Divine consolations for mourners in Sion being an extract of certain choyce epistles of dying martyrs to each other and to their fellow prisioners for the cause of Christ, in the times of cruell and fiery persecution, wherein is much variety of suitable matter of meditation for all such who are burthened under the pressure of their sins and sorrows in these evil times.

THE EFFECT OF JOHN CARELES EXAMINATION before Doctor Martin briefly declared.

FIrst, Doctor Martin calling John Careles to him in his Chamber, demanded what was his Name. To whom when the other had answered, that his name was John Careles, then began Doct. Martin to descant at his pleasure upon that name, saying, That it would appear by his conditions by that time he had done with him, that he would be a true Careless man indeed. And so after other by-talk there spent about much needless matter, then he asked him where he was born?

Careles.

Forsooth, saith he, at Coventry.

Martin.

At Coventry? what so far man? How cam'st thou hither? who sent thee to the Kings Bench to Prison?

Careles.

I was brought thither by a Writ, I trow; what he was I cannot tell. I think Mr. Marshall can tell you.

Marsh.

In good faith I cannot tell what the matter is: but in∣deed my Lord Chief Justice sent him from the Barr.

Mart.

Well Careles, I would wish thou should'st play the wise mans part. Thou art an handsom man; and it is pitty but that thou shouldst do well, and save that which God hath bought.

Careles.

I thank your good Mastership most heartily: And I put you out of doubt that I am most sure and certain of my salvation by Jesus Christ; so that my soul is safe already, whatsoever pains my body suffer here for a little time.

Mart.

Yea Marry, you say truth: for thou art so Predestinate to life, that thou canst not perish, in whatsoever Opinion thou doest dye.

Careles.

That GOD hath Predestinate me to Eternal life in Jesus Christ, I am most certain; and even so am I sure that his Holy Spirit (wherewith I am sealed will so preserve me from all Heresies and evill Opinions, that I shall dy in none at all.

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Mart.

Go to, let me hear your Faith in Predestination: for that shall be written also.

Carel.

Your Mastership shall pardon me herein. For you said your self ere-while, that you had no Commission to examine my Conscience. I will trouble my self with answering no moe matters then I needs must, untill I come before them that shall have more authority further to examine me.

Mart.

I tell thee then I have Commission; yea, and Commandement from the Council to examine thee: for they delivered me thy Articles.

Carel.

Yea, I think indeed that your Mastership is appointed to examine me of my Articles which you have there in writing, and I have told you the truth. I do confess them to be mine own fact & deed: but you do now examine me of Predestination, whereof my Articles speaketh nothing at all.

Mart.

I tell thee yet again, ••hat I must also examine thee of such things as be in controversie between thee and thy fellows in the Kings Bench, whereof Predestination is a part, as thy fellow N. hath confessed, and thy self dost not deny it.

Carel.

I do not deny it. But he that first told you that matter, might have found himself much better occupied.

Mart.

Why? what if he had not told me? thinkest thou I would not have known it? yes, or else thou shouldst have withstood my Com∣mission. For I tell thee truth, I may now examine thee of the blessed Sacrament, or any other thing that I list, but that I would shew thee favour, and not be too hasty with thee at the first.

Marsh.

Yea indeed Careles, Master Doctor hath Commission to examine you, or any other of your fellow••

Mart.

Yea marry have I, I tell the truth of it.

Careles.

Then let your Scribe set his pen to the paper, and you shall have it roundly even as the truth is. I believe that Almighty GOD, our most dear loving Father, of his great mercy and good∣ness did Elect in Christ.

Mart.

Tush, What need all that long circumstance? write, I believe that God Elected; and make no more ado.

Careles.

No not so Mr. Doctor: it is an high Mystery, and ought reverently to be spoken of. And if my words may not be

written as I do utter them, I will not speak at all.

Mart.

Go to, go to, wri••e what he will, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is more busines•• then needeth.

Careles.

I believe that Alm••ghty God our most dear loving Father, of his great mercy and infinite goodness (through Iesus Christ) did elect and appoint in him before the foundation of the Earth was laid, a Church or Congregation, which he doth con∣tinually guide and govern by his Grace and holy Spirit, so that not one of them shall ever finally perish. When this was written, Mr. Doctor took it in his hand and read it, saying,

Mart.

Why? who will deny this?

Careles.

If your Mastership do allow it, and other learned men when they shall see it, I have my hearts desire.

Mart.

And do you hold none otherwise then is there written?

Careles.

No verily, nor never did.

Mart.

Write that he saith otherwise he holdeth not. So that was written. It was told me also that thou dost affirm that Christ did not dye effectually for all men.

Careles.

Whatsoever hath been told you, it is not much material unto me. Let the tellers of such tales come before my f••ce, and I trust to make them answer. For indeed I do b••lieve that Christ did effectually dye for all those that do effectually repent and believe, and for none other. So that was written also.

Mart.

Now sir what is Trewes faith of Predestination? he be∣lieveth that all men be Predestinate, and that none shall be Damned: doth he not?

Careles.

No forsooth, that he doth not.

Mart.

How then?

Careles

Truely I think he doth believe as your Mastership and the rest of the Clergy do believe of Predestination, that we be Elected in respect of our good works, and so long elected as we do them and no longer.

