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JOhn Fox was Born in Lincolnshire at the Town of Boston Anno 1517, who was no sooner brought up, but he was by his Parents sent to Oxford, and there entred in Brazen-Nose Colledg, where he asso∣ciated himself with Dr. Nowell, and so increased in Learning that he became the Wonder of his Age; so that within a while he was chosen Fellow of Magdalen Colledg, and won great Applause by the many excellent Latin Themes he wrote; ap∣plying
his Time chiefly to the Study of Divine Things; and finding out the many Errors in the Popish Religion, he began to affect the Reformed Doctrine; and still increasing in Learning and Wisdom, he wrote against the Popes Supremacy, which caused the Papists greatly to inveigh against him, using their utmost Diligence to find out an Occasion of Quarrel against him; and at last pre∣vailed so far, that he was examined about the Points of Religion, and Commanded to give a Confession of his Faith, the which he refused not to do, as also to prove it out of the Scripture: Yet that was not prevalent with his Adversaries, for they Condemned him for an Heretick, and Ex∣pelled him the Colledg; whereupon he departed into Warwickshire, and there was entertained by Sr. Thomas Lucie, and became a Tutor to his Children, where he married a Wife and continued in great Reputation, till such time as the Popish Inquisi∣tors came into those Parts, for Fear of whom he was forced to withdraw himself.
And now being destitute, he sent to his Father-in-Law, that had married his Mother, to know if he would entertain him, but he having got his Estate, made it a Pretence to Defraud him of it, that He was Convicted and a dangerous Person, and that unless he would Renounce his Opinions, he durst not entertain him; yet his Mother so far prevail'd, that he found Reception, his Wife going to her own Father, whither Mr. Fox came often to visit her: Yet could he not long be sheltered from his Persecutors, for by their Spies they got Knowledg of his Aboad, which caused him to go for London, where he fell into extream Poverty; insomuch that half Starved as he was, he looked like a Ske∣liton,
when one day sitting in St. Paul's Church, a Person to him unknown, came to him, and put a Sum of Mony into his Hand, bidding him go and be Merry, and within a short time expect Promoti∣on. This he took as sent from Heaven, and re∣turned all Praise to God, for his Mercy and Good∣ness towards him.
Within three Days after the Dutchess of Rich∣mond sent for him, and appointed him Tutor to the Earl of Purry's Children, who were then in her Charge, who so much profited by his Dili∣gence, that in Learning they Excelled all the No∣ble Youth of the Kingdom; and he continued with good liking the Remainder of King Henry's and all King Edward's Reign, being greatly Instru∣mental in Reforming the Church, and Restoring it to its Primitive Purity in the Reign of the lat∣ter, which got him more ill Will amongst the Papists. So that Queen Mary coming to the Crown, and all things being turned topsi-turvy, Gardener Bishop of Winchester, his professed Enemy, used his utmost Diligence to bring him into a Snare; but he was defended against him a considerable time by the Duke of Richmond, who when he desired to de∣part for fear of the Persecution, told him That he had yet Wealth, Favour, and Friends, and the For∣tune of his House: And if any Mischance prevailed farther, that himself would partake of the Danger, and make the Destruction mutual: That he remembred with what Instructions he had Fortified his younger Years, neither had he with more Attention hearkened thereto, then he would with Constancy put them in Pra∣ctice.
Yet such was the Malice of his Enemies, that the Duke soon perceived his Power too weak to
Protect him, whereupon he provided him with such Necessaries as were convenient, and sent him to a Farmers House, one of the Duke's Tenants, near Ipswich, whither also his Wife went with him, resolving to attend him in his Flight, altho she was then great with Child.
After they had staid a while there, they resol∣ved to pass the Seas, but had scarce weighed An∣chor when such a Tempest arose that all the Mari∣ners began to fear, and the Night being Dark, such prodigious Storms of Hail and Rain fell, that they lost the use of their Compass; and after being tossed about forty eight Hours, the Ship was forced back into the same Port from whence she first set Sail; which many took for a Token of God's being Displeased at his Flight: Yet Providence so ordered it, that whilst the Ship was tossing upon the Ocean, he escaped a worse Danger on Land, for Gardiner had sent a Pursevant with Commission to bring him back, who having searched the Farme House, and understanding that he was on Board, and that the Vessel had set Sail some Hours, before, he returned to him that sent him, ere the Ship was driven into the Port.
