A67926:4563
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.
Book 8 › Persecution in the town of Calais.Book 8 › Persecution in the towne of Calice.
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.
My good Lords said the poor man, I take God to record,1 I would not willingly maintain an error or heresy, wherefore I beseech you, let my accusers come face to face before me. For if they charge me with that which I have spoken, I will never deny it. Moreover, if it be truth, I will stand unto it, and otherwise if it be an error, I will with all my hart utterly forsake it, I mean if it be against Gods holy word. For the Lord is my witness, I seek, and daily pray to God, that I may know the truth, and flee from all errors, and I trust the Lord will save me, and preserve me from them.
My good Lordes sayde the poore man, I take God to recorde,1 I woulde not willingly maintayne an errour or heresie, wherefore I beseech you, let my accusers come face to face before me. For if they charge me with that whyche I haue spoken, I will neuer denye it. Moreouer, if it be truth, I wil stand vnto it, and otherwise if it be an errour, I will with all my hart vtterly forsake it, I meane if it be against Gods holy worde. For the Lorde is my witnes, I seeke, and dayly pray to God, that I may know the truth, and flee from all errours, and I trust the Lorde will saue me, and preserue me from them.
- 1The answer of Rafe Hare.The aunswere of Rafe Hare.
Aha, quoth the Bishop of Winchester, do you not hear what he saith my Lord? I perceive now thou art a naughty fellow. Alas my Lord, said Rafe Hare, what evil said I? Mary Sir, you said, the Lord, the Lord, and that is, Symbolum haereticorum, said Winchester. What is that my Lord,1 for Gods sake tell me, said Hare? Thou art nought, thou art nought, said he. At which words the simple man began to tremble, and seemed much dismayed and driven into a great agony and fear. Which thing Winchester well perceiving, said unto him: Rafe Hare, Rafe Hare, by my truth I pity thee much. For in good faith, I think thee to be a good simple man, & of thy self wouldest mean well enough, but that thou hast had shrewd and subtle schoolmasters, that have seduced thee good poor simple soul, and therefore I pity thee: and it were in deed pity that thou shouldest be burnt, for thou art a good fellow, a tall man, and hast served the King right well in his wars. I have heard thee well commended, and thou art yet able to do the King as good service as ever thou wast, and we all will be a mean to his grace to be good and gracious Lord unto thee, if thou wilt take pity of thy self, and leave thy errors. For I dare say for us all, that be Commissioners, that we would be loth that thou should be cast away. For alas poor simple man, we perceive thou hast been seduced (I say) by others.