Mart.

Write that he saith, his fellow Trew believeth of Predesti∣nation as the Papists do believe.

Careles.

Ah Mr. Doctor, did I so term you? seeing that this my Confession shall come before the Council, I pray you place my terms as reverently as I spake them.

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Mart.

Well, well. Write that Trew is of the same Faith as the Catholicks be.

Careles.

I did not so call you neither, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wonder what you mean.

Marsh.

You said th•• Clergy, ••••d 〈…〉〈…〉 Careles?

Careles

Yes forsooth did I So then it was written of the Clergy.

Mart.

Now Sir What say you more?

Careles.

Forsooth I have no further to say in this matter.

Mart.

Well, Careles, I pray thee prove thy self a wise man, and do not cast away thy self wilfully.

Careles.

Now the Lord he knoweth, good Mr. Doctor, I would full gladly live, so that I might do the same with a safe Conscience. And your Mastership shall right well perceive that I will be no wilful man, but in all things that I stand upon, I shall have a sure ground.

Mart.

Now the Lord knoweth, good Careles, that I would gladly make some means to preserve thy life; but thou speakest so much of the Lord, the Lord: wilt thou be content to go with my Lord Fitzwater into Ireland? methinks thou art a goodly tall fellow to do the Queen service there. How sayest thou?

Careles.

Verily Mr. Doctor, whether I be in Ireland, France, or Spain, or any place else, I am ready to do her Grace the best service I can, with Body, Goods and Life, so long as it doth last.

Mart.

That is honestly said. I promise thee every man will not say so. How say you Mr. Marshall, this man is meet for all manner of Service. Indeed thou art worthy Careles to have the more favour.

Careles.

Indeed Sir I hope to be meet and ready unto all things that pertaineth unto a true Christian Subject to do. And if her Grace, or her Officers under her, do require me to any thing con∣trary unto Christs Religion, I am ready also to do my service in Smithfield for not observing it, as my bedfellow and other Brethren have done: praised be God for them.

Mart.

By my troth thou art a pleasant fellow as ever I talked with of all the Protestants, except it were Tomson. I am sorry that I must depart with thee so soon: but I have such business now, that I can tarry with thee no longer. Well, yet thou canst not deny, but you are at

jarre amongst your selves in the Kings B••n••h, and it is so throughout all your Congregation, for you will not be a Church.

Careles.

No Mr. Doctor that is no•• so. There is a thousand times more variety in Opinions among your Doctors, which you call of the Catholick Chu ch, ••ea and that in the Sacrament, for the which there is so much bloodshed now adayes: I mean of your latter Doctors, and new Writers; as for the old, they agree wholly with us.

Mart.

No Careles, th••t is not so: there thou art deceived.

Careles.

Verily it is so, Mr. Doctor. I am not deceived therein any thing at all, as it hath been, and is evidently proved by such as God ••ath indued with great Learning. Then he turned to the Marshal and whispered with him a while.

Mart.

Turning unto me again, said, Farewel Careles, for I can tarry no longer with thee now my busin••ss is suck.

Careles.

God be with you good Mr. Doctor. The Lord give your Mastership health of Body and Soul.

Martin.

God have mercy, good Careles; and God keep thee from all Errours, and give thee grace to do as well as I would w••sh my self.

Careles.

I thank your good Mastership. I pray God I may do always that is acceptable in his sight. Whereunto they all said Amen. And so I departed with a glad heart: God onely have the whole praise. Amen.

It appeareth by Examination of the foresaid John Careles, that he endured Prisoner the space of two whole years having wife and Children. In the which his captivity first being in Coventry Goal, he was there in such credit with his Keeper, that upon his word he was let out to play in the Pageant about the City with other his Companions. And that done, keeping touch with his Keeper, he returned again into Prison at his hour appointed.

And after that being brought up to London, he was endued with such patience and constant fortitude, that he longed for nothing more earnestly, th••n to come to that promotion to dye in the fire for the profession of his Faith: and yet it so pleased the Lord to prevent him with death, that he came not to it, but dyed in the

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Prison, and after was buried in the fields in a dunghill.

In the mean time while he was in Prison in the Kings Bench, it chanced he was in great heaviness, and perturbation of minde and Conscience: whereupon he wrote to M. Philpot being then in the Colehouse. Upon occasion hereof, M. Philpot sent an Epistle Consolatory unto him, as followeth.

Notes

• The Effect of John Careles ex∣amination.
• How John Care∣les was brouht to the Kings Bench
• John Careles examined upon Predestination.
• Dr. Martin de∣clareth his Com∣mission.
• Why Dr. Martin would not exa∣mine him of the Sacrament.
• Careles Opinio•• of Gods Ele∣ction.
• D. Martin avow∣et•• Careles judg∣ment of Gods Election.
• A wrong faith of Predestination, believing to be elected in re∣spect of Good works.
• Dr. Martin pre∣tendeth favour to Careles.
• More variety in y^e Popes Church then is amongst the Protestants.
• Dr. Martin ta∣keth his leave gently of Careles.
• John Careles dv∣ed in Prison and w••s buried in the fields.