ABSTRACT
One thinks of the persecution of Protestants under 'Bloody Mary' and their vindication by John Foxe, the returned exile. Foxe's Acts and Monuments will be helpful in highlighting four particular aspects of his characterization of Constantine as: an instrument of Divine providence, a contrast with both ancient and contemporary persecutors, a true Christian, and the embodiment of the ideal relationship between Church and State. The fact that Foxe recognized the civic role of the Roman magistrate in the writing of martyrdom is central to his understanding of the typical components of the martyr story. One factor which may have influenced how Foxe wrote the conversion and Christianity of Constantine was the alleged Donation of Constantine. Foxe depicts a peculiarly Protestant service in Constantine's house of worship including doctrine, and excluding officiating priests. Also notable is the omission of the function of the edifice 'to participate in the mysteries'.
