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 written by the Lady Iane in the ende of the new Testament in Greeke, the which she sent vnto her sister Lady Katherine, the night before she suffered.

I Haue heere sent you (good Sister Katherine) a booke, which al∣though it be not outwardly trimmed with gold,* 1.1 yet inwardly it is more worth then precious stones. It is the booke (deare Sister) of the law of the Lord. It is his Testament and last will which he bequeathed vnto vs wretches: which shall leade you to the path of eternall ioy: and if you with a good minde reade it, and with an earnest mind do purpose to follow it, it shall bring you to an immortall and euerlasting life. It shall teache you to liue, and learne you to die. It shall winne you more then you should haue gained by the possession of your wofull fathers landes. For, as if God had prospered him, you should haue inherited his landes: so if you apply diligently this booke, seeking to direct your lyfe after it, you shall be an inheritour of such riches, as neither the couetous shall withdrawe from you, neither theefe shall steale, neyther yet the mothes corrupt. Desire with Dauid (good Sister) to vnderstande the lawe of the Lorde your God Liue still to dye, that you (by death) may purchase eternall life.* 1.2 And trust not that the tendernesse of your age shall lengthen your life. For as soone (if God call) goeth the yong as the olde, and labour alwayes to learne to dye. Defye the world, denie the deuill, and despise the fleshe, and delite your selfe onely in the Lorde. Be penitent for your sinnes, and yet despayre not: be strong in fayth, and yet presume not, and desire with S. Paule to be dissolued and to be wyth Christ, with whome euen in death there is lyfe. Be like the good seruaunt, and euen at midnight be waking, least when death commeth and stealeth vpon you like a theefe in the night, you be wyth the euill seruaunt found sleeping, and least for lacke of oyle, you be found like the fyue foolish women: and lyke hym that had not on the wedding garment, and then yee be cast out from the marriage. Reioyce in Christ, as I do. Follow the steps of your mayster Christ, and take vp your Crosse: lay your sinnes on hys backe, and alwayes embrace hym. And as touching my death, reioyce as I do (good Sister) that I shall be deliuered of this corruption, and put on incorruption. For I am assured that I shall for losing of a mortall life, winne an immortall life: the which I pray God graunt you, and send you of his grace to liue in hys feare, and to dye in the true Christian fayth, from the which (in Gods name) I exhort you that you neuer swarue, neither for hope of life, nor for feare of death. For if ye will denie his truth to lengthen your lyfe, God will denie you, and yet shorten your dayes. And if you will cleaue vnto him, he will prolong your dayes to your comfort and his glory: to the which glory God bring me now and you heereafter when it pleaseth him to call you. Fare you well good Sister, and put your only trust in God, who only must helpe you.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈…〉〈…〉 of the ••••dy Iane the ••ady 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 liue to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 liue.