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.

Another Commission sent ouer to Calice.

AFter all these thynges done and past, the grudgyng mindes of the aduersaries yet were not satisfied, but still suggested new cōplaints to the Kings eares against the towne of Calice, making the king beleue,* 1.1 that through new opinions the towne was so diuided, that it was in great daunger of the aduersary to be ouercome.

Whereupon shortly after, the weeke before Easter next folowing, other newe Commissioners were sent ouer by the King to Calice, to witte, the Earle of Sussex, Lorde great Chamberlaine, the Lord S. Iohn,* 1.2 Sir Iohn Gage Knight, Sir Iohn Barker Knight, M. Layton, Clerke of the closet, and Doctor Currin, with speciall instructiōs besides signed by the Kings Maiesties owne hand: for his highnes had bene incensed once againe from the Counsell at Calice, that the towne was in perill through dissension,* 1.3 and diuersitie of opinions. Upon their arriuall, M. Doct. Currin preached a notable Sermon, exhorting all men to charitie, hauing nothing in his mouth but charitie, chari∣tie. But as it seemed afterwarde, such a burning charitie was in him and the rest of the Commissioners, that had not God pitied the innocencie of mens causes, there had a hundred bene burnt or hanged shortly after.

But it happened farre otherwise. For of the number of those accusers, four were by those Commissioners sent o∣uer into England, to witte, Clement Philpot, seruaunt to the Lorde Lisle, sir Edmund, Curate of our Ladyes Church, W. Touchet a Postmaister, Peter Bequet, of the which four,* 1.4 Touchet and Bequet were sente to theyr pla∣ces againe: the other two were drawne, hanged, and quar∣tered at London. But contrary, of all them that were ac∣cused, there was not one that lost one heare of his head.

After the Sermon was done, on the morowe to witte, on Sherethurseday, all the Commissioners solemnely re∣ceiued the Sacramente. And at after noone, the Counsell were with the Commissioners, and after their consulta∣tion, tipped staues warned, aboue the number of foure score, so peruerse persons as the like were not in y^e towne

or marches, to appeare on the morrow at viij. of the clocke before the Counsell at the Staple Inne, who at their ap∣pearance were commaunded vpon their allegiance, to pre∣sent all such heretickes, schismatickes, and seditious per∣sons, as they did know: and in no wise to doubt or dread so to do, for they shoulde haue great aduauntage thereby, yea they should haue eyther their linings,* 1.5 or their goodes, and besides that, they shoulde haue greate thankes at the Kings Maiesties hand, and his honorable Counsell, and what frendship they of the Kings Counsell there coulde shew them. All that good Friday, euen till x. of the clocke at night, those wicked and malicious persons occupyed their time in aunswering to diuers and sondry questions.

These things were not so secretly done, but they were bewrayed and came to honest mens knowledge. Where∣upon such feare and distrust assaulted all men, that neigh∣bour mistrusted neighbour, the maister the seruaunt, the seruaunt the maister, the husband the wife, the wife the husband,* 1.6 and almost euery one the other, that lamentable it was to see how mourningly men and women went in the streetes, hanging downe their heads, shewing euident tokens of the anguish of their harts.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A new commis∣sion sent downe to Calice.
• * 1.2

  False accusation agaynst the towne of Calice
• * 1.3

  The Commissi∣oners appointed.
• * 1.4

  Example of Gods punish∣ment vpon false accusers.
• * 1.5

  An other inqui∣sition at Calice agaynst here∣tickes.
• * 1.6

  Great pertur∣bation at Ca∣lice.