Ecclesiastical history epitomized containing a faithful account of ye birth life & doctrine, crucifixion & ascension of ye holy Iesus : with the lives of ye apostles evangelists & primitive fathers & other famous men in ye Christian Church both antient & modern who have couragiously confessed & suffered glorious martyrdomes & persecutions under several tyrannical governours both heathenish and Romish : faithfully continued to ye reformation and since deduced to this present age / carefully collected by J.S. ... ; in two parts.

The Life of JOHN PHILPOT Martyr.

JOhn Philpot was born in Hampshire of Worship∣ful Parents, and after his being fitted for the University, he was sent to New Colledg in Oxford, and there profited so much in his Studies, he was soon perfect in all the Tongues; and then betook himself to the Study of the Civil Law, and after that Divinity; being a Man of a most pregnant Wit. Yet shewing his Opinion too openly in Mat∣ters of Religion, during the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, he was often in Danger by reason of the Malice of his Adversaries. Insomuch that to avoid them, he Travelled to Italy, where he was not safe neither, for by reason of the great Zeal he had for God's Holy Word, he could not forbear to speak against the Idolatries and Superstitions of the Church of Rome: Yet through the Protection of the Almighty, who reserv'd him as a chosen Vessel, to propagate the Reformation in his own Country, He at the beginning of King Edward's

Reign arrived in England, and was shortly after his coming made Arch-Deacon of Winchester. But when the Bloody Queen Mary came to mount the Throne he lost his Place, yet continued his Title, when within a while after, a Convocation by the Queen's Command was called in St. Paul's Church, where Dr. Weston being Prolocutor, Mr. Philpot was likewise chosen by the Bishops and others of the reformed Church, to oppose the Papists in the Dis∣putation: Where he so learnedly managed his Part, that he put his Adversaries to Silence; and when they perceived that no Arguments would bear them out, they threatened him with a Prison if he spoke any more; and so within a short time after, procured a Mandate from the Queen to break up the Convocation. The Prolocutor who had all along used such insolent Behaviour, as should be far from one in his place: Saying, That they were all well enough. For, say's he, we have the Sword, and you have the Word.

Within a while after there came an Order from Gardener to apprehend Mr. Philpot, which was ac∣cordingly done, and he committed to Prison: And then being sent for by Dr. Story, he first Examined him, and afterwards sent him to Bonner, who put him in his Cole-House, where he found one Smith a Minister of Essex, who having been formerly there, at the Importunities of Bonner had made his Re∣cantation, and was dismissed: But finding such in∣ward Torments in his Conscience, that he could rest neither Day nor Night; he came to the Bishop's Register, and desired to see his Recantation, upon pretence of adding something more; but the Book was no sooner opened, but he tore it in pieces, and then immediately found ease: Yet was he appre∣hended

and carried before Bonner, who not only railed at him, but beat him with his Fist, tore off his Hair, and used many other Outrages, which he patiently indured, rejoycing at his outward Suf∣ferings, and induring his Imprisonment better than his Inlargement.

Within a Day or two Mr. Philpot was sent for to appear before Bonner, who a••••ed how he could be so Merry as to sing Psalms in such a Place, Rejoycing in his Naughtiness. Not so my Lord, said Mr. Philpot, but according to the Directions of St. Paul we rejoyce in the Lord, singing together in Hymns and Spiritual Songs; for we are in a dark and com∣fortless Place, and therefore we comfort our selves as well as we can, lest as Solomon say's, Sorrow should eat up the Heart. Therefore seeing the Apostle say's, If a Man be of an upright Mind, let him sing Psalms; and we being so, I hope your Lordship will not be Angry. Then Bonner demanded his O∣pinion about the Sacrament, but he replyed in the Words of St. Ambrose to the Emperor Valentinian, Tolle Legem & fiat certamen, Take away the Law and I will dispute. For should I now do it, I should bring my self into a Snare; neither do I think my∣self bound to answer in Private, but if I am called to answer in Publick, as the Law shall require; I shall not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, nor the Testimony I have born of it.

Then was he again carried to the Cole-House, where he professed he slept as well upon Straw, as on a Bed of Down. Such is it to have a good Con∣science, which as the wise Man saith, Is a continu∣al Feast.

He being sent for again, found several Doctors and Bishops with Bonner, who were come to Exa∣mine

him; when as the Bishop of Worcester desired him to pray to God to give him Grace, that so he might conceive the Truth: Whereupon Mr. Phil∣pot falling on his Knees, prayed earnestly with an audible Voice, desiring God to strengthen him to defend his Cause, as also to better his Understand∣ing if he was deceived in ought: But Bonner was displeased with the Bishop for bidding him Pray: For said he, This it is, in which they take a singular Pride, and are like some Hereticks that Pliny makes mention of, who were used to sing Ante-Lucanas Hy∣mans, To sing Praises before the dawning of the Day. Yes said Mr. Philpot, I beseech God of his Mercy to make all that are here present such Hereticks, for they were Godly Christians, with whom the Ty∣rants of the World were offended for their Christi∣an Practices, and Godly Living.

After this, the Bishops demanded if he would Recant, but he told them he would not, unless they could convince him of any Error by Scripture; but they would not Dispute, and the Conference ended, and he was Remanded to the Cole-hole, and there set in the Stocks; and within a short time after Condemned, Degraded, and sent to Newgate: When by the Way he Exhorted the People to be Constant, and Persevere in the Faith of Christ; and desired them to bless God for that Day where∣in he was to suffer.

When he came to Newgate, he was put into a disconsolate Place by himself, and had Word brought him the next Morning, that he must Suffer that Day; when with a chearful Countenance he replyed, I am ready, God grant me Strength, and a joyful Resurrection. And after his having reti∣red a while to Pray, he came forth, and was Con∣veyed

into Smithfield, where he no sooner came but he fell on his Knees, and with a loud Voice cryed, I will pay my Vows in thee O Smithfield. Then ri∣sing up he Kissed and Imbraced the Stake; saying, Shall I disdain to suffer at this Stake, when my Lord and Saviour refused not to Suffer a most vile Death for me? And so after having pow'red out his Soul to God, he suffered himself to be bound with the Chain; and when the Fire was kindled, he com∣mended his Spirit into the Hands of the Father of all Spirits, and patiently gave up the Ghost. Suf∣fering Martyrdom Anno Christi 1555. and of his Age about forty nine.