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 story of Iohn Alcocke.

* 1.1THere was also in Hadley a yong man named Ioh. Al∣cocke, which came to Hadley seking worke, for he was a Shereman by his occupation. This yong man after the Martyrdome of D. Tailor, & taking of Rich. Yeomā, vsed first in the church of Hadley to read the seruice in English, as partly is aboue touched. At length, after the comming of person Newal, he being in Hadley church vpon a son∣day when the Person came by with procession,* 1.2 would not once mooue his cap, nor shew any signe of reuerence, but stood behind the font. Person Newal perceiuing this, whē he was almost out of the church dore, ran back again, and caught him, and called for the Constable.

Then came Rob. Rolfe, with whom this young man wrought, and asked: M. Person what hath he done, that ye are in such a rage with hym?

He is an heretike and a traitor (quoth the Person) and despiseth the Queens procedings. Wherfore I command you in the Queenes name, haue hym to the stockes, & see he be forth commyng.

* 1.3Wel quoth Rolfe? he shal be forth comming, proceede you in your busines and be quiet. Haue him to the stockes (quoth the Person.)

I am Constable (quoth Rolfe) and may baile him, and will baile him: he shall not come in the stocks, but he shal be forth comming. So went the good Person forth wyth his holy procession, and so to Masse.

At after noone Rolfe said to this yong man: I am sory for thee, for truly the person will seek thy destructiō, if thou take not good heed what thou answerest him.

The yong man aunswered: Sir, I am sory that it is my lucke to be a trouble to you. As for my selfe I am not sory, but I do commit my selfe into Gods handes, and I trust he will geue me mouth and wisedome to answer ac∣cording to right.

Well (quoth Rolfe) yet beware of him. For hee is ma∣licious, and a bloudsucker, & beareth an old hatred against me, and he wil handle you the more cruelly, because of dis∣pleasure against me.

I feare him not (quoth the yong man) He shall doe no more to me then God wil geue him leaue: and happy shal I be if God wil call me to die for his truths sake.

* 1.4After this talke, they then went to the person, who at the first asked hym: Fellow, what saiest thou to the sacra∣ment of the aulter?

I say (quoth he) as ye vse the matter, ye make a shame full idoll of it, and ye are false idolatrous priests all the sort of you.

* 1.5I told you (quoth the person) he was a stout heretike.

So, after long talk the person committed him to ward and the next day rode he vp to London, and caried y^e yong man with him, and so came the yong man no more againe to Hadley, but after long imprisonment in Newgate, where after many examinations and troubles, for that he would not submit himselfe to aske forgeuenes of the Pope and to be reconciled to the Romish religion,* 1.6 he was caste into the lower dungeon, where with euill keping & sicke∣nes of the house, he died in prison. Thus died he a Martyr of Christes veritie, which he hartily loued & constantly cō∣fessed, & receiued the garland of a well foughten battaile at the hand of the Lord. His body was cast out & buried in a dunghil.* 1.7 For the Papists would in all things be like thē∣selues: Therfore would they not so much as suffer y^e dead bodies to haue honest and conuenient sepulture.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The story of I••••n Al∣cocke.
• * 1.2

  Parson Newal in a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a∣ga••nst Iohn 〈…〉〈…〉 Pro∣cession.
• * 1.3

  Robert 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an 〈…〉〈…〉 Constable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hadley
• * 1.4

  Alcocke brought to P••rson Newall.
• * 1.5

  Parson Newall ca••ieth vp Iohn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to London.
• * 1.6

  Iohn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dyed at New∣gate.
• * 1.7

  Iohn Alcocke buryed of the Papistes in a dunghill.