A01115:47
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.
The sum of Plinies letters to the Emperor. 1The sum of the Epistle was, that the Emperor would resolve how long to inflict the punishment with respect of Age, Sex, or Degree. Whether any Pardon might be granted unto such as would deny the faith; or whether that offence alone should so grievously be punished; or if other offences did aggravate the fault: who (their Religion ⟨p. 7⟩and excepted, their worshipping of Christ) else committed they nothing against the laws: as even such that had renown ced their faith confessed, & as he had made proof by laying 2. christian maids on the rack, to prove if they could have extorted confession of further crime. And that forasmuch as some (although many of them increased) gave their names to do sacrifice with incense unto the image of the Emperor, and sacrifices were more then before brought to be sold: if space were granted, they might be amended, which else by great multitudes might run into danger of condemnation. To whom the Emperor made answer:2 that he would not have the christians sought for, but if any were brought & convicted, such should suffer execution: & such as unfeignedly denied the faith, & would do sacrifice in open place, should be received to mercy.
The summe of Plinies letters to the Emperor. 1THe summe of the Epistle was, that the Emperour would resolue how long to inflicte the punishment with respecte of Age, Sexe, or Degrée. Whether any Pardon might be graunted vnto such as would denie the faith; or whether that offēce alone should so grieuously be punished; or if other offences did aggrauate the fault: who (their Religion ⟨p. 7⟩and excepted, their worshipping of Christ) els cōmitted they nothing against the lawes: as euē such that had renoū ced their faith confessed, & as he had made proofe by laying 2. christian maids on ye racke, to proue if they could haue extorted confession of further crime. And that for asmuch as some (although many of them encreased) gaue their names to doo sacrifice with incēse vnto the image of the Emperor, and sacrifices were more then before brought to be sold: if space were granted, they might be amended, which else by great multitudes might run into daunger of condemnation. To whom the Emperor made answere: