A67926:535
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.
If then I shall revoke these, I can do none other, but add more force to their tyranny, and open not only windows, but wide gates to their impiety, which is like to extend more wide, and more licentiously then ever it durst heretofore: And by the testimony of this my retractation, their insolent kingdom shall be made more licentious, and less subject to punishment, intolerable to the common people, and also more confirmed and established, especially if this be bruited, that I. Luther have done this by the authority of your most excellent majesty, and the sacred Romaine empire. Oh Lord, what a cover or shadow shall I be then to cloak their naughtiness and tyranny?
If then I shall reuoke these, I can do none other, but adde more force to theyr tyranny, and open not onely wyndowes, but wide gates to theyr impiety, whiche is like to extend more wide, and more licenciously then euer it durst heretofore: And by the testimonie of this my retractation, their insolent kingdome shalbe made more licencious, and lesse subiect to punishment, intollerable to the cōmon people, and also more confirmed and established, especially if this be bruited, that I. Luther haue done this by the authoritie of your most excellent maiestie, and the sacred Romaine empyre. Oh Lord, what a couer or shadow shall I be then to cloke theyr naughtines and tyranny?
The rest, or third sort of my books are such as I have written against certain private and singular persons, to wit, against such as with tooth and nail labour to maintain the Romish tyranny, and to deface the true doctrine and religion, which I have taught and professed. As touching these, I plainly confess I have been more vehement, then my religion and profession required. For I make my self no Saint, and I dispute not of my life, but of the doctrine of Christ.
The rest, or thyrd sort of my bookes are such as I haue written against certaine priuate and singular persons, to wyt, against such as with tooth and nayle labour to maintaine the Romish tyranny, and to deface the true doctrine and religion, which I haue taught and professed. As touching these, I playnly confesse I haue bene more vehemēt, then my religion and professeion required. For I make my selfe no Sainct, and I dispute not of my life, but of the doctrine of Christ.