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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 />

what is warranted by Scriptures, thou art in a state <strong>of</strong> damnation!" Astonished at such a<br />

declaration, this worthy sufferer ably rejoined that his words were as impure as they were<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>ane.<br />

After condemnation, she lay a twelvemonth in prison, the sheriff not being willing to put<br />

her to death in his time, though he had been but just chosen. When her death warrant came<br />

from London, she sent for some friends, whom she consulted in what manner her death might<br />

be more glorious to the name <strong>of</strong> God, and injurious to the cause <strong>of</strong> God's enemies. Smilingly,<br />

she said: "As for death, I think but lightly <strong>of</strong>. When I know that I shall behold the amiable<br />

countenance <strong>of</strong> Christ my dear Savior, the ugly face <strong>of</strong> death does not much trouble me." <strong>The</strong><br />

evening before she suffered, two priests were anxious to visit her, but she refused both their<br />

confession and absolution, when she could hold a better communication with the High Priest<br />

<strong>of</strong> souls. About three o'clock in the morning, Satan began to shoot his fiery darts, by putting<br />

into her mind to doubt whether she was chosen to eternal life, and Christ died for her. Her<br />

friends readily pointed out to her those consolatory passages <strong>of</strong> Scripture which comfort the<br />

fainting heart, and treat <strong>of</strong> the Redeemer who taketh away the sins <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />

About eight o'clock the sheriff announced to her that she had but an hour to live; she was<br />

at first cast down, but this soon passed away, and she thanked God that her life was about to<br />

be devoted to His service. <strong>The</strong> sheriff granted permission for two friends to accompany her<br />

to the stake-an indulgence for which he was afterward severely handled. Mr. Reniger and Mr.<br />

Bernher led her to the place <strong>of</strong> execution; in going to which, from its distance, her great<br />

weakness, and the press <strong>of</strong> the people, she had nearly fainted. Three times she prayed fervently<br />

that God would deliver the land from popery and the idolatrous Mass; and the people for the<br />

most part, as well as the sheriff, said Amen.<br />

When she had prayed, she took the cup, (which had been filled with water to refresh her,)<br />

and said, "I drink to all them that unfeignedly love the Gospel <strong>of</strong> Christ, and wish for the<br />

abolition <strong>of</strong> popery." Her friends, and a great many women <strong>of</strong> the place, drank with her, for<br />

which most <strong>of</strong> them afterward were enjoined penance.<br />

When chained to the stake, her countenance was cheerful, and the roses <strong>of</strong> her cheeks<br />

were not abated. Her hands were extended towards heaven until the fire rendered them<br />

powerless, when her soul was received int o the arms <strong>of</strong> the Creator. <strong>The</strong> duration <strong>of</strong> her agony<br />

was but short, as the under-sheriff, at the request <strong>of</strong> her friends, had prepared such excellent<br />

fuel that she was in a few minutes overwhelmed with smoke and flame. <strong>The</strong> case <strong>of</strong> this lady<br />

drew a tear <strong>of</strong> pity from everyone who had a heart not callous to humanity.<br />

Executions at Islington<br />

About the seventeenth <strong>of</strong> September, suffered at Islington the following four pr<strong>of</strong>essors<br />

<strong>of</strong> Christ: Ralph Allerton, James Austoo, Margery Austoo, and Richard Roth.<br />

James Austoo and his wife, <strong>of</strong> St. Allhallows, Barking, London, were sentenced for not<br />

believing in the presence. Richard Roth rejected the seven Sacraments, and was accused <strong>of</strong><br />

comforting the heretics by the following letter written in his own blood, and intended to have<br />

been sent to his friends at Colchester:<br />

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