1II. Let us therefore be more wise: and among other things that we often meditate on, call to mind such distresses as formerly we have bin in, and from which thorough Gods providence we have bin delivered: whether they be such as the whole Christian Church have groaned under, or particular Churches, either of our own or other nations: yea and such also as we our selves have bin in, or our children, families, friends, or others near and dear unto us. For private deliverances, particular Diaries before mentioned are needful, and oft reading them will be very useful. For public deliverances, it will be time well spent to read such Ecclesiastical Histories as set forth the cruel persecutions of the primitive Christians under heathenish Emperors from the Apostles time till Constantine the great.2 And the more inhumane persecutions, under which the professors of the true faith endured much, from the beginning of Antichrists reign till these our days (I would in these our days they were ended.) The latter Beast of Rome was far more cruel then the former. Among other fierce and fiery persecutions, let them especially be remembered which have bin executed in this our Land, against those who maintained the same faith which we now do, and for the same resisted unto blood. Their sufferings and our freedom from the same are never to be forgotten. We have an excellent help for informing our selves in all the sufferings of the Church from the death of Christ till the reign of the forementioned blessed Queen. The help that I ⟨p. 22⟩mean is that large volume,3 which we call the book of Martyrs, entitled Acts and Monuments of matters most special and memorable happening in the Church, with an universal History of the same. All the days of Queen Elizabeth was this Monument of Martyrs in high account. All Churches by authority were enjoined to have it, so as all that would might read it. There was scarce a Family of note that had it not. It was usually to spend the long Winter evenings in reading it. By the constancy of Martyr therein set out, people were much encouraged to stand to that faith which was sealed by their blood.
1II. Let us therefore be more wise: and among other things that we often meditate on, call to mind such distresses as formerly we have bin in, and from which thorough Gods providence we have bin delivered: whether they be such as the whole Christian Church have groaned under, or particular Churches, either of our owne or other nations: yea and such allso as we our selves have bin in, or our children, families, friends, or others neere and deare unto us. For private deliverances, particular Dyaries before mentioned are needfull, and oft reading them will be very usefull. For publike deliverances, it will be time well spent to reade such Ecclesiasticall Histories as set forth the cruell persecutions of the primitive Christians under heathenish Emperours from the Apostles time till Constantine the great.2 And the more inhumane persecutions, under which the professours of the true faith endured much, from the beginning of Antichrists raigne till these our dayes (I would in these our dayes they were ended.) The latter Beast of Rome was farre more cruell then the former. Among other fierce and fiery persecutions, let them especially be remembred which have bin executed in this our Land, against those who maintained the same faith which we now doe, and for the same resisted unto blood. Their sufferings and our freedome from the same are never to be forgotten. We have an excellent helpe for informing our selves in all the sufferings of the Church from the death of Christ till the raigne of the forementioned blessed Queene. The helpe that I ⟨p. 22⟩meane is that large volume,3 which we call the booke of Martyrs, entituled Acts and Monuments of matters most speciall and memorable happening in the Church, with an universall History of the same. All the dayes of Queene Elizabeth was this Monument of Martyrs in high account. All Churches by authority were injoyned to have it, so as all that would might reade it. There was scarce a Family of note that had it not. It was usuali to spend the long Winter evenings in reading it. By the constancy of Martyre therein set out, people were much encouraged to stand to that faith which was sealed by their blood.
- 12. Exhortation to think on times past.2. Exhortation to thinke on times past.
- 2Read histories of Martyrs
- 3The book of martyrs a good help.The booke of martyrs a good help.
