A67922:880
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.
By this story here recited may appear, what were the causes why the Emperors of the Romaine Monarchy did so persecute the Christians: which causes were chiefly these: fear, and hatred: 1. fear, for that the Emperors and Senate of blind ignorance, not knowing the manner of Christs kingdom,1 feared and misdoubted least the same would subvert their Empery. Like as the Pope thinketh now that this Gospel will overthrow his kingdom of majesty. And therefore sought they all means possible, how by death and all kinds of torments utterly to extinguish the name and memory of the christians.2 And thereupon seemeth to spring the old law of the Romaine Senate: Non debere dimitti Christianos qui semel ad tribunal venissent, nisi propositum mutent. i. That the Christians should not be let go, which were once brought to the judgement seat, except they changed their purpose, &c. Euseb. Lib. 5. cap. 21.2. Hatred, partly for that this world of his own natural condition hath ever hated and maliced the people of god,3 from the first beginning of the world. Partly again, for that the Christians being of a contrary nature and Religion, serving only the true living God, despised their false gods, spake against their idolatrous worshippings, and many times stopped the power of Satan, working in their Idols. And therefore Satan the Prince of this world, stirred up the Romaine Princes & blind Idolaters to bear the more hatred and spite against them.
By this story here recited may appeare, what were the causes why the Emperours of the Romaine Monarchie did so persecute the Christians: which causes were chiefly these: feare, and hatred: 1. feare, for that the Emperors and Senate of blinde ignoraunce, not knowing the maner of Christes kingdome,1 feared and misdoubted least the same would subuert their Emperie. Like as the Pope thinkeeh now that this Gospel wil ouerthrow his kingdom of maiestie. And therfore sought they all means possible, how by death and all kindes of torments vtterly to extinguish the name and memorie of the christians.2