A67922:759
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.
Paul in an other place saith) are no more under the law, that is, under the dominion & malediction of the law, but under grace, 1that is, under perpetual remission of all sins, committed not only before our Baptism, but as well also after Baptism, and during all our life long. For therein properly consisteth the grace of God, in not imputing sin unto us, so often as the repenting sinner rising up by faith flieth unto Christ,2 and apprehendeth Gods mercy and remission promised in him, according to the testimony both of the Psalm: Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth no sin. &c. & also of all the Prophets, which (as Saint Peter saith) give record to him that through his name all that believe in him shall receive remission of their sins, &c. Acts. 10. Which being so, as it can not be denied, then what needeth these private and extraordinary remissions to be brought into the Church by ear confession, by meritorious deeds, and by the Popes pardons? for if there be no condemnation but by the law: and if this law it self be captived, crucified, abolished, and departed, which was the first husband, what condemnation then can there be to them that be in Christ Jesus, or by whom should it come? If there be no condemnation, but a free and general deliverance for all men, once gotten by the victory of Christ, from the penalty of the law: what needeth then any particular remission of sins,3 at sundry times to be sought at the Priests hands or the Popes pardons? He that hath a general pardon needeth no particular. If remedy for sin be general and perpetual once gotten for ever, to all them that be in Christ Jesus, what needeth any other remedy by auricular confession? If it be not general and perpetual, how then, is it true that Saint Paul saith: the law is crucified, and condemnation abolished? or how standeth redemption perpetual and general,4 if remission be not general? For what is redemption else, but remission of sins, or sins bought out? or what is else to kill the law, but to discharge us from condemnation for ever? He that delivereth his friend for a time out of his enemies hand, doth him a pleasure: but he that killeth the enemy once out of the way giveth perpetual safety. So if remission of sins by Christ were for some sins and not for all, the law then must needs live still.