A67926:5185
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.
The first Article.
That our holy father the Pope as Christs vicar, hath not, neither can exercise greater authority over Christians here on earth, then any other bishop or prelate.
That our holy father the Pope as Christes vicar, hath not, neither can exercise greater autoritie ouer Christians here on earth, then any other bishop or prelate.
Borthwike.
These holy ones do magnify their Lord by like title, as common thieves and robbers are accustomed to prefer the captains and ringleaders of their robberies and mischiefs, calling them in every place the most honest, & good men, where as likewise it is evident, that in the whole world there is no man more given to riot, which more greedily doth seek after all kind of delicateness and wantonness, and finally aboundeth with all kind of vice: as treason, murder, rapine, and all kind of such evils. Furthermore, where as they affirm him to be the vicar of Christ here in earth, it shall be easily convinced when as it shall be made manifest, that he hath not, nor cannot exercise more power or authority over christians, then any other bishop or prelate. For unto that office of being vicar, they refer that great authority the which they do so greatly boast and brag of, which being taken away, the office of vicar doth also fall and decay. But now to attempt the matter, I will first demand of the maintainers of this preeminence and authority, whereupon they will ground the same. I know that they will answer unto me that Peter had power & authority over the other Apostles, and consequently over the universal church, the which power by succession, is translated unto the bishops of Rome. But how unshamefastly they do lye herein, any may easily perceive which hath but any small spark of judgement in him. When as he shall hear the testimonies of the scriptures, which we will allege to confirm this our opinion. For Peter in the xv. of the Acts. In the council doth declare what is to be done, and admonisheth us what of necessity we ought to do. And he there did also hear other speak, and did not only give them place to say their minds, but also permit and receive their judgement: and where as they decreed, he followed and obeyed the same. Is this then to have power over others? Furthermore, where as in his first epistle he writeth unto bishops and pastors, he doth not command them as a superior or head over them, by power and authority, but maketh them his fellow companions, and gently exhorteth them as is accustomed to be done between equals of degree: for these are his words: