A67922:1135
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.
Of this weakness and falling, the said author showeth two causes,1 either love of their goods and patrimony, or fear of torments. And addeth moreover examples of the punishments of them which so revolted: affirming that many of them were taken and vexed with wicked sprites. And of one man among other which after his voluntary denial, suddenly was stricken dumb. Again, an other after his abjuration as he should communicate with other, in stead of bread received ashes in his hand. Item of a certain maiden, who being taken & vexed with a sprite, did tear her own tongue with her teeth, and tormented with pain in her belly and inward parts so deceased.
Of this weaknesse and falling, the said author sheweth two causes,1 either loue of their goodes and patrimonie, or feare of torments. And addeth moreouer examples of the punishmentes of them which so reuolted: affirmyng that many of them were taken and vexed with wicked sprites. And of one man among other which after his voluntary deniall, sodainly was stroken dombe. Agayn, an other after his abiuration as he should communicate with other, in stead of bread receiued ashes in his hād. Itē of a certayn mayden, who beyng taken & vexed with a sprite, did teare her owne toung with her teeth, and tormented with paine in her bellie and inward partes so deceased.
- 1Examples of God his punishment after denial. The sacrament called bread of S. Cyprian. De lapsis.Examples of God hys punishment after denial. The sacrament called bread of S. Cyprian. De lapsis.
Among other of this sort, S. Cyprian, Lib. 2 cap. 8. maketh also mention of one Evaristus a Bishop in Africa, who leaving his charge, and making a shipwreck of his faith, went wandering about in other countries, forsaking his own flock. In like manner he maketh also mention of Nicostratus a Deacon, who forsaking his Deaconship, and taking the goods of the Church with him, fled away into other countries, &c. Albeit Bergomensis giveth that this Nicostratus the Deacon afterward dyed a Martyr. Thus then although some did relent, yet a very great number saith he, there was, whom neither fear could remove, nor pain could overthrow to cause them to betray their confession, but that they stood like glorious Martyrs unto the end, Cyprian.