British Library, Additional MS 21935
Docter Bastwicke and Master prynne What had these men don that they
must Suffer So much misery to the sheding of their blood with perpetuall
imprisonment All was bvt for preaching and wrighting of the trvth of
word of God. In which their was a terror to the prelets false prophets
Idolatry and profainors of the Lords day: And now of Late in the yeare
1637 when these three men Svffered Master Bvrton, Doctor Bastwicke
and Master prynne When any booke Came forth which was for God and
against those wicked prelates they Layd them to their Charge And them
that any of those bookes ware found with they were had vp vnto their
vnlawfull Cortes, grate and heauie things Layd to their Charges, much
trouble with imprisonment and much expences and fines to the vndoing
of Some (I the wrighter speake by some wofull experience) and all for having
Some bookes that taught vs how we should feare God and honour our King
and not to medel with them that Change
Gamaliel of the Law, his Maiesties late Aturney generall as hee
had a grate hand in Compiling & republishing the (late) Declaration
for pastimes on the Lords day (thurst out by his and a grate prelats
practise) So he eagerly persecuted Master Prynne a well de
seruing Gentelman of his owne profession and Society (to whom he
was formarly a friend in appearance but an invetereate enemie
in truth) for his Histrie Mastix Compiled onely out of the words
and sentences of other approued Authors of all sorts against
and exercise of Stage plaies, Enterludes, Morisdances, Maygames
May poles, Wakes, Lasciuious mixt Dancing, and other Ethnick past
times. Condemned in all ages, Without any thought or su
giuing the least offence, either to
Qveene or state, as he averred in his Answer vpon Oath, And
although this booke was written fore yeares, Licensed almost three
printed fvlly off a quarter of a yeere, and published six weekes be
fore the Queenes Maiesties pastorall. against which it was falsely
voiced to haue beene principally written, diligently pervsed and
licensed almost by Master Thomas Bvckner then Archbishop of Canter
bvry his Chaplain both before and after it Came from the presse
entered in the Stationers Hall vnder the wardens hands,
printed publikely in three avthorized printing houses . without the
Least controll . and published by the said Licensers direction . who
would haue nothing new printed in it, as appeared vpon oath at the
hearing: and although Master Noy himselfe (to whome he presented
one of the Bookes) vpon the first reading of it Commended it . thanked
him for it . Oft affirmed that he saw no hurt in it and at
Confessed that the worst & most dangerous pharase & passage in it might
haue a good & faire Construction, and Sc
a good sence, yet he handeled the matter so (by suppressing
lemans exhibits and defence . wresting his words and meaning
refusing to discouer the particulars of
to instruct Counsell how to make a reply, and by tampering vnder hand
with some of his Counsell by no meanes to make any iustification or defence
to cleare his innocency though the party earnestly intreated and gaue
them instructions to the Contrary) that the poore Gentleman at last re
ceiued the heauiest Censure that this Latter age hath knowen all Cir
cumstances Considered, being expelled the vniversity of Oxford and
Lincolns Inne, thurst from his profession in which he neuer offended
fined fiue thousand pound to the King, ordered to stand one two sevrall
pilloris . and there to Lose both his eares, his bookes to be there burned
before him, and to Suffer imprisonment during life besides: which
Sentance thought by most that heard the Cause to be ment only
rem
boue three months space, and in a manner remited by the Qveenes
most gracious meditation, was yet by this Atturnies and a great
prelates importunity, beyond all expectation few of the Lords so
much as knowing of it, The Gentleman herevpon is set on
at westminster and there Lost an eare: Master Noy a ioyfull Spectator
Laugh at his Sufferings and this his grat exploit he had brought to passe
which diuers there present obserued and condemned in him: The Gentlema
Like an harmlesse Lambe tooke all with such patience, that he not so much
as once opened his mouth to let fall one word of discontent: yet that
iust God and Soueraigne Lord of heauen & earth who beholdeth mis
chiefe and spite to requite it with his own hand, and auengeth
cent blood of his Seruants . tooke this his mirth and malice so hainously
That the same day (as some about him & of his owne society reported)
He who thus shed his brothers and Compainions bloud, by the iust
hand of God fell a voyding and pissing out his owne, which so amazed
him that he vsed all meanes he could to smother it from the world
Charging his laundres an those about him not to speake of it: refusing
to acquaint his physicians with it, herevpon he growes very palid
and ill, the physicians wonder at it, he complaines to them onely of
grauell and Stone in his Kidnies, till at Last he grew so ill with
yeet so as they must faithfully promise to disclose it to no
man
for feare people should say. it were a iust a iudgment of God on him
for Shedding Mr. prynnes bloud, Bvt God would not haue this
Secret Long Concealed, his Laundres men, & some Gentlemen of his
Society discouer and talke of it, he much vexed in mind in stead
of repenting of what he had done, and seeking to right the party
wronged for his irreparable dammaged, Like a Hart or beast once
mortally wounded proceeds on his former fury: Seekes to bring
the poore distresed Gentleman into fresh troubles and a further
Censure brings him Oretenus into the Starchamber, reviles him
with all maner of vnciuell words, moues to haue him Close prisoner
among the rogues in Newgate, Sels his Chamber as forfeited to
the house by his expulsion, seiseth his bookes and when as
would not grant his vnreasonable malitious motion aboue fiue
weekes after in the Long vacation, when most of the Lords were gone
and his Maiesty in his progresse, drawes vp an order of his owne
making in Starchamber for the Gentlemans Close imprisonment
(the Last order he euer made) Caused the register to enter it and sends
it to the Tower to be execvted the same day he went to Tvnbridge
waters: with out the Lords or Courts priuity, The day following,
drinking of those watters he was in miserable torture in so much
most despairing of his life and some reported he was dead. And
hearing there that his disease of voyding blood was then publikely
knowen and talked of in London, he was vexed at it that he fell ovt
with his physicians and Saruants, rayling on them like a franticke
man as if they had betrayed him and disclosed his secrets, yea it so
freted and gnawed his heart & Conscince that it made his very
heart & intrailes to perish and about a fortnight after brought
him to his ende. Being opened after his death there was not a a
drop of bloud found in his body, for he had voided al out before
his false malicious hard heart with inward fretting & vexing was
So Consumed and shrinked vp that it was like a old rotten leather
purse or meere Scurfe. the physians neuer seing the like before
w as blacke as an hat his intrials (except his
Lungs onely) all pvtered and his Carkas as a miserable spectacle, bvt no
stone that Could trouble him was found about him: His funerall according
to his desire was so priuate that there were hardly Gentlemen enough to
Carry him to his graue but that some Came in by accident, His Clients
the players for whom he had done knights seruice to requite his kindnes
the next Terme following make him the subiect of a merry Comedy stilled
a proiector Lately dead . wherein they bring him in his Lawyers robes
vpon the Stage, and openly dissecting him find a hundred proclamations
in his head . a bundel of old motheaten records in his maw, halfe a barrell
of new white sope in his belly . which made him to scoure so much . and yet
say they he is still very black & foule within. And as if this voiding of all
his owne blood & publike disgrace on the Stage were not Sufficient to
expiate the wronged Gentlemans bloud & infamy himselfe in his last
will lays a brand on his owne son and heire. bequeathing all his goods.
