A67926:4309
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.
I say unto you good brethren, that God hath bought us all with no small price, neither with gold nor silver,1 or other such things of small value, but with his most precious blood. Be not unthankful therefore to him again, but do as much as to Christian men belongeth, to fulfil his commandments, that is, love your brethren. Love hurteth no man, love fulfilleth all things. If God have sent thee plenty, help thy neighbour that hath need. Give him good counsel. If ye lack, consider if thou were in necessity, thou wouldst gladly be refreshed. And again, bear your cross with Christ. Consider what reproof, slander, and reproach he suffered of his enemies, and how patiently he suffered all things. Consider that all that Christ did, was of his mere goodness, and not of our deserving. For if we could merit our own salvation, Christ would not have dyed for us. But for Adams breaking of Gods precept, we had been all lost, if Christ had not redeemed us again. And like as Adam broke the precepts, and was driven out of Paradise: so we, if we break Gods commandments, shall have damnation, if we do not repent and ask mercy. Now therefore let all Christians put no trust nor confidence in their works, but in the blood of Christ, to whom I commit my soul to guide, beseeching you all to pray to God for me, and for my brethren here present with me, that our souls leaving these wretched carcasses, may constantly depart in the true faith of Christ.
I say vnto you good breethren, that God hath bought vs all with no small price, neyther with golde nor siluer,1 or other such things of small value, but with his most precious bloud. Be not vnthankefull therefore to him againe, but do as much as to Christian men belongeth, to fulfill his commaundementes, that is, loue your brethren. Loue hurteth no man, loue fulfilleth all things. If God haue sent thee plentie, helpe thy neighbour that hathe neede. Giue him good councell. If ye lacke, consider if thou were in necessitie, thou wouldst gladly be refreshed. And againe, beare your crosse with Christ. Consider what reproofe, sclaunder, and reproch he suffered of his enemies, and how paciently he suffered all thinges. Consider that all that Christ did, was of his meere goodnesse, and not of our deseruing. For if we could merite our owne saluation, Christ woulde not haue dyed for vs. But for Adams breaking of Gods precept, we had bene all lost, if Christ had not redeemed vs againe. And like as Adam broke the precepts, and was driuen out of Paradise: so wee, if we breake Gods commaundements, shall haue damnation, if we do not repent and aske mercy. Now therefore let all Christians put no trust nor confidence in their workes, but in the bloud of Christ, to whome I commit my soule to guide, beseeching you all to pray to God for me, and for my breethren here present with me, that our soules leauing these wretched carcases, may constantly depart in the true fayth of Christ.