A67922:87
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
Preface: The utility of this Story.Preface: The vtilitie of this Story.
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.
To be short, they declare to the world what true Christian fortitude is, and what is the right way to conquer which standeth not in the power of man, but in hope of the resurrection to come, and is now I trust at hand. In consideration whereof, me thinks I have good cause to wish, that like as other subjects: even so also Kings and Princes, which commonly delight in heroical stories, would diligently peruse such Monuments of martyrs, and lay them always in sight, not alonely to read, but to follow, and would paint them upon their walls, cups, rings and gates. For doubtless such as these: are more worthy of honour than an hundred Alexanders, Hectors, Scipions and warlike Julies. And though the world judgeth prosperously of things, yet with God the true judge, certes such are to be reputed in deed, not that kill one an other with a weapon, but they which being rather killed in Gods cause, do retain an invincible constancy against the threats of tyrants and violence of tormentors. Such as these, are the true Conquerors of the world, by whom we learn true manhood, so many as fight under Christ, and not under the world. With this valiantness did that most mild Lamb and invincible Lyon of of the tribe of Judah first of all go before us, of whose unspeakable fortitude we hear this prophetical admiration: who is this (saith he) which walketh so in the multitude of his strength?1 Forsooth the high son of the high God, once conquered of the world, and yet conquering the world after the same manner he was conquered.
To be short, they declare to the world what true Christian fortitude is, and what is the right way to conquere which standeth not in the power of man, but in hope of the resurrection to come, and is nowe I trust at hand. In consideration whereof, me thinkes I haue good cause to wish, that like as other subiectes: euen so also Kinges and Princes, which commonly delite in heroicall stories, would diligently peruse such Monumentes of martyrs, and lay them alwayes in sight, not alonely to read, but to follow, and would paynt them vpon theyr walles, cups, ringes and gates. For doubtles suche as these: are more worthy of honour thē an hundreth Alexanders, Hectors, Scipions and warlike Iulies. And though the world iudgeth prosperously of thinges, yet with God the true iudge, certes such are to be reputed in deede, not that kill one an other with a weapon, but they which being rather killed in Gods cause, do retayne an inuincible constancie agaynst the threates of tyrantes and violence of tormentours. Such as these, are the true Conqueroures of the world, by whome we learne true manhoode, so many as fight vnder Christ, and not vnder the world. With this valiantnes did that most milde Lambe and inuincible Lyon of of the tribe of Iuda first of all go before vs, of whose vnspeakeable fortitude we heare this prophetical admiration: who is this (sayth he) which walketh so in the multitude of hys strength?