and Lands not therein giuen to others to Edward his eldest Son to be
Scattered and spent enough to make a dutifull Childe turne vnthrift
and a signe of a dispayring man Which son of his vpon his own Challenge
and rashnesse hath since bene slaine in a duell in France by Captaine Byron
who escaped scotfree and had his pardon: Thus hath God punished bloud
with bloud, thus hath he dealt with one of the Chiefe occasioners of this
Declaration, & burner of that booke, which Larnedly manifested the
vnlawfulnes of the Seuerall Sorts & pastimes Countenanced in it especi
ally on the Lords day own sacred day out of old and new wrighters of
all sorts and specified diuers Iudgments of God vpon the authors, actors
and spectatores of them, not vnworthy Consideration in these times of
plauges & Iudgments
communicate and persecvte godly Ministers for not reading this Decla
ration (though there be no Canon, Statute, Law or precept extant
requires it) to the ruine not so much of them. as their poore innocent
peoples Soules you who oppre yee that in these dolefull daies of
days of plague and pestilence Svpresse neglect all publike fasting
preaching and praying Which now if euer should be cried vp and
practised
Sabbath breaking to draw downe more wrath & plagues vpon vs
you who oppresse and maliciously persecute Godly men for Crossing
you in your delights of Sin lest you now perish as these haue done &
so much the rather because you haue all these presidents to admonish you
One of the actores whereof and he who first shewed M
to
the Tower for a reall Comentary on his misapplyed text
The Iudge who vpon his reference suppressed these exhibites Contrary
to Law & promise to
pectedly thurst out of his place before he knew of it
The great Lord
Some three days after who much grieued at this sentence & blamed
him for it, Which Lord riding the Last Christ tide into the Country to
keepe his Christmas on the Lords day, his Coach & honor in the plaine
Street at Branford, were both ouerturned & Laid in
sore bruised and there vpon forced to keepe his Chamber a good space
there being some doubt of his recouery for a time
In
Rickmansworth in Harfordsheere, hee metting one Master Anderson
a godly minister, he Salutes him in a Scoffing maner . and desiers
him to goe see his Brother (which was a Minster & would be glad
to see him) and teles him withall he must obserue three things
first he must Lay aside his presinesse for his brother was no
puritun Secondly he must Lay aside his vnconformity. for his
Brother is a Conformable man . thirdly he must Lay a side his ,
immediatly after
this Master Olden Comes to London and he went to bead as well
as euer he did in his life but he died then Suddenly
the Scriptures for his brother was for the Fathers
This M
For he did say when he did Come to be Churchwarde he would
make the puritons to Come vp the midel ally on their knees
to the Railes
Caused the Rayles to be set vp, and then the people were forsed to
Come vp to
Eue goeing out of the parish because of the Superstious things Hee
informing against him at the Court put him to put much trou
trouble And he sayd he would informe Docter Lambe of him &
others, and that he would in few days haue a Crucifex in the
Chancel at the time of the Speking of Some of these words Hee
and another (as I am tolde) went to drinke & haueing drunke
sixten quarts of wine and thus goeing to London before he
Could Come into the Court against them that he had threatened
hee died Suddenly in a most fearefull manner, being very mu
much Swelled like one
and Cirgions Cold not tell what was the Cause
In the yeare 1637 those three worthy Saruants of God, Docter
Bastwick M
the 14 of Iune in the Starrchamber haueing most heauie Censuer
and afterwards executed vpon them being set one the pillery
and their eares Cvt off close to their head to
much of their Blood And then banished & sent out of the
Land from their wiues & Children to three s seuerall places
as Namely the Castles of Carnaruan, Cornwall & Lancaster
And of their patient and Comfort they had in their bitterest
of their Sufferings their persecutors Could inflict vpon them
I did then at that time of their Sufferings wright it downe
after an other that did heare them at their Svfferings, And
now if you turne ouer fiue Leaues you may see how I haue
written it out more at Large for that
see what wofull & miserable times wee liued in- that in the
light of the Gospel their should be Svch persecutors of the
professors of the Gospel. Surely if wee did but consider bvt
Layd together, Cannot be paralled in any age of man throughout the
Christian world, which though it be not drawen vp in so elegant a
straine as it was deliuered & deserued, nor all the Heauenly words
that were vttered by those three worthies of the Lord both in
presence of the Lord, themselues at their Censure, and also at
the place of Execvtion, yet I earnestly beseech you in the Bowels
of Iesus Christ that you doe not in the Least manner vnder value
the glory and dignity either of the persons or the Cause; bvt
rather Lay the blame vpon the rudnes & meane Capacity of
Composer. who is an vnfained well wisher to them both
Tvrne ouer fore Leaues & you may their see itt.
1637
Of Wicked Iustices
A Briefe Relation of Certaine Speciall and most materiall passages
and Speeches in the Starre Chamber, Occasioned and deliuered in
Iune the XIIII 1637 at the Censure of those three Worthy Gentlemen
Doctor Bastwicke Master Bvrton and Master Prynne as it hath
bine truely and faithfully gathered from their owne mouths by
one present at the Sayd Censure
Betweene eight & nine a Clocke in the morning, (the 14 of Iune) The
Lords being Sett in their places in
and Casting their eyes vpon the prisoners then at the Barr. S
Finche (Chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas) began to speake after this
maner I had thought Mr Prynne had no eares, but me thinkes
hee hath eares, which Caused many of the Lords to take stricter viw
of him and for their better satisfaction the Vsher of the Court was
Commanded to turne Vp his haire and shew his eares, vpon
whereof the Lords were displeased they had beene formerly no more
Cvt off and Cast out some disgracefull words of him
To which Mr Prynne replyed, My Lords there is neuer a one of
your Honours, but would be Sorry to haue your eares as mine
The Lord Keeper replied againe, In good faith hee is somewhat Sawcy
I hope Sayd Mr Prynne your Honours will not be offended: I pray God
giue you eares to heare
The buisnes of the day sayd the Lord Keeper is to proceed on the
Prisoners at the Barr
Mr Prynne then humbly desiered the Court to giue him Leaue to make
a motion or two which being graunted. he mooues
First that their Honours Would be pleased to accept of a Crosse Bill
against the Prelates, Signed with their owne hands being that which
Stands with the iustice of the Court, which he humbly Craued and
So tendred it
Lord Keeper, As for your Crosse Bill, it is not the busines of the day
Heareafter if the Court shall see iust Cause, and that it Sauours not
of libelling we may accept of it, for my part I haue not seene it
bvt haue heard somewhat of it
behalfe, wee are his Maiesties Subiects, and therefore require the
Iustice of the Court
your Honours to grant, which is, That your Lordships will be pleased
to dismiss the Prelates, heare now sitting from haueing any voyce
in the Censure of this Cause: as being no wayes agreeable with
equity or reason, that they who are Aduersaries. should be
our Iudges, Terefore we humbly Craue they may be expunged out
of the Court
Libellous, And if you should thus Libell all the Lords and Reverent
Iudges, as you doe the most Reverent Prelats by this your Plea
you would haue none to passe sentence vpon you for your libelling
because they are parties
not putt for a Certainty, which is vncertainty, Wee haue nothing
to say to any of your Honours, but onely to the Prelates
was read, being very larg, and these fiue Bookes annexed therevnto
