A01115:282
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the Church: written by that Reverend Father, Master John Fox: and now abridged by Timothy Bright, Doctor of Physic, for such as either through want of leisure, or ability have not the use of so necessary an historyAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history
London: printed by I. Windet, 1589
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Constantine deferred baptism till his old age, because he determined a journey into Persia, and thought in Jordan to have been baptized. He entered into the Empire, Anno 311. and reigned 30. years, as Letus saith 32. lacking two months.1 He was borne in Britain. His mothers name was Helena daughter of king Coilus. He greatly travelled for the peace of Christians, and before he had conquered Licinius, wrote to his subjects inhabiting the East, in their favour. He set also peace among the Bishops in the Church, who were at dissension, and made provision for ministers and teachers of the people, and caused all to be restored unto the Christians that had been taken from them in the persecutions:2 writing to Syluius his chief Captain, to that end, and commanded him that in Africa where he had to do, and where Cecilianus was bishop, that Clerks and ministers should be freed from all manner public duties & burdens. He was greatly studious in taking up causes among the bishops, and wrote to that end to divers: as to Miltiades bishop of Rome, to Crescens bishop of Siracusa, to Cecilianus bishop of Carthage: also to Eusebius for the edifying of new Churches. And after he had gathered the Nicene Council3 for the unity of the Church, he writeth to Alexander, and Arrius to the same intent.
Constantine deferred baptisme till his old age, because he determined a iourney into Persia, and thought in Iordan to haue béene baptized. He entered into the Empire, Anno 311. and raigned 30. yéeres, as Letus saith 32. lacking two moneths.1 He was borne in Brytaine. His mothers name was Helena daughter of king Coilus. He greatly trauelled for the peace of Christians, and before hée had conquered Licinius, wrote to his subiects inhabiting the East, in their fauour. He set also peace among the Bishops in the Church, who were at dissention, and made prouision for ministers and teachers of the people, and caused all to be restored vnto the Christians that had béene taken from them in the persecutions:2