A67922:2557
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
Book 4 › The life and history of Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury.
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.
that is, if they had used the law of the sword against them, and chopped off the heads of one or two, according to their traitorous rebellion: they had broken the neck of much disturbance, which long time after did trouble the Church. But for lack of that, because Emperors having the sword, and the trueth on their side, would not use their sword: but standing in awe of the Popes vain curse, and reverencing his seat for Saint Peters sake, durst not lay hand upon him: though he were never so abominable and traitorous a malefactor. The Popes perceiving that, took so much upon them (not as the scripture would give) but as much as the superstitious fear of Emperors and kings would suffer them to take: which was so much, that it past all order, rule, and measure. And all because the superior powers (either would not, or durst not) practise the authority given to them of the Lord, upon those inferiors, but suffered them to be their masters.
that is, if they had vsed the lawe of the sword against them, and chopped off the heads of one or two, according to their trayterous rebellion: they had broken the necke of much disturbaunce, whiche long tyme after did trouble the Churche. But for lacke of that, because Emperours hauing the sword, and the trueth on their side, woulde not vse their sworde: but standing in awe of the Popes vayne curse, and reuerencing his seat for Saint Peters sake, durst not lay hand vppon hym: though he were neuer so abhominable and trayterous a maletactour. The Popes perceauing that, tooke so much vpon them (not as the scripture would geue) but as much as the superstitious feare of Emperors and kings woulde suffer them to take: which was so much, that it past all order, rule, and measure. And all because the superior powers (eyther would not, or durst not) practise the authoritie geuen to them of the Lord, vpon those inferiours, but suffered them to be their maisters.
But as touching Thomas Becket, what soever is to be thought of them that did the act: the example thereof yet bringeth this profit with it, to teach all Romish Prelates not to be so stubborn (in such matters not pertaining to them) against their Prince, unto whom God hath subjected them.