these good bishops had of them when they were on the verge of another world, than on the heats into which they put them, while they were in ease and security, it is probable they might be persuaded to a little more humility and moderation.

ROWLAND TAYLOR, D. D.

'OF whom the world was not worthy'-is an observation made by the Divine Spirit of God's people, in general; but it is particularly said of those, who have had the invincible courage to suffer for his truth. It is eminently applicable to the excellent martyr, some account of whom we are to submit to the Reader.

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Rowland Taylor, doctor both in civil and canon laws, was a very uncommon man both for grace and gifts: He had the piety of Calvin, the intrepidity of Luther, and what was orthodox in both. He was rector of Hadley, in Suffolk; which was one of the first towns in England that received the gospel, by the preaching of Mr Thomas Bilney By whose industry, says Mr Fox, the gospel of • Christ had such gracious success, and took such root there, that a great number in that parish became exceedingly well learned in the holy scriptures, as well women as men: So that one might have found amongst them many, who had often read the whole bible through, and who could have said great part of St Paul's epistles by heart; and very well and readily have given a scriptural and judicious answer in any matter of controversy. Their children and servants were also brought up with such care, and so diligently instructed in the right knowledge of God's word, that the whole town seemed rather an university of the learned, than a town of cloth-making, or labouring people: And, what is most to be commended, they were, for the most part, faithful followers of God's word in holiness of life and conversation.

Dr Taylor was no sooner presented to this benefice of Hadley, than he went and resided upon it; though he had the happiness of living at Lambeth with archbishop Cranmer. He not only laboured abundantly in preaching the

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pure doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ; but as becomes every true pastor, he was an example to the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; that in a little time the people resorted to him as a father. To the poor, says Mr Fox, that were blind, lame, sick, bed-rid, or that had many children, he was indeed a father, a careful patron, and * diligent provider; and stirred up such parishioners as had it in their power, to make a general provision for 'them; while he himself (beside the continual relief they always found at his house) gave most liberally every year to the common alms-box. His wife also was an honest, discreet, and sober matron; and his children well nurtured, and brought up in the fear of God and good learning.' He was of a meek and humble spirit, yet bold and faithful in reproving sin, even in the greatest: And thus he continued, as a faithful and good shepherd, feeding, governing, and leading his flock through the wilderness of this evil world, all the days of good king Edward:

When queen Mary ascended the throne, one Foster, a steward and keeper of courts, and John Clerk, of Hadley, two papists, agreed together, by violence, to build up an altar in Dr Taylor's church, and to have mass said in it ; and accordingly engaged John Averth, minister of Aldam, a dissembling papist, to come with all the popish implements and garments, and to be their priest, having a band of papists with drawn swords to defend them. They proceeded to Hadley church in a body, and rang the bell; which Dr Taylor hearing, as he sat at his studies, thought it was some parish-business that required his attendance, and therefore went to church; where to his great sufprise, he saw Averth, in all his popish vestments, with a broad new shaved crown, ready to begin his popish sacrifice; and surrounded with armed men, lest any body should approach to disturb him; whom he thus addressed':

"Thou devil, who made thee so bold to enter into this "church, to profane and defile it with this abominable "idolatry? I command thee, thou popish wolf, in the "name of God, to avoid hence, and not to presumé "thus to poison Christ's flock." Then said Foster, Thou traitor, what dost thou here, to let and disturb the queen's proceedings?' Dr Taylor answered, "I am no traitor, but I am the shepherd, that God my "Lord Christ hath appointed to feed his flock; there"fore I have very good authority to be here." Mrs Taylor,

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Taylor, who had followed her husband into the church, kneeled down, and lifting up her hands, cried with a loud voice, I beseech God, the righteous judge, to avenge this injury, which this popish idolater doth this

day to the blood of Christ.' They then thrust both the Doctor and her out of the church; and, in a day or two after, wrote to Gardiner, bishop of Winchester and lord chancellor, lodging in his court many false and heavy charges against him.

The bishop no sooner heard of it, than he sent letters missive to Dr Taylor, commanding him within a certain time to come and appear before him, upon his allegiance, to answer such complaints as were made against him. When his friends knew this, they earnestly entreated him to fly; for there was no reason to expect he would meet either with justice or favour, but, on the contrary, imprisonment and death. To these he answered; "I "know my cause to be so good and righteous, and the "truth so strong on my side, that I will, by God's "grace, appear before them, and to their face resist their "false doings; for I believe I shall never be able to do "God so good service as now; and that I shall never "have so glorious a calling, nor so much of the mercy "of God preferred me, as I have now: Therefore, pray "for me; and I doubt not but God will give me strength, "and his Holy Spirit, that all my adversaries shall be a"shamed of their doings." And when they further urged, that he had sufficiently done his duty, and borne witness to the truth, both in his sermons and in resisting the popish priest; that our Saviour Christ says, when they persecute you in one city, flee unto another; and that, in fleeing from the present persecution, he might reserve himself for better times ; he replied, "I am old, and have already lived too "long to see these terrible and wicked days. You may "act according to your consciences; but I am resolved "not to fly: God shall hereafter raise up teachers, who "shall teach with more diligence and faithfulness than I "have done; for God will not forsake his church, though "for a time he trieth and correcteth us, and that not with"out just cause."

