A67922:1694
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.
therefore we that desire by the same Passion to be saved, must wear the sign of the same passion with him upon the top of our head which is the highest part of our body. For as every Church that is made a Church by the death of the Saviour, doth use to bear the sign of the holy cross in the front: that it may the better by the defence of that banner, be kept from the invasions of evil spirits: & by the often admonition thereof, is taught to crucify the flesh, with the concupiscence of the same: In like manner it behoveth such as have the vows of Monks and degrees of the Clergy, to bind them selves with a straiter bit of continency for the Lords sake. And as the Lord bare a crown of thorn on his head in his passion,1 whereby he took & carried away from us the thorns and pricks of our sins: so must every one of us by shaving our heads, patiently bear and willingly suffer, the mocks and scorners of the world for his sake: That we may receive the crown of eternal life, which God hath promised to all that love him, & shall by shaving their corporal crowns bear the adversity, & contemn the prosperity of this world. But the shaving which Simon Magus used, what faithful man doth not detest together with his magical art? The which at the first appearance hath a show of a shaven crown, but if you mark his neck, you shall find it curtailed in such wise as you will say it is rather meet to be used of the Simonists then of the Christians.2 And such (of foolish men) be thought worthy of the glory of the eternal crown, whereas indeed for their ill living they are worthy not only to be deprived of the same but also of eternal salvation.3 I speak not this against them that use this kind of shaving, & live Catholicly in faith and good works, but surely I believe there be divers of them be very holy and godly men. Amongst the which is Adamnan, the Abbot and worthy Priest of the Columbians: who when he came Ambassador from his country unto king Alfride desired greatly to see our Monastery: where be declared a wonderful wisdom, humility and Religion both in his manners and words. Amongest other talk I asked him why he, that did believe to come to the crown of life that should never have end, did use contrary to his belief a definite Image of a crown on his head. And if you seek (quoth I) the fellowship of S.