A67922:720
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.
1And this is the cause why S. Paul is so vehement & urgent to call upon good works, not that works should justify, but that we being justified so mercifully & tenderly through his grace, should not abuse his grace in vain, but endeavour our selves to our uttermost to render our service again to him, in such conversation of life as may most make to his glory, and profit of our neighbour. And though the words of our saviour seem in some places to attribute to our obedience and charity here in earth, great rewards in heaven, that is of his own free grace & goodness so to impute small matters for great deserts, and not for us to claim any meed thereby or thank at his hand, as by any worthiness of our doings, no more then the servant when he cometh from the plough and serving the cattle in the field, serveth first his master at home and waiteth upon his table: the master is not bound (saith Christ) to thank his servant therefore,2 and bid him sit down: So you (saith he) when you have done that is commanded you, say ye are unprofitable servants: ye have done but what your bound duty was to do. Luc. 17.
1And this is the cause why S. Paule is so vehement & vrgent to call vpon good workes, not that workes should iustifie, but that we being iustified so mercifully & tenderly through his grace, should not abuse his grace in vayne, but endeuour our selues to our vttermost to render our seruice againe to him, in such conuersation of life as may most make to his glorye, and profite of our neighbour. And though the words of our sauiour seme in some places to attribute to our obedience and charitie here in earth, great rewards in heauen, that is of his owne free grace & goodnes so to impute small matters for great deserts, and not for vs to claime any meede thereby or thanke at hys hande, as by any worthines of our dooings, no more then the seruaunt when he commeth from the plough and seruing the cattell in the field, serueth first his master at home and waiteth vpon his table: the master is not bound (saith Christ) to thanke his seruaunt therefore,2 and bid him sit downe: So you (saith he) when you haue done that is cōmanmanded you, say ye are vnprofitable seruants: ye haue done but what your bound duety was to doe.