A67926:2089
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.
After this, the Friday following at night, which was before the day of his execution,1 being S. Magnus day and Saturday, the said Bilney had divers of his friends resorting unto him in the Guildhall, where he was kept. Amongst whom one of the said friends finding him eating of an Albrew with such a cheerful hart and quiet mind as he did, said that he was glad to see him at that time,2 so shortly before his heavy and painful departure, so heartily to refresh himself. Whereunto he answered: Oh said he, [figure] 3I follow the example of the husbandmen of the country who having a ruinous house to dwell in, yet bestow cost as long as they may, to hold it up, and so do I now with this ruinous house of my body, and with Gods creatures in thanks to him, refresh the same as ye see. Then sitting with his said friends in godly talk, to their edification some put him in mind that though the fire, which he should suffer the next day should be of great heat unto his body, yet the comfort of Gods spirit should cool it to his everlasting refreshing. At this word the said Tho. Bilney putting his hand toward the flame of the candle burning before them (as also he did divers times besides) and feeling the heat thereof, O (said he) I feel by experience, & have known it long by Philosophy,4 that fire by Gods ordinance is naturally hoot, but yet I am persuaded by Gods holy word, and by the experience of some spoken of in the same, that in the flame they felt no heat, and in the fire they felt no consumption: and I constantly believe, that how soever yt stubble of this my body shall be wasted by it, yet my soul and spirit shall be purged thereby: a pain for the time, whereon notwithstanding followeth joy unspeakable. And here he much entreated of this place of scripture: Noli timere quia redemi te & vocavi te nomine tuo, meus es tu. Cum transieris per aquas, tecum ero, & flumina non operient te. Cum ambulaveris in igne, 5non combureris & flamma non ardebit te, quia ego Dominus Deus tuus sanctus Israell, saluator tuus. That is: Fear not, for I redeemed thee, and called thee by the name thou art mine own. When thou goest through the water, I will be with thee, and the strong floods shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest in the fire, it shall not burn thee, and the flame shall not kindle upon thee, for I am the Lord the God, the holy one of Israel.