A67922:1632
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.
1After the death of Gregory, above mentioned, first came Sabinianus, who as he was a malicious detractor of Gregory & of his works, so he continued not long, scarce the space of two years. After whom succeeded next Bonifacius the 3. which albeit he reigned but one year,2 yet in the one year he did more hurt then Gregory, with so great labours, and in so many years could do good before: for that which Gregory kept out, he brought in, obtaining of Phocas the wicked Emperor for him and his successors after him, that the sea of Rome above all other churches should have the preeminence: and that the Bishop of Rome should be the universal head, through all Churches of Christ in Christendom: alleging for him this frivolous reason, that S Peter had and left to his successors in Rome the keys of binding and loosing, &c. And thus began first Rome to take an head above all other Churches, by the means of Boniface the 3.3 who as he lacked no boldness nor ambition to seek it, so neither lacked he an Emperor fit and meet to give such a gift. This Emperors name was Phocas a man of such wickedness and ambition most like to his own Bishop Boniface, that to aspire to the Empire, he murdered his own master and Emperor Mauritius, & his children. Thus Phocas coming up to be Emperor, after this detestable villainy done: thinking to establish his Empire with friendship and favour of his people, & especially with the bishop of Rome: quickly condescended to all his petitions, & so granted him (as it is said) to be that he would, the universal and head Bishop over all Christen Churches. But as blood commonly requireth blood again, so it came to pass on the said Phocas. For as he had cruelty slain the Lord and Emperor,4 Mauritius, before, so he in like manner (of Heraclius the Emperor succeeding him) had his hands and feet cut of, & so was cast into the Sea. And this wicked Phocas which gave the first supremacy to Rome, lost his own. But Rome would not so soon loose his supremacy once given, as the giver lost his life: for ever since from that day it hath holden, defended, and maintained the same still, and yet doth to this present day, by all force & policy possible. And thus much concerning Boniface, whom, by the words of Gregory, we may well call the runner before Antichrist.