A67922:53
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 then such Accusers must beware they play not the dog, of whom Cicero in his Oration speaketh, which being set in Capitolio to fray away Thieves by night, left the Thieves and fell to bark at true men walking in the day. Where true faults be, there to bay & bark is not amiss. But to carp where no cause is, to spy in other straws, and to leap over their own blocks: to swallow Camels, and to strain gnats: to oppress truth with lies, and to set up lies for truth, to blaspheme the dear Martyrs of Christ and to Canonize for Saints, whom Scripture would scarce allow for good Subjects, that is intolerable. Such barking Curs, if they were well served, would be made a while to stoop. But with these brawling spirits I intend not at this time much to wrestle.
But then such Accusers must beware they play not the dog, of whom Cicero in his Oration speaketh, which being set in Capitolio to fray away Theeues by night, left the Theeues and fell to barcke at true men walking in the day. Where true faultes be, there to bay & barcke is not amisse. But to carpe where no cause is, to spye in other strawes, and to leape ouer theyr owne blockes: to swalow Camels, and to strayne gnattes: to oppresse truth with lyes, and to set vp lyes for truth, to blaspheme the deare Martyrs of Christ and to Canonize for Sayntes, whom Scripture would scarce allow for good Subiectes, that is intollerable. Such barcking Curres, if they were well serued, would be made a whyle to stoope. But with these brauling spirites I entend not at this time much to wrastle.
Wherefore to leave them a while, till further leisure serve me to attend upon them, thus much I thought in the mean season, by way of Protestation or petition, to write unto you both in general & particular the true members and faithful Congregation of Christs Church, wheresoever either congregated together, or dispersed through the whole Realm of England, that forsomuch as all the seeking of these Adversaries is to do what they can, by discrediting of this History with slanders & sinister surmises, how to withdraw the Readers from it: This therefore shall be in few words to premonish and desire of all and singular of you (all well minded lovers and partakers of Christs Gospel) not to suffer your selves to be deceived with the big brags, and hyperbolical speeches of those flaundering tongues, whatsoever they have or shall hereafter exclaim against the same. But indifferently staying your judgement till truth be tried, you will first peruse, & then refuse measuring the untruths of this History, not by the scoring up of their hundreds and thousands of lies which they give out, but wisely weighing the purpose of their doings, according as you find, and so to judge of the matter.