Thus they received all four sentence of death, but Mr. Abington was reprieved, and they three were kept in the jail together, with Mr. John Winter, until the next Monday after, which was the day of execution. In the mean time Father Ouldcorne added one gem more unto his crown by the conversion of an obstinate sinner, who was condemned to die for his notorious wickedness. This man “cum in [pg 272] eâdem damnatione esset, necdum tamen timebat Deum,”[461] but the very day before he was to die went singing and whistling up and down the prison, and jesting now with this man and then with another, which thing being observed by Mr. John Winter, the young man, pitying much the lamentable state of soul of that poor heretic, began to admonish him that such neglect of his future account could not proceed but from a great blindness of soul and obduration of heart, affirming, withal, that in the Catholic religion he had been taught a much different manner of proceeding, especially at such a time. The careless heretic answered him he saw no cause to be sad, for he should be with the Lord before the next day at that time. Mr. Winter replied that he could not be sure of that, and that it depended much upon his care and penance and preparation in the mean time. The heretic replied he need not to take care for that which Christ had taken care for sufficiently. By which answer and manner of proceeding of this poor man,[462] one may plainly see the spiritual blindness[463] and desperate danger which heresy hath brought souls unto in this country, this being not only an opinion which some of them do hold, but an absolute point of their faith to believe, that they[464] shall certainly be saved, and that so soon as they are dead (because they believe no Purgatory). Yea, this is with them not only a point of faith, but their very justifying faith, by which, they say, they must be saved without necessity of good works. Wherefore no marvel, though this poor fellow did out of that ground build his secure and careless proceedings, laying all upon Christ His back, wherein they pretend that they attribute much to the Passion of Christ, and that we dishonour the same by [pg 273] requiring the necessary concurrence of our own cooperation.

Mr. Winter, finding the heretic obstinate, and yet seeing and pitying his lamentable estate, told him he was far wide, “but,” saith he, “if you will talk with the Father that must die with you to-morrow, he will make it plain unto you that you are in error, and will show you the right way how to save your soul.” The man answered he cared not with whom he talked, for he knew no man could prove him to be in error. Mr. Winter called the Father, who was retired to his prayers, and hearing of this opportunity of doing good, came gladly, took the man aside, and began to catechise the man with such judgment, learning, and spirit, that he first led him out of the labyrinth of his errors, then taught him what was necessary for him to believe and know expressly, and in all the rest to[465] submit his judgment to the Catholic Church, which he proved unto him invincibly could not err nor lead into error. Then taught him how to prepare himself to become a member of that Church, and having instructed him how to examine his conscience carefully, sent him away to do it by himself, and promised that night to hear his confession. The man returned from the Father greatly satisfied and contented, and forthwith applied himself to his business, left all his companions, and got himself into a corner, there to recount his years so carelessly spent, and so little thought of before that time. His companions, wondering at this sudden alteration, came to invite him to be merry and drink with them, as he had before, but he sent them away with this answer, that he had serious business to think of. That night the good Father kept his promise, and reduced this stray sheep into the flock of Christ, supplying with his prudence and skill that which, in so short a time and so raw a scholar, was likely to be[466] imperfect in the preparation [pg 274] of his penitent. Yea, he made good proof in this one patient how great dexterity and skill he had in the curing of diseased souls. For, with the effectual assistance of God's grace, he wrought this man's mind, not only to a constant belief of the Catholic faith, but to a fervent profession also of the same, and a public demonstration of a perfect conversion. For the next morning, when the Father was laid upon the hurdle and drawn to the place of execution, according to the use and the form of sentence which was pronounced, this neophyte, being led in company of other prisoners in a foot-path hard by the horse-way, when he saw his Father come by lying upon the hurdle, he suddenly slipped from the rest of the company and stepped into the horse-way and followed the hurdle directly, though the way were foul and no footman went in it but himself. The keepers and the rest of the prisoners called upon him, and asked him why he did so. He answered, he would follow his Father to his death, whom he hoped to follow after death to a better place. “Why,” said they, “art thou become a Papist?” “I am a Catholic,” said he, “I thank God and this good Father, and so I mean to die.” They replied that he was a notorious thief, and known to have committed many mischiefs. “It is true,” said he, “I was so indeed when I was of your religion. I was then a Protestant and a thief, now I am a Catholic and penitent; and as heresy was the cause of my disorders then, so now the Catholic religion is the cause and means of my repentance.” And in this mind and manner of proceeding he continued till his death, to the admiration of all who had known his former courses, which gave occasion to divers to see and acknowledge the great difference between those trees which brought forth such different fruits.

