Written to you all without the gates
of Rome, the 2d day of the Fourth
month, 1661.
Send this forward and read my life in
your meetings.
He added not his sirname, in imitation, as it seems, of the apostle
John. He omitted it likewise in another letter he wrote from the prison
at Rome, which began thus:
‘I John the prisoner, being in the sense of the spirit of life
with you all,’ &c.
Who were the two lambs he mentions in his letter, I cannot tell;
whether they were persons that had been imprisoned with him in the
inquisition jail, and converted by him, as he thought; or whether he
meant John Stubbs and Samuel Fisher, I know not; it may rather be
supposed that he meant Charles Bayley and Jane Stoakes, who went to
Rome to procure his liberty: but J. Stubbs and S. Fisher came away
long before; yet if I am not mistaken, it was about this time that
these were at Rome, and they perhaps, having endeavoured to obtain his
liberty, departed before him towards England.
When Perrot afterward lived in America, about the beginning of the year
1665, John Taylor wrote thus from Jamaica concerning him:
‘One of the judges of this place told me, that he never had seen
one who so severely exacted an oath from people as John Perrot
did; for he saith, that if they will go to hell, he will despatch
them quickly. And another judge that was also present, said, that
Perrot had altogether renounced his faith, and aimed at nothing
but his profit.’
Such a one was John Perrot, though even some wise men admired him for
a time; but he became a man of a rough behaviour. Whether he ever
repented sincerely, I cannot tell. Robert Rich, who took too much part
in the extravagancies of James Nayler, as hath been related, did also
combine with Perrot, and became estranged from the Quakers, and in
that condition he died: but he was of the number of those, of whom the
apostle John said, “They went out from us, but they were not of us.”
Now since persecution continued in England, Edward Burrough, who
continually was laborious with the pen to oppose this evil, wrote also
a small book, which he called, ‘The Case of Free Liberty of Conscience
in the Exercise of Faith and Religion, presented unto the King and both
Houses of Parliament.’ In this treatise he showed, that to deprive
honest and peaceable people of liberty of conscience in the exercise of
worship to God, was unjust, an intrenching on God’s sovereignty, and an
usurpation of his authority. He also recommended it to consideration,
that to impose by force a religion upon men, was the way to fill
the land with hypocrites. And he showed with sound reasons, that to
persecute people for the exercise of religion and their worshipping
of God, must unavoidably tend to destroy trading, husbandry, and
merchandise. To which he added, that such as were called heretics were
punished, as malefactors, whereas drunkards and other vicious persons
were left unpunished; which to inculcate with more strength, he made
use of the words of Dr. Taylor, a bishop in Ireland, who said thus:
‘Why are we so zealous against those we call heretics, and yet great
friends with drunkards, and swearers, and fornicators, and intemperate
and idle persons? I am certain a drunkard is as contrary to the laws
of Christianity as an heretic: and I am also sure that I know what
drunkenness is; but I am not so sure that such an opinion is heresy,’
&c.
It happened about this time in England that some covetous persons,
to engross inheritances to themselves, would call the marriages
of those called Quakers in question. And it was in this year that
such a cause was tried at the assizes at Nottingham. A certain man
dying, and leaving his wife with child, and an estate in copyhold
lands: when the woman was delivered, one that was near of kin to her
deceased husband, endeavoured to prove the child illegitimate: and the
plaintiff’s counsel willing to blacken the Quakers, so called, asserted
the child to be illegitimate, because the marriage of its parents was
not according to law; and said bluntly, and very indecently, that the
Quakers went together like brute beasts. After the counsel on both
sides had pleaded, the judge whose name was Archer, opened the case
to the jury, and told them, that there was a marriage in Paradise,
when Adam took Eve, and Eve took Adam; and that it was the consent of
the parties that made a marriage. And as for the Quakers, said he, he
did not know their opinion; but he did not believe they went together
as brute beasts, as had been said of them, but as Christians; and
therefore he did believe the marriage was lawful, and the child lawful
heir. And the better to satisfy the jury, he related to them this
case: ‘A man that was weak of body, and kept his bed, had a desire in
that condition to marry, and did declare before witnesses that he did
take such a woman to be his wife; and the woman declared, that she
took that man to be her husband. This marriage was afterwards called
in question: but all the bishops did at that time conclude it to be a
lawful marriage.’ The jury having received this instruction, gave in
their verdict for the child, and declared it legitimate.
It hath been mentioned before, that G. Fox being prisoner at Derby, in
the year 1650, was exceedingly vexed and ill treated by the keeper of
the prison. But this man being struck with the terrors of the Lord,
became such a notable convert, that in the year 1662, he wrote the
following letter to G. Fox:
‘_Dear Friend_,
‘Having such a convenient messenger, I could do no less than give
thee an account of my present condition, remembering that to
the first awakening of me to a sense of life, and of the inward
principle, God was pleased to make use of thee as an instrument;
so that sometimes I am taken with admiration, that it should come
by such means as it did; that is say, that Providence should
order thee to be my prisoner, to give me my first real sight
of the Truth. It makes me many times to think of the jailer’s
conversion by the apostles. Notwithstanding my outward losses
are since that time such, that I am become nothing in the world,
yet I hope I shall find, that all these light afflictions, which
are but for a moment, will work for me a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory. They have taken all from me; and now
instead of keeping a prison, I am rather waiting when I shall
become a prisoner myself. Pray for me, that my faith fail not,
but that I may hold out to the death, that I may receive a
crown of life. I earnestly desire to hear from thee, and of thy
condition, which would very much rejoice me. Not having else at
present, but my kind love unto thee, and all Christian friends
with thee, in haste I rest
Thine in Christ Jesus,
THOMAS SHARMAN.’
Derby, the 22d of the Fourth month,
1662.
I have heretofore made some mention of the imprisonment of Catharine
Evans, and Sarah Cheevers, by the inquisition at Malta. It was about
this time that they were released: for G. Fox and Gilbert Latey, having
understood that the lord d’Aubigny could procure their liberty, went
to him, and having informed him concerning their imprisonment, desired
him to write to those in authority at Malta for their release. This he
promised to do, and told them if they would come again within a month,
perhaps they might hear of their discharge. They went again to him
about that time, but he said he thought his letters had miscarried; yet
he promised he would write again, and so he did; which had such effect,
that the said two women were discharged of their long imprisonment.
G. Fox had now opportunity to reason with this lord, (who was a Roman
Catholic priest in orders,) about religion, and he brought him to
confess that Christ had enlightened every man that cometh into the
world with his spiritual light; and that he had tasted death for every
man; and that the grace of God, which brings salvation, hath appeared
to all men; and that it would teach them, and bring their salvation if
they did obey it. Then G. Fox asked him what the Romanists would do
with all their relics and images, if they did own and believe in this
light, and receive the grace to teach them, and bring their salvation?
And he answered, those things were but policies to keep people in
subjection.
But leaving these discourses, I will now give a clear and
circumstantial relation of the imprisonment of the forementioned
Catharine Evans, and Sarah Cheevers, chiefly collected from letters and
papers, written by them in prison, and sent from thence to England,
where they were published in print, not long after their return, in the
year 1662.
