A67926:769
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.
Finally, where as they understand by their letters how desirous they are to have the Popes oppressions,1 and exactions, and usurped power abolished, they are right glad thereof and joyful, supposing that the same can by no means be brought to pass, except the word of God only and simply be received. For otherwise, so long as mens laws and constitutions shall stand in force, there will be no place nor hope of reformation. For by the preaching of Gods word their estimation and dignity must needs decay: and that they well perceive,2 and therefore by all means do provide, how to stop the course of the word: and because they see themselves too weak to bring their purpose about, they fly to the aid of Kings and Princes. For the necessary remedy whereof, if they shall think good to join their consent, there shall nothing be lacking in their behalf, what they are able either in counsel or goods, to do in the matter, declaring moreover that this should have been seen too long before. Which being so, they prayed and desired them to accept in good part, and diligently to expend this that they did write. As for their own part, they required nothing else more then peace both between them, and all men. Neither was it ever their intent to stir any thing that should be prejudicial against their league and band agreed upon between them. But in this cause, which concerneth their eternal salvation, they can do no otherwise, but as they have done, unless their error by learning might be proved and declared unto them.
Finally, where as they vnderstand by their letters how desirous they are to haue the Popes oppressions,1 and exactions, and vsurped power abolished, they are right glad thereof and ioyfull, supposing that the same can by no meanes be brought to passe, except the word of God only and simply be receaued. For otherwise, so long as mens lawes and constitutions shall stand in force, there will be no place nor hope of reformation. For by the preaching of Gods word their estimation and dignitie must needes decay: and that they well perceaue,2 and therefore by all meanes do prouide, how to stop the course of the word: and because they see themselues too weake to bring theyr purpose about, they flie to the ayde of Kings and Princes. For the necessary remedie whereof, if they shall thinke good to ioyne their consent, there shall nothing be lacking in their behalfe, what they are able eyther in counsayle or goodes, to do in the matter, declaring moreouer that this should haue bene seene too long before. Which being so, they praied and desired them to accept in good parte, and diligently to expend this that they did write. As for theyr owne parte, they required nothing else more then peace both betweene them, and all men. Neither was it euer their intent to stirre any thing that should be preiudiciall against their league and bande agreed vpon betweene them. But in this cause, which concerneth their eternall saluation, they can do no otherwise, but as they haue done, vnlesse their errour by learning might be proued and declared vnto them.