Abel redevivus or, The dead yet speaking. The Lives and Deaths of the Moderne Divines. Written by severall able and learned Men (whose names ye shall finde in the Epistle to the Reader.) And now digested into one Volumne, for the benefit and satisfaction of all those that desire to be acquainted with the Paths of Piety and Virtve [by Thomas Fuller] |
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The Life & Death of Thomas Bilney,
who suffered Martyrdome, Anno Christi 1531.
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The Life & Death of Thomas Bilney, who suffered Martyrdome, Anno Christi 1531.
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Was blessed Bilney, born an English-man;
Brought up in Cambridge University,
Famous for Arts, and Parts, and Piety:
Where by powerfull preaching, he converted
Holy Hugh Latimer, then much perverted
To Popery, made many a proselyte,
Of's fellow-Students, by the Gospels light.
At last by Card'nall Wolsey, prosecuted;
Who, and his shavelings, with him off disputed,
They by their subtill treats and threats at length
Tript up his heeles, and foyld his humain strength,
And caus'd him to recant: In which sad case,
This blessed Saint about a twelve moneths space,
In bitter anguish and perplexity
Of Soul, in danger, in despaire to dye.
At last, again, by Gods all-guarding grace,
Recovered comfort did despair quite chace,
And fill his Soul with such redoubled joy
As all his former precious parts t'imploy,
In constant and courageous preaching down
The odious errours of Romes tripple Crown;
For which our tongues may never cease t'expresse
That Bilney's Crowned with true happinesse.
| Abel redevivus | |