A67926:5607
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.
And first to begin with that which is the chiefest property of all other extern things in a prince to be considered, that is,1 to be loved of his subjects: such were the hearts of all English people toward this King inclined, and so toward him still continued, as never came prince in this realm more highly esteemed, more amply magnified, or more dearly & tenderly beloved of all his subjects: but especially of the good & the learned sort, & yet not so much beloved, as also admirable by reason of his rare towardness & hope both of virtue & learning which in him appeared above the capacity of his years. And as he was entirely of his subjects beloved,2 so with no less good will he loved them again: of nature & disposition meek, and much inclined to ciemē cy. He always spared and favoured the life of man: as in a certain dissertation of his once appeared, had with Master Cheek in favouring the life of heretics: in so much that when Joan Butcher should be burned, all the Council could not move him to put to his hand, but were fain to get Doct. Cranmer to persuade with him, and yet neither could he with much labour induce the king so to do saying: what my Lord? will ye have me to send her quick to the devil in her error? so that D. Cranmer himself confessed that he had never so much to do in all his life, as to cause the king to put to his hand, saying that he would lay all the charge thereof upon Cranmer before God. There wanted in him no promptness of wit, gravity of sentence, ripeness of judgement. Favour and love of religion was in him from his childhood: Such an organ given of God to the Church of England he was, as England had never better. Over and besides these notable excellencies,3 and other great virtues in him: add moreover skill & knowledge of tongues & other sciences, whereunto he seemed rather borne then brought up.
And first to begin with that whiche is the chiefest property of al other externe things in a prince to be cōsidered, that is,1 to be loued of his subiectes: such were the hartes of all English people towarde this King inclined, and so toward him still cōtinued, as neuer came prince in this realme more highly esteemed, more amply magnified, or more dearely & tenderly beloued of all his subiects: but especially of the good & the learned sort, & yet not so much beloued, as also admirable by reason of his rare towardnes & hope both of vertue & learning which in him appeared aboue ye capacity of his yeares. And as he was intirely of his subiects beloued,