A67922:505
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.
Now as touching the authorities & allegations of the ancient Doctors, and holy fathers in the commendation of the Church of Rome, here cometh in also to be noted, that whosoever will understand rightly their authorities and answer to the same, must first learn to make a difference and distinction of the said Church of Rome, from that it was, to that it is, for as much as the Church of Rome is not the same Church now,1 which it was then, but only aequivocè: otherwise as touching the very property and definition of a Church▪ it is an other Church, and nothing agreeing to that was then, save only in outward name and place, therefore by this distinction made, I answer the place of Irenaeus, Cyprianus, and other famous Doctors, commending the Church of Rome as Catholic and Apostolical, and say that these Doctors speaking of the Church of Rome which then was, said not untrue, calling it Catholic & Apostolical,2 for that the same Church took their ordinary succession of Bishops, joined with the ordinary doctrine and institution from the Apostles: but speaking of the Church of Rome, which now is, we say the said places of the Doctors are not true, neither do appertain to the same, all which Doctors neither knew the Church of Rome that now is, neither if they had, would ever have judged any thing therein worthy such commendation.
Now as touchyng the authorities & allegations of the auncient Doctours, and holy fathers in the commēdation of the Church of Rome, here commeth in also to be noted, that whosoeuer will vnderstand rightly their authorities and aūswere to the same, must first learne to make a difference and distinction of the sayd Church of Rome, frō that it was, to that it is, for as much as the Church of Rome is not the same Church now,1 which it was then, but onely aequiuocè: otherwise as touching the very propertie and definition of a Church▪ it is an other Church, and nothing agreing to that was then, saue onely in outward name and place, therefore by this distinction made, I aunswere the place of Irenaeus, Cyprianus, and other famous Doctours, commendyng the Church of Rome as Catholicke and Apostolicall, and say that these Doctours speakyng of the Church of Rome which then was, sayd not vntrue, calling it Catholicke & Apostolicall,