A67922:1306
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.
Thus by the grievous tyranny and unspeakable wickedness of this Maxentius, 1the Citizens and Senators of Rome, being much grieved and oppressed, sent their complaints with letters unto Constantinus, with much suit and most hearty petitions, desiring him to help and release their Country and City of Rome: who hearing and understanding their miserable and pitiful state, and grieved therewith not a little, first sendeth by letters to Maxentius, desiring and exhorting him to refrain his corrupt doings, and great cruelty. But when no letters nor exhortations would prevail, at length pitying the woeful case of the Romans, gathered together his power and army in Britain and France, wherewith to repress the violent rage of that tyrant. Thus Constantinus sufficiently appointed with strength of men, but especially with strength of God, entered his journey coming toward Italy, which was about the last year of the persecution.2 Anno 318. Maxentius understanding of the coming of Constantine, and trusting more to his devilish Art of Magic, then to the good will of his subjects, which he little deserved, durst not show himself out of the City, nor encounter with him in the open field, but with privy garrisons laid in wait for him by the way, in sundry straights as he should come. With whom Constantine had divers skirmishes, and by the power of the Lord did ever vanquish them and put them to flight.3 Notwithstanding Constantinus yet was in no great comfort, but in great care and dread in his mind (approaching now near unto Rome) for the Magical charms and sorceries of Maxentius, wherewith he had vanquished before Severus sent by Galerius against him,4 as hath been declared, which made also Constantinus the more afraid. Wherefore being in great doubt and perplexity in himself, and revolving many things in his mind, what help he might have against the operations of his charming, which used to cut women great with child, to take his devilish charms by the entrails of the infants, with such other like feats of devilishness which he practised:
Thus by the grieuous tyranny and vnspeakable wickednesse of thys Maxentius,