a Booke of Docter Bastwickes written in Latin, The second a little
Booke, intitled Newes from Ipswich, The third intiteled A Divine
Tragedy, recording Gods fearefull iudgments on Sabbath breakers
The forth Mr Burtons Booke intitled An Apology of an Appeale to
the Kings most Excellent Maiesty with two Sermons for God &
the King preached on the fift of Nouember last. The fift and
last Docter Bastwickes Letany
The Kings Counsell (being fiue) tooke each of them a seuerall Booke
and discanted there at the Barre vpon them according to their pleasure
Master Attorney began first with Docter Bastwickes Latin Bookes
picking out here & there particular Conclusions
owne endes (as did
abuse of the Authors, as themselues their immediatly Complained,
clusions depended: without which they Could not vnderstand
them
Next vnto
Book
, who vented much bitternes against the vnreprouable Booke (as
all
faith My Lords there is neuer a page in this Booke, but deserues a heauier
and a deeper Censure then this Court Can lay vpon him
Next followeth A.B., who in like manner discanted vpon the Newes from
Ipswich, Charging it tto be full of pernitious lyes, and especially vindicat
ing the honor of Mathew Wren, Bishop of Norwich, as being a learned, Pious
and Reverent Father of the Church
In the fourth place followes Mr Littlton the Kings Solicitor, who acts
his part vpon the Diuine Tragedy, To which part of it, Concerning
Gods iudgments on Sabbath breakers, he had little to say, but onely putt
it off with a scoffe, Saying that they sate in the Seate of God who iudged
those accidents which fell out vpon persons Svddenly strooken . to be the
iudgment of God for Sabbath breaking, or words to the like effect:
But enlarged himselfe vpon
learned professor of the law, and his Maiesties faithfull Saruant Mr
William Noy, his Maiesties late Attorney, who (as he said) was most sham
fully abused by a Slaunder layd vpon him, which was, That it should be
reported, that Gods iudgment fell vpon him for so eagerly prosecvting
inncent person Mr Prynne which iudgment was this. That he laughing
at Mr Prynne while he was Svffering vpon the pillory, was strocke with
an yssue of blood in his priuy part, which by all the art of man Could
neuer be stopped vnto the day of his death, which was soone after, Bvt
the trvth of this (My Lord) you shall finde to be as probable as
For we haue here three
had that yssue long before, and there vpon made a shew as if he would
Call for them in before the Lords to witnesse the trvth thereof (with
these words Make roome for
one witnesse was seene to appeare, which was a pretty delusion and
worth all your obsaruations that read it And so concluded (as
that this Booke also deserued a heauy and deepe Censure
Lastly followes Mr Habert, Whose descant was vpon Doc Bastwickes
Letanie, picking out one or two passages therein, and so drawing
thence his Conclusion, that iointly with the rest, it deserued a heavy Censure
The Kings Counsell haueing all spoken what they Could, the Lord
Keeper Sayd to the Prisoners at the Barre: You here Gentlemen
wherewith you are Charged, and now least you should say you Cannot
haue liberty to speake for your Selues, the Court giues you leaue to
Speake what you Can, with these Conditions, First that you speake
within the bonds of modesty. Secondly, that your Speeches be not
Libellous
They all three (Prisoners) answred, they hoped so to order their speech
as to be free from any immodest
proceed in Censure (as taking the Cause pro confesso) against you
a Subpena from your Honours, to enter my appearance in this
Court, which being entered, I tooke forth a Coppy of
which being taken, I was to draw my Answere, which I endeauored
to doe, bvt being shutt vp Close prisoner, I was deserted of all meanes
by which I should haue done it, for I was no sooner serued with
Svbpena, but I was shortly after shutt vp Close Prisoner with a
Suspention of pen, inke & paper, which Close imprisonment ddid
eate vp such a deale of my time that I was hindred the bringing in of
my Answre, You did assigne me Counsell, tis true, but they neglected
to Come to me, and I Could not Come to them, being vnder lock and key
Then vpon motion in Court ye gaue me Liberty to goe to them, bvt
then presently after that motion (I Know not for what Cause nor
vpon whose Command) I was shutt vp againe. And then I Could not
Compell my Counsell to Come to me, and my time was short, and I had
neither pen nor inke nor Sarvant to doe any thing for mee. for my
Sarvant was then also kept Close Prisoner, vnder a Pvrsevants hands
this was to put impossibilities vpon me, Then vpon a Second motion
for pen and inke (which was granted me) I drew vp Some Instrvctions
and in a fortnites time sent forty Sheetes to my Counsell
Suddainly after I drew vp forty
nothing but by my the aduise of my Counsell, by whom I was ruled in the
drawing vp of all my Answers, and paid him twice for drawing it, and some
of my Counsell would haue set their handes to it Here is my Answere. I
tender it vpon my oath, which your Lordships Cannot deny with
of the Court
and taken a Cause pro Confesso for not putting in an Answere in sixe days
you haue had a great deale of fauoure Shewed in affording you longer
time, and therfore the Court is free from all Calumny or aspersion, for
reiecting your Answere not signed with
me, I put a Case in Law that is often pleaded before your Lordships. One
man is bound to bring in two witnesses, if both or one of them fayle,
hee Caannot bring them in, doth the Law (my lords) make it the mans act
You assigned me two Counsellors, One of them fayled, I Cannot Compell him
here he is now before you, Let him speake, if I haue not vsed all my inden
uoures to haue had him signed it (which my other Counsell would not haue
done, if this would haue Set his hand to it with him) & to haue put it in long
Counsell: My lord there was so long time spent ere I Could doe any thing
after I was assigned his Counsell,
drawen vp in So short a time as was alloted for after long expectatio
Seeing he Came not to me. I went to him, where I found him Close Prisoner
So that I Could not haue accesse to him, Wherevpon I motioned to the Lieft
tenant of the Tower to haue free liberty of Speech with him Concerning
his Answer, which being granted mee, I found him very willing & desirous
to haue it drawen vp, Wherevpon I did moue the Court for pen and inke
and paper which was granted me, the which he no sooner had gotten: bvt
he set himselfe to draw vp instructions, and in a short tyme . Sent mee
forty sheetes, and soone after I receiued forty Sheetes more, but I found
the Answere So longe and of Such a nature, that I durst not set my
hand to it. for feare of giuing your Honours distast
my Counsell, onely I Speake mine owne words, My Answer was drawe
vp by his Consent, it was his owne act. and he did approoue of it
he dares not acknowledge in publicke, I will not let such a sinne lye
on my Conscience, Let it rest with him: Here is my Answer, which
though it be not signed with their hands, yet here I tender it
vpon my oath, which you cannot in Ustice deny
gilty. or not guilty
Lords good Lord, I am to answere in a defensiue way: Is here
any one, that can witnes against me, Let him Come in, The Law
of God standeth thus, That a man is not to be Condemned. but vn
der the mouth of two or three witnesses: Here is no witnes Comes
in against me my Lord, neither is there in all the Information
one Claues that doth particularly fall on mee, but onely in
rall, there is no Booke layd to my Charge, And shall I be Condemned
for a particular act? When no accusation of any particvlar act
can be brought against mee, This were mosy vniust and wicked
Here I tender my Answer to the Information vpon my oath
My Lord you did impose impossibilities vpon me, I Could doe no
more then I was able
S
Gods and sit in the place of God, Yee are Called the Sonnes of God
And since I haue Conpared you to Gods, giue me Leaue a little
