A67926:4250
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
When we had ended our supper, and committed our whole cause with fervent sighs and hearty prayers unto God our heavenly father, I went to Alborne hall, & there lay that night. In the morning I was up very early, and as soon as I could get out at the door, I went straight toward Gloucester College to my chamber. It had rained that morning, and with my going I had all to be sprinkled my hose and shoes with mire. And when I was come unto Gloucester college, which was about 6. of the clock, I found the gates fast shut. Whereat I did much marvel for they were wont to be opened daily long before the time. Then did I walk up and down by the wall there, a whole hour before the gates were opened. In the mean while my musing head being full of forecasting cares, & my sorrowful hart flowing with doleful sighs, I fully determined in my conscience before God, that if I should chance to be taken & be examined, I would accuse no man nor declare any thing further then I did already perceive was manifestly known before. And so when the gate was opened, thinking to shift my self & to put on a longer gown, went in towards my chamber, & going up the stairs would have opened my door, but I could not in a long season do it. Whereby I perceived that my lock had ben meddled withal, and therewith was somewhat altered. Yea at last with much ado I opened the lock and went in.1 When I came in, I saw my bed all to tossed and tumbled, my clothes in my press thrown down, & my study door open. Whereof I was much amazed, and thought verily that some search was made there that night for M. Garret, and that it was known of his being with me, by the Monks man that brought him to my chamber.
When we had ended our supper, and committed our whole cause with feruent sighes and harty prayers vnto God our heauenly father, I went to Alborne hall, & there lay that night. In the morning I was vp very early, and as soone as I could get out at the dore, I went straight toward Gloucester Colledge to my chamber. It had rayned that morning, and with my goyng I had all to be sprinckled my hose and shoes with myre. And when I was come vnto Gloucester colledge, which was about 6. of the clock, I found the gates fast shut. Whereat I did much marueile for they were wont to be opened dayly long before ye time. Then did I walke vp and downe by ye wal there, a whole houre before the gates were opened. In the meane whyle my musing head being full of forecasting cares, & my sorowfull hart flowing with dolefull sighes, I fully determined in my conscience before God, that if I shuld chance to be taken & be examined, I would accuse no man nor declare any thing further then I did already perceaue was manifestly known before. And so when the gate was opened, thinking to shift my selfe & to put on a longer gowne, went in towardes my chamber, & goyng vp the stayres would haue opened my dore, but I could not in a lōg season do it. Wherby I perceiued that my lock had ben medled wtall, and therwith was somewhat altered. Yea at last with much ado I opened the locke and went in.1 When I came in, I saw my bed all to tossed and tūbled, my clothes in my presse throwne down, & my study dore open. Wherof I was much amased, and thought verily yt some searche was made there that night for M. Garret, and that it was knowne of his being with me, by the Monkes man that brought him to my chamber.
Now was there lying in the next chamber unto me a Monk, who as soon as he had heard me in the chamber, came to me, and told how M. Garret was sought in my chamber that night, and what ado there was made by the Commissary & the two proctors, with bills & swords thrusted through my bedstraw, and how every corner of my chamber was searched for M. Garret. And albeit his gown and his hood lay there in my press with my clothes▪ yet they perceived them not. Then he told me he was commanded to bring me as soon as I came in, unto the Prior of the students named Antony Dunstan a Monk of Westminster. This so troubled me that I forgot to make clean my hose and shoes, & to shift me into an other gown: and therefore, so all to be dirted as I was, & in my short gown I went with him to the said Priors chamber, where I found the said Prior standing & looking for my coming.1 He asked me where I had been that night. I told him I lay at Alborne Hall with my old bedfellow Fitziames, but he would not believe me. He asked me if M. Garret were with me yesterday, I told him yea. Then he would know where he was, and wherefore he came unto me, I told him I knew not where he was except he were at Woodstock. For so (said I) he had showed me that he would go thither, because one of the keepers there his friend, had promised him a piece of venison to make merry withal the shrovetide, and that he would have borrowed a hat and a payer of high shoes of me, but I had none in deed to lend him. This tale I thought meetest, though it were nothing so. Then had he spied on my forefinger a big ring of silver very well double gilded with 2. letters A. D. engraved in it for my name: I suppose he thought it to be gold. He required to see it. I took it unto him. When he had it in his ⟨p. 1196⟩hand, he said it was his ring, for therein was his name. an A. for Antony,2 and a D. for Dunstan. When I heard him so say, I wished in my heart to be as well delivered from and out or his company, as I was assured to be delivered from my ring for ever.
