A67922:1785
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.
Kinreda sister of king Ulferus and Kinswida her sister, were both Nuns professed. Sexburga daughter of king Anna king of Mercians, and wife of Ercombert king of Kent, was Abbess at Ely. Elfrida daughter of Oswy king of Northumberland, was Abbess of Whitney. Mildreda, Milburga, and Milguida, all three daughters of Merwaldus king of West Mercians, entered the profession and vow of Nunnish virginity.1 Kineburga, wife of Alfride king of Northumberland, and sister to Ofricus king of Mercians, and daughter of king Penda, was professed Abbess of the Monastery in Gloucester, Elfleda, daughter of Oswy king, and wife of Peda, son of king Penda, likewise enclosed her self in the same profession and vow of Romish chastity.2 Likewise Alfritha wife to king Edgar. And Editha daughter to the said Edgar, with Wolfrith her mother, &c. All which holy Nuns with divers moe, the Romish catholics have canonised for Saints, and put the most part of them in their Calendar, and only because of the vow of chastity solemnly professed. Concerning the which chastity, whether they kept or no, little I have to say against them, and less to swear for them. But whether they so kept it or not, if this gift of chastity which they professed, were given them of God, small praise worthy was it in them to keep it: If it were not given them, I will not say here of them so much, as hath been said of some other, which sufficiently have painted out to the world, the demeanour of these holy votaries. But this will I say, that although they kept it never so perfectly, yet it is not that which maketh saints before God, but only the blood of Christ Jesus, and a true faith in him.
Kinreda sister of king Vlferus and Kinswida her sister, were both Nunnes professed. Sexburga daughter of kyng Anna king of Mercians, and wyfe of Ercombert kyng of Kent, was Abbesse at Ely. Elfrida daughter of Oswy kyng of Northumberland, was Abbesse of Whitney. Mildreda, Milburga, and Milguida, all three daughters of Merwaldus king of West Mercians, entred the profession and vow of Nūnish virginitie.1 Kineburga, wife of Alfride king of Northumberland, and sister to Ofricus king of Mercians, and daughter of king Penda, was professed Abbesse of the Monastery in Glocester, Elfleda, daughter of Oswy king, and wyfe of Peda, sonne of king Penda, likewise inclosed her self in the same profession and vow of Romish chastitie.