A Christian Library (Vol. 2) (John Wesley)

《A Christian Library (Vol. 2)》(John Wesley)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Volume 2 - Acts And Monuments Of The Christian Martyrs, Part I

ACTS AND MONUMENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MARTYRS.

EXTRACTED FROM MR. JOHN FOX.

To which is prefixed, SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE.

THE READER.

AFTER the venerable remains of Ignatius and Polycarp, closed' with the artless, yet lively discourses of Macarius, and John Arndt's nervous account of True Christianity, worthy of the earliest ages; I believed nothing could be more acceptable to the serious reader, than to see this Christianity reduced to practice. I was, therefore, easily determined to subjoin to these, The Acts and Monuments of the Christian Martyrs. Here we see that pure and amiable religion, evidently set forth before our eyes: assaulted indeed by all the powers of earth and hell, but more than conqueror over all.

2. In abridging this vast work, I have purposely omitted not only all the secular history; but likewise those accounts, writings, and examinations of the Martyrs, which contained nothing particularly affecting or instructive.

3. Whoever attends to the power of GOD, which was so eminently shown both in the lives and deaths of these big saints, will easily excuse that manner of expression, which might give disgust to a curious reader. Near two hundred years cannot but make a very considerable

change in a living language: so that many phrases which were then both clear and beautiful, have now lost both their elegance and perspicuity. I had not leisure to alter the language much: only, to change some obsolete expressions, for such as are now in common use; and, therefore, more intelligible to ordinary readers.

4. May we all learn from these worthies, to be not almost only, but altogether Christians! To reckon all things but dung and dross for the excellency of the experimental knowledge of JESUS CHRIST! And not to count our lives dear unto ourselves, so we may finish our course with joy!

THE

LIFE OF MR. JOHN FOX.

WRITTEN BY HIS SON.

JOHN FOX was born at Boston, an ancient town in the county of Lincoln, in the year 1517; his father and mother being of that town, well reputed of, and of good estate. While he was very young, his father dying, and his mother being married again, he came into the tutelage of his father-in-law, with whom he dwelt during his childhood; which he had scarce passed over, when his friends sent him to study at Oxford. He was first of Brazen-Nose College, where he was chamber-fellow with Dr. Nowell, so famous a man in this city afterwards; and it was no great marvel if their manners were so alike in the course of their lives, whose education was the same. The native excellence and sharpness of his wit, were well seconded by the fitness of the place; where each student's proficiency was narrowly sought into. Neither was industry wanting, which as it seldom accompaniet.h the greatest wits, so where it is conjoined, is most available. He was afterwards chosen fellow of Magdalen College. Here he wrote divers Latin comedies, in a copious, graceful style. But even then he began to give earnest of what he afterwards proved. For neither those first flourishes of his youth were spent, but in histories of the Bible; nor followed he that vein long. He betook himself to the study of divinity, with more fervency than circumspection, and discovered him self in favor of the reformation then in hand, before he was known to them that maintained the cause, or were of ability to protect the maintainers of it; whence grew his first troubles. This was the time when King Henry

the Eighth was uncertain what course to take, thinking the affairs of the church, neither in all respects tolerable, nor that it was necessary wholly to alter them. Never were the people in more distraction, or less security of their lives and estates; there being in the laws such contrarieties, as no man could tell what to take to with safety. For although the pope's supremacy had been renounced, yet was his doctrine still retained. The first news of abolishing the pope's supremacy, was as prosperous as welcome to the reformers: and divers joined themselves to them out of love to the truth; being further assured of the king's intentions, by the punishment taken by some of the contrary part; and especially when the abbeys were dissolved. Nor was their hope a little increased, when they perceived the noblemen to rise in the favor of the king, as any of them most opposed the pope's dominion. In the mean while the act of the six articles was still in force; and if any were found guilty of the breach thereof, they were sure of punishment. So that as long as the king held the middle way between his own genius, and the advice of his counsellors, feeding them with favors, upon which they could build no assurance, and pleasing himself in his own severity, fear and hope equally prevailed.

But when the pillars of the reformed religion were - taken away; the Duke of Suffolk by untimely death; the Lord Cromwell, by the sword; the Archbishop Cranmer, and his friends, borne down by those of the contrary side; and when neither in the laws, nor the protection of the peers, there was the least help remaining; then began all things to hasten back again headlong to their former abuses.

In the universities and schools there was yet no open change: I know not whether through fear, or that they would not be followers.

