A67926:764
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.
The order of priesthood they do not contemn. Such priests as will truly discharge their duty,1 & teach soundly, they do magnify. As for the other rabble, which serve to no public commodity, but rather damnify the common wealth, if the number of them were diminished by little and little, & their livings put to better use, they doubted not, but it were a service well done to God. Now whether the singing and prayers of such Priests be available before God, it may be doubted, for as much as many of them understand not what they say or sing, but only for hire of wages do the same.
The order of priesthode they do not contemne. Suche priests as will truly discharge their dutie,1 & teach soundly, they do magnifie. As for the other rable, which serue to no publike cōmoditie, but rather damnifie the cōmon wealth, if the number of them were diminished by little and little, & their liuings put to better vse, they doubted not, but it wer a seruice well done to God. Now whether the singing and praiers of such Priests be auaylable before God, it may be doubted, for as much as many of thē vnderstād not what they say or sing, but onely for hyre of wages do the same.
- 1Good priests not to be contemned: the rabble of them to be diminished.Good priestes not to be contē ned: the rable of them to be diminished.
As for secrete confession, wherein men do detect their sins in the Priests ear,1 of what virtue this confession is to be esteemed, they leave it in suspense. But that confession, whereby repenting sinners do fly to Christ our only intercessor, they recount not only to be profitable, but also necessary to all troubled consciences. As for satisfaction, which Priests do use, they reckon it but a practise to get money, and the same to be not only erroneous, but also full of impiety. True penance and satisfaction is for a man to amend his life.