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.

¶A letter of the Lady Iane sent vnto her father.

FAther, although it hath pleased God to hasten my death by you, by whome my life should rather haue bene lengthened: yet can I so patiently take it,* 1.1 as I yeeld God more harty thankes for shortening my wofull dayes, then if all the world had bene geuen into my possession with life lengthened at my owne will. And albeit I am well assured of your impacient dolours, redoub∣led manyfold wayes, both in bewayling your owne woe, and es∣pecially (as I heare) my vnfortunate state, yet my deare father (if I may without offence reioyce in my owne mishaps) me seemes in this I may accompt my selfe blessed, that washing my handes with the innocencie of my fact, my giltles bloud may cry before the Lord, mercy to the innocent. And yet though I must needes acknowledge, that being constrayned, and, as you wot well i∣nough, continually assayed, in taking vpon me I seemed to con∣sent, and therein greeuously offended the Queene and her lawes: yet do I assuredly trust that this mine offence towards God is so much the lesse, in that being in so royall estate as I was, mine en∣forced honour being neuer with mine innocent hart. And thus good father I haue opened vnto you the state wherein I presently stand. Whose death at hand, although to you perhaps it may seme right wofull, to me there is nothing that can be more welcome, then from this vale of miserie to aspire to that heauenly throne of all ioy and pleasure with Christ our Sauiour.* 1.2 In whose stedfast fayth (if it may be lawfull for the daughter so to write to the Fa∣ther) the Lord that hetherto hath strengthened you, so continue you that at the last we may meete in heauen with the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost.

At what time her father was florishing in freedome and prosperitie in the time of King Edward, there belonged vnto him a certayne learned man, student and Graduate of the Uniuersitie of Oxford. Who then being Chaplayne to the sayd Duke, and a sincere Preacher (as he appeared) of the Gospell, according to the doctrine of that time set foorth and receiued, shortly after that the state of Religion began to alter by Queene Mary, altered also in his pro∣fession with the time, and of a Protestant, became a friend and defender of the Popes proceedings. At whose sodayne mutation and inconstant mutabilitie,* 1.3 this Christian Lady being not a little agreeued, and most of all lamenting the daungerous state of his soule, in sliding so away for feare from the way of truth, writeth her minde vnto him in a sharp and vehement letter: which as it appeareth to pro∣ceede of an earnest and zealous hart, so woulde God it might take such effect with him, as to reduce him to repen∣taunce, and to take better holde againe for the health and wealth of his owne soule. The copie of the letter is thys as followeth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ianes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent to her fa∣ther.
• * 1.2

  This Pa∣renthesis includeth with a prai∣er, a priuy admonition to her father that he fall not from his religion▪
• * 1.3

  February.