FOX. 331 To this edition there is frequent reference in the present volume. Several writers have laboured to depreciate the memory of Mr. Fox, by insinuating that his History of the Martyrs contained many misrepresentations and falsehoods. Dr. Collier, who embraces all opportunities to lessen his reputa- tion and undervalue his work, accuses him of disin- genuity and ill nature, and says, he ought to be read with great caution. He tells us, that a vein of satire and coarse language runs through his martyrology, and instances the case of the cruel Bishop Gardiner, whom he styles " an insensible ass, who had no feeling of God's spirit in the matter of justification.". He charges Mr. Fox with other improprietiesand inconsistencies, and adds, "I cannot perceive the martyrologist had any right to Elijah's sarcasm. His zeal without doubt was too much imbittered. He was plainly ridden by his passion, and pushed by disaffection, towards profaneness."+ It is readily acknowledged, that Mr. Fox sometimes discovers too warm a temper ; and it was almost impossible it should be otherwise, considering the circumstances under which he wrote, and those cruel proceedings which he has handed down to posterity. This was too common among our zealous reformers, who, it must be confessed, were sometimes hurried forwards to lengths by no means jutifiable. Wood observes, " that as Mr. Fox hath taken a great deal of pains in his work, and shewed sometimes much judgment in it ; so hath he committed many errors therein, by trusting to the relations of poor simple people, and in making such martyrs as were living after the first edition of his book came forth, though afterwards by him excused and omitted.".t Admitting all this, what does it prove? It is very justly observed, that as to private stories, Mr. Fox and his friends used the utmost diligence and care, that no falsehood might be obtruded on the reader, and were ever ready to correct any mistakes that might happens Though he might be misinformed in several parts of his intelligence ; yet these he corrected, as they came to his knowledge. Indeed, these were inconveniences which must attend the compiling of so large a body of modern history, as Mr. Fox's chiefly was. Noman is likely to receive, from * Collier's Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 45, 233. Ibid. p. 43, 375, 586. ++ Wood's Athena, vol. i. p. 187. S Biog. Briton, vol. iii. p. 2024. Edit. 1747.
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