A67922:2150
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.
1In this Oration of K. Edgar above prefixed, 3. things are chiefly to be noted & considered, to them that have judgements to mark and understand, to wit: The religious zeal and devotion of kings, both in giving to the church, & also in correcting the manners of churchmen. 2. Secondly, the dissolute behaviour and wantonness of the clergy, then abusing the great donations and patrimonies of princes bestowed upon them. 3. Thirdly, the blind ignorance and superstition of that time in both states, as well Ecclesiastical as temporal, in esteeming Christs religion chiefly to consist in giving to Churches, and in maintaining of Monkery, falsely being persuaded that remission of their sins,2 & remedy of their souls therein did lie in building monasteries, erecting churches and cloisters, and in placing monks in the same, and such other alms deeds, and works of devotion. Wherein appeareth how ignorant that time was of the true doctrine of Christs faith, and of free grace of the Gospel, which promiseth life, remedy, and justification, not by any devout merits of ours,3 nor by any works either of the law of God, or of the inventions of man, but only and freely by our faith upon Christ Jesus the son of God, in whom only consisteth all the promises of God. Amen.
1In this Oration of K. Edgar aboue prefixed, 3. things are chiefly to be noted & considered, to them yt haue iudgements to marke and vnderstand, to witte: The religious zeale and deuotion of kings, both in geuing to the church, & also in correcting the maners of churchmen. 2. Secondly, the dissolute behauiour and wantonnesse of the clergie, then abusing the great donatiōs and patrimonies of princes bestowed vpon them. 3. Thirdly, the blinde ignorance and superstition of that time in both states, as well Ecclesiastical as temporal, in esteeming Christes religion chiefly to consist in geuing to Churches, and in maintaining of Monkery, falsly being perswaded that remission of theyr sinnes,2 & remedy of their soules therein did lie in building monasteries, erecting churches and cloysters, and in placing monks in the same, and such other almes deedes, and workes of deuotion. Wherin appeareth how ignorāt that time was of the true doctrine of Christes faith, and of free grace of the Gospell, which promiseth life, remedy, and iustification, not by any deuout merits of oures,