A67922:52
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.
But as it happened in that Temple of Solomon, that all which came thither, came not to pray, but many to prate, some to gaze and see news, other to talk and walk, some to buy and sell, some to carp and find fault, and finally some also at the last to destroy and pluck down, as they did in deed. For what is in this world so strong, but it will be impugned? what so perfect, but it will be abused? so true, that will not be contraried? or so circumspectly done, wherein wrangling Theon will not set in his tooth? Even so neither do I look for any other in this present History: but that amongest many well disposed Readers, some Wasps nest or other will be stirred up to buzz about mine ears. Such a dangerous thing it is now a days to write or do any good, but either by flattering a man must offend the Godly, or by true speaking procure hatred with the wicked. Of such stinging Wasps and buzzing Drones I had sufficient trial in my former edition before, who if they had found in my book any just cause to carp, or upon any true zeal of truth had proceeded against the untruths of my story and had brought just proofs for the same, I could have right well abide it. For God forbid, but that faults, wheresoever they be, should be detected and accused. And therefore Accusers in a Common wealth after my mind do serve to no small stead.
But as it happened in that Temple of Salomon, that all which came thither, came not to pray, but many to prate, some to gaze and see newes, other to talke and walke, some to buy and sell, some to carpe and finde fault, and finally some also at the last to destroy and plucke down, as they did in deed. For what is in this world so strong, but it will be impugned? what so perfect, but it will be abused? so true, that will not be contraryed? or so circumspectly done, wherein wrangling Theon will not set in his tooth? Euen so neither do I looke for any other in this present Hystory: but that amongest many well disposed Readers, some Waspes nest or other will be styrred vp to busze about mine eares. Such a daungerous thing it is now a dayes to write or do any good, but either by flattering a man must offend the Godly, or by true speaking procure hatred with the wicked. Of such stinging Waspes and buszing Drones I had sufficient triall in my former edition before, who if they had found in my book any iust cause to carpe, or vpon any true zeale of truth had proceded agaynst the vntruths of my story and had brought iust proofes for the same, I could haue right well abide it. For God forbid, but that faultes, wheresoeuer they be, should be detected and accused. And therfore Accusers in a Common wealth after my mind do serue to no small stead.