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.

❧ A true Certificate written by Richard Woodman, of his taking, & how he was brought to the Shiriffes the xv. of March, 1556. and how long he was in prison, and how he was there vsed, till he was broughte before the Bishoppe of Chiche∣ster at blacke Friers in London, with the or∣der of his examinations followyng af∣ter the same.

* 1.1GEntle Reader, here you shall perceiue how the scri∣ptures bee partly fulfilled on me, beyng one of the least of his poore Lambes. First, you shall vnderstād that since I was deliuered out of the Bishop of Londons hands, which was in the yeare of our Lord, 1555. and the same day that M. Philpot was burned, (which was the 18. of December) I lay in his Colehouse 8. weeks lacking but one day. And before that, I was a yeare and a halfe al∣most, in the Kings Bench after my first apprehension, for reproouyng a Preacher in the pulpit, in the parish of War∣bleton where I dwelt. Wherfore I was at two Sessions before I was sent to prison,* 1.2 and caried to two more Sessi∣ons whyle I was in pryson, twyse before the B. of Chi∣chester, and fiue tymes before the Commissioners, & then sent to Londons Colehouse, & many tymes called before him, as it appeareth by my examinations which I wrote, the which examinations, the B. of Chichester now hath, for they were found in my house when I was takē, wher∣in is conteined all the talke, which I had before them a∣forenamed. Also there be in London that had copies of the same of me, when I was in the Colehouse.

* 1.3And it pleased God to deliuer me, with foure or more, out of the butchers handes, requiring nothing els of vs but that we shuld be honest men, and members of the true Catholike Church that was builded vpon the Prophetes and Apostles, Christ beyng the head of the true Churche, the which all we affirmed that we were members of the true Church, and purposed by Gods helpe therein to dye. And hereupon we were deliuered, but he willed vs many tymes to speake good of hym. And no doubt he was wor∣thy to be praysed, because he had bene so faithfull an ayd in his maister the deuils businesse. For he had burnt good M. Philpot the same mornyng, in whose bloud his hart was so drunken (as I supposed) that he could not tell what he did, as it appeared to vs, both before & after. For but two dayes before he promised vs that we should bee condem∣ned that same day that we were deliuered: yea & the mo∣row after that he had deliuered vs, hee sought for some of vs agayne, yea and that earnestly. He waxed dry after his great dronkennes, wherfore he is lyke to haue bloude to drink in hel as he is worthy, if he repent it not with speed. The Lord turne all their harts if it be his will.

This haue I written, chiefly to certifie all people how we were deliuered,* 1.4 because many carnall Gospellers and Papists haue sayd, that it was prescribed that we should be so deliuered, because they thinke that God is subiect to man, and not man to God. For if they did, they would not blaspheme hym as they doe, or if they thought they should geue account for it. Haue not many of them red, how God deliuered Israel out of Egypt? Daniel out of the Lyons denne? Sydrach, Misaach, and Abednago out of the bur∣nyng ouen? with diuers other such like exāples, yea God is the same God that he was then. He is no older, nor lesse in power, as some count hym in wondring at his works. Now to the matter.

After I was deliuered,* 1.5 the Papists sayd that I hadde consented to them, whereof they made themselues glad: the which was the least part of my thought (I praise God therefore) as they well perceiued, and knew the contrarye within a while. For I went from parish to parish, & tal∣ked with them, to the number of 13. or 14. and that of the chiefest in all the Countrey: and I angred them so,* 1.6 y^t they with the Commissioners complayned on me to my Lord Chamberlaine that was then to the Queene, Sir Iohn Gage shewyng him that I baptised children, and married folks, with many such lyes, to bryng me into their hands agayne. Then the Commissioners sent out certaine Cita∣tions to bring me to the Court.* 1.7 My L. Chamberlain had directed out 4. or 5. Warrantes for me, that if I had come there, I should haue bene attached and sent to prisō straite way. Which was not Gods will: for I had warnyng of their laying await for me, and came not there, but sent my deputie, & he brought me word that the Bailifs waited for me there, but they mist of their pray for that tyme, where∣vpon they were displeased.

