rather killed in Gods cause, do retayne an inuincible constancie agaynst þ^e threates of tyrantes and violence of tormentours. Such as these, are in deede the true Conquerers of the worlde, by whō we learne true manhode, so many as fight vnder Christ, and not vnder the worlde. With this valiantnes did that most milde Lambe and inuincible Lyon of the tribe of Iuda first of all go before vs, of whose vnspeakeable fortitude we heare this propheticall admiration: Who is this (sayth he) whiche walketh so in the multitude of his strength?MarginaliaEsay. 63.Forsoth the high sonne of the hygh God, once conquered of the world, and yet conqueryng the world after the same maner as he was conquered.

The lyke daunce dyd all hys other Martyrs followe, to whome the auncient antiquitie of the Church dyd attribute so great honour, as neuer King or Emperour could purchase in this world with all their images, pillers, hie spires, triumphes, temples, and all their solemne feasts. In probation wherof we see with what admiration, and almost superstition, not onely the memory, but also the reliques of those good Martyrs were receiued and kept amongst the auncient Christians. Wee haue also for witnes the learned Hymnes and Songes of Prudentius and Nazienzene, wherewith Pindarus dyd neuer so much set out his triumphes of Olympia and Nemea. I nede not here reherse the learned Orations of eloquent Cyprian, Chrysostome, Ambrose, & Hierome, who neuer shewed their eloquence more, then when they fell into the cōmendations of the Godly Martyrs?

Whereby it is manifest, what estimation in tymes past was attributed to Martyrs: with what gratulation, reioyce, myrth, and common ioy the afflictions of those godly dying in Christes quarrell, were sometime receiued and solemnised, and that not without good reasonable cause. For the Church dyd well consider howe much she was beholdyng to their benefites, by whose deathes she vnderstode her treasures to encrease. Now then if Martirs are to be compared with Martyrs, I see no cause why the Martyrs of our tyme deserue any lesse cōmendation, then the other in the primitiue church, which assuredly are inferior vnto them in no point of prayse: whether we vew the number of them that suffered, or greatnes of their tormentes, or their constancy in dying, or also consider the frute that they brought to the amendement of posteritye, and encrease of the Gospell. MarginaliaA comparison betwene the Martyrs of the Primitiue Church, and of the latter church.They dyd water the truthe with their bloud, that was newly springing vp: so these by their deathes restored it agayne, being sore decayed and fallen down. They standyng in the forwarde of the battell, did receiue the first encounter and violence of theyr enemies, and taught vs by that meanes to ouercome such tiranny: These with like courage agayne like olde beaton souldiours dyd wyn the field in the rereward of the battaile. They like famous husbandmen of the world did sowe the fieldes of the Church, that first lay vnmanured and wast: these with fatnes of their bloud dyd cause it to battell and fructifie. Woulde to God the frute might be spedely gathered into the barne, which onely remayneth behynd to come.

Now, if we ascribe such reputation to godly preachers (and worthely) which diligently preach the Gospell of Christ, when they liue notwithstandyng by the benefite of tyme, without all feare of persecution: how much more reasonable cause haue we to prayse and extoll such men as stoutly spend their liues for the defence of the same? All these premisses duely of our partes considered and marked, seyng we haue found so famous Martyrs in this our age, let vs not fayle then in publishyng and settyng forth their doynges, lest in þ^t poynt we seeme more vnkind to thē, then þ^e wryters of þ^e primatiue Church were vnto theirs. And though we repute not their ashes, chaynes, and swerdes in the stede of reliques: yet let vs yelde thus much vnto their commemoration, to glory the Lorde in hys Saintes, and imitate their death (as much as we may) with like constancy, or theyr lyues at the least w^t like innocency. They offered theyr bodies willing, to þ^e rough handlyng of þ^e tormētors. And is it so great a matter then for our part, to mortifie our flesh, with all the members therof? They neglected not onely the riches and glory of the world for the loue of Christ, but also their liues: and shall we then keepe so great a styrre one agaynst an other, for the transitory trifles of this worlde? They continued in patient sufferyng, when they had most wrong done vnto them, and when their very hartes bloud gushed out of their bodies: and yet will not we forgeue our poore brother, be the iniury neuer so smal, but are ready for euery trifling offence to seeke his destruction, and cut his throte. They wishing well to all men, dyd of their owne accord forgeue there persecutors: and therfore ought wee, which are now the posteritie and children of Martyrs, not to degenerate from their former steppes, but beyng admonished by their examples, if we cannot expresse their charitie toward all men, yet at least to imitate the same to our power and strength. Let vs geue no cause of offence to any. And if any be geuen to vs, let vs ouercome it with patience, forgeuyng and not reuenging the same. And let vs not onely keepe our handes from shedyng of bloud, but our tonges also from hurting the fame of others. Besides, let vs not shrinke, if case so require, martyrdome or losse of life, accordyng to their example, to yeld vp the same in the defence of the Lordes flocke. Which thing if men would do, much lesse contention and busines would be in the world then now is. And thus much touchyng the vtility and fruite to be taken of this history.