A67922:1045
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.
After them followed Varius Heliogabalus, in the empire, rather to be called a Monster, then a man, so prodigious was his life in all gluttony, filthiness, and ribaldry. Such was his pomp,1 that in his lamps he used balm, & filled his fishponds with rosewater. To let pass his sumptuous vestures which he would not wear but only of gold,2 and most costly silks: his shoes glistering with precious stones finely engraved he was never ij. days served with one kind of meat, he never wore one garment twice, and likewise for his fleshly wickedness: some days his company was served at meal with the brains of Ostriches, and a strange foul called Phenocapterie, an other day with the tongues of Popinjays, and other sweet singing birds. Being nigh to the sea, he never used fish: in places far distant from the sea, all his house was served with most delicate fishes. At one supper he was served with 7000. fishes, and 5000. fowls. At his removing in his progress,3 often there followed him 600. chariots, laden only with bawds, common harlots, and ribalds. He sacrificed with young children, and preferred to the best advancements in the common weal, most light personages, as bawds, Minstrels, Carters, and such like. In one word he was an enemy to all honesty & good order. And when he was foretold by his Sorcerers and Astronomers, that he should dye a violent death, he provided ropes of silk to hang himself, swords of gold to kill himself▪ and strong poison in Jacinths and Emeralds to poison himself, if needs he must thereto be forced.4 Moreover, he made an high tower, having the floor of boards covered with gold plate, bordered with precious stones, from the which tour he would throw himself down, if he should be pursued of his enemies. But notwithstanding all his provision, he was slain of the soldiers, drawn through the City, and cast into Tiber after he had reigned two years and viij. months, as witnesseth Eutropius, other say four years.
After them followed Varius Heliogabalus, in the empire, rather to be called a Monster, then a man, so prodigious was his life in all glotonie, filthines, and ribaudry. Such was his pompe,