to parallel the one with the other, to see whither the Comparison
between God and you doth hold in this noble and righteous Cause
This was the Carriage of Almighty God in the Cause of Sodome
Before he would pronounce sentance, or execute iudgment: he would
first Come downe and see whither the Crime was altogether accord
ing to the cry that was Come vp, And with whom doth the Lord
Consult, when he Came downe, With his Saruant Abraham. and
he giues the reason, for I know (Saith he) that Abraham will
Command his Children and houshold after him that they shall
keepe the way of the Lord to doe iustice and Iudgment
My good Lords, thus stands the Case betweene your Honours and vs this day
There is a great Cry Come vp into your eares against vs. from
Why now be you pleased to descend and see if the Crime be according to
and Consult (with God) (not the Prelates being the aduersary part, and (as it
is apparant to all the world) doe proudly set themselues against the wayes
of God, and from whom none Can expect Iustice or Iudgment) bvt with rig
righteous men, that will be impartiall on either side: before you proceede
to Censure, Which Censure you Cannot passe on vs without great iniustice
before you heare our Answers read: Here is my Answer, which I here ten-
der vpon my oath My good Lords giue vs Leave to speake in our owne de
fence we are not Conscious to our selues of any thing wee haue done
serues a Censure this day in this Honourable Court, but that wee haue ever
laboured to maintaine the Honour, Dignity, and prerogatiue Royall of
our Soueraigne Lord the King Let the Lord the King liue for euer. Had I
a thousand liues, I should thinke them all too little to spend for
of his Maiestie Royall Prerogatiue My good Lords Can you proceed to Cen
sure before you know my Cause, I dare vndertake, that Scarce any one of
your Lordships haue read my Bookes, And Can you then Censure me for whawhat you know not and before I haue made my defence. O my Noble Lords
is this a righteous Iudgment, This were against the Law of God and man. to
Condemne a maan before you know his Crime, The Gouerner before whom
St Paul was Carried (who was a very Heathen) would first heare his Cavse
before he would passe any Censure vpon him, And doth it beseeme so Noble
and Christian Assembly to Condemne me before my Answer be perused
and my Cause knowen. Men. Brethren and Fathers, into what age
are we fallen, I desire your Honours to lay aside your Censure for this
day, and inquier into my Cause, heare my Answer read, Which if
refuse to doe, I here professe, I will Cloath it in Roman Bvffe. and
send it abroad vnto the view of aall the world, to Cleare mine innocen
cy. and see your great iniustice in this Cause
in your Answer in due time
I failed not in any one particlar. And if my Counsell be So base and
Cowardly, that they dare not signe for feare of the Prelates (as
is my Answer, which though my Counsell out of a basse Spirit. dare
not set their hands vnto yet I tender it vpon my oath
large an Answer, which (as I hard) is as libellous as your Bookes
for me but my selfe, and being left to my selfe, I must plead my
Conscience in answer to euery Circumstance of the Information
or no, you needed not to haue troubled your selfe So much about
So large an Answere
with the Iustice of the Court, Condemne me before you know what
is written in my Booke
I not knowen, what I had written I could not tell what to haue
made of it
house, together with a letter directed to him
before the booke, I did at first disclayme what was not mine. I sent
my Booke ouer by a Dutch Merchant, who it was
addition I doe not know. but my Epistle set to my Booke, made
manifest what was mine, and what was not, and I Cannot iustly
Svffer for what was none of mine
Confeso
and a grat Prince Peere of this Realme, There are some honourable
Lords in this Court that haue bin forced out as Combatantes in a single
pointed the feild, The one being a Coward goes to the Magistrate. and by ver
tue of his Authority disarmes the other of his weapones, and giues him a Bvll
rvsh, and then Challenges him to fight, If this be not base Cowardice I know
not what belongs to a Souldier, This is the Case betweene the Prelates and
Vs they take away our weapons (our Answers) by vertue of your Author
ity, by which we should defend our Selues, and yet they bidd vs fight
My Lord, doth not this sauiour of a base Cowardly Spirit, I know my
Lord, there is a Degree gonne forth (for my Sentence was passed long
Lord Since) to Cvt of our eares
you prophesy of your Selues
of the Prelates owne Saruants, that in August last it was decreed, that D
Bastwicke should Loose his eares, O my Noble Lords, Is this righteous iudgme
I may say as the Apostle once sayd, What Whipp a Roman beene
Souldier able to Lead an Army into the feild, to fight valiantly for
of their Prince. Now I am a Physitian, able to Cure Nobles . Kings, Princes
and Emperors, And to Cvrtolize a Romans eares, Like a Cvrre, O my
honourable Lords, is it not to base an act for so noble an assembly, and
for So righteous and honorable a Cause. The Cause my Lords is great. it
Concernes the glory of God, the honour of our King, Whose Prerogatiue
we labour to maintaine and to set vp in a high maner in which your
honours liberties are engaged, And doth not such a Cause deserue your lo
Lordships Consideration, before you proceed to Censure, Your Honours may
be pleased to Consider that in the yo Last Cause heard and Censured in this
Court, betwene S
tooke a grate deale of Paines, with a grate deale of patience, to heare
on both sides, with all the Answers and Depositions laargely layd open before
you, which Cause when you had fully heard, some of your Honours now
sitting in the Court, sayd, You Could not in Conscience proceede to Censure
till you had taken some time to re
You Could spend So much time and afterwards recollect your Selues
be before you would Passe Censure: How much more should it mooue
Your Honours to take some time in a Cause wherein the glory of God,
liberty is so Largely ingaged, My Lords, it may fall out to be any
of your Lordships Cases to stand as Delinquents at this Barre, as
wee now doe: It is not vnknowen to your Honours, the next Cause
that is to succeed ours, is touching a person that sometimes hath
beene in gratest power in this Court, And if the mutations and reuol
utions of persons & times be such, then I doe most humbly bessech your
Honours to looke on vs, as it may befall your selues Bvt if all this will
not prevaile with your Honours, to prevse my Bookes and heare my
Answere. read. which here I tender vpon the words and oath of a Souldier
a Gentleman. a Scholler & a Physitian: I will Cloath them (as I sayd before)
in Roman Buffe and disperse them throughout the Christian world. that
the futer generations may see the Innocency of this Cause, and your
Honours vniust proceedings in it, all which I will doe though it Cost
me my life
doe presse is, that you would be pleased to pervse my Answer
to Censure vs, and take our Cause proconfesso, although wee haue
laboured to giue your Honours Satisfaction in all things My Lords what
you haue to say against my Bookes I Confesse I did wright it, yet did I
not any thing out of intent of Commotion or Sedition. I deliuered
nothing, but what my Text ledd me too, being Chosen to suite wwith
namely the fifth of Nouember the words were these &c
ing not naming Texts of Scripture now: we doe
not send for you to preach, but to answer to those things
gainst you
which Answer was signed with my Counsells hands, and receiued into
Court, according to the Rvle & order thereof, And I did not thinke
to haue been Called this day to a Censure, bvt haue had a legall pro
ceeding by way of Bill and Answer
to the Iudges, but by what meanes I doe not know, Whither it be inpertine
and what Cause your Lordships had to Cast it out, I Know not But afterwar
it was approoued of, and receiued, it was Cast out as an impertinent Answers
