A67922:2559
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.
Now to the story, which if it be true that is set forth in Quadrilogo, by those source who took upon them to express the life and process of Thomas Becket: it appeareth by all conjectures that he was a man of a stout nature,1 severe, & inflexible. What persuasion or opinion he had once conceived: from that he would in no wise be removed, or very hardly. Threatenings & flatterings were to him both one. In this point singular, following no mans counsel so much as his own. Great helps of nature were in him (if he could have used them well) rather then of learning. Albe it, somewhat skilful he was of the civil law, which he studied at Bonomie. In memory excellent good, and also well broken in courtly and worldly matters. Besides this, he was of a chaste and strait life, if the histories be true. Although in the first part of his life (being yet Archdeacon of Canterbury and after Lord Chancellor) he was very evil, courtlike, pleasant, given much both to hunting & hawking, according to the guise of the court. And highly favoured he was of his prince, who not only had thus promoted him: but also had committed his son & heir to his institution and governance. But in this his first beginning he was not so well beloved: but afterward he was again as much hated (& deservedly) both of the king, and also of the most part of his subjects: save only of certain Monke•• and priests, and such other as were persuaded by them: who magnified him not a little, for upholding the liberties of the church (that is) the licentious life and excess of Churchmen. Amongest all other, these vices he had most notable, & to be rebuked. Full of devotion, but without all true Religion. Zealous, but clean without knowledge. And therefore as he was stiff and stubborn of nature, so (a blind conscience being joined withal) it turned to plain rebellion.2 So superstitious he was to the obedience of the pope, that he forgot his obedience to his natural and most beneficial king. And in maintaining (so contentiously) the vain constitutions and decrees of men: be neglected the commandments of God. But herein most of all to be reprehended, that not only (contrary the kings knowledge) he sought to convey himself out of the realm (being in that place and calling) but also (being out of the realm) set matter of discord between the Pope & his K.
Now to the story, which if it be true that is set forth in Quadrilogo, by those source who tooke vpon thē to expresse the life and processe of Thomas Becket: it appeareth by al coniectures that he was a man of a stout nature,