A67926:1124
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. 2, part 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. 2, part 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
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
Neither do I fear mine adversaries which here persecute me and oppress me: For he that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall deride them I fear not thousands of people, which compass me about. The Lord my God shall deliver me, my hope, my supporter, my comforter, who exalteth up my head. He shall smite all them that stand up against me without cause, & shall dash the teeth & jaws of sinners a sunder: for he only is all blessedness and majesty. The rebukes for Christs cause make us jocund: for so it is written, If ye be rebuked & scorned for the name of Christ, happy be you, for the glory and spirit of God resteth upon you. 1. Pet. 4. Be you therefore certified, that our rebukes which are laid upon us, redound to the shame and harm of the rebukers. In this world there is no mansion firm to me, and therefore I travail up to the new Jerusalem, which is in heaven, & which offereth it self unto me, without paying any fine or Income. Behold I have entered already in my journey, where my house standeth for me prepared, and where I shall have riches, kinsfolks delights, honours never failing. As for these earthly things here present, they are transitory shadows, vanishing vapours, and ruinous walls, Briefly all is but very vanity of vanities, where as hope, and the substance of eternity to come, are wanting, Which the merciful goodness of the Lord hath given, as companions, to accompany me, and to comfort me, and now do the same begin to work and to bring forth fruits in me. I have travailed hitherto, laboured and sweat early and late, watching day and night, & and now my travails begin to come to effect. Days and hours have I bestowed upon my studies. Behold the true countenance of God is sealed upon me, the Lord hath given mirth in my hart. And therefore in the same will I lay me down in peace and rest. Psal 4. And who then shall dare to blame this our age consumed, or say that our years be cut off? What man can now cavil, that these our labours are lost, which have followed & found out the Lord and maker of this world, and which have changed death with life? My portion is the Lord (saith my soul) & therefore I will seek & wait for him Now then, if to dye in the Lord, be not to die but to live most joyfully: where is this wretched worldly rebel, which blameth us of folly, for giving away our lives to death?
Neither do I feare mine aduersaries which here persecute me and oppresse me: For he that dwelleth in heauē shal laugh them to scorne, and the Lord shall deride them I feare not thousands of people, which compasse me about. The Lord my God shal deliuer me, my hope, my supporter, my comforter, who exalteth vp my head. He shall smite al thē that stand vp against me without cause, & shal dash the teeth & iawes of sinners a sunder: for he only is all blessednes and maiestie. The rebukes for Christes cause make vs iocant: for so it is writtē, If ye be rebuked & scorned for the name of Christ, happy be you, for the glory and spirite of God resteth vpon you.