A67926:2650
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.
Albeit I speak not this as though Winchester had not bolted out this matter secretly with himself before hand (for he without doubt tried it out long ago) but that running fair and softly, he would first with his painful study, pluck the matter out of the dark, although of it self it was clear enough, but by reason of sundry opinions, it was lapped up in darkness, and then did he debate it wittily too and fro, and so at last after long and great deliberation had in the matter, because there is no better counsellor then leisure an• time, he would resolutely with his learned and consummate judgement confirm it.
Albeit I speake not this as though Winchester had not boulted out this matter secretly with hymselfe before hand (for he without doubt tried it out long ago) but that running faire and softly, he woulde firste with his paynefull study, plucke the matter out of the darke, although of it selfe it was cleare enough, but by reason of sondry opinions, it was lapped vp in darkenes, and then did he debate it wittely too and fro, and so at last after long and great deliberation had in the matter, because there is no better counseller then leasure an• time, he would resolutely with his learned and cōsummate iudgement confirme it.
Thou shouldest gentle Reader, esteem his censure and authority to be of more weighty credence, 1in as much as the matter was not rashly and at all adventures, but with judgement (as thou seest) and with wisdom examined and discussed. And this is no new example, to be against the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome, seeing that not only this man, but many men often times, yea and right great learned men afore now, have done the same even in writing, whereby they both painted him out in his right colours, and made his sleights, falsehood, frauds, and deceitful wiles, openly known to the world. Therefore if thou at any time heretofore have doubted either of true obedience, or of the Kings Majesties marriage, or title, either else of the Bishop of Romes false pretensed supremacy, as if thou haddest a good smelling nose and a sound judgement, I think thou diddest not: yet having read this Oration, (which if thou favour the truth, and hate the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome, and his Satanical fraudulent falsehood, shall doubtless wonderfully content thee) forsake thine error, and acknowledge the truth now freely offered thee at length, considering with thy self, that it is better late so to do, then never to repent. Fare thou heartily well most gentle Reader,