N20568:11532
The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being Fox's Book of martyrs, revised and corrected, with additions and great improvements. : Containing an authentic account of the lives, persecutions and sufferings of the holy martyrs; and the many dreadful persecutions against the Church of Christ in all parts of the world, by pagans, Jews, Turks, papists, and others, from earliest ages of the church to the present period. ... The whole forming at once a general Christian martyrology, and a complete history of persecutions. / By the Rev. Mr. John Fox, M.A. late of Magdalen College, Oxford. ; Now revised, corrected and improved, with many additional articles, relating to the acts and monuments of the church. By Paul Wright, D.D. ; Embellished with forty elegant copper plate engravings. ; In two volumes. Vol. I[-II].The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being Fox's Book of marytrs, revised and corrected, with additions and great improvements. : Containing an authentic account of the lives, persecutions and sufferings of the holy martyrs; and the many dreadful persecutions against the Church of Christ in all parts of the world, by pagans, Jews, Turks, papists, and others, from earliest ages of the church to the present period. ... The whole forming at once a general Christian martyrology, and a complete history of persecutions. / By the Rev. Mr. John Fox, M.A. late of Magdalen College, Oxford. ; Now revised, corrected and improved, with many additional articles, relating to the acts and monuments of the church. By Paul Wright, D.D. ; Embellished with forty elegant copper plate engravings. ; In two volumes. Vol. I[-II].
New-York: printed by William Durell, 1794
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
WHEREFORE (my hearty beloved brethren and sisters) be of good comfort through Jesus Christ, for he that is in us is stronger than he that is in the world. Therefore draw ye near to God, and he will draw near to you. Resist the devil, and he will (as St. James saith) flee from you. Beware of the leaven of the pharisees. Touch no• pitch lest ye be defiled therewith. Eat no swine's flesh for it is against the law; I mean, defile not yourself either inwardly or outwardly with this false and wicked religion of Antichrist: for it is nothing else but pitch and swine's flesh. Beware of the beast's mark, lest ye drink of the cup of God's wrath. If God hath given you knowledge and faith, dissemble not therewith. Deny not the known verity before men, lest Christ deny you before his Father. Come away from Babylon, as St. John biddeth, Rev. xviii. and touch no unclean thing, but separate yourselves from the company of the ungodly, as St. Paul commandeth you. Whatsoever ye have done amiss heretofore, now repent ye and amend: for with the Lord there is mercy and plenteous redemption.
WH•REFORE (my hearty beloved br•thren and sisters) be of good comfort through Jesus Christ, for he that is in us is stronger than he that is in the world. Therefore draw ye near to God, and he will draw near to you. Resist the devil, and he will (as St. James saith) flee from you. Beware of the leaven of the pharisees. Touch no• pitch lest ye be defiled therewith. Eat no swine's flesh for it is against the law; I mean, defile not yourself either inwardly or outwardly with this false and wicked religion of Antichrist: for it is nothing else but pitch and swine's flesh. Beware of the beast's mark, lest ye drink of the cup of God's wrath. If God hath given you knowledge and faith, dissemble not therewith. Deny not the known verity before men, lest Christ deny you before his Father. Come away from Babylon, as St. John biddeth, Rev. xviii. and touch no unclean thing, but separate yourselves from the company of the ungodly, as St. Paul commandeth you. Whatsoever ye have done amiss here•ofore, now repent ye and amend: for with the Lord there is mercy and plenteous redemption.
THE third thing and note which I gather out of the aforesaid words of Peter, is this, that he saith, Rejoice, because ye are partakers of Christ's passion Our sufferings (my well beloved) are Christ's sufferings, and that injury that is done to us for his sake, he reckoneth it to be done to himself, as he said unto St. Paul, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Therefore we ought to rejoice in our sufferings, as St. Paul writeth, which we suffer with Christ, one with another, as St. Peter said, and to fulfil that which is behind of the passions of Christ in our fl•sh; which Christ hath, by his passion, fully redeemed and saved us in his own person: howbeit, his elect must suffer with him and for him unto the world's […], that he may be glorified in them, and they thereby corrected and cleansed from sin in this world, and be made more meet temples for the Holy Ghost, and also obtain a great reward in heaven for their suffering for righteous•es•• sake, according to •is promise. And therefore I say (my brethren) rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice Let us rejoice in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ whereby the world is crucified to us and we to the world.
