N20568:4811
The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being…
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.
AT length, when God saw it good to stay the bloody time of the six articles, and to give us king Edward to reign over this realm, with some peace and rest unto the church, amongst many other English exiles, who then repaired homeward, Mr. Hooper also, moved in conscience, thought not to absent himself, but seeing such a time and occasion, offered to help forward the Lord's work, to the uttermost of his ability. And coming to Mr. Bullinger, and other of his acquaintance in Zurich, (as duty required) to give them thanks for their singular kindness and humanity towards him many ways declared, with like humanity again purposed to take his leave of them at his departing, and so he did. Unto whom Mr. Bullinger (who had always a special favour to Mr. Hooper) spake on this wise; "Mr. Hooper, (saith he) although we are sorry to part with your company for our own cause, yet much greater cause have we to rejoice, both for your sake, and especially for the cause of Christ's true religion, that you shall now return out of long banishment into your native country again, where not only you may enjoy your own private liberty; but also the cause and state of Christ's church by you may fare the better, as we doubt not but it will. Another cause moreover why we rejoice with you and for you, is this; that you shall remove not only out of exile into liberty, but you shall leave here a barren, a four, and an unpleasant country, rude and savage, and shall go into a land flowing with milk and honey, replenished with all pleasure and fertility. Notwithstanding, with this our rejoicing one fear and care we have, le•t you being absent, and so far distant from us, or else coming to such abundance of wealth and felicity, in your new welfare and plenty of all things, and in your flourishing honours, where you shall come peradventure to be a bishop, and where ye shall find so many new friends, you will forget us your old acquaintances and well-wishers. Nevertheless, howsoever you shall forget and shake us off, yet this persuade yourself, that we will not forget our old friend and fellow Mr. Hooper. And if you will please not to forget us, then I pray let us hear from you."
WHEREUNTO Mr. Hooper answering again, first gave to Mr. Bullinger and the rest hearty thanks, for that their singular good will and undeserved affection, appearing not only now, but at all times towards him; declaring moreover, that as the principal cause of his removing to his country was the matter of religion; so touching the unpleasantness and barrenness of that country of their's, there was no cause therein why he could not find in his heart to continue all his life there, as soon as in any place in the world, and rather than in his own native country, if there were nothing else in his conscience that moved him so to do. And as touching the forgetting of his old friends, although, said he, the remembrance of man's country naturally doth delight him, neither could he deny but God had blessed his country of England with many great commodities; yet neither the nature of the country, nor pleasure of the commodities, nor newness of friends should ever induce him to the oblivion of such friends and benefactors, whom he was so entirely bound unto: and therefore you shall be sure, said he, from time to time to hear from me, and I will write unto you how it goeth with me. But the last news of all I shall not be able to write; for there, said he, (taking Mr. Bullinger by the hand) where I shall take most pains, there shall you hear of me to be burned to ashes; and that shall be the last news, which I shall not be able to write to you, but you shall hear of me, &c.