A67922:74
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 if any be so far beguiled in his opinion to think the doctrine of the church of Rome (as it now standeth) to be of such antiquity, & that the same was never impugned before the time of Luther and Zuinglius now of late, let him read these histories: or if he think the said history not to be of sufficient credit to alter his persuasion let him peruse the Acts and Statutes of Parliaments, passed in this realm of ancient time and therein consider and confer the course of times; where he may find and read.1 An. 5. Regis Richardi. 2. in the year of our Lord. 1380. of a great number (which there be called evil persons) going about from town to town in freeze gowns preaching unto the people &c. which preachers although the words of the Statute do term there to be dissembling persons, preaching divers Sermons containing heresies & notorious errors, to the emblemishment of Christen faith, & of holy Church &c. as the words do there pretend: yet notwithstanding every true Christian reader may conceive of those Preachers to teach no other doctrine, then now they hear their own Preachers in Pulpits Preach, against the Bishop of Rome and the corrupt heresies of his Church.
Wherfore if any be so farre beguiled in his opinion to thinke the doctrine of the church of Rome (as it now standeth) to be of such antiquitie, & that the same was neuer impugned before the time of Luther and Zuinglius now of late, let him read these histories: or if he thinke the sayd historie not to be of sufficient credite to alter his perswasion let him peruse the Actes and Statutes of Parliamentes, passed in this realme of auncient time and therein consider and conferre the course of times; where he may finde and read.1 An. 5. Regis Richardi. 2. in the yeare of our Lord. 1380. of a great nūber (which there be called euill persons) goyng about from town to town in freese gownes preaching vnto the people &c. which preachers although the wordes of the Statute do terme there to be dissembling persons, preaching dyuers Sermons contayning heresies & notorious errours, to the emblemishment of Christen faith, & of holy Church &c. as the words do there pretend: yet notwithstanding euery true Christian reader may conceaue of those Preachers to teache no other doctrine, then nowe they heare theyr owne Preachers in Pulpits Preache, agaynst the Bishoppe of Rome and the corrupte heresies of his Churche.