sation, steadfast in confession of the true doctrine of Christ, set forth in king Edward's time; for which he joyfully suffered prison and chains, and from this worldly dungeon he departed in Christ to eternal glory, and the blessed paradise of everlasting felicity.

After John Dale was dead, Richard Yeoman was removed to Norwich prison, where he was examined of his faith and religion. Then he boldly and constantly confessed himself to be of the faith and confession that was sent forth by the late king of blessed memory, holy king, Edward VI., and from that he would not vary. Being required to submit himself to the holy father the pope, "I reject him," said he, "and all his detestable abominations: I will in no wise have to do with him, nor any thing that appertains to him." The chief articles objected to him were his marriage, and the mass sacrifice. When he continued steadfast in confession of the truth, he was condemned, degraded, and not only burned, but most cruelly tormented in the fire. So he ended his poor and miserable life, and entered into the blessed bosom of Abraham, enjoying with Lazarus the comfortable quietness that God hath prepared for his elect saints.

The History of John Alcock.

There was also in Hadley a young man, named John Alcock. This young man, after the martyrdom of Doc. tor Taylor, and taking of Richard Yeoman, used first in the church of Hadley to read the service in English. At length, after the coming of parson Newall, when the parson came by with procession, he would not once move his cap, nor shew any sign of reverence, but stood behind the font. Newall perceiving this, when he was almost out of the church door, ran back again, and caught him, and called for the constable.

Then came Robert Rolfe, with whom this young man worked, and asked "What has he done, that ye are in such a rage with him?"

"He is a heretic and a traitor," said the parson, "and despises the queen's proceedings. Wherefore, I command you, in the queen's name, have him to the stocks, and see he be forthcoming."

"Well," said Rolfe, "he shall be forthcoming, proceed you in your business, and be quiet." "Have him to the stocks," said the parson.

"I am constable," said Rolfe, "and may bail him, and will bail him; he shall not come in the stocks, but he shall be forthcoming." So the parson went forth with his holy procession, and so to mass.

After this Rolfe brought him to the parson, who at the first asked him, "Fellow, what sayest thou to the sacrament of the altar ?"

"I say," said he, as you use the matter, you make a shameful idol of it, and you are false idolatrous priests, all the sort of you."

"I told you," said the parson, "he was a stout here

tic."

So after long talk, the parson committed him to prison, and the next day he rode up to London, and carried the young man with him, and so came the young man no more again to Hadley; but after long imprisonment in Newgate, and after many examinations and troubles : because he would not submit himself to ask forgiveness of the pope, and be reconciled to the Romish religion, he was cast into the lower dungeon, where with evil keeping and sickness, he died in prison. Thus died he a martyr for Christ's truth, which he heartily loved, and constantly confessed, and received the garland of a well fought battle at the hand of the Lord. His body was cast out, and buried in a dunghill. For the papists would in all things be like themselves: therefore they would not so much as suffer the dead bodies to have honest and convenient sepulture.

Thomas Benbridge, Martyr.

Thomas Benbridge, a gentleman, although he might have lived a pleasant and gentleman's life in the wealthy possessions of this world, yet to follow Christ he had rather enter into the strait gate of persecution, to the

heavenly possession of life in the Lord's kingdom, than here to enjoy present pleasures with unquietness of conscience. Wherefore, manfully standing against the papists for the defence of the sincere doctrine of Christ's gospel, he spared not himself to confirm the doctrine of the gospel. For which cause, he being apprehended as an adversary of the Romish religion, was forthwith had to examination before Doctor White, bishop of Winchester.

The usual articles were objected against him, to all which he answered as became a christian man, for which he was condemned, and brought to the place of martyrdom by the sheriff. Where he, standing at the stake, began to untie his points, and prepare himself; then he gave his gown to the keeper. His jerkin was laid on with gold lace, fair and brave, which he gave to Sir Richard Pecksal, the high sheriff. His cap of velvet he took off from his head, and threw it away. Then lifting his mind to the Lord, he made his prayers.

That done, being now fastened to the stake, Doctor Seaton wanted him to recant, and he should have his pardon: but when he saw it prevailed not, the doctor desired the people not to pray for him unless he would recant, no more than they would pray for a dog.

Master Benbridge standing at the stake, with his hands together, in such manner as the priest holds his hands in his memento, Doctor Seaton came to him again, and exhorted him to recant: to whom he said, "Away, Babylonian, away!"'

Then said one that stood by, "Sir, cut out his tongue."

Then when they saw he would not yield, they bade the tormentors to set to fire, and yet he was nothing like covered with fagots. First, the fire took away a piece of his beard, but he shrank not at all. Then it came on the other side and took his legs, and the stockings of his hose being leather, made the fire to pierce the sharper, so that the intolerable heat made him to cry, "I recant:" and suddenly he thrust the fire from him. And having two or three of his friends by, that wished his life, they stept to the fire, and helped to take him from it; who for their labour were sent to prison. The sheriff also, of his own authority, took him from the stake, and sent him to prison again; for which he was sent to the Fleet. But before he was taken from the stake, Seaton wrote articles to have him to subscribe to them, as to the pope, the sacrament, and such other trash. But Master Benbridge made much ado ere he would subscribe them, so that Doctor Seaton desired them to set to fire again. Then with much pain and grief of heart, he subscribed to them upon a man's back. That being done, he had his gown given him again, and so was led to prison. Being in prison, he wrote a letter to Doctor Seaton, and recanted those words he spake at the stake, to which he had subscribed: for he was grieved that ever he subscribed to them. He was the same day seven-night after burnt indeed, where the vile tormentors did rather broil him than burn him. The Lord give his enemies repentance.

The Martyrdom of four, burned at Bury St. Edmunds.

In this year, which was the last of Queen Mary's reign, Doctor Hopton being bishop of Norwich, and Doctor Spenser his chancellor, there were wrongfully put to death four christian martyrs: John Cooke, a sawyer; Robert Miles, alias Plummer, a shearman; Alexander Lane, a wheelwright; and James Ashley.

The examination of these persons, before the bishop of Norwich, and Sir Edward Walgrave, was partly upon these articles following:

First, Sir Edward Walgrave called John Cooke to him, and said, "How is it that you go not to church?"' John Cooke said, "I have been there."

Sir Edward said, "what is the cause that you go not thither now in these days?"

John Cooke said, "because the sacrament of the altar is an abominable idol, and (said he) the vengeance of God will come upon all them that maintain it."

Sir Edward said, "O thou rank traitor if I had as

good commission to cut out thy tongue, as I have to sit here this day, thou shouldst be sure to have it cut out." Then he commanded the constable to have him away, saying, he was both a traitor and a rebel.

Then he called Robert Miles, and said, "how is it that you go not to church?"

Robert Miles answered, "because I will follow no false gods."

Then the bishop commanded him aside, and called Alexander Lane before him, and asked him "how it chanced, that he would not go to the church?"

He said, "that his conscience would not permit him so to do."

Then Sir Edward said, "how dost thou believe?" Then said Lane, "even as it is written in God's book." Then Sir Edward commanded him to say his belief, and Lane being somewhat abashed, said his belief, but he missed unawares, born of the Virgin Mary.'

Then Sir Edward said, "what! was he not born of the Virgin Mary ?"

"Yes, (said Lane,) I would have said so." "Nay," said Sir Edward, "you are one of Cooke's scholars," and so commanded him away, and to come before him the next day.

After the like manner they passed also with James Ashley, whom they warned the next day likewise to appear before them. So they appearing again, had their condemnation. And thus these four blessed martyrs and servants of Christ, innocently suffered together at St. Edmund's Bury, about the beginning of August, not long before the sickness of queen Mary.

The Martyrdom of Alexander Gouch and Alice Driver.

Master Noone, a Justice in Suffolk, hunting after good men to apprehend them, had understanding of one Gouch, of Woodbridge, and Driver's wife, of Grosborough, to be at Grosborough together, a little from his house, and immediately took his men with him, and went thither, and made diligent search for them, where the poor man and woman were compelled to step into a hay loft to hide themselves from their cruelty. At the last they came to search the hay for them, and by searching it with pitchforks, at last found them: so they took them and led them to Melton gaol, where they remaining a time, at the length were carried to Bury against the assize, and being there examined of matters of faith, did boldly stand to confess Christ crucified, defying the pope with all his papistical trash. And among other things Driver's wife likened queen Mary in her persesution, to Jezebel; and so in that sense calling her Jezebel, for which Sir Clement Higham, being chief Judge there, adjudged her ears immediately to be cut off, which was accomplished accordingly, and she joyfully yielded herself to the punishment, and thought herself happy that she was counted worthy to suffer any thing

for the name of Christ.