Mr. Fox being Landed took Horse, as if he in∣tended to ride for London, but in the Night he came on Board again, and the Ship hoising Sail, passed the dangerous Seas safely arriving at Newport, where he Landed, and after having refreshed him∣self, he together with his Wife and some others, went to Antwerp, and so to Basile, which was then a Place of free Reception of poor distressed Fugi∣tives, who were forced to leave their Countries for the Sake of the Lord Jesus, and his everlast∣ing Gospel: And here he undertook to Correct the
Press, and at such leisure times as he could spare, he Wrote part of the Acts and Monuments of the Church, a Work famous to all Posterity: And in this Station he continued till the Death of Queen Mary, whose Death he had a little before fore∣told, upon certain Notice of which, he with se∣veral Pious and Learned Men returned into England, and were kindly received by Queen Elizabeth then Reigning; where Mr. Fox prosecuted his Work begun at Basil, and so laboured therein that he soon brought it to a Period, which made the Papists yet more inveigh against him, and endeavour what in them lay to disparage both him and it; but he so fully Confuted them, that with Shame and Confusion of Face they were forced to give over. He finishing this great Work in eleven Years space, searching all the Records himself, and by his great Study and Travail therein much weakened his Bo∣dy; yet for the good of the Church he spared no Pains. So that now his Fame being spread abroad, many who retained Doubts and Scruples of Con∣science, as well Nobles as Plebeians, resorted to him, to satisfy them, and dissolve their Anxieties, the Concourse being daily very great: With some he Prayed, to others he declared the Will of the Almighty out of the Holy Scriptures, and so found Means to give them full Satisfaction, even draw∣ing the Souls of many, by the Assistance of God's Divine Grace, out of the Mouth of Satan: Nor did he spare to Preach abroad, and use all Dili∣gence to promote the Gospel; and so fervent were his Prayers, that they had a more then common Influence upon the Hearers, and he with David through the Sence of his Sin was always wont to Water his Couch with Tears.
When any Rich Person sent him Presents either in Mony or otherwise, he would take it with one Hand, and with the other distribute it amongst such as he thought had need, nor is it to be doubted that he had a singular Gift of Prophecy, for he often foretold many things that came to pass.
One Day he going to Visit the Lady Henage, who being Sick of a Feaver, and given over by her Physicians, after he had Prayed by her, he told her She had done well to prepare her self for Death, but in∣deed she should not dye of that Sickness. Whereupon her Son in-Law said, He had not done well to disquiet her with Hopes of Life, when she had been given over by the Learned Physicians: To which Mr. Fox re∣plyed that He said no more then was Commanded him, for it seemed good to God that she should Recover, which within a short time, she accordingly did.
One Mrs. Honywood having layn Sick of a Con∣sumption and deep Melancholly, for the Space of twenty Years, sent for Mr. Fox to Pray with her, as being given up by all the Physicians for Dead; the which when he had done, he told her she should not only Recover, but live many Years; at which she earnestly looking on him, and having a Glass in her Hand: Said, You might as well have told me, that if I throw this Glass against the Wall it will not break, and with that she threw it with all her Force: Yet although it hit against a Post, afterwards a∣gainst a Chest, and then on the Floor, it neither broke, nor had so much as a Flaw in it; and as Mr. Fox said, so it happened, for she soon recove∣red, and lived twenty Years after, although she at that time was near seventy Years old.
One Day he having been to Visit the Earl of A∣rundel at the Duke of Norfolk's House in the Strand,
the Earl went with him to the back Stairs, where he was to take Water, but the Thames being ex∣ceeding Rough, the Earl disswaded him from ven∣turing. To which Mr. Fox reply'd, My Lord, so let these Waters deal with me, as I have in Truth and Sincerity delivered unto you all that I have spoken: Which done he entered the Boat, and immediate∣ly the winds ceased, and there was a great Calm. The reason of his so saying to the Earl was, because he had formerly been his Tutor, and had instructed him in the Principles of the Protestant Reli∣gion.
He now growing in Years, and by reason of his former Hardships, his great Study, Travail, and Labour, he was reduced to a very weak Condition, he laid down the troublesom Cares of the World, to prepare himself for Death: And foreseeing his End was at hand, lest his Sons should be troubled, he sent them abroad, and then after ma∣ny fervent Prayers for the Church, and the preva∣lency of the Gospel, he resigned up his Spirit into the Hands of the Father of all Spirits; dying Anno Christi 1587, and of his Age 70.
Some Passages of his are worthy of Note, he one Day going abroad, a poor Man passing along, he friendly Embraced and Relieved him; when be∣ing demanded whether he knew him or not, he said, Yes truly, I remember him well, and forget Lords and Ladys to remember such.
An other time, as he was going through Cannon-Street, it being in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, he met a Woman of his Acquaintance, who after some Discourse, pulled a Bible out of her Pocket, telling him she was going to Church. Truly said Mr. Fox, If you will be Advised by me, I would have
you go home again: Why then, said the Woman, when must I go to Church? Indeed, said Mr. Fox, when you tell no body of it.