A67927:422
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.
This doctrine have all the blessed Martyrs of Christs church witnessed with their blood to be true. To this trueth, have all the consciences of all true believers subscribed ever since the Ascension of Christ. This witness is not of man, but of God. What better quarrel can ye then have to give your lives for,1 then the trueth it self? That man that giveth his life for the truth, taketh the readiest way to life. He that hath the Popes curse for the truth, is sure of Christs blessing. Well then my brethren what shall now let, but that ye go forward as ye have begun? Nay rather run with the runners that ye may obtain the appointed glory. Hold on the right way, look not back, have the eye of your heart fixed upon GOD, and so run, that ye may get hold of it. Cast away all your worldly pelf,2 and worldly respects, as the favour of friends, the fear of men, sensual affection, respect of persons, honour, praise, shame, rebuke, wealth, poverty, riches, lands, possessions, carnal fathers and mothers, wife and children, with the love of your own selves, and in respect of that heavenly treasure ye look for, let all these be denied, & utterly refused of you, so that in no condition they do abate your seal, or quench your love towards God. In this case make no account of them, but rather repute them as vile, in comparison of everlasting life.3 Away with them as thorns that choke the heavenly seed of the Gospel, where they be suffered to grow. They are burdens of the flesh, which encumber the soul exchange them therefore for advantage. Doth not he gain that findeth heavenly and immortal treasure, for earthly & corruptible riches?4 Loseth that man any thing, which of his carnal father and mother is forsaken, when therefore he is received of God the father to be his child and heir in Christ?5 Heavenly for earthly: for mortal, immortal: for transitory things, permanent: is great gains to a Christian conscience.
This doctrine haue all the blessed Martyrs of Christes church wytnessed wyth theyr bloude to bee true. To thys trueth, haue all the consciences of all true beleuers subscribed euer since the Ascension of Christ. This witnesse is not of man, but of God. What better quarrell can ye thē haue to geue your liues for,