MarginaliaAn. 1557. Iune.weekes, lacking but one day. And before that, I was a yeare and almost a halfe in the kinges Bench after my first apprehension,MarginaliaThe first apprehension of Rich. Woodman. for reprouing of a preacher in the Pulpit in the parish of Warbleton, where I dwelt. Wherfore I was at ij. sessions before I was sent to prison, & caried to. ij. more Sessions while I was in prison, twice before the B. of Chichester, and v. times before the Commissioners: and then sent to Londons Colehouse, and many tymes called before him, as it appeareth by my examinations, which I wrote, the which examinations the B. of Chichester now hath, for they were found in my house when I was taken: wherein is contayned all the talke which I had before them aforenamed. Also there be in London that had copies of the same of me, when I was in the colehouse.

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MarginaliaRichard Woodman deliuered out of Boners handes, with 4. moe.And it pleased God to deliuer me with foure or more out of the Butchers handes, MarginaliaWhat the Bishop required at their deliueraunce.requiriring nothing els of vs but that we should be honest men and members of the true catholicke church, that was builded vpon the Prophetes and Apostles, Christ being the head of þ^e true church: the which all we affirmed, that we were members of the true church, and purposed by Gods helpe therin to dye.  

And hereupō we were deliuered: but he willed vs many tymes to speake good of him. And no doubt he was worthy to be praysed, because he had bene so faythfull an ayde in his master the deuills busines. For he had burnt good M. Philpot that same morning, in whose bloud his hart was so dronken (as I supposed) that he could not tell what he did: as it appeared to vs, both before and after. For but two dayes before, he promised vs that we should be condemned that same day that we were deliuered: yea and the morow after that he had deliuered vs, he sought for some of vs agayne, yea and that earnestly. MarginaliaB. Boner bloud thirstie.He waxed dry after his great dronkenes, wherfore he is like to haue bloud to drinke in hell, as he is worthy, if he repent it not with speede. The Lord turne all theyr hartes if it be hys will.

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MarginaliaWoodman purgeth hym selfe of false sclaunder.This haue I written, chiefly to certifie all people how we were deliuered, because many carnall gospellers and papistes haue sayd, that it was not prescribed that we should be so deliuered, because they thincke that God is subiect to mā, and not man to God.  

For if they did, they would not blaspheme him as they doe, or if they thought they should geue accompt for it. Haue not many of them red, how God deliuered Israell out of Egypt? Daniell out of the Lyons denne? Sidrach, Misaake, & Abednago out of the burning ouen? with diuers other such like examples? yea God is the same God þ^t he was then. He is no older, nor lesse in power as some count him in wondring at his workes. Now to the matter.

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MarginaliaFalse surmises agaynst Richard Woodman.After I was deliuered, the papistes sayd that I had cōsented to them, wherof they made themselues glad: the which was the least part of my thought (I prayse God therfore) as they well perceaued, and knew the contrary within a while. For I wēt from parish to parish, and talked with them to the number of 13. or 14. and that of the chiefest in all the countrey: and I angred them so, MarginaliaWoodman complayned of to Syr Iohn Gage Lord Chamberlaine.that they with the Commissioners complayned on me to my Lorde Chamberlaine that was then to the Queene, Syr Ioh. Gage, shewing him that I baptised children, and maryed folkes, with many such lyes, to bring me into theyr handes agayne. Then the Commissioners sent out certayne citations to bring me to the Court. MarginaliaWarrantes sent out to attache Woodman.My Lord Chamberlaine had directed out 4. or 5. warrantes for me, that if I had come there, I should haue bene attached and sent to prison straight way. Which was not Gods will: for I had warning of theyr laying awayt for me, and came not there, but sent my deputy, & he brought me word þ^t the Bailiffes wayted for me there: but they mist of theyr pray for that time: wherupon they were displeased.