THE third thing and note which I gather out of the aforesaid words of Peter, is this, that he saith, Rejoice, because ye are partakers of Christ's passion Our sufferings (my well beloved) are Christ's •ufferings, and that injury that is done to us for his sake, he reckoneth it to be done to himself, as he said unto St. Paul, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Therefore we ought to rejoice in our sufferings, as St. Paul writeth, which we suffer with Christ, one with another, as St. Peter said, and to •ulfil that which is behind of the passions of Christ in our fl•sh; which Christ hath, by his passion, fully redeemed and saved us in his own person: howbeit, his elect must suffer with him and for him unto the world's 〈…〉, that he may be glorified in them, and they thereby corrected and cleansed from sin in this world, and be made more meet temples for the Holy Ghost, and also obtain a great reward in heaven for their suffering for righteous•es sake, according to is promise. And therefore I say (my bethren) rejoice in the Lord always, and agin I say, rejoice Let us rejoice in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ whereby the world is crucifid to us and we to the world.
AN• why should we so greatly rejoice in the cross of Christ, which we now suffer? Because (saith ⟨p. 140⟩St. Peter) when his glory appeareth, we may be merry and glad. And this is the fourth note that I gather out of his words above written. Wherein is set out the reward of suffering, not to be had in this wo•ld; but at his coming to judgment when we shall be raised again: and then shall they that have sown in tears reap in joy, as Christ saith, Blessed are they that weep here, for they shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men hate you, thrust you out of their company, railing on you, and abhorring your name as an evil thing for the Son of man's sake: rejoice ye in that day and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
AN• why should we so greatly rejoice in the cross of Christ, which we now suffer? Because (saith ⟨p. 140⟩St. Peter) when his glory appeareth, we may be merry and glad. And this is the fourth note that I gather out of his words above written. Wherein is set out the reward of suffering, not to be had in this wo•ld; but at his coming to judgment when we shall be raised again: and then shall they that have sown in tears reap in joy, as Christ saith, Blessed are they that weep here, for they shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men hate you, thrust you out of their company, railing on you, and abho•ring your name as an evil thing for the Son of man's sake: rejoice ye in that day and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
WHEREFORE (my dearly beloved) through the hope of this heavenly joy and reward, which he that cannot lie hath promised (which joy is so great that no ear hath heard, no eye hath seen, no• the heart can think, where we shall dwell for ever in the heavenly city, the celestial Jerusalem, in the presence of God the Father, and Jesus Christ our Mediator, as Paul saith, and in the company of innumerable angels, and with the spirits and souls of all just men), rejoice and be glad: and seeing ye be called to so great a glory, see that you make your election and vocation sure by good works, and especially by suffering adversity for the gospel's sake: for it is given us of God, saith St. Paul, not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for his sake. Continue in prayer, and pray for me, that I may end my course with joy. Have brotherly love amongst yourselves, which is a token that ye be Christs disciples. Edify and comfort one another in the word of the Lord, and the God of p••ce and love be with you always, Amen. For your liberality and kindness showed upon the prisoners and afflicted people of God in this time of persecution, the Lord will reward you when he cometh to reward every man according to his deeds, and will not leave a cup of cold water bestowed upon his faithful people unreward•d. God make you rich in all grace, that ye always having sufficient, may be rich unto all manner of good works.
