A67927:809
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.
Now Father, I pray you help me to buckle on this gear a little better. For ye know the deepness of Satan being an old soldier, and you have coloured with him or now: blessed be God, that hath ever aided you so well. I suppose he may well hold you at the bay. But truly he will not be so willing (I think) to join with you, as with us younglings.1
Now Father, I pray you helpe me to buckle on thys geare a little better. For ye know the deepenes of Sathan being an olde souldiar, and you haue collored with him or now: blessed be God, that hath euer ayded you so well. I suppose he may well hold you at the baye. But truely hee will not be so willing (I thinke) to ioyne with you, as with vs younglinges.1
Sir I beseech you, let your servant read this my babbling unto you, and now and then as it shall seem unto you best, let your pen run on my book: spare not to blot my paper. I give you good leave.
Syr I beseeche you, let your seruaunt reade this my babling vnto you, and now and then as it shal seeme vnto you best, let your pen runne on my booke: spare not to blotte my paper. I geue you good leaue.
1Sir I have caused my man not only to read your armour unto me, but also to write it out. For it is not only no bare armour, but also well buckled armour. I see not how it could be better. I thank you even from the bottom of my hart for it, and my prayer shall you not lack trusting that you do the like for me. For in deed there is the help. &c, Many things make confusion in memory. And if I were as well learned as saint Paul, I would not bestow much amongest them: further then to gall them, and spurgall too, when and where as occasion were given and matter came to mind: for the law shall be their shoot anchor, stay, and refuge. Therefore there is no remedy, namely, now when they have the master bowl in their hand and rule the roast, but patience. Better it is to suffer what cruelly they will put unto us, then to incur Gods high indignation. Wherefore good my Lord be of good cheer in the Lord, with due consideration what he requireth of you, and what he doth promise you. Our common enemy shall do no more then God will permit him. God is faithful,2 which will not suffer us to be tempted above our strength &c. Be at a point what ye will stand unto: stick unto that and let them both say and do what they list. They can but kill the body, which otherwise is of it self mortal. Neither yet shall they do that when they list, but when God will suffer them, when the hour appointed is come. To use many words with them it shall be but in vain, now that they have a bloody and deadly law prepared for them. But it is very requisite that ye give a reasonable account of your faith,3 if they will quietly hear you, else ye know in a wicked place of judgement a man may keep silence, after the example of Christ. Let them not deceive you with their sophistical Sophisms and fallacies you know that false things may have more appearance of truth,4 then things that be most true: therefore Paul giveth us a watchē word. Let no man deceive you with likeliness of speech. Neither is it requisite that with the contentious ye should follow strife of words,5 which tend to no edification, but to the subversion of the hearers, and the vain bragging and ostentation of the adversaries. Fear of death doth most persuade a great number. Be well ware of that argument:
1Syr I haue caused my man not onely to reade youre armour vnto me, but also to write it out. For it is not only no bare armure, but also well buckled armure. I see not how it coulde be better. I thanke you euen from the bottome of my hart for it, and my prayer shall you not lacke trusting that you doe the like for me. For in deede there is the helpe. &c, Many thinges make confusion in memory. And if I were as well learned as sainct Paule, I woulde not bestow much amongest them: further then to gaul thē, and spurgal too, when and where as occasion were geuen and matter came to minde: for the lawe shalbe their shote anchor, staye, and refuge. Therefore there is no remedye, namely, now whē they haue ye maister bowle in their hand and rule ye roste, but pacience. Better it is to suffer what cruely they wil put vnto vs, then to incurre Gods high indignation. Wherefore good my Lord be of good cheare in the Lord, with due consideration what hee requireth of you, and what he doth promise you. Our common enemy shall do no more then God will permit him. God is faithfull,2 which wil not suffer vs to be tēpted aboue our strēgth &c. Be at a poynt what ye wil stand vnto: sticke vnto that and let them both say and do what they list. They can but kil the body, whiche otherwise is of it selfe mortall. Neyther yet shal they do that when they list, but when God wil suffer them, when the houre appoynted is come. To vse many wordes with them it shal be but in vayne, nowe that they haue a bloudy and deadly lawe prepared for thē. But it is very requisite that ye geue a reasonable accompt of your fayth,3 if they wil quietly heare you, els ye knowe in a wicked place of iudgement a man may keepe silence, after the example of Christ. Let them not deceiue you with their sophistical Sophismes and fallacies you knowe that false thinges may haue more apparence of truth,4 then thinges that be most true: therefore Paule geueth vs a watchē worde. Let no man deceiue you with likelines of speache. Neither is it requisite that with the contentious ye shulde follow strife of wordes,5 which tend to no edification, but to the subuersion of the hearers, and the vayne braggyng and ostentation of the aduersaries. Feare of deathe doth most perswade a great number. Be well ware of that argument:
for that persuaded Shaxton (as many men thought) after that he had once made a good profession, openly before the judgement seat. The flesh is weak, but the willingness of the spirit shall refresh the weakness of the flesh.
