A67926:3199
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.
Therefore, I say (as I said afore) that thanks be to God, albeit I am (as I showed before) void of such great prudency that other be well endued with, yet I see partly how their great reasons be not very substantial, whereby they contend by the treaty of reason, when authority faileth them, to show, that we ought to pray to Saints departed, for to be Mediators for us to Christ. And among other, this is one, that they leave much upon bringing it forth so usually that common people, well nigh altogether harp upon the same: Some favouring, it other contrariwise esteeming it of no value.
Therfore, I say (as I sayd afore) that thankes bee to God, albeit I am (as I shewed before) voyd of such great prudency that other be well endued with, yet I see partly how theyr great reasons be not very substantiall, wherby they contend by the treaty of reason, when authority fayleth thē, to shew, that we ought to pray to Sayntes departed, for to be Mediators for vs to Christ. And amōg other, this is one, that they leaue much vpon bringing it forth so vsually that common people, well nigh altogether harpe vpon the same: Some fauoring, it other contrariwise esteming it of no value.
The reason is this: If when one should desire to come to yt speech of our sovereign to obtain some boon of him,1 need it were first to purchase the favour of his Chamberlains or some like officers to bring him to the kings presence, for else he may watch long in vain, until he be full a cold, ere that he shall speak with his grace and much less is he like to obtain his petition. In likewise it fareth (as they say) betwixt God and us: of whom if we should purchase any benefit, we must first break unto the Saints departed making them our friends to go betwixt God and us, as Mediators, and Intercessors. But such (with their leave I would speak it) I think are deceived,2 in that they resemble God and the king together. For though the king be a full gracious Prince (as I hear by common report he is) yet he is not in graciousness to be conferred with God: and though he were as gracious as might be, yet hath he not the knowledge that is in God, for God knew of all things before the beginning of the world: and is every where, to see, not only our outward dealing, but also all secret thoughts of all mens hearts, so that he needeth no Mediators to inform him of our desires, as the king doth need: And he is so full of infinite mercy, that I may as lightly or as soon obtain of him that is for my behoof, as I should win by praying holy Saints to be intercessors to him for me.