Father Ouldcorne, being come to the place appointed for their death, first with great fervour commended himself to Almighty God, to the Blessed Virgin, and to his patron, St. Jerome, to whom he was ever very much devoted. He [pg 275] then declared unto the people that he came thither to die for the Catholic faith and for the practice of his function, seeing that they neither had nor could prove anything against him which, even by their own laws, was sufficient to condemn him, but that he was a Priest of the Society of Jesus, wherein he much rejoiced, and was ready and desirous to give his life for the profession of that faith which he had taught many years in that very country, and which it was necessary for every one to embrace that would save their souls. Then, being asked again about the treason and taking part with the conspirators, he protested there again that he never had the least knowledge of the treason, and took it upon his death that he was as clear as the new-born child from the whole Plot or any part thereof. Then, commending his soul with great devotion, humility, and confidence into the hands of God and to the Blessed Virgin, St. Jerome, St. Winifred, and his good Angel, he was turned off the ladder, and hanging awhile, was cut down and quartered, and so his innocent and thrice happy soul went to receive the reward of his many and great labours.

After him followed Ralph, his faithful follower and companion of his labours, who showed at his death great devotion and fervour, as may be guessed by this one action of his; for whilst Father Ouldcorne stood upon the ladder and was preparing himself to die, Ralph, standing by the ladder, suddenly stepped forward and takes hold of his good Father's feet, embracing and kissing them with great devotion, and said, “What a happy man am I, to follow here the steps of my sweet Father!” And when his own turn came, he also first commended himself by earnest prayers unto God, then told the people that he died for religion and not for treason, whereof he had not had the least knowledge; and as he had heard this good Father before him freely forgive his persecutors and pray for the King and country, so did he also. Then, before he was [pg 276] stripped of his clothes (which is usual to all such as are afterwards to be quartered, that their bodies may be the sooner cut up after they are laid upon the block), he, perceiving a Catholic maid of his acquaintance stand weeping by the gallows, he ungartereth himself, and, with dexterity, casteth them so unto her that others could not perceive that he did it of purpose. But the maid doth still keep the garters as great jewels, and thereby it may appear what opinion he had of his own innocency and the cause of his death. He showed at his death great resolution joined with great devotion, and so resigning his soul into the hands of God, was turned off the ladder, and changed this life for a better.

At this time also suffered Mr. John Winter, who, as I have said, was condemned at London with his two brothers and the rest of the conspirators, but reserved to die at this time for reasons before declared in the beginning of this chapter. He died with great show of devotion and good state of mind, as might appear also by his fervent endeavours the night before to help towards the conversion of that soul before mentioned. He acknowledged the fact for which he died, to wit, that he had risen in arms and joined himself to the other conspirators; but affirmed that he did it only to restore the Catholic religion: and so took his death patiently and with show of a contented, willing mind in respect of that intention.

Then suffered also Mr. Humphrey Littleton, who, before his death, and before the Father was put to death, did there again ask him forgiveness, and said he had wronged him much: also he asked forgiveness of Mr. Abington in particular, and of all Catholics in general, in respect that he was the cause of the apprehension of the two Fathers at Mr. Abington's house, for which he acknowledged he deserved death much more than for the relieving of Mr. Robert Winter and his cousin, Mr. Stephen Littleton, for [pg 277] which he was to suffer. He died with show of great repentance, and so with sorrow and humility and patient acceptance of his death made amends for his former frailty and too unworthy desire of life.

