A67922:2354
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.
Every one that doth tell spiritual dignities, is an heretic: But the Lord Harry, whom they call a king, doth sell both Bishoprics and Abbacies: for truly he sold for money the Bishoprics of Constance, Babemberge, Mens. & many others. The Bishoprics of Ratisbone, Augusta, and Strafebrough, he sold for a sword: and the Abbey of Fulda for adultery. And for filthy sodomitry he sold the bishopric of Mon. A wickedness it is to speak or hear of such a fact. The which things if without shame ye will deny, he is to be condemned by the witness of heaven and earth: yea and of the silly poor idiots that come from the smiths forge. Wherefore the Lord Harry is an heretic. ⟨p. 191⟩For the which most wicked evils he is excommunicate from the sea Apostolic, so that he may not exercise either kingdom or power over us which be Catholic And whereas you burden us with hatred of our brethren,1 know you that we purpose not to hate any of affection, but of a godly zeal. God forbid that we should think Harry worthy to be accounted amongst our christian brethren, who in deed is reputed for an Ethnic and Publican, in that he refused to hear the Church which so oft hath reproved him.2 The hatred of whom we offer unto God for a great sacrifice, saying with the Psalmist: Lord shall not I hate them that hate thee▪ and shall not I triumph over thine enemies? I hate them with an inward hatred that be enemies to me for thy sake. The truth it self commending the worthiness of this hatred, doth say: If any do not hate father and mother, brethren and sisters for my sake, he cannot be my disciple. We are not therefore justly to be reproved of hatred,3 which do give over our own soul to be in the way of God: who in deed are commanded to hate father and mother, and every affection which doth withstand us for walking in the path of God. Hereof it cometh, that we labour withal our study and endeavour to beware of the enemies of the church▪ and them to hate. Not for that they be our enemies, but gods. Father, where you do persuade peace to be had with all men: you must remember what the Apostle doth put before, if it may be. But if it can be that we can have peace with them, who can be contrary to God? who doth not know the Lord our Saviour, to commend not only peace, when as he saith: my pece I give unto you, my peace I leave unto you?