ot far behind; by the force whereof John Badby was brought into
Smithfield, and there, being put into an empty barrel, was bound
with iron chains, fastened to a stake, having dry wood put about
him. And as he was thus standing in the pipe or tun, (for as yet
Perilous' bull was not in use among the bishops,) it happened
that the Prince, the King's eldest son, was there present; who,
showing some part of the good Samaritan, _began to endeavour and
assay how to save the life of him_ whom the hypocritical Levites
and Pharisees sought to put to death. _He admonished and
counselled him that, having respect unto himself he should
speedily withdraw himself out of these labyrinths of opinions_;
adding oftentimes threatenings, the which would have daunted any
man's stomach. Also Courtney, at that time Chancellor of Oxford,
preached unto him, and informed him of the faith of holy church.
In this mean season, the Prior of St. Bartlemew's in Smithfield,
brought, with all solemnity, the sacrament of God's body, with
twelve torches borne before, and so shewed the sacrament to the
poor man being at the stake: and then they demanded of him (p. 344)
how he believed in it; he answered, that he well knew it was
hallowed bread, and not God's body. And then was the tunne put
over him, and fire put unto him. And when he felt the fire he
cried, 'Mercy!' (calling belike upon the Lord,) and so the Prince
immediately commanded to take away the tun and quench the fire.
The Prince, his commandment being done, asked him if he would
forsake heresy and take him to the faith of holy church; which
thing if he would do, he should have goods enough: promising also
unto him a yearly stipend out of the King's treasury, so much as
would suffice his contentation. But this valiant champion of
Christ rejected the Prince's fair words, as also contemned all
men's devices, and refused the offer of worldly promises, no
doubt but being more vehemently inflamed with the spirit of God
than with earthly desire. Wherefore, when as yet he continued
unmoveable in his former mind, the Prince commanded him straight
to be put again into the pipe or tun, and that he should not
afterwards look for any grace or favour."

[Footnote 264: Fox makes a curious mistake here. He