A67926:3190
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.
The content of this unto you I expound that know no Latin, for I covet that all persons should know both my thought in this, and all manner of doing, to the intent that of all persons I would have true report and testimony, what soever shall betide me. Saint Augustine in these words would have,1 that we should worship no men departed, be they never so good and holy, for they seek no such honour, but would have us to worship God alone: no nor yet no Angel, nor honour the same, but only the imitation of them, following their good acts in our living, as they followed our most merciful God whiles they were alive, not building Churches in the name or honour of them, for they would have no such honour done unto them: it is to them no pleasure, but contrariwise. No, the Angels will not that we should build any Churches in reverence of them, but would, that with them we should honour the original mark, and performer of all. They refuse all honour, saving that which is called honour charitatis, which is nothing else, but to be loved. Thus saith Saint Augustine. Which love we shall testify in following their good acts, by helping the poor or helpless with alms and mercy,2 and dealing truly in word and deed, according to our state and calling, both towards God and man. Which is no light matter to them that do consider the thing well. But whosoever shall truly and duly follow that trade, shall feel it (I dare say) as the burden of Christs Cross was unto him right weighty and grievous: when he bare it to Calvary: saving that we need not to fear for he hath promised to be with us in tribulation, to rid us from the same, For the Prophet David sayth: Cum ceciderit justus non collidetur, 3quia Dominus supponit manum suam. That is to wit when a just person beginneth to fall, he shall not be borne flat down to be broken, for the Lord shall put his hand under him, to rear him up again. And in the Gospel he biddeth: Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis & onerati est is & ego reficiam vos. That is to say, Come you unto me all that do travail and are sore charged, and I shall comfort or refresh you. Take my yoke upon you, learning of me, that am soft and meek minded, 4and you shall find ease thereby in your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden light.