After the assize at Bury, they were carried to Melton gaol again, where they remained a time. This Alexander Gouch was a man thirty-six years of age, or thereabouts, and by his occupation was a weaver of shredding coverlets, dwelling at Woodbridge in Suffolk, and born at Uxford in the same county. Driver's wife was a woman about the age of thirty, and dwelt at Grosborough, where they were taken, in Suffolk. Her husband used husbandry. These two were carried from Melton gaol to Ipswich, where they remained and were examined.

The Examination of Driver's Wife, before Doctor Spenser, the Chancellor of Norwich.

First, she coming into the place where she was to be examined, with a smiling countenance, Doctor Spenser said, "Why, woman, dost thou laugh us to scorn?"

Driver." Whether I do or not, I might well enough, to see what fools you are."

Then the chancellor asked her wherefore she was brought before him, and why she was laid in prison. Driver." Wherefore? I think I need not tell you: for you know better than I."

Spenser."No, by my troth, woman, I know not

why."

Driver." Then have you done me much wrong," said she, "thus to imprison me, and know no cause why: for I know no evil that I have done, I thank God, and I hope there is no man that can accuse me of any notorious fact that I have done."

Spenser.-"Woman, woman, what sayest thou to the blessed sacrament of the altar? Dost thou not believe that it is very flesh and blood, after the words of consecration are spoken?"

At those words she held her peace, and made no answer. Then a great priest that stood by asked her why she answered not the chancellor. With that Driver's wife looked upon him austerely, and said,

Why, priest, I come not to talk with thee, but I come to talk with thy master; but if thou wilt I shall talk with thee, command thy master to hold his peace." And with that the priest put his nose in his cap, and spoke never a word more. Then the chancellor bade her make answer to that he demanded of her.

Driver.-"Sir," said she, " pardon me though I make no answer, for I cannot tell what you mean: for in all my life I never heard nor read of any such sacrament in all the scripture."

Spenser." Why, what scriptures have you read, I pray you ?”

Driver." I have, I thank God, read God's book." Spenser." Why, what manner of book is that you call God's book?"

Driver." It is the Old and New Testament. What do you call it ?"

Spenser." That is God's book, indeed, I cannot deny."

Driver.-"That same book have I read throughout, but yet never could find any such sacrament there: and for that cause I cannot make you answer to that thing I know not. Notwithstanding, for all that I will grant you a sacrament, called the Lord's supper: and there. fore seeing I have granted you a sacrament, I pray you shew me what a sacrament is."

"Spenser." It is a sign." And one Doctor Gascoine being by, confirmed the same, that it was the sign of a holy thing.

Driver. You have said the truth, Sir, it is a sign indeed: and therefore seeing it is a sign, it cannot be the thing signified also. Thus far we agree: for I have granted your own saying." Then stood up Gascoine, and made an oration with many fair words, to littl purpose, but offensive and odious to the minds of the godly. In the end of which, he asked her if she did not believe the omnipotency of God, and that he was almighty, and able to perform that he spake. She an swered, "yes," and said, "I do believe that God is almighty, and able to perform what he spake and promised."

Gascoine." Very well. When he said to his disci ples, Take, eat, this is my body,' he was able to perform that he spake, and God uses not to lie."

Driver." I pray you did he ever make any such pro mise to his disciples, that he would make the bread his body?"

Gascoine." Those are the words. Can you deny it?" Driver." No, they are the very words indeed. I cannot deny it; but I pray you, was it not bread that he gave to them?"

Gascoine." No, it was his body."

Driver.—“ Then was it his body that they eat over night?"

Gascoine.-"Yea, it was his body." Driver." What body was it then that was crucified the next day?"

Gascoine." It was Christ's body."

Driver." How could that be, when the disciples had eaten him over night? except he had two bodies, as by your argument he had; one they did eat over night, and he was crucified the next day, Such a doctor! such doctrine! Are you not ashamed to teach the people that Christ had two bodies? In Luke xxii. 19. it is said, 'he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and

taken.

Three Persons burned at Bury.

The next day she came before them again, and the chancellor asked her what she said to the blessed sacrament of the altar.

Driver." I will say nothing to it for you will neither believe me nor yourselves. For yesterday I asked you what a sacrament was, and you said, it was a sign, and I said, that was true, confirming it by the scriptures, so that I went not from your own words; and now you come and ask me again, of such a sacrament as I told you I never read of in the scriptures."

