A67926:6378
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.
To the 19. Article, I say that I have been all this while in prison so kept, as no man could have access to counsel with me, nor any means to write or send to any man, having made continual suite to Master Lieutenant and master Marshal, under whose custody I am here, to make suite in my name to the Lords of the Counsel, that I might come to hearing, or else be bailed upon surety: which I could not obtain, and so have remained under the benefit of my said appeal to the kings Majesty, made as I might for the time, which I eftsoons desire may have liberty to prosecute.
To the 19. Article, I say that I haue bene all this while in prison so kept, as no man could haue accesse to counsaile with me, nor any meanes to wryte or send to any man, hauing made continuall suite to Maister Lieutenaunte and master Marshal, vnder whose custody I am here, to make suite in my name to the Lordes of the Counsaile, that I might come to hearing, or els be bailed vpon surety: which I coulde not obtaine, and so haue remained vnder the benefite of my said appeale to the kings Maiestie, made as I might for ye time, which I eftsoones desire may haue libertie to prosecute.
And where as answering to these Articles, for declaration of the integrity of my conscience, I use in the same places general words: I protest I mean not by those words to set forth my self otherwise more arrogantly then as my direct intent (which excludeth malice) and purpose moveth me to say,1 and as my conscience beareth witness unto me at this time, and therefore will say therein with S. Paule: Nihil mihi conscius sum, sed non in hoc justificatus sum. Wherefore if any specially be objected unto me, wherein by ignorance or oversight & negligence, any mine offence may appear against the kings Majesties laws, Statutes and Injunctions, I shall desire and protest that it be not prejudicial to mine answer (for this present, credo, as lawyers in civill matters use that term) to be true,2 that is to say such as without any alteration in my conscience, presently I may of my self say in affirmation or denial, as afore is answered. And whereas I speak of commandment to be made to me against Gods law, I protest not to touch my sovereign Lords honour therein, which my duty is by all means to preserve, but that the commandment given, resolveth to be against Gods law on my part, in the obedience to be given, because I may not answer or say otherwise, but Est, est, non, non. So as my words and heart may agree together, or else I should offend Gods law, which my sovereign if he knew my conscience, would not command me.