Then within 3. dayes after,* 1.8 my L. sent 3. of his men to take me, whose names were Deane, Ieffrey, and Frāces. I beyng at plough with my folkes, right in the waye as they were commyng to my house, least mistrusting thē of all other, came to them and spake to them, asking thē how they did. And they sayd,* 1.9 they arested me in the Kyng and Queenes name, and that I must goe with them to their Maister the L. Chamberlaine. Which wordes made my flesh to tremble and quake because of that sodayne. But I answered them that I would go with them.* 1.10 Yet I desired them that they would go to my house with me, y^t I might breake my fast, and put on some other geare, and they said I should. Then I remembred my selfe, saying in my hart: Why am I thus afraid? they can lay no euill to my charge. If they kill me for well doyng,* 1.11 I may thinke my self hap∣py. I remembred how I was contented gladly before to dye in that quarell, and so had continued euer since: and should I now feare to dye? God forbid that I should, for then were all my labour in vayne.

So by and by I was perswaded, I praise God, consi∣dering it was but the frailty of my flesh, which was loth to forgo my wife & childrē and goods: for I saw nothing but present death before mine eyes. And as soone as I was perswaded in my mynd to die, I had no regard of nothing in this worlde, but was as mery and glad and ioyfull, I prayse GOD, as euer I was. This battaile lasted not a quarter of an houre, but it was sharper then death it selfe for the tyme, I dare say.

So when I had my breakfast, I desired them to shew me their warrant, thinkyng thereby I should haue seene wherfore I was arested,* 1.12 to the intent I might y^e better an∣swer for my self whē I came before their maister. And one of them answered, they had not their warrāt there. Which words made me astonied, and it was put in my mynde by God, that I neede not to goe with them,* 1.13 vnlesse they had their warrant. Then said I to them, that is meruaile that you will come to take a man without a warrant. It see∣meth to me that you come of your owne mind to get thāke of your maister, for in deed I heard say (sayd I) that there was 4. or 5. warrants out for me, but they were called in agayne,* 1.14 because I had certified my L. and the Commissa∣ry by a letter that I sent to the Commissaries court, that I was not faulty in that they layd to my charge, which was for baptising of children, and marying of folks: the which I neuer did, for I was neuer minister appointed to do a∣ny such thyng: wherfore set your hartes at rest, I will not

go with you (said I) vnlesse you will cary me by force, and if you will do so, at your owne aduentures. And so I rose from the boord and stepped into my chamber, meanyng to goe from them if I could possible, seeyng God had made the way so open for me.* 1.15 I ment to play Peters part with them, but God would not it should be so, but sent a feare amongst them, that as soone as I was gone into my chā∣ber, ere euer I could come out againe, they were gone out of my house.

When I saw that, I knew it was Gods doyng to set me at liberty once againe.* 1.16 Yet I was compelled to speake to them, and said: If you haue a warrant, I desire you for Gods sake to shew it me, and I wil go with you, with all my hart: if not, I desire you to depart in Gods peace and the kings: for surely I will not go with you without the order of the law: for I haue bene too simple in such things already. For before I was sent to prison first, I went to the Iustices to two Sessions, without any warrant or cō∣mandement, but had word by one of their men, & I went gently to them, & they sent me to prison, and kept me there almost a yere and thre quarters, without all right or equi∣tie, as it is openly known, not hearing my cause iustly de∣bated. And it semeth to me that I should be thus euil hād∣led, and therefore I will not go to none of them all hence∣forth without the extremitie of the law.

Then one of them answered me, and said: we haue not the warrant here, but it is at home at my house: the worst is you can but make vs fetch it. Then I said: Fetch it, if you wil, but if you come in my house before you haue it, at your owne aduenture.* 1.17 So I shut my doore, and went my way out of the other doore. So they got helpe to watch my house, while one of them fet the Constable and many moe, thinking to haue had me in my house, and to haue takē me in my house, & caried me away with a licence: but I was gone before as god would haue it.* 1.18 Notwithstanding they sought euery corner of my house, but could not preuaile, I mistrusted they would search it again that night, and kept me abroad, and in deed there came seuen of his men & the Constable, and searched my house.

And when they sawe that they could not meete w^t me, they were redy to rent their coats, that I had scaped them so, knowing they should haue such a checke of their mai∣ster. When I heard that they had sought so for me againe, I perceiuyng that they were greedy of their pray, came home, and my wyfe told me all thyngs.

