A67922:1136
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.
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.
Among other of this sort, S. Cyprian, Lib. 2 cap. 8. maketh also mention of one Euaristus a Bishop in Aphrica, who leauing his charge, and making a shipwracke of his faith, went wandering about in other countreys, forsakyng his owne flocke. In like maner he maketh also mention of Nicostratus a Deacon, who forsakyng his Deaconship, and takyng the goods of the Church with him, fled away into other countreys, &c. Albeit Bergomensis geueth that this Nicostratus the Deacon afterward dyed a Martyr. Thus then although some did relent, yet a very great nūber saith he, there was, whom neither feare could remoue, nor pain could ouerthrow to cause them to betray their confession, but that they stoode like glorious Martyrs vnto the ende, Cyprian.
The same Cyprianus also in an other book De mortalitate, reciteth a notable story of one of his own Colleges and fellow Priest:1 who being oppressed with weakness, and greatly afraid with death drawing at hand, desired leave to depart, and to be discharged. As he was thus entreating, and almost now dying, there appeared by him a young man, of an honourable and of reverend majesty, of a tall stature, and comely behaviour, so bright & clear to behold, that scarce mans carnal eyes was able to bear the beholding of him, but that he was able so to do, which was now ready to depart this world. To whom this young man speaking with a certain indignation of mind and voice, thus said: Pati timetis, exire non vultis, quid faciam vobis? To suffer ye dare not, to go out ye will not, what would ye me to do unto you?