WHEREFORE (my dearly beloved) through the hope of this heavenly joy and reward, which he that cannot lie hath promised (which joy is so great that no ear hath heard, no eye hath seen, no• the heart can think, where we shall dwell for ever in the heavenly city, the celestial Jerusalem, in the presence of God the Father, and Jesus Christ our Mediator, as Paul sai•h, and in the company of innumerable angels, and with the spirits and souls of all just men), rejoice and be glad: and seeing ye be called to so great a glory, see that you make your election and vocation sure by good works, and especially by suffering adversity for the gospel's sake: for it is given us of God, saith St. Paul, not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for his sake. Continue in prayer, and pray for me, that I may end my course with joy. Have brotherly love amongst yourselves, which is a token that ye be Christs disciples. Edify and comfort one another in the word of the Lord, and the God of pce and love be with you always, Amen. For your liberality and kindness shewed upon the prisoners and afflicted people of God in this time of persecution, the Lord will reward you when he cometh to reward every man according to his deeds, and will not leave a cup of cold water bestowed upon his faithful people unrewardd. God make you rich in all grace, that ye always having sufficient, may be rich unto all manner of good works.
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you always. Amen.
Your brother now in bonds for the gospel, THOMAS WHITTLE.
THE same faith for which Abraham was accounted just, and Mary blessed, whereby also just men live, the Lord God our loving Father increase and establish in you and me, to the obtaining of eternal life in our alone and sweet Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.
I cannot worthily and sufficiently praise God (my heartily beloved brother) for the consolation and joy that I have received by reason of your loving letters, repenting me much that I being so long so near you, did not endeavour to stir up familiarity and communication between us by writing, to mutual consolation in Christ. For what is there upon earth wherein to rejoice (where all things are transitory and vain, yea man himself respecting this life) but as David saith, Psal. xvi. The saints that dwell upon the earth, and such as excel in virtue? But here now I consider, that if the fellowship, love, and joy of faithful men and children of God being as we now be, in double bondage, the body within clay walls, and the soul within these frail earthly bodies, be so great and comfortable; how unspeakable will these joys be, when we shall be delivered from all corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God? where we shall be present together continually in our glorified bodies, beholding the face of our heavenly Father (whom now we see but in the glass of faith) with his dear Son Christ our Redeemer and brother, and the blessed company of angels, and all the faithful saved souls.
ON the incomparable good things, and heavenly treasures laid up for us in heaven by Jesus Christ; for the obtaining whereof, we ought to set light by all temporal grief and transitory afflictions, so much the more, in that our God is faithful, and will not suffer us to be tempted above our strength, and that namely in the end of our life, when the tree where it falleth lieth still, as the preacher saith, Eccles. xi. for else before the end he suffereth his sometimes to fall, but not finally to perish: as Peter sinked upon the sea, but yet was not drowned▪ and sinned grievously upon the land through infirmity denying his master, but yet found mercy: for the righteous ⟨p. 141⟩falleth often times. And Christ's holy apostles are taught to say, Forgive us our trespasses. Yea though the righteous fall, saith David, he shall not be cast away, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. On the bottomless mercy of God towards us miserable sinners! May he vouchsafe to plant in my heart true repentance and faith, to the obtaining of the remission of all my sins in the mercies of God, and merits of Christ his Son, and thereto I pray you say, Amen.
O my dearly beloved, it grieveth me to see the spoil and havoc that Saul maketh with the congregation of Christ: but what remedy? This is God's will and ordinance, that his people shall here both be punished in the flesh, and tried in their faith: as it is written, "Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all;" for by a strait path and narrow door must we enter. Whither? Into the joyful kingdom of heaven: therefore blessed are you and others that suffer persecution for Christ's sake, for the profession of the same. Pray for me and my fellows, good brother, that we may fight a good fight, that we may keep the faith, and end our course with joyful gladness, for now the time of our deliverance is at hand. The Lord guide, defend, and keep us and you, and all his people in our journey, that we may safely through' a short death pass to that long lasting life.
O my dearly beloved, it grieveth me to see the spoil and havock that Saul maketh with the congregation of Christ: but what remedy? This is God's will and ordinance, that his people shall here both be punished in the flesh, and tried in their faith: as it is written, "Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all;" for by a strait path and narrow door must we enter. Whither? Into the joyfu• kingdom of heaven: therefore blessed are you and others that suffer persecution for Christ's sake, for the profession of the same. Pray for me and my fellows, good brother, that we may fight a good fight, that we may keep the faith, and end our course with joyful gladness, for now the time of our deliverance is at hand. The Lord guide, defend, and keep us and you, and all his people in our journey, that we may safely thro' a short death pass to that long lasting life.
