A67922:674
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.
Thus have ye the first and original grounds, by the means whereof, the Archbishops of the Romish Sea have achieved to this their great kingdom and celsitude over Christs church, first beginning the mystery of their iniquity, by that which was modestly and voluntarily given them. Afterward by use and custom claiming it ambitiously unto them, of duty & service, & lastly holding fast (as we see) that which once they had gotten into their possession, so that now in no case they can abide the birds to call home their feathers again, which they so long have usurped.
Thus haue ye the first and originall groundes, by the meanes wherof, the Archbishops of the Romish Sea haue atchieued to this their great kingdome and celsitude ouer Christes church, first beginning the mysterie of their iniquitie, by that which was modestly and voluntarily giuē them. Afterward by vse and custome claiming it ambitiously vnto them, of dutie & seruice, & lastly holding fast (as we see) that which once they had gotten into their possessiō, so that now in no case they can abide the birdes to cal home their fethers againe, which they so long haue vsurped.
And thus much concerning the life,1 jurisdiction, & title of the Roman bishops: In all which (as is declared) they and not we, have fallen from the church of Rome. To these I might also join the manner of government, wherein the said Romish Bishops have no less altered both from the rule of Scripture, and from the steps of the true church of Rome, which government as it hath been, and ought to be only spiritual: so hath the bishop of Rome used it of late years no otherwise, than hath an earthly king or prince governed his realm & dominions, with riches, glory, power, terror, outward strength, force, prison, death, execution, laws policies, promoting his friends to dignities, revenging his affections, punishing and correcting faults against his person more then other offences against God committed, using and abusing in all these things the word of God for his pretext & cloak to work his worldly purpose withal: