The first examinacyon of Anne Askewe (1546)

Abstract

Abstract Amonge other most syngular offyces (dylygent reader) whych the lorde hath appoynted to be done in the ernest sprete of Helyas, by the foreronners of hys lattre aperaunce, thys is one verye specyall to be noted. They shall turne the hartes of their auncyent elders into the chyldren, Mala, 4. And the unbelevers of their tyme, to the wysdome of those ryghtouse fathers, as ded Johan Baptyst afore hys first commynge, Luce 1. That is (sayth Bedas ca. 68. de temporum ratione) the faythe and fervent zele of the prophetes and Apostles shall they plant in their hartes, whych shall in those dayes lyve and be amonge men conver-10 saunt, and than wyll breake fourth (sayth he as a verye true prophete) soche horryble persecucyon, as wyll first of all take from the worlde, those myghtye heliases by tryumphaunt martyrdome, to the terryfyenge of other in the same fayth, of whom some shall becom through that occasyon, most gloryouse martyrs unto Christ also, and some verye wycked Apostataes forsakynge hys lyvelye doctryne. For by the seyd Bedas testymonye in the begynnynge of the same chaptre, two most certayne sygnes shall we than have that the lame judgement daye is at hande. The returne of Israels remnaunt unto their lorde God, and the horryble persecucyon of Antichrist.