A67922:1436
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.
Then did the earth without doubt,1 herself bewail her children and the round world which containeth all things, being sprinkled and imbrued with their blood made doleful lamentation for them, and the day it self provoked for to mourn, was made amazed for them. But what is this to purpose. Now the very barbarous nations rejoice for their sakes which received and harboured them, when they were afraid and fled from us: keeping them as it were in most loving & amiable captivity. And they saved not only their lives, but also were a defence for their religion. And now also the Romaine nation remembereth and hath before there eyes this blame and spot, which the Christians that were of that time, worthily gave unto them when they by them were banished (as unfit members of their common wealth) amongst the barbarous people. What needeth to make further rehearsal of the mourning lamentation, which the heathen people themselves throughout all the world, made for the pitiful murder and slaughter of them? After this it came to pass that they which were authors of all these mischiefs died also,2 and were committed for there reward to the most filthy & horrible dungeon of hell. They being so entangled with intestine and civil wars, left alive neither name nor kinsmen of their own: which thing undoubtedly had not chanced unless the wicked divinations of Apollos oracles had deceived & bewitched them.3 To thee therefore now I pray, oh most mighty God, that thou wilt vouchsafe to be merciful, and pardon all the east parts and inhabitants of the same, being oppressed with present calamity: and that by me thy servant thou wilt of thy goodness help and relieve the same. And these things rashly crave I not at thy hands: oh Lord, most mighty and holiest God of all.4 For I being persuaded by the only oracles have both begone and also finished wholesome and profitable things, and further by the bearing and showing of thine ensign, have overcome a mighty and strong host, and when any necessity of the common weal (to my charge committed) requireth thereunto, (following those signs & tokens of thy virtues) I boldly go forth and fight against mine enemies: and for this cause have I sacrificed my soul unto thee, purified and cleansed both with thy love and fear.