it was as Libellous as your Booke, So that your Answer deserued a Censure a
lone
bvt euery passage of it
you to that which was read. Doth it become a Minister to deliuer himselfe
in such a rayling and Scandalous way
nor Scandalos I conceiue
to goe in a milde straine, I being the pastor of my people whom I had in Char
Charge and was to instruct, I was supposed it was my duety to informe them
of those Innouations that are Crept into the Church, as likewise of the
danger and ill Consequence of them, As for my Answere, Yee blotted out
what you would, and then the rest which made best for your
would haue to stand, And now for me to tender onely what will serue for
your owne turnes, and renounce the rest, were to desert my Cause, which
before I will doe, or desert my Conscience, I will rather desert my body and
deliuer it vp to your Lordships to doe with it what you will
Mr Bvrton and not stand vpon such termes as you doe
Mr Bvrton: There wherein I haue offended through humane frailty
I Craue of God and man pardon, And I pray God, that in your sentence
you may So Censure vs, that you may not sinne against the Lord
Then the prisoners desiring to speake a little more for themslues
were Commanded to silence And so the Lords proceeded to Censure
The Lord Cottingtons Censure
I Condemne these three men to Loose their eares in the
Pallace Yard at Westminster, To be fined fiue thousand
Pounds a man to his Maiestie: And to Perpetuall imprison
ment in three remote Places of the Kingdome, namely
the Castles of Carnarvan, Conwall and Lancaster
The Lord Fince added to this Censure
Master Prynne to be Stigmatized in the Cheekes
With two Letters (S & L) for a Seditious Libeller
To which all the Lords agreed And so the Lord keeper
Concluded the Censure
The Execvtion of the Lords Censure in Starre Chamber vpon Docter
Bastwicke Mr Prynne, & Mr Bvrton. in the Pallace yard at Westminster
The theirty day of Iune Last 1637 at the Spectation where of the number
of people was So grate (the place being very larg) that it Caused admi=
ration in all that beheld them, Who Came with tender affeections to be
hold those three renowned So
Came with most vndaunted and magnanimous Courage therevnto, hauing
their way strawed with sweet hearbes from the house out of which they
Came to the pillory, With all the honour that Could be done vnto them
Dr Bastwicke and Mr Burton first meeting , that did Close one in
armes three times Which With as much expressions of Love as might be. re
ioycing that they mett at such a place vpon such an occasion, and
So highly honoured them. as to Call them forth to Suffer for his glorious Trvth
Then immediately after Came Mr Prynne, the D
other, as Mr Burton and he did before, The D
Scaffold, and his Wife immediately following Came vp to him, and like a
Louing Spouse saluted each eare with a Kisse, and then his mouth, Whose
tender Loue, boldnes & Chearefulnes, So wrought vpon the peoples affections
that they gaue a maruilous great Showte for ioy to bebold it Her hus
band desired her not to be in the Least manner dismayd at his Sufferings
And so for a while they parted, She vsing these words Farewell my
deerest, be of good Comfort, I am nothing dismayd, And then the D
g begane to Speake these words
There are many that are this day Spectators of our Standing. here. as
Delinquents, though not Delinquents, we blesse God for it I am not Conscious
to my Selfe wherein I haue Commited the Least trespasse (to take this out
ward Shame) either against my God or my King. And I doe the rather
speake it, that you that are now beholders may take notice how farre
Innocency will preserue you in such a day as this is, for wee Come here
in the strength of our God, Who hath mightily Svpported vs, and
filled vs our hearts with gratter (ioy and) Comfort then our Shame
or Contempt Can be The first occasion of my trouble was by
Prelates for writing a Booke against the Pope and
questioned mee: Bvt if the Presses were as open to vs, as formerly
thay haue beene, we would Shatter his Kingdome about his eares
Bvt be ye not deterted by their power, neither be affrighted at our
Sufferings, Let none determine to turne from
but goe on, fight Couragiously against Gog and Magog. I know
there be many here who haue set many dayes apart for our behalfe
(Let the Prelates take notice of it) and they haue sent vp strong prayrs
to heauen for vs Wee feele the strength & benefit of your prayrs all
alonge this Cause, In a word, So farre I am from base feare or
Caring for any thing they Can doe, or Cast vpon mee, that had I
as much blood as would swell
in this Cause, Therefore be not any of you discouraged, be not davunted
at their power, euer labo
within, goe on in the strength of your God, and he will neuer fayle you
in such a day as this, As I sayd before, So I say againe. Had I as many
liues as I haue haires on my head, Or droppes of blood in my veynes
I would giue them vp all for this Cause, This Plot of Sending vs to those
remote places, was first Consulted & agitated by the Iesuites as I
Can make it plainely appeare, O see what times wee are fallen into
that the Lords must sit to act the Iesuites plots, For our owne parts
wee owe no malice to the persons of any of the Prelates, but would
lay our neckes vnder their feete to doe them good as they are men
but against the vsvrpation of their power, as they are Bishops
wee doe professe our selues enemies till doomes day
Mr Prynne shaking the D
might speake a worde or two, With all my heart sayd
The Cause (Sayd Mr Prynne) of my standing here, is for not bringing
in my Answer, for which my Cause is taken pro confesso against mee
What endeauours I vsed for the bringing in thereof that God and
my owne Conscience, and my Counsell Knowes, Whose Cowardise stands
vpon Record to all ages, For rather then I will haue my cause
a leading Cause to depriue
Seeke to maintaine I rather expose my person to a leading Example
proceedings in this Cause When I was serued with a Svbpoena into this Court
I was shut vp Close Prisoner, that I could haue no accesse to Counsell nor admit
ted pen, inke or paper to draw vp my Answer by my Instructions, for which
I feed them twice (though to no purpose) Yet when all was done. my Answer
would not be accepted into the Court, though I tendred it vpon my Oath: I
appeale to all the world if this be a legall or iust proceeding: Our accasation
is in point of Libell (but supposedly) against the Prelates, To cleare this now
I will giue you a littel Light What the Law is in Point of libell (of which profes
Sion I haue sometimes beene, and still professe my Selfe to haue some knowledg in)
You shall finde in the Case of libell, two statutes, The one in the Second of Queen
Mary, The other in the Seuenth of Queen Elizabeth That in
Mary, the extremity & h
and so high as to libell against King or Qveen by denomination, the hig
extremity of the Law is, that they lay no greater fine on him then an hundred
Pounds, with a monts imprisonment. & no Corporall punishment except he
doe refuse to pay his fine, and then to inflict some punishment in liewe of
fine at the months ende Neither was this Censure to be passed on him
except it were fully prooued by two witnesses, who were to produce a Certifi
Cate of their good demeanor for the Credit of their report, Or eles Confessed
by the Libeller, You shall find in
to the former of 2 Marie, and that onely in point of fine and punishment
and it must still reach as high as
Statude doth set a fine of two hundred pounds the other but one. This sets
three months imprisonment the former but one. So that therein onely they
differ, Bvt in this they both agree. Namely. at the end of his imprisonment
to pay his fine, and so to goe free without any further questioning--
if he refuse to pay his fine, then the Court is to inflict some Punishment
on him Correspondent to his fine, Now see the disparity between those times
of theirs and ours, A Libeller in Queen Maries das was fined but an hun
