A67926:4009
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.
There is no doubt, but this is the common persuasion of all men touching vows, that all these will works devised by man, are the true service and worship of God: and so think they also which speak most indifferently of them. Other add thereunto more gross errors, saying, that these works bring with them perfection, and merit everlasting life. Now all these opinions the Scripture in many places doth reprove. Christ saith: They worship me in vain with the precepts of men. 1And Paul saith, that these observations be the doctrine of devils: for they ascribe to the power and strength of man, false honour, because they are taken for the service of God: they obscure faith and the true worshipping of God. Item, the said Paul to the Coloss. saith: Let no man deceive you by feigned humility, 2&c. Why make you Decrees? &c. Wherefore these corrupt traditions of men are in deed a wicked and detestable service of God. Unto these also are annexed many other corrupt & wicked abuses. The whole order of Monkery, what superstition doth it contain: What profanations of Masses, invocation of Saints, colours & fashions of apparel, choice of meats, superstitious prayers without all measure? Of which causes every one were sufficient,3 why these vows ought to be broken. Besides this, a great part of men are drawn to this kind of life chiefly for the bellies sake, and then afterward they pretend the holiness of their vow and profession. Furthermore, this vow of single life is not to all men possible to be kept, as Christ himself saith: All men do not receive this. 4Such vows therefore which without sin can not be performed are to be undone, but these things I have discussed sufficiently in other of my works. But this causeth me much to marvel, that this vow of Priests in your English Decree,5 is more strait and hard, then is the vow of Monks, whereas the Canons themselves do bind a Priest no farther to single life: but only for the time that he remaineth in the ministry. And certainly it made my hart to tremble when I read this Article which so forbiddeth matrimony, and dissolveth the same being contracted, and appointeth moreover the punishment of death for the same. Although there have been divers godly Priests which in certain places have been put to death for their marriage, yet hath never man hitherto been so bold to stablish any such law.