N20568:7208
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.
West. The church is like a tower or town, that all men may see.
Brad. True, sir, all men that are not blind. Visible enough is the church, but men's blindness is great. Impute not therefore to the church, that which is to be imputed to men's blindness.
West. Where was your church forty years ago? Or where is it now, except in a corner of Germany?
Brad. Forsooth, sir, the church of God is dispersed, and not tied to this or that place, but to the word of God; so that where it is, there is God's church, if it be truly taught.
West. Lo, is not this to make the church invisible? Point me out a realm a hundred years past which maintained your doctrine.
Brad. Sir, if you would weigh or well mark the state of the church before Christ's coming, with it now, (as St. Peter and Paul willeth us) I think you would not look for such shows of the church to be made, as to point it out by realm•. You know ⟨p. 656⟩that in Elijah's time, both in Israel and elsewhere, God's church was not pointable; and therefore he cried out that he was left alone.
Brad. Sir, if you would weigh or well mark the state of the church before Christ's coming, with it now, (as St. Peter and Paul willeth us) I think you would not look for such shews of the church to be made, as to point it out by realm•. You know ⟨p. 656⟩that in Elijah's time, both in Israel and elsewhere, God's church was not pointable; and therefore he cried out that he was left alone.
West. No, truly, did not God say that there were 7000 which but not bowed their knees to Baal? Here was a church of 7000; show 7000 a hundred years ago of your religion.
West. No, truly, did not God say that there were 7000 which but not bowed their knees to Baal? Here was a church of 7000; shew 7000 a hundred years ago of your rligion.
Brad. Sir, these 7000 were not known to men: for then Elijah would not have said, that he had been left alone. And that is plain enough by the text, namely, that God saith, "I have reserved to me seven thousand." Mark that it saith, God hath reserved to himself, to his own knowledge; as I doubt not but a hundred years ago God had his seven thousand in his proper places, though men knew not thereof.
West. […] Mr. Bradford, I will not make your case worst than for transubstantiation: although I know that we agree not in other matters. And I pray you make it no worse yourself. If I can do you good, I will: hurt you I will not. I am no prince, and therefore I cannot promise you life, except you submit yourself to the definition of the church.
West. 〈…〉 Mr. Bradford, I will not make your case worst than for transubstantiation: although I know that we agree not in other matters. And I pray you make it no worse yourself. If I can do you good, I will: hurt you I will not. I am no prince, and therefore I cannot promise you life, except you submit yourself to the definition of the church.
Brad. Sir, If you will define your church, and bring no false church into that definition, you shall soon see that I will be at a point with you.
West. In good faith, Mr. Bradford, I see no good will be done, and therefore I wish you as much good as I can; and perhaps I may come or send to you again: and so he departed and went for Mr. Weal. AFTER his departure, the keeper, Mr. Claydon, and Stephen Bech came to Mr. Bradford, and spake to him in such a manner as if they had been his utter enemies, notwithstanding the friendship they hitherto pretended. If God be with us, it matters not who is against us. DIVERS came to Mr. Bradford in prison, some to dispute, some to confer, some to give counsel, some to take comfort, and be confirmed in their faith, and others came to visit him. There was a certain gentlewoman's servant, which gentlewoman had been cruelly afflicted, and miserably handled by her father and mother, and all her kindred in her father's house, for not coming to mass; and she would have been put to death, had not the providence of God delivered her from her father's house, although at the loss of all she had. THIS gentlewoman's servant therefore coming to Mr. Bradford, and taking him by the hand, said, God be thanked for you. How do you do? MR. Bradford answered, Well, I thank God▪ For as men in sailing, which be near to the shore or haven where they would be, would be nearer; even so the nearer I am to God, the nearer I would be.
Servant. Sir, I have never seen you so strong and healthful in body, as methinks you be now, God be thanked for it.
WHY, said Bradford, I have given over all care and study, and I only covet to be talking with him, whom I have always studied to serve.
Serv. Well, God hath done much for you since the time I first knew you, and hath wrought wonderfully in you to his glory.
Brad. Truth it is, for he hath dealt favourably with me, in that he hath punished me according to my sins, but hath suffered me to live, that I might seek repentance.
Serv. Truly, we hear say, there is a rod made so grievous, out of which I think no man shall pluck his head.
