A67922:959
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.
For whether he objecteth against us the doctrine of the Christians which he hath not read,1 yet is he very malicious, and worse then the unlearned idiots, who for the most part use not to dispute or judge of things they know not, and to bear witness of the fame. Or put case that he had read them, yet understandeth he not the majesty of the matters therein contained, or if peradventure he understandeth them, and doth it for this purpose, that he would not be counted as one of them: then is he so much the more wicked and malicious, and the bondslave of vile & beastly both fame and fear. For this I testify of him, giving you truly to understand that for a truth,2 which I declare unto you, how that I have apposed him, and have put unto him many questions, whereby I know and perceive, that he understandeth nothing. But if so be that this our disputation with him, hath not come unto your ears, I am ready to communicate unto you again those questions which I demanded of him,3 which things shall not be unfit for your Princely honour to hear. But if ye know and understand both what things I have examined him of, as also what answer he hath made, it shall be apparent unto you, that he is altogether ignorant of our doctrine and learning, or else if he knoweth the same, he dare not utter it for fear of his auditors, which thing, as I said before, is a proof that he is no Philosopher, but a slave to vain glory, which maketh none account of that, which his own Master Socrates had in so great estimation. And thus much of Justine, out of Justine himself.
For whether he obiecteth against vs the doctrine of the Christians whiche he hath not read,1 yet is he very malicious, and worse then the vnlearned ideotes, who for the most part vse not to dispute or iudge of thinges they know not, and to beare witnes of the fame. Or put case that he had read them, yet vnderstandeth he not the maiestie of the matters therein conteined, or if peraduenture he vnderstandeth them, and doth it for thys purpose, that he would not be counted as one of them: then is he so much the more wicked and malicious, and the bondslaue of vyle & beastly both fame and feare. For this I testifie of him, geuing you truely to vnderstand that for a truth,