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.

3. Thomas Browne, Martyr.

THomas Browne, borne in the Paryshe of Hyston, wythin the Dyoces of Elye,* 1.1 came afterwarde to London, where hee dwelled in the Parysh of Sainct Brides in Fleetestreete, a maryed manne, of the age of 37. yeares: who because he came not to hys parish church

was presented by the Constable of the Parishe to Boner. As touching whose articles, wherupon he was examined by the sayd Boner, with his aunsweres also annexed to y^e same, mention goeth before, as in the generall processe of him and of the rest,* 1.2 may appeare. This Tomas Browne being had to Fulhā, w^t the other thereto be examined, was required vpon Thursday, being y^e xxvi. day of Septem∣ber, to come into the Chappell to heare Masse, whiche he refusing to doe, went into the warren, and there kneled a∣mong the trees.* 1.3 For this hee was greatly charged of the Bishop, as for an haynous matter, because he sayd it was done in despite and contempt of theyr masse: which seemed to the Byshop and his Chaplaynes no small offence. At length being producted to his last examination before the sayd Bishop, xv. day of Ianuarye, there to heare the sen∣tence diffinitiue agaynst him, first hee was required wyth many fayre wordes and glosing promises to reuoke hys doctrine, to whome the foresayd Byshoppe speaking these woordes,* 1.4 sayde: Browne, ye haue bene before me ma∣ny tymes and ofte, and I haue trauailed with thee, to wynne thee from thyne erroures: yet thou and suche like haue and doe reporte that I goe about to seeke thy bloud. &c.

* 1.5To whome the sayd Thomas Browne aunswered a∣gayne: yea my Lord (sayd he) in deede ye be a bloudsucker & I would I had as much bloud, as is water in the Sea, for you to sucke.

Boner then proceeding to the articles, when he hadde red them vnto him agayne, as he had done diuers tymes before, asked him whether he was content and willing to relinquishe those hys heresies and erroneous opinions (as he called them) and returne agayne vnto the vnitie of the catholicke fayth.* 1.6 Whereunto he made aunswere again saying, if they were heresies, he would forsake them. They be heresies (quoth the Byshoppe.) Howe will ye proue it, sayd Browne? for I will not goe frō mine aunsweres, ex∣cept you cā proue them to be heresies, which ye shal neuer do. For that whiche you call heresie, is no heresie. Wyth that Boner not able, or els not disposed to supply the part of a sufficient teacher, in prouing that which the other had denyed by good authoritie and doctrine of the scripture went about with wordes and promise of pardon, to al∣lure him to renounce those his heresies, as he called them and to returne vnto the vnitie of his mother the Catho∣licke Churche. &c.

To whom the sayd Thomas inferred agayne, as fol∣loweth: Proue it (sayd he) to be heresie, that I do hold and mayntayne, and I will turne to you. But you condemne me, because I wil not confesse and beleue the bread and in the sacrament of the aultar (as you call it to be the body of Christ, and therfore ye spill myne and such like innocents bloud,* 1.7 being the Queenes true subiectes, for whiche you shall aunswere, and that shortly.

After this being spoken, Boner as hee had done to the other before, read in writing the sentence diffinitiue a∣gaynst him. The copie and forme of which sentence wher∣with the Papistes were wont to condemne all the inno∣cent saynts of Christes, is aboue expressed, pag. 1417. And so this done he was committed to the Sheriffes to be had away, and burned the xxvii. day of the sayd moneth of Ia∣nuary, constantly abiding with the other, the Popes tor∣mentes for the true confession of his Christian fayth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ex Regist. Tho. Browne, Martyr. Ianuary. 27.
• * 1.2

  Tho. Browne presented by the Constable of S. Brides.
• * 1.3

  Browne knee∣leth among the trees at the Masse tyme.
• * 1.4

  B. Boners words to Tho. Browne.
• * 1.5

  B. Boner char∣ged to be a bloudsucker.
• * 1.6

  The aunswere of Thomas Browne to Bi∣shop Boner.
• * 1.7

  Sentence read against Thomas Browne.