Foxe - The Book of Martyrs
The mystery of history is not completely dark, since it is a veil which only partially conceals the creative activity and spiritual forces and the operation of spiritual laws. It is commonplace to say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church yet what we are asserting is simply that individual acts of spiritual decision bear social fruit …For the great cultural changes and historic revolutions that decide the fate of nations or the character of an age is the cumulative result of a number of spiritual decisions … the faith and insight, or the refusal and blindness, of individuals. No one can put his finger on the ultimate spiritual act that tilts the balance, and makes the external order of society assume a new form… Persecution, powerless to destroy or even to shake this new community, made it only the more sensible of its own strength, and pressed it into a more compact body.
The mystery of history is not completely dark, since it is a veil which only partially conceals the creative activity and spiritual forces and the operation of spiritual laws. It is commonplace to say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church yet what we are asserting is simply that individual acts of spiritual decision bear social fruit …For the great cultural changes and historic revolutions that decide the fate of nations or the character of an age is the cumulative result of a number of spiritual decisions … the faith and insight, or the refusal and blindness, of individuals. No one can put his finger on the ultimate spiritual act that tilts the balance, and makes the external order of society assume a new form… Persecution, powerless to destroy or even to shake this new community, made it only the more sensible of its own strength, and pressed it into a more compact body.
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<strong>Foxe</strong>’s <strong>Book</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Martyrs</strong><br />
sermon, which took place August 1, 1556, the day <strong>of</strong> her martyrdom. His fulminating<br />
discourse being finished, the poor, sightless object was taken to a place called Windmill Pit,<br />
near the town, where she for a time held her brother by the hand, and then prepared herself<br />
for the fire, calling upon the pitying multitude to pray with her, and upon Christ to have mercy<br />
upon her, until the glorious light <strong>of</strong> the everlasting Sun <strong>of</strong> righteousness beamed upon her<br />
departed spirit.<br />
In November, fifteen martyrs were imprisoned in Canterbury castle, <strong>of</strong> whom all were<br />
either burnt or famished. Among the latter were J. Clark, D. Chittenden, W. Foster <strong>of</strong> Stonc,<br />
Alice Potkins, and J. Archer, <strong>of</strong> Cranbrooke, weaver. <strong>The</strong> two first <strong>of</strong> these had not received<br />
condemnation, but the others were sentenced to the fire. Foster, at his examination, observed<br />
upon the utility <strong>of</strong> carrying lighted candles about on Candlemas-day, that he might as well<br />
carry a pitchfork; and that a gibbet would have as good an effect as the cross.<br />
We have now brought to a close the sanguinary proscriptions <strong>of</strong> the merciless Mary, in<br />
the year 1556, the number <strong>of</strong> which amounted to above EIGHTY-FOUR!<br />
<strong>The</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> the year 1557, was remarkable for the visit <strong>of</strong> Cardinal Pole to the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Cambridge, which seemed to stand in need <strong>of</strong> much cleansing from heretical<br />
preachers and reformed doctrines. One object was also to play the popish farce <strong>of</strong> trying<br />
Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius, who had been buried about three or four years; for which<br />
purpose the churches <strong>of</strong> St. Mary and St. Michael, where they lay, were interdicted as vile<br />
and unholy places, unfit to worship God in, until they were perfumed and washed with the<br />
pope's holy water, etc., etc. <strong>The</strong> trumpery act <strong>of</strong> citing these dead reformers to appear, not<br />
having had the least effect upon them, on January 26, sentence <strong>of</strong> condemnation was passed,<br />
part <strong>of</strong> which ran in this manner, and may serve as a specimen <strong>of</strong> proceedings <strong>of</strong> this nature:<br />
"We therefore pronounce the said Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius excommunicated and<br />
anathematised, as well by the common law, as by letters <strong>of</strong> process; and that their memory be<br />
condemned, we also condemn their bodies and bones (which in that wicked time <strong>of</strong> schism,<br />
and other heresies flourishing in this kingdom, were rashly buried in holy ground) to be dug<br />
up, and cast far from the bodies and bones <strong>of</strong> the faithful, according to the holy canons, and<br />
we command that they and their writings, if any be there found, be publicly burnt; and we<br />
interdict all persons whatsoever <strong>of</strong> this university, town, or places adjacent, who shall read or<br />
conceal their heretical book, as well by the common law, as by our letters <strong>of</strong> process!"<br />
After the sentence thus read, the bishop commanded their bodies to be dug out <strong>of</strong> their<br />
graves, and being degraded from holy orders, delivered them into the hands <strong>of</strong> the secular<br />
power; for it was not lawful for such innocent persons as they were, abhorring all bloodshed,<br />
and detesting all desire <strong>of</strong> murder, to put any man to death.<br />
February 6, the bodies, enclosed as they were in chests, were carried into the midst <strong>of</strong> the<br />
market place at Cambrdige, accompanied by a vast concourse <strong>of</strong> people. A great post was set<br />
fast in the ground, to which the chests were affixed with a large iron chain, and bound round<br />
their centers, in the same manner as if the dead bodies had been alive. When the fire began to<br />
ascend, and caught the c<strong>of</strong>fins, a number <strong>of</strong> condemned books were also launched into the<br />
flames, and burnt. Justice, however, was done to the memories <strong>of</strong> these pious and learned men<br />
in Queen Elizabeth's reign, when Mr. Ackworth, orator <strong>of</strong> the university, and Mr. J.<br />
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