A67922:984
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.
whither as he approached, thinking there to be all alone, there meeteth with him an old ancient father of a comely visage and gentle behaviour,1 who following him a little of began to reason with him, where after long disputation, when the old man had declared unto him that there was no knowledge of truth amongst the Philosophers, which neither knew God, neither were aided by the holy Ghost: & further had reasoned with him of the immortality of the soul, of the reward of the godly, & punishment of the wicked: then Justine being confirmed with his reasons and arguments, yielded to him of his own accord, and demanded of him by what means he might attain to that true knowledge of God, Whereof he had spoken.2 Who then counselled him to read & search the Prophets, adjoining therewith prayer: but what master, quoth Justine should I use for the instruction thereof. & who shall be able to help us if these philosophers (as you say) lack the truth, & are void of the same? To whom the old father answering, there have been said he many years before these philosophers, other more ancient then all these, which being accounted for Philosophers were just and beloved of God:3 who spake by the spirit of God, foreseeing and prophesying these things which we see now come to pass, & therefore they are called Prophets. These only have known the truth and revealed it to men, neither fearing nor passing for any: who were seduced with no opinions of mans invention, but only spake & taught those things which they themselves both heard and saw, being inspired with the holy spirit of god:4 whose writings and works yet to this day remain. Out of which the reader may receive great profit & knowledge of things, as concerning the first creation of the world & end of the same, with all other things necessary to be known of every true Philosopher which will give credit unto them. Neither in their teaching they do use any demonstration, as being more certain o• themselves, then that they need any such demonstration to be made. Forasmuch as the accomplishing and the end of things both paste,5