faithful brethren, none of whom, in the day- Being twice examined before bishop Bontime, durst do it.

WILLIAM ANDREW.

ner, Andrew boldly stood in defence of his religion. At length, by the severe usage he met with in Newgate, he there lost his life, The same Catholic charity was also which otherwise would have been taken shown to William Andrew, of Horsley, away by fire: and so after the popish manin the county of Essex, carpenter, who was ner he was cast out into a field, and by night brought to Newgate the first of April, 1555. was privately buried by the hands of good His principal persecutor was lord Rich, men and faithful brethren. who sent him to prison.

SECTION IX.

Martyrdom of the Rev. Robert Samuel, and others.

MR. ROBERT SAMUEL was a very pious people, if they should attempt to apprehend man, and an eminent preacher of the gospel, him by day) when great numbers beset him, according to the principles of the reforma- and he quietly resigned himself into their tion, during the reign of Edward VI. He hands.

attended his charge with indefatigable in- Being taken before Foster, he was comdustry, and by his preaching and living, mitted to Ipswich jail, where he conversed recommended and enforced the truth of the and prayed with many of his fellow-sufgospel.

ferers, during his confinement in that place. Soon after the accession of queen Mary, In a short time he was removed from Ipshe was turned out of his living, and retired wich to Norwich, where Dr. Hopton, the to Ipswich; but he could not refrain from persecuting bishop of that diocese, and Dunusing his utmost efforts to propagate the re- ning, his chancellor, exercised on him the formed religion, and, therefore, what he was most intolerable cruelties. prevented doing in public, he did in private. Among all the inhuman wretches with He assembled those who had been accus- which the nation abounded at that time, tomed to hear him in a room in his house, none could be compared for cruelty with and there daily taught them such precepts these two tyrants; for while the rage of as might lead them to salvation. others was generally satisfied with impris

While he was spending his time in this onment and death, these were notorious Christian manner, the queen commanded the for new-invented tortures, by which some commissioners for ecclesiastical affairs to of their prisoners were brought to recant, publish an order, that all priests who had and others were driven into all the horrors been married in the days of king Edward, of the most bewildered madness. should put away their wives, and be com- In order to bring Mr. Samuel to recant, pelled again to chastity, (as their hypocriti- they confined him in a close prison, where cal term expressed it) and a single life. he was chained to a post in such a manner, This order Mr. Samuel could by no means that, standing only on tiptoe, he was, in that obey, because he knew it to be abominable, position, forced to sustain the whole weight contrary to the law of Christ, and every tie, of his body.

social and humane. Therefore, determining To aggravate this torment, they kept him within himself that God's laws were not to in a starving condition twelve days, allowbe violated for the traditions of men, he still ing him no more than two bits of bread, kept his wife at Ipswich, and omitted no op- and three spoonfuls of water each day, portunity of instructing his Christian friends which was done in order to protract his in the neighborhood. misery, till they could invent new torments, At length, his conduct reaching the ears to overcome his patience and resolution. of Foster, a justice of peace in those parts, These inhuman proceedings brought him every artifice was used by that popish bigot to so shocking a state, that he was often to apprehend Mr. Samuel, who was at length ready to perish with thirst and hunger. taken into custody by some of his myrmi- At length, when all the tortures that dons, when on a visit to his wife at Ipswich. these savages could invent proved inefMany efforts had been made without suc- fectual, and nothing could induce our marcess, but, at length, information having been tyr to deny his great Lord and Master, he given of the precise time when he was to was condemned to be burned, an act less visit his wife, they deferred their enterprise cruel than what he had already suffered. till night, (fearing the resentment of the On the 31st of August, 1555, he was

