Foxe's Actes & Monuments 1563

Foxe’s Actes and Monuments, otherwise known as his Book of Martyrs, being first published in English in 1563, is arguably the most important, and certainly the most comprehensive collection of records to come down to us from the 16th century. The book contains historical documents and accounts which otherwise would have been lost to us forever had Foxe not exercised the truly formidable labour of gathering them together, always at great expense and often at considerable danger to himself. The documents comprise a series of heresy trials, interrogations, examinations and extracts from Bishops' registers and other records (often illicitly and dangerously obtained), which together afford us an invaluable glimpse into a page of Reformation history which would otherwise have been left untold. It is inspiring to read how glovers and ploughmen bettered great lords and bishops at the Scriptures, made possible by the translation of those Scriptures into English for the very first time. But let not today's reader imagine for one moment that such persecution could not now be repeated. The leopard hasn't changed its spots, and those rushing headlong into the arms of Rome today should give themselves pause and read Foxe's book for themselves. If Rome ever recovers her full strength and power, the Inquisition will open its doors again.