A01115:2090
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
Volume 2 › Book 11: The eleventh Book.Volume 2 › Book 11: The eleuenth Booke.
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.
In the month of February the viij. day. Anno 1555. Laurence Saunders 1a Gentleman of a worshipful house, was burned at Coventry, after he had been prisoner a year and a half in the Marshalsea. He was brought up in Eaton, & from thence was chosen to go to Kings College in Cambridge: where he continued scholar in the College 3. years, and profited much. From thence departing to his parents: by their advise, he minded to become a merchant, and was bound apprentice with Sir William Chester, who afterward was Sheriff of London. The same year Saunders was burned at Coventry, his master considering his towardness in learning, and his great zeal in religion, discharged him of his service, as one meet for an other use. Whereupon he returned to Cambridge again, where he profited greatly in the Greek and Hebrew tongues: and gave himself wholly to the study of Divinity, and continued in the University till he had proceeded Master of Arts. And a long space after, in the beginning of King Edwards time, he was called to read a Lecture at Fothringam, in Divinity: where he greatly edified many. Which being dissolved, he was placed in the Minster at Lichfield, to read there. From whence he was called to a Benefice in Leicester shire, called Church-langton, whereupon he kept residence. And from thence he was called to Allhallows in Bread Street in London. Where behaving himself according to his duty, he was accused by sir John ⟨p. 124⟩Mordant (Counsellor to Queen Mary) unto Boner: and after examination, being commanded to prison by the B. of Winchester, he answered: that he did give God thanks who had given him at the last a resting place, where he might pray for the Bishops conversion. His constancy was such, that he forbade his wife to sue for his delivery.2 And when other of his friends had by suite almost obtained it, he discouraged them. In prison he wrote divers comfortable letters to his wife,3 to Doctor Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer, prisoners for the like cause in Oxford: to M. Ferrar B. of S. Davies, Taylor, Bradford, Philpot, to mistress Lucy Harrington, &c. After he was excommunicated and delivered to the secular power, he was brought by the Sheriff of London to the counter, in his parish in Bread Street: whereat he rejoiced greatly.