A67922:1406
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 rumour and noise of this so miserable affliction of the Christians in the kingdom of Persia, coming to the ears of Constantinus the Emperor, put him in great heaviness, studding and revolving with himself, how to help the matter, which in deed was very hard for him to do. It so befell the same time, that certain Ambassadors were then at Rome from Sapores king of Persia, to whom Constantinus did easily grant, and consent, satisfying all their requests, and demands, thinking thereby to obtain the more friendship at the kings hands, that at his request, he would be good to the Christians to whom he writeth his Epistle in their behalf, and sendeth the same by his messengers beginning thus:
The rumor and noyse of this so miserable affliction of the Christians in the kingdome of Persia, comming to the eares of Constantinus the Emperour, put him in great heauines, studing and reuoluing with himselfe, howe to helpe the matter, which in deede was very hard for him to do. It so befell the same time, that certaine Embassadours were then at Rome from Sapores king of Persia, to whom Constantinus did easely graunt, and consent, satisfying all their requestes, and demaundes, thinking thereby to obtaine the more friendship at the kings handes, that at hys request, he would be good to the Christians to whome he writeth his Epistle in their behalfe, and sendeth the same by his messengers beginning thus:
Divinam fidem seruans veritatis lucem sortior. Veritatis luce ductus divinam fidem cognosco. Per ea igitur, quibus illa res agendas confirmat, sanctissimam religionem cognitam redd•, & hunc m• cultum doctorem cognitionis sancti dei habere confiteor. &c. Eusebius. de vita. Constantinus. lib. 4. The contents whereof, briefly do tend to this effect. Declaring unto him how he should stand much beholden to him, if at his request he would show some quiet and rest to the Christians. In whose religion there was nothing which he could justly blame. For so much as in their sacrifices they use to kill nothing, nor to shed no blood, but only to offer up unbloody sacrifices, to make their prayers unto God, who delighteth not in blood shedding, but only in the soul that loveth virtue, and followeth such doctrine and knowledge, which is agreeing to true piety. And therefore such men as do lead him and learn so to believe, and to worship God, are more to be commended. Moreover he assureth him to find God more merciful to him, if he would embrace the godly piety and truth of the Christians. And for example thereof, bringeth in the stories of Galienus and Valerianus,