Spenser. "Thou liest, naughty woman, I did not say that it was a sign."

Driver." Why, masters, be ye not the men that you were yesterday? Will you eat your own words? Are you not ashamed to lie before all this multitude here present, who heard you speak the same?"

Then after much more, they were unable to answer, she then said, "Have you no more to say? God be honoured. You are not able to resist the Spirit of God in me, a poor woman. I was an honest poor man's daughter, never brought up in the university, as you have been, but I have driven the plough before my father, many a time; yet, notwithstanding, in the defence of God's truth, and in the cause of my master Christ, by his grace I will set my foot against the foot of any of you all, in the maintenance and defence of the same, and if I had a thousand lives, they should go for payment thereof." So the chancellor rose up, and read the sentence of condemnation in Latin, and committed her to the secular power, and so she went to prison again as joyful as the bird of day, praising and glorifying the name of God.

Alexander Gouch, Martyr.

At which time Alexander Gouch also was examined, chiefly of the sacrament and other ceremonies of the popish church. And because his belief was, that Christ was ascended into heaven, and there remains, and that the sacrament was the remembrance of his death and passion, and for refusing the mass, and the pope to be supreme head of Christ's church, for these causes was he condemned, and died with Alice Driver, at Ipswich, the 4th of November, 1558.

These two godly persons, being come to the place where the stake was set, being in their prayers, and singing of psalms both of them together, Sir Henry Dowell, the sheriff, was very much offended with them, and desired the bailiffs of Ipswich to bid them make an end of prayers, they kneeling upon a broom fagot; when one of the bailiffs commanded them to make an end, saying, "On, on, have done; make an end, nail them to the stake," yet they continued in prayer. Then Sir Henry sent for one of his men, whose name was Richard Cove, that they should make an end.

Then Gouch stood up and said to the sheriff, "I pray you, master sheriff, let us pray a little while, for we have but a little time to live here.'

Then said the bailiff, "Come off, have them to the fire."

Then Gouch and Alice Driver said, "Why, master sheriff, and master bailiff, will you not suffer us to pray?"

Away, (said Sir Henry,) to the stake with them." Then they being tied to the stake, and the iron chain being put about Alice Driver's neck, "O (said she) here is a goodly neckerchief, blessed be God for it."

Then several persons came and took them by the hands as they were bound standing at the stake. The sheriff cried, Lay hands on them, lay hands on them." With that a great number ran to the stake. The sheriff

"

Although our history hastens to the happy death of queen Mary, yet she died not so soon, but that some were burned before it, and more would have been burned soon after, if God's provision had not prevented her with death. In the number of them which suffered in the same month when queen Mary died, were three that were burned at Bury, whose names were these, Philip Humfrey, John David, Henry David.

Concerning the burning af these three, here is to be noted, that Sir Clement Higham, about a fortnight before the queen died, sued out a writ for the burning of these three godly and blessed martyrs, notwithstanding that the queen was not known to be past remedy of her sickness.

The Martyrdom of a Godly Woman, at Exeter.

Although in such an innumerable company of godly martyrs, who in sundry quarters of this realm, were put to torments of fire in queen Mary's time, it is hard so exactly to recite every particular person that suffered, but that some escape us either unknown, or omitted; yet I cannot pass over a certain poor woman, burned under the queen's reign, in the city of Exeter.

During her examination she spoke with great boldness and said, Do you not damn souls, (said she) when you teach the people to worship idols, stocks and stones, the work of men's hands? and to worship a false god of your own making of a piece of bread, and teach that the pope is God's vicar, and hath power to forgive sins? and that there is a purgatory, when God's Son hath by his passion purged all? and say, you make God, and sacrifice him, when Christ's body was a sacrifice once for all? Do you not teach the people to number their sins in your ears, and say they be damned, if they confess not all when God's word saith, Who can number his sins? Do you not promise them trentals and dirges, and masses for souls, and sell your prayers for money, and make them buy pardons, and trust to such foolish inventions of your own imaginations? Do you not work altogether against God? Do ye not teach us to pray upon beads, and to pray unto saints, and say they can pray for us? Do you not make holy-water and holy-bread to affright devils? Do you not a thousand more abominations? and yet you say, you come for my profit and to save my soul. No, no one of you hath saved me. Farewell you, with your salvation."

