The Selector;

OR,

CHOICE EXTRACTS FROM NEW WORKS.

ENGLISH MARTYRS.

JOAN BOUGHTON.

HENRY the Seventh, while he asserted his authority over the clergy, found it consistent with his policy to employ them, rather than his nobles, in state affairs, and suffered them to proceed against the Lollards with the utmost rigour. Among the victims whom they brought to the stake, was a woman of some quality, Joan Boughton by name, the first female martyr in England: she was more than eighty years of age, and was held in such reverence for her virtue, that, during the night after her martyrdom, her ashes were collected, to be preserved as relics for pious and affectionate remembrance. Her daughter, the Lady Young, suffered afterwards the same cruel death, with equal constancy. At Amersworth, when William Tylsworth was burnt, his only daughter, as being suspected of heresy, was compelled, not only to witness his death, but with her own hands, to set fire to him!

THOMAS BILNEY.

Among the martyrs of those days, Thomas Bilney one, whose name will ever be held in deserved reverence. He was accused before Tonstal, then Bishop of London, in the early part of the reign of Henry VIII." for asserting that Christ was our only mediator, not the Virgin Mary, nor the Saints; and that pilgrimages were useless; and that offerings to images were idolatry." Of these doctrines he was found guilty; but was persuaded to recant, and accordingly bore a faggot at Paul's Cross. It appears that Tonstal, with his wonted humanity, favoured, and wished to save him; he was not branded, nor subjected to any further punishment, but permitted to return to Cambridge.

From that hour, Bilney had no peace in himself, and feeling, for two years, selfcondemned, he resolved by a brave repentance to expiate an offence for which he should otherwise never forgive himself. Immediately he departed for Norfolk, and began to preach, when Nix, the merciless Bishop of that diocese, sent to London for a writ to burn him. The Sheriff to whose care he was committed, happen

ed to be one of his friends, and treated him with kindness. The night before his execution, Bilney put his finger into the candle, which was burning before him, more than once, "I feel" said he "by experience, and have long known by philosophy, that fire is naturally hot; yet, I am persuaded by God's holy word, and by the experience of some Saints of God therein recorded, that in the flame they may feel no heat, and in the fire no consumption. And I constantly believe, that, however the stubble of this body shall be wasted by it, yet my soul and spirit shall be purged thereby a pain for the time whereon followeth joy unspeakable.

On the morning of his execution, which was in front of the Bishop's palace, having put off the layman's gown, in which after his degradation he had been clad, he knelt upon the ledge and prayed with deep and quiet devotion, ending with the 143rd Psalm, in which he there repeated the verse," Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified." He then put off his jacket and doublet, and remained in his hose and shirt, and so was chained to the stake. The dry reeds were then kindled; and in a few minutes, Bilney, trampling over death, rendered up his soul in the fulness of faith, and entered into his reward.

JAMES BAINHAM.

But a

Bilney's example, in all parts, was followed by James Bainham, of the Middle Temple, the son of a Gloucestershire knight. Having been flogged and racked, without effect, to make him accuse others of holding the same opinions as himself, the fear of death induced him to abjure, and bear a faggot. month had scarcely elapsed before he stood up in the face of the congregation in St. Austin's Church, with the English Testament in his hand, and, openly proclaiming that he had denied the truth, declared that, if he did not return to it, that book would condemn him at the day of judgment; and exhorted all who heard him, rather to suffer death than fall as he had fallen, for all the world's good would not induce him again to feel such a hell as he had borne within him since the hour of his abjuration. He was accordingly brought to the stake in Smithfield; and there, to the astonishment of the spectators, when his extremities were half consumed, he cried aloud, "O ye Papists, ye look for miracles, and behold a miracle; for in this fire I feel no pain ;-it is to me as a bed of roses!"

The fact may be believed, without sup. posing a miracle, or even recurring to that almost miraculous power which the mind sometimes can exercise over the body. Nature is more merciful to us than man to man; this was a case in which excess of pain had destroyed the power of suffering; no other bodily feeling was left but that of ease after torture; while the soul triumphed in its victory, and in the sure anticipation of its immediate and eternal reward.

JOHN ROGERS.

John Rogers, the protomartyr in the Marian persecution, and at that time a Prebendary of St. Paul's, had formerly been chaplain to the English merchants at Antwerp, and had there been a fellowlabourer with Tindal and Coverdale, in the great work of translating the Bible. He had a large family, and, having married a German woman, might have found means to support them in her country; but deeming it the duty of himself and his brethren, he said, to stand like true soldiers by the captain of their salvation, and not traitorously run out of his tents, or out of the plain field from him, in the most jeopardy of the battle he chose to abide the worst; and, in his last sermon at St. Paul's Cross, exhorted the people to remain in such true doctrine as had been taught in King Edward's day, and to beware of all pestilent popery, idolatry, and superstition. After long imprisonment and several examinations, he was condemned, for maintaining that the church of Rome was the church of Antichrist, and for denying transubstantiation. The sentence being passed, he requested that his poor wife, being a foreigner, might come and speak with him as long as he lived; "for she hath ten children," said he, "that are hers and mine, and somewhat I would counsel her what were best for her to do." But Gardiner, with his characteristic brutality, refused this, affirming that she was not his wife. And when, on the day of his execution, he asked Bonner, that he might speak to her a few words only, before his burning, that monster would not permit it. She met him, however, with her ten children, one hanging on the breast, as he went to Smithfield. That sight did not abate the cheerfulness of his courage; a pardon was offered him at the stake, if he would recant; he steadily refused it, and washing his hands in the flames as they blazed about him, took his death with so calm and resolute a patience, that many who were present blessed God for the support which

had been vouchsafed him, and derived strength from his example.

were

BISHOPS LATIMER AND RIDLEY. These illustrious veterans of the persecution in the reign of Mary, executed in a ditch, opposite Baliol College, Oxford. Lord Williams, of Thame, had been appointed to see it done, with a sufficient retinue, lest any tunult might be made in the hope of rescuing them. They embraced each other, knelt, each beside his stake, in prayer, and then conversed together, while the Lord Williams, and the other persons in authority, removed themselves out of the sun. These accursed sacrifices were always introduced by a sermon. A certain Dr. Smith preached, taking for his text," If I give my body to be burnt, and have not charity, it availeth me nothing;" from whence he drew conclusions, as uncharitable as ever were distorted from Scripture. Ridley desired leave to answer the sermon: he was told, that if he would recant his opinions, he should have his life, otherwise he must suffer for his deserts; and the Vice-Chancellor, with some bailiffs, as brutal as himself, stopt his mouth with their hands, after he had said, "So long as the breath is in my body, I will never deny my Lord Christ and his known truth. God's will be done in me!" Latimer said, he could answer the sermon well enough, if he might; and contented himself with exclaiming, "Well, there is nothing hid, but it shall be opened;" a saying which he frequently used. Ridley distributed such trifles as he had about him, to those who were near; and many pressed about him, to obtain something as a relic. They then undressed for the stake; and, Latimer when he had put off his prison dress, remained in a shroud, which he had put on, instead of a shirt, for that day's office. Till then, his appearance had been that of a poor withered bent old man; but now, as if he had put off the burthen of infirmity and age," he stood bolt upright, as comely a father as one might lightly behold."

Then Ridley uttered this prayer: "Oh, Heavenly Father, I give unto thee most hearty thanks, for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee, even unto death. I beseech thee, Lord God, take mercy upon this realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies !" After he had been chained to the stake, his brother-in-law, who, during the whole time of his imprisonment, had remained in Oxford, to serve him in whatever he could, tied a bag of gunpowder round his neck. Ridley, being

told what it was, said, he received it as being sent of God; and asking if he had some for Latimer also, bade him give it in time, lest it should be too late. Meantime, he spake to Lord Williams, and entreated him to use his influence with the Queen, in behalf of his sister and the poor tenants; this, he said, being the only thing, he blessed God, which troubled his conscience. When the fire was brought, Latimer said, "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out!" The venerable old man received the flame as if embracing it, and having, as it were, bathed his hands in the fire, and stroked hi face with them, died presently, apparently without pain. Ridley endured a longer martyrdom: till the gun-powder exploded, and then he fell at Latimer's feet. As the bodies were consumed, the quantity of blood which gushed from Latimer's heart astonished the beholders. It was observed the more because he had continually prayed, during his imprisonment, that as God had appointed him to be a preacher of his word, so also he would give him grace to stand to his doctrine until death, and shed his heart's blood for the same.- -Southey's Book of

the Church.

LUCK IN THE LOTTERY.

A COACHMAN, in the service of a nobleman, was discarded late at night for drunkenness. In staggering homeward to his wife, and family of small children, he had to pass a lottery-office, which was still open. Having entered, he advanced boldly to the counter, "Stand aside, fellow, with your paltry adventure of twenty-four sous, while I serve these gentlemen," said the lady who gave out the tickets. "Mine is not to be a paltry adventure, as you impertinently call it,' retorted the drunken man; and on the counter he threw a bright louis d'or, one of eleven he had just received as his wages. "What are your numbers, and how do you stake them?" inquired Madame, winking to the gentlemen at the excellence of the joke. He would have, he said, a terne sec, but as to the numbers, he would leave them to her choice. The billet, containing three numbers jestingly written down, was delivered accordingly.

