A67926:776
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, after much discoursing, wherein they in a long letter declared their diligence and fidelity at all times, in keeping their league, and maintaining the liberty and dignity of their country, as touching the cause of religion, if that were all the matter of their offence, they offered themselves willing to hear, and more glad to amend, if any could prove any error in them by the Scripture. Otherwise, if none so could or would prove, wherein they did err by the word of God: they could not (they said) alter any thing in the state of that Religion wherein their consciences were already staid by the word of God, and settled what soever peril or danger should happen to them for the same,
Finally, after much discoursing, wherein they in a long letter declared their diligence and fidelitie at all times, in keeping their league, and maintaining the libertie and dignitie of their country, as touching the cause of religion, if that were all the matter of their offence, they offered themselues willing to heare, and more glad to amende, if anye could prooue any errour in them by the Scripture. Otherwise, if none so could or would proue, wherin they did erre by the worde of God: they coulde not (they sayd) alter any thing in the state of that Religion wherein their consciences were already staide by the woorde of God, and setled what soeuer pearill or daunger should happen to them for the same,
Although here was no cause, why these Pages or Cantons, which were so confederate together in the league of peace,1 should disagree among themselves: yet herein may we see the course and trade of the world, that when difference of religion beginneth a little to break the knot of amity, by and by how friends be turned to foes, what suspicions do rise, what quarrels and grudge do follow, how nothing there liketh men, but every thing is taken to the worst part, small •otes are made mountains, virtues made vices, and one vice made a thousand, and all for lack only of a little good will betwixt party & party. For as love & charity commonly among men either covereth or seeth not the faults of their friends: so hatred and disdain taking all things to blame, can find nothing in their foes that they can like. And thus did it happen between these good men of Zuricke, and these other Switzers above named.