Foxe - The Book of Martyrs

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
The bishop then, seeing that all his fair promises and terrible threatenings could not
prevail, pronounced the definitive sentence of condemnation, and ordered May 30, 1555, for
the execution of John Cardmaker and John Warne, who were brought by the sheriffs to
Smithfield. Being come to the stake, the sheriffs called Mr. Cardmaker aside, and talked with
him secretly, during which Mr. Warne prayed, was chained to the stake, and had wood and
reeds set about him.
The people were greatly afflicted, thinking that Mr. Cardmaker would recant at the
burning of Mr. Warne. At length Mr. Cardmaker departed from the sheriffs, and came towards
the stake, knelt down, and made a long prayer in silence to himself. He then rose up, put off
his clothes to his shirt, and went with a bold courage unto the stake and kissed it; and taking
Mr. Warne by the hand, he heartily comforted him, and was bound to the stake, rejoicing. The
people seeing this so suddenly done, contrary to their previous expectation, cried out, "God
be praised! the Lord strengthen thee, Cardmaker! the Lord Jesus receive thy spirit!" And this
continued while the executioner put fire to them, and both had passed through the fire to the
blessed rest and peace among God's holy saints and martyrs, to enjoy the crown of triumph
and victory prepared for the elect soldiers and warriors of Christ Jesus in His blessed
Kingdom, to whom be glory and majesty forever. Amen.
John Simpson and John Ardeley
John Simpson and John Ardeley were condemned on the same day with Mr. Carmaker
and John Warne, which was the twenty-fifth of May. They were shortly after sent down from
London to Essex, where they were burnt in one day, John Simpson at Rochford, and John
Ardeley at Railey, glorifying God in His beloved Son, and rejoicing that they were accounted
worthy to suffer.
Thomas Haukes, Thomas Watts, and Anne Askew
Thomas Haukes, with six others, was condemned on the ninth of February, 1555. In
education he was erudite; in person, comely, and of good stature; in manners, a gentleman,
and a sincere Christian. A little before death, several of Mr. Hauke's friends, terrified by the
sharpness of the punishment he was going to suffer, privately desired that in the midst of the
flames he should show them some token, whether the pains of burning were so great that a
man might not collectedly endure it. This he promised to do; and it was agreed that if the rage
of the pain might be suffered, then he should lift up his hands above his head towards heaven,
before he gave up the ghost.
Not long after, Mr. Haukes was led away to the place appointed for slaughter by Lord
Rich, and being come to the stake, mildly and patiently prepared himself for the fire, having
a strong chain cast about his middle, with a multitude of people on every side compassing
him about, unto whom after he had spoken many things, and poured out his soul unto God,
the fire was kindled.
When he had continued long in it, and his speech was taken away by violence of the
flame, his skin drawn together, and his fingers consumed with the fire, so that it was thought
that he was gone, suddenly and contrary to all expectation, this good man being mindful of
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