A67922:1992
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.
1Over and besides all these vices noted and objected to king Edgar in our monkish storywriters, I also observe another no less, or rather greater vice then the other afore recited, which was blind superstition and idolatrous mom kery brought into the church of Christ, with the wrongful expulsing of lawful married priests out of their houses. Whereupon, what inconveniences ensued after in this realm, especially in the house of the Lord, I leave it to the consideration of them which have heard of the detestable enormities of these religious votaries. The occasion whereof, first and chiefly began in this Edgar through the instigation of Dunstan and his fellows, who after they had inveigled the king & had brought him to their purpose, they caused him to call a Council of the Clergy, where it was enacted and decreed,2 that the Canons of divers Cathedral churches, Colleginars, Persons, Vicars, Priests and Deacons, with their wives and children, either should give over that kind of life, or else give room to Monks, &c. For execution of which decree, two principal Visitors were appointed, Athelwold or Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, and Oswald bishop of Worcester, as is partly before touched.3 Osbernus in vita Dunstani, Malmesb. De vit. pontif. Rog, Hoved.
1Ouer and besides all these vices noted and obiected to king Edgar in our monkish storywriters, I also obserue another no lesse, or rather greater vice then the other afore recited, which was blynd superstition and idolatrous mō kery brought into the church of Christ, with the wrongfull expulsing of lawful maried priests out of their houses. Whereupon, what inconueniences ensued after in this realm, especially in the house of the Lord, I leaue it to the consideration of them which haue heard of the detestable enormities of these religious votaries. The occasiō wherof, first and chiefly began in this Edgar through the instigation of Dunstane and his fellowes, who after they had inueigled the kyng & had brought him to their purpose, they caused him to call a Councell of the Clergy, where it was enacted and decreed,2 that the Canons of diuers Cathedral churches, Colleginars, Persons, Uicars, Priests and Deacons, with their wiues and childrē, either should geue ouer that kind of life, or els geue roume to Monkes, &c. For execution of which decree, two principall Uisitors were appointed, Athelwold or Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, and Oswold bishop of Worcester, as is partly before touched.