taken to the stake, where he declared to the mortified, and obedient unto thy will; and people around him what cruelties he had now, Lord, whatsoever rebellion hath been, suffered during the time of his imprison- or is found in my members against thy will, ment, but that he had been enabled to sus yet do I here give unto thee my body, to the tain them all by the consolations of the di- death, rather than I will use any strange vine spirit, with which he had been daily worshipping, which, I beseech thee, accept visited. at my hand for a pure sacrifice; let this torAs this eminent martyr was being led to ment be to me the last enemy destroyed, execution, a young woman, who had be- even death, the end of misery, and the be longed to his congregation, and received ginning of all joy, peace, and solace: and the benefit of his spiritual discourses, came when the time of resurrection cometh, then up to him, and, as the last token of respect, let me enjoy again these members then glocordially embraced him. This being ob-rified, which now be spoiled and consumed served by some of the bloodthirsty papists, by the fire. O Lord Jesus, receive my spirit diligent inquiry was made for her the next into thy hands. Amen. day, in order to bring her to the like fate. When he had finished his prayer he arose, with her revered pastor, but she happily and being fastened to the stake, the fagots eluded their search, and escaped their cruel were placed round him, and immediately intentions. lighted. He bore his sufferings with a courBefore Mr. Samuel was chained to the age and resolution truly Christian, cheerful stake, he exhorted the spectators to avoid ly resigning this life of care and trouble in idolatry, and hold fast to the truth of the exchange for another, where death shall be gospel; after which he knelt down, and swallowed up in victory, where the tears with an audible voice, said the following shall be wiped away from all eyes, and an prayer: eternity employed in singing the praises of "O Lord, my God and Savior, who art that grace, which has brought the redeemed Lord in heaven and earth, maker of all of the Lord from much tribulation, and adthings visible and invisible, I am the crea- vanced them to mansions at the right hand ture, and work of thy hands: Lord God, look of God, where are pleasures for evermore. upon me, and other thy people, who, at this As Mr. Samuel was a faithful pastor over time, are oppressed by the worldly-minded his flock during his life, so he was resolved for thy law's sake; yea, Lord, thy law itself is now trodden under foot, and men's inventions exalted above it; and for that cause do I, and many thy creatures, refuse the glory, praise, and conveniences of this life, and do choose to suffer adversity, and to be banished, A LETTER OF EXHORTATION. yea, to be burnt with the books of thy word, "A MAN knoweth not his time; but as for the hope's sake that is laid up in store. a fish is taken with the angle, and as the For, Lord, thou knowest, if we would but birds are caught with the snare, so are seem to please men in things contrary to men caught and taken in the perilous time thy word, we might, by their permission, when it cometh upon thein. The time enjoy these advantages that others do, as cometh; the day draweth near,” Ezek, vii wife, children, goods, and friends, all which Better it were to die,' (as the preacher I acknowledge to be thy gifts, given to the saith) than to live and see the miserable end I should serve thee.. And now, Lord, works which are done under the sun. that the world will not suffer me to enjoy Alas, for this sinful nation! a people of them, except I offend thy laws, behold I great iniquity, corrupting their ways. They give unto thee my whole spirit, soul, and have forsaken the Lord; they have pro body; and lo, I leave here all the pleasures voked the holy one of Israel to anger, and of this life, and do now leave the use of them, are gone backward. Who now liveth not for the hope's sake of eternal life purchased in such a security, and rest, as though all in Christ's blood, and promised to all them dangers were clean overpast? Yea, who that fight on his side, and are content to suf- liveth not now in such felicity, worldly plea fer with him for his truth, whensoever the sures and joys, wholly seeking the world. world and the devil shall persecute the providing, and craftily shifting for the earthly clod and carnal appetite, as though "O Father, I do not presume to come sin were clean forgotten, overthrown, and unto thee, trusting in mine own righteous- devoured? ness; no, but only in the merits of thy dear "We might now worthily, dear Chris Son, my Savior. For which excellent gift tians, lament and bewail our heavy estate, of salvation I cannot worthily praise thee, miserable condition, and sorrowful chance neither is my sacrifice worthy, or to be ac- yes, I say, we might well accuse ourselves, septed with thee, in comparison of our bodies and, with Job, curse these our turbulent,

same.

they should not forget him after his death, as appears by the following composition, which he wrote to some of his congregation during his confinement.

wicked, and bloody last days of this world, not as inhabiters, and home-dwellers, but were it not that we both see and believe, as strangers; not as strangers only, but af and find in God's sacred book, that God hath ter the mind of Paul,, as painful soldiers apreserved a remnant in all ages, I mean the pointed by our governor, to fight against faithful, as many as have been, from the be- the governor of darkness of this world, ginning of the world, exercised, with divers against spiritual craftiness in heavenly afflictions and troubles, cast and dashed things. The time is come: we must to it; against all perils and dangers, as the very the judgment must begin first at the house dross and outcasts of the earth, and ye will of God. Began they not first with the green in nowise halt between God and Baal. and. sappy tree and what followed then Christ will not part spoil with his mortal on the dry branches? Jeremy speaking enemy the devil: he will have all, or lose in the person of God, saith, In the city all; he will not permit the devil to have the wherein my name is invocated, will I begin service of the body, and he to stand content- to punish: but as for you,' (meaning the ed with the heart and unind; but he will be wicked) shall you be as innocents, and not glorified both in your bodies and in your once touched? Nay, the dregs of God's spirits, which are his, as St. Paul saith, 1 wrath, the bottom of all sorrows, are reCor. vi. For he hath made, bought all, and served unto them in the end: but God's dearly paid for all, as St. Peter saith. With household shall drink the flower of the cup his own immaculate body hath he clean dis- of his mercy. Wherefore we ought not charged your bodies from sin, death, and to be dismayed, or discourage ourselves, hell, and, with his most precious blood, paid but rather be of good comfort; not sorrowyour ransom, and full price, once for all, and for ever.

