A67926:446
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.
And as this good Duke Frederick was one of all the princes of our time, that loved best quietness and common tranquility, neither was avaricious, but willingly bent to refer all his counsels to the common utility of all the world (as it is easy to be conjectured divers ways:) so he neither encouraged nor supported Luther, but often represented semblance of heaviness and sorrow, which he bare in his hart, fearing greater dissentions: But being a wise prince and following the Counsel of Gods rule, and well deliberating thereupon, he thought with himself that the glory of God was to be preferred above all things. Neither was he ignorant what blasphemy it was, horribly condemned of God, obstinately to repugn the truth. Wherefore he did as a godly Prince should do: he obeyed God, committing himself to his holy grace, and omnipotent protection. And although Maximilianus the Emperor, Carolus K. of Spain, & Pope Julius had given commandment to the said Duke Frederick, that he should inhibit Luther from all place and liberty of preaching: yet the Duke considering with himself the preaching and & writing of Luther and weighing diligently the testimonies and places of the Scripture by him alleged, would not withstand the thing, which he judged sincere. And yet neither did he this, trusting to his own judgement, but was very anxious & inquisitive to hear the judgements of other, which were both aged, & learned. In the number of whom was Erasmus, whom the Duke desired to declare to him his opinion touching the matter of Martin Luther, saying & protesting that he would rather the ground should open and swallow him, then he would bear with any opinions, which he knew to be contrary to manifest truth: & therefore he desired him to declare his judgement in the matter, to him freely & friendly.
And as this good Duke Frederick was one of al ye princes of our time, that loued best quietnes and common tranquilitie, neither was auaricious, but willingly bent to referre al his counsels to the common vtilitie of all the world (as it is easy to be coniectured diuers waies:) so he neither encouraged nor supported Luther, but often represented semblaunce of heauines and sorrow, which he bare in hys hart, fearing greater dissentions: But being a wise prince and following the Counsaile of Gods rule, and well deliberating therupon, he thought with himselfe that the glory of God was to be preferred aboue all thinges. Neyther was he ignoraunt what blasphemy it was, horribly condemned of God, obstinately to repugne ye truth. Wherfore he did as a godly Prince should do: he obeyed God, cōmitting himselfe to his holy grace, and omnipotent protectiō. And although Maximilianus the Emperor, Carolus K. of Spaine, & Pope Iulius had geuen commmaundement to the sayd Duke Fridericke, that he should inhibite Luther from all place and libertie of preaching: yet the Duke considering with himselfe the preaching and & writing of Luther and weighing dilligently the testimonies and places of the Scripture by him alledged, would not withstād the thing, which he iudged sincere. And yet neyther did he this, trusting to his own iudgemēt, but was very anxious & inquisitiue to heare ye iudgements of other, whiche were both aged, & learned. In the number of whom was Erasmus, whō the Duke desired to declare to him his opinion touching ye matter of Martine Luther, saying & protesting that he would rather the ground shuld open and swallow him, then he would beare wt any opinions, which he knew to be cōtrary to manifest truth: & therfore he desired him to declare his iudgement in ye matter, to him freely & frendly.