FAREWELL, my de•r and loving brother and fellow-soldier in Christ; farewell, I say, in him: who receive our souls in peace when they shall depart from these tabernacles, and may he grant us a joyful resurrection, and a merry meeting at the last day, and continual dwelling together in his eternal heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
FAREWEL, my de•r and loving brother and fellow-soldier in Christ; farewel, I say, in him: who receive our souls in peace when they shall depart from these tabernacles, and may he grant us a joyful resurrection, and a merry meeting at the last day, and continual dwelling together in his eternal heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Your's with my poor prayer; other pleasure can I do you none, THOMAS WHITTLE, Minister.
MY dear and well beloved brethren in Christ, […] and Cuthbert, I wish you all […] of soul and body. Where to the soul is repentance of sin, faithful assistance in Christ Jesus, and a godly life. Welfare to the body is the health of the same, with all necessary things for this life. The soul of man is immortal, and ther• fore ought to be well kept, lest immortality of joy should turn to immortality of sorrow. As for the body, be it ever so well kept and made much of, yet shortly by nature will it perish and decay: but those that are ingrafted and incorporated into Christ by true faith, feeling the motion of God's holy Spirit as a pledge of their election and inheritance, exciting and stirring them not only to seek heavenly things, but also to hate vice, and embrace virtue, will not only do these things, but also if need require, will gladly take up their cross and follow their captain, their king, and their Saviour Jesus Christ (as his poor afflicted church of England now doth), against that false and antichristian doctrine and religion now used, and especially that blasphemous mass, wherein Christ's supper and holy ordinance is altogether perverted and abused, contrary to his institution, and to Paul's proceedings: so that that which they have in their mass, is neither sacrament of Christ, nor yet sacrifice for sin, as the priests falsely pretend. It is a sacrament, that is, as St. Augustine saith, a visible sign of invisible grace, when it is administered to the communicants according to Christ's example, and as it was of late years in this realm. And as for sacrifice, there is none to be made now for sin: "For Christ with one sacrifice hath perfected for ever those that are sanctified."
MY dear and well beloved brethren in Christ, 〈…〉 and C•t•ert, I wish you all 〈…〉 of soul and body. W•here to the soul is repentance of sin, faithful assistance in Christ Jesus, and a godly life. Welfare to the body is the health of the same, with all necessary things for this life. The soul of man is immortal, and ther• fore ought to be well kept, lest immortality of joy should turn to immortality of sorrow. As for the body, be it ever so well kept and made much of, yet shortly by nature will it perish and decay: but those that are ingrafted and incorporated into Christ by true faith, feeling the motion of God's holy Spirit as a pledge of their election and inheritance, exciting and stirring them not only to seek heavenly things, but also to hate vice, and embrace virtue, will not only do these things, but also if need require, will gladly take up their cross and follow their captain, their king, and their Saviour Jesus Christ (as his poor afflicted church of England now doth), against that false and antichristian doctrine and religion now used, and especially that blasphemous mass, wherein Christ's supper and holy ordinance is altogether perverted and abused, contrary to his institution, and to Paul's proceedings: so that that which they have in their mass, is neither sacrament of Christ, nor yet sacrifice for sin, as the priests falsely pretend. It is a sacrament, that is, as St. Augustine saith, a visible sign of invisible grace, when it is administered to the communicants according to Christ's example, and as it was of late years in this realm. And as for sacrifice, there is none to be made now for sin: "For Christ with one sacrifice hath perfected for ever those that are sanctified."
BEWARE of false religion, and men's vain traditions, and serve God with reverence and godly fear, according to the doctrine of his gospel, whereto cleave ye that ye may be blessed, though of wicked men ye are hated and accursed. Rather drink of the cup of Christ with his church, than of the cup of that rose coloured whore of Babylon, which is fall of abominations. Rather strive ye to go to heaven by the path which is strait to flesh and blood• with the little flock, than to go in the wide way, following the enticements of the world and the flesh, which leadeth to damnation.
