A67922:1133
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.
In the City of Trod, as the Proconsul was grievously tormenting one Nicomachus, he cried out, that he was no Christian, and so was let down again. And when after he had sacrificed, he was taken eftsoons with a wicked spirit, and so thrown down upon the ground, where he biting of his tongue with his teeth, so departed. Henr. de Erfordia.
In the Citie of Troade, as the Proconsul was grieuously tormenting one Nicomachus, he cried out, that he was no Christian, and so was let downe againe. And when after he had sacrificed, he was taken eftsoones with a wicked spirite, and so throwen downe vpon the ground, where he byting of his toung with his teeth, so departed. Henr. de Erfordia.
Dionysius in his Epistles also writing to Fabius, and lamenting the great terror of this persecution declareth,1 how that many worthy and notable Christians, for fear and horror of the great tyranny thereof, did show themselves feeble and weak men. Of whom some for dread, some of their own accord, other after great torments suffered, yet after revolted from the constancy of their profession. Also S. Cyprian in his treatise De lapsis, reciteth with great sorrow, and testifieth, how that a great number at the first threatening of the adversary, neither being compelled nor thrown down with any violence of the enemy, but of their volū tarry weakness fell down themselves. Neither (saith he) tarrying while the judge should put incense in their hands, but before any stroke stricken in the field,2 turned their backs, & played the cowards, not only coming to their sacrifices, but preventing the same, and pretending to come without compulsion, bringing moreover their infants & children either put into their hands, or taking them with them of their own accord, and exhorting moreover other to do the like after their example.
Dionysius in his Epistles also writyng to Fabius, and lamentyng the great terrour of this persecution declareth,