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 Martyrdome of Rafe Allerton, Iames Austo, Margery Awstoo, and Richard Roth burned at Islington.

IN searching out the certayne number of the faythfull Martyrs of God y^t suffered within the tyme & raygne of Queene Mary:* 1.1 I finde that about the 17. day of Septem∣ber, wer burned at Islingtō, nigh vnto London, these 4. constant professours of christ, Rafe Allerton, Iames Aw∣stoo, Margery Austoo, his wife, and Richard Roth. A∣mongest the which: it first appeareth that this Rafe Aller∣ton was more then a yeare before his condemnation, ap∣prehended and brought before the Lorde Darcy of Chich. and was there accused, aswell for that he woulde not con∣sent and come vnto the idolatrye and superstition whiche then was vsed, as also that he had by preaching entised o∣others to do the like.

Being then hereupon examined, he confessed that hee comming into hys parishe Churche of Bentley, and seing the people sitting there, either gasing about, or els talking together, exhorted them that they would fall vnto prayer and meditation of Gods most holy worde, and not ••it styll idlely. Whereunto they willingly consented. Then after prayer ended, he read vnto them a chapiter of the New te∣stament, and so departed.

In which exercise he continued vntill Candlemas, & then being enformed that he might not so doe by the lawe (for that he was no priest or minister) he lefte of and kepte himselfe close in his house vntill Easter then nexte after.* 1.2 At what time, certayne sworne men for the inquiry of such matters, came vnto hys house and attached him for rea∣ding in the Parish of Welley.

But when they vnderstood that he had red but once, & that it was of obedience (whereunto hee earnestly moued the people) they let hym for that tyme depart. Notwyth∣standing for feare of their cruelty hee was not longe after constrayned to forsake his owne house, and keepe himselfe in woodes, barnes, and other solitary places, vntill y^e time of his apprehension.

After this examination, the Lord Darcy sent him vp to the Counsell: but they (not minding to trouble them selues with him) sent him vnto Boner. Who by threate∣ninges and other subtill meanes, so abused the simple and fearfull hart of thys man (as yet not throughly stayed vp∣on the ayd and helpe of God) that within shorte tyme hee won him vnto his most wicked will, and made him opē∣ly at Paules crosse to reuoke and recante his former pro∣fession, and thereupon set him at libertie of body. Whiche yet brought such a bondage and terrour of soule and con∣science, and so cast him downe, that except the Lord (whose mercies are immeasurable) had supported and lifted hym vp agayne, he had perished for euer.

But the Lord, who neuer suffereth his elect Children vtterly to fall, castinge his pittifull eyes vppon this loste sheepe, with his mercifull and fatherly chastisment, dyd (w^t Peter) rayse hym vp agayne, geuing vnto him not on∣ly harty and vnfayned repentaunce, but also a moste con∣stant boldnes to professe agayne (euen vnto the death) hys

most holy name and glorious gospel. Wherefore at y^e pro∣curement of one Thomas Tie priest: sometime an earnest professor of Christ, but now a fierce persecutour of y^e same, (as appeareth more at large before in the history of Willi∣am Munt and his wife,* 1.3 page 1979) he was againe appre∣hended, and sent vp againe vnto Boner, before whome he was the 8. day of Aprill, and sondry other times else exa∣mined. The report of which examination, wrytten by his owne hand with bloud for lacke of other incke, heereafter followeth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  September 17. The story of Rafe Al∣lerton.
• * 1.2

  Rafe Aller∣tō attached.
• * 1.3

  Thomas T••e Priest, 〈…〉〈…〉.