upon his parole, and attending to the calls of his ministry. In the mean time, he suffered much from frequent illnesses, and violent fits of the stone: (for which, he was cut more than once,) all which he endured with invincible patience and courage; being remarkably cheerful and facetious even in the midst of his sufferings. He was also very industrious in animating such as applied to him, to the practice of mental prayer; instructing them in this holy exercise, both by word of mouth, and by several pious tracts, which he translated out of other languages into English, some of which, he caused to be published in print, others he left behind him in manuscript.

About the beginning of the long persecuting parliament, being in conversation with one of his brethren, he told him, that war was at hand, and that it was time to prepare for the conflict: and so it happened; for not long after, he was apprehended, and committed to Newgate, and within a few days, brought upon his trial, at the Old Bailey. The chief witness against him, was a fallen catholic, whom he had formerly assisted. He pleaded not guilty, but boggled at being tried by his country, that is, by the twelve ignorant jurymen, as being unwilling that they should be concerned in the shedding his innocent blood. The judge upon that occasion, told him what punishment the law had ordained for such as refused to plead, which he must look for, if he persisted to decline being tried by his country: Mr. Rce generously replied, My Saviour has suffered far more for me, than all that; and I am willing to suffer the worst of torments for his sake. The judge bid him think better of it, and sent him back to prison.

The next day, after he had taken advice of some grave and learned priests, he was brought again to the bar, and consented, after the example of so many other confessors of Christ, to be tried by his country. The jury went aside, and quickly returned, declaring him guilty of the indictment, viz: of high treason, on account of his priestly character and functions, and the judge pronounced sentence upon him, according to the usual form, which he heard with a serene and cheerful countenance; and then making a low reverence, returned thanks to the judge, and to the whole bench, for the favour, which he esteemed very great, and which he had greatly desired; and how little said he, is this, which I am to suffer for Christ, in comparison with that far more bitter death which he suffered for me! He then acknowledged himself to be a priest, but withal, loudly condemned those laws by which the priests were put to death; and made a proffer, to maintain by disputation in open court, against any opponent whatsoever, the catholic faith, which he, for thirty years, had laboured to propagate, and was now about to seal with his blood. This, the judges would not hear of, but sent him back to prison, wondering at his constancy and intrepidity.

During the few days he remained in prison, between his condemnation and execution, his soul seemed always full of joy at the prospect of his approaching happiness. Great numbers came to visit him, and not one of them who did not depart highly edified with his comportment and conversation. On the day that he was to be executed, he found means to celebrate mass in prison early in the morning, which he did with singular devotion; and after mass made a short, but pathetic ex

hortation to the catholics that were present, giving them his last benediction, and desiring of them, that as often as in passing through the city, they should see that hand of his fixed on one of the gates, or in crossing the water should see his head on London bridge, they would remember those lessons which he had preached to them, of the necessity of holding fast the catholic faith, and of leading a christian and holy life.

When he was admonished that the officers of justice waited for him below, he readily obeyed the summons, and walked down the steps with an edifying composure, and a modest cheerfulness in his looks, saluting the sheriff and all the people with great civility. Then coming up to the hurdle, and taking Mr. Reynolds by the hand, who was already placed on it, and with his usual facetiousness, feeling his pulse, asked him, How he found himself now? In very good heart, said Mr. Reynolds, blessed be God for it, and glad that I am to have for my companion in death a person of your undaunted courage. Then after mutual salutations, Mr. Roe being also fastened on the hurdle, they were drawn to Tyburn, as we have already seen in the acts of Mr. Reynolds.

When they were arrived at Tyburn, they made their last confessions to each other, and after mutual embraces and congratulations, getting up into the cart, they kissed the ropes, and put them on, as their last stoles, in which they were to offer their last sacrifice, and heartily recommended themselves to the prayers of all catholics. We have already taken notice of the last speech of Mr. Reynolds, (during which Mr. Roe was busy in preparing for death one of the malefactors whom he had reconciled in prison,) and how Mr. Roe was hindered by the sheriff from proceeding in his discourse to the people; upon which occasion he begged leave to speak a word or two to the sheriff himself, who told him, he might: Pray sir, said Mr. Roe, if I will conform to your religion, and go to church, will you secure me my life? That I will, said the sheriff, upon my word; my life for yours if you will but do that. See then, said Mr. Roe, turning to the people, what the crime is for which I am to die, and whether my religion be not my only treason. Other particulars relating to Mr. Roe's death, have been recorded above. He recommended his soul to God when the cart was about to be drawn away, and he was observed, whilst he was hanging, to hold for some time his hands joined before his breast, and twice separating them a little, to join them again, as one employed in prayer.

