A67922:88
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.
The like dance did all his other Martyrs follow, to whom the ancient antiquity of the Church did attribute so great honour, as never king or Emperor could purchase in this world with all their images, pillars hie spires, triumphs, temples, and all their solemn feasts. In probation whereof we see with what admiration, and almost superstition, not only the memory, but also the relics of those good Martyr's were received & kept amongest the ancient Christians. We have also for witness the learned Hymns and Songs of Prudentius and Nazienzene, wherewith Pindarus did never so much set out his triumphs of Olympia and Nemea. I need not here rehearse the learned Orations of eloquent Cyprian, Chrysostom, Ambrose. and Hierome, who never showed their eloquence more, then when they fell into the commendations of the Godly Martyrs?
The like daunce did all hys other Martyrs follow, to whome the auncient antiquitie of the Churche did attribute so great honour, as neuer king or Emperour could purchase in this world with all theyr images, pillers hie spires, triumphes, temples, and all theyr solemne feastes. In probation whereof we see with what admiration, and almost superstition, not onely the memory, but also the reliques of those good Martyr's were receaued & kept amongest the auncient Christians. We haue also for witnes the learned Hymnes and Songes of Prudentius and Nazienzene, wherewith Pindarus did neuer so much set out hys triumphes of Olympia and Nemea. I neede not here rehearse the learned Orations of eloquent Cyprian, Chrysostome, Ambrose. and Hierome, who neuer shewed theyr eloquence more, then when they fell into the commendations of the Godly Martyrs?
Whereby it is manifest, what estimation in times past was attributed to Martyrs: with what gratulation, rejoice, mirth, and common joy the afflictions of those godly, dying in Christs quarrel, were sometime received ⟨image 23⟩and solemnised, and that not without good reasonable cause. For the Church did well consider how much she was beholding to their benefits, by whose death she understood her treasures to increase. Now then if Martyrs are to be compared with Martyrs, I see no cause why the Martyrs of our time deserve any less commendation, then the other in the primitive Church, which assuredly are inferior unto them in no point of praise: whether we view the number of them that suffered, or greatness of their formentes, or their constancy in dying, or also consider the fruit that they brought to the amendment of posterity, and increase of the Gospel. They did water the truth with their blood,