A67926:1282
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.
Such devilish instigations were the cause of these horrible and furious persecutions, wherewith this poor people of the valleys and the Country of Piedmont was so long vexed. And because they foresaw the great calamities which they were like to suffer: to find some remedy for the same (if it were possible) all the said Churches of Piedmont, with one common consent wrote to the duke, declaring in effect, that the only cause why they were so hated, and for the which he was by their enemies so sore incensed against them, was their religion: which was no new or light opinion, but that wherein they and their ancestors had long continued, being wholly grounded upon the infallible word of God, contained in the old and new Testament. Notwithstanding, if it might be proved by the same word, that they held any false or erroneous doctrine, they would submit them selves to be reformed, with all obedience. But it is not certain whether this advertisement was delivered unto the Duke, or no: for it was said, that he would not hear of that Religion. But how so ever it was, in the month of March following, there was great persecution raised against the poor Christians, which were at Carignan. Amongest whom there were certain godly persons taken, & burnt within four days after, that is to say, one named Mathurine, and his wife,1 and John de Carquignan, dwelling in the valley of Luserne, taken prisoner as he went to the market at Pignerol. The woman died with great constancy. The good man, John de Carquignan had ben in prison divers times before for religion and was always delivered by Gods singular grace and providence. But seeing him self taken this last time, incontinent he said, he knew that God had now called him. Both by the way as he went, and in prison, and also at his death, he showed an invincible constancy, and marvellous virtue, aswell by the pure confession which he made touching the doctrine of salvation, as also in suffering with patience the horrible torments which he endured both in prison, & also at his death. Many at that time fled away: others being afraid of that great cruelty, and fearing man also more then God, looking rather to the earth, then unto heaven, consented to return to the obedience of the Church of Rome.
Such deuilishe instigations were the cause of these horrible and furious persecutions, wherewith this poore people of the valleys and the Countrey of Piemont was so long vexed. And because they foresawe the great calamities which they were like to suffer: to find some remedy for the same (if it were possible) al the saide Churches of Piemont, with one common consent wrote to the duke, declaring in effect, that the onely cause why they were so hated, and for the which he was by their enemies so sore incensed against them, was their religion: which was no newe or light opinion, but that wherein they and their auncitours had long cōtinued, being wholy grounded vpon the infallible worde of God, conteined in the olde and new Testament. Notwithstanding, if it might be prooued by the same worde, that they held any false or erroneous doctrine, they would submit them selues to be reformed, with all obedience. But it is not certaine whether thys aduertisemente was deliuered vnto the Duke, or no: for it was sayde, that he woulde not heare of that Religion. But howe so euer it was, in the moneth of March following, there was great persecution raised against the poore Christians, which wer at Carignan. Amongest whom there were certaine godly persones taken, & burnt within foure daies after, that is to saye, one named Mathurine, and his wife,