Foxe - The Book of Martyrs

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
ten o'clock at night they were borne away at the mercy of the waves. On Wednesday, in the
night, Crow's companion died through the fatigue and hunger, and he was left alone, calling
upon God for succor. At length he was picked up by a Captain Morse, bound to Antwerp, who
had nearly steered away, taking him for some fisherman's buoy floating in the sea. As soon
as Crow was got on board, he put his hand in his bosom, and drew out his Testament, which
indeed was wet, but not otherwise injured. At Antwerp he was well received, and the money
he had lost was more than made good to him.
Executions at Stratford-le-Bow
At this sacrifice, which we are about to detail no less than thirteen were doomed to the fire.
Each one refusing to subscribe contrary to conscience, they were condemned, and the twentyseventh
of June, 1556, was appointed for their execution at Stratford-le-Bow. Their constancy
and faith glorified their Redeemer, equally in life and in death.
Rev. Julius Palmer
This gentleman's life presents a singular instance of error and conversion. In the time of
Edward, he was a rigid and obstinate papist, so adverse to godly and sincere preaching, that
he was even despised by his own party; that this frame of mind should be changed, and he
suffer persecution and death in Queen Mary's reign, are among those events of omnipotence
at which we wonder and admire.
Mr. Palmer was born at Coventry, where his father had been mayor. Being afterward
removed to Oxford, he became, under Mr. Harley, of Magdalen College, an elegant Latin and
Greek scholar. He was fond of useful disputation, possessed of a lively wit, and a strong
memory. Indefatigable in private study, he rose at four in the morning, and by this practice
qualified himself to become reader in logic in Magralen College. The times of Edward,
however, favouring the Reformation, Mr. Palmer became frequently punished for his
contempt of prayer and orderly behavior, and was at length expelled the house. He afterwards
embraced the doctrines of the Reformation, which occasioned his arrest and final
condemnation.
A certain nobleman offered him his life if he would recant.
"If so," said he, "thou wilt dwell with me. And if thou wilt set thy mind to marriage, I will
procure thee a wife and a farm, and help to stuff and fit thy farm for thee. How sayst thou?"
Palmer thanked him very courteously, but very modestly and reverently concluded that
as he had already in two places renounced his living for Christ's sake, so he would with God's
grace be ready to surrender and yield up his life also for the same, when God should send
time.
When Sir Richard perceived that he would by no means relent:
"Well, Palmer," saith he, "then I perceive one of us twain shall be damned: for we be of
two faiths, and certain I am there is but one faith that leadeth to life and salvation."
Palmer: "O sir, I hope that we both shall be saved."
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