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.

The 7. Article.

Falsly, and against the honour, state, and reuerence of the sacred maiestie of the kyng of Scottes,* 1.1 he hath said, hol∣den, and affirmed, that our most noble king of Scottes, de∣fender of the Christian fayth, would appropriate vnto him selfe all the possessions, landes and rentes of the Church, geuen and graunted by his predecessors, and also by him∣selfe, and conuert them vnto hys owne priuate vse. And for this ende and purpose, as he hath many tymes written vnto him, so hath he with his whole endeuour perswaded our sayd noble Lord and kyng therunto.

Borthwike.

It is no maruell though these mad dogges do so barke agaynst me, whom they thinke to haue councelled y^e kings Maiesty (I would to God I had also throughly perswa∣ded hym) that he should take away from these vniust sa∣crilegious possessours, the riches wherewithall they are fatted and engreased lyke Swyne. For this is the nature of dogs, that if any man go about to take away the boane out of their mouth, by and by to snatche at hym and teare hym with theyr teeth. It is out of all controuersie vnto such which haue any wit at all, that such were very chil∣dish, that is to say, ignoraunt of all learnyng and iudge∣ment, which did so fat and feede with their possessiōs these belly beastes. For who would not iudge it more then chil∣dish,* 1.2 to bestow the kyngs vitayles or meate vpon the bel∣lies of the Prophets of Baal and Iesabell? But all they which at this present do endue such filthy sinkes (I wyll not call them deus of thieues) with such reuenues they do follow the steps of Iesabell, for what other thing do they, when as daily they are bleating and bowyng before theyr Images, burnyng of incense, and fall flat downe before their altars, but y^t which in tymes past y^e prophets of Baal dyd when as they transported the worship of God vnto an Idoll? Wherefore, if Daniel and Helias were spotted with heresie when they would haue destroyed the Priests of Baall, I graunt that I also must be an hereticke. But forsomuch as then he did nothyng but which was cō∣maunded hym of the Lord, that was able to kyll the Pro∣phet which had allured the people to follow strange gods, he could not truly and iustly be accused of heresie: so ney∣ther can my aduersaries spot me therewithall, except per∣aduenture they will condemne in me, that where as Elias delt more rigorously with the Prophetes of Baall, for he cast them into the broke Kidron. I required or desired no more, but that the riches which was wickedly bestowed vpon them, and theyr possessions might be taken frō them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The vii. Article.
• * 1.2

  A cōparison be∣twene our belly Priestes and the Priestes of Baale.