A67926:987
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.
To whom Nicholas answering again modestly, asked what had Christ ever offended him, that he with his blasphemous swearing did so tear him in pieces, desiring him,1 that if he had any thing against Christ, rather he would wreak his anger upon his poor body, and let the Lord alone. Thus they being bound, hands & feet, were brought to Bergis, and there laid in the dungeon. Thē duke Ariscote, accompanied with a great number of priests, and Franciscan Friars, and with a Doctor which was their warden, came to talk with them. Nicholas s•anding in the middest of them, being asked what he was, and whither he would: answered them perfectly to all their questions, and moreover so confounded the Friars, that they went away ashamed, saying that be had a devil, and crying:2 to the fire with him Lutheran. As they continued looking still for the day of their execution, it came to the Rivers minds to ask of Nicolas in what house he was lodged, when he came to Bergis. Nicolas said he had never been there before, and therefore being a stranger he could not tell the name of the house. When Nicolas would confess nothing, Duke Ariscotus came to Barbara Nicholas his Wife, to know where they were lodged at Bergis, promising many fair words of delivery, if she would tell.3 She being a weak and a timorous woman, uttered all. By the occasion whereof great persecution followed, and many were apprehended. Where this is to be noted, that shortly,4 even upon the same, the son of the said Duke Ariscotus, was slain and buried the same day, when Augustinus was burned. To be short, Nicolas shortly after was brought before the Judges and there condemned to be burned to ashes. At which sentence giving,5 Nicolas blessed the Lord, which had counted him worthy to be a witness in the cause of his dear and well-beloved Son. Going to the place of execution, he was commanded to speak nothing to the people, or else he should have a ball of wood thrust in his mouth. Being at the stake and seeing a great multitude about him, forgetting his silence promised, he cried with a loud voice: O Charles, Charles, how long shall thy hart be hardened? And with it, one of the soldiers gave him a blow. Then said Nicholas again: Ah miserable people, thou art not worthy to whom the word of God should be preached. And thus he spake as they were binding him to the stake.