Now was there lying in the next chamber vnto me a Monke, who as soone as he had heard me in ye chamber, came to me, and told howe M. Garret was sought in my chāber yt night, and what ado there was made by the Cō missary & the two proctors, with billes & swords thrusted thorow my bedstraw, and how euery corner of my chāber was searched for M. Garret. And albeit his gowne and his hoode lay there in my presse with my clothes yet they perceiued them not. Then he told me hee was commaunded to bring mee as soone as I came in, vnto the Priour of ye students named Antony Dunstane a Monk of Westminster. This so troubled me that I forgot to make cleane my hose and shoes, & to shift me into an other gowne: and therfore, so all to be dirted as I was, & in my short gowne I went with him to the sayde Priors chamber, where I found the sayd Prior standing & looking for my comming.
Then he called for pen, ink, and paper, and commanded me to write when & how Garret came unto me, & where he was become. I had not written scarcely three words, but the chief beadle with ij. or iij. of the Commissaries men, were come, unto Master Prior, requiring him straightways to bring us away unto Lincoln College to the Commissary, and to D. London. Whether when I was brought into the chapel, there I found D. Cotislorde commissary, D. Higdon then Dean of the Cardinals College, and D. London Warden of the new College standing together at the altar in the chapel. When I was brought unto them, after salutations given and taken between them, they called for chairs and sate down, & called for me to come to them. and first they asked what my name was.1 I told them that my name was Antony Dalaber. Then they also asked me how long I had been student in the University, and I told them almost 3. years. And they asked me what I studied. I told them that I had read sophistry and logic in Alborne Hal, and now was removed unto Gloucester College to study the Civil law, the which the foresaid Prior of the students affirmed to be true. Then they asked me whether I knew M. Garret, and how long I had known him. I told them I knew him well, & had known him almost a twelvemonth. They asked me when he was with me. I told them yesterday at after noon.
Then he called for pen, inke, and paper, and commāded me to wryte when & howe Garret came vnto me, & where he was become. I had not wrytten scarsly three woordes, but the chief bedle with ij. or iij. of the Commissaries men, were come, vnto Maister Prior, requiring hym strayghtwayes to bryng vs away vnto Lyncolne Colledge to the Commissarye, and to D. London. Whether when I was brought into the chapel, there I found D. Cotislorde commissarie, D. Higdon then Deane of the Cardinals Colledge, and D. London Warden of the new Colledge standinge together at the altare in the chappel. When I was brought vnto them, after salutations geuen and taken betweene them, they called for chaires and sate downe, & called for me to come to them. and fyrste they asked what my name was.1 I told them that my name was Antonye Dalaber. Then they also asked me howe long I had bene student in the Uniuersitie, and I tolde them almost 3. yeares. And they asked mee what I studied. I tolde them that I had read sophistrie and logicke in Alborne Hal, and nowe was remoued vnto Glocester Colledge to study the Ciuil lawe, the which the foresayde Prior of the studentes affirmed to be true. Then they asked me whether I knew M. Garret, and how long I had knowen him. I told them I knew him wel, & had knowen him almost a tweluemōth. They asked me when he was with me. I told them yesterday at after noone.
Now by this time whiles they had me in this talk, one came unto them which was sent for, with pen, ink and paper. I trow it was the Clerk of the University. As soon as he was come, there was a board & tresses with a form for him to sit on, set between the Doctors and me, and a great Mass book laid before me, and I was commanded to lay my right hand on it, and to swear that I should truly answer unto such articles and interrogatories as I should be by them examined upon.1 I made danger of it a while at first, but afterward being persuaded by them, partly by fair words, and partly by great threats. I promised to do as they would have me, but in my hart nothing so meant to do. So I laid my hand on the book, and one of them gave me my oath, and that done commanded me to kiss the book.2 Then made they great courtesy between them who should examine me, & minister interrogatories unto me. At the last, the rankest Papistical Pharisee of them all D. London took upon him to do it.
Now by this time whiles they had me in this talke, one came vnto them which was sent for, wt pen, inke and paper. I trowe it was the Clerke of the Uniuersitie. Assoone as he was come, there was a bourd & tres•es wyth a forme for him to sit on, set betweene the Doctours and me, and a great Masse booke layde before me, and I was commaunded to lay my right hand on it, and to sweare that I should truely aunswere vnto such articles and interrogatories as I should be by them examined vpon.1 I made danger of it a while at first, but afterwarde being perswaded by them, partly by faire words, and partly by great threates. I promised to do as they wold haue me, but in my hart nothyng so ment to do. So I layd my hand on the booke, and one of them gaue me my othe, and that done commaunded me to kisse the booke.
