A67922:1317
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.
directing down a certain decree in the behalf of the Christians, wherein he pretendeth to write to Sabinus afore mentioned, first repeating unto him the former decree of Diocletian and Maximinian in few words, with the commandment therein contained touching the persecution against the Christians. After that he reciteth the Decree which he himself made against them, when he came first to the imperial dignity in the East part joined with Constantius. Then the Countermand of an other Decree of his again, for the rescuing of the Christians, with such feigned and pretensed causes, as is in the same to be seen. After that declareth how he coming to Nicomedia, at the suit and supplication of the Citizens (which he also feigned, as may appear before) he applying to their suit, revoked that his former Edict, and granted them that no Christian should dwell within their City or territories. Upon which Sabinus also had given forth his letters, rehearsing withal the general recountermaunde sent forth by him, for the persecution again of the Christians. Last of all now he sendeth down again an other Surrecountermaund,1 with the causes therein contained, touching the safety of the Christians, and tranquillity of them: Commanding Sabinus to publish the same. Which edict of his is at large set forth of Eusebius, lib. 9. cap. 9. But this Surrecountermaunde he then dissimuled, as he had ⟨p. 87⟩done in the other before. Howbeit shortly after, he making wars, and fighting a battle with Licinius, wherein he lost the victory,2 coming home again, took great indignation against the Priests and Prophets of his Gods, whom before that time he had great regard unto, and honoured: upon whose answers he trusting, & depending upon their enchantments, began his war against Licinius. But after that he perceived himself to be deceived by them,3 as by wicked enchanters and deceivers, and such as had betrayed his safety and person, he killed and put them to death. And he shortly after, oppressed with a certain disease, glorified the God of the Christians, and made a most absolute law for the safety and preservation of them, with franchise and liberty: the copy whereof ensueth.