A67926:2428
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.
Peter and Paul, and all holy Saints, that all the senses of their bodies may fail them, and that they may have no feeling, as now the light of this candle is gone (and so he put out the third candle) except they, he, or she, come openly now and confess their blasphemy, and by repentance (as much as in them shall lye) make satisfaction to God, our Lady, S. Peter, & the worshipful company of this Cathedral Church, and as this holy Cross staff now falleth down, so might they, except they repent and show them selves: and one first taking away the Cross, the staff fell down. But Lord what a shout and noise was there, what terrible fear, what holding up of hands to heaven, that curse was so terrible.
Peter and Paule, and all holye Saintes, that all the senses of their bodies maye faile them, and that they may haue no feeling, as nowe the light of this candle is gone (and so he putte out the thirde candle) except they, hee, or shee, come openly nowe and confesse their blasphemie, and by repentaunce (as muche as in them shall lye) make satisfaction to God, our Ladye, S. Peter, & the worshipfull companie of thys Cathedrall Church, and as thys holy Crosse staffe nowe falleth downe, so myghte they, except they repent and shewe them selues: and one firste taking away the Crosse, the staffe fell downe. But Lorde what a shoute and noyse was there, what terrible feare, what holding vp of handes to heauen, that cursse was so terrible.
Now this fond foolish fantasy and mockery being done and played, which was to a Christian heart a thing ridiculous, Benet could no longer forbear,1 but fell to great laughter, but within him self, and for a great space could not cease: by the which thing the poor man was espied. For those that were next to him, wondering at that great curse, and believing that it could not but light on one or other, asked good Benet for what cause he should so laugh. My friends (said he) who can forbear, seeing such merry conceits and interludes plaid of the priests? Straightway a noise was made, Here is the heretic, here is the heretic, hold him fast, hold him fast. With that there was a great confusion of voices, and much clapping of hands, and yet they were uncertain whether he were the heretic or no. Some say,