A67922:1005
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol.…Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol.…
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
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.
1This Peregrinus above mentioned had been sent before by Xistus Bishop of Rome, into the parties of France, to supply there the room of a Bishop and teacher, by reason that for the continual and horrible persecutions there above touched, those places were left desolate and destitute of ministers and instructors, where after he had occupied him self with much fruit among the flock of Christ, and had stablished the congregation there, returning home again to Rome, there finished at last (as it is said) his martyrdom.
1This Peregrinus aboue mentioned had bene sent before by Xistus Byshop of Rome, into the parties of Fraunce, to supply there ye rowme of a Bishop and teacher, by reason yt for the continual and horrible persecutions there aboue touched, those places were left desolat and destitute of ministers and instructors, where after he had occupied hym selfe wt much frute among the flocke of Christ, and had stablished the congregation there, returning home againe to Rome, there finished at last (as it is said) his martirdome.
- 1Peregrinus sent to France and Martyred at at Rome. Ex Platinain vita Sixti.Peregrinus sent to Fraunce and Martyred at at Rome. Ex Platinain vita Sixti.
Now remaineth likewise to speak of Julius, which Julius being as is afore described, a Senator of Rome, and now won by the preaching of these blessed men, to the faith of Christ, did eftsoons invite them & brought them home to his house,1 where being by them more fully instructed in christian religion, he believed in the gospel. And sending for one Ruffinus a Priest, was with all his family by him baptised, who (not as the common sort was wont to do) kept close and secret his faith: but incensed with a marvellous and sincere zeal openly professed the same: altogether wishing and praying to be given to him by God, not only to believe in Christ, but also to hazard his life for him. Which thing the Emperor hearing, how that Julius had forsaken his old religion, and became a christian, forthwith sent for him to come before him, unto whom he spake on this wise O July, what madness hath possessed thee, that this thou doest fall from the old & common Religion of thy forefathers who acknowledged and worshipped Jupiter & Hercules their gods, & now doest embrace a new & fond kind of Religion of the Christians: At which time Julius having good occasion to show and open his faith gave straight way account thereof to him, and affirmed that Hercules & Jupiter were false Gods, & how the worshippers of them should perish with eternal damnation & punishments. Which the Emperor hearing, how that he condemned & despised his Gods, being then inflamed with a great wrath as he was by nature very choleric, committed him forthwith to Vitellus, the master of the soldiers, a very cruel & fierce man, to see Julius either to sacrifice to mighty Hercules or refusing the same to slay him. Vitellus as he was commanded) exhorted Julius to obey the Emperors commandment and to worship his Gods, Alleging how that the whole Empire of Rome was not only constituted, but also preserved and maintained by them. Which Julius denied utterly to do, admonishing sharply in like manner Vitellus to acknowledge the true God, and obey his commandments, least he with his master should dye some grievous death. Whereat Vitellus being moved, caused Julius with cudgels to be beaten unto death.