A67922:2198
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.
The copy of the letter of Hildebrand, sent to the bishop of Constance against priests marriages. Gregorius bishop, servant of servants of God, to the Clergy and laity, both more and less within the Diocese of Constancy, salutation and benediction. We have directed to our brother Ottho your bishop, our letters exhortatory: wherein we enjoined him, according to the necessity of our duty, by the authority Apostolical, that he should utterly abolish out of his Church the heresy of simony, and also should cause with all diligence to be preached the chastity of priests. But he neither moved with reverence of S. Peters precept, nor yet with the regard of his duty, neglected to do these things, whereunto we so fatherly have exhorted him, incurring thereby a double offence, not only of disobedience, but also of rebellion, in that he hath gone and done clean contrary to our commandment (yea rather the commandment of blessed S Peter) so that he hath permitted his clergy not only such as had wives,1 not to put them away, but also such as had none, to take unto them. Whereupon, we being truly informed thereof, and aggrieved therewith, have directed to him an other letter, declaring the motion of our displeasure and indignation. In which letters also we have cited him up to our Council at Rome, there to appear and give account of his disobedience, in the audience of the whole Synod. And now therefore we thought it best to signify this to you (our dear children) whereby in this behalf we might the better provide for your health & salvation. For if your bishop shall continue so obstinately to repugn and resist against our commandment, he is not meet to sit over you, &c. Wherefore these shall be to command you, & all them that be obedient to God,2 and to blessed S. Peter, by our Apostolical authority, that if this your Bishop shall persist in his obstinacy, you that be his subjects, hereafter give to him no service, nor obedience. For the which thing doing, we here discharge you before God and your souls. For if your bishop shall seem contrary to the decrements & injunctions Apostolical. We through the Apostolical authority of S. Peter, discharge and absolve you from the band of your allegiance to him.
The copy of the letter of Hildebrand, sent to the bishop of Constance against priests mariages. GRegorius bishop, seruaunt of seruants of God, to the Clergie and laitie, both more and lesse within the Dioces of Constancie, salutation and benediction. We haue directed to our brother Ottho your bishop, our letters exhortatory: wherin we enioined him, according to the necessitie of our duetie, by the authoritie Apostolicall, that he should vtterly abolish out of his Church the heresie of simonie, and also should cause with all diligence to bee preached the chastitie of priests. But he neither moued with reuerence of S. Peters precept, nor yet with the regard of his duty, neglected to do these things, whereunto we so fatherly haue exhorted him, incurring thereby a double offence, not onely of disobedience, but also of rebellion, in that he hath gone and done cleane contrary to our commaundement (yea rather the commaundement of blessed S Peter) so that he hath permitted his clergy not onely such as had wiues,