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 certayne communication betwene Laurence Saunders and Doctor Pendleton, in the beginning of Queene Maries tyme.

* 1.1AT the chaunge of religion in this Realme, and the be∣ginning of Queene Maries reigne, Doct. Pendleton and M. Saunders men knowne to the world, not only to be learned but also earnest preachers of Gods word in the time of blessed king Edward, met together in the country, where by occasiō they were at that time, and as the case re∣quired (by reason of the persecution that was then at hand) fell to debate what was best for them to doe, in so daunge∣rous a season. Whereupon M. Saunders, whether tho∣row very fraylty in deed of his weake flesh that was loth to tast of the bitter cup, though his spirite were ready ther∣vnto: or whether it were vpon the mistrust of hys owne strength, that he might receiue the greater power from a∣boue: or whether it were not for any one of the sayd causes alone, but for both together, or such like: semed so fearefull and feeble spirited, that he shewed himselfe in appearance, like either to fall quite from God and his word, whiche he had taught, or at least to betake him to his heeles and to fly the land, rather then to sticke to his profession and abyde by his tackle:* 1.2 so as Doctor Pendleton (who on the cōtra∣ry side, appeared not so big of body, but as bold in courage, nor so earnest before in Pulpit, but as ready now to seale the same with his bloud) tooke vppon him to comfort M. Saūders all that he might, admonishing him (as he could do it very well) not to forsake cowardly his flocke when hee had most neede to defend the wolfe from them: nei∣ther hauing put to his hand to Gods plough, to start now aside and geue it ouer, nor yet (that is worst of all) hauyng once forsakē Antichrist, to fall either himselfe, or to suffer o∣thers by his example to returne to theyr vomit agayne.

After which and such like perswasions bidding him be of good comfort, and to take a good hart vnto him: what man (quoth he) there is a great deale more cause in me to be afeard thē in you, for as much as you see, I cary a grea∣ter masse of flesh vpon my backe then you do, and being so laden with a heauier lumpe of this vile carkase ought ther¦fore of nature to be more frayle then you: & yet sayth he,* 1.3 I will see the vttermost drop of this grease of mine moltē a∣way, & the last gobbet of this flesh consumed to ashes, be∣fore I wil forsake God and his truth. Wherunto the other answering but litle, & wishing that almighty God woulde geue him more strength thē he presently felt in himselfe, ac∣knowledging his owne weaknes, consēted notwithstan∣ding though it were somewhat fayntly, to ioyne w^t him in the profession of the Gospell, & so to go vp to London & set forth the same: wherupon they gaue ech other theyr hāds.

Now when they were come to London, Lord what a great chaunge was there betwene these two persons. The poore feeble faynt harted Saunders, by the goodnes of al∣mighty God, taking hart of grace to him, seking the same in humility, boldly & stoutly confirmed his flock out of the pulpit, where his charge lay, mightely beating down An∣tichrist, & lustely preached Christ his maister, for the which he afterward suffered most willingly as is afore declared. Wheras on the other side, Pendleton the proud (who, as it appeared by the sequele, had bene more stout in words,* 1.4 thē constant in deeds, and a greater bragger, then a good war∣rior) folowed Peter so iustly in crackes, howsoeuer he did in repentance (which God onely knoweth) that he came not so soone to London but he chaūged his tipet, & playd y^e Apostata, preaching in stede of sound doctrine, nothing al∣most but errors & lyes, aduauncing Antichrist, and ouer∣throwing poore Christ with all his mayne: so his former boldnes came to nothing, vnlesse it were a contrarye key, becomming of a faithfull pastour a false runnagate, and of a true Preacher a sworne enemy of Gods euerlasting Te∣stament, to the great offence of his brethren, the hurt of hys flock, and the vtter vndoing, with our Gods greater mer∣cy, of his owne soule. Wherein are specially to be conside∣red the deepe and maruellous iudgementes of God, who as he can and doth make strong whome it pleaseth hym, when he seeth his time, & most commonly such as appeare most feeblest: euen so contrariwise throweth he downe o∣ther

some,* 1.5 seeme they neuer so stoute, stand they neuer so much in theyr own conceites. Wherefore let him that stan∣deth take heed he fall not, and let vs pray continually to al∣mighty God though we haue fayth, that he will helpe and encrease our faith, that in him it may be made strōg, which of it selfe is so weake, that it is soone ouerthrowne.

* 1.6This blessed man of God enduring long time in prisō, did not passe all his time in vnfruitfull idlenes, but still frō time to time did visite his frendes (as is sayd) and especi∣ally his wife,* 1.7 with many letters full of godly instruction & consolatiō. All which letters it shall not be greatly need∣ful here to insert, partly because they are to be found in the booke of letters, partly because we entēd also (if God will) to prosecute the same more at large. In the meane time it shall not be out of place here presētly to cōprehend certein of them, as in order foloweth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Talke betweene M. Saunders, & Doctour Pen∣dleton.

  D Pendleton a stout preacher of the Gospel in K. Edwards tyme.
• * 1.2

  M. Saunders timerou•• in Christes cause at the first be∣ginning.
• * 1.3

  The stou•• bragges 〈◊〉〈◊〉 D. Pendl••••ton at th•• first begi••••ning.

  God ge∣ueth strength where fe••••blenes is confessed▪
• * 1.4

  Example how feeb•••• man is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himselfe without the Lord support him.
• * 1.5

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.6

  Anno 1555. Februa∣ry
• * 1.7

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