A67926:2087
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.
But for so much as he, not contented with his own vocation, hath with Oza reached out his unmeet hand ⟨p. 1012⟩to meddle with Gods Ark matters, wherein he had little cunning and while he thinketh to help religion, destroyeth religion, and is an utter enemy to Christ, and to his spiritual doctrine, and his poor afflicted Church, to the intent therefore that he being taken for a special ringleader, and a chief stay in the Popes Church, might the better be known what he is, and that the ignorant and simple may see what little credit is to be given unto him, as well in his other false facing out of matters, as namely in this present history of Bilneys recantation: I have diligently searched out and procured the true certificate of M. Bilneys burning, with all the circumstances, and points thereto belonging, testified not by some says & by hearsays (as M. More useth) but truly witnessed,1 and faithfully recordeth by one, who as in a place and degree surmounteth the estate of M. More (though he were Lord Chancellor) so being also both a spiritual person, and there present the same time, coming for the same purpose the day before, to see his burning, was a present beholder of things there done, [Greek or Hebrew] of Martyrdom, whose credit I am sure will counterpoise with the credit of M. More. The order of which martyrdom was this, as followeth.
But for so muche as he, not contented with hys own vocation, hath with Oza reached out hys vnmeete hand ⟨p. 1012⟩to meddle with Gods Arkematters, wherein he had little cunning and while he thinketh to helpe religion, destroieth religion, and is an vtter enemy to Christ, and to his spirituall doctrine, and his poore afflicted Church, to the intent therefore that he being taken for a speciall ringleader, and a chiefe stay in the Popes Church, might the better be knowen what he is, and that the ignorant and simple may see what little credite is to be geuen vnto him, as well in his other false facing out of matters, as namely in this present history of Bilneys recantation: I haue dilligently searched out and procured the true certificate of M. Bilneys burning, with all the circumstaunces, and poyntes thereto belonging, testified not by some sayes & by heareseyes (as M. More vseth) but truely witnessed,