A67922:2635
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.
For in the time of the prophets, all the kings which did not forbid and subvert all such things as were used of the people against the law of God, are rebuked. And such as did with stand them, are commended above the rest. August. 11. Isidorus hath these words. Let temporal princes know, that they must render account to God for the church, which they have at the hands of God to govern &c. 12. The case of Archadius, Theodosius, David, & of this king (as touching this matter) hath no similitude. In them was murder: This king doeth nothing, but claim that which is his due. And though by the spiritual sword those kings were resisted: yet it argueth not therefore, that the persons of them which have the use of the spiritual sword, are above the persons of them which have the temporal sword.
For in the time of the prophets, all the kings which did not forbidde and subuert all such things as were vsed of the people against the law of God, are rebuked. And such as did with stand them, are commended aboue the rest. August. 11. Isidorus hath these wordes. Let temporal princes know, that they must render accōpt to God for the church, which they haue at the hands of God to gouerne &c. 12. The case of Archadius, Theodosius, Dauid, & of this king (as touching this mater) hath no similitude. In them was murder: This king doeth nothing, but claime that which is his due. And though by the spiritual sword those kings were resisted: yet it argueth not therefore, that the persons of them which haue the vse of the spirituall sword, are aboue the persons of them which haue the temporall sworde.
Besides these letters of the Archbishop sent to the king, the Pope also in the same cause writeth to the king, beginning after this sort: Alexander Papa ad Henricum regé. Et naturali ratione, & forma juris dictante, providentiam tuam credimus, edoctam fuisse, quòd quanto quis ab aliquo maiora suscepisse dignoscitur, tanto ei obnoxior & magis obligatus tenetur. &c. The whole tenor of the letter as […] wrote it to the king I would here express, but for treating of the time & straightness of room, having so many things else in this story (by the grace of Christ) to be comprehended. But the letter tendeth to this effect: to exhort and charge the king to show favour to Thomas Becket. Where, in the process of the Epistle, it followeth in these words: Ea propter severitatem tuam per Apostolica scripta rogamus, monemus, & exhortamur in domino: nec non in remessionem peccatorum ex parte dei omnipotentis, & beati Petri principis Apostolorum antoritate nostra iniungimus, ut memoratum Archiepiscopum pro deo & ecclesia sua & honore tuo, nec non & totius regni tui in gratiam & favorem tuum recipias. &c. That is: therefore we desire you, monish and exhort your honour by these our Apostolical writings, and also enjoin you upon the remission of your sins, in the behalf of almighty God, and of S. Peter Prince of the Apostles, by our authority, that you will receive again the foresaid Archb. into your favour and grace, for the honour of God, his Church, and of your own Realm, &c. Thus you heard the Popes entreating letter: now here is an other letter sent unto the foresaid king, wherein he doth menace him, as in the tenor thereof here followeth.