44. 
to see it restored vnto the owner: and put of the rest of his geare vnto his 
doublet and his hose, wherein he would haue burned. But the Shriffes would 
not permit that (such was their gredynes :) vnto whose pleasures (good man) 
he very obediently submitted him selfe : and his doublet, hose, and peticote 
were taken of. Then beyng in his shirt, he tooke a point from his hose him 
selfe, and trussed his shyrt betwene his legges, where he had a pound of 
gunne pouder in a bladder, and vnder ech arme the like quantity deliuered 
him by the Gard. So desiryng the people to say the Lordes prayer with 
him, and to pray for hym (who performed it with teares duryng the tyme 
of his paynes) he went vp to the stake. Now when he was at the stake, Lys: ; 
yrons made to binde hym to the stake, were brought: one for his necke, an 
other for his widdle, and the thyrd for his legges. But he refusing them, 
sayd : ye haue no nede thus to trouble your selues, for I doubt not but God 
will geue strength sufficient to abyde the extremitie of the fire without 
bandes: notwithstanding, suspectyng the frailty and weaknes of the flesh ; 
but hauyng assured confidence in Gods strength, I am content ye do as ye 
shall thinke good. 
So the hoope of yron prepared for his middle, was brought, which beyng 
made somewhat to short (for his belly was swolne by imprisonment) he 
shranke, and put in his belly with his hand, vntill it was fastened: and 
when they offered to haue bound his necke & his legges with the other two 
hoopes of yron, he vtterly refused them, and would haue none, saying: I 
am well assured I shall not trouble you. 
Thus beyng ready, he looked vpon all the people, of whom he might 
be well seene (for he was both tall, and stoode also on an high stoole) & 
beheld round about him : and in euery corner there was nothyng to be seene 
but weepyng and sorowfull people. Then liftyng vp his eyes and handes 
into heauen, he prayed to hym selfe. By and by he that was appointed to 
make the fire, came to him and did aske him forgiuenes. Of whom hee 
asked, why he should forgeue him, saying: that he knew neuer any offence 
he had committed agaynst hym. Oh Syr (sayd the man) I am appointed 
to make the fyre, Therein (sayd M. Hopsr) thou doest nothyng offend me 
God forgeue thee thy sinnes and do thine office, I pray thee. Then the 
reedes were cast vp and he receaued two bundels of them in his owne 
handes embraced them, kissed them, and put vnder either arme one of them, 
& shewed with his hand how the rest should be bestowed, & pointed to the 
place where any did lacke. 
Anone commaundement was geuen that fire should be set to, & so it 
was. But because there were put to no fewer greene Fagots then two 
horses could cary vpon their backes, it kyndled not by and by, and was a 
prety while also before it tooke the recdes vpon the Fagottes. At length 
it burned about him: but the wynd hauyng full strength in that place (it 
was also a louryng and a cold mornyng) it blew the flame from hym : so 
that he was in maner no more but touched by the fire. 
