A67922:2656
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 rescript or answer again of Thomas Becket, to all his suffragans, not obeying, but confuting their counsel sent. Fraternitatis Gestra scriptum, (quod tamen prudentia Gestra con muni consilio non facilè credimus emanasse) nuper ex insperat• suscepimus. &c. Your brotherly letters sent (albeit not by the whole assent of your wisdoms written, (as I suppose) of late I received upon a sudden: the contents whereof, seem to contain more sharpness then solace. And would to God they proceeded more of sincere zeal, of godliness, or affection of charity: then of disobedience or froward wilfulness. For charity seeketh not the things that be his own, but which appertain to Jesus Christ. It had been your duty (if there be truth in the Gospel, as most undoubtedly there is) and if you would faithfully have accomplished his business, whose person you represent: rather to have feared him, which can cast both body and soul to hell: then him, whose power extendeth no further then to the body, rather to have obeyed God then man: rather your Father then your Master or Lord: after the example of him who was to his Father obedient unto the death. Which dyed for us, leaving us example to follow his steps. Let us dye therefore with him, and lay down our lives for the deliverance of his Church, out of the yoke of bondage and tribulation of the oppressor: which Church he hath founded, and whose liberty he hath procured,1 with his own proper blood: Least if we shall do otherwise, it may haply fall upon us, which is written in the Gospel: Who so loveth his own life more then me, is not worthy of me. This ye ought to know, that if it be right which your captain commandeth: your duty requireth to obey his will: if not, ye ought then, rather to obey God then men. 2One thing I will say (if I may be so bold to tell it unto you) I have now suffered and abstained a long space, waiting if the Lord had given you to take a better hart unto you, which have turned away cowardly your backs in the day of battle: or if any of you would have returned again to stand like a wall for the house of Israel: at least if he had but showed himself in the field, making but the countenance of a warrior against them, which cease not daily to infest the Lamb of God. I waited and none came: I suffered, and none rose up: I held my peace & none would speak: