A67927:1435
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.
Farewell all ye together in Christ: farewell and be merry, for ye know that the trial of your faith bringeth forth patience, and patience shall make us perfect, whole and sound on every side, and such after trial (ye know) shall receive the crown of life, according to the promise of the Lord made to his dearly beloved, let us therefore be patient unto the coming of the Lord. As the husbandman abideth patiently the former and latter rain for the increase of his crop,1 so let us be patient and pluck up our hearts, for the coming of the Lord approacheth apace. Let us (my dear brethren) take example of patience in tribulation of the Prophets, which spake likewise Gods word truly in his name. Let Job be to us an example of patience, & the end which the Lord suffered, which is full of mercy and pity. We know my brethren by Gods word, that our faith is much more precious then any corruptible gold, and yet that is tried by the fire: even so our faith is therefore tried likewise in tribulations, that it may be found when the Lord shall appear, laudable, glorious and honourable. For if we for Christs cause do suffer, that is grateful before God,2 for thereunto are we called, that is our state and vocation, wherewith let us be content. Christ we know suffered for us afflictions, leaving us an example that we should follow his footsteps, for he committed no sin, not was there any guile found in his mouth: when he was railed upon, and all to reviled, he railed not again: when he was evil entreated, he did not threaten, but committed the punishment thereof to him that judgeth a right.
Farewell all ye together in Christ: farewell and be mery, for ye know that the triall of your fayth bringeth forth patience, and pacience shall make vs perfecte, whole and sound on euery side, and such after triall (ye knowe) shall receiue the crowne of lyfe, according to the promise of the Lorde made to his dearely beloued, let vs therefore be pacient vnto the comming of the Lord. As the husbandmanne abideth pacientlye the former and latter rayne for the encrease of his croppe,1 so let vs bee paciente and plucke vp our hartes, for the comming of the Lord approacheth apace. Let vs (my deare brethren) take example of pacience in tribulation of the Prophetes, which spake likewise Gods word truely in his name. Let Iob be to vs an example of pacience, & the end which the Lord suffered, which is full of mercy and pitty. We know my brethren by Gods worde, that our fayth is muche more precious then any corruptible golde, and yet that is tryed by the fire: euen so our fayth is therfore tried likewise in tribulations, that it may be found when the Lord shal appeare, laudable, glorious and honorable. For if we for Christs cause do suffer, that is gratefull before God,