A67922:1399
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.
And so according to his request it was performed and granted. For this cause did Usthazares so much desire the cause of his death to be published: because that as his shrinking back from Christ, was a great occasion to many Christians to do the like: so now the same hearing that Usthazares dyed for no other cause but only for the religion of Christ, should learn likewise by his example to be fervent and constant in that which they profess. And thus this blessed Eunuch did consummate his Martyrdom.1 Of the which his Martyrdom, Simeon hearing being in prison was very joyful, and gave god thanks. Who in the next day following, being brought forth before the King, and constantly refusing to condescend to the Kings request,2 to worship visible creatures, was likewise by the commandment of the King beheaded, with a great number more, which the same day also did suffer, to the number as is said of an hundred and more. All which were put to death before Simeon, 3he standing by, and exhorting them, with comfortable words: admonishing them to stand firm and steadfast in the Lord, Preaching and teaching them concerning death, resurrection, and true piety, and proved by the Scriptures that to be true which he had said. Declaring moreover that to be true life in deed, so to dye: and that to be death in deed, to deny or to betray God for fear of punishment. And added further, that there was no man alive, but needs once must dye. For so much as to all men is appointed necessarily, here to have an end. But those things which after this life follow hereafter, to be eternal, which neither shall come to all men after one sort. But as the condition and trade of life in divers men doth differ, and is not in all men like: so the time shall come, when all men in a moment shall render and receive according to their doings in this present life immortal rewards: such as have here done well, of life and glory, such as have done contrary, of perpetual punishment: As touching therefore our well doing, here is no doubt but of all other our holy actions and virtuous deeds, there is no higher or greater deed, then if a man here loose his life, for his Lord God. With these words of comfortable exhortation, the holy Martyrs being prepared, willingly yielded up their lives to death.