for heresy; but God chose to call him to himself by the
severe treatment he endured in Newgate, and thus to mock the
snaguinary expectations of his Catholic persecutors. His body was
thrown into the open air, but his soul was received into the
everlasting mansions of his heavenly Creator.
The Rev. Robert Samuel
This gentleman was minister ofr Bradford, Suffolk, where he
industriously taught the flock committed to his charge, while he
was openly permitted to discharge his duty. He was first
persecuted by Mr. Foster, of Copdock, near Ipswich, a severe and
bigoted persecutor of the followers of Christ, according to the
truth in the Gospel. Notwithstanding Mr. Samuel was ejected from
his living, he continued to exhort and instruct privately; nor
would he obey the order for putting away his wife, whom he had
married in King Edward's reign; but kept her at Ipswich, where
Foster, by warrant, surprised him by night with her. After being
imprisoned in Ipswich jail, he was taken before Dr. Hopton,
bishop of Norwich, and Dr. Dunnings, his chancellor, two of the
most sanguinary among the bigots of those days. To intimidate the
worthy pastor, he was in prison chained to a post in such a
manner that the weight of his body was supported by the points of
his toes: added to this his allowance of provision was reduced to
a quantity so insufficient to sustain nature that he was almost
ready to devour his own flesh. From this dreadful extremity there
was even a degree of mercy in ordering him to the fire. Mr.
Samuel suffered August 31, 1555.
Bishop Ridley and Bishop Latimer
These reverend prelates suffered October 17, 5555, at Oxford,
on the same day Wolsey and Pygot perished at Ely. Pillars of the
Church and accomplished ornaments of human nature, they were the
admiration of the realm, amiably conspicuous in their lives, and
glorious in their deaths.
Dr. Ridley was born in Northumberland, was first tauht grammar
at Newcastle, and afterward removed to Cambridge, where his
aptitude in education raised him gradually until he came to be
the head of Pembroke College, where he received the title of
Doctor of Divinity. Having returned from a trip to Paris, he was
appointed chaplain by Henry VIII and bishop of Rochester, and was
afterwards translated to the see of London in the time of Edward
VI.
To his sermons the people resorted, swarming about him like
bees, coveting the sweet flowers and wholesome juice of the
fruitful doctrine, which he did not only preach, but showed the
same by his life, as a glittering lanthorn to the eyes and senses
of the blind, in such pure order that his very enemies could not
reprove him in any one jot.
His tender treatment of Dr. Heath, who was a prisoner with him
during one year, in Edward's reign, evidently proves that he had
no Catholic cruelty in his disposition. In person he was erect
and well proportioned; in temper forgiving; in self-mortification
severe. His first duty in the morning was private prayer: he
remained in his study until ten o'clock, and then attended the
daily prayer used in his house. Dinner being done, he sat about
an hour, conversing pleasantly, or playing at chess. His study
next engaged his attention, unless business or visits occurred;
about five o'clock prayers followed; and after he would recreate
himself at chess for about an hour, then retire to his study
until eleven o'clock, and pray on his knees as in the morning. In
brief, he was a pattern of godliness and virtue, and such he
endeavored to make men wherever he came.
His attentive kindness was displayed particularly to old Mrs.
Bonner, mother of Dr. Bonner, the cruel bishop of London. Dr.
Ridley, when at his manor at Fulham, always invited her to his
house, placed her at the head of his table, and treated her like
his own mother; he did the same by Bonner's sister and other
relatives; but when Dr. Ridley was under persecution, Bonner
pursued a conduct diametrically opposite, and would have
sacrificed Dr. Ridley's sister and her husband, Mr. George
Shipside, had not Providence delivered him by the means of Dr.
Heath, bishop of Worcester.
Dr. Ridley was first in part converted by reading Bertram's
book on the Sacrament, and by his conferences with archbishop
Cranmer and Peter Martyr.
When Edward VI was removed from the throne, and the bloody
Mary succeeded, Bishop Ridley was immediately marked as an object
of slaughter. He was first sent to the Tower, and afterward, at
Oxford, was consigned to the common prison of Bocardo, with
archbishop Cranmer and Mr. Latimer. Being separated from them, he
was placed in the house of one Irish, where he remained until the
day of his martyrdom, from 1554, until October 16, 1555.
