Foxe's Book Of Martyrs

The Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe, is an English Protestant account of the persecutions of Protestants, many of whom had died for their beliefs within the decade immediately preceding its first publication. It was first published by John Day, in 1563. Lavishly illustrated with many woodcuts, it was the largest publishing project undertaken in Britain up to that time. Commonly known as, “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs”, the work’s full title begins with “Actes and Monuments of these Latter and Perillous Days, Touching Matters of the Church.” There were many subsequent editions, by Day, and by other editors down through the years. Foxe’s original work was enormous (the second edition filling two heavy folio volumes with a total of 2,300 pages, estimated to be twice as long as Edward Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” This edition is much abridged from Foxe’s original

pleased with their new subjects and tenants, as they were honest, quiet, and industrious; but the priests of the country exhibited several negative complaints against them; for not being able to accuse them of anything bad which they did do, they founded accusations on what they did not do, and charged them,

With not being Roman catholics.

With not making any of their boys priests.

With not making any of their girls nuns.

With not going to mass.

With not giving wax tapers to their priests as offerings.

With not going on pilgrimages.

With not bowing to images.

The Calabrian lords, however, quieted the priests, by telling them that these people were extremely harmless; that they gave no offence to the Roman catholics, and cheerfully paid the tithes to the priests, whose revenues were considerably increased by their coming into the country, and who, of consequence, ought to be the last persons to complain of them.

Things went on tolerably well after this for a few years, during which the Waldenses formed themselves into two corporate towns, annexing several villages to the jurisdiction of them. At length, they sent to Geneva for two clergymen; one to preach in each town, as they determined to make a public profession of their faith. Intelligence of this affair being carried to the pope, Pius the Fourth, he determined to exterminate them from Calabria.

To this end he sent cardinal Alexandrino, a man of very violent temper and a furious bigot, together with two monks, to Calabria, where they were to act as inquisitors. These authorized persons came to St. Xist, one of the towns built by the Waldenses, and having assembled the people told them, that they should receive no injury or violence, if they would accept of preachers appointed by the pope;

I am sad that it took me this long to get to this incredible work. A great sobering and important read for Christians, because it reminds us of where we have come from. A must read.

I decided to finally read this Christian classic after hearing a lot about the modern day persecuted Church. While the descriptions of the violence believers have faced are disturbing, what struck me even more was how these believers endured it.

The things they said before facing the executioner wer

There is only one word that springs to mind on concluding a book like this-grateful. I am grateful that none of these terrible things have happened to me.....yet.

This classic book documents Christian martyrs through the centuries. There are some updated chapters running to the publication in 1997.

How can we not continue to serve Him, with so great a cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. We have not resisted unto death, but many hero's of the faith have done so! Jesus Christ is worth it all!!!

I'm learning what it means to truly stand for what you believe in, and that Christianity will not die no matter what. Many men of power have hated true christianity and all those who followed Jesus Christ and His principles. And they tried in vain to use their power and influence to erase christiani

Every Christian should read this book.