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.

Iames Abbes, a Martyr of blessed memorie, suffering for the true cause of Christes Gospel.

* 1.1AMong many that trauailed in these troublesome daies to keepe a good conscience, there was one Iames Ab∣bes a young man, whych throughe compulsion of the ty∣rannie then vsed,* 1.2 was enforced to haue his part wyth hys brethren in wandring and going from place to place, to a∣uoide the pearill of apprehendinge. But when time came that the Lorde had an other woorke to doe for hym, he was caught by the handes of wicked men, and broughte before the B. of Norwiche, D. Hopton. Who examining him of his Religion, and charging him therewyth very sore, both with threates and faire speache,* 1.3 at the laste the sayde poore Iames did yelde, and relented to their naughty perswasi∣ons, although hys conscience consented not thereto.

Nowe when he was dismissed, and shoulde goe from the Bishop,* 1.4 the Bishop calling hym againe, gaue hym a peece of money, either fourty pence or twentie pence, whe∣ther I knowe not: which when the sayd Iames had recei∣ued, and was gone from the Bishop, his conscience began to rob,* 1.5 and inwardly to accuse hys facte, howe hee had dis∣pleased the Lorde by consenting to their beastly illusions, In which combate wyth himselfe (being pitiously vexed) he went immediately to the Bishop againe, & there threw hym his sayd money which he had receiued at hys hande,* 1.6 and sayd, it repented him that euer he gaue hys consent to their wicked perswasions, and that he gaue his consent in taking of hys money.

Now this being done, the bishop wyth his chaplains did labour a fresh to winne him againe:* 1.7 but in vayne, for the sayd Iames Abbes would not yeelde for none of them all, although he had plaid Peter before through infirmitie, but stoode manfully in hys masters quarel to the ende, and abode the force of the fire, to the consuming of his body in∣to ashes, which tyrannie of burning was done in Berie the 2. day of August. An. 1555.

Notes

• * 1.1

  August. 2.
• * 1.2

  Iames Abbes Martyr.
• * 1.3

  Iames Abbes relented.
• * 1.4

  Money geuen to Iames Abbes by the Bishop.
• * 1.5

  A notable ex∣ample of sting of conscience.
• * 1.6

  Iames Abbes throweth to the Bishop his mo∣ney agayne.
• * 1.7

  Iames Abbes made strong by his infirmity.