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On the 26th of the same month, was burnt at Burntwood in Essex William Hunter, who was a youth of not above 19 years of Age, and was an Appren∣tise in London, to a Silkweaver, & being commanded to goe to mass and to receive the Sacrament, his
Conscience not permitting him, he refused, for which he was threatned to be lay'd hold on, and his Mr. fearing he should bring him into trouble, sent him away to his Father, who dwelt, at Burntwood in Essex, where he continued about six weeks, when one day reading in the English Bible, which he found in the Church, the Vicar and one more, called him heretick but he disputed with them after such a manner, that they could say nothing against him but they went and complained to the Justice of Peace, who sent for Will. but he having some notice of it fled, and hid himself, upon which the Justice sent for his Father, and threatned to send him to prison, unless he would find out his son; at which the old man was much troubled, yet promised to look about as he did, tho not with any intent to discover him if he had known where he had been: but the good son hearing that his Father was like to be brought into trouble for him, came from the place where he was hid to his Father; and tho he would have perswaded him to the Contrary, he would not leave him but went home with him; where he was no sooner come, but he was taken by the Constable and carried before one Justice Brown, who would needs dispute with this youth concerning the real presence in the Sacrament; but Will. Hunter being too hard for him, he flung away the Bible in a Rage, and sent him up to Bishop Bonner, who also argued the case with him but finding that he could not prevail upon him, he put him into the Stocks in his Gate-house, where he continued 2 days and 2 nights without any thing but a Crust of Bread and a Cup of water, which he would not touch. After this the Bishop sent for him again, and finding him still in the same mind, refuseing to deny his Faith, he sent him to the prison where the Convict were kept, and caused him to be loaden with as many irons as he could bear. There he lay near three quarters of a year, having only a halfpeny a day, of the Bishop, for bread and drink. In which time he had been 4 or 5 times before the Bishop, sometimes threatning him
with burning, at other times flattering him and of∣fering him perferment, as to make him a Freeman, and to give him 40 l. to set up his trade, or else he would make him his Steward, finding him a witty young man; But he answered that unless he could convince his Conscience by the Scriptures, he could not turn from his Faith and from God, for the Love of the World, for that be accounted all world∣ly things but loss and dung in respect of the Love of Christ. After this he was Condemned and sent to Newgate, and thence to Burntwood to be Martyred. Thither he was carried, and received by the Sheriffs, he shewing an Admirable Constancy. His father and mother being of the same faith, tho tender of him, rejoyced to see his undaunted Constancy, he being so young a man his mother saying, she was heattily glad that she was so happy, as to bear such a child who could find in his heart to lose his life so willingly for Christs name sake. Ah mother (said William) for the little pain I am like to suffer, Christ hath promised me a Crown of Joy. You may be glad of that; then his mother kneeling on her knees said, I pray God to strengthen thee to the End, for I think thee as well bestow'd as any child that I ever bare. The night before he was burnt, he saw every thing in his dream that hapned the next day and related it when he awaked, to his fellow prisoner, who was also burnt not long after in another place, which we shall mention, and every Circumstance of it was fulfilled: when he came to the place of execution according to his dream, the Queens pardon was offer'd if he would recant, but he refused it, but goeing to the Stake stood upright against it, to which they bound him; and whilst they were placing the faggots about him, he desired the People to pray from him so long as they saw he was alive, and desired they would quickly dispatch him. Then the Justice said that he would pray no more for him than for a Dog. Then said William I pray God, Mr. Brown, this my death be not laid to your charge, in the last day: however I forgive you.
I ask no forgiveness of you reply'd the Justice, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God do not forgive you (said William) my blood will be required at your hands. Then being ready to put fire to him he cryed, O son of God sinne upon me; and it was observed upon those words, it being a dark and cloudy morning, the sun immediately shined forth, and so full on his face that he was forced to turn his head another way; at which the people mused. Then taking up a faggot of broom in his Arms, a Priest who he had seen in his dream came to him, with a Popish book to perswade him to recant, to whom he used the same wo••ds as he had done in his dream, Away thou false Prophet, be∣ware of them good people, and come from their wicked Abominations, lest you be partakers of their plagues. Then quoth the Priest, look how tho•• burnest here, so shalt tho•• burn in Hell. Th••u hest thou false Prophet, (said William) away thou false Prophet, away; fire be∣ing then put to him he lifted up his hands toward•• Heaven and said, Lord, Lord, Lord, receive my Spir•••• then casting down his head into the flame, Smother and Smoke, he yeilded up his life, for the Truth, sealing it with his Blood, to the praise of God.