Then I supposed that they would lay all the countrey for me, and the sea coast, because I should not go ouer, and thē I thought that they would not mistrust that I would dare bee nigh home. So I tolde my wyfe that I woulde make my lodgyng in a woode not past a flight shotte from my house, as I did in deede, euen vnder a tree, and there had my Bible, my penne and myne inke, and other neces∣saries,* 1.19 and there continued a sixe or seuen weekes, my wife bringing me meate daily as I had neede. Yea I thought my selfe blessed of God, that I was counted worthy to lye in the woodes for the name of Christ. Then there came word into the countrey, that I was seene and spoken too in Flaunders:* 1.20 whereupon they left laying awaite for me for they had layd all the Countrey for me, and the sea coast from Portesmouth to Douer, euē as God put in my mind they would.

So when all was husht, I went abroad among our friends & brethren, and at length I went beyond the Sea both into Flanders and in Fraunce: but I thought eue∣ry day seuen yere or euer I were at home agayne. So I came home again as soone as it was possible. I was there but three weeks, but as soone as I was come home, and it once knowen among Baals priests, they could not abide it, but procured out warrantes agaynst me, causing my house to bee searched sometymes twise in a weeke. This continued from Saint Iames tide to the first Sonday in Lent. Otherwhile I went priuily, otherwhile openly, o∣therwhile I went from home a fortnight or three weeks, otherwhile I was at home a month or fiue weekes toge∣ther, liuing there most commonly and openly, doing such woorkes as I had to doe: and yet all mine enemies coulde lay no hands on me,* 1.21 till the houre was ful come: and then by the voice of the country, and by manifest proofes, mine owne brother as concerning the flesh, deliuered mee into theyr hands, by that he knew that I was at home.

For my father & he had as much of my goodes in theyr hands,* 1.22 as I might haue 56. pound for by the yeare cleare, and therunto praied. It was a Lordship and a honor, and halfe a honor that I had deliuered into their hands, to pay my debts, and the rest to remaine to my wife and childrē. But they had reported that it woulde not pay my debtes: which grieued me sore. For it was two hundred pounds better then the debts came to. Which caused me to speake to some of my frendes, that they would speake to them to come to some reckening with me, and to take all such mo∣ney againe of me, as they were charged with, and to deli∣uer me such wrytings and wryts, as they had of mine, a∣gaine, or to whom I would appoynt them.

So it was agreed betwixt my Father and mee, that I should haue it againe, and the day was apoynted, that the reckening shoulde be made and sent to me that same daye that I was taken, my brother supposing that I shoulde haue put him out of most of al his occupying, that he was in: for it was all mine in a manner that he occupied▪ as all the countrey can and doe well knowe. Whereon (as it is reported) he told one Gradillar my next neighbor, and he told some of M. Gages men, or to M. Gage himselfe: and so he sent to his brother,* 1.23 and hys brother sent 12. o•• his mē (he being Sheriffe) in the night before I was taken, and laye in the bushes not farre from my house, till about 9. of the clocke, euen the houre that was appoynted amongest themselues: for about the same time they thought to haue had me within my house.

They had taken a man of mine and two of my childrē that were abroad in the land: and kept them with them til theyr houre was appoynted to come in, & then a litle girle one of my children, saw them come together, & came run∣ning in, & cried: mother, mother, yonder cōmeth 2. men. I sitting in my bedde and making of shoe thonge••▪ heard the woordes, and suspecting straight way that I was be∣trayed, I stirred out of my bed & whipt on my hol••▪ thin∣king to haue gone out of the doores or euer they had bene come. My wife being amased at the childes words,* 1.24 looked out at the doore, and they were hard by. Then she clapped to the doore and barred it fast, euen as I came oute of my chamber into the Hall, and so barred the other: So the house was beset round straightway, and they badde open the doores, or els they would breake them in peces. Then I had no shift, but either I must shew my selfe openly, or make some other remedy.

