A67927:1162
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 2] 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 2] 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.
And take heed whose counsels your grace doth take in this matter: for there be some that for fear of losing of their worldly worship and honour, will not leave their opinion, which rashly, and that to please men withal by whom they had great promotion, they took upon them to defend by writing, so that now they think that all their felicity which they put in this life, should be marred, and their wisdom not so greatly regarded, if that which they have so slanderously oppressed, should be now put forth and allowed. But alas, let these men remember S. Paul, how fervent he was against the truth (and that of a good zeal) before he was called: he thought no shame to suffer punishment & great persecutions for that which he before despised & called heresy. And I am sure that their living is not more perfect then S. Pauls was, as concerning the outward works of the law, before he was converted.
And take heed whose counsels your grace doth take in this matter: for there be some that for feare of losing of their worldly worship and honor, will not leaue theyr opinion, which rashly, and that to please menne withall by whome they had great promotion, they tooke vpon them to defend by writing, so that now they thinke that all theyr felicity which they put in this life, should be mard, and their wisedome not so greatlye regarded, if that whiche they haue so slaunderously oppressed, should be now put forth and allowed. But alas, let these men remember S. Paul, how feruent he was agaynst the truth (and that of a good zeale) before he was called: he thought no shame to suffer punishment & great persecutions for that which he before despised & called heresy. And I am sure that theyr liuing is not more perfect then S. Paules was, as concerning the outward workes of the law, before he was conuerted.
Also the king and Prophet David was not ashamed to forsake his good intent in building of the Temple,1 after that the Prophet Nathan had showed him that it was not the pleasure of god that he should build any house for him: and notwithstanding that Nathan had before allowed & praised the purpose of David, yet he was not ashamed to revoke and eat his words again when he knew that they were not according to Gods will and pleasure.