A67926:5223
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.
It is no marvel though these mad dogs do so bark against me, whom they think to have counselled the kings Majesty (I would to God I had also throughly persuaded him) that he should take away from these unjust sacrilegious possessors, the riches wherewithal they are fatted and engreased like Swine. For this is the nature of dogs, that if any man go about to take away the bone out of their mouth, by and by to snatch at him and tear him with their teeth. It is out of all controversy unto such which have any wit at all, that such were very childish, that is to say, ignorant of all learning and judgement, which did so fat and feed with their possessions these belly beasts. For who would not judge it more then childish,1 to bestow the kings victuals or meat upon the bellies of the Prophets of Baal and Jezebel? But all they which at this present do endue such filthy sinks (I will not call them deus of thieves) with such revenues they do follow the steps of Jezebel, for what other thing do they, when as daily they are bleating and bowing before their Images, burning of incense, and fall flat down before their altars, but that which in times past the prophets of Baal did when as they transported the worship of God unto an Idol? Wherefore, if Daniel and Elijah were spotted with heresy when they would have destroyed the Priests of Baal, I grant that I also must be an heretic. But forsomuch as then he did nothing but which was commanded him of the Lord, that was able to kill the Prophet which had allured the people to follow strange gods, he could not truly and justly be accused of heresy: so neither can my adversaries spot me therewithal, except peradventure they will condemn in me, that where as Elijah dealt more rigorously with the Prophets of Baal, for he cast them into the broke Kidron. I required or desired no more, but that the riches which was wickedly bestowed upon them, and their possessions might be taken from them.