Then he asked me again by my oath. where M. Garret was, and whether I had conveyed him. I told him I had not conveyed him, nor yet wist not where he was, nor whether he was gone, except he were gone to Woodstock, (as I had before said) as he showed me he would. Then he asked me again when he came to me, how he came to me, what and how long he talked with me, and whether he went from me, I told him he came to me about evensong time, and that one brought him unto my Chamber door, whom I know not, and that he told me he would go to Woodstock for some venison to make merry withal this Shrovetide, and that he would have borrowed a hat, and a pair of high shoes of me, but I had none such to lend him, and then he straight went his way from me, but whether I know not. All these my sayings the scribe wrote in a paper book.
Then he asked me againe by my othe. where M. Garret was, and whether I had conueyed hym. I tolde him I had not conueyed hym, nor yet wist not where he was, nor whether he was gone, except he were gone to Wodstocke, (as I had before sayde) as he shewed me he woulde. Then he asked me agayne when he came to me, howe he came to me, what and howe long he talked with me, and whether he went from me, I tolde hym he came to me about euensong time, and that one brought hym vnto my Chamber doore, whome I knowe not, and that he told me he would goe to Woodstocke for some venison to make mery withall this Shroftide, and that he woulde haue borowed a hatte, and a paire of high shoes of me, but I had none such to lēd hym, and then he straight went hys way frō me, but whether I knowe not. All these my sayings the scribe wrote in a paper booke.
Then they earnestly required me to tell them whether I had conveyed him, for surely they said I brought him going some whether this morning, for that they might well perceive by my foul shoes and dirty hosen, that I had travailed with him the most part of this night. I answered plainly that I lay at Alborne Hall with sir Fitziames, and that I had good witness thereof there. They asked me where I was at Evensong. I told them at Friswides, and that I saw first M. Commissary, and then master D. London come thither at that time unto M. Dean of Frisewides, and that I saw them talking together in the Church there. D. London and the Dean threatened me, that if I would not tell the truth where I had done him, or whether he was gone, I should surely be sent unto the Tour of London, and there be racked, and put into little ease. But M. Commissary prayed me with gentle words to tell him where he was, that he might have him again, & he would be my very great friend, & deliver me out of trouble straightway. I told him I could not tell where he was, nor whether he was become. Thus did they occupy and toss me almost two hours in the chapel, sometimes with threatenings and foul words, and then with fair words and fair promises flattering me. Then was he that brought M. Garret unto my chamber, brought before me, and caused to declare what M. Garret said unto me at his coming to my chamber, but I said plainly I heard him say no such thing, for I thought my nay to be as good as his yea, seeing it was to rid and deliver my Godly brother out of trouble and peril of his life.
Then they earnestly required me to tell them whether I had conueyed hym, for surely they sayde I brought hym going some whether this morning, for that thei might wel perceiue by my foule shoes and dirty hosen, that I had trauailed wyth hym the most part of this night. I aunswered plainly that I lay at Alborne Hall with sir Fitziames, and that I had good witnes therof there. They asked me wher I was at Euensong. I tolde them at Friswides, and that I sawe firste M. Commissarie, and then maister D. London come thether at that time vnto M. Deane of Frisewides, and that I saw them talking together in ye Church there. D. London and the Deane threatned mee, that if I would not tell the truthe where I had done hym, or whether he was gone, I should surely be sent vnto the Toure of London, and there be racked, and put into litle ease. But M. Commissary prayed me with gentle words to tell him where he was, that he might haue him againe, & he would be my very great frende, & deliuer me out of trouble straitway. I told hym I could not tel where he was, nor whether he was become. Thus did they occupie and tosse mee almost two houres in the chappel, sometimes with threatnings and foule wordes, and then wyth faire wordes and fayre promises flattering mee. Then was hee that brought M. Garret vnto my chamber, brought before me, and caused to declare what M. Garret sayde vnto me at hys comming to my chamber, but I saide plainely I heard him say no such thing, for I thoughte my nay to be as good as hys yea, seeing it was to rid and deliuer my Godly brother out of trouble and pearill of his life.
