Abbes, James

Abbes, James an English martyr of the 16th century, was a Christian who, because of his devotion to God and his fellow-men, was compelled to travel from place to place to avoid the peril of being apprehended. He was finally caught by some wicked men, and taken before the bishop of Norwich and examined. They threatened him in order to make him desist from his pious labors, until he yielded to their wishes against his conscience. The bishop gave him a piece of money; but poor James had scarcely left the house when his conscience troubled him so, that he went immediately to the bishop again, and threw the money which he had given him into his lap, saying, "I am sorry that I consented to your wicked persuasions." The bishop began anew some scheme by which to win him over, but all was in vain. He was therefore taken to Bury, Aug. 2, 1555, and burned. See Fox, Acts and Monuments, 7, 328.