The spirit of the martyrs revived in a brief compendious collection of the most remarkable passages and living testimonies of the true church, seed of God, and faithful martyrs in all ages: contained in several ecclesiastical histories & chronological accounts of the succession of the true church from the creation, the times of the fathers, patriarchs, prophets, Christ and the Apostles.

The Troubles of the Queen Katherine Parr, for showing fa∣vour to the Professors of the Truth, and how the Lord made way for her Deliverance,

About this time the King coming from Bullein, information was given him, that the Queen, Katherine Parr, was much given to reading the Scriptures, and entertained divers godly persons in confe∣rence about spiritual Matters: At first the King seemed to like well of it,* 1.1 which made her the more bold sometimes freely to debate with the King about Religion, often beseeching him, That as he had to the glory of God and his own Eternal Fame began a good work in banish∣ing the Popes supremacy, that he would perfect what he had begun, and thorowly to cleanse away the dregs of Popery, whereof much re∣mained yet behind. The King though he was grown very teasty and froward, yet out of his singular Affection to her, was content to bear with her; for never did Maid more seek to please her Mistriss then she did withal painful endeavour apply her self by all virtuous means in all things, to please his Humor. She was a Woman very beauti∣ful, virtuous and of a comely personage, which greatly delighted the King: But some subtil and malicious Instruments of Satan,* 1.2 fear∣ing what might be the Issue of it, sought by all means to set the King against her; these were the Bishop of Winchester, Wrisly the Chan∣cellor, and others of the Council and Privy-Chamber, hoping

that if they could but take away her, that was such an Encou∣rager of the Professors of the Truth, they might soon destroy the rest.

The King growing sickly and froward left off his accustomed man∣ner of visiting the Queen, and therefore she took all opportunities to visit him, and did earnestly solicite him to be Zealous in the Reforma∣tion of the Church; Winchester being present at one time, and percei∣ving the King not to be very well pleased with her; when she was gone he maliciously endeavoured to stir up the Kings Indignation a∣gainst her, possessing the King, That under his Favour, he with others of the Council, could in a short time disclose such Treason cloaked with the vail of Heresie, that his Majesty should easily perceive how dangerous it was to nourish such a Serpent in his Bossom; this so stirred up the King that he gave them leave to draw up Articles against her, and thus far they got their end; the next thing was, to suborn Witnesses to betray and accuse her, and to find out what Books she had in her Closets that were forbidden by Law, and to search her Closets, and to apprehend the Queen, and send her by Barge to the Tower. The King being made privy to this devise by Winchester and Wrisly, he politickly seemed to approve it, that he might see how far the malice of the Bishop would carry him; and thus the Day, Time and place for the Apprehending the Queen, and some about her was conclu∣ded of.

The King at this time lay at White-hall, and by reason of his dis∣temper seldom stirred abroad, and the time approaching for the ap∣prehension of the Queen; she suspected nothing of it, and therefore used after her accustomed manner, when she came to the King, still to deal with him about Religion, as formerly she had done; but one night after she had taken her Leave of him, the King imparted the whole design to Doctor VVendy, enjoyning him not to spake of it to any Creature; but by Providence these Articles drawn up against her, & signed by the King fell from of the Bosom one of these Coun∣cellors, and was immediately carried to the Queen, who reading the Articles, knowing the Kings hand was supprised with such a sudden fear, that she made pitious Mean and Lamentation; The King hearing that she was in peril of her Life, sent his Physicians to her, and Doctor VVendy knowing the cause better then the other, began secretly to break with her about the Articles, tilling her, that he knew well of them, though he stood in danger of his Life by revealing of them, yet to quiet his Conscience he could not but give her Warning of them, intreating her somewhat to conform her self to the Kings mind, not doubting but that by her humble sub∣mission, she should find him favourable to her; shortly after the King hearing of her dangerous Condition went to her, to him there∣fore she uttered her Greif, fearing, as she said, lest he had taken dis∣pleasure against her. Whereupon he like a loving Husband with sweet and comfortable Words somewhat eased her perplexed Mind, so that she began to recover; the King being departed she caused all her Books which the Law was against to be conveyed away, and taking

a fit season in an Evening, she went to visit the King, who was con∣fering with some of his Bed-Chamber. When he saw her, he in∣tertained her Courteously, and began to Commnue with her a∣bout Religion, seeming desirous to be resolved by the Queen of certain doubts which he proposed to her; she perceiving his drift, with mild and reverend Conutenance answered him thus. Your Majesty knows right well, neither am I ignorant what weakness attends our Sex, and therefore we are inferiour and Subject to man, our Head, whence all our directions must pro••eed; God hath made man in his own Likeness, endued him with more exellent Gifts, &c. But he hath made Woman of Man, by whom she is to be governed and directed: seeing therefore that God hath appointed such a Naturall Difference, and you being of so excellent. Wisdom; and I a poor sily VVoman, so much in feriour to you, why should your Majesty propose such difficult Cases to me? yea, when I have said what I can, I must and will refer my self unto your Wisdom, as my Supream H••ad under God, by whom I must be d••rected. This that she decla∣red, and other discourse that passed between them at that time, so pleased the King, that he shewed great favour unto her, as hereto∣fore he had done. Her Adversaries knew nothing of this, and there∣fore were providing for her Apprehension, which was to be next day, at which time they intended to carry her to the Tower; the Day, and almost the Hour being come, the King intending to take the Air, went into the Garden, whither the Queen also went to him, being sent for by him, where the King being merrily disposed with her, on a sudden, in the middst of the mirth in came VVrisly the Chancellor, with forty of the Kings Guard at his heels, whom the King sternly beholding, went to him, and upon private conference together, the King called him Knave, Arrent Beast, and Fool, withal commanding him out of his Presence. The King after his depar∣ture returned to the Queen, who perceiving him to be much chafed, with Sweet words endeavoured to qualifie his displeasure, saying, that though she knew not what might be the cause, he was Offended, but desired him, if it were not hainous; that for her sake he would pass it by, Ah poor Soul, said the King, little dost thou know how ill he deserves this Grace at thy hands, on my word, Sweet Heart, he hath been towards thee an Arrant Knave, and so let him go.

And thus the Queen through Gods Providence, and the Kings Fa∣vour escaped the Hands of her bloody Persecutors, who sought to have destroyed her.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Her Coun∣cil to the King.
• * 1.2

  Popish Sub∣tilty.