FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS V5 The Reformation in Europe

THE ACTS AND MONUMENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 

by  

JOHN FOXE

Commonly known as 

FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS

Volume 5 

The Reformation in Europe

Published by the Ex-classics Project, 2009 

http://www.exclassics.com 

Public Domain

John Calvin

Contents

THE SEVENTH BOOK OF THE ACTS AND MONUMENTS 5 

129. History of the Turks. 6 

130. Solyman, the Twelfth Emperor of The Turks. 35 

131. The Siege of Vienna 38 

132. Further Campaigns of Solyman 46 

133. Recent Defeats Of The Turks 55 

134. A Notice touching the miserable Persecution, Slaughter, and Captivity of the Christians under the Turks. 55 

135. Persecution in England, 1500-1509 55 

136. The Proud Primacy of Popes 55 

137. Martin Luther - Introduction 55 

138. Martin Luther 55 

139. The Diet of Worms. 55 

140. Assembly at Nuremberg 55 

141. Luther after the Diet of Worms; His Teachings and Death. 55 

142. Cardinal Campeius' Mission 55 

143. The Reformation in Switzerland. 55 

144. Henry Voes and John Esch 55 

145. Henry Sutphen, Monk, a Martyr, at Dithmarsch. 55 

146. The Lamentable Martyrdom of John Clerk, of Melden, In France. 55 

147. John Castellane. 55 

148. Martyrs in Germany. 55 

149. Martyrs in France - I. 55 

150. Martyrs in France - II. 55 

151. Martyrs in Spain 55 

152. Martyrs in Italy 55 

153. The Waldensian Martyrs in Provence 55 

154. The Waldensians of Piedmont 55 

224. Pope Leo's Bull against Luther, and Luther's Answer 55

THE SEVENTH BOOK 

OF 

THE ACTS AND MONUMENTS

129. History of the Turks.

F it were not that I fear to overlay this our volume with heaps of foreign histories, which have professed chiefly to treat of Acts and Monuments here done at home, I would adjoin after these popes above rehearsed, some discourse also of the Turks' story; of their rising and cruel persecution of the saints of God, to the great annoyance and peril of Christendom: yet, notwithstanding, certain causes there be, which necessarily require the knowledge of their order and doings, and of their wicked proceedings, their cruel tyranny, and bloody victories, the ruin and subversion of so many Christian churches, with the horrible murders and captivity of infinite Christians, to be made plain and manifest, as well to this our country of England, as also to other nations. 

First, For the better explaining of the prophecies of the New Testament, as in St. Paul's Epistle to the Thessalonians, and also in the Revelation of St. John. Which Scriptures otherwise, without the opening of these histories, cannot so perfectly be understood. Of the which Scriptures, we mind hereafter, Christ granting, orderly, as the course of matter shall lead us, to make rehearsal. 

Another cause is, That we may learn thereby, either with the public church to lament with our brethren, such a great defection and decay of Christian faith, through these wicked Turks; or else may fear thereby our own danger. 

The third cause, That we may ponder more deeply with ourselves the scourge of God for our sins, and corrupt doctrine; which in the sequel hereof more evidently may appear to our eyes, for our better admonition. 

Fourthly, The consideration of this horrible persecution of the Turks, rising chiefly by our discord and dissension among ourselves, may reduce us again from our domestic wars, in killing and burning one of another, to join together in Christian patience and concord. 

Fifthly, But chiefly, these great victories of the Turks, and unprosperous speed of our men fighting against them, may admonish and teach us, following the example of the old Israelites, how to seek for greater strength to encounter with these enemies of Christ, than hitherto we have done. First, we must consider that the whole power of Satan, the prince of this world, goeth with the Turks; which to resist, no strength of man's army is sufficient, but only the name, spirit, and power of our Lord Jesus, the Son of God, going with us in our battles; as among the old Israelites, the ark of God's covenant and promise went with them also, fighting against the enemies of God. For so are we taught in the Scripture, that we Christian men have no strength but in Christ only. Whether we war against the devil, or against the Turk, it is true that the Scripture saith, Without me ye can do nothing. Otherwise there is no puissance to stand against the devil, or to conquer the world, but our faith only; to which all the promises of God, touching salvation, be annexed, beyond which promises we must not go, for the word must be our rule. He that presumeth beyond the promises in the word expressed, goeth not, but wandereth, he cannot tell whither. Neither must we appoint God how to save the world, but must take that way which he hath appointed. Let us not set God to school, nor comprehend his Holy Spirit within our skulls. He that made us without our counsel, did also redeem us as pleased him. If he be merciful, let us be thankful. And if his mercies surmount our capacity, let us therefore not resist, but search his word, and thereunto apply our will, which, if we will do, all our contentions will be soon at a point. Let us therefore search the will of our God in his word, and if he will his salvation to stand free to all nations, why do we make merchandise thereof? If he have graciously offered his waters to us, without money, or without money-worth, let us not hedge in the plenteous springs of his grace given us.