A67926:758
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 if the Bishops haply will object again and say: that the word of God ought not so to be handled of the vulgar people: they answered the same not to stand with equity and reason. For albeit it did belong to the Bishops office, to provide that the sheep should not go astray, and most convenient it were, that by them they should be reduced into the way again:1 yet because they will not see to their charge, but leave it undone, referring all things to the fathers, and to Councils, therefore right and reason it is, that they themselves should hear and learn, not what man doth determine, but what Christ himself doth command in his Scripture. Neither have their Ministers given any occasion of this division, but rather it is to be imputed to such, which for their own private lucre and preferments, contrary to the word of the Lord, do seduce the people into error, and grievously offending God, do provoke him to plague them with manifold calamities. Who, if they would renounce the greediness of their own gain, and would follow the pure doctrine of his word, seeking not the will of man, but what is the will of God, no doubt but they should soon fall to agreement.
And if the Byshops happely will obiect againe and say: that the worde of God ought not so to be handled of the vulgare people: they aunswered the same not to stand with equitie and reason. For albeit it did belong to the Bishops office, to prouide that the sheepe should not go astray, and most conuenient it were, that by them they should be reduced into the way againe:1 yet because they will not see to theyr charge, but leaue it vndone, referring all things to the fathers, and to Councels, therefore right and reason it is, that they themselues should heare and learne, not what man doth determine, but what Christ himselfe doth commaund in his Scripture. Neither haue their Ministers geuen any occasion of this diuision, but rather it is to be imputed to such, which for their owne priuate lucre and preferments, contrary to the word of the Lord, do seduce the people into errour, and greeuously offending God, do prouoke him to plague them with manifolde calamities. Who, if they would renounce the greedines of their owne gaine, and would folow the pure doctrine of his word, seeking not the will of man, but what is the will of God, no doubt but they should soone fall to agreement.