A67926:3998
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.
In the mean time, forasmuch as there is extant in Latin a certain learned Epistle of Philippe Melanchthon, written to king Henry against these vj. wicked Articles above specified, I thought not to defraud the reader of the fruit thereof, for his better understanding and instruction. The tenor and effect of his Epistle translated into English, thus followeth.
In the meane time, for asmuche as there is extante in Latin a certaine learned Epistle of Philippe Melancthon, wrytten to king Henrye againste these vj. wicked Articles aboue specified, I thought not to defraud the reader of the fruit therof, for his better vnderstanding and instruction. The tenour and effect of hys Epistle translated into English, thus followeth.
The Copy of Melanchthon's Epistle sent to king Henry, against the cruel Act of the vj. Articles. Most famous and noble Prince,1 there were certain Emperors of Rome, as Adrianus. Pius, and afterward the two brethren Uerus and Marcus, which did receive gently the Apologies and defences of the Christians: which so prevailed with those moderate Princes, that they swaged their wrath against the Christians, and obtained mitigation of their cruel Decrees. Even so, forasmuch as there is a Decr•e set forth of late in your Realm against that doctrine which we profess, both godly and necessary for the Church, I beseech your most honourable Majesty favourably both to read & consider this our complaint, especially seeing I have not only for our own cause, but much rather for the common safeguard of the Church, directed this my writing unto you. For seeing those heathen Princes did both admit and allow the defences of the Christians, how much more is it beseeming for a king of Christian profession, and such a one as is occupied in the studies of holy histories, to hear the complaints and admonitions of the godly in the Church? And so much the more willingly I write unto you, for that you have so favourably heretofore received my letters with a singular declaration of your *