A67922:758
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.
Furthermore, as they make no difference between the nature of the law and nature of the Gospel, confounding Moses and Christ together: so neither do they distinct or discern the time of the law, and the time of the Gospel a sunder. For where S. Paul, bringeth in the law, to be a schoolmaster, & limiteth him his tune unto Christ: & saith that Christ is the end of the law, that is, whereas y• law ceaseth, there Christ beginneth, & where christ begineth there the law endeth, they contrary make the law to have no end nor ceasing,1 but give to it immortal life & kingdom equal with Christ, so that Christ and the law together do reign over the soul and conscience of man. Which is untrue. For either Christ must give place, and the law stand: Or else the law (the condemnation and malediction of the law I mean) must end, and Christ reign. For both these, Christ and the law, grace and malediction, can not reign and govern together. But Christ the Son of God which once dyed, can die no more, but must reign for ever. Wherefore the law with his strength sting, and curse, must needs cease and have an end. And this is it that S. Paul speaking of the triumph of Christ, sayeth, that he ascending up led away captivity captive, & hath set man at liberty, not at liberty to live as flesh listeth, neither hath freed him from the use & exercise of the law, but from the dominion and power of the law, so that there is now no condemnation to them that be in Christ Jesus, which walk not after the flesh, &c. Romans, 8, And in an other place Saint Paul speaking of the same power and dominion of the law, saith, that Christ hath taken the obligation written against us in decrees, and hath nailed it upon the Cross, triumphing over all, &c. so that as the kingdom of Christ first began upon the Cross, even so upon the same Cross, and at the same time the kingdom of the law expired, and the malediction of the law was so crucified upon the Cross, that it shall never rise again, to have any power against them that be in Christ Jesus. For like as if a woman be discharged from her first husband being dead, & hath married an other man, the first husband hath no more power over her:2 even so we now being espoused unto Christ our second husband, are discharged utterly from our first husband the law: (& as S.
Furthermore, as they make no difference betweene the nature of the lawe and nature of the Gospell, confoundyng Moses and Christ together: so neyther doe they distinct or discerne the tyme of the lawe, and the time of the Gospell a sonder. For where S. Paule, bryngeth in the law, to be a schoolmaster, & limiteth him his tune vnto Christ: & saith that Christ is the end of the law, that is, wheras y law ceaseth, there Christ beginneth, & where christ begineth there the law endeth, they cōtrary make ye law to haue no ende nor ceasing,