A67922:2614
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.
The next day (Alexander the Pope assembling his cardinals together in his secret chamber) appeareth before them archbishop Becket, having this oration to the pope and his popelings: which here I thought to set out in our vulgar English tongue (translated out of Latin) to the intent that the posterity hereafter may understand, either the vain superstition or vile slavery of the Churchmen in those days: who (being not content with their own natural Prince and king given them of God) must seek further to the Pope: thinking no ecclesiastical living to be given, which is not taken at his hands. The words of his Oration be storied rightly thus.
The next day (Alexander the Pope assembling hys cardinals together in his secret chamber) appeareth before them archbyshop Becket, hauing this oration to the pope and his popelings: which here I thought to set out in our vulgare English tongue (translated out of Latine) to the entent that the posteritie heereafter may vnderstand, eyther the vaine superstition or vile slauery of the Churchmē in those dayes: who (being not content with their owne naturall Prince and king geuen them of God) must secke further to the Pope: thinking no ecclesiasticall liuing to be geuen, which is not taken at his handes. The wordes of his Oration be storied rightly thus.
¶ The Oration of Becket, resigning his Bishopric to the Pope. Fathers and Lords, I ought not to lie in any place, much less before God, and in your presence here. Wherefore with much sighing and sorrow of heart I grant and confess, that these perturbations of the Church of England, 1be raised through my miserable fault. For I entered into the fold of Christ, but not by the door of Christ for that, not the canonical election did call me lawfully thereunto, but terror of public power drone me in. And albeit I against my will took this burden upon me, yet not the will of God, but mans pleasure placed me in the room. And therefore no marvel though all things have gone contrary and backward with me. And as for the resigning up again thereof: if I had so done, & given up to their hands, the privilege of my byshoply authority which I had granted to me at the commandment of the king (so as my fellow Bishops did instantly call upon me to do) then had I left a pernicious and dangerous example to the whole catholic Church.