A67922:871
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.
Moreover, in the foresaid Ecclesiastical story of Eusebius, we read that John the Apostle and Evangelist,1 whom the Lord did love, was in Asia, where he being returned out of Patmos, after the death of Domitian, governed the Churches and congregations. Irenaeus in his second book thus writeth: And of him all the Elders do witness, which were with John the Disciple of the Lord in Asia, that he spake and wrote these things, &c. for there he continued with them unto the time of Traianus, &c. Also the said Irenaeus, Lib. 3. Hypothes. in like words declareth,2 saying: The Church of the Ephesians being first founded by Paul, afterward being confirmed of John, (who continued in the same City unto the time of Traianus the Emperor) is a true witness of this Apostolical tradition, &c. Clemens Alexandrinus moreover noteth, both the time of this holy Apostle, and also addeth to the same a certain history of him, not unworthy to be remembered of such which delight in things honest and profitable.3 Of the which history Sozomenus also in his Commentaries maketh mention. The words of the author setting forth this history, be these: Hear a fable, and not a fable, but a true report which is told us of John the Apostle, delivered and commended to our remembrance. After the death of the tyrant, when John was returned to Ephesus, from the Isle of Patmos: he was desired to resort to the places bordering near unto him, partly to constitute bishops, partly to dispose the causes and matters of the church, partly to ordain and set such, of the Clergy in office, whom the holy ghost should elect. Whereupon, when he was come to a certain city not far of, the name of which also, many do yet remember, and had among other things comforted the brethren, he looking more earnestly upon him which was the chief bishop among them, beheld a young man mighty in body, and of a beautiful countenance, and of a fervent mind. I commend this man (saith he) to thee with great diligence, in the witness here of Christ and of the Church.
Moreouer, in the foresayd Ecclesiasticall story of Eusebius, we read that Iohn the Apostle and Euangelist,1 whō the Lord did loue, was in Asia, where he being returned out of Pathmos, after the death of Domitian, gouerned the Churches and congregations. Irenaeus in his second booke thus writeth: And of him all the Elders do witnes, which were with Iohn the Disciple of the Lord in Asia, that he spake and wrote these thinges, &c. for there he continued with them vnto the tyme of Traianus, &c. Also the said Irenaeus, Lib. 3. Hypothes. in like wordes declareth,