A67922:2630
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.
you ought to (7) follow the Priests in ecclesiastical matters, and not to go before them, having the privilege of your power given you of God to make public laws: that by his benefits you should not be unthankful against the dispensation of the heavenly order, and that you should usurp nothing, but use them with a wholesome disposition. Wherefore, in those things which contrary unto that, you have (through your malicious counsel, rather then by your own mind) wickedly usurped: with all humility & satisfaction speedily give place, that the hand of the most highest be not stretched out against you, as an arrow against the mark. For the most highest hath bended his bow openly to shoot against him, that will not confess his offences. Be not ashamed (whatsoever wicked men say unto you, or that traitors do whisper in your ear) to humble your self under the mighty hand of God. For it is he which exalteth the humble, and throweth down the proud: which also revengeth himself upon Princes: he is terrible, and who shall resist him? You ought not to have let slip out of your memory, in what state God did find you: how he hath preferred, honoured, and exalted you: blessed you with children: enlarged your kingdom: and established the same in despite of your enemies. In so much, that hitherto (in a manner) all men have said with great admiration, that this is he whom God hath chosen. And how will you reward (or can you reward) him for all these things which he hath done unto you? Will you (at the provocation and instance §8of those which are about you: that (8) persecute the Church and the ecclesiastical ministers, and always have according to their power persecuted them, rendering evil for good, bringing oppressions, tribulations, injuries and afflictions upon the Church and church men) do the like? Are not these they of whom the Lord speaketh: he that heareth you heareth me, he that despiseth you despiseth me, & he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye? Verily forsaking all that thou hast, take up thy cross, that thou mayest follow thy God our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet will it scarcely be (or not at all) that thou shalt appear a thankful recompencer of the benefits received at his hand Search the scriptures of such §9as are learned,1 and you shall understand:
you ought to (7) folow the Priests in ecclesiasticall matters, and not to goe before them, hauing the priuiledge of your power geuen you of God to make publike lawes: that by his benefites you shoulde not be vnthankfull against the dispensation of the heauenly order, and that you shoulde vsurpe nothing, but vse them with a wholesome disposition. Wherfore, in those things which contrary vnto that, you haue (through your malitious counsel, rather then by your own mind) wickedly vsurped: with all humilitie & satisfaction speedily geue place, that the hande of the most highest be not stretched out against you, as an arrowe against the marke. For the most highest hath bended his bowe openly to shoote against him, that will not confesse his offences. Be not ashamed (whatsoeuer wicked men say vnto you, or that traitors do whisper in your eare) to humble your selfe vnder the mightie hande of God. For it is he which exalteth the humble, and throweth downe the proude: which also reuengeth himselfe vpon Princes: he is terrible, and who shall resist him? You ought not to haue let slip out of your memorie, in what state God did finde you: howe he hath preferred, honoured, and exalted you: blessed you with children: enlarged your kingdome: and established the same in despite of your enemies. In so much, that hetherto (in a maner) all men haue sayd with great admiration, that this is he whome God hath chosen. And howe will you reward (or can you reward) him for all these things which he hath done vnto you? Will you (at the prouocation and instaunce