A67926:3168
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 in this I mean not that they ought to go unto their Curate or to any other Priest,1 whose credence they deem not all trusty, or their Counsel not sage, but to any other, whatsoever he be, whom they know most sufficient in properties above showed, when their Curate doth lack them. And this thing is the most behovable, when men needing counsel, be so void of knowledge in Christs law, that they cannot find therein remedy themselves. For the doctrine of Christ, if it were well known, containeth remedies for all infirmities and maladies of the mind, so that men by spiritual knowledge might ease themselves.
But in this I meane not that they ought to goe vnto their Curate or to any other Prieste,1 whose credence they deeme not all trusty, or their Councell not sage, but to any other, whatsoeuer he be, whom they know moste sufficient in properties aboue shewed, when their Curate doth lacke them. And this thing is the moste behouable, when men needing councell, be so voide of knowledge in Christes lawe, that they cannot finde therein remedie themselues. For the doctrine of Christe, if it were well knowen, conteineth remedies for all infirmities and maladies of the minde, so that men by spirituall knowledge might ease themselues.
- 1As•ing councell in the Church is good, but is not tied to any person.As•ing councell in the Church is good, but is not tyed to any person.
To the other part of your question, where ye do ask whether a Priest in cases unto him limited,1 may loose a sinner confessed and contrite for his sin, enjoining him wholesome penance? I say that only Christ looseth a sinner which is contrite, by his word and promise, and the priest doth nothing but show and declare the word: Neither doth declaration or ministry of the priest any whit avail for to lose any person, unless he that should be loosed, give credence unto the word ministered and showed by the priest Which word or promise of Christ is called the word of reconciliation or atonement making betwixt God and man. And this testifieth S. Paul in the 2. to the Cor. where he saith in this wise: