A67922:104
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.
But to let other countries pass, let us turn now to the peaceable government in this realm of England, under this our so mild & gracious Queen now presently reigning. Under whom you see how gently you are suffered, what mercy is showed unto you: how quietly ye live. What lack you, that you would have, having almost the best rooms and offices in all the realm, not only without any loss of life▪ but also without any fear of death. And though a few of your Arch•lerkes be in custody: yet in that custody so shrewdly are they hurt, that many a good Protestant in the realm would be glad with all their hearts to change rooms and diet with them if they might. And albeit some other for their pleasure have slipped over the seas, if their courage to see countries abroad did so allure them, who could let them, yet this is certain, no dread there was of death that drave them. For what papist have you seen in all this land to lose either life or limb for papistry during all these xii. years hitherto since this Queens reign? And yet all this notwithstanding, having no cause to complain, so many causes to give God thanks ye are not yet content, ye fret and fume, ye grudge and mutter, and are not pleased with peace, nor satisfied with safety but hope for a day, and fain would have a change. And to prevent your desired day, ye have conspired, and rise up in open rebellion against your Prince, whom the Lord hath set up to be your governor.
But to let other countryes passe, let vs turne now to the peaceable gouernment in this realme of England, vnder this our so milde & gracious Queene now presently reigning. Under whome you see howe gently you are suffered, what mercy is shewed vnto you: how quietly ye liue. What lacke you, that you woulde haue, hauing almost the best rowmes and offices in all the realme, not onely without any losse of lyfe▪ but also without anye feare of death. And though a few of your Arch•lerkes be in custody: yet in that custody so shrewdly are they hurt, that many a good Protestant in the realme would be glad with all their hartes to chaunge rowmes and dyet with them if they might. And albeit some other for their pleasure haue slipt ouer the seas, if their courage to see countries abroade did so allure them, who coulde let them, yet this is certayne, no dreade there was of death that draue them. For what papist haue you seen in all this land to lose eyther life or limme for papistry during al these xii. yeares hetherto since this Queenes reigne? And yet all this notwithstāding, hauing no cause to complayne, so many causes to geue God thāks ye are not yet content, ye fret and fume, ye grudge and mutter, and are not pleased with peace, nor satisfied with safety but hope for a day, and fayne would haue a chaunge. And to preuent your desired day, ye haue conspired, and rise vpp in open rebellion agaynst your Prince, whom the Lord hath set vp to be your gouernour.