A67922:1322
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.
There was between him and Constantinus in the beginning great familiarity: and such agreement, that Constantinus gave unto him his sister Constantia in Matrimony, as Aurelius Victor writeth. Neither would any man have thought him to have been of any other Religion then Constantinus was of, he seemed in all things so well to agree with him. Whereupon he made a decree with Constantinus in the behalf of the Christians, as we have showed. Eusebius, 1Lib. 9. cap. 9. And such was Licinius in the beginning. But after arming him self with tyranny, began to conspire against the person of Constantinus, of whom he had received so great benefits, neither favourable to the law of nature, nor mindful of his oaths, his blood, nor promises. But when he considered that in his conspiracies he nothing prevailed,2 for that he saw Constantinus was preserved and safely defended of God: And partly being puffed up with the victory against Maximinus, he began vehemently to hate him, and not only to reject the Christian religion, but also deadly to hate the same. He said he would become an enemy unto the Christians, for that in their assemblies and meetings they prayed not for him, but for Constantinus. Therefore, first by little and little and that secretly, he went about to wrong and hurt the christians,3 & banished them his Court, which never were by any means prejudicial to his kingdom. Then he commanded that all those should be deprived which were knights of the honourable order, unless they would do sacrifice to devils. Euseb. lib. 10. cap. 8. The same persecution afterwards stretched he from his court, into all his provinces, which with most wicked and devised laws he set forth. First, that for no cause the Bishops should in any matter communicate together: neither that any man should come at the Churches next unto them, or to call any assemblies, and consult for the necessary matters and utility of the Church.
There was betweene him and Constantinus in the beginning great familiaritie: and such agreement, that Constantinus gaue vnto him his sister Constantia in Matrimonie, as Aurelius Victor wryteth. Neither woulde any man haue thought him to haue bene of any other Religion then Constantinus was of, hee seemed in all thinges so well to agree with him. Wherupon he made a decree with Constantinus in the behalfe of the Christians, as we haue shewed. Eusebius,