Foxe - The Book of Martyrs
The mystery of history is not completely dark, since it is a veil which only partially conceals the creative activity and spiritual forces and the operation of spiritual laws. It is commonplace to say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church yet what we are asserting is simply that individual acts of spiritual decision bear social fruit …For the great cultural changes and historic revolutions that decide the fate of nations or the character of an age is the cumulative result of a number of spiritual decisions … the faith and insight, or the refusal and blindness, of individuals. No one can put his finger on the ultimate spiritual act that tilts the balance, and makes the external order of society assume a new form… Persecution, powerless to destroy or even to shake this new community, made it only the more sensible of its own strength, and pressed it into a more compact body.
The mystery of history is not completely dark, since it is a veil which only partially conceals the creative activity and spiritual forces and the operation of spiritual laws. It is commonplace to say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church yet what we are asserting is simply that individual acts of spiritual decision bear social fruit …For the great cultural changes and historic revolutions that decide the fate of nations or the character of an age is the cumulative result of a number of spiritual decisions … the faith and insight, or the refusal and blindness, of individuals. No one can put his finger on the ultimate spiritual act that tilts the balance, and makes the external order of society assume a new form… Persecution, powerless to destroy or even to shake this new community, made it only the more sensible of its own strength, and pressed it into a more compact body.
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<strong>Foxe</strong>’s <strong>Book</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Martyrs</strong><br />
and resolution; and notwithstanding his arguments totally defeated the force <strong>of</strong> all, yet he<br />
was found guilty <strong>of</strong> heresy, and condemned to imprisonment for life.<br />
When he left the court he was attended by a priest, who had borne him the greatest<br />
respect. On his arrival at the prison he entered the cell allotted for his confinement with great<br />
tranquillity; and on taking leave <strong>of</strong> the priest, thus addressed him: "Adieu, father, we shall<br />
meet again at the Day <strong>of</strong> Judgment, and then it will appear on which side the truth is, whether<br />
on my side, or on yours."<br />
During his confinement, he was several times tortured in the most cruel manner, until,<br />
at length, the severity <strong>of</strong> the punishments overpowered his strength, and finished his<br />
existence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> death <strong>of</strong> Molinos struck such an impression on his followers that the greater part <strong>of</strong><br />
them soon abjured his mode; and by the assiduity <strong>of</strong> the Jesuits, Quietism was totally<br />
extirpated throughout the country.<br />
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