N20568:5580
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.
THE hour of his execution being come, this good and constant martyr was brought out of prison, having on his body the long shirt, which he called his wedding garment, and an old russet-coat which he was wont to wear. Besides this, he had upon his legs an old pair of leather buskins. And thus being brought out of prison, he was accompanied, or rather guarded, with a great number of bills and weapons. Which sight when he beheld, Alas! (said he) what meaneth all this? By God's grace I will not run away: with all my heart and mind I give God most hearty thanks, that he hath made me worthy to abide all this for his holy name's sake.
SO he came to a place, in his way, where his poor wife and children stood weeping, and making great lamentation: the sudden sight of whom so pierced his heart, that the very tears trickled down his face. But he soon after, as though he had misliked this infirmity of his flesh, began to be as it were altogether angry with himself: insomuch, that striking his breast with his hand, he used these words. Al• flesh, hinderest thou me so? Wouldst thou fain prevail? Well, I tell thee, do what thou canst, thou shalt not, by God's grace, have the victory.
BY this time the poor innocent came to the altar of his sacrifice, and there found a stake ready set up, with some wood towards the making of the fire. Which when he beheld, he set forward very boldly▪ but in going towards the stake, he fell down upon his knees and kissed the ground; and in rising again, a little earth sticking on his nose, he said these words, Earth unto earth, and dust unto dust; thou art my mother, and unto thee I shall return. Then went he very cheerfully and very Joyfully, and set his back close unto the stake; and when he had stood there a-while, he cast his eye upon this reporter, and called him unto him, and said, I feel a great fighting between the flesh and the spirit and the flesh would very fain have his swing; and erefore I pray you, when you see me any thing tempted, hold your finger up to me, and I trust I shall remember myself.