Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Account 45
*The Martyrdome of Rafe Allerton, Iames Austo, Margery Awstoo, and Richard Roth burned at Islington.
IN searching out the certayne number of the faythfull Martyrs of God yt suffered within the tyme & raygne of Queene Mary:September 17. The story of Rafe Allerton. I finde that about the 17. day of September, wer burned at Islingtō, nigh vntounto London, these 4. constant professours of christ, Rafe Allerton, Iames Awstoo, Margery Austoo, his wife, and Richard Roth. Amongest the which: it first appeareth that this Rafe Allerton was more then a yeare before his condemnation, apprehended and brought before the Lorde Darcy of Chich. and was there accused, aswell for that he woulde not consent and come vntounto the idolatrye and superstition whiche then was vsed, as also that he had by preaching entised oothers to do the like.
Being then hereupon examined, he confessed that hee comming into hys parishe Churche of Bentley, and seing the people sitting there, either gasing about, or els talking together, exhorted them that they would fall vntounto prayer and meditation of Gods most holy worde, and not …it styll idlely. Whereunto they willingly consented. Then after prayer ended, he read vntounto them a chapiter of the New testament, and so departed.
In which exercise he continued vntill Candlemas, & then being enformed that he might not so doe by the lawe (for that he was no priest or minister) he lefte of and kepte himselfe close in his house vntill Easter then nexte after.Rafe Allertō attached. At what time, certayne sworne men for the inquiry of such matters, came vntounto hys house and attached him for reading in the Parish of Welley.
But when they vnderstood that he had red but once, & that it was of obedience (whereunto hee earnestly moued the people) they let hym for that tyme depart. Notwythstanding for feare of their cruelty hee was not longe after constrayned to forsake his owne house, and keepe himselfe in woodes, barnes, and other solitary places, vntill ye time of his apprehension.
After this examination, the Lord Darcy sent him vp to the Counsell: but they (not minding to trouble them selues with him) sent him vntounto Boner. Who by threateninges and other subtill meanes, so abused the simple and fearfull hart of thys man (as yet not throughly stayed vponupon the ayd and helpe of God) that within shorte tyme hee won him vntounto his most wicked will, and made him opē ly at Paules crosse to reuoke and recante his former profession, and thereupon set him at libertie of body. Whiche yet brought such a bondage and terrour of soule and conscience, and so cast him downe, that except the Lord (whose mercies are immeasurable) had supported and lifted hym vp agayne, he had perished for euer.
But the Lord, who neuer suffereth his elect Children vtterly to fall, castinge his pittifull eyes vppon this loste sheepe, with his mercifull and fatherly chastisment, dyd (wt Peter) rayse hym vp agayne, geuing vntounto him not only harty and vnfayned repentaunce, but also a moste constant boldnes to professe agayne (euen vntounto the death) hys most holy name and glorious gospel. Wherefore at ye procurement of one Thomas Tie priest: sometime an earnest professor of Christ, but now a fierce persecutour of ye same, (as appeareth more at large before in the history of William Munt and his wife,Thomas T…e Priest, …. page 1979) he was againe apprehended, and sent vp againe vntounto Boner, before whome he was the 8. day of Aprill, and sondry other times else examined. The report of which examination, wrytten by his owne hand with bloud for lacke of other incke, heereafter followeth.