dred pounds, in Queene Elizabeths time two hundred In Quene Maries
days but a months imprisonment, in Queene Elizabeth three months. &
So grate a fine, if they libelled against King or Qveene, Formerly the
gratest fine was but two hundred Pounds though against Kinge or Qven
Now fiue thousand pounds, though but against the prelates and that
imprisonment, Now perpetuall imprisonment: Then vpon paying
fine, no Corporall punishment was to be inflicted: But now infamous
Punishment with the Losse of blood and all other Circumtances
aggrauate it See now what times we are fallen into, when
(if it were So) against Prelates onely. Shall fall higher, then if it touched
Kings or Princes
That which I haue to speake of next is this: The Prelates find
themselues exceedingly agriued and vexed against what wee haue
written concerning the vsurpation of their Calling where indeede
wee declare their Calling not to be Iure Diuino, I make no doubt
but there are some Intelligencers or Abbettors within the hearing
whom I would haue well to know & take notice of what I now say: I
here in this place make this offer to them, That if I may be admited
a faire dispute, On fayre termes, for my Cause that I will maintaine
and doe here make the Challenge against all the Prelates in
Dominions, and against all the Prelates in Christendome (Let them
take in the Pope, and all to helpe them) that their Calling is not Iure
Diuino, I will speake it againe, I make the Challeng against all the
Prelates in the Kings Dominions and all Christendome to maintaine
that their Calling is not Iurie Diuino, If I make it not good Let me
be
hanged vp at the Hall Gate, Wherevpon
The next thing I haue to speake of. is this is The Prelates find
themselues excedingly agrieued & vext against what I haue
written in point of Law, Concerning their writs & proces
That the sending forth of writes & proces in their owne name is against
all Law and Iustice, and doth entrench on his Maiesties prerogatiue Royall
and the Subiects liberties, And here now I make a second Challeng a
gainst all the Lawyers in the Kingdome in the way of fayre Disput
That I will maintaine, the Prelates sending forth of writs & proces
in their owne names, to be against all law and Iustice and Intrencheth
on his Maiesties Preorogatiue Royall and the Subiects liberty. Least it should
be forgotten, I speake it againe. I here Challeng all the whole Society
of the Law vpon a fayre dispute to maintaine, That the sending forth
of writes & proces in the Prelates owne names to be against Law and
Iustice and intrencheth on the Kings Prerogatiue Royall and the
tormentingest death they can deuise
Wee Prayse the Lord, we feare none but God and the King: Had we respect
our Liberties. we had not Stood here at this time, it was for the generall
good and liberties of you all that wee haue now thus farre engaged our
owne Liberties in this Cause For did you Know, how deepely they haue en
trenched on your Liberties in point of Popery, If you know bvt into
what times you are Cast, it would make you Lookee about you And if you
did. but see what changes and revolutions of persons, causes and Actions
haue beene made by one maan, you would more narrowly looke into your
preuiledges, and see how farre your liberty did lawfully extend & so maintoon
This is the Second time that I haue been brought to this place, who hath
beene the Author of it, I thinke you all well know, For the first time, if I
Could haue had Leaue giuen me. I Could easily haue Cleared my selfe of
which was then Layd to my Charge, As also
As also I cCould haue done now if I might haue been permitted to speake
That Booke for which I Suffered formerly, especially for some particular
words therein written, which I quoted out of Gods word and auncient Fathe
for which notwithstanding they Passed Censure on mee That same Booke
was twice licensed by publike Authority, and the same words I then svffer
for, they are againe mad vse of and applied in the same sence by Heylin
in his Booke lately printed and dedicated to the King and no excepti
ons taken against them but are very well taken
Aye Sayd Dr Bastwick and there is a nother Booke of his licensed wherein
he rayles against vs there at his pleasure, and against all the Martyers that
Suffered in Qveene Maries dayes, Callin them Schismaticall Heretickes: &
there is a nother Booke of Pocklingtons licensed, they be as full of lyes as
dogges be full of fleaes: Bvt were the Presses as open to vs. as they are
to them we would pay them and their great Master that vpholds them
and Charge them with notorious Blasphemy
Sayd Master Prynne, You all at this present see, there be no degrees of
men exempted: Here is a Reuerend devine for the Soule, a Physitian for
the Body, and Lawyer for the Estate I had thought they would haue
Let him alone their owne Society and not haue medled with any of them
And the next (for ought I know) may be a Bishop: You see they spair
their owne endes, Gentlemen, Look to your Selues: If all
that Svffered in Qveen Maries days are accounted and Called
Schismaticall Heretickes and factious Fellowes, What shall we looke for
Yet so they are Called in a Booke lately Come forth vnder Authority
And svch Factious fellowes are wee, for discouering a plott of Popery
Alas poore England, what will become of thee, if thou Looke not the
Sooner into thine owne Preuiledges, and maintainest not thine owne
Previledges Lawfull Liberty Christian people I bessech you all. Stand
firme, and be zealous for the Cause of God, and his true Religion
to the shedding of your dearest blood, otherwise you will bring your
Selues. & all your posterities into perpetuall bondage and Slauery
Now the Executioner being Come, to seare him and cvt off his eares
Mr Prynne Speake these words to him: Come friend, Come bvrne me
Cvt mee, I feare it not, I haue Learned to feare the fire of Hell
and not what man can doe vnto mee Come Seare mee Seare mee
I shall beare in my body the markes of
Execvtioner performed with extraordinary Cruelty. heating his
Iron twice to burne one Cheeke And cvt one of his eares so close
that he cut off a peice of his Cheeke At which exquisit torture
hee neuer mooued wwith his body, Or So much as Changed his Coun
tenance, but still lookt vp as well as he Could towards heauen. with
a smiling Countenance, euen to the astonishment of all
And vttering (assoone as the Executioner had done) this heauenly
Sentence, the more I am beate downe, the more am I Lift vp
And returning from the execution in a boate made (as I heare)
these two verses by the way on the Two Characters branded on
his Cheekes
S.L Lavd DS. SCARS
Trivmphant I returne, my Face descries
LAvDS scorching SCARS, Gods gratefull sacrifice
Mr Bvrtons heavenly and most Comfortable Speech. Which
hee made at the time of his Suffering, both before and while
hee stood in the Pillary, Which was set something distant from
the other double Pillary, wherein Dr Bastwicke and Mr Prynne
Stood
The night before his Svfferings about eaight a Clocke when he first
had certaine notice therof, vpon occasion of his wiues goeing to aske the
Warden
whither her husband should Svffer the next day, immediately
he felt his Spirits to be raised to a farre higher pitch of resolution and
Courage to vndergoe his Svfferings, that he might not flagg nor faint
Least any dishonour might Come to his Maiestie or the Cause, And
heard him For all the next day in his Svffering (both before & after) his
Spirit were carried aloft as it were vpon Eagles Wings (as himself Sayd)
farr aboue all apprehension of Shame or paine
The next morning (being the day of his Svfferings) he was brought to
Westminster, and with much Cheerefulnes being brought into the Pallace
Yeard vnto a Chamber that Looked into the Yard Where he viwed three
Pillaries there set vp, Me thinkes (Sayd he) I see Mount Caluery where
the three Crosses (one for Christ and the other for the two theiues) were
