A67922:1976
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.
An other story he also reciteth of two Monastical brethren, who making their progress, in the desert of Thebaid: purposed with themselves,1 to take no sustenance, but such as the Lord should minister himself unto them. It happened, as they were wandering desolate in the desert, and fainting almost for penury, certain Mazices, a kind of people by nature fierce and cruel: notwithstanding, being suddenly altered into a new nature of humanity, came forth and of their own accord offered bread unto them. Which bread the one thankfully received, as sent of God. The other as counting it sent of man and not of God, refused it, and so for lack perished.
An other story he also reciteth of two Monasticall brethren, who making their progresse, in the desert of Thebaide: purposed with thēselues,1 to take no sustenance, but such as the Lord should minister himselfe vnto them. It happened, as they were wandering desolate in the desert, and faynting almost for penury, certayne Mazices, a kinde of people by nature fearce and cruel: notwithstanding, being sodenly altered into a new nature of humanitye, came forth and of their owne accord offered bread vnto them. Which bread the one thankfully receaued, as sent of God. The other as counting it sent of man and not of God, refused it, and so for lacke perished.
- 1Cassian. lib. 6. cap. 2.
Hereunto might I also annex the story of Mucius, who to declare his obedience, did not stick at the commandment of his Abbot, to cast his son into the water, not knowing whether any were appointed there ready to rescue him from drowning, so far were the Monks in those days drowned in superstition. What is this, but for mans traditions and commandments, to transgress the commandment of God, which saith: Thou shalt do no murder. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God?1