“When he was gone down the stairs from my chamber, I straightways did shut my chamber door, and went into my study; and taking the New Testament in my hands, kneeled down on my knees, and with many a deep sigh and salt tear, I did, with much deliberation, read over the tenth chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel,[512] praying that God would endue his tender and lately-born little flock in Oxford with heavenly strength by his Holy Spirit; that quietly to their own salvation, with all godly patience, they might bear Christ’s heavy cross, which I now saw was presently to be laid on their young and weak backs, unable to bear so huge a burden without the greater help of his Holy Spirit.

“This done, I laid aside my book safe, folded up Master Garret’s gown and hood, and so, having put on my short gown, and shut my doors, I went towards Frideswide (Christchurch), to speak with that worthy martyr of God, Master Clark.  But of purpose I went by St. Mary’s church, to go first unto Corpus Christi College, to speak with Diet and Udal, my faithful brethren and fellows in the Lord.  By chance I met by the way a brother of ours, one Master Eden, fellow of Magdalen, who, as soon as he saw me, said, we were all undone, for Master Garret was returned, and was in prison.  I said it was not so; he said it was.  I heard, quoth he, our Proctor, Master Cole, say and declare the same this day.  Then I told him what was done; and so made haste to Frideswide, to find Master Clark, for I thought that he and others would be in great sorrow.

“Evensong was begun; the dean and the canons were there in their grey amices; they were almost at Magnificat before I came thither.  I stood in the choir door and heard Master Taverner play, and others of the chapel there sing, with and among whom I myself was wont to sing also; but now my singing and music were turned into sighing and musing.  As I there stood, in cometh Dr. Cottisford,[513] the commissary, as fast as ever he could go, bareheaded, as pale as ashes (I knew his grief well enough); and to the dean he goeth into the choir, were he was sitting in his stall, and talked with him, very sorrowfully:  what, I know not; but whereof I might and did truly guess.  I went aside from the choir door to see and hear more.  The commissary and dean came out of the choir, wonderfully troubled as it seemed.  About the middle of the church, met them Dr. London,[514] puffing, blustering, and blowing like a hungry and greedy lion seeking his prey.  They talked together awhile; but the commissary was much blamed by them, insomuch that he wept for sorrow.

“The doctors departed, and sent abroad their servants and spies everywhere.  Master Clark, about the middle of the compline,[515] came forth of the choir.  I followed him to his chamber, and declared what had happened that afternoon of Master Garret’s escape.  Then he sent for one Master Sumner and Master Bets, fellows and canons there.  In the meantime he gave me a very godly exhortation,