A67927:812
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.
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.
When I call to remembrance (beloved Cousin) the state of those that for fear of trouble, either for loss of goods, will do in the sight of the world those things that they know and are assured are contrary to the will of God,1 I can do no less but lament their case, being assured the end thereof will be so pitiful (without speedy repentance) that I tremble and fear to have it in remembrance. I would to God it lay upon some earthly burden so that freedom of conscience might be given unto them. I wrote (as God knoweth) not of presumption, but only lamenting the state of those, whom I thought now in this dangerous time should have given both you and me comfortable instructions. But (alas) in stead thereof we have instructions to follow (I lament me to rehearse it) superstitious Idolatry. Yea, and that worst of all is, they will seek to prove it by the Scriptures. The Lord for his mercy turn their hearts. Amen. Commend me. &c.
When I call to remembraunce (beloued Cosin) the state of those that for feare of trouble, eyther for losse of goods, wil do in the sight of the world those thinges that they know and are assured are contrary to the wyll of God,1 I can do no lesse but lamēt theyr case, being assured the end thereof will be so pittifull (without speedy repentaunce) that I tremble and feare to haue it in remembraunce. I would to God it lay vpon some earthly burden so that freedome of conscience might be geuen vnto them. I wrote (as God knoweth) not of presumption, but onely lamenting the state of those, whome I thought now in this dangerous time should haue geuen both you and me comfortable instructions. But (alas) in steade thereof we haue instructions to folow (I lament me to rehearse it) superstitious Idolatrye. Yea, and that woorst of all is, they wil seeke to proue it by the Scriptures. The Lord for his mercy turne their hartes. Amen. Commend me. &c.
