A67922:2206
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.
As soon as Pope Alexander was dead, which dyed somewhat before night,1 the same day contrary to the Canons, he was chosen Pope of the laymen. But the Cardinals subscribed not to his election. For the Canons prescribe (under pain of cursing) that none should be chosen Pope before the third day, after the burial of his predecessors. But he (by sinister mean thus climbing to the seat) removed the Cardinals of the said seat, from being of the counsel. But with what persons he consulted night & day, Rome well heard and saw. And he now putting the Cardinals from his counsel, his life, faith, and doctrine, no man could accuse or bear witness off: where as in the Canons is commanded, that in every place where so ever the Pope is, should be with him iij. Cardinals being priests, & ij. Deacons, because of his Ecclesiastical testimony and stile of verity, of which Canonical decree, look gentle Reader before. He violently wrested the sacred scriptures to cover his falsehood, which kind of Idolatry, how great it is, manifestly throughout all the Scripture it appeareth. Contrary to the minds and counsel of the Cardinals, and besides the determinate order of pronouncing judgement by the Canons, he rashly did excommunicate the Emperor,2 being in no Synod solemnly accused before. The sentence of which excommunication after rehearsal of these presents, shall also be manifested (Christ willing) to the which excommunication saith Benno, none of the Cardinals would subscribe. As soon as he arose out of his seat papal, to excommunicate the Emperor, the same seat (being made but a little before,3 with big timber) suddenly by the appointment of God was rent and shivered in pieces: so that all men might plainly understand, what, and how great and terrible schisms: that lubber had sown against the Church of Christ, against the seat of S. Peter: and how cruelly he had dispersed the chair of Christ, in defiling the laws of the Church, ruling by might and austerity, in that his so perilous and presumptuous excommunication.
As soone as Pope Alexander was dead, which dyed somwhat before night,1 the same day contrary to the Canons, he was chosen Pope of the laymen. But the Cardinals subscribed not to his election. For the Canons prescribe (vnder payne of cursing) that none should be chosen Pope before the third day, after the burial of his predecessours. But he (by sinister meane thus clyming to the seat) remoued the Cardinals of the sayd seat, from being of the counsail. But with what persons he consulted night & day, Rome well heard and saw. And he now puttyng the Cardinals from hys counsaile, his lyfe, fayth, and doctrine, no man could accuse or beare witnesse off: where as in the Canons is commaunded, that in euery place where so euer the Pope is, should be with him iij. Cardinals beyng priests, & ij. Deacons, because of his Ecclesiasticall testimony and stile of veritie, of whiche Canonical decree, looke gentle Reader before. He violently wrested the sacred scriptures to couer his falshood, which kynd of Idolatry, how great it is, manifestly throughout all the Scripture it appeareth. Contrary to the myndes and counsaile of the Cardinals, and besides the determinate order of pronouncing iudgement by the Canons, he rashly did excommunicate the Emperour,