N20568:5337
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.
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."