After these examinations he was strongly them inflexibly to adhere to the same, he persuaded to recant, but this he perempto- used his customary exhortation; on which rily refused; on which sentence of con- Denley said, "God save me from your coundemnation was passed on him at the same sel, and keep me in the mind I am in; for time as on Launder, and the time of his that which you count heresy, I take to be execution was fixed for the 22d of July, at the truth."

Lewes, in Sussex.

Bonner then ordered them to appear in the On his arrival at the stake he kneeled bishop's consistory court, where the followdown and prayed; and when he had finished ing articles were jointly and severally exhis prayers, he arose, and addressed the spec- hibited against them: tators as follows:

1. "That they were now in the diocese of London, and under the jurisdiction of the bishop of London."

These they acknowledged to be true. 2. "That they had not, nor did believe, that there is a Catholic church of Christ there on earth.”

"Dear brothers and sisters, Bear witness that I am come to seal with my blood the gospel of Christ, because I know that it is true. Many of you know that the gospel hath been truly preached to you here in Lewes, and now it is not so preached; and because I will not here deny God's gospel, This they severally denied, "for that they I am condemned to die." did believe the holy Catholic church, which On this the sheriff said, "If thou dost not is built upon the foundation of the prophets believe in the pope, thou art damned, body and apostles, Christ being the head; and and soul." But our martyr pitied his blind- that where two or three are gathered toness, and begged of God to forgive his errors. gether in Christ's name, they are the memBeing then fastened to the stake, and the bers of the said holy Catholic church, which fire kindled round him, he patiently submit- is dispersed throughout the world; which ted to his fate, and expired, calling out, "O church doth preach God's word truly, and Lord, have mercy upon me! Lord Jesus, re- doth also minister the two sacraments, bapceive my spirit." tism and the supper of the Lord, according to his blessed word."

His fellow-prisoner, John Launder, was burnt the following day at Steyning; where he cheerfully gave up his life to that God from whose hands he had received it.

MARTYRDOM OF JOHN DENLEY, JOHN NEW
MAN, AND PATRICK PACKINGHAM.

3. "That each of them had not, nor did believe that this church of England is any part or member of the said Catholic church.

They severally answered, that "they did believe that this church of England, using the faith and practice that is now used, is no So perpetually were the popish emissaries part or member of the aforesaid holy Cathoin search of their prey, in all parts of the lic church, but is the church of Antichrist, kingdom, that it was almost impossible long the bishop of Rome being the head thereof." to escape them. 4. "That they had believed, and did beAs Mr. Denley and Mr. Newman were lieve, that the mass, now used in the church travelling together into Essex, on a visit to of England, was abominable, and blasphemy some friends, they were accidentally met by against God's word."

Mr. Tyrrel, justice of the peace for the said They answered in the affirmative; "for county, who, suspecting them of heresy, Christ, in his holy supper, instituted the sacaused them to be apprehended, and search-crament of bread and wine, to be eaten toed; and at the same time took from Mr. gether, in remembrance of his death, till he Denley a confession of his faith in writing, come, and not to have them worshipped and concerning the sacrament of the altar, to idolized. It also appeareth, by his commandgether with certain notes collected from the ment, that we ought not to worship the saholy scriptures. crament of bread and wine, because it is The justice immediately sent them to plain idolatry; for the commandment saith, London, and with them a letter to be pre-Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worsented to the council, together with the ship them, meaning plainly, any created papers he found on the former thing; besides, it is plain from many pasOn their being brought before the council, sages in scripture, that the body of Christ is they were admonished and desired to yield in heaven, and not in the sacramental bread obedience to the queen's laws; but this ad- and wine, and, therefore, that it is idolatry vice proving ineffectual, their examination to worship them." was referred to Bonner, bishop of London.

5. "That they had believed, and did be

On the 28th of June, 1555, Denley and lieve, that auricular confession, now used in Newman, together with Patrick Packing- the realm of England, was not profitable, ham, (who had been apprehended two days but contrary to God's word." before) were brought before Bonner, at his

palace in London.

The bishop having examined the two

To this they all answered in the affirmative.

6. "That they had believed, and did be

former upon their confessions, and finding lieve, that absolution given by the priest, and

nearing confession, is not good, nor allowa- in the usual form, against these three perble by God's word, but contrary to the same." sons, in his consistory court at St Paul's. To this they answered, that "remission After the various articles and their answers of sins is only to be obtained from God, had been read, they were exhorted to recant, through the blood of Jesus Christ." and both promises and threats were used by

7. "That they had believed, and did be- Bonner, in order to prevail with them; but lieve, that christening of children, as it is on their remaining stedfast in their faith used now in the church of England, is not and profession, they were all condemned as good nor allowable by God's word. Like heretics, and delivered into the custody of wise confirming of children, giving of orders, the sheriffs of London, who conducted them saying matins and vespers, anointing or oil- to Newgate, where they were kept till writs ing of sick persons, making holy bread and were issued for their execution, holy water, with other rites of the church." Denley was ordered to be burned at UxTo this they replied, that "christening of bridge, where, being conveyed on the day children, or the sacrament of baptism, is al-appointed, he was chained to the stake, and tered and changed, for John the Baptist used expired in the midst of the flames, singing a nothing but preaching of the word, and wa-psalm to the praise of his Redeemer. A poter, as appears from Christ's desiring to be pish priest, who was present at his execu baptized by him; for we do not read that he tion, was so incensed at his singing, that he asked for any cream, or oil, or spittle, or wax, ordered one of the attendants to throw a fagor salt, but used merely water, nor was this ot at him, which was accordingly done, and water consecrated." he received a violent fracture in his skull,

8. "That they had believed, and did be- which, with the fire, soon deprived him both lieve, that there are but two sacraments in of speech and life.

Christ's Catholic church, the sacrament of A few days after, Packingham suffered at baptism, and the sacrament of the altar." the same place; but Newman was executed To this they briefly replied, that they at Saffron-Walden, in Essex. They both believed no more, except they would make died with great fortitude and resignation, the rainbow a sacrament, for there is no sa- cheerfully resigning their souls into the crament but hath a promise annexed to it." hands of him who gave them, in full expecThe bishop then stated one article to tation of receiving crowns of glory in the Packingham alone, which was, "that he, heavenly mansions. Nor will their expectaPatrick Packingham, being of the age of tions be unfulfilled. He, "who cannot lie, twenty-one years at least, did irreverently has declared, that they who suffer for his stand in the great chapel, having his cap on sake on earth, shall be amply rewarded in his head during the time of mass, on the 23d heaven. "Blessed are ye when men shall of June; that he refused holy bread, and holy revile you, and persecute you, and shall say water at the priest's hands, thereby contemn- all manner of evil against you falsely, for ing and despising both the mass, holy water, my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; and holy bread." for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

FOX'S

UNIVERSAL HISTORY.

OF

CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM.

BOOK XI.

SECTION VII.

Martyrdoms of William Coker, William Hooper, Henry Lawrence, Richard Collier, Richard Wright, and William Steer.

INFORMATION having been given, at the articles, he wrote under the bill of examinasame time, against these six persons, they tion as follows: Ye are all of Antichrist, were all brought before Dr. Richard Thorn- and him ye follow." He was then preton, bishop of Dover, and his assistants, in vented from speaking farther, and sentence the spiritual court of Canterbury; when va- of condemnation was pronounced on him in rious articles were respectively exhibited the usual form. against them; to all which they answered, Collier, being examined with respect to as mén determined to adhere to the truth of the sacrament of the altar, answered, "he that gospel they had professed, and were did not believe there was the real and subremanded to prison. stantial body and blood of Christ, but only Being again brought before the above bread and wine; and that it was most abomipersons, they were farther examined, when nable, detestable, and wicked to believe William Coker declared he would answer otherwise." In consequence of this, he likeno otherwise, than as he had done before. wise received sentence of death. Being offered six days' respite to consider Wright, being asked by the judge what of it, he refused to accept their indulgence; he believed of the real presence in the sain consequence of which he immediately crament, answered, that, touching the sareceived sentence of death. crament of the altar and the mass, he was ashamed to speak of it; nor would he, therefore, by any means allow it." In consequence of which he also received condemnation...

