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 Answere.

This foloweth of the other going before, which in lyke maner I did not determinately affirm, although very pro∣bably I do yet holde the same, asking before a dispensation after mine owne arbitrement, euen in defiance of the Bul, which is not able to bringe foorth any other probation but this: We are the hiest powers in the Church, yea we are the church it selfe. Ergo, we are the best learned, most holiest, ful of the holy Ghost which cannot erre, although we stink like a filthy puddle to the whole worlde, polluted with all kind of sinnes, and drowned in ignorāce. But all these rea∣sons preuaile nothing with me: peraduenture they may w^t them, which feare least if my sentence should preuaile, then purgatory should be taken out of the Popes hands, & then priests and religious men hauing lost their gainful offices of vexing (of releasing I wold haue said) of the dead,* 1.1 shuld be pinched by the bellies and brought to penurye. It was time therefore for their greedy auarice here to wake & looke about, and not to suffer these their friuolous opinions, but yet very gainefull, to be ouercome with truth, and so to be ouerthrowen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The popes do∣ctrine gaynfull to the purse.