A67922:483
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.
Acts and Monuments of Christian Martyrs, and matters Ecclesiastical, passed in the Church of Christ from the Primitive beginning, to these our days, as well in other Countries, as namely, in this Realm of England, and also of Scotland, discoursed at large.
Actes and Monumentes of Christian Martyrs, and matters Ecclesiasticall, passed in the Church of Christ from the Primitiue beginning, to these our dayes, as well in other Countreys, as namely, in this Realme of England, and also of Scotland, discoursed at large.
1CHRIST our Saviour in the Gospel of S. Matthew, Cap. 16. hearing the confession of Simon Peter, who first of all other openly acknowledged him to be the son of God, and perceiving the secret had of his father therein, answered again and alluding to his name, called him a Rock, upon which Rock he would build his Church so strong, that the gates of Hell should not prevail against it.2 &c. In which words three things are to be noted: First that Christ will have a Church in this world. Secondly that the same Church should mightily be impugned, not only by the world, but also by the uttermost strength & powers of all hell. And thirdly, that the same Church notwithstanding the uttermost of the devil & all his malice should continue. Which Prophecy of Christ, we see wonderfully to be verified. Insomuch that the whole course of the Church to this day, may seem nothing else but a verifying of the said Prophecy. First that Christ hath set up a Church needeth no declaration. Secondly, what force, what sides and sorts of men, of Princes, Kings, Monarchs, Governors, and rulers of this world, with their subjects publicly & privately, with all their strength & cunning have bent them selves against this Church. And thirdly, how the said Church all this notwithstanding hath yet endured & holden his own. What storms & tempests it hath overpast, wondrous it is to behold. For the more evident declaration whereof, I have addressed this present history, intending, by the favourable aid of Christ our Lord, not so much to delight the ears of my country in reading of news, as most especially to profit the harts of the godly in perusing antiquities of ancient times, to the end, that the wonderful works of God first in his Church might appear to his glory. Also that the continuance and proceedings of the Church from time to time being set forth in these Acts and Monuments, more knowledge and experience may redound thereby to the profit of the Reader, and edification of Christian faith.