A67922:2204
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.
First, declaring that he was a Sorcerer most notable, and a Necromancer, 1an old companion of Sylvester, of Laurentius, and Theophilactus, called otherwise Benedictus nonus. Amongst other Benno Cardinals writeth this history of him. How upon a certain time this Gregorius coming from Albanus to Rome, had forgot behind him his familiar book of Necromancy, which he was wont commonly to carry always with him. Whereupon remembering himself, entered the port of Lateran, he calleth two of his most trusty familiars to set the book, charging them at no hand to look within it. But they being so restrained, were the more desirous to open it, & to peruse it, and so did. After they had read a little the secrets of the Satanical book, suddenly there came about them the messengers of Satan, the multitude and terror of whom, made them almost out of their wits. At length they coming to themselves, the spirits were instant upon them to know, wherefore they were called up, wherefore they were vexed: Quickly (said they) tell us what ye would us to do, or else we will fall upon you, if ye retain us longer. Then spake one of the young men to them, bidding them go and pluck down yonder walls, pointing to certain high walls there nigh to Rome, which they did in a moment. The young men crossing them for fear of the spirits (scarce recovering them selves) at length came to their master. And it followeth moreover in the epistle of the said Benno to the Cardinals.
First, declaring that he was a Sorcerer most notable, and a Nicromanser, 1an olde companion of Siluester, of Laurentius, and Theophilactus, called otherwise Benedictus nonus. Amongst other Benno Cardinals writeth this history of him. How vpon a certaine tyme this Gregorius comming from Albanus to Rome, had forgot behynd him his familiar booke of Nicromansie, which he was wont commonly to cary alwayes with him. Whereupon remembring himselfe, entered the port of Laterane, he calleth two of his most trusty familiars to set the booke, charging them at no hand to looke within it. But they beyng so restrayned, were the more desirous to open it, & to peruse it, and so did. After they had read a little the secrets of the Sathanicall booke, sodenly there came about them the messengers of Sathan, the multitude and terrour of whom, made them almost out of their wittes. At length they comming to themselues, the spirites were instant vpon them to know, wherefore they were called vp, wherfore they were vexed: Quickly (said they) tell vs what ye would vs to do, or els we will fall vpon you, if ye retaine vs longer. Then spake one of the yong men to them, bidding thē go and plucke downe yonder walles, pointing to certayne high wals there nigh to Rome, which they did in a moment. The yong men crossing them for feare of the spirites (scarse recouering thē selues) at length came to their maister. And it followeth moreouer in the epistle of the sayd Benno to the Cardinals.