A67922:2352
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.
And yet (as it is given us to understand) you go about to persuade, that of necessity we ought to be subject to him, & that by the argument of S. Paul. Let every soul be subdued to the higher powers, for there is no power but of God, he therefore that doth withstand power, doth resist, Gods ordinance. The which sentence of the Apostle, we say that you do evil conceive, and therefore evil interpret: for if every power be of God (as you understand) what is meant by that, that the Lord doth speak of some by the Prophet? They did reign and were not made Princes by me,1 and I knew them not. If every power be of God as you take it, what is to be thought of that, that the Lord doth say, If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. For what is power, but the eye? Certainly, Augustine in the exposition of this sentence of the Apostle, let every soul, &c. doth say that if the powers do command any thing against God, then have them in contempt: but yet nevertheless fear them. Is there any iniquity with God? Is Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. What shall we therefore say? doth the Apostle preach contrary to the truth? Augustinus sayeth no: one wind filleth many pipes of divers tunes.2 Therefore let us hear the Apostle agreeing and expounding himself, and destroying his enemy and avenger. There is (sayeth he) no power but of God. What followeth? He therefore (saith he) that doth resist the power, &c. God forbid? doeth nothing follow? But what doeth follow? Those powers which be ordained of god truly: that is it we look for. O crafty tongue, O heart imagining mischief, O consuming breath that shall not return, why hast thou lied to the holy ghost? Thine own conscience shall accuse thee. Behold the wicked fleeth and no man doth pursue him. Why would you suppress the truth to the intent to deceive? Why have you stolen away the pith and effect of this sentence? For if these words should be taken away from the midst of the sentence, it should lie contrary to it self, inconvenient and half dead. The word of the Lord is herein fulfilled. He that diggeth a pit for his neighbour, shall fall therein him self. Verily you can neither excuse you of theft, neither avoid the punishment due for the same.
And yet (as it is giuen vs to vnderstand) you goe about to perswade, that of necessity we ought to be subiect to him, & that by the argumēt of S. Paule. Let euery soule be subdued to the higher powers, for there is no power but of God, he therefore that doth withstande power, doth resist, Gods ordinance. The which sentence of the Apostle, we say that you do euil conceiue, and therefore euil interprete: for if euery power be of God (as you vnderstande) what is meant by that, that the Lord doth speake of some by the Prophet? They did raigne and were not made Princes by me,