for that perswaded Shaxton (as manye menne thought) after that he had once made a good profession, openly before the iudgement seate. The flesh is weake, but the willingnes of the spirite shal refresh the weakenesse of the fleshe.
The number of the criers under the altar must needs be fulfilled: if we be segregated thereunto, happy be we. That is the greatest promotion that God giveth in this world,1 to be such Philippians to whom it is given, not only to believe, but also to suffer. &c. But who is able to do these things? Surely all our ability, all our sufficiency is of God.2 He requireth and promiseth. Let us declare our obedience to his will, when it shall be requisite, in the rime of trouble, yea in the middest of the fire.
The number of the cryars vnder the aultar must needs be fulfilled: if we be segregated thereunto, happy be wee. That is the greatest promotion that God geueth in thys world,1 to be such Phillippians to whome it is geuen, not only to beleue, but also to suffer. &c. But who is able to do these thinges? Surely all our habilitie, all our sufficiencye is of God.2 He requireth and promiseth. Let vs declare our obedience to his wil, when it shalbe requisite, in the ryme of trouble, yea in the middest of the fire.
When that number is fulfilled, which I ween shall be shortly, then have at the papists, when they shall say peace all things are safe,1 when Christ shall come to keep his great Parliament to the redress of all things that be amiss. But he shall not come as the papists feign him, to hide himself and to play bo peep as it were under a piece of bread: but he shall come gloriously,2 to the terror and fear of all Papists: but to the great consolation and comfort of all that will here suffer for him. Comfort your selves one an other with these words.
When that number is fulfilled, which I weene shalbe shortly, then haue at the papists, when they shal say peace al things are safe,1 when Christ shal come to keep his great Parliament to the redresse of al things that be amisse. But he shal not come as the papistes fayne him, to hide himself and to play bo piepe as it were vnder a peece of bread: but he shal come gloriously,2 to the terrour and feare of all Papistes: but to the great consolation and comfort of all that wil here suffer for him. Comfort your selues one an other with these wordes.
Lo sir, here I have blotted your paper vainly, and played the fool egregiously: but so I thought better than not to do your request at this time. Pardon me and pray for me: pray for me I say, pray for me I say. For I am some time so fearful, that I would creep unto a mouse hole: some time God doth visit me again with his comfort. So he cometh and goeth, to teach me to feel & to know mine infirmity to the intent to give thanks to him that is worthy,1 least I should rob him of his duty, as many do, & almost all the world. Fare you well.
Lo syr, here I haue blotted youre paper vaynely, and played ye foole egregiously: but so I thought better thē not to doe your request at this time. Pardon me and praye for me: pray for me I say, pray for me I saye. For I am some time so feareful, that I would creep vnto a mouse hoale: some time God doth visite me agayne with his comforte. So he commeth and goeth, to teache me to feel & to know mine infirmitie to thintent to geue thankes to him that is worthy,1 least I shuld rob hym of hys duety, as many do, & almost al the world. Fare you well.
What credence is to be given to papists it may appear by their racking, writhing, wrenching, and monstrously injuring of Gods holy scripture, as appeareth in the popes law. But I dwell here now in a school of obliviousness. Fare you well once again, and be you steadfast and unmoveable in the Lord. Paul loved Timothy marvellous well, notwithstanding he saith unto him. Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel: and again. Harden thy self to suffer afflictions. Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a Crown of life saith the Lord.
