A67922:1274
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.
Mauritius came out of Syria into France and Italy, being Captain of the band of the Theban soldiers, to the number of 6660. being sent for of Maximianus, to go against the rebellious Bangandes, but rather as it should seem by the treason of the tyrant, which thought he might better in these quarters use his tyranny upon the Christians, then in the East part. These Thebans with Mauritius the Captain, after that they had entered into Rome, who were there of Marcellus the blessed bishop, confirmed in the faith, promising by oath that they would rather be slain of their enemies, then forsake that faith which they had received, who followed the Emperors host through the Alps even into France. At that time the Caesarians were encamped not far from the town called Ottodor, where Maximianus offered sacrifice to his devils, and called all the soldiers both of the East and West to the same, straightly charging them by the altars of his Gods, that they would fight against those rebels the Bangandes, and persecute the christian enemies of the Emperors Gods: which his commandment was showed to the Thebans host, which were also encamped about the river of Rode, and in a place that was named Agawne, but to Ottodor they would in no wise come, for that every man did certainly appoint and persuade with themselves rather in that place to dye, then either to sacrifice to the gods, or bear armour against the Christians. Which thing in deed very stoutly and valiantly they affirmed,1 upon their oath before taken to Maximianus when he sent for them. Wherewith the tyrant being wrathful and all moved, commanded every tenth man of that whole band to be put to the sword, whereto strivingly and with great rejoicing they committed their necks. To which notable thing and great force of faith, Mauritius himself was a great encourager, who by & by with a most grave Oration exhorted & animated his soldiers both to fortitude & constancy.2 Which being again called of the Emperor, answered in this wise saying: We are O Emperor your soldiers, but yet also to speak freely, the servants of god. We owe to thee service of war, to him innocency: of thee we receive for our travel, wages: of him the beginning of life. But in this we may in no ways obey thee O Emperor, to deny God our author and Lord, and not only ours, but your Lord likewise, will ye, nill ye.
Mauritius came out of Syria into Fraunce and Italy, beyng Captaine of the bande of the Theban souldiours, to the number of 6660. beyng sent for of Maximianus, to goe agaynst the rebellious Bangandes, but rather as it should seeme by the treason of the irant, which thought he might better in these quarters vse his tiranny vpon the Christians, then in the East part. These Thebans with Mauritius the Captaine, after that they had entred into Rome, who were there of Marcellus the blessed bishop, confirmed in the fayth, promising by othe that they would rather be slayne of their enemies, then forsake that faith which they had receaued, who followed the Emperours hoste through the Alpes euen into Fraunce. At that tyme the Caesarians were incamped not farre from the towne called Ottodor, where Maximianus offred sacrifice to his deuils, and called all the souldiours both of the East and West to the same, straightly charging them by the aultars of his Gods, that they would fight against those rebels the Bangandes, and persecute the christian enemies of the Emperors Gods: which his commaundement was shewed to the Thebanes hoste, which were also incamped about the riuer of Rode, and in a place that was named Agawne, but to Ottodor they wold in no wise come, for that euery man did certainly appointe and perswade with themselues rather in that place to dye, then either to sacrifice to the gods, or beare armour against the Christians. Which thing in deede very stoutly and valiantly they affirmed,