A67922:873
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 mean time it chanced, that of necessity John was sent for to those quarters again, and came. The causes being decided, and his business ended, for the which he came, by the way meeting with the Bishop afore specified, requireth of him the pledge, which in the witness of Christ and of the congregation then present, he left in his hands to keep. The bishop something amazed at the words of John, supposing he had meant of some money committed to his custody, which he had not received, and yet durst not mistrust John, nor contrary his words could not tell what to answer. Then John perceiving his doubting, and uttering his mind more plainly: The young man (saith he) and the soul of our brother committed to your custody, I do require. Then the bishop with a loud voice, sorrowing and weeping, said, he is dead: to whom John said, how? And by what death? The other said, he is dead to God: for he is become an evil man, and pernicious, to be brief, a thief: & now he doth frequent this mountain with a company of villains and thieves,1 like unto himself against the Church. But the Apostle renting his garments, and with great lamentation, said, I have let a good keeper of my brothers soul. Get me a horse, and let me have a guide with me, which being done, his horse and man procured, hasted from the Church as much as he could, and coming to the same place, was taken of thieves that watched. But he neither flying, nor refusing said: I came for this same cause hither, lead me (said he) to your captain. So he being brought, the captain all armed, fiercely began to look upon him. And eftsoons coming to the knowledge of him, was stricken with confusion and shame, and began to fly. But the old man followed him as much as he might, forgetting his age and crying: My son, why doest thou fly from thy father? an armed man, from one naked,2 a young man, from an old man. Have pity on me my son, and fear not, for there is yet hope of salvation, I will make an answer for thee unto Christ, I will dye for thee if need be, as Christ hath died for us. I will give my life for thee, believe me, Christ hath sent me. He hearing these things, first as in a maze stood still, and therewith his courage was abated. After that he cast down his weapons, by and by he trembled, yea and wept bitterly:
In the meane time it chaunced, that of necessitie Iohn was sent for to those quarters againe, and came. The causes being decided, and his busines ended, for the which he came, by the way meeting with the Bishop afore specified, requireth of him the pledge, which in the witnes of Christ and of the congregation then present, he left in his handes to keepe. The bishop something amased at the woordes of Iohn, supposing he had meant of some money committed to his custody, which he had not receiued, and yet durst not mistrust Iohn, nor contrary his woordes could not tell what to aunswer. Then Iohn perceauing his doubtyng, and vtteryng his mynde more plainely: The yong man (saith he) and the soule of our brother committed to your custody, I do require. Then the bishop with a loude voice, sorrowing and weeping, said, he is dead: to whom Iohn said, how? And by what death? The other said, he is dead to God: for he is become an euill man, and pernicious, to be briefe, a thiefe: & now he doth frequent this mountaine with a company of villains and thieues,