MarginaliaAnn. 1557. September.MarginaliaIoyce Lewes brought to the place of Martyrdome.Now when she was brought through the towne with a number of bill men, a great multitude of people being present, she being led by ij. of her frendes (whiche were M. Michaell Reniger and M. Augustine Bernher)  

she was brought to the place of execution: and because the place was far of, and the throng of the people great, and she not acquainted with the fresh ayre (being so long in prison) one of her frends sent a messenger to the Sheriffes house for some drinke: and after she had praied three seuerall times, in the which prayer she desired God most instantly to abolish þ^e idolatrous masse, and to deliuer this Realme from PapistryMarginaliaHer praiers. (at the ende of whiche prayers the most part of the people cried Amen, yea, euen the Sheriffe that stoode hard by her, ready to cast her in the fire for not allowyng the masse, at this her praiers said with the rest of the people, Amen) when she had thus praied, shee tooke the cup into her handes saiyng: I drinke to al them that vnfainedly loue the gospell of Iesus Christ, and wish for the abolishment of Papistrie. When she had dronken, they that were her frendes, dranke also. After that a greate number, specially the women of the towne did drinke with her: MarginaliaWomen put to penaunce, for pledging Ioice Lewes.which afterward were put to open penaunce in the Churche by the cruell Papistes, for drinkyng with her.

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When she was tied to the stake with the chayne, she shewed such a cherefulnes, that it passed mans reason, beyng so well coloured in her face, and so pacient, that the most part of them that had honest harts did lamēt, and euen with teares bewaile the tiranny of the Papistes. MarginaliaThe Martyrdome of mistres Ioyce Lewes.When the fire was sette vppon her, she neither struggled nor sturred, but onely lifted vp her hands towardes heauen, being dead very speedely: for the vnder Sherieffe at the request of her frendes had prouided such stuffe, by the whiche she was sodeinly dispatched out of this miserable world.

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This amongest other thinges may not be forgotten, that the papistes had appointed some to rayle vpon her openly, and to reuile her, both as she went to the place of Execution, and also when she was at the stake. Amongest others there was an old Priest, whiche had a payre of writing Tables to note both the names of the women that dranke of her cuppe (as before you heard) and also described her frendes by their apparell: for presently hee could not learne their names, and afterwardes enquired for their names, and so immediately processe was sent out for them, both to Couentry and to other places:  

but GOD, whose prouidence sleepeth not, did defend them from the handes of these cruell tirantes. Vnto the which God, with the Sonne and the hyly ghost be honour and glory for euer, Amen.

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MarginaliaSeptember. 17.
The storie of Rafe Allerton.IN searching out the certaine nomber of the faithfull Martyrs of God that suffered within the time and raigne of Queene Mary: I find that about the xvij. day of September, were burned at Islington, nigh vnto London, these foure constant professours of Christe, Rafe Allerton, Iames Awstoo, Margery Awstoo his wife, and Richard Roth. Amongest the whiche: it first appeareth that this Rafe Allerton was more then a yere before his condemnation, apprehended & brought before the Lord Darcy of Chich, and was there accused, aswel for that he would not consent and come vnto the idolatry and superstition which then was vsed, as also that he had by preachyng entised others to doe the like. Beyng then hereupon examined, he confessed that he commyng into his parish church of Bentley, and seeyng the people sittyng there, either gasing about, or els talking together, exhorted them that they woulde fall vnto praier and meditation of Gods most holy worde, and not sit still idely. Whereunto they willingly consented. Then after praier ended, he reade vnto them a chapiter of the Newe Testamente, and so departed.

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In whiche exercise he continued vntill Candlemas, and then beyng enformed that hee might not so doe by the law (for that he was no priest or minister) he left of and kepte hymself close in his house vntill Easter then next after. At what time, certaine sworne men for the inquiry of such matters, came vnto his house and atta-

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MarginaliaRafe Allerton attached.ched hym for readyng in the Parishe of Welley. But when they vnderstoode that hee had red but once, and that it was of obedience (wherunto he earnestly moued the people) they let hym for that tyme depart. Notwithstanding for feare of their crueltie he was not long after constrained to forsake his owne house, and keepe himselfe in woods, barnes, and other solitary places, vntill the tyme of his apprehension. After this examination, the Lorde Darcy sent hym vp vnto the Counsell: but they (not mindyng to trouble themselues with hym) sent hym vnto Boner.  

Who by threatninges and other subtill meanes, so abused the simple and feareful hart of this man (as yet not throughly staied vpon the ayde and helpe of God) that within short tyme he won hym vnto his most wicked will, and made hym openly at paules crosse to reuoke and recant his former profession, and therupon set him at liberty of body. Which yet brought such a bōdage and terror of soule and conscience, and to caste hym downe, that except the Lorde (whose mercies are immmesurable) had supported and lifted hym vp againe, he had perished for euer.

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But the Lord, who neuer suffereth his elect children vtterly to fall, casting his pitifull eyes vppon this lost shepe, with his mercifull and fatherly chastisement, did (with Peter) raise him vp againe, geuing vnto him not onely harty and vnfained repentance, but also a moste constaunt boldnes to professe againe (euen vnto the death) his most holy name and glorious gospel. Wherfore at the procurement of one MarginaliaThomas Tye Prieste, persecutour and promotour.Thomas Tye Priest, sometime an earnest professor of Christe, but nowe a fierce persecutour of the same (as appeareth more at large before in the history of William Munt and hys wife, page 1897.) he was again apprehended, and sent vp againe vnto Boner, before whom he was the eight day of Aprill, and sondry other times elles examined, The report of which examination, written by his owne hande with bloud for lacke of other incke, hereafter followeth.

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MarginaliaThe examination of Rafe Allerton.BOner. Ah Syrrha, how chaunceth it that you are come hether againe on this fashion? I dare saie thou art accused wrongfully.

Rafe. Yea my Lord, so I am. For if I were gilty of suche thinges as I am accused of, then I would be very sory.

Boner. By sainct Mary that is not well done. But let me heare: art thou an honest man? For if I can proue no heresie by thee, then shall thine accusers doe thee no harme at all. Goe to, let me heare thee: For I did not beleue the tale to be true.

Rafe. My Lord, who doth accuse mee? I pray you let mee know, and what is mine accusation, that I maye aunswere thereunto.

Boner. Ah, wilt thou so? Before God, if thou hast not dissembled, then thou needest not to be afraide, nor ashamed to aunswere for thy selfe. But tell me in faithe, hast thou not dissembled?

Rafe. If I cannot haue mine accusers to accuse me before you, my conscience doth constraine mee to accuse my selfe before you: For I confesse that I haue greeuously offended God in my dissimulation at my last being before your Lordship, for the which I am right sory, as God knoweth.

Boner. Wherein I pray thee, diddest thou dissemble, when thou wast before me?

Rafe. Forsooth my Lorde, if your Lordship remember, I did set my hand vnto a certaine writyng, the contentes whereof (as I remember) were, that I did beleue in all thinges as the Catholicke Church teacheth. &c. In the whiche I did not disclose my minde, but shamefully dissembled, because I made no difference betwene the true Church and the vntrue Church.

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Boner. Nay, but I pray thee let mee heare more of this geare. For I feare me thou wilt smell of an hereticke anone. Which is the true Church, as thou saiest? Doest thou not call the heretickes church the true church, or the Catholicke churche of Christ? Now whiche of these two are the true church, saiest thou? Go to: for in faithe I will knowe of thee ere I leaue thee.

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Rafe. As concernyng the church of heretickes, I vtter-