There had also suffered the like death[467] for the same occasion, vdlt., for relieving of Mr. Robert Winter and Mr. Stephen Littleton before they were apprehended, one Perkises and his man in the same city of Worcester, the 27th of January before[468]: and about the same time, for the same cause, two others in Wolverhampton: all which I suppose to have been Catholics, in that it was not likely those gentlemen would commit themselves to the fidelity of any others; but as yet I cannot learn the certainty. That same Mr. Stephen Littleton was sent down into Staffordshire, to be tried and executed in Stafford, in respect that his house was in that shire where all the conspirators were last received, and where some of them were slain and the rest taken. For which assistance given unto the conspirators, and for joining with them in open rebellion, Mr. Stephen Littleton was condemned and executed. At his death he acknowledged the fact, and said he did it only for religion, for which he was ready and willing to die. He showed great resolution and devotion, to the satisfaction of all the country.

With him were sent down twelve or thirteen others, some gentlemen, some serving-men, who were arraigned and executed in the same place, who, although they were taken with their masters being in rebellion, yet they stood unto it they did it only for religion; and divers of them were offered their lives if they would go but once to heretical service, which they refused to do, and, consequently, died most happily, “eligentes potius absque opere incidere in manus hominum, quam peccare in conspectu Domini, et morientes propter justitiam regnum cœlorum [pg 278] adepti sunt.”[469] But as for Father Ouldcorne and Ralph, their case was so clear that no Catholics in all the country doubted to call them, and to call upon them presently as Martyrs, and did strive exceedingly for some part of their holy relics. Besides, Almighty God did testify by special signs the great merits of blessed Father Ouldcorne, which I think fit here to set down, after some brief rehearsal of the course of his life, so far as it hath come unto my knowledge.

Father Ouldcorne was born in the county of York of honest and faithful parents, who brought him up in the Catholic religion, and in his young years kept him to school; so that he was a good grammar scholar when he first went over beyond the seas, which was about the twenty-second year of his age, and some twenty-seven or twenty-eight years ago.[470] He first studied in France in the English Seminary at Rheims some two or three years, and from thence was sent to the English College at Rome, where he remained ——[471] years. He heard his course of Logic, Philosophy, and —— years of Divinity, in all which he profited very well, being of a very good capacity. But his chief care and desire was to profit in spirit, which he did in such sort as was greatly to the satisfaction of all his Superiors, and the edification of the whole College. No man more careful to observe the rules, no man more forward to the practice of any mortification, often begging leave of his Superiors to go to hospitals and to serve in the kitchen, with other such like practices of humiliation, which he knew to be usual in the Society, unto which he had a vocation a long time before he could obtain his desire; though he was not deferred for any want of liking which his Superiors had, [pg 279] either of his spirit or other talents; but rather in their desire to further as many good spirits and sufficient men as they could to the end of the College, and to furnish the Clergy of England with able men against the time that God should please to have mercy upon our country. For the opinion his Superiors had of him was well declared in the particular choice they made of him, to send him into the kingdom of Naples and Sicily to negotiate for the College and to procure some alms, in a time of great want, when the College was far in debt, being overcharged with the number of scholars, more than their receipts were able to maintain; and yet the charity of the governors thereof such, and the want of fit workmen in the English harvest so great, that they would not lose good spirits when they offered themselves to that vocation. Father Ouldcorne, therefore, was sent about this business; and did perform it with such discretion and fidelity, that he brought a good round sum of money unto the College at his return.

In the year 1588, he and Father Gerard were received together into the Society by the Rev. Father Claudius Aquaviva, General of the same, upon the Assumption of our Blessed Lady; and within five or six weeks after were sent together into England, in company with two other Priests who were not of the Society. By the way Father Ouldcorne gave very great edification unto all his company with his religious behaviour, showing in all his actions great humility and readiness to help and assist any of them in their needs. When they came to the sea-side, they understood of the extraordinary difficulty to pass into England, and of such persecution in England at that time, as had not been of long time before, the Earl of Leicester (who then ruled and overruled all under Queen Elizabeth) having made a solemn vow, that within a twelvemonth he would not leave one Papist in England; but God with His mercy prevented the malice of that persecutor, and called him out of this life within half the time that he had limited [pg 280] for the life of others. But in the meantime he caused divers to be put to death, both Priests and others, and set watch and ward in every town, so that none could pass the country that were not known, and could not satisfy the officers of their dwelling and manner of life. In which regard those Fathers of the College where Father Ouldcorne and Father Gerard stayed whilst a passage was preparing, would not by any means let them pass, thinking it impossible they should land safely and get safely to London.