A67922:2669
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 letter of Matild the Empress and mother of the king, To Thomas Becket. MY Lord the Pope commanded me (and upon the forgiveness of my sins enjoined me)1 that I should be a mediator and means of peace and concord between my son and you, by reconciling of your self to him: whereunto (as you know) ye requested me. Wherefore, the earnester and with more affection (as well for the divine honour as for holy Church) I took the enterprise upon me. But this by the way I assure you, that the king, his Barons, and council, taketh it grievously: that you, whom he entirely loved, honoured, and made chiefest in all his Realm (to the intent to have more comfort and better trust in you) should thus (as the report is) rebel and stir his people against him. Yea and further, that (as much as in you lieth) you went about to disherit him, and deprive him of his crown. Upon the occasion whereof, I sent unto you our trusty and familiar servant Laurence Archdeacon, by whom I pray you that I may understand your mind herein, and good will toward my son: and how you mean to behave your self (if my prayer and petition may be heard of him in your behalf) toward his grace. But this one thing I assure you off, that unless it be through your great humility and moderation (evidently in you appearing) you can not obtain the favour of the king. Herein what you mean to do, I pray you send me word by your proper letters and messengers.
¶ The letter of Matild the Empresse and mother of the king, To Thomas Becket. MY Lord the Pope commanded me (and vpon the forgeuenes of my sinnes inioyned me)1 that I should be a mediatour and meanes of peace and concorde betweene my sonne and you, by reconciling of your selfe to him: wherunto (as you know) ye requested me. Wherefore, the earnester and with more affection (as well for the diuine honour as for holy Church) I tooke the enterprise vpon me. But this by the way I assure you, that the king, his Barons, and counsell, taketh it grieuously: that you, whome he entirely loued, honored, and made chiefest in al his Realme (to the intent to haue more comfort and better trust in you) should thus (as the report is) rebell and stirre his people against him. Yea and further, that (asmuch as in you lieth) you went about to disherite him, and depriue him of his crowne. Vpon the occasion whereof, I sent vnto you our trustie and familiar seruant Laurence Archdeacon, by whome I pray you that I may vnderstand your minde herein, and good wil towarde my sonne: and howe you meane to behaue your selfe (if my prayer and petition may be heard of him in your behalfe) toward his grace. But this one thing I assure you off, that vnlesse it be through your great humilitie and moderation (euidently in you appearing) you can not obtaine the fauour of the king. Heerein what you meane to do, I pray you sende me word by your proper letters and messengers.