A67922:2348
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.
Urbanus B. of Rome (who, as is said succeeded after Victor) ruled the Church of Rome, about the space of 12. years: and among his other acts, he excommunicated the Emperor Henricus the fourth of that name, as a man not much devout to that sea of Rome: But yet a worthy and victorious prince he was, in whom albeit some vice perchance might be noted: yet none such, wherefore any prelate or minister of Christ,1 ought to excite his subjects to rebel against public authority of God appointed. This Emperor Henricus the iiii. was by 4. Popes severally excommunicate: first by Hildebrand, by Victor, Urbanus, and Paschalis. Which excommunication wrought so in the ignorant & blind hearts of the people,2 that many (as well of the nobles as of the multitude, contrary to their sworn allegiance) rebelliously conspired against their king and Emperor. In number of whom, among the rest, was one certain Earle named Ludovicus: to whom Waltramus bishop of the Church of Mergburgh (a godly and a faithful man, as appeareth) doeth write letters of fatherly admonition, exhorting and instructing him in the office of obedience. Unto the which letters he likewise doth answer again, by cavilling sophistication, and by mere affection, rather disposed to discord, then seeking sincerity of trueth. And forasmuch as in these two letters, the argument of christian obedience on both sides is so debated by proofs and reasons, as may be profitable for the Reader to peruse and understand: I thought therefore not to defraud the English reader of the same, whereof peradventure some utility might be taken. The tenor of the Bishops letter to the Earle here followeth.
Urbanus B. of Rome (who, as is saide succeeded after Victor) ruled the Churche of Rome, about the space of 12. yeres: and among his other actes, he excommunicated the Emperor Henricus the fourth of that name, as a man not much deuoute to that sea of Rome: But yet a worthy and victorious prince he was, in whome albeit some vice perchaunce might be noted: yet none such, wherefore any prelate or minister of Christ,1 ought to excite his subiects to rebell against publike authoritie of God appointed. This Emperour Henricus the iiii. was by 4. Popes seuerallye excommunicate: first by Hildebrand, by Victor, Urbanus, and Paschalis. Which excommunicatiō wrought so in the ignorant & blinde hearts of the people,