A67926:560
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.
Book 7 › Letter: ¶ The Emperors letter.Book 7 › Letter: ¶ The Emperours letter.
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, that Luther's books would breed a great tumult and incredible troubles, and that he abused the common sort with his book of Christian liberty, encouraging them to shake of their yoke, and to confirm in them a disobedience: that the world now was at another stay, then when the believers were all of one hart and soul, and therefore it was requisite and behovefull to have laws. It was to be considered (said he) albeit he had written many good things, and (no doubt) of a good mind, as De Triplice justitia, and other matters, yet how the devil now by crafty means goeth about to bring to pass, that all his works for ever should be condemned: for by these books which he wrote last, men (said he) would judge and esteem him, as the tree is known, not by the blossom, but by the fruit.
Moreouer, that Luthers bookes would breede a great tumult and incredible troubles, and that he abused the cō mon sort wich his booke of Christian liberty, encouraging them to shake of theyr yoke, and to confirme in them a disobedience: that the world nowe was at another stay, then when the beleuers were all of one hart and soule, and therfore it was requisite and behouefull to haue lawes. It was to be considered (sayde he) albeit he had writtē many good thinges, and (no doubt) of a good mind, as De Triplice iustitia, and other matters, yet howe the deuill now by craftye meanes goeth about to bring to passe, that all his workes for euer should be condemned: for by these bookes which he wrote last, men (sayd he) would iudge and esteeme him, as the tree is knowen, not by the blosome, but by the fruit.
Here he added something of the noon devil, and of the spirit coming in the dark,1 and of the flying arrow. All his oration was exhortatory, full of Rhetorical places of honesty, of utility, of laws, of the dangers of conscience, and of the common particular wealth, repeating offer this sentence in the proheme, middle, and epilogue of his oration: that this admonition was given him of a singular good will, and great clemency. In the shutting up of his oration, he added manacinges, saying: that if he would abide in his purposed intent, the Emperor would proceed further, and banish him from the Empire, persuading him deliberately to ponder, and to advise these and other things.