It will easily be supposed that the conversations of these
chiefs of the martyrs were elaborate, learned, and instructive.
Such indeed they were, and equally beneficial to all their
spiritual comforts. Bishop Ridley's letters to various Christian
brethren in bonds in all parts, and his disputations with the
mitred enemies of Christ, alike proved the clearness of his head
and the integrity of his heart. In a letter to Mr. Grindal,
(afterward archbishop of Canterbury,) he mentions with affection
those who had preceded him in dying for the faith, and those who
were expected to suffer; he regrets that popery is re-established
in its full abomination, which he attributes to the wrath of God,
made manifest in return for the lukewarmness of the clergy and
the people in justly appreciating the blessed light of the
Reformation.
This old practiced soldier of Christ, Master Hugh Latimer, was
the son of one Hugh Latimer, of Thurkesson in the county of
Leicester, a husbandman, of a good and wealthy estimation; where
also he was born and brought up until he was four years of age,
or thereabout: at which time his parents, having him as then left
for their only son, with six daughters, seeing his ready, prompt,
and sharp wit, purposed to train him up in erudition, and
knowledge of good literature; wherein he so profited in his youth
at the common schools of his own country, that at the age of
fourteen years, he was sent to the University of Cambridge; where
he entered into the study of the school divinity of that day, and
was from principle a zealous observer of the Romish superstitions
of the time. In his oration when he commenced bachelor of
divinity, he inveighed against the reformer Melancthon, and
openly declaimed against good Mr. Stafford, divinity lecturer in
Cambridge.
Mr. Thomas Bilney, moved by a brotherly pity towards Mr.
Latimer, begged to wait upon him in his study, and to explain to
him the groundwork of his (Mr. Bilney's) faith. This blessed
interview effected his conversion: the persecutor of Christ
became his zealous advocate, and before Dr. Stafford died he
became reconciled to him.
Once converted, he became eager for the conversion of others,
and commenced to be public preacher, and private instructor in
the university. His sermons were so pointed against the absurdity
of praying in the Latin tongue, and withholding the oracles of
salvation from the people who were to be saved by belief in them,
that he drew upon himself the pulpit animadversions of several of
the resident friars and heads of houses, whom he subsequently
silenced by his severe criticisms and eloquent arguments. This
was at Christmas, 1529. At length Dr. West preached against Mr.
Latimer at Barwell Abbey, and prohibited him from preaching again
in the churches of the university, notwithstanding which, he
continued during three years to advocate openly the cause of
Christ, and even his enemies confessed the power of those talents
he possessed. Mr. Bilney remained here some time with Mr.
Latimer, and thus the place where they frequently walked together
obtained the name of Heretics' Hill.
Mr. Latimer at this time traced out the innocence of a poor
woman, accused by her husband of the murder of her child. Having
preached before King Henry VIII at Windsor, he obtained the
unfortunate mother's pardon. This, with many other benevolent
acts, served only to excite the spleen of his adversaries. He was
summoned before Cardinal Wolsey for heresy, but being a strenuous
supporter of the king's supremacy, in opposition to the pope's,
by favor of Lord Cromwell and Dr. Buts, (the king's physician,)
he obtained the living of West Kingston, in Wiltshire. For his
sermons here against purgatory, the immaculacy of the Virgin, and
the worship of images, he was cited to appear before Warham,
archbishop of Canterbury, and John, bishop of London. He was
required to subscribe certain articles, expressive of his
conformity to the accustamed usages; and there is reason to
think, after repeated weekly examinations, that he did subscribe,
as they did not seem to involve any important article of belief.
Guided by Providence, he escaped the subtle nets of his
persecutors, and at length, through the powerful friends before
mentioned, became bishop of Worcester, in which function he
qualified or explained away most of the papal ceremonies he was
for form's sake under the necessity of complying with. He
continued in this active and dignified employment some years.
