A67926:2034
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.
An other letter or epistle of M. Bilney, to Cuthbert Tonstall B of London. Albeit I do not remember, reverent father in Christ, whether I have either spoken or written,1 that the Gospel hath not been sincerely preached now of long time, which your Lordship seemeth to have gathered either by some Momes and sinister hearers of my Sermons, who like Malchus having their right ear cut off, only bring their left ear to Sermons,2 or else by some words or writings of mine, which have rashly passed me, rather then upon any evil intent: yet for so much as in this behalf, your reverence doth command me, and that of a good mind. I trust (for how can I think in Tonstal any craft or doubleness to dwell:) I will briefly declare unto you, what I have learned of God through Christ, in the Scriptures, & how that the Doctors even of great name & renown, have not taught the same of late in their sermons, referring or rather submitting all things unto your fatherly judgement,3 which is more quick and sharp, then that it can by any means be blinded, and so sincere, that it will not in any point seek slander or discord. Therefore I do confess that I have often ben afraid, that Christ hath not been purely preached now a long time. For who hath been now a long season offended through him? Who hath now this many years suffered any persecution for the Gospels sake? Where is the sword which he came to send upon the earth? And finally where are the rest of the sincere and uncorrupt fruits of the Gospel? which, because we have not a long time seen, is it not to be feared that the tree which bringeth forth those fruits hath now a long time been wanting in our region or country? much less is it to be believed, that it hath been nourished amongest us. Have we not seen all things quiet and peaceable a long time?4 But what saith the church? My grief most bitter, is turned to peace &c. But the malignant church saith: Peace, peace, and there is no peace: but only that whereof it is written: When the mighty armed man keepeth his gates, he possesseth all things in quiet. But when he seeth, that he shall be vanquished of a stronger then he him self is, he spoileth and destroyeth all things. What now a days beginneth again to be attempted? I dare not say.