A67926:3594
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.
Thirdly I marvel, seeing the time of miracles is expired, we having the scriptures to guide us, why the Archbishop would seek to miracles and apparitions to convert men, rather then to the law and Prophets, according as we are commanded, especial having no such example of all the old Doctors, which in confutation of so many erroneous opinions, yet never sought to such miracles, or blind means,
Thirdly I maruel, seeing the time of myracles is expired, we hauing the scriptures to guide vs, why ye Archbyshop would seeke to miracles and apparitions to conuert men, rather then to the lawe and Prophets, according as we are commaunded, especiall hauing no such example of all the olde Doctors, which in confutatiō of so many erroneous opinions, yet neuer sought to such myracles, or blynde meanes,
Fourthly, I marvel much at the discrepance in telling this tale,1 between Osbern and the other which since have written Legends of Odo. For whereas Osbern speaking of certain Priests, nameth no place, but leaveth the matter at large, and speaketh absolutely: quidam clerici: all other which have since written the Legends of Odo, do tell this tale against certain Priests of Canterbury, adding to the words of Osberne, quidam Clerici Cantuarienses But to convict the falsehood of them all, as well Osberne as of the rest, there is a legend of the life of Odo, and of Oswald together, more ancient then this of Osberne, written (as it may seem) in the time of Aelfricus Archb. of Canterbury & Elphege then Bishop of Winchester, wherein mention is made in deed of this miracle, but after an other sort, then this of Osberne, & to an other purpose, then to dissuade certain priests infected with that error from the opinion before declared: which is only brought to show the holiness of Odo: as commonly the manner of Legends is to do. So that in this old Legend it is thus reported, that when this miracle was done, Odo disclosed the matter not to many priests of England, that were in that error as Osborne would: sed vocat protinus fidelem seruum, qui cominus erat, & miraculum secretè demonstrat, &c. that is, but called unto him a certain faithful servant, which was near about him, and showed unto him the miracle secretly. Where upon the Priest (saith the Legend) much rejoiced at the holiness of Odo, and desired him to make his prayer to almighty God, that the body might return again to the former shape. &ce. Out of this old lying Legend, Osberne, and other likewise that followed him, seemeth to have taken this tale: so that out of the error of one (as the manner is) springeth the error of a number mo.