A01115:844
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
Volume 1 › Book 4: The fourth book.Volume 1 › Book 4: The fourth booke.
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.
After the bishopric of Rome had been long void, thorough the dissension of the cardinals, for the space of two years, and three months. At the length Celestinus was chosen Successor to Pope Nicholas the fourth. Which Celestinus, in his first Consistory, began to reform the clergy of Rome,1 thinking to make the same an example to all other Churches. Whereby, he procured to himself such hatred of the Clergy-men, that this Boniface being called Benedictus, speaking through a Reed, by his chamber wall in the night season, admonished him (as it had been a voice from heaven) that he should give over his Papacy, as a burden greater then he could beare. Ex Mass.
After the bishopricke of Rome had béene long voyde, thorough the dissention of the cardinals, for the space of two yeares, and thrée moneths. At the length Celestinus was chosen Successor to Pope Nicholas the fourth. Which Celestinus, in his first Consistorie, began to reforme the clergie of Rome,1 thinking to make the same an example to all other Churches. Whereby, he procured to himselfe such hatred of the Clergie-men, that this Boniface being called Benedictus, speaking through a Réede, by his chamber wall in the night season, admonished him (as it had béene a voice from heauen) that he should geue ouer his Papacie, as a burthen greater then he could beare. Ex Mass.
- 1Celestine beginneth to reform ye church of Rome.Celestine beginneth to reforme ye church of Rome.
Which in deed after six months he did (partly for the voice spoken before,1 and partly for fear) being told of certain, which were craftily suborned in his chamber, that if he did not resign, he should lose his life. And, when he had resigned, Boniface thrust him into perpetual prison, and so he died. Wherefore, this Boniface was worthily called the viij. Nero: of whom it was rightly said, he came in like a Fox; reigned like a Lion; and died like a dog.