268 The Gofpel of the Trefpafs-Offering. Since the Scriptures were written. utian the Apoftate is thought to have finned this Sin ; for he had Light enough, he was a Chriftian, and an high Profeffor of Chrilti- anity, before his Apoftacy. He did profefs Religion to fuch a Degree, that he was wont to read in the Church in the publick Affernblies ;. he did not difdain to read the Bible to them in the Church Alfemblies, though he was of the Blood Royal ; but after he was fetled in the Empire, he fell away to Paganifm ; and not only fo, but to molt malicious and crafty Perfecu- tion. Some have obferved of him, that he did not put forth fuch Edieis for the putting Chriftians to Death, as forne former Perfecutors had been wont to do. He did forbear to do it out of Craft and Malice, becaufe he had obferved the Truth of that Speech, fanguvs Martyruna femen Ecclefire, the Blood of Martyrs is the Seed of the Church : He taw that fuch a courfe would propagate Chriftianity the more, and increafe the Church rather than diminifh it. Therefore be chofe rather to lay Snares for their Confeiences, by way of Subtilty to draw them from the Truth, and fo to wafh his ;Hands in the Blood of their Souls (a fweeter Viaory tohim) there of their Bodies ; and to Triumph over them in their Falls; rather, . then in their Deaths, denying them the life of Books or Schools to get Learning, fuffering none to bear Office in War or Peace ;. and when he died, being shot with an Arrow in a. Battle, and feeling bimfelf mortally Wounded, he pluckt out the Arrow and threw it up with his own Bowels, with thefe Words, vicifti, Galilæe vicifti.. In thefe latter Times, of all the Perfecutors inQueen 'Mary'sTime, there is none that feems to have finned' and íhed the Blood of Saints. againft Light, more than Stephen Gardner; of whom there is this Story in the Book of Martyrs and others, that write of thole Times That having invited fundry Perlons of Quality,the Duke ofNorfolk and others to Dine with him at his Houle, he would not fit down to Din- ner, till he had News brought him by his Servant, of the Death of two Martyrs Ridley and Latimer, . who fuffiered at Oxford, and fo made Ms Friends and Guefts nay, and wait upon his Cruelty and Blood Thirftinefs till four a Clock in the Afternoon: And' then being in- formed, that Fire was molt certainly fet to them, he faid, nowlet us go to Dinner ; and he began to eat, but was taken ill and carried' Sick from his Table, and fó lay fifteen Days in :molt intollerable ;corments9, having no Eafe. or Voidance of any thing in his Body by 7ine.ox. otherwife,, his Body being m ferably ioilamed thereby, arid tkrufting
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