A67922:1349
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.
Basilius in a certain Sermon of 40. Martyrs rehearseth this story not unworthy to be noted. There came (saith he) into a certain place (which place he maketh no mention of) the Emperors Marshall or officer, with the edict which the Emperor had set out against the Christians, that whosoever confessed Christ, should after many torments suffer death. And first they did privily suborn certain which should detect & accuse the Christians whom they had found out, or had laid wait for: upon this the sword,1 the gibbet, the wheel, & the whips were brought forth: At the terrible sight whereof, the harts of all the beholders did shake & tremble. Some for fear did flee, some did stand in doubt what to do: Certain were so terrified at the beholding of these engines & tormenting instruments that they denied their faith. Some other began the game, and for a time did abide the conflict and agony of Martyrdom, but vanquished at length, by the intolerable pain of their torments,2 made shipwreck of their consciences, & lost the glory of their confession. Among other xl. there were at that time young gentlemen all soldiers, which after the Marshall had showed the Emperors Edict, and required of all men the obedience of the same, freely & boldly of their own accord confessed themselves to be Christians & declared to him their names. The Marshall somewhat amazed at this their boldness of speech, standeth in doubt, what was best to do. Yet forthwith he goeth about to win them with fair words, advertising them to consider their youth, neither that they should change a cruel and untimely death,3 •or a sweet and pleasant life: After that he promiseth them money, and honourable offices in the Emperors name. But they little esteeming all these things break forth into a long and bold Oration, affirming that they did neither desire life, dignity, nor money, but only the celestial kingdom of Christ, saying further that they are ready for the love and faith they have in god, to endure the affliction of the wheel, the cross, and the fire. The rude Marshall being herewith offended,4 deviseth a new kind of punishment.