A67922:1352
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.
In this fellowship and company of martyrs can not be left out and forgot the story of Cyrus: This Cyrus was a Physician borne in Alexandria, which fleeing into Egypt, in the persecution of Dioclesianus, and Maximianus, led a solitary life in Arabia, being much spoken of for his learning and miracles, unto whose company after a certain time did Joannes, borne in the City of Edessa, beyond the river Euphrates, join himself, leaving the soldiers life which before that time he had exercised. But whilst as yet the same persecution raged in a city in Egypt called Canope, there was cast into prison for the confession of their faith, a certain godly Christian woman, called Athanasia, and her three daughters,1 Theoctiste, Theodota, and Eudoxia: with whom Cyrus was well acquainted. At whose infirmities he much fearing accompanied with his brother John, came and visited them for their better confirmation: at which time Lyrianus was chief captain and Lieutenant of Egypt, of whose wickedness and cruelty, especially against women and maidens: Athanasius maketh mention in his Apologies, and in his Epistle to those that lead a solitary life. This Cyrus therefore and Joannes, being accused and apprehended of the Heathen men, as by whose persuasions, the maidens and daughters of Athanasia contumeliously,2 despised the Gods and the Emperors religion, & could by no means be brought to do sacrifice, were after the publication of their constant confession put to death by the sword. Athanasia also and her three daughters being condemned to death. This history writeth Simeon Metaphrastes ▪3
In this felowship and company of martyrs can not be left out and forgotte the story of Cyrus: This Cyrus was a Phisition borne in Alexandria, which fleing into Egipt, in the persecution of Dioclesianus, and Maximianus, led a solitary life in Arabia, being much spoken of for his learning and myracles, vnto whose company after a certaine tyme did Ioannes, borne in the Citie of Edessa, beyond the ryuer Euphrates, ioyne himself, leauing the souldiers life which before that time he had exercised. But whilest as yet the same persecution raged in a city in Egipt called Canope, there was cast into prison for the confession of their fayth, a certayne godly Christian woman, called Athanasia, and her three daughters,