A67926:2127
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.
Oh the grievous shipwreck of the common wealth,1 which in ancient time before the coming of these ravenous wolves, were so prosperous, that then there were but few thieves: yea theft was at that time so rare, that Caesar was not compelled to make penalty of death upon felony, as your grace may well perceive in his institutes. There ⟨p. 1016⟩was also at that time, but few poor people, and yet they did not beg,2 but there was given them enough unasked, for there was at that time, none of these ravenous wolves to ask it from them, as it appeareth in the Acts of the Apostles. Is it any marvel though there be now so many beggars, thieves, and •ole people? Nay truly. What remedy? make laws against them? I am in doubt whether ye be able.3 Are they not stronger in your own Parliament house then your self? What a number of Bishops Abbots and Priors, are Lords of your Parliament? Are not all the learned men of your realm in fee with them, to speak in your Parliament house for them against your crown, dignity, and common wealth of your realm, a few of your own learned Counsel only excepted? What law can be made against them that may be available? Who is he (though he be grieved never so sore) that for the murder of his ancestor,4 ravishment of his wife, of his daughter, robbery, trespass, man, debt, or any other offence, dare lay it to their charge, by any way of action: and if he do, then is he by and by, by their wyknes, accused of heresy: yea they will so handle him ere he pass, that, except he will bear a Fagot for their pleasure, he shall be excommunicate, & then be all his actions dashed.
Oh the greeuous shypwracke of the common wealth,1 which in auncient tyme before the comming of these rauenous wolues, were so prosperous, yt then there were but few theeues: yea theft was at that tyme so rare, that Caesar was not compelled to make penalty of death vpon felony, as your grace may well perceiue in his institutes. There