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 Proclamation concerning eating of white meates made the 9. of February, the 34. yeare of the reigne of the kinges most Royall maiesty.

FOr as much as by diuers and sundrye occasions, as well He∣ringes, Linges, Saltfish, Samond, Stockefish,* 1.1 as other kindes of fishe bene this yeare scant, and also enhaunced in prices aboue the olde rate and common estimation of theyr valour, so that if the kinges louing subiectes should be enforced onely to buy and prouide Hering and other salt store of fish,* 1.2 for the necessary and sufficient sustentation and maynteynaunce of theyr householdes and families all this holye time of Lent, according as they haue bene wont in times past to do, and should not be by some other conuenient meanes relieued therein, the same might and should vndoubtedly redound to their importable charge and detrimēt: and for so much as his highnes considereth howe this kinde and maner of fasting, (that is to say) to absteyne from mylke, butter egges, cheese, and other white meates, is but a meere positiue Law of the Church, and vsed by a custome within this Realme, and of none other force or necessitie, but the same may be vpon considerations and groundes altered and dispensed with from time to time, by the publicke authoritye of kinges and princes, when so euer they shall perceiue the same to tend to the hurt and damage of their people: The kinges highnesse therefore most gra∣ciously considering and tendering the wealth and commoditye of his people, hath thought good for the consideratiōs oboue re∣hearsed, to release and dispense with the sayd law and custome of absteining from white meates this holy time of Lent, and of his especiall grace and mere motion geueth and graunteth vnto all and singuler his subiectes within this his Realme of Englande, Wales, Callis, Cuisnes, & Hammes, and in all other his graces do∣minions, free liberty faculty and licence to eat all maner of white meates, as milke, Egges, butter, Cheese and such like, during the time of this Lent, without any scruple or grudge of conscience, any Law, Constitution, vse, or custome to the contrary notwith∣standing.

Wherein neuerthelesse his highnesse exhorteth, and in the name of God requireth all suche his faythfull subiectes, as may, will, or shall enioy this his sayde graunt or faculty, that they be in no wise scrupulous or doubtfull thereof, ••or abuse or turne the same into a fleshly or carnall liberty, bu•• rather endeuour them∣selues to theyr possible powers, with this libertye of eating of white meates, to obserue also that fast which God most specially requireth of them, that is to say, to renounce the world and the deuill, with all theyr pompes and workes, and also to subdue and represse theyr carnall affections & the corrupt works of the flesh, according to theyr vow and profession made at the Font stone, for in these poyntes specially consisteth the very true and perfect abstinence or fasting of a Christian man: thus to endure and cō∣tinue from yeare to yeare, till the kinges highnesse pleasure shall by his maiestyes proclamation be published to the contrary.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.2

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