A
SHORT ACCOUNT
OF
THE SUFFERINGS
OF
THOSE VALIANT MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL
CATHARINE EVANS
AND
SARAH CHEEVERS
Who for Nearly Four Years Endured
The Cruelties of the Inquisition in Malta
As Related in
THE HISTORY OF
THE RISE, INCREASE, AND PROGRESS
OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD CALLED QUAKERS
By
William Sewel
I n the year 1658, Catharine Evans and Sarah Cheevers, having drawings in their minds 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. Thence they got passage in a Dutch ship bound for Alexandria, 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. 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 harbor 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 he 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. 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 stayed 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 praise 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 to 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 answering '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 later 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 holiest women." The consul could 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 called her and told her that 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,) that 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 took 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 that 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 that it was not lost, men had it still in them, but they did not know it, by reason that the night of apostasy had overspread the nations. Then he said that 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 that 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 this they answered that they were servants of the living God, come there to call them to repentance.
The next day they were called again, but then examined apart, and Sarah being asked whether she was a true Catholic, said that she was a true Christian, worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth. Then they held forth a crucifix to her and would have her swear that she would speak the truth. To this she said that she would speak the truth, but she would not swear, for Christ had commanded, "Swear not at all."
The English consul who was present endeavored 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 this she answered that it was 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 that 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 later the inquisitors came and called for Catharine, and offering her the crucifix, they told her that the magistrates commanded her to swear that she would speak the truth. To this she said that she would speak the truth, for she was a witness for God, but she would 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, today, and forever." Next they asked her what she would do at Jerusalem. She answered that she did not know that she would go thither, but she intended to have gone to Alexandria. They asked what to do. Her answer was, "The will of God. And if the Lord opened my mouth, I would 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 that 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 that 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 that 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 this their answer was, "We believe in 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 that they did believe in the true church of Christ, "But the word Catholic, we have not read in Scripture." He also asked if they believed in purgatory. They said, "No, but a heaven and a hell."
Then one of the friars, who was an Englishman, said that we were commanded to pray for the dead and since 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 in the holy sacrament, to which their answer was that 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 that 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 we find 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 whence virtues proceed."
Hereupon it was told them that if they would take the holy sacrament they might have their liberty or else the pope would not releave 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 that marriage was a sacrament and they answered that 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 that the time would come that he should find he had enough upon him without it.
Then it was told them that 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 that they must be obedient. And they returned that 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." "Woe," 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 offense 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 that was so exceedingly hot that it was said that it was impossible that they could live long in it. They were also so exceedingly stung by gnats when they lay in bed that their faces became swelled, 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 that 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 that all that came where the pope had anything to do should never go back again. But they said that 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 that she could not eat anything 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 a 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 this 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 to 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 that 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, quartered, and burnt that night at Malta, and her mate too. But she told him modestly that she did not fear because the Lord was on their side and he had no power but what he had received. And if he did not use it to the same end that the Lord gave it to 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 a worker of iniquity. "Did she?" said Sarah. "Art thou without sin?" To which he said that 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 that this was done on purpose to frighten these poor women and to make them believe that they would 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 anything unless she felt freedom. He then said that 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 that it was well they were innocent. And turning to Sarah, he bade her take notice what torment Catharine would be in at the hour of death, saying that thousands of devils would fetch her soul to hell. But Sarah told him that 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 made 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 then bring a physician to keep them longer alive. To this the friar said that 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 that 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 then 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 that if there were anything in them that was not true, they might write against it. To this the monk said that they scorned to write to fools and asses that did not know true Latin. And it was further told them that 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 woe be to them that part us. I had rather die here with my friend, than part from her." This so struck the friar so 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 whips could not reach the devil because 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 honored of all the world if ye will turn." They replied, "The world lies in wickedness, and the honor and glory of the world we have denied." To this the monks said, "You shall be honored 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 that they could not pray but as they were moved by the Lord. Then the friars commanded them the second time and kneeled down by their bedside 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 that the Lord saith, "Thou shalt not make to thyself the likeness of anything 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; for 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 everything." To which they returned that they would do anything 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 a 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 orders that 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 labored 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 anything 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. Endeavor to bring some of them to the light in their consciences so 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 it was Babylon that was built with blood, but Zion was redeemed through judgment.
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