66

Hooper, at first, seemed to assent to the faith and determination of the Roman Catholic church; but, on serious reflection, he retracted, and firmly professed his faith in the Steer, the last examined, was required by pure gospel of Christ, as well as renounced the judge to answer the articles laid before the errors of popery. He was, therefore, him. But he denied the judge's authority, also sentenced to be burned. and observed, that Thomas Cranmer, archLawrence, who was next examined, de- bishop of Canterbury, then in prison, was his nied auricular confession, and "refused to diocesan; and, therefore, required Dr. receive the sacrament of the altar, because Thornton to show his authority from the the order of the holy scripture was changed archbishop, or otherwise he would deem it in the order of the said sacrament."-Be- invalid.. With respect to the sacrament of ing asked concerning the verity of the sa- the mass, he said, as he found not the crament given to Christ's disciples, he af- popish belief contained in the scriptures, armed, that even as Christ gave his very he entirely disbelieved it;" in consequence body to his disciples, so likewise Christ him- of which he received the same sentence er said, he was a door, &c."; adding, with his fellow-prisoners.

oreover, that, as he said before, so he These six men, being thus condemned for di said, that the sacrament of the mass is professing the truth of Christ's gospel, were idol, and no resemblance of Christ's pas- [immediately delivered over to the secular n.". Being required to subscribe to these power. They continued in prison, consoling

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 im-stand 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, pronouncown 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 dis yourself. See that he be a man that feareth course he had with lord Rich, and other com God, loveth his laws, and will walk in the missioners, at Chelmsford, when he publicly 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 believed Then shall ye both be sure to obtain that in all the sacraments, according to Christ's kingdom which God the Father hath pre- institution, but not according to the church pared, and Jesus Christ obtained for you, of the bishop of Rome; that he believed acthat never shall have an end, where I trust cording to the preaching of several miri to abide your coming. Amen. By your hus-ters of the gospel, who preached the word band, "THOMAS HAWKES." God truly and sincerely."

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.

related the truth; after which, the following articles were alleged against him, requiring, 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 and taught, but despised the same."

2. "That he believed, and taught others, 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 that Christ's body is now in heaven, and nowhere else; and that he never would believe the Christ's body was in the sacrament.”

3. "That he believed the mass to be abora nable."

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

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

To this he said, "he did not believe the 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 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 sacr 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 duti subject to the penalty of the law; upon were doined 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."

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 These, and other articles of less moment, Christian giving way to the parent; but after were read to him, and his answers minuted having a little recovered himself, he emdown; after which the bishop used the most braced them with all the tenderness of a forcible arguments he could adduce to bring dying father, took his leave, and was led to him to a denial of his "errors," and to be obedient to the holy mother church.

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."

Such was the attachment of this stedfast believer to the cause of his dear Lord and Master, that the affecting spectacle of his

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 Christ, sentence of condemnation was pronounced against him, and he was delivered up to the sheriffs of London, who conducted disconsolate wife, and six innocent babes, him 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 same evening he was conveyed there, he was in company with Thomas Hawkes, and others, and they all joined together in the most fervent prayer.

The day before his execution, he was visited by his wife, and six children, whom he addressed in the following manner:

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 suffered, three others shared the same fate, for their adherence to the truth of the gospel; namely, NICHOLAS CHAMBERLAIN, weaver; "My dear wife, and good children, the THOMAS OSMOND, fuller; and WILLIAM BAMme of my departure is at hand, therefore, FORD, weaver. The first of these was burnt enceforth I know you no more, but as the at Colchester on the 14th of June; the second Lord hath given you unto me, so I give you suffered the next day at Maningtree; and gain unto the Lord, whom I charge you to 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. on sufficiently liberal to qualify him for e more exalted offices of life, having atned to a considerable knowledge in clastal and mathematical literature."

On his arrival at years of maturity, havz some distinguished friends, by their inrest he became secretary to Sir John arrington, who was treasurer to Henry

At this time Martin Bucer, a zealous advocate for the reformed religion, resided at Cambridge. This person discovered a great regard for Mr. Bradford, and persuaded him to follow those studies which most conduced to qualify him for the work of the ministry.

Mr. Bradford having that diffidence which 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 ted 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 d 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