A67922:1187
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.
Now then as order requireth,1 let us enter the story of that most constant and courageous Martyr of Christ S. Laurence, whose words and works deserve to be as fresh and green in Christian harts, as is the flourishing Laurel tree, This thirsty hart longing after the water of life, desirous to pass unto it, through the straight door of bitter death, when on a time he saw his vigilant Shepherd, Xistus led as an harmless lamb, of harmful tyrants to his death, cried out with open mouth and hart invincible, saying,2 O dear father, whether goest thou, without the company of thy dear son? Whether hastenest thou, O reverend Priest, without thy Deacon? Never wast thou wont to offer sacrifice without thy minister. What crime is there in me that offendeth thy fatherhood? Hast thou proved me unnatural? Now try sweet father, whether thou hast chosen a faithful minister or not. Deniest thou unto him the fellowship of thy blood, to whom thou hast committed the distribution of the Lords blood? See that thy judgement be not misliked, whilst thy fortitude is liked & lauded. The abasing of the scholar, is the disgracing of the Master. What? have we not learned that worthy Masters, have obtained most worthy same, by the worthy acts of their Disciples and Scholars? Finally Abraham sacrificed his only begotten Isaac. Stoned Stephen prepared the way to preaching Pe•er, even so father declare thy manifold virtues by me thy son. Offer thou him that profferreth him self. Grant that the body of thy scholar may be sacrificed, whose mind with good letters thou hast beautified. These words with tears S. Laurence uttered, not becau•e his master should suffer, but for that he might not be suffered to taste of deaths cup, which he thirsted a•ter.
Now then as order requireth,1 let vs enter the story of that most constaunt and couragious Martir of Christ S. Laurence, whose words and works deserue to be as freshe and greene in Christian harts, as is the florishing Laurel tree, This thirsty hart longing after the water of lyfe, desirous to passe vnto it, through the straight doore of bitter death, when on a time he saw his vigilaunt Shephearde, Xistus led as an harmles lambe, of harmefull tyrauntes to his death, cried out with open mouth and hart inuincible, saying,