A67922:972
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.
With these also certain of the Ethnics, being our men servants, were apprehended (for so the governor commanded, that all of us in general without any respect, should be taken) which servants being overcome by Satan, and fearing the torments which they saw the Saints do suffer, being also compelled thereunto by the means of the soldiers, feigned against us that we kept the feastings of Thyestes, 1and incest of Oedipus, and many such other crimes, which are neither to be remembered, nor named of us, nor yet to be thought that ever any man would commit the like. These things being now bruited abroad, every man began to show cruelty against us, insomuch that those which before for familiarities sake were more gentle toward us,2 now vehemently disdained us, and waxed mad against us. And thus was now fulfilled that, which was spoken by Christ, saying, the time will come that whosoever killeth you, shall think that he doth God great good service. Then suffered the Martyrs of God such bitter persecution as is passing to be told: Satan still shooting at this mark, to make them to utter some blasphemy by all means possible. Marvellous therefore was the rage both of the people & Prince, specially against one Sanctus, which was Deacon of the congregation of Vienna, and against Maturus, being but a little before baptised, but yet a worthy soldier of Christ, and also against Attalus, being borne in Pergama, which was the foundation and pillar of that congregation, and also against Blandina, by whom Christ showeth, that those things which the world esteemed vile and abject, to be glorious in Gods sight, for the very love which in hart and deed they bear unto him, not in outward face only. For when all we were afraid, & specially her mistress in flesh, who also was her self one of the number of the foresaid martyrs, least haply for the weakness of body she would not stand strongly to her confession, the foresaid Blandina was so replenished with strength & boldness,3 that they which had the tormenting of her by course from morning to night, for very weariness gave over & fell down, & were themselves overcome, confessing that they could do no more against her, & marvelled that yet she lived having her body so torn and rent. And testified that any one of those torments alone without any moe had ben enough to have pluck the life from her body.