A67922:1122
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.
1At what time Decius had erected a temple in the midst of the City of Ephesus, compelling all that were in the City there, to sacrifice to the Idols, seven Christians were found, whose names were Maximianus, Malchus, Martianus, Dionysius, Joannes, Serapion, and Constantinus, who refusing the Idolatrous worship, were accused for the same unto the Emperor to be Christians. Which when they constantly professed, and did not deny, notwithstanding, because they were soldiers, retaining to the Emperors service, respite was given them for a certain space to deliberate with themselves, till the return again of the Emperor, which then was going to war. In the mean space, the Emperor being departed, they taking counsel together, went and hid themselves in secret caves of the Mount Caelius. The Emperor returning again, after great inquisition made for them, hearing where they were, caused the mouth of the place where they were, to be closed up with heaps of stones, that they not able to get out, should be famished within. And thus were those good men martyred.2 The story (if it be true) goeth further that they between fear and sorrow fell a sleep, in which sleep they continued the space of certain ages after, till the time of Theodosius the Emperor, before they did awake, as reporteth Vincentius, Nicephorus, Lib. 5. ca. 27. and partly also Henr. Erfordiens• ▪ But of their awaking, that I refer to them that lift believe it. Certain it is, that at the last day they shall awake in deed without any fable.
1At what tyme Decius had erected a temple in the midst of the Citie of Ephesus, compelling all that were in the Citie there, to sacrifice to the Idoles, seuen Christians were found, whose names were Maximianus, Malchus, Martianus, Dionysius, Ioannes, Serapion, and Constantinus, who refusing the Idolatrous worship, were accused for the same vnto the Emperour to be Christians. Which when they constantly professed, and did not deny, notwithstanding, because they were souldiours, retayning to the Emperours seruice, respite was geuen them for a certaine space to deliberate with themselues, til the returne agayne of the Emperour, which then was goyng to warre. In the meane space, the Emperour being departed, they taking counsail together, went and hidde themselues in secret caues of the Mount Caelius. The Emperour returnyng agayne, after great inquisitiō made for them, hearing where they were, caused the mouth of the place where they were, to be closed vp with heapes of stones, that they not able to get out, should be famished within. And thus were those good men martired.