A67922:1285
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.
1Amongst other things which for the benefit and commodity of the common weal we established, we commanded to reform all things according to the ancient laws and public discipline of the Romans, and also to use this policy, that the Christians which had forsaken the religion of those forefathers should be brought again to the right way. For such fantastical singularity was amongst them, that those things which their elders had received and allowed, they rejected and disallowed, devising every man such laws as they thought good, and observed the same, assembling in divers places great multitudes of people.
1Amongst other thinges which for the benefite and cō modity of the common weale we established, we cōmaunded to reforme all thinges according to the auncient lawes and publicke discipline of the Romaines, and also to vse this pollicy, that the Christians which had forsaken the religion of those forefathers should be brought agayne to the right way. For such phātasticall singularity was amongst them, that those thinges which their elders had receiued and allowed, they re•ected and disallowed, deuising euery man such lawes as they thought good, and obserued the same, assembling in diuers places great multitudes of people.
- 1Maximinus countermand in the behalf of the Christians.Maximinus countermaund in the behalfe of the Christians.
Therefore when our foresaid decree was proclaimed, many there were that felt the penalty thereof, and many being troubled therefore suffered many kinds of death. And because we see yet that there be many which persevere in the same, which neither give due worship unto the Celestial Gods neither receive the God of the Christians, we having respect to our accustomed benignity, wherewith we are wont to show favour unto all men, think good in this cause also to extend our clemency, that the Christians may be again tolerated, and appoint them places where again they may meet together, so that they do nothing contrary to public order and discipline By an other Epistle we mean to prescribe unto the judges, what shall be convenient for them to do. Wherefore according as this our bountiful clemency deserveth, let them make intercession to God for our health, common weal, and for themselves, that in all places the state of of the common weal may be preserved, and that they themselves may be able safely to live within their bonds.