A67926:387
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.
Moreover to note,1 that as this new found Church of Rome was thus deformed in doctrine: so no less was it corrupted in order of life & deep hypocrisy, doing all things only under pretences and dissembled titles. So under the pretence of Peters chair, they exercised a majesty above Emperors and kings. Under the visor of their vowed chastity, reigned adultery, under the cloak of professed poverty, they possessed the goods of the temporalty.2 Under the title of being dead unto the world, they not only reigned in the world, but also ruled the world: under the colour of the keys of heaven to hang under their girdle, they brought all the states of the worlds under their girdle, & crept not only into the purses of men, but also into their consciences: they heard their confessions: they knew their secrets: they dispensed as they were disposed, & loosed what them listed: And finally when they had brought the whole world under their subjection, yet did their pride neither cease to ascend, neither could their avarice be ever satisfied. And if the example of Cardinal Wolsey and other Cardinals and popes cannot satisfy thee, I beseech the (gentle Reader) turn over the foresaid book of the ploughman's tale in Chaucer above mentioned, where thou shalt understand much more of their demeanour, then I have here described.
Moreouer to note,1 that as this new founde Church of Rome was thus deformed in doctrine: so no lesse was it corrupted in order of life & deepe hipocrisie, doing al thinges onely vnder pretenses and dissembled titles. So vnder ye pretence of Peters chayre, they exercised a maiestie aboue Emperours and kinges. Under the visour of their vowed chastitie, reigned adultery, vnder the cloke of professed pouerty, they possessed the goodes of the temporalty.2 Under the tytle of being dead vnto the world, they not only reigned in ye world, but also ruled the world: vnder the colour of ye keyes of heauē to hang vnder theyr girdle, they brought all the states of the worldes vnder theyr girdle, & crept not onely into the purses of men, but also into theyr consciences: they heard theyr confessions: they knew their secrets: they dispensed as they were disposed, & loosed what them listed: And finally when they had brought the whole world vnder theyr subiection, yet dyd theyr pryde neyther cease to ascend, neyther could their auarice be euer satisfied. And if the example of Cardinall Wolsey and other Cardinalles and popes cannot satisfie thee, I beseech the (gentle Reader) turne ouer the foresayd booke of the ploughmans tale in Chaucer aboue mencioned, wher thou shalt vnderderstād much more of theyr demeanour, then I haue here described.