execution, he met with the procession li.e., of the mass), and, being moved with zeal, he would not give it cap or knee (would neither uncover or bow to it), but earnestly rebuked the idolatry and superstition of it. He was set in a pitch barrel, and the pile for burning him being made of green wood, he suffered great torment, till he was dispatched by mistake with a fagot stick by a bystander. Passing by Dr. Rowland Taylor, rector of Hadleigh, whose story is so well known as having been burnt at Aldham Common, February 9th, 1555, with all the attendant circumstances, -the next name given is that of James Abbes, burnt at Bury, August 2nd, 1555. He was a young man, having a full persuasion of the truth of the doctrines taught in the reign of Edward VI. Being apprehended in this county, he was taken before Hopton, Bishop of Norwich, by whom he was persuaded to recant, and encouraged to persevere in his recantation by a present of money. No sooner was he gone from the bishop but his conscience bitterly accused him for this sin against God: and after enduring much anguish of soul for some time, he went to the bishop, and telling him of his repentance, returned his money; and this time, notwithstanding much persuasion, he stood firm to his own belief, and was consequently consigned to the flames. Concerning Robert Samuels, burnt at Ipswich, August 31st, 1555, it is related that he was at first carried to Ipswich gaol, where he met with many of his brethren, and passed his time pleasantly! but was soon removed to Norwich Prison, where the bishop and his chancellor caused him to be loaded with chains and almost starved, hoping by such cruel treatment to bring him to a recantation, in which they were disappointed, and therefore resolved to bring him to the stake with all speed. He was enabled to endure to the end. Two women, Anne Potter, or Potten, a brewer's wife, and Joan Trunchfield a shoemaker's wife, were imprisoned about the same time, and were burnt at Ipswich, February 19th, 1556. Roger Coo, of Melford, an old man, and by trade a shearman. Burnt at Yoxford, September, 1555. Being asked if he would not obey the king's laws, he replied, "So far as they agree with the word of God, I will"-quoting the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as his warrant. His examination before the bishop, of which this question formed a part, shows him to have been well qualified to use the sword of the Spirit against his Popish adversaries. Thomas Cobb, of Haverhill, butcher, was put to death in the like fire, September 1st, 1555, at Thetford. The questions put to him, and the replies. given by him, were similar to those in the case of Roger Coo, and were nearly identical in effect in all cases where the confessors of the truth stood firm in their faith. Thomas Spicer, labourer, John Denny, and Edward Poole, burnt at Beccles, in one fire, May 21st, 1556. Their crime was, that they would not go to the Popish church of their parish to hear mass. When brought to the stake, they recited their creed openly, which was in diametrical opposition to the errors of Rome. Roger Bernard, a labourer, of Framsden, Adam Foster, husbandman, of Mendlesham, and Robert Lawson, a linen weaver, were all burnt in one fire at Bury, June 30th, 1556. These were faithful through all the pains of their cruel death. John Fortune, of Hintlesham, blacksmith, died for the doctrine of the gospel; but whether in prison, from hard usage, or at the stake, does not, says our writer, clearly appear; but goes on.to state that he was a man of mean education, but in spirit zealous, in the scriptures ready, in Christ's cause valiant, in his answers acuteyea, marvellous-and in sufferings patient. John Noyes, of Laxfield, shoemaker; burnt at that place, September 21st, 1557. He was apprehended for not attending mass, and cast into Aye dungeon; thence taken to Norwich, to be examined by the bishop, who condemned him to be burnt, remanding him to Norwich prison, whence he was taken to Aye dungeon, out of which he was carried to Laxfield to the stake. Richard Yeoman, curate to Dr. Taylor, at Hadleigh, was burnt at Norwich, July 10th, 1558. He was apprehended in the night, whilst in bed with his wife, and taken to the cage, to be kept till day. Here he found one John Dale in the stocks, in which he had been three or four hours, for speaking against superstitious worship. They were both poor and aged men; and the justice before whom they were brought in the morning, on that account wished to deal merci fully with them. The Popish priest, however, who had caused them to be apprehended, insisted upon their being sent to Bury gaol, where they were loaded with irons, and thrust into a nasty dungeon. Poor Dale died there, Yeoman was soon after removed to Norwich, and burnt. John Cooke, a sawyer, Robert Miles (otherwise Plummer,) a shearman, Alexander Lane, a wheelwright, and James Ashley, were burnt in one fire at Bury, in 1558-absence from Popish services having occasioned their apprehension. Being examined as to their belief, they all stood stedfast in avowing abhorrence of Romish idolatry, and were accordingly sent to heaven, like the rest, in a chariot of fire. Alexander Gouche, of Woodbridge, and Alice Driver, of Grundisburgh, were burnt together at Ipswich, November 4th, 1558. When under examination before Chief Justice Higham, at Bury assizes, they boldly asserted the truth of the gospel, and defied the Pope and all papistical trash. Alice Driver likened the Queen to Jezebel for her persecuting, which so angered the judge, that he ordered her ears to be cut off presently, which was accordingly done, and she as joyfully bore it. Being removed to Ipswich, for examination by the bishop's chancellor on the test questions about the mass, &c., they were enabled still to maintain their constancy, and accordingly suffered the fiery death. Philip Humphrey, John and Henry David, brothers, were burnt at Bury. They had been tried before Chief Justice Higham; and although the Queen was ill past recovery, he was so hasty in suing out the writ for their execution, that they were brought to the stake but a fortnight before her death. The same old chronicler, in giving an account of the names and sufferings of the martyrs in the county of Norfolk, who were burnt at the stake, furnishes the following particulars respecting their names, the places where they suffered, and some attending cir cumstances: One Babram, a certain godly man, and constant martyr of Jesus Christ, was burnt in Norfolk. in the month of July, 1499. Thomas Norris, for the profession of the gospel, was burnt in the city of Norwich, March 31st, 1507. One Thomas, a priest of Norwich, was burnt at Eccles, 1510, when he was in prison. Having been persuaded to deny his opinions, he would, for penance, be carried to the stake on sharp hurdles, made of thorns. Thomas Bingey, an old and reverend man, was burnt at Norwich; date not given, Thomas Hitton, of Marstham, an honest religious man, and lover of God's word, to avoid persecution journeyed towards Dover, intending to cross over to France, but was intercepted on his way, and apprehended by the bailiff of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and, after some months' imprisonment, and several examinations by his Grace, was burnt at Maidstone, in 1528. John Lambert, a learned man and eminent martyr, whose history is well known, born and brought up in Norfolk, was burnt in London, 1538. He went cheerfully to the stake, and laid down his life for the truth, exclaiming with his latest breath, "None but Christ! None but Christ!" William Allen, a labouring man, of Walsingham, was burnt at that place, September, 1555. He showed such constancy at his martyrdom, and had such credit with the justices by reason of his well-tried conversation among them, that he was allowed to go untied to his suffering, and there being fastened with a chain, stood quietly, without shrinking, until he died. Simon Miller, a merchant, of Lynn, a godly and zealous man in the knowledge of the gospel, was condemned on his confession of faith, and burnt at Norwich, July 13th, 1557. With him was burnt Elizabeth Cooper, a pewterer's wife, who, when the fire came near her, shrank a little at it, and cried out "Oh!" But Simon encouraged her to be strong, and of good cheer: For," said he, "good sister, we shall have good supper!" which words so encouraged her, that she stood still and quiet to her death. William Crashfield, of Wymondham, was burnt at Norwich, August 5th, 1557. He suffered with much patience. Thomas Carman was apprehended at the same time for pledging him, and was burnt soon after. Cicely Ormes, wife of a worsted weaver, of Norwich, was taken at the death of Simon Miller and Elizabeth Cooper, because she said she would pledge them in the same cup they drank of. She had been made to recant her Protestant opinions about twelve months before; but the constancy of the two suffering saints under their cruel torments, seems to have been the means of restoring her faith and courage. When at the stake, she declared her abhorrence of all popish tenets; and when the fire came near her, laid her hands across her breast, and never stirred them until the sinews brake, and her arms fell down, and died as quietly as if she felt no pain. William Seaman, husbandman, of Mendlesham, in Suffolk, and Thomas Hudson, a glover, of Aylsham, an honest laborious man, were burnt with Thomas Carman, aforesaid, at Norwich, May 19th, 1558, in one fire. THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MR. PHILIP DICKERSON. MY DEAR BROTHER,-We must now go back for a short space. In the year 1840, the writer was called upon to preach in a district of Sussex, called Crowborough, about eight miles from Tunbridge Wells, in connection with the late Joseph Sedgwick, of Brighton, The place of meeting was an old barn, standing in a wild and almost solitary place, very few houses near; yet a considerable population scattered within the radius of a mile. The scene was rough, and the appearance of the people more so. The above mentioned old barn had been hired a short time before, by our late friend, Mr. George Doggett, who lived in the district, and, after a few months, his brother-in-law, the late J. T. Betts, Esq., being on a visit, they went to the old barn; and, understanding it was for sale, Mr. Betts purchased it, with two or three old cottages, and generously invested it in trust for the use of the Baptist cause for ever. Different ministers came and preached; the Holy Spirit owned the truth proclaimed many poor people flocked to hear the word of life, and their hearts being touched with a live coal from off the altar, a desire was expressed by several to be baptized, and for a church to be formed according to the order of the New Testament. Under these circumstances the writer was requested to go down for that purpose; and in the month of June, 1844, he paid a visit to Crowborough ; embracing the Lord's day previous to the anniversary as most convenient for the object in view. He felt himself, at the time, in quite a new sphere of action. There was no church. He sent a message to those who were desirous of being baptized, desiring them to meet him at the chapel on Friday evening. Seven men and three females came, and told their tale, of how the Lord had met with them, opened their eyes, convinced them of sin, and brought them to Christ for salvation. We prayed, wept, and rejoiced together. That evening was one which we have never forgotten. The afternoon of the next Lord's day, we met in a meadow, a short distance" from the chapel (which we then called the old barn.) In this meadow there was a large pond. The friends put up two tents, at a distance from each other, for the accommodation of the candidates. It was a beautiful day, and the novelty of the circumstance, a public baptism of men and women, having been announced, a large concourse of people gathered together, supposed to be five or six hundred. The scene was very imposing to the eye, and produced feelings of no ordinary degree of solemnity. Near to where we stood, there were grouped together on our right and left a number of young men, many of whom were literally men of stature," men of unusual size; and before we commenced, we observed they appeared to be in the humour for a lark, and we could easily perceive if they chose to do so, they could toss the administrator into the pond. We confess we felt some unbelieving fears. But our God raised up our heart to Him in prayer, which_being concluded, we spoke thus:-Dear Friends,-We are English men and women, and, as such, possess the right to worship God in that manner which our conscience dictates, and we desire you to consider that we are worshipping God; that God who made the world, and that Jesus Christ, who died to save sinners. 66 66 66 He has commanded us to preach the gospel to every creature, and has also said, Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world." That Jesus is now present; He sees us, and sees all our hearts; He now looks down from the skies upon us, and it will not be long, at the longest, before He will come in all the glory of His Godlike Majesty to judge the world, when we must all stand before Him, and receive the sentence from His mouth of "Come, ye blessed;" or 'Depart, ye cursed." We, therefore, beg you will be quiet and respectful while we administer the solemn ordinance of baptism, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; for we feel we are worshipping God, and the persons to be baptized are required to worship God in such a manner only once in their lifetime. We then proceeded to the work of baptizing; all was quiet, but several looked ready to burst into laughter; however, when we brought the first candidate out of the water, we heard the noise of suppressed weeping; this continued to increase as every fresh candidate was immersed; until by the time we had finished, the emotions of many of those rough-looking fellows, gaining liberty, they arose to loud weeping, almost amounting to howling, evidently to no small annoyance to themselves; and at the conclusion of the service, they stole away as if they had been guilty of something bad. Many of those who formed that large concourse, were unknown to our friends, and what were the results of that day will not be known to us, until "the Day shall declare it." But one incident occurred several years afterwards. The writer met with a man who told him the address at the water that day was blessed to his conversion. He said he was filled with solemn awe at the thought that Jesus was looking down from the skies upon us. He said that day was his birthday. We hope there were others; our God has said: " My word shall not return unto me void, but shall accomplish that which I please; and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." At that time they had a minister preaching to them regularly, whose name was Mose, whose ministry was, we believe, much blessed to the people. The latter part of the summer, the next year (1845), we went down again by special invitation to baptize, and unite them as a church. The Lord's day was fixed upon for the convenience of the people. In the morning, the writer preached, and baptized seven more candidates; and, in the afternoon, addressed the friends who desired to be united in church fellowship upon the nature, duties, and privileges of such a relation. At the close of that address, the persons who had been recently baptized, with some two or three, who were members of other churches, gave to each other the right hand of Christián fellowship, and were then solemnly declared to be a Church of Christ; and, after prayer for the divine sanction, and blessing, the writer told them they possessed the right and privilege of choosing their own Pastor, and desired them to do So. They then unanimously chose Brother Mose to be their pastor, which he having accepted, prayer and addresses were delivered to both pastor and people; after which, the newlychosen pastor administered the Lord's supper. Thus solemnly closing a public service, which was as exhausting to the writer as any he ever recollects. By this time the "old barn," had become too strait; a new part was erected with stone walls, and slated roof, since which time, a dreadful hurricane shattered the old building to pieces, and a new part has been erected with stone; also a comfortable house for the minister, with outbuildings suitable to the situation of the place; and we rejoice in saying all is paid for. Many poor people flock thither on the Lord's day; and, from our annual visits, we have become identified with the place, and from our souls we say: Desiring to know and love Him more. "THOU lovely source of true delight, Whom I unseen adore, Unveil Thy beauties to my sight, "Thy glory o'er creation shines ; ""Tis here whene'er my comforts droop, And sins and sorrows rise, Thy love, with cheerful beams of hope, My fainting heart supplies. "But ah, too soon, the pleasing scene Is clouded o'er with pain; My gloomy fears rise dark between, "Jesus, my Lord, my life, my light, And chase my fears away. "Then shall my soul with rapture trace The wonders of Thy love; Miss Anne Steele, the writer of the above hymn, and others of equal sweetness and fervour that appear in our selections, was the daughter of Mr. William Steele, a Baptist minister, |