A67922:2351
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 answer of the Earle Lewes, to Bishop Waltram. The Earle Lewis to the Lord Waltram, howsoever unworthy or unmeet he be for the name.1 Like as a good man from the good treasure of the hart bringeth forth good fruit, so doeth the evil man from the evil treasure of the heart bring forth evil fruit. What arrogance hath so possessed you, to provoke my displeasure, with such injurious contumelies? for in deed, those my good lords and spiritual fathers, which strengthen me in the way of righteousness: you railingly, call them, bloody men like unto Satan, and the wholesome lessons which they teach, you say they are but dreams of the common people amongest foolish women. Hath God any need of your judgement that you should speak leasings for him? Iniquity hath taught your mouth to follow blasphemous tongues, so that well may the Prophet say of you, he would not understand to do well, he hath devised wickedness upon his bed. Although therefore you being altogether froward, have only spoken froward things: yet we have determined to set a watch before your mouth, like as if a shameless person should stand up before us: and the word of GOD doth provoke us saying. Answer a fool according to his own foolishness, least he should seem wise in his own opinion. Shall folly speak and wisdom hold his peace? Shall lies be freely uttered, and trueth compelled to keep silence?2 Shall darkness cover the earth, & shall not the Lord arise and shine? yea rather the light hath lightened the darkness, and darkness hath not comprehended it. In consideration hereof our harts have melted, and our zealous meditation hath set us on fire. We therefore speak and cry, and the little foxes which undermine the Lords vineyards (as much as in us is) we drive away, fearing the threatening prophecy. You have not withstanded our adversaries, neither have you made a bulwark for the defence of the house of Israel, that you might be able to stand in battle in the day of the Lord. Let them hear (I speak not to you which have cares and hear not, eyes & see not, which have made dark the light that is in you) but let them hear (I say) that be well disposed, and have ears to hear withal As for you, you have no understanding,3 and if you have you cloak it. Neither have you any thing to say or to prove, by what reason we should be subject to the Lord Henry whom you call Emperor.