A67922:2126
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.
This Sylvester was a Sorcerer,1 which after the sort of them, that work by familiars (as they call them) and by conjuration▪ compacted with the devil, to be made pope. And so he was (through the operation of Satan) according to his request, Which thing some histories say, he did greatly repent before his death. But for a more ample declaration hereof, I will bring in the words of Joannes Stella, a Venetian, translated from Latin into English, concerning the said Sylvester: to the intent that our enchanters and sorcerers now a days (whereof there be to many in England) may the better through his example be admonished. The words of Stella be these,2 agreeing also with the narration of Benno, Platina and many other. Sylvester the second of that name, being Pope, and a Frenchman, called Gibertus: sate in his Papacy iiij. years, one month and viij. days. He entered into his Papacy, through wicked & unlawful means: who from his youth being a monk, and leaving his monastery, gave himself wholly to the devil, to obtain that which he required. And first coming to Hispalis a City in Spain, there applied his book and profited there insomuch, that he was made Doctor, having amongst his auditors, Otho the Emperors son, and Robert the French King, Lotharius Archbishop of Senon, with divers other moe. By whose advancement he was promoted, first Bishop of Rheme, afterward Bishop of Ravenna, and at last through the operation of Satan, was exalted to the Papacy of Rome; upon this condition, that after his death, he should give himself to the devil, by whose procurement, he came to that promotion. Upon a certain time he demanded an answer of the devil, how long he should enjoy his Popedom, to whom he answered again: until thou say Mass in Jerusalem thou shalt live. At length the iiij. year of his Popedom, saying Mass at Lent time, in the temple of the holy cross being called then Jerusalem, there he knew the time was come, when he should die. Whereupon being stroke with repentance,3 confessed his fault openly before the people: desiring all men to cut his body all in pieces (being so seduced by deceits of the devil) & so being hewen in pieces, they would lay it upon a cart, and bury it there, where soever the horses would carry it of their accord.