Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

Here followeth the forme and maner vsed in the disgrading of B. Hooper.

THe fourth day of February, the yere aboue mentioned, in the Chappell in Newgate, the Bishop of London there sitting with his Notarie and certaine other witnes∣ses. came Alexander Andrew the Gaoler,* 1.1 bringyng wyth hym M. Hooper and M. Rogers, beyng condemned be∣fore by the Chauncellor: where the sayd Bishop of Lon∣don, at the request of the foresayd Winchester, proceeded to the degradation of the parties aboue mentioned, M. Hoo∣per and M. Rogers, after this forme and maner. First, he put vpon them all the vestures and ornaments belonging to a Priest, with all other things to the same order apper∣tainyng, as though (beyng reuested) they should solemn∣ly execute in their office. Thus they beyng apparelled and inuested, the B. beginneth to plucke of, first the vttermost vesture, and so by degree and order commyng downe to the lowest vesture,* 1.2 which they had onely in takyng Ben∣net and Collet: and so beyng stript and deposed, he depri∣ued them of all order, benefite and priuiledge belonging to the Clergy: and consequently, that beyng done, pronoun∣ced, decreed, and declared the sayd parties so disgraded, to be geuen personally to the secular power, as the Shiriffes beyng for that yere, M. Dauy Woodrofe, and M. William Chester:* 1.3 who receiuing first the sayde M. Rogers at the hands of the B. had him away with them, bringyng hym to the place of execution where he suffered. The witnesses there present. were M. Harpsfield Archdeacon of Londō, Rob. Cosin, and Rob. Willerton, canons of Paules, Th. Mountague, & George Howe clerkes, Tristram Swa∣docke, and Richard Clunney Sumner, &c.

The same Monday at night beyng the 4. of February, his keeper gaue hym an inkeling that he should be sent to Glocester to suffer death, whereat he reioyced very much, liftyng vp his eyes and hands into heauen, & praising god that he saw it good to send him amongest the people,* 1.4 ouer whom he was pastor, there to confirme with his death the truth which he had before taught them: not doubting but the Lord would geue him strength to performe the same to his glory: and immediately he sent to his seruāts house for his bootes, spurs, and cloke, that he might be in a redi∣nes to ride when he should be called.

The next day following, about foure of the clocke in the morning before day, the Keeper with others came to him and searched him, & the bed wherin he lay, to see if he had written any thing, and then he was led by the shiriffs of London and other their officers forth of Newgate, to a place appoynted not farre from S. Dunstanes Church in Fleetestreete, where sixe of the Queenes Garde were ap∣poynted to receiue hym & to cary hym to Gloucester, there to be deliuered vnto the shiriffe, who with the L. Shan∣dois, M. Wickes,* 1.5 and other Commissioners were apoin∣ted to see execution done. The which Gard brought hym to the Angel, where he brake his fast with them, eating his meat at that tyme more liberally then he had vsed to doe a good while before. About the breake of the day he went to horse, and lept cheerefully on horsebacke without help, ha∣uyng a hood vpon his hed vnder his hat that he should not be known, and so tooke his iourny ioyfully towards Glo∣cester, and alwayes by the way the Gard learned of hym where he was accustomed to bait or lodge, and euer caried hym to an other Inne.

Upon the Thursday following, he came to a towne in his Dioces, called Ciceter, xv. miles frō Glocester,* 1.6 about eleuen of the clocke, and there dyned at a womans house which had always hated the truth, and spoken all euil she could of M. Hooper. This woman perceiuing the cause of his commyng, shewed him all the frendship she could, and lamented his case with teares, confessing that shee before had oftē reported, that if he were put to the trial, he would not stand to his doctrine.

After dinner he rode forwardes,* 1.7 & came to Gloucest••r about v. of the clocke, and a mile without the towne was much people assembled which cried & lamented his estate: in so much, that on of the Gard rode post into the town, to require ayde of the Mayor and shiriffes, fearyng least hee should haue bene taken from them.

