A67922:1283
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.
With this Constantius was joined (as hath been aforesaid) Galerius Maximinus, 1a man as Eutropius affirmeth, very civill and a passing good soldier: Furthermore, a favourer of wise and learned men, of a quiet disposition, not rigorous, but in his drunkenness, whereof he would soon after repent him, as Victor writeth. whether he meaneth Maximinus the father, or Maximinus his son, it is uncertain. But Eusebius far otherwise describeth the conditions of him in his viij. book, and first chapter. For he saith he was of a tyrannical disposition: The feareinllest man that might be, and curious in all magical superstition, in so much that without the divinations and answers of devils he durst do nothing at all, & therefore he gave great offices and dignities to enchanters. Furthermore that he was an exactor and extortioner of the Citizens, liberal to those that were flatterers, given to surfeiting and riot, a great drinker of wine, and in his furious drunkenness most like a mad man, a Ribald, an adulterer, which came to no City but he ravished virgins & defiled mens wives.2 To conclude he was so great an idolater, that he built up Temples in every City, and repaired those that were fallen in great decay: and he chose out the most worthiest of his political Magistrates to be the idols priests, and devised that they should execute that their office with great authority and dignity, and also with warlike pomp. But to Christian piety and religion he was most incensive, and in the East Churches exercised cruel persecution, and used as executioners of the same, Pencetius, Quintianus, and Theotechnus beside others.
With this Constantius was ioyned (as hath bene aforesayd) Galerius Maximinus, 1a man as Eutropius affirmeth, very ciuill and a passing good souldior: Furthermore, a fauourer of wise and learned men, of a quiet disposition, not rigorous, but in his dronkennesse, wherof he would soone after repent him, as Victor writeth. whether he meaneth Maximinus the father, or Maximinus his sonne, it is vncertayne. But Eusebius farre otherwise describeth the conditions of him in his viij. booke, and first chapter. For he sayth he was of a tyrannicall disposition: The feareinllest man that might be, and curious in all magicall superstition, in so much that without the diuinatiōs and aunsweres of diuels he durst do nothing at al, & therefore he gaue great offices and dignityes to enchaunters. Furthermore that he was an exactor and extortioner of the Citizens, liberall to those that were flatterers, geuen to surfeting and riote, a great drinker of wine, and in his furious drounkennesse most like a mad man, a Ribaud, an adulterer, which came to no City but he rauished virgins & defiled mens wiues.