1555.] Evils of the Monastic System. 143 shut herself up in a convent, where she was not allowed to see even the nearest relatives. With a delicate frame, requiring every indulgence to support it in health, she embraced a rule, which denied her the comforts of the lowest class of society. A coarse woollen frock fretted her skin; her feet had no covering but that of shoes, open at the toes, that they might be exposed to the cold of a brick floor; a couch of bare planks was her bed, and an unfurnished cell her dwelling. Disease soon filled her conscience with fears, and I had often to endure the torture of witnessing her agonies at the confessional (alas! the writer was then an Infidel, and unable to pour into her wounded mind the balm of the Gospel). I left her, when I quitted Spain, dying, much too slowly for her only chance of relief. I wept bitterly for her loss, two years after; yet I could not be so cruel as to wish her alive." Surely, it is unnecessary to add further remarks upon the mental and bodily slavery of the system. As already said, it is not intended to enter upon the darker view of the subject.* Pages, or rather volumes, might be filled with horrid, yet authenticated particulars; which the limits of this work, and the nature of the details, forbid us from entering upon. Referring only to the self-tormenting and slavish view of the system already noticed, may we not exclaim, in the words of the prophet," Who hath required this at your hand?" ་ Pope Julius did not live to hear of the effects produced upon Queen Mary, by his decree before mentioned. He died March the 20th, 1555, and stands recorded in history as one of the vilest, among the many vile characters that disgraced the Papacy. Let the memorable observation of Guicciardini, (a Romish historian,) while speaking of the Popes of that century, be remembered: "In those days he If the reader wishes to investigate this part of the subject, he may refer to the works of Bale, Jewel, Fox, Burnet, Strype, and many others. Also to the "History of Popery," 2 vols.; "The Protestant," lately published at Glasgow ; "Frauds of Monks and Priests;" ;" "Observations on a Journey to Naples :" "Gavin's Master Key;" and, in fact, to the writings of almost every author who has written upon Romanism, or has visited Roman Catholic countries. 144 Death of Pope Julius. was esteemed a good Pope who did not exceed in wickedness the worst of men." The reader may be spared the details of his wicked conduct one anecdote of his blasphemy, related by several historians, will be enough to mark the individual who was termed by Queen Mary, her "most holy Lord the Pope;" and to whose direction, in spiritual matters, this kingdom was subjugated. The still viler parts of his character we will not notice; this incident will sufficiently shew the difference between him and the holy men whose sufferings we have just mentioned. Pope Julius was addicted to the pleasures of the table, and especially delighted in the flesh of peacocks; one day at dinner, he pointed to a peacock upon the table, and ordered it to be brought at supper time. When he sat down to that meal, he found it was not there; and although other peacocks were brought, he uttered a torrent of blasphemies and execrations. A Cardinal attempted to soothe him, saying, "Let not your Holiness be so much troubled for so small a matter.' "What," said the Pope, "if God was so angry for an apple, that he cast our first parents out of Paradise, why may not I, being his Vicar, be angry for a peacock, seeing it is a greater matter than an apple!" " Funeral ceremonies were ordered to be performed in all churches for this Pope, as is usual in Romish countries, and Masses were said for the repose of his soul. A poor woman entered St. Magnus Church, near London Bridge, and enquired what the ceremonies meant. A person told her that they were for the Pope, and that she must pray for Nay," said she, "if he could forgive us our sins, he must be clean himself, therefore I need not pray for him.” Some zealous Romanists hearing this, took her to the cage on London Bridge; and she was kept there for some time, as a warning to the citizens of London not to speak irreverently, even of a dead Pope! him. 66 THE DAYS OF QUEEN MARY. 145 CHAPTER VII. Sufferings of Bradford and others.- Reception of the English Ambassadors by the Pope.-Romish Books. 146 66 Marsh. willingly acknowledged to know nothing but Jesus Christ, even him that was crucified; that his faith was grounded upon God's word only, and was such as he doubted not pleased God, and as he should be able to stand in at the last day; that he did not say or do any thing either of stubbornness, self-wilfulness, vain-glory, or any worldly purpose, but with a good conscience, and in the fear of God. He was afterwards sent to Lancaster, and there placed at the bar at the sessions, amongst thieves, and with irons on his feet. He says, They threatened and rebuked me for my preaching to the people out of the prison, and for reading and praying so loud that the people in the streets might hear. The truth is, I and my prison-fellow, Warburton, every day kneeling on our knees, did read morning and evening prayer, with the English Litany every day twice, both before noon and after, with other prayers more; and also read every day chapters in the Bible, commonly towards night; and we read them with so high and loud a voice that the people in the streets might hear us, and would oftentimes, namely in the evenings, come and sit down under the windows and hear us read, wherewith others, being offended, complained." Oh that we were duly sensible of the privileges we enjoy ! We now can read the Scriptures without being committed to prison or burned at the stake for so doing; and we can hear the gospel preached, without sitting at a prison window to listen. At last the Bishop of Chester came to Lancaster, and confirmed the newly-revived idolatrous proceedings. He proceeded to examine Marsh, who there, and afterwards at Chester, whither he was sent, hesitated not to declare the doctrines of the truth, which he held. He stated his readiness to be convinced, if suitable arguments could be brought from the word of God; but the bishop referred to the Romish doctrine, that "it is not right to dispute with heretics," and proceeded to condemn him, adding, after he had read the sentence, " Now will I no more pray for thee than I will for a dog." Marsh was then delivered to the sheriffs, and shut up in a dungeon in the city wall. There were a few at Chester, who loved the martyr for the gospel's sake, and they would in the evening resort to the dungeon; sometimes they threw money to him through a small hole in the 66 1555.] Marsh.-Flower. 147 wall, and called to him, asking him how he did. He answered them most cheerfully, that he did well, and thanked God that he appointed him, of his mercy, to be a witness of his truth, and to suffer for the same; beseeching for grace not to faint under the cross, but that he might be enabled patiently to bear the same, to the glory and comfort of the Church of Christ. When carried to the place of execution, his Christian spirit was so manifest, that the spectators exclaimed, "This man goeth not to his death as a thief, or as one that deserveth to die." The circumstances attending his burning were very similar to those related of the martyrs who suffered before him. Like them, he was prevented from exhorting the people to faith in Christ, and like them, he endured aggravated torments from the want of sufficient fuel. One circumstance was new. Above his head was placed a barrel of pitch and tar, probably with the intention that its contents should drop upon him, and add to his sufferings! A pardon was offered to him, at the stake if he would recant; but he refused it, saying it was intended to pluck him from God. After he had, for a long time, endured the fire, and the bystanders thought he was dead, he suddenly extended his arms, saying, "Father of heaven, have mercy upon me!" and so yielded his spirit into the hands of his Maker. Many people who witnessed his patient continuance to the end, said that he was a martyr, and died like a godly man; upon which the Romish bishop of Chester preached a sermon, declaring that Marsh was a heretic, and burned like a heretic in this world, and that he was then a firebrand in hell! This wretched prelate died soon afterwards; and the circumstances which attended his decease showed that he was an immoral character. WILLIAM FLOWER was burned the same day at Westminster. He had been a monk in the abbey at Ely. When that establishment was dissolved, he became a secular priest, and engaged in the education of children in different places. On Easter day, April the 14th, he entered the church of St. Margaret, Westminster, while the priest was celebrating mass. Flower's anger was excited on beholding this; and drawing forth a wood-knife, he struck the priest, and wounded him severely, so that the consecrated bread, and |