The Officers and their retinue repayred to the Gate with weapons,* 1.8 and commanded the people to keepe theyr houses, &c. but there was no man that once gaue any sig∣nification of any such rescue or violence. So was he lod∣ged at one Ingrams house in Gloucester, and that nyght (as he had done all the way) he did eate hys meat quietly, and slept his first sleepe soundly, as it was reported by thē of the Gard and others. After his first sleepe he continued all that night in prayer vntil the morning, and then he de∣sired that he might go into the next chamber (for the Gard wer also in the chamber where he lay) that there being so∣litary, he might pray and talke with God: so that all that day, sauing a litle at meat, and when he talked at any time with such as the Gard licenced to speake with hym, he be∣stowed in prayer.

Amongest other that spake with hym, Sir Anthony Kingston Knight, was one. Who seemyng in tymes past his very friend, was then appointed by the Queenes let∣ters, to be one of the commissioners, to see execution done vppon hym. Maister Kingston beyng brought into the chamber, found him at his prayer,* 1.9 and as soone as he sawe M. Hooper, he burst foorth in teares. Maister Hooper at the first blush knew hym not. Then sayde maister King∣ston, Why my Lord, doe ye not know me an olde friend of

yours Anthony Kingston.

Yes M. Kingston, I do now know you well, and am glad to see you in health, and do prayse God for the same.

But I am sory to see you in this case: for as I vnder∣stand you bee come hether to dye.* 1.10 But (alas) consider that lyfe is sweete, and death is bitter. Therefore seeyng lyfe may bee had, desire to lyue: for lyfe hereafter may doe good.

In deed it is true M. Kingston, I am come hether to end this lyfe,* 1.11 and to suffer death here, because I wyll not gainsay the former truth that I haue heretofore taught a∣mongest you in this Diocesse, and els where, and I thank you for your friendly counsail, although it be not so frend∣ly as I could haue wished it. True it is (M. Kingstone) that death is bitter, and lyfe is sweete: but (alas) consider that the death to come is more bitter, and the lyfe to come is more sweete.

Therfore for the desire and loue I haue to the one, and the terror and feare of the other,* 1.12 I do not so much regard this death, nor esteeme this lyfe, but haue setled my selfe through the strength of gods holy spirit, paciently to passe through the torments and extremities of the fire, now pre¦pared for me, rather then to denye the truth of his worde, desiring you and others in the meane tyme, to commende me to Gods mercy in your prayers.

Well (my Lorde) then I perceyue there is no reme∣dye,* 1.13 and therefore I wyll take my leaue of you: and I than••e God that euer I knew you, for God did appoynt you to call me beyng a lost child: and by your good instru∣ctions,* 1.14 where before I was both an adulterer and a forni∣cator, God hath brought me to the forsaking and detesting of the same.

If you haue had the grace so to do, I do highly prayse God for it: and if you haue not, I pray God ye may haue, and that you may continually lyue in hys feare.* 1.15 After these and many other woordes, the one tooke leaue of the other, M. Kyngston with bitter teares, M. Hooper with teares also tricklyng downe hys cheekes. At which de∣parture M. Hooper tolde hym, that all the troubles he had sustained in prison, had not caused hym to vtter so much sorrow.

The same day in the after noone, a blind boy, after long intercessiō made to the Gard,* 1.16 obteined licence to be broght vnto M. Hoopers speache. The same boy not long afore had suffered imprisonment at Gloucester for confessyng of the truth. M. Hooper after hee had examined hym of hys fayth,* 1.17 and the cause of his imprisonment, beheld hym sted∣fastly, and (the water appearing in his eyes) sayde vnto hym: Ah poore boy, God hath taken from thee thy out∣ward sight, for what consideration he best knoweth: but he hath geuen thee an other sight much more precious: for he hath endued thy soule with the eie of knowledge and fayth. God geue thee grace continually to pray vnto him, that thou loose not that sight: for then shouldest thou bee blynd both in body and soule.

