A67922:905
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.
Affirming unto me the whole sum of that sect or error, to consist in this, that they were wont at certain times appointed, to convent before day, and to sing certain Hymns to one Christ their God, and to confederate among themselves to abstain from all theft,1 murder, and adultery, to keep their faith and to defraud no man: which done, then to depart for that time, and afterward to resort again to take meat in companies together both men and women, one with an other, & yet without any act of evils. In the truth whereof to be further certified whether it were so or not,2 I caused two maidens to be laid on the Rack, and with torments to be examined of the same. But finding no other thing in them, but only lewd and immoderate superstition, I though to surcease of further inquiry, till time that I might be further advertised in the matter from you, for so the matter seemed unto me worthy and needful of advisement, especially, for the great number of those that were in danger of your statute. For very many there were of all ages and states, both men & women which then were & more are like hereafter to incur the same peril of condemnation. For that infection hath crept not only in Cities, but Villages also and Boroughs about, which seemeth that it may be stayed and reformed For as much as we see in many places that the Temples of our Gods which were wont to be desolate, begin now again to be frequented, and that they bring sacrifices from every part to be sold, which before very few were found willing to buy them. Whereby it may easily be conjectured, what multitudes of men may be amended, if space and time be given them, wherein they may be reclaimed.
Affirming vnto me the whole summe of that sect or errour, to consist in this, that they were woont at certain times appointed, to conuent before day, and to sing certaine Hymnes to one Christ their God, and to confederate among themselues to abstaine from all theft,1 murther, and adulterie, to keepe their faith and to defraude no man: which done, then to departe for that time, and afterward to resort againe to take meate in companies together both men and women, one with an other, & yet without any acte of euils. In the truth whereof to be further certified whether it were so or not,