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Then w^tin 3. daies after, my lord sent 3. of his mē to take me, whose names were, Deane, Ieffrey, & Fraun-

ces. I being at plow with my folkes,MarginaliaL. Chamberlaine sendeth to take Woodmā at hys plough. right in the way as they were comming to my house, least mistrusting them of all other, came to them and spake to them, asking them how they did. And they sayd, MarginaliaWoodmā arrested.they arested me in the King and Queenes name and that I must go with them to theyr master the Lord Chamberlayne. MarginaliaFeare cōming vpō Woodmā at hys first takyng.Which wordes made my flesh to tremble and quake because of that sodein. But I answered thē þ^t I would go with them. Yet I desired thē that they would go to my house with me, that I might breake my fast and put on some other gere. And they said I should. MarginaliaWoodmā comforted in hys spirite after hys feare.Then I remembred my selfe, saying in my hart: why am I thus affrayd? they can lay no euill to my charge. If they kill me for well doing, I may thincke my selfe happy. I remembred how I was contented gladly before to dye in that quarrell and so had continued euer since: and should I now feare to dye? God forbid that I should, for then were all my labour in vaine.

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So by and by I was persuaded, I praise God, consideryng it was but the frailtie of my flesh which was loth to forgo my wife & children & goods: for I saw nothing but present death before mine eyes. And as soone I was persuaded in my mind to die, I had no regard of nothing in this world, but was as mery and glad, and ioyfull, I praise God, as euer I was. This battel lasted not a quarter of an hower, but it was sharper thē death it selfe for the time, I dare say.

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So, whē I had my breakfast, MarginaliaWoodmā asketh for their warrant.I desired them to shew me their warrant, thinking therby I should haue seene wherefore I was arested: to the intent that I myght the better aunswere for my selfe when I came before their maister. And one of them answered, they had not theyr warrant there. Which words made me astonied: MarginaliaHow God worketh for his seruauntes.and it was put in my minde by God, that I nede not to goe with them vnles they had their warrāt. Then sayd I to them, that is maruayle, þ^t you will come to take a man without a warrāt. MarginaliaThe vnorderly doings of the Papistes in attaching men without any warrant.It seemeth to me that you come of your owne mynde to get thanke of your maister, for in deede I heard say (sayd I) that there was 4. or 5. warrantes out for me, but they were called in agayne, because I had certified my Lord and the Cōmissary by a letter that I sent to the commissaryes court, that I was not faulty in that they layed to my charge, which was for baptising of children, and marying of folkes: the which I neuer did, for I was neuer minister appointed to do any such thing. Wherefore set your hartes at rest: MarginaliaWoodmā refuseth to goe with them, vnlesse they shew their warrant.I will not goe with you (sayd I) vnlesse you will cary me by force. And if you will do so, at your own aduentures. And so I rose from the borde and stepped into my chamber, meaning to go from them if I coulde possibly, seing God had made the way so open for me. I ment to play Peters part wyth them, but god would not it shoulde bee so, but sent a feare amongest them, that as sone as I was gone into my chamber, ere euer I coulde come out againe, they were gone out of my house.

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MarginaliaGods great worke, how the persecutors which came to take Woodmā, went away without hym.When I saw that, I knew it was Gods doing to set me at libertie once agayne. Yet I was compelled to speake to them and sayd: if you haue a warrant, I desire you for Gods sake shew it me, and I will goe with you wyth all my hart: if not, I desire you to depart in Gods peace and the kinges: for surely I will not goe with you without the order of the law: for I haue bene too simple in such things already. For before I was sent to prison first, I went to the iustices to two sessions, without any warrant or cōmaundement, but had word by one of theyr men, and I went gently to them, and they sent me to prison, and kept me there almost a yeare and iij. quarters without all right or equity, as it is openly knowen, not hearing my cause iustly debated. And it seemeth to me that I should bee thus euill handled, and therefore I wyll not goe to none of them all henceforth, wythout the extremitie of the law.

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Then one of them answered me and sayd: we haue not the warrant here, but it is at home at my house: the