After that another came to him, whom he knew to be a very papist and a wicked man, which appeared to be sory for M. Hoopers trouble, saying: Sir, I am sory to see you thus. To see me? Why (said he) art thou sory? To see you (sayth the other) in this case. For I heare say ye are come hither to dye, for the which I am sory. Be sory for thy selfe man (sayd M. Hooper) and lament thine owne wicked∣nes: for I am well, I thanke God, and death to mee for Christes sake is welcome.

The same night he was committed by the Gard (their Commission beyng then expired) vnto the custodie of the Sheriffes of Gloucester. The name of the one was Ien∣kins,* 1.18 the other Bond, who with the Mayor & Aldermen repaired to M. Hoopers lodgyng, and at the first meetyng saluted hym, and took hym by the hand. Unto whom Hoo∣per spake on this maner. M. Mayor, I geue most heartie thankes to you, and to the rest of your brethren, that you haue vouchsafed to take mee a prysoner and a condemned man by the hand: wherby to my reioysing it is some deale apparant that your olde loue and friendshippe towardes me, is not altogether extinguished: and I trust also, that all the thynges I haue taught you in tymes past,* 1.19 are not vtterly forgotten, when I was here by the godly K. that dead is, appoynted to be your bishop and Pastor. For the which most true and sincere doctrine, because I wyll not now account it falsehood and heresie, as many other men doe, I am sent hither (as I am sure you knowe) by the Queenes commaundement, to dye, and am come where I taught it, to confirme it with my bloude. And now M. Shiriffes I vnderstand by these good men, and my verye friends, (meanyng the Gard) at whose handes I haue found so much fauour and gentlenesse by the way hither∣ward, as a prisoner could resonably require (for the which also I most hartily thanke them) that I am committed to your custodie, as vnto them that must see me brought to morrow to the place of execution.* 1.20 My request therefore to you shall be onely, that there may be a quicke fire, sho••tl•• to make an end, and in the meane tyme I will be as obe∣dient vnto you, as your selues would wish. If you thinke I do amisse in any thyng, hold vp your finger, and I haue done. For I come not hether as one enforced or compelled to dye (for it is well knowen, I might haue had my lyfe w^t worldly gayne:) but as one willing to offer and geue my lyfe for the truth, rather then to consent to the wicked pa∣pisticall religion of the Bishop of Rome, receiued and set forth by the maiestrates in England, to Gods high dis∣pleasure and dishonor: and I trust by Gods grace to mo∣row to dye a faithfull seruaunt of God, and a true obedi∣ent subiect to the Queene.

These and such lyke wordes in effect vsed M. Hooper to the Mayor, Shiriffes, and Aldermen, whereat manye of them mourned and lamented. Notwithstandyng, the two Shiriffs went aside to consult, and were determined to haue lodged him in the common gaole of the towne cal∣led Northgate,* 1.21 if the Gard had not made earnest interces∣sion for hym: who declared at large how quietly, mildlye, and paciently he had behaued himselfe in the way, addyng therto, that any child might keepe him well enough, & that they themselues would rather take paines to watch with him, then that he should be sent to the common prison. So it was determined at the length he should still remaine in Rob. Ingrams house,* 1.22 and the shiriffes and the sergeants and other officers did appoynt to watch with him y^t nyght themselues. His desire was that he might goe to bed that night betimes, saying that he had many things to remem∣ber: and so did at fiue of the clocke, and slepte one sleepe soundly, and bestowed the rest of the night in prayer. After he gate vp in the morning, he desired that no man should be suffred to come into the chamber, that he might be soli∣tarie till the houre of execution.

