there doth only remain the substance of ma- Warne began his prayer, which having terial bread, as it is before the consecration, finished, he prepared himself for the fiery and that the said bread is noways altered trial. While Warne was at prayers, Cardand changed. maker was discoursing with the sheriffs, in3. That he believed, that if the Catholic somuch that the friends of the reformation church doth believe and teach, there is in feared he would recant; but these apprehenthe mass (now used in England, and in other sions soon subsided, for after his conference places of Christendom) a sacrifice, wherein with the sheriffs, and a short prayer, he there is a sacrament concerning the body courageously went to the stake, took his feland blood of Christ, really and truly, then low-sufferer by the hand, comforted him, and that belief and faith of the church is naught, cheerfully submitted to be bound. and against God's truth and the scripture. When the people beheld this they were 4. That neither in Lent past, nor any time greatly rejoiced, as it totally removed their since the queen's reign, he had been at apprehensions that they would recant; and church, nor heard mass, nor had been con- they exclaimed, with satisfaction, "God be fessed, or had received the sacrament of the praised! the Lord strengthen ye! the Lord altar; and said that he was not sorry for the Jesus receive your spirits!" same, because his conscience was not deThe executioner having set fire to the filed, as it would otherwise have been. fagots, they burnt with great rapidity, and Warne underwent several examinations, the two martyrs soon passed through the in the presence of different persons, on these flames, to enjoy the crown of triumph and articles; at all of which he declared, that victory, prepared for the true soldiers of he did believe and confess the same to be Christ in his blessed kingdom.

true.

At length, the bishop of London having frequently warned him to abjure his heretical tenets, and return to his obedience to the church of Rome, but without effect, the definitive sentence was pronounced, when he was delivered up to the sheriffs, and sent to Newgate.

While these two faithful servants of Christ were in prison, some of the popish emissaries had spread a report that they intended to recant, which occasioned the following

LETTER FROM MR. CARDMAKER TO HIS
FRIENDS.

JOHN ARDELEY, AND JOHN SIMPSON.

On the same day that Warne and Cardmaker suffered in Smithfield, JOHN ARDELEY, and JOHN SIMPSON, two laboring men, and sincere though humble Christians, were burnt in Essex; the former at Rayleigh, and the latter at Rochford.

THOMAS HAWKES.

This person was the son of reputable and pious parents, who gave him a good education, and brought him up in the reformed religion. He strictly adhered to the religious principles which had been instilled into his "The peace of God be with you. You youthful mind: so that finding the gospel, shall right well perceive that I am not gone after the death of king Edward, began to deback, as some men do report of me, but am cline, (especially among great families, in as ready to give my life, as any of my breth- one of which, that of lord Oxford, he lived) ren that are gone before me, although by a he returned home, where he hoped quietly policy I have a little prolonged it, and that to enjoy the worship of God, according to the for the best, as already it appeareth unto me, dictates of his own conscience.

and shall shortly appear unto all. That day In these expectations, however, he soon that I recant any point of doctrine, I shall found himself disappointed. As there were suffer twenty kinds of death, the Lord being now popish emissaries in every corner, lying mine assistance, as I doubt not but he will. in wait to give information if any one was Commend me to my friend, and tell him no only suspected of favoring the doctrines of less. This the Lord strengthen you, me, the reformation, Hawkes was apprehended, and all his elect: my riches and poverty are and brought before the earl of Oxford, his as they were wont to be, and I have learned former master, for "being unsound in relito rejoice in poverty as well as riches, for gion, and contemning the sacraments of the that I account now to be very riches. Thus church, in that he had kept a son unbaptized fare ye well in Christ. Salute all my breth- three weeks, because he would not suffer ren in my name. I have conferred with him to be baptized after the popish mansome of my adversaries, learned men, and ner."

I find that they be but sophists and shad- The earl referred him to bishop Bonner, DWS." to whom having written that he had refused to have his child baptized according to the On the 30th of May, 1555, these two mar-order of the church now in use, he left him tyrs were conducted, under a strong guard, to his lordship's discretion. from Newgate to Smithfield, the place appointed for their execution.

