A67926:2432
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.
To declare here with what cruelty the officers searched his house for bills and books, how cruelly and shamefully they handled his wife, charging her with divers enormities, it were too long to write. But she like a good woman took all things patiently that they did to her: like as in other things she was contented to bear the cross with him, as to fare hardly with him at home, and to live with course meat and drink, that they might be the more able somewhat to help the poor, as they did to the uttermost of their power.1 Amongst all other priests and Friars, Gregory Basset was most busy with him. This Gregory Basset, as is partly touched before, was learned, and had a pleasant tongue,2 and not long before, was fallen from the truth, for the which he was prisoned in Bristowe long time, at whose examination was ordained a great pan of fire, where his holy brethren (as report went abroad) menaced him to burn his hands of, whereupon he there before them recanted, and became afterward a mortal enemy to the truth all his life. This Gregory (as it is said) was fervent with the poor man, to please the Canons o• that Church, and marvellously tormented his brains, how to turn him from his opinions, yea and he was so diligent and fervent with him, that he would not depart the prison, but lay there night and day,3 who notwithstanding lost his labour: for good Benet was at a point not to deny Christ before men. So Gregory, as well as the other holy fathers, lost his spurs, in so much that he said in open audience, that there was never so obstinate an heretic.
To declare here with what cruelty the officers searched his house for bils and bookes, how cruelly and shamefully they handled his wife, charging her wt diuers enormities, it were too long to write. But she like a good woman tooke all thyngs patiently that they did to her: like as in other things she was contented to beare the crosse with hym, as to fare hardly with him at home, and to liue wyth course meate and drinke, that they myght be the more able somewhat to help the poore, as they did to the vttermost of their power.1