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.

A Relation of the Lamentable Suffering of William Gardner an English Merchant in Portugal, for his Testimony to the Truth against Popish Idolatry.

William Gardner was born at Bristol of honest Parents, he was natural∣ly given to gravity, of a mean stature of Body, but of a comely and pleasant Countenance, but in no part so excellent as in the inward qualities of the mind which from a Child he had kept without spot of reprehension; being a Prentise with a Merchant in Bristo••, his Master sent him a Voyage into Spain, but by accident the Ship arri∣ved at Lisbon in Portugal; where after he came ashore, he was very strict in keeping himself, lest he should be defiled with the Portugals Superstition, whilst he remained there a great Marriage was to be solemnized between the King of Portugals Son and the King of Spains Daughter, the which amongst other People he going to the Publick place to see, and there beholding the Peoples great Idolatry, the young man was sore pricked and moved in his Conscience against it, but had not an opportunity to bear his Testimony against it at that time, but left the place and went away with a great Burthen upon him, and so it continued upon him insomuch that he sought out secret and solita∣ry Places where he might call upon God with Tears, and ease his mind, bewaling himself for neglecting his duty in testifying against the Impiety and Superstition of that People; concluding in his mind to take another opportunity to clear himself, and to that end he made up his accounts with all men, and then gave himself continually to Prayer and Meditation on the Lord, taking little Meat by Day, or Sleep by Night.

And shortly after he went on a Sunday (so called) to the Publick Place of Worship again where the King was present, and a great As∣sembly of people, getting as near to the high Altar as he could, ha∣ving a Testament in English in his hand, in which he read while the Mass was celebrated by the Cardinal, until the Cardinal took the Host in his hand, and then William being moved with Zeal, and not longer able to forbear, he stept speedily and snarched the Cake out of the Priests hand and trod it under his Feet, and overthrew the Chal∣lice: This made the People all amazed, and to rise in a great Tumult, and one run him into the Shoulder with his Dagger, and immediately they would have killed him, but that the King commanded he should be saved.

After the Tumult Ceased, he was brought before the King, who askt him, What Country man he was, and how he durst be so bold to do such an Action in Contempt to him and the Sacrament of the Church?

William Gardner, told him, He was an English man, and came thither a Merchant, and seeing so great Idolatry in so famous an Assembly, he was not satisfied in his Conscience until he had acted what he had done, further telling the King; there was

not any thought in him of acting any ••••••ing in Contempt to his Presence.

Then he was urged, to discover the persons that instigated him to the Action; He desired there might be no such suspicion conceived of him, saying, He was not moved thereunto by any man, but by his own Conscience, and that he did it as required of God, and for the Peoplé Salvation.

While he was thus examined, he was ready to faint with the wound he received, whereupon Chirurgions were sent for to cure him, if possible, to the end he might be further examined, and receive grea∣ter punishment; for they were fully perswaded some others had stir∣red him to do the Action, and thereupon the English Merchants were apprehended, and his bed-fellow was examined, and cruo••ly tormen∣ted, and kept in Prison two years after, and having ••••••ched William Gardner's Chamber, thinking there to find out ••••me of the Authors of the interprize, but finding none they repa••••ed to him again, urg∣ing him to discover who was the Author or Instigator of him to do the fact, using an unheard of piece of Cruelty 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••ke him ••••••fess, which was thus, they made fast a threed to a Cl••th B••ll•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••st it down his Throat, and then pluckt it up again, and so pluckt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and fro for some time, till they were wearyed and seeing they could work nothing that way, they askt him, whether he did repeat of his wicked Deed? he answered, That he thought, that if is were to do again he should do it.

After they had used divers Torments to make him confess, and saw it was to no purpose, they had him to Execution; but first they carryed him into the Vestry, and cut off his Right Hand; then he was had into the Market-place, and there they cut off his Left Hand; then his Arms were bound behind him, and his Feet under the Horses Belley, and so was carryed to the place of Execution, where he was let down by a pulley into the Fire, and then pluckt up, and let down again, all which cruelty he endured with a constant Spirit, saying, O Eternal God, Father of all Mercies, look down upon thy Servant, and with patience he suffered, till at last the Rope burning he fell down into the Fre, and was consumed. This was in the year 1552.