A67922:1170
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.
As touching now the crimes and accusations in this persecution laid to the charge of the Christians,1 this was the principal, first because they refused to do worship to their Idols and to the Emperors: then for that they professed the name of Christ. Besides all the calamities and evils that happened in the world, as wars, famine, and pestilence,2 were only imputed to the Christians. Against all which quarrelling accusations Cyprian doth eloquently defend the Christians in his book Contra Demetrianum: Like as Tertullian had done before, writing Contra Scapulam page. 55. And first touching the objection for not worshipping Idols, he cleareth the Christians both in his book Contra Demeir. & also De vanitate idol. proving those Idols to be no true Gods, but Images of certain dead kings, which neither could save themselves from death, nor such as worship them. The true God to be but one, and that by the testimony of Sosthenes, Plato, and Trismegistus, the which God the Christians do truly worship. And as concerning that the Christians were thought to be causes of public calamities, because they worshipped not the Gentiles Idols, he purgeth the Christians thereof, proving that if there be any defect in increase of things, it is not to be ascribed to them, but rather to the decrease of nature, languishing now toward her age and latter end. Again for that it hath been so foresaid and prophesied, that toward the end of the world should come wars, famine, and pestilence. Moreover if there be any ⟨p. 69⟩cause thereof more proper then other, it is most like to be imputed to their vain Idolatry, and to the contempt of the true God. Also that such evils be increased by the wickedness of the people, so that to speak in his own words famem maiorem facia• rapacites quam siccitas, i. famine cometh more by avarice of men, then by drought of the air, but especially the cause thereof to proceed of the cruel shedding of the innocent blood of the Christians &c.
As touching now the crymes and accusations in this persecution layd to the charge of the Christians,1 thys was the principall, first because they refused to doe worship to their Idols and to the Emperours: then for that they professed the name of Christ. Besides all the calamities and euils that happened in the world, as warres, famine, and pestilence,