A67922:2657
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.
I dissembled and none would stand with me in like semblance Wherefore seeing I see no better towardness in you: this remaineth only, to enter action of complaint against you, and to cry against mine enemies. Rise up (O Lord) and judge my cause, revenge the blood of the church which is wasted and oppressed.1 The pride of them which hate his liberty, riseth up ever: neither is there any that doth good, no not one. Would God (brethren beloved) there were in you any mind or affection to defend the liberty of the Church: for she is builded upon a sure rock, that although she be shaken, yet she can not be overthrown. And why then seek ye to confound me? Nay rather, your selves in me, then me in you? A man which hath taken upon me all the peril, have sustained all the rebukes, have sustained all the injuries, have suffered also for you all, to the very banishment. And so it was expedient one to suffer for that Church, that thereby it might be released out of servitude. These things discuss you simply with your selves and weigh the matter.2 Attend I say diligently in your minds for your parts: that God for his part removing from your eyes, all majesty of rule and impery (as he is no accepter of persons) may take from your hearts the veil, that ye may understand and see what ye have done, what ye intend to do, and what ye ought to do. Tell me which of you all can say I have taken from him since the time of my promotion, either Ox or Ass: if I have defrauded him of any penny: If I have misjudged the cause of any man wrongfully: Or if by the detriment of any person I have sought my own gain, let him complain & I will restore him fourfold. And if I have not offended you, what then is the cause that ye thus leave and forsake me in the cause of God? Why bend ye so your selves against me in such a cause, that there is none more special belonging to the Church? 3Brethren seek not to confound your selves and the church of God (so much as in you is) but turn to me & you shall be safe. For the Lord saith, I will not the death of a sinner, but rather he should convert and live. Stand with me manfully in the war take your armour and your shield to defend me. Take the sword of the word of the mighty God, that we altogether may withstand more valiantly the malignant enemies,4