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.

William Browne.

WIlliam Browne, Parson of Little Stanham, in the Countie of Suffolke,* 1.1 made a Sermon in the sayde Towne, incontinently after the buriall of our good King Edward, and in his sermon he sayde: there goeth a report that our good king is buried with a Masse by the Bishop of Winchester, he hauing a miter vpon his head. But if it were so (sayeth hee) they are all traitours that so doe, be∣cause it is bothe againste the truthe and the lawes of thys realme, and it is greate Idolatrie and blasphemie, and a∣gainst the glory of God: and they are no frends neither to God,* 1.2 the king, nor yet vnto the realm that so do. For this his preaching, one Robert Blomefielde, an aduersarye to the truth, being then constable of the sayd towne, and bai∣l••••se vnto sir Iohn Ierningham knight (the chiefe lord of y^e towne) immediatly rode foorth,* 1.3 & brought home w^t him one Edward Goulding, which was then vnder sheriffe, Syr Thomas Cornewalis being then high sheriffe.

So the sayd Golding and Blomfield sent for certaine men of the sayd Towne, and examined them for the Ser∣mon. Wherunto they made but a small answer. Then the Sheriffe made a Bill, and so feared the men, that 2. or 3. of them set to their hands, and one of them neuer ioyed after but it was a griefe to him till he died.

Then did they take men with them vnto the Parsones house, and in the night they tooke him,* 1.4 and wyth watchmē kept him vntill it was day. Then should he haue bene ca∣ried the next day to the Counsell: but y^e said Rob. Blome∣field was taken so sicke, that hee was like to die: so that he could not carie him for his life.

Then the sayd sheriffe sent him to Ipswich againe, and there he was for a time. Then hee was sent to Burie pri∣son, & from thence to the Councel, and then into the Flete: and so he lay in prisone from the beginning of haruest till it was nigh Christmasse, and he sayd God gaue him ••uche answeres to make when he was examined, that hee was deliuered with quietnes of conscience.* 1.5 And hauing his li∣bertie, he came againe vnto the foresayd Towne: and be∣cause he would not goe to Masse, his liuing was taken a∣way, and he & his wife were constrained to flie heere and there, for his life & conscience. In the last yeare of Queene Maries raigne, God did take him out of this life in peace.

Where moreouer is to be noted, y^t this Robert Blom∣field aboue named, immediately after he had apprehended the saide Browne fell very sicke:* 1.6 And though at that time he was a welthy man and of a great substance (beside his land, which was better then twentie pound a yeare) after thys time, God so plagued his housholde, that hys eldest sonne died, and his wife had a pining sickenesse till she de∣parted this life also.

Then maried he an other, a richer widow: but all wold not helpe, and nothing would prosper: For hee had a sore pining sicknesse, being full of botches and sores, whereby he wasted away both body and goodes, till he died.

So when he died, he was aboue ix. ••core pounds in det, and it was neuer heard of any repentaunce he had. But a litle before his death, he bragged, & threatned a good man, one Symon Hariston, to putte him foorth to the Officers, because he did weare no Surplis when he sayd seruice.

Wherefore it is pitie suche baites of Poperie are lefte to the enemies to take Christians in. God take them away, or els from them: for God knoweth they be the cause of much blindnesse and strife amongest men.

Furthermore, out of the sayde Towne were constray∣ned to flye Robert Boele and Iohn Trapne, because they woulde not goe to Masse and receiue their Sacrament of the aultare.

Notes

• * 1.1

  M. Browne of Suffolke.
• * 1.2

  Robert Blome∣field, persecutor.
• * 1.3

  Edward Goul∣ding vnder Sh••••••ffe. Syr Thomas Corn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 high Shrieffe.
• * 1.4

  M. Browne persecu•••••••• and taken.
• * 1.5

  M. Browne deliuered.
• * 1.6

  Example of Gods pu∣nishment, vpon a parsecutor.