About 8. of the clocke came sir Iohn Bridges L. Shā∣doys, with a great band of men, sir Anthony Kingston,* 1.23 sir Edmund Bridges, & other Commissioners appoynted to see execution done. At nine of the clocke M. Hooper was willed to prepare hymselfe to be in a readines, for the time was at hand. Immediately he was brought downe from his chamber by the shiriffes, who were accompanied with bils, glaues, and weapons. When he saw the multitude of weapons, he spake to the Shiriffes on this wyse: Mai∣ster Shiriffes (sayd he) I am no traytor, neyther needed you to haue made such a businesse to bryng me to the place where I must suffer: for if ye had wylled me, I woulde haue gone alone to y^e stake, & haue troubled none of you al. And afterward lookyng vppon the multitude of people which were assembled, beyng by estimation to the num∣ber of seuen thousand (for it was market day, and manye also come to see his behauiour towards death) hee spake vnto those that were about hym, saying: Alas, why bee these people assembled and come together?* 1.24 Peraduenture they thinke to heare some thyng of me now, as they haue in tymes past, but alas speach is prohibited me. Notwith¦standing the cause of my death is well known vnto them. When I was appointed here to bee their Pastor, I prea∣ched vnto them true and sincere doctrine, and that out of the worde of God. Because I will not now accompt the same to be heresie and vntruth, this kinde of death is pre∣pared for me.

So he went forward led betwene the two Shiriffes, (as it were a Lambe to the place of slaughter) in a gowne of his Hosts, his hat vpon his hed, & a stasse in his hand to stay himself withall. For the griefe of the Sciatica, which he had taken in prison, caused him something to halt.* 1.25 All the way being straitly charged not to speake, he could not bee perceiued once to open his mouth, but beholding the peo∣ple all the way which mourned bitterly for him, he would sometimes lift vp his eyes towards heauen,* 1.26 & looke very cherefully vpon such as he knew: & he was neuer known during the tyme of his beyng amongst them to looke with so chearefull and ruddish a countenaunce as he did at that present. When he came to the place appoynted where hee should dye, smilingly he beheld the stake and preparation made for him,* 1.27 which was neare vnto the great Elme tree ouer against the colledge of priestes, where he was woont to preach. The place round about the houses, & the bowes of the tree were replenished with people, and in the cham∣ber ouer the colledge gate stood the priests of the colledge. Then kneeled he downe (for as much as he could not bee suffred to speake vnto the people) to prayer, and beckened vnto him sixe or seuen times whom he knew wel, to heare the said praier, to make report therof in time to come (pou∣ryng

teares vpon his shoulders & in his bosome) who gaue attentiue eares vnto the same: the which prayer hee made vpon the whole Creede, wherein he continued for the space of halfe an houre. Now after he was somewhat entred in∣to his prayer, a boxe was brought and laid before him vp∣on a stoole, with his pardon (or at the least wise it was fai∣ned to be his pardon) from the Queene, if he would turne. At the sight thereof he cried: If you loue my soule, away w^t it, if you loue my soule, away with it. The boxe being ta∣ken away,* 1.28 the Lorde Shandoys saide: Seeing there is no remedie, dispatch quickely. Master Hooper sayde: Good my Lord, I trust your Lordship wil geue me leaue to make an ende of my prayers.

Then said the Lorde Shandoys to sir Edmund Brid∣ges his sonne (which gaue eare before to maister Hoopers prayer at his request:) Edmond, take heede that he do no∣thing els but pray: if he doe, tel me, and I shall quickly dis∣patche hym. Whiles this talke was, there stepped one or two in vncalled, whych hearde hym speake these woordes folowing▪

LOrde (sayd he) I am hell, but thou art heauen: I am swill and a sinke of sinne, but thou art a gratious God and a mercifull re∣demer.* 1.29 Haue mercy therefore vpon me most miserable and wret∣ched offender, after thy great mercy, and accordinge to thine ine∣stimable goodnesse. Thou that art ascended into heauen, receiue me hel to be partaker of thy ioyes, where thou sittest in equal glo∣ry wyth thy father. For well knowest thou Lorde wherefore I am come hither to suffer, and why the wicked doe persecute thys thy poore seruant: not for my sinnes and transgressions committed a∣gainst thee, but because I will not allowe their wicked doings, to the contaminating of thy bloude, and to the deniall of the know∣ledge of thy truth, wherewith it did please thee by thy holy spirit to instruct me: the which with as much diligence as a pore wretch might (being thereto called) I haue set foorth to thy glorye. And well seest thou my Lord and God, what terrible paines and cruell torments be prepared for thy creature: such, Lord, as without thy strength none is able to beare, or paciently to passe. But al things that are impossible with man, are possible with thee. Therefore strengthen mee of thy goodnesse, that in the fire I breake not the rules of pacience, or els asswage the terrour of the paines, as shall seeme most to thy glory.

