A67926:2427
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.
The manner of the cursing of the said Benet was marvellous to behold, for as much as at that time there was few or none,1 unless a Sherman or two (whose houses I well remember were searched for bills at that time, and for books) that knew any thing of Gods matters, or how God doeth bless their curses in such cases. Then said the Prelate, by the authority of God the father almighty, and of the blessed virgin Mary, of S. Peter and Paul, and of the holy Saints, we excommunicate, we utterly curse and ban, commit and deliver to the devil of hell, him or her, what soever he or she be, that have in spite of God and of S. Peter, whose church this is, in spite of all holy saints, and in spite of our most holy father the Pope Gods vicar here in earth,2 and in spite of the reverend father in God, John our Diocesan, and the worshipful Canons, Masters, and Priests, and Clerks, which serve God daily in this Cathedral Church, fixed up with wax such cursed and heretical Bills full of blasphemy, upon the doors of this and other holy Churches within this City. Excommunicate plainly be he or she plenally, or they and delivered over to the devil, as perpetual malefactors and schismatics. Accursed might they be, and given body & soul to the devil. Cursed be they, he, or she in Cities and towns, in fields, in ways, in paths, in houses, out of houses, and in all other places, standing, lying, or rising, walking,3 running, waking, sleeping, eating, drinking, and what so ever thing they do besides. We separate them, him, or her, from the threshold, and from all the good prayers of the church, from the participation of the holy mass, from all Sacraments, Chapels, and altars, from holy bread, and holy water, from all the merits of Gods priests, and religious men, and from all their Cloisters, from all their pardons, privileges, grants, and unmunityes, which all the holy fathers Popes of Rome have granted to them: and we give them over utterly to the power of the fiend, and let us quench their souls, if they be dead, this night in the pains of hell fire, as this candle is now quenched,4 and put out (and with that he put out one of the candles) and let us pray to God, (if they be alive) that their eyes may be put out, as this candle light is) so he put out the other candle) and let us pray to God and to our Lady, and to S.