Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

* Of Sinne.

OF Sinne likewise they teach not rightly,* 1.1 nor after the institution of the Apostles, and the auncient Church of Rome, while the consider not the deepenes and large∣nes of sinne, supposing still to be nothing els but inwarde actions with consent of will, or outwarde, such as are a∣gaynst will: whereas the strength of sinne extendeth not onely to these, but also comprehendeth the blyndnes and ignorance of the minde, lacke of knowledge and true feare of God, the vntowardnes of mans minde to Godwarde, the priuy rebellion of the hart against the lawe of God, the vndeliting will of man to God and his worde. The sense of flesh S. Paule also calleth an enimie against God, and feeleth in himselfe, that is, in his fleshe nothing dwelling but sinne.

As touching also originall sinne,* 1.2 wherin we are borne which is the destruction of original iustice, and of gods I∣mage in vs (remayning in vs and bringing foorth in vs wicked cogitations, affections, and motions of naughty∣nes, against the law of God, and neuer ceaseth so long as man liueth) this originall sinne the Popes doctrine doth not deny, but yet doth much extenuate the same and hol∣deth that this inwarde concupiscence & vicious affections not brasting out in vs with consent of will,* 1.3 are no mortall nor damnable sinne, but only fomes peccati: And say more∣ouer, that this concupiscentia in vs, is no deprauation of the higher, but onely of the lower partes of man, beyng as a thing 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, indifferent, and no lesse naturall in vs then is the appetite to eate and drinke,* 1.4 and that the same is left to remaine in the Saintes after Baptisme, to be to them occasion of more meriting, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Erroneous doctrine of the latter Church of Rome con∣cerning 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Original sinne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is.
• * 1.3

  Fomes pec∣cati. Concupis∣centia.
• * 1.4

  Original sinne ••••••∣nuated.