A67922:1292
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.
The weak and imbecile rebellion of mans mind (all obscurity and blindness of ignorance set apart, which hitherto hath wrapped the minds of impious and miserable men, in the pernicious darkness of ignorance) is now at the length able to discern, that the same is governed, as also corroborated by the providence of the immortal gods the lovers of virtue: which thing, how acceptable it is to us, how pleasant and grateful, and how much proof the same hath declared of your well disposed willing minds, is incredible to be told: Although this was not unknown before with what diligence and devotion ye served the immortal Gods, whose wonderful and constant faith is not known by bare and naked words, but by your worthy & notable deeds. Wherefore worthily is your City called the habitation and seat of the immortal Gods, and by many examples it appeareth that the same flourisheth, and prospereth by the presence of the celestial Gods. For behold, your City not regarding your private businesses, nor esteeming that which should have been for the special commodity thereof, when it perceived that cursed vanity to begin again to creep, and as a fire negligently quenched, when the dead brands thereof began to kindle and make a great flame: by and by without delay ye having recourse unto our piety, as unto the Metropolitan of all divine worship and Religion, 1craved remedy and help, which wholesome mind for your piety's sake, it is most manifest that the gods have endued you with. Therefore he, even that most mighty Jupiter I say, which preserveth your most famous City: to that intent he might deliver and make free your country Gods, your wives and children, your household Gods and houses, from all detestable corruption, hath inspired you with this wholesome and willing mind, showing & declaring how worthy, notable, and healthful a thing it is to worship & to sacrifice to the immortal Gods.
The weake and imbecil rebellion of mans minde (all obscuritie and blindnesse of ignorance set aparte, which hetherto hath wrapped the mindes of impious and miserable men, in the pernitious darkenesse of ignoraunce) is now at the length able to discerne, that the same is gouerned, as also corroborated by the prouidence of the immortall gods the louers of vertue: which thing, how acceptable it is to vs, howe pleasant and gratefull, and howe much proofe the same hath declared of your wel disposed willing minds, is incredible to be tolde: Although this was not vnknown before with what diligence and deuotion yee serued the immortall Gods, whose wonderfull and constant faith is not knowen by bare and naked wordes, but by your worthy & notable deeds. Wherefore worthely is your Citie called the habitation and seate of the immortall Gods, and by many examples it appeareth that the same flourisheth, and prospereth by the presence of the celestiall Gods. For beholde, your Citie not regarding your priuate businesses, nor esteeming that which shoulde haue bene for the speciall commoditie thereof, when it perceaued that cursed vanitie to begin againe to creepe, and as a fire negligently quenched, when the dead brandes thereof began to kindle and make a great flame: by and by without delay ye hauing recourse vnto our pietie, as vnto the Metropolitan of all diuine worship and Religion,