As soone as the Mayor had espied these menne whyche made report of the former wordes, they were commanded away, and could not be suffered to heare any more. Prayer being done,* 1.30 he prepared himself to the stake, and put off his hostesse gowne, and deliuered it to the sheriffes, requiring them to see it restored vnto the owner, and put off the rest of his geare, vnto his doublet and his hose, wherin he would haue burned. But the Sheriffes woulde not permit that, (such was their greedinesse) vnto whose pleasures (good man) he very obediently submitted him selfe: and his dou∣blet, hose, and peticote were taken off. Then being in hys shirt, he tooke a poynt from his hose him selfe, & trussed hys shirt betweene his legges, where he had a pound of gunne pouder in a bladder, and vnder each arme the like quanti∣tie deliuered him by the Garde. So desiring the people to say the Lordes prayer with him, and to pray for hym, (who performed it with teares, during the time of his paines) he went vp to the stake. Now when he was at the stake, three yrons made to binde him to the stake, were brought: one for his necke, an other for his middle, and the thirde for his legges. But he refusing them said: ye haue no neede thus to trouble your selues. For I doubt not but God will geue strength sufficient to abide the extremitie of the fire, w^tout bands: notwithstanding, suspecting the frailty and weake∣nesse of the flesh, but hauing assured confidence in Gods strength, I am content ye doe as ye shall thinke good.

So the hoope of yron prepared for hys middle,* 1.31 was brought, whych being made somewhat too shorte (for hys belly was swolne by imprisonment) he shranke and put in his belly w^t his hand, vntil it was fastened: and when they offered to haue bound his necke & his legs wyth the other two hoopes of yron, he vtterly refused them, & would haue none, saying: I am wel assured I shall not trouble you.

Thus being ready, he looked vpon the people, of whom he might be wel sene (for he was both tal, and stoode also on an high stoole) and behelde rounde about him:* 1.32 and in euery corner there was nothing to be seene but weeping and so∣rowful people. Then lifting vp his eyes and handes vnto heauen, he praied to himselfe. By and by hee that was ap∣pointed to make the fire, came to him, and did aske him for∣geuenesse. Of whom he asked why he should forgeue hym, saying:* 1.33 that he knewe neuer any offence he had committed against him. Oh sir (said the mā) I am appoynted to make y^e ••ire. Therein (said M. Hooper) thou doest nothing offend me: God forgeue thee thy sinnes & doe thine office, I pray thee. Then the Reedes were cast vp, and he receiued two bundels of them in hys owne handes, embraced them, kis∣sed them, and put vnder either arme one of them, and she∣wed with his hand how the rest shoulde be bestowed, and poynted to the place where any did lacke.

Anone commandement was geuen that fire should be set too, and so it was.* 1.34 But because there were put to no fe∣wer greene fagots then two horses could carry vpon their backs, it kindled not by and by, and was a prety while also before it tooke the Reedes vppon the fagottes. At length it burned aboute him, but the winde hauing full strength in that place (it was also a lowring & a cold morning) it blew the flame from him, so that he was in a maner no more but touched by the fire.

[illustration]

The burning of M. Iohn Hooper, Bishop at Glocester. An. 1555. Februarie 9.

