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.

¶First the Lordes faythfull prisoners in Mote Hall.

WIlliā Bongeor,* 1.1 of the parish of S. Nicolas in Col∣chester, Glasier, sayd: that the sacramēt of the aultar was bread, is bread, & so remayneth bread, & for the conse∣cration it is not the holyer, but rather the worse. To thys he did stand, as also agaynst all the rest of their Papisticall doctrine: and so had sentence read agaynst him.

Thomas Benold of Colchester, Talow Chaundler, af∣firmed the like in effect that the sayd Williā Bongeor dyd:* 1.2 and so had sentence also read against him.

W. Purcas of Bocking said,* 1.3 that when he receiued the sacrament, he receiued bread in an holy vse, that preacheth the remembrance that Christ died for him. To this he stood and against other theyr popish matters: and so also had sē∣tence read agaynst him.

Agnes Syluerside, alias Smith, sayd: that she loued no Consecration.* 1.4 For the breade and wine is rather worse then better therby, she sayd. This good olde woman aun∣swered them with such sound iudgement and boldnesse, to euery thing they asked her, that it reioyced the heartes of many, and especially to see the pacience of such a reuerende olde age, agaynst the tauntes and checkes of her enemies. To this she also stood, and had sentence read agaynst her in like maner.

Helene Ewring aunswered the like in effect as y^e other did, clearely denying all the lawes set forth by the Pope,* 1.5 w^t her whole hart. This good woman was somewhat thicke of hearing, but yet quick in vnderstanding the Lords mat∣ters (his name therfore be praysed.) Agaynst her also there was sentence read.

Elizabeth Folkes the young mayden, being examined whether she beleued the presence of Christes body to be in the Sacrament substantially and really, or no: answered,* 1.6 that she beleued that it was a substantiall lye, and a reall lye. At which wordes the Priestes and others chafed very much, and asked her agayne,* 1.7 whether after the Consecra∣tion there remayned not the bodye of Christ in the Sacra∣ment. And she aunswered, that before Consecration and after, it is but bread, and that man blesseth without Gods word, is cursed & abhominable by the word. &c. Then they examined her of confession to the Priest, of going to church to heare Masse, of the authority of the Bishoppe of Rome. &c. Unto all which she answered, that she woulde neyther

vse nor frequent none of them all, by the grace of God, but vtterly detest and and abhorre them from the bottome of our hart, and all such trumpery.

Then read they the sentence of condemnation against her.* 1.8 In which time Doct. Chadsey wept, that the teares trickled downe his cheekes. So the sentence being read, she kneeled downe on both her knees, lifting vp her hāds & eyes vnto heauen, with seruent praier in audible voyce praysing God that euer shee was borne, to see that moste blessed and happy day,* 1.9 that y^e Lord would count her wor∣thy to suffer for the testimony of Christ: and Lord, sayd she (if it be thy will) forgeue them that this haue done against me, for they know not what they doe. Then rising vp, she exhorted al those on the Benche, to repentaunce, especially those who brought her to prison, as Robert Maynard the Bayliffe, and such like: which Maynard commonly when he sate in iudgment vpon life and death, would sit sleeping on the Bench many times: so careful was his mind on his Office.

Further shee willed halting Gospellers to beware of bloud, for that would cry for vengeaunce, &c. And in y^e end she told them all, laying her hand on the Barre, if they d••d not repent their wicked doynges therin, that vndoubted∣ly the very barre should be a witnes agaynst them at y^e day of iudgement, that they had there that day shed innocente bloud.

This Elizabeth Folkes, the day before she was con∣demned, was examined onely vpon this article, whether she beleued that there was a Catholicke Church of Christ or no. Unto which she answered, Yea. Then was she im∣mediately (by Bowsels meanes the Scribe) deliuered vn∣to her vncle Holt▪ of the same towne of Colchester, to keep who caried her home vnto hys house: & shee being there, might haue departed thence many tymes, if she had wold: for there was meanes offered to conuey her awaye. But she hearyng that some doubted that shee hadde yealded to the Pope (although it was most vntrue) would in no wise content her selfe,* 1.10 but wept, and was in suche anguishe of minde and terrour of conscience, that (no remedye) shee woulde to the Papistes agayne, for any perswasions that could bee, and commyng before them at Cosins house at the white Harte in Colchester, she was at vtter defiaunce with them and their doctrine: and so had, as ye haue heard in the end, a papisticall reward, as the rest of her brethren had.

Notes

• * 1.1

  William Bongeor.
• * 1.2

  Thomas Benolde.
• * 1.3

  W. Purcas condemned.
• * 1.4

  Agnes Sil∣uerside con∣demned.
• * 1.5

  Helene Ewring condemned
• * 1.6

  Elizabeth Folkes con∣demned.
• * 1.7

  A substan∣ciall lye. A reall lye.
• * 1.8

  D. Chadsey wept.
• * 1.9

  Elizabeth Folkes prayseth God at her owne con∣demnation. Elizabeth Folkes prayeth for 〈…〉〈…〉. Sleeping Maynard.
• * 1.10

  Elizabeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might haue e••caped and ••ould not.