As soon es they arrived at the stake,

When Hawkes was brought before the bishop, he was asked the cause of keeping the child unbaptized so long: to which he

returned for answer, that he was bound to what he had not written himself; upon do nothing contrary to the word of God. which the haughty prelate struck him on The bishop then urged, that baptism being the breast, declaring, at the same time, that a sacrament contained in the word of God," he would severely chastise all such proud and incumbent on every Christian, he was, and disobedient knaves."

consequently, criminal in denying, or not A few days after this the bishop summoned conforming to the same. To this he said, him, with several others, to appear publicly that he, by no means, denied God's institu- in the consistory court at St. Paul's, where tion, but men's invention therein; such as the several articles alleged against him, tothe use of oil, cream, spittle, salt, candle, &c. gether with the bill of confession, were read After much debate on the subject, the to him, in all which he firmly continued. bishop asked him if he would have his child They then strongly exhorted him to re baptized according to the service-book, set cant, that they might not be obliged to pass out in the reign of Edward VI. To which the awful sentence of death upon him. To he replied, that it was the very thing he de- which he cheerfully replied, that it he had sired from his soul. a hundred bodies, he would suffer them all

This, however, was but mere equivoca- to be torn to pieces, rather than abjure the tion to learn his sentiments; for it appeared faith of Christ's gospel.

in the sequel, that Bonner's wish was to On his thus stedfastly, persevering in the compel him to submit to the superstitions of faith which he professed, the bishop read the church of Rome; but this, with all his artifice, he was unable to effect.

The bishop, with several others, held various conferences with Hawkes, concerning his belief of the corporeal presence in the sacrament of the altar, the mass, the holy creed, holy water, and other ceremonies of the church of Rome: but these also he rejected as he had done that of baptism, because they were contrary to the word of God, by which alone he was determined to be guided and directed in all matters of faith and religion; nay, he boldly told them all, that he would not credit them in any thing, but what they could prove from the holy scriptures.

At length Bonner, finding he could by no means prevail with him to recant his opinions, and submit to the church of Rome, sent him prisoner to the Gate-house, in Westminster, commanding the keeper to confine him closely, and not to permit any person to converse with him.

the sentence of condemnation against him, and five others; after which he was sent back to prison, where he remained till June following, when he was delivered into the hands of lord Rich, who caused him to be conveyed to Chelmsford, and from thence t Coxall, in Essex, where he was burned o the 10th of the same month.

Mr. Hawkes gave many pious exhorta tions, and godly admonitions, to his friend who came to visit him; and several of the requesting, if it was possible, that he wou show them some token, by which the pos bility of burning without repining might e pear, he promised "by the help of God, i show them, that the most exquisite tormen were to be endured in the glorious cause Christ, and his gospel, the comforts of whi were able to lift the believing soul above that men or devils could inflict."

Accordingly, it was agreed between the that if the rage of pain was tolerable, should lift up his hands towards heaven, fore he gave up the ghost.

During his confinement, various methods were used to bring him over to recant, such A short time after this agreement, he as conversation, reading to him, taking him led to the place of execution, where be to hear sermons, and the like; but all proved fastened to the stake with a chain, he ineffectual; his constant answer, to all who spoke to him on that subject, being, "I am no changeling."

Bonner, incensed at his stedfastness, told him, on his second examination, he should' find him "no changeling" neither, and immediately went out and wrote the following

paper:

dressed the multitude, and especially Rich, reasoning with him on the iniquity dreadful consequences of shedding the i cent blood of the saints.

Having fervently prayed to Almighty the flames were kindled around him, an continued in them so long, that his sp was taken away by their violence; his "I Thomas Hawkes do here confess and was contracted, and the spectators the declare, before my ordinary, Edmund bishop he was dead, when on a sudden, and of London, that the mass is abominable, de-trary to all expectation, this eminent testable, and full of all superstition; and also zealous servant of God, mindful of the concerning the sacrament of the body and ise he had made to his friends, held his blood of Christ, (commonly called the sacra- flaming over his head, and, as if in an ec ment of the altar) that Christ is in no part of joy, clapped them thrice together. thereof, but only in heaven. This I have The astonished multitude testified believed, and this I do believe." approbation of his faith and patience, an Bonner ordered Hawkes to subscribe to friends, to whom he made the promise. paper; but he refused to set his name to exceedingly confirmed in their most

