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 Sufferings, and cruel Torments sustained by Cutbert Simson, of London, at the hands of the cruel Papists.

This Cuthbert Simsion was a man of a zealous and faithful Spirit for Christ, and the true Flock in London,* 1.1 in that day wherein they greatly suffered, he ceased not daily to labour and earnestly to endea∣vour their preservation from the corruption of the Popish Religion, his pains, zeal, travil, patience and sidelity was not easily to be expressed, as saith the Record. A Relation of his cruel Usage in the Tower, is as followeth.

On the 13th day of the Moneth called December he was sent to the Tower by the Councel, and on the Thursday following, he was cal∣led into the Ware-house before the Constable of the Tower, and the Re∣corder of London, who prest him to discover the persons he had wil∣led to come to the Meeting he belonged to; but he answered, he would declare nothing, whereupon he was set in the Rack of Iron the space of three hours, then they asked him, If he would tell them, he answer∣ed as before, then was he loosed and carried to his Lodging, and on the day called Sunday following was brought to the same place again, before the Lievtenant and Chelmly Recorder of London, who again Ex∣amined him, he answered as before: Then the Lievtenant swore by God, he should tell, and caused his two fore-fingers to be bound together, and put a small Arrow betwixt them, and drew it threw so fast that the blood followed, and the Arrow broke; then they Rackt him twice, and then carried him to his Lodging again; and ten dayes after the Lievtenant asked him, If he would confess, to whom he answered, He had said as much as he would; then about five weeks after, he sent him to a high Priest, who past the Popes curse upon him forbearing Wit∣ness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. When he was brought be∣fore Bonner, several Articles were objected against him, as denying the Sacraments and Ceremonies of the Church, and for being at several great Meetings, Assemblies and Conventicles. At the same time there were two other persons Examined before Bonner, viz. Hugh Fox,* 1.2 and John Devenish, against whom the general common Articles were produced, and they were condemned and burnt with Cuthbert, Simson in Smithfield, upon the 28th day of the Moneth called March, for whose constancy to the Lord in his Quarrel, his Name be exalted for evermore.

Some Passages wrote in a Letter from Cuthbert Simson to his Wife, out of the Cole-house, are as followeth.

Dearly beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, I cannot writ as I do wish unto you; I beseech you with my Soul commit your self under

the mighty hand of our God, trusting in his Mercy, and he will sure∣ly help us, as shall be most unto his Glory, and our everlasting comfort, being sure of this, that he will suffer nothing to come unto us, but that which shall be most profitable for us; for it is either a Correction for our Sins, or a Tryal of our Faith, or to set forth his glory, or for all together, and therefore must needs be well done, for there is nothing that cometh unto us but by our heavenly Fathers providence; and therefore pray unto our heavenly Father, that he will ever give us his Grace to consider it; let us give most hearty thanks for these his fa∣therly corrections, for as many as he loveth he correcteth: And I be∣seech you now, be of good chear, and count the Cross of Christ greater Riches then all the vain-pleasures of England: I doubt not but you have Supped with Christ at his Table, I mean believed in him, for that is the effect, and then must you drink of his Cup, I mean his Cross (for that doth the Cup signifie unto us) take the Cup, and then shall you be sure to have the good Wine Christ's Blood to thy poor thirsty Soul; pray continually, in all things give thanks. In the Name of Jesus shall every knee bow.

Cuthbert Simson.

One thing more I thought meet to mention, which I find upon record concerning this Cuthbert Simson, which some may hard∣ly believe who are apt to think all things incredible, which vary from the common course and order of Nature, and may look upon this to be more a Phantasie, then a real Vision, but I shall relate the matter in short, as I find it, and so leave it to the tender Reader to judge of it.

The day before this Cuthbert Simson was condemned, he being in the Stocks in the Bishops Cole-house, Cluny the Keeper, about nine at night (according to his usual manner) came to see whether his Prisoner was safe, and lockt the Doors, about two hours after Cuthbert heard one coming in to him, first opened the Outward-door, then the Inner∣door, and though there was no Candle, yet he saw a great brightness and light, most comfortable and joyful to his heart, and this he de∣clared to one Austen and others, and expressed much joy and solace in declaring of it; and the Vision that he saw was comfortable unto him.

Soon after suffered William Nichol, who was burnt for the same cause at Haverfordwest in Wales, and William Seaman, Thomas Carman, and Thomas Hudson suffered in Norfolk.

