THE ACTS AND MONUMENTS OF JOHN FOXE: A NEW AND COMPLETE EDITION: WITH A PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION, BY THE REV. GEORGE TOWNSEND, M.A. OP TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, PREBENDARY OF DURHAM, AND VICAR OF NORTHALLERTON, YORKSHIRE. EDITED BY THE REV. STEPHEN REED CATTLEY, M.A. OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, RECTOR OF BAGTHORP, NORFOLK, AND CHAPLAIN TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF SCARBROUGH. VOL. I. PUBLISHED BY R. B. SEELEY AND W. BURNSIDE; FLEET STREET, LONDON. M DCCC XLI. F6 TO HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY WILLIAM THE FOURTH. SIRE, THE Original Compiler of these ACTS AND MONUMENTS of the Church, enjoyed the distinguished privilege of dedicating them to your Majesty's most noble predecessor, Queen Elizabeth. The same brilliant halo of Royal Favour which encircled them then, shines around these Volumes with renewed splendour, under the auspicious sanction of your own Illustrious Name. May the Almighty Hand of God, which has quelled the storm of persecution in the British Reformed Church, and has established the Protestant Faith in this favoured land, continue to be the sure Defence of your Throne. May no lukewarmness in Holy Things, betray your Loyal Subjects into a false security, under the enjoyment of their Temporal and Spiritual Blessings; but may they learn, from these sorrowful Records of the Acts and Monuments of other days, duly to value, and fearlessly to maintain, that Scriptural Doctrine of the Church, Repentance towards God," and to build upon the only Secure Foundation, "Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ." And when, in subduing all things unto Himself, the Eternal King of Kings shall have put down all earthly Rule, and all Authority and Power, that your Majesty, and your Royal Consort, may be accepted, through the Merits of Christ your Saviour, to share, to His praise, Diadems that will never fade, and Kingdoms that will never change, is the best wish, and the earnest prayer, of Your Majesty's most faithful, And very devoted Subject and Servant, STEPHEN REED CATTLEY. FULHAM, December 15th, 1836. |