Coachey did not find his way home, and was just recovered from his drowsy intoxication, when, at a few minutes after nine in the morning, he saw, placed in front of another lottery-office, the board which displayed the five fortunate num.

"Not one

bers that had started from the wheel. He had a faint recollection of what had passed overnight, and drew from his pocket a billet, which agreed in its inscribed numbers, with three of the numbers on the board. He hastened back to the lucky office, and demanded the five thousand five hundred louis' which had fallen to his lot. They were paid to him punctually; but, on the other hand, the young lady looked for her present, which is customary on these occasions. liard shall you have from me," said the lucky adventurer. "When I addressed myself to you last night for a billet, I was as blind as the fortune over which you preside. To the sharpness of your sight I owe my fortune terne sec; but you were insolent in the delivery. May this teach you not to scorn in future the venture of the poor man, whom misery, and not a thirst after superfluous riches, may have led to your office to try his fortune."

The capricious goddess still favoured this man, who was pointed out to me in his carriage, with a modest equipage. What has intoxicated so many others, had sobered him, probably for life.Sweepings of my Study.

PRISON LIFE.

AFRENCHMAN who had been several years confined, for debt, in the Fleet Prison, found himself so much at home within its walls, and was withal, so harmless and inoffensive a character, that the jailor occasionally permitted him to recreate himself, by spending his evenings abroad, without any apprehension of the forfeiture of his verbal engagement. His little earnings as a jack of all trades, enabled him to form several pot-house connexions; and these led him, by degrees, to be less and less punctual in his return, at the what it is Mounseer," at length, said the appointed hour of nine. "I'll tell you jailor to him, "You are a good fellow, but I am afraid you have lately got into bad company; so I tell you once for all, that if you do not keep better hours, and come back in good time, I shall be under gether." the necessity of locking you out alto

Ibid.

THE Monastic remains of Great Britain, are among the most interesting of its antiquities, and thanks to the researches of a few individuals, they have lately been well explored. Few places were more remarkable than Dunwich, in Suffolk, for its religious institutions. It had, for merly, two churches dedicated to St. Michael and St. Bartholomew, which are said to have been swallowed up by the sea, in 1331. There were also three chapels - a house belonging to the Knights Templars, two hospitals, and two monasteries, belonging to the Franciscans and Dominicans, or Grey and Black Friars: of the remains of the former we present a view. This monastery was founded by Richard Fitzjohn, and Alice his wife, and its revenues were augmented by Henry III. The area encompassed by the walls of this house, which still remain, is upwards of seven acres. The monastery had three gates, two of which are still standing almost entire, and being nearly covered with ivy, they have a very picturesque effect. Within the inclosure, the only building now standing, is a barn. Both these monasteries were suppressed by Henry .VIII.

My maiden aunts, a trio of divinities, Gave, two days since, their tip and bene diction.

"Heaven prosper long" such dear affinities, Kind caterers in a school boy's worst afflic

tion;

Such love is worth the keeping, though, to win, it is

On truth and taste at best a dire infliction: But compliments and calls---such small donations

Ensure us all we want in the vacations.

My doating grandam, too, of sage threescore Gave kiss and crown and caution---Gran dam, vale.

And now all chance of lengthen'd freedom o'er,

Brief candle of my hopes, you burn but paly, The due" viaticum" of five months more

Lacks nothing from attentions kind and

daily;

Nought but the weather can prevent, and, lo! The sun perversely shines, and I must go.

Go--aye, to drudgery of lengthen'd days;

Risings at six; cold duty when we rise, Where rigid pedantry forgets to praise,

And scorns the notice of a weak heart's sighs, Where childhood's purest, fondest love decays, When education bids us to be wise; Where home seems heaven, and this, our dull probation,

A painful pilgrimage for information.

Few weeks have flown since when, with aching eye,

In sleepless turbulence of hopes and joy, I mark'd the day of promis'd liberty

Break in the golden East---when no alloy Of envious care marr'd our hearts revelry With visions of return; yet each wild boy Breath'd a pure sigh his orphan friend to leave, In cheerless solitude at school to grieve.

Far happier now than I that orphan; he,
Left sorrowing alone in regions quiet,
Whilst play and pantomime and "friends ta

tea'

Have lent their quantum to make up by rio Sweet recreations for the memory,

After strict regimen and classic diet; But Christmas o'er, we school-boys take

stage-ing,

And leave spare beds and gay adults engaging