A67922:566
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 to try this matter, as joining an issue with our adversaries, whether those foresaid titles of sovereignty, were applied in the old time of the Primitive church, to the Bishop of Rome, as to be called the vicar general of Christ, the head of the whole church, and universal bishop, remaineth to be proved. Whereunto this in my mind is to be answered, that albeit the bishops of Rome (of some peradventure) were so called by the names of higher preeminence of that city, of some going about to please them, or to crave some help at their hands, yet that calling 1. First, was used then but of a few. 2. Secondly, neither was given to many. 3. Thirdly, was rather given, then sought for, of the most. 4. Fourthly, was not so given that it maketh or can make any general necessity of law, why every one is so bound to call them, as the bishop of Rome now seeketh to be taken and called,1 and that by necessity of salvation, as the decree of Pope Boniface 8. witnesseth, where is said, quòd sit de necessitate salutis, ut credatur Primatus Ecclesiae Rom. & ei subesse. That it standeth upon necessity of salvation, to believe the Primacy of the church of Rome, and to be subject to the same, &c.
Now to trie this matter, as ioyning an issue with our aduersaries, whether those foresaid titles of soueraigntie, were applied in the old tyme of the Primitiue church, to the Bishop of Rome, as to be called the vicare generall of Christ, the hed of the whole church, and vniuersall bishop, remaineth to be proued. Wherunto this in my minde is to be answered, that albeit the bishops of Rome (of some peraduenture) were so called by the names of higher preeminence of that citie, of some going about to please them, or to craue some helpe at their handes, yet that calling 1. First, was vsed then but of a few. 2. Secondly, neither was giuen to many. 3. Thirdly, was rather giuen, then sought for, of the most. 4. Fourthly, was not so giuen that it maketh or can make any generall necessitie of law, why euery one is so bound to call them, as the bishop of Rome now seeketh to be taken and called,1 and that by necessitie of saluation, as the decree of Pope Boniface 8. witnesseth, where is said, quòd sit de necessitate salutis, vt credatur Primatus Ecclesiae Rom. & ei subesse. That it standeth vpon necessitie of saluation, to beleue the Primacie of the church of Rome, and to be subiect to the same, &c.