In the year 1658, these women having drawings in their mind to travel
towards Alexandria, went in a ship from England to Leghorn in Italy,
and having been thirty-one days between Plymouth and Leghorn, they
at length safely landed at that city: where they found some of their
countrymen and friends, and stayed there several days, dispersing many
books when occasion offered. They spoke also with people of various
degrees, without being molested by any. From thence they got passage
in a Dutch ship bound for Alexandria, or Scanderoon; but the master of
the ship being in company with another ship going to Malta, went also
thither, though he had no business in the place: but before they came
there, Catharine fell into such an anguish of mind, that she cried out,
‘Oh! we have a dreadful cup to drink at that place!’ Being come into
the harbour, and standing on the deck of the ship, and looking upon the
people who stood on the walls, she said in her heart, ‘Shall ye destroy
us? If we give up to the Lord, then he is sufficient to deliver us out
of your hands: but if we disobey our God, all these could not deliver
us out of his hand.’ And so all fear of man was taken from them.
The next day, being the First-day of the week, they went on shore,
where the English consul met them, and asked them what they came there
for; they answered what they thought convenient, and gave him some
books. Then he told them there was an inquisition; and kindly inviting
them to his house, said all that he had was at their service while
they were there. They accepting of this invitation, went thither, and
many came to see them, whom they called to repentance, so that several
became tender. About night they went on ship-board, and the next day
came again into the city, and going to the governor he told them he
had a sister in the nunnery, who desired to see them. Thereupon they
went to the nunnery, and talked with the nuns, and gave them books:
and one of their priests, who brought them into the chapel, would have
them bow to the high altar, but they refused, being grieved because of
the idolatry committed there, and went to the consul’s again, where
they staid some weeks. During that time they once went into one of
the places of worship in the time of worship; and Catharine standing
in the midst of the people, turned her back to the high altar, and
kneeling down, she lifted up her voice in prayer to the Lord. The
priest that officiated, put off his surplice, and kneeled near her till
she had done. Then he reached forth his hand to them to come to him,
and offered her a token, which she taking to be the mark of the beast,
refused. Thereupon he put the piece into Sarah’s hand, but she gave it
him again, and showed him her purse that she had to give, if any had
need, and as yet was in no want. He then asked if they were Calvinists
or Lutherans? And they answered, ‘Nay.’ He asked if they would go to
Rome to the pope. They denying this, he asked if they were Catholics;
to which they said they were true Christians, servants of the living
God. But since they had yet learned but little of the language spoken
there, they expressed themselves very defectively; what they did
was partly in words and partly by signs, as well as they could: and
many that came about them were amazed: however at last they departed
peaceably. Some time after they went again to a mass-house, where the
sacrament, as they call it, was administered: there were many lights,
and great costliness and fineries; and being grieved because of their
idolatry, they stood about three quarters of an hour, weeping and
trembling, especially Catharine: and this so struck the congregation
with amazement, that some removed further from them for fear. At length
they both went out, but yet under such a trembling, that they went
along the street reeling and staggering, so that they became a wonder
to all that saw them.
They were about three months at the house of the English consul; and
he, for that reason, being under a suspicion, did not what he might
have done to save them; but in some respect he delivered them up to the
inquisition, though by his oath he was obliged to protect the English
there. In the meanwhile he kept them in his house, and suffered them
not to go abroad, though the governor had told him he might let them
go about their business; ‘For,’ said he, ‘they are honest women.’ The
consul might also have let them go free, before they came under the
power of the black rod. Now they perceiving that something to their
prejudice was in agitation, and making account already that a prison
would be their lot, they signified that they suspected him, and told
him that Pilate would do the Jews a service, and yet wash his hands in
innocency. He being at a loss, required a sign of them, if they were
the messengers of God. And they gave him to understand, that this might
serve for a sign: that it would be well with them; but that it should
not go off well with him.
Afterwards it happened that they were sent for by the inquisition:
and that day the consul’s wife brought them some victuals; but as she
passed by, Catharine was smitten, as with an arrow, to the heart, and
she seemed to hear a voice, saying, ‘She hath obtained her purpose.’
Then Catharine would not taste of the meat, but went aside, and wept
exceedingly. The consul having called her, told her, the inquisition
had sent for them, having received letters from Rome, but that he did
hope they should be set free; which however was not true, for he knew,
(as they understood afterwards,) there was a room prepared for them
in the prison of the inquisition. Neither was it long ere there came
the chancellor, the consul, and one with the black rod, who brought
them before the lord inquisitor; and he asked them whether they had
changed their minds; for it seems that had been required of them
before. But they answered, ‘No,’ and that they should not change from
the Truth. Then he asked what new light it was they talked of; they
answered it was no new light, but the same the prophets and apostles
bore testimony to. Next he asked how this light came to be lost since
the primitive times; they replied, it was not lost; men had it still in
them, but they did not know it, by reason that the night of apostacy
had overspread the nations. Then he said, if they would change their
minds, and do as they would have them, they should say so, or else they
would use them as they pleased. But they, signifying that they would
not change, said, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’ He then arose, and
went away with the consul, leaving them there: and the man with the
black rod, and the keeper, took and put them into an inner room in the
inquisition, which had only two little holes in it for light and air.
This place was so exceeding hot, that it seemed as if their intent was
to stifle them, as we may see in the sequel.
Not long after they were brought before the inquisitors to be further
examined, and they not only asked their names, but also the names of
their husbands and parents, and what children they had, and also why
they came thither? To which they answered, they were servants of the
living God, come there to call them to repentance. The next day they
were called again, but then examined asunder; and Sarah being asked
whether she was a true Catholic, said, that she was a true Christian,
worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth. Then they held forth a crucifix
to her, and would have her swear that she should speak the truth. To
which she said, she should speak the truth, but she would not swear;
for Christ had commanded, “Swear not at all.” The English consul who
was present, endeavoured to persuade her to swear, and said that none
should do her any harm. She having some books with her, they were
taken from her; and they asked her, wherefore she brought those books;
to which she answered, because they could not speak their language.
Then they asked her, what George Fox was? She answered, ‘A minister.’
Further they asked, wherefore she came thither? And she replied, to
do the will of God as she was moved of the Lord. The next question
was, how the Lord did appear unto her: to which she answered, ‘By his
Spirit.’ And being asked whether she did see his presence, and hear his
voice, her answer was, she heard his voice, and saw his presence. They
then asked what he said to her? She answered, that he required of her
to go over the seas to do his will. This made them ask how she knew
it was the Lord who required this of her? To which she answered, that
since he had signified to her, that his living presence should go along
with her, she found him to perform his promise, for she did feel his
living presence. After this they went away.
Two days after the inquisitors came and called for Catharine, and
offering her the crucifix, they told her, the magistrates commanded her
to swear, that she should speak the truth. To which she said, that she
should speak the truth, for she was a witness for God; but she should
not swear, since a greater than the magistrates said, “Swear not at
all; but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay; for whatsoever is
more, cometh of evil.” Then said they, ‘You must obey the justice; and
he commands you to swear.’ She returned, ‘I shall obey justice, but if
I should swear, I should do an unjust thing; for the just, (Christ,)
said, “Swear not at all.”’ Then they asked her whether she did own that
Christ that died at Jerusalem? She answered, ‘We own the same Christ
and no other; he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.’ Next
they asked her, what she would do at Jerusalem: she answered, she did
not know that she should go thither; but she intended to have gone to
Alexandria. They asked what to do: her answer was, ‘The will of God:
and, (said she,) if the Lord opened my mouth, I should call people to
repentance, and declare to them the day of the Lord, and direct their
minds from darkness to light.’ They asked her also, whether she did
see the Lord: she answered, God was a spirit, and he was spiritually
discerned.
