A67922:1356
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.
No less worthy of commemoration is the lamentable Martyrdom of Vincentius, whose history here followeth. This Vincentius was a Spaniard, and a Levite most godly and virtuous, who at this time suffered Martyrdom at Valence, under Dacianus the President, as we may gather by Prudentius in his hymn.1 Bergomensis in his supplement reciteth these words concerning his martyrdom, out of a certain sermon of S. Augustine: Our heart conceived not a vain and fruitless sight (as it were in beholding of lamentable tragedies) but a great sight & marvellous, certainly, and there with singular pleasure received it, when the painful passion of Victorius Vincentius was read unto us. Is there any so heavy hearted, that will not be moved in the contemplation of this immovable Martyr so manly, or rather so godly fighting against the craft and subtlety of that Serpent, against the tyranny of Dacianus, against the horrors of death, & by the mighty spirit of his God conquering all: But let us in few words rehearse the degrees of his torments though the pains thereof in many words can not be expressed. First Dacianus caused the Martyr to be laid upon the torture,2 and all the joints of his body to be distended and racked out, until they cracked again. This being done in most extreme and cruel manner all the members of his painful and pitiful body were grievously indented with deadly wounds. Thirdly (that his dolours & griefs might be augmented) they miserably vexed his flesh with iron combs sharply filed. And to the end the tormentors might vomit out all their vengeance on the meek & mild martyrs flesh, the tormentors themselves also were vilely scourged at the Presidents commandment. And lest his passion through want of pains might seem imperfect or else to easy, they laid his body being all out of joint, on a grate of iron, which body when they had opened with iron hooks, they seared it with fiery plates, with hot burning salt sprinkling the same. Last of all into a vile dungeon was this mighty Martyr drawn, the flour whereof first was thick spread with the sharpest shells that might be gotten, his feet then being fast locked in the stocks, there was he left alone without all worldly comfort: but the Lord his God was with him, the holy spirit of God (whose office is to comfort the godly afflicted) fulfilled his hart with joy & gladness.
No lesse worthy of commemoration is the lamentable Martyrdome of Vincentius, whose historie here followeth. This Vincentius was a Spaniard, and a Leuite most godly and vertuous, who at this time suffered Martyrdom at Valence, vnder Dacianus the President, as we may gather by Prudentius in his hymne.