A67922:1981
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.
And thus much by the way as touching the order and profession of Monks.1 Now to turn in again from whence we digressed (that is) to the matter of king Edgar, who following the counsel and leading of Dunstan, and the foresaid Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester, was somewhat thereby inclined to superstition. But otherwise of his own nature, well given to all virtues and princely acts worthy of much commendation,2 and famous memory. So excellent was he in justice, and sharp in correction of vices (as well in his magistrates, as other subjects) that never before his days was less felony by robbers, nor less extortion or bribery by false officers. Such Provinces & lordships as were not yet come under the kings subjection, he united and adjoined to his dominion. And ⟨p. 155⟩so made one perfect monarchy of the whole realm of England, with all the Islands and borders about the same. Such as were wicked, he kept under, he repressed them that were rebels, the godly he maintained, he loved the modest, he was devout to God, and beloved of his subjects, whom he governed in much peace and quietness. And as he was a great seeker of peace, so God did bless him with much abundance of peace and rest from all wars: so that as the history recordeth of him,3 Nullas insidias domesticorum, nullum exterminium alienorum sen serit, for the which he was called Pacificus. He neither tasted of any privy treason among his subjects, nor of any invasion of foreign enemies. So studious he was of the public profit of his Realm, and fruitful in his government, that as the said story testifieth of him, Nullus ferè anus in Chronicis praeterijt, quo non magnum & necessarium patriae aliquid fecerit: No year passed in all the time of his reign,4 wherein he did not some singular and necessary commodity for the common wealth, &c. A great maintainer he was of Religion and learning, not forgetting herein the foresteps of King Alfred his predecessor. Among his other princely virtues this chiefly is to be regarded, that where as other princes commonly in much peace and quietness, are wont to grow into a dissolute negligence of life, or oblivion of their charge committed unto them.