A67926:4003
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.
release of all calamities, and also gain & lucre in common traffic, and to conclude, whatsoever else the careful heart of man doth desire. The like Sophistication they use also, where they say that Priests marriage is against the law of God. They are not ignorant what S. Paul saith:1 A Bishop ought to be the husband of one wife: and therefore they know right well that Marriage is permitted to Priests by the law of God. But because now, they say, they have made a vow, they go craftily to work, and do not say that priests for their vows sake can not marry, but plainly give out the Article after this sort: that Marriage of Priests is utterly against the law of God. Again, what impudency and tyranny do they show moreover, when they compel marriages to be dissolved, and command those to be put to death, which will not put away their wives, and renounce their matrimony? Where as the vow of Priests, if it had any force at all should extend no further but only to put them from the ministry if they would marry. And this (no doubt) is the true meaning of the Councils and Canons. O cursed Bishops.2 O impudent and wicked Winchester, who under these colourable fetches, thinketh to deceive the eyes of Christ, and the judgements of all the godly in the whole world. These things have I written that you may understand the crafty sleights, and so judge of the purpose and policy of these Bishops.3 For if they would simply and heartily search for the truth, they would not use these crafty collusions and deceitful jugglings. This Sophistication, as it is in all other affairs pernicious and odious, so above all things, most specially it is to be avoided in matters of Religion: wherein it is a heinous impiety to corrupt or pervert the pure word of God. And hereof the Devil which is called Diabolus, specially taketh his name, because he wresteth the word of God out of mens hearts by such false juggling and sophistical cavillations. And why do not these Bishops as well plainly utter and confess that they will abide no reformation of ⟨p. 1174⟩doctrine and Religion in the Church, for that it shall make against their dignity, pomp & pleasure? Why do not their adherents also, and such as take their part, plainly say that they will retain still this present state of the Church for their own profit, tranquility, and maintenance?