A67922:994
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 foresaid martyrs of France also the same time, commended Irenaeus newly then made minister,1 with their letters unto Eleutherus Bishop of Rome: as witnesseth Euseb. in the x. thap. of the same book, which Irenaeus first was the hearer of Polycarpus, then made minister (as is said) under these Martyrs. And after their death, made Bishop afterward of Lyons in France and succeeded after Photinus. Besides this Justinus there was also the same time in Asia, Claudius Apollinaris, or Apolinarius Bishop of Hierapolis, And also Melito Bishop of Sardis an eloquent & learned man, much commended of Tertullian, who succeeding after the time of the apostles, in the reign of this Antoninus Verus, exhibited unto him, learned and eloquent Apologies, in defence of Christs Religion, like as Quadratus and Aristides above mentioned, did unto the Emperor Hadrian whereby they moved him somewhat to stay, the rage of his persecution. In like manner did this Apollinaris and Melito (stirred up by God) adventure to defend in writing the cause of the christians unto this Antoninus. Of this Melito, Eusebius in his fourth book making mention, excerpteth certain places of his Apology,2 in these words as followeth. Now saith he which was never seen before, the godly suffereth persecution by occasion of certain Proclamations & Edicts proclaimed throughout Asia, for villainous Sycophants, robbers & spoilers of other mens goods grounding them selves upon those Proclamations, and taking occasion of them, rob openly night and day, and spoil those which do no harm: And it followeth after: which if it be done by your commandment, be it so well done. For a good Prince will never command but good things. And so we will be contented to sustain the honour of his death. This only we most humbly beseech your Majesty, that calling before you and examining the authors of this tumult and contention, then your grace would justly judge whether we are worthy of cruel death or quiet life. And then if it be not your pleasure, and that it proceedeth not by your occasion (which indeed against your barbarous enemies were to bad) the more a great deal we are petitioners to your highness,3 that hereafter you will vouchsafe to hear us thus so vexed and oppressed with these kind of villainous robberies.
The foresaide martirs of Fraunce also the same tyme, commended Irenaeus newly then made minister,