A67922:554
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 as the said Justinian, & other Emperors in those days had the jurisdiction and government over spiritual matters & persons, the like examples also may be brought of other kings, in other lands, who had no less authority in their Realms,1 then Emperors had in their Empire. As in France, Clodoveus the first Christened king at Orleans caused a Council of 33. Bishops, where .33. Canons were instituted concerning the government of the Church,2 within .200. years after Christ. Ex primo Tomo Concil. Carolus Magnus, beside his other laws and edicts political, called v. Synods, one at Mentz, the second at Rome, the third at Rheims, the fourth at Cabilone, the fifth at Ar•late, where sundry rites & ordinances were given to the Clergy, about .810. years after Christ. The same Carolus also decreed that only the Canonical books of Scripture should be read in the Church,3 & none other. Which before also was decreed. an. 4.17. in the third general Council of Carthage. Item he exhorteth and chargeth Bishops and Priests to preach the word, with a godly injunction: Episcopi verò ut sive per se, sive per vicarios, pabulum verbi divini sedulò populis annuncient. Quia ut ait beatus Gregorius: Iram contra see occulti judicis excitat Sacerdos si sine praedicationis sonitu incedit. Et ut ipsi clerum sibi commissum in sobrietate & castitate nutriant. Superstitions quas quibusdam in locis in exequijs mortuorum nonnulli faciunt, 4eradicent, that is: That bishops either by them selves, or their deputies shall show forth the food of Gods word to the people with all diligence. For as Gregory saith, the Priest procureth against him the wrath of the secret judge, which goeth without the sound of preaching. And also that they bring up their Clergy to them committed in soberness & chastity.5 The superstition which in certain places is used of some, about the Funerals of the dead, let them exterminate & pluck up by the roots, &c.
And as the said Iustinian, & other Emperours in those dayes had the iurisdictiō and gouernement ouer spirituall matters & persons, the like examples also may be brought of other kyngs, in other lādes, who had no lesse authoritie in their Realmes,