This was the estate of the church-affairs, when Mr. Fox began attentively to. seek into the substance of the controversy then in agitation.

He found the contention to have been of great antiquity, and no age to have been free from some debate in the church. But those first quarrels were rather for dominion. The Romans endeavoring, by pretext of religion, to retain the ancient honor of their city, which by open force they could not defend.

Then no sooner could any skew himself to differ from them in point of faith, but his punishment prevented any infection that might spread among others. Thus, by their cruelty, and the patience of princes, who suffered it, the greatest part of these dissensions were appeased. Neither hitherto were all tracts of the old Roman virtue worn out; at least, some resemblances of virtue remained among many things, however perverted.

Afterward the pope, grown bolder by good success, began to draw to himself all power and authority; and not contented to have weakened the estate of the Roman empire, now longed to be fingering the sceptres of other princes; and to compass his design, spared not to violate any human or Divine right. Meanwhile the clergy little weighed with how great damage to religion, men of spotted life and conversation were sometimes chosen to the papacy; by whose example the strictness of life, used by their forefathers, was drawn into scorn, and their

poverty into reproach, the industry of the priesthood languished; and, on the contrary, ambition, riot, and avarice began to reign among them. Then at length were the practices of the churchmen brought to light, and their delusions laid open. It was then known why the ceremonies and rites in the church, had been brought to that excessive multitude; to wit, that the number of the clergy might be increased to perform them. These of necessity were to be maintained; and to that end were such opinions broached, as seemed most likely to draw money from all places: of the merit of works; of purgatory; of the power of absolution, and the pope's indulgencies: all which being in themselves false, and soon subject to

decay, were cemented together with that new and subtle invention of the pope's infallibility.

By this handsome linking one opinion to another, the credulity of the people was easily ensnared. All this while the new opinions yielding a plentiful increase, great sums of money came daily to the court of Rome. I have often heard Mr. Fox affirm, that the first matter which occasioned his search into the Popish doctrine was, that he saw divers things repugnant to one another, thrust upon meii, to be both believed: as, that the same man might, in matters of faith, be superior, and yet, in his life and manners, inferior to all the world besides. Upon this beginning, his obedience to that church was somewhat shaken, and by little and little followed dislike to the rest. His first care was to look into both the ancient and modern history of the church, to learn what beginning it had; what growth and increase; by what arts it flourished, and by what errors it began to decline; to consider the causes of all those controversies which had sprung up, and to weigh diligently what on either side was produced. This he performed with such heat of study, and in so short a time, that before the 3Oth year of his age, he had read over all that either the Greek or Latin fathers had left in their writings; the schoolmen, in their disputations; the councils, in their acts; or the. consistory, in their decrees; and had acquired no mean skill in the Hebrew language.

By report of some, who were fellow-students with him, he used, over and above his day's exercise, to bestow whole nights at his study'; or not till it were very late to betake himself to rest. Near the college was a grove, wherein the students took delight to walk, and spend some idle hours for their recreation. This place, and the dead time of the night, Mr. Fox chose, with solitude and darkness, to confirm his mind.

Many nights he watched in these solitary walks; many combats and wrestlings he suffered within himself; many heavy sighs and tears he poured forth with his prayers to Almighty God. But no sooner was the fame spread of his nightly retirements, than the more understanding sort interpreted all in the worst sense. At length those with whom he was intimate, being drawn into suspicion of him, there were sonic employed, who might observe his walks, and pry with more curiosity into his words and actions. And there wanted not others, who, comparing his customs formerly used, with the course he now took, did with more bitterness aggravate the fact. Why should he not come to church, as often as in former times Why should he shun the company of his equals, and refuse to recreate himself after his wonted manner, unless he had felt in his mind some sudden alteration And if that alteration were for the better, he would not conceal it.

Being thus reported of, when he could neither hide his resolution longer, nor, being a man of plain dealing, excuse himself by forging a lie; by the judgment of the college he was convicted, condemned as an heretic, and removed from the house. Nevertheless his adversaries affirmed, he was favorably dealt with by that sentence, and might have been questioned for his life, if they had not rather used clemency towards him than extremity. But this wound raged worse than was thought it would. His friends, upon the report of this accident, being sorely displeased, and especially his father-in-law, who was now grown implacable,. and determined to withhold from him his own father's estate. He knew it could not be safe for one in danger of the law to seek remedy by it; and also that Mr. Fox was so ignorant in requiting injuries, that he would many times with much ado confess himself wronged, even when he had ability of revenge in his hands.

