A67922:2757
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 first original of these Valdenses came of one Waldus,1 a man both of great substance, and no less calling in the City of Lyons: the occasion whereof is declared of divers writers, thus to come. About the year of the Lord 1160. it chanced that divers of the best and chiefest heads of the City of Lyons, talking and walking in a certain place, after their old accustomed manner, especially in the Summer time, conferred and consulted together upon matters, either to pass over time, or to debate things to be done. Amongst whom it chanced one (the rest looking upon) to fall down by sudden death. In the number of whom this foresaid Waldus there being amongest them was one. Who beholding the matter more earnestly then the other, and terrified with so heavy an example, being (as is said) a rich man, and Gods holy spirit working withal: was stricken with a deep & inward repentance whereupon followed a new alteration, with a careful study to reform his former life. Insomuch that first he began to minister large alms of his goods, to such as needed. Secondly to instruct himself and his family, with the true knowledge of Gods word: Thirdly, to admonish all that resorted to him, by any occasion, to repentance and virtuous amendment of life.
THe first originall of these Valdenses came of one Waldus,1 a man both of great substance, and no lesse calling in the City of Lyons: the occasion whereof is declared of diuers writers, thus to come. About the yeare of the Lord 1160. it chaunced that diuers of the best and chiefest heades of the Citty of Lyons, talking and walking in a certayne place, after their olde accustomed maner, especially in the Sommer time, conferred and consulted together vpon matters, either to passe ouer time, or to debate thinges to be done. Amongst whom it chaunced one (the rest looking vpon) to fall downe by sodeine death. In the number of whom this foresayd Waldus there being amongest them was one. Who beholding the matter more earnestly then the other, and terrified with so heauy an exāple, being (as is sayd) a rich man, and Gods holy spirit working withall: was stroken with a deepe & inward repētance wherevpon folowed a new alteratiō, with a carefull study to reforme his former life. In somuch that first he began to minister large almes of his goods, to such as needed. Secōdly to instruct himselfe and his familye, with the true knowledge of Gods word: Thirdly, to admonish all that resorted to him, by any occasion, to repentaunce and vertuous amendment of life.