A67922:2145
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.
These things thus discoursed concerning the matters of Rome (now returning again to our own country story) the order thereof would require to enter again into the reign of William Conqueror, the next king following in England. But as a certain oration of K. Edgarus, which should have been placed before, chanced in the mean time to come to my hands, not unworthy to be read: I thought by the way in the end of this book, to insert the same (although out of order) yet better I judge it out of order, then out of the book.
These things thus discoursed concerning the matters of Rome (now returning againe to our owne country story) the order therof would require to enter againe into the reigne of William Conqueror, the next king following in England. But as a certain oration of K. Edgarus, which should haue bene placed before, chanced in the meane time to come to my hands, not vnworthy to be read: I thought by the way in the ende of this booke, to insert the same (although out of order) yet better I iudge it out of order, then out of the booke.
The oration of king Edgar to the Clergy. Because God hath showed his great mercy to work with us: it is meet (most reverend Fathers) that with worthy works we should answer his innumerable benefits.1 For we possess not the land by our own sword, and our own arm hath not saved us: but his right hand and his holy arm, because he hath been delighted in us. Therefore it is meet that we should submit both our selves and our souls to him that hath subjected all these things under our government: and that we ought stoutly to labour, that they whom he hath made subject to us, might be subject to his laws. It belongs to me to rule the lay people with the law of equity, to do just judgement between man and his neighbour, to punish Church robbers, to hold under rebels to deliver the helpless from the hand of the stronger, the needy also and the poor from them that rob them. It belongs also to my care to provide necessary things to the ministers of the Churches, to the flocks of the Monks, to the company of virgins, and to provide for their peace and quiet. The examining of all whose manners belongeth unto us: whether they live chastely, if they behave themselves honestly toward them that be without, whether they be diligent at Gods service, if they be earnest to teach the people if they be sober in eating and drinking, if they keep measure in apparel, and if they be discreet in judgement. If ye had regarded these things with a trial of them (O reverend fathers, by your leaves I speak) such horrible and abominable things of the Clerks, should not have come unto our ears. I omit to speak how their crown is not broad, nor their rounding convenient, the wantonness in your life, your pride in your gesture, the filthiness in your words, do declare the evil of the inward man. Furthermore what negligence is in Gods service, when scarce they will be present at the holy vigils? And when they come to mass, they seem rather to be gathered to play and laugh, then to sing. I will tell that, that good men be sorry for, and the evil laugh at. I will speak with sorrow (if so be I may express it) how they be riotous in banquetings, in chambering drunkenness, and unshamefastnes: that now clerks houses may be thought to be a stews of harlots, and a convent of players.