A67926:376
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.
This I marvel to see the idle life of the priests and clergy men of that time, seeing these lay persons showed themselves in these kind of liberal studies so industrious & fruitfully occupied: but much more I marvel to consider this,1 how that the bishops condemning and abolishing all manner of English books and treatises which might bring the people to any light of knowledge, did yet authorise the works of Chaucer to remain still & to be occupied:2 Who (no doubt) saw in Religion as much almost as even we do now, & uttereth in his works no less, and seemeth to be a right Wiclevian, or else was never any, and that all his works almost, if they be throughly advised will testify (albeit it be done in mirth, & covertly) & especially the latter end of his third book of the Testament of love for there purely he toucheth the highest matter, that is the communion: Wherein, except a man be altogether blind, he may espy him at the full. Although in the same book (as in all other he useth to do) under shadows covertly, as under a visor, he suborneth trueth, in such sort,3 as both privily she may profit the godly minded, and yet not be espied of the crafty adversary: And therefore the bishops belike, taking his works but for jests and toys, in condemning other books, yet permitted his books to be read.
This I meruaile to see the idle lyfe of the priestes and clergye men of that tyme, seeing these lay persons shewed themselues in these kinde of liberall studyes so industrious & fruitfully occupyed: but muche more I maruell to consider thys,1 how yt the bishops condemning and abolishing al maner of Englishe bookes and treatises whiche might bring ye people to anye light of knowledge, did yet authorise the workes of Chaucer to remaine still & to be occupyed:2 Who (no doubt) saw in Religion as much almost as euen we do now, & vttereth in hys works no lesse, and seemeth to be a right Wicleuian, or els was neuer any, and that all his workes almost, if they be throughly aduised will testifie (albeit it be done in mirth, & couertly) & especially ye latter end of hys thyrd booke of ye Testament of loue for there purely he toucheth the highest matter, that is the communion: Wherin, except a man be altogether blind, he may espy him at the full. Although in the same book (as in all other he vseth to do) vnder shadows couertly, as vnder a visour, he suborneth trueth, in suche sort,