Now, though from the answers of these women little could be got to
blame them, yet they were kept close prisoners, which seemed to grieve
the English consul, for he came to them with tears in his eyes, and
said he was sorry as for his own flesh; for it seems he had received
something for delivering them up, which he would willingly have given
back, if thereby he could have obtained their liberty: but a slavish
fear possessed him, and he never had peace while he lived. Some days
after this came a magistrate, two friars, the man with the black rod,
a scribe, and the keeper of the inquisition to examine them; and they
were again required to swear: but they answered as before, that Christ
said, “Swear not at all;” and that the apostle James gave the same
charge. Hereupon the magistrate asked if they would speak truth: and
they said, ‘Yes.’ He then asked whether they believed the creed; to
which they said, they did believe in God, and in Jesus Christ, who
was born of the Virgin Mary, and suffered at Jerusalem under Pontius
Pilate, and arose again from the dead the third day, and ascended
to his Father, and shall come to judgment, to judge both quick and
dead. He further asked, how they did believe the resurrection: and
they answered, that they believed that the just and the unjust should
arise according to the Scriptures. Next he said, ‘Do you believe in
the saints, and pray to them?’ To which the answer was,‘We believe the
communion of saints, but we do not pray to them, but to God only, in
the name of Jesus.’ His next question was, whether they did believe
in the Catholic church: and they answered, they did believe the true
church of Christ, ‘but the word Catholic, said they, we have not read
in Scripture.’ He also asked if they believed in purgatory: to which
they said, ‘No; but a heaven and a hell.’ Then one of the friars,
who was an Englishman, said, we were commanded to pray for the dead;
for, those that are in heaven have no need; and for those that are in
hell, there is no redemption; therefore there must be a purgatory:
and he asked if they believed the holy sacrament; to which their
answer was, they never read the word sacrament in Scripture. The friar
replied,‘Where you read in your bibles sanctification, it is sacrament
in ours.’ And he said, their holy sacrament was bread and wine, which
they converted into the flesh and blood of Christ, by the virtue of
Christ. ‘Then,’ said the women, ‘ye work miracles, for Christ’s virtue
is the same as it was when he turned water into wine, at the marriage
in Cana.’ The friar said, ‘If we do not eat the flesh, and drink the
blood of the Son of God, we have no life in us.’ They replied, ‘The
flesh and blood of Christ is spiritual, and we do feed upon it daily;
for that which is begotten of God in us, can no more live without
spiritual food, than our temporal bodies can without temporal food.’
Then he said, ‘You never hear mass.’ ‘But we,’ said they, ‘hear the
voice of Christ; he only hath the words of eternal life; and that is
sufficient for us.’ He said, ‘Ye are heretics and heathens;’ to which
they replied, ‘They are heretics that live in sin and wickedness, and
such are heathens that know not God.’
Then it was asked them who was the head of their church: they told
him, ‘Christ.’ It was further asked what George Fox was: and they
said, ‘He is a minister of Christ.’ And it being asked whether he
sent them, their answer was, ‘No: the Lord did move us to come.’ Then
the friar said, ‘Ye are deceived, and have not the faith; though ye
had all virtues.’ And they replied, ‘Faith is the ground from whence
virtues proceed.’ Hereupon it was told them, if they would take the
holy sacrament they might have their liberty; or else the pope would
not leave them for millions of gold; but they should lose their souls
and bodies too. To this they said, ‘The Lord hath provided for our
souls, and our bodies are freely given up to serve him.’ Then it was
asked them if they did not believe marriage was a sacrament: and they
answered, it was an ordinance of God. It was further asked if they
did believe men could forgive sins: and their answer was, that none
could forgive sins but God only. After some other words to and fro,
the women asked, ‘Wherein have we wronged you, that we should be kept
prisoners all the days of our life? Our innocent blood will be required
at your hands.’ The friar said he would take their blood upon him. They
replied, the time would come he should find he had enough upon him
without it. Then it was told them the pope was Christ’s vicar, and what
he did was for the good of their souls. To which they answered, ‘The
Lord hath not committed the charge of our souls to the pope, nor to you
neither; for he hath taken them into his own possession: glory be to
his name for ever.’ Then it was said unto them they must be obedient.
And they returned, they were obedient to the government of Christ’s
Spirit or light. The friar said, ‘None have the true light but the
Catholics; the light that you have is the spirit of the devil.’ ‘Wo,
(said they,) to him that curseth Jesus; can the devil give power over
sin and iniquity? That would destroy his own kingdom.’ ‘You,’ replied
the friar, ‘are laughed at and mocked of every one.’ ‘But,’ said they,
‘what will become of the mockers?’ ‘It was no matter,’ he said: ‘you
run about to preach, and have not the true faith.’ They returned, ‘The
true faith is held in a pure conscience, void of offence towards God
and men. Every one hath the true faith, that believeth in God, and in
Jesus Christ whom he hath sent: but they that say they do believe,
and do not keep his commandments, are liars, and the truth is not in
them.’ The friar confessed this to be true, though he was continually
very troublesome to them with threats, to make them turn; and to this
end they were locked up in a room, so exceeding hot, that it was
said it was impossible they could live long in it. They were also so
exceedingly stung by gnats, when they lay in bed, that their faces
became swoln, as if they had been sick of the small-pox, so that many
began to be afraid of them; and the friar said to Sarah, he spied an
evil spirit in her face.
At another time being examined, they were asked, how many of their
friends were gone forth into the ministry, and into what parts: they
answering to that query what they knew, it was told them, all that
came where the pope had any thing to do, should never go back again.
But they said, the Lord was as sufficient for them, as he was for the
children in the fiery furnace, and their trust was in God. Catharine
being sickly, was asked why she looked so; whether her spirit was
weak: she answered, ‘Nay: my body is weak, because I eat no meat.’ The
friar hearing this, offered her a license to eat flesh; for it was
in their Lent. But she refused this, and said, she could not eat any
thing at all. And going afterwards to bed, she lay there night and day
for twelve days together, fasting and sweating, for she was in much
affliction, and great was her agony.
After having lain ten days, there came to her two friars, the
chancellor, the man with the black rod, a physician, and the keeper.
One of the friars commanded Sarah to go out of the room, and then
pulled Catharine’s hand out of the bed, and said, ‘Is the devil so
great in you, that you cannot speak?’ To which she said, ‘Depart from
me thou worker of iniquity: the power of the Lord is upon me, and dost
thou call him devil?’ Hereupon he took his crucifix to strike her on
the mouth; and she asked him whether it were that cross that crucified
Paul to the world, and the world unto him. This ignorant monk said it
was. But she denied it, and said, ‘The Lord hath made me a witness
for himself, against all workers of iniquity.’ He then bade her be
obedient, and went to strike her; at which she said, ‘Wilt thou strike
me?’ And he saying he would, she further said, ‘Thou art out of the
apostles’ doctrine, for they were no strikers. I deny thee to be any
of them who went in the name of the Lord.’ To which he said, he had
brought her a physician in charity: and she returned, ‘The Lord is my
physician, and my saving health.’ The monk growing angry, said she
should be whipped and quartered, and burnt that night at Malta, and her
mate too. But she told him modestly, she did not fear; the Lord was on
her side; and he had no power but what he had received; and if he did
not use it to the same end the Lord gave it him, the Lord would judge
him. At these words they were all struck dumb, and went away. Then the
friar went to Sarah, and told her that Catharine called him worker of
iniquity. ‘Did she,’ said Sarah, ‘art thou without sin?’ To which he
said he was. ‘Then,’ replied Sarah, ‘she hath wronged thee.’
