Foxe - The Book of Martyrs

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
prison.
After his excommunication and delivery over to the secular power, he was brought by the
sheriff of London to the Compter, a prison in his own parish of Bread-street, at which he
rejoiced greatly, both because he found there a fellow-prisoner, Mr. Cardmaker, with whom
he had much Christian and comfortable discourse; and because out of prison, as before in his
pulpit, he might have an opportunity of preaching to his parishioners. On the fourth of
February, Bonner, bishop of London, came to the prison to degrade him; the day following,
in the morning the sheriff of London delivered him to certain of the queen's guard, who were
appointed to carry him to the city of Coventry, there to be burnt.
When they had arrived at Coventry, a poor shoemaker, who used to serve him with shoes,
came to him, and said, "O my good master, God strengthen and comfort you." "Good
shoemaker," Mr. Saunders replied, "I desire thee to pray for me, for I am the most unfit man
for this high office, that ever was appointed to it; but my gracious God and dear Father is able
to make me strong enough." The next day, being the eighth of February, 1555, he was led to
the place of execution, in the park, without the city. He went in an old gown and a shirt,
barefooted, and oftentimes fell flat on the ground, and prayed. When he was come to nigh the
place, the officer, appointed to see the execution done, said to Mr. Saunders that he was one
of them who marred the queen's realm, but if he would recant, there was pardon for him. "Not
I," replied the holy martyr, "but such as you have injured the realm. The blessed Gospel of
Christ is what I hold; that do I believe, that have I taught, and that will I never revoke!" Mr.
Saunders then slowly moved towards the fire, sank to the earth and prayed; he then rose up,
embraced the stake, and frequently said, "Welcome, thou cross of Christ! welcome everlasting
life!" Fire was then put to the fagots, and, he was overwhelmed by the dreadful flames, and
sweetly slept in the Lord Jesus.
The History, Imprisonment, and Examination of Mr. John Hooper, Bishop of
Worcester and Gloucester
John Hooper, student and graduate in the University of Oxford, was stirred with such
fervent desire to the love and knowledge of the Scriptures that he was compelled to move
from thence, and was retained in the house of Sir Thomas Arundel, as his steward, until Sir
Thomas had intelligence of his opinions and religion, which he in no case did favour, though
he exceedingly favoured his person and condition and wished to be his friend. Mr. Hooper
now prudently left Sir Thomas' house and arrived at Paris, but in a short time returned to
England, and was retained by Mr. Sentlow, until the time that he was again molested and
sought for, when he passed through France to the higher parts of Germany; where,
commencing acquaintance with learned men, he was by them free and lovingly entertained,
both at Basel, and especially at Zurich, by Mr. Bullinger, who was his singular friend; here
also he married his wife, who was a Burgonian, and applied very studiously to the Hebrew
tongue.
At length, when God saw it good to stay the bloody time of the six articles, and to give
us King Edward to reign over this realm, with some peace and rest unto the Church, amongst
many other English exiles, who then repaired homeward, Mr. Hooper also, moved in
conscience, thought not to absent himself, but seeing such a time and occasion, offered to help
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