Pitched And if Christ were numbered among theiues, Shall a Christian
for Christ Cause thinke much to be numbred among Rogues. Such as wee
are Condemned to be: Svrely if I be a Rogue, I am Christs Rogue. & no mans
And a littel after, Looking out at the Casment towards the Pillary. he sayd
I see no differance betweene Lookeing out of this Square Window & yonder
round hole (Pointing towards the Pillery) hee sayd, It is no matter of dif
ference to an honest man, And a littel after that, Looking somewhat
wisely vpon his wife to see how shee did take it, She seemed to him to be
Something sadd to whom he thus Spake, Wife why art thou so Sadd: To
whom shee made answer Sweet heart I am not Sadd: No sayd hee: See
thou be not. for I wwould not haue thee to dishonour the day, by Shedding
one teare, or fetching one Sigh, for behold there for thy Comfort my
tryumphant Chariot on the which I must ride for the honour of
my Lord and Master. And neuer was my Wedding day so Wellcome
and ioyfull a day as this day is, and So much the more
mee with such vndauntednes of Spirit that he saith of himselfe. I gave
my backe to the Smiters, my Cheekes to the nippers, I hidd not my face
from Shame & spitting, for the Lord God will helpe mee. therefore shall I
not be Confounded, therfore haue haue I set my face like a flint & I know
I shall not be ashamed: At length being Carried toward the Pillery hee
mett Dr Bastwicke at the foot of the Pillary. where they louingly Sa
lvted & embraced each other and parting a littel from him he re
turned and most affectonatedly embraced him the Second time: being heartily
Sorry hee mised Mr Prynne, who was not yet come before he
was gonne vp to his Pillary which stood alone next the Starre Chamber
and about halfe a Stones Cast from the other double Pellarie wherein
the other stood, So as all their faces Looked Southward, the bright Svnne
all the while for the space of two howers shining vpon them: Being ready
to be put into the Pillary, standing vpon the Scaffold, hee spied Mr
Prynne new Come to the Pillary, and Dr Bastwick in the Pillary, who
then hasted of his band and Called for a Handkercher, saying. What shall
I be last, or shall I be ashamed of a Pillary for Christ, who was not asham
ed of a Crosse for mee, Then being Put into the Pillary, hee Sayd
Good People. I am brought heither to be a Spectacle to the world. to
Angeles, and men And howsoeuer I stand here to vndergoe
of a Rogue, yet except to be a faithfull Saruant to Christ and a
loyall Svbiect to the King be the Property of a Rogue I am no Rogve
Bvt yet if to be Christs faithfull Servant, and the Kings Loyall Svbiect
deserue the Punishment of a Rogue, I glory in it, and blesse my God
my Conscience is Cleare and is ostained with the guilt of any such
Crime, as I haue beene Charged with, though otherwise I Confesse my
Selfe to be a man Svbiect to many frailities and hvmane infirmities,
Indeed that Booke is intiteled, An Apology of an Appeale with sundry
Epsitels, and two Sermons for God & the King Charged against
me in the information, I haue and doe acknowledg (the misprinting
excepted) to be mine and will by Gods grace neuer disclaime it
t
in his hand a Bee Came & pitched on the Nosegay, and began to svck the flower
very savourly, which hee beholding and well obseruing. Sayd. Doe yee not
see this poore Bee, She hath found out this very place to Svck Sweetnes from
these flowers, And Cannot I Svck Sweetnes in this very place from Christ
The Bee svcking all this while, and so tooke her flight, By and By he tooke Oc
casion from the shining of the Sunne, to say, you see how the Svnne shines vp
on vs, but that shines aswell vpon the euill as the good, vpon the iust & vniust
bvt the Sonne of righteousnes (Iesus Christ, who hath healing vnder his winges)
Shines vpon the Soules and Conscienes of euery true beleeuer onely, and no
Cloud can hid him from vs, to make him ashamed of vs, no not of our most
Shamfull Svfferings for his Sake And why should wee be ashamed to Svffer
for his sake who hath svffered for vs, All our Svfferings be bvt fleabitings to
hee endured, he endured the Crosse, and despised the shame and is set on the
right hand of God: Hee is a most excellent patterne for vs to looke vpon,
treading his steppes and Svffering with him, wee may be glorified with him
And what can wee Svffer wherein hee hath not gonne before vs, euen in
kind, Was he not degraded, when they scornfully put on him a Purple Robe
a Reed into his hand a thorny Crowne vpon his head Saluting him with Hayle
King of the Iewes, and so disrobed him againe, Was he not depriued, when they
Smot the Shepherd, and the Sheepe were scattered, Was not violence offered to
his sacred person, when he was buffited & Scourged, his hands and his feete
perced, his head pricked with thornes, his side goared with a Speare, and
Was not the Crosse more shamfull, yea and more painfull then a Pillary,
Was hee not stript of all he had, when he was left starke naked vpon
Crosse, the Souldiers deviding his garments, and Casting lots vpon his vesture
And was he not Confind to perpetuall Close imprisonment in mans imaginatio
When his body was laid in a Tombe, and the Tombe sealed, Least he should
breake prison, or his Desciples steale him away And yet did he not rise
againe and thereby brought deliuerance and victory to vs all, So
as we are more then Conquerors through him that Loued vs; Here
then we haue an excellent patterne indeed: And all this he vttered
(and whatsoeuer else he Spake with marvailous alacity
One sayd vnto Mr Bvrton, Christ will not be ashamed of you at
Hee replied, Hee Knew whom hee had belieued, and that Christ was able
to keepe that he had Commited to him against that day, One asked him
how he did. Hee sayd, neuer better I blesse God, Who hath accounted mee
worthy thus to Svffer, The Keeper Keepeing off the People from pressing
neere the Pillary, hee sayd. Let them Come. & spare not, that they may
Learne to Suffer. This same Keeper being weary, and sitting him down
asked Mr Bvrton. if he were well. and bad him be of good Comfort. To
whom he replyed Are you well. If you be well, I am much more. and
full of Comfort, I blesse God. Some asked him, if the Pillary were not
vneasy for his neck and Shoulders, Hee answered. How can Christs yoake
be vneasy. This is Christs yoake and hee beares the heauier ende of it
and I the Lighter, and if mine were too heauy hee would beare
O good people, Christ is a good and sweet Master, and worthy
ing for: And if the world did but know his goodnesse and had tasted of
his Sweetnes, all would come and be his Sarvants. and did they bvt know
what a blessed thing it were to beare the yoake, O who would not beare it
The Keeper goeing about to ease the Pillary by putting a ston or a bricke
betweene Mr Bvrton sayd, Trouble not your Selfe. I am at very good ease
and feele no wearinesse at all. And espying a young man at the foote of
the Pillary, and perceiuing him to Looke pale on him, He sayd Sonn,
Sonne, what is the matter you loole so pale. I haue as much Comfort as
My heart Can hold, and if I had need of more I should haue it, One
asked him a while after, if he would drinke some Aquavite To whom
he replied, that he needed it not for I haue said he (Laying his hand
vpon his breast) the true water of life, Which Like a well doth spring
vp to eternall Life: Pawsing a while hee sayd with a most Cheerefull &
graue Countenance. I was neuer in such a pulpit before, but Littel doe yee
know (Speaking to them that stood about him) What fruits God is able to
Produce from this dry tree, They Looking stedfastly vpon him: he sayd
Marke my words and remember them well, I Say Littele doe you
Know, What fruits God is able to produce from this dry tree
these holes (pointing to the Pillary) God Can bring light to his Church, The
Keeper going about againe to mend the Pillary, hee sayd: Doe not trouble
your selfe so much, Bvt indeed we are the troublers of the world, By and
