1557.] Allerton, Roth, and Austoo. 293 materials for a fierce and quick fire-a painful, but in the days of Queen Mary, a real proof of friendship. On the 20th of August, the SISTER of Eagles was burned at Rochester, with a man named FRYER; and on the 27th, one BENYON, a Weaver, suffered at Bristol. Many perished in prison about this time; but we must allow them to pass unnoticed in these pages, being assured that there is one book in which their names are all faithfully recorded. On the 17th of September, 1557, RALPH ALLERTON, RICHARD ROTH, JAMES AUSTOO, and his wife, were burned at Islington.* Fox records many interesting particulars respecting these Martyrs. Allerton left an account of his examinations, and several letters written with his own blood. He resided near Colchester; and seeing persons loitering about, or engaged in idle conversation, on Sundays and Holidays, he urged them to unite with him in prayer; after which he used to read a chapter from the New Testament. Being warned that this practice was contrary to the laws lately enacted, Allerton discontinued it; but two or three months afterwards, the sworn agents or inquirers under the Commissioners or Inquisitors lately appointed, became acquainted with this circumstance; and although for a time he was allowed to escape, he was at length apprehended, and sent to Bonner. He was persuaded to recant; but found no peace of mind till he had again boldly professed the truth. Upon this he was once more sent to the Bishop. He found means to convey to his friends the account of his first examination, after he had been again apprehended. It was written with his own blood, and presents a lively delineation of Bonner's manner of proceeding, even in one of his gentlest moods. A few extracts may interest the reader. Bonner. Ah, sirrah, how chanceth it that you are come hither again on this fashion. I dare say you are accused wrongfully? Allerton. Yea, my Lord, so I am; for if I were guilty of such things as I am accused of, then I would be very sorry. Four days afterwards, Dr. Pendleton, mentioned p. 89, was buried at St. Stephen's, Walbrook, of which parish he was Priest. He appears to have died as he lived, a backslider from the truth, and was buried with great honours, and a solemn service, attended by the whole choir of St. Paul's. How great a contrast in every respect, to the last hours of Allerton and his companions! Bonner. By Saint Mary, that is well done. But let me hear, art thou an honest man? for if I can prove no heresy in thee, then shall thine accusers do thee no harm at all. After a few other questions, Allerton told Bonner that he had dissembled in his former admission, that he "believed all things which the Catholic Church taught," because he made no difference between the true Church, and the untrue church. Bonner. Nay, I pray thee, let me hear more of this, for I fear me thou wilt smell of heresy anon. Which is the true Church as thou sayest? Dost thou call the heretic's church the true church, or the Catholic church of Christ? In faith, I will know of thee ere I leave thee. Allerton. As concerning the church of heretics, I utterly abhor the same as detestable and abominable before God, with all their enormities and heresies; and the Catholic church is it that I only embrace, whose doctrine is sincere, pure, and true. B. By St. Augustine, but that was well said of thee. For, by *** ******* ! if thou hadst allowed the church of heretics, I would have burned thee for thy labour. We cannot but remark the ignorance of Bonner in thus framing his question, so that Allerton could safely reply to it with truth, but a priest, named Morton, said, "My Lord, you know not yet what church it is that he calleth Catholic; I warrant you he meaneth naughtily enough!" B. Think you so? Now, by our blessed Lady, if it be so, he might have deceived me. How say you, sirrah; which is the Catholic church? Allerton then plainly declared his belief on this subject, and referred to the prophecies of Daniel and Esdras, and the words of our Lord. B. Now by the blessed Sacrament of the Altar, Master Morton, he is the rankest heretic that ever came before me. How say you; did you ever hear the like? M. I thought what he was, my Lord, at the first. B. By Allhallows, thou shalt be burned with fire for thy lying, thou varlet, and—. Dost thou find a prophecy in Daniel of us? Nay, you knave, it is you that he speaketh of, and your false pretended holiness. It is unnecessary to give further specimens of this method of examination. Although it cannot be pleasant or profitable to read such expressions, one instance appeared necessary to examinations. 295 1557.] be given, that the reader might have a full delineation of this profane Romish Prelate! Bonner then inquired respecting the passage referred to in Esdras; it was 2 Esdras, xvi. 68, &c.-which although not a part of the canonical Scriptures, certainly gives a striking description of persons suffering like Allerton and his brethren. This examination concluded by Bonner's exclaiming, "Have the knave away; let him be carried to Little Ease, at London, till I come;" and the Martyr was conveyed to that dungeon, so appropriately named, it being a dark hole wherein the prisoner could not rest in any accustomed posture. The next day he was again examined. Tye, the priest of Colchester already mentioned, was present, and accused him in bitter terms, adding, "I commanded the constable to apprehend him, and so he did. Nevertheless, after this apprehension, the constable let him go about his business all the next day, so that without putting in sureties, he let him go into Suffolk and other places; for no goodness I warrant you, my Lord. It were well to teach such officers their duty, how they should let such rebels go at their own liberty after that they be apprehended and taken, but they should keep them fast in the stocks, until they bring them before a Justice." Allerton replied, "As I said before, so say I now again. Thou art not of the Church of Christ, and that I will prove if