A67926:4879
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.
A public Instrument by the Bishops, for the abolishing of the Scripture, and other books to be […] English.
A publike Instrument by the Byshops, for the abolishing of the Scripture, and other bookes to be 〈…〉 English.
IN the name of God. Amen. Be it known to all and singular, true,1 and faithful people, to whom these present letters testimonial, or this present public and authentic instrument shall come to be seen, read, heard or understand, and whom this under written shall or may teach, or appertain unto in any manner of wise in time to come, William by the sufferance of almighty God, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all the Realm of England, sendeth greeting in our Lord God everlasting. We signify unto you all, and let you well wit and know by these presents, that the king our sovereign Lord, hearing of many books in the English tongue, containing many detestable errors, and damnable opinions, printed in the parties beyond the Seas, to be brought into divers towns, and sundry parties of this his Realm of England, and sown abroad in the same, to the great decay of our faith Catholic, and perilous corruption of his people, unless speedy remedy were briefly provided, his highness willing evermore to employ all his study and mind in the high degree which almighty God hath called him unto, to the wealth of his subjects, that they might live, not only in tranquillity and peace, but also be kept pure and clean of all contagion, and wrong opinions, in Christs Religion: considering also that he being defender of the faith, would be full loth to suffer such evil seed sown amongst his people, and so take root that it might overgrow the corn of the Catholic doctrine before sprung in the souls of his subjects: for the repelling of such book, calling unto him of his great goodness, & gracious disposition, not only certain of the chief prelates & clerks of his realm, but also of each University a certain number of the chief learned men proposed such of those books, as his grace had ready to be read unto them, requiring to hear in that behalf their advise and judgement of them.