A67922:2306
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.
To the Lord and reverend father Paschalis, high bishop: Anselm servant of the Church of Cant. offereth due subjection from his heart, and prayers, if they can stand in any stede. Ex Epist. 36. Paulò post initium. 1I See in England many evils, whose correction belongeth to me, and which I could neither amend, nor suffer without mine own fault. The king desireth of me, that under the name of right I should consent to his pleasures, which were against the law and will of God. For he would not have the Pope received nor appealed unto in England, without his commandment: neither that I should send a letter unto him, or receive any from him: or that I should obey his decrees. He suffered not a Council to be kept in his realm, now these 13. years since he was king. In all these things, and such like, if I asked any counsel, all my suffragan Bishops of his realm, denied to give me any counsel, but according to the kings pleasure. After that I saw these and such other things,2 that are done against the will and law of God: I asked license of him to go to Rome, unto the sea Apostolical, that I might there take counsel for my soul, and the office committed to me. The king said, that I offended against him for the only asking of license: And propounded to me, that either I should make him amends for the same as a trespass (assuring him never to ask this license any more to appeal to the pope at any time hereafter) or else that I should quickly depart out of his land.3 Wherefore chosen rather to go out of the land• then to agree to so wicked a thing: I came to Rome, as ye know, and declared the whole matter to the Lord Pope. The king by and by (as soon, as I went out of England) invaded the whole Archbishopric, and turned it to his own use: taxing the monks only with bare moat, drink, and clothe. The king being warned and desired of the Lord Pope to amend this, he contemned the same: and yet continueth in his purpose still.4 And now is the third year since I came thus out of England and more. Some men not understanding, demand why I did not excommunicate the king. But the wiser sort, and such as have understanding counsel me, that I do no: this thing: because it belongeth not to me both to complain, and to punish.