John Trapp on John 18:11

Verſe 11. Put up thy Sword.] Our Saviour checks him for his inordinate zeal; wherein to be over-carried, is eaſie and ordinaty. The memorable ſtory of William Gardiner Martyr in Portugall, who in the very preſence of the King and his Nobles could not forbear, but fell upon the Cardinall, as he was acting a Maſſe. See Act. and Monum. fol. 1242. So William Flower, upon an Eaſterday at Westminſter, ſeeing a Prieſt miniſtering the Sacrament of the Aitar to the people, ſtruck and wounded him upon the head, and alſo upon his arme and hand with a wood-knife: In the which ſo doing, as indeed he did not well, nor evangelically: ſo being afterwards examined by Biſhop Bonner, he did no leſſe confeſſe his not-well-doing in the ſame, ſubmitting therefore himſelf willingly to puniſhment, when it ſhould come. Howbeit touching his belief in the Sacrament, and Popiſh miniſtration, he neither did, nor would ſubmit himſelf: But when he was rempted to turn, and alſo threatned, he anſwered, Doe what ye will, I am at a point: for the heavens ſhall aſſoon fall, as I will forſake mine opinion, Act. and Mon. Jol. 1430. &c. At his execution, firſt his hand being held up againſt the Stake, was ſtricken off: At the which, ſome that were preſent affirmed, that he ſhrunk not, but once a little ſtirred his ſhoulders.