A67922:138
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.
¶ The fourth consideration.
Wherefore, well beloved, these things being so, let us call our selves to mind, considering the times that have been, the times that be, and times that may come, how we stand, and by whom we stand. If it be the favour of God only, that doth support us in the midst of so many enemies, let us beware, in no wise we provoke his indignation. If it be his trueth and Gospel that we profess, let us walk in the light of his truth, and keep our selves within the compass of his Gospel: what the Gospel requireth, and what it abhorreth, who knoweth not? And yet who followeth that he knoweth? If S. Paul willeth every one to depart from iniquity▪ which nameth the Lord Jesus: And if the Lord Jesus himself testifieth plainly, his kingdom not to be of this world, how will then the nature of that kingdom so spiritual, and our conditions so worldly match well together? To rip up all our deformities in particular, I mind not here, neither need I, the same being so evident to all mens eyes, that who cannot see our excessive outrage in pompous apparel, our carnal desires and unchaste demeanours, without fear of God, our careless security with out conscience, as though there were no judgement to come, our studies so upon this world, as though there were no other heaven: what pride and idleness of life, double dissembling in word & deed with out simplicity, avarice unsatiable, little regard to hear Gods word, less to read it, least of all to follow it, every man aspiring to worldly wealth and promotion, little or no mercy to the poor, racking of rents & fines, bribing and taking unmeasurable. What should I speak of the contentions and unbrotherly division amongest us most lamentable to see,1 but more lamentable, if all were seen which may or is like to follow upon the same. Such were the times once of the Church before the horrible persecution of Diocletian, for so we read, such hatred and disdain, through much peace and prosperity of the Church, to creep in amongest the Church men. Read pag. 77.
WHerfore, welbeloued, these thinges being so, let vs call our selues to mind, considering the times that haue bene, the times that be, and times that may come, how we stand, and by whom we stand. If it be the fauor of God onely, that doth support vs in the midst of so many enemies, let vs beware, in no wise we prouoke his indignation. If it be his trueth and Gospell that we professe, let vs walke in the light of his truth, and keepe our selues within the compasse of his Gospell: what the Gospel requireth, and what it abhorreth, who knoweth not? And yet who foloweth that he knoweth? If S. Paule willeth euery one to depart from iniquity which nameth the Lord Iesus: And if the Lord Iesus himselfe testifieth playnely, his kingdome not to be of this worlde, how will then the nature of that kingdome so spirituall, and our conditions so worldly match well together? To rippe vp all our deformities in particular, I minde not here, neither need I, the same being so euident to all mens eyes, that who cannot see our excessiue outrage in pompous apparrell, our carnall desires and vnchast demeanors, without feare of God, our careles security with out conscience, as though there were no iudgement to come, our studyes so vpon this world, as though there were no other heauen: what pride and idlenes of life, double dissembling in word & deed with out simplicity, auarice vnsatiable, litle regard to heare Gods word, lesse to read it, least of all to folow it, euery man aspiring to worldly wealth and promotion, litle or no mercye to the poore, racking of rentes & fines, bribing and taking vnmeasurable. What should I speake of the contentions and vnbrotherly diuision amongest vs most lamentable to see,