Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] 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. | Early English Books Online | University of Michigan Library Digital Collections

A note of Iohn Hullier Minister and Martyr burned at Cambridge.

COncerning the story of Iohn Hullier, Martyr, partly mentioned before pag. 1864. for the more ful declaratiō of the death and martirdome of that good man,* 1.1 because the story is but rawly and imperfectly touched before for the more perfetting thereof, I thought thereunto to adde that which since hath come to my hand, as foloweth.

First Iohn Hullier was brought vp at Eaton colledge and after, according to the foūdation of that house, for that he was ripe for the vniuersitye, he was elected scholer in y^e kinges colledge where also not tarying full the 3. yeares of probation, before he was felow of the Colledge, he after a litle season was one of the x. Conductes in the kinges col∣ledge, which was an. 1539. Then at length in processe of time, he came to be Curate of Babrame 3. miles from Cā∣bridge, and so went afterward to Linne: where he hauing diuers conflictes with the papistes, was from thence cari∣ed to Ely, to D. Thuriby then bishop there: who after di∣uers examinations, sent him to Cambridge Castle, where he remayned but a while.

From thence he was conueyed to the town prison cō∣monly called the Tolboth, lying there almost a quarter of a yere, while at lēgth he was cited to appeare at great S. Maries on Palmsonday euē, before diuers Doctors, both Diuines & Lawyers, amongest whō was chiefest Doctor Shaxton, also Doct. Young, D. Sedgewike, Doct. Scot, Mitch, and others. Where after examination had, for that he would not recant, he was first condemned, the sentence being read by D. Fuller.

Then consequētly he was disgraded after their popish maner with scraping crowne and handes. When they had disgraded him,* 1.2 he sayd cherefully: this is the ioyfullest day that euer I saw, and I thank ye all, that ye haue deliuered and lightened me of all this paltry.

In the meane time whilest it was doyng, one standing by, asked Hullier what book he had in his hand. Who aun∣swered a testamēt. Wherat this man in a rage tooke it and threw it violently frō him.* 1.3 Thē was he geuen ouer to the secular powers, Brasey being Maior, who carying him to prison, agayne, took from him all his bookes, writinges, & papers.

On Maundy Thursday comming to the stake, he ex∣horted the people to pray for him, & after holding his peace and praying to himselfe, one spake to him saying,* 1.4 the Lord strenthē thee. Wherat a Sergeant named Brisley, stayed & bad him hold his toung or els he should repent it.

Neuerthelesse Hullier answered and sayd (either thus or very like the effect was all one) frende I truste that as God hath hitherto begon, so also he will strengthen me,* 1.5 & finish his work vpō me. I am bidden to a Maundy, whe∣ther I trust to goe, & there to be shortly. God hath layd the foundation, and I by his ayd will end it.

Then goyng to a stoole (prepared for hym to sit on) to haue his hosen plucked of, he desired the people to pray for him agayne, and also to beare witnesse that he dyed in the right faith, and that he would seale it with his bloud certi∣fying them that he dyed in a iust cause, and for the testimo∣ny of the verity and truth,* 1.6 & that there was no other rocke but Iesus Christ to builde vpon, vnder whose banner he fought, and whose souldiour he was: and yet speaking, he turned himselfe about towards the East, and exhorted the people there likewise.

Now it chaunced on a bancke to stande three Archpa∣pistes George Boyes, Henry Barley, & Gray,* 1.7 all three of Trinity Colledge. This Boyes was one of the Proctors of the Uniuersity that yeare. To whome Mayster Graye spake, saying: heare ye not maister Proctor, what blasphe∣my this felow vttereth? surely it is euil done to suffer him.

At whose words, this Boyes spake with a loud voice: M. Maior, what meane ye? if ye suffer him thus to talke at liberty, I tell ye the Counsell shall heare of it,* 1.8 and we take you not to be the Queenes frend. He is a pernitious per∣son, and may do more harme then ye wote of. Wherat sim∣ple Hullier as meeke as a Lambe, taking the matter very patiently, made no answere, but made him ready vttering his prayer. Which done, he went meekely himselfe to the stake, and with chaines being bound, was beset with reed & wood, stāding in a pitchbarrell, & the fire being set to,* 1.9 not marking the winde, it blew the flame to his backe. Thē he feeling it, began earnestly to call vpon God. Neuertheles his frendes perceiuing the fire to be ill kindled, caused the Sergeantes to turne it and fire it in that place where the winde might blow it to his face.

That done, there was a cōpany of bookes which were cast into the fire, and by chaunce a Communion booke fell betwene his handes, who receyuing it ioyfully, opened it,* 1.10 & read so long as the force of the flame & smoke caused him that he could see no more: and then he fell agayne to pray∣er holding his handes vp to heauen, & the booke betwixte his armes next his hart, thanking God for sending him it: and at that time the day being a very fayre day & a whote, yet the winde was somewhat vp, and it caused the fier to be the fiercer,* 1.11 and when al the people thought he bad bene dead, he sodenly vttered these wordes: Lord Iesu receaue my spirit, dying very meekely

The place where he was burned is called Iesus grene, not farre from Iesus Colledge. Seager gaue him certeine gunpouder, but little to y^e purpose: for he was dead before it took fire. All the people praied for him, and many a teare was shed for him. Which the Papistes seing, cried, he was not to be prayed for, & being but a dāned man,* 1.12 it could pro∣fit him nothing: neuertheles they cōtinued praying. Wher¦at the Papistes fell in such a rage that they manaced them with terrible threatninges to ward. His flesh beyng cōsu∣med, his bones stood vpright euē as if they had bene aliue. Of the people some took as they could get of him, as pieces of bones. One had his hart••, the which was distributed so farre as it would go: one took the scalpe and looked for the toung, but it was consumed except the very roote.

One roūded him in the eare and desired him to be con∣staunt to the end, at which he spake nothing, but shewed a ioyful countenaunce, and so continued both constaunt and ioyfull to the end.

〈…〉〈…〉 this to the story of Iohn H••••lier ••artyr. pag 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ory of Iohn Hul∣•••••••• with 〈…〉〈…〉. Iohn Hul∣•••••••• first 〈…〉〈…〉 in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Colledge. 〈…〉〈…〉 Linne 〈…〉〈…〉.