A67926:2793
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.
According whereunto his grace perceiveth also aswell in his Realm, as else where, a notable consent and agreement amongest all Divines, and such as have studied for knowledge of Gods law without contradiction of any number, unless it be such applying their mind to the maintenance of worldly affections, do either in defence of such laws as they have studied, either for satisfaction of their private appetite, forbear to agree unto the same. The number of whom is so small, as in the discerning of truth, it ought not to be regarded in a case so plainly described and determined by Gods word, as this is.
According whereunto his grace perceiueth also aswell in his Realme, as els where, a notable consent and agreement amongest all Diuines, and suche as haue studied for knowledge of Gods lawe without contradiction of anye number, vnlesse it be such applying their minde to ye maintenaunce of worldly affections, do either in defence of such lawes as they haue studied, eyther for satisfaction of theyr priuate appetite, forbeare to agree vnto ye same. The number of whō is so smal, as in the discerning of truth, it ought not to be regarded in a case so plainly described and determined by Gods word, as thys is.
And if percase your Majesty here not regarding the number, but the matter, shall seem to consider in this case, not so much who speaketh, as what is spoken, to answer thereunto, I say: Sir, the king my master is of the same mind, for his own satisfaction, & taketh himself to be in the right,1 not because so many sayeth it, but because he being learned, knoweth the matter to be right. Nevertheless, reason would, and enforceth also, that strangers to the cause, and not parties therein, should be induced to believe that to be truth, that such a number of Clerks do so constantly affirm, specially not being otherwise learned to be judges of their sayings, as your majesty is not. And if you were, then could your highness show such reasons, authorities, and grounds as cannot be taken away, and be so firm and stable, as they ought not of Christen men in any part to be impugned, like as hath been partly heretofore showed by his sundry ambassadors to your Imperial majesty, and should eftsoons be done, were it not too great an injury to that is already passed in the Realm, to dispute the same again in any other country: which being contrarious to the laws and ordinances of his realm, he trusteth your prudē city will not require, but take that is past, for a thing done, and justly done: and as for Gods part, to leave his conscience to himself, qui Domino sua stat aut cadit: and for the world to pass over as a friend, that which nothing toucheth you, and not to marvel though the said king my master regarding the wealth of his soul principally, with the commodity of his person, and so great benefit & quiet of his realm, have percase done that he for his private fantasy, would not had chanced: like as his highness also would wish it had not happened that such cause had been given unto him to compel him so to do.