A67926:2423
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 as every tree and Herb hath his due time to bring forth his fruit, so did it appear by this man.1 For he daily seeing the glory of God to be so blasphemed, idolatrous religion so embraced and maintained, & that most false usurped power of the Bishop of Rome so extolled, was so grieved in conscience, and troubled in his spirit, that he could not be quiet till he did utter his mind therein. Wherefore dealing privately with certain of his friends, he did plainly open and disclose how blasphemously and abominably God was dishonoured, his word contemned, and his people whom he so dearly bought, were by blind guides carried headlong to everlasting damnation, and therefore he could no longer endure, but must needs and would utter their abominations, and for his own part, for the testimony of his conscience, and for the defence of Gods true religion,2 would yield himself most patiently (as near as God would give him grace) to die and to shed his blood therein, alleging that his death should be more profitable to the Church of God, and for the edifying of his people, then his life should be. To whose persuasions when his friends had yielded, they promised to pray to God for him, that he might be strong in the cause, and continue a faithful soldier to the end. Which done, he gave order for the bestowing of such books as he had, and very shortly after, in the month of October, he wrote his mind in certain scrolls of Paper, which in secret manner he set up upon the doors of the Cathedral church of the City, in which was written: The Pope is Antichrist, and we ought to worship God only,3 and no Saints.
But as euery tree and Hearbe hath hys due time to bryng foorth his fruite, so did it appeare by thys man.1 For he daily seeing the glorye of God to be so blasphemed, idolatrous religion so embraced and maintained, & that most false vsurped power of the Bishop of Rome so extolled, was so greeued in conscience, and troubled in his spirite, that he could not be quiet till he did vtter his minde therein. Wherefore dealing priuately with certaine of his frendes, he did plainely open and disclose howe blasphemously and abhominably God was dishonoured, his worde contemned, and hys people whom he so dearely bought, were by blinde guides caried headlong to euerlasting damnation, and therefore hee coulde no longer endure, but muste needes and would vtter theyr abhominations, and for his owne parte, for the testimonie of his conscience, and for the defence of Gods true religion,