with those unanswerable arguments, fire and and pulled out of his purse a piece of wax, fagot, if he stood to the defence of what he with a little label of parchment attached to had spoken. To which he answered, that it, which seemed to be a precept. And when "he would the next day deliver unto them Damlip saw it, he said, "Well, well, master, fully so much in writing as he had said, now I know what the matter is."-"What?" whereunto also he would stand;" and so he asked the keeper.-"Truly, master, I shall was dismissed. die in Calais.”—“ Nay," said the keeper, "I The next day, at the appointed hour for trust it will not be so." "Yes, yes, master, his appearance, he came not; for he had it is most true; and I praise God for his goodsecret intimation from Cranmer, that if he ness therein." And so the keeper and they any more personally appeared, he would be went together to supper, much afflicted on committed to prison, and consigned to a cruel account of Damlip, who, notwithstanding, death; whereupon he sent to the bishops was merry himself, and supped as heartily as four sheets of paper, written in the Latin ever; whereupon some at the board told him, tongue, containing his faith, with his argu- that they marvelled how he could eat his ments, drawn from the scriptures, and writ- meat so well, knowing he was so near his ings of the doctors; which done, he fled into death. Ah, masters," replied he, "do you the west country; here he continued teach- think that I have been God's prisoner so long ing a school about a year.or two, after which in the Marshalsea, and have not yet learned he was again apprehended, and brought to to die? Yes, yes, and I doubt not but God London; where, by Gardiner, he was com- will strengthen me therein." mitted to the Marshalsea, where he was confined about two years. 66 On the following Monday, early in the morning, the keeper, with three others of During his imprisonment in the Marshal the knight-marshal's servants, conveyed sea, John Marbeck also was committed to Adam Damlip to Calais, and there committed the same prison; they met at confession, and him to the mayor's prison. Upon which day, Marbeck, who had never seen him before, John Butler, the commissary, and the curate entering into conference with him, became of St. Peter's, were also committed to the acquainted with his story, from Damlip him- same prison, and orders given, that no man self, who concluded by saying, “And now, should speak with Butler. because I think they have forgotten me, I The following Saturday was the day ap am fully minded to make my humble suit to pointed for the execution of Damlip. The the bishop of Winchester, in an epistle, de- offence which his persecutors laid to his claring therein mine obedience, humble sub-charge was heresy; but, because by an act mission, and earnest desire to come to ex-of parliament all such offences, done before amination. I know the worst; I can but a certain day, were pardoned, yet, for re lose my life, which I had rather do, than receiving a trifling sum of cardinal Pole, which main here and not be suffered to use my he gave him merely to assist him in his talent to God's glory; wherefore, God will- travelling expenses, he was condemned of ing, I will surely put it to the proof." treason. Damlip was beloved by every person in The day before his execution, came unto the prison; but especially by the keeper him- him one Mr. Mote, a priest, saying, "Your self, whose name was Massy; and being four quarters shall be hanged at four parts suffered to go at liberty within the walls, he of the town." "And where shall my head did much good among the common and dis- be?" asked Damlip. Upon the Lantern solute sort of prisoners, in rebuking vice and gate," said Mote. "Then," answered Dam-. sin, and kept them in such good order and lip, "shall I not need to provide for my bu awe, that the keeper thought him a great treasure. rial." 66 At the place of execution Sir R. Ellerker, When he had drawn out his epistle, he then, knight-marshal there, would not suffer delivered it to the keeper, desiring him to the innocent and godly man to declare either deliver it to the bishop of Winchester. The his.faith, or the cause he died for, but said keeper said he would. He accordingly to the executioner, "Dispatch the knave, waited upon the bishop, and came home at have done." And Mote, appointed to preach night very late; and when the prisoners saw there, declared to the people, that he had him so sad and heavy, they concluded some been a sower of seditious doctrine; and althing was amiss. At last, casting his eyes though he was for that pardoned by the genupon Damlip, he said, "O George,* I can eral pardon, yet he was condemned for tell thee tidings." What is that, master?" being a traitor against the king. To which, said Damlip. "Upon Monday next, thou when Adam Damlip would have replied, Sir and I must go to Calais."-"To Calais, what R. Ellerker would not suffer him to speak a to do?" "I know not," replied the keeper, word, but commanded him to be had away, declaring he would not leave the place till he had seen the traitor's heart out. And so most meekly, patiently, and joyfully, the .