A67922:2200
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 his Bull sent into Italy and Germany, was this. Gregory the Pope, otherwise Hildebrand, the servant of the servants of God, sendeth the Apostles blessing to all them within the kingdoms of Italy and Germany, that show their true obedience to S. Peter. If there be any Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons, that still will remain in the sin of fornication. We forbid them the Churches entrance, by the omnipotent power of God, and by the authority of S. Peter, till time they amend and repent. But if they persevere in their sin, we charge that none of you presume to hear their service For their blessing is turned into cursing, and their prayer into sin, as the Lord doth testify to us by his Prophets. I will turn your blessing, &c.
The Copy of his Bull sent into Italie and Germanie, was this. GRegory the Pope, otherwise Hildebrand, the seruaunt of the seruaunts of God, sendeth the Apostles blessing to all them within the kingdoms of Italy and Germany, that shew their true obedience to S. Peter. If there be any Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons, that still will remayne in the sinne of fornication. We forbid them the Churches entrance, by the omnipotent power of God, and by the aucthoritie of S. Peter, till tyme they amend and repent. But if they perseuere in their sinne, we charge that none of you presume to heare their seruice For their blessing is turned into cursing, and their prayer into sinne, as the Lord doth testifie to vs by his Prophets. I will turne your blessing, &c.
The bishops of France being called upon daily, with the popes letters, 1were compelled to obey the decree of the council, but the residue of the clergy manfully and stoutly withstanding the Popes decree, and enforcement of their bishops would not agree, but repined thereat, & said, that the council did manifestly repugn against the word of God, & that the Pope did take from Priests, that which both God and nature had given them, and therefore that person to be an heretic, and Author of a wicked doctrine, which ruled and governed not by the spirit of God, but by Satan. The decree and act set forth, to tend directly against the word of God, and the saying of Christ: Non omnes capiunt verbum hoc, all men have not the gift and capacity of the word. Item, to be against the sound doctrine of S. Paul writing these words: As concerning virginity, I have no commandment of the Lord, &c. Again, he that cannot otherwise live continently, let him marry. Item, that it was against the Canons both of the Apostles, and of Nicene council. Moreover, that it was against the course of nature which he required, that men being sequestered from their natural wives, and women, should be coacted to live as angels, that is, to perform that which nature doth not give. And therefore the bishop therein did open a pernicious window to uncleanness and to fornication. In sum, giving up their answer, thus they concluded, that they had rather give up their benefices, then to forsake their natural and lawful wives, against the word of Christ. And finally, if married priests could not please them, they should call down Angels from heaven to serve the Churches. But Hildebrand nothing moved, neither with honest reason, nor with the authority of holy Scripture, nor with the determination of Nicene council, nor any thing else: followeth this matter, calleth upon the bishops still, with his letters and Legates doth solicit their minds, accuseth them of negligence and dastardness, threateneth them with excommunication, unless they cause their priests to obey his decree enjoined them. Whereupon, a great number of bishops for fear of the Popes tyranny, laboured that matter with their priests, by all means possible to bereave them of their accustomed matrimony.