A67922:1977
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.
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 What man is so blind, that seeth not by these & infinite examples moe: what pernicious superstition hath begun by reason of this Monkery, almost from the beginning to creep into the Church? Wherefore I cannot marvel enough, seeing that age of the Church, had in it so many learned and famous Doctors, who not only did approve and allow these monastical sects of life: but also certain themselves were the authors and institutors of the same, yea and of mens traditions made the service of God. In number of whom may be reckoned Basilius Magnus, & Nazianzenus, who with immoderate austerity did so pluck down themselves,2 that when they were called to the office of Bishops, they were not able to sustain the labour thereof.
Hereunto might I also annexe the story of Mucius, who to declare his obedience, did not sticke at the commaundement of his Abbot, to cast his sonne into the water, not knowing whether any were appointed there ready to rescue him from drouning, so far were the Monkes in those dayes drouned in superstition. What is this, but for mans traditions and commaundements, to transgresse the commaundement of God, which saith: Thou shalt do no murther. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God?1 What man is so blynd, that seeth not by these & infinite examples mo: what pernitious superstition hath begun by reason of this Monkery, almost from the beginnyng to creepe into the Church? Wherfore I cannot maruell inough, seeyng that age of the Church, had in it so many learned and famous Doctors, who not onely did approue and allow these monasticall sectes of life: but also certaine themselues were the authors and institutors of the same, yea and of mens traditions made the seruice of God. In number of whome may be reckoned Basilius Magnus, & Nazianzenus, who with immoderate austeritie did so plucke downe themselues,