William Seaman, was an Husbandman, of the age of twenty six years, dwelling in Mendlesham in the County of Suffolk;* 2.1 he was persecuted by one Sr. John Terril, who searched his house for him by night, but missing of him, he set his servants to search for him, and when they had apprehended him, brought him before their Master, who ask∣ed him, why he would not go to Mass, and receive the Sacrament, Seaman replyed, because it was an Idol he would not receive it; wherefore Terril sent him to Hopton Bishop of Norwich, to deal with him, who after he had examined him, soon passed his bloody sentence of death against him; This Seaman, when he died, left behind him a

Wife, and three young Children, which her Husband being taken away, one would have thought should have moved those pretended Christians to some pity towards her, but instead of shewing pity, they persecuted her out of the Town of Mendlesham, because she refused to hear Mass; and one Coles, Lord of the said Town, caused all her Goods, and Corn, to be seized and taken away.

Another of these Sufferers, was Thomas Hudson, of Ailesham in Norfolk, he was thirty years of age, by trade a Glover, and a very honest poor man, having a Wife and three Children, and labouring alwayes dilligently in his imployment, being zealous for that Truth which bore testimony against the Papists blasphemous preaching, who put the Draugh and Darnel for the Wheat, and that he might avoid their Idolatries, and Superstition he absented from his house, and went into Suffolk a long time, and there remained, traveling from one place to another, at last he returned home again to comfort his Wife and Children, being troubled at his absence, when he was come home, he conceiving his continuing there would be dangerous, he and his Wife devised to make him a place among his Fagots, to hide himself in, where he remained all day exercising himself in rea∣ding and prayer, and thus he continued for about the space of half a year; but at last his Zeal and Courage arose, and he walked abroad several dayes openly in the Town, crying out continually, against the Mass, and such like trumpery, and for three dayes and three nights together refused meat, or to talk with any; one Berry Vicar of the Town, and one of the Bishops Commissaries, caused the Officers to watch for him, who upon the twenty second day of the Month called April, apprehended him by the break of the day, and led him to Berry the Commissary, who examined him after this manner.

Doest thou not believe, said Berry, in the Sacrament of the Altar, what is it?

Hudson replyed, it is worms meat, my belief is in Christ.

Berry, Dost thou not believe the Mass to put away Sins?

Hudson, No, God forbid, it is a patcht Monster, and a disguised Puppet, more longer a piecing, then ever was Solomons Temple.

At which words Berry stamped and fumed, and said, Well, thou Villain, I will write to my Good Lord the Bishop.

Hudson said, There is no Lord but God.

Then he asked Hudson, whether he would Recant? to which he re∣plyed, the Lord forbid; I had rather die many deaths then do so.

This Thomas Hudson, and the other two being brought to the Lollards-pit, and there standing with Chains about them, on a sud∣dain Thomas Hudson came forth from under the Chain, which made some to doubt that he would have recanted, but his two Compani∣ons at the Stake exhorted him, and comforted him, in the Bowels of Christ; but Hudson felt more in his Heart and Conscience then they did conceive was in him, for he was compassed with great grief of mind, not for his death, but for lack of the feeling of Christ, for which he kneeled down, and prayed earnestly unto the Lord, who at last according to his mercies gave him comfort, and then he said,

now I thank God I am strong, and so went to the Stake to his Fel∣lows again, and they all suffered constantly, and joyfully to the Mag∣nifying of the Lords Name.

Before I proceed to give a further Account of such as suffered Mar∣tyrdom, its necessary to give a short Account of the said end of this Persecuting Commissary Berry, who Persecuted Thomas Hudson, and others to death, as I find it recorded.

This Berry in his rage was very fierce against many godly People in the Town of Ailesham, he burnt all good Books he could get, and persecuted men for their Consciences, and compelled many to Idola∣try, and being Rich, and in great Authority, he had the more power to Persecute; he divorced many men and women for Religion, he was a great Swearer, and given to Women, (to write saith the Histo∣ry) how many Concubines and Whores he had, would be incredible; but mark what Judgments the Lord brought upon him for his wickedness.

On a time, a poor man speaking a word to him, he struck him such a blow, with the swingle of a staile, that he presently died thereon, for which (as is said) Berry held up his hand at the Bar.

And shortly after one Alice Oxes, of the Parish of Ailesham, com∣ing into his House, and going into the Hall, he met her (and being before moved) smote her with his fist, whereby she was fain to be carried home, and the next day was found dead in her Chamber.

When this Priest heard that Queen Mary was dead, and that the glory of their triumph quailed, the day called Sunday following, he made a great Feast,* 2.2 and had one of his Concubines there present, with whom he was in his Chamber after Dinner, until he went to that he called his Evening-song, where he Ministred Baptism, and as he was going home, between the Grave-Yard and his House, he fell down suddainly to the ground with a heavy graon, and never stirred after, and thus the Judgments of God was evidently seen to be Executed up∣on him, by all that beheld him.