At the last, when they could get nothing of me whereby to hurt or accuse any man, or to know any thing of that which they sought, they all 3. together brought me up a long stairs into a great chamber over M. commissaries chamber,1 wherein stood a great pair of very high stocks. Then M. Commissary asked me for my purse & girdle, toke away my money and my knives, and then they put both my legs into the stocks, and so locked me fast in them: in which I sate, my feet being almost as high as my head, and so departed they (I think to their abominable mass) locking fast the chamber door, and leaving me alone. When all they were gone, then came unto my remembrance the worthy forewarning and godly declaration of that most constant martyr of God, M. John Clarke my father in Christ, who well nigh two years before that, when I did earnestly desire him to grant me to be his scholar, & that I might go with him continually when and wheresoever he should teach or preach (the which he did daily) said unto me much after this sort:2 Dalaber, you desire you wot not what, & that you are, I fear me, unable to take upon you. For though now my preaching be sweet and pleasant unto you, because there is yet no persecution laid on you for it, yet the time will come, & that peradventure shortly, if ye continue to live godly therein, that God will lay on you the cross of persecution to try you withal, whether you can as pure gold abide the fire, or as stubble and dross be consumed therewith. For the holy Ghost plainly affirmeth by S. Paule, quod omnes qui pie volunt vivere in Christo Jesu, persecutionem patientur. Yea,3 you shall be called and judged an heretic, you shall be abhorred of the world, your own friends and kinsfolk will forsake you, and also hate you, and you shall be cast into prison, and no man shall dare to help or comfort you, and you shall be accused & brought before the bishops, to your reproach and shame, to the great sorrow of all your faithful friends and kinsfolk. Then will ye wish ye had never known this doctrine. Then will ye curse Clarke,4 and wish that ye had never known him, because he hath brought you to all these troubles. Therefore rather then that ye should do this, leave of from meddling of this doctrine, and desire not to be and continue in my company.
At which words I was so grieved, that I fell down on my knees at his feet, & with abundance of tears and sighs even from the bottom of my heart, I earnestly besought him, that for the tender mercy of God showed unto us in our Lord Jesus Christ, he would not refuse me, but receive me into his company, as I had desired, saying that I trusted verily, that he which had begun this in me, would not forsake me, but give me grace to continue therein unto the end. When he heard me say so, he came to me, and toke me up in his arms, kissed me, the tears trickling down from his eyes, & said unto me: The Lord almighty grant you so to do, and from henceforth for ever take me for your father, and I will take you for my son in Christ. Now were there at that time in Oxford, divers Graduates and Scholars of sundry Colleges & Halls, whom God had called to the knowledge of his holy word, which all resorted unto M. Clerks disputations & lectures in divinity at all times as they might: and when they might not come conveniently, I was by M. Clarke appointed to resort to every one of them weekly, and to know what doubts they had in any place of the scriptures, that by me from him they might have the true understanding of the same: which exercise did me most good and profit, to the understanding of the holy scriptures, which I most desired.
At which wordes I was so grieued, that I fell downe on my knees at his feete, & with aboundance of teares and sighes euen from the bottome of my heart, I earnestly besought him, yt for the tender mercy of God shewed vnto vs in our Lord Iesus Christ, he would not refuse me, but receiue me into his company, as I had desired, saying that I trusted verily, that he which had begon this in me, woulde not forsake me, but geue me grace to continue therin vnto the ende. When he heard me say so, he came to me, and toke me vp in his armes, kissed me, the teares trickling downe from his eyes, & sayd vnto me: The Lorde almighty graūt you so to do, and from henceforth for euer take me for your father, and I will take you for my sonne in Christe. Nowe were there at that time in Oxforde, diuers Graduates and Scholers of sundry Colledges & Halles, whome God had called to the knowledge of his holy worde, which all resorted vnto M. Clarkes disputations & lectures in diuinitie at all times as they might: and when they might not come conueniently, I was by M. Clarke appoynted to resort to euery one of them wekely, and to know what doubts they had in any place of the scriptures, that by me frō hym they might haue the true vnderstanding of the same: which exercise did me most good and profite, to the vnderstandinge of the holy scriptures, which I most desired.
This foresaid forewarning and godly declaration (I say) of this most godly Martyr of God M. Clarke, coming to my remembrance, caused me with deep sighs to cry unto God from my hart to assist me with his holy spirit, that I might be able patiently & quietly to bear & suffer whatsoever it should please him of his fatherly love to lay on me,1 to his glory & the comfort of my dearly beloved brethren, whom I thought now to be in great fear & anguish, least I would be an accuser of them all, for unto me they all were well known, & all their doings in that matter. But God be blessed, I was fully bent never to accuse any of them, whatsoever should happen of me.2 Before dinner M. Cotisforde came up to me and requested me earnestly to tell him where master Garret was, and if I would so do, he promised me straightways to deliver me out of prison. But I told him I could not tell where he was: no more in deed I could. Then he departed to dinner, asking me if I would eat any meat, and I told him, yea right gladly. He said he ⟨p. 1197⟩would send me some. When he was gone, his servants asked me divers questions, which I do not now remember, and some of them spake me fair, and some threatened me, calling me heretic, and so departed, locking the door last upon me.
