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.

¶One Dabney.

THere was at London a certaine honest godly person, a Painter, named Dabney,* 1.1 whom Iohn Auales in the tyme of Queene Mary had brought before Boner to bee examined for his fayth. It happened the same tyme. as the sayde Dabney was there, that the Bishop was occu∣pied with examination of other, so that hee was bidde to stand by, and to wayte the Bishops laysure. Uppon the same, or not long after, sodainely commeth worde to the Bishop to prepare hym in all speede, the generall processi∣on taried for hym. The Bishop hearyng that, settyng all businesse aparte, bustleth hymselfe with all speede possible to the Churche, there to furnishe Procession. By reason whereof Dabney, which newly came to the house, was there left alone, while euery man els was busied in prepa∣ring and settyng themselues forwarde, accordyng as the case required.

To bee short, as the tyme called on, Boner with hys houshold maketh hast so fast as they can out of the dores to

the procession. Dabney beyng left alone, commeth downe to the outward Court next the gate, there walkyng with hymselfe all heauy, lookyng for nothing lesse then to escape that daunger. The Porter who was onely left at home, seeyng the man to walke alone,* 1.2 supposing hee had bene some Citizen there left behynde, and waityng for openyng of the Gate, went and opened the wicket, askyng if hee would goe out. Yea sayd he, with a good wyll, if ye wyll l••t me out. With all my hart quoth the porter, and I pray you so do.

And thus the sayd Dabney taking the occasion offered of god, being let out by the porter, escaped out of y^e wolues mouth. The procession beyng done, when the B. returned home, Dabney was gone and could not be found. Where∣vpon much search was made, but especially Ioh. Auales sayd much priuy waite for hym: who after long searching, when he could not get hym, at length he receyued fifteene crownes of his wyfe to let hym alone when he should see him, and so that good man escaped.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The escape of a godly man called Dabney.
• * 1.2

  Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wor∣king in the deliuerance of Dabney.