In the same Moneth that the aforesaid three suffer'd at Norwich, there was two men and one woman burnt at Colchester, viz. William Har∣ris, Richard Day, and Christian George.

In the next Moneth, being the Moneth called June, a short, but sharp Proclamation came forth to prohibit the spreading several good Books, therein condemned under the title of Heresie and Sedition, laying the injunction so strickt, that whosoever should be found to have any such Books in their custody after the Proclamation came forth, should be reputed as Rebels, and to be Executed forthwith accor∣ding to the order of Martial Law.

Shortly after several persons were apprehended, being assembled in a religious exercise in a back Close near Islington, two and twenty of whom were committed to Newgate, and there remained seven weeks before they were Examined, seven of these two and twenty were afterwards burnt in Smithfield and six at Brainford.

One of them, viz. Reginald Eastland being required by the Bishop to answer upon Oath to the Articles charged against him, refused,

saying an Oath was to end strife, but to begin strife (said he) and Oath is not lawful; and therefore choosed rather to suffer what punish∣ment they would inflict upon him, then to swear the matter against himself.

After Bonner had past Sentence upon Roger Holland, one of them that was burnt in Smithfield, Roger spoke to this effect; I am said he Moved by the Spirit of God to say, that God will shorten your hand of cruelty, and after this day in this place shall there not be any put to the Tryall of Fire and Faggot, and as he was speaking and exhort∣ing the People, the Bishop turned back and charged the Keeper, that none should speak with him without leave; being brought to the Stake, he spake after this manner; Lord I most humbly thank thy Ma∣jesty that thou hast called me from the state of Death, unto the Light of thy heavenly Word, and now unto the fellowship of thy Saint••, that I may sing and say, holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts; and Lord into thy hands I commit my Spirit; Lord bless these thy People, and save them from I∣dolatry.

Amongst these persons apprehended at Islington, some of them were Scourged or Whipped by Bonner with his own hands; upon his deformed Effigies in Whipping them, one made some Latine Ver∣ses, the which in English are as followeth.

Muse not so much, that Natures work, is thus deformed now: With belly blown, and head so swoln, for I shall tell you how; This Canibal in three years space two hundred Martyrs slew, They were his food, he lov'd so blood, he spared none he knew.

It should appear that blood feeds fat, if men lye well and soft: For Bonners belly waxt with blood, though he seem'd to fast oft. Oh, bloody Beast, bewail the death of those that thou hast slain; In time repent, since thou canst not their lives restore again.

Thomas Hinshaw, and John Wills were taken and sent to the Cole-house, and from thence Wills was had to Fulham, and there was kept eight dayes in the Stocks; in which time Bonner much abused him, oftentimes raping him on the head with a Stick, and flirting him under the Chin, saying, He looked down like a Thief, and then had him into his Orchard, and in an Arbour, where he Whipt Tho. Henshaw, he Whipt him; first, with a Willow-rod, and then with a Birchen∣rod, labouring and dealing his blows so long as his fat panch could endure with breath, oftentimes the Bishop speak to Wills to this effect,

They call me (said he) bloody Bonner, I would fain be rid of you, a ven∣geance on you, you have a delight in burning: If I might have my will, said he, I would sow up your Mouthes, and put you into a Sack and drown you; and thus much concerning the two and twenty taken at Islington.

* 2.3 The next that suffered was Richard Yeoman; after the Persecution arose, at which time he was put out of his Living, he was put to great straits, so that he was forced to travel from place to place, sel∣ling Pins and Laces to get a livelihood to maintain his Wife and Chil∣dren, at last was apprehended by order from one called Justice Moyle, who set him in the Stocks a day and a night, but having no evident matter to charge him with, let him go again, and returning home to Hadley, Persecution against him was so hot, that his Wife kept him privately a whole year in a Room lockt up all day, where he carded Wool to get Bread for his Family, although he was Seven∣ty Years Old; at last the Priest of the Town, one Newall, having in∣telligence of it, searched his House one night, and took him out of his Bed, and put him in the Cage and in the Stocks until day.

At the same time the said Newall had caused to be put into the Stocks one John Dale, and there had kept him two or three dayes, for speaking to him in the time of his Executing the Romish Service, and saying, O Miserable Blind Guides, will ye ever be Blind Leaders of the Blind? Will ye never amend? Will ye never see the Truth? Will neither Gods Threats, nor Promises enter into your Hearts? VVill the Blood of Martyrs nothing mollifie you? O Crooked and Perverse Generation. Out of the Stocks they were both taken, and bound like Thieves, and set on Horse-back, and their Legs bound under the Horses belly, and so carried to the Goal at Bury, where they were put in Irons, and thrown into the lowest Dungeon, where John Dale fell sick and died; after he was dead Richard Yeoman was removed to Norwich Prison, where after close Imprisonment for some time, being Examined and Requi∣red to submit himself to the Pope, he said, I defie him, and all his detasteble Abominations; whereupon he was condemned and burnt.

There was also a Young man, one Joh. Alcock, a Sheer-man by Trade, who being in the Market at Hadley, and Newall the Priest coming by with procession, because he would not move his Cap, nor shew any sign of reverence, he catcht hold on him, and called for a Con∣stable, and said, Here's an Heretick, and a Traytor, have him to the Stocks, and afterwards he was committed to Prison, and shortly after carried him up to London, where he was long time kept Prisoner in New∣gate; where after many Examinations, and Troubles, for refusing to submit to the Romish Religion, he was thrown into the lower Dun∣geon, where falling sick he died in Prison.

* 2.4 Thomas Benbridge of the Diocess of VVinchester, a Single man, and one called a Gentleman, who thought he might have enjoyed the plea∣sures of the World, if he would have conformed, yet he rather chu∣sed quietness and peace of Conscience, and therefore manfully with∣stood the Popish Doctrines, and was therefore condemned by Doctor

VVhite Bishop of VVinchester, but being brought to the Stake, they used many insinuations, to cause him to recant, to whom at first he said, Away Babyloaon, away; the Fire being kindled, he was suprised with fear, so that he cryed out, I recant, but before they would take him from the Stake, his Adversary caused him to subscribe Articles upon a mans Back, and then he was taken from the Stake, and com∣mitted to Prison, where being troubled in Conscience that he had subscribed the Articles, he signified so much unto his Enemies, who about a week after brought him again to the Stake and there burnt him.

In this same Year, which was the last Year of Queen Mary, Jo. Cook a Sawyer, Robert Miles a Sheer-Man, Alexander Lane a Wheelright, and James Ashly a Batchellor, they were all four Examined before Hopton Bishop of Norwich, Edward VValgrave Knight, and others; the chief thing they demanded in there Examination, was, to know why they refused to go to Church (so called) to which they answered, to this effect, that it was against their Consciences, and that they could not follow false Gods; after their Examination they were all four condemned, and burnt at Edmundsbury about the beginning of the Moneth called August, which was not long before Queen Mary fell sick.

* 2.5 In the Month called November following Alexander Gouch and Alice Driver suffered at Ipswich: The Woman in her Examination Smiling upon Doctor Spencer that examined her, he said, Woman, why dost thou laugh us to scorn?

She replyed, whether I do or no, I may well enough, to see what Fools you be.

Then the Chancellor askt her, Wherefore she was brought before im.

Alice Driver, Wherefore, said she, I think I need not tell you that, for you know it better then me, and if you know not, you have done me much wrong to keep me in Prison, and know not the cause why.

Chancellor,

Woman, Woman, What sayst thou to the blessed Sacrament of the Altar? To which she made no answer, till he askt her the se∣cond time, and then she told him, she knew not what he meant there∣by, having not read in all the Scriptures of such a Sacrament; and askt him, what a Sacrament was?

The Chancellor replyed, It is a Sign, and another Doctor standing by, said, It was a Sign of an holy thing.

Alice answered, Its true, it is a Sign indeed, and therefore cannot be the thing signified; thus far we do agree.

The Doctor standing by, said, Christ said to his Disciples, Take eat this is my Body; Ergo.

Alice Driver,

Whether was it Bread he gave unto them?

Doctor,

No, It was his Body.

Alice,

Then, was it his Body they did eat over night?

Doctor,

Yes, it was his Body.

Alice,

What Body was it then was crucified next day?

Doctor,

It was Christs Body.

Alice,

How could that be, when his Disciples had eaten him over night, except he had two Bodies; then the Chancellor commanded the Goaler to take her away.

Alice,

Now you are not able to resist the Truth, you command me to Prison again; well the Lord in the end shall judge our cause, and to him I leave it.

The next day she was brought before them again, The Chancellor askt her, What she said to the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar?

Alice,

I will say nothing to it, for you will neither believe me, no•• your selves; for yesterday I askt you what a Sacrament was, and you said it was a sign, and I agreed thereto; and now you ask me again of such a Sacrament, which I never read of in the Scrip∣tures.

Chancellor,

Thou naughty Woman, thou lyest, we did not say it was a Sign.

