A67926:2032
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.
Augustin saith) a hasty and swift running out of the right way,1 or else much like to the vesture made of fig leaves, wherewithal Adam and Eve went about in vain, to cover their privities, and could never before obtain quietness and rest, until they believed in the promise of God, that Christ the seed of the woman, should tread upon the serpents head: Neither could I be relieved or eased of the sharp stings and bitings of my sins, before that I was taught of God that lesson, which Christ speaketh of,2 in the third chapter of John: Even as Moses exalted the serpent in the desert, so shall the son of man be exalted, that all which believe on him should not perish, but have life everlasting. As soon as (according to the measure of grace given unto me of God) I began to taste & savour of this heavenly lesson, which no man can teach but only God, which revealed the same unto Peter: I desired the Lord to increase my faith: and at last, I desired nothing more, then that I being so comforted by him, might be strengthened by his holy spirit and grace from above,3 that I might teach the wicked his ways, which are mercy and truth, and that the wicked might be converted unto him by me, which sometime was also wicked, which thing, whilst that with all my power, I did endeavour before my Lord Cardinal and your fatherhood, Christ was blasphemed in me (and this is my only comfort in these my afflictions) whom with my whole power I do teach and set forth.4 being made for us by God his father, our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, & redemption, and finally, our satisfaction. 5Who was made sin for us (that is to say a sacrifice for sin) that we through him, should be made the righteousness of God. 6Who became accursed for us, to redeem us from the curse of the law: Who also came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. The righteous (I say) which falsely judge and think themselves soe to be (for all men have sinned and lack the glory of God,