This was his constant behaviour both at Bourne, and in all the places in which he lived:  thus did he walk with God, and tread the footsteps of primitive piety; and yet, as that great example of meekness and purity, even our blessed Jesus, was not free from false accusations, no more was this disciple of his, this most humble, most innocent, holy man.  His was a slander parallel to that of chaste Susannah’s by the wicked Elders; or that against St. Athanasius, as it is recorded in his life,—­for this holy man had heretical enemies,—­a slander which this age calls trepanning.[31] The particulars need not a repetition; and that it was false, needs no other testimony than the public punishment of his accusers, and their open confession of his innocency.  It was said, that the accusation was contrived by a dissenting brother, one that endured not Church-ceremonies, hating him for his book’s sake, which he was not able to answer; and his name hath been told me; but I have not so much confidence in the relation, as to make my pen fix a scandal on him to posterity; I shall rather leave it doubtful till the great day of revelation.  But this is certain, that he lay under the great charge, and the anxiety of this accusation, and kept it secret to himself for many months; and, being a helpless man, had lain longer under this heavy burthen, but that the Protector of the innocent gave such an accidental occasion, as forced him to make it known to his two dearest friends, Edwin Sandys and George Cranmer, who were so sensible of their tutor’s sufferings, that they gave themselves no rest, till by their disquisitions and diligence they had found out the fraud, and brought him the welcome news, that his accusers did confess they had wronged him, and begged his pardon.  To which the good man’s reply was to this purpose:  “The Lord forgive them; and the Lord bless you for this comfortable news.  Now have I a just occasion to say with Solomon, ’Friends are born for the days of adversity;’ and such you have proved to me.  And to my God I say, as did the Mother of St. John Baptist, ’Thus hath the Lord dealt with me, in the day wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.  ’And, O my God! neither my life, nor my reputation, are safe in my own keeping; but in thine, who didst take care of me when I yet hanged upon my mother’s breast.  Blessed are they that put their trust in thee, O Lord! for when false witnesses were risen up against me; when shame was ready to cover my face; when my flights were restless; when my soul thirsted for a deliverance, as the hart panteth after the rivers of water; then thou, Lord, didst hear my complaints, pity my condition, and art now become my deliverer; and as long as I live I will hold up my hands in this manner, and magnify thy mercies, who didst not give me over as a prey to mine enemies:  the net is broken, and they are taken in it.  Oh! blessed are they that put their trust in thee! and no prosperity shall make me forget those days of sorrow, or to perform those vows that I have made to thee in the days of my affliction; for with such sacrifices, thou, O God, art well pleased; and I will pay them."[32]