this

faith, by being eye-witnesses to the power. Again, how he hath preserved those that abof divine strength, which is able to support hor superstition and idolatry, and that have the servants of God, under every trial that only taken hold upon God with their whole may befall them, for the sake of the truth, heart, to serve him, to love him, and to fear as it is in our Blessed Redeemer. him, &c. it is most manifestly to be seen, While Mr. Hawkes was in confinement, even from the beginning, out of what great he wrote a great number of letters to dif- dangers he hath always delivered them: ferent persons; and, among them, one to his yea, when all hope of deliverance was past, wife, which so strongly displays the tender as touching their expectation, even then, in husband, and pious Christian, that we shall the sight of all his enemies, would he work preserve it here.

his godly will and purpose, to the utter amazing and destruction of all those that were his manifest enemies.

66

"GRACE be with you, and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, "Further, I exhort you, in the bowels of who gave himself for our sins, to deliver us Christ, that you will exercise and be stedfast from this present evil world, through the in prayer; for prayer is the only means to good will of God our Father, to whom be pierce the heavens, to obtain, at the hand of praise for ever and ever. Amen. God, whatsoever we desire, so that it be "My dear yokefellow in the Lord, foras- asked in faith. Oh, what notable things do much as the Lord hath not only called me to we read in the scriptures, that have been obwork in his vineyard, but hath also fulfilled tained through fervent prayer! We are comhis good work in me, (I trust to his glory, manded to call upon him for help, aid, and and to the comfort of all those that look for succor, in necessities and troubles: and he his coming) I thought it my duty to write hath promised to help us: Again, they that will unto you some lessons out of God's book; not call upon him with their whole heart, but and if you will direct yourself thereafter, upon other dead creatures, in whom there is doubt not of it but. God, who refuseth none no help, (for there was none found worthy to that will come to him with their whole heart, open the book, but only the lamb Christ, will assist with his holy spirit, and direct which was killed for our sins) I say, who you in all his ways, to his honor and glory, that will refuse his help, must even, by the who grant it for his mercy sake. Amen. terrible judgments of God, come utterly to "First, I exhort you to fear God, to serve confusion; as it hath, and is daily manifest "and honor his holy name, to love him with to be seen. And whatsoever you desire of all your heart, soul, and mind, to believe God in your prayer, ask it for Jesus Christ's faithfully in all his promises, to lay sure hold sake, for whom, and in whom, God hath upon them, that in all your troubles, whatso- promised to give us all things necessary. ever they are, ye may run straight to the And though that which we ask come not at great mercy of God, and he will bring you the first and second calling, yet continue out of them: keep you, within his wings; still knocking, and he will, at length, open then shall ye be sure that neither devil, flesh, his treasures of mercy, so that ye shall be nor hell, shall be able to hurt you. sure to obtain; for he hath so promised, if "But take heed; if you will not keep his ye continue in faith, hoping surely in him. holy precepts and laws, and, to the utter- These former lessons, with all such instrucmost of your power, call for the help of God tions as I have told you by my mouth, I do to walk in the same, but will leave them, wish that you would most earnestly learn; and run to all abominations with the wicked and then I doubt not, but God, who is the world, and do as they do; then be sure to giver of all grace, will assist you in all your have your part with the wicked world, in the doings, that ye may be found worthy of his burning lake that never shall be quenched. kingdom, which is prepared through Christ Therefore, beware of idolatry, which doth, "Further, whereas it pleased God to send most of all, stink before the face of Al- us children, my desire is, that they may be mighty God, and was, by all good men, most brought up in the fear of God, and in his detested from the beginning of the world. laws. And this is to certify you, that you For which, what kingdoms, nations, and deliver, in any wise, my eldest son unto Mr. realms, God hath punished with most terrible Throgmorton, who, upon his good-will, hath piagues, with fire, brimstone, hunger, sword, promised me to bring him up according to pestilence, &c. to the utter subversion of my desire; and I trust, as God hath put into them, it is manifestly to be seen through the his heart. See, therefore, that ye deliver whole Bible. Yea, his own peculiar people, him, in any wise, without delay; and as for whom he had done so much for, when they the other, if ye shall seem to be burdened E from him, and went and served other with him, (which I think nature will not gds, contrary to his commandment, he ut- suffer) my desire is, that it be brought up in edly destroyed and rooted them out from off the fear of God to the uttermost of your enthe earth; and as many as died in that deavor, with some honest man that hath the damnable state, not repenting their abomina- fear of God before his eyes; and let us be evil, he threw them into the pit of hell. give thanks unto God, which hath given