Late in the evening, something was proclaimed at the prison gate,
by beating of a drum, and early in the morning some came again with
a drum, and guns. It seems to me that this was done on purpose to
frighten these poor women, and to make them believe that they should
be put to death; for indeed they looked for little else, having for
several weeks expected that they should be led to the stake: but they
were fully resigned, and given up to what the Lord might be pleased
to permit. In the meanwhile Catharine continuing sickly, the friar
came again with the physician. But she told him, she could not take
any thing, unless she felt freedom. He then said, they must never come
forth of that room while they lived: and pretending to be kind to them,
he further said, ‘You may thank God and me, that it is no worse; for it
was like to be worse.’ Thereupon they said, that if they had died, they
had died as innocent as ever any servants of the Lord. He then said, it
was well they were innocent; and turning to Sarah, bade her take notice
what torment Catharine should be in at the hour of death; saying,
thousands of devils would fetch her soul to hell. But Sarah told him,
she did not fear any such thing. He then asked Catharine if she did not
think it expedient for the elders of the church to pray over the sick.
And she said, ‘Yea, such as are moved of the Spirit of the Lord.’ He
then fell down on his knees, and did howl, and wish bitter wishes upon
himself, if he had not the true faith. The physician in the meanwhile
was enraged, because she did not bow to him.
Now whilst Catharine was sick, Sarah was not without great affliction:
for it grieved her to see her dear companion so ill; and she easily
foresaw, that if Catharine died, her own sufferings would be heavier.
But yet she was given up to the will of the Lord, and would not in the
least grudge at Catharine’s eternal rest. But in time Catharine began
to mend, and grow hungry; and eating, she was refreshed. But the room
wherein they were locked was so excessively hot, that they were often
fain to rise out of their bed, and lie down at the chink of the door
for air to fetch breath; and this heat was the greater, because it
came not only from without, but within also: which so affected them
that their skin was parched, the hair fell off their heads, and they
fainted often; and their afflictions were so great, that when it was
day they wished for night, and when it was night, they wished for day;
yea, through human weakness, they desired death, eating their bread
weeping, and mingling their drink with tears. Once Catharine asked the
monks, who came to her with a physician, and said it was in charity,
whether they did not keep them in that hot room to kill them, and bring
a physician, to keep them longer alive? To this the friar said, the
inquisitor would lose his head if he should take them thence; and it
was better to keep them there, than to kill them. Then they wrote to
the inquisitor, and laid their innocency before him; and said also, if
it were their blood they thirsted after, they might take it any other
way, as well as to smother them in that hot room. But this so incensed
him, that he sent the friar to them, who took away their ink-horns,
their bibles being taken from them before. They asked them, why their
goods were taken away: to which it was answered, ‘All is ours; and your
lives too, if we will.’ Then they asked, how they had forfeited their
lives: to which it was told them, ‘For bringing books and papers.’ They
replied, if there were any thing in them that was not true, they might
write against it. To this the monk said, they scorned to write to fools
and asses, that did not know true Latin. And it was further told them,
the inquisitor would have them separated, because Catharine was weak,
and she should go into a cooler room; but Sarah should abide there.
Then Catharine took Sarah by the arm, and said, ‘The Lord hath joined
us together, and wo be to them that part us. I had rather die here with
my friend, than part from her.’ This so struck the friar, that he went
away, and came no more in five weeks, and the door of their room was
not opened in all that time.
Then the monks came again to part them, but Catharine was sick, and
broken out from head to foot. They thereupon sent for a doctor, and
he said, they must have air, or else they must die. This was told the
inquisitor, and he ordered the door to be set open six hours in a
day. But ten weeks after they were parted; which was such a grievous
affliction, that they declared death itself would not have been so
hard to them. But the monks said they corrupted each other, and that
being parted, they would bow and submit. But they saw themselves
disappointed; for the women were stronger afterwards than before, the
Lord fitting them for every condition. Before they were parted, the
friars brought them a scourge of small hempen cords, asking them if
they would have it; and saying they were used to whip themselves till
the blood came. But the women said, that could not reach the devil, he
sat upon the heart. Then the monks said, ‘All the people of Malta are
for you; if ye will be Catholics, none but will like you.’ To which
they returned, ‘The Lord hath changed us into that which changeth not.’
The monks then said, ‘All our holy women do pray for you: and ye shall
be honoured of all the world, if ye will turn.’ They replied, ‘The
world lies in wickedness; and the honour and glory of the world we have
denied.’ To this the monks said, ‘Ye shall be honoured of God too; but
now ye are hated of all.’ ‘This,’ said one of the women, ‘is an evident
token whose servants we are. The servant is not greater than his Lord.’
Once, on a First-day of the week, the friars came, and commanded them
to kneel down with them to prayer. They signified they could pray but
as they were moved by the Lord. Then the friars commanded them the
second time, and kneeled down by their bed-side, and prayed after their
manner; which being done, they said to the women, ‘We have tried your
spirits; now we know what spirit ye are of.’ But they told them they
could not know that, unless their minds were turned to the light of
Christ in their consciences. The English friar then growing angry,
showed them his crucifix, and bade them look on it. But they told him,
the Lord saith, “Thou shalt not make to thyself the likeness of any
thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water
under the earth; thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them; but
I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.” The friar seeing Sarah speak so
boldly to him, called for the irons to chain her. She then bowed her
head, and said to him, ‘Not only my hands and feet, but my neck also
for the testimony of Jesus.’ The friar seeming appeased, said he would
do them any good he could; for he saw what they did was not in malice.
And the friars came often, and said to them, ‘If ye would do but a
little ye should be set at liberty; but you will do nothing at all, but
are against every thing.’ To which they returned, that they would do
any thing that might tend to God’s glory.
While they were imprisoned here, it happened that the inquisition house
was new built or repaired, which took up about the space of a year and
an half; and during this time, some of the great ones came often to see
the building, which gave opportunity to these women to speak to them,
and to declare the Truth in the name of the Lord.
Now, though they were threatened by the monks for preaching the light
of Christ so boldly, yet not only the magistrates, but the lord
inquisitor grew moderate towards them, and gave order they should have
pens, ink, and paper, to write to England. And they seemed inclined to
have them set at liberty; but the friars worked mightily against it;
and had laboured about three quarters of a year to part them, before
they could bring it to pass. And when at length they had effected it,
they told Catharine that they should never see one another’s faces
again.
In the meanwhile Catharine being sickly, had little stomach to eat,
and had no mind to eat any thing but what came from Sarah to her. And
having told one of the friars that she wanted somebody to wash her
linen, and to prepare some warm victuals for her, he sent to Sarah to
know if she would do it for her; and she said she would. And by that
means they for some weeks heard of one another every day; and the friar
said once to Catharine, ‘You may free yourself of misery when you will;
you may make yourself a Catholic, and have your freedom to go where you
will:’ to which she told him, ‘Thus I might have a name that I did live
when I was dead: thou hast Catholics enough already. Endeavour to bring
some of them to the light in their consciences, that they may stand in
awe and sin not.’ But he was so eager, that he said he would lose one
of his fingers if she and Sarah would be Catholics. Then she told him
that it was Babylon that was built with blood, but Sion was redeemed
through judgment.
Many ways were used to draw them off; and once they would have
persuaded her to set a picture at her bed’s head, for a representation:
but she said, as with abhorrence, ‘What, do ye think I want a calf to
worship? Do ye walk by the rule of Scriptures?’ To which the friar
said, ‘We do; but we have traditions too.’ She replied, ‘If your
traditions derogate or dissent, from the fundamentals of Christ’s
doctrine, the prophets, and apostles, I deny them in the name of the
Lord.’ But he asserted that they did not. Then she asked what rule they
had to burn those that could not join with them for conscience-sake:
and he returned, ‘St. Paul did worse, for he gave them to the devil:’
and further said, that they did judge all damned that were not of their
faith. Then she objected to him several of the superstitious rites of
the church of Rome, and mentioned also the forbidding of marriage,
which, said she is a doctrine of devils, according to the saying of
the apostle. The friar being put to a nonplus, told her that St. Peter
was the pope of Rome, and did build an altar there, and the pope was
his successor, and he could do what he would. But she refuted this
with sound reason. He then boasting of the antiquity of their church,
she signified that the church she was of was yet older; ‘For,’ said
she, ‘our faith was from the beginning; and Abel was of our church.’
The friar being at a loss, and no longer able to hold out against
Catharine, went to Sarah, and talked with her at the same rate; and
she also told him Abel was of our church: to which he said, ‘Abel was
a Catholic;’ and quite overshooting himself, he said likewise, ‘And
Cain and Judas were so.’ To which Sarah returned, ‘Then the devil was a
Catholic; and I will not be one: I will not turn; though ye would tear
me to pieces, I believe the Lord would enable me to endure it.’
At another time the said friar, whose name was Malachy, came again to
Catharine, and told her if she would be a Catholic, she should say so;
otherwise they would use her badly, and she should never see the face
of Sarah again, but should die by herself, and a thousand devils should
carry her soul to hell. She then asked him if he were the messenger of
God to her: and he said ‘Yes.’ ‘Why, what is my sin,’ said she, ‘or
wherein have I provoked the Lord, that he doth send me such a message?’
‘It is,’ returned the monk, ‘because you will not be a Catholic.’
Whereupon she said, ‘I deny thee and the message too, and the spirit
which speaks in thee; for the Lord never spoke so.’ He growing angry,
said that he would lay her in a whole pile of chains, where she should
see neither sun nor moon. She intimating how resigned she was, said
he could not separate her from the love of God in Christ Jesus, lay
her wherever he would. And he further saying he would give her to the
devil, she resumed, ‘I do not fear all the devils in hell; the Lord is
my keeper. Though thou hadst the inquisition, with all the countries
round about it on thy side, and I was alone by myself, I do not fear
them; if they were thousands more, the Lord is on my right hand; and
the worst they can do, is but to kill the body, they can touch my life
no more than the devil could Job’s.’ Then the monk said she should
never go out of the room alive. To which she courageously said, ‘The
Lord is sufficient to deliver me; but whether he will or no, I will
not forsake the living fountain, to drink at a broken cistern. And ye
have no law to keep us here, but such a law as Ahab had for Naboth’s
vineyard.’ The monk then cursing himself, and calling upon his gods,
ran away; and as he was pulling the door, he said, ‘Abide there, member
of the devil.’ To which she said, ‘The devil’s members do the devil’s
works; and the woes and plagues of the Lord will be upon them for it.’
He then went and told the inquisitor of it, who laughed at him; and
before he came again, Catharine was moved out of that room: when he
came he brought one of the inquisitor’s men with him, and two very good
hens, and said, the lord inquisitor had sent them in love to her. To
which she said, she received his love, but yet she showed herself not
very ready to accept them; and signified that she was willing to pay
for them, being loath to be chargeable to any, whilst she had of her
own. The friar, who it seems would have had them lay down their money
at his feet, said they must not count any thing their own, for in the
primitive times they sold their possessions, and laid them down at
the apostles’ feet. He further said, ‘You shall not want any thing,
though we should spend a thousand crowns. But you are proud, because
you will not take the inquisitor’s hens which he sent you in charity.’
She then asking what kind of charity this was, since he kept her in
prison; the friar said, it was for the good of their souls he kept them
in prison; further adding, ‘If you had not been going to preach, ye
might have gone where ye would.’ She returned, ‘Our souls are out of
the inquisitor’s reach. Why should your love extend more to us than to
your own family: for they commit all manner of sin, which you cannot
charge us with. Why do not ye put them into the inquisition, and bid
them turn?’ He then said, ‘You have not the true faith;’ and showing
her his crucifix, asked her, if she thought he did worship that: and
she asked him, what then did he with it: to which he answered, it was
a representation. And she replied, it did not represent Christ, for he
was the express image of his Father’s glory, which is light and life.
‘But,’ continued she, ‘if thou canst put any life in any of thy images,
then bring them to me. What representation had Daniel in the lion’s
den, or Jonah in the whale’s belly? They cried unto the Lord, and he
delivered them.’ The friar, who could not abide to hear her speak so
much against idols, said she talked like a mad woman, adding, ‘I will
give you to the devil.’ She not fearing this, said, ‘Give thy own, I
am the Lord’s.’ He then stood up, and said, ‘I will do to you as the
apostles did to Ananias and Sapphira.’ She then standing up also, said,
‘I deny thee in the name of the Lord, the living God, thou hast no
power over me.’ Then away he went with the hens to Sarah, and told her
that Catharine was sick, and the lord inquisitor had sent two hens,
and she would be glad to eat a piece of one, if she would dress one of
them presently, and the other to-morrow. Sarah no less circumspect and
cautious than Catharine, and unwilling to receive this gift before she
knew what might be expedient, answered him accordingly as Catharine
did. Then he carried the hens away again, saying, ‘You would fain be
burnt, because you would make the world believe, you love God so well
as to suffer in that kind.’ Catharine hearing this, said, ‘I do not
desire to be burnt; but if the Lord should call me to it, I believe he
will give me power to undergo it for his Truth; and if every hair of my
head was a body, I could offer them up all for the testimony of Jesus.’
The friar coming afterwards, again asked Catharine whether she had
not been inspired of the Holy Ghost to be a Catholic, since she came
into the inquisition: she said, ‘No:’ but he maintaining the contrary,
said, ‘You are those who call the Spirit of the Holy Ghost the Spirit
of the devil.’ ‘No:’ replied they, (who though they were parted could
hear one another,) ‘the Spirit of the Holy Ghost in us will resist the
devil; and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost is not wrought in the will
of man, nor in man’s time; but in God’s will and time.’ More discourse
they had about this matter, and then asking for their bibles, which
had been taken from them, he said they should never see them again, for
they were false.
Thus they were often troubled and importuned by the friars, who
generally came two at a time, though sometimes but one. One of these
often lifted up his hand to strike them, but did not: for they not
being moved by fear, he was put out of countenance, and would say they
were good women, and he would do them any good. As indeed sometimes he
did work for them, and would say it was for God’s sake, and that they
ought to thank him for it; to which they replied, those that did any
thing for God, did not look for a reward from man; which once made him
so angry, that he said they were the worst of all creatures, and that
they should be used worse than the Turks, Armenians, and Lutherans.
Whereupon one of them said, ‘The pure life was ever counted the worst;
and if we suffer, we are the Lord’s, and can trust him. Do what ye will
with us, we do not fear any evil tidings: we are settled and grounded
in Truth; and the more ye persecute us, the stronger we grow.’ For
this they experienced indeed, according to what they signified in
their letters, though they were separated a year from each other. The
friars coming once to Sarah, told her if she would she might go out of
the prison, and say and do nothing. And she saying she would on that
account, they said they would come next morning. But Sarah perceived
their deceit, and therefore when they came, she, to avoid the snare,
could not resolve to go forth, though the friars behaved themselves
friendly, and told her that the inquisitor had said, if they wanted
linen, woollen, stockings, shoes, or money, they should have it.
Once it happened that an Englishman who lived there, having heard that
Sarah was in a room with a window next the street, got up by the wall,
and spoke a few words to her; but he was violently hauled down, and
cast into prison upon life and death; for he was one they had taken
from the Turks, and made a Papist of him. The friars coming to them to
know whether he had brought them any letters, they said ‘No.’ Neither
had Catharine seen him; yet it was told them, he was like to be hanged.
