Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Letter 2
A letter wrytten by Rafe Allerton, vntounto Agnes Smith, Widowe.
GRace, mercy, and peace from God the father, and from our Lord Iesus Christ,A letter of Rafe Allerton. with the assistance of Gods holy spirite, and the aboundant health both of soule and body, I wish vntounto you, as to mine owne soule, as GOD knoweth, who is the searcher of all secretes.
Forasmuch as it hath pleased almighty God of his infinite mercy, to call me to the state of grace, to suffer Martyrdom for Iesus Christes sake, although heretofore I hauehave most negligētly dalied therwith, and therfore farre vnwoorthy I am of suche an high benefite, to be crowned with the moste ioyfull crowne of Martyrdom: neuertheles it hath pleased God not so to leaue me, but hath raised mee vp againe according to his promyse, which sayeth: Although he fall, yet shall he not be hurt: For the Lord vpholdeth him with his hand.Psal 37. Wherby we perceiue Gods election to be most sure: for vndoubtedly hee will preserue all those that are appoynted to die. And as he hath begonne thys worke in me: euen so do I beleeue that he wil finish the same, to his great glory, and to my wealth, through Iesus Christ. So beit.
Dearly beloued sister (I am cōstrained so to cal you because of your constante faith and louelove vnfained) consider, that if we be the true seruaunts of Christ, then maye not we in anye wise make agreement with his enemie Antichrist. For there is no cō corde nor agreement betweene them sayth the Scriptures, and a man can not serue two maisters, sayeth Christ. And also, it is prefigured vntounto vsus in the olde lawe, whereas the people of God were most straitly commaunded that they shoulde not mingle themselues with the vngodly heathen, and were also forbiddē to eate, drinke, or to marrye with them. For as often as they did either marrye vntounto their sonnes, or take their daughters vntounto them, or to their sonnes, euen so oft came the great and heauye wrath of God vponupon his owne people, to ouerthrow both them and all their Cities, with the holy Sāctuarie of God: & brought in straunge Princes to raigne ouer them, and wicked rulers to gouerne them, so that they were sure of hunger, sworde, pestilence, and wilde beastes to deuour them. Which plagues neuer ceased, vntill the good people of God were cleane separated frō the wicked idolatrous people.
Oh dearely beloued, this was wrytten for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might hauehave hope. And is it not in like case happened now in this Realme of England? For now are the people of god had in derision, & troden vnderunder foote, and the Cities, Townes, and houses wher they dwelt, are inhabited with them that hauehave no right therunto, & the true owners are spoiled of their labours: yea, and the holye sanctuarie of Gods most blessed word, is laid desolate and wast, so that the very Foxes run ouer it. &c. yet is it the foode of oure soules, the lanterne of our feete, and the lighte vntounto our pathes: and where it is not preached, the people perish. But the Prophet sayeth: hee that refraineth himselfe from euill, must be spoyled.Esay. 59. Why should we then be abashed to be spoiled, seeing that it is tolde vsus before, that it must so happen vntounto them that refrayne from euill? And thus I bid you farewell in God.
R. A.
Item, thou Rafe Allerton canst not denie, but that the letters wrytten with bloud, beginning with these woords in the ouer part thereof. (The angell of God. &c.) and ending thus (be with you, Amen) and hauing also this postscript (do ye suppose that our brethrē. &c.) remaining now registred in the actes of this Court, are thine owne hande wryting.
9. For the better vnderstanding of this Article, I hauehave also here inserted the Copie of the Letter mentioned in the same: which letter he wrote (by his owne confession) vntounto Richard Roth, then in danger of the subtill snares of that bloudy wolfe Boner.