A few of Bilney’s friends went to Norwich to bid him farewell: among them was Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury. It was in the evening, and Bilney was taking his last meal. On the table stood some frugal fare (ale brew), and on his countenance beamed the joy that filled his soul. ‘I am surprised,’ said one of his friends, ‘that you can eat so cheerfully.’—‘I only follow the example of the husbandmen of the county,’ answered Bilney, ‘who, having a ruinous house to dwell in, yet bestow cost so long as they may hold it up.’ With these words he rose from the table, and sat down near his friends, one of whom said to him: ‘To-morrow the fire will make you feel its devouring fierceness, but God’s Holy Spirit will cool it for your everlasting refreshing.’ Bilney, appearing to reflect upon what had been said, stretched out his hand towards the lamp that was burning on the table, and placed his finger in the flame. ‘What are you doing?’ they exclaimed. ‘Nothing,’ he replied; ‘I am only trying my flesh. To-morrow God’s rods shall burn my whole body in the fire.’ And, still keeping his finger in the flame, as if he were making a curious experiment, he continued: ‘I feel that fire by God’s ordinance is naturally hot; but yet I am persuaded, by God’s Holy Word and the experience of the martyrs, that when the flames consume me I shall not feel them. Howsoever, this stubble of my body shall be wasted by it, a pain for the time is followed by joy unspeakable.’[154] He then withdrew his finger, the first joint of which was burnt. He added, ‘_When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt._’[155] ‘These words remained imprinted on the hearts of all who heard them until the day of their death,’ says a chronicler. Beyond the city gate—that known as the _Bishop’s gate_—was a low valley, called the _Lollards’ pit_: it was surrounded by rising ground, forming a sort of amphitheatre. On Saturday, the 19th of August, a body of javelin-men came to fetch Bilney, who met them at the prison gate. One of his friends approaching and exhorting him to be firm, Bilney replied: ‘When the sailor goes on board his ship and launches out into the stormy sea, he is tossed to and fro by the waves; but the hope of reaching a peaceful haven makes him bear the danger. My voyage is beginning, but whatever storms I shall feel, my ship will soon reach the port.’[156]