A67922:2595
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 this was the consultation of the Bishops in that place,1 assembled together by the kings commandment. Against these voices & censures of the bishops Becket the Archbishop replieth again, expostulating and checking them with rebukeful words. I perceive (saith 'he) and understand ye go about to maintain and cherish but your own cowardnes, under the colourable shadow of suffrance: and under pretence of dissembling softness, to choke the liberty of christs church. Who hath thus bewitched you, O unsatiable bishops? What mean ye? Why do ye so under the impudent title of forbearing, bear a double heart, and cloak your manifest iniquity? What call ye this bearing we time, the detriment of the Church of Christ? Let terms serve the matter, why pervert you the matter that is good, with vocables & terms untrue? For that ye say we must bear with the malice of time, I grant with you, but yet we must not heap sin to sin. Is not God able to help the state and condition of his church, but with the sinful dissimulation of the teachers, of the church? Certes God is disposed to tempt you. And tell me (I pray you) whether should the governors of the church put themselves to dā gers for the church in time of tranquillity,2 or in time of distress? Ye will be ashamed to deny the contrary but in distress. And now then (the church lying in so great distress and vexation) why should not the good pastor put himself into peril therefore? For neither do I think it a greater act or merit for the ancient bishops of the old time, to lay the foundation of the church then (with their blood) then now for us to shed our blood for the liberties of the same, And to tell you plain, I think it not safe for you to swerve from an example, which you have received of your holy elders. After these things were spoken, they sate all in silence a certain space, being locked in together. At length (to find a shift to cause the door to be opened) I will saith the Archbishop speak with two Earls which are about the king, and named them whom they were. Which (being called) opened the door and came in with hast, thinking to hear some thing which should appease the kings mind. To whom the Archbishop spake in this manner: As touching and concerning the matters between the king & us, we have here conferred together.
And this was the consultation of the Bishops in that place,1