A67922:1198
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.
Moreover the said Dionysius in his Epistle ad Domi•ium & Dydymū, making mention of them which were afflicted in this persecution of Valerian, recordeth in these words saying: it were superfluous (saith he) here to recite the names peculiarly of all our brethren slain in this persecution, which both were many and to me unknown.1 But this is certain that there were men, women, young men, maidens, old wives, soldiers, simple innocents, and of all sorts and ages of men. Of whom some with scourgings and fire, some with sword obtained victory, and got the crown. Some continued a great time, and yet have been reserved. In the which number am I reserved hitherto to some other opportune time known unto the Lord, which saith: In the time accepted I have he•rde thee, and in the day of salvation I have helped thee, &c. Now as concerning my self in what state I am, if thou desire to know first how I and Caius, and Faustus Petrus, and Paulus, being apprehended by the Centurion, were taken away by certain of the town of Mareote, I have declared to you before. Now I and Caius, and Petrus alone are left here included, in a west place of Libya, distant the space of three days journey from Paraetonium. &c. And in process farther he addeth: In the City (saith he) were certain privily which visit the brethren: of Priests Maximus, Dioscorus, Demetrius, and Lucius. For they which were more notable in the world, Faustinus and Aquila, do wander abroad in Egypt. Of the Deacons besides them whom sickness hath consumed, Faustus, Eusebius, & Cheremon, are yet alive.2 Eusebius hath God raised and stirred up to minister to the confessors lying in bands, and to bury the bodies of the blessed Martyrs, not without great peril. Neither doth the President cease yet to this day, cruelly murdering such as be brought afore him, some tearing with torments, some imprisoning and keeping in custody commanding that no man should come to them,3 inquiring also who resorted unto them. Yet notwithstanding God with cheerfulness and daily resort of the brethren doth comfort the afficted. Haec Dionysius.
Moreouer the said Dionysius in his Epistle ad Domi•ium & Dydymū, making mention of them whiche were afflicted in this persecution of Valerian, recordeth in these wordes saying: it were superflous (saith he) here to recite the names peculiarly of all our brethren slaine in this persecution, which both were manye and to me vnknowne.