A67926:3138
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.
But the contrary part, I mean our over rich prelacy which is so drowned in voluptuous living that they can not attend to study Gods Scripture nor preach the same,1 which should be the principal part of their office,2 abhor this fashion (albeit it is right indifferent and full of equity) no less than they do abhor death. And no marvel for doubt less if it so could be obtained, that the writings of all parties might be openly seen and conferred, we should soon see their slightly dealing and facing doctrine,3 with all other cloaked abusion, lightly overthrown: As appeareth well in Almain, for there be the books of every party seen openly and translated in the vulgar language, that all people may see and read upon them: and so upon the sight of the books, they lightly follow the true light of Gods word refusing the horror of darkness and false doctrine, whereby before, they have been seduced from the right teaching and way showed in the Bible. And this is done, not of an hundred nor of a thousand, but generally of whole Cities & countries, both high and low, few or none except.
But the contrary part, I meane our ouer riche prelacy which is so drowned in voluptuous liuing that they can not attend to studye Gods Scripture ne preach the same,1 which should be the principall part of theyr office,2 abhorre this fashion (albeit it is right indifferēt and full of equity) no lesse thē they do abhor death. And no maruell for doubt lesse if it so could be obteined, that the writinges of all parties might be openly seene and confered, we shoulde soone see theyr sleightly dealing and facing doctrine,3 with all other cloked abusion, lightly ouerthrowne: As appeareth well in Almayne, for there be ye bookes of euery party sene openly and translated in the vulgar language, that al people may see and read vpon them: and so vpon the sight of the books, they lightly folow the true light of Gods word refusing the horror of darcknes and false doctrine, whereby before, they haue beene seduced from the right teaching and way shewed in the Bible. And this is done, not of an hundreth ne of a thousand, but generally of whole Cities & countreies, both high and low, few or none except.