A67927:768
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.
1The holy Catholic or universal church, which is the communion of saints, the house of God, the City of God the spouse of Christ, the body of Christ, the pillar, and stay of the trueth, this Church I believe according to the Creed. This Church I do reverence, and honour in the Lord. But the rule of this Church is the word of God, according to which rule, we go forward unto life. And as many as walk according to this rule, I say with S. Paul peace be upon them,2 and upon Israel which pertaineth unto God. The guide of this church is the holy ghost. The marks, whereby this church is known unto me in this dark world, and in the middest of this crooked and froward generation, are these. The sincere preaching of Gods holy word, the due administration of the Sacraments, charity, and faithful observing of Ecclesiastical discipline, according to the word of God. And that the Church or congregation which is garnished with these marks,3 is in very deed that heavenly Jerusalem, which consisteth of those that be borne from above. This is the Mother of us all. And by Gods grace, I will live, and dye the child of this Church. Forth of this (I grant) there is no salvation: and I suppose the residue of the places objected are rightly to be understanded of this Church only.4 In times past (saith Chrysostom) there were many ways to know the Church of Christ, that is to say, by good life, by miracles, by chastity, by doctrine, by ministering the sacraments. But from that time that heresies did take hold of the Church, it is only known by the Scriptures which is the true church. They have all things in outward show, which the true Church hath in truth. They have ten ples like unto ours.
1The holy Catholicke or vniuersall church, which is ye communion of saintes, the house of God, the City of God the spouse of Christ, the body of Christ, the piller, and stay of the trueth, this Churche I beleeue accordinge to the Creede. This Church I doe reuerence, and honour in the Lord. But the rule of this Church is the word of God, according to which rule, we goe forwarde vnto life. And as many as walk according to this rule, I say with S. Paul peace be vpon them,