A67926:4006
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.
Furthermore, private Masses, •owes, the single life of Priests, numbering up of sins to the Priest, with other things moe, being but mere ordinances of men, are used for Gods true service and worship. For although the Supper of the Lord was truly instituted by Christ, yet the private mass is a wicked profanation of the Lords supper. For in the Canon what corruption is contained in this, where it is said that Christ is offered, and that the work it self is a sacrifice which redeemeth the quick and the dead?1 These things were never ordained of Christ: yea manifold ways they are repugnant to the Gospel. Christ willeth not him self to be offered up of Priests, neither can the work of the offerer or of the receiver, by any means, be a sacrifice. This is manifest Idolatry, and overthroweth th• true doctrine of faith, and the true use of the Sacraments.2 By faith in Christ we are justified, and not by any work of the Priest. And the Supper is ordained that the Minister should distribute to others,3 to the intent that they repenting for their sins, should be admonished firmly to believe the promises of the Gospel to pertain unto them: Here is set a plain testimony before us, that we are made the members of Christ, and washed by his blood. And this is the true use of that Supper, which is ordained in the gospel,4 and was observed in the primitive Church 300. years and more, from the which we ought not to be removed. For it is plain impiety to transfer the Lords institution to any other use, as we are taught by the second commandment. Wherefore these private Masses, forasmuch as they swerve from the right institution of Christ manifold ways, as by oblation, sacrifice, application, and many other ways besides,5 they are not to be retained but to be abolished. Fly (sayeth S. Paul) from all Idolatry. In these private masses much Idolatry is committed, which we see our bishops now so stoutly to defend: and no marvel.6