§ III. Martyrs and Exiles, 1592-1597. "The man is thought a knave or fool, or bigot, plotting crime, Who, for the advancement of his kind, is wiser than his time. For him the gibbet shall be built; for him the stake prepared. ECRET as were the proceedings connected with the organization of the church, they had not escaped the notice of spies, who lost no time in conveying intelligence respecting them to the bishops. Bancroft intercepted letters from which he ascertained that it was intended to form a second church, and enraged by the discovery he urged the necessity of adopting measures for repressing the Separatists more decisive than even the ordinary course of the High Commission would allow.* It was resolved to act on his suggestion. In anticipation of such a course, the Bishop of * Bancroft's Survey London had employed the city clergy of Puritan tendencies to visit Barrowe and GreenPuritan in- wood with other Separatist prisoners quisition. once every month, and to note down anything that might escape them in conversation to which, in the event of a trial, these clerical inquisitors might be sworn. The evidence so collected (though nothing more than a simple declaration of Congregational principles) was deemed to be sufficient for the object to be accomplished.* John Greenwood with Francis Johnson were surprised (5th Dec. 1592) at the house of Mr. Boyes on Ludgate-hill in the dead of the night, and taken to prison. † Thomas Settle and Daniel Studley were taken shortly after at a meeting on the Sabbath in Nicholas-lane. Against these violent and unjust proceedings they protested 1592. rowe, &c. earnestly, but in vain. Barrowe, GreenTrial of Bar- wood, Bellott, Studley, and Bowle were indicted at the Old Bailey, on the 21st of March 1592-3, for writing books to cry down the church of England, and to lessen the Queen's prerogative in matters spiritual.' The counsel for the Crown in the course of his speech said: you Here behold their course; they can neither prevail by learning nor by petition with those that are in authority, but they turn to the common people.' *Historical Papers, chap. vii. † Lansdowne MSS., cix., art. 12, p. 34. Seizure of Greenwood and Johnson. 27 'They tell them that none ought to intermeddle with the government and causes of the church but the pastors, doctors, elders, and deacons among themselves.' The prisoners were, on the 23rd March, condemned to die; but the attorney-general followed them to their cells, and earnestly entreated them to renounce their opinions and save their lives.* They remained steadfast, though they expressed a desire for impartial conference, and promised that, if fairly convinced, they would yield. Early in the morning of the next day, orders were given to prepare them for execution. They were brought out of prison, their irons were smitten off, and they stood ready to be bound to the cart, when a royal reprieve came in time to stop further proceedings. They were led back to the dungeon, only to be subjected to the continuous importunity of messengers sent from the bishops, urging them to recant. After the suspense of a week, they were taken very early and secretly to the place of execution, where, their necks being tied to the tree, they were suffered to speak to the people. Just as they were closing their loyal and temperate address, a second reprieve reached them, and, amidst the exceeding rejoicing and applause of all the people, both at the place of execution and in the ways, streets, and houses,' * Harleian MSS., 6849, art. 35. they returned to the gaol at Newgate. It was understood that this interposition for their rescue arose from an appeal of Lord Burleigh to the Queen. Indulging the hope that their lives might be spared, Barrowe wrote a powerful and thrilling letter to a certain countess of his kindred,' entreating her personally to represent their case to her Majesty. It was too late, however, to intercede. The partial failure of the bishops to carry a stringent measure through Parliament so incensed them, that, in spite of the remonstrance of the Lord Treasurer, they insisted that Barrowe and Greenwood should be executed without further delay. Orders were given, accordingly, to convey them to Tyburn. They were taken secretly and early to the gallows, and put to death, on the 6th of April, 1593. Penry was apprehended and thrown into prison on the same day. Fifty-six of the congregation were surprised by Meeting at the pursuivants whilst assembled for worIslington. ship, at Islington, on the preceding Sabbath, April 3, 1593, and were brought up for separate examination before the magistrates, with a view to elicit something that might implicate their leaders in a charge of treason. Their depositions still remain in existence, and contain very interesting particulars.* A few of their number succumbed * Harleian MSS., 6849. Martyrdom of Penry. 29 under the fear of continued imprisonment, and promised to go to the parish church on the following Sabbath; but none were found who had a word to say in impeachment of the loyalty of their former Christian associates. Shortly after this examination, Penry was subjected to the same inquisitorial ordeal, and then brought up for trial. for trial. A private diary, written by him in Scotland, was found upon him, and on some expressions contained in it, notwithstanding the proof of his devoted loyalty given in the same document, he was condemned to die for imputed treason. His case was deeply affecting. His comparative youth, the tender affection for his wife and infant children, and the deep sympathy with the persecuted church, breathed in his prison letters, combine to invest his martyrdom with the most touching interest. Το prevent the excitement that might be caused at the time of his execution, if known to the people, he was taken suddenly from the prison in Southwark, and hung privately Martyrdom at St. Thomas-a-Watering, in the Old of Penry. Kent Road, in the evening of the 29th May, 1593. Great obscurity rests on the course of the martyr church in London after the death of Barrowe, Greenwood, and Penry. According to the Act of 35 Eliz., cap. i., if any persons above the age of sixteen attended any meeting under colour or pretence of any exercise of religion, they were liable to Ꭰ |