A67922:2638
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.
To answer these letters again: there was an other certain writing drawn out & directed to the Pope, made by some of the Clergy, as it seemeth: but not without consent of the king, as by the title may appear, inueying and disproving the misbehaviour of the Archbishop. The tenor whereof here followeth, and beginneth thus.
To aunswer these letters againe: there was an other certain wryting drawne out & directed to the Pope, made by some of the Clergy, as it seemeth: but not without consent of the king, as by the title may appeare, inueying and disprouing the misbehauior of the Archbishop. The tenor whereof here followeth, and beginneth thus.
An answer to the Pope. Time now requireth more to seek help then to make complaints.1 For so it is now that the holy mother Church (our sins deserving the same) lieth in a dangerous case of great decay, which is like to ensue, except the present mercy of the Lord support her. Such is the wickedness now of schismatics:2 that the father of fathers Pope Alexander (for the defence of his faith, and for the love of righteousness) is banished out of his country: not able to keep free residence in his own proper see, by reason of the indurat• heart of Frederick the Pharaoh. Farther and besides, the Church also of Canterbury is miserably impaired and blemished, as well in the spiritual as in the temporal estate: much like unto the ship in the Sea, being destitute of their guide, to fled in the floods, and wrestling wi•h the winds, while the pastor being absent from his province d•re not there remain through the power of the king. Who being over wise (to the jeopardy both of himself, his Church, and us also) hath brought and entangled us likewise with himself in the same partaking of his punishments and labours: not considering how we ought to forbear, and not to resist superior powers And also showeth himself to us unkind, which with all our affections bear the burden with him of his afflictions, not ceasing yet to persecute us which stand in the same condemnation with him. For betwixt him, and our sovereign prince, king of England, arose a certain matter of contention: whereupon they were both agreed that a day should be appointed, to have the controversy discussed by equity and justice. The day being come, the king commanded all the Archbishops, Bishops, and other prelates of the Church to be called, in a great and solemn frequency: so that the greater and more general this council was, the more manifest the detection of this stubborn malice should appear and be espied. At the day therefore above mentioned, this troubler of the realm and of the Church presenteth himself in the sight of our Catholic king: who not trusting the quality and condition of his cause, armeth him with the armour of the cross, as one which should be brought to the presence of a tyrant.