A67922:130
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 first consideration.
AS in the page before, four questions were moved to the Catholic Papists to answer them at their leisure: so have I here to the Christian Gospellers four considerations likewise for them to muse upon, with speed convenient.
AS in the page before, foure questions were moued to the Catholick Papists to answere them at theyr leysure: so haue I here to the Christian Gospellers foure considerations likewise for them to muse vpon, with speede conuenient.
The first consideration is this every good man well to weigh with himself the long tranquillity, the great plenty, the peaceable liberty, which the Lord of his mercy hath bestowed upon this land during all the reign hitherto of this our Sovereign and most happy Queen ELIZABETH, in such sort as the like example of Gods abundant mercies are not to be seen in any nation about us, so as we may well sing with the Psalm in the Churche. Non fecit taliter omni nation•, & opes gloria suae non manifestavit eis ▪ first in having the true light of Gods gospel so shining among us, so publicly received, so freely preached, with such liberty of conscience without danger professed, having withal a Prince so virtuous, a Queen so gracious given unto us, of our own native country, bred and borne amongst us so quietly governing us, so long lent unto us in such peace defending us, against such as would else devour us: briefly what could we have more at Gods hand, if we would wish? or what else could we wish in this world, that we have not if this one thing lacked not grace to use that well, which we have.