A67922:2577
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.
1Alexander Bishop &c. Your brotherhood is not ignorant that it hath been advertised us, how that upon the occasion of a certain transgression or excess of yours: you have determined to cease henceforth from saying of Mass, and to abstain from the consecration of the body and blood of the Lord. Which thing to do, how dangerous it is (especially in such a personage) and also what inconvenience may rise thereof: I will you advisedly to consider, and discreetly also to ponder. Your wisdom ought not to forget what difference there is betwixt them which advisedly and willingly do offend, and those which through ignorance, and for necessity sake do offend. For as you read, so much the more greater is wilful sin: as the same not being voluntary is lesser sin. Therefore if you remember your self to have done any thing that your own conscience doth accuse you of, whatsoever it be: we counsel you (as a prudent and wise prelate) to acknowledge the same. Which thing done, the merciful and pitiful God, who hath more respect to the hart of the doer then to the thing done, will remit and forgive you the same according to his accustomed great mercy. And we trusting in the merits of the blessed Apostles S. Peter and Paul do absolve you from the offence committed, and by the authority Apostolical we release you unto your fraternity, counselling you and commanding you, that henceforth you abstain not (for this cause) from the celebration of the Mass.
1ALexander Byshop &c. Your brotherhoode is not ignoraunt that it hath bene aduertised vs, how that vpon the occasion of a certayne transgression or excesse of yours: you haue determined to cease henceforth from saying of Masse, and to abstayne from the consecration of the body and bloud of the Lord. Which thing to doe, how daungerous it is (especially in such a personage) and also what inconuenience may rise thereof: I will you aduisedly to consider, and discreetly also to ponder. Your wisedome ought not to forget what difference there is betwixt them which aduisedly and willingly doe offend, and those whiche through ignoraunce, and for necessitie sake do offend. For as you reade, so muche the more greater is wilfull sinne: as the same not being voluntary is lesser sinne. Therefore if you remember your selfe to haue done any thing that your owne cōscience doth accuse you of, whatsoeuer it be: we coūsell you (as a prudent and wyse prelate) to acknowledge the same. Which thing done, the mercifull and pittifull God, who hath more respect to the hart of the doer then to the thing done, will remit and forgeue you the same according to his accustomed great mercy. And we trusting in the merites of the blessed Apostles S. Peter and Paule doe absolue you from the offence committed, and by the authoritie Apostolicall we release you vnto your fraternitie, counsailing you and commaunding you, that henceforth you abstayne not (for this cause) from the celebration of the Masse.