A67922:904
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.
*The Epistle of Pliny an Heathen Philosopher to Trajan the Emperor. IT is my property and manner (my sovereign,1) to make relation of all those things unto you wherein I doubt. For who can better, either correct my slackness, or instruct mine ignorance then you? I was never yet present my self, at the examination and execution of these Christians. And therefore what punishment is to be administered, and how far, or how to proceed in such Inquisitions, I am plain ignorant, not able to resolve in the matter, whether any difference is to be had in age and person, whether the young and tender ought to be with like cruelty entreated as the elder and stronger, whether repentance may have any pardon, or whether it may profit him or not, to deny which hath been a Christian, whether the name only of Christians without other offences, or whether the offences joined with the name of a Christian ought to be punished. In the mean season, as touching such Christians as have been presented unto me, I have kept this order, I have inquired the second and third time of them, whether they were Christians, menacing them with fear of punishment, and such as did persevere, I commanded to execution. For thus I thought, that what so ever their profession was, yet their stubbornness and obstinacy ought to be punished. Whether they were also of the same madness, whom because they were Citizens of Rome, I thought to send them back again to the City. Afterward, in further process & handling of this matter, as the sect did further spread, so the more cases did thereof ensue. There was a libel offered to me bearing no name, wherein was contained the names of many which denied themselves to be Christians, contented to do sacrifice with incense, and wine to the Gods and to your Image (which Image I for that purpose caused to be brought) and to blaspheme Christ: whereunto none such as were true Christians in deed could be compelled, and those I did discharge and let go. Other some confessed that they had been Christians,2 but afterward denied the same, &c.
*The Epistle of Plinie an Heathen Philosopher to Traiane the Emperour. IT is my propertie and maner (my soueraigne,1) to make relation of all those thinges vnto you wherein I doubt. For who can better, either correct my slackenesse, or instruct mine ignoraunce then you? I was neuer yet present my selfe, at the exaamination and execution of these Christians. And therfore what punishment is to be administred, and how farre, or how to proceede in such Inquisitions, I am plaine ignoraunt, not able to resolue in the matter, whether any difference is to bee had in age and person, whether the young and tender ought to be with like crueltie intreated as the elder and stronger, whether repentance may haue any pardon, or whether it may profite him or not, to denie which hath bene a Christiā, whether the name onely of Christians without other offences, or whether the offences ioyned with the name of a Christian ought to be punished. In the meane season, as touching such Christians as haue bene presented vnto me, I haue kept this order, I haue inquired the second and third time of them, whether they were Christians, manacing them with feare of punishment, and suche as did perseuere, I commaunded to execution. For thus I thought, that what so euer their profession was, yet their stubburnenesse and obstinacie ought to be punished. Whether they were also of the same madnesse, whom because they were Citizens of Rome, I thought to send them backe againe to the Citie. Afterward, in further processe & handling of this matter, as the sect did further spread, so the more cases did thereof ensue. There was a libell offred to me bearing no name, wherein was contained the names of many which denied themselues to be Christians, contented to doe sacrifice with incense, and wine to the Gods and to your Image (whiche Image I for that purpose caused to be brought) and to blaspheme Christ: whereunto none such as were true Christians in deede could be compelled, and those I did discharge and let goe. Other some confessed that they had bene Christians,