Of this Sarah gave information to Catharine, by writing a few lines
to her, (for it seems they then could not hear one another,) and she
told her, she thought the English friars were the chief actors of this
business. This grieved Catharine, and she wrote to Sarah again, (for
they had a private way to send to each other.) In this letter, after
her salutation, she said to Sarah, that she might be sure the friars
were the chief actors; but that she believed the Lord would preserve
that poor Englishman for his love, and that she was made to seek the
Lord for him with tears; and that she desired her to send him something
once a day, if the keeper would carry it; that she herself was ravished
with the love of God to her soul, and her beloved was the chiefest of
ten thousands; and that she did not fear the face of any man, though
she felt their arrows: moreover that she had a prospect of their safe
return into England. And in the conclusion, she bade Sarah take heed,
if she was tempted with money. But this letter, (by what means they
never knew,) came to the English friar’s hands, who translating it into
Italian, delivered it to the lord inquisitor; and afterwards came with
the inquisitor’s deputy to Catharine, and showed her both the papers,
and asked her if she could read it: viz. the English one: ‘Yea,’ said
she, ‘I wrote it.’ ‘O, did you indeed?’ said he. ‘And what is it you
say of me here?’ ‘Nothing but what is true,’ replied she. Then he
said, ‘Where is the paper Sarah sent? Give it, or else I will search
your trunk, and every where else.’ She then bidding him search where
he would, he said, she must tell him who it was that brought her ink,
or else she should be tied with chains presently. And she returned she
had done nothing but what was just and right in the sight of God; and
what she did suffer on that account would be for Truth’s sake. And she
would not meddle with the poor workmen. Then he said, ‘For God’s sake
tell me what Sarah did write.’ And she told him something, and said,
what she spoke was truth. ‘But,’ returned he, ‘you say it is much we
do not tempt you with money.’ And this indeed happened afterwards. The
deputy then took Catharine’s ink, and threw it away; and so they went
also; and the poor Englishman was released the next morning. They now
coming to Sarah, told her that Catharine honestly had confessed all,
and that she had best to confess too: and they threatened her with a
halter, and that they would take away her bed and trunk, and her money
too: to which Sarah said, it may be she might not send to Catharine any
more: and she asked the deputy, whether he was a minister of Christ,
or a magistrate; if he were a magistrate, said she, he might take her
money, but she would not give it him. He then growing angry, said she
was possessed; to which she replied, if so, then it was with the power
of an endless life.
Thus from time to time they suffered many assaults; and sometimes it
so happened that those who came to see them, were struck to the heart,
which offended the friars. Now at length their money was almost gone,
they having sometimes employed it for victuals. But the friars told
them they might have kept their money for other services; for they
should have maintained them whilst they kept them prisoners. To this
they said they could not keep their money and be chargeable to others.
Then it so fell out that their stomachs were taken away, and they did
eat but little for three or four weeks, till at length they found
themselves obliged to fasting for several days together: which made
the friars say, that it was impossible that people could live with so
little meat as they did. And it was told them the lord inquisitor had
said, they might have any thing they would. To which they signifying
that it was not in their own will they fasted, said they must wait
to know the mind of the Lord, what he would have them to do. They
continued weak, especially Sarah, who apprehending her death near, did
therefore dress her head as she would lie in the grave. They both were
so feeble that they could not put on their clothes, neither put them
off, being also unable to make their beds. And though they desired to
be together in one room, yet the friars would not permit it. In this
condition they concluded they were like to die; but heaven had provided
otherwise.
Catharine about that time, being exercised in supplication to the Lord,
that it might please him to put an end to their trial, which way it
seemed good in his sight, thought she heard a voice saying, ‘Ye shall
not die:’ and she took this to be a heavenly voice: and from that
time they felt themselves refreshed with the living presence of the
Lord, to their great joy and comfort, so that they felt freedom to eat
again: and then they were provided with good victuals; but yet they
were under a fear of eating any thing which in some respect might be
counted unclean; and therefore they cried unto the Lord, and said,
‘We had rather die than eat any thing that is polluted and unclean.’
And Catharine believed it was said to her from the Lord, ‘Thou mayest
as freely eat, as if thou hadst wrought for it with thy hands.’ And
Sarah, who sometimes wrought for others in the inquisition house, was
persuaded that it was told her by inspiration, ‘Thou shalt eat the
fruit of thy hands, and be blessed.’ And so they did eat, and for
eight or ten days they got whatever they did call for. But afterwards
they were so straitened for want of food, that it did them more hurt
than their fast. Yet they being preserved alive, the friar said, ‘The
Lord keeps them alive by his mighty power, because they should be
Catholics.’ To which they returned, it should be known one day the
Lord had another end in it. But the friars told them plainly there was
no redemption for them. Whereupon they said, With the Lord there was
mercy and plenteous redemption: and they bade them take heed, ‘ye be
not found fighters against God.’ To which the friars returned, ‘Ye are
foolish women.’ ‘Then we are,’ replied they, ‘the Lord’s fools; and
they are dear and precious in his sight.’ The friars then showing their
shaven crowns, said that they were the Lord’s fools; and, pointing to
their gowns, said they did wear them for God’s sake to be laughed at
by the world. One of the friars about this time did what he could to
send Catharine to Rome; and not succeeding, he said they should go
both. But this not taking effect, the friar was sent thither with a
paper, containing matter of charge against Catharine; but she speaking
zealously to the scribe, pronounced wo against it, and defied it in
the name of the Lord. Before the friar departed, he told Sarah that
Catharine was a witch, and that she knew what was done elsewhere. He
said this, because once telling Catharine abundance of lies, she told
him she had a witness for God in her, which was faithful and true; and
she believed this witness.
After he was gone, the English consul came to her with a dollar from
the master of a ship, who came from Plymouth. She told him she did
receive her countryman’s love, but could not receive his money. He
then asked her what she would do if she would take no money; to which
she answered, ‘The Lord is my portion, and thus I cannot want any good
thing. We were in thy house near fifteen weeks, didst thou see any
cause of death and bonds in us?’ And he saying No, she signified to
him, that in some respect he had been accessory to their imprisonment,
and had not been ignorant of the intent: ‘Thou knewest,’ said she,
‘that a room was provided for us in the inquisition; and had we not
been kept alive by the mighty power of God, we might have been dead
long since.’ Endeavouring to excuse himself, he said, ‘how could I help
it?’ Then she put him in mind of what happened at his house, when they
were there, and how they called them to repentance, and forewarned
them. To which he said, ‘However it be, it will go well with you.’
Then she told him how he required a sign of her, when they were at his
house, if they were the servants of the Lord God: and she asked him
whether that was not true they spoke to him: ‘Thou art a condemned
person, and standest guilty before God; yet nevertheless repent,
if thou canst find a place.’ While she thus spoke to him, his lips
quivered, and he trembled, so that he could scarce stand upon his legs:
and though otherwise a very handsome man, and in his prime, yet he now
looked as one that was pining away; and this was a sufficient sign for
the whole city, if they had duly taken notice of it. Catharine having
refused the piece of money, he went to Sarah with it: but she likewise
told him she could not take it; but if he had a letter for them she
should be free to receive it. He saying he had not any, asked her what
she did want; and she answered, the Lord was her shepherd, she could
not want any good thing; but she did long for her freedom. He, not
willing to discourage her, said, ‘That you may have in time.’ But he
did not live to see it, for the next time they heard of him he was dead.
