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 Scourging of Thomas Green.

Thomas Green Servant to one VVayland a Printer, for dispersing a Book called Anti-christ, was bought before Docter Story, who asked him, Where he had that Book, and called for Cluney the Keeper of the Lollards Tower, and bid him set him in the Stocks; he had not been two hours in the Lollards Tower, but Cluney took him out and carryed him to the Cole-house, where he took a French-man out of the Stocks, and putting a Bolt and Fetter upon Thomas Greens right Leg, and left Hand, he set him cross Fettered in the Stocks, and took the French-man away with him, and there he lay a day and a night; the next day the Keeper came, and said, Let us shift your Hand and your Leg as you may not be lame, and there he remained six dayes, and then was sent for by Doctor Story, who asked him, Where he had the Book, he told him, He had it of a French-man; How came you acquainted with him, said the Doctor?

Thomas Green replyed, Coming to Newgate to my Friends who were put in for Truth's sake, where the French-man also came, and there we were acquainted.

Then Story required him to bring two Sureties; Thomas Green told him, He could find no Sureties.

Then said Story to the Keeper, Lay him safe in the Cole-house, Ile make him tell another tale at his next coming, so he lay in the Stocks day and night for ten dayes before he was called again; and then the Doctor asked him, Whether he would tell the Truth?

Thomas Green replyed, I can tell no other Truth then I have told al∣ready, and thereupon was committed to Prison for fourteen dayes more.

Then Story sent for him again, and calling him into the Garden be∣fore a Chaplain and two others, who said, The Book had both Treason and Heresie in it, and asked Thomas Green, What he said of it? he said, He knew no evil by it: The Doctor in a chafe, said, He would hang him up by the hands with a Rope and cut out his Tongue, and out off his Ears, and called him Heretick, and bid Cluney lay him fast in the Cole-House, where he was kept alone without Company, in a place cal∣ed the Salt-house, having upon his Leg a Bolt and a Fetter, and his

hands manackled together with Irons,* 1.1 and there continued ten dayes; having nothing to lye on but bare Stones, or a board.

Whilest he lay there in Prison two women being brought in, he was carried to the Lollards Tower and put in the Stocks, and there kept night and day more then a Moneth, and none suffered to come to him or speak with him, but the Keeper who brought him meat; short∣ly after he was sent for before one Hussey, who threatned him he should be whipped: So Thomas thanked him, and went away with his Keeper to the Lollards Tower again, where he remained two or three dayes, and then was brought to the Gray-Friers, now called Christs-Hospital, where he was whipt, and delivered him to the Portor, who put him into a stinking Dungeon, after he had remained a Priso∣ner a Moneth, Dr. Story came to him, and calling for two Beadles, and Whips to Whipt him, and caused him to be stripped, and to be Whipt with Rods; the Doctor standing by, commanded to give him one hundred stripes, crying, If I might have my will, I would cut out his Tongue: But upon the intreaty of some that stood by, who had more pity then the Doctor, he received not so many stripes, and then after they had Whipt him, they bid him go his wayes.

About his time, one William Living, and John Lithal suffered deep∣ly in the Cause of the Gospel.

William Living being brought before Bonner's Chancellor, where after short Examination, he commanded Cluny to take him to the Cole∣house, and took from him his Purse, Girdle, and New-Testament, and put him in the Stocks, saying, Put in both your Legs and your Hands also, and except you pay your Fine, I will put a Collar about your Neck; What is the Fine, said William? Forty Shillings, said the Keeper, I am never able to pay it, said VVilliam.

A Kinswoman seeing him in this condition, gave the Keeper forty pence to take him out of the Stocks, he took her Money, and let him out to eat his Supper, and at seven of the clock he put him in the Stocksagain, and so he remained till two of the clock the next day.

The Thursday following, in the afternoon, he was had to the Lol∣lards Tower, and there put in the Stocks having the favour to put his Legs in the same holes that John Philpots leg had been in, and so lay all night, no body coming to him either with meat or drink; and shortly after two men were surety for him, and paid his Fees and he was discharged.

When John Lithal was Examined before the Chancellor, who asked him, What Church he was of, and why he came not to his Parish Church?

Lithal answered, I am of the Church of Christ, the Fountain of all goodness.

He was used with great extreamity and cruelly by Cluny the Keeper at Lollards Tower, who hanged him in a great pair of Stocks, where he lay three dayes and nights, till he was so lame that he could not stir nor move: In the time of his great suffering several of his Neighbours Importuned the Chancellor for his deliverance, whereupon the Chancellor sent for him, and spake to him to this e∣ffect, will you that your Neighbours enter into Bonds for you or not.

Lithel, By my mind they shall not; wherefore I defire you that you would not bind me,* 1.2 but let me serve God with my Conscience free∣ly; for it is written, they that lead into Captivity shall go into Cap∣tivity, and they that strike with a Sword shall perish with the Sword; I desire you, said he, that be my Neighbours, that you would not enter into bond for me, it goeth against my Conscience that you should.

Chancellor, I will not bind you to do any thing against your Consci∣ence.

Then the Bond was made, but he would not seal it; wherefore the Chancellor said, its pity thou hast so much favour shewed thee, for these honest mens sake I will discharge thee.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Q. Mray, An. 1558.
• * 1.2

  Q. Mary, An. 1558