* He was called indifferently, for some reason not now known, either George Bucker or Adam Damlip. D.essed and innocent martyr submitted to his judge in a cause, in which himself was condeath, being hanged, drawn, and quartered. cerned; but the king being positive, he The providence of God, shortly after, named some to go about it, and the whole overtook the sanguinary monster, Sir R. El- secret was discovered. It appeared that Garlerker, with a just punishment; for, in a diner and Dr. London had been the chief inskirmish with the French at Boulogne, he struments, and had encouraged informers to was slain; and, after the enemy had strip- appear against him. Cranmer did not press ped him naked, they cut the heart out of his body, and so left him a terrible example to all bloody and merciless men. Some time after this, a certain scholar, said to be a Scotchman, named Dod, coming out of Germany, was taken at Calais, with certain German books about him, and being examined thereupon, and remaining stedfastly in the truth that he had learned, was condemned to death, and burned in the town. ATTEMPTS TO RUIN CRANMER. the king for any reparation; for he was so noted for his readiness to forgive injuries, and to return good for evil, that it was commonly said, the best way to obtain his favor, was to do him an injury; of this he gave signal instances at this time, both in relation to the clergy and laity; by which it ap peared that he was actuated by that meek and lowly spirit, which becomes all the followers of Christ, but more particularly one, who was so great an instrument in reforming the Christian religion; and did, by such eminent acts of charity, show that he himself practised that which he taught others to do. The chief thing now aimed at, by the whole popish party, was Cranmer's ruin. Gardiner employed many to infuse the belief into the king, that he gave the chief en- A parliament was now called, in which an couragement to heresy in England, and that act providing for the succession of the crown it was in vain to lop off the branches, and was passed. By it prince Edward and his leave the root still growing. The king, be- heirs, or the heirs by the king's present marfore this, would never hear the complaints riage, were to succeed on the decease of the that were made of him: but now, to be in- king; after them, the lady Mary, and lady formed of the depth of this design, he was Elizabeth; and in case they had no issue, or willing to make himself acquainted with all did not observe such limitations or conditions that was to be said against him. as the king should appoint, then it was to Gardiner reckoned that this point being fall to any other whom the king should name, gained, all the rest would follow, and judg- either by his letters patent, or by his last will ing that the king was now alienated from signed with his hand. An oath was appointhim, more instruments and artifices than ed both against the pope's supremacy, and ever were made use of. A long paper, con- for the maintaining the succession according taining many particulars against both Cran-to this act, which all were required to take, mer and his chaplains, was put into the king's hands. Upon this the king sent for him; and after he had complained much of the heresy in England, he said, he resolved to find out the chief promoter of it, and to make him an example. Cranmer advised him first to consider well what heresy was, that so he might not condemn those as heretics, who maintained the true word of God against human inventions. Then the king told him frankly, that he was the man complained of, as most guilty; and showed him all the informations that he had received against him. under the pains of treason. It was made treason to say or write any thing contrary to this act, or to the slander of any of the king's heirs named in it. Another bill was passed, qualifying the severity of the six articles; by which it was enacted that none should be imprisoned but upon a legal presentment, except upon the king's warrant. None was to be challenged for words spoken, except the accustion were brought within a year after the commission of the offence; nor for a sermon, but within forty days. This was made to prevent such conspiracies as had been dis covered during the former year. Cranmer avowed that he was still of the same mind as when he opposed the six arti- Another act was passed, renewing the cles, and submitted himself to a trial; he authority given to thirty-two commissioners confessed many things to the king; in par- to reform the ecclesiastical law, which Cranticular, that he had a wife; but he said he had mer promoted much; and to advance so good sent her out of England, when the act of the a purpose, he drew out of the canon law, a six articles was passed; and expressed so collection of many things against the regal, great a sincerity, and put so entire a confi- and for the papal authority, with several dence in the king, that, .nstead of being other very extravagant propositions, to show ruined, he was now better established with him than ever. The king commanded him to appoint some persons to examine the contrivance that had been laid to destroy him; he answered, that it was not decent for him to nominate any to how improper it was, to let a book, in which such things were, continue still in any