A67922:1438
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 streaming watery floods, ebb in time according as they flow. The raging sea abideth within her bounded limits And for that the Ocean Sea stretcheth out her self in equal length and breadth with the whole earth: this must needs be wrought with some marvellous workmanship of thine own hand: which thing unless it were at thy will made and disposed,1 without all doubt, so great difference and partition between, would or this time have brought utter ruin & destruction, both to the life of man, as to all that belongeth to man beside. Which for that they have such great and huge conflicts amongest themselves, as also the invisible spirits have: we give thee thanks, O Lord most mighty God of all Gods, that all mankind hath not been destroyed thereby. Surely,2 even as greatly as thy benignity and gentleness, is manifested by divers & sundry benefits bestowed upon us: so much also is the same set forth and declared in the discipline of thy eternal word, to those that be heavenly wise, & apply themselves to the attainment of sincere & true virtue. But if any such there be, that little regard or have but small respect unto the consideration thereof▪ let them not blame or lay a fault in others that do the same.3 For that Physic whereby health is obtained, is manifestly offered unto all men: now therefore let no man go about to subvert that, which experience it self doth show (of necessity) to be pure and good. Let us therefore altogether use the participation of this benefit bestowed upon us, that is to say, the benefit of peace and tranquillity, setting a part all controversy. And let no man hurt or be prejudicial to his fellow for that thing, wherein he thinketh him self to have done well. If by that, which any man knoweth and hath experience of, he thinketh he may profit his neighbour, let him do the same, if not, let him give over, and remit it till on other time. For there is a great diversity betwixt the willing and voluntary embracing of religion, and that when a man is thereunto enforced and coacted. Of these things have I made a more larger discourse, then in deed, the scope of mediocrity requireth: especially because I would not have my faith (touching the verity) to be hid.4