Fox's Book of Martyrs, originally titled Actes and Monuments, was first published in 1563. It serves as a Protestant history and martyrology, detailing the brutalities faced by Christians, especially Protestants, under the Roman Catholic Church. The book focuses on the persecution of Protestants in England and Scotland, aiming to highlight the struggles and sacrifices they made for the Christian faith.
The Persecution of Dr Aegidio> Dr. Aegidio was educated at the university of Alcala, where he took his several degrees, and particularly
applied himself to the study of the sacred Scriptures and school divinity. When the professor of theology
died, he was elected into his place, and acted so much to the satisfaction of every one that his reputation for
learning and piety was circulated throughout Europe.
Aegidio, however, had his enemies, and these laid a complaint against him to the inquisitors, who sent him a
citation, and when he appeared to it, cast him into a dungeon.
As the greatest part of those who belonged to the cathedral church at Seville, and many persons belonging to
the bishopric of Dortois highly approved of the doctrines of Aegidio, which they thought perfectly consonant
with true religion, they petitioned the emperor in his behalf. Though the monarch had been educated a
Roman Catholic, he had too much sense to be a bigot, and therefore sent an immediate order for his
enlargement.
He soon after visited the church of Valladolid, and did every thing he could to promote the cause of religion.
Returning home he soon after fell sick, and died in an extreme old age.
The inquisitors having been disappointed of gratifying their malice against him while living, determined (as
the emperor's whole thoughts were engrossed by a military expedition) to wreak their vengeance on him
when dead. Therefore, soon after he was buried, they ordered his remains to be dug out of the grave; and a
legal process being carried on, they were condemned to be burnt, which was executed accordingly.
The Persecution of Dr. Constantine > Dr. Constantine, an intimate acquaintance of the already mentioned Dr. Aegidio, was a man of uncommon
natural abilities and profound learning; exclusive of several modern tongues, he was acquainted with the
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, and perfectly well knew not only the sciences called abstruse, but those
arts which come under the denomination of polite literature.
His eloquence rendered him pleasing, and the soundness of his doctrines a profitable preacher; and he was so
popular that he never preached but to a crowded audience. He had many opportunities of rising in the
Church, but never would take advantage of them; for if a living of greater value than his own was offered
him, he would refuse it, saying, "I am content with what I have"; and he frequently preached so forcibly
against simony, that many of his superiors, who were not so delicate upon the subject, took umbrage at his
doctrines upon that head.
Having been fully confirmed in Protestantism by Dr. Aegidio, he preached boldly such doctrines only as
were agreeable to Gospel purity, and uncontaminated by the errors which had at various times crept into the
Romish Church. For these reasons he had many enemies among the Roman Catholics, and some of them
were fully determined on his destruction.
A worthy gentleman named Scobaria, having erected a school for divinity lectures, appointed Dr.
Constantine to be reader therein. He immediately undertook the task, and read lectures, by portions, on the
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles; and was beginning to expound the Book of Job, when he was seized
by the inquisitors.
Being brought to examination, he answered with such precaution that they could not find any explicit charge
against him, but remained doubtful in what manner to proceed, when the following circumstances occurred
to determine them.
Dr. Constantine had deposited with a woman named Isabella Martin, several books, which to him were very
valuable, but which he knew, in the eyes of the Inquisition, were exceptionable.
This woman having been informed against as a Protestant, was apprehended, and, after a small process, her
goods were ordered to be confiscated. Previous, however, to the officers coming to her house, the woman's
son had removed away several chests full of the most valuable articles; among these were Dr. Constantine's
books.
A treacherous servant gave intelligence of this to the inquisitors, and an officer was despatched to the son to
demand the chests. The son, supposing the officer only came for Constantine's books, said, "I know what you
come for, and I will fetch them to you immediately." He then fetched Dr. Constantine's books and papers,
when the officer was greatly surprised to find what he did not look for. He, however, told the young man that
he was glad these books and papers were produced, but nevertheless he must fulfill the end of his
commission, which was to carry him and the goods he had embezzled before the inquisitors, which he did
accordingly; for the young man knew it would be in vain to expostulate, or resist, and therefore quietly
submitted to his fate.
The inquisitors being thus possessed of Constantine's books and writings, now found matter sufficient to
form charges against him. When he was brought to a re-examination, they presented one of his papers, and
asked him if he knew the handwriting? Perceiving it was his own, he guessed the whole matter, confessed
the writing, and justified the doctrine it contained: saying, "In that, and all my other writings, I have never
departed from the truth of the Gospel, but have always kept in view the pure precepts of Christ, as He
delivered them to mankind."
After being detained upwards of two years in prison, Dr. Constantine was seized with a bloody flux, which
put an end to his miseries in this world. The process, however, was carried on against his body, which, at the
ensuing auto da fe, was publicly burnt.