credit in England: but he could not bring this to any good issue. A general pardon also was granted, out of which heresy was excepted. Audley, the chancellor, dying at this time, Wriothesly, who was of the popish party, flesh, blood, and bone, as he was born of the was put in his place: and Dr. Petre, Cran- Virgin Mary, and no bread after." mer's friend, was made secretary of state: To which they answered, "No, they did so equally did the king keep the balance be- not so believe, but that they believed the tween both parties. He gave orders also to sacrament which Christ Jesus instituted at translate the prayers, and litanies, into the his last supper to his disciples, was only to English tongue, which gave the reformers put men in remembrance of his precious some hopes that he had not quite cast off death, and blood-shedding for the remission his design of reforming such abuses as had crept into the worship of God. And they hoped that the reasons which prevailed with the king to order this, would also induce him to order a translation of all the other offices into the English tongue. Lee, archbishop of York, died about this time; and was succeeded by Holgate, bishop of Landaff, who, in his heart, favored the reformation. Kitchin, who turned with every change, was made bishop of Landaff; Heath was removed from Rochester to Worcester; Holbeck was promoted to the see of Rochester; and Day to that of Chichester. All these were moderate men, and well disposed to a reformation, or at least to comply with it. MARTYRDOM OF KERBY AND CLARKE. of sins; and that there was neither flesh nor blood to be eaten with the teeth, but bread and wine, and yet more than bread and wine, for that it is consecrated to a holy use." Then many persuasions and threats were used to induce them to abjure; but they both continued faithful and constant, choosing rather to die than to live, if life were to be purchased by professing what they could not believe to be true. Sentence was then passed upon them; Kerby to be burnt in Ipswich on the next Saturday, and Clarke to be burned at Bury on the Monday after. Kerby, when his judgment was given by lord Wentworth, with most humble reverence holding up his hands and bowing himself devoutly, said, “Praised be Almighty God." The next English martyrs who stand upon Then lord Wentworth spoke secretly to record, are Kerby and Clarke. These men another commissioner who sat near him. were apprehended at Ipswich, and commit- Clarke, perceiving this, said with a loud ted to the care of the jailor there, named voice, "Speak out, my lord, and if you have Bird, a very humane man. While they were any thing contrary to your conscience, ask in custody, Kerby was visited by Mr. Robert God mercy, and we for our parts forgive Wingfield, and a Mr. Bruess. Wingfield you: and speak not in secret, for ye shall said to him, "Remember the fire is hot, come before a judge, and then make answer take heed of thine enterprise, that thou take openly, even before Him that shall judge all no more upon thee than thou shalt be able men." to perform. The terror is great, the pain Lord Wentworth changing color, perhaps will be extreme, and life is sweet. Better from remorse, answered, "I spoke nothing it were betime to stick to mercy, while there of you, nor have I done any thing unto you, is hope of life, than rashly to begin, and then but as the law is." to shrink." The prisoners were then led to their destinations; Kerby to prison at Ipswich, and Clarke to Bury, St. Edmund's.-On quitting the court, the latter exclaimed aloud, "Fight for your God, for he hath not long to continue." Kerby answered, "Ah, Mr. Wingfield, be at my burning, and you shall say, there standeth a Christian soldier in the fire: for I know that fire and water, sword, and all other things, are in the hands of God, and he will suffer no more to be laid upon us than On the following Saturday, about ten he will give strength to bear."-"Ah, Ker- o'clock, Kerby was brought to the marketby," replied Mr. Wingfield, "if thou be at place, where a stake was ready, with wood, that point, I will bid thee farewell; for I straw, &c. He was then fastened to the promise thee I am not so strong that I am stake with irons, lord Wentworth, with many able to burn." And so both the gentlemen other noblemen and gentlemen of the neighsaying that they would pray for him, shook borhood, being in the gallery, where they hands with him and departed. might see his execution, and hear what he might say; there was also a great number of people. In the gallery also, by lord Wentworth, stood Dr. Rugham, formerly a monk of Bury, having on a surplice, and a stole about his neck. When Kerby and Clarke were brought up for examination, before lord Wentworth and the other commissioners, they lifted up their eyes and hands to heaven, with great devotion, making their prayers secretly to God. The articles of accusation were then read Silence being proclaimed, the doctor beto them, and it was demanded of them, gan to speak to the assembly, and in his disWhether they believed, that after the course, as often as he quoted the scriptures, words spoken by a priest, as Christ spake and applied them rightly, Kerby told the them to his apostles, the bread and wine people that