to take an oath before a magistrate." They then proceeded to examine him on sundry points, with the evident design of entrapping him. Some of their questions he answered, and others he declined.* The whole tenor of this inquisitorial interview satisfied Penry, that his death was determined on, and that the repeated attempts to draw him into private, "friendly" discussions, and these oft-repeated examinations, were simply designed to furnish materials for an indictment. So impressed was he with this conviction, that after this last interview with his prosecutors, he immediately began to prepare himself and family for his speedy martyrdom. He wrote to his wife a letter full of

* Yelverton, MS., in Waddington, 122-24.

† At this period of English history the trial of a man for felony was little better than a mockery of justice, as we have seen in the cases already noticed. For the government to arrest and indict a man was nearly equivalent to his condemnation. Hallam, in speaking of this feature of English jurisprudence says: "I have found it impossible not to anticipate, in more places than one, some of those glaring transgressions of natural as well as positive law, that rendered our courts of justice in cases of treason little better than the caverns of murderers. Whoever was arraigned at their bar was almost certain to meet a virulent prosecutor, a judge hardly distinguishable from the prosecutor except by his ermine, and a passive and pusillanimous jury. *** The integrity of judges is put to the proof as much by prosecutions for seditious writings as by charges of treason. I have before mentioned the conviction of Udal and Penry, for a felony created by the 23 of Elizabeth; the former of which, especially, must strike every reader of the trial as one of the gross judicial iniquities of this reign." Const. History of Eng., vol. 1. pp. 231-2. Of the two cases, Penry's seems to me to have been, if possible, the grosser act of injustice.

affection, and abounding in good counsel and religious instructions and comfort; and, what is even more wonderful, considering the circumstances under which it was written in minute directions and advice to guide her and his four little children after his decease. It was addressed, "To my beloved wife, Hellenor Penry, partaker with me in this life, of the sufferings of the Gospel of the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, and resting with me in undoubted hope of that glory which shall be revealed." As a reason for addressing her as he did, he tells her: "I see my blood laid for, my beloved, and so my days and testimony drawing to an end (for aught I know); and therefore, I think it my duty to leave behind me this testimony of my love to so dear a sister and so loving a wife, in the Lord, as you have been to me." He then beseeches her to stand fast in the truth which she had professed under circumstances of much discouragement and danger; to continue a member of "the holy society" of which they were now both members; to consecrate herself wholly unto the Lord her God; to be much in prayer and the reading of God's word; to pray with her family morning and evening, and to instruct her maid and children in the good ways of God. He recommends particular portions of Scripture, as specially adapted to her present circumHe even goes so far as to tell her, that

stances.

* See Waddington's Life of Penry, 127 and onward.

if she should be married again, to "choose that first he with whom you marry, be of the same holy faith and profession with you." He then tells her where his manuscripts might be found, and what disposition to make of them; and closes with salutations to the whole church, to his mother and hers, and to their brothers and sisters and other friends, some of whom he particularly names, and subscribes himself" in great haste, with many tears, and yet in great spiritual comfort of my soul, your husband for a season, and your beloved brother forever-John Penry, an unworthy witness of Christ's testament against the abominations of the Roman Antichrist and his followers, sure of the victory by the blood of the Lamb."

To his dear and tenderly beloved daughters he also wrote a long and affectionate letter, to be read by them when they came " to years of discretion and understanding"- they were all under four years of age. In this he exhorts them, first of all, to know the God of their father, and serve Him, even in all those duties which He requireth in His blessed written Word. He tells them to "have nothing to do with the ordinances and inventions of Antichrist's kingdom, as are retained [in the church of England]-such as lord archbishops, archdeacons, chancellors, canons, prebends, spiritual courts, and the mingling of the clean and unclean; and to regard not the world nor anything that is therein." For the direction of their private lives, he refers them to their mother, "who" he

says, "bath been a most faithful sister and comfortable yokefellow to me in all my trials and sufferings, and for your comfort and mine hath taken bitter journies by sea and land." He commands them to repay her, by their dutifulness and obedience, and to "be ruled in all things by her directions." "Whatsoever becometh of you in outward regard," he says, "keep yourselves in this poor church where I leave you, or in some other holy society of the saints. I have left you four Bibles, each of you one; being the sole and only patrimony or dowry I have for you. I beseech you and charge you, not only to keep them, but to read in them day and night; and before you read, and also in and after reading, be earnest in prayer and meditation, that you may understand and perform the good way of your God. Frequent the holy .exercises and meetings of the saints in any case. Frame yourselves to be humble, lowly, meek and patient toward all men. Diminish from your diet and apparel, that you may bestow the same upon the church and the members of Christ." He commands them to show kindness also to their kindred, both of their father's and mother's side; to remember the Welsh people, to pray for them, and to be ready to show themselves helpful to "the least child of that poor country." He exhorts them to "pray much and often for the prosperous reign and the preservation, body and soul," of Queen Elizabeth. "Finally," he says, "my daughters, grow in all graces of knowledge and godliness in

Christ Jesus. Believe and hope firmly in that salvation which is to be had by Him. Suffer affliction with Him in this poor church. Continue in holy fear unto the end; then shall you have a blessed meeting in the great day of His appearing."

On the same day that this letter was written, (April 10, 1593) Penry was brought up for examination, before "the Right Worshipful Mr. Fanshaw and Justice Young." †

Being asked by Fanshaw if he could show any writers, either old or new, that had been of his judgment, Penry replied: "I hold nothing but what I will be bound to prove out of the written word of God;" and "in regard to the special points controverted," he declared that he agreed with the early reformers and martyrs of the English church, and with the reformed churches in other countries.

"Fan. But do the martyrs teach you there is no church of Christ in England?

Pen. I am far from denying any church of Christ to be in this land.

*Waddington, 136–45.

† Fortunately the important and interesting details of this examination, have been preserved by Penry's own hand. This paper exhibits very clearly the composure, ability, and admirable spirit of the martyr, and presents his opinions fully and clearly. It can be found in the Harleian Miscellany, vol. 11. pp. 33-41. The substance of it is also given by Mr. Waddington in his Life of Penry, pp. 148-166.