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 one Drayner of Kent, common∣ly called Iustice Nyne hooles.

I May not in this place omit the tragedy of one Drayner of Smarden in the Coun••y of Kent, Esquire,* 1.1 who bea∣ring grudge against one Gregory Doddes, Parson of the sayde towne, for reprouing his vicious lyfe, sent for hym by two men, which tooke hym & brought him before him, where he was had into a Parlour, as it were to breakfast. In which behinde y^e doore he had placed one Roger Ma∣thew secretly, to beare witnes what he shuld say, no more being in sight but y^e sayd Drayner & one of hys men, who willed and perswaded him to speake freely his minde, for that there was not sufficient record of his wordes to hurt him. But the Lord kept his talke without perill,* 1.2 wherby the sayd Drayner sent hym to the next Iustice called M. George Dorell, who perceiuing it to be done more of ma∣lice thē otherwise, deliuered him vpon sureties, to appeare at the next Sessions at Cant. and at length was banished the Countrey.

This sayd Drayner afterward, being chosen Iustice, to shew himselfe diligent in seeking y^e trouble of his neigh¦bors, made in y^e Rodeloft nyne hooles, that he might looke about the church in Masse tyme. In which place alway at the sacring therof, he would stand to see who looked not, or

held not vp his hands therto: which persōs so not doing, he would trouble & punish very sore. Wherby he purcha∣sed a name ther, & is called to this day Iustice nine holes: who now (God be thanked) is Iohn out of office, & glad of his neighbors good will.

It so fell out, that since this was published, the sayde Drayner came to the Printers house, with other associate, demaunding: Is Foxe here? To whome aunswere was geuen, that maister Foxe was not within. Is the Printer within (quoth Drayner? It was aunswered, yea: Where∣vpon being required to come vp into his house, was as∣ked what his will was. Mary, sayth he, you haue printed me false in your booke: Why sayth the Printer is not your name M. Drayner, otherwise called Iustice nine holes? It is false sayth he: I made but v. with a great Augure, and the Parson made the rest. It was answered: I haue not read that a Iustice shoulde make him a place in the Roode loft to see if the people held vppe theyr handes. He sayd where as you alleadge, that I did it to see who ado∣red y^e sacrament, or who not, it is vntrue: for I set as litle by it, as the best of you all. In deede sayth the Printer, so we vnderstand now, for you being at a supper in Cheap∣side among certaine honest company, and there burdened with the matter, sayd then, that you did it rather to looke vpon fayre wenches, then otherwise. He being in a great rage▪ sware to the purpose, saying: Can a man speake no∣thing, but you must haue vnderstāding therof? But sayth he, did I any man any hurt? It was aunswered, that hee meant litle good to M. Doddes aforesayd, especially pro∣curing a secret witnesse behinde his doore, to catche some wordes that might tend to Doddes destruction. Whiche thing, Drayner sware, as before, was not true. To whō the printer replied, that it was most true, for that the par∣ty there secretly hidden, hath since vpon his knees, asking forgeuenesse for his intent, confessed the same to Doddes himselfe.* 1.3 I will hang that knaue sayth he: And so he de∣parted in a rage: and since is deceased, whose death & or∣der therof, I referre to the secret Iudge.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The story of one Dray∣ner other∣wise called Iustice nine holes.
• * 1.2

  A malitious practise to intrappe a good man.
• * 1.3

  Drayner conuict of falsehood.