A67922:1216
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.
And thus far continued wicked Valerian, in his tyranny against the Saints of Christ. But as all the Tyrants before, and oppressors of the Christians had their deserved reward at the just hand of God,1 which rendereth to every man according to his works: so this cruel Valerian, after he had reigned with his son Galienus, the term of vj. or vij. years, and about two years had afflicted the Church of Christ, felt the just stroke of his hand, whose indignation before he had provoked, whereof we have to witness Eutropius, Polio, Sabellicus, Volateranus: For making his expedition against the Persians, whether by the fraud and treason of some about him, or whether by his own rashness, it is doubtful: But this is certain, that he fell into the hands of his enemies, being about the age of lxx. years, where he led his wretched age in a more wretched captivity.2 In so much that Sapores the king of the Persians used him (and well worthy) not for his riding fool, but for his riding block. For whensoever the king should light upon his horse openly in the sight of the people, Valerian Emperor quondam, was brought forth in stead of a block, for the king to tread upon his back, in going to his horseback. And so continued this blockish butcherly Emperor with shame and sport enough unto his final end, as witnesseth Laetus and Aurelius Victor.
And thus farre continued wicked Valerian, in his tyranny against the Saintes of Christ. But as all the Tyrauntes before, and oppressors of the Christians had theyr deserued reward at the iust hand of God,1 which rendreth to euery man according to his workes: so this cruel Valerian, after he had reigned with his sonne Galienus, ye terme of vj. or vij. yeares, and about two yeares had afflicted the Church of Christ, felt the iust stroke of his hande, whose indignation before he had prouoked, whereof we haue to witnes Eutropius, Pollio, Sabellicus, Volateranus: For making hys expedition agaynst the Persians, whether by the fraude and treason of some about him, or whether by his owne rashnes, it is doubtfull: But this is certayne, that he fell into the handes of hys enemies, being about the age of lxx. yeares, where he led hys wret•hed age in a more wretched captiuitie.