A cloud of witnesses, or, The sufferers mirrour made up of the swanlike-songs, and other choice passages of several martyrs and confessors to the sixteenth century, in their treatises, speeches, letters, prayers, &c. in their prisons, or exiles, at the bar, or stake, &c. / collected out of the ecclesiastical histories of Eusebius, Fox, Fuller, Petrie, Scotland, and Mr. Samuel Ward's Life of faith in death, &c. and alphabetically disposed by T.M. ...

Hunter.

Atwell a Sumner, * 1.1 telling William Hunter it was never a merry world since the Bible came abroad in English: Say not so for Gods sake (said Hunter) for it is Gods Book, out of which every one that hath grace may learn to know what things both please God, and also what displeaseth him. Could not we tell (said Atwell) before this time how God was served? No (said Hunter) nothing so well as we may now, if that we might have his blessed Word amongst us still as we have had. You must turn or burn, (said Atwell) God give me grace (said Hunter) that I may believe his Word and confess his Name, whatsoever come thereof.

Whereas you doubt of my belief (said Hunter to Wood the Vicar of Southwell) I would it were try∣ed, * 1.2 Whether that you or I would stand faster in our Faith. Yea thou Heretick (said Wood) wouldst thou have it so tryed? That which you call heresie (said Hunter) I serve my Lord God withall; I would that you and I were fast tyed to a Stake, to prove, whether that you or I would stand strongest to our Faith. It shall not be so tryed (said Wood) No (said Hunter) I think so; for if I might, I think I know who would soonest recant; for I durst set my foot against yours even to the death.

Bon••er telling him, * 1.3 that he was content he should keep his conscience to himself, so that he would go to Church, and receive, &c. No (said he) I will not do so for all the good in the world. Then (said Bonner) I will make you sure enough, I warrant you. Well (said Hunter) you can do no more then God will permit you. Well (said B.) will you re∣cant indeed by no means? No (said H.) never while I live, God willing.

Bonner asking him how old he was, he said, He was Nineteen years old. Well (said B.) you will be burned ere you be Twenty, if you will not recant. H. answered, God strengthen me in his Truth.

Bonner, * 1.4 even after Sentence was past, offering him, if he would then recant, to make him a Free∣man of the City, and to give him Forty pound in money to set up with, or to make him Steward of his House, &c. Hunter said unto him, My Lord, if you cannot perswade my conscience by Scriptures, I cannot find in my heart to turn from God for the love of the world; for I count all things worldly but loss and dung in respect of the love of Christ. If thou diest in this mind (said B.) thou art con∣demned for ever. God judgeth righteously (said H.) and justifieth them, whom man con∣demneth unjustly.

When he was brought to Burntwood to be burn∣ed, his Father and Mother came to him, and de∣sired heartily of God that he might continue to the end in that good way, which he had begun, and his Mother said unto him, That she was glad that ever she was so happy to bear such a Child, which could find in his heart to lose his life for Christs Names sake. Then said he to his Mother, For my little pain which I shall suffer, which is but short, Christ hath promised me a Crown of Joy. May you not be glad of that, Mother? With that his Mother kneeled down on her knees, saying, I pray God strengthen thee, my Son to the end: Yea I think thee as well bestowed, as any Child that ever I pare.

His Father said, I was afraid of nothing but that my Son should have been killed in the Prison for hunger and cold, the Bishop was so hard to him.

The night before his Execution, he had a dream, that he was where the Stake was pitcht where he should be burned, and that it was at the Towns end, where the Butts stood, (which was so indeed) and that he met his Father going to the Stake, and that there was a Priest at the Stake, which went about to have him recant, and that he said to him, Away false Prophet, and that he exhorted the peo∣ple to beware of him, and such as he was: which things came to pass accordingly.

Whilst he was led to the Stake, the Sheriffs Son came to William and embraced him, saying, William be not afraid of these men, who are here present with Bills and Weapons, ready prepared to bring you to the place where you shall be burned. William answered, I thank God I am not afraid; for I have cast my account, what it will cost me already. Then the Sheriffs Son could speak no more to him for weeping.

When he met his Father (according to his dream) his Father said unto him, God be with thee Son William. William answered, God be with you good Father, and be of good comfort; for I hope we shall meet again when we shall be merry.

At the Stake the Sheriff told him, That there was a Letter from the Queen; if he would recant, he should live, if not, he must be burned. No (said William) I will not recant, God willing.

Mr. Brown telling him (upon his desire to the people to pray for him as long as he was alive) I will pray no more for thee, then I will pray for a Dog. Mr. Brown (said William) now you have that you sought for, and I pray God it be not laid to your charge in the last day; howbeit I forgive you. I ask no forgiveness of thee (said Mr. Brown) Well (said William) if God forgive you not, I shall re∣quire

my blood at your hands. Then said William Hunter, Son of God shine upon me. Immediately the Sun in the Firmament shined out of a dark cloud, so full in his face; that he was constrained to look another way.

When the Priest came (according to his dream) he said, Away thou false Prophet. Beware of them good people, and come away from their abo∣minations, lest that you be partakers of their plagues. Then (said the Priest) look how thou burnest here, so shalt thou burn in Hell. William answered, Thou lyest, thou false Prophet, away thou false Prophet, away.

When the fire was kindled, his Brother said to him, William, think on the holy Passion of Christ, and be not afraid of Death. William answered, I am not afraid. Then lift he up his hands to Heaven, and said, Lord, Lord, Lord, receive my spirit.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Fox, Vol. 3 pag. 190.
• * 1.2

  Pag. 19.
• * 1.3

  Pa. 192.
• * 1.4

  Pa. 193.