So there was a place in my house y^t was neuer found which was at the lest, I dare say 20. times,* 1.25 and somtimes almost of 20. men searched at once, both by night & by day. Into which place I went: And assoone as I was in, my wife opened the doore: wherby incontinent they came,* 1.26 and asked for me: and she sayd I was not at home. Then they asked her wherefore shee shutte the dore, if I were not at home. Shee sayd, because shee had bene made afrayde di∣uers times, with such as came to search vs, and therefore shee shut the doore. For it is reported (sayth she) that who soeuer can take my husband, shall hang him or burne him strait way: and therfore I doubt they will serue me or my children so: for I thinke they may doe so vnto vs as well as to him, shee sayd. Well, sayd they, we know he is in the house, and we must searche it, for we be the sheriffes men: let vs haue a candle. It is tolde vs, there be many secrete places in your house. So shee lighted a candle, & they sou∣ght vp and downe in euery corner that they coulde finde, and had geuen ouer, and many of them were gone out of my house into the churchyard, and were talking with my father, and with some that he had brought with him.

Now when they could not find me,* 1.27 one of them went to him y^t gaue them word that I was at home, and sayde, we can not finde him. Then hee asked them whether they had soughte ouer a windowe that was in the Hall (as it was knowen afterwarde) for that same place I had tolde hym of my selfe. For many times when I came home, I would send for him to beare me company: yet as it chan∣ced I had not tolde him the way into it. Then they began to searche a newe. One looked vp ouer the windowe, and spied a little loft, with three or foure chestes, and the waye went in betwixt two of the chestes, but there could no mā perceiue it. Then hee asked my wife which was the way into it. Here is a place that we haue not sought yet. Then she thought they wold see it by one meanes or other. She sayde, the way was into it out of a chamber they were in euen now. So shee sent them vp, and cried, Away, away. Then I knewe there was no remedye, but make the best shift for my selfe that I could. The place was boarded o∣uer and fast nailed, and if I had come out that way that I went in, I must needes come amongst them al in the hall. Then I had no shift,* 1.28 but set my shoulders to the boardes that were nailed to the rafters to keepe out the raine, and brake them in peeces, which made a great noyse, and they that were in the other chamber, seeking for the waye into it, heard the noise, and looked out of a window, and spyed me, and made an outcry. But yet I gotte oute, and leaped downe, hauing no shoes on.

So I tooke downe a lane that was ful of sharpe syn∣ders, and they came running after, with a great crie, with theyr swordes drawne, crying, Strike him, strike hym.

Which woordes made me looke backe, and there was ne∣uer a one nigh me by a 100. fote: and that was but one, for all the rest were a great way behinde. And I tourned a∣bout hastily to goe my way, and stepped vppon a sharpe Sinder with one foote, & sauing of it, I stepped in a great miery hole,* 1.29 and fell downe withall, and ere euer I coulde arise and get away, he was come in with mee. His name is Parker the wilde, as he is counted in all Sussex. But if I had had on my shooes, they had bene like to haue gone away arrandlesse, if there had beene 500. more, if I hadde caught the plaine grounde once, to the which I had not a stones cast: But it was not Gods will: for if it hadde, I shoulde haue scaped from them all, if there had bene tenne thousand of them.

Then they tooke me and led me home again to put on my shooes and suche geare as I had neede off. Then sayde Iohn Fancouer:* 1.30 Nowe your maister hath deceiued you. You sayd, you were an Angel, and if you had bene an An∣gell, whye did you not flee away from vs? Then sayde I, what be they that euer heard me say that I was an Aun∣gel? It is not the first lie by a thousande y^e they haue made of mee. Angels were neuer begotten of men, nor borne of women: but if they had saide, that they had heard me saye, that I doe trust I am a Saint, they hadde not said amisse. What, do you thinke to be a Saint? Yea that I do, and am already in Gods sight,* 1.31 I trust in God: for he that is not a Saint in Gods sight already, is a deuil. Therefore he that thinketh scorne to be a Saint, let him be a deuil. And with y^e woord they had brought me to mine owne doore: where met w^t me my father, and willed me to remember my self.

To whom I answeared: I praise God, I am wel re∣membred wherabout I go. This way was appoynted of God for me to be deliuered into the handes of mine enne∣mies, but woe vnto him by whom I am betraied. It had bene good for that man, that he had neuer ben borne, if he repent not with speede. The Scriptures are nowe fulfil∣led on me:* 1.32 For the father shall be against the sonne, and the bro∣ther shall deliuer the brother to death, as it is this daye come to passe. Then sayd one: He doth accuse his Father: a good childe in deede. I accuse him not, but say my minde: for there was no man knewe me at home, but my father, my brother, and one more, the which I dare saye, woulde not hurt me for all the good in this towne.

