A67926:5535
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.
Yea I would wish, that these jolly Sophisters would show me in all the Church an Article that is erroneous, and not heretical: for if it be erroneous, it differeth nothing from heretical, but only in stiffness of defending. For all things be equally either true or false,1 although affection in some one thing which is true or false, may be greater or lesser. Ye see therefore again, how these men for all their bragging Bulls, are not able to produce me one Article which is erroneous and not heretical,2 and yet like wise brainsick men, they will needs babble they know not themselves what, condemning that which they find erroneous and not heretical: which cannot stand either in matter or in words so that such as are the Articles: such is the condemnation. The like wisdom also they show in affirming that to be Scandalous,3 which is neither heretical nor erroneous. That Article I would fain see either in my books or in the words and works of any writer else from the beginning of the world to the latter end. What made my papists then to excogitate these so prodigious monsters, but only their monstrous fury and madness? Unless peradventure they mean those Articles so to be Scandalous, as commonly all true and Catholic Articles are wont to be. For what is more scandalous then Verity? Yea only truth and verity is scandalous to all proud and senseless persons, and is said of Christ, 1. Cor. 1. We preach (saith S. Paul) Christ crucified, a stumbling stone to the Jews, and to the Gentiles foolishness. And in Luke 2.4 He is set to be the fall and rising up of many in Israel. Wherefore, where as my Papists do distinguish scandalous Articles from heretical and erroneous, and forasmuch as that which is not heretical or erroneous, must needs be Catholic and true: it followeth thereof, that these scandalous Articles be understanded and condemned of them for such as be very Catholic and sound. O worthy commendation & me•te for the Papists. Mark here good Reader,