Within a space after, a few dry fagottes were brought, and a newe fire kindeled wyth fagottes, (for there were no more Reedes:) and that burned at the neather partes, but had small power aboue, because of the winde, sauinge that it did burne his haire,* 1.35 and scorch his skinne a litle. In the time of which fire, euen as at the first flame, hee prayed, saying mildely and not verye loude (but as one wythoute paynes:) O Iesus the sonne of Dauid haue mercye vpon me, and receiue my soule. After the seconde was spente, he did wipe both his eyes with his hands, and beholding the people, he sayde with an indifferent loud voyce: For Gods loue (good people) let me haue more fire.* 1.36 And all this while his nether partes did burne: for the fagottes were so fewe, that the flame did not burne strongly at his vpper partes.

The third fire was kindled within a while after, which was more extreeme then the other two: and then the blad∣ders of gonnepouder brake, which did him small good, they were so placed, and the winde hadde suche power. In the whych fire he prayed with somewhat a loude voyce: Lorde Iesu haue mercye vppon me:* 1.37 Lorde Iesu haue mercy vp∣pon mee: Lorde Iesus receiue my spirite. And these were the last woordes hee was heard to vtter. But when he was blacke in the mouth, and his tongue swolne, that he coulde not speake, yet hys lippes went till they were shronke to the gummes: and he knocked his breast with his handes, vntill one of his armes fell off, and then knocked still with the other,* 1.38 what time the fat, water, and bloud dropped out at his fingers ends, vntill by renuing of y^e fire▪ his strength was gone, and his hande did cleaue fast in knocking to the yron vpon hys brest. So immediately bowing forwardes, he yelded vp his spirite.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.2

  M. Hooper and M. Rogers ••is∣graded togither.
• * 1.3

  Dauy Wood∣rofe, William Chester Shriefes.
• * 1.4

  M. Hooper glad that he should suffer amonge••t his owne flocke.
• * 1.5

  M. Hooper ca••∣ryed to Gloce∣ster to be bur∣ned.
• * 1.6

  A woman of Ciceter confir∣med by the con∣stancy of M. Hooper, which rayled at him before.
• * 1.7

  M. Hooper c••••∣meth to Gloc••∣ster.
• * 1.8

  The quiet minde of M. Hooper in his troubles.
• * 1.9

  ••yr Anthony Kingston c••m∣meth to M. Hooper.
• * 1.10

  Syr Anthony Kingstones per∣swasions.
• * 1.11

  M. Hooper re∣plyeth.
• * 1.12

  Lyfe compared with lyfe, and death with death.
• * 1.13

  Syr An••hony. Kingstone.
• * 1.14

  Syr Anthony Kingstone con∣uerted by M. Hooper.
• * 1.15

  M. Hooper.
• * 1.16

  A blynd boy commeth to M. Hooper.
• * 1.17

  Gods grace vp∣on a blynd boy at Glocester.
• * 1.18

  M. Hooper cō∣mitted to the Shiriffes of Glocester.
• * 1.19

  The wordes of M. Hooper to the Mayor and the Shiriffes of Glocester.
• * 1.20

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.21

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.22

  M. Hoo•••••• spendet•• the nig•••• prayer.
• * 1.23

  Syr Ioh•• Bridge••▪ Shando•• Syr 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bridges, Ant. Ki••••••ston, Co••mission
• * 1.24

  M. Hoo•••••• for Prea••ching 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doctrin•••• put to death.
• * 1.25

  M. Hoo•••••• forbidd•••• to speak•• the peo••••••
• * 1.26

  His 〈…〉〈…〉 to death
• * 1.27

  M. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brough•• the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Martyr▪
• * 1.28

  Hooper ••seth the 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.29

  Hoopers 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.30

  M. Hooper ••••ndre••••eth himselfe to 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.31

  M. Hooper bound to the stake.
• * 1.32

  The weeping of the people at M. Hoopers burning.
• * 1.33

  He forgeueth his execution••••
• * 1.34

  Fire put to M. Hooper.
• * 1.35

  A new fire made to M. Hooper.
• * 1.36

  M. Hooper cal∣le•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for more fire.
• * 1.37

  The last wordes of M. Hooper.
• * 1.38

  The blessed Martyr long tormented in the fire.