A67922:970
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 servants of Christ inhabiting the Cities of Vienna and Lyons, to the brethren in Asia and Phrygia, having the same faith and hope of redemption with us: peace, and grace, and glory, from God the father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord. 1The greatness of this our tribulation, the furious rage of the Gentiles against us, & the torments which the blessed martyrs suffered, neither can we in words, nor yet in writing exactly, as they deserve, set forth. For the adversary with all his force gave his endeavour to the working of such preparatives, as he himself listed, against his tyrannous coming, & in every place practised he and instructed his ministers, how in most spiteful manner to set them against the servants of God: so that not only in our houses shops and markets we were restrained, but also were universally commanded, that none (so hardy) should be seen in any place. But God hath always mercy in store and took out of their hands such as were weak amongst them, and other some did he set up as firm and immovable pillars, which by sufferance were able to abide all violent force, and valiantly to withstand the enemy, enduring all their opprobrious punishment they could devise: to conclude, they fought this battle for that intent to come unto Christ, esteeming their great troubles but as light: thereby showing that all that may be suffered in this present life, is not able to countervail the great glory which shall be showed upon us after this life. And first they patiently suffered whatsoever the multitude of frantic people running upon head did unto them, as railings, scourgings, drawings and hailings, flinging of stones, imprisoninges, & what other thing soever the rage of the multitude are wont to use and practise against their professed enemies. Then afterward they being led into the marked place, and there judged of the Captain and rest of the Potentates of the City, after their confession made openly before the multitude were commanded again to prison, until the return of their chief governor. After this they being brought before him, and he using all extremity that possibly he might against them:2
* The seruauntes of Christ inhabiting the Cities of Vienna and Lyons, to the brethren in Asia and Phrigia, hauing the same faith and hope of redemption with vs: peace, and grace, and glory, from God the father, and from Iesus Christ our Lorde. 1