This foresaide forewarnyng and godly declaration (I say) of this most godly Martir of God M. Clarke, cōming to my remembrance, caused me wyth depe sighs to cry vnto God from my hart to assist me wyth his holy spirit, that I might be able paciently & quietly to beare & suffer whatsoeuer it shuld please him of his fatherly loue to lay on me,1 to his glory & the comfort of my dearely beloued brethren, whom I thought now to be in great feare & anguish, least I would be an accuser of them all, for vnto me they al were well knowne, & all theyr doings in that matter. But God be blessed, I was fully bēt neuer to acuse any of thē, whatsoeuer should happen of me.2 Before dinner M. Cotisforde came vp to me and requested me earnestly to tel him wher master Garret was, and if I would so do, he promised me straightwaies to deliuer me out of prison. But I told hym I could not tell where he was: no more in deede I coulde. Then hee departed to dinner, asking mee if I woulde eate any meate, and I tolde him, yea right gladly. He sayde hee
Thus far Anthony Dalaber hath prosecuted this story, who before the finishing, departed the year 1562. in the Diocese of Salisbury: the residue thereof as we could gather it of ancient and credible persons, so have we added here unto the same.
Thus farre Anthonye Dalaber hathe prosecuted thys storye, who before the finishing, departed the yeare 1562. in the Dioces of Salisbury: the residue thereof as we coulde gather it of auncient and credible persones, so haue we added heere vnto the same.
After this, Garret was apprehended or taken by master Cole the Proctor or his men, going Westward, at a place called Hinksey a little beyond Oxford,1 and so being brought back again, was committed to ward, that done, he was convented before the Commissary, Doctor London and Doctor Higdon Dean of Friswides (now called Christs College) into S. Mary's Church, where they sitting in judgement,2 convicted him according to their law as an heretic (as they said) and afterward compelled him to carry a fagot in open procession from Saint Mary's Church to Friswides, and Dalaber likewise with him, Garret having his red hood on his shoulders like a master of Art. After that, they were sent to Osney, there to be kept in prison till farther order was taken.
After this, Garret was apprehended or taken by maister Cole the Proctor or hys men, going Westwarde, at a place called Hinksey a little beyond Oxforde,1 and so being brought back againe, was committed to ward, that done, he was conuented before the Commissary, Doctour London and Doctour Higdon Deane of Friswides (now called Christes Colledge) into S. Maries Churche, where they sitting in iudgement,2 conuicted him according to their law as an hereticke (as they said) and afterward compelled him to cary a fagot in open procession from Saint Maries Churche to Friswides, and Dalaber likewise wyth hym, Garret hauing his red hoode on hys shoulders like a maister of Arte. After that, they were sent to Osney, there to be kept in prison till farther order was taken.
There were suspected beside, a great number to be infected with heresy, as they called it, for having such books of Gods truth, as Garret sold unto them, as M. Clarke, which died in his chamber, and could not be suffered to receive the Communion, being in prison, and saying these words: Creed, & manducasti. Master Summoner, Master Bets, Taverner the Musician, Radley, with other of Friswides College,1 of Corpus Christi Colledge, as Udall and Diet, with other of Magdalene College one Eden, with other of Gloucester College, and two black Monks, one of S. Austin's of Canterbury named Langporte, the other of S. Edmund's Bury monk, named Joh. Salisbury, two white monks of Barnard College, two Canons of S. Mary's College, one of them named Robert Ferrar afterward Bishop of S. Davies,2 and burned in Queen Mary's time. These two Canons, because they had no place in the University with the other, they went on the contrary side of the procession bare headed, and a Bedel before them, to be known from the other. Divers other there were, whose names I cannot remember, which were forced and constrained to forsake their Colleges, and sought their friends. Against the Procession time, there was a great fire made upon the top of Carfax, whereinto all such as were in the said Procession, either convict or suspect of heresy, were commanded in token of repentance and renouncing of their errors, every man to cast a book into the fire as they passed by.