Whilst the friar was gone to Rome, it was told them they were also to
be sent thither; and there was indeed great workings about it; but it
seems they could not agree in the matter. In the meanwhile Catharine
and Sarah remained separated, and there were five doors between them
with locks and bolts; and yet Sarah sometimes found an opportunity
either by the carelessness of the keeper, or that it was done on
purpose, to come where she could see Catharine; and how much soever the
friars did watch them, yet she came to Catharine’s door by night. But
being once discovered, she was locked up again; yet not long after the
doors were again open, so that they sat in sight of each other.
Sometimes there were of divers nations brought prisoners into the
inquisition; and the friars, and other great men, endeavoured in their
way, to make Christians of them. Then these women would often show the
errors of popery, and declare the Truth, for which they were willing to
suffer death, if required: but this was taken very ill. At length it
happened that two Englishmen came into that city, and tried to obtain
their liberty, but in vain. Yet a little while after, the magistrates
sent for and asked them whether they were sick; or whether they did
want any thing; saying they might write to England, ordering the scribe
to give them ink and paper.
Not long after came one Francis Steward, a captain of a ship, and a
friar of Ireland, who both took great pains to get them released; and
their friends in England had not been wanting in any thing that might
procure their liberty. But the time for it was not yet come. The said
captain, and the new English consul, endeavoured much to procure their
liberty; but it was not in the magistrates power, for the inquisitor
said, he could not set them free, without an order from the pope.
Yet Catharine and Sarah were brought into the court chamber, and the
English consul asked them if they were willing to go back to England,
and they said, Yes, if it were the will of God they might. The captain
of the ship, who also was there, spoke to them with tears in his eyes,
and told them what he had done in their behalf, but in vain. ‘It is the
inquisitor,’ said he, ‘who will not let you go free: you have preached
among these people.’ To which they said, that they had witnessed
the Truth, which they were willing to maintain with their blood. He
replied, if they could be set free, he would freely give them their
passage, and provide for them. And they returned, his love was as well
accepted of the Lord, as if he did carry them. He also offered them
money, but they refused to take any. They then gave him a relation
of their imprisonment and sufferings, and said they could not change
their minds, though they were to be burnt to ashes, or chopped in small
pieces. The friar then drawing near, said they did not work: but this
was not true, for they had work of their own, and did work as they were
able. They also told him their work and business was in England. He
confessing this was true, said they had suffered long enough, and too
long, and that they should have their freedom within a short time, but
that there wanted an order from the pope. In the meanwhile it grieved
the captain that he could not obtain their liberty; and going away, he
prayed God to comfort them; and they besought the Lord to bless and
preserve him unto everlasting life, and never to let him, nor his, go
without a blessing from him, for his love. For he ventured himself
exceedingly in that place, by labouring to get their freedom.
After he was gone, they met with worse usage, and the inquisitor
coming, looked upon them with indignation; for the taking away of their
lives was again on foot, and their doors were shut up for many weeks.
After some time the inquisitor came again into the tower where they
sat; and Sarah called to him, and desired the door might be opened for
them to go down into the court to wash their clothes. He then ordered
the door to be opened once a week: and not long after it was open
every day. And since it had been said, that they could not be released
without the pope’s leave, Sarah said to him, ‘If we are the pope’s
prisoners, we appeal to the pope: send us therefore to him.’ But those
that had their abode in the inquisition, especially the friars, were
their mortal enemies, although they would sometimes have fed them with
the best of their victuals, and given them whole bottles of wine, if
they would have received it; and it troubled them exceedingly, that
they refused to eat and drink with them; which they did, because they
looked upon them as their fierce persecutors.
Once there came two or three English ships into the harbour, and the
English consul telling them of it, said, that he did what he could
for them, but that they would not let them go, unless they would turn
Catholics, and that therefore they must suffer more imprisonment yet.
Before Sarah knew these ships were come thither, she saw them in the
night in a dream, and heard a voice saying that they could not go
yet. When the ships were gone, they were sent for, and it was asked
them if they would be Catholics; to which they answered, they were
true Christians, and had received the Spirit of Christ. One of the
magistrates showing them the cross, they told him, they did take up the
cross of Christ daily, which was the power of God to crucify sin and
iniquity. Knowing that there was a friar, who, as the captain had told
them, took a great deal of pains for them, but not seeing him there,
(for he secretly favouring them, was now absent,) they said to those
that were present, ‘One of your fathers hath promised us our liberty.’
But this availed nothing. Yet they acknowledged his kindness, and told
him afterwards, he would never have cause to repent it. A friar once
coming to them, said, ‘It is God’s will ye should be kept here, or else
we could not keep you.’ On which Catharine told him, ‘The Lord suffers
wicked men to do wickedness, but he doth not will them to do it; he
suffered Herod to take off John the Baptist’s head, but he did not will
him to do it: he suffered Stephen to be stoned, and Judas to betray
Christ; but he did not will them to do so; for if he had, he would not
have condemned them for it.’ The friar hereupon asking, ‘Are we then
wicked men?’ She answered, ‘They are wicked men that work wickedness.’
‘But,’ said he, ‘you have not the true faith.’ To which she answered,
‘By faith we stand, and by the power of God we are upheld. Dost thou
think it is by our own power and holiness we are kept from a vain
conversation, from sin and wickedness?’ He then saying that was their
pride, she told him, ‘We can glory in the Lord, we were children of
wrath once as well as others; but the Lord hath quickened us that were
dead, by the living word of his grace, and hath washed, cleansed, and
sanctified us in soul and spirit, in part, according to our measures;
and we do press forward towards that which is perfect.’ He then said,
‘Ye are good women: but yet there is no redemption for you, except ye
will be Catholics.’ This was the old lesson of the friars, who, at
another time, said, ‘Ye may be Catholics, and keep your own religion
too, and yet shall not be known to be Catholics, except ye were brought
before a justice.’ To which they returned, ‘What, should we profess a
Christ we should be ashamed of?’
Some of those that came to see them would pity them for not turning
Catholics; but others showed their hatred, by crying that they must
be burnt, and by bawling, ‘Fuoco, fuoco, (fire, fire.)’ Whilst they
were separated from each other, Catharine was often much concerned for
Sarah, and afraid that she should be ensnared; for one of the friars
many times accosted her with fawning words: but they both continued
steadfast, and were often ravished by the inward joy and consolation
they felt. Catharine in one of her letters said, that the spirit of
prayer was once upon her, but that she was afraid to speak to the Lord,
for fear she should speak one word that would not please him. And then
it was returned from the Lord, ‘Fear not, daughter of Sion; ask what
thou wilt, and I will grant it thee, whatsoever thy heart can wish.’
But she desired nothing of the Lord, but what would make for his glory,
whether it were her liberty, or bondage, life or death. And in this
resignedness she found herself accepted of the Lord.
Sometimes they spoke so effectually to those that came to them, that
they could not gainsay them, but were made to confess that God was with
them; though others would make a hideous noise, and cry, ‘Jesu Maria,’
and run away, as people that were struck with fear. Catharine’s prison
being so near the street, that she could be heard of those that went
by, she was moved sometimes to call them to repentance, and to turn
to the light wherewith they were enlightened, which would lead them
out of all their wicked ways and works, to serve the true and living
God, in spirit and in truth. This so reached some, that they did sigh
and groan, and stay to hear her; but not long, it being forbidden upon
great pain. Yet some that passed by to their worship-houses were so
wicked, that they threw stones at her window, and often made a sad
noise, and howled like dogs.
Thus they were assaulted both from abroad, and within doors from the
friars, who fiercely threatened them for their bold testimony against
idolatry. Once when they showed Sarah the Virgin Mary and her babe
pictured against a wall, and would have her look upon it, she, to show
her zeal against idol-worship, stamped with her foot, and said, ‘Cursed
are all images, and image-makers, and those that fall down to worship
them.’