he was right, and bade them bewere not the very body and blood of Christ, lieve him. But when he did otherwise, he This year it was ordained by proclamation, in the name of the king and his council, that the English form of prayer, as ordained by the said council, should be used throughout all England, and none other. told him again, "You say not true; believe thereby much pained, till he got his feet out him not, good people." When the doctor of the barrel. At length a person standing had ended, he said to Kerby, "Thou, good by took a fagot, and striking at the ring of man, dost not thou believe that the blessed iron about his neck, and then upon his head, sacrament of the altar is the very flesh and he fell down on one side into the fire, and blood of Christ, and no bread, even as he so was destroyed. was born of the Virgin Mary?" Kerby answering boldly, said, "I do not so believe." "How dost thou believe?" asked the Doctor. Kerby answered, "I believe that in the sacrament that Jesus Christ instituted at his last supper to his disciples (which ought of In the month of November, the king sumns likewise to be done) is his death and pas- moned his parliament. Early in the session sion, and his bloodshedding for the redemp- they granted to him, besides subsidies of tion of the world, to be remembered; and, money, "all colleges, chantries, free chapels, as I said before, yet bread, and more than hospitals, fraternities, brotherhoods, guilds, bread, for that it is consecrated to a holy and perpetuities of stipendiary priests, to be After this the doctor said no more to disposed of at his will and pleasure." Whereupon, shortly after, he came to the parlia ment-house to give his assent to such acts as were there passed: where, after an eloquent oration made to him by the speaker, he an swered, not by the lord chancellor, as the usual manner was, but by himself. use. 99 Kerby. Then Kerby, taking his cap from his head, cast it from him, and lifting up his hands, He first declared his gratitude to his sub repeated the hymn, Te Deum, and the Apos- jects for their grants and sudsidies to him tles' creed, with other prayers in the Eng- and then, with much apparent earnestness lish tongue. Lord Wentworth, while Kerby exhorted them to concord, peace, and unity was thus doing, concealed himself behind But while he recommended charity by hi one of the posts of the gallery, and wept, and speeches, his conduct showed that he wa so did many others. "Now," said Kerby, incapable of exercising it towards those wh "I have done: you may execute your office, differed from him; and the case of Ann good sheriff." On this, fire was set to the Askew will prove, that his own dispositio wood, and with a loud voice the holy martyr was not altered, whatever his profession commended his soul to his heavenly Father; might be. striking his breast, and holding up his hands as long as his senses remained; and so ended STORY AND MARTYRDOM OF ANNE ASKE his life, the people being filled with great admiration of so much constancy, in one so simple and unlettered. On the following Monday, about ten o'clock, Roger Clarke was brought out of prison, and led on foot to the gate, called Southgate, in Bury. By the way he met the procession of the host, but he went on, and would not bow, or kneel, but vehemently rebuked that idolatry and superstition. Af This lady was descended from a go family, and had received an accomplish education: she had embraced the doctrin of the reformers with zeal, and was tak into custody for her opinions, in March, 15She underwent several examinations tou ing the points of difference between the pists and the Protestants; in which she swered the insidious questions of her exa iners with boldness and discretion. On arriving at the place of execution, the remaining some time in prison, applicat stake being ready, and the wood lying by, was made by her relatives for her enlar he kneeled down, and said the Magnificat ment. The bishop of London, on this, ord in the English tongue, making a paraphrase ed that she should be brought before him upon it, wherein he declared that the blessed three o'clock the next day, attended by Virgin Mary, who might rejoice in her pure- friends. Her own account of this matte ness, with as much reason as any other, yet so interesting that we cannot do better t humbled herself to our Saviour." And what present it to our readers. After narrat says John Baptist," continued he, "the what we have already mentioned, she greatest of all the children? 'Behold the ceeds: lamb of God which taketh away the sins of "Next day in the forenoon, the bisho the world."" And thus with a loud voice London sent for me, and as I came be he cried unto the people, while they were him, he said he was sorry for my trou fastening him to the stake, and then fire was and desired to know my opinions in set to him. His sufferings were dreadful, matters as were laid against me. for the wood was green, and would not burn, quired me in any wise boldly to utter so that he was choked with smoke: and secrets of my heart, bidding me not to moreover, being set in a pitch-barrel, with in any points, for whatever I said in some pitch sticking still by the sides, he was house, no man should hurt me for it. He swered, 'As your lordship appointed three sel, unless I know wherewith your conscience o'clock, my friends will not come till that is burdened. My conscience,' said I, 'is hour; I desire you to pardon my giving an- clean in all things, and to lay a plaster untc swers till they arrive.' Then he said that he the whole skin would appear much folly.' thought it meet to send for those who were "Then you drive me,' saith he, to lay before named and appointed.