A67922:1040
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.
Victor being not a little moved herewith,1 by letters again denounceth against them (more bold upon authority, then wi•e in his commission) violent excommunication, Albeit by the wise handling of Irenaeus, and other learned men, that matter was staid, and Victor otherwise persuaded. What the persuasions of Irenaeus were, partly may appear in Euseb. Lib. 5. cap. 26. the sum whereof tendeth to this effect: That the variance and difference of ceremonies is no strange matter in the Church of Christ,2 when as this variety is not only in the day of Easter, but also in the manner of fasting, & in divers other usages among the christian. For some fast one day, some two days, some other fast moe. Other there be, which counting xl. hours, both day & night, take that for a full days fast. And this so divers fashion of fasting in the church of Christ, began not only in this our time, but was before among our fore elders. And yet notwithstanding they with all this diversity, were in unity among themselves, and so be we, neither both this difference of ceremonies any thing hinder, but rather commendeth the concord of faith. And bringeth forth the examples of the fathers of Telesphorus, 3Pius, Anicetus, Soter, Eleutherius, and such other, who neither observed the same usage themselves, neither prescribed it to others, and yet notwithstanding kept christian charity with such as came to communicate with them, not observing the same form of things which they observed, as well appeared by Polycarpus and Anicetus, which although they agreed not in one uniform custom of rites, yet refused not to communicate together, the one giving reverence unto the other. Thus the controversy being taken up between Irenaeus & Victor, remained free to the time of Nicene Councell. Haec ex Iren. Eusebius. And thus much concerning the controversy of that matter, and concerning the doings of Victor.
Victor being not a litle mooued herewith,1 by letters agayne denounceth against them (more bold vpon authoritie, then wi•e in his commission) violent excommunicatiō, Albeit by the wise handlyng of Irenaeus, and other learned men, that matter was staid, and Victor otherwise perswaded. What the perswasiōs of Irenaeus were, partly may appeare in Euseb. Lib. 5. cap. 26. the summe whereof tendeth to this effect: That the variance and difference of ceremonies is no straunge matter in the Church of Christ,