A67922:1637
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.
Edwin being yet a Pagan, married the daughter of Ethelbert king of kent, called Edelburge a Christian woman, otherwise called Tace. But before this marriage, Edwin being yet young, Ethelfride the king, conceiving envy against him: persecuted him so sore, that he was forced to flee to Redwaldus king of Eastangles, as in the table of the kings is expressed. The which Redwaldus what for fear, what with bribes being corrupted of Ethelfride, at length privily had intended to have betrayed Edwin. But as gods will was, Edwin having warning thereof by a secrete friend of his, was moved to flee and to save himself being promised also of his friends to be safely conveyed away, if he would thereto agree. To whom Edwin said, whether shall I flee which have so long fled the hands of mine enemies, through all provinces of the Realm? And if I must needs be slain I had rather that he should do it, then an other unworthy person. Thus he remaining by himself alone & solitary, sitting in a great study, there appeared unto him suddenly, a certain stranger, to him unknown, and said, I know well the cause of thy thought and heaviness. What wouldest thou give him that should deliver thee out of this fear, & should reconcile king Redwald to thee again? I would give him (said Edwin) all that ever I could make. And he said again: And what if he make thee a mightier king, then was any of thy Progenitors? He answered again as before. Moreover, (saith he) and what if he show thee a better kind and way of life, then ever was showed to any of thine ancestors before thee: wilt thou obey him & do after his counsel? yea (said Edwin) promising most firmly, with all his hart so to do.1 Then he laying his hand upon his head when (said he) this token happeneth unto thee: then remember this time of thy tribulation, & the promise which thou hast made, and the word which now I say unto thee. And with that he vanished out of his sight suddenly. After this so done as Edwin was sitting alone by him self pensive and sad:2 his foresaid friend, which moved him before to flee cometh to him, bidding him be of good cheer, for the hart (said he) of king Redwaldus which had before intended thy destruction, was now altered through the counsel of the Queen, and is fully bent to keep his promise with you, whatsoever shall fall thereupon.
Edwine being yet a Pagane, maryed the daughter of Ethelbert king of kent, called Edelburge a Christian womā, otherwise called Tace. But before this mariage, Edwyne beyng yet young, Ethelfride the king, conceyuing enuy agaynst him: persecuted him so sore, that he was forced to flee to Redwaldus king of Eastangles, as in the table of the kings is expressed. The which Redwaldus what for feare, what with bribes being corrupted of Ethelfride, at length priuily had intēded to haue betrayed Edwyne. But as gods will was, Edwyne hauing warning thereof by a secrete frynde of his, was mooued to flee and to saue himselfe beyng promised also of his friendes to bee safely conueyed awaye, if he would thereto agree. To whome Edwyne said, whether shall I flee which haue so long fleene the handes of myne enymies, through all prouinces of the Realme? And if I must nedes be slayne I had rather that he should doe it, then an other vnworthy person. Thus he remayning by himselfe alone & solitarie, sitting in a great study, there appeared vnto him sodainely, a certaine straunger, to hym vnknowne, and saide, I knowe well the cause of thy thought and heauines. What wouldest thou giue him that should deliuer thee out of this feare, & should recōcile king Redwald to thee againe? I woulde gyue him (saide Edwyne) al that euer I coulde make. And he saide agayne: And what if he make thee a mightier king, then was anye of thy Progenitours? Hee aunswered againe as before. Moreouer, (saith he) and what if hee shewe thee a better kind and way of life, then euer was shewed to any of thine aunceters before thee: wilt thou obey him & doe after his counsell? yea (said Edwyne) promising most firmely, wyth al his hart so to do.