them us, beseeching him that they may be which a justice of the peace then presen counted worthy to be of that flock that shall inquired of him, "From whom he had imstand on the right hand of the majesty of bibed his new-fangled religion?" Watts upGod, when he shall judge the world. Amen. braided the justice with hypocrisy, remind"Yet once again I warn you, that ye con- ing him, that in the days of the late king, tinue in fervent prayer, as I said before; no one inveighed more strenuously against then shall ye be sure, that God, even of his the Romish doctrines than himself, pronounc own mercy, according as he hath promised, ing the mass to be abominable, earnestly exwill be a husband unto you, and provide bet- horting none to believe therein, and that ter for you than ever I was able to do; yea, their belief should be only in Christ; nay, he will cause all men that fear him to pity adding further, that whosoever should introyou, to help you, to succor you in all your duce any strange notion here, should be necessities, so that if any do you wrong, he deemed a traitor, and punished as such. will be avenged on them. Moreover, I wish The justice reviled Watts as an insolent, you to keep company with those of whom lying knave, and persuaded the sheriff not ye may learn to come to a more perfect to pay any regard to what he had said. knowledge in God, and I doubt not but God Soon after this, information was given to will provide that such will be glad to receive bishop Bonner, that Thomas Watts mainyou, if you shall profess, and go forward in tained, inculcated, and encouraged heretical his truth. opinions. In consequence of this he was "Finally, and to make an end, I desire brought into the consistory court in London, you that ye take heed with whom ye couple and there examined, concerning the di yourself. See that he be a man that feareth course he had with lord Rich, and other coa God, loveth his laws, and will walk in the same to the utmost of his power: such a one as can be content to love you, and to care for you. Take heed he be no brawler, no drunkard, no wicked person, not given to filthiness, no worldling, no dicer nor carder. In fine, no filthy person; but choose you such a one, as God may be glorified in both your lives. And again, on your part, love him, serve him, obey him in all godliness, as long as God shall give you life in this world. To this he answered, "that he believe Then shall ye both be sure to obtain that in all the sacraments, according to Christ kingdom which God the Father hath pre- institution, but not according to the chur pared, and Jesus Christ obtained for you, of the bishop of Rome; that he believed to that never shall have an end, where I trust cording to the preaching of several miras to abide your coming. Amen. By your hus-ters of the gospel, who preached the word band, "THOMAS HAWKES."

MARTYRDOM OF THOMAS WATTS.

Mr. Thomas Watts was born of reputable and pious parents, in the county of Essex. He was educated in the reformed religion, and during the reign of Edward VI. was a zealous professor of the Protestant faith. On the accession of queen Mary to the throne, apprehending that he should be persecuted, on account of his adherence to a religion contrary to that which was then introduced, he relinquished the business of a linen draper, which he had carried on at Billericay, sold his goods, and made over his property to his wife and children.

missioners, at Chelmsford, when he publicly related the truth; after which, the following articles were alleged against him, requirin according to the custom of the court, a par ticular answer to each article:

1. "That he did not believe in the sacra ments of the holy Catholic church, as the Catholic church of Rome, and other churches members of the same, have believed an taught, but despised the same.”

God truly and sincerely."

2. "That he believed, and taught other that the substances of material bread an wine do remain in the sacrament of the a tar after consecration."

To this he replied, "that he believed th Christ's body is now in heaven, and nowhe else; and that he never would believe th Christ's body was in the sacrament." 3. "That he believed the mass to be abo nable."

To this he frankly answered in the afin tive, declaring, that he would never rec his opinion.

4. "That he believed, that confession t priest was not necessary."

To this he said, "he did not believe ti the priest could absolve him of his sins; allowed, that it was good to ask spiritual vice of the priest."

