A67926:4005
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.
For so doth the holy Ghost prophesy before, how in the later times the godly should sustain sore & perilous conflicts with antichrist, foreshowing that he should come, environed with a mighty and strong army of Bishops, hypocrites and Princes: that he should fight against the truth, and slay the godly. And that now all these things are so come to pass, it is most evident, and can not be denied. The tyranny of the bishop of Rome hath partly brought in errors into the church, partly hath confirmed them, & now maintaineth the same with force and violence, as Daniel well foreshowed. And much we rejoiced to see you divided from him,1 hoping and trusting well that the Church of England would now flourish. But your Bishops be not divided from the Romish Antichrist: his Idolatry, errors, and vices they defend and maintain with tooth and nail: for the Articles now passed, are craftily picked out. They confirm all humane traditions in that they establish solemn vows, single life and auricular confession. They uphold and advance not only their pride and authority, but all errors withal, in retaining the private Mass. Thus have they craftily provided that no reformation can take any place, that their dignity & wealth may still be upholden. And this to be the purpose of the bishops, experience it self doth plainly teach us. Now what man will not lament to see the glory of Christ thus to be defaced? For (as I said before) this matter concerneth not only these Articles which be there enacted, but all other Articles of sound doctrine are likewise overthrown,2 if such traditions of men shall be reputed as necessary, and to be retained. For why doeth Christ say? For they worship me in vain with the precepts of men? or why doth S. Paul so oft detest mens traditions? It is no light offence to set up new kinds of worshipping and serving of God without his word,3 or to defend the same. Such presumption God doth horribly detest, which will be known in his word only. He will have none other Religions invented by mans devise: for else all sorts of religions of all nations might be approved & allowed. Lean not (saith he) to thine own wisdom. But he sent Christ, and commandeth us to hear him, & not the invention of subtle and politic heads, which apply religion to their own lucre and commodity.