N20568:5330
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.
FIRST, In that it is given in one kind, where Christ gave it in both.
SECONDLY, in that it is made a private mass, where Christ made it a communion. for he gave it not to one alone, but to all the apostles in the name of the whole church.
THIRDLY, In that it is made a sacrifice for the quick and the dead, whereas Christ ordained it for a remembrance of the everlasting sacrifice which was in his own body offered on the altar of the cross once for all, as the holy apostle saith, "Even the full and perfect price of our redemption: and where there is remission of sin, (saith he) there is no more sacrifice for sin."
FOURTHLY, In that it is worshipped contrary to the commandment. saying, "Thou shalt worship nothing that is made with hands.
FIFTHLY, In that it is given in an unknown tongue, whereby the people are ignorant of the right use thereof, how Christ died for our sins, and rose again for our justification, by whom we are set at peace with God, and received into his savour and mercy by his promise, whereof this sacrament is a sure seal and witness.
BESIDES this, it is hanged up, and shut in a box, many times so long, that worms breed in it, and so it putrefieth: whereby the rude people have an occasion to speak irreverently thereof, which otherwise would speak reverently.
BESIDES this, it is hanged up, and shut in a box, many times so long, that worms breed in it, and so it putrifieth: whereby the rude people have an occasion to speak irreverently thereof, which otherwise would speak reverently.
THEREFORE they that thus abuse it, bring up the slander, and not we, which pray daily to God to restore it to the right use, according to Christ's institution.
NOW concerning Christ's words, "This is my body," we deny them not: but we say, that the mind of Christ in them must be searched out by other open scriptures, whereby we may come to the spiritual understanding of them, which shall be most to the glory of God: for as the holy apostle saith, "There is no scripture that hath any private interpretation." Besides this, the scriptures are full of the like figurative speeches: as for example: Christ saith, "This cup is the New Testament of my blood." "The rock is Christ," saith St. Paul. "Whosoever receiveth a child in my name, (saith our Saviour Jesus Christ) receiveth me." Which sentences must not be understood after the letter, lest we do err as the Capernaites did, which thought that Christ's body should be eaten with their teeth, when he spake of the eating thereof. Unto whom Christ said, "Such a fleshly eating of my body profiteth nothing: it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: for my words are spirit and life."
THUS we see that Christ's words must be understood spiritually, and not literally. Therefore he that cometh to this worthy supper of the Lord, must not prepare his jaw, but his heart, neither tooth nor belly; but "Believe (saith St, Augustine) and thou hast eaten it;" so that we must bring with us a spiritual hunger, and as the apostle saith, "Try and examine ourselves, whether our conscience do testify unto us, that we do truly believe in Christ, according to the scriptures;" whereof if we be truly certified, being new born from our old conversation in heart and mind, will, and deed, then may we boldly with this marriage garment of our faith come to the feast.
IN consideration whereof we have invincible scriptures, as of Christ himself; "This do in remembrance of me." And St. Paul; "As often (saith he) as you eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, you shall remember the Lord's death until he come." Here is no change, but bread still. And St. Luke affirmeth the same. Also Christ hath made a just promise, saying, "Me you shall not have always with you, I leave the world, and go to my Father; for if I should not depart, the Comforter which I will send, cannot come unto you," So according to his promise he ascended, as the evangelists testify. Also St. Peter saith, "That heaven shall keep him until the last day also."
NOW as touching his omnipotent power, we confess and say with St. Augustine, that Christ is both God and Man. In that he is God, he is every ⟨p. 510⟩where; but in that he is Man, he is in heaven, and can occupy but one place: whereunto the scriptures do agree. For his body was not in all places at once when he was here; for it was not in the grave when the woman sought it, as the angel saith: neither was it at Bethany where Lazarus died, by Christ's own words, saying, "I am glad I was not there." And thus we conclude with the scriptures, that Christ is in his holy supper sacramentally and spiritually in all them that worthily receive it, and corporally in heaven, both God and Man.
NOW as touching his omnipotent power, we confess and say with St. Auguistine, that Christ is both God and Man. In that he is God, he is every ⟨p. 510⟩where; but in that he is Man, he is in heaven, and can occupy but one place: whereunto the scriptures do agree. For his body was not in all places at once when he was here; for it was not in the grave when the woman sought it, as the angel saith: neither was it at Bethany where Lazarus died, by Christ's own words, saying, "I am glad I was not there." And thus we conclude with the scriptures, that Christ is in his holy supper sacramentally and spiritually in all them that worthily receive it, and corporally in heaven, both God and Man.
AND further, we make here our protestation before God (whom we call to record in this matter) that this which we have said, is neither of stubbornness, nor wilful mind, as some judge of us; but even of very conscience, truly (we trust) grounded on God's holy word. For before we took this matter in hand, we b••ought God from the bottom of our hearts, that we might do nothing contrary to his holy and blessed word. And in that he has thus showed his power in our weakness, we cannot sufficiently praise him, unto whom we give hearty thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
AND further, we make here our protestation before God (whom we call to record in this matter) that this which we have said, is neither of stubbornness, nor wilful mind, as some judge of us; but even of very conscience, truly (we trust) grounded on God's holy word. For before we took this matter in hand, we b••ought God from the bottom of our hearts, that we might do nothing contrary to his holy and blessed word. And in that he has thus shewed his power in our weakness, we cannot sufficiently praise him, unto whom we give hearty thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
WHEN they had thus delivered and read their confession, the bishop still persisting sometimes in fair promises, sometimes threatening to pronounce judgment, asked them whether they would stand to this their confession, and other answers? To whom Causton said, Yes, we will stand to our answers written with our hands, and to our belief therein contained. After which answer the bishop began to pronounce sentence against him.
THEN he said, that it was much rashness, and without love or mercy to give judgment without an swearing to their confession by the truth of God's word, whereunto they submitted themselves most willingly. And therefore I, said Causton, (because I cannot have justice at your hand, but that you will thus rashly condemn me) do appeal from you to my lord cardinal.
THEN he said, that it was much rashness, and without love or mercy to give judgment without an swering to their confession by the truth of God's word, whereunto they submitted themselves most willingly. And therefore I, said Causton, (because I cannot have justice at your hand, but that you will thus rashly condemn me) do appeal from you to my lord cardinal.
THEN Dr. Smith said, that he would answer their confession. But the bishop (not suffering him to speak) desired Harpsfield to say his mind, who taking their confession in his hand, neither touched nor answered one sentence thereof.
WHICH done, the bishop pronounced sentence, first against the said Thomas Causton, and then calling Thomas Higbed, caused his articles and answers likewise to be read. In the reading whereof Higbed said, Ye speak blasphemy against Christ's passion, and ye go about to trap us with your subtleties and snares. And though my father and mother, and other kinsfolk did believe, as you say, yet they were deceived in so believing.
