A67922:1434
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 copy of an Epistle of Constantinus, sent to his subjects inhabiting in the East.1 Victor Constantinus Maximus, Augustus, to our loving subjects inhabiting throughout the east parts, sendeth greeting. The thing it self, which in the sure and most firm law of nature is contained, doth give unto all men (even as God hath ordained the same) sufficient perseverance and understanding,2 both of such things as man ought to foresee, as also what things presently he ought to meditate. Neither is there any thing therein to be doubted, of such as have their minds directed to the scope or mark of perfect understanding: so that the perfect comprehending of sound reason, and the perseverance thereof, be compared with the knowledge of God,3 being the true and perfect virtue. Wherefore let no wise man be troubled, although he see divers men of divers dispositions. For wisdom which springeth of virtue cannot abide, or acquaint her self with fond idiots, unless, that (on the other side) the malice of perverse lithernes prolong her days, and cause the same Idiocy to survive. Wherefore assuredly the crown and price of virtue lieth open unto all men, & the most mighty God ordereth the judgement of the same. I undoubted as manifestly as possible is, will endeavour my self to testify and confess unto you all, the hope which is in me. I think verily that the Emperors which before this time have lately been, even for their tyranny had the Empire taken from them: & my father only exercising and using all meekness and lenity in his affairs, calling upon God the father, with great devotion & humility, hath been exalted to the same. And all the rest, as men wanting their wits, and in comparison as savage beasts, rather did give themselves to like cruelty, then unto any lenity & gentleness towards their subjects: in which tyranny every one for his time being nuzzled,4 utterly subverted the true and unfallible doctrine. And so great malice was their kindled in their breasts, that when all things were in peaceable tranquility, they made and raised most cruel and bloody intestine or civill wars.
The copy of an Epistle of Constantinus, sent to his subiectes inhabiting in the East.