At length they condemned her, and delivered her over to the secular power. The indictment being given and read, which was, that she should go to the place whence she came, and from thence be led to the place of exe cution, then and there to be burned with flames till she was consumed; she lifted up her voice and thanked God, saying, "I thank thee my Lord God, this day have I found that which I have long sought," But such outcries and such mockings were never seen upon a poor silly woman all which she most patiently took. And yet this favour they pretended after her judgment, that her life should be spared, if she would turn and recant."Nay, that I will not, (said she :) God forbid that I should lose the life eternal for this carnal and short life. I will never turn from my heavenly husband, to my earthly husband: from the fellowship of angels, to mortal children: And if my husband and children be faithful, then am I theirs; God is my father, God is my mother, God is my sister, my brother, my kinsman, God is my most faithful friend."

Then she was delivered to the sheriff, and innumerable people beholding her, she was led by the officers to the place of execution, without the walls of Exeter, where again these superstitious priests assaulted her; and she prayed them to have no more talk with her, but cried still; "God be merciful to me a sinner, God be merciful to me a sinner." And so while they were tying her to the stake, thus still she cried, and would give no answer to them, but with much patience took her cruel death,

and consumed it was with the flames and fire; and so ended this mortal life as constant a woman in the faith of Christ, as ever was upon the earth. She was as simple a woman to see to as any man might behold; of a very little and short stature, somewhat thick, about fiftyfour years of age. She had a cheerful countenance, so lively, as though she had been prepared for the day of her marriage to meet the Lamb; most patient of her words and answers; sober in apparel, meat and drink, and would never be idle; a great comfort to as many as would talk with her; good to the poor; and in her trouble, when money was offered her, she said, she would take none; for she said, "I am going to a city, where money beareth no mastery; while I am here God hath promised to feed me." Thus was her mortal life ended. For whose constancy God be everlastingly praised, Amer..

Martyrdom of three Men at Bristol.

In writing of the blessed saints who suffered in the bloody days of queen Mary, I had almost passed over the names and story of three godly martyrs, who with their blood gave testimony likewise to the gospel of Christ, being condemned and burnt in the town of Bristol. The names of whom were these; Richard Sharpe, Thomas Benion, Thomas Hale.

First, Richard Sharpe, weaver of Bristol, was brought the 9th day of March, A.D. 1556, before Master Dalby, chancellor of the town or city of Bristol, and after examination concerning the sacrament of the altar, was persuaded to recant, and the twenty-ninth of the month was enjoined to make his recantation before the parishioners in his parish church. Which when he had done, he felt in his conscience such a tormenting hell, that he was not able quietly to work in his occupation; some time after, upon Sunday he came into his parish church, called Temple, and after high mass, came to the choir door, and said with a loud voice; "Neighbours, bear me record that yonder idol, (and pointed to the altar) is the greatest and most abominable that ever was; and I am sorry that ever I denied my Lord God." Then the constables were commanded to apprehend him, but none stepped forth, but suffered him to go out of the chruch. Afterwards he was apprehended by night, and carried to Newgate, and shortly after he was brought before the lord chancellor, denying the sacrament of the altar to be the body and blood of Christ, and said, it was an idol, and therefore was condemned to be burned. He was burnt

the 7th of May 1557, and died godly, patiently, and constantly, confessing the articles of our faith.

The Thursday in the night before Easter, A.D. 1557, came one David Herris, alderman, and John Stone, to the house of one Thomas Hale, a shoemaker of Bris

tol, and caused him to rise out of his bed, and brought

him forth of his door. Thomas Hale said, "You have

sought my blood these two years, and now much good do you with it. Who being committed to the watchman, was carried to Newgate, and brought before the chancellor, and committed by him to prison, and after condemned to be burnt, for saying the sacrament of the altar was an idol. He was burned the 7th of May with Richard Sharp, and godly, patiently, and constantly embraced the fire with his arms.

Richard Sharp and Thomas Hale were burned both together in one fire, and bound back to back.

Thomas Benion, a weaver, at the command of the commissioners, was brought by a constable the 13th day of August, 1557, before Master Dalby, chancellor of Bristol, who committed him to prison for saying there was nothing but bread in the sacrament, as they used it. Wherefore he was condemned to be burnt for denying five of their sacraments, and affirming two, that is, the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, and the sacrament of baptism. He was burnt the 27th of the month, and died godly, constantly, and patiently, confessing the articles of our christian faith.

