A67922:1196
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.
Under the same Valerianus suffered also Dionysius bishop of Alexandria much affliction and banishment,1 with certain other brethren, Of the which he writeth himself, & is alleged in the Ecclesiastical story of Euseb. Lib. 7. cap. 11. the words whereof tend to this effect: Dionysius with three of his Deacons, to wit, Maximus, Faustus, and Cheremon, also with a certain brother of Rome, came to Emilianus then President, who there declared unto them in circumstance of words how he had signified unto them the clemency of his Lords and Emperors: who had granted them pardon of life, so that they would return to them, & worship the Gods and keepers (as he called them) of their Empery, asking them what answer they would give him there unto: trusting as he said that they would not show themselves ingrateful to the clemency of them which so gently did exhort them. To this Dionysius answering, said:2 Al men worship not all Gods, but divers men divers gods, so as every one hath in himself a mind or fantasy to worship. But we worship not many nor divers Gods, but only that one God, who is the creator of all things, & hath committed to our Lords Valerianus and Galienus the government of their Empery, making to him our prayers incessantly for their prosperous health and continuance. Then the President said: And what hurt is it, but that you may both worship your God, what God soever he be, and these our Gods also? For you are commanded worship such Gods, as all men know to be gods. Dionysius answered we worship none other, but as we have said▪ Emilianus the President said: I see you are ingrateful men, and consider not the benignity of the Emperors,3 wherefore you shall remain no longer in this City, but shall be sent out to the parts of Libya, unto a town called Cephro. For that place by the commandment of the Emperor I have chosen for you. Neither shall it be lawful for you, to convent your assemblies, or to resort, as ye are wont to your burial places. And if any of you shall be found out of your places whereunto you are appointed, at your peril be it. And think not contrary, but ye shall be watched well enough. Depart therefore to the place as is commanded you. and it followeth more in the said Dionysius speaking of himself:4