It happened that some French and Spanish ships came to join with the
cavaliers of Malta, to fight against the Turks; Sarah hearing this,
said, ‘God is angry, God is angry; go not forth to kill one another;
Christ came not to destroy life, but to save it.’ This she told many
who were persuaded of obtaining a victory; but it fell out otherwise,
for their fleet was beaten by the Turks, and they returned with great
damage.
A friar coming once to Catharine, asked her why she did not work;
which made her say to him, ‘What work dost thou?’ He answered, ‘I
write.’ To which she returned, ‘I will write too, if thou wilt bring me
pen, ink, and paper.’ He not willing she should write, said, ‘St. Paul
did work at Rome; and by knitting she might get about three half-pence
a day.’ She told him, ‘If we could have that privilege among you, which
Paul had at Rome under Cæsar, who was a heathen prince, we would have
wrought, and not have been chargeable to any; for he lived in his own
hired house two years, preaching the gospel, and doctrine of the Lord
Jesus Christ.’ She asked him also, whether he knew the holy war of
God? ‘And if thou knowest it,’ said she, ‘then thou canst not but know
that we cannot be without exercise day nor night.’ This stopped his
mouth; besides it was well known that they spent not their time idly;
for they knit stockings for those that were serviceable to them; they
made garments for the poor prisoners, and mended their clothes; though
they were not willing to work for the friars, who sometimes coming to
her, kneeled down, and would have Catharine to say after them the words
they spoke. But this she refused to do, though it made these men grow
more angry. Such and the like occurrences so grieved her, that once in
anguish of spirit she cried out to God, ‘It were better for me to die
than to live thus.’ For being almost continually constrained to testify
against idolatry and superstition, she would have been willing to have
laid down her life for a testimony against it, if it had been required
of her. And when once the friars told her that Sarah was to be carried
to Rome, whilst she should stay at Malta, it so grieved her, that with
supplication, she asked the Lord if he did not count her worthy to
go to Rome also, and to offer up her life there for the testimony of
Jesus: because, if she was at liberty to choose, she would rather do
so, than return without her to England.
At another time, when it was told them that their bibles were false,
Catharine asked the friar that said so, ‘Wherein are they false?’ He
replied, because the books of the Maccabees were not in them. To which
she answered, that though something might be wanting, yet the rest
might be good for all that: but if something were added, then the bible
was corrupted. This struck at some additions she had seen in the bibles
there. Then he asked her whether she did not think that every one must
bow at the name of Jesus; and she answering, ‘Yea,’ he said, ‘Jesus,’
and bade her to kneel down, or to bow herself. To which she said, that
her heart and whole body was bowed down under the name of Jesus; but
that she would not bow at the will of him, or any body else. ‘He that
departs from iniquity, (thus she continued,) bows before the name of
Jesus; but they that live in sin and wickedness, do not bow before the
Son of God.’ Then he said, that he and his companions stood in the same
power, and were led by the same spirit as the apostles. Which made
her ask, why then they abused that power, and used carnal weapons? He
answered, they did not do so, for their inquisition, nay, even their
chains and fetters were spiritual. Then he asked her, whether she did
not think all those damned that were not of her persuasion; she said,
‘No, Christ hath not taught us so; for those that are to-day in a state
of reprobation, the Lord, if it please him, can call to-morrow out of
it.’ He then said, ‘We think you damned, and all those that are not of
our belief.’ To which she returned, ‘The judgment of man doth not hurt
us.’
Sometimes some came to the prison upon their saints’ days, and asked
them what day it was: and they not being acquainted with those saints,
would answer, ‘We do not know it.’ When the others then told them, that
it was such or such a saint’s day, and that this saint would punish
them that night, because they did not observe his day; they answered,
that they knew the saints to be at peace with them, and that therefore
they did not fear them. Another time a friar came and told them, it
was seventeen days to Christmas, and that the Virgin Mary conceived
that present day. On which Catharine made this remark, that indeed this
was very singular, that she did go with child but seventeen days. Such
like occurrences grieved her exceedingly, when she considered the gross
darkness these people were in: and as she was crying to the Lord in
prayer, that it seemed that all their travail and labour was fruitless,
she felt this answer: ‘Be not grieved, though Israel be not gathered,
the seed of Malta is to increase into multitude; that which ye have
sown shall not die, but live.’
1662.
After Catharine and Sarah had been imprisoned at Malta about three
years, there came one Daniel Baker, who did whatever he could, and
went also to the inquisitor, to obtain their liberty, but in vain; for
he required that some English merchants at Leghorn, or at Messina,
should engage for four thousand dollars, that they being released,
should never return into those parts. But they were unwilling to enter
into those terms, as not knowing what the Lord one time or other might
require of them. Daniel, seeing he could not obtain their deliverance
this way, offered himself to be imprisoned instead of them; and this
not being accepted, he went yet further, and signified, that he was
willing to lay down his life for their liberty, if it was not to be
purchased otherwise. Great love indeed! of which but few instances are
to be found. And they hearing of this, were touched with exceeding
great admiration. In the meanwhile, he found a way to get some letters
delivered to them, and wrote also himself, both to comfort and exhort
them to steadfastness. At length he found means also to speak to them:
for on a time, as they stood at the prison gates, he being come in
their sight, saluted them in those words: ‘The whole body of God’s
elect, right dearly beloved, own your testimony, and ye are a sweet
savour unto the Lord and his people.’ To which one of them answered,
that it was a trouble to them that they could not be more serviceable.
This made his heart melt with pity and compassion, considering the
wonderful mercy of the Lord in preserving them without fainting in that
sharp trial: and they beholding one another at a distance through the
iron grates, were mutually refreshed at that season. They afterwards
wrote to him, and signified with the most tender expressions, how
highly they valued his great love; and also sent him letters for their
friends and relations in England; and he neglected not to write back
again to them during his stay, which was in the forepart of the year
1662. But he was forced to leave them prisoners there: yet the time of
their redemption drew nigh, which was brought about at the instance of
George Fox and Gilbert Latey, by writing to the lord Aubigny, as hath
been said already.
Some time before Daniel Baker came to Malta, it had been told them,
that if they would turn Catholics, they might dwell at Malta. To which
their answer was, that they were true Catholics. One of the magistrates
said, that if they would not turn Catholics, they must yet suffer
long imprisonment by the pope’s order. And yet it was not true that
there was such an order. It was also told them, if they would kiss the
cross, they should be released; and they might stay at the house of the
English consul, until an opportunity offered to carry them to England.
In the meanwhile they heard that the pope had given order to let them
pass to England without doing them any hurt. But however it was, they
were preserved well contented, and they said resolutely, that they
would not kiss the cross, nor purchase their liberty at that rate. It
seems the consul aimed at some advantage by their releasement; for he
told them that the inquisitor had said, if any one would engage for
three or four thousand dollars to be paid, if ever they came thither
again, they should be set at liberty. This he said also to D. Baker,
and added, that if none would engage, they must die in prison, and
that this was the pope’s order. After Baker’s departure, word was sent
to some English merchants, concerning such an engagement, but none
appeared willing to enter into it; and the prisoners were so far from
desiring, that they spoke against it. Yet there were many that sought
to obtain their liberty, showing themselves willing to engage for what
was reasonable; but all their endeavours were in vain.
Once they fasted three days, and though it was a cold season, they
sat upon the ground, with a very little clothes, without stockings
or shoes, having nothing upon their heads but ashes. The inquisitors
seeing it, wondered exceedingly; and Sarah began to speak zealously
against superstition and idolatry. And when the time of their fast was
expired, Catharine composed the following