A67926:5217
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.
Borthwike.
The Lord in the xviij. chapter of the book of Numbers said thus unto Aaron,1 thou shalt possess nothing in their land, neither shalt thou have any portion amongest them, I am thy portion and inheritage amongst the children of Israel for unto the sons of Levi, I have given all the tithes of Israel, that they should possess them for their ministry which they do execute in the tent of ordinaries. Albeit I do not doubt, but that the order of the Levites and of our clergy, is far different and variable. For the administration of their sacred and holy things, after their death, passed unto their posterity, as it were by right of inheritance: which happeneth not unto the posterity of our clergy in these days. Furthermore, if any heritage be provided or gotten for them, I do not gainsay but that they shall possess it. But still I do affirm that all temporal jurisdiction should be taken from them, for when as twice there rose a contention amongst the Disciples, which of them should be thought the greatest Christ, answered: The kings of nations have dominion over them, and such which have power over them, are called beneficial, you shall not do so. For he which is greatest amongst you, shall be made equal unto the youngest or lest, and he which is the prince or ruler amongst you, shall be ⟨p. 1263⟩made equal unto him which both minister, minding thereby, and willing utterly to debar the ministers of his word, from all terrene and civill dominion and Empire. For by these points he doth not only declare that the office of a pastor is distinct and divided from the office of a prince and ruler:2 but that they are in effect so much different and separate, that they cannot agree or join together in one man. Neither is it to be thought that Christ did set or ordain an harder law then he himself before did take upon him. Forsomuch as in the 12. of Luke, certain of the company said unto him: Master, command my brother that he divide his inheritance with me. He answered: Man, who made me a Judge or divider amongest you? We see therefore that Christ even simply did reject and refuse the office of a Judge,