A67926:379
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.
*Here beginneth the reformation of the church of Christ, in the time of Martin Luther.
*Here beginneth the reformation of the church of Christ, in the tyme of Martine Luther.
Although it can not be sufficiently expressed with tongue or pen of man,1 into what miserable ruin & desolation the church of Christ was brought in those latter days: yet partly by the reading of these stories aforepast, some intelligence may be given to them, which have judgement to mark or eyes to see: in what blindness and darkness the world was drowned during the space of these 400. years heretofore and more. By the viewing and considering of which times and histories, thou mayst understand (gentle reader) how the religion of Christ, which only consisteth in spirit and verity, was wholly turned into outward observations, ceremonies, and idolatry. So many Saints we had, so many gods, so many monasteries, so many pilgrimages. As many churches, as many relics forged & teyned we had. Again, so many relics, so many lying miracles we believed. In stead of the only living Lord▪ we worshipped dead stocks and stones. In place of Christ immortal, we adored mortal bread. In stead of his blood we worshipped the blood of ducks, How the people were led, so that the priests were fed, no care was taken. In stead of Gods word, mans word was set up. In stead of Christs testament, the Popes testament, that is the Canon law: in stead of Paul, the master of sentence took place, and almost full possession. The law of God was little read: the use and end thereof was less known. And as the end of the law was unknown, so the difference between the Gospel and the law, was not understanded, the benefit of Christ not considered, the effect of faith not expended. Through the ignorance whereof, it cannot be told what infinite errors, sects and religious crept into the church overwhelming the world, as with a flood of ignorance and seduction. And no marvel, for where the foundation is not well laid, what building can stand and prosper? The foundation of all our Christianity is only this: The promise of God,