ful, but joyful, in that God of his goodness will vouchsafe to take up his beloved chil"Now what harm, I pray you, or what dren, to subdue our sinful lusts, our wretchloss sustain you by this! Why are ye, O ed flesh and blood unto his glory, the provain men, more afraid of Jesus, your gentle moting of his holy word, and edifying of Savior, and his gospel of salvation, than of a his church. What if the earthly house of legion of cruel devils, going about utterly to this our habitation, 2 Cor. v. (St. Paul mean destroy you, both souls and bodies? Think ing the body) be destroyed! we know assuryou to be more sure than under your cap-edly we have a building not made with hands, tain Christ? Do you promise yourselves to but everlasting in heaven, with such joys as be more quiet in Satan's service, than in faith taketh not, hope toucheth not, and Christ's religion? Esteem you more these charity apprehendeth not. They pass all detransitory and pernicious pleasures, than sires and wishes. Obtained they may be by God and all his heavenly treasures? O pal- Christ, esteemed they cannot be. Wherepable darkness, horrible madness, and wilful fore the more affliction and persecution the blindness, without comparison, too much to word of God bringeth, the more felicity and be suffered any longer! We see and will not greater joy abideth in hea, en. But worldly see; we know and will not know; yea, we peace, idle ease, wealthy pleasure, and this smart and will not feel, and that our con- present and pleasant transitory life and fescience well knoweth. O miserable souls, licity, which the ungodly foolishly imagine which would, for foolish pleasures, lose the to procure unto themselves, by persecuting royal kingdom and permanent joys of God, and thrusting away the gospel, shall turn with the everlasting glory which he hath unto their own trouble, and at last unto prepared for them that truly love him, and horrible destructions, and dire change of renounce the world! The children of the realms and countries; and after this life, if world live in pleasure and wealth, and the they repent not, unto their perpetual misery. devil, who is their god, and prince of this For they had rather, with Nabal, and his world, keepeth their wealth which is proper temporal pleasures, descend to the devil, unto them, and letteth them enjoy it. But than with Christ, and his bodily troubles, let us, which be of Christ, seek and inquire ascend into the kingdom of God his father. for heavenly things, which, by God's promise But an unwise man,' (saith the psalmist) and mercy in Christ, shall be peculiar unto comprehendeth them not, neither doth the us. Let carnal people pass for things that foolish understand them; that is, these be pleasant for the body, and do appertain to bloody persecutors grow up and flourish like this transitory life: Yet shall they once, the flower and grass in the field. But unto (as the kingly prophet saith) run about the this end do they so flourish, that they may city of God, to and fro, howling like dogs, be cut down, and cast into the fire for ever. desiring one scrap of the joys of God'select;' For, as Job saith, Their joy lasteth but the but all too late, as the rich glutton did. twinkling of an eye, and death shall lie "Let us, therefore, press for those things gnawing upon them as doth the flock upon that do pertain to the spirit, and are celes- the pasture; yea, the cruel worm, late reWe must be here,' (St. Paul saith) pentance (as Št. Mark saith) shall lie gnaw

țial.

ing, tormenting, and accusing their wretch-separated from the same by temptation, ed conscience for evermore. tribulation, or persecution.

Let us, therefore, good Christians, be "Let us consider the truth of God to be constant in obeying God rather than men. invincible and immutable, promising and For although they slay our sinful bodies (yea, giving us, his faithful soldiers, life eternal. rather our deadly enemies) for God's truth; It is he only that hath reserved it for us: it yet they cannot do it, but by God's will, to is his only benefit, and of his only mere his praise and honor, and to our eternal joy mercy, and unto him only must we render and felicity. These are the days of ven- thanks. Let not, therefore, the vain fantageance,' saith Luke, 'that all things written sies and dreams of men, and foolish gaudy may be fulfilled.' Now, therefore, saith God, toys of the world, nor the crafty delusions of by the mouth of his prophet, I will come the devil, drive, and separate us from our unto thee, and will send my wrath upon hope of the crown of righteousness, that is thee.' Upon thee, I say, O England, and laid up in store for us against the last day. punish thee according to thy ways, and re- O that happy and joyful day, I mean to the ward thee after all thine abomination! thou faithful, when Christ, by his covenant, shall hast kindled the fire of God's wrath, and grant and give unto them that overcome, hast stirred up the coals. For thou wast and keep his words to the end, that they once enlightened, and hadst tasted of hea- may ascend and sit with him, as he ascended venly gifts, and wast become partaker of and sitteth on the throne with his Father! the Holy Ghost, and hadst tasted of the good The same body and soul that is now with word of God: Yea, it is yet in thy mouth,' Christ afflicted, shall then with Christ be saith the prophet. Alas, O England, thou glorified: now in cruel hands, as sheep ap knowest thy Lord and master's will, but pointed to die; then sitting at God's table didst not do it! thou must, therefore,' says with Christ in his kingdom, as God's honora he, suffer many stripes, and many sharp ble and dear children; where we shall have strokes.' heavenly riches for earthly poverty; fullness "Let the enemies of Christ, and all unbe- of the presence of the glory of God, for lievers, look to be tormented and vexed, hunger and thirst; celestial joys in the com without hope of God's mercy, who know not pany of angels, for sorrows, troubles, and God in Christ to be their very righteousness, cold irons; and life eternal for bodily death. their life, their own salvation, and alone Sa- O happy souls! O precious death, and ever vior, nor believe in him. more blessed, right dear in the eyes of God! "But we are the children of saints, and to you the spring of the Lord shall ever be look for another life, which God shall give flourishing. Then (as saith Isaiah) the Reto all them who change not their faith, and deemer shall return, and come again inte shrink not from him. Rejoice, therefore, ye Christian afflicted brethren, for they cannot take our souls and bodies out of the hands of the Almighty, which are kept as in the bosom of our most loving father, and if we abide fast in Christ, and turn not away, surely we shall live for ever. Christ affirineth the same, saying, My sheep hear my voice, I know them, they hearken unto me, and to no strangers, and I give them everlasting life for they shall not be lost, and no man shall pluck them out of my hands: no, nor yet this flattering world, with all its vain pleasures, nor any tyrant, with his threats, can once move them out of the way of eternal life. What consolation, or comfort, can we have more pleasant and effectual than this? God is on our side, and fighteth for us. As the world can do nothing ROGER Coo, an ancient gentleman, was against his might, neither in taking away, brought before the bishop of Norwich, and or diminishing from his glory, nor putting the following account of his examination will him from his celestial throne; so neither can give a good idea of the degree of mercy an it hurt any one of his children without his justice to be expected at such a tribunal; good-will: for we are members of his body, being evident that the examination was of his flesh, and of his bones, and as dear to mere mockery.

Sion, praising the Lord, and eternal mer cies shall be over their heads: they shall ob tain mirth and comfort; sorrow and woe shall be utterly vanquished. Yes, I am he saith the Lord, that in all things giveth you everlasting consolation. To whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be glory and praise for ever. Amen.

"ROBERT SAMUEL.”

About the same time that Mr. Samuel suffered, several others shared the same fate for adhering to the principles of the reformed religion.

WILLIAM ALLEN, a laboring man, burnt at Walsingham, in Norfolk. THOMAS COв, a butcher, suffered at Thet ford, in the same county.

him as the apple of his eye. Let us, there- Roger Coo, being brought before fore, with earnest faith, lay fast hold on the bishop, was first asked by him, why he promises in the gospel, and let us not be imprisoned?

SECTION X

Sufferings and Martyrdoms of Robert Glover, and Cornelius Bongey, of Coventry, and of William Wolsey and Robert Pigol, of the Isle of Ely.

AT the time Mr. Glover was apprehend-tical authority, and stand reproved for not ed, he lay sick at the house of his brother coming to church. John Glover, who had secreted himself, on account of a warrant being issued to bring him before his ordinary, on a suspicion of heresy.

Though Mr. Robert Glover was in great danger from the bad state of his health, yet such was the brutality of the popish emis- After a long altercation with the bishop, saries, that they took him out of his bed, in which Mr. Glover both learnedly and juand carried him to Coventry jail, where he diciously defended the doctrines of the recontinued ten days, though no misdemeanor formation, against the errors and idolatries was alleged against him. of popery, and evinced, that he was able to

When the ten days were expired, in which he suffered great affliction from his * A modern prelate discovered exactly the same illness, he was brought before his ordinary, spirit, when he said, in the House of Lords, that the bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, who to obey them;" which shows that bigotry and inthe people had nothing to do with the laws but told him that he must submit to ecclesias-tolerance are not confined to papists.