house of God, what shall be the end of them that believe not the Gospel? If the righteous shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?' Some shall have their punishment here in this world and in the world to come; and they that do escape in this world shall not escape everlasting damnation."

On the 4th of February, early in the morning, he was awakened out of a sound sleep, and called upon to prepare himself for the fire. He was brought first before Bonner, by whom he was degraded, and handed over to the secular power. He besought that he might speak a few words with his wife before his burning, but this was again refused. He was then conveyed to Smithfield. On the way he sang a psalm, and the people were astonished at his constancy and firmness, and gave thanks to God for the same. His wife and ten children-one an infant at the breast, met him on his way to the stake. It was a piteous spectacle; but even then the offer of a pardon which was made, could not prevail upon him to recant. At the stake "he showed most constant patience, not using many words-for he was not permitted-but only exhorting the people constantly to remain in that faith and true doctrine which he before had taught, and they had learned, and for the confirmation whereof he was not only content patiently to suffer, and bear all such bitterness and cruelty as had been showed him, but also most gladly to resign up his life, and to give his flesh to the consuming fire, for the testimony of the same." As he was burning, he bathed his hands in the flame, and with great constancy received death in defence of the Gospel of Christ.

28. LAWRENCE SAUNDERS.

MR. SAUNDERS was first designed for the mercantile business; but being fond of learning and possessed of a great desire to do good, he changed his purpose, and was educated at Cambridge for the ministry. At the time of Mary's accession he held a benefice in London. Without intermeddling in the affairs of state, he continued boldly to preach against the Popish heresies. On the 15th of October, 1554, as he was about entering his church, he was arrested, on the charge of treason, by an officer of the bishop of London. Mr. Saunders, perfectly conscious that he had nothing to hope from the bloody Bonner, when desired to write what he believed upon the doctrine of transubstantiation, immediately did so, boldly saying at the same time: "My lord, you seek my blood, and you shall have it; I pray God that you may be so baptized with it, that you may ever after loathe blood-sucking, and become a better man." The bishop was so enraged that he exclaimed, "Carry away this frenzied fool to prison." Being thus remanded to prison, he was kept in rigorous confinement for one year and three months. He was then examined and condemned. After which he was carried to Coventry to be burnt.

When they had arrived at Coventry, a poor shoemaker, who used to serve him with shoes, came to him, and said, "O my good master, God strengthen and comfort you!" "Good shoemaker," Mr. Saunders replied, "I desire thee to pray for me, for I am the most unfit man for this high office, that ever was appointed to it; but my gracious God and dear Father is able to make me strong enough." The next day, being the 8th of February, 1555, he was led to the place of execution,

in the park, without the city; he went in an old gown and a shirt, bare-footed, and oftentimes fell flat on the ground, and prayed. When he was come nigh to the place, the officer appointed to see the execution done, said to Mr. Saunders, that he was one of them who marred the Queen's realm, but if he would recant, there was pardon for him. "Not I," replied the holy martyr, "but such as you have injured the realm. The blessed Gospel of Christ is what I hold; that do I believe, that have I taught, and that will I never revoke!" Mr. Saunders then slowly moved towards the fire, sank to the earth, and prayed; he then rose up, embraced the stake, and frequently said, "Welcome, thou cross of Christ! Welcome, everlasting life!" Fire was then put to the fagots; and he was overwhelmed by the dreadful flames, and sweetly slept in the Lord Jesus.

29. JOHN HOOPER, BISHOP OF WORCESTER AND
GLOUCESTER.

THIS learned divine, eloquent preacher, and heroic martyr, was educated at Oxford, and was early moved by a fervent love of the Holy Scriptures, and an insatiable desire to know and understand them. He was equally ardent in his vindication of the true Gospel. Being molested at home, he sought refuge abroad, and prosecuted his studies in the higher parts of Germany. Upon the accession of Edward VI., when the way to the Reformation was more perfectly opened, Hooper returned from his exile, and boldly preached the doctrines of the Gospel in London.

In his sermons, according to his accustomed manner, he corrected sin, and sharply inveighed against the iniquity of the world, and the corrupt abuses of the Church. The people in great flocks and companies daily came to

hear his voice, as the most melodious sound and tune of Orpheus's harp, insomuch that oftentimes, when he was preaching, the church would be so full that none could enter farther than the doors thereof. In his doctrine, he was earnest, in tongue eloquent, in the Scriptures perfect, in pains indefatigable, in his life exemplary.

Having preached before the king's majesty, he was soon after made bishop of Gloucester. In that office he continued two years, and after that he was made bishop of Worcester.

He was too notable a mark to escape the notice of the blood-thirsty Bonner. The first charge laid against him was indebtedness to the queen. He suffered eighteen months' confinement in the Fleet; and afterwards was degraded and condemned to death. Gloucester being fixed upon as the place of his martyrdom, he rejoiced very much, giving thanks to God that he might be permitted among the people over whom he was pastor, to confirm with his death the truth which he had preached unto them. About eight o'clock, on February 9th, 1555, he was led forth to execution in the presence of many thousand people who had assembled.

All the way being straitly charged not to speak, and beholding the people, who mourned bitterly for him, he would sometimes lift up his eyes towards heaven, and look very cheerfully upon such as he knew: and he was never known, during the time of his being among them, to look with so cheerful and ruddy a countenance as he did at that time. When he came to the place appointed where he should die, he smilingly beheld the stake and preparation made for him, which was near unto the great elm-tree over against the college of priests, where he used to preach.

Now, after he had entered into prayer, a box was brought and laid before him upon a stool, with his pardon from the Queen, if he would turn. At the sight

whereof he cried, "If you love my soul, away with it." The box being taken away, Lord Chandois said, "Seeing there is no remedy, dispatch him quickly." Prayer being done, bishop Hooper prepared himself for the stake, and taking off his host's gown, he delivered it to the sheriffs, requiring them to see it restored unto the owner, and put off the rest of his apparel, unto a doublet and hose, wherein he wished to have been burned, but the sheriffs overruled it, and his doublet, hose, and waistcoat, were taken off.

Desiring the people to say the Lord's prayer with him, and to pray for him, (who performed it with tears, during the time of his pains,) he went up to the stake: when he was at it, he looked upon the multitude,—of whom he might well be seen, for he was both tall, and stood also upon a high stool,-and beheld round about him, that at every corner there was nothing to be seen but weeping and sorrowing people. Then, lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven, he prayed in silence. The reeds were next cast up, and he received two bundles, placing one under each arm, and showed with his hand. how the others should be bestowed, and pointed to the place where any were wanting.

Command was now given that the fire should be kindled. But because there were not more green fagots than two horses could carry, it kindled not speedily, and was a pretty while also before it took the reeds upon the fagots. At length it burned about him, but the wind having full strength in that place, and being a lowering cold morning, it blew the flame from him, so that he was in a manner little more than touched by the fire.

Within a space after, a few dry fagots were brought, and a new fire kindled with fagots, for there were no more reeds, and those burned at the nether parts, but had small power above, because of the wind, saving that it burnt his hair, and scorched his skin a little. In the