DErely beloued father in Christ Iesu, I thank you for your gē∣tle letters. And to satisfy your mynd, as cōcernyng the trou∣bles wherof you haue heard, these shal both declare vnto you all my vexations that haue chaunced me since ye were with me, and also since I receiued your last letters. God keepe you euer.
Your sonne, Iohn Bland.
FIrst, the 3. of Sept. beyng Sonday, after seruice ended,* 1.1 ere I had put of my surplice, Iohn Austen came to the table (commonly called the Lords table) & layed both hys hands vpon it, saying: Who set this here againe? Nowe they say they tooke ye table downe the sonday before, which I knew not, neither do I know who set it vp again. The Clerke answered, that he knew not. Then Austen said, he is a knaue that set it here. I was then goyng downe the church, maruellyng what he ment, and said: Good mā Au∣sten, the Queenes highnes hath set forth a proclamation▪ that ye may mooue no sedition. And ere I could speake any more, he said, thou art a knaue. And I said, well goodman Austen, that I haue said, I haue said. By gods soule quoth he, thou art a very knaue. Then my clarke spake to hym, but what I am not sure. But he said, ye are both heretike knaues, & haue deceiued vs with this fashion too long▪ & if he say any seruice here againe, I wil lay the table on hys face: & in that rage he with other tooke vp the table & layd it on a chest in the Chancel, & set the trestles by it. Where∣fore I rode by & by to M. Isaac, & shewed him the cause, both how sediciously he had spoken, & performed it with a like deed. M. Isaac directed a warrant to the Constable or Bosholder, which was incontinētly serued, so that he was brought before him the same night, & was bound by reco∣gnisance, with sureties, to appeare if he were called. But we agreed so well then, that it was neuer called for, the ta∣ble was brought downe, and I was permitted, as before.
The 26. of Nouember being sonday, Rich. Austen and his brother Thomas came to the foresaid Table after the communion was done, & as I was goyng by them, Ri∣chard said vnto me, M. parson, we haue to speake to you. And I said, what is your wil? And he said, you know that you tooke down the tabernacle or seeling wherin the roode did hang, & such other things: we would know what re∣compence you will make vs. For the Queens procedings are (as you know) that such must vp againe.
Quoth I, I know no such proceedinges as yet: & as for all that I did, I did it by commandement.
No, said Tho. Austen, ye wil not know the Queenes proceedings.
Yes, said I, I refuse not to know them.
Then said Rich. ye are against the Queenes procee∣dings: for you say,* 1.2 that there are abominable vses & diue∣lishnes in the masse.
Goodman Austen said I, if I so said, I wil say it again and God willing, stand to the proofe of it.
Maisters all quoth Rich. Austen, beare record of these words, and went his way.
Quoth Tho. Austen,* 1.3 thou wilt as soone eat this booke as stand to them. No quoth I, not so soone. Tell vs quoth he, what that diuelishnes is, that is in the masse.
I haue often preached it vnto you said I, & ye haue not beleued it, nor borne it away, nor wil now neither, though I should tell you.
Thou quoth he hast told vs alwayes like an heretike, as thou art. Now ye lie goodmā Austen quoth I, by your leaue. Mary quoth he, thou liest. And I sayd, and you lye: for I haue taught you Christ and his truth.
Quoth he, thou art an heretike, and hast taught vs no∣thing but heresie: for thou canst say nothing that is true.