Dr Taylor set out for London, attended by his own servant, John Hull, who, by the way, laboured to persuade his master to fly, proffering him his service, though at the hazard of his life, in all the perils and dangers that might attend his flight. "Oh John! (answered the good Doctor) shall I give place to this thy counsel

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"and worldly persuasion, and leave my flock in this dan"ger? Remember the good shepherd Christ, who not "only fed his flock, but also died for it: Him I must, ❝and, by the grace of God, will follow. Therefore, good "John, pray for me; and if, at any time, thou seest me "weak, comfort me; but discourage me not in this my "godly enterprize and purpose.”

Dr Taylor, upon his arrival at London, waited on the bishop, who, according to custom, reviled him, calling him knave, traitor, heretic, and much more of the same kind of language, which was usual with him; all which the doctor heard with great patience; and then said, "My lord, I am neither a traitor nor a heretic, but a "true subject, and a faithful Christian man; and am << come, according to your command, to know your "lordship's pleasure in sending for me." Then said the bishop, Art thou come, thou villain? How darest thou • look me in the face for shame? Knowest thou not who I am?" Yes, (answered the doctor) I know who you are. You are Dr Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and lord chancellor ; and yet but a man, I "trow. But (continued the doctor) if you expect that "I should be afraid of your lordly looks; why do you "not fear God, the Lord of us all? How dare you for "shame look any Christian man in the face, seeing you "have forsaken the truth, denied our Saviour Christ and "his word, and have done contrary to your own oath "and writing? With what countenance will you appear

before the judgment-seat of Christ, and answer to your "oath made, first unto King Henry VIII. and afterward "unto King Edward his son ?"-Tush, tush, (cried the bishop) that was an Herod's oath, unlawful; and therefore worthy to be broken: I have done well in breaking it;—and, I thank God, I am come home again to our <mother, the Catholic church of Rome; and so I would thou shouldest do.'

"But (said Dr Taylor) you will not be discharged "before Christ, who doubtless will require it at your "hands, as a lawful oath made to our liege and sove"reign lord the king, from whose obedience the pope nor any other man can absolve you.". — I see, (said the bishop) thou art an arrogant knave, and a very fool.'-" My "lord, (said the doctor) leave your unseemly railing at "me; it is unbecoming a man in authority as you are. "I am a Christian man; and you know, that he that saith "to his brother, Racha, is in danger of the council; and

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"he that saith, Thou fool, is in danger of hell-fire."—‹ Ye are false, (said the bishop) and liars all the sort of you.'

"Nay, my lord, we are true men, (replied Taylor) and "know that it is written, The mouth that lieth, slayeth the "soul; And again, Thou Lord God shalt destroy all that "speak lies. And therefore we abide by the truth of "God's word, which you, contrary to your consciences, "deny and forsake." "Yes,

Thou art a married man,' said the bishop. "my lord, (said the doctor) I thank God I am, and have had nine children, all in lawful matrimony; "and blessed be God who has ordained matrimony, and "commanded that every man, that had not the gift of ❝continency, should marry a wife of his own, and not "live in adultery or whoredom." But thou hast resisted the queen's proceedings, in not suffering the minister of Aldam to say mass in Hadley.'" My lord, "I am the minister of Hadley: And it is against all "right, conscience, and law, that any man should come ❝into my charge, and presume to infect the flock, com"mitted to my care, with the venom of the popish

idolatrous mass." With that, the bishop grew very angry, and said, Thou art a blasphemous heretic indeed, that blasphemest the blessed sacrament, [and put off his cap] and speakest against the holy mass, which is made a sacrifice for the quick and the dead.'-" Nay, (says Taylor) I blaspheme not the blessed sacrament "which Christ instituted; but I reverence it as a Chris. "tian ought to do, and confess, that Christ ordained "the holy communion in remembrance of his death and "passion: which, when we keep according to his ordiσε nance, we, through faith, eat the body of Christ, and "drink his blood, giving thanks for our redemption. "That sacrifice, oblation, and atonement, which Christ "made and offered in his own person once for all, was "full, perfect, and sufficient for all them that believe in " him; so that no priest can offer him again; nor need "we any more propitiatory sacrifice: Therefore I say, "with Chrysostom, and all the doctors, Our sacrifice is only memorative, in the remembrance of Christ's death and passion, a sacrifice of thanksgiving;' and therefore "the fathers called it eucharistia : And any other sacrifice "the church knows nothing of."- True, (said the bishop) the sacrament is called eucharistia, a thanksgiving, because we there give thanks for our redemp

tion;