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.

¶Edward Benet.

* 1.1ONe Edw. Benet about the second yeare of the reigne of Q. Mary, then dwelling at Quenehieth with one Grynocke a Baker, was desired of one Tyngle prisoner then in Newgate, to bring him a new testament, He pro∣curing one of M. Couerdals translatiō, wrapt it in a hand¦kerchiefe, saying to George the keeper whiche asked hym what he had, that it was a piece of pondred biefe. Let mee see it, sayd he. Perceiuing what it was, he brought him to Syr Roger Cholmley, who examined him why he did so, saying that booke was not lawfull,* 1.2 & so committed him to the Counter in woodstreet, wher he continued 25. weekes.

Doctor Story comming to the prison to examine other Prisoners, this Benet looking out at the grate, spake to him, desiring him to be good vnto him, and to helpe hym out, for he had lien long in prison. To whom D. Story thē aunswering: What, sayd he, wast not thou before me in Christes Church? Yes forsooth, sayd Benet. Ah, sayd Sto∣ry, thou doest not beleue in the Sacrament of the Aultar. Mary I will helpe thee out: come, sayd he to the keeper, turne him out, I will helpe him: and so tooke Benet wyth him and brought him to Cluney in Pater noster Row, and bade him bring him to the Colehouse, and there he was in the stockes a weeke.

Then the Bishoppe sent for him to talke with him, and first asked him if he were shriuen? No, sayd Benet. He asked him if he would be shriuen? No, sayd he. Then he asked him if the Priest could take away his sinnes? No, sayd Benet, I do not so beleue. Then he and Harpsfielde laughed at him and mocked him, asking him if he did not beleue that what so euer the Prieste here bounde in earth, should be bound in heauen: and what so euer he loosed in earth, shoulde be loosed in heauen? No, quoth Benet: But I beleue that the Minister of God preaching Gods word truely, and ministring the Sacramentes accordyng to the same, whatsoeuer he bindeth in earth, shalbe bound in heauen, and what so euer he looseth. &c. Then the Bi∣shop putting him aside, sayd, he should go to Fulham and be whipped.

Then came to him M. Buswell a Pries••, lying in the Colehouse in the stockes, and brought Cranmers recan∣tation, saying that he had recanted. My fayth, sayth the o∣ther, lyeth in no mans booke but in him which hath redee∣med me. The next saterday, Benet with fiue other was cal¦led for to come to masse, into the Chappell. The Masse be∣ing done and they comming out,* 1.3 fiue of thē went to prison and were after burned. Benet being behind and comming toward the gate, the porter opening to a company goyng out, asked if there were no prisoners there. No, sayd they. Benet standing in open sight before him, with other ser∣uing men whiche were there by reason that Boner made many priestes that day (hauing one of his sleues and halfe the fore part of his coat burned of in prisō, being more like a prisoner then any of the other) when the gate was ope∣ned, went out amongest them, and so escaped.* 1.4

Agayne, in the last yeare of Queene Mary, the same Benet being taken againe with the 24. beyond Islington, and brought to Syr Roger Cholmleys, the people com∣ming very thicke did cut of some of them, to the number of 8. which were behinde, among whom was Benet.* 1.5 Then he knocking at the gate to come in, the Porter sayd, that he was none of the company. He sayde yes, and knocked a∣gayne. Thē there stood one by of the congregation, named Iohnson, dwelling now at Hamersmith, which sayd: Ed∣ward, thou hast done well, do not tempt God, go thy way. And so taking the warning as sent of God, with a quyet conscience eschued burning.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A story of Ed∣ward Benet, now dwelling in S. Brides Parishe.
• * 1.2

  Edward Benet 25. weekes in the Coun∣ter, for bringing a new Testa∣ment to Tyn••le, which af∣ter dyed in prison, and was buryed on a doung∣hill.

  D. Storyes wordes to Edward Benet. Edward Benet brought to Bonet and examined.
• * 1.3

  How Ed∣ward Benet escaped out of the By∣shops house.
• * 1.4

  An other escape of Edward Benet
• * 1.5

  8. Of the 24. taken at Islington, escaped and how good warning sent of God.