A67926:746
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.
These constitutions whosoever shall transgress, let them be presented to the Magistrate, and overseers be set over them that shall so transgress.
These constitutions whosoeuer shall transgresse, let them be presented to the Magistrate, and ouerseers be set ouer them that shall so transgresse.
After these things concluded thus at Lucerna, the Cantons of Helvetia together direct their public letter to the Tygurines or men of Zuricke,1 wherein they do much lament and complain of this new broached doctrine which hath set all men together by the ears, through the occasion of certain rash and newfangled heads, which have greatly disturbed both the state of the Church, and of the common wealth, and have scattered the seeds of discord: whereas before time, all things were well in quiet. And although this sore (said they) ought to have been looked to by time, so that they should not have suffered the glory of Almighty God, and of the blessed Virgin and other Saints so be dishonoured, but rather should have bestowed their goods and lives to maintain the same: yet notwithstanding they required them now to look upon the matter: which otherwise would bring to them destruction both of body and soul: as for example, they might see the doctrine of Luther, what fruit it brought. The rude and vulgar people now (said they) could not be holden in, but would burst forth to all licence and rebellion, as hath appeared by sufficient proofs alate: and like is to be feared also among themselves, and all by the occasion of Zuinglius, and of Leo Judah, which so take upon them to expound the word of God,2 after their own interpretation, opening thereby whole doors and windows to discord and dissension. Albeit of their doctrine they were not certain what they did teach: yet what inconvenience followed upon their doctrine, they had to much experienced. For now all fasting was laid down, and all days were alike to eat both flesh & eggs, as well one as an other: Priests & religious persons both men & women brake their vows ran out of their order, and fell to marrying: Gods service was decayed, singing in the church left, and prayer ceased: Priests grew in contempt: Religious men were thrust out of their cloisters: Confession, and penance was neglected: so that men would not stick to presume to receive at the holy altar, without any confession made to the Priest before. The holy mass was divided and scorned: Our blessed Lady, and other saints blasphemed: Images plucked down & broken in pieces, neither was there any honour given to the Sacraments.