A67922:1706
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.
So notable and famous was the learning of this foresaid Bede, 1that the Church of Rome (as by this letter appeareth) both stood in need of his help, and also requireth the same, about the discussing of certain causes and controversies appertaining to learning. Moreover the whole Latin church at that time, gave him the mastery in judgement and knowledge of the holy Scripture.2 In all his explanations his chiefest scope and purpose did ever drive, to instruct and inform his Reader simply and without all curiousness of stile, in the sincere love of god, & of his neighbour. As touching the holiness and integrity of his life, it is not to be doubted: for how could it be, that he should attend to any vicious idleness, or had any leisure to the same, who in reading & digesting so many volumes, consumed all his whole cogitations in writing upon the scriptures: for so he testifieth of himself in the 3. book upon Samuel, saying in these words. If my treatises and expositions, saith he, bring with them no other utility to the Readers thereof: yet to my self they conduce not a little in this, that while all my study and cogitation was set upon them, in the mean while of the slippery enticements and vain cogitations of this world I had little mind. Thus in this travail of study he continued till the age of 62. years.3 At length drawing to his latter end, being sick vij. weeks together besides other occupiyngs of his mind,4 and other studies which he did not intermit: he translated also the gospel of S. John into English. At length with great comfort of spirit departed this life, pronouncing many comfortable sayings to them that stood about him, upon the Ascension day, the same year when Nothelinus was instituted Archbishop of Canterbury. And thus much concerning the story of Bede.
So notable and famous was the learning of this foresayd Bede, 1that the Church of Rome (as by this letter appeareth) both stood in need of his helpe, and also requireth the same, about the discussing of certaine causes and controuersies appertaining to learning. Moreouer the whole Latin church at that time, gaue him the maisterie in iudgement and knowledge of the holy Scripture.