I may be suffered. And where you said that you commanded the constable to apprehend me, you did so indeed contrary to the laws of this realm, having neither to lay to my charge treason, felony, or murder. Neither had you precept, process, or warrant to serve on me; and therefore I say, without law was I apprehended. And whereas you seek to trouble the constable, because he kept me not in the stocks three days and three nights, it doth partly shew what you are. And my going into Suffolk was not for any evil, but only to buy half a bushel of corn for bread for my poor wife and children, knowing that I had no longer time to tarry with them. But if I had run away, then you would surely have laid something to his charge." Bonner's observation upon this was, "Ah, sirrah, (with an oath) thou shalt be burnt with fire." From such particulars as these we learn the real situation of things in the days of Queen Mary. We find a constable compelled to take into custody a peaceable and honest neighbour upon the mere order of a priest, without warrant or Roth's Letter to his Friends. 296 The full account of these examinations was transmitted by the Martyr to his friends. He promised, if possible, to send the remainder, but was unable. But in Bonner's register, was preserved a long accusation of his enemies, including several particulars of the most trifling import, and preserving two letters written by him to his friends. 66 Austoo and his wife were Londoners; they were examined as to their belief respecting the Sacrament, and condemned. Roth expostulated with Bonner for secretly examining him and his fellow prisoners, saying, My Lord, ye bring us to our examinations by night, that the people should not see and behold your doings." He was accused in the same manner as Allerton, and also of being a favourer of heretics, in proof of which a letter to his friends at Colchester was produced; it was written with his own blood, as he was not allowed the use of pen and ink. "O, dear brethren and sisters, how much have you to rejoice in God, that he hath given you faith to overcome these blood-thirsty tyrants thus far: and no doubt he that hath begun that good work in you, will fulfil it unto the end. "O dear hearts in Christ, what a crown of glory shall you receive with Christ in the kingdom of God? Oh that it had been the good will of God that I had been ready to have gone with you; for I lie in my Lord's Little Ease in the day, and in the night I lie in the Coal-house with Ralph Allerton; and we look every day when we shall be condemned; for he (Bonner) said I should be burned* within ten days before Easter; but I lie still at the pool's brink, and every man goeth in before me; but we abide the Lord's time, with many bands, in fetters and stocks, by which we have received great joy in God. And now fare you well, dear brethren and sisters, in this world; but I trust to see you in heaven face to face. Oh, brother Munt, with your wife and my dear sister Rose, how blessed are you in the Lord, that God hath found you worthy to suffer for his sake, with all the rest of my dear brethren and sisters, Reader, observe the Romish Prelate had determined upon the burning of this Martyr, and even appointed a time, before he was finally examined and condemned! 1557.] Margaret Thurston and Agnes Bongeor. 297 known and unknown: O be joyful even unto death. Fear it not, saith Christ; for I have overcome death, saith he. Oh, dear hearts, seeing that Jesus Christ will be our help, oh tarry you the Lord's leisure. Be strong, let your hearts be of good comfort, and wait you still for the Lord; He is at hand. Yea, the angel of the Lord pitcheth his tent round about them that fear him, and delivereth them which way he sees best. For our lives are in the Lord's hands, and they can do nothing unto us before God suffer them. Therefore, give all thanks to God. You shall be clothed with white garments upon the mount Zion, with the multitude of saints, and with Jesus Christ our Saviour, who will never forsake us. Oh blessed virgins, ye have played the wise virgins' part, in that you have taken oil in your lamps, that ye may go in with the bridegroom, when he cometh into the everlasting joy with him. But as for the foolish, they shall be shut out, because they made not themselves ready to suffer with Christ, neither go about to take up his cross. How precious shall your death be in the sight of the Lord, for dear is the death of his saints. O, fare you well, and pray, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen, Amen. Pray, pray, pray. By me, Rich. Roth, written with mine own blood." This letter deserves particular attention, as it was made a subject of accusation against Roth, and it was recorded by Bonner in his proceedings against this Martyr. Compare it with Bonner's letters, written while he was in prison; see p. 19. MARGARET THURSTON and AGNES BONGEOR were burned at Colchester the same day. The husband of Thurston was also imprisoned for his religion; and died in confinement like many others,-his widow was burned soon afterwards. Agnes Bongeor was to have been burned with those who suffered on the 2d of August; but her name being spelt wrong in the writ for their execution, she was then remanded, being much troubled at being thus excluded from the company of those who laid down their lives in their Maker's cause. She had, indeed, "counted the cost," having that morning parted with her infant, whom she had suckled all the time of her imprisonment; but expecting to suffer the same day for the testimony of the glorious gospel of Christ, she resigned her child to the care of a nurse, so that which to a tender parent must be the worst bitterness of death, was already past. But the enemies of the truth did not forget her; on the 17th of Sep.. tember she was sent to the stake, and we may rather be surprised at their scrupulous exactness in this instance, as it is ascertained that in several instances, the Martyrs were burned even before the writs ordering their execution could have been issued. |