A67922:2611
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.
Although to me it is unknown (saith he) which am both unlettered and ignorant, 1what is that these Bishops here have said, neither am I in that tongue so able to express my mind as they have done: yet being sent and charged thereunto of my Prince, neither can nor ought I but to declare (as well as I may) what the cause is of our sending hither. Not (truly) to contend or strive with any person, nor to offer any injury or harm unto any man (especially in this place) and in the presence here of such a one, unto whose beck and authority all the world doth stoop and yield. But for this intent is our legacy hither directed, to present here before you, and in the presence of the whole church of Rome, the devotion and love of our king and master, which ever he hath had, and yet hath still toward you. And that the same might the better appear to your excellency: he hath assigned & appointed to the furniture of this legacy, not the least, but the greatest: not the worst but the best and chiefest of all his subjects: both Archbishops, Bishops, Earls, Barons, with other potentates more: of such worthiness and parentage, that if he could have found greater in all his Realm, he would have sent them, both for the reverence of your person, and of the holy Church of Rome. Over and besides this, I might add to more (which your sanctitude hath sufficiently tried and proved already) the true and hearty fidelity of this our king and sovereign toward you Who (in his first entrance to his kingdom) wholly submitted himself, with all that is his besides, to your will and pleasure. And truly to testify of his majesty how he is disposed to the unity of the Catholic faith: we believe there is none more faithful in Christ then he, nor ⟨p. 213⟩more devout to God, nor yet more moderate in keeping the unity of peace whereunto he is called. And as I may be bold this to protest for our king & master: so neither do I deny the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be a man destitute or unfurnished with gifts and ornaments in his kind of calling: but to be a man both sage and discrete, in such things as to him appertaineth: save only that he seemeth to some more quick and sharp then needeth. This blot alone if it were not, and that the breach between our king and him had not so happened:
ALthough to me it is vnknowen (sayth he) which am both vnlettered and ignorant, 1