Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/110

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together assembled: besides a great multitude of citizens and town dwellers, who came to behold the sight. Furthermore, because that solemnity should not pass without some effectual sermon for the holding up of the mother Church of Rome, Dr. SMITH, Reader then of the Divinity Lecture, was appointed to make the sermon at this recantation. Briefly, at the preaching of this sermon there was assembled a mighty audience of all sorts and degrees; as well of students as others. Few almost were absent who loved to hear or see any news; insomuch that there was no place almost in the whole church, which was not fully replenished with concourse and throng of people.

All things thus being prepared and set in readiness, cometh forth poor MALARY with his faggot upon his shoulder. Not long after, also, proceedeth the Doctor into the pulpit to make his sermon; the purpose and argument whereof was wholly upon the sacrament: the which Doctor, for the more confirmation and credit to his words; had provided the holy catholic cake and the sacrament of the altar, there to hang by a string before him in the pulpit. Thus the Doctor, with his god-almighty, entering his godly sermon, had scarce proceeded into the midst thereof (the people giving great silence with all reverence unto his doctrine), but suddenly was heard in the church the voice of one crying in the street, "Fire! fire!" The party who thus cried first in the street, was called HEUSTER.

[The occasion of this exclamation came by a chimney that was on fire in the town, wherein the fire, having taken hold of the soot and dry matter, burned out at the top of the chimney; and so caused the neighbours to make an outcry.]

This HEUSTER coming from Allhallows parish saw the chimney on fire, and so passing through the street by St. Mary's church, cried "Fire! fire!" as the fashion is; meaning no hurt.

[Such is the order and manner amongst the Englishmen; much diverse and contrary to that which is used among the Germans. For whensoever any fire happeneth in Germany, by and by, the bells ringing in the steeples stir up the people to help. Who immediately are all ready in armour; some go unto the walls, others beset the ways, and the residue are appointed to quench the fire. The labour is diversely divided amongst