When he was cut down and stripped, in order to be quartered, a certain writing was found about him, perhaps the speech which he designed to have spoke, which the sheriff immediately laid hold of, and is said to have laid before the parliament; but what in particular were the contents of it, we have not been informed.

JOHN LOCKWOOD, ALIAS, LASSELS, PRIEST.*

JOHN LOCKWOOD was eldest son of Christopher Lockwood, Esq., of Soresby, in the county of York, by N. Lassels, his wife, daughter of

From the Douay diary, by Mr. Ireland, and from the manuscript collections of Mr. Knaresborough.

Sir Robert Lassels of Brackenbrough, in the same county. He was born in 1555, according to the Douay diary, which gives him no more than eighty-seven years of age when he suffered; (though I have before me some relations, which affirm that he was at that time, ninety-six years old.) He had exercised his priestly functions, according to the same diary, for the space of forty-four years before his martyrdom: so it is likely he did not retire out of England till late. Whenever it was, we are assured, that he voluntarily quitted an estate of four hundred a year, to devote himself to the service of God and his neighbours, in the quality of a priest, and of a missioner: and that at a time, and in a kingdom; where he could look for nothing else in that quality, but labours and dangers, prisons, and death.

He performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Douay, or Rhemes, and partly in that of Rome: but at Rome, he was made priest, as appears from his answers in court, when being charged with being a Roman priest, he answered, that it was right enough expressed, in his regard, for indeed, said he, I was ordained priest at Rome. He was twice, at least, a prisoner for his faith, before his last apprehension: for I find in Molanus, that he was sent from prison into banishment in 1610; and after his return upon the mission was retaken again, and then brought upon his trial, and condemned to die; but was reprieved, and kept in prison. How long he was confined at this time I have not found, nor how he escaped out of prison; probably he was discharged, as many others were, either upon occasion of the marriage treaty with Spain, or by the interest of queen Henrietta Maria. He was apprehended for the last time at a place called the Wood-end, the house of Mrs. Catenby, a catholic widow, where the old gentleman had lived for some years. He was cultivating his little garden, when the blood-hounds rushed in upon him, and easily secured their prey. The pursuivants were inhabitants of a neighbouring market town, called Thirsk; their leader was one Cuthbert Langdale, and he and another wretch, to fill up the measure of their iniquities, appeared witnesses against him at the York assizes, and took away the life of the good old man.

Some odd circumstances, bordering upon cruelty, which accompanied the commitment and condemnation of Mr. Lockwood, especially considering his great age, and the peaceable and inoffensive disposition of the man, gave much offence, not only to catholics, but to many of the more moderate protestants; insomuch, that even to this day, says Mr. K., his execution is mentioned in Yorkshire with pity and compassion. Though, as for his own part, it appears by the sequel of the story, that he was well satisfied with the orders of Providence, and did even joyfully take up his cross to follow his dying Saviour. He took leave of his friends with a wonderful evenness of mind, and manifestly showed by his behaviour, that he was not under the least concern at his commitment, or the consequences of it.

The great difficulty, was how to convey the prisoner to York. They set him on horseback, but through weakness and age he was not able to ride: Upon this, Cuthbert gets on behind, and supports his feeble charge; but nether would this contrivance long succeed; the poor old man after a short trial fainted away, and had like to have disappointed

the priest-catcher of his reward. When he was a little recovered, they jogged on again, but again the old gentleman grew very sick, and plainly told his governor that he could no longer sit on horseback: then you shall lie on horseback, quoth Cuthbert; for to York castle you are sent, and to York castle you shall go, with leave of the Lord. Accordingly they laid the prisoner on the horse, Cuthbert still riding behind, with one hand managing the beast, and his prisoner with the other. And thus moving on by easy marches, after many a halt, and many a sick fit, and fainting away, he brought his charge alive to York, where they made an odd appearance in the streets, and had many lookers on. Ă passage well remembered, says Mr. Kn., "from whom we have transcribed it," spoke of to this day and by the ancient inhabitants of that city, with indignation and horror.'

Cuthbert, having now performed his task, and delivered up his prisoner to the jailer, was making haste homeward, when Mr. Lockwood very friendly called to him, and at the same time pulling out his purse, Hark you, Cuthbert,' says the old gentleman, I have even given you a great deal of trouble in bringing me to this happy place, here take that angel for your pains, and the Lord be with you.' And five shillings more he gave to the under-priest-catcher for his share in the trouble, so they took leave of each other, and parted very good friends.

At the next assizes Mr. Lockwood, with his fellow prisoner, Mr. Catherick, was tried and condemned: and though they were for a short time reprieved by the king, the clamours of the parliament against reprieving priests were such at that time, that his majesty, though, as it is thought, very much against his inclinations, signed the dead warrant for their execution. And accordingly, on the 13th of April, 1642, the king and prince of Wales, with many lords and persons of distinction, being then at the manor in York, Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Catherick were laid on a hurdle, and drawn through the streets of York, to the place of execution, to suffer according to sentence.

After some time employed in private devotions, the sheriff appointed Mr. Catherick to walk up the ladder: he moved towards it in obedience to orders, but showed by his countenance, that the fears of death had encompassed and oppressed his soul: which Mr. Lockwood observing, stepped forward, and planting himself at the foot of the ladder, Mr. Sheriff,' says he, under favour, the place is mine, I am his senior by many years, and therefore with leave I challenge it as my right to mount the ladder first. Then applying himself to Mr. Catherick, my dear brother in Jesus Christ, and fellow-sufferer,' says he, take courage; we have almost run our race, shall we faint and be tired when in sight of the prize? O let us run in spirit to our Saviour in the garden, and call upon him in his agony and bloody sweat. O blessed Lord Jesus! who submittest thyself to death, for the example and comfort of thy servants at the hour of their deaths, be near us we beseech thee at this moment, moderate our fears, strengthen our faith, and confirm our hopes, that in obedience to thy call we may go forth to meet thee readily and cheerfully and thankfully drink of thy chalice, how bitter soever to nature. Ó Jesus! sweeten it by thy grace: help thy poor serVOL. II.

15

vants that call upon thee, that we may here lay down our lives in obedience to thy holy will, and in defence of thy holy religion, with constancy and perseverance. Lord Jesus, once more we recommend ourselves in this dreadful hour to thee! help us by thy powerful grace, that thou, O Lord, mayest be glorified in our deaths, and thy church and people edified.'

This done, the holy man began to climb up the ladder as well as he could; but finding himself out of breath, he made a halt, and turning to the sheriff with a smiling countenance, 'Good Mr. Sheriff,' says he, have a little patience with me; indeed this same climbing a ladder, is a piece of hard service for an old man of fourscore and seven: however, I will do my best; for who would not take thus much pains, Mr. Sheriff, to get to heaven at the journey's end.' Then he began again to ascend, and with the help of two men, whom he rewarded with a shilling each, he arrived at the top of the ladder. Here pausing a while to recover his breath, he inquired of Mr. Catherick, how he did? In good heart,' replies he, blessed be God! and ready to suffer with constancy the death his providence has allotted me. Yes, my dear Father, I am willing and ready to follow you, thanks be to my Lord and Saviour Jesus, who by his grace has strengthened me, and by your good example has encouraged me.'

Mr. Lockwood, overjoyed to see his companion thus disposed, prepared himself immediately for his end; and after a few words of edification to the people, and earnestly desiring the prayers of the catholics, and exhorting them to constancy and patience in their sufferings, he employed a few minutes in silent prayer, and then delivered himself up to the executioner; and whilst with hands and eyes lifted up towards heaven, he cried out, Jesus, my Saviour! Jesus, my Redeemer, receive my soul! Jesus, be to me a Jesus! the executioner flung him off, and he soon expired.

When he was cut down, in order to be bowelled and quartered, the hangman, it seems, scrupled at the butchery part, and for a time flatly refused it; and even taking a rope threatened to hang himself, rather than embrue his hands in innocent blood. But being at last prevailed upon by a wicked woman to undergo the drudgery, he fell to work like a fury, cutting, slashing, and tearing, the bodies and bowels as well of Mr. Lockwood as of Mr. Catherick, hashing his entrails into small parts, and flinging them like a madman amongst the crowd. The heads and quarters of the two priests were disposed on the several gates or bars, as they term them, of the city; and Mr. Lockwood's head was fixed on the north gate, called Bootham-bar, close by the king's palace, at the manor, where his majesty then resided, insomuch that it was not possible for him to come out of the palace gate, or even look out from the east, but old Eleazar's bloody head was before his eyes, which must have affected his mind with some troublesome remembrances.