Beginning afresh to set forth his plow he labored in the
Lord's harvest most fruitfully, discharging his talent as well in
divers places of this realm, as before the king at the court. In
the same place of the inward garden, which was before applied to
lascivious and courtly pastimes, there he dispensed the fruitful
Word of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, preaching there
before the king and his whole court, to the edification of many.
He remained a prisoner in the Tower until the coronation of
Edward VI, when he was again called to the Lord's harvest in
Stamford, and many other places: he also preached at London in
the convocation house, and before the young king; indeed he
lectured twice every Sunday, regardless of his great age (then
above sixty-seven years,) and his weakness through a bruise
received from the fall of a tree. Indefatigable in his private
studies, he rose to them in winter and in summer at two o'clock
in the morning.
By the strength of his own mind, or of some inward light from
above, he had a prophetic view of what was to happen to the
Church in Mary's reign, asserting that he was doomed to suffer
for the truth, and that Winchester, then in the Tower, was
preserved for that purpose. Soon after Queen Mary was proclaimed,
a messenger was sent to summon Mr. Latimer to town, and there is
reason to believe it was wished that he should make his escape.
Thus Master Latimer coming up to London, through Smithfield
(where merrily he said that Smithfield had long groaned for him),
was brought before the Council, where he patiently bore all the
mocks and taunts given him by the scornful papists. He was cast
into the Tower, where he, being assisted with the heavenly grace
of Christ, sustained imprisonment a long time, notwithstanding
the cruel and unmerciful handling of the lordly papists, which
thought then their kingdom would never fall; he showed himself
not only patient, but also cheerful in and above all that which
they could or would work against him. Yea, such a valiant spirit
the Lord gave him, that he was able not only to despise the
terribleness of prisons and torments, but also to laugh to scorn
the doings of his enemies.
Mr. Latimer, after remaining a long time in the Tower, was
transported to Oxford, with Cranmer and Ridley, the disputations
at which place have been already mentioned in a former part of
this work. He remained imprisoned until October, and the
principal objects of all his prayers were three--that he might
stand faithful to the doctrine he had professed, that God would
restore his Gospel to England once again, and preserve the Lady
Elizabeth to be queen; all of which happened. When he stood at
the stake without the Bocardo gate, Oxford, with Dr. Ridley, and
fire was putting to the pile of fagots, he raised his eyes
benignantly towards heaven, and said, "God is faithful, who will
not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." His body
was forcibly penetrated by the fire, and the blood flowed
abundantly from the heart; as if to verify his constant desire
that his heart's blood might be shed in defence of the Gospel.
His polemical and friendly letters are lasting monuments of his
integrity and talents. It has been before said, that public
disputation took place in April, 1554, new examinations took
place in October, 1555, previous to the degradation and
condemnation of Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer. We now draw to the
conclusion of the lives of the two last.
Dr. Ridley, the night before execution, was very facetious,
had himself shaved, and called his supper a marriage feast; he
remarked upon seeing Mrs. Irish (the keeper's wife) weep, "Though
my breakfast will be somewhat sharp, my supper will be more
pleasant and sweet."
The place of death was on the northside of the town, opposite
Baliol College. Dr. Ridley was dressed in a black gown furred,
and Mr. Latimer had a long shroud on, hanging down to his feet.
Dr. Ridley, as he passed Bocardo, looked up to see Dr. Cranmer,
but the latter was then engaged in disputation with a friar. When
they came to the stake, Mr. Ridley embraced Latimer fervently,
and bid him: "Be of good heart, brother, for God will either
assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide
it." He then knelt by the stake, and after earnestly praying
together, they had a short private conversation. Dr. Smith then
preached a short sermon against the martyrs, who would have
answered him, but were prevented by Dr. Marshal, the
vice-chancellor. Dr. Ridley then took off his gown and tippet,
and gave them to his brother-in-law, Mr. Shipside. He gave away
also many trifles to his weeping friends, and the populace were
anxious to get even a fragment of his garments. Mr. Latimer gave
nothing, and from the poverty of his garb, was soon stripped to
his shroud, and stood venerable and erect, fearless of death.
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1 Kings 1:46 (KJV)