There were suspected beside, a great number to be infected with heresie, as they called it, for hauing such bookes of Gods truth, as Garret solde vnto them, as M. Clarke, which died in his chamber, and could not be suffered to receyue the Communion, being in prisone, and saying these woordes: Crede, & manducasti. Maister Somner, Maister Bettes, Tauerner the Musition, Radley, wyth other of Friswides Colledge,1 of Corpus Christi Colledge, as Udall and Diet, wyth other of Magdalene Colledge one Eeden, wt other of Glocester Colledge, and two blacke Monkes, one of S. Austines of Canterburye named Langporte, the other of S. Edmondes Burie monke, named Ioh. Salisbury, two white monkes of Barnard Colledge, two Canons of S. Maries Colledge, one of them named Robert Ferrar afterwarde Bishop of S. Dauies,2
After this, M. Garret flying from place to place, escaped their tyranny until this present time, that he was again apprehended and burned with D. Barnes. With whom also W. Hierome sometime vicar of Stepney,1 was likewise drawn into Smithfield, and there together with them, constantly endured martyrdom in the fire.
After this, M. Garret flying from place to place, escaped theyr tyrannie vntill thys present time, that he was againe apprehended and burned wt D. Barnes. With whome also W. Hierome sometime vicare of Stepney,1 was likewyse drawne into Smithfielde, and there together wyth them, constantly endured martyrdome in the fire.
Now let us add also to these, the story of Hierome.
Now let vs adde also to these, the storie of Hierome.
The third companion which suffered with Barnes and Garret, was W. Hierome Vicar of Stepney. This Hierome being a diligent preacher of Gods word,1 for the comfort and edification of the people, had preached divers and sundry sermons, wherein to the intent to plant in the consciences of men, the sincere truth of christen religion, he laboured as much as time then served, to extirp & weed out the roots of mens traditions, doctrines, dreams, and fantasies. In so doing it could not otherwise be, but he must needs provoke much hatred against him amongest the adversaries of Christs gospel.
THe third companion which suffered wyth Barnes and Garret, was W. Hierome Uicare of Stepney. Thys Hierome being a diligent preacher of Gods worde,1 for the comfort and edification of the people, had preached diuers and sondry sermons, wherein to the entent to plante in the consciences of men, the sincere truth of christen religion, he laboured as much as time then serued, to extirpe & weede out the rootes of mens traditions, doctrines, dreames, and fantasies. In so doing it coulde not otherwise be, but hee must needes prouoke much hatred against hym amongest the aduersaries of Christes gospell.
At the last, when they could get nothing of me whereby to hurt or accuse any mā, or to know any thyng of yt which they sought, they al 3. together brought me vp a lōg staires into a great chamber ouer M. cōmissaries chamber,1 wherin stode a great paire of very high stocks. Then M. Commissary asked me for my purse & girdie, toke away my mony and my kniues, and then they put both my legs into ye stockes, and so locked me faste in them: in which I sate, my fete being almost as high as my head, and so departed they (I thinke to their abominable masse) locking fast ye chamber doore, and leauing me alone. When all they were gone, then came vnto my remembrance the worthy forewarning and godly declaration of that most cōstant martyr of God, M. Iohn Clarke my father in Christ, who well nigh two yeres before that, whē I did earnestly desire hym to graūt me to be his scholler, & that I myght go wt hym continually when and wheresoeuer he shoulde teache or preache (the whych he did daily) sayd vnto me much after this sort:2 Dalaber, you desire you wot not what, & that you are, I feare me, vnable to take vpon you. For though nowe my preaching be swete and pleasaunt vnto you, because there is yet no persecution laide on you for it, yet the time will come, & that peraduenture shortly, if ye continue to liue godly therin, that God will lay on you the crosse of persecution to try you withall, whether you can as pure golde abide the fire, or as stubble and drosse be consumed therewt. For the holy Ghoste plainely affirmeth by S. Paule, quod omnes qui pie volunt viuere in Christo Iesu, persecutionem patientur. Yea,3 you shall be called and iudged an heretike, you shalbe abhorred of the world, your owne friends and kinsfolke wil forsake you, and also hate you, and you shalbe cast into prison, and no man shall dare to help or comfort you, and you shall be accused & brought before the bishops, to your reproche and shame, to the great sorow of all your faithfull friendes and kinsfolke. Then wil yee wish yee had neuer knowen thys doctrine. Then will ye curse Clarke,4 and wish that yee had neuer knowen him, because he hath brought you to al these troubles. Therfore rather then that ye shuld do this, leaue of from medling of this doctrine, and desire not to be and continue in my company.
