ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

THE

HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES

OF

DISSENTING CHURCHES,

&c. &c.

PROTESTANT CONGREGATION IN LONDON, IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN MARY.

THE Churches of this kingdom had been overspread, for many centuries, with the darkest mist of ignorance and superstition; and, as far as appears, without any considerable opposition, till the famous John Wickliffe arose, the Morning Star of the Reformation. The sanguinary laws enacted by our Monarchs after his death, prevented a public avowal of his opinions, till the time of Henry VIII. who having quarrelled with the Pope, revenged himself by becoming the open patron of the Reformed. The absurd and capricious conduct of this King occasioned a great fluctuation of Religion during the whole of his reign. Under his excellent son, Edward VI. the Reformation made a rapid progress, but was suddenly arrested by the immature death of that amiable young Prince, after a short reign of six years. There are few persons but have been made acquainted from their infancy with the shocking barbarities that disgraced the reign

Protestant Congregation in London in the Reign of Queen Mary.

of Queen Mary, and will transmit her name with infamy to the latest period of time: Popery having regained the ascendancy, and become the religion of the State, many Protestants withdrew into foreign countries. Of those who remained at home, congregations were formed in different parts of the country, but the most considerable met in and about London.

This Church, which there seems great propriety in placing at the head of our history, was formed soon after Queen Mary's accession, and consisted of about 200 members. Their meetings were held alternately near Aldgate, and Blackfriars, in Thames-street, and in ships upon the river. Sometimes they assembled in the villages about London, and especially at Islington, that they might the more easily elude the Bishop's officers and spies. To screen themselves from the notice of their persecutors, they often met in the night, and in secret places, and experienced some remarkable providential deliverances.*

The public devotions of this society were conducted successively by the following ministers, whose names are preserved by the industrious Mr. Clark.

EDMUND SCAMBLER, D. D. This excellent prelate was born at Gressingham in Lancashire, and received his education in the University of Cambridge. In the beginning of Queen Mary's reign, he united himself to the Protestant congregation, and became their first pastor. Persecution, however, compelled him in a little time to relinquish this situation; when he probably retired abroad. Soon after the accession of Elizabeth, he was made chaplain to Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury, through whose interest he rose to high preferment in the church. In 1560, he was consecrated Bishop of Peterborough, and translated to Norwich in 1584.+ It should be recorded to his credit,

* Clark's Martyrology, p. 515, 516.
+ Godwin de Præsulibus Angliæ, p. 441.

Protestant Congregation in London in the Reign of Queen Mary.

that in his exalted state, he conducted himself with great prudence and moderation. He was a learned man, and very zealous against the Papists. His concern for the diffusion of religion, led him to encourage associations among the clergy for that desirable end.* But as they were countenanced and attended by persons who were stigmatized as Puritans, the Queen put an immediate stop to their proceedings. Dr. Scambler died May 7, 1597, aged 85 years, and was buried in the cathedral church at Norwich.†

Mr. FOWLER.---Dr. Scambler was succeeded by a Mr. Fowler, of whom no account has reached us.

JOHN ROUGH, a native of Scotland, came into England for freedom of religion, in the preceding reign. Upon the accession of Queen Mary, he retired into Frizeland, where he laboured hard for his living; but meeting with many difficulties, he returned to London, joined the Protestant congregation, and after a short time was chosen their pastor. He continued faithfully to execute his office, teaching and confirming them in the truth of the Gospel, till, by the treachery of a false brother, he was betrayed into the hands of the Romanists. He was apprehended with Mr. Cuthbert Simpson and several others, at a house in Islington, where the church were about to assemble, as was their custom, for prayer and preaching the word; and being taken before the council, after several examinations, he was sent prisoner to Newgate, and his case committed to the management of Bonner. The character of this man, whose hands were so deeply stained with innocent blood, needs no colouring in this place; the faithful page of history will always hold it up to the execration of mankind. In his hands, Mr. Rough met with the most relentless cruelty. Not contented with degrading and delivering him over to the

*Neal's History of the Puritans, vol. i. p. 183,

+ Wood's Athens Oxon, vol. i. p. 697.

Protestant Congregation in London in the Reign of Queen Mary.

secular power, the furious prelate flew upon him, and plucked the very beard from his face. At length, after much rough usage, he ended his life joyfully in the flames, Dec. 1577.*

AUGUSTINE BERNHER, whose name indicates him to have been a foreigner. He resided some time with the excellent Bishop Latimer, and witnessed his martyrdom. He also imbibed much of the spirit of that extraordinary man, whose sermons he introduced to the public with a long dedication to the Lady Katherine, Duchess of Suffolk, of whose remarkable preservation during the Marian persecution, a particular account is preserved by Mr. Fox. Mr. Bernher had the satisfaction to witness the re-establishment of the Reformed religion under Queen Elizabeth; and afterwards resided at South-Ham in Warwickshire, from whence he dates his dedication, October 2, 1570.

THOMAS BENTHAM, D. D. born at Sherbourne in Yorkshire, and educated at Magdalen College, Oxford. Upon Queen Mary's accession, he was deprived of his Fellowship; when he retired to Zurich, and then to Basil, where he became preacher to the English exiles. Afterwards, being recalled by his Protestant brethren, he was made Superintendent of their congregation in London. In this situation he continued till the death of the Queen, encouraging and confirming his people in their faith by his pious discipline, constant preaching, and resolute behaviour in the Protestant cause. Under his care and direction, they often met by hundreds for divine worship, without discovery, notwithstanding they were under the nose of the vigilant and cruel Bonner.† Upon the accession of Elizabeth, he was nominated to the Bishopric of Litchfield and Coventry; which he filled with great moderation till his death, Feb. 21, 1578-9.‡ Dr, Bentham

Fox's Acts and Monuments, vol. iii. p. 722.-Clark's Martyrology,
P. 495-6.
+ Heylyn's History of the Reformation, p. 79, 80.
Wood's Athenæ Oxon. vol. i. p. 192, 704.

3

« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »