❧ The history of all these 7. Mar∣tyrs, particularly described in order here followeth, & first of Tho. Whittle, who first recanting, then returning agayne with great constancy and fortitude, stoode to the defence of Christes doctrine agaynst the Papists, to the fire.
IN the story of M. Philpot, mention was made before, of a maried Priest,* 1.1 whom he found in the Colehouse at hys first commyng thither, in heauines of mynd and great so∣row, for recantyng the doctrine which hee had taught in K. Edwards dayes, whose name was Thom. Whittle of Essex: and thus lyeth his story. This Tho. Whittle after he had bene expulsed from the place in Essex where he ser∣ued, went abroad where he might, now here and there as occasion was ministred, preachyng and sowyng the Go∣spel of Christ. At length beyng apprehended by one Ed∣mund Alabaster, in hope of reward & promotion,* 1.2 whiche he miserably gaped after, he was brought first as prisoner before the B. of Winchester, who then was fallen lately sicke of his disease, whereof not long after hee dyed most straungely. But the apprehender for his profered seruice, was highly checked & rated of the B. askyng if there were no man vnto whome he might bring such Rascals, but to him? Hence (quoth he) out of my sight thou varlet, what doest thou trouble me with such matters? The gredy cor∣morant beyng thus defeated of his desired pray, yet thin∣king to seek and to hunt further, caried his prisoner to the B. of London, with whom what an euill messe of hādling this Whittle had, and how he was by the B. all to beaten & buffeted about the face, by this his owne narration in a letter sent vnto his friend, manifestly may appeare.
Upon Thursday which was the x. of Ianuary, the B. of London sent for me Thom. Whittle minister out of the porters lodge,* 1.3 where I had bene all night lying vpon the earth, vpō a pallet where I had as painful a night of sick∣nes as euer I had, God be thanked. And when I came before hym, he talked with me many thyngs of the sacra∣ment so grossely, as is not worthy to be rehearsed. And a∣mongst other thynges he asked me if I would haue come to masse that mornyng if he had sent for me. Whereunto I answered, that I would haue come to hym at hys cōman∣dement, but to your Masse (sayd I) I haue small affectiō. At which aunswer he was displeased sore,* 1.4 & sayd I should be fedde with bread and water. And as I followed hym through the great hall, he turned backe and beat me with his fist, first on the one cheeke, and then on the other, as the signe of my beatyng did many dayes appeare. And then he led me into a little salthouse, where I had no straw nor bed, but lay two nightes on a table, and slept soundly, I thanke God.
Then vpon the Friday next after,* 1.5 I was brought to my L. and he then gaue me many fayre words, and said he would be good to me. And so he goyng to Fulham, com∣mitted me to Doct. Harpsfield, that he and I in that after noone should common together, and drewe out certayne Articles, whereunto if I would subscribe, I shoulde bee dismissed. But D. Harpsfield sent not for me til night, and then perswaded me very sore to forsake my opinions. I answered I held nothing but the truth,* 1.6 & therfore I could not so lightly turne therefrom. So I thought I should at y• time haue had no more ado: but he had made a certaine bill, whiche the Register pulled out of his bosom, & red it.