A67922:2689
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 first to begin with the testimony of one of his own religion, and also not far (as it appeareth) from his own time: who writing of his martyrdom & miracles, thus testifieth of the judgement and sentence of divers concerning his promotion and behaviour. The Chronicle being written in latin, & having the name of the author cut out, thus beginneth: Quoniam verò multi. &c. And in the first book, cap. 8. it follow with in this maner: Nonnullis tamen id circa promotionem eius visum est minus canonicū, quòd ad eam magis operata est regis instantia, quàm cleri vel populi vota. Praesumptionis quoque vel indiscretionis fuisse notatum est, quòd qui remū tenere vix idoneus videbatur, primum gubernaculi locum suscepit, &c. & mox: magis etiam secularia tū sapiens, tam sanctum tantae dignitatis fastigium non horrens renuiise, sed ultroneus ascendisse creditus. 1Aliter dei amicus Moses &c. With much more as in latin ensueth, which for the English Reader here followeth translated. Divers notwithstanding there be, which as touching his promotion, suppose the same not to be canonical. For that it was wrought rather by the instance of the king (thinking him to be a man ready and inclinable to his utility) then by the assent either of the clergy or of the people. 2Farther it is noted in him for a point of presumption, and lack of discretion: for that he being scarce worthy to take the Ore in hand and play the boatswain, would take upon him to sit at the helm, and guide the ship: namely in that church, where the Convent being in gesture and vesture religious, be wont to have their prelate taken out of the same profession. Where as he, scant bearing the babite of a Clarke, 3and going in his changes and soft apparel, is more conversant among the delicate rufflers in the court, savouring rather of worldly things: not refusing moreover without any dread, to clime up to the high preferment of such an holy dignity, but rather willingly of his own accord, to aspire unto it. Moles, we read did otherwise, who being the friend of God and sent of him to conduct his people Israel out of Egypt, trembled at the message, and said. Who am I Lord, that I should go to Pharaoh: and bring thy people Israel out of Egypt? And again, I pray thee (saith he) O Lord: I am nothing eloquent, send him whom thou wilt send.