* 1.33There was one George Bechinge that marryed one of my sisters, & he thoughte that I had meant him, that he had betraied me: and he said: Brother, I would you shuld not thinke that I was the cause of your taking. To whō I answered, that I ment him not: I meant one that was nearer of my bloud then he was. Then said one of Lause, that had bene a gospeller, & stood from them, when I was brought to a sessions to Lause, and he said, I thought you would haue ben an honest man when you were at Lause, and I offered Hussey the sheriffe to be bound for you, that you shuld go home to your wife, and come to him againe. Then I remembred what he was,* 1.34 and saide: Be you the Peauterer? And he saide, Yea. Then saide I: It is happe∣ned to you according to the true Prouerbe, as sayeth S. Peter: The dogge is tourned to his vomit againe, and the sowe that is washed, to wallow in the mire, and the ende of all suche will be worse then the beginning. Then his mouth was stopped so, that he had nothing to say.

* 1.35All this while I stoode at my doore without: for they would not let me goe in. So I put on my shooes and my cloathes, and then they putte on an harnesse aboute mine armes made of a dogs slip, which reioyced my heart, that I was counted woorthy to be boūd for the name of God. So I tooke my leaue of my wife and children, my father & other of my friendes, neuer thinking to see them more in this world. For it was so thought of all the country, that I should not liue 6. daies after my taking: for they had so reported. But yet I knew it was not as they would, vn∣lesse God wold graunt it. I know what God can do: but what he wil do, I know not: but I am sure he wil worke al things for the best, for them that loue and feare him. So we dranke and went our way, and came to Firle about 3. of the clocke. And thus much touching the causes & effecte of the troubles of Rich. Woodman. Nowe let vs see his examinations, which follow in this order.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.2

  The first ap∣pre••ension 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Richard Woodman.
• * 1.3

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.4

  Woodmen pur∣geth himselfe of false sclander.
• * 1.5

  False surmises agaynst Richard Woodman.
• * 1.6

  Woodman com∣playned of to Syr Iohn G••ge Lord Cham∣berlayne.
• * 1.7

  Warrantes sent out to attach Woodman.
• * 1.8

  L. Chamber∣layne sendeth to take Woodman at his plough.
• * 1.9

  Woodman a∣rested.
• * 1.10

  Feare comming vpon Woodmā at his first ta∣king.
• * 1.11

  Woodman comforted in his spirite after his feare.
• * 1.12

  Woodman as∣keth for their Warrant.
• * 1.13

  How God worketh for his seruauntes.
• * 1.14

  The vnorderly doinges of the Papi••tes in at∣taching men without any warrant.
• * 1.15

  Woodman re∣fus••th to goe with them vn∣lesse they shewe their warrant.
• * 1.16

  Gods great worke, how the persecutors which came to take Woodman, went away without him.
• * 1.17

  Woodman es∣capeth the handes of his takers.
• * 1.18

  Woodmans house agayne searched for him,
• * 1.19

  Woodman lodged sixe wee••es in a woode.
• * 1.20

  All the count••y and Sea coastes l••yd for wood∣man.
• * 1.21

  Woodman deli∣uered by his owne brother into his ene∣nemyes handes.
• * 1.22

  Auri sacra fa∣mes quid non Mortalia cogis pectora? Virgil.
• * 1.23

  Brother bewrayeth the bro∣ther.
• * 1.24

  Woodmans house a∣gayne beset, and sear∣ched.
• * 1.25

  Woodman put to his shiftes.
• * 1.26

  The part of a trusty wife to her hus∣band.
• * 1.27

  This belyke was his brother.
• * 1.28

  Woodman at length after long seeking found out.
• * 1.29

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.30

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.31

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.32

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.33

  George 〈…〉〈…〉 in 〈…〉〈…〉 Woodman.
• * 1.34

  A Pewte∣rer of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coate.
• * 1.35

  ••oodman 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ounde 〈…〉〈…〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Woodman 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his ••••fe and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The name of this place 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by 〈…〉〈…〉 Firle.