Foxe's Book of Martyrs: A history of the lives, sufferings, and triumphant deaths of the early Christians and the Protestant martyrs

by John Foxe

Overview

Lighthouse Trails is pleased to present our own edition of this essential classic. This softbound edition is illustrated with many drawings from the original book and other sources and is filled with the stories of saints who have gone before us who "overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780982488188
Publisher:	Lighthouse Trails Publishing Company
Publication date:	08/09/2010
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

John Foxe (1516-87) was a professor at Oxford, then a minister in London before being forced to flee to Europe when Queen Mary came to power. While in Europe he wrote this classic and published it after returning to England when Queen Elizabeth took the throne.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1 THE EARLY CHRISTIANS

CHRIST our Saviour, in the Gospel of St Matthew, hearing the confession of Simon Peter, who, first of all other, openly acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, and perceiving the secret hand of His Father therein, called him (alluding to his name) a rock, upon which rock He would build His Church so strong, that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. In which words three things are to be noted: First, that Christ will have a Church in this world. Secondly, that the same Church should mightily be impugned, not only by the world, but also by the uttermost strength and powers of all hell. And, thirdly, that the same Church, notwithstanding the uttermost of the devil and all his malice, should continue.

Which prophecy of Christ we see wonderfully to be verified, insomuch that the whole course of the Church to this day may seem nothing else but a verifying of the said prophecy. First, that Christ hath set up a Church, needeth no declaration. Secondly, what force of princes, kings, monarchs, governors, and rulers of this world, with their subjects, publicly and privately, with all their strength and cunning, have bent themselves against this Church! And, thirdly, how the said Church, all this notwithstanding, hath yet endured and holden its ,own! What storms and tempests it hath overpast, wondrous it is to behold: for the more evident declaration whereof, I have addressed this present history, to the end, first, that the wonderful works of God in His Church might appear to His glory; also that, the continuance and proceedings of the Church, from time to time, being set forth, more knowledge and experience may redound thereby, to the profit of the reader and edification of Christian faith.

At the first preaching of Christ, and coming of the Gospel, who should rather have known and received him than the Pharisees and Scribes of that people which had His law? and yet who persecuted and rejected Him more than they themselves? What followed? They, in refusing Christ to be their King, and choosing rather to be subject unto Caesar, were by the said Caesar at length destroyed.

Table of Contents

Editor's Preface

Biographical Sketch

The Early Christians

The Story of Constantine the Great

John Wickliff, the Morning Star of the Reformation

The Leader of the Lollards: The Trouble and Persecution of the Most Valiant and Worthy Martyr of Christ, Sir John Oldcastle, Knight (Lord Cobham)

The History of Master John Huss

The Life and Story of the True Servant and Martyr of God, William Tyndale

The History of Doctor Martin Luther

The Story, Life, and Martyrdom of Master John Hooper, Bishop of Worcester and Gloucester

A Faithful Parish Clergyman: The History of Dr. Rowland Taylor

The Martyrs of Scotland

The Story and Life of Master Latimer

The Story of Bishop Ridley

The Trial, Condemnation, and Martyrdom of Ridley and Latimer

The Fires of Smithfield

The Life, State, and Story of the Reverend Pastor and Prelate, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury

Anecdotes and Sayings of Other Martyrs