A67926:921
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.
In the mean time this poor man thought with himself that they would have showed him the like cruelty as they had done the night before. They called him out of the dungeon where they had let him down, certifying him that they had things to tell him for his profit. This they did because he should not dye in prison.
In the meane time this poore man thought with hymselfe that they would haue shewed him the like crueltye as they had done the night before. They called him out of the dungeō where they had let him downe, certifying him that they had thinges to tell him for his profite. This they dyd because he should not dye in prison.
Then they let down a cord and a staff,1 but they could not persuade him to sit thereupon, saying that he would rather choose to dye there, then he would endure any more such cruel torments: Notwithstanding, if they would promise him, not to put him any more to the truss of the Cord, nor to put him to death, but to bring him before just Judges: on that condition he would come out, although he had fully determined never to have removed from thence, but to have ended his life in that dungeon. There were present certain counsellors which promised to perform his request.2 And thereupon he was taken out of the dungeon. As soon as he saw the Fryer, he cried out with a loud voice, saying: O miserable and wretched man that I am: now am I betrayed and deceived, for my latter hour is at hand. I see well the dream which I have dreamed this night will come to effect,3 for they do handle me tyrannously & condemn me, not being heard. The friar brake him of from his purpose and pulling a wooden cross out of his sleeve, presented it unto him, declaring that he must be quiet, because they had already given sentence against him, & that he should gain nothing by so much talk. Poor man (said the Friar) thou hast had good and gentle Judges, at the least thou shalt go to God, therefore confess thy sins in my care, and after thou hast received absolution at my hands, doubt not but this day thou shalt go straight to the kingdom of heaven. The poor man answered: Thou wicked friar, get thee away from me, for I have long since bewailed my sins and offences, & that before the face of my Lord Jesus, who hath already forgiven me all that which I have committed against his majesty, wherefore I have no need of thy absolution, which thou thy self doest not understand. This is most certain, that long time since, thou shouldest have amended thine own wicked & hypocritical life. I know well enough what thou art, thou playest the Ape with me, but thou hast a subtle and crafty hart, which hath deceived much simple people. If thou hast any comfort or consolation out of the Gospel to comfort me withal, let me have it, if not, get thee away from me, with thy Portesse. The friar was so confused and amazed with these words, that he knew not what to do or say.