A67922:812
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.
In the tractation of all which things our chief purpose and indenor shall be (so near as the Lord will give us grace) not so much to intermeddle with outward affairs of Princes, or matters civil,) except sometime for example of life) as specially minding (by the help of the Lord) to prosecute such things, which to the Ecclesiastical state of the Church are appertaining: as first to entreat of the stablishing of Christian faith, then of the persecutions of tyrants, the constancy and patience of Gods Saints, the first conversion of Christen Realms to the faith of Christ namely of this Realm of England & Scotland: first beginning with king Lucius, and so forward following the order of our English kings here in this land, to declare the maintenance of true doctrine, the false practise of Prelates, the creeping in of superstition, and hypocrisy, the manifold assaults, wars and tumults of the princes of this world, against the people of God. Wherein may appear the wonderful operation of Christs mighty hand, ever working in his church, & never ceasing to defend the same against his enemies, according to the verity of his own word, promising to be with his Church while the world shall stand, so as by the process of this story may well be proved, and be testified in the sequel thereof.1
In the tractation of all which things our chiefe purpose and indenor shalbe (so neare as the Lord will giue vs grace) not so much to intermedle with outward affaires of Princes, or matters ciuile,) except somtime for example of life) as specially minding (by the helpe of the Lorde) to prosecute such thinges, which to the Ecclesiasticall state of the Church are appertaining: as first to entreat of the stablishing of Christian faith, then of the persecutions of tyraunts, the constancy and patience of Gods Saintes, the first conuersion of Christen Realmes to the faith of Christ namely of this Realme of England & Scotland: first beginning with king Lucius, and so forwarde following the order of our English kings here in this land, to declare the maintenaunce of true doctrine, the false practise of Prelates, the creping in of superstition, and hipocrisie, the manifold assaultes, warres and tumults of the princes of this world, against the people of God. Wherein may appeare the wonderfull operation of Christes mightie hand, euer working in his church, & neuer ceasing to defend the same against his enimies, according to the verity of his owne word, promising to be with his Church while the worlde shal stand, so as by the proces of this story may welbe proued, and be testified in the sequell thereof.