A67926:2517
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.
For this only cause, I protest before God, and in the word of a Prince, I have asked counsel of the greatest Clerks in Christendom, and for this cause I have sent for this Legate, as a man indifferent only to know the truth, and so to settle my conscience, and for none other cause, as God can judge. And as touching the Queen, if it be adjudged by the law of God that she is my lawful wife, there was never thing more pleasant nor more acceptable to me in my life, both for the discharge and clearing of my conscience, and also for the good qualities and conditions the which I know to be in her. For I assure you all, that beside her noble parentage of the which she is descended (as you well know) she is a woman of most gentleness, of most humility and buxomness, yea and of all good qualities appertaining to nobility, she is without comparison, as I this 20. years, almost have had the true experiment: so that if I were to marry again, if the marriage might be good, I would surely chose her above all other women. But if it be determined by judgement that our marriage was against Gods law and clearly void, then I shall not only sorrow the departing from so good a Lady and loving companion, but much more lament and bewail my infortunate chance that I have so long lived in adultery to Gods great displeasure, and have no true heir of my body to inherit this Realm. These be the sores that vex my mind, these be the pangs that trouble my conscience, and for these grieves I seek a remedy. Therefore I require of you all, as our trust and confidence is in you, to declare to our subjects our mind and intent, according to our true meaning, and desire them to pray with us that the very truth may be known for the discharge of our conscience and saving of our soul, and for the declaration hereof I have assembled you together, and now you may depart.
For this onely cause, I protest before God, and in the word of a Prince, I haue asked councell of the greatest Clearkes in Christendome, and for this cause I haue sent for this Legate, as a manne indifferent onely to knowe the truth, and so to settle my conscience, and for none other cause, as God can iudge. And as touching the Queene, if it be adiudged by the law of God that she is my lawfull wife, there was neuer thing more pleasant nor more acceptable to me in my life, both for the discharge and clearing of my conscience, and also for the good qualities and conditions the which I know to be in her. For I assure you all, that beside her noble parentage of the which shee is descended (as you well know) she is a woman of most gentlenesse, of moste humilitie and buxumnesse, yea and of all good qualities appertaining to nobilitie, she is without comparison, as I this 20. yeares, almoste haue had the true experiment: so that if I were to mary againe, if the marriage might be good, I would surely chose her aboue all other women. But if it be determined by iudgement that our mariage was against Gods law and clearely voyde, then I shall not onely sorowe the departing from so good a Ladie and louing companion, but much more lamēt and bewaile my infortunate chance that I haue so long liued in adultery to Gods great displeasure, and haue no true heire of my body to inherite thys Realme. These be the sores that vexe my minde, these be the pāgs that trouble my conscience, and for these greeues I seeke a remedy. Therefore I require of you all, as our trust and confidence is in you, to declare to our subiects our minde and entent, according to our true meaning, and desire them to pray with vs that the very truth may be knowen for the discharge of our conscience and sauing of our soule, and for the declaration hereof I haue assembled you together, and now you may depart.