A67927:1397
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.
Now also know ye, all my true lovers in God, my kinsfolk and Countrymen, that the cause wherefore I am put to death, is even after the same sort and condition, but touching more near Gods cause, & in more weighty matters, but in the general kind all one. For both is gods cause, both is in the maintenance of right, and both for the common wealth, & both for the weal also of the Christian brother: although yet there is in these two no small difference both concerning the enemies, the goods stolen, & the manner of the fight. For know ye all,1 that like as there when the poor true man is robbed by the thief of his own goods truly gotten, (whereupon he and his household should live) he is greatly wronged, & the thief in stealing & robbing with violence the poor mans goods, doth offend god, doth transgress his law, and is injurious both to the poor man, and to the common wealth: so I say, know ye all that even here in the cause of my death it is with the Church of England, I mean the congregation of the true chosen children of GOD in this Realm of England, which I knowledge not only to be my neighbours, but rather the congregation of my spiritual brethren, & sisters in Christ, yea, members of one body, wherein by Gods grace I am and have been grafted in Christ.2 This Church of England had of late of the infinite goodness and abundant grace of almighty God, great substance, great riches of heavenly treasure, great plenty of Gods true and sincere word, the true and wholesome administration of Christs holy Sacraments, the whole profession of Christs Religion, truly and plainly set forth in Baptism, the plain declaration & understanding of the same, taught in the holy Catechism, to have been learned of all true Christians.
Now also knowe ye, all my true louers in God, my kinsfolke and Countreymen, that the cause wherefore I am put to death, is euen after the same sort and condition, but touching more neere Gods cause, & in more waightie matters, but in the general kynd all one. For both is gods cause, both is in the maintenance of right, and both for the common wealth, & both for the weale also of the Christiā brother: although yet there is in these two no small difference both concernyng the enimies, the goods stolne, & the maner of the fight. For know ye all,1