Execution Of Ten Martyrs At Lewes


Again we have to record the wholesale sacrifice of Christ's little

flock, of whom five were women. On the 22d of June, 1557, the town of

Lewes beheld ten persons doomed to perish by fire and persecution. The

names of these worthies were, Richard Woodman; G. Stephens, W. Mainard,

Alex. Hosman, and Thomasin Wood, servants; Margery Morris, and James

Morris, her son; Dennis Burges, Ashdon's wife, and Grove's wife.


<
r /> These nine persons were taken a few days only before their judgment, and

suffered at Lewes, in Sussex, June 22, 1557. Of these, eight were

prematurely executed, inasmuch as the writ from London could not have

arrived for their burning. A person named Ambrose died in Maidstone

prison about this time.



Rev. Mr. John Hullier was brought up at Eton college, and in process of

time became curate of Babram, three miles from Cambridge and went

afterward to Lynn; where, opposing the superstition of the papists, he

was carried before Dr. Thirlby, bishop of Ely, and sent to Cambridge

castle: here he lay for a time, and was then sent to the Tolbooth

prison, where, after three months, he was brought to St. Mary's church,

and condemned by Dr. Fuller. On Maunday Thursday, he was brought to the

stake: while undressing, he told the people to bear witness that he was

about to suffer in a just cause, and exhorted them to believe, that

there was no other rock than Jesus Christ to build upon. A priest, named

Boyes, then desired the mayor to silence him. After praying, he went

meekly to the stake, and being bound with a chain, and placed in a pitch

barrel, fire was applied to the reeds and wood; but the wind drove the

fire directly to his back, which caused him under the severe agony to

pray the more fervently. His friends directed the executioner to fire

the pile to windward of his face, which was immediately done.



A quantity of books were now thrown into the fire, one of which (the

Communion Service) he caught, opened it, and joyfully continued to read

it, until the fire and smoke deprived him of sight; then even, in

earnest prayer, he pressed the book to his heart, thanking God for

bestowing on him in his last moments this precious gift.--The day being

hot, the fire burnt fiercely; and at a time when the spectators supposed

he was no more, he suddenly exclaimed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!

And meekly resigned his life. He was burnt on Jesus Green, not far from

Jesus College. He had gunpowder given him, but he was dead before it

became ignited. This pious sufferer afforded a singular spectacle; for

his flesh was so burnt from the bones, which continued erect, that he

presented the idea of a skeleton figure chained to the stake. His

remains were eagerly seized by the multitude, and venerated by all who

admired his piety or detested inhuman bigotry.



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