When he was thus forsaken by his friends, and left naked of all human assistance, God's Providence began to show itself, procuring him a safe refuge in the house of a gentleman of Warwickshire,' Sir Thomas Lucy, by whom he was sent for, to instruct his children: in which house he afterwards married a wife, and there continued till the `children, coming to riper years, had no longer need of a tutor. But the fear of the popish inquisitions hastened his departure thence; which now, relying on the favor of the laws, were not contented to pursue public offences, but began also to break into the secrets of private families.

He now consulted with himself what was best to be done, and of two ways only left, whereby he might free himself from farther inconvenience, long debated whether to go to his wife's father, or his father-in-law by marriage of his mother. His wife's father dwelt nearest, being a citizen of Coventry, not yet bearing any hatred towards him. His father-in-law was better known to him, but more suspected. At last he resolved to go first to his wife's father, and in the mean while by letters to try, whether his father-in-law would receive him or not. His fatherin-law's answer was, that it seemed to him a hard condition to take one into his house whom he knew to be condemned for a capital offence; neither was he ignorant what hazard he should undergo in so doing: nevertheless he would show himself a kinsman, and for that cause neglect his own danger. If he would alter his mind, he might come and stay as long as himself desired: but if he could not be persuaded to that, be should content himself with a shorter tarriance, and not bring him and his mother into hazard of their fortunes.

Mr. Fox thought no condition to be refused: besides he was advised by his mother to come, and riot to fear his father-in-law's severity; for that it was needful to write as he did, but when occasion should be offered, he would make recompence for his words with his actions.

The truth is, he had better entertainment with both of them, than he any way hoped for: and by often going to and fro, from the one to the other, (which carried with it some show of business,) he both deceived their diligence who inquired after him, and effected that neither grew weary of his company.

Afterward he took his journey towards London; but upon what motives is uncertain; unless we may imagine the convenience of the place enticed him thither; which being full of all sorts of company, might give him occasions, whether he should choose to conceal himself, or make known his abilities, and get acquaintance with those of like inclination.

I think the chief cause of his going thither was, that religion began a little to recover itself, especially about the city. For he calve not to town till within a few years before King Henry departed this life. Who, when he grew into years, perceiving his health every day impaired, and' that his death could not be far off; then began to consider which side was most trusty, and at what age he should expose his son, to the raging hatred of the papists, who was yet, by reason of his youth, unfit to govern, and brought up in a religion which they opposed.

He, therefore, at last resolved upon that, which in reason seemed most wholesome, and in the end proved most fortunate; and having put the papist officers from their authority, by his will he appointed his son such tutors, whose love to himself he always found readiest, and by long trial of their fidelity, thought likely to continue the same to his successor. This set religion again in safety: but howsoever the professors thereof were secured for their lives; yet hence no public benefit was afforded them: so that Mr. Fox was still in as mach want as before, having already spent what either his friends had bestowed on him, or his own daily industry had acquired.

I should forbear to speak of a great example of God's mercy, were not the matter so well known (abroad. As Mr. Fox one day sat in Paul's church, spent with long fasting, his countenance thin, and eye's hollow, there came to him one whom he never remembered to have seen before, who sitting by him, and saluting him with much familiarity, thrust a sum of money into his hand, bidding him be of good cheer; adding withal, that he should accept in good part that small gift from his countryman, which common courtesy had enforced him to offer; that he should go and make much of himself, and take all occasions to prolong his life; for within a few days new hopes were at hand, and a more certain livelihood. Never could Mr. Fox learn who that man should be, by whose seasonable bounty he had been relieved; though he earnestly endeavored to find him out. Some who looked further into the event, believed that this man came not of his own accord, but was sent by some others, who desired Mr. Fox's safety; and that it might be through the servant's negligence that he suffered extreme miseries, before any relief came. Certain it is, that, within three days' space the issue seemed to make good the presage, there being some sent from the Duchess of Richmond, who invited him into her service:. Not long before, the Duke of Norfolk, the most renowned general of the time, together with his son, the Earl of Surrey, a man of sharp understanding, was committed to custody in the tower of London; for what crimes is uncertain. While they were in prison, the earl's children were sent to the aforesaid duchess, their aunt, to be brought up and educated: Thomas, who succeeded in the dukedom; Henry, who was afterwards Earl of Northampton; and Jane, afterwards Countess of Westmorland.