by after, Some of them offering him a Cvp of wine. He thanked them tel
ling them. hee had the wine of Consolation within him, and the ioyes of
Christ in Possession which the world could not take away from him, neither
Could it giue them vnto him, Then he Looked towards the other Pillary, and
making a signe with his hand, Cheerfully Called to Dr Bastwicke & Mr Prynne
asking them how they did, who answered, very well, A woman sayd vnto him
Sie, euery Christian is not worthy this honour, Which the Lord hath Cast vpon
you this day. Alas (sayd he) who is worthy of the Least mercy. Bvt it is his
gracious fauour and free gift, to account vs worthy in the behalfe of Christ
to suffer any thing for his Sake Another woman sayd, There are many hundred
which by Gods assistance would willingly Svffer for the Cause you Svffer for this day
To whom he Sayd, Christs exalts all of vs that are ready to Svffer afflictions
for his Name with meekenes and patience, But Christs military discipline
in the vse of his Spirituall warfare in point of Svffering is quite forgotten
and we haue in a manner Lost the power of Religion, in not denying our
Selues and following Christ aswell in Svffering. as in doing After a while
Mr Bvrton Calling to one of his frendes for an Handkercher, returned it
againe. sayong it is hott, but Christs bore the burden in the heate of the
day, Let vs always Labour to approue our selues to God in all things and
vnto Christ, for therein stands our happines. Come of it what will in this world
A Christian freind sayd to Mr Bvrton The Lord strngthen you, To whome
hee replied, I thanke you, and blesse his Name hee doth strengthen mee: For
though I am a poore Sinfull wretch: Yet I blesse God for my innocent Conscienc
in any such Crime as is Layd against mee, and were not my Cause good
and my Conscience sound, I Could not enioy So much vnspeakeable Comfort
in this my Svffering as I doe I blesse my God Mistris Bvrton sends Commen
dation to him by a frend, Hee returned the Like to her Saying Commend
my Loue to my Wife, and tell her. I am heartely Chearefull, and bid her
remember what I Sayd to her in the morning namely That Shee
She returned answer, that shee was glad to here him So Cheerefull: and
shee was more Cheerefull of this day, then of her Wedding day. This answer
excedingly reioyced his heart, Who therevpon blessed God for her: and sayd
of her: Shee is but a young Souldier of Christs, but shee hath already
endured many a sharpe brunt, but the Lord will strengthen her vnto
the end, And hee hauing a payre of new gloues, shewed them to his
freinds there about him saying, My Wife yesterday of her owne ac
cord bought me these Wedding gloues. for this my Wedding day
Many freindes spake Comfortably to Mr Bvrton, and hee againe spake
as Comfortably to them, saying, I blesse my God that Called me forth
to suffer this day, One sayd to him. S
God may Conuert many vnto him Hee answered God is able to doe it inded
And then he Called againe to Dr Baswicke & Mr Prynne, asking them
how they did, Who answered as before, Some speaking to him Con
cerning that Svffering of shedding his blood, Hee answred What is
my blood to Christs blood, Christs blood is a Purging blood. but mine is
Corrupted & polluted with Sinne, One freind askeing another standing
neere, Mr Bvrton if there should be any thing more done vnto him
Mr Bvrton ouerhearing him answered, Why should there not be more
done: For what God will haue done, must be acccomplished, One de
siering Mr Bvrton to be of good Cheere, You would be To whom hee
replied If you knew my Cheere, You would be glade to be Partaker
With mee for I am not alone, neither hath God Left me alone in all
my Svfferings and Close imprisonment since first I was apprehended
The Halbertmen standing round about, One of them had an old rvsty
halbert the Iron whereof was tacked to the staffe with an old crooked
nayle Which one obseruing, and saying, What an old rvsty halbert
is that Mr Bvrton sayd This seemes to mee to be one of those Halberts
Which accompanied Iudas when he went to betray and a
apprehend his Master
The people obseruing Mr Bvrtons Cheerefullnes and Courage in Svffering
reioyced. and blessed God for the same: Mr Bvrton sayd againe. I am perswaded
that Christ my Aduocate, is now Pleading my Cause at the Fathers right
hand and will iudg my Cause (though none be here found to plead it) and will
bring forth my righteousnes as the light at noone day, and Cleare my inno
cency in due time: A freind asking Mr Bvrton, if he would haue beene
without this particular Svffering To whom he sayd, No not for a world
Moreouer hee sayd, that his Conscience in the discharge of his Ministeriall
dvety and function, in admonishing his people to beware of the Creeping
in of Popery & Superstition, exorting them to sticke Close vnto God & the
King in dueties of obedience, Was that first occasioned his Svfferings, and
Sayd as for this truth I haue preached, I am ready to seale it with my blood
for this is my Crowne both heere and hereafter, I am iealous of Gods honou
and the Lord keepe vs that we may doe nothing that may dishonour him
either in doing or Svffering, God can bring light out of darknes, and
glory out of Shame, And what shall I say more I am Like a Bottle which
is so full of Liquor that it Cannot rvnn out freely, So I am so full of
ioy. that I am not able to expresse it
In Conclusion, Some told him of the approach of the Execvtioner, and
Prayed God to strengthen him, Hee sayd I trust he will. Why should I fear
to follow my Master Christ Who sayd. I gaue my backe to the smitters and
my Cheekes to the nippers, that plucked off my haire, I hidd not my face
from shame and spitting for the Lord God will help me therefore shall I not
be Confounded, therfore haue I set my face Like a flint: and I Know I shall
not be ashamed
When the Execvtioner had Cvt off one eare, Which he had Cvt deepe &
Close to the head in an extraordinary Crvell manner, Yet this Champion
of Christ neuer once moued or stirred for it, though hee had Cvt the
Veyne, So as the blood runn streaming downe vpon the Scaffold, Which
Persons standing about the Pillary Seeing, dipped their handkerchers
in as a thing most precious, the People giueing a mournefull shoute. and
a time Kept backe, So that he Could not Come to stopp the blood
This patient all the while held vp his hands, and sayd, Be content
it is well, blessed be God, The other eare being Cvt no lesse deepe
hee then was freed from the Pillary, and Came downe, Where the
Chirurgion waiting for him, presently applyed remedy for Stopping
the blood after a large effusion thereof, yet for all this he fainted
not in the Least manner though through expence of much blood he
Waxed pale And one offering him a littel worme wood watter. hee
said, it needs not, yet through importunity he onely tasted of it. &
no more, saying his Master Christ was not so well vsed, for they gave
him gall and vinigar, but you giue me strong watter to refresh me
blessed be God, His head being bound vp two Frendes Ledd him
awway to an house prouided for him in Kings Street where being
set downe, and bidd to speake little, Yet hee sayd after a pawse
This is too hott to hold Long, Now Least they in the roome, or his
Wife should mistake and thinke hee spake of himself Concerning his
Paine, hee sayd, I spake not this of my Selfe. for that which I haue
Svffered is nothing to that my Saviour Svffered for me. Who had
his hands and feete nayled to the Crosse, And Lying still a while
hee tooke Mr Prynnes Svfferings much to heart and asked
how hee did for (sayd he) his Svffering haue bine grate, He asked
also how Dr Bastwicke did, with much Compassion and griefe that
hee being (the first
they two fayred after him, His wife being brought to him behaved
her selfe very graciously towards him, Saying Wellcome Sweet
heart, Wellcome home, He was often heard to repeate these Words
The Lord Keepe vs that wee doe not dishonour him in any thing
Amen