A67926:4931
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.
Moreover, put no difference between works, but whatsoever cometh into thy hands, that do, as time, place, and occasion giveth, and as God hath put thee in degree, high or low. As touching to please God, there is no work better then an other. God looketh not first on thy works as the world doth, as though the beautifulness of the world pleased him, as it doth the world, or as though he had need of them, but God looketh first on the hart, what faith thou hast to his words, how thou believest him, and how thou lovest him for his mercy that he hath showed thee: he looketh with what hart thou workest, and not what thou workest, how thou acceptest the degree that he hath put thee in, and not of what degree thou art, whether thou be an Apostle or a Shoemaker. Set this example before thine eyes. Thou art a kitchen Page, and washest thy masters dishes. Another is an Apostle, and preacheth the word of God. Of this Apostle, hark what S. Paul saith: If I preach (saith he) I have naught to rejoice in, for necessity is put unto me. As who should say, God hath made me so, woe is unto me if I preach not. If I do it willingly (saith he) then have I my reward: that is, then am I sure that Gods spirit is in me, and that I am elect to eternal life. If I do it against my will, an office is committed unto me: that is, if I do it not of love to God, but to get a living thereby, and for a worldly purpose, and had leaver otherwayes live: then do I that office which God hath put me in, and yet please not God my self, &c. Moreover, howsoever he preach, he hath not to rejoice in that he preacheth. But if he preach willingly with a true hart & of conscience to God, then hath he his reward, that is, then feeleth he the earnest of eternal life, and the working of the spirit of God in him. And as he feeleth Gods goodness and mercy, so be thou sure he feeleth his own infirmity, weakness, and unworthiness, and mourneth and knowledgeth his sin, in that the hart will not arise to work with that full lust and love that is in Christ our Lord. And nevertheless is he yet at peace with God through faith & trust in Christ Jesus. For the earnest of the spirit that worketh in him, testifieth and beareth witness unto his hart, that God hath chosen him, and that his grace shall suffice him, which grace is now not idle in him. In his works putteth he no trust.
Moreouer, put no difference betweene workes, but whatsoeuer commeth into thy handes, that doe, as tyme, place, and occasion geueth, and as God hath put thee in degree, high or low. As touching to please God, there is no worke better then an other. God loketh not first on thy workes as the world doth, as though the beautifulnes of the world pleased him, as it doth the world, or as though he had neede of them, but God looketh first on the hart, what faith thou hast to his wordes, how thou beleeuest him, and how thou louest him for his mercy that hee hath shewed thee: he looketh with what hart thou workest, and not what thou workest, how thou acceptest the degree that he hath put thee in, and not of what degree thou art, whether thou be an Apostle or a Shomaker. Set this example before thine eyes. Thou art a kitchen Page, and washest thy maisters dishes. Another is an Apostle, and preacheth the word of God. Of this Apostle, harke what S. Paule sayth: If I preach (sayth he) I haue naught to reioyce in, for necessitie is put vnto me. As who shoulde say, God hath made me so, wo is vnto me if I preach not. If I doo it willinglye (saith he) then haue I my rewarde: that is, then am I sure that Gods spirit is in me, and that I am elect to eternall life. If I do it against my will, an office is committed vnto mee: that is, if I doe it not of loue to God, but to get a liuing thereby, and for a worldly purpose, and had leauer otherwayes liue: then do I that office which God hath put me in, and yet please not God my selfe, &c. Moreouer, howsoeuer he preach, he hath not to reioice in that he preacheth. But if he preach willingly with a true hart & of conscience to God, then hath he his reward, that is, then feeleth he the earnest of eternall life, and the working of the spirite of God in him. And as he feeleth Gods goodnes and mercy, so be thou sure he feeleth his owne infirmitie, weakenes, and vnworthines, and mourneth and knowledgeth hys sinne, in that the hart will not arise to worke wyth that ful lust and loue that is in Christ our Lord. And neuerthelesse is he yet at peace with God through faith & trust in Christ Iesu. For the earnest of the spirit that worketh in him, testifieth and beareth witnes vnto his hart, that God hath chosen him, and that his grace shall suffice him, whyche grace is now not idle in him. In his workes putteth hee no trust.