A67922:2659
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.
And as God turned the matter it happened for the best, both for the honour of the king hard better safety of them, which (seeking my harm) should have brought slander to the king.1 If such troubles followed upon my departing as ye say, let them be imputed to him which gave cause: the fault is in the worker, not in the departer: in him that pursueth, not in him that avoideth injuries: what would ye more? I presented my self to the court, declaring both the causes of my coming and of my appeal: declaring also the wrongs and injuries done to me & to my Church, and yet could have no answer: neither was there any that laid any thing against me, before we came to the king. Thus while we stood waiting in the court, whether any would come against me or not, they sent to my officials: charging them not to obey me in my temporalities, nor to owe any service to me, or to any of mine. After my appellation made in the Court: my Church was spoiled: we (and they about us) deprived of our goods: outlawed both of the Clergy, and of the laity, men, women, and infants: the goods of the Church (that is, the patrimony of the crucifix) confiscate: and part of the money turned to the kings use, part to your own coffers. Brother Bishop of London, if this be true that we here of you: and that to the use of your own Church, ye convert this money: we charge you and require you forthwith by virtue of obedience: that within forty days after the sight of these letters (all delay and excuse set a•ide) ye restore again within the time aforesaid: all such goods and parcels as you have taken away. For it is unmeet and contrary to all law, one Church to be enriched ⟨p. 220⟩with the spoil of an other church. If ye stand upon the authority that set you a work: you must understand, that (in matters concerning the church goods) he can give no lawful authority, which committeth violent injury &c. 2What authority, and what scripture giveth this prerogative to Princes upon Church goods, which you would attribute to them? What? will they lay for them the remedy of appeal? God forbid It were evil with the Church of God, if when the sacrilegious extortioner hath violently invaded other mens goods (especially the goods of the church) he should after defend him with the title of appeal &c.