A67922:111
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.
Upon this description of these two beasts riseth my question, wherein I desire all papists, from the highest to the lowest, either to answer or to consider with themselves, what the spirit of the prophesy meaneth by the said 2. beasts. Neither is the mystery of this prophesy so obscure, but being historical, by histories it may be explained & easily expoū dead. Writing therefore to the Papists, as men expert in histories, my question is this: that seeing the prophesy of these 2. beasts must needs prefigure some people or dominion in the world, of some high estate & power: they will now declare unto us, what people or domination this should be. Which if they will do plainly and truly, according to the marks & properties of the said ij. beasts here set forth, they must needs be driven of force inevitable to grant and confess, the same only to agree to the City & Empire of Rome, & to no other: Which by these reasons following of necessity must needs be concluded.
Upon this description of these two beastes riseth my question, wherin I desire all papistes, from the highest to the lowest, either to answere or to consider with thēselues, what the spirit of the prophesy meaneth by the sayd 2. beastes. Neither is the mistery of this prophesy so obscure, but being historicall, by histories it may be explaned & easely expoū ded. Writing therfore to the Papistes, as men expert in histories, my question is this: that seing the prophesy of these 2. beastes must needes prefigure some people or dominiō in the world, of some high estate & power: they will now declare vnto vs, what people or domination this should be. Which if they will do playnely and truely, according to the markes & propertyes of the sayd ij. beastes here set forth, they must needes be driuen of force ineuitable to graunt and confesse, the same only to agree to the City & Empyre of Rome, & to no other: Which by these reasons folowing of necessity must needes be concluded.
1First, the beast with came out of the sea, having the strength, the seat, and power of the great Dragon (the Devil, called the Prince of this world, committed to him, who also had power given over all tribes, nations, languages, people and countries in the earth) must needs be an Empire or Monarchy of great force, passing all other Monarchies in the world besides, and this must needs argue the Empire of Rome and none other.