A67927:531
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.
Yet do I believe assuredly that his very body is present in his most holy Supper at the contemplation of our spiritual eyes,1 and so verily eaten with the mouth of our faith. For as soon as I hear these most comfortable and heavenly words spoken and pronounced by the mouth of the Minister. This is my body which is given for you, when I hear (I say) this heavenly harmony of Gods unfallible promises and truth: I look not upon, neither do I behold bread and wine: for I take and believe the words simply and plainly,2 even as Christ spake them. For hearing these words, my senses be rapt and utterly excluded: for faith wholly taketh place, and not flesh nor the carnal imaginations of our gross, fleshly, and unreverent eating after the manner of our bodily food which profiteth nothing at all, as Christ witnesseth, John 6 but with a sorrowful and wounded conscience, an hungry and thirsty soul, a pure and faithful mind do fully embrace, behold and feed, and look upon that most glorious body of Christ in heaven, at the right hand of God the father, very God and very man, which was crucified and slain, and his blood shed for our sins, there now making intercession, offering and giving his holy body for me,3 for my body, for my ransom, for my full price and satisfaction, who is my Christ and all that ever he hath: and by this spiritual and faithful eating of this lively and heavenly bread,4 I feel the most sweet s•ppe and taste of the fruits, benefits, and unspeakable joys of Christs death and passion fully digested into the bowels of my soul. For my mind is quieted from all worldly adversities, turmoilings, and trouble: my conscience is pacified from sin, death, hell, and damnation: my soul is full, and hath even enough, and will no more: for all things are but loss, vile dung and dross, vain vanity, for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Jesus my Lord and Saviour.
Yet do I beleeue assuredly that his very body is present in his moste holy Supper at the contemplation of oure spirituall eyes,