A67926:5364
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, I pray you show my brethren and sisters, which have heard me oft before, that they cease not, nor leave of the word of God, which I taught unto them, after the grace given unto me, for no persecutions or troubles in this world, which lasteth not: and show unto them, that my doctrine was no wives fables after the constitutions made by men. And if I had taught mens doctrine, I had gotten great thanks by men. But for the words sake and true Evangel, which was given to me by the grace of God, I suffer this day by men, not sorrowfully,1 but with a glad heart and mind. For this cause I was sent, that I should suffer this fire for Christs sake. Consider and behold my visage, ye shall not see me change my colour. This grim fire I fear not. And so I pray you for to do, if that any persecution come unto you for the words sake, & not to fear them that slay the body, and afterward have no power to slay the soul. Some have said of me, that I taught, that the soul of man should sleep until the last day. But I know surely, & my faith is such, that my soul shall sup with my saviour Christ this night, ere it be 6. hours: for whom I suffer this. Then he prayed for them which accused him, saying:2 I beseech thee (father of heaven) to forgive them that have of any ignorance, or else of any evil mind, forged any lies upon me. I forgive them with all my heart. I beseech Christ to forgive them that have condemned me to death this day ignorantly.
Moreouer, I pray you shewe my brethren and sisters, whych haue hearde me ofte before, that they cease not, nor leaue of the worde of God, which I taught vnto them, after the grace geuē vnto me, for no persecutiōs or troubles in this world, which lasteth not: and shew vnto them, that my doctrine was no wiues fables after the constitutions made by men. And if I had taught mens doctrine, I had gotten greate thankes by men. But for the woordes sake and true Euangel, which was geuen to me by the grace of God, I suffer thys day by men, not sorowfully,1 but with a glad heart and minde. For this cause I was sent, that I shoulde suffer this fire for Christes sake. Consider and beholde my visage, yee shall not see mee chaunge my colour. Thys grim fire I feare not. And so I pray you for to doe, if that any persecution come vnto you for the wordes sake, & not to feare them that slay the bodye, and afterwarde haue no power to slay the soule. Some haue sayde of me, that I taught, that the soule of man should sleepe vntil ye last day. But I know surely, & my faith is such, that my soule shall suppe wt my sauiour Christe this night, ere it be 6. houres: for whom I suffer this. Then he praied for them which accused hym, saying: