Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 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.

A letter sent from Tyndall, vnto Mayster Frith being in the Tower.

THE grace and peace of God our Father, and of Iesus Christe our Lord be with you, Amen. Dearely beloued brother Iohn,* 1.1 I haue heard say, how the hipocrits now that they haue ouercome that great busines whiche letted them, or at the least way, haue brought it at a stay, they returne to their olde nature againe. The will of God be fulfilled, and that which he hath ordeyned to be ere the world was made, that come, and his glory raigne ouer all.

Dearely beloued, how euer the matter be, commit your selfe wholy and onely vnto your most louyng Father, and most kynde Lorde, and feare not men that threate, nor trust men that speake faire: but trust him that is true of promise, and able to make hys word good. Your cause is Christes Gospell, a light that must be fed with the bloud of fayth. The lampe must be dressed and snuf∣fed dayly, and that oyle poured in euery euening and morning, that the light go not out. Though we be sinners,* 1.2 yet is the cause right. If when we be buffeted for well doing, we suffer paciently and endure, that is acceptable to God: for to that end we are cal∣led. For Christ also suffred for vs, leauing vs an example that wee should follow his steps, who did no sin. Herby haue we perceiued loue, that he layd downe his life for vs:* 1.3 therefore we ought also to lay downe our liues for the brethren. Reioyce and be glad,* 1.4 for great is your reward in heauen. For we suffer with him that wee may also be glorified with him: who shall chaunge our vile body,

that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body, according to the working wherby he is able euen to subiect al things vnto him.

Dearely beloued, be of good courage, and comfort your soule with the hope of this hye reward, and beare the image of Christ in your mortall body,* 1.5 that it may at his comming be made like to his immortall: and followe the example of all youre other deare breethren, which choose to suffer in hope of a better resurrection. Keepe your conscience pure and vndefiled, and say against that nothing. Sticke at necessary things, and remember the blasphe∣mies of the enemies of Christ,* 1.6 saieng: they finde none but that wil abiure rather then suffer the extremitie. Moreouer, the death of them that come againe after they haue once denied, though it bee accepted wyth God, and all that beleeue, yet is it not glorious, for the hypocrites say, he must needes dye, denyeng helpeth not: But might it haue holpen, they would haue denied fiue hundreth times:* 1.7 but seeing it would not helpe them, therefore of pure pride and meere malice together, they spake with their mouthes, that their conscience knoweth false. If you geue your selfe, cast your selfe, yeeld your selfe, commit your selfe wholy and onely to your louing father, then shall his power be in you and make you strōg, and that so strong, that you shall feele no payne: which should be to another present death: and his spirite shall speake in you, and teach you what to aunswere,* 1.8 according to his promise. He shall set out his truth by you wonderfully, and worke for you aboue all that your hart can imagine: Yea, and you are not yet dead, though the hypocrites all,* 1.9 with all they can make, haue sworne your death. Vna salus victis, nullam sperare salutem: To looke for no mans helpe, bringeth the helpe of God to them that seeme to be ouercome in the eyes of the hypocrites: Yea, it shall make God to carry you through thicke and thinne for his truthes sake, in spite of all the enemies of hys truth. There falleth not an heare till his houre be come: and when his houre is come, necessitie ca∣rieth vs hence though we be not willing. But if we be willing, then haue we a reward and thanke.

Feare not threatening therefore, neyther be ouercome of sweet words:* 1.10 with which twayne the hypocrites shall assayle you. Ney∣ther let the persuasions of worldly wisedome beare rule in your hart:* 1.11 no, though they be your friends that counsayle you. Let Bil∣ney be a warning to you. Let not their visure beguile your eyes. Let not your body faynt. He that endureth to the end, shall be sa∣ued If the payne be aboue your strength,* 1.12 remember: Whatsoeuer ye shall aske in my name, I will geue it you. And pray to youre father in that name, and he shall cease your payne, or shorten it. The Lord of peace, of hope, and of fayth, be with you, Amen.

William Tyndall.

TWo haue suffred in Antwerpe, In die sanctae Crucis, vnto the great glory of the Gospell:* 2.1 four at Rysels in Flan∣ders, and at Luke, hath there one at the least suffered, and all the same day. At Roane in Fraunce they persecute. And at Paris are fiue Doctors taken for the Gospell. See, you are not alone: Be cheerefull and remember that among the hard harted in England, there is a number reserued by grace: for whose sakes if neede be, you must be ready to suf∣fer. Sir, if you may write, how short soeuer it be, forget it not, that we may knowe howe it goeth with you, for oure harts ease. The Lord be yet againe with you, with all his plenteousnes, and fill you that you flowe ouer, Amen.

If when you haue read this, you may send it to Adrian, do I pray you, that he may knowe howe that our harte is with you.

George Ioy at Candlemas being at Barrow, printed ij. leaues of Genes. in a great forme, and sent one copy to the King, and another to the new Quene, with a letter to N. for to deliuer them: and to purchase licence, that he might so go through all the Bible. Out of this is sprong the noise of the new Bible: and out of that is the great seeking for English bookes at all printers and bookebinders in Ant∣werpe, and for an English Priest that should print.

This chaunced the 9. day of May.

Sir, your wyfe is well content with the will of God, and would not for her sake haue the glory of God hindred.

William Tyndall.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A letter of Tindall to M. Fryth.
• * 1.2

  Pet. 2.
• * 1.3

  1. Iohn. 3.
• * 1.4

  Math. 5. Rom. 8. Phil. 3.
• * 1.5

  Boldnes of spirite.
• * 1.6

  Wo••nde not Conscience, Standing ••pon things necessarye.
• * 1.7

  Death after denying euil spoken of by the ad∣uersaryes.
• * 1.8

  Obedience to God.
• * 1.9

  To looke for no mans helpe, bring∣eth Gods helpe.

  Con••tancye in standing. Patience in suffering.
• * 1.10

  Bilney.
• * 1.11

  Perseuerāce to the ende.
• * 1.12

  Math. 22.
• * 2.1

  Two Mar¦tirs at Ant∣werpe. Foure Mar∣tyrs in Flaū∣ders, & one at S. Luke. Persecution at Roane. Fiue Doc∣tors at Paris taken for the Gospel.