A67922:1304
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.
Now let us return to Maxentius again,1 who all this while reigned at Rome, with tyranny and wickedness intolerable, much like to an other Pharaoh or Nero. For he slew the most part of his noble men, and took from them their goods. And sometime in his rage he would destroy great multitudes of the people of Rome by his soldiers, as Eusebius declareth,2 lib. 8. cap. 14. Also he left no mischievous nor lascivious act unattempted, but was the utter enemy of all womanly chastity, which used to send the honest wives whom he had adulterated with shame and dishonesty unto their husbands (being worthy Senators) after that he had ravished them. He abstained from no adulterous act, but was inflamed with the inquencheable lust of deflowering of women.3 Letus declareth that he being at a time far in love with a noble & chaste gentlewoman of Rome, sent unto her such courtiers of his, as were mete for that purpose, whom also he had in greater estimation then any others, and with such was wont to consult about matters for the common weal. These first fell upon her husband and murdered him within his own house, then when they could by no means neither with fear of the tyrant,4 nor with threatening of death pull her away from him: At length she being a Christian desired leave of them to go into her chamber, and after her prayers she would accomplish that which they requested. And when she had gotten into her chamber, under this pretence, she killed her ⟨p. 85⟩self. But the Courtiers when they saw that the woman tarried so long, they being displeased therewith, brake open the doors, and found her there lying dead. Then returned they and declared this matter to the Emperor, who was so far past shame, that in stead of repentance, he was the more set on fire in attempting the like.
Now let vs returne to Maxentius againe,1 who all this while raigned at Rome, with tiranny and wickednes intollerable, much like to an other Pharao or Nero. For hee slewe the most part of his noble men, and tooke from them their goodes. And sometime in his rage he would destroy great multitudes of the people of Rome by his souldiors, as Eusebius declareth,