A67927:1501
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.
Of Gods gracious aid in extreme perils toward them that put their trust in him, all Scripture is full both old and new. What dangers were the Patriarchs ofte• brought unto, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but of all other Joseph, and how mercifully were they delivered again?1 In what perils was Moses when he was fain to fly for the safeguard of his life? And when was he sent again to deliver the Israelites from the servile bondage? Not before they were brought into extreme misery. And when did the Lord mightily deliver his people from Pharaoh his sword? Not before they were brought into such straights, that they were so compassed on every side (the main sea on the one side, and the main host on the other) that they could look for none other (yea what did they else in deed look for?) but either to have been drowned in the sea or else to have fallen on the edge of Pharaoh his sword. These judges which wrought most wonderful things in the delivery of the people, were ever given when the people was brought to most misery before as Othoniel, Aioth, Saugar, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson. And so was Saul endued with strength and boldness from above, against the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites for the defence of the people of God. David likewise felt Gods help most sensibly ever in his extreme persecutions. What shall I speak of the Prophets of GOD, whom God suffered so oft to be brought into extreme perils, and so mightily delivered them again: as Hel• as, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, and Jonah, and many other, whom it were but to long to rehearse and set out at large? And did the Lord use his servants otherwise in the new law after Christs incarnation? Read the Acts of the Apostles, and you shall see no. Were not the Apostles cast into Prison, and brought out by the mighty hand of God? Did not the Angel deliver Peter out of the strong prison, and bring him out by the iron gates of the City and set him free? And when, I pray you? Even the same night before Herod appointed to have brought him to judgement for to have slain him, as he had a little before killed James the brother of John.
Of Gods gracious ayde in extreeme perilles toward them that put theyr truste in hym, all Scripture is full bothe olde and new. What daungers were ye Patriarcks ofte• brought vnto, as Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, but of all other Ioseph, and how mercifully were they deliuered agayne?