What credence is to be geuē to papists it may appeare by their racking, writhing, wrinching, and mōstrously iniuryng of Gods holy scripture, as appeareth in the popes law. But I dwell here now in a schole of obliuiousnesse. Fare you well once agayne, and be you steadfast and vnmoueable in the Lord. Paule loued Timothy meruelous well, notwithstanding he sayth vnto him. Be thou partetaker of the afflictions of the Gospell: and agayne. Harden thy selfe to suffer afflictions. Bee faythfull vnto the death, and I wyll geue thee a Crowne of life sayth the Lorde.
Well beloved in Christ our saviour, we all with one hart wish to you,1 with all those that love God in deed and truth, grace, and health, and especially to our dearly beloved companions which are in Christs cause, and the cause both of their brethren and of their own salvation, to put their neck willingly under the yoke of Christs cross. How joyful it was to us to hear the report of Doctor Taylor and of his godly confession. &c. I ensure you, it is hard for me to express.
WEll beloued in Christ our sauiour, we all with one hart wish to you,1 with all those yt loue God in deede and truth, grace, and health, and especially to oure dearely beloued companions which are in Christes cause, and the cause both of theyr brethren and of theyr own saluation, to put their neck willingly vnder the yoke of Christes crosse. How ioyfull it was to vs to heare the reporte of Doctour Taylour and of hys godly confession. &c. I ensure you, it is hard for me to expresse.
Blessed be God, which was and is the giver of that, and of all godly strength and stomach in the time of adversity. As for the rumours that have or do go abroad,1 either of our relenting or massing, we trust that they which know God and their duty towards their brethren in Christ, will not be too light of credence. For it is not the slanderers evil tongue, but a mans evil deed that can with God defile a man: and therefore with Gods grace, ye shall never have other cause to do otherwise then ye say ye do, that is not to doubt, but that we will, by Gods grace, continue, &c. Like rumour as ye have heard of our coming to London, hath been here spread of the coming of certain learned men, prisoners, hither from London: but as yet we know no certainty whether of these rumours is, or shall be more true. Know you that we have you in our daily remembrance, and wish you and all the rest of our foresaid companions, well in Christ.
Blessed be God, whiche was and is the geuer of that, and of all godly strength and stomacke in the tyme of aduersitie. As for the rumours that haue or doe goe abroad,1 eyther of our relenting or massing, we trust that they whiche knowe God and their duety towardes theyr brethren in Christ, will not be too light of credence. For it is not the slaunderers euill tongue, but a mans euil deede that can with God defile a man: and therefore with Gods grace, ye shall neuer haue other cause to do otherwise then ye say ye do, yt is not to doubt, but that we wi•l, by Gods grace, continue, &c. Like rumour as yee haue heard of our comming to London, hath bene here spread of the comming of certayne learned men, prisoners, hither from London: but as yet wee knowe no certaintie whether of these rumours is, or shalbe more true. Know you that wee haue you in our dayly remembraunce, and wishe you and al the rest of our foresayd companions, well in Christ.
It should do us much comfort,1 if we might have knowledge of the state of the rest of our most dearly beloved, which in this troublesome time do stand in Christs cause and in the defence of the truth thereof. Somewhat we have heard of master Hoppers matter: but of the rest never a deal. We long to hear of father Crome, Doctor Sandys M. Saunders, Ueron, Beacon, Rogers. &c. we are in good health, thanks be to God, and yet the manner of our entreating doth change as sour ale doth in summer. It is reported to us of our keepers, that the University beareth us heavily.2 A coal chanced to fall in the night out of the chimney, and burnt a hole in the floor: and no more harm was done, the Bailiffs servants sitting by the fire. An other night there chanced (as master Bailiffs told us) a drunken fellow to multiply words, and for the same he was set in Bocardo. Upon these things (as is reported) there is risen a rumour in the town and country about, that we should have broken the prison with such violence, as if master Bailiffs had not plaid the pretty men, we should have made a scape. We had out of our prison a wall that we might have walked upon, and our servants had liberty to go abroad in the town or fields but now both they and we are restrained of both.
It shuld do vs much comfort,1 if we might haue knowledge of the state of the rest of oure most dearely beloued, which in this troublesome tyme do stand in Christes cause and in the defence of ye truth thereof. Somewhat we haue heard of mayster Hoopers matter: but of the rest neuer a deale. We long to heare of father Crome, Doctor Sandys M. Saunders, Ueron, Beacon, Rogers. &c. wee are in good health, thankes be to God, and yet the maner of our entreating doth chaunge as sowre ale doth in summer. It is reported to vs of our keepers, that the Uniuersitie beareth vs heauily.2 A cole chaunced to fall in the night out of the chimney, and burnt a hole in the floore: and no more harme was done, the Balyffes seruauntes sittyng by the fire. An other night there chaunced (as mayster Bailiffes told vs) a dronken fellow to multiply wordes, and for the same he was set in Bocardo. Upon these things (as is reported) there is risen a rumour in the towne and country about, that we should haue broken the prison with such violence, as if mayster Bayliffes had not playde the prettye men, we should haue made a scape. We had out of our pryson a wall that we might haue walked vpon, and our seruauntes had libertie to goe abroad in the towne or fieldes but now both they and we are restrayned of both.
My Lord of Worcester passed by through Oxford, but he did not visit us.1 The same day began our restraint to be more, and the book of the Communion was taken from us by the Bailiffs, at the Mayors commandment, as the Bailiffs did report to us. No man is licensed to come unto us: afore they might, that would see us upon the wall: but that is so grudged at, and so evil reported, that we are now restrained. &c. Sir, blessed be god with all our evil reports, grudges, and restraints, we are merry in God, and all our cure and care is and shall be (by Gods grace) to please and serve him, of whom we look and hope after this temporal and momentany miseries, to have eternal joy and perpetual felicity with Abraham,2 Isaac, and Jacob, Peter, and Paul, and all the heavenly company of the Angels in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. As yet there was never learned man, nor any scholar, or other that visited us since we came into Bocardo, which now in Oxford may be called a College of ⟨p. 1725⟩*Quondams. For as ye know, we be no fewer then three and I dare say, every one well contented with his portion which I do reckon to be our heavenly fathers fatherly good and gracious gift.4 Thus fare you well. We shall by Gods grace one day meet together, and be merry. The day assuredly approacheth apace: The Lord grant that it may shortly come. For before that day come, I fear me the world will wax worse and worse. But then all our enemies shall be overthrown and trodden under foot: righteousness and truth then shall have the victory, and bear the bell away, whereof the Lord grant us to be partakers and all that loveth truly the truth.
My Lord of Worcester passed by through Oxford, but he did not visite vs.1 The same day beganne our restraynt to be more, and the booke of the Communion was taken from vs by the Bayliffes, at the Maiors commaundement, as the Bayliffes did report to vs. No man is licensed to come vnto vs: afore they might, that woulde see vs vppon the wall: but that is so grudged at, and so euill reported, that we are now restrayned. &c. Sir, blessed be god with all our euill reportes, grudges, and restrayntes, we are merry in God, and all our cure and care is and shall be (by Gods grace) to please and serue him, of whom we look and hope after this temporal and momentany miseries, to haue eternall ioye and perpetuall felicitie with Abraham,
We all pray you, as ye can, to cause all our commendations to be made to all such as ye know did visit us and you, when we were in the Tower, with their friendly remembrances and benefits. Mistress Wilkenson and mistress Warcup have not forgotten us, but ever since we came to Bocardo, with their charitable and friendly benevolence have comforted us:1 not that else we did lack (for God be blessed, he ever hitherto hath provided sufficiently for us (but that is a great comfort, and an occasion for us to bless God, when we see that he maketh them so friendly to tender us, whom some of us were never familiarly acquainted withal.
We al pray you, as ye can, to cause all our commendations to be made to all such as ye know did visite vs and you, when we were in the Tower, with their frendly remembraunces and benefites. Maistresse Wilkenson and maistresse Warcup haue not forgottē vs, but euer since we came to Bocardo, with their charitable and frendly beneuolence haue comforted vs:1 not that els we did lacke (for God be blessed, he euer hitherto hath prouided sufficiently for vs (but that is a great comfort, and an occasion for vs to blesse God, when we see that he maketh them so frendly to tender vs, whom some of vs were neuer familiarly acquaynted withall.
Yours in Christ Nich Ridley.
