A01115:7
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.
To the Christian Reader.
Considering the great use and profit of that worthy work of Acts and Monuments, written by Master John Fox, of blessed memory: and by reason of the largeness of the volume, and great price, how the most were bereaved of the benefit of so necessary an History: J often wished, some man would take the pains to draw the same into an Abridgement: that, both those that are busied in affairs, or not able to reach to the price of so great a book, might also have use of the history with them that neither want leisure, nor ability sufficient. But, seeing hitherto nothing done that way, nor hearing of any that had it in purpose, J ventured upon the labour my self, & thus have performed it for thy use: wherein, J have omitted nothing to my remembrance, and as my judgement served me, that is material to the history, so far as the nature of an Abridgement would permit. As for Treatises, Disputations, Epistles, and such like, J leave them to be read all together in the large Book: which I do exhort thee (gentle Reader) ⟨image 3⟩the rather for my Abridgements sake, to buy, and use. For, as the copiousness of that notable work, hath hid the rich treasures of the same, through charge of price, and mens affairs: So this my labour may give thee an assay, and appetite, to know further, whereof thou mayest here take (as it were) the taste. J assure thee, in mine opinion, there is not a book, under the Scriptures, more necessary for a Christian to be conversant in. There is no Burgess of a City, that hath care of his corporation, but would be glad to know, how in times past, the world went with his Corporation, that thereby he may understand the better how to be have himself therein, as occasion shall serve: and, not only would desire to know the laws of the same, but also, what examples have any way been given, touching the same. Even so, it becometh much more Christians, that are Citizens of the church of Christ, and have a community in that body, to know, not only the laws of this City, (which is the word of God) but also, what hath befallen, either good, or bad, and every accident: whereupon, experience may arise by example, and wisdom thereof, to be put in use accordingly. We may read what hath befallen the worthiest Commonwealths in this world, and what storms they