A67922:712
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.
Wherefore whosoever studieth to be accepted with God and to be found righteous in his light, let him learn diligently by the doctrine of S. Paul to make a difference & a separation, as far as from heaven and earth, between these two, that is between the righteousness of works, & righteousness of faith: & in any wise beware he bring no other means for his justification, or remission of his sins, but only faith apprehending the body or person of Christ Jesus crucified. For as there is no way into the house but by the door, so is there no coming to God but by Christ alone, which is by faith. And as the mortal body, without bodily sustenance of bread & drink can not but perish so the spiritual soul of man hath no other refreshing but only by faith in the body and blood of Christ,1 whereby to be saved.2 With this faith the Idolatrous Gentiles apprehē dead Jesus Christ, and received thereby righteousness. Cornelius (the first Baptised Roman) so soon as he heard Peter preach Christ, received straightway the holy Ghost, Peter himself confessed, and for his confession, had the keys of heaven. Math. 16. Zacheus received the person of Christ into his house,3 and withal received salvation both to him and his whole household. Luc. 19 What a sinner was Mary,4 which had no less in her then vij. devils, & yet because she set her hart and affection upon that person, many sins were forgiven her. Luc. 7. The right hand thief,5 how far was he from all works of the law, & yet by faith entered he justified into Paradise the same day with christ. Luc. 23. In like manner, although the poor Publican came to the Church with less holiness after the law, yet went he home to his house more justified then the Pharisee with all his works,