Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Account 126
¶The strange and fearefull death of the same Doctor Williams.
WHen God of his inestimable mercy hauing pitie of vsus, and pardoning our sinnes for hys sonnes sake Christ Iesu, had now taken from vsus that bloudy Princesse, and sent vsus this iewel of Ioy, the Queenes maiestie that now raigneth (and long might she raigne) ouer vsus: and that the commissioners for restitution of religion wer comming toward Glocester. The same day D. Williams the Chauncellour, dined with W. Ienings the Deane of Gloucester, who with all his men were booted redy at one of the clocke to set forward to Chipping Norton, aboute xv. miles from Gloucester, to meete the Commissioners which were at Chipping Norton, and sayd to him, Chancellor, are not thy bootes on?
Chanc.
Why should I put them on?
To go with me (quoth the Deane) to meet these commissioners.
Chanc.
I will neither meet them, nor see them.
Deane.
Thou must needs see them, for now it is past xij. of the clocke, and they will be here afore iij. of the clocke, and therfore if thou be wise, on with thy bootes and let vsus goe together, and all shall be well.
Chanc.
Go your wayes M. Deane, I will neuer see them.
As I sayd, W. Ienings the Deane set forward wyth his company toward the Commissioners, and by and by commeth one vponupon horsebacke to the Deane, saying: M. Chancellor lyeth at the mercy of God, and is speachlesse. At that worde the Deane with his company pricked forward to the Commissioners, and tolde them the whole matter and communication betwene them two, as aboue. And they sent one of their men with the best wordes they could deuise, to comfort him with many promises. But to be short: albeit the Commissioners were now nerer Glocester, then the Deane and his company thought, making very great hast, especially after they hadde receyued these newes. Yet Doct. Williams, though false of religion, yet true of his promise, kept his vngracious couenaunt with the Deane: for he was dead or they came to the citie, and so neuer saw them in deed.
Wherefore, to passe ouer our owne domesticall examples of English persecuters plaged by Gods hand (wherof this our present story doth abound) I will stretche my penne a little further to adioyne withall a few like examples in forraine countries.Declaratiō of foreine examples.