The Martyrdom of five Christians, who suffered the last of all other in the time of Queen Mary. The last that suffered in queen Mary's time, were five at Canterbury, burned about six days before the death of

queen Mary, whose names follow hereunder written. John Corneford, of Wortham ; Christopher Brown, of Maidstone; John Harst, of Ashford; Alice Smith; Katherine Knight, otherwise called Katherine Tynley, an aged

woman,

These five, to close up the final rage of queen Mary's persecution, for the testimony of that word for which so many had died before, gave up their lives meekly and patiently, suffering the violent malice of the papists. Which papists, although they then might have either well spared them, or else deferred their death, knowing of the sickness of Queen Mary; yet such was the im placable spite of that generation, that some there are that say, the archdeacon of Canterbury being at London, and understanding the danger of the queen, made all haste home to dispatch these, whom he had in his cruel custody.

The matter why they were judged to the fire, was for believing the body not to be in the sacrament of the altar, unless it be received; saying, moreover, that we receive another thing also besides Christ's body, which we see, and is a temporal thing, according to St. Paul, 'The things that are seen, are temporal,' &c.; also for saying that it is idolatry to creep to the cross, and St. John forbidding it, saith, Keep yourselves from idols,' also for confessing that we should not pray to our lady, and other saints, because they are not omnipotent.

For these and other such articles of christian doctrine, these five were committed to the fire.

These godly martyrs, in their prayers, which they made before their martyrdom, desired God that their blood might be the last that should be shed, and so it

was.

Among such young women as were burned at Canterbury, it is recorded of a certain maid, and supposed to be this Alice Smith, here mentioned, or else to be Agnes Snoth, (for they were both burned,) that when she was brought to be executed, she, being at the stake, called for her godfather and godmothers. The justice, hearing Notwithher, sent for them, but they durst not come. standing the justices willed the messenger to go again, and to show them that they should incur no danger thereof.

Then they, hearing that, came to know the matter of their sending for. When the maid saw them, she asked them what they had promised for her, and so she immediately rehearsed her faith, and the commandments of God, and required of them, if there were any more that they had promised in her behalf, and they said "No."

"Then, (said she,) I die a christian woman, bear wit. ness of me," and so cruelly in fire was she consumed, and gave joyfully her life up for the testimony of Christ's gospel, to the terror of the wicked, and comfort of the godly, and also to the stopping of the slanderous mouths of such as falsely do quarrel against the faithful martyrs, for going from that religion wherein by their godfathers and godmothers they were first baptised.

The Condemnation of John Hunt and Richard White, who were to be burnt, but by the death of Queen Mary escaped.

Besides these martyrs, there were many in other places of the realm imprisoned, of whom some were but newly taken and not yet examined, some began to be examined, but were not yet condemned, others were both examined and condemned, but for want of the writ escaped.

Others there were also, both condemned, and the writ also brought down for their burning, and yet, by the death of the chancellor, the bishop, and of queen Mary, happening together about one time, they most happily and marvellously were preserved, and lived many years after. In the number of whom were John Hunt and Richard White, imprisoned at Salisbury.

These two good men, and faithful servants of the Lord, had remained in prison at Salisbury the space of two years and more. During which time they were often called to examination by the bishops and priests. All the exa minations I thought not necessary here to insert for the length of them; neither did I think it good to leave no

memory at all of them, but to express some part, not unworthy to be rehearsed.

The Examination of Richard White.

The bishop of Salisbury, at that time, was Dr. Capon; the bishop of Gloucester was Dr. Brookes. These, with Dr. Geffery the chancellor of Salisbury, and a great number of priests sitting in judgment, Richard White was brought before them.

Gloucester." Is this the prisoner ?"
Chancellor." Yea, my lord."

Gloucester.-"Friend, wherefore camest thou hither?" White." My lord, I trust to know the cause: for the law saith, In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word must be established.''

Dr. Capon.-" Did not I examine thee as to thy faith when thou camest hither?"

White." No, my lord, you did not examine me, but commanded me to the Lollard's Tower, and that no man should speak with me. And now I require to know mine accuser.' "

Geffery." Thou shalt confess thy faith ere thou depart; and therefore say thy mind freely, and be not ashamed so to do."

White. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God to salvation unto all that believe; and St. Peter saith, Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.' 1 Pet. iii. 15. Who shall have the examination of me?"

