A67926:5633
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 forasmuch as at his first entry (notwithstanding his fathers good beginning in abolishing the usurped power of Antichrist) he yet found most of his laws greatly repugning against this his zealous enterprise, he therefore purposed by the advise of his said wise & honourable Council, of his own regal power and authority, somewhat to prosecute his godly purpose, until such time as by consent of the whole estate of parliament, he might establish a more free, perfect, and uniform order therein.
And forasmuch as at his first entry (notwithstanding his fathers good beginning in abolishing the vsurped power of Antichrist) he yet foūd most of his lawes greatly repugning agaynst this his zealous enterprise, he therefore purposed by the aduise of his sayd wise & honorable Counsell, of his owne regall power and authority, somewhat to prosecute his godly purpose, vntill such time as by consent of the whole estate of parliamēt, he might establish a more free, perfect, and vniforme order therin.
Whereupon intending first a general visitation over all the bishoprics within his realm (thereby as well to understand,1 as also to redress the abuses in the same) he chose out certain wise, learned, discrete, and worshipful personages to be his Commissioners in that behalf: and so dividing them into several companies,2 assigned unto them several Dioceses to be visited: appointing likewise unto every company, one or two godly learned preachers, which at every Session should in their preaching, both instruct the people in the true doctrine of the Gospel of Christ, & in all love and obedience to the same, and also earnestly dehort them from their old superstition and wonted Idolatry. And that they might be more orderly directed in this their Commission, there were delivered unto them certain Injunctions & ecclesiastical orders drawn out by the kings learned council, the which they should both enquire of, & also command in his majesties behalf, to be thenceforth observed of every person, to whom they did severally appertain within their sundry circuits.