* I desired him to your charge your own report, which is this not to put them to the trouble, because the -You did say, he that doth receive the satwo gentlemen who were my friends, were crament by the hands of an ill priest, or a able enough to testify what I should say. sinner, receiveth the devil, and not God.' I "Afterwards he went into his gallery with answered, That I never spake such words: Mr. Spilman, and told him in any wise that but, as I said before, that the wickedness of he should exhort me to utter all I thought. the priest did not hurt me, but in spirit and In the mean while he commanded his arch- faith I received no less than the body and deacon to commune with me, who said, blood of Christ.'-'What saying is this in Mistress, wherefore are you accused and spirit?' demanded he, 'I will not take you thus troubled here before the bishop? I an- at the advantage.' Then answered I, 'My swered, Sir, ask my accusers, for I know lord, without faith and spirit, I cannot receive not as yet.' Then he took my hand, and said, him worthily.' 'Such books as this have brought you to the trouble you are in. Beware, said he, 'beware, for he that made this book, and was the author thereof, was a heretic, and burned in Smithfield. "Then he said that I had affirmed, 'That the sacrament remaining in the pix was but bread.' I answered, That I never said so. But indeed the quest had asked a question, whereunto I would not reply till they had answered my question, 'Wherefore Stephen was stoned to death?" "Then my lord said, 'That I had alleged a certain text of the scripture.' I answered That I alleged none other but St. Paul's own saying to the Athenians, in the 18th chapter of the Acts, That God dwelleth not in temples made with hands.' Then he asked me, 'What my faith and belief was in that matter?" I answered him, 'I believe as the scripture doth teach me.' "I asked him if he was certain and sure that it was true what he had spoken. He aid he knew well the book was of John Frith's making. Then I asked him if he were not ashamed to judge of the book before he saw it within, or yet knew the truth thereof. I said also, that such unadvised fasty judgment is an apparent token of a very slender wit. Then I opened the book and showed it him. He said he thought it had been another, for he could find no fault therein. Then I desired him no more to be "Then inquired he of me, 'What if the so unadvisedly rash and swift in judgment, scripture doth say, that it is the body of till he thoroughly knew the truth, and so he Christ?'-'I believe,' said I, 'as the scripdeparted from me. ture doth teach.' Then he asked again, Immediately after came my cousin Brit-What if the scripture doth say that it is not with divers others, among whom was the body of Christ?' My answer was still, Mr. Hall of Gray's-inn. Then my lord of 'I believe as the scripture informeth me." London persuaded my cousin, as he had done And upon this argument he tarried a great ten before, that I should utter the bottom while, to have driven me to make him an my heart in any wise. My lord said after answer to his mind. Howbeit I would not, at unto me, that he would I should credit but concluded this with him, 'That I becounsel of such as were my friends and lieve therein, and in all other things, as rell-wishers in this behalf, which was, that Christ and his apostles did leave them. should utter all things that burthened my "Then he asked me, 'Why I had so few science; for he assured me, that I should words?' and I answered, God hath given need to stand in doubt. For as he prom- me the gift of knowledge, but not of uttered them (he said) he promised me, and ance; and Solomon saith, A woman of few uld perform it; namely, that neither he, words is the gift of God.' any man for him, should take me at ad- "He next laid to my charge, that I had stage of any word, and therefore he bade said that the mass was superstitious, wicked, ay my mind without fear. I answered and no better than idolatry.' I answered him, that I had naught to say, for my con-that I had said not so. Howbeit the quest dence (I thanked God) was burdened with asked me, Whether private mass did relieve thing. departed souls? Unto whom I had answered, Then brought he forth this unsavory si-O Lord, what idolatry is this, that we should tude: that if a man had a wound, no rather believe in private masses, than in the surgeon would minister help unto it death of the dear Son of God! Then said re he had seen it uncovered. In like my lord again, 'What an answer is that!'— saith he, 'can I give you no good coun- Though it be but mean,' said I, yet is it. good enough for the question; and there is priest,' said I, 'who was present before the mayor.' Dr. Crome, Sir Guillam Whitehead, and Mr. Antington, reformers, and friends of Mrs. Askew. a |