Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] 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.

*The Copy of Nich. Harpsfieldes Letter, touching Mayster Whittell, written to Boner Byshop of London.

PLeaseth your good Lordship to vnderstand, that yesterday I di∣ned with my Lord of Exceter,* 1.1 who soon after my first cōming vnto him, asked me what newes. I answered none but good, that I had heard. No sayth he? Why, it is a rumour in the City, that to¦morowe the Queenes Grace will take her iourney towardes the king. I aunswered, that I thought it not to bee any whit true, but an inuention of Heretickes: yea and further sayeth he, there is re∣port made abroad of my Lorde our Mayster, that he is in discom∣fort, and therefore will suffer no man to come vnto him. When I heard thus much, I began to laugh, and declare how vntrue this report was, so that my Lord (who before was very sad) afterward knowing the truth, reioyced much to heare that all was wel with your lordship, and desired me to do his harty commendations to your Lordship.

One of my Lord of Penbrokes retinue a very handsome mā, and as farre as I can yet learne Catholicke, is a suter to your lord∣ship to haue licence to erect a schoole: and the order which he in∣tēdeth to vse, is cōteined in this printed paper, which I send here in inclosed to your Lordship. I would be gladde for my Lorde of Penbrokes sake that he vnderstood, that vppon my motion your Lordship were content he should teach as he intendeth. Mayster Iohnson and I haue trauelled with the Prieste, and he hath sub∣scribed his name to this draughte whiche is herein inclosed, and hath promised he will stand to the same before your Lordship.

When I had written thus much, sodenly came tydinges to me that Iordanis conuersus est retrorsum.* 1.2 Cluney comming to the Priest, found him lying prostrate, & groning as though he should haue dyed forthwith. Then Cluney tooke him vppe, and set hym vpon a stoole, and came to me and told me of this reuell. It chaū∣ced that M. Iohnson was with me, and we went to this fond he∣reticke & foūd him lying all a long, holding his hands vp, & loo∣king hypocritically towardes heauen. I caused Thomas More & Cluney to set him on the stoole, and with much adoe at length he tolde me that Sathan had bene with him in the night, and tolde him that he was damned, and weeping he prayed M. Iohnson and me to see the bill whereunto he subscribed, and when he sawe it, he tare out his name è libro scilicet viuentium. Me thinketh by him he will needes burne a Fagot, neither is there any other like∣lihood of the young woman. I haue enquired of the two persons which sue to haue a licence to eat flesh.* 1.3 And the woman of Christ Church is in deed very much diseased, and hath bene long disea∣sed, and she and her husband both Catholicke. Of the other yet I canne learne nothing. Thus Iesus euermore preserue your good Lordship, and my Mistres your Lordshippes sister, with all yours. This present Saterday.

Your Lordships most boun∣den seruaunt Iohn Harpsfield.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A letter of M. Harpsfield de∣claring how Tho. Whittell rent his sub∣scription out of the Bishops Register.
• * 1.2

  He meaneth of the returne a∣gayne of Tho. Whittell.
• * 1.3

  This young woman was Ioane Warren▪ otherwise na∣med Ioane Lashford, who was burned al∣so with the same Whittell.