Gloucester." I will oppose thee upon certain articles, and principally upon the sacrament of the altar: How dost thou believe of the blessed sacrament of the altar? Believest thou not the real, carnal, and corporeal presence of Christ in the same, even the very same Christ that was born of the Virgin Mary, that was hanged on the cross, and that suffered for our sins? At these words they all put off their caps, and bowed their bodies.

White.-"My Lord, what is a sacrament?" Gloucester." It is the thing itself which it repre

senteth."

Gloucester." Did not Christ say, This is my body? and are not his words true?

White." I am sure the words are true; but you play by me as the Devil did by Christ; for he said, 'If thou be the son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.' Matt. iv. 6.Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.' Ps. xci. 13. These words the devil left out, because they were spoken against himself; and even so do you cite the scriptures."

Gloucester." Declare thy faith upon the sacrament?" White." In Christ are two natures, a divine and a human nature; so likewise in the sacraments of Christ's body and blood there are two natures, which I divide into two parts, that is, external and internal. The external part is the element of bread and wine, according to the saying of St. Augustine. The internal part is the invisible grace, which by the same is represented. So is there an external receiving of the same sacrament and an internal. The external is with the hand, the eye, the mouth, and the ear. The internal is by the Holy Ghost in the heart, which worketh in me by faith. Whereby I apprehend all the merits of Christ, applying myself wholly unto my salvation. If this be true, believe it; and if it be not reprove it."

Gloucester." No.

But if thou wilt believe the scriptures, I will prove to thee that Christ was both in heaven and in earth at one time."

White." As he is God, he is in all places; but as for his manhood, he is but in one place."

Gloucester."St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. xv. 8. Last of all he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time.' Here St. Paul saith he saw Christ, and St. Paul was not in heaven."

White." St. Paul's chief purpose was by this place to prove the resurrection. But how do you prove that Christ, when he appeared to St. Paul, was not still in heaven; like as he was seen of Stephen, sitting at the right hand of God? St. Augustine saith, the head that was in heaven, did cry for the body and members which were on the earth, and said, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And was not Paul taken up into the third heaven, where he might see Christ, as he witnesseth, 1 Cor. xv. 8. For there he only says he saw Christ, but concerning the place he says nothing. Wherefore this place of scripture proves not that Christ was both in heaven and earth at one time."

Gloucester." I told you before he would not believe. Here are three opinions, the Lutherans, the Ecolampadians, and we the catholics. If you the Ecolampadians have the truth; then the Lutherans and we the catholics are out of the way. If the Lutherans have the truth, then you the Ecolampadians and we the catholics be out of the way. But if we the catholics have the truth, as we have indeed, then the Lutherans and you the Ecolampadians are out of the way, as you are indeed, for the Lutherans do call you heretics."

White." My lord, ye have troubled me greatly with the scriptures."

Gloucester." Did I not tell you it was not possible to remove him from his error. Away with him to the Lollard's Tower, and dispatch him as soon as you can."

Then John Hunt and Richard White, after many examinations and long captivity, at length were called for, and brought before Dr. Geffery the bishop's chancellor, to be condemned. The high-sheriff was one named Sir Anthony Hungerford, who being then at the sessions, was charged with these two condemned persons, with other malefactors there condemned likewise at the same time, to see the execution of death ministered to them.

Not long after this came down the writ to burn the above-named Richard White, and John Hunt, but the under-sheriff receiving the said writ, said; "I will not be guilty (quoth he) of these men's blood," and immediately burnt the writing, and departed his way. Within four days after the chancellor died; and Richard White and John Hunt, after the death of the chancellor, the bishop also being dead a little before, continued still in prison till the happy coming in of queen Elizabeth: and so were set at liberty.

A Chapter or Treatise concerning such as were scourged and whipped by the Papists in the true cause of Christ's Gospel.

And thus through the merciful assistance and favourable aid of Christ our Saviour, thou hast as in a general register (good reader) the history, if not of all, yet of the most part, or at least, not many I trust omitted of such good saints and martyrs as have lost their lives, and given their blood, or died in prison for the testimony of Christ's true doctrine and sacraments, from the time of the cruel statute first given out by king Henry IV, unto this present time, and especially under the reign of queen Mary.

Now after this bloody slaughter of God's good saints and servants, let us proceed to treat somewhat of such