As he lived in the county of Essex, he came under the cognizance of lord Rich, before whom he was brought, and who demanded the reason of his disobeying the qeeen's laws, absenting himself from church, 5. "That in the open sessions, he e neglecting the mass, and setting up unlaw- fessed that he had refused to come to ful conventicles, contrary to her majesty's church to hear mass, and receive the sa command. ment of the altar; because, according Mr. Watts replied, with composure, that the service of the church, set out in if he had offended against the law, he was days of king Edward the Sixth, such ca subject to the penalty of the law; upon were coined abominable, heretical,

schismatical; that he declared, that all that obey and fear: beware that ye turn not to was done in the church, upon the accession this abominable popery, as a testimony, of her majesty, was abominable, heretical, against which, I shall shortly, by God's grace, schismatical, and unscriptural; and also that shed my blood. Let not the murdering God's he uttered, before the commissioners, other saints cause you to recant, but take occasion erroneous and arrogant words, to the injury thereby, more earnestly, to contend for the of his soul, and the bad example of the peo- faith once delivered to the saints. My dear ple present." children, I trust God will be a merciful father unto you."

To this he answered, without the least attempt to evade, that he declared his opinion, as in the article above mentioned, and begged of God that he might live and die in that faith."

These, and other articles of less moment, were read to him, and his answers minuted down; after which the bishop used the most forcible arguments he could adduce to bring him to a denial of his "errors," and to be obedient to the holy mother church.

This affecting address made such an impression on two of his children, that they desired to be burnt with him. Their sympathy for a time discomposed our martyr, the Christian giving way to the parent; but after having a little recovered himself, he embraced them with all the tenderness of a dying father, took his leave, and was led to the stake, where he quietly yielded up his spirit into the hands of Him who gave it, saying, "Into thy hands, O God, I commend my spirit."

Mr. Watts, however, remaining inflexible, and praying to God that he might be enabled to hold out to the end in the true faith of Such was the attachment of this stedfast Christ, sentence of condemnation was pro- believer to the cause of his dear Lord and nounced against him, and he was delivered Master, that the affecting spectacle of his up to the sheriffs of London, who conducted hum to Newgate.

On the 9th of June he was carried from Newgate to Chelmsford, his execution being appointed at that place on the 11th. On the ame evening he was conveyed there, he as in company with Thomas Hawkes, and thers, and they all joined together in the most fervent prayer.

disconsolate wife, and six innocent babes, could not, in the least, stagger his resolu tion; but he persevered in spite of all worldly considerations, being animated so to do, by an assurance of an immortal crown of glory in his Redeemer's kingdom.

CHAMBERLAIN, OSMOND, AND BAMFORD. About the same time that Mr. Watts sufThe day before his execution, he was vis-fered, three others shared the same fate, for thed by his wife, and six children, whom he their adherence to the truth of the gospel; addressed in the following manner:

"My dear wife, and good children, the time of my departure is at hand, therefore, enceforth I know you no more, but as the Lord hath given you unto me, so I give you gain unto the Lord, whom I charge you to

namely, NICHOLAS CHAMBERLAIN, weaver; THOMAS OSMOND, fuller; and WILLIAM BAMFORD, weaver. The first of these was burnt at Colchester on the 14th of June; the second suffered the next day at Maningtree; and the third the following day at Harwich.

SECTION VI.

Martyrdom of the Rev. John Bradford, John Leafe, and others.

THE first of these martyrs was born at which he was admitted to a fellowship in Lanchester, where he received an educa- Pembroke college.

g some

sufficiently liberal to qualify him for At this time Martin Bucer, a zealous ade more exalted offices of life, having at-vocate for the reformed religion, resided at ed to a considerable knowledge in clas- Cambridge. This person discovered a great al and mathematical literature. regard for Mr. Bradford, and persuaded him his arrival at years of maturity, hav- to follow those studies which most conduced distinguished friends, by their in- to qualify him for the work of the ministry. the became secretary to Sir John Mr. Bradford having that diffidence which arrington, who was treasurer to Henry is generally the attendant on real merit, excused himself from assuming that important After having been in this office for some office, as not being sufficiently qualified; but being of a studious turn of mind, he Bucer, at length, brought him to consent to ed it, and went to Cambridge, where he enter on the solemn work, and he was orde such great improvements, that at the dained a deacon, by Dr. Ridley, bishop of of one year that university conferred on London, who afterwards made him a prebenthe degree of master of arts; soon after dary of St. Paul's, where, in rotation, he

L