Alice,

Why, are not you the men that you were yesterday; will you eat your own words; are not you ashamed to lye before all this Multitude here present, who heard you speak the same. The Doctor that sat by, told her she was deceived, there was three Churches.

Alice said, Is there mention of so many in the Scripture; shew me the place where it is written?

The Doctor feeling for a Bible, but had none.

Alice said, you are a good Doctor, to sit here a Judge, and have not the Book of the Law by which you should Judge.

Doctor,

Have you one? No, said she, Then said he, I am as good a Doctor as you.

Alice,

I had one, but you took it from me (as you would take me from Christ if you could) Then the Chancellor having no more to say, rose up, and read the Sentance in Latine against her, and com∣mitted her to the secular Power, and shortly after A. Gouch and she were burnt together at Ipswich.

Shortly after Philip Humfrey, John David, and Henry David his Bro∣ther were all three burnt in Bury in Suffolk, for the cause of Religion, being prosecuted by Clement Higham Knight, the same Month that Queen Mary died.

About this time also suffered at Exeter a poor Woman whose name was Prest, this Woman going into Peters Steeplehouse in Exeter, and seeing one making new Noses to certain Images which were disfigu∣red in King Edwards time, she reproved him, saying, what a mad man art thou to make them new Noses which within a few dayes shall all lofe their heads; for these words she was clapt fast and close in Prison; this poor Woman was by many wayes tryed both by hard imprisonment, throatnings, taunts and scorns, but neither frowns nor flatteries would prevail to move her from her profession, but she continued an Example of Constancy to all that professed the Truth, which her Enemies perceiving, they removed her from the Bishops

Prison to Guild-Hall, where she was exhorted to leave her fond O∣pinions, telling her, she was not fit to meddle with such high matters.

Though I am not, said she, yet with my death I am content to be a Witness of Christ's death: And I pray you, make no longer de∣lay with me, for my heart is fixed, and I will never turn to your su∣perstitious doings.

Then the Bishop said, The Devil did lead her.

No said she, it is the Spirit of God which leadeth me, and which called me in my Bed at Midnight, and opened his Truth to me. Then the Priests and others, Shouted and laughed at her: When the Sen∣tence was read against her, and she was condemned to be burnt to death; she lifted up her Voice, and said, I thank thee my Lord, my God, this day have I found that which I have long sought for: At which words, They mockt her, and so being brought to the Stake, she was as lively and cheerful in her Countenance, as if she had been prepared for that day of her Marriage, to meet the Lamb; and so she ended this Mortal Life. She was a Woman very patient in her Words and Answers, in her Apparel, Meat and Drink, moderate and sober, and would never be Idle, and was a great comfort to such as talked with her; and in her trouble she refused to take Money, saying, whilst I am here God has Promised to feed me, and I am going to a City where there is no need of Money: And in the time of her suffering she forsook Husband Children, who Persecuted her because she would not stoop to Idolatry, and when after Sentence and Judgment was gi∣ven against her, they offered her that if she would recant and turn, her life should be spared: Nay, said she, God forbid that I should lose life Eternal for this life; I will never turn from my heavenly Hus∣band to my earthly Husband, from the fellowship of Angels to Mor∣tal Children. If my Husband and Children were faithful, then am I theirs; God is my Father, my Sister, my Brother, and my Friend most faithful.

* 2.6 We are now come to a stop of the Issue of Blood, and the rage of Persecution; for the Testimony of Truth in Queen Maryes time, and the last that suffered in her time, were five that were burnt at Canter∣bury, about six dayes before her Death, viz. John Cornford of wor∣tham, Christopher Browne of Maidstone, Jo. Hurst of Ashford, Alice Sloth, Katherine Tynley, which five persons being in the custody of the Arch-Deacon of Canterbury, who being at London, and understanding the danger of the Queens dying, Posted home to dispatch them out of the way; in the which fact, the Tyranny of this Arch-Deacon, seemeth to exceed Bonner's cruelty; for several that were under his custody, were delivered by the Death of the Queen; after they had suffered many great Exercises and Tryals.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cuthbert Simson Martyr.
• * 1.2

  Hugh Fox and Jo. De∣venish Mar∣tyrs.
• * 2.1

  William Seaman Martyr.
• * 2.2

  A Judg∣ment of God upon a Persecutor.
• * 2.3

  Rich Yeoman Martyr.
• * 2.4

  Thomas Benbridge Martyr.
• * 2.5

  Alexander Gouch and Alice Dri∣ver Martyrs.
• * 2.6

  Five per∣sons burnt at Canter∣bury.