A67922:493
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 for so much as the Church of Rome, in all these ages above specified, hath challenged to it self the supreme title, and ringleadyng of the whole universal Church on earth, by whose direction all other Churches have been governed, in writing therefore of the Church of Christ, I can not but partly also intermeddle with the acts and proceedings of the same Church, for so much as the doings & orderings of all other Churches from time to time, as well here in England, as in other nations, have this long season, chiefly depended upon the same. Wherefore, as it is much needful and requisite to have the doings & orderings of the said Church to be made manifest to all Christen congregations: so have I framed this history, according to the same purpose. First in a general description briefly to declare as in a summary Table, the misguiding of that Church, comparing the former primitive state of the forenamed Church of Rome, with these later times of the same. Which done, then after in a more special tractation, to prosecute more at large all the particulars thereof, so far forth as shall seem not unprofitable for the public instruction of all other Christen Churches, to behold and consider the manner & dealing of this one.1 In the which one church of Rome four things, as most special points, seem to me chiefly to be considered. To wit, Title, Jurisdiction, Life, and Doctrine, wherein I have here to declare, first concerning the title or primacy of the Church, how it first began, and upon what occasion. Secondly, concerning the jurisdiction and authority thereof, what it was, and how far it did extend. Thirdly, touching the misorder of life and conversation, how inordinate it is. And fourthly, the form of doctrine, how superstitious & Idolatrous of late it hath been. Of the which four the first was prejudicial to all Bishops, the second derogatory to Kings and Emperors. The third detestable to all men. The fourth injurious against Christ.
And for somuch as the Church of Rome, in all these ages aboue specified, hath chalenged to it selfe the supreme title, and ringleadyng of the whole vniuersall Church on earth, by whose direction all other Churches haue bene gouerned, in writyng therfore of the Church of Christ, I can not but partly also intermedle with the actes and proceedynges of the same Church, for somuch as the doynges & orderyngs of all other Churches from tyme to tyme, as well here in England, as in other nations, haue this long season, chiefly depended vpon the same. Wherfore, as it is much needefull and requisite to haue the doynges & orderyngs of the sayd Church to be made manifest to all Christen congregations: so haue I framed this history, accordyng to the same purpose. First in a generall description briefly to declare as in a summary Table, the misguidyng of that Church, comparyng the former primitiue state of the forenamed Church of Rome, with these later tymes of the same. Which done, then after in a more speciall tractation, to prosecute more at large all the particulars therof, so farforth as shall seeme not vnprofitable for the publike instruction of all other Christen Churches, to behold and consider the maner & dealyng of this one.