A01115:1787
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the Church: written by that Reverend Father, Master John Fox: and now abridged by Timothy Bright, Doctor of Physic, for such as either through want of leisure, or ability have not the use of so necessary an historyAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history
London: printed by I. Windet, 1589
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The space of two years after his abjuration, that is, from the year 1529. to the year 1531. Bilney lived in great anguish of mind,1 and half in despair for his grievous fact, and at length, by Gods grace, and good counsel, he came to some quiet of mind and conscience, and fully resolved to give over his life for the confession of that trueth which he before had renounced And thus being fully determined, he took his leave at ten of the clock at night, of certain of his friends, and said that he would go to Jerusalem, alluding to the words of Christ, what time he was appointed to suffer his passion. So from thence he departed into Norfolk, where he preached in private households, and confirmed an Anchres, whom he had converted to Christ. Then preached he openly in the fields, confessing his fact,2 and preached publicly the doctrine which he before abjured. And at Norwich he was apprehended, and carried to prison, there to remain, till blind Bishop Nix sent up for a writ to burn him. Who after his examination and condemnation before Doctor Pells, Doctor of law and Chancellor, first was degraded by Suffragan Underwood, according ⟨p. 14⟩to their popish manner, by the assistance of all the Friars and Doctors of the same suite. Which done, he was immediately committed to the lay power, and to the two Sheriffs, of whom Thomas Necton was one, Bilneys especial good friend.
The space of two yeres after his abiuration, that is, from the yere 1529. to the yere 1531. Bilney liued in great anguish of minde,1 and halfe in despaire for his gréeuous facte, and at length, by Gods grace, and good counsel, he came to some quiet of minde and conscience, and fully resolued to geue ouer his life for the confession of that trueth which hee before had renounced And thus being fully determined, he tooke his leaue at tenne of the clocke at night, of certaine of his friends, and said that he woulde go to Ierusalem, alluding to the wordes of Christ, what time he was appoynted to suffer his passion. So from thence he departed into Norfolke, where he preached in priuate housholdes, and confirmed an Anchres, whom he had conuerted to Christ. Then preached he openly in the fieldes, confessing his facte,