A67926:4189
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.
Not that I here speak or mean against the high courts of Parliaments of this our Realm,1 necessarily assembled for the common wealth, to whom I always attribute their due reverence and authority. But as it happeneth sometimes in general Councils, which though they be never so general, yet notwithstanding sometimes they may and do err in weighty matters of religion: so likewise they that say, that Princes and Parliaments may be misinformed sometimes, by some sinister heads, in matters ⟨p. 1190⟩civill and politic, do not therein derogate or impair the high estate of parliaments, but rather give wholesome admonition to princes and parliament men, to be more circumspect and vigilant what counsel they shall admit, and what witnesses they do credit. For private affection which commonly beareth a great stroke in all societies & doings of men, creepeth sometimes into such general Councils, and into Princes Courts also, either to much amplifying things that be but small, making mountains of molehills, or else to much extenuating things that be of themselves great and weighty, according as it is truly said of the Poet Juvenal: Dat veniam cornis, vexat censura columbas, or as our English Proverb showeth: As a man is friended, so is his matter ended: And where the hedge, is low,2 a man may lightly make large leaps: or rather to speak after the French phrase: Qui son chien veult tuer, la rage luy met sus. That is: He that is disposed to have his dog killed, first maketh men believe that he is mad. And thus much having declared touching the matter of his accusation, the rest I refer to the high Parliament of that mighty king, who shall one day bring all things to perfect light.
Not that I here speake or meane agaynst the hygh courtes of Parliamentes of thys our Realme,1 necessarilye assembled for the common wealth, to whom I always attribute their due reuerence and authoritie. But as it hapneth sometimes in generall Councels, which though they be neuer so generall, yet notwithstanding sometimes they may